Multi-user touch-responsive entertainment device

An entertainment device comprising:

• a base unit;
• a display surface on said base unit;
• a plurality of player positions on said base unit circumscribing said display surface;
• a display generating device operable to display a visual image on said display surface;
• a touch/proximity sensing device that detects positions of a user appendage on said display surface;
• a control unit operably coupled to the touch/proximity sensing device and to the display generating device;
• an input controller at each player position that is operably coupled to the control unit;
• and
• wherein the control unit is responsive to signals from the controller and signals representing user appendage positions detected by touch/promixity sensing device to alter data supplied to said display generating device.

An entertainment device comprising:

• a housing having multiple player positions;
• means for generating a visual image;
• means on said housing for displaying said visual image on an image display surface
• means for detecting positions of a user appendage on said image display surface;
• an input controller at each player position for receiving user input;
• and
• control means coupled to said means for generating a visual image, said means for detecting positions of a user appendage on said image display surface, and said input controller, said control means operable to alter data supplied to the means for generating a visual image in response to signals from said input controller and signals from said means for detecting positions of a user appendage on said image display surface.

A method for generating entertainment in a multi-user device, comprising the steps of:

• (a) displaying visual images on a surface around which there are a plurality of user positions;
• (b) monitoring touch or proximity positions of a user's appendage on said surface;
• (c) receiving input from a user via a user input device at one of said plurality of user positions;
• and
• (d) controlling said step (a) based upon a detected touch or proximity positions of said user's appendage on said surface and input received from a user via said user input device.

An entertainment device comprising:

• a touch or proximity-sensitive display surface;
• a plurality of user positions around said display surface;
• a display generating device operable to display a visual image on said display surface;
• a control unit operably coupled to said display generating device, wherein said control unit executes a program to supply data to said display generating device to generate visual images for display on said display surface according to said program, and wherein said control unit supplies said data to said display generating device to change the orientation of said visual images for viewing by a user at a particular user position.

An entertainment device comprising:

• a base unit that supports a display surface;
• a display generating device operable to display a visual image on said display surface;
• at least first and second support members that attach to said base unit and operable to move between a first position and a second position with respect to said base unit;
• first and second connectors attached to distal ends of said first and second support members that removeably hold said display generating device above said display surface when said support members are in said first position;
• a cover member that fits over said display surface of said base unit and having a storage recess to store said display generating device therein when removed from said first and second connectors, said cover member having a body with surface portions that mate with corresponding surfaces of said first and second connectors when said first and second members are in said second position.