POSITION AND MOTION TRACKING OF AN OBJECT

• US 20090017910A1
• Filed: 05/22/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rofougaran, Maryam, Rofougaran, Ahmadreza (Reza), Seshadri, Nambirajan
• Application Number:
  US12/125,154
• Publication Number:
  US 20090017910A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/212 using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity
• 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 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/57 Simulating properties, behaviour or motion of objects in the game world, e.g. computing tyre load in a car race game A63F13/56 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/003 Bistatic radar systems; Multistatic radar systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/426 Scanning radar, e.g. 3D radar G01S13/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/723 by using numerical data
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/878 Combination of several spaced transmitters or receivers of known location for determining the position of a transponder or a reflector G01S13/874 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/412 based on a comparison between measured values and known or stored values
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/012 Head tracking input arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact

Abstract

A video gaming system a gaming console device and a gaming object. The game console device is coupled to: determine a gaming environment; map the gaming environment to a coordinate system; determine position of at least one of a player and a gaming object within the gaming environment in accordance with the coordinate system; track motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object; receive a gaming object response regarding a video game function; and integrate the gaming object response and the motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object with the video game function. The gaming object is coupled to provide the gaming object response.

Claims

1. A video gaming system comprises:

a game console device coupled to;

determine a gaming environment;

map the gaming environment to a coordinate system;

determine position of at least one of a player and a gaming object within the gaming environment in accordance with the coordinate system;

track motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object;

receive a gaming object response regarding a video game function; and

integrate the gaming object response and the motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object with the video game function; and

a gaming object coupled to provide the gaming object response.

2. The video gaming system of claim 1 further comprises:

a sensing tag proximal to the player, wherein the sensing tag provides information that the game console device utilizes to determine at least one of the position of the player and the motion of the player.

3. The video gaming system of claim 1, wherein the coordinate system comprises at least one of:

a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system; and

a spherical coordinate system.

4. The video gaming system of claim 1, wherein the game console device further functions to:

determine first position of a first player and a first associated gaming object within the gaming environment in accordance with the coordinate system;

determine second position of a second player and a second associated gaming object within the gaming environment in accordance with the coordinate system;

track motion of the first player;

track motion of the first associated gaming object;

track motion of the second player;

track motion of the second associated gaming object;

receive a first gaming object response regarding the video game function from the first associated gaming object;

receive a second gaming object response regarding the video game function from the second associated gaming object; and

integrate the first gaming object response, the second gaming object response, the motion of the first player, the motion of the second player, the motion of the first associated gaming object, and the motion of the second associated gaming object with the video game function.

5. The video gaming system of claim 1, wherein the game console device further functions to:

determine position of a player, a first associated gaming object, and a second associated gaming object within the gaming environment in accordance with the coordinate system;

track motion of the first player;

track motion of the first associated gaming object;

track motion of the second associated gaming object;

receive a first gaming object response regarding the video game function from the first associated gaming object;

receive a second gaming object response regarding the video game function from the second associated gaming object; and

integrate the first gaming object response, the second gaming object response, the motion of the first player, the motion of the second player, the motion of the first associated gaming object, and the motion of the second associated gaming object with the video game function.

6. The video gaming system of claim 1, wherein the game console device determines the gaming environment by:

sweeping an area with one or more signals within one or more frequency bands;

measuring at least one of;

reflection of the one or more signals, absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, pass through of the one or more signals, angle of incident of the one or more signals, backscattering of the one or more signals, and magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

identifying different objects based on the measured signal effects; and

determining distance of the different objects with respect to the game console device.

7. The video gaming system of claim 6, wherein the game console device maps the gaming environment to the coordinate system by:

establishing an origin for the coordinate system; and

determining at least one position coordinate for each of the different objects based on the distance of the different objects with respect to the gaming console device and the origin.

8. The video gaming system of claim 6, wherein the game console device comprises at least one of:

an ultrasound transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within an ultrasound frequency band;

receive at least one inbound ultrasound signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within a radio frequency band;

receive at least one inbound RF signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

a microwave transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within a microwave frequency band;

receive at least one inbound microwave signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

an infrared transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within an infrared frequency band;

receive at least one inbound infrared signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

a laser transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within a visible light frequency band;

receive at least one inbound visible light signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

a digital camera coupled to;

receive the at least one inbound visible light signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

an ultraviolet transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within an ultraviolet radiation frequency band;

receive at least one inbound ultraviolet radiation signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

an X-ray transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within an X-ray frequency band;

receive at least one inbound X-ray signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects; and

a magnetic source coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals as one or more magnetic signals;

receive at least one inbound magnetic field that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects.

9. The video gaming system of claim 1, wherein the game console device determines position of the at least one of the player and the gaming object by:

providing one or more signals within one or more frequency bands;

measuring at least one of;

reflection of the one or more signals, absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, pass through of the one or more signals, angle of incident of the one or more signals, backscattering of the one or more signals, a response to the one or more signals, and magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

identifying the at least one of the player and the gaming object based on the measured signal effects;

determining distance of the at least one of the player and the gaming object with respect to the game console device; and

determining at least one position coordinate for the at least one of the player and the gaming object based on the distance of the at least one of the player and the gaming object with respect to the gaming console device and an origin of the coordinate system.

10. The video gaming system of claim 1, wherein the game console device tracks the motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object by:

determining at least one position coordinate for the at least one of the player and the gaming object;

determining, at a subsequent time, at least one next position coordinate for the at least one of the player and the gaming object; and

determining the motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object based on the at least one position coordinate and the at least one next position coordinate.

11. The video gaming system of claim 1, wherein the game console device tracks the motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object by:

determining at least one positioning coordinate for the player with respect to an origin of the coordinate system;

determining at least one positioning coordinate for the gaming object with respect to the at least one positioning coordinate for the player;

determining at least one next positioning coordinate for the player with respect to the origin;

determining at least one next positioning coordinate for the gaming object with respect to the at least one next positioning coordinate for the player;

determining the motion of the player, with respect to the origin, based on the at least one positioning coordinate for the player and the at the least one next positioning coordinate for the player; and

determining the motion of the gaming object, with respect to the player, based on the at least one positioning coordinate for the gaming object and the at the least one next positioning coordinate for the gaming object.

12. The video gaming system of claim 1, wherein the game console device tracks the motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object by:

determining at least one positioning coordinate for the gaming object with respect to an origin of the coordinate system;

determining at least one positioning coordinate for the player with respect to the at least one positioning coordinate for the gaming object;

determining at least one next positioning coordinate for the gaming object with respect to the origin;

determining at least one next positioning coordinate for the player with respect to the at least one next positioning coordinate for the gaming object;

determining the motion of the gaming object, with respect to the origin, based on the at least one positioning coordinate for the gaming object and the at the least one next positioning coordinate for the gaming object; and

determining the motion of the player, with respect to the gaming object, based on the at least one positioning coordinate for the player and the at the least one next positioning coordinate for the player.

13. The video gaming system of claim 1, wherein the game console device further functions to:

update the position of the at least one of a player and a gaming object within the gaming environment in accordance with a positioning coordinate grid and a positioning update interval; and

update the motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object in accordance with a motion tracking coordinate grid and a motion tracking update interval.

14. An apparatus comprises:

a transceiver section coupled to;

transmit one or more signals within one or more frequency bands;

determining a response to the one or more signals; and

converting the response into a digital response signal;

a processing module coupled to;

determine environment of an area based on the digital response signal;

map the environment to a coordinate system;

determine position of at least one object within the environment in accordance with the coordinate system; and

track motion of the at least one object.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of the processing module and the transceiver section further function to:

measure at least one of;

reflection of the one or more signals, absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, pass through of the one or more signals, angle of incident of the one or more signals, backscattering of the one or more signals, and magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

identify different objects based on the measured signal effects, wherein the different objects includes the at least one object; and

determining distance of the different objects with respect to the game console device to establish the environment.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processing module maps the environment to the coordinate system by:

establishing an origin for the coordinate system; and

determining at least one position coordinate for each of the different objects based on the distance of the different objects with respect to the gaming console device and the origin.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the transceiver section comprises at least one of:

an ultrasound transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within an ultrasound frequency band;

receive at least one inbound ultrasound signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within a radio frequency band;

receive at least one inbound RF signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

a microwave transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within a microwave frequency band;

receive at least one inbound microwave signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

an infrared transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within an infrared frequency band;

receive at least one inbound infrared signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

a laser transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within a visible light frequency band;

receive at least one inbound visible light signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

a digital camera coupled to;

receive the at least one inbound visible light signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

an ultraviolet transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within an ultraviolet radiation frequency band;

receive at least one inbound ultraviolet radiation signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

an X-ray transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within an X-ray frequency band;

receive at least one inbound X-ray signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects; and

a magnetic source coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals as one or more magnetic signals;

receive at least one inbound magnetic field that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects.

18. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein at least one of the processing module and the transceiver section further function to determine the position of the at least one object by:

providing one or more signals within one or more frequency bands;

measuring at least one of;

reflection of the one or more signals, absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, pass through of the one or more signals, angle of incident of the one or more signals, backscattering of the one or more signals, a response to the one or more signals, and magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

identifying the object based on the measured signal effects;

determining distance of the at least one object with respect to the apparatus; and

determining at least one position coordinate for the at least one object based on the distance of the at least one object with respect to the apparatus and an origin of the coordinate system.

19. The apparatus of claim 14 further functions to track the motion of the at least one gaming object by:

determining at least one position coordinate for the at least one object;

determining, at a subsequent time, at least one next position coordinate for the at least object; and

determining the motion of the at least one object based on the at least one position coordinate and the at least one next position coordinate.

20. A game console device comprises:

a transceiver section; and

a processing module coupled to the transceiver section, wherein at least one of the processing module and the transceiver section function to;

determine a gaming environment;

map the gaming environment to a coordinate system;

determine position of at least one of a player and a gaming object within the gaming environment in accordance with the coordinate system;

track motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object;

receive a gaming object response regarding a video game function; and

integrate the gaming object response and the motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object with the video game function.

21. The game console device of claim 20, wherein the at least one of the processing module and the transceiver section further function to:

determine first position of a first player and a first associated gaming object within the gaming environment in accordance with the coordinate system;

determine second position of a second player and a second associated gaming object within the gaming environment in accordance with the coordinate system;

track motion of the first player;

track motion of the first associated gaming object;

track motion of the second player;

track motion of the second associated gaming object;

receive a first gaming object response regarding the video game function from the first associated gaming object;

receive a second gaming object response regarding the video game function from the second associated gaming object; and

integrate the first gaming object response, the second gaming object response, the motion of the first player, the motion of the second player, the motion of the first associated gaming object, and the motion of the second associated gaming object with the video game function.

22. The game console device of claim 20, wherein the at least one of the processing module and the transceiver section further function to:

determine position of a player, a first associated gaming object, and a second associated gaming object within the gaming environment in accordance with the coordinate system;

track motion of the first player;

track motion of the first associated gaming object;

track motion of the second associated gaming object;

receive a first gaming object response regarding the video game function from the first associated gaming object;

receive a second gaming object response regarding the video game function from the second associated gaming object; and

integrate the first gaming object response, the second gaming object response, the motion of the first player, the motion of the second player, the motion of the first associated gaming object, and the motion of the second associated gaming object with the video game function.

23. The game console device of claim 20, wherein the at least one of the processing module and the transceiver section further function to determine the gaming environment by:

sweeping an area with one or more signals within one or more frequency bands;

measuring at least one of;

reflection of the one or more signals, absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, pass through of the one or more signals, angle of incident of the one or more signals, backscattering of the one or more signals, and magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

identifying different objects based on the measured signal effects; and

determining distance of the different objects with respect to the game console device.

24. The game console device of claim 23, wherein the transceiver section comprises at least one of:

an ultrasound transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within an ultrasound frequency band;

receive at least one inbound ultrasound signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within a radio frequency band;

receive at least one inbound RF signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

a microwave transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within a microwave frequency band;

receive at least one inbound microwave signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

an infrared transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within an infrared frequency band;

receive at least one inbound infrared signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

a laser transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within a visible light frequency band;

receive at least one inbound visible light signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

a digital camera coupled to;

receive the at least one inbound visible light signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

an ultraviolet transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within an ultraviolet radiation frequency band;

receive at least one inbound ultraviolet radiation signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

an X-ray transceiver coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals within an X-ray frequency band;

receive at least one inbound X-ray signal that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects; and

a magnetic source coupled to;

transmit the one or more signals as one or more magnetic signals;

receive at least one inbound magnetic field that facilitates the measuring of the at least one of;

the reflection of the one or more signals, the absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, the pass through of the one or more signals, the angle of incident of the one or more signals, the backscattering of the one or more signals, and the magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects.

25. The game console device of claim 20, wherein the at least one of the processing module and the transceiver section further function to determine the position of the at least one of the player and the gaming object by:

providing one or more signals within one or more frequency bands;

measuring at least one of;

reflection of the one or more signals, absorption of the one or more signals, refraction of the one or more signals, pass through of the one or more signals, angle of incident of the one or more signals, backscattering of the one or more signals, a response to the one or more signals, and magnetization induced by the one or more signals to produce measured signal effects;

identifying the at least one of the player and the gaming object based on the measured signal effects;

determining distance of the at least one of the player and the gaming object with respect to the game console device; and

determining at least one position coordinate for the at least one of the player and the gaming object based on the distance of the at least one of the player and the gaming object with respect to the gaming console device and an origin of the coordinate system.