Portable game machine

• US 6,716,103 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2000
• Issued: 04/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Comair, Claude, Eck, Charles P., Kamada, Hiroshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Sager, Mark
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAPRON, AARON J
• Application Number:
  US09/659,738
• Time in Patent Office: 1,303 Days
• Field of Search: 463/44, 463/43, 463/45, 463/40-42, 463/39, 463/36, 463/1, 463/46, 463/47, 273/148.B, 396/29, 396/297, 396/426, 396/439, 348/49, 348/61, 348/73, 348/906, 348/909, 379/215, 379/93.35, 379/209, 379/283
• US Class Current: 463/45
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1075 using a touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/205 for detecting the geographical location of the game platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/572 Communication between players during game play of non game information, e.g. e-mail, chat, file transfer, streaming of audio and streaming of video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/66 for rendering three dimensional images
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games

Abstract

A pager cartridge for use with a game machine having a game program executing processing system including a microprocessor to execute a video game program and player controls operable by a player to generate video game control signals. The pager cartridge includes radio circuitry configured to receive messages containing video game program instructions transmitted via a paging a paging system and a connector that, in use, electrically connects the pager cartridge to the game machine.

Claims

1. For use with a game machine having a processing system to execute a video game program and player controls operable by a user to generate video game control signals;

a pager cartridge comprising;

video game program memory for storing a video game program executable by said processing system;

radio circuitry configured to receive messages transmitted via a paging system; and

a connector that, in use, electrically connects said pager cartridge to said game machine, wherein

said radio circuitry is further configured to transmit messages via said paging system.

2. The pager cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising:

message credit memory for storing message credits.

3. The pager cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said radio circuitry transmits messages via said paging system only if the number of message credits stored in said message credit memory is greater than a number of message credits needed to transmit the messages.

4. The pager cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said game machine is a portable game machine.

5. The pager cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said processing system is configured to execute a video game program in accordance with at least one instruction contained in a message received by said radio circuitry.

6. For use with a game machine having a processing system to execute a video game program and player controls operable by a user to generate video game control signals;

a pager cartridge comprising;

radio circuitry configured to receive messages containing video game program instructions transmitted via a paging system; and

a connector that, in use, electrically connects said pager cartridge to said game machine, wherein

said radio circuitry is further configured to transmit messages via said paging system, and

wherein said pager cartridge is adapted to receive a replaceable video game program cartridge when said pager cartridge is connected to said game machine.

7. For use with a game machine having a processing system to execute a video game program and player controls operable by a user to generate video game control signals;

a pager cartridge comprising;

radio circuitry configured to receive messages containing video game program instructions transmitted via a paging system; and

a connector that, in use, electrically connects said pager cartridge to said game machine, wherein

said radio circuitry is further configured to transmit messages via said paging system, and

wherein said pager cartridge is adapted to receive a global positioning system cartridge when said pager cartridge is connected to said game machine.

8. For use with a game machine having a processing system to execute a video game program and player controls operable by a user to generate video game control signals;

a pager cartridge comprising;

radio circuitry configured to receive messages containing video game program instructions transmitted via a paging system; and

a connector that, in use, electrically connects said pager cartridge to said game machine, wherein

said radio circuitry is further configured to transmit messages via said paging system, and

wherein said pager cartridge is adapted to receive a digital camera cartridge when said pager cartridge is connected to said game machine.

9. For use with a game machine having a processing system to execute a video game program and player controls operable by a user to generate video game control signals;

a pager cartridge comprising;

radio circuitry configured to receive messages containing video game program instructions transmitted via a paging system; and

a connector that, in use, electrically connects said pager cartridge to said game machine, wherein

said radio circuitry is further configured to transmit messages via said paging system, and

wherein said pager cartridge is adapted to receive a read/write memory cartridge when said pager cartridge is connected to said game machine.

10. A game machine comprising:

pager circuitry comprising two-way radio circuitry configured to transmit and receive messages via a paging system;

a user interface enabling a user to provide inputs to said game machine;

a display; and

a processing system operable in response to user inputs to cause messages received by the radio circuitry of said pager circuitry to be displayed on said display, wherein

said pager circuitry is incorporated in a pager cartridge removably attachable to said game machine, said pager cartridge further comprising a memory for storing a video game program and said processing system being operable in response to user inputs to execute the video game program stored in the memory of said pager cartridge.

11. The game machine according to claim 10, wherein said game machine is a portable game machine.

12. The game machine according to claim 10, wherein said processing system is further operable to execute a video game program in accordance with at least one instruction contained in a message received by said radio circuitry.

13. The game machine according to claim 10, further comprising:

a speaker,

wherein said processing system is operable to communicate messages received by said radio circuitry to the user via said speaker.

14. The game machine according to claim 10, wherein said processing system is operable to cause said display to display a prompt during execution of a video game program indicating that a message has been received by said radio circuitry.

15. A game machine comprising:

pager circuitry comprising two-way radio circuitry configured to transmit and receive messages via a paging system;

a user interface enabling a user to provide inputs to said game machine; and

a processing system operable in response to user inputs to execute a game program in accordance with at least one instruction contained in a message received by said pager circuitry, wherein

said pager circuitry is incorporated in a pager cartridge that is removably attachable to said game machine, said pager cartridge further comprising a memory for storing a video game program and said processing system being operable in response to user inputs to execute the video game program stored in the memory of said pager cartridge.

16. The game machine according to claim 15, wherein said game machine is a portable game machine.

17. The game machine according to claim 15, further comprising:

a display,

wherein said processing system is operable to communicate messages received by said radio circuitry to the user via said display.

18. The game machine according to claim 17, further comprising:

a speaker,

wherein said processing system is operable to communicate messages received by said radio circuitry to the user via said speaker.

19. The game machine according to claim 17, further comprising:

a display,

wherein said processing system is operable to cause said display to display during execution of a video game program a prompt indicating that a message has been received by said radio circuitry.

20. The game machine according to claim 19, wherein said processing system is operable in response to user inputs requesting display of the received message to suspend execution of the video program and display the received message.

21. The game machine according to claim 20, wherein said processing system is operable in response to user inputs to resume execution of the suspended video game program.

22. A game machine comprising:

radio circuitry configured to transmit messages via a paging system;

digital camera circuitry configured to capture an image;

a user interface enabling a user to provide inputs to said game machine;

a processing system operable in response to user inputs to cause the image captured by said digital camera to be transmitted as part of a message via said paging system.

23. The game machine according to claim 22, wherein said digital camera circuitry is provided as part of a digital camera cartridge that is removably attachable to said game machine.

24. The game machine according to claim 23, wherein said digital camera cartridge further comprises a memory for storing a video game program that is executable by said processing system.

25. The game machine according to claim 22, wherein said radio circuitry is provided as part of a pager cartridge that is removably attachable to said game machine.

26. The game machine according to claim 25, wherein said pager cartridge further comprises a memory for storing a video game program that is executable by said processing system.

27. The game machine according to claim 22, wherein said radio circuitry is provided as part of a pager cartridge that is removably attachable to said game machine and said digital camera circuitry is provided as part of a digital camera cartridge that is removably attachable to said game machine and said pager cartridge.

28. The game machine according to claim 27, wherein either one or both of said pager cartridge and said digital camera cartridge further comprises a memory for storing a video game program that is executable by said processing system.

29. The game machine according to claim 22, wherein said game machine is a portable game machine.

30. The game machine according to claim 22, wherein said processing system executes a video game program in accordance with at least one instruction contained in a message received by said radio circuitry.

31. A game machine comprising:

a pager cartridge removably attachable to said game machine and comprising two-way radio circuitry configured to transmit and receive messages via a paging system;

a game cartridge removably attachable to said pager cartridge while said pager cartridge is attached to said game machine, said game cartridge comprising a memory for storing a video game program;

a user interface enabling a user to provide inputs to said game machine; and

a processing system operable in response to user inputs to execute the video game program stored in the memory of said game cartridge while said pager cartridge is attached to said game machine and while said game cartridge is attached to said pager cartridge.

32. The game machine according to claim 31, wherein said processing system executes the video game program in accordance with at least one instruction contained in a message received by said pager cartridge.

33. The game machine according to claim 31, wherein said game machine comprises a portable game machine.

34. The game machine according to claim 31, wherein said pager cartridge further comprises a memory for storing another video game program that is executable by said processing system.

35. A cartridge for use in a system for playing video games by displaying game information based at least in part on user interaction provided through operation of at least one user-manipulable control, the system including a main unit comprising a processor and a cartridge insertion port that receives the cartridge, the cartridge comprising:

a housing dimensioned to be at least partially inserted into the cartridge insertion port;

an electrical connector that electrically connects the cartridge to the main unit;

two-way paging circuitry for communication via a wireless paging system; and

a memory including a first memory portion for storing instructions for performing paging operations using the two-way paging circuitry and a second memory portion for storing instructions for a video game.

36. The cartridge according to claim 35, wherein the instructions for performing paging operations include instructions for composing and reviewing messages.

37. The cartridge according to claim 35, wherein the instructions for performing paging operations include instructions for determining a number of message credits and determining whether to send a message based on the determined number of message credits.

38. The cartridge according to claim 35, wherein the instructions for performing paging operations include instructions for transmitting background messages while a game is played using said main unit.

39. The cartridge according to claim 38, wherein the instructions for performing paging operations include instructions for enabling/disabling background message transmission.

40. A game system for playing a video game, comprising:

a cartridge comprising radio circuitry for transmitting and receiving messages over a paging system and a storage medium for storing game-related activation data contained in received messages; and

a game machine including a connector for connecting to the cartridge and a processing system for executing a video game program, the video game program including game features that are activated by the activation data.

41. The game system according to claim 40, wherein the game machine is embodied in a hand-held unit and the radio circuitry and storage medium are embodied in a cartridge that is at least partially insertable in a slot formed in the band-held unit.

42. The game system according to claim 40, wherein the game-related activation data comprises game character activation data for activating video game characters.

43. The game system according to claim 40, wherein the game-related activation data comprises collectible activation data for activating video game collectibles.

44. The game system according to claim 40, wherein the game-related activation data comprises game level activation data for activating additional video game levels.