Abstract:
Techniques for providing a hybrid platform for video games are disclosed. To enjoy the video and audio quality a TV could provide, all game actions with a video game are provided via a TV. However, the video game itself is running on a generic personal computer (PC). In one embodiment, a game hub is provided to receive from a game controller various game actions by a game player with the video game. The game hub provides an (wired or wireless) interface for transferring signals representing the game actions to the PC, in return the PC provides an uncompressed digital stream to the TV for display.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention is generally related to the area of video games. In particular, the present invention is related to a hybrid platform for video games, wherein it includes a generic personal computer (PC) and a television (TV), thus providing a gaming environment and other useful features in addition to what a video game console could provide. 
     The present invention discloses a hybrid platform inclding a TV, a game hub and a generic PC. The game hub is provided to receive game actions from at least a game controller being used by a user and the TV is provided to display an uncompressed digital stream from the PC runing a game in accordance with data representing the game actions. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section is for the purpose of summarizing some aspects of embodiments of the present invention and to briefly introduce some preferred embodiments. Simplifications or omissions in this section as well as in the title and the abstract of this disclosure may be made to avoid obscuring the purpose of the section, the title and the abstract. Such simplifications or omissions are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     Broadly speaking, the invention relate to techniques for providing a hybrid platform for video game with a plurality of useful features in addition to what a video game console could provide. To enjoy the video and audio quality a TV could provide, all game actions with a video game are provided via a TV. However, the video game itself is running on a generic personal computer (PC). According to one aspect of the present invention, a game hub is provided in the vicinity of the TV and supports a plurality of controllers to be used by one or more game players. The game hub transmits signals representing the game actions from the controller to the PC that executes the video game in accordance with the signals. Being a generic computing device, the PC is configured to execute the video game and may be used for other general purposes, such as writing documents, preparing presentations, managing finance or browsing the Internet. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, the game hub is designed to allow a game player to operate the PC, for example, turn on or off the PC. In one case, the game hub allows a game player to select a video game among all others from the controller without having to go to the PC to operate the PC directly. 
     According to still another aspect of the present invention, the functions of the game hub are integrated in a PC. In other words, the controllers being used by the game players communicate directly with the PC while the PC provides uncompressed digital streams to the PC. 
     In general, a PC is more resourceful than an enclosed game console. According to still another aspect of the present invention, the PC can be equipped with programs or plug-in modules to be associated with a video game to make the video game more controllable in a sense that a game player may set up where a video game may be restarted, store stats and data pertaining to the game in a portable device or a game controller and start up the game from another new computing device without having to start all over again. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a software virtual machine may be installed on a PC running under a traditional operating system (e.g., Windows, Mac or Linux). The software virtual machine co-exists but is not part of the traditional operating system on the PC. This virtual machine allows a game player to turn on and run quickly a video game without invoking the traditional operating system. The game player in this situation could enjoy a video game play on the TV without having to wait for the longer boot (or, invoking) time of the traditional operating system. 
     Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in numerous ways, including a method, system, device, or a computer readable medium. Several embodiments of the invention are discussed below. In one embodiment, the present invention is a game system comprising: at least a game controller being used by a game player; a game hub coupled to the game controller and receiving signals representing various game actions from the game controller; a personal computer (PC) loaded with a video game and caused to execute and manipulate the video game in accordance with data representing the game actions, and producing corresponding uncompressed digital streams; and a television (TV) receiving the digital streams from the PC and displaying the video game to the game player. In another embodiment, the game hub acts as a bridge to facilitate a connection between the TV and the PC, where the TV receives the digital streams from the PC via the game hub. 
     In yet another embodiment, the present invention is a game system comprising: at least a game controller being manipulated by a game player; a personal computer (PC) loaded with a video game and caused to execute and manipulate the video game in accordance with data representing the game actions, and producing corresponding uncompressed digital streams; and a television (TV) receiving the uncompressed digital streams from the PC and displaying the video game to the game player. 
     There are many objects, features, and advantages in the present invention. These objects, features, and advantages will become apparent upon examining the following detailed description of an embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a prior art configuration including a TV and a game console communicating with a game controller; 
         FIG. 2  shows a prior art configuration of a PC video game; 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a game hub that may support up to four players at the same time and be used in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows an exemplary configuration according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a game hub that may support up to four players at the same time and be used in  FIG. 5 ; and 
         FIG. 7  shows another configuration according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which functions of game controller(s) communicate with a PC directly while the PC provides video and audio signals to a TV. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. The present invention may be practiced without these specific details. The description and representation herein are the means used by those experienced or skilled in the art to effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuitry have not been described in detail since they are already well understood and to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the present invention. 
     Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one implementation of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Further, the order of blocks in process, flowcharts or functional diagrams representing one or more embodiments do not inherently indicate any particular order nor imply limitations in the invention. 
       FIG. 1  shows a prior art configuration  100  including a TV  102  and a game console  104  being interacted with a controller  106 . The game console  104  is typically loaded with a game or games  108  dedicated for the type of the game console  104 . A player uses the controller  106  with other possible accessories to control or manipulate the video game  108  being executed in the game console  104  but being displayed on the TV  102 . Although the game console  104  may or may not be connected to a server or another game console via the Internet, the game console  104  displays all resulting video sequences (video and audio signals) on the TV  102 . One important feature of  FIG. 1  is that the game console  104  includes all the necessary logics in an enclosure to execute a video game  108  and output signals directly to the TV  102 . 
     The game console  104 , where the logic and graphics of a video game are computed and processed, has an (its own) enclosure with power sourcing from an electrical outlet or batteries. The signals of game controller(s)  106  and associated accessories are connected and funneled into the game console  104  directly with wired or wireless means that in turns manipulates and controls the video game on the TV  102 . 
       FIG. 2  shows a prior art configuration  200  of a PC video game. The configuration  200  is essentially a generic PC including a PC monitor  202 , a computing base  204 , a keyboard  206  and a controller (or mouse)  208 . Different from a game console, a generic PC is not specifically designed for playing a video game rather for running as many applications/programs as possible. In a sense, the PC is not optimized for running a video game but may have a sufficient amount of computing power to run the video game and display the video game right on the PC monitor  202 . In general, a game player must sit near the PC and look at the PC monitor  202  while playing the game. Nevertheless, the configuration  200  of  FIG. 2  is not a preferable setting for group entertainment. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary configuration  300  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The configuration  300  includes a TV  302  and a PC  303 , and a game hub  304 . In general, a TV is placed in a large room (e.g. a family room) for group entertainment while the PC is placed in a small room (e.g., a home office). One of the important benefits, advantages and features in the present invention is to utilize the best of a TV and a generic PC to achieve what a game console could provide and more, allowing a game to be played in front of a TV while using the vast computing resources available on the PC  303 . 
     According to one embodiment, on one end, the game hub  303  is placed in the vicinity of the TV  302  and coupled to a number of game controllers via a wired or wireless means (e.g., IR, RF or bluetooth). On the other end, the game hub  303  communicates with the PC  303  via a wireless means (e.g., RF, or WiFi) to transmit commands or interactions (i.e., game actions) from game controllers being used by game players. In other words, the PC  303  runs the game and executes the game actions from the game players while the TV  302  displays the game with the game actions from the game players. 
       FIG. 4  shows an exemplary function block diagram  400  of a game hub that may be used in  FIG. 3 . The game hub  400  may support in theory as many players as needed. The game hub  400  as shown in  FIG. 4  supports up to four game players at a time, thus including four controller interfaces  402 . Each of the controller interfaces  402  works independently in a sense that the game hub  400  functions as long as there is one controller connected to one of the controller interfaces  402 . A user may manipulate a controller while looking at a TV to, for example, make a turn, run or punch an in-game object. Depending on implementation, signals or data representing game actions from the controller are coupled to the game hub  304 . A microprocessor  404  executes one or more modules stored in memory  408  via a bus  406  to process the data representing the game actions from the player. A circuit  414 , collectively representing all other logics in the game hub  400 , is provided to convert the data into a proper form before the data is transported to a PC via a transceiver or an interface  410 . Those skilled in the art may understand that, depending on how the data is transported to the PC, the circuit  414  and the transceiver  410  may be implemented differently. There are a number of methods available and well known in the art (e.g., RF, Bluetooth or WiFi). 
     In one embodiment, the interface  412  is provided to be coupled to one or more sensors. Depending on implementation, examples of the sensors include, but may not be limited to, motion sensors, video cameras, temperature sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes or magnetic field sensors. With one or more appropriate sensors coupled to the interface  412 , a video game may be played with more excitement or with other actions from the game players. Accordingly, the game actions as described herein may include sensor data should one or more sensors be provided or supported by the game hub  400 . 
     It should be noted that the PC  303  in  FIG. 3  is not exclusively designed for playing a game. Besides games  210 , the PC  303  may be installed with other programs  212 , for example, including Microsoft Office and an Internet browser. The PC  303  runs video games and can be used for other applications, for example, running Word, PowerPoint in Microsoft Office or browsing the Internet, communicating with other devices (e.g., servers or PCs). 
     In  FIG. 3 , the logic and graphics of a video game are computed and processed in the PC  303  that has an enclosure with power sourcing from an electrical outlet or batteries. The majority of the signals of game controller(s) with possible associated accessories are funneled by a wired or wireless means into the game hub  304  that has its own enclosure with power sourcing from an electrical outlet or batteries, and then, the signals of the game hub  304  are by a wired or wireless means funneled into the PC  304 . In return, the PC  304  manipulates the video game in accordance with the signals of the game hub  304  and controls the video game on the PC  304  and sends the resulting video game sequences (uncompressed digital streams) back to the TV. The game hub  304  serves as an intermediary and collects majority of the signals from the game controller(s) and accessories. 
     According to one embodiment, the game hub  304  can be controlled to operate the PC  303  without having to go to the PC  303  for operation. Keys or buttons on a game controller may be configured to function like a mouse or a remote controller. Through the game hub  304  that communicates with the PC, a user or game player may turn on or off the PC  303 , cause the PC  303  to display a list of games available from which the user may select one game to run. In another embodiment, a user may run an Internet browser in the PC to browse the Internet or run a program/application. One exemplary application is a photo display. Without gathering a group of people in a small office, a user may simply use a game controller to cause the PC  303  to start a photo presentation to the group of people in a large family room, typically with much more comfortable seating. All comments and entries made on a game controller are transported to the PC  303  as if the game controller was a mouse. 
     In general, a PC is more resourceful than an enclosed game console. According to one embodiment, the PC is equipped with programs or plug-in modules that are stored in memory or storage  212 . A game player may run the programs or modules to be associated with a video game to make the video game more controllable in a sense that a game player may set up where a video game may be restarted, store stats and data pertaining to the game in a game controller, or a portable device, and start up the game from another new computing device without having to start all over again. In one application, a user may email saved data pertaining to a video game to another PC where the video game may be started as if it was continued from the original PC. 
     One problem that exists with a PC is a relatively longer time to boot, or invoke up an operating system (e.g., Windows, Mac or Linux). Although the problem may be resolved over time, one embodiment of the present invention is to install, what is commonly referred to as a software virtual machine. The software virtual machine co-exists but is not part of the operating system on the PC. This virtual machine allows a game player to turn on and run quickly a video game without invoking the traditional operating system. The game player in this situation could enjoy a video game play on the TV without having to wait for the relatively longer boot (or invoking) time of the traditional operating system. 
     As described above, the communication between the game hub and the PC can be carried over the air (wireless). To have a secure environment, the PC may be installed a security module, likewise on the game hub, to have the communication secured between the PC and the game hub. Without a PC, many features that otherwise could not be done in a game console can now be implemented because the PC nowadays could be much powerful than a game console in terms of available resources. 
       FIG. 5  shows another exemplary configuration  500  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The configuration  500  includes a TV  502  and a PC  503 , where the TV  502  and the PC  503  are coupled via a game hub  504 . On one end, the game hub  503  is placed in the vicinity of the TV  502  and supplies video and audio signals to the TV  502  by a set of cables or a wireless means (e.g., RF, wireless HDMI or HD). On the other end, the game hub  504  communicates with the PC  503  via a wireless means (e.g., RF, Bluetooth or WiFi) to transmit commands or interactions (collectively game) from game controllers being used by game players and receive uncompressed digital streams from the PC  503 . In other words, the PC  503  runs the game and executes commands from the game players and produce corresponding uncompressed digital streams to the game hub  503  that in return causes the TV  302  to display the game with the game actions from the game players. Thus the game hub  504  acts also as a bridge to facilitate a connection between the TV  503  and the PC  503 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an exemplary function block diagram  600  of a game hub that may be used in  FIG. 5 . The game hub  600  may support in theory as many players as needed. The game hub  600  as shown in  FIG. 6  supports up to four game players at a time, thus including four controller interfaces  602 . Each of the controller interfaces  602  works independently in a sense that the game hub  600  functions as long as there is one controller connected to one of the controller interfaces  602 . A user may manipulate a controller while looking at a TV to, for example, turn, run or punch a in-game object. Depending on implementation, signals or data representing the signals of the game actions from the controller are transported to the game hub  604 . A microprocessor  604  executes one or more modules stored in memory  608  via a bus  606  to process the data representing the game actions from the player. A circuit  614 , collectively representing all other logics in the game hub  600 , is provided to convert the data into a proper form before the data is transported to a PC via a transceiver  610 . Those skilled in the art may understand that, depending on how the data is transported to the PC, the circuit  614  and the transceiver  610  may be implemented differently. There are a number of methods available and well known in the art. Likewise, the circuit  614  receives uncompressed digital streams from the PC and processes and drives the TV though video and audio drivers  612  (e.g., amplifiers). 
       FIG. 7  shows another configuration  700  according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which functions of a game hub are integrated with a PC  703 . As described above, the PC  703  runs a video game and provides video and audio signals directly to a TV  702  uncompressed digital streams (e.g. wireless HDMI or HD). In any case, the game actions from one or more controllers  706  are coupled directly to the PC  703  via a wireless means (e.g., RF, IR, or Bluetooth) in this embodiment. As described above, a TV is usually placed in a large room (e.g. a family room) for group entertainment while the PC is placed in a small room (e.g., a home office). Since a game player plays the video game in front of the TV and is relatively far from the PC, the controller being used by the player is thus also relatively far from the PC  703 . 
     According to the embodiment, the PC  703  is equipped with an add-on adaptor, also referred to as an accessory (not shown), that is provided to receive interaction signals from the controller, likely via a wireless means. The accessory may be connected to the PC  703  by a USB connection. In accordance with the interaction signals, the PC  703  manipulates the game being executed therein and provides uncompressed digital streams to the TV  702  via a cable or a wireless means. 
     The foregoing description of embodiments is illustrative of various aspects/embodiments of the present invention. Various modifications to the present invention can be made to the preferred embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description of embodiments.