Home video game system with hard disk drive and internet access capability

• US 6,769,989 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nintendo of America, Inc. (Nintendo Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Nintendo of America, Inc. (Nintendo Company Limited)
• Inventors: Elliott, Scott, Smith, Darren, McCarten, David J.
• Primary Examiner(s): ONEILL, MICHAEL W
• Application Number:
  US10/406,242
• Publication Number:
  US 20030190952A1
• Time in Patent Office: 487 Days
• Field of Search: 463/40-44, 463/29-33, 725/140, 725/141, 725/142, 455/3.06, 348/552
• US Class Current: 463/41
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• 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 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• 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 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/10 Protecting distributed programs or content, e.g. vending or licensing of copyrighted material protection in video systems or pay television H04N7/16 ; Digital rights management [DRM]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/575 Secure boot
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2109 Game systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2121 Chip on media, e.g. a disk or tape with a chip embedded in its case

Abstract

An existing video game system is modified to include additional communication and storage capability via a modem and hard disk drive. The modification may involve the use of an expansion device coupled to a video game system port. A cable TV tuner is also included in the expansion device to assist in providing a unique picture-in-picture video capability. TV signals are coupled to the expansion device via the RF input from either cable TV or off-air signals. These RF signals are blended with the output signals from the video game system. A user may, for example, watch TV while viewing overlay information from the video game console. A user may receive a TV channel guide downloaded via the Internet, spot a program which the user desires to view and immediately access, via an IR input, the desired channel through the expansion device TV tuner. A user may also watch TV while simultaneously logging onto the Internet. A hard drive permits downloading from the Internet of entire games.

Claims

1. A home video game system for executing video game programs and for generating game play graphics in response to player controller control signals generated by a player operating a player controller for display on a television, said home video game system including a removable memory insertion port for receiving a removable memory storing video game program instructions, comprising:

a game processing system including a main processor, operatively coupled to receive video game instructions from said removable memory when inserted into the removable memory insertion port for executing a video game program, and a graphics coprocessor for processing graphics information under control of said main processor, and being responsive to said player controller control signal for generating game play graphics for display on a television;

communications circuitry, coupled in use to said game processing system and to a user'"'"'s communications network, for linking said game processing system to the Internet and permitting communication from the player to another party over the Internet;

a writeable mass storage device coupled in use to said game processing system for receiving information downloaded from the Internet; and

cryptographic processing circuitry, coupled to said mass storage device, for decrypting at least some of said information downloaded from the Internet.

2. A home video game system according to claim 1, further including

audio circuitry coupled to said video game processing system.

3. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein said communications circuitry and said mass storage device are housed in an expansion device and said video game processing system is housed in a separate video game console which is coupled to said expansion device.

4. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein said communications circuitry comprises a modem, ethernet port, or wireless connection circuitry, and further including a controller for controlling said mass storage device and said communications circuitry.

5. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein said mass storage device comprises a hard disk drive which stores a network browser program.

6. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein said mass storage device is a flash memory storage device.

7. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein said mass storage device stores information downloaded from the Internet.

29. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet includes game play data related to a multi-player game.

30. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet includes information related to head-to-head game play competition.

31. A home video game system according to claim 29, wherein the communication between players is substantially real time.

32. A home video game system according to claim 30, wherein the communication between players is substantially real time.

33. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein the other party is a game service provider.

34. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein the other party is an Internet service provider.

35. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet relates to the information downloaded from the Internet.

36. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet does not relate to the information downloaded from the Internet.

37. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet includes security information used to authenticate downloading information from the Internet.

38. A home video game system according to claim 37, wherein the security information is a unique identifier.

39. A home video game system according to claim 37, wherein the security information is an encryption key.

40. A home video game system according to claim 1, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet includes authentication information used to establish a session with an Internet service provider.

8. A home video game system comprising:

a removable memory insertion port for receiving a removable memory storing video game program instructions,

a game processing system including a main processor, operatively coupled to receive video game instructions from said removable memory when inserted into the removable memory insertion port and a graphics coprocessor for processing graphics information under control of said main processor for executing a video game program and generating game play graphics for display on a user'"'"'s television in response to player controller control signals generated by a player operating a player controller;

communications circuitry, coupled in use to said game processing system and to a communications network, for linking said game processing system to the Internet and permitting communication from the player to another party over the Internet;

video generating circuitry for combining game play graphics and signals received via the Internet for display on the user'"'"'s television;

a writeable mass storage device coupled in use to said game processing system for receiving information downloaded from the Internet and for storing at least some of said information in encrypted form; and

a microcontroller coupled to said communications circuitry and said writeable mass storage device for controlling at least said writeable mass storage device and said communications circuitry.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said writeable mass storage device for is a hard disk drive and stores a network browser program.

10. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said video generating circuitry includes picture-in-picture display circuitry for generating a picture-in-picture display on said user'"'"'s television.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said picture-in-picture display circuitry is operable to generate a picture-in-picture display having a programmable size.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said picture-in-picture display circuitry is operable to generate a picture-in-picture display having a programmable position.

13. Apparatus according to claim 8, further including audio circuitry coupled to said video game processing system.

14. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said communications circuitry and said video generating circuitry are housed in an expansion device which is coupled to said video game processing system which is housed in a separate video game console.

15. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said communications circuitry comprises a modem, ethernet port, or wireless connection circuitry, and wherein said microcontroller controls said hard disk drive and said communications circuitry.

41. A home video game system according to claim 8, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet includes game play data related to a multi-player game.

42. A home video game system according to claim 8, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet includes information related to head-to-head game play competition.

43. A home video game system according to claim 41, wherein the communication between players is substantially real time.

44. A home video game system according to claim 42, wherein the communication between players is substantially real time.

45. A home video game system according to claim 8, wherein the another party is a game service provider.

46. A home video game system according to claim 8, wherein the another party is an Internet service provider.

47. A home video game system according to claim 8, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet relates to the information downloaded from the Internet.

48. A home video game system according to claim 8, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet does not relate to the information downloaded from the Internet.

49. A home video game system according to claim 8, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet includes security information used to authenticate downloading information from the Internet.

50. A home video game system according to claim 49, wherein the security information is a unique identifier.

51. A home video game system according to claim 50, wherein the security information is an encryption key.

52. A home video game system according to claim 8, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet includes authentication information used to establish a session with an Internet service provider.

16. A method of operating a home video game system having a game processing system including a main game processor and a graphics coprocessor for executing a video game program and for accessing the Internet, said home video game system including a writeable mass storage device and Internet communications circuitry, comprising:

generating game play graphics by the home video game processing system under the control of a main game processor and a graphics coprocessor for display on a user'"'"'s television;

accessing the Internet via the Internet communications circuitry;

controlling the Internet communications circuitry using a microcontroller;

downloading information from the Internet to the home video game system;

writing said information downloaded from the Internet to said mass storage device under the control of the microcontroller controlling said Internet communications circuitry;

decrypting at least some of said information downloaded from the Internet and stored in said mass storage device; and

sending a communication from the player to another party over the Internet.

17. A method for operating a home video game system according to claim 16, further comprising:

generating a picture-in-picture display on said user'"'"'s television using said information downloaded from the Internet and said game play graphics.

18. A method for operating a home video game system according to claim 17, wherein said generating a picture-in-picture display on said user'"'"'s television includes the generating a picture-in-picture display having a programmable size.

53. A method for operating a home video game system according to claim 16, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet includes game play data related to a multi-player game.

54. A method for operating a home video game system according to claim 16, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet includes information related to head-to-head game play competition.

55. A method for operating a home video game system according to claim 53, wherein the communication between players is substantially real time.

56. A method for operating a home video game system according to claim 54, wherein the communication between players is substantially real time.

57. A method for operating a home video game system according to claim 16, wherein the other party is a game service provider.

58. A method for operating a home video game system according to claim 16, wherein the other party is an Internet service provider.

59. A method for operating a home video game system according to claim 16, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet relates to the information downloaded from the Internet.

60. A method for operating a home video game system according to claim 16, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet does not relate to the information downloaded from the Internet.

61. A method for operating a home video game system according to claim 16, wherein the communication from the player to another party over the Internet includes security information used to authenticate downloading information from the Internet.

19. A home video game system comprising:

a removable memory insertion port for receiving a removable memory storing video game program instructions,

a game processing system including a main processor, operatively coupled to receive video game instructions from said removable memory when inserted into the removable memory insertion port and a graphics coprocessor for processing graphics information under control of said main processor for executing a video game program and generating game play graphics for display on a television in response to player controller control signals generated by a player operating a player controller;

communications circuitry, coupled in use to a communications network, for linking said home video game circuitry to the Internet;

an address and data bus coupled in use to said game processing system;

a digital signal processor coupled to said communications circuitry and said address and data bus for processing information received via said communications circuitry from said communications network and for coupling processed information to said address and data bus;

an audio input for receiving audio input signals, said digital signal processor for receiving data indicative of said audio input signals and for processing said audio input signals; and

a writeable mass storage device coupled to said address and data bus for receiving information downloaded from the Internet and for storing at least some of said information in encrypted form.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said audio input is an analog microphone input, and an analog to digital converter coupled to said digital signal processor for converting the analog microphone input to digitized microphone data, said digitized microphone data being coupled to said digital signal processor.

21. Apparatus according to claim 19, further including an audio output coupled to said digital signal processor via an digital to analog converter.

22. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said audio output is coupled to receive the audio output of said video game processing system.

23. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said digital signal processor is configured to generate audio output signals, further including mixing circuitry for mixing video game system generated audio signals and said audio output signals generated by said digital signal processor.

24. Apparatus according to claim 19, further including an audio output coupled to said digital signal processor via an digital to analog converter, said video game processing system for generating an audio output, said digital signal processor being coupled to receive and being operable to process said video game processing system audio output.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the processed audio output of said video game processing system audio output results in a special audio effect.

26. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein said writeable mass storage device stores a network browser program.

62. Apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the communications circuitry is configured to permit communication from the player to another party over the Internet.

63. Apparatus according to claim 62, wherein the communication from the player to the other party includes the audio input signals.

64. Apparatus according to claim 63, wherein the communication from the player to the other party includes player performance data.

27. A home video game system comprising:

a game processing system having a main processor and a graphics coprocessor for executing a video game program and generating game play graphics for display on a television;

communications circuitry, coupled in use to a communications network for linking said home video game system to the Internet, said communications circuitry including a modem, ethernet Port, or wireless Connection circuitry;

a writeable mass storage device for storing information downloaded from the Internet;

an address and data bus coupled in use to said game processing system; and

a microcontroller coupled to said modem, said writeable mass storage device, and said address and data bus for controlling at least both said communications circuitry and said writeable mass storage device and for accessing encrypted information downloaded from the Internet stored on said mass storage device.

28. A home video game system comprising:

a game processing system having a main processor and a graphics coprocessor for executing a video name program and generating game play graphics for display on a television;

communications circuitry, coupled in use to a users communications network for linking said home video game system to the Internet, said communications circuitry including a modem, ethernet port, or wireless connection circuitry;

a writeable mass storage device for storing information downloaded from the Internet;

an address and data bus coupled in use to said game processing system;

a microcontroller coupled to said modem, said writeable mass storage device, and said address and data bus for controlling at least both said communications circuitry and said writeable mass storage device and for accessing encrypted information downloaded from the Internet stored on said mass storage device;

an audio input for receiving audio input signals; and

a digital signal processor, coupled to said communications circuitry, for receiving data indicative of said audio input signals and for processing said audio input signals.