Online Interactive Game System And Methods
An apparatus, system, and methods, for an online entertainment system are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus is provided that allows for universal control of games. In some embodiments, the games are hosted at an online portal, which contains a software module allowing a game programmer to specify a controller mapping. When a particular game is selected by a user, the mapping is sent to the local computer. Once installed, the mapping file maps commands received from a controller to specific actions within the game. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/957,001 filed Dec. 14, 2007, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/828,124, filed Jul. 25, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/726,454, filed Mar. 22, 2007, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/540,369, filed Sep. 29, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/368,300, filed Mar. 3, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/255,852, filed Oct. 21, 2005. Priority is claimed to these applications and they are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
This application is additionally related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Touch Screen Computing Apparatus and Methods”, Attorney Docket Nr. 44435-0012; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Universal Toy Controller System and Methods”, attorney docket nr. 44435-0011 both of this are filed contemporaneously herewith.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to computing and entertainment system controllers. More particularly, the invention concerns universal control methods, and apparatus for computing and entertainment systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONUsers are increasing demanding more sophistication in computing and entertainment devices. With this demand ever increasing the electronics industry has responded with a wide range of offerings. Entertainment systems typically include online games, played on a personal computer, or in some instances, can comprise stand alone game consoles. One limitation that users experience moving between environments is that most game controllers are not interchangeable between gaming systems. Additionally, a user comfortable with one type of game controller may not enjoy the same experience when changing to another system may not have the same experience they would on a system with a different controller. Further, many game consoles are like personal computers in that the game controllers use an industry standard interface.
Another limitation inherent in the industry is that after a user is familiar with a specific game, the game becomes rather routine. Unless a mechanism is provided that allows the user experience to change over time, a user may loose interest and not receive the same entertainment experience. Further, touch screen technologies are advancing to the point where controllers could become more functional.
Since a number of games are played online it is additionally important to be able to interface with a computer using a common apparatus. Currently computing apparatus input devices, such as keyboards, mice, and stylus sensitive pads can take up a significant amount of space in a users office and serve essentially one function. This is a limitation of the current technologies employed. It would therefore be advantageous to provide a universal controller for gaming systems and for computing apparatus with enhanced capabilities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONEmbodiments of the present invention provide a computing and entertainment controllers, methods and computer software products. An exemplary embodiment of a provided entertainment system includes at least one hand held game controller with a touch screen and a number of accelerometers. The accelerometers indicating the movement of the hand held game controller. The controllers are configured with wireless communications transceivers allowing them to communicate to a base station. The system further includes a base station that communicates with the hand held controllers. The base station is further configured with a connector suitable for connection to an accessory box and a second connector suitable for connection to a computing device. The entertainment system optionally includes an accessory box with a connecter sufficient for connecting the accessory box to the base station.
In some embodiments, the accessory box is configured to allow additional functionality to be imparted to game play. The entertainment system further includes an online game portal hosted on a server on the network. One embodiment provides a method of interactive play. In this embodiment a signal is communicated from at least one hand held game controller to a base station. Like the above embodiment, the hand held controllers contain touch screens and accelerometers. In this embodiment, the base station additionally receives a communications signal from an accessory box. The base station communicates a command to a computing device that is connected to a server over a network. The computing device sends commands, and other information to the server. The server communicates signals back to the computing device which enable game play on the computing device.
Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a computer software product. The software product is in the form of a computer readable medium. The medium contains processor executable instructions that, when executed by a processor configure a computing apparatus to receive a first communications signal from a base station. This first communications signal includes information received from at least one hand held game controller. The game controller, like the above controllers include a touch screen interface and a number of accelerometers. The configuration additionally includes a configuration to send a second communications signal to a server on a network, the server hosting an online game portal and to receive a third communications signal from the server on the network which enables game play on the computing device, the game play related to a game on the online game portal.
A still further provided embodiment is a computing device accessory that includes a housing, a touch sensitive display that is mounted on the housing, a communications transceiver, and a memory contained within the housing and communicating with the touch sensitive display, the memory containing instructions that, when executed by a processor configure the accessory to illuminate discrete regions on the display, the regions comprising: a keyboard region, a stylus sensitive region, and a mouse region.
Another embodiment provides a computing apparatus that includes a processor, a memory, a touch sensitive display and a storage media the storage media containing a set of processor executable instructions sufficient that, when executed by the processor, configure the computing apparatus to illuminate discrete regions on the display, the regions comprising: a keyboard region, a stylus sensitive region, and a mouse region.
Another exemplary embodiment provides a method of providing interaction with a computing apparatus. In this method the computing apparatus is configured to illuminate discrete regions on a touch sensitive display. The touch sensitive display is mounted on a housing and the housing contains a memory. Some of the discrete regions include a keyboard region, a stylus sensitive region, and a mouse region.
A further provided embodiment includes a computer implemented method that includes providing a computing apparatus, the computing apparatus contains a processor, a memory; and a touch sensitive display. The computing apparatus is configured to illuminate discrete regions on the display, the regions including a keyboard region, a stylus sensitive region, and a mouse region. An additional provided embodiment includes a computer software product. The computer software product including a machine readable media. In this embodiment, the machine readable media contains instructions that when executed by a processor illuminate discrete regions on a touch sensitive display. The discrete regions include a keyboard region, a stylus sensitive region, and a mouse region.
One provided embodiment is a universal game controller system for use with a variety of game consoles. This system includes a game controller which includes a touch screen interface and a first communications transceiver. The system additionally includes a base station; having a second communications transceiver that is configured to communicate with the first transceiver, and a communications port. The communications port is operable to connect the base station to a game console. A further provided embodiment includes a method of enabling game play on a game controller. This method includes communicating a signal from a universal game controller. In this embodiment the universal game controller is configured for use with a variety of game consoles. The game controller includes a touch screen interface and a first communications transceiver. The method further includes receiving the signal at a base station. The base station includes a second communications transceiver which is configured to communicate with the first transceiver, and a communications port operable to connect the base station to a game console. The method further includes communicating a signal from the base station to the game console.
Further provided embodiments include an online entertainment system and methods. In an exemplary method, a software module is provided on a server. The software module includes an application program interface that allows a game programmer to specify a controller mapping. The software module then generates a mapping file which is stored on the server and associated with the game. Once a user selects a game to be played on a remote computer, the server transmits the mapping file to the user's computer. The mapping file, when installed on the user's computer, maps signals received from a universal controller to actions within the selected game.
A still further embodiment provides an entertainment system for providing an interactive experience to a user. The entertainment system includes a server containing a software module. The software module contains an application program interface which allows a game programmer specify a mapping of controller actions to game actions. Based on the mapping, the software module creates a mapping file that is stored on the server and associated with the game. When a user selects a game the associated mapping file is sent to the local computer and installed. When signals are received from a universal controller the information is mapped to actions within the selected game.
An even further embodiment provides a computing apparatus that contains a processor, a memory, and a storage medium. The storage medium includes a set of processor executable instructions that, when executed by the processor configure the computing apparatus to act as a server in an entertainment system. The instructions further configure the server to provide a software module with an application program interface that allows a game programmer to specify a controller mapping. The server is further configured to generate a mapping file for each game and store the mapping file on the server. When a particular game is selected by a user, the appropriate mapping file is transmitted to the user's computer across a network. The mapping file is then installed on the user's computer and when a signal is received from a universal controller, the information contained within the signal is mapped to the game.
Various embodiments of the present invention taught herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
It will be recognized that some or all of the Figures are schematic representations for purposes of illustration and do not necessarily depict the actual relative sizes or locations of the elements shown. The Figures are provided for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention with the explicit understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONIn the following paragraphs, the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. While this invention is capable of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. That is, throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. Descriptions of well known components, methods and/or processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the invention. As used herein, the “present invention” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “present invention” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s).
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods and apparatus for universal control of entertainment or computing systems. As is know in the art there are a number of manufacturers of gaming consoles each with different hand held controllers. In some instances a user may be confused by the differences in controllers and may not have the same experience when moving from one console type to another. Some embodiments of the present invention are directed at overcoming that difficulty by providing a had-held controller and system that may interoperate across platforms. Additionally, in some embodiments, the games may reside on a server on a network and the user may play the games on a computing apparatus like a personal computer. Further, some provided embodiments include a computing apparatus accessory which integrates a multiplicity of input devices into a novel, and in some instances reconfigurable device.
One embodiment of a base station 100 is illustrated in
Hand held controllers 80 further include a communications transceiver allowing for communication with base station 100 in a wireless format. Exemplary communications transceivers that may be used to practice embodiments of the present invention include but are not limited to optical transceivers, radio frequency transceivers, infrared transceivers, BLUETOOTH transceivers (BLUETOOTH is a trademark of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group), RFID transceivers, frequency hopping radio frequency transceivers, and ultra wideband transceiver. Hand held controllers 80 additionally include a plurality of accelerometers, such as orientation accelerometers, motion accelerometers, and acceleration accelerometers which provide data related to the position and movement of hand held controllers 80.
As discussed above, base station 10 includes a like communications transceiver to enable communications with hand held controllers 80. Base station 100 additionally includes a first connector or communications port 50 sufficient to connect base station 100 to computing apparatus 40 (shown here as a monitor). In some embodiments, base station 100 additionally includes a second connector, or port 50 sufficient to connect base station 100 to accessory box 120. Accessory box 120 likewise includes connector 50, and associated electronics enabling communications with base station 100. Exemplary connectors include but are not limited to Universal Serial Bus connectors, FireWire connectors, twisted pair connectors, phone line connectors, and wired medium connectors.
In some embodiments (not shown), connectors 50 are connected to additional communications components such as antennas, optical emitters, and optical detectors. In these embodiments, base station 100 includes an additional communications transceiver such as an optical transceiver, a radio frequency transceiver, an infrared transceiver, a Bluetooth transceiver, a RFID transceiver, a frequency hopping radio frequency transceiver, and an ultra wideband transceiver enabling wireless communications between accessory box 120, base station 100 and computing apparatus 40.
In an exemplary embodiment, base station 100 is configured to route data and commands from and between computing device 40, hand held controllers 80, and accessory box 120. As mere exemplars, this routing may take the form of receiving communications signals from the hand held devices 80 and forwarding the data contained within these signals to computing device 40. In other embodiments, the routing may provide for receiving data from accessory box 120 and sending data to computing device 40. The routed data may include but is not limited to data from at least one of the plurality of accelerometers, and data from the touch screen interface and data from accessory box enabling additional functionality to the entertainment system. In another embodiment, hand held controllers 80 contain a battery recharging port 110. A similar recharging port 110 is provided on base station 100 allowing for the recharge of the hand held controllers' batteries when not in use.
One feature of this embodiment is that the computing device 40 is in communication with 20 server on the network 10. The server hosts a game portal which stores information related to the games, information related to users, and in some embodiments, access information. When a user desires to play a specific game, the computing device may determine from accessory box 120 if the user is allowed to access the specific game. Once the computing device retrieves information on which games a user can access it sends this data to the online game portal. On the server the access data is verified and access is granted to the particular game the user desires to play.
Another feature of various embodiments is illustrated in
One further feature is illustrated in
An exemplary embodiment of an accessory box 120 is illustrated in
Another provided embodiment of a universal controller is illustrated in
An embodiment of a provided computing apparatus 540 is illustrated in
Mapping, in one embodiment includes designating a set of pixels on touch sensitive display 90 and associating them with a specific character. In one embodiment, the mapping of a keyboard to keyboard region includes storing a character in memory 240 with a range of pixel locations associated with that character. In an exemplary embodiment, the character is from the American Standard Code for Information Interchange (ASCII). Other character code sets are known in the art and may be used to practice the current invention. Once mapped, a user striking a “character” on keyboard section causes a lookup in memory 240 for the associated character, the character is then read from memory 240 and transmitted by transceiver 60 (
In like manner, user interaction with stylus sensitive region 330, mouse control region 340, and in some embodiments game control region 350 generate data that may be captured, or recorded, and in embodiments similar to the one illustrated in
A further illustration of an integrated universal controller in the form of a tablet 290 is provided in
Turning now to
In an exemplary embodiment, server 20 hosts a web portal and additionally contains a number of web pages that can be sent to a remote computing apparatus 540. In one embodiment, a user computer communicates with server 20 through the web portal. Server 20 sends software application 480 to remote computing apparatus 540 for initialization of game play. As illustrated, some embodiments include games stored on database 30 while others additionally include remote 3rd party games hosted on remote server 20. Computing apparatus 540 additionally includes display 430 where game play is graphically depicted.
API 820 allows game programmers to write games and custom interfaces for universal controller 80. Through the use of API 820 a programmer may specify which actions of universal controller 80 will map to which game play actions. In this manner, a new game programmer only need to interact with API 820 to ensure that a gamer using a universal controller 80 with computing apparatus 540 is able to play the new game. In some embodiments this is independent of where the game is actually stored. Interacting with API 820 a game programmer specifies which physical actions with universal controller 80 will map to which actions within the new game. Once complete software module 410 generates a mapping file 420. In some embodiments, mapping files 420 are text files that can be read by computing apparatus 540, in other embodiments, mapping files are scripts, such as a JAVA™ script, in other embodiments, mapping file 420 may be compiled into a Dynamic Linked Library (dll) file and loaded into memory when software application 480 executes on remote computing apparatus 430.
An exemplary method is illustrated in FIG, 19. In this embodiment, flow begins in block 440 where the server 20 provides a software module with an API. As described above, the software module allows a game programmer to specify a controller mapping. Flow continues to block 450 where a mapping file is generated for a particular game. Flow then continues to block 460 where the mapping file is sent to a remote computing apparatus. In block 470 the mapping filed is installed on the remote computing apparatus. When game play is initialized on remote computing apparatus 540, signals received from universal controller 80 are mapped to the appropriate actions within the game.
One feature of this embodiment is that it provides a method that includes providing a software module 410 on a server 20, the software module having an application program interface 820, the software module 410 configured to allow a game programmer to specify a controller mapping. Software module 410 then generates a mapping file 420, from the software module, the mapping file 420 specifying a mapping of actions on a universal controller 80, to a game developed by the game programmer. As described above, server 20 then transmits the mapping file 420 to a remote computing apparatus 540 across a network 10, the remote computing apparatus 540 configured to operate with a universal controller 80. The mapping file 420 is then installed on the remote apparatus 430. The mapping file 420 configures the computing apparatus 540 to map signals received from the universal controller 80 to actions within a game displayed on a display on the display 430 computing apparatus 540. This allows a game programmer to release new games to the public without the need for new controllers. By utilizing the provided software module, universal controller can be remapped to the requirements of the new game.
A further provided method is illustrated in
Returning to decision block 510 if it is determined that software application 480 has been installed on remote computing apparatus 540, flow continues to block 550. When software program 480 is initializes it is executed in block 550. Flow continues to block 570 where software program 570 initializes a web browser with a tool bar disabled Flow then continues to block 580 where server 20 determines if the web browser is accessing the web portal. If, in decision block 590 it is determined that the web browser is not accessing the web portal flow continues back to block 580 and waits until the web browser is accessing the web portal. If in decision block 590 it is determined that web browser is accessing the portal, flow continues to block 600 where the tool bar is enabled. Flow then continues to block 610 where auto mapping of mapping files 420 is enabled. an exemplary web browser with a tool bar is illustrated in
Methods of providing a web portal are known in the art. An exemplary method includes running web server software, such as Apache web server on a computing apparatus. Various embodiments of software application were developed in JAVA™ programming language, but the present invention is not limited to JAVA™. Those of ordinary skill in the art know that any computer programming language can be used to develop software application 480. For example, C or C++. There are a number of Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) that are advantageous for the development. An exemplary IDE is Visual C++ which allows a programmer to utilize web browser objects within the program. Further, when installing a software program, methods known in the art allow for a program to write a flag to a registry file and to communicate the presence of this flag to a remote server. Thus allowing the server to detect whether a particular software program has been installed on the remote computing apparatus. Other known methods of detection may include the installer asking a user to register the software during installation. This registration communicated to the server. Other installers can be created that do not prompt the user for permission to register, merely inform the server that the software program has been installed. Further, methods of determining if a web server is communicating with a particular computing apparatus are known. Exemplary methods include identification by the server of the remote computing apparatus' Internet Protocol (IP) address.
Turning now to
Another embodiment of a provided method is illustrated in
An alternate embodiment of universal controller 80 is illustrated in
A method for interaction between computing apparatus 540 and universal controller 80 is depicted in
Various embodiments of a provided computing apparatus are illustrated in
Embodiments of the software present on the computing apparatus have been reduced to practice using JAVA™ programming language. Other languages, such as C or C++ are known in the art and some embodiments are not limited to the particular programming language used to implement the functionality described. Further, one of ordinary skill, given this disclosure, will know how to make and use the invention, because graphics rendering, region mapping, and interaction with computer input peripherals are all within the knowledge of a skilled artisan.
Thus, it is seen that an online entertainment system, universal controller system, methods and computer software product are provided. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the above-described embodiments, which are presented in this description for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. The specification and drawings are not intended to limit the exclusionary scope of this patent document. It is noted that various equivalents for the particular embodiments discussed in this description may practice the invention as well. That is, while the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims. The fact that a product, process or method exhibits differences from one or more of the above-described exemplary embodiments does not mean that the product or process is outside the scope (literal scope and/or other legally-recognized scope) of the following claims.
Claims
1. A method of providing an interactive experience to a user comprising:
- providing a software module on a server, the software module having an application program interface, the software module configured to allow a game programmer to specify a controller mapping;
- generating a mapping file, from the software module, the mapping file specifying a mapping of actions on a universal controller, to a game developed by the game programmer;
- transmitting the mapping file to a remote computing apparatus across a network, the remote computing apparatus configured to operate with a universal controller; and
- installing the mapping file on the remote apparatus, wherein the mapping file configures the computing apparatus to map signals received from the universal controller to actions within a game displayed on a display on the computing apparatus.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the server contains a web portal, the web portal serving a web page to the remote computing apparatus.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising determining, by the server, the presence of an application program on the remote computing apparatus.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising installing the application program on the computing apparatus.
5. The method of claim 3, further comprising initializing a web browser interface, on the remote computing apparatus, in response to a user executing the application program.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising disabling a toolbar when the web browser is initialized.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising determining if the web browser interface is accessing the web portal.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising enabling the toolbar if it is determined that the web browser interface is accessing the web portal, the tool bar enabling the selection of a plurality of games to be played on the remote computing apparatus.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising determining, in response to a game selection from the plurality of games, an appropriate mapping file and transmitting the appropriate mapping file to the remote computing apparatus.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising transmitting a signal from the universal controller to the remote computing apparatus, the transmitted signal comprising at least one of a set of signals responsive to actions by a user.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising,
- receiving the signal on the remote computing apparatus;
- determining which action is represented in the signal;
- determining, from the mapping file, an interaction with the game; and
- displaying the determined interaction on the remote computing apparatus.
12. The method of claim 2, wherein the server contains a database of games, the webpage comprising a plurality of links to games stored within the database.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the server is configured determine an appropriate mapping file in response to a user selecting a link from the plurality of links and transmit the appropriate mapping file to the remote computing apparatus.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising transmitting a signal from the universal controller to the remote computing apparatus, the transmitted signal comprising at least one of a set of signals responsive to actions by a user.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising,
- receiving the signal on the remote computing apparatus;
- determining which action is represented in the signal;
- determining, from the mapping file, an interaction with the game; and
- displaying the determined interaction on the remote computing apparatus.
16. The method of claim 2, wherein the server is a first server, and wherein the game is stored on a second server remote to the first server, the mapping file residing on the first server.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the server is configured determine an appropriate mapping file in response to a user selecting a link from the plurality of links and transmit the appropriate mapping file to the remote computing apparatus.
18. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a signal from the universal controller to the remote computing apparatus, the transmitted signal comprising at least one of a set of signals responsive to actions by a user.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising,
- receiving the signal on the remote computing apparatus;
- determining which action is represented in the signal;
- determining, from the mapping file, an interaction with the game; and
- displaying the determined interaction on the remote computing apparatus.
20. An entertainment system for providing an interactive experience to a user comprising:
- a software module on a server, the software module having an application program interface, the software module configured to allow a game programmer to specify a controller mapping;
- a mapping file, derived from the software module, the mapping file specifying a mapping of actions on a universal controller, to a game developed by the game programmer;
- a remote computing apparatus configured to receive the mapping file across a network, operate with a universal controller; and install the mapping file on the remote apparatus, wherein the mapping file configures the computing apparatus to map signals received from the universal controller to actions within a game displayed on a display on the computing apparatus.
21. The entertainment system of claim 20, wherein the server contains a web portal, the web portal serving a web page to the remote computing apparatus.
22. The entertainment system of claim 21, wherein the server is configured to determine the presence of an application program on the remote computing apparatus.
23. The entertainment system of claim 22, wherein the configuration on the remote computing apparatus further comprises a configuration to install the application program on the remote computing apparatus.
24. The entertainment system of claim 23, wherein the application program, when executed, configures the remote computing apparatus to initialize a web browser interface.
25. The entertainment system of claim 24, wherein the configuration further comprises a configuration to disable a toolbar when the web browser is initialized.
26. The entertainment system of claim 25, wherein the server is further configured to determine if the web browser interface is accessing the web portal.
27. The entertainment system of claim 26, wherein the configuration further comprises a configuration to enable the toolbar if it is determined that the web browser interface is accessing the web portal, the tool bar enabling the selection of a plurality of games to be played on the remote computing apparatus.
28. The entertainment system of claim 27, wherein the server is further configured to determine, in response to a game selection from the plurality of games, an appropriate mapping file and transmit the appropriate mapping file to the remote computing apparatus.
29. The entertainment system of claim 28, wherein the universal controller is configured to transmit a signal to the remote computing apparatus, the transmitted signal comprising at least one of a set of signals responsive to actions by a user.
30. The entertainment system of claim 30, wherein the remote computing apparatus is further configured to
- receive the signal on the remote computing apparatus;
- determine which action is represented in the signal;
- determine, from the mapping file, an interaction with the game; and
- display the determined interaction on the remote computing apparatus.
31. The entertainment system of claim 21, wherein the server contains a database of games, the webpage comprising a plurality of links to games stored within the database.
32. The entertainment system of claim 31, wherein the server is configured determine an appropriate mapping file in response to a user selecting a link from the plurality of links and transmit the appropriate mapping file to the remote computing apparatus.
33. The entertainment system of claim 31, wherein the universal controller is configured to transmit a signal to the remote computing apparatus, the transmitted signal comprising at least one of a set of signals responsive to actions by a user.
34. The entertainment system of claim 33, wherein the remote computing apparatus configuration further comprises a configuration to,
- receive the signal on the remote computing apparatus;
- determine which action is represented in the signal;
- determine, from the mapping file, an interaction with the game; and
- display the determined interaction on the remote computing apparatus.
35. The entertainment system of claim 21, wherein the server is a first server, and wherein the game is stored on a second server remote to the first server, the mapping file residing on the first server.
36. The entertainment system of claim 35, wherein the configuration of the server further comprises a configuration to determine an appropriate mapping file in response to a user selecting a link from the plurality of links and transmit the appropriate mapping file to the remote computing apparatus.
37. The entertainment system of claim 20, wherein the universal controller is configured to transmit a signal to the remote computing apparatus, the transmitted signal comprising at least one of a set of signals responsive to actions by a user.
38. The entertainment system of claim 38, wherein the remote computing apparatus is further configured to
- receive the signal on the remote computing apparatus;
- determine which action is represented in the signal;
- determine, from the mapping file, an interaction with the game; and
- display the determined interaction on the remote computing apparatus.
39. A computing apparatus comprising
- a processor;
- a memory;
- a storage medium, the storage medium comprising a set of instructions that, when executed by the processor configure the computing apparatus to act as a server in an entertainment system the configuration comprising a configuration to:
- provide a software module on the server, the software module having an application program interface, the software module configured to allow a game programmer to specify a controller mapping;
- generate a mapping file, from the software module, the mapping file specifying a mapping of actions on a universal controller, to a game developed by the game programmer;
- transmit the mapping file to a remote computing apparatus across a network, the remote computing apparatus configured to operate with a universal controller; and
- install the mapping file on the remote apparatus, wherein the mapping file configures the computing apparatus to map signals received from the universal controller to actions within a game displayed on a display on the computing apparatus.
40. The computing apparatus of claim 39, wherein the server contains a web portal, the web portal serving a web page to the remote computing apparatus.
41. The computing apparatus of claim 39, wherein the configuration further comprises a configuration to determine, the presence of an application program on the remote computing apparatus.
42. The method of claim 40, wherein the server configuration further comprises a configuration to initiate the installation of the application program on the computing apparatus.
43. The computing apparatus of claim 40, wherein the application program lo configures the remote computing apparatus to initialize a web browser interface, on the remote computing apparatus.
44. The computing apparatus of claim 43, wherein a toolbar is initially disabled when the web browser is initialized.
45. The computing apparatus of claim 44, wherein the server configuration further comprises a configuration to determine if the web browser interface is accessing the web portal.
46. The computing apparatus of claim 45, wherein the server configuration further comprises a configuration to enable the toolbar if it is determined that the web browser interface is accessing the web portal, the tool bar enabling the selection of a plurality of games to be played on the remote computing apparatus.
47. The computing apparatus of claim 46, wherein the server configuration further comprises a configuration to determine, in response to a game selection from the plurality of games, an appropriate mapping file and transmit the appropriate mapping file to the remote computing apparatus.
48. The computing apparatus of claim 47, wherein the universal controller is configured to transmit a signal to the remote computing apparatus, the transmitted signal comprising at least one of a set of signals responsive to actions by a user.
49. The computing apparatus of claim 48, wherein the application program further configures the remote computing apparatus to:
- receive the signal on the remote computing apparatus;
- determine which action is represented in the signal;
- determine, from the mapping file, an interaction with the game; and
- display the determined interaction on the remote computing apparatus.
50. The computing apparatus of claim 40, wherein the server contains a database of games, the webpage comprising a plurality of links to games stored within the database.
51. The computing apparatus of claim 50, wherein the server configuration further comprises a configuration to determine an appropriate mapping file in response to a user selecting a link from the plurality of links and transmit the appropriate mapping file to the remote computing apparatus.
52. The computing apparatus of claim 50, wherein the universal controller is configured to transmit a signal from to the remote computing apparatus, the transmitted signal comprising at least one of a set of signals responsive to actions by a user.
53. The computing apparatus of claim 52, wherein the application program further configures the remote computing apparatus to
- receive the signal on the remote computing apparatus;
- determine which action is represented in the signal;
- determine, from the mapping file, an interaction with the game; and
- display the determined interaction on the remote computing apparatus.
54. The computing apparatus of claim 40, wherein the server is a first server, and wherein the game is stored on a second server remote to the first server, the mapping file residing on the first server.
55. The computing apparatus of claim 54, wherein the server configuration further comprises a configuration to determine an appropriate mapping file in response to a user selecting a link from the plurality of links and transmit the appropriate mapping file to the remote computing apparatus.
56. The computing apparatus of claim 39, wherein the universal controller is configured to transmit a signal to the remote computing apparatus, the transmitted signal comprising at least one of a set of signals responsive to actions by a user.
57. The computing apparatus of claim 56, wherein the application program further configures the remote computing apparatus to
- receive the signal on the remote computing apparatus;
- determine which action is represented in the signal;
- determine, from the mapping file, an interaction with the game; and
- display the determined interaction on the remote computing apparatus.
Type: Application
Filed: May 21, 2008
Publication Date: Dec 4, 2008
Inventor: Yu "Brian" Zheng (Walnut, CA)
Application Number: 12/124,876
International Classification: A63F 9/24 (20060101);