Virtual Focal Point Signaling for Clear Physical-Digital Games
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional physical-digital games using multiple players with computing devices and real physical objects are confusing for players and spectators due to delayed recognition of electronic tagging and lack of a clear virtual focal point, leading to unclear game dynamics.
Innovation Solution
Implement a system and method that utilize a virtual focal point (VFP) perceptible in a real, physical game, where computing devices can transfer and acknowledge the VFP state through signal packets, enabling clear possession dynamics and visibility for players and spectators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electronic tagging is used in physical-digital games, then game interaction capability is improved, but game clarity and player awareness deteriorate due to delayed recognition and lack of visible status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using LED indicators that change color or illuminate to display game status. The LED indicator mounted on the physical object (e.g., drone) changes its optical state to show whether the object is tagged or currently holds the virtual focal point, making game status visible to all players and spectators in real-time without delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visual display system consisting of LED indicators and a virtual focal point representation. This intermediary translates the invisible electronic tagging state into visible optical signals that players and spectators can immediately perceive, bridging the gap between electronic game state and human perception.
2Adaptability or versatility
If drones are used for aerial combat gameplay, then game excitement and engagement are improved, but game followability and spectator understanding deteriorate due to dispersed activity and lack of focal point visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a visual dimension to the aerial combat game by projecting the abstract concept of 'possession' onto a visible virtual focal point that appears in the physical space where drones are flying. This dimensional addition allows spectators to perceive game state in the spatial domain rather than requiring them to track electronic signals or infer status from drone positions alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED indicator on the drone and the virtual focal point use color changes or illumination to communicate game status. When a drone possesses the virtual focal point or is tagged, the LED indicator changes its optical state, providing immediate visual feedback that enhances spectator understanding of game dynamics without requiring close observation of drone maneuvers.
3Reliability
If LED indicators are mounted on drones for tagging status, then player awareness is improved, but spectator visibility and overall game clarity deteriorate due to head's-up display limitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the display from a two-dimensional heads-up display on the drone surface to a three-dimensional virtual focal point that exists in the physical space among the drones. This virtual focal point can be observed from multiple angles and distances by spectators, converting a pilot-centric display into a spectator-friendly visual representation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a dual-display intermediary: the LED indicator on the drone for player awareness and the virtual focal point in physical space for spectator visibility. This intermediary system serves both audiences simultaneously, with the virtual focal point acting as a mediator that translates electronic game state into a form visible to spectators at a distance.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a gaming system that is comprised of a plurality of computing devices, where a computing device initially exhibits an active state of an instance of a Virtual Focal Point (VFP), and another computing device initially exhibit an IN-active state of the instance of the Virtual Focal Point of the computing device. The active state of the instance of the VFP of the computing device may be transferred to the other computing device with the IN-active state of the instance of the VFP.