Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing information related to virtual environments to wireless devices

• US 7,979,056 B2
• Filed: 02/25/2008
• Issued: 07/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: At&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cavanaugh, Craig Michael, Balsley, Jacob Benjamin IV
• Primary Examiner(s): Afshar; Kamran
• Application Number:
  US12/036,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20090215433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412.2, 455/414.1, 455418-419, 4554561-457, 715/757, 345/156, 345/2.3
• US Class Current: 455/412.2
• 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 13/31 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 2300/402 Communication between platforms, i.e. physical link to protocol
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5533 using program state or machine event data, e.g. server keeps track of the state of multiple players on in a multiple player game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8082 Virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are disclosed for providing information related to virtual environments. One such method includes receiving user input identifying an event related to the virtual environment for which a notification is to be provided to a mobile wireless communication device. User input is also received identifying an output to be provided by the mobile wireless communication device in response to receipt of the notification. A determination is then made that the event related to the virtual environment has occurred. In response to determining that the event occurred, the mobile wireless communication device is provided with the notification, and the output identified by the user input is provided by the mobile wireless communication device.

Claims

1. A method for providing information related to a virtual environment, comprising:

receiving user input identifying an event related to the virtual environment for which a notification is to be provided to a mobile wireless communication device;

receiving user input identifying an output to be provided by the mobile wireless communication device in response to receipt of the notification, the output corresponding to the event;

determining that the event related to the virtual environment has occurred;

responsive to determining that the event has occurred, providing the mobile wireless communication device with the notification such that the output is provided by the mobile wireless communication device;

determining whether another mobile wireless communication device associated with the virtual environment is within a predetermined distance of the mobile wireless communication device; and

if the another mobile wireless communication device is within the predetermined distance of the mobile wireless communication device, then providing information regarding the another mobile wireless communication device to the mobile wireless communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the event related to the virtual environment has occurred is based on information received from a remote source.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the remote source comprises one of the following:

a user computer, a server, a further mobile wireless communication device, and a personal digital assistant.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the mobile wireless communication device is within a notification area;

if the mobile wireless communication device is within the notification area, determining whether a further mobile wireless communication device associated with the virtual environment is within the notification area; and

if the further mobile wireless communication device is within the notification area, then providing information regarding the further mobile wireless communication device to the mobile wireless communication device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the event is related to a virtual character in a computer implemented game.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the output comprises one of the following:

a ring-tone, a color, an image, and a vibration.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether a condition corresponding to the virtual environment is within the predetermined distance of the mobile wireless communication device; and

responsive to determining that the condition is within the predetermined distance, notifying the mobile wireless communication device of the condition.

8. A system for providing information related to a virtual environment, comprising:

a processor; and

memory comprising instructions to be executed by the processor, wherein the instructions are configured to enable the processor at least to;

receive user input identifying an event related to the virtual environment for which a notification is to be provided to a mobile wireless communication device,

receive user input identifying an output to be provided by the mobile wireless communication device in response to receipt of the notification, the output corresponding to the event,

determine that the event related to the virtual environment has occurred,

responsive to determining that the event has occurred, provide the mobile wireless communication device with the notification such that the output is provided by the mobile wireless communication device,

determine whether another mobile wireless communication device associated with the virtual environment is within a predetermined distance of the mobile wireless communication device, and

if the another mobile wireless communication device is within the predetermined distance of the mobile wireless communication device, then provide information regarding the another mobile wireless communication device to the mobile wireless communication device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein determining that the event has occurred is based on information received from a remote source.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the remote source comprises one of the following:

a user computer, a server, a further mobile wireless communication device, and a personal digital assistant.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the instructions are further configured to enable the processor at least to:

determine whether the mobile wireless communication device is within a notification area;

if the mobile wireless communication device is within the notification area, determine whether a further mobile wireless communication device associated with the virtual environment is within the notification area; and

if the further mobile wireless communication device is within the notification area, then provide information regarding the further mobile wireless communication device to the mobile wireless communication device.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the event is related to a virtual character in a computer implemented game.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the output comprises one of the following:

a ring-tone, a color, an image, and a vibration.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is further enabled at least to:

determine whether a condition corresponding to the virtual environment is within the predetermined distance of the mobile wireless communication device; and

responsive to determining that the condition is within the predetermined distance, notify the mobile wireless communication device of the condition.

15. A computer-readable storage medium, having computer-executable instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer at least to:

receive user input identifying an event related to a virtual environment for which a notification is to be provided to a mobile wireless communication device;

receive user input identifying an output to be provided by the mobile wireless communication device in response to receipt of the notification, the output corresponding to the event;

determine that the event related to the virtual environment has occurred;

responsive to determining that the event has occurred, provide the mobile wireless communication device with the notification such that the output is provided by the mobile wireless communication device;

determine whether another mobile wireless communication device associated with the virtual environment is within a predetermined distance of the mobile wireless communication device; and

if the another mobile wireless communication device is within the predetermined distance of the mobile wireless communication device, then provide information regarding the another mobile wireless communication device to the mobile wireless communication device.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein determining that the event has occurred is based on information received from a remote source.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, having further computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the computer, cause the computer at least to:

determine whether the mobile wireless communication device is within a notification area;

if the mobile wireless communication device is within the notification area, determine whether a further mobile wireless communication device associated with the virtual environment is within the notification area; and

if the further mobile wireless communication device is within the notification area, then provide information regarding the further mobile wireless communication device to the mobile wireless communication device.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the event is related to a virtual character in a computer implemented game.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the output comprises at least one of a ring-tone, a color, an image, and a vibration.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, having further computer-executable instructions which, when executed by the computer, cause the computer at least to:

determine whether a condition corresponding to the virtual environment is within the predetermined distance of the mobile wireless communication device; and

responsive to determining that the condition is within the predetermined distance, notify the mobile wireless communication device of the condition.