Overview

 

The invention is a device that generates a Virtual Reality (VR) game and playing field that users can physically interact with the surroundings, in an indoor or outdoor area, while wearing VR Goggles. 
Transmitters known as VR Gaming Environment
Transmitter/Transmitters (VR GETs or simply ‘GETs System’), will be placed by the User/Users in, or around, a location such as a field, park, football field, tennis court, carpark, or other areas. 

Once placed the GETs System will produce a perimeter, inside that will be a known playing area that Users can move around in while playing wearing their VR Goggles. However, the locations are not limited to outdoor areas, indoor areas will work just as well, and it is envisioned that purpose-built buildings (or modified buildings) could be used as the surrounds for creating a VR Gaming Platform, in which a User/Users can physically take part.

Operation

A GETs System may include One or more transmitters. (Examples used here are for a GETs System using 4 transmitters in an outdoor situation).

The User/Users will place the transmitters in an outdoor location (Refer to Fig 1).

One of the Transmitters is a server that stores all the different games, that can and will be developed, for Users to play and interact with. The server transmitter, known as the GETs Server, can store several games downloaded to it at any one time. 
The GETs Server creates the map or layout that Users will play and move around on. The size of a map or layout for anyone game will only be limited by signal strength being received by the users’ VR headset via GPS/GNSS, radio signals or other. The use of more transmitters or boosters acting like a meshed system (especially indoors) will boost the signal strength to Users.
Note: The gaming layout could be several kilometres in anyone direction, while the actual playing field required may only be a fraction of that.  The server will therefore randomly generate the layout to suit the area needed.

The GETs Sever will keep track of where the User/Users are and update their coordinates in real time.

As well as keeping track of single or multiple users, the server will update the map or surroundings to each User within the game. As the game will only have to generate the surrounding directly around the User/Users this will cut down the buffering and need for the server to generate a full-size layout of an entire area to be played on.

The other transmitters shown in Figure 1, labelled AT (Transmitter), BT and CT, help create a boundary or perimeter that the game will be played within. This perimeter will keep the User/Users safe while playing within the VR created by the server.
As soon as the User/Users steps outside the perimeter, the VR Game will stop being displayed to the Users’ headset, thus protecting them from entering unknown areas or surrounds.

Calibration:
The elevation of the playing field and of a User will be determined, but not limited to, the following.
User Calibration: A User’s under foot (sole) and head height elevation must be determined in order for the game to detect and display the user in an upright, crouched, laying down or running position. This will be done using the headset as the upper and lower elevation or;
By using the headset as the upper, and a transmitter located elsewhere on the user, to determine the lower elevation.

Topography Calibration: 
This will mainly be required if the surface isn’t flat as the calibrated heights of known Users will update the surface elevation as they play in real time.

The two methods of calibration of the playing or gaming surface described can be used but they are not the only methods.

Users that are calibrated to the GETs Server can walk around the area within the perimeter 
The User/Users will use a staff with a receiver, linked to the GETs Server, will move around the gaming area, within the perimeter, in a grid like pattern and the elevations will be uploaded and be stored to the GETs Server.
Once an area has been mapped, or even played on, the topography of the gaming area will be stored for future use.
Object locations, like a tree, rock or man made surface can be entered into the GETs system, the server will create an overlay within the game which the User/Users will see as part of the game structure, which will depend on what game is being played.

Indoor Gaming:
The GETs System can be placed or installed within a room, within a floor level of a building and/or at each floor level of a building.
In a multi-level building, depending on the game, an elevator may be an elevator between floors of a battleship, building or alien spacecraft, it may also be a portal between floors of different worlds. This is just some of the possibilities.
Man-made structures within each room, floor or level can by uploaded into the GETs System and the server will create an overlay within the game, which the User/Users will see as part of the game structure, which will depend on what game is being played.

Description:

The GETs Server is a cube, cylinder, sphere, or other shaped device that can be place directly on the ground, mounted to a fixture, or placed on a stand. It is big enough to contain the physical hardware and runs the programs required to generate the VR games that the User wishes to play as well as keeping track of the User/Users coordinates in real time.

While the GETs Server can generate its own perimeter, other transmitters of similar shape can be placed at different locations to produce a perimeter in which Users can play within. These transmitters can boost the signal from the server and give a visual reference to those using the system. 

Within buildings the transmitters will act as a meshed system to boost the signal strength from the server and help relay Users coordinates. 

The server and transmitters can run on mains power, batteries, rechargeable batteries, or combination of battery and solar power.

Each unit could have, but not limited to, a signal and or battery strength meter, USB and charging ports, input controls, alarm if transmitter is knocked or moved as well as features. 

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