Abstract:
For a playing experience in a computer game that more accurately captures the experience of professional football or another sport, it is advantageous to be able to hide from an opponent a selected player formation and play selection until the play actually begins. Similarly, in other computer games such as war games and role-playing games, it is desirable to be able to hide from other players certain properties—e.g., equipment, disposition of forces, etc.—held by each player while making this information available to the player holding these properties. In the present invention, display devices are provided that are visible only to a limited number of players. Illustratively, the display device can be worn on the player&#39;s forearm. Information that would typically be hidden from the other side in a real situation is made available to only one side by displaying it on one of these display devices.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/134,140, filed Jun. 5, 2008, which claims benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/942,052, filed Jun. 5, 2007, and Ser. No. 61/022,136, filed Jan. 18, 2008, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This relates to interactive displays and their use. It is particularly useful in computer gaming and will be described in that context. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In a conventional multi-player computer game, a game console such as a Playstation, Xbox, Gamecube or Wii is connected to a television set and individual player controllers are connected to the game console. In this arrangement, each player sees everything displayed on the television screen. For a playing experience that more accurately captures the experience of professional football or another sport, it would be advantageous to be able to hide from an opponent a selected player formation and play selection until the play actually begins. Similarly, in other computer games such as war games and role-playing games, it is desirable to be able to hide from other players certain properties—e.g., resources, equipment, disposition of forces, etc.—held by each player while making this information available to the player holding these properties. At the same time, any secrecy that is achieved should not detract from the playability of the game and should make efficient use of display screen resources. 
         [0004]    In still other games, the amount of information that is provided to a player may be limited by the size of the television screen. For example, in conventional games that include a simulated cockpit such as in automobile racing or airplane flying, the television screen is used both to provide a simulated view of the exterior through a windshield and to provide a simulated view of the cockpit instruments. Unfortunately, the limited size of the television screen often means that either, or both, of the exterior view and the cockpit view must be reduced in scope. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, display devices are provided that are visible only to individual players. One such embodiment of the display device comprises a display screen, a control button, a connector, a power switch and an LED signal light mounted on a frame. Some embodiments are intended to be mounted on a player&#39;s forearm by suitable means such as straps. 
         [0006]    In a further illustrative embodiment of the invention, a plurality of these display devices is operated so that information that is to be hidden from a second side in a video game is made available to the first side on a first of these display devices; and information that is to be hidden from the first side is made available to the second side on a second of these display devices. Specifically, software is provided for selectively displaying on one or more such display devices first information that is intended to be seen by only a first group of players and for selectively displaying on other such display devices second information that is intended to be seen by only a second group of players while inhibiting the display of the first and second information to all players in common. For example, in the case of a football game, the software prevents the display of player formation and play selection screens for both teams to all players in common but provides to one opponent&#39;s display device player formation and play selection information for his team and to the other opponent&#39;s display device the player formation and play selection information for his team. 
         [0007]    In another illustrative embodiment of the invention, a display device is used to expand the information that is provided to a player and/or to provide better simulation of the gaming environment. For example, in games that include a simulated cockpit, a simulation of the cockpit instrument panel may be displayed on one or more small display devices while a simulation of the exterior through a windshield may take up the full screen of a television display. 
         [0008]    The invention also includes software fixed in a suitable recording medium such as a CD or DVD that includes instructions executable by a computer processor for controlling the game console, the display devices and the television to display the appropriate images. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    These and other objects, features and advantages of my invention will be more readily apparent from the following Detailed Description in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view an illustrative embodiment of the display device of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of the circuitry of the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart depicting certain operations of the display device of  FIG. 1   
           [0013]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are illustrations of television player formation and play selection screens of the prior art; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 6-9  are illustrations of play call screens that might be seen on the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 10 and 11  are illustrations of television play call screens that might be used with the display device of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart depicting certain operations of an illustrative example of software utilizing the display device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a display device  100  of an illustrative embodiment of the invention. Preferably, each player has his own display device  100  and, in one embodiment of the invention, each display device is connected to a gaming console  110  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Display device  100  comprises a display screen  120 , a control button  130 , a connector  140 , a power switch  150 , and an LED signal light  160  mounted on a frame  180 . Illustratively, frame  180  measures approximately 2.5 to 5 inches in height and approximately 4 to 8 inches in length; but other size frames may also be used. The frame is intended to be mounted on a player&#39;s forearm by straps  190 ; but numerous other mounting arrangements may be used instead. For example, the frame may be secured to a padded sleeve that is slipped over the player&#39;s hand and forearm. 
         [0018]    Illustratively, display screen  120  is a high visibility light emitting diode (LED) display screen. Illustratively, control button  130  has a central button  132  and four peripheral buttons  134 ,  135 ,  136 ,  137 , each occupying one of the four North, East, South, and West quadrants around the central button  132 . The four peripheral buttons control directional movement (up, right, down, and left, respectively) of objects on the display screen. The central button is a selection button. Power switch  150  is used to turn display device  110  on and off and LED light  170  indicates whether the display device is on or off. Other control buttons may also be mounted on frame  180 . Alternatively, some or all of the buttons may be implemented as touch screen buttons or other commands on display screen  120 . In this alternative, the display screen may be expanded to encompass substantially all of the upper surface of frame  180 . Illustratively, connector  140  is a USB 2.0 connector or equivalent with signal, power and ground lines for connecting display device  100  to console  110 . In other embodiments, the display devices may be connected to a computer; and connector  140  may provide signal, power and ground lines for such connections. 
         [0019]    Electronics for controlling display screen  120  and button  130  and for managing connector  140  are enclosed within frame  180 .  FIG. 2  is a block diagram of these electronics and their connection to the elements of  FIG. 1 . The electronics comprises button logic  210  for reading central button  132 , a wireless chipset  220  for communicating with console  110 , a display driver  230  for driving display screen  120 , flip-flops  240  for storing display signals for supply to display driver  230 , a USB port  250  connected by a USB cable  252  to console  110  via connector  140 , directional pad logic  260  connected to buttons  134 - 137 , a battery charging circuit  270 , and a battery  280 . Power switch  160  and LED light  170  are connected to the power rails. A signal bus  290  interconnects button logic  210 , flip-flops  240 , USB port  250 , directional pad logic  260  and charging circuit  270 . A power bus  295  connects USB port  250  to charging circuit  270 . 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart that depicts the initialization of display device  100  following the time it is turned on by power switch  160 . The device begins by resetting at step  310 . Following reset, at step  320  the device tests to determine if it is connected to a console. If not, it sends out a discovery signal at step  322 ; and tests at step  324  if at least one console is within range. If none is, it continues to send out a discovery signal. If a console is within range, the device proceeds to step  340  discussed below. If the controller is connected to a console, the device tests at step  330  if the connection is by wire or wireless. If it is wired, the device initiates a wired handshake at step  332 . If it is connected by wireless, it initiates a wireless handshake at step  340 . Following completion of the handshake process at either step  332  or  340 , a display is generated on display screen  120  at step  350  of all compatible applications that are available on all consoles to which the display device is connected. At step  360 , a selection is made of one of these applications by scrolling through a list of the applications and the selection is transmitted to the selected console. At step  370 , the controllers connected to the chosen console are displayed on the display device. Finally, at step  380 , a selection is made of one of the controllers by scrolling through a list of controllers; and that selection is forwarded to the chosen console. 
         [0021]    As noted above, in many multi-player computer games, it may be desirable to limit the display of certain information to one of the players so that his opponent(s) cannot see that information. For example, in various sports games such as Madden &#39;11 and similar games, the offensive and defensive players have the opportunity to select both their team&#39;s formation and a particular play. In commercially available versions of these games, this is done with each player knowing the other player&#39;s selected formation and which plays are available for selection since they are displayed on the television screen in front of him. 
         [0022]    For example,  FIGS. 4 and 5  depict the general format of the offensive and defensive player formation selection screens  400  and play selection screens  500  in Madden &#39;11. Formation selection screen  400  comprises upper and lower formation selection boxes  410  and  420  and scoreboard  490  in between. Play selection screen  500  is similar and comprises upper and lower play selection boxes  510  and  520  and scoreboard  590  in between. In  FIG. 4 , the defensive player formations are shown at the top in box  410  and the offensive player formations are shown at the bottom in box  420 . Scoreboard  490  displays logos  430  or other indicia representative of the teams (in this case, Cowboys and Eagles), score boxes  440 , a play clock  450 , a game clock  460 , a possession dot  470  indicating which team has the ball, and a yard marker  480 . Each player selects one of the player formations displayed in boxes  410  or  420  by scrolling through a series of possible formations and clicking a button or operating a similar selection mechanism on his controller when he reaches the desired formation.  FIG. 4  depicts the display for selection of a 3-4 defensive formation and a singleback offensive formation. 
         [0023]    When the formation is selected, multiple plays from that formation are then presented to the player and the player then selects one of these plays to run. The defensive player&#39;s play selections are shown at the top of  FIG. 5  in box  510  and the offensive player&#39;s play selections are shown at the bottom in box  520 . Scoreboard  590  contains the same elements as scoreboard  490  with the element numbers incremented by 100.  FIG. 5  depicts the display for selection of three plays from the 3-4 defensive formation and three plays from the singleback offensive formation. The play clock  550  specifies the offensive player&#39;s time to select a play. If he fails to select a play in the specified time, a delay of game penalty results. The defensive player has an additional 10 seconds after the offensive player selects a play to select a defensive play. The defensive player&#39;s time to make a selection is also displayed by play clock  550 . If the defensive player fails to select a defensive play in 10 seconds, the most recent defensive play is repeated. 
         [0024]    Unfortunately, this arrangement is not very realistic. In a real professional football game, both the offensive and the defensive teams go to considerable effort to hide their formations and play selection. Teams use multiple offensive formations and the play that is selected is typically done so in secrecy in the huddle. It may also be changed one or more times before the ball is snapped. Similarly, teams use multiple defensive formations and go to considerable effort to obscure their intentions before the ball is snapped. 
         [0025]    In accordance with the invention, each player&#39;s formation selection and play selection are done without the knowledge of the other player using display devices  100  instead of the television screen to display the formation selection and play selection boxes.  FIGS. 6 and 7  depict illustrative examples of the offensive player&#39;s formation selection and play selection boxes that are presented on a first display device  100  of the present invention; and  FIGS. 8 and 9  depict illustrative examples of the defensive player&#39;s formation selection and play selection boxes that are presented on a second display device  100 . Using his own display device, each player scrolls through a series of possible player formations until he selects one; and then he selects one of several possible plays from that formation.  FIGS. 6 and 8  depict the singleback offensive formation and the 3-4 defensive formation, respectively, at the time of their selection.  FIGS. 7 and 9  depict three plays that may be selected from the singleback offensive formation and three plays that may be selected from the 3-4 defensive formation. 
         [0026]    Advantageously, the formation selection and play selection information selectively displayed to the offensive player and the defensive player is the same information that is obscured from any display that is shared in common such as a television screen. For example,  FIGS. 10 and 11  depict illustrative examples of alternative play call screens  1000 ,  1100  that are displayed on a television screen when formation selection and play selection information is displayed on individual display devices in accordance with the invention. In contrast to the prior art displays of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in  FIG. 10  the offensive player&#39;s formation selection and play selection have been obscured in box  1020 . In like fashion, the defensive player&#39;s formation selection and play selection can be obscured in box  1010 . In  FIG. 11 , both players&#39; formation selections and play selections have been obscured in boxes  1110  and  1120 . As a result, one or both players must select his formation and play without information about his opponent&#39;s formation and play. 
         [0027]    This arrangement also facilitates further modifications of the play call screen such that the players can change their plays at any time up until the ball is snapped. In particular, players can change their selected plays as is frequently done by the quarterback though audibles, coverage assignments for various players can be changed, and the position of various players can also be changed. 
         [0028]    As will be appreciated, this arrangement is much more realistic in its treatment of the game. 
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is a flowchart depicting the operation of certain portions of the software for generating the player formation and play selection boxes on display devices  100 . For this example, it is assumed that there are multiple players on each side, each player having his or her own display device  100 . The flowchart begins at the point where player formation information is presented to the players and describes the software flow for control of the display on the television screen, the display on the display devices used by the offensive players and the display on the display devices used by the defensive players. Prior to this point, the television screen would have been displaying information of general interest to both teams of players such as the execution of the previously selected play and the spotting of the football at its new position on the playing field. 
         [0030]    At step  1210 , a screen such as that depicted in  FIG. 11  is presented on the television screen; a player formation selection screen such as that depicted in  FIG. 6  is presented on the offensive players&#39; display devices; and a player formation selection screen such as that shown in  FIG. 8  is presented on the defensive players&#39; display devices. Thus, the player formation selection information is blocked on the television screen that is visible to both sides; and the player formation selection information that is provided for each side is provided only to the display devices associated with that side. The play clock begins to count down on the television screen and the individual players&#39; display devices. Illustratively, the offensive players are given 25 seconds to select and initiate a play. If the offensive players fail to get the play off in time, the offensive team receives a delay of game penalty. 
         [0031]    The offensive players select a player formation by scrolling through a series of offensive player formations displayed on the display screens  120  of their display devices  100 . The defensive players do the same with a series of defensive player formations displayed on the display screens of their display devices. The offensive players&#39; display devices and the defensive players&#39; display devices are monitored at step  1220  for selection of specific player formations. When it is noted that one side has selected a player formation, at step  1230  the player formation is stored; and a play selection screen that depicts several plays for that player formation is displayed on the display screens of that side&#39;s display devices. Thus, a play selection screen such as that depicted in  FIG. 7  is displayed on the offensive players&#39; display devices; and a play selection screen such as that shown in  FIG. 9  is displayed on the defensive players&#39; display devices. The offensive players&#39; display devices continue to be monitored at step  1240  for timely selection and initiation of a play. Likewise, the defensive players&#39; display devices are monitored for selection of the defensive play. 
         [0032]    After the plays have been selected but before the play is initiated, the selected offensive play is displayed at step  1250  on the display devices of the offensive players; and the selected defensive play is displayed on the display devices of the defensive players. The offensive players&#39; display devices and the defensive players&#39; display devices are monitored at step  1260  for any audibles that may be entered that change the play and/or pre-snap adjustments in player assignments, coverage or player position. Thus, the offensive display devices are continually tested at step  1260  for any change of play or pre-snap adjustment; and any change or adjustment is stored at step  1270 . Similarly, the defensive display devices are continuously tested at step  1260  for any change of play or pre-snap adjustment; and any change or adjustment is stored at step  1270 . When the offensive players decide to, one of them initiates the play; and the offensive and defensive plays currently stored are executed at step  1280 . If a defensive play has not been selected, the defensive play used in the previous play is used again. Play then returns to normal operation of the game. 
         [0033]    Pseudo-code for the operation of the steps of  FIG. 12  is set out below. Appropriate software instructions that may be executed by one or more computer processors to perform the steps of  FIG. 12  will be evident from the pseudo-code. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PLAY CALL SCREEN (play call) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 for each user wearing a display device{ 
               
               
                   
                  if this user is on offense{ 
               
               
                   
                   if the offensive playbook area on the TV screen has not  
               
               
                   
                   been obscured{ 
               
               
                   
                    obscure the offensive playbook area on the TV screen 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                  send the offensive formations to the user&#39;s display device 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                  else if this user is on defense{ 
               
               
                   
                   if the defensive playbook area on the TV screen has  
               
               
                   
                   not been obscured{ 
               
               
                   
                    obscure the defensive playbook area on the TV screen 
               
               
                   
                   } 
               
               
                   
                   send the defensive formations to the user&#39;s display device 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                 } 
               
               
                   
                 Comment: one user on offense selects an offensive formation  
               
               
                   
                 while one user on defense selects a defensive formation  
               
               
                   
                 (all formations are shown on the respective display devices) 
               
               
                   
                 for each user wearing a display device{ 
               
               
                   
                  if this user is on offense{ 
               
               
                   
                   send the offensive plays for the selected formation to the  
               
               
                   
                   user&#39;s display device 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                  else if this user is on defense{ 
               
               
                   
                   send the defensive plays for the selected formation to the  
               
               
                   
                   user&#39;s display device 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                 } 
               
               
                   
                 Comment: one user on offense selects a play for the selected  
               
               
                   
                 offensive formation while one user on defense selects a play  
               
               
                   
                 for the selected defensive formation (all plays are shown  
               
               
                   
                 on the respective display devices)  
               
               
                   
                 for each user wearing a display device{ 
               
               
                   
                  clear the user&#39;s display device screen 
               
               
                   
                 } 
               
               
                   
                 Comment: go to the play run screen 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PLAY CALL SCREEN (suggested play) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 if a user requests a suggested play { 
               
               
                   
                  for each user, on the suggested play-requesting team, wearing  
               
               
                   
                  a display device{ 
               
               
                   
                   highlight the suggested play on the user&#39;s display device 
               
               
                   
                   (no change to television screen) 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                 } 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PLAY RUN SCREEN (pre-snap audible) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 if a user calls an audible{ 
               
               
                   
                  for each user, on the audible-calling team, wearing a display device{ 
               
               
                   
                   if this user is on offense { 
               
               
                   
                    send the offensive formations to the user&#39;s display device 
               
               
                   
                     (no change to television screen) 
               
               
                   
                   } 
               
               
                   
                   else if this user is on defense{ 
               
               
                   
                    send the defensive formations to the user&#39;s display device 
               
               
                   
                     (no change to television screen) 
               
               
                   
                   } 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                 } 
               
               
                   
                 Comment: one user, on the audible-calling team, selects an  
               
               
                   
                 offensive or defensive formation (all formations are shown on the  
               
               
                   
                 respective display devices) 
               
               
                   
                 for each user, on the audible-calling team, wearing a display device{ 
               
               
                   
                  if this user is on offense{ 
               
               
                   
                   send the offensive plays for the selected formation to the user&#39;s  
               
               
                   
                   display device 
               
               
                   
                    (no change to television screen) 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                  else if this user is on defense{ 
               
               
                   
                   send the defensive plays for the selected formation to the user&#39;s  
               
               
                   
                   display device 
               
               
                   
                    (no change to television screen) 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                 } 
               
               
                   
                 Comment: one user, on the audible-calling team, selects an  
               
               
                   
                 offensive or defensive play for the selected formation (all plays are  
               
               
                   
                 shown on the respective display devices) 
               
               
                   
                 for each user, on the audible-calling team, wearing a display device{ 
               
               
                   
                  clear the user&#39;s display device screen 
               
               
                   
                 } 
               
               
                   
                 Comment: reposition offensive or defensive players on  
               
               
                   
                 the television screen based on the chosen audible play 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PLAY RUN SCREEN (pre-snap reassignment audible) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 if a user calls an assignment audible{ 
               
               
                   
                  for each user, on the audible-calling team, wearing a display device{ 
               
               
                   
                   if this user is on offense{ 
               
               
                   
                    send an image depicting all of the offensive players  
               
               
                   
                    eligible for passing, 
               
               
                   
                    blocking, or running route reassignment to the user&#39;s  
               
               
                   
                    display device 
               
               
                   
                     (no change to television screen) 
               
               
                   
                   } 
               
               
                   
                   else if this user is on defense{ 
               
               
                   
                    send an image depicting all of the defensive players  
               
               
                   
                    eligible for blitzing, 
               
               
                   
                    blocking, or coverage reassignment to the user&#39;s display device 
               
               
                   
                     (no change to television screen) 
               
               
                   
                   } 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                 } 
               
               
                   
                 Comment: one user, on the audible-calling team, selects  
               
               
                   
                 players from the image, shown on the respective display devices, of  
               
               
                   
                 offensive or defensive players eligible for reassignment 
               
               
                   
                 for each user, on the audible-calling team, wearing a display device{ 
               
               
                   
                  clear the user&#39;s display device screen 
               
               
                   
                 } 
               
               
                   
                 for each user, on the audible-calling team, wearing a display device{ 
               
               
                   
                  if this user is on offense{ 
               
               
                   
                   send an image, to the display device, of all offensive passing,  
               
               
                   
                   blocking, or running route reassignment s for the selected player(s) 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                  else if this user is on defense{ 
               
               
                   
                   send an image, to the display device, of all defensive blitzing,  
               
               
                   
                   blocking, or coverage reassignments for the selected player(s) 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                 } 
               
               
                   
                 Comment: one user, on the audible-calling team, selects an offensive 
               
               
                   
                 or defensive reassignment from the image shown on the respective 
               
               
                   
                 display devices for each user, on the audible-calling team, wearing a  
               
               
                   
                 display device{ 
               
               
                   
                  clear the user&#39;s display device screen 
               
               
                   
                 } 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PLAY RUN SCREEN (coach&#39;s cam) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 if a user views the coach&#39;s cam{ 
               
               
                   
                  if this user is on offense{ 
               
               
                   
                   send an image of all of the current offensive passing,  
               
               
                   
                   blocking, or running routes to the user&#39;s display device 
               
               
                   
                   (no change to television screen) 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                  else if this user is on defense{ 
               
               
                   
                   send an image of all of the current defensive blitzing, blocking, or 
               
               
                   
                   coverage assignments to the user&#39;s display device 
               
               
                   
                   (no change to television screen) 
               
               
                   
                  } 
               
               
                   
                 } 
               
               
                   
                 Comment: if the user viewing the coach&#39;s cam stops viewing,  
               
               
                   
                 clear the user&#39;s display device screen 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0034]    The invention may be practiced in numerous competitive situations where it is desirable to conceal some or all of a display from one or more competitors. In addition to sports, the invention may also be practiced with computer war games and role-playing games where it is desirable to hide from other players certain properties such as resources, equipment, disposition of forces, etc. while making this information readily available to the player holding these properties. Thus, each player may be equipped with a small display device controlled by software that displays on the device only information about that player&#39;s resources, etc. and does not make the information available to other players. 
         [0035]    The invention may also be practiced so as to provide multiple displays of information to a player and thereby expand the amount of information that is provided and/or provide a better simulation to the gaming environment. For example, in games that include a simulated cockpit such as in automobile racing or airplane flying, one display such as a television screen might simulate a view of the exterior through a windshield while a second display on a display device  100  might simulate a view of a cockpit display with indications such as speed, rpm, gear and fuel in the case of auto racing and speed, altitude, roll, pitch, yaw and fuel in the case of airplane flying. Again, where multiple players are competing against one another, different information may be displayed on different display devices  100  to simulate each player&#39;s performance in the game while also keeping some or all of such information from his competitors. 
         [0036]    Numerous variations may be practiced in the foregoing apparatus and methods within the spirit and scope of the invention.