Proximity based games for mobile communication devices

• US 8,257,177 B1
• Filed: 10/03/2006
• Issued: 09/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PICO Mobile Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PICO Mobile Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Saund, Saran, Lambert, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Doshi, Ankit
• Application Number:
  US11/542,393
• Time in Patent Office: 2,163 Days
• Field of Search: 463 40- 42, 463/39
• US Class Current: 463/40
• 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 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/358 Adapting the game course according to the network or server load, e.g. for reducing latency due to different connection speeds between clients
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location

Abstract

The present invention integrates the inference of a first mobile wireless device proximity to a second wireless device, access point, or other source (target source) by way of receiving, measuring and storing signal strength (or its equivalent) from the source as an integral element of game play for a game. The proximity determination that one wireless device is close to a target source provides the ability to create new and interesting interactive games that can take advantage of the communication and network capabilities of mobile wireless devices.

Claims

1. A method of interactive game play among a plurality of mobile wireless devices and a target source, wherein each of the mobile wireless devices includes a user interface, the method comprising:

running a game program for interactive play of a game on the mobile wireless devices, wherein the game program determines a pictoral representation of the game on the user interface of each of the mobile wireless devices;

in the course of running the game program, each mobile wireless device (i) detecting a wireless signal from the target source and (ii) determining a radial proximity of the mobile wireless device to the target source based on a signal strength of the wireless signal;

using the radial proximity of one of the mobile wireless devices to the target source to alter the pictoral representation of the game on the user interface of each of the mobile wireless devices

calculating a distance of at least one of the mobile wireless devices to the target source based on the signal strength; and

outputting the distance to the user interface of at least one of the mobile wireless devices.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the game program on each of the mobile wireless devices, wherein the mobile wireless devices establish a personal area network for game play.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising establishing the pictoral representation of the game on the user interface of each of the mobile wireless devices via a protocol of the personal area network.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile wireless devices wirelessly communicates with an access point, wherein the access point provides a communication link to a game server that stores the game program.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein

the pictoral representation of the game includes a pictoral representation of game functions and game data, wherein the game functions include functions to initiate, progress, and terminate the game, and wherein the game data include audio and video content of the game.

6. The method claim 1, further comprising determining rewards based on the radial proximity.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the rewards include generating vibration and a sound alert from at least one of the mobile wireless devices in response to the at least one of the mobile wireless devices being in proximity to the target source.