Video game systems

• US 7,883,420 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2006
• Issued: 02/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Stelung, Daniel, Lister, Stephen, Bradbury, Jonathan
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca; Pierre E
• Application Number:
  US11/530,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20070087839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,611 Days
• Field of Search: 463/46
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/24 Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
• 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 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/61 using advertising information
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• 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 2300/1043 being characterized by constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• 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 2300/6018 where the game content is authored by the player, e.g. level editor or by game device at runtime, e.g. level is created from music data on CD
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 : Fighting without shooting

Abstract

Video game systems for executing instructions according to a video game contained on an item of first media including: an item of second media containing data defining an aspect of the video game; and a video game console including a housing, a first media device supported by the housing, a second media device supported by the housing, and a control unit supported by the housing and configured to control the first media device to read the item of first media and to control the second media device to read the item of second media.

Claims

1. A video game system, comprising:

an item of first media containing instructions executable according to a video game;

a plurality of items of second media, each item containing data defining an aspect of the video game; and

a video game console including;

a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion pivotally coupled to the first housing portion, each of the first housing portion and the second housing portion having an inner surface, the inner surfaces of the first housing portion and the second housing portion facing each other when the housing is in a folded configuration and being spaced apart from each other when the housing is in an unfolded configuration;

a first media device supported by the first housing portion and located on the inner surface of the first housing portion;

a second media device supported by the second housing portion and located on the inner surface of the second housing portion;

a control unit supported by the housing and configured to control the first media device to read the item of first media and to control the second media device to read the item of second media;

wherein the plurality of items of second media includes;

a first subset containing data defining a character in the video game, the second media device being configured to read one of the items of second media from the first subset at a first point in time during the video game; and

a second subset containing data defining a modification to an attribute of the character of the video game, the second media device being configured to read one of the items of second media from the second subset at a second point in time during the video game, the second point in time being after the first point in time.

2. The video game system of claim 1, wherein the modification to the attribute of the character is a weapon, an energy level, a move, an appearance, a power level, a defense, an accessory, a skill, or a technique.

3. The video game system of claim 1, wherein the items of the second subset of second media are configured to limit access to the data defining a modification to an attribute of the character to a predetermined number of accesses by the second media device.

4. The video game system of claim 1, wherein the data defining a modification of an attribute of the character can only be accessed by the second media device a predetermined number of times.

5. The video game system of claim 1, wherein the first media device reads the instructions of the item of first media when the item of first media is engaged with the first media device, and the second media device reads information contained on an item of second media when the item of second media is placed proximate to the second media device.

6. A video game system, comprising:

a video game console, comprising;

a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion movably coupled to the first housing portion, the housing having a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration, each of the first housing portion and the second housing portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface of the first housing portion facing the inner surface of the second housing portion when the housing is in its folded configuration, the inner surface of the first housing portion being spaced apart from the inner surface of the second housing when the housing is in its unfolded configuration;

a first media device coupled to the first housing portion and located on the inner surface of the first housing portion; and

a second media device coupled to the second housing portion and located on the inner surface of the second housing portion;

a first type of media containing instructions executable according to one or more video games, the first type of media configured to be received and read by the first media device; and

a second type of media including data relating to the one or more video games, the second type of media being of a different type than the first type of media and configured to be wirelessly read by the second media device, wherein the second type of media includes a first subset including data relating to a first aspect of the video games and a second subset including data relating to a second aspect of the one or more video games, the first subset of the second type of media being configured to be read by the second media device at a first point in time during a video game, and the second subset of the second type of media being configured to be read by the second media device at a second point in time during a video game, the second point in time being after the first point in time.

7. The video game system of claim 6, wherein the second type of media is cards, each card including a wireless transponder containing the data relating to the one or more video games, the wireless transponder configured to be read by the second media device which is a reader housed within the video game console.

8. The video game system of claim 7, wherein the wireless transponder is a radio frequency transponder.

9. The video game system of claim 7, wherein the wireless transponder is a microwave transponder.

10. The video game system of claim 7, wherein the wireless transponder is an electromagnetic transponder.

11. The video game system of claim 7, wherein the wireless transponder operates in the approximately 10 Hz to 20 kHz range.

12. The video game system of claim 7, wherein the first type of media is optically read media.

13. The video game system of claim 6, wherein the first aspect defines characters of the one or more video games and the second aspect defines modifications to attributes of the characters of the one or more video games.

14. The video game system of claim 13, wherein the modifications to attributes include weapons, energy levels, moves, appearances, power levels, defenses, accessories, skills, or techniques.

15. The video game system of claim 13, wherein the first subset of the second type of media includes a first sub-subset and a second sub-subset, the first sub-subset being fewer in number than the second sub-subset.

16. The video game system of claim 15, wherein members of the first subset of the second type of media have a value assigned to each member of the first subset, and wherein members of the first sub-subset have a greater value than members of the second sub-subset.

17. The video game system of claim 16, wherein value is purchase price.

18. The video game system of claim 16, wherein value is conceived value to players of the video game system.

19. The video game system of claim 13, wherein the second subset of the second type of media includes a first sub-subset and a second sub-subset, the first sub-subset being fewer in number than the second sub-subset.

20. The video game system of claim 19, wherein members of the second subset of the second type of media have a value assigned to each member of the first subset, and wherein members of the first sub-subset have a greater value than members of the second sub-subset.

21. The video game system of claim 6, wherein the first subset of the second type of media includes a first sub-subset and a second sub-subset, the first sub-subset being fewer in number than the second sub-subset.

22. The video game system of claim 21, wherein members of the first subset of the second type of media have a value assigned to each member of the first subset, and wherein the members of the first sub-subset have a greater value than the members of the second sub- subset.

23. The video game system of claim 6, wherein the second subset includes items of media including data that can only be accessed a predetermined number of times.

24. The video game system of claim 6, wherein the second subset includes items of media that are configured to be used a predetermined number of times.

25. The video game system of claim 6, wherein the second subset includes items of media that are configured to limit access to the data relating to the second aspect to a predetermined number of accesses by the video game consoles.

26. The video game system of claim 6, wherein the second subset includes items of media that are configured to limit access to the data relating to the second aspect to a predetermined length of time by the video game consoles.

27. A video game system comprising:

a first item of media, the first item of media containing instructions relating to a video game;

a second item of media, the second item of media being different than the first item of media, the second item of media containing data relating to a character in the video game, the second item of media being configured so that data relating to the video game on the second item of media can be updated;

a third item of media, the third item of media being different than the first item of media, the third item of media containing data relating to an attribute of the character in the video game; and

a video game console, comprising;

a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion, the first housing portion being movably coupled to the second housing portion, the second housing portion including an indicator;

a first media device supported by the first housing portion, the first media device being configured to read the first item of media; and

a second media device supported by the second housing portion, the second media device being configured to read the second item of media at a first point of time during the video game, the second media device being configured to read the third item of media at a second point of time during the video game, the second point of time being after the first point of time, the second media device is a reader disposed within the second housing portion, and the indicator indicates when the second media device is activated by reading one of the second item of media or the third item of media.

28. The video game system of claim 27, wherein the indicator indicates that a particular item of media has been placed in proximity of the second media device.

29. The video game system of claim 27, wherein the video game console generates an indication that the second item of media is to be re-furnished proximate to the second media device.

30. The video game system of claim 27, further comprising:

a fourth item of media, the fourth item of media being different than the first item of media, the fourth item of media containing data defining at least one game environment for the video game, the second media device being configured to read the fourth item of media after a third point of time during the video game, the third point of time being later than each of the first point of time and the second point of time.

31. A video game system, comprising:

a first item of media;

a second item of media;

a first housing portion including a media device, the first housing portion being configured to receive the first item of media so that the media device can read information relating to a video game from the first item of media; and

a second housing portion pivotally coupled to the first housing portion, the second housing portion being movable between a folded position in which the second housing portion is proximate to the first housing portion and an extended position in which the second housing is substantially planar with the first housing portion, the second housing portion including a reader that reads information relating to the video game from the second item of media in a non-contacting manner, the second housing portion including an indicator that indicates when the second item of media is read by the reader.

32. The video game system of claim 31, wherein the second housing portion generates an indication that the second item of media is to be placed proximate to the reader.

33. The video game system of claim 31, wherein the media device is an optical drive and the reader is a radio frequency reader.

34. The video game system of claim 31, wherein the second item of media is a card having a transponder, and the reader is a radio frequency reader that communicates with the transponder of the card.

35. The video game system of claim 31, wherein the second housing portion includes an opaque portion and a translucent portion, the indicator is a light source, and the light source is positioned to illuminate the translucent portion of the second housing portion.