GB2135808A - Synchronized audio tape assisted video game system - Google Patents

Abstract

The system comprises a microprocessor-controlled video game 10 (which includes a plug-in ROM cartridge 12), a TV receiver 22, and an audio type recorder 26 having an output jack 34 for outputting signals to the video game via a demodulator 36 and input jacks 38 and 40 for the input of control information from the microprocessor to start and stop the tape recorder. A hand control unit 14 including a "joystick" 16 for positioning symbols 18 on the screen of the TV receiver may also be included so that synchronisation between the tape player, the ROM program and the game participant may be effected. Instead of a microprocessor- controlled game, a personal computer may be used to play the video game. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Synchronized audio tape assisted video games Background of the invention This invention relates to video games and, more particularly, to video games which operate in conjunction with data and sound recorded on audio tape.

Electronic game playing devices which generate signals for symbols to be displayed on the screen of television receivers are known in the prior art and well illustrated by U.S. Patent Nos. 3,728,480; 3,778,058; 3,829,095; Re. 28,507; and Re. 28,598, all assigned to the assignee of the present application.

The electronic game playing devices represented by these patents are game attachments for a raster scan display such as a conventional television receiver or television monitor and having electrical circuitry or components for generating signals which, when supplied to the raster scan display, will cause the display to show on the screen thereof movable game playing indicia or symbols or spots. Most of the present day versions of these television games employ a microprocessor therein which includes a changeable ROM cartridge for determining the nature of the game which may be played.

U.S. Patent Nos. 3,921,161 and 4,194,198, also assigned to the assignee of this application, describe improvements to such television games wherein data and/or voice signals, which are obtained from the output of an audio tape recorder, are used in conjunction with the signals generated in the games themselves. U.S. Patent No.3,921,161 relates to the recording of analog signals on audio tape emulating those generated by, for example, a real player using a joystick type of control for controlling the movement of certain of the symbols generated and displayed by the game. U.S. Patent No.4,194,198 relates to the recording of digital signals on audio tape wherein the digital signals, for example, may be applied to a video game to control movement of symbols on the screen of a display system.The devices described in both of these patents can be used to play a variety of games which are enhanced both by the delivery of voice and musical sounds and by the tape controlled motion of game symbols on the screen of the television receiver. However, there is no means included in these devices for providing controlled, synchronized interaction between what is recorded on the audio tape and the signals generated by game circuits. In the devices of both of these patents the tape recorder is usually turned on when the game is started and it remains on until the tape has run out or the game has ended.

There are no means provided whereby, for example, the game control circuits can cause the tape recorder to go on and off at certain times during the playing of the game or wherein any voice, for example, which is outputted from the tape recorder can be muted during the playing of the game. That is, all outputs from the tape recorder are applied to the game control circuits and no provisions are made for outputting any information from the game circuits to, for example, control the tape recorder.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to extend the scope of audio tape assisted video game systems.

It is another object of the present invention to provide synchronization between a video game and an audio tape recorder.

It is a further object of the invention to allow two-way communications between an audio tape recorder and video game circuits.

Summary ofthe invention In accordance with the principles of this invention, conventional microprocessor-controlled video games are modified so as to permit the use thereof in conjunction with data and/or sound which is received from an audio tape recorder and further, wherein outputs from the microprocessor-controlled game are employed to synchronize or control the tape recorder in such a manner that, for example, the video game can cause the tape recorder to go on and off; that is, cause the motor to run and stop whenever it is desired during the playing of a game.

The invention also further contemplates the control of the signals generated by the audio tape such as muting the sound and/or the data which is recorded on the tape, notwithstanding that the motor is running and the audio tape is moving with respect to the playback head of the recorder.

This concept increases the utility of the inventions set forth in the aforementioned patents 3,921,161 and 4,194,198 in that not only can the data and sound be applied to a video game from a tape recorder, but also the video game can interact with the tape recorder by applying commands to control the tape recorder. This permits many different types of games to be played that were not playable with a video game alone or with a tape recorder assisted video game wherein the game could exercise no control over the tape recorder. One significant application of this invention is in the use for games for very young children.

Many of the video games on the marketplace today cannot be properly played by very young children, particularly those below schooi age, since the children cannot read instructions as to how the game is played. If a tape recorder is included with the game it can provide instructions to the player during the progress of the game so that the ability to read is not required. Furthermore, regarding the playing of such games by very young children, it will often be the case that the children, even if the tape recorder does provide instructions to them, will not carry out instructions accurately, and, therefore, the game will not be properly played.With two-way communications between the tape recorder and game, the game is configured so that if the instructions are not properly carried out, then, for example, the tape recorder can repeat the instructions until the youngster performs properly the acts necessary to carry out the game, or the tape recorder will not go to the next instruction until the present instruction is properly executed. By providing synchronization between the game and tape player, erroneous action on the part of a player (such as omission of button pushes or inadvertent or untimely button pushes) does not cause game execution to get out of step with tape player presentation.

Brief description ofthe drawings The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention will become more apparent by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram representation of a synchronized, tape recorder assisted video game system; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the modifications necessary for providing the synchronized, tape recorder assisted video game system of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a typical children's game which can be employed, using the system of Figures 1 and 2.

Description ofa preferred embodiment Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is illustrated thereby a block diagram of a synchronized, audio tape recorder assisted video game system which includes a video game 10 of the type currently existing in the marketplace and which is preferably a microprocessor-controlied video game which includes a plug-in ROM cartridge 12 for changing the nature of the game. While throughout this application the system is described in conjunction with a microprocessor-controlled video game, the same principles are applicable to playing games wth personal computers such the Apple.These games typically include a hand control unit 14 associated therewith which includes a joystick 16, or other manually actuated symbol movement control, which actuates switches and is used for positioning a symbol or symbols 18 on the screen 20 of a television receiver 22. The hand control unit also generally includes one or more switches thereon such as pushbutton switch 24. Another major element of the system is an audio tape recorder 26 which is preferably a cassette tape recorder and includes an insertable audio tape cartridge 28, speaker 30 and controls 32 which may include switches to turn the tape recorder on, to record, to play back, etc.

Such conventional tape recorders generally include an earphone jack 34, which in conventional use outputs the voice and/or music recorded on the cassette 28. In accordance with this invention, jack 34 is preferably a stereo jack so as to permit twodistinct signals recorded on two different tracks of cassette 28 to be outputted therefrom. Typically, one of the signals would be tone coded data and the other would be sound such as voice, music, etc.. The output from jack 34 of tape recorder 26 is applied to video game 10 via a demodulator 36 in the manner taught by the aforementioned patent 4,194,198.

Alternatively, demodulator 36 might be located physically with the tape playback apparatus 26 which could be built specifically for the present interactive video game application. Such data is used in conjunction with data from the ROM 12. In one embodiment a single ROM may have multiple game capability with certain data derived from an audio tape such that multiple different audio tapes may be used with the same single ROM. The audio tape can call for only certain or desired portions of the ROM to be used. If a stereo output is not used, then two distinct signals may be recorded on a single track of the cartridge 28 and filtering used in the demodulator 36 to separate the two signals.Up to this point, what has been described is mostly conventional and shown in greater detail in the aforementioned patents 3,921,161 and 4,194,198, the entire disclosures of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference.

According to the teachings of this invention, the system is modified to include two additional input jacks 38 and 40 on the tape recoeder 26, such that not only can information recorded on the cassette 28 be inputted to game 10, but also information from game 10 can be applied to tape recorder 26. All of this will become more understandable when discussed in conjunction with the schematic diagram of Figure 2 which illustrates the modifications which need be made to tape recorder 26 to operate in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Shown in Figure 2 is a motor 42 which is the motor within the tape recorder 26 which moves the tape of cassette 28. This motor is connected to a source of power 44 which herein is illustrated as a battery.

Conventionally, the motor would be coupled to one or more of the switches 32 of the tape recorder to be turned on by manual depression of such switch; however, in accordance with the principles of this invention, the motor is connected to one of the controller I/O ports of video game 10 via a transistor switch 46. That is, connections to the video game 10 are made at the I/O ports which are used to connect controllers, such as joysticks, to the video game.

When the program of the video game wishes to cause the motor 42 to turn on, and thus run the tape of cassette 28, it outputs a high signal on line 48, thereby turning on the transistor switch 46 causing the motor to run. When it is desirable to shut off the motor, the program of the video game alternatively provides a low signal on line 48 turning off transistor 46 and thus, shutting off the motor 42. Video game 10 additionally provides on line 50, from a controller I/O port, a high or low signal to either turn on or off transistor 52. The collector of transistor 52 is connected at the junction of a pair of resistors 54 and 56 with the other side of resistor 54 being connected to the source of sound from the tape recorder 26 such that when a high signal is received on line 50 from the video game 10, it turns on transistor 52 and shorts the junction of resistors 54 and 56 to ground.

As a result, the sound signals from the tape player 26 are not applied to an amplifier 58 and thus, no output is received from speaker 30. Figure 2 also illustrates the input of data via demodulator 36 to the video game on line 60. If it is desired to also provide the ability to shut off any data from entering the video game and yet notturn off the tape recorder, then a similar arrangement may be employed using a circuit similar to resistors 54 and 56 and transistor 52 to shunt the data signal to ground. Transistor switches 46 and 52 may be built into tape recorders 26 and connected to video game 10 via inputs 40 and 38, respectively, alternatively the transistor switches may be provided separately or built into game 10.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is illustrated thereby the flow chart of a simple children's game which may be played in accordance with the principles of the present invention. When the game ROM 12 is inserted in its receptacle in the microprocessor-controlled video game 10, the game commences at step 62 of the program. The program first checks at step 64 whether or not the real player has actuated the game start button, pushbutton 24 of the hand control unit of Figure 1. This step of the program cycles until the game has been started by actuating pushbutton 24 at which time a command is issued to start the ROM program (step 66). When this occurs, the program is configured to output a BEEP sound signifying the game start. Atypical microprocessor-controlled game has the capability to output sounds therefrom, as is well known.After the BEEP, the program at step 68 determines whether or not pushbutton 24 has again been activated (step 70) and, if so, turns on the motor 42 by applying a high signal to line 48 (see Figure 2).

When the motor is turned on it will cause the tape in cartridge 28 to run and provide a voice announcement suggesting to the real player that he "go fishing with your joystick" and to signal readiness by pushing the button again. To make sure that the tape player stops after the voice announcement, the tape player outputs a single or multiple data tones from jack 34 thereof to the video game. The video game at step 72 examines if, in fact, a data tone (or multiple data tones) has been received from the tape and if so, then stops the motor at step 74 by outputting a low on the controller input/output port of the video game 10 connected to line 48.The program then cycles at stop 76 waiting for further actuation of the pushbutton 24 of the hand control unit 14, waiting for the player to signal his readiness to start playing the game, and when this occurs at step 78, causes the display of fish symbol 18 on the screen 20 of television receiver 22. When the fish is displayed, the program then, at step 80, commands the motor of the tape player 26 to run by outputting a high on line 48. The tape player will then deliver a voice message to instruct the player to move the fish at step 82. The voice message might be "Use your joystick to move the fish" or there may be a gate, a river, or other indicia shown on the screen and the voice message may be such as "Move the joystick to cause the fish to move up the river through the gates". At the same time, the program at step 84 commands the internal timer of the video game to start.The program is configured so that the player must move the fish over the proscribed path during a certain time interval and when that time interval has elapsed, the program at step 86 will command the timer to stop.

After the timer has stopped, the program at step 88 again provides a command to the tape player at the input/output port connected to line 48 to turn off the motor.

From the foregoing flow chart, it is seen that synchronization between the tape player, the ROM program and the human player has been maintained at all times. For example, in step 68 of the program, the tape player remains passive until the human player signals his readiness by pushing the hand control button 24. Similarly, in step 74 the program stops the tape player in anticipation of the pushbutton response requested. Until this response is forthcoming, nothing happens. Therefore, there is no time constraint on the human player to act immediately, rapidly, or at all. The program loops through step 76 until the player signifies his readiness with the pushbutton depression as asked for by the earlier voice presentation. Pressirig the button initiates step 78, causing the fish display and the voice promptly suggests that the player move the fish.Nothing that the player might do such as pushing the button on his hand control will cause the programto malfunction since it is only timing out the play (fish moving along proscribed path). After this has occurred another voice announcement may be made telling the player this is the end of the game, and finally automatically shutting off the motor.

At no time can any inadvertent action of the player disturb the time relationship between the spoken word or the start and finish of the associated video game play. Thus, erroneous button pushes are not permitted to destroy this synchronization nor are mental lapses or other response errors on the part of the player. As set forth hereinbefore, this is the result of the novel feature of giving the video game control over the tape player start/stop function and of the use of the prerecorded data (tone) signals to move their own programs through its sequential and incremental steps.

While the program of Figure 3 is for a simple game, the principles are adequately described thereby and more complex games making use of the voice and data received from a tape recorder will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, it is to be understood that the embodiment shown is to be regarded as illustrative only and that many variations and modifications may be made without departing from the principles of the invention herein disclosed and defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. In a system including processor game playing apparatus having controller input/output ports and an audio player for providing data and/or sound signals to the game playing apparatus, apparatus for providing synchronization between the audio player and game playing apparatus, comprising: means for providing an output from the game playing apparatus at the controller input/output port to control the audio player.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the audio player is an audio tape player including a motor to drive the tape, said output providing means including means for providing a signal to turn the motor of the tape player on and off.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said signal providing means includes means for providing a binary level signal such that one state thereof will command the motor to start and the other state thereof will command the motor to shut off.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the tape player includes a remote control jack, said signal to turn the motor on and off being applied to the remote control jack.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein said apparatus includes an electronic switch coupled to the motor such that the signal from said signal providing means operates said switch to turn the motor on and off on command.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said output providing means includes means for shutting off the sound from the audio player.

7. Apparatus for playing games on the screen of atelevision receiver, comprising: a plug-in programmable video game having controller input/output ports for providing a display on the screen of a television receiver; a prerecorded audio frequency magnetic tape playback unit including an audio magnetic tape having voice and binary coded digital data recorded thereon, said digital data including instructions for said video game to execute a series of program steps contained in said plug-in ROM; and means for controlling said playback unit by enabling and disabling said tape playback unit under control of said ROM program said controlling means including means for outputting signals from the controller input/output ports of the video game.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said magnetic tape playback means is a standard cassette player.

9. A system for maintaining synchrozination between a multiplicity of inputs to a video game apparatus comprising: a plug-in ROM programmble video game having controller input/output ports for providing a display on the screen of a television receiver; a prerecorded audio frequency magnetic tape playback unit including an audio magnetic tape having voice and binary coded digital data recorded thereon, said digital data comprising instructions for said video game to execute a series of program steps contained in said plug-in ROM; means for controlling said playback unit by enabling and disabling said tape playback unit on commands issued from said controller input/output ports; and a program resident in the ROM for controlling delivery of voice and game facilities to a human player participant.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.