U.S. patent application number 10/818464 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-13 for arcade-style game programming system.
Invention is credited to Bender, Eddie L., Briggs, Steve, Maloka, Pierre.
Application Number | 20050227749 10/818464 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35061255 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050227749 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bender, Eddie L. ; et
al. |
October 13, 2005 |
Arcade-style game programming system
Abstract
Methods and systems for operating a computer game designed to
operate in a personal computer environment in an arcade-style
environment are disclosed. According to the present invention, a
computer game designed to operate in a personal computer
environment is operated in the personal computer environment using
a computer operating system and compatible software. An
arcade-style environment is created by securing the personal
computer environment to prevent unwanted computer programs from
running in the personal computing environment; this can be
accomplished, in part, by replacing the default operating system
interface with an arcade-style operations interface. Arcade-style
environment features are added to the computer game. Arcade-style
environment features can include arcade-style specific accounting
features, arcade-style specific sounds, arcade-style specific
displays, and arcade-style specific controls. Communications
between the computer game and the operating system are monitored
and game relevant data can be communicated between the arcade-style
environment and the personal computer environment.
Inventors: |
Bender, Eddie L.; (Bartlett,
IL) ; Maloka, Pierre; (West Dundee, IL) ;
Briggs, Steve; (Wauconda, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Mr. Marc D. Machtinger, Esq.
Law Office of Marc D. Machtinger, Ltd.
Suite 350
750 W. Lake Cook Road
Buffalo Grove
IL
60089-2073
US
|
Family ID: |
35061255 |
Appl. No.: |
10/818464 |
Filed: |
April 5, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2300/60 20130101;
A63F 13/42 20140902; A63F 13/10 20130101; A63F 2300/308 20130101;
A63F 13/533 20140902; A63F 13/80 20140902; A63F 13/60 20140902;
A63F 2300/6009 20130101; A63F 13/77 20140902 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/001 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for operating a computer game designed to operate in a
personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
comprising: operating a computer game designed to operate in a
personal computer environment in a personal computer environment
using a computer operating system and compatible software, creating
an arcade-style environment by securing said personal computer
environment to prevent unwanted computer programs from running in
said personal computing environment, adding arcade-style
environment features to said computer game, monitoring
communications between said computer game and said operating
system, and communicating game relevant data between said
arcade-style environment and said personal computer
environment.
2. The method for operating a computer game designed to operate in
a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 1, wherein said computer operating system is a
Microsoft Windows based operating system.
3. The method for operating a computer game designed to operate in
a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 1, wherein securing said personal computer
environment comprises replacing a default operating system
interface with an arcade-style operations interface.
4. The method for operating a computer game designed to operate in
a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 3, wherein said default operating system
interface is a Windows desktop user interface.
5. The method for operating a computer game designed to operate in
a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 1, wherein adding arcade-style environment
features to said computer game comprises: adding accounting
features to said computer game.
6. The method for operating a computer game designed to operate in
a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 1, wherein adding arcade-style environment
features to said computer game comprises: adding arcade-style
specific displays to said computer game.
7. The method for operating a computer game designed to operate in
a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 1, wherein adding arcade-style environment
features to said computer game comprises: adding arcade-style
specific sounds to said computer game.
8. The method for operating a computer game designed to operate in
a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 1, wherein adding arcade-style environment
features to said computer game comprises: adding arcade-style
specific controls to said computer game.
9. The method for operating a computer game designed to operate in
a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 8, wherein adding arcade-style specific controls
to said computer game comprises: mapping arcade-style specific
control outputs to inputs compatible with said computer game when
said computer game is operating in said personal computer
environment.
10. The method for operating a computer game designed to operate in
a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 1, wherein said communicating game relevant data
between said arcade-style environment and said personal computer
environment comprises sending and receiving data between said
arcade-style environment and said personal computer environment via
window messaging software.
11. A system for converting a computer game designed to operate in
a personal computer environment to operate in an arcade-style
environment comprising: a computer having memory, a processor,
means for receiving input, means for displaying information, and a
computer operating system, software enabled means for running a
computer game using said operating system and compatible software,
software enabled means for creating an arcade-style environment by
securing said personal computer environment to prevent unwanted
computer programs from running in said personal computing
environment, software enabled means for adding arcade-style
environment features to said computer game, software enabled means
for monitoring communications between said computer game and said
operating system, and software enabled means for communicating game
relevant data between said arcade-style environment and said
personal computer environment.
12. The system for converting a computer game designed to operate
in a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 11, wherein said computer operating system is a
Microsoft Windows based operating system.
13. The system for converting a computer game designed to operate
in a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 11, wherein securing said personal computer
environment comprises software enabled means for replacing a
default operating system interface with an arcade-style operations
interface.
14. The system for converting a computer game designed to operate
in a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 13, wherein said default operating system
interface is a Windows desktop user interface.
15. The system for converting a computer game designed to operate
in a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 11, wherein said software enabled means for
adding arcade-style environment features to said computer game
comprises: software enabled means for adding accounting features to
said computer game.
16. The system for converting a computer game designed to operate
in a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 11, wherein said software enabled means for
adding arcade-style environment features to said computer game
comprises: software enabled means for adding arcade-style specific
displays to said computer game.
17. The system for converting a computer game designed to operate
in a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 11, wherein said software enabled means for
adding arcade-style environment features to said computer game
comprises: software enabled means for adding arcade-style specific
sounds to said computer game.
18. The system for converting a computer game designed to operate
in a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 11, wherein said software enabled means for
adding arcade-style environment features to said computer game
comprises: software enabled means for adding arcade-style specific
controls to said computer game.
19. The system for converting a computer game designed to operate
in a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 18, wherein said software enabled means for
adding arcade-style specific controls to said computer game
comprises: software enabled means for mapping arcade-style specific
control outputs to inputs compatible with said computer game when
said computer game is operating in said personal computer
environment.
20. The system for converting a computer game designed to operate
in a personal computer environment in an arcade-style environment
according to claim 1, wherein said software enabled means for
communicating game relevant data between said arcade-style
environment and said personal computer environment comprises
software enabled means for sending and receiving data between said
arcade-style environment and said personal computer environment via
window messaging software.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to computer game programming.
Specifically, the present invention relates to converting a
computer game originally designed to operate in a personal
computing environment to a computer game designed to operate in an
arcade-style environment.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Typically a personal computer includes a central processing
unit (CPU), memory devices, input devices, and output devices.
Memory devices typically include random access memory (RAM) devices
and read only memory (ROM) devices which can be comprised of memory
chips, or other volatile memory devices, and hard drives, or other
non-volatile memory devices. Input devices typically include
keyboards (such as alpha, numeric, or combined alphanumeric
keyboards), and pointing devices (such as a mouse, touchpad, or
trackball). Output devices typically include audio output devices
(such as speaker systems) and video output devices (such as a
monitor).
[0005] The overall operation of a computer of the type described
above is controlled by the operating system. The operating system
integrates the functions of the computer hardware (CPU, memory,
input devices, output devices) with software loaded into the
computer. For example, the operating system controls, among other
things, what and how items are displayed on the monitor, how to
take input from a mouse and turn that input into a pointer on the
monitor as part of a graphical user interface, how to read and
write data to a hard drive, and how to store information in RAM for
future access.
[0006] Furthermore, the operating system integrates software to
software communications for the various software programs operating
in the computer. For example, a word processing software program
typically displays letters or numbers on the monitor as they are
entered on the keyboard. To accomplish the familiar task, the
keyboard input is read by the operating system software, which
communicates this piece of information to the word processing
software, which receives the information and tells the operating
system to display the newly typed letter or number on the monitor.
The operating system software then communicates the appropriate
instructions to the monitor to display the appropriate image.
[0007] The traditional arcade-style computer game machine shares
many features with a personal computer. An arcade-style computer
game machine encompasses arcade, vending and/or coin-operated
computer game machines, as the terms are used by those skilled in
the art. In arcade-style computer game machines, a user activates
the machine by inserting a coin/token, inserting or swiping a
credit or promotion card, card swipe, or pressing a button for free
play. The machine will activate for interactive game play activity
and/or video presentation/advertisement with the possibility of
redemption of prizes or coupons. The user interacts with the
machine for a specified time, where the specified time is
controlled by software in the machine. The traditional arcade-style
computer game machine has a CPU, memory, input, and output devices.
However, because they are typically configured to run only one, or
only a small number of games, the arcade-style computer game
machine generally does not require the higher level of
functionality of the personal computer operating system. In many
instances, the arcade-style computer game machine hardware is
developed in conjunction with the arcade-style computer game
software, resulting in the arcade-style computer game software
performing the function of the operating system at the same time it
is performing game running functions. However, the arcade-style
computer game machine also has many arcade-style machine specific
features, such as accounting features to regulate game play based
on inserted money or tokens, and attract mode features, which
include specific displays and sounds to be played in between game
play sessions.
[0008] Historically to convert a game designed to operate in a
personal computer environment to a game designed to operate in an
arcade-style environment required extensive rewriting of the game
programming software. The rewritten game programming software will
include the types of arcade-style specific features mentioned
above, including arcade-style specific accounting features, display
features, sound features, and control features. Rewriting the game
programming software is an expensive and time consuming task.
[0009] There remains a need for a system that would convert a
computer game designed for a personal computing environment to a
game suitable for use in an arcade-style environment without
requiring a nearly complete reprogramming of the game software.
Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a system that would
convert a computer game designed for a personal computing
environment to a game suitable for use in an arcade-style
environment without requiring a nearly complete reprogramming of
the game software.
SUMMARY
[0010] In view of the deficiencies described above, it is an object
of the present invention to provide a system that converts a
computer game designed for a personal computing environment to a
game suitable for use in an arcade-style environment without
requiring a nearly complete reprogramming of the game software.
[0011] The present invention includes method and systems for
operating a computer game designed to operate in a personal
computer environment in an arcade-style environment.
[0012] According to the present invention, a computer game designed
to operate in a personal computer environment is operated in the
personal computer environment using a computer operating system and
compatible software. An arcade-style environment is created by
securing the personal computer environment to prevent unwanted
computer programs from running in the personal computing
environment; this can be accomplished, in part, by replacing the
default operating system interface with an arcade-style operations
interface.
[0013] Arcade-style environment features are added to the computer
game. Arcade-style environment features include arcade-style
specific accounting features, arcade-style specific sounds,
arcade-style specific displays, and arcade-style specific
controls.
[0014] Communications between the computer game and the operating
system are monitored. Game relevant data can be communicated
between the arcade-style environment and the personal computer
environment. Typically, these communications are accomplished using
messaging software.
[0015] Other features and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the following figures, wherein like reference
numerals represent like features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a representation of an arcade-style computing
environment according to the present invention in block diagram
form.
[0017] FIG. 2 shows the operation of the present invention in block
diagram form.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many
different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with
the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered
as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0019] The present invention is a system for operating a computer
game or other computer program that was originally designed and
intended to run in a personal computer environment in an
arcade-style type environment. FIG. 1 shows a representation of an
arcade-style computing environment according to the present
invention in block diagram form. In the present invention the
computer game 100 is operated in the environment it was intended to
operate in, namely a personal computing environment 110 using a
conventional operating system 120, and an arcade-style environment
130 is created around the personal computing environment 110.
Examples of conventional operating systems include, but are not
limited to, Microsoft.RTM. Windows.RTM. based operating systems or
Linux.RTM. based operating systems.
[0020] The arcade-style environment 130 is created by securing the
personal computing environment 110, as much as present technology
allows a computer to be secured. Securing the personal computer
environment restricts access to the computer and prevents unwanted
programs or processes from running in the personal computing
environment 110. In part, the arcade-style environment 130 is
created by replacing the default operating system interface 140
with an arcade-style operations interface 150. For example, for a
computer running a Microsoft.RTM. Windows.RTM. based operating
system, the Windows.RTM. desktop is replaced by an arcade-style
interface 150 that limits access to desired computer programs, such
as the computer game 100 loaded into the machine and or other
arcade-style operation processes.
[0021] Arcade-style environment features 160 are added to the
computer game 100 through computer programs that act as an overlay
to the computer game 100 and interface between the computer game
100 and the operating system 120. The arcade-style environment 130
features can include accounting features 170, arcade-style specific
sounds 180, arcade-style specific displays 190, and arcade-style
specific controls 200.
[0022] To know when and what arcade-style features 160 to add at
any particular moment, the present invention includes computer
programs to monitor communications between the computer game 100
the said operating system 120 and communicate game relevant data
between the arcade-style environment 130 the said personal computer
environment 110. FIG. 2 shows the operation of the present
invention in block diagram form. For example, the typical computer
game 110 draws or redraws or refreshes the appearance of the
display many times per second. In order to accomplish this, the
computer game 100 communicates with the operating system via
messaging software 210. In the example case, the messages would
include requests and data from the computer game 100 to the
operating system 120 to redraw the display. The present invention
can monitor these messages and, where appropriate, add, remove, or
modify the data to make the computer game 100 play appropriate for
the arcade-style environment 130. In the display redraw example
case, the present invention can add data to display redraw message
to add in display information for remaining credits. The same
principle applies for any of the arcade-style specific accounting
features 170, arcade-style specific sounds 180, arcade-style
specific displays 190, and arcade-style specific controls 200.
[0023] As part of adding arcade-style features 160 to the computer
game 100, game features specific to game play in the personal
computing environment 110 can be turned off or have access to these
features restricted so that the arcade-style operator retains
controls of these features. For example, in the personal computing
environment 110, the game may have user selectable features for
screen resolution, difficulty level, network play, or redefineable
controls, among other things. As will be discussed below, in the
arcade-style environment 130 these features are controllable, if at
all, by the arcade-style operator and not the game player.
[0024] Arcade-style accounting features 170 include the computer
programs and related hardware needed for coin operation and
arcade-style operator control of the computer game. These features
can include credits per play, coins per credit, coins received in
each coin slot, credits per continue, free play mode, one and two
player game modes, one and two player continue modes, first extra
play score, additional extra play score, first extra play time,
additional extra play time, first prize ticket score, additional
prize ticket score, first prize ticket time, additional prize
ticket time, start time, continue time, and difficulty levels.
Other accounting features can include historical and or statistical
information regarding game play, such as longest game time, average
game time, average continue time, highest level played, average
level played per game. Many of the accounting features 170 may be
adjustable by an arcade-style operator to achieve a desired level
of profits and gaming enjoyment. Other accounting features 170
known to those skilled in the art may also be included.
[0025] Arcade-style specific sounds 180 include sounds that
generally would not be programmed into a computer game 100 designed
for use in a personal computing environment 110, but are typically
used in the arcade-style environment 130. For example, it is common
practice in the arcade-style game industry to play a specific sound
each time a coin is entered into a coin slot. Such a sound would
not be applicable for a game designed for play in a personal
computing environment 110. Arcade-style specific sounds 180 can
include game music, game music volume, game sound effects, game
sound effects volume, attract mode music, attract mode volume,
attract mode sound effects, and attract mode sound effects volume.
As with the accounting features 170, many of the arcade-style
specific sounds 180 may be adjustable by an arcade-style operator.
Other arcade-style specific sounds 180 known to those skilled in
the art may also be included.
[0026] Arcade-style specific displays 190 include displays and
elements of displays that generally would not be programmed into a
computer game 100 designed for use in a personal computing
environment 110, but are typically used an arcade-style environment
130. For example, it is common practice in the arcade-style game
industry to display the number of "lives" the game player has left.
In many computer games 100 designed for play in a personal
computing environment 110, such a display is not required.
Arcade-style specific displays 190 can include remaining lives,
remaining time, continue time remaining, credits remaining, attract
mode displays and high score tables. As with the accounting
features 170, many of the arcade-style specific displays 190 may be
adjustable by an arcade-style operator. Other arcade-style specific
displays 190 known to those skilled in the art may also be
included.
[0027] Arcade-style specific controls 200 include controls that
generally would not be programmed into a computer game 100 designed
for use in a personal computing environment 110, but are typically
used an arcade-style environment 130. For example, it is common
practice for computer game 100 play in computer games designed for
use in a personal computing environment 110 to be controlled by a
combination of keyboard and mouse inputs. However, in the
arcade-style environment 130 game play is typically controlled by a
limited number of buttons, joysticks and trackballs. Many times
there is not a convenient one-to-one correlation between the
controls for computer game 100 play in the personal computing
environment 110 and computer game 100 play in the arcade-style
environment 130. For example, in the personal computing environment
110, the computer game 100 may use the letters "A", "S", "W", and
"X" inputted on a keyboard to move a character to the left, right,
forward, and backward, respectively in the game, however, in the
arcade-style environment 130 it may be more appropriate to control
these movements with a single joystick. Accordingly, in various
embodiments it may be necessary to map arcade-style specific
control 200 outputs to inputs compatible with the computer game 100
when the computer game 100 is operating in a personal computer
environment 130. As with the other features, many of the
arcade-style specific controls 200 may be adjustable by an
arcade-style operator. Other arcade-style specific controls 200
known to those skilled in the art may also be included.
[0028] While specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind without
significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the
scope of protection is limited by the scope of the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *