Multimodal control of vehicles in three dimensional space

• US 8,734,251 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2013
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Wargaming.Net Limited
• Original Assignee: Wargaming.Net LLP
• Inventors: Sitnikau, Anton
• Primary Examiner(s): Deodhar, Omkar
• Assistant Examiner(s): RENWICK, REGINALD A
• Application Number:
  US13/943,885
• Publication Number:
  US 20140100008A1
• Time in Patent Office: 314 Days
• Field of Search: 463/31, 340/145
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5252 using two or more virtual cameras concurrently or sequentially, e.g. automatically switching between fixed virtual cameras when a character changes room or displaying a rear-mirror view in a car-driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5258 by dynamically adapting the position of the virtual camera to keep a game object or game character in its viewing frustum, e.g. for tracking a character or a ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/303 for displaying additional data, e.g. simulating a Head Up Display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 9/02 for teaching control of vehicles or other craft

Abstract

Methods and systems for controlling vehicles within graphically simulated environments are described herein. A video game such as a vehicle-based combat game may have vehicles (such as airplanes) operating in a simulated three dimensional space. In a destination based control mode, users may partially control vehicles using two-dimensional input devices by inputting a new destination for the vehicle to go to, and the game'"'"'s control logic may then automatically calculate how to control the vehicle toward the new heading. Fight and assault (bombing) control sub-modes may be provided. In addition, in an immediate control mode, a user may provide input that indicates a direction and speed of rotation, to provide more direct control of a vehicles control systems and/or control surfaces.

Claims

1. One or more non-transitory computer readable media storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by a data processing device, cause a system to perform:

graphically rendering a virtual environment using a physics engine;

simulating a vehicle within the virtual environment using the physics engine, responsive to user inputs controlling one or more control systems of the vehicle;

providing a first vehicular control sub-mode, wherein a default camera angle of the first vehicular control sub-mode provides a view from behind and above the vehicle being controlled in three dimensional space, wherein the first vehicular control sub-mode provides a first targeting reticle for a first weapon associated with the vehicle; and

providing a second vehicular control sub-mode, wherein a default camera angle of the second vehicular control sub-mode provides a view from behind and below the vehicle being controlled, and wherein the second vehicular control sub-mode provides a second targeting reticle for a second weapon associated with the vehicle.

2. The computer readable media of claim 1, wherein providing the second vehicular control sub-mode comprises concurrently providing the first targeting reticle for the first weapon associated with the vehicle.

3. The computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the one or more control systems comprise flaps and ailerons.

4. The computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the one or more control systems comprises an engine power of the vehicle.

5. The computer readable media of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an airplane, the first weapon is an air-to-air weapon, and the second weapon is an air-to-ground weapon.

6. The computer readable media of claim 1, wherein providing a second vehicular control sub-mode further comprises:

providing an inset target window, wherein the inset target window remains fixed on the ground-based target after deployment by the vehicle of an air-to-ground weapon until the air-to-ground weapon hits the target or the ground in the virtual environment.

7. The computer readable media of claim 6, wherein the inset target window remains fixed on the ground-based target when the vehicle has locked-on to the ground-based target as a potential target.

8. A method comprising:

graphically rendering a virtual environment, by a processor and using a physics engine of a data processing device, for output to a display device;

simulating a vehicle within the virtual environment using the physics engine, responsive to user inputs controlling one or more control systems of the vehicle;

providing a first vehicular control sub-mode, wherein a default camera angle of the first vehicular control sub-mode provides a view from behind and above the vehicle being controlled in three dimensional space, wherein the first vehicular control sub-mode provides a first targeting reticle for a first weapon associated with the vehicle; and

providing a second vehicular control sub-mode, wherein a default camera angle of the second vehicular control sub-mode provides a view from behind and below the vehicle being controlled, and wherein the second vehicular control sub-mode provides a second targeting reticle for a second weapon associated with the vehicle.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein providing the second vehicular control sub-mode further comprises concurrently providing the first targeting reticle for the first weapon associated with the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more control systems comprise flaps and ailerons.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the one or more control systems comprises an engine power of the vehicle.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the vehicle is an airplane, the first weapon is an air-to-air weapon, and the second weapon is an air-to-ground weapon.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein providing a second vehicular control sub-mode further comprises:

providing an inset target window, wherein the inset target window remains fixed on the ground-based target after deployment by the vehicle of an air-to-ground weapon until the air-to-ground weapon hits the target or the ground in the virtual environment.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the inset target window remains fixed on the ground-based target when the vehicle has locked-on to the ground-based target as a potential target.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

memory storing computer readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform;

graphically rendering a virtual environment using a physics engine;

simulating a vehicle within the virtual environment using the physics engine, responsive to user inputs controlling one or more control systems of the vehicle;

providing a first vehicular control sub-mode, wherein a default camera angle of the first vehicular control sub-mode provides a view from behind and above the vehicle being controlled in three dimensional space, wherein the first vehicular control sub-mode provides a first targeting reticle for a first weapon associated with the vehicle; and

providing a second vehicular control sub-mode, wherein a default camera angle of the second vehicular control sub-mode provides a view from behind and below the vehicle being controlled, and wherein the second vehicular control sub-mode provides a second targeting reticle for a second weapon associated with the vehicle.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein providing the second vehicular control sub-mode further comprises concurrently providing the first targeting reticle for the first weapon associated with the vehicle.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more control systems comprise flaps and ailerons.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the one or more control systems comprises an engine power of the vehicle.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the vehicle is an airplane, the first weapon is an air-to-air weapon, and the second weapon is an air-to-ground weapon.

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein providing a second vehicular control sub-mode further comprises:

providing an inset target window, wherein the inset target window remains fixed on the ground-based target after deployment by the vehicle of an air-to-ground weapon until the air-to-ground weapon hits the target or the ground in the virtual environment.