Nintendo Co., Ltd.

Patrick Link

David J McCarten

Scott D Elliott

Hiroshi Kamada

Charles P Eck

Kelly Lindseth

Jim A Sloate

Donald W James

Yoshinobo Mantani

Hiroshi Kamadat

Ben Ong

Multiple video game players access an encrypted video game library stored on a shared mass storage device. A multiplexer multiplexes data read from the mass storage device to provide output streams to multiple video game playing units consuming video game instructions. A secure bus communicates video game instructions from the shared mass storage device to each of the video game playing units. Video game software or other entertainment content is distributed to the shared mass storage device via electronic download in multi-level encrypted form. Before being transported, the content is encrypted and then further encrypted. Once the content has been successfully transported, it is decrypted to remove the further encryption layer&#x2014;leaving the first encryption layer intact for protecting the video game during storage on mass storage at the remote distribution location.

Multiplexed secure video game play distribution

A software emulator for emulating a handheld video game platform such as GAME BOY&#xae;, GAME BOY COLOR&#xae; and/or GAME BOY ADVANCE&#xae; on a low-capability target platform (e.g., a seat-back display for airline or train use, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone) uses a number of features and optimizations to provide high quality graphics and sound that nearly duplicates the game playing experience on the native platform. Some exemplary features include use of bit BLITing, graphics character reformatting, modeling of a native platform liquid crystal display controller using a sequential state machine, and selective skipping of frame display updates if the game play falls behind what would occur on the native platform.

Hand-held video game platform emulation

An example user network provides information and entertainment for users via handheld information terminals. The 'look and feel' and personality of the handheld information terminals can be location-specific so that the most relevant information and entertainment can be provided to users in a useful and appealing manner.

Wireless user network for handheld information terminals

A video game distribution network for use in airlines, trains, hotels, cruise ships, set top boxes, cable television systems, satellite and other wireless systems or other communications systems, distributes special purpose game binary image files to general purpose computing/display devices. Software emulators running on the general purpose computing/display devices model the game source platform and interpret and/or compile the game files to provide interactive video game play. Software emulators for emulating a handheld video game platform such as GAME BOY&#xae;, GAME BOY COLOR&#xae; and/or GAME BOY ADVANCE&#xae; on a low-capability target platform (e.g., a seat-back display for airline or train use, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone) may provide any number of features and optimizations to provide high quality graphics and sound that nearly duplicates the game playing experience on the native platform.

Video game distribution network

A software emulator for emulating a handheld video game platform such as GAME BOY&reg;, GAME BOY COLOR&reg; and/or GAME BOY ADVANCE&reg; on a low-capability target platform (e.g., a seat-back display for airline or train use, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone) uses a number of features and optimizations to provide high quality graphics and sound that nearly duplicates the game playing experience on the native platform. Some exemplary features include use of bit BLITing, graphics character reformatting, modeling of a native platform liquid crystal display controller using a sequential state machine, and selective skipping of frame display updates if the game play falls behind what would occur on the native platform.

Software implementation of a handheld video game hardware platform

A kiosk includes a game machine console having a processing system. The game machine has a connector that, in use, is connected to a cartridge comprising a memory. A video printer has a video input connected to a video output of the game machine console and a video output connected to a video input of a television. Control circuitry is connected to the game machine and to the video printer. The control circuitry is configured to enable a user to selectively print out images stored in the memory of the cartridge.

Growing community of inventors

Carnation, WA, United States of America

Patrick Link