Portable game machine

For use with a game machine having a processing system to execute a video game program and player controls operable by a user to generate video game control signals;

• a pager cartridge comprising:
• radio circuitry configured to receive messages containing video game program instructions transmitted via a paging system;
• and
• a connector that, in use, electrically connects said pager cartridge to said game machine, wherein
• said radio circuitry is further configured to transmit messages via said paging system, and
• wherein said pager cartridge is adapted to receive a replaceable video game program cartridge when said pager cartridge is connected to said game machine.

For use with a game machine having a processing system to execute a video game program and player controls operable by a user to generate video game control signals;

• a pager cartridge comprising:
• radio circuitry configured to receive messages containing video game program instructions transmitted via a paging system;
• and
• a connector that, in use, electrically connects said pager cartridge to said game machine, wherein
• said radio circuitry is further configured to transmit messages via said paging system, and
• wherein said pager cartridge is adapted to receive a global positioning system cartridge when said pager cartridge is connected to said game machine.

For use with a game machine having a processing system to execute a video game program and player controls operable by a user to generate video game control signals;

• a pager cartridge comprising:
• radio circuitry configured to receive messages containing video game program instructions transmitted via a paging system;
• and
• a connector that, in use, electrically connects said pager cartridge to said game machine, wherein
• said radio circuitry is further configured to transmit messages via said paging system, and
• wherein said pager cartridge is adapted to receive a digital camera cartridge when said pager cartridge is connected to said game machine.

For use with a game machine having a processing system to execute a video game program and player controls operable by a user to generate video game control signals;

• a pager cartridge comprising:
• radio circuitry configured to receive messages containing video game program instructions transmitted via a paging system;
• and
• a connector that, in use, electrically connects said pager cartridge to said game machine, wherein
• said radio circuitry is further configured to transmit messages via said paging system, and
• wherein said pager cartridge is adapted to receive a read/write memory cartridge when said pager cartridge is connected to said game machine.

A game machine comprising:

• pager circuitry comprising two-way radio circuitry configured to transmit and receive messages via a paging system;
• a user interface enabling a user to provide inputs to said game machine;
• a display;
• and
• a processing system operable in response to user inputs to cause messages received by the radio circuitry of said pager circuitry to be displayed on said display, wherein
• said pager circuitry is incorporated in a pager cartridge removably attachable to said game machine, said pager cartridge further comprising a memory for storing a video game program and said processing system being operable in response to user inputs to execute the video game program stored in the memory of said pager cartridge.

A game machine comprising:

• pager circuitry comprising two-way radio circuitry configured to transmit and receive messages via a paging system;
• a user interface enabling a user to provide inputs to said game machine;
• and
• a processing system operable in response to user inputs to execute a game program in accordance with at least one instruction contained in a message received by said pager circuitry, wherein
• said pager circuitry is incorporated in a pager cartridge that is removably attachable to said game machine, said pager cartridge further comprising a memory for storing a video game program and said processing system being operable in response to user inputs to execute the video game program stored in the memory of said pager cartridge.

A game machine comprising:

• radio circuitry configured to transmit messages via a paging system;
• digital camera circuitry configured to capture an image;
• a user interface enabling a user to provide inputs to said game machine;
• a processing system operable in response to user inputs to cause the image captured by said digital camera to be transmitted as part of a message via said paging system.

A game machine comprising:

• a pager cartridge removably attachable to said game machine and comprising two-way radio circuitry configured to transmit and receive messages via a paging system;
• a game cartridge removably attachable to said pager cartridge while said pager cartridge is attached to said game machine, said game cartridge comprising a memory for storing a video game program;
• a user interface enabling a user to provide inputs to said game machine;
• and
• a processing system operable in response to user inputs to execute the video game program stored in the memory of said game cartridge while said pager cartridge is attached to said game machine and while said game cartridge is attached to said pager cartridge.

A cartridge for use in a system for playing video games by displaying game information based at least in part on user interaction provided through operation of at least one user-manipulable control, the system including a main unit comprising a processor and a cartridge insertion port that receives the cartridge, the cartridge comprising:

• a housing dimensioned to be at least partially inserted into the cartridge insertion port;
• an electrical connector that electrically connects the cartridge to the main unit;
• two-way paging circuitry for communication via a wireless paging system;
• and
• a memory including a first memory portion for storing instructions for performing paging operations using the two-way paging circuitry and a second memory portion for storing instructions for a video game.