Interactive target game system

• US 5,785,592 A
• Filed: 08/12/1996
• Issued: 07/28/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sterling Investments LC
• Original Assignee: Sarcos Incorporated (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Jacobsen, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/695,788
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1-2, 463/5, 463/49-53, 463/40, 463/41, 463/45, 463/56, 463/16-19, 472/117, 472/128, 472/129, 472/13, 472/62, 472/43, 446/175, 446/473, 434/20-22, 434/307 R, 364/410-412, 364/478.01, 364/478.04, 364/478.13, 364/479.01, 273/348, 273/349, 273/355, 273/358, 273/317.1
• US Class Current: 463/7
• 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 13/26 having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• 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 13/537 using indicators, e.g. showing the condition of a game character on screen
• 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 2300/301 using an additional display connected to the game console, e.g. on the controller
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/303 for displaying additional data, e.g. simulating a Head Up Display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0291 with a simulated projectile, e.g. an image on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/007 involving water
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 33/00 Devices allowing competitions between several persons, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An interactive target game system for one or more players includes at least one designator, in the form of a pistol, holdable by a player for aiming at a target and operating to simulate shooting at the target. The designator includes a photodetector for detecting an electromagnetic beam when the designator is accurately aimed at a beam source. Also included is at least one target viewable by the player for periodically producing an electromagnetic beam which is directed outwardly of the target. During those times that the target is producing the beam, a visible light signal is produced to alert the player that the target is "active". When the designator is accurately aimed at the target and operated to detect an electromagnetic beam, a visual and/or audible signal is produced by the designator to indicate that a "hit" has occurred. The designator also includes circuitry for developing an electromagnetic beam for transmission in the direction aimed to simulate shooting at targets worn by other players, at beam detectors corresponding to gambling choices which a player may wish to make, or at beam detectors associated with different products which a player may wish to purchase.

Claims

1. An interactive target game system for one or more players comprising

at least one target means for viewing by a player;

at least one designator means for holding by the player, for aiming at the at least one target means, and for operating to simulate shooting at the at least one target means;

electromagnetic beam producing means for producing an electromagnetic beam for exchange between the designator means and the at least one target means when the at least one designator means is accurately aimed at the at least one target means and operated;

indicator means for producing an indication of a hit when the electromagnetic beam is exchanged between the at least one designator means and at least one target means; and

receptacle means for receiving and holding said at least one designator means, and for receiving and storing information transmitted by said at least one designator means.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said indicator means includes means for producing a visual indication of a hit.

3. A system as in claim 1 wherein said indicator means includes means for producing an audible indication of a hit.

4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said indicator means is disposed in the designator means for perceiving by a player holding the indicator means.

5. A system as in claim 1 wherein said indicator means is disposed on the target means.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein said electromagnetic beam producing means is disposed in the target means for directing the beam outwardly of the target means, and wherein said designator means includes means for receiving and producing an indication of receipt of the beam when the designator means is accurately aimed at the target means and operated, indicating a hit.

7. A system as in claim 6 wherein said receiving and producing means comprises second means for producing an electromagnetic beam which is directed toward the target means when the designator means is aimed thereat, and wherein said target means includes means for producing a visual/audible indication when the beam from the designator means strikes the target means.

8. A system as in claim 6 wherein said receiving and producing means comprises means for registering information that a hit has occurred.

9. A system as in claim 6 wherein said electromagnetic beam producing means includes means for producing an encoded electromagnetic beam representing a predetermined value, and wherein said receiving and producing means includes means for registering the values represented by encoded electromagnetic beams received by the receiving and producing means.

10. A system as in claim 6 wherein said electromagnetic beam producing means includes means for producing a beam having a selected frequency representing a predetermined value, and wherein said receiving and producing means include means for registering the values represented by the frequencies of electromagnetic beams received by the receiving and producing means.

11. A system as in claims 9 or 10 wherein said receiving and producing means further comprises means for transmitting information representing the registered values.

12. A system as in claim 11 further including central means for receiving and storing transmitted information.

13. A system as in claim 6 wherein said designator means further includes

a barrel means having a terminal end and a proximal end, and

detector means disposed in the barrel means near the proximal end for detecting the beam from the target means entering the barrel means through the terminal end, when the designator means is accurately aimed at the target means and operated.

14. A system as in claim 13 wherein said detector means comprises

beam detecting means for detecting the beam from the target means when activated, and

trigger means accessibly disposed on the designator means for manual operation to activate the beam detecting means.

15. A system as in claim 14 wherein said central bore includes a blackened interior surface.

16. A system as in claim 14 wherein said beam detecting means includes a photodetector means.

17. A system as in claim 14 wherein said designator means further includes

handle means for gripping by a player, said barrel means being disposed on an upper end of the handle means for aiming by a player gripping the handle means, and

wherein said trigger means is disposed near the joint of the handle means and barrel means for manual operation by a player gripping the handle means.

18. A system as in claim 6 wherein said designator means further includes handle means for gripping by a player, said handle means having an upper end which extends above the hand of a player when gripped, and a front edge, said receiving and producing means being disposed in the front edge at the upper end of the handle means.

19. A system as in claim 1 wherein said receptacle means includes means for transmitting data representing the information received and stored by the receptacle means, said system further including display means for receiving and displaying data transmitted by the receptacle means.

20. A system as in claim 1 wherein said receptacle means includes means for transmitting data representing the information received and stored by the receptacle means, said system further including slip dispensing means for receiving data transmitted by the receptacle means and dispensing slips showing the values represented by the transmitted information and data.

21. A system as in claim 1

wherein said electromagnetic beam producing means is disposed in the designator means for directing an electromagnetic beam toward the target means when the designator means is aimed thereat, and

wherein said target means includes means, when active, for receiving and producing an indication of receipt of the beam when the beam strikes the target means.

22. A system as in claim 21 wherein said target means further includes means for registering information that a hit has occurred.

23. A system as in claim 21 wherein said electromagnetic beam producing means includes means for producing a beam which identifies the designator means from which the beam is emitted.

24. A system as in claim 23 wherein said target means includes means for detecting beams received thereby and for registering the identities of the designator means from which the beams were emitted.

25. A system as in claim 24 wherein said target means further includes means for transmitting information representing said identities, and wherein said system further includes central means for receiving and storing information transmitted by the target means.

26. A system as in claim 21 wherein said designator means further includes means for emitting a sound simulating a gunshot, when operated.

27. A system as in claim 21 wherein said target means further includes means for randomly activating the receiving and producing means.

28. A system as in claim 21 wherein said target means further includes means for steadily activating the receiving and producing means.

29. A system as in claim 21 wherein said target means further includes means for emitting visible light for viewing by a player, when the receiving and producing means is active.

30. A system as in claim 21 wherein said receiving and producing means includes means for emitting visible light when the beam strikes the target means.

31. A system as in claim 21 wherein said receiving and producing means includes means for emitting audible sound when the beam strikes the target means.

32. A system as in claim 1 further including means for attaching the target means to the neck of a player.

33. A system as in claim 32 wherein said target means is adapted to wrap about the neck of a player.

34. A system as in claim 1 further including means for attaching the target means to the head or body of a player.

35. A system as in claim 34 wherein said target means is formed into a cap for wearing by a player.

36. A system as in claim 1 wherein said target means includes

a target element for aiming at by a player with a designator means, and

base means for holding the target element in a non-viewable position where the target element cannot be seen by a player, and for selectively moving the target element from the non-viewable position to a viewable position where the target element can be seen by a player.

37. A system as in claim 1 wherein said target means includes

video display means for displaying images serving as targets and for aiming at by a player with the designator means.

38. A system as in claim 37 wherein said video display means includes means for producing one or more areas in the images which are brighter than the rest of the display.

39. A system as in claim 38 wherein said designator means includes means for detecting said one or more areas when the designator means is accurately aimed at the one or more areas and operated, to thereby indicate a hit.

40. A system as in claim 39 wherein said designator means further includes means for signalling the video display means when a hit is detected.

41. A system as in claim 40 wherein said video display means includes means for detecting the signal from the designator means indicating that a hit has occurred, and means for modifying the displayed images when signaled by the designator means that a hit has occurred.

42. A system as in claim 1 wherein said indicator means further includes means for producing an indication of a miss, when the designator means is inaccurately aimed at the target means and operated.

43. A system as in claim 1 wherein said designator means further includes means for controlling the designator means for limiting the number of times of operation of the designator means.

44. A system as in claim 43 wherein said controlling means includes means for producing an indication when the designator means has been operated said certain number of times.

45. A system as in claim 43 wherein said controlling means includes programming means for limiting operation of the designator means to no more than a preselected number of times.

46. An interactive target game system for one or more players comprising:

at least one target means for viewing by a player;

at least one designator means for holding by the player, for aiming at the at least one target means, and for operating to simulate shooting at the at least one target means;

electromagnetic beam producing means for producing an electromagnetic beam for exchange between the designator means and the at least one target means when the at least one designator means is accurately aimed at the at least one target means and operated;

indicator means for producing an indication of a hit when the electromagnetic beam is exchanged between the at least one designator means and at least one target means;

display means for at least periodically displaying indicia showing a plurality of gambling choices;

a plurality of beam detecting means, each associated with a respective gambling choice for receiving and detecting beams directed thereat from designator means, indicating selection of the respective choice; and

means for registering choices made and the identity of the designator means used to make the respective choices.

47. An interactive target game system for one or more players comprising

at least one target means for viewing by a player:

at least one designator means for holding by the player, for aiming at the at least one target means, and for operating to simulate shooting at the at least one target means;

electromagnetic beam producing means for producing an electromagnetic beam for exchange between the designator means and the at least one target means when the at least one designator means is accurately aimed at the at least one target means and operated;

indicator means for producing an indication of a hit when the electromagnetic beam is exchanged between the at least one designator means and at least one target means;

display means for displaying indicia identifying a plurality of products available for purchase;

a plurality of beam detecting means, each associated with a respective product for receiving and detecting beams directed thereat from designator means, indicating selection of the respective product; and

means for registering selection of products and the identity of the designator means used to select the respective products.

48. An interactive target game system for one or more players comprising:

at least one target means for viewing by a player;

at least one designator means for holding by the player, for aiming at the at least one target means, and for operating to simulate shooting at the at least one target means;

electromagnetic beam producing means for producing an electromagnetic beam for exchange between the designator means and the at least one target means when the at least one designator means is accurately aimed at the at least one target means and operated;

indicator means for producing an indication of a hit when the electromagnetic beam is exchanged between the at least one designator means and the at least one target means; and

one or more stationary stations which includes fixed gun means for squirting liquid toward an object at which the gun means is aimed when operated by a second player, second target means disposed near the gun means, and response means responsive to the designator means being accurately aimed at the second target means and operated, for signaling the second player that the second target means has been hit.

49. A system as in claim 48 wherein said response means comprises means for squirting a liquid toward the fixed gun means and second player.

50. A system as in claim 49 wherein said response means is disposed in the gun means.

51. An interactive target game system for one or more players comprising;

at least one target means for viewing by a player;

at least one designator means for holding by the player, for aiming at the at least one target means, and for operating to simulate shooting at the at least one target means, the at least one designator means including receiver means for receiving a radio signal carrying sound information, and speaker means for producing sound from received radio signals;

electromagnetic beam producing means for producing an electromagnetic beam for exchange between the designator means and the at least one target means when the at least one designator means is accurately aimed at the at least one target means and operated; and

indicator means for producing an indication of a hit when the electromagnetic beam is exchanged between the at least one designator means and the at least one target means.

52. A system as in claim 51 wherein the designator means further includes microphone means for producing electrical signals representing sound intercepted by the microphone means, and transmitter means for transmitting a radio signal carrying sound information represented by the electrical signals.

53. A system as in claim 52 further including central means for receiving radio signals from one or more designator means, and for retransmitting received radio signals.

54. An interactive target game system for one or more players comprising;

at least one target means for viewing by a player;

at least one designator means for holding by the player, for aiming at the at least one target means, and for operating to simulate shooting at the at least one target means;

electromagnetic beam producing means for producing an electromagnetic beam for exchange between the designator means and the at least one target means when the at least one designator means is accurately aimed at the at least one target means and operated;

indicator means for producing an indication of a hit when the electromagnetic beam is exchanged between the at least one designator means and the at least one target means; and

portal means through which players must pass to enter and exit the area where the game system is located, said portal means including means for detecting a designator means on a player as the player passes through the portal means.

55. An interactive target game system for one or more players comprising:

at least one target means for viewing by a player;

at least one designator means for holding by the player, for aiming at the at least one target means, and for operating to simulate shooting at the at least one target means;

electromagnetic beam producing means for producing an electromagnetic beam for exchange between the designator means and the at least one target means when the at least one designator means is accurately aimed at the at least one target means and operated;

indicator means for producing an indication of a hit when the electromagnetic beam is exchanged between the at least one designator means and the at least one target means; and

receptacle means for insertion of the designator means, said receptacle means including means for programming the controlling means for limiting operation of the designator means to no more than a preselected number times.

56. A system as in claim 55 wherein said indicator means is disposed in the designator means and includes means for registering information that a hit has occurred, and wherein said receptacle means includes means for downloading and storing information from the designator means as to a number of hits which have occurred, when the designator means is inserted in the receptacle.

57. An interactive game system for one or more players comprising

vehicle means for riding by a player over a predetermined pathway in a defined area;

at least one designator means for holding by a player while riding on the vehicle means, for aiming at a target, and for operating to simulate shooting at the target, said designator means being buoyant in water;

at least one target means disposed in proximity to the pathway; and

indicator means responsive to the designator means being accurately aimed at the target means and operated for producing an indication of a hit.

58. A system as in claim 57 wherein said indicator means is disposed in the designator means for perceiving by a player holding the indicator means.

59. A system as in claim 57 wherein said indicator means is disposed on the target means.

60. A system as in claim 57 wherein said target means includes means for producing an electromagnetic beam which is directed outwardly of the target means, and wherein said designator means includes means for receiving and producing an indication of receipt of the beam when the designator means is accurately aimed at the target means and operated, indicating a hit.

61. A system as in claim 60 wherein said receiving and producing means comprises second means for producing an electromagnetic beam which is directed toward the target means when the designator means is aimed thereat, and wherein said target means includes means for producing a visual/audible indication when the beam from the designator means strikes the target means.

62. A system as in claim 60 wherein said receiving and producing means comprises means for registering information that a hit has occurred.

63. A system as in claim 57 wherein said vehicle means comprises

a flume formed to follow a closed, continuous pathway in which water flows, and

at least one buoyant simulated log disposed in the flume to float along the pathway, said log being formed with one or more seats for players to sit upon and ride as the log floats along the pathway.

64. A system as in claim 57 further including portal means through which players must pass to enter and exit the vehicle means, said portal means including means for detecting the presence of a designator means on a player as the player passes through the portal means.

65. An interactive target game system for two or more players comprising

two or more designator means, each for holding by a different player, for aiming at another designator means and operating to simulate shooting at another designator means, each designator means comprising:

means for producing electromagnetic beams for transmission outwardly of said each designator means for viewing the electromagnetic beams, said electromagnetic beam producing means includes means for producing electromagnetic beams which are directed outwardly through a substantially 360 degree arc; and

means for receiving and producing an indication of receipt of electromagnetic beams when said each designator means is accurately aimed at the electromagnetic beam producing means producing such beams, and operated, indicating a hit.

66. A system as in claim 65 wherein said receiving and producing means includes means for producing an audible/visual indication of a hit.

67. A system as in claim 65 wherein said receiving and producing means comprises means for registering information that a hit has occurred.

68. A system as in claim 67 wherein said receiving and producing means further comprises means for transmitting the registered information.

69. A system as in claim 68 further including central means for receiving and storing information transmitted by said each designator means.

70. A system as in claim 68 further including receptacle means for receiving and holding said each designator means, and for receiving and storing information transmitted by said each designator means.

71. A system as in claim 70 wherein said receptacle means includes means for transmitting data representing the information received and stored by the receptacle means, said system further including display means for displaying data transmitted by the receptacle means.

72. An interactive target game system for one or more players comprising:

at least one target means for viewing by a player;

at least one designator means for holding by the player, for aiming at the at least one target means, and for operating to simulate shooting at the at least one target means;

electromagnetic beam producing means for producing an electromagnetic beam for exchange between the designator means and the at least one target means when the at least one designator means is accurately aimed at the at least one target means and operated, said electromagnetic beam producing means includes means for producing electromagnetic beams which are directed outwardly through a substantially 360 degree arc; and

indicator means for producing an indication of a hit when the electromagnetic beam is exchanged between the at least one designator means and the at least one target means.