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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to apparatus for simulating the playing of a game of
golf.
Numerous arrangements have been proposed for providing indoor facilities by
which the playing of an outdoor game of golf can be simulated. Such
arrangements are considered desirable for a variety of reasons including
alleviating the overcrowding of existing outdoor golf facilities, and
enabling year-round play in climates where year-round play at outdoor
facilities is not possible. Moreover, the use of indoor facilities would
typically be less strenuous and less expensive than would the use of
outdoor facilities, and would enhance golf instruction and teaching
capabilities. The prior art arrangements thus far proposed are discussed
generally in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,825, which patent, in its entirety, is
hereby incorporated by reference into this application. The invention
disclosed in that patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,8250 was conceived by one of
the joint inventors of the improvements disclosed in this application.
In the above referenced patent, a golf game simulating apparatus is
disclosed that generally projects a picture onto a screen some 20 feet in
front of a player depicting the view the player would have if he or she
were actually present on a specified golf course. With the view displayed
on the screen as his or her guide, and having some prior information as to
the distances and general shape of the particular hole of the specified
golf course on which the golfer is playing in simulated fashion, the
player selects an appropriate club and drives his golf ball towards the
fairway). The ball only travels a short distance (approximately 20 feet)
before striking the screen or the surrounding walls and ceiling. These
walls, ceiling, or screen are designed to be flexible so as to absorb the
impact of the ball striking them and to allow the ball to safely fall to
the floor. However, as the ball is in flight, it passes through three
defined planes that are constantly being scanned by an infrared detector
array. The ball is also appropriately illuminated from an infrared light
source as it travels so that it can be detected as it passes through each
plane. By combining all the information obtained from all three planar
sensors, the exact trajectory of the golf ball can be calculated by
computing apparatus. A microprocessor is used for this computing function.
Knowing the exact trajectory, the microprocessor is able to compute the
exact location where the ball would have gone on the fairway (or around
the fairway) of the particular hole where the simulated game is being
played. Prior information as to the layout (including distances, rough,
bunkers, trees, etc.) is preprogrammed into the microprocessor, thereby
enabling it to compute the exact point, within a few feet, where the ball
would have landed had it continued in free flight.
Knowing the point where the ball would have landed, the microprocessor
controls a filmstrip projector that advances to a new frame of film so as
to display to the player a new picture or view as would be seen from the
location where the ball "lies" within the simulated fairway. The player
then hits the ball again from this new location. The microprocessor
computes the trajectory of the ball as before and then advances the
filmstrip projector to a new frame depicting the view from the location of
the newly computed "lie" of the ball. In this fashion, the player works
his way down the simulated fairway, just as in the actual game of golf,
until he arrives at the green. When he arrives at the green, the
microprocessor lights up a simulated green whereon the player may putt
out. The player then advances to the next hole of the simulated golf
course.
The simulated golf game apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,825 is
advantageously adapted for allowing single players, two-somes,
three-somes, or four-somes to play the simulated game. Before beginning a
play on a simulated hole, a diagram of the hole typically appears
projected on the screen for the players to study. This diagram gives them
an idea as to the distances and general shape of the hole, thereby
allowing them to properly choose a club. The players may also select
whether to tee off from the ladies', mens' or pros' tees. This information
is fed into the microprocessor which directs the projector to advance to
the picture or scene corresponding to the appropriate tee. That is, a full
color picture of the view that would be seen from the tee is projected on
the screen. The distance to the "flag" or hole is also shown on a display
panel along with the player's name. This player then begins to drive his
ball down the simulated fairway as above described.
Using regulation balls and clubs, the player drives, with all the force of
his or her natural swing, into the high impact, heat-sealed screen. The
distance the ball was hit, the yards it was hit to the right or left, and
the amount of hook or slice is immediately shown on the display panel.
Should the ball be lost, go out of bounds, or in the water, it will be
reported as such.
After each player has played from the tee, the microprocessor determines
which player's ball is "away". The projector is then advanced to the
appropriate full-color view of the hole and the player is informed, by
name, of both the distance remaining in the flat stick as well as the type
of area in which his or her ball lies (i.e., fairway, rough, sand, water,
lost, out of bounds, etc.). Should the ball land in the sand, the player
would play out of the simulated sand trap. If the ball should go into an
unplayable area (water, lost, out of bounds, etc.) the rules of golf will
apply, and the display panel will inform the player of the lie, the
appropriate picture will be projected on the screen, and the
microprocessor will add the correct number of strokes. In this fashion,
the microprocessor is able to tally the player's score as the game is
played and periodically display these scores to the players.
When the players have reached the green, the microprocessor turns off the
projector and in sequence turns on the lights that illuminate a putting
green positioned in front of the screen. This putting green may typically
be contoured like an outdoor green and putts may be made from as far as 20
feet away. After the player has putted out, the display panel will ask for
the "number of putts". The player will then enter the number of putts he
or she has taken and his or her score will be displayed on the panel. The
display panel then instructs the next player to putt out until all the
players have finished playing the appropriate hole. The play then advances
to the next hole of the simulated game.
As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,825, there are some limitations
associated with the simulating process that detract from the realism of
the simulated game. First, there is no simple way for resynchronizing the
projector with the microprocessor should some sort of miscount (or other
failure) occur as the film strip is advancing to a desired picture or film
frame that is to be projected on the screen. That is, in the above
referenced patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,825), a spot is placed on the film
strip corresponding to each frame or picture located thereon. These spots
are counted by a spot detector so that the microprocessor will know the
number of frames the film has been advanced. The microprocessor has
programmed thereinto, of course, which particular frame of the film strip
corresponds to a particular count. Thus, when the microprocessor
determines that a particular frame is to be displayed, it merely looks up
in its memory the frame count for that desired frame and signals the
projector to advance that number of frames. However, should the actual
count of the frames as projected by the film strip somehow become
unsynchronized with the count as sensed by the microprocessor, then an
incorrect picture will be displayed. While means are provided in the
referenced patent for manually advancing the filmstrip (either by turning
a manual advance knob, or by pressing a forward button or a backward
button), there really is no method disclosed for efficiently
resynchronizing the microprocessor with the frame count.
Another problem associated with the apparatus and circuitry disclosed in
the above referenced patent is the manner of driving or advancing the
filmstrip to the proper frame. A dc motor is disclosed in the referenced
patent that may be either moved in a forward or backward direction.
However, the speed with which the motor advances is relatively constant
(there being no method disclosed for increasing the motor drive current
(or motor voltage). Also, there is no method disclosed for zeroing in on
the proper frame so that the picture that is ultimately displayed will be
properly framed on the screen.
Other problems or shortcomings of the golf game simulating apparatus
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,825 are the lack of provisions for a
"holed out" condition. That is, as sometimes occurs in the real game of
golf, as a person approaches the green, his ball may strike the green and
roll into the cup, thereby eliminating the need to putt-out on that
particular green.
Still another limitation associated with the golf game simulating apparatus
previously disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,825 is the manner of entering
date into the microprocessor. In that patent, several manual switches are
disclosed for informing the microprocessor of the desired tee (mens',
ladies', or pros'), whether the front or back nine holes are desired to be
played, whether eighteen holes are desired to be played, or whether a
driving range is desired. In order to make the game more realistic, it
would be desirable to allow more and varied information to be entered into
the microprocessor. Such information would ideally be entered into the
microprocessor through a medium that is compatible with an indoor
recreational environment. That is, it should not be easily damaged by
having liquids fall thereupon (as when a player might spill a drink), and
it should be relatively shock resistant (should a player accidentally bump
it with his golf club or kick it in a show of anger).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a general object of the present invention to provide improvements to
the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,825 so as to make the
simulated game more realistic.
It is a specific object of the present invention to provide improvements to
a golf game simulating apparatus such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,150,825 to allow the desired frame of the filmstrip to be speedily and
accurately located.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means for
readily resetting or resynchronizing the film located in the projector
with the microprocessor that controls the projector.
It is another object of the present invention to improve the circuitry that
drives the filmstrip projector so that it can be realized in a simple and
inexpensive fashion.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide in a golf
game simulating apparatus a provision whereby a player may "hole out" if
the microprocessor determines that the trajectory of his ball could come
within a specified distance of the cup and if the ball actually falls into
the cup.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a
mechanism for entering a wide variety of data into the microprocessor that
controls the simulating apparatus that is compatible with the indoor
recreational environment.
The above and other objects of the invention are realized in a specific
illustrative embodiment which includes improvements to the apparatus
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,825. Specifically, the motor 152 of that
patent is replaced with a stepper motor that is controlled by an improved
circuitry over the projector control circuitry 154 disclosed in the
referenced patent. This circuitry includes reset capability that allows
the microprocessor to resynchronize the frame count so as to insure that a
proper picture will be projected. The circuitry also allows the stepper
motor to be controlled from the microprocessor so that it can accelerate
to a high rate of speed, maintain this speed until it appraoches the
desired frame, and then begin to slow down until the desired frame is
reached, at which time the stepper motor is stopped. Should there be some
overshoot from the desired frame, the circuitry, in combination with the
microprocessor, is adapted to automatically align the frame so that the
entire picture is properly displayed on the screen.
Provisions are also employed in accordance with one aspect of the invention
to allow a player to "hole-out". Specifically, a ball cup detector detects
whenever a ball falls in the cup and signals the microprocessor of same.
If this signal is present, and if the microprocessor has computed that the
ball would have fallen within a specified distance from the cup, then a
"hole-out" condition is presumed. Accordingly, the player would not have
to "putt-out" for that particular hole. Accordingly, for the relatively
short (typically par-three) holes of the simulated golf course, it would
be possible (although not very probable) for a player to hit a
"hole-in-one".
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an accurate and
reliable mechanism is employed for entering a wide variety of data into
the microprocessor. This data entry method allows the microprocessor to
ask questions of the players and allows the players to make appropriate
responses. For instance, not only can the names of the players be entered
(thereby eliminating the need for identifying the players by number), but
also other valuable information can be entered into the system (such as
the number of strokes required to "putt-out"). This data-entry mechanism
is advantageously adapted for the rugged indoor recreational environment
in which is would be used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent from a consideration of the following
detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying
drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective diagramatic view of a golf game simulating
apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles with the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the interrelationship of the principal
electrical and/or electromechanical elements of the apparatus;
FIG. 3 shows a representation of the ball cup detector of FIG. 2, including
a sectional view of the cut into which the golf ball is hit;
FIG. 4 represents filmstrip drive apparatus used in connection with the
stepper motor and film spot detector of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an electral schematic diagram of the film spot detector of FIG.
2;
FIG. 6 is an electrical schematic diagram of the stepper motor drive
circuits of FIGS. 2 and 4;
FIG. 7 is an electrical schematic diagram of the ball cup detector
circuitry of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 8 is a typical golf hole as programmed into the microprocessor of FIG.
2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The invention as disclosed herein is best understood by reference to the
figures wherein like parts are designated with like numerals throughout.
FIG. 1 depicts, in perspective format, a diagramatic representation of the
main elements that comprise the invention. In this respect, FIG. 1 is
primarily a summary of the apparatus disclosed in the aforesighted U.S.
Pat. No. 4,150,825. Included in this embodiment is a support or platform 4
defining a tee area 7 from which a golf ball may be driven by a player
utilizing a golf club. The tee area is divided into three sections 8, 9,
and 10, each section being provided with a carpet or other brush-like mat
on the upper surface thereof to simulate outdoor areas from which a golfer
might hit a golf ball.
Located in front of the tee area is a target screen 20 for receiving balls
hit from the tee area and for displaying views projected thereon by a
projector 24. The projector 24 is advantageously positioned underneath the
platform 4. The target screen 20 is constructed and positioned so as to
cause a driven golf ball to deflect generally downwardly at a speed
considerably less than the speed at which the ball strikes the screen.
Advantageously, the tee area and screen are disposed in an enclosure having
a pair of generally vertical side walls (not shown), a top wall (not
shown), and a bottom wall or floor 40. The bottom wall of floor 40 is
carpeted to simulate the putting green of a golf course. This simulated
putting green extends up ramps 41 and 42 to areas surrounding the tee area
7. Located at different locations on the floor 40 and the platform 4 are
spots or markers 44. Each of the spots 44 are identified by some sort of
label so that a player can be directed to place his ball thereon when the
time comes for him to putt-out. The ramps 41 and 42 are employed so as to
add some contour to the simulating putting surface so as to make it more
realistic.
A ball cut 46 is positioned towards the front of the floor 40 a short
distance from the screen or target 20.
A ceiling light structure 48 includes at least 3 photosensor arrays that
respectively define planes 50, 52, and 54. Planes 50 and 52 are vertical
planes, whereas plane 54 is an inclined plane. These 3 photosensor arrays
that define the planes 50, 52, and 54 are of the type generally dsiclosed
in the aforecited U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,825. These arrays are activated only
by light traveling to the arrays in the respective planes.
Included in the ceiling light structure 48 are also infrared light sources
to illuminate the golf ball as it passes through the planes 50, 52, and
54. Because an infrared light source is used, neither the light source
itself, nor the planes 50, 52, and 54, are visible to the naked eye. Thus,
there are no distractions for the player standing on the tee area 7 that
might adversely affect his play of golf. The planes 50, 52, and 54 are
depicted in FIG. 1 with dotted lines so as to represent the fact that they
are not visible to a player of the game.
The ceiling light structure 48 is connected to a microprocessing unit 60
via a cable 62. Another cable 64 connects the microprocessor 60 to the
ball cup detecting circuitry (to be discussed below). A message board or
display 66 is also coupled to the microprocessing unit 60. A data entry
device 68 likewise is coupled to the microprocessing unit. In FIG. 1, the
data entry device 68 is advantageously shown as being positioned on a
table 70 (or other similar stand) located to the side of the raised
platform 4. The microprocessing unit 60 is shown as being housed on the
underneath side of this table or stand 70. However, it is to be understood
that the microprocessing unit 60, as well as the data entry device 68 and
the message board 66 could be positioned in any convenient location. For
example, it may be desirable that the microprocessing unit 60 be placed
adjacent to or inside of the ceiling light structure 48, thereby reducing
the length of the cable 62 that connects the sensor arrays and light
sources located within the light structure 48 to the microprocessing unit
60.
Referring next to FIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram showing the
interrelationship of the principal electrical and/or electromechanical
elements of the invention. The heart of the system is, of course, the
microprocessing unit 60. The microprocessing unit 60 is powered from a
power supply 72 which provides power to all of the other systems used in
connection with the invention. A special power circuit 74 is generated by
the power supply 72 for powering a stepper motor 74, as well as associated
stepper motor drive circuits 76 and 78 employed within the projector 24.
Also included within the projector 24 is a film spot detector circuit 80.
This film spot detector circuit is adapted to sense the spots located by
each frame of the film and to forward this information to the
microprocessing unit 60. Also controlled by the microprocessing unit 60
are the projector lamp, fan, and tension motors of the projector 24. These
elements are shown in block 82 of FIG. 2. The tension motors of block 82
of FIG. 2 should not be confused with the stepper motor 74. The tension
motors are equivalent to motors 260 and 264 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,825
and are used to maintain a tension of the film placed within the projector
24.
A ball cup detector 84 is also employed with the improvements disclosed
herein and is coupled to the microprocessor 60. The function of the ball
cup detector is to sense when a ball falls into the cup 46, and will be
described more fully below in connection with FIG. 3 and FIG. 7.
A putting-light controller 86 and an infrared light controller 88 are
controlled by the microprocessing unit 60. These controllers turn on the
putting lights and infrared lights at the appropriate time. That is, when
the player is driving his ball down the simulated fairway, the infrared
light controller 88 is energized so as to turn on the infrared lights
located within the light structure 48, thereby allowing the flight of the
golf ball to be illuminated so that it can be detected as it passes
through the planes 50, 52, and 54. After the player has driven his ball
down the fairway and has arrived at the green, the infrared light
controller 88 turns off the infrared lights and the putting light
controller 86 turns on the putting lights, thereby allowing the player to
place his ball on a designated spot on the putting surface 40 and putt
out.
The infrared scanners and controls thereof are represented by block 90 in
FIG. 2. The operation and control of the infrared scanners is the same as
that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,825 and accordingly will not be
further described in this application. The operations of the infrared
light controller 88, the putting light controller 86, and the power supply
72 will likewise not be discussed further in this application inasmuch as
these elements have previously been described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,825
or can readily be realized by those skilled in electronic art.
Referring next to FIGS. 3 and 7, the operation of the ball cup detector 84
will be described. At least one hole 102 is placed in the center of the
bottom of the cup 46. The bottom surface of the cup 46 is generally
concave so that a ball 106 that falls into the cup 46 will ultimately come
to rest in the center of the hole. Two light-emitting diodes, designed as
LED 2 and LED 3 are positioned underneath the cup 46 so as to direct a
suitable beam of light 108 through the hole 102. Whenever a ball 106 falls
into the cup 46, the ball blocks the hole 102 and causes the light 108 to
be reflected back to a photosensitive transistor Q6. Thus, whenever a ball
106 is in the cup 46, the photosensitive transistor Q6 will be activated.
When the ball 106 is removed from the cup 46, then the transistor Q6 will
not be activated. A ball cup circuit 110 activates LED 2 and LED 3 as well
as monitors the status of the photosensitive transistor Q6. Two
light-emitting diodes are utilized to activate Q6 so as to account for the
wide variation of colors that may exist on a given golf ball. That is, for
a bright, clean golf ball, the light emitted from one of the LED sources
would be sufficient to activate Q6. However, for a dirty (or otherwise
dull) golf ball, the light emitted from both of the LED sources may be
required to activate Q6. In other words, by employing two sources of light
rather than one, a system is provided that insures that the presence of
the golf ball in the cup 46 will be detected.
In FIG. 7, the details of the ball cup circuit 110 are depicted. Two
voltage reference sources, VR4 and VR5, are employed to respectively
generate two stable reference voltages from the supply voltage V.sub.CC.
The reference voltage generated by the voltage reference VR4 appears at
signal line 112 and is connected through resistor R12 and LED 2 and LED 3.
Resistor R12 thereby controls the amount of current that passes through
these two light-emitting diodes. The output of the voltage reference VR5
appears at signal line 114. This voltage is applied to the collector of
the photosensitive transistor Q6 and to a comparator circuit U2. A voltage
dividing network formed by resistors R14 and R15 is also connected between
this voltage and ground. The divided voltage appearing between resistors
R14 and R15 is applied to the positive input of the comparator circuit U2.
Another resistor R13 is connected between the emitter of Q6 and ground.
The emitter of Q6 is also connected to the negative input of the
comparator U2. Capacitors C4, C5, and C6 are used to filter and otherwise
add stability to the voltage reference circuits VR4 and VR5 and the output
voltages generated therefrom.
In operation, when there is no ball 106 present within the cup 46, the
transistor Q6 will be off (meaning that no current will be flowing
therethrough). Accordingly, the emitter of Q6 and the negative input of
the comparator U2 will be approximately at ground potential. Thus, the
output of the comparator circuit will be high because the positive input
thereto will be a positive reference voltage generated by the dividing
circuit formed by the resistors R14 and R15, which positive reference
voltage is higher than the voltage at the negative input of U2.
When a golf ball 106 is present within the cup 46, then the light 108
generated by LED 2 and LED 3 will be reflected to the photosensitive
transistor Q6, thereby allowing Q6 to turn on. With Q6 on, the emitter at
the voltage will raise to a point above the reference voltage at the
positive input of the comparator circuit U2. With the negative input at a
higher voltage than the positive input, the output of U2 will go low. This
output appears on signal line 116 and is routed to the microprocessing
unit 60. The microprocessing unit 60 monitors the signal line 115 to
determine when a low condition exists. As explained above, if a low
condition is present, and if the microprocessor has determined that the
trajectory of the ball would have carried it to within a specified
distance (typically a yard) of the hole, then a "hole-out" condition is
declared.
The voltage regulators VR4 and VR5 may be realized using a three-terminal
positive voltage regulator such as the 78L00 series manufactured by
Signetics, Fairchild Semiconductor, or other semiconductor manufacturers.
The regulator VR4 could illustratively be realized using a 78L02 (2.6
volts) and the regulator VR5 could be a 78L05 (5 volts). The comparator
circuit U2 could be realized with an LM311 manufactured by National
Semiconductor (as well as numerous other semiconductor manufactuers). The
light-emitting diodes LED 2 and LED 3 could both be realized with a TIL32
manufactured by Texas Instruments, Inc. The photosensitive transistor Q6
could be realized using a TIL78 also manufactured by Texas Instruments,
Inc.
Referring next to FIG. 4, there is represented in diagramatic form a
filmstrip drive apparatus that could be used in connection with the
projector 24. Film 120 is moved between two spools or rolls by causing a
sprocket device 122 to rotate. The sprockets of the device 122 are adapted
to engage or mate with corresponding sprocket holes 124 located long the
edges of the film 120. By rotating the sprocket device 122, the film 120
is thereby caused to move in a forward or reverse direction. Each frame
126 of the film 120 contains a photograph of a particular view from a
particular golf course. A large number of frames or pictures 126 would be
included on a given roll of film 120. For example, referring for a moment
to FIG. 8, there is shown a typical layout of a fairway as programmed into
the microprocessing unit 60. As seen in FIG. 8, the fairway is broken down
into a grid structure, with each grid being a suitable distance. For
example, each grid shown in FIG. 8 could be 331/3 yards square. For
purposes of the discussion here, there is located on the film 120 a
picture of frame 1 | | |
