Method and device for optical gun interaction with a computer system

• US 20040259644A1
• Filed: 03/05/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Activision Publishing Incorporated (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: McCauley, Jack Jean
• Application Number:
  US10/794,900
• Publication Number:
  US 20040259644A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/51
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/219 for aiming at specific areas on the display, e.g. light-guns
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• 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 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1037 being specially adapted for converting control signals received from the game device into a haptic signal, e.g. using force feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0386 for light pen

Abstract

A device and a method for integrating an optical gun with a computer game system and within a computer game scenario are provided. The preferred embodiment includes an optical gun, or gun, with a communications interface, such as a USB interface, with the computer game system. The gun has sensors that sense when (1) a player is grasping a gun handle, or (2) the gun is holstered. The gun simulates a recoil force when a simulated round is fired. A battery is charged between game periods and drawn down during play. The gun may have bidirectional or unidirectional wireless communications with the computer game system, a battery charger and multi-channel radio carrier frequency auto detect. The gun can determine the nature of the game video screen. A video sampling or tapping wire may enable further enhanced features of the gun.

Claims

1. A method of generating accurate timing by substantively determining the location on a digital television screen at which an optical gun is pointed when a pixel brightening is detected, wherein the digital television screen having pixels ordered in N rows, the television screen sequentially refreshing every row approximately within a period time Tframe, the television sequentially brightening at least some of the pixels of each row approximately within a time period of 64 microseconds and wherein the optical gun is in communication with a computer game system, the computer game system coupled with the digital television and the computer game system running a computer game and transmitting video signals to the digital television, the method consisting of:

a. providing an optical gun having an optical sensor, a processor, a memory, a digital clock, a communications interface, a first register for counting clock cycles from a Tzero event, and the memory for use by the processor in capturing and analyzing data;

b. informing the processor of an occurrence of a Tzero event related to a beginning of display of a frame on the digital television;

informing the processor when a frame is begun to be presented on the digital television;

c. observation of the digital television by the optical sensor;

d. initiating the register to count cycles generated by the digital clock substantially after the Tzero event;

e. detecting a pixel brightening by the optical sensor;

f. informing the processor of the approximate register count of clock cycles recorded by the register after a display of a frame is initiated and before the pixel brightening is detected;

g. directing the processor to derive a Thright by multiplying the register count by a period of the clock cycle;

h. directing the processor to generate a quotient by dividing the Thright measurement by approximately 64 microseconds, whereby the quotient comprises a whole number and a remainder, wherein the whole number may be a zero;

i. informing the computer game system of the quotient, the quotient indicating the number of rows refreshed in the time period passing between the Tzero event and the pixel brightening detection by the optical sensor; and

j. directing the processor to divide the remainder by 64 microseconds and providing the resulting value to the computer game system, whereby the fractional result indicates the location within a row wherefrom the pixel brightening was detected by the optical sensor in time relation to the initiation of the initiation of the display of the frame.