Enhanced hang-timer for console simulation

• US 7,650,257 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2005
• Issued: 01/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Drop Zone (UK) Limited
• Original Assignee: Drop Zone (UK) Limited
• Inventors: Alexander, Jeffrey Michael, Griebling, Erich T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nghiem; Michael P
• Application Number:
  US11/286,092
• Publication Number:
  US 20060167649A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,518 Days
• Field of Search: 702/141, 702/142, 702/149, 702/150, 702/151, 702/158, 702/166, 702/176, 703/6, 703/7, 463/2, 463/49, 463/50
• US Class Current: 702/150
• 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 2069/185 for ski-jumping
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/836 Sensors arranged on the body of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• 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 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/205 for detecting the geographical location of the game platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8041 Skating using skis, skates or board
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 8/08 Means used apart from the time-piece for starting or stopping same

Abstract

An enhanced hang-time evaluation mechanism is disclosed, where the mechanism is capable of providing data to a game console for simulation. Such data may correspond to the actions of an object, such as snowboarder, skier, or mountain biker, and then be simulated in a game console. The simulation of such an object may be proportional in accuracy to the types of data gathering devices employed. An accelerometer measuring hang-time via static acceleration may be used. Also, any data gathering device capable of providing spatial positioning data may be used, whether it is a compass providing orientation data, a altimeter providing altitude data, or a global positioning device providing positioning data. Such data may also be stored in a memory module, where the data may be characterized, evaluated, and then provided to the game console, regardless of whether the memory module is internal or external to the hang-time mechanism.

Claims

1. A device for recording data indicative of the motion of an object during a hang-time event in which the object is in a free fall condition, comprising:

an accelerometer configured to detect the free fall condition based on a measured static acceleration of about 0 g, and to generate first data indicating that the object is experiencing the hang-time event;

a compass configured to measure a spatial orientation of the object during the hang-time event and to generate second data indicative of the spatial orientation of the object during the hang-time event, wherein the compass is configured to measure the spatial orientation of the object relative to the magnetic field of the earth;

a processor communicatively coupled with the accelerometer and the compass and configured to determine the hang-time of the object during the hang-time event;

a memory module communicatively coupled with the processor for storing the first data and the second data; and

an output module configured to communicate with the memory module and configured to communicate with a game console, such that the output module provides at least one of the first data and the second data to the game console, wherein the game console is capable of simulating said motion of the object, including at least the hang-time and spatial orientation, in a game environment.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the compass measures at least one of the relative orientation of the object and the absolute orientation of the object.

3. A device for gathering, recording, and providing data about an object to a game console for simulation of the object in the game console, comprising:

an accelerometer configured to measure the static acceleration of the object, wherein the accelerometer is configured to generate first data for a hang-time event;

an altimeter configured to measure a spatial movement of the object during the hang-time event and to generate second data, wherein the altimeter is configured to measure the altitude of the object by measuring changes in the ambient pressure during the spatial movement of the object;

a processor communicatively coupled with at least the accelerometer and the altimeter to determine the hang-time of the object during the hang-time event;

a memory module configured to store at least one of the first data and the second data; and

an output module configured to communicate with the memory module and configured to communicate with the game console, such that the output module provides at least one of the first data and the second data to the game console for simulation of the object based on the hang-time event, in a game environment.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the altimeter is configured to reset at predetermined intervals and for predetermined periods of time.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein the altimeter uses a resetting aperture to reset pressure in its reference chamber, wherein the resetting is accomplished by using one of a viscous fluid, a valve, and a small air orifice.

6. The device according to claim 3, further comprising a global positioning system device that measures the position of the object on the earth.

7. The device according to claim 3, wherein the memory module is internal to the device.

8. The device according to claim 3, wherein the memory module is external to the device.

9. A device allowing for simulation of at least one object based on measured data, comprising:

an accelerometer configured to measure the static acceleration of the object during a hand-time event;

an altimeter configured to measure atmospheric pressure during the hand-time event; and

at least one memory module configured to store values measured by said accelerometer and said altimeter, and to provide measured values to a game console for simulation of the object during the hang-time event, in a game environment;

wherein the altimeter uses a resetting aperture to reset pressure in its reference chamber, and wherein the resetting is accomplished by using one of a viscous fluid or a valve.

10. A method for recording data indicative of the motion of an object during a hang-time event in which the object is in a free fall condition, comprising:

using an accelerometer to detect the free fall condition based on a measured static acceleration of about 0 g, and to generate first data indicating that the object is experiencing the hang-time event;

using a data gathering device comprising at least one of (a) a digital compass, and (b) an altimeter, to measure at least one of a spatial orientation or movement of the object, and generating second data indicative of said spatial orientation or movement;

recording the first data and the second data and storing the first and second data in a memory module; and

providing at least one of the first data and second data to the game console for simulation of the object, wherein the game console is capable of simulating said motion of the object, including the hang-time and at least one of the spatial orientation or movement of the object, in a game environment.

11. The method according to claim 10, farther comprising characterizing at least one of the first data and the second data as a relevant data for use in the game console.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising time stamping at least one of the first data and the second data.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the time stamping allows for simulation of the object in the game console according to a temporal order.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the time stamping is performed on an hang-time event by hang-time event basis.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein the time stamping is performed on a run-by-run basis, wherein a run comprises at least one hang-time event.

16. A method for gathering, recording, and providing data about an object to a game console for simulation of the object in the game console, comprising:

gathering a first set of data using an accelerometer configured to measure the static acceleration of the object for use in determining a hang-time of the object during a hang-time event;

gathering a second set of data using a data gathering device comprising at least one of (a) a digital compass, and (b) an altimeter, wherein the data gathering device is configured to measure a spatial movement of the object;

recording at least one of the first and second sets of data;

providing at least one of first and second sets of data to a the game console for simulation of the object, in a game environment; and

evaluating at least one of the first gat-a and second sets of data for a score assignment.

17. A method for gathering, recording, and providing data about an object to a game console for simulation of the object in the game console, comprising:

gathering a first set of data using an accelerometer configured to measure the static acceleration of the object for use in determining a hang-time of the object during a hang-time event;

gathering a second set of data using a data gathering device comprising at least one of (a) a digital compass, and (b) an altimeter, wherein the data gathering device is configured to measure a spatial movement of the object;

recording at least one of the first and second sets of data;

providing at least one of first and second sets of data to a the game console for simulation of the object, in a game environment; and

comparing at least one of the first gat-a and second sets of data to another set of data associated with another object.

18. A method for gathering, recording, and providing data about an object to a game console for simulation of the object in the game console, comprising:

gathering a first set of data using an accelerometer configured to measure the static acceleration of the object for use in determining a hang-time of the object during a hang-time event;

gathering a second set of data using a data gathering device comprising at least one of (a) a digital compass, and (b) an altimeter, wherein the data gathering device is configured to measure a spatial movement of the object;

recording at least one of the first and second sets of data;

providing at least one of first and second sets of data to a the game console for simulation of the object, in a game environment; and

gathering, recording, and providing another data set about another object, and providing the another data set to the game console for simulation, in a game environment.