System and method for wireless gaming with location determination
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- for each of a plurality of locations covered by a communications network, calculating, by a computing device, a respective set of signal characteristics that describe signals between a calibration device at the location and a set of signal detection devices of the communication network;
determining, by the computing device, a first location of a mobile device by comparing the calculated sets of signal characteristics with a first set of signal characteristics measured between the signal detection devices and the mobile device;
based on the first location, enabling, by the computing device, a set of activities through the mobile device that are allowed at the first location if any are allowed at the first location;
calculating, by the computing device, a cumulative amount of time that a user of the mobile device engages in the activity from a plurality of locations; and
preventing, by the computing device, the cumulative amount of time from exceeding a threshold amount of time.
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Abstract
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method for wireless gaming with location determination are provided. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a gaming server; a wireless network at least partially covering a property, the wireless network comprising a plurality of signal detection devices; and a gaming communication device operable to transmit and receive gaming information to and from the gaming server via the wireless network. A location of the gaming communication device on the property may be determined based upon a signal received by the plurality of signal detection devices from the gaming communication device. Based upon the location of the gaming communication device on the property, a predetermined functionality of the gaming communication device may be enabled.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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for each of a plurality of locations covered by a communications network, calculating, by a computing device, a respective set of signal characteristics that describe signals between a calibration device at the location and a set of signal detection devices of the communication network; determining, by the computing device, a first location of a mobile device by comparing the calculated sets of signal characteristics with a first set of signal characteristics measured between the signal detection devices and the mobile device; based on the first location, enabling, by the computing device, a set of activities through the mobile device that are allowed at the first location if any are allowed at the first location; calculating, by the computing device, a cumulative amount of time that a user of the mobile device engages in the activity from a plurality of locations; and preventing, by the computing device, the cumulative amount of time from exceeding a threshold amount of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An apparatus comprising:
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a computing device; and a non-transitory medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions that when executed by the computing device, causes the apparatus to; for each of a plurality of locations covered by a communications network, calculate a respective set of signal characteristics that describe signals between a calibration device at the location and a set of signal detection devices of the communication network; determine a first location of a mobile device by comparing the calculated sets of signal characteristics with a first set of signal characteristics measured between the signal detection devices and the mobile device; based on the first location, enable a set of activities through the mobile device that are allowed at the first location if any are allowed at the first location; calculate a cumulative amount of time that a user of the mobile device engages in a activity from a plurality of locations; and prevent the cumulative amount of time from exceeding a threshold amount of time.
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26. A method comprising:
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before using a communication device through a wireless communication network, associating, by a computing device, each of a plurality of sets of signal characteristics with a respective location, each set of signal characteristics including a respective plurality of signal characteristics and each signal characteristic of a respective plurality of signal characteristics corresponding to a signal between a device and a wireless network device; determining a location of the communication device by comparing, by the computing device, a set of signal characteristics involving the communication device and a plurality of wireless network devices to the prior associated sets of signal characteristics; wherein a functionality of the communication device is enabled based upon the determined location; and disabling the functionality in response to a period of non-use of the communication device.
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27. A method comprising:
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before using a communication device through a wireless communication network, associating, by a computing device, each of a plurality of sets of signal characteristics with a respective location, each set of signal characteristics including a respective plurality of signal characteristics and each signal characteristic of a respective plurality of signal characteristics corresponding to a signal between a device and a wireless network device; determining a location of the communication device by comparing, by the computing device, a set of signal characteristics involving the communication device and a plurality of wireless network devices to the prior associated sets of signal characteristics; wherein a functionality of the communication device is enabled based upon the determined location; determining that the communication device is in another location where the functionality is not permitted; and
allowing functionality in the other location for up to a maximum amount of time; andsuggesting a course adjustment to a user of the communication device in response to determining that the communication device has moved from the location.
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Specification