Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Description
Title of Invention: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL
GOLF DRIVING RANGE SIMULATION
Technical Field
[11 The present invention relates to a virtual golf driving range
simulation apparatus and
method, and, more particularly, to a virtual golf driving range simulation
apparatus and
method which sense a golf ball hit by a user and simulate the trajectory of
the ball so
that the user can practice a golf shot in a technical manner in a virtual
environment for
golf practice.
Background Art
[2] With the recent upsurge of the golfing population, a so-called screen
golf system,
which offers the same sense of reality that a golfer would feel playing a
round of golf
on a real golf course using a virtual golf simulation apparatus based on
virtual reality,
has gained popularity.
1131 The screen golf system senses the velocity and direction of a golf
ball that a golfer
hits onto a screen installed indoors for displaying a virtual golf range and
displays the
progress of the golf ball on the screen so that the golfer feels as if they
were playing a
round of golf on a real golf course.
[4] The virtual golf simulation apparatus enables a user to play a round
of virtual golf so
that the user can improve his/her skill when playing a round of golf on a real
golf
course.
1151 However, golf is a hard sport in which it is necessary to take various
golf shots using
various golf clubs depending upon the distance to a hole cup. For this reason,
the user
must skillfully take almost all kinds of golf shots during a round of golf so
as to get a
good score. As long as the user is not a professional, however, some kinds of
golf shots
taken by the user may be poor, and the conventional virtual golf simulation
apparatus
is limited for the user to intensively practice his/her poor golf shots.
[6] This is because the conventional virtual golf simulation apparatus
realizes an image
regarding a virtual golf course on which a round of golf is played, and
therefore, it is
not possible to intensively practice only one or two golf shots.
1171 The user must practice a specific golf shot on a real golf driving
range so as to in-
tensively practice the golf shot. However, practice of the golf shot on the
real golf
driving range is too tiresome to stimulate the user's interest with the result
that im-
provement in golf skill of the user is very slow.
1181 Therefore, there is a high necessity for a new golf practice apparatus
concept that is
capable of enabling a specific golf shot, which is possible only on a real
golf driving
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range, to be intensively practiced through golf simulation based on virtual
reality and
providing various functions, which cannot be provided on the real golf driving
range,
to improve golf skill of a user based on golf simulation using various high-
technology
apparatuses and systems.
Disclosure of Invention
Technical Problem
1191 Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
virtual golf driving
range simulation apparatus and method that are capable of providing various
practice
modes for each kind of golf shot so that a user can intensively practice a
specific golf
shot through golf simulation based on virtual reality, realizing a virtual
environment
which cannot be experienced on a real golf driving range so that the user can
in-
tensively practice a golf shot that can be utilized in a real game with more
interest, and
changing the virtual environment whenever the user achieves a goal record so
that the
user can practice a golf shot step by step in a more skilled manner, thereby
dra-
matically improving the user's golf skill.
Solution to Problem
11101 In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above and
other objects
can be accomplished by the provision of a virtual golf driving range
simulation
apparatus including a sensing device for sensing at least one of a golf club
and a ball
according to a golf swing performed by a user, an image processing device for
im-
plementing a virtual environment in which the user practices a specific golf
shot as an
image, a simulation means for simulating a trajectory of the ball based on the
result
sensed by the sensing device in the realized virtual environment, and a
virtual en-
vironment control means for analyzing a golf shot record of the user based on
the
simulation result and changing the virtual environment so that a goal range of
a golf
shot is changed based on the analysis result of the golf shot record.
11111 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a virtual
golf driving range simulation method including realizing a virtual environment
in
which a user practices a specific golf shot, sensing at least one of a ball
and a golf club
according to a golf shot taken by the user, simulating a trajectory of the
ball based on
the sensed result in the realized virtual environment, analyzing a golf shot
record of the
user based on the simulation result, and changing the virtual environment so
that a goal
range of a golf shot is changed based on the analysis result of the golf shot
record.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[12] The virtual golf driving range simulation apparatus and method
according to the
present invention have the effect of providing various practice modes for each
kind of
golf shot so that a user can intensively practice a specific golf shot through
golf
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simulation based on virtual reality, realizing a virtual environment which
cannot be ex-
perienced on a real golf driving range so that the user can intensively
practice a golf
shot that can be utilized in a real game with more interest, and changing the
virtual en-
vironment whenever the user achieves a goal record so that the user can
practice a golf
shot step by step in a more skilled manner, thereby dramatically improving the
user's
golf skill.
Brief Description of Drawings
[13] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the
present invention
will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken
in con-
junction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[14] FIG. 1 is a view showing the construction of a virtual golf driving
range simulation
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[15] FIGS. 2 to 7 are views showing an example of a virtual environment
realized by the
virtual golf driving range simulation apparatus according to the present
invention; and
[16] FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a virtual golf driving range simulation
method
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention
[17] Now, exemplary embodiments of a virtual golf driving range simulation
apparatus
and method according to the present invention will be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings.
[18] First, a virtual golf driving range simulation apparatus according to
an embodiment
of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a
block diagram showing the construction of a virtual golf driving range
simulation
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[19] As shown in FIG. 1, the virtual golf driving range simulation
apparatus according to
the embodiment of the present invention may include a sensing device 10, a
database
20, an image realization means 30 and 40, a club recognition device 50, and a
controller M.
[20] Basically, the virtual golf driving range simulation apparatus
according to the present
invention realizes a virtual environment for allowing a user to perform golf
practice on
a golf driving range and simulates a golf shot taken by the user so that the
user can
evaluate his/her own golf shot.
[21] A golf driving range embodied by the present invention is a 'virtual
golf driving
range' on which a virtual environment that can be experienced on a real golf
driving
range is realized so that a user can practice a golf shot which is more
exciting, more
intensive, and more practically useful in a real game.
11221 The
virtual environment regarding the virtual golf driving range is realized by
the
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virtual environment control means 200 through the image realization means
using data
obtained from the database 20. In the virtual environment realized as
described above,
a golf club which a user uses to take a golf shot is recognized by the club
recognition
device 50. When the user takes a golf shot, the sensing device 10 senses the
golf shot
taken by the user, and the simulation means 100 calculates a trajectory of the
ball
based on the result sensed by the sensing device 10 and the recognized club in-
formation so that the ball is simulated in the realized virtual environment.
[23] The virtual golf driving range simulation apparatus according to the
present
invention and a conventional virtual golf simulation apparatus are similar to
each other
in terms of hardware but are different from each other in terms of software.
[24] That is, the virtual golf driving range simulation apparatus according
to the present
invention realizes a virtual environment which provides contents for golf
practice. On
the other hand, the conventional virtual golf simulation apparatus realizes a
real golf
course (or a golf course which is not really present but is imaginarily
designed) as an
image based on virtual reality (hereinafter, referred to as a 'virtual golf
course') so that
a user can play a round of virtual golf in the same manner as playing a round
of golf on
a real golf course in the virtual reality in which the virtual golf course is
implemented
as an image.
[25] Consequently, the virtual golf driving range simulation apparatus
according to the
present invention may be implemented in a manner similar to a so-called screen
golf
system, in which the conventional virtual golf simulation apparatus is
implemented, in
terms of hardware, and therefore, the virtual golf driving range simulation
apparatus
according to the present invention may be implemented so that a hitting plate,
on
which a user performs a golf swing to hit a ball, and a screen disposed in
front of the
hitting plate for displaying an image regarding a virtual golf driving range
are provided
in a space for golf practice having a predetermined size.
[26] Hereinafter, the respective components of the virtual golf driving
range simulation
apparatus according to the present invention to realize the above-mentioned
charac-
teristics will be described in more detail.
[27] The sensing device 10 senses the motion of a golf club and/or a ball
according to a
golf swing performed by a user.
[28] The sensing device 10 may be embodied in various forms. For example,
the sensing
device 10 may be embodied by an infrared sensor which emits infrared light,
receives
an infrared light component reflected by a golf club head moved when a user
hits a ball
and the ball hit by the user, and analyzes the received infrared light
component, a laser
sensor which irradiates a laser, senses a laser component blocked by a golf
club head
moved when a user hits a ball and the ball hit by the user, and analyzes the
sensed laser
component, or an image sensor which collects images regarding a ball hit by a
user as
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the result of a golf swing and analyzes the collected images.
[29] Meanwhile, the database 20 stores all data necessary for virtual golf
driving range
simulation. Specifically, the database 20 stores data regarding a virtual golf
course
realized by imaging a real golf course. Consequently, it is possible to
realize a virtual
environment in which a user can practice a golf shot based on a practice mode
selected
by the user on a virtual golf course selected by the user. Also, the database
20 stores a
goal record of a practice mode based on ranking of a user and data regarding a
goal
range of a golf shot to realize a virtual environment in which a golf shot can
be
practiced based on skill ranking of a user.
[30] Also, the database 20 may store personal information of users
registered in the
system, previously recorded information of the respective users, or
information
regarding skill rankings of the users registered in the system.
[31] Meanwhile, the image realization means processes and realizes an image
regarding a
virtual environment in which a user can practice a specific golf shot. As
shown in FIG.
1, the image realization means may include an image processing device 30 for
ex-
tracting relevant data from the database 20 based on information received from
the
controller M and processing the data as an image so that the data can be
output as the
image and an image output device 40 for outputting the data processed by the
image
processing device 30.
[32] The virtual environment control means 200 sets a virtual environment
in which a
user can practice a specific golf shot based on a practice mode selected by
the user,
image-processes the set virtual environment through the image processing
device 30,
and outputs the image-processed virtual environment through the image output
device
40.
[33] The image processing device 30 may be implemented as a modulated part
for
performing an image processing function in an independent apparatus or may be
im-
plemented as an independent apparatus.
[34] The image output device 40 outputs the image information processed by
the image
processing device 30 to a screen. The image output device 40 may be
implemented as a
display device or a projector for projecting an image onto a screen to display
the
image.
[35] The club recognition device 50 is provided to recognize a golf club
held by a user
when the user stands on the hitting plate while holding the golf club to take
a golf shot.
[36] The club recognition device 50 may be impelmented in various forms.
For example,
the club recognition device 50 may be implemented as a radio frequency
identification
(RFID) reader, which is configured so that, when a user stands on the hitting
plate in a
state in which an RFID tag containing information regarding a golf club is
attached to
the golf club, the RFID reader (club recognition device) installed near the
hitting plate
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reads the RFID tag attached to the golf club held by the user for receiving
information
regarding the golf club to recognize the golf club.
[37] Also, the club recognition device 50 may be implemented as a barcode
reader for
reading a barcode or a quick response (QR) reader for reading a QR code. A
barcode
or a QR code containing information regarding a golf club is attached to the
golf club,
and the barcode reader or the QR reader installed near the hitting plate reads
the
barcode or the QR code to recognize the golf club.
[38] Also, the club recognition device 50 may be impelmented as a camera
device. A
mark is formed at the golf club, and the camera acquires an image regarding
the golf
club and recognizes the mark regarding the golf club to recognize the golf
club.
[39] Information regarding the golf club recognized by the club recognition
device 50 and
the result sensed by the sensing device 10 are processed by the simulation
means 100.
The processed result may be used to more accurately calculate the trajectory
of the
ball, to determine whether the golf club is suitable for the practice mode
selected by
the user, or to recognize what kind of golf club is used by the user so that a
virtual en-
vironment is realized based on a position at which a golf shot can be taken
using the
golf club.
[40] Meanwhile, the controller M is a component for controlling the virtual
golf driving
range simulation apparatus. The controller M includes a simulation means 100
and a
virtual environment control means 200.
[41] The simulation means 100 simulates the trajectory of the ball based on
the result
sensed by the sensing device 10 in the realized virtual environment. That is,
the
simulation means 100 receives specific physical information of the ball based
on the
motion of the golf club and/or the ball sensed by the sensing device 10,
calculates the
trajectory of the ball based on the received information of the ball, and
simulates the
calculated trajectory of the ball in the realized virtual environment.
[42] The virtual environment control means 200 presets a plurality of
practice modes to
intensively practice according to golf shot types and realizes a virtual
environment cor-
responding to the selected practice mode through the image processing device
30 and
the image output device 40.
[43] The virtual environment control means 200 presets a plurality of
practice modes for
each kind of golf shot. For example, the virtual environment control means 200
presets
a long game practice mode to intensively practice at least one golf shot
selected from
among a driver shot, a wood shot and an iron shot and a short game practice
mode to
intensively practice an approach shot and/or putting. The virtual environment
control
means 200 realizes a virtual environment in which a golf shot can be taken
based on
each practice mode.
11441 The driver shot (also referred to as a tee shot) is a shot taken
using a driver, which is
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one of the golf clubs, the wood shot is a shot taken using a wood driver, such
as
number 3 wood or number 4 wood, and the iron shot is a shot taken using number
1
iron to number 9 iron.
[45] The approach shot includes a pitch shot and a chip shot. The pitch
shot is a shot taken
using a pitch wedge or a sand wedge in the vicinity of a green so that a ball
is located
on the green, and the chip shot is a shot taken in the vicinity of the green
so that the
ball approaches a hole cup.
[46] The putting is a shot taken using a putter on the green so that the
ball enters the hole
cup.
[47] Although the virtual environment control means 200 defines and sets
the practice
modes, such as the long game practice mode and the short game practice mode,
based
on kinds of golf shots as described above, the virtual environment control
means 200
may also define and set a driver practice mode to practice a driver shot, a
wood
practice mode to practice a wood shot, an iron practice mode to practice an
iron shot, a
pitch practice mode to practice a pitch shot, a chip practice mode to practice
a chip
shot, and putting practice mode to practice putting.
[48] Also, the virtual environment control means 200 may set a real game
practice mode
in which a golf shot practiced in a different practice mode is practiced on a
virtual hole
as in a real game or a mission execution mode in which a goal is achieved step
by step
with respect to some kinds of golf shots and may realize a virtual environment
based
on the set modes.
[49] Meanwhile, the virtual environment control means 200 is characterized
by analyzing
a golf shot record of a user based on the result simulated by the simulation
means 100
and changing a virtual environment so that a goal range of a golf shot can be
changed
based on the analysis result.
[50] The virtual environment control means 200 includes a record analysis
means 210, a
virtual environment setting means 220, and a virtual environment realization
means
230.
[51] The record analysis means 210 is configured to analyze a golf shot
record of a user
based on the result simulated by the simulation means 100.
[52] The virtual environment setting means 220 is configured to preset a
plurality of
practice modes to intensively practice according to golf shot types, to set a
goal range
and goal record of a golf shot in each of the practice modes, and to change
the goal
range and the goal record upon determining from the analysis result of the
golf shot
record that the goal record has been achieved.
[53] The virtual environment realization means 230 controls the image
processing device
30 to realize a virtual environment for golf shot practice in each of the
practice modes
and to change the virtual environment in response to the change of the goal
range and
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the goal record.
[54] The goal record may be defined as a record as to the number of times
which balls are
located within the goal range when the user takes golf shots in the practice
mode
selected by the user or as a goal value regarding flight distance and accuracy
of the
golf shot taken by the user.
[55] Also, the goal record may not be defined as an absolute goal value but
as a relative
goal value. For example, previous records of the user may be analyzed to
calculate the
average of the records or select the best record, and the average of the
records or the
best record may be defined as the goal record. Alternatively, the record of a
different
user may be defined as the goal record.
[56] Any one selected from among various skill rankings may be assigned to
each user,
and a goal record preset with respect to each skill ranking may be defined as
the goal
record. It is preferable to independently set the goal record for each of the
practice
modes.
[57] For example, it is assumed that a user acquires a specific skill
ranking in a driver shot
practice mode, and a goal record of the user at the current ranking is 5 times
(which
means that, for 5 driver shots among a total of 10 driver shots, balls must be
located
within a goal range). If the goal record of the user is 6 times, which exceeds
the goal
record, i.e. 5 times, in the driver shot practice mode, the skill ranking of
the user is
upgraded by one ranking and reset. As a result, a new goal record based on the
upgraded ranking is set. As the goal record is reset, the virtual environment
is changed
so that the goal range of a golf shot is further limited. Consequently, it is
possible for
the user to practice a golf shot in a more skilled manner as the user acquires
an
upgraded ranking.
[58] The goal range may be defined to include a target region of a
predetermined size in
which a ball is located as the result of a golf shot on a virtual field, which
is a place at
which a user takes the golf shot. Alternatively, the goal range may be defined
to
include a virtual target formed in the target region.
[59] Consequently, the goal range may be changed as the result of changing
the virtual
environment so that the size of the target region of the virtual field, at
which the golf
shot is taken, can be reduced or extended or as the result of changing the
virtual en-
vironment so that the size of the virtual target formed in the target region
can be
reduced or extended, a detailed description of which will be described below.
[60] Meanwhile, the virtual environment control means 200 may realize a
virtual en-
vironment in which a golf shot based on each practice mode is taken at a
specific
position at which the shot can be taken on a virtual golf course (a golf
course based on
virtual reality including regular 18 holes and configured so that a round of
virtual golf
can be played at the conventional virtual golf simulation apparatus).
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[61] For example, when a user plays a round of virtual golf on Pebble Beach
Golf Course
(a virtual golf course obtained by realizing Pebble Beach Golf Links located
at Pebble
Beach, California, USA as virtual reality) through the virtual golf simulation
apparatus,
a driver shot on hole number 1 may be out of bounds (OB). In order to
intensively
practice such a driver shot, therefore, the user may select a practice mode to
intensively
practice a driver shot through the virtual golf driving range simulation
apparatus
according to the present invention, and may select hole number 1 of Pebble
Beach Golf
Course as a virtual environment. In this case, the virtual environment setting
means
220 of the virtual environment control means 200 may set a virtual environment
corre-
sponding to a tee shot position of hole number 1 of Pebble Beach Golf Course,
and the
virtual environment realization means 230 may realize a virtual environment
based on
the above mentioned information preset by the virtual environment setting
means 220
through the image processing device so that a driver shot can be practiced at
the tee
shot position of hole number 1 of Pebble Beach Golf Course.
[62] At this time, in the virtual golf driving range simulation apparatus
according to the
present invention, a goal record is set with respect to the driver shot taken
by the user,
a goal range (for example, a target region of hole number 1 of Pebble Beach
Golf
Course or a virtual target formed in the target region) of the virtual
environment is set
based on the goal record, the virtual environment is changed so that the goal
record is
reduced when the user achieves the goal record, the goal record is further
upgraded and
reset, and the virtual environment is changed so that the reduced goal record
is further
reduced when the user achieves the reset goal record. Consequently, it is
possible for
the user to intensively practice a tee shot in a skilled manner so that the
user can
perfectly take the tee shot on hole number 1 of Pebble Beach Golf Course.
[63] In terms of hardware, the record analysis means 210, the virtual
environment setting
means 220, and the virtual environment realization means 230 may be
implemented as
a single controller configured to perform the functions of the respective
means or as a
plurality of controllers corresponding to the respective means. In terms of
software, the
record analysis means 210, the virtual environment setting means 220, and the
virtual
environment realization means 230 may be implemented as a single program
configured to perform the functions of the respective means or as a plurality
of
programs corresponding to the respective means.
[64] Hereinafter, an example of a virtual environment realized by the
virtual golf driving
range simulation apparatus according to the present invention will be
described with
reference to FIGS. 2 to 7.
[65] First, when the virtual golf driving range simulation apparatus is
operated as shown
in FIG. 2, a plurality of predetermined practice modes is displayed so that a
user can
select one of the practice modes.
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[66] In an example shown in FIG. 2, a tee shot practice mode Ml, a pitch
shot practice
mode M2, and a chip shot practice mode M3 are displayed. The tee shot practice
mode
M1 is a practice mode set to intensively practice a driver shot and to realize
a virtual
environment based thereon, the pitch shot practice mode M2 is a practice mode
set to
intensively practice a pitch shot and to realize a virtual environment based
thereon, and
the chip shot practice mode M3 is a practice mode set to intensively practice
a chip
shot and to realize a virtual environment based thereon.
[67] After one of the practice modes is selected, a virtual field on which
a golf shot based
on the selected practice mode is taken, i.e. a virtual golf course, may be
selected. FIG.
3 shows an example of a screen displaying various virtual golf courses, one of
which is
selected.
[68] In an example shown in FIG. 3, a golf course and a specific hole of
the golf course
can be simultaneously selected. However, the present invention is not limited
thereto.
For example, a golf course may be selected first, and then a user may directly
select a
desired one from among 18 holes of the selected golf course.
[69] On the other hand, FIG. 4 shows an example of a virtual environment
realized based
on the practice mode selected by the user. Specifically, FIG. 4 shows that a
user selects
drive shot practice in the tee shot practice mode M1 and a virtual environment
is
realized based on a position at which a user takes a driver shot with respect
to a ball B
on a virtual field based thereon.
[70] The virtual field shown in FIG. 4 has water hazards W located at
opposite sides of a
fairway. A target region R for a tee shot is divided by boundary lines R3 and
R4, and
the water hazards W are located outside the respective boundary lines R3 and
R4. The
user takes a tee shot so that a ball B is located in the target region R. The
number of
times which the ball is located in the target region R may be preset and
provided as a
goal record.
[71] In the virtual field shown in FIG. 4, however, an original target
region R is divided
by boundary lines R1 and R2. As the user achieves the goal record, the virtual
en-
vironment is changed so that the water hazards W are located outside the
respective
boundary lines R3 and R4.
[72] That is, FIG. 4 shows that the virtual environment is changed so that
the goal range is
limited as the user achieves the goal record (an image is implemented so that
the water
hazards W gradually encroach on the target region R whenever the goal record
is
achieved).
[73] Consequently, the virtual environment is changed so that the target
region R is
gradually narrowed whenever the user achieves the goal record with the result
that it is
possible for the user to more accurately practice a tee shot in a state in
which the space
in which a ball is located as the result of the tee shot is gradually
narrowed.
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[74] On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows an example of a virtual environment
realized as a
user selects a pitch shot practice mode M2. In the pitch shot practice mode
M2, a ball
B must be located around a pin P on a green G.
[75] The virtual environment shown in FIG. 5 is a virtual field regarding
an area in the
vicinity of the green G. The green G is a target region, and a virtual target
T is formed
in a predetermined region around the pin P of the green G, which is the target
region.
[76] The user takes a pitch shot so that the ball B is located in the
virtual target T. A given
goal record may be defined as the number of times which the ball is located in
the
virtual target T.
[77] As the user achieves the given goal record, the virtual environment
may be changed
so that the size of the green G, which is the target region, is gradually
reduced or so
that the size of the virtual target T is gradually reduced.
[78] In this way, the virtual environment is changed so that the size of
the green G is
gradually reduced or so that the size of the virtual target T is gradually
reduced
whenever the user achieves the goal record with the result that it is possible
for the user
to more intensively practice a pitch shot in a skilled manner.
[79] The virtual environment shown in FIG. 5 is changed so that the size of
the green G,
which is the target region, or the virtual target is gradually reduced as the
user achieves
the goal record. Alternatively, the virtual environment may be changed so that
the pin
P, i.e. a hole cup, is located at a more difficult position as the user
achieves the goal
record, although not shown in the drawing.
[80] For example, when the user takes pitch shots in a state in which the
hole cup is
located at the center of the green G and achieves the goal record, the virtual
en-
vironment may be changed so that the position of the hole cup is shifted to
the edge of
the green G. Consequently, it is possible for the user to practice a pitch
shot in a more
limited state.
[81] In the above example, the position of the hole cup is changed based on
a prede-
termined information as the user achieves the goal record. Alternatively, the
user may
directly select or designate the position of the hole cup.
[82] FIG. 6 shows that the user directly select the position of the pin P
on the green G in
the virtual environment based on the practice mode for pitch shot practice.
Also, FIG.
6 shows that the user directly select or designates a position at which a
pitch shot is to
be taken.
[83] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, it is possible for the user to
directly select or
designate the position of the pin P (a flag put in the hole cup), on the green
G (i.e.
position of the hole cup). Candidate positions, at which the pin P is to be
located, on
the green G are displayed, as shown in FIG. 7, so that the user can select one
of the
positions. Alternatively, it is possible for the user to directly designate an
arbitrary
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position on the green G.
[84] When the user selects or designates the position of the pin P, a new
hole cup and a
new pin P are created at the position, the goal record and goal range are
corrected and
reset based on the user's selections or designations, and a virtual
environment is
realized based on the reset information.
[85] As shown in FIG. 7, a 30 m section, a 60 m section, or a 90 m section
may be set in
the vicinity of the green G, and the position at which the user directly takes
a pitch shot
in the set section may be designated. Alternatively, one section may be
selected from
among a plurality of sections so that a predetermined position of the selected
section is
set as the position at which a pitch shot is to be taken.
[86] FIG. 7 shows that the user directly designates an arbitrary position
in the vicinity of
the 60 m section and practices a pitch shot at the position.
[87] A rough R and bunker BK as well as a fairway may be present in the
vicinity of the
green G, and the user may select or designate pitch shot practice in the rough
R or the
bunker BK.
[88] A virtual ball B is formed at the position at which the pitch shot is
to be taken, and a
virtual environment is realized based on the position.
[89] Hereinafter, a virtual golf driving range simulation method according
to an em-
bodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8.
[90] When a user logs in (S10), information regarding the user is loaded,
and the
controller recognizes the logged in user. Also, the controller outputs a
plurality of pre-
determined practice modes so that the user can practice each kind of golf
shot.
[91] When the user selects a practice mode from among the plurality of
predetermined
practice modes (S20), the controller checks ranking of the logged in user in
the
selected practice mode (S30). The user may select a virtual golf course from
among a
plurality of virtual golf course as a virtual field at which the user
practices a golf shot.
Alternatively, the user may practice a golf shot on a virtual field preset by
the
controller without selection of the virtual field.
[92] Subsequently, the controller sets a goal record and a goal range of a
golf shot based
on the ranking of the user (S40).
[93] Subsequently, the controller realizes a virtual environment based on
the selected
practice mode. Specifically, the controller realizes a virtual environment to
which the
goal record and goal range set at Step S40 have been applied (S50).
[94] As the user takes a golf shot based on the selected practice mode in
the realized
virtual environment, the sensing device senses the motion of a golf club or a
ball, and
the controller calculates the trajectory of the ball based on the sensed
result so that
simulation can be performed in the realized virtual environment (S60).
11951 The club recognition device recognizes the golf club held by the user
when the user
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stands on the hitting plate while holding the golf club to take a golf shot.
In a case in
which the recognized golf club is not suitable for golf shot practice based on
the
practice mode selected by the user, the controller may output video or audio
in-
formation informing the user that it is necessary to change the golf club.
[96] For example, if the user selects a practice mode for driver shot
practice and stands on
the hitting plate while holding number 7 iron, the club recognition device
recognizes
the golf club held by the user, informs the user that the golf club held by
the user is not
suitable, and guides the user so that the user can practice a golf shot using
a driver.
[97] After the simulation is performed, the controller analyzes a golf shot
record of the
user based on the simulation result (S70) and determines whether the user has
achieved
the goal record in the corresponding practice mode (S80).
[98] Upon determining that the user has not achieved the goal record, the
controller may
retry the corresponding practice mode according to user selection (S110).
Alter-
natively, the controller may finish the corresponding practice mode without
retrial
(S120).
[99] Upon determining that the user has achieved the goal record, the
controller resets the
ranking of the user, upgrades and resets the goal record, and sets the goal
range of the
golf shot so that the goal range of the golf shot is further limited (S90).
[100] Subsequently, the controller changes the virtual environment so that
the goal range of
the golf shot is limited (S100). Consequently, it is possible for the user to
intensively
practice a golf shot in a more skilled manner in the changed virtual
environment.
Mode for the Invention
[101] Various embodiments of a virtual golf driving range simulation
apparatus and
method have been described in the best mode for carrying out the invention.
Industrial Applicability
[102] In the virtual golf driving range simulation apparatus and method
according to the
present invention as described above, it is possible to provide various
practice modes
for each kind of golf shot so that a user can intensively practice a specific
golf shot
through golf simulation based on virtual reality, to realize a virtual
environment which
cannot be experienced on a real golf driving range so that the user can
intensively
practice a golf shot that can be utilized in a real game with interest, and to
change the
virtual environment whenever the user achieves a goal record so that the user
can
practice a golf shot step by step in a more skilled manner, thereby
dramatically
improving the user's golf skill. Consequently, the present invention can be
widely used
in industries related to the virtual golf driving range simulation apparatus
and method.
