Apparatus and method of communicating between electronic games

• US 5,971,855 A
• Filed: 09/30/1997
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hasbro Inc., Lufran, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tiger Electronics, Ltd. (Hasbro Inc.)
• Inventors: Ng, Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CLAYTON, SHEILA
• Application Number:
  US08/940,688
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 463/42, 463/40, 463/41, 463/43, 463/44, 463/7, 273/148 B
• US Class Current: 463/42
• 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 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• 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 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/323 between game devices with different hardware characteristics, e.g. hand-held game devices connectable to game consoles or arcade machines
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/825 Fostering virtual characters
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/408 Peer to peer connection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/65 for computing the condition of a game character
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8029 Fighting without shooting
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8058 Virtual breeding, e.g. tamagotchi
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games

Abstract

An apparatus and method for communicating between a hand-held electronic game apparatus and other electronic systems is described. Small hand-held electronic games, preprogrammed with a single game, may be linked together through a communications unit to engage in interactive gaming between two users. Alternatively, the communications unit can be connected via a special cable connected to the serial port of a personal computer to permit connection to a central processing unit on an Internet website. The website central processing unit can modify the preprogrammed game, provide upgrades to the game, unlock hidden features and simulate a second hand-held electronic game apparatus for interactive play with a user. Software is installed on the personal computer permits communication between the hand-held electronic game and the personal computer, between the PC and the Internet website and thus between the hand-held game and the Internet website. Data from the hand-held game can be communicated to the Internet website, for example, to register high scores, or to play the preprogrammed game with other game users connected to the website.

Claims

1. A hand-held electronic game apparatus, comprising:

a preprogrammed game stored in a memory, wherein the preprogrammed game provides for generating a character, for uniquely identifying the character and for modifying an attribute simulating growth or development of the character in accordance with a predetermined set of game functions and in accordance with an input command;

an input device for receiving commands from a user for playing the preprogrammed game and generating an input command;

a controller for executing the preprogrammed game, wherein the controller, during execution of the preprogrammed game and responsive to an input command, modifies the attribute of the character; and

a communications unit for transmitting communication signals to, and receiving communication signals from, a remote controller for enabling communication between the remote controller and the controller.

2. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the input device further comprises an audio receiver for receiving audio input commands from a user.

3. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the preprogrammed game provides for interactive game play with a second character provided by a second preprogrammed game at a remote location when communication is enabled between the remote controller and the controller.

4. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 1, wherein, during execution of the preprogrammed game, the controller stores data pertaining to the attribute, and when communication is enabled between the remote controller and the controller, the communications unit transmits the data to remote controller.

5. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller, responsive to a communication signal comprising a modification command from the remote controller, modifies the preprogrammed game in accordance with the modification signal.

6. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller, responsive to a communication signal comprising an unlock command from the remote controller, unlocks a hidden feature within the preprogrammed game.

7. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller, responsive to a communication signal comprising an upgrade command from the remote controller, upgrades the preprogrammed game.

8. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 5, wherein the controller, responsive to a communication signal comprising an input command from the remote controller, modifies the attribute of the character.

9. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller, responsive to a communication signal comprising a multi-user mode command from the remote controller, executes the preprogrammed game in a multi-user mode enabling the character to interact with a similar character provided by a second preprogrammed game at the remote controller.

10. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 9, wherein the remote controller comprises a second hand-held electronic game apparatus.

11. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communications link comprises an Internet connection for enabling communication between the remote controller and the controller over the Internet.

12. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communications link comprises a cable for interconnecting the electronic game apparatus with the remote controller.

13. A hand-held electronic game apparatus, comprising:

a preprogrammed game stored in a memory, wherein the preprogrammed game provides a character having an attribute simulating growth or development of the character and which chances in accordance with an input command;

an input device comprising an audio receiver for receiving audio commands from a user for generating an input command;

a controller for executing the preprogrammed game, wherein the controller, during execution of the preprogrammed game and responsive to an input command, modifies the attribute of the character; and

a communications unit for transmitting communication signals to, and receiving communication signals from, a remote controller for enabling communication between the remote controller and the controller.

14. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 13, wherein the audio receiver comprises a microphone.

15. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 13, wherein the preprogrammed game provides for interactive game play with a second character provided by a second preprogrammed game at a remote location when communication is enabled between the remote controller and the controller.

16. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 13, wherein, during execution of the preprogrammed game, the controller stores data pertaining to the attribute, and when communication is enabled between the remote controller and the controller, the communications unit transmits the data to remote controller.

17. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 13, wherein the preprogrammed game provides for generating a character, for uniquely identifying the character and for modifying an attribute of the character in accordance with a predetermined set of game functions.

18. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 13, wherein the preprogrammed game provides for generating a character having at least one attribute, for modifying the attribute and for enabling the character to interact with a similar character provided by a second preprogrammed game executed by the remote controller.

19. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 13, wherein the controller, responsive to a communication signal comprising a modification command from the remote controller, modifies the preprogrammed game in accordance with the modification signal.

20. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 19, wherein the controller, responsive to a communication signal comprising an unlock command from the remote controller, unlocks a hidden feature within the preprogrammed game.

21. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 19, wherein the controller, responsive to a communication signal comprising an upgrade command from the remote controller, upgrades the preprogrammed game.

22. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 19, wherein the controller, responsive to a communication signal comprising an input command from the remote controller, modifies the attribute of the character.

23. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 13, wherein the controller, responsive to a communication signal comprising a multi-user mode command from the remote controller, executes the preprogrammed game in a multi-user mode enabling the character to interact with a similar character provided by a second preprogrammed game at the remote controller.

24. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 23, wherein the remote controller comprises a second hand-held electronic game apparatus.

25. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 23, wherein the remote controller comprises a central processing unit at a remote location.

26. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a keyed input having a plurality of keys for inputting user commands.

27. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 26, further comprising a display for displaying graphics and text images.

28. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 13, wherein the communications link comprises an Internet connection for enabling communication between the remote controller and the controller over the Internet.

29. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 13, wherein the communications link comprises a cable for interconnecting the electronic game apparatus with the remote controller.

30. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 13, wherein the communications link further comprises a port for transferring and receiving information over a bi-directional communication link.

31. The hand-held electronic game apparatus of claim 30, wherein the bi-directional communication link comprises an Internet connection.