Toy Combat Gaming System

Abstract

Taught herein is a virtual toy fighting device integrating a positioning receiver comprising a host toy device 2, a host remote-control operation device 6 and a opponent toy device 22, wherein the host toy device 2 and the opponent toy device 22 comprise a positioning receiver 3 and a positioning receiver 33 for receiving positioning information, respectively. The invention is applicable for fighting a combat game between air-to-air, air-to-land, air-to-water, land-to-land, water-to-surface, and land-to-water models, in a single user, or multiple user environment (one-to-one, one-to-many and many-to-many), and thereby widens the entertainment range of the game. This invention has wide applications in the areas of toy tools, simulators, training models, and so on.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 200610035199.7 filed on Apr. 18, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a virtual toy combat gaming system, and particularly to a toy combat gaming system integrating one or more positioning receivers to determine the position of the opponent and to assist in virtual fighting.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] In conventional toy games, controlling a model toy via radio operation has been widely used, and numerous software games feature radio-controlled planes, ships and vehicles. However, no effective way to incorporate position, altitude and movement information of the toy models has been developed for virtual toy attack games. Moreover, no effective and simple methods have been developed to simulate an attack mode, to set a degree of difficulty, and to lock virtual weapons onto targets. Conventional game models are not only unsuitable for games between one-to-one models, but also for games between one-to-many and many-to-many models, and specifically, do not provide friend-or-foe identification.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a toy combat gaming system that may determine the position and status of an opponent and participate in virtual one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-many fighting applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] One objective of the invention is to provide a toy combat gaming system, especially a toy combat gaming system that may obtain opponent position and status and perform virtual fighting according to this information.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, provided is a toy combat gaming system comprising a host toy device 2 comprising a positioning receiver 3; a host remote-control operation device 6 having means for communicating with said host toy device 2; and an opponent toy device 22 comprising a positioning receiver 33, said opponent toy device 22 having means for engaging in toy combat with said host toy device 2.

[0009] In certain class of this embodiment, the toy device 2 further comprises a host radio transceiving portion 4 for transmitting the positioning information from the positioning receiver 3 and positioning information of the host toy device; a host control portion 5 for controlling an altitude of the toy device 2 and launching of the virtual weapon b1 according to the positioning information received by the radio transceiving portion 4; a host antenna a1; and a host virtual weapon b1 for launching virtual bombs or missiles.

[0010] In certain classes of this embodiment, the radio transceiving portion 4 serves further for identifying positioning information of the host toy device via a number identifier or a communication address therein.

[0011] In certain class of this embodiment, the host remote-control operation device 6 comprises a host radio transceiving portion 7 for receiving positioning information from the host toy device 2 and the opponent toy device 22; a host signal processing portion 8; a host control portion 9; a host display portion 10; and a host antenna a2.

[0012] In certain class of this embodiment, the host remote-control operation device 6 comprises a host transceiving portion 7. In certain classes of this embodiment, the radio transceiving portion 7 has a further function of notifying the host toy device 2 of information that the opponent toy device 22 is shot.

[0013] In certain class of this embodiment, the host remote-control operation device 6 further comprises a signal processing portion 8 for receiving and processing the positioning information from the host toy device 2 and the opponent toy device 22.

[0014] In certain class of this embodiment, the host remote-control operation device 6 further comprises a control portion 9 for controlling an altitude of the toy device 2 and launch of the virtual weapon b1 according to the positioning information processed by the signal processing portion 8.

[0015] In certain class of this embodiment, the host remote-control operation device 6 further comprises a display portion 10 for displaying the positioning information from the host toy device 2 and the opponent toy device 22, attack information, and usage and inventory information of the virtual bombs

[0016] In certain class of this embodiment, a virtual capture region c1 is disposed in front of the host virtual weapon b1.

[0017] In certain classes of this embodiment, a further function of the control portion 9 is further for instructing the virtual weapon b1 to launch virtual bombs as an opponent toy device 22 enters the host virtual weapon b1.

[0018] In certain class of this embodiment, the opponent toy device 22 comprises a radio transceiving portion 44, a control portion 55 and a virtual weapon b11, the functions of which are the same as those of the radio transceiving portion 4, the control portion 5 and the virtual weapon b1, respectively.

[0019] In certain class of this embodiment, the toy combat gaming system further comprises an opponent remote-control operation device 66 communicating with the opponent toy device 22, which opponent remote-control operation device 66 comprises an opponent radio transceiving portion 77, an opponent signal processing portion 88, an opponent control portion 99 and an opponent display portion 100, functions of which are the same as those of the radio transceiving portion 7, the signal processing portion 8, the control portion 9 and the display portion 10, respectively.

[0020] In certain class of this embodiment, the toy device 2 comprises a host positioning receiver 3, a host radio transceiving portion 4, a host control portion 5, a host antenna a1 and a host virtual weapon b1; the host remote-control operation device 6 comprises a host radio transceiving portion 7, a host signal processing portion 8, a host control portion 9, a host display portion 10 and a host antenna a2; and the opponent toy device 22 comprises an opponent positioning receiver 33, an opponent radio transceiving portion 44, an opponent control portion 55 and an opponent antenna all.

[0021] In certain class of this embodiment, the host remote-control operation device 6 further comprises a display portion 10 for displaying the positioning information from the host toy device 2 and the opponent toy device 22, attack information, and usage and inventory information of the virtual bombs.

[0022] In certain classes of this embodiment, the positioning information is sent/received from the ground or from a satellite.

[0023] In other aspects the invention provides a method for using the toy combat gaming system described herein, wherein the host positioning receiver 3 transmits received positioning information and releases the host positioning information via the host radio transceiving portion 4; the host radio receiver 4 receives information from the host radio transceiving portion 7; a number identifier or a communication address for identifying the information from the radio transceiving portion 7 is disposed inside the host transceiving portion 4; the host control portion 5 controls an altitude of the host toy device 2 and launch of the host virtual weapon b1 according to the information received by the radio receiver 4; the host radio transceiving portion 7 receives positioning information from all toy devices, and transfers the positioning information to the signal processing portion 8; the host information processing portion 8 processes both the host and the opponent positioning information, the virtual capture region c1, lock status, and information of virtual bombs launched by the virtual weapon b1 and transfers the information to the radio transceiving portion 7 and the display portion 10; the host control portion 9 controls an altitude of the host toy device 2 and the transmission of the host virtual weapon b1, and the information processing portion 8 transfers related information to the host toy device 2 via the radio transceiver 7; the host display portion 10 displays positioning information, virtual capture region information, lock information, attack information, and usage and inventory information of virtual bombs of the host toy device and the opponent toy device. The functions of the opponent toy device 22 are the same as those of the host toy device 2; and the functions of the opponent remote-control operation device 66 are the same as those of the host remote-control operation device 6.

[0024] In certain classes of this embodiment, the system has a virtual capture region c1 disposed in front of the host virtual weapon b1, and a virtual capture region c11 disposed in front of the opponent virtual weapon b22. If the opponent toy device 22 enters the virtual capture region c1, the opponent toy device is locked on, the host remote-control operation device 6 instructs the virtual weapon b1 to launch virtual bombs, indicating the opponent toy device 22 is shot, the host radio transceiving portion 7 informs the opponent of information that the opponent toy device 22 is shot, and displays that on the display portion of both the host and the opponent remote-control operation device. If the host toy device 2 enters the virtual capture region c11, the host toy device 2 is locked on by the opponent, the opponent remote-control operation device 66 instructs the virtual weapon b11 to launch virtual bombs, indicating the host toy device 2 is shot, the opponent radio transceiving portion 77 informs the host of information that the host toy device 2 is shot, and displays that on the display portion of both the host and the opponent remote-control operation device.

[0025] In certain classes of this embodiment, a processing software disposed in both the signal processing portion 8 of the host remote-control operation device 6 and the signal processing portion 88 of the opponent remote-control operation device 66 processes positioning information, along with movement information of the toy devices, produces the virtual weapons and the virtual bombs, simulates lock status and attack status, collects usage and inventory of the virtual weapons, and displays results thereof on the display portions of the remote-control operation devices.

[0026] In certain classes of this embodiment, initial positioning and error correction, static and dynamic differential positioning, along with data processing are performed between the positioning receivers so as to reduce relative error in position status.

[0027] In certain classes of this embodiment, a shape, a length and capture lock time of the virtual capture region are set via the processing software in the remote-control operation devices; the degree of difficulty of operation and the number of stages are set before or during a game according to the experience level of the toy operator and the game time. Once a toy device is shot, fighting status thereof may cause a party getting shot to change, stop or pause some of the operation functions via predetermined setting. Photoelectric, acoustic, graphic and infrared functions are included in the toy devices or the remote-control operation devices to simulate real combat and increase interest on the game. The operator sets the number of virtual bombs to be infinite or finite via software setting of the remote-control operation devices, the virtual bombs divided into a virtual bomb destroying a target by one time, and a virtual bomb destroying a target by several times.

[0028] In certain classes of the embodiments described herein, the opponent toy device 22 virtually engages in combat against the host toy device 2.

[0029] In certain classes of this embodiment, the host remote-control operation device 6 communicates with the host toy device 2.

[0030] In certain classes of this embodiment, the positioning receiver 33 receives positioning information.

[0031] In certain classes of this embodiment, the radio transceiving portion 4 transmits the positioning information from the positioning receiver 3, and positioning information of the host toy device.

[0032] In certain classes of this embodiment, the radio transceiving portion 4 indentifies positioning information of the host toy device via a number identifier or a communication address therein.

[0033] In certain classes of this embodiment, virtual weapon b1 launches virtual bombs.

[0034] In certain classes of this embodiment, control portion 5 controls altitude of the toy device 2 and launches the virtual weapon b1 according to the positioning information received by the radio transceiving portion 4.

[0035] In certain classes of this embodiment, host transceiving portion 7 receives positioning information from the host toy device 2 and the opponent toy device 22.

[0036] In certain classes of this embodiment, the opponent toy device 22 comprises an opponent positioning receiver 33, an opponent radio transceiving portion 44, an opponent control portion 55 and an opponent antenna all.

[0037] In certain classes of this embodiment, the positioning receiver 3 and the positioning receiver 33 are capable of receiving positioning information from an emitter stationed on the ground or on a satellite.

[0038] In certain classes of this embodiment, a signal processing portion 8 has the function of receiving and processing the positioning information from the host toy device 2 and the opponent toy device 22.

[0039] In certain classes of this embodiment, a control portion 9 carries out the function of controlling an altitude of the toy device 2 and launch of the virtual weapon b1 according to the positioning information processed by the signal processing portion 8.

[0040] In certain classes of this embodiment, a display portion 10 carries out the function of displaying the positioning information from the host toy device 2 and the opponent toy device 22, attack information, and usage and inventory information of the virtual bombs.

[0041] In certain classes of this embodiment, the control portion 9 carries out the further function of instructing the virtual weapon b1 to launch virtual bombs as an opponent toy device 22 enters the host virtual weapon b1.

[0042] In certain classes of this embodiment, the radio transceiving portion 7 carries out the further function of notifying the host toy device 2 of information that the opponent toy device 22 is shot.

[0043] In certain classes of this embodiment, the display portion 10 carries out the further function of displaying a result that the opponent toy device 22 is shot.

[0044] In certain classes of this embodiment, the opponent toy device 22 comprises a radio transceiving portion 44, a control portion 55 and a virtual weapon b11, functions of which are respectively the same as those of the radio transceiving portion 4, the control portion 5 and the virtual weapon b1.

[0045] In certain classes of this embodiment, an opponent remote-control operation device 66 communicates with the opponent toy device 22.

[0046] In another embodiment this invention provides toy combat gaming system comprising a first means for engaging in toy combat comprising a positioning receiver; a second means for engaging in toy combat comprising a positioning receiver; and a means for controlling said first means for engaging in toy combat; wherein said first means is capable of engaging in toy combat against said second means.

[0047] In certain classes of this embodiment, the system further comprises means for controlling said second means for engaging in toy combat.

[0048] The virtual toy fighting device of the invention provides the following general advantages:

[0049] (1) an intelligent inter-model game device integrating a positioning receiver, a radio transceiving portion and a toy model allows for setting operation level, for engaging virtual weapons in a lock shooting situation, for determining possible shooting situations, for launching virtual attacks, and for informing about attack results;

[0050] (2) breaking through a traditional model of self-entertainment barrier, the system implements communicating entertainment and a group game, and increases interest and appeal;

[0051] (3) breaking through a traditional concept of counterplay games, the system combines live game effect with audio and vision;

[0052] (4) it is possible to perform friend-or-foe identification based on requirements for the virtual toy fighting device;

[0053] (5) relative error correction of position is possible between different positioning receivers via differential methods;

[0054] (6) parties to a game set degree of difficulty according to their experience level or game time; the virtual toy fighting device is not only suitable for a toy game, but also as a training simulator;

[0055] (7) parties to a game may carry infinite or finite number virtual weapons having different attack performance;

[0056] (8) the system is applicable to virtual attack toy devices in various situations such as air, water and land;

[0057] (9) the system is not only suitable for self-entertainment of setting target models and a game between one-to-one toy models, but also for a game between one-to-many and many-to-many toy models; and

[0058] (10) the virtual toy fighting device realizes personal authentication and upgrade for particular game enterprises, purchase and offering of virtual weapons, along with exchange of information.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] The invention is described hereinafter with reference to accompanying drawings, in which:

[0060] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a virtual toy fighting device integrating a positioning receiver of a first embodiment of the invention;

[0061] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a virtual toy fighting device integrating a positioning receiver of a second embodiment of the invention, in which a host has an attack function, and an opponent has no attack function, and may only defense passively;

[0062] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating fighting and a game between toy devices that are plane models of a virtual toy fighting device integrating a positioning receiver of a third embodiment of the invention;

[0063] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating fighting and a game between an air-to-land and an air-to-water toy device of a virtual toy fighting device integrating a positioning receiver of a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0064] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating fighting and a game between a land-to-air and a water-to-air toy device of a virtual toy fighting device integrating a positioning receiver of a fifth embodiment of the invention; and

[0065] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating fighting and a game among a land-to-land, a water-to-water and a land-to-water plane movement toy device of a virtual toy fighting device integrating a positioning receiver of a sixth embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0066] As shown in FIG. 1, a virtual toy fighting device, integrating a positioning receiver of a first embodiment of the invention, comprises a host subsystem 1 with a host toy device 2, and a host remote-control operation device 6, and an opponent subsystem 11 with an opponent toy device 22, and an opponent remote-control operation device 66.

[0067] In this embodiment, the host toy device 2 and the opponent toy device 22 comprise a host positioning receiver 3 and an opponent positioning receiver 33, respectively, via which positioning information is received. The host toy device 2 further comprises a host radio transceiving portion 4, a host control portion 5, a host antenna a1 and a host virtual weapon b1. The antenna a1 comprises a positioning receiver antenna and a radio transceiver antenna. The host remote-control operation device 6 comprises a host transceiving portion 7, a host signal processing portion 8, a host control portion 9, a host display portion 10, and a host antenna a2.

[0068] The opponent toy device 22 further comprises an opponent radio transceiving portion 44, an opponent control portion 55, an opponent antenna all and an opponent virtual weapon b11. The antenna all comprises a positioning receiver antenna and a radio transceiver antenna.

[0069] The opponent remote-control operation device 66 comprises an opponent transceiving portion 77, an opponent signal processing portion 88, an opponent control portion 99, and an opponent display portion 100, and is suitable for use where a game is played between models.

[0070] The host virtual weapon b1 is disposed on the host toy device 2, and the opponent virtual weapon b11 is disposed on the opponent toy device 22. A virtual capture region c1 is disposed in front of the host virtual weapon b1.

[0071] If the opponent toy device 22 enters the virtual capture region c1, the opponent toy device 22 will be locked on, the host remote-control operation device 6 instructs the virtual weapon b1 to launch virtual missiles, and the opponent toy device 22 will be shot at, the host radio transceiving portion 7 then informs the opponent of the information that the opponent toy device 22 is shot, and displays the information on the display portion of both the host and the opponent remote-control operation device.

[0072] Similarly, a virtual capture region c11 is disposed in front of the opponent virtual weapon b11. If the host toy device 2 enters the virtual capture region c11, the host toy device 2 will be locked on, the opponent remote-control operation device 66 instructs the virtual weapon b11 to launch virtual missiles, indicating the host toy device 2 is shot, the opponent radio transceiving portion 77 informs the host of the information that the host toy device 2 is shot, and displays the information on the display portion of both the host and the opponent remote-control operation device.

[0073] The virtual capture regions (c1, c11) is columnar, conic, plane, plane fan-shaped, linear or other geometric shapes.

[0074] For example, current positions and altitudes of all toy devices are displayed on the display portions, in conjunction with visual observation, an air route of an airplane model and a position suitable for shooting may be adjusted by controlling a remote controller, so as to shoot the opponent.

[0075] The host positioning receiver 3 transmits received positioning information and releases host positioning information via the host radio transceiving portion 4, the positioning information including position information and height information. The positioning receiver 3 is a satellite positioning receiver, such as a global position system (GPS) receiver or a ground positioning receiver that receives positioning information from a ground positioning system. The positioning information herein includes position information, height information, altitude information and any combination thereof. The positioning information is from a satellite or from the ground. As used herein, the positioning information is also referred to as positioning information.

[0076] The host radio receiver 4 receives information from the host radio transceiving portion 7. A number identifier or a communication address is disposed inside the host radio transceiver 4, for identifying information from the host transceiving portion 7.

[0077] The host remote-control operation device only controls the host toy device, but one remote-control operation device may control one or more toy devices as long as their code or their communication address is specified. Similarly, the opponent remote-control operation device only controls the opponent toy device, but one remote-control operation device may control one or more toy devices as long as their code or their communication address is specified.

[0078] As an alternative to using a number identifier or communication address, the remote-control operation device may use different frequency bands to control and operate respective models, so as to prevent interference between different frequencies.

[0079] The host control portion 5 controls an altitude of the host toy device 2 and launch of the host virtual weapon b1 according to the information received by the radio transceiving portion 4.

[0080] The host radio transceiving portion 7 receives positioning information from all toy devices, and transfers the positioning information to the signal processing portion 8.

[0081] The host information processing portion 8 is responsible for processing the host and the opponent positioning information, the virtual capture region c1, lock status, and information of the virtual bombs launched by the virtual weapon b1, and for transferring the information to the radio transceiving portion 7 and the display portion 10.

[0082] The host control portion 9 is responsible for controlling an altitude of the host toy device 2 and launching of the host virtual weapon b1, and the information processing portion 8 transfers related information to the host toy device 2 via the radio transceiver 7.

[0083] The host display portion 10 is responsible for displaying positioning information, virtual capture region information, lock information, attack information, and usage and inventory information of the virtual bombs of both the host and the opponent models.

[0084] In this embodiment, functions of the opponent toy device 22 are the same as those of the host toy device 2. The positioning receiver 3 and the positioning receiver 33, the radio transceiving portion 4 and the radio transceiving portion 44, and the control portion 5 and the control portion 55 are the same hardware, respectively. The functions of the opponent remote-control operation device 66 are the same as those of the host remote-control operation device 6.

[0085] The radio transceiving portion 7 and the radio transceiving portion 77, the signal processing portion 8 and the signal processing portion 88, the control portion 9 and the control portion 99, and the display portion 10 and the display portion 100 are the same hardware, respectively.

[0086] Processing software is installed in both the signal processing portion 8 of the host remote-control operation device 6 and the signal processing portion 88 of the opponent remote-control operation device 66.

[0087] Functions of the processing software include: processing host and opponent positioning information, and calculating data such as a distance, a location difference and a height difference between the host and the opponent; processing altitude and movement status information of the toy device; calculating a virtual capture region; producing virtual weapons and virtual missiles; simulating lock status; simulating attack status; collecting usage and inventory information of the virtual bombs; and displaying results on the display portions of the remote-control operation devices.

[0088] The virtual toy fighting device is not only suitable for use in a game between one-to-one models, but also can be used in a game between one-to-many and many-to-many models.

[0089] The virtual toy fighting device is not only suitable for fighting and a game between airplane models, but also for those in an air-land, an air-water, a land-land, a surface-of-water and/or a land-water situation. The virtual toy fighting device is also suitable for simulative training.

[0090] Initial positioning and error correction, static and dynamic differential positioning, along with data processing are performed between positioning receivers of all toy devices of the virtual toy fighting device, so as to reduce relative error in position status of all the toy devices.

[0091] For example, assuming the host or the opponent toy device is an airplane model, a positioning receiver 3 thereof is an ordinary GPS satellite navigation receiver with a positioning precision of approximately 30 meters, and a positioning receiver 33 of the opponent airplane model is an ordinary GPS satellite navigation receiver with the same type and a positioning precision of approximately 30 meters. Obviously, there is a big relative error between the two receivers. Therefore, initial positioning and error correction, static and dynamic differential positioning, along with data processing are performed between satellite positioning receivers of airplane models, to decrease a relative error in position status between the host and the opponent. At this point one satellite positioning receiver operates as a differential benchmark receiver, and the other one corrects a position after performing differential calculation on signals from the differential benchmark receiver. Thus, the relative error between the airplane models is decreased to a centimeter level, which greatly increases a relative positioning precision, and provides a basic situation for a game between different models. Signal transmission and reception of the real-time differential satellite navigation receiver are implemented by a transmitting and a receiving function of a radio transceiving portion installed on a model or a remote controller.

[0092] The shape, the cross-sectional area, the length, the capture solid angle and the capture lock time of the virtual capture region are set via the processing software in the remote-control operation device.

[0093] The degree of difficulty of operation and multiple stages are set by setting software and hardware of the remote-control operation devices before or during a game, according to experience levels of the model operator and game time. Also, the experience levels of an operator are set so as to keep the game stimulating and challenging, and interesting.

[0094] In a game, since both parties are in a constant movement, it is very hard to instantly shoot the opponent airplane model by point-to-point linear collimation. Another advantage of the invention is that the status of the control portion inside the remote-control operation device, and therefore degree of difficulty of operation, can be set dynamically in advance or during the movement of various game pieces, according to the experience level and game time of the operator.

[0095] Further, in setting the degree of difficulty of a game, multiple stages may be set according to a size and a length of the virtual capture region. For example, in setting an operator with a novice experience level, positions of and a distance between two parties are known via the satellite navigation receiver, if the front of a host is set as a vertex of a solid angle, a capture solid angle meeting a shooting condition may be set to 30 degree via software setting, and a host virtual weapon acts as a shotgun with a solid angle of 30 degree, which may shoot the opponent at a solid angle of 30 degree and within a range of 50 meters; in setting an operator with an intermediate level, a capture solid angle meeting a shooting condition may be 20 degree, and a host virtual weapon acts as a shotgun with a solid angle of 20 degree, which may shoot the opponent at a solid angle of 20 degree and within a range of 50 meters; in setting an operator with a high level, a capture solid angle meeting a shooting condition may be 15 degree, and a host virtual weapon acts as a shotgun with a solid angle of 15 degree, which may shoot the opponent at a solid angle of 15 degree and within a range of 50 meters. The capture solid angle tells a position (longitude and latitude) and a height via the satellite navigation receiver, and further calculates a solid angle of 30, 20 or 15 degree, along with a distance of 50 meters. An information condition of an opponent meeting the above shooting condition may be calculated and determined via software, so as to make an attack.

[0096] Moreover, infinite or finite number of virtual weapons that may be carried may be set prior to a game via software setting, virtual weapons destroying a target by one time or several times are launched according to operation of an operator. For example, two parties to a game may carry 2 virtual missiles and 100 virtual automatic cannon shots, a virtual missile may destroy the opponent at a solid angle of 30 degree and within a range of 100 meters, and a simulative automatic cannon may only destroy the opponent by continuously or discontinuously shooting the target for three times at a solid angle of 20 degree and within a range of 50 meters.

[0097] Once the toy device is shot at, fighting status thereof may cause a party having been shot to change, stop or pause some of the operation functions via predetermined setting.

[0098] In this embodiment, photoelectric, acoustic, fog, graphic and infrared functions may be added to the toy devices or the remote-control operation devices, to simulate real combat and increase interest in the game.

[0099] Once opponent target information is traced and locked, it is displayed on an acoustical or a visual display portion to inform the host and the opponent. Information of getting shot may also be displayed on an acoustic or a visual display portion of the host or the opponent. In operation, once the operated toy device is shot, fighting status thereof may cause a party having been shot to change, stop or pause some of the operation functions via predetermined setting. For example, in a game rule, an airplane model having been shot is instructed to return to a base, and the next round of game may not get started until "getting shot" status is released.

[0100] An operator sets the number of virtual bombs to be infinite or finite via software setting of the remote-control operation devices, the virtual bombs divided into a virtual bomb destroying a target by one time, and a virtual bomb destroying a target by several times.

[0101] It should be noted that in addition to the virtual bomb, an electric signal, a laser signal or infrared ray may be used to attack the opponent, as long as a receiver and a transmitter corresponding thereto are installed on the host and the opponent model.

[0102] The virtual toy fighting device may access to a computer network, to realize personal authentication and upgrade for particular game enterprises, purchase and offering of virtual weapons, along with exchange of information.

[0103] FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention, in which a positioning receiver is disposed inside a host and an opponent toy device. The host toy device has an attack function, and the opponent toy device without the remote-control operation device does not have the attack function, and may only defend passively. In this embodiment, the host toy device 2 is an airplane model, and the opponent toy device 22 is a radar station or a communication building.

[0104] In this embodiment, the virtual toy fighting device may be operated in a one person mode.

[0105] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the host toy device 2 and the opponent toy device 22 are each model airplanes.

[0106] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the host toy device 2 is a model airplane and the opponent toy device 22 is a model land or water vehicle which engage one another in air-to-land and/or an air-to-water combat.

[0107] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the host toy device 2 is a model airplane and the opponent toy device 22 is a model land or water vehicle, which engage one another in land-to-air and/or water-to-air combat.

[0108] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the host toy device 2 and the opponent toy device 22 are each model land or water vehicles, which engage one another in land-to-land, land-to-water, water-to-land and/or water-to-water combat.

[0109] The difference between embodiments shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 5 is that the positioning height may not be taken into account, and a capture region is a plane region such as a plane fan-shaped region or a plane rectangular region.

[0110] As an intelligent model integrating various practical models, positioning techniques and software games, the invention develops a self-operation model into emulative, fighting, interesting and teamwork-building multi-player entertainment device.

[0111] While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A toy combat gaming system comprising: a host toy device (2) comprising a positioning receiver (3); a host remote-control operation device (6) having means for communicating with the host toy device (2); and an opponent toy device (22) comprising a positioning receiver (33), the opponent toy device (22) having means for engaging in toy combat with the host toy device (2).

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the toy device (2) further comprises a host radio transceiving portion (4), a host control portion (5), a host antenna (a1) and a host virtual weapon (b1).

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the host remote-control operation device (6) comprises a host radio transceiving portion (7), a host signal processing portion (8), a host control portion (9), a host display portion (10) and a host antenna (a2).

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the host remote-control operation device (6) comprises a host transceiving portion (7).

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the host remote-control operation device (6) further comprises a signal processing portion (8).

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the host remote-control operation device (6) further comprises a control portion (9).

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the host remote-control operation device (6) further comprises a display portion (10).

8. The system of claim 6, wherein a virtual capture region (c1) is disposed in front of the host virtual weapon (b1).

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the opponent toy device (22) comprises a radio transceiving portion (44), a control portion (55) and a virtual weapon (b11).

10. The system of claim 1 further comprising an opponent remote-control operation device (66), which comprises an opponent radio transceiving portion (77), an opponent signal processing portion (88), an opponent control portion (99) and an opponent display portion (100).

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the opponent remote-control operation device (66) comprises a radio transceiving portion (77), a signal processing portion (88), a control portion (99) and a display portion (100).

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the toy device (2) comprises a host positioning receiver (3), a host radio transceiving portion (4), a host control portion (5), a host antenna (a1) and a host virtual weapon (b1); the host remote-control operation device (6) includes a host radio transceiving portion (7), a host signal processing portion (8), a host control portion (9), a host display portion (10) and a host antenna (a2); and the opponent toy device (22) comprises an opponent positioning receiver (33), an opponent radio transceiving portion (44), an opponent control portion (55) and an opponent antenna (a11).

13. The system of claim 3, wherein the host remote-control operation device (6) further comprises a display portion (10) for displaying the positioning information from the host toy device (2) and the opponent toy device (22), attack information, and usage and inventory information of the virtual bombs.

14. A method for using the system of claim 12, wherein the host positioning receiver (3) transmits received positioning information and releases the host positioning information via the host radio transceiving portion (4); the host radio receiver (4) receives information from the host radio transceiving portion (7); a number identifier or a communication address for identifying the information from the radio transceiving portion (7) is disposed inside the host transceiving portion (4); the host control portion (5) controls an altitude of the host toy device (2) and launch of the host virtual weapon (b1) according to the information received by the radio receiver (4); the host radio transceiving portion (7) receives positioning information from all toy devices, and transfers the positioning information to the signal processing portion (8); the host information processing portion (8) is for processing both the host and the opponent positioning information, the virtual capture region (c1), lock status, and information of virtual bombs launched by the virtual weapon (b1), and for transferring the information to the radio transceiving portion (7) and the display portion (10); the host control portion (9) controls an altitude of the host toy device (2) and the transmission of the host virtual weapon (b1), and the information processing portion (8) transfers related information to the host toy device (2) via the radio transceiver (7); the host display portion (10) displays positioning information, virtual capture region information, lock information, attack information, and usage and inventory information of virtual bombs of the host toy device and the opponent toy device; functions of the opponent toy device (22) are the same as those of the host toy device (2); and functions of the opponent remote-control operation device (66) are the same as those of the host remote-control operation device (6).

15. A method for using the system of claim 14, having a virtual capture region (c1) disposed in front of the host virtual weapon (b1), and a virtual capture region (c11) disposed in front of the opponent virtual weapon (b22), wherein if the opponent toy device (22) enters the virtual capture region (c1), the opponent toy device is locked on, the host remote-control operation device (6) instructs the virtual weapon (b1) to launch virtual bombs, indicating the opponent toy device (22) is shot, the host radio transceiving portion (7) informs the opponent of information that the opponent toy device (22) is shot, and displays that on the display portion of both the host and the opponent remote-control operation device; and if the host toy device (2) enters the virtual capture region (c11), the host toy device (2) may be locked on by the opponent, the opponent remote-control operation device (66) instructs the virtual weapon (b11) to launch virtual bombs, indicating the host toy device (2) is shot, the opponent radio transceiving portion (77) informs the host of information that the host toy device (2) is shot, and displays that on the display portion of both the host and the opponent remote-control operation device.

16. A method of claim 15, wherein a processing software disposed in both the signal processing portion (8) of the host remote-control operation device (6) and the signal processing portion (88) of the opponent remote-control operation device (66) processes positioning information, along with movement information of the toy devices, produces the virtual weapons and the virtual bombs, simulates lock status and attack status, collects usage and inventory of the virtual weapons, and displays results thereof on the display portions of the remote-control operation devices.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein initial positioning and error correction, static and dynamic differential positioning, along with data processing are performed between the positioning receivers so as to reduce relative error in position status.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a shape, a length and capture lock time of the virtual capture region are set via the processing software in the remote-control operation devices; a degree of difficulty of operation and multiple stages are set before or during a game, according to a level of a model operator and game time; once a toy device is shot, fighting status thereof may cause a party getting shot to change, stop or pause some of the operation functions via predetermined setting; photoelectric, acoustic, graphic and infrared functions are included in the toy devices or the remote-control operation devices, to simulate real combat and increase interest on the game; and an operator sets the number of virtual bombs to be infinite or finite via software setting of the remote-control operation devices, the virtual bombs divided into a virtual bomb destroying a target by one time, and a virtual bomb destroying a target by several times.

19. A toy combat gaming system comprising a first means for engaging in toy combat comprising a positioning receiver; a second means for engaging in toy combat comprising a positioning receiver; and a means for controlling said first means for engaging in toy combat; wherein said first means is capable of engaging in toy combat against said second means.

20. The system of claim 19 further comprising means for controlling said second means for engaging in toy combat.