Patent Publication Number: US-2019180567-A1

Title: Multiplayer gaming system and method of use

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to game systems, and more specifically, to a multiplayer gaming system for with improved point value collection and use for improved enjoyment and competition associated with the multiplayer gaming system. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Game systems are well known in the art and are effective means to provide recreational activities, gambling activities, and competitive activities. For example, conventional game systems conventionally require the input of a monetary value, allowing for the user to play a game on a screen presented to the user. Many games involve the simulated shooting of targets for the collection of points. One of the problems commonly associated with these conventional target centered games, is the lack of opportunity for the player to increase their point value significantly with each shot. Such a feature would provide for increased competition and enjoyment associated with the game. 
     Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of game systems, many shortcomings remain. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a simplified top view of a multiplayer game system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified side view of the game cabinet from  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a simplified schematic of features associated with a player station of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a simplified schematic of the features of a game module from  FIG. 1  to be implemented through a computer system; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flowchart of the method of use of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer&#39;s specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. 
     The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional game systems. Specifically, the present invention provides an improved game system with improved point awarding and collection system. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise. 
     The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings. 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  depicts a simplified top view of a multiplayer game system  101  in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system  101  overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional game systems. 
     In the contemplated embodiment, system  101  includes a gaming cabinet  103  having a plurality of player stations  105  and a display  107  positioned in a central region of the cabinet and visible from each of the player stations  105  for each player  106 . It should be appreciated that the size of cabinet  103  can vary, in addition, it should be appreciated that the overall aesthetical appearance and number of player stations can vary as desired. It should further be appreciated that the cabinet  103  can include the necessary components to create a digital display, including LED lights, a power source, a plurality of speakers, and a control system. 
     Display  107  is configured to provide a graphical display of a plurality of game components, including at least a plurality of targets  109   a - c . Said targets  109  can vary in colors, styles, types, sizes, and other visual components. It should be appreciated that the interaction between the plurality of player stations and display  107  is controlled via a game module  111  implemented through a computing system, including the necessary components such as a processor, an algorithm, and any other necessary elements. 
     Each of the plurality of player stations  105  include control components, including a joystick  113  and one or more buttons  115 , the joystick  113  and one or more buttons controlling a simulated weapon (not shown), the simulated weapon being control to shoot one or more of the plurality of targets, as will be described in detail herein. 
     In  FIG. 2 , a simplified side view of cabinet  103  shows the potential inclusion of a plurality of payment devices  201  associated with each of the plurality of player stations  105 , thereby being configured to collect a currency from each user to activate use of the player station. 
     In  FIG. 3 , a simplified schematic  301  demonstrates the features associated with each of the plurality of player stations  303 . Each player station  303  includes a display  305 , such as digital display to be presented to the associated player. The display can include various visual representation of the status of an ongoing game, including available points  307 , won points  309 , and a game timer  311 . In one embodiment, the available points  307  are presented to the associated player for selection during the game, wherein the selection of a portion of the available points places the points at risk during firing of the simulated weapon. It should be appreciated that the won points  309  can be retained and tracked completely separately from the available points, thereby being available for redemption or ranking at the end of the game session. 
     Each player station  303  is further associated with a joystick  313  and one or more control buttons  315 . In the preferred embodiment joystick  313  provides a means for the associated player to both move the simulated weapon  316  for aiming, and further provides a means for the user select a activate a target locking setting  317 , the target locking setting which allows the associated player to target certain targets within the display of the gaming system. In one embodiment, this feature is achieved via tapping the joystick down twice to activate the locking setting. In the preferred embodiment, one or more of the control buttons  315  is associated with a means to increase a bullet point value  319 , which allows the associated player to risk more points when firing at a target. 
     As an example, the associated user can increase the bullet point value from one to ten via the one or more buttons. The associated user can further activate the target locking mechanism. The user then proceeds to fire the simulated weapon at the target, risking the ten points. If the associated player hits the target, the user&#39;s won points  309  increases by ten times the number of points associated with the hit target. If the associated player misses the target, the user&#39;s available points  307  will drop by ten. It must be understood that this example is one example, and the numbers and values discussed herein can be altered drastically. 
     In  FIG. 4 , a simplified schematic  401  of a game platform  403  to be implemented through the computing system and into the display is shown. Game platform  403  includes a player module  405  associated with each of the plurality of player stations. The player module  405  provides the software and processing needed to allow the associated player to activate the target lock  407  and alter the bullet point value  409 . Game platform further includes a game module  411  associated with the visual display of an ongoing game and the interaction between the plurality of player stations and the display. Game module  411  is in control of the plurality of targets  413 , each of the plurality of targets having a designated point value  415 . 
     In one contemplated embodiment, game platform  403  further includes a bonus mode  417  module configured to be activated upon a pre-determined criteria, such as a time frame, an input from a computing system, or other criteria. In this embodiment, bonus mode module is activated for a predetermined time, such as 6 minutes, wherein all associated players that are active, such as actively shooting, have the opportunity to earn additional point values  419  to be added to their “won points”. It should be appreciated that the additional point values  419  can be based on a ranking  421  of the active players, such as a 1 st , 2 nd  and 3 rd . 
     It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the separation of won points and available points, thereby allowing for each of the plurality of players to track won points. Another unique feature believed characteristic of the present application is the bonus mode, allowing for each of the players to significantly increase their point values. 
     In  FIG. 5 , a flowchart  501  depicts the method of use associated with game system  101 . During use, the plurality of players control the player module through the plurality of player stations, thereby sending input and command into the game platform, as shown with box  503 . The display associated with the game is created based on pre-determined settings and input from the plurality of players, as shown with boxes  505 ,  507 . As the game progresses, the points associated with each player are tracked, which can be kept as won points or as available points, as shown with box  509 . Upon a predetermined criteria, the bonus round is activated for active players, wherein each of the plurality of players can earn additional points and can be ranked based on their point values, as shown with box  511 . 
     The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.