Abstract: A controller for use in an interactive gaming system is described. The controller comprising a player mounting means, a motion detector that provides a means for determining the motion of the controller and an audio code communication module. The audio code communication module provides a means for generating an audio code signal in response to a detected, predetermined motion of the controller. The audio code signals for the controller can be embedded within normal audio output of a gaming system and thereafter be employed to activate a multitude of features within the games. The gaming system may comprise an opponent based on an electronic game running on a computer device or a second controller worn by a second player. The gaming system may further comprise one or more power up toys that provide additional combat moves for the one or more participants.

Abstract: A reality viewer is disclosed. The reality viewer comprises a frame suitable for holding a portable electronic device and a viewing aperture. The reality viewer can interchange between a first viewing mode wherein the viewing aperture is closed and a second viewing mode wherein the viewing aperture is open. The first viewing mode is configured for virtual reality operation as a user only observes the screen of the electronic portable device located within the frame. By contrast, in the second viewing mode is configured for augmented reality operation as a user observes the real world through the viewing aperture which is augmented by images generated by the electronic portable device located within the frame. The reality viewer also has the advantage of being mobile; low cost; employs simple technology; produces an immersive, maximised field of view; and provides a real-world view in augmented reality mode of operation.

Abstract: A controller for use in an interactive gaming system is described. The controller comprising a player mounting means, a motion detector that provides a means for determining the motion of the controller and an audio code communication module. The audio code communication module provides a means for generating an audio code signal in response to a detected, predetermined motion of the controller. The audio code signals for the controller can be embedded within normal audio output of a gaming system and thereafter be employed to activate a multitude of features within the games. The gaming system may comprise an opponent based on an electronic game running on a computer device or a second controller worn by a second player. The gaming system may further comprise one or more power up toys that provide additional combat moves for the one or more participants.

Abstract: A controller for use in an interactive gaming system is described. The controller comprising a player mounting means, a motion detector that provides a means for determining the motion of the controller and an audio code communication module. The audio code communication module provides a means for generating an audio code signal in response to a detected, predetermined motion of the controller. The audio code signals for the controller can be embedded within normal audio output of a gaming system and thereafter be employed to activate a multitude of features within the games. The gaming system may comprise an opponent based on an electronic game running on a computer device or a second controller worn by a second player. The gaming system may further comprise one or more power up toys that provide additional combat moves for the one or more participants.

Abstract: A reality viewer is disclosed. The reality viewer comprises a frame suitable for holding a portable electronic device and a viewing aperture. The reality viewer can interchange between a first viewing mode wherein the viewing aperture is closed and a second viewing mode wherein the viewing aperture is open. The first viewing mode is configured for virtual reality operation as a user only observes the screen of the electronic portable device located within the frame. By contrast, in the second viewing mode is configured for augmented reality operation as a user observes the real world through the viewing aperture which is augmented by images generated by the electronic portable device located within the frame. The reality viewer also has the advantage of being mobile; low cost; employs simple technology; produces an immersive, maximised field of view; and provides a real-world view in augmented reality mode of operation.

Abstract: An optical illusion device and method of production is described. The method comprises producing a digital sculpt. A rendered visual image and a thinned digital sculpt are then produced from the digital sculpt. Next a digital thickness shell is produced from the thinned digital sculpt. Finally, the rendered visual image is employed to impart a lithophane depth map onto the digital thickness shell. The overall result is an optical illusion device comprising a negative image forming surface with a registered lithophane image imparted on thereon. When the optical illusion device is viewed from various angles (and with a light source placed behind it), the negative image forming surface appears to the viewer as a positive or convex model with a photographic image applied to the profiled surface. The illusion created is of a ‘panning’, three-dimensional photographic image, complete with improved detail due to the presence of the lithophane depth map.

Abstract: A track for a racing car game is described. The width of the track is formed so as to exhibit an optically graded lateral profile that is maintained along the length of the track. The optically graded profile thus provides a means for allocating each lateral position of the track with a unique level of reflectivity. In this way the level of light reflected onto a detector from a vehicle associated light source corresponds to a unique lateral position, and thus provides a diagnostic for determining the lateral position of the vehicle on the track and for maintaining this lateral position along the full length of the track. The track may therefore be considered to comprise a plurality of virtual slots for the vehicle between which the vehicle can easily move and the choice of which is determined by the vehicle's operator.

Abstract: A controller for use in an interactive gaming system is described. The controller comprising a player mounting means, a motion detector that provides a means for determining the motion of the controller and an audio code communication module. The audio code communication module provides a means for generating an audio code signal in response to a detected, predetermined motion of the controller. The audio code signals for the controller can be embedded within normal audio output of a gaming system and thereafter be employed to activate a multitude of features within the games. The gaming system may comprise an opponent based on an electronic game running on a computer device or a second controller worn by a second player. The gaming system may further comprise one or more power up toys that provide additional combat moves for the one or more participants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the position of a vehicle on a track so as to provide a slotless racing vehicle game is described. The method involves generating within a primary feedback loop a first input signal for a steering servo of the vehicle so as to minimize an error signal produced by comparing a measured lateral position of the vehicle on the track with its desired position. The method further comprises generating within a secondary feedback loop a second input signal for the steering servo so as minimize a measured angle of orientation of the vehicle on the track. It is found to be advantageous for the stability of the vehicle on the track if responsivity (Klf2) of the secondary feedback loop is set to be equal to the reciprocal of the responsivity (Kss) of the steering servo.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the position of a vehicle on a track so as to provide a slotless racing vehicle game is described. The method involves generating within a primary feedback loop a first input signal for a steering servo of the vehicle so as to minimise an error signal produced by comparing a measured lateral position of the vehicle on the track with its desired position. The method further comprises generating within a secondary feedback loop a second input signal for the steering servo so as minimise a measured angle of orientation of the vehicle on the track. It is found to be advantageous for the stability of the vehicle on the track if responsivity (Klf2) of the secondary feedback loop is set to be equal to the reciprocal of the responsivity (Kss) of the steering servo.

Abstract: A track for a racing car game is described. The width of the track is formed so as to exhibit an optically graded lateral profile that is maintained along the length of the track. The optically graded profile thus provides a means for allocating each lateral position of the track with a unique level of reflectivity. In this way the level of light reflected onto a detector from a vehicle associated light source corresponds to a unique lateral position, and thus provides a diagnostic for determining the lateral position of the vehicle on the track and for maintaining this lateral position along the full length of the track. The track may therefore be considered to comprise a plurality of virtual slots for the vehicle between which the vehicle can easily move and the choice of which is determined by the vehicle's operator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the position of a vehicle on a track so as to provide a slotless racing vehicle game is described. The method involves measuring the lateral position of the vehicle on the track so as to minimize the distance with a user defined lateral position. A measured velocity of the vehicle is then feedback to a steering servo in order to stabilize the vehicle's position at the desired lateral position. In particular, the gain of a controller that generates the input signal for the steering servo is varied with the reciprocal of the square of the speed of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the position of a vehicle on a track so as to provide a slotless racing vehicle game is described. The method involves measuring the lateral position of the vehicle on the track so as to minimise the distance with a user defined lateral position. A measured velocity of the vehicle is then feedback to a steering servo in order to stabilise the vehicle's position at the desired lateral position. In particular, the gain of a controller that generates the input signal for the steering servo is varied with the reciprocal of the square of the speed of the vehicle.