SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOCATION BASED GAMES AND EMPLOYMENT OF THE SAME ON LOCATION ENABLED DEVICES

• US 20060284789A1
• Filed: 08/02/2006
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2003
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Mullen Industries LLC
• Original Assignee: Mullen Industries LLC
• Inventors: Mullen, Jeffrey D
• Application Number:
  US11/461,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20060284789A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/4
• 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 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• 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 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/205 for detecting the geographical location of the game platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/408 Peer to peer connection
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality

Abstract

A location-based game system is provided. Such a system may take the form of any device (e.g., a wireless telephone) that includes a locating device (e.g., a GPS system). One such location-based game may operate such that the actual, physical location of a user on a physical playfield corresponds to the location of a virtual character on a virtual playfield. Such location based games are referred to herein as actuality games. In one multiplayer actuality embodiment, two game devices may communicate location, and other, information to a remote database such that the two user'"'"'s may interact on different physical playfields, but play on the same virtual playfield. A number of wireless communications protocols, self-configuration, and auto-download software applications are also provided to optimize integration with, for example, a wireless telephone.

Claims

1-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A system comprising:

a first gaming device for providing a first control signal for a video game, wherein said first gaming device comprises a first locating device and said first control signal is associated with said first locating device; and

a second gaming device, connected to said first gaming device through a wire, for providing a second control signal for said video game, wherein said second gaming device comprises a second locating device and said second control signal is associated with said second locating device.