VIRTUAL GOLF DEVICE AND VIRTUAL GOLF SYSTEM PROVIDING PUTTING INFORMATION

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a technology for virtual golf play, and more specifically, to a virtual golf device and virtual golf system that provide various putting information during the putting step.

BACKGROUND ART

As golf has become increasingly popular in recent years, the number of people enjoying playing golf has been growing. Golf is not only played at outdoor golf courses, but the popularity of screen golf, which allows users to enjoy the game using virtual golf devices, is also increasing. Screen golf provides an image of a golf course on a screen, allowing users to experience a sense of realism as if playing an actual golf outdoors. Additionally, since screen golf saves both time and cost compared to playing at outdoor golf courses, it is popular among modern people who find it difficult to play golf on the field due to time constraint or economic reasons.

As the number of people using screen golf continues to increase, user expectations for screen golf are also increasing. Compared to actual golf, screen golf, due to its nature of being played in an enclosed indoor space, has the advantage of providing technical services to users that would be difficult to provide in an open outdoor environment. Therefore, it is necessary to leverage the unique advantages of screen golf and provide various technical services that are impossible in actual golf to meet users' expectations for screen golf. In particular, during the screen golf play, when the golf ball reaches the green area it enters the putting step. Since putting is a very important step in golf and influenced by various factors (such as the distance between the golf ball and the hole cup, the terrain characteristics around the hole cup, etc.), it is necessary to provide users with practical putting information that can genuinely assist them during the putting step.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present invention has been devised in consideration of the above circumstances and aims to provide a virtual golf device capable of informing users of various putting information during the putting step.

Additionally, the present invention aims to provide a virtual golf system that can inform users of various putting information during the putting step.

The other objects of the present invention will be clearly understood with reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, a virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a hitting mat on which an actual golf ball is placed, and an image providing means that provides a putting information image on the hitting mat or near a user hitting the actual golf ball, wherein the putting information comprises a swing trajectory image that shows a swing trajectory during putting.

In the virtual golf device, the swing trajectory image comprises a moving image of a golf club or a guider corresponding to the golf club.

In the virtual golf device, in the swing trajectory image, the moving direction and/or speed of the golf club or the guider represents a putting direction information and/or a putting force information.

In the virtual golf device, the swing trajectory image further comprises a line showing a path of the golf club or the guider in motion in addition to the moving image of the golf club or the guider.

In the virtual golf device, the swing trajectory of the swing trajectory image represents at least part of multiple swing steps of putting.

In the virtual golf device, the multiple swing steps comprise a backswing step, an impact step after the backswing step until impacting a golf ball and a finish step after the impact step.

In the virtual golf device, the swing trajectory in the swing trajectory image comprises a plurality of different swing trajectories.

In the virtual golf device, the image providing means further provides an image showing the swing trajectory of the swing trajectory image and an actual swing trajectory of a user's putting during putting together after the user's putting.

In the virtual golf device, the swing trajectory image is provided so that the swing trajectory in the image is spaced apart from or overlaps with the actual golf ball on the hitting mat.

A virtual golf system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a service device and at least one virtual golf device communicatively connected to the service device. In addition, the virtual golf device comprises a hitting mat on which an actual golf ball is placed and an image providing means that provides a putting information image on the mat or near a user hitting the actual golf ball during a putting step, wherein the putting information image comprises a swing trajectory image that shows a swing trajectory during putting.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, by providing various putting information to users playing virtual golf, such as screen golf, user convenience can be enhanced, and putting skills can also be improved.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displaying putting information.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an area where a putting information image is displayed in the virtual golf device of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 4 to 12 are views showing various embodiments of providing putting information images.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary menu for selecting whether to provide a putting information image.

FIG. 14 is a view showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of the present invention with reference to the following embodiments. The purposes, features, and advantages of the present invention will be easily understood through the following embodiments. The present invention is not limited to such embodiments but may be modified in other forms. The embodiments to be described below are nothing but the ones provided to bring the disclosure of the present invention to perfection and assist those skilled in the art to completely understand the present invention. Therefore, the following embodiments are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween.

The size of the element or the relative sizes between elements in the drawings may be shown to be exaggerated for more clear understanding of the present invention. In addition, the shape of the elements shown in the drawings may be somewhat changed by variation of the manufacturing process or the like. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be limited to the shapes shown in the drawings unless otherwise stated, and it is to be understood to include a certain amount of variation.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of a screen displaying putting information, and FIG. 3 is a view showing an area where a putting information image is displayed in the virtual golf device of FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, a virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a hitting plate 10, a control unit 20, a sensing unit 30, an input unit 40, a sound unit 50, a display unit 60 and an image providing means 70.

The hitting plate 10 is an area provided for users to position themselves to hit a golf ball. The hitting plate 10 may be a plate-shaped object. Alternatively, the hitting plate 10 may simply be a floor surface where the virtual golf device is installed, rather than a separate object. Although not shown in the drawing, the hitting plate 10 is equipped with a hitting mat on which a golf ball for hitting is placed, and an auto tee having a vertically movable structure is installed in the hitting mat. A hitting golf ball may be served to the user automatically using the auto tee.

The control unit 20 controls the overall operations among individual components of the virtual golf device. For example, the control unit 20 may control the auto tee to automatically provide a golf ball for hitting in synchronization with the timing of the user's hitting. Specifically, when the control unit 20 detects hitting right after the user hits the golf ball placed on the hitting mat, it can control the auto tee to provide a golf ball for next hitting. Additionally, the control unit 20 may function to process user input commands or user-configured play options.

The control unit 20 comprises a calculation unit 21, an image unit 22, and a storage unit 23 (at least one of the calculation unit 21, the image unit 22, and the storage unit 23 may be configured to be provided independently of and separate from the control unit 20). The calculation unit 21 executes a calculation process to determine the trajectory assuming that the golf ball moves in the currently played golf course based on its physical state at the time of the user's hit. The image unit 22 functions to generate images to be displayed on the display unit 60. For example, when the user selects a specific golf course, the control unit transmits the user's selection to the image unit 22, then the image unit 22 generates an image of the selected golf course. The generated image is displayed on the display unit 60. In addition, the image unit 22 can form an image provided by the image providing means 70, which will be described in detail later. The storage unit 23 may include storage devices such as memory or hard disk and stores various programs and/or data necessary for the operations of the control unit 20, the calculation unit 21, and the image unit 22. For example, when the image unit 22 forms a golf course image, the storage unit 23 may store golf course information necessary for generating the golf course image. The storage unit 23 does not necessarily have to be provided within the virtual golf device itself. If the virtual golf device is connected to a server through a communication network, the storage unit may be provided in the server.

The sensing unit 30 is designed to detect the movement of a golf club or a golf ball hit by a user and obtain the necessary information for the calculation process. As the sensing unit 30, a detection means such as a detection sensor or a camera capable of capturing the movement of the golf club or the golf ball may be used. The detection means may employ various sensing methods, such as image sensing, emission/reception sensing, laser sensing, or radar sensing, to obtain status information of the golf club or the golf ball hit by the user. The camera or detection sensor may be used individually or in combination, and one or multiple units may be employed. The information obtained through the sensing unit 30 is transmitted to the control unit 20 and used in the calculation process.

The input unit 40 is used to receive various types of information from the user and may include devices such as keyboard or mouse, etc. The input unit 40 may be used for the user to enter an ID and password for login or to select a golf course or play difficulty for gameplay.

The sound unit 50 may include audio devices such as speakers, and functions to inform the user of the game's progress and play various sound effects depending on the gameplay.

The display unit 60 includes devices such as a projector and a screen for display operations. The projector projects golf-related images onto the screen so that the golf course and the golf ball are displayed, while the screen displays the projected golf-related images to show them to the user. Although not shown in the drawing, the display unit 60 may further include additional display devices, such as a kiosk, which serve as a supplementary display.

In this specification, the term ‘virtual’ may be used for certain objects displayed in images on the screen, etc. This term is used to mean objects displayed as images on a screen, and is used to avoid confusion with objects that exist in the real world. For example, a “virtual golf course” means a golf course displayed on a screen, and a “virtual golf ball” means a golf ball displayed on the screen. In addition, in this specification, the term “image” may include both a still image displayed as a single screen at a specific point in time and a moving image displayed as a plurality of screens over a predetermined period of time.

A virtual golf device is installed in a home setting or a commercial screen golf facility, allowing the user to play golf. Here, golf is played using various electronic devices and differs from “real golf” played on an outdoor golf course. Therefore, to distinguish it from real golf, it may be referred to as “virtual golf.” Additionally, since the landscape of the golf course is primarily displayed on a screen in virtual golf, it may also be called “screen golf”. The general operation process of the virtual golf device when the user plays golf is as follows. When the user hits the golf ball, the sensing unit 30 detects the movement of the golf club and/or the states of the golf ball, such as the speed of the golf ball and its direction of movement. The information detected by the sensing unit 30 is transmitted to the control unit 20 and the calculation unit 21 of the control unit 20 executes a calculation process based on the transmitted information. The display unit 60 displays an image of a virtual golf ball moving along the trajectory calculated in the calculation process. At this time, the virtual golf ball flies along the calculated trajectory and lands at a specific point on the virtual golf course displayed on the screen. The user then continues with the next shot from the landing point of the golf ball, and the same process is repeated in the next shot.

The virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided with an image providing means 70. The image providing means 70 serves to provide the user with an image that provides a putting information in an area other than the front screen of a screen golf facility where the virtual golf device is installed.

Referring to FIG. 2, a mark (hereinafter referred to as “putting guide” for convenience) indicating the putting direction may be provided through the front screen in relation to putting information. As user's virtual golf ball enters a green area on the screen, the putting step begins and the virtual golf ball and a target hole cup located on the green area are displayed on the screen. The user can check the distance between the golf ball and the hole cup by viewing them on the screen. To successfully make a putt, the user needs to assess the distance between the virtual golf ball and the hole cup, as well as the terrain characteristics between them, and roll the golf ball in the right direction. In real golf, the terrain of the green area is more often a complex sloped surface than a simple flat surface. Since most virtual golf courses displayed on the screen of a virtual golf device are modeled after real golf courses, the green areas in virtual golf courses also frequently feature sloped terrain. However, because the virtual golf course is displayed on a two dimensional screen, it is not easy for the user to accurately perceive the slope of the green area based solely on the screen image. FIG. 2 shows a situation where the hole cup is positioned directly in front of the virtual golf ball. In such a case, even if the user putts the actual golf ball corresponding to the virtual golf ball straight ahead, it is not easy to successfully complete the putting if the green area has a slope. For example, if the terrain of the green area displayed on the screen is not flat but instead has a higher elevation on the right side and a lower elevation on the left side, putting straight may result in the virtual golf ball rolling to the left of the hole cup due to the influence of the slope. Therefore, during the putting step, it is necessary to consider the terrain characteristics of the green area in the virtual golf course when making a putt. To help the user recognize these terrain characteristics, relevant information is displayed on the screen. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, a grid G composed of multiple horizontal lines G1 and vertical lines G2 is displayed in the green area. On the horizontal lines G1 and vertical lines G2, a plurality of indicators I indicating the terrain characteristics of the green area are displayed. The indicators I includes the horizontal indicators I1 and vertical indicators I2. The horizontal indicators I1 move along the horizontal lines G1 at a predetermined speed, and the vertical indicators I2 move along the vertical lines G2 at a predetermined speed. The horizontal indicators I1 and vertical indicators I2 move from higher to lower areas of the green. Additionally, the greater the slope, the faster their movement speed. Accordingly, when the grid G and indicators I are displayed, the user can determine the slope direction and gradient of the green area based on the movement direction and speed of the indicators I.

Putting guides may provide putting directions in the form of arrows for successful hole-in to the user in consideration of the terrain characteristics, i.e. the slope direction and gradient of the area between the virtual golf ball and the hole cup, etc. In the virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention, an image providing the putting information may be provided in an area other than the screen through the image providing means 70. Specifically, the putting information image may be provided on the floor surface at the site where the virtual golf device is installed, such as screen golf facility. The putting information image may be provided separately from the image displayed on the screen and can be displayed on or near the hitting mat, or on or near the location where the user positions oneself to hit the golf ball during screen golf play. Specifically, referring to FIG. 3, a projector may be used as the image providing means and the projector can provide the putting information image on the hitting plate where the user is positioned or on the hitting mat where a golf ball is placed.

When the putting guide is provided as an image on the screen, as in a prior virtual golf device, there is a problem in that the distance between the screen and the user's hitting position makes it difficult for the user to easily recognize the putting guide displayed on the screen. Additionally, while the user must putt the golf ball on the hitting plate on the floor, the putting guide is displayed on the front screen. Thus, an issue arises because the plane on which the putting guide is displayed differs from the actual surface on which the user must roll the golf ball. For example, if the floor surface is considered the XY-plane and the front screen corresponds to the YZ-plane, the user must putt the golf ball placed on the XY-plane according to the direction of the putting guide displayed on the YZ-plane. As a result, the direction indicated by the putting guide on the screen may substantially differ from the actual direction to which the user rolls the golf ball. But the aforementioned issue can be resolved when the putting information image is provided on the floor plane in the screen golf facility according to the present embodiment.

FIGS. 4 to 12 are views showing various embodiments of providing putting information images.

Putting information images can be provided in various ways at different positions mainly on the hitting mat. Additionally, the putting information images may also be provided in predetermined areas of the hitting plate where the user stands, outside the hitting mat, or in the area between the hitting mat and the front screen other than the hitting mat.

Referring to FIG. 4, the putting information image is displayed on the hitting mat where the user places the golf ball and may be represented as a swing trajectory image that shows the swing path during putting. Specifically, the putting information image may be represented as an animated image in which a predetermined guider 1 moves along a specific trajectory. As shown in FIG. 4, the guider 1 in the putting information image is positioned at a first location P1 at a first time t1, moves to a second location P2 at second time t2, and subsequently moves to third through fifth locations P3, P4, P5 at the third through fifth times t3, t4, t5, respectively. Here, connecting the first through fifth locations P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 forms a predetermined trajectory, which can represent the recommended swing path of the putting golf club (putter) for the user.

Various putting information may be included in the putting information image. The direction in which the guider 1 moves can indicate the putting direction to the user, and the speed at which the guider 1 moves can inform the user about the appropriate putting strength. Specifically, a higher movement speed of the guider 1 may represent a stronger putting force, while a lower movement speed may represent a weaker putting force. However, putting strength does not necessarily have to be represented by the movement speed of the guider 1. Instead, it can be conveyed through other visual elements such as the size or color of the guider 1. For example, a larger or dark-colored guider 1 may indicate a stronger putting force, whereas a smaller or light-colored guider 1 may represent a weaker putting force.

The guider 1 may be formed in a simple shape that can be easily recognized by the user, such as rectangle, square, circle, or ellipse. The putting information image itself, including the guider 1, may be generated by the image unit 22 of the control unit 20, and the putting information provided through the guider 1 may be generated by the control unit 20. Alternatively, the control unit 20 may include a separate information providing unit for providing various gameplay information. This information providing unit may analyze the current situation of the user and generate putting information suitable for the current situation. The generated putting information can then be used to form a corresponding putting information image.

When putting information is provided through an animated image in which the guider 1 moves on the floor surface as in this embodiment, the location (the floor surface of the hitting mat) where the putting information image is displayed and the location (the hitting mat) where the user actually performs putting are on the identical plane. Thus the issue that arises when providing a putting guider on the screen image —namely, the difficulty of putting the golf ball placed on the floor (a plane different from the front screen) while user should putt according to the putting guide direction displayed on the front screen—can be resolved. Moreover, while the putting guide displayed as an arrow on the front screen can only indicate the putting direction, the guider 1 of the present invention has the advantage of providing both the putting direction and the putting strength. Additionally, since the guider 1 of the present invention is represented as an animated image that actually moves, it can be considered to depict the motion of the putting club (putter). From the user's perspective, putting can be conveniently performed by simply swinging the putter in accordance with the movement of the guider 1. In contrast, the putting guide displayed as an arrow on the screen cannot represent the specific movement of the putter.

Referring to FIG. 5, multiple guiders 1 may be displayed in the putting information image. For example, two guiders 2, 3 representing different putting methods may be displayed. For convenience, these may be referred to as a first guider 2 and a second guider 3. The user can select the guider that best matches their preferred putting style and proceed with the putting accordingly. The first guider 2 may be configured to be suitable for a strong putting style, and the second guider 3 may be configured to be suitable for a weak putting style. The first and second guiders 2, 3 may indicate different putting directions and putting strengths in accordance with the selected putting style. As depicted in FIG. 5, the first guider 2 is slightly inclined to the right relative to the front direction (toward the screen), while the second guider 3 is inclined further to the right relative to the front direction. Putting with greater force (following the first guider 2) means rolling the golf ball with more power. The virtual golf ball on the screen corresponding to the actual golf ball putted according to the first guider 2 will roll with greater speed and be relatively less affected by the terrain's slope. Conversely, putting with less force (following the second guider 3) means rolling the golf ball with less power. The virtual golf ball on the screen corresponding to the actual golf ball putted according to the second guider 3 will roll with less speed and be relatively more affected by the terrain's slope. The degree to which the putted golf ball curves as it rolls toward the hole cup varies on the influence of the slope (the more the ball is affected by the slope, the more it curves). Taking this into account the less the ball is influenced by the terrain characteristics such as slope, the closer the putting direction is to the straight direction toward the hole cup. Conversely, the more the ball is affected by such terrain characteristics, the more the putting direction deviates from the straight direction toward the hole cup.

Referring to FIG. 6, the putting information image may be set to display the movement path 4 of the guider along with the guider 1. The guider 1 may be represented as an animated image moving along the specific trajectory as described previously. The movement path 4 of the guider 1 shows the route it follows from the initial position to the final position and may remain displayed while the guider 1 is shown. That is, while the putting information image is displayed, the movement path 4 remains visible, and the guider 1 moves along this path. Although the guider 1 changes position over time, the movement path 4 remains fixed on display. From the user's perspective, this allows for an easy understanding of the exact trajectory the guider 1 follows from the initial position to the final position. When performing a putt, the user can conveniently align the putter movement with the guider 1 by following the movement path 4, making the putting process easier.

Referring to FIG. 7, the putting information image is represented as the animated image of the guider 1 moving along the specific trajectory. In this embodiment, the guider 1 may be in the shape of an actually used putter. The purpose of the guider 1 is to show the ideal swing trajectory when putting and there are no specific restrictions as to its shape. However, when the guider 1 is displayed in the shape of an actual putter, as in this embodiment, the user can more easily follow and replicate the putting motion by referencing the guider 1, which visually matches the putter they are using.

Referring FIGS. 8 and 9, the trajectory of the guider 1 in the putting information image may be displayed either spaced apart from the actual position where the golf ball is placed or overlapping with the actual position of the golf ball on the hitting mat. As shown in FIG. 8, when the movement trajectory of the guider 1 is positioned spaced apart from the actual location of the golf ball, the guider 1 does not overlap with the actual golf ball, making it easier for the user to clearly recognize its trajectory. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when the trajectory of the guider 1 overlaps with the actual location of the actual golf ball, the user can easily follow the trajectory of the guider 1 to perform the putting until the putter impacts the actual golf ball.

It is necessary to locate the actual position of the actual golf ball in order for the trajectory of the guider 1 to either to be displayed spaced apart from the actual position of the golf ball or overlapping with the position of the actual golf ball. As mentioned previously, when the golf ball is hit, the sensing unit detects the movement of the golf club or the golf ball in order to calculate the trajectory of the golf ball. This sensing unit can be used to detect the precise location of the golf ball before the hitting. Alternatively, independent detection means such as a camera may be provided so as to locate the actual position of the golf ball regardless of the sensing unit used for obtaining detection information to calculate the golf ball's trajectory.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the guider 1 is represented with an animated image moving along a specific trajectory and the range covered by the movement trajectory of the guider 1 may correspond to the entire or partial swing motion of the golf club (putter) during putting.

The swing motion in putting consists of multiple swing steps. For example, the multiple swing steps in putting may include the following: a starting step with the putter positioned near the golf ball, a backswing (swing in the direction opposite to the striking direction,) impact (swinging in the direction opposite to the backswing to hit the golf ball with the putter), and a finish step. For convenience of explanation, the multiple swing steps in the putting swing motion are divided into the following steps:

First Step: (Step 1, {circle around (1)}→{circle around (2)} in FIG. 10A):

The putter moves in a backswing motion, starting from a position near the golf ball, moving in the direction opposite the striking direction, and reaching a predetermined position (the top of the backswing).

Second Step (Step 2, {circle around (2)}→{circle around (1)} in FIG. 10A): The putter swings in the striking position from the predetermined position to impact the golf ball.

Third Step (Step 3, {circle around (1)}→{circle around (3)} in FIG. 10A): The putter continues swinging further in the striking direction from the impact position to the finish position.

When the putting swing motion is divided into the first to third steps as described above, the range covered by the movement trajectory of the guider 1 in the putting information image may correspond to a part or the entirety of these steps. For example, the guider 1 in the putting information image may display the entire swing trajectory T1, T2, T3 covering all three steps (first to third steps) as shown in FIG. 10B. In FIG. 10B, the swing trajectory T1 of the first step and the swing trajectory T2 of the second step are displayed at different positions on the hitting mat. However, in the putting information image, these trajectories T1, T2 may also be displayed in positions where they fully or partially overlap. Alternately, the guider 1 in the putting information image may display only a portion of the entire sequence, such as only the swing trajectory T2 of the second step, only the swing trajectories T1, T2 of the first and second steps, or only the swing trajectories T2, T3 of the second and third steps. Here, when displaying the swing trajectories T1, T2 of the first and second steps, the speed at which the guider 1 moves along these trajectories can provide the user with guidance on the appropriate putting tempo for swinging the putter.

When displaying the swing trajectories T1, T2, T3 in the first to third steps, the swing trajectory T1 of the first step, the swing trajectory T2 of the second step, and the swing trajectory T3 of the third step can be displayed in different ways to make them easily distinguishable from one another. For example, the guiders 1 representing the swing trajectory TI of the first step, the swing trajectory T2 of the second step, and the swing trajectory T3 of the third step may be displayed in different colors or shapes to distinguish them from one another. Thus, by displaying each swing step in a distinguishable manner, the user can easily identify whether the currently displayed swing trajectory corresponds to the first, second, or third step.

Various options for displaying the guider I can be determined in multiple ways. For example, it is either possible for the user to select which trajectory of T1, T2, T3, in swing motion the guider 1 should display, or it may be set randomly. Alternatively, the user's selection may be prioritized, but if no selection is made, a specific trajectory (e.g., the entire swing trajectory across all three steps T1, T2, T3) may be displayed by default.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the putting information image is displayed on the floor, such as on the hitting mat, an image associated with the putting information image may also be displayed on the front screen. For example, a putting guide may be displayed on the front screen when a guider 1 is displayed on the floor such as hitting mat. The user can refer to both the guider 1 on the floor and the putting guide on the front screen when executing the putt, or refer only to his/her preferred guide for putting execution.

The information provided through the front screen along with the guider is not limited to the putting guide and may include various other type of information. For example, when the guider is displayed, the expected putting result—such as an image showing the virtual golf ball rolling on the green area and successfully reaching the hole cup and holed in when the putt is performed according to the guider—may be displayed on the front screen. The user can check the expected outcome of following the guider's instructions through the front screen before performing the putt. Previously, the embodiment in which a plurality of guides is displayed was described (with reference to FIG. 5). In cases where multiple guiders are displayed, multiple expected putting results corresponding to the different guiders may be displayed on the screen. Meanwhile, the guider may provide not only the swing trajectory for a successful putt but also the swing trajectory that would result in a failed putt. If the guider provides the swing trajectory for an unsuccessful putt, the front screen may display the expected putting result following that guider—such as an image showing the virtual golf ball rolling on the green and failing to reach the hole cup and stopping at a position different from the hole cup.

Referring to FIG. 12, the putting related image information may be provided before or after the user's putting. For example, when the user performs actual putting according to the putting information image which is displayed on the floor during the putting step, the user's swing motion may be filmed using the camera used as the sensing unit or a separately equipped camera, and then the image showing both the putter's trajectory swung by the actual putting motion of the user and the guider 1 provided before the putting may be displayed on the floor. Watching the image provided after the putting, the user can compare the actual swing trajectory with the ideal swing trajectory represented by the guider 1. Using this the user can identify issues in his/her putting, such as misalignment in the direction or improper strength and make adjustments to improve his/her putting skills.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary menu for selecting whether to provide putting information image. As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention an image informing putting information may be provided on the floor where the virtual golf device is installed. The putting information image may be provided by default or optionally on the user's selection. When following the user's selection, he/she can select whether to be provided with the putting information through a menu. For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a menu may be displayed on the screen for the decision of the user's play option. (Alternatively, although not shown in the drawing, a supplementary display such as kiosk may be separately provided in the virtual golf device, in this case a menu may be displayed on the supplementary display.) Through the menu, the user can select the number of courses (holes) to play. Specifically, the user may choose to play all 18 holes, as in real golf, or choose a shorter game by playing 9 holes, which is half of a full round. This selection can be made through the play option menu. Additionally, the user can select the unit of measurement for displaying information such as distance and speed in the play options. Furthermore, the menu may provide various other play options that are not shown in the drawings. The user can also choose whether to display the putting information image on the floor through the menu. Moreover, although not shown in the drawings, additional sub-options on the putting information image may be included in the menu, allowing the user to select which step of the entire swing trajectory should be displayed in the putting information image, and/or to choose the shape of the guider in the putting information image (e.g., rectangular, circular, or an actual putter shape).

FIG. 14 is a view showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 14, a virtual golf device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a plurality of booths 101, 102, 103. Each booth 101, 102, 103 is identically composed. For example, the first booth 101 comprises a hitting plate 101a, a computer 101b equipped with a kiosk display, a screen 101c, etc. and the other booths 102, 103 also have the same components. Though not shown in the drawings each booth 101, 102, 103 is equipped with detecting devices such as cameras required to detect the movements of golf clubs/balls and other necessary devices. Multiple users can take turns playing screen golf in each booth 101, 102, 103. In another case, in each booth 101, 102, 103, a user can play solo while being separated from users in other booths. The virtual golf device of the present embodiment may include an image providing means, similarly to the previously described embodiments. The putting information image described above can be displayed on the floor through the image providing means.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a schematic structure of a virtual golf system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 15, the virtual golf system comprises a virtual golf device 100 and a service device 200. As the virtual golf device 100, a virtual golf device such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 14 may be used. The virtual golf device 100 is installed in a screen golf facility where users can play screen golf, and in the case where there are multiple screen golf facilities, the virtual golf device 100 is installed in each screen golf facility so that multiple devices are provided. The virtual golf device 100 may be provided with an image providing means, in the same manner as the virtual golf devices described in the foregoing embodiments. The putting information image described above can be displayed on the floor through the image providing means.

The virtual golf device 100 is connected to the service device 200 through wired and wireless communications networks, etc. The service device 200 may include a server used by a service provider operating multiple screen golf facilities to manage the virtual golf devices 100 installed in the multiple screen golf facilities.

The service device 200 is equipped with a storage unit 210. The storage unit 210 stores various information, including golf course information, user information, etc. In the case where the user must log in to access the screen golf service, the service device 200 may verify the user's identity upon login and determine whether to approve the login. The storage unit 210 stores the information necessary for verifying the user's identity during the login process. The storage unit 210 can also store user information such as his/her play information, and/or golf course information necessary to form the virtual golf course image in the virtual golf device 100. In this way, since various information is stored in the storage unit 210, the virtual golf devices 100 connected to the service unit 200 through wired and/or wirelessly can use the information stored in the storage unit 210. Accordingly, each virtual golf device 100 does not need to store the information stored in storage unit 210 separately.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be embodied in other specific ways without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not restrictive but are illustrative. The scope of the present invention is given by the claims, rather than the specification, and also contains all modifications within the meaning and range equivalent to the claims.