John Allen Root

US Patent:

6406372, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Aug 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/135598

Inventors:

Mark J. Turmell - Long Grove IL
John Kozmo Root - Chicago IL

Assignee:

Midway Games Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

A63F 924

US Classification:

463 43, 463 44, 463 4, 463 1, 463 36

Abstract:

A system and method for transferring user-defined instructions between a home video game and a corresponding arcade video game comprises the home video game, the arcade video game, and a memory device. The home and arcade video games each include a control unit, a user controller, and a display. The user controller and the display are connected to the control unit. The control unit executes a game program to create a visual representation on the display. The user controller is operated by a user to cause the control unit to vary the visual representation on the display. The memory device is capable of being connected to the control unit of each of the home and arcade video games. To transfer the user-defined instructions between the home and arcade video games, the memory device is first connected to the control unit of one of the home and arcade video games. Next, the user controller of the one of the home and arcade video games is operated by the user to create the user-defined instructions and to cause the associated control unit to load the user-defined instructions into the memory device. Finally, the memory device is connected to the other of the home and arcade video games so that the user-defined instructions can be loaded therein and used during game play.