WO2015030534A1

WO2015030534A1 - Golf practice system for providing golf lesson information and information processing method for providing golf lesson information using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2015030534A1
Application number: PCT/KR2014/008097
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sung Young Im; Seong In Cho; Ji Hoon Moon; Sang Min Park; Min Gun CHOI; Seong Do SONG
Original assignee: Golfzon Co.,Ltd.
Priority date: 2013-08-30
Filing date: 2014-08-29
Publication date: 2015-03-05
Also published as: KR20150025833A

Abstract

Disclosed herein are a golf practice system for providing golf lesson information that is capable of providing proper golf lesson information to a user such that the user can self-diagnose user's golf swing posture based on the simulation result of the trajectory of a golf ball according to a user's golf shot to improve the user's golf swing posture when the user practices a golf shot in a golf driving range or a virtual golf simulation system, such as a so-called screen golf system, and an information processing method for providing golf lesson information using the same.

Description

GOLF PRACTICE SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING GOLF LESSON INFORMATION AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD FOR PROVIDING GOLF LESSON INFORMATION USING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a golf practice system and, more particularly, to a golf practice system for providing golf lesson information that is capable of recognizing a ball flight according to a user’s golf shot and providing proper golf lesson information based on the recognized ball flight and an information processing method for providing golf lesson information using the same.

Golf is a hard sport in which it is necessary to take various golf shots using various golf clubs based on the distance to a hole cup. For this reason, the user must skillfully take almost all kinds of golf shots during a round of golf so as to get a good score. As long as the user is not a professional, however, some kinds of golf shots taken by the user may be poor and conventional virtual golf simulation apparatuses are too limited for the user to intensively practice user’s poor golf shots.

The user must practice a specific golf shot on a real golf driving range so as to intensively practice the golf shot. However, practice of the golf shot on the real golf driving range is too tiresome to stimulate the user’s interest with the result that improvement in golf skill of the user is very slow.

For this reason, there have been proposed new-concept golf practice systems that are capable of enabling a specific golf shot, which is possible only on a real golf driving range, to be intensively practiced through golf simulation based on virtual reality and providing various functions, which cannot be provided on the real golf driving range, to improve golf skill of a user based on golf simulation using various high-technology apparatuses and systems.

The new-concept golf practice systems are disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0029719, No. 10-2011-0029720, No. 10-2011-0060819, and No. 10-2011-0060820, which have been filed in the name of the present application.

In addition, in the conventional golf practice systems based on virtual golf simulation, it is possible for the user to know the trajectory of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot in a virtual environment and to determine whether the golf shot is good or poor based on the simulation result of the trajectory of the golf ball. In a case in which the golf shot is poor, a proper golf practice program may be executed such that the user can intensively practice the poor golf shot.

In the golf practice, however, it is important for the user to determine whether a user’s golf swing posture is correct and to make an effort at improving the user’s golf swing posture such that the user takes a proper golf swing posture, thereby improving golf shots. In the conventional golf practice systems, however, it is not possible to sufficiently provide proper golf lesson information for self-diagnosis of the golf swing posture and improvement of the golf swing posture.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a golf practice system for providing golf lesson information that is capable of providing proper golf lesson information to a user such that the user can self-diagnose user’s golf swing posture based on the simulation result of the trajectory of a golf ball according to a user’s golf shot to improve the user’s golf swing posture when the user practices a golf shot in a golf driving range or a virtual golf simulation system, such as a so-called screen golf system, and an information processing method for providing golf lesson information using the same.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a golf practice system for providing golf lesson information including a sensing device for sensing motion of a golf ball and motion of a golf club according to a user’s golf shot using the golf club, a simulation means for realizing a simulation image for a trajectory of the golf ball based on data sensed by the sensing device, a database for storing data regarding realization of the simulation image and data regarding golf lesson information to be provided to the user, and a golf information provision and processing means for, in a case in which the trajectory of the golf ball simulated by the simulation means corresponds to a predetermined specific ball flight, extracting information regarding a cause of a golf swing posture generating the specific ball flight and lesson information for solving the cause of the golf swing posture from the database and providing the extracted information to the user.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a golf practice system for providing golf lesson information including a sensing device for sensing motion of a golf ball and motion of a golf club according to a user’s golf shot using the golf club, a simulation means for realizing a simulation image for a trajectory of the golf ball based on data sensed by the sensing device, a database for storing data regarding realization of the simulation image and data regarding golf lesson information to be provided to the user, and a golf information provision and processing means for, in a case in which the trajectory of the golf ball in each simulation corresponds to a predetermined specific ball flight as a simulation result of a plurality of user’s golf shots, extracting lesson information regarding a golf swing posture from the database and providing the extracted lesson information to the user.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for providing golf lesson information in a golf practice system for providing golf lesson information including a sensing device for sensing motion of a golf ball and a golf club according to a user’s golf shot, a simulation means for realizing a simulation image for a trajectory of the golf ball based on data sensed by the sensing device, and a database for storing data regarding realization of the simulation image and data regarding golf lesson information to be provided to the user, the information processing method including determining whether a ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to a specific ball flight selected from among a plurality of preset ball flights as a simulation result of the simulation means according to the user’s golf shot and, in a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to the specific ball flight, extracting information regarding a cause of a golf swing posture generating the specific ball flight and lesson information for solving the cause of the golf swing posture from the database and displaying the extracted information regarding the cause of the golf swing posture and the extracted lesson information.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for providing golf lesson information in a golf practice system for providing golf lesson information including a sensing device for sensing motion of a golf ball and a golf club according to a user’s golf shot, a simulation means for realizing a simulation image for a trajectory of the golf ball based on data sensed by the sensing device, and a database for storing data regarding realization of the simulation image and data regarding golf lesson information to be provided to the user, the information processing method including determining whether a ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to a specific ball flight selected from among a plurality of preset ball flights as a simulation result of the simulation means according to the user’s golf shot and, in a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to the specific ball flight, extracting golf swing motion image information preset for self-diagnosis of a user’s golf swing posture from the database and displaying the extracted golf swing motion image information.

In a golf practice system for providing golf lesson information according to the present invention and an information processing method for providing golf lesson information using the same, it is possible to provide customized golf lesson information such that a user can check a ball flight of the a golf ball according to a user’s golf shot based on the simulation result of the trajectory of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot when the user practices a golf shot in a golf driving range or a virtual golf simulation system, such as a so-called screen golf system, thereby improving a user’s golf swing posture. Consequently, it is possible for the user to check the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot and to self-diagnose the user’s golf swing posture based on the checked ball flight, thereby improving the user’s golf swing posture.

The above and other objects, features 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 view showing a case in which a golf practice system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a so-called screen golf system to perform golf simulation for a golf shot taken by a user;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of the golf practice system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a simulation image realized on a screen in a case in which the golf practice system according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the so-called screen golf system;

FIG. 4 is a view showing various ball flights preset by the golf practice system according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a view showing analysis of a ball flight based on a simulation result of the trajectory of a golf ball according to a golf shot taken by a user;

FIGS. 6 to 8 are views showing various examples of a graphical image realized based on an analysis result of a golf shot taken by a user;

FIGS. 9 to 11 are views showing various kinds of golf lesson information provided according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an information processing method for providing golf lesson information according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Now, exemplary embodiments of a golf practice system for providing golf lesson information and an information processing method for providing golf lesson information using the same according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the construction of a golf practice system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The golf practice system according to the embodiment of the present invention may be installed in a golf driving range such that the golf practice system can be used to give a user a lesson on a swing posture of the user. Alternatively, the golf practice system according to the embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a so-called screen golf system that performs virtual golf simulation based on analysis of a golf shot taken by a user to three-dimensionally perform analysis of the golf shot taken by the user and analysis of the swing posture of the user.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a case in which a golf practice system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied to a so-called screen golf system to perform golf simulation for a golf shot taken by a user P and FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the construction of the golf practice system shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the golf practice system according to the embodiment of the present invention is operated as follows. When a user P hits a golf ball 1 using a golf club 2 on a swing plate SP, a sensing device 100 senses the motion of the golf club 2 and the motion of the golf ball 1 hit by the user P to calculate information, such as velocity, a direction angle, an altitude angle, and spin, of the hit golf ball 1. A simulation means 210 of a simulator 200 calculates a trajectory of the golf ball 1 based on the information calculated by the sensing device 100 to realize a simulation image for the calculated trajectory of the golf ball 1. The simulation image is realized on a screen F through an image output means 300. In this way, golf simulation is performed.

At this time, the simulation means 210 extracts data regarding realization of a simulation image stored in a database 220 to realize the simulation image.

Meanwhile, a camera device 400 is provided at one side of the golf practice system to capture an image for a golf swing motion of the user P and to display the image for the golf swing motion on the screen F. In addition, the image for the golf swing motion may be used to realize predetermined golf lesson information.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the golf practice system for providing golf lesson information according to the embodiment of the present invention basically includes a sensing device 100 for sensing the motion of a golf ball and the motion of a golf club according to a golf shot taken by a user using the golf club, a simulation means 210 for realizing a simulation image for a trajectory of the golf ball based on data sensed by the sensing device 100, and a database 220 for storing data regarding realization of the simulation image and data regarding golf lesson information to be provided to the user. In addition, the golf practice system for providing golf lesson information according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a golf information provision and processing means 500 for providing proper golf lesson information to the user.

Various types of sensors may be used as the sensing device 100. FIG. 1 shows an example of a sensing device using an image sensor.

The image sensing type sensing device captures a course in which a user hits a golf ball using a golf club and a course in which the golf ball hit by the user flies to acquire an image and processes the image to analyze the motion of the golf club and the motion of the golf ball.

The sensing device 100 shown in FIG. 1 is configured to operate in a stereoscopic mode using two image sensors (i.e. a mode in which information on two-dimensional images acquired by the respective image sensors is converted into information in a three-dimensional space) so as to accurately recognize the motion of the golf club and the motion of the golf ball in the three-dimensional space. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. For example, one three-dimensional (3D) camera or one depth camera may be used as the sensing device 100.

The details of the image sensing type sensing device are disclosed, for example, in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0025149, No. 10-2011-0025150, No. 10-2011-0025151, No. 10-2011-0025152, and No. 10-2011-0025153 and, therefore, a detailed description of the image sensing type sensing device will be omitted.

The sensing device 100 may include a radar sensing type sensing device or an optical sensing type sensing device in addition to the image sensing type sensing device. These types of sensing devices are disclosed in detail in prior art documents and, therefore, a detailed description of the above-mentioned types of sensing devices will also be omitted.

Meanwhile, basically in a case in which the trajectory of the golf ball simulated by the simulation means 210 corresponds to a predetermined specific ball flight, e.g. in a case in which the trajectory of the golf ball corresponding an undesirable ball flight, such as a slice, the golf information provision and processing means 500 extracts predetermined golf lesson information enabling a user to self-diagnose a user’s golf swing posture so as to improve the user’s golf swing posture from the database 220 and provides the extracted golf lesson information to the user.

As shown in FIG. 2, the golf information provision and processing means 500 of the golf practice system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a ball flight analysis means 510, a lesson information processing means 520, and a shot analysis and processing means 530. According to embodiments of the present invention, the golf information provision and processing means 500 may include or may not include the shot analysis and processing means 530.

The ball flight analysis means 510 may be configured to preset a plurality of ball flights based on golf shots, to analyze the trajectory of a golf ball simulated according to a golf shot taken by the user, and to determine which of the preset ball flights the ball flight of the golf ball according to the golf shot taken by the user corresponds to.

The lesson information processing means 520 may be configured to realize various kinds of golf lesson information based on the analysis result of the ball flight analysis means 510 and to provide the realized golf lesson information to the user. In a case in which the user continuously generates wrong ball flights, the lesson information processing means 520 may realize predetermined golf lesson information using a professional’s golf swing motion image for self-diagnosis of a user’s golf swing posture and provide the realized golf lesson information to the user. In addition, the lesson information processing means 520 may realize more active golf lesson information for solving a user’s problem, e.g. customized golf lesson information for solving a user’s problem caused through the ball flight, and provide the customized golf lesson information to the user.

That is, the lesson information processing means 520 may be configured to preset information regarding a cause of a golf swing posture generating each of the ball flights preset by the ball flight analysis means 510 and lesson information for solving the cause of the golf swing posture, to extract information preset for the ball flight based on the analysis result of the ball flight analysis means 510 from the database 220, and to provide the extracted information to the user.

More specifically, the lesson information processing means 520 may include a lesson information interface means 522 and a lesson information provision means 524.

The lesson information interface means 522 may be configured to preset lesson information for a golf swing posture generating each of the ball flights preset by the ball flight analysis means 510, to display lesson information preset for the ball flight based on the analysis result of the ball flight analysis means 510 as a plurality of selection items classified based on body regions, and to allow the user to select a specific one of the body region items.

The lesson information provision means 524 may configured to extract lesson information preset for one selected by the user from among the body region items displayed by the lesson information interface means 522 in the ball flight determined by the ball flight analysis means 510 from the database 220 and to provide the extracted lesson information to the user.

According to embodiments of the present invention, in a case in which the ball flight determined by the ball flight analysis means 510 according to the golf shot taken by the user is generated a predetermined number of times, the lesson information processing means 520 may be configured to display an interface for allowing the user to select provision of lesson information regarding a golf swing posture, to extract the lesson information regarding the golf swing posture from the database 220 according to the user selection, and to display the extracted lesson information.

Meanwhile, the shot analysis and processing means 530 may be configured to analyze features of the user’s golf shot based on the information regarding the motion of the golf ball and the motion of the golf club sensed by the sensing device 100 and to display the analysis result.

For example, the shot analysis and processing means 530 may analyze information regarding a path of a head of the golf club according to the user’s golf shot based on the information regarding the motion of the golf club sensed by the sensing device 100, to realize the analysis result as a graphical image, and to display the realized graphical image for the path of the head of the golf club through a popup window automatically activated during a predetermined period of time or activated according to user selection.

More specifically, the shot analysis and processing means 530 may include a shot analysis means 533 for analyzing features of the user’s golf shot based on the information regarding the motion of the golf ball and the motion of the golf club sensed by the sensing device 100 and an analysis information processing means 535 for realizing the analysis result of the shot analysis means 533 as a graphical image and for displaying the realized graphical image.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the analysis information processing means 535 may realize the information regarding the ball flight analyzed by the ball flight analysis means 510 as a graphical image, realize the information regarding the user’s golf shot analyzed by the shot analysis means 533 as a graphical image, combine the graphical image for the ball flight and the graphical image for the user’s golf shot, and display the combined graphical images such that the user can intuitively and easily self-diagnose a problem caused from the user’s golf shot.

Hereinafter, the functions of the above-mentioned components will be described in more detail based on an example of a golf information provision process performed by the golf practice system according to the embodiment of the present invention with reference to FIGS. 3 to 11.

FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of a simulation image realized through the screen F in a case in which the golf practice system according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied to the so-called screen golf system as shown in FIG. 1.

When the user takes a golf shot, the sensing device senses motion of a golf club and a golf ball. The simulation means realizes a simulation image showing a virtual golf ball B flying along a trajectory T from an original position Po in a virtual environment (a virtual golf course realized as an image) based on the sensing result of the sensing device as shown in FIG. 3. The trajectory T of the golf ball may be displayed or may not be displayed on the screen F.

The ball flight of the golf ball may be recognized based on the trajectory T of the golf ball realized by the simulation means. The ball flight analysis means 510 (see FIG. 2) analyzes the trajectory T of the golf ball realized as the simulation image by the simulation means and determines a ball flight of the golf ball based on the analysis of the trajectory T. The trajectory T of the golf ball is based on information such as a start direction angle of the golf ball, a dropped position of the golf ball, and a spin of the golf ball.

More specifically, the ball flight analysis means 510 (see FIG. 2) presets various ball flights which may be generally generated according to a golf shot and anaylzes the trajectory of the golf ball according to the user's golf shot. And the ball flight analysis means 510 determines which of the preset ball flights the trajectory of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to based on analysis.

FIG. 4 is a view showing various ball flights preset by the ball flight analysis means.

As shown in FIG. 4, 11 ball flights may be preset based on directions in which the golf ball flies. The 11 ball flights may include a pull hook, a pull, a pull slice, a hook, a straight, a slice, a push hook, a push, a push slice, a draw, and a fade. The ball flight analysis means may be configured to preset some or all of the above-specified ball flights.

In FIG. 4, the ball flights are classified based on the horizontal flight direction of the golf ball. Although not shown, on the other hand, the ball flight analysis means may preset ball flights classified based on the vertical flight direction of the golf ball.

That is, a top ball or a duff may be generated depending upon a vertical hitting point at the time of impact according to the golf shot. In case of the top ball, the golf ball flies at a low trajectory angle. In case of the duff, on the other hand, the golf ball flies at a high trajectory angle. In both the two cases, the flight distance of the golf ball is considerably small.

The ball flight analysis means may preset a ball flight based on the top ball and a ball flight based on the duff, i.e. a high ball, as described above and determine whether the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot is the top ball or the high ball. In case of the duff, the golf ball may not have a high trajectory angle. In a case in which the hitting point of the golf ball is very low at the time of impact although the ball flight of the golf ball is not the duff, the ball flight may be the high ball.

The ball flight analysis means may be configured to determine which of the preset ball flights the ball flight of the golf ball corresponds to based on the information regarding the start direction angle of the golf ball sensed by the sensing device 100 (see FIG. 2) and the information regarding the dropped position of the golf ball simulated by the simulation means 210 (see FIG. 2) or to determine which of the preset ball flights the ball flight of the golf ball corresponds to based on the information regarding the start direction angle of the golf ball, the information regarding the dropped position of the golf ball, and the information regarding the spin of the golf ball sensed by the sensing device.

According to embodiments of the present invention, the ball flight analysis means may be configured to estimate which of the preset ball flights the ball flight of the golf ball corresponds to based on at least one selected from between the information regarding the start direction angle of the golf ball and the information regarding the spin of the golf ball sensed by the sensing device 100 (see FIG. 2) and to correct the estimated information regarding the ball flight based on the information regarding the trajectory of the golf ball simulated by the simulation means 210 (see FIG. 2), thereby finally determining the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot

FIG. 5 shows a case in which the ball flight analysis means analyzes the ball flight of the golf ball based on the simulation result of the trajectory of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot. That is, FIG. 5 shows a case in which the golf ball B starts to fly from an original position Po at a start direction angle of a, flies along a trajectory T, and is dropped onto a position Pb.

In FIG. 5, reference symbol GL indicates a guide line based on a predetermined direction angle b for defining the ball flight.

The ball flight analysis means may preset a range of a direction angle from a center line (i.e. a direction angle of 0 degrees at the center line) and a range of a horizontal distance d to a dropped point of the golf ball B (or preset a left side or a right side of the guide line GL) and to determine that the ball flight of the golf ball is a corresponding one of the ball flights in a case in which the trajectory T of the golf ball corresponds to requirements preset as described above. At this time, the ball flight analysis means may preset a range of a spin value of the golf ball for determination of the ball flight and further determine whether the information of the spin of the golf ball according to the trajectory of the golf ball is included in the preset range of the spin value of the golf ball, thereby determining the ball flight.

For example, in case of a slice, a direction angle may be preset to 0 to 6 degrees to the right, a dropped point of the golf ball may be preset to a right side of the guide line located at an angle of 6 degrees from the center line to the right, and a spin of the golf ball may be preset to 900 rpm or more in a clockwise direction.

In a case in which the trajectory of the golf ball realized as the simulation image according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to a desirable ball flight, such as a straight, a draw, or a fade, the golf shot may be good. In a case in which the trajectory of the golf ball realized as the simulation image according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to an undesirable ball flight, such as a hook or a slice, on the other hand, the golf shot may be poor.

In a case in which the user takes several golf shots and the analysis result of the ball flight analysis means reveals that an undesirable ball flight, such as a hook or a slice, is generated a predetermined number of times, therefore, it is necessary to check the user’s golf shot.

In a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to any one of the preset ball flights a predetermined number of times (for example, in a case in which undesirable ball flights are preset to be generated three times and a slice is generated twice and a hook is generated once according to the user’s golf shot), the shot analysis and processing means 530 (see FIG. 2) according to the embodiment of the present invention may realize the analysis result of the user’s golf shot as a predetermined graphical image and display the realized graphical image on the screen such that the user can self-diagnose a problem caused from the user’s golf shot. FIGS. 6 to 8 show various examples of a graphical image realized based on the analysis result of the user’s golf shot.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a case in which the analysis information processing means 535 (see FIG. 2) of the shot analysis and processing means 530 (see FIG. 2) according to the embodiment of the present invention displays golf shot analysis information based on a combination of predetermined graphical images on the screen.

In FIG. 6, a portion denoted by reference symbol QGI is information regarding the ball flight analyzed by the ball flight analysis means 510 (see FIG. 2) realized as a graphical image and a portion denoted by reference symbol SGI is information regarding the user’s golf shot analyzed by the shot analysis means 533 (see FIG. 2) realized as a graphical image. The analysis information processing means 535 may properly combine the QGI and the SGI and display a combination of the QGI and the SGI on the screen such that the user can intuitively recognize a problem caused from the user’s golf shot together with the analysis result of the ball flight. Consequently, it is possible to provide very effective golf lesson information for self-diagnosis.

In FIG. 6, the SGI, i.e. the information analyzed by the shot analysis means 533, includes information regarding a path of a head of the golf club, information regarding whether the golf shot is an IN-to-OUT shot or an OUT-to-IN shot, information regarding a face angle at the time of impact expressed as graphical images. On the other hand, the QGI, i.e. the information analyzed by the ball flight analysis means 510, includes information regarding a trajectory of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot, information Q regarding the determined ball flight, and information regarding the distance between the center position and the dropped golf ball expressed as graphical images.

In a case in which the SGI and the QGI are properly combined and displayed instead of the SGI and the QGI being independently displayed one by one as described above, it is possible for the user to intuitively, more easily, and more clearly recognize a problem caused from the user’s golf shot.

FIG. 7 shows another example of analysis information based on a combination of the SGI and the QGI displayed on the screen. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the QGI includes information regarding a trajectory of the golf ball and information regarding the ball flight when viewed in a lateral direction displayed as graphical images. On the other hand, the SGI includes information regarding the golf shot, i.e. information regarding an impact position or information regarding a loft angle, when viewed in the lateral direction displayed as a graphical image.

The above information may be displayed on the screen in a case in which a specific ball flight, such as a top ball or a high ball, is generated.

FIG. 8 shows an example of shot analysis information based on another type of a graphical image displayed on the screen.

After a simulation image for the trajectory of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot is realized, the ball flight of the golf ball according to the golf shot is analyzed by the ball flight analysis means 510 and is displayed at one side of the screen in a bar Q as shown in FIG. 8 (Display of ball flight Q).

The shot analysis and processing means 530 analyzes information regarding the path of the head of the golf club according to the user’s golf shot based on the information regarding the motion of the golf club sensed by the sensing device at the time of taking the golf shot and realizes the analysis result as a graphical image. As shown in FIG. 8, the graphical image for the path of the head of the golf club is displayed at one side of the screen in the form of a popup window (popup window type shot analysis information PGI).

The popup window type shot analysis information PGI may be automatically activated during a predetermined period of time or activated according to user selection.

In a case in which the graphical image for the shot analysis information occupies a portion of the screen, the graphical image may interfere with the user’s viewing the screen. For this reason, the popup window may be activated for a moment such that the golf shot analysis information is displayed and then the popup window may be inactivated such that golf shot analysis information disappears.

As shown in FIG. 8, the popup window type shot analysis information PGI expresses the path of the head of the golf club during a predetermined period of time before and after impact as a graphical image. The guide line, the IN region, and the OUT region may be displayed such that the user can intuitively recognize the path of the head of the golf club corresponds to an IN-to-OUT shot or an OUT-to-IN shot. In addition, the information regarding the head of the golf club at the time of impact and the information regarding the impact position of the golf ball may be expressed as graphical images such that the user can intuitively recognize information regarding the head of the golf club at the time of impact and the information regarding the impact position of the golf ball. Furthermore, the information regarding the face angle and opening or closing of the golf club may also be expressed.

The popup window type shot analysis information PGI may be displayed every golf shot or selectively displayed in a case in which a specific ball flight is generated a predetermined number of times.

In a case in which the analysis result of the ball flight according to the user’s golf shot reveals that a specific one of the preset ball flights is repeatedly generated several times, i.e. in a case in which a specific ball flight is repeatedly generated a predetermined number of times, the golf information provision and processing means 500 (see FIG. 2) of the golf practice system according to the embodiment of the present invention may provide golf lesson information for guiding the user to self-diagnose and correct a user’s golf swing posture, thereby improving the specific ball flight which is repeatedly generated.

For example, in a case in which an undesirable ball flight, such as a slice, is continuously generated three times, an interface for allowing the user to select provision of information for self-diagnosis of the user’s golf swing posture, e.g. a posture checking and notification window 10, may be displayed as shown in FIG. 8.

In a case in which the user requests provision of golf lesson information through the posture checking and notification window 10, golf lesson information as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 or golf lesson information shown in FIG. 11 may be provided.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a case in which lesson information preset for a specific ball flight is displayed as a plurality of selection items classified based on body regions through the lesson information interface means 522 of the lesson information processing means 520 shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 10 shows an example of a case in which the lesson information provision means 524 extracts lesson information preset for one selected by the user of the body region items from the database 220 and displays the extracted lesson information.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a case in which lesson information regarding a golf swing posture different from the golf swing posture shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 is provided such that the user can very effectively self-diagnose a user’s golf wing posture.

Referring first to FIGS. 9 and 10, the lesson information processing means 520 (see FIG. 2) presets information regarding a cause of a golf swing posture generating each of all or some of the ball flights preset by the ball flight analysis means 510 (see FIG. 2) and lesson information for solving the cause of the golf swing posture per body region.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a case in which the lesson information processing means 520 presets information regarding a cause of a golf swing posture generating a slice per body region, presets lesson information for solving the cause of the golf swing posture per body region for each item, extracts information corresponding to each item from the database, and displays the extracted information on the screen.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, a plurality of items, such a “grip”, a “wrist”, an “elbow”, a “shoulder”, “hips”, a “head”, a “knee”, “feet”, a “release”, and a “ball position”, is preset for a specific ball flight. When the “grip” is selected, information regarding a cause of a swing posture in connection with the grip and lesson information for solving the cause of the swing posture are provided through a first information window 25 and a second information window 26 of a golf lesson information window 24 as shown in FIG. 10.

The information displayed through the first information window 25 may be information regarding a cause of a specific ball flight and the information displayed through the second information window 26 may be lesson information for solving the cause of the specific ball flight.

In the example of FIG. 10, cause information and lesson information of the “grip” item are provided. Information regarding a grip causing a slice (information regarding a cause of the grip) is displayed through the first information window 25 and lesson information for solving the cause of the grip causing the slice is displayed through the second information window 26.

For the other body region items show in FIG. 9, information regarding a cause of a swing posture generating a corresponding ball flight and lesson information for solving the cause of the swing posture may be provided in the same manner as shown in FIG. 10. Of course, it is not necessary for all of the body region items to include both the cause information and the lesson information. The lesson information may be provided in various forms.

Hereinafter, provision of lesson information regarding a golf swing posture will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 shows a case in which the lesson information processing means 520 extracts golf swing motion image information 30 preset as information for self-diagnosis of a user’s golf swing posture from the database and displays the extracted golf swing motion image information 30.

As shown in FIG. 11, the golf swing motion image information 30 includes a golf professional’s swing motion image 31 and a user’s swing motion image 32 captured by the camera device 400 (see FIG. 2), which may be simultaneously described.

Alternatively, only the golf professional’s swing motion image 31 may be provided without the user’s swing motion image 32 according to user setting or a predetermined condition.

In a case in which the golf professional’s swing motion image 31 and the user’s swing motion image 32 are displayed in contrast with each other as shown in FIG. 11, the two images may be synchronized in stages such that the images can be displayed per step.

That is, characteristic steps may be preset in a golf swing motion. For example, a plurality of steps, such as an address, a take away, a back swing, a top of swing, a down swing, an impact, a follow-through, and a finish, may be preset and the preset steps may be extracted and synchronized in the golf professional’s swing motion image 31 and the user’s swing motion image 32.

In a case in which any one is selected from swing motion items 35 shown in FIG. 11, therefore, the golf professional’s image and the user’s image for the swing step corresponding to selected items may be simultaneously displayed such that the user can compare the user’s swing posture with the golf professional’s swing posture per step of the golf swing to more effectively self-diagnose the user’s swing posture.

In addition, the golf professional may be preset by the user. The lesson information processing means may extract image information regarding a golf swing motion of a prestored golf professional corresponding with at least one selected from between sex and body size of a user or a golf professional pre-selected by the user from the database and provide the extracted image information to the user.

Consequently, it is possible for the user to more effectively perform self-diagnosis through a swing motion image of a golf professional having similar sex and body size to the user.

Although the sex and the body size of the golf professional may be preset as described above, the sex and the body size of the golf professional may be changed in a state in which the golf lesson information is display as shown in FIG. 11.

That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the user may change the sex of the golf professional through a sex selection unit 36 and select one from golf professionals classified per body size or play style through a professional selection unit 37.

In addition, the user may change views of the golf professional’s swing motion image and the user’s swing motion image through

view selection units

38 and 39.

It is possible for the user to very systematically and accurately self-diagnose the user’s swing using the method as described above, which leads to improvement of the ball flight according to the user’s golf shot. The improvement of the ball flight may be immediately checked through simulation of the golf ball according to the golf shot.

Hereinafter, an information processing method for providing golf lesson information according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing principal steps of an information processing method for providing golf lesson information in a case in which lesson information based on a user’s golf shot is provided through the golf practice system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

First, in a case in which a user takes a golf shot, i.e. hits a golf ball, using a golf club on the swing plate, the sensing device senses the motion of the golf ball and the golf club according to the user’s golf shot (S10).

Subsequently, the simulation means realizes a simulation image for a trajectory of the golf ball based on data sensed by the sensing device (S12).

At this time, the shot analysis and processing means analyzes features of the user’s golf shot, such as an impact point, a face angle at the time of impact, a loft angle, and a swing trajectory, based on the data sensed by the sensing device (S20).

Subsequently, the ball flight analysis means analyzes and determines which of several preset ball flights (which have been previously described with reference to FIG. 4 and, therefore, a detailed description of which will be omitted) the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to based on the data sensed by the sensing device and the simulation image for the ball trajectory realized by the simulation means (S30).

In a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to any one of the preset ball flights (S32), the shot analysis and processing means provides golf shot analysis information.

That is, the analysis result regarding the features of the user’s golf shot is realized as a graphical image (SGI) through step S20, the ball flight analysis result is realized as a graphical image (QGI) through step S30, and the SGI and the QGI are combined and displayed to provide the analysis information of the user’s golf shot (S38).

Concrete examples based on steps S34 to S38 have been previously described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7 and, therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, although not shown in FIG. 12, it is also possible to provide the golf shot analysis information through the popup window as shown in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 12, the golf shot analysis information is immediately provided through steps S34 to S38 in a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to any one of the preset ball flights. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In a case in which one of the preset ball flights corresponding to the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot is generated a predetermined number of times (for example, in a case in which, on the assumption that ball flights are preset to be generated three times, a slice is generated once, a push slice is generated once, and a hook is generated once or any one ball flight is generated through time), the golf shot analysis information may be provided through steps S34 to S38.

In a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot does not correspond to any one of the preset ball flights at step S32, on the other hand, the user may take the next golf shot (S50).

In a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to any one of the preset ball flights at step S32, the golf information provision and processing means determines whether the ball flight has been generated N times based on ball flight information based on the previous user’s golf shots (S40). N, which is an integer, means a predetermined number of times.

In a case in which a specific ball flight has been generated less than the N times, the user may take the next golf shot (S50). In a case in which the specific ball flight has been generated the N times or more, on the other hand, the lesson information processing means realizes predetermined golf lesson information and provides the realized golf lesson information to the user.

That is, the lesson information processing means extracts information regarding a cause of a golf swing posture generating the specific ball flight the N times or more and lesson information for solving the cause of the golf swing posture from the database and displays the extracted information or extracts golf swing motion image information for self-diagnosis of the user’s golf swing posture from the database and displays the extracted information (S42).

A concrete example based on step S42 has been previously described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 and, therefore, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The golf practice system for providing golf lesson information according to the embodiment of the present invention and the information processing method for providing golf lesson information using the same have advantages in that recognition of the ball flight according to the user’s golf shot and provision of golf lesson information or the analysis information for improving the ball flight are achieved in a customized fashion, thereby very effectively providing golf information such that the user can naturally improve the user’s golf shot and ball flight during golf simulation.

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

The golf practice system for providing golf lesson information according to the embodiment of the present invention and the information processing method for providing golf lesson information using the same can be used in an industry related to golf practice and golf lesson, such as swing motion analysis of a user’s golf swing, and in a so-called screen golf industry in which golf simulation based on virtual reality is performed such that a user may enjoy a round of virtual golf.

Claims

A golf practice system for providing golf lesson information comprising:

a sensing device for sensing motion of a golf ball and motion of a golf club according to a user’s golf shot using the golf club;

a simulation means for realizing a simulation image for a trajectory of the golf ball based on data sensed by the sensing device;

a database for storing data regarding realization of the simulation image and data regarding golf lesson information to be provided to the user; and

a golf information provision and processing means for, in a case in which the trajectory of the golf ball simulated by the simulation means corresponds to a predetermined specific ball flight, extracting information regarding a cause of a golf swing posture generating the specific ball flight and lesson information for solving the cause of the golf swing posture from the database and providing the extracted information to the user.
The golf practice system according to claim 1, wherein the golf information provision and processing means comprises:

a ball flight analysis means for presetting a plurality of ball flights based on golf shots, analyzing the trajectory of the golf ball simulated according to the user’s golf shot, and determining which of the preset ball flights the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to; and

a lesson information processing means for presetting information regarding a cause of a golf swing posture generating each of the preset ball flights and lesson information for solving the cause of the golf swing posture, extracting information preset for the ball flight based on an analysis result of the ball flight analysis means from the database, and providing the extracted information to the user.
The golf practice system according to claim 2, wherein the ball flight analysis means is configured to determine which of the preset ball flights the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to based on information regarding a start direction angle of the golf ball sensed by the sensing device and information regarding a dropped position of the golf ball simulated by the simulation means or to determine which of the preset ball flights the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to based on the information regarding the start direction angle of the golf ball, the information regarding the dropped position of the golf ball, and information regarding a spin of the golf ball sensed by the sensing device.
The golf practice system according to claim 2, wherein the ball flight analysis means is configured to estimate which of the preset ball flights the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to based on at least one selected from between information regarding a start direction angle of the golf ball and information regarding a spin of the golf ball sensed by the sensing device and to correct the estimated information regarding the ball flight based on information regarding the trajectory of the golf ball simulated by the simulation means, thereby finally determining the ball flight the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot.
The golf practice system according to claim 2, wherein the lesson information processing means is configured to preset information regarding a cause of a golf swing posture per body region generating the ball flight determined by the ball flight analysis means and lesson information for solving the cause of the golf swing posture, to extract preset lesson information regarding a body region selected by the user from the database, and to provide the extracted lesson information to the user.
The golf practice system according to claim 2, wherein the lesson information processing means comprises:

a lesson information interface means for presetting lesson information for a golf swing posture generating each of the ball flights preset by the ball flight analysis means, displaying lesson information preset for the ball flight based on an analysis result of the ball flight analysis means as a plurality of selection items classified per body region, and allowing the user to select a specific one of the body region items; and

a lesson information provision means for extracting lesson information preset for one selected by the user from among the body region items displayed by the lesson information interface means in the ball flight determined by the ball flight analysis means from the database and providing the extracted lesson information to the user.
A golf practice system for providing golf lesson information comprising:

a sensing device for sensing motion of a golf ball and motion of a golf club according to a user’s golf shot using the golf club;

a simulation means for realizing a simulation image for a trajectory of the golf ball based on data sensed by the sensing device;

a database for storing data regarding realization of the simulation image and data regarding golf lesson information to be provided to the user; and

a golf information provision and processing means for, in a case in which the trajectory of the golf ball in each simulation corresponds to a predetermined specific ball flight as a simulation result of a plurality of user’s golf shots, extracting lesson information regarding a golf swing posture from the database and providing the extracted lesson information to the user.
The golf practice system according to claim 7, wherein the golf information provision and processing means comprises:

a ball flight analysis means for presetting a plurality of ball flights based on golf shots, analyzing the trajectory of the golf ball simulated according to the user’s golf shot, and determining which of the preset ball flights the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to; and

a lesson information processing means for, in a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball determined by the ball flight analysis means according to the user’s golf shot is generated a predetermined number of times, for displaying an interface for allowing the user to select provision of lesson information regarding a golf swing posture, extracting the lesson information regarding the golf swing posture from the database according to the user selection, and displaying the extracted lesson information.
The golf practice system according to claim 7, wherein the golf information provision and processing means comprises:

a ball flight analysis means for presetting a plurality of ball flights based on golf shots, analyzing the trajectory of the golf ball simulated according to the user’s golf shot, and determining which of the preset ball flights the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to; and

a lesson information processing means for, in a case in which the ball flight determined by the ball flight analysis means according to the user’s golf shot is generated a predetermined number of times, for extracting image information regarding a golf swing motion of a golf professional from the database and displaying the extracted image information.
The golf practice system according to claim 9, wherein the lesson information processing means is configured to extract image information regarding a golf swing motion of a prestored golf professional corresponding with at least one selected from between sex and body size of the user or a golf professional pre-selected by the user from the database and to display the extracted image information.
The golf practice system according to claim 1 or 7, further comprising a shot analysis and processing means for analyzing information regarding a path of a head of the golf club according to the user’s golf shot based on information regarding the motion of the golf club sensed by the sensing device, realizing an analysis result as a graphical image, and displaying the realized graphical image for the path of the head of the golf club through a popup window automatically activated during a predetermined period of time or activated according to user selection.
The golf practice system according to claim 1 or 7, further comprising:

a shot analysis means for analyzing features of the user’s golf shot based on information regarding the motion of the golf ball and the motion of the golf club sensed by the sensing device; and

an analysis information processing means for realizing an analysis result of the shot analysis means as a graphical image and for displaying the realized graphical image.
The golf practice system according to claim 12, further comprising:

a ball flight analysis means for presetting a plurality of ball flights based on golf shots, analyzing the trajectory of the golf ball simulated according to the user’s golf shot, and determining which of the preset ball flights the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to, wherein

the analysis information processing means is configured to realize information regarding the ball flight analyzed by the ball flight analysis means as a graphical image, to realize information regarding the user’s golf shot analyzed by the shot analysis means as a graphical image, to combine the graphical image for the ball flight and the graphical image for the user’s golf shot, and to display the combined graphical images.
An information processing method for providing golf lesson information in a golf practice system for providing golf lesson information comprising a sensing device for sensing motion of a golf ball and a golf club according to a user’s golf shot, a simulation means for realizing a simulation image for a trajectory of the golf ball based on data sensed by the sensing device, and a database for storing data regarding realization of the simulation image and data regarding golf lesson information to be provided to the user, the information processing method comprising:

determining whether a ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to a specific ball flight selected from among a plurality of preset ball flights as a simulation result of the simulation means according to the user’s golf shot; and

in a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to the specific ball flight, extracting information regarding a cause of a golf swing posture generating the specific ball flight and lesson information for solving the cause of the golf swing posture from the database and displaying the extracted information regarding the cause of the golf swing posture and the extracted lesson information.
The information processing method according to claim 14, further comprising:

analyzing information regarding a path of a head of the golf club according to the user’s golf shot based on information regarding the motion of the golf club sensed by the sensing device;

realizing an analysis result as a graphical image and displaying the realized graphical image through an activated popup window during a predetermined period of time; and

displaying the popup window in an inactivated state after the predetermined period of time during which the popup window is activated such that the popup window is reactivated according to user selection.
The information processing method according to claim 14, further comprising:

realizing information regarding the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot determined at the step of determining whether the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to the specific ball flight as a graphical image;

analyzing features of the user’s golf shot based on information regarding the motion of the golf ball and the motion of the golf club sensed by the sensing device and realizing information regarding the analyzed features of the user’s golf shot as a graphical image; and

combining the graphical image for the ball flight and the graphical image for the user’s golf shot and displaying the combined graphical images.
The information processing method according to claim 14, wherein the step of extracting the lesson information from the database and displaying the extracted lesson information comprises:

in a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to the specific ball flight, displaying lesson information regarding a golf swing posture preset for the specific ball flight as a plurality of selection items classified per body region; and

extracting information regarding a cause of a golf swing posture at a body region corresponding to one selected by the user from among the displayed body region items and lesson information for solving the cause of the golf swing posture from the database and displaying the extracted information regarding the cause of the golf swing posture and the extracted lesson information.
The information processing method according to claim 14, further comprising, in a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to the specific ball flight selected from among the preset ball flights a predetermined number of times, extracting information regarding the cause of the golf swing posture generating the specific ball flight and the lesson information for solving the cause of the golf swing posture from the database and displaying the extracted information regarding the cause of the golf swing posture and the extracted lesson information.
An information processing method for providing golf lesson information in a golf practice system for providing golf lesson information comprising a sensing device for sensing motion of a golf ball and a golf club according to a user’s golf shot, a simulation means for realizing a simulation image for a trajectory of the golf ball based on data sensed by the sensing device, and a database for storing data regarding realization of the simulation image and data regarding golf lesson information to be provided to the user, the information processing method comprising:

determining whether a ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to a specific ball flight selected from among a plurality of preset ball flights as a simulation result of the simulation means according to the user’s golf shot; and

in a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to the specific ball flight, extracting golf swing motion image information preset for self-diagnosis of a user’s golf swing posture from the database and displaying the extracted golf swing motion image information.
The information processing method according to claim 19, wherein the step of extracting the golf swing motion image information and displaying the extracted golf swing motion image information comprises:

in a case in which the ball flight of the golf ball according to the user’s golf shot corresponds to the specific ball flight, displaying an interface for allowing the user to select provision of information for self-diagnosis of the user’s golf swing posture; and

extracting golf swing motion image information preset as the information for self-diagnosis of the user’s golf swing posture from the database according to the user selection and displaying the extracted golf swing motion image information.
The information processing method according to claim 19, wherein the step of extracting the golf swing motion image information and displaying the extracted golf swing motion image information comprises extracting image information regarding a golf swing motion of a prestored golf professional corresponding with at least one selected from between sex and body size of the user or a golf professional pre-selected by the user from the database and displaying the extracted image information.
The information processing method according to claim 19, wherein

the golf practice system further comprises a camera device for capturing a golf swing motion of the user, and

the step of extracting the golf swing motion image information and displaying the extracted golf swing motion image information comprises:

extracting golf swing motion image information of a golf professional from the database;

synchronizing the extracted golf swing motion image of the golf professional with the golf swing motion of the user captured by the camera device in stages; and

simultaneously displaying the golf swing motion image of the golf professional and the golf swing motion of the user in stages in a synchronized state.