Games played with robots

Abstract

A robotic gaming system is provided that includes a playing surface, a ceiling above the playing surface and a subfloor below the playing surface. At least one robot is controlled by a player to navigate on the playing surface, above the subfloor, or below the ceiling to interact with a plurality of scoring elements. A sensor associated with a scoring element identifies when a robot successfully interacts with the scoring element to score points.

1 . A robotic gaming system comprising:
 a playing surface;   a subfloor beneath said playing surface, said subfloor vertically displaced from said playing surface by an amount sufficient for at least one robot to traverse said subfloor;   at least one robot controlled by a player with a smart phone and navigating on said playing surface, said subfloor, or a combination thereof;   a plurality of scoring elements on at least one of said playing surface or said subfloor with which the at least one robot interacts; and   a plurality of sensors operative for identifying when the at least one robot successfully interacts with an element of said plurality of scoring elements;   wherein a successful interaction scores at least one point for the at least one robot.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of modular wall sections bounding said playing surface. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of modular subfloor sections defining said subfloor. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of modular ceiling sections above said playing surface. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one of: a plurality of indicator lights that signal when scoring opportunities are available or when scoring occurs, a speaker for indicating scoring and is capable of providing sound effects, a display, a moving component or a fog generator. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said plurality of modular wall sections lock into a playing surface mat of said playing surface. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of subfloor sections lock into a playing surface mat of said playing surface. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising tracking and identification sensors embedded in said playing surface mat. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of scoring elements includes bumpers for the at least one robot to hit to score points. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of scoring elements includes buttons for the at least one robot to push to score points. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of scoring elements includes knobs for the at least one robot to turn to score points. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of scoring elements includes toggle switches for the at least one robot to flip to score points. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of scoring elements includes openings through which the at least one robot can shoot projectiles through to score points. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of scoring elements includes stationary or moving projectile targets that upon being hit scores points. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of scoring elements includes stationary or moving laser, infrared or light targets. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one target on the playing surface. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said plurality of scoring elements includes at least one opening through which the at least one robot can pass said at least one target and wherein said at least one opening includes a sensor to identify when the at least one target passes through the opening to score at least one point for the at least one robot. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein said at least one opening includes a kicker, a flipper, a set of flippers, or a gate. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising a target return system for returning the at least one target to the playing surface after the at least one target passes through the at least one opening. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one deflector mirror to reflect a laser beam from the at least one robot to another target.