# US 9,751,009 B2 · System, method and handheld controller for multi-player gaming

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- Number: US 9,751,009 B2
- Document ID: US9751009B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/161,197
- Filed: 2014-01-22
- Published: 2014-05-15
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2004-09-21
- Assignees: TimePlay Inc.
- Applicants: TimePlay Inc.
- Inventors: Jonathan Ira Hussman; Jon Hayes Snoddy; John Andrew Race; Mark Rider
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751009B2

## CPC

- A63F 13/26: having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
- A63F 13/2145: the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
- A63F 13/22: Setup operations, e.g. calibration, key configuration or button assignment
- A63F 13/235: using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
- A63F 13/24: Constructional details thereof, e.g. game controllers with detachable joystick handles
- A63F 13/27: characterised by a large display in a public venue, e.g. in a movie theatre, stadium or game arena
- A63F 13/31: Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
- A63F 13/35: Details of game servers
- A63F 13/53: involving additional visual information provided to the game scene, e.g. by overlay to simulate a head-up display [HUD] or displaying a laser sight in a shooting game
- A63F 13/843: involving concurrently two or more players on the same game device, e.g. requiring the use of a plurality of controllers or of a specific view of game data for each player
- B60K 6/365: with the gears having orbital motion
- B60K 6/387: Actuated clutches, i.e. clutches engaged or disengaged by electric, hydraulic or mechanical actuating means
- B60K 6/40: characterised by the assembly or relative disposition of components
- B60K 6/445: Differential gearing distribution type
- F16H 3/728: {with means to change ratio in the mechanical gearing}
- G07F 17/32: for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F 17/3211: {Display means}
- G07F 17/3223: {Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, leader-follower, wireless communication}
- G07F 17/323: {wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions}
- G07F 17/3276: {wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament}
- A63F 13/285: Generating tactile feedback signals via the game input device, e.g. force feedback
- A63F 2300/407: Data transfer via internet
- A63F 2300/50: characterized by details of game servers
- A63F 2300/8023: the game being played by multiple players at a common site, e.g. in an arena, theatre, shopping mall using a large public display
- B60K 1/02: comprising more than one electric motor
- F16H 2037/0866: {Power-split transmissions with distributing differentials, with the output of the CVT connected or connectable to the output shaft}
- F16H 2037/102: {the input or output shaft of the transmission is connected or connectable to two or more differentials}
- F16H 2037/104: {Power-split transmissions with at least one end of a CVT connected or connectable to two or more differentials}
- F16H 2037/106: {with switching means to provide two variator modes or ranges}
- F16H 2200/2007: with two sets of orbital gears
- F16H 2200/2064: using at least one positive clutch, e.g. dog clutch
- Y02T 10/62: Hybrid vehicles
- A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- F16H: GEARING
- G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00})
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for multi-player gaming. Some embodiments relate to systems having an improved communications infrastructure and improved handheld game controllers, while other embodiments relate to improvements in handling large numbers of players in the multi-player game when played in a game arena with a single large display screen showing the multi-player game images. In one particular embodiment, a system is provided that has a game server controlling a display system to display the multi-player game on the large screen and a plurality of game controllers. Each game controller has a secondary display means for providing a secondary game display and input means for receiving player input. The system further comprises communication means for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of game controllers. The plurality of game controllers are located in proximity to the large display screen such that it is visible to game players manipulating the game controllers while playing the multi-player game.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A multi-player game system for facilitating a multi-player game comprising:
a game server system configured to run a game software to facilitate a multi-player game, the game server system further configured to provide display signals for displaying the multi-player game;
a display system having primary display means, the display system being configured to provide a primary game display of the multi-player game on the primary display means in response to the display signals;
a plurality of handheld game controllers, each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers having secondary display means and input means; and
a communication controller for enabling communication between the game server system and each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers,
wherein the game server system comprises at least one remote server located remotely from the primary display means;
wherein the plurality of handheld game controllers are located in proximity to the primary display means such that the primary display means is visible to game players manipulating respective handheld game controllers of the plurality of handheld game controllers, and
wherein for each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers, that handheld game controller is configured to download independently a game software module prior to initiation of the multi-player game, the game software module being executable by that handheld game controller to enable that handheld game controller to
enable a game player manipulating the input means of that handheld game controller to participate in the multi-player game, and
provide a secondary game display on the secondary display means of that handheld game controller in response to player input received at the input means of that handheld game controller, wherein the secondary game display is complementary to the primary game display.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein the game server system further comprises at least one local server, wherein the at least one local server is located in proximity to the primary display means, and wherein the at least one remote server is coupled to the at least one local server via the communication controller.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The multi-player game system of claim 2, wherein the game software module is made available to each handheld game controller by the at least one remote server.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The multi-player game system of claim 2, wherein the player input received at the input means are communicated to the at least one local server via the communication controller, wherein the at least one local server forwards the player input to the at least one remote server via the communication controller.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The multi-player game system of claim 4, wherein the player input is processed before the at least one local server forwards the player input to the at least one remote server via the communication controller.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The multi-player game system of claim 2, wherein the display signals are generated at the at least one remote server and communicated to the at least one local server via the communication controller.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The multi-player game system of claim 2, wherein the remote server is configured to run the game software to facilitate the multi-player game.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The multi-player game system of claim 2, wherein the local server is configured to run the game software to facilitate the multi-player game.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein the player input received at the input means are communicated to the at least one remote server via the communication controller.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein the primary display means comprises a large display screen.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein the primary display means and the plurality of handheld game controllers are located within a venue.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The multi-player game system of claim 11, wherein the venue comprises a large enclosed space.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein for each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers, the secondary game display on the secondary display means of that handheld game controller is at least partially visually related to the primary game display.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein for each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers, the primary game display comprises a graphical representation of a game avatar corresponding to the game player manipulating that handheld game controller.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein for each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers, the game software module downloaded to that handheld game controller is configured to facilitate a game activity on that handheld game controller, wherein the game activity corresponds to the multi-player game.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The multi-player game system of claim 1, wherein for each handheld game controller of the plurality of handheld game controllers, that handheld game controller has a processing means, the processing means being configured to operate that handheld game controller in
a multi-player game mode, wherein the game player manipulating the player input means of that handheld game controller controls an avatar displayed on the primary game display, and wherein the secondary display means of that handheld game controller provides a display related to the primary game display, and
a single player activity mode, wherein the game player manipulating the player input means of that handheld game controller conducts a single-player activity on that handheld game controller, and wherein the secondary display means of that handheld game controller provides a display of the single-player activity.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module is downloadable independently to each of the game controllers in response to player input received at the game controller requesting the game software module.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module is downloadable independently to each of the game controllers in response to player input received at the game controller selecting the multi-player game from amongst a plurality of multi-player games.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module is downloadable independently to at least some of the game controllers using a preregistered account associated with the corresponding game player of each game controller.

### Claim 20 (depends on 1)

The system of claim 1, wherein the game software module is downloadable independently to each of the game controllers in response to player input received at the game controller selecting the multi-player game.