U.S. patent number 3,778,064 [Application Number 05/242,328] was granted by the patent office on 1973-12-11 for simulated golf game device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Golf-In Equipment Corporation. Invention is credited to Gerald E. Nutter.
United States Patent |
3,778,064 |
Nutter |
December 11, 1973 |
SIMULATED GOLF GAME DEVICE
Abstract
A device for simulating the playing of a game of golf utilizes a
screen toward which a player drives a golf ball. On the screen are
projected images of a golf course recorded on a film strip showing
in successive frames the distance to the green from successively
closer lies of the ball. Two rows of photocells detect the passage
of the golf ball and the club head. A player can thus practice
swinging the golf club without setting off the device. Upon
detection of the passage of the golf ball and the club head, an
indication of the distance the ball would travel in an
uninterrupted path is provided by the projection of an image
showing the green as viewed from the approximate lie of the ball.
The interval of time in which the ball passes over the two rows of
photocells is converted into distance of ball travel by the
accumulation of a count in a counter. Upon the passage of the club
head over the rows of photocells, a gate is opened to permit the
count in the counter to be advanced to a preset total and on the
attainment of that total, the gate is closed. During the time the
gate is open, signals passing through the gate actuate a stepping
motor which moves the film strip to the frame which shows a view of
the green from the remaining distance. That frame is projected on
the screen. Where the ball is driven beyond the cup, the stepping
motor is conditioned to drive the film strip in the reverse
direction on the next hit of the golf ball. Detection by the
photocells of the passage of both the golf ball and the club head
is necessary to enable the device to complete a full cycle of
operation.
Inventors: |
Nutter; Gerald E. (Canton,
MA) |
Assignee: |
Golf-In Equipment Corporation
(Braintree, MA)
|
Family
ID: |
22914348 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/242,328 |
Filed: |
April 10, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/152;
377/5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F
7/0628 (20130101); A63F 2009/2444 (20130101); A63F
2009/2466 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A63F
7/06 (20060101); A63F 7/00 (20060101); A63F
9/00 (20060101); A63b 067/02 (); A63b 069/36 () |
Field of
Search: |
;273/176,181,184,185
;235/92GA,92T,92DN,92EA |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Wilbur; Maynard R.
Assistant Examiner: Thesz, Jr.; Joseph M.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a simulated golf game device of the type having
A. a screen for displaying an image projected thereon,
B. a station spaced from the screen from which a player hits a golf
ball toward the screen,
C. a film strip having a series of frames having successive images
representing progressively longer travel of the golf ball,
D. a film strip projector positioned to project images from the
film strip onto the screen,
E. means for sensing movement of the golf ball from the station
toward the screen, the sensing means providing first and second
control signals separated by a time interval related to the
velocity of the golf ball, and
F. means responsive to the first and second control signals for
computing the distance at which the ball would come to rest in
uninterrupted travel,
the improvement wherein
the means for computing the distance at which the ball would come
to rest in uninterrupted travel includes
1. a source of rate signals,
2. a signal counter,
3. switching means responsive to the first and second control
signals for coupling the rate signals to the counter to cause the
counter to accumulate a count dependent upon the time interval
between the first and second control signals,
and wherein the simulated golf game device further includes
G. a stepping motor for moving the film strip through the
projector,
H. a signal source,
I. a gate for coupling the output of the signal source to the
counter,
J. means for enabling the gate after accumulation in the counter of
the count dependent upon the time interval between the first and
second control signals, the counter emitting a signal to disable
the gate upon the count in the counter advancing to a preset total
count,
K. and the stepping motor being actuated by the signals passing
through the gate whereby an image representative of the distance of
uninterrupted ball travel is projected on the screen.
2. The improved simulated golf game device according to claim 1
wherein
the source of rate signals is arranged to emit its signals at a
rate that changes non-linearly in the time interval between the
first and second control signals
3. The improved simulated golf game device according to claim 2
wherein
the means for enabling the gate includes apparatus for generating a
third control signal indicating that the golf ball has been struck
by the golf club.
4. In a simulated golf game device of the type having
A. a screen for displaying an image projected thereon,
B. a station spaced from the screen and from which a player hits a
golf ball toward the screen,
C. a film strip having a series of frames showing successive
locations of the lie of a golf ball in a direction toward the
green,
D. a film strip projector positioned to project images from the
film strip onto the screen,
E. means for sensing the passage of the golf ball hit toward the
screen, and
F. means for computing the distance at which the ball would come to
rest in uninterrupted travel,
the improvement wherein
the means for sensing the passage of the golf ball hit toward the
screen includes
1. a first row of photosensors spaced from a second row of
photosensors, the rows of photosensors being disposed where the
passage of the driven golf ball and the club head are detected by
the photosensors,
2. means for generating a first control signal upon passage of the
ball over the first row of photosensors,
3. means for generating a second control signal upon the passage of
the ball over the second row of photosensors,
4. means for generating a third control signal upon the passage of
the club head over the rows of photosensors,
and wherein
the means for computing the distance at which the golf ball would
come to rest in uninterrupted travel includes
1. a source of rate signals,
2. a signal counter,
3. switching means responsive to the first and second control
signals for coupling rate signals from the source to the counter to
cause the counter to accumulate a count dependent upon the time
interval between the first and second control signals.
and wherein the simulated golf game device further includes,
G. a stepping motor for moving the film strip through
projector,
H. a signal source,
I. a gate for coupling the output of the signal source to the
counter, the gate being enabled by the third control signal and
being inhibited upon the counter attaining a predetermined
count,
J. and the stepping motor being actuated by the signals passing
through the gate whereby an image is projected on the screen
representative of the distance of uninterrupted ball travel.
5. The improved simulated golf game device according to claim 4,
wherein
the source of rate signals emits its signals at a rate that changes
non-linearly with time.
6. The improved simulated golf game device according to claim 5,
wherein the improvement further comprises
K. means for selecting the rate at which the counter accumulates
counts whereby different distances of ball travel can be indicated
for the same interval of time between the first and second control
signals.
7. The improved simulated golf game device according to claim 6,
wherein the improvement further comprises
L. direction control means responsive to signal indicia on the film
strip for controlling the direction of movement of the stepping
motor.
Description
The present invention relates to a simulated golf game device more
particularly, to providing an indication representative of the
distance travelled by a ball driven from a station.
Simulated golf game devices have been proposed wherein a player
drives a golf ball from a station against a screen on which is
projected a picture of an actual golf course with the picture
corresponding to the lie of the ball. As the player drives or
otherwise hits the ball from the station sensing means are provided
to give an indication of the distance which the ball would travel
if hit on an actual golf course. The ball is generally hit against
a screen and the speed at which the ball is hit by the player and
the impact made by the ball against the screen are employed to give
an indication of the distance of ball travel. A picture is then
projected on the screen to present the player with a view of the
golf course as it would appear upon hitting the ball the distance
as sensed by the game device. Images are projected on the screen
from a film strip which has a series of frames showing successive
images of an actual golf course as viewed from successive locations
of the lie of a golf ball in a direction toward a green. These
locations may be taken at increments of about ten yards.
Various arrangements have been proposed for sensing the distance of
ball travel. It has been proposed to employ a combination of
photo-electric means to sense the path of a driven golf ball and
acoustic pick-ups to sense the impact of the golf ball against the
screen. The use of acoustic pick-ups has not been completely
satisfactory since the sound generated by a ball impacting on the
screen depends on other factors in addition to the speed at which
the ball hits the screen.
Also, such game devices employ a control panel which had to be
actuated by the player after each shot or were actuated by an
operator after each shot. The resulting arrangements for sensing
the distance of ball travel were extremely complicated and
expensive and frequently gave results which were not truly
indicative of the distance which the golf ball would travel in free
flight.
It is therefore the principal object of the present invention to
provide a novel and improved simulated golf game device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a golf
game device having an improved arrangement for accurately and
instantly giving an indication representative of the distance of
ball travel.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
simulated golf game device which is simple and inexpensive in
construction and operation and which operates automatically to
project a picture on the screen immediately after a player has
driven the golf ball.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
simulated golf game device which senses the movement of the ball
from the station after being hit by a player to provide an
indication representative of the distance of ball travel.
The disadvantages of the prior art as described above are
essentially eliminated and the objects of the present invention are
achieved by the simulated golf game device disclosed herein which
essentially comprises a screen having means defining a surface for
stopping a driven golf ball and for displaying an image projected
thereon. A station from which a player hits a golf ball toward the
screen is spaced from the screen. There is further provided a film
strip having a series of frames showing successive images of an
actual golf course as viewed from successive locations of the lie
of a golf ball in a direction toward a green. A film strip
projector is positioned to project images from the film strip onto
the screen. Computing means are provided which are responsive to
the movement of the ball driven from the station and to the
movement of the club head hitting the ball for rendering an
indication representative of the distance of ball travel. The
computing means are coupled to the projector and include means for
moving the film strip through the projector in response to the
indication representative of the ball travel after the ball is hit
to project an image on said screen such that a player at the
station will see an image on the screen representative of the
distance of ball travel.
A golf ball driven from the station is sensed by parallel rows of
photo-electric elements which generate control signals. The rows of
photo-electric elements are positioned so that both the ball and
club head move over them. The control signals control the number of
pulses accumulated in a counter. The film strip is driven through
the film projector a distance corresponding to the accumulated
pulses which in turn are indicative of the distance of ball
travel.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent upon reference to the accompanying description when taken
in conjunction with the following drawings, which are exemplary,
wherein;
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the game device according to the
present invention with several of the components being indicated
schematically;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the screen of the game device
showing an image projected thereon;
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the game device of FIG. 1 with
a portion thereof being shown in section;
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation showing the connections
between the control elements of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an electrical circuit diagram showing schematically the
elements of several of the components of the diagram of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion of the film strip showing
indicia marks thereon; and
FIG. 7 is a graph showing distance of ball travel versus pulse
count.
Proceeding next to the drawings wherein like reference symbols
indicate the same parts throughout the various views a specific
embodiment of the present invention will be described in
detail.
As may be seen in FIGS. 1-3, the golf game device of the present
invention is indicated generally at 10 and essentially comprises an
enclosure having a horizontal bottom wall or floor 11, an
upstanding back wall or display screen 12, a pair of vertical
rearwardly convergent side walls 13 and 14, and a top wall 15. The
screen 12 is made of a material suitable for absorbing the impact
of a driven golf ball and, at the same time, suitable for having an
image projected thereon.
The forward end of the enclosure may be open and is provided with a
raised platform or playing station 16. On the playing station, is a
tee or mat 17 from which the players drive or hit the golf balls.
The surface of the tee is provided with a rough resilient surface
somewhat simulating the grass of a golf course so that a player may
drive a ball directly off the mat. Provision is also made for
including tees on both sides of the mat to accommodate both right
and left handed players. The tees may be rubber such as known in
the art or structure may be provided whereby the player may insert
a conventional wooden golf tee in preparation for driving.
Positioned below the platform 16 is a film strip projector 18 for
projecting images on the screen 12.
Positioned on the platform about one foot in front of the spot from
which a ball is played is a first row of photo-electric cells 19
which are spaced about 1 inch apart from each other. A second row
20 of photo-electric cells is placed about 10 inches from the first
row of cells so that when a ball is hit by a player both the ball
and the club head will pass over both rows of photo-electric cells.
Respective light sources 21 and 22 are positioned at the top wall
15 for cooperation with the photo cells in the rows 19 and 20.
Each of the photo-electric cells in row 20 is connected to a
corresponding spot light projector 27 to constitute a lateral
sensing arrangement for the flight of a golf ball. As a driven golf
ball passes over one of the photo-electric cells in row 20 a
corresponding spot light will be actuated to project a beam of
light on the screen 12 to provide a lateral indication of the
driven golf ball.
Mounted on one of the side walls of the enclosure 13 or 14 is a
control panel 23 containing several control buttons which may be
actuated by the players during the use of this game. The particular
buttons and their functions will be presently described.
The projector 18 may be of the film strip type wherein there is no
shutter mechanism but the film is traversed in front of the
aperture. The film strip is advanced through the projector by a
stepper motor portions of frames on the strip until the frame
corresponding to the distance of ball travel is reached and
projected on the screen.
The film strip, a portion of which is indicated at 24 in FIG. 6
consists of a series of frames showing successive images of an
actual golf course as viewed from successive locations of the lie
of a golf ball in a direction from the tee to the green. The images
preferably indicate positions along 10 yard intervals although it
is to be understood that other intervals of distance could be used.
In addition, the strip includes several frames past the green to
provide for the situation where a golfer may over-shoot the green
and it is then necessary for the golfer to come back toward the
green. Each of the frames has numbers thereon indicating the
yardage to the hole and the distance from the tee as may be seen in
the image projected on screen 12 in FIG. 2.
The cup and tee frames of the strip are provided with indicia
consisting of opaque marks which actuate photo-electric cells. The
marks 25 on one side of the film strip indicate tee frames and are
used to provide an automatic stop for the moving film when the
proper frame indicating a tee position is being projected.
Indicia comprising opaque marks 26 are positioned along the other
edge of the film strip to indicate cup frames and these indicia
similarly actuate the photo-electric sensing device. Thus, the film
strip consists of a series of images taken at 10 yard intervals
along a full 18 hole golf course. Obviously, film strips can be
made of different golf courses so as to give a player the
impression of trying his skill on golf courses of varying
difficulty.
Other information may be placed on the frames of the film strip
such as the number of the hole and the recognized par. Those frames
which are taken close to the hole, such as about 20 yards or less,
may also be provided with an indication of a dotted circle or
semi-circle which would put a further demand on accuracy by the
player when he is approaching the cup from the fringes of the
green. If the player's ball lies within this BIRDIE CIRCLE, he can
then putt from a closer position to the cup.
In the schematic diagram of FIGS. 4 and 5 there is shown the
electrical control system incorporating the above described
elements and the several electronic elements for providing an
indication representative of the distance of ball travel. The
operation of the electrical system is based upon digital techniques
and provides an accurate and virtually instantaneous indication of
distance of ball travel.
When a golf ball is driven from the tee 17 the ball will pass over
and actuate one of the photo-electric cells 19. The output of the
actuated cell is then amplified by amplifier 30 and the signal
causes bi-stable flip-flop 31 to be put into the state wherein an
enabling signal is emitted to a gate 32.
Upon being enabled, the output of an oscillator 33 passes into a
shift register 34. The shift register, in effect divides the output
of the oscillator by 6, 7 or 8 depending upon the rate set by the
player in a rate selector 35.
The output of rate selector 35 is unable to pass through a gate 36
until a delay counter 37 has counted 12 pulses. The delay counter
37 then enables gate 36 and its output passes into a rate generator
38. The rate generator is essentially a frequency divider whose
rate is changed four times. Initially, the rate generator allows
the count in a frame counter 30 to accumulate rapidly, as may be
seen from the graph in FIG. 7. Thus from the thirteenth pulse,
which is the first pulse received by the frame counter to pulse 28
the rate generator will not divide and the pulses will go into the
frame counter 39 without being counted down. From pulses 28 to 44,
the pulses will be divided by 2. From pulse count 44 to 76 the
pulse count will be divided by four. And from pulse count 76 to 172
the pulses will be divided by 8.
In the FIG. 7 graph, it has been arbitrarily established that the
longest ball hit will be 310 yards. A hit of 310 yards will thus
correspond to 1 pulse being introduced into the frame counter 39.
The number of pulses introduced will depend upon the time elapsing
between a driven golf ball actuating the rows 19 and 20 of
photo-electric cells.
When the same driven golf ball passes over a photo-electric cell in
the second row 20, the flip-flop circuit 31 will be returned to its
other state, thereby causing gate 32 to be inhibited. The output of
oscillator 33 is thus prevented from passing to the shift register
34. A club detector 40 is connected through amplifier 41 to the
photo-electric cells in row 20, to permit a player to make
"practice swings" without actuating the system. The club detector
prevents the system from responding when the club head is not
preceeded by a ball.
Assuming that 15 counts have accumulated in frame counter 39 when
the club head passes over and actuates a photo-electric cell in row
20, the club detector 40 will emit a signal to stepper control 42.
The stepper control is now enabled and passes the output of
frequency divider 43 to a counter 44.
The counter 44 emits a count signal to the frame counter 39 for
every thirty-two step or pulse signals applied to a stepping motor
45. When counter 39 accumulates a count for thirty-two frames, it
emits a signal to the stepper control 42 which disables that
device. The system is then returned to its initial state.
For each drive pulse received by the stepping motor 45, the motor
strip will be advanced by one thirty-second of a frame. Thus the
stepping motor is driven until the count in frame counter 39
overflows and cuts off the stepper control 42.
When a golf ball is hit hard in order to travel a relatively long
distance the golf ball will pass over the rows of photo-cells 19
and 20 in a short time interval which will cause rate generator 38
to place a small count in the counter 39. Assuming a count of one
is accumulated in the counter 39, the stepper control 42 will cause
stepping motor 45 to step 31 frames before frame counter 39
overflows and turns off the stepper control. The film strip will
consequently be advanced 31 frames in the projector to indicate a
distance of ball travel of 310 yards.
The opaque marks 25 and 26 on the film strip 24, as may be seen in
FIG. 6, are scanned by photo cells 46 and 47. When a ball is driven
past the cup frame, the signal from photo cell 47 after a delay,
will cause the stepping motor to reverse direction by means of a
direction control 48 since on the next hit the golf ball must be
played on the far side of the green back toward the cup.
The direction control 48 can be placed in condition to cause the
stepping motor to advance forwardly until the next tee frame is
sensed by photo-cell 46 or can be caused to drive in the reverse
direction until the previous tee frame is sensed by photo cell 46.
The system also includes a control to return the film to the first
tee. The first tee frame is unique in that it has markings on both
edges of the film strip so as to, in effect, indicate the beginning
of the film strip.
In FIG. 7 the graph plots distance of ball travel against time as
measured by the pulse count. Since the longest distance that a ball
can be hit is arbitrarily selected at 310 yards, the time interval
in which the 310 yard ball passes between photo-cells 19 and 20,
causes the rate generator 38 to effect a count of one to accumulate
in the frame counter 39. It is also arbitrarily assumed that the
shortest distance that the ball will be hit is 10 yards. In the
time interval elapsing during the passage of the 10 yard ball
between photo-cells 19 and 20, the rate generator 38 causes a count
of 31 to accumulate in frame counter 39. Upon the accumulation of
31 counts in the frame counter 39, a detector 49 emits a signal to
OR gate 50 which returns the timing flip-flop 31 to its original
state in the event the ball has not previously actuated a
photo-cell in row 20.
The graph of FIG. 7 is actually a smooth curve drawn through the
points at the junctures of the several straight lines. The curve is
essentially formed by employing four different rates each of which
is indicated by a straight line. Thus, in effect, the curve is
approximated by a series of straight lines as illustrated.
Assuming that the rate selector 35 causes the shift register 34 to
divide the oscillator frequency by seven, the output from the rate
selector will be 4.32 KH.sub.z. The output of oscillator 33 may be,
for example, a train of square waves. The counter delay 37 will
deduct the first 12 pulses from the shift register 34 and will
allow the 13th and all subsequent pulses to pass through AND gate
36 to rate generator 38. As shown in FIG. 5, counter delay 37
comprises a counter 37A and a flip-flop 37B. When counter 37A
reaches a count of 12, it emits a signal to flip-flop 37B which
causes the flip-flop to change states and provide an enabling
signal to the AND gate 36. The pulses from shift register 34 then
pass directly through AND gate 36 to the rate generator 38.
Rate generator 38 includes a five stage counter 38A which receives
the 4.32 KH.sub.z output from gate 36 and by dividing the 4.32
KH.sub.z signal emits a 2.16 KH.sub.z signal to AND gate 38C, a 540
H.sub.z signal to AND gate 38D and a 135 H.sub.z to AND gate 38E.
The 4.32 KH.sub.z signal is also applied directly to AND gate 38B.
The gates 38B, 38C, 38D, 38E are so connected that when one of
these gates is enabled the other three gates are inhibited.
The frame counter 39 is a conventional five stage binary counter.
As shown in FIG. 5, the counter 39 provides a normal and complement
output for each stage. The complement output is indicated by a bar
above the number. Gate 38B has one input connected to 16 output of
counter 39. Gates 38C, 38D and 38E have inputs obtained from frame
counter 39 as also indicated in FIG. 5.
Initially, gate 38B is enabled until a count of fifteen is
accumulated in the frame counter 39. Gate 38B is then inhibited and
gate 38C is enabled until eight more counts accumulate in the frame
counter. Gate 38C is then inhibited and gate 38D is enabled until
four more counts accumulate in the frame counter. Then, gate 38D is
inhibited and gate 38E is enabled to permit four more counts to
accumulate in the frame counter. When a count of 31 in the frame
counter has accumulated, the detector 49 will inhibit gate 32 and
cut off the input signal to the rate generator. By this time, the
ball and club head have actuated a photo-cell in row 20. The
signals from that photo-cell are amplified by amplifier 41 and
cause the club detector 40 to emit an enabling signal to AND gate
50. The pulse from a photo-cell in row 19 has, in the meantime,
been delayed in a delay device 51 and can then pass through gate 50
to initiate the stepper control 42. The stepper control can be
merely an AND gate controlled by a flip-flop. In one state the
flip-flop enables the gate to pass the signals from frequency
divider 43 and in the other state the flip-flop inhibits the gate
to prevent signals from frequency divider 43 passing to the counter
44. Counter 44 may be a conventional digital counter which emits a
signal to frame counter 39 for every 32 input pulses received by
the counter 44.
The rate selector 35 may comprise three conventional AND gates,
each receiving one input from the shift register 34. By enabling
one of the three AND gates, one of the three outputs (each having a
different rate) can be selected from the shift register 34. The
rate selector, in effect, permits handicaps for the players since
if a higher rate is selected the ball will travel further for a
given time interval between photo-cells 19 and 20 whereas if a
lower rate is selected the ball will not travel as far for the same
time interval.
The overflow pulse from frame counter 39 can be employed to clear
the shift register 34 and to reset the various counters and
flip-flops to their initial states or conditions.
Above described operation of the circuit will thus occur upon each
hit of the golf ball when both the golf ball and club head pass
over rows 19 and 20 of photo-cells. This operation will give an
indication of the distance of ball travel so that the film strip
will be automatically actuated to give the player an image on the
screen which corresponds to the distance of ball travel.
At the same time, actuation of one of the photo-cells in row 20
will energize one of a number of spot lights which will project a
spot on the image on screen 12 to give an indication of the lateral
position of the ball and to show the player the direction in which
the next hit must be made.
The control panel 23 has a RETURN TO LAST TEE button 23A and a MOVE
TO NEXT TEE button 23B. When the player desires to return the film
to the tee from which he was playing so that another player may use
the game device, the button 23A is pressed to energize the
projector and cause the film strip to run backwards or in reverse
through the film guide. When the frame for that tee position
appears, a mark 25 will actuate a photo-cell which automatically
breaks the circuit and will stop the projector at that instant.
The same function is performed when advancing to the next tee such
as preceeding from one hole to the next hole. Pressing the button
23B will start the projector to run the film strip in the forward
direction until the frame containing the next tee position is in
front of the aperture. The same photo-cell will again break the
circuit in the advanced position.
The control panel 23 has three additional buttons 23C-E which are
for the purpose of selecting the rates on the rate selector 35. The
selection of these rates, in effect, introduces a handicap among
the players.
A simulated putting green 55 may be located between the playing
station 17 and the screen 12 and is provided with an actual hole or
cup 56. Those players whose ball was located within the "BIRDIE
CIRCLE" representation on the screen may putt from an inner circle
57 marked on the green while those players whose ball was on the
green but outside the "BIRDIE CIRCLE" will putt from another line
58 further back. In order to vary the lie of the ball for putting
purposes a number of stations may be indicated at different
distances from the cup both on the "BIRDIE CIRCLE" and on a further
circle. Thus, a player will not putt from the same spot for each
hole but from designated stations corresponding to these holes.
In the operation of the golf game device disclosed herein, a
simulated game of golf may be played by any number of persons. With
the electronic computing system turned on such as by a suitable
control switch provided on the panel 23 and the film strip being
positioned with the first tee in the aperture of the projector, the
first player will tee off. Driving of the golf ball will cause both
the golf ball and club head to move through two rows of photo-cells
which will sense the distance of ball travel in response to the
time interval between actuation of these two rows of cells. The
computing system will then be operated in a manner as described
above and an image will be projected on the screen corresponding to
the distance of ball travel as sensed by the photo-electric cells.
The image will also show the player the distance of the hit and the
distance remaining to the green. The latter distance is necessary
since it is virtually impossible for a player to estimate distance
merely by looking at an image or photograph of a portion of a golf
course.
The same procedure is then repeated until the player has reached
the green. As in actual golf, the player counts his strokes in
reaching the green and his strokes in putting to determine his
score for the hole.
Further realism is added to the simulated game by the introduction
of penalties should the image on the screen indicate that the
players ball is in a sand trap, water, woods or some other obstacle
or hazard. This indication is obtained both by the distance of ball
travel and by the lateral positioning of the ball indicated by a
spot light projecting a spot of light on the image on the
screen.
To faciliate putting, a battery of putting lights may be installed
on the top wall of the enclosure and connected to a circuit to be
actuated when the players are putting. These lights will illuminate
the putting green. After all of the players have putted out, the
putting lights are switched off and the projector is then advanced
to the next tee in the manner as described above.
The circuitry for controlling the operation of the projector itself
is apparent to one known in the art and a suitable circuit to
accomplish the functions as described above can be readily laid
out.
Thus it can be seen that the present invention has disclosed an
improved simulated golf game device wherein the movement of a hit
ball is sensed by photo-electric cells to give an indication of the
distance and direction of ball travel. Immediately upon actuation
of the photo-electric cells by both the driven ball and the club
head the system will be actuated and will project an image on the
screen representative of the distance travelled by the ball which
has just been hit. It is not necessary for the player to actuate
any controls to set the system in operation. Further, since the
distance and direction of the hit ball is sensed electrically an
accurate representation of the distance of ball travel is always
obtained.
It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to
modification in order to adapt it to different usages and
conditions, and accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such
modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of
the appended claims.
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