WO2010031041A2 - Système de jeu vidéo avec ensemble de sécurité et procédé de lecture - Google Patents

Système de jeu vidéo avec ensemble de sécurité et procédé de lecture Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2010031041A2
WO2010031041A2 PCT/US2009/056953 US2009056953W WO2010031041A2 WO 2010031041 A2 WO2010031041 A2 WO 2010031041A2 US 2009056953 W US2009056953 W US 2009056953W WO 2010031041 A2 WO2010031041 A2 WO 2010031041A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
game
video game
play
zone
player
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2009/056953
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2010031041A3 (fr
Inventor
Darryl Loren Howe
John W. Taylor
Bryan Allen
Albert P. Maggiore
Yan Shtarker
Original Assignee
Mattel, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Mattel, Inc. filed Critical Mattel, Inc.
Publication of WO2010031041A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010031041A2/fr
Publication of WO2010031041A3 publication Critical patent/WO2010031041A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/45—Controlling the progress of the video game
    • A63F13/48—Starting a game, e.g. activating a game device or waiting for other players to join a multiplayer session
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/21—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
    • A63F13/213—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/21—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
    • A63F13/211—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/21—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
    • A63F13/214—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads
    • A63F13/2145—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/24—Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
    • A63F13/20—Input arrangements for video game devices
    • A63F13/21—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
    • A63F13/214—Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/1043—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals being characterized by constructional details
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/1068—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/10—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals
    • A63F2300/1087—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by input arrangements for converting player-generated signals into game device control signals comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/60—Methods for processing data by generating or executing the game program
    • A63F2300/63—Methods for processing data by generating or executing the game program for controlling the execution of the game in time
    • A63F2300/636—Methods for processing data by generating or executing the game program for controlling the execution of the game in time involving process of starting or resuming a game
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
    • A63F2300/80—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game specially adapted for executing a specific type of game
    • A63F2300/8011—Ball

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to interactive remotely controlled video game systems and methods of play.
  • Remotely controlled interactive video games have progressed from systems in which the player and the remote control device are generally stationary to systems, such as the Nintendo WiiTM, in which the player engages in physical activity required to move a handheld controller in the real world to produce a corresponding motion of an object in the virtual world of the video game.
  • the real world in which the remote control device is being moved is an indoor environment and typical a living or family room in which uncontrolled movement might cause injury or damage to individuals and objects in the room.
  • One aspect of the present invention is a video game system comprising a safety assembly operatively coupled to an electronic video game processor configured to initiate an execution of an interactive video game stored on a game processor readable medium and to cause an interruption of the execution of the video game when the safety assembly does not detect a game player in a zone-of-play.
  • a method of playing a video game on an electronic video game system comprising the steps of: executing on a game processor an interactive video game stored on a game processor readable medium; and causing an interruption of the execution of the video game when a safety assembly does not detect a game player in a zone-of-play.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first preferred embodiment of a video game system in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the zone-of-play of the game system of Fig. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is schematic diagram for the detector module of the safety assembly for the video game system of Fig. 1 when a user is not in the zone-of-play;
  • Fig. 4 is schematic diagram for the detector module of the safety assembly for the video game system of Fig. 1 when a user is in the zone-of-play;
  • FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the hand held controller and appliances of Fig. 1 in a storage dock;
  • Fig. 6 is a front perspective view of the base unit and delineator in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the video game system of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 7 is an exploded top perspective view of the hand held controller and appliances of Fig. 1;
  • FIG. 8 is an artist's rendering of a representative use of the video game system implementing the block diagram of Fig. 1 ;
  • FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of a method of playing a game on a video gaming system in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 10 is an artist's rendering of a representative screen capture for a T-ball video game executed on the video gaming system of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 11 is a representative screen capture for a tennis video game executed on the video gaming system of Fig. 1 ;
  • Fig. 12 is a representative screen capture for a miniature golf video game executed on the video gaming system of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 13 is a top view of an embodiment of an object having a preferred embodiment of a swing detector in accordance with the present invention.
  • Fig. 14 is a side view of the object in Fig. 13 in two different positions; and [0023] Fig. 15 is a partial internal view of a portion of the object in Fig. 13. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • FIGs. 1-9 a first preferred embodiment of the video game system, generally designated 10, and hereinafter referred to as the "game system" 10 in accordance with the present invention.
  • the game system 10 provides to a game player an interactive video game experience in which the player may engage in physical activity related to the game.
  • the video game experience is disclosed below with respect to sport activities such as swinging a baseball bat, tennis racket, or golf club.
  • the video game experience is not limited to those three sport activities and may involve any musculo-skeletal movement by a game player related to a wide variety of possible video game interactions including, bowling, racing, steering a vehicle, animating an avatar or, in general, moving any object appearing in the virtual world.
  • the game system 10 comprises a game apparatus 12 and a safety assembly 14.
  • the game apparatus 12 may be any of a wide variety of well-known commercially-available video game systems suitably adapted to receive a signal from the safety assembly 14 as further described below such as the Nintendo WiiTM, the Sony PlaystationTM, and the Microsoft Xbox 360TM, or a lesser known systems such as Radica's Play TV ® Baseball or Real Swing Golf or any other game having the features of the game apparatus 12.
  • the game apparatus 12 includes a remote control 16 and a display device 18 that are operatively coupled to a game processor 20 located in a game console or base unit (or simply "base") 36.
  • the coupling between the remote control 12 and the game processor 20 may be a wired connection but is preferably a wireless connection controlled by a wireless communication module 22 which may be configured to transmit and receive from the remote control 16 infra-red signals, radio frequency signals or both.
  • the remote control 16 may have a wide variety of ergonomically designed housing configurations, such as a basic rectangular candy-bar-like shape typical of some current cell phones, a trapezoidal-like shape such as the shape of the Xbox 360TM wireless controller or special purpose configurations such as the pistol shape of the Nintendo Zapper .
  • the remote control 16 may have a generally wand-like, cylindrically-shaped grip 24 that serves as a universal handle to which a variety of sport specific appliances may be attached such as the tip of a baseball bat 26 or the head of a golf club 28 or tennis racket 30.
  • the appliances are preferably attached to the grip 24 by a secure snap fit connection the makes a distinct audible click to confirm its engagement with the grip 24.
  • a switch (not shown) in the grip 24 is in communication with the game processor 20 in the base 36 and confirms whether or not the attachment is fully engaged. If the switch is not engaged, games with video content requiring a swinging motion of the remote control 16 will not be executed by the game processor.
  • a wrist strap 25 may be attached to the grip 24 to prevent the grip 24 from sliding out of a game player's grip when swung. Again the wrist strap may also be a sensor such as a capacitive device responsive to touch or be coupled with a sensor such as a switch in the grip coupled with an elasticized strap to sense tension of the strap.
  • a series of switches in the grip are engaged by appliance and communicate to a controller in the grip the identity of the attached appliance. Attaching an appliance to the grip 24 may act like a mode selection, the identity of the appliance being recognized by electronics in the grip 24 and communicated to the game processor 20, which in turn, automatically executes preprogrammed software creating on the display 18 animated sports scenes associated with the appliance.
  • Communication between the grip controller and the game controller occurs wirelessly.
  • a plurality (e.g. four) of infra-red transmitters are arranged around the circumference of the remote control so that the signal can be sent to and received by the base unit game controller.
  • the wireless communication link may occur by a radio frequency link.
  • the remote control 16 may include user input devices such as a directional pad 32, button switches 34 and/or a touch screen (not shown).
  • the directional pad 32 when used in conjunction with one or more button switches serves as a user input device for navigating and making selections from menus on the display device 18.
  • the button switches 34 may be color coded for association with various appliances that may be attached to the remote control and for selecting one of the sport scenes associated with the appliance.
  • the remote control 16 has a motion (or swing detector) detector able to sense a movement of the remote control 16.
  • the motion detector may be a simple one degree-of- freedom accelerometer (or switch) that only communicates to the game processor 20 that the remote control 16 has been moved, such as by the closure of a switch closure caused by the extension of spring and mass assembly in response to movement of the remote control 16.
  • a simple swing detector switch is shown in Figs. 13-15 and is described in detail in U.S. Patent Application Number 12/468,875 entitled “Motion Switch” the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
  • a representative embodiment of the motion switch described in the cited application follows.
  • Figs. 13-15 illustrate the use of the motion switch 100 with an object that can be swung by a user. While object 400 is illustrated as a bat, in other embodiments, the object 400 can be a tennis racquet, a golf club, or other article that can be swung or moved by a user. [0035] In this embodiment, the object 400 includes a body 410 with a proximal end 412 and a distal end 414. Referring to Fig. 13, a top view of one type of motion of object 400 is illustrated.
  • a user can swing the object 400 from a start position 402 along the direction of arrow "V" to a swinging or swung position 404, which is indicative of a swinging motion when a user is trying to hit a ball with a bat.
  • the distal end 414 moves a greater distance than the proximal end 412 of the object.
  • a switch 100 can be coupled to the body 410, either internally or externally, and oriented so that the switch 100 detects the desired motion of the object 400. As shown in Fig. 13, the switch 100 is oriented to detect the swinging motion of the object 400 along the direction of arrow "V."
  • the object 400 can be a bat and the switch 100 is used to teach a proper swinging technique by generating an output or reward, such as an audible and/or visual output, in response to a particular type of swinging motion. If the object 400 is swung in an undesired or incorrect manner, then the switch 100 is not closed and no response is generated.
  • the switch 100 is closed and an output such as sound effects or music is generated.
  • the switch 100 is oriented so that the primary or detecting axis 125 of the switch 100 is aligned with an axis 415 of the object 400. While object 400 is in position 402, the switch 100 is oriented such that the conductive member 280 can move along the direction "W" and engage the contact of cap 130 to close the switch 100, if the proper force is applied to the conductive member 280.
  • the object 400 is moved from position 406 to position 408 along the direction of arrow "Y.”
  • the switch 100 is oriented such that the primary or detecting axis 125 is aligned with the length of the body 410.
  • movement of the body 410 along the direction of arrow "Y" does not cause the conductive member 280 of the switch 100 to engage the contact coupled to cap 130.
  • the switch 100 does not close and no output is generated by the electronic system.
  • the object 400 can be moved in many different planes and directions and the detection of movement in a particular direction or directions can be achieved by orienting the switch 100 in the desired direction.
  • the object 400 is illustrated with a portion removed.
  • the body 410 includes an internal cavity 420 in which the switch 100 is disposed.
  • a cover (not shown) can be provided to allow access to the cavity 410.
  • the switch 100 is oriented so that biasing member 260 is located toward the proximal end 412 and the conductive member 280 is located toward the distal end 414. In different embodiments, the location and manner in which the switch 100 is coupled to the body 410 of the object 400 can vary.
  • Motion detectors more complex than the switch 100 may be used in some embodiments of the remote control 20. For example, a complex multiple degree-of-freedom sensor may be used, such as a multiple axis accelerometer or gyroscopic assembly.
  • the display device 18 may be a standard television set or any other electronic display.
  • the coupling between the display device 18 and the game processor 20 is a plug and play wired connection 23 that connects the game processor 20 to the video and audio ports of the display device 18.
  • the connection may be wireless and involve the wireless communication module 22.
  • the gaming processor 20 is housed in a base 36 that may have any of a wide variety of configurations, such as a generally rectangular shape, a trapezoidal shape, a polygonal shape, or alternatively, the cylindrical shape shown in Fig. 6.
  • the gaming processor 20 is configured to execute a game program, such as T-ball 70 (Figs. 8 and 10), tennis 80 (Fig. 11) or miniature golf 90 (Fig. 12) to cause the display device 18 to display a virtual game world 72, 82, 92 including a virtual object 74, 84, 94 as shown in Figs. 10-12, respectively.
  • a game program such as T-ball 70 (Figs. 8 and 10), tennis 80 (Fig. 11) or miniature golf 90 (Fig. 12) to cause the display device 18 to display a virtual game world 72, 82, 92 including a virtual object 74, 84, 94 as shown in Figs. 10-12, respectively.
  • Any of a variety of scenes typical of most arcade video games may be displayed, such as the animated
  • the base 36 has one or more indicators 21 in communication with the game processor 20.
  • Each indicator 21 may be associated with an appliance 26, 28, 30 and may have the same color as a corresponding button switch 34 associated with the same appliance.
  • the indicators 21 may be illuminated by an underlying light emitting diode controlled by the game processor 20 to inform the game player that the illuminated button should be used as an input device for interaction with a particular sport scene or on screen menu associated with the appliance presently attached to the remote control 16..
  • the gaming processor 20 is configured to move the virtual object (e.g., a baseball) in response to a movement of the remote control 16 (e.g., the grip 24 with the baseball bat appliance 26 attached thereto) by a game player.
  • the motion of the object may be loosely or tightly coupled to the motion of the remote control 16 by the program being executed by the game processor 20.
  • the safety assembly 14 includes a delineator 40 and a game player detector 42.
  • the delineator 40 forms at least a portion of a boundary of a zone-of- play 44 in a real world.
  • the delineator 40 may be any structure that may be recognized by the user as a demarcation in the proximity of which the user must stay in order to avoid contact with objects in the real world environment.
  • the environment is a game room having a television to which the game system 10 is connected.
  • the delineator 40 is placed on the floor a sufficient distance from the television (or display) and other furnishings in the room such that the game player, with the remote control 16 in hand, may safely engage in the requisite bodily movements to accomplish an objective of the game.
  • the game player In the case of the T-ball example shown in Figs. 8 and 10, the game player must be able to swing the baseball bat as required to hit the appropriate ball off the tee in the virtual world 72 without hitting anything in the room.
  • the delineator 40 comprises at least one elongated member that may be placed on the floor separate from the base 36.
  • the delineator 40 comprises two elongated members 46a, 46b extending from the base 36.
  • the elongated members 46a, 46b may have end sections 48a, 48b that are angled with respect the elongated members 46a, 46b to suggest to the game player that the zone-of-play 44 is defined to be an area with a limited extent and that the game player should position himself between the angled sections 48a, 48b and to the side of the delineator 40 from which the angled sections 48a, 48b extend.
  • the zone-of-play 44 is an area about two feet by two feet.
  • the extent of the zone-of-play 44 may be larger or smaller than a two-foot square depending on the requirements of the game being executed.
  • the shape of the area need not be square and could be rectangular or circular or elliptical or have an arbitrary shape.
  • Alternative embodiments of the delineator may have an arcuate shape or a generally concave shape or any other shape suggesting that the game player be contained within an area to one side of the delineator.
  • the delineator may comprise one continuous member or a plurality of members and may be positioned spaced from and independent of the location of the base 36.
  • the elongated members 48a, 48b may support a visible indicator 50 activated by the game processor 20 when the safety assembly 14 does not detect a game player in the zone-of-play 44.
  • the visible indicator 50 is a light pipe 50a.
  • the visible indicator may be an arrangement of conventional light bulbs, fluorescent tubes, or light emitting diodes.
  • the game player detector 42 comprises a sensor suite able to detect the presence of a game player in the zone-of-play 44.
  • the sensor suite may include only a passive sensor such as a thermal IR sensor, or may include one or more active sensors such as emitter/detector pairs using sonics (e.g. ultrasonic), or electro-optics (e.g. laser) to irradiate and sense the reflectance from a game player in the zone-of-play 44.
  • the game player detector 42 may require contact by the game player, such as a mat (indicated by 44' in Fig.
  • the user may be equipped with a wearable device 68 (in phantom in Fig. 6) such as an RFID or resonant circuit tag responsive to a radio interrogator and detector pair.
  • the game player detector 42 is positioned proximal to the zone-of-play 44 and oriented such that the field-of-view of the game player detector 42 spans the zone-of-play 44.
  • the game player detector 42 may be housed separately from the game processor 20 and controlled by an independent processor, preferably the game player detector 42 is housed with the game processor 20 in the base 36.
  • the game player detector 42 is operatively coupled to the game processor 20, which is further configured to execute a predetermined safety program when the game player detector 42 does not detect a game player in the zone-of-play.
  • the coupling may be a wireless or wired link.
  • the game player detector 42 may by controlled by an independent processor or may be controlled by the game processor 20.
  • the predetermined safety program may cause the game processor 20 perform any of variety of safety related acts either singly or in combination, such as to freeze the display on the display device 18, to warn the game player visually or audibly to return to the zone-of-play, to render the remote control 16 inoperative or to terminate the game.
  • a preferred embodiment of the game player detector 42 comprises at least one infra-red (IR) emitter 52 and preferably two emitters and an IR detector 54.
  • the emitters 52 are mounted in the base 36 such that each of the fields-of-view overlap and collectively span the zone-of-play 44. As shown in the diagrams in Figs. 3 and 4, the emitters 52 operatively coupled to the game processor 20.
  • the IR detector 54 is also mounted in the base 36 and is oriented to detect reflectance from objects in the zone-of-play 44.
  • another aspect of the present invention is a method 56 of playing a game on a game system comprising the game apparatus 12 and the safety assembly 14.
  • the method 56 is disclosed with reference to the preferred embodiment of the game system 10 disclosed above.
  • the method 56 in accordance with the present invention may be practiced with any game system able to detect the absence of a game player in a zone-of-play 44.
  • the method 56 comprises the steps described below.
  • One step is a delineating the boundary step 58 that comprises visibly delineating at least a portion of a boundary of the zone-of-play 44.
  • a portion of the boundary may be delineated by a delineator 40.
  • the delineator 40 may be a passive physical structure placed on a floor, such as the elongated members 46a, 46a.
  • a portion of the boundary may be actively delineated by a visible indicator 50, such as a light pipe, activated by the game processor 20.
  • Another step is an executing a video game step 60 that comprises executing on a game processor 20 of the gaming system 10 an interactive video game, such as T-ball 70, tennis 80, or golf 90, stored on a game processor readable medium 21a to cause a display device 18 to display a virtual game world 72, 82, 92 including a virtual object 74, 84, 94 and to cause the virtual object to move in response to a movement of a remote control 16 by a game player.
  • the game processor readable medium 21a may be volatile memory such as random access memory, or non- volatile memory such as read only memory or flash memory.
  • the game processor readable medium may be transitory or non-transitory.
  • the game processor readable medium 21a may be permanently fixed in the base 36.
  • the game processor readable medium 21a may be a removable medium such as a flash drive or a compact disk.
  • Another step is a detecting step 62 that comprises monitoring with a game player detector 42 a zone-of-play 44 having at least a portion of a boundary of the zone-of-play 44 formed by a delineator 40 and if the game player is detected in the zone-of-play 44 continuing to execute the game in accordance with the executing a game step 60. If the game player is not detected in the zone-of-play 44, the detecting step 62 communicates to the game processor 20 the absence of a game player in the zone-of-play 44.
  • Another step is an executing a safety program step 64 which comprises executing a safety program wherein an execution of an interactive video game is interrupted when a safety assembly 14 does not detect a game player in a zone-of-play 44.
  • the executing a safety program step further comprises an instructing step 64a wherein the game player is instructed to return to the zone-of-play 44.
  • the instruction may warn the player visually or audibly to return to the zone-of-play 44.
  • the interruption may cause the display to freeze, or render the remote control 16 inoperative or terminate the game.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • User Interface Of Digital Computer (AREA)
  • Two-Way Televisions, Distribution Of Moving Picture Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention porte sur un système de jeu vidéo (10) ayant un ensemble de sécurité (14) fonctionnellement couplé à un processeur de jeu vidéo électronique (20) configuré pour initier une exécution d'un jeu vidéo interactif (70, 80, 90) stocké sur un support (20a) apte à être lu par processeur de jeu et pour provoquer une interruption de l'exécution du jeu vidéo interactif (70, 80, 90) lorsque l'ensemble de sécurité (14) ne détecte pas un joueur dans une zone de jeu (44). L'invention porte également sur un procédé de lecture d'un jeu vidéo interactif (70, 80, 90) sur un système de jeu vidéo électronique consistant à : exécuter sur un processeur de jeu (20) un jeu vidéo interactif (70, 80, 90) stocké sur un support (20a) apte à être lu par un processeur de jeu ; et exécuter un programme de sécurité (64), dans lequel une exécution du jeu vidéo interactif (70, 80, 90) est interrompue lorsqu'un ensemble de sécurité (14) ne détecte pas un joueur dans une zone de jeu (44).
PCT/US2009/056953 2008-09-15 2009-09-15 Système de jeu vidéo avec ensemble de sécurité et procédé de lecture WO2010031041A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US9703608P 2008-09-15 2008-09-15
US61/097,036 2008-09-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010031041A2 true WO2010031041A2 (fr) 2010-03-18
WO2010031041A3 WO2010031041A3 (fr) 2010-04-29

Family

ID=42005814

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2009/056953 WO2010031041A2 (fr) 2008-09-15 2009-09-15 Système de jeu vidéo avec ensemble de sécurité et procédé de lecture

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2010031041A2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2485840A (en) * 2010-11-29 2012-05-30 Dimitar Poynarov A golf club shaped computer game controller
US9814982B2 (en) 2015-02-25 2017-11-14 Globalfoundries Inc. Mitigating collisions in a physical space during gaming

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5704836A (en) * 1995-03-23 1998-01-06 Perception Systems, Inc. Motion-based command generation technology
US20020160823A1 (en) * 2000-02-18 2002-10-31 Hajime Watabe Game apparatus, storage medium and computer program
US20030003992A1 (en) * 2001-06-29 2003-01-02 Konami Corporation, Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Inc. Game device, and method and program for processing image of person
US20030069074A1 (en) * 2001-09-10 2003-04-10 Shuffle Master, Inc. Method for developing gaming programs compatible with a computerized gaming operating system and apparatus
US20060166620A1 (en) * 2002-11-07 2006-07-27 Sorensen Christopher D Control system including an adaptive motion detector
US20070061851A1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2007-03-15 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. System and method for detecting user attention
US20080207325A1 (en) * 2007-02-27 2008-08-28 Hsu Kent T J Control arrangement for operating video game console

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5704836A (en) * 1995-03-23 1998-01-06 Perception Systems, Inc. Motion-based command generation technology
US20020160823A1 (en) * 2000-02-18 2002-10-31 Hajime Watabe Game apparatus, storage medium and computer program
US20030003992A1 (en) * 2001-06-29 2003-01-02 Konami Corporation, Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo, Inc. Game device, and method and program for processing image of person
US20030069074A1 (en) * 2001-09-10 2003-04-10 Shuffle Master, Inc. Method for developing gaming programs compatible with a computerized gaming operating system and apparatus
US20060166620A1 (en) * 2002-11-07 2006-07-27 Sorensen Christopher D Control system including an adaptive motion detector
US20070061851A1 (en) * 2005-09-15 2007-03-15 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. System and method for detecting user attention
US20080207325A1 (en) * 2007-02-27 2008-08-28 Hsu Kent T J Control arrangement for operating video game console

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2485840A (en) * 2010-11-29 2012-05-30 Dimitar Poynarov A golf club shaped computer game controller
US9814982B2 (en) 2015-02-25 2017-11-14 Globalfoundries Inc. Mitigating collisions in a physical space during gaming

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2010031041A3 (fr) 2010-04-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20200338425A1 (en) Smart Software Computer Sports on and off the Internet
KR100803884B1 (ko) 체감 볼 게임 장치
US9925460B2 (en) Systems and methods for control device including a movement detector
US10744405B2 (en) Video game incorporating safe live-action combat
EP2572762B1 (fr) Jeu de trampoline
US9216348B2 (en) Device to control the movement of a virtual player and a virtual ball in a game application
US20090117525A1 (en) Sensory Coordination System for Sports, Therapy and Exercise
US9266022B1 (en) System to pause a game console whenever an object enters an exclusion zone
US20080207325A1 (en) Control arrangement for operating video game console
US8075400B2 (en) Game apparatus
WO2010031041A2 (fr) Système de jeu vidéo avec ensemble de sécurité et procédé de lecture
KR20160025087A (ko) 타점 감지유닛을 가지는 라켓 운동기구 및 이를 이용한 타점 감지방법
JPH01274780A (ja) ボクシングゲーム機
KR101317453B1 (ko) 타격 감지 기구를 이용한 게임 장치
US20060160663A1 (en) Apparatus and method for training base runners
JP3496686B2 (ja) ゲーム装置およびその制御方法
KR200429458Y1 (ko) 좌표지정장치 및 이를 장착한 게임용 조정기
KR101029918B1 (ko) 가정용 골프 시뮬레이터
JP2518288Y2 (ja) ビデオゲーム用打撃用具
TW200843822A (en) Equipment for electronic game
JP2005279090A (ja) 打撃訓練装置
WO2011046014A1 (fr) Système de jeu et dispositif de jeu
JP6218504B2 (ja) 格闘戦車
JPH06142247A (ja) 蹴力測定式ゲーム機

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 09813789

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 09813789

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2