Video Game Jukebox System Using Hard Drive Emulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional video game systems require users to physically handle multiple DVD disks to play different games, which is impractical in environments like hospitals or hotels, and does not allow for easy previewing or sampling of multiple games without handling individual disks.
Innovation Solution
A video game system that uses a hard drive with special purpose logic to emulate multiple games on a single DVD disk, allowing users to select and play from a menu without physically handling disks, using a wireless remote control for game selection and control, and enabling internet-based game distribution and management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple physical DVD disks are provided for multiple games, then users can play different video games, but users must physically handle and swap multiple disks which is impractical in environments like hospitals or hotels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate DVD disks containing different video games into a single physical DVD disk. This is achieved by integrating a jukebox mechanism with a menu system that allows users to select from multiple games stored on individual DVD disks within the jukebox, while the user only needs to handle one disk in the drive at a time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a jukebox as an intermediary device between the user and multiple video game disks. The jukebox automatically loads and swaps disks based on user selections from a menu, eliminating the need for users to manually handle multiple disks. The menu system acts as another intermediary, providing a user-friendly interface for game selection without requiring physical disk manipulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual DVD disks are provided for each video game, then users can access specific games, but it is not desirable in hotel environments to provide multiple physical DVDs to users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the function of multiple separate DVD disks into a single physical DVD disk by implementing a jukebox system that houses multiple game disks. The menu program on the single disk manages the selection and loading of multiple games, effectively combining the functionality of multiple disks into one user-facing medium.
Solution Approach 2:
The single physical DVD disk serves multiple functions: it contains the menu program that manages game selection, it acts as a directory for the jukebox system, and it provides the interface for users to access multiple different video games. This multi-functional design eliminates the need to distribute multiple separate disks.
3Ease of operation
If users want to preview multiple video games for purchase, then users can sample games, but users must handle individual DVD disks for each preview
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a menu system as an intermediary that simplifies the game preview process. Instead of users needing to manually insert and handle multiple disks to preview games, the menu program provides a centralized interface where users can browse and select from multiple games stored in the jukebox, automatically loading each game for preview without user intervention in disk handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The jukebox system performs automatic disk loading and switching based on user selections from the menu. When users want to preview multiple games, the system autonomously handles the disk swapping process, eliminating the need for users to manually handle individual disks for each preview session.
4Device complexity
If a conventional DVD disk drive is used for multiple games, then the system is simple, but it cannot store or access multiple video games without physical disk swapping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a conventional DVD disk drive with a jukebox mechanism and a menu program to create a unified system. The DVD drive maintains its simplicity and compatibility with standard video game disks, while the jukebox component adds the capability to store and access multiple additional games, effectively merging the functions of a simple drive with a multi-game library.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the multi-game system into distinct functional components: a conventional DVD drive that handles disk reading, a jukebox that stores and manages multiple game disks, and a menu program that coordinates selection and loading. This segmentation allows each component to remain simple while the integrated system achieves multi-game capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple game jukebox system includes a hard drive that is able to execute video game software designed for execution on a conventional home-based system. The hard drive embodies various partitions including multiple partitions, where each partition represents a video game DVD disk. In communicating with such a hard disk drive device using the existing DVD bus, a particular pattern of disk reads or seeks is utilized to cause the hard drive to serve alternative data on subsequent disk reads (other than what exists on the currently selected disk). A media serving device initially defaults to playing a disk that contains a game selection menu program. The menu permits a user to select one of multiple video games for play.