Launching virtual objects using a rail device

Number: 9904357
Published: 2018-02-27
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: G06F3/03548; A63F13/573; A63F13/52; G06F3/16; A63F13/98; G06F3/014; A63F13/428; A63F13/245; G06F3/011
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Rail-device physical controller for launching virtual objects.

Abstract

Embodiments herein describe a throwing apparatus that includes a projectile that slides on a rail. In one example, as the 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 the device 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

BACKGROUND(1) Computer graphics technology has come a long way since video games were first developed. Relatively inexpensive 3D graphics engines now provide nearly photo-realistic interactive game play on hand-held video game, home video game and personal computer hardware platforms costing only a few hundred dollars. These video game systems typically include a hand-held controller, game controller, or, in the case of a hand-held video game platform, an integrated controller. A user interacts with the controller to send commands or other instructions to the video game system to control a video game or other simulation. For example, the controller may include a joystick and buttons operated by the user.(2) While video games allow the user to interact directly with the video game system, such interactions primarily influence the graphical depiction shown on the video game device (or on a connected display), and rarely influence any other objects outside of the virtual world. That is, a user may specify an input to the video game system, indicating that the user's avatar should perform a jump action, and in response the video game system displays the user's avatar jumping. However, such interactions are typically limited to the virtual world, and any interactions outside the virtual world are limited (e.g., a hand-held gaming device could vibrate when certain actions occur).SUMMARY(3) One embodiment described herein is a method that includes detecting a throwing action causing

Claims

1. A method, comprising: detecting a throwing action causing a physical projectile to move along a rail on an apparatus; in response to determining the physical projectile reaches a predefined position on the rail, indicating a virtual path in free space of a virtual object launched by the throwing action, wherein the virtual object represents the physical projectile; after detecting the throwing action, detecting a catching action causing the physical projectile to move on the rail; and determining whether the catching action is performed within a predefined time window corresponding to when the virtual object has completed the virtual path and returned to the apparatus. 10. An apparatus, comprising: a rail, a projectile moveably mounted onto the rail; an emitter configured to, in response to a throwing action causing the projectile to move along the rail, indicate a virtual path in free space of a virtual object launched by the throwing action, wherein the virtual object represents the projectile; and a throwing simulator configured to, after detecting the throwing action: detect a catching action causing the projectile to move on the rail, and determine whether the catching action is performed within a predefined time window corresponding to when the virtual object has completed the virtual path and returned to the apparatus. 16. 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 projectile flying through free space in a direction away from the apparatus; and a throwing simulator configured to, after detecting the throwing action: detect a catching action causing the projectile to move on the rail, and determine whether the catching action is performed within a predefined time window corresponding to when the virtual object has completed the virtual path and returned to the apparatus.