BATTLE SYSTEM

• US 20080248869A1
• Filed: 06/12/2008
• Published: 10/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shirou Umezaki
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: UMEZAKI, Shirou
• Granted Patent: US 7,883,414 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/537 using indicators, e.g. showing the condition of a game character on screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/303 for displaying additional data, e.g. simulating a Head Up Display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/308 Details of the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for presenting information in a video game. In one implementation, an entertainment system includes: a game console; a display device connected to said game console; and a video game application program; wherein when said game console executes said video game application program, said game console causes said display device to display an information gauge; wherein said information gauge includes: an action bar having a start end and a goal end, and a plurality of character icons presented at respective points on the action bar, each character icon representing a respective character in the video game; wherein said character icons move along said action bar over time in the direction from said start end to said goal end; and wherein when a character icon reaches said goal end, the character corresponding to that character icon has an opportunity to perform an action in the video game.

Claims

1-8. -8. (canceled)

9. An information gauge in a video game controlled by a processor for displaying on a display device while the video game is played by a user, comprising:

a bonus area displayed as a graphical element on said display device while the video game is being played; and

a plurality of money or item bonus icons presented as graphical elements on said display device in a row ending at said bonus area, each bonus icon representing a, money bonus or an item bonus award to the user;

said processor controlling said displayed bonus icons to move towards said bonus area over time and enter said bonus area one at a time, and

said processor awarding a player in the video game a bonus corresponding to a bonus icon currently in said bonus area when an event concludes.

10. The information gauge of claim 9, wherein:

said event is a battle in the video game.

11. The information gauge of claim 9, wherein:

said processor awards a player in the video game bonus corresponding to each bonus icon that has not yet reached said bonus area when said event concludes.

12. The information gauge of claim 9, wherein:

said processor controls said displayed bonus icons to move at a rate related to the type of said event.

13-33. -33. (canceled)

34. A method of displaying information on a display device while executing a video game by a user, comprising:

displaying a bonus area;

displaying a plurality of money or item bonus icons in a row ending at said bonus area, each bonus icon representing money bonus or an item bonus award to the user;

moving said bonus icons towards said bonus area so that said bonus icons enter said bonus area one at a time; and

providing a player in the video game a bonus corresponding to a bonus icon currently in said bonus area when an event concludes.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

providing a player in the video game a bonus corresponding to each bonus icon that has not yet reached said bonus area when said event concludes.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein:

said bonus icons move at a rate related to the type of said event.

37-38. -38. (canceled)

39. A computer program, stored on a tangible storage medium, for use in displaying information on a display device while a user executes a video game, the program comprising executable instructions that cause a computer to:

cause the display of a bonus area;

cause the display of a plurality of money or item bonus icons in a row ending at said bonus area, each bonus icon representing a money bonus or an item bonus award to the user;

move said bonus icons towards said bonus area so that said bonus icons enter said bonus area one at a time; and

provide a player in the video game a bonus corresponding to a bonus icon currently in said bonus area when an event concludes.

40. A system for displaying information on a display device while executing a video game by a user, comprising:

means for displaying a bonus area;

means for displaying a plurality of money or item bonus icons in a row ending at said bonus area, each bonus icon representing a money bonus or an item bonus award to the user;

means for moving said bonus icons towards said bonus area so that said bonus icons enter said bonus area one at a time; and

means for providing a player in the video game a bonus corresponding to a bonus icon currently in said bonus area when an event concludes.