Interactive Gaming Apparel for Interactive Gaming

• US 20170072303A1
• Filed: 11/08/2016
• Published: 03/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Shum, Albert, Foxen, Thomas, Meschter, James
• Granted Patent: US 10,238,959 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 13/40 Processing input control signals of video game devices, e.g. signals generated by the player or derived from the environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• 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 2300/1012 involving biosensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat, limb activity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1093 using visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels

Abstract

Apparel is disclosed that can be worn to assist an interactive game in tracking the movement of the wearer. More particularly, the apparel may include one or more tracking marks formed of designs, patterns, or reflective materials that can be easily tracked by an interactive game employing one or more cameras or other detectors for detecting a change in position of an object. The apparel may take the form of, for example, hats, shirts, jackets, pants, gloves, and shoes. The apparel may use reflective materials, and the interactive game can employ a camera and a light source configuration where the camera is located within the observation angle of a player employing retroreflective materials reflecting light from the light source.

Claims

1. A method of providing inputs to an interactive computer game, comprising:

analyzing the interactive computer game to determine at least one type of tracking mark recognized by the interactive game;

detecting presence of an article of wear displaying a first tracking mark of the type determined from analyzing the interactive computer game,

based upon detecting the presence of the first tracking mark, recognizing motion of the first tracking mark; and

,

based upon recognizing the motion of the first tracking mark, providing qualitative information to the interactive computer game.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the qualitative information is interpreted by the interactive computer game as an instruction.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the instruction includes a member selected from the group of:

an instruction to turn off the game, an instruction to change a type of characteristic of the game, and an instruction to input alphanumeric information.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting the presence of a second tracking mark of the type determined from analyzing the interactive computer game;

based upon detecting the presence of the second tracking mark, providing the interactive computer game with one or more special features.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the presence of a first tracking mark detects a tracking mark that is woven or knitted into the article of wear.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the presence of a first tracking mark detects a tracking mark that is permanently attached to the article of wear.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the presence of the first tracking mark detects a tracking mark that is applied to the article of wear by a technique from the group consisting of:

silk screening, pad printing, heat transfer, dye sublimation, dying, stitching, adhering with an adhesive, impregnation, etching, etching, stapling and riveting.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the article of wear is selected from the group consisting of:

footwear, a shirt, pants, a jacket, shorts, socks, a hat, and a band.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first tracking mark has a color that can be recognized by the interactive computer game.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the first tracking mark has a shape that can be recognized by the interactive computer game.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first tracking mark has a reflectivity that can be recognized by the interactive computer game.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor causes at least:

analyzing an interactive computer game to determine at least one type of tracking mark recognized by the interactive computer game;

detecting presence of a first tracking mark displayed by an article of wear, wherein the first tracking mark is a type recognized by the interactive game, and

providing qualitative information to the interactive computer game as a result of motion of the first tracking mark.

13. The non-transitory computer readable medium recited in claim 12, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions, that when executed by the processor perform at least:

interpreting the qualitative information as an instruction to the computer game.

14. The non-transitory computer readable medium recited in claim 13, wherein the instruction includes a member selected from the group of:

an instruction to turn off the game, an instruction to change a type of characteristic of the game, and an instruction to input alphanumeric information.

15. The non-transitory computer readable medium recited in claim 12, wherein the first tracking mark has a color that can be recognized by the interactive computer game.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium recited in claim 12, wherein the first tracking mark has a shape that can be recognized by the interactive computer game.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium recited in claim 12, wherein the article of wear is selected from the group consisting of:

footwear, a shirt, pants, a jacket, shorts, socks, a hat, and a band.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium recited in claim 12, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises computer-executable instructions, that when executed by the processor perform at least:

detecting presence of a second tracking mark of the type determined from analyzing the interactive computer game;

based upon detecting the presence of the second tracking mark, providing the interactive computer game with one or more special features.

19. A system, comprising:

an article of wear, comprising;

a plurality of tracking marks comprising a first tracking mark including a retroreflective material having a first pattern and a first shape and a second tracking mark including a retroreflective material having a second pattern and a second shape; and

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that when executed by a processor causes at least;

detecting presence of the first tracking mark displayed by the article of wear when worn by a user, and as a result, recognizing at least one of the first pattern or the first shape of the retroreflective material;

based upon detecting movement of the first tracking mark, providing an interactive game with a first set of qualitative information; and

,

based upon recognizing at least one of the pattern or shape of the retroreflective material of the second tracking mark, providing the interactive game with a second set of qualitative information.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the first set of qualitative information comprises an instruction to the interactive game selected from the group of:

an instruction to turn off the game, an instruction to change a type of characteristic of the game, and an instruction to input alphanumeric information.