System and Method for Adding In-Game Functionality

Abstract

A system and method for adding, accessing and/or using software modules within the context of an active computer game are provided. The system and method include overlaying graphics/video on top of the game.

1 . A system for overlaying image data, the system comprising:
 a first application running under an operating system;   a second application running under the operating system;   a first device driver located in a kernel of the operating system;   a second device driver located in the kernel of the operating system; and   a display device,   wherein the first application is operable to use the first device driver to display a first image on the display device; and   wherein the second application is operable to use the second device driver to display a second image within at least a portion of a first image displayed on the display device.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second device driver is operable to modify a command stream being sent to the first device driver by a graphics subsystem located in the kernel of the operating system. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the operating system is a version of Microsoft Windows. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  2 , wherein the graphics subsystem is operable to interact directly with the first device driver. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first application is a video game. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the first application is a multiplayer online game. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second image is an advertisement. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the second application is operable to add a function that is accessible from within the first application without modifying the first application. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the function is at least one of a chat module for sending and receiving data over a network; a music function for playing music from a source other than the first application; an information function for accessing information from a source other than the first application; a diagnostics function for accessing information on a computer on which the first application is running; a server function for displaying at least one server providing an on-line feature for the first application; a friends function for displaying at least one user having been previously associated with a user of the first application; and an e-commerce function for accessing a sales or auction site. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first application and the second application are installed on a first computer,
 wherein a second computer is operable to exchange data with the first computer over a network, and   wherein the data is associated with the function that is accessible from within the first application.   
   
   
       11 . A method of overlaying image data, the method comprising:
 using a first device driver located in a kernel of an operating system to display a first image on a display device; and   using a second device driver located in the kernel of the operating system to modify a command stream being sent to the first device driver.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the command stream is being sent to the first device driver by a graphics subsystem located in the kernel of the operating system. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first device driver displays a composite image on the display device based on the modified command stream, and
 wherein the composite image includes the first image and a second image within at least a portion of the first image.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first image is associated with a first application running under the operating system and outside the kernel, and
 wherein the second image is associated with a second application running under the operating system and outside the kernel.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the first application is a video game. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising using the second application to add a function that is accessible from within the first application without modifying the first application. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the function is at least one of a chat module for sending and receiving data over a network; a music function for playing music from a source other than the first application; an information function for accessing information from a source other than the first application; a diagnostics function for accessing information on a computer on which the first application is running; a server function for displaying at least one server providing an on-line feature for the first application; a friends function for displaying at least one user having been previously associated with a user of the first application; and an e-commerce function for accessing a sales or auction site. 
   
   
       18 . An article of manufacture comprising a computer-readable medium tangibly embodying instructions readable by a computer for performing a method of overlaying image data, the method comprising:
 using a first device driver located in a kernel of an operating system to display a first image on a display device;   installing a second device driver in the kernel of the operating system; and   using the second device driver to modify a command stream being sent to the first device driver.   
   
   
       19 . The article of manufacture of  claim 18 , wherein the command stream is being sent to the first device driver by a graphics subsystem located in the kernel of the operating system. 
   
   
       20 . The article of manufacture of  claim 18 , wherein the first device driver displays a composite image on the display device based on the modified command stream, and
 wherein the composite image includes the first image and a second image within at least a portion of the first image.   
   
   
       21 . The article of manufacture of  claim 20 , wherein the first image is associated with a first application running under the operating system and outside the kernel, and
 wherein the second image is associated with a second application running under the operating system and outside the kernel.   
   
   
       22 . The article of manufacture of  claim 21 , further comprising using the second application to add a function that is accessible from within the first application without modifying the first application.