Electronic video game apparatus adapted for use to play a simulated game of golf

• US 4,504,055 A
• Filed: 01/10/1983
• Issued: 03/12/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1982
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles D. Wells
• Original Assignee: Charles D. Wells
• Inventors: Wells, Charles D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US06/456,728
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 273/85 G, 273/185 B, 273/237, 273/87 R, 273/176 A, 340/323 R
• US Class Current: 463/3
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5378 for displaying an additional top view, e.g. radar screens or maps using two or more virtual cameras concurrently A63F13/5252
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/56 Computing the motion of game characters with respect to other game characters, game objects or elements of the game scene, e.g. for simulating the behaviour of a group of virtual soldiers or for path finding
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/75 Enforcing rules, e.g. detecting foul play or generating lists of cheating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/307 for displaying an additional window with a view from the top of the game field, e.g. radar screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5586 for enforcing rights or rules, e.g. to prevent foul play
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/64 for computing dynamical parameters of game objects, e.g. motion determination or computation of frictional forces for a virtual car
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/646 for calculating the trajectory of an object
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8011 Ball

Abstract

A video golf machine enables players to play simulated golf against each other. The machine presents a picture or plan of each "hole" of a selected golf course, including the length of the hole, slope (19) of the ground, positions of boundaries and of obstacles such as trees (17), shrubs, bunkers (13) and water (15) for example. For each game conditions may change such as wind direction (20) and strength, temperature, humidity, surface condition, condition of each green and any other variable affecting all players alike. Each player selects type of club and strength and direction of shot for each shot.

Claims

1. An electronic video game apparatus adapted for use to play a simulated game of golf, comprising video display means programmed to visually present a display of the game of golf, showing features of a golf course and showing successive positions of an imaginary golf ball on the course during the game, the apparatus being variably programmable by first means to simulate different weather conditions and/or different course conditions, the apparatus also comprising second means selectively operable by a player to simulate choices of imaginary golf club and of strengths and directions of imaginary slots, the apparatus being adapted to plot said successive positions of the golf ball in dependence upon the particular weather conditions and/or course conditions being simulated and in dependence upon the particular choices of imaginary golf club and of strengths and directions of imaginary shots, as well as in dependence upon said features of the golf course.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first means is selectively operable to set particular chosen conditions or to select conditions at random.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein a memory stores a plurality of different sets of conditions selectable by said first means.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said first means is adapted for varying at least one simulated condition of:

wind direction;

wind speed, temperature;

humidity;

dryness/dampness of ground.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said first means is selectively operable to select different golf courses.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein a memory stores the topography of each said course, including the locations and positions of greens and of features in the form of obstacles such as bunkers, water, trees and bushes and of boundaries and slopes.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein a given golf course can be selected for more than one game.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein at least one such golf course is a representation of a particular real-life golf course as regards its topography.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said first means is adapted for varying a simulated condition of a "fairway" and/or of "rough ground" and/or of a "green" of the golf course, such as to vary the effect on a given "ball" of a given "shot".

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said first means is adapted for varying the following simulated condition, namely whether game is to be single, foursomes, threeball, fourball, or greensome.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein said second means is selectively operable by each player for that player to simulate choice of ball.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the apparatus is adapted to permit choice of "clubs" during "shot play" but only a "putter" for "green play".

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the apparatus is adapted to be able to calculate the trajectory of the imaginary ball flying through the air during "shot play" but to predetermine that the ball remains on the ground during "green play".

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the apparatus is adapted to calculate the trajectory of a "struck" "ball" from instant to instant until the "ball" comes to rest.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the apparatus is adapted to "call shot play" until all player'"'"'s balls are "on the green" of a particular "hole" in a particular game.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the apparatus is adapted to present a visual representation of the topography of one "hole" at a time, including the locations and plan views of the green, boundaries, bunkers, water and fairway and the locations of the tee and trees and the directions of slopes.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16 wherein the apparatus is adapted to change to a larger scale view of the green alone for "green play".

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the apparatus is adapted to provide a visual representation of a ball flying through the air after being struck by a "club" other than a "putter".