Multi-screen video gaming system with private secondary monitors

• US 20050164789A1
• Filed: 04/06/2004
• Published: 07/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Senario LLC
• Original Assignee: Senario LLC
• Inventors: Siegel, Philip J., Podd, George O., Nakamura, Michael L., Morrow, James D.
• Application Number:
  US10/818,630
• Publication Number:
  US 20050164789A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• 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 2300/1025 details of the interface with the game device, e.g. USB version detection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/301 using an additional display connected to the game console, e.g. on the controller
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device

Abstract

A video gaming system including a primary monitor having a first screen for displaying at least one community video graphic. A portable game module is operatively connected to the primary monitor. The video gaming system also includes a plurality of hand controllers. Each hand controller is in independent operational communication with the game module, and includes a secondary monitor for displaying at least one private video graphic. In one preferred embodiment of this invention, each hand controller includes a cloaking device activatable to reveal the at least one private video graphic.

Claims

1. A video gaming system comprising:

a game module operatively connectable to a primary monitor having a first screen for displaying at least one community video graphic; and

a plurality of hand controllers, each hand controller of the plurality of hand controllers in independent operational communication with the game module, and including a secondary monitor for displaying at least one private video graphic.

2. The video gaming system of claim 1 wherein the game module interfaces with the primary monitor and each hand controller.

3. The video gaming system of claim 1 wherein the game module is wired to the primary monitor.

4. The video gaming system of claim 1 wherein the game module is in wireless communication with the primary monitor.

5. The video gaming system of claim 1 wherein the game module further comprises a port for accepting software.

6. The video gaming system of claim 1 wherein each hand controller is wired to the game module.

7. The video gaming system of claim 1 wherein each hand controller is in wireless operational communication with the game module.

8. The video gaming system of claim 7 wherein the wireless operational communication comprises at least one of infrared signals, radio control signals, data transfer signals and BLUE TOOTH technology signals.

9. The video gaming system of claim 1 wherein each hand controller further comprises a plurality of command buttons, each command button transmitting a selectable command to the game module.

10. The video gaming system of claim 1 wherein each hand controller further comprises a cloaking device activatable to reveal the private video graphic.

11. The video gaming system of claim 10 wherein the cloaking device comprises a hide/reveal button, a door or an interface panel.

12. The video gaming system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of each hand controller is illuminatable.

13. The video gaming system of claim 1 wherein the game module is portable.

14. A video gaming system including a primary monitor for displaying at least one community video graphic, the video gaming system comprising:

a portable game module operatively connected to the primary monitor; and

a plurality of hand controllers, each hand controller of the plurality of hand controllers in independent operational communication with the game module, and including a secondary monitor for displaying at least one private video graphic, wherein each hand controller includes a cloaking device activatable to reveal the at least one private video graphic.

15. The video gaming system of claim 14 wherein the cloaking device comprises a hide/reveal button.

16. The video gaming system of claim 15 wherein the hide/reveal button is movable between an initial off position to an on position to temporarily reveal the at least one private video graphic.

17. The video gaming system of claim 14 wherein the cloaking device comprises a door pivotally connected with respect to the secondary monitor, and pivotally movable between a closed position and an open position to reveal the at least one private video graphic.

18. The video gaming system of claim 14 wherein the cloaking device comprises an interface panel, wherein at least a portion of the interface panel can be turned on to reveal the at least one private video graphic and turned off to hide the at least one private video graphic.

19. The video gaming system of claim 18 wherein the interface panel further comprises a plurality of command buttons, each command button selectable to transmit a command to the game module.

20. The video gaming system of claim 18 wherein the interface panel comprises a touch screen interface panel.

21. The video gaming system of claim 14 wherein each hand controller further comprises a plurality of command buttons, each command button selectable to transmit a command to the game module.

22. A video gaming system comprising:

a primary monitor having a first screen for displaying at least one community video graphic;

a portable game module operatively connected to the primary monitor, the game module transmitting at least one signal to generate the at least one community video graphic; and

a plurality of hand controllers, each hand controller of the plurality of hand controllers in independent operational communication with the game module, and including a secondary monitor for displaying at least one private video graphic, wherein each hand controller includes a cloaking device activatable to reveal the at least one private video graphic and a plurality of command buttons, each command button selectable to transmit a command to the game module.