Game system, game apparatus, storage medium storing game program and game data exchange method

• US 8,632,404 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 01/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Tanaka, Shoya, Kuwahara, Masato, Oe, Toru, Yoshioka, Teruyuki
• Primary Examiner(s): DEODHAR, OMKAR A
• Application Number:
  US13/827,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20130203502A1
• Time in Patent Office: 313 Days
• Field of Search: 463/39, 463 41- 44
• US Class Current: 463/39
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• 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 13/327 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 13/34 using peer-to-peer connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/24 for communication between two or more posts wireless communication networks H04W

Abstract

A game system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, and a mobile game apparatus that can communicate with another game apparatus that exists within a communicable range by use of a radio communications unit. When a communicated state is established, exchanging conditions for exchanging game data are received and transmitted, and in a case the exchange conditions are coincident with each other, the game data are exchanged.

Claims

1. A device, comprising:

a game application executing unit for executing a game application;

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for sending broadcasting data for one or more unknown devices, and a second mode for waiting to receive broadcasting data; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the cycling unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein each cycle consists of exactly one first mode and exactly one second mode.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a responding unit cooperating with the communication unit in the second mode for sending responding data, in response to receiving broadcasting data, to another device that sent the broadcasting data.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the responding unit sends, automatically in response to receiving broadcasting data, responding data to another device that sent the broadcasting data.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the responding unit sends, automatically in response to receiving broadcasting data, responding data to another device that sent the broadcasting data if the broadcasting data satisfies a predetermined condition.

8. The device of claim 5, further comprising a receiving unit cooperating with the communication unit in the first mode for receiving responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own broadcasting data.

9. The device of claim 5, further comprising a first connection unit for, after receiving broadcasting data via the communication unit in the second mode, executing a first connection process with another device that sent the broadcasting data.

10. The device of claim 8, further comprising a second connection unit for, after receiving responding data via the receiving unit, executing a second connection process with another device that sent the responding data.

11. The device of claim 5, further comprising:

a first connection unit for, after receiving broadcasting data via the communication unit in the second mode, executing a first connection process with another device that sent the broadcasting data; and

a second connection unit for, after receiving responding data via the receiving unit, executing a second connection process with another device that sent the responding data.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein the first connection unit executes the first connection process automatically after receiving broadcasting data.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the second connection unit executes the second connection process automatically after receiving responding data.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the first connection unit executes the first connection process automatically after receiving broadcasting data and the second connection unit executes the second connection process automatically after receiving responding data.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the first connection unit executes the first connection process automatically after receiving broadcasting data and the second connection unit executes the second connection process automatically after receiving responding data if a condition is satisfied.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the communication unit executes the first mode and the second mode while the device is in a sleep mode.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the search unit executes the first mode and the second mode while the device is in a power saving mode.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the search unit executes the first mode and the second mode while a display of the device is off.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the search unit executes the first mode and the second mode while application software is running on the device.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the application software is a user interactive application.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein the broadcasting data includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability.

22. The device of claim 5, wherein

the broadcasting data includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability, and

the responding unit sends the responding data to another device whose capability information indicates a predetermined capability.

23. The device of claim 5, wherein the responding data includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability.

24. The device of claim 21, wherein the responding data includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability.

25. The device of claim 21, wherein the capability information indicates the device'"'"'s connection capability.

26. The device of claim 23, wherein the capability information indicates the device'"'"'s connection capability.

27. A device, comprising:

a game application executing unit for executing a game application;

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for sending a search for another device, and a second mode for receiving a search from another device; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

29. The device of claim 27, wherein the cycling unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

30. The device of claim 27, further comprising a responding unit cooperating with the communication unit in the second mode for sending responding data, in response to receiving a search, to another device that sent the search.

31. The device of claim 30, the responding unit sends, automatically in response to receiving a search, responding data to another device that sent the search.

32. The device of claim 30, the responding unit sends, automatically in response to receiving a search, responding data to another device that sent the search if the search includes a predetermined condition.

33. The device of claim 30, further comprising a receiving unit cooperating with the communication unit in the first mode for receiving responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own search.

34. The device of claim 27, further comprising a connection establishing unit cooperating with the communication unit for establishing a connection with another device found by the search.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the connection establishing unit automatically connects with another device found by the search.

36. The device of claim 34, wherein the connection establishing unit automatically connects with another device which satisfies a predetermined condition out of the devices found by the search.

37. The device of claim 30, further comprising a first connection unit for, after receiving a search via the communication unit in the second mode, executing a first connection process with another device that sent the search.

38. The device of claim 33, further comprising a second connection unit for, after receiving responding data via the receiving unit, executing a second connection process with another device that sent the responding data.

39. The device of claim 30, further comprising:

a first connection unit for, after receiving a search via the communication unit in the second mode, executing a first connection process with another device that sent the search; and

a second connection unit for, after receiving responding data via the receiving unit, executing a second connection process with another device that sent the responding data.

40. The device of claim 37, wherein the first connection unit executes the first connection process automatically after receiving a search.

41. The device of claim 38, wherein the second connection unit executes the second connection process automatically after receiving responding data.

42. The device of claim 39, wherein the first connection unit executes the first connection process automatically after receiving a search and the second connection unit executes the second connection process automatically after receiving responding data.

43. The device of claim 39, wherein the first connection unit executes the first connection process automatically after receiving a search and the second connection unit executes the second connection process automatically after receiving responding data if a condition is satisfied.

44. The device of claim 27, wherein the communication unit executes the first mode and the second mode while the device is in a sleep mode.

45. The device of claim 27, wherein the search unit executes the first mode and the second mode while the device is in a power saving mode.

46. The device of claim 27, wherein the search unit executes the first mode and the second mode while a display of the device is off.

47. The device of claim 27, wherein the search unit executes the first mode and the second mode while application software is running on the device.

48. The device of claim 47, wherein the application software is a user interactive application.

49. The device of claim 27, wherein the search includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability.

50. The device of claim 30, wherein

the search includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability, and

the responding unit sends the responding data to another device whose capability information indicates a predetermined capability.

51. The device of claim 34, wherein

the search includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability, and

the connection establishing unit establishes a connection with another device whose capability information indicates a predetermined capability.

52. The device of claim 34, wherein

the search includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability, and

the connection establishing unit automatically establishes a connection with another device whose capability information indicates a predetermined capability.

53. The device of claim 30, wherein the responding data includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability.

54. The device of claim 49, wherein the responding data includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability.

55. The device of claim 30, wherein

the responding data includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability, and

the connection establishing unit establishes a connection with another device whose responding data has capability information indicates a predetermined capability.

56. The device of claim 30, wherein

the responding data includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability, and

the connection establishing unit automatically establishes a connection with another device whose responding data has capability information indicates a predetermined capability.

57. The device of claim 49, wherein the capability information indicates the device'"'"'s connection capability.

58. The device of claim 53, wherein the capability information indicates the device'"'"'s connection capability.

59. A device, comprising:

a game application executing unit for executing a game application;

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode and a second mode, the communication unit in the first mode searching for other devices in the second mode, the communication unit in the second mode searching for other devices in the first mode; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

60. The device of claim 59, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

61. The device of claim 59, wherein the cycling unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

62. The device of claim 59, further comprising a responding unit cooperating with the communication unit for sending predetermined data to another device when the another device is located by the search.

63. The device of claim 62, the responding unit sends predetermined data to another device automatically when the another device is located by the search.

64. The device of claim 62, further comprising a receiving unit cooperating with the communication unit for receiving predetermined data from another device when the device is located by the another device.

65. The device of claim 64, further comprising a connection unit for, after receiving predetermined data by the receiving unit, executing a connection process with another device that sent the predetermined data.

66. The device of claim 65, wherein the connection unit executes the connection process automatically after receiving predetermined data.

67. The device of claim 65, wherein the connection unit executes the connection process automatically after receiving predetermined data if a condition is satisfied.

68. A device, comprising:

a game application executing unit for executing a game application;

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for sending data without specifying a destination address, and a second mode for waiting to receive such data; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

69. A system comprising first and second devices, the first device comprising:

a game application executing unit for executing a game application;

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for sending broadcasting data for one or more unknown devices, and a second mode for waiting to receive broadcasting data; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

71. The system of claim 69, wherein the cycling unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

72. The system of claim 69, wherein the first device further comprises a responding unit cooperating with the communication unit in the second mode for sending responding data, in response to receiving broadcasting data, to another device that sent the broadcasting data.

73. The system of claim 72, wherein the first device further comprises a receiving unit cooperating with the communication unit in the first mode for receiving responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own broadcasting data.

74. The system of claim 72, wherein the first device further comprises a first connection unit for, after receiving broadcasting data via the communication unit in the second mode, executing a first connection process with another device that sent the broadcasting data.

75. The system of claim 72, wherein the first device further comprises:

a first connection unit for, after receiving broadcasting data via the communication unit in the second mode, executing a first connection process with another device that sent the broadcasting data; and

a second connection unit for, after receiving responding data via the receiving unit, executing a second connection process with another device that sent the responding data.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein the first connection unit executes the first connection process automatically after receiving broadcasting data and the second connection unit executes the second connection process automatically after receiving responding data.

77. A system comprising first and second devices, the first device comprising:

a game application executing unit for executing a game application;

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for sending a search for another device, and a second mode for receiving a search from another device; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for automatically alternately repeating the first and second modes, the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

78. The system of claim 77, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

79. The system of claim 77, wherein the cycling unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

80. The system of claim 77, wherein the first device further comprises a responding unit cooperating with the communication unit in the second mode for sending responding data, in response to receiving a search, to another device that sent the search.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein the first device further comprises a receiving unit cooperating with the communication unit in the first mode for receiving responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own search.

82. The system of claim 80, wherein the first device further comprises:

a first connection unit for, after receiving a search via the communication unit in the second mode, executing a first connection process with another device that sent the search; and

a second connection unit for, after receiving responding data via the receiving unit, executing a second connection process with another device that sent the responding data.

83. The system of claim 82, wherein the first connection unit executes the first connection process automatically after receiving a search and the second connection unit executes the second connection process automatically after receiving responding data.

84. A system comprising first and second devices, the first device comprising:

a game application executing unit for executing a game application;

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode and a second mode, the communication unit in the first mode searching for other devices in the second mode, the communication unit in the second mode searching for other devices in the first mode; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

86. The system of claim 84, wherein the cycling unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

87. The system of claim 84, wherein the first device further comprises a responding unit cooperating with the communication unit for sending predetermined data to another device when the another device is located by the search.

88. The system of claim 84, wherein the first device further comprises a receiving unit cooperating with the communication unit for receiving predetermined data from another device when the device is located by the another device.

89. A system comprising first and second devices, the first device comprising:

a game application executing unit for executing a game application;

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for sending data without specifying a destination address, and a second mode for waiting to receive such data; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for automatically alternately repeating the first and second modes, the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

90. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing a program executable on a device comprising at least one processor and a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the program comprising instructions configured to at least:

execute a game application;

cause the communication unit to operate in a first mode for sending broadcasting data for one or more unknown devices;

cause the communication unit to operate in a second mode for waiting to receive broadcasting data; and

cycle the communication unit so that the communication unit alternately repeats the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycle being performable during game application execution.

91. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

92. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the communication unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

93. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least cooperate with the communication unit in the second mode to send responding data, in response to receiving broadcasting data, to another device that sent the broadcasting data.

94. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 93, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least cooperate with the communication unit in the first mode to receive responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own broadcasting data.

95. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 93, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least execute, after receiving broadcasting data via the communication unit in the second mode, a first connection process with another device that sent the broadcasting data.

96. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 93, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least:

execute, after receiving broadcasting data via the communication unit in the second mode, a first connection process with another device that sent the broadcasting data; and

execute, after receiving responding data, a second connection process with another device that sent the responding data.

97. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 96, wherein the first connection process is executed automatically after receiving broadcasting data and the second connection process is executed automatically after receiving responding data.

98. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

99. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the cycling unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

100. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 99, wherein each cycle consists of exactly one first mode and exactly one second mode.

101. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing a program executable on a device comprising at least one processor and a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the program comprising instructions configured to at least:

execute a game application;

cause the communication unit to operate in a first mode for sending a search for another device;

cause the communication unit to operate in a second mode for receiving a search from another device; and

cycle the communication unit so that the communication unit alternately repeats the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycle being performable during game application execution.

102. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 101, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

103. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 101, wherein the communication unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

104. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 101, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least cooperate with the communication unit in the second mode to send responding data, in response to receiving a search, to another device that sent the search.

105. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 104, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least cooperate with the communication unit in the first mode to receive responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own search.

106. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 104, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least:

execute, after receiving a search via the communication unit in the second mode, a first connection process with another device that sent the search; and

execute, after receiving responding data via the receiving unit, a second connection process with another device that sent the responding data.

107. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 106, wherein the first connection process is executed automatically after receiving a search and the second connection process is executed automatically after receiving responding data.

108. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 101, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

109. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 101, wherein the cycling unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

110. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 109, wherein each cycle consists of exactly one first mode and exactly one second mode.

116. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 109, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

117. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 109, wherein the cycling unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

118. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 117, wherein each cycle consists of exactly one first mode and exactly one second mode.

111. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing a program executable on a device comprising at least one processor and a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the program comprising instructions configured to at least:

execute a game application;

cause the communication unit to operate in a first mode and a second mode, the communication unit in the first mode searching for other devices in the second mode, the communication unit in the second mode searching for other devices in the first mode; and

cycle the communication unit so that the communication unit alternately repeats the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycle being performable during game application execution.

112. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 111, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

113. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 111, wherein the communication unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

114. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 111, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least cooperate with the communication unit to send predetermined data to another device when the another device is located by the search.

115. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 114, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least cooperate with the communication unit to receive predetermined data from another device when the device is located by the another device.

119. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing a program executable on a device comprising at least one processor and a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the program comprising instructions configured to at least:

execute a game application;

cause the communication unit to operate in a first mode for sending data without specifying a destination address;

cause the communication unit to operate in a second mode for waiting to receive such data; and

cycle the communication unit so that the communication unit alternately repeats the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycle being performable during game application execution.

120. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 119, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

121. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 119, wherein the cycling unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

122. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 121, wherein each cycle consists of exactly one first mode and exactly one second mode.

123. A method for performing wireless radio communication, the method comprising:

causing a communication unit to operate in a first mode for sending broadcasting data for one or more unknown devices;

causing the communication unit to operate in a second mode for waiting to receive broadcasting data; and

cycling the communication unit so that the communication unit alternately repeats the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycling being performable during game application execution.

124. A method for performing wireless radio communication, the method comprising:

causing a communication unit to operate in a first mode for sending a search for another device;

causing the communication unit to operate in a second mode for receiving a search from another device; and

cycling the communication unit so that the communication unit automatically alternately repeats the first and second modes, the cycling being performable during game application execution.

125. A device, comprising:

a game application executing unit capable of executing a game application;

a communication unit capable of performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for sending broadcasting data for one or more unknown devices, and a second mode for waiting to receive broadcasting data; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit capable of alternately repeating the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

126. The device of claim 125, further comprising a responding unit cooperating with the communication unit in the second mode capable of sending responding data, in response to receiving broadcasting data, to another device that sent the broadcasting data.

127. The device of claim 126, further comprising a receiving unit cooperating with the communication unit in the first mode capable of receiving responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own broadcasting data.

128. The device of claim 126, further comprising:

a first connection unit capable of, after receiving broadcasting data via the communication unit in the second mode, executing a first connection process with another device that sent the broadcasting data; and

a second connection unit capable of, after receiving responding data via the receiving unit, executing a second connection process with another device that sent the responding data.

129. The device of claim 125, wherein the communication unit executes the first mode and the second mode while the device is in a sleep mode.

130. The device of claim 125, wherein the search unit executes the first mode and the second mode while the device is in a power saving mode.

131. The device of claim 125, wherein the search unit executes the first mode and the second mode while application software is running on the device.

132. The device of claim 131, wherein the application software is a user interactive application.

133. The device of claim 125, wherein the broadcasting data includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability.

134. The device of claim 126, wherein the responding data includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability.

135. The device of claim 133, wherein the capability information indicates the device'"'"'s connection capability.

136. The device of claim 134, wherein the capability information indicates the device'"'"'s connection capability.

137. A device, comprising:

a game application executing unit capable of executing a game application;

a communication unit capable of performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for sending a search for another device, and a second mode for receiving a search from another device; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit capable of automatically alternately repeating the first and second modes, the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

138. A device, comprising:

a game application executing unit capable of executing a game application;

a communication unit capable of performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode and a second mode, the communication unit in the first mode searching for other devices in the second mode, the communication unit in the second mode searching for other devices in the first mode; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit capable of alternately repeating the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

139. A device, comprising:

a game application executing unit capable of executing a game application;

a communication unit capable of performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for sending data without specifying a destination address, and a second mode for waiting to receive such data; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit capable of automatically alternately repeating the first and second modes, the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

140. A game device, comprising:

a game application executing unit for executing a game application;

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for sending broadcasting data for one or more unknown devices, and a second mode for waiting to receive broadcasting data; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

141. The game device of claim 140, further comprising a responding unit cooperating with the communication unit in the second mode for sending responding data, in response to receiving broadcasting data, to another device that sent the broadcasting data.

142. The game device of claim 141, further comprising a receiving unit cooperating with the communication unit in the first mode for receiving responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own broadcasting data.

143. The game device of claim 141, further comprising:

a first connection unit for, after receiving broadcasting data via the communication unit in the second mode, executing a first connection process with another device that sent the broadcasting data; and

a second connection unit for, after receiving responding data via the receiving unit, executing a second connection process with another device that sent the responding data.

144. The game device of claim 140, wherein the communication unit executes the first mode and the second mode while the device is in a sleep mode.

145. The game device of claim 140, wherein the search unit executes the first mode and the second mode while the device is in a power saving mode.

146. The game device of claim 140, wherein the search unit executes the first mode and the second mode while application software is running on the device.

147. The game device of claim 146, wherein the application software is a user interactive application.

148. The game device of claim 140, wherein the broadcasting data includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability.

149. The game device of claim 141, wherein the responding data includes self-identifying information and capability information which indicates the device'"'"'s capability.

150. The game device of claim 148, wherein the capability information indicates the device'"'"'s connection capability.

151. The game device of claim 149, wherein the capability information indicates the device'"'"'s connection capability.

152. A game device, comprising:

a game application executing unit for executing a game application;

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for sending a search for another device, and a second mode for receiving a search from another device; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for automatically alternately repeating the first and second modes, the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

153. A game device, comprising:

a game application executing unit for executing a game application;

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode and a second mode, the communication unit in the first mode searching for other devices in the second mode, the communication unit in the second mode searching for other devices in the first mode; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, each alternation being automatic, and the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

154. A game device, comprising:

a game application executing unit for executing a game application;

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for sending data without specifying a destination address, and a second mode for waiting to receive such data; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for automatically alternately repeating the first and second modes, the cycling unit being activatable while the game application executing unit is executing the game application.

155. The device of claim 154, wherein the first mode and the second mode are performed immediately after each other.

156. The device of claim 154, wherein the cycling unit is operable in cycles, each cycle comprising at least one first mode and at least one second mode.

157. The device of claim 156, wherein each cycle consists of exactly one first mode and exactly one second mode.