INTERACTIVE DVD GAMING SYSTEMS

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Patent

Application Serial No. entitled "Interactive DVD Gaming

Systems," filed August 8, 2005; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.

60/625,473 entitled "Interactive DVD Gaming System," filed November 3, 2004; U.S.

Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/630,709 entitled "New Format Learning

Platform," filed November 23, 2004; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial

No. 60/668,829 entitled "Interactive DVD Gaming System," filed April 5, 2005;

U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/670,777 entitled "Interactive DVD

Gaming Systems," filed April 12, 2005; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application

Serial No. 60/683,897 entitled "DVD Duo Tone LCD Text Device DVD Gaming

System Remote Game Device," filed May 23, 2005. The complete disclosures of

the above applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Background of the Disclosure

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to gaming systems that include

Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) players, particularly those systems that also include

card readers. Examples of gaming systems that include DVD players and/or card

readers are found in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,814,294; 6,811,084; 6,803,874; 6,761,315;

6,735,324; 6,709,336; 6,694,356; 6,650,867; 6,527, 191 ; 6,520,504; 6,498,567;

6,419,232; 6,327,459; 6,375,566; 6,225,938; 6,223,348; 6,100,509; 5,607,356;

5,411 ,259; 5,382,776; 5,331,141 ; 5,212,368; 4,889,370; 4,861,031 ; and 4,662,635; JP

Patent No. JP2003076740; U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2005/0026699;

2005/0014563; 2004/0166915; 2004/0054826; 2004/0048642; 2004/0002387;

2003/0190961 ; 2003/0155714; 2003/0001016; 2002/0193157; 2002/0140855;

2002/0077180; 2002/0040929; 2002/0028710; 2002/0020745; and 2001/0027560;

EP Patent Application Nos. EP 572710 and EP 567687; and PCT Patent Application

Nos. WO 2004081765; WO 2003018156; WO 200250632; WO 200201494; and WO

2001003788. The complete disclosures of the above patents and patent applications

are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0003] Some embodiments provide a DVD game remote system

configured to selectively control a DVD player having a DVD game medium. The

DVD game remote system includes a game card, a DVD game remote configured to

selectively control the DVD player, and a card reader subsystem incorporated with the

DVD game remote and configured to obtain game information from the game card.

The DVD game remote is configured to transmit one or more game signals to the

DVD player responsive, at least in part, to the game information. The one or more

game signals are configured to selectively control the DVD player and to facilitate

game play.

[0004] Some embodiments provide a DVD gaming system for playing a

game, including a DVD game medium, a DVD player configured to play the DVD

game medium, a game card, a DVD game remote configured to selectively control the

DVD player, and a card reader subsystem incorporated with the DVD game remote

and configured to obtain game information from the game card. The DVD game

remote is configured to transmit one or more game signals to the DVD player

responsive, at least in part, to the game information. The one or more game signals are

configured to selectively control the DVD player and to facilitate game play.

[0005] Some embodiments provide a method of playing a game with a DVD game

remote and a DVD player having a DVD game medium, including drawing a game card,

processing the game card via a card reader of the DVD game remote, and viewing one or

more sections of the DVD game medium to facilitate game play.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming system.

[0007] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a DVD gaming system.

[0008] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a DVD player of the DVD gaming system of Fig.

2, showing eight general parameter register memories (GPRMs), each GPRM having sixteen

bits.

[0009] Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a DVD game remote of the DVD gaming system

of Fig.2.

[0010] Fig. 5 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a card reader subsystem

for the DVD game remote of Fig. 4.

[0011] Fig. 6 is a block diagram of another DVD game remote of the DVD

gaming system of Fig. 2.

[0012] Fig. 7 is a block diagram of the card reader subsystem of the DVD

game remote of Fig. 6 showing a game card in the card reader subsystem.

[0013] Fig. 8 is a block diagram of another embodiment of a card reader

subsystem and a game card for the DVD game remote of Fig. 6.

[0014] Fig. 9 is a block diagram of the card reader subsystem and the game

card of Fig. 8 showing the game card in the card reader subsystem.

[0015] Fig. 10 is a flowchart describing a method of play of a game using

the DVD gaming system of Fig. 2.

[0016] Fig. 11 is a flowchart describing a method of play of another game

using the DVD gaming system of Fig. 2.

Detailed Description of the Disclosure

[0017] Digital Versatile Discs, or DVDs, are optically-readable media

capable of storing relatively large quantities of digital information, which may be

subsequently accessed by a complementarily configured DVD player, such as a

conventional DVD player, a personal computer DVD player, etc.

[0018] Most DVD media are 4.7-inch discs with a 0.05-inch thickness. DVD

media store data on spiral tracks, which are read from the media with an extremely

fine, precisely aimed laser. Data takes the form of millions of indentations, or "data

pits," arranged along the spiral tracks of the media. The data pits refract light,

which reduces the intensity of reflected light. Sensors register the difference in

reflection intensity as binary data.

[0019] DVD media generally have a greater storage density and increased

stability when compared to many other storage media, such as magnetic storage

media or other optical storage media, such as compact discs (CDs). For example,

DVD media are capable of storing more tracks per disc than a CD because the tracks

may be placed closer together on DVDs than on CDs. The distance between tracks, or

"track pitch," is approximately 0.74-microns, which is less than half that of a CD (1.6-

microns). Also, the data pits on a DVD are considerably smaller than on a CD.

Accordingly, the average DVD media holds four times the number of data pits that

can be held by a CD. The average capacity of a single-sided, single-layered DVD is

4.7-gigabytes (GB).

[0020] Some DVD media utilize techniques such as layering and two-

sided manufacturing to achieve even larger storage capacities. With layering, DVD

media may be constructed with two layers, the outer layer of which is semi-

transparent to allow reading of an underlying layer. The reading laser may operate at

a relatively high intensity to read the inner layer, and a relatively low intensity to

read the outer layer. A single-sided, double-layered DVD has a storage capacity of

approximately 8.5-GB. To increase storage capacity to approximately 17-GB, both

sides of a disc can be used to store digital information.

[0021] Also, the efficiency of the data structure on a DVD is generally much

better than that of a CD. When CDs were first developed, considerable error

correction was necessary to ensure that a CD would play correctly. Therefore, more

bits were used for error detection and correction, which limited the capacity of a

CD to carry usable digital information. The more efficient error correction code

used with a DVD allows increased capacity for usable digital information.

[0022] Data on DVD media may be stored in a variety of formats. For

example, computer applications, files, and other data may be stored using the

DVD-ROM format. High quality audio may be stored using the DVD-A format.

Full-length feature films are commonly stored on DVD media using the DVD-Video

Standard, which utilizes MPEG-2 video compression and decompression.

[0023] DVD-Video discs are typically formatted to include up to 99 titles,

which may each be subdivided into 99 chapters. Therefore, there are generally

about 9,800 total chapters available on each disc. Each chapter may contain a

"scene" comprised of audio or video information, or some combination thereof, which

linearly plays from beginning to end. A particular chapter may, however, not be

dynamically altered. In other words, the content of each chapter does not change

from one viewing to the next. Each chapter may additionally, or alternatively,

contain information, such as scripts and stories used herein to refer to instructions

readable and executable by a conventional DVD player.

[0024] Typical game media includes code executed by a game processor to

establish a game engine. That game engine generates a "scene" based on input

received from a user or based on random calculations performed by the game

processor, and/or dynamically alters such a scene in real-time. A DVD-Video disc,

in contrast, may be practically limited to showing no more than about 9,800 pre¬

recorded scenes. Such scenes may, however, be played in any order or in any

combination.

[0025] Also, typical gaming consoles, such as pay-to-play arcade games,

personal computers, and hand-held gaming devices, are equipped with large

amounts of random access memory (RAM) to hold game information. Conventional

DVD players, in contrast, are not equipped with RAM specifically configured for

gaming purposes. In general, conventional DVD players are designed for the sole

purpose of playing high quality audio and video content. Therefore, in order to

keep costs low, conventional DVD players are typically equipped with the minimum

amount of resources to play encode audio and video content. Thus, because large

amounts of RAM are not needed for this purpose, conventional DVD players do not

include large amounts of RAM.

[0026] Furthermore, the above-mentioned gaming systems are usually

capable of receiving a series of real-time commands in rapid succession from a game

controller, such as a joystick or a tethered control pad. In contrast, because the only

required input are playback control commands such as "Play," "Pause," "Stop," "Fast

Forward," "Rewind," "Menu," "Enter," etc., which typically are not executed

immediately one after the other, conventional DVD players typically include infrared

input that is not configured to receive a series of real-time commands in rapid

succession.

[0027] Conventional DVD players, however, typically include a minimal

amount of onboard memory to enable the menu features of some DVDs, and to facilitate playing one of several possible alternate audio tracks, using one of

several possible camera angles, displaying one of several possible subtitles, etc. Accordingly, some embodiments of the DVD gaming system of this disclosure include DVD media having scripts recorded thereon that are readable by a

conventional DVD player. Those scripts allow the DVD media to use the available

memory of the DVD player to define game variables, which in turn may be used to

control game flow. In these and other embodiments, such variables may be used by scripts on the DVD to implement a series of logical decisions based on the held values

of the one or more game variables, on user-provided input, or some combination

thereof. These decisions may include performing actions, such as implementing other

scripts, setting or modifying values of game variables, playing a specific scene or

combination of scenes, or any combination thereof, to enable game play. As an

example, some game variables may be used to track or change scores for one or more

players of the game, and/or may be used to start, stop, and/or display a timer of the

game.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a gaming system 10. The gaming

system may include at least one game medium 12, a media player 14, a media

controller system 16, a media controller 17, and a game display 18. Game

medium 12 may include stored information that may be utilized by media player 14

to present a game on game display 18. Media controller system 16 may serve as an

interface between a user and the gaming system, so that the user may interactively

control the game. Gaming system 10 may be configured in various embodiments.

For example, game medium 12 may take the form of a DVD or another suitable

storage medium. Similarly, media player 14 may take the form of a conventional

DVD player if the gaming system utilizes DVD game media, or, if another type of

game medium is used, a media player that may be complementarily configured to play

that type of medium.

[0029] Media controller system 16 may include media controller 17 that is an

external input source, such as a general purpose controller configured to control a

number of different games, or a game-specific controller particularly configured for

use with a particular game. The media controller system may include additional

components configured to be used with media controller 17 to facilitate game play.

The particular embodiments of gaming system 10 that are described below should

not be considered as limiting, but rather as providing illustrative examples of the

numerous possible configurations and features that are within the scope of this

disclosure.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows some embodiments of game system 10, in the form of a

DVD gaming system 20. DVD gaming system 20 may include at least one

DVD game medium 22, a DVD player 24, a DVD game remote system 26, a DVD

game remote 27, and a television 28. DVD game system 20 may be configured to

play games on DVD player 24. DVD game remote system 26 may include one or

more components configured to be used with DVD game remote 27 to facilitate

game play on DVD player 24.

[0031] The digital information stored on DVD game medium 22 may be

formatted and arranged to utilize the minimal memory of DVD players, such as DVD

player 24. DVD game medium 22 may store information corresponding to one or

more games, and different DVD game media may store information corresponding to

other games. Various DVD game media may be used to play different games on DVD

player 24, including DVDs that were primarily intended for non-game uses, such

as pre-recorded movies, TV shows, documentaries, cooking shows, etc. In contrast

to standard gaming consoles that require proprietary players to play proprietary

and/or standard media, DVD player 24 may not need to be specially configured to

play games stored on DVD game medium 22. Instead, DVD game medium 22 may

include information instructing DVD player 24 to store variables and implement

logical decisions based on the values of the variables, to enable a user to play a game

or games via DVD gaming system 20.

[0032] In Fig. 3, DVD player 24 is shown schematically to include eight

general parameter register memories (GPRMs) 30, each of which is configured to

hold sixteen bits 32 of data. Therefore, DVD player 24 may include 128 bits of

memory. Each bit 32 is typically capable of holding one of two possible values,

conventionally represented as a zero or a one. GPRMs are typically provided to enable

menu options and for controlling played content.

[0033] Although DVD player 24 is shown to include memory storage in the

form of eight GPRMs 30, many DVD players may include sixteen GPRMs and 24

system parameter register memories (SPRMs), each of which is configured to hold

sixteen bits of data, for a total of 640 bits (or 80 bytes) of memory. Some DVD

players include more memory, depending on the configuration and number of

GPRMs, SPRMs, and/or other memory storage means. Thus, conventional DVD

players, as the term is used in this disclosure, generally include less than 1 kilobyte

(1,024 bytes or 8,192 bits) of onboard memory.

[0034] Thus, although the capacity of DVD players to store information

may be extremely limited as compared with a traditional gaming console, such

memory storage may be used to hold data corresponding to one or more game

variables, which may be used to control game play. Specifically, GPRMs 30 of DVD

player 24 may store game information. For example, if DVD game medium 22

includes a trivia game, the first six bits 32a-f of GPRM 30a may be used to hold

data corresponding to a "Questions" variable, which may represent the number of

questions asked during a particular game. If six bits 32 are allocated to the Questions

variable, the variable may hold one of sixty-four (2 ⁶ ) possible values, such as any

number from 0 to 63.

[0035] Similarly, bit 32g of GPRM 30a may be used to store a "Multiplayer"

variable or flag. If only one bit 32 is allocated to the Multiplayer flag, it may hold one

of two (2 ¹ ) possible values. In this manner, it is possible to track whether the

current game is a single player game represented, for example, by a held zero, or a

multiplayer game, represented by a held one.

[0036] As can be seen, each GPRM 30 may be segmented, such as by

using bit shifting techniques, to hold more than one variable. Thus, other bits of

GPRM 30a, as well as GPRMs 30b-h, may be used to hold other variables.

Furthermore, it should be understood that some games may utilize more or fewer

GPRMs 30, and/or other storage mechanisms, for holding values corresponding to

game variables.

[0037] Because DVD gaming system 20 utilizes a DVD player, a user who

has already purchased and set up such a DVD player may play games without having to

purchase a separate gaming console or connect additional equipment to the user's

television, which may not have the appropriate inputs for connecting such equipment.

This feature of DVD gaming system 20 may be advantageous to game developers and

retailers, because more individuals have access to DVD players than to proprietary

game consoles. Thus, games played on a DVD player may appeal to a broader

demographic, including individuals who may be unable to, or do not desire to, play

games on proprietary gaming consoles.

[0038] In some embodiments, DVD player 24 may accept input from DVD

game remote system 26', which includes any suitable structure configured to allow

players to interact with and/or control DVD gaming system 20. For example, as

shown in Fig. 4, DVD game remote system 26' may include one or more game cards

34, a card reader subsystem 36, a data processing subsystem 38, and a

communication subsystem 40. The card reader, data processing, communication

subsystems, and/or other suitable subsystems may be referred to as DVD game

remote 27', which is configured to obtain game information from the one or more

game cards and/or transmit one or more game signals to the DVD player responsive,

at least in part, to the game information. The one or more game signals may be

configured to selectively control the DVD player and/or to facilitate game play.

[0039] One or more game cards 34 may have any suitable shape

and/or size configured to be readable by card reader subsystem 36. Additionally,

the game cards may include any suitable structure configured to facilitate game play

and/or allow the card reader subsystem to read the cards and obtain game

information from those cards. For example, game cards 34 may include a player-

readable portion 42 and a machine-readable portion 44.

[0040] The player-readable portion may include at least one of text,

alphanumeric code, symbol, figure, color, and/or any suitable combination

configured to facilitate game play. For example, player-readable portion 42 may

include one or more questions in text form relating to one or more DVD game media

22. Alternatively, or additionally, the player-readable portion may include one or

more answers in text form relating to one or more DVD game media 22. The player-

readable portion also may include points associated with the questions and/or

answers.

[0041] Alternatively, or additionally, the player-readable portion may include

figures of battling entities, armies, chess pieces, etc. Those figures also may include

associated point values. Additionally, or alternatively, at least some of the player-

readable portion may include concealed game information not readable by the naked

eye but readable through a window of the card reader subsystem. .

[0042] Machine-readable portion 44 may include any suitable structure

configured to store game information and/or, when read by card reader

subsystem 36, provide that information to DVD game remote 27'. For example,

the machine-readable portion may include a barcode, a magnetic stripe, a

microprocessor (such as those used in smart cards or integrated circuit cards),

punched holes, and/or any suitable combination. The machine-readable portion may

store any suitable game information, such as questions, question categories,

answers, specific chapters or time codes on the DVD game medium to be played,

points associated with the questions and/or answers, etc.

[0043] Although the player-readable and machine-readable portions are

shown in specific locations on game cards 34, those portions may be in any suitable

location on game cards 34. Additionally, although the player-readable and

machine-readable portions are shown in Fig. 4 to have specific sizes, those portions

may be any suitable size. Moreover, although only one player-readable portion and

one machine-readable portion are shown, any suitable number of player-readable

and/or machine-readable portions may be used. Furthermore, although the player-

readable and machine-readable portions are shown to be on the same side of game

cards 34, those portions may be on different sides of the game cards, both sides of the

cards, or any suitable combination.

[0044] Card reader subsystem 36 may include any suitable structure

configured to obtain game information from game cards 34 and/or provide at least

some of that information to data processing subsystem 38. For example, the card

reader subsystem may include a card holder 46, a card reader 48, a display 49, and a

window 50. Card holder 46 may include any suitable structure configured to secure

one or more game cards 34 to allow card reader 48 to obtain game information from

those cards. For example, card holder 46 may include guiding rails, card inlets, card

outlets, belts, motors, guides, rollers, and/or any suitable combination.

[0045] Card reader 48 may include any suitable structure configured to obtain

game information from one or more cards 34. For example, card reader 48 may

include one or more optical sensors configured to read barcodes, one or more

magnetic heads configured to read magnetic stripes, one or more integrated circuit

interfaces configured to connect to and access microprocessors, and/or any suitable

combination. Card reader 48 also may include additional suitable components

configured to allow the card reader to obtain game information from cards 34,

such as belts, motors, guides, rollers, and/or any suitable combination. For

example, where the game card includes a magnetic stripe and is held stationary by

card holder 46, then card reader 48 may include motors, rollers, and/or the like to

allow one or more magnetic heads to move relative the game card and/or vice- versa

to read the magnetic stripe.

[0046] Display 49 may include any suitable structure configured to display

at least some of the game information from the machine-readable portion of game

cards 34. For example, display 49 may be in the form of a liquid crystal display

(LCD), light emitting diodes (LED) display, etc. Display 49 may be used to provide

"secret" game information to the player that is not displayed in television 28 to the

other players.

[0047] Window 50 may include any suitable structure configured to allow the

player see at least some of the player-readable portions when the game card is in the

card reader subsystem. For example, windows may be in the form of one or more

clear sections in the card reader subsystem. Additionally, or alternatively, the

windows may be in the form of one or more reading filter sections configured to allow

the player to read the concealed game information on the player-readable portions of

game cards 34. For example, the windows may include a "red-filter" configured to

reveal concealed game information on game cards 34. Alternatively, windows 50

may be any suitable combination of clear and reading filter sections.

[0048] Card reader subsystem 36 may include additional suitable components

configured to allow the card reader subsystem to obtain game information from game

cards 34 and/or provide that information to data processing subsystem 38. For

example, the card reader subsystem may include interfaces, such as interface wires,

interface cables, etc. Examples of card reader subsystems are provided in U.S. Patent

Nos. 6,830,182; 6,826,628; 6,761,310; and 6,742,706. The complete disclosures of

those patents are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0049] Although the card reader subsystem is shown to include one display

and one window, any suitable number of displays and windows may be used.

Additionally, although the card reader subsystem is shown to include both a display

and a window, the card reader subsystem may have only a display or only a

window. For example, the card reader subsystem may have only a window when

secret game information may not be needed. Alternatively, the card reader

subsystem may have only a display when, for example, the game information may

be in the machine-readable portion of the game cards.

[0050] Data processing subsystem 38 may include any suitable structure

configured to obtain game information from card reader subsystem 36 and/or convert

that information to one or more game signals responsive, at least in part, to the

game information and/or recognizable by DVD player 24. For example, data

processing subsystem 38 may include a read-only memory (ROM) 54, a central

processing unit (CPU) 56, and a random access memory (RAM) 58.

[0051] ROM 54 may include any suitable structure configured to provide one

or more predetermined operation programs for CPU 56. The ROM may store

those programs in a non-volatile manner. The programs may include programs to

receive game information from card reader subsystem 36 and/or convert that

information to game signals responsive, at least in part, to the game information

and/or recognizable by DVD player 24.

[0052] CPU 56 may include any suitable structure configured to

run the predetermined operation programs from ROM 54, while RAM 58 may

include any suitable structure to store various data required for data processing by

CPU 56. Data processing subsystem 38 may include additional components

configured to allow the data processing system to obtain game information from

card reader subsystem 36 and/or convert that information to game signals

responsive, at least in part, to the game information and/or recognizable by DVD

player 24. Those additional components may include a hard disk drive, floppy

disk drive, CD-ROM drive, keyboard, interface wires/cables, and/or any suitable

combination.

[0053] Game signals may include signals readable by a conventional DVD

player, such as "Up," "Down," "Enter," and "Menu" signals, to cause a specific

response by the DVD player. Additionally, the game signals may include specific

chapters or time codes corresponding to specific chapters in the DVD game medium.

[0054] Communication subsystem 40 may include any suitable structure

configured to transmit one or more game signals from data processing subsystem 38

to DVD player 24. For example, the communication subsystem may include a light-

emitting diode (LED) 60. Communication subsystem 40 may include additional

components configured to allow the communication subsystem to transmit game

signals from data processing subsystem 38 to DVD player 24. For example, to

facilitate the use of DVD game remote 27' with a variety of different DVD players,

communication subsystem 40 also may include universal remote control circuitry,

which allows LED 60 to be programmed to communicate with a particular DVD

player, such as DVD player 24.

[0055] If configured with universal remote control circuitry, LED 60

may be programmed by entering a code corresponding to a particular DVD player.

In some embodiments, the DVD game remote may be programmed by directing a

signal from another remote to an optional signal detector of the DVD game remote.

LED 60 may additionally, or alternatively, be programmed by running an automatic

detection query in which DVD game remote 27' transmits different signals until a

signal corresponding to a particular DVD player is found. Although the

communication subsystem is shown to include an LED for communicating

signals, any suitable structure may be used, such as other optical communication

mechanisms, radio communication mechanisms, or any other suitable mode

configured to send one or more signals to a DVD player.

[0056] Although DVD game remote 27' is shown to include specific

subsystems and specific components within those subsystems, any suitable

combination of subsystems and/or components within the subsystems may be used

configured to allow players to interact with and/or control DVD gaming system 20.

For example, some embodiments of card reader subsystem 36 may not include a

card holder. For example, where game cards 34 may be swiped across card reader

48, as shown in Fig. 5, then a card holder may not be required. Additionally, that card

holder may not be required if the card reader is passed over the game card, or vice-

versa, instead of inserting or swiping the card. Moreover, some or all of data

processing subsystem 38 may not be required if the machine-readable portion of game

cards 34 includes the game signals for DVD player 24.

[0057] Some embodiments of the DVD game remote system are generally

indicated in Fig. 6 at 26", which includes any suitable structure configured to allow

players to interact with and/or control DVD gaming system 20. For example, DVD

game remote system 26" may include one or more game cards 134, a card reader

subsystem 136, a data processing subsystem 138, and a communication subsystem

140. The card reader, data processing, communication subsystems, and/or other

suitable subsystems may be referred to as DVD game remote 27", which is

configured to obtain game information from the one or more game cards and/or

transmit one or more game signals to the DVD player to selectively control the

DVD player responsive, at least in part, to the game information. The one or more

game signals may be configured to selectively control the DVD player and/or to

facilitate game play.

[0058] One or more game cards 134 may have any suitable shape and/or

size configured to be readable by card reader subsystem 136. Additionally, the

game cards may include any suitable structure configured to facilitate game play

and/or allow the card reader subsystem to read the cards and obtain game

information from those cards. For example, game cards 134 may include one or

more player-readable portions 142 and a machine-readable portion 144.

[0059] The player-readable portions may include a play portion 141 and a

label portion 143. The play portion may include at least one of text, alphanumeric

code, symbol, figure, color, and/or any suitable combination configured to

facilitate game play. For example, play portion 141 may include one or more

questions in text form. The play portion also may include points associated with the

questions. Additionally, play portion 141 may include answers to those questions

identified by any suitable marks, such as "A," "B," "C," and "D" shown in Figs. 6-7.

Those marks may correspond to the marks in label portion 143. Alternatively, or

additionally, the play portion may include one or more answers in text form.

Additionally, or alternatively, at least some of the player-readable portion may

include concealed game information not readable by the naked eye but readable

through a window of the card reader subsystem.

[0060] The label portion may include at least one of text, alphanumeric code,

symbol, figure, color, and/or any suitable combination configured to label one or

more controls of DVD game remote 27". For example, label portion 143 may include

suitable marks, such as "A," "B," "C," and "D" shown in Figs. 6-7, which correspond

to the marks used to identify potential answers to the one or more questions (or

potential questions to the one or more answers) in play portion 141. Label portion 143

may be located on game cards 134 such that the label portion is visible through

windows 150 when the game card is in contact with card reader subsystem 136.

Alternatively, or additionally, label portion 143 may include concealed marks not

visible to the naked eye but readable through the window of card reader subsystem

136.

[0061] Machine-readable portion 144 may include any suitable structure

configured to allow card reader subsystem 136 to read the card and obtain game

information from that card. For example, the machine-readable portion may include a

barcode, a magnetic stripe, a microprocessor (such as those used in smart cards or

integrated circuit cards), punched holes, and/or any suitable combination. The

machine-readable portion may store any suitable game information, such as questions,

question categories, answers, specific chapters or time codes on the DVD game

medium to be played, points associated with the questions and/or answers, etc.

[0062] Although the player-readable and machine-readable portions are

shown in specific locations on game cards 134, those portions may be in any suitable

location on game cards 134. Additionally, although the player-readable and machine-

readable portions are shown in Figs. 6-7 to have specific sizes, those portions may be

any suitable size. Moreover, although only two player-readable portions and one

machine-readable portion are shown, any suitable number of player-readable and/or

machine-readable portions may be used. Furthermore, although the player-readable

and machine-readable portions are shown to be on the same side of game cards 34,

those portions may be on different sides of the game cards, both sides of the cards, or

any suitable combination.

[0063] Card reader subsystem 136 may include any suitable structure

configured to obtain game information from game cards 134 and/or provide at

least some of that information to data processing subsystem 138. For example, the

card reader subsystem may include a card holder 146, a card reader 148, a display

149, one or more windows 150, and one or more player controls 152. Card holder

146 may include any suitable structure configured to secure and/or contact one or

more game cards 134 to allow card reader 148 to obtain game information from

those cards. For example, card holder 146 may include guiding rails, card inlets,

card outlets, belts, motors, guides, rollers, and/or any suitable combination.

[0064] Card reader 148 may include any suitable structure configured to obtain

game information from one or more cards 134. For example, card reader 148 may

include one or more optical sensors configured to read barcodes, one or more

magnetic heads configured to read magnetic stripes, one or more integrated circuit

interfaces configured to connect to and access microprocessors, and/or any suitable

combination. Card reader 148 may include additional suitable components

configured to allow the card reader to obtain game information from cards 134,

such as belts, motors, guides, rollers, and/or any suitable combination. For example,

where the game card includes a magnetic stripe and is held stationary by card

holder 146, then card reader 148 may include motors, rollers, and/or the like to

allow one or more magnetic heads to move relative the game card and/or to read that

magnetic stripe.

[0065] Display 149 may include any suitable structure configured to display

at least some of the game information from the machine-readable portion of game

cards 134. For example, display 149 may be in the form of a liquid crystal display

(LCD), light emitting diodes (LED) display, etc. Display 149 may be used to provide

"secret" game information to the player that is not displayed in television 28 to the

other players.

[0066] Windows 150 may include any suitable structure configured to

allow the player see the player-readable portions when the game card is in the card

reader subsystem and/or to identify the functions of the player controls for the game.

For example, windows may be in the form of one or more clear sections in the card

reader subsystem. As shown in Fig. 7, the clear section allows the player to view label

portion 143 and identify the functions of player controls 152 when the game card is in

the card reader subsystem. Additionally, or alternatively, the windows may be in the

form of one or more reading filter sections configured to allow the player to read the

concealed game information on the player-readable portions of game cards 134. For

example, the windows may include a "red-filter" configured to reveal concealed game

information on game cards 134. Alternatively, windows 150 may be any suitable

combination of clear and reading filter sections.

[0067] Player controls 152 include any suitable structure configured to

facilitate game play. For example, player controls 152 are shown to include one or

more buttons 153, which may correspond to various commands associated with a

particular game. Those commands may be identified by label portion 143 on game

cards 134. The buttons may be mapped to correspond to signals readable by a

conventional DVD player, such as "Up," "Down," "Enter," and "Menu" signals, to

cause a specific response by the DVD player. For example, DVD game medium may

include a timer that may be started and/ or stopped by pressing one or more of the

player controls. Additionally, the player controls may provide the ability for a player

to select among different answers (and/or questions) on the game card and have the

DVD player and the DVD game medium determine if the selected answer (and/or

question) is correct.

[0068] Although player controls 152 are shown in Figs. 6-9 to include

buttons, any suitable structure configured to facilitate game play may be used, such as

levers, pull cords, rotating elements, etc. Additionally, although four player

controls are shown, any suitable number of player controls may be used. Moreover,

although the player controls are shown to include only buttons, any suitable

combination of controls may be used.

[0069] Card reader subsystem 136 may include additional suitable

components configured to allow the card reader subsystem to obtain game

information from game cards 134 and/or provide that information to data processing

subsystem 138. For example, the card reader subsystem may include interfaces, such

as interface wires, interface cables, etc. Examples of card reader subsystems are

provided in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,830,182; 6,826,628; 6,761,310; and 6,742,706. The

complete disclosures of those patents have been incorporated by reference for all

purposes.

[0070] Although the card reader subsystem is shown to include two windows

and one display, any suitable number of windows and displays may be used.

Additionally, although the card reader subsystem is shown to include both windows

and a display, the card reader subsystem may have only windows or only a

display. For example, the card reader subsystem may have only windows when

secret game information may not be needed. Alternatively, the card reader subsystem

may have only a display when, for example, the questions and/or answers may be in

the machine-readable portion instead of the player-readable portion of the game

cards. Also, the card reader subsystem may have only one window and one display,

where the display may identify the functions of the player controls.

[0071] . Moreover, although the card reader subsystem and the game cards are

shown to be configured a specific way in Figs. 6-7, that subsystem and those game

cards may be configured in any suitable way. For example, card reader subsystem

136 may be configured such that label portion 143 is not required. As shown in

Figs. 8-9, player controls 152 may be located adjacent to play portion 141. The

play portion may thus identify the commands associated with player controls 152

without label portion 143.

[0072] Alternatively, or additionally, the card reader subsystem may include

one or more faces (not shown) that identify the commands associated with the player

controls. The game cards and/or any other component of the DVD gaming system

may identify which face should be used. Alternatively, the card reader subsystem

may be configured such that the game card covers the player controls and the player

may press the appropriate section of the label portion to activate the selected player

control.

[0073] Data processing subsystem 138 may include any suitable structure

configured to obtain game information from card reader subsystem 136 and/ or

convert that information to game signals responsive, at least in part, to the game

information and/or recognizable by DVD player 24. For example, data

processing subsystem 138 may include a read-only memory (ROM) 154, a

central processing unit (CPU) 156, and a random access memory (RAM) 158.

[0074] ROM 154 may include any suitable structure configured to provide

one or more predetermined operation programs for CPU 156. The ROM may store

those programs in a non-volatile manner. The programs may include programs to

accept game information from card reader subsystem 136 and/or convert that

information to game signals responsive, at least in part, to the game information

and/ or recognizable by DVD player 24.

[0075] CPU 156 may include any suitable structure configured to

run the predetermined operation programs from ROM 154, while RAM 158

may include any suitable structure to store various data required for data

processing by CPU 156. Data processing subsystem 138 may include additional

components configured to allow the data processing system to obtain game

information from card reader subsystem 136 and/or convert that information to

game signals responsive, at least in part, to the game information and/or recognizable

by DVD player 24. Those additional components may include a hard disk drive,

floppy disk drive, CD-ROM drive, keyboard, interface wires/cables, and/or any

suitable combination.

[0076] Game signals may include signals readable by a conventional DVD

player, such as "Up," "Down," "Enter," and "Menu" signals, to cause a specific

response by the DVD player. Additionally, the game signals may include specific

chapters or time codes corresponding to specific chapters in the DVD game medium.

[0077] Communication subsystem 140 may include any suitable structure

configured to transmit game signals from data processing subsystem 138 and/or card

reader subsystem 136 to DVD player 24. For example, the communication subsystem

may include a light-emitting diode (LED) 160. Communication subsystem 140

may include additional components configured to allow the communication

subsystem to transmit game signals from data processing subsystem 138 and/or

card reader subsystem 136 to DVD player 24. For example, to facilitate the use of

DVD game remote 27" with a variety of different DVD players, communication

subsystem 140 also may include universal remote control circuitry, which allows

LED 160 to be programmed to communicate with a particular DVD player, such as

DVD player 24.

[0078] If configured with universal remote control circuitry, LED 160

may be programmed by entering a code corresponding to a particular DVD

player. In some embodiments, the DVD game remote may be programmed by

directing a signal from another remote to an optional signal detector of the DVD

game remote. LED 160 may additionally, or alternatively, be programmed by

running an automatic detection query in which DVD game remote 27" transmits

different signals until a signal corresponding to a particular DVD player is found.

Although the communication subsystem is shown to include an LED for

communicating signals, any suitable structure may be used, such as other optical

communication mechanisms, radio communication mechanisms, or any other suitable

mode configured to send one or more signals to a DVD player.

[0079] Although DVD game remote 27" is shown to include specific

subsystems and specific components within those subsystems, any suitable

combination of subsystems and/or components within the subsystems may be used

configured to allow players to interact with and/or control DVD gaming system 20.

For example, some or all of data processing subsystem 138 may not be required if

the machine-readable portion of game cards 134 includes the game signals for DVD

player 24.

[0080] Various games may be played with DVD gaming system 20 having

DVD game remote 26, such as DVD game remotes 26' and/or 26" illustrated in Figs.

4-9. For example, a method of playing some of the many possible games is indicated

generally at 200 in Fig. 8. A player begins his or her turn at 202. The player draws

a card from the game cards at 204. That player may be required to draw the card

in any suitable way. For example, the game cards may be shuffled and stacked with

the player taking a card from the stack. Alternatively, or additionally, the game cards

may be arranged in specific categories with one or more players (including the

current player) selecting a game card(s) from the category in which the first or

designated player selected from. Those categories may be based on any suitable

criteria, including the different types of DVD game media available and/or on a

specific DVD game medium. For example, the game cards may be categorized by

specific movies on the DVD game media and the first, designated, and/or current

player selects which specific movie he or she would like to answer questions on.

[0081] The player inserts the DVD game medium that is required by the

drawn card into the DVD player at 206. The player then answers one or more

questions on the player-readable portion of the card at 208. Prior to answering the

one or more questions on the game card, those questions may be read aloud by the

player, an opposing player, a person not participating in the game, and/or any suitable

person.

[0082] After answering the one or more questions, the player processes the

game card via the card reader on the DVD game remote at 210. Processing the game

card via the card reader may include inserting the game card into the card reader

subsystem, sliding the game card across the card reader subsystem, sliding the DVD

game remote across the game card, and/or any suitable method configured to allow

the card reader to obtain the game information from the game card and to allow the

DVD game remote to transmit one or more game signals responsive, at least in part, to the game information. In some embodiments, processing the game card via the card

reader does not require physical contact between the game card and the card reader.

The card reader reads the machine-readable portion of the game card and sends the

appropriate signals to the DVD player. That DVD player then plays one or more

specific sections of the DVD game medium to reveal the answers to the one or more

questions at 212.

[0083] The player then determines if an additional card (or the other side of

the card where the card has questions on both sides) will be played at 214. The player

may draw an additional card when one or more questions on the current game card are

answered correctly, when all the questions on the current game card are answered

I correctly, and/or any suitable scenario. Alternatively, step 214 and node 216 may be

eliminated in some embodiments and the player may never draw an additional card in

those embodiments.

[0084] If an additional card (or side) is to be played at 216, then the player

draws a card at 204. However, if an additional card is not to be played at 218, then

the player calculates his or her score at 220 and ends the turn at 222. The score may

be calculated in any suitable way based on whether the player answered correctly

and/or incorrectly. For example, the one or more questions on the game card may

include associated points and the player receives points by answering the questions

correctly. Additionally, or alternatively, the player's score may be deducted by

answering the questions incorrectly. In some embodiments, the DVD gaming

system may calculate and keep track of the scores of the players by using, for

example, the onboard memory of the DVD player.

[0085] Players take turns going through method 200 and the goal may be

to play successive rounds until a suitable stopping point. Suitable stopping points may

be based on time, score, number of game cards remaining, and/or any suitable

combination. Additionally, method 200 may include any suitable preparation steps

before beginning the game. For example, all the required DVD game media may

be prepared and the DVD player, DVD game remote, and/or television may be

switched on before beginning the game.

[0086] Method 200 may, however, be performed in different sequences

and in different combinations, not all steps being required for all embodiments of the

DVD gaming system. Alternatively, or additionally, method 200 may be modified in

any suitable way. For example, step 206 may be performed as a preparation step if

only one DVD game medium is to be used for a particular turn or for the entire game.

Additionally, the game cards may include one or more answers (instead of questions),

step 208 may require player to phrase an appropriate question to the answers, and/or step

212 may play a specific section of the DVD game medium that reveals the appropriate

question. Moreover, although the method is described as being performed by a player,

a team of two or more players may perform the method. Furthermore, although method

200 is described as a game that involves at least two opposing players taking turns, the

game may be played by only one player or by one player against one or more virtual

players created by the DVD gaming system.

[0087] Another method of playing some of the many possible games with DVD

gaming system 20 having DVD game remote 26, such as DVD game remotes 26"

illustrated in Figs. 6-9, is indicated generally at 300 in Fig. 11. A player begins his

or her turn at 302 and starts the timer by activating one or more of the player controls

at 304. The player then draws a card from the game cards at 306.

[0088] That player may be required to draw the card in any suitable way.

For example, the game cards may be shuffled and stacked with the player taking a

card from the stack. Alternatively, or additionally, the game cards may be arranged in

specific categories with one or more players (including the current player) selecting a

game card(s) from the category in which the first or the designated player selected

from. Those categories may be based on any suitable criteria, including the different

types of DVD game media available and/or on a specific DVD game medium.

[0089] The player inserts the drawn game card into the card reader subsystem

at 308. DVD player then plays one or more specific sections of the DVD game

medium at 310 to display on the television one or more questions, categories, clues,

and/or any suitable combination. The player then reads potential answers on the

game card via the window on the card reader subsystem at 312, and selects an

answer at 314. If the player is part of a team, that player may announce or call out

the answers on the game card before selecting an answer for the team.

[0090] Once an answer is selected, the player activates the player control on the

DVD game remote corresponding to the selected answer at 316. The DVD player receives the signal from the DVD game remote and initiates a script contained in the

DVD game medium in response to the signal. Specifically, the DVD player and/or

the DVD game medium determine if the selected answer is correct at 318, and game

play continues via return node 319. The DVD player and/or the DVD game medium

may display the selected answer, whether the selected answer was correct, the score

based on the selected answer, and/or any suitable information. After one or more of

steps 306-318, the timer is checked to see if it has ended at 320. If the timer has not

ended, then game play continues via node 322. However, if the timer has ended, then the player's total score is calculated at 326.

[0091] The total score may be calculated by the DVD player and/or DVD

game medium. That total score also may be displayed on the television.

Alternatively, or additionally, the total score may be calculated by one or more of

the players. The score may be calculated in any suitable way based on whether the

player answered correctly and/or incorrectly. For example, the one or more

questions on the game card may include associated points and the player receives

points by answering the questions correctly. Additionally, or alternatively, the

player's score may be deducted by answering the questions incorrectly. The player's

turn ends at 328.

[0092] Players take turns going through method 300 and the goal may be

to play successive rounds until a suitable stopping point. Suitable stopping points

may be based on total time, score, number of game cards remaining, and/or any

suitable combination. Additionally, method 300 may include any suitable

preparation steps before beginning the game. For example, all the required DVD

game media may be prepared and the DVD player, DVD game remote, and/or

television may be switched on before beginning the game.

[0093] Method 300 may, however, be performed in different sequences

and in different combinations, not all steps being required for all embodiments of the

DVD gaming system. Alternatively, or additionally, method 300 may be modified

in any suitable way. For example, a timer may not be used and play may be

regulated in any other suitable method, such as whether questions were answered

correctly. Additionally, return node 319 may not present and the player only gets to

draw one game card. Moreover, the specific section of the DVD may include one or

more answers (instead of questions) at 310, which would require the player to read

potential questions that is appropriate to the answer at 312, select the appropriate

question at 314, and activate the appropriate player control at 316. Additionally,

although the method is described as being performed by a player, the method may be

performed by a team of two or more players. Furthermore, although method 200 is

described as a game that involves at least two opposing players taking turns, the

game may be played by only one player or by one player against one or more virtual

players created by the DVD gaming system.

[0094] Additionally, methods 200 or 300, and other possible games may be

played with game cards 34 and a conventional DVD remote. For example, game

cards 34 or 134 may contain instructions on which chapters of the DVD to play.

Instead of processing the game card via the card reader at 210, or inserting the game

card in the card reader at 308, the player may follow the instructions on that card to

play the specific chapter(s) on the DVD game medium using a conventional DVD

player remote and/or by manipulating the appropriate controls on the DVD player.

[0095] Other games may be played with DVD gaming system 20 having DVD

game remote 26, such as DVD game remotes 26' and/or 26" illustrated in Figs. 4-9.

For example, the game cards may include battling entities, armies, chess pieces, etc.

with associated points. Each player may select the card that he or she wants to use for

the particular conflict. The card reader subsystem may read those cards and send

game information relating to those cards to the data processing subsystem. That

data processing system may interpolate the points of the cards, determine the

outcome of the conflict based on the information it was provided, and then send game

signals to the DVD player via the communication subsystem. The DVD player may

play one or more specific chapters that visually show the conflict and its outcome.

[0096] Although gaming systems and features of gaming systems have been

shown and described with reference to the foregoing operational principles

and preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will find apparent that various

changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope

of the claims. The present disclosure is intended to embrace all such alternatives,

modifications, and variances that fall within the scope of the appended claims.