GB2584890A

GB2584890A - Computer game systems and methods

Info

Publication number: GB2584890A
Application number: GB1908820.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Muzaffar Saj
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-06-20
Filing date: 2019-06-20
Publication date: 2020-12-23
Also published as: GB201908820D0

Abstract

A computer game system 10 and method has a first controller 12 for operation by a first player, a second controller 14 for operation by a second player and a single shared display screen 22. Processor and game software are configured to interlace a first player video output for the first player and a second player video output for the second player, thereby generating an interlaced video output for display on the display screen. A directional optical element 20, which may be removable and may be a parallax or lenticular device, is disposed on the display screen and configured such that, when the interlaced video output is displayed on the display screen, the first player operating the first controller is able to view the first player video output over the whole display screen but is not able to view the second player video output and the second player at the second controller is able to view the second player video output over the whole screen but is not able to view the first player video output.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GII1908820.2 RTM Date:19 December 2019 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: BLUETOOTH -See page 14.

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk /ipo

COMPUTER GAME SYSTEMS AND METHODS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[1] The present invention generally relates to computer game systems and methods, and more particularly relates to improving a viewing experience for multi-player computer game systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[2] Multi-player computer games are conventionally viewed by means of a split screen on a single display device (e.g. player one's viewpoint is displayed on the top half or right side of the screen and player two's viewpoint is displayed on the bottom half or the left side of the screen).

[3] By sharing a screen, both players only get half of the available viewing area.

This can particularly make playing difficult on small display computer game devices, such as handheld, multi-player devices, although the reduced display size is a more general problem even on larger single screens. Also, player two is also able to view player one's half of the screen (and vice versa), which can be distracting in some instances and can prevent proper game play in other instances where maintenance of secrecy between players is required by the rules of the game.

[4] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide computer game systems and methods that provide improved multi-player viewing experiences. In addition, it is desirable to provide such improvements at a reasonable cost level, in an adaptable way to maintain a viewing experience for single player and without overly complicating computer game design and programming. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the invention and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the background of the invention.

SUMMARY

[005] A computer game system is provided. The computer game system comprises a first controller for operation by a first player, a second controller for operation by a second player and a display screen. The computer game system further includes processor and game software configured to interlace a first player video output for the first player and a second player video output for the second player, thereby generating an interlaced video output for display on the display screen. The computer game system includes a directional optical element disposed on the display screen and configured such that, when the interlaced video output is displayed on the display screen, the first player operating the first controller is able to view the first player video output over the whole display screen but is not able to view the second player video output and the second player at the second controller is able to view the second player video output over the whole screen but is not able to view the first player video output.

[6] By providing a directional optical element (examples thereof provided below) and providing interlaced video output spatially coordinated with directionality of the optical element, the full area of the display screen is able to be viewed by both of the players, thereby providing an improved multi-player computer game viewing experience. That is, the directional optical element masks video elements in the interlaced video output for player two from the viewpoint of the first controller whilst allowing viewing of video elements in the interlaced video output for player one and the direction optical clement masks the video elements for player one from the viewpoint of the second controller whilst allowing viewing of the video elements for player two at the second controller.

[7] The proposed solution makes use of interlacing of video outputs and thus does not overly complicate computer game programming and design. Further, directional optical elements are not expensive additions to a computer game system and do not require each player to wear viewing glasses/goggles [8] Thus, the present invention relates to a low cost, multi-view computer game system having one display screen that simultaneously displays at least two different video outputs.

[9] In embodiments, the display screen and the first and second controllers are fixed to a housing of a game device.

[0010] In embodiments, the first and second controllers are associated with a mobile game device, which can be a mobile hand-held device, which can be lightweight game device that is mobile, hand-held, and has at least one small electronic display. This may, for example, be a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet device, an electronic watch, a handheld games device, small-screen portable television, video player or the like.

[0011] The computer game systems and devices described herein are not limited to mobile devices. Other example computer game devices include amusement machines, TV's, laptops, computer game consoles, and desktop computers.

100121 In embodiments, the first controller, the second controller and the display screen are part of a mobile, handheld, game device (as defined above).

[0013] In embodiments, the first and second controllers are physical controllers associated with the game device.

[0014] In embodiments, eyes of the first and second players must be separated by a cone angle defined about a center line extending perpendicularly from a center of the display screen of at least 40°, 50°, 60°, 70°, 80° and 90° in order to clearly see the respective player's video output. This is a facet of directional optical elements that its directional masking effect becomes less effective as the players' eyes move closer to the center line.

[0015] In embodiments, the first controller is arranged on a left side and the second controller is arranged on a right side relative to the display screen. In this way, the first player is located on one side of the display screen and the second player is located on the other side of the display screen allowing the directional optical element to effectively allow each player to only see their own video output whilst masking the other payer's video output. The first and second controllers are spatially separated from each other and spatially separated from the display screen on/adjacent to opposed sides of the display screen.

[0016] In embodiments, the directional optical element is a parallax optical element.

Parallax optical elements include parallax barrier films. A parallax optical element in one example has an array of vertical parallel barrier lines with aperture spaces between them. The directional optical element is overlaid on the display screen and aligned with columns of pixels. Typically, the width of the lines is equal to the width of the spaces and the width of one or more pixels. Alternate columns of pixels direct rays respectively through the aperture spaces between the lines, resulting in separate views from different angles.

[0017] In embodiments, the directional optical element described herein is for use with a standard display screen displaying columns of pixels. The directional optical element provides an effect of an array of alternate barrier lines and apertures. The array is alignable with the columns of pixels so as to display different images from different angles.

[0018] In other embodiments, the directional optical element is a lenticular lens optical element. In one example, the lenticular lens optical element comprises an array of magnifying lenses, designed so that when viewed from different angles, different images are displayed.

[0019] In embodiments, the directional optical element is provided in the form of a transparent film shaped and dimensioned to be overlaid on the display screen of a hand-held game device. Suitable materials include PET (eg biaxially oriented PET such as Mylar®) and PVC.

[0020] In embodiments, the directional optical element has a series of precision optical lines providing the effect of barrier lines separated by spaces. The optical lines can be etched, plotted or printed on a film. The lines may be printed by means of laser printing, plotting or photographic etching methods. The directional optical element may optionally have anti-finger print qualities and/or anti-glare qualities.

[0021] In embodiments, a thickness and/or width of the precision optical lines may, for example, be based on the width, height, number of pixels, screen resolution, dots per inch (DPI) of the display screen and/or a size of coloured LED's, OLED's or the like, that make up the display screen.

[0022] The transparent film is preferably made from a transparent plastic material.

[0023] In embodiments, the first player video output and the second player video output are each divided into columns of one or more pixels. In some embodiments, the columns include just one color pixel in a row direction and each color pixel is made up of three adjacent pixels corresponding to red, green and blue pixels in a column direciton. The columns of the first and second video outputs are alternated in the interlaced video output. The directional optical element has spatially coordinated directionality in that the directional optical element is similarly arranged with columnar optical elements (e.g. columnar barrier lines and apertures of a parallax optical element or columnar lenticular lenses) of the same width as the alternating columns of the interlaced video output.

[0024] Accordingly, in embodiments, the processor and game software are configured to interlace columns of the first player video output for the first player and columns of the second player video output for the second player so that the interlaced video output has alternating columns for the first player and the second player.

[0025] In embodiments, the directional optical element is selectively removable and mountable on the display screen. In this way, normal single player mode can be resumed without loss of display screen resolution.

[0026] In embodiments, the computer game system includes a mounting element to which the directional optical element is selectively mountable on the display screen and removable from the display screen. In embodiments, the mounting element is selectively releasable or engagable. For example, a user actuatable button, latch or other structure is included to allow selective release or engagement of the mounting element with the directional optical element to allow removal of the directional optical element. In other embodiments, the computer game system includes a frame allowing slideable engagement of the directional optical element and the display screen.

[0027] In other embodiments, the directional optical element is attached to the display screen by glue or resin.

[0028] In yet other embodiments, the directional optical element is integrated into the display screen. The directional optical element may be integrated into the display screen (e.g. an LED display screen) either during manufacture and/or during assembly of the game device.

[0029] In embodiments, the directional optical element is mounted on a computer game device that includes a means of keeping the directional optical element aligned with the display screen. Failure to maintain alignment will result in distortion and/or loss of at least some of the multi-view effect. The directional optical element may, for example, be held over the display screen by means of a fixture which may be made of plastic and/or cardboard, for example, and may be a housing, case, clip, bumper, direct marketing card, polystyrene cutout or a combination thereof This enables the directional optical element to be easily and quickly applied and removed.

[0030] In one embodiment, in order to easily align the precision optical lines of the directional optical element with the display screen, the system includes at least one that includes, e.g., a bumper, frame or housing that has the correct inside dimensions to accommodate both the directional optical element and the game device. The at least one part may be such that the directional optical element fits inside the frame or housing, which, in turn, fits on to the display screen of the game device. Optionally, clips may be provided to attach the at least one part securely on to the game device.

[0031] In embodiments, the processor and game software are configured to generate a calibration screen that only appears correctly to a viewer when the directional optical element is properly aligned. For example, when the directional optical element is correctly placed some text, color or graphic appears correctly indicating the directional optical element has been correctly aligned with the display screen.

[0032] In embodiments, the directional optical element is an electronically controllable LCD layer. Such a layer allows the directional optical element to be turned off or on for single or multi-player mode. Alternatively, or additionally, the LCD layer is electronically controllable to adjust optical properties thereof such as position and/or thickness of masking/barrier lines (and thus of transmissive lines disposed between masking/barrier lines). This allows optimal set-up of the directional optical barrier depending upon game device, position of players, etc. [0033] In embodiments, the processor and game software are configured to perform at least one of: a. switching on or off the LCD layer or at least directionality thereof, b. movement of the directional optical element, and c. adjust thickness of barrier lines or slits of directional optical element. In embodiments, b and/or c is/are performed based on head tracking feedback for the first player and/or the second player. In other embodiments, user controlled a, b and/or c are performed based on user control.

[0034] In embodiments, the computer game system includes eye/head tracking technology and the processor and game software are configured to adjust optical properties of an electronically controllable directional optical element based on head tracking outputs from the head tracking technology. The head tracking technology includes at least one camera and/or at least one head worn sensor.

[0035] In additional or alternative embodiments, the processor and game software are configured to adjust a width and/or position of interlaced video optical lines, thus allowing viewing alignment with or without use of an adjustable directional optical element. The adjustment may be based on eye tracking and/or head movement tracking or by user controlled adjustment.

[0036] In embodiments, the processor and game software are configured to generate the first player video output from a first player virtual camera and the to generate the second player video output from a second player virtual camera.

[0037] In embodiments, the processor and game software are configured to control at least a first avatar of the first video output based on control signals from the first controller and to control at least a second avatar of the second video output based on control signals from the second controller.

[0038] In embodiments, the directional optical element is in the form of a transparent optical film.

[00391 In another aspect, a method of using a directional optical element on a display screen of a computer game device. The method includes: interlacing a first player video output for the first player and a second player video output for the second player, thereby generating an interlaced video output for display on the display screen. The method includes receiving first control signals from a first controller of the computer game device operated by a first player and controlling the first player video output based at least on the first control signals. The method includes receiving second control signals from a second controller of the computer game device operated by a second player and controlling the second player video output based at least on the second control signals. The method includes displaying on the display screen the interlaced video output, whereby the directional optical element is disposed on the display screen such that the first player operating the first controls views the first player video output over the whole display screen but does not view the second player video output and the second player at the second controls views the second player video output over the whole screen but does not view the first player video output.

[0040] In embodiments, the method generates two separate viewpoints from images displayed in respective sets of columns of pixels of a display that are interlaced in the interlaced video output, whereby the separate viewpoints are directed to the first player and the second player, respectively. In embodiments, said two different images are digital image, video signals corresponding to the first player video output and the second player video output and are displayed by said respective sets of columns of pixels so as to generate two separate images when viewed from different angles 100411 In yet another aspect, computer game software is provided that is executable by a processor to execute a method comprising the steps interlacing a first player video output for the first player and a second player video output for the second player, thereby generating an interlaced video output for display on the display screen. The method includes receiving first control signals from first controls of a computer game device operated by a first player and controlling the first player video output based at least on the first control signals. The method includes receiving second control signals from second controls of the computer game device operated by a second player and controlling the second player video output based at least on the second control signals. The method includes displaying on the display screen the interlaced video output, so that when a directional optical element is disposed on the display screen the first player operating the first controls views the first player video output over the whole display screen but does not view the second player video output and the second player at the second controls views the second player video output over the whole screen but does not view the first player video output.

[0042] The embodiments of the computer game system are applicable to the method and computer game software aspects described herein, and vice versa.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote like elements, and [0044] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computer game system, in accordance with various embodiments; [0045] FIG.2 is a schematic diagram of a parallax directional optical element, in accordance with various embodiments; and [0046] FIG.3 is a schematic diagram of a lenticular lens directional optical element, in accordance with various embodiments; and [0047] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of using a directional optical element on a display screen of a computer game device, in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding background or the following detailed description.

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a computer game system 10 including processor and game software 18 and a game device 16. The game device 16 includes first and second controllers 12, 14 and a display screen 22. Disposed atop the display screen 22 is a directional optical element 20. The first and second controllers 12, 14 are positioned outside of the display screen 22 on either side thereof The game device 16 includes a housing 21 to which the first and second controllers 12, 14 and the display screen 22 are fixed. In the illustrated embodiment, the game device 16 is a hand-held, mobile device. However, larger game devices 16 are included in the scope of the present disclosure such as arcade machines and games consoles. The first and second controllers 12, 14 are not necessarily fixed to the housing 21 of the game device 16 in some implementations.

[0050] The directional optical element 20 is fixed over the display screen 22 in some embodiments. In other embodiments, however, the directional optical element 20 and the game device 16 are removable from one another to allow for conventional single player gaming and also to allow for full screen two player gaming according to the present disclosure. The directional optical element 20 is removable in various ways, such as being slidable into a frame, clippable, being part of a holder for the game device 16, etc.. In various embodiments, the directional optical element 20 is held fast relative to the display screen 20 by a releasable engagement fixture.

[0051] The processor and game software 18 includes at least one processor and a computer readable storage device or media. The processor 44 can be any custom made or commercially available processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an auxiliary processor among several processors, a semiconductor based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chip set), a macroprocessor, any combination thereof, or generally any device for executing instructions. The computer readable storage device or media may include volatile and nonvolatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (IMAM), for example. IMAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that may be used to store various operating variables while the processor is powered down. The computer-readable storage device or media may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical, or combination memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by the processor and game software to execute the methods described herein.

100521 The instructions may include one or more separate programs, each of which comprises an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, perform methods for generating and interlacing computer game video signals as described herein.

100531 In one embodiment, the processor and game software 18 is included within a housing 21 of the game device 16. In other embodiments, the processor and game software 18 is cloud based and communicates with the game device 16 over a wireless network such as the internet. In yet other embodiments, part of the processor and game software 18 is located locally at the game device 16 and pan is cloud based.

100541 In embodiments, the processor and game software 18 is configured to generate a first player video output 5 based on a view of a computer game scene by a first player virtual camera 1, which may include a first player avatar 3 or other computer game item 3 that is controlled by the first controller 12. The processor and game software 18 is further configured to generate a second player video output 6 based on a view of a computer game scene by a second player virtual camera 2, which may include a second player avatar 4 or other computer game item 4 that is controller by the second controller 14. The virtual camera 1, 2 thus provide different views within a virtual world or scene intended for a first player and a second player at respective controllers 12, 14. The first and second controllers 12, 14 provide input control signals to the processor and game software 18 for controlling, for example, movements and/actions of respective avatars 3, 4 in the virtual world. Since the virtual cameras 1, 2 provide different viewpoints in the virtual world of the computer game, the first player video output 5 and the second player video output 6 represent different viewpoints of the virtual world, usually respectively focused on the first player avatar 3 and the second player avatar 4.

[0055] In prior art computer game systems, the first player video output 5 and the second player video output 6 would be output to respective halves of the display screen 22. A result would be that each player gets a half-sized display (which can be very small for mobile game devices) and each player is able to view the other player's actions. According to the present disclosure, the first second player video outputs 5, 6 are interlaced to provide an interlaced video output 8. The interlaced video output 8 is sent to the display screen 22 and is viewed through the directional optical element 22 by first and second players at the respective first and second controllers 12, 14. The first and second players are located on opposed sides of the display screen 22 and have first and second player viewpoints that are angled on each side relative to a perpendicular axis extending from a center of the display screen 22 by at least 60° in most cases. The directional optical element 20 is such that the first player video output elements 5a in the interlaced video output 8 are masked by the directional optical element 20 when viewed from the second player viewpoint and the second player video output elements 5a are masked by the directional optical element 20 whcn viewed from thc first player viewpoint. Thus, thc first player only sccs the first player video output 5 across the entire display screen 22 and the second player only sees the second player video output 6 across the entire display screen 22.

[0056] In embodiments, the processor and game software 18 are configured to divide each of the first and second player video outputs 5, 6 column-wise, wherein each column includes one pixel in the row direction and each column is made up of a series of sets of RGB pixels that are adjacent one another in the column direction in one example. The columns of pixels are alternately placed in the interlaced video output 8, which is made up of a repeating sequence of a first player video output column 5a and a second player video output column 6a. The directional optical element 20 includes columnar optical lines that match column size and frequency of the interlaced video output 8, thereby spatially coordinating the interlaced video output 8 and the directional optical element 20 to achieve the first and second player separate video viewing effects described herein.

[0057] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate alternative exemplary embodiments of a directional optical element 20 as described herein. In FIG: 2, a parallax optical barrier 20' is provided as the directional optical element 20. The parallax optical barrier 20' includes an opaque layer 34 with a series of precisely spaced transparent slits 36. Conventionally such parallax optical barriers have been configured so that each eye of a single player sees a different set of pixels, thereby creating a sense of depth through. The parallax optical barrier 20' of the present disclosure is different from such conventional parallax optical barriers because it is configured so that the pixels labelled L and R (the interlaced columns of pixels in the interlaced video output 8) are not for viewing respectively by the left and right eye of a single player, it is configured so that the pixels labelled L and R are for viewing by both eyes 30, 32 of respective first and second players. Thus, an effect of depth is not achieved, but each pair of eyes 30, 32 is able to view first and second video outputs 5, 6 over the entire display screen 22. That is, the parallax optical barrier 20' includes barrier and slit optical lines that allow the first player to only view the R pixels with both eyes 32 and the second player to only view the L pixels with both eyes 30. The barrier lines and slits 36 of the directional optical layer can be determined based on trial and error experiment or they can be determined from known first principles.

[0058] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 3, a lenticular lens directional optical element 20" is shown. The directional optical element 20" includes a lenticular lens comprising an array of magnifying lenses 38, designed so that when viewed from the angle of the first player's eyes 32, the pixels labelled L are magnified and when viewed from the angle of the second player's eyes 30, the pixels labelled R are magnified. Thus, alternate columns of pixels are viewed by the first and second players.

[0059] In yet further embodiments, an electronically controllable parallax or other form directional optical barrier is provided as the directional optical element 20. This allows the processor and game software 18 to adjust or switch on or off the directional optical element 20. The processor and game software 18 is configured to make such adjustments based on eye/head tracking technology input signals and/or based on input signals received from user operation of the first and/or second controllers 12, 14.

[0060] In one example, the display screen 22 is that of a typical hand-held mobile computer game device 16, which comprises an array of rectangular, for example, LCD pixel elements in columns (indicated 5a, 6a in FIG. 1 and L and R in FIGS. 2 and 3 alternately). In one example, the pixel elements have a width of approximately 0.07mm and are horizontally spaced apart by a spacing of approximately 0.02mm. Successive rows of pixel elements are RED, GREEN and BLUE, respectively. Three vertically adjacent pixel elements combine to form one pixel of a color image, the width of the pixel being 0.07 + 0.02 = 0.09 mm. Only 14 columns 5a, 6a of pixel elements are shown in FIG. 1 and only 8 columns L and R are shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, but in reality many hundreds of columns of pixel elements are provided in the display screen 22.

100611 In this example, a parallax barrier film 20 of transparent plastics material (e.g. biaxially oriented PET or PVC) is provided with precision-printed barrier lines 34. As shown, alternate columns of spaces between the pixel elements 5a, 6a are aligned with lines 34. The parallax barrier film 20 is applied to the front (upper) surface of the display screen 22 and held in position either by a suitable adhesive (not shown) or mechanically in a releasable fashion.

[0062] In use, a first player digital video output signal 5 representing Player l's viewpoint of a virtual world is fed to the alternate columns of pixel elements indicated L or 5a, and a second player digital video output signal representing Player 2's viewpoint of the virtual world is fed to the other columns of pixel elements marked 6a or R. The barrier lines 34 selectively block rays from the L pixel elements to Player 1 and selectively block rays from the R pixel elements to Player 2, resulting in different images viewed by the Player 1 and player 2, as shown somewhat diagrammatically by the ray bundles in FIGS. 2 and 3. Although these ray bundles are shown with parallel rays, in practice they will include diverging rays which will be focused by the user's eyes as in normal viewing. The arrangement shown results in sufficient image separation at a comfortable viewing distance to create two separate images to both players.

[00631 In one embodiment, first and second player video outputs 5, 6 including different image sequences generated by at least two virtual cameras 1, 2 are interlaced, (e.g. with each view corresponding to a 1 pixel column) into one image sequence in real-time. In another embodiment, one of the virtual camera image sequences is processed (i.e. mathematically) so that a second view is generated and interlaced with the image sequence of the other view. In another embodiment, the hand-held device has 3D game software that creates on-the-fly 3D interlaced game screens, the interlaced 3D game screens having been generated from a least two virtual cameras 1m 2 in the 3D game world, representing player one and player two' views.

[0064] In yet another embodiment, the hand-held computer game device 16 is augmented reality enabled, and an augmented reality character or model is created and interlaced and displayed to each player by means of the directional optical element 20.

[0065] In embodiments, the computer game device 16 is configured to receive the computer game software included in the processor and game software 18 by means of a local transmission -for example by Bluetooth®, Ir DA or it may be sent via means of an SMS or it may be downloaded by means of a WAP link or WAP push, which may have been sent to the device in response to a SMS or downloaded from an App store.

[0066] In one embodiment, the directional optical element 20 is integrated into a frame.

An area of the frame on a front face thereof borders the directional optical element 20 and thereby allows accurate registration of the optical lines 34 (that are created by any form of the directional optical element 20 including lenses 38 and barrier lines 34 and slits 36 in FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0067] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of using the directional optical element 20, in accordance with various embodiments.

[0068] In step 5100, the computer game device 16 is provided having first and second controllers 12, 14 and the display screen 22. The computer game device is a mobile/handheld computer game device 16 in some embodiments and has first and second controllers 12, 14 fixed to a housing 21 thereof [0069] In step S102, a directional optical element 20 is attached to the display screen 22.

This attachment is a removable attachment in embodiments such as through a frame and sliding attachment with a releasable securement structure or any other attachable and releasable structure for selectively mounting the directional optical element 20 over the display screen 22 and to the housing 21 of the computer game device 16. In other embodiments, the attachment is a permanent fixing, such as by adhering. In yet further embodiments, the attachment step is not provided as part of the method as the directional optical element is provided as an integrated (e.g. at manufacture stage) part of the computer game device 16.

[0070] In step S104, the first player video output 5 is generated by the processor and game software 18, which is included within processing circuitry and memory of the computer game device 16. That is, the processor and game software 18 is configured to generate a virtual world having first and second player avatars 3, 4 that are controllable by the first and second controllers 12, 14, under instruction of computer game software stored on memory of the computer game device 16. The processor and game software 18 is configured to view the virtual world and the first player avatar 3 from a first virtual camera 1 and to output first player video output 5 accordingly.

[0071] In step S106, the second player video output 6 is generated, which includes video output from a second virtual camera 2 having a perspective of the virtual world focused on the second player avatar 4.

[0072] In step 108, the processor and game software 18 are configured to generate interlaced video output 8 based on the first player video output 5 and the second player video output 6. Thus, in embodiments, the first and second player video outputs 5, 6 are each divided into even columns of pixels and the columns from the first player video output 5 are alternated with the columns of the second player video output 6 to provide the interlaced video output 8. The processor and game software 18 are able, in some embodiments, to adjust spatial characteristics (e.g. width or pitch of columns of pixels) of the interlaced video output 8 based on user input and/or based on input signals from eye/head tracking technology.

[0073] In step S110, the interlaced video output 8 is sent to the display screen 22 for display to the first and second players at the first and second controllers.

[0074] In step 5112, the first and second players are able to view the display of the interlaced video output 8 through the directional optical element 20. The first and second players thus view the display screen 22 from differing angles, which allows, because of the directionality of the optical element 20, the first player to view the first player video output 5 across the entire display screen 22 without seeing the second player video output 6 and for the second player to view the first player video output 6 across the entire display screen 22 without seeing the second player video output 5. In some embodiments, spatial characteristics (e.g. optical lines width and/or pitch) are adjusted by the processor and game software 18 based on user input and/or input from eye tracking/head tacking technology.

[0075] While at least one exemplary aspect has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist.

It should also be appreciated that the exemplary aspect or exemplary aspects are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary aspect of the invention. It being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary aspect without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A computer game system (10), comprising: first controls (12) for operation by a first player; second controls (14) for operation by a second player; a display screen (22); processor and game software (18) configured to interlace a first player video output (5) for the first player and a second player video output (6) for the second player, thereby generating an interlaced video output (8) for display on the display screen; and a directional optical element (20) disposed on the display screen and configured such that, when the interlaced video output is displayed on the display screen, the first player operating the first controls is able to view the first player video output over the whole display screen but is not able to view the second player video output and the second player at the second controls is able to view the second player video output over the whole screen but is not able to view the first player video output.
2. The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the display screen and the first and second controls are fixed to a housing (21) of a game device (16).
3. The computer game system of claim 2, wherein the first controls are arranged on a left side and the second controls are arranged on a right side relative to the display screen.
4. The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the first controls, the second controls and the display screen are part of a mobile, handheld, game device (16).
5. The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the directional optical element is a parallax optical element (20').
6. The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the directional optical element is a lenticular lens optical element (20").
7. The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the processor and game software are configured to interlace columns of the first player video output (5) for the first player and columns of the second player video output (6) for the second player so that the interlaced video output has alternating columns for the first player and the second player.
8. The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the directional optical element is selectively removable and mountable on the display screen.
9. The computer game system of claim 8, comprising a mounting element (28) to which the directional optical element is selectively mountable on the display screen and removable from the display screen.
10. The computer game system of claim 9, wherein the mounting element is selectively releasable or engagable.
11. The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the directional optical element is attached to the display screen by glue or resin.
12. The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the directional optical element is integrated into the display screen.
13. The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the directional optical element is an electronically controllable LCD layer.
14 The computer game system of claim 13, wherein the processor and game software are configured to perform at least one of a. switching on or off the LCD layer or at least directionality thereof; b. movement of the directional optical element; c. adjust thickness of barrier lines or slits of directional optical element.
15. The computer game system of claim 14, wherein b and/or c is/are performed based on head tracking feedback for the first player and/or the second player.
16. The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the directional optical element is a bidirectional optical element.
17. The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the processor and game software are configured to generate the first player video output from a first player virtual camera and the to generate the second player ideo output from a second player virtual camera.
18. The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the directional optical element is in the form of a transparent optical film.
19 The computer game system of claim 1, wherein the processor and game software is configured to control at least a first avatar of the first video output based on control signals from the first controls and to control at least a second avatar of the second video output based on control signals from the second controls.
20. A method of using a directional optical element on a display screen of a computer game device, the method compri sing: interlacing a first player video output (5) for the first player and a second player video output (6) for the second player, thereby generating an interlaced video output (8) for display on the display screen; receiving first control signals from first controls (12) of the computer game device operated by a first player and controlling the first player video output based at least on the first control signals; receiving second control signals from second controls (12) of the computer game device operated by a second player and controlling the second player video output based at least on the second control signals; displaying on the display screen the interlaced video output, whereby the directional optical element (20) is disposed on the display screen such that the first player operating the first controls views the first player video output over the whole display screen but does not view the second player video output and the second player at the second controls views the second player video output over the whole screen but does not view the first player video output.
21. Computer game software executable by a processor to execute a method comprising the steps: interlacing a first player video output (5) for the first player and a second player video output (6) for the second player, thereby generating an interlaced video output (8) for display on the display screen; receiving first control signals from first controls (12) of a computer game device operated by a first player and controlling the first player video output based at least on the first control signals; receiving second control signals from second controls (12) of the computer game device operated by a second player and controlling the second player video output based at least on the second control signals; displaying on the display screen the interlaced video output, so that when a directional optical element (20) is disposed on the display screen the first player operating the first controls views the first player video output over the whole display screen but does not view the second player video output and the second player at the second controls views the second player video output over the whole screen but does not view the first player video output.