U.S. Pat. No. 9,242,170

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is of the best-contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a game system of the present invention. The game system1000includes a tablet100, an interactive case200, a plurality of accessory medals301-30N and a plurality of application medals401-40N. The interactive case200is arranged to be attached on the back of the tablet100. The interactive case200has a transmission port arranged to connect to a transmission port of the tablet100and communicate with the tablet100through the transmission port. The interactive case200further has a plurality of notches arranged to be connected with the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N. For example, the transmission port of the interactive case200can be a USB plug, a Mini USB plug, a Micro USB plug or a mini lightning plug, but it is not limited thereto. The transmission port of the tablet100can be a USB slot, a Mini USB slot, a Micro USB slot, or a mini lightning slot, but it is not limited thereto. In this embodiment, the transmission port of the interactive case200is arranged to transmit data to and receive data from the tablet100based on a SPI interface or an I2C interface. Moreover, each of the notches is arranged to be connected with an accessory medal or an application medal, but it is not limited thereto.

FIG. 2Ais a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an interactive case of the present invention. In this embodiment, the interactive case200includes an I/O control unit202and a system access unit204. The I/O control unit202is coupled between the plurality of notches and the system access unit204, wherein the I/O control unit202is arranged to retrieve the data from the connected accessory medals301-30N and the connected application medals401-40N through the notches, transmit the data retrieved from the connected accessory medals301-30N and the connected application medals401-40N to the system access unit204, and transmit the commands to the connected accessory medals301-30N and the connected application medals401-40N. Moreover, each of the notches has a plurality of pins. The pins are arranged to be coupled to the to the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N connected with the notches for transmitting data with the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N connected with the notches, and detect whether the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N are placed in the notches. The system access unit204is arranged to be connected between the I/O control unit202and the transmission port, wherein the system access unit204is arranged to transmit data to or receive data from the tablet100through the transmission port, and transmit data to or receive data from the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N through the I/O control unit202.

FIG. 2Bis a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of an interactive case of the present invention. In this embodiment, the interactive case200includes an I/O control unit202, a system access unit204, a storage unit206and an identification unit208. The interactive case200ofFIG. 2Bis similar to the interactive case200ofFIG. 2Aexcept that the interactive case200ofFIG. 2Bfurther includes a storage unit206coupled between the I/O control unit202and the system access unit204. The storage unit206is arranged to store the data retrieved from the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N through the I/O control unit202or the data retrieved from the tablet100through the system access unit204. For example, the storage unit206can be a buffer arranged to temporarily store the retrieved data for improving system performance. Moreover, the identification unit208can be an identification chip implemented in the tablet100to identify whether the interactive case200is a licensed device for preventing piracy. Moreover, the identification unit208is further arranged to identify whether the connected accessory medals301-30N and the connected application medals401-40N is a conformed device for preventing piracy.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of an appearance of the interactive case of the present invention. InFIG. 3, the interactive case has twelve notches SL1-SL12arranged to be connected with the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N. Each of the notches SL1-SL12has three pins P1-P3arranged to be coupled to the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N placed in the notches, but it is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the amount of notches is more than 12 or less than 12, but the amount of pins of the notches is not limited thereto.

FIG. 4Ais a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a medal of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N has a storage unit302. The storage unit302is arranged to store an identification data segment. The tablet100is arranged to read the identification data segment from the accessory medals301-30N or the application medals401-40N through the interactive case200to identify whether the connected medal is accessory medal or application medal and the corresponding operation of the connected medal. It should be noted that the accessory medals301-30N are the add-on accessories of game programs, and the add-on accessories are arranged to interact with the game programs. Moreover, the application medals401-40N are the accessories arranged to launch the game programs. In one embodiment, the hardware structure of the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N are the same, but the identification data segment stored in each of the storage units302of the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N are different. Therefore, the tablet100may identify the accessory medals and the application medals according to the identification data segments, but it is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the hardware structures of the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N can be different. For example, the appearances and/or the amounts of pins of the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N may be different, such that the tablet100can identify the application medals from the accessory medals through the interactive case200.

FIG. 4Bis a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a medal of the present invention. In this embodiment, the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N further include an identification unit304. The identification unit304can be an identification chip implemented in the tablet100to identify whether the interactive case200is a conformed device for preventing piracy.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of the appearance of the medal of the present invention. In this embodiment, each of the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N has a bottom side, the bottom side has three pins P1′-P3′ arranged to be coupled to the pins P1-P3of the notches SL1-SL12of the interactive case200for transmitting data. It should be noted that, in another embodiment, the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N further have an output device (not shown) arranged to produce output signals to users, wherein the output device can be a light-emitting device, a display screen, a speaker, etc., but it is not limited thereto. For example, the output device can be an LED arranged to output continuous light or flashing light.

FIG. 6is a flowchart of activating application method of an interactive game method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the interactive game method is applied to the game system1000ofFIG. 1, and is arranged to launch the game programs by the application medals401-40N. The process starts at step S600.

In step S600, the tablet100or the interactive case200determines whether an application medal is connected to one of the notches SL1-SL12of the interactive case200. When an application medal is connected to one of the notches SL1-SL12, the process goes to step S602, otherwise, the tablet100or the interactive case200continues to monitor whether an application medal is connected to one of the notches SL1-SL12of the interactive case200.

In step S602, the tablet100reads the predetermined data segment stored in the connected application medal through the interactive case200. It should be noted that the tablet100enables the light-emitting device of the connected application medal to light through the interactive case200when the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal is successfully read by the tablet100. For example, the tablet100may enable the light-emitting device of the connected application medal to flash once when the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal is successfully read by the tablet100, but it is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the processing unit (not shown) of the tablet100may enable a display screen (not shown) of the tablet100to show the image corresponding to the connected application medal when the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal is successfully read by the tablet100.

Moreover, in another embodiment, the tablet100may vibrate and enable the light-emitting device of the connected application medal to light through the interactive case to notify the user of the read failure when the tablet100is fail to read the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal. Next, the tablet100disables the vibration and turns off the light of the light-emitting device of the connected application medal when the connected application medal, which is failed to be read by the tablet100, is removed from the interactive case200, but it is not limited thereto. It should be noted that the tablet100or the interactive case200also fail to read the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal when the tablet100or the interactive case200cannot identify the connected application medal. Namely, the connected application medal is piracy when the tablet100or the interactive case200cannot identify the connected application medal, but it is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the reason for the read failure may be damage to data stored in the connected application medal or damage to the control chip of the connected application medal.

Next, in step S604, the tablet100identifies the connected application medal according to the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal. It should be noted that step S604may further include recording the connection time of the connected application medal and the notch connected with the connected application medal by the tablet100or the interactive case200, wherein the connection time is the time at which the application medal connects to the interactive case200.

Next, in step S606, the tablet100executes a game program according to the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal. The process ends at step S606.

FIG. 7is a flowchart of activating application method of an interactive game method according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the interactive game method is applied to the game system1000ofFIG. 1and is arranged to launch the corresponding game program in response to the application medals401-40N. The process starts at step S700.

In step S700, the tablet100or the interactive case200determines whether an application medal is connected to one of the notches SL1-SL12of the interactive case200. When an application medal is connected to one of the notches SL1-SL12of the interactive case200, the process goes to step S702, otherwise, the tablet100or the interactive case200continues to monitor whether an application medal is connected to one of the notches SL1-SL12of the interactive case200.

In step S702, the tablet100reads the predetermined data segment stored in the connected application medal by the interactive case200. It should noted that, in this embodiment, the tablet100reads the predetermined data segment from the application medal which is the last one connected to the interactive case200by the interactive case200in step S702when more than two application medals are connected with the interactive case200. Moreover, when the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal is successfully read, the tablet100enables the light-emitting device of the connected application medal to light. For example, the tablet100may enable the light-emitting device of the connected application medal to flash once when the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal is successfully read by the tablet100. In another embodiment, the processing unit (not shown) of the tablet100may enable a display screen (not shown) of the tablet100to show the image corresponding to the connected application medal when the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal is successfully read by the tablet100.

Moreover, in another embodiment, the tablet100may vibrate and enable the light-emitting device of the application medal to light to notify the user of the read failure when the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal is not successfully read. Next, the vibration of the tablet and the light-emitting device of the application medal are disabled when the application medal which is failed to be read is removed from the interactive case200, but it is not limited thereto. It should be noted that the tablet100or the interactive case200also fail to read the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal when the tablet100or the interactive case200cannot identify the connected application medal. Namely, the connected application medal is considered to be counterfeit when the tablet100or the interactive case200cannot identify the connected application medal, but it is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the reason for the read failure may be damage to data stored in the connected application medal or damage to the control chip of the connected application medal.

Next, in step S704, the tablet100identifies the connected application medal according to the predetermined data segment of the connected application medal. It should be noted that, in step S704, the tablet100is arranged to identify the application medal which is the last one connected to the interactive case200according to the predetermined data segment of the last application medal when more than two application medals are connected to the interactive case200. In another embodiment, step S704may further include recording the connection time of the connected application medal and the notch connected with the connected application medal by the tablet100or the interactive case200, wherein the connection time is the time that the application medal connects to the interactive case200.

Next, in step S706, the tablet100determines whether another application medal is connected to the other notches of the interactive case200within a predetermined time since the connected application medal is connected to the interactive case200. For example, the predetermined time may be 5 seconds, but it is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the predetermined time may be 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 seconds, etc. It should be noted that, in step S706, the tablet100is arranged to determine whether another application medal is connected to the other notches of the interactive case200within a predetermined time since the application medal, which was the last one connected to the interactive case200, is connected to the interactive case200when more than two application medals are connected to the interactive case200. When another application medal is connected to the other notches of the interactive case200in the predetermined time, the process returns to step S702, the tablet100reads the predetermined data segment from the other application medal through the interactive case200. When no application medal is connected to the other notches of the interactive case200in the predetermined time, the process goes to step S708.

In step S708, the tablet100executes the game program according to the predetermined data segment of the application medal which is the last one connected to the interactive case200. Namely, in step S708, the tablet100is arranged to execute the game program corresponding to the last of the application medals connected with the interactive case200. It should be noted that the tablet100enables the light-emitting device of the application medal to continuous light when the game program of the application medal is executing, but it is not limited thereto. The process ends at step S708.

For example, the tablet100reads the predetermined data segment stored in the application medal401through the interactive case200to identify the first application medal401and records the position and connection time of the first application medal401when a first application medal401is connected to the notch SL1of the interactive case200. Namely, the tablet100records the connection relationship between the application medal401and the notch SL1, and the time the application medal401was connected to the interactive case200. When a second application medal402is connected to the notch SL6of the interactive case200within 5 seconds after the first application medal401was connected to the interactive case200, the tablet100reads the predetermined data segment from the second application medal402through the interactive case200to identify the second application medal402and records the position (the notch SL6) and connection time of the second application medal402. When no application medal is connected to the interactive case200within the 5 seconds following the second application medal402being connected to the interactive case200, the tablet100executes the game program corresponding to the second application medal402. When another application medal is connected to the interactive case200within the 5 seconds following the second application medal402being connected to the interactive case200, the tablet100repeats the above steps of reading the predetermined data segment and identifying the connected application medal, but it is not limited thereto.

FIG. 8is a flowchart of an application operating method of an interactive game method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the interactive game method is applied to the game system1000ofFIG. 1, and is arranged to perform the corresponding application according to the combinations of the accessory medals301-30N during the game program. The process starts at step S800.

In step S800, when the tablet100executes a game program, the tablet100or the interactive case200determines whether an accessory medal or an accessory medal group is connected to the notch(es) of the interactive case200. When an accessory medal is connected to one of the notches of the interactive case200, the process goes to step S802. When an accessory medal group is coupled to the notches of the interactive case200, the process goes to step S808. When no accessory medal and no accessory medal group are connected to the notch(es) of the interactive case200, the tablet100continues to monitor whether an accessory medal or an accessory medal group is connected to the notch(s) of the interactive case200. It should be noted that step S800may further include recording the connection time(s) of the connected accessory medal and the notch(s) connected with the connected accessory medal by the tablet100or the interactive case200, wherein the connection time is the time that the accessory medal connects to the interactive case200. Moreover, the tablet100defines the connected accessory medals as an accessory medal group when the individual connection times of the connected accessory medals301-30N to the interactive case200is less than a predetermined time, but it is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the accessory medals placed in the predetermined notches constitute an accessory medal group.

In step S802, the tablet100reads the predetermined data segment(s) stored in the connected accessory medal(s) through the interactive case200. Next, the process goes to step S804. In another embodiment, the tablet100enables the light-emitting device(s) of the connected accessory medal(s) to light through the interactive case200when the predetermined data segment of the connected accessory medal(s) is/are successfully read by the tablet100, but it is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the processing unit (not shown) of the tablet100may enable a display screen (not shown) of the tablet100to show the image(s) corresponding to the connected accessory medal(s) when the predetermined data segment of the connected accessory(s) medal is/are successfully read by the tablet100, but it is not limited thereto.

Moreover, the tablet100may vibrate and enable the light-emitting device of the connected accessory medal to light through the interactive case to notify the user of the read failure when the tablet100is fail to read the predetermined data segment of the connected accessory medal, but it is not limited thereto. It should be noted that the tablet100or the interactive case200are also fail to read the predetermined data segment of the connected accessory medal when the tablet100or the interactive case200cannot identify the connected accessory medal. Namely, the connected accessory medal is piracy when the tablet100or the interactive case200cannot identify the connected accessory medal, but it is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the reason of the read failure may be the damage of data stored in the connected accessory medal or the damage of the control chip of the connected accessory medal.

Next, in step S804, the tablet100identifies the connected accessory medal according to the predetermined data segment read from the connected accessory medal.

Next, in step S806, the tablet100performs the application corresponding to the connected accessory medal according to the predetermined data segment of the connected accessory medal. The process ends at step S806.

In step S808, the tablet100read the predetermined data segments stored in the connected accessory medals of the accessory medal group through the interactive case200. In another embodiment, the tablet100enables the light-emitting devices of the connected accessory medals of the accessory medal group to light, sequentially, through the interactive case200when the predetermined data segment of the corresponding accessory medals is successfully read by the tablet100, but it is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the tablet100enables the light-emitting devices of the connected accessory medals of the accessory medal group to light at the same time when the predetermined data segments of the connected accessory medals of the connected accessory medal group are all successfully read by the tablet100. In another embodiment, the processing unit (not shown) of the tablet100may enable a display screen (not shown) of the tablet100to show the image corresponding to the connected accessory medal group when the predetermined data segments of the connected accessory medals of the accessory medal group are all successfully read by the tablet100, but it is not limited thereto.

Moreover, the tablet100may vibrate and enable the light-emitting device of the connected accessory medal to light through the interactive case to notice the user the read failure when the tablet100is fail to read the predetermined data segments of the connected accessory medal, but it is not limited thereto. Next, the tablet100disables the vibration and disables the light-emitting device of the connected accessory medal to light when the connected accessory medal which is failed to be read by the tablet100is removed from the interactive case200, but it is not limited thereto.

Next, in step S810, the tablet100identifies each of the accessory medals of the connected accessory medal group according to the predetermined data segments of the accessory medals for detecting whether the accessory medal group has a corresponding application.

Next, in step S812, the tablet100performs the corresponding application of the accessory medal group according to the predetermined data segments of the accessory medals of the accessory medal group. The process ends at step S812. It should be noted that the tablet100performs the application of the accessory medal which is the last one connected to the interactive case200when the accessory medal group has no corresponding application, but it is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the tablet100performs each of the applications of the connected accessory medals in sequence when the accessory medal group has no corresponding application.

FIG. 9is a flowchart of an application operating method of an interactive game method according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the interactive game method is applied to the game system1000ofFIG. 1, and is arranged to perform the corresponding application in the level of the game program by the accessory medals301-30N. The process starts at step S900.

In step S900, a level of a game program requests a specific accessory medal. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the specific accessory medal may have been connected to the interactive case200before the level of the game program requests the specific accessory medal, wherein the predetermined data segment of the specific accessory medal has been stored in the storage unit of the tablet100or the interactive case200.

In step S902, the tablet100determines whether the specific accessory medal has been connected to the interactive case200. When the specific accessory medal is connected to the interactive case200, the process goes to step S904, otherwise, the process goes to step S906. In another embodiment, in step S902, the tablet100may enable the light-emitting device of the specific accessory medal to light through the interactive case200when the specific accessory medal is connected to the interactive case200.

In step S904, the tablet100performs the application of the level according to the predetermined data segment stored in the storage unit. The process ends at step S904.

In step S906, the display screen of the tablet100shows a message to notice the user to try other accessory medals when the connected accessory medal is not the specific accessory medal requested by the level or no accessory medal is connected to the interactive case200. The process ends at step S906. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the application of the level cannot be executed when the tablet100determines that the specific accessory medal is removed from the interactive case200(step s902) after the predetermined data segment is stored in the tablet100. Moreover, in one embodiment, the predetermined data segments of the accessory medals301-30N and the application medals401-40N are stored in a volatile memory of the tablet100.

FIG. 10is a flowchart of application operating method of an interactive game method according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the interactive game method is applied to the game system1000ofFIG. 1, and is arranged to perform the corresponding application in the level of the game program by the accessory medals301-30N. The process starts at step S1000.

In step S1000, a level of a game program requests a specific accessory medal group. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the accessory medals of the specific accessory medal group may have been connected to the interactive case200before the level of the game program requests the specific accessory medal group, wherein the predetermined data segments of the specific accessory medal group have been stored in the storage unit of the tablet100or the interactive case200.

In step S1002, the tablet100determines whether the specific accessory medal group is connected to the interactive case200. When the specific accessory medal group is connected to the interactive case200, the process goes to step S1004, otherwise, the process goes to step S1006. In another embodiment, in step S1002, the tablet100may enable the light-emitting devices of the accessory medals of the specific accessory medal group to light when the specific accessory medal group is connected to the interactive case200.

In step S1004, the tablet100performs the application of the level according to the predetermined data segments stored in the storage unit. The process ends at step S1004.

In step S1006, the display screen of the tablet100shows a message to notice the user to try other accessory medals when the connected accessory medal is not the specific accessory medal group requested by the level or no accessory medal is connected to the interactive case200. The process ends at step S1006. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the application of the level cannot be executed when the tablet100determines that any of the accessory medals of the specific accessory medal group is removed from the interactive case200(step S1002) after the predetermined data segments are stored in the tablet100.

Moreover, in one embodiment, when the tablet200is idling or the game program corresponding to the medal is idling, the tablet200enables the light-emitting device(s) of the connected accessory medal(s) and/or the connected application medal(s) to light in sequence according to the connection time at a second predetermined time interval.

The interactive game method of the present invention may execute the corresponding application on the tablet100by the interactive case200, the application medals401-40N and the accessory medals301-30N.

Data transmission methods, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of a program code (i.e., executable instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine thereby becomes an apparatus for practicing the methods. The methods may also be embodied in the form of a program code transmitted over some transmission medium, such as electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed methods. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates analogously to application-specific logic circuits.

While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.