System, method and handheld controller for multi-player gaming
First Claim
1. A multi-player game system comprising:
- a game server configured to provide display signals for displaying a multi-player game;
a display system having primary display means, the display system being configured to provide a primary game display of the multi-player game on the primary display means in response to the display signals;
a plurality of game controllers, each game controller having secondary display means for providing a secondary game display and input means for receiving player input; and
communication means for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of game controllers;
wherein the plurality of game controllers are located in proximity to the primary display means such that the primary display means is visible to game players manipulating respective game controllers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for multi-player gaming. Some embodiments relate to systems having an improved communications infrastructure and improved handheld game controllers, while other embodiments relate to improvements in handling large numbers of players in the multi-player game when played in a game arena with a single large display screen showing the multi-player game images. In one particular embodiment, a system is provided that has a game server controlling a display system to display the multi-player game on the large screen and a plurality of game controllers. Each game controller has a secondary display means for providing a secondary game display and input means for receiving player input. The system further comprises communication mans for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of game controllers. The plurality of game controllers are located in proximity to the large display screen such that it is visible to game players manipulating the game controllers while playing the multi-player game.
310 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A multi-player game system comprising:
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a game server configured to provide display signals for displaying a multi-player game;
a display system having primary display means, the display system being configured to provide a primary game display of the multi-player game on the primary display means in response to the display signals;
a plurality of game controllers, each game controller having secondary display means for providing a secondary game display and input means for receiving player input; and
communication means for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of game controllers;
wherein the plurality of game controllers are located in proximity to the primary display means such that the primary display means is visible to game players manipulating respective game controllers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. An entertainment system comprising:
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a game server configured to process a multi-player game and provide display signals for displaying the multi-player game;
a display system having primary display means for providing a primary display of the multi-player game in response to the display signals;
a plurality of game controllers, each game controller having processing means, secondary display means for providing a secondary display, and player input means; and
communication means for enabling communication between the game server and the game controllers;
wherein the processing means of each game controller is configured to operate the game controller in a multi-player game mode, in which a player manipulating the player input means of the game controller controls an avatar on the primary display and the secondary display means provides a display related to play of the multi-player game, or to operate in a single player activity mode, in which the player conducts a single-player activity on the game controller and the secondary display means provides a display of the single player activity. - View Dependent Claims (37)
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38. A multi-player game system comprising:
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a game server configured to provide display signals for displaying a multi-player game;
a display system having primary display means, the display system being configured to provide a primary game display of the multi-player game on the primary display means in response to the display signals;
a plurality of local game controllers, each local game controller having input means for receiving player input relating to the multi-player game, the plurality of local game controllers being located in proximity to the primary display means such that the primary game display is visible to game players manipulating respective local game controllers;
communication means for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of local game controllers; and
at least one remote game controller located remotely from the primary display means and having secondary display means for displaying a secondary game display of the multi-player game and input means for receiving player input relating to the multi-player game, the at least one remote game controller being in communication with the game server over a network.
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Specification