DUAL SCREEN GAME MODULE
Systems for, and methods of, dual screen gaming modules are described herein. A first screen can be configured in whole or in part as a display for the game or a controller for a game. Similarly, a second screen can be configured as a display or a controller for a game. The two screens are configured to appear as one contiguous screen. Controller functions including size, placement and sensitivity to pressure can be user configured, pre-programmed or learned by the module.
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The present invention relates to the field of electronic devices having multiple display screens. More specifically, the present invention relates to systems for and methods of enabling one screen to control another screen.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMany portable gaming devices have dual screens for enhanced gameplay.
Embodiments of the presently-claimed invention are directed to systems for and methods of enabling an electronic gaming device having dual touch sensitive displays that are adjacent to one another upon opening of the device. In contrast to prior art solutions, the two screens have the look and feel of one screen, enabling many embodiments not possible in the prior art. Portions of the first and second screen can be automatically configured or user configured as an appropriate controller for a game that is displayed on the remainder of the first and second screens. For example, the first screen can display a game, and the second screen can configure as a controller. Or, a portion of the first screen can display a game, and the remainder of the first screen in addition to the second screen can configure as a controller. Still alternatively, all of the first screen and a portion of the second screen can display a game, and the remainder of the second screen can be a controller. The controller can have any functional control buttons and cardinal directions, all user configured for size and location. For sensing pressure, splaying of a user's fingers on one of the screens trigger concentric areas of contact in a functional button or cardinal direction. The concentric areas of contact correlate to an amount of pressure, which can be user configured, prompted by the device, or automatically configured as will be explained in greater detail below. Advantageously, pressure can be sensed by a standard capacitive LED based screen without resorting to expensive and inefficient pressure sensitive touchscreens.
In a first aspect of the invention, an electronic gaming device comprises a first touch sensitive screen and a second touch sensitive screen adjacent to the first touch sensitive screen, wherein the second touch sensitive screen automatically configures as an appropriate game controller for a game displayed on at least a portion of the first touch sensitive screen. Preferably, the appropriate game controller comprises cardinal direction indicators and at least one function button. The person of ordinary skill will readily appreciate that any useful or application specific control button can be implemented in the first or second touch sensitive screen as needed to control a particular game. In some embodiments, a portion of the first touch sensitive screen also automatically configures as at least a portion of an appropriate controller for the game displayed on the first touch sensitive screen. Alternatively, a portion of the second touch sensitive screen displays the game. Still alternatively, a user configures the portions of the first and second screens to be game displays or controllers. A size of the cardinal direction indicators and/or function button is user configurable. Furthermore, a location of the cardinal direction indicators or function button is user configurable. The user can configure the number of function buttons and location of function buttons once when a game is loaded for the first time. The device can then prompt the user if they wish to re-use the same configuration later. Also, multiple configurations can be stored for multiple users. A functionality, i.e., resulting action of the at least one function button indicators is user configurable in the same manner. In some embodiments, the at least one function button comprises concentric areas of contact, wherein each area of contact corresponds to a pressure. Inner areas, indicating a light contact, correlate to low pressure. As the user presses more firmly, their finger splays and contacts a more of the concentric areas, correlating to higher pressure. The concentric areas of contact can be user defined, or prompted by the device to be configured in a “test mode” or “setup mode.” In some embodiments, all user controls are configured in a “test mode.”
In another aspect of the invention, a method of displaying an appropriate game controller for a game comprises displaying a game on a first touch sensitive screen, and configuring an adjacent second touch sensitive screen as an appropriate controller for the game. In some embodiments, the method further comprises displaying a game on at least a portion of the second touch sensitive screen and configuring at least a portion of the first touch sensitive screen as an appropriate controller for the game. Configuring an adjacent second touch sensitive screen as an appropriate controller for the game comprises receiving user inputs relating to a functionality of the controller, wherein receiving user inputs relating to a functionality of the controller comprises receiving user inputs relating to the placement of a control button and/or size of a control button. In some embodiments, receiving user inputs relating to the functionality of the controller comprises forming concentric areas of contact corresponding to pressure.
In another aspect of the invention, an electronic gaming device comprises a first touch sensitive display screen, a second touch sensitive display screen hingedly coupled to the first touch sensitive display screen. Preferably, the first and second touch sensitive display screens are settable in a closed position and an open position, and in an open position, the first and second touch sensitive display screens are directly adjacent to one another so as to form one uninterrupted screen. Stated differently, the two screens together appear to a user as one fluid screen. At least a portion of the second touch sensitive screen is configured as a controller for a game displayed on at least a portion of the first touch sensitive screen. In some embodiments, a portion of the second touch sensitive screen not being configured as a controller can also display the game, or a portion of the first touch sensitive screen not displaying a game also configures as a controller. The controller comprises at least one of cardinal direction indicators and functional buttons. The locations and sizes of the at least one of cardinal direction indicators and functional buttons on the controller are user configured. In some embodiments, the at least one of cardinal direction indicators and functional buttons comprise concentric areas of contact correlating to pressure.
The systems and methods described herein enable two touch screens to selectively display a game and/or configure as a controller for the game. The two touch screens preferably are hingedly coupled and in an open position appear to a user to have the same look and feel as one contiguous, unbroken screen.
The following figures illustrate features of specific embodiments of the presently-claimed invention. Throughout the figures, below, identical labels refer to identical or similar elements. The following embodiments are intended to illustrate the features of the presently-claimed invention. The invention is not limited to only the disclosed embodiments.
In some embodiments, a secondary game display is desirable. To that end,
In some embodiments, two players can play one game simultaneously on a dual screen gaming device 500 as shown in
In some applications, it is desirable for gameplay for a device to sense pressure. An analog response to pressure rather than a binary contact/no contact response resulting from pressing down on a functional button can enhance gameplay and the user experience. However, prior art solutions for pressure sensitive touch screens are expensive and drain an unacceptable amount of current. However, one aspect of this disclosure is directed towards a way to sense pressure on a standard capacitive touch sensitive screen. Referring now to
In some embodiments, the user can enter a “pressure sensing” test mode where the device prompts the user to apply a light, a medium, and a maximum pressure onto a defined field. The device then calculates concentric areas 601-605 of pressure with respect to the functional button 610. Alternatively, a user can manually configure the concentric areas of pressure 601-605 as desired. Still alternatively, the concentric areas of pressure are pre-programmed into a device. Although a functional button 610 is shown in the example provided, a cardinal direction or any other button can also be pressure sensitive in the means described in
The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other various modifications are able to be made to the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. An electronic gaming device comprising:
- a. a first touch sensitive screen;
- b. a second touch sensitive screen adjacent to the first touch sensitive screen; wherein the second touch sensitive screen automatically configures as an appropriate game controller for a game displayed on at least a portion of the first touch sensitive screen.
2. The electronic gaming device of claim 1 wherein the appropriate game controller comprises cardinal direction indicators.
3. The electronic gaming device of claim 1 wherein the appropriate game controller comprises at least one function button.
4. The electronic gaming device of claim 1 wherein a portion of the first touch sensitive screen also automatically configures as at least a portion of an appropriate controller for the game displayed on the first touch sensitive screen.
5. The electronic gaining device of claim 1 wherein a portion of the second touch sensitive screen displays the game.
6. The electronic gaining device of claim 2 wherein a size of the cardinal direction indicators is user configurable.
7. The electronic gaming device of claim 3 wherein a size of the at least one function button is user configurable.
8. The electronic gaming device of claim 2 wherein a location of the cardinal direction indicators is user configurable.
9. The electronic gaming device of claim 3 wherein a location of the at least one function button indicators is user configurable.
10. The electronic gaming device of claim 3 wherein a functionality of the at least one function button indicators is user configurable.
11. The electronic gaming device of claim 3 wherein the at least one function button comprises concentric areas of contact, wherein each area of contact corresponds to a pressure.
12. The electronic gaming device of claim 11 wherein the concentric areas of contact corresponding to pressure are user configurable.
13. A method of displaying an appropriate game controller for a game comprising:
- a. displaying a game on a first touch sensitive screen; and
- b. configuring an adjacent second touch sensitive screen as an appropriate controller for the game.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising displaying a game on at least a portion of the second touch sensitive screen.
15. The method of claim 13 further comprising configuring at least a portion of the first touch sensitive screen as an appropriate controller for the game.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein configuring an adjacent second touch sensitive screen as an appropriate controller for the game comprises receiving user inputs relating to a functionality of the controller.
17. The method of claim 16 wherein receiving user inputs relating to a functionality of the controller comprises receiving user inputs relating to the placement of a control button.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein receiving user inputs relating to a functionality of the controller comprises receiving user inputs relating to the size of a control button.
19. The method of claim 16 wherein receiving user inputs relating to the functionality of the controller comprises forming concentric areas of contact corresponding to pressure.
20. An electronic gaming device comprising:
- a. a first touch sensitive display screen;
- b. a second touch sensitive display screen hingedly coupled to the first touch sensitive display screen, wherein the first and second touch sensitive display screens are settable in a closed position and an open position, wherein in an open position, the first and second touch sensitive display screens are directly adjacent to one another so as to form one uninterrupted screen; wherein at least a portion of the second touch sensitive screen is configured as a controller for a game displayed on at least a portion of the first touch sensitive screen.
21. The electronic gaming device of claim 20 wherein a portion of the second touch sensitive screen also displays the game.
22. The electronic gaming device of claim 20 wherein a portion of the first touch sensitive screen also configures as a controller.
23. The electronic gaming device of claim 20 wherein the controller comprises at least one of cardinal direction indicators and functional buttons.
24. The electronic gaming device of claim 23 wherein the locations of the at least one of cardinal direction indicators and functional buttons on the controller are user configured.
25. The electronic gaming device of claim 23 wherein the sizes of the at least one of cardinal direction indicators and functional buttons on the controller are user configured.
26. The electronic gaming device of claim 23 wherein the at least one of cardinal direction indicators and functional buttons comprise concentric areas of contact correlating to pressure.
International Classification: A63F 9/24 (20060101);