Patent GB-1325482-A (GB)
Title: Indoor golf game
IPC: A63B67/02
Filed: 1970-08-14
Abstract: 1325482 Indoor golf game BRUNSWICK CORP 14 Aug 1970 [4 Sept 1969] 39371/70 Heading A6D  In a simulated golf game, the map of each hole is divided into a number of areas A1 to H4, the centre of each such area constituting a possible stroke playing point, the view of the flag from each such point is made available by optical projection and there is also provided a map image of the hole extending from the stroke playing point towards the flag. The apparatus for playing the game comprises (1) means for optically projecting a plurality of scenes of a golf hole and means for providing indicia depicting a plurality of map images of that hole, one projected scene and a related map image, for each of a plurality of possible starting points for a golf ball flight trajectory, each such scene and related image preferably being represented in a common frame 90 on a film fed through a strip film projector 16 and projected onto a screen 14 in front of a ball striking position 12; (2) means for selected any one of said plurality of scenes and means for selecting the related map image, e.g. switches 20 on a console 18 operating the strip film feed in the projector 16; (3) means 30, 32, 34, 36 for sensing the flight characteristics of a struck golf ball and providing trajectory determining information, e.g. as in Specification 1203264. (4) a computer 38 receiving this trajectory information and computing the theoretical free flight path of the ball; (5) light spot projecting means 22 responsive to the computer for projecting and moving a spot of light on the selected projected scene 24 to simulate the flight of a golf ball and to indicate the termination point of said flight on the selected map image 26 relative to a predetermined reference point thereon which represents the starting point for that stroke; and (6) switching means 46 responsive to the computer for controlling the light spot projecting means and transferring the projection of the spot 28 from the scene to the map on termination of the simulated flight; the means selecting the map images positioning the selected map image with the starting point for the stroke to be played at a predetermined position with respect to the light spot projecting means 22 which is the same for all the map images, viz with the starting point for the stroke located at the same point 98 on the screen for each map image, the golf flag or cup 100 being located on an imaginary vertical line 94 passing through the point 98. The computer 38 caloulates from the trajectory information the distance travelled by the ball in the direction of the hole, the hoizontal distance X travelled transverse to the direction of the hole and the vertical distance Y transvese to X and Z. During the simulated flight of the ball, the switching means 46 passes such information to the corresponding X, Y and Z motors 50, 52, 54 of the projector 22, motors 50, 52 effecting horizontal and vertical movement of the spot and motor 54 reducing the spot size to give an illusion of a receding ball; but, when the computer determines that the flight is over, relays in the switch means (a) operates off-set means in the X and Y systems to transfer the spot from the scene 24 to the map 26 and (b) passes the X information to the X motor and the Z information to the Y motor. X and Y offset means additional to those in (a) may operate to respectively allow for the poiector 22 being to one side of the line of flight of the ball and to allow for the height of a golfer's eye. When the theoretical flight is over, a time delay in said relays operates before activating the relays, then a hold relay operates for a set time to activate the relays to perform functions (a) and (b). The switch means 46 may provide for different scale factors to be introduced between the 'scene' 24 and the map 26. The projector 16 is as disclosed and claimed in Specification 1,199,327.