Video target response apparatus and method employing a standard video tape player and television receiver

• US 4,844,476 A
• Filed: 10/23/1987
• Issued: 07/04/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James F. Becker
• Original Assignee: James F. Becker
• Inventors: Becker, James F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lastova, Maryann
• Application Number:
  US07/113,217
• Time in Patent Office: 620 Days
• Field of Search: 273/311-316, 273/1 E, 273/85 G, 273/DIG. 28, 340/707, 340/708, 434/307, 434/323, 434/327, 434/20, 434/21, 434/22, 434/43, 235/471, 382/559
• US Class Current: 463/5
• 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 13/219 for aiming at specific areas on the display, e.g. light-guns
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/422 automatically for the purpose of assisting the player, e.g. automatic braking in a driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/426 involving on-screen location information, e.g. screen coordinates of an area at which the player is aiming with a light gun
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting
• CPC Class Codes: F41G 3/2694 for simulating a target F41G3/2627 takes precedence; moving targets per se F41J9/00

Abstract

This apparatus is used with a video tape of a scene that includes a target. At least part of the target has selected interlace fields removed, so that when the scene is displayed a distinctive periodic sequence of light pulses is associated with that target. An unmodified, standard video cassette machine plays the tape into a similarly unmodified television receiver to display the scene, particularly including omission of the selected fields in each target. A response module--with no connection to or from, and no output to, either the tape player or the receiver--includes a detector, an imaging system, a sight, circuitry, and a trigger. The imaging system receives light from a limited portion of the displayed scene, and directs that light to the detector. The sight aids a user to point the imaging system toward a particular desired scene portion. The circuitry develops an output signal related to the light on the detector. The trigger is for user manipulation to register a particular scene portion for evaluation. the system also includes provision for analyzing the output signal to detect presence of a pulse sequence associated with a target; and for communicating the result of this analysis to the user.

Claims

1. A video response system, for use with an unmodified standard video cassette player and a standard television receiver connected for operation with such a player;

said response system comprising;

a video tape for playback on such video cassette player to display images on such receiver, said tape having stored signals corresponding to sequential images of a scene that includes at least one moving target;

said moving target having a detailed internal image, and said signals including detailed internal target-image information for display of said detailed internal image within said moving target;

said target-image information, for at least a portion of said moving target, having selected interlace fields removed to provide, upon display, a distinctive periodic sequence of light pulses;

said light-pulse sequence, for said moving-target portion, consisting of a distinctive periodic sequence of pulses of said detailed internal image within said moving-target portion;

a response module having no connection to or from, and no output to, either such video cassette player or such television receiver; and

having no parts in common with either such video cassette player or such receiver;

an electrooptical detector in the module;

imaging means in the module for receiving and directing to the detector light from a limited portion of said scene displayed by such receiver;

sighting means, forming part of the module, to aid a user in pointing the imaging means to receive and direct light from a particular limited scene portion to the detector;

electronic means in the module, responsive to the detector, for developing a detector output signal related to, light directed to the detector;

means, distinct from such video cassette player and such television receiver, but responsive to the signal-developing electronic means, for analyzing the detector output signal to detect presence, in light directed to the detector, of said distinctive periodic sequence of pulses of said internal detailed image of said moving-target portion, based upon absence of said selected interlace fields;

trigger means in the module for manipulation by a user in registering a particular scene portion for evaluation; and

means, distinct from such video cassette player and such television receiver, but responsive to the analyzing and trigger means, for communicating to a user whether said distinctive sequence is present in a registered scene portion, based upon absence of said selected interlace fields from said internal detailed image of said moving-target portion.

2. The response apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the analyzing and communicating means are also within the module.

3. The response apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said video tape stored signals correspond to images of a scene that includes other picture elements in addition to said moving target;

said target moving among such other picture elements;

the analyzing means comprise means for detecting presence of said distinctive sequence from said moving-target portion if said portion is received and directed by the imaging means, irrespective of presence or absence of said other picture elements in said received particular limited scene portion, and irrespective of motion of said target portion among said other picture elements, and irrespective of any similarities between said other picture elements and said detailed internal image; and

the communicating means comprise means for communicating to a user whether a distinctive sequence is present irrespective of presence or absence of said other picture elements in said received particular limited scene portion, and irrespective of motion of said target portion among said other picture elements, and irrespective of any similarities between said other picture elements and said detailed image.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein:

said other picture elements in said scene include images of actual physical objects recorded with a video or cinematographic camera;

in such displayed scene, said moving target, having a detailed internal image, is superimposed upon and appears to move among said camera-recorded actual physical objects; and

in operation of the response apparatus, the analyzing and communicating means are substantially nonresponsive to presence or absence of such camera-recorded actual physical objects in such scene, and to any similarities between said camera-recorded objects and said detailed internal image of said target.

5. The response apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

the communicating means include cumulative scorekeeping means and an electronic display that cooperatively indicate to a user a cumulative score based upon a plurality of manipulations of the trigger means.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said video tape stored signals correspond to scenes that include a plurality of moving-target types which generally move among each other, each type having a respective detailed internal image and a respective distinctive pulse sequence; and

the analyzing means comprise means for detecting presence of each distinctive pulse sequence respectively if the corresponding respective target is received and directed by the imaging means, irrespective of motion of said target among each other, and irrespective of presence or absence of the other pulse sequences, and irrespective of any similarities between the respective detailed internal images.

7. The response apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

the communicating means include cumulative scorekeeping means and an electronic display that cooperatively indicate to a user a cumulative score based upon a plurality of manipulations of the trigger means; and

the scorekeeping means are responsive to the analyzing means and assign particular scoring weight to each distinctive pulse sequence respectively.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein:

each said moving-target type has an associated respective pulse sequence that includes a respective specific number of light pulses followed by one omitted pulse;

the analyzing means detect a periodic sequence of each respective specific number of light pulses followed by one omitted pulse; and

the scorekeeping means assign a respective positive or negative scoring weight to each respective specific number of light pulses followed by one omitted pulse from the corresponding moving-target type.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said video tape stored signals correspond to images of a scene that has at least one moving target, having a detailed internal image, for which alternate interlace fields are removed to provide a sequence of light pulses at a full-frame rate; and

the analyzing means detect a sequence of light pulses at the full-frame rate from said moving target, if that target is received and directed by the imaging means, irrespective of motion of that target.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said video tape stored signals correspond to images of a scene that has at least one moving target, having a detailed internal image, for which every third interlace field is removed, to provide a periodic sequence of two light pulses followed by one omitted pulse; and

the analyzing means comprise means for detecting a periodic sequence of two light pulses followed by one omitted pulse from said moving target, if that target is received and directed by the imaging means, irrespective of motion of that target.

11. A video stimulus-and-response apparatus, comprising:

a video tape having stored signals corresponding to sequential images of at least one scene that includes at least one moving target having a detailed internal image, at least a portion of each target having a selected interlace fields removed to provide a respective distinctive periodic sequence of light pulses associated with that target when displayed, said light pulses being pulses of said detailed internal image of said moving target;

a substantially unmodified standard video cassette player for playing said tape;

a substantially unmodified standard television receiver connected for operation with the player to display said scene;

a response module having no connection to or from, and no output to, and no components in common with, either the video cassette player or the television receiver;

an electrooptical detector in the module;

imaging means in the module for receiving and directing to the detector light from a limited portion of said a scene displayed by the receiver;

sighting means, forming part of the module, to aid a user in pointing the imaging means to receive and direct light from a particular limited scene portion to the detector;

electronic means, disposed within the module and responsive to the detector, for developing a detector output signal related to light directed to the detector;

means, distinct from the video cassette player and the television receiver but responsive to the detector, for analyzing the detector output signal to detect the presence, in light directed to the detector, of said distinctive periodic sequence of pulses of the detailed internal image of said moving target, based upon absence of said selected interlace fields;

trigger means for manipulation by a user in registering a particular scene portion for evaluation; and

means, distinct from the video cassette player and the television receiver but responsive to the analyzing and trigger means, for communicating to a user whether a distinctive sequence is present in a registered scene portion, based upon absence of said selected interlace fields from the detailed internal image of said moving target.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the communicating means include, entirely within the response module, cumulative scorekeeping means and an electronic display that cooperatively indicate to a user a cumulative score based upon a plurality of manipulations of the trigger means.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

said video tape has at least one moving target, having a detailed internal image, for which every third interlace field is removed, to provide a periodic sequence of two light pulses followed by one omitted pulse, said light pulses consisting of pulses of said detailed internal image; and

the analyzing means comprise means for detecting a periodic sequence of two pulses of said internal image followed by one omitted pulse, irrespective of motion of said target, if said target is received and directed by the imaging means.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

said video tape that has at least one moving target, having a detailed internal image, for which every fourth interlace field is removed, to provide a periodic sequence of three light pulses followed by one omitted pulse, said light pulses consisting of pulses of said detailed internal image; and

the analyzing means detect a periodic sequence of three pulses of said internal image followed by one omitted pulse, irrespective of motion of said target, if said target is received and directed by the imaging means.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

the electronic display is associated with the sighting means, in such a way that the score is visible to a user during said pointing of the imaging means to receive light from a portion of a displayed scene with aid of the sighting means.

16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

said video tape stored signals correspond to an image of at least one scene that includes other picture elements in addition to said moving target; and

said moving target moves among said other picture elements;

the analyzing means comprise means for detecting presence of said distinctive pulse sequence irrespective of presence or absence of said other picture elements in said particular limited scene portion, and irrespective of motion of said target among said other picture elements; and

the communicating means comprise means for communicating to a user whether a distinctive sequence is present irrespective of presence or absence of said other picture elements in said particular limited scene portion, and irrespective of motion of said target among said other picture elements, and irrespective of any similarity between said other picture elements and the detailed internal image of said target.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein:

said other picture elements include images of actual physical objects recorded with a video cinematographic camera;

in said displayed scene, said moving target, having a detailed internal image, is superimposed upon and appears to move among said camera-recorded actual physical objects; and

in operation of the stimulus-and-response apparatus, the analyzing and communicating means are substantially nonresponsive to presence or absence of said camera-recorded actual physical objects in said scene, and to any similarity between said detailed internal image and said objects, and to motion of said target among said objects, provided that said target is received and directed by the imaging means.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

said video tape that has scenes including a plurality of moving targets types having respective detailed internal images and respective associated pulse sequences, said target types moving among each other; and

the analyzing means comprising means for detecting the presence of each distinctive pulse sequence from any of said moving targets respectively, irrespective of presence or absence of such other pulse sequences, and irrespective of motion of said targets among each other.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

the communicating means include, entirely within the response module, cumulative scorekeeping means and an electronic display cooperatively indicate to a user a cumulative score based upon a plurality of manipulations of the trigger means; and

the scorekeeping means are responsive to the analyzing means and assign particular scoring weight to each distinctive pulse sequence from such moving targets respectively.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

each moving target type is associated with a respective pulse sequence that includes a respective specific number of light pulses followed by one omitted pulse;

the analyzing means detect a periodic sequence of each respective number of light pulses followed by one omitted pulse, said light pulses consisting of pulses of said detailed internal image; and

the scorekeeping means assign a respective scoring weight to each respective specific number of pulses of said internal image followed by one omitted pulse.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein:

at least one respective scoring weight is positive and at least one is negative.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

with regard to at least a particular one of said plurality of distinctive sequences, the communicating means also communicate to a user whether that sequence is present in a scene portion irrespective of manipulation of the trigger means;

whereby the communicating means include at least that one particular distinctive sequence in the cumulative score whether or not the particular scene portion is registered for evaluation.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein:

each moving target type is associated with a respective sequence that includes a respective specific number of light pulses followed by one omitted pulse, said light pulses consisting of pulses of said detailed internal image;

the analyzing means detect a periodic sequence of each respective number of pulses of said detailed internal image followed by one omitted pulse, irrespective of motion of said target, if said internal image is received and directed by the imaging means;

the scorekeeping means assign a respective scoring weight to each respective specific number of pulses of said internal image followed by one omitted pulse, including at least one respective scoring weight that is positive and at least one that is negative; and

said at least one particular distinctive sequence has a negative scoring weight.

24. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

said video tape has stored signals corresponding to at least one moving target that has a detailed internal image for which alternate interlace fields are removed to provide a sequence of light pulses at a full-frame rate; and

the analyzing means detect a sequence of pulses of the internal image of said target at the full-frame rate, irrespective of motion of said target, if the target is received and directed by the imaging means.

25. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the communicating means includes visible means associated with the sighting means, for superimposing upon said displayed scene, as viewed with the sighting means, a visual simulation of an explosion when said distinctive sequence from a moving target containing a detailed internal image is present in a registered scene portion.

26. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the response module is portable and handheld.

27. A method for automatically distinguishing and identifying specific limited moving portions, containing detailed internal images, of a video game or video learning-system display, comprising the steps of:

obtaining a video recording which carries video signals corresponding to scenes with limited moving portions that contain detailed internal images;

said internal images having selected interlace fields removed to provide a distinctive sequence of pulses of said detailed internal images in said limited moving portions;

then playing the video recording on a substantially standard video recording player to produce said game or learning-system display, including said scenes, and limited moving portions with distinctively pulsed detailed internal images therein, on a substantially standard television receiver;

during said playing step, aiming at specific limited portions of the display an automatic optical receiving device that has no parts in common with the player or receiver, is not connected with the player or receiver, does not depend for its operation in said method upon providing an output signal of any kind to the player or receiver, and is disposed at a distance from the receiver;

during said playing and aiming steps, automatically detecting, with the receiving device, said distinctive sequences of omitted video fields of detailed internal images in said specific limited moving portions of the display; and

during said playing, aiming and detecting steps, automatically indicating, with the receiving device, when a distinctive sequence of omitted video fields of said detailed internal images in said specific limited moving portions is detected.

28. A method for automatically testing a person'"'"'s ability to aim at, and to maintain aim at, a particular image that moves among other scene elements in a video game or video learning-system display;

and for testing such ability irrespective of whether said other scene elements move;

said method comprising the steps of;

obtaining a video recording which carries video signals corresponding to scenes with a particular limited moving portion moving among other scene elements;

said limited moving portion having selected interlace fields removed to provide a distinctive sequence of pulses of said limited moving portion; and

said other scene elements not having said selected interlace fields removed, so that said other scene elements lack said distinctive sequence of pulses;

then playing the video recording on a substantially standard video recording player to produce said game or learning-system display, including said scenes, and said distinctively pulsed limited moving portion therein, on a substantially standard television receiver;

during said playing step, attempting to aim at a specific limited moving portion of the display, and attempting to maintain aim while said specific limited portion moves among said other scene elements, an automatic optical receiving device that has no parts in common with the player or receiver, is not connected with the player or receiver, does not depend for its operation in said method upon providing an output signal of any kind to the player or receiver, and is disposed at a distance from the receiver;

during said playing and aiming steps, automatically detecting, with the receiving device, distinctive sequences of omitted video fields from said specific limited moving portion of the display; and

during said playing, aiming and detecting steps, automatically indicating, with the receiving device, whether a distinctive sequence of omitted video fields from said specific moving portion is detected, to test whether said aiming is accurate irrespective of whether any of said other scene elements is moving or not.

29. A method for automatically testing a person'"'"'s ability to aim at a particular image, having internal image details, that appears among other scene elements in a video game or video learning-system display;

and for testing such ability irrespective of whether the internal images and the other scene elements have confusing similarities;

said method comprising the steps of;

obtaining a video recording which carries video signals corresponding to scenes with a limited portion that contains internal image details;

said internal image details having selected interlace fields removed to provide a distinctive sequence of pulses of said internal image details from said limited portion; and

said other scene elements not having said selected interlace fields removed, so that said other scene elements lack said distinctive sequence of pulses;

then playing the video recording on a substantially standard video recording player to produce said game or learning-system display, including said scenes and said distinctively pulsed internal image details therein, on a substantially standard television receiver;

during the playing step, attempting to aim at a specific limited internally-detailed portion of the display, notwithstanding any confusing similarities between said internal details and said other scene elements, an automatic optical receiving device that has no parts in common with the player or receiver, is not connected with the player or receiver, does not depend for its operation in said method upon providing an output signal of any kind to the player or receiver, and is disposed at a distance from the receiver;

during the playing and aiming steps, automatically detecting, with the receiving device, distinctive sequences of omitted video fields from said specific limited internally-detailed portion of the display; and

during the playing, aiming and detecting steps, automatically indicating, with the receiving device, whether a distinctive sequence of omitted video fields is detected from said specific internally-detailed portion is detected, irrespective of any confusing similarities between sad specific internally-detailed portion and said other scene elements.

30. A video recording, for use in automatically testing a person'"'"'s ability to select and maintain aim at moving targets containing detailed internal images, in a video game or video learning-system display;

said video recording being for use with a substantially standard video-recording player and substantially standard video-display unit, and comprising;

a video recording medium for play on such substantially standard player to display images on such substantially standard display unit;

video signals, impressed upon said medium, corresponding to scenes having internally-detailed moving targets, and having other scene elements;

certain portions of said signals corresponding to said internally-detailed moving targets, and other portions of said signals corresponding to said other scene elements;

said certain target-corresponding portions having selected interlace fields removed to provide a distinctive sequence of pulses of internal details of said moving targets;

said other portions of said signals not having said selected interlace fields removed; and

said signals being for playback on such a substantially standard-video recording player to produce, on such a substantially standard video display unit, said game or learning-system display, including said scenes and said certain internally-detailed moving targets therein, and also including said other scene elements therein;

whereby said internally-detailed moving targets are optical-pulse self-coded for automatic detection by an automatic optical receiving device that has no parts in common with the player or display unit, is not connected with the player or display unit, does not depend for said automatic detection upon providing an output signal of any kind to the player or display unit, and is disposed at a distance from the display unit, irrespective of motion of said targets among said other scene elements and irrespective of whether said detailed internal images are confusingly similar to said other scene elements.