Personal electronic game

• US 20010031662A1
• Filed: 01/05/2001
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Isaac Larian
• Original Assignee: Isaac Larian
• Inventors: Larian, Isaac
• Application Number:
  US09/755,822
• Publication Number:
  US 20010031662A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/422 automatically for the purpose of assisting the player, e.g. automatic braking in a driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/807 Gliding or sliding on surfaces, e.g. using skis, skates or boards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/90 Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2489 by radio transmitters, e.g. using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6054 by generating automatically game commands to assist the player, e.g. automatic braking in a driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6692 using special effects, generally involving post-processing, e.g. blooming
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8041 Skating using skis, skates or board
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32

Abstract

A wireless personal computer game includes a headset receiver unit and a handheld or foot operated transmitter unit which are intercoupled in a wireless arrangement, preferably using infrared or low power radio frequency. The headset includes a stereo optical receiver unit with an image enhancing lens system to provide a 3D virtual reality effect. The optical receiver unit extends forward from the user'"'"'s face, and the receiving element may be mounted at the outer end of the optical unit to enhance transfer of information from the front of the handheld or foot operated transmitter unit.

Claims

1. A personal electronic game assembly comprising:

a headset unit including earphones, batteries and an optical system providing three-dimensional images with a panoramic field of view;

a hand or foot control unit operated by the game player;

said units having wireless intercoupling from said control unit to said headset to control said images in accordance with input provided by said user to said control units;

said headset including earphones for providing sounds synchronized with said images;

both of said units including battery compartments for receiving batteries to power their operation; and

said headset and said control units including infrared wireless coupling units at the outer ends of said units away from the game player.

2. An assembly as defined in

claim 1

wherein said optical system of said headset unit protrudes outwardly from the front of the user'"'"'s face by a substantial distance.

3. An assembly as defined in

claim 2

wherein said optical system has a predetermined height and wherein said optical system extends forward from the face of the user by a distance greater than said predetermined height.

4. A personal electronic game assembly comprising:

a headset unit including earphones, batteries and an optical system providing three-dimensional images with a panoramic field of view;

a hand or foot control unit operated by the game player; and

said units having wireless intercoupling from said control unit to said headset to control said images in accordance with input provided by said user to said control units.

5. A system as defined in

claim 4

wherein said headset includes earphones for providing sounds synchronized with said images.

6. A system as defined in

claim 4

wherein both of said units include battery compartments for receiving batteries to power their operation.

7. A system as defined in

claim 4

wherein said headset and said control units include infrared wireless coupling units at the outer ends of said units away from the game player.

8. A system as defined in

claim 4

wherein said control unit is included in a floor or ground-mounted foot-board unit including feet receiving areas, and switches operative upon movements by the user, to initiate corresponding signals transmitted to the headset unit.

9. A system as defined in

claim 8

wherein said wireless coupling is in the form of low power radio frequency coupling.

10. A system as defined in

claim 4

wherein said headset includes a rear mounted battery pack, electronic receiving and control electronics mounted with said optical system and extending forward of the user'"'"'s face, and a bridging member extending over the top of the user'"'"'s head between the battery pack and the electronics and optical system.

11. A system as defined in

claim 10

wherein the earphones are mechanically and electrically coupled to said bridging member.

12. A personal electronic game assembly comprising:

a headset receiver unit including earphones, batteries and an optical system providing three-dimensional images;

said optical system of said headset unit protruding outwardly a substantial distance from the front of the user'"'"'s face;

a hand or foot transmitter control unit operated by the game player;

said units having wireless intercoupling from said control unit to said headset to control said images in accordance with input provided by said user to said control units;

said headset including earphones for providing sounds associated with said images;

both of said units including battery compartments for receiving batteries to power their operation; and

said headset and said control units including wireless coupling units at the outer ends of said units away from the game player, whereby coupling between said transmitter control unit and said headset receiver unit is enhanced.

13. A system as defined in

claim 12

wherein said headset and said control units include infrared wireless coupling units at the outer ends of said units away from the game player.

14. A system as defined in

claim 12

wherein said control unit includes two spaced infrared signal transmitting elements to enhance line of sight infrared signals from said control unit to said headset unit.

15. A system as defined in

claim 12

wherein said headset and said control units include radio frequency coupling units.

16. A system as defined in

claim 12

wherein said control unit is included in a floor or ground-mounted unit including feet receiving areas, and switches operative upon movements by the user, to initiate corresponding signals transmitted to the headset unit.

17. A system as defined in

claim 16

wherein said wireless coupling is in the form of low power radio frequency coupling.

18. A system as defined in

claim 12

wherein said headset includes a rear mounted battery pack, electronic receiving and control electronics mounted with said optical system and extending forward of the user'"'"'s face, and a bridging member extending over the top of the user'"'"'s head between the battery pack and the electronics and optical system.

19. A system as defined in

claim 18

wherein the earphones are mechanically coupled to said bridging member.

20. An assembly as defined in

claim 12

wherein said optical system has a predetermined height and wherein said optical system extends forward from the face of the user by a distance greater than said predetermined height.