Interactive game system

Details Interactive game system Interactive game system

1999-05-06

2001-05-08

Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3713)

Amusement devices: games

Including means for processing electronic data

With communication link

C463S036000, C463S001000, C463S003000, C273S14800B, C345S419000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06227974

ABSTRACT:

The present invention relates to interactive audio-visual productions generally and more particularly to interactive games and other diversions which are played via a communication network and with assistance of a television.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are known in the art several interactive games. One popular game show is based upon an animated character named “Hugo”. The game show is broadcast to a plurality of viewers that view the game on television, and one of the viewers is selected to be a player.
The player controls “Hugo” via telephone by pressing keys “2”, “4”, “6” and “8” of a touch-tone telephone, so that “Hugo” is moved up when the key “2” is pressed, moved to the left when the key “4” is pressed, moved to the right when the key “6” is pressed, and moved down when the key “8” is pressed.
Generally, the player manipulates “Hugo” through a series of obstacles, and his success in manipulating “Hugo” is measured in comparison with other players that are selected during the show. A winner is declared as a player who was most successful in manipulating “Hugo”.
Other games are also described in various U.S. Patents.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,545,088 to Kravitz et al. describes a television game show which is interactively played by the studio participant game players, the television studio audience and by telephone with the television-viewing home audience.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,953 and the corresponding re-issue patent RE 33,662 describe TV animation interactively controlled by the viewer wherein the motion picture branching method is superseded by an animation method which enables rapid and repeated switching of multiple tracks of different camera-originated animation of the same character during continuous action in a scene, and enables branching at the termination of an action to multiple actions or scenes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,805 to Baer et al. describes apparatus and methods for use in conjunction with raster scan video displays, including standard monochrome and color television receivers, for the generation, display and manipulation of images upon the screen of a display for the purpose of playing games or for the purpose of drawing pictures.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,368 to Matthews, III describes an interactive television system that has a set-top box adapted for use with a television and a remote control handset. The set-top box is connected to receive a television broadcast that is filmed using multiple cameras situated at various camera viewpoints.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,422 to Berman and U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,115 to Berman et al. describe an interactive game show and method for achieving interactive communication therewith in which, by providing an interactive communication system whereby individuals are able to electronically select at least one possible outcome of a plurality of outcomes of a future event, individuals are able to participate in the outcome of that event and possible share in a prize award associated with the event.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,516 and the corresponding re-issue patent RE 34,340 describe a closed circuit interactive television system which provides a multichannel television signal from a localized headend which is used for individualized interactive selections by a plurality of users.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,275 to Lowe et al. describes a player interactive live action football game which may be played for example on a television screen.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,555 to Kidrin describes an interactive video game-television system wherein video game cartridge information is accessed in response to encoded signals transmitted with NTSC television signals.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,757 to Gagin et al. describes a complete multi-user game playing environment which provides game playing services to cable television subscribers over existing cable networks.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,285 to Levy et al. describes an electronic game with at least one, and preferably a plurality, of intelligent game pieces which each contain a re-programmable memory device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,626 to Llenas et al. describes a television game for entertaining viewers and maintaining viewership during television programs and commercials.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,525 to Ohno et al. describes television or video game data reception apparatus which receives a data signal of television games transmitted from a base station in a wireless manner or through wire on a local station side so that the received data signal is used to play a game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide interactive games which are played via a communication network and with assistance of a television.
There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a gaming method for use with an interactive game which is played at a player unit having an interface device which is coupled to a television and to at least one communication network, the method including displaying, via the interface device, the interactive game on the television, capturing a picture of a player, transferring the picture of the player to a headend, processing the picture of the player to create an avatar of the player, electronically assimilating the avatar into the interactive game, and enabling the player to interactively play the interactive game by controlling the avatar via the at least one communication network.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the step of taking a picture of a player includes at least one of taking a video picture of the player and scanning an image of the player.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the step of taking a picture of a player includes scanning a three-dimensional image of the player.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the processing step is performed in electronic processing equipment at the headend.
Moreover in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the step of transferring includes the step of transmitting the picture of the player via the at least one communication network.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the step of electronically assimilating the avatar in the interactive game includes inserting the avatar in a virtual studio environment.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the method includes selecting, at the player unit, a basic avatar from a group of avatars, and confirming a selection of the basic avatar by transmitting an authorization signal.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the processing step includes combining, in response to acceptance of the authorization signal, the picture of the player with the basic avatar to create an avatar having combined characteristics of the player and of the basic avatar.
There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention a gaming method for use with an interactive game in which, at a first player unit, a first interface device is coupled to a first television and to a communication network, and at a second player unit, a second interface device is coupled to a second television and to the communication network, the method including displaying, via the first and second interface devices, the interactive game at the first and second televisions, and enabling a first player, playing at the first player unit, and a second player, playing at the second player unit, to play along with the interactive game by competing each against the other via the communication network.
There is also provided in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, for use with a system in which an interactive game is transmitted via a communication network to a multiplicity of viewer units, and in which each viewer unit includes an interface device and a television, and the interface device is coupled to the communication network, a gaming method for playing the interactive game at a player un

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Interactive game system does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Interactive game system, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Interactive game system will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2462869