The present invention relates to an electric skateboard particularly but not necessarily exclusively suitable for use in a laser tag style game. The invention further relates to an electric skateboard gaming apparatus including said electric skateboard, and also to an electric skateboard gaming system for multiple players. There is also disclosed an electronic based shooter game which incorporates laser tag and skateboarding.

A standard conventional skateboard is quite plain and simplistic in its design, and is used for transportation, as well as for performing tricks. Skateboarding is the act of riding and performing tricks using the skateboard. There are various limitations as to what the standard conventional skateboard can do, and what it can be used for.

One example of an improved use of a skateboard is in the development of a laser tag type of game, such as that disclosed in GB2484744A. This is one means of increasing the number of potential skateboarding activities.

Electric skateboards are becoming more and more common as motor and rechargeable battery technology improves. Electric skateboards are not propelled solely by the user, but instead include one or more onboard motors to provide drive force.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved laser gaming experience by utilising enhancements available in the electric skateboard technology area.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an electric skateboard comprising: a deckboard; wheels mounted to the deckboard; an electric motor operably connected to at least some of the wheels to impart a drive force thereto; a motor controller in communication with the electric motor to adjust the drive force; and a wireless signal receiver in communication with the motor controller which is adapted to receive an override command signal from an external source; wherein the motor controller is adapted to adjust the drive force imparted by the electric motor in response to the override command signal to change a speed of the electric skateboard.

The ability for the motor controller to override the drive to the wheels based on receipt of an override command signal provides a new gameplay opportunity which was not otherwise available with standard non-motorised skateboards. It provides a significant gameplay advantage to a user who can accurately tag their opponent, since they will be able to outrace them from that point, at least until the override command lapses. In a racing situation, this allows for a much more tactical race to occur, where users are not only jostling for position in terms of being ahead, but also in terms of creating a tagging opportunity.

Optionally, the wireless signal receiver may be an infra-red receiver.

Infra-red receivers and emitters provide the necessary directionality to create a degree of skill involved with the tagging process, rather than there being an automatic tag when users come into close proximity with one another.

Preferably, the motor controller may be adapted to reduce the drive force imparted by the electric motor in response to the override command signal to reduce the speed of the electric skateboard.

The override command signal will typically be used to provide a disadvantage to a tagged skateboard. The electric skateboard will then enter a limp mode, in which motor output is reduced, thereby effectively granting the shooter a speed advantage over the tagged skateboard.

Additionally, or alternatively, the motor controller may be adapted to increase the drive force imparted by the electric motor in response to the override command signal to increase the speed of the electric skateboard.

A different option may be that, instead of penalising the tagged skateboard, the shooter is advantaged for a series of successful hits in a row. This may manifest as a boost mode for the shooter, so that they are able to accelerate past a skateboard in front of them.

The electric skateboard may further comprise at least one illumination element associated with the wireless signal receiver, an output of the at least one illumination element changing upon receipt of the override command signal.

Not only are illumination elements able to provide relevant signalling to both the users and potential spectators, indicative of a current gameplay scenario, but the illumination may also improve safety in low-light conditions. This is particularly important where the skateboarding occurs in urban or pedestrianised environments.

In one preferable embodiment, the wireless signal receiver may be positioned under the deckboard towards a rear end of the electric skateboard. For optimum chase-style gameplay, it is preferred that the wireless signal receiver be positioned at the rear of the deckboard, so that a user chasing a skateboard in front of them is able to tag the user in front. This then works synergistically with the relevant gameplay elements; tagging a user in front provides the person behind with an opportunity to overtake.

Optionally, a plurality of said wireless signal receivers may be provided, each wireless signal receiver being positioned at a different part of the electric skateboard.

A more wide-ranging receiver configuration may open up different gameplay opportunities, such as a duelling style gameplay where the primary objective is to score tags on the opponent, rather than to specifically race one another.

The electric skateboard may further comprise a wireless signal transmitter, the wireless signal transmitter being configured to transmit an override command signal receivable by a wireless signal receiver of another said electric skateboard.

Whilst it may be possible to tag another electric skateboard using a different device completely, it is preferred, for the gameplay scenarios in mind, that the skateboards themselves are configured to trigger the override commands. This means that the user piloting the skateboard can concentrate on alignment and pushing an appropriate trigger button, rather than aiming separately from an elevated position.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an electric skateboard gaming apparatus comprising: an electric skateboard in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; and a remote-control unit, the remote-control unit being activatable to trigger the transmission of a said override command signal receivable by the wireless signal transmitter.

The remote-control unit is widely used in the industry for manual control of the activation of a user’s own motor, and therefore provides the natural place for a trigger input which enables the user to fire override control signals at other users from their own electric skateboard.

Preferably, the remote-control unit may be a handheld unit. A single handheld controller is useful, as it provides the user with the capability to control not only the speed of their electric skateboard, but also the laser tag aspects of the game, one-handed.

The remote-control unit may be communicable with the motor controller to manually adjust the drive force of the electric motor.

Speed control via the remote-control unit may improve the manoeuvrability of the electric skateboard ensuring that the racing capabilities of the present system can be readily achieved.

Preferably, the remote-control unit may be activatable to trigger the transmission of the override command signal from the wireless signal transmitter of the electric skateboard.

For racing conditions, it is useful for the user to be able to adjust the speed of the electric skateboard manually, particularly when cornering.

Optionally, the remote-control unit includes a remote signal transmitter which is configured to transmit an override command signal receivable by a wireless signal transmitter of another said electric skateboard.

In a different embodiment altogether, the remote-control unit can be used in the same manner as a handheld laser pistol, in which the user points and triggers the unit to score a tag on the other player. Again, this opens up different gameplay options.

The electric skateboard may further comprise a communicator module to transfer game status information from the electric skateboard to the remote-control unit and/or vice versa.

Game status information may be very important for the gameplay overall, since win conditions may be set, for example, on the number of tags made against another player. It is therefore preferred that there is some means of tracking this information between the various apparatuses.

Preferably, the communicator module may be configured to transmit feedback information relating to receipt of an override command signal at the wireless signal receiver. Furthermore, the communicator module may be configured to transmit feedback information relating to transmission of a successful override command signal from the wireless signal transmitter.

If feedback information is transferred from one skateboard to another, then relevant information can be transmitted to the users. For example, a tagging user can be notified, via the remote-control device for instance, of a successful tag on another player.

The remote-control unit may preferably comprise audio and/or haptic feedback device.

While many existing remote-control units have visual feedback, this presents a distraction to the user. A non-visual feedback device is preferred, as the user is not required to glance away from the electric skateboard they would otherwise be chasing.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an electric skateboard gaming system comprising: first and second electric skateboard gaming apparatuses preferably in accordance with the second aspect of the invention; wherein the communicator modules of the first and second electric skateboard gaming apparatuses are communicable with one another to provide feedback information relating to transmission of an override command signal from the wireless signal transmitter of the electric skateboard of the first electric skateboard gaming apparatus and receipt of said override command signal from the wireless signal receiver of the electric skateboard of the second electric skateboard gaming apparatus.

The communication between the electric skateboards of the present system means that relevant data is transmitted which may be gameplay-relevant, particularly as to whether hits on the other player have been successful.

The electric skateboard gaming system may be adapted so that, upon receipt of the feedback information, the motor controller is configured to determine whether a predetermined criterion has been met to thereby provide an increase to the drive force of the electric motor.

The boost mode of the present apparatus provides a means by which enhanced gameplay options can be realised. A predetermined condition could include a set number of tags on the other player, for example. According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic based shooter game which incorporates laser tag and skateboarding, wherein a user attempts to tag other players using the laser tag game built into the electric skateboard, and wherein successful tagging of another user’s skateboard changes the motor speed of their skateboard.

The present game is a significant improvement over existing gameplay for laser tag with a skateboard, since to date, this has only been utilised for non-powered boards. The present invention finds a way of making additional and inventive use of the motorised capabilities of electric skateboards.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of one embodiment of an electric skateboard in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view from below of the electric skateboard shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a remote-control unit which, in combination with the electric skateboard of Figure 1, forms an electric skateboard gaming apparatus in accordance with the second aspect of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view from below of the electric skateboard of Figure 1, in an illuminated condition; and

Figure 5 shows a plan view of one embodiment of an electric skateboard gaming system in accordance with the third aspect of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1 , there is indicated an electric skateboard, also known as an e- board, referenced globally at 10, and which is suitable for use in a skateboard laser tag type game.

The electric skateboard 10 comprises a deckboard 12, also known as a deck or board, having a plurality of wheels 14a, 14b which are typically connected to the deckboard 12 in pairs via a truck 16, usually so that there are four wheels 14a, 14b. It will be appreciated that alternative skateboard constructions are known, potentially having more traditional axles or bearings, and three-wheeled skateboards are also relatively common. The present invention could also feasible be extended into other types of e-board, commonly having only one or two wheels.

The deckboard 12 has in-use upper and lower surfaces 18a, 18b with the upper surface 18a being that which is stood on by the user, and will typically have a frictional coating such as griptape. The deckboard 12 itself may be made from wood, plastics, or similar materials. The proposed design is formed from bamboo, or a bamboo fibreglass composite. A lateral concave of the deckboard may be provided which assists with turning of the electric skateboard 10. A kick tail 20 may also be provided, which simplifies lifting and turning of the electric skateboard 10 while stationary.

An electric motor 22 is provided as part of the electric skateboard 12, and is here mounted to the lower surface 18b of the deckboard 12 so as to avoid any interference with the user during use. Generally, only the rear wheels 14b will be connected to the electric motor 22, and therefore the electric motor 22 is preferably mounted in or on the rear truck 16 of the electric skateboard 12. Here, there are paired motors 22, one for each of the rear wheels 14b.

The underside components of the electric skateboard 10 can be better seen in Figure 2. The electric skateboard 10 is provided with a motor controller 24 which is able to control and adjust the drive force to the wheels 14b. The motor controller 24 is therefore provided in a rear housing 26 on the lower side 18b of the deckboard 12, so that onward electrical connections 28 can be readily made to the wheels 14b.

Alternatively, the motor controller 24 may be provided in a front housing 30 on the lower side 18b of the deckboard 12, and control signals and/or power transmission may be achieved through an embedded means in the deckboard 12, such as an embedded wiring loom.

One or both of the front and rear housings 30, 26 may be provided as waterproof housings, to prevent ingress of water into any critical components, such as a rechargeable battery unit 32. Here, the battery unit 32 is provided in the larger front housing 30, though the exact electronic architecture of the electric skateboard 10 may be varied according to various parameters, including but not limited to manufacturing complexity and/or cost. The battery unit may be provided having a, preferably illuminated, power switch or button, usually located on a side of the front housing 30. There may also be a connector for engaging a wired power source, such as a 12V charging jack, as part of the front housing 30.

The motor controller 24 controls the drive force applied by the electric motor 22 to the wheels. The motor controller 24 may optionally be a custom electronic speed controller, such as that based on the Vedder electronic speed controller architecture commonly used in the e-board industry. It preferably includes a wireless communicator module which allows it to be operated from a remote-control unit 34, such as that illustrated in Figure 3. The communicator module allows for the transfer of game status information from the electric skateboard 10 to the remote-control unit 34 and/or vice versa.

The remote-control unit 34 is preferably formed as a handheld device which is dimensioned to fit snugly into the palm of a user’s hand 36, most preferably having an ergonomic grip portion 38 having an elongate handle body 40. A speed control interface may be provided, here shown as a rotatable wheel 42, which allows the user to selectively operate the electric motor 22.

A display screen 44 may be provided to indicate settings and/or battery life to the user, but the remote-control unit 34 may also include one or more non-visual indicators, such as a haptic feedback element, or an audio feedback element, which may indicate changes in status of the remote-control unit 34, as will be discussed in more detail below.

The electric skateboard apparatus, which comprises the electric skateboard 10 and the remote-control unit 34 in tandem, is suitable for use as part of an electronic based shooter game which incorporates laser tag and skateboarding, wherein a user attempts to tag other players using the laser tag game built into the electric skateboard 10. Successful tagging of another user’s electric skateboard 10 changes the speed of the electric motor 22 their electric skateboard 10.

The physical components underpinning this technology can be outlined in conjunction with Figure 4.

The electric skateboard 10 comprises a wireless signal receiver 46, preferably with the rear housing 26 or adjacent to a rear portion of the deckboard 12, and which is in communication with the motor controller 24. The wireless signal receiver 46 is adapted to receive an override command signal from an external source, typically from another user’s electric skateboard 10. The override command signal is preferably a signal to cut or reduce power to the electric motor 22, thereby putting the tagged user’s electric skateboard 10 into a limp mode, where speed increases are not achievable for a specific duration. As such, it may be advisable to include a timing circuit in communication with the motor controller 24 which is capable of specifying the duration of the limp mode. This duration may be of the order of three seconds, so that the other user does not gain too substantial an advantage which might otherwise reduce the enjoyment of the competition.

The motor controller 24 of the tagged electric skateboard 10 may be in communication with the corresponding remote-control unit 34 in order to provide, for example, haptic, feedback which identifies that limp mode has been activated.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the electric skateboard 10 may also include a feedback means, such as a visual feedback element, which provides an indication that the wireless signal receiver 46 has received the said override command signal correctly. Here, an illumination element, such as a rear LED cluster 48, shown in red, is provided. The rear wheels 14b may be at least in part transparent or reflective to assist with dispersion of the light emitted from the illumination element. This may also apply to the front wheels 14a. The wireless signal receiver 46 and rear LED cluster 48 may preferably be provided as a combined unit on the electric skateboard 10.

The rear LED cluster 48 may turned on or off, or may be on continuously whilst the electric skateboard 10 is active or operational. On receipt of the override command signal, the rear LED cluster 48 may be triggered to, for example, pulse or flash, thereby providing a visual indication of the receipt of the override command signal.

A corresponding illumination element, such as a front LED cluster 50, may also be provided at the front of the deckboard 12. Here, the LED is provided to emit a white light, thereby differentiating it from the rear LED cluster 48. Either or both of the illumination elements may serve to offer safer travelling in low-light conditions, both for the users and for pedestrians.

The electric skateboard 10 preferably further includes a wireless signal transmitter 52, which can be provided at or adjacent to the front housing 30. This is preferably an infra red emitter, but other types of directional or non-directional emitter could be considered, such as Bluetooth (RTM) transmissions. The wireless signal transmitter 52 is configured to supply the override command signal to other electric skateboards 10 by the user correctly targeting the wireless signal receiver 46 thereon. In a similar manner to the rear illumination element, the wireless signal transmitter 52 may be collocated with the front LED cluster 50 as a discrete unit.

Either or both of the wireless signal receiver 46 and wireless signal transmitter 52 may be, be provided with, or be associated with, the corresponding other of the wireless signal receiver and transmitter, thereby forming wireless signal transceivers or similar communicator modules which are able to communicate with one another in addition to transmitting or receiving the override command signal. This may be significant from a gameplay perspective; if two electric skateboards 10 are capable of communication wirelessly, then feedback information can be relayed, for example, relating to transmission of a successful override command signal from the wireless signal transmitter 52 to the wireless signal receiver 46.

This arrangement provides unique gameplay potential, as indicated in Figure 5. There are two users 54, respectively using first and second electric skateboards 10; 10’. The user of the first electric skateboard 10 is leading the user of the second electric skateboard 10’. To address this, the user of the second electric skateboard 10’ attempts to skate inline behind the first electric skateboard 10, so that their wireless signal transmitter 52 is communicable with the wireless signal receiver 46 of the first electric skateboard 10.

The user of the second skateboard 10’ can then activate a trigger input 56, such as a button or similar depressible trigger member, of their remote-control unit 34 to activate the transmission of the override command signal to the first electric skateboard 10. If this tagging process is successful, then the motor controller 24 of the first electric skateboard 10 will change the speed thereof, typically by reducing or cutting power to the electric motor 22 onboard. This allows the user of the second electric skateboard 10’ to attempt an overtaking manoeuvre, ensuring that the rear user is always able to compete in some manner.

Where a successful tagging has been achieved, the rear LED cluster 48 of the first electric skateboard 10 may give a signal, such as a flash, and where feedback is operational, there may be a further, for example, haptic or audio, feedback signal provided at the second user’s remote-control unit 34. Effective feedback can provide further gameplay benefits. For example, a predetermined tagging threshold can be introduced into the game, in which beneficial boosts are provided to a user successfully making a streak of tags on another user’s electric skateboard 10. By way of example only, a streak of three successful and unopposed tags on the other user may allow the said user to activate a boost mode. This may manifest as a triggerable condition at the remote-control unit 34 which allows the said user to increase the speed of the electric motor 22 on their electric skateboard 10 beyond a normal capped amount. This has the advantage of encouraging users to make tagging manoeuvres.

Whilst the emphasis in this arrangement is for users to tag one another from behind, to encourage a racing mode, a duelling mode of the game could be encouraged by providing each electric skateboard 10 with a greater number of wireless signal receivers 46 spaced around the deckboard 12. In doing so, it may be possible to score tags more easily for other users. In a preferred embodiment, the user who is trailing will need to get within a predetermined distance of the front user, such as 1m. The feedback means of the remote-control unit 34 may be configured to indicate to the user that their electric skateboard 10’ is within range.

Whilst the foregoing suggests that the tagging of other user’s electric skateboards is performed by triggering a wireless signal transmitter onboard a user’s own electric skateboard to hit the other user’s wireless signal receiver, it will be apparent that other accessories may be provided which transmit wireless signals. For instance, the remote- control unit could include a directional infra-red transmitter which the user can point at other skateboards in order to achieve the same end result of motor speed reduction.

Whilst the limp mode of the tagged user’s electric skateboard is described as being effected by reduction or removal of a drive force from the wheels, it is also possible that the motor controller could actively apply a braking force to forcibly slow the electric skateboard, for a more noticeable advantage.

The above description makes reference to both a wireless signal transmitter and wireless signal receiver. It will be apparent to the skilled person that this is not necessarily a single physical component in each case, but could be formed from a plurality of different transmitters or receivers in a close-packed or spaced-apart arrangement, according to the requirements for transmission or receipt of the relevant wireless signal type. It is therefore possible to provide an electric skateboard which is suitable for use in a laser tag gaming environment. One of the main features of the invention is that the motor can be overridden so that the drive force is reduced or stopped so that the electric skateboard enters a limp mode. This then provides the tagging user with the opportunity to overtake the limping skateboard, leading to exciting gameplay potential.

The words ‘comprises/comprising’ and the words ‘having/including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined herein.