GB2450746A

GB2450746A - Laser light blocking game system

Info

Publication number: GB2450746A
Application number: GB0713135A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Michael Casey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-07-05
Filing date: 2007-07-05
Publication date: 2009-01-07
Also published as: GB0713135D0

Abstract

A gaming system consisting of a central control unit 1 and a number of laser modules with corresponding light detection devices 2 at which said lasers are directed. Said control unit determines the sequence and times that each laser module is activated and the laser light remains on until a user blocks the path between the laser beam and the light detection device with a solid object 4 which may a part of the body of a user, a sword or stick, at which point the laser isb turned off and the next laser in the sequence is activated after a period of time. The laser and detector may be located in the same housing, in which ease the laser light may be reflected by a mirror 3 back to the corresponding detector. Alternatively the laser and the detector may exist in separate housings, connected to the control unit via a cable, a remote or wireless data link. A connection to a computer is provided, to enable the sequence of laser activations to be programmed and to record the times that each laser was intercepted during use, allowing the computer to generate an individual user score and enabling the computer to perform various in game tasks.

Description

Laser light blocking game system

Backaround

There are several existing combat simulation games which ulilise laser modules housed in toy guns to achieve a futuristic gaming experience. These games axe typically played in a darkened environment, usually with theatrical smoke to enhance the effect of the lasers. This invention relates to a delnsivc combat simulation game, to be played preferably in a similar environment, where a user attempts to intemept projected laser light using a solid object (for example a toy sword, or their own hand) for a period of time. The laser light is turned off after the intecepiion is made, giving the effect that the user has blocked the laser beam and deflected it back to its ongia

Statement of Invention

The present invention proposes a gaming system coning of a number of laser modules and corresponding light detection devices at which the lasers are directed, a control unit which selectively activates individual lasers and monitors the status of the tight detection devices until a user successfully blocks the path of the laser beam with a solid object, at which point the laser may be turned off and the next laser in a pie-defined or random sequence is activated.

The invention design allows for the laser beam inteiuiptions to be detected and timed using the light detection devices, allowing an individual user's score to be generated, and for in-game options to be modified depending on the user's current score.

Also, the invention allows for any solid object to be used as the blocking device, for example a toy sword, or the user's hand, rather than having to rely on an integrated blocking device, which may be reflective, or have built-in clcctmnics. This flexibility allows the invention to be used in various gaming or specialist martial arts u2ining scenarios, using a variety of blocking means or devices.

Several embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

* Description of the dwings

Figure 1 shows a typical use of the game system, where the laser modules, tight detection devices, and control unit are all in the same housing.

Figure 2 shows a front view of the control unit referred to in Figure 1 Figure 3 shows a view of the top of the control unit referred to in Figure 1 Figure 4 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment of the game system where the laser modules and light detection devices are housed in separate enclosures to the control unit Figure 5 shows a typical use of the game system referred to in figure 4 Figure 6 shows a typical use of an alternative embodiment of the game system where the laser modules are housed in separate enclosures to the light detection devices, cnnnected to the control unit via wires.

Detailed Descrintion One or more laser modules (5) are connected to a central control unit (1). Each laser module has a corresponding light detection device (6) at which the laser is directed (a photo-transistor, light-dependent resistor, or other suitable detection device). The light detection device may exist in the same housing as the laser module (2), in which case the laser may be bounced off an opposing mirror (3) in oider to strike the light detection device, or the light detection device may exist in its own directional housing (8) -see figure 6. Each laser module may incorporate special effect lenses or filters in order to enhance their visual effect The control unit uses a suitable microprocessor to activate one or more lasers in a pie-defined or random sequence. The user(s) play the game by inicreepling the laser light with a solid object (4) (for example a toy snord or their own hand) thereby preventing it from striking the light detection device.

Once the interception is madc the laser may be deactivated, and the next in the sequence activated.

A small light source (7) located next to the laser module may be used to indicate from where the next laser activation will be generated, giving the user sufficient time to position the blocking object.

A connection to a computer is provided to allow the programming of the control unit with various parameters, such as the length of time the user must continuously intercept each laser activation for it to be considered a block, the sequence and timings of laser activations, and the amount of time between the visual signal and the laser activation. The control unit is able to cariy out the main functions of the game independently of any computer connection.

The computer connection may aJso be used to allow the control unit to report to the computer the timings of each laser interception during use, thereby allowing the computer to generate a user score for a given set of laser activations, and also to enable the computer to take various in-game actions, such as playing audio, or providing visual indications of game progress.

Electronic signals which are passed from the main control unit to any external device (for example the laser module housings, or a computer) may be ped via wires, a wireless data link, or other suitable communication method.

The main unit, and any external housings may be powered using battenes, or any other suitable power supply.

In an alternative embodiment of the game system, the light detection devi (6) may be used not just for the detection of laser light from the corresponding laser modules, but also as independent targets, able to detect laser light from another source (for example a laser from a toy gun or laser pointer).

These targets may be used during the game at certain times, for example to increase a player's score if the targets am hit. If the light detection devices arc used in such a way, a visible light signal (7) may be given to indicate which light detection devices are to be u as active targets.

In a further alternative embodiment of the game system, the laser modules may be mounted in enclosures controlled by electronic motors, allowing the aim of the laser to be altered automatically during game use.

Claims

Claims I. A laser blocking gaming system consisting of a number of

laser modules and corresponding light detection devices at which the lasers are directed, and a control unit which selectively activates individual lasers and monitors the status of the light detection devices until a user successfully blocks the path of the laser beam with a solid object, at which point the control unit will deactivate the laser and activate the next in a random or pre-delluod sequence.
2. A gaming system according to claim I wheie the lasers and light detection devices are all housed in the central control unit housing with the ability to alter the direction of the lasers.
3. A gaming system according to claim 1 where each laser module and corresponding light detection device arc housed in separate directional enclosures, connected to the control unit via wires, a wireless data link, or other suitable communication method.
4. A gaming system according to claim 2 or claim 3 which includes a number of directional mirrors which are used to bounce the laser beams back to the corresponding light detection devices.
5. A gaining system according to claim 1 where the lasers arc housed hi separate enclosures to their corresponding light detection devices, both connected to the main unit via wires, a wireless data link, or other suitable communication method.
6. A gaming system according to any of preceding claims where a visible light signal is given to indicate which laser will be activated, prior to the activation.
7. A gaming system according to any of the preceding claims where special effect lenses are used with the laser modules to enhance the visual effect of the laser beams.
8. A gaming system according to any of the preceding claims where special effect light filters are used with the laser modules to enhance the visual eflct of the laser beams.
9. A gaining system according to any of the preceding claims where a connection is provided to a computer system to perform various scoring and in-game computer-related tasks.
10. A gaming system according to any of the preceding eI2in where a connection is provided to a computer system to enable the timing and sequen of the game to be programmed.
11. A gaming system according to any of the preceding claims where the laser modules are mounted in enclosures controlled by electronic motors, allowing the aim of the laser to be altered automatically during game use.
12. A gaming system according to any of the preceding claims where any of the light detection devices are used as independent targets, able to detect laser light from any external source.
13. A gaming system according to claim 12 where a visible light signal is given to indicate which light sensor is a current target.
14. A laser blocking game as substantially described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings