Interactive System Incorporating Emission and Detection of Unique Identification Signals to Identify and Differentiate One or More Users in the Interactive System

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to the tracking, identification, and differentiation of one or more unique indicator signals in a gaming or other interactive system.

BACKGROUND

In certain gaming or other interactive environments, a player or user may utilize a device that emits a laser signal to indicate where their device is aimed. For example, in a police simulator, a firearm may emit a laser signal on a screen, and that laser signal indicates x and y coordinates of where the firearm is directed and the timing of fire. The system may then utilize a camera to detect the signal and processors to determine where the signal is aimed and determine if it hits the intended target. Until now, however, there has been no way for multiple users to utilize the system simultaneously and independently track, identify, or differentiate multiple users at the same time.

The present invention utilizes pulsation or modulation of the emitted laser signal to create a unique identification code signal, and a detection and processing system to recognize the unique identification code signal. Because each emitted laser beam has its own unique identification code signal, the system is able to differentiate and track different users, and recognize different outcomes of the interactive event and produce corresponding responses, Results, and credits. Notably, the laser signal may be of a frequency that is either visible (resulting in a dot where it is aimed) or invisible (giving no visible indication to a user of where the signal is aimed), which may be detected by one or more cameras.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an interactive gaming system wherein an interactive game or program is projected or displayed on a surface. The emitting device (100) emits a modulated or pulsated signal (200) at the display screen (300) resulting in a visible or invisible laser dot at a particular x, y location, having a unique identifying signal. A camera (400) determines the identification by measuring the timing of the pulse encoded signal as well as the coordinates. The Camera then transmits corresponding data to a computer server (500) containing a data storage device (510) and controller (520) for processing the data generated in the context of a gamming program, to render a response as part of the interactive gaming system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of different types of pulsated or modulated signals to be used for unique identifiers, including pulse duration modulation (201) and pulse positional modulation.

FIG. 3 illustrates the emitting device (100) comprising a power supply (110), a laser diode (120), a fixed or programmable circuit (130) for controlling and modulating the laser diode (120), and a trigger (140) for activating the emission of the laser diode (120).

FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of an emitting device (100) comprising at least two LED light sources (150 and 160) having different colors that can be detected by one or more cameras to determine orientation in 3-dimensional space.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to an improved system for tracking and differentiating between one or more users of an interactive environment utilizing the emission of varying forms of light, whereby a user employs an emitting device that emits a beam of light (e.g., a laser beam of visible or invisible frequencies) exhibiting a pulse modulation with encoding unique to that particular user. The user can progress through an interactive gaming environment and aim and fire their emitting device at various targets. A camera or system of cameras can detect the location of the emitted beam of light and transmit that data corresponding to the location, timing, and unique identification sequence of the light beam to a computer system. The computer system is capable of determining if the emitted beam of light hit a particular target, and based on the unique identifying signal, determine which user hit the target and differentiate the result from other users having different unique signals. The system is also capable of accounting for score or other similar data based on success or failure in accomplishing certain tasks or hitting certain targets.

Each light emitting device (100) may be assigned a unique identification signal, which is unique to that device (100). As a result, the system can recognize and differentiate the device by its independent, unique identification signal. This allows for the system to allocate score and results to each individual user.

The signal emitted by the device may either be hardwired into the device, such that the device always emits the same unique signal. In another embodiment, an individual user may have an independent component that contains a unique identifier signal (such as a bullet) that can be added to the emitting device (such as a bullet placed in the chamber of a firearm).

The unique identifying signal associated with a signal emitting device may be assigned to and correlated with an individual user or player, such that the gaming system will track and recognize that user in association with the unique identifying signal. This may allow the player to track their progress or score, and permit associated game play responses and interactions.

The device may take a variety of forms, such as a blaster, a firearm or gun, a wand, a glove, and other similar items.

In a preferred embodiment, each emitting device is pre-programmed to emit a beam of light having a unique signal in the form of pulse modulation (e.g., a binary code or morse-like code). For example, the beam of light may have a signal comprising a series of on/off signals that create a unique patterns for identification. For example, one device having a signal of on-on-off-on can be differentiated from a device having a signal of on-off-on-on.

With reference to FIG. 2, the differentiated signals can take a variety of forms, including but not limited to pulse duration modulation or pulse positional modulation. As an example depicted in FIG. 2, a pulse of 10 msec on followed by 5 msec off can represent a 1, whereas a pulse of 5 msec on followed by 5 msec off can represent a 0. Using this format, an exemplary signal can be represented by a pulsation resulting in a code of 11100100, which may be associated with a particular user.

In one embodiment, the light signal may have a leader sequence to indicate to the system that it should monitor for a unique sequence.

The camera (400) is capable of detecting at least the x and y coordinates (and possibly z coordinates) of the light signals emitted by the one or more light emitting devices, as well as the unique modulated or pulsated light sequence or code emitted by the light emitting devices. In a preferred embodiment, the camera (400) is capable of detecting at least 200 frames per second.

A transmitter associated with the camera (400) transmits one or more signals corresponding to the coordinate and timing data detected by the camera to the computer system.

The emitting device can incorporate a transmitter that emits additional location signals, such as RFID, GPS, or other location signals, indicating the physical location and/or positioning of the emitting device in the environment. May also optionally include motion sensors, tilt sensors, gyroscopes or the like to detect motion of the emitting device.

In another embodiment, the emitting device (100) can incorporate two different lights, including LED lights, of different colors or frequencies that can be detected and distinguished from each other by one or more cameras. The detection of the relative location of these lights can be used to determine the orientation of the emitting device in 3-dimentsional space.

The computer system can utilize the on-screen X-Y coordinate data and the optional location of the emitting device to determine the path and trajectory of the laser signal, which may be used to determine response (i.e., enemies returning fire from the source of the laser signal).

In another embodiment, the system comprises a calibration mode, whereby the system allows and accounts for the detection of the stretch and spread of the surfaces of the interactive system. This ensures the accurate detection of the x, y, and/or z coordinates of the light signal.

Herein, “or” is inclusive and not exclusive, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A or B” means “A, B, or both,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Moreover, “and” is both joint and several, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A and B” means “A and B, jointly or severally,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context.

The scope of this disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments described or illustrated herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. The scope of this disclosure is not limited to the example embodiments described or illustrated herein. Moreover, although this disclosure describes and illustrates respective embodiments herein as including particular components, elements, feature, functions, operations, or steps, any of these embodiments may include any combination or permutation of any of the components, elements, features, functions, operations, or steps described or illustrated anywhere herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Furthermore, reference in the appended claims to an apparatus or system or a component of an apparatus or system being adapted to, arranged to, capable of, configured to, enabled to, operable to, or operative to perform a particular function encompasses that apparatus, system, component, whether or not it or that particular function is activated, turned on, or unlocked, as long as that apparatus, system, or component is so adapted, arranged, capable, configured, enabled, operable, or operative. Additionally, although this disclosure describes or illustrates particular embodiments as providing particular advantages, particular embodiments may provide none, some, or all of these advantages.