Systems and methods for playmaker control

• US 20050003877A1
• Filed: 05/06/2004
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Electronic Arts Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Electronic Arts Incorporated
• Inventors: Cummings, Ian
• Application Number:
  US10/841,800
• Publication Number:
  US 20050003877A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/4
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball

Abstract

In an interactive, computer generated animation, a primary element is controlled by a user with a primary controller. A secondary element is controlled by the user with a secondary controller that generally includes a right analog stick. The secondary element is controlled by moving the stick. The secondary element may be controlled during occurrence of an event or prior to a scheduled event.

Claims

1. A method of controlling at least one secondary character in a multi-character, computer generated game, the method comprising:

providing a central computer for generating and operating the computer generated game;

providing a primary input mechanism in communication with the central computer;

providing a secondary input mechanism including a stick in communication with the central computer;

controlling at least one primary character with the primary input mechanism; and

controlling the at least one secondary character with the secondary input mechanism by moving the stick.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the computer generated game is a football game.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein a single user plays the computer generated game.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein two or more users play the computer generated game.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one secondary character is controlled during a play.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one secondary character is controlled prior to a play.

7. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein the computer generated game is a football game and the at least one secondary character comprises one of a running back, a lead blocker and a receiver.

8. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the computer generated game is a football game and the at least one secondary character comprises one of a running back, a lead blocker and a receiver.

9. A method in accordance with claim 5 wherein the computer generated game is a football game and the at least one secondary character comprises one of a defensive back, a linebacker and a group of defensive players.

10. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the computer generated game is a football game and the at least one secondary character comprises one of a defensive back, a linebacker and a group of defensive players.

11. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein the at least one secondary character is one of a running back and a receiver and the secondary input mechanism controls a pass route.

12. A method in accordance with claim 7 wherein the at least one secondary character is one of a running back and a lead blocker and the secondary input mechanism controls a blocking assignment.

13. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the at least one secondary character is one of a running back and a receiver and the secondary input mechanism controls a pass route.

14. A method in accordance with claim 8 wherein the at least one secondary character is one of a running back and a lead blocker and the secondary input mechanism controls a running route.

23. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one secondary element is controlled during an event.

15. A method of controlling at least one secondary player on a multi-player team in a computer generated football game that comprises a series of plays, the method comprising:

providing a central computer for generating and operating the computer generated game;

providing a primary game controller in communication with the central computer;

providing an analog game controller including a stick in communication with the central computer;

controlling at least one primary player with the primary game controller; and

controlling the at least one secondary player with the analog game controller by moving the stick;

wherein the at least one secondary player comprises one of a receiver, a running back, a lead blocker, a defensive back, a linebacker or a group of defensive players; and

wherein the analog game controller controls one of a pass pattern route, a running route, and defensive position.

16. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein a single user plays the computer generated game.

17. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein two or more users play the computer generated game.

18. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein the at least one secondary player is controlled during a play.

19. A method in accordance with claim 15 wherein the at least one secondary player is controlled prior to a play.

20. A method of controlling at least one secondary element in a multi-element, computer generated animation sequence that comprises a series of events, the method comprising:

providing a central computer for generating and operating the computer generated animation sequence;

providing a primary game controller in communication with the central computer;

providing a secondary controller including a stick in communication with the central computer;

controlling at least one primary element with the primary game controller; and

controlling the at least one secondary element with the secondary controller by moving the stick.

21. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein a single user participates in the animation sequence.

22. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein two or more users participate in the animation sequence.

24. A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein the at least one secondary player is controlled prior to an event.