Method and apparatus for simulating game accessories

• US 20020183118A1
• Filed: 05/30/2001
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: New Illuminations, LLC
• Original Assignee: Interactive Telegames LLC
• Inventors: Wolinsky, Scott
• Application Number:
  US09/870,210
• Publication Number:
  US 20020183118A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/47
• 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 13/52 involving aspects of the displayed game scene
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2011/0016 Spinners
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/04 Dice dice tops A63F5/04 D; Dice-boxes; Mechanical dice-throwing devices casino or betting games played on boards A63F3/00157
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for simultaneously simulating on each of a plurality of communication terminals, one or more game accessories activated by each terminal, and identifying the respective terminals that activated the game accessories. Such a feature can be used to simulate the rolling of one or more die, spinning a spinner, controlling a timer, randomly selecting one of a plurality of game instructions (e.g., cards), and enabling players to display placed bets while playing a game over a telephone line. Once a communications link is established between two or more parties, their terminals are placed in a game mode which activates inband signal detection circuitry located either within the terminals or at a platform connected between the terminals. Multi-colored indicators (e.g., LEDs and/or LCDs) representing game accessories are activated, their color clearly identifying which party activated a game accessory (e.g., who “rolled” the dice or who “spun” the spinner).

Claims

1. A method of simulating a game accessory, comprising:

inputting at one of a plurality of communication terminals connected via a communications link, an instruction to determine an outcome; and

randomly determining at said one terminal, a signal representing said outcome to send to each of said terminals for display.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said communications link is one of a telephone line and a wireless link.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said displayed outcome simulates a game accessory.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said game accessory is one or more die.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said game accessory is a spinner.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said game accessory indicates a special game instruction.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said signal is an inband signal transmitted over said communications link.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said inband signal comprises at least one dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

defining a plurality of identifiers used to differentiate between said terminals;

determining at each of said terminals, from which terminal said signal originated; and

indicating at each of said terminals, said outcome and originating terminal identifier.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein conversing parties associated with said terminals can spontaneously set up and play a game without interfering with an ongoing conversation over said communications link.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein each identifier is represented by a different color emitted by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

12. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said terminals is a speakerphone.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless telephone.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said terminals is a walkie talkie.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless toy.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of said terminals is a transceiver.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said communications link is one of a telephone line and a wireless link.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said displayed outcome simulates a game accessory.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said game accessory is one or more die.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said game accessory is a spinner.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said game accessory indicates a special game instruction.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said signal is an inband signal transmitted over said communications link.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said inband signal comprises at least one dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

means for defining a plurality of identifiers used to differentiate between said terminals;

means for determining at each of said terminals, from which terminal said signal originated; and

means for indicating at each of said terminals, said outcome and originating terminal identifier.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein conversing parties associated with said terminals can spontaneously set up and play a game without interfering with an ongoing conversation over said communications link.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein each identifier is represented by a different color emitted by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

28. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least one of said terminals is a speakerphone.

29. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless telephone.

30. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least one of said terminals is a walkie talkie.

31. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless toy.

32. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein at least one of said terminals is a transceiver.

17. Apparatus for simulating a game accessory, comprising:

means for inputting at one of a plurality of communication terminals connected via a communications link, an instruction to determine an outcome; and

means for randomly determining at said one terminal, a signal representing said outcome to send to each of said terminals for display.

33. A method of simulating a game accessory, comprising:

defining a plurality of identifiers used to differentiate between a plurality of communication terminals connected via a communications link;

inputting at one of said terminals, an instruction to determine an outcome;

randomly determining at said one terminal, a signal representing said outcome to send to each of said terminals for display;

determining at each of said terminals, from which terminal said signal originated; and

indicating at each of said terminals, said outcome and originating terminal identifier.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein each identifier is represented by a different color emitted by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

35. The method of claim 33, wherein said communications link is one of a telephone line and a wireless link.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein said displayed outcome simulates a game accessory.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said game accessory is one or more die.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein said game accessory is a spinner.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein said game accessory indicates a special game instruction.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein at least one of said terminals is a speakerphone.

41. The method of claim 33, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless telephone.

42. The method of claim 33, wherein at least one of said terminals is a walkie talkie.

43. The method of claim 33, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless toy.

44. The method of claim 33, wherein at least one of said terminals is a transceiver.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein each identifier is represented by a different color emitted by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

47. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said communications link is one of a telephone line and a wireless link.

48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said displayed outcome simulates a game accessory.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said game accessory is one or more die.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said game accessory is a spinner.

51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein said game accessory indicates a special game instruction.

52. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein at least one of said terminals is a speakerphone.

53. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless telephone.

54. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein at least one of said terminals is a walkie talkie.

55. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless toy.

56. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein at least one of said terminals is a transceiver.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein each identifier is represented by a different color emitted by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

59. The method of claim 57, wherein said game accessory is one or more die.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein said game accessory is a spinner.

61. The method of claim 57, wherein said game accessory indicates a special game instruction.

62. The method of claim 57, wherein said game accessory is a timer.

63. The method of claim 57, wherein said game accessory enables a game player to indicate a bet.

64. The method of claim 57, wherein at least one of said terminals is a speakerphone.

65. The method of claim 57, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless telephone.

66. The method of claim 57, wherein at least one of said terminals is a walkie talkie.

67. The method of claim 57, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless toy.

68. The method of claim 57, wherein at least one of said terminals is a transceiver.

70. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein each identifier is represented by a different color emitted by one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs).

71. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein said game accessory is one or more die.

72. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein said game accessory is a spinner.

73. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein said game accessory indicates a special game instruction.

74. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein said game accessory is a timer.

75. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein said game accessory enables a game player to indicate a bet.

76. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein at least one of said terminals is a speakerphone.

77. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless telephone.

78. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein at least one of said terminals is a walkie talkie.

79. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless toy.

80. The apparatus of claim 69, wherein at least one of said terminals is a transceiver.

45. Apparatus for simulating a game accessory, comprising:

means for defining a plurality of identifiers used to differentiate between a plurality of communication terminals connected via a communications link;

means for inputting at one of said terminals, an instruction to determine an outcome;

means for randomly determining at said one terminal, a signal representing said outcome to send to each of said terminals for display;

means for determining at each of said terminals, from which terminal said signal originated; and

means for indicating at each of said terminals, said outcome and originating terminal identifier.

57. A method of simulating a game accessory, comprising:

defining a plurality of identifiers used to differentiate between a plurality of communication terminals connected via a communications link, wherein each identifier is represented by a different color; and

indicating at each of said terminals, a state of a game accessory illuminated in the color representing the terminal from which a signal representing said state was sent.

69. Apparatus for simulating a game accessory, comprising:

means for defining a plurality of identifiers used to differentiate between a plurality of communication terminals connected via a communications link, wherein each identifier is represented by a different color; and

means for indicating at each of said terminals, a state of a game accessory illuminated in the color representing the terminal from which a signal representing said state was sent.

81. A method of simulating a game accessory, comprising:

inputting at one of a plurality of communication terminals connected via a communications link, an instruction to determine an outcome; and

determining at said one terminal, a signal representing said outcome to send to each of said terminals for display.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein said communications link is one of a telephone line and a wireless link.

83. The method of claim 81, wherein said signal is determined randomly.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein said displayed outcome simulates a game accessory.

85. The method of claim 84, wherein said game accessory is one or more die.

86. The method of claim 84, wherein said game accessory is a spinner.

87. The method of claim 84, wherein said game accessory indicates a special game instruction.

88. The method of claim 81, wherein said displayed outcome simulates a timer.

89. The method of claim 81, wherein said displayed outcome enables a game player to indicate a bet.

90. The method of claim 81, wherein at least one of said terminals is a speakerphone.

91. The method of claim 81, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless telephone.

92. The method of claim 81, wherein at least one of said terminals is a walkie talkie.

93. The method of claim 81, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless toy.

94. The method of claim 81, wherein at least one of said terminals is a transceiver.

95. Apparatus for simulating a game accessory, comprising:

means for inputting at one of a plurality of communication terminals connected via a communications link, an instruction to determine an outcome; and

means for determining at said one terminal, a signal representing said outcome to send to each of said terminals for display.

96. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein said communications link is one of a telephone line and a wireless link.

97. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein said signal is determined randomly.

98. The apparatus of claim 97, wherein said displayed outcome simulates a game accessory.

99. The apparatus of claim 98, wherein said game accessory is one or more die.

100. The apparatus of claim 98, wherein said game accessory is a spinner.

101. The apparatus of claim 98, wherein said game accessory indicates a special game instruction.

102. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein said displayed outcome simulates a timer.

103. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein said displayed outcome enables a game player to indicate a bet.

104. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein at least one of said terminals is a speakerphone.

105. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless telephone.

106. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein at least one of said terminals is a walkie talkie.

107. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein at least one of said terminals is a wireless toy.

108. The apparatus of claim 95, wherein at least one of said terminals is a transceiver.