Methods and apparatus for controlling a video system with visually recognized props
US6243491A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 1996 |
| Grant date | Jun 5, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 31, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2300/1093
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A passive prop for controlling the operation of a video game through visually detecting and tracking the prop. One aspect of the invention is a spherical prop of principally one color, but with a spot of another color located on the sphere. This provides control of a video system through tracking of position and orientation of the prop. Another aspect of the invention is a planar offset prop consisting of two color regions, a first color region being offset from a second color region. A third aspect of the invention allows the provision of a push-button control for a simple, passive prop, the push-button being effective to cause a color region of a prop to change color.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.