System, apparatus, storage medium storing program and data exchange method

• US 8,647,205 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 02/11/2014
• 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:
  US13/835,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20130203507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 463 39- 42
• 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 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 other devices in the second mode, the communication unit in the second mode searching other devices in the first mode; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized periodically.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

5. The device of claim 3, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the second mode is performed for a random length of time.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second modes alternate consecutively.

11. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a determining unit for determining the length of time for at least one of the first mode and the second mode, the determining unit randomizing the length of time; and

a timer,

wherein the cycling unit alternates between the first mode and the second mode based on the length of time determined by the determining unit and based on the timer.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless radio communication is short-distance wireless radio communication.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the random length of time is set independently of other devices.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is handheld.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the cycling unit cooperates with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a length of time that varies across cycles.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the random length of time exceeds a predetermined minimum duration.

18. 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 a search, to another device that sent the search.

19. The device of claim 18, wherein the responding unit sends the responding data automatically.

20. The device of claim 18, 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.

21. The device of claim 1, further comprising a randomizing unit for randomizing the length of time for at least one of the first mode and the second mode, wherein the cycling unit alternates between the first mode and the second mode based on the length of time randomized by the randomizing unit.

22. The device of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

23. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a connection unit for, after locating another device by the search via the communication unit in the first mode or in the second mode, executing a connection process with the another device.

24. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the communication unit is performable for direct wireless radio communication,

the cycling unit continuously and alternately repeats the first and second modes,

the alternation between the first and second modes is automatic,

the random length of time is periodically randomized, and

the communication unit in the first mode intermittently sends data for the searching plural times during the first period.

25. The device of claim 24, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

26. The device of claim 24, wherein the first and second modes alternate consecutively.

27. The device of claim 24, wherein the communication unit in the first mode intermittently broadcasts data plural times during a period for the searching.

17. The device of 1, wherein the random length of time does not exceed a predetermined maximum duration.

28. A device, comprising:

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for searching 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, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized periodically.

30. The device of claim 28, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each repetition of the cycling unit.

32. The device of claim 28, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

33. The device of claim 30, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

34. The device of claim 32, wherein the second mode is performed for a random length of time.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the random length of time is randomized for each repetition of the second mode.

36. The device of claim 28, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

37. The device of claim 28, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

38. The device of claim 28, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

39. The device of claim 28, wherein the first and second modes alternate consecutively.

40. The device of claim 28, further comprising:

a determining unit for determining the length of time for at least one of the first mode and the second mode, the determining unit randomizing the length of time; and

a timer,

wherein the cycling unit alternates between the first mode and the second mode based on the length of time determined by the determining unit and based on the timer.

41. The device of claim 28, wherein the wireless radio communication is short-distance wireless radio communication.

42. The device of claim 28, wherein the random length of time is set independently of other devices.

43. The device of claim 28, wherein the random length of time exceeds a predetermined minimum duration.

45. The device of claim 28, wherein randomness provided by the cycling unit as to the one of the first and second mode diversifies the timing of sending a search in the first mode with respect to the timing of awaiting a search in the second mode of another device as recited in claim 28.

46. The device of claim 28, wherein randomness provided by the cycling unit diversifies both the timing of sending a search and the timing of awaiting a search.

47. The device of claim 34, wherein randomness provided by the cycling unit as to the second mode diversifies at least the ending time of the second mode and the starting time of a next first mode.

48. The device of claim 28, wherein the second mode is performed consecutively after the first mode and a next first mode is performed consecutively after the second mode.

49. The device of claim 28, wherein the communication unit enables communication with another device in situations where (a) the device is operating in the second mode and receives a search from the another device, and the communication unit also enables communication with another device in situations where (b) the device is operating in the first mode and sends a search to the another device when the another device is awaiting a search.

50. The device of claim 28, wherein at least the second mode is performable for a random length of time, wherein randomness of the random length of time diversifies the timing of awaiting a search to increase the likelihood of receiving a search.

51. The device of claim 28, wherein at least the first mode is performable for a random length of time, wherein randomness of the random length of time diversifies the timing of sending a search to increase the likelihood of the search being received.

52. The device of claim 28, wherein the another device comprises another communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the another communication unit being operable in a first mode for searching for the device, and a second mode for receiving a search from the device, and another cycling unit cooperating with the another communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for another random length of time;

and wherein;

the communication unit performing in the first mode of the device sends a search for the another communication unit of the another device and the another communication unit performing in the second mode of the another device receives the search, wherein the another communication unit performing in the first mode of the another device sends a search for the communication unit of the device and the communication unit performing in the second mode of the device receives the search, and whereby randomness increases the likelihood that the another communication unit of the another device receives the search sent by the communication unit of the device and the likelihood that the communication unit of the device receives the search sent by the another communication unit of the another device.

53. The device of claim 52, wherein the random length of time varies at least some cycles, exceeds a predetermined minimum duration and does not exceed a predetermined maximum duration, and is set independently of other devices.

54. The device of claim 53, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed duration and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random duration.

55. The device of claim 54, wherein the second mode is performed for a random duration.

56. The device of claim 28, wherein the another device comprises another communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the another communication unit being operable in a first mode for searching for the device, and a second mode for receiving a search from the device, and another cycling unit cooperating with the another communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for another random length of time,

wherein the random length of time and the another random length of time are set independently of one another.

57. The device of claim 28, 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.

58. The device of claim 57, wherein the responding unit sends the responding data automatically.

59. The device of claim 57, wherein the responding unit sends the responding data automatically if the search satisfies a predetermined condition.

60. The device of claim 57, 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.

61. The device of claim 57, 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.

62. The device of claim 28, wherein the device is handheld.

63. The device of claim 28, further comprising a sending unit cooperating with the communication unit operating in the second mode for sending data, in response to receiving the search, to the another device that sent the search so that the device and the another device connect with each other.

64. The device of claim 28, further comprising a randomizing unit for randomizing the length of time for at least one of the first mode and the second mode, wherein the cycling unit alternates between the first mode and the second mode based on the length of time randomized by the randomizing unit.

65. The device of claim 32, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

66. The device of claim 32, wherein:

the communication unit is performable for direct wireless radio communication,

the cycling unit continuously and alternately repeats the first and second modes,

the alternation between the first and second modes is automatic,

the random length of time is periodically randomized, and

the communication unit in the first mode intermittently sends data for the searching plural times during the first period.

67. The device of claim 66, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

68. The device of claim 66, wherein the first and second modes alternate consecutively.

69. The device of claim 66, wherein the communication unit in the first mode intermittently broadcasts data plural times during a period for the searching.

44. The device of 28, wherein the random length of time does not exceed a predetermined maximum duration.

70. A device, comprising:

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 other devices in the second mode, the communication unit in the second mode searching other devices in the first mode; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable at a random-based time.

71. The device of claim 70, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that varies in different cycles.

72. The device of claim 70, further comprising a randomizing unit for randomizing the time of at least one of the first mode and the second mode, wherein the cycling unit alternates between the first mode and the second mode based on the time randomized by the randomizing unit.

73. The device of claim 70, further comprising:

a determining unit for randomizing the random-based time for at least one of the first mode and the second mode; and

a timer,

wherein the cycling unit alternates between the first mode and the second mode based on the random-based time determined by the determining unit and based on the timer.

74. The device of claim 70, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

75. The device of claim 70, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

76. The device of claim 70, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

77. The device of claim 70, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

78. The device of claim 70, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

79. A device, comprising:

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for searching 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, at least one of the first and second modes being performable at a random-based time.

80. The device of claim 79, wherein the first mode is performable at a random-based time and the second mode is performable at a random-based time.

81. The device of claim 79, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that varies in different cycles.

82. The device of claim 79, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed duration and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random duration.

83. The device of claim 79, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed at a randomized time for a fixed duration and the other of the first and second modes is performed at a randomized time for a randomized duration.

84. The device of claim 79, wherein the first mode is performed at a randomized time for a fixed duration and the second mode is performed at a randomized time for a randomized duration.

85. The device of claim 79, further comprising a randomizing unit for randomizing the time of at least one of the first mode and the second mode, wherein the cycling unit alternates between the first mode and the second mode based on the time randomized by the randomizing unit.

86. The device of claim 79, further comprising:

a determining unit for randomizing the random-based time for at least one of the first mode and the second mode; and

a timer,

wherein the cycling unit alternates between the first mode and the second mode based on the random-based time determined by the determining unit and based on the timer.

87. The device of claim 79, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

88. The device of claim 79, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

89. The device of claim 79, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

90. The device of claim 79, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

91. The device of claim 79, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

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

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 other devices in the second mode, the communication unit in the second mode searching other devices in the first mode; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

94. The system of claim 92, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

95. The system of claim 92, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

96. The system of claim 92, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

97. The system of claim 96, wherein the second mode is performed for a random length of time.

98. The system of claim 92, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

99. The system of claim 92, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

100. The system of claim 92, 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.

101. The system of claim 100, wherein the responding unit sends the responding data automatically.

102. The system of claim 100, wherein the responding unit sends the responding data automatically if the search satisfies a predetermined condition.

103. The system of claim 100, 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.

104. The system of claim 92, wherein the first device further comprises:

a connection unit for, after locating another device by the search via the communication unit in the first mode or in the second mode, executing a connection process with the another device.

226. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 100, wherein the second mode is performed for a random length of time.

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

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for searching 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, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time.

106. The system of claim 105, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

107. The system of claim 105, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

108. The system of claim 105, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

109. The system of claim 105, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

110. The system of claim 109, wherein the second mode is performed for a random length of time.

111. The system of claim 105, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

112. The system of claim 105, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

113. The system of claim 105, 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.

114. The system of claim 113, wherein the responding unit sends the responding data automatically.

115. The system of claim 113, wherein the responding unit sends the responding data automatically if the search satisfies a predetermined condition.

116. The system of claim 113, 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.

117. The system of claim 105, 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 the searching via the communication unit in first mode, executing a second connection process with another device that was located by the searching.

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

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 other devices in the second mode, the communication unit in the second mode searching other devices in the first mode; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable at a random-based time.

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

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for searching 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, at least one of the first and second modes being performable at a random-based time.

120. A system comprising a plurality of devices,

the plurality of devices each comprising:

a communication unit for performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being alternately operable in a first mode for searching 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, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time;

wherein the respective communication units performing in respective first mode, send searches for unspecified devices;

wherein a respective communication unit, performing in its respective second mode, receives searches.

121. A device usable in the system of claim 120.

122. 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:

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

cycle the communication unit so that the communication unit alternately repeats the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time.

123. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

124. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

125. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

126. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

127. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 126, wherein the second mode is performed for a random length of time.

128. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

129. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

130. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, further comprising instructions configured to at least cooperate 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.

131. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 130, wherein the responding data is sent automatically.

132. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 130, wherein the responding data is sent automatically if the search satisfies a predetermined condition.

133. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 130, further comprising instructions configured to at least cooperating with the communication unit in the first mode to receive responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own search.

134. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, further comprising instructions configured to at least:

after locating another device via the communication unit in the first mode or in the second mode, executing a connection process with the another device.

135. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 122, wherein:

the communication unit is operable for direct wireless radio communication,

the cycling continuously and alternately repeats the first and second modes,

the alternation between the first and second modes is automatic,

the random length of time is periodically randomized, and

the communication unit in the first mode intermittently sends data for the searching plural times during the first period.

136. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 135, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

137. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 135, wherein the first and second modes alternate consecutively.

138. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 135, wherein the communication unit in the first mode intermittently broadcasts data plural times during a period for the searching.

139. 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:

cause the communication unit to operate in a first mode for searching 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, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time.

140. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 139, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

141. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 139, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

142. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 139, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

143. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 139, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

144. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 143, wherein the second mode is performed for a random length of time.

145. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 139, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

146. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 139, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

147. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 139, further comprising instructions configured to at least cooperate 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.

148. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 147, wherein the responding data is sent automatically.

149. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 147, wherein the responding data is sent automatically if the search satisfies a predetermined condition.

150. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 147, further comprising instructions configured to at least cooperating with the communication unit in the first mode to receive responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own search.

151. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 139, further comprising instructions configured to at least:

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

after the searching via the communication unit in the first mode, executing a second connection process with another device that was located by the searching.

152. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 139, wherein:

the communication unit is operable for direct wireless radio communication,

the cycling continuously and alternately repeats the first and second modes,

the alternation between the first and second modes is automatic,

the random length of time is periodically randomized, and

the communication unit in the first mode intermittently sends data for the searching plural times during the first period.

153. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 152, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

154. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 152, wherein the first and second modes alternate consecutively.

155. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 152, wherein the communication unit in the first mode intermittently broadcasts data plural times during a period for the searching.

156. 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:

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

cycle the communication unit so that the communication unit alternately repeats the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable at a random-based time.

157. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 156, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

158. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 156, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

159. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 156, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

160. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 156, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

161. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 156, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

163. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 157, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

164. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 157, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

165. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 157, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

166. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 157, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

167. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 157, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

162. 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:

cause the communication unit to operate in a first mode for searching 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, at least one of the first and second modes being performable at a random-based time.

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

using at least one processor of a device,

causing a communication unit to operate in a first mode and a second mode,

causing the communication unit in the first mode to search other devices in the second mode;

causing the communication unit in the second mode to search other devices in the first mode; and

cycling the communication unit so that the communication unit alternately repeats the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time.

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

using at least one processor of a device,

causing a communication unit to operate in a first mode for searching 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 alternately repeats the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time.

170. A device, comprising:

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 other devices in the second mode, the communication unit in the second mode searching other devices in the first mode; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit capable of alternately repeating the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time.

171. The device of claim 170, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

172. The device of claim 170, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

173. The device of claim 170, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

174. The device of claim 170, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

175. The device of claim 174, wherein the second mode is performed for a random length of time.

176. The device of claim 170, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

177. The device of claim 170, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

178. The device of claim 170, 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.

179. The device of claim 178, wherein the responding unit sends the responding data automatically.

180. The device of claim 178, wherein the responding unit sends the responding data automatically if the search satisfies a predetermined condition.

181. The device of claim 178, 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.

182. The device of claim 170, further comprising:

a connection unit for, after locating another device via the communication unit in the first mode or in the second mode, executing a connection process with the another device.

183. A device, comprising:

a communication unit capable of performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for searching 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 alternately repeating the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time.

184. The device of claim 183, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

185. The device of claim 183, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

186. The device of claim 183, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

187. The device of claim 183, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

188. The device of claim 187, wherein the second mode is performed for a random length of time.

189. The device of claim 183, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

190. The device of claim 183, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

191. The device of claim 183, 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.

192. The device of claim 191, wherein the responding unit sends the responding data automatically.

193. The device of claim 191, wherein the responding unit sends the responding data automatically if the search satisfies a predetermined condition.

194. The device of claim 191, 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.

195. The device of claim 183, 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 the searching via the communication unit in the first mode, executing a second connection process with another device that was located by the searching.

196. A device, comprising:

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 other devices in the second mode, the communication unit in the second mode searching other devices in the first mode; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit capable of alternately repeating the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable at a random-based time.

197. The device of claim 196, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

198. The device of claim 196, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

199. The device of claim 196, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

200. The device of claim 196, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

201. The device of claim 196, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

202. A device, comprising:

a communication unit capable of performing wireless radio communication, the communication unit being operable in a first mode for searching 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 alternately repeating the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable at a random-based time.

203. The device of claim 202, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

204. The device of claim 202, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

205. The device of claim 202, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

206. The device of claim 202, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

207. The device of claim 202, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

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

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

cycle the communication unit so that the communication unit alternately repeats the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time.

209. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 208, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

210. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 208, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

211. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 208, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

212. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 208, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

213. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 212, wherein the second mode is performed for a random length of time.

214. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 208, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

215. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 208, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

216. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 208, further comprising instructions configured to at least cooperate 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.

217. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 216, wherein the responding data is sent automatically.

218. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 216, wherein the responding data is sent automatically if the search satisfies a predetermined condition.

219. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 216, further comprising instructions configured to at least cooperating with the communication unit in the first mode to receive responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own search.

220. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 208, further comprising instructions configured to at least:

after locating another device via the communication unit in the first mode or in the second mode, executing a connection process with the another device.

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

cause the communication unit to operate in a first mode for searching 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, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a random length of time.

222. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 221, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

223. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 221, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

224. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 221, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

225. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 221, wherein one of the first and second modes is performed for a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second modes is performed for a random length of time.

227. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 221, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

228. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 221, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

229. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 221, further comprising instructions configured to at least cooperate 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.

230. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 229, wherein the responding data is sent automatically.

231. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 229, wherein the responding data is sent automatically if the search satisfies a predetermined condition.

232. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 229, further comprising instructions configured to at least cooperating with the communication unit in the first mode to receive responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own search.

233. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 221, further comprising instructions configured to at least:

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

after receiving the searching via the communication unit in the first mode, executing a second connection process with another device that was located by the searching.

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

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

cycle the communication unit so that the communication unit alternately repeats the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable at a random-based time.

235. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 234, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

236. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 234, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

237. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 234, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

238. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 234, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

239. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 234, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

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

cause the communication unit to operate in a first mode for searching 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, at least one of the first and second modes being performable at a random-based time.

241. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 240, wherein the first mode broadcasts data for the searching.

242. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 240, wherein the first mode performs the searching without specifying a destination address.

243. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 240, wherein each alternation between the first and second modes is automatic.

244. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 240, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with a predetermined cycle.

245. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 240, wherein at least one of the first and second modes is performable for a random length of time that is randomized with each cycle.

246. A device, comprising:

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 other devices in the second mode, the communication unit in the second mode searching other devices in the first mode; and

a cycling unit cooperating with the communication unit for alternately repeating the first and second modes, at least one of the first and second modes being performable for a length of time that varies across cycles.