Reconfigurable surface based video games

• US 8,083,588 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gesture Technology Partners, LLC
• Original Assignee: Timothy R. Pryor
• Inventors: Pryor, Timothy R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): TORIMIRO, ADETOKUNBO OLUSEGUN
• Application Number:
  US11/980,714
• Publication Number:
  US 20080132332A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,518 Days
• Field of Search: 463/10, 463/16, 463/30, 463/31, 463/34, 463/5, 463/7, 463/36
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• 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 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• 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 2300/30 characterized by output arrangements for receiving control signals generated by the game device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/308 Details of the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8011 Ball
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3297 Fairground games, e.g. Tivoli, coin pusher machines, cranes

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for providing a novel video gaming experience on a play surface on which reconfigurable information is displayed.

Claims

1. A method of playing a video game, comprising the steps of:

displaying reconfigurable graphics on a playing surface with a display apparatus, which graphics are viewed by a game player;

moving a physical object on the playing surface relative to the displayed graphics from a first position to a new position by the game player to effect a game parameter of the game as part of playing the game;

electro-optically determining using a TV camera one of the new position of the physical object or the movement of the physical objects to the new position; and

using the determined second position or movement of the physical object, controlling the game parameter of the video game.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said game is reconfigured at a later time to another game having different graphics displayed on the playing surface.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said playing surface is TV screen.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said game is a game of chance.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said display apparatus provides a rear projection onto said playing surface.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said physical object is moved by the game player from the first position on the playing surface and is then released by the game player to continue movement on the playing surface to the new position.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said physical object is inanimate.