Target interface

• US 8,827,804 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2012
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Woodard, Bruce, Jobe, Dylan
• Primary Examiner(s): Pandya, Sunit
• Application Number:
  US13/540,841
• Publication Number:
  US 20120322523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 463 1- 2, 463/5, 463/8, 463 30- 34, 463/37, 463/43, 463 46- 57, 345113-118, 345126-127, 345133-135, 345418-427, 345440-443
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• 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 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/422 automatically for the purpose of assisting the player, e.g. automatic braking in a driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5372 for tagging characters, objects or locations in the game scene, e.g. displaying a circle under the character controlled by the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/803 Driving vehicles or craft, e.g. cars, airplanes, ships, robots or tanks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/306 for displaying a marker associated to an object or location in the game field
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6054 by generating automatically game commands to assist the player, e.g. automatic braking in a driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8017 Driving on land or water; Flying
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8076 Shooting

Abstract

A system for targeting and attack of one or more enemies in a game environment is provided. A player may designate an enemy or enemies on a display screen as a target and subsequently initiate an attack of the targeted enemy or enemies. The display allows for flexibility in choosing which enemies to attack.

Claims

1. A method for targeting, the method comprising:

executing instructions stored in memory, wherein execution of the instructions by a processor;

generates a display of a game environment, the game environment display includes a plurality of candidate objects,

determines a target range and a targeting factor of a selected weapon, wherein the plurality of candidate objects have different levels of the targeting factor,

generates a target display within the game environment, the target display associated with the selected weapon and which set of the candidate objects are within the target range, and

continues to orient the game environment based on player input via a controller device, wherein orientation comprises updating the target display to indicate a different set of candidate objects within the target range; and

receiving a target lock signal from the player via the controller device, wherein a current set of candidate objects in the game environment is identified as subject to attack by the selected weapon; and

automatically commencing attack on the current set of candidate objects identified by the target display as subject to attack by the selected weapon, wherein attack occurs in an order based on the targeting factor of the selected weapon and the different levels of the targeting factor in the candidate objects of the current set, and wherein the candidate objects are attacked in the order proceeding from a highest level of the targeting factor to a lowest level of the targeting factor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the target display comprises a target range indicator indicating a size of an area that can be targeted by the selected weapon.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the target display comprises an attack range indicator indicating a distance that can be targeted by the selected weapon.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein orientation of the game environment is based on data generated by an accelerometer associated with the controller device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein orientation of the game environment is based on data generated by a tilt sensor associated with the controller device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein orientation of the game environment is based on data generated by a gyroscope associated with the controller device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein orientation of the game environment is based on data tracked by an image capture device associated with the controller device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein orientation of the game environment is based on audio pulses emitted at the controller device and tracked by an audio receiver.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein orientation of the game environment is based on detecting and mapping control gestures.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an indicator of a charge status for the selected weapon.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an indicator of accuracy for the selected weapon.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a weapons indicator indicating another weapon that is available for selection or an ammunition indicator indicating an amount and type of ammunition available for the selected weapon.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating an overview map indicating a position of an objective target in the game environment with respect to a position of a character associated with the player in the game environment.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein a shape, size, or color of the target display associated with the objective target varies based on a nature, importance, or status of the objective target.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeting factor is based on intelligence of the selected weapon.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the targeting factor is selected from the group consisting of proximity to a character associated with the player, current damage, current priority, current threat level, or heat emitted.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the target display further indicates whether one or more of the candidate objects are at least partially occluded by a non-candidate object in the game environment.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a shape, size, or color of the target display indicative of occlusion is based on the selected weapon.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the target display further indicates defenses of one or more candidate objects.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, having embodied thereon a program executable by a processor to perform a method for targeting, the method comprising:

generating a display of a game environment, the game environment display includes a plurality of candidate objects;

determining a target range and a targeting factor of a selected weapon, wherein the plurality of candidate objects have different levels of the targeting factor,

generating a target display within the game environment, the target display associated with the selected weapon and which set of the candidate objects are within the target range;

continuing to orient the game environment based on player input via a controller device, wherein orientation comprises updating the target display to indicate a different set of candidate objects within the target range;

receiving a target lock signal from the player via the controller device, wherein a current set of candidate objects in the game environment is identified as subject to attack by the selected weapon; and

automatically commencing attack on the current set of candidate objects identified by the target display as subject to attack by the selected weapon, wherein attack occurs in an order based on the targeting factor of the selected weapon and the different levels of the targeting factor in the candidate objects of the current set, and wherein the candidate objects are attacked in the order proceeding from a highest level of the targeting factor to a lowest level of the targeting factor.