Video gaming console with printer apparatus

• US 7,255,646 B2
• Filed: 01/14/2005
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• 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:
  US11/034,763
• Publication Number:
  US 20050159215A1
• Time in Patent Office: 942 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/30, 463/36, 463 43- 44, 463 46- 47, 273/148.R, 340/323.R, 347 1- 2, 347/13, 347/20, 347/42, 347/49, 347/65, 347108-109
• 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 comprising a housing, the housing incorporating a receptacle for receiving detachable storage means, the detachable storage means containing a computer gaming program, the housing including: communication means for receiving interaction data from at least one control device operable by a user; processing means for executing said computer gaming program at least partially in reliance upon the interaction data, thereby to generate display image data and one or more gaming images; a display output terminating in a connector configured to enable connection of the video gaming console to a television or computer monitor, the display image data being output via the display output for display on the television of computer monitor; and a printer apparatus including a color printhead, a print media feed mechanism, an ink supply unit and print media supply, said printer apparatus being operatively associated with said processing means to print the one or more gaming images onto print media in response to execution of said computer gaming program.

Claims

1. A video gaming console comprising a player module hingedly connected to a printer module, said printer module forming a closure for said player module, said player module comprising:

a receptacle for receiving detachable storage means, the detachable storage means containing a computer gaming program; and

said printer module comprising;

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

processing means for executing said computer gaming program at least partially in reliance upon the interaction data, thereby to generate image data and one or more gaming images when a predetermined level of a game has been reached; and

a print engine including a color printhead and, a print media feed mechanism, said print engine being operatively associated with said processing means to print the one or more gaming images onto print media in response to execution of said computer gaming program; and

a detachable cartridge comprising an ink supply unit and print media supply,

wherein said gaming image comprises a high-resolution picture that can only be achieved at a certain point in the game.

2. A video gaming console according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the gaming images include at least a portion that corresponds visually with at least some of the display image data.

3. A video gaming console according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the gaming images relate to one or more gaming events determined during execution of the computer gaming program.

4. A video gaming console according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the gaming events are predefined by the computer gaming program.

5. A video gaming console according to claim 1, configured to enable cause the printer to print one or more of the gaming images onto the print media automatically in response to one or more gaming events determined during execution of the computer gaming program.

6. A video gaming console according to claim 5, wherein one or more of the gaming events are predefined by the computer gaming program.

7. A video gaming console according to claim 3, wherein said one or more gaming events includes successful completion of a gaming goal by a user or users.

8. A video gaming console according to claim 1, wherein the gaming images differ from the display image data to which they correspond.

9. A video gaming console according to claim 1, wherein the gaming images include interaction information that can be utilized by the user to change, or continue along, the course of the computer gaming program.

10. A video gaming console according to claim 1, wherein the gaming images are indicative of successful completion of a predetermined task or level of the computer gaming program.

11. A video gaining console according to claim 1, wherein the gaming images take the form of one or more certificates.

12. A video gaming console according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the certificates includes information indicative of a score or a user that attained the certificate.

13. A video gaming console according to claim 1, further includes an optical sensor in the form of a camera, configured to capture an image of the user.

14. A video gaming console according to claim 13, configured such that at least some of the gaming images are generated to include the image of the user, or a manipulated version thereof.

15. A video gaming console according to claim 1, wherein the printhead is an inkjet printhead.

16. A video gaming console according to claim 15, wherein the printhead is a MEMS printhead.

17. A video gaming console according to claim 16, wherein the printhead is a pagewidth printhead.

18. A video gaming console according to claim 17, wherein the printhead is configured to print on business-card-size print media.

19. A video gaming console according to claim 16, wherein the printead comprises a plurality of rows of nozzles, each of the nozzles including a mechanical actuator selectively ejecting the ink.

20. A video gaining console according to claim 19, wherein each of the actuators is a thermal bend actuator.