Patent ID: 7963833
Filing Date: 2011-06-21
Classification: A63F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for targeting an object with a virtual gun in a gaming system used by a game player, comprising: receiving a soft lock command from the game player; and applying a soft lock with the virtual gun to at least a portion of an object, wherein applying the soft lock includes designating an action site on the at least a portion of the object that was proximate to an aiming reference of the virtual gun when the soft lock was commanded, the action site being at least proximate to where a game action will occur if the game action is commanded, wherein the aiming reference can be moved away from the at least a portion of the object after the soft lock is applied while the action site automatically remains on the at least a portion of the object without further action from the game player, wherein the game player may disengage the soft lock from the at least a portion of the object without the game action occurring, and wherein the action site is removed from the at least a portion of the object when the soft lock is disengaged.