Method and system for providing golf game simulation on 3D map

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for providing a golf game simulation on a 3D map is provided, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring a 3D map including geographic information; specifying a first point on the 3D map with reference to an input of a user; and providing, on the 3D map, a golf game simulation having the first point as a starting point and a second point on the 3D map as a target point, wherein the golf game simulation implements a physical effect on the basis of the geographic information.

Description

Method and system for providing golf game simulation on a 3D map

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and system for providing a golf game simulation on a 3D map.

[0002] Recently, with the increase in leisure time and the growing number of people enjoying golf, the domestic and international golf industry is steadily growing, and public interest in golf game simulations is increasing, allowing users to enjoy the game at a low cost without having to go out to the actual course.

[0003] If a golf game simulation provides various virtual golf courses with different environments, it can stimulate users' interest in the golf game simulation.

[0004] However, according to conventional methods for providing golf game simulations, a virtual golf course for the golf game simulation had to be created separately, and if a virtual golf course could not be created separately, the golf game simulation could only be played within the virtual golf courses stored on the golf game simulation server.

[0005] Accordingly, the inventor(s) propose a technology that can induce user interest in a golf game simulation by providing various virtual golf courses to the user by obtaining a 3D map containing terrain information from a 3D map database, specifying a first point on the 3D map by referring to user input, setting the first point as a starting point, and setting a second point on the 3D map as a target point, thereby providing a golf game simulation with physical effects implemented on the 3D map.

[0006] The present invention aims to solve all the problems of the aforementioned prior art.

[0007] In addition, the present invention has another objective of acquiring a 3D map including terrain information, specifying a first point on the 3D map by referring to user input, setting the first point as a starting point, and providing a golf game simulation on the 3D map with a second point on the 3D map as a target point. At this time, physical effects based on terrain information may be implemented in the golf game simulation.

[0008] A representative configuration of the present invention for achieving the above objective is as follows.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method is provided comprising the steps of: acquiring a 3D map including terrain information; specifying a first point on the 3D map by referring to user input; and providing a golf game simulation on the 3D map with the first point as a starting point and a second point on the 3D map as a target point.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a system is provided comprising a map acquisition unit for acquiring a 3D map including terrain information, a point identification unit for identifying a first point on the 3D map by referring to user input, and a simulation providing unit for providing a golf game simulation on the 3D map with the first point as the starting point and a second point on the 3D map as the target point.

[0011] In addition to this, other methods for implementing the present invention, other systems, and non-transient computer-readable recording media for recording a computer program for executing said methods are further provided.

[0012] According to the present invention, by obtaining a 3D map including terrain information, specifying a first point on the 3D map by referring to user input, and providing a golf game simulation on the 3D map with the first point as the starting point and a second point on the 3D map as the target point, it is possible to provide the user with various virtual golf courses and induce the user's interest in the golf game simulation.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the entire system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating in detail the internal configuration of a golf game simulation providing system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating the process of performing user input on a 3D map according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating, in an exemplary manner, the process of specifying a first point and a second point by referring to user input on a 3D map according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating, exemplarily, a situation of adjusting the viewpoint on a 3D map according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating, in an exemplary manner, the process of displaying the trajectory of a virtual golf ball on a 3D map by referring to data regarding a user's golf shot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] <Explanation of Symbols>

[0020] 100: Communication network

[0021] 200: Golf Game Simulation Provision System

[0022] 210: Map Acquisition Section

[0023] 220: Branch specific part

[0024] 230: Simulation Provider

[0025] 240: Communications Department

[0026] 250: Control unit

[0027] 300: Device

[0028] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that various embodiments of the invention are different but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described herein may be modified from one embodiment to another without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should also be understood that the location or arrangement of individual components within each embodiment may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following detailed description is not meant to be limiting, and the scope of the invention should be understood to encompass the scope claimed by the claims and all equivalents thereof. Similar reference numerals in the drawings indicate identical or similar components across various aspects.

[0029] Hereinafter, in order to enable a person skilled in the art to easily practice the present invention, various preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0030] In this specification, the term "3D map" may mean a map that represents terrain elements in three dimensions and may include information regarding the elevation and shape of the terrain elements. In this case, terrain elements in the 3D map are not limited to natural objects such as mountains, trees, and rocks, but may be a concept that includes artificial objects such as buildings, roads, and bridges.

[0031] Configuration of the entire system

[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the schematic configuration of the entire system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the entire system according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a communication network (100), a golf game simulation providing system (200), and a device (300).

[0034] First, a communication network (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention can be configured regardless of the mode of communication, such as wired communication or wireless communication, and can be configured as various communication networks such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), or a Wide Area Network (WAN). Preferably, the communication network (100) referred to in this specification may be the known Internet or the World Wide Web (WWW). However, the communication network (100) may include at least a known wired / wireless data communication network, a known telephone network, or a known wired / wireless television communication network, without being limited thereto.

[0035] For example, the communication network (100) may be a wireless data communication network and may implement conventional communication methods such as WiFi communication, WiFi-Direct communication, Long Term Evolution (LTE) communication, 5G communication, Bluetooth communication (including Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication), infrared communication, ultrasonic communication, etc., in at least a part thereof. As another example, the communication network (100) may be an optical communication network and may implement conventional communication methods such as Light Fidelity (LiFi), etc., in at least a part thereof.

[0036] Next, a golf game simulation providing system (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform the function of acquiring a 3D map including terrain information, specifying a first point on the 3D map by referring to user input, setting the first point as a starting point, and providing a golf game simulation on the 3D map with a second point on the 3D map as a target point.

[0037] The configuration and functions of the golf game simulation providing system (200) according to the present invention will be examined in detail through the following detailed description.

[0038] Next, the device (300) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a digital device that includes a function to communicate after connecting to the golf game simulation providing system (200), and any digital device equipped with memory means and equipped with a microprocessor to have computational capabilities, such as a smartphone, tablet, smart watch, smart band, smart glasses, desktop computer, laptop computer, workstation, PDA, web pad, mobile phone, etc., can be adopted as the device (300) according to the present invention.

[0039] In particular, the device (300) may include an application (not shown) that enables a user to receive functions according to the present invention from the golf game simulation providing system (200). Such an application may be downloaded from the golf game simulation providing system (200) or an external application distribution server (not shown). Meanwhile, the nature of such an application may generally be similar to the map acquisition unit (210), point identification unit (220), simulation providing unit (230), communication unit (240), and control unit (250) of the golf game simulation providing system (200) as described below. Here, at least a part of the application may be replaced with a hardware device or firmware device capable of performing substantially the same or equivalent functions as needed.

[0040] Configuration of the golf game simulation provision system

[0041] Below, we will examine the internal configuration of the golf game simulation providing system (200) that performs important functions for the implementation of the present invention and the functions of each component.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating in detail the internal configuration of a golf game simulation providing system (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a golf game simulation providing system (200) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a map acquisition unit (210), a point identification unit (220), a simulation providing unit (230), a communication unit (240), and a control unit (250). According to one embodiment of the present invention, the map acquisition unit (210), the point identification unit (220), the simulation providing unit (230), the communication unit (240), and the control unit (250) may be program modules, at least some of which communicate with an external system (not shown). Such program modules may be included in the golf game simulation providing system (200) in the form of an operating system, an application program module, or other program modules, and may be physically stored in various known storage devices. Additionally, such program modules may be stored in a remote storage device capable of communicating with the golf game simulation providing system (200). Meanwhile, such program modules include, but are not limited to, routines, subroutines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or execute specific abstract data types as described below according to the present invention.

[0044] Meanwhile, although the golf game simulation providing system (200) has been described as above, this description is exemplary, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that at least some of the components or functions of the golf game simulation providing system (200) may be realized within a device (300) or server (not shown) or included within an external system (not shown) as needed.

[0045] First, a map acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform the function of acquiring a 3D map including terrain information. Specifically, a map acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention can acquire a 3D map including terrain information from a 3D map database.

[0046] More specifically, a map acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention may acquire 3D map data including 2D terrain information such as aerial view images and street view images of terrain, and 3D terrain information such as elevation and shape of terrain from a 3D map database (e.g., Google Maps). However, the method by which the map acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention acquires the 3D map is not limited to the above example.

[0047] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, terrain information included in a 3D map may include information regarding the elevation and shape of the terrain. Specifically, terrain information according to one embodiment of the present invention may include information regarding the elevation and shape of natural objects and information regarding the elevation and shape of artificial objects.

[0048] For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the terrain information included in the 3D map acquired by the map acquisition unit (210) may include information regarding the altitude and shape of natural objects such as trees, mountains, and rocks, and information regarding the altitude and shape of artificial objects such as buildings, roads, and bridges. However, the information included in the 3D map is not limited to the above examples.

[0049] In summary, a map acquisition unit (210) according to one embodiment of the present invention can acquire a 3D map containing terrain information from a 3D database and provide it to a simulation providing unit (230) as is without processing it separately. Accordingly, the simulation providing unit (230) can provide a golf game simulation on a 3D map without separately creating a virtual golf course for the golf game simulation.

[0050] Next, a point-specification unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform the function of specifying a first point on a 3D map by referring to user input.

[0051] Specifically, the point-specification part (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention allows a user to specify the location coordinates of a specific point on a 3D map as a first point on the 3D map. At this time, the first point may mean the starting point of a golf game simulation, that is, the tee shot point in the golf game simulation.

[0052] At this time, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the user can perform user input through the input device of the device (300). That is, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the user can operate a cursor (e.g., an arrow-shaped pointer) indicating user input on the golf game simulation providing system (200) through the input device of the device (300) (e.g., a mouse, a touch screen, etc.), and the user can perform user input by operating the cursor to specify a point on the 3D map. At this time, the user can zoom in, zoom out, and rotate the 3D map through the cursor, and can also change the viewpoint on the 3D map.

[0053] Meanwhile, the point specifying part (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention may perform the function of specifying a second point by referring to user input.

[0054] Specifically, the point-specification part (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention allows the user to specify the location coordinates of a specific point on a 3D map as a second point on the 3D map. At this time, the second point may mean a target point of a golf game simulation, for example, a hole cup point in a golf game simulation.

[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates, in an exemplary manner, the process of performing user input on a 3D map according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 3, a user according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform user input by specifying a point on a 3D map displayed on the screen of a device (300). Specifically, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the user can move an arrow-shaped cursor on a globe-shaped 3D map obtained from a map acquisition unit (210) through an input device of the device (300), and can perform user input by specifying a point on the 3D map using the cursor. At this time, the user can zoom in, zoom out, and rotate the 3D map using the cursor, and can also change the viewpoint on the 3D map.

[0057] FIG. 4 illustrates, in an exemplary manner, the process of a point-specification part (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention specifying a first point and a second point by referring to user input on a 3D map.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 4, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a user can move an arrow-shaped cursor on a globe-shaped 3D map obtained from a map acquisition unit (210) through an input device of a device (300), and perform user input by specifying two points on the 3D map through the cursor. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a point specifying unit (220) can specify the location coordinates of the first point among the two points specified by the user as the first point, and can display the first point on the 3D map through a golf ball-shaped mark. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, a point specifying unit (220) can specify the location coordinates of the second point among a plurality of points specified by the user as the second point, and can display the second point on the 3D map through a flag-shaped mark. At this time, the point specifying unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention can visualize the straight-line distance between the first point and the second point as a dotted line and display it on the 3D map. However, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the method of specifying and displaying the first point and the second point is not limited to the above example, and the user may specify a set of multiple first points and second points by repeating the specification of the first point and the second point on a 3D map.

[0059] FIG. 5 illustrates, exemplarily, a situation in which a viewpoint on a 3D map is adjusted according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary street view of a 3D map according to an embodiment of the present invention, and a specific second point is indicated on the 3D map through a flag-shaped mark at a specific point section (220). According to an embodiment of the present invention, a user can move a cursor on the 3D map acquired from the map acquisition section (210) through the input device of the device (300), and can zoom in, zoom out, move, and rotate the 3D map through the cursor. Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the user can select various viewpoints, such as an aerial view and a street view, as they zoom in, zoom out, move, and rotate the 3D map.

[0061] On the other hand, the point-specification unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention may specify a second point by referring to data regarding the user's golf shot. Specifically, the point-specification unit (220) according to one embodiment of the present invention may specify a second point on a 3D map by referring to the speed, direction, and distance of movement of the golf ball struck by the user, even if the user does not separately specify a second point on the 3D map.

[0062] Next, the simulation providing unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform the function of providing a golf game simulation on a 3D map, with a first point as the starting point and a second point on the 3D map as the target point.

[0063] Specifically, a simulation providing unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention receives the 3D map acquired by the map acquisition unit (210) as is without separate processing, and can provide a golf game simulation on the 3D map in which the point specifying unit (220) sets a first point specified on the 3D map as a starting point and a second point as a target point.

[0064] Meanwhile, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the golf game simulation provided by the simulation providing unit (230) can implement physical effects based on terrain information of a 3D map.

[0065] At this time, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the physical effect based on terrain information of a 3D map may refer to a phenomenon in which the speed, direction, and rotation of a virtual golf ball in response to a collision between the virtual golf ball in the golf game simulation and the terrain on the 3D map is changed, as well as gravity, friction, and inertia within the golf game simulation. That is, the simulation providing unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention can implement in the golf game simulation a physical phenomenon in which the speed, direction, and rotation of the virtual golf ball are changed according to the altitude, shape, and slope of the terrain and the speed, direction, and rotation of the virtual golf ball in response to a collision between the virtual golf ball and the terrain on the 3D map.

[0066] Furthermore, a simulation providing unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform the function of recognizing the movement speed and direction of an actual golf ball struck by a user, and, by referring to the movement speed, direction, and rotation of the actual golf ball, setting a first point specified by the user at the point specifying unit (220) as the tee shot point of the golf game simulation and a second point as the hole cup point of the golf game simulation on a 3D map obtained from a map acquisition unit (210).

[0067] Meanwhile, the simulation providing unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform the function of displaying the trajectory of a virtual golf ball on a 3D map by referring to data regarding the user's golf shot.

[0068] Specifically, a simulation providing unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention can display a virtual golf ball trajectory on a 3D map by referring to data regarding a golf shot, such as the speed and direction of movement of the actual golf ball, in response to a user hitting an actual golf ball.

[0069] FIG. 6 illustrates, in an exemplary manner, the process of a simulation providing unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention displaying the trajectory of a virtual golf ball on a 3D map by referring to data regarding a user's golf shot.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 6, a specific point (220) is indicated on a 3D map with a golf ball-shaped mark, a second point is indicated on a 3D map with a flag-shaped mark, and a parabolic trajectory starting from the first point is indicated on a 3D map.

[0071] According to FIG. 6, when a user hits a real golf ball, the simulation providing unit (230) can display the trajectory of a virtual golf ball on a 3D map by referring to data regarding the speed, direction, and rotation of the real golf ball. Specifically, the simulation providing unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention can implement data regarding the movement speed, direction, and rotation of the real golf ball on a virtual golf ball in a golf game simulation. Furthermore, the simulation providing unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention can display the movement speed, direction, and rotation implemented on the virtual golf ball through a parabolic trajectory on a 3D map. At this time, the speed, direction, and rotation of the virtual golf ball at the point where the virtual golf ball collides with the terrain on the 3D map may be changed according to the altitude, shape, and slope of the terrain on the 3D map, and the simulation providing unit (230) may display the parabolic trajectory after the collision on the 3D map by referring to the speed, direction, and rotation of the virtual golf ball after the collision. In addition, the simulation providing unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention may provide information regarding the distance traveled, speed, direction, and rotation of the virtual golf ball implemented on the 3D map.

[0072] However, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the method of displaying the trajectory of a virtual golf ball on a 3D map by referring to data regarding a user's golf shot is not limited to the above example.

[0073] Meanwhile, a simulation providing unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention may obtain information regarding a first point and a second point shared by other users from a server, and perform the function of providing a golf game simulation on a 3D map with the first point as the starting point and the second point as the target point. That is, according to one embodiment of the present invention, by users sharing the first point and the second point through the server, multiple users can play a golf game simulation at the same point on the 3D map.

[0074] Furthermore, a simulation providing unit (230) according to one embodiment of the present invention can obtain information regarding the results of the golf game simulations of the multiple users through a server in response to multiple users playing a golf game simulation at the same first point and second point, and can calculate a ranking in order of the lowest number of strokes by comparing the number of strokes of the golf game simulations of the multiple users.

[0075] Next, a communication unit (240) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform the function of enabling data transmission and reception from / to a map acquisition unit (210), a point identification unit (220), and a simulation providing unit (230).

[0076] Finally, a control unit (250) according to one embodiment of the present invention can perform the function of controlling the flow of data between a map acquisition unit (210), a point identification unit (220), a simulation provision unit (230), and a communication unit (240). That is, by controlling the flow of data from / to the outside of the golf game simulation provision system (200) or the flow of data between each component of the golf game simulation provision system (200), the control unit (250) according to one embodiment of the present invention can control the map acquisition unit (210), the point identification unit (220), the simulation provision unit (230), and the communication unit (240) to perform their respective unique functions.

[0077] The embodiments according to the present invention described above may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed through various computer components and recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc., either individually or in combination. The program instructions recorded on the computer-readable recording medium may be those specifically designed and configured for the present invention or those known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of computer-readable recording media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes; optical recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, and flash memory. Examples of program instructions include machine code, such as that generated by a compiler, as well as high-level language code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. Hardware devices may be modified into one or more software modules to perform processing according to the present invention, and vice versa.

[0078] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to specific details such as specific components, limited embodiments, and drawings, this is provided only to aid in a more comprehensive understanding of the invention, and the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and a person skilled in the art to which the invention belongs can make various modifications and changes from this description.

[0079] Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described above, and all scopes equivalent to or equivalently modified from the claims set forth below, as well as the claims set forth below, shall be considered to fall within the scope of the concept of the present invention.

Claims

1. As a method for providing a golf game simulation on a 3D map, A step of acquiring a 3D map containing terrain information, A step of specifying a first point on the 3D map by referring to user input, and The method includes the step of providing a golf game simulation on the 3D map, wherein the first point is the starting point and the second point on the 3D map is the target point. The above golf game simulation implements physical effects based on the terrain information. method.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above terrain information includes information regarding the elevation and shape of the terrain. method.

3. In Paragraph 1, In the above specific step, the second point is specified by referring to the user's input. method.

4. In Paragraph 1, In the above specific step, the second point is specified by referring to the data regarding the user's golf shot. method.

5. In Paragraph 1, In the above providing step, displaying the trajectory of a virtual golf ball on the 3D map by referring to data regarding the user's golf shot. method.

6. A non-transient computer-readable recording medium for recording a computer program for executing the method according to paragraph 1.

7. A map acquisition unit that acquires a 3D map including terrain information, A point specifying part that specifies a first point on the 3D map by referring to user input, and It includes a simulation providing unit that provides a golf game simulation on the 3D map, with the first point as the starting point and the second point on the 3D map as the target point. The above golf game simulation implements physical effects based on the terrain information. System.

8. In Paragraph 7, The above terrain information includes information regarding the elevation and shape of the terrain. System.

9. In Paragraph 7, The above point specifying part specifies the second point by referring to the user's input. System.

10. In Paragraph 7, The above point specifying part specifies the second point by referring to data regarding the user's golf shot. System.

11. In Paragraph 7, The simulation providing unit displays the trajectory of a virtual golf ball on the 3D map by referring to data regarding the user's golf shot. System.

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