System, method and handheld controller for multi-player gaming

• US 8,951,124 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2009
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timeplay, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Timeplay, Inc.
• Inventors: Hussman, Jonathan Ira, Snoddy, Jon Hayes, Race, John Andrew, Rider, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): PIERCE, DAMON JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US12/638,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20100267448A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,883 Days
• Field of Search: 463/31, 463/34, 463/36, 463/37, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/2145 the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/22 Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
• 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 13/26 having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/27 characterised by a large display in a public venue, e.g. in a movie theatre, stadium or game arena
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/285 Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
• 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 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/53 involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/843 involving concurrently two or more players on the same game device, e.g. requiring the use of a plurality of controllers or of a specific view of game data for each player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8023 the game being played by multiple players at a common site, e.g. in an arena, theatre, shopping mall using a large public display
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/02 comprising more than one electric motor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/365 with the gears having orbital motion
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/387 Actuated clutches, i.e. clutches engaged or disengaged by electric, hydraulic or mechanical actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/40 characterised by the assembly or relative disposition of components
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 6/445 Differential gearing distribution type
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/0866 Power split variators with distributing differentials, with the output of the CVT connected or connectable to the output shaft
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/102 : the input or output shaft of the transmission is connected or connectable to two or more differentials
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/104 : Power split variators with one end of the CVT connected or connectable to two or more differentials
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2037/106 : with switching means to provide two variator modes or ranges
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2007 : with two sets of orbital gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2200/2064 : using at least one positive clutch, e.g. dog clutch
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 3/728 : with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 : for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 : Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 : Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 : wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 : wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/62 : Hybrid vehicles

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for multi-player gaming. Some embodiments relate to systems having an improved communications infrastructure and improved handheld game controllers, while other embodiments relate to improvements in handling large numbers of players in the multi-player game when played in a game arena with a single large display screen showing the multi-player game images. In one particular embodiment, a system is provided that has a game server controlling a display system to display the multi-player game on the large screen and a plurality of game controllers. Each game controller has a secondary display means for providing a secondary game display and input means for receiving player input. The system further comprises communication means for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of game controllers. The plurality of game controllers are located in proximity to the large display screen such that it is visible to game players manipulating the game controllers while playing the multi-player game.

Claims

1. A multi-player game system comprising:

a game server configured to run a game software to facilitate a multi-player game, the game server further configured to provide display signals for displaying the multi-player game;

a display system having primary display means, the display system being configured to provide a primary game display of the multi-player game on the primary display means in response to the display signals;

a plurality of handheld game controllers, each handheld game controller having secondary display means and input means; and

communication controller for enabling communication between the game server and each handheld game controller;

wherein the plurality of handheld game controllers are located in proximity to the primary display means such that the primary display means is visible to game players manipulating respective handheld game controllers; and

wherein the game server is configured to download a game software module to each handheld game controller using the communication controller prior to initiation of the multi-player game, each game software module executable by the corresponding handheld game controller to enable the corresponding handheld game controller to provide a secondary game display on the secondary display means in response to player input received at the input means, wherein the secondary game display is complementary to the primary game display, and to enable participation in the multi-player game by the corresponding game player.

2. The system of claim 1), wherein the primary display means comprises a large display screen.

3. The system of claim 1), wherein the primary display means and the plurality of handheld game controllers are located within a game arena.

4. The system of claim 3), wherein the game arena comprises a large enclosed space.

5. The system of claim 3), wherein each handheld game controller is connected to a respective fixed structure within the game arena.

6. The system of claim 5), wherein each handheld game controller has a power supply located apart from the handheld game controller, the power supply being electrically connected to the handheld game controller through a power supply cable and being mounted to the fixed structure.

7. The system of claim 6), wherein a tether connects each handheld game controller to the respective fixed structure.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the tether comprises a rigid connecting arm movable between a playing position and a stowed position.

9. The system of claim 7), wherein the tether comprises a flexible retractable cable.

10. The system of claim 7), wherein the tether at least partly houses the power supply cable.

11. The system of claim 1), wherein the secondary game display is at least partially related to the primary game display.

12. The system of claim 1), wherein the primary game display comprises graphical representations of game avatars corresponding to the game players manipulating respective handheld game controllers.

13. The system of claim 11), wherein secondary game images displayed on the secondary display means are different from primary game images displayed on the primary display means.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary game display relates to a single-player activity.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the single player activity comprises a qualification activity and wherein the game controller of each game player performing the qualification activity communicates with the game server to indicate successful performance of the qualification activity, and in response to the indication the game server enables the respective game controllers for participation in the multi-player game.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the single player activity comprises browsing content displayed on the secondary display means.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the communication controller is coupled to a wireless communication means.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the wireless communication means comprises a wireless transmitter, at least one wireless receiver and a plurality of wireless transceivers in respective handheld game controllers.

19. The system of claim 18), wherein the wireless transmitter, the at least one wireless receiver and the plurality of handheld game controllers are located in or adjacent a game arena, the game arena having the primary display means located therein.

20. The system of claim 19), wherein the wireless transmitter directionally transmits game data signals toward the handheld game controllers within the game arena.

21. The system of claim 20), wherein the at least one wireless receiver comprises at least two wireless receivers and the at least two wireless receivers are spaced around the game arena and are located away from a transmission direction of the wireless transmitter.

22. The system of claim 1), wherein players are represented in the multi-player game by respective avatars, wherein each handheld game controller comprises output means for providing a sensory output to the respective player, wherein the input means includes means for receiving an avatar identification request from a player and each handheld game controller is configured to transmit a communication signal corresponding to the avatar identification request to the game server, and wherein, in response to the communication signal, the game server causes an enhanced visual indication of the respective avatar to be provided on the primary display means substantially simultaneously with the sensory output to the respective player, the sensory output being provided in response to the avatar identification request.

23. The system of claim 22), wherein the output means provides at least one of a vibratory, visual and auditory output.

24. The system of claim 22), wherein the output means comprises a vibration module, at least one speaker and the secondary display means.

25. The system of claim 1), wherein the input means comprises a touch-sensitive screen.

26. The system of claim 1), wherein the input means comprises a movement selection member and a plurality of buttons.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the movement selection member is a joystick.

28. The system of claim 1), wherein the input means comprises a card reader for receiving player authentication data.

29. The system of claim 1), wherein each handheld game controller has a power source located apart from the handheld game controller.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

31. The system of claim 1), wherein each handheld game controller comprises processing means for processing player input received by the input means, for generating player commands in response to the player input for transmission to the game server via the communication controller and for generating the secondary game display in response to game data received from the game server via the communication controller.

32. The system of claim 31), wherein each handheld game controller further includes a transceiver and the respective processing means controls the transceiver to transmit the player commands and to receive the game data.

33. The system of claim 32), wherein the transceiver is a wireless transceiver and the communication controller is coupled to a wireless communication means.

34. The system of claim 1), wherein the game server facilitates transmission of messages between game players, the messages being displayable on the secondary display means and being writable using the input means.

35. The system of claim 34), wherein the input means comprises a touch-sensitive screen overlaid on the secondary display means and wherein the handheld game controller provides a messaging interface to a respective player using the touch-sensitive screen and the secondary display means.

36. The system of claim 1), wherein each handheld game controller has processing means, the processing means configured to operate the handheld game controller in a multi-player game mode, in which a player manipulating the player input means of the handheld game controller controls an avatar on the primary display and the secondary display means provides a display related to play of the multi-player game, or to operate in a single player activity mode, in which the player conducts a single-player activity on the handheld game controller and the secondary display means provides a display of the single player activity.

37. A multi-player game system comprising:

a game server configured to run a game software to facilitate a multi-player game, the game server further configured to provide display signals for displaying the multi-player game;

a display system having primary display means, the display system being configured to provide a primary game display of the multi-player game on the primary display means in response to the display signals;

a plurality of handheld local game controllers, each handheld local game controller having input means for receiving player input relating to the multi-player game, the plurality of handheld local game controllers being located in proximity to the primary display means such that the primary game display is visible to game players manipulating respective handheld local game controllers;

communication controller for enabling communication between the game server and each handheld local game controller; and

at least one handheld remote game controller located remotely from the primary display means and having secondary display means and input means, the at least one handheld remote game controller being in communication with the game server over a network;

wherein the game server is configured to download a game software module to the at least one handheld remote game controller over the network prior to initiation of the multi-player game, the game software module executable by the corresponding handheld remote game controller to enable the corresponding handheld remote game controller to provide a secondary game display on the secondary display means in response to player input received at the input means of the handheld remote game controller, wherein the secondary game display is complementary to the primary game display, and to enable participation in the multi-player game by a corresponding game player.

38. A multi-player game system comprising:

a game server configured to run a game software to facilitate a multi-player game, the game server further configured to provide display signals for displaying the multi-player game;

a display system having primary display means, the display system being configured to provide a primary game display of the multi-player game on the primary display means in response to the display signals;

a plurality of handheld game controllers, each handheld game controller having secondary display means and input means; and

communication controller for enabling communication between the game server and each handheld game controller;

wherein the plurality of handheld game controllers are located in proximity to the primary display means such that the primary display means is visible to game players manipulating respective handheld game controllers; and

wherein the game server is configured to download a game software module to each handheld game controller using the communication controller prior to initiation of the multi-player game, each game software module executable by the corresponding handheld game controller to facilitate game activities corresponding to the multi-player game, to enable the corresponding handheld game controller to provide a secondary game display on the secondary display means in response to player input received at the input means, wherein the secondary game display is complementary to the primary game display, and to enable participation in the multi-player game by the corresponding game player.