GB2446636A

GB2446636A - Infra-red tag identification / communication system

Info

Publication number: GB2446636A
Application number: GB0702748A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Andrew Morris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-02-13
Filing date: 2007-02-13
Publication date: 2008-08-20
Also published as: GB0702748D0

Abstract

A system, preferably used with a weapons system such as a laser tag / skirmish or paintball markers and includes a gun arrangement with an LCD display 1, a sound speaker 2, laser beam regions 3, 4, IR detectors 5 proving 360 degree coverage, a trigger 6 and a radio transceiver / antenna 7. A laser beam is directed towards an associated object, such as another gun, and a communications channel establishes the identity of the receiving object. Identification may be on a friend or foe basis, may a coded and/or continuous or on demand, as well as allow automatic firing of the weapon or prevention of such.

Description

I

Identify Friend or Foe (1FF) system This invention relates to a system to provide an Identify Friend or Foe (1FF) for skirmish type activities or weapon systems. In particular, it provides an Identify Friend or Foe (1FF) system which can be used in laser tag and other types of skirmish game systems.

In laser tag and other types of electronic skirmish systems, the object of the game is to shoot a harmless electronic beam at the other players. This is a narrow beam which simulates the firing of the weapon. Generally, this beam is a modulated infra-red signal, similar to that used by remote controls on televisions but with increased range. It is usually achieved with an infra-red emitter diode mounted in the lens arrangement which is aligned with the laser beam (if fitted) or barrel of the weapon as appropriate. All players are equipped with the necessary electronics to receive and decode this infra-red transmission.

To differentiate laser tag/skirmish from other skirmish activities that involve physical contact (i.e. Paintball), the trade use the term tag instead of hit or strike. Therefore, a player struck by a beam is tagged and the player firing the beam tags the player. It should be noted that it is the equipment that actually detects and transmits the signals, therefore the follow terms are synonymous, and will be used in this document to convey meaning as appropriate.

* Tag/hit/strike * Detect/receive * Emit/transmit/signal * Player/equipment/gun.

Important to the game is the requirement for this beam to carry information, so it is possible to establish which player shot the beam. For example, it may carry a package of information which states the following: * Code to indicate that this is a gun shot type message.

* The gun/player identity which transmitted the message.

This enables the player receMng the signal to know which players equipment tagged them.

Unfortunately, particularly in outdoor laser tag/skirmish games it can be difficult to identify friend or foe. Therefore, the undesirable situation occurs of players accidentally tagging their own team, often referred to as friendly fire.

This invention will give players an indication that they are targeting either enemy or friendly players.

Normally, the infra-red beam (aligned with the barrel) is only emitted when the player fires their gun. In this invention, the equipment will continuously, or on demand, emit a special signal using the same infra-red emitters. If the special signal (called a unull shot" message) is detected by other player's equipment, then that equipment is aware that it has been targeted. The targeted players equipment will then automatically transmit an "I am targeted" message (usually by radio) indicating their identity to the gun which they are targeted by. This I am targeted" transmission is received by the gun targeting the other player and is used to provide information to that player about the player in their sights. Obviously, the player targeted can also then be warned of an imminent danger (i.e. targeted by friend or foe) and act accordingly.

This automatic Identify Friend or Foe system provides many additional features: * A facility to automatically fire a gun immediately another player is in their sights.

* A system that Will automatically inhibit finng -so preventing friendly tags or hits.

* The system can be used to identify the position of other players in the game.

* Also it can be used as a training aid to reduce incidents of friendly fire.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 -Shows a practical implementation of the 1FF system based about a laser skirmish gun. It is constructed of the following; (1) LCD display to give visual information to the player. (2) Synthesised sound system with a speaker, giving audible instructions to the player. (3) Forward facing infra-red emitter mounted in a lens arrangement to collimate the beam. (4) Forward facing laser, acting as a visual indication to players that the gun is fired. (5) Infrared detectors situated about the gun to give 360 degree detection of incoming infra-red beams. (6) Trigger, enabling the player to fire the gun. (7) Radio transceiver with antenna to handle communications with other guns. The laser skirmish gun is powered by batteries and controlled electronically by a microcontroller with associated drive electronics. Basically, this is a conventional Laser tag/skirmish gun, with a radio transceiver unit (7) mounted directly on the gun.

The gun will continuously transmit a null shot signal from the forward infrared emitter (aligned with the barrel). Obviously this is interrupted with a real shot if the player operates the trigger. The infra-red message contains the following information.

* Code to indicate it is a null gun shot type message.

* The identity of the gun/player which transmitted the message.

When the infra-red detectors (5) on another player's equipment receive this nufi shot infrared signal, it is passed to their microcontroller for processing. If valid, that gun will transmit an I am targeted" message using its radio transceiver (7). This message will be of the form: * Code to Indicate it is an I am targetecr message.

* The identity of the player which was targeted (detected the null shot) * The identity of the player which fired the null shot.

The targeted gun may also issue a message on the display or audibly, informing the player that they have been targeted. Meanwhile, this radio message will be received by afl the laser skirmish guns in range. Normally, only the gun which fired the "null shot' (identified in the radio message) will indicate to that player the identity of the player in their sights on the display or audibly over the speaker system. However, as this message is general, the other guns can also provide information about targeted players.

It should be noted that the beam sent by the original gun could be any media which can be modulated, i.e. radio, light or sound. However it would be ideal if it was silent Normally the null shot signal is transmitted continuously by the gun; however it can be transmitted on demand by adding an extra trigger to the gun to activate the 1FF system. Also, in this example a radio back channel was used, it should be noted that a back channel using infra-red, light or sound can also be implemented.

Further, the Identify Friend or Foe (1FF) system is not limited to laser taglskirmish games but could be also fitted to paintball guns by aligning the infra-red beam with the trajectory of the paintball. Also it could be incorporated in any other activity which could support the necessary electronics where the interaction between the participants can be simulated, emulated, monitored or otherwise by the receiving and transmitting of electronic beams which are able to carry information.

Claims

Claims 1. An Identify Friend or Foe system which directs a beam at an

object and uses a communications channel to establish the identity of that object.
2. An Identify Friend or Foe system according to claim I directing a coded beam at an object to establish its identity.
3. An Identify Friend or Foe system according to claims I and 2, where the beam is emitted continuously and/or on demand.
4. An Identify Friend or Foe system according to the preceding claims, which when receiving the said beam vwiH emit a coded message to indicate its identity.
5. An Identify Friend or Foe system according to the preceding claims that Will issue a message to indicate the identity of the object transmitting and/or receiving the beam
6. An Identify Friend or Foe system according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 which can be programmed or preset to automatically fire a weapon.
7. An Identify Friend or Foe system according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 which can be programmed or preset to inhibit finng a weapon.
8. An Identify Friend or Foe system according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 which emits an infra-red beam and using radio communications as a back channel.
9. An Identify Friend or Foe system according to claims 1, 2, 3 and 4 which emits an infra-red beam and using infra-red, light or sound communications as a back channel.
10. An Identify Friend or Foe system described in any of the proceeding claims used in systems known as laser tag, laser skirmish, paintball or any other activity involving the receiving and transmitting of infra-red beams between participants.