Method and apparatus for identifying game players and game moves

• US 7,063,619 B2
• Filed: 03/29/2001
• Issued: 06/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mind Fusion, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Interactive Telegames LLC
• Inventors: Wolinsky, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): JONES, SCOTT E
• Application Number:
  US09/823,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20020142839A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,909 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/30, 463 36- 42, 700 90- 92, 700/94, 379/88.21, 379/88.23, 379/88.24, 379/93.17, 379/93.18, 379/93.19, 379/93.21, 379/93.23, 379/93.27, 379/433.06, 379/433.07, 379/457
• US Class Current: 463/41
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/537 for exchanging game data using a messaging service, e.g. e-mail, SMS, MMS
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3295 Games involving skill, e.g. dexterity, memory, thinking
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations

Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed for simultaneously indicating on each of a plurality of communication terminals, instructions transmitted by each terminal and the identity of the respective terminals that transmitted the instructions. Such a feature can be used to indicate the moves of parties playing a game over a telephone line. Once a communications link is established between two or more parties, their terminals are placed in a game mode which activates inband signal detection and player identification circuitry located within the terminals. Multi-colored indicators and player identification displays at each terminal are activated, their color being dependent upon the source of received instructions. In one embodiment, player identification indicators may be incorporated into a touch tone keypad located on the terminals. The keypad'"'"'s touch tone keys are modified such that each key has two or more color coded indicators incorporated within, each color representing a particular player'"'"'s move.

Claims

1. A method of identifying game players and game moves, comprising:

in a first communication terminal having a first and a second memory location, storing a telephone number of said first communication terminal in said first memory location;

in a second communication terminal having a third memory location and a fourth memory location, storing a telephone number of said second communication terminal in said third memory location;

dialing at said first communication terminal, a telephone number of said second communication terminal;

storing said dialed telephone number in said second memory location;

establishing a communications link between said first and second communication terminals;

determining, at said second communication terminal, the telephone number of said first communication terminal;

storing said telephone number of said first communication terminal in said fourth memory location;

displaying at each of said terminals, said telephone number of said first terminal retrieved from said first and fourth memory locations;

displaying at each of said terminals, said dialed telephone number retrieved from said second and third memory locations while said telephone number of said first terminal is being displayed;

activating at each of said communication terminals, a game mode to play a game between a first player associated with said first communication terminal and a second player associated with said second terminal;

defining a plurality of identifiers used to differentiate between said first and second players;

activating a first indicator representing said first player;

activating a second indicator representing said second player;

indicating at each of said communication terminals, which player is currently authorized to send a game move instruction;

receiving said move instruction from said authorized player; and

displaying at each of said communication terminals, a game move and identifier associated with said received move instruction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said game move and identifier are displayed on one or more keys of a keypad used to dial said dialed telephone number.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving said move instruction from said authorized player comprises receiving from said authorized player at least one dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of indicating at each of said communication terminals comprises sequentially activating and deactivating one of said first and second indicators at each of said communication terminals.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of activating the first and second indicators comprises activating color coded light emitting diodes (LEDs).

6. A method of identifying game players and game moves, comprising:

in a first communication terminal having a first and a second memory location, storing a telephone number of said first communication terminal in said first memory location;

in a second communication terminal having a third memory location and a fourth memory location, storing a telephone number of said second communication terminal in said third memory location;

receiving at said second communication terminal, a telephone number of said first communication terminal;

storing said received telephone number in said fourth memory location;

establishing a communications link between said first and second communication terminals;

storing a telephone number of said second communication terminal in said second memory location;

activating at each of said communication terminals, a game mode to play a game between a first player associated with said first communication terminal and a second player associated with said second communication terminal;

displaying at each of said communication terminals, said received telephone number;

displaying at each of said communication terminals, said telephone number of said second communication terminal while said received telephone number is being displaved;

defining a plurality of identifiers used to differentiate between said first and second players;

activating a first indicator representing said first player;

activating a second indicator representing said second player;

indicating at each of said communication terminals, which player is currently authorized to send a game move instruction;

receiving said move instruction from said authorized player; and

displaying at each of said communication terminals, a game move and identifier associated with said received move instruction.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said game move and identifier are displayed on one or more keys of a keypad used to dial telephone numbers.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of receiving said move instruction from said authorized player comprises receiving from said authorized player at least one dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of indicating at each of said communication terminals comprises sequentially activating and deactivating one of said first and second indicators at each of said communication terminals.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein the steps of activating the first and second indicators comprises activating color coded light emitting diodes (LEDs).

11. Apparatus for identifying game players and game moves, comprising:

a first communication terminal having a first and a second memory location, wherein said first memory location stores a telephone number of the first communication terminal;

a second communication terminal having a third and a fourth memory location, wherein said third memory location stores a telephone number of the second communication terminal;

means for dialing, at the first communication terminal, a telephone number of the second communication terminal;

means for storing said dialed telephone number in said second memory location;

means for establishing a communications link between said first and second communication terminals;

means for storing said telephone number of said first communication terminal in said fourth memory location;

means for activating at each of said communication terminals, a game mode to play a game between a first player associated with said first communication terminal and a second player associated with said second communication terminal;

means for displaying at each of said communication terminals, said telephone number of said first communication terminal;

means for displaying at each of said communication terminals, said dialed telephone number while said telephone number of said first communication terminal is being displayed;

means for defining a plurality of identifiers used to differentiate between said first and second players;

means for activating a first indicator representing said first player;

means for activating a second indicator representing said second player;

means for indicating at each of said communication terminals, which player is currently authorized to send a game move instruction;

means for receiving said move instruction from said authorized player; and

means for displaying at each of said communication terminals, a game move and identifier associated with said received move instruction.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said game move and identifier are displayed on one or more keys of a keypad used to dial said dialed telephone number.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said received move instruction comprises at least one dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said authorized player is indicated by sequentially activating and deactivating one of said first and second indicators at each of said communication terminals.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said first and second indicators comprise color coded light emitting diodes (LEDs).

16. Apparatus for identifying game players and game moves, comprising:

a first communication terminal having a first and a second memory location, wherein said first memory location stores a telephone number of the first communication terminal;

a second communication terminal having a third and a fourth memory location, wherein said third memory location stores a telephone number of the second communication terminal;

means for receiving, at the second communication terminal, a telephone number of said first communication terminal;

means for storing said received telephone number in said fourth memory location;

means for establishing a communications link between said first and second communication terminals;

means for storing a telephone number of said second communication terminal in said second memory location;

means for activating at each of said communication terminals, a game mode to play a game between a first player associated with said first communication terminal and a second player associated with said second communication terminal;

means for displaying at each of said communication terminals, said received telephone number;

means for displaying at each of said communication terminals, said telephone number of said second communication terminal while said received telephone number is being displayed;

means for defining a plurality of identifiers used to differentiate between said first and second players;

means for activating a first indicator representing said first player;

means for activating a second indicator representing said second player;

means for indicating at each of said communication terminals, which player is currently authorized to send a game move instruction;

means for receiving said move instruction from said authorized player; and

means for displaying at each of said communication terminals, a game move and identifier associated with said received move instruction.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said game move and identifier are displayed on one or more keys of a keypad used to dial telephone numbers.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said received move instruction comprises at least one dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signal.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said authorized player is indicated by sequentially activating and deactivating one of said first and second indicators at each of said communication terminals.

20. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said first and second indicators comprise color coded light emitting diodes (LEDs).

21. A method of identifying game players and game moves, comprising:

in a first communication terminal having a first memory location and a second memory location, storing a telephone number of said first communication terminal in said first memory location;

in a second communication terminal having a third memory location and a fourth memory location, storing a telephone number of said second communication terminal in said third memory location;

storing the telephone number of said second communication terminal in said second memory location;

at said first communication terminal, dialing the telephone number of said second communication terminal to place a first telephone call to said second communication terminal;

receiving the first telephone call at said second communication terminal and establishing a communications link between said first and second communication terminals;

receiving caller ID signals associated with the first telephone call at said second communication terminal;

obtaining the telephone number of said first communication terminal from the caller ID signals received at said second communication terminal;

storing the telephone number of said first communication terminal obtained from the caller ID signals in said fourth memory location;

at said first communication terminal, retrieving said telephone number of said first communication terminal from said first memory location and displaying the telephone number of said first communication terminal retrieved from said first memory location;

at said first communication terminal, retrieving said telephone number of said second communication terminal from said second memory location and displaying the telephone number of said second communication terminal retrieved from said second memory location;

at said second communication terminal, retrieving said telephone number of said second communication terminal from said third memory location and displaying the telephone number of said second communication terminal retrieved from said third memory location;

at said second communication terminal, retrieving said telephone number of said first communication terminal from said fourth memory location and displaying the telephone number of said first communication terminal retrieved from said fourth memory location, wherein said telephone numbers of said first and second communication terminals are displayed concurrently at said first and second communication terminals at least for a first period of time;

activating, at each of said terminals, a game mode to play a game between a first player associated with said first communication terminal and a second player associated with said second communication terminal;

defining a plurality of identifiers used to differentiate between said first and second players;

activating a first indicator representing said first player;

activating a second indicator representing said second player;

determining, based on which player placed the first telephone call, whether the first player or the second player is authorized to send a first game move instruction;

indicating at each of said communication terminals, which player is currently authorized to send a game move instruction;

receiving said move instruction from the authorized player; and

displaying at each of said terminals, a game move and identifier associated with the received move instruction.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising enabling at least one of the first and second players to change which player is authorized to send the first game move instruction.

23. A method of identifying game players and game moves, comprising:

in a first communication terminal having a first memory location and a second memory location, storing a telephone number of said first communication terminal in said first memory location;

in a second communication terminal having a third memory location and a fourth memory location, storing a telephone number of said second communication terminal in said third memory location;

storing the telephone number of said second communication terminal in said second memory location;

at said first communication terminal, dialing the telephone number of said second communication terminal to place a first telephone call to said second communication terminal;

receiving the first telephone call at said second communication terminal and establishing a communications link between said first and second communication terminals;

storing the telephone number of said first communication terminal in said fourth memory location;

at said first communication terminal, retrieving said telephone number of said first communication terminal from said first memory location and displaying the telephone number of said first communication terminal retrieved from said first memory location;

at said first communication terminal, retrieving said telephone number of said second communication terminal from said second memory location and displaying the telephone number of said second communication terminal retrieved from said second memory location;

at said second communication terminal, retrieving said telephone number of said second communication terminal from said third memory location and displaying the telephone number of said second communication terminal retrieved from said third memory location;

at said second communication terminal, retrieving said telephone number of said first communication terminal from said fourth memory location and displaying the telephone number of said first communication terminal retrieved from said fourth memory location; and

determining, based on which player placed the first telephone call, whether the first player or the second player is authorized to send a first game move instruction;

wherein said telephone numbers of said first and second communication terminals are displayed concurrently at said first and second communication terminals at least for a first period of time.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising enabling at least one of the first and second players to change which player is authorized to send the first game move instruction.

25. Apparatus for identifying game players and game moves, comprising:

a first communication terminal comprising a first memory location, a second memory location, a dialer circuit, and a display, the first memory location being capable of storing a telephone number of the first communication terminal;

a second communication terminal having a third memory location, a fourth memory location, a display, and a caller ID circuit, the third memory location being capable of storing a telephone number of the second communication terminal, and the fourth memory location being capable of storing the telephone number of the first communication terminal received from the caller ID circuit;

wherein;

the dialer is capable of dialing the telephone number of the second communication terminal to establish a communications link between said first and second terminals;

the second memory location is capable of storing the telephone number of the second communication terminal;

the first and second communication terminals are capable of entering a game mode to play a game between a first player associated with said first communication terminal and a second player associated with said second communication terminal;

the display of the first communication terminal displays the telephone numbers of the first and second communication terminals at the same time as the display of the second communication terminal displays the telephone numbers of the first and second communication terminals; and

the first and second communication terminals are capable of determining, based on which player dials a telephone number to establish the communications link, whether the first player or the second player is authorized to send a first game move instruction.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein at least one of the first and second communication terminals comprises an input capable of receiving a direction causing the apparatus to change which player is authorized to send the first game move instruction.