US 5,239,463 AGranted

Method and apparatus for player interaction with animated characters and objects

OwnerPreston E. Blair, Frank S. Prestoninventors

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Abstract

An improved video system that enables a player to interact with mid-air stereo perception images of foreshortened perspective animation and return the animation back to the playing field on the projection screen or monitor, or to effect other interactive dramatics with the animation. The improvements include placing an ultrasonic transducer on the player's body for allowing the player's position to be calculated and providing the player with a pair of glasses that improve 3-D viewing of the animation. The animation reacts according to the movement of an instrument such as a baseball bat, a tennis racket or a rifle controlled by the player, as well as to the speed and direction of the player's body movement. The relative positions of the player's body, the instrument and the animation are tracked with an array of point microphones that receive signals from the ultrasonic transducers.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An interactive video game system providing repeated switching of multiple tracks of animated action sequences displayed on viewing media before a player and providing interactive dramatics between the animated action sequences and the player, said video system comprising:

first storage means for storing multiple tracks of data representing animated visual image sequences corresponding to playing action in preselected games, said data including coded frames for track switching and rewinding thereof and coded coordinates of animation locations;
video switching means coupled to said storage means for switching said multiple tracks of animation;
first player input means including a playing instrument having a first transducer installed therein for transmitting a first position signal;
second player input means including a second transducer, said second transducer worn by said player during said game action, said second transducer for transmitting a second position signal;
detection means for detecting said first transmitted position signal and generating instrument position signals representative of the coordinates of said playing instrument with respect to a currently displayed visual image and for detecting said second transmitted position signal and generating player position signals representative of the coordinates of said player with respect to the location of said detection means;
processor means coupled to said video switching means and said detection means, said processor means responsive to said instrument position signal and said player position for comparing said instrument position signals to said coded coordinates of a preselected currently displayed visual image location and generating selection signals derived therefrom, said video switching means responsive to said selection signals for selecting and switching to a next successive track of animated visual image sequences for display before said player;
calculating means coupled to said detection means and to said processor means responsive to said transmitted first and second position signals to generate velocity signals indicative of said playing instrument and said player velocity vectors for providing said selection signals based on said velocity vectors in combination with said instrument an said player position signals to effect the selection of said next successive tracks by said player's actions in response to a currently displayed video image sequence;
and
display means coupled to said video switching means for displaying said selected tracks of animated video image sequences.

6 more elements

first storage means for storing multiple tracks of data representing animated visual image sequence corresponding to playing action in preselected games, said data including coded frames for track switching and rewinding thereof and coded coordinates of animation locations;
video switching means coupled to said storage means for switching said multiple tracks of animation;
first player input means including a playing instrument having a first transducer installed therein for transmitting a first position signal;
second player input means including a second transducer, said second transducer worn by said player during said game action, said second transducer for transmitting a second position signal;
detection means for detecting said first transmitted position signal and generating instrument position signals representative of the coordinates of said playing instrument with respect to a currently displayed visual image and for detecting said second transmitted position signal and generating player position signals representative of the coordinates of said player with respect to the location of said detection means;
processor means coupled to said video switching means and said detection means, said processor means responsive to said instrument position signal and said player position signal for comparing said instrument position signals to said coded coordinates of a preselected currently displayed visual image location and generating selection signals derived therefrom, said video switching means responsive to said selection signals for selecting and switching to a next successive track of animated visual image sequences for display before said player;
said playing instrument including a rifle, said rifle having a pair of transducers installed therein, one disposed at the distal end of the barrel and the other disposed approximate the end of the barrel adjacent the rifle stock, said processor means including claculator means coupled to said detection means and responsive to said transmitted position signals for calculating the respective locations of said transducers and the intersection point of a line projecting through both said pair of transducers with said video display with respect to said currently displayed video image;
and
display means coupled to said video switching means for displaying said selected tracks of animated video image sequences.

6 more elements

An interactive video game system providing repeated switching of multiple tracks of animated action sequence displayed on viewing media before a player and providing interactive dramatics between the animated action sequences and the player, said video system comprising:

first storage means for storing multiple tracks of data representing animated visual image sequences corresponding to playing action in preselected games, said data including coded frames for track switching and rewinding thereof and coded coordinates of animation locations;
video switching means coupled to said storage means for switching said multiple tracks of animation;
first player input means including a playing instrument having a first transducer installed therein for transmitting a first position signal;
second player input means including a second transducer, said second transducer worn by said player during said game action, said second transducer for transmitting a second position signal;
detection means for detecting said first transmitted position signal and generating instrument position signals representative of the coordinates of said playing instrument with respect to a currently displayed visual image and for detecting said second transmitted position signal and generating player position signals representative of the coordinates of said player with respect to the location of said detection means;
processor means coupled to said video switching means and said detection means, said processor means responsive to said instrument position signal and said player position signal for comparing said instrument position signals to said coded coordinates of a preselected currently displayed visual image location and generating selection signals derived therefrom, said video switching means responsive to said selection signals for selecting and switching to a next successive track of animated visual image sequences for display before said player;
display means coupled to said video switching means for displaying said selected tracks of animated video image sequences;
stereographic projection means including:
multiple tracks of stored data representing a left field of view and a right field of view of said animated visual image sequences;
said display means including means for displaying said left and right fields of view as distinguishable displays;
and
filter means coupling to said display means for displaying said left field of view to said player's left eye and said right field of view to said player's right eye.

9 more elements

first storage means for storing multiple tracks of data representing animated visual image sequences corresponding to playing action in preselected games, said data including coded frames for track switching and rewinding thereof and coded coordinates of animation locations;
video switching means coupled to said storage means for switching said multiple tracks of animation;
first player input means including a playing instrument having a first transducer installed therein for transmitting a first position signal;
second player input means including a second transducer, said second transducer worn by said player during said game action, said second transducer for transmitting a second position signal;
detection means for detecting said first transmitted position signal and generating instrument position signals representative of the coordinates of said playing instrument with respect to a currently displayed visual image and for detecting said second transmitted position signal and generating player position signals representative of the coordinates of said player with respect to the location of said detection means;
processor means coupled to said video switching means and said detection means, said processor means responsive to said instrument position signal and said player position signal for comparing said instrument position signals to said coded coordinates of a preselected currently displayed visual image location and generating selection signals derived therefrom, said video switching means responsive to said selection signals for selecting and switching to a next successive track of animated visual image sequences for display before said player;
said multiple tracks of data including multiple tracks of data representing visual image sequences of live action;
and
display means coupled to said video switching means for displaying said selected tracks of animated video image sequences.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/804,320Filed 9 Dec 1991 · division
Priority: 4 Aug 1988
Granted: 24 Aug 1993
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification20 codes

A63F 13/215
Characterised by their sensors, purposes or types: comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
A63F 13/428
By mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual…:…
A63F 13/245
Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles: specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g.…
A63F 13/80
Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions: special adaptations for executing a specific game…