Projected Golf Club Input for Hands-Free Simulator Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional golf indoor simulation devices require users to use keyboards or mice to input control commands, disrupting the batting process.
Innovation Solution
A sport simulation device that projects command patterns onto a bearing surface and uses a camera module to identify a golf club's predefined feature, allowing control commands to be input directly through the club without freeing hands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the user uses a keyboard or mouse to input control commands, then the control command can be accurately input to the computer device, but the batting process is interrupted and the user experience is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a camera as an intermediary device to detect the golf club's position and orientation. The camera captures images of the club, and the processor interprets these images to generate control commands, thereby mediating between the user's natural club movement and the computer's command input requirements without requiring the user to manually operate a keyboard or mouse
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction system (keyboard/mouse) with an optical detection system (camera). Instead of requiring mechanical input through keys or mouse movements, the system uses optical imaging to detect the golf club's position and orientation, converting mechanical club movement directly into digital control signals through image processing
2Ease of operation
If the user frees his hands to operate a keyboard or mouse, then the control command can be input, but the natural batting flow is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the golf club itself to serve as the control input device. The club's natural movement and orientation automatically generate control commands through camera detection and processor interpretation, allowing the club to 'self-service' the control input function without requiring the user to switch to manual keyboard or mouse operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If a camera module is added to detect the golf club, then hands-free control is enabled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The camera module serves multiple functions: it captures the golf club for control input detection, can potentially track ball flight, and provides visual feedback to the user. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing hands-free control capability while potentially serving other purposes in the golf simulation system
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables hands-free control of external computer devices by pointing a golf club at projected command patterns, enhancing user experience and maintaining the batting flow.
Implementation Method 1
a distance sensor adapted to acquire a distance of the projection module relative to the bearing surface via time delay between an emitting point of time and a receiving point of time of a detection beam from the projection module
Data Source
AI summary
A sport simulation device is applied to an external computer device and includes a projection module, a camera module, a transmission module and an operation processor. The projection module projects a projection image containing a command pattern onto a bearing surface. The camera module captures a top view image of a user standing on the bearing surface. The operation processor is electrically connected to the projection module, the camera module and the transmission module. The operation processor can analyze the top view image to contain a predefined feature relevant to the user, acquire a coordinate range of the command pattern within the projection image, and decide whether to transmit a control command of the command pattern to the external computer device via the transmission module in accordance with a comparison of the predefined feature and the coordinate range.