Electronic competition system, electronic competition method, server and computer program

• US 20030228914A1
• Filed: 05/27/2003
• Published: 12/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Abe, Yusuke
• Application Number:
  US10/445,265
• Publication Number:
  US 20030228914A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/51
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/219 for aiming at specific areas on the display, e.g. light-guns
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/27 characterised by a large display in a public venue, e.g. in a movie theatre, stadium or game arena
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/426 involving on-screen location information, e.g. screen coordinates of an area at which the player is aiming with a light gun
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/537 using indicators, e.g. showing the condition of a game character on screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/655 by importing photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/30 characterized by output arrangements for receiving control signals generated by the game device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/695 Imported photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8023 the game being played by multiple players at a common site, e.g. in an arena, theatre, shopping mall using a large public display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting
• CPC Class Codes: F41A 33/02 Light- or radiation-emitting guns ; Light- or radiation-sensitive guns; Cartridges carrying light emitting sources, e.g. laser
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/02 Photo-electric hit-detector systems comprising a light-emitting device for simulating the firing of a gun F41G3/2622; detecting by optical means G01V8/10

Abstract

An electronic competition system has a plurality of shooting bases each comprised of a laser gun for emitting light, a plurality of strike point detectors each for detecting a strike point on a target board on which the light emitted from the laser gun strikes, and a viewing PC for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by each of the strike point detectors. A competition site server is provided for displaying, in response to strike points detected by the strike point detectors, competition progresses at the respective shooting bases in an order in which the strike points are detected.

Claims

1. An electronic competition system comprising:

a plurality of light-beam guns each for emitting light;

a plurality of strike point detecting means each for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun associated therewith;

first display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means; and

a server responsive to strike points detected by said plurality of strike point detecting means for displaying on said first display means the competition progress in an order in which the strike points are detected.

2. The electronic competition system according to claim 1, wherein:

said server displays a strike point on said first display means in real time when the strike point is detected by said strike point detecting means.

3. An electronic competition system comprising:

a light-beam gun for emitting light;

a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun;

first display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means; and

a server for displaying on said first display means a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means simultaneously with information on a competitor who plays a competition against said strike point detecting means.

4. The electronic competition system according to claim 3, wherein:

said server simultaneously displays on said first display means information on a plurality of competitors, and competition progresses of the respective competitors.

5. The electronic competition system according to claim 4, wherein:

said server simultaneously displays on said first display means information on all competitors who participate in the competition, and competition progresses of the respective competitors.

6. The electronic competition system according to claim 3, wherein:

said server simultaneously displays on said first display means information on competitors who satisfy a predetermined condition out of the competitors who participate in the competition, and the competition progresses of the respective competitors.

7. The electronic competition system according to claim 4, wherein:

said server simultaneously displays on said first display means information on competitors who satisfy a predetermined condition out of the competitors who participate in the competition, and the competition progresses of the respective competitors.

8. An electronic competition system comprising:

a light-beam gun for emitting light;

a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun; and

second display means for displaying the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means,

wherein said electronic competition system determines a strike point on said target board as a strike result at a timing at which a predetermined manipulation is made on said light-beam gun which continuously emits light, and

said electronic competition system has a mode in which the strike point on said target board is not displayed on said second display means.

9. The electronic competition system according to claim 8, wherein:

said mode is that the strike point on said target board is not displayed on said second display means until said predetermined manipulation is performed on said light-beam gun.

10. The electronic competition system according to claim 8, wherein:

said mode is that the strike point on said target board is not displayed on said second display means until said predetermined manipulation is performed on said light-beam gun, and the timing at which said manipulation is performed is detected by said strike point detecting means.

11. The electronic competition system according to claim 8, wherein:

said mode can be set on said second display means, wherein information on the strike point on said target board is made invalid when said mode is set.

12. The electronic competition system according to claim 8, wherein:

said mode can be set on said light-beam gun, wherein said light-beam gun adds to the light a signal for making invalid a display of the strike point of emitted light when said mode is set, and

said second display means does not display the strike point of the light on said target board when the light emitted from said light-beam gun includes the signal for making the display invalid.

13. An electronic competition system comprising:

a light-beam gun for emitting light;

a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun; and

first display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means,

said first display means being installed to be invisible at a position at which a competitor plays a competition by emitting light from said light-beam gun.

14. The electronic competition system according to claim 13, wherein:

said first display means has a display screen oriented in a direction in which said display screen is invisible from said position.

15. The electronic competition system according to claim 13, further comprising:

a shield disposed between said position and said first display means for making said first display means invisible from said position.

16. An electronic competition system comprising:

a light-beam gun for emitting light;

a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun; and

second display means for displaying the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means,

said second display means displaying the strike point in enlarged view when the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means falls within a predefined area.

17. The electronic competition system according to claim 16, wherein:

said second display means displays the strike point in enlarged view when the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means falls within a predefined radius from a center of said target board.

18. An electronic competition system comprising:

a light-beam gun for emitting light;

a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun; and

second display means for displaying the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means,

said second display means displaying the strike point in enlarged view when a predetermined score or higher is calculated based on the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means.

19. An electronic competition system comprising:

a light-beam gun for emitting light;

a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun; and

first display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means,

said first display means displaying the strike point in enlarged view when the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means falls within a predefined area.

20. The electronic competition system according to claim 19, wherein:

said first display means displays the strike point in enlarged view when the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means falls within a predefined radius from a center of said target board.

21. An electronic competition system comprising:

a light-beam gun for emitting light;

a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun; and

first display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means,

said first display means displaying the strike point in enlarged view when a predetermined score or higher is calculated based on the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means.

22. An electronic competition system comprising:

a light-beam gun for emitting light;

a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun; and

second display means for displaying the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means,

said second display means simultaneously displaying a past competition progress and a current competition progress.

23. An electronic competition system comprising:

a light-beam gun for emitting light;

a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun; and

first display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means,

said first display means simultaneously displaying a past competition progress and a current competition progress.

24. An electronic competition method using a plurality of light-beam guns each for emitting light, and a plurality of strike point detecting means each for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun associated therewith for competing for a score based on the strike point on said target board, said method including:

detecting strike points by said plurality of strike point detecting means, and sequentially displaying a competition progress on display means in an order in which the strike points are detected, said competition progress including the strike points.

25. The electronic competition method according to claim 24, wherein a strike point is displayed on said display means in real time when the strike point is detected by said strike point detecting means.

26. An electronic competition method using a light-beam gun for emitting light, and a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun for competing for a score based on the strike point on said target board, said method including:

displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means on display means simultaneously with information on a competitor who plays a competition against said strike point detecting means.

27. The electronic competition method according to claim 26, comprising the steps of:

simultaneously displaying on said display means information on all competitors who participate in the competition, and competition progresses of the respective competitors;

sequentially displaying on said display means information on all competitors who participate in the competition, and the competition progresses of the respective competitors on a competitor-by-competitor basis; and

simultaneously displaying on said first display means information on competitors who satisfy a predetermined condition out of the competitors who participate in the competition, and the competition progresses of the respective competitors.

28. An electronic competition method using a light-beam gun for emitting light, and a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun for competing for a score based on the strike point on said target board, said method comprising the steps of:

displaying a strike trace on said target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun;

disabling a display of the strike trace on said target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun;

detecting a strike point on said target board at a timing at which a predetermined manipulation is made on said light-beam gun; and

displaying the detected strike point as a strike result.

29. An electronic competition method using a light-beam gun for emitting light, and a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun for competing for a score based on the strike point on said target board, said method comprising the steps of:

displaying a strike trace on said target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun;

disabling a display of the strike trace on said target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun;

detecting a timing at which a predetermined manipulation is performed on said light-beam gun;

detecting a strike point on said target board at the detected timing; and

displaying the detected strike point as a strike result.

30. An electronic competition method using a light-beam gun for emitting light, and a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun for competing for a score based on the strike point on said target board, said method including:

displaying a strike point detected by said strike point detecting means in enlarged view when the strike point falls within a predefined area.

31. The electronic competition method according to claim 30, wherein:

said strike point is displayed in enlarged view when the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means falls within a predefined radius from a center of said target board.

32. An electronic competition method using a light-beam gun for emitting light, and a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun for competing for a score based on the strike point on said target board, said method including:

displaying a strike point detected by said strike point detecting means in enlarged view when a predefined score or higher is calculated based on the strike point.

33. A server for use with an electronic competition system comprising a plurality of light-beam guns each for emitting light, and a plurality of strike point detecting means each for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun associated therewith, said server being configured to display a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means on display means, wherein:

said server is responsive to strike points detected by said plurality of strike point detecting means for displaying on said display means the competition progress in an order in which the strike points are detected.

34. The server according to claim 33, wherein:

said server displays a strike point on said display means in real time when the strike point is detected by said strike point detecting means.

35. A server for use with an electronic competition system comprising a plurality of light-beam guns each for emitting light, and a plurality of strike point detecting means each for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun associated therewith, said server being configured to display a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means on display means, wherein:

said server displays on said display means a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means simultaneously with information on a competitor who plays a competition against said strike point detecting means.

36. The server according to claim 35, wherein:

said server simultaneously displays on said display means information on a plurality of competitors and competition progresses of the respective competitors.

37. The server according to claim 36, wherein:

said server simultaneously displays on said display means information on all competitors who participate in the competition, and competition progresses of the respective competitors.

38. The server according to claim 35, wherein:

said server simultaneously displays on said display means information on competitors who satisfy a predetermined condition out of the competitors who participate in the competition, and the competition progresses of the respective competitors.

39. The server according to claim 36, wherein:

said server simultaneously displays on said display means information on competitors who satisfy a predetermined condition out of the competitors who participate in the competition, and the competition progresses of the respective competitors.

40. An electronic competition system having a computer program for use in the electronic competition system comprising a plurality of light-beam guns each for emitting light, a plurality of strike point detecting means each for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun associated therewith, and display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means, said computer program causing a computer to execute:

a procedure invoked in response to strike points detected by said plurality of strike point detecting means for displaying on said display means the competition progress including the strike points in an order in which the strike points are detected.

41. An electronic competition system having a computer program for use in the electronic competition system according to claim 40, said computer program further causing a computer to execute:

a procedure for displaying a strike point on said display means in real time when the strike point is detected by said strike point detecting means.

42. An electronic competition system having a computer program for use in the electronic competition system comprising a light-beam gun for emitting light, a strike point detecting means for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun, and display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means, said computer program causing a computer to execute:

a procedure for displaying on said display means a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means simultaneously with information on a competitor who plays a competition against said strike point detecting means.

43. An electronic competition system having a computer program for use in the electronic competition system according to claim 42, further causing a computer to execute:

a procedure for simultaneously displaying on said display means information on all competitors who participate in the competition, and competition progresses of the respective competitors;

a procedure for sequentially displaying on said display means information on all competitors who participate in the competition, and the competition progresses of the respective competitors on a competitor-by-competitor basis; and

a procedure for simultaneously displaying on said display means information on competitors who satisfy a predetermined condition out of the competitors who participate in the competition, and the competition progresses of the respective competitors.

44. An electronic competition system having a computer program for use in the electronic competition system comprising a plurality of light-beam guns each for emitting light, a plurality of strike point detecting means each for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun associated therewith, and display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means, said computer program causing a computer to execute:

a procedure for displaying a strike trace on said target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun;

a procedure for disabling a display of the strike trace on said target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun; and

a procedure for displaying a strike point on said target board as a strike result, said strike point being detected at a timing at which a predetermined manipulation is performed on said light-beam gun.

45. An electronic competition system having a computer program for use in the electronic competition system comprising a plurality of light-beam guns each for emitting light, a plurality of strike point detecting means each for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun associated therewith, and display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means, said computer program causing a computer to execute:

a procedure for displaying a strike trace on said target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun;

a procedure for disabling a display of the strike trace on said target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun;

a procedure for detecting a timing at which a predetermined manipulation is performed on said light-beam gun; and

a procedure for displaying a strike point on said target board detected at the detected timing as a strike result.

46. An electronic competition system having a computer program for use in the electronic competition system comprising a plurality of light-beam guns each for emitting light, a plurality of strike point detecting means each for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun associated therewith, and display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means, said computer program causing a computer to execute:

a procedure for displaying in enlarged view a strike point detected by said strike point detecting means when the strike point falls within a predefined area.

47. An electronic competition system having a computer program for use in the electronic competition system comprising a plurality of light-beam guns each for emitting light, a plurality of strike point detecting means each for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun associated therewith, and display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means, said computer program causing a computer to execute:

a procedure for displaying in enlarged view a strike point detected by said strike point detecting means when the strike point falls within a predefined radius from a center of said target board.

48. An electronic competition system having a computer program for use in the electronic competition system comprising a plurality of light-beam guns each for emitting light, a plurality of strike point detecting means each for detecting a strike point on a target board of the light emitted from said light-beam gun associated therewith, and display means for displaying a competition progress including the strike point detected by said strike point detecting means, said computer program causing a computer to execute:

a procedure for displaying a strike point detected by said strike point detecting means in enlarged view when a predefined score or higher is calculated based on the strike point.