PROXIMAL GAME SHARING

• US 20110112895A1
• Filed: 11/10/2009
• Published: 05/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications USA Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Snyder, Thomas D.
• Application Number:
  US12/615,314
• Publication Number:
  US 20110112895A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.12
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• 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 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• 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 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0214 Referral reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification

Abstract

A device may include a network interface for communicating over a network; and a processor. The processor may obtain a list of parties that are associated with user devices proximate to the device. In addition, the processor may receive, from a participant, a selection of a party in the list of parties. Further, the processor may send a copy of a component to a first user device associated with the selected party, start an application session by running an application, and engage the first user device in the application session, over a communication link, via the component installed at the first user device.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a network interface for communicating over a network; and

a processor to;

obtain a list of parties that are associated with user devices proximate to the device,

receive, from a participant, a selection of a party in the list of parties,

send a copy of a component to a first user device associated with the selected party,

start an application session by running an application, and

engage the first user device in the application session, over a communication link, via the component installed at the first user device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises:

a cellular telephone, a game console, a netbook, a laptop, a personal computer, or a personal digital assistant.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive descriptions of locations, from the user devices or a service provider, associated with the user devices.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive information for giving credit to the participant for sending the copy of the component to the first user device;

or

receive information for giving credit to the participant when the selected party purchases a copy of the application.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the component includes at least one of:

the application;

or

a controller for the application.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory for storing a contact list for the participant, the contact list including the list of parties.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the application includes a game application, and wherein the component includes the game application.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to at least one of:

configure the copy of the game application to limit a number of times the game application is to be played on the first user device;

or

configure the copy of the game application to expire on a particular date.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine a location of the device; and

compare the location of the device to locations of the user devices.

10. A method comprising:

executing a game application installed on a device;

obtaining a list of parties that are stored in a contact list on the device;

receiving a selection of a first party in the list of parties;

generating a message including a component that is to be activated by the first party, the component causing a copy of the game application to be downloaded from a server device when the component is activated; and

sending the message to a user device associated with the first party.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving credit when the first party activates the component and downloads the copy of the game application from the server device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving credit includes at least one of:

modifying a number of lives of a character or power of the character in the game application;

receiving loyalty points;

receiving a discount for a service;

or

receiving a cash-equivalent.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

engaging the user device in a game via the game application.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein obtaining the list of parties includes:

determining locations of the parties; and

identifying parties that are proximate to the participant based on the determined locations.

15. A device comprising:

a network interface for communicating over a network; and

a processor to;

receive a request from a first user device to send a copy of a game application to the first user device, the request identifying a second user device that sent, to the first user device, a message that includes a link or component whose activation caused the first user device to generate and send the request to the device,

transmit a copy of the game application to the first user device; and

transmit information for conveying credit to a user associated with the second user device.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the game application includes:

a multi-party network game;

or

a single-party game.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein the credit includes:

a number of lives of a character or power of the character in the game application;

loyalty points;

a discount for a service;

or

a cash-equivalent.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the second user device comprises:

a cellular telephone, a game console, a netbook, a laptop, or a personal digital assistant.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to:

transmit additional information for conveying additional credit to the user associated with the second user device when a party associated with the first user device purchases the copy of the game application.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to:

configure the copy of the game application to limit a number of times the game application is to be played on the first user device;

or

configure the copy of the game application to expire on a particular date.