Voice-based entertainment activity in a networked enviorment

• US 20110224000A1
• Filed: 01/14/2011
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Mercer Corporation
• Original Assignee: Mercer Corporation
• Inventors: Gupta, Siddhartha, Cox, Kenneth, Boni, Rafal K., Toga, James
• Application Number:
  US12/930,713
• Publication Number:
  US 20110224000A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/424 involving acoustic input signals, e.g. by using the results of pitch or rhythm extraction or voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• 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 13/54 involving acoustic signals, e.g. for simulating revolutions per minute [RPM] dependent engine sounds in a driving game or reverberation against a virtual wall
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/814 Musical performances, e.g. by evaluating the player's ability to follow a notation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1081 Input via voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/572 Communication between players during game play of non game information, e.g. e-mail, chat, file transfer, streaming of audio and streaming of video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8047 Music games

Abstract

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for voice-based entertainment activity in a networked environment. A method includes, in a network of interconnected computers, establishing a connection between the client and a server, the client comprising a web browser and an audio input/output device, receiving a list of entertainment games over the connection from the server, selecting an entertainment game from the list, receiving a globally unique identifier from the server corresponding to the selected entertainment game, the globally unique identifier having an associated voice channel and text channel, in response to a client request to initiate game play, sending audio to the server through the audio input/output device and receiving audio from the server through the audio/input device, in response to a client request to terminate game play, terminating the associated voice channel, and receiving text messages from the server over the associated text channel.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

in a network of interconnected computers, establishing a connection between the client and a server, the client comprising a web browser and an audio input/output device;

receiving a list of entertainment games over the connection from the server;

selecting an entertainment game from the list;

receiving a globally unique identifier from the server corresponding to the selected entertainment game, the globally unique identifier having an associated voice channel and text channel;

in response to a client request to initiate game play, sending audio to the server through the audio input/output device and receiving audio from the server through the audio/input device;

in response to a client request to terminate game play, terminating the associated voice channel; and

receiving text messages from the server over the associated text channel.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sent audio to the server through the audio input/output device enables game play.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the audio is recorded by the server.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the recorded audio is sent by the server upon a request from the client.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the globally unique identifier has an associated database table to maintain game information.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the server maintains a history of game play.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein audio from the client is generated from a first user.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the globally unique identifier is received by a plurality of users and the server maintains a history of game interaction of the users.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein the client request to initiate game play is not the same client used to complete subsequent portions of game play.

9. A method comprising:

in a network of interconnected computers, establishing a connection between a client and a server, the client comprising a web browser and an audio input/output device;

sending a list of entertainment games over the connection to the client;

in response to a selected entertainment game received from the client, sending a globally unique identifier from the server corresponding to the selected entertainment game, the globally unique identifier having an associated voice channel and text channel;

receiving audio from the client over the voice channel and sending audio to the client over the voice channel;

in response to client request to terminate game play, terminating the voice channel; and

sending messages to the client over the text channel.

10. The method of claim 9 where the received audio from the client enables game play.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the client audio is recorded.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the recorded audio is sent to the client upon a client request.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the globally unique identifier has an associated database table to maintain game information.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the messages comprise live feeds of information pertaining to the game.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the live feeds of information include one or more of completed game turns, game scores, leader board changes.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein the server maintains a history of game play.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein audio from the client is generated from a first user.

18. The method of claim 9 wherein the globally unique identifier is received by a plurality of users and the server maintains a history of game interaction of the users.