Method and apparatus for coordinating an interactive computer game with a broadcast television program

• US 20030013526A1
• Filed: 08/26/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: STATIC-FREE MEDIA, LLC
• Original Assignee: NearLife, Incorporated
• Inventors: Kline, Christopher, Galyean, Sheri J., Galyean, Tinsley A., Kaufman, Henry
• Granted Patent: US 6,783,460 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/25 Output arrangements for video game devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/55 Controlling game characters or game objects based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/30 characterized by output arrangements for receiving control signals generated by the game device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/534 for network load management, e.g. bandwidth optimization, latency reduction
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

In order to coordinate an interactive computer game with a television broadcast, a central control establishes a large virtual environment in which viewers participate with characters either controlled or designed by them. Each user can directly control or influence characters within a “active region” which encompasses part of the virtual environment that is much less than the total environment. The broadcast portion of the system also has an active region, at least a portion of which is shown on a broadcast television show. The locations of the active regions are controlled by the central control. In accordance with one embodiment, the central control moves the active regions of selected users so that these active regions coincide or overlap the broadcast active region. The selected users are then allowed to control characters that appear on the broadcast television show. In accordance with another embodiment, the central control may transport characters created by a user from the user'"'"'s active region to the broadcast active region by means of a virtual “portal.”

Claims

1. A method for coordinating an interactive computer game being played by a plurality of users with a broadcast television program, comprising:

(a) simulating a virtual environment and displaying at least a portion of the virtual environment on the broadcast television program;

(b) providing to each user a mechanism for creating an object by assigning to the object characteristics and parameters, the object thereafter operating autonomously; and

(c) selecting at least one object created by a user and displaying the selected object in the virtual environment on the broadcast television program.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises simulating a virtual environment in which a plurality of objects interact with each other.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises maintaining a web site having a program thereon, which program allows a user to create and customize and object.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises maintaining a web site having a program thereon, which program allows a plurality of users to cooperatively create and customize an object.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises selecting the at least one object by means of a lottery.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises selecting the at least one object sequentially.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises selecting the at least one object based on the merits of the object.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein step (c) comprises selecting the at least one object based on a virtual interview.

9. Apparatus for coordinating an interactive computer game being played by a plurality of users with a broadcast television program, comprising:

a computer that simulates a virtual environment;

a mechanism that displays at least a portion of the virtual environment on the broadcast television program;

a mechanism available to each user for creating an object by assigning to the object characteristics and parameters, the object thereafter operating autonomously; and

a mechanism that selects at least one object created by a user and displaying the selected object in the virtual environment on the broadcast television program.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the virtual environment includes a plurality of objects that interact with each other.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the mechanism for creating an object comprises a web site having a program thereon, which program allows a user to create and customize an object.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the mechanism for creating an object comprises a web site having a program thereon, which program allows a plurality of users to cooperatively create and customize an object.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the mechanism for selecting at least one object comprises a lottery.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the mechanism for selecting at least one object comprises means for selecting the at least one object sequentially.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the mechanism for selecting at least one object comprises a mechanism for selecting the at least one object based on the merits of the object.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the mechanism for selecting at least one object comprises a mechanism for selecting the at least one object based on a virtual interview.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the means for creating an object comprises a web site having a program thereon, which program allows a user to create and customize an object.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the means for creating an object comprises a web site having a program thereon, which program allows a plurality of users to cooperatively create and customize an object.

20. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the means for selecting at least one object comprises a lottery.

17. Apparatus for coordinating an interactive computer game being played by a plurality of users with a broadcast television program, comprising:

means for simulating a virtual environment;

means for displaying at least a portion of the virtual environment on the broadcast television program;

means available to each user for creating an object by assigning to the object characteristics and parameters, the object thereafter operating autonomously; and

means for selecting at least one object created by a user and displaying the selected object in the virtual environment on the broadcast television program.