Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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REMOTE GAME DEVICE FOR DVD GAMING SYSTEMS
Cross-References
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
11/383,124, filed May 12, 2006 and U.S. Provisional Application Serial No.
60/683,897, filed May 23, 2005, incorporated herein by reference.
Backaround
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to video games and more
specifically to remote game devices that send signals to control execution
and flow of video games on a DVD player assembly and receive signals
originating from the DVD player assembly.
[0003] Examples of DVD gaming systems and remote game devices are
found in the following patents and patent application publications:
EP1,400,267; W02004/010389; W02004/081765; US2004/0048642;
US2004/0054826; US2004/0140997; US2004/0140998; US2005/0215324;
US2005/026699; US4,807,031; US5,213,337; US6,692,358 and
US6,773,349. The disclosures of these references are hereby incorporated
by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
[EP1400267; W02004010389; W02004081765; US20040048642;
US20040054826; US20040140997; US20040140998; US20050215324;
US2005026699; US4807031; US5213337; US6692358 and US6773349]
Summary
[0004] A remote game device is provided for use with a conventional DVD
player configured to play DVD-Video discs. The remote game device is
used to control game flow and execution in conjunction with DVD media
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having scripts recorded thereon. A preferred embodiment of the remote
game device includes the ability to receive game signals from a DVD
player assembly that includes the DVD player and a television as well as
sending game commands to the DVD player assembly for game execution.
[0005] The remote game device may receive specific audio tones, sounds
or sonic signals before and during play. The received signals may be used
to program memory and functions in the device. The received signals may
be used to select and display information for the user. The information
displayed may be used by a player to control game flow by implementing
logical decisions based on the information displayed. Such decisions may
include implementing other scripts, setting or changing values of game
variables and playing audiovisual content as part of game play.
[0006] Some embodiments of the device include the ability of the DVD
player to distinguish among remote game devices to determine which of a
plurality of players provides game input. Some embodiments of the remote
game device include memory and a display that shows game information
specific to the individual player as well as general information. The DVD
player assembly may have the ability to address one game device among
several in use, so the information displayed on the screen of the device
may be available only to the one user.
Of 0071 Because DVD gaming systems utilize a standard DVD player, a user
who has already purchased and set up such a DVD player may play
games without having to purchase a separate gaming console or connect
additional equipment to the user's television, which may not have the
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appropriate inputs for connecting such equipment. This feature of the DVD
gaming system may be advantageous to game developers and retailers,
because more individuals have access to DVD players than to proprietary
game consoles. Thus, games played on a DVD player may appeal to a
broader demographic, including individuals who may be unable to, or do
not desire to, play games on proprietary gaming consoles.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a DVD gaming system showing two
remote game devices in use, a DVD player, a DVD media disk, a standard
remote control and a television.
[0009] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the remote game device of Fig. 1,
showing device features and functionality.
[0010] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a multiplayer DVD gaming system with
three remote game devices, a DVD player and a television showing
exemplary communication functionality between the DVD player, television
and one of the remote game devices.
[0011] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a word game played on a DVD
gaming system with two players using two remote game devices, and
showing a DVD player assembly including a DVD player, a DVD media
disk and a television, with the game displayed on the television screen.
[0012] Fig. 5 is a flow chart of the implementation of the word game of Fig.
4 with notations of communication between the remote game devices and
the DVD player assembly related to each step.
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[0013] Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a DVD gaming system showing a DVD
player assembly, including a DVD player and a television, and a remote
game device in a programming mode, the DVD player assembly sending
sonic signals to the remote game device which receives the signals and
uses the signal to store data in memory.
[0014] Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a DVD gaming system showing a DVD
player assembly, including a DVD player and a television, and a remote
game device in a programming mode, the television and remote game
device connected by a cable and the DVD player assembly sending sonic
signals to the remote game device which are received and used to store
data in memory.
Detailed Description
[0015] Referring to Fig. 1, a DVD game system is shown generally at 10,
and may include a DVD player assembly 12, which may include a DVD
player 13, at least one DVD media disk 14 and a television 16 with a
speaker 18 and a screen 19. DVD game system 10 is shown with remote
game devices 20 and 20'. DVD game system 10 may be adapted to play
games on DVD player 12 and display them on television 16. DVD media
disk 14 stores information corresponding to one or more games. While
DVD player 13 is typically a standard DVD player, it could also be a
computer or gaming system configured to work with the DVD media disk
14.
10016 Referring to Fig. 2, a block diagram of an example of remote game
device 20 as illustrated in Fig. 1 is shown. Remote game device 20 may
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have an audio receiver or microphone 22, functional logic or processor 24,
memory 26, and a display 28. Processor 24 is operatively connected to
microphone 22, memory 26 and display 28. Memory 26 may hold
information in the form of commands and data, including data to be
displayed on remote game device display 28.
[0017] As shown in Fig. 1, remote game device 20 may send command
signals CSO to DVD player assembly 12. Remote game device 20 may also
receive sonic or audio signals ASO from DVD player assembly 12, such as
sonic or audio signals broadcast from television speaker 18 as part of
game configuration and game execution. Game system 10 may also
include a standard DVD or television remote control 30. DVD remote 30
may send signals to DVD player assembly 12 as part of game play and
game configuration. Remote game device 20 may send a command RSO
to remote game device 20'.
[0018] As part of one example of game execution, DVD player 13 may
access DVD media disk 14 and transmit an electronic signal to television
16, which signal includes an audio signal. The television then broadcasts
the audio signal as a sonic signal ASO via audio speaker 18. Tone or sonic
signal ASO may be received by remote game device 20 via microphone 22.
Processor 24 may decode the received sonic signal by correlating it with
an address of data stored in memory to generate a value or command. In
some embodiments, the command will then be used to select specific text,
scenes or graphics related to game play from memory 26 and display it on
remote game device display 28.
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[0019] In some examples, several players, each with a remote game device
20, may play a game at once. Signals CSO sent from each device may be
coded so DVD player assembly 12 can determine the source remote game
device that produced the signal. Similarly, DVD player assembly 12 may
code audio or sonic signals ASO so only one device responds to the tone
signal. That is, each remote game device may be configured to respond to
a sonic signal having a given code. This may allow a single user to get
specific game play information or commands. However, other signals may
also be coded more generally, so that all the players may get the same
information displayed on their remote game device displays 28.
[0020] Sonic signals ASO generated by speaker 18 may be a series of
individual tones or multiple simultaneous tones. Individual and multiple
simultaneous tones are widely used and well developed technologies as
are known in the art. The most common example of multiple simultaneous
or dual tones is Touch-Tones or DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency)
signals used in phone dialing. The following table gives some possible dual
tone signals and the corresponding remote game device display results
that could be used:
Frequency (Hz) Display
-----------------------------------------------------
697 and 1209 Begin Play
697 and 1336 Score 100
770 and 1209 Score 200
770 and 1336 Score 500
770 and 1477 Incorrect Answer
852 and 1209 Correct Answer
941 and 1447 You Win
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The display values may be specific to one game and may be
reprogrammed in memory for a different game. These dual tone signals,
display characters and frequency values are examples only. Other signals,
characters and frequencies may be used.
[0021] Sonic signals ASO may be decoded or converted to system
commands or digital data by processor 24. Remote game device 20 may
respond to system commands by selecting data from memory 26. In one
embodiment of this device, data is transferred to remote game device
memory 26 from DVD player assembly 12 using single or dual tones.
Remote game device 20 may be put into a programming mode where
remote game device memory 26 is configured to receive data. DVD player
assembly 12 may be simultaneously set to download specific information
from DVD media disk 14 to remote game device 20. DVD player assembly
12 may then generate a series of dual tones at speaker 18. Remote game
device 20 receives the tones and processor 24 may convert the tones to
digital values.
[0022] The values generated may be saved in remote game device
memory 26. The memory data may be configured as a lookup table with
index values and content values. Additional signals ASO transmitted from
DVD player assembly 12 may reference an index value and the content
corresponding to that index value may be displayed.
[0023] Audio data communications methods other than the use of dual
tones could be used as well, such as a Bell 103. The Bell 103 standard
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uses two tones that correspond to ones and zeroes transmitted in
sequence to communicate or transfer bits.
[00241 Using tones, a set of display values may be programmed into
remote game device memory 26 that is specific to a game or a set of
games without requiring a new memory device or a new remote game
device 20 for each game. Each game implementation may use tones to
transfer game specific information from DVD game media 14 to remote
game device memory 26, which information may then be accessed during
game execution.
Of 0251 Memory 26 may be in the form of dual inline memory or a removable
media such as a conventional smart card or minidrive. Instead of being
programmed by sonic signals ASO, memory 26 may be preprogrammed
with game data. Alternately, memory 26 may be preprogrammed and may
not be modified or removed. Similarly, processor 24 may be an integrated
circuit such as an application specific integrated circuit or a processor
having the data as part of the hardware or firmware.
Of 0261 Returning to Fig. 2, remote game device 20 may include a
transmitter or LED 32 and one or more input key or control inputs 34. LED
32 is operatively connected to control inputs 34. Transmitter or LED 32
may emit a coded IR signal which is received by DVD player assembly 12
causing functions to be implemented on DVD player 13. Control inputs 34
may be remapped or reprogrammed to implement game functions instead
of DVD functions using the same coding protocols as a standard remote.
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Functions that can be implemented from keys or control inputs 34 include
play start, play stop, play pause, cursor movement and item selection.
O[ 0271 Command button configurations shown in all figures are examples.
Remote game device 20 may have more or fewer control inputs 34 than
shown and control inputs 34 may be in a different configuration than
shown.
Of 02g1 While the illustrated remote game device 20 may include an LED 32
for communicating signals, other embodiments may utilize other
communication modes such as radio, visible light or any other suitable
mode for sending a signal to a DVD player.
Of 0291 In some configurations, remote game device 20 may not have LED
32 or control inputs 34. In order to execute functions in game play where
remote game device 20 does not have control inputs 34, DVD player
assembly 12 may accept input from standard remote control 30 as part of
game play. DVD remote control 30 typically has an infrared based
communication system as is known in the art. Standard remote 30 may
have an LED similar in function to LED 32 and DVD player 13 may have a
detector 35 that works in conjunction with the LED.
[00301 DVD player 13 does not need to be specially configured to play
games stored on DVD media disk 14. DVD media disk 14 may include
information instructing DVD player 13 to store variables in register memory
of player 13. DVD player 13 may implement logical decisions based on the
values of the variables to enable a user to play a game or games with
system 10. Gaming system 10 may also store information and variables on
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remote game device 20. Various DVD game media may be used to play
different games on DVD player assembly 12 with remote game device 20.
0( 0311 To facilitate the use of remote game device 20 with a variety of
different DVD players, the command functionality may include universal
remote control circuitry, which allows LED 32 functionality to be
programmed to communicate with DVD player 13. If configured with
universal remote control circuitry, LED 32 functionality may be
programmed by entering a code corresponding to a particular DVD player.
Of 0321 In some embodiments, remote game device 20 may be programmed
by directing a signal from another remote to an optional signal detector
(not shown) of remote game device 20. LED 32 functionality may
additionally or alternatively be programmed by running an automatic
detection query in which remote game device 20 transmits different signals
until a signal corresponding to a particular DVD player is found.
[0033] Typical commands from a remote such as "Play," "Pause," "Stop,"
"Fast Forward," "Rewind," "Menu," "Enter," etc. may be mirrored or
remapped by remote game device 20 and used by the game as other
commands. For example, where DVD player 12 would receive a command
that would normally be "Rewind," may be used by the game as "Select".
These commands may be labeled on remote game device 20 so the user
sees a "Select" function rather than having to translate "Rewind" to
"Select".
O[ 0341 Contents of remote game device memory 26 may be specific to the
game being played or it may be general data that is used in multiple
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games. In some embodiments, remote game device 20 will be delivered to
the customer with data already installed in memory 26. In other
embodiments, device memory 26 may be partially or wholly plug-in
memory cards.
OL 0351 In some embodiments, a plurality of remote game devices 20 may
be provided to play multiplayer games, where each player uses their own
remote game device 20. Referring to Fig. 3, a block diagram of a
multiplayer DVD game 50 shows DVD player assembly 12 including DVD
player 13 with LED detector 35 and television 16 with speaker 18 along
with multiple remote devices 20a, 20b and 20c similar to Fig. 2. Similar
numbering used in previous figures is used here and in subsequent figures for
clarity.
Of 0361 Each of these remote game devices may function in substantially
the same manner as remote game device 20. Each remote game device
may have a display 28a, 28b, or 28c. Typically, a liquid crystal display
(LCD) will be used, but any display device that will show text and graphics,
such as an LED display, may be used. Remote game devices 20a, 20b
and 20c may have logic control and memory for storing display information
and for other game play information such as scores and counts.
[0037] Remote game devices 20a, 20b, and 20c are shown to include
control inputs 34a, 34b, and 34c, which may correspond to various
commands associated with a particular game. The buttons may be
mapped by the universal remote circuitry to correspond to signals readable
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by a conventional DVD player 13, such as "Up," "Down," "Enter," and
"Menu" signals, to generate a specific response from DVD player 13.
[0038] In one configuration, the command button signals may be encoded
so DVD player 13 recognizes which remote game device 20 transmitted
the signal. Remote game device 20 may automatically send an identifying
signal with each command signal to differentiate the source of the
command. DVD player 13 may then identify the source remote game
device for the command. Other alternative methods may be used as well in
conjunction with the command system to differentiate the command
source. The signals may be generic in that DVD player 13 cannot tell
which device sent the signal.
[0039] DVD player assembly 12 may be able to send a signal which is
coded so only one remote game device responds to the signal. Again from
Fig. 3, remote gaming device 20b sends signal CSO to DVD player
assembly 12 through LED 32b and LED detector 35. DVD player 13 may
identify the remote game device sending the signal. In response to the
received signal, DVD player assembly 12 may send a dual tone sonic
signal ASO through speaker 18 that is received by remote gaming device
20b.
[0040] Remote gaming device 20b may determine it is the target device for
the tone signal and generate a function in the device, such as to display
data from memory 26. Remote gaming device 20c may determine from the
same tone signal that it is not the target device for the command and not
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respond to the tone signal depending on how the game is programmed to
function.
[0041] Some embodiments of this invention may include the ability of one
remote gaming device to send signal or command function RSO to another
remote gaming device. Remote game device 20a may send a signal to
remote game device 20b that causes a configuration change in device
20b. Remote game device 20a may send signal RSO received by both 20b
and 20c that results in configuration changes to both devices.
[0042] Remote game device 20 may be configured for one game, or it may
be configured to work with several different games without being
reprogrammed. For example, the remote game devices may include
removable faceplates that are designed for use with specific games. When
a particular game is played, a faceplate corresponding to that game may
be attached to each remote game device. The faceplates may indicate
what the different buttons are used for, as well as provide visual continuity
with the game to improve the user's experience.
[0043] DVD player assembly 12 may be configured to alter how game
devices 20a, 20b, and 20c function in game system 10 upon the
occurrence of an event, such as an input by a player using a remote game
device, receipt of a signal as discussed below, or some other event
associated with game play. When the event occurs, DVD player assembly
12 may affect the functionality of remote game devices 20a, 20b, or 20c, or
may affect a combination of two or more remote game devices, by
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changing the signals that the buttons on the remote game devices are
mapped to generate.
[0044] For example, when a first player "buzzes in" on remote game device
20a, DVD player assembly 12 may only respond to signals from remote
game device 20a, thereby temporarily "locking out" the other players from
game play. Alternately, DVD player assembly 12 may send sonic signal
ASO to other remote game devices reconfiguring them to disable the
sending of signals CSO.
[0045] The first player may then interact with the game without the
interference of the remaining players. After the first player has finished
interacting with the game, a subsequent event may cause DVD player
assembly 12 to respond to signals from additional remote game devices,
such that the remaining player's are no longer "locked out" of game play.
[0046] Alternately, remote game devices 20a, 20b and 20c may include
speakers or LED detectors similar to LED detector 35. Processor 24 in
remote game device 20a may disable other remote game devices from
sending additional signals when device 20a "buzzes in" by sending a
signal directly to the other device that reconfigures the other devices.
Remote game device 20a may use a sonic signal similar to signal ASO or a
command signal similar to CSO to send signals directly received by other
remote game devices.
[0047] While Fig. 3 shows three remote game devices, it is within the scope
of this disclosure to include more or fewer remote game devices,
depending on the requirements of a particular game.
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[0048] To play a game, a user may obtain a DVD media disk 14 and a
remote game device 20. DVD media disk 14 may contain code readable by
a conventional DVD player 13 that generates scripts as described above.
Remote game device 20 may have game specific information in memory
26. Remote game device 20 may work with a removable media device
specific to the game. Remote game device 20 may receive and store data
in device memory 26 from sonic signals ASO.
[0049] When played in DVD player 13, the audiovisual portion of the scripts
may be presented to the players on television 16. The audiovisual portion
of the game may present game players with a gaming environment. For
example, the gaming environment may be a game show with a virtual
game show host, player's turns, a scoring scheme, game rounds, or other
game-related information. Information related to the progress of the game,
such as the score, the current round of the game, which player's turn it is,
or other game-related information, may be stored in the onboard memory
of DVD player 13 or memory 26 of remote game device 20.
[0050] DVD media 14 may include an interactive game. This interactive
game may include randomly selected or pre-selected scripts presented to
the players as scenes. The scenes may prompt players to provide input at
remote game device 20. The players may have the option to request
information during game play that may be displayed on remote game
device display 28. The players may be sequentially provided with their own
turn, or the players may all participate in each scene at the same time.
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[0051] Referring to Fig. 4, an example of a multiplayer game 100 is shown.
This example is a word game played by two players. Similar numbering to
the previous figure is used here and in subsequent figures for clarity. DVD
player assembly 12 including DVD player 13, DVD media disk 14,
television 16, speaker 18 and screen 19 is shown with two remote game
devices 20 and 20' which include displays 28 and 28', LEDs 32 and 32'
and control inputs 34 and 34'.
[0052] Game 100 in this example is a word scramble game. Play is initiated
when DVD player 13 accesses DVD media 14. Television screen 19
displays a series of letters which represents a word with the letters in a
random order. Simultaneously, DVD player assembly 12 sends a sonic
signal ASO from speaker 18 to remote game devices 20 and 20' that
results in the same letters being shown on display 28 and 28' of the remote
game devices. The players may then be able to initiate play and rearrange
the letters on remote game device displays 28 and 28' using control inputs
34 and 34' to put the letters into the correct order to spell out the original
word. When a player thinks they have the correct order, the player may
generate a signal CSO using LED 32 and transmit the word to DVD player
assembly 12.
[0053] DVD player 13, using memory onboard DVD player 13, may
compare the word transmitted by the player against the original word. If the
words match, DVD player assembly 12 may display an appropriate
response and a score. If the word does not match, DVD player assembly
12 may display an appropriate response, play may continue and the player
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may be penalized with a reduced score. As each scrambled word is
correctly guessed, a new scrambled word may be displayed and play may
continue.
[0054] In another example of this game, a player may ask for a clue or hint
from DVD player assembly 12. DVD player assembly 12 may indicate the
first letter of the word on television screen 19 so both players have the
same information. Alternatively, DVD player assembly 12, using sonic
tones ASO, may send to at least one player's remote game device an
indication of the first letter or letters of the word. The hint may be shown
on
dispiay 28. The score of the player or players may be adjusted according
to how many hints are provided by DVD player assembly 12.
[0055] In some embodiments of game play, where it is not a player's turn
or when another player has sent their word to the DVD player, the game
execution may lock that player out from being able to provide any input.
This may be implemented by having signals from each remote game
device 20 coded so different commands received by DVD player assembly
12 may be differentiated at DVD player 13 as to the source device. In other
embodiments, simultaneous input from multiple players may be part of the
game execution.
[0056] Referring to Fig. 5, a flow chart 200 of steps in executing an
example word scramble game is shown. The game begins with DVD
player 13 accessing DVD media 14 at 202. Players may select the number
of players and play level at 204. DVD player assembly 12 transmits a
scrambled word to the remote game devices 20 at 206. At 208 the players
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may rearrange the letters on their remote game device displays 28. When
a player thinks they have solved the puzzle, they may send the word they
have unscrambled to the DVD player assembly 12 at 210. Then DVD
player 13 may determine if the unscrambled word is correct at 212. If the
word is correct at 214, a new word may be transmitted to all players at
206. If the word is not correct at 214, players may continue to unscramble
the letters at 208.
0057 Remote game device 20 may have a first and a second mode. In a
first mode, remote game device 20 may receive sonic signals ASO and
display data selected from memory 26 based on the received signal ASO.
Of 05g1 As previously described, remote game device 20 may be put into a
second programming mode that will allow DVD player assembly 12 to use
sonic tones ASO to transfer information that may be stored in device
memory 26.
Of 0591 Fig. 6 shows game system 300 similar to game system 10 of Fig. 1.
Game system 300 includes DVD player assembly 12, including DVD
player 13 and television 16 with speaker 18. Game system 300 also
includes remote game device 20 shown with microphone 22, memory 26,
display 28, LED 32 and control inputs 34 all of which are operably
connected to processor 24.
0( 0601 Audio tones, sounds or sonic signals ASO may be emitted at
television speaker 18 and received by microphone 22. Microphone 22
generates electrical signals in response to signals ASO which may be
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received by processor 24. Data generated by processor 24 as a function of
microphone electrical signals may be saved in memory 26.
[00611 Alternately, remote game device 20 may be programmed through a
hard wire or cable connection. Fig. 7 shows game system 400 similar to
game system 10 of Fig. 1. Game system 400 again includes DVD player
assembly 12, including DVD player 13 and television 16 with speaker 18,
and remote game device 20. Remote game device 20 is shown with
microphone 22, memory 26, display 28, LED 32 and control inputs 34 all
operably connected to processor 24. Game system 400 also includes
remote game device cable port 36, television cable port 38 and cable 40.
Of 0621 Cable 40 may operably connect television 16 to remote game device
20 when cable 40 is plugged into ports 36 and 38. Cable 40 may carry
data signals originating at DVD player assembly 12 to remote game device
20 and processor 24. Data generated by processor 24 as a function of
microphone electrical signals may be saved in memory 26.
[0063] Alternatively, television cable port 38 could be located on and
operably connected to DVD player 13. Cable 40 plugged into ports 36 and
38 in this case may carry signals directly from DVD player 13 to remote
game device 20.
[0064] It is believed that this disclosure encompasses multiple distinct
inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has
been described in its best mode, numerous variations are contemplated.
All novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the
described and/or illustrated elements, features, functions, and properties
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should be recognized as being included within the scope of this disclosure.
Applicant reserves the right to claim one or more of the inventions in any
application related to this disclosure. Where the disclosure or claims recite
"a," "a first," or "another" element, or the equivalent thereof, they should
be
interpreted to include one or more such elements, neither requiring nor
excluding two or more such elements.
