FR2847174A1 - Multi-player interactive game having holes/detectors detecting intrusion with central processing unit/loudspeakers and sound sequences randomly activated with detection signal/controlled following intrusions - Google Patents

Abstract

The interactive game has a number of holes (1) with detectors, detecting intrusion, a CPU and loudspeakers. The CPU has a number of sound sequences set off randomly with detection signals and means of controlling the sound sequences upon intrusions.

Description

Interactive play installation Technical field of the invention

  The invention relates to an interactive play facility, which can be used

  individually by a single player or collectively by several players.

   State of the art Human-computer interactivity, frequently used in the field of industrial or scientific controls, is almost exclusively limited to the interaction of an individual with a computer in the field of multimedia, video games or the Internet. . The computer thus constitutes the main virtual gaming arena, whether it is an individual or collective game, for example by networking computers. In all cases, the computer acts as an interface

  between the player and a purely virtual universe.

  OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide an interactive play facility for involving

physically the player.

  According to the invention, this object is achieved by the fact that the installation includes a plurality of orifices and associated sensors, the sensors comprising at least one intrusion detector associated with each orifice, a central processing unit connected to the sensors and at least one loudspeaker, the central processing unit comprising means for determining predetermined sound sequences as a function of the signals from all the sensors and means for controlling the emission of said sound sequences

  during the introduction of an external element into at least one of the orifices.

  According to a development of the invention, the means for determining the sound sequences take account of at least one of the parameters constituted by the frequency, the number, the speed, the duration and the order of introduction or of

  removal of the elements in the different orifices.

Brief description of the drawings

  Other advantages and characteristics will emerge more clearly from the

  description which follows of particular embodiments of the invention

  given by way of nonlimiting examples and represented in the appended drawings, in which:

  FIG. 1 illustrates an installation according to the invention, in the form of a block diagram.

  FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of an orifice of an installation according to

Figure 1.

  FIG. 3 illustrates a particular embodiment of an intrusion detector.

  Figures 4 to 13 show various embodiments of an installation

according to the invention.

  Figures 14 and 15 illustrate alternative embodiments of a ring.

  Description of particular embodiments.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an installation according to the invention comprises a plurality of orifices 1. In FIG. 1, three orifices are represented, each orifice being delimited by a ring 2. To play, a player introduced, into at least one of the holes, an external element, preferably a foot, a hand, an arm, a leg or even the head if the hole is large enough. This introduction is detected by at least one intrusion detector associated with

each orifice.

  Each orifice 1 is, in practice, associated with several types of sensors 3. The sensors 3 can thus comprise, for each orifice 1 or for some of the orifices only: - an intrusion detector, for example of the optoelectronic type, - a detector volume, constituted for example by a camera, making it possible to detect the depth of introduction, the location and / or the direction of

  movement of the hand, foot or any other external element.

  - a touch detector, making it possible to detect, for example by induction, if the player touches an object placed inside the orifice 1, - a pressure detector, making it possible to detect the thrust exerted by a player on an object arranged in the orifice 1, for example in the manner of a piston or a paper clip, - detectors making it possible to determine whether the player is in the process of introducing the arm, the hand or any other external element into the orifice, or detectors, - detectors for determining the direction and speed of introduction or withdrawal of an external element in the orifice, - an ultrasonic detector for detecting the approach of a player and his

  distance from port 1, etc ...

  The set of sensors 3 is connected to a central processing unit 4, itself connected to at least one loudspeaker 5 and, preferably, to light sources 6. The central processing unit 4 controls the activation of the loudspeakers 5 and of the light sources 6 as a function of the signals which it receives from the various sensors 3. A predetermined, specific sound sequence is associated by the central processing unit, with each signal or combination of signals received sensors 3. Thus, the introduction of an external element into a particular orifice 1 causes the emission of a sound sequence which may be different not only according to the orifice considered, but also according to the depth, the speed or the duration of introduction of the external element into the orifice. The sound sequence can also be modified according to different detection parameters, in particular during the removal of the external element as well as according to its speed of movement. These parameters can, for example, affect the speed and direction of the playback of the sound sequence. It is also modified when the same player or another player introduces another external element into another opening. The number of parameters likely to influence the sound sequence to be emitted can thus be multiplied. By way of nonlimiting examples, the central processing unit may in particular take into account, for the determination of the sound sequence to be emitted at a given instant, the frequency, the number, the speed, the duration and the order of insertion of the external elements in the various orifices, as well as the withdrawal speed

  of these different external elements.

  The player (s) can thus, by moving their hands, feet, arms, legs or any other external element, such as a stick for example, from one orifice to another and inside the orifices, produce a sound work particular, always different from the previous one and explore a great

  number of possibilities. The installation thus constitutes a space-time play space promoting communication between the players.

  Simultaneously, the central processing unit can activate the various light sources to create plays of light formed by a succession of light sequences, the parameters of which also depend on the various parameters linked to the signals supplied by the sensors 3. It thus couples

  activation of light sources 6 and speakers 5.

  In an alternative embodiment, the central unit can successively illuminate the different orifices 1 by activating the light sources 6 associated with each of the orifices in a predetermined order, so as to encourage one or more players to follow this play of light by introducing successively an external element in each of the orifices when it lights up. The light sources can, for example, form a light ring around each orifice, for example by means of a neon or a chain of light-emitting diodes. The sound sequences can then, for example, be chosen so that their succession reproduces a piece of

  music or song, known or not.

  The installation described above can be upgraded very easily. It is possible to modify the number and the position of the orifices as well as the number and the type of sensors associated with the orifices. The sound sequences, which are preferably pre-recorded and stored in the central processing unit, can be modified simply and the association of a sound sequence, a particular opening and the various associated parameters can be modified at any time.

  moment by appropriate programming of the central processing unit.

  The orifices 1 can have any type of shape, for example being circular, cylindrical, oval, oblong (FIG. 15) square, rectangular, etc. and delimited by rings 2, as shown in FIGS. 1, 10 and 15 or formed in any structure, for example in a cube 7 as shown in FIG. 2, in parallelepipedic blocks 20 (FIGS. 9, 11 and 12) or in a spherical envelope 21 (FIG. 13). In the embodiment of the figure, the lateral displacement (shown diagrammatically by an arrow in FIG. 15) of an external element inside the oblong orifice 1 can be detected by any suitable sensor and used as a choice parameter or modification of the

sound sequence to be broadcast.

  A preferred variant of an intrusion detector, of optoelectronic type, is illustrated in FIG. 3. It comprises an infrared emitter 8 and an infrared receiver 9 diametrically opposite, integral with the ring 2, so that the introduction of an external element into the orifice 1 cuts the infrared ray 10 emitted by the transmitter 8 and prevents its reception by the receiver, thus causing the modification of the signals sent to the central processing unit.

  treatment 4 and signaling the introduction of the external element into the orifice 1.

  The suspended installations illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively comprise 5 and 4 rings 2 suspended by branches 11 from a support

  central 12 so as to create volumes allowing the evolution of the players.

  In FIG. 4, the rings are arranged in an intermediate zone of each branch 11, while in FIG. 5, they are arranged at the ends of the branches 11. The central support 12 can be fixed in space by any means. It can, for example be suspended or, as in Figure 5, mounted on

  a support rod 13 secured to a foot 14.

  The electrical connections between the sensors 3 and the central processing unit 4 are preferably made by means of the branches 11. The central processing unit 4 can be integrated in the central support 12, the stand 14 or the rings 2. The power supply of the installation can be autonomous, for example carried out by solar panels or batteries, arranged in the installation, or be ensured from the outside by means of a wire 15 connected to the end of one of the branches 11 (FIG. 4) or to the foot 15 (FIG.). The speakers 5 and the light sources 6 may be integral with the branches 11, the rings 2 and / or the central support 12 and connected in a similar manner to the central processing unit 4. If the central processing unit is placed at a distance, it can communicate with the other elements of the installation (sensors, loudspeakers and light sources) via wire 15 or by any other known connection means (radio,

infrared, etc ...).

  In the installation shown in FIG. 6, the branches 11 deploy upwards from the foot 14, the rings 2 being arranged at the upper ends of each branch 11. In a particular embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 , a bag 16 is integrated into the installation, so as to allow easy storage thereof. In the storage position (Figure 8), the branches 11 are brought back to a central axis and covered by the bag 16, which can be closed at the top by a link 18. In the operating position of the installation (Figure 7) , the bag is rolled around the foot 14 and the branches 11 deploy, preferably automatically, when

opening the bag 16.

  FIG. 7 also illustrates an alternative embodiment of the rings, in the form of frames 17, substantially in the form of stars in which the orifice 1 is formed. The choice of shape, size, number, position, materials and colors of the rings 2, the orifices 1, the branches 11, the central support 12, the base 14, the support rod 13 ( straight, spring-shaped, etc.) allows a very wide variety of installations to be obtained. In a particular embodiment, the rings 2 and / or their support elements

may be translucent.

  The installation can be constituted by an assembly of removable elements, in the manner of a construction set. This is illustrated, schematically, in particular in FIG. 4, in which the rings 2 are assembled to the branches 11, in a removable manner, via connections 19, for example by interlocking or in any other known way. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the parallelepipedal blocks 20, in which the orifices 1 are formed, are connected by means of arms 22, arranged so as to constitute panels. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, rings 2 delimiting the orifices 1 are hung in the manner of a garland along a support 23 in the form of a tube, by means of fastening elements 24, which can be articulated, of any known type. Figures 11 and 12 illustrate an alternative embodiment of an installation, in which are assembled at least two parallelepipedal blocks 20, in which the orifices are formed 1. The installation shown in Figure 13 is fully integrated inside 'a spherical envelope 21, in which are formed a plurality of orifices 1. The installation can constitute an autonomous structure, as in the examples shown in Figures 4 to 13, or be

  integrated into existing structures or places.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the orifice 1 can be delimited by an annular support 25, for example metallic, on which are mounted the sensors 3, the speakers 5 and / or the light sources 6. The annular support 25 is preferably covered by an envelope 26, of translucent material, leaving

  pass the light emitted by light sources 6.

  The installation thus allows, in reaction to the movements of the players, to generate on the spot, in an interactive way, multimedia events constituted by sound sequences (musical elements, onomatopoeias, shouts, laughs, etc ...),

  light shows, video sequences, etc ...

Claims (12)

claims   1. Interactive play facility, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of associated orifices (1) and sensors (3), the sensors comprising at least one intrusion detector associated with each orifice, a central processing unit ( 4) connected to the sensors (3) and to at least one loudspeaker (5), the central processing unit (4) comprising means for determining predetermined sound sequences as a function of the signals from all the sensors (3) and means for controlling the emission of said sound sequences during the introduction of an external element into at least one of the holes (1).   2. Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensors (3) comprise at least one volume detector associated with one of the orifices (1) and   connected to the central processing unit (4).   3. Installation according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the   sensors (3) comprise at least one touch detector associated with one of the   orifices (1) and connected to the central processing unit (4).   4. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in   that the sensors (3) include at least one pressure detector associated with an object placed inside one of the orifices (1) and connected to the central unit treatment (4).   5. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in   that the means for determining the sound sequences take account of at least one of the parameters constituted by the frequency, the number, the speed, the duration and the order of introduction or withdrawal of the external elements in the different orifices (1).   6. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in   that it includes light sources (6) controlled by the central processing unit treatment (4).   7. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the light sources (6) are associated with the orifices (1), the central processing unit (4) comprising means for activating the light sources (6) according to a predetermined order. 8. Installation according to claim 6, characterized in that the central processing unit (4) comprises means for coupling the activation of the sources.   light (6) and speakers (5).   9. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in   that each orifice (1) is delimited by a ring (2).   10. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in   that the installation consists of an assembly of removable elements (2, 11, 12, 19; 20, 22; 2, 23, 24).   11. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in   that the installation is integrated inside a spherical envelope (21),   in which the orifices 1 are formed.   12. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized   in that it comprises translucent elements (2, 25).