Method for providing entertainment to a portable device

• US 20020142759A1
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Published: 10/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Newell, Michael A., Davis, Scott B., DʼAvello, Robert F.
• Granted Patent: US 6,895,238 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/1066 Game playing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42

Abstract

A unique method for providing entertainment to a portable device, such as a wireless communication device, is disclosed. The method includes steps of receiving location information related to said wireless communication device; providing challenges associated with a game to a user of a wireless communication; providing rewards in response to answers based upon the location of said wireless communication device. The method finds particular application in vehicles having telematics communications products.

Claims

1. A method for providing entertainment to a portable device, said method including the steps of:

receiving location information related to said portable device;

providing challenges associated with a game to a user of a wireless communication;

providing rewards in response to answers based upon the location of said portable device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said game is downloaded to said portable device.

3. The method of claim 1 further including a step of receiving a response from said user as the user observes an item near the location of said portable device.

4. The method of claim 1 further including a step of generating a count when said user comes within a specified distance to the item for a specified amount of time.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said specified distance comprises a distance enabling the user to read the information contained at a predetermined location.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said information comprises visually detectable information.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said reward is determined by the time of day and amount of time spent at said predetermined location.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising a second user having a second portable device.

9. The method of claim 1 further including a step of deducting points based upon the location of the portable device at predetermined undesirable locations.

10. The method of claim 1 further including a step of providing coupons from sponsors of said game based on said answers.

11. A method for providing entertainment to a portable device, said method including the steps of:

p1 providing a wireless communication system in a vehicle, said wireless communication system communicating with a wireless communication device;

receiving location information related to said wireless communication device;

providing challenges associated with a game to a user of a wireless communication from a remote network by way of said wireless communication system;

providing rewards in response to answers based upon the location of said wireless communication device.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said game is downloaded to said wireless communication network.

13. The method of claim 11 further including a step of receiving a response from said user as the user observes an item near said vehicle.

14. The method of claim 11 further including a step of generating a count when said user comes within a specified distance to the item for a specified amount of time.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said specified distance comprises a distance enabling the user to read the information contained at a predetermined location.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said reward is determined by the time of day and amount of time spent at said predetermined location.

17. The method of claim 11 further comprising a second user having a second wireless communication device communicating with said wireless communication network.

18. The method of claim 11 further including a step of providing coupons to sponsors of said game based on said answers.

19. The method of claim 11 further comprising multiple vehicles communicating by way of a wireless communication system to play against each other.

20. A method for providing entertainment to a wireless communication system, said method including the steps of:

providing a wireless communication system in a vehicle, said wireless communication system communicating with an entertainment counsel in said vehicle;

receiving location information related to said vehicle;

providing challenges associated with a game to a user of said entertainment counsel from a remote network by way of said wireless communication system;

providing rewards in response to answers based upon the location of said vehicle.