Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Perceptible output or display
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-01
2001-05-01
Sager, Mark A (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Perceptible output or display
C463S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06224485
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to video games and, more particularly, to video games with high-scorer displays.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are a variety of video games which include high-scorer displays for recognizing players who have achieved a high score in the game. The displays are usually shown in a format in which the names or initials of eligible players, such as the top ten high-scoring players, are displayed in one column and the scores achieved by the respective players are shown in an adjacent column of the video game display. Generally, competitive players enjoy games with high-scorer displays because, for those who have achieved a high score, the displays provide a record of the players' accomplishments and give them bragging rights in a particular game, at least until such time as they are unseated by other competitors. Similarly, for those players not presently on the display, or for those whose scores are on the display but who wish to improve their score or position, the displays identify target scores which must be achieved to surpass the players presently recognized on the display. Generally, it has been found that player competition engendered by high-scorer displays can attract more frequent play of the underlying games and accordingly, where such displays are incorporated in coin-operated video games, greater revenues can accrue to the owner and/or operator of the game.
Nevertheless, in present-day video games incorporating high-scorer displays, the displays are usually shown for only a limited time during operation of the game. In a typical video game, for example, high-scorer displays are shown only during portions of an “attract mode” sequence in which exemplary video displays, user instructions, scoring information and the like are conveyed to potential players, in addition to high-scorer displays, when the game is not in play. The attract mode sequence, and thereby the opportunity to observe the high-scorer display, terminates when a player starts an active game and does not resume until the player completes the game. Thus, especially in frequently-played games, high-scorer displays may be observed for only a small fraction of the operating time of the game.
Accordingly, there is a need for a high-scorer display system for a video game which provides greater opportunities to view high score information, which provides greater recognition to high-scoring players and which may be displayed during active play of the game. The present invention is directed to satisfying these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a high-score display system for a video game utilizing a game controller for controlling operation of the video game during active game play. Memory means is provided for storing high score player identifiers associated with players who have achieved high scores in prior plays of the video game. A display is provided for showing game play associated with the video game. The display is operable in response to instructions from the controller to show selected ones of the high score player identifiers in a plurality of available display areas during game play.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a high-score display system for a video game utilizing a game controller for controlling operation of the video game in an attract mode. Memory means is provided for storing high score player identifiers associated with players who have achieved high scores in prior plays of the video game. A display is provided for showing simulated game play during the attract mode. The display is operable in response to instructions from the controller to show selected ones of the high score player identifiers in a plurality of available display areas during the simulated game play.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a high-score display system for a video game utilizing a game controller coupled to a memory and display. The game controller controls play of a video game responsive to player inputs. The memory contains score information including high score player identifiers (e.g., identifying the top ten players) and their scores obtained in prior plays of the video game. The display shows a game title field and various subsidiary character fields during play of the video game. In one embodiment, a high score player identifier corresponding to the top score in the memory is shown in the game title field and the remaining high score player identifiers are shown in the subsidiary character fields during play of the video game.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4116444 (1978-09-01), Mayer et al.
patent: 4367876 (1983-01-01), Kotoyori
patent: 4398189 (1983-08-01), Pasierb, Jr. et al.
patent: 4441104 (1984-04-01), Finney, II
patent: 4498079 (1985-02-01), Ghosh et al.
patent: 4521014 (1985-06-01), Sitrick
patent: 4572509 (1986-02-01), Sitrick
patent: 4600200 (1986-07-01), Oka et al.
patent: 4710873 (1987-12-01), Breslow et al.
patent: 5720663 (1998-02-01), Nakatani et al.
patent: 5768382 (1998-06-01), Schneier et al.
patent: 5971849 (1999-10-01), Falciglia
Dickinson Vince
Newcomer John R.
Hotaling II John M.
Jenkins & Gilchrist
Midway Amusement Games LLC
Sager Mark A
LandOfFree
High-score display system for a video game does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with High-score display system for a video game, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and High-score display system for a video game will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2507705