US5368309A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for a virtual video game
Assignee: Disney Enterprises Inc
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Filing: 1993-05-14
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Granted: 1994-11-29
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Expires: 2013-05-14
Abstract
Abstract The invention is directed to an interactive video game whereby players sit opposite each other and view the game and each other through a semi-transparent image generated in real-time through the use of a first-surface reflection. The present invention uses opposing Heads-Up Displays (HUDs). Using opposing HUDs, an image can be apparently suspended between two players. The surface on which the image is displayed has sufficient transparency to allow each player to see the other player along with the image. Thus, the players can interact during play allowing for a more enhanced reward in the experience. The effect could be further enhanced by the use of stereo glasses and a stereo-pair of images on the display such that the players see 3-D images on the playing "surface." To further enhance the interactive experience, the virtual images are substantially coincident so that when one player looks up from the action in the game to see the opponent, the opponent's eyes are looking at roughly the same spot in space where the first player perceives the action to be. Thus, the present invention yields more direct communication between players, as well as an enhanced experience. The present invention yields additional applications such as where each player sees any number of images which correspond to the image of the "opponent," or "electronic painting" applications. Other games can take advantage of the fact that the image is superimposed on the opponent such as trying new facial features or clothing.
Inventors
- 👤 Marshall Monroe
- 👤 David Fink
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:22
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/50; A63F13/52; A63F13/53; H; H04; H04N; H04N13/00; H04N13/30; H04N13/346; H04N13/363; A63F13/20; A63F13/21; A63F13/213; A63F13/214; A63F13/2145; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/10; A63F2300/1068; A63F2300/1075; A63F2300/1087; A63F2300/30; A63F2300/303; A63F2300/60; A63F2300/66; H04N13/20; H04N13/286; H04N13/388; H04N13/395
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A display comprising: control means for controlling input and effecting visual output; a first display means for displaying a first image of said visual output; a second display means for displaying a second image of said visual output such that said second image is inverted; a first reflecting means for reflecting said image from said first display means toward a first viewer; and a second reflecting means for reflecting said image toward a second display means toward a second viewer, said first and second viewers positioned opposed to one another.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A display comprising: control means for controlling input and effecting visual output; a first display means for displaying a first image of said visual output; a second display means for displaying a second image of said visual output such that said second image is inverted; a first reflecting means for reflecting said image from said first display means toward a first viewer; and a second reflecting means for reflecting said image toward a second display means toward a second viewer, said first and second viewers positioned opposed to one another.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second reflecting means is positioned opposite said first reflecting means and said first reflecting means is in the field of view of said second viewer and said second reflecting means is in the field of view of said first viewer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said graphical component of said second image is reversed and said textual component of said first and second images is reversed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said graphical component of said first image is reversed and said textual component of said first and second images is reversed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said image is composed of graphical and textual components.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for providing coincident lines of sight in opposing views comprising: control means for controlling input and generating visual output with a plurality of graphic and text components; a first inverting means for generating a first inverted image of said visual output; a first display means for displaying a first image of said first inverted image; a second inverting means for generating a second inverted image of said visual output; a second display means for displaying said second inverted image of said visual output; a first reflecting means for reflecting said first inverted image from said first display means toward a first viewer; and a second reflecting means for reflecting said second inverted image toward a second viewer, said first and second viewers positioned opposed to one another.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
129 words
An apparatus for providing coincident lines of sight in opposing views comprising: control means for controlling input and generating visual output with a plurality of graphic and text components; a first inverting means for generating a first inverted image of said visual output; a first display means for displaying a first image of said first inverted image; a second inverting means for generating a second inverted image of said visual output; a second display means for displaying said second inverted image of said visual output; a first reflecting means for reflecting said first inverted image from said first display means toward a first viewer; and a second reflecting means for reflecting said second inverted image toward a second viewer, said first and second viewers positioned opposed to one another.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus of claim 6 such that said first inversion means inverts said text and graphic components of said visual output and said second inversion means inverts said text components of said visual output.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus of claim 6 such that said second inversion means inverts said text and graphic components of said visual output and said first inversion means inverts said text components of said visual output.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
131 words
A display comprising: control means for controlling input and effecting visual output; a first display means for displaying a first image of said visual output; a second display means for displaying a second image of said visual output such that said second image is inverted; a first reflecting means for reflecting said image from said first display means toward a first viewer; and a second reflecting means for reflecting said image from said second display means toward a second viewer; wherein said first viewer receives a first composite image comprising an opposing image of said second viewer and said reflected image from said first reflecting means, said second viewer receiving a second composite image comprising an opposing image of said first viewer and said reflected image from said second reflecting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
131 words
A display comprising: control means for controlling input and effecting visual output; a first display means for displaying a first image of said visual output; a second display means for displaying a second image of said visual output such that said second image is inverted; a first reflecting means for reflecting said image from said first display means toward a first viewer; and a second reflecting means for reflecting said image from said second display means toward a second viewer; wherein said first viewer receives a first composite image comprising an opposing image of said second viewer and said reflected image from said first reflecting means, said second viewer receiving a second composite image comprising an opposing image of said first viewer and said reflected image from said second reflecting means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said second reflecting means is positioned opposite said first reflecting means and said first reflecting means is in the field of view of said second viewer and said second reflecting means is in the field of view of said first viewer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said graphical component of said second image is reversed and said textual component of said first and second images is reversed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said graphical component of said first image is reversed and said textual component of said first and second images is reversed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said image is composed of graphical and textual components.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for providing coincident lines of sight in opposing views comprising: control means for controlling input and generating visual output with a plurality of graphic and text components; a first inverting means for generating a first inverted image of said visual output; a first display means for displaying a first image of said first inverted image; a second inverting means for generating a second inverted image of said visual output; a second display means for displaying said second inverted image of said visual output; a first reflecting means for reflecting said first inverted image from said first display means toward a first viewer; and a second reflecting means for reflecting said second inverted image toward a second viewer; wherein said first viewer receives a first composite image comprising an opposing image of said second viewer and said reflected image from said first reflecting means, said second viewer receiving a second composite image comprising an opposing image of said first viewer and said reflected image from said second reflecting means.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for providing coincident lines of sight in opposing views comprising: control means for controlling input and generating visual output with a plurality of graphic and text components; a first inverting means for generating a first inverted image of said visual output; a first display means for displaying a first image of said first inverted image; a second inverting means for generating a second inverted image of said visual output; a second display means for displaying said second inverted image of said visual output; a first reflecting means for reflecting said first inverted image from said first display means toward a first viewer; and a second reflecting means for reflecting said second inverted image toward a second viewer; wherein said first viewer receives a first composite image comprising an opposing image of said second viewer and said reflected image from said first reflecting means, said second viewer receiving a second composite image comprising an opposing image of said first viewer and said reflected image from said second reflecting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus of claim 14 such that said first inversion means inverts said text and graphic components of said visual output and said second inversion means inverts said text components of said visual output.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus of claim 14 such that said second inversion means inverts said text and graphic components of said visual output and said first inversion means inverts said text components of said visual output.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-11-28 | 1998-05-30 | 1998-11-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-11-28 | 2002-05-30 | 2002-11-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-11-28 | 2006-05-30 | 2006-11-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |