WO2011108837A2

WO2011108837A2 - Apparatus and method for producing user-defined golf course, server for producing user-defined golf course and virtual golf simulation method using the golf course

Info

Publication number: WO2011108837A2
Application number: PCT/KR2011/001422
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jae Yoon Ok
Original assignee: Golfzon Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2010-03-02
Filing date: 2011-03-02
Publication date: 2011-09-09
Also published as: WO2011108837A3; TWI438025B; KR101010282B1; TW201134526A

Abstract

Disclosed herein are an apparatus and method for producing a user-defined golf course used in virtual golf simulation, a sever for producing a user-defined golf course, and a virtual golf simulation method using a user-defined golf course, which are capable of combining holes selected from a plurality of holes configuring the existing golf courses so as to produce a virtual space where a golf game is played, that is, a user-defined golf course, in a virtual golf simulation process of a screen golf system, and performing virtual golf simulation in the user-defined golf course so as to arouse user's interest such that a user enjoys a virtual golf rounding in a unique golf course including only the holes of the existing golf courses where the user wishes to play a golf game.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING USER-DEFINED GOLF COURSE, SERVER FOR PRODUCING USER-DEFINED GOLF COURSE AND VIRTUAL GOLF SIMULATION METHOD USING THE GOLF COURSE

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for producing a user-defined golf course used in virtual golf simulation, a sever for producing a user-defined golf course, and a virtual golf simulation method using a user-defined golf course, which are capable of enabling a user to define and produce a virtual golf course available in virtual golf simulation for simulating the trajectory of a golf ball hit by the user.

With recent upsurge in interest in playing golf, a so-called screen golf system has gained popularity, which provides realistic virtual golf simulation so that a golfer can practice golf and enjoy a virtual golf game.

The screen golf system senses the speed 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 shot on the screen.

The screen golf system implemented using a virtual golf simulation apparatus characteristically offers the same sense of reality that the golfer would feel in a real golf course, when the golfer hits the golf ball in the same manner as in a golf practice range.

The screen golf system implemented using a virtual golf simulation apparatus needs to provide a variety of content, which cannot be provided by a real golf course or golf practice range, using various high-technology apparatuses and systems in addition to the sense of reality, in order to arouse golfer’s interest.

The screen golf system needs to establish one independent culture or e-sports range separately from a rounding in a real golf course and offer a variety of content in the independent culture or e-sports range so that golfers sufficiently enjoy the independent culture.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for producing a user-defined golf course used in virtual golf simulation, a sever for producing a user-defined golf course, and a virtual golf simulation method using a user-defined golf course, which are capable of combining holes selected from a plurality of holes configuring the existing golf courses so as to produce a virtual space where a golf game is played, that is, a user-defined golf course, in a virtual golf simulation process of a screen golf system, and performing virtual golf simulation in the user-defined golf course so as to arouse user’s interest such that a user enjoys a virtual golf rounding in a unique golf course including only the holes of the existing golf courses where the user wishes to play a golf game.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an apparatus for producing a user-defined golf course used in virtual golf simulation, including a database configured to store data regarding a plurality of golf courses used in the virtual golf simulation, and a course builder configured to combine a plurality of holes selected from the plurality of golf courses stored in the database so as to design the user-defined golf course.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server for producing a user-defined golf course used in virtual golf simulation, including a database configured to store data regarding a plurality of golf courses used in the virtual golf simulation, and a course builder configured to combine a plurality of holes selected from the plurality of golf courses stored in the database so as to design the user-defined golf course.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing a user-defined golf course used in virtual golf simulation, including displaying information about a plurality of golf courses used in the virtual golf simulation stored in a database, selecting at least one hole of a specific golf course and selecting a plurality of holes from the plurality of golf courses, and combining the plurality of selected holes so as to produce the user-defined golf course.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a virtual golf simulation method using a user-defined golf course designed by combining a plurality of holes selected from a plurality of golf courses used in virtual golf simulation stored in a server, including enabling a user to log in, displaying a list of user-defined golf courses held by the logged-in user, transmitting data regarding a user-defined golf course selected from the list of user-defined golf courses from the server to a virtual golf simulation apparatus, and executing the transmitted user-defined golf course in the virtual golf simulation apparatus so as to perform virtual golf simulation.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a virtual golf simulation method using a user-defined golf course designed by combining a plurality of holes selected from a plurality of golf courses used in virtual golf simulation stored in a server, including enabling a user to log in, displaying a list of user-defined golf courses held by the logged-in user, transmitting configuration information of a user-defined golf course selected from the list of user-defined golf courses from the server to a virtual golf simulation apparatus, generating golf course data for golf simulation used in the virtual golf simulation apparatus according to the transmitted configuration information of the user-defined golf course, and executing the data generated according to the configuration information of the user-defined golf course in the virtual golf simulation apparatus so as to perform virtual golf simulation.

In an apparatus and method for producing a user-defined golf course used in virtual golf simulation, a sever for producing a user-defined golf course, and a virtual golf simulation method using a user-defined golf course according to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to combine holes selected from a plurality of holes configuring the existing golf courses so as to produce a virtual space where a golf game is played, that is, a user-defined golf course, in a virtual golf simulation process of a screen golf system, and perform virtual golf simulation in the user-defined golf course so as to arouse user’s interest such that a user enjoys a virtual golf rounding in a unique golf course including only the holes of the existing golf courses where the user wishes to play a golf game. Thus, it is possible to provide a variety of content which cannot be provided by a real golf course or golf practice range.

The above and other objects, characteristics and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of applying a virtual golf simulation apparatus using a virtual golf simulation method according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention to a screen golf system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a system including the virtual golf simulation apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a server in which an apparatus for producing a user-defined golf course according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is implemented, and a system including the server;

FIGS. 4 to 5 are diagrams showing examples of an interface implemented by an apparatus for producing a user-defined golf course according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for producing a user-defined golf course according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts illustrating virtual golf simulation methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

The matters defined in the description such as a detailed construction and specific elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

An apparatus and method for producing a user-defined golf course used in virtual golf simulation and a virtual golf simulation method using a user-defined golf course according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The apparatus for producing the user-defined golf course according to the embodiment of the present invention may be implemented in various manners. That is, the apparatus for producing the user-defined golf course may be implemented by enabling a user to directly produce a user-defined golf course in a virtual golf simulation apparatus shown in FIG. 1 or accessing a server using a user terminal (e.g., a personal computer, a laptop, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a smart phone, etc.) to produce a user-defined golf course on the server as shown in FIG. 3, such that data regarding the user-defined golf course is received and executed over a network when playing a golf game using the virtual golf simulation apparatus in the future.

First, the system including the virtual golf simulation apparatus will be schematically described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the virtual golf simulation apparatus includes a swing plate 100 and a sensing device 10, and a simulator GS which includes an image output device (an image output device 60 of FIG. 2, for example, a beam projector) for outputting a predetermined image to a screen 70 in front of it and stores and processes all data required for virtual golf simulation. Reference numeral W of FIG. 1 denotes a sidewall of a screen golf booth.

The virtual golf simulation apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes the simulator GS, and the sensing device 10. The simulator GS may include an operation unit 30, a storage unit 40, an image processing unit 50, the image output unit 60, and a controller M.

The image output unit 60 may include a beam projector for outputting an image on the screen 70 as shown in FIG. 1 or a device including a large screen to directly display an image.

The storage unit 40 stores a variety of information about the virtual golf simulation apparatus and stores image data for displaying a golf course image.

The simulator GS includes a data transmission unit so as to communication with the server S over a network such as the (wired or wireless) Internet.

The image processing unit 50 processes the data stored in the storage unit 40 and all virtual golf simulation images such as a virtual golf course image, a video of the shot of a golf ball and a menu selection image.

The controller M performs various operations for virtual golf simulation and controls the components.

When a golfer stands on the swing plate 100 and hits a golf ball 1 onto the screen 70, the sensing device 10 senses the shot and outputs a sensed signal to the controller M. The controller M provides the received sensed signal to the image processing controller 50. The image processing controller 50 extracts and processes golf simulation image information such as a video of the shot of the golf ball from the storage unit 40 based on shot characteristics of the golf ball 1 and projects the processed golf simulation image information to the screen 70 through the image output device 60. In this manner, a virtual golf game is played.

Although not clearly shown in FIG. 1, the sensing device 10 may include an infrared ray receiving and emitting sensor provided on the side of the swing plate 100, a camera sensor provided on a ceiling or a wall, etc.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a virtual golf simulation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the virtual golf simulation system includes a plurality of golf simulators GS and a server S connected over a network such as the Internet.

Various user terminals may receive predetermined information from the server S over the network.

As shown in FIG. 3, the server S may include predetermined components which enable a user to produce a user-defined golf course. The user can access the server S through the user terminal, execute a tool for producing a user-defined golf course, and produce the user-defined golf course.

Although the apparatus for producing the user-defined golf course according to the embodiment of the present invention is implemented in the server S herein, the present invention is not limited thereto and the apparatus for producing the user-defined golf course may be implemented in the golf simulator GS or the user terminal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the server S includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 100, a database 200, and a course builder 310 for producing the user-defined golf course.

The database 200 stores data associated with a variety of information received from the user terminal and stores all data associated with a variety of information received from the simulators GS. In addition, the database 200 stores a variety of data associated with user-defined golf course production.

That is, the database 200 may include a system information storage part 210 for storing a variety of data associated with a system operation, a user information storage part 220 for storing information about users registered in the system, a golf course data storage part 230 for golf simulation, which stores golf courses necessary for virtual golf simulation, and a designed golf course data storage part 240 for storing data regarding golf courses designed by users.

The

storage parts

210, 220, 230 and 240 may be implemented as an independent storage device or a partial physical space of a storage device.

The course builder 310 loads data from the golf course data storage part 230 for golf simulation of the database 200 such that the user designs the user-defined golf course.

That is, when the server S is accessed using the user terminal or the golf simulator GS, the server S provides an interface means for operating the course builder 310 to the connected user terminal or golf simulator GS. The interface means provides a user interface screen for enabling the user to design the golf course.

The user may select desired holes from various golf courses through the interface means executed in the user terminal or the golf simulator GS. The selected holes are combined by the course builder 310 so as to produce one user-defined golf course.

Although the server S may provide only the interface means to the user terminal or the golf simulator GS herein, the server S may provide a tool for producing the user-defined golf course, that is, the course builder, and the interface means to the connected user terminal or golf simulator GS such that the course builder and the interface means for producing the user-defined golf course are executed in the user terminal or the golf simulator GS so as to produce the user-defined golf course.

Hereinafter, an example of a process of designing the user-defined golf course will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIGS. 4 to 5 are diagrams showing examples of an interface implemented when a user accesses a server so as to execute a golf course producing unit.

If the course builder 310 is executed, an interface screen 320 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be output on the user terminal or the golf simulator through the interface means.

A design screen 321 for designing the user-defined golf course may be output on one side of the interface screen 320 and a Country Club (CC) selection menu 324 for selecting data regarding various golf courses stored in the golf course data storage part 230 for golf simulation of the database 200 may be output on the other side of the interface screen 320.

A menu unit 323 for performing various functions necessary to design the golf course may be displayed on one side of the design screen 321 and a window 322 for storing the selected holes may be displayed on the design screen 321.

Accordingly, if one tab on the CC selection menu 324 is selected using a pointer P, a sub menu 325 is output. If a specific hole is selected on the sub menu 325, the selected hole is stored in the window 322 so as to design the user-defined golf course.

For example, if KAYA CC on the CC selection menu 324 is selected in FIG. 4, a sub menu 325 thereof is output. Then, if a first hole of KAYA CC is selected, the first hole of KAYA CC is stored in the window 322 as shown in FIG. 5.

Specific holes are selected from various golf courses using the above-described method so as to design the user-defined golf course as shown in FIG. 5. Preferably, although a golf course including 18 holes must be designed, all the 18 holes may not be selected.

That is, some of 18 holes are selected by the user and the remaining holes are randomly selected from the golf courses so as to design the user-defined golf course.

Although desired holes are selected from various golf courses and are combined in the above description, the golf course may be designed using another method.

That is, a desired golf course, that is, a main golf course may be selected from various golf courses before holes are selected and one or more holes of the selected main golf course may be replaced with holes selected from other golf courses, thereby design the user-defined golf course.

The user-defined golf course designed as described above may be edited using a course editor (not shown).

For example, the order of holes configuring the user-defined golf course may be changed, a specific hole may be replaced with another hole, the background or green state of a specific hole may be changed, or specific audio, video or image may be inserted into a specific hole.

Hereinafter, a method of producing a user-defined golf course and a virtual golf simulation method using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

As shown in FIG. 6, a user accesses and logs in to a server (S10).

At this time, the CPU 100 (see FIG. 3) extracts and confirms information about the user from the user information storage part 220.

It is determined whether or not the logged-in user executes a course builder (S20). If the course builder is executed, the method proceeds to a next step and, if so not, another operation is performed (S30).

If the course builder is executed, the interface means for course design is executed (S40) and data regarding a plurality of holes configuring the existing golf courses for golf simulation is loaded (S50).

The user selects specific holes from among the holes of the existing golf courses (S60) so as to design the user-defined golf course.

If course design is completed (S70), it is determined whether or not the golf course is edited (S71). If it is determined that the golf course is edited, the course editor is executed.

The editing of the course such as the change of order of selected holes or a specific process of a specific hole is performed using the course editor (S80). If the editing of the course is completed (S90), the completed user-defined golf course is stored in a database (S100).

The user may execute the user-defined golf course (UDC) in the virtual golf simulation apparatus and perform virtual golf simulation using the UDC.

As shown in FIG. 7, first, a user login step is performed in order to perform virtual golf simulation (S100).

If the logged-in user wishes to confirm his or her UDC list (S200), the UDC list is read. At this time, a simulator receives information about the UDC list of the user from a server and displays the UDC list of the user (S210).

If a specific UDC is selected from the UDCs of the list (S220), data regarding the selected UDC is received from the server (S230) and the received data regarding the UDC is loaded (S240).

Then, virtual golf simulation is performed in the UDC selected by the user (S280).

As described above, in the virtual golf simulation method shown in FIG. 7, the UDC of the user, that is, the data regarding the user-defined golf course, is not stored in the storage unit of the simulation apparatus but is stored in the server. Thus, the UDC of the user is received from the server and then is executed.

FIG. 8 shows a virtual golf simulation method according to another embodiment of the present invention. Since steps S100 to S220 of FIG. 8 are equal to steps S100 to S220 of FIG. 7, only the subsequent steps thereof will be described.

As shown in FIG. 8, configuration information of the UDC selected by the user, that is, brief information indicating which holes configure the UDC, is received. In other words, all data regarding the holes configuring the UDC is not received, but only information for identifying the holes configuring the UDC is received (S250).

The UDC is generated in the simulation apparatus according to the received configuration information of the UDC (S260).

The generated data regarding the UDC is loaded (S270) and virtual golf simulation is performed in the UDC (S280).

Various embodiments have been described in the best mode for carrying out the invention.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

An apparatus for producing a user-defined golf course used in virtual golf simulation, comprising:

a database configured to store data regarding a plurality of golf courses used in the virtual golf simulation; and

a course builder configured to combine a plurality of holes selected from the plurality of golf courses stored in the database so as to design the user-defined golf course.
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an interface means configured to display the plurality of holes included in the golf courses stored in the database and enable at least one of the plurality of holes to be selected by a user so as to operate the course builder.
The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a course editor configured to edit the user-defined golf course designed by the course builder.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the database and the course builder are implemented in at least one of a user terminal and a golf simulator.
A server for producing a user-defined golf course used in virtual golf simulation, comprising:

a database configured to store data regarding a plurality of golf courses used in the virtual golf simulation; and

a course builder configured to combine a plurality of holes selected from the plurality of golf courses stored in the database so as to design the user-defined golf course.
The server according to claim 5, wherein the server is connected to at least one of a user terminal and a golf simulator over a network, and an interface means configured to operate the course builder is provided to at least one of the user terminal and the golf simulator connected to the server such that the course builder operates through the interface means so as to produce the user-defined golf course.
The server according to claim 5, further comprising a means to be configured to provide the course builder to at least one of the user terminal and the golf simulator connected over the network,

wherein the user-defined golf course is designed using at least one of the user terminal and the golf simulator which receives the course builder.
A method for producing a user-defined golf course used in virtual golf simulation, comprising:

displaying information about a plurality of golf courses used in the virtual golf simulation stored in a database;

selecting a plurality of holes from the plurality of golf courses in such a way that at least one hole of a specific golf course is selected; and

combining the plurality of selected holes so as to produce the user-defined golf course.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the selecting of the plurality of holes includes:

displaying images of holes included in a specific golf course among the plurality of golf courses; and

enabling a user to select at least one of the displayed holes.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the selecting of the plurality of holes includes randomly selecting at least one of holes included in a specific golf course among the plurality of golf courses.
The method according to claim 8, wherein the producing of the golf course includes:

selecting a main golf course; and

replacing specific holes of the main golf course with the plurality of selected holes so as to produce the user-defined golf course.
The method according to claim 8, further comprising editing the golf course designed by combining the plurality of holes.
The method according to claim 12, wherein the editing of the golf course includes changing order of holes configuring the designed golf course.
The method according to claim 12, wherein the editing of the golf course includes at least changing or deleting characteristics of elements configuring a specific hole among the holes of the designed golf course or adding a new element to the elements configuring the specific hole.
The method according to claim 12, wherein the editing of the course includes inserting a specific entity including at least one of predetermined video, image and audio to a specific hole among the holes configuring the designed golf course.
A virtual golf simulation method using a user-defined golf course designed by combining a plurality of holes selected from a plurality of golf courses used in virtual golf simulation stored in a server, comprising:

enabling a user to log in;

displaying a list of user-defined golf courses held by the logged-in user;transmitting data regarding a user-defined golf course selected from the list of user-defined golf courses from the server to a virtual golf simulation apparatus; and

executing the transmitted user-defined golf course in the virtual golf simulation apparatus so as to perform virtual golf simulation.
A virtual golf simulation method using a user-defined golf course designed by combining a plurality of holes selected from a plurality of golf courses used in virtual golf simulation stored in a server, comprising:

enabling a user to log in;

displaying a list of user-defined golf courses held by the logged-in user;

transmitting configuration information of a user-defined golf course selected from the list of user-defined golf courses from the server to a virtual golf simulation apparatus;

generating golf course data for golf simulation used in the virtual golf simulation apparatus according to the transmitted configuration information of the user-defined golf course; and

executing the data generated according to the configuration information of the user-defined golf course in the virtual golf simulation apparatus so as to perform virtual golf simulation.