SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FITNESS AND VIDEO GAMES

• US 20120252580A1
• Filed: 04/05/2012
• Published: 10/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dugan Health, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian M. Dugan
• Inventors: Dugan, Brian M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,610,506 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/211 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/428 involving motion or position input signals, e.g. signals representing the rotation of an input controller or a player's arm motions sensed by accelerometers or gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/816 Athletics, e.g. track-and-field sports
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8005 Athletics

Abstract

In some aspects, a system is provided that includes a plurality of mobile devices and an application on at least a first mobile device. The application is adapted to track position information regarding the first mobile device, communicate the position information to a web server, receive position information from the web server regarding other mobile devices within a predetermined distance of the first mobile device, and use the position information regarding the other mobile devices to affect one or more characteristics of a video game executed on the first mobile device. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of mobile devices; and

an application on at least a first mobile device, the application adapted to;

(a) track position information regarding the first mobile device;

(b) communicate the position information to a web server;

(c) receive position information from the web server regarding other mobile devices within a predetermined distance of the first mobile device; and

(d) use the position information regarding the other mobile devices to affect one or more characteristics of a video game executed on the first mobile device.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein mobile device is a cellular telephone.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein a user of the first mobile device may select one or more of how position information affects the video game and the predetermined distance.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the web server may select one or more of how position information affects the video game and the predetermined distance.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the position information includes a number of other mobile devices within the predetermined distance.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the web server is adapted to provide incentives if a predetermined number of mobile devices are within the predetermined distance.

7. A method comprising:

executing a video game on a mobile device;

receiving position information regarding one or more additional mobile devices within a predetermined distance of the mobile device; and

using the position information regarding the one or more additional mobile devices to affect one or more characteristics of the video game executing on the mobile device.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein mobile device is a cellular telephone.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the application is adapted to allow a user of the mobile device to select one or more of how position information affects the video game and the predetermined distance.

10. An application for a mobile device comprising:

program code adapted to allow the mobile device to;

execute a video game on the mobile device;

receive position information regarding one or more additional mobile devices within a predetermined distance of the mobile device; and

use the position information regarding the one or more additional mobile devices to affect one or more characteristics of the video game executed on the mobile device.

11. The application of claim 10 wherein mobile device is a cellular telephone.

12. The application of claim 10 wherein the application is adapted to allow a user of the mobile device to select one or more of how position information affects the video game and the predetermined distance.