Large screen gaming system and facility therefor

• US 20010027128A1
• Filed: 06/06/2001
• Published: 10/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timeplay, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gianni Creta, Rider Mark, Tony Lacavera
• Inventors: Rider, Mark, Creta, Gianni, Lacavera, Tony
• Granted Patent: US 6,346,045 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/27 characterised by a large display in a public venue, e.g. in a movie theatre, stadium or game arena
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/48 Starting a game, e.g. activating a game device or waiting for other players to join a multiplayer session
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/61 using advertising information
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• 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 13/847 Cooperative playing, e.g. requiring coordinated actions from several players to achieve a common goal
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/208 for storing personal settings or data of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/401 Secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5513 involving billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• 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: A63F 2300/8088 involving concurrently several players in a non-networked game, e.g. on the same game console

Abstract

A system and facility for video games with a large number of user stations and a single screen upon which the video game images are displayed visible from each of the user stations. The system allows for simultaneous use by a large number of users who share the experience of playing the game and their combined reactions together. The system is particularly suited for installation in a motion picture theatre or similar entertainment facility.

Claims

1. A gaming system for an entertainment facility, comprising:

a) a computer;

b) game software executed by said computer, said game software enabling substantially all of an audience in said entertainment facility to participate in a single game;

c) a plurality of user stations, each having communication means, and also having interface means for receiving user input transmitted from said user stations to said computer via said communication means;

d) a projector connected to said computer, said computer aggregating said user input to create video images for display by said projector; and

e) a screen upon which said video images can be displayed by said projector such that all of said video images are fully visible from each of said user stations.

8. The gaming system of

claim 1

, further comprising a game programming interface, said game programming interface comprising a set of software routines, said routines forming a portion of said game software, said routines providing a programmable interface to said computer, said user stations, said projector and said screen.

9. The gaming system of

claim 1

, wherein said user stations accept a game card to validate a user to play said game software.

10. The gaming system of

claim 9

, further comprising purchase/credit stations, said stations having credit means to permit a user to add credit to said game card.

11. The gaming system of

claim 1

further comprising a database, said database containing demographic information for each user of said gaming system.

12. The gaming system of

claim 1

wherein said interface means further comprise audio means, said audio means providing sound to said user.

13. The gaming system of

claim 1

wherein said facility is a movie theatre.

14. The gaming system of

claim 1

wherein said interface means further comprise a virtual reality interface, said virtual reality interface providing to the user a virtual reality environment.

2. A gaming system, comprising:

a) a computer;

b) game software executed by said computer, said game software enabling up to at least a few dozen users to participate in a single game;

c) a plurality of user stations, each having communication means, and also having interface means for receiving user input transmitted from said user stations to said computer via said communication means;

d) a projector connected to said computer, said computer aggregating said user input to create video images for display by said projector; and

e) a screen upon which said video images can be displayed by said projector such that all of said video images are fully visible from each of said user stations.

3. A gaming system, comprising:

a) a computer;

b) game software executed by said computer, said game software enabling up to hundreds of users to participate in a single game;

c) a plurality of user stations, each having communication means, and also having interface means for receiving user input transmitted from said user stations to said computer via said communication means;

d) a projector connected to said computer, said computer aggregating said user input to create video images for display by said projector; and

e) a screen upon which said video images can be displayed by said projector such that all of said video images are fully visible from each of said user stations.

5. The entertainment facility of

claim 3

wherein said user stations are located at said seats.

7. The method of

claim 3

wherein said entertainment facility is a movie theatre.

4. An entertainment facility, comprising:

a) an enclosure having a plurality of seats to accommodate an audience;

b) a plurality of user stations;

c) a screen, the total area of said screen visible from each of said user stations;

d) a projection system for projecting images on said screen; and

e) a computer connected to each of said user stations and said projection system, said computer controlling the images projected on said screen, said computer receiving user input for display on said screen from said user stations.

6. A method for playing a game in an entertainment facility, said method comprising the steps of:

a) providing user stations at said seats in said entertainment facility;

b) providing a user interface to receive user input from each of said user stations;

c) integrating the images from said game with said user input by means of a computer; and

d) projecting the results of said integrating on a single screen, said results being visible from each of said user stations.