Amusement devices: games – Simulated-projectile game – target therefor – or accessory – Electromagnetic ray simulates projectile or its path – or...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-03
2001-09-04
Martin-Wallace, Valencia (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Simulated-projectile game, target therefor, or accessory
Electromagnetic ray simulates projectile or its path, or...
C463S002000, C463S052000, C463S053000, C463S054000, C463S055000, C463S056000, C434S022000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283862
ABSTRACT:
DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a computer-controlled game system with a computer unit which is adapted for the generation of a game sequence from at least one computer program and from game sequence data, a playback device which is adapted to play back the game sequence in a projection zone and which is connected with the computer unit. Game systems of this type are preferably displayed on a video screen. Due to the fact that the location of the electron beam during the image setup is known or determinable at any time, a certain zone on the video screen can be defined. If, for example, a photo sensor is arranged at one end of a tube the other end of which is open and directed to this zone, said photo sensor emits a signal at a time in which the electron beam is within this defined zone. This can be evaluated for the game sequence.
Arrangements of this type are, however, of limited usability insofar as on the one hand the display area is defined by the size of the video screen. It is, of course, possible to arrange several video screens adjacent to each other and above each other and to divide the image to be displayed by suitable circuitry in such a manner that each video screen displays a part of the entire image which corresponds to its position. This, however, is very expensive and requires considerable expenditure in terms of equipment. On the other hand, the possibility to have several players participate simultaneously or competitively in the game is very hard to realize. After all, the photo sensor in current game systems has to be directly connected with the computer unit for accuractely detecting the exact time at which the electron beam is at a predetermined location on the video screen.
In view of the above explained and other problems of the arrangements of the state of the art the invention is based on the object to provide a computer-controlled game system which offers the possibility to overcome these problems.
For this purpose the computer-controlled game system according to the invention comprises at least one transmitter means which is adapted for emitting an electromagnetic beam into a predeterminable partial section of the projection zone, a detector means which is adapted for the detection of the electromagnetic beam when same hits the predeterminable partial section of the projection zone, said detector means being connected with the computer unit and adapted to transmit a signal to the computer unit, which is characteristic for the respective detected beam, and an alignment device which is associated with the detector means and which is connected with the computer unit in order to align the detector unit with a predeterminable partial section of the projection zone.
This inventive scheme allows a plurality of players to participate simultaneously in one game. In addition, the individual players with their transmitter means can participate in several games which run in parallel on various projection zones. Moreover, the free movability of the player is no longer restricted because the transmitter means need no longer be connected with the controller via a line. The invention also allows a considerably simpler, also dynamic determination of the predeterminable partial section of the projection zone. Finally, the invention provides for the properties (colour, brightness, dimensions, duration of presence) of the predeterminable partial section to be completely independent of the image which is present at the same location of the projection zone because the intensity, duration and size of the predeterminable partial section can be established by adjusting the detector means and its alignment device.
The computer unit is preferably connected with a memory means for the control program and the game sequence data in the form of still or moving image sequences and symbols and/or an interface unit for the detector means and/or a control unit for the alignment device. The still or moving image sequences and symbols can be provided either as digital data or in the form of film or video recordings.
The playback device can be adapted for the playback of a two-dimensional image on a projection surface, for the playback of a three-dimensional image in a projection space and/or of tone, sound and/or noise. For two-dimensional images a film projector, a video projection device (so-called video canon) or the like is suitable. For three-dimensional images laser projection equipment or hologram projectors as well as other systems which enable a three-dimensional image playback (active or passive 3D spectacles or the like) are suitable.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the transmitter means is adapted for the emission of a directed electromagnetic beam, preferably a visible light beam, with the electromagnetic beam being provided with an identification which is characteristic for the transmitter means. The light beam can be generated by an ultra-bright LED array (with a lens system arranged before same) or by a semiconductor laser arrangement, with the identification being modulated upon same (by means of frequency, amplitude, phase modulation or the like). It is, however, also possible to use a conventional incandescent lamp as the visible primary source for the beam and emit additionally, for example, a focussed modulated infrared beam.
If the transmitter means comprises a presettable timer for setting a ready-to-transmit period within which the transmitter means is capable of emitting the electromagnetic beam, then the simple possibility is given to limit the game duration for the respective player so that a (repeated) release, e.g. upon paying a certain amount of money, is effected. As an alternative to the timer a presettable counter may be provided by means of which a maximum number of output pulses of the electromagnetic beams can be set.
In order to limit the current consumption of the transmitter means and to prevent a continuous beam the transmitter means preferably comprises a trigger circuit for emitting a pulse of the electromagnetic beam upon the actuation of same. In addition, a predetermined forced pause can be provided via a release timer after each triggering action.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the transmitter means comprises a directional indicator with a series of optical signal generators, which faces in the direction of an emitted electromagnetic beam. This directional indicator can be realized either actively in the form of an arrow shaped continuous light series, if desired, or a travelling light series or passively (e.g. light spots or light strips which can be activated by UV light).
In a preferred embodiment the transmitter means is connectable with the computer unit for the transfer of information, in particular of an identification, a maximum ready-to-transmit period, a transmission pulse duration, a transmission pulse repeat rate, or a maximum pulse number. This permits a particularly simple configuration of the transmitter means. Thus, in particular, it is possible to determine via the computer unit which transmitter means (over which period of time) participate in the game. The data communication connection can be both a serial and a parallel interface. In addition, the operating voltage for the transmitter means can be fed into an accumulator. Preferably, the transmitter means also includes a power management circuit so that after expiry of the timer time the transmitter means goes into a standby mode from which it only goes (returns) into a ready-to-operate mode after reloading with information and, if necessary, current supply to the accumulator.
The alignment device is preferably adapted to align the detector means or electromagnetic radiation which impinges on the detector means in at least two coordinates under the control of the computer unit. This allows the predeterminable partial section of the projection zone where the electromagnetic radiation is “expected” by the detector means to be predetermined and modified in a very simple manner.
This is particularly easy by means of horizontally and ver
Haverstock & Owens LLP
Martin-Wallace Valencia
Rosch Geschaftsfuhrungs GmbH & Co.
White Carmen D.
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