GAMEPIECE CONTROLLER USING A MOVABLE POSITION-SENSING DISPLAY DEVICE

• US 20110250967A1
• Filed: 04/13/2010
• Published: 10/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Charles J. Kulas
• Original Assignee: Charles J. Kulas
• Inventors: Kulas, Charles J.
• Application Number:
  US12/759,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20110250967A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/37
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• 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 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/34 using peer-to-peer connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for moving a gamepiece in an electronic game where gamepieces are moved by user movement of devices. For example, cell phones may be used to control gamepiece movement on a table top or other surface. Each user moves their respective cell phone to control the movement of their gamepiece. Other user controls can be used to provide additional interaction. One embodiment discloses a tank game where each user operates a tank that is used to shoot at other user gamepieces in real time as the users move about a table top surface. Details are provided of two specific types of movement, but other types of movement are possible.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an electronic game, wherein a first device is movable by a human hand and includes a display, movement sensor, user input control and transceiver, the method comprising:

detecting movement of the first device along a tabletop;

accepting a signal from the user input control;

determining a current position of the first device at the time of accepting the signal;

using the current position, movement and signal to cause an action in a game that is displayed on the first device; and

sending signals via the transceiver to one or more other devices being moved on the tabletop by one or more other users in the game, wherein the signals are responsive to the user input control and the device position to affect gameplay.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a selection box type of movement control is used.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the movement sensor includes one or more accelerometers.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the movement sensor includes an optical detector.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the movement sensor includes a camera.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the game includes a mechanized vehicle warfare and wherein each gamepiece is a mechanized vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein tilting the device determines elevation of a projectile firing.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein an additional device is positioned on the tabletop and provides game information to all users.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the game information includes a score.

10. An apparatus for controlling an electronic game, the apparatus comprising:

a device including a processor coupled to a display, position sensor, user input control and transceiver, wherein the device is moved by one or more hands of a user;

detecting movement of the first device along a tabletop;

accepting a signal from the user input control;

determining a current position of the first device at the time of accepting the signal;

using the current position, movement and signal to cause an action in a game that is displayed on the first device; and

sending signals via the transceiver to one or more other devices being moved on the tabletop by one or more other users in the game, wherein the signals are responsive to the user input control and the device position to affect gameplay.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

one or more accelerometers.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

an optical detector.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the optical detector includes:

a camera.

14. A processor-readable storage device including instructions executable by a device, wherein the device includes a processor coupled to a display, position sensor, user input control and transceiver, wherein the device is moved by one or more hands of a user, the processor-readable storage device including one or more instructions for:

detecting movement of the first device along a tabletop;

accepting a signal from the user input control;

determining a current position of the first device at the time of accepting the signal;

using the current position, movement and signal to cause an action in a game that is displayed on the first device; and

sending signals via the transceiver to one or more other devices being moved on the tabletop by one or more other users in the game, wherein the signals are responsive to the user input control and the device position to affect gameplay.