Abstract: An example method of accessing a web page includes receiving audio output from speakers of electronic equipment; detecting a cue in the received audio output; determining a web address based on the detected cue; and connecting to a web page using the web address.

Abstract: An example video game program download system and method apparatus for downloading a video game program to a target video game platform in which a processing system receives a download request from the target video game platform requesting downloading of a video game program that executes on a native video game platform different than the target video game platform. In response thereto, the requested video game program is sent along with a program for providing compatibility between the target and native video game platforms.

Abstract: A multi-player networked video game playing system including for example video game consoles analyzes speech to vary the font size and/or color of associated text displayed to other users. If the amplitude of the voice is high, the text displayed to other users is displayed in a larger than normal font. If the voice sounds stressed or is aggressive words are used, the text displayed to other users is displayed using a special font such as red color. Other analysis may be performed on the speech in context to vary the font size, color, font type and/or other display attributes.

Abstract: Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties.

Abstract: The amplitude of a video game player's voice determines how far his or her message is carried to other players in the game. The range a message carries is based on the relative virtual proximity of avatars associated with said players within the virtual game environment.

Abstract: A data processing system and method in which, by way of example, a memory system is coupled to a video game program processing system. The video game program processing system has a predetermined address space for executing programs stored in a program memory portion of the memory system. The contents of a plurality of storage locations determine a configuration of the memory system depending on which of a plurality of different game programs is to be executed by the video game program processing system.

Abstract: A data processing system and method in which, by way of example, a memory system is coupled to a video game program processing system. The video game program processing system has a predetermined address space for executing programs stored in a program memory portion of the memory system. The contents of a plurality of storage locations determine a configuration of the memory system depending on which of a plurality of different game programs is to be executed by the video game program processing system.

Abstract: A messaging system includes a web server computer and at least two video game systems. Each game system is configured to connect to the web server computer via the Internet and to communicate status data indicative of an activity engaged in by a user thereof. The web server computer generates a session file indicative of user status and the status of each of two or persons on a buddy list of the user.

Abstract: A data processing system and method in which, by way of example, a memory system is coupled to a video game program processing system. The video game program processing system has a predetermined address space for executing programs stored in a program memory portion of the memory system. The contents of a plurality of storage locations determine a configuration of the memory system depending on which of a plurality of different game programs is to be executed by the video game program processing system.

Abstract: A video game/communications system is disclosed which permits guest room guests to actively participate in video game play or to use other data processing/communication services. A multi-tasking master host computer stores video games and other application programs on its hard disk, downloads programs to an array of game playing engines in response to guest selections.

Abstract: An airline-based video game system includes a multitasking master computer, which preferably stores video game and other application programs on its hard disk. The master computer is coupled to a set of airplane zone control computers which also perform conventional cabin management tasks. The zone control computers receive data from the master control computer and couple data to identified seat controlling processing units (SEBs). Each SEB receives data from, and couples data to, a set of unique seat display units which are associated with each seat in the airplane. The system downloads application software to the seat display units from the master computer. After receipt of a downloading request, the master computer responds by setting up an application program transmission for generating the display menu which appears on each SDU.

Abstract: A video game/communication system is disclosed which permits guest room guests to actively participate in video game play or to use other data processing/communication services. A multi-tasking master host computer stores video games and other application programs on its hard disk, downloads programs to an array of SNES game playing engines in response to guest selections. Each guest room guest room includes a terminal device which is coupled to the guest's color television and to a game controller. By pressing a game controller menu key, the guest room guest initiates the downloading of applications software by the host computer to the array of SNES engines located within the guest room. A dowmloaded applications program generate a display menu which appears on the guest's television.

Abstract: An electronic entertainment and communications system permits users to actively participate in video game play or to use other data processing/communication services. In a guest room based entertainment system or in a passenger based entertainment system, each guest or passenger is associated with a terminal device including a display and a controller. An array of video graphics processing systems is provided where the number of video graphics processing systems in the array is less than the number of guest or passenger terminals. Each video graphics processing system includes a video graphics program executing processor, which processes information generated during an interactive video graphics display session, and a memory system storing a video graphics program. Each video graphics processing system in the array is assignable to any of the guest or passenger terminals.

Abstract: A video game/communications system permits users to actively participate in video game play or to use other data processing/communication services. A master host computer stores video games and other application programs. Those programs are provided to an array of video graphic processing systems in response to user selections from a user terminal. Each user terminal device is coupled to a display and to a game controller. Each video graphics processing system includes (1) a memory system for storing a video graphics program and (2) a processor that executes the video graphics program and receives information generated during an interactive video graphics display session. A halt controller halts the video graphics program being executed in the video graphics processor at a first point in a video graphics program where a first command is received. In response thereafter to a second command, the halt controller resumes execution of the video graphics program at the first point.

Abstract: A video game/comunications system is disclosed which permits guest room guests to actively participate in video game play or to use other data processing/communication services. A multi-tasking master host computer stores video games and other application programs on its hard disk, downloads programs to an array of SNES game playing engines in response to guest selections. Each guest room guest room includes a terminal device which is coupled to the guest's color television and to a game controller. By pressing a game controller menu key, the guest room guest initiates the downloading of applications software by the host computer to the array of SNES engines located within the guest room. A downloaded applications program generate a display menu which appears on the guest's television.

Abstract: An airline-based video game system includes a multitasking master computer, which preferably stores video game and other application programs on its hard disk. The master computer is coupled to a set of airplane zone control computers which also perform conventional cabin management tasks. The zone control computers receive data from the master control computer and couple data to identified seat controlling processing units (SEBs). Each SEB receives data from, and couples data to, a set of unique seat display units which are associated with each seat in the airplane. The system downloads application software to the seat display units from the master computer. After receipt of a downloading request, the master computer responds by setting up an application program transmission for generating the display menu which appears on each SDU. The initial applications program downloading results in a menu display at every passenger seat which initiated a request.

Abstract: An airline-based video game system includes a multitasking master computer, which preferably stores video game and other application programs on its hard disk. The master computer is coupled to a set of airplane zone control computers which also perform conventional cabin management tasks. The zone control computers receive data from the master control computer and couple data to identified seat controlling processing units (SEBs). Each SEB receives data from, and couples data to, a set of unique seat display units which are associated with each seat in the airplane. The system downloads application software to the seat display units from the master computer. After receipt of a downloading request, the master computer responds by setting up an application program transmission for generating the display menu which appears on each SDU. The initial applications program downloading results in a menu display at every passenger seat which initiated a request.

Abstract: A video game/communications system is disclosed which permits guest room guests to actively participate in video game play or to use other data processing/communication services. A multi-tasking master host computer stores video games and other application programs on its hard disk, downloads programs to an array of SNES game playing engines in response to guest selections. Each guest room guest room includes a terminal device which is coupled to the guest's color television and to a game controller. By pressing a game controller menu key, the guest room guest initiates the downloading of applications software by the host computer to the array of SNES engines located within the guest room. A downloaded applications program generate a display menu which appears on the guest's television.

Abstract: A video game/communications system is disclosed which permits guest room guests to actively participate in video game play or to use other data processing/communication services. A multi-tasking master host computer stores video games and other application programs on its hard disk, downloads programs to an array of SNES game playing engines in response to guest selections. Each guest room guest room includes a terminal device which is coupled to the guest's color television and to a game controller. By pressing a game controller menu key, the guest room guest initiates the downloading of applications software by the host computer to the array of SNES engines located within the guest room. A downloaded applications program generate a display menu which appears on the guest's television.