Apparatus and method of communicating between electronic games
US5971855A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 26, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2300/807
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An apparatus and method for communicating between a hand-held electronic game apparatus and other electronic systems is described. Small hand-held electronic games, preprogrammed with a single game, may be linked together through a communications unit to engage in interactive gaming between two users. Alternatively, the communications unit can be connected via a special cable connected to the serial port of a personal computer to permit connection to a central processing unit on an Internet website. The website central processing unit can modify the preprogrammed game, provide upgrades to the game, unlock hidden features and simulate a second hand-held electronic game apparatus for interactive play with a user. Software is installed on the personal computer permits communication between the hand-held electronic game and the personal computer, between the PC and the Internet website and thus between the hand-held game and the Internet website. Data from the hand-held game can be communicated to the Internet website, for example, to register high scores, or to play the preprogrammed game with other game users connected to the website.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.