U.S. patent application number 12/124902 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for universal toy controller system and methods.
Invention is credited to Yu "Brian" Zheng.
Application Number | 20080305873 12/124902 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40096382 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080305873 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zheng; Yu "Brian" |
December 11, 2008 |
Universal Toy Controller System And Methods
Abstract
An apparatus, system, and methods, for an game controller system
are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that
allows for universal control of games. In some embodiments, the
games are hosted at an online portal, which contains a software
module allowing a game programmer to specify a controller mapping.
When a particular game is selected by a user, the mapping is sent
to the local computer. Once installed, the mapping file maps
commands received from a controller to specific actions within the
game. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying
with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly
ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein.
This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it
will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning
of the claims.
Inventors: |
Zheng; Yu "Brian"; (Walnut,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HELLER EHRMAN LLP
4350 LA JOLLA VILLAGE DRIVE #700, 7TH FLOOR
SAN DIEGO
CA
92122
US
|
Family ID: |
40096382 |
Appl. No.: |
12/124902 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11957001 |
Dec 14, 2007 |
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12124902 |
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11828124 |
Jul 25, 2007 |
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11957001 |
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11726454 |
Mar 22, 2007 |
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11828124 |
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11540369 |
Sep 29, 2006 |
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11726454 |
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11368300 |
Mar 3, 2006 |
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11540369 |
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11255852 |
Oct 21, 2005 |
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11368300 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/37 ;
463/36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/235 20140902;
A63F 13/24 20140902; A63F 2300/552 20130101; A63F 13/2145 20140902;
A63F 13/22 20140902; A63F 13/12 20130101; A63F 13/35 20140902; A63F
13/06 20130101; A63F 2300/1031 20130101; A63F 13/211 20140902; A63F
2300/1075 20130101; A63F 2300/1018 20130101; A63F 2300/105
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/37 ;
463/36 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A universal game controller system for use with a variety of
game consoles comprising: a game controller, the game controller
comprising a touch screen interface and a first communications
transceiver; and a base station; the base station comprising a
second communications transceiver, configured to communicate with
the first transceiver, and a communications port, the
communications port operable to connect the base station to a game
console.
2. The universal game controller system of claim 1, wherein the
game controller is a hand held controller comprising a plurality of
accelerometers.
3. The universal game controller system of claim 2, wherein the
plurality of accelerometers comprises an accelerometer selected
from a group consisting of: an orientation accelerometer, a motion
accelerometer, and an acceleration accelerometer.
4. The universal game controller system of claim 1, wherein at
least one of the first and the second communications transceivers
comprise transceivers selected from a group consisting of: an
optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, an infrared
transceiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, a RFID transceiver, a
frequency hopping radio frequency transceiver, and an ultra
wideband transceiver.
5. The universal game controller system of claim 1, wherein the
communications port comprises a port selected from a group
consisting of: a Universal Serial Bus port, a FireWire port, a
twisted pair port, a phone line port, and a wired medium port.
6. The universal game controller system of claim 1, wherein the
base station routs signals from the game controller to the game
console.
7. The universal game controller system of claim 1, wherein the
controller is a hand held controller.
8. The universal game controller system of claim 7, wherein the
touch screen interface comprises at least one section selected from
a group consisting of a direction control section and a push button
control section.
9. The universal game controller system of claim 8, wherein a
portion of the touch screen interface comprises textured material
identifying game play controls.
10. The universal game controller system of claim 7, wherein the
touch screen interface is illuminated to identify game play
options.
11. The universal game controller system of claim 7, wherein the
touch screen interface comprises a plurality of material
deformations indicating controls.
12. The universal game controller system of claim 11, wherein the
material deformations are selected from a group consisting of
recessed portions and raised portions.
13. The universal game controller system of claim 7, wherein the
controller is a battery operated hand held controller, the base
station comprises a top surface, the top surface containing a
recessed section fitted to a similar section on the hand held
controller, the recessed section comprising a power connector
suitable to recharge the batteries of the hand held controller.
14. The universal game controller system of claim 1, wherein the
game controller is a tablet game controller.
15. The universal game controller system of claim 14, wherein the
wherein the game controller further comprises a connector suitable
to connect the game controller to a computing device.
16. The universal game controller system of claim 15, wherein the
controller is battery operated and the connector is suitable to
recharge the battery from a computing device.
17. The universal game controller system of claim 15, wherein the
touch screen interface comprises a multiplicity of sections, at
least one section selected from a group consisting of: a section
configured with direction controls; a section configured with
action controls, a section configured as a keyboard, and a section
configured to allow a user to draw on the touch screen
interface.
18. The universal game controller system of claim 15, wherein a
portion of the touch screen interface comprises textured material
identifying game play controls.
19. The universal game controller system of claim 15, wherein the
touch screen interface is illuminated to identify game play
options.
20. The universal game controller system of claim 15, wherein the
touch screen interface comprises a plurality of material
deformations indicating controls.
21. The universal game controller system of claim 20, wherein the
material deformations are selected from a group consisting of
recessed portions and raised portions.
22. The universal game controller system of claim 15, further
comprising a stylus, the stylus configured in the shape of a pen,
the allowing a user to draw on the touch screen interface.
23. The universal game controller system of claim 1, wherein the
game station console comprises a connector suitable to connect the
console with the base station.
24. The universal game controller system of claim 1, wherein the
game station console comprises a connector suitable to connect the
console to a television.
25. A method of enabling game play on a game controller, the method
comprising: communicating a signal from a universal game
controller, the universal game controller configured for use with a
variety of game consoles, the game controller comprising a touch
screen interface and a first communications transceiver; receiving
the signal at a base station, the base station comprising a second
communications transceiver configured to communicate with the first
transceiver, and a communications port operable to connect the base
station to a game console; and communicating a signal from the base
station to the game console.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the game controller is a hand
held controller comprising a plurality of accelerometers.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the plurality of accelerometers
comprises an accelerometer selected from a group consisting of: an
orientation accelerometer, a motion accelerometer, and an
acceleration accelerometer.
28. The method system of claim 25, wherein at least one of the
first and the second communications transceivers comprise
transceivers selected from a group consisting of: an optical
transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, an infrared
transceiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, a RFID transceiver, a
frequency hopping radio frequency transceiver, and an ultra
wideband transceiver.
29. The method of claim 25, wherein the communications port
comprises a port selected from a group consisting of: a Universal
Serial Bus port, a FireWire port, a twisted pair port, a phone line
port, and a wired medium port.
30. The method of claim 25, wherein the base station routs signals
from the game controller to the game console.
31. The method of claim 25, wherein the controller is a hand held
controller.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the touch screen interface
comprises at least one section selected from a group consisting of
a direction control section and a push button control section.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein a portion of the touch screen
interface comprises textured material identifying game play
controls.
34. The method of claim 32, wherein the touch screen interface is
illuminated to identify game play options.
35. The method of claim 32, wherein the touch screen interface
comprises a plurality of material deformations indicating
controls.
36. The method of claim 35, wherein the material deformations are
selected from a group consisting of recessed portions and raised
portions.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein the controller is a battery
operated hand held controller, the base station comprises a top
surface, the top surface containing a recessed section fitted to a
similar section on the hand held controller, the recessed section
comprising a power connector suitable to recharge the batteries of
the hand held controller.
38. The method of claim 25, wherein the game controller is a tablet
game controller.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the wherein the game controller
further comprises a connector suitable to connect the game
controller to a computing device.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein the controller is battery
operated and the connector is suitable to recharge the battery from
a computing device.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the touch screen interface
comprises a multiplicity of sections, at least one section selected
from a group consisting of: a section configured with direction
controls; a section configured with action controls, and a section
configured as a keyboard, and a section configured to allow a user
to draw on the touch screen interface.
42. The method of claim 25, wherein a portion of the touch screen
interface comprises textured material identifying game play
controls.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the touch screen interface is
illuminated to identify game play options.
44. The method of claim 38, wherein the touch screen interface
comprises a plurality of material deformations indicating
controls.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the material deformations are
selected from a group consisting of recessed portions and raised
portions.
46. The method of claim 38, further comprising a stylus, the stylus
configured in the shape of a pen, the allowing a user to draw on
the touch screen interface.
47. The method of claim 25, wherein the game station console
comprises a connector suitable to connect the console with the base
station.
48. The method of claim 25, wherein the game station console
comprises a connector suitable to connect the console to a
television.
49. A universal game controller comprising: a housing; a touch
sensitive display contained within the housing; and a
communications transceiver contained within the housing, the
communications transceiver configured to send signals to and
receive signals from a computing apparatus, the computing apparatus
communicating with a server on a network, the server comprising a
web portal, and a software module, the software module configured
to allow a game programmer to specify controller interactions with
a game, the software module further configured to generate a
mapping file from the interactions and to send the mapping file to
the computing apparatus.
50. The universal game controller of claim 49, wherein the web
portal is configured to send a web page to the computing apparatus,
the web page containing information related to available games, the
webpage further comprising a configuration to allow a user to
select a game.
51. The universal controller of claim 49, wherein the configuration
to allow a user to select a game is a tool bar.
52. The universal controller of claim 51, wherein selection on the
tool bar is disabled if the computing apparatus is not actively
communicating with the web server.
53. The universal controller of claim 51, wherein the server
configuration further comprises a configuration to receive a
selection from the computing apparatus, determine an appropriate
mapping file from the received signal, and transfer the appropriate
mapping file to the computing apparatus.
54. The universal controller of claim 51, wherein the computing
apparatus is configured to receive a signal from the universal
controller the signal comprising an action, determine which action
is represented in the signal, determine from a mapping file an
interaction with a game, and display the determined action in the
game.
55. The universal controller of claim 51, wherein the server is
further configured to determine if a software program has been
installed on the computing apparatus and transmit the computer
program to the computing apparatus.
56. The universal controller of claim 55, wherein the software
program configures the computing apparatus to display an interface,
the interface comprising a region for game play and a region
configured to allow a user to select a game.
57. The universal controller of claim 51, further comprising a
memory contained within the housing; a processor, contained within
the housing, the processor communicating with the communications
transceiver and the memory and a storage medium, the storage medium
configured to store a bitmap, the processor configured to display
the bitmap on the touch sensitive display.
58. The universal controller of claim 57, wherein the computing
apparatus is configured to receive a bitmap from the server and
send the bitmap to the controller.
59. The universal controller of claim 51, further comprising a
plurality of accelerometers within the housing, the communications
transceiver configured to send a signal to the computing apparatus,
the signal containing information from at least one of the
plurality of accelerometers.
60. The universal controller of claim 51, wherein the controller is
a tablet controller, the touch sensitive display comprising a
plurality of regions at least one of the plurality selected from a
group consisting of a game control region, a mouse control region,
a stylus region, and a keyboard region.
61. The universal controller of claim 51, wherein the controller is
a handheld controller, the handheld controller further comprising a
battery contained within the housing, the housing further
comprising a port configured to allow recharge of the battery.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/957,001 filed Dec. 14, 2007,
which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/828,124, filed Jul. 25, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/726,454, filed Mar. 22, 2007,
which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/540,369, filed Sep. 29, 2006, which is a
continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.
11/368,300, filed Mar. 3, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/255,852, filed Oct.
21, 2005. Priority is claimed to these applications and they are
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
[0002] This application is additionally related to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. ______, entitled "Online Interactive Game
System and Methods", attorney docket number 44435-0010; and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled "Touch Screen
Computing Apparatus and Methods", attorney docket No. 44435-0012
both of this are filed contemporaneously herewith.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention generally relates to computing and
entertainment system controllers. More particularly, the invention
concerns universal control methods, and apparatus for computing and
entertainment systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Users are increasing demanding more sophistication in
computing and entertainment devices. With this demand ever
increasing the electronics industry has responded with a wide range
of offerings. Entertainment systems typically include online games,
played on a personal computer, or in some instances, can comprise
stand alone game consoles. One limitation that users experience
moving between environments is that most game controllers are not
interchangeable between gaming systems. Additionally, a user
comfortable with one type of game controller may not enjoy the same
experience when changing to another system may not have the same
experience they would on a system with a different controller.
Further, many game consoles are like personal computers in that the
game controllers use an industry standard interface.
[0005] Another limitation inherent in the industry is that after a
user is familiar with a specific game, the game becomes rather
routine. Unless a mechanism is provided that allows the user
experience to change over time, a user may loose interest and not
receive the same entertainment experience. Further, touch screen
technologies are advancing to the point where controllers could
become more functional.
[0006] Since a number of games are played online it is additionally
important to be able to interface with a computer using a common
apparatus. Currently computing apparatus input devices, such as
keyboards, mice, and stylus sensitive pads can take up a
significant amount of space in a users office and serve essentially
one function. This is a limitation of the current technologies
employed. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a universal
controller for gaming systems and for computing apparatus with
enhanced capabilities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide a computing and
entertainment controllers, methods and computer software products.
An exemplary embodiment of a provided entertainment system includes
at least one hand held game controller with a touch screen and a
number of accelerometers. The accelerometers indicating the
movement of the hand held game controller. The controllers are
configured with wireless communications transceivers allowing them
to communicate to a base station. The system further includes a
base station that communicates with the hand held controllers. The
base station is further configured with a connector suitable for
connection to an accessory box and a second connector suitable for
connection to a computing device. The entertainment system
optionally includes an accessory box with a connector sufficient
for connecting the accessory box to the base station.
[0008] In some embodiments, the accessory box is configured to
allow additional functionality to be imparted to game play. The
entertainment system further includes an online game portal hosted
on a server on the network. One embodiment provides a method of
interactive play. In this embodiment a signal is communicated from
at least one hand held game controller to a base station. Like the
above embodiment, the hand held controllers contain touch screens
and accelerometers. In this embodiment, the base station
additionally receives a communications signal from an accessory
box. The base station communicates a command to a computing device
that is connected to a server over a network. The computing device
sends commands, and other information to the server. The server
communicates signals back to the computing device which enable game
play on the computing device.
[0009] Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention
provides a computer software product. The software product is in
the form of a computer readable medium. The medium contains
processor executable instructions that, when executed by a
processor configure a computing apparatus to receive a first
communications signal from a base station. This first
communications signal includes information received from at least
one hand held game controller. The game controller, like the above
controllers include a touch screen interface and a number of
accelerometers. The configuration additionally includes a
configuration to send a second communications signal to a server on
a network, the server hosting an online game portal and to receive
a third communications signal from the server on the network which
enables game play on the computing device, the game play related to
a game on the online game portal.
[0010] A still further provided embodiment is a computing device
accessory that includes a housing, a touch sensitive display that
is mounted on the housing, a communications transceiver, and a
memory contained within the housing and communicating with the
touch sensitive display, the memory containing instructions that,
when executed by a processor configure the accessory to illuminate
discrete regions on the display, the regions comprising: a keyboard
region, a stylus sensitive region, and a mouse region.
[0011] Another embodiment provides a computing apparatus that
includes a processor, a memory, a touch sensitive display and a
storage media the storage media containing a set of processor
executable instructions sufficient that, when executed by the
processor, configure the computing apparatus to illuminate discrete
regions on the display, the regions comprising: a keyboard region,
a stylus sensitive region, and a mouse region.
[0012] Another exemplary embodiment provides a method of providing
interaction with a computing apparatus. In this method the
computing apparatus is configured to illuminate discrete regions on
a touch sensitive display. The touch sensitive display is mounted
on a housing and the housing contains a memory. Some of the
discrete regions include a keyboard region, a stylus sensitive
region, and a mouse region.
[0013] A further provided embodiment includes a computer
implemented method that includes providing a computing apparatus,
the computing apparatus contains a processor, a memory; and a touch
sensitive display. The computing apparatus is configured to
illuminate discrete regions on the display, the regions including a
keyboard region, a stylus sensitive region, and a mouse region. An
additional provided embodiment includes a computer software
product. The computer software product including a machine readable
media. In this embodiment, the machine readable media contains
instructions that when executed by a processor illuminate discrete
regions on a touch sensitive display. The discrete regions include
a keyboard region, a stylus sensitive region, and a mouse
region.
[0014] One provided embodiment is a universal game controller
system for use with a variety of game consoles. This system
includes a game controller which includes a touch screen interface
and a first communications transceiver. The system additionally
includes a base station; having a second communications transceiver
that is configured to communicate with the first transceiver, and a
communications port. The communications port is operable to connect
the base station to a game console. A further provided embodiment
includes a method of enabling game play on a game controller. This
method includes communicating a signal from a universal game
controller. In this embodiment the universal game controller is
configured for use with a variety of game consoles. The game
controller includes a touch screen interface and a first
communications transceiver. The method further includes receiving
the signal at a base station. The base station includes a second
communications transceiver which is configured to communicate with
the first transceiver, and a communications port operable to
connect the base station to a game console. The method further
includes communicating a signal from the base station to the game
console.
[0015] Further provided embodiments include an online entertainment
system and methods. In an exemplary method, a software module is
provided on a server. The software module includes an application
program interface that allows a game programmer to specify a
controller mapping. The software module then generates a mapping
file which is stored on the server and associated with the game.
Once a user selects a game to be played on a remote computer, the
server transmits the mapping file to the user's computer. The
mapping file, when installed on the user's computer, maps signals
received from a universal controller to actions within the selected
game.
[0016] A still further embodiment provides an entertainment system
for providing an interactive experience to a user. The
entertainment system includes a server containing a software
module. The software module contains an application program
interface which allows a game programmer specify a mapping of
controller actions to game actions. Based on the mapping, the
software module creates a mapping file that is stored on the server
and associated with the game. When a user selects a game the
associated mapping file is sent to the local computer and
installed. When signals are to received from a universal controller
the information is mapped to actions within the selected game.
[0017] An even further embodiment provides a computing apparatus
that contains a processor, a memory, and a storage medium. The
storage medium includes a set of processor executable instructions
that, when executed by the processor configure the computing
apparatus to act as a server in an entertainment system. The
instructions further configure the server to provide a software
module with an application program interface that allows a game
programmer to specify a controller mapping. The server is further
configured to generate a mapping file for each game and store the
mapping file on the server. When a particular game is selected by a
user, the appropriate mapping file is transmitted to the user's
computer across a network. The mapping file is then installed on
the user's computer and when a signal is received from a universal
controller, the information contained within the signal is mapped
to the game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Various embodiments of the present invention taught herein
are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in
the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a base station device consistent with
various provided embodiments;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a provided entertainment
system;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a feature of various provided
embodiments;
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a feature of various provided
embodiments;
[0023] FIG. 5 is an illustration of the flow of a provided
method;
[0024] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a still further provided
method;
[0025] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a computing apparatus and
computer software product consistent with various provided
embodiments;
[0026] FIG. 8 is an illustration of an accessory box consistent
with various provided embodiments; and
[0027] FIG. 9 illustrates an entertainment system consistent with
various provided embodiments;
[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates another entertainment system consistent
with various provided embodiments;
[0029] FIG. 11 illustrates a universal controller consistent with
various provided embodiments;
[0030] FIG. 12 illustrates a computing apparatus consistent with
various provided embodiments;
[0031] FIG. 13 illustrates the flow of a provided embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 14 illustrates the flow of a provided embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 15 illustrates the flow of a provided embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 16 illustrates the flow of a provided embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 17 illustrates a universal tablet controller consistent
with various provided embodiments;
[0036] FIG. 18 illustrates another embodiment of a provided
entertainment system;
[0037] FIG. 19 illustrates the flow of a provided method;
[0038] FIG. 20 illustrates the flow of another provided method;
[0039] FIG. 21 illustrates the flow of a further provided
method;
[0040] FIG. 22 illustrates the flow of yet another provided
method;
[0041] FIG. 23 illustrates an embodiment of a user interface;
[0042] FIG. 24 illustrates an embodiment of a exemplary universal
controller;
[0043] FIG. 25 illustrates the flow of another provided method;
and
[0044] FIGS. 26 (a)-(h) illustrate various embodiments of a
provided computing apparatus.
[0045] It will be recognized that some or all of the Figures are
schematic representations for purposes of illustration and do not
necessarily depict the actual relative sizes or locations of the
elements shown. The Figures are provided for the purpose of
illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention with the
explicit understanding that they will not be used to limit the
scope or the meaning of the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0046] In the following paragraphs, the present invention will be
described in detail by way of example with reference to the
attached drawings. While this invention is capable of embodiment in
many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will
herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
example of the principles of the invention and not intended to
limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and
described. That is, throughout this description, the embodiments
and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than
as limitations on the present invention. Descriptions of well known
components, methods and/or processing techniques are omitted so as
to not unnecessarily obscure the invention. As used herein, the
"present invention" refers to any one of the embodiments of the
invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore,
reference to various feature(s) of the "present invention"
throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments
or methods must include the referenced feature(s).
[0047] Embodiments of the present invention provide systems,
methods and apparatus for universal control of entertainment or
computing systems. As is know in the art there are a number of
manufacturers of gaming consoles each with different hand held
controllers. In some instances a user may be confused by the
differences in controllers and may not have the same experience
when moving from one console type to another. Some embodiments of
the present invention are directed at overcoming that difficulty by
providing a had-held controller and system that may interoperate
across platforms. Additionally, in some embodiments, the games may
reside on a server on a network and the user may play the games on
a computing apparatus like a personal computer. Further, some
provided embodiments include a computing apparatus accessory which
integrates a multiplicity of input devices into a novel, and in
some instances reconfigurable device.
[0048] One embodiment of a base station 100 is illustrated in FIG.
1. In this embodiment, base station 100 comprises a first
communications port 50 for connecting base station 100 to a
computing device 40. As illustrated, computing device 40, is
connected to a network 10, like the Internet, and further connected
to server 20 containing database 30. As illustrated, communications
port 50 is a wired port such as a Universal Serial Bus or Ethernet
port, but as in known in the art may be a wireless communications
port. In some embodiments, base station 100 additionally includes a
second communications port 50 suitable for communications with an
accessory box (not shown). Base station 100 additionally includes
controller 70, a plurality of communications transceivers 60 and in
some instances an antenna 70. As is known in the art all
communications can be through either wired or wireless media and
the illustrated depictions in FIG. 1 are exemplars.
[0049] FIG. 2 illustrates an entertainment system consistent with
various provided embodiments. The system includes at least one hand
held game controller 80 containing a plurality of accelerometers
(not shown). Each of the hand held game controller 80 includes a
touch screen interface 90. In some embodiments, tough screen
interface contains a number of controls sufficient to control game
play. In one embodiment, touch screen 90 includes a plurality of
lights which "back light" the controls indicating a control a user
should take. In other embodiments, touch screen interface 80
contains depressions or "dimples" indicating the controls. In other
embodiments, touch screen interface 80 contains raised portions or
"buttons" indicating the controls. In still further embodiments,
touch screen 80 contains regions of "textured" material indicating
controls. In an exemplary embodiment, the "textured" material is
"plexi-glass", glass, or plastic that has been manufactured to
provide a textured feel. Other materials that provide a distinct
tactile feel are additionally known in the art and may be used to
practice the invention.
[0050] Hand held controllers 80 further include a communications
transceiver allowing for communication with base station 100 in a
wireless format. Exemplary communications transceivers that may be
used to practice embodiments of the present invention include but
are not limited to optical transceivers, radio frequency
transceivers, infrared transceivers, BLUETOOTH transceivers
(BLUETOOTH is a trademark of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group),
RFID transceivers, frequency hopping radio frequency transceivers,
and ultra wideband transceiver. Hand held controllers 80
additionally include a plurality of accelerometers, such as
orientation accelerometers, motion accelerometers, and acceleration
accelerometers which provide data related to the position and
movement of hand held controllers 80.
[0051] As discussed above, base station 10 includes a like
communications transceiver to enable communications with hand held
controllers 80. Base station 100 additionally includes a first
connector or communications port 50 sufficient to connect base
station 100 to computing apparatus 40 (shown here as a monitor). In
some embodiments, base station 100 additionally includes a second
connector, or port 50 sufficient to connect base station 100 to
accessory box 120. Accessory box 120 likewise includes connector
50, and associated electronics enabling communications with base
station 100. Exemplary connectors include but are not limited to
Universal Serial Bus connectors, FireWire connectors, twisted pair
connectors, phone line connectors, and wired medium connectors.
[0052] In some embodiments (not shown), connectors 50 are connected
to additional communications components such as antennas, optical
emitters, and optical detectors. In these embodiments, base station
100 includes an additional communications transceiver such as an
optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, an infrared
transceiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, a RFID transceiver, a
frequency hopping radio frequency transceiver, and an ultra
wideband transceiver enabling wireless communications between
accessory box 120, base station 100 and computing apparatus 40.
[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, base station 100 is configured
to route data and commands from and between computing device 40,
hand held controllers 80, and accessory box 120. As mere exemplars,
this routing may take the form of receiving communications signals
from the hand held devices 80 and forwarding the data contained
within these signals to computing device 40. In other embodiments,
the routing may provide for receiving data from accessory box 120
and sending data to computing device 40. The routed data may
include but is not limited to data from at least one of the
plurality of accelerometers, and data from the touch screen
interface and data from accessory box enabling additional
functionality to the entertainment system. In another embodiment,
hand held controllers 80 contain a battery recharging port 110. A
similar recharging port 110 is provided on base station 100
allowing for the recharge of the hand held controllers' batteries
when not in use.
[0054] One feature of this embodiment is that the computing device
40 is in communication with 20 server on the network 10. The server
hosts a game portal which stores information related to the games,
information related to users, and in some embodiments, access
information. When a user desires to play a specific game, the
computing device may determine from accessory box 120 if the user
is allowed to access the specific game. Once the computing device
retrieves information on which games a user can access it sends
this data to the online game portal. On the server the access data
is verified and access is granted to the particular game the user
desires to play.
[0055] Another feature of various embodiments is illustrated in
FIG. 3 which shows a configuration allowing multiple players to
participate in a common game. As this illustration depicts, users
A-D can use independent entertainment systems to play a common
game. Each user A-D interfaces with a hand held controller 80. The
hand held controllers send user input information to base stations
100, which route this information to computing apparatuses 40
(shown here as Personal Computers "PCs"). Computing apparatuses 40
are in communication with server 20 across network 10. As
illustrated, server 20 is in further communication with database
30. In some embodiments, database 30 may be located on server 20,
in other embodiments, database 30 is located on another computing
device 40 on network 10. In this environment, game play is served
to each of the computing devices 40 from server 20 allowing users
A-D to interact with the game through the use of their
entertainment system.
[0056] FIG. 4 illustrates another feature of various embodiments.
In this illustration a configuration is shown where two users (A
and B) are supported on a single entertainment system. In this
illustration, User A and User B each interact with the
entertainment system through the use of hand held controllers 80.
The controllers communicate user interactions to base station 100.
Base station 100 routs this interaction information to computing
device 40 which uses the information for game play. Computing
device 40 further communicates the information to server 20 across
network 10. As in the previously described system, server 20 is in
communication with database 30.
[0057] One further feature is illustrated in FIG. 4. The addition
of accessory box 120 allows for additional functionality, such as
new games, to be unlocked on the system. In this embodiment,
requests for new functionality cause computing apparatus to
communicate with accessory box 120 and retrieve access information.
The access information is then verified on database 30. If access
to the new functionality is grated, server 20 sends the additional
functionality to computing device 40.
[0058] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate embodiments of provided methods. In
FIG. 5 flow begins in block 140 where a communications signal is
communicated from a hand held controller 80 to a base station 100.
As described above, this signal may contain information from a
plurality of accelerometers and inputs from a user through a touch
screen. Further, this signal is typically communicated wirelessly
through the use of wireless transceivers (optical or radio
frequency). Flow continues to block 150 where a communication
signal is sent from accessory box 120 to the base station 100. As
described above, this signal may contain data or other information,
such as commands, to unlock functionality on the system. In some
embodiments, this signal is sent through wired media connectors, in
other embodiments, this signal is sent wirelessly. Flow continues
to block 160 where a command is sent from the base station to a
computing apparatus 40. In block 170 computing apparatus 40
communicates data to server 20 on network 10. Flow continues to
block 180 where server 20 sends a communication to computing
apparatus 40 across network 10. In block 190, game play is enabled
on computing apparatus 40.
[0059] FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment where the flow is
the same for blocks 140-190. In block 200 a signal is communicated
from computing apparatus 40 to hand held controllers 80 through
base station 100 and in block 210 game play is enabled on hand held
controllers 80. In some embodiments, the enablement of game play on
hand held controllers 80 comprises the illumination of lights
corresponding to controls on the hand held controllers 80.
[0060] FIG. 7 illustrates a computing device 40 and computer
software product 260 consistent with various provided embodiments.
Computing device 40 comprises processor 230, memory. 240, storage
media 250, input device 220, a plurality of communications ports 50
and output device 270. As is known in the art, a number of other
components are typically found within a computing device that have
been omitted for convenience. As described above, one
communications port 50 provides a path for communication with base
station 100 and another provides a path for communication with
server 20 across network 10. Exemplary input devices 220 that are
suitable to receive computer software product 260 include but are
not limited to CD ROM drives, DVD Rom drives, optical drives
magnetic drives, and the like. Computer software product 260
comprises a computing apparatus readable medium containing a set of
processor 230 executable instructions that, when executed by
processor 230 configure computing device 40 to execute the methods
described above. In one embodiment, computer readable media
comprises a hard drive located on server 20 and executable
instructions sufficient to configure computing device 40 are
downloaded from network 10. In some embodiments, executable
instructions are located on database 30 across network 10. As
described above, database 30 may be located on server 20 or
alternatively, on another computing device 40 on network 10.
[0061] An exemplary embodiment of an accessory box 120 is
illustrated in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, accessory box 120
comprises a memory 240, a communications transceiver 60 and a
communications port 50. As discussed above, accessory box 120, in
some embodiments imparts additional functionality to games being
played. This functionality may be revealing "secret" rooms,
additional weapons, or other features within a game. In some
embodiments, additional games are "unlocked" with the use of
accessory box 120. Memory 240 may include volatile or non-volatile
memory elements. In one embodiment, codes stored on memory 240 may
be sent to base station 100 unlocking the additional functionality.
In some embodiments accomplishments during game play cause server
20 to send additional codes for storage in memory 240 on accessory
box 120. These embodiments allow a user to experience different
gaming as their level of accomplishment increases. In other
embodiments purchases made online cause server 20 to send
additional codes to accessory box 120.
[0062] FIG. 9 illustrates embodiments where universal controllers
interact with game consoles instead of a computing device 40. As is
known in the art there are many manufacturers of game consoles and
each manufacturer may provide different controllers for
interaction. Many of these consoles provide for controller
connection through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) or like connection.
In the illustrated embodiment hand held controller 80, as described
above, contains touch sensitive display 90. In this embodiment,
hand held controller 80 communicates with base station 100 through
either a wireless or wired connection. Base station 100
communicates with a game console. Stated differently, base station
100 receives control signals from handheld controller 80 and
communicates them the control data to the game console through its
communications port.
[0063] Another provided embodiment of a universal controller is
illustrated in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, the controller is
tablet 290. In this embodiment touch screen 90 is contained within
housing 300. As illustrated it contains a plurality of discrete
regions that are mapped with different functionality and in some
embodiments, may be illuminated with various features and controls.
Various embodiments of tablet 290 include regions for illumination
of a keyboard, a section for interaction with stylus 280, a mouse
control region 340 and in some instances a specific game control
region 350. As illustrated, tablet 290 may communicate with the
game console through a wireless media or in some embodiments
through communications port 50. FIG. 11 illustrates some exemplary
functional contents of tablet 290. In this embodiment, tablet 290
contains touch sensitive display 90 with an exemplary number of
discrete regions that could include a game control region 350, a
mouse control region 340 a keyboard region 320 a stylus sensitive
region 330. In this embodiment, tablet 290 additionally includes
memory 240 and a communications transceiver 60. In some
embodiments, tablet 290 is battery powered and include battery 400.
In a number of these embodiments, power is received from
communications port 50, such as a USB port, (not shown) and can be
used to power tablet 290 and recharge battery 400. In other
embodiment table 290 may be powered by a plug-in power cable (not
shown). In other embodiments, tablet 290 includes a processor
configured to map various functionality to the regions of tablet
290. In other embodiments, mapping is accomplished by an external
computing apparatus connected to and communicating with transceiver
60.
[0064] An embodiment of a provided computing apparatus 540 is
illustrated in FIG. 12. This embodiment includes tablet 290 touch
sensitive display 90 processor 230, memory 240, and storage media
250. In some embodiments computing apparatus 540 is configured to
communicate with network 10. As illustrated, touch sensitive screen
90 includes discrete sections which are mapped with functionality.
As in other embodiments, these regions include a keyboard region
320, a stylus sensitive region 330, a mouse control region 340, and
in some embodiments game control section 350.
[0065] Mapping, in one embodiment includes designating a set of
pixels on touch sensitive display 90 and associating them with a
specific character. In one embodiment, the mapping of a keyboard to
keyboard region includes storing a character in memory 240 with a
range of pixel locations associated with that character. In an
exemplary embodiment, the character is from the American Standard
Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). Other character code sets
are known in the art and may be used to practice the current
invention. Once mapped, a user striking a "character" on keyboard
section causes a lookup in memory 240 for the associated character,
the character is then read from memory 240 and transmitted by
transceiver 60 (FIG. 11) or in an embodiment where tablet 240 is
embedded in computing apparatus 540 the character is utilized in
the manner consistent with normal usage.
[0066] In like manner, user interaction with stylus sensitive
region 330, mouse control region 340, and in some embodiments game
control region 350 generate data that may be captured, or recorded,
and in embodiments similar to the one illustrated in FIG. 11, the
data is then transmitted by transceiver 60. In embodiments where
tablet 290 is embedded into computing apparatus 540, illustrated in
FIG. 12, data captured from these regions is used in the manner
consistent with normal usage.
[0067] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a provided
method. In this embodiment, flow begins in block 360 where discrete
regions of touch sensitive display are illuminated. As discussed
above these regions can include a keyboard region, a stylus
sensitive region, a mouse control region and in some embodiments, a
game control region. Other regions may be utilized and illuminated
as well. Flow continues to block 370 where a character set is
mapped to the keyboard region. Flow then continues to block 380
where data is recorded from a user interaction with the keyboard
region and in embodiments like those described in FIG. 11, in block
380 the data is transmitted from tablet 290. FIG. 14 illustrates
the flow of another exemplary method. In this embodiment, flow
begins in block 360 where discrete regions of a touch sensitive
display are illuminated. In block 410 data from the stylus region
is recorded and in embodiments like those described in FIG. 11, in
block 380 the data is transmitted from tablet 290. FIG. 15
illustrates a further embodiment of a provided method. In this
method, flow begins in block 360 where regions are illuminated on
the display. Flow continues to block 420 where data associated with
the mouse control region is captured or recorded and in embodiments
like those described in FIG. 11, in block 380 the data is
transmitted from tablet 290. In similar manner the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 16 begins with block 360 where regions of the
display are illuminated. In block 430 game controls are mapped to a
game control region. In block 440 data is recorded or otherwise
captured from the game control region and in embodiments like those
described in FIG. 11, in block 380 the data is transmitted from
tablet 290.
[0068] A further illustration of an integrated universal controller
in the form of a tablet 290 is provided in FIG. 17. This
illustrates a dynamic reconfiguration of tablet 290. In this
embodiment, regions of tablet 290 can be remapped from one function
to another. For example, as illustrated, at one period of time, a
region of tablet 290 may be illuminated and mapped as a keyboard
region and at another time the same region may be illuminated as a
stylus region.
[0069] Turning now to FIG. 18, an exemplary entertainment system is
illustrated. Components of the entertainment system include server
20, communicating with computing apparatus 540 across network 10.
Computing apparatus is additionally communicating with universal
controller 80. Universal controller 80, illustrated in some
embodiments takes to form of a tablet, or stick controller, but
some embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those
particular configurations. As illustrated, server 20 contains
processor 230, memory 240 and storage media 250 and network
interface 60. Additionally, computing apparatus and server 20 may
be communicating with an additional server 20 where other games may
be stored. Contained within storage medium 250 is software module
410, database 30, software application 480 and in some embodiments,
mapping files 420. As illustrated software module 410 contains
Application Program Interface (API) 820. As is known in the art,
software module 410 may be written in a number of programming
languages, such as C, C++, or JAVA.TM.. Additionally, it may be a
compiled module, compiled with any number of compilers, or it could
comprise a scripts, such as a JAVA.TM. script or pearl script, or
an applet written in JAVA.
[0070] In an exemplary embodiment, server 20 hosts a web portal and
additionally contains a number of web pages that can be sent to a
remote computing apparatus 540. In one embodiment, a user computer
communicates with server 20 through the web portal. Server 20 sends
software application 480 to remote computing apparatus 540 for
initialization of game play. As illustrated, some embodiments
include games stored on database 30 while others additionally
include remote 3.sup.rd party games hosted on remote server 20.
Computing apparatus 540 additionally includes display 430 where
game play is graphically depicted.
[0071] API 820 allows game programmers to write games and custom
interfaces for universal controller 80. Through the use of API 820
a programmer may specify which actions of universal controller 80
will map to which game play actions. In this manner, a new game
programmer only need to interact with API 820 to ensure that a
gamer using a universal controller 80 with computing apparatus 540
is able to play the new game. In some embodiments this is
independent of where the game is actually stored. Interacting with
API 820 a game programmer specifies which physical actions with
universal controller 80 will map to which actions within the new
game. Once complete software module 410 generates a mapping file
420. In some embodiments, mapping files 420 are text files that can
be read by computing apparatus 540, in other embodiments, mapping
files are scripts, such as a JAVA.TM. script, in other embodiments,
mapping file 420 may be compiled into a Dynamic Linked Library
(dll) file and loaded into memory when software application 480
executes on remote computing apparatus 430.
[0072] An exemplary method is illustrated in FIG. 19. In this
embodiment, flow begins in block 440 where the server 20 provides a
software module with an API. As described above, the software
module allows a game programmer to specify a controller mapping.
Flow continues to block 450 where a mapping file is generated for a
particular game. Flow then continues to block 460 where the mapping
file is sent to a remote computing apparatus. In block 470 the
mapping filed is installed on the remote computing apparatus. When
game play is initialized on remote computing apparatus 540, signals
received from universal controller 80 are mapped to the appropriate
actions within the game.
[0073] One feature of this embodiment is that it provides a method
that includes providing a software module 410 on a server 20, the
software module having an application program interface 820, the
software module 410 configured to allow a game programmer to
specify a controller mapping. Software module 410 then generates a
mapping file 420, from the software module, the mapping file 420
specifying a mapping of actions on a universal controller 80, to a
game developed by the game programmer. As described above, server
20 then transmits the mapping file 420 to a remote computing
apparatus 540 across a network 10, the remote computing apparatus
540 configured to operate with a universal controller 80. The
mapping file 420 is then installed on the remote apparatus 430. The
mapping file 420 configures the computing apparatus 540 to map
signals received from the universal controller 80 to actions within
a game displayed on a display on the display 430 computing
apparatus 540. This allows a game programmer to release new games
to the public without the need for new controllers. By utilizing
the provided software module, universal controller can be remapped
to the requirements of the new game.
[0074] A further provided method is illustrated in FIG. 20. In this
embodiment, flow begins with block 490 where a web portal is
provided on a server 20. The web portal is configured to provide a
web page to remote computing apparatus 540 across network 10. Flow
continues to block 500 where server 20 determines if software
application 480 has been installed on remote computing apparatus
500. Flow continues to conditional block 510. If software
application 480 is not installed on remote computing apparatus 540,
flow continues to block 520 where software application 540 is
downloaded and installed on remote computing apparatus 540. When
software program 480 is executed on remote computing apparatus 530
a web browser is initialized in block 530. in one embodiment in the
first instance of browser initialization by software application
480 the browser is initialized with a toolbar enabled. In this
embodiment, the enabled tool bar contains a plurality of game
selections. Flow continues to block 560 where auto mapping of
mapping files 420 is enabled.
[0075] Returning to decision block 510 if it is determined that
software application 480 has been installed on remote computing
apparatus 540, flow continues to block 550. When software program
480 is initializes it is executed in block 550. Flow continues to
block 570 where software program 570 initializes a web browser with
a tool bar disabled. Flow then continues to block 580 where server
20 determines if the web browser is accessing the web portal. If,
in decision block 590 it is determined that the web browser is not
accessing the web portal flow continues back to block 580 and waits
until the web browser is accessing the web portal. If in decision
block 590 it is determined that web browser is accessing the
portal, flow continues to block 600 where the tool bar is enabled.
Flow then continues to block 610 where auto mapping of mapping
files 420 is enabled. an exemplary web browser with a tool bar is
illustrated in FIG. 23.
[0076] Methods of providing a web portal are known in the art. An
exemplary method includes running web server software, such as
Apache web server on a computing apparatus. Various embodiments of
software application were developed in JAVA.TM. programming
language, but the present invention is not limited to JAVA.TM..
Those of ordinary skill in the art know that any computer
programming language can be used to develop software application
480. For example, C or C++. There are a number of Integrated
Development Environments (IDEs) that are advantageous for the
development. An exemplary IDE is Visual C++ which allows a
programmer to utilize web browser objects within the program.
Further, when installing a software program, methods known in the
art allow for a program to write a flag to a registry file and to
communicate the presence of this flag to a remote server. Thus
allowing the server to detect whether a particular software program
has been installed on the remote computing apparatus. Other known
methods of detection may include the installer asking a user to
register the software during installation. This registration
communicated to the server. Other installers can be created that do
not prompt the user for permission to register, merely inform the
server that the software program has been installed. Further,
methods of determining if a web server is communicating with a
particular computing apparatus are known. Exemplary methods include
identification by the server of the remote computing apparatus'
Internet Protocol (IP) address.
[0077] Turning now to FIG. 21 which illustrates the flow of an
alternate embodiment of a provided method. In this method, flow
begins in block 620 where a server 20 provides a web portal
containing at least one web page. As is known in the art, web pages
may be created in, for example the Hyper Text Mark-up Language
(HTML) or any other similar web based language known to skilled
artisans. Further, web portals typically communicate using the
Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), other protocols for computer
communication are known in the art and some embodiments are not
therefore limited to either HTML or HTTP. Flow continues to block
630 where the web portal provides a web page to the remote
computing apparatus 540. In this embodiment, the webpage comprises
a document written in a standard web format, such as html, that
includes a number of links. Each of the links indicating a
different game to be played. When a link is selected, flow
continues to block 640 where server 20 determines which game has
been selected. Flow then continues to block 650 where the
appropriate mapping file 420 is selected. Flow then continues to
block 660 where the mapping file 420 is sent to remote computing
apparatus 540.
[0078] Another embodiment of a provided method is illustrated in
FIG. 22. In this method, flow begins in block 670 where a remote
computing apparatus 540 receives a web page from server 20. Flow
then continues to block 680 where game selection is enabled by the
received webpage. Flow then continues to block 690 where, once
selected, a game selection is sent to server 20. In block 700 a
mapping file is received from server 20. Once the mapping file has
been installed, flow continues to block 710 where the selected game
is initialized. Flow then continues to block 720 where a signal is
received from a universal controller 80. In block 730 the received
signal is mapped to a game action. Flow continues to block 740
where the mapped action is displayed on display 430.
[0079] An alternate embodiment of universal controller 80 is
illustrated in FIG. 24. In this embodiment, universal controller 80
contains a communications transceiver 60 enabled to send signals to
a computing apparatus 540 and, in some embodiments, receive signals
from remote computing apparatus 540. As illustrated, this
embodiment additionally contains processor 230, memory 240, storage
media 250, a plurality of accelerometers 750, battery 400, and
battery charging port 110. On the front view controller 80 contains
a touch sensitive display 90. In this embodiment, touch sensitive
display contains no deformations or tactile areas. Contained within
storage media are a set of processor executable instructions, that,
when executed by processor 230 cause a bitmap stored in storage
media 250 to be mapped and illuminated on touch sensitive display
90. In this manner, universal controller can be updated with
additional bitmaps and take on completely different appearance
depending on which game is selected for play.
[0080] A method for interaction between computing apparatus 540 and
universal controller 80 is depicted in FIG. 25. In this embodiment,
flow begins in block 670 and continues through block 700 in the
manner described above. Flow then continues to block 760 where a
new game is received from server 760. In this embodiment, server 20
additionally stores controller interface files (bitmaps) that
relate to each game. Flow then continued to block 770 where
computing apparatus 540 determines if the appropriate controller
interface is on its storage media 250. If, in decision block 780 it
is determined that the file is not present locally, flow continues
to block 790 where the appropriate interface is requested from
server 20. Flow then continues to block 800 where the interface
file is received from server 20. Flow then continues to block 810
where the interface file is sent to universal controller 80 and
installed. Returning to decision block 780, it is determined that
the correct interface file is on computing apparatus' storage media
flow continues to block 810 where it is sent to universal
controller 80 and installed. In an alternate embodiment (not shown)
when a new game is received from server 20 a message is sent to
universal controller 80 indicating the game to be played and the
version of the interface file. If the appropriate file is stored
within universal controller's storage medium 250 the file is not
sent from computing apparatus 540. If the file is not on universal
controller 80, the file is transmitted from computing apparatus 540
and installed on universal controller 80.
[0081] Various embodiments of a provided computing apparatus are
illustrated in FIGS. 26 (a)-(h). In these embodiments, at least
one, and in some instances two touch screen displays are used. As
illustrated, some embodiments of the computing apparatus are
connected in a manner to allow a wide range of movement between the
displays. A central feature of these embodiments, is that the
computing apparatus is configured with a set of instructions that
when executed by a processor contained within the apparatus,
different regions of the display(s) are mapped to different
functions. For example, as seen in FIG. 26 (H), a region of the
display is configured as a keyboard, and that region is mapped to
the functionality of a keyboard. In other situations, illustrated
in FIG. 26 (G) the same region is illuminated as a game control
region and is mapped to receive inputs from a stylus.
[0082] Embodiments of the software present on the computing
apparatus have been reduced to practice using JAVA programming
language. Other languages, such as C or C++ are known in the art
and some embodiments are not limited to the particular programming
language used to implement the functionality described. Further,
one of ordinary skill, given this disclosure, will know how to make
and use the invention, because graphics rendering, region mapping,
and interaction with computer input peripherals are all within the
knowledge of a skilled artisan.
[0083] Thus, it is seen that an online entertainment system,
universal controller system, methods and computer software product
are provided. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the
present invention can be practiced by other than the
above-described embodiments, which are presented in this
description for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. The
specification and drawings are not intended to limit the
exclusionary scope of this patent document. It is noted that
various equivalents for the particular embodiments discussed in
this description may practice the invention as well. That is, while
the present invention has been described in conjunction with
specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives,
modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing
description. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention
embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall
within the scope of the appended claims. The fact that a product,
process or method exhibits differences from one or more of the
above-described exemplary embodiments does not mean that the
product or process is outside the scope (literal scope and/or other
legally-recognized scope) of the following claims.
* * * * *