System and method for providing interactive content for multiple networked users in a shared venue using short messaging service communication

• US 20090186700A1
• Filed: 01/19/2008
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lamplight Games
• Original Assignee: Lamplight Games
• Inventors: Konkle, Tim
• Granted Patent: US 9,067,150 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 13/27 characterised by a large display in a public venue, e.g. in a movie theatre, stadium or game arena
• 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 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/355 Performing operations on behalf of clients with restricted processing capabilities, e.g. servers transform changing game scene into an encoded video stream for transmitting to a mobile phone or a thin client
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/537 for exchanging game data using a messaging service, e.g. e-mail, SMS, MMS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8023 the game being played by multiple players at a common site, e.g. in an arena, theatre, shopping mall using a large public display
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8064 Quiz
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8088 involving concurrently several players in a non-networked game, e.g. on the same game console
• CPC Class Codes: A63J 25/00 Equipment specially adapted for cinemas cinematographic projection means G03B
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

Computer-implemented systems and methods supporting multiple networked users in a shared venue using short messaging service communication is described. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a game server, a display system in data communication with the game server, the display system including a shared screen, and a plurality of communication devices in data communication with the game server, each communication device including a text messaging transceiver to convey options and selections between the communication device and the game server, each communication device including functionality to use text messaging to interact with a game controlled by the game server, at least a portion of the game being displayable on the shared screen.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a game server;

a display system in data communication with the game server, the display system including a shared screen; and

a plurality of communication devices in data communication with the game server, each communication device including a text messaging transceiver to convey options and selections between the communication device and the game server, each communication device including functionality to use text messaging to interact with a game controlled by the game server, at least a portion of the game being displayable on the shared screen.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of communication devices are in wireless data communication with the game server.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the game server retains caller identification information for each communication device.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the game server retains profile information for communication device users.

5. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the game server retains loyalty program information for communication device users.

6. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each communication device includes functionality to initiate a product/service transaction.

7. The system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the game server includes functionality to access a web/access content server to authenticate the product/service transaction.

8. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each communication device includes a display to display game status to a user.

9. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each communication device includes a display to display a promotion to a user.

10. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each communication device includes functionality to enable a user of the communication device to join one or more games at any time.

11. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each communication device includes functionality to enable a user of the communication device to join a group.

12. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the communication devices is remotely located relative to the game server.

13. The system as claimed in claim 6 wherein the game server includes functionality to access a web/access content server to convey options and selections between the game server and network-based game players.

14. The system as claimed in claim 1 further including:

a theater access server in data communication with the game server; and

a kiosk in data communication with the theater access server, the kiosk including functionality to process profile information for communication device users.

15. The system as claimed in claim 1 further including:

a theater access server in data communication with the game server; and

a theater concession terminal in data communication with the theater access server to respond to a product/service request from a user of a communication device.

16. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the game server includes functionality to prepare a message to a player that includes an embedded IP address and port identifier that the player can use to play a game via a TCP/IP connection.

17. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the game server includes functionality to prepare a message to a player that includes an embedded web URL that the player can use to download software to play a game via a TCP/IP connection.