Video gaming console with integral printer device

• US 6,835,135 B1
• Filed: 11/09/1999
• Issued: 12/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, King, Tobin Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/437,007
• Time in Patent Office: 1,876 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/30, 463/36, 463/39, 463/43, 463/44, 463/45, 273/148.R
• US Class Current: 463/30
• 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 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/655 by importing photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/202 the game platform being a DVD player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/57 details of game services offered to the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/695 Imported photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/00 Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/026 Stackable
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 : Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 : External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 : Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 : User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 : Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

A video gaming console (and corresponding method of printing gaming information onto a substrate) is configured to accept gaming data on a detachable CD-ROM, cartridge or the like. A user plays the game via a controller device. At predetermined points in the game, such as a certain level being achieved or a task being completed, an integral printing apparatus prints gaming images. Enhanced interactivity is achieved.

Claims

1. A video gaming device, including a casing that includes a receptacle for accepting detachable storage means, the detachable storage means containing an interactive program, the casing incorporating:

communication means for receiving interaction data from at least one control device operable by a user;

processing means for executing said interactive program at least partially in reliance upon the interaction data, thereby to generate display images for output to an image display means; and

a printer apparatus including a printhead, a print media feed mechanism and a replaceable cartridge, an ink supply unit and print media supply housed jointly in said replaceable cartridge, said printer apparatus being operatively associated with said processing means to print one or more gaming images onto print media in response to execution of said interactive program.

2. A video gaming device according to claim 1, wherein said print media is in the form of sheets of paper or card.

3. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sheets are substantially business card size.

4. A video gaming device according to claim 1, wherein said cartridge includes a print media feed roller device for interacting with the print media feed mechanism to feed media from the cartridge to the printhead as required.

5. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more gaming images are printed via said printer at one or more points of said interactive program.

6. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more points are predetermined gaming events defined by the interactive program.

7. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said one or more points are reached upon successful completion of a gaming goal by a user or users.

8. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said printhead comprises an inkjet printhead.

9. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ink jet printhead comprises a pagewidth array of ink ejection nozzles configured to selectively eject ink by means of a series of actuators.

10. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 9, wherein said actuators are thermal bend actuators.

11. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said printhead is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) printhead.

12. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detachable storage means comprises a Digital Video Disk (DVD) executable by a DVD player module.

13. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detachable program storage means comprises a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM).

14. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detachable program storage means comprises a semiconductor memory cartridge.

15. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication means comprises a wireless communication system.

16. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 1, including a detachable controller module incorporating a variety of interactive control devices.

17. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 16, wherein said controller module is releasably connected with said console by means of a magnetic coupling.

18. A video gaming device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5, wherein the gaming images are different to the corresponding display images.

19. A video gaming device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5, wherein the gaming images include interaction information that can be utilized by the user to change, or continue along, the course of the interactive program.

20. A video gaming device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5, wherein the gaming images are indicative of successful completion of a predetermined task or level of the interactive program.

21. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the gaming images take the form of one or more certificates.

22. A video gaming device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the certificate includes information indicative of a score or a user that attained the certificate.

23. Video game apparatus including:

a receptacle for accepting detachable storage means, the detachable storage means containing interactive program;

communication means for receiving interaction data from at least one control device operable by a user;

processing means for executing said interactive program at least partially in reliance upon the interaction data, thereby to generate display images for output to an image display means; and

a printer apparatus including a printhead, a print media feed mechanism and a replaceable cartridge, an ink supply unit and print media supply housed jointly in said replaceable cartridge, said printer apparatus being operatively associated with said processing means to automatically print one or more gaming images onto print media at one or more predetermined points during execution of the interactive program.

24. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the gaming images are different to the corresponding display images of the interactive program at the time of printing.

25. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the gaming images include interaction information that can be utilized by the user to change, or continue along, the course of the interactive program.

26. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein the gaming images are indicative of successful completion of a predetermined task or level of the interactive program.

27. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 26, wherein the gaming images take the form of one or more certificates.

28. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 27, wherein the certificate includes information indicative of a score or a user that attained the certificate.

29. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said one or more points are predetermined gaming events defined by the interactive program.

30. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said one or more points are reached upon successful completion of a gaming goal by a user or users.

31. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said print media is in the form of sheets of paper or card.

32. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said sheets are substantially business card size.

33. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said cartridge includes a print media feed roller device for interacting with the print media feed mechanism to feed media from the cartridge to the printhead as required.

34. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said printhead comprises an inkjet printhead.

35. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 34, wherein said ink jet printhead comprises a pagewidth array of ink ejection nozzles configured to selectively eject ink by means of a series of actuators.

36. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein said printhead is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) printhead.

37. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 36, wherein said actuators are thermal bend actuators.

38. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said detachable storage means comprises a Digital Video Disk (DVD) executable by a DVD player module.

39. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said detachable storage means comprises a Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM).

40. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said detachable storage means comprises a semiconductor memory cartridge.

41. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 23, wherein said communication means comprises a wireless communication system.

42. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 23, including a detachable controller module incorporating a variety of interactive control devices.

43. Video game apparatus as claimed in claim 42, wherein said controller module is releasably connected with said console by means of a magnetic coupling.

44. A method of printing gaming information onto a substrate via a video gaming device, the video gaming device including:

a receptacle for accepting detachable storage means, the detachable storage means containing an interactive program;

communication means for receiving interaction data from at least one control device operable by a user;

processing means; and

a printer apparatus including a printhead, a replaceable cartridge and print media feed mechanism, an ink supply unit and print media supply housed jointly in said replaceable cartridge;

the method including the steps of;

(a) executing the interactive program at least partly in reliance on the interaction data via said processing means, thereby to generate display images;

(b) outputting the display images for display on an image display means; and

(c) printing, under instruction from the processing means, one or more gaming images onto print media in response to execution of said interactive program.

45. A method according to claim 44, wherein the gaming images are different to the corresponding display images of the interactive program at the time of printing.

46. A method according to claim 45, wherein the gaming images include interaction information that can be utilized by the user to change, or continue along, the course of the interactive program.

47. A method according to claim 44, wherein the gaming images are indicative of successful completion of a predetermined task or level of the interactive program.

48. A method according to claim 47, wherein the gaming images take the form of one or more certificates.

49. A method according to claim 48, wherein the certificate includes information indicative of a score or a user that attained the certificate.

50. A method according to claim 44, wherein said one or more points are predetermined gaming events defined by the interactive program.

51. A method according to claim 44, wherein said one or more points are reached upon successful completion of a gaming goal by a user or users.

52. A method according to claim 51, wherein said print media is in the form of sheets of paper or card.

53. A method according to claim 52, wherein said sheets are substantially business card size.

54. A method according to claim 44, wherein said cartridge includes a print media feed roller device for interacting with the print media feed mechanism to feed media from the cartridge to the printhead as required.

55. A method according to claim 44, wherein said printhead comprises an inkjet printhead.

56. A method according to claim 55, wherein said ink jet printhead comprises a pagewidth array of ink ejection nozzles configured to selectively eject ink by means of a series of actuators.

57. A method according to claim 56, wherein said printhead is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) printhead.

58. A method according to claim 57, wherein said actuators are thermal bend actuators.

59. A method according to claim 44, wherein said detachable storage means comprises a Digital Video Disk (DVD) executable by a DVD player module.

60. A method according to claim 44, wherein said detachable storage means comprises a Compact Disc-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM).

61. A method according to claim 44, wherein said detachable storage means comprises a semiconductor memory cartridge.

62. A method according to claim 44, wherein said communication means comprises a wireless communication system.

63. A method according to claim 44, including a detachable controller module incorporating a variety of interactive control devices.

64. A method according to claim 63, wherein said controller module is releasably connected with said console by means of a magnetic coupling.