U.S. patent application number 13/174447 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-03 for dual screen game module.
This patent application is currently assigned to IMERJ LLC. Invention is credited to Mo Selim.
Application Number | 20130005469 13/174447 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47391189 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130005469 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Selim; Mo |
January 3, 2013 |
DUAL SCREEN GAME MODULE
Abstract
Systems for, and methods of, dual screen gaming modules are
described herein. A first screen can be configured in whole or in
part as a display for the game or a controller for a game.
Similarly, a second screen can be configured as a display or a
controller for a game. The two screens are configured to appear as
one contiguous screen. Controller functions including size,
placement and sensitivity to pressure can be user configured,
pre-programmed or learned by the module.
Inventors: |
Selim; Mo; (Oakville,
CA) |
Assignee: |
IMERJ LLC
Broomfield
CO
|
Family ID: |
47391189 |
Appl. No.: |
13/174447 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2300/1068 20130101;
A63F 2300/204 20130101; A63F 13/92 20140902; A63F 2300/1056
20130101; A63F 13/2145 20140902; A63F 13/26 20140902; A63F 13/218
20140902; A63F 13/22 20140902; A63F 2300/6045 20130101; A63F
2300/1018 20130101; A63F 2300/301 20130101; A63F 2300/1043
20130101; A63F 2300/308 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/37 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. An electronic gaming device comprising: a. a first touch
sensitive screen; b. a second touch sensitive screen adjacent to
the first touch sensitive screen; wherein the second touch
sensitive screen automatically configures as an appropriate game
controller for a game displayed on at least a portion of the first
touch sensitive screen.
2. The electronic gaming device of claim 1 wherein the appropriate
game controller comprises cardinal direction indicators.
3. The electronic gaming device of claim 1 wherein the appropriate
game controller comprises at least one function button.
4. The electronic gaming device of claim 1 wherein a portion of the
first touch sensitive screen also automatically configures as at
least a portion of an appropriate controller for the game displayed
on the first touch sensitive screen.
5. The electronic gaining device of claim 1 wherein a portion of
the second touch sensitive screen displays the game.
6. The electronic gaining device of claim 2 wherein a size of the
cardinal direction indicators is user configurable.
7. The electronic gaming device of claim 3 wherein a size of the at
least one function button is user configurable.
8. The electronic gaming device of claim 2 wherein a location of
the cardinal direction indicators is user configurable.
9. The electronic gaming device of claim 3 wherein a location of
the at least one function button indicators is user
configurable.
10. The electronic gaming device of claim 3 wherein a functionality
of the at least one function button indicators is user
configurable.
11. The electronic gaming device of claim 3 wherein the at least
one function button comprises concentric areas of contact, wherein
each area of contact corresponds to a pressure.
12. The electronic gaming device of claim 11 wherein the concentric
areas of contact corresponding to pressure are user
configurable.
13. A method of displaying an appropriate game controller for a
game comprising: a. displaying a game on a first touch sensitive
screen; and b. configuring an adjacent second touch sensitive
screen as an appropriate controller for the game.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising displaying a game on
at least a portion of the second touch sensitive screen.
15. The method of claim 13 further comprising configuring at least
a portion of the first touch sensitive screen as an appropriate
controller for the game.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein configuring an adjacent second
touch sensitive screen as an appropriate controller for the game
comprises receiving user inputs relating to a functionality of the
controller.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein receiving user inputs relating
to a functionality of the controller comprises receiving user
inputs relating to the placement of a control button.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein receiving user inputs relating
to a functionality of the controller comprises receiving user
inputs relating to the size of a control button.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein receiving user inputs relating
to the functionality of the controller comprises forming concentric
areas of contact corresponding to pressure.
20. An electronic gaming device comprising: a. a first touch
sensitive display screen; b. a second touch sensitive display
screen hingedly coupled to the first touch sensitive display
screen, wherein the first and second touch sensitive display
screens are settable in a closed position and an open position,
wherein in an open position, the first and second touch sensitive
display screens are directly adjacent to one another so as to form
one uninterrupted screen; wherein at least a portion of the second
touch sensitive screen is configured as a controller for a game
displayed on at least a portion of the first touch sensitive
screen.
21. The electronic gaming device of claim 20 wherein a portion of
the second touch sensitive screen also displays the game.
22. The electronic gaming device of claim 20 wherein a portion of
the first touch sensitive screen also configures as a
controller.
23. The electronic gaming device of claim 20 wherein the controller
comprises at least one of cardinal direction indicators and
functional buttons.
24. The electronic gaming device of claim 23 wherein the locations
of the at least one of cardinal direction indicators and functional
buttons on the controller are user configured.
25. The electronic gaming device of claim 23 wherein the sizes of
the at least one of cardinal direction indicators and functional
buttons on the controller are user configured.
26. The electronic gaming device of claim 23 wherein the at least
one of cardinal direction indicators and functional buttons
comprise concentric areas of contact correlating to pressure.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of electronic
devices having multiple display screens. More specifically, the
present invention relates to systems for and methods of enabling
one screen to control another screen.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many portable gaming devices have dual screens for enhanced
gameplay. FIG. 1 shows a prior art portable gaming device 100. The
portable gaming device 100 comprises a first screen 108 and a
second screen 110. Generally, one or both screens are touch
sensitive and can be actuated by the user's finger or use of a
stylus 115. The gaming device is selectively positionable in an
open or closed position via a hinge 109 that physically divides
first 108 and second 110 screens such that they cannot be made
adjacent. Furthermore, the gaming device 100 comprises a set of
cardinal direction indicators 120, functional buttons 130 and
menu/setting buttons 140, all of which are physical buttons or
switches that are fixed in location and size. Because the cardinal
direction indicators 120, functional buttons 130 and menu/setting
buttons 140 are all physical buttons, the device 100 must be made
wider in order to accommodate them next to the second screen 110.
As a result, the size of the second screen 110 is necessarily
limited. Furthermore, because the cardinal direction indicators
120, functional buttons 130 and menu/setting buttons 140 are fixed,
there can be no user configurability of their location, size or
sensitivity to pressure. Still further, since the hinge 109 divides
the first 108 and second 110 screens, they cannot be made
contiguous as one display means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Embodiments of the presently-claimed invention are directed
to systems for and methods of enabling an electronic gaming device
having dual touch sensitive displays that are adjacent to one
another upon opening of the device. In contrast to prior art
solutions, the two screens have the look and feel of one screen,
enabling many embodiments not possible in the prior art. Portions
of the first and second screen can be automatically configured or
user configured as an appropriate controller for a game that is
displayed on the remainder of the first and second screens. For
example, the first screen can display a game, and the second screen
can configure as a controller. Or, a portion of the first screen
can display a game, and the remainder of the first screen in
addition to the second screen can configure as a controller. Still
alternatively, all of the first screen and a portion of the second
screen can display a game, and the remainder of the second screen
can be a controller. The controller can have any functional control
buttons and cardinal directions, all user configured for size and
location. For sensing pressure, splaying of a user's fingers on one
of the screens trigger concentric areas of contact in a functional
button or cardinal direction. The concentric areas of contact
correlate to an amount of pressure, which can be user configured,
prompted by the device, or automatically configured as will be
explained in greater detail below. Advantageously, pressure can be
sensed by a standard capacitive LED based screen without resorting
to expensive and inefficient pressure sensitive touchscreens.
[0004] In a first aspect of the invention, an electronic gaming
device comprises a first touch sensitive screen and a second touch
sensitive screen adjacent to the first touch sensitive screen,
wherein the second touch sensitive screen automatically configures
as an appropriate game controller for a game displayed on at least
a portion of the first touch sensitive screen. Preferably, the
appropriate game controller comprises cardinal direction indicators
and at least one function button. The person of ordinary skill will
readily appreciate that any useful or application specific control
button can be implemented in the first or second touch sensitive
screen as needed to control a particular game. In some embodiments,
a portion of the first touch sensitive screen also automatically
configures as at least a portion of an appropriate controller for
the game displayed on the first touch sensitive screen.
Alternatively, a portion of the second touch sensitive screen
displays the game. Still alternatively, a user configures the
portions of the first and second screens to be game displays or
controllers. A size of the cardinal direction indicators and/or
function button is user configurable. Furthermore, a location of
the cardinal direction indicators or function button is user
configurable. The user can configure the number of function buttons
and location of function buttons once when a game is loaded for the
first time. The device can then prompt the user if they wish to
re-use the same configuration later. Also, multiple configurations
can be stored for multiple users. A functionality, i.e., resulting
action of the at least one function button indicators is user
configurable in the same manner. In some embodiments, the at least
one function button comprises concentric areas of contact, wherein
each area of contact corresponds to a pressure. Inner areas,
indicating a light contact, correlate to low pressure. As the user
presses more firmly, their finger splays and contacts a more of the
concentric areas, correlating to higher pressure. The concentric
areas of contact can be user defined, or prompted by the device to
be configured in a "test mode" or "setup mode." In some
embodiments, all user controls are configured in a "test mode."
[0005] In another aspect of the invention, a method of displaying
an appropriate game controller for a game comprises displaying a
game on a first touch sensitive screen, and configuring an adjacent
second touch sensitive screen as an appropriate controller for the
game. In some embodiments, the method further comprises displaying
a game on at least a portion of the second touch sensitive screen
and configuring at least a portion of the first touch sensitive
screen as an appropriate controller for the game. Configuring an
adjacent second touch sensitive screen as an appropriate controller
for the game comprises receiving user inputs relating to a
functionality of the controller, wherein receiving user inputs
relating to a functionality of the controller comprises receiving
user inputs relating to the placement of a control button and/or
size of a control button. In some embodiments, receiving user
inputs relating to the functionality of the controller comprises
forming concentric areas of contact corresponding to pressure.
[0006] In another aspect of the invention, an electronic gaming
device comprises a first touch sensitive display screen, a second
touch sensitive display screen hingedly coupled to the first touch
sensitive display screen. Preferably, the first and second touch
sensitive display screens are settable in a closed position and an
open position, and in an open position, the first and second touch
sensitive display screens are directly adjacent to one another so
as to form one uninterrupted screen. Stated differently, the two
screens together appear to a user as one fluid screen. At least a
portion of the second touch sensitive screen is configured as a
controller for a game displayed on at least a portion of the first
touch sensitive screen. In some embodiments, a portion of the
second touch sensitive screen not being configured as a controller
can also display the game, or a portion of the first touch
sensitive screen not displaying a game also configures as a
controller. The controller comprises at least one of cardinal
direction indicators and functional buttons. The locations and
sizes of the at least one of cardinal direction indicators and
functional buttons on the controller are user configured. In some
embodiments, the at least one of cardinal direction indicators and
functional buttons comprise concentric areas of contact correlating
to pressure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 shows a prior art dual screen gaming device having
fixed cardinal directions and function buttons.
[0008] FIG. 2A shows a dual screen gaming device wherein a first
screen displays a game and a second screen configures as a
controller.
[0009] FIG. 2B shows a dual screen gaming device wherein a first
screen and portion of a second screen display a game and a
remaining portion of the second screen configures as a
controller.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a dual screen gaming device wherein the
controller is configured on a portion of both screens and different
aspects of a game are displayed on a remaining portion of the first
screen above the controller and a remaining portion of the bottom
screen below the controller.
[0011] FIG. 4A shows a dual screen gaming device wherein a first
screen displays a game and a second screen configures as a
controller.
[0012] FIG. 4B shows a dual screen gaming device wherein a portion
of the first screen displays a game and the remainder of the first
screen and the entirety of the second screen are configured as a
controller.
[0013] FIG. 5A shows concentric areas of contact on a touch screen
corresponding to different levels of pressure.
[0014] FIG. 5B shows a finger splaying against a touchscreen and
contacting different concentric areas of contact.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The systems and methods described herein enable two touch
screens to selectively display a game and/or configure as a
controller for the game. The two touch screens preferably are
hingedly coupled and in an open position appear to a user to have
the same look and feel as one contiguous, unbroken screen.
[0016] The following figures illustrate features of specific
embodiments of the presently-claimed invention. Throughout the
figures, below, identical labels refer to identical or similar
elements. The following embodiments are intended to illustrate the
features of the presently-claimed invention. The invention is not
limited to only the disclosed embodiments.
[0017] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a dual screen gaming device 200 that is
displaying a game and also has a controller configured for the
game. FIG. 2A shows the gaming device 200 displaying a game on an
entirety of a first touch sensitive screen 201 and a controller is
configured on a second touch sensitive screen 202. Preferably, the
first 201 and second 202 touch sensitive screens are rotatably
coupled by a hinge 210 such that in an open position, as shown in
FIG. 2A, the first 201 and second 202 touch sensitive screens are
directly adjacent to one another and appear to a user as one
screen. A dividing line 203 can be artificially located to
segregate the controller portion from the game display portion of
the first 201 and second 202 touch sensitive screens to give the
user the look and feel of the well known hand held gaming devices.
However, the dividing line 203 can be moved as desired or
necessary, as will be explained below. The second touch sensitive
screen 202 is configured as a controller specific to the game being
displayed on the first touch sensitive screen 201. The controller
comprises well known features, such as a cardinal direction
indicator 210 and functional buttons 215. In the example provided,
the first touch sensitive screen 201 is displaying a bowling game.
The cardinal direction indicator 210 can, for example, move the
character 204 about the bowling lane 205. The functional buttons
215 can control, for example, the pullback and release of the
bowling ball 204A. The functional buttons 215 need not be single
touch buttons. For example, a sweeping motion can be called for
across a field on the second touch sensitive screen 202 wherein the
entire field is the functional button 215. In the example provided
in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the game is relatively simple, requiring few
controls. As a result, the game display area can be enlarged and
the controller area minimized. To that end, FIG. 2B shows the
device 200 configured such that the entirety of the first touch
sensitive display 201 and a portion of the second touch sensitive
display 202 both simultaneously and in concert display the game,
and a portion of the second touch sensitive display 202 not
displaying the game is configured as a game controller. By way of
example, a user can pick from two menu and settings buttons 217 and
a pull down menu 220 appears. The pull down menu 220 includes
several choices, such as "display." Within "display," a user can
pick "enlarge" or "maximize" in order to maximize or enlarge the
display area. Furthermore, the functional buttons 215A have been
re-configured as a sliding motion corresponding to the character's
204 release of the bowling ball 204A. The user can sweep the
functional button 215A in the direction of the arrow to simulate
the motion of rolling a bowling ball. Still alternatively, the
functional buttons 215B can be moved into the display area, in an
area that is not critical to game play. In the example of FIG. 2B,
the functional buttons 215B are moved to the right of the lane 205
and do not interfere with standard gameplay. When the display area
is maximized, the dividing line 203 is moved to a new position 203A
to continue to divide between the display area and the controller.
In some embodiments, the line 203A is moved manually. For example,
"manual" is selected from the pull down menu 220 and a user can
drag and drop the line 203A to a certain location to have a desired
game display area and a desired controller area. Still
alternatively, a user can drag and drop the line 203A without
prompting the pull down menu 220.
[0018] FIG. 3A shows exemplary methods of displaying commands for
moving controller functions. Again, a dual screen gaming device has
a first touch sensitive screen 301 and a second touch sensitive
screen 302 rotatably coupled by a hinge 303. The first touch
sensitive screen 301 displays a golfing game. The second touch
sensitive screen is configured as a controller. A user can call a
menu or settings button 317 to show a pull down menu 320. Among the
exemplary selections in the pull down menu 320, a user can select
"move," then may select an individual button by pressing "select,"
or simply "move all." By choosing select, the user puts the device
300 into a pause state with respect to the game and the user can
then drag and drop any of the functional buttons 315, cardinal
directions 310 or settings/menu buttons 317 by holding their finger
down and moving them to a desired location.
[0019] In some embodiments, a secondary game display is desirable.
To that end, FIG. 3B shows the dual screen gaming device 300 of
FIG. 3A wherein a portion of the first touch sensitive screen 301
is configured as a first display area 350 and a portion of the
second touch sensitive screen 302 is configured as a second display
area 352. The remaining area between the first display area 350 and
second display area 352 is configured as a controller area 351. In
this example, the controller area 351 comprises a lower portion of
the first touch sensitive display 301 and an upper portion of the
second touch sensitive display 302. However, the controller area
351 can be entirely located in either of the touch sensitive
screens. The first display area 350 and second display area 352
each display a different aspect of the game. In the example
provided, the first display area 350 shows a golf ball landing in a
putting green. The second display area 352 shows the entire
trajectory of the ball 304 as it travels the length of a fairway.
In a second example not shown, the first display area 350 can show
a character in a "first person shooter" style game, and the second
display area 352 can show a map of the location of the character.
The dividing line, where the hinge 303 is located is provided to
show the physical divide between the first touch sensitive screen
301 and second touch sensitive screen 302. Due to the highly
configurable nature of the controller 351, any of the cardinal
direction indicator 310 or functional buttons 315 can be divided
between the first touch sensitive screen 301 and second touch
sensitive screen 302 without the user's experience being affected.
Alternatively, the second display area 352 can display any other
useful information. For example, the dual screen gaming device 300
can also comprise telephone or smartphone capability. To that end,
the second display area 352 can show the time, weather, incoming
calls, or any other display feature generally available on a
smartphone.
[0020] FIGS. 4A and 4B show the versatility of a dual screen gaming
device 400 with regards to levels of difficulty of gameplay and the
adaptability and configurability of a controller to suit a user's
needs. Both FIGS. 4A and 4B show a curling game displayed in a
display area 450 and 450' respectively. For example, FIG. 4A shows
a curling game in an easy, or beginner mode. Due to the relative
ease of gameplay, less controls are necessary, and the controller
portion 451 uses the entirety or less of the second touch sensitive
display 402 since only two function buttons 415' are needed and the
display portion 450 uses the entirety of the first touch sensitive
screen 401. However, as gameplay advances, a user can be prompted
to take greater control of the characters. As a result, more
functionality is needed, requiring more functional buttons 415'. To
that end, FIG. 4B shows the device 400 automatically configured in
an advanced setting. There are six functional buttons 415' rather
than two. Since more space is needed for the greater control, the
display area 450' in the advanced version is a portion of the first
touch sensitive screen 401, whereas the control area 451' has grown
to encompass the entirety of the second touch sensitive screen 402
and a portion of the first touch sensitive screen 401. Furthermore,
it is understood that any of the functionality, location or size of
any control feature of FIGS. 2A-4B are configurable by the user to
provide a personalized gaming experience.
[0021] In some embodiments, two players can play one game
simultaneously on a dual screen gaming device 500 as shown in FIG.
5. The device 500 is configured to have a first control area 550
for a first user, a display area 551, and a second control area 552
for a second user. In the example provided in FIG. 5, a boxing game
is displayed in the display area 551, and it follows naturally that
a game such as a boxing game lends itself to two players. The first
control area comprises a first cardinal direction 510 and a first
set of functional buttons 515. The first user can configure the
first cardinal direction 510 and first set of function buttons 515
as desired. Similarly, the second control area comprises a second
cardinal direction 510' and a second set of functional buttons
515'. The second user can configure the second cardinal direction
510' and second set of function buttons 515' as desired. As a
default setting, the first 550 and second 553 control areas are
mirror images of each other for enabling identical gameplay.
[0022] In some applications, it is desirable for gameplay for a
device to sense pressure. An analog response to pressure rather
than a binary contact/no contact response resulting from pressing
down on a functional button can enhance gameplay and the user
experience. However, prior art solutions for pressure sensitive
touch screens are expensive and drain an unacceptable amount of
current. However, one aspect of this disclosure is directed towards
a way to sense pressure on a standard capacitive touch sensitive
screen. Referring now to FIG. 6A, a field 600 is shown. The field
600 can be in any location on any of the touch sensitive screens
described in the above Figures and corresponding text. The field
600 is a touch sensitive field having a functional button 610. The
functional button 610 can be any function related to gameplay or
other use. As in the previous embodiments, the functional button
610 can be user defined in terms of functionality, size, and
placement. In the embodiments of FIGS. 6A and 6B, an additional
dimension of user configurability and functionality is included in
the form of concentric areas of contact 601-605 that correspond to
pressure. Referring now to FIG. 6B, a finger 620 is shown pressing
onto the surface of a screen 630 at a contact point 615. During
initial, or light contact, the finger 620 splays slightly at the
contact point 615 and only touches a first area of contact 601.
When the user demands greater response from the functional button
610, they press their finger 620 greater, causing a greater area of
contact 617 between the finger 620 and the surface 630. As greater
pressure by the user is applied, a greater point of contact 618 is
fanned. Finally, maximum contact 619 is made to define the greatest
concentric area of contact 605. Advantageously, such an embodiment
can be realized in a standard capacitive touchscreen currently in
use in most touch sensitive applications. Referring back to FIG.
6A, the concentric areas of contact 601-605 need not correspond
exactly to the boundary to the functional button 610. Since the
user will initially contact the center of the functional button
610, the splaying of the finger 620 will occur mostly out of the
boundary of the functional button 610.
[0023] In some embodiments, the user can enter a "pressure sensing"
test mode where the device prompts the user to apply a light, a
medium, and a maximum pressure onto a defined field. The device
then calculates concentric areas 601-605 of pressure with respect
to the functional button 610. Alternatively, a user can manually
configure the concentric areas of pressure 601-605 as desired.
Still alternatively, the concentric areas of pressure are
pre-programmed into a device. Although a functional button 610 is
shown in the example provided, a cardinal direction or any other
button can also be pressure sensitive in the means described in
FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0024] The present invention has been described in terms of
specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the
understanding of principles of construction and operation of the
invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and
details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims
appended hereto. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the
art that other various modifications are able to be made to the
embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended
claims.
* * * * *