Patent Arcade: November 2018

U.S. Patent No. 9,381,430: Interactive video game using game-related physical objects for conducting gameplay

posted 11/27/2018 09:15:00 AM by Patent Arcade Staff

U.S. Patent No. 9,381,430: Interactive video game using game-related physical objects for conducting gameplay

Issued: July 5, 2016, to Activision Publishing, Inc.

Priority Date: May 17, 2011

Summary:
U.S. Patent No. 9,381,430 describes a method for toys to interact with a video game. Only designated toys containing an identification tag can interact with a compatible video game. A peripheral detection device is needed for the video game to read the game data contained in the toy's tag. The toy's game data can alter the gameplay by giving a character a new attack or item. A user must place the toy in the designated area on the peripheral device for the video game to detect the data.

The '430 Patent relates to Activision's Skylanders franchise since the patent uses Spyro the Dragon in certain figures. Spyro appeared in the first Skylanders and has been a key character in the Skylanders lore. The Skylanders franchise popularized the toys-to-life video game genre. Since 2011, Activision has released six main Skylanders games and six spin-off games. By 2016, the Skylanders franchise had sold over 300 million toys. Both Disney and Lego tried to compete against Activision, but both companies have ceased to make toys-to-life games or products.

Abstract:

A video game includes a peripheral device that senses the presence and identity of toys near or on the peripheral. Each of the toys includes an identification device such as an RFID tag. Each of the toys is also associated with a corresponding game character or object. The interactive video game presents a play pattern such that when a toy is detected in a detection area of the peripheral, the virtual game system may process the placement of the toy so as to effectuate a video game control action such as an attack or a maneuver to evade an enemy.

Illustrative Claim:

1. A computer implemented method for controlling a movement of a virtual object in a video game using a physical object, comprising: detecting a physical object within a detection area of a detection device; determining a position for a virtual character, controllable by inputs from user input devices, corresponding to the physical object within a video game play sequence; retrieving identification information from the physical object; executing instructions to conduct a game play sequence to display the virtual character based on the identification information and to display a movement of the virtual character from an entry point to the determined position in response to detecting the presence of the physical object, the movement including an attack sequence determined according to the identification information; detecting removal of the physical object from the detection area of the detection device; and executing instructions to conduct a second game play sequence to display an exit movement of the virtual character from a last position of the virtual character to an exit point in response to detecting the removal of the physical object, wherein the exit movement including a defensive gameplay move and the exit point being different than the last position of the virtual character.

Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas

U.S. Patent No. 9,446,312: Video game systems and methods for protecting game characters during game play

posted 11/20/2018 05:59:00 PM by Patent Arcade Staff

U.S. Patent No. 9,446,312: Video game systems and methods for protecting game characters during game play

Issued September 20, 2016 to Nintendo Co., Ltd.

Summary:

U.S. Patent No. 9,446,312 helps both experts and beginners gamers play together. Often in a video game, if a player’s character hits an obstacle or fails a challenge, the character may lose health, return to the beginning of a level, or die. This becomes complicated if multiple players are playing a level together and the level is much too easy or difficult for certain players. It is neither enjoyable for a player if the game is much too easy or difficult for them.

A solution to this problem was shown at the E3 convention in 2009. During the demo for a Super Mario Bros. game, a character became encased in a protective bubble when the character lost a life. The character remained in the bubble until freed by another player. The character could not be harmed in the bubble, but also could not participate in the game. The player was penalized by not being able to participate directly but could continue playing once released from the bubble. This example helps to exemplify the ‘312 Patent. More generally, the patent outlines that if a certain condition is satisfied (a player dies, for example), the player's game character is protected from harm for a period. Movements of the protected game character are controlled based on another player. In the example above, for instance, it is not until a non-protected character popped the bubble that the protected player could continue in the game.

Abstract:

Example systems and methods relate to playing a multi-player video game in which multiple players each supply inputs to a respective input device to control a corresponding game character in a game world displayed on a display screen. Movements of each game character in the game world are controlled in accordance with respective first game character control operations during the playing of the multi-player video game. In response to satisfaction of one or more conditions, one player's game character is protected from harm in the game world, wherein one of the one or more conditions is a condition triggered voluntarily by the one player. Movements of the protected game character in the game world are controlled based on a position of another, unprotected game character.

Illustrative Claim:

1. A method for playing a multi-player video game, the method comprising: generating, in accordance with execution of a video game program by a computer, a virtual game world including multiple player-controllable game characters; generating, by the computer, images of the virtual game world for display on a display screen; receiving, by the computer, during the playing of the video game, game character movement control signals, the game character movement control signals being based on inputs to input devices, each used by a respective player, for controlling a corresponding game character in the virtual game world; controlling, by the computer, movements of each game character in the virtual game world in accordance with the respective game character movement control signals; in response to an input, predetermined by the video game program, to the input device of a first one of the players controlling a first one of the game characters during the playing of the multi-player video game, controlling, by the computer, the virtual game world so that the first game character becomes a protected game character protected from harm in the game world; and controlling, by the computer, movements of the protected first game character in the virtual game world based on a position of another, unprotected game character, wherein the first game character becomes a protected game character without a loss of vitality of the first game character or without a loss of life of the first game character.

Research By: Rachel Johns

Edited By: Andrew F. Thomas

U.S. Patent No. 9,452,363: Multi-player video game environment for single-player use

posted 11/13/2018 10:00:00 AM by Patent Arcade Staff

U.S. Patent No. 9,452,363: Multi-player video game

environment for single-player use
Issued: September 27, 2016, to Sony Interactive Entertainment America

Summary:

U.S. Patent No. 9,452,363 relates to creating multi-player-like experiences in a single-player game. A video game often has both single-player and multi-player. In single-player games, a user is generally the only human player. The user may interact with game elements, such as non-player characters whose actions are controlled by a set of rules. Multi-player games, on the other hand, have multiple human users, each controlling a unique character. The users may be playing together cooperatively, be part of a team, or play against one another competitively.

Playing against other people can be beneficial in improving one's skill in a game. Human players can adapt and change strategies as opposed to a non-player character rigidly following prewritten rules. There are some ways to include the benefits of multi-player games in a single-player mode. For example, tutorials can allow a player to see a "walkthrough" of a game, providing a step-by-step guide. However, this does not echo a multi-player game environment with real human players.

Using this invention, a player could select a single-player game or a multi-player game. When the user selects a multiplayer mode, the user chooses one or more AI characters. The AI characters may be available individually or in themed "packs." The selected AI character or pack may be downloaded, stored, or otherwise accessible in an electronic entertainment system. The player could then choose a mode or skill level for each character. The environment would then be populated with AI characters selected by the player, which results in better guidance during cooperative gameplay and better competition during adversarial gameplay.

Abstract:

A multi-player game environment is created for single-player use. A user may select a single-player game or a multi-player game. When the user chooses a multi-player game, the user is prompted to select one or more customized AI characters. The AI characters may be available individually or in themed "packs." The selected AI character or pack may be downloaded, stored, or otherwise made accessible to an electronic entertainment system. The user may select a mode or skill level for each AI character. The user may begin playing the game in a multi-player mode with the game environment populated with an avatar effectuating behaviors of the selected AI character or characters.

Illustrative Claim:

1. A method for creating a multi-player game environment for single-player use on an electronic entertainment system, the method comprising: providing a first user with an option to play a single-player game or a multi-player game using at least one artificial intelligence (AI) character, wherein the at least one AI character is based at least in part on behavior data of a particular second user, and wherein the behavior data includes actions and game play style of the particular second user; receiving a selection by the first user of at least one AI character; receiving one or more selections indicating a user preference for the at least one AI character, wherein the user preference includes a mode for game play, and wherein the mode includes a tutorial mode; executing non-transitory computer readable instructions stored in memory to effectuate the at least one AI character in the single-player game or the multi-player game based on the selections made by the first user that includes the behavior data of the particular second user and the mode of game play; and executing non-transitory computer readable instructions stored in memory to display the game environment for game play, wherein the game environment is populated with an avatar effectuating a behavior of the at least one AI character based on the selections made by the first user that includes the behavior data of the particular second user and the mode of game play.

Research By: Rachel Johns

U.S. Patent No. 5,184,830: Compact hand-held video game system

posted 11/06/2018 10:00:00 AM by Patent Arcade Staff

U.S. Patent No. 5,184,830: Compact hand-held video game system

Issued February 9, 1993, to Nintendo Co., Ltd.

Priority Date: January 10, 1989

Summary:
U.S. Patent No. 5,184,830 is the American patent for the original Game Boy released in 1989. Nintendo filed the patent first in Japan and then in 1992 filed at the USPTO. The USPTO granted the 1989 priority date based on the Japan application. The patent describes a handheld gaming system that utilizes cartridges to store the game data. Game cartridges would be inserted into a slot on the back of the system. A switch on the top would turn the system on and off. The user is supposed to grip the systems with both hands so that the user's thumbs rest upon the face buttons. Character movement was assigned to the D-pad while the A and B buttons handle action inputs. The Game Boy also featured a start and select button located at the bottom of the face plate. The start button typically started or paused the game, while the select button allowed players to select a game mode if offered. The Game Boy needed four AA batteries to operate, but the batteries could last up to thirty hours.

Nintendo released the Game Boy first in Japan on April 21, 1989, and then in North America on July 31, 1989. By the end of the Game Boy's lifespan, including the Game Boy Color, over 118 million units were sold. In 2009, the Game Boy was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.

Abstract:
A hand-held electronic game machine for use with attachable/detachable memory game packs wherein the game machine includes a case of a size which may be held by a hand and capable of being sandwiched by both hands with a first switch disposed at a position such that during a game it can be operated by one thumb on a front surface of the case, a second switch disposed at a position such that during a game it can be operated by the other thumb on the first surface of the case and a third operation switch means provided in a region of said front surface where imaginary loci of both thumbs intersect with each other on the front surface, and wherein the game machine can be connected with others for simultaneous multiple player competition.

Illustrative Claim:
1. A hand-held electronic game machine, comprising: a case of a size which may be held by hand and having a subsonically rectangularly shape defined by a front surface, a rear surface, two latitudinal side surfaces, a lower side surface and an upper side surface, each of said two longitudinal side surfaces being of greater length than each of said lower side surface and said upper side surface, said case being sandwiched by both hands during game play, said front surface having an upper front surface portion bounded by an upper portion of each of said longitudinal side surfaces and a lower front surfaced portion bounded by a lower portion of each of said longitudinal side surfaces; a first operation switch disposed on a right portion of said lower front surface portion of said case such that during game play it can be operated by a thumb of a player's right hand sandwiching said case; a second operation switch disposed on a left portion of said lower front surface portion of said case such that during game play it can be operated by a thumb of a player's left hand sandwiching said case; a dot-matrix liquid crystal display panel including a display screen defining a matrix of rows and columns of dots disposed on said upper front surface portion such that in use said display shown is positioned above said first operation switch and said second operation switch; an insertion portion formed on said upper side surface of said case and extending, in use, behind said dot-matrix liquid crystal display panel in said case; an external memory attachably and detachably insertable into said insertion portion from said upper side surface of said case for storing a game program and background character data and moving object character data with which images for a game are displayed on said display screen; game processing means housed in said case for reading said game program and said background character data and moving object character data from said external memory and controlling the display of moving objects on said display screen in response to the actuation of said first operation switch and said second operation switch and for controlling the display of background characters on said display screen; a connector housed in said case for connecting said external memory being inserted in said insertion portion to said game processing means; a memory housed in said case and associated with said game processing means for storing said background character data and said moving object character data read from said external memory by said game processing means and transferred through said connector; display signal generating means housed in said case for generating display signals for displaying background characters and moving objects on the basis of said background character data and said moving object character data stored in said memory; a driver for driving said dot-matrix liquid crystal display panel in response to said display signals generated by said display signal generating means to display said background characters and said moving objects on said display screen, said driver including a first driver for driving said dot-matrix liquid crystal display panel in columns and a second driver for driving said liquid crystal display panel in rows.

Researched By: Andrew F. Thomas

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