Apparatus and method for wireless video gaming

• US 20110092291A1
• Filed: 11/10/2010
• Published: 04/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment America LLC (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: OnLive Incorporated
• Inventors: Perlman, Stephen G.
• Application Number:
  US12/927,224
• Publication Number:
  US 20110092291A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/40
• 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 13/20 Input arrangements for video game devices
• 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 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/33 using wide area network [WAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/352 involving special game server arrangements, e.g. regional servers connected to a national server or a plurality of servers managing partitions of the game world
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/355 Performing operations on behalf of clients with restricted processing capabilities, e.g. servers transform changing game scene into an encoded video stream for transmitting to a mobile phone or a thin client
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/358 Adapting the game course according to the network or server load, e.g. for reducing latency due to different connection speeds between clients
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/402 Communication between platforms, i.e. physical link to protocol
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/513 server hierarchy, e.g. local, regional, national or dedicated for different tasks, e.g. authenticating, billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/538 for performing operations on behalf of the game client, e.g. rendering
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 : Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 : intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 : Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/21 : Server components or server architectures
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2143 : located in a single building, e.g. hotel, hospital or museum arrangements specially adapted for plural spots in a confined site in broadcast systems H04H20/63; adaptations for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution in television systems H04N7/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23 : Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 : Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/106 : for domestic distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 : Backbone network devices

Abstract

Apparatus for video gaming includes a box having a slot with an interface that connects to a game card providing a platform to run a software video game. The game card outputs video game data through the interface at a data rate of approximately 200 Mbps or greater. A unit processes the video game data for output to a display device. A wireless transceiver is included to receive the software video game via a wireless local area network (WLAN) and to transmit game information to a remote player having access to the WLAN during interactive play of the software video game. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. An apparatus comprising:

a unit operable to execute at least one video game for one or more users, video game video being produced therefrom;

a compression unit for compressing the video game video with a latency of a finite duration less than approximately 150 ms; and

means for sending the compressed video game video to, and receiving commands from, the one or more users, the one or more users being located a remote distance beyond a premises where the apparatus is located.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the means to send and receive the compressed video game video includes a wireless network.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the means to send and receive the compressed video game video includes a wired network.

24. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the means to send and receive the compressed video game video includes both wireless and wired networks.

25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the unit is further operable to receive the at least one video game from either a satellite communication link or a cable television service transmission link.

26. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein at least a portion of the wireless network operates in compliance with an IEEE 802.11x standard.

27. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein at least a portion of the wireless network operates in a 5 GHz band.

28. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein at least a portion of the wireless network operates in a 2.4 GHz band.

29. The apparatus of claim 22 wherein at least a portion of the wireless network operates in a license-free band.

30. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a library of video games available for on-demand request by the one or more users.

31. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the one or more users comprise a plurality of users, at least some of whom are located in a different location.

32. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a graphics platform that evolves over time to support a newer generation of games.

33. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a graphics platform that evolves over time to support newer generations of games without requiring the one or more users to upgrade the capabilities of the devices used to receive compressed video from the apparatus.

34. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the unit is further operable to download a video game to a device local to the one or more users via a network.

35. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the unit is further operable to deliver media content to the one or more users via a network.

36. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the unit is further operable to deliver live broadcast programs to the one or more users via a network.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein live broadcast programs are recorded from a WLAN.

38. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the apparatus further comprises a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) device.

39. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the DVR device is operable to record live broadcast programs.

40. The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the DVR device includes pause, fast forward and rewind functionality.

41. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the network includes interactive capabilities that provides enhanced viewing flexibility to the one or more users via one or more of the commands.

42. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the media content includes videos, television, movies, pay-per-view content or other viewable programs.

43. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the unit is operable to deliver the media content on an on-demand basis.

44. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a storage medium that provides storage of individual data for the one or more users.

45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the individual data includes photographs, documents, books or articles.

46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein storage medium comprises a plurality of mass storage devices configured to tolerate failure of some, but not all, of the mass storage devices.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the individual data is stored such that it is secure from unauthorized access by other users.

48. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein individual data is backup for the one or more users.

49. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein the plurality of mass storage devices are configured in a RAID configuration.

50. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein the compressed video game video and media content is provided simultaneously to the one or more users over one or more networks.

51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the media content includes television, pay-per-view programs or on-demand programs.

52. An apparatus comprising:

a unit operable to execute at least one video game for one or more users, video game video being produced therefrom;

a compression unit for compressing the video game video with a latency of a finite duration less than approximately 80 ms; and

means for sending the compressed video game video to, and receiving commands from, the one or more users, the one or more users being located a remote distance beyond a premises where the apparatus is located.

53. An apparatus comprising:

a unit operable to execute interactive content for one or more users, interactive content video being produced therefrom;

a compression unit for compressing the interactive content video with a latency of a finite duration less than approximately 150 ms; and

means for transmitting the compressed interactive content video to, and receiving commands from, the one or more users, the one or more users being located a remote distance beyond a premises where the apparatus is located.

54. An apparatus comprising:

a unit operable to execute interactive content for one or more users, interactive content video being produced therefrom;

a compression unit for compressing the interactive content video with a latency of a finite duration less than approximately 80 ms; and

means for sending the compressed interactive content video to, and receiving commands from, the one or more users, the one or more users being located a remote distance beyond a premises where the apparatus is located.