Systems and methods of playing games in three dimensions

• US 6,042,490 A
• Filed: 07/24/1997
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Christopher W. Lenhart
• Original Assignee: Christopher W. Lenhart
• Inventors: Lenhart, Christopher W.
• Primary Examiner(s): RIMELL, SAMUEL G
• Application Number:
  US08/899,988
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 473/479, 473/415, 473/92, 482/27, 434/258
• US Class Current: 473/415
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0025 Tracking the path or location of one or more users, e.g. players of a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 2031/002 Free-fall
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 2031/005 Skydiving
• CPC Class Codes: A63G 31/00 Amusement arrangements hoop exercising apparatus driven by the user A63B19/00
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 23/00 Training of parachutists

Abstract

A system and method for playing a game in three dimensions. The system includes a three-dimensional playing field at least partially surrounded by a volume-defining surface, and an air mover operatively connected to the playing field to produce a stream of air within the playing field. A goal may be formed within the playing field so that an object may be moved relative to the goal. An air control system may control the stream of air within the playing field, so that the stream of air within the playing field has a volume flow rate that may be varied substantially by the air control system within at least one selected area of the playing field. A sensor may be provided for sensing the location of an object within the playing field. Goggles may be provided for wearing by a player, the goggles including a display device interconnected to a computer processor to display an image controlled by the processor. The method may use the described system to play a game while suspended in a stream of air.

Claims

1. A system for playing a game in three dimensions, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional playing field at least partially formed by volume-defining outer surfaces;

an air mover operatively connected to the playing field to produce an upwardly directed stream of air having a velocity in the range of 120-130 miles per hour;

a goal formed within the playing field;

an object to be moved within the playing field relative to the goal;

a sensor for sensing the location of the object within the playing field;

a computer processor interconnected to the sensor for receiving a signal from the sensor indicating the location of the object within the playing field; and

goggles including a display device interconnected to the processor to display an image controlled by the processor.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the object to be moved is a ball.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising an air control system for controlling the stream of air within the playing field, wherein the stream of air within the playing field has a volume flow rate that may be varied substantially by the air control system within at least one selected area of the playing field.

4. The system according to claim 3, further comprising a diffuser having a plurality of discrete areas of air flow operatively connected to the playing field, wherein the air control system controls at least one of the discrete areas of air flow to regulate the volume flow rate of air through the at least one of the discrete areas.

5. The system according to claim 3, wherein the air mover includes a plurality of discrete air movers, each discrete air mover operatively connected to the playing field to produce a stream of air within the playing field, wherein the air control system controls at least one of the discrete air movers to regulate the volume flow rate of air through the at least one of the discrete air movers.

6. A system for playing a game in three dimensions, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional playing field at least partially formed by a volume-defining outer surface;

an air mover operatively connected to the playing field to produce an upwardly directed stream of air having a velocity in the range of 120-130 miles per hour;

an air control system for controlling the stream of air within the playing field, wherein the stream of air within the playing field has a volume flow rate that may be varied substantially by the air control system within at least one selected area of the playing field;

an object to be moved within the playing field to a location;

a sensor for sensing the location of the object within the playing field;

a computer processor interconnected to the sensor for receiving a signal from the sensor indicating the location of the object within the playing field; and

goggles including a display device interconnected to the processor to display an image controlled by the processor.

7. The system according to claim 6, further comprising a diffuser having a plurality of discrete areas of air flow operatively connected to the playing field, wherein the air control system controls at least one of the discrete areas of air flow to regulate the volume flow rate of air through the at least one of the discrete areas.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the air mover includes a plurality of discrete air movers, each discrete air mover operatively connected to the playing field to produce a stream of air within the playing field, wherein the air control system controls at least one of the discrete air movers to regulate the volume flow rate of air through the at least one of the discrete air movers.

9. A system for playing a game in three dimensions, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional playing field at least partially formed by a volume-defining outer surface;

an air mover operatively connected to the playing field to produce an upwardly directed stream of air having a velocity in the range of 120-130 miles per hour;

an object to be moved within the playing field to a location;

a sensor for sensing the location of the object within the playing field;

a computer processor interconnected to the sensor for receiving a signal from the sensor indicating the location of the object within the playing field; and

goggles including a display device interconnected to the processor to display an image controlled by the processor.

10. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a ball, wherein the object to be moved within the playing field is the ball.

11. The system according to claim 9, further comprising a goal formed within the playing field so that the object may be moved relative to the goal.

12. The system according to claim 9, further comprising an air control system for controlling the stream of air within the playing field, wherein the stream of air within the playing field has a volume flow rate that may be varied substantially by the air control system within at least one selected area of the playing field.

13. The system according to claim 12, further comprising a diffuser having a plurality of discrete areas of air flow operatively connected to the playing field, wherein the air control system controls at least one of the discrete areas of air flow to regulate the volume flow rate of air through the at least one of the discrete areas.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein the air mover includes a plurality of discrete air movers, each discrete air mover operatively connected to the playing field to produce a stream of air within the playing field, wherein the air control system controls at least one of the discrete air movers to regulate the volume flow rate of air through the at least one of the discrete air movers.

15. The system according to claim 9, wherein the image relates to the object sensed within the playing field and the volume flow rate of the stream of air within the at least one selected area of the playing field.

16. A system for playing a game in three dimensions, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional playing field at least partially formed by volume-defining outer surfaces;

an air mover operatively connected to the playing field to produce a stream of air within the playing field;

a goal formed within the playing field so that an object may be moved relative to the goal;

an object to be moved within the playing field to a location;

a sensor for sensing the location of the object within the playing field;

a computer processor interconnected to the sensor for receiving a signal from the sensor indicating the location of the object within the playing field; and

goggles including a display device interconnected to the processor to display an image controlled by the processor.

17. A system for playing a game in three dimensions, the system comprising:

a three-dimensional playing field at least partially formed by a volume-defining outer surface;

an air mover operatively connected to the playing field to produce a stream of air within the playing field;

an object to be moved within the playing field to a location;

a sensor for sensing the location of the object within the playing field;

a computer processor interconnected to the sensor for receiving a signal from the sensor indicating the location of the object within the playing field; and

goggles including a display device interconnected to the processor to display an image controlled by the processor.

18. The system according to claim 17, further comprising an air control system for controlling the stream of air within the playing field, wherein the stream of air within the playing field has a volume flow rate that may be varied substantially by the air control system within at least one selected area of the playing field.

19. The system according to claim 18, further comprising a diffuser having a plurality of discrete areas of air flow operatively connected to the playing field, wherein the air control system controls at least one of the discrete areas of air flow to regulate the volume flow rate of air through the at least one of the discrete areas.

20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the image relates to the object sensed within the playing field and the volume flow rate of the stream of air within the at least one selected area of the playing field.

21. The system according to claim 18, wherein the air mover includes a plurality of discrete air movers, each discrete air mover operatively connected to the playing field to produce a stream of air within the playing field, wherein the air control system controls at least one of the discrete air movers to regulate the volume flow rate of air through the at least one of the discrete air movers.