JP7481004B2 - Virtual golf device providing playing information - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a virtual golf device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a virtual golf device that provides play information configured to allow a user using a golf simulation device such as screen golf to easily and accurately grasp various information regarding golf play.

Simulation devices have been developed that use video and computer simulation technology to allow people to enjoy sports without being in the field, and virtual indoor sports such as golf and baseball have become widespread. In particular, as the number of golfers increases, screen golf, which allows people to enjoy golf using a virtual golf simulation device, is becoming increasingly popular. In screen golf, a video of a golf course is displayed on a screen, giving the feeling that a person is playing an actual golf game outdoors, while saving time and money compared to playing on an outdoor field, so screen golf is very popular among modern people who find it difficult to play golf outdoors due to time or financial reasons.

However, as the number of screen golf users increases, so do user expectations. Therefore, screen golf needs to not only provide the realism of playing on an actual golf course, but also to increase the convenience of users who play screen golf by providing a variety of content that utilizes high-tech technology, which is difficult to provide on an actual golf course due to the nature of the service being provided through various high-tech devices.

The present invention was invented in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a virtual golf device that is configured to provide various information about golf courses in an easy-to-view format so that users can easily understand golf play information.

Furthermore, other objects of the present invention can be clearly understood from the following description and the attached drawings.

To achieve the above object, a virtual golf device that provides play information according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit that displays a virtual golf course and a virtual golf ball, and a calculation unit that calculates the movement of the virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course when a user hits the actual golf ball, and the display unit includes an information section for providing information regarding at least one or more areas of interest that exist on the virtual golf course.

In the virtual golf device that provides the above-mentioned play information, before the user hits the actual golf ball, a point on the virtual golf course where the virtual golf ball is located is defined as a first position, a position of a target point on the virtual golf course is defined as a second position, a direction from the first position toward the second position is defined as a first direction, and when a virtual line is assumed to move along the first direction starting from the first position, the information section displays the distance from the first position to an intersection point where the virtual line meets an edge portion of the area of interest. Here, the virtual line meets an edge portion of the area of interest at multiple intersection points, and the information section displays all of the distances from the first position to the multiple intersection points.

In the virtual golf device that provides the above-mentioned play information, the area of interest is a green area in which a target point is located, and before the user hits the actual golf ball, a point on the virtual golf course where the virtual golf ball is located is defined as a first position, the position of the target point is defined as a second position, the direction from the first position toward the second position is defined as a first direction, and when a virtual line moving along the first direction starting from the first position is assumed, the information section displays the distance from an intersection point where the virtual line meets an edge of the green area to the target point. Here, the virtual line meets an edge of the green area at a plurality of intersection points, and the information section displays only the distance from an intersection point located closest to the first position in the first direction among the plurality of intersection points to the target point. Or, when another virtual line moving along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction with the target point as a viewpoint is assumed, the information section additionally displays the distance from the target point to an intersection point where the other virtual line moving along the second direction meets an edge of the green area. Also, if another imaginary line moving along the second direction meets the edge of the green area at multiple intersections, the information section displays only the shortest distance to the target point at each of the multiple intersections.

In the virtual golf device that provides the above-mentioned play information, the area of interest includes at least one of the rough area, the bunker area, the water hazard area, the OB (out of bounds) area, and the green area.

In the virtual golf device that provides the above-mentioned playing information, the display unit displays a main image and a sub-image, the virtual golf course is displayed on the main image, and the information provided by the information section is displayed on the sub-image.

In the virtual golf device that provides the above-mentioned play information, the information section displays additional information obtained by linking the predicted shot result calculated based on the user's past play record with information about the area of interest.

The virtual golf device of the present invention allows users to easily understand golf play information by providing various information about the golf course in an easy-to-view format.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the main components of the virtual golf device of FIG. 1. 2A to 2C are diagrams showing specific examples of various information that can be displayed in the information section of FIG. 1 . 2A to 2C are diagrams showing specific examples of various information that can be displayed in the information section of FIG. 1 . 2A to 2C are diagrams showing specific examples of various information that can be displayed in the information section of FIG. 1 . 2A to 2C are diagrams showing specific examples of various information that can be displayed in the information section of FIG. 1 . 3 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the storage unit in FIG. 2; FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a specific example of displaying additional information in an information section. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to examples. The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be readily understood from the following examples. The present invention is not limited to the examples described herein, and may be embodied in other forms. The examples presented herein are provided so that the disclosed content will be thorough and complete, and so that the concept of the present invention will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited by the following examples.

In this specification, terms such as first, second, etc. are used to describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited by such terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish the elements from one another. Also, when a layer (film) is referred to as being on another layer (film) or substrate, it means that it can be formed directly on the other layer (film) or substrate, or that a third layer (film) can be interposed between them.

In the drawings, the size of elements or the relative size between elements may be somewhat exaggerated to provide a clearer understanding of the present invention. In addition, the shapes of the illustrated elements may be somewhat changed due to variations in the manufacturing process. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments disclosed in this specification should not be limited to the shapes illustrated, and should be understood to include a certain degree of modification.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the general structure of a virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the relationship between the main components of the virtual golf device of Figure 1.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the virtual golf device (100) according to this embodiment includes a hitting plate (110), a sensing unit (120), an input unit (130), a simulator (140), and a display unit (150).

The striking plate (110) corresponds to the striking zone where the golf ball is placed and struck. The striking plate (110) is equipped with a striking mat (111), and the striking mat (111) provides the user with a golf ball to be struck by a separate golf ball supplying means, etc.

The sensing unit (120) is for sensing the movement of the golf ball hit by the user to grasp overall status information regarding the hit golf ball, and may use sensing means such as a camera capable of photographing the movement of the golf ball or a sensor capable of sensing the movement of the golf ball. Various sensing methods such as image sensing, light emission/reception sensing, and laser sensing may be applied to the sensing means, and status information of the golf ball hit by the user may be grasped by such sensing methods. The camera and sensor may be used alone or together, and may be used alone or in combination as necessary.

The input unit (130) is for receiving various information from the user, and may be a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. In screen golf, a login system that provides services after the user logs in may be applied, and there may be cases where the user needs to input information, such as when the user inputs his/her ID and password under the login system, or when the user selects the golf course or difficulty level he/she wants to play, and the input unit (130) is provided for such cases.

The simulator (140) includes a calculation unit (141), an image unit (142), and a storage unit (143). When the user hits a golf ball, the calculation unit (141) receives status information on the hit golf ball and can calculate the trajectory of the golf ball based on the received information. The image unit (142) can generate a golf simulation image to be displayed to the user and transmit it to the display unit (150). The image generated by the image unit (142) can include a main screen showing a main image and a sub-screen showing a sub-image. The main screen can display a golf course and a golf ball, and the sub-screen can display various additional information. For example, a mini-map that displays a reduced version of the entire golf course as a sub-image can be displayed on the sub-screen. In particular, according to the present invention, an information section that provides various play information to the user can be displayed on the sub-screen, and the image unit (142) can be provided with a separate part for processing the image of the information section. The storage unit (143) can store (store) various data required for the operation of the calculation unit (141) and the image unit (142).

The display unit (150) includes a beam projector (151) and a screen (152). The beam projector (151) projects a golf-related image onto the screen (152), and the screen (152) displays the projected golf-related image and provides it to the user. Hereinafter, some objects displayed on the screen (152) will be referred to as "virtual". This means that they do not exist in the real world but are displayed on the screen (152). For example, "virtual golf course" means a golf course displayed on the screen (152), and "virtual golf ball" means a golf ball displayed on the screen (152).

The virtual golf device (100) is a device that is installed at a screen golf course to allow a user to play screen golf. When a user plays screen golf, the virtual golf device (100) operates as follows.

First, when a user hits a golf ball, the sensing unit (120) senses the physical state of the golf ball, such as the speed and direction of movement. The information sensed by the sensing unit (120) is transmitted to the simulator (140), and the calculation unit (141) of the simulator (140) calculates the trajectory of the golf ball based on the transmitted information, assuming that the user hits the golf ball on an actual outdoor golf course. The image unit (142) generates an image of the golf ball moving according to the calculated trajectory, and the display unit (150) displays the image to provide to the user.

The golf course provided to the user for playing at the screen golf course is either an identical reproduction of an actual golf course modeled after the actual golf course, or an arbitrary creation of a virtual golf course that does not actually exist. The main screen of the screen (152) displays an image of the actual or created golf course where the user is playing, and when the user hits a golf ball and the trajectory of the hit golf ball is calculated, the main screen of the screen (152) displays an image of the golf ball moving along the calculated trajectory on the golf course of the golf course and stopping at a predetermined point. In this way, since the screen (152) displays related images with the focus on the golf ball, the area of the golf course that is mainly displayed on the screen (152) is the area around the golf ball, and this display area changes according to the movement of the goal ball. However, in order to conquer the golf course, it is necessary to grasp additional information such as the position of the hole cup, which is the final target point, and the distance between the golf ball and the hole cup, as well as the area where the golf ball is currently located, but the image provided on the main screen of the screen (152) alone does not provide such information. Therefore, for the user's convenience, additional information needs to be provided, and for this purpose, an information section that provides various information is provided as a sub-image on the screen (152) in addition to the main screen.

Figures 3 to 6 show specific examples of the various types of information that can be displayed in the information section of Figure 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the information section displays a minimap of the virtual golf course. Minimaps are primarily used in computer games for the convenience of gamers, and are a type of miniature map in which the location where the game is being played is scaled down like a map. Recently, minimaps have been used in a variety of fields other than computer games, and minimaps that scale down the golf course for each hole are also used in screen golf.

Golf is a game in which players hit a golf ball to put it into a hole cup on the green, and the winner is determined by the number of hits from the tee shot to the time the golf ball is put into the hole cup. Generally, a golf game is made up of 18 holes, and the golf course that makes up each hole is made up of various areas such as the teeing ground, through the green, green, and hazards. The distance from the tee shot position to the hole cup on the green is quite far, and the screen only displays a limited area around the point where the golf ball is placed, so users may have questions about what the entire golf course looks like and where the golf ball they hit is located on the entire golf course. Such questions can be resolved to some extent by providing a mini-map that shows a reduced version of the golf course.

The minimap in screen golf can be a great help to the user's play, but playing golf requires a variety of information, so the minimap alone is insufficient. Along with the minimap, the information section can provide the user with a variety of information that is useful for playing golf. For example, the information section can provide information on the distance from the point where the user's golf ball is currently located to the hole cup, and can also provide the user with a variety of additional information that is required. Below are some specific examples of information that can be provided through the information section.

As shown in the minimap of FIG. 3, a virtual golf ball (B) corresponding to the golf ball hit by the user is located at a predetermined point, and a hole cup (HC) located in a green area (G) is quite far away from the virtual golf ball (B). In addition, an area of interest (A) that is likely to interest the user is located between the virtual golf ball (B) and the hole cup (HC). The area of interest (A) may be a dangerous area that interferes with the user's play, such as a rough area, a bunker area, or a water hazard. Alternatively, the area of interest (A) may be an OB (out of bounds) area that is outside the golf course or a green area where the hole cup (HC) is located. In other words, any area that is likely to interest the user because it is disadvantageous or advantageous to the user becomes an area of interest (A).

For the sake of convenience, let us assume that the area of interest (A) is a bunker. If a golf ball enters the bunker, it is not easy to get out of it, so from the user's perspective, he or she would like to avoid hitting the bunker. Information about the bunker is very important to the user in order to avoid the bunker. In this embodiment, information related to the current virtual golf ball (B) and the bunker (area of interest (A)) is provided. For example, a line (L) is displayed according to a straight line direction (D) connecting the current virtual golf ball (B) and the hole cup (HC), and the points where the line (L) meets the edge of the bunker are the first point (P1) and the second point (P2). In the information section, the distance (I1) from the virtual golf ball (B) to the first point (P1) and/or the distance (I2) from the virtual golf ball (B) to the second point (P2) are displayed. Here, the distance is displayed in yards (yd) or meters (m). If the user wants to know what unit is displayed, it is also possible to display only numbers without displaying the unit. By displaying the distances (I1, I2) in this way, the user can determine how much hitting power is required to land the golf ball before it reaches the bunker or to land the golf ball past the bunker. Here, the line (L) displayed to indicate the distances (I1, I2) does not necessarily have to be displayed, and it is also possible to display only the distances and not display this line (L).

Referring to FIG. 4, the final goal of playing golf is to put the golf ball into the hole cup (HC), and since the hole cup (HC) is located in the green area (G), the green area (G) corresponds to the user's area of interest. Thus, the information section can display a mini map of the green area (G) of the virtual golf course and information related to the green area (G). For example, if the virtual golf ball (B) is far from the green area where the hole cup (HC) is located, a line (L) is displayed along a straight line direction (D1) connecting the current virtual golf ball (B) and the hole cup (HC), and the points where the line (L) meets the edge of the green area (G) are set as the first point (P1) and the second point (P2), and the information section displays the distance (I1) from the virtual golf ball (B) to the first point (P1) (corresponding to the length of L2) and/or the distance (I2) from the virtual golf ball (B) to the second point (P2) (corresponding to the length of L1+L2). By displaying the distances (I1, I2) in this way, the user can determine how much hitting strength is required for the golf ball to reach the green area (G). The lines (L including L1 inside the green area and L2 outside) displayed to indicate the distances (I1, I2) do not necessarily have to be displayed here; it is also possible to display only the distances and not display the lines (L).

Referring to FIG. 5, the distance from the edge of the green area (G) to the hole cup (HC) is displayed to provide more detailed information about the green area (G). Assume that a line (L1) follows a straight direction (D1) connecting a virtual golf ball (B) and the hole cup (HC), and that this line (L1) intersects with the edge of the green area (G) at a first point (P1) and then reaches the hole cup (HC). The information section displays the distance (I1) from the first point (P1) to the hole cup (HC) on the line (L1).

Also, let us assume that the directions perpendicular to the right and left sides of the first direction (D1) are the second direction (D2) and the third direction (D3), respectively, that the lines moving along the second and third directions (D2, D3) are the second line (L2) and the third line (L3), respectively, and that the points where the second and third lines (L2, L3) meet the edge of the green area (G) are the second point (P2) and the third point (P3), respectively. In this case, the information section displays the distance (I2) from the hole cup (HC) to the second point (P2) and the distance (I3) from the hole cup (HC) to the third point (P3). Here, the second and third lines (L2, L3) and the distances (I2, I3) corresponding thereto do not necessarily have to be displayed together, and only one of them can be displayed. For example, it is possible to display only the line with the shorter distance between the second and third lines (L2, L3) (corresponding to L2 in FIG. 5) and its distance. Also, the lines (L1, L2, L3) displayed to indicate the distances (I1, I2, I3) do not necessarily have to be displayed; it is also possible to display only the distances and not display some or all of the lines (L1, L2, L3). By displaying the distances in this way, the user can grasp distance information within the green area (G), which can be used when hitting or putting to reach the green.

6, the information section may display the above information in a composite manner. For example, at least some of the information shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5 may be combined and displayed together in a composite manner. Specifically, the information section displays a mini-map of a virtual golf course, and also displays distances (I1, I2) from a virtual golf ball (B) to a first and second point (P1, P2) when a line (L) from the virtual golf ball (B) toward a hole cup (HC) meets an edge portion of an area of interest (A) such as a bunker at the first and second points (P1, P2). The distances (I1, I2) may be considered as the minimum distance (I1) that the virtual golf ball (B) enters the area of interest (A) or the minimum distance (I2) that the virtual golf ball (B) passes over the area of interest (A) when the virtual golf ball (B) is hit straight toward the hole cup (HC). The information section also displays a mini map of the green area (G), which displays distances (I3, I4) from the virtual golf ball (B) to the third and fourth points (P3, P4) for a third point (P3) entering the green area (G) and a fourth point (P4) leaving the green area (G) when the virtual golf ball (B) is hit straight toward the hole cup (HC). The information section also displays a distance (I5) of a first line (L1) moving from the third point (P3) to the hole cup (HC), and a sixth distance (I6) between the hole cup (HC) and the fifth point (P5) when a second line (L2) perpendicular to the first line (L1) meets the edge of the green area (G) from the hole cup (HC) at the fifth point (P5). If we imagine a virtual line that is perpendicular to the first line (L1) and moves in the opposite direction to the second line (L2) (to the left from the hole cup (HC)), this virtual line will intersect with the edge of the green area (G) located on the opposite side of the fifth point (P5). The distance from the hole cup (HC) to the intersection point (P6) located on the opposite side of the fifth point (P5) is longer than the sixth distance (I6). In this embodiment, only the distance (I6) that is closer to the hole cup (HC) and that can be considered more important to the user is displayed between the fifth point (P5) and the intersection point (P6).

By displaying various distance information in this way, the user can easily devise a strategy to avoid the area of interest (A) and/or a strategy to safely enter the green area (G) while appropriately adjusting the hitting strength, etc.

Meanwhile, when providing various play information through the information section, additional information useful to the user can be provided by linking the user's past play information. The provision of additional information will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the storage unit in Figure 2, and Figure 8 is a diagram showing a specific display example of displaying additional information in the information section.

Referring to FIG. 7, the storage unit (143) is divided into a plurality of storage areas for each user. For example, if there are two different users A and B, the storage unit (143) is divided into a storage area (143A) for user A and a storage area (143B) for user B. In addition, the storage areas (143A, 143B) for each user are provided with a user's personal information DB and a user's play information DB. The user's personal information DB stores the user's personal information, and can be used for the login step when a login system is applied that allows the user to use the screen golf service after logging in. The user's play information DB stores the record of the user's play. For example, the user's past play history information, the average number of strokes, driver distance, fairway landing rate, green accuracy, average number of puttings, etc. calculated based on the history information can be stored.

The user information stored in the storage unit (143) can be linked to golf course information provided through the information section. Specifically, the information section can display additional information obtained by linking the information on the danger areas and green areas described above with predicted shot results calculated based on the user's past playing records.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, when a bunker, which is one of the areas of interest (A), is located between a virtual golf ball (B) and a green area (G), the information section displays the distance (I1) from the virtual golf ball (B) to a first point (P1), which is one point on the edge of the bunker, and the distance (I2) from the virtual golf ball (B) to a second point (P2), which is another point on the edge of the bunker, and in addition, the predicted shot result based on the information extracted from the user information can be displayed together. Specifically, in a situation where an iron shot must be made, if the distance (I1) from the virtual golf ball (B) to the first point (P1) is 100 yards, the distance (I2) from the virtual golf ball (B) to the second point (P2) is 120 yards, and the user's average iron shot distance is 105 yards, the information section displays the predicted shot result point (P3) and the average distance value (I3) based on the average distance, and the user can make a strategy for the next shot based on this. In other words, if the average flight distance is 105 yards and is close to the first point (P1), the user can develop a strategy to hit the ball a little weaker than usual so that the golf ball lands before reaching the bunker. If the average flight distance is 115 yards and is close to the second point (P2), the user can develop a strategy to hit the ball a little harder than usual so that the golf ball lands over the bunker.

For example, when the information section displays the average driving distance of a user, it is not necessary to display only the average driving distance. As another example, the area where the user's golf ball is likely to land can be displayed in color, etc., using the average driving distance and its standard deviation based on the user's past history. Or, the probability that the hit golf ball will land in an area of the user's interest, such as a bunker or green area, or that it will miss the above area can be displayed as a percentage.

In this way, by linking information about the golf course with user history information, it is possible to provide further useful golf play information that is of practical use to the user's shot strategy.

Figures 9 to 11 show the schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 9, the virtual golf device (200) according to this embodiment includes a striking plate (210), a sensing unit (220), an input unit (230), a simulator (240), a display unit (250), and a kiosk (260).

The striking plate (210) is equipped with a striking mat (211) on which a golf ball is placed, and the user strikes the golf ball on the striking mat (211). The sensing unit (220) senses the physical state of the golf ball struck by the user and transmits it to the simulator (240). The input unit (230) uses a keyboard, mouse, etc. that can receive input from the user. The simulator (240) receives sensing information on the struck golf ball from the sensing unit (220) and calculates the trajectory of the golf ball based on the information. The simulator (240) also generates an image of the golf ball moving according to the calculated trajectory and transmits it to the display unit (250). The display unit (250) includes a beam projector (251) and a screen (252), and the beam projector (251) projects an image onto the screen (252), which displays the projected image and provides it to the user. The kiosk (260) is a small display. The kiosk 260 may be any of various display devices such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a field emission display (FED), a plasma display panel (PDP), a flexible display, etc. According to the present embodiment, a plurality of devices capable of displaying images are provided, such as a screen 252 and a kiosk 260. The screen 252 displays a screen that is provided to a user as a main image, such as a virtual golf ball and a virtual golf course, and the kiosk 260 displays a screen that is provided to a user as a sub-image, such as additional information. For example, the kiosk (260) can display information provided through the information section described above. Thus, according to this embodiment, by providing a separate kiosk (260) as an auxiliary display in addition to the screen (252), more diverse screens and information can be dynamically provided to the user.

Referring to FIG. 10, the virtual golf device (300) according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of practice booths (301, 302, 303). Each practice booth (301, 302, 303) has the same configuration. For example, the first practice booth (301) has a hitting plate (301a), a simulator device (301b) with a kiosk screen, a screen (301c), etc., and the other practice booths (302, 303) also have the same components. Although not shown in the drawing, each practice booth (301, 302, 303) is further equipped with other devices including a camera for detecting the movement of a golf ball, etc. The virtual golf device (300) according to the present embodiment can be used by a user to play golf alone or practice golf. A user can enjoy playing alone in each practice booth (301, 302, 303). The virtual golf device (300) according to the present embodiment can also provide various information required by the user through the above-mentioned information section. The information section can be displayed via at least one of the screen (301a) and the kiosk screen.

Referring to FIG. 11, the virtual golf device (1) according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of screen golf courses (10) and a server unit (20). The screen golf course (10) is equipped with the devices as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 9, FIG. 10, etc., so that a user can enjoy playing screen golf. The devices equipped in the screen golf course (10) are connected to the server unit (20) via a wired or wireless communication network. Each screen golf course (10) serves as a service provider that provides a screen golf service to a user after logging in. The server unit (20) serves as a central server used by a service provider that operates a plurality of screen golf courses (10) to manage the devices equipped in the plurality of screen golf courses (10). A user who wishes to use a screen golf service first logs in to receive the service, and the server unit (20) checks the user's identity when the user logs in and determines whether or not to approve the login. The server unit (20) is equipped with a storage unit (21), and the storage unit (21) has a structure as shown in FIG. 7 as an example. That is, the storage unit (21) stores (stores) personal information necessary to verify the identity of the user and/or information regarding each user's playing record.

As with the virtual golf device described above, the screen golf device installed at each screen golf course (10) can display an information section on the screen to provide various information useful for the user's golf play. The information stored in the storage unit (21) can be used when displaying the information section. The storage unit (21) is connected to a plurality of screen golf courses (10) through the server unit (20) via a wired/wireless communication network, and each screen golf course (10) connected to the server unit (20) can share and use the information in the storage unit (21), and each screen golf course (10) does not need to store the information separately.

Specific examples of the present invention have been discussed above. Those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains will understand that the present invention can be embodied in modified forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the disclosed examples should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is set forth in the claims, not in the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of the equivalents thereto should be construed as being included in the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100, 200, 300... Virtual golf device 110, 210... Striking plate 120, 220... Sensing unit 130, 230... Input unit 140, 240... Simulator 150, 250... Display unit

Claims (8)

a display unit that displays a virtual golf course and a virtual golf ball;
a calculation unit that calculates a motion of the virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course when a user hits the actual golf ball;
Including,
the display includes an information section providing information about at least one area of interest that exists on the virtual golf course;
the region of interest is a green region within which the target point is located;
a first position is a point on the virtual golf course where the virtual golf ball is located before the user hits the actual golf ball, a second position is a position of the target point, and a first direction is a direction from the first position toward the second position; when a virtual line is assumed to start from the target point and move along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the information section displays a distance from the target point to an intersection point where the virtual line moving along the second direction meets an edge of the green area;
A virtual golf device that provides playing information. a display unit that displays a virtual golf course and a virtual golf ball;
a calculation unit that calculates a motion of the virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course when a user hits the actual golf ball;
Including,
the display includes an information section providing information about at least one area of interest that exists on the virtual golf course;
a first position is a point on the virtual golf course where the virtual golf ball is located before the user hits the actual golf ball, a second position is a position of a target point on the virtual golf course, and a first direction is a direction from the first position toward the second position; when imagining a virtual line starting from the first position and moving along the first direction, the information section displays a distance from the first position to an intersection point where the virtual line meets an edge portion of the area of interest;
The information section provides information on a predicted shot result calculated based on a user's past playing records in association with information on the area of interest. a display unit that displays a virtual golf course and a virtual golf ball;
a calculation unit that calculates a motion of the virtual golf ball corresponding to the actual golf ball on the virtual golf course when a user hits the actual golf ball;
Including,
the display includes an information section providing information about at least one area of interest that exists on the virtual golf course;
The area of interest includes at least one of a rough area, a bunker area, a water hazard area, and an o'by area;
a first position is a point on the virtual golf course where the virtual golf ball is located before the user hits the actual golf ball, a second position is a position of a target point on the virtual golf course, and a first direction is a direction from the first position toward the second position; when imagining a virtual line starting from the first position and moving along the first direction, the information section displays a distance from the first position to an intersection point where the virtual line meets an edge portion of the area of interest;
A virtual golf device that provides playing information. A virtual golf device providing play information according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the virtual line meets an edge portion of the area of interest at a plurality of intersection points, and the information section displays all distances from the first position to the plurality of intersection points. The virtual golf device that provides play information according to claim 1, wherein when another imaginary line is assumed to start from the first position and move along the first direction, the information section additionally displays the distance from the intersection point where the other imaginary line meets the edge portion of the green area to the target point. 6. The virtual golf device for providing play information according to claim 5, wherein the other virtual lines meet the edge portions of the green area at a plurality of intersection points, and the information section additionally displays only the distance from the intersection point located closest to the first position in the first direction among the plurality of intersection points to the target point. The virtual golf device that provides play information according to claim 1, wherein, if the virtual line moving along the second direction meets the edge of the green area at multiple intersection points, the information section displays only the distance to the target point that corresponds to the shortest distance among the distances to the target point at each of the multiple intersection points. the display unit displays a main image and a sub-image;
A virtual golf device providing playing information as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the virtual golf course is displayed in the main image and the information provided by the information section is displayed in the sub-image.