Distributed electronic entertainment method and apparatus

• US 7,657,910 B1
• Filed: 03/03/2000
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AMI Entertainment Network, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ecast Incorporated
• Inventors: Cohen, Samuel, McAulay, Roger
• Primary Examiner(s): RUDY, ANDREW J
• Application Number:
  US09/519,008
• Time in Patent Office: 3,623 Days
• Field of Search: 705/18, 725/37, 725/61, 725/86, 725/87, 725/101, 725/98, 725/126, 725/141, 725/142, 369/30.06, 369/30.08, 711/100, 711/111, 715/716, 715/783, 715/829, 715/830
• US Class Current: 725/61
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/32 using local area network [LAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/33 using wide area network [WAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/61 using advertising information
• 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 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• 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 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1081 Input via voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/404 characterized by a local network connection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5506 : using advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5513 : involving billing
• 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: A63F 2300/57 : details of game services offered to the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6081 : generating an output signal, e.g. under timing constraints, for spatialization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/123 : Shopping for digital content
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0014 : for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00 meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/305 : for record players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 : for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/022 : Control panels
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/08 : by using devices external to the driving mechanisms, e.g. coin-freed switch coin actuated mechanisms G07F5/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/002 : Programmed access in sequence to a plurality of record carriers or indexed parts, e.g. tracks, thereof, e.g. for editing; transfer of record carriers from magazine G11B15/68, G11B17/10; G11B17/22
• 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

Abstract

A distributed electronic entertainment method and apparatus are described. In one embodiment, a central management resource is coupled to multiple out-of-home venues through a wide area network (WAN). The central management resource stores content and performs management, monitoring and entertainment content delivery functions. At each venue at least one entertainment unit is coupled to the WAN. Multiple entertainment units in a venue are coupled to each other through a local area network (LAN). In one embodiment, an entertainment unit includes a user interface that comprises at least one graphical user interface (GUI). The entertainment unit further comprises a local memory device that stores entertainment content comprising music, a peripheral interface, and a user input device. A plurality of peripheral devices are coupled to the at least one entertainment unit via the peripheral interface, wherein a user, through the user input device and the user interface, performs at least one activity from a group comprising, playing music, playing electronic games, viewing television content, and browsing the Internet.

Claims

1. A first network entertainment unit, comprising:

a local area network (LAN) interface, through which the first network entertainment unit is configured to communicate with a second network entertainment unit in a venue, wherein the first network entertainment unit and the second network entertainment unit are both located in the venue;

a wide area network (WAN) interface, via which the first network entertainment unit is coupled to a remote central resource, wherein the remote central resource stores entertainment content items available to be retrieved by the first network entertainment unit for performance by the first network entertainment unit;

a user interface, comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) and a user input device, that interacts with a user to allow the user to select one or more entertainment content items;

a local memory that stores a plurality of the entertainment content items and a master list of all of the entertainment content items, including entertainment content items available from a remote central resource;

and

content management logic that, when a selected entertainment content item is not stored in the local memory of the first network entertainment unit, causes;

i) requesting over the LAN interface the selected entertainment content item;

ii) when the selected entertainment content item is not stored in the second network entertainment unit, requesting over the WAN interface the selected entertainment content item;

iii) receiving the requested entertainment content item via the WAN interface; and

iv) performing the received entertainment content item by the first network entertainment unit.

2. The first network entertainment unit of claim 1, further comprising an infrared (IR) receiver/transmitter for transferring data and commands from the first network entertainment unit and for receiving data and commands in the first network entertainment unit.

3. The first network entertainment unit of claim 1, further comprising a payment device which is selected from the group consisting of a coin acceptor;

a bill acceptor; and

a credit card/smart card reader.

4. The first network entertainment unit of claim 1, further comprising an audio unit comprising audio speakers and hardware and software for playing music.

5. The first network entertainment unit of claim 1, wherein the GUI comprises:

a music selection GUI configured to receive an indication from the user of a selection of music from the list of entertainment content items stored remotely to be played locally; and

a game selection GUI configured to receive an indication from the user of a selection of games from the list of entertainment content items stored remotely to be played locally.

6. The first network entertainment unit of claim 1,

wherein the first network entertainment unit is configured to communicate through the LAN interface with a plurality of similar network entertainment units in the venue.

7. The first network entertainment unit of claim 1, further comprising a local cache capable of storing the requested entertainment content item, wherein the received requested entertainment content item of entertainment content requested from the master list is stored in the local memory cache and performed locally in response to the user request upon receipt via the WAN.

8. The first network entertainment unit of claim 1, wherein the requested entertainment content item is, upon receipt, placed in a queue to be performed.

9. The first network entertainment unit of claim 1, wherein the requested entertainment content item is performed immediately upon receipt.

10. The first network entertainment unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one user identification (ID) device selected from a thumbprint recognition device and a facial recognition device.

11. The first network entertainment unit of claim 1, further comprising a video unit comprising hardware and software for capturing and processing images.

12. A first network entertainment unit, comprising:

means for interfacing a local area network (LAN), through which the first network entertainment unit is configured to communicate with a second network entertainment unit in a venue, wherein the first network entertainment unit and the second network entertainment unit are both located in the venue;

means for interfacing a wide area network (WAN), via which the first network entertainment unit is coupled to a remote central resource, wherein the remote central resource stores entertainment content items available to be retrieved by the first network entertainment unit for performance by the first network entertainment unit, and;

means for interfacing with a user, comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) and a user input device, that interacts with a user to allow the user to select one or more entertainment content items;

means for storing a number of the entertainment content items and a master list of all of the entertainment content items, including entertainment content items available from a remote central resource; and

means, when a selected entertainment content item is not stored in the local memory of the first network entertainment unit, for

i) requesting over the LAN interface means the selected entertainment content item;

ii) when the selected entertainment content item is not stored in the second network entertainment unit, requesting over the WAN interface means the selected entertainment content item;

iii) receiving the requested entertainment content item via the WAN interface means; and

iv) performing the received entertainment content item by the first network entertainment unit.