Interactive entertainment attribute setting

• US 5,848,934 A
• Filed: 08/29/1996
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: US Philips Corporation (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Cole, Richard S., Rankin, Paul J., Freitag, Rosa, Shiels, Martin A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SCHAAF, JAMES CHARLES
• Application Number:
  US08/705,889
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/9, 463/31, 463/36, 463/410, 395/700.05
• US Class Current: 463/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/47 involving branching, e.g. choosing one of several possible scenarios at a given point in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/537 using indicators, e.g. showing the condition of a game character on screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/208 for storing personal settings or data of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/401 Secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5546 using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/63 for controlling the execution of the game in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/632 by branching, e.g. choosing one of several possible story developments at a given point in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/065 Combinations of audio and video presentations, e.g. videotapes, videodiscs, television systems
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/2545 CDs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/255 CD-I, i.e. CD-interactive
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/105 of operating discs
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 : Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

A method of controlling, and apparatus for, an interactive entertainment system, in which user input influences the path taken through a narrative branch structure (90). Features of the narrative are assigned a respective attribute store containing an attribute value (80-83) and, for at least some paths of the narrative (XA,AB,AC,CD), one or more of the attribute values are altered. At least one branch point (E) of the narrative has conditional access (Y) and default paths (N) leading therefrom, with access being enabled or denied on the basis of one or more current attribute values.

Claims

1. Interactive entertainment apparatus operable to output sequences of image frames comprising a user-influenced path through a branch-structured narrative, the apparatus comprising:

a source of image frame data for all branch structure paths of the narrative;

branch storage means for storing data defining a narrative branch structure;

user operable input means;

branch selection means coupled to the branch storage means for determining when the narrative reaches a branch point and for calling one of two or more image frame sequences from the image frame source in dependence on the user input; and

an output for the selected image frame sequences;

characterized in that the apparatus further comprises one or more attribute stores, the or each attribute store storing an attribute value and a default attribute value, and being assigned to one or respective predetermined features of the narrative, wherein the branch selection means is operable to reset the or each attribute value in the or each attribute store to the respective default attribute value, and user-directed selection at at least one branch point causes the branch selection means to modify the, or one of the, attributes values, and selection of at least one branch path at a further branch point is enabled or disabled by the branch selection means on the basis of the, or one of the, modified attribute values, and wherein the branch selection means is further operable to modify one or more of the stored default attribute values.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the branch selection means is arranged to select a branch path on the basis of one or more current attribute values at a branch point identified by data from the branch storage means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the branch selection means is arranged to reset an attribute value to its respective default attribute value if that attribute value has remained unaltered for a predetermined period.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising image generating means coupled with the attribute store or stores and operable to generate a visual indicator of current attribute values.