Interactive game system

• Main Authors: AMIR EILAT, ARNOLD ZUCKER
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 28.11.2001
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: AMUSEMENTS; CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; HUMAN NECESSITIES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION; SPORTS; TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHICCOMMUNICATION; VIDEO GAMES

A gaming method for use with an interactive game which is played at a player unit having an interface device which is coupled to a television and to at least one communication network. The method includes displaying, via the interface device, the interactive game on the television, capturing a picture of a player, transferring the picture of the player to a headend, processing the picture of the player to create an avatar of the player, electronically assimilating the avatar into the interactive game, and enabling the player to interactively play the interactive game by controlling the avatar via the at least one communication network. In another preferred embodiment, a gaming method is provided for use with an interactive game in which, at a first player unit, a first interface device is coupled to a first television and to a communication network, and at a second player unit, a second interface device is coupled to a second television and to the communication network. The method includes displaying, via the first and second interface devices, the interactive game at the first and second televisions, and enabling a first player, playing at the first player unit, and a second player, playing at the second player unit, to play along with the interactive game by competing each against the other via the communication network.