Source: http://www.patentsencyclopedia.com/app/20120295677
Timestamp: 2016-10-25 01:50:07
Document Index: 378030292

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 240', 'art 250', 'art\n260', 'art 240', 'art 260', 'art 250', 'art 260']

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL GOLF SIMULATION - Patent application
Patent application title: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR VIRTUAL GOLF SIMULATION
Jae Yoon Ok (Goyang-Si, KR)
Patent application number: 20120295677
Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for virtual golf simulation
that is capable of providing various contents based on user history
information of a user who has previously played golf through the virtual
golf simulation apparatus during a virtual golf procedure through virtual
golf simulation and enabling a user to play golf with the user, another
user, or a virtual user acquired based on play information of a
celebrity, thereby improving user convenience and inducing interest in
virtual golf. The virtual golf simulation apparatus includes an image
output unit for displaying a golf simulation image of a virtual golf
course, a storage unit for storing user history information of a user who
has played golf through the virtual golf simulation apparatus, and a
controller for controlling at least one selected from a group consisting
of a trajectory of a golf ball, a falling point of a golf ball, and a
flight distance of a golf ball based on specific play information of the
user history information to be displayed through the image output unit.Claims:
1. A virtual golf simulation apparatus using user history information,
comprising: an image output unit for displaying a golf simulation image
of a virtual golf course; a storage unit for storing user history
information of a user who has played golf through the virtual golf
simulation apparatus; and a controller for controlling at least one
selected from a group consisting of a trajectory of a golf ball, a
falling point of a golf ball, and a flight distance of a golf ball based
on specific play information of the user history information to be
displayed through the image output unit.
2. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the trajectory of the golf ball is based on shot information of shots
which the user had hit in a previous specific golf course.
3. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
which another user had hit in a golf course in which the user is to play
4. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the image output unit is configured to display a mini map having a
downscaled image of the virtual golf course displayed in a predetermined
region of the golf simulation image, and the controller is configured to
control the trajectory of the golf ball to be displayed in at least one
of the golf simulation image and the mini map image.
5. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
control the trajectory of the golf ball to be displayed as the golf
simulation image and to control the falling point of the golf ball to be
displayed on the mini map.
6. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the trajectory of the golf ball is cumulatively displayed based on the
number of shots which the user had hit in a specific golf course.
7. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a manipulation unit for allowing the user to manipulate
specific information, wherein the controller is configured to receive the
user history information from an external system and to control the
received user history information to be stored in the storage unit when
the user logs into the virtual golf simulation apparatus or when the user
manipulate the information through the manipulation unit.
8. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the storage unit is configured to store user play information and virtual
user play information, and the controller is configured to control
playing golf between a user and the virtual user performed through the
virtual golf simulation apparatus based on the user play information and
the virtual user play information.
9. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
the virtual user is created based on golf play information which the user
had played through the virtual golf simulation apparatus.
10. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
the virtual user is created based on golf play information which another
user had played through the virtual golf simulation. apparatus.
11. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 10, wherein
the virtual user information is created by adding at least one of image
information and voice information of the another user to the golf play
12. The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
the controller controls real play image and voice information of the user
through the virtual golf simulation apparatus and play image and voice
information based on the stored virtual user play information to be
13. A virtual golf simulation method using user history information,
comprising: displaying a virtual golf play image and related information;
extracting specific play information of a user from a storage unit which
stores the user history information of the user who had played golf
through the virtual golf simulation apparatus; and displaying at least
one selected from a group consisting of a trajectory of a golf ball, a
on the extracted specific play information.
14. The virtual golf simulation method according to claim 13, further
comprising: allowing the user to access an external system through user
login; receiving user history information from the external system; and
storing the received user history information.
15. The virtual golf simulation method according to claim 13, wherein the
displaying step comprises displaying the trajectory of the golf ball
based on shot information in a sequence of shots of a golf course among
the user history information in correspondence to the sequence of the
corresponding shots in the corresponding golf course in which the user is
16. A virtual golf simulation method for providing a game with a virtual
user through a virtual golf simulation apparatus using user play
information, comprising: loading play information of the virtual user
according to selection of a user; displaying a virtual golf play image
and related information; and controlling the virtual golf simulation
apparatus to perform playing of golf between the user and the virtual
user based on the loaded play information.
17. The virtual golf simulation method according to claim 16, further
login; receiving play information of the virtual user from the external
system; and storing the received history information of the virtual user.
18. The virtual golf simulation method according to claim 17, wherein the
external system creates a virtual user based on the play information when
the play information of the user who had played golf through the virtual
golf simulation apparatus satisfies a predetermined condition.Description:
apparatus, and, more particularly, to a virtual golf simulation apparatus
wherein a virtual golf course is imaged and simulated, and the trajectory
of a golf ball hit by a user, i.e. a golfer, is simulated in the virtual
[0002] With the recent upsurge of the golfing population, a so-called
screen golf system has gained popularity, which allows a golfer to
practice golf and to enjoy a virtual golf game using a virtual golf
simulation apparatus.
[0003] 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 trajectory of the golf ball on the
[0004] The screen golf system implemented using the virtual golf
simulation apparatus characteristically offers the same sense of reality
that a golfer would feel in a real golf course, when the golfer hits a
golf ball in the same manner as in a golf practice range.
[0005] It is necessary for the virtual golf simulation apparatus to
provide various contents based on various kinds of advanced apparatuses
and systems, which cannot be provided by a real golf course or a golf
practice range, thereby inducing interest of golfers in addition to
provision of the same sense of reality that a golfer would feel playing a
round of golf in a real golf course.
[0006] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an
apparatus and method for virtual golf simulation that is capable of
providing various contents based on user history information of a user
who has previously played golf through the virtual golf simulation
apparatus during a virtual golf procedure through virtual golf simulation
and enabling a user to play golf with the user, another user, or a
virtual user acquired based on play information of a celebrity, thereby
improving user convenience and inducing interest in virtual golf.
[0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above
simulation apparatus using user history information, including an image
user history information to be displayed through the image output unit.
is provided a virtual golf simulation apparatus for providing playing
golf with a virtual user using user play information, including an image
course, a storage unit for storing user play information of the virtual
user, and a controller for controlling playing golf between a user and
the virtual user performed through the virtual golf simulation apparatus
based on the user play information of the virtual user.
is provided a virtual golf simulation method using user history
information, including displaying a virtual golf play image and related
information, extracting specific play information of a user from a
storage unit which stores the user history information of the user who
has played golf through the virtual golf simulation apparatus, and
displaying at least one selected from a group consisting of a trajectory
of a golf ball, a falling point of a golf ball, and a flight distance of
a golf ball based on the extracted specific play information.
[0010] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a virtual golf simulation method for providing a game with a
virtual user through a virtual golf simulation apparatus using user play
information, including loading play information of the virtual user
according to selection of a user, displaying a virtual golf play image
and related information, and controlling the virtual golf simulation
the present invention as described above, it is possible to provide
various contents based on user history information of a user who has
previously played golf through the virtual golf simulation apparatus
during a virtual golf procedure through virtual golf simulation and to
enable a user to play golf with the user, another user, or a virtual user
acquired based on play information of a celebrity. Consequently, the
present invention has the effect of improving user convenience and
inducing interest in virtual golf.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a screen golf system to which a
virtual golf simulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the
[0014] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtual golf
simulation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a screen golf system to which the
virtual golf simulation apparatus shown in FIG. 1, having another example
of a manipulation unit, is applied;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an external system connected to a
[0017] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a screen displaying shot information
of all shots at a specific hole according to an embodiment of the present
[0018] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a screen displaying shot information
of a specific shot according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an external system connected to a
virtual golf simulation apparatus according to another embodiment of the
[0020] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process of creating a virtual
user in a virtual golf simulation apparatus according to another
[0021] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a virtual golf simulation
method according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a screen displaying playing of golf
between a user and a virtual user in a virtual golf simulation apparatus
[0023] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a screen displaying playing of golf
[0024] Now, exemplary embodiments of a virtual golf simulation apparatus
and method according to the present invention will be described in detail
[0025] First, a virtual golf simulation apparatus according to an
embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with
[0026] The virtual golf simulation apparatus according to the present
invention may be embodied in various forms. Typically, the virtual golf
simulation apparatus according to the present invention may be applied to
a so-called screen golf system.
[0027] FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate an example in which a virtual golf
simulation apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a
screen golf system, to which, however, the present invention is not
limited. For example, the present invention may be applied to all kinds
of systems and/or apparatuses that are capable of simulating and imaging
a virtual golf course and simulating a virtual golf ball image.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a virtual golf simulation apparatus
plate 20, a sensing device S, an image output unit P for outputting a
predetermined image to a screen C disposed in front of the image output
unit P, and a simulator for storing and processing all data necessary for
virtual golf simulation. In this embodiment, the simulator is mounted in
a protection box 10 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0029] The simulator may include an image processing unit D, a storage
unit T and a controller M.
[0030] The storage unit T stores all data necessary for virtual golf
simulation including data on a virtual golf course. The image processing
unit D is provided to process all images related to virtual golf
simulation, such as images related to a virtual golf course, images
related to movement of a golf ball, and images for menu selection, as
data stored in the storage unit T. In this embodiment of the present
invention, the storage unit T stores user history information of a user
who has played a round of golf through the virtual golf simulation
apparatus. Here, the user history information includes shot information
of a user who has played a round of golf in a specific golf course. The
shot information includes shot directions, shot distances, and shot
results. For example, the shot information may indicate that, at a first
hole of a specific golf course, a golf ball has flown 210 m in the left
direction of a fairway as the result of a first tee shot, the golf ball
has reached a bunker at the right side of a green as the result of a
second shot, the golf ball has reached a point of the green which is 15 m
distance from a hole cup (i.e. on green), and the golf ball has reached a
point of the green which is 0.85 m distance from the hole cup at the
right side of the hole cup, which has been conceded, with the result that
a user has completed playing golf at a par 4 hole as a bogie. The user
history information, including shot information from a first hole to an
eighteenth hole, is stored. Also, the user history information
cumulatively stores all kinds of information on a procedure which has
been performed in a specific hole.
[0031] The controller M is provided to perform various calculations for
virtual golf simulation and to control components of the virtual golf
simulation apparatus. If a user selects the user history information
while an image is displayed on the screen C by the virtual golf
simulation apparatus, the controller M controls the user history
information stored in the storage unit T to be displayed. Here, the user
history information may be selectively or simultaneously displayed on the
screen C and a monitor 40, which is an auxiliary screen. That is, if a
user wishes to know shot information of shots which the user had
previously hit before the user hits each shot, the user may display the
user history information on the image in which golf is being currently
played through the manipulation unit O so as to confirm his/her course
[0032] When a golfer hits a golf ball on the swing plate 20 to the screen
C, the sensing device S senses the shot of the golf ball, and transmits
the sensing result to the controller M. The controller M transmits the
sensing result to the image processing unit D. The image processing unit
D extracts golf simulation image information, such as a movement image of
the golf ball, from the storage unit T in consideration of movement
properties of the golf ball. The golf simulation image information is
projected on the screen C through the image output unit P so that a golf
game through virtual simulation is performed.
[0033] Although not clearly shown in FIG. 1, the sensing device S (see
FIG. 2) may be embodied by an infrared light transmitting and receiving
sensor mounted at the swing plate 20 or a camera sensor mounted at the
ceiling or the wall. In addition, the sensing device S may be embodied by
other different sensors.
[0034] Meanwhile, the virtual golf simulation apparatus according to this
embodiment of the present invention further includes a manipulation unit
O for allowing a golfer to manipulate a system setting or various kinds
of settings necessary to perform a virtual golf game.
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a keyboard 11 provided in the protection box 10,
in which the simulator is mounted, as an example of the manipulation unit
O. A touch screen 30 mounted at a side wall W of a booth may be provided
as an example of the manipulation unit. Also, although not shown, a mouse
is preferably provided together with the keyboard 11. In this embodiment
of the present invention, a user may access an external system through
the manipulation unit O or display the user history information.
[0036] Meanwhile, although not shown, a remote control (not shown) may be
provided as the manipulation unit so that the remote control can directly
communicate with the simulator or the touch screen to manipulate virtual
[0037] Meanwhile, FIG. 3 illustrates a key manipulation unit 22 provided
at the swing plate 20 as another example of the manipulation unit.
[0038] That is, it may be inconvenient for a golfer standing on the swing
plate 20 to manipulate the keyboard 11 or the touch screen 30 shown in
FIG. 1. For this reason, the key manipulation unit 22 is preferably
provided at the swing plate 20 for allowing a golfer who is ready to
swing on the swing plate 20 to conveniently manipulate settings for
virtual golf simulation.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an external system connected to a
[0040] Referring to FIG. 4, the external system 200 is connected to the
virtual golf simulation apparatus 100 via a communication network, i.e.
the Internet. The external system 200 may be connected to an information
terminal 110. Upon completion of a round of golf played by a specific
user, the virtual golf simulation apparatus 100 transmits shot
information of shots which the user had hit at every hole of the
previously specific course to the external system 200. The external
system 200 stores user history information per user and per specific
course in a user database 230. The user history information is
accumulated based on the number of rounds of golf which the user has
played and is stored in a database. A user connection unit 220 is
connected to the virtual golf simulation apparatus 100 and the
information terminal 110. The user connection unit 220 transmits the user
history information to the virtual golf simulation apparatus 100 under
control of a central processing unit 210.
[0041] Upon receipt of login information of a specific user from the
virtual golf simulation apparatus 100, the external system 200 extracts
user history information of the specific user from the user database 230
and transmits the extracted user history information to the virtual golf
simulation apparatus 100. Also, when a specific golf course is selected
by the virtual golf simulation apparatus 100, the external system 200 may
extract user history information at the specific golf course from the
user database 230 and transmit the extracted user history information to
the virtual golf simulation apparatus 100.
[0042] The virtual golf simulation apparatus 100 stores the user history
information received from the external system 200 in the storage unit T.
Before golf is played at a corresponding hole requested or selected by a
user, shot information of shots which have been hit at all holes is
displayed, or the user history information in the sequence of specific
shots at a specific hole is displayed together with a play image which is
currently being displayed. The user history information may be displayed
on the main screen or on the auxiliary monitor.
[0043] Also, the user history information may be displayed in the play
image on the main screen. Alternatively, the user history information may
be displayed through a mini map. The mini map has a downscaled image of a
virtual golf course displayed in a predetermined region of the main
[0044] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a screen displaying shot information
[0045] Referring to FIG. 5, when a user wishes to know how the user had
played golf at a specific hole, for example at a third hole of par 4, in
a specific golf course before the user plays golf at the corresponding
hole, the user may push a specific key button to display shot information
of shots which the user had hit on the screen. Through this course
management, it is possible for the user to know that a second shot hit by
the user had fallen into a bunker around a green with the result that the
user had completed playing golf as a bogie. Consequently, the user may
play golf at this hole while being careful with the bunker around the
[0046] Shot information of all the shots based on the previous user play
information may be displayed in the golf simulation image or in the mini
map image displayed at a predetermined region of the golf simulation
[0047] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a screen displaying shot information
of a specific shot according to an embodiment of the present invention
[0048] Referring to FIG. 6, before a user hits a specific shot, i.e. a
first tee shot, at a specific hole, the user may know a direction in
which the user's previous tee shot flew at this hole. As shown in the
drawing, it can be seen that the user's tee shots were hooked, i.e., the
shots were curved much in the left direction, the previous three times.
Therefore, the user may recognize that it is necessary to hit a tee shot
while aiming at the right side of a fairway so as to reduce the
occurrence of incorrect shots based on such information. Such user
history information may be displayed on the main screen, on the mini map
or on the auxiliary monitor by the user pushing a specific key or
manipulation button before hitting a shot. Therefore, the user may know
that hitting a tee shot at a current hole in a general manner, for
example, hitting a tee shot toward the middle of the fairway, is not
suitable for the user but it is suitable the user to hit a tee t shot
while aiming to the right side of the fairway in consideration of the
user's previous shot directions, thereby reducing the occurrence of
incorrect shots.
[0049] Also, the user history information shown in FIG. 6 includes the
direction. However, the flight distance or the result of the tee shot,
for example, whether the hit golf ball has entered an out of bound (OB)
area, a rough or a fairway, may also be displayed. These kinds of
information may serve as important reference materials in history
information of a user who is currently playing golf.
[0050] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating an external system connected to a
[0051] Referring to FIG. 7, the external system 200 is connected to the
[0052] The external system 200 includes a central processing unit 210, a
user connection unit 220, a first virtual user creation part 240, a
second virtual user creation part 250, and a virtual user storage part
260. If play information of a user playing golf through the virtual golf
simulation apparatus 100 satisfies a predetermined condition, the
external system 200 creates a virtual user based on the play information.
[0053] Also, the external system 200 creates a virtual user based on play
information of another user. Here, the virtual user created on the
previous play information of the user is defined as first virtual user
information, and the virtual user created on the play information of
another user is defined as second virtual user information.
[0054] Upon completion of golf played by a user through the virtual golf
simulation apparatus 100, the first virtual user information is
transmitted to the central processing unit 210 via the user connection
unit 220. The central processing unit 210 determines whether the play
information of the user satisfies predetermined conditions. Specifically,
the central processing unit 210 determines whether the user has logged
into the virtual golf simulation apparatus 100, in which playing mode the
user has played golf, i.e. whether the playing mode has been a stroke
mode, and whether a hole(s) has been skipped during playing a round of
golf, i.e., the user has normally completed playing golf at eighteen
holes. If such conditions are satisfied, the first virtual user creation
part 240 creates first virtual user information based on the play
information of the user and stores the created first virtual user
information in the virtual user storage part 260.
[0055] The second virtual user information is created based on play
information of another user, for example, an existing specific
professional golfer, who has really played golf in a corresponding golf
course. Alternatively, play information of a celebrity, such as a
well-known entertainer or a politician, who has played golf through the
virtual golf simulation apparatus 100 is determined in the same manner as
in the first virtual user creation conditions as previously described. If
the conditions are satisfied, the second virtual user creation part 250
creates the second virtual user information. Here, image information and
voice information of the celebrity may be added to the play information
of the celebrity and then included in the second virtual user
information. The created second virtual user information is stored in the
virtual user storage part 260.
[0056] When a user accessed the external system 200 through the virtual
golf simulation apparatus 100 requests playing golf with a virtual user,
i.e. a virtual user mode, the external system 200 extracts the first
virtual user information or the second virtual user information of the
corresponding user from the virtual user storage 260 and transmits the
extracted first virtual user information or the extracted second virtual
user information to the virtual golf simulation apparatus 100 via the
user connection unit 220. The virtual golf simulation apparatus 100
stores the received first virtual user information or the received second
virtual user information in the storage unit T and controls playing of
golf between the user and the virtual user.
[0057] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a process of creating a virtual
[0058] Referring to FIG. 8, when playing of golf using the virtual golf
simulation apparatus is completed at Step 500, the replay result is
displayed at Step 502. Here, a menu for asking a user if a virtual user
is to be created may be provided. At Step 504 to 508, conditions
indicating whether the virtual user can be created are determined. That
is, it is determined how many times holes have been skipped, whether the
user has played golf after login, and whether the user has played golf in
a stroke play mode. This is because it is not possible to create play of
the corresponding user or a celebrity for every shot if the user does not
play golf in the stroke play mode. If the conditions of Step 504 to 508
are satisfied, storage of a virtual user is activated at Step 510, and
the virtual user is stored at Step 512.
[0059] FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating a virtual golf simulation
method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 9, playing of golf using the virtual golf
simulation apparatus is started at Step 600. At Step 602, a user selects
a virtual user mode. At Step 604, a virtual user of the corresponding
user is extracted from the virtual golf simulation apparatus. At Step
606, playing of golf between the user and the virtual user is performed.
[0061] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating a screen displaying playing of golf
[0062] Referring to FIG. 10, after a user hits a shot at a specific hole,
the figure of a virtual user 700 who hits a tee shot is output to a
screen. Here, the virtual user 700 may be an image of the user who has
really played golf or an image of a celebrity. Also, flight directions of
a golf ball are displayed after the virtual user impacts the golf ball.
That is, in a case in which the virtual user is created based on play
information of the user who has previously played golf, the direction,
the distance, and the falling point of the tee shot are decided in
advance, and the figure of the virtual user performing a golf swing may
be displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 10. The figure of the user
who has previously performed a golf swing may be captured and displayed.
Alternatively, the figure of the user may be imaged and displayed as a
[0063] If the virtual user is a celebrity, the figure or voice of the
celebrity may be displayed on the way of playing golf. Also, flight lines
of golf balls hit by the virtual user and the real user may be displayed
using different colors or shapes so as to distinguish between the
advancing direction of the golf ball hit by the virtual user and the
advancing direction of the golf ball by the real user.
[0064] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a screen displaying playing of golf
[0065] Referring to FIG. 11, a dotted line indicates a flight line of a
golf ball hit by a real user, and a solid line indicates a flight line of
a golf ball hit by a virtual user, i.e. another user (celebrity).
[0066] Expressions of playing golf of the virtual user described with
reference to FIGS. 10 and 11 are not limited to the above-described
fashions but may be embodied in various fashions.
[0067] Various embodiments of an apparatus and method for the virtual golf
simulation have been described in the best mode for carrying out the
[0068] In the apparatus and method for the virtual golf simulation
according to the present invention as described above, it is possible to
provide various contents based on user history information of a user who
has previously played golf through the virtual golf simulation apparatus
acquired based on play information of a celebrity, thereby improving user
convenience and inducing interest in virtual golf. Consequently, the
present invention can be widely used in industries related to the
apparatus and method for the virtual golf simulation.
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