KR200228435Y1 - A golf game simulator - Google Patents

Abstract

The golf game simulator includes a tee zone and the golfer drives the golf ball from the tee zone toward the front target screen. The three-layer photodetector provides data about the time and horizontal position (distance) at which the hit golf ball passes through three corresponding planes spaced between the tee area and the target screen and the plane where the golf ball is closest to the target screen. It is arranged to collect the horizontal position rebound from the target screen after passing.

These sensing devices sense the path of the golf ball through the planes by sensing the reflection of infrared light from the golf ball. Infrared light is generated by the infrared light source and directed through the space in which the golf ball moves. The first and second planes of the planes are disposed vertically between the tee zone and the target screen and the third plane extends from near the top of the second plane proximate the bottom of the target screen. With data from the sensing devices, the calculating device estimates the travel distance and the display of the final arrival position at which the hit golf ball stops in free flight. The amount of hook and slice of the hit golf ball can be determined by the use of a sensing device that senses the path of the hit golf ball passing through three different planes and the rebound angle of the golf ball rebound from the target screen.

Description

Golf Game Simulator {A GOLF GAME SIMULATOR}

The present invention relates to a golf game simulator, and in particular, to determine the travel distance and reach of the hit golf ball by using a sensing device for detecting the path of the hit golf ball and the rebound angle of the golf ball rebound from the target screen. Of course, the present invention relates to a golf game simulator having an optical sensing system that can determine the hook and slice amount of a golf ball.

The object of the present invention is to provide a new device for simulating golfing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive device that is simple in structure, operation and maintenance.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a device in which the expected travel distance and final arrival position of the hit golf ball can be made precisely in consideration of the hook or slice of the golf ball.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a device having an optical sensing system that accurately distinguishes a hit golf ball and other objects or noise without distracting the golfer's attention.

1 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a plan view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a circuit controller for performing computing logic in response to an optical sensor arrangement 56, 76, 84, including a scanner, a calculator, and a control circuit for implementing an embodiment of the present invention.

※ Explanation of code for main part of drawing

20: target screen 24: projector

36: upper wall 40: floor wall

44, 72: first and second non-reflective pads 48, 80: beam

52, 76, 194: infrared light source 56, 60, 84: light sensor array

64, 68, 88: vertical plane 100: power supply

108: microprocessors 112, 114, 116: scanner

120: photodiode array 122: transistor

130: one-shot multivibrator 132: multiplexer

136: clock 140: gate logic

142, 144: counter 150: display device

182: Schmitt trigger 190, 192: infrared and putting optical controller

The above and other objects of the present invention are a support for limiting the tee area where the golf ball may be hit, a sensor device for detecting the movement path and speed of the golf ball hit from the tee area, and the golf ball when the golf ball is flying free A particular embodiment is achieved that includes computing logic responsive to the sensor device to produce the expected travel distance and final reach position the ball will have. This sensor device detects the time and horizontal position of the golf ball through each of the three planes spaced apart in the direction of movement of the golf ball, and from this information, the calculation logic determines the distance and final reach of the golf ball.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the hook and slice information is determined by actually detecting the angle at which the golf ball protrudes from the target screen. This is done by detecting the horizontal position where the golf ball has passed through the plane towards the screen and then detecting the horizontal position where the golf ball has passed through the same plane after protruding from the target screen.

According to another feature of the present invention, infrared light and infrared light sensing devices are used to optically detect the movement of the golf ball from the tee zone to the target screen. The use of infrared light reduces the scattering that may be present when visible light is used.

According to still another feature of the present invention, the sensing device of the present invention includes an array of light sensors that receive light reflected from the hit golf ball when the hit golf ball passes through the light sensor array. The light sensors are spaced apart so that at least two light sensors will be activated when the golf ball passes through the light sensor array.

Computer logic is adapted to remember the path of the golf ball when two (or other selected numbers) of adjacent light sensors are activated, but otherwise caused by another object entering the area adjacent to the light sensor array, for example. It may be adapted to ignore the activation of the light sensor as long as possible.

1 and 2, a side view and a plan view of one embodiment of the present invention are schematically shown. Included in the embodiment are platforms or supports 4 which limit the tee area where the golf ball may be hit by a golfer 8 using a golf club. The tee zone is divided into three first, second, and third tee zones (5, 6, 7), each tee zone having carpet or other brushes on the top to simulate different outdoor zones where golfers hit golf balls. The same mat is provided. For example, the first tee 5 is a heavy shag that simulates a rough, and the second tee 6 is a short, tight carpet that simulates a tee. The three tee 7 may comprise a medium weight carpet that simulates a sand trap. Placed underneath the carpet or mat of the second tee zone 6 is a foam material 10 (Fig. 1) known as ethafoam, to which the golf tee 12 may be quickly inserted. In other words, the golf tee may be placed anywhere in the second zone 6 (golf ball 16 is hit in this zone) by simply inserting into the foamed material 10 through the carpet or mat.

A target screen 20 is located in front of the tee zone, which is for receiving the golf ball hit from the tee zone and showing the projected scenes to the projector 24. This target screen 20 is made of a material that is suitable for absorbing the impact of a hit golf ball and for displaying an image projected by the projector 24. A moderately tensioned reinforced vinyl material was found to be suitable for this purpose.

In either case, the target screen 20 is constructed and positioned to deflect the golf ball generally downward at a rate significantly lower than the speed at which the golf ball hit the target screen.

As generally shown in FIG. 2, the target screen 20 is also curved horizontally with respect to the center of the second tee zone 6 of the tee zone. In other words, the target screen 20 forms part of a circle whose center is located at the center of the second tee zone 6. Because of this shape, the golf ball hitting the target screen 20 at the center of the second tee 6 will bounce out of the target screen along the approach path generally, assuming there is no spin on the golf ball. On the other hand, if the golf ball has a spin (if the golf ball is free to fly, the golf ball will be a hook or slice), this will cause the golf ball to bounce back from the target screen at an angle to the approach path and at that angle. The size and direction can be used to calculate the hook or slice amount, as described later.

Preferably, the tee zone and target screen generally have a closure having a pair of vertical sidewalls 28, 32 (FIG. 2), an upper wall 36 over the floor (FIG. 1), and a bottom wall 40. Is placed on. The end of the closure in which the tee zone is located is opened.

Immediately in front of the support 4 is a dark, non-reflective pad 44, into which the beam (s) 48 of infrared light from the infrared light source 52 mounted on the upper wall 36 are directed. Headed.

Located above the anti-reflective pad 44 on the top wall 36 is a pair of optical sensor arrays 56, 60. Each of the light sensor arrays 56, 60 includes a plurality of sensor elements arranged in rows to receive infrared light reflected in a generally vertical plane in front of the tee zone. The photosensor array 56 receives infrared light reflected in a vertical plane 64, shown as a dashed line (FIG. 2), while the photosensor array 60 reflects infrared light reflected in a vertical plane 68, shown as a dotted line. Receive light. As will be explained in more detail later, at least adjacent three sensor elements of each light sensor arrangement will be activated each time the golf ball passes through the corresponding vertical planes 64, 68 in front of the tee zone, the activated elements being golfed. It is determined by the horizontal position the ball passes through the vertical planes. Although the term 'planes' is sometimes interpreted as including only flat planes, it is of course to be understood that the planes are curved horizontally by simply arranging the light sensor elements in a curve. Thus, the term 'plane' as used herein should be interpreted to mean the trajectory of flat or curved lines.

The photosensor arrays 56, 57 are arranged such that the sensor elements of the photosensor arrays are only activated by light movement with respect to each planar arrangement.

The light sensor arrays 56, 60 each include 512 sensor elements spaced apart so that at least three of such sensor elements are activated by light reflected from a golf ball passing directly under the arrays. . The spacing between the two vertical planes 64, 68, limited to the light sensor arrays 56, 60, is about 25 inches.

The second dark pad 72 is spaced from the non-reflective pad 44 and positioned just in front of the target screen 20. The second infrared light source 76 is mounted on the top wall 36 to direct the beam (s) of infrared light 80 to the second dark pad 72. The second dark pad 72 extends from one close sidewall of the closure to another adjacent sidewall thereof, as best shown in FIG. 2, and oriented at an angle relative to the bottom wall 40 and the target screen 20. do.

A third light sensor array 84 is mounted to the top wall 36 to receive light moving along the plane 88 shown in dashed line in FIG. 1. This plane is clearly not perpendicular as two planes are limited to the light sensor arrays 56 and 60. The third light sensor arrangement 84 also includes a plurality of sensor elements spaced apart in horizontal rows to receive light moving in plane 88. When the golf ball passes through plane 88, at least three of the sensor elements are reactivated, and the specific elements activated are determined by the horizontal position through which the golf ball passes through the plane. The third optical sensor array 84 senses the path of the golf ball through the plane as the golf ball moves toward the target screen 20, and also passes through the plane 88 when the golf ball pops away from the target screen 20. Detect the path of the golf ball. The protruding horizontal angle will be determined by the lateral spin component of the golf ball, which in turn determines the amount of hook or slice of the golf ball. Thus, as already mentioned, the identification of the angle at which the golf ball is thrown out allows the determination of the amount of hook or slice the golf ball has and this information can be used to determine the final reach position of the golf ball when the golf ball is free to fly. Used by.

Assuming substantially parabolic trajectory (parabolic but not influenced by the atmosphere), the following equation can be used to calculate the range of the golf ball hit from the information obtained from the light sensor arrays 56, 60, 84.

Here, K is a constant chosen to match the influence of the atmosphere on the track, so that a professional golfer hitting the golf ball from the tee zone with a particular club gives a distance corresponding to the distance that the next professional golfer would have expected. Can be determined by adjusting the K value,

d0 is the distance between golf tee 12 and plane 64,

d1 is the distance between plane 64 and plane 68,

d2 is the horizontal distance between plane 68 where plane 88 meets thick pad 72 and the locus of the points,

T1 is the travel time of the golf ball between plane 64 and plane 68,

T2 is the travel time of the golf ball between planes 68 and 88,

A is the angle (in radians) between plane 88 and horizontal,

B is the angle (in radians) between the flight path of the golf ball and the vertical plane extending perpendicular to the planes 64, 68. That is, each B is a golf ball passing through both the vertical plane and planes 64 and 68 (such as plane 65 in FIG. 2) extending perpendicular to plane 64 at the point where the golf ball passes through plane 64. It is determined by the angle between the vertical planes 67 extending to match the path of travel of the ball.

The lateral movement of the hit ball along the fairway can be calculated as follows.

Here, the distance is calculated by the previous equation.

L is a constant chosen to match the effect of the atmosphere on the golf ball, which is the distance corresponding to the distance expected by the professional golfer (with a constant K) by the professional golfer hitting the golf ball from the tee area with a particular club. Can be determined by adjusting the value of L to give

C is the angle (in radians) between the incident path and the reflecting path of the golf ball hitting the target screen 20 (the incident path is determined to be a horizontal position where the golf ball passes through the plane 88 toward the target screen and the reflecting path Is determined as the horizontal position passing through the plane 88 when the golf ball is rebound from the target screen.

3, an exemplary embodiment of a circuit controller for performing computing logic in response to an optical sensor array 56, 76, 84, including a scanner, a calculator, and a control circuit manufactured in accordance with the present invention. An example is shown schematically.

The circuit controller of this embodiment is controlled by the on / off switch 102. And a power supply 100 coupled to the power supply 104. The system of FIG. 3 is initialized by closing the on / off switch 102, which allows power to be supplied to other components of the system, including the compute or microprocessor 108.

The microprocessor 108 is initially 'programmed' or adjusted to control the operation of the system by a number of manually operable switches 110. By operating the appropriate one of the switches to adjust the microprocessor 108, simulations of men, women, or pro distances are preferred, 9 holes in the first half, 9 holes in the latter, all 18 holes or the driving range. Enables simulation of the driving range and allows one, two, three or four players to play. After the microprocessor 108 is so adjusted by operating a selected one of the switches 110, the game begins. As will be apparent from the following description, the microprocessor 108 controls the operation of the other circuit of FIG.

Also included in the circuit controller of FIG. 3 are three scanners 112, 114, and 116, each of which includes an optical sensor, such as an optical sensor array 56 shown for the scanner 112. Only scanner 112 will be described, although scanners 114 and 116 operate in a similar manner. The optical sensor 56 includes a photo-diode array 120 of individual photodiodes positioned to scan or observe, for example, in the plane 64 of FIG. 1 for the passage of a golf ball. When power is supplied to the photo-diode array 120, the photo-diodes are activated and the photo-diode array starts scanning, i.e. generates a series of outputs indicating the status of the individual photo-diodes. That is, a series of signals are generated at the output of the photo-diode array 120, with each signal having a light (or an object in front of the photo-diode reflected by a different one of the photo-diodes from the golf ball). Indicates whether it has passed or not).

In the second half of the scan by the photo-diode array 120, this array generates a scan-end signal, which is applied to the base of the transistor 122 so that the transistor is conducted and leads the signal 124. ) And one-shot multivibrator 130. This one-shot multivibrator 130 in turn sends a signal to the multiplexer 132 to prevent the multiplexer 132 from applying any signal to the output lead 134 of the multiplexer. The signals applied to the output lead of the multiplexer indicate whether a golf ball has been detected or the projector has moved the film one frame, as described later. However, in the second half of the scan by the photo-diode array 120, the golf ball is not detected by the scanner 112 and so in order to prevent abnormal detection of the golf ball caused by noise, the multiplexer 132 is merely circle-shaped. It is inoperative by the short multivibrator 130.

Scanning by the photo-diode array 120 does not begin again until a start pulse is received from the clock 136 to the leads 126 (although the leads 126 are shown as single leads, indicating multiple leads). Should be understood). Start pulses are generated at regular intervals by the clock 136, and these pulses are of sufficient length to enable completion of scanning by the photo-diode array 120. Between these start pulses standard clock pulses are generated as described below.

Upon receiving the start signal from the clock 136, the photo-diode array 120 starts scanning, ie, generating a series of output signals indicating the status of the photo-diodes. The scanning ratio by the photo-diode array 120 is controlled by the frequency of the clock signals applied in this arrangement via the read 126 by the clock 136. The output from the photo-diode array 120 is in the form of a series of pulls, with each pull representing the output of a different one of the photo-diodes. If no light from the golf ball is detected by the photo-diode, a positive pulse is generated, but a negative pulse is generated when the reflected light from the golf ball is detected.

A differential amplifier that outputs signals from the photo-diode array 120 amplifies the signal via resistor 123 and applies it to the inverting input of another differential amplifier 128 via capacitor 127. differential amplifier 125). When the signals applied to the reverse input of the differential amplifier 128 have a higher voltage than the standard voltage applied to the non-reverse input of the amplifier, the amplifier outputs to the triggerable one-shot multivibrator 129. Generate a signal. Thus, no golf ball is detected so that positive pulses are applied by the differential amplifier 125 to the reverse input of the differential amplifier 128 and output pulses are generated by the differential amplifier 128 to produce the one-shot multivibrator 129. Is applied. When the golf ball is detected, negative pulses are applied to the differential amplifier 128 by the differential amplifier 125 and these negative pulses are lower than the standard voltage so that the differential amplifier 128 does not generate any output pulses. As long as the output pulses are applied to the one-shot multivibrator 129, the multivibrator does not generate any output signal, but if the specific predetermined number of consecutive pulses is not generated by the differential amplifier 128, one-shot multi The vibrator 129 generates an output signal applied to the multiplexer 132. The one-shot multivibrator 129 is reset to each pulse received from the actual differential amplifier 128 and when a certain predetermined number of consecutive pulses is received, the one-shot multivibrator 132 multiplexes the signal over time. Is applied.

In the same manner as described above, the other scanners 114 and 116 operate to scan or 'look' in their respective planes 68 and 88 (FIGS. 1 and 2) for the passage of a golf ball. Such scanning occurs at the same time. When a golf ball is detected by the scanners, the scanners apply a signal indicative of this to the multiplexer 132.

Multiplexer 132 is used by microprocessor 108 to apply signals from scanners 112, 114, and 116 and signals from Schmitt trigger 182 to gate logic circuitry 140. And in particular by signals received on lead 138. Initially, the multiplexer 132 causes the output of the scanner 112 to be connected to the gate logic circuit 140. The output signal is generated by a scanner 112 indicating whether a golf ball has been detected, and the microprocessor 108 accordingly generates a signal (in an instantaneously described manner), and then the multiplexer 132 of the next scanner 114 Couple the output to the gate logic circuit 140. If the output signal is not generated by the scanner 114 (indicating that no golf ball has been detected) for a certain amount of time, the microprocessor 108 connects the output of the scanner 112 to the gate logic circuit 140. Signal to multiplexer 132 to do so. Again, if no output signal is generated by the scanner 116 for a predetermined period of time, the multiplexer 132 causes the output of the scanner 112 to connect to the gate logic circuit 140 to start over. Failure to generate output by scanner 114 or scanner 116 will indicate that a false detection of the golf ball was caused by a preceding scanner.

When the scanner 116 generates an output, the microprocessor 108 sends a signal that causes the multiplexer 132 to maintain a connection between the output of the scanner 116 and the gate logic. For this reason, information about the angle of reflection of the golf ball reflected off the screen detected by the scanner 116 may be applied to the microprocessor 108. When such information is received, microprocessor 108 again causes multiplexer 132 to connect the output of scanner 112 to gate logic 140.

Although the above technique relates only to the connection of the scanner to the gate logic circuit 140, this is because the multiplexer 132 outputs the output from the Schmitt trigger 182 when the microprocessor 108 controls the operation of the projector. It should be understood to be connected to the gate logic circuit 140. This will be described when the projector control circuit is described.

After the scan is started by the scanners 112, 114, and 116, the clock pulses from the clock 136 are divided into two and applied to the counter 142, each time from the photo-diode array 120. The output is sent to the next photo-diode. That is, for two photo-diode output pulses generated in photo-diode array 120, clock 136 pulses counter 142 once. The counter 142 in turn pulses the counter 144 once for every pulse received from the clock 136. The counter 144 maintains a coefficient corresponding to the photo-diode array 120 (and also the photo-diode arrangement of the scanners 114, 116), which produces an output therefrom. Thus, the counter 144 counts from 0 to 255 (each of the photo-diode arrays includes 512 photo-diodes), each count representing a different pair of photo-diodes of the scanners 112, 114, 116. . When the scanner 112 detects a golf ball and this output is applied to the gate logic circuit 140 by the multiplexer 132, the gate logic circuit counters to prevent the counter from being applied by another pulse to the counter 144. Signal 142 is passed. Counter 142 signals to microprocessor 108 if a golf ball was detected, and microprocessor 108 identifies counter 144 so that elements or a corresponding scanner can identify the 'saw' of the golf ball. Read the contents. Since a number of adjacent photo-diodes must be activated by the reflected light before the one-shot multivibrator 129 generates an output, the photo-diode identified by the counter 144 is a one-shot multivibrator 129 It is the last photo-diode that is activated in this array when) generates its own output. In this way, the microprocessor 108 is informed about each array of elements or photo-diodes activated by the passage of a golf ball in front of this array.

After the coefficients have been read from the counter 144, the microprocessor 108 sends a signal to the gate logic circuit 140 to reset the gate logic circuit, which in turn has a one-shot multivibrator 130 The signal is transmitted to reset the head multiplexer to remove the prohibition signal applied to the multiplexer 132. The gate logic circuit 140 resets the counter 144.

As already indicated, when the golf ball is detected by the scanner 112, the microprocessor 108 does not begin until the golf ball has elapsed by the scanner 114 or the microprocessor 108 for a predetermined period of time. When a golf ball is detected by the scanner 114, the time between the detection of the scanner 114 and the scanner 116 is measured by the microprocessor 108 for subsequent use in calculating the distance of the golf ball. The scanner 116 also detects the golf ball, the microprocessor 108 calculates the distance to be moved if the golf ball is free to fly, and calculates the lateral movement of the golf ball taking into account the golf ball's hook and slice calculations. . Then, the distance the golf ball is moved is displayed on the display device 150 as viewed by the players.

After a player hits the golf ball, the microprocessor 108 sends a signal to the display unit 150 to identify the next player to hit the golf ball. After all playing players hit the golf ball from the tee area, the microprocessor 108 shows the scene of the golf green from the adjacent point where the golf ball hit the furthest from the golf green is reached as determined from the green by the microprocessor. Control the operation of the projector motor 152 to advance the frames of film in the projector. In other words, the scene is projected onto the target screen 20 (FIGS. 1 and 2) showing the golf green from the adjacent position at which the golf ball of the player hit the furthest from the golf green was reached as calculated by the microprocessor. This player is then identified on the display 150 as the next player to hit the golf ball from the tee area towards the screen, after which the player hits the golf ball, and the microprocessor 108 again advances the projector motor 152. Move the film to control or otherwise show the scene of the golf green from the point of the golf ball hit second away from the green. In this way, the microprocessor 108 calculates the travel distance of the golf ball hit by the players and indicates the order in which the players will not only hit but also control the scene displayed on the screen. The display device 150 may illustratively be a conventional digital LED display.

Multiple scenes of each golf green are taken from different distances and lateral movements are provided on the film to precisely simulate the scenes of the golf greens from different locations of the golf ball.

Microprocessor 108 also controls infrared light controller 190 and putting light controller 190. This infrared light controller 190 activates the infrared light sources 52, 76 (FIG. 1) to light up the area around the cup 51 when the players determine that they have reached the golf green and are ready to be putt. In other words, the microprocessor 108 automatically activates the infrared light controller when the players still hit the golf ball towards the golf green and automatically activates the putting controller when the players reach the golf green.

In the manner as described above, the apparatus is suitable for simulation training of golf by one player to four players. Players hit the golf ball from the tee zone towards the target screen and the device automatically calculates the distance the freed golf ball will fly and then displays this distance on a display device to show the player's scene. In addition, the projector is automatically controlled to display different scenes of the golf green as the distance of the golf balls is hit by the players. The hook or slice of the golf ball hit by the players is automatically considered to determine the lateral movement of the golf ball. The golf ball detection device in particular eliminates false detection of golf balls by the use of infrared light and the provision of an infrared light-detector. Control of this system is performed by a suitably programmed microprocessor.

The apparatus described above should only be understood as illustrating the principle application of the present invention. Various modifications and different devices may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims include such modifications and devices.

Claims (7)

A bottom wall 40 including a support 4 and a non-reflective pad 44 for limiting the front tee area where the golf ball is hit, and vertical side walls 28 and 32 to the left and right of the bottom wall 40; , A simulated test site in which an upper wall 36 on which a sensor and a light source are installed, and a golf ball are hit and bounced, an image is projected, and sealed by a target screen 20 formed in a part of a circle, A projector 56 for projecting an image onto the target screen 20, Light sensor array 56, 76, 84 arranged in three rows on top wall 36 between tee zone 4 and target screen 20 to sense the path and speed of the golf ball hit from tee zone 4 ) And infrared light sources (52, 76, 194), Circuit controller that performs computing logic in response to the optical sensor arrays 56, 76, and 84 Golf game simulator, characterized in that consisting of. The optical sensor arrangement (56, 76, 84) according to claim 1, characterized in that it detects the time and horizontal position of the golf ball passing through three planes (64, 68, 88) spaced apart in the direction of movement of the golf ball, respectively. Golf game simulator. The horizontal position of claim 1, wherein the golf ball detects a horizontal position passing through the plane 88 facing the target screen 20, and then the golf ball protrudes from the target screen 20, and then passes through the same plane 88. The golf game simulator, characterized in that the hook and slice information of the golf ball is calculated by detecting. The golf game simulator according to claim 1, wherein the light sensor arrangement (56, 76, 84) is activated at least two light sensors as the golf ball passes. The golf game simulator according to claim 1, wherein the calculation logic is configured to memorize the passage of the golf ball when two or more adjacent optical sensors are activated, but to ignore the activation of only one optical sensor. The golf game simulator according to claim 1, wherein the target screen (20) is made of a material suitable for absorbing the impact of a golf ball and for displaying an image projected by the projector (24). 2. The two vertical planes 64, 68 are formed by the optical sensor arrays 56, 60, and non-reflective pads 44 are formed between the planes and on the bottom wall 40 of the adjoining portion. And a plane (88) by the photosensor array (84) and a second pad (72) formed in front of the target screen (20).