DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] With reference to FIG. 1(A), the gray-level image synthesis circuit 70 according to the invention contains: a control circuit 71, a video switch 72, a horizontal synchronous signal separation circuit 75, and a switching device 77. The circuit 70 functions as follows. The control circuit 71 receives display information from an external control circuit 60 and at the same time the horizontal synchronous signal H_sync sent from the horizontal synchronous signal separation circuit 75. The video switch 72 is a two-step switch controlled by the control circuit 71. When the control circuit 71 provides a high level 1, the video in signal sent from the game host 20 is directly displayed on the monitor. If the signal from the control circuit 71 is at the low level 0, the image synthesis image is sent to the monitor for display. The horizontal synchronous signal separation circuit 75 extracts a horizontal synchronous signal H_sync from the input video signal and sends it to the control circuit 71. The switching device 77 is used to control the control circuit 71 to switch among different cursor types.

[0020] With reference to FIG. 1(B), the color image synthesis circuit 70 according to the invention contains: a control circuit 71, a video switch 72, a converter circuit 73, a color modulation circuit 74, a horizontal synchronous signal separation circuit 75, a vertical synchronous signal separation circuit 76, a switching device 77, a synchronous signal generator 78, and a mixer 79. The circuit 70 functions as follows. The control circuit 71 receives display information sent from the an external control circuit 60 and, at the same time, a horizontal synchronous signal H_sync from the horizontal synchronous signal separation circuit 75 and a vertical synchronous signal V_sync from the vertical synchronous signal separation circuit 76. The video switch 72 is a two-step switch controlled by the control circuit 71. When the control circuit 71 provides a high level 1, the video in signal sent from the game host 20 is directly displayed on the monitor. If the signal from the control circuit 71 is at the low level 0, the image synthesis image of the invention is sent to the monitor for display. The converter circuit 73 converts the RGB colors into (R-Y), (B-Y) and Y signals, where the RGB colors are obtained by having the display information from the control circuit 71 go through a D/A (Digital/Analog) converter. The color modulation circuit 74 takes the (R-Y), (B-Y) and Y signals sent from the converter circuit 73 and modulate them with a color modulation frequency 3.579545 MHz, producing a video signal. It should be noted here that the televisions have two systems: NTSC and PAL. Therefore, their color modulation frequencies are different. In this specification, we simply consider the NTSC system in the embodiments. If the invention is to be applied to a PAL television, one only needs to change the color modulation frequency to 4.4331876 MHz. The horizontal synchronous signal separation circuit 75 extracts the horizontal synchronous signal H_sync from the modulated signal and sends it to the control circuit 71. The vertical synchronous signal separation circuit 76 extracts the vertical synchronous signal V_sync from the modulated signal and sends it to the control circuit 71. The switching device 77 controls the control circuit 71 to switch among different cursor forms. The synchronous signal generator 78 is used to synchronize the horizontal synchronous signal H_sync and the vertical synchronous signal V_sync. The mixer 79 mixes the synchronous signal generated by the synchronous signal generator 78 and the image synthesis signal generated by the control circuit 71. The mixed signal is then sent by the video switch 72 to display on the monitor.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, the disclosed visual feedback system 40 comprises: a communication interface 50, a control circuit 60, and an image synthesis circuit 70. The communication interface 50 extracts a signal sent from an optical gun 30 to a game host 20. The control circuit 60 obtains a bullet falling point signal or a bullet coordinate signal transmitted from the optical gun 30 through the communication interface 50. If the control circuit 60 gets a bullet falling point signal, then the image synthesis circuit 70 extracts a horizontal synchronous signal H_sync and a vertical synchronous signal V_sync to compute the coordinates of the bullet falling point. The coordinate information is then sent to the image synthesis circuit 70. The image synthesis circuit 70 then synthesizes a predetermined cursor in the video-in video signal transmitted from the game host 20, producing an image synthesis signal containing the cursor. Finally, the image synthesis signal is sent to a screen 10 for display.

[0022] FIG. 3 shows the circuit block diagram of a second embodiment of the invention. This embodiment implements an optical gun in an optical gun visual feedback system 31. The system comprises: a communication interface 50, a control circuit 90, an image synthesis circuit 70, a photo receiver 100, and several switches 110. The communication interface 50, the control circuit 90, the photo receiver 100 and the switches 110 provide all the necessary functions in the optical gun device.

[0023] Furthermore, the control circuit 90 is in signal communications with the game host 20 through the communication interface 50. On one hand, the control circuit 90 processes the communications between the optical gun and the game host 20. On the other hand, the control circuit receives a bullet falling point signal or a bullet coordinate signal. If the control circuit 90 detects a bullet falling point signal, the image synthesis circuit 70 obtains and uses the horizontal synchronous signal H_sync and the vertical synchronous signal V_sync to compute the bullet coordinate information of the bullet falling point. Such bullet coordinate data are sent to the image synthesis circuit 70. The image synthesis circuit 70 then synthesizes a predetermined cursor in the video-in video signal transmitted from the game host 20, producing an image synthesis signal containing the cursor. Finally, the image synthesis signal is sent to a screen 10 for display. The photo receiver 100 receives the bullet falling point signal generated by the screen 10. The switches 110 are used for input from the player during the game.

[0024] A third embodiment is shown in FIG. 4. This embodiment shows a wireless visual feedback system. Combining the technologies implemented on a wireless optical gun, the wireless visual feedback system includes: a wireless host device 41 and a wireless optical gun device 32. The wireless host device 41 is comprised of: a communication interface 50, a control circuit 150, an image synthesis circuit 70, a wireless receiver 130, and a wireless transmitter 140. The wireless optical gun device 32 is in signal communications with the wireless host device 41 through the communication interface 50, the wireless receiver 130 and the wireless transmitter 140 thereof. The wireless receiver 130 and the wireless transmitter 140 are controlled by the control circuit 150. The control circuit 150 processes the communications between the wireless optical gun device 32 and the game host 20 on one hand, and extracts from the wireless optical gun device 32 a bullet falling point signal or a bullet coordinate signal through the wireless receiver 130. If the control circuit 150 detects that it is a bullet falling point signal, then the image synthesis circuit 70 obtains and uses a horizontal synchronous signal H_sync and a vertical synchronous signal V_sync to compute the coordinates of the bullet falling point. The coordinate information is then sent to the image synthesis circuit 70. The image synthesis circuit 70 then synthesizes a predetermined cursor in the video-in video signal transmitted from the game host 20, producing an image synthesis signal containing the cursor. Finally, the image synthesis signal is sent to a screen 10 for display. The wireless optical gun device 32 comprises: a photo receiver 100, a control circuit 120, a wireless receiver 130, a wireless transmitter 140, and several switches 110. The photo receiver 100 receives the bullet falling point signal generated by the screen 10. The control circuit 120 controls the wireless receiver 130 and the wireless transmitter 140 to communicate with the game host 20. The received bullet falling point signal or the computed bullet coordinate signal along with the input information from the player during the game are sent to the wireless host device 41. The switches 110 are used for input from the player during the game.

[0025] A fourth embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. This embodiment shows a wireless visual feedback system. The system receives signals sent out from the wireless optical gun device and forms a predetermined cursor in the video-in video signal sent from the game host 20 at the point corresponding to the bullet coordinate information, producing an image synthesis signal containing the cursor. The image synthesis signal is then sent to a screen 10 for display. The wireless optical gun is comprised of a wireless host device 41 and a wireless optical gun device 32. The wireless host device 41 includes: a communication interface 50, a control circuit 160, a wireless receiver 130, and a wireless transmitter 140.

[0026] The wireless optical gun device 32 communicates with the game host system 20 through the communication interface 50, the wireless receiver 130 and the wireless transmitted 140 the wireless host device 41. The wireless receiver 130 and the wireless transmitted 140 are controlled by the control circuit 160. The control circuit 160 processes the communications between the wireless optical gun device 32 and the game host system 20.

[0027] The wireless optical gun device 32 consists of: a photo receiver 100, a control circuit 120, a wireless receiver 130, a wireless transmitter 140, and several switches 110. The photo receiver receives a bullet falling point signal produced on the screen 10. The control circuit 120 controls the communications between the wireless receiver 130, the wireless transmitter 140 and the game host system 20. The received bullet falling point signal or bullet coordinate signal and the input information from the player during the game are sent to the wireless host device 41 and the wireless visual feedback system 42. The switches 110 are provided for the player to enter information during the game.

[0028] In this embodiment, the wireless visual feedback system 42 of the invention has a wireless receiver 130, a control circuit 170, and an image synthesis circuit 70. The wireless receiver 130 is controlled by the control circuit 170 to receive a bullet falling point signal or bullet coordinate signal sent from the output terminal 32 of a wireless optical gun. If the control circuit 170 determines it to be a bullet falling point signal, then the image synthesis circuit 70 obtains and uses the horizontal synchronous signal H_sync and the vertical synchronous signal V_sync to compute the coordinates of the bullet falling point. The coordinate information is then sent to the image synthesis circuit 70. The image synthesis circuit 70 then uses the coordinate signal sent from the control circuit 170 to combine a predetermined cursor at the corresponding point in the video-in signal sent from the game host 20. The synthesized video signal with the cursor is transmitted to the screen 10 for display.

[0029] Please refer to FIGS. 6(A) to 6(F). FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B) basically have a big cross along the X- and Y-axes. FIGS. 6(C), 6(D) and 6(E) have a small cross along the X- and Y-axes. FIG. 6(F) has simply a bullet falling point. The crosses shown in FIGS. 6(A) through 6(E) and the point in FIG. 6(F) are the cursors for the points where the optical gun is aiming at on the screen 10. Therefore, when the play moves the optical gun and aims at different places, the cursor will move to the corresponding point. The current X and Y coordinates of the cursor will also be displayed on the screen 10. The display of the coordinates can be designed to be fixed at any position or by the cursor and moving with the cursor. Moreover, the cross and XY coordinates shown on the screen 10 can be made semi-transparent, so that it does not become an obstacle for the player to see the target. Another method to make the target stand out of the background is to take the cross point as the center and draw a circle around it. Within the circle, the image has its original color, whereas the potion outside the circle is covered with a color in a semi-transparent way. Through the contrast, the player is able to see more clearly the target he or she is aiming at. Different types, display methods, display colors of the optical gun cursor, and different display positions, types, methods and colors of the XY coordinates can be provided while designing and stored in advance in memory.

[0030] Please refer to FIGS. 7(A) to 7(C). The upper left corner of the screen 10 shows the XY coordinates of the initial aiming point of the optical gun, while the lower right corner shows the XY coordinates of the final aiming point. In these drawings, we use big crosses along the X- and Y-axes. The cross point of the two axes is the cursor where the optical gun is pointing at. Its X and Y coordinates are displayed on the lower right corner. A circle is drawn with its center at the cross point. The cross within the circle is drawn using thinner lines to distinguish from the thick lines outside the circle. Another method for the player to see the target more clearly is to cover the area outside the circle with a color in a semi-transparent way, whereas the image within the circle is displayed in its original colors. Moreover, the circular point in the drawings indicates the position at which the optical gun is aiming and does not appear in the actual game.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7(A), when the player points the optical gun 30 to the center of the screen 10, the cursor of the optical gun is also positioned at the center. The XY coordinate values shown on the lower right corner are those of the optical gun aiming point. In FIG. 7(B), when the player moves the optical gun 30 to the upper left area of the screen 10, the cursor of the optical gun moves accordingly with the XY coordinates changing continuously to the corresponding values. Once the optical gun 30 stops moving, the XY coordinate values also stop changing. With reference to FIG. 7(C), when the player points the optical gun 30 to the right hand side of the screen 10, the cursor also moves to the corresponding position, with the continuously changing XY coordinates shown on the lower right corner. Again, when the optical gun stops moving, the displayed XY coordinate values also stop changing, showing the current XY coordinates of the optical gun cursor.

[0032] FIGS. 7(D) to 7(F) show another example of the change of the cursor and the coordinates. The upper left corner of the screen 10 shows the XY coordinates of the initial aiming point of the optical gun, while the lower right corner shows the XY coordinates of the final aiming point. In these drawings, we use small crosses along the X- and Y-axes. The cross point of the two axes is the cursor where the optical gun is pointing at. Its X and Y coordinates are displayed on the lower right side of the cursor. On the two axes, two long and tow short line segments, and two big and small circles are attached as marks for the player to identify and aim at the target. The circular point in the drawings indicates the position at which the optical gun is aiming and does not appear in the actual game.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 7(D), when the player points the optical gun 30 to the center of the screen 10, the cursor of the optical gun is also positioned at the center. The XY coordinate values shown on the lower right side of the cursor are those of the optical gun aiming point. In FIG. 7(E), when the player moves the optical gun 30 to the lower right area of the screen 10, the cursor of the optical gun moves accordingly with the XY coordinates shown on the lower right side of the cursor changing continuously to the corresponding values. When the optical gun 30 stops at the lower right corner of the screen 10, the XY coordinate values of the cursor automatically moves to the upper left side of the cursor and stops changing. Similarly, when the cursor moves to the upper right corner of the screen 10, the XY coordinates are displayed on the lower left side of the cursor; when the cursor moves to the lower left corner of the screen 10, the XY coordinates are displayed on the upper right side of the cursor. With reference to FIG. 7(C), when the player points the optical gun 30 to the left hand side of the screen 10, the cursor also moves to the corresponding position, with the continuously changing XY coordinates shown on the upper left side until there is enough space on the lower right side of the cursor. Again, when the optical gun stops moving, the displayed XY coordinate values also stop changing, showing the current XY coordinates of the optical gun cursor.

[0034] In the four embodiments described above, one can use the image synthesis circuit 70 in the (wireless) visual feedback system to generate a gray-level image or a color image and store different types of cursors for the optical gun aiming point in a memory unit. The memory unit is connected to a switching device 77 for switching among different cursor types to be displayed. The image synthesis circuit 70 can also be connected with a brightness adjustment knob for modifying the brightness of the cursor or the XY coordinate values shown on the screen 10. On the other hand, the image synthesis circuit 70 can be further installed with a transparency adjustment knob for modifying the transparency of the cursor or the XY coordinate values shown on the screen 10. An On/Off switch can be provided to start to stop the cursor type generated by the disclosed visual feedback system. These additional functions can be easily modified and implemented by people skilled in the art.

[0035] With reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 2, the actual circuit of a preferred embodiment of the invention includes: a wireless signal receiver GUN CON, a voltage-stabilizing IC (Integrated Circuit) 78L05, a horizontal synchronous separation circuit, a microprocessor chip EM78450_—1, a switch SW1, an image synthesis IC 2244, a wired video signal I/O (Input/Output) socket. The wireless signal receiver GUN CON is a communication interface 50 for extracting a signal sending from the optical gun 30 to the game host 20 and transferring the received signal to the microprocessor chip EM78450_—1. The voltage-stabilizing IC 78L05 is mainly used to convert the DC output voltage (7.5V) from the wireless signal receiver GUN CON into a DC voltage (5V), providing the driving voltage for other IC's in the system. The horizontal synchronous separation circuit 75 is comprised of Q1, R1, R2, and C1. It separates the video-in signals into horizontal synchronous signals H_sync and vertical synchronous signals V_sync. The microprocessor chip EM78450_—1 is a control circuit 60, which extract the bullet falling point signal or bullet coordinate signal transmitted from the optical gun 30 through the communication interface 50. If the control circuit 60 determines that the received signal is the bullet falling point signal, then it uses the horizontal synchronous signal H_sync generated by the horizontal synchronous separation circuit 75 to compute the bullet coordinate signal of the optical gun aiming point. The bullet coordinate signal is then output to the image synthesis circuit 70. The switch SW1 is employed to switch among different types of cursors. The image synthesis IC 2244 synthesizes an image. When the bullet coordinate data and the cursor type information are sent to the image synthesis circuit 70, the image synthesis IC 2244 synthesizes a predetermined cursor at a position corresponding to the bullet coordinates on the video-in signal in the game host 20. The synthesized video signal with the cursor is sent through the wired video signal output socket to the screen 10 for display. The brightness adjustment knob VR1 is used to adjust the display brightness of the cursor of the optical gun aiming point. The transparency adjustment knob VR2 is used to adjust the transparency level of the cursor.

[0036] Effects of the Invention

[0037] According to the invention, the disclosed visual feedback system for optical guns is installed between a game host system and an optical gun for extracting a bullet falling point signal or a bullet coordinate signal transmitted from the optical gun to the game host. If the received signal is the bullet falling point signal, the control circuit makes judgment and computes to obtain the bullet coordinate signal of the optical gun. The bullet coordinate data are then sent to the image synthesis circuit to synthesize a predetermined cursor at the position corresponding to the bullet coordinates on the video signal transmitted from the game host. The synthesized video signal is sent to the screen for display. The invention thus achieves a new visual effect for the player during the game.

[0038] While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.