VIDEO GAME INCORPORATING SAFE LIVE-ACTION COMBAT

• US 20150290536A1
• Filed: 04/10/2014
• Published: 10/15/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dean Schumacher
• Original Assignee: Dean Schumacher
• Inventors: Schumacher, Dean
• Granted Patent: US 9,486,700 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2489 by radio transmitters, e.g. using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/495 Hand, arm or wrist
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/497 Head
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0252 Shooting devices therefor

Abstract

Video games can be improved upon by combining traditional gameplay mechanics (e.g., a player'"'"'s use of a controller) and live-action combat elements that may be measured and scored. For example, a player may fire projectiles at a target when prompted by a game, may have to dodge projectiles fired at the player as part of the game, may have to traverse the room to touch or move an object, and/or may have to strike a dummy or other object as instructed by the game. Such live-action combat aspects may be incorporated into a video game having otherwise traditional gameplay mechanics.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable memory storing instructions, the instructions embodying a method comprising:

displaying a game on a display for a user;

receiving information regarding a physical projectile propelled by the user; and

providing feedback on the display to the user regarding the projectile;

wherein the game comprises a graphical display of one or more moving objects other than the projectile.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method embodied by the instructions further comprises receiving the information regarding the physical projectile from a target configured to receive the projectile.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the projectile is a first projectile, wherein the method embodied by the instructions further comprises operating a projectile-propelling apparatus to propel a second projectile at the user.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the user is a first user, wherein the method embodied by the instructions further comprises:

receiving input for operating the projectile propelling apparatus from a second user; and

operating the projectile-propelling apparatus according to the input of the second user.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the method embodied by the instructions further comprises:

receiving feedback regarding flight of the second projectile; and

assessing the user'"'"'s attempt to dodge the second projectile according to the feedback regarding flight of the second projectile.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method embodied by the instructions further comprises determining an accuracy of the physical projectile relative to a target.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method embodied by the instructions further comprises determining a distance traveled by the projectile.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the method embodied by the instructions further comprises determining a response time of the user following a prompt to propel the projectile.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the game comprises two or more segments, wherein a first of the two or more segments comprises receiving instructions from the user for directing an activity shown on the display, and a second of the two or more segments comprises prompting the user to propel the projectile.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 9, wherein the two or more segments are separated in time.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein said operating a projectile-propelling apparatus to propel a second projectile at the user comprises confirming that the user is wearing protective eyewear before operating the projectile-propelling apparatus to propel the second projectile at the user.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable memory storing instructions, the instructions embodying a method comprising:

displaying a game on a display for a user;

prompting the user to strike a physical target;

receiving information from the target regarding a strike at the target; and

providing feedback on the display to the user regarding the strike.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the information from the target comprises one or more of force information, speed information, and accuracy information.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein prompting the user to strike a physical target comprises prompting the user to propel a projectile at the target.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein prompting the user to strike a physical target comprises prompting the user to manually strike the target.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein providing feedback to the user comprises providing feedback about the accuracy of the strike.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein providing feedback to the user comprises providing feedback about the force of the strike.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein providing feedback to the user comprises providing feedback about the speed of the strike.

18. A system comprising:

a target configured to be placed near a user; and

software configured to be executed by a video game computing system to;

provide a video game on a display for a user, wherein the display is different from the target;

prompt the user to strike the target, wherein the target is separate from the display;

receive information regarding an attempted strike by the user at the target; and

provide feedback to the user regarding the attempted strike.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising a projectile propelling device, configured to be in communication with the video game computing system, and configured to propel a projectile at the user.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a tag configured to be placed on one or more of the user, an object worn by the user, and an object held by the user, wherein the projectile propelling device is configured to aim for the tag.

21. The system of claim 18, further comprising an image capture device, wherein the projectile propelling device is configured to aim the projectile according to one or more images captured with the image capture device.

22. The system of claim 18, further comprising a user projectile device configured to be operated by the user, wherein the video game computing system is configured to prompt the user to strike the target with a projectile from the user projectile device.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a tracking device configured to be in communication with the video game computing system and to capture information regarding the projectile from the user projectile device, wherein the information regarding an attempted strike is provided by the tracking device.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the tracking device comprises a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein the tracking device comprises an image-capture device.

27. The system of claim 19, wherein the software is configured to be executed by the video game computing system to cause the projectile propelling device to propel a projectile at the user only if the video game computing system confirms that the user is wearing protective eyewear.