Abstract:
An amusement system comprising a game field and a plurality of robots that are manipulated by a plurality of user interface controllers at a remote location relative to the game field. A network links each of the user interface controllers to one of the robots to cause the robot to perform at least one action. A video camera focuses on the game field to provide a streaming image of the game field through the network. A video display device at the remote location receives the streaming video image from the network and displays the streaming video image of the robots. A method of providing a game that involves controlling a plurality of electronically controlled mechanical robots over a communication network that provides streaming video from a streaming video system to the user interface controllers at a remote location.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional Application No. 61/452,826 filed Mar. 15, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to remotely controlling robot apparatus over a network to provide entertainment in the form of competitive games and skill development. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Applicant is a co-inventor in published U.S. Patent Application 2008/0113800 A1 dated May 15, 2008 that is entitled Game With Remotely Controlled Game Vehicles. This prior application discloses an arcade style game enclosure in which game vehicles are controlled by players who manipulate the vehicles with hand held controllers. The game players observe the action through windows that prevent the vehicles from leaving or being removed from the enclosure. The prior application also acknowledges that the television show entitled “Battle Bots” is a known prior art game involving robots. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a game field and game components that may make up one layer of a multilayer system; 
           [0005]    FIG.  2 - a  is a front perspective view of an example of one type of robotic apparatus that may be used in practicing the disclosed game; 
           [0006]    FIG.  2 - b  is a bottom/rear perspective view of an example of one type of robotic apparatus that may be used in practicing the disclosed game; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic view of an example of one embodiment of the system architecture that may be used to operate the disclosed game; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a system flow diagram showing the sequence of operations according to one embodiment of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     SUMMARY 
       [0009]    According to one aspect of this disclosure, a game system is disclosed that comprises a predefined game area with at least one robot disposed in the game area. At least one user interface controller at a remote location that is remote from the game area. A network that links one of the at least one user interface controllers to provide an electronic command signal to one of the at least one robots to cause the robot to perform at least one action. A video camera directed towards the game area that provides a streaming video image of the at least one robot to the network. A video display device at the remote location that receives the streaming video image from the network and displays the streaming video image of the at least one robot. 
         [0010]    According to other alternative aspects of the disclosure, the game system may further comprise a module that provides a game area, wherein the module includes a floor and a wall enclosing the floor. The module may further include a ceiling that is disposed in a parallel plane relative to the floor, and wherein an AC/DC converter is connected to the floor and the ceiling to provide a voltage between the floor and the ceiling. In another alternative embodiment, the module may further comprise a charging system for charging the robot. 
         [0011]    The robot may further comprise a miniature video camera that provides a robot point-of-view streaming video. The robot may further comprise a sensor such as a proximity sensor, a photocell; or an RFID sensor. The robot may further comprise an RFID sensor at least one RFID tag that is disposed in the game area that actuates the RFID sensor when the RFID sensor is moved to a location in close proximity to the RFID tag. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of this disclosure, an amusement system is disclosed that comprises a game field with a plurality of robots disposed in the game field. A plurality of user interface controllers are provided at a remote location relative to the game field. A network links each of the user interface controllers to one of the robots to provide at least one control signal to the robot to cause the robot to perform at least one action. A video camera is directed towards the game field to provide a streaming image of the game field to the network. A video display device at the remote location receives the streaming video image from the network and displays the streaming video image of the robots. 
         [0013]    According to other aspects of the amusement system, the video camera may be disposed above the game field to provide a top plan view of the game field. In addition or alternatively, a second video camera may be provided in addition to the video camera that provides a second perspective of the game field. 
         [0014]    The amusement system may further comprise a multi-player game server the receives provides control signals to a plurality of robots to control movement of the robots, and that also controls game play and communicates with a scoring system. A wireless communication link may be provided that operatively links the multi-player game server to the robots. The user interface controllers may be a computer, a telephone, or a game controller. The control signal may be used to accelerate, stop, turn, operate a shooting device, operate an arm, or operate a lever associated with the at least one robot. 
         [0015]    According to another aspect of this disclosure a method of providing a game that includes a game floor area, a plurality of electronically controlled mechanical robots, a communication network, and a plurality of user interface controllers. The game comprises accessing a web server through the communication network to log onto a game server. Streaming video from a streaming video system to the game user interface of an image of the game floor area and the robots. Interacting through a game user interface with one of the robots to command the robot to perform a function. 
         [0016]    According to other aspects of the method, the robot may be commanded to perform a function in response to signals received from the game user interface and may also provide a data packet to the game user interface to indicate a successful action. The data packet may be routed through a game server and a browser interface to the game user interface. The streaming video may be the sole image of the game floor and robots that is visible from the game user interface. In an one embodiment of the disclosure, the robot may include an RFID interface that indicates that a destination is successfully obtained when the robot moves within range of an RFID tag. 
         [0017]    The above aspects of the disclosure and other aspects of the disclosure will be more fully understood in view of the attached drawings and the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiments. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    A detailed description of the illustrated embodiments of the present invention is provided below. The disclosed embodiments are examples of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale. Some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. The specific structural and functional details disclosed in this application are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to practice the invention. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a game system  10  is illustrated diagrammatically. The entire game system  10  may include a plurality of game modules  12  so that many games may be played by many players at the same time. In  FIG. 1 , a single game module  12  is shown that may be stacked with other modules that may be playing the same type of game or a different type of game. Each game module  12  may include a planar floor  16  that is enclosed by a wall  18 . The planar floor and wall may be referred to as a fighting ring, game area or game field. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the planar floor  16  is rectangular and the wall  18  is disposed about the four sides of the planar floor  16 . A ceiling  20  is provided above the floor  16  and the walls  18 . The ceiling may be provided on the bottom of an upwardly adjacent game module. 
         [0020]    A voltage source  22  may be an AC/DC converter that is used to provide a DC voltage between the planar floor  16  and the ceiling  20 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1  could be modified to include an inductive charging system for battery or a conventional battery charging station. With either of the latter approaches, the ceiling  20  may be eliminated and the AC/DC converter  22  could be replaced by another power source. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2   a  and  2   b , a robotic apparatus  24  is shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  2   b . A plurality of robotic apparatus, or robots,  24  are disposed on the floor  16  of the game module  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The robots are identified as  24   a,    24   b,    24   c  and  24   d.  Each of the robots  24   a - 24   d  has its own identity and is separately controlled by a remote user. The robots  24  could be modified to have a different shape or appearance and may also be operated in a different manner than the example described with reference  FIG. 1 . 
         [0022]    The robots  24  each include a ceiling contactor  26  that is made of electrically conductive material that extends above the robot  24  to contact the ceiling  20  of the game module  12 . As shown in  FIG. 2   b , the robots  24  also include a floor contactor  28 , for example, that comprises a loop of electrically conductive material that contacts the floor  16  of the game module  12 . When the ceiling contactor  26  and floor contactor  28  are placed in contact with the floor  16  and ceiling  20  current is provided to the robot  24 . 
         [0023]    The robot  24  has two drive wheels  30  in the illustrated embodiment and a body  32  that may house a controller  34  for the robot  24 . The body  32  may also include a miniature camera or interactive sensors  35 . Interactive sensors may include photocells, proximity switches, or the like. The robots  24   a - d  each have a motor and gear reducer  36  that is used to drive the drive wheels  30 . The controller  34  controls when the drive wheels  30  are to be driven by the motor and gear reducer  36 . A passive wheel  38  is provided on the robot  24  to stabilize the robot as it is driven by the drive wheels  30 . The passive wheel could be eliminated or more than one passive wheel  38  could be provided, if desired. For example, if the robot  24  is to simulate a truck or car, any number of passive wheels  38  and any number of drive wheels  30  may be provided for the robot  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, one drive wheel  30  may be driven while the other drive wheel  30  remains stationary to steer the robot  24 . Alternatively, a separate steering mechanism and control may be included. 
         [0024]    An RFID sensor  40  is also illustrated on the robot  24 . The RFID sensor  40  includes an antenna, coil and transducer (not shown) that provides an output signal when the RFID sensor  40  is moved into close proximity with an RFID tag  42 . The RFID tags  42  are shown scattered about the floor  16 . The game shown in  FIG. 1  involves locating objects containing RFID tags  42  by moving one of the robots  24   a - 24   d  into close proximity with the objects containing RFID tags  42  either randomly or in a designated order. 
         [0025]    Remote users can observe the action on the floor  16  by means of a field camera  46  that provides a top plan view in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Alternatively, an end view, a side view, a diagonal view, or a view from the robots  24  could be provided by relocating or replacing the camera. The location of the camera  46  is selected depending upon the type of game to be played on the game module  12 . A streaming video system  48  receives signals from the field camera or may receive signals from cameras located in other locations or the miniature camera  35  on the robot  24 , or as described above. The streaming video system may provide a streaming video through the web server  50  or directly to a network as described below with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . A web server  50  is provided to connecting game system  10  to a network such as the Internet as will be described more fully below. 
         [0026]    A multi-player game server  52  is also illustrated in  FIG. 1  that is used to coordinate the movement of the robots, control game play according to game rules, receive and process user commands and maintains users scores  24   a - 24   d  in the game system  10 . While four robots are shown in designated  24   a - 24   d  it should be understood that any number of robots could be provided depending upon the space available in the game module  12 . The multi-player game server  52  is preferably connected, for example, to the robots  24   a - 24   d  by a Bluetooth® connection or other radio frequency communication link. Alternatively, another form of wireless communication may be also provided between the multi-player game server  52  and the robots  24   a - 24   d  such as an infra-red or a laser communication link, however, line of sight types of wireless communication may be less desirable because the robot  24   a - 24   d  may create a shadow that would interrupt communication between the multi-player game server  52  and the robots  24   a - 24   d.    
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a network  60  is provided to permit connection to a large number of users. While the system in  FIG. 3 , as illustrated, refers to the Internet as the network  60 , it should be understood that other types of networks could be used to implement the game system  10  developed by applicant. Potential users of the system may include users having desktop computers  62 , a notebook (or tablet) computer  64 , a smart phone  66  or a game console  68 . The game console  68  could be provided in an arcade, for example, that includes a video screen, a touch screen, hand held game controller, or other user interface. The arcade embodiment is one example of a system that permits a user to pay for each game played on the game console  68 . Any of the input devices such as desk top computer  62 , notebook or tablet computer  64 , smart phone  66  or a game console  68  may connect through a browser interface  70  or software client application to the network  60 . 
         [0028]    Communication with the game is provided by accessing a web server  50  through the browser interface  70  or software client application. A 2-D or 3-D video streaming server  48  is also connected to the users through the Internet  60 . Each of the individual users receive a streaming video connection to the browser interface  70  or software client application so that they may watch the results of their manipulation of their robot or competitive robots. Many robots  24  may be manipulated by the multi-player game server  52 . The multi-player game server  52  has a two way communication for the users through the network  60 . The multi-player game server  52  provides commands to the robots  24  through the controller  34  in the robot body  32 . The robots may also provide return data signals to the multi-player game server  52 . The robots  24   a - 24   d  are preferably connected to the multi-player game server by a Bluetooth® wireless radio frequency communication link. 
         [0029]    The streaming video system  48  is shown to correspond with the embodiment illustrated in connection with  FIG. 1 , however, it should be understood that the streaming video could be provided by miniature cameras  35  mounted to the individual robots. A browser interface  70  or software client application is provided to link the network  60  to one or more of the desk top computers  62 , notebook computer  64 , smart phone  66 , or game console  68 . The browser interface  70  or software client application provides access for each one of the individual devices listed above. Game play is initiated on the game system by accessing the web server  50  of the game system  10 . The streaming video from the video server is provided through the Internet to the browser interface  70  or software client application. Similarly, the multi-player game server  52  communicates through the network  60  and the browser interface  70  or software client application to the specified devices. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a system sequence diagram is provided that illustrates how a user  72  proceeds in a step-wise fashion to play the game system  10 . A user  72  initially requests to play the game by accessing the web server  50  through the browser interface  70  or software client application. The web server then returns the web page to the browser interface  70  or software client application. At this point, the user  72  may log into the multi-player game server  52  from the browser interface  70  or software client application. The multi-player game server  52  then responds to permit the user to access the game server  52 . The user  72  in the next step automatically receives the video stream be provided to their browser from the streaming video system  48 . A video connection is then provided to the user through the browser interface  70  or software client application. At this time, the user can then see what is happening in the game system  10  and is ready to begin playing. 
         [0031]    The user interacts with the game user interface by accessing the browser interface  70  or software client application. Signals are sent to the multi-player game server  52  and to the robots  24 . The signals, for example, may be to accelerate, stop, turn right, turn left, or operate an arm, a shooting device, or a lever. In short, the user can remotely control a robot  24  to do anything the robot is structurally and functionally capable of preforming. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment, the robot  24  may return a robot data packet to the multi-player game server indicating, for example, the RFID sensor has moved to within the range of the object  42  necessary to indicate a successful destination obtained, object pick-up, or target identified operation. This information is returned as a data packet to the multi-player game server  52 . The game server  52  then advises the user by returning game play data to the browser interface  70  or software client application so that the user  72  can receive a point or another acknowledgement of data generated by the robot as part of the game play process. 
         [0033]    While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.