Information handling for interactive apparatus

• US 6,260,194 B1
• Filed: 01/07/1998
• Issued: 07/10/2001
• 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): Faile, Andrew
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROWN, RUEBEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/004,021
• Time in Patent Office: 1,280 Days
• Field of Search: 348/7, 348/12, 348/13, 345/327, 345/326, 345/328, 345/302, 345/357, 709/217, 705/501, 725/135-142
• US Class Current: 725/134
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• 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 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• 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 2300/63 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: H04N 21/8541 involving branching, e.g. to different story endings
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests

Abstract

An interactive entertainment apparatus and a method for controlling the same are described, in which the apparatus presents to the user a branch structured narrative (90), and user input determines which path (A,B) is followed at at least one narrative branch point (92). The user is enabled to selectively capture predetermined pieces of narrative information at interaction points (72) and subsequently reintroduce them at a later interaction point (73). Branch point selection is then handled by the apparatus in dependence on which information was reintroduced and at what point in the narrative. On-screen guidance is provided to the user in terms of interaction point indicators, and reminder artefacts for captured information in the form of miniaturised still pictures from the narrative.

Claims

1. A set top box (STB) operable to output sequences of image frames comprising a user-influenced path through a branch structured narrative, the STB comprising:

memory for storing image frame data for all branch structure paths of the narrative;

branch storage means for data defining the narrative branch structure of the narrative;

user operable input means;

branch selection means coupled to the branch store means and operable to determine when the narrative reaches a branch point and to call one of two or more image frame sequences from the image frame data source in dependence on the user input;

an output connected to the STB and configured to output the selected image frame sequences; and

narrative memory means operable to capture and subsequently recall one or more predetermined information items from the narrative in response to user input, with the or each predetermined information item having a respective information value associated with it;

said branch selection means further operable to detect the or each user-directed recall of an information item and, for at least one branch point of the narrative, the branch selection is made in dependence on the information values of said recalled information item or items.

2. The STB as claimed in claim 1, wherein said memory comprises said narrative memory means.

3. A method for user control of an interactive apparatus, comprising the step of:

presenting to the user by said interactive apparatus, a branch structured narrative;

determining which path is selected at least at one narrative branch point based on user input by a user;

enabling the user to selectively capture a predetermined information item from the branch structured narrative; and

selecting at least at one subsequent branch point, by said interactive apparatus, the branch path based on the occurrence or otherwise of user-directed recall of the predetermined captured information item.

4. An apparatus for presenting to a user a branch structured narrative wherein when the narrative reaches a branch point the user is presented with one of a plurality of image frame sequences in dependence on user input to determine a path of the branch structured narrative, the apparatus comprising a processor configured to capture and subsequently recall an information item from the narrative in response to user input and configured to determine branch selection at least at one branch point in dependence on if a user-directed recall of an information item occurs.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the captured information item has an associated information value that is affected by the path of the branch structured narrative and wherein the branch point selection at the at least one branch point is made in dependence on the associated information value as affected by the path of the branch structured narrative prior to the at least one branch point.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the processor is configured to present to the user an indication if a user-directed capture of an information item has occurred.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the indication is a visual artifact pertaining to the captured information item.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the visual artifact is presented to the user overlaid on the branch structured narrative.