Electronically augmented multiplayer sporting game with virtual ball passed by infrared apparatus

• US 7,006,984 B2
• Filed: 10/01/2003
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Mattila, Jouka, Meyers, Stephan
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAMPAGNE, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US10/674,536
• Publication Number:
  US 20040102249A1
• Time in Patent Office: 881 Days
• Field of Search: 705/14, 463/40, 463/42
• US Class Current: 705/14.64
• 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 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/61 using advertising information
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8011 Ball
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices

Abstract

A method and apparatus for conducting multi-player games in a wireless telecommunications system including a wireless telecommunications network which communicates using radio signals with a plurality of mobile terminals. The objects of the multi-player games are accomplished in the invention by passing a virtual ball between the mobile terminals. The virtual ball can be passed between the mobile terminals using various means including infrared (IR) transmission, a call being placed, Short Message Service (SMS), or short range radio apparatus. The virtual ball could include data or information regarding the game and/or advertising or promotional information regarding products or services being offered. The data or information in the virtual ball is automatically displayed on the display of the mobile terminal upon receiving the virtual ball.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a multi-player game in a wireless telecommunications system, comprising:

receiving, by a mobile terminal operated by a first player, a message including a virtual ball relating to the multi-player game, the virtual ball including information relating to rules for the multi-player game and data automatically displayed on a display of the mobile terminal, wherein the rules define a period of time requiring the first player to forward the virtual ball to another player for receiving a promotional item;

forwarding, by the mobile terminal operated by the first player, the virtual ball to another mobile terminal; and

providing the promotional item to said mobile terminal operated by the first player if the virtual ball is forwarded within the period of time defined in the rules for the multi-player game; and

wherein game points are scored by forwarding the virtual ball.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data displayed on the display of the mobile terminal includes advertising information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the advertising information displayed on the mobile terminal relates to the promotional item.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the promotional item comprises discount on a product.

5. A mobile terminal for conducting a multi-player game in a wireless telecommunications system, comprising:

a display;

means for receiving, in said mobile terminal being operated by a first player, a message including a virtual ball relating to the multi-player game,

wherein the virtual ball includes information relating to rules for the multi-player game and data automatically displayed on said display,

wherein the rules define a period of time requiring the first player to forward the virtual ball to another player for receiving a promotional item; and

means for forwarding from said mobile terminal to another mobile terminal the virtual ball; and

wherein the promotional item is provided to said mobile terminal if the virtual ball is forwarded within the period of time defined in the rules for the multi-player game and game points are scored by forwarding the virtual ball.

6. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the data displayed on said display of said mobile terminal includes advertising information.

7. The mobile terminal of claim 6, wherein the advertising information displayed on said display of said mobile terminal relates to the promotional item.

8. The mobile terminal of claim 5, wherein the promotional item comprises discount on a product.

9. A wireless telecommunications system comprising:

a plurality of mobile terminals;

a wireless telecommunications network which communicates with a plurality of mobile terminals,

wherein at least two of said mobile terminals can conduct a multi-player game in said wireless telecommunications system,

wherein each mobile terminal of said at least two of said mobile terminals comprises;

a display,

means for receiving, in said mobile terminal being operated by a first player, a message including a virtual ball relating to the multi-player game,

wherein the virtual ball includes information relating to rules for the multi-player game and data automatically displayed on said display,

wherein the rules define a period of time requiring the first player to forward the virtual ball to another player for receiving a promotional item, and

means for forwarding from said mobile terminal to the other mobile terminal of said at least two mobile terminals the virtual ball,

wherein the promotional item is provided to said mobile terminal if the virtual ball is forwarded within the period of time defined in the rules for the multi-player game and game points are scored by forwarding the virtual ball.

10. The wireless telecommunications system of claim 9, wherein the data displayed on said display of said mobile terminal includes advertising information.

11. The wireless telecommunications system of claim 10, wherein the advertising information displayed on said display of said mobile terminal relates to the promotional item.

12. The wireless telecommunications system of claim 9, wherein the promotional item comprises discount on a product.