Moving targets route simulator quarterback game

Abstract

Systems and methods are presented for sports-based entertainment, such as for game play simulating the quarterback experience. Systems can comprise user interface(s), control console(s), target/robot(s), and projectile(s)/football(s). The target(s) travel according to predetermined route(s), can be stopped at any point during their travel(s), and/or return to the starting position(s) autonomously. The user can select various game modes and plays. The target(s) move according to the selected route/play for the player to hit. Points awarded to the player may be dependent on the distance traveled down the field in the y-direction away from the starting point. The target(s) may have “covered” and “open” statuses, and the user may have simulated pocket pressure for an enjoyable quarterback experience.

1 . A system comprising:
 one or more user interface(s);   one or more target(s);   one or more projectile(s); and   one or more control console(s), which is internal to or external to the user interface.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more microprocessor(s) configured to:
 control movement of the one or more target(s); and   detect an impact on the one or more target(s) by the projectile.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more microprocessor(s) configured to:
 determine the one or more target(s)'s target status (optionally, an open status or a covered status) according to a preprogrammed route based on one or more of i) a time of the impact on the one or more target(s) by the projectile, ii) a location of the one or more target(s) at impact, and/or iii) one or more distance between a reference line/location and a location of the one or more target(s) at impact.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more target(s):
 i) keeps track of its current location during travel;   ii) at the time of impact by the projectile, computes a distance/coordinates, optionally a perpendicular distance, from the location of the one or more target(s) at the time of impact; and   iii) sends the distance and/or coordinates or perpendicular distance to the user interface.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more target(s):
 i) updates its target status during travel; and   ii) upon being hit by the projectile, sends the target status to the user interface and/or control console.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the control console is further configured to award and/or calculate points relating to the time, location, or distance at the time of impact. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises one or more user platform(s) comprising one or more sensors configured to detect presence and/or location of user(s) on the platform. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface comprises one or more visual indicator(s) and/or one or more electronic screen(s). 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more sensors configured to detect that user(s) has thrown the projectile. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control console and/or user interface is further configured to interact with user(s) by prompting the user(s) to select one or more game play option. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more target(s) comprises one or more batteries, electronics, electromechanics, and one or more visual mark identifying for the user where to hit the one or more target(s) with the projectile. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more target(s) comprises one or more motor driver(s) with adjustable signal(s) (optionally PWM signal) and is configured to travel pre-programmed route(s) at fixed or variable speed(s). 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the main body comprises one or more collision sensor(s) to detect possible collision, wherein the one or more collision sensor(s) is in operable communication with an MCU configured to update the travel of one or more motor driver(s) of the one or more target(s) to avoid collision. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more target(s) comprises one or more sensor(s) for navigation of the one or more target(s). 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor is an inertial measurement unit (IMU). 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more target(s) is configured to change its shape or size in response to physical manipulation by a user or through programmed motion of one or more internal pieces. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more target(s) comprises one or more sensor(s) to detect one or more hits and/or location of the one or more hits by the projectile. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the one or more sensor(s) are chosen from resistive, capacitive, IR, proximity, acceleration, shock, and/or vibration sensors. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control console is further configured to command the one or more target(s) to move according to a selected play, command the one or more target(s) to stop, and command the one or more target(s) return to a starting position at any time before, during or after execution of the selected play. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the control console is configured to:
 A. show a user one or more play(s) comprising one or more route wherein the one or more target(s) has the appropriate status;   B. start a play selection timer for the user to select a desired play from the one or more play;   C. begin the desired or random play when the play selection timer has run out;   D. start a play completion timer;   E. command the one or more target(s) to perform the desired play, optionally wherein different target(s) are commanded to perform different plays;   F. determine when the desired play has ended;
 i, wherein upon impact of the projectile on the one or more target(s) occurring before the play completion timer runs out, the desired play is ended; and/or 
 ii, wherein upon impact of the projectile on the one or more target(s) occurring while the one or more target(s)'s target status is appropriate (optionally, target status is open), the desired play is ended and the user is awarded points based on one or more of i) a time of the impact on the one or more target(s) by the projectile, ii) a location of the one or more target(s) at impact, and/or iii) one or more distance between a reference line/location and a location of the one or more target(s) at impact; and/or 
 iii, wherein upon the impact occurring while the one or more target(s)'s target status is inappropriate (optionally, target status is not open), the desired play is ended and no or fewer points are awarded to the user; and/or 
 iv, wherein upon the play completion timer running out, the desired play is ended; and 
   G. return the one or more target(s) to a starting position.   
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein:
 the location of the one or more target(s) is determined by its own internal tracked location at the time and for the one or more target(s) to either compute the perpendicular distance or send its own distance/coordinates to the control console to calculate location; and/or   the location of the one or more target(s) is determined by the one or more target(s) stopping and then finding its location using external references, optionally time of flight sensor(s) or GPS, and using that data to calculate its distance or report to control console; and/or   the location of the one or more target(s) is determined by the one or more target(s) reporting its status, when the one or more target(s) status is unique in specific location(s) during its route traveled then the control console uses that status location to look up the distance.   
     
     
         22 . A system comprising:
 one or more user interface(s);   one or more projectile(s);   one or more display unit(s) with display screen(s);   one or more control console(s), which is internal or external to the user interface;   one or more microprocessor configured for:
 i) measuring one or more characteristic of the projectile chosen from trajectory, speed, location or angle; and 
 ii) animating a trajectory of the projectile on the display screen. 
   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , further comprising one or more virtual/visual target(s) capable of being displayed on the display screen and the system is comprising one or more of the following abilities:
 ability to display travel of the target(s) (unique routes from other target(s));   ability to track the relative location (in x and y) of the displayed target(s);   ability to stop the displayed target(s) when commanded, or when hit by the simulated projectile; and/or   ability to communicate and/or display the coverage status (optionally, open/covered) when it is hit by the simulated projectile.   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more visual mark identifying for the user where to hit the one or more target(s) with the projectile is visually but not physically present (e.g. holographic). 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more stationary or mobile docking station(s) for the one or more target(s) to serve as the starting and/or ending location of one or more plays. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the docking station(s) further comprises the ability to help provide precise returning to the starting position for the one or more target(s) with physical guidance (optionally a ramp) and/or electrical guidance (optionally IR sensors). 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the docking station(s) further comprises the ability to charge the batteries on the one or more target(s). 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the docking station(s) further comprises the ability to determine and communicate if the one or more target(s) is docked.