U.S. Pat. No. 9,248,370

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

The present technology provides enhanced targeting for first person shooter video games. In certain methods of use, the present technology provides players with a decisive advantage during game play, in both accuracy and speed. With reference toFIG. 1, first person shooter games traditionally give the player only one frame of reference to determine where targets2are located and where the weapon4is aimed, and that is the reticule6.

With reference toFIG. 4, various embodiments of the present technology provide the player with maximum frame of reference by giving the player an enhanced reticule10that has a horizontal line12running the width of the television screen14, and a vertical line16running the height of the television screen14, with both lines intersecting at the reticule point18. Instead of the enhanced reticule10being just a small circle, the enhanced reticule10now comprises, in some embodiments, a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, with a circle, or other graphical focal point, at the center (reticule point18). In some embodiments, the lines and the circle are transparent enough (if made as a “ghost” line or band) or unobtrusive enough (if made as a narrow solid line) as to not obstruct the players view of the game environment. Having a vertical line16and horizontal line12or band extending from the reticule point18to the edges of the television screen14creates a calming effect on the player's eye, allowing the player to not have to focus so intently on the reticule6, giving the player a greater ability to locate and acquire other targets2in the game environment. This calming effect occurs because the player can relate the target2to a key additional reference point (the vertical line16or horizontal line12or band), other than the centrally located reticule6.

In various embodiments, the reticule point18, horizontal line12and vertical line16will not disappear or blend in with the game environment. The horizontal line12and vertical line16, extending from the reticule point18, provide the player with maximum frame of reference between the target2and where the weapon4is pointed. As stated previously, particularly with larger televisions, the target2and the reticule6can be far enough away from each other that the player actually can't see them both at the same time. Horizontal line12and vertical line16extending between the edges of the screen ensuring that, no matter where the target2is, the player will always know where the reticule6. This is due to the fact that the horizontal line12and vertical line16are never outside of the players view.

The horizontal line12and vertical line16also help the player move the reticule6onto the target2faster because the player doesn't have to constantly look back and forth between the reticule6and the target2until finally getting the reticule6on the target2. When the player locates the target2, anywhere on the screen14, the player will also be able to see at least one of the horizontal line12or vertical line16. The player can then simply move the nearest line onto the target2, and move the horizontal line12or vertical line16until the reticule6is on the target2. This is especially helpful when the target2is moving. Players can move one of the horizontal line12or vertical line16onto the moving target2, and track the moving target2until the reticule6is on the target2. The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and this technology gives the player greater ability to move the reticule6onto the target2in a much straighter line, cutting down the distance the reticule6has to move, effectively cutting down the time it takes to acquire the target2. The length and width of the horizontal line12, vertical line16, and the circle will vary depending on the size of the television screen. The color of the horizontal line12, and vertical line16, and the circle can also vary depending on the players preference. Because the key elements of the present technology never disappear, players will always have a reticule point18on the screen, even when the player is running, or when the reticule6provided by the game blends in with the game environment.

The elements of the present technology can be applied to the television screen14mechanically or electronically. In some embodiments where this is done electronically, an electronic device is situated between the gaming console or computer, and the television screen14or monitor. In one embodiment, the horizontal line12and vertical line16are lines of light projected onto the video monitor by a projector that is positioned in front of the video monitor. In another embodiment, the lines of light are provided in a color other than white. In yet another embodiment, the projector includes a color selector that may be actuated to change the color of the lines of light between a plurality of predetermined colors. In still another embodiment, the horizontal line12and vertical line16extend completely across the respective horizontal and vertical axis of a visible display of the video monitor or television screen14. Other electronic means of applying the present invention to a first person shooter may be used, such as electronically adding the horizontal line12and vertical line16to the video feed received by the television screen14.

Various embodiments of the present technology mechanically associate the enhanced reticule with the television screen14. In some such embodiments, a piece of clear, thin-film material20is cut to the same or similar dimensions as the television screen14, with the key graphical design elements of the present technology screen printed on the piece of thin-film material20. The thin-film material20would be provided, in various embodiments, include various materials (such as various thin-film plastics) and in dimensions that take advantage of static electricity adjacent the television screen14, which will hold the film in place. In other embodiments, the thin-film material20may be held in place by other means, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, brackets, or other appropriate means.

Although the technology has been described in language that is specific to certain structures, materials, and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures, materials, and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended. Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or any and all individual values subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of 1 to 10 should be considered to include and provide support for claims that recite any and all subranges or individual values that are between and/or inclusive of the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less (e.g., 5.5 to 10, 2.34 to 3.56, and so forth) or any values from 1 to 10 (e.g., 3, 5.8, 9.9994, and so forth).