WO2010027185A2

WO2010027185A2 - Golf simulation server system and device, and system and method of golf simulation network game

Info

Publication number: WO2010027185A2
Application number: PCT/KR2009/004931
Authority: WO
Inventors: Myung Jin Park
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-04
Filing date: 2009-09-02
Publication date: 2010-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-04
Also published as: WO2010027185A3

Abstract

Disclosed is a golf simulation server system, a golf simulation terminal, a golf simulation network game system and a method thereof that may determine whether each user terminal will join or watch a network game, and may use a load value with respect to each frame of a playing motion image.

Description

GOLF SIMULATION SERVER SYSTEM AND DEVICE, AND SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GOLF SIMULATION NETWORK GAME

The present invention relates to a golf simulation server system, a golf simulation terminal, a golf simulation network game system, and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a golf simulation server system, a golf simulation terminal, a golf simulation network game system, and a method thereof that may determine whether each user terminal will join or watch a network game, and may use a load value with respect to each frame of a playing motion image.

Screen golf played in an indoor driving range is a system for playing golf indoors. It is referred to as a golf simulator. In general, the screen golf includes a white screen to show an image projected from a projector, a projector to show a wide screen golf image, a swing plate to automatically embody a slope according to a computer to execute a golf simulator program or according to a line of a rough or a fairway. In general, when a user, namely, a golfer, steps on a flat board or a sloped board simulating a slope of a field, and looks at a background reflected on the screen in a front and strokes a golf ball, a location of the stroked golf ball is sensed by a sensor installed in a side or a sensor installed in the front, and landing location of the golf ball is calculated out based on a previously programmed equation, and the like, and thus, the user may look at a background seen from the landing point and may continue playing golf, thereby playing the golf indoors.

Also, a network game device that may operate a plurality of golf simulators by a remote control through a network, may share a game score of each golf simulator, and may play a golf game between a plurality of golfers by using their own golf simulator has been recently proposed.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a golf simulation server system including a storing unit to store registration information of subscribers in a subscriber and terminal database, to match the registration information with play information related to the registration information, and to store the matched play information in a play information database, a server network unit to perform data communication with user terminals through a communication network, a network game entry determining unit to verify whether the user terminals are subscribers by using the subscriber and terminal database, and to determine whether the verified user terminals will join or watch a golf simulation network game depending on a request of the verified user terminals, a network game playing unit to play the golf simulation network game by transmitting game environment information to at least one first user terminal that is determined to join the golf simulation network game among the verified user terminals and receiving play information from the at least one first user terminal, and a network game watching service providing unit to provide the received play information that is received from the at least one first user terminal, to at least one second user terminal that is determined to watch the golf simulation network game among the verified user terminals by using the play information database.

Also, the play information may include a play record including a traveling distance of a golf ball, a traveling direction of the golf ball, and a number of strokes for the golf ball, a play time and a stroking motion image.

Also, the game environment information may includes a load value with respect to each frame of a playing motion image displayed through the at least one first user terminal, and the at least one first user terminal determines the play information based on the load value.

Also, the at least one first user terminal may determine, based on the load value, at least one of a stroke location of the at least one first user terminal, a weather condition, a hazard condition, a rough condition, a fairway condition, a traveling distance of a golf ball according to stroke, a direction of the golf ball, a play record, a play time, and a playing motion image which are related to the playing of the golf simulation network game.

Also, the network game playing unit may include a level adjusting unit that extracts registration information related to the at least one first user terminal from the subscriber and terminal database, and plays the golf simulation network game based on the registration information. In this instance, the level adjusting unit adjusts at least one of the game environment information and the play information to play the golf simulation network game.

Also, the level adjusting unit may adjust a handicap of each of the at least one first user terminal according to a level included in the registration information to play the golf simulation network game according to the adjusted handicap.

Also, the game environment information may include at least one of a weather condition, a hazard condition, a rough condition, a fairway condition, and a green condition.

Also, the golf simulation server system may further include a victory predicting game playing unit to play a victory predicting game based on a point bet by the at least one second user terminal while the network game is played.

Also, the user terminals may be at least one of a computer terminal and a golf simulation playing device, and the server network unit may perform data communication with the user terminals directly via a communication network or perform data communication with the user terminals via a relay server, the network game entry determining unit may verify whether the user terminals are subscribers by using information received from the user terminals and the subscriber and terminal database, and determines whether the verified terminals will join or watch the golf simulation network game depending on the request of the verified user terminals, and the network game playing unit may transmit identical game environment information automatically or manually by the at least one user terminal via the server network unit according to a request for the network game received from the at least one first user terminal that is determined to join the golf simulation network game among the verified user terminals, so that the at least one first user terminal plays the golf simulation network game, and may share the play information received from the at least one first user terminal to play the network game.

Also, the golf simulation server system may further include a golf simulation application providing unit to determine golf simulation application information of the at least one first user terminal according to a verification result of the network game entry determining unit, to perform either an upgrade of the application or a new installation of the application depending on a choice of the at least one first user terminal, to determine golf simulation application information of the at least one second user terminal according to the verification result of the network game entry determining unit, and to perform either an upgrade of the application or a new installation of the application depending on a choice of the at least one second user terminal, and a network game displaying unit to display, through the at least one first user terminal and the at least one second user terminal, match information of the golf simulation network game and opinion information inputted from the at least one first user terminal and the at least one second user terminal.

Also, the network game playing unit may further include a event match unit to set a network game match where a range of participants, a period for requesting entry, a network game period, and a gameplay are determined according to requests received from the user terminals, to advertise the network game match to the user terminals via a web, an e-mail, or a text message, to receive requests for joining the network game of the users which are received in response to the advertisement, to write or receive a match list depending on the gameplay, and to manage a real-time network game between the participants or an individual game of each participant to play the network game match.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a golf simulation terminal and the golf simulation terminal processes verification with a golf simulation server system, transmits a request for joining or watching a golf simulation network game to a golf simulation server system, plays the golf simulation network game based on the received game environment information when the request for joining is transmitted, generates play information according to a result of the playing and transmits the generated play information to the golf simulation server system, and displays the play information received from the golf simulation server system when the request for watching is transmitted.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a golf simulation network game system, including a plurality of golf simulation playing device, initiating operation according to a operation command or a verification of the local server terminal according to a request for initiation of a game, and each golf simulation paying device including a stroke unit to provide a stroke location of a player, a sensor to sense a golf ball to be stroked, a calculation unit to calculate a traveling distance of the golf ball and a direction of the golf ball in a predetermined golf simulation environment based on a speed and a direction of the golf ball that are sensed by the sensor unit and to calculate a remaining distance to a hole, a screen unit to display a golf simulation background, various play records including a number of strokes and movement of the golf ball based on the calculation of the calculation unit, and selection information, a play management unit to manage play information including a play record and play time of a single player or a play records and play time of at least two players, an input unit to receive an input of user information of the player and a request for initiation of a golf simulation, a request for the golf simulation network game or verification of the golf simulation network game, or information about whether to make public the network game, and a terminal network unit to transmit the inputted user information and the request for initiation of the golf simulation, the request for the golf simulation network game or the verification of the golf simulation network game, or the information about whether to make public the network game, and to transmit, to the local server terminal, partial or entire play information managed by the play management unit, a local server terminal performing a user identification process based on a network connection with the plurality of playing device as the user information is transmitted, managing playing of the golf simulation by using partial or entire user information and play information received from the playing device, performing data communication via the golf simulation server system and an Internet network when the playing device requests the network game, verifies the network game, or verify to make public the network game, transmitting the request for the network game, the verification of the network game, or the verification to make public the network game, and the partial or entire user information and play information, and transmitting, to the playing device, verified subscriber information of the users, play information and related parties information of an opponent of the network game received from the server system, thereby performing as a relay server, a golf simulation server system including a storing unit to store registration information of subscribers in a subscriber and terminal database, to match the registration information to play information related to the registration information, and to store the matched play information in a play information database, a server network unit to perform data communication with a local server terminal or a computer terminal through a communication network, a network game entry determining unit to verify whether the local terminal or the computer terminal is a subscriber by using the subscriber and terminal database, and to determine whether the verified local terminal or the computer joins or watches the golf simulation network game depending on a request of the verified local terminal or the computer terminal, a network game playing unit to play the golf simulation network game by transmitting game environment information to at least one first local terminal or computer terminal that is determined to join the golf simulation network game among the verified local terminals or computer terminals, and by receiving play information from the at least one first local server terminal or the at least one first computer terminal, and a network game watching service providing unit to provide the play information that is received from the at least one first local server terminal or the at least one first computer terminal, to at least one second local server terminal or at least one second computer terminal that is determined to watch the golf simulation network game among the verified local terminals or computer terminals by using the play information database, and a plurality of user computer terminals performing Internet access to the golf simulation server system, requesting a service of watching a network game playing in real time or a network game corresponding to a match list of a predetermined network game or requesting a service of watching a subscriber's own network game, and watching a network game in the server system, or watching either the network game or the subscriber's own game depending on verification for the watching of the subscriber's own game.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a golf simulation network game method, including storing registration information of subscribers in a subscriber and terminal database, verifying whether the user terminals are subscribers by using the subscriber and terminal database and determining whether the verified user terminals join or watch a golf simulation network game depending on a request of the verified user terminals, playing the golf simulation network game by transmitting game environment information to at least one first user terminal that is determined to join the golf simulation network game among the verified user terminals and receiving play information from the at least one first user terminal, matching play information of the at least one first user terminal to registration information of the at least one first user terminal and storing the matched play information in a play information database, and providing the play information to at least one second user terminal that is determined to watch the golf simulation network game among the verified user terminals by using the play information database.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a golf simulation network game method, including determining whether a user who accesses a web is a subscriber in a golf simulation server system, and determining whether the user requests a service of joining a requested golf simulation network game through a golf simulation playing device accessing the web, or determining whether the user requests a service of watching the network game or the user's own game through the playing device, determining, when the user requests a service of joining the network game, the user as one of parties in a corresponding golf simulation network together with a single opponent or multiple opponents predetermined or selected from among other users waiting for the network game on the web, setting a game environment of the golf simulation network game automatically or manually by the parties in the corresponding network game, and transmitting the set game environment to a playing device of the parties in the corresponding network game, receiving in the golf simulation server system and from the playing device of the parties in the network game directly via a communication network or via a relay server, the play information including a play record including a traveling distance of a golf ball and a direction of the golf ball in the game environment based on a speed and a direction of the golf ball that are sensed according to stroke of a player in the playing device, a play time, a stroking motion image of the player, or an image converted from the stroking motion image, transmitting partial or entire play information received from one of the parties in the network game, matching the received playing motion image or the image to the subscriber information and storing the matched play information in the play information database, and providing, when the user requests a service of watching the network game or the user's own game, the received play information or playing motion image or the image stored in the database to the computer terminal or the playing device according to whether the parties in the corresponding network game allow to make public the network game.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a golf simulation server system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a golf simulation server system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a golf simulation playing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an operational flowchart illustrating a golf simulation network game method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an operational flowchart illustrating a golf simulation network game method according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an operational flowchart illustrating transmission of a golf simulation game environment according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an operational flowchart illustrating playing of an event network game according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is an operational flowchart illustrating playing of a victory predicting game according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below in order to explain the present invention by referring to the figures.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a golf simulation server system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the golf simulation server system 100 may include a storing unit 110, a server network unit 120, a network game entry determining unit 130, a network game playing unit 140, and a network game watching service providing unit 150.

The storing unit 110 may store registration information of subscribers in a subscriber and terminal database, may match play information related to the registration information with the registration information, and may store the matched play information in a play information database. In this instance, the play information may include play record including a traveling distance of a golf ball, a direction of the golf ball, and a number of strokes, a play time, and a stroking motion image, which are determined according to a stroke of a player related to a first user terminal.

Particularly, the storing unit 110 may store the registration information of the subscribers and registration information of user terminals 161 through 163 in the subscriber and terminal database 115, may match the registration information with play records of the subscribers' golf simulations, a playing of a motion image in the golf simulation, and the like, and may store the matched information in a play information database 117. In this instance, the subscriber and terminal database 115 and the play information database 117 may be included in the golf simulation server system 100.

The server network unit 120 performs data communication with the user terminals 161 through 163 via a communication network. In this instance, the user terminals 161 through 163 may be at least one of a computer terminal, a mobile terminal, and a golf simulation playing device. Also, the server network unit 120 may perform data communication directly via the communication network or via a relay server.

The network game entry determining unit 130 may verify whether the user terminals 161 through 163 are subscribers by using the subscriber and terminal database 115, and may determine whether the verified user terminal 161 through 163 will join or watch the golf simulation network game according to a request of the verified user terminals 161 through 163. Particularly, the network game entry determining unit 130 may verify whether the user terminals are subscribers by using information received from the user terminals and the subscriber and terminal database, and may determine whether the verified terminals will join or watch the golf simulation network game according to the request of the verified user terminals

As an example, the network game entry determining unit 130 may process the verification by using a user identification (ID), a user password, and an issued membership card. In addition, the network game entry determining unit 130 may check a cyber point that the user retains after the verification, and may provide various service according to a user's request.

Also, when the user terminals 161 through 163 are allowed to join the network game after performing a log in to the server system 100 or a web operated by the server system 100, the user terminals 161 through 163 may select various game modes. Information about the user terminals 161 through 163 may also be collected while information of the subscribers is collected, since the network game entry is determined with respect to registered subscribers through the registered user terminals 161 through 163. The server system 100 may determine the network game is available by determining whether the user terminals 161 through 163 are registered based on the collected information of the user terminals 161 through 163.

The network game playing unit 140 may transmit game environment information to at least one first user that is determined to join the network game and may receive play information from the at least one user terminal, thereby playing the golf simulation network game. In this instance, the game environment information may include a load value with respect to each frame of a playing motion image displayed on the at least first user terminal, and the at least first user terminal may determine the play information based on the load value. As an example, the at least one first user terminal may determine at least one of a stroke location of the at least one first user terminal, a weather condition, a hazard condition, a rough condition, a fairway condition, a traveling distance of a golf ball according to stroke, a direction of the golf ball, a play record, a play time, and a playing motion image which are related to the playing of the golf simulation network game. Also, the load value may be a weight of at least one of the stroke location of the at least one first user terminal, the weather condition, the hazard condition, the rough condition, the fairway condition, the traveling distance of the golf ball, the direction of the golf ball, the play record, the play time, and the stroking motion image.

Particularly, the at least one first user terminal may include a screen unit, and may display a playing motion image through the screen unit. In this instance, the playing motion image may be stored in the at least one first user terminal in advance or may be received from the golf simulation server system. Also, the screen unit may include an output device, such as a monitor, printer, and the like. Also, according to an aspect of the embodiments, the screen unit may be embodied as a glasses-type display device that is put on a user's head and displays an image. Also, the at least one first user terminal may determine the play information and an operational scheme of the at least one first user terminal by using the load value of each frame of the playing motion image that is received from the golf simulation server system. As an example, when a location of a player in the playing motion image is a slope, the at least one first user terminal may adjust the stroke location of the at least one first user terminal according to the load value. Also, when a weather in the playing motion image is rainy, the at least one first user terminal may determine, based on the load value, the traveling distance of the golf ball depending on stroke and the direction of the golf ball, and the like. Also, the at least one first user terminal may apply a load value determined based on a slope of a ground, a strength and a direction of wind, a temperature, a humidity, a scenery, and the like in a frame of the playing motion image.

Also, the game environment information may include at least one of the weather condition, the hazard condition, the rough condition, the fairway condition, and a green condition.

Also, the network game playing unit 140 may transmit identical game environment information automatically or manually by the at least one user terminal via the server network unit 120 according to a request for the network game received from the at least one first user terminal that is determined to join the golf simulation network game among the verified user terminals, so that the at least one first user terminal may play the golf simulation network game, and may share the play information received from the at least one first user terminal to play the network game.

Also, according to an aspect of embodiments, the network game playing unit 140 may enable the at least one first user terminal to play the golf simulation network game with a single opponent or multiple opponents predetermined or selected from among candidates waiting for the network game according to the request for the network game received from the at least one user terminal that is determined as an entry of the network game by the network game entry determining unit 130. In this instance, the at least one first user terminal may be a golf simulation playing device. Also, when parties in the network game are determined, a number of the parties may be determined. For this, the network game playing unit 140 may transmit the identical golf simulation game environment information to playing devices of the parties in the network game via the server network unit 120 automatically or manually by the parties. Also, the network game playing unit 140 may transmit the play information received from each of the parties to an opponent party via the server network unit 120.

After a party that logs in selects a game mode, a game is played according to a characteristic of each game. Particularly, in case of the network game, when a playing device accesses the network game, a separate window is popped up to show a candidate in a waiting room or a match waiting room, and thus, the party may select a desired candidate to play the network game or may go to the match waiting room to play the network game. When the party plays the network game with the selected candidate, the party may generate a match room by a request and may immediately play the network game. In this instance, the network game may be played after the number of the parties for the network game is determined and a number of parties joining the network game reaches the predetermined number of the parties. The number of parties in the network game may be determined by the candidate or a team waiting in the match waiting room or the candidate waiting in the waiting room, or the user requesting the network game may determine the number of parties and may collect other parties.

When a participant does not find the desired candidate, the participant may practice with the participant's own golf simulation playing device without selecting the candidate and may wait in the waiting room, or may request the web operated by the golf simulation server system 100 to generate a match waiting room and may wait for other network game participants or candidates. While waiting for opponents, the participant may practice driving on a range or may practice putting. Preferably, the waiting room and the match waiting room are differently used based on a point that the user pays. In this instance, the waiting room may be used without paying the point.

When the participant receives a match request while waiting for the candidate, the participant may accept the match request and may set various conditions, such as the game environment including a golf course, the number of parties, and the like, manually by the participant, or automatically using a standard, a random setting, and the like.

When a plurality number of users in different localities simultaneously play the game, that is, when distant users play the network game, mutual agreement may be required in advance on the web and a point may be deducted. The mutual agreement may indicate that the users become parties in a same network game. The users may receive play information of other parties using their golf simulation playing device through the network game playing unit 140 according to the mutual agreement. Although not all the users have mutual agreement with each other, when parties who have mutual agreement allow to make public the network game, users who do not have the mutual agreement may watch, through their own playing device, the corresponding network game of the parties who have the mutual agreement and may individually play a game in the same game environment, such as a course, at the same time.

The network game may be operated according to reservation information. When a user does not make a reservation uses the network game, the user may play an instant network game with other candidates by accessing the server system 100 through the golf simulation playing device or by installing a separate application program received from the server system. As an example, in the case of the instant network game, when the user clicks a network game button in the playing device, a separate window, such as the waiting room, is generated, and a waiting list for the instant network game and a waiting list of a room where each candidate practice, such as a waiting list of the match waiting room, may be listed in the separate window.

The users of the match waiting room may actually practice driving on a range, putting, and the like on their own playing device. Information such as a level of candidates in a room, a match record of the candidates, an age of the candidates, a locality of the candidates, and a chin store that the candidates use, and the like may be displayed in the waiting room and the match waiting room, and preferably, more detailed information may be displayed in the match waiting room. Also, candidates having a same or similar level to a user who requests the network game may be sequentially listed. When the desired candidate exists in the match waiting room, the user directly enter the match waiting room to play a match and when the desired candidate exists in the waiting room, the user may request agreement to generate a new matching room.

A shortcut button for playing game may be equipped on the web operated by the server system 100, and when the user presses the button, the user may enter a match waiting room where candidates having the same or similar level to the user exist and may immediately play the game. In this instance, a match waiting room having the longest waiting time may be preferentially selected.

Preferably, when there is a difference in level between the user and an opponent, a handicap may be assigned to a party having a higher level or an advantage may be assigned to a party having a lower level. During preparation for the game, the game information may be transmitted to the web through the golf simulation server system 100, and preferably, audiences who watch the game may play a victory predicting game based on the information.

In the waiting room, the user may search for an opponent who once played a match with the user, and may ask the opponent whether he wants to play a match with the user by sending an invitation.

The golf simulation network game may be controlled by the golf simulation playing device of each user (client), and the server system 100 may collect and transmit the play information (data) generated from each playing device to enable playing of a match with an opponent. Also, when parties in the network game allow to make public the corresponding network game, the network game may be relayed to enable a plurality of subscribers on the web operated by the server system 100 to watch the network game, and preferably, audiences may predict a victory of the corresponding network game while the network game is relayed.

A game is played in each playing device, and a network game is played among users of playing devices. Play information (game data) generated in each playing device may be displayed on a screen of an opponent together with user's own play information, and thereby sharing the play information between parties in the game.

The user may input a user’s ID, a password, and the like in user's playing device and may receive information about user's point, level, and user information. A part of the information may be disclosed on the web, and preferably, in a case of the network game, when the user enters a waiting room, a waiting room or a match waiting room where a candidate having a same or similar level to the user exists may be sequentially listed in a list. The user may check a predetermined game option or a match record of the opponent and may enter the match room to accept a request for a game or may additionally correct a game environment, such as a golf course, a gameplay, and the like.

After determining the game option, the information may be displayed for each game party, and the game may be started. Although the game may be played in each playing device, play information of all parties are displayed on a screen as if all the parties really play together since the play information of all the parties may be transmitted to a playing device of each party. Also, a shot-swing motion image or a modulated image are occasionally transmitted between the all parties, and thus, the game may be appropriately shared. The play information may be continuously collected and disclosed on the web depending on a permission for the parties, and the victory predicting game may be allowed until a predetermined hole rounding. Match record of the parties may be disclosed in each playing device and also on the web, and when a final round is finished a victory and a defeat may be decided. A point or money to be paid may be different depending on the victory and the defeat, and the point or the money to be paid by each party and a percentage of victories of each party may be displayed in a corresponding playing device. When a retained point is insufficient, the point may be charged by using a means of payment at a store where the playing device is placed, and the game is terminated after the payment. Also, preferably, the point may be obtained through the instant network game or an event game. As an example, the point may be obtained through the victory predicting game in the network game match and the like. Also, the obtained point may be used for receiving various service or content from the web operated by the golf simulation server system 100.

The collected play information and data about other subscriber information and the like may be stored in a

database

115 and 117 by the storing unit 110, and may be utilized for watching by a third party or for the user to again watch the user’s own game.

When the plurality of distant users play the network game, data generated by each playing device may be displayed, in a playing device of an opponent, in a text format or a multimedia format including motion image or modulated image depending on a selection of a player. When the user desires to know detailed information of the opponent, the user may click a name of the opponent, and thus, user's own game information and various information about the opponent, such as a location of a golf ball, a stroke posture, a score, and the like may be displayed, and the user may experience as if the user actually play a match with the opponent.

Although a network game mode has a same screen as a match play, the network game mode may display play information (game information) of the parties in the game in a text format. Also, when a name of the desired opponent is clicked among opponents, the server system 100 may transmit shot data to a terminal of a playing device that clicks the name, may display the opponent’s play on the screen, and swing motion before and after the shot, as an example, a second before and after the shot, may be transmitted in a swing motion image or converted image and may be displayed on the game screen.

Preferably, as an example, a network game by the network game playing unit may require a same amount of time expended as when a joint game with the opponent is played. Therefore, twice as much as charges for a single golf game played in a single golf simulation playing device may be charged to each party in the network game. A cost for using contents including payment, a cost for the game, and the like may be processed by using the point.

The play information received from the accessed playing device through the server network unit 120 may include a play record including a traveling distance of a golf ball and a direction of the golf ball in the golf simulation game environment based on a speed and a direction of the golf ball that are sensed according to stroke of the player in the playing device, a play time, a stroking motion image of the player, or an image converted from the stroking motion image.

Preferably, according to another embodiment, the golf simulation game environment may include at least one of a weather condition such as rain and wind, a hazard or a rough condition of a virtual field, a fairway or green condition of the virtual field. A condition of the virtual field may include a slope of the stroke point, the green condition, a slope, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a golf simulation server system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a network game playing unit 140 may include a level adjusting unit 143 and an event match unit 145.

The level adjusting unit 143 may extract registration information related to at least one first user terminal from a subscriber and terminal database, and may play the golf simulation network game based on the registration information. In particular, the level adjusting unit 143 may adjust at least one of game environment information and play information based on the registration information, thereby playing the golf simulation network game. As an example, the level adjusting unit 143 may play the golf simulation network game by using an amount of operation of the at least one first user terminal, a weight of a user, a height of the user, a past amount of exercise of the user, a target amount of exercise, a handicap, a target handicap, and the like, included in the registration information.

Also, according to an aspect of embodiments, the level adjusting unit 143 may play the golf simulation network game based on registration information received from the at least one first user terminal. In this instance, the at least one first user terminal may measure exercise information of the user, and may generate the registration information. As an example, the at least one user terminal may measure the exercise information by using a sensor connected with the at least one first user terminal and a sensor attached to a body of the user, and may generate the registration information.

Also, according to an aspect of embodiments, the level adjusting unit 143 may adjust a handicap of each of the at least one first user terminal according to a level included in the registration information, and may play the golf simulation network game according to the adjusted handicap.

Also, according to an aspect of embodiments, the level adjusting unit 143 may determines and provide the level depending on an average play record within a predetermined period or a predetermined times according to subscriber information of a user requesting a service for joining the network game or a candidate, the information being received from the at least one first user terminal. In the case of a golf simulation game, the level starts based on user's own level that is recorded by the user when the user is registered. Also, the level may be adjusted through the network game, and may be automatically raised when a percentage of victories is greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage of victories in the level.

Also, the level adjusting unit 143 may adjust a handicap of parties in the network game according to the level when the network game is played, automatically or manually by the parties. When the candidate in a room where the user directly enters has a lower level than a level of the user who requests the network game, a handicap may be assigned by selection or agreement of the parties in the network game or the handicap may be automatically assigned by the golf simulation server system 100. When the candidate has a higher level than the level of the user who requests the network game, the handicap may be assigned to an opponent.

Also, the even match unit 145 may set a network game match where a range of participants, a period for requesting entry, a network game period, and a gameplay are determined, may advertise the network game match to user terminals via a web, an e-mail, and a text message, may receive requests for joining the network game of users which are received in response to the advertisement, may write or receive a match list depending on the gameplay, and may manage a real-time network game between participants or an individual game of each participant, thereby playing the network game match.

Particularly, the event match unit 145 may set the network game match where the range of the participant, the period for requesting entry, the network game period, and the gameplay are determined by the user accessing through the user terminals. Also, the event match unit 145 may advertise, to subscribers, the network game match through the web, the e-mail, and SMS, and may receive the requests for joining the network game from the subscribers to whom the network game is advertised. The event match unit 145 may automatically write the match list depending on the gameplay or may receive the match list from the user who request the network game, and manages the real-time network game between participants or the individual game of each participant, thereby playing the network game.

The user may open the network game match, such as a tournament match, and particularly, a tournament where more than four participants participate, by a request for the network game. When the golf simulation server system 100 receive a request for opening the tournament, the golf simulation server system 100 may visualize the tournament and the tournament may be played according to a result of a match of each user. When more than a predetermined number of participants participate in the tournament, there may be given a change to advertise an enterprise through a sponsorship, and the participants may receive a benefit including a prize and the like through a support from a sponsor. The network game may be planned as follows. The network game may be advertised for a predetermined time via a homepage and the like or may be advertised to subscribers within the range of the participants via the e-mail or the SMS to collect the participants, and the user who plans the network game may organize the match list and/or a match schedule or the server system 100 may automatically organize the match list and/or the match schedule. Also, the server system 100 may automatically reserve user terminals desired by the participants, according the match schedule. When the participants participate in the network game according to the match schedule, the server system 100 may proceed with the network game match. Also, when a final match is played, the network game may be broadcasted through on-line based on a request or a permission to make public the network game. Accordingly, a provider of the golf simulation server system 100 may obtain a revenue from a chain store, an advertising revenue through the sponsor, a revenue from relaying the network game, and the like. Also, the user may open an individual network game match based on a community, may maintain or organize a long distance-community through an on-line network game, may obtain the benefit, such as the prize and the like, depending on a prizewinner's ranking and may obtain a benefit for the user who opens the network game from the provider of the server system 100. Also, the sponsor and the like may directly advertise or perform marketing with a small amount of money, and may use the network game as a new business model.

The network game watching service providing unit 150 may provide play information received from the at least one first user terminal to at least one second user terminal that is determined to watch the network game among the user terminals 161 through 163 by using the play information database.

Particularly, the network game watching service providing unit 150 may provide, to the at least one second user terminal via the server network 120, the service of watching a network game played through the network game playing unit 140 or watching a network game related to a playing motion image stored in a play information database 117 according to a selection of users accessing through the at least one second user terminal or subscriber information or may provide a service of the user watching the user's own game depending on whether the parties in the corresponding network game allow to make public the network game. Accordingly, the golf simulation network game may be relayed on-line. In a case of the on-line relaying, when the parties allow to make public the network game, a range of the participant may include a plurality of unspecified subscribers or subscribers of a class to which the network game is made public. Also, although another user (client) does not participate in the network game, when the parties make public the network game, the other user may individually play a game in the same game environment, such as a course, at the same time.

The user who watches the network game, hereinafter an audience, may see a progress of a game or a result of the game when the audience desires. In this instance, the audience may need to install a separate application program to see the progress or the result of the game. Watching through the web may be regarded as watching of the on-line relaying(broadcasting) of the game, and the on-line watching service may be provided to the subscribers. The audience may check an interim result of the game of a party in the game in a text format through a screen, and when the audience intends to check a playing motion or a swing motion, the audience may see swing motion image or playing motion image of a desired party in the game by clicking a name of the desired party in the corresponding game, only when the corresponding party allows to make public the game. Depending on cases, when the party allows, the audience may separately capture and store the swing motion image or the playing motion image. When the audience intends to simultaneously watch a plurality of parties or captures more than a predetermined number of motion images or scenes, the audience may need to pay a predetermined point. Also, when the audience simultaneously watches the plurality of parties, the audience may watch each party by using a screen division in a monitor of the audience. In this instance, the audience may require to a pay predetermined point.

The audience may access a web page of the server system 100, may install the application program, and may log in to watch the game being relayed, in any place where an Internet service is provided on-line. Each audience may watch the game being played by the parties in the game in the text format through the screen of a corresponding second user terminal, and when the audience intends to watch a playing motion image or playing motion image of a corresponding party, the audience may see a captured playing motion image, a shot motion image, and the like of the corresponding party by clicking a name of the party, when the party allow to make public the game. Also, the corresponding second user terminal may be a computer terminal, a mobile terminal, or a playing device.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the golf simulation server system 100 may further include a victory prediction game playing unit 180 to play a victory predicting game based on a point bet by the second user terminal while the network game is played.

Particularly, the victory predicting game playing unit 180 may play the victory predicting game with respect to a network game that parties in the corresponding network game allow to make public the corresponding network game among ongoing real-time network games played through the network game playing unit 140. In this instance, audiences may participate in the victory predicting game through batting the point. Also, the bet point may be allotted according to a result of the network game.

An audience may participate in the victory predicting game by using the audience's own point. When the audience wins the victory predicting game, a part of a point bet by an audience who loses the victory predicting game, as an example, a part of the bet point excluding relaying charges, may be allotted to the audience who wins together with other audiences who win the victory predicting game. The audience may accumulate the allotted point and may use the allotted point to use various services or contents on the web operated by the server system 100. The audience on the web may bet a part of retaining point to play the victory predicting game and may receive a point as a dividend depending on a victory and defeat. Also, a web server may immediately correct user information based on the above described information. Preferably, joining to the victory predicting game may be allowed until a predetermined point in time of the real-time network game, and joining to the victory predicting game may be restricted when the predetermined point in time is passed.

Also, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the golf simulation server system 100 may further include a golf simulation application providing unit 160 to determine golf simulation application information of the at least one first user terminal according to a verification result of the network game entry determining unit, to perform either an upgrade of the application or a new installation of the application depending on a choice of the at least one first user terminal, to determine golf simulation application information of the at least one second user terminal according to the verification result of the network game entry determining unit, and to perform either an upgrade of the application or a new installation of the application depending on a choice of the at least one second user terminal, and a network game displaying unit 170 to display, through the at least one first user terminal and the at least one second user terminal, match information of the golf simulation network game and opinion information inputted from the at least one first user terminal and the at least one second user terminal. In this instance, the network game displaying unit 170 may display match information of a network game played through the network game playing unit 140 or match information of a network game related to a playing motion image stored in the play information database 117 together with information about permission for making public, according to whether parties in the corresponding network game allow to make public the corresponding network game. Also, the network game displaying unit 170 may display, on the playing devices or computer terminals via the server network unit 120, opinion of audiences and opinion of the parties in the corresponding network game inputted through playing devices or computer terminals while the game is played. The parties may chat with candidates through a chat window. Also, the audiences may chat with parties in the game or other audiences while the audiences watch the network game.

Also, preferably, several buttons having a function of a game shortcut, searching for a previous opponent, searching for a candidate having a same number of victories or a same level, and the like may be provided, for a user’s convenience.

Also, the user terminals 161 through 163 may be a golf simulation terminal, and the golf simulation terminal may process verification with the golf simulation server system 100, may transmit, to the golf simulation server system 100, a request for joining the golf simulation network game or a request for watching the golf simulation network game. When the request for joining the golf simulation network game is transmitted, the golf simulation game network game may be played based on the game environment information received from golf simulation server system100, and the play information may be generated depending on a result of the golf simulation network game and may be transmitted to the golf simulation server system 100. When the request for watching the golf simulation network game is transmitted, the play information received from the golf simulation server system 100 may be displayed. In this instance, the play information may include a play record including a traveling distance of a golf ball, a distance of the golf ball, a number of strokes, a play time, and stroking motion image which are determined based on stroke of a player related to the at least one first user terminal. Also, the game environment information may include a load value with respect to each frame of a playing motion image displayed as the golf simulation network game is played, and the golf simulation terminal may determine the load value based on the play information.

Also, the golf simulation terminal may determine, based on the load value, at least one of a stroke location of the at least one first user terminal, a weather condition, a hazard condition, a rough condition, a fairway condition, the traveling distance of the golf ball according to stroke, the direction of the golf ball, the play record, the play time, and the stroking motion image which are related to the playing of the golf simulation network game.

Also, the golf simulation terminal may generate the registration information based on the measured exercise information of the user, may transmit the generated registration information to the golf simulation server system 100. Also, the golf simulation server system 100 may play the golf simulation network game based on the registration information received from the golf simulation terminal.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a golf simulation playing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the golf simulation playing device 200 may include a stroke unit 210, a sensor 220, calculation unit 230, a screen unit 240, a play management unit 250, an input unit 260, and a terminal network unit 270. Although not illustrated, the golf simulation playing device 200 may include a controller to generally control elements of the golf simulation playing device 200. Also, the playing device 200 may further include an image obtaining unit to record a stroke motion of a player, such as a camera to obtain a stroking motion image of the player, and an image processing unit to convert the obtained motion image of the player into an image, such as an avatar and the like. When the image obtaining unit and the image processing unit are included, a stroking motion image recorded when a user plays a network game or a converted image of the stroking motion image, such as the avatar and the like, may be transmitted as play information, depending on a choice of the user. As another way, both the recorded motion image and the converted image such as the avatar and the like may be transmitted, and thus, the recorded motion image may be stored in a play information database 117 and may be applicable to the user watching the user’s own game, and the image may be provided to an opponent, and also to an audience when the game is made public.

The playing device 200 initiates operation according to an operation command or verification of a local server terminal 300 according to a request for initiation of a game through the input unit 260. When the game is not the network game, the operation is verified to be initiated by the playing device 200 as opposed to being initiated by controlling of the local server terminal 300, and information about the verification may be reported to the local server 300. When the game is the network game, the operation may be verified according to a choice of party in the network game in the golf simulation server system 100 and/or setting of a game environment, and the like, and information about the verification may be transmitted to the playing device 200 through the local server 300.

The stroke unit of the playing device 200 may provide a player's stroke location. According to an exemplary embodiment, the stroke unit 210 of the playing device 200 may provide a condition and/or a slope of a stroke location according to a location of a golf ball in a virtual field set in the playing device 200, namely, the location of a tee ground, a fairway, a green, and hazard, and the like in the virtual field. The slope of the stroke location may be combined with a condition of the stroke location corresponding to the fairway, the green, the hazard, and the like, and may be provided. In addition, preferably, a condition of the stroke location corresponding to a slope of the fairway, the green, and the like, the green, or a bunker or a rough of the hazard, and the like may be provided. Accordingly, the golf simulation game that gives an effect of an experience of playing in a real course may be possible.

The sensor 220 of the playing device 200 may sense a golf ball that is stroked. The sensor 220 may include a sensor that senses a speed of the stroked golf ball and a direction of the golf ball. The sensor unit 220 may measure the speed by using a time where the golf ball is impacted at the stroke location and a time where the golf ball passes through a predetermined distant distance, an infrared light, and the like. Also, the direction of the stroked golf ball may be ascertained by sensing a location where the golf ball passes through at the predetermined distant distance. It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the sensing performed by the sensor.

More preferably, according to an aspect of an embodiment, the sensor unit 220 may sense an acceleration of the golf ball or rotation information of the golf ball. The acceleration may be obtained by variation of a speed sensed by at least two points, and the rotation information may include a rotation speed of the golf ball and/or the direction of the golf ball. The sensor or a sensor sensing unit to sense the information of the stroked golf ball may be included in the golf ball.

The calculation unit 230 of the golf simulation playing device 200 may calculate the traveling distance of the golf ball and a direction of the golf ball in a predetermined golf simulation environment based on the speed and the direction of the golf ball that are sensed by the sensor unit 220. The calculation unit 230 may calculate remaining distance to a hole based on the calculation of the traveling distance. The predetermined golf simulation game environment may be provided or updated from the golf simulation server system 100 when the network game is played, or may be ascertained as a same environment between parties in the network game. The golf simulation game environment may indicate a weather condition including wind, rain, and/or the like, a field condition including a tee ground, the fairway, the green, and/or the like, a number of holes in the virtual field, a length of the hole, and a basic number of strokes per hole. According to an exemplary embodiment, the golf simulation game environment may include at least one of weather condition, such as rain or wind, a hazard condition or a rough condition in the virtual field, the fairway or the green in the virtual field. As an example, data of a traveling distance or a direction of the golf ball additionally proceeding from a first landing location of the golf ball, the data being similar to reality, may be provided according to the information about the fairway, the slope of the green, and the like. A wind speed and a wind direction may affect the landing location. A degree of affecting the landing location may be calculated, thereby providing the landing location of the golf ball that is more similar to reality. In the same manner, other environment information may be utilized.

Also, according to an exemplary embodiment, the calculation unit 230 may calculate the traveling distance of the golf ball and the direction of the golf ball in the golf simulation game environment by adding the acceleration or rotation information sensed by the sensor unit 220 or golf club information inputted through the input unit 260, the golf club being used for stroking the golf ball. According to the rotation information of the golf ball, a more accurate calculation with respect to a direction of a slice and the like may be possible. Accordingly, the traveling direction of the golf ball and the direction of the golf ball may be more accurately calculated according to the game environment or the golf club, and thus, the golf simulation game that is nearly similar to a golf game played in a real field may be embodied.

The screen unit 240 may display a background of the golf simulation, and the calculation unit 230 may display progress information of the golf ball on the background as a text or an image, and may display the play information including the number of strokes and the like, selection information of the party in the network game, opponent information, ant the like. Preferably, a screen of the screen unit 240 may display the virtual field where stroke is performed, as the background, when a user of the golf simulation playing device strokes. Also, the game environment information of the virtual filed and the like, or record based on play information of parties in another network game may be displayed on a part of a left and right side or a part of a top and bottom side of the screen. Also, play information of the opponent including the image may be displayed during a waiting time where stroke or preparation for the stroke is not performed in the corresponding playing device 200, namely, the time when the opponent of the network game strokes.

The play management unit 250 may manage play information including play time and play record of a single player or at least two players. The play management unit 250 of the playing device 200 may check the play time of the user in the corresponding playing device 200 and may transmit the checked play time to the local server. Also, the play management unit 250 may manage the play record obtained from the calculation unit 230, namely, the user’s own play information, such as a number of strokes per hole, a traveling distance, a remaining distance, a total number of strokes, and the like, and preferably, may use the play information of the opponent transmitted from the opponent of the network game along with the user’s own play information and may temporarily manage the play information of the opponent. Also, the play information may include the environment information of the virtual field where the game is played, such as course information, weather information, and the like.

The input unit 260 may be configured to be the same or similar to an input device of a computer. As an example, the input unit 260 may be configured as a button key scheme, a mouse scheme, or a touch screen scheme. In addition, a scheme of inputting through an interface with an external device may be included. The user information of the player and a request for initiating the golf simulation game, a request or verification for the golf simulation network game, or information whether the network game is made public may be inputted through the input unit 260. Other various information, such as selection information of the user, chat in a chat room, or multimedia information may be inputted. The user information may be inputted through the input unit 260 of each golf simulation playing device 200 by inputting a user’s ID and a password or an issued membership card, such as magnetic card. When the user does not intend to play the network game, subscriber information temporarily issued from the playing device 200, the local server, and the golf simulation server system 100 may be used as the user information. Also, a single player game or a multi-player game using the same playing device 200 may be possible by using temporal user information designated by the local server without inputting the user information. A cyber point that the subscriber retains may be required to be checked by inputting the described user information, and particularly, the subscriber information to receive various services through the golf simulation playing device 200. After checking the user’s point, the various service accompanied by deduction of the point may be provided according to a request of the user. A predetermined point may be provided to the user without charge when the user registers as a subscriber. When the point that the user retains is exhausted or when the user intends to charge the point, the user may again charge or purchase the point on the web of the golf simulation server system 100 or at a store of the golf simulation playing device by using various means of payment.

The terminal network unit 270 of the playing device 200 may transmit the inputted user information and the request for initiating the golf simulation, the verification or the request for the network game, or information whether the network game is made public, to the local server, and may transmit a part the play information or the entire play information managed by the play management unit 250 to the local server terminal 300.

Also, preferably, the golf simulation playing device 200 may enable a single user or a plurality of users to play the golf simulation game excluding the network game, with a single playing device 200, and preferably, may enable the game to be played in a condition that transmission of stroking motion image and all play(game) information data is blocked when the user requests. When a general match, as opposed to the network game, is played in the playing device 200, the general match may be played after an option is set on the web.

The local server terminal 300 of FIG. 3 may perform as a relay server in the network game system. The local server terminal 300 may be connected with a plurality of described playing devices as a network and may perform user identification process. The identification process may include that the local server 300 directly performs user identification or verification, or merely performs as a relay. As an example, the identification process may relay the golf simulation server system 100 and transmit a result of the verification from the server system 100 to the playing device 200. Accordingly, in a case of the network game, since the subscriber may be verified in the server system 100, the local server 300 may only need to perform a relay process during the verification. In a case of a game using the corresponding golf simulation playing device 200 as opposed to the network game, the local server 300 may need to verify the user or may perform a temporal verification process.

The local server terminal 300 may manage the playing of the golf simulation by using the user information received from the golf simulation playing device 200 and a part of the play information or the entire play information. In the case of the network game, the local server terminal 300 may manage transmitting of the user information and the play information to the golf simulation server system 100 and may manage the play information utilized for determining a time used by the user of the playing device 200 and a charge.

Also, when the request or verification for the network game is requested from the playing device or the network game is made public, the local server terminal 300 may perform data communication with the golf simulation server system 100 via an Internet network, may transmit the request or the verification for the network game, information whether the network game is made public, and user information and the part of the play information or the entire play information, and may receive subscriber verification information of the user, party information and play information of the opponent of the network game to transmit the same to the playing device 200.

The local server terminal 300 may separately register a manager ID and a manager password in a golf simulation network game system or on the web operated by the golf simulation server system 100 to enable verification, and may transmit the request for the network game to the server system 100 and thereby may transmit terminal information of the local server terminal 300 together with the user information to perform verification. Also, information with respect to a desired golf simulation playing device 200 in addition to the terminal information of the location server terminal 300 may be transmitted, and when the local server receives the opponent information and the like from the golf simulation server system 100, the local server may transmit the received information to the corresponding playing device 200.

A plurality of user computer terminals 400 in the golf simulation network game system according to example embodiments may be a PC, a notebook, a PDA, a PMP, a portable phone, and the like that provide a wired or wireless Internet service. The user computer terminal 400 may access the golf simulation server system 100 through the Internet, and may request a service for watching a real-time ongoing network game or watching a network game corresponding to match information of previously stored network game, or may request a service for the user watching the user’s own game, and may perform watching the network game or the user watching the user’s own game depending on permission for watching the network game or the user watching the user’s own game in the golf simulation server system 100. With respect to the watching of the network game or watching of the user’s own game, you may refer to the description of watching and the like described in an embodiment of the golf simulation server system 100.

Descriptions that are similar to the descriptions with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 or descriptions that may be easily derived by one skilled in the art from the descriptions with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 are omitted.

FIG. 4 is an operational flowchart illustrating a golf simulation network game method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the golf simulation network game method may be performed by operations 410 through 450. Also, the

operations

410 and 440 may be performed by the storing unit 110, the operation 420 may be performed by the network game entry determining unit 130, the operations 430 may be performed by the network game playing unit 140, and the operation 450 may be performed by the network game watching service providing unit 150.

In operation 410, the storing unit 110 may store registration information of subscribers in a subscriber and terminal database.

In operation 420, the network game entry determining unit 130 may verify whether user terminals are subscribers by using the subscriber and terminal database, and may determine whether the verified user terminals will join or watch a golf simulation network game depending on a request of the verified user terminals.

In operation 430, the network game playing unit 140 may transmit game environment information to at least one first user terminal that is determined to join the golf simulation network game among the verified user terminals, and may receive play information from the at least user terminal, thereby playing the golf simulation network game. In this instance, the game environment information may include a load value with respect to each frame of playing motion image displayed on the at least one first user terminal, and the first user terminal may determine the play information based on the load value. As an example, the at least one first user terminal may determine, based on the load value, at least one of a stroke location of the at least one first user, a weather condition, a hazard condition, a rough condition, a fairway condition, a traveling distance of a golf ball according to stroke, a direction of the golf ball, a play record, a play time, and a playing motion image which are related to playing of the golf simulation network game.

Also, the network game playing unit 140 may extract registration information related to the at least one first user terminal from the subscriber and terminal database, and may play the golf simulation network game based on the registration information.

Also, the network game playing unit 140 may adjust at least one of the game environment information and the play information based on the registration information, thereby playing the golf simulation network game.

In operation 440, the storing unit 110 may match the play information of the at least one user terminal with the registration information of the at least one first user terminal, and may store the matched play information in a play information database.

In operation 450, the network game watching service providing unit 150 may provide the play information to at least one second user terminal that is determined to watch the golf simulation network game among the user terminals by using the play information database.

Description that is similar to the description with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 or description that the one skilled in the art may be easily derived from the description with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is an operational flowchart illustrating a golf simulation network game method according to another embodiment of the present invention

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the golf simulation network game method may be performed by operations 501 through 507.

In operation 501, the golf simulation server system 100 determine whether a user accessing a web is a subscriber by inputting a subscriber ID and a subscriber password, or by using a membership card issued from a store where the golf simulation playing device 200 exists, as an example, a magnetic card, and the like. When the membership card is used, the ID and the password may be automatically inputted. Also, in the store where the golf simulation playing device 200 exists, the user may be allowed to go a next step by pushing a next button or an ID temporarily issued from the server system 100 or the store. In this instance, the golf simulation playing device 200 may be played in a non-membership mode. In a case of the non-membership mode, the user may play a single game as opposed to a network game, or may play a plurality of games by using the same golf simulation device, and may not play the network game by using the golf simulation playing device 200. When the user performs log in by using an ID assigned for each user or a registered ID and a password, information and authority of the user is automatically checked and the user may use according to the authority assigned from the web or a client.

In operation 502, the golf simulation server system 100 may determine whether there is a request for joining the golf simulation network game which is through the playing device 200, and also may determine whether there is a request for watching network game or a request for watching user’s own game request through the computer terminal 400 or the golf simulation playing device 200.

In operation 503, the golf simulation server system 100 may determine the user as one of parties in a corresponding golf simulation network game together with a single opponent or multiple opponents predetermined or selected from among other users waiting for the network game on the web, may set a game environment of the golf simulation network game automatically or manually by parties in the corresponding network game, and may transmit the set golf simulation game environment information to a playing device 200 of the parties in the corresponding network game.

In operation 504, the golf simulation server system 100 may receive from the playing device 200 of the parties in the network game directly via a communication network or via a relay server, the play information including a play record including a traveling distance of a golf ball and a direction of the golf ball in the game environment based on a speed and a direction of the golf ball that are sensed according to stroke of a player in the playing device 200, a play time, a stroking motion image of the player, or an image converted from the stroking motion image. While the network game is played in each playing device 200, stroking motion image of each party of the game and a data of a screen where the network game is ongoing are collected and may be transmitted to the server system 100 via a network, such as the Internet.

In operation 505, the golf simulation server system 100 may transmit a part of or the entire play information received from a party in the network game to an opponent party. Also, the golf simulation server system 100 may repeatedly perform

operations

504 and 505 to play the network game.

In operation 506, the golf simulation server system 100 may match the play motion information or image received in operation S504 according to a selective request of the party in the network game in

operations

503 and 504 with the subscriber information, and may store the matched play information in the play information database 117. That is, in

operations

503 and 504, a motion image such as the user’s own stroke motion image and the like that is transmitted to the server system 100 automatically or manually by the party’s own selection among the play information relayed between the parties in the game may be stored in the database 117, and thereby a service for watching user’s own game may be supported later. When there is a request of the user, the stroke motion image may be stored in a web server, and when the user intends to store more than a predetermined number of motion images, point may be separately deducted to store the motion images.

When there is the request for watching the network game or the request for watching user’s own game in operation 502, the golf simulation server system 100 may operate by repeating

operations

503 and 504 or may provide a playing motion image or image stored in the play information database 117 to the computer terminal 400 or the playing device 200 according to whether parties in the corresponding network game allow to make public the network game to provide a service for watching the corresponding network game or a service for watching the user’s own game.

FIG. 6 is an operational flowchart illustrating transmission of a golf simulation game environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, operation 503 where the golf simulation game environment is transmitted may be performed by operations 601 through 603.

In operation 601, the golf simulation server system 100 may determine and provide a level depending on an average play record within a predetermined period or predetermined times according to subscriber information of a user who requests a service for joining the network game or a candidate, the information being received from the first user terminals 200. Preferably, as illustrated in FIG. 6, operation 601 may be performed before operation 602 where parties in the network game are determined. Accordingly, the user who wants to join the network game may select an opponent based on the level of candidates.

In operation 603, the golf simulation server system 100 may automatically adjust a handicap between the parties according to the level or may receive an input of a handicap manually adjusted by the parties. In operation S603, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the handicap may be adjusted between the parties during operation 602 where the parties in the network game are determined or, unlike the illustration in FIG. 6, the parties in the network game may be determined after adjusting the level automatically or manually by the parties. The golf simulation server system 100 may play the network game according to adjusting of the level in operation 603.

FIG. 7 is an operational flowchart illustrating operation 508 where an event network game is played according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, a golf simulation network game method may further include operation 508 where the event network game is played. Also, operation 508 may be performed by operations 701 through 703.

In operation 701, the golf simulation server system 100 may set a network game match where a range of participants, a period for requesting entry, a network game period, and a gameplay are determined according to a request of a user, In this instance, the user accesses through the computer terminal 400 or the playing device 200, and is verified as a subscriber.

In operation 702, the golf simulation server system 100 may advertise the network game match to subscribers within the range of the participants via an e-mail or an SMS, may receive a request for joining the network game of the user which is received in response to the advertisement, and may write a match list depending on the gameplay or may receive the match list from the user who request a service for joining the network game.

In operation 703, the golf simulation server system 100 may manage a real-time network game between the participants accessing through the playing devices 200 according to the match list or an individual game of each participant, to play the network game match.

FIG. 8 is an operational flowchart illustrating operation 508 where a victory predicting game is played according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, a golf simulation network game method may further include operation 509 where a victory predicting game is played. Also, operation 509 may be performed by operations 801 and 802.

In operation 801, the golf simulation server system 100 may receive a point bet by audiences who participate in the victory predicting game through computer terminals that watch a network game that is made public by parties among real-time network games.

In operation S802, the golf simulation server system 100 may allot the bet point according to a result of the network game which relates to the victory predicting game.

Descriptions with respect to FIGS. 5 through 8 that are similar to the descriptions with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4 or descriptions with respect to FIGS. 5 through 8 that may be easily derived by one skilled in the art from the description with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4 will be omitted.

The exemplary embodiments of the present invention include computer-readable media including program instructions to implement various operations embodied by a computer. The media may also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, tables, and the like. The media and program instructions may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM disks; magneto-optical media such as optical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory devices (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. The described hardware devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, or vice versa.

According to embodiments of the present invention, there may be provided a golf simulation server system, a golf simulation terminal, a golf simulation network game system and a method thereof that may provide, to user terminals, a service for joining and watching the golf simulation game.

According to embodiments of the present invention, there may be provided a golf simulation server system, a golf simulation terminal, a golf simulation network game system and a method thereof that may allow to user excluding parties in a golf simulation network game to watch the golf simulation network game as galleries.

According to embodiments of the present invention, there may be provided a golf simulation server system, a golf simulation terminal, a golf simulation network game system and a method thereof that may set and control a golf simulation network game based on a load value of each frame of a playing motion image.

According to embodiments of the present invention, there may be provided a golf simulation server system, a golf simulation terminal, a golf simulation network game system and a method thereof that may determine a degree of difficulty and a progress of a golf simulation server system based on registration information of user terminals.

Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments. Instead, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

A golf simulation server system, comprising:

a storing unit to store registration information of subscribers in a subscriber and terminal database, to match the registration information with play information related to the registration information, and to store the matched play information in a play information database;

a server network unit to perform data communication with user terminals through a communication network;

a network game entry determining unit to verify whether the user terminals are subscribers by using the subscriber and terminal database, and to determine whether the verified user terminals will join or watch a golf simulation network game depending on a request of the verified user terminals;

a network game playing unit to play the golf simulation network game by transmitting game environment information to at least one first user terminal that is determined to join the golf simulation network game among the verified user terminals and receiving play information from the at least one first user terminal; and

a network game watching service providing unit to provide the received play information that is received from the at least one first user terminal, to at least one second user terminal that is determined to watch the golf simulation network game among the verified user terminals by using the play information database.
The system of claim 1, wherein the play information comprises a play record including a traveling distance of a golf ball, a traveling direction of the golf ball, and a number of strokes for the golf ball, a play time and a stroking motion image.
The system of claim 1, wherein:

the game environment information includes a load value with respect to each frame of a playing motion image displayed through the at least one first user terminal; and

the at least one first user terminal determines the play information based on the load value.
The system of claim 3, wherein the at least one first user terminal determines, based on the load value, at least one of a stroke location of the at least one first user terminal, a weather condition, a hazard condition, a rough condition, a fairway condition, a traveling distance of a golf ball according to stroke, a direction of the golf ball, a play record, a play time, and a playing motion image which are related to the playing of the golf simulation network game.
The system of claim 1, wherein the network game playing unit comprises a level adjusting unit that extracts registration information related to the at least one first user terminal from the subscriber and terminal database, and plays the golf simulation network game based on the registration information.
The system of claim 5, wherein the level adjusting unit adjusts at least one of the game environment information and the play information to play the golf simulation network game.
The system of claim 5, wherein the level adjusting unit adjusts a handicap of each of the at least one first user terminal according to a level included in the registration information to play the golf simulation network game according to the adjusted handicap.
The system of claim 1, wherein the network game playing unit comprises a level adjusting unit that plays the golf simulation network game based on the registration information received from the at least one first user terminal, and the at least one first terminal measures exercise information of a user to generate the registration information.
The system of claim 1, wherein the game environment information comprises at least one of a weather condition, a hazard condition, a rough condition, a fairway condition, and a green condition.
The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a victory predicting game playing unit to play a victory predicting game based on a point bet by the at least one second user terminal while the network game is played.
The system of claim 1, wherein:

the user terminals are at least one of a computer terminal and a golf simulation playing device;

the server network unit performs data communication with the user terminals directly via a communication network or perform data communication with the user terminals via a relay server;

the network game entry determining unit verifies whether the user terminals are subscribers by using information received from the user terminals and the subscriber and terminal database, and determines whether the verified terminals will join or watch the golf simulation network game depending on the request of the verified user terminals; and

the network game playing unit transmits identical game environment information automatically or manually by the at least one user terminal via the server network unit according to a request for the network game received from the at least one first user terminal that is determined to join the golf simulation network game among the verified user terminals, so that the at least one first user terminal plays the golf simulation network game, and shares the play information received from the at least one first user terminal to play the network game.
The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a golf simulation application providing unit to determine golf simulation application information of the at least one first user terminal according to a verification result of the network game entry determining unit, to perform either an upgrade of the application or a new installation of the application depending on a choice of the at least one first user terminal, to determine golf simulation application information of the at least one second user terminal according to the verification result of the network game entry determining unit, and to perform either an upgrade of the application or a new installation of the application depending on a choice of the at least one second user terminal; and

a network game displaying unit to display, through the at least one first user terminal and the at least one second user terminal, match information of the golf simulation network game and opinion information inputted from the at least one first user terminal and the at least one second user terminal.
The system of claim 1, wherein the network game playing unit further comprises:

a event match unit to set a network game match where a range of participants, a period for requesting entry, a network game period, and a gameplay are determined according to requests received from the user terminals, to advertise the network game match to the user terminals via a web, an e-mail, or a text message, to receive requests for joining the network game of the users which are received in response to the advertisement, to write or receive a match list depending on the gameplay, and to manage a real-time network game between the participants or an individual game of each participant to play the network game match.
A golf simulation terminal, wherein the golf simulation terminal processes verification with a golf simulation server system, transmits a request for joining or watching a golf simulation network game to a golf simulation server system, plays the golf simulation network game based on the received game environment information when the request for joining is transmitted, generates play information according to a result of the playing and transmits the generated play information to the golf simulation server system, and displays the play information received from the golf simulation server system when the request for watching is transmitted.
The golf simulation terminal of claim 14, wherein the play information comprises a play record including a traveling distance of a golf ball, a traveling direction of the golf ball, and a number of strokes for the golf ball which are determined according to stroke of a player related to a first user terminal, a play time, and a stroking motion image.
The golf simulation terminal of claim 14, wherein:

the game environment information includes a load value with respect to each frame of a playing motion image displayed as the golf simulation network game is being played, and

the golf simulation terminal determines the play information based on the load value.
The golf simulation terminal of claim 16, wherein the golf simulation terminal determines, based on the load value, at least one of a stroke location of a first user terminal, a weather condition, a hazard condition, a rough condition, a fairway condition, a traveling distance of a golf ball according to stroke, a direction of the golf ball, a play record, a play time, and a playing motion image which are related to the playing of the golf simulation network game.
The golf simulation terminal of claim 14, wherein:

the golf simulation terminal generates registration information based on measured exercise information of the user, transmits the generated registration information to the golf simulation server system, and

the golf simulation server system plays the golf simulation network game based on the registration information received from the golf simulation terminal.
A golf simulation network game system, comprising:

a plurality of golf simulation playing device, initiating operation according to a operation command or a verification of the local server terminal according to a request for initiation of a game, and each golf simulation paying device comprising:

a stroke unit to provide a stroke location of a player, a sensor to sense a golf ball to be stroked, a calculation unit to calculate a traveling distance of the golf ball and a direction of the golf ball in a predetermined golf simulation environment based on a speed and a direction of the golf ball that are sensed by the sensor unit and to calculate a remaining distance to a hole, a screen unit to display a golf simulation background, various play records including a number of strokes and movement of the golf ball based on the calculation of the calculation unit, and selection information, a play management unit to manage play information including a play record and play time of a single player or a play records and play time of at least two players, an input unit to receive an input of user information of the player and a request for initiation of a golf simulation, a request for the golf simulation network game or verification of the golf simulation network game, or information about whether to make public the network game, and a terminal network unit to transmit the inputted user information and the request for initiation of the golf simulation, the request for the golf simulation network game or the verification of the golf simulation network game, or the information about whether to make public the network game, and to transmit, to the local server terminal, partial or entire play information managed by the play management unit;

a local server terminal performing a user verification process based on a network connection with the plurality of playing device as the user information is transmitted, managing playing of the golf simulation by using partial or entire user information and play information received from the playing device, performing data communication via the golf simulation server system and an Internet network when the playing device requests the network game, verifies the network game, or verifies to make public the network game, transmitting the request for the network game, the verification of the network game, or the verification to make public the network game, and the partial or entire user information and play information, and transmitting, to the playing device, verified subscriber information of the users, play information and related parties information of an opponent of the network game received from the server system, thereby performing as a relay server;

a golf simulation server system comprising:

a storing unit to store registration information of subscribers in a subscriber and terminal database, to match the registration information to play information related to the registration information, and to store the matched play information in a play information database, a server network unit to perform data communication with a local server terminal or a computer terminal through a communication network, a network game entry determining unit to verify whether the local terminal or the computer terminal is a subscriber by using the subscriber and terminal database, and to determine whether the verified local terminal or the computer joins or watches the golf simulation network game depending on a request of the verified local terminal or the computer terminal, a network game playing unit to play the golf simulation network game by transmitting game environment information to at least one first local terminal or computer terminal that is determined to join the golf simulation network game among the verified local terminals or computer terminals, and by receiving play information from the at least one first local server terminal or the at least one first computer terminal, and a network game watching service providing unit to provide the play information that is received from the at least one first local server terminal or the at least one first computer terminal, to at least one second local server terminal or at least one second computer terminal that is determined to watch the golf simulation network game among the verified local terminals or computer terminals by using the play information database; and

a plurality of user computer terminals performing Internet access to the golf simulation server system, requesting a service of watching a network game playing in real time or a network game corresponding to a match list of a predetermined network game or requesting a service of watching a subscriber's own network game, and watching a network game in the server system, or watching either the network game or the subscriber's own game depending on verification for the watching of the subscriber's own game.
A golf simulation network game method, comprising:

storing registration information of subscribers in a subscriber and terminal database;

verifying whether the user terminals are subscribers by using the subscriber and terminal database, and determining whether the verified user terminals join or watch a golf simulation network game depending on a request of the verified user terminals;

playing the golf simulation network game by transmitting game environment information to at least one first user terminal that is determined to join the golf simulation network game among the verified user terminals and receiving play information from the at least one first user terminal;

matching play information of the at least one first user terminal to registration information of the at least one first user terminal and storing the matched play information in a play information database; and

providing the play information to at least one second user terminal that is determined to watch the golf simulation network game among the verified user terminals by using the play information database.
The method of claim 20, wherein:

the game environment information includes a load value with respect to each frame of a playing motion image displayed through the at least one first user terminal, and

the at least one first user terminal determines the play information based on the load value.
The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one first user terminal determines, based on the load value, at least one of a stroke location of the at least one first user terminal related to the playing of the golf simulation network game, a weather condition, a hazard condition, a rough condition, a fairway condition, a traveling distance of a golf ball according to stroke, a direction of the golf ball, a play record, a play time, and a playing motion image which are related to the playing of the golf simulation network game.
The method of claim 20, wherein the playing of the golf simulation network game extracts registration information related to the at least one first user terminal from the subscriber and terminal database, and plays the golf simulation network game based on the registration information.
The method of claim 23, wherein the playing of the golf simulation network adjusts at least one of the game environment information and the play information based on the registration information to play the golf simulation network game.
A golf simulation network game method, comprising:

determining whether a user who accesses a web is a subscriber in a golf simulation server system, and determining whether the user requests a service of joining a requested golf simulation network game through a golf simulation playing device accessing the web, or determining whether the user requests a service of watching the network game or the user's own game through the playing device;

determining, when the user requests a service of joining the network game, the user as one of parties in a corresponding golf simulation network together with a single opponent or multiple opponents predetermined or selected from among other users waiting for the network game on the web, setting a game environment of the golf simulation network game automatically or manually by the parties in the corresponding network game, and transmitting the set game environment to a playing device of the parties in the corresponding network game;

receiving in the golf simulation server system and from the playing device of the parties in the network game directly via a communication network or via a relay server, the play information including a play record including a traveling distance of a golf ball and a direction of the golf ball in the game environment based on a speed and a direction of the golf ball that are sensed according to stroke of a player in the playing device, a play time, a stroking motion image of the player, or an image converted from the stroking motion image;

transmitting partial or entire play information received from one of the parties in the network game;

matching the received playing motion image or the image to the subscriber information and storing the matched play information in the play information database; and

providing, when the user requests a service of watching the network game or the user's own game, the received play information or playing motion image or the image stored in the database to the computer terminal or the playing device according to whether the parties in the corresponding network game allow to make public the network game.
A computer readable recording media storing any one method of claims 19 through 25.