Abstract:
An electronic tag game includes a system having magnetic field sensors that are to be worn by a player of the electronic tag game. The magnetic field sensors are configured to detect a change in the local magnetic field. The magnetic field sensors may be in operable communication with one another and are configured to send a signal reporting a change in the local magnetic field to a controller which may be communication with electronic device such as a smart phone or the like. The local magnetic field may be altered by one or more devices configured for creating a change in the local magnetic field. For example a spherical projectile or hand-held object may be provided and include a magnet that is configured to alter the magnetic field around the magnetic field sensors when a player wearing the magnetic field sensor is struck with the projectile.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/804,177, filed on Mar. 21, 2013 and entitled “Device and Method for Sensing Magnetized Objects for an Electronic Tag Game,” the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention generally relates to electronic tag games and more particularly to a system and method for carrying out an electronic tag game. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Electronic and other types of tag games have existed for a number of years. For example, games such as laser tag have experienced substantial popularity and involve the use of an optical signal transmitted by a device or weapon and received by sensors worn by an opponent. The receipt of the transmission may then be recorded electronically to signify that the opponent has been hit or tagged by the transmitting party. 
         [0006]    Another type of tag game known in the art is paintball. In paintball, opponents fire paint-filled projectiles at one another. Once a player is hit, the projectile leaves behind a paint spot signifying that the player has been “damaged” or eliminated from the competition. 
         [0007]    Such tag games suffer from a number of known disadvantages. Paintball, and other projectile based games, do not provide unambiguous evidence that a player has been tagged. It is often up to the participants themselves to score the game with honesty or integrity; such a limitation often requires the game to be refereed by an official. In addition, paintballs are inherently massive, causing significant discomfort to the players on impact. Paintballs leave behind spots of paint, which may be unpleasant and aesthetically unpleasing, and require that the games be played in areas where such paint spatter is acceptable, thus reducing the number of available places for gameplay, and increasing the effort for cleanup. Further, paintball requires the purchase of disposable ammunition, which can make repeated play expensive and even cost-prohibitive. Projectile based tag games, such as paintball, lack many of the advantages of electronic type games like laser tag. The inability to track scoring automatically and communicate digitally between players limits available gameplay options. By employing electronics, new dimensions of interaction are available to the players such as automatic scoring, more diverse gameplay options, interactions with the gaming environment, and instant communication of player status to other players in the game. 
         [0008]    Existing electronic tag games lack a projectile or other object configured to hit the players. This is disadvantageous as it affects the realism associated with such games that is often desired by the players. In addition, existing electronic tag games are not able to simulate combat with hand to hand weapons such as swords and shields, limiting the types of gameplay that can be employed on those systems. Another limitation of electronic tag games, such as laser tag, is the inability to localize the point of impact on the player. The sensing system is unable to differentiate, for example, a tag on the abdomen and a tag on the chest due to the spread of the laser beam and limited number of sensors worn by the player. Knowing such information enables more accurate and realistic combat simulation. 
         [0009]    The need therefore exists to provide an electronic tag game that overcomes one or more of the foregoing disadvantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, an electronic tag game according to the present invention comprises a system including one or more magnetic field sensors, which may be in the form of wire coils, Hall Effect sensors, or the like. The magnetic field sensors are configured to be worn by the players of the electronic tag game. For example, the sensors may be coupled to a support apparatus such as a wearable suit or may be provided as patches, straps, belts, gloves, or other such items configured to be coupled with a player&#39;s body during gameplay. The sensors may be configured, to be operably networked with one another such that a change in the local magnetic field of one of the sensors affects the output of the other magnetic sensors networked therewith. The local magnetic field around the sensors may be changed by one or more projectiles or other objects, including, for example, a rare earth magnet disposed therein or provided thereon, or the inducement of a magnetic field by the movement of electric charge. The sensors are in communication with a controller, such as a microcontroller or integrated circuit, which monitors signals from the sensors. When the local magnetic field is changed by the striking of one of the sensors with a projectile or similar device, a signal is communicated to the microcontroller, which executes a computer program and may be configured to provide an indication of such a change in the local magnetic field by sounding an audible alarm, vibrating an element coupled to the player, or illuminating a lighting element such as an LED or the like. 
         [0011]    In one construction of the system of the present invention, an electronic device such as, for example, a smart phone, may be incorporated into the system. For instance, the smart phone may be worn by the players and configured to communicate with the microcontroller to provide the player with real-time gameplay information. For example, the electronic device may have a graphical user interface that provides the player with information relating to his or her relatives “health” status relating to the gameplay or that of other players on his or her team. The graphical user interface of the electronic device may also indicate which players have been eliminated from competition and may alternatively provide information about the opposition&#39;s players as desired. Any number of alternative data may be provided by the electronic device. 
         [0012]    In at least one construction of the present invention, the local magnetic field of the magnetic field sensors may be altered by one or more different types of projectiles. For instance, projectiles such as polymer covered spheres and darts may be utilized and include rare earth magnets and close within the polymer covering and may be configured to alter the magnetic field of the magnetic field sensors when coming into contact therewith. In yet another construction of the present invention, the device may be in the form of a hand-held simulated weapon such as a sword or the like. The sword may include a handle graspable by the user and may incorporate a blade that is relatively durable yet soft and configured with one or more magnets along a length thereof, in the same manner in which the projectiles may alter the magnetic field of the sensors, the sword may do the same. Alternatively, such an instrument may incorporate a device designed to emit an electromagnetic signal which can activate the magnetic field sensor. 
         [0013]    The present invention also contemplates a method of playing electronic tag game. The method includes providing at least one magnetic field sensor that has a local magnetic field. The local magnetic field of magnetic field sensors is monitored by a controller, such as a microcontroller. When the local magnetic field is altered, a signal indicating the status of the local magnetic field is sent to the controller. The method may further incorporate the step of transmitting a signal from the controller to an electronic device, such as a smart phone as previously described. The method may also include the step of altering the local magnetic field with one or more projectiles and/or a device may be configured to alter the magnetic field by bringing a magnet into close proximity with the sensors. The method may also include the step of indicating a change in a local magnetic field by the sounding of an audible alarm, illuminating a light source, and/or vibrating a portion of the system coupled to a player wearing the sensor. 
         [0014]    The system may further comprise networking the magnetic field sensors with a plurality of additional magnetic field sensors such that all of the sensors worn by a particular user are in operable communication with one another. The method may also comprise providing a wearable suit outfitted with a plurality of magnetic field sensors. In an alternative construction, rather than in a wearable suit, the plurality of magnetic field sensors may be incorporated into patches and/or other wearable items such that the players are outfitted with sensors over a desired portion of his or her body. The method may also include the step of providing one or more projectiles and/or devices incorporating a magnet, or device designed to emit electromagnetic radiation, configured to alter the local magnetic field. 
         [0015]    Various other features, embodiments, and alternatives of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications could be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a preferred schematic diagram of a suit outfitted with a number of sensors as part of a system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a portion of the system of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a schematic of a portion of the system of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4A  is a schematic of an exemplary magnetic device for use with the system of the preferred embodiments; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4B  is a schematic of another exemplary magnetic device for use with the system of the preferred embodiments; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 4C  is a schematic of yet another exemplary magnetic device for use with the system of the preferred embodiments. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Referring now to the figures, and initially  FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a system  20  in accordance with the invention includes a number of sensors  22  operably coupled to a support apparatus, which is shown in the form of a wearable suit  24 . Understandably, the support apparatus may include in addition to or alternatively patches, straps, belts, gloves, pads, and the like. The sensors  22  may be in the form of wire coils or hall sensors, for example. In particular, the sensors  22  are configured to detect changes in the local magnetic field. The system  20  may comprise a plurality of suits  24  networked together via a wireless network as will be described herein. The sensors  22  may be in operable communication with an electronic device  26  such as, for example, a smartphone or similar type of device capable of receive communications from the sensors  22  and operating an associated application therefor as will be described in detail herein. The sensors  22  may be spaced from one another about the entirety of the suit  24  in a desired manner to maximize coverage thereof. Alternatively, the sensors may be configured to overlap one another such that the entirety of the suit  24  is covered by at least one of the sensors  22 . The sensors  22  may be configured to be networked with respect to one another. In at least one construction of the preferred embodiments, the sensors  22  may be configured to inductively charge the battery provided within the sensor  22 , thereby eliminating the need to physically connect to an external power supply. 
         [0024]    The suits  24  may be constructed in a number of different configurations in keeping with the preferred embodiments. In particular, the suits  24  may be in the form of a one-piece body covering constructed from a relatively durable and impact-resistant material. Alternatively, the suits  24  may be in the form of a number of patches configured to cover particular body areas. The suits  24  may incorporate head gear configured to cover the participants head and may likewise include sensors  22  configured to communicate with the electronic device  26 . The suits  24  may likewise incorporate gloves, shoes, neck coverings, or any other suitable body covering as may be desired. 
         [0025]    As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the system  20  includes three suits  24  worn by players of an electronic combat game that will be described herein. Sensors  22  of the suits  24  are in operable communication with one another and with the electronic device  26  such that changes in the local magnetic field are detected by the sensors  22  and transmitted via a wired connection or wirelessly from the sensors  22  to the electronic devices  26 . Moreover, the electronic devices  26  are in wireless communication with one another such that the wearer of one suit may be informed of the status of the wearers of the other suits  24 . In at least one construction of the present invention, electronic devices  26  are configured to be carried on the user&#39;s wrist and/or elsewhere on the user&#39;s body and display and track data and vital statistics relating to gameplay. For example, the electronic device  26  may be configured to display the number of active players, the number of total players, and an individual&#39;s health status as it pertains to damage inflicted during gameplay, a player&#39;s location, other players&#39; locations, and the like. The electronic device  26  may further comprise a graphical user interface of the kind generally known in the art. The electronic device  26  may further include a number of sensors and/or components that may be utilized in practicing the present invention. For example, such electronic devices  26  may include a camera, compass, GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RFID, and NFC sensors. 
         [0026]    With additional reference now to FIG,  2 , a block diagram of the system  20  according to the invention is illustrated. As previously indicated, at least two different methods of detecting a change in the local magnetic field are contemplated in carrying out the preferred embodiments. In particular, the present invention contemplates measuring the voltage induced on a coiled wire or by observing the Hall Effect by utilizing integrated circuits. In the case of the former, i.e., the use of a coiled wire, as the signal produced is analog in nature and the system  20  of the present invention requires a digital signal, additional processing may be necessary. Understandably, the integrated circuits for detecting the Hall Effect may similarly have an analog output that may require additional signal processing. 
         [0027]    Accordingly, when a change in the signal is detected by one of the sensors  22  in a first step  28 , the analog signal produced thereby may be sent to an analog filter  30  in a second step  32  wherein any noise may be filtered out of the signal. Next, in a third step  34 , the signal is converted to a digital signal by comparator  36  as will be described hereinafter. Understandably, any number of alternative methods of converting an analog signal to a digital signal may be utilized such as replacing the comparator  36  with an operational amplifier or the like. Finally, the digital signal is sent to a microcontroller  38  in a fourth step  40 . The microcontroller may be in operable communication with an LED, speaker, or other output device  42  to provide a visual or auditory signal when the signal detected by the sensors indicates a change to the local magnetic field. In a preferred embodiment, the output device  42  provides both an auditory and visual signal when the magnetic field. is triggered. The system  20  may further comprise an on-off switch  44  and the sensors  22  may be operated off of a battery  46  in operable communication with the on-off switch  44 . In a preferred construction of the invention, each microcontroller  38  is configured to accommodate a number of sensors  22 . Further, a number of microcontrollers  38  may be provided in a networked configuration to thereby increase the sampling rate and minimize the amount of wiring needed to connect the sensors  22  in an operable manner. 
         [0028]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , an electrical schematic of an exemplary embodiment of a sensor  22  of system  20  according to the invention is illustrated. The inductive coil of the sensor  22  is connected in series with a first resistor  48  to the inverting input of an operational amplifier  50 . The output of the operational amplifier  50  is coupled to the inverting input through a resistor  52  and connected to an input of the microcontroller  38 . The operational amplifier, operated in a high gain negative feedback configuration, transforms any significant voltage differential on the input thereof into a digital signal by driving the output to saturation. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a significant disruption in the magnetic field in the wire coil will cause the output of the operational amplifier  50  to switch, for example, from a digital low to a digital high. The microcontroller  38  then receives this signal and processes it via code stored thereon to indicate that the sensor  22  has been triggered and may transmit a signal to actuate the output device  42 . 
         [0029]    With additional reference now to  FIGS. 4A-4C , exemplary embodiments of devices  54  for use with the system  20  are illustrated. First, with respect to  FIG. 4A , a spherical projectile  56  is illustrated wherein the projectile includes an outer soft covering  58  such as in the form of a polymer or the like and a magnet  60  encased therein. The projectile  56  may be configured to be used by standard paintball or airsoft weapons of the kind generally known in the art. Turning now to  FIG. 4B , a second embodiment of a device  54  according to the invention, is in the form of a dart-shaped projectile  62 . Again, the projectile  62  may have a relatively soft outer covering  64  and a magnet  66  housed therein. In particular, the magnet  66  may be housed within a tip of the projectile  62 . Finally, with reference to  FIG. 4C  a sword-shaped device  68  includes a relatively soft outer covering  70 , a number of magnets  72  housed within the covering, and a handle  74  for gasping by the user thereof. The outer covering  70  may be received over a blade-shaped element (not shown) to provide it with structural support, or outer covering  70  may be constructed so as to be relatively self-supporting such that a structural support such as a blade shaped element is not needed. The magnets  72  may be coupled directly to outer covering  70  or may otherwise be coupled to the blade-shaped element and surrounded by outer covering  70 . In either case, the magnets  72  are arranged such that outer covering  70  protects them from being damaged during use. 
         [0030]    The outer covering  70 , as previously indicated, may be constructed from a relatively soft material. The material from which covering  70  is constructed may also be relatively durable to withstand repeated striking of a competitor during gameplay. The material may be durable foam, plastic, or the like. In operation, the sword-shaped device  68  may be used by a player to strike an opposing player to simulate hand-to-hand combat. Other hand-held devices may be utilized as part of the present invention. For example, users may use shields for deflecting blows from the sword-shaped device  68 . Further, although the device  68  is illustrated as a sword, it is understood that device  68  may be provided in a multitude of alternative constructions such as, for example, a dagger, a lance, a katana, a mace, etc. In each of the alternative constructions of the sword-shaped device  68 , the device includes a relatively soft, yet durable, covering within which a number of magnets  72  are housed for operation with the system of the present invention as will be described in additional detail herein. 
         [0031]    Still, referring to  FIGS. 4A-4C , in operation, each of devices  54  disclosed herein may be used to alter the local magnetic field of one of the sensors  22  of the system  20 , In particular, the system  20  is configured such that when one of the magnets of the devices  54  comes into contact with the sensor  22 , the local magnetic field is altered such that a signal is sent front the sensor  22  to the operational amplifier  50  and then transmitted along to the microcontroller  38 , The microcontroller  38 , as previously indicated., is programmed to run a program that communicates with the electronic device  26  of the system  20  to indicate that the sensor  22  has been triggered. In this manner, players of a simulated combat game may automatically be advised of whether their target has been hit or whether they themselves have been hit. 
         [0032]    The preferred embodiments also contemplate a method of playing a simulated combat game. In particular, the method comprises the organization of at least two groups of players into opposing teams. Each of the players of each of the teams may be in operable communication with one another via each player&#39;s electronic device  26 . In this manner, players of each team may be kept abreast of the status of other players on their team. Each of the players of each of the teams may be operating to accomplish a particular goal, such as, for example, capturing the opposition&#39;s flag or similar such item as is commonly done in similar games. In a preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention, the flag or similar such item may be in electronic communication with the electronic devices  26  such that when one team captures the opposition&#39;s flag, all of the players are notified that the game has ended. As previously indicated, each of the players of each of the teams may be outfitted with a wearable suit  24  of the kind described herein. During gameplay, each of the players may eliminate players of the opposing team by firing projectiles or otherwise contacting the opposing player&#39;s suit  24  to alter the local magnetic field as previously described. The game may be configured such that certain areas of a player&#39;s suit  24  constitute different types of damage. For example, a player struck in the leg may only lose a certain number of points and may not be entirely eliminated from the game, whereas a player struck in the torso or head may be immediately eliminated from gameplay. 
         [0033]    Understandably, the system  20  of the present invention may be modified in any number of alternative manners in keeping with the spirit of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, players may be able to undo damage sustained during gameplay by obtaining objects located throughout the field of play. For example, a player may have sustained damage by being struck in his or her leg and may return his or her status to full health by picking up or otherwise acquiring a token or similar item positioned on the field of play. Such items understandably would be configured to cooperate with the electronic device  26  of the system  20 . Any number of alternative, known methods of gameplay may also be incorporated within the scope of the preferred embodiments. 
         [0034]    In at least one embodiment of the present invention, the system  20  may incorporate RFID/NFC communication, or any similar such communication protocol. For example, RFID tags may be coupled to a player&#39;s suit  24  or elsewhere on his or her body or alternatively embedded into objects and props provided within the gaming environment. Such communication protocols may be used to provide additional features to the gameplay environment. For example, these communication protocols may be utilized to provide users with health power-ups, activation of obstacles and/or equipment, or role-based playing with certain players provided with particular abilities based on his or her communication protocol. 
         [0035]    In another construction of the preferred embodiments, the system  20  may be configured to calculate or otherwise determine a hit magnitude based on how hard a player has been contacted by a projectile. That is in addition to simple pulse detection to trigger hits on a player. The system  20  is to sign so-called damage values based on impact of the blow detected by the sensors  22 . 
         [0036]    Although the best mode contemplated by the inventors of carrying out the present invention is disclosed above, practice of the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be manifest that various additions, modifications, and rearrangements of the aspects and features of the present invention may be made in addition to those described above, without deviating from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept. The scope of some of these changes is discussed above. The scope of other changes to the described embodiments that fall within the present invention but that are not specifically discussed above will become apparent from the appended claims and other attachments.