System and method for game playing using vestibular stimulation

• US 10,220,311 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2016
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Gearbox LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Chan, Alistair K., Hyde, Roderick A., Kare, Jordin T., Wood, Jr., Lowell L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Clarke, Robert T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Henry, Thomas H
• Application Number:
  US15/233,344
• Publication Number:
  US 20160346685A1
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser

Abstract

A method of gaming is generally described which includes detecting motions associated with the user by a feedback sensor device and providing motion information from the feedback sensor device to the game device. The method also includes providing a vestibular stimulation signal to a user, by a vestibular stimulation device in communication with a game device in response to the motion information and the game content.

Claims

1. A system for gaming, the system comprising:

a game device;

an output device in communication with the game device;

a vestibular stimulation device in communication with the game device;

a sensor device configured to detect motions associated with a user;

a game program running on the game device, the game program configured to provide output to the output device, and selectively provide control signals to the vestibular stimulation device to influence motions of the user during a first phase and provide the output to the output device and receive input from the sensor device during a second phase.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an input device in communication with the game device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second phase tracks how closely the user performs the motions provided in the first phase.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second phase tracks how closely the user performs the motions opposite those provided in the first phase.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device includes a visual output device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device includes an audio output device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device includes a tactile output device.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the game program computes a score based on a user'"'"'s performance during the second phase.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device includes audio prompts for the user.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the output device includes video prompts for the user.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the output is responsive to the detected motions.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the control signals are responsive to the detected motions.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more operations of the game program are responsive to the detected motions.

14. A system for gaming, comprising:

a game device configured to allow a user to play a game;

a vestibular stimulation device in communication with the game device;

a feedback sensor device configured to detect motions associated with the user; and

wherein the game device is configured to;

receive information about motions associated with the user from the sensor device while the user is playing the game; and

selectively provide control signals to the vestibular stimulation device to induce sensations in the user in response to the received information about motions associated with the user.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising an input device in communication with the game device, the input device configured to receive input from the user.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the input device is a game controller.

17. The system of claim 14, further comprising an output device in communication with the game device.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the output device provides an output selected from the group consisting of visual output, audio output, and tactile output.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the output device provides an audio or visual prompt for the user.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the induced sensations are selected to counteract the detected motions associated with the user.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the induced sensations are selected to reinforce the detected motions associated with the user.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein the motions associated with the user are physical motions made by the user.

23. The system of claim 14, wherein the motions associated with the user are virtual motions made by the user.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein the motions associated with the user are motions made by a game player in response to at least one of an output or an input.

25. A system for gaming, comprising:

a game device configured to allow a user to play a game;

a vestibular stimulation device in communication with the game device;

wherein the game device is configured to;

determine information about motions associated with the user while the user is playing the game; and

selectively provide control signals to the vestibular stimulation device to induce sensations in the user in response to the determined information about motions associated with the user.

26. The system of claim 25, further comprising an input device in communication with the game device, the input device configured to receive input from the user.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the input device is a game controller.

28. The system of claim 25, further comprising an output device in communication with the game device.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the output device provides an output selected from the group consisting of visual output, audio output, and tactile output.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the output device provides an audio or visual prompt for the user.

31. The system of claim 25, wherein the induced sensations are selected to counteract the detected motions associated with the user.

32. The system of claim 25, wherein the induced sensations are selected to reinforce the detected motions associated with the user.

33. The system of claim 25, wherein the motions associated with the user are physical motions made by the user.

34. The system of claim 25, wherein the motions associated with the user are virtual motions made by the user.

35. The system of claim 25, wherein the motions associated with the user are motions made by a game player in response to at least one of an output or an input.