U.S. patent application number 14/394677 was filed with the patent office on 2015-03-26 for golf game device, golf game server, and golf game system.
This patent application is currently assigned to DARTSLIVE CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is DARTSLIVE CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Kaori Kobayashi, Kaori Noto.
Application Number | 20150087432 14/394677 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49383355 |
Filed Date | 2015-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150087432 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Noto; Kaori ; et
al. |
March 26, 2015 |
GOLF GAME DEVICE, GOLF GAME SERVER, AND GOLF GAME SYSTEM
Abstract
A novel golf game device includes a field simulating a green, a
plurality of cups provided in the field, a ball-in-cup detecting
section which detects that a ball has entered the cup, a cup
designating section which designates to a player a target cup to be
aimed at from among the plurality of cups, a putting position
designating section which designates to the player a putting
position on the field from where the player hits a ball, and a
control section which is operable, in response to the player
hitting a ball set at the putting position, to determine whether
the hit ball has entered the target cup, on the basis of a
detection signal from the ball-in-cup detecting section, and
control the progress of the golf game on the basis of the
determination result.
Inventors: |
Noto; Kaori; (Tokyo, JP)
; Kobayashi; Kaori; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DARTSLIVE CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
DARTSLIVE CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
49383355 |
Appl. No.: |
14/394677 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
April 3, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2013/060200 |
371 Date: |
October 15, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20130101;
A63B 2220/05 20130101; A63B 2220/10 20130101; A63B 71/06 20130101;
A63B 67/02 20130101; A63B 24/0084 20130101; A63B 69/3676 20130101;
A63B 2024/0056 20130101; A63B 69/3661 20130101; A63B 2067/025
20130101; A63B 2225/50 20130101; G16H 20/30 20180101; A63B 2220/20
20130101; A63B 24/0021 20130101; A63B 57/40 20151001; A63B 2225/20
20130101; A63B 2220/18 20130101; G09B 19/0038 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/153 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/36 20060101
A63B069/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 18, 2012 |
JP |
2012-095175 |
Claims
1. A golf game device comprising: a field simulating a green; a
plurality of cups provided in the field; a ball-in-cup detecting
section which detects that a ball has entered the cup; a cup
designating section which designates, to a player, a target cup to
be aimed at from among the plurality of cups; a putting position
designating section which designates, to the player, a putting
position on the field from where the player hits a ball; and a
control section operable, in response to the player hitting a ball
set at the putting position, to determine whether the hit ball has
entered the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the
ball-in-cup detecting section, and control the progress of a golf
game on the basis of the determination result.
2. The golf game device according to claim 1, wherein the control
section is operable to select one of the plurality of cups as the
target cup for the cup designating section to designate, determine
a distance to the selected target cup, and on the basis of the
determined distance, determine the putting position on the field
for the putting position designating section to designate.
3. The golf game device according to claim 2, wherein the putting
position designating section designates the putting position to the
player by emitting a laser beam onto an arbitrary position on the
field.
4. The golf game device according to claim 3, wherein for a first
shot in the golf game, the control section is operable to select
one of the plurality of cups as the target cup for the cup
designating section to designate, determine a first distance to the
selected target cup, and on the basis of the determined first
distance, determine a first putting position on the field for the
putting position designating section to designate, and for a second
shot in the golf game, the control section is operable to determine
a second distance to the target cup, the second distance being
shorter than the first distance, and on the basis of the determined
second distance, determine a second putting position on the field
for the putting position designating section to designate.
5. The golf game device according to claim 1, further comprising a
tilting section which is operable to tilt the field.
6. The golf game device according to claim 5, wherein when causing
a player to hit a first shot, the control section operates the
tilting section to tilt the field, and when causing the player to
hit a second shot, the control section maintains the tilting of the
field on which the first shot was hit, without operating the
tilting section.
7. A golf game system having a plurality of golf game devices and a
golf game server, the golf game server being connected to the
plurality of golf game devices via a network, the golf game device
comprising: a field simulating a green; a plurality of cups
provided in the field; a ball-in-cup detecting section which
detects that a ball has entered the cup; a cup designating section
which designates, to a player, a target cup to be aimed at from
among the plurality of cups; a putting position designating section
which designates, to the player, a putting position on the field
from where the player hits a ball; a control section operable, in
response to the player hitting a ball set at the putting position,
to determine whether the hit ball has entered the target cup, on
the basis of a detection signal from the ball-in-cup detecting
section, and control the progress of a golf game on the basis of
the determination result, to thereby determine game result
information including a game score of the player; and a
transmitting section which transmits the game result information of
the player to the golf game server via the network; the golf game
server comprising: a receiving section which receives the game
result information of the player transmitted from the golf game
device via the network; and a storage section which stores the
received game result information in association with the
player.
8. A golf game server connected to a golf game device via a
network, the golf game device including a field simulating a green,
a plurality of cups provided in the field, a ball-in-cup detecting
section which detects that a ball has entered the cup, a cup
designating section which designates, to a player, a target cup to
be aimed at from among the plurality of cups, a putting position
designating section which designates, to the player, a putting
position on the field from where the player hits a ball, a control
section operable, in response to the player hitting a ball set at
the putting position, to determine whether the hit ball has entered
the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the
ball-in-cup detecting section, and control the progress of a golf
game on the basis of the determination result, to thereby determine
game result information including a game score of the player, and a
transmitting section which transmits the game result information of
the player to the golf game server via the network, the golf game
server comprising: a receiving section which receives the game
result information of the player transmitted from the golf game
device via the network; and a storage section which stores the
received game result information in association with the
player.
9. The golf game device according to claim 2, wherein for a first
shot in the golf game, the control section is operable to select
one of the plurality of cups as the target cup for the cup
designating section to designate, determine a first distance to the
selected target cup, and on the basis of the determined first
distance, determine a first putting position on the field for the
putting position designating section to designate, and for a second
shot in the golf game, the control section is operable to determine
a second distance to the target cup, the second distance being
shorter than the first distance, and on the basis of the determined
second distance, determine a second putting position on the field
for the putting position designating section to designate.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a golf game device, a golf
game server, and a golf game system.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A golf game device which includes a field simulating a
green, a plurality of cups provided in the field, and a plurality
of set positions provided within a prescribed area is known. The
device allows a player to hit a golf ball with a golf club, thereby
providing the player with realistic feeling of playing golf (for
example, see Patent Document 1).
CITATION LIST
Patent Document
[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2004-242747
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In this kind of golf game device, a player can set a golf
ball at a set position selected by the player, and hit the ball
with a golf club aiming at a cup selected by the player. The player
tends to hit the ball aiming at the cup that he/she can easily aim
at, from the set position that he/she is good at. As a result, the
player may be bored with monotonous game play.
[0005] The present invention has been accomplished in view of the
foregoing, and an object of the present invention is to enable game
play that is rich in variety and capable of keeping the player from
getting bored.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] To achieve the above object, the present invention primarily
provides a golf game device which includes:
[0007] a field simulating a green;
[0008] a plurality of cups provided in the field;
[0009] a ball-in-cup detecting section which detects that a ball
has entered the cup;
[0010] a cup designating section which designates, to a player, a
target cup to be aimed at from among the plurality of cups;
[0011] a putting position designating section which designates, to
the player, a putting position on the field from where the player
hits a ball; and
[0012] a control section operable, in response to the player
hitting a ball set at the putting position, to determine whether
the hit ball has entered the target cup, on the basis of a
detection signal from the ball-in-cup detecting section, and
control the progress of a golf game on the basis of the
determination result.
[0013] According to the golf game device described above, it is
possible to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of
keeping the player from getting bored.
[0014] In the golf game device described above,
[0015] the control section may be operable to [0016] select one of
the plurality of cups as the target cup for the cup designating
section to designate, [0017] determine a distance to the selected
target cup, and [0018] on the basis of the determined distance,
determine the putting position on the field for the putting
position designating section to designate.
[0019] According to the golf game device described above, the
putting position is determined on the basis of the distance to the
target cup. It is thus possible to enable game play with various
difficulty levels.
[0020] In the golf game device described above,
[0021] the putting position designating section may designate the
putting position to the player by emitting a laser beam onto an
arbitrary position on the field.
[0022] According to the golf game device described above, it is
possible to clearly indicate the putting position, making the
player readily set a ball at the putting position.
[0023] In the golf game device described above,
[0024] for a first shot in the golf game, the control section may
be operable to [0025] select one of the plurality of cups as the
target cup for the cup designating section to designate, [0026]
determine a first distance to the selected target cup, and [0027]
on the basis of the determined first distance, determine a first
putting position on the field for the putting position designating
section to designate, and
[0028] for a second shot in the golf game, the control section may
be operable to [0029] determine a second distance to the target
cup, the second distance being shorter than the first distance, and
[0030] on the basis of the determined second distance, determine a
second putting position on the field for the putting position
designating section to designate.
[0031] According to the golf game device described above, even if a
player missed the first shot, he/she can easily aim at the cup on
the second shot.
[0032] The golf game device described above may further include a
tilting section which is operable to tilt the field.
[0033] According to the golf game device described above, it is
possible to enable game play that is richer in variety.
[0034] In the golf game device described above,
[0035] when causing a player to hit a first shot, the control
section may operate the tilting section to tilt the field, and
[0036] when causing the player to hit a second shot, the control
section may maintain the tilting of the field on which the first
shot was hit, without operating the tilting section.
[0037] According to the golf game device described above, it is
possible to give the player, upon his/her second shot, an
impression that he/she is continuously playing on the same green as
that on which he/she had hit the first shot.
[0038] The present invention also provides a golf game system
having a plurality of golf game devices and a golf game server, the
golf game server being connected to the plurality of golf game
devices via a network,
[0039] the golf game device including: [0040] a field simulating a
green; [0041] a plurality of cups provided in the field; [0042] a
ball-in-cup detecting section which detects that a ball has entered
the cup; [0043] a cup designating section which designates, to a
player, a target cup to be aimed at from among the plurality of
cups; [0044] a putting position designating section which
designates, to the player, a putting position on the field from
where the player hits a ball; [0045] a control section operable, in
response to the player hitting a ball set at the putting position,
to determine whether the hit ball has entered the target cup, on
the basis of a detection signal from the ball-in-cup detecting
section, and control the progress of a golf game on the basis of
the determination result, to thereby determine game result
information including a game score of the player; and [0046] a
transmitting section which transmits the game result information of
the player to the golf game server via the network;
[0047] the golf game server including: [0048] a receiving section
which receives the game result information of the player
transmitted from the golf game device via the network; and [0049] a
storage section which stores the received game result information
in association with the player.
[0050] According to the golf game system described above, it is
possible to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of
keeping the player from getting bored.
[0051] The present invention further provides a golf game server
connected to a golf game device via a network, the golf game device
including a field simulating a green, a plurality of cups provided
in the field, a ball-in-cup detecting section which detects that a
ball has entered the cup, a cup designating section which
designates, to a player, a target cup to be aimed at from among the
plurality of cups, a putting position designating section which
designates, to the player, a putting position on the field from
where the player hits a ball, a control section operable, in
response to the player hitting a ball set at the putting position,
to determine whether the hit ball has entered the target cup, on
the basis of a detection signal from the ball-in-cup detecting
section, and control the progress of a golf game on the basis of
the determination result, to thereby determine game result
information including a game score of the player, and a
transmitting section which transmits the game result information of
the player to the golf game server via the network,
[0052] the golf game server including: [0053] a receiving section
which receives the game result information of the player
transmitted from the golf game device via the network; and [0054] a
storage section which stores the received game result information
in association with the player.
[0055] According to the golf game server described above, it is
possible to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of
keeping the player from getting bored.
Advantageous Effect of the Invention
[0056] As described above, the golf game device, the golf game
server, and the golf game system according to the present invention
can enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of keeping
the player from getting bored.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0057] FIG. 1 is a network configuration diagram of a golf game
system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional
configuration of a golf game server 10.
[0059] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary configuration of a player
table.
[0060] FIG. 4 is an external view showing the configuration of a
golf game device 20 according to the present embodiment.
[0061] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional
configuration of the golf game device 20.
[0062] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a
cup section 22.
[0063] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a
tilting section 23.
[0064] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a
putting position designating section 24.
[0065] FIG. 9 is a side view of the golf game device 20 according
to the present embodiment.
[0066] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary configuration of data stored in a
storage section 31 concerning the field settings (for a first shot)
for each hole.
[0067] FIG. 11 shows an exemplary configuration of data stored in
the storage section 31 concerning the field settings (for a second
shot) for each hole.
[0068] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation
of the golf game device 20 according to the present embodiment.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Embodiment
Golf Game System Configuration
[0069] An exemplary configuration of a golf game system 1 will be
described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a network
configuration diagram of the golf game system 1 according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0070] The golf game system 1 of the present embodiment has a golf
game server 10 and a plurality of golf game devices 20, as shown in
FIG. 1. The golf game server 10 and the golf game devices 20 are
configured to be connectable with each other via a network 2.
[0071] In this golf game system 1, the golf game device 20 allows a
player to hit a golf ball with a golf club to play a golf game.
Further, in the golf game system 1, the golf game server 10 is able
to manage various kinds of information regarding the player who has
played using the golf game device 20, including his/her score,
level, progress in a game, play history, etc. Furthermore, the golf
game system 1 can provide various services. For example, when the
golf game server 10 is accessed via the network 2 from an
information processing terminal (not shown) such as a mobile phone
or a smartphone owned by a player, a Web page can be distributed to
the information processing terminal to allow the player to view
various kinds of information about the player.
[0072] <Golf Game Server Configuration>
[0073] An exemplary configuration of the golf game server 10 will
be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a block
diagram showing the functional configuration of the golf game
server 10. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary configuration of a player
table.
[0074] The golf game server 10 of the present embodiment includes:
a server control section 11 such as a central processing unit
(CPU); a server storage section 12 such as a read only memory (ROM)
and a random access memory (RAM); a server display section 13; a
server operation section 14; and a server communication section 15
for connecting the golf game server 10 to the golf game device 20
via the network 2 in an information-communicable manner.
[0075] The server control section 11 has the function of performing
centralized control and information processing for the golf game
system 1.
[0076] The server storage section 12 includes: a ROM, which is a
read-only storage area having stored therein a system program for
the golf game server 10; and a RAM, which is a rewritable storage
area having stored therein various data (flags used in the system
program, and calculated values) generated in the server control
section 11 and which is also used as a work area when the server
control section 11 performs arithmetic processing. The server
storage section 12 is connected to the server control section 11
via the bus, and the data stored in the server storage section 12
is referred to, read, or rewritten in accordance with the
processing performed by the server control section 11. The server
storage section 12 according to the present embodiment includes a
system program and a player table, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0077] In the player table, various kinds of information regarding
a player are stored in association with the player's ID. The player
table of the present embodiment stores, as shown in FIG. 3, player
information, including a player ID for identifying the player,
player name, level, and dominant hand information indicating the
player's dominant hand, and game result information, including
score, ranking, and play history.
[0078] The server display section 13 is connected to the server
control section 11 via the bus, and displays an operation screen
for a system administrator, on the basis of an instruction from the
server control section 11. For example, the server display section
13 is implemented by a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the
like.
[0079] The server operation section 14 is operated by a system
administrator or the like to input various data (such as player
information). For example, the server operation section 14 is
implemented by a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, or the like.
When a player inputs an operation using an operation button 27a in
the golf game device 20, an operation signal corresponding to the
player's operation is transmitted to the server control section 11
connected via the bus.
[0080] The server communication section 15 communicates with the
golf game device 20 and others. The server communication section 15
has the function as a receiving section which receives various data
and signals transmitted from the golf game device 20, and the
function as a transmitting section which transmits various data and
signals to the golf game device 20 in accordance with an
instruction of the server control section 11 connected via the
bus.
[0081] <Golf Game Device Configuration>
[0082] An exemplary configuration of the golf game device 20 will
be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9. FIG. 4 is an external
view showing the configuration of the golf game device 20 of the
present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the
functional configuration of the golf game device 20. FIG. 6 is a
schematic diagram showing the configuration of a cup section 22.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a
tilting section 23. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the
configuration of a putting position designating section 24. FIG. 9
is a side view of the golf game device 20 of the present
embodiment.
[0083] The golf game device 20 is a game device used by a player to
play a golf game. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the golf game device
20 of the present embodiment is made up of a field portion 20A,
which serves as a play field, and an upright portion 20B, which
stands in the up-and-down direction (vertical direction) with
respect to the field portion 20A. The golf game device 20 includes:
a field plate 21, a cup section 22, a tilting section 23, a putting
position designating section 24, a ball supplying section 25, a
ball collecting section 26, an operation section 27 for a player to
perform an operation, a display section 28 for displaying images, a
control section 30 such as a central processing unit (CPU), a
storage section 31 such as a read only memory (ROM) and a random
access memory (RAM), an image generating section 32 which generates
game images and the like, an audio output section 33 which outputs
sound effects and the like, and a communication section 34 for
connecting the golf game device 20 to the golf game server 10 via
the network in an information-communicable manner.
[0084] The field portion 20A is a rectangular play field, as shown
in FIG. 4. A player can play a golf game on the field plate 21
disposed on the upper surface of the field portion 20A. The field
plate 21 is covered with artificial turf and simulates a green on a
golf course. In the present embodiment, a player can play a golf
putting game by hitting a golf ball with a putter.
[0085] The cup section 22 is disposed near one short side among the
long and short sides of the field portion 20A, as shown in FIG. 4.
This cup section 22 includes, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a
plurality of cups 22H, cup lights 22L for illuminating the
corresponding cups 22H, and ball-in-cup sensors 22S detecting a
ball that has entered the corresponding cups 22H.
[0086] In the present embodiment, the cups 22H include two cups
22HR and 22HL. One cup 22HR is positioned in an area, within the
entire area of the field plate 21, that is on the right hand side
of the player (right-side area of the field plate 21) when the
short side on which the cups 22H are located is seen from the
central position of the other short side. The other cup 22HL is
positioned in an area, within the entire area of the field plate
21, that is on the left hand side of the player (left-side area of
the field plate 21) when the short side on which the cups 22H are
located is seen from the central position of the other short
side.
[0087] The cup light 22L is an example of a cup designating
section, which designates, to a player, one of the plurality of
cups 22H that is to be aimed at (hereinafter, referred to as a
"target cup"). The cup lights 22L of the present embodiment include
a cup light 22LR provided for one cup 22HR, and a cup light 22LL
provided for the other cup 22HL. Each cup light 22L of the present
embodiment is made up of an LED substrate having LED elements
mounted thereon, and is arranged along the inner periphery of the
cup 22H, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0088] The ball-in-cup sensor 22S is an example of a ball-in-cup
detecting section, which detects that a ball hit by a player has
entered a target cup. Such ball-in-cup sensors 22S are provided
respectively for the two cups 22HR and 22HL.
[0089] The ball-in-cup sensor 22S of the present embodiment is an
optical sensor, which includes a light emitting element 22S1 which
emits infrared light, and a light receiving element 22S2 which
receives the infrared light. The ball-in-cup sensor 22S is arranged
inside the cup 22H, with the light emitting element 22S1 and the
light receiving element 22S2 facing each other, as shown in FIG. 6.
The ball-in-cup sensor 22S can detect that there is a golf ball
that has dropped into the cup 22H when the infrared light emitted
from the light emitting element 22S1 is interrupted by the golf
ball and, thus, the light receiving element 22S2 cannot receive the
infrared light.
[0090] The tilting section 23 is disposed in the field portion 20A,
and causes the field plate 21 to be tilted such that a slope is
formed in the field portion 20A. The tilting section 23 of the
present embodiment includes four lift mechanisms 23A to 23D which
support the four corners of the field plate 21 from beneath, as
shown in FIG. 7.
[0091] The lift mechanisms 23A to 23D each have a ball screw shaft
231 and a motor 232. The ball screw shaft 231 has screwed thereon a
ball screw nut (not shown) which is attached to the undersurface of
the field plate 21. When the motor 232 is driven, the ball screw
shaft 231 rotates, causing the ball screw nut to move along the
ball screw shaft 231. That is, the rotational motion of the ball
screw shaft 231 caused by driving the motor 232 is converted into
the linear motion of the ball screw nut, so the field plate 21 to
which the ball screw nut is attached moves up and down in the axial
direction.
[0092] In the present embodiment, the control section 30 drives and
controls the motors 232 of the respective lift mechanisms 23A to
23D, to allow the tilting section 23 to form an ascending slope, a
descending slope, a left to right descending slope (hereinafter, a
rightward slope), a right to left descending slope (hereinafter, a
leftward slope), or the like, in the field portion 20A.
[0093] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, when the tilting
section 23 causes only the two lift mechanisms 23A and 23B on the
front side to perform a lift-up operation, the front end of the
field plate 21 moves upward from the reference position, so an
ascending slope can be formed in the field portion 20A. When the
tilting section 23 causes only the two lift mechanisms 23C and 23D
on the back side to perform a lift-up operation, the back end of
the field plate 21 moves upward from the reference position, so a
descending slope can be formed in the field portion 20A. When the
tilting section 23 causes only the two lift mechanisms 23B and 23D
on the left side to perform a lift-up operation, the left end of
the field plate 21 moves upward from the reference position, so a
rightward slope can be formed in the field portion 20A. When the
tilting section 23 causes only the two lift mechanisms 23A and 23C
on the right side to perform a lift-up operation, the right end of
the field plate 21 moves upward from the reference position, so a
leftward slope can be formed in the field portion 20A. Further, the
tilting section 23 can operate the lift mechanisms 23A to 23D to
form a slope as a combination of the ascending or descending slope
and the rightward or leftward slope.
[0094] In this manner, a variety of slopes can be formed in the
field portion 20A, enabling game play rich in variety.
[0095] The putting position designating section 24 designates, to a
player, a putting position on the field plate 21 from where the
player hits a ball. As shown in FIG. 4, the putting position
designating section 24 is installed in the upright portion 20B
which stands upward from the field plate 21, so any position on the
entire area of the field plate 21 can be designated as a putting
position to the player.
[0096] The golf game device of the present embodiment does not have
a putting position fixed to the field plate 21 (for example, a mark
printed on the field) as in a conventional device. Any position on
the field plate 21 can be designated as a putting position in
accordance with the progress of the game. Conventional devices had
a problem that a player would be unable to find the putting
position (for example, the mark printed on the field) and, thus,
unable to determine where on the field plate 21 the ball should be
set. The golf game device of the present embodiment has this
putting position designating section 24, which can clearly
designate the putting position on the field plate 21 to the player.
In particular, in the case where the putting position is changed in
accordance with the progress of the game, the putting position
designating section 24 can clearly indicate to the player where on
the field plate 21 the ball should be set.
[0097] The putting position designating section 24 of the present
embodiment includes, as shown in FIG. 8, a laser beam emitting
section 24a which emits a laser beam, a first shaft 24b arranged in
the lateral direction, a first motor 24c connected to the first
shaft 24b, a second shaft 24d arranged in the up-and-down
direction, a second motor 24e connected to the second shaft 24d,
and a bracket 24f which rotatably supports the laser beam emitting
section 24a via the first shaft 24b and the second shaft 24d.
[0098] The laser beam emitting section 24a is attached to the first
shaft 24b which is in turn connected to the first motor 24c, and
the first shaft 24b is rotatably supported by the bracket 24f via
bearings (not shown). Therefore, as the first motor 24c is driven,
the laser beam emitting section 24a rotates about the first shaft
24b and, thus, can emit a laser beam onto an arbitrary position in
the front-and-back direction (longitudinal direction) of the field
plate 21. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, an arbitrary position A
in the front-and-back direction (longitudinal direction) of the
field plate 21 is designated as a putting position as the putting
position designating section 24 (laser beam emitting section 24a)
emits a laser beam (shown by a dash-dot-dot line) onto that
position.
[0099] The bracket 24f which rotatably supports the laser beam
emitting section 24a about the first shaft 24b is attached to the
second shaft 24d which is in turn connected to the second motor
24e. With this configuration, the laser beam emitting section 24a
not only rotates about the first shaft 24b, which is driven by the
first motor 24c, but also rotates about the second shaft 24d, which
is driven by the second motor 24e, together with the bracket 24f.
As a result, the laser beam emitting section 24a is able to emit a
laser beam onto any position on the entire area of the field plate
21 as a putting position.
[0100] As explained above, the putting position designating section
24 can emit a laser beam onto the field plate 21 to designate a
putting position, so it can clearly indicate the putting position.
This allows a player to readily set a ball at the putting position.
The putting position can be marked with no irregularities formed on
the field, so there will be no influence on the rolling of the
ball.
[0101] The ball supplying section 25 is located at a lower portion
of the upright portion 20B, and supplies a ball onto the field
plate 21 for a player to use it for game play. In the present
embodiment, a ball supplying motor (not shown) is driven to send
out balls, one by one, to a guide rail, so that the ball is guided
onto the field plate 21.
[0102] When a ball is supplied by the ball supplying section 25,
the player picks it up off the field plate 21, and sets it at a
putting position on the field plate 21 that is designated by the
putting position designating section 24. The player is then ready
to hit the set ball.
[0103] The ball collecting section 26 is located at a lower portion
of the upright portion 20B, and collects the ball that did not get
in the cup. In the present embodiment, the ball collecting section
26 includes a channel into which the ball that did not get in the
cup falls, and a falling detection sensor (not shown) which detects
the ball that has fallen into the channel. When a ball that passed
the cups 22H falls into the channel, a detection signal is
transmitted from the falling detection sensor to the control
section 30 connected via the bus. The ball that has fallen into the
channel is guided by a guide rail (not shown) back to the ball
supplying section 25.
[0104] The operation section 27 accepts operations input by a
player. The operation section 27 of the present embodiment is
disposed on an upper surface of the upright portion 20B, as shown
in FIG. 4, and includes an operation button 27a and a card
reader/writer (R/W) 27b which is an example of a reading
section.
[0105] The operation button 27a is used when a player performs game
operations, for example when selecting or determining a game mode
(type of game) or the like. In the case where two or more players
play the game, the operation button 27a is used to switch to a next
player.
[0106] The card R/W 27b is used for reading player information
(player ID, player name, level, etc.) recorded on an IC card owned
by a player and fetching the information as digital data, or for
writing game result information (score, ranking, etc.) to the IC
card. The IC card is an example of information recording medium
owned by a player.
[0107] The display section 28 is disposed on a front surface
(facing the player) of the upright portion 20B, and displays
various images (game images etc.) which are generated by the image
generating section 32, described later, on the basis of
instructions from the control section 30, described later. For
example, the display section 28 is implemented by a liquid crystal
display (LCD) or the like.
[0108] The control section 30 passes data between the cup section
22, the tilting section 23, the putting position designating
section 24, the ball supplying section 25, and other sections. The
control section 30 also performs various kinds of control and
information processing for the entire golf game device 20. The
control section 30 is implemented as a central processing unit
(CPU) executes a program stored in the storage section 31.
[0109] The storage section 31 includes: a ROM, which is a read-only
storage area in which a system program for the golf game device 20,
a game program, and others are stored; and a RAM, which is a
rewritable storage area in which data (flags used in the system
program, game program and others, and calculated values) generated
in the control section 30 as well as various kinds of information
received from the golf game server 10 are stored, and which is also
used as a work area when the control section 30 performs arithmetic
processing. This storage section 31 is connected to the control
section 30 via the bus, and the data stored in the storage section
31 is referred to, read, or rewritten in accordance with the
processing performed by the control section 30.
[0110] The image generating section 32 generates images in
accordance with the player's operations and the progress of the
game play. The image generating section 32 has the function of
drawing three-dimensional CG. That is, in order to generate a
three-dimensional CG game image or the like, the image generating
section 32 reads, from the storage section 31, polygon data (vertex
data) or non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBS) data (curves and
control points data) constituting an object to be displayed on the
display section 28, and disposes the object formed by the polygons
in a world coordinate system which is a three-dimensional virtual
space, and converts the coordinates of the object from those in the
local coordinate system to those in the world coordinate system.
The image generating section 32 also sets, in the world coordinate
system, a virtual viewpoint (virtual camera) generated through the
player's operations or the progress of the game play, and converts
the coordinates of any object that falls within the range of vision
when viewed from the viewpoint in a prescribed viewing direction
and view angle, into those in a viewing coordinate system having
the coordinates of the viewpoint as its origin. Then, the image
generating section 32 performs light source processing and other
interpolation processing on the object, and also maps texture data
stored in the storage section 31 onto the object, to thereby give
details to the surface of the object. To display the object on the
display section 28, the image generating section 32 projects the
three-dimensional object (polygons) onto a two-dimensional surface
(screen), and converts the three-dimensional coordinates (in the
viewing coordinate system) of the object into the two-dimensional
coordinates (in the screen coordinate system). In this manner, the
image generating section 32 generates a two-dimensional image in
which objects are displayed preferentially from the one having the
coordinates closest to the coordinates of the viewpoint in the
world coordinate system, and outputs the generated image to the
display section 28.
[0111] The audio output section 33 uses a digital amplifier or the
like to amplify audio signals (audio information) of music, voice,
sound effects and others output from the control section 30, to
output sound. The audio output section 33 is implemented by, for
example, a speaker or the like.
[0112] The communication section 34 has the function of connecting
the golf game server 10 and the golf game device in an
information-communicable manner, and includes a receiving section
and a transmitting section. The receiving section receives various
data and signals transmitted from the golf game server 10. The
transmitting section transmits various data and signals according
to various kinds of processing performed in the golf game device
20, to the golf game server 10.
[0113] <Outline of Golf Game>
[0114] A golf game performed in the golf game device 20 of the
present embodiment will now be outlined.
[0115] In the golf game of the present embodiment, a player sets a
golf ball, on the field plate 21 which has been configured to be
tiltable, at a putting position designated by the putting position
designating section 24, and he/she putts, aiming at a target cup
(cup 22HR or cup 22HL) illuminated by the corresponding cup light
22L. The putting position, the target cup, and the tilting of the
field plate 21 in this golf game are determined by the control
section 30 of the golf game device 20. Accordingly, the player
challenges the golf game on the play field (green) conditions
automatically determined in the above-described manner.
[0116] In the golf game of the present embodiment, one game has a
plurality of holes set for a golf putting game. For example, nine
holes from the first hole to the ninth hole are set for one putting
game. A player can hit up to two putts in each hole. That is, a
player can hit 18 putts (nine holes.times.two putts) in total in
one game.
[0117] The golf game of the present embodiment begins with the
first shot on the first hole which is a birdie challenge. That is,
when the ball rolls into the cup with the first putt, the player
finishes the first hole with a "birdie", and the score becomes
"-1". When the player misses the first putt, he/she hits the second
shot. When the ball falls into the cup with the second putt, the
player finishes the hole with a "par", and the score becomes
".+-.0" (does not change). When the player misses the second putt,
the player finishes the hole with a "bogey", and the score becomes
"+1".
[0118] On the second hole and on, in the case where the player had
finished the previous hole with one shot, the first shot on the new
hole is a birdie challenge. On the other hand, in the case where
the player could not finish the previous hole with one shot, the
first shot on the new hole is a par putt.
[0119] For example, suppose that a player had put the ball in the
cup with one shot and finished the first hole with a "birdie". In
this case, when the player puts the ball in the cup with the first
putt on the second hole, the player finishes the second hole with a
"birdie", and "-1" is added to the current score. When the player
puts the ball in the cup with the second putt, the player finishes
the hole with a "par", and the score is unchanged. When the player
misses the second putt, the player finishes the hole with a
"bogey", and "+1" is added to the current score. On the other hand,
suppose that the player could not finish the first hole with a
"birdie". In this case, when the player puts the ball in the cup
with the first putt on the second hole, the player finishes the
second hole with a "par", and the score is unchanged. When the
player puts the ball in the cup with the second putt, the player
finishes the hole with a "bogey", and "+1" is added to the current
score. When the player misses the second putt, the player finishes
the hole with a "double bogey", and "+2" is added to the current
score.
[0120] When the game play is repeated for nine holes in the
above-described manner, one golf putting game is finished, and the
player's game results, including the total score for the nine holes
and ranking, are determined. The determined game result information
is transmitted from the golf game device 20 to the golf game server
10 via the network, and managed in the golf game server 10.
[0121] It should be noted that a plurality of players can
participate in the golf game. In the present embodiment, it is
configured such that up to four players can play the golf putting
game at the same time. In such a case, the players' rankings are
determined in accordance with their total scores at the end of the
ninth hole.
[0122] <Operation of Golf Game Device>
[0123] An exemplary operation of the golf game device 20 according
to the present embodiment will now be described with reference to
FIGS. 10 to 12. FIG. 10 shows an exemplary configuration of the
data stored in the storage section 31 concerning the field settings
(for the first shot) for each hole. FIG. 11 shows an exemplary
configuration of the data stored in the storage section 31
concerning the field settings (for the second shot) for each hole.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the
golf game device 20 of the present embodiment.
[0124] ==Field Settings for Respective Holes==
[0125] First, when a golf putting game is started, the golf game
device 20 of the present embodiment performs field settings for the
respective holes before allowing a player to hit a golf ball with a
putter. That is, in the present embodiment, field settings (setting
of putting positions, setting of target cups, and setting of
tilting of the field plate 21) are performed in advance for nine
holes from the first hole to the ninth hole.
[0126] Specifically, in the golf game device 20 of the present
embodiment, for performing the field settings for the respective
holes, tilting determination processing, distance determination
processing, cup determination processing, and putting position
determination processing are carried out.
[0127] First, the tilting determination processing for determining
the tilting of the field plate 21 is carried out. Specifically, the
control section 30 sets a longitudinal height difference and a
lateral height difference of the field plate 21, to determine an
ascending slope, a descending slope, a rightward slope, a leftward
slope, or a slope as a combination thereof.
[0128] At this time, the control section 30 determines the tilting
of the field plate 21 for each of the nine holes, and stores the
tilting information of the field plate 21 determined for the
respective holes, into the storage section 31 (see FIGS. 10 and
11).
[0129] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the
height differences are recorded as the tilting information of the
field plate 21. With the height differences recorded, for example
in the case of forming an ascending slope with the longitudinal
height difference of 25 mm in the first hole (for the first shot),
the control section 30 raises only the lift mechanisms 23A and 23B
of the tilting section 23 (see FIG. 7) by 25 mm from the reference
positions, with the lift mechanisms 23C and 23D being held in the
reference positions. Further, in the case of forming a rightward
slope with the lateral height difference of 15 mm in the third hole
(for the first shot), the control section 30 raises only the lift
mechanisms 23B and 23D of the tilting section 23 (see FIG. 7) by 15
mm from the reference positions, with the lift mechanisms 23A and
23C being held in the reference positions. It should be noted that,
when the height difference of the tilting is "0", all the lift
mechanisms 23A to 23D are held in the reference positions, so the
field plate 21 remains flat, without being tilted.
[0130] With this configuration, a player putts, aiming at a target
cup, on the field plate 21 with the slope that has been determined
by the control section 30. This allows the player to enjoy the game
play on a variety of slopes that change in accordance with the
progress of the game. It is thus possible to enable game play that
is rich in variety and capable of keeping the player from getting
bored.
[0131] Next, the distance determination processing for determining
a distance on the basis of the tilting that has been determined by
the tilting determination processing is carried out. Specifically,
the control section 30 refers to a distance setting table (stored
in the storage section 31), which specifies distances to target
cups, to determine a distance to a target cup for each hole.
[0132] At this time, the control section 30 determines, for each of
the nine holes, a first distance to a target cup for the first putt
and a second distance to a target cup for the second putt, and
stores the information about the first and second distances
determined for the respective holes, into the storage section 31
(see FIGS. 10 and 11).
[0133] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the
second distance is set shorter than the first distance. Therefore,
even when a player has missed the first putt, he/she can aim at the
target cup with ease on the second putt. This can increase the
player's motivation for the game play. Further, the level of
difficulty of the game varies in accordance with the distance to
the target cup determined by the control section 30. It is thus
possible to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of
keeping the player from getting bored.
[0134] Next, the cup determination processing for determining a
target cup from among a plurality of cups 22H is carried out.
Specifically, the control section 30 selects either the cup 22HR or
the cup 22HL at random, and determines it as a target cup.
[0135] At this time, the control section 30 determines, for each of
the nine holes, a target cup for the first putt and a target cup
for the second putt, and stores the information about the target
cups determined for the respective holes, into the storage section
31 (see FIGS. 10 and 11).
[0136] In the present embodiment, for each hole, different cups are
determined as the target cup for the first putt and the target cup
for the second putt, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0137] With this configuration, a player putts aiming at the target
cup determined by the control section 30.
[0138] Next, the putting position determination processing for
determining a putting position on the field plate 21 at which a
player is caused to set a ball is carried out. Specifically, the
control section 30 determines a position on the field plate 21 that
is apart from the target cup determined by the cup determination
processing by the distance determined by the distance determination
processing, as the putting position.
[0139] At this time, the control section 30 determines, for each of
the nine holes, a first putting position on the field plate 21 on
the basis of the first distance to the target cup for the first
putt, and a second putting position on the field plate 21 on the
basis of the second distance to the target cup for the second putt,
and stores the coordinate information of the first and second
putting positions determined for the respective holes, into the
storage section 31 (see FIGS. 10 and 11).
[0140] More specifically, the control section 30 determines, as the
first putting position on the field plate 21, an arbitrary position
on an arc that is drawn about the corresponding target cup with a
radius equal to the first distance. Further, the control section 30
determines, as the second putting position on the field plate 21,
an arbitrary position on an arc that is drawn about the
corresponding target cup with a radius equal to the second
distance.
[0141] In the present embodiment, as the coordinate information of
each putting position, XY coordinate information with the lateral
direction along the short sides of the field as the X direction and
the longitudinal direction along the long sides of the field as the
Y direction is stored, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11.
[0142] With this configuration, a player sets a ball at the putting
position on the field determined by the control section 30, and
putts from the putting position, aiming at the target cup
determined by the control section 30. As a result, the player can
enjoy the game play on various golf courses that vary in accordance
with the progress of the game. It is thus possible to enable game
play that is rich in variety and capable of keeping the player from
getting bored.
[0143] ==Operations in Golf Game==
[0144] After having finished the field settings for the respective
holes, the golf game device 20 of the present embodiment carries
out golf putting game processing for allowing a player to hit a
golf ball with a putter.
[0145] First, as shown in FIG. 12, the golf game device 20
displays, on the display section 28, a game image showing a hole to
be played (one of the first through ninth holes; hereinafter,
called the "play hole") (S101).
[0146] Specifically, the control section 30 instructs the image
generating section 32 to generate a game image showing the play
hole (one of the first through ninth holes) for the player to play,
in accordance with the progress of the golf game. The image
generating section 32, in response to the instruction from the
control section 30, generates a game image showing the play hole,
and outputs the generated game image to the display section 28.
This allows the player to see the game image displayed on the
display section 28 and recognize the play hole that the player is
about to play.
[0147] Next, before allowing the player to play a first putt on the
play hole, the golf game device 20 displays an effect image showing
a distance, for notifying the player about the distance (length) to
the cup (S102).
[0148] Specifically, the control section 30 instructs the image
generating section 32 to generate an effect image. The image
generating section 32, in response to the instruction from the
control section 30, generates an effect image, and outputs the
generated effect image to the display section 28. This allows the
player to see the effect image displayed on the display section 28
to confirm the distance (length) to the cup. As a result, the
player can recognize the level of difficulty of the game in the
play hole that the player is playing.
[0149] Next, the golf game device 20 operates the cup section 22,
the putting position designating section 24, and the tilting
section 23, to thereby set the conditions of the play field (green)
for a corresponding one of the first through nine holes (S103).
[0150] Specifically, when operating the cup section 22, the control
section 30 performs control to turn on the cup light 22L
corresponding to the cup 22H (target cup) to be aimed at (by the
first shot) on the play hole. The target cup (cup 22HR or cup 22HL)
to be aimed at by the first shot has been predetermined in the
field settings described above. Thus, the control section 30 turns
on the cup light 22LR corresponding to the cup 22HR or the cup
light 22LL corresponding to the cup 22HL, on the basis of the
information about the target cup stored in the storage section 31
(see FIG. 10). As a result, when the player is about to hit the
first putt on the play hole, the player can recognize that the cup
22H being illuminated by the cup light 22L is the target cup.
[0151] When operating the putting position designating section 24,
the control section 30 performs control such that the putting
position designating section 24 emits a laser beam onto a putting
position on the field plate 21 (for the first shot) on the play
hole. The first putting position for the first shot has been
predetermined in the field settings described above. Thus, the
control section 30 drives and controls the first motor 24c and the
second motor 24e such that the laser beam emitting section 24a
emits a laser beam onto the first putting position on the field
plate 21, on the basis of the coordinate information of the first
putting position stored in the storage section 31 (see FIG. 10). As
a result, when the player is about to hit the first putt on the
play hole, the player can recognize that the point on the field
plate 21 being illuminated by the laser beam is the first putting
position.
[0152] When operating the tilting section 23, the control section
30 controls the tilting section 23 such that the field plate 21 has
a prescribed slope (for the first shot) on the play hole. The
tilting of the field plate 21 for the first shot has been
predetermined in the field settings described above. Thus, the
control section 30 drives and controls the lift mechanisms 23A to
23D on the basis of the tilting information about the tilting
(height difference) of the field plate 21 stored in the storage
section 31 (see FIG. 10). As the tilting of the field plate 21
changes in this manner, the player can play the golf game with
various difficulty levels.
[0153] Subsequently, for causing the player to putt on the play
hole, the golf game device 20 displays on the display section 28 a
game image indicating that the putt is the first putt (S104). As
the player sees the game image displayed on the display section 28,
he/she can start the first putt on the play hole.
[0154] Next, the control section 30 of the golf game device 20
determines whether the current play hole is the first hole among
the first through ninth holes (S105).
[0155] If the control section 30 determines that the play hole is
the first hole (YES in S105), the control section 30 displays on
the display section 28 a game image indicating that the first shot
of the first hole is a birdie challenge (S106). As the player sees
the game image displayed on the display section 28, he/she can
increase his/her motivation for the game play.
[0156] When the player hit a putt, the control section 30
determines whether the first putt on the first hole was successful
(S107). That is, when the golf ball set at the first putting
position was hit by the player, the control section 30 determines
whether the golf ball rolling on the field plate 21 has dropped
into the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the
ball-in-cup sensor 22S. If the ball-in-cup sensor 22S can detect
the golf ball that has entered the target cup, the control section
30 determines that the first putt was successful; otherwise, the
control section 30 determines that the first putt was a failure.
When the golf ball rolling on the field plate 21 has fallen into
the channel of the ball collecting section 26, the control section
30 receives a detection signal from the falling detection sensor
(not shown). In this case as well, the control section 30 can
determine that the first putt was a failure.
[0157] If the control section 30 determines that the first putt was
successful (SUCCESS in S107), the control section 30 displays on
the display section 28 an effect image indicating that the first
putt was successful (S108). As the player sees the effect image
displayed on the display section 28, he/she can confirm that he/she
sank the first putt on the first hole.
[0158] At this time, the control section 30 performs control to
turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the
emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating
section 24.
[0159] Subsequently, the control section 30 displays on the display
section 28 a game image indicating that the player has scored a
birdie as a result of the birdie challenge (S109).
[0160] The control section 30 then updates the player's total score
by setting it to "-1" (S110).
[0161] On the other hand, if the control section 30 determines that
the first putt was a failure (FAILURE in S107), the control section
30 displays on the display section an effect image indicating that
the first putt was a failure (S111). As the player sees the effect
image displayed on the display section 28, he/she can confirm that
he/she missed the first putt on the first hole.
[0162] At this time, the control section 30 performs control to
turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the
emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating
section 24.
[0163] Next, the control section 30 operates the cup section 22 and
the putting position designating section 24 to reset the conditions
of the play field (green) now for the second putt on the first hole
(S112). At this time, the control section 30 refrains from
operating the tilting section 23. That is, the tilting of the field
plate 21 is made the same for the first shot and the second shot on
the first hole. By maintaining the tilting of the field plate 21 in
this manner, when the player is hitting a second putt, it is
possible to make the player feel like he/she is continuously
playing on the same green as that on which he/she had hit the first
putt.
[0164] Specifically, when operating the cup section 22, the control
section 30 performs control to turn on the cup light 22L
corresponding to the cup 22H (target cup) to be aimed at (by the
second shot) on the first hole. The target cup (cup 22HR or cup
22HL) to be aimed at by the second shot has been predetermined in
the field settings described above. Thus, the control section 30
turns on the cup light 22LR corresponding to the cup 22HR or the
cup light 22LL corresponding to the cup 22HL, on the basis of the
information about the target cup stored in the storage section 31
(see FIG. 11). As a result, when the player is about to hit the
second putt on the play hole, the player can recognize that the cup
22H being illuminated by the cup light 22L is the target cup. It
should be noted that in the present embodiment, the target cup for
the second putt is changed from the target cup for the first
putt.
[0165] Further, when operating the putting position designating
section 24, the control section 30 performs control such that the
putting position designating section 24 emits a laser beam onto a
putting position on the field plate 21 (for the second shot) on the
first hole. The second putting position for the second shot has
been predetermined in the field settings described above. Thus, the
control section 30 drives and controls the first motor 24c and the
second motor 24e of the putting position designating section 24, on
the basis of the coordinate information of the second putting
position stored in the storage section 31 (see FIG. 11). As a
result, the laser beam emitting section 24a emits a laser beam onto
the second putting position on the field plate 21. When the player
is about to hit the second putt on the play hole, the player can
recognize that the point on the field plate 21 being illuminated by
the laser beam is the second putting position.
[0166] Next, when causing the player to putt on the first hole, the
golf game device 20 displays on the display section 28 a game image
indicating that the putt is the second putt (S113). As the player
sees the game image displayed on the display section 28, he/she can
start the second putt on the first hole.
[0167] The control section 30 then displays on the display section
28 a game image indicating that the second shot of the first hole
is a par putt (S114). As the player sees the game image displayed
on the display section 28, he/she can increase his/her motivation
for the game play, because the player can try for a par, although
he/she cannot try for a birdie.
[0168] Next, when the player hit a putt, the control section 30
determines whether the second putt on the first hole was successful
(S115). That is, when the golf ball set at the second putting
position was hit by the player, the control section 30 determines
whether the golf ball rolling on the field plate 21 has dropped
into the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the
ball-in-cup sensor 22S. If the ball-in-cup sensor 22S can detect
the golf ball that has entered the target cup, the control section
30 determines that the second putt was successful; otherwise, the
control section 30 determines that the second putt was a failure.
When the golf ball rolling on the field plate 21 has fallen into
the channel of the ball collecting section 26, the control section
30 receives a detection signal from the falling detection sensor
(not shown). In this case as well, the control section 30 can
determine that the second putt was a failure.
[0169] If the control section 30 determines that the second putt
was successful (SUCCESS in S115), the control section 30 displays
on the display section 28 an effect image indicating that the
second putt was successful (S116). As the player sees the effect
image displayed on the display section 28, he/she can confirm that
he/she sank the second putt on the first hole.
[0170] At this time, the control section 30 performs control to
turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the
emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating
section 24.
[0171] Subsequently, the control section 30 displays on the display
section 28 a game image indicating that the player has scored a par
as a result of the par putt (S117).
[0172] On the other hand, if the control section 30 determines that
the second putt was a failure (FAILURE in S115), the control
section 30 displays on the display section 28 an effect image
indicating that the second putt was a failure (S118). As the player
sees the effect image displayed on the display section 28, he/she
can confirm that he/she missed the second putt on the first
hole.
[0173] At this time, the control section 30 performs control to
turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the
emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating
section 24.
[0174] Subsequently, the control section 30 displays on the display
section 28 a game image indicating that the player has scored a
bogey as a result of the par putt (S119).
[0175] The control section 30 then updates the player's total score
by setting it to "+1" (S120).
[0176] Returning to step S105, if the control section 30 determines
that the current play hole is not the first hole (NO in S105), it
means that the play hole is one of the holes other than the first
hole. The control section 30 then determines whether the first putt
on the previous play hole was successful (S121).
[0177] If the control section 30 determines that the first putt on
the previous play hole was successful (YES in S121), the control
section 30 performs the processing in the above-described step S106
and on. That is, the control section 30 performs the same
processing as in the first hole. In this case, the first putt on
the current play hole (one of the second through ninth holes) is a
birdie challenge, as with the first shot on the previous play hole
(one of the first through eighth holes). Therefore, the player can
try for a birdie in a row.
[0178] On the other hand, if the control section 30 determines that
the first putt on the previous play hole was not successful (NO in
S121), the control section 30 displays on the display section 28 a
game image indicating that the first shot of the current play hole
is a par putt (S122). As the player sees the game image displayed
on the display section 28, he/she can increase his/her motivation
for the game play, because the player can try for a par, although
he/she cannot try for a birdie.
[0179] Next, when the player hit a putt, the control section 30
determines whether the first putt on the play hole was successful
(S123). That is, when the golf ball set at the first putting
position was hit by the player, the control section 30 determines
whether the golf ball rolling on the field plate 21 has dropped
into the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the
ball-in-cup sensor 22S. If the ball-in-cup sensor 22S can detect
the golf ball that has entered the target cup, the control section
30 determines that the first putt was successful; otherwise, the
control section 30 determines that the first putt was a failure.
When the golf ball rolling on the field plate 21 has fallen into
the channel of the ball collecting section 26, the control section
30 receives a detection signal from the falling detection sensor
(not shown). In this case as well, the control section 30 can
determine that the first putt was a failure.
[0180] If the control section 30 determines that the first putt was
successful (SUCCESS in S123), the control section 30 displays on
the display section 28 an effect image indicating that the first
putt was successful (S124). As the player sees the effect image
displayed on the display section 28, he/she can confirm that he/she
sank the first putt on the play hole.
[0181] At this time, the control section 30 performs control to
turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the
emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating
section 24.
[0182] Subsequently, the control section 30 displays on the display
section 28 a game image indicating that the player has scored a par
as a result of the par putt (S125).
[0183] The control section 30 then displays on the display section
28 an effect image indicating that the first putt of the next play
hole will be a birdie challenge (S126). As the player sees the game
image displayed on the display section 28, he/she can increase
his/her motivation for the game play, because the player can try
for a birdie on the next play hole.
[0184] On the other hand, if the control section 30 determines that
the first putt was a failure (FAILURE in S123), the control section
30 displays on the display section an effect image indicating that
the first putt was a failure (S127). As the player sees the effect
image displayed on the display section 28, he/she can confirm that
he/she missed the first putt on the play hole.
[0185] At this time, the control section 30 performs control to
turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the
emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating
section 24.
[0186] Next, the control section 30 operates the cup section 22 and
the putting position designating section 24 to reset the conditions
of the play field (green) now for the second putt on the play hole
(S128). At this time, the control section 30 refrains from
operating the tilting section 23. That is, the tilting of the field
plate 21 is made the same for the first shot and the second shot on
the play hole. By maintaining the tilting of the field plate 21 in
this manner, when the player is hitting a second putt, it is
possible to make the player feel like he/she is continuously
playing on the same green as that on which he/she had hit the first
putt.
[0187] Specifically, when operating the cup section 22, the control
section 30 performs control to turn on the cup light 22L
corresponding to the cup 22H (target cup) to be aimed at (by the
second shot) on the play hole. The target cup (cup 22HR or cup
22HL) to be aimed at by the second shot has been predetermined in
the field settings described above. Thus, the control section 30
turns on the cup light 22LR corresponding to the cup 22HR or the
cup light 22LL corresponding to the cup 22HL, on the basis of the
information about the target cup stored in the storage section 31
(see FIG. 11). As a result, when the player is about to hit the
second putt on the play hole, the player can recognize that the cup
22H being illuminated by the cup light 22L is the target cup. It
should be noted that in the present embodiment, the target cup for
the second putt is changed from the target cup for the first
putt.
[0188] Further, when operating the putting position designating
section 24, the control section 30 performs control such that the
putting position designating section 24 emits a laser beam onto a
putting position on the field plate 21 (for the second shot) on the
play hole. The second putting position for the second shot has been
predetermined in the field settings described above. Thus, the
control section 30 drives and controls the first motor 24c and the
second motor 24e of the putting position designating section 24, on
the basis of the coordinate information of the second putting
position stored in the storage section 31 (see FIG. 11). As a
result, the laser beam emitting section 24a emits a laser beam onto
the second putting position on the field plate 21. When the player
is about to hit the second putt on the play hole, the player can
recognize that the point on the field plate 21 being illuminated by
the laser beam is the second putting position.
[0189] Next, when causing the player to putt on the play hole, the
golf game device 20 displays on the display section 28 a game image
indicating that the putt is the second putt (S129). As the player
sees the game image displayed on the display section 28, he/she can
start the second putt on the play hole.
[0190] The control section 30 then displays on the display section
28 a game image indicating that the second shot of the play hole is
a bogey putt (S130). As the player sees the game image displayed on
the display section 28, he/she can increase his/her motivation for
the game play, because the player can try for a bogey, although
he/she cannot try for a par.
[0191] Next, when the player hit a putt, the control section 30
determines whether the second putt on the play hole was successful
(S131). That is, when the golf ball set at the second putting
position was hit by the player, the control section 30 determines
whether the golf ball rolling on the field plate 21 has dropped
into the target cup, on the basis of a detection signal from the
ball-in-cup sensor 22S. If the ball-in-cup sensor 22S can detect
the golf ball that has entered the target cup, the control section
30 determines that the second putt was successful; otherwise, the
control section 30 determines that the second putt was a failure.
When the golf ball rolling on the field plate 21 has fallen into
the channel of the ball collecting section 26, the control section
30 receives a detection signal from the falling detection sensor
(not shown). In this case as well, the control section 30 can
determine that the second putt was a failure.
[0192] If the control section 30 determines that the second putt
was successful (SUCCESS in S131), the control section 30 displays
on the display section 28 an effect image indicating that the
second putt was successful (S132). As the player sees the effect
image displayed on the display section 28, he/she can confirm that
he/she sank the second putt on the play hole.
[0193] At this time, the control section 30 performs control to
turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the
emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating
section 24.
[0194] Subsequently, the control section 30 displays on the display
section 28 a game image indicating that the player has scored a
bogey as a result of the bogey putt (S133).
[0195] The control section 30 then updates the player's total score
by adding "+1" to the current score (S134).
[0196] On the other hand, if the control section 30 determines that
the second putt was a failure (FAILURE in S131), the control
section 30 displays on the display section 28 an effect image
indicating that the second putt was a failure (S135). As the player
sees the effect image displayed on the display section 28, he/she
can confirm that he/she missed the second putt on the play
hole.
[0197] At this time, the control section 30 performs control to
turn off the cup light L that had been on and also stop the
emission of the laser beam by the putting position designating
section 24.
[0198] Subsequently, the control section 30 displays on the display
section 28 a game image indicating that the player has scored a
double bogey as a result of the bogey putt (S136).
[0199] The control section 30 then updates the player's total score
by adding "+2" to the current score (S137).
[0200] Next, the control section 30 determines whether there is a
next player (S138). The control section can determine the number of
the players who are participating in the golf game, on the basis of
a signal input from the operation section 27 at the start of the
game. If the control section 30 determines that there is a next
player (YES in S138), the control section 30 displays on the
display section 28 a game image instructing to switch to the next
player (S139). The control section 30 then continues the processing
in the step S104 and on.
[0201] On the other hand, if the control section 30 determines that
there is not a next player (NO in S138), the control section 30
terminates the current play hole (S140).
[0202] As described above, according to the golf game device of the
present embodiment, the putting position on the field determined by
the control section 30 is designated by the putting position
designating section 24, and the target cup determined by the
control section 30 is designated by the cup designating section
22L. This allows the player to set the ball at the putting position
and putt from the putting position aiming at the target cup. The
player can enjoy the game play on a variety of play fields (greens)
that change in accordance with the progress of the game. It is thus
possible to enable game play that is rich in variety and capable of
keeping the player from getting bored.
[0203] Further, the tilting section 23 can tilt the field plate 21
in accordance with the tilting determined by the control section
30. The player can enjoy the game play on a wider variety of play
fields (greens). It is thus possible to enable game play that is
richer in variety.
Modified Embodiments
[0204] It should be noted that the above embodiment is intended to
facilitate understanding of the present invention and shall not be
construed as limiting the invention.
[0205] Further, needless to say, the present invention can be
modified or improved without departing from the scope thereof, and
the present invention encompasses equivalents thereto. In
particular, the present invention covers the embodiments described
below.
[0206] <Cup Section 22>
[0207] In the above embodiment, the golf game device 20 had two
cups 22H in the field portion 20A. The present invention, however,
is not limited thereto; two or more cups 22H may be provided.
[0208] <Tilting Section 23>
[0209] In the above embodiment, the tilting section 23 for tilting
the field plate 21 included the lift mechanism having the ball
screw shaft 231 and the motor 232. The present invention, however,
is not limited thereto. The tilting section may include, for
example, a mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic pantograph jack.
[0210] <Putting Position Designating Section 24>
[0211] In the above embodiment, the putting position designating
section 24 designated the putting position by emitting a laser beam
onto the field plate 21. The present invention, however, is not
limited thereto. For example, the laser beam may be replaced with a
spotlight. Further, instead of focusing light on the field surface,
the field may be divided into grid areas, for example, and LED
lamps may be embedded in the field for the respective grid areas.
In this case, the putting position designating section 24 may turn
on the LED lamp corresponding to one of the areas, in accordance
with an instruction from the control section 30, to designate the
putting position on the field.
[0212] Further, at the time of determining a putting position, the
putting position designating section 24 may determine the putting
position irrespectively of the distance to the target cup.
[0213] <Cup Determination Processing>
[0214] In the above embodiment, in the cup determination
processing, it was configured such that the target cup for the
first putt would not be the same as the target cup for the second
putt. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. The
same cup may be determined as the target cup for the first and
second putts.
[0215] <Distance Determination Processing>
[0216] In the above embodiment, in the distance determination
processing, it was configured such that the second distance for the
second putt would be shorter than the first distance for the first
putt. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. It
may be configured such that the first distance becomes longer than
the second distance. This can increase the difficulty level of the
game.
[0217] <Tilting Determination Processing>
[0218] In the above embodiment, in the tilting determination
processing, it was configured such that the tilting of the field
plate 21 would be the same for the first putt and the second putt.
The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. The tilting
may be changed between the first and second putts.
[0219] <Field Settings for Respective Holes>
[0220] In the above embodiment, the field settings for the
respective holes were determined in the order of: tilting
determination processing, distance determination processing, cup
determination processing, and putting position determination
processing. The present invention, however, is not limited thereto.
The field settings for the respective holes may be determined in a
different order.
[0221] <Setting of Each Hole>
[0222] In the golf game device 20 of the above embodiment, a player
was allowed to hit a first putt and a second putt in each hole. The
present invention, however, is not limited to this specific number
of putts.
DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0223] 1: game system [0224] 2: network [0225] 10: golf game server
[0226] 11: server control section [0227] 12: server storage section
[0228] 13: server display section [0229] 14: server operation
section [0230] 15: server communication section [0231] 20: golf
game device [0232] 20A: field portion [0233] 20B: upright portion
[0234] 21: field plate [0235] 22: cup section [0236] 22H: cup
[0237] 22L: cup light [0238] 22S: ball-in-cup sensor [0239] 22S1:
light emitting element [0240] 22S2: light receiving element [0241]
23: tilting section [0242] 23A to 23D: lift mechanism [0243] 231:
ball screw shaft [0244] 232: motor [0245] 24: putting position
designating section [0246] 24a: laser beam emitting section [0247]
24b: first shaft [0248] 24c: first motor [0249] 24d: second shaft
[0250] 24e: second motor [0251] 24f: bracket [0252] 25: ball
supplying section [0253] 26: ball collecting section [0254] 27:
operation section [0255] 27a: operation button [0256] 27b: card R/W
[0257] 28: display section [0258] 30: control section [0259] 31:
storage section [0260] 32: image generating section [0261] 33:
audio output section [0262] 34: communication section
* * * * *