Wireless communication terminal, air interface apparatus and method for participating in wireless network

• US 8,249,034 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2005
• Issued: 08/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Miwa, Yasutaka, Komaki, Kenjiro, Watanabe, Tetsuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Gonzalez, Amancio
• Application Number:
  US11/123,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20050250487A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,664 Days
• Field of Search: 455/557, 455/558, 455/435.2, 4554321-4323, 455/3.06, 455/41.2, 713/168, 370/465, 370/338, 726/3
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/021 adapted for Wireless Local Loop operation

Abstract

A game device is provided with a processor and an air interface apparatus. In a wireless communication environment such as that of IEEE802.11, a CPU of the air interface apparatus selects, in a search process, an SSID that includes at least in a portion thereof a predetermined pattern. Network information including the selected SSID is retained in a memory unit as a BSS list registering wireless networks that are targets, for connection. The processor refers to the BSS list and determines a wireless network to participate in.

Claims

1. A method performed in a game device for joining in a wireless network formed of a plurality of game devices, comprising:

searching for network identification parameters that identify wireless networks in a neighborhood by using a game identification pattern, wherein each of the network identification parameters comprises a game identification pattern uniquely identifying a game application;

listing network identifiers that correspond to the searched network identification parameters that include a same game identification pattern; and

selecting a wireless network corresponding to one of the listed network identifiers, and joining the selected wireless network, wherein the same game identification pattern includes an identifier of the game application being commonly executed by the plurality of game devices forming the selected wireless network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identifier of the game application corresponds to a title of the game application being commonly executed by the plurality of game devices forming the selected wireless network.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the game device is operated by a user, and

the user selects the same game identification pattern used in searching and listing the network identifiers.

4. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program, the program being performed in a game device for joining a wireless network formed of a plurality of game devices, the program causing the game device to perform:

searching for network identification parameters that identify wireless networks in a neighborhood by using a game identification pattern, wherein each of the network identification parameters comprises a game identification pattern uniquely identifying a game application;

listing network identifiers that correspond to the searched network identification parameters that include a same game identification pattern; and

selecting a wireless network corresponding to one of the listed network identifiers, and joining the selected wireless network, wherein the same game identification pattern includes an identifier of the game application being commonly executed by the plurality of game devices forming the selected wireless network.

5. A game device, comprising:

a wireless interface; and

a controller for searching via the wireless interface for network identification parameters that identify wireless networks in a neighborhood by using a game identification pattern, wherein each of the network identification parameters comprises a game identification pattern uniquely identifying a game application; and

listing network identifiers that correspond to the searched network identification parameters that include a same game identification pattern, wherein the controller selects a wireless network corresponding to one of the listed network identifiers, and joins the selected wireless network, wherein the same game identification pattern includes an identifier of the game application being commonly executed by a plurality of game devices forming the selected wireless network.