LAUNCHING VIRTUAL OBJECTS USING A RAIL DEVICE

Number: 20170168556
Published: 2017-06-15
Filed: 2015-12-11
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: GOSLIN; Michael P., SAIN; Jared Dal Porto, HARRIS III; John Henry, BASSETT; Katherine M., PUTZEYS; Philippe
CPC: G06F3/011; G06F3/16; A63F13/428; G06F3/03548; A63F13/573; A63F13/52; G06F3/014; A63F13/98; A63F13/245
Verdict: High Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

A rail-launching throwing apparatus where a physical projectile slides along a rail and locks in place, launching a corresponding virtual object in-game.

Abstract

Embodiments herein describea throwing apparatus that includes a projectile that slides on a rail. In one example, asthe user makes a throwing action, the projectile slides along the rail and locks into place at an end of the rail. In response, the throwing apparatus launches a virtual object representing the projectile along a virtual path extending away from the throwing apparatus.The apparatus may include an emitter that transmits a signal indicative of the signal path of the virtual object. An external device receiving the signal can determine whether thedevice is on the path and whether it is struck by the virtual object. The apparatus may also include a speaker that outputs a sound simulating the projectile flying through free space. The speaker may change the volume of the sound depending on whether the virtual object is moving away or towards the throwing apparatus.

Background

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited aspects are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of embodiments of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a throwing apparatus for moving a projectile along a guide rail, according to one embodiment described herein

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the throwing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1B, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a throwing action using the throwing apparatus, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the throwing apparatus, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for launching a virtual object corresponding to a throwing action, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates interacting with an external device using the virtual object, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates interacting with multiple external devices using the virtual object, according to one embodiment described herein.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for interacting with a virtual target u

Claims

1. A method of, comprising: detecting a throwing action causing a physical projectile to move along a rail on an apparatus; and in response to determining the physical projectile reaches a predefined position on the rail, emitting a signal from the apparatus indicating a virtual path in free space of a virtual object launched by the throwing action, wherein the virtual object represents the physical projectile. 11. An apparatus, comprising: a rail, a projectile moveably mounted onto the rail; and an emitter configured to, in response to a throwing action causing the projectile to move along the rail, transmit a signal to indicating a virtual path in free space of a virtual object launched by the throwing action, wherein the virtual object represents the projectile. 17. An apparatus, comprising: a rail, a projectile moveably mounted onto the rail; and a speaker configured to, in response to a throwing action causing the projectile to move along the rail, output audio simulating a virtual object representing the physical object flying through free space in a direction away from the apparatus.