Devices, systems, and methods for games, sports, entertainment and other activities of engagement

• US 9,285,241 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2012
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellisys Group LLC
• Original Assignee: Intellisys Group LLC
• Inventors: Rogel, Lawrence S., Ossenmacher, Jason J., Williams, Jon, Witmer, David, Garcia, Matt
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano, Edward
• Application Number:
  US13/565,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20130083941A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,320 Days
• Field of Search: 734/321, 734/88, 734/89, 734/95, 735/10, 738/654, 738/658, 738/659, 738/663, 273/440, 273/454, 340/384.1, 340/500, 340/540, 340/665, 381/86, 463/1, 463/7, 702/1, 702/33, 702/41, 702/127, 702/150, 702/182, 702/187, 702/189, 708/100, 708/105, 708/200
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/00 Measuring for diagnostic purposes radiation diagnosis A61B6/00; diagnosis by ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves A61B8/00; Identification of persons
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0093 for surfing, i.e. without a sail; for skate or snow boarding
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/0006 Accessories
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/01 Skateboards A63C17/02 - A63C17/28 take precedence; rolling devices on skis A63C5/035
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/26 with special auxiliary arrangements, e.g. illuminating, marking, or push-off devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/18 Measuring a physical parameter, e.g. speed, distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/24 Processing or storing data, e.g. with electronic chip
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 19/5776 Signal processing not specific to any of the devices covered by groups G01C19/5607 - G01C19/5719
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 23/00 Combined instruments indicating more than one navigational value, e.g. for aircraft; Combined measuring devices for measuring two or more variables of movement, e.g. distance, speed or acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 15/18 in two or more dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/40 Data acquisition and logging for input to computer G06F3/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: G16Z 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other main groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/02 Casings; Cabinets ; Supports therefor; Mountings therein H04R1/28 takes precedence ; attachments for microphones H04R1/08; mounting of transducers in earpieces H04R1/1075
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 5/033 Headphones for stereophonic communication details thereof, e.g. relating to batteries, cables or control elements H04R1/10

Abstract

Devices, systems, and methods according to one such aspect of the invention comprises (i) a sensing device that is attached (or otherwise coupled) to a skateboard and that measures a physical characteristic of it and/or of its environment, (ii) an audio output device, and (iii) a digital data processor that is communicatively coupled to the audio output device and the sensor. The digital data processor drives the audio output device to effect one or more selected sounds (e.g., to prompt the user to perform a selected action). The digital data processor, further, and monitors the sensing device to identify user actions in response to those sounds and drives the audio output device to effect still further sounds based on those actions.

Claims

1. A system for skateboarding, comprising

A. a skateboard,

B. a sensing device that is attached or otherwise coupled to the skateboard and that measures a physical characteristic of it and/or of its environment,

C. an audio output device,

D. a digital data processor that is communicatively coupled to the audio output device and the sensor, wherein the digital data processor drives the audio output device to effect one or more selected sounds and, further, monitors the sensing device to identify operator actions in response to those sounds and drives the audio output device to effect still further sounds based on those actions,

E. the digital data processor drives the audio output to effect a virtual sound space, and

F. the digital data processor drives the audio output to effect the virtual sound space in which at least one of players, characters, obstacles, scenery, an actor representing the skateboard operator, his/her game status, and skateboard movements (or other interactions) with the foregoing are represented to the operator by sounds.

2. The system of claim 1, in which the operator effects those movements and interactions by moving and/or performing tricks (or feats) with that skateboard in the real and physical space surrounding him/her.

3. The system of claim 1, in which the digital data processor drives the audio output to effect the virtual sound space as a function of scripts, guidelines, programming or other rules (collectively, “

rules”

) and/or data that define (a) define a game, sport, entertainment activity, training exercise or other endeavor for which the skateboard is being used.

4. The system of claim 1, in which the digital data processor drives the audio output device to effect sounds of approval/disapproval or degrees thereof.

5. The system of claim 1, in which the digital data processor drives the audio output device to simulate sounds of an object near or far from the operator and/or moving relative thereto.

6. The system of claim 1, in which the digital data processor determines whether the operator moved in a prescribed manner relative to the simulated object.

7. The system of claim 1, in which the digital data processor determines whether the operator performed a trick or other action on the skateboard that is interpreted as touching, capturing, shooting, freeing, or taking some other action with respect to the simulated object.

8. The system of claim 1, in which the digital data processor drives the audio output device simulate sounds of an object that is imaginary.

9. The system of claim 1, in which the digital data processor drives the audio output device simulate sounds of an object whose position and/or actions are based on a real-world object.

10. The system of claim 1, in which the digital data processor drives the audio output to effect the virtual sound space as a function of scripts, guidelines, programming or other rules (collectively, “

rules”

) and/or data.

11. The system of claim 10, in which the operator effects those movements and interactions by moving and/or performing tricks (or feats) with that skateboard in the real and physical space surrounding him/her.

12. The system of claim 1, in which the digital data processor drives the audio output to effect sounds defining at least a portion of the virtual sound space in a vicinity of an actor representing the skateboard and/or its operator.

13. The system of claim 12, in which the digital data processor drives the audio output to effect sounds reflecting the skateboard operator'"'"'s (and/or the skateboard'"'"'s) interaction with that virtual sound space.

14. The system of claim 1, in which the digital data processor drives the audio output to effect a voice.

15. The system of claim 14, in which the voice commands the skateboard operator to take a particular action.

16. A system for skateboarding, surfboarding, snowboarding, skiing, rollerblading, or other game or sport and/or training therefor, comprising

A. any of a skateboard, surfboard, snowboard, ski, rollerblade boot, or other apparatus for game or sport (collectively, “

game/sport object”

)

B. a sensing device that is attached or otherwise coupled to the game/sport object and that measures a physical characteristic of it and/or of its environment,

C. an audio output device, and

D. a digital data processor that is communicatively coupled to the audio output device and the sensor, wherein the digital data processor drives the audio output device to effect one or more selected sounds and, further, monitors the sensing device to identify operator actions in response to those sounds and drives the audio output device to effect still further sounds based on those actions,

E. the digital data processor drives the audio output to effect a virtual sound space, and

F. the digital data processor drives the audio output to effect the virtual sound space in which at least one of players, characters, obstacles, scenery, an actor representing the game/sports object operator, his/her game status, and game/sports object movements (or other interactions) with the foregoing are represented to the operator by sounds.

17. A system for game, sports, entertainment or other endeavor, comprising

A. an object,

B. a sensing device that is attached or otherwise coupled to the object and that measures a physical characteristic of it and/or of its environment,

C. an audio output device, and

D. a digital data processor that is communicatively coupled to the audio output device and the sensor, wherein the digital data processor drives the audio output device to effect one or more selected sounds and, further, monitors the sensing device to identify operator actions in response to those sounds and drives the audio output device to effect still further sounds based on those actions,

E. the digital data processor drives the audio output to effect virtual sound space, and

F. the digital data processor drives the audio output to effect the virtual sound space in which at least one of players, characters, obstacles, scenery, an actor representing the object operator, his/her game status, and object movements (or other interactions) with the foregoing are represented to the operator sounds.