Abstract:
The present invention relates to systems and methods for providing gaiming points for video gamers. In one embodiment, a gaiming system is coupled to a monitor of a computerized video gaming system. The gaiming system includes an energy source and a display. A gaiming command from the computerized video gaming system instructs the energy source to project a substantially narrow energy beam. The display has a gaiming target configured to scatter a portion of the narrow energy beam thereby generating a visible gaiming point substantially centered with respect to the monitor. In some embodiments, the intensity of the energy beam is selectable. It is also possible to contour the display to minimize unwanted scattering of the energy beam.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This non-provisional application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 62/129,916, filed Mar. 8, 2015, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to systems and methods for improving target aiming accuracy and/or target acquisition speed of participants during interactive video games. 
         [0003]    Interactive action video gaming systems have evolved and improved rapidly over the past twenty years. Many interactive video games on the Gen4 gaming systems, such as the PlaySystem4, are capable of providing players with an almost real-time interactivity. Many of these video games are action-based games involving the acquisition and shooting of target(s) while each player&#39;s avatar is on the move, and most of these video games present an aiming point proximate to a physical center of the gaming system&#39;s display screen. 
         [0004]    In many of these video games, the aiming point disappears or changes shape when an avatar is on the move, and then reappears or reverts shape when the avatar is stationary. The absence or mutation of the aiming point during the avatar&#39;s movements substantially increases target acquisition and/or reacquisition time, and potentially also reduces the accuracy of the avatar. Further, crosshairs provided by the video games are often dim and hard to visualize. 
         [0005]    Prior feeble attempts at providing a more permanent aiming point on the display device include attaching a sticker or attaching an LED using a suction cup at the center of the screen. Both of these methods are deficient. A sticker does not work well in “darker” scenes, such as inside dimly lighted rooms. Disadvantages of attaching an LED with a suction cup include obscuring the area covered by the cup and also the area covered by the power supply leads for the LED. The physical size of the LED is another disadvantage. 
         [0006]    It is therefore apparent that an urgent need exists for improved aiming capability for players of video games. This improved aiming capability will enable video gamers to quickly and accurately accomplish target acquisition while on the move. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    To achieve the foregoing and in accordance with the present invention, systems and methods for generating gaiming points for video gamers is provided. 
         [0008]    In one embodiment, a gaiming system, coupled to a monitor of a computerized video gaming system, includes an interface, an energy source and a display. The interface is configured to receive a gaiming command from the computerized video gaming system. The energy source is configured to project a substantially narrow energy beam, while the display has a gaiming target configured to scatter a portion of the narrow energy beam thereby generating a visible gaiming point at the gaiming target. In this embodiment, the gaiming point is substantially centered with respect to the monitor. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the intensity of the energy beam is selectable. It is also possible to contour the display, e.g., the edges and/or profile of the display, to minimize unwanted scattering of the energy beam. In some embodiments, gaiming system  150  can be temporarily and/or permanently attached to video gaming system  110  using one or more of a variety of techniques known to one skilled in the art, including hook-and-loop, mechanical fasteners such as screws and rivets, magnets, clamps, straps, elastic bands and adhesives including double-sided tape. 
         [0010]    Note that the various features of the present invention described above may be practiced alone or in combination. These and other features of the present invention will be described in more detail below in the detailed description of the invention and in conjunction with the following figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    In order that the present invention may be more clearly ascertained, some embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIGS. 1A, 1B &amp; 1C  are a perspective view, a front view and a cross-sectional view “A-A”, respectively, illustrating one embodiment of a gaiming system coupled to a video gaming system, in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of the gaiming system of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 2B-2F  are additional views illustrating the gaiming system of  FIG. 1A ; and 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3A-3B, 3C-3D, 3E-3F, 3G-3H and 3J-3K  are pairs of front views and horizontal sectional views illustrating several modifications that can be made to the gaiming system of  FIG. 1A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to several embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure the present invention. The features and advantages of embodiments may be better understood with reference to the drawings and discussions that follow. 
         [0017]    Aspects, features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description in connection with the accompanying drawing(s). It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments of the present invention provided herein are illustrative only and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. All features disclosed in this description may be replaced by alternative features serving the same or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, numerous other embodiments of the modifications thereof are contemplated as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined herein and equivalents thereto. Hence, use of absolute and/or sequential terms, such as, for example, “will,” “will not,” “shall,” “shall not,” “must,” “must not,” “first,” “initially,” “next,” “subsequently,” “before,” “after,” “lastly,” and “finally,” are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention as the embodiments disclosed herein are merely exemplary. 
         [0018]    To facilitate discussion,  FIGS. 1A, 1B &amp; 1C  are a perspective view, a front view and a cross-sectional view “A-A”, respectively, illustrating one embodiment  100  incorporating a gaiming system  150  coupled to a video gaming system  110  having a monitor  118  and a support base  115 , in accordance with the present invention. Note that gaming system  110  can be any one of a wide variety of computerized devices, including laptops, tablets, desktops, game consoles and televisions, i.e., gaming system  110  may or may not include a separate display monitor. 
         [0019]    In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2A , gaiming system  150  includes an enclosure  252 , a support bracket  253 , an energy source  256 , and a display  254  having a gaiming point  258 . During operation, energy source  256  provides a narrow beam of visible light, defined by boundaries  257   a,    257   b  (beam angle exaggerated for illustration and hence not drawn to scale). The beam of light is “scattered”, e.g., by a small hole drilled in display  254 , thereby providing a distinctly visible gaiming point  258  for the video gamer(s). 
         [0020]    Gaiming point  258  can include one or more of aiming reticles known to one skilled in the art. For example, gaiming point  258  can incorporate a dot, a cross hair and/or a circle. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 2B-2D  further illustrate the embodiment of gaiming system  150 .  FIGS. 2B  with  2 C show a vertical lateral sectional view “B-B” of gaiming system  150 , while  FIGS. 2D  together with  2 E &amp;  2 F illustrate two additional sectional views “C-C” and “D-D” of gaiming system  150 . 
         [0022]    Alternate methods for illuminating gaiming point  258  are possible. For example, in another embodiment, energy source  256  provides an invisible beam of electro-magnetic radiation capable of targeting and fluorescing gaiming point  258 . In yet another embodiment, an energy source located on the side of the video monitor provides a horizontal beam of energy to the gaiming point. It may also be possible to energize a visible gaiming point using electro-magnetic induction, for example, by using a micro-induction coil coupled to a miniature incandescent light bulb. In some embodiments, gaiming point  258  may also include a bioluminescent material that can react with the energy source  256  to enhance the intensity of gaiming point  258 . 
         [0023]    In order to accommodate a wide variety of video games, gaiming system  150  may be configurable by the video-gaming system and/or the video gamer. In some embodiments, the intensity of the gaiming point may be adjustable (statically or dynamically), the gaiming point may flash, e.g., the gaiming point intensity may be temporarily reduced when on video gamer&#39;s avatar is on the move or in scene with a darker background. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, energy source  256  is capable of producing a selectable spectrum of visible light, thereby significantly increasing the versatility of gaiming system  150 , and providing superior gaming point visibility for a wider variety of video gaming scenarios. 
         [0025]    Further, to be able to better interact with the video game, the gaiming system  150  may be able to communicate directly with the video game system  110  via for example an API. In addition, the gaiming system  150  may also (passively) measure the light intensity of a portion of the monitor of the video gaming system  110 , and adjusting the intensity of the gaiming point accordingly. 
         [0026]    Referring now to the  FIGS. 3A-3B, 3C-3D, 3E-3F, 3G-3H and 3J-3K , respective pairs of front views and horizontal sectional views, several modifications, alone and in combination, can be made to the gaiming system  150  of  FIG. 2A  to minimize edge refraction resulting from stray energy generated by energy source  256 . 
         [0027]    For example,  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a sectional view G-G, illustrate an embodiment of gaiming system display  310  with gaiming point  314  and angled side edges  316  &amp;  318 . In addition,  FIGS. 3C and 3D , sectional view H-H, illustrate another embodiment of gaiming system display  320  with gaiming point  324  and half-rounded side edges  326  &amp;  328 , while  FIGS. 3E and 3F , a sectional view M-M, illustrate yet another embodiment of gaiming system display  330  with gaiming point  334  and quarter-rounded side edges  336  &amp;  338 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 3G  illustrates another embodiment of gaiming system display  340  having a gaiming point  344 . In this embodiment, as shown by sectional view N-N of  FIG. 3H , display  340  has a tapered cross-sectional profile thereby substantially reducing the thickness of the side edges  346  &amp;  348 . In yet another embodiment as shown in  FIGS. 3J and 3K , display  350  includes a curved cross-sectional profile which may be contoured to match the surface of a curved video gaming system monitor (not shown). 
         [0029]    Many modifications and additions are possible. For example, gaiming system can be modified to support multiple players, by providing additional gaiming points, which may be illuminated by the same power source or by additional power source(s). In some embodiments, gaiming system  150  can be temporarily and/or permanently attached to video gaming system  110  using one or more of a variety of techniques known to one skilled in the art, including hook-and-loop, mechanical fasteners such as screws and rivets, magnets, clamps, straps, elastic bands and adhesives including double-sided tape. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, energy source of the above described embodiment of gaiming systems can be self-powered by a battery and/or solar-cell. In some embodiments, light source is powered externally via USB, or via front. In yet other embodiments, light source is collected from the environment, e.g., the power indicator of the monitor, or concentrated from ambient lighting source(s), natural and/or artificial. 
         [0031]    The advantages of exemplary gaiming systems of the present invention include the ability of the video gamer to quickly acquire/reacquire potential targets while on the move and thereafter. Hence, the ability to generate a user-selectable and highly visible gaiming point aids video gamers, especially gamers who may be color-blind. As a result, the gaiming systems of the present invention provides superior user-friendly, fun and/or unique experiences for video gamers. 
         [0032]    While this invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, there are alterations, modifications, permutations, and substitute equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. Although sub-section titles have been provided to aid in the description of the invention, these titles are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0033]    It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and apparatuses of the present invention. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations, modifications, permutations, and substitute equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.