Portable handheld device for enabling interactivity of video content

• US 20040054826A1
• Filed: 09/18/2002
• Published: 03/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bright Entertainment Limited
• Original Assignee: Bright Entertainment Limited
• Inventors: Kavanagh, John P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,003,598 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/62
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• 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: G11B 19/027 Remotely controlled remote control systems in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2562 DVDs [digital versatile discs]; Digital video discs; MMCDs; HDCDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs

Abstract

A game control unit includes a computer processor for executing game logic stored on a removable memory device. Rich, audiovisual content for the interactive gaming experience is provided on a digital video disk (DVD) in small clips which are selectively played back in a standard DVD player under control of the game control unit. Specifically, the game control unit mimics standard remote control signals to control playback of the audiovisual content by the DVD player.

Claims

1. A method for executing an interactive computer program, the method comprising:

receiving user-generated signals representative of a user'"'"'s response to stimuli presented by an external electronic device;

selecting content to be presented to the user responsive to the user-generated signal, wherein the selected content is selected from a database representing a collection of content available to the external electronic device; and

issuing one or more control signals to the external electronic device to cause the external electronic device to display the selected content.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the control signals cause the external electronic device to display the selected content from a memory storage medium installed in the external electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the memory storage medium is a digital video disk.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the external electronic device is a digital video disk player.