Video game system and methods of operating a video game

• US 8,535,153 B2
• Filed: 12/27/2010
• Issued: 09/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daniel Stelung, Jonathan Bradbury, Stephen Lister
• Original Assignee: Daniel Stelung, Jonathan Bradbury, Stephen Lister
• Inventors: Bradbury, Jonathan, Lister, Stephen, Stelung, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca, Pierre E
• Application Number:
  US12/978,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20110092286A1
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 463/31, 463/43
• US Class Current: 463/31
• 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 method of operating a video game involving multiple characters playable by multiple players, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying an environment of the video game on a display screen;

displaying an icon on the display screen during the video game;

receiving, by a media device, an input from a first one of the players who provides an item of media after the icon is displayed; and

attributing a reward associated with the icon with the character being played by the first player.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the icon that is displayed on the display screen is representative of the reward.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the icon resembles a weapon, and the reward includes the character of the first player having an attribute of the weapon for use in the video game.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the character of the first player has the weapon associated therewith on the display screen during the video game after the reward has been attributed to the character of the first player.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the reward can be used by the character being played by the first player during the video game.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving an input includes receiving information from an item of media that is swiped relative to the media device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the item of media is a card with a radio frequency transponder and the media device includes a radio frequency reader.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of attributing a reward occurs if the input is received while the icon is present on the display screen.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of displaying an icon on the display screen involves displaying the icon for a predetermined length of time, and the step of attributing the reward occurs if the input is received while or immediately after the reward icon is displayed.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the icon represents a character attribute modification in the video game.

11. A video game system playable by multiple players and involving multiple characters, the video game system comprising:

a video game console including;

a housing;

a control unit supported by the housing, the control unit configured to;

send a signal to display an environment of a video game on a display screen;

send a signal to display an icon on the display screen during the video game;

receive an input from a first one of the players who provides an item of media after the icon is displayed; and

attribute a reward associated with the icon with the character being played by the first player.

12. The video game system of claim 11, further comprising the display screen.

13. The video game system of claim 11, wherein the control unit is further configured to display the reward being used by the character being played by the first player during the video game.

14. The video game system of claim 11, wherein the control unit is configured to receive an input by receiving information from an item of media that is swiped relative to a media device.

15. The video game system of claim 14, wherein the item of media is a card with a radio frequency transponder and the media device includes a radio frequency reader.

16. The video game system of claim 14, further comprising the item of media and the media device.

17. The video game system of claim 11, wherein the control unit is configured to attribute a reward if the input is received while the icon is present on the display screen.

18. A video game system playable by multiple players and involving multiple characters, the video game system comprising:

a video game console including;

a housing;

a control unit supported by the housing, the control unit configured to;

send a signal to display an environment of a video game on a display screen;

send a signal to display an icon on the display screen during the video game, the icon resembles a weapon;

receive an input from a first one of the players who provides an item of media after the icon is displayed; and

attribute a reward associated with the icon with the character being played by the first player, the reward includes the character of the first player having an attribute of the weapon for use in the video game;

send a signal to display the character of the first player associated with the weapon during the video game after the reward has been attributed to the character of the first player.

19. A method of operating a video game involving multiple characters playable by multiple players, the method comprising the steps of:

displaying an environment of the video game on a display screen;

displaying an icon on the display screen during the video game, the icon representing a character attribute modification;

receiving, by a media device, an input from a first one of the players who provides an item of media after the icon is displayed; and

updating data defining the character being played by the first player with the character attribute modification.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of receiving an input involves receiving information from an item of media that is swiped relative to the media device, and the step of updating data occurs if the item of media is swiped while the reward icon is displayed.