Electronic entertainment and communication system
US6147696A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 1997 |
| Grant date | Nov 14, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA63F2300/552
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A video game/comunications system is disclosed which permits guest room guests to actively participate in video game play or to use other data processing/communication services. A multi-tasking master host computer stores video games and other application programs on its hard disk, downloads programs to an array of SNES game playing engines in response to guest selections. Each guest room guest room includes a terminal device which is coupled to the guest's color television and to a game controller. By pressing a game controller menu key, the guest room guest initiates the downloading of applications software by the host computer to the array of SNES engines located within the guest room. A downloaded applications program generate a display menu which appears on the guest's television. The display menu permits each guest room guest to select between various operating modes (identified, for example, by displayed icons), including movies, games, shopping, survey forms, language selection, communication/data processing services, etc. If a user opts for video game play, then the available game titles and/or descriptions thereof are displayed. The host computer assigns a time slot to bo…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.