| Systems and methods for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
 
Systems and methods for providing system level notifications in a multimedia consoleRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), Data Storage Or Retrieval (e.g., Memory, Video Tape, Etc.)Systems and methods for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060205518, Systems and methods for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention generally relates to the field of providing notifications to users of a computing system. In particular, the invention is directed to providing notifications to multiple users of a multimedia console. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Multimedia consoles, such as video game consoles, often have multiple simultaneous users that may receive messages and notifications from a variety of sources. For example, if a video game player (gamer) is playing a computer game on his or her video game console connected to a network in which other gamers may participate in the game being played on the console, notifications may arrive indicating other gamers may wish to join. Traditionally the management of these notifications is handled by the particular game running on the console at the time. When developing games to support these notifications for multiplayer games, game developers must handle the receipt and display of the notifications within the game itself. With the increasing user notifications becoming available in multiplayer environments, this is becoming increasingly cumbersome and time consuming for game developers to address. Also, when multiple gamers are playing on one console, there currently is not a streamline and efficient way to notify the correct gamer for which the notification is intended and then provide an easy and quick way for the particular gamer to respond. [0003] Thus, there is a need for systems and methods that provide a notification for a multimedia console system that efficiently manages incoming notifications and displays them in a meaningful manner for multiple users on the same console, without significant involvement of the particular multimedia application running on the console. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The invention is directed to systems and methods for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console. In particular, a method is described for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console having a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, and a memory. The method comprises the acts of managing the receipt of a notification for a user of the multimedia console with a process running as part of the multimedia console operating system while a separate multimedia application is running on the multimedia console. Also, the display of a notification is managed for a user of the multimedia console with a process running as part of the multimedia console operating system while the separate multimedia application is running on the multimedia console. The method may further comprise managing the receipt of notifications for simultaneous multiple users of the multimedia console with the process running as part of the multimedia console operating system while the multimedia application is running on the multimedia console. Then the display of notifications is managed for simultaneous multiple users of the multimedia console with the process running as part of the multimedia console operating system while the multimedia application is running on the multimedia console. [0005] Also, a method is described for providing system level notifications in a computing system as well. This method comprises the acts of managing the receipt of notifications for simultaneous multiple users of the computing system with a process running as part of the computing system operating system while the multimedia application is running on the computing system. Also, the display of notifications is managed for simultaneous multiple users of the computing system with the process running as part of the computing system operating system while the multimedia application is running on the computing system. [0006] Additional features of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings illustrative embodiments of the invention; however, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings: [0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary multimedia console, in which aspects of the invention may be implemented; [0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing further details of the exemplary multimedia console of FIG. 1, in which aspects of the invention may be implemented; [0010] FIG. 3a is a flowchart illustrating a method for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; [0011] FIG. 3b is a diagram of a user controller in accordance with an aspect of the invention; [0012] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the architecture for a system for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; [0013] FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary notification and associated icon, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; [0014] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary notification and associated icon according to an alternative embodiment of an aspect of the invention; [0015] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating various exemplary notifications and associated icons according to the type of notification, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; [0016] FIG. 8A is a diagram of a placement of an exemplary notification according to FIG. 6 on a display screen, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; [0017] FIG. 8B is a diagram showing alternative locations for placement of a notification on the display screen of FIG. 8A, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; [0018] FIG. 9 is a screenshot of an exemplary video game wherein a notification is displayed over the game, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; [0019] FIG. 10 is a screenshot of an exemplary video game wherein a notification of a different type from that of FIG. 9 is displayed over the game, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; [0020] FIG. 11 is a screenshot of the exemplary video game of FIG. 10 in which there is a split screen for two players on the same console wherein an exemplary notification is displayed over the game, in accordance with an aspect of the invention; Continue reading about Systems and methods for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console... Full patent description for Systems and methods for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Systems and methods for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console 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. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Systems and methods for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Systems and methods for providing a system level user interface in a multimedia console Next Patent Application: Systems and methods for processing playing cards collected from a gaming table Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Systems and methods for providing system level notifications in a multimedia console patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.14986 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
