U.S. Pat. No. 9,573,058

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention is described herein by way of reference to particular examples and preferred embodiments. The invention is not limited to any aspects of such examples and preferred embodiments. The examples and preferred embodiments are presented for the purpose of illustrating the concepts of the invention and for ease of understanding of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.

In one arrangement, a game application is modified to allow inclusion of a so-called non-interactive player. The game application is adapted to allow registration of non-interactive players. The non-interactive player registers with the game in the usual way, but specifically as a non-interactive player.

In one preferred arrangement, the presence of the non-interactive player is hidden from any interactive game player. This preferred arrangement is described further with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3.

With reference toFIG. 2there is illustrated a network environment ofFIG. 1, including game systems2a,2band2c. In accordance with techniques known in the art, each of the game systems2a,2band2cis registered to play an interactive game, one of the game systems being the game host. The set-up, registration, and initiation of such an interactive game in a networked environment are well understood by one skilled in the art.

In addition inFIG. 2, there is shown a game system50associated with a non-interactive game player. The non interactive game player registers to play the interactive game in accordance with a preferred arrangement but does not become an interactive game player for the game. Bi-directional interface51represents an exchange of control information.

Upon registration, the details of the non-interactive player and the game system50of the non-interactive player are registered and stored with the details of interactive players in the usual way. The address of the non-interactive player is included as an address to which the computer game systems2a,2b,2cof active players should transmit (or broadcast) their data.

Thus the registration for an interactive game is modified such that a games player may register as either an interactive player or a non-interactive player. In the event that all game slots are filled, and therefore the option to register as an interactive player is not available, the games player will only have the option to register as a non-interactive player.

Once registration is complete for all games players, and the game is ready to begin, the details of all interactive games players are provided to the game systems of each interactive player. This may simply involve providing each game system with the address (such as the IP address) of all other interactive game systems participating in the interactive game. In this way each interactive game system can transmit (or broadcast) their data to the other interactive game systems. Such distribution of information to the game systems on completion of registration for the game is known to one skilled in the art.

In accordance with this preferred arrangement, each of the interactive game systems is additionally provided with the address of a game system associated with any non-interactive, but registered, games player. In this way, the interactive games data from each game system is transmitted (or broadcast) to the game systems associated with non-interactive games players.

In the example architecture ofFIG. 2, the games system50associated with a non-interactive player receives their interactive game data on network interface52.

As the game system50associated with a non-interactive player is not interactively involved in the game, there is no requirement for the game system50to be provided with the addresses of the interactive game systems2a,2b,2c. Alternatively, the addresses of all interactive game systems and non-interactive game systems may be provided to all game systems registered, but any game system which is registered as a non-interactive game system may additionally be provided with an instruction to disable transmission of the games data. Alternatively, all games systems may transmit data, with the interactive game systems adapted to ignore any transmissions from a non-interactive game system.

In addition to receiving the interactive games data on network interface52, the games system50receives user input data on controller interface53from controller55. The user input data on controller interface53is that of the non-interactive games player using games system50.

A characteristic of the architecture required for this preferred arrangement is that the interactive game systems operate as normal to render the interactive game to their respective displays. Any non-interactive game system similarly operates conventionally to render the interactive game to its associated display. In addition, however, any non-interactive game system renders additional information based on user input data provided by the non-interactive games player associated with a non-interactive game system. Thus, in effect, the non-interactive games player plays alongside the interactive game, and this is rendered to the display of the non-interactive games player, but the non-interactive games player data is not rendered to the displays of the interactive games players by their respective game systems.

A further preferred characteristic is that the non-interactive game system prevents interaction between a game element controlled by the non-interactive player and any interactive game element.

Thus, the computer game system of a non-interactive player receives the broadcast game information and is able to render that to the display of the computer game console of the non-interactive player.

The operation of the game system50in accordance with this preferred arrangement is described further with reference to the flow process chart ofFIG. 3.

As denoted by step60, the game system50receives the broadcast data from the game systems of the interactive players, such as game systems2a,2b,2c. This data is received on the network interface52. In addition, as denoted by step62, the game system50receives user input data. The user input data is provided on interface53from controller55. As discussed hereinabove, the controller55may be integral to the game system50or may be connected thereto. InFIG. 2, the controller55is shown as being separate but connected to the game system50. This is merely illustrative.

In a step64, the game system50processes the received data. The process operation is a conventional operation for the game system50to operate on the received games data to render a graphical image to the game system display. In accordance with this preferred arrangement, the process64receives an additional input from a step66, which is an instruction to inhibit interaction based on any received user input data. As the non-interactive player is not an interactive player of the game, any interaction between that player and the interactive players is preferably inhibited.

As is conventional, the computer game system of the non-interactive player renders an avatar to the display of the non-interactive player's computer game system50, being the avatar associated with the non-interactive player, as well as rendering the avatars of the interactive games players based on the data received in step60. The non-interactive player may thus play alongside the interactive game, but the avatar is only displayed on their display as their data is not transmitted to or rendered by the other players' computer game systems2a,2b,2c.

In order to ensure that the non-interactive player, whose avatar is not displayed on the other computer game displays, cannot interfere with the interactive game, no collisions or interference of their avatar with other active aspects of the game are permitted. Thus, for example, in a car racing game, if the avatar of the non-interactive player collides with the avatar of an interactive player, on the display of the non-interactive player the avatar is shown as ‘ghosting’ through the other avatar. This may be achieved by rendering the avatar of either the non-interactive player or the interactive player as semi-transparent on the non-interactive players display but with both images still otherwise fully rendered.

This is implemented in a step68. In a step68the game system50determines whether the position of a user avatar coincides with that of another avatar or active game element. As to what is meant by “coincides” may be determined on an implementation basis. Thus it may be determined that the position of a user avatar and an interactive avatar coincide if they are within a certain proximity of each other, or it may only be decided that they coincide if they at least partially overlap.

If it is determined in step68that the position of a user avatar and an interactive avatar coincide, then in a step70the interactive avatar is preferably rendered as semi-transparent (or this may be reversed with the user avatar rendered as semi-transparent). Thus the avatar associated with a non-interactive user, which the non-interactive user controls, remains unchanged, but the interactive element with which a coincidence has taken place is rendered semi-transparent.

After either step68or step70the computer game system50renders the process data to the display (or provides a signal providing the processed data to the display (e.g., a monitor of any of a number configurations) of the system50), as denoted by step72.

Thus the game system50of a non-interactive games player is adapted in order to control the images rendered to the display of the game system50so as no interaction with the interactive game takes place. The game systems of the interactive games players operate as is conventional and are unaffected by the operation of the game system50.

A non-interactive player may join the game from the start. In such a way, a player may join as a non-interactive player from the start of the game and play the full game. The non-interactive player may join in the game lobby. This may be advantageous to a player to allow them to practice, for example, against good players without having to identify themselves. This may be particularly advantageous where a player is learning the game or trying to improve their skills to be more competitive with better players. Where a non-interactive player joins for the start of the game, the game data—such as fastest lap time—for the player may still be retained as game data.

A non-interactive player may alternatively join the game whilst it is underway. Thus the advantages of being in the game may similarly be gained. In addition, this allows a player who wants to actively take part in a game the option of maintaining their interest, or practicing, whilst they wait for a next game to start. Where a non-interactive player joins a game which is underway, their avatar may be introduced alongside whatever current action is taking place. In a car racing game, for example, their avatar may receive a ‘rolling start’ alongside the interactive avatars of other players.

There may be a plurality of non-interactive players. Each non-interactive player may receive the broadcast data from the active players. The computer game system of the non-interactive player renders this on the display of the non-interactive display, and additionally renders the user inputs from the non-interactive player. In this way multiple non-interactive players may play an interactive game as a non-active player, only seeing their own avatar added to the interactive game, and not being able to interact with the interactive game.

Thus in this arrangement a non-interactive player is able to play a game alongside interactive players, but the non-interactive player's presence is unknown to the interactive players of the interactive game, and does not interfere with the interactive game.

The preferred arrangements described with reference toFIGS. 2 and 3has been described in the context of a non-interactive user playing alongside an interactive game in which there are a plurality of interactive users. This arrangement is not limited, however, to an interactive game comprising a plurality of users. The non-interactive player may play alongside an interactive game which has one or more interactive elements, and the interactive elements may be system or game controlled rather than user controlled.

In this arrangement there is thus provided a method of controlling an interactive computer game in which a plurality of users control a respective plurality of game characters, including, for example: a first display associated with a first user and a second display associated with a second user. In this example, a game character or characters associated with one or more first users may be displayed on both the first and second display. Also, a game character associated with a second user may be displayed on only the second display, and the first and second user characters do not interact.

In this arrangement, there is thus also provided a method of playing an interactive computer game that includes: receiving interactive game data associated with at least one active user of the interactive game: receiving user inputs from an inactive user; displaying the interactive game in dependence on the received interactive game data and the received user inputs.

In this arrangement, there is thus also provided a method of playing an interactive computer game that includes: receiving interactive game data associated with at least one active user of the interactive game; receiving interactive game data associated with at least one non-active user of the interactive game; and displaying the interactive game in dependence on the received interactive game data and the received user inputs. In this arrangement, the user inputs of the non-active player are preferably not allowed to cause an interaction with an active element of the interactive game.

In another arrangement, a game application is modified to allow a non-interactive player to play in a previous interactive game. This preferred arrangement is described with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5.

With reference toFIG. 4a, there is again illustrated the general network architecture ofFIG. 1showing game systems2a,2band2cassociated with interactive games players. In addition, there is illustrated a server80, which receives data from the network on a network interface82and communicates control information with other elements attached to the network via bi-directional communication interface84.

In this arrangement, the server80is adapted to run an application that receives all game data for the interactive game on network interface82. Thus, an application running on the server80may register for the interactive game using bi-directional control interface84as a non-interactive player in order to receive the game data. The interactive game data is then stored on the server80. Other techniques for the server80to receive the game data may be possible, such as, for example, all games initiated using the interactive gaming system being transmitted thereto.

The server80thus stores data associated with played interactive games. This data may be made available at a later date as discussed below.

The operation of the server80in accordance with this arrangement is described further with reference to the flow chart ofFIG. 5a. In a step90the game starts, and then in a step92the server80receives broadcast data from the interactive game on interface82. In a step94the server80sequentially stores the interactive data or stores the data with appropriate time information. In a step96it is determined whether the game is completed. If the game is not completed, then the process returns to step92and94. If the game is completed, then in a step98the game is marked as completed and stored as a completed previous game.

The server80may be accessed in order to obtain a previously player interactive game. With reference toFIG. 4bthis is described further.

FIG. 4bshows a non-interactive game system50, such as the non-interactive game system50ofFIG. 2, associated with a non-interactive games player. Under the control of the non-interactive games player, the game system50communicates with the server80over the network6. The game system50communicates on the bi-directional control interface51, with a bi-directional control interface88of the server80. The game system50, on interfacing with the application running on the server80, is provided with a graphical interface rendered to the display associated with the game system50that shows previous interactive games that are available to be accessed. The game system50, under control of a non-interactive games player, may select a previously played game stored at the server80. The game data is transmitted on network interface86and received on network interface52by the game system50. The game may be downloaded in its entirety and stored at the game system50or may be downloaded and used by the game system50as it is received.

In this way the game system50is able to replay a previous interactive game and, in dependence on the data received on the interface50, is able to display the previous interactive game by rendering the data. The game system50renders the data in exactly the same way it would in receiving the data in real-time during an interactive game session. In addition, the game system50may receive user data on interface53from the controller55and render this data appropriately to the display of the system alongside the replayed interactive game.

As described hereinabove with reference to the arrangement ofFIG. 2, a non-interactive game player may then play alongside an interactive game, the only difference being that this is a replayed game rather than a real-time game.

The operation of the game system50in accordance with this arrangement is described further with reference toFIG. 5b.

In a step100the game system50downloads data from the server80. In a step102the game system50receives the interactive games data from the server80. This data is received “as-live”, such that the interactive game can be rendered from the data and displayed to the display of the game system. Data may be downloaded from the server and rendered as it is received, or may be downloaded from the server and stored at the game system and rendered as it is accessed from the game system memory. In addition the game system receives the user input data from the non-interactive player on interface53, as denoted by step104.

In a step106processing of the interactive game data and the user input data takes place, e.g., by operation of the game system50and/or its processor(s). As noted by input from step108, interaction of the non-interactive player with the interactive game is inhibited.

In a step110, similar to step68ofFIG. 3, it is determined whether the position of an avatar associated with a non-interactive player coincides with an avatar of an interactive element of the replayed interactive game. In the event that such coincidence is detected, in a step112the avatar of the interactive element is rendered semi transparent. In a step114the replayed interactive game is rendered to the display, alongside the avatar for the non-interactive player.

In this arrangement the interactive game is replayed in dependence on the data generated during the interactive game, which has been stored, and not as a movie or video. Thus the computer game system of a non-interactive player receives the interactive game data and renders the game to the display ‘as-live’. In addition the computer game system renders the user input data from the controller of the non-interactive player. Thus the non-interactive player plays alongside the replayed interactive game.

The application is preferably controlled such that no interaction is allowed between the avatar of the non-interactive player and the avatars of any interactive data of the replayed interactive game. If such interaction is permitted, the game may be required to terminate as soon as an interaction occurs, e.g. in a racing game as soon as a collision occurs, as the flow of the game is then lost.

In this arrangement it is not essential for a server to store previous games. A games system such as games system50may store an interactive game as it is played, for later use. A games system may need to register to a game—as interactive player or non-interactive player—to receive the game data.

In this arrangement there is thus provided a method of playing a computer game including: downloading a previously played computer game replaying the downloaded game; and playing the downloaded game.

In this arrangement there is also thus provided a method of playing a computer game including: saving a previously played computer game; replaying the saved game; and playing the saved game.

In a further arrangement, a game application is modified to provide for a non-interactive game player's avatar to be displayed to one or more players of the interactive game. This further arrangement is described with reference toFIGS. 6 and 7.

This further arrangement requires the computer game terminal of the non-interactive player to broadcast the user data of the non-interactive player to the computer game systems of the interactive players. As a non-interactive player, however, the non-interactive user's avatar is still not enabled to interact with an interactive player's avatar. Thus, in a racing game, the avatar of a non-interactive user ‘ghosts’ through another car in the event of a collision, e.g. by being rendered as semi-transparent.

With reference toFIG. 6, there is again illustrated the general interactive network game environments ofFIG. 1, showing interactive game systems2a,2b,2c. Also illustrated is the non-interactive game system50. In this further arrangement the non-interactive game system50is adapted to transmit the games data associated with the controller of the game system50on interface120to the network6, as well as receiving games data from the interactive game systems on the network interface120. The game system50is associated with bi-directional control signals122, which allow control information to be passed between the interactive game systems as well as the non-interactive system50, for example during registration for the game.

In addition, one or more of the interactive game systems2a,2b,2care adapted to allow the user thereof to display the avatar associated with the non-interactive game player. The user of an interactive game system such as game system2amay have the option, during the registration process in the games lobby, to select one or more non-interactive games players such that the games data associated with that player will be rendered to the display of their game system. Alternatively the user associated with the game system2amay be able to access an option during a game play to identify any non-interactive game players and render their data. The game system application of an interactive game player is therefore adapted to allow rendering of an avatar associated with a non-interactive game player, but as described previously hereinabove with reference to other arrangements, as the games player is non-interactive then any interaction between such avatar and interactive elements of the game is preferably inhibited.

This further arrangement is described in more detail with reference to the flow process ofFIG. 7. In a step130an interactive game system, such as game system2a, receives all broadcast data on an interface4a. This is a conventional arrangement, where any interactive game system receives interactive game data. The received interactive game data includes game data, including user input data, from one or more non-interactive game systems, such as game system50.

In a step134the game system2aidentifies the player type of the game data received from each player. Thus game data is determined as being associated with either an interactive player or a non-interactive player. In the event that game data is identified in a step136as being associated with a non-interactive player, then in step138any interaction associated with such data is inhibited. In a step140the game data is then processed.

In a step142, similar to step68ofFIG. 3, it is determined whether the position of an avatar associated with an active player is coincident with an avatar of a non-interactive player. In the event that a positive determination is made, then in a step144the avatar of the non-interactive player is rendered as semi-transparent. In a step146the appropriate games data is displayed to a display associated with the game system2a.

Thus in this further arrangement, an application running on an interactive game system is further adapted in order to be able to distinguish between game data associated with interactive players and non-interactive players. The game system associated with a non-interactive player is adapted to transmit user input data for that game system to the network. However this games data may in any event be made available in other arrangements, the game systems of interactive players being adapted to determine whether that data is processed or ignored. There is thus provided a method for participating in a multi-user interactive game that includes: receiving interactive game data generated by computer game consoles of a plurality of active players in a game; receiving user input data generated by a user input device of a non-active player of said game; and displaying the game in dependence on the interactive game data and the user input data.

In the further arrangement further modifications may be applied. In an interactive computer game, in addition to all interactive game terminals being able to receive game data from the various interactive game systems, other levels of interaction may be provided. For example, interactive game players may be able to talk and listen to each other. In the arrangement described hereinabove, where an interactive game player selects the option to allow an avatar associated with a non-interactive game player to be displayed on their display, it may select to allow or to not allow (or block) any voice data from the non-interactive games player to be played.

Similarly in an arrangement in which a non-interactive player is allowed to receive interactive game data from a number of interactive players during an interactive game, the configuration of the interactive game may limit the data available to non-interactive games players. Thus the necessary data to render images to the display, and associated sounds with interactions of those images, may be transmitted to the non-interactive player. However voice data associated with the interactive players of the game may not be transmitted from the interactive games consoles. Thus the interactive games data broadcast may be restricted or limited compared to that which is available to the interactive game players.

Various aspects of the various described arrangements may be combined, no described arrangement being limited to a stand-alone arrangement. In a preferred implementation, all described arrangements are implemented together. Various additional modifications and variations to the invention and its described embodiments will be apparent to one skilled in the art. All deviations from the specific teachings of this specification that rely upon the principles and their equivalents through which the art has been advanced are within the scope of the invention as described and claimed.

For example, the above description comments on the usefulness of the described techniques in providing enhanced operations in the case of an interactive game involving multiple interactive networked players, and particularly for an interactive racing game. The techniques are readily applicable to many other interactive game settings in which a player moves a user-controlled character (avatar) through a virtual game world, interacts with game (or other user) controlled characters (avatars) or objects, including responding to the interaction by selecting particular behaviors or actions for their user-controlled characters, and views the actions of the game controlled characters as they respond to these behaviors or actions.

An embodiment of the invention may include a video game device capable of executing a video game program that incorporates the applications in arrangements discussed above. While such an interactive game program can be executed under any computer system capable of communicating with other devices, the following description is directed to an interactive game program being executed by an interactive game device (e.g., a particular example of an information processing device or computing device) which may be a standalone device for one or more users or a device capable of communicating with other devices. The invention is not limited to use to a particular interactive game device, but it may be implemented with any interactive game device capable of executing an interactive game program according to the present invention, such as a portable interactive game device, an interactive game device adapted for use with a television or other monitor, a computer such as a desktop, laptop, notebook, or other computer, a telephone such as a cellular phone, or any other electronic device adapted for running an interactive game program including the animation methods of the invention.

An example interactive game device or system that may be used as an interactive or non-interactive games system is shown inFIG. 8and denoted by reference numeral12. The device includes a graphics processor24controlling a display driver22via a graphics bus38, a controller interface32receiving controller data on a controller interface bus36, a central processor unit (CPU)26, a network interface42connected to a network bus44, and memory modules28and30. A system bus34connects various elements. The display driver22drives the display20via display bus40.

The example interactive game device of the invention may include one or more monitors on which graphics may be displayed such as one or more LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) and such a display or monitor may be provided within the game housing or as a separate monitor (such as a television). While LCDs are one preferred embodiment, the monitor or display device may be of any other suitable type, e.g., an EL (Electro Luminescence), a CRT, or other display device. Moreover, the resolution of the monitor or display device is not limiting and may vary to practice the invention. One or more speakers allowing game sounds to pass through may also be provided as part of the interactive game device or external speakers may be used such as provided in a television or attached to the game device. The interactive game device may include user input or interface devices such as a set of input devices that may include typical video game input devices such as a cross-shaped switch, a start switch, a select switch, an A button, a B button, an X button, a Y button, a power switch, a left or L button, a right or R button, and the like such as a touch screen or peripherals such as a joystick. Another input device is a touch panel or screen attached on the screen of a second LCD. The housing in many embodiments includes slots for accommodating a memory card (e.g., a game cartridge). The memory card or game cartridge is a storage medium storing the interactive game program run by the interactive game device and, typically, for storing the animations described herein. In other embodiments, though, the interactive game program(s) and graphics may be accessed via a communications network such as the Internet (as described herein).

In implementations in which the video game device is a portable device or is a device that is linked to a television or other monitor/speaker system, the internal configuration of the video game device may include a CPU26mounted on an electronic circuit board positioned in the game housing. The CPU26may be connected to an input/output interface circuit one or more GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)24and a monitor controller as display driver22such as via bus34. A connector or memory interface may be provided for receiving a memory card, which may include ROM storing the video game program including the animations and RAM such as for rewritably storing backup data (e.g., memory28,30, or the like). The video game program stored in the ROM of the memory card is typically loaded to the RAM, and the loaded video game program in memory28and/or30is executed by the CPU26during operation of the video game device12. In addition to the video game program, the RAM28and/or30also stores temporary data produced while the CPU26is running a program. The input/output circuit may be connected to the user inputs or control switch section (e.g., user interface) and monitor. Video RAM or VRAM may be used to provide storage of animations or images rendered according to the invention and may be stored in RAM prior to display by the GPU or other graphics controllers. Memory blocks28and30connected to bus34represent different possible types of memory.

As will be clear to those skilled in the arts, numerous embodiments of interactive game apparatus and interactive game controllers may be used to practice the present invention, e.g., to run the methods described herein as part of an interactive video game program stored on storage medium such as memory card, game cartridge, or the like, and the above description of an interactive game device is not intended to limit the breadth of coverage. For example, the interactive game program may be stored on a disk (e.g., a CD or other data storage media) and downloaded into a computer's memory to be run or run from disk. Alternatively, the game program and its animations may be accessed by using an electronic device to access a Web site or to access (in a wired or wireless manner) memory over a digital communications network such as the Internet and the interactive game may be run remotely or after storage on local memory.