US20070238534A1

US20070238534A1 - Target game

Info

Publication number: US20070238534A1
Application number: US11/390,372
Authority: US
Inventors: Avraham Pollack
Original assignee: Milbat Israel Center for Tech and Accessibility
Current assignee: MILBAT ISRAEL CENTER FOR TECHNOLOGY AND ACCESSIBLITY; Milbat Israel Center for Tech and Accessibility
Priority date: 2006-03-28
Filing date: 2006-03-28
Publication date: 2007-10-11

Abstract

A target game includes: a target device divided into a plurality of target regions, including an on-target region and several off-target regions of different proximities to the on-target region; a light source manipulatable by a user to direct a beam of light towards the target device; a light sensor located on each of the target regions for sensing a beam of light from the light source impinging the respective region; and a speaker system controlled by the light sensors to produce a distinctive sound according to the light sensor sensing a beam of light from the light source impinging its respective target region.

Description

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to target games and particularly to a target game designed for use by visually-impaired persons, but also usable by persons with normal eyesight.
Various target games, such as target boards, are widely used for entertainment, relaxation, and competition purposes. However, such target games require that the players actually see the target, and therefore cannot be played by blind persons or other visually-impaired persons.

OBJECT AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a target game which can be played by blind or visually-impaired persons, as well as by other persons having normal eyesight.
According to the present invention, there is provided a target game, comprising: a target device divided into a plurality of target regions, including an on-target region and several off-target regions of different proximities to the on-target region; a light source manipulatable by a user to direct a beam of light towards the target device; a light sensor located on each of the target regions and for sensing a beam of light from the light source impinging the respective region; and a speaker system controlled by the light sensors to produce a distinctive sound according to the light sensor sensing a beam of light from the light source impinging its respective target region.
In the described preferred embodiment, the speaker system includes a separate speaker for each of the target regions. Each speaker is actuated to produce a distinctive sound when the light sensor for the respective region of the target device senses impingement by a beam of light from the light source on its respective region. Thus, the distinctive sound heard by the player will indicate to the player whether the light beam directed by the player was “on-target”, or if not, how far “off-target” the beam of light was.
Also in the described preferred embodiment, the speakers are at different locations with respect to the target device, such an arrangement thereby indicates to the player whether the beam was on-target or off-target, not only by the different sounds produced by the respective speakers, but also by the different locations of the sounds as perceived by the player.
According to a further feature in the described preferred embodiment, each of the speakers includes a light signaling device which is energized when its respective speaker is actuated. Such a light signal can also be received by a player having a lower degree of visual impairment, as well as by a non-visually impaired player. Such a light signal is in addition to the sound produced by the actuated speaker to indicate whether the beam was on-target or the degree of off-target.
According to a still further feature in the described preferred embodiment, the light source is pivotally carried on a stand to permit manual pivotting of the light source by the player toward selected regions of the target device. Preferably, the target device includes the on-target region at the center thereof, and the off-target regions in annular arrays around, and coaxial with, the on-target region.
Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating the manipulatable light source and the target device in one form of target game constructed in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a front view more particularly illustrating the target device, as well as the array of speakers, the light signaling devices, and the control system, in the target game of FIG. 1.
It is to be understood that the foregoing drawings, and the description below, are provided primarily for purposes of facilitating understanding the conceptual aspects of the invention and possible embodiments thereof, including what is presently considered to be a preferred embodiment. In the interest of clarity and brevity, no attempt is made to provide more details than necessary to enable one skilled in the art, using routine skill and design, to understand and practice the described invention. It is to be further understood that the embodiment described is for purposes of example only, and that the invention is capable of being embodied in other forms and applications than described herein.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of target game described below, and illustrated in the drawings, is particularly designed for use by blind persons or other visually-impaired persons, but may also be used by persons having normal eyesight.
The target game illustrated in the drawings includes a target device, generally designated 2 in FIGS. 1 and 2, mounted vertically in any suitable manner, e.g. on a wall 3. As shown particularly in FIG. 2, target device 2 is divided into a plurality of target regions, namely a central on-target region 2 a, and a plurality of off-target regions 2 b-2 d in annular arrays around the central on-target region 2 a and coaxially therewith.
The illustrated target game further includes a light source 4 mounted on a stand 5 in front of target device 2. For example, stand 5 may be a tripod, and the light source 4 may be a battery-operated flashlight having an On-Off button 4 a. It may be mounted to the tripod by a pivotal mounting 6 enabling the flashlight to be manipulated both horizontally and vertically with respect to the target device 2.
Each of the target regions 2 a-2 d of target device 2 includes a light sensor capable of sensing when a beam of light from light source 4 impinges the respective target region. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the light sensors are shown in the form of light-sensitive layers or coatings 7 a-7 d on the target regions 2 a-2 d, respectively. Each light-sensitive layer 7 a-7 d covers a sufficient surface of its respective target region so as to detect the impingement of the light beam thereon. For example, if the light beam is of relatively large diameter, only a sufficient surface area of the respective target region to sense a part of the light beam needs to be covered by the light-sensitive layer. Preferably, however, the light beam is of a small diameter, e.g. a laser beam, in which case substantially the complete surface of the respective target region should be covered with the light-sensitive material.
The illustrated target game further includes a speaker system controlled by the light sensors 7 a-7 d to produce a distinctive sound according to the light sensor actuated by a beam of light from the light source 4. In the described preferred embodiment, the speaker system includes a separate speaker, shown at 8 a-8 d, respectively, for each of the target regions 2 a-2 d. Each speaker 8 a-8 d, when actuated, produces a distinctive sound, such as a distinctive tone, when the light sensor 7 a-7 d on the respective target region 2 a-2 d senses the beam of light from light source 4.
As shown in FIG. 2, the speakers 8 a-8 d are arranged at different locations with respect to the target device 2. The player is thus informed of the degree of success in hitting the target, not only by the sound or tone of the actuated speaker as heard by the player, but also by the location from which that sound originates as perceived by the player.
The illustrated target game further includes a signaling device 9 a-9 d, for each of the speakers 8 a-8 d. Each light signaling device 9 a-9 d is located on, or close to, its respective speaker 8 a-8 d. Thus, the degree of success in hitting the target is also indicated by the energization from of a light signal at the respective speaker. This feature is useful for players having a relatively low degree of visual impairment, or players in general having normal eyesight.
The illustrated target game further includes a control system, generally designated 10 in FIG. 2, connected to the foregoing electrical elements of the target device. Thus, control system is controllable by the light sensors 7 a-7 d, and controls the actuation of the speakers 8 a-8 d, as well as of the light signaling devices 9 a-9 d, in response to the target region 2 a-2 d receiving the projected light beam from light source 4 as sensed by the light sensors 7 a-7 d.
The manner of using the target device illustrated in the drawings will be apparent from the above description. Thus, the player grasps light source 4 and manipulates it to aim it at a selected target region, and then actuates the On-Off button 4 a to project a beam of light towards the target device 2. If the light source 4 is clearly on-target, the beam will impinge the on-target region 2 a, and this will be sensed by light sensor 7 a in that region. As a result, the respective speaker 8 a will be actuated to produce a sound (e.g. tone) distinctive of that speaker, to thereby, convey to the user the fact that the projected beam was exactly on target. On the other hand, if the projected beam is off-target such that the beam impinges one of the off-target regions 2 b-2 d this will be detected by the respective light sensor 7 b-7 d of the target region, which will thereby activate the respective speaker 8 b-8 d to communicate this fact to the player. If the player completely misses the target device, no speak will be actuated.
When one of the speakers 8 a-8 d is actuated, its respective signaling device 9 a-9 d will also be actuated to communicate this information to a seeing person.
The user, even though not able to see the target, is thus informed not only whether the projected beam was on target, but also how far off-target it was. This information is communicated to the player by the sound (e.g. tone) heard by the player as well as the location of the source of the sound as perceived by the player. After each play, the player is thus able to make a suitable adjustment in the aiming direction in another attempt to hit the on-target region 2 a.
While the invention has been described to one preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that this is set forth merely for purposes of example, and that many other variations, modifications and applications of the invention may be made.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A target game, comprising:

a target device divided into a plurality of target regions, including an on-target region and several off-target regions of different proximities to the on-target region;

a light source manipulatable by a user to direct a beam of light towards the target device;

a light sensor located on each of the target regions for sensing a beam of light from the light source impinging the respective region;

and a speaker system controlled by the light sensors to produce a distinctive sound according to the light sensor sensing a beam of light from the light source impinging its respective target region.

2. The target game according to claim 1, wherein the speaker system includes a separate speaker for each of the target regions, each speaker being actuated to produce a distinctive sound when the light sensor for the respective region of the target device senses impingement of a beam of light from the light source on its respective region.

3. The target game according to claim 2, wherein said speakers are at different locations with respect to the target device.

4. The target game according to claim 3, wherein each of the speakers includes a light signaling device which is energized when its respective speaker is actuated.

5. The target game according to claim 1, wherein said light source projects a narrow beam, and each of the light sensors covers substantially the complete surface of its respective target region.

6. The target game according to claim 1, wherein the light source is pivotally carried on a stand to permit manual pivotting of the light source towards selected regions of the target device.

7. The target game according to claim 1, wherein the target device includes the on-target region at the center thereof, and the off-target regions in annular arrays around, and coaxial with, the on-target region.