System, method and computer program for enabling an interactive game

• US 20070155506A1
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Malik, Dale
• Granted Patent: US 8,317,618 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• 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 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/493 Resuming a game, e.g. after pausing, malfunction or power failure
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5546 using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6181 involving transmission via a mobile phone network arrangements for providing broadcast or conference services to substation in data switching networks in combination with wireless systems H04L12/189; wireless uplink channel access H04W74/004

Abstract

A system, method and computer program enable an interactive game. A game server, in response to a user request, provides a unique identifier associated with an instance of the interactive game. The game server forwards one or more invitations to join the interactive game in accordance with the user request. Thereafter, the game server registers one or more wireless communication devices to be used as data controllers for use by participants that join the game.

Claims

1. A system for use with a monitor configured to receive audio and video content, the audio and video content having associated therewith an indicator that additional content is available, the system comprising:

at least one processor configured to present for display the audio and visual content; and

a first controller configured to establish a communication session with a game server coupled to the monitor, the communication session responsive to an interactive callback address, wherein the game server is configured to communicate a unique identifier in response to a request to initiate an instance of a game;

wherein a wireless communication device has a user interface and one or more controls associated with the user interface are made operative by the game server to interact with the instance of the game.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the indicator comprises one of an image presented to a user in the video content and a message in the audio content.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a set top box configured to communicate with the game server, the first controller and the wireless communication device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the set top box is configured to forward the unique identifier to the at least one processor.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein the set top box is configured to communicate with the wireless communication device via a short-range radio-frequency link.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the short-range radio-frequency link is configured to comply with the IEEE 802.15 standard.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device is configured to communicate with the game server via a wireless data network.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device communicates the unique identifier to the game server to register with the game server.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the game server is configured to apply an input from the user interface of the wireless communication device as an input from a game participant.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the game server provides game information via at least one of the monitor and the wireless communication device.

11. A method for enabling an interactive game, comprising:

establishing an interactive session;

providing a unique identifier during the interactive session; and

registering a wireless communication device as a data controller in response to a communication from the wireless communication device that contains the unique identifier.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein establishing an interactive session comprises providing an interactive callback address in a data stream.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein establishing an interactive session comprises receiving a command from a control device.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the unique identifier is associated with an instance of the game.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the wireless communication device communicates using a short-range radio-frequency communication link.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the wireless communication device communicates using a wireless data network.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

using an input from the wireless communication device as an input from a game participant.

18. A computer program product for providing content, comprising computer-readable executable instructions that when executed by a processor direct a system to perform a method of:

establishing an account;

delivering an indication that alternative content is available to a monitor associated with the account;

receiving a response to the indication, the response indicating a desire to play an interactive game;

providing a unique identifier; and

registering a wireless communication device as an interface for the interactive game.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein registering a wireless communication device is responsive to a wireless communication device that communicates the unique identifier.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, further comprising:

using an input from the wireless communication device as a game input from a participant.