Method and apparatus for producing "personalized" video games using CD discs

• US 5,595,389 A
• Filed: 12/30/1993
• Issued: 01/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Baumeister, Hans P., Ellson, Richard N., Parulski, Kenneth A.
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US08/175,806
• Time in Patent Office: 1,118 Days
• Field of Search: 273/433-437, 273/85 G, 273/148 B, 395/152, 395/154, 364/410, 358/403
• 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 13/655 by importing photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/695 Imported photos, e.g. of the player

Abstract

A method and associated apparatus for forming a personalized video game by combining personalized images that may be taken of the game player(s) with for example the head of a game character so as to provide a video game wherein the game player(s) can see themselves as the main character The image of the player(s) may be formed using an electronic camera which provides as an output a digital representation of the player(s). The digital image is then accessed by the game software whenever the character is to be displayed. A plurality of different poses may be accommodated along with a plurality of different characters, each optionally represented by a different person'"'"'s image.

Claims

1. A method of forming a personalized video game including the printing of a game character comprising the steps of:

storing a video game having at least one character on a non-volatile portable storage medium;

storing a low and a high resolution digital image of a person on the non-volatile portable storage medium;

reading and executing the stored video game;

accessing and combining said low resolution digital image with said at least one character to from a personalized character; and

displaying said personalized character as a representation of the person; and

accessing and combining said low or said high resolution digital image with said at least one character for driving a printer when a hard copy print is desired.

2. A method of forming and playing a personalized video game comprising the steps of:

storing a video game having at least one character on a non-volatile portable storage medium;

storing a plurality of low and high resolution digital image poses of a person on the non-volatile portable storage medium;

reading and executing the stored video game;

accessing and combining selected low resolution digital image poses with said at least one character to form a number of personalized versions of the character;

displaying the personalized versions of the character as a representation of the poses of said person; and

printing the displayed personalized version of the character, with said low or said high resolution digital image pose.

3. A method of forming and playing a personalized video game comprising the steps of:

storing a video game having at least one character on a non-volatile portable storage medium;

storing a plurality of low and high resolution digital image poses of a person on the non-volatile portable storage medium;

reading and executing the stored video game;

accessing and combining selected low resolution digital image poses with said at least one character to form a number of personalized versions of the character; and

storing said video game and said personalized versions of the character on a portable recording medium.

4. The method according to claim 3 and further comprising the steps of:

accessing and combining either said low or said high resolution digital image with said at least one character to form a personalized caricature; and

printing a personalized hard copy of said formed caricature.

5. The invention according to claim 4 and further comprising the step of:

utilizing a printed personalized hard copy as part of the packaging of the formed personalized video game.

6. A system for forming a personalized video game including the printing of a game character comprising:

means for storing a video game having at least one character on a non-volatile portable storage medium;

means for storing a low and a high resolution digital image of a person on the non-volatile portable storage medium;

means for reading and executing the stored video game;

means for accessing and combining said low resolution digital image with said at least one character to from a personalized character;

means for displaying said personalized character as a representation of the person; and

means for accessing and combining said low or said high resolution digital image with said at least one character for driving a printer when a hard copy print is desired.

7. A system for forming a personalized video game including the printing of a game character comprising:

means for storing a video game having at least one character on a non-volatile portable storage medium;

means for storing a plurality of low and high resolution digital image poses of a person on the non-volatile portable storage medium;

means for reading and executing the stored video game;

means for accessing and combining selected low resolution digital image poses with said at least one character to form a number of personalized versions of the character;

means for displaying the personalized versions of the character as a representation of the poses of said person; and

printing the displayed personalized version of the character, with said low or said high resolution digital image pose.

8. A video game system comprising:

means for storing a video game having at least one character on a non-volatile portable storage medium;

means for storing a plurality of low and high resolution digital image poses of a person on the non-volatile portable storage medium;

means for reading and executing the stored video game;

means for accessing and combining selected low resolution digital image poses with said at least one character to form a number of personalized versions of the character; and

means for storing said video game and said personalized versions of the character on a portable recording medium.

9. The system according to claim 8 and further comprising:

means for accessing and combining either said low or said high resolution digital image with said at least one character to form a personalized caricature; and

means for printing a personalized hard copy of said formed caricature.