System, method and handheld controller for multi-player gaming

• US 9,751,009 B2
• Filed: 01/22/2014
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• 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:
  US14/161,197
• Publication Number:
  US 20140135129A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,322 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 for facilitating a multi-player game comprising:

a game server system configured to run a game software to facilitate a multi-player game, the game server system 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 of the plurality of handheld game controllers having secondary display means and input means; and

a communication controller for enabling communication between the game server system and each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers,

wherein the game server system comprises at least one remote server located remotely from the primary display means;

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 of the plurality of handheld game controllers, and

wherein for each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers, that handheld game controller is configured to download independently a game software module prior to initiation of the multi-player game, the game software module being executable by that handheld game controller to enable that handheld game controller to

enable a game player manipulating the input means of that handheld game controller to participate in the multi-player game, and

provide a secondary game display on the secondary display means of that handheld game controller in response to player input received at the input means of that handheld game controller, wherein the secondary game display is complementary to the primary game display.

2. The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein the game server system further comprises at least one local server, wherein the at least one local server is located in proximity to the primary display means, and wherein the at least one remote server is coupled to the at least one local server via the communication controller.

3. The multi-player game system of claim 2, wherein the game software module is made available to each handheld game controller by the at least one remote server.

4. The multi-player game system of claim 2, wherein the player input received at the input means are communicated to the at least one local server via the communication controller, wherein the at least one local server forwards the player input to the at least one remote server via the communication controller.

5. The multi-player game system of claim 4, wherein the player input is processed before the at least one local server forwards the player input to the at least one remote server via the communication controller.

6. The multi-player game system of claim 2, wherein the display signals are generated at the at least one remote server and communicated to the at least one local server via the communication controller.

7. The multi-player game system of claim 2, wherein the remote server is configured to run the game software to facilitate the multi-player game.

8. The multi-player game system of claim 2, wherein the local server is configured to run the game software to facilitate the multi-player game.

9. The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein the player input received at the input means are communicated to the at least one remote server via the communication controller.

10. The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein the primary display means comprises a large display screen.

11. The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein the primary display means and the plurality of handheld game controllers are located within a venue.

12. The multi-player game system of claim 11, wherein the venue comprises a large enclosed space.

13. The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein for each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers, the secondary game display on the secondary display means of that handheld game controller is at least partially visually related to the primary game display.

14. The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein for each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers, the primary game display comprises a graphical representation of a game avatar corresponding to the game player manipulating that handheld game controller.

15. The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein for each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers, the game software module downloaded to that handheld game controller is configured to facilitate a game activity on that handheld game controller, wherein the game activity corresponds to the multi-player game.

16. The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein for each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers, that handheld game controller has a processing means, the processing means being configured to operate that handheld game controller in

a multi-player game mode, wherein the game player manipulating the player input means of that handheld game controller controls an avatar displayed on the primary game display, and wherein the secondary display means of that handheld game controller provides a display related to the primary game display, and

a single player activity mode, wherein the game player manipulating the player input means of that handheld game controller conducts a single-player activity on that handheld game controller, and wherein the secondary display means of that handheld game controller provides a display of the single-player activity.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module is downloadable independently to each of the game controllers in response to player input received at the game controller requesting the game software module.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module is downloadable independently to each of the game controllers in response to player input received at the game controller selecting the multi-player game from amongst a plurality of multi-player games.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module is downloadable independently to at least some of the game controllers using a preregistered account associated with the corresponding game player of each game controller.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module is downloadable independently to each of the game controllers in response to player input received at the game controller selecting the multi-player game.