Shooting game device with projector and photoelectric detector

• US 4,175,748 A
• Filed: 11/29/1977
• Issued: 11/27/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Yokoi, Gunpei
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Lawrence E.
• Application Number:
  US05/855,607
• Time in Patent Office: 728 Days
• Field of Search: 273/101.1, 273/101.2, 273/105.1
• US Class Current: 463/52
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0291 with a simulated projectile, e.g. an image on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2627 Cooperating with a motion picture projector
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 5/02 Photo-electric hit-detector systems comprising a light-emitting device for simulating the firing of a gun F41G3/2622; detecting by optical means G01V8/10
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 9/14 Cinematographic targets, e.g. moving-picture targets F41G3/26 takes precedence

Abstract

A structure for a shooting game device of the type including the apparatus for projecting moving targets and hits onto a screen and a gun having a gun sight and in which when the gun sight corresponds with the projected moving target a hit is projected on the screen. The structure further includes a photoelectric element coupled to the gun such that it moves vertically and horizontally as the gun moves vertically and horizontally and apparatus for projecting a light mark in near proximity to the photoelectric element which is indicative of the position of a projected target. The photoelectric element and the apparatus for projecting a light mark being arranged and configured such that when the photoelectric element and the light mark coincide, the photoelectric element generates a hit signal which causes a hit to be projected on the screen in lieu of a target.

Claims

1. A structure for a shooting game device of the type including a means for projecting moving targets and hits onto a screen and a gun having a gun sight and in which when the gun sight corresponds with the projected moving target a hit is projected onto said screen, said structure being characterized by:

a photoelectric element coupled to said gun such that it moves vertically and horizontally as the gun moves vertically and horizontally; and

a means for projecting a light mark in near proximity to said photoelectric element which is indicative of a position of a projected target on said screen, said means for projecting a light mark and said photoelectric element being arranged and configured such that when said light mark and said photoelectric element coincide, said photoelectric element generates a hit signal which causes a hit to be projected on said screen in lieu of said moving target, said means for projecting a light mark together with said means for projecting moving targets and hits comprising a projector having film disposed therein, each frame of said film being divided into a A track and a B track, said A track containing images for projecting said moving target in various stages of movement, said B track containing, at corresponding positions with said moving target, positioning signal marks for generating a light mark for acting upon said photoelectric element and images for projecting said moving targets in various stages of destruction and a first beam of light for displaying said moving target passing through said A track of said film and a second beam of light for displaying either a light mark or a hit scene passing through said B track whereby said moving target and said light mark or hit scene simultaneously projected from said projector.

2. A shooting game device using a gun to shoot a target projected onto a screen comprising:

a projector for projecting a first beam of light and a second beam of light, said first beam of light being projected onto said screen to project a display of a moving target upon said screen, said second beam of light being projected towards a detector surface containing a photoelectric element so as to move about on the surface of said detector in a corresponding relationship with the position of said moving target on said screen, said projector comprising;

a first mirror for reflecting said first beam of light;

a second mirror for reflecting said second beam of light; and

a switching mechanism for changing the tilt angle of said mirrors, said switching mechanism being arranged and configured such that it ordinarily causes said first mirror to face said screen and said second mirror to face the surface of said detector containing said photoelectric element and causes said first mirror to rotate to a non-opposing position with respect to said screen and said second mirror to face the screen when said photoelectric element coincides with said positioning signal mark whereby said first beam of light is ordinarily projected towards the screen but said second beam of light is projected towards the screen when a hit occurs; and

a means for interlocking horizontal and vertical motion of said gun with horizontal and vertical motion of said photoelectric element such that when the fire from said gun hits said shooting target on said screen the position of said actual target illuminated by said second beam of light is coincident with the position of said photoelectric element in said detector whereupon a hit signal is generated by said photoelectric element.

3. A shooting game device according to claim 2, wherein said film further comprises a section on said B track for generating a switching signal provided in between said positioning signal marks and said images for displaying a hit scene.

4. A shooting game device according to claim 2 wherein said switching mechanism includes solenoids for changing the tilt angles of said mirrors.