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Multi-user touch-responsive entertainment deviceRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), Player-actuated Control Structure (e.g., Brain-wave Or Body Signal, Bar-code Wand, Foot Pedal, Etc.)Multi-user touch-responsive entertainment device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060183545, Multi-user touch-responsive entertainment device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/625,108, filed Nov. 5, 2004, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a multi-user entertainment that displays visual images and generates audio in coordinated response to touch and other user interaction. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Interactive electronic game devices have evolved to somewhat complex systems that provide audio and visual output in a variety of forms. These devices can be useful to provide entertainment to children as well as serving as a learning tool. [0004] Many entertainment devices of this type heretofore known have limited, if no, multi-user or multiplayer capability. In addition, these games are not flexible in terms of the type of user input devices that can be used. Very often they are limited to unique controllers that operate only with a particular game device. Many prior art devices also use outdated analog technologies and do not take advantage of the many types of data or content available in digital format. Moreover, many interactive game devices require the use of physical game pieces, that are easily lost or misplaced, in combination with displayed images. [0005] It would be desirable to provide an interactive entertainment device that is fully digital and embodied in a flexible hardware platform that can bring an endless variety of environments and experiences in a way not heretofore known. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Briefly, an entertainment device is provided comprising a housing or base unit that supports display surface. A display generating device displays visual images on the display surface. The display generating device may be a projection-type display device or a display panel device. A touch/proximity sensing device detects positions of a user's appendage on the display surface in the course of a game or activity. Users may also interact with the entertainment device with at least one input controller device that comprises buttons, directional pad devices, etc. A control unit is responsive to signals from the at least one input controller and/or position detections from the touch/promixity sensing device to, among other operations, alter the visual image displayed on the display surface and/or generate accompanying audio in the form of game sounds, music, etc. [0007] Users may interact with the entertainment device at each of a plurality of user positions that are located around the display surface. When a transition in an activity is made from one user position to another, the control unit controls the display generating device to rotate the displayed visual images so that they are properly aligned with the other user position. In addition, the control unit adjusts how it interprets touch position detections made by the touch/proximity sensing device during such a transition from one user position to another. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an entertainment device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with the entertainment device in a first, projection position. [0009] FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment device of FIG. 1, with the entertainment device in an initial stage of transition to a second, storage position. [0010] FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of the entertainment device of FIG. 1, with the entertainment device completely transformed into the second, storage position. [0011] FIG. 2C illustrates top perspective view of the entertainment device of FIG. 1, with the entertainment device in the second, storage position. [0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electrical components of the entertainment device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. [0013] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a display generating device for use with an entertainment device in accordance with the present invention. [0014] FIGS. 5 and 6 are schematic representations of alternative forms of display generating devices useful with an entertainment device according to the invention. [0015] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view of part of a corner of the touch sensing device underlying the display surface according to one embodiment of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. [0016] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a schematic of the cross-point sensor array for the touch sensing device shown in FIG. 7. [0017] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of part of the display surface overlying the touch sensing device shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. [0018] FIGS. 10-11 are diagrammatic sectional views of one sensor in the sensor array shown in FIG. 8, with and without contact by a user's finger/appendage. [0019] FIG. 12 is an electrical block diagram of the circuitry used in the touch-sensing device shown in FIGS. 7-12. Continue reading about Multi-user touch-responsive entertainment device... Full patent description for Multi-user touch-responsive entertainment device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Multi-user touch-responsive entertainment device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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