A Method and Apparatus For Providing A Simulated Band Experience Including Online Interaction and Downloaded Content

• US 20070243915A1
• Filed: 04/14/2006
• Published: 10/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems Incorporated (Epic Games, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Harmonix Music Systems Incorporated (Epic Games, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rigopulos, Alex, Egozy, Eran
• Application Number:
  US11/279,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20070243915A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/7
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 15/00 Teaching music metronomes G04F5/02
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/06 with both visual and audible presentation of the material to be studied

Abstract

A method for facilitating real-time interaction between a first and second player of a music-based video game via a network having unpredictable delivery latency includes displaying to a first player target musical data associated with a musical composition downloaded from an online venue, receiving music performance input from the first player via a controller resembling a first musical instrument, displaying to a second player, the second player located remotely from the first player, target musical data associated with the musical composition, and receiving music performance input from the second player.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating real-time interaction between a first and second player of a music-based video game via a network comprising:

a. displaying to a first player target musical data associated with a downloaded musical composition;

b. receiving music performance input from the first player, the received music performance input associated with a first instrument present in the musical composition;

c. displaying to a second player target musical data associated with the downloaded musical composition, the second player located remotely from the first player; and

d. receiving music performance input from the second player, the received music performance input associated with a second instrument present in the musical composition.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises displaying to a first player target musical data associated with a downloaded musical composition, the target musical data disposed along a musical time axis that does not lie in the image plane of a display associated with the first player.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises receiving music performance input from the first player via a controller resembling a first musical instrument.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein step (d) comprises receiving music performance input from the second player, the received music performance input associated with a second instrument present in the musical composition, wherein the first player and second player cooperate to provide music performance input.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of

a. displaying to a third player target musical data associated with a musical composition, the third player physically proximate to the first player;

and

b. receiving music performance input from the third player, the received music performance input associated with a third instrument present in the musical composition.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of receiving emulation data representing music performance input from the second player.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of generating a local approximation of the second player'"'"'s music performance input using the emulation data, the local approximation synchronous with a local musical performance.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of downloading content usable with the game.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of downloading an avatar for display to the first player.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of downloading a play arena for the game.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of downloading an instrument for display with an avatar.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of downloading an outfit for an avatar.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of downloading an accessory for an avatar.

14. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of downloading an avatar action for execution.

15. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of downloading a new style of musical instrument for display with an avatar.

16. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of downloading a new type of instrument for display with an avatar.

17. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of downloading a banner associated with a plurality of avatars for display.

18. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of downloading stage equipment associated with a plurality of avatars.

19. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of downloading pyrotechnic stage equipment associated with a plurality of avatars.

20. A system for facilitating real-time interaction between a first and second player of a music-based video game via a network, the system comprising:

a. means for displaying to a first player target musical data associated with a musical composition downloaded from an online venue;

b. means for receiving music performance input from the first player, the received music performance input associated with a first instrument present in the musical composition;

c. means for displaying to a second player, the second player located remotely from the first player, target musical data associated with the downloaded musical composition; and

d. means for receiving music performance input from the second player.

21. The system of claim 20 further comprising means for displaying to a first player target musical data associated with a musical composition downloaded from an online venue, the target musical data disposed along a musical time axis that does not lie in the image plane of a display associated with the first player.

22. The system of claim 20 wherein the means for receiving music performance input comprises a controller resembling a first musical instrument.

23. The system of claim 20 further comprising means for assigning a single score to the first player and the second player responsive to the music performance input received from the first and second player in cooperation.

24. The system of claim 20 further comprising:

a. means for displaying to a third player target musical data associated with a downloaded musical composition, the third player physically proximate to the first player; and

b. means for receiving music performance input from the third player, the received music performance input associated with a third instrument present in the musical composition.

25. The system of claim 20 further comprising means for receiving emulation data representing music performance input from the second player.

26. The system of claim 25 further comprising means for generating a local approximation of the second player'"'"'s music performance input using the emulation data, the local approximation synchronous with a local musical performance.

27. The system of claim 20 further comprising means for downloading content associated with game.