Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TARGETING SYSTEM FOR A ROBOT GAMING ENVIRONMENT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to robot gaming environments, in general, and
specifically to a targeting system for use on robots participating in such an
interactive
robot gaming environment.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a targeting system for use in a robot
gaming environment where remote controlled and/or semi-autonomous toy robots
are
required to engage other toy robots by "shooting" them with different types of
electromagnetic wave emitting toy guns. The system is typically accompanied by
some
kind of audible and/or visual feedback system in order to indicate a
successful hit by
these robots.
The known prior art firing systems suffer from inaccuracies inherent in the
design of these systems, where accuracy is balanced against complexity and
cost. The
known systems typically make use of an attacking robot emitting a narrow-band
beam
towards a target robot, which registers a hit if the emitted beam strikes a
suitable
receiver on a target robot. The accuracy of these systems depends on a variety
of
factors, such as the configurations of the emitted beam, the location and
sensitivity of
the receiver on the target robot, and the like. The current invention proposes
a possible
novel and elegant solution allowing robots to target each other in a gaming
environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is to be appreciated that the term "robot" generally refers to some
mechanism, machine or similar device which includes some form of automation or
sensors for performing functions automatically and independently, with limited
or no
human interference. These functions, in the context of a robot gaming
environment,
may include traversing a certain course, interacting with other mobile toy
robots, and the
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like. In this specification, it is however to be appreciated that reference to
the term
"robot" includes reference to any mobile electronic toy possibly subject to
human control
irrespective of the level of autonomy involved, e.g. a radio controlled toy
car, a radio
controlled gaming robot, a stationary weapon turret, a gaming element in the
gaming
environment, or the like.
According to the invention there is provided a targeting system for a robot
gaming environment, which targeting system includes
a transmitter mountable on a target robot, in use, which transmitter is
configured
to emit an electromagnetic signal, when activated, in a specific area about
said robot;
and
a directional receiver mountable on an attacking robot, in use, which receiver
is
configured so that the receiver only detects the electromagnetic wave
transmitted by the
transmitter mounted on the target robot when such receiver is orientated
towards the
target robot, so that when the attacking robot is so orientated, it is able to
activate
suitable firing means for engaging the target robot.
It is thus to be appreciated that the targeting system complements the
attacking robot's firing systems by improving the accuracy thereof, typically
allowing the
attacking robot to indicate a "hit" on the target robot with a visually
pleasing and
pertinent firing system such as a visible iaser weapon, a mechanical ballistic
system, or
the like.
The specific area in which the electromagnetic signal is transmitted about
the target robot may include the entire area surrounding the robot. Otherwise,
the
specific area may include only a certain directional area about the robot,
e.g. a sector
about the robot, or the like.
The receiver may be configured to be directional to only detect the
electromagnetic wave by said receiver including a suitable filter which only
allows
electromagnetic waves incident from a specific direction. The suitable filter
may include
a housing for housing the receiver, which housing defines a channel with a
narrow
vertical slit which only allows the electromagnetic signal to strike the
receiver when
incident directly through the slit, or the like. The housing may include at
least one
additional slit in the channel to minimize reflections of the incident signal
in the channel.
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The electromagnetic signal may include any wave in the electromagnetic
spectrum. The electromagnetic wave may include a wave in the light frequency
range,
the radio frequency range, or the like.
The electromagnetic wave may be modulated to include information such
as a unique identifier able to uniquely identify the transmitter, e.g. an
identity code, or
the like.
The targeting system may include the firing means configured to notify the
target robot that the transmitted wave has been detected by the receiver on
the
attacking robot. The firing means may include a visual notification means,
e.g. a strong
light source such as a laser emitter, or the like. The firing means may
include an audio
notification means, e.g. an alarm, or the like. In addition, the firing means
may include a
transmitter for transmitting a notifying signal to the target robot, e.g. the
target robot is
configured to fall over upon receipt of a radio frequency notifying signal, or
the like.
Accordingly, the target robot may include a suitable receiver for registering
engagement
by the firing means. The firing means may include a ballistic firing
mechanism, e.g.
firing a missile at the target robot, or the like.
The receiver may be configured to determine the distance between the
target and attacking robots from analysing a characteristic of the received
electromagnetic signal. The characteristic of the signal so analysed may
include
strength of the signal, or the like. The firing means may be configured to
only engage
the target robot if the target robot is in range of the firing means.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings wherein
Figure 1(a) shows, in side view, the receiver of the targeting system, in
accordance with the invention;
Figure 1(b) shows, in top view, the receiver of Figure 1(a);
Figure 1(c) shows, in front view, the receiver of Figure 1(a);
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Figure 2 shows, in diagrammatic view, an example of the targeting system's
receiver's vertical slit size relative to its effective range reception range;
Figure 3 shows, in diagrammatic view, the targeting system, in use; and
Figure 4 shows, in diagrammatic view, an example of how the system is able to
determine the distance between the target and attacking robots.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With reference to the accompanying drawings, a targeting system for a
robot gaming environment, in accordance with the invention, is generally
indicated by
reference numeral 10.
In the embodiment of the invention shown, the targeting system 10 for a
robot gaming environment includes a transmitter 12, which is mounted on a
target robot
16. This transmitter 12 is configured to emit an eiectromagnetic signal 20,
when
activated, in a specific area 34 about this robot 16.
The system 10 also includes a directional receiver 14 mounted on an
attacking robot 18. The receiver 14 is configured so that it only detects the
electromagnetic wave 20 transmitted by the transmitter 12 when the receiver 14
is
orientated towards the target robot 16. When the attacking robot 18 is so
orientated, it
is able to activate suitable firing means 22 for engaging the target robot 16
in the
gaming environment.
It is to be appreciated that the receiver 14 is specifically configured to be
directional to only detect the electromagnetic wave 20 when it is coming from
a certain
direction, i.e. directly from the target robot 16. This is accomplished by the
receiver 14
including a suitable filter in the form of a housing 24 which houses the
receiver 14. As
shown, the housing 24 further defines a channel with an opening 26 therein. In
a
preferred embodiment of the invention, this opening 26 is a narrow vertical
slit which
only allows the electromagnetic signal 20 to strike the receiver 14 when
incident directly
through the slit 26.
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In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), the housing 24
includes at least one and typically a plurality of additional slits in this
channel of the
housing 24 to minimize reflections of the incident signal 20 in the channel.
As such, it is to be appreciated that the electromagnetic signal or wave 20
includes any wave in the electromagnetic spectrum, e.g. a wave in the light
frequency
range, the radio frequency range, and/or the like.
In addition, the electromagnetic wave 20 may be modulated to include
information such as a unique identifier abie to uniquely identify the
transmitter 12, e.g.
an identity code, or the like. It is to be appreciated that any suitable
modulation
techniques may be used.
The targeting system 10 typically includes the firing means 22. This firing
means 22 is configured to notify the target robot 16 that the transmitted wave
20 has
been detected by the receiver 14 on the attacking robot 18. The firing means
22
generally includes a visual notification means, e.g. a strong light source
such as a laser
emitter, an audio notification means, e.g. an alarm, a transmitter for
transmitting a
notifying signal to the target robot 16, e.g. the target robot 16 is
configured to fall over
upon receipt of such notifying signal, and/or the like. Accordingly, the
target robot 16
then includes a suitable receiver (not shown) for registering engagement by
the firing
means 22. The firing means 22 may also include a ballistic firing mechanism
(not
shown), e.g. firing a missile at the target robot, or the like.
It is to be appreciated that the firing means 22 is generally configured to
provide a visually pieasing means of engaging the target robot 16 in the
gaming
environment in order to provide entertainment value to participants and
contestants of
such a game.
The receiver 14 is also typically configured to determine the distance
between the target 16 and attacking 18 robots from analysing a characteristic
of the
received electromagnetic signal 20. This characteristic is typically the
strength of the
received signal, as shown in Figure 4. As such, the firing means 22 is
generally only
configured to engage the target robot 16 if the target robot is in range of
the firing
means 22, e.g. a ballistic firing means may have a limited range, or the like.
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A more specific description of one embodiment of the invention is now
provided. Figure 1(a) shows a side view of the elongated housing 24 of the
receiver 14
with an infrared sensor 14 located at the inside back of the housing 24 or
enclosure and
a narrow vertical slit 26 at its front. The second part is the firing means 22
that is
mounted co-axially on top or below of the infrared sensing device or receiver
14 which
point in the same direction as the latter's vertical slit 26.
In this embodiment of the invention, the firing means 22 is a light emitting
device which emits a focused light beam 28 from either a light emitting diode
or a low-
powered laser emitter, and simulates a shot being fired when activated by
creating a
visible impact pattern on the target object, such as the target robot 16. The
infrared
sensor 14 detects infrared signals 20 emitted from other participating target
robots that
are positioned such that the emitted infrared emissions 20 will reach the
infrared sensor
14 through the vertical slit 26.
It is to be appreciated that the vertical slit 26 is generally high enough to
allow infrared emissions originating from participating robots of different
heights to be
detected.
Figure 1 (b) shows the receiver housing 24 from the top. The infrared
sensor 14 is mounted at the back of the elongated enclosure or housing 24
within the
channel so defined with the vertical slit 26 at the front thereof. The light
emitting device
or firing means 22 is shown, in this case, in dotted lines, protruding from
underneath the
elongated enclosure 24. Infrared emissions 20 from participating robots that
are in line-
of-sight are shown entering the elongated enclosure 24 through the vertical
slit 26 and
striking the infrared sensor 14.
Figure 1(c) shows the housing 24 and firing means 22 from the front. The
infrared sensor 14 can be seen through the vertical slit 26 which is part of
the elongated
enclosure 26. The light emitting device or firing means 22 is shown mounted at
the top
of the elongate enclosure 24, as above.
In Figure 2, both the housing 24 with the receiver 14 and the target robot
16 is shown. Different types of firing means 22 each have a specific effective
range 30.
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Target robots 16 outside its effective range may still be detected by the
infrared
targeting system's infrared sensors 14 and shot at, but an effective shot will
not be
registered within the context of the gaming scenario unless the target robot
16 is within
range. The width of the vertical slit 32 will be such that a predefined
portion 32 of the
target robot 16 will be visible if viewed through the vertical slit 26 from
the vantage point
of the infrared sensor 14 with the target robot 16 at a distance away from the
housing
24 equal to the maximum effective range 30 of the receiver 14.
Figure 3 shows a global overview of the targeting system 10. The target
robot 16 is shown with a 3601 infrared emitter 12 and 360 infrared emissions
20. Also
shown are two receivers inside their housings 24 at different positions
relative to the
target robot 16. The target robot's 360 infrared emitter 12 radiates infrared
emissions
in a 360 area 34 around it, some of which 20 strikes the two housings 24 at
different
angles. Since the top housing 24 is lined up with the target robot 16,
infrared emissions
20 will be able to pass through the vertical slit 26 and will be detected by
the infrared
sensor 14 in that housing 24.
The lower housing and receiver is however at an angle to the target robot
16 with the result that the relevant infrared emission 20 will not be able to
pass through
the vertical slit 26 of that particular housing and will therefore not be
detected by the
receiver 14 in that housing 24.
In one embodiment, the receiver 14 which detected the target robot's
infrared emission will therefore be able to register a hit when it engages or
`fire at' the
target robot 16 with its light emitting device or firing means 22 provided it
is within the
effective range of the specific firing means 22. It should be clear from this
that the light
emitting device 22 serves merely as an aid to the operator or player and that
the
accuracy of the `shot' will solely be determined by the firing means 22 as
assisted by the
infrared targeting system 10.
An approximation of the relative distance between the attacking and target
robots 18 and 16, respectively, can be calculated as a function of the
strength of the
target robot's infrared emissions 20 as detected by the attacking robot 18. In
Figure 4,
the target robot's infrared emitter 12 emits at a regular time interval a
specially
modulated burst of the 360 infrared signal 20. The attacking robot's infrared
receiver
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14 detects the target robot's infrared signal 20 and since the signal strength
at the
receiver 14 is proportional to the distance 30 from the emitter 12, it is
possible to
calculate an approximation of the distance 30 between the two devices 12 and
14.
The degradation of the signal over distance can be predicted, and is
illustrated by the graph with the X-axis 30 depicting the distance that the
signal travels,
the Y-axis 38 depicting the signal strength, and the curve 36 representing the
signal
strength as it degrades over the distance 30. The actual signal strengtii at
the point of
receiving 40 will be measured and compared to the graph to determine the
approximate
distance between the two devices 12 and 14. The calculated distance will be
used to
determine whether the target robot 16 is in range and consequently whether an
effective
shot can be registered.
Although only certain embodiments of the invention have been described
herein, it will be understood by any person skilled in the art that other
modifications,
variations, and possibilities of the invention are possible. Such
modifications, variations
and possibilities are therefore to be considered as falling within the spirit
and scope of
the invention and hence forming part of the invention as herein described
and/or
exemplified.
It shall further be understood that the examples are provided for illustrating
the invention further and to assist a person skilled in the art with
understanding the
invention and is not meant to be construed as unduly limiting the reasonable
scope of
the invention.
It is to be appreciated that the system 10 differs from the known prior art
systems in that the target robot 16 emits a signal allowing the attacking
robot 18 to lock
onto the position of the target robot 16 in order to engage it. This use of
the targeting
system 10 provides a simple and elegant way for targeting between such gaming
robots.
The Inventors regard it as an advantage that the invention provides for an
efficient and elegant way to allow gaming robots to target each other
according to
position and distance from each other to allow the robots to engage each other
in a
gaming environment. The Inventors regard it as a yet further advantage that
the
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invention provides for a system able to ameliorate an existing firing means of
a gaming
robot.
The Inventors regard it as a yet further advantage that the targeting
system, in accordance with the invention, includes a simplistic mechanical
filter enabling
the system to hone in on electromagnetic emissions emitted by a target robot.
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