Game machine having wireless communication capability

• US 8,469,817 B2
• Filed: 09/04/2007
• Issued: 06/25/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Eck, Charles P., Kamada, Hiroshi, Comair, Claude
• Primary Examiner(s): Pandya, Sunit
• Application Number:
  US11/896,543
• Publication Number:
  US 20080119274A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,121 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 20, 463/9, 463/31, 463/36, 463/37, 463 39- 43, 709204-206
• US Class Current: 463/42
• 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 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• 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 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/205 for detecting the geographical location of the game platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/572 Communication between players during game play of non game information, e.g. e-mail, chat, file transfer, streaming of audio and streaming of video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/66 for rendering three dimensional images
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games

Abstract

A video game machine is provided with wireless functionality. The wireless functionality may be built-into the video game machine or may be provided by a device that is removably attachable to the video game machine. The wireless functionality enables, among other things, enhanced multi-player capabilities, the ability to receive video game updates, new game levels and new games.

Claims

1. A global positioning system (GPS) cartridge for use with a game machine having a processing system to execute a video game program and player controls operable by a player to generate video game control signals, the GPS cartridge comprising:

GPS circuitry configured to determine position based on signals received from GPS satellites; and

a connector that, in use, physically connects the GPS cartridge to the game machine so that the GPS circuitry is in communication with the processing system, whereby the position determined by the GPS circuitry is usable by the processing system during execution of the video game program,

wherein the connector is configured to allow selective detachment of the GPS cartridge from the game machine.

2. The GPS cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:

a memory for storing a video game program executable by the processing system.

3. The GPS cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the game machine is a hand-held game machine.

4. The GPS cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the GPS cartridge is adapted to receive a replaceable video game program cartridge when the GPS cartridge is connected to the game machine.

5. The GPS cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the GPS cartridge is adapted to receive a read/write memory cartridge when the GPS cartridge is connected to the game machine.

6. A removable device for use with a video game apparatus including a processing system for executing a video game program and user control keys for a user to provide control signals to the processing system, the removable device comprising:

a receiver;

position determining circuitry for determining geographic position based on signals received by the receiver; and

a connector for detachably electrically connecting the position determining circuitry to the processing system of the video game apparatus,

wherein the processing system of the video game apparatus uses the geographic position determined by the position determining circuitry during the executing of the video game program.

7. The removable device according to claim 6, wherein the position determining circuitry comprises global positioning system (GPS) circuitry.

8. The removable device according to claim 6, further comprising:

memory storing a program executable by the processing system of the video game apparatus.

9. A game machine comprising:

global positioning system (GPS) circuitry configured to determine position based on signals received from GPS satellites;

a user interface enabling a user to provide inputs to the game machine;

a processing system operable in response to user inputs to execute a game program in accordance with the position determined by the GPS circuitry; and

a housing in which the GPS circuitry and the processing system are both disposed.

10. The game machine according to claim 9, wherein the game machine comprises a hand-held game machine.

11. The game machine according to claim 9, further comprising:

a display,

wherein the processing system is responsive to user inputs to cause the display to display the position determined by the GPS circuitry.

12. The game machine according to claim 9, wherein the housing in which both the GPS circuitry and the processing circuitry is disposed is configured to be hand-held.

13. The game machine according to claim 9, further comprising:

wireless communication circuitry configured for mobile wireless communication.

14. The game machine according to claim 9, wherein the interface comprises a touch-sensitive display screen.

15. The game machine according to claim 9, further comprising:

a camera.

16. A removable device for use with a video game apparatus including a processing system for executing a video game program and input devices for providing inputs to the processing system, the removable device comprising:

an electrical connector that detachably electrically connects the removable device to the video game system;

two-way wireless radio frequency communication circuitry for communicating over a wireless communication network; and

a memory including a first memory portion for storing instructions for performing wireless operations using the two-way wireless radio frequency communication circuitry and a second memory portion for storing instructions for a video game executable by the processing system of the video game system.

17. An accessory device for detachable connection to a video game machine comprising:

two-way wireless communication circuitry; and

a connector for connecting to the video game machine,

wherein the wireless communication circuitry is operative to at least receive wireless communications even when the accessory device is detached from the video game machine.

18. The accessory device according to claim 17, further comprising:

storage for storing the wireless communications received when the accessory device is detached from the video game machine.

19. The accessory device according to claim 17, further comprising:

a notification circuit for providing notifications when wireless communications are received.

20. A portable device usable to play a game comprising:

global positioning system (GPS) circuitry configured to determine position;

a camera;

a user interface configured to receive user inputs, the user interface including a touch-sensitive display screen;

a processing system configured to execute a game program using a position determined by the GPS circuitry;

a wireless communication circuitry for mobile wireless communications; and

a housing configured to be hand-held and to house both the GPS circuitry and the processing system.