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PORTABLE COUNTING DEVICE AND GAMING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a portable counting device and associated gaming system. The gaming system comprises a portable counting device and game console which may be coupled to one another for communication therebetween .

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable counting devices, such as pedometers, are known. A pedometer is a device which is worn to count the number of steps taken by the wearer, thereby providing a direct and up-to-date record of the activity of the wearer. The pedometer typically registers one increment per step the wearer takes. Therefore, if a wearer takes 10,000 steps, the pedometer will record a step count of 10,000, and so on. Pedometers are often worn by people in order to provide a measurement of the amount of exercise taken on a day-to-day basis. For this reason, the step count of standard pedometers may be reset daily or as required.

Pedometers are also known to be used in other applications. For example, it is known to use the step count of a pedometer as an input to a computer game. Such a gaming system is described in Japanese Patent Application

Publication No. 08103586. In addition, co-pending UK Patent Application No. 0610827.8 in the name of New Concept Gaming Limited describes the use of a pedometer as a game controller. In particular, the pedometer provides an output signal to a computer game console for controlling the movement of a game object in a video game such that a

magnitude of movement of the game object varies in dependence upon the steps taken by a user.

The present invention seeks to provide an improved portable counting device and associated gaming system which encourages people (and especially children) to take more exercise and gain a healthier lifestyle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable counting device arranged to be worn by a user. The device comprises a counter for recording a count,- and a movement sensor arranged to sense discrete movement events of the user. The counting device is arranged to be coupled to a computer game console so as to enable two-way communication between the game console and the counting device. The counting device has a first mode of operation when decoupled from the game console in which the counting device is operable to increment the count by a first increment value for each sensed discrete movement event, and the counting device has a second mode of operation when coupled to the game console in which the counting device is operable to decrement the count.

The possibility of decrementing the count when the counting device and the game console are coupled to one another increases the interaction between the counting device and the game console so that more gaming options are available than in the prior art systems. The present invention is highly accessible by virtue of its simplicity to use and its relatively low manufacture cost. Implicit in this idea is the ability to modify the count of the portable counting device. It is also important for the count to be

able to be passed between the portable counting device and the game console when they are coupled to one another.

When the present portable counting device is used in conjunction with suitable game software, the system as a whole can be used to encourage exercise away from the computer game, whilst rewarding the user for exercise when playing the game. For example, in preferred embodiments, the count of the portable counting device may be decreased for some benefit within the game when the portable counting device and the game console are coupled to one another.

Such interaction serves to enhance the gaming experience by increasing immersion. Furthermore, the present invention serves to make healthy movement a core part of the enhanced gaming experience. As mentioned above, the counting device has a second mode of operation in which the counting device is operable to decrement the count. The decrement may be a specified decrement value less than or equal to the value of the count. In one embodiment, the counting device is operable to decrement the count by a decrement value for each sensed discrete movement event when the counting device is in the second mode of operation. Alternatively or additionally, when the counting device is in the second mode of operation, the counting device is arranged to receive a signal from the game console and is operable to decrement the count by a specified amount in response to that signal.

The counting device may also be arranged to check for coupling to the game console so as to determine whether the counting device is in the first or second mode of operation. Advantageously, the counting device is arranged to pass the count to the game console when the counting device is in the second mode of operation.

Advantageously, when the counting device is in the second mode of operation, the counting device is operable to provide an output signal to the game console for controlling the movement of a game object. More advantageously, the output signal is provided such that a magnitude of movement of the game object varies in dependence upon the sensed discrete movement events. In this embodiment, therefore, the counting device is used both as a game controller and as a device for limiting or controlling the duration or extent of gameplay based on the count of the counting device.

Thus, the interaction between the counting device and the game console is further enhanced for increased immersion in the game .

In a preferred embodiment, the counting device is a pedometer, and the movement sensor is arranged to sense steps taken by the user.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming system comprising a portable counting device and a computer game console. The portable counting device is arranged to be worn by a user and has both a counter for recording a count and a movement sensor arranged to sense discrete movement events of the user. The counting device and the game console are arranged to be coupled so as to enable two-way communication therebetween. At least one of the counting device and the game console is operable to decrement the count when the counting device and the game console are coupled to one another.

In a preferred embodiment, the gaming system further comprises computer game software operable to run on the game console. At least a portion of the computer game software is operable to run on the game console only when the counting device and the game console are coupled to one

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another and when the count of the counting device is greater than a predetermined value. Advantageously, the predetermined value is zero. For example, the gaming part of the computer game software may only run when the count is greater than zero, whereas the initiation/set-up and saving procedures of the computer game software may run regardless of the count of the counting device.

Advantageously, the gaming system further comprises computer game software operable to run on the game console. Furthermore, the count of the pedometer corresponds to a level of available gaming credit for the user in the associated game environment. Such gaming credit may be used to provide gaming benefits (e.g. items, secrets, level-up, objects, etc.) within the game environment. Other preferred features of the present invention are set out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a flow chart showing a game console and a pedometer according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a flow chart showing a normal mode of the pedometer of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing one embodiment of a the gaming mode of the pedometer of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of a the gaming mode of the pedometer of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a portable counting device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 6 is a schematic illustration of a gaming system comprising a portable counting device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 is a flow chart showing an overview of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown schematically in Figure 6, the system 10 comprises a game console 12 and a portable counting device in the form of a pedometer 14, which is adapted to be worn by a user 16. The pedometer 14 is shown schematically in Figure 5. For example, as for known pedometers, the pedometer 14 may comprise attachment means 18 such as a clip or a loop for attachment to a user's belt. The pedometer 14 comprises both a counter and a movement sensor (not shown) . The movement sensor is an accelerometer, as is known in the art, which senses individual steps taken by a user 16 wearing the pedometer 14.. The counter is used, to record a count, such as a step count of the user 16. The pedometer 14 may also comprise other known features, such as a counter reset button 20 and a display window 22. The game console 12 comprises a processor 24 operable to run computer game software to enable a user to play a computer game. The game console 12 may be a PC or may be a processor intended specifically for playing computer games (e.g. an Xbox or Sony PlayStation console) . The game console 12 may comprise accessories such as one or more game controllers or joysticks (not shown) . Other accessories may

also be provided. A monitor 28 for displaying gameplay is also shown in Figure 6.

The pedometer 14 is able to be coupled 26 to the game console 12 to enable two-way communication therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling is wireless. For example, the pedometer 14 and the game console 12 may each comprise a transmitter and a receiver for infrared or Bluetooth communication. Other forms of wireless and wired communication between the pedometer 14 and the game console 12 are also envisaged within the scope of the invention.

The pedometer 14 has two modes of operation according to whether or not it is coupled to the game console 12. When the pedometer 14 is not coupled to the game console 12, it has a so-called "normal mode of operation". Whereas, when the pedometer 14 is coupled to the game console 14, it operates in a so-called "the gaming mode of operation".

In one embodiment, the pedometer 14 is used as a game controller. For example, in the second mode of operation, the pedometer 14 may provide an output signal to the game console 12 for controlling the movement of a game object in a computer game which is being run on the game console 12. In particular, the output signal may be provided such that a magnitude of movement of the game object varies in dependence upon the steps sensed by the pedometer 14.

Operation of the pedometer and game console system will now be described with reference to Figures 1-4. In Figures 1-4, steps relating to the pedometer are shown on the right hand side of the central dashed line, and steps relating to the game console are shown on the left hand side of the central dashed line. However, a skilled man will appreciate

that certain steps could be performed by the pedometer rather than the game console, and vice versa.

In Figure 1, the pedometer is activated at step SlOl. This is done, for example, by means of a simple on-off switch. Having been switched on or activated, the pedometer enters the normal mode of operation at step S102. Whilst in the normal mode, the pedometer repeatedly checks to see whether it is coupled to the game console at step S103. If no coupling is found (see step S103 "No" in Figure 1), the pedometer remains in the normal mode and performs the same check again and again until either a coupling is established (see step S103 "Yes" in Figure 1) or the pedometer is deactivated (this option is not shown in Figure 1) .

The game console is activated at step S104 in Figure 1. Following activation, the game console is coupled to the pedometer at step S105. In Figure 1, the coupling is shown to be performed by the game console (in that step S105 is located on the left hand side of the central dashed line in Figure 1) . However, it will be understood that the coupling step S105 could equally be instigated by the pedometer.

Once the game console and the pedometer are coupled together, the coupling check step S103 provides a positive response (see step S103 "Yes" in Figure 1) . At this stage, the pedometer enters the gaming mode of operation, as indicated at step S106 in Figure 1. Whilst in the gaming mode, the pedometer repeatedly checks to see whether it is coupled to the game console at step S107. If the coupling is found (see step S107 "Yes" in Figure 1) , the pedometer remains in the gaming mode and performs the same check again and again until either the coupling is removed (see step S103 "No" in Figure 1) or the pedometer is deactivated (again, this option is not shown in Figure 1).

Step S108 in Figure 1 depicts the possibility of the game console uncoupling from the pedometer. If this occurs, the coupling check step S107 provides a negative response (see step S103 "No" in Figure 1) . At this stage, the pedometer returns to the normal uncoupled mode of operation, as indicated at step S102 in Figure 1.

Preferably, the coupling check steps S103 and S107 are performed by the pedometer as shown in Figure 1. The coupling check steps S103 and S107 could be run at regular intervals as background processes ^' within the pedometer.

Alternatively, the coupling check steps S103 and S107 could be run in response to an increase in the step count of the pedometer. The coupling check steps S103 and S107 could alternatively be performed by the game console, and a signal passed from the game console to the pedometer on coupling or uncoupling. The pedometer mode of operation could then be changed in response to such a signal received from the game console .

Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the normal mode of operation of the pedometer which occurs when a user is wearing the pedometer and the pedometer is not coupled to the game console. The process shown in Figure 2 is intended to run in parallel with coupling check step S103 in Figure 1.

As shown in Figure 2, if the user takes a step at step S201 whilst wearing the pedometer, the count of the pedometer is incremented by 1 at step S202. If the user then takes another step, the count is again incremented by 1, and so on. This is the usual way in which a standard pedometer functions so that a user may keep track of the total number of steps they take during a day, for example.

In this embodiment, the increment value is 1 in the normal mode. In an alternative embodiment, the count may be incremented by a number other than 1 for each step taken by the user. For example, the count could be incremented by an increment value of 0.5 or 2 or 10, etc. However, the count increment value is positive for each step taken by the user in the normal mode. Thus, in the normal mode, it is possible for a user to increase the magnitude of the count by taking one or more steps. However, in the normal mode, there is no mechanism by which the user may decrease the magnitude of the count, unless they reset the pedometer count by means of a standard reset button. In other words, the count may only increase or be reset to zero in the normal mode; the count may not be reduced by a decrement value less than the value of the count.

There is no interaction of the pedometer with the game console in Figure 2, since the pedometer is not connected to the game console in the normal mode of operation.

Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of the gaming mode of operation of the pedometer which occurs when a user is wearing the pedometer and the pedometer is coupled to the game console. The process shown in Figure 3 is intended to run in parallel with coupling check step S107 in Figure 1. Having entered the gaming mode at step S106 in Figure 1, the pedometer passes the count to the game console at step S301. The pedometer count is then received by the game console at step S302. The game console then assesses whether the count is greater than or equal to zero. If the count is greater than zero, as indicated at step S303 in Figure 3, then the user is allowed to play the game at step S304. If the user takes a step whilst wearing the

pedometer in the gaming mode at step S305, the count of the pedometer is decremented by 1 at step S306. Having decremented the count, the pedometer again passes the count to the game console at step S301 and it is received at step S302. If the count is still above zero at step S303, then gameplay is allowed to continue at step S304 and the user may take another step in the gaming mode at step S305 so as to further decrement the count by 1 at step S306. So long as the pedometer remains in the gaming mode (see the coupling check step S107 in Figure 1) , then this process will continue until the pedometer count is reduced to zero by the repeated decrements at step S306.

If the game console receives the count at step S302 and finds that the received count is zero at step S307, then gameplay is no longer allowed as indicated at step S308.

Following step S308, it is envisaged that the gameplay would be paused and saved by the game console (not shown in Figure 3) . Also, it would be necessary for the user to uncouple the pedometer from the game console so as to start increasing the magnitude of the count by taking steps in the normal mode as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively, the system could be set up so as to automatically uncouple the pedometer from the game console when the count is zero. This would enable the user to immediately start taking steps in the normal mode at step S201 so as to increment the count of the pedometer at step S202.

Thus, in the embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1-3, the pedometer counts upwards for each step taken outside the game, and counts downwards for each step taken within the game. This means that if the pedometer has a record of 2000 steps from outside activity (i.e. steps taken in the normal mode) , then the user can play a computer

game in the gaming mode on the game console for 2000 steps until the count reaches zero. At zero, the game can no longer be played and the user has to go and earn some more game time by exercising. Therefore, the pedometer acts as a device for limiting or controlling the duration or extent of gameplay based on the recorded count such that the system encourages exercise away from the computer game.

Let us consider the preferred embodiment mentioned above in which the pedometer is used as a game controller.

In this case, steps taken by the user in the gaming mode are used as input to the game for controlling the movement of a game object or game character. For example, steps taken by the user in the gaming mode could enable corresponding virtual steps to be taken by a game character moving through a virtual environment within the game. In this embodiment, therefore, the pedometer is used both as a game controller and as a device for limiting the amount of gameplay based on the count. Thus, the interaction between the counting device and the game console is further enhanced for increased immersion in the game.

Figure 4 is an alternative to Figure 3 and shows a slightly more complex embodiment of the gaming mode of operation of the pedometer which occurs when a user is wearing the pedometer and the pedometer is coupled to the game console. As for Figure 3, the process shown in Figure 4 is intended to run in parallel with coupling check step S107 in Figure 1. Steps S401 to S404 in Figure 4 correspond to steps S301 to S304 respectively in Figure 3. However, in Figure 4, there are two options if the game console finds that the

count is greater than zero at step S403 such that gameplay is allowed at step S404.

The first option is that the user may take a step at step S405 so as to change the count of the pedometer by X at step S406. Various gaming scenarios are described in more detail below with reference to different values of the predetermined count change value X.

The second option is illustrated by steps S409 to S415 in Figure 4 in which the user is provided with an opportunity to use their step count as a form of currency or credit within the game. At step S409, the user attempts to use a specified number N of their total step count as credit within the game. For example, the game may offer the user an option of spending some of their step count as gaming credits to gain some sort game benefit such as items, secrets, level-up, improved character appearance, etc. Each game benefit would be associated with a particular number N of gaming credits. Thus, if the pedometer count is less than the specified number N of gaming credits that the user is attempting to spend (see step S410) , then the user cannot afford the associated game benefit and no action is taken at step S411. In this scenario, the game console returns to step S408 to give the user an opportunity for an alternative gameplay option. For example, the user might chose to take a step as per the first option at step S405. Alternatively, the user might attempt to spend an amount of gaming credits N which is less than or equal to their total step count (as indicated at step S412) . In this case, the user can afford the associated game benefit and the gaming credits are allowed to be spent at step S413 in return for that game benefit. Then, at step S414, the game console sends a signal to the pedometer indicating that N gaming credits

have been spent, such that the pedometer reduces the count by N at step S415 before passing the new, reduced count back to the game console at step S401.

For example, if the user has a step count of 10,000 steps on the pedometer record, then the user would be allowed to spend 3,500 credits in the game at step S409 (see also steps S412 and S413) such that the pedometer count would be reduced to 6,500 at step S415. However, if the user then attempted to spend another 8,000 credits at step S409, the game console would find that there was insufficient credit (i.e. the count of 6,500 is less than the attempted spend of 8,000) at step S410 and no action would be allowed at step S411.

In the preferred embodiment of Figure 4, it is envisaged that 1 step count on the pedometer would be equivalent to 1 gaming credit within the game. Thus, a total step count of 2,500 on the pedometer would correspond to 2,500 gaming credits for use within the game such that the terms "credit" and "count" may be used interchangeably. However, there need not be a one-to-one correspondence between the total step count and the available gaming credit. For example, 10 steps may be equivalent to 1 gaming credit, or 1 step may be equivalent to 10 gaming credits, etc.

Let us now consider various gaming scenarios dependent on the value of the predetermined count change value X. In the embodiment of Figure 3, there is a count decrement value of 1 used in step S306 when the user takes a step in the gaming mode. In contrast, the embodiment of Figure 4 uses a more versatile algorithm in which the count changes by a predetermined value X at step S406 after the user has taken

a step at step S405 in the gaming mode. The predetermined count change value X may be positive, negative or zero, and different gaming scenarios are described below relating to these options. In a first gaming scenario, the predetermined count change value X is negative (i.e. a decrement value) such that the count is decremented for each step taken by the user in the gaming mode as described above with reference to Figure 3. As before, the decrement value could be 1 (i.e. X = -l) , such that the step count reduces by 1 for each step taken by the user in the gaming mode. However, a decrement value other than 1 could also be used. For example, the decrement value could be 0.5 or 2 or 10, etc (i.e. X = ~0.5, X = -2 , X = -10, etc) . This gaming scenario encourages exercise away from the game, as for the embodiment of Figure 3.

In a second gaming scenario, the predetermined count change value X is zero (i.e. X = O) such that steps taken by the user in the gaming mode do not affect the pedometer count at all. Thus, during gameplay, the step count does not increase and the user just spends the step count that they have previously earned in the normal mode (i.e. outside of gameplay) . Again, this gaming scenario encourages exercise away from the game in order to earn step credits to be used during gaming (see steps S409 to S415 in Figure 4) .

In a third gaming scenario, the predetermined count change value X is positive (i.e. an increment value) such that the count is incremented for each step taken by the user in the gaming mode. Thus, steps are earned by the user and the pedometer count increases both whilst playing the game in the gaming mode and outside the game in the normal mode. If the increment value X (X >0) for each step taken

during gameplay (i.e. in the gaming mode) is equal to the increment value for each step taken outside gameplay (i.e. in the normal mode - see step S202) , then steps taken during gameplay and outside gameplay have the same value. In a preferred embodiment, the increment value X ( X > 0 ) for each step taken in the gaming mode is less than the increment value for each step taken in the normal mode. This means that non-gaming steps are more valuable in terms of credits available to be spent during gameplay (see steps S409 to S415 in Figure 4 as described above) .

In addition, more complicated embodiments of the gaming mode are envisaged in which the predetermined count change value X varies during execution of the computer game software. For example, preferably, X = O during the initiation of the computer game (e.g. when the user is navigating menus so as to select a particular game to play and a gaming level) . Then, once the user starts playing the game, the predetermined count change value X may change such that X>0 or X<0. It will be understood that this is just one example, and many other examples may be envisaged within the scope of the invention.

Thus, in the embodiments of Figures 3 and 4, the game console is operable to decrement the count of the pedometer when the pedometer is in the gaming mode. In Figure 3, the count is able to be decremented at step S306 by means of steps taken by the user at step S305. In Figure 4, the count is able to be decremented at step S415 by the user spending step credits at step S413, and the count may also be decremented at step S406 by means of steps taken by the user at step S405 if the predetermined count change value X is negative (i.e. X<0) . So long as the pedometer remains in the gaming mode (see the coupling check step S107 in

Figure 1) , then gaming can continue until the pedometer count is reduced to zero. Once the count is reduced to zero (see steps S307 and S407), then gameplay is not allowed (see steps S308 and S408) and the game is paused and saved by the game console as described above.

Moreover, in the gaming mode when the game console is coupled to the pedometer, it is envisaged that the game console could increase as well as decrease the step count of the pedometer. For example, the game console could send a signal to the pedometer causing the pedometer to increase the count by a specified amount in response to the signal.

It is envisaged that a computer game could be designed to work both with and without the pedometer described above. In particular, a user could buy a pedometer-enabled game and could optionally buy the associated pedometer as well. In use, a game console running the software could then attempt to couple to any activated pedometers in the vicinity. If an active pedometer is located, then the game software could be run in conjunction with the pedometer input as described above. However, if an active pedometer is not located, then the game software could have alternative software code to enable the game to be played in the absence of a pedometer input.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that these are by way of example only and that various modifications may be contemplated. For example, the embodiments above describe the use of a pedometer for counting the number of steps taken by a user. However, any other type of portable counting device could be used comprising a movement sensor

arranged to sense discrete movement events of the user other than steps (e.g. clapping, waving, nodding, etc) .