System, method and handheld controller for multi-player gaming

• US 9,643,083 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2016
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• 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:
  US15/007,972
• Publication Number:
  US 20160166928A1
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• 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; and

a communication controller for enabling communication between the game server and a plurality of handheld game controllers located in proximity to the primary display means such that the primary display means is visible to game players manipulating respective handheld game controllers, each handheld game controller comprising secondary display means and input means comprising a touch-sensitive layer overlaid on the secondary display means to form a touch-screen;

wherein each handheld game controller has downloaded thereon a game software module prior to initiation of the multi-player game, wherein the game software module enables;

the corresponding handheld game controller to provide a secondary game display on the secondary display means, the secondary game display including a first area corresponding to a first function; and

a first portion of the touch-sensitive layer overlying the first area to become active to enable participation in the multi-player game by the corresponding game player,

and wherein the secondary game display enabled by the game software module is complementary to the primary game display.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module enables the corresponding handheld game controller to process a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module, in response to a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion, enables:

the corresponding handheld game controller to provide the secondary game display including a second area corresponding to a second function, and

a second portion of the touch-sensitive layer overlying the second area to become active.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module enables, in response to a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion, the first portion of the touch-sensitive layer to become inactive on the corresponding handheld game controller.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the game software module enables the corresponding handheld game controller to, in response to the player input, change the first area of the secondary game display.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module enables, in response to a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion, the first area to correspond to a second function on the corresponding handheld game controller.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the game software module enables the corresponding handheld game controller to, in response to the player input, change the first area of the secondary game display.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the game server is configured to receive at least one packet corresponding to the first function from a first one of the handheld game controllers, the at least one packet generated by the first handheld game controller according to the game software module in response to a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the game server is configured to transmit game data to a second one of the handheld game controllers in response to receiving the at least one packet, the game data being processable by the second handheld game controller using the game software module to:

provide the secondary game display at the second handheld game controller, the secondary game display including a second area corresponding to a second function; and

activate a second portion of the touch-sensitive layer of the input means at the second handheld game controller overlying the second area to enable participation in the multi-player game by a second corresponding game player of the second handheld game controller.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module is downloaded to the corresponding handheld game controller from a remote server.

11. 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 located in proximity to the primary display means such that the primary display means is visible to game players manipulating respective handheld game controllers, each handheld game controller comprising secondary display means and input means comprising a touch-sensitive layer overlaid on the secondary display means to form a touch-screen; and

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

wherein each handheld game controller has downloaded thereon a game software module prior to initiation of the multi-player game, wherein the game software module enables;

the corresponding handheld game controller to provide a secondary game display on the secondary display means, the secondary game display including a first area corresponding to a first function; and

a first portion of the touch-sensitive layer overlying the first area to become active to enable participation in the multi-player game by the corresponding game player, and wherein the secondary game display enabled by the game software module is complementary to the primary game display.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the game software module enables the corresponding handheld game controller to process a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the game software module, in response to a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion, enables:

the corresponding handheld game controller to provide the secondary game display including a second area corresponding to a second function, and

a second portion of the touch-sensitive layer overlying the second area to become active.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the game software module enables, in response to a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion, the first portion of the touch-sensitive layer to become inactive on the corresponding handheld game controller.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the game software module enables the corresponding handheld game controller to, in response to the player input, change the first area of the secondary game display.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the game software module enables, in response to a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion, the first area to correspond to a second function on the corresponding handheld game controller.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the game software module enables the corresponding handheld game controller to, in response to the player input, change the first area of the secondary game display.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the game server is configured to receive at least one packet corresponding to the first function from a first one of the handheld game controllers, the at least one packet generated by the first handheld game controller according to the game software module in response to a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the game server is configured to transmit game data to a second one of the handheld game controllers in response to receiving the at least one packet, the game data being processable by the second handheld game controller using the game software module to:

provide the secondary game display at the second handheld game controller with a second area corresponding to a second function; and

activate a second portion of the touch-sensitive layer of the input means at the second handheld game controller overlying the second area to enable participation in the multi-player game by a second game player of the second handheld game controller.

20. The system of claim 11, wherein the game software module is downloaded to the corresponding handheld game controller from a remote server.

21. A method of facilitating a multi-player game, the method comprising:

downloading a game software module to a plurality of handheld game controllers, each handheld game controller comprising secondary display means and input means comprising a touch-sensitive layer overlaid on the secondary display means to form a touch-screen;

providing a game server configured to run a game software to facilitate the multi-player game; and

providing, by the game server, display signals for displaying a primary game display of the multi-player game on a primary display means;

wherein the game software module enables;

the corresponding handheld game controller to provide a secondary game display on the secondary display means, the secondary game display including a first area corresponding to a first function; and

a first portion of the touch-sensitive layer overlying the first area to become active to enable participation in the multi-player game by the corresponding game player,

and wherein the secondary game display enabled by the game software module is complementary to the primary game display.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the game software module enables the corresponding handheld game controller to process a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion to enable the first function.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the game software module, in response to a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion, enables:

the corresponding handheld game controller to provide the secondary game display including a second area corresponding to a second function, and

a second portion of the touch-sensitive layer overlying the second area to become active.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the game software module enables, in response to a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion, the first portion of the touch-sensitive layer to become inactive on the corresponding handheld game controller.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the game software module enables the corresponding handheld game controller to, in response to the player input, change the first area of the secondary game display.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the game software module enables the corresponding handheld game controller to, in response to a player input selecting the first function by touching the first portion, provide the secondary game display with the first area corresponding to a second function.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the game software module enables the corresponding handheld game controller to, in response to the player input, change the first area of the secondary game display.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the game software module enables the corresponding handheld game controller to, in response to the selection of the first function, generate at least one packet corresponding to the first function; and

the game server receives the at least one packet.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

transmitting, by the game server game data to a second one of the handheld game controllers in response to receiving the at least one packet; and

wherein the game software module enables the second handheld game control to process the game data to provide the secondary game display at the second handheld game controller with a second area corresponding to a second function, and to activate a second portion of the touch-sensitive layer of the input means at the second handheld game controller overlying the second area to enable participation in the multi-player game by the corresponding game player of the second handheld game controller.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the game software module is downloaded to the corresponding handheld game controller from a remote server.