Golf simulator apparatus

• US 5,226,660 A
• Filed: 05/14/1991
• Issued: 07/13/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bay Virtual Systems, Inc.
• Original Assignee: California Security Bank
• Inventors: Curchod, Donald B.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US07/699,959
• Time in Patent Office: 791 Days
• Field of Search: 273/32 R, 273/35 R, 273/35 A, 273/35 B, 273/176 R, 273/181 E, 273/181 J, 273/183 R, 273/183 A, 273/184 R, 273/185 R, 273/185 A, 273/185 B , 273/186 B, 273/183 C, 273/213
• US Class Current: 473/155
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/35 Spin
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3661 Mats for golf practice, e.g. mats having a simulated turf, a practice tee or a green area
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/0628 Golf
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/0664 Electric

Abstract

A golf simulating apparatus having a driving simulator and an actual green area adjacent thereto for simulating a complete game of golf, comprising apparatus for generating signals indicative of the velocity, trajectory and spin of a hit golf ball. A computer apparatus connected to the generating apparatus is provided for receipt of the signals and for processing the signals to determine the distance and location of the hit golf ball would have travelled on a golf course, the computer apparatus calculating the lie of the ball on a simulated hole. Also, display apparatus controlled by the computer apparatus is provided for projecting the simulated hole of golf so that as a golfer moves down the fairway the view of the hole from the golfers vantage point is displayed.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a golf ball including only one reflective portion on its exterior surface;

a single light source for impinging light upon said reflective portion of said golf ball; and

photo detector array means for measuring change in the reflection of light from said reflective portion of said golf ball to detect spin applied to said golf ball when said golf ball is struck.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said photo detector array means comprises:

a first row of light responsive devices;

a second row of light responsive devices; and

means for identifying the time elapsed between the reflection of flight from said first row to said second row, said elapsed time corresponding to said spin applied to said golf ball when said golf ball is struck.

3. A golf apparatus comprising:

(A) a simulator including;

(1) means for projecting a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of golf holes to be played, each of said plurality of golf holes including a fairway, a bunker and a green;

(2) means for generating signals indicative of the flight of a golf ball which is hit by a player, said generating means including;

(a) a golf ball including only one reflective portion on its exterior surface,

(b) a single light source for impinging light upon said reflective portion of said golf ball,

(c) means for measuring change in the reflection of light from said reflective portion of said golf ball to detect spin applied to said golf ball when said golf ball is struck, said measuring means generating a spin signal;

(d) a first conductor matrix including a plurality of conductors extending in a first direction,

(e) a second conductor matrix closely positioned behind said first conductor matrix, said second conductor matrix including a plurality of conductors extending in a second direction which is at a substantial angle to said first direction, and

(f) a switch array alternately coupled to said first conductor matrix and to said second conductor matrix, said switch array receiving a first conductor signal when a driven golf ball impinges said first conductor matrix, said switch array receiving a second conductor signal when said driven golf ball forces said first conductor matrix against said second conductor matrix;

(3) means for correlating said spin signal, said first conductor signal, and said second conductor signal with one of said images of one of said golf holes to a golf ball position on one of said golf holes, said projecting means thereafter providing an image of said golf ball position on one of said golf holes; and

(B) a multiple-hole chipping/putting area including (1) a chipping area with a plurality of bunkers, and (2) a putting green with a plurality of putting cups forming a green region, said plurality of bunkers and said plurality of putting cups corresponding to said plurality of golf holes, said plurality of bunkers and said plurality of putting cups forming a spatial region which is divisible into four 90°

regions, said plurality of bunkers and said plurality of putting cups of said green region enabling approaches to each of said plurality of golf holes from more than one of said 90°

regions.