Patent Publication Number: US-2007099706-A1

Title: Localization and customization of game related content

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD  
      The technical field generally relates to game systems and more specifically relates to game systems for use in retail environments.  
     BACKGROUND  
      Retail game kiosks are typically tailored for an intended retailer. For example, a game kiosk can comprise a game, logos, and advertisements specific to the retailer. To configure a retail game kiosk for a specific retailer, configuration specific software is installed into the kiosk. Typically, the software needed for each kiosk is provided with the kiosk. Thus, a kiosk destined for one retailer would be shipped with software tailored for that retailer and a kiosk destined for another retailer would be shipped with different software. The logistics and maintenance of various kiosks and configuration specific software can be difficult, time consuming, and burdensome. This is further exacerbated if the kiosk is to be removed from a retail cite and provided to another retailer, if the software is to be updated, or if kiosks are shipped to various countries.  
     SUMMARY  
      A retail game kiosk system includes memory containing a variety of game configurations. Each game configuration is compatible with an intended recipient of the kiosk system. A game configuration is selected via a selector switch in the kiosk. When a game configuration is selected, the memory is searched for the selected game configuration. If found, the selected game configuration is installed and available for execution. In an exemplary embodiment, the memory comprises game media in the form of a disc having various game configurations stored thereon. A single game media can provide all the game configurations needed for all intended recipients of the retail game kiosk systems. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The following description is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For purposes of illustrating the retail game kiosk system, there is shown in the drawings exemplary constructions of the retail game kiosk system; however, the retail game kiosk system is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:  
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of an exemplary retail game kiosk system;  
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of an exemplary implementation of a retail game kiosk system; and  
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for providing a game configuration to a retail game kiosk. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS  
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of an exemplary retail game kiosk system  12  comprising a game processor  14 , a selector  16 , a display portion  18 , a kiosk controller  20 , an input/output portion  22 , and a memory portion  24 . The game processor  14  can comprise any appropriate processor capable of executing a game application. In an exemplary embodiment, the game processor  14  comprises an XBOX® game processor. The display portion  18  can comprise any appropriate display device, such as a monitor, for rendering video. For example, the display portion  18  can comprise a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a light emitting diode (LED) display, or a combination thereof. The selector  16  can comprise any appropriate selection means for selecting a game configuration from a plurality of game configurations. The selector  16  can comprise a general purpose processor, a dedicated processor, hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the selector  16  comprises a selector switch, such as an eight-pin dip switch for example.  
      The memory portion  24  can comprise any appropriate memory such as flash memory, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, semiconductor memory, magnetic memory, removable memory, non-removable memory, or a combination thereof for example. In an exemplary, a selected game configuration is stored in the memory portion  24 .  
      The kiosk controller  20  provides control for, and functions as, an interface between the game processor  14  and other portions of the retail game kiosk system  12 . The kiosk controller  20  provides functions such as supplying power to the game processor  14 , interfacing the game processor  14  to the display  18 , and an interfacing the game processor  14  to the input/output portion  22 . The kiosk controller can comprise a general purpose processor, a dedicated processor, hardware, software, or a combination thereof.  
      The input/output portion  22  of the retail game kiosk system  12  is capable of providing coupling to any appropriate device, or devices, such as a peripheral, a host, and/or network, for example. The input/output portion  22  can comprise a port for hard wired coupling, a port for wireless coupling, or a combination thereof. The input/output portion  22  can comprise a Universal Serial Bus (USB) compatible port. The input/output portion  22  can comprise a port to provide audio information, such as via a headset or speakers, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the input/output portion  22  comprises at least one drive for receiving a removable memory media, such as a disc for example. The input/output portion  22  provides and receives information via interface  26 . The interface  26  can comprise any appropriate interface, or plurality of interfaces, such as wireless interfaces (e.g., RF, optical, cellular, wireless broadband etc), wired interfaces (e.g., hard-wired, docking station, USB compatible interface), or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the input/output portion comprises a USB compatible port for coupling to a removable memory device, such as a flash memory device for example, to allow downloading of game characteristics (e.g., color coded race car), that can be implemented on a consumer game device. In this exemplary embodiment, the input/output portion  22  further comprises a drive for receiving an optical disc containing a plurality of game configurations.  
      In an exemplary embodiment, a removable memory media, such as a DVD for example, contains a variety of game configurations. A game configuration includes a game application and appropriate software tailored to a specific end user, such as a retailer. For example, a game configuration can contain a specific game application, software to render text in a specific language, and software to render various custom tailored aspects of the game application. For example, a game configuration can comprise an XBOX® game application, software to provide text in English, software to provide retailer advertisements, and software to allow a user to select the color of an action figure, such as a race car for example, in the game application. Game devices such as the XBOX® game device are sold in some geographic regions with the ability to change the cover of the XBOX® game device. The covers are available in different colors. Thus, a specific game configuration can provide the user with the ability to chose the color of a figure in the game application (e.g., chose the color of a race car) to match the color of the user&#39;s home game device (e.g., the user&#39;s consumer game device). The retail game kiosk system  12  provides, via the input/output portion  22  and the interface  26 , the ability to download the race car in the chosen color (skin) such that the user can take the downloaded skin and transfer the skin to her home game device. Thus the user can play a game application on her home game device with a figure having a color that matches the color of the cover of her home game device.  
      In an exemplary embodiment, the selector  16  is configured to select one of the game configurations of a disc containing a plurality of game configurations. A signal is sent from the selector  16  to the kiosk controller  20 . The signal is indicative of the selection. The kiosk controller  20  receives the signal and interprets the signal. When a disc is inserted into the input/output portion  22  of the retail game kiosk system  12 , via software on the disc, a query is initiated against the kiosk controller  20  for the value of the selection indicative of a selected game configuration. The directory of the disc is searched for the selected game configuration. Upon finding the selected game configuration on the disc, the game configuration is loaded into the memory portion  24 . The game application portion of the game configuration is loaded into the game processor  14 . The games application is then available for execution. Other portions of the game configuration also are available for display and execution.  
       FIG. 2  is an illustration of an exemplary implementation of a retail game kiosk system. The retail game kiosk system shown in  FIG. 2  comprises a monitor  18 ′ (analogous to the display portion  18  in  FIG. 1 ), a game console  14 ′ (analogous to the game processor  14  in  FIG. 1 ), a kiosk control pack  20  (analogous to the kiosk controller  20  in  FIG. 1 ), and a switch  16 ′ (analogous to the selector  16  in  FIG. 1 ). Game media, such as a DVD for example, can be inserted into a disc drive of the game console  14 ′ (disc drive of game console  14 ′ not shown in  FIG. 2 ). It is envisioned that an external disk drive also can be coupled to the retail game kiosk system of  FIG. 2  via port  28 . For example, the port  28  can be a USB compatible port, and a USB compatible disk drive can be coupled to the retail game kiosk system via the port  28 . In an exemplary embodiment, a disc containing a plurality of game configurations is inserted into the disc drive contained in the game console  14 ′ and the selected game configuration is obtained from the disc via the kiosk control pack  20 ′.  
      A signal is sent from the switch  16 ′ to the kiosk control pack  20 ′. The signal is indicative of the selection. The kiosk control pack  20 ′ receives the signal and interprets the signal. When a disc is inserted into the disc drive (e.g., disc drive of the game console  14 ′), kiosk software on the disc loads and queries the kiosk control pack  20 ′. The directory on the disc is searched for the selected game configuration. Upon finding the selected game configuration on the disc, the game configuration is loaded into the memory of the game console  14 ′. The game application is then available for execution. Other portions of the game configuration, such as logos and advertisements, also are available to the retail game kiosk system.  
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram of an exemplary process for providing a game configuration to a retail game kiosk. The game media is provided at step  30 . The game media can comprise an appropriate game media such as a floppy disc, a hard disc, an optical disc, a flash memory device, a transmission, a wired transmission, a wireless transmission, or a combination thereof for example. In an exemplary embodiment, a disc such as a DVD for example, is inserted into a disc drive. The contents of the disc are available to the retail game kiosk upon insertion of the disc. A game configuration is selected at step  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, a switch is set, such as a dip switch, to a particular value or switch setting. The selection is interpreted at step  34 . For example, a selector can be set to the value  110 . The value  110  can be interpreted to indicate a specific game configuration. Another value can be indicative of another game configuration. For example, a value of  117  can be interpreted to be indicative of a selected game configuration comprising a race car application, in the English language to be installed at the Mall of America. Thus, the game configuration also could include advertisements for the various stores located at the Mall of America. In an exemplary embodiment, the following languages are supported by the plurality of game configurations: English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Traditional Chinese.  
      The game media is searched for the selected game configuration at step  36 . If the selected game configuration is found (step  38 ), the appropriate files associated the selected game configuration are retrieved from the game media at step  40 . The game configuration retrieved from the game media is loaded into the retail game kiosk memory at step  44 . Upon being loaded into the retail game kiosk memory, the game configuration is available for execution. If the selected game configuration is not found (step  38 ), a default condition is met at step  42 . The default condition can comprise any appropriate default condition, such as providing an error message, retrieving default game configuration, or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, a default game configuration already exists in the retail game kiosk memory and is available for execution. For example, a default game configuration can comprise an English generic game configuration.  
      The various techniques described herein can be implemented in connection with hardware or software or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, the methods and apparatus for a retail game kiosk system, or certain aspects or portions thereof, can take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing gaming on a retail game kiosk system. In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the computing device will generally include a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. The program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations.  
      The methods and apparatus for providing a game configuration to a retail game kiosk system also can be practiced via communications embodied in the form of program code that is transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as an EPROM, a gate array, a programmable logic device (PLD), a client computer, or the like, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing a method for controlling an application via a retail game kiosk system. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates to invoke the functionality of a retail game kiosk system. Additionally, any storage techniques used in connection with providing a game configuration to a retail game kiosk system can invariably be a combination of hardware and software.  
      A retail game kiosk system typically includes at least some form of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a retail game kiosk system. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media can comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by a retail game kiosk system. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.  
      While providing a game configuration to a retail game kiosk system and a retail game kiosk system have been described in connection with the exemplary embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can be used or modifications and additions can be made to the described embodiments for performing the same functions of gaming via a retail game kiosk system without deviating therefrom. Therefore, providing a game configuration to a retail game kiosk system and a retail game kiosk system as described herein should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.