METHOD, SYSTEM AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM FOR PROVIDING SHOT INFORMATION OF GOLF BALLS

Abstract

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for providing shot information on golf balls, the method comprising the steps of: generating strike information and direction information of a ball with reference to information on a physical quantity of the ball measured or estimated from at least one swing; and visualizing and displaying the generated strike information and direction information of the ball in a first region or a second region.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/KR2023/005151 filed on Apr. 17, 2023, which claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0052419 filed on Apr. 27, 2022, the entire contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable recording medium for providing shot information on golf balls.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the number of people choosing golf as a hobby or sporting activity has been rapidly increasing as the development of digital technology has brought more leisure time into the daily lives of modern people. Accordingly, the domestic and foreign golf industry has been growing steadily, and screen golf systems are at the center thereof which allow golfers to virtually play golf or improve their golf skills at low cost in downtown areas and the like. The basic concept of such screen golf systems is to acquire a plurality of images of a golf ball when a golfer strikes the golf ball, measure physical quantities of the golf ball on the basis of its trajectory, interval, size, and the like, and perform a simulation of the golf shot based thereon and display a result of the simulation on a screen.

Meanwhile, as the market size of the golf industry is gradually increasing, many domestic and foreign companies are participating in the golf industry market, creating a competitive landscape. Accordingly, the needs of users of screen golf systems have also changed, and beyond the mere ability to play golf indoors, the needs for more accurate and sophisticated sensors as well as senses of presence and realism like outdoor golf courses are increasing. That is, there is demand for various user interfaces or user experience elements that may further enhance the users' immersion in screen golf.

Therefore, in order to enhance the immersion of screen golf users, many studies or attempts have been made to improve sensory interactions with the users. However, according to the techniques introduced so far in connection with virtual golf simulation, it is possible to realistically represent a trajectory of a ball using various image production methods and to accurately measure physical quantities of the ball using advanced sensors or algorithms, but there is a limitation that the techniques are insufficient to intuitively provide the users with detailed shot data such as a speed and a travel direction of the ball according to a spot where the ball is struck and an orientation, angle, or speed of a golf club. Specifically, focus is merely put on a parabola in which the ball flies when the ball's trajectory is represented in a simulation system, and there is a limitation that it is not possible to intuitively identify a launch angle and a directional angle of the ball in a zone where the ball rises primarily (e.g., a rising zone).

In this connection, the inventor(s) present a technique for visualizing strike information and direction information of a ball, which are generated with reference to information on a physical quantity of the ball measured or estimated from at least one swing, and displaying the strike information and the direction information in a first region or a second region, so that a user may instantly identify whether a ball struck by the user is in a rising zone of the ball and distinguish between normal and erroneous trajectories, thereby enhancing the user's immersion and golf skills.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to solve all the above-described problems in the prior art.

Another object of the invention is to provide a user interface or user experience by intuitively visualizing a correlation of pieces of information generated before a trajectory of a struck ball is formed, so that a user may recognize normal and erroneous trajectories of a golf shot and enhance the user's immersion and golf skills.

Yet another object of the invention is to display a plurality of graphic objects generated from a plurality of swings within a single frame in a time-serial or cumulative manner, so that a user may intuitively recognize cumulative data of his/her golf shot and set a goal for improving the golf shot on the basis of the data.

Still another object of the invention is to improve a user interface or user experience so that a user may specifically and intuitively recognize a speed and a travel direction of a struck ball according to a spot where the ball is struck and an orientation, angle, or speed of a golf club.

The representative configurations of the invention to achieve the above objects are described below.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for providing shot information on golf balls, the method comprising the steps of: generating strike information and direction information of a ball with reference to information on a physical quantity of the ball measured or estimated from at least one swing; and visualizing and displaying the generated strike information and direction information of the ball in a first region or a second region.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for providing shot information on golf balls, the system comprising: an information generation unit configured to generate strike information and direction information of a ball with reference to information on a physical quantity of the ball measured or estimated from at least one swing; and an information display unit configured to visualize and display the generated strike information and direction information of the ball in a first region or a second region.

In addition, there are further provided other methods and systems to implement the invention, as well as non-transitory computer-readable recording media having stored thereon computer programs for executing the methods.

According to the invention, it is possible to provide a user interface or user experience by intuitively visualizing a correlation of pieces of information generated before a trajectory of a struck ball is formed, so that a user may recognize normal and erroneous trajectories of a golf shot and enhance the user's immersion and golf skills.

According to the invention, it is possible to display a plurality of graphic objects generated from a plurality of swings within a single frame in a time-serial or cumulative manner, so that a user may intuitively recognize cumulative data of his/her golf shot and set a goal for improving the golf shot on the basis of the data.

According to the invention, it is possible to eliminate psychological anxiety caused by the fact that erroneous trajectories occurring in a virtual golf simulation system do not directly relate to scores, and to increase the sense of experiencing normal and erroneous trajectories.

According to the invention, it is possible to improve a user interface or user experience so that a user may specifically and intuitively recognize a speed and a travel direction of a struck ball according to a spot where the ball is struck and an orientation, angle, or speed of a golf club.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 specifically shows the internal configuration of an information provision system according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 illustratively shows a situation in which an information provision system according to the invention is utilized in a virtual golf simulation system according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustratively shows a first region and a second region provided by the virtual golf simulation system according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4 to 6 illustratively show situations in which a user interface or user experience for providing information on a golf ball is provided according to one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of the present invention, references are made to the accompanying drawings that show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that the various embodiments of the invention, although different from each other, are not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, specific shapes, structures and characteristics described herein may be implemented as modified from one embodiment to another without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, it shall be understood that the positions or arrangements of individual elements within each embodiment may also be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is to be taken as encompassing the scope of the appended claims and all equivalents thereof. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements throughout the several views.

Hereinafter, various preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings to enable those skilled in the art to easily implement the invention.

A module according to one embodiment of the invention may include an eye tracking camera module, a swing motion camera module, a sensing module, and a main module.

The eye tracking camera module according to one embodiment of the invention may acquire information on head orientation (e.g., up, down, left, or right), eye orientation (e.g., orientation of an eyeball relative to the head or orientation of the eyeball itself), eye size, or eye blinking on the basis of an eye tracking algorithm, and transmit the acquired information to the main module.

The swing motion camera module according to one embodiment of the invention may acquire information on body or head orientation, and transmit the acquired information to the main module.

The sensing module according to one embodiment of the invention may acquire information on shot data (e.g., a launch angle, side angle, ball speed, back spin, and side spin) or time of impact, and transmit the acquired information to the main module.

The main module according to one embodiment of the present invention may provide a user with information obtained by combining or analyzing the information received from the eye tracking camera module, the swing motion camera module, or the sensing module (e.g., a graphic object generated with reference to strike information and direction information of a ball).

Configuration of an Information Provision System

FIG. 1 specifically shows the internal configuration of an information provision system 100 according to one embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the information provision system 100 may comprise an information generation unit 110, an information display unit 120, a communication unit 130, and a control unit 140. According to one embodiment of the invention, at least some of the information generation unit 110, the information display unit 120, the communication unit 130, and the control unit 140 may be program modules that communicate with an external system (not shown). The program modules may be included in the information provision system 100 in the form of operating systems, application program modules, and other program modules, while they may be physically stored in a variety of commonly known storage devices. Further, the program modules may also be stored in a remote storage device that may communicate with the information provision system 100. Meanwhile, such program modules may include, but are not limited to, routines, subroutines, programs, objects, components, and data structures for performing specific tasks or executing specific abstract data types according to the invention as will be described below.

Meanwhile, the above description is illustrative although the information provision system 100 has been described as above, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that at least a part of the functions or components of the information provision system 100 may be implemented or included in a known virtual golf simulation system, as necessary. Further, in some cases, all the functions and components of the information provision system 100 may be implemented or included in a virtual golf simulation system 200.

First, the information generation unit 110 according to one embodiment of the invention may measure or estimate information on a physical quantity of a ball from at least one swing. Here, the information on the physical quantity may refer to information acquired from at least one module (e.g., body or head orientation, eye orientation, launch angle, side angle, spot associated with a ball strike (or spot of impact), time of impact, back spin, side spin, ball speed, club speed, club orientation, ball rotation, impulse, and club path). However, the information on the physical quantity according to one embodiment of the invention is not limited to those listed above, and may be diversely changed as long as the objects of the invention may be achieved.

For example, the information generation unit 110 according to one embodiment of the invention may detect a plurality of dimples from each of a plurality of images in which a ball whose physical quantity is to be measured or estimated is photographed. Further, the information generation unit 110 according to one embodiment of the invention may measure or estimate a physical quantity related to spin of the ball with reference to a relationship between attributes of a plurality of dimples detected from a first image among the plurality of images and attributes of a plurality of dimples detected from a second image among the plurality of images.

Meanwhile, it is noted that for further details of measuring or estimating the physical quantity, reference may be made to the disclosures of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0133813 filed by the applicant(s), which are deemed to be incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Next, the information generation unit 110 may generate strike information and direction information of the ball with reference to the information on the physical quantity.

Specifically, the strike information of the ball according to one embodiment of the invention is information on a strike of the ball that may be measured or estimated from a user's swing, and may include information on a spot associated with the strike of the ball or a face angle of a club. The face angle of the club according to one embodiment of the invention is an angle formed between an imaginary line perpendicular to a target line and a face of the club, and may affect a direction of the ball after impact.

Further, the direction information of the ball according to one embodiment of the invention is information on a direction of the ball that may be measured or estimated from the user's swing, and may include information on a launch angle associated with a travel distance of the ball and a side angle associated with a travel direction of the ball.

Next, the information display unit 120 according to one embodiment of the invention may visualize and display the generated strike information and direction information of the ball in a first region or a second region.

The first region according to one embodiment of the invention may refer to a frame or zone through which the ball is expected to pass after a predetermined time from when the ball is struck. Preferably, the predetermined time may refer to the time it takes for the ball to form a trajectory (or flight) after the ball is struck.

Specifically, the first region according to one embodiment of the invention may refer to a region that is divided into four parts on the basis of the launch angle associated with the travel distance of the ball and the side angle associated with the travel direction of the ball.

More specifically, a horizontal axis of the first region according to one embodiment of the invention is related to the side angle and may be formed to range over −10° to 10° from left to right, and a vertical axis of the first region according to one embodiment of the invention be related to the launch angle and may be formed to range over 10° to 20° from bottom to top, so that the first region may be divided into four parts with respect to the middle point of the horizontal and vertical axes. Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, the range of the horizontal or vertical axis representing the first region may be dynamically changed on the basis of the user's manipulation or selection.

Meanwhile, the second region according to one embodiment of the invention may refer to a set of regions that may represent information associated with a speed among the generated strike information and direction information of the ball.

Specifically, the second region according to one embodiment of the invention may refer to a spectrum (e.g., a set of line segments representing colors, running continuously from red on the left to green on the right) representing a ball speed or club head speed measured or estimated from the user's swing.

Further, the second region according to one embodiment of the invention may include a region in which the ball speed or club head speed measured or estimated from the user's swing may be displayed together with at least one reference speed range. The reference speed range according to one embodiment of the invention may refer to a range for determining whether the ball speed or club head speed measured or estimated from the user's swing is proper.

More specifically, the second region according to one embodiment of the invention may be a spectrum running from red to green, and the ball speed or club head speed measured or estimated from the user's swing may be displayed within the spectrum in the form of a second graphic object (e.g., a bar or line segment) to be described later.

Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, the user may recognize that the user has made a proper swing (e.g., a swing at a proper club head speed or ball speed) when the reference speed range is included in the green region and the second graphic object is located in the reference speed range, and may recognize that the user has made an improper swing (e.g., a swing at an improper club head speed or ball speed) when the second graphic object is located in the red region outside the reference speed range.

Meanwhile, the information display unit 120 according to one embodiment of the invention may generate a graphic object with reference to the strike information and the direction information of the ball.

Specifically, the graphic object according to one embodiment of the invention may refer to geometric information that may represent the strike information and the direction information of the ball as points, lines, or surfaces.

More specifically, the graphic object according to one embodiment of the invention may include a first graphic object displayed in the first region such that the shape of the ball, the spot associated with the strike of the ball, and the face angle are represented in the form of points, lines, or surfaces, and a second graphic object displayed in the second region such that the ball speed or club head speed measured or estimated from the user's swing is represented in the form of a bar or line segment.

Further, the first graphic object generated according to one embodiment of the invention may be displayed in the first region at a location that takes into account the launch angle and the side angle.

More specifically, the first graphic object according to one embodiment of the invention is an object that represents the shape of the ball, the spot associated with the strike of the ball, and the face angle in the form of points, lines, or surfaces, and may be displayed in the first region, after the ball is struck and before the ball forms a trajectory (or flight), at a location that takes into account the launch angle and the side angle, which are determined on the basis of a relationship between the spot associated with the strike of the ball, the face angle, and the ball speed or club head speed.

Further, according to one embodiment of the invention, a plurality of first graphic objects generated from a plurality of swings of the user may be cumulatively displayed in the first region.

Specifically, the plurality of first graphic objects generated according to one embodiment of the invention may be displayed to be chronologically distinct. For example, the plurality of first graphic objects may be displayed in different colors or shapes according to the order in which the graphic objects are generated.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of first graphic objects displayed in the first region through a first golf simulation (e.g., the user plays a round of screen golf at time t) may be displayed in or removed from the first region on the basis of the user's manipulation or selection when the user performs a second golf simulation (e.g., the user plays a round of screen golf at time t+1).

In this manner, the user may update the first region for his/her own to enhance the accuracy of strikes and improve golf skills.

Next, the communication unit 130 according to one embodiment of the invention may function to enable data transmission/reception from/to the information generation unit 110 and the information display unit 120.

Lastly, the control unit 140 according to one embodiment of the invention may function to control data flow among the information generation unit 110, the information display unit 120, and the communication unit 130. That is, the control unit 140 according to one embodiment of the invention may control data flow into/out of the information provision system 100 or data flow among the respective components of the information provision system 100, such that the information generation unit 110, the information display unit 120, and the communication unit 130 may carry out their particular functions, respectively.

FIG. 2 illustratively shows a situation in which the information provision system 100 according to the invention is utilized in a virtual golf simulation system 200 according to one embodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the virtual golf simulation system 200 may comprise a shot unit 10, an illumination device 20, a photographing device 210, a simulator 220, and a display device 230. Further, the simulator 220 according to one embodiment of the invention may include the information provision system 100 according to the invention.

First, the shot unit 10 according to one embodiment of the invention may be a part on which a golfer steps up to place and strike a golf ball when using the virtual golf simulation system 200. The shot unit 10 may include a known swing plate, the tilt angle of which may be adjusted. It is noted that when the invention is applied to other kinds of virtual sport simulation systems, those skilled in the art may modify the configuration of the shot unit 10 (and the configurations of other components associated therewith, if necessary) to suit to the characteristics of the corresponding sports.

Next, the illumination device 20 according to one embodiment of the invention may irradiate light artificially when the golfer plays virtual golf indoors or outdoors. As necessary, the illumination device 20 may be turned on and off, or the brightness thereof may be adjusted. Preferably, the illumination device 20 may be an infrared illumination device (e.g., an LED illumination device) for preventing natural deterioration of a plurality of images caused by the flickering of the light.

Next, the photographing device 210 according to one embodiment of the invention may include at least one module (e.g., an eye tracking camera module, a swing motion camera module, and a sensing module) (not shown) and function to acquire a plurality of images related to the strike information and direction information of the ball. The photographing device 210 may be placed in a location to look down at the moving golf club head, while it may be placed in other locations. Meanwhile, the photographing device 210 according to one embodiment of the invention may function similarly to a high-speed camera by sequentially acquiring the plurality of images using at least two cameras having different photographing speeds, or may function similarly to a three-dimensional camera by simultaneously acquiring the plurality of images using two two-dimensional cameras.

Next, the simulator 220 according to one embodiment of the invention may include a main module and function to provide a user with information obtained by combining or analyzing the information received from the eye tracking camera module, the swing motion camera module, or the sensing module (e.g., a graphic object generated with reference to the strike information and the direction information of the ball). Meanwhile, the simulator 220 according to one embodiment of the invention may communicate with the photographing device 210 and the display device 230, and may include a dedicated processor for the virtual golf simulation system 200. The dedicated processor may be provided with a memory means and may have capabilities for numerical operations and graphics processing.

Lastly, the display device 230 according to one embodiment of the invention may function to visualize and display the information resulting from the analysis of the simulator 220. The display device 230 may display images via a display means and, for example, may comprise a screen, which absorbs the impact of the struck golf ball and does not emit light directly, and a projector to output images on the screen.

FIG. 3 illustratively shows a first region and a second region provided by the virtual golf simulation system 200 according to one embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a first region 301 according to one embodiment of the invention may refer to a frame that is divided into four parts with respect to its center, and consists of a vertical axis for a launch angle and a horizontal axis for a side angle. Further, a second region 302 according to one embodiment of the invention may refer to a spectrum representing a ball speed or club head speed, and may be displayed together with a reference speed range 303 for determining whether the ball speed or club head speed is proper.

FIGS. 4 to 6 illustratively show situations in which a user interface or user experience for providing information on a golf ball is provided according to one embodiment of the invention.

First, referring to FIG. 4, strike information and direction information of a ball may be generated with reference to information on a physical quantity of the ball measured or estimated on the basis of a user's first swing, and a first graphic object 403 and a second graphic object 404 may be generated on the basis of the strike information and the direction information of the ball.

Then, the first graphic object 403 may be displayed in a first region 401 at a location that takes into account a launch angle and a side angle, and the second graphic object 404 may be displayed in a second region 402 taking into account a ball speed or club head speed.

Next, referring to FIG. 5, a first graphic object 502 generated on the basis of the user's second swing may be displayed in a first region together with a first graphic object 501 generated on the basis of the user's first swing. Here, the plurality of first graphic objects 501 and 502 according to one embodiment of the invention may be displayed to be chronologically distinct (e.g., may be displayed in different colors or shapes according to the order in which they are generated).

Next, referring to FIG. 6, it can be seen that a plurality of first graphic objects generated on the basis of a plurality of swings of the user according to one embodiment of the invention are displayed at different locations in a first region, since a launch angle and a side angle are changed according to information on a physical quantity of a ball measured from the user's swings (e.g., a spot associated with a ball strike (or spot of impact), a face angle, and a club path). Specifically, a first graphic object 602 according to one embodiment of the invention may be visualized and displayed in the first region together with the spot of impact and the face angle.

Further, a plurality of first graphic objects displayed in the first region through a first golf simulation 601 according to one embodiment of the invention may be displayed in or removed from the first region on the basis of the user's manipulation or selection when the user performs a second golf simulation.

The embodiments according to the invention as described above may be implemented in the form of program instructions that can be executed by various computer components, and may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium may include program instructions, data files, and data structures, separately or in combination. The program instructions stored on the computer-readable recording medium may be specially designed and configured for the present invention, or may also be known and available to those skilled in the computer software field. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include the following: magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks and magnetic tapes; optical media such as compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM) and digital versatile disks (DVDs); magneto-optical media such as floptical disks; and hardware devices such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM) and flash memory, which are specially configured to store and execute program instructions. Examples of the program instructions include not only machine language codes created by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter. The above hardware devices may be changed to one or more software modules to perform the processes of the present invention, and vice versa.

Although the present invention has been described above in terms of specific items such as detailed elements as well as the limited embodiments and the drawings, they are only provided to help more general understanding of the invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that various modifications and changes may be made from the above description.

Claims

1. A method for providing shot information on golf balls, the method comprising the steps of:

generating strike information and direction information of a ball with reference to information on a physical quantity of the ball measured or estimated from at least one swing; and

visualizing and displaying the generated strike information and direction information of the ball in a first region or a second region.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the strike information includes information on a spot associated with a strike of the ball or a face angle of a club measured or estimated from the swing, and

wherein the direction information includes information on a launch angle or a side angle of the ball measured or estimated from the swing.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein in the displaying step, the first region is a region that is divided into four parts on the basis of a launch angle associated with a travel distance of the ball and a side angle associated with a travel direction of the ball.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein in the displaying step, the second region includes a region in which a speed of the ball or a speed of a club head measured or estimated from the swing is capable of being displayed together with at least one reference speed range.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein in the displaying step, a graphic object generated with reference to the strike information and the direction information is displayed in the first region at a location that takes into account the launch angle and the side angle.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein in the displaying step, a plurality of graphic objects generated from a plurality of swings are cumulatively displayed.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein in the displaying step, the plurality of graphic objects are displayed to be chronologically distinct.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having stored thereon a computer program for executing the method of claim 1.

9. A system for providing shot information on golf balls, the system comprising:

an information generation unit configured to generate strike information and direction information of a ball with reference to information on a physical quantity of the ball measured or estimated from at least one swing; and

an information display unit configured to visualize and display the generated strike information and direction information of the ball in a first region or a second region.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the strike information includes information on a spot associated with a strike of the ball or a face angle of a club measured or estimated from the swing, and

wherein the direction information includes information on a launch angle or a side angle of the ball measured or estimated from the swing.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the first region is a region that is divided into four parts on the basis of a launch angle associated with a travel distance of the ball and a side angle associated with a travel direction of the ball.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the second region includes a region in which a speed of the ball or a speed of a club head measured or estimated from the swing is capable of being displayed together with at least one reference speed range.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein a graphic object generated with reference to the strike information and the direction information is displayed in the first region at a location that takes into account the launch angle and the side angle.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein a plurality of graphic objects generated from a plurality of swings are cumulatively displayed.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the plurality of graphic objects are displayed to be chronologically distinct.