GB2095377A - Electronic shooting game - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for an improved electronic shooting game in which a mock gun containing an infra-red reflector cell is "fired" at a moving target having a passive reflector. When the gun and reflector are in alignment the beam reflected to the cell activates a relay operating a scoreboard to record a hit for the marksman firing the gun. The target may include a second passive reflector invisible to the marksman to reflect a beam from a second infra red cell. The beam from the second cell is directed along a fixed path and adapted to be reflected from the second reflector after a predetermined period of time to record a hit for the target on the scoreboard if the marksman has not previously scored a hit on the first reflector. Alternatively the second reflector and second infrared cell may be replaced by a micro-switch placed in the path of the target, closure of the switch by the target scoring a hit for the target if the marksman had not previously scored a hit on the target.

Description

SPECIFICATION Electronic shooting game The present invention relates to the apparatus used in an improved electronic shooting game.

Live ammunition shooting gallerys in, for example amusement arcades, have now largely been superceded by electronic guns equipped with a light source which, when aligned with a photo-cell placed in the target area, causes a mechanism to be triggered and an animated display set in motion. The incentive for playing this game is purely selfsatisfaction; there is no competitive element since no score is kept e.g. for comparison with another marksman.

Normally these games are electronically timed and start following the insertion of a coin of appropriate denomination into a slot provided, causing a relay to start the timer.

I have now made an improvement to this type of game which enables a competitive element to be introduced. In my game the light source in the gun and the photo-cell in the target area are no longer used, but are replaced with a long range modulated infra-red reflection cell installed in the gun and a passive reflector in the target area. When the said infra-red cell is aligned with a said passive reflector and the gun is "fired", the beam reflected to the cell from the target causes the gun to send a signal to a relay, for example through a cable connected to the gun and a coin console, which records a hit on a scoreboard. The skill element in the game may be increased by placing the reflectors on moving, e.g.

rotating or reciprocating targets.

A further competitive element may be introduced by the addition of a device that enables the target to score against the marksman if, after a predetermined time, the marksman has not scored.

Preferably such a device consists of a second modulated infra-red retro reflection cell located in a fixed position, emitting a constant beam such that when a second reflector mounted on the target (preferably in a position invisible to the marksman) is aligned therewith, it activates a relay and scores a hit for the target against the marksman.

When moving targets are used the second reflector may be positioned that it alignes with the fixed infra-red cell at a given time, say 3 seconds, after the target has appeared in view of the marksman. If the marksman does not score a hit on the target during that time, that is before alignment of the fixed infrared cell and the second reflector, then the said fixed infra red cell scores for the target. If, however the marksman has scored a hit the relay, in addition to registering a score for the marksman, deactivates the second infra-red cell thereby preventing it scoring for the target.

Alternatively, when using a moving target, the target may trigger a suitably positioned switch, such as a micro-switch, to score against the marksman.

Scores for the marksman and the target may be recorded on a digital display located in view of the marksman.

Thus, the present invention provides for an electronic shooting game consisting of a simulated missile projector and a target wherein a long range infra-red retro reflector cell is installed in the said missile projector and a passive reflector is mounted on the target, such that when the said cell and the said reflector are in alignment and a marksman fires the missile projector a signal is sent to a relay operating a scoreboard thereby causing the score board to register a hit for the marksman against the target, means being provided to supply electrical power to operate the said missile projector and relay.

Preferably a second infra-red retro reflector cell is located in a fixed position and a second reflector mounted on the target, (preferably invisible to the marksman) such that when the second cell is aligned with the second reflector, and a hit has not been scored by the marksman it activates a second scoreboard relay thereby registering a hitforthe target against the marksman.

The signal sent to the relay may be via an electrical cable conneced between the infra red reflector cell within the missile projector and the relay. Preferably also the said cable is connected to a suitable stop/start mechanism e.g. a coin operated relay device.

The target may be stationary but is preferably a moving target; the movement may be rotary, reciprocating or it may move linearly across the marksmans field of view.

The game is preferably contained within a gallery with the missile projector, second infra-red cell and relay mechanisms contained in a console positioned in front of a target.

The invention will now be more fully described with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: Figure lisa diagrammatic illustration of a front view of a suitable target for use in the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a side view of the target of figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic illustration of a mock hand gun for use with the present invention; Figure 4 is a representation of a front view of a console for use with the present invention in a shooting gallery; Figure 5 is a side view of the console of figure 4; Figure 6 is a plan view of a shooting gallery embodying one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the shooting gallery of figure 6; Figure 8 is a plan view of a second form of shooting gallery including an embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 9 is a front elevation of a portion of the target area of figure 8.

Referring to the drawings, figures 1 and 2 show a "space age" robot 1 having a passive reflector2 positioned on the upper left hand side of the torso of the robot. A second reflector may be placed near the robot feet for alignment with a second fixed infra red cell as hereinafter described.

A suitable missile projector in the form of a mock hand gun 10, illustrated in figure 3, comprises a body portion 11, a butt 12, trigger 14 and a muzzle 17. A long range modulated infra-red reflector cell 16 is mounted in muzzle 17 with necessary wiring to con neck with cable 13 which extends from the butt 12.

The other end of cable 13 is connected to a relay operating a digital display in a scoreboard. When the gun is aligned with a passive reflector on atarget and trigger 14 squeezed, the latter actuates a microswitch causing a beam of infra red light to be projected into the passive reflector and the reflection received by the cell which then sends a signal via tie cable 13 to the relay operating the scoreboard and a "hit" is displayed. Trigger 14 also operates an amplifier (not shown) also contained in the body 11 which feeds a loudspeaker 15 causing it to emit a suitable sound.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a suitable form of con sole, 20, for use in a shooting gallery containing digital displays 22 and 23 for target and marksman scores respectively, which displays are mounted in panel 24 in front of the marksman. The console further includes a coin receiver 21 which operates a relay (not shown) which activates the gun enabling the game to be played and a horizontal bench portion 25 on which a marksman may rest his arm or his elbow. Hand gun 10 is connected by cable 13 to the said relay in the console which in turn is also connected to the digital display 23. A second infra red cell 26 is positioned in the back of the console for alignment with reflector 3 of the target and is connected to a relay operating display 22 to score for the target.A loudspeaker (not shown) is also placed adj acentthe position to be occupied by the marksman and arranged to emit the sound of an explosion when the target scores a hit against the marksman.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate one form of gallery that may be employed for use in the present invention. At the front of the gallery are a series of eight consoles 20. A marksman A stands hold a hand gun 10. At the back of the gallery is a facade 31 which generally covers the whole of the rear of the gallery apart from "doors" 32,33,34 and 35. Two series offourtargets 1 are carried at the end of arms 36, 36a and 37, 37a which arms intersect at right angles and are pivotally supported at 38 and 39. The length of the arms is such that on rotation by means of a timed motor driving the pivot supports, the targets carried on arms 36 and 36a pass through doors 35 and 33 in rotation, likewise the targets mounted at the ends of arms 37 and 37a pass through doors 32 and 34 in rotation.Targets on arms 36, 36a rotate in a clockwise direction and those on arms 37, 37a rotate in an anticlockwise direction. The targets supported on arms 36, 36a appear from behind the facade 31 through door 35 at which point the may be "attacked" by any one or more of the marksmen occupying the four left hand consoles. Similarly the targets carried by arms 37, 37a are available for attack by one or more marksmen occupying the four right hand consoles, as they appear from behind the facade 31 through door 32. The facade 31 also con-.

tains slots to enable the passage of the arms therethrough and for containing the pivotal supports 38, 39 of the arms.

Electrical power to operate the target motors, relays and infra red electro reflector cells is provided through conventional electrical cabling from any suitable supply source.

After a marksman A at console position 20 has inserted coin into panel 21 of console 20, the hand gun 10 and the motor driving arm 36, 36a and 37, 37a causing the target 1 to be rotated are activated. As a target passes through door 35 marksman A has an opportunity to aim and "fire" the gun at reflector 2 mounted on the target 1. If marksman A does not score a hit bythetimethatthetarget has reached the point B (say 3 seconds after passing through door 35) then the second reflector3 alignes with the second infra-red cell 26 which is emitting a constant beam of infra red light along a fixed path and causes the latter two register a score for the target on display 22.

Each console position includes a second retro reflector cell 26 directed at the target path at a point which the target will reach about 3 seconds after passing the most favourable position for a marksman to score a hit from the particular console.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a further form of shooting gallery in which the targets 41 are mounted on pneumatic cylinders 40 for reciprocatory motion in a vertical plane. Each target contains a reflector 42 for reflecting a beam "shot" from a hand gun 10 and a reflector 43 mounted below the area of vision of the marksman for reflecting a beam from a second cell to score for the target. When the marksman has inserted the appropriate coin for the game to start target 41 is raised by pneumatic cylinder 40 through a horizontal facade 44 in the gallery and as soon as the reflector42 appears the marksman may fire the gun.

The target continues to move upwardly to a maximum extent which may take about 3 seconds. At the end of its travel reflector 43 aligns with the second infra-red cell 26 and if the marksman has not scored a hit by this time, then cell 26 will score for the target and the target will then be lowered back down below the facade 44.

The hand gun 10 may, of course, be replaced by any other form of weapon suitable for firing missiles and the target may equally be in other forms e.g.

ships or tanks.

In either of the arrangements illustrated the second retro reflector cell maybe replaced with a switch positioned to be activated by the target a predetermined time after the target has passed the most favourable position for the marksman to score a hit.

A hit on the target by the marksman is arranged to deactivate the switch. Thus in the game illustrated in figure 5 a series of micro switches are positioned on the target path immediately below the arms carrying the target and arranged to be activated by a wiper attached to the arm below the target.

Claims (12)

1. Apparatus for an electronic shooting game comprising; a target zone including at least one target, a marksman shooting position spaced apart from said target zone, a simulated missile projector capable of being aimed at the said target by the said marksman and located at said shooting position, a scoreboard actuated by a relay for displaying a hit on the target by the marksman, wherein the target incorporates a passive reflector and the simulated missile projector incorporates a long range infra red reflector cell directed along a path aimed by the said missile projector and capable of being aligned with said passive reflector, said cell being adapted to project an infra-red beam along the said path when said missile projector is fired, and means associated with said infra-red reflector cell to activate the said scoreboard relay, whereby when the said cell and the said passive reflector are in alignment and a beam of infra-red light, projected by the cell in response to firing the missile projector is reflected from the said passive reflector back to the cell, said means associated with the cell activates the said relay whereby the scoreboard displays a hit for the marksman said apparatus including means to supply electrical power thereto.

2. Apparatus according'to claim 1 wherein the target is a moving target.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the target movement is rotary, reciprocatory or linear.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the means to activate the scoreboard relay comprises an electrical cable connecting said relay to said infra-red reflector cell located within the simu lated missile projector.

5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the simulated missile projector is a mock gun.

6. Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the simulated missile projector is normally inoperative and is rendered operative by means comprising a coin operated mechanism located within the electrical power supply line feeding the said infra-red relector cell in response to the insertion of a coin into said mechanism.

7. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein means are included to provide for the target to score against the marksman, said means comprising a second passive reflector mounted on said target, a second infra-red reflector cell aimed along a fixed path and directed at the target and a second scoreboard relay, whereby in the event that the marksman does not score a hitwithin a predermined period of time a beam of infra-red light from said second reflector cell will be reflected back from said second passive reflector to activate said second scoreboard relay to display a hit for the target against the marksman.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the apparatus is contained within a shooting gallery, marksmen shooting position being in the form of a console wherein the second infra-red reflector cell is located.

9. Apparatus according to claims 7 or 8 including a second scoreboard relay for displaying a hit for the target against the marksman, a micro-switch located in the said relay circuit and positioned in the path of the said target for closure thereby, whereby the said switch is closed by the said target and a hit against the marksman by the target displayed by the scoreboard in the event that the marksman has not scored a hit against the target prior to closure of the said switch.

10. Apparatus for an electronic shooting game comprising: a target zone including at least one moving target, a marksman shooting position spaced apart from said target zone, a mock gun positioned at said shooting position and capable of being aimed at the target by the marksman, a scoreboard actuated by first and second relays for displaying hits against the target by the marksman and against the marksman by the target, wherein the target incorporates first and second passive reflectors and the said gun incorporates a long range infra-red reflector cell directed along a path aimed by the said gun and capable of being aligned with said first passive reflector, said cell being adapted to project an infra-red beam along the said path when said gun is fired, and electrical cable means emitting said cell with said first scoreboard relay for activation thereon on receipt of a reflected beam from first passive reflector, whereby when said cell and said first passive reflector are in alignment and said gun is fixed to project an infra-red beam towards said target end the beam is reflected back to said cell, said cell activates said first scoreboard relay whereby the scoreboard displays a hit for the marksman against the target, said apparatus further including a second infra-red reflector cell aimed along a ficed path directed to project an infra-red beam onto said second passive reflector after a predetermined time, said second cell being connected to said second scoreboard relay, whereby if the marksman has not scored a hit against the target within said time the infra-red beam projected from said second cell is reflected back to said cell and said cell activates said second scoreboard relay thereby scoring a hit for the target against the marksman said apparatus also including means for the supply of electrical power thereto from a source thereof.

11. Apparatus for an electronic shooting game comprising: a target zone including at least one moving target, a marksman shooting position spaced apart from said target zone, a mock gun positioned at said shooting position and capable of being aimed at the target by the marksman, a scoreboard actuated by first and second relays for displaying hits against the target by the marksman and against the marksman by the target; wherein the target incorporates a passive reflector and the said gun incorporates a long range infra-red reflector cell directed along a path aimed by the said gun and capable of being aligned with said passive reflector, said cell being adapted to project an infrared beam along the said path when said gun is fired, and electrical cable means connecting said cell with said first scoreboard relay for activation thereof on receipt of a reflected beam from said first passive reflector, whereby when said cell and said passive reflector are in alignment and said gun is fired to project an infra-red beam towards said target and the beam is reflected back to said cell, said cell acti vates said first scoreboard relay whereby the scoreboard displays a hit forth marksman against the target, the apparatus further including a micro-switch located in said second relay circuit and positioned in the path of the said target for closure thereby, whereby the said switch is closed by the said target and a hit against the marksman by the target displayed by the scoreboard in the event that the marksman has not scored a hit against the target prior to closure of the said switch, said apparatus also including means for the supply of electrical power thereto from a suitable source thereof.

12. Apparatus for an electronic shoqting game substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.