669 results about "Game console" patented technology

A gaming console configured with picture-in-picture (PIP) capability for use to gain entry into a group level or competitive level of play. The PIP window is used to form teams or provide information related to group play. The PIP screen may also be used to make request for special services such as making hotel or restaurant reservations, advanced request for getting a car from the concierge, and may also be used to send information about the location of the game console being used by a player so that others may know where the player is currently located.

A video game controller for a video game and a receptor assembly may include a controller core unit including a housing formed with a top, bottom and opposite sides, at least the top having a plurality of control buttons thereon; and a base portion provided with a first connector; a receptor having a shape substantially similar to a component appearing in the video game. The receptor may be a gun-shaped sub-unit with a barrel portion and a gripper portion with an open slot adapted to receive the core unit.

A user interface for displaying a user profile in a gaming console that communicates to a remote service. A “Gamer Profile” is created that serves as a building block for services and applications that aim to create a social community of garners and grow relationships among players. In accordance with the present invention, the Gamer Profile is the entirety of information (e.g., metadata) related to a specific user. The Gamer Profile is developed from a set of services that collect and expose this information in a meaningful way to the community. Feedback information may be included that is provided by other users to further enhance the profile. The Gamer Profile also provides for personalization such that users can customize their gaming experience.

Systems and methods for providing notifications to players of a gaming console of messages and system notifications. A controller and the gaming console include a four quadrant LED indicator. Each quadrant of the ring may be illuminated individually or together using an LED to indicate the messages and notifications. The quadrants may be illuminated in one of three colors and / or in patterns to indicate different types of notifications. Onscreen displays may be used to supplement the LED indicators to convey information to users. A method of binding and discovering a controller is also provided where the controller may be bound to a gaming console. After a controller is bound to a console, the controller may be discovered by the gaming console where it is assigned a virtual port and enabled for game play.

A system and method for recording and playback of game data is provided. A recording engine may be configured to record and playback game data, including broadcast data received over a network. The recording engine may be included in a game console or at other network-enabled devices, such as a desktop computer. The recording engine may be configured to record the game data in a buffer memory, an archival memory, and to assist in the display of the game (e.g., interacting with a graphics processing unit). Game data stored in the buffer memory may later be transferred to the archival memory. Playback commands may be operable when a portion of the game broadcast has been recorded. When a playback command is received, the game recording engine may access a portion of the game data from buffer or archival memory and displays a selected portion and may be subject to certain seek functions (e.g., fast forward and rewind). Spectators may be able to independently archive and playback game data using local memory.

A game console has the capability to execute programming to unlock an achievement. After the achievements are unlocked, a data store accessible by the game console over a network stores the information in the profile of the user. The achievements associated with the user profiles can be retrieved from the store along with an indicator, that is indicative of a tier level associated with the achievement where the tier indicates a certain performance level associated with unlocking a particular achievement.

Voice communication between players using one or more multiplayer game console is selectively controlled. A player may selectively block voice communications with another player during a current and any future games. In addition, an authorized party (e.g., a parent) can selectively preclude voice communication by a minor child by setting an option that is uploaded to an online game service service; the minor child is then precluded from voice communication on any voice console via the online game service. Also, a player may be temporarily or permanently banned from voice communication during games played through an online game service in response to complaints made by other players concerning the player's behavior in voice communication while playing games, e.g., excessive use of profanity. When a player signs on to the online game service, data are downloaded to the game console that indicate any applicable restraints on voice communication.

The invention includes methods, systems, computer program products and means for providing an intuitive user interface for interacting with a game console that obviates the need for, or use of, a typical game controller. In one embodiment, the user interface comprises an analog-like mechanism for manipulating a menu and icon system. The menu system allows the user to highlight a menu option or icon using movement along one axis and to activate the menu option or icon via movement on a different axis. In one embodiment, highlighting is associated with a vertical motion and activation is associated with a horizontal motion. The vertical motion can be tied to the vertical movement of a particular appendage, e.g., the up and down movement of the user's right arm, and the horizontal motion can be tied to the horizontal movement of that or another appendage, e.g., movement of the right arm or hand across the body from right to left.

A mechanism is provided for generating event notifications for offline characters from within a persistent world online game. A player agent for an offline player runs in a secondary partition in a video game console while a primary application runs in a main partition. The offline player agent includes an event monitor that monitors for events that occur in a persistent virtual world maintained by a game server. When a game event occurs that triggers an offline player rule, the player agent composes an event notification message and presents the message to the offline player through speech or through an interface within the primary application. Event notification messages may include images, voice (text-to-speech), sound, or video.

System and method for interactive video game fitness equipment. Fitness hardware (e.g., an exercise bicycle, a stair machine, treadmill, elliptical trainer, rotary climbing wall, or other fitness equipment) interacts with a video game, optionally via various devices, e.g., a PC, gaming console, or other hardware and / or software device or system capable of implementing an interactive application), for an immersive hybrid exercise / game user experience.

Methods and systems for providing dynamic emoticons during chat sessions across game consoles are disclosed. A dynamic emoticon may include haptic, visual, and / or auditory components. Each component may have an associated intensity level, e.g., based on a pressure with which a user of the game console presses a controller button or actuates a control input. The emoticon's auditory component may include or identify a sound effects filter or a known audio file; the emoticon's visual component may include or identify a visual effects filter or a known video or graphic file; the emoticon's haptic component may cause vibration of or force feedback on the controller. Emoticons may be sent from one voice chat participant's game console to another voice chat participant's game console across a network such as the Internet.

A video gaming system a gaming console device and a gaming object. The game console device is coupled to: determine a gaming environment; map the gaming environment to a coordinate system; determine position of at least one of a player and a gaming object within the gaming environment in accordance with the coordinate system; track motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object; receive a gaming object response regarding a video game function; and integrate the gaming object response and the motion of the at least one of the player and the gaming object with the video game function. The gaming object is coupled to provide the gaming object response.

The invention provides a system and method that allows individuals to interact with various real-time events, including objects and occurrences in those events, replicated through a virtual reality rendering, so as to allow an individual(s) to actually compete within real-time events and with the actual event competitors from a distance. The invention captures and stores data from real-time events, allowing an individual(s) to access that data, utilizing a virtual reality interface, and accurately replicate and interact with the occurrences of a real-time event though a virtual realty rendering of the specific event from which the data was captured and stored. By capturing and storing such data on a computer server, the virtual reality recreation of the event can be accessed and rendered an unlimited number of times, thereby allowing the individual(s) to compete within the event at the time it occurs (i.e. real time) or at any time in the future.

Systems and method for providing a single sign in a gaming console that associates online activity that is out-of-game / cross game, and / or online activity that is in-game, and / or activity that is offline and in-game with that account. While online, a service tracks activity of gamers and provides usage statistics in a profile. While offline, the game console tracks the player's activity via a mechanism to collect detailed information about a specific player's in-game statistics and accomplishments. The offline activity is cached and uploaded when the console connects to the online service. Players can accumulate achievements offline that are credited towards online activities.

A consumer entertainment device (for example, a games console, audio recording player, radio frequency broadcast reception apparatus) comprising a telecommunications transceiver arranged for communication over a customer premises network. The device may also comprise telephony handset apparatus, making shared use with the entertainment control apparatus of the telecommunications transceiver. Also a media connections unit arranged to inter-work between such a consumer entertainment device and a public network. Additionally, a network gateway comprising an access control unit whereby to control access to a network from a remote media connections unit.

A simulated musical instrument may be used to alter the audio of a video game, the video aspects of video game, or both. Use of a controller simulating a musical instrument allows a rhythm-action game can be enjoyed in a manner closer to a realistic state of playing an instrument.

Software is licensed for use on a particular computing device, such as a gaming console or a multimedia console. An unlocking code is provided from a distribution service to the computing device (either directly or via a user), which in turn, unlocks the appropriate software or portion of software for use with the associated computing device. The software may reside on a computer-readable medium, such as a CD-ROM or DVD disk, that is being used in conjunction with the computing device. The unlocking code may be provided directly to the user in private (e.g., via email or a mobile phone) or in public (e.g., published on a website). Portions of the software that may be unlocked include a particular level of a game or other features (such as additional characters or weapons), or a working or more advanced version of an application that was otherwise provided as a demo or older version. The unlocking code may be based on a unique identifier of the computing device and an identifier associated with the software seeking to be accessed. Thus, the code may only be used by the computing device having that unique identifier. This prevents unauthorized or unlicensed computing devices from using the software.

Systems and methods for providing a digital identity or profile in a gaming console that communicates to a remote service. A “Gamer Profile” is created that serves as a building block for services and applications that aim to create a social community of gamers and grow relationships among players. In accordance with the present invention, the Gamer Profile is the entirety of information (e.g., metadata) related to a specific user. The Gamer Profile is developed from a set of services that collect and expose this information in a meaningful way to the community. Feedback information may be included that is provided by other users to further enhance the profile. The Gamer Profile also provides for personalization such that users can customize their gaming experience.

A game system and method for enabling a mobile phone to interact with a user game console is disclosed. The game system enables a mobile phone and a user game console to interact with a game server, enables the user game console to interact with a video display, displays video data generated from the user game console on the video display in order to allow a user or gamer to play a desired game on a large screen, and allows a plurality of gamers to play the game using a single user game console over wireless communication for use of mobile phones. The game system can display different information on not only a common screen for all the game participants but also at least one screen for each gamer only, such that a plurality of gamers can participate in the game at the same time on a single screen image, resulting in the implementation of the simultaneous-participation games

A wireless control unit includes a controller having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, and a console interface / adapter for converting one of the communication ports of the game console into a wireless receiver / transmitter. The console interface / adapter also includes an additional communication port so as to provide the user with access to the used communication port while the interface / adapter is operably disposed within the communication port of the game console.

An interactive gaming system includes customer located equipment and a gaming service provider. The customer located equipment is connected to the gaming service provider through a broadband access network, and includes a gaming console. The gaming console stores gaming software, runs the gaming software and stores an ultra-thin. The ultra-thin client establishes a connection between the gaming console and the service provider, controls game events according to messages sent to and received from the gaming service provider, and provides an adaptive platform for a consistent gaming environment. Further, a method for providing an interactive gaming system service includes connecting customer located equipment and a gaming service provider through a broadband access network, establishing a connection between the gaming console and the service provider through the ultra-thin client, and controlling game events according to messages sent to and received from the gaming service provider.

A gaming console bezel with protrusion to open the gaming console in order to access the internal components. The protrusion is positioned on the bezel for a user to grasp in order to easily open the bezel, including under the circumstance when the bezel is stuck. Bezels for flat panel displays in bar-top and table-top gaming consoles are also disclosed.

A gaming console facilitating universal game control for mobile devices capable of video gaming includes a housing supporting a video graphics display area, a coupling interface and docking bay strategically located in the housing relative to the display area for docking and coupling to a mobile device, at least one video game controller interface conveniently located on the housing relative to the display area, and at least one mobile device control interface conveniently located on the housing relative to the display area wherein the gaming console with a mobile device coupled thereto serves as a video gaming station for playing video games accessible to the mobile device, and wherein the at least one video game controller interface is used to execute and play a video game instead of controls resident on the mobile device.

Communication between a game console having a communication port and a personal computer is facilitated by implementing a shared folder on the personal computer that can be accessed via the communication port. The game console and personal computer may communicate via a Server Message Block compatible code, a Universal Plug and Play networking protocol, and the like. To save memory, the SMB compatible code (or other code) may not support the full set of SMB protocol features (or other protocol features).

Interactive or non-interactive primary content for which value is expected to be paid, is maintained in a contents database and accessed from a server station over a network. A customer database containing identifying information about persons accessing the system is maintained on the server side. When the customer accesses the server system over a network, the desired primary content is downloaded into the game console together with accessing identifying information about the client from the customer database. On the basis of the identifying information, auxiliary content, such as advertisements, is triggered for playback in the game console. Information concerning viewing of the auxiliary content is recorded and uploaded to the server. The playback record of the auxiliary content is used as a basis for billing the client and advertisers for valuable content. The auxiliary content is provided on a detachable storage medium such as a CD-ROM or a DVD.