Method and apparatus for a virtual video game

• US 5,368,309 A
• Filed: 05/14/1993
• Issued: 11/29/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: The Walt Disney Company
• Inventors: Fink, David, Monroe, Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US08/062,304
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 273/433, 273/434, 273/437, 273/DIG. 28, 273/310, 273/312, 273/313, 273/316, 273/85 G, 345/1, 345/4, 345/7, 345/8, 345/9, 345/37, 345/38, 345/87, 353/28, 353/30, 353/37, 359/471, 359/472, 359/477, 359/630, 359/629
• US Class Current: 463/34
• 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 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/53 involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1087 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. a camera
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/303 for displaying additional data, e.g. simulating a Head Up Display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/66 for rendering three dimensional images
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/286 having separate monoscopic and stereoscopic modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/346 using prisms or semi-transparent mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/395 with depth sampling, i.e. the volume being constructed from a stack or sequence of 2D image planes

Abstract

The invention is directed to an interactive video game whereby players sit opposite each other and view the game and each other through a semi-transparent image generated in real-time through the use of a first-surface reflection. The present invention uses opposing Heads-Up Displays (HUDs). Using opposing HUDs, an image can be apparently suspended between two players. The surface on which the image is displayed has sufficient transparency to allow each player to see the other player along with the image. Thus, the players can interact during play allowing for a more enhanced reward in the experience. The effect could be further enhanced by the use of stereo glasses and a stereo-pair of images on the display such that the players see 3-D images on the playing "surface." To further enhance the interactive experience, the virtual images are substantially coincident so that when one player looks up from the action in the game to see the opponent, the opponent'"'"'s eyes are looking at roughly the same spot in space where the first player perceives the action to be. Thus, the present invention yields more direct communication between players, as well as an enhanced experience. The present invention yields additional applications such as where each player sees any number of images which correspond to the image of the "opponent," or "electronic painting" applications. Other games can take advantage of the fact that the image is superimposed on the opponent such as trying new facial features or clothing.

Claims

1. A display comprising:

control means for controlling input and effecting visual output;

a first display means for displaying a first image of said visual output;

a second display means for displaying a second image of said visual output such that said second image is inverted;

a first reflecting means for reflecting said image from said first display means toward a first viewer; and

a second reflecting means for reflecting said image toward a second display means toward a second viewer, said first and second viewers positioned opposed to one another.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second reflecting means is positioned opposite said first reflecting means and said first reflecting means is in the field of view of said second viewer and said second reflecting means is in the field of view of said first viewer.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said graphical component of said second image is reversed and said textual component of said first and second images is reversed.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said graphical component of said first image is reversed and said textual component of said first and second images is reversed.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said image is composed of graphical and textual components.

6. An apparatus for providing coincident lines of sight in opposing views comprising:

control means for controlling input and generating visual output with a plurality of graphic and text components;

a first inverting means for generating a first inverted image of said visual output;

a first display means for displaying a first image of said first inverted image;

a second inverting means for generating a second inverted image of said visual output;

a second display means for displaying said second inverted image of said visual output;

a first reflecting means for reflecting said first inverted image from said first display means toward a first viewer; and

a second reflecting means for reflecting said second inverted image toward a second viewer, said first and second viewers positioned opposed to one another.

7. An apparatus of claim 6 such that said first inversion means inverts said text and graphic components of said visual output and said second inversion means inverts said text components of said visual output.

8. An apparatus of claim 6 such that said second inversion means inverts said text and graphic components of said visual output and said first inversion means inverts said text components of said visual output.

9. A display comprising:

control means for controlling input and effecting visual output;

a first display means for displaying a first image of said visual output;

a second display means for displaying a second image of said visual output such that said second image is inverted;

a first reflecting means for reflecting said image from said first display means toward a first viewer; and

a second reflecting means for reflecting said image from said second display means toward a second viewer;

wherein said first viewer receives a first composite image comprising an opposing image of said second viewer and said reflected image from said first reflecting means, said second viewer receiving a second composite image comprising an opposing image of said first viewer and said reflected image from said second reflecting means.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said second reflecting means is positioned opposite said first reflecting means and said first reflecting means is in the field of view of said second viewer and said second reflecting means is in the field of view of said first viewer.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said graphical component of said second image is reversed and said textual component of said first and second images is reversed.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said graphical component of said first image is reversed and said textual component of said first and second images is reversed.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said image is composed of graphical and textual components.

14. An apparatus for providing coincident lines of sight in opposing views comprising:

control means for controlling input and generating visual output with a plurality of graphic and text components;

a first inverting means for generating a first inverted image of said visual output;

a first display means for displaying a first image of said first inverted image;

a second inverting means for generating a second inverted image of said visual output;

a second display means for displaying said second inverted image of said visual output;

a first reflecting means for reflecting said first inverted image from said first display means toward a first viewer; and

a second reflecting means for reflecting said second inverted image toward a second viewer;

wherein said first viewer receives a first composite image comprising an opposing image of said second viewer and said reflected image from said first reflecting means, said second viewer receiving a second composite image comprising an opposing image of said first viewer and said reflected image from said second reflecting means.

15. An apparatus of claim 14 such that said first inversion means inverts said text and graphic components of said visual output and said second inversion means inverts said text components of said visual output.

16. An apparatus of claim 14 such that said second inversion means inverts said text and graphic components of said visual output and said first inversion means inverts said text components of said visual output.