Mobile Device Used as Controller in Interactive Gaming Environment

• US 20080242417A1
• Filed: 03/28/2008
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: NTN Buzztime Incorporated (Eterna Therapeutics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: NTN Buzztime Incorporated (Eterna Therapeutics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Schueller, Darren
• Application Number:
  US12/058,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20080242417A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/41
• 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 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/537 for exchanging game data using a messaging service, e.g. e-mail, SMS, MMS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations

Abstract

Using mobile devices in interactive gaming environments can include receiving inputs for a game event sent from wireless mobile devices over a plurality of disparate wireless networks. Each received input can include a game response and a timestamp indicative of when the game response was made. The timestamp and the game response of each input can be compared to formulate a game output.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving inputs for a game event sent from wireless mobile devices over a plurality of disparate wireless networks, wherein each received input comprises a game response and a timestamp indicative of when the game response was made; and

comparing the timestamp and the game response of each input to formulate a game output.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of disparate wireless networks comprises a cellular network.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plurality of disparate wireless networks comprises a local area wireless network.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the received inputs are sent in accordance with a text messaging protocol.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the Short Message Service (SMS) protocol defines the text messaging protocol.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the game response comprises a guess of a future play of a ball game.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving inputs for the game event comprises receiving an input over Bluetooth.

8. A method comprising:

receiving a game response;

recording a timestamp for the game response indicative of when the response was made; and

transmitting the response and the timestamp to a server over a communication pathway that comprises a wireless link.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein transmitting the response comprises formulating a text message comprising the response.

10. A computer program product, tangibly embodied on a computer-readable medium, the computer program product comprising instructions to enable data processing apparatus to perform operations comprising:

receiving inputs for a game event sent from wireless mobile devices over a plurality of disparate wireless networks, wherein each received input comprises a game response and a timestamp indicative of when the game response was made; and

comparing the timestamp and the game response of each input to formulate a game output.

11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the plurality of disparate wireless networks comprises a cellular network.

12. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein the plurality of disparate wireless networks comprises a local area wireless network.

13. The computer program product of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the received inputs are sent in accordance a text messaging protocol.

14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the Short Message Service (SMS) protocol defines the text messaging protocol.

15. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the game response comprises a guess of a future play of a ball game.

16. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein receiving inputs for the game event comprises receiving an input over Bluetooth.

17. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable medium encoding instructions to cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving inputs for a game event sent from wireless mobile devices over a plurality of disparate wireless networks, wherein each received input comprises a game response and a timestamp indicative of when the game response was made; and

comparing the timestamp and the game response of each input to formulate a game output.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of disparate wireless networks comprises a cellular network.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of disparate wireless networks comprises a local area wireless network.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the received inputs are sent in accordance a text messaging protocol.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the Short Message Service (SMS) protocol defines the text messaging protocol.

22. The system of claim 17, wherein the game response comprises a guess of a future play of a ball game.

23. The system of claim 17, wherein receiving inputs for the game event comprises receiving an input over Bluetooth.

24. A device comprising:

a gaming system, having a first network connection receiving input indicative of a game from a remote controller; and

an interface to a mobile device, the mobile device producing controls that interact with said game.