U.S. patent application number 09/731612 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-27 for laser light sword.
Invention is credited to Meredith, Christopher.
Application Number | 20010024973 09/731612 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26865792 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010024973 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meredith, Christopher |
September 27, 2001 |
Laser light sword
Abstract
A simulated laser light sword is linked to a computer for
display of sword movements. The sword includes a handle having
accelerometers, a joystick, a light source and microswitch controls
which sense and control movements of the handle. A translucent
blade engages the handle and is illuminated by the light source. A
gyroscope can provide a positional reference. Power is supplied
internally or by connection to the computer. The computer interacts
with the sword components to display movements on the screen. Light
intensities can vary with the activity of the sword.
Inventors: |
Meredith, Christopher;
(Nantucket, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WEINGRAM & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
P.O. BOX 927
197 WEST SPRING VALLEY AVE
MAYWOOD
NJ
07607
US
|
Family ID: |
26865792 |
Appl. No.: |
09/731612 |
Filed: |
December 7, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60170171 |
Dec 10, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/211 20140902;
A63F 2300/1006 20130101; A63F 2300/105 20130101; A63F 13/428
20140902; A63F 13/06 20130101; A63F 2300/1062 20130101; A63H 33/009
20130101; A63F 2300/8029 20130101; A63F 13/245 20140902 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/36 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A simulated laser light sword comprising: a handle; a pair of
dual axis accelerometers mounted within the handle for sensing
sword movements; a joystick control positioned along one end of
said handle for controlling sword movements; a light source
positioned at said one end; a receptacle opening at said one handle
end adjacent said light source; a microswitch mounted on said
handle, said microswitch having control buttons for controlling
program functions; a source of power for actuating said light
sword; a circuit board within said handle having connections to
said microswitch, accelerometers and joystick; a translucent
simulated blade engaging said receptacle opening and extending
outwardly from said handle for a given length, said blade being
illuminated by said light source upon actuation of said power
source; and connection means extending from the other end of said
handle for connecting said circuit board, microswitch,
accelerometers and joystick to a computer having a software program
and display screen for interaction with the sensing and control
elements of said light sword and displaying said movements on said
screen.
2. A laser light sword comprising: a handle; sensing means mounted
within said handle for sensing and generating signals representing
sword movements; position control means mounted along one end of
said handle for manually controlling sword movements; a light
source positioned at said one end; switching means mounted on said
handle for controlling sword program functions; power supply means
for actuating the components mounted in said handle; circuit
connection means within said handle for connecting together said
sensing means, position control means and switching means; a
translucent simulated blade engaging said one end of said handle
and extending outwardly for a given length, said blade being
illuminated by said light source upon actuation of said power
supply means; and connection means for transmitting signal
information from said sensing means, position control means and
switching means to a computer having a software program and display
screen for interaction with said sensing, position control and
switching means and for displaying said sword movements on said
screen.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said sensing means is a pair of
dual axis accelerometers, said position control means is an eight
position thumb joystick, said switching means is a microswitch
having a plurality of control buttons, and said circuit connection
means is a circuit board.
4. The device of claim 3, including a gyroscope and gyroscope motor
mounted in said handle and actuated by said power supply means for
providing a positional reference for said handle and blade.
5. The device of claim 3 wherein said light source is a halogen
lamp providing light of a given color and an intensity that is
variable with activity of the sword.
6. The device of claim 3 wherein said handle includes a threaded
receptacle opening at said one end and said blade threadably
engages said opening and extends outwardly from said handle.
7. The device of claim 3 wherein said connection means includes
wire cables extending from the other end of said handle to said
computer.
8. The device of claim 3 wherein said dual axis accelerometers
include a tilt sensor.
Description
[0001] The disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,542,672, and 5,730,655,
are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0002] The disclosures of application Ser. No. 08/903,100 filed
Jul. 30, 1997, and Ser. 09/176825 filed Oct. 27, 1998 are hereby
incorporated by reference.
[0003] The foregoing patents and applications have the same
inventor.
[0004] The present invention relates to electronic toy swords and
in particular, to those swords which are connected to a computer
for simulating play on the computer screen.
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
simulated laser light sword to generate motions of the sword in
real time to personal computer (PC) software for display on a
computer screen.
[0006] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
simulated laser light sword which increases in luminescence upon
contact during a sword fight.
[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
simulated laser light sword with a thumb joystick positioned on a
handle for the sword to facilitate quick reflexive action during
sword play.
[0008] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
simulated laser light sword having a gyroscope mounted therein for
promoting game play and the feel of sword activity.
[0009] The simulated laser sword of the present invention includes
a PC game controller that transmits signals of real time sword
motions in all directions to a PC software game. The sword, as a
controller, is connected to a computer so that the signals
generated from the sword controller can be transmitted to the
software for display on the computer screen to simulate the sword
fighting in real time.
[0010] Some of the features of the present invention include:
[0011] 1. A joystick that permits character movement and many
selections for sword fighting on the computer screen.
[0012] 2. Microswitch buttons on the sword handle for program
control of the particular sword fight.
[0013] 3. A removably mountable foam blade which is illuminated by
a halogen lamp.
[0014] 4. Variable intensity lighting for the sword to simulate the
degree of contact established during the sword fight.
[0015] 5. A length of the sword closely representing that of a real
sword and having the weight and balance for children, teenagers,
and adults to use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] For a more complete understanding of the present invention,
reference may be had to the following description of the preferred
embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawing Figures of
which:
[0017] FIGS. 1-3 show different views of a first preferred
embodiment of a simulated laser light sword according to the
present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 4-6 show different views of a second preferred
embodiment of a simulated laser light sword according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a simulated laser light sword
according to the present invention is shown generally at 10.
[0020] FIGS. 1 and 2 show top views of the disassembled and
assembled sword 10 while FIG. 3 shows a side view of the sword
10.
[0021] The length of the sword from end to end is approximately 24
to 30 inches. It is understood that this is by way of example only
and other lengths can be employed depending upon the size of the
sword necessary for the individuals involved in the sword play.
[0022] A first part of the sword 10 is the handle portion 12, and a
second part is a threaded light extension 14 simulating a sword
blade.
[0023] The handle portion 12 houses two known types of dual axis
accelerometers (such as shown in FIG. 4), with the accelerometers
sensing the X and Y axis velocity and directional movements of the
sword for display on computer screens. Such accelerometers are
available from Analog Devices, Inc.
[0024] One accelerometer is mounted horizontally at a flat end and
the other along the shaft at a right angle to the first one.
[0025] A microswitch 16 is mounted to the handle and includes a
plurality of buttons, preferably three, for controlling the program
software functions. A joystick 18 is mounted to the handle portion
12 for operation. The joystick 18 is preferably a known type of
eight position (8 PO) thumb joystick which is immediately
accessible when the handle 12 is being gripped. In other words,
proper gripping of the handle 12 finds the user's thumb laying over
the top of the joystick 18 which is adapted for movement in all
directions.
[0026] The joystick 18 is used to control program, menu-selection
and also to move opposing characters on the computer display
screen.
[0027] The combination of the microswitch 16 and the joystick 18
coaching with the accelerometers which can include a tilt sensor,
permits the user to control and sense all of the movements of the
sword in all directions as it is displayed on the computer
screen.
[0028] A suitable lamp 20, such as a halogen lamp, is mounted in
the handle proximate to where the handle joins the sword extension
14.
[0029] The sword extension is constructed as a threaded hollow
translucent foam core light extender. It is manufactured from a
piece of reflective foam having a threaded end 22 which is received
in a complementary threaded portion 24 of the handle 12. The sword
extension 14 is therefore threaded into the handle 12 to be
illuminated by the halogen lamp 20 automatically when the sword is
actuated by the software. It is preferred that, upon actuation, the
sword extension is illuminated a particular color, such as blue,
the intensity of the color changing or even going to a different
color to indicate swords striking or contacting other objects.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 4-6, the simulated laser light sword is
shown generally at 100 and includes all the features operable in
the same fashion as that in FIGS. 1-3 unless stated otherwise.
[0031] In this embodiment, one of the accelerometers 126 is shown
wired internally to the microswitch 116 and a controller circuit
board 128 connected to the computer software for display of the
sword movements on the screen.
[0032] A gyroscope 130 is mounted at a base of the handle 112 which
is actuated when the lighted sword is illuminated as well. The
gyroscope provides a positional reference and will continue
rotating as long as the laser light sword 100 is being actuated by
the software for the program. The gyroscope 130 is connected to a
miniature motor 131 for rotation of the gyroscope 130.
[0033] Both embodiments are provided with a belt clip 32,132 which
is mounted to a base of the handle 12,112 at a cushion able bumper
34,134.
[0034] Hand guards 36,136 are mounted to the end of handles 12,112
where the handles are removably mounted to the sword extenders
14,114.
[0035] The sword may contain an internal source of power, such as
batteries, or may be powered through the connection 38, 138 to the
PC.
[0036] It will be understood that the embodiments described herein
are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make
many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention. All such modifications and variations
are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as
described and claimed herein.
* * * * *