U.S. patent application number 12/106829 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-01 for interactive multi-player audio gaming device.
This patent application is currently assigned to REHCO LLC. Invention is credited to Daniel Kim, Steven Rehkemper, Jackson Wilson.
Application Number | 20090005171 12/106829 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40161285 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090005171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rehkemper; Steven ; et
al. |
January 1, 2009 |
INTERACTIVE MULTI-PLAYER AUDIO GAMING DEVICE
Abstract
An interactive gaming system, preferably including multiple
interactive storage medium devices, such as digital audio players.
The interactive gaming system enables multiple users to link
digital audio players to a central unit, whereby game play is
structured around the selection of audio data in accordance to
preprogrammed gaming content. The interactive gaming system further
comprises a speaker and circuit board assembly operatively
connected to buttons and lights, whereby multiple users may compete
to answer questions and/or statements regarding audio data included
in the users' digital audio players.
Inventors: |
Rehkemper; Steven; (Chicago,
IL) ; Kim; Daniel; (Portland, OR) ; Wilson;
Jackson; (Evanston, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ADAM K. SACHAROFF;MUCH SHELIST FREED DENENBERG AMENT&RUBENSTEIN,PC
191 N. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 1800
CHICAGO
IL
60606-1615
US
|
Assignee: |
REHCO LLC
Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
40161285 |
Appl. No.: |
12/106829 |
Filed: |
April 21, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60913036 |
Apr 20, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2300/30 20130101;
A63F 2300/8047 20130101; A63F 13/215 20140902; A63F 13/02 20130101;
A63F 2300/1081 20130101; A63F 2300/8064 20130101; A63F 13/54
20140902; A63F 2300/402 20130101; A63F 13/31 20140902; A63F
2300/204 20130101; A63F 13/10 20130101; A63F 2300/6063
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. An interactive gaming system comprising: a central unit
including an upper and lower housing to accommodate a plurality of
buttons, a plurality of I/O ports and a plurality of light sources;
a circuit board assembly mounted to said lower housing including a
processor having pre-programmed gaming content stored on a memory,
the processor in electrical communication with each light source,
each button and each I/O port; means to operatively connect said
plurality of I/O ports to a plurality of storage medium devices;
means to transfer data from said plurality of storage medium
devices to said processor; the pre-programmed gaming content when
activated by the processor facilitates the receipt, organization
and transfer of data received from said plurality of storage medium
devices; and wherein said interactive gaming system utilizes said
data in accordance with said preprogrammed gaming content to
trigger game play and prompt user responses.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/913,036 entitled "Interactive Multi-Player
Audio Gaming Device" filed on Apr. 20, 2007.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an interactive gaming
system, and in particular to a system where multiple users link
audio players to a central unit, whereby game play is structured
around the selection of audio data in accordance to gaming
content.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Interactive gaming systems are well known in the industry.
Such systems include a variety of attributes that trigger game
play. For example, the Giga Pets Explorer by Tiger Electronics
combines a portable hand held gaming device with a TV for expanded
play. "SIMON" is a well-known electronic version that combines
lights and sound to enhance a user's gaming experience. While these
gaming systems are well known, there is always a continuing need
for improvements or changes in the gaming experience.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is
provided an interactive gaming system that includes a central unit
having an upper and lower housing to accommodate a plurality of
buttons, a plurality of input/output ports and a plurality of light
sources. A circuit board assembly is position within the central
unit and mounted to the lower housing and includes a processor in
electrical communication with each light source, each button and
each input/output port. The interactive gaming system further
includes a means to operatively connect to the plurality of
input/output ports to a plurality of storage medium devices and a
means to transfer data from the storage medium devices to the
processor. The pre-programmed gaming content when activated by the
processor facilitates the receipt, organization and transfer of
data received from the plurality of storage medium devices. This
data is used in accordance with the pre-programmed gaming content
to trigger game play and prompt user responses.
[0005] The means to transfer data from the plurality of storage
medium devices to the processor may further include having each I/O
port in electrical connection with a corresponding storage medium
device to receive data from the storage medium devices. Each I/O
port would also be in electrical connection with an amplifier and a
multiplexer for data transfer. The amplifier is able to receive and
convert the data into digital signals for suitable input to the
processor, such that when the processor utilizes the preprogrammed
gaming content to select one of the digital signals based on
parameters included in the preprogrammed gaming content it can
activate one or more of the plurality of light sources in
accordance thereto. In addition, the processor may further direct
the multiplexer to transfer the selected digital signal to an audio
amplifier for output via a speaker. In addition, one of the
parameters included in the preprogrammed gaming content can direct
the processor to select the digital signal first received by the
plurality of amplifiers for output to the speaker. Yet further,
when a user presses one of the plurality of buttons, a second
parameter included in the preprogrammed content directs the
processor to select the next digital signal received after the
digital signal first received for output to the speaker. The system
may also include a means to prompt user interaction by
incorporating cards with questions and/or statements to direct a
user to send data from a user's storage medium device to the
processor via the means to transfer data in accordance with the
preprogrammed gaming content.
[0006] The system may further include an LCD, questions and/or
statements for display on the LCD, and means to prompt user
interaction by incorporating the questions and/or statements
displayed on the LCD to direct a user to send data from a user's
storage medium device to the processor via the means to transfer
data in accordance with the preprogrammed gaming content.
[0007] For use with the system, the storage medium device may
include digital audio players.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] A fuller understanding of the foregoing may be had by
reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an illustrative view of a first embodiment of an
interactive gaming system;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of the internal components of
a first embodiment of an interactive gaming system;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components of a first
embodiment of an interactive gaming system;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an interactive gaming system
for a first embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an illustrative view of a second embodiment of an
interactive gaming system.
[0014] FIG. 6 is an illustrative view of a third embodiment of an
interactive gaming system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0015] While the invention is susceptible to embodiments in many
different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will described
herein, in detail, the preferred embodiments of the present
invention. It should be understood, however, that the present
disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles
of the invention and is not intended to limit the spirit or scope
of the invention and/or embodiments illustrated.
[0016] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, in accordance to a first
embodiment, there is illustrated an interactive gaming system 100
that includes a central unit 110 capable of being connected to a
plurality of interactive storage medium devices 105. The central
unit 110 has an external housing that includes an upper housing 115
and a lower housing 120. The upper housing 115 includes a plurality
of apertures to accommodate a plurality of input and/or output
ports (I/O ports) 130, one or more buttons 135 and a plurality of
lights 140.
[0017] There are several types of interactive storage medium
devices known in the art, including audio players (both digital and
analog), digital cameras, PDAs, etc. Virtually any type of
interactive storage medium may be used with the interactive gaming
system 100 without deviating from the spirit of the invention. In
accordance to a first embodiment, the interactive gaming system 100
is shown and described using one or more digital audio player(s).
As known in the art, digital audio players have the capability to
store and play audio data, along with several other features,
including the capability to synch with a PC to download and upload
audio data. The use of "digital audio players" herein is not meant
to limit the scope of the types of interactive storage mediums.
Those in the art will understand that a variety of interactive
storage mediums may be utilized with the present invention.
[0018] The external housing may take on several different
three-dimensional geometric shapes. Virtually any three-dimensional
shape may be used without deviating from the spirit of the
invention as the outside appearance of the external housing is not
meant to limit the scope of the invention. In accordance to a first
embodiment as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the external housing is in
the shape of a three dimensional oval.
[0019] An integrated circuit (IC) (described below) housed in the
central unit 110 generates content in accordance to a program or
programs and/or in accordance to the input received from the
digital audio players. The generated content would be considered
interactive or evolving with a play pattern designed in the
programming. The generated content may include graphic and/or audio
information or data. The information or data may be generated or
converted into any type of signal or format needed for playing the
content, such as, but not limited to digital, analog, wav, mpeg,
mov, etc. The content would include audio data for emitting through
a speaker (or headphones) and digital data for display on an
integral display (as shown in a second embodiment described below).
The content may also include vibrations or other motorized movement
(such as that found in email alerts or more sophisticated gaming
systems).
[0020] Continuing to refer to FIG. 1 and as mentioned in relation
to a the first embodiment, digital audio players 105, such as MP3
players, may be connected to the central unit 110 by a first means
to communicate 145. The first communication means 145 includes a
wired communication. While not critical to the present invention,
the first communication means 145 would include cables or wires 150
from output ports 155 on the digital audio players 105 to I/O ports
130 on the central unit that operatively connect the digital audio
players 105 to the central unit 110. Those skilled in the art will
understand that the central unit 110 can operatively connect to the
digital audio players 105 in a variety of forms. Therefore, a
second communication means (not shown) in the interactive gaming
system may include a wireless communication. The wireless
communication would be facilitated by well known wireless
components such as a transmitter/receiver. The components needed to
facilitate either modes of communication are widely available and
known in the art, such that further reference is not needed.
[0021] Once the one or more digital audio players 105 are connected
to the central unit 110 the game may commence. In accordance to one
gaming embodiment involving multiple players, the gaming content
and user interaction can be described in the following "play
pattern." To start play, one or more users plug their digital audio
players 105 into separate I/O ports 130. A power switch (not shown)
is triggered to activate the interactive gaming system 100. A user
then draws a card including a question from the deck provided (or
in the case where there is an LCD integral to the central unit 110,
a question appears on the display in accordance with gaming
content). Based on the content of the card, each of the users
scroll through their digital audio players 105 to find audio data
that satisfies the requested content. The users then press "play"
on their digital audio players 105. The corresponding audio data is
sent from the digital audio players 105 to amplifiers and a
multiplexer (described below) via the I/O ports 130. The amplifiers
180 convert the analog signal(s) to digital signal(s) and are then
inputted to an IC. Simultaneously, the analog signals are sent to
the multiplexer from the I/O ports 130. The IC sends a signal to
the multiplexer to identify which of the user's audio signals were
received first and the IC sends a signal to LED drivers to direct a
LED corresponding to a digital audio player to switch to a light on
phase. The first audio signal, here an analog signal, received will
then be transferred to the audio amplifier, where the signal
strength is regulated for output via the speaker. As the speaker
emits the analog signal, the users may determine whether the song
satisfies the requested content from the drawn card (additionally,
the appropriate program may be included in the IC to identify
whether a selected song meets the requested content). If the users
determine that the selected audio signal is an appropriate answer,
a point system may be utilized to keep track of each user's score.
If the users determine that the selected audio signal is not an
appropriate answer, the next button 135 may be pressed to activate
a switch. The switch sends a signal to the IC directing the IC to
select the analog signal received second. This information is then
transferred to the multiplexer which sends the appropriate analog
signal to the audio amplifier, and then to the speaker. This
process may be repeated until a user's analog signal is found that
satisfies the requested content of the card.
[0022] There is a virtually unlimited amount of play patterns that
can be included in the gaming content. The example above is meant
to be but one of the many and is not meant to limit the invention
in any manner.
[0023] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower housing 120
provides a base to mount the internal components to the central
unit 110, including a circuit board assembly (CBA) 160, a speaker.
165, and a power source 170. For wired communication, the I/O ports
130 may be mounted to the upper housing 115. These I/O ports 130
receive data, such as audio data, transferred from the digital
audio players 105. Utilizing an electrical connection (described
below), the analog signals are transferred to a multiplexer 175 and
to the CBA 160 where they are received by a plurality of amplifiers
180. These amplifiers 180 convert the analog signals to a digital
signal suitable for input to the IC 185. The IC 185 then utilizes a
program included in a memory (described below) to select one of the
analog signals based on the program's parameters. For example, when
multiple analog signals are sent to the amplifiers 180, a program
may direct the IC 185 to select the first analog signal received
from the amplifiers 180. In this example, the IC 185 would then
direct the multiplexer 175 to transfer the corresponding analog
signal to an audio amplifier 190. The audio amplifier 190 then
adjusts the frequency level of the analog signal and transfers the
analog signal to the speaker 165 for output.
[0024] Continuing to refer to FIGS. 2 and 3, a control button, such
as a "next" button 135, is in contact with a switch 136, permitting
a user to press the next button and trigger the switch 136. The
switch and next button 135 are mounted to the upper housing 115.
Further, the switch 136 is in communication with the IC 185 by an
electrical connection that permits the transfer of information.
When the next button 135 is pressed, a control signal is sent to
the IC 185 via the electrical connection.
[0025] The processor(s) (described below) accesses game content
(such as preprogrammed signals or audio content) stored on a memory
(described below) in the IC 185. Further, the IC 185, amplifiers
180 (described below), and plurality of LED drivers 195 are in
communication with a power source to access power for activation
and operation.
[0026] In the first embodiment, the interactive gaming system 100
includes a means to trigger game play and responses utilizing
interactive storage mediums. An example of the triggered game play
and responses is included in a "play pattern" example below.
[0027] Also, the interactive gaming system 100 includes a means to
structure game play based on input from the digital audio players
105.
[0028] Additionally, the interactive gaming system 100 includes a
means to prompt user interaction with a series of questions and/or
statements. These questions and/or statements may be included in a
deck of cards or included in gaming content for display on an LCD
where an LCD is included in the central unit as illustrated in FIG.
5. Further, the questions and/or statements could be included on a
DVD for viewing on an external display during play.
[0029] Further, in accordance to the first embodiment, the
interactive gaming system 100 includes a means to utilize a
plurality of digital audio players in accordance with interactive
gaming content. As mentioned above, the gaming content is
considered interactive or evolving with a play pattern designed in
the programming. The gaming content would at least include control
and audio information and/or data. The data may be generated or
converted into any type of signal or format needed for playing or
transferring the gaming content, such as but not limited to
digital, analog, wav, etc. As such, when signals are transferred
from the digital audio players or a control button, the interactive
gaming system responds based on the programming contained within
the gaming content enabling a user to interact with the interactive
gaming system in a variety of different capacities. An example of
this interaction is included in a "play pattern" example below.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown a block diagram
provided especially for the first embodiment of the interactive
gaming system 100. A central unit 110 includes I/O ports 130 to
receive an output pin (not shown) from the digital audio players
105. The digital audio players 105 communicate with the CBA 160 via
the I/O ports 130 and an electrical connection 196 that permits the
transfer of information. Utilizing the electrical connection 196,
data (such as audio content, including analog signals, etc.) can
travel between the digital audio player 105 and the CBA 160.
Included within the CBA 160 are the amplifiers 180, a multiplexer
175 and an IC 185. The amplifiers 180 and the multiplexer 175
receive the analog signal(s) from the digital audio players 105.
The amplifiers 180 transfer the analog signal(s) to the IC 185
after converting the analog signal(s) to a digital format readable
by the IC 185. The IC 185 may then send a control signal to the
multiplexer based on preprogrammed gaming content. Simultaneously,
the IC 185 may also send a control signal to the plurality of LED
drivers 195.
[0031] Further, a control button, such as a "next" button 135, is
in contact with a switch 136, permitting a user to press the next
button 135 and trigger the switch 136. The switch 136 is in
communication with the IC 185 by an electrical connection that
permits the transfer of information. When the next button 135 is
pressed, a control signal is sent to the IC 185 via the electrical
connection 196. The IC 185 may then take this control signal and
respond according to preprogrammed gaming content.
[0032] While receiving a control signal from the IC 185, the LED
drivers 195 also receive an appropriate amount of power from the
power source 170 via the electrical connection 196. The lights 140
are preferably a light emitting diode (LED). These LEDs 140 may
have any number of different colors, or include a white LED with a
lens of desired color. Utilizing the preprogrammed control
signal(s) the IC 185 then directs the LED drivers 195 to transfer
the appropriate amount of power to the LEDs 140 to activate a
desired state. Examples of a desired state include a "light on," a
"light off," or a varying level of illumination for the LEDs 140.
The power is obtained from the power source 170 while the data is
obtained from a processor(s) 197. The processor(s) 197 is designed
to run the program(s) stored on a memory 198.
[0033] Now referring to the communication between the IC 185 and
the multiplexer 175, the multiplexer 175 receives several different
analog or digital signals from the I/O ports 130, and then forwards
a signal selected by the IC 185 on to the audio amplifier 190. In
accordance to programming, the multiplexer 175 is used to forward
on the first signal received by the IC 185 from a corresponding
digital audio player 105. For example, when the digital audio
players 105 send audio data to the I/O ports 130 in response to a
user's input, a signal is sent via an electrical connection 196 to
the IC 185 (and via the amplifiers 180, as described above) and the
multiplexer 175. The IC 185 contains the processor(s) 197 and may
include the memory 198. The memory 198 further includes programming
to facilitate and direct content, control signals, and data within
the central unit 110. The IC 185 is also in communication with the
power source 170. The memory 198 contains gaming content. The
processor(s) 197 in the IC 185 accesses the gaming content based on
a program and/or in accordance to the generated signals received
from the I/O ports 130. The processor(s) then generates a response
that includes signals and may be in the form of analog, digital, or
control signals. From the processor(s) 197, control signals are
sent to the multiplexer 175 to select the analog signal (here,
containing audio data) transferred to the audio amplifier 190 while
control signals are transferred to the LED drivers 195 via an
electrical connection 196. The LED drivers 195 then direct the LEDs
140 to change to a desired state, based on a program and/or in
accordance to a user's input or preprogrammed response. The audio
amplifier 190 simultaneously transfers the analog signals to the
speaker 165.
[0034] Now referring to FIG. 5, in accordance to a second
embodiment, there is illustrated an interactive gaming system 200
that includes a plurality of digital audio players 205 and a
central unit 210 that includes a LCD 212. While the functionality
and communication of the second embodiment are similar to the first
embodiment, the second embodiment further provides the LCD 212 to
enable the questions and/or statements described above to be
included within the central unit 110 and displayed on the LCD 212.
Similar to the first embodiment, a processor(s) accesses gaming
content (such as preprogrammed signals or audio content) stored on
a memory in an IC.
[0035] Now referring to FIG. 6, in accordance to a third
embodiment, there is illustrated an interactive gaming system 300
that includes a central unit 110 capable of being connected to a
plurality of microphones 305 with a button 310. While the
functionality and communication of the third embodiment are similar
to the first and second embodiments, the third embodiment further
provides game play incorporating voice input from users,
transferred to a processor(s) as data. Similar to the first and
second embodiments, the processor(s) accesses gaming content to use
in accordance with the receipt of voice input.
[0036] From the foregoing and as mentioned above, it will be
observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected
without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of
the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with
respect to the specific methods and apparatus illustrated herein is
intended or should be inferred.
* * * * *