U.S. patent number 3,589,732 [Application Number 04/855,150] was granted by the patent office on 1971-06-29 for map spot projection system for a golf game.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Brunswick Corporation. Invention is credited to James R. Feeney, Jack A. Russell.
United States Patent |
3,589,732 |
Russell , et al. |
June 29, 1971 |
MAP SPOT PROJECTION SYSTEM FOR A GOLF GAME
Abstract
An improved plotting system for use in indoor golf games for
indicating to a golfer, the point of termination of a shot as
determined by a computer on a map of a golf hole. The map is
projected on a screen along with a scene of the golf hole taken
from the point at which the golfer is to hit a shot and a ball spot
projector which illustrates the trajectory of the ball on the
projected scene is also used to indicate the point of termination
on the map. The position of the map on the screen is preoriented so
that the location on the hole from which the golfer is to hit a
shot and which is represented by the scene projected on the screen
is always located at the same point on the screen.
Inventors: |
Russell; Jack A. (Muskegon,
MI), Feeney; James R. (Grand Rapids, MI) |
Assignee: |
Brunswick Corporation
(N/A)
|
Family
ID: |
25320471 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/855,150 |
Filed: |
September 4, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B
69/3658 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63B
69/36 (20060101); A63b 067/02 (); A63b
069/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/176,184,185,183 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Marlo; George J.
Claims
We claim:
1. An indoor golf game comprising:
a. an area defining a tee from which golf balls may be hit;
b. a screen located forwardly of said tee area and adapted to
receive indicia depicting any one of a plurality of scenes of a
golf hole;
c. means providing indicia depicting a map of said golf hole;
d. means for sensing the flight characteristics of a golf ball
struck from the tee toward said screen for providing information
relative thereto;
e. computing means responsive to said sensing means for receiving
the information therefrom and for computing the theoretical free
flight trajectory of the golf ball hit from the tee, said computing
means including a first circuit for determining the distance the
ball would travel in a first horizontal direction generally
straight away from said tee, a second circuit for determining the
distance that a ball would travel in a second horizontal direction
transverse to said first direction and a third circuit for
determining the distance a ball would travel in a third direction
normal to both said first and second directions;
f. spot-projecting means responsive to said computing means
1. for moving a spot of light on said screen and thus on the one of
the plurality of scenes of a golf hole on the screen to provide a
visual simulation of the computed theoretical free flight
trajectory and
2. for projecting a spot of light on the map of a golf hole to
indicate the point of termination of the computed theoretical free
flight trajectory of the golf ball on the map, said spot projecting
means including first, second and third systems for changing the
projection of the spot of light on the screen to indicate the
distance of the ball from the tee, the distance of the ball to
either side of the tee and the distance of the ball above the tee,
respectively; and
g. means responsive to said computing means when the latter has
determined that the theoretical free flight of the ball has
terminated for thereafter causing said spot-projecting means to
indicate said point of termination on the map, said means
responsive to said computing means comprising, means for
alternately connecting said first, second the third systems to said
first, second and third circuits, respectively, to move the spot of
light on the scene and for connecting said second and third systems
to said second and first circuits, respectively, to indicate the
point of termination of the theoretical free flight trajectory of
the golf ball on the map.
2. An indoor golf game according to claim 1 wherein element (c)
comprises a projector for projecting the image of a map of a golf
hole on said screen.
3. An indoor golf game according to claim 1 further including a
plurality of scenes, each depicting the view from a different
location on a hole on a golf course, means associated with each
scene for providing a map of the golf hole, and means for
projecting each said scene and the corresponding map on said
screen.
4. A golf game according to claim 3 wherein each map is located
with respect to its associated scene such that the point on the
golf hole which the view for the particular scene represents on
said map will be located at a predetermined position on said screen
when projected thereon by said projection means.
5. A golf game according to claim 4 wherein said predetermined
point includes an imaginary line extending therefrom and each said
map is associated with its corresponding scene so that the location
of the cup on the golf hole of the map will always be projected on
said imaginary line.
6. In an indoor golf game including a screen, a projector for
projecting on the screen any one of a plurality of scenes each
depicting the view from a different location on a golf hole, a
computer for utilizing input data to compute the theoretical free
flight trajectory of a golf ball, a ball spot projector responsive
to the computer for projecting and moving a spot of light on the
projected scene to simulate the flight of a golf ball; and means
providing a map of the golf hole, the improvement comprising: means
connected to said computer and responsive to the termination of the
theoretical free flight trajectory of a golf ball for causing said
ball spot projector to cease projecting said spot of light on the
projected scene and to project said spot of light on said
map-providing means to indicate thereon the point of termination of
said theoretical free flight trajectory.
7. An indoor golf game according to claim 6 including the further
improvement wherein said map providing means includes means
associated with said projector for projecting the image of a golf
hole map on said screen.
8. An indoor golf game according to claim 6 including the further
improvement wherein said map providing means comprises: a plurality
of map images, one for each of said scenes, and each having the
point therein corresponding to the point of view of the
corresponding scene locatable at a predetermined position with
respect to said ball spot projector, and means responsive to the
projection of a selected scene for locating said point at said
position.
9. In an indoor golf game including a tee from which balls may be
hit, data acquisition means for acquiring trajectory information
relative to the balls hit from the tee, a computer responsive to
the data acquisition means for computing the theoretical free
flight trajectory of balls hit from the tee, means providing a map
of a golf hole, and means responsive to the computer for
indicating, along two coordinates, the point of termination of a
ball flight trajectory on said map with respect to a predetermined
reference point; the improvement wherein said map-providing means
comprise a plurality of map images, one for each of a plurality of
possible starting points for a ball flight trajectory, each of said
images being oriented so that the starting point corresponding to
the image is locatable at said predetermined reference point, and
means for selecting one of said images for disposition at a
predetermined location with respect to said indication means and
with said starting point at said predetermined reference point.
10. A golf game according to claim 9 where said images are on film,
and further including means for projecting the selected one of said
images to said predetermined location with said starting point at
said predetermined reference point.
11. A golf game according to claim 10, further including a screen
located forwardly of said tee, said projecting means further being
operative to project said images on said screen along with scenes
depicting the views on a golf hole from the plurality of starting
points, said scenes being correlated with said images so that the
image and the scene projected at a given time relate to the same
one of said starting points.
12. An indoor golf game according to claim 11 wherein said
indicating means comprises a spot projector for alternately
projecting a moving spot of light on said screen and on the scene
projected thereon to simulate the flight of a golf ball, and for
projecting a spot of light on the screen and on the map image
projected thereon to indicate the point of termination of a
shot.
13. An indoor golf game comprising:
a. an area defining a tee from which golf balls may be hit;
b. a screen located forwardly of said tee area;
c. means for projecting any one of a plurality of scenes of a golf
hole and indicia depicting a map of said golf hole on said screen
in side by side relation;
d. means for sensing the flight characteristics of a golf ball
struck from the tee toward said screen for providing information
relative thereto;
e. computing means responsive to said sensing means for receiving
the information therefrom and for computing the theoretical free
flight trajectory of the golf ball hit from the tee, said computing
means including a first circuit for determining the location of the
ball in a first direction with respect to said tee, a second
circuit for determining the location of the ball in a second
direction with respect to said tee and a third circuit for
determining the location of the ball in a third direction with
respect to said tee;
f. spot-projecting means responsive to said computing means
1. for moving a spot of light on said screen and thus on the one of
the plurality of scenes of a golf hole on the screen to provide a
visual simulation of the computed theoretical free flight
trajectory and
2. for projecting a spot of light on the map of a golf hole to
indicate the point of termination of the computed theoretical free
flight trajectory of the golf ball on the map, said spot-projecting
means including first, second and third systems for changing the
projection of the spot of light on the screen to indicate the
distance of the ball from the tee, the distance of the ball to
either side of the tee and the distance of the ball above the tee,
respectively; and
g. means responsive to said computing means when the latter has
determined that the theoretical free flight of the ball has
terminated for thereafter causing said spot-projecting means to
indicate said point of termination on the map, said means
responsive to said computing means comprising, means for
alternately connecting said first, second and third systems to said
first, second and third circuits, respectively, to move the spot of
light on the scene and for connecting said second and third systems
to said second and first circuits, respectively, to indicate the
point of termination of the theoretical free flight trajectory of
the golf ball on the map.
14. An indoor golf game according to claim 13 wherein said means
responsive to said computing means further includes means operative
after the computing means has determined that the theoretical free
flight trajectory has terminated for providing said second system
with an offset signal to cause said spot-projecting means to
project toward said map indicia rather than toward the scene on the
screen.
15. An indoor golf game according to claim 13 wherein said means
responsive to said computing means further includes means operative
after said computing means has determined that the theoretical free
flight trajectory has terminated for providing said third system
with an offset signal.
16. An indoor golf game according to claim 13 wherein said means
responsive to said computing means further includes means operative
after the computing means has determined that the theoretical free
flight trajectory has terminated for providing both said second
system and said third system with respective offset signals to
cause said spot-projecting means to project toward a predetermined
location on said screen occupied by said map indicia rather than
toward the scene on the screen.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the copending application of Conklin et al. entitled "Golf
Game," Ser. No. 588,856, filed Oct. 24, 1966, now U.S. Pat. No.
3,501,152, and assigned to the same assignee as the instant
application, there is disclosed a plotting system for use with
indoor golf games to indicate to a golfer where each shot played on
the indoor golf game would terminate on a map of the hole being
played Information provided to the golfer by the point of
termination indication is utilized by the golfer to select a scene
for display on a screen for the next shot or is used to indicate to
the golfer where on or around a putting green a ball must be
located in completing the playing of the hole and/or for lie
selection purposes, i.e., whether the next shot should be played
from a fairway-simulating lie, a rough-simulating lie or a
sand-trap-simulating lie.
The plotting apparatus of Conklin et al. is provided with
trajectory information inputs from a computing system such as that
disclosed in the copending application of Russell et al., Ser. No.
588,922, filed Oct. 24, 1966, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,513,707, and
assigned to the same assignee as the instant application, the
details of which are herein incorporated by reference. The Russell
et al. computing system provides trajectory information to a
so-called "ball spot projector" which moves a spot of light on a
screen which receives indicia representing the view from a point on
the hole on a golf course. The moving spot of light simulates the
flight of a ball relative to the view to provide a realistic
display to the golfer.
When the Russell et al. computing system is utilized with the
Conklin et al. plotting system, a second, so-called "map spot
projector" is utilized in conjunction with maps of the golf hole to
be played. As described in the Conklin et al. application, the maps
are arranged on a plotting table beneath the map spot projector and
preparatory to each shot, the golfer orients the map in such a way
that the map spot projector, using information obtained from the
Russell et al. computation system, will project a spot of light on
the map to indicate the point of termination of the shot as
computed by the Russell et al. computer.
While the combination of the Conklin et al. and Russell et al.
systems have proved very satisfactory, certain drawbacks are
present. Specifically, the combined system described previously
requires the use of two separate spot projectors, a ball spot
projector and a map spot projector. Secondly, the nature of the
system is such that prior to each shot, the golfer must physically
orient the map of the hole which he is playing in a certain manner
in order that the point of termination of the next shot will be
correctly indicated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The principal object of the invention is to provide a new and
improved map-spot-projecting system for use in conjunction with
indoor golf games.
More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a
new and improved map-spot-projecting system wherein a ball spot
projector normally used with an indoor golf game may additionally
be used for map spot projection to thereby provide an indoor golf
game of more economical construction.
Another object is the provision of an improved map-spot-projecting
system wherein maps of the golf hole are preoriented to eliminate
the need for a golfer to orient the same prior to each shot.
The invention accomplishes the foregoing objects by means of film
frames for projection on a screen located forwardly of a golf tee
which frames include scene indicia representative of the view from
a particular location on the hole of a golf course and a map
representing the hole of the golf course. Additionally, the map is
oriented on the frame with respect to the scene thereon such that
the point from which the view was taken as located on the map, will
always be projected to the same location on a screen for all
scenes. Further, a hypothetical line extending from the
predetermined point is utilized in orienting each map with respect
to its associated scene so that the cup location on the map always
falls on the hypothetical line.
Because a conventional ball spot projector is adapted to project a
spot of light on the screen in such a way to simulate the flight of
a golf ball, and because the map is also projected on a screen, it
will be appreciated that the arrangement is ideally suited for
permitting the ball spot projector to be used for both ball spot
projection and map spot projection. To this end, switching means
are provided which, when a ball flight has ended, switch computer
inputs to the ball spot projector in such a way that the same then
receives different information useful for map spot projection and
the same projects a spot of light to the projected image of the map
also on the screen.
The orientation of the map with respect to the scene provides an
arrangement whereby map orientation, heretofore accomplished
manually by a golfer preliminary to each shot, is automatically
compensated for during the construction of the film for providing
the frames having the scene in the corresponding map.
Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the
following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tee area of an indoor golf game
utilizing a map-spot-projecting system according to the
invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the typical construction of
a golf-game-computing system including a map-spot-projecting system
made according to the invention;
FIG. 3 is an illustration of a typical map of a golf hole used with
the indoor golf game;
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating a map and scene-projecting
system;
FIG. 5 illustrates two frames on a film used with the map and scene
projector;
FIG. 6 is comprised of FIGS. 6A and 6B that illustrates a schematic
of a portion of the system illustrated in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 7 is a schematic of a relay circuit which controls certain of
the elements illustrated in FIG. 6.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
An exemplary embodiment of an indoor golf game including a
map-plotting system made according to the invention is seen in FIG.
1 and comprises a tee area, generally designated 10, having a
predetermined tee point 12 therein at which a golf ball may be
placed to be hit by a golfer. Forwardly of the tee area is a screen
14 on which is projected indicia representing the view from a
certain location on a golf hole. The indicia are projected on the
screen 14 by means of a projector 16 which may be of the type
disclosed in the copending application of Pratt et al., Ser. No.
574,218, filed Aug. 22, 1966, entitled "Visual Display System," now
U.S. Pat. No. 3,528,733, and assigned to the same assignee as the
instant application, the details of which are herein incorporated
by reference.
A control console 18 includes control means, generally designated
20, for controlling the projector 16 so that the latter will
dispose any selected one of a plurality of scenes on the screen 14.
There is also provided a ball spot projector 22 which is adapted to
project a spot of light on the screen 14 to firstly indicate the
trajectory of a ball in flight relative to the scene projected on a
screen and secondly, to indicate the point of termination of a shot
on a map of the hole to the golfer.
To this end, the matter projected on the screen 14 by the projector
16 is comprised of two parts. The first part consists of a scene
portion, generally designated 24, indicating, in perspective, the
view from a predetermined location on a hole of the golf course.
The second portion is a map portion, generally designated 26, and
indicates, in plan view, the layout of the hole being played and,
as seen in FIG. 1, the projector 22 is projecting a spot of light
28 on a zone on the map portion 26. The specific relation between
the scene portion 24 and the map portion 26 will be described in
greater detail hereinafter.
Suitable data acquisition means (not shown in FIG. 1) may be
associated with the tee point 12, and located in front of and/or
behind the screen 14. The location of such means will depend upon
their construction. If the data acquisition means disclosed in the
Russell et al. application are utilized, there will be appropriate
means located at all three locations mentioned above and the
information provided by such data acquisition means is fed to a
computer which computes the theoretical free flight trajectory of a
ball hit from the tee point 12. The computed trajectory information
is then fed to the ball spot projector 22 which moves the spot of
light relative to the scene portion 24 to indicate the ball's
trajectory and, thereafter, projects the spot of light to the map
portion 26 to indicate the point of termination of the shot on the
map portion 26.
The data acquisition means and the computer to be used with the
indoor golf game are illustrated in block form in FIG. 2. With the
exception of one block to be pointed out in detail hereinafter, the
specific means for each block illustrated in FIG. 2 may be
ascertained by reference to the Russell et al. application.
The data acquisition means include essentially four elements as
described in the Russell et al. application. The first is an
initial-velocity-information-providing means, generally designated
30. The second is an elevation-angle-information-providing means
and is generally designated 32. There is also provided an
azimuth-angle-information-providing means, generally designated 34;
and finally, there is provided a side-spin-information-providing
means, generally designated 34; and finally, there is provided a
side-pin-information-providing means, generally designated 36, for
providing information relative to the side spin placed on a ball
hit at the tee point 12.
The information provided by the data acquisition means 30--36 is
provided as an input to a computer, generally designated 38, which
utilizes the information to determine, throughout the theoretical
free flight trajectory of the ball, three vectorial components of
such flight. Thus, the computer 38 includes an X-distance-computing
means 40, a Y-distance-computing means 42 and a
Z-distance-computing means 44. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that the X-distance-computing means computes the
instantaneous displacement of the ball to either side of a straight
line extending from the tee point down the center of the hole and
usually to the cup. Similarly, it will be recognized that the
Y-distance-computing means 42 computes the instantaneous
displacement of the ball above the ground while the ball is in
flight. Finally, the Z-distance-computing means computes the
instantaneous displacement of the ball from the tee point along the
straight line extending therefrom discussed above in conjunction
with the X-distance-computing means 40.
As disclosed in the Russell et al. application, the computer 38
provides three electrical outputs with the voltage at each output
being proportional to the displacement of the ball from the various
reference points mentioned previously at a corresponding time in
its flight. Such electrical outputs are therein described as
S.sub.x which is the electrical output indicating the distance in
the X-direction, S.sub.y which is the electrical output designating
displacement in the Y-direction and S.sub.z which is the electrical
output indicating displacement in The Z-direction.
In the instant invention, such electrical outputs are utilized as
inputs to a mode change switching and amplification circuit,
generally designated 46. Thereafter, appropriate electrical outputs
totaling three in number are provided from the mode change
switching and amplification circuit 46 to the ball spot projector
22, which includes an X-motor 50, a Y-motor 52 and a Z-motor 54.
The details of such a ball spot projector 48 may be ascertained by
reference to the Russell et al. application. For purposes of the
instant application, it is merely sufficient to note that the
X-motor controls the location of the spot projected by the ball
spot projector 22 on the screen with respect to the horizontal; the
Y-motor 52 controls the location of the projected spot with respect
to the vertical and the Z-motor 54 controls the size of the
projected spot and being such that when the spot is being projected
to simulate the flight of the ball, as the Z-distance increases,
the projected spot decreases in size.
The specific nature of the mode change switching and amplification
circuit 46 will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
As indicated previously, the primary purpose of the instant
application is to provide a map-plotting system that (1) eliminates
the need for a golfer to manually orient a map of the hole that he
is playing and (2) eliminates the expense of a map spot projector.
The first objective is met by projecting a golf hole map on the
screen 14 at the map portion 26 of the image, which map is
preoriented and the second objective is achieved by the provision
of the mode changing switching and amplification means 46 which is
operative to cause the ball spot projector 22 to operate as a map
spot projector after the theoretical flight of the ball has
terminated as determined by the computer 38.
FIG. 3 illustrates a typical map 60 of a golf hole and the outline
thereof is located on a frame of film at the left-hand side thereof
so that it will be projected at the map portion 26 of the projected
image on the screen 14 as will be seen hereinafter. A line 62
designates a fairway and the area therewithin may be colored a
medium green. A second line 64 defines a rough surrounding the
fairway defined by the line 62 and the area between the lines 62
and 64 may be colored a darker green to indicate the rough. Various
continuous lines 66 may be used to designate sand traps and the
area therewithin may be colored a sand color to designate a sand
trap. A continuous line 68 designates a green and may be colored a
lighter green to distinguish it from the fairway and the rough
while lines 70 and 72 may define a water hazard and the area
between the two lines may be colored blue. A dotted line 74 in the
vicinity of the green may be used to indicate that a golfer is in
sufficiently close proximity to the green so that the shot need not
be played with the use of the computer as discussed in greater
detail in the Conklin et al. application.
Various undesignated lines divide the fairway, the rough and the
sand into a plurality of discrete zones and each zone may bear
characteristic indicia 75 representative of a scene to be selected
for display on the screen 14 by a projector when a golfer is about
to make a shot from that particular zone. Each zone also includes a
circle 76 that indicates the point in the zone from which the scene
was taken and is also used for computational purposes as will
appear hereinafter, although the circle 76 may be eliminated from
the image on the film.
The green is also divided into a plurality of zones indicated by
the concentric circles labeled A, B, C, D and E. The hole is
located in the center of the circle designated A. Corresponding
indicia may be marked on a separate green area on which the golfer
may actually putt so that by means of the map and the map spot
projector, the golfer will be apprised of the distance from the cup
on the actual green area that he must place his ball before putting
out.
Small zones within the area between the line 68 and the dotted line
74 may bear suitable indicia 77 for indicating to the golfer where
a ball must be placed adjacent the separate green area for chipping
or pitching onto the green without the use of the computer.
Turning now to FIG. 4, a suitable projector system for use in an
indoor golf game is illustrated schematically and, as mentioned
previously, is preferably of the type disclosed in the identified
application of Pratt et al. The projection system in FIG. 4
includes the projector 16 which is comprised of a suitable optical
system 80, a source of light 81, a pair of reels 82 having a film
83 thereon, and drive means 84 arranged to drive the reels 82 so
that the film 83 may be located with respect to the light source 81
and the optical system 80 to project a desired scene and associated
map on the screen.
Control of the film drive 84 is exercised by a selection control
system 85 which receives scene selection information from the
control panel 20. As seen in FIG. 4, the control panel 20 includes
three manually operable scene selection inputs 86, 87 and 88,
respectively.
The first selecting means 86 designates the hole that is being
played and as illustrated, comprises a rotary switch having 18
positions designated one through 18, one for each of the 18 holes
on the golf course.
The second selecting means 87 is also a rotary switch and has 10
positions designated A through J and the third selecting means 88
is a similar 10-position rotary switch having positions designated
one through 10.
In the course of playing a hole on the indoor golf game, first
selecting means 86 is set to register the particular hole being
played and need not be changed until that hole is completed. For
the first shot on the hole and assuming the hole being played is
that depicted by the map in FIG. 3, the second selecting means will
be set at the position A and the third selecting means 88 will be
set at the position 1 to indicate zone A1 which is the tee zone for
the hole. Thereafter, the second and third selecting means 87 and
88, respectively, may be changed by a golfer in accordance with the
indicia 75 on the map (FIG. 3) for the particular zone which the
shot terminates in. The zone of termination is, as mentioned
previously, indicated by a spot of light at the completion of each
shot.
Turning now to FIG. 5, an image of the map 60 is shown to be
located at the left-hand side of a frame 90 on the film 83. Certain
details of the map are omitted from the showing in FIG. 3 for the
purpose of clarity. For purposes of illustration, there is provided
a vertical reference line 94 which will, of course, be omitted on
the actual frame 90. Additionally, there is provided a horizontal
reference line 96 which will be similarly omitted on the finished
film. A point 98 of intersection of the lines 94 and 96 represents
"map zero" and is one of two points which must be considered in
orienting the image of the map 60 on each frame. The second point
of consideration in determining the orientation of the image of a
map 60 on each frame lies on the line 94 and is, in fact, a point
on the map representing the location of the cup on the map. In FIG.
5, this point is designated 100.
The "map zero" point 98 is always at the same location on every
frame of the film. As a result, when means for accurately locating
the projected image on the screen are associated with the projector
16 in a manner described in the above-mentioned Pratt et al.
application, the location of the "map zero" point 98 will be at the
same position on the screen 14. Of course, there will be no such
image projected on the screen 14 because of the omission of the
lines 94 and 96 in the finished film.
As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the "map zero"
point 98 represents the location of the tee point for any given
shot. That is, for a zero X-displacement and a zero Z-displacement,
circuitry to be described hereinafter will cause the ball spot
projector 22 to project the spot of light to the "map zero" point
98. Since a zero displacement in both the X- and Z-direction
represents the tee point for each shot, and since, by definition,
one point which determines the location of the line from which
X-displacement is measured is the tee point, the maps located on
the frames 90 are arranged such that the zone on the map from which
the golfer is making a shot, will have its center located at the
"map zero" point 98.
Turning now to FIGS. 6A, 6B and 7, the specific nature of the
circuitry forming the mode change switching and amplification means
46 will be described. In the following description, where terminals
of the circuitry shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 7 are connected to
certain locations in the Russell et al. computing system, such
terminals will be identified by the same reference numeral as the
terminal disclosed in the Russell et al. application and preceded
by an R. Thus, a terminal designated R303a means that the same
should be connected to the terminal 303a as disclosed in the
Russell et al. application.
Those familiar with the mode of operation of the Russell et al.
computer system will recognize that each cycle of operation thereof
may be divided into three parts. The first part is a so-called
"Standby" condition wherein the computer is ready for operation and
is merely waiting for a golfer to hit a shot so that data may be
acquired to compute the shot. The second condition is a "Ball
Flight" condition and occurs the instant that data relative to a
ball hit from the tee point is available and continues until the
computer ascertains the theoretical flight of the ball has
terminated and then for a short time period thereafter. Finally,
the third condition is a "Map Spot Indication" condition and this
condition follows the ball flight condition and serves to indicate
to the golfer, the point of termination of the shot on the
projected image of the map. The map spot condition lasts for a
predetermined time period and after such a time period has elapsed,
the computer returns to the standby condition.
FIG. 7 indicates in schematic form certain electrical components in
a standby condition. When the computer is in a standby condition, a
relay coil 200, hereinafter referred to as the standby relay, is
normally energized and is connected across a source of power
through the normally closed contact 202 of a conventional holding
relay 204 which may be of the thermal type.
There is also provided a relay coil 206, hereinafter called the
ball spot projection relay, which is arranged to be energized when
a ball flight is in progress. The ball spot relay 206 is connected
across a source of power through normally open contacts R560
created by a relay 560 described in the Russell et al. application.
When the computer judges that the ball is in flight, the relay 560
in the Russell et al. application is energized and the same will
cause the contacts R560 to be closed to energize the ball spot
projection relay 206 during the ball flight portion of the
cycle.
Finally, there is provided a map spot projection relay 208 which
may be connected to power through a normally open contact 210 of
the hold relay 204. The map spot projection relay 208 is to be
energized during the map spot projection portion of each cycle and
its energization takes place in the following manner. As disclosed
in the Russell et al. application, there are provided a set of
normally open contacts R520b operated by a relay 520 as disclosed
in the Russell et al. application. The relay 520 is energized when
a ball flight has terminated and as seen in FIG. 7, when the
contacts R520b are closed, a conventional 2-second time delay
circuit 210 is connected to a power source. After 2 seconds have
elapsed following the closing of the contacts 520b, the 2-second
time delay circuit 210 will energize the holding relay 204. This
will cause the relay 204 to be energized and by virtue of its
conventional holding construction, it will open the circuit from
power through the contacts 202 and close the circuit to power
through the contacts 210 thereof. This change in state will be
maintained for a predetermined time period depending upon the
construction of the relay 204. In the exemplary embodiment, it is
desired that the relay 204 hold the changed condition when
energized for 5 seconds and thereafter revert to its normal
condition.
As a result of the foregoing, it will be apparent in the standby
portion of each computer cycle, only the standby relay 200 is
energized. During the ball flight portion of each computer cycle,
both the standby relay 200 and the ball spot projection relay 206
will be energized and, during the map spot portion of each computer
cycle, and at a time approximately 2 seconds following the
completion of the flight as determined by the computer, the map
spot projection relay 208 will be energized for a period of but 5
seconds.
Returning now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the mode change switching and
amplification means 46 will be described. It is to be understood
that the circuitry shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is to completely
replace that illustrated in FIG. 19 of the Russell et al.
application.
Referring first to the section that provides the X-motor with
information, it will be seen that there is provided a terminal
R486a which is to be connected to the terminal 486a in the Russell
et al. application. Connected in parallel with the terminal R486a
and ground are a pair of scaling potentiometers 220 and 222. The
wiper of the potentiometer 220 is connected through normally open
contacts 200a of the standby relay 200 as an input to an X-motor
servoamplifier 224.
Similarly, the wiper of the potentiometer 222 is connected to
normally open contacts 208a of the map spot projection relay as an
input to the servoamplifier 224.
A second, feedback input to the servoamplifier 224 is taken from
the wiper of an X-motor potentiometer R726 which corresponds to the
potentiometer 726 disclosed in the Russell et al. application.
Applied across the potentiometer R726 is a voltage that represents
twice the displacement in the Z-direction as computed by the
computational system. To this end, a pair of terminals R301a and
R303a are connected to a source of minus S.sub.z voltage and a
source of plus S.sub.z voltage in the Russell et al. computing
system through normally open contacts 206a and 207b operated by the
ball spot projection relay 206.
There is also provided a common voltage input to the servoamplifier
224 which is taken from the wiper of a potentiometer 226 connected
between a positive source of power and ground. Interposed in the
lead from the wiper of the potentiometer 226 is the normally open
contact 208b operated by the map spot projection relay 208.
There is additionally provided a variable source of voltage as an
input to the X-servoamplifier 224 which may be omitted under
certain conditions. The variable source of voltage is obtained from
the wiper of a potentiometer 228 connected to one side of the
potentiometer R726 and to ground. Interposed in the lead from the
wiper of the potentiometer 228 are normally open contacts 200b
operated by the standby relay 200.
The operation of the X-motor system is as follows. A commanded
X-position in the form of electrical signal is placed at the point
R486a and, during the standby or ball flight condition, the
contacts 200a will be closed so that a voltage proportional to that
placed on the contacts R486a will be applied through the
potentiometer 220 as an input to the servoamplifier 224. The
command position will then cause appropriate operation of the
X-motor with feedback being provided from the wiper of the
potentiometer R726.
Also during this time, an input proportional to the displacement in
the Z-direction will be applied from the potentiometer 228 through
the closed contacts 200b of the relay 200 to the servoamplifier. As
mentioned previously, this input is optional and depends upon the
geometry of the tee area. Specifically, if the physical location of
the ball spot projector is centered with respect to a projected
scene, i.e., in a vertical plane passing through the center of the
projected scene and the tee point, this input may be omitted.
However, if the ball spot projector is displaced to the side of the
aforementioned vertical plane, the input should be provided for
accuracy. The side of the potentiometer R726 to which the
potentiometer 228 is connected (to receive plus S.sub.z or minus
S.sub.z) will be dependent upon the side of the aforementioned
vertical plane on which the ball spot projector is located. The
voltage taken from the potentiometer 228 insures that the location
of the projected ball spot will be accurate. Those skilled in the
art will recognize that any ball hit directly along the line from
which X-displacement is measured should, when viewed on a plane,
define a perfectly vertical line. However, if the ball spot
projector is not located in the vertical plane including the line
from which X-displacement is measured, for the situation set forth
in the preceding sentence, a diagonal line would be defined and the
slope of the line would be proportional to the Z-component of the
ball in flight. Thus, the Z-component is applied to the
potentiometer 228 and applied through the closed contacts 200b
during ball flight to the servoamplifier 224 to insure that in such
a situation, the projected ball spot will move in a vertical
line.
When the computer switches from a ball spot projection portion of
the cycle to the map spot projection portion of the cycle, the
contacts 200a open and the contacts 208a close thereby applying, as
an input to the servoamplifier 224, a voltage proportional to the
voltage applied at the contact R486a through scaling potentiometer
222. Also applied at this time is a voltage picked from the wiper
of the potentiometer 226 through the now closed contacts 208b of
the relay 208. Thus, the servoamplifier 224 will cause the X-motor
to drive the spot for map spot projection purposes.
The purpose of the voltage applied from the wiper of the
potentiometer 226 is to provide an offset in the initial location
of the ball spot with respect to the so-called X-direction. More
specifically, at the beginning of the ball flight portion of a
cycle, the initial position of the spot in the X-direction
corresponds to the center of the scene portion 24 (FIG. 1).
However, during the map spot projection portion of the cycle, the
initial position of the spot with respect to the X-direction should
correspond to some point on the imaginary line 94 (FIG. 5) and the
voltage applied from the wiper of the potentiometer 226 provides
for such an offset.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the X-motor 50 of
the ball spot projector will cause horizontal movement of the
projected spot on the scene portion in an appropriate manner when
the relay 200 is energized with the scaling potentiometer 220
providing a correct proportionality factor between the voltage
applied at the contact R486a and the required degree of movement of
the spot on the scene. Similarly, the motor 50 will cause
horizontal movement of the spot for map spot indication position on
the map portion when the relay 208 is energized and the scaling
potentiometer 222 insures that the movement will be proportional to
the voltage applied at the contact R486a but not necessarily at the
same proportionality factor as that applied to the motor during the
ball flight condition. Thus, potentiometers 220 and 222 permit the
map to be scaled differently from the scene.
The control for the Y-motor 52 is primarily illustrated in FIG. 6B
and as indicated, a voltage representative of the distance in the
Y-direction is applied to a contact R260a. Interposed between the
contact R260a and ground is a scaling potentiometer 230 which has
its wiper connected through normally open contacts 206c operated by
the ball spot projection relay 206 to an input of the Y-system
servoamplifier 232. The potentiometer 230, like the potentiometers
220 and 222, serves to introduce an appropriate scaling factor into
the voltage output provided to the contact R260a by the Russell et
al. computer.
A second input to the servoamplifier 232 is taken from a voltage
divider network, generally designated 234, through normally open
contacts 200c operated by the standby relay 200. The arrangement is
such that when the computer is in the standby portion of the
computer cycle, and the contacts 200c are closed, a voltage will be
applied to the Y-servoamplifier 232 that will cause the projected
spot to be located at a predetermined position on the screen.
Normally, such a position would be just at the lower edge of the
screen. Of course, at this time, other means may be provided to
extinguish the light in the ball spot projector so that a spot will
not be projected during standby but it is highly desirable that
during the standby portion, the ball spot projector be directed to
locate the projected spot, whether actually projected or not, at a
predetermined location in readiness for the next ball flight when
the light is illuminated.
A third input to the Y-servoamplifier 232 is provided through
contacts 208c operated by the relay 200 and derived through the
wiper of a potentiometer 240 which has one side connected to ground
and the other to the terminal R301a to receive a voltage
representative of the distance in the Z-direction.
The purpose of this latter connection is to provide a
Z-distance-indicating voltage to the Y-servoamplifier during map
spot projection when, it will be recalled, the Y-motor acts to
indicate Z-distance on the projected image of the map.
A fourth input to the Y-servoamplifier 234 is taken from the wiper
of a feedback potentiometer R728 in FIG. 6A for feedback purposes.
During a ball flight condition, the voltage applied across the
feedback potentiometer R728 will be twice the voltage
representative of the distance in the Z-direction by virtue of the
connections through contacts 206a and 206b to terminals R303a and
R301a, respectively. On the other hand, during map spot projection,
the contacts 206a and 206b will be open with the result that the
voltage applied across the potentiometer R728 for feedback purposes
during map spot projection will be that determined by the magnitude
of a positive reference voltage and a negative reference voltage
indicated in FIG. 6A.
A fifth input to the Y-servoamplifier may be taken from a voltage
divider network generally designated 242 through normally open
contact 208d and a sixth input to the Y-servoamplifier 232 may be
derived from a voltage divider network 244 through normally open
contact 200d of the standby relay 200.
The input from the voltage divider network 244 introduces a factor
corresponding to the height of an observer's eye above the ground
and corresponds to the voltage applied in the Russell et al.
application by the potentiometer 912. The voltage applied from the
voltage divider network 242 through the contacts 208d provides for
an offset in the Y-direction which is approximately similar to the
offset in the X-direction provided by the signal from the
potentiometer 226. That is, because the initial position of the
projected spot in the vertical direction for a ball flight cycle is
different from the initial position of the projected spot in the
vertical direction for map spot projection, means are provided to
insert an appropriate offset.
The control for the Z-motor is as follows. An input signal
corresponding to the negative of the computed distance in the
Z-direction is received on terminal 301a and applied to the anode
of a diode 250. The cathode of the diode 250 is connected to the
cathode of a diode 252 which, in turn, has its anode connected
through normally open contacts 200e to a summing point 254. The
junction of the cathode of the diodes 250 and 252 is also connected
to a negative source of power through the wiper of the
potentiometer 256.
Also applied to the summing point 254 is a voltage taken from the
wiper of the Z-feedback potentiometer R828 which is connected
between ground and an appropriate reference voltage along the lines
of that disclosed in the Russell et al. application.
A third voltage applied to the summing point 254 is taken from the
wiper of a potentiometer 257 and the potentiometer 257 may be
adjusted to control the initial position of the Z-motor thereby
regulating the initial size of the spot of light projected on the
screen.
Another input is taken from the wiper of a potentiometer 258
through normally open contacts 208e and ultimately applied to the
summing point 254. The summing point 254 is then connected as an
input to a Z-differential amplifier 260 and the same has a second
input connection directly to ground.
The operation of the Z-system is as follows. During the standby
condition, the contacts 200e will be closed and the adjustment of
the various potentiometers 256, 257 and the reference voltage is
such that the adjustment of the potentiometer 257 causes the
Z-motor to operate to control the size of the projected spot
according to the desires of the operator. At this point, the size
of the projected spot will typically be its largest.
During the ball flight portion of the cycle, the contacts 200e
remain closed and the computed Z-distance is placed as an input on
the terminal R301a and may often be positive with respect to the
voltage taken from the potentiometer 256. When the voltage at the
junction of the diodes 250 and 252 is negative with respect to the
voltage at the contacts 200e as taken from the potentiometer 257
and the feedback potentiometer R828, an unbalanced input will be
present at the servoamplifier 260 and the Z-motor will be operated
to reduce the size of the spot. As a result, as the voltage applied
to the terminal R301a swings increasingly negative, the Z-motor
will be controlled to gradually decrease the size of the projected
spot.
When the computer switches to the map spot projection portion of
the computer cycle, the contacts 200e will be open and the contacts
208e will be closed. As a result, the voltage applied by the
potentiometer 258 will ultimately be fed to the servoamplifier 260
to control the size of the projected spot during the map spot
projection portion of the computer cycle. By appropriate
manipulation of the potentiometer 258, the size of the projected
spot during map spot projection may be made larger, or smaller or
the same as the initial size of the projected spot during ball
flight projection.
The operation of the system is as follows. Initially, the computer
will be in a standby condition with the result that the X-system
will be conditioned to project the spot of light to the vertical
center of the scene portion because of the voltage applied to the
servoamplifier 224 from the potentiometer 228 through the now
closed contacts 200b. Inasmuch as a flight has not taken place,
zero volts will be applied at the terminal R486a so the closing of
the contacts 200a will have no effect.
In the case of the Y-system, the contacts 200d will be closed to
apply a voltage to compensate for the height of the viewer's eye
above the ground but this will not be observable at this time
because of the voltage applied to the servoamplifier 232 from the
potentiometer 234 through the contacts 200c to the preposition the
Y-system to project the spot to the bottom edge of the screen.
The Z-system at this time will merely be conditioned to project
initially a spot of a predetermined size as determined by the
setting of the potentiometer 257.
When a ball is hit and the computer switches from standby to ball
spot projection, all of the contacts shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B
operated by the relays 200 and 206 will be closed and the projected
spot of light will be moved on the screen and the scene displayed
thereon in accordance with the magnitude of the voltages S.sub.x,
S.sub.y and S.sub.z applied at the terminals R486a, R260a and R301a
essentially as described in the above identified application of
Russell et al. Thus, for the purpose of brevity, it is not believed
necessary to fully described the mode of operation during this
portion of the cycle.
When the flight is terminated and the map spot projector relay 208
has been energized in the manner mentioned previously, the Z-system
of the ball spot projector will be conditioned to project a spot of
constant, predetermined size which will be determined by the
setting of the potentiometer 258 as fed to the servoamplifier 260
through the now closed contacts 208e.
The Y-system will receive Z-information through the now closed
contacts 208c and the initial position of the spot during the
map-spot-projecting mode will be shifted to be at the same height
as the "map zero" point 98 (FIG. 5) assuming that there is no
Z-coordinate voltage applied through the closure of the contacts
208d.
Finally, the X-motor will receive X-information through the now
closed contacts 208a and such information will be offset to
coincide with the imaginary vertical line 94 on the screen (FIG. 5)
in view of the offsetting voltage from the potentiometer 226
applied to the X-servoamplifier 224 through the contacts 208b.
Stated another way, for both X-direction and Z-direction components
of zero, the closure of the contacts 208b and 208d causes both
horizontal and vertical offset of the brush of the projected spot
so that the same will be located at the "map zero" point 98.
Thereafter when Z-information is fed to the Y-system through the
contacts 208c after being appropriately scaled by the potentiometer
240, movement aLong the imaginary line 94, which corresponds to the
Z-direction on the map, will take place. Similarly, when
X-information, approximately scaled by the potentiometer 222 is
provided to the X-servoamplifier 224 through the contacts 208a, the
projected spot will be moved to either side of the imaginary line
94 according to the X-displacement.
As a result, the projected spot will be displaced from the "map
zero" point corresponding to the computed X- and Z-coordinates as
determined by the computer, and inasmuch as the correlation of the
scenes and the preoriented map associated therewith is such that
the tee point for each shot is located at "map zero," the resulting
position of the spot will be an indication of the point of
termination of the shot which may then be used for scene selection
purposes, etc.
In some cases, it may be desireable that the map spot projection
condition be maintained for a longer period of time than the 5
second hold provided by the relay 204. In such instances, because
virtually each shot will require a change of the projected scene
before the shot will be made, a holding circuit may be provided in
parallel with the relay 204 which will hold the map spot projection
condition until such time as the next player is about to make his
shot as indicated by the initiation of the selection of the
appropriate scene for that player. When such is done, the relay 204
will insure that the map spot projection condition will last for at
least 5 seconds and will continue to remain until the next player
is ready to make a shot.
* * * * *