Method and device for generating a game directory on an electronic gaming device

• US 20070060354A1
• Filed: 10/10/2003
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Theimer, Wolfgang, Meyer, Axel, Decker, Peter, Joeressen, Olaf, Lehn, Karsten, Huttula, Tomi
• Granted Patent: US 8,128,501 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/40
• 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 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/48 Starting a game, e.g. activating a game device or waiting for other players to join a multiplayer session
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/556 Player lists, e.g. online players, buddy list, black list

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device for simplifying the forming of game parties in wireless communication networks. The present invention is based on generating a game directory comprising all available (multi-player) games on a mobile device and exchanging said information between different gaming devices. Said game directory is generated by querying a memory accessible by said electronic gaming device for electronic games available for execution on, and generating a game directory having entries for each electronic game which is determined. Said game directory is then exchanged to visualize all available games to all potential game partners.

Claims

1. Method for generating a game directory on an electronic gaming device, comprising:

querying an accessible memory for electronic games available for execution on said electronic gaming device, and

generating a game directory having entries for each electronic game which is determined.

2. Method according to claim 1, further comprising:

querying said accessible memory for context data related to said electronic games, and including said context data into said game directory.

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein said context data comprise information related to a multi-player ability of said electronic games.

4. Method according to claim 1, wherein said game directory comprises only multi-player enabled electronic games.

17. Computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium for carrying out the method of claim 1, when said program product is run on a computer or network device.

18. Computer program product comprising program code, downloadable from a server for carrying out the method of claim 1, when said program product is run on a computer or network device.

19. Computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing a program that instructs a computer to perform the steps of the method of claim 1.

26. Method according to claim 1, further comprising:

displaying the entries from the game directory on a display of the electronic gaming device; and

receiving selection data related to the displayed entries and displaying the selection data on the display.

27. Method according to claim 1, wherein said game directory entries and said selection data are displayed as a whiteboard.

28. Method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving and installing a game directory generation and game selection application.

29. Method according to claim 1, further comprising sending a request to retrieve and transfer said game directory entries.

30. Method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving a request to retrieve and transfer said game directory entries.

31. Method according to claim 1, further comprising sending a request to start a game to any of said other connected game devices according to said selection data.

5. Method for maintaining a game directory, comprising:

determining context data related to electronic games in said game directory, if an electronic game is to be executed, and

storing said context data in said game directory.

6. Method for setting up a multi-player game party in a gaming device connected to at least one other gaming device, comprising:

retrieving said game directory, said game directory comprising game related entries, and

transferring entries to said at least one other gaming device.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein said transferring of game directory entries further comprises:

extracting a subset of said entries from said game directory, and

transferring said subset of extracted entries only.

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein said extracting of electronic game entries is performed according to user defined rules.

9. Method according to claim 6, further comprising receiving electronic game directory entries from said at least one connected gaming device, and storing said game directory entries.

10. Method according to claim 6, further comprising displaying said electronic game entries from said game directory on a display of said mobile electronic gaming device.

11. Method according to claim 10, further comprising receiving selection data related to said displayed electronic game entries and displaying said selection data on said display.

12. Method according to claim 6, wherein said game directory entries and said selection data are displayed as a whiteboard.

13. Method according to claim 6, further comprising receiving and installing a game directory generation and game selection application.

14. Method according to claim 6, further comprising sending a request to retrieve and transfer said game directory entries.

15. Method according to claim 6, further comprising receiving a request to retrieve and transfer said game directory entries.

16. Method according to claim 6, further comprising sending a request to start a game to any of said other connected game devices according to said selection data.

24. Method according to claim 7, further comprising receiving electronic game directory entries from said at least one connected gaming device, and storing said game directory entries.

25. Method according to claim 8, further comprising receiving electronic game directory entries from said at least one connected gaming device, and storing said game directory entries.

32. Computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium for carrying out the method of claim 6, when said program product is run on a computer or network device.

33. Computer program product comprising program code, downloadable from a server for carrying out the method of claim 6, when said program product is run on a computer or network device.

34. Computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave and representing a program that instructs a computer to perform the steps of the method of claim 6.

20. Electronic gaming terminal device, comprising:

a first storage,

a processing unit connected to said storage, and

a user interface connected to said processing unit, wherein said user interface comprises at least a display and a user input device,

wherein

said processing unit is configured to query said first storage for electronic games available for execution on said electronic gaming terminal device, and generate a game directory comprising entries that are related to electronic games determined during said query, wherein said electronic gaming terminal device further comprises

a second storage to store said game directory.

21. Electronic gaming terminal device according to claim 20, further comprising:

a communication interface connected to said processing unit, to connect said device to other electronic gaming devices,

wherein said processing unit is configured to connect to other electronic gaming terminal devices, select entries of said game directory, and exchange game directory entries with said connected electronic gaming devices, and display said game directory entry on said display.

22. Electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 20, wherein said electronic gaming terminal is a mobile electronic gaming terminal.

23. Electronic gaming system wherein said system comprises at least two electronic game terminals according to claim 21.