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

• US 8,734,253 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2013
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• 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:
  US13/828,306
• Publication Number:
  US 20130196771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 439 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 wireless transmitter configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device;

a wireless receiver configured to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information;

a selection circuit configured to enable selection of at least one device from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received by the receiver; and

a connection requesting circuit configured to request a connection with the at least one device selected by the selection circuit.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a determining circuit configured to determine whether a device that sent connection capability information received by the receiver is connection capable based on the connection capability information;

wherein the connection requesting circuit is further configured to send connection request to the device that the determining circuit determines is connection capable.

3. The device of claim 2, the connection requesting circuit is configured to automatically send the connection request.

4. The device of claim 2, further comprising a connection establishing circuit configured to establish a connection with another device that is connection capable, as determined by the determining circuit.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information while the device is in a sleep mode.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the device is awoken from a sleep mode when the device is connected with another device.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information while the device is in a power saving mode.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising a connection establishing circuit configured to automatically establish a connection with another device that is connection capable, as determined by a determining circuit based on the connection capability information.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information while a display of the device is off.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information while application software is running on the device.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the application software is a user interactive application.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to send for another device self-identifying information and connection capability information in a search mode, and wherein the receiver is configured to wait to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information in a search mode.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to send for another device self-identifying information and connection capability information without establishing a connection with the another device, and wherein the receiver is configured to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information without establishing a connection with another device.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information before a service providing circuit starts a service.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information so that a plurality of unspecified device are able to receive the self-identifying information and the connection capability information without establishing a connection with the device.

16. A device, comprising:

a wireless transceiver,

wherein the wireless transceiver is operable to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device, and

wherein the wireless transceiver is further operable to at least send a request for a, connection with at least one device selected from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received.

17. A device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication, wherein the transceiver is operable to at least receive from other devices, without establishing connections with the other devices, self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device; and

selection caret it configured to enable a selection of at least one device from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received, in order to enable a connection with the selected at least one device to be requested.

18. A device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication, wherein the transceiver is o enable to at least receive before a service provider starts a service, self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device; and

a selection circuit configured to select at least one device from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received, in requesting the service provider to start the service.

19. A device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication;

wherein the transceiver is operable to send self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a connection capability of a service providing circuit so that a plurality of unspecified devices are able to receive the self-identifying information and the connection capability information without establishing connections with the device; and

wherein the transceiver is further operable to at least send a request for a connection with at least, one device selected from unspecified devices from which self-identifying information was received.

20. A device, comprising:

a wireless transceiver operable to at least;

broadcast self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device; and

send a request for a connection with at least one device selected from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received.

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

a wireless transmitter configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device;

a wireless receiver configured to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information;

a selection circuit configured to enable selection of at least one device from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received by the receiver; and

a connection requesting circuit configured to request a connection with the at least one device selected by the selection circuit.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first device further comprises a determining circuit configured to determine whether a device that sent connection capability information received by the receiver is connection capable based on the connection capability information;

wherein the connection requesting circuit is further configured to send a connection request to the device that the determining circuit determines is connection capable.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the transmitter is configured to send for another device self-identifying information and connection capability information in a search mode, and wherein the receiver is configured to wait to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information in a search mode.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the transmitter is configured to send for another device self-identifying information and connection capability information without establishing a connection with the another device, and wherein the receiver is configured to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information without establishing a connection with another device.

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

a wireless transceiver,

wherein the wireless transceiver is operable to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device, and,

wherein the wireless transceiver is further operable to at least send a request for a connection with at least one device selected from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received.

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

a transceiver configured to perform wireless Communication, wherein the transceiver is operable to at least receive from other devices, without establishing connections with the other devices, self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device; and

a selection circuit configured to enable a selection of at least one device from a plurality of devices from which self identifying information was received in order to enable a connection with the selected at least one device to be requested.

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

a wireless transceiver operable to at least;

broadcast self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device; and

send a request for a connection with at least one device selected from plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received.

28. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing a program executable on a device comprising at least one processor and a wireless transceiver, the program comprising instructions configured to at least:

send self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device;

receive self-identifying information and connection capability information;

enable selection of at least one device from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received; and

request a connection with the selected at least one device.

29. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 28, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least:

determine whether a device that sent received connection capability information is connection capable based on the connection capability information; and

send a connection request to the device that is determined to be connection capable.

30. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 28, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least:

send for another device self-identifying information and connection capability information in a search mode;

wait to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information in a search mode.

31. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 28, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least:

send for another device self-identifying information and connection capability information without establishing a connection with the another device; and

receive self-identifying information and connection capability information without establishing a connection with another device.

32. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing a program executable on a device comprising at least one processor and a wireless transceiver, the program comprising instructions configured to at least:

receive self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device; and

send a request for a connection with at least one device selected from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received.

33. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing a program executable on a device comprising at least one processor and a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication, the program comprising instructions configured to at least:

receive from other devices, without establishing connections with the other devices, self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device; and

enable a selection of at least one device from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received, in order to enable a connection the selected at least one device to be requested.

34. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing a program executable on a device comprising at least one processor and a wireless transceiver, the program comprising instructions configured to at least:

broadcast self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device; and

send a request for a connection with at least one device selected frog a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received.

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

using a processor,

sending, in cooperation with a wireless transmitter, self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device;

receiving, in cooperation with a wireless receiver, self-identifying information and connection capability information;

enabling selection of at least one device from a plurality of devices from which received self-identifying information was received; and

requesting a connection with the selected at least one device.

36. A device, comprising:

a wireless transmitter capable of sending self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device;

a wireless receiver capable of receiving self-identifying information and connection capability information;

a selection circuit capable of selecting at least one device from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received by the receiver; and

a connection requesting circuit capable of requesting a connection with the at least one device selected by the selection circuit.

37. The device of claim 36, wherein the transmitter sends self-identifying information and connection capability information while the device is in a sleep mode.

38. The device of claim 36, wherein the transmitter is configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information while the device is in a power saving mode.

39. The device of claim 36, wherein the transmitter is configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information while application software is running on the device.

40. The device of claim 39, wherein the application software is a user interactive application.

41. The device of claim 36, wherein the transmitter is configured to send for another device self-identifying information and connection capability information in a search mode, and wherein the receiver is configured to wait to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information in a search mode.

42. The device of claim 36, wherein the transmitter is configured to send for another device self-identifying information and connection capability information without establishing a connection with the another device, and wherein the receiver is configured to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information without establishing a connection with another device.

43. A device, comprising:

a wireless transceiver;

wherein the wireless transceiver is capable of receiving self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device, and

wherein the wireless transceiver is further capable of at least sending a request for a connection with at least one device selected from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received.

44. A device, comprising:

a transceiver capable of performing wireless communication, wherein the transceiver is capable of at least receiving from other devices, without establishing connection with the other devices, self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device; and

a selection circuit capable of enabling a selection of at least one device from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received, in order to enable a connection with the selected at least one device to be requested.

45. A device, comprising:

a wireless transceiver capable of at least;

broadcasting self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device; and

sending a request for a connection with at least one device selected from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received.

46. A game device, comprising:

a wireless transmitter configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device;

a wireless receiver configured to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information;

a selection circuit configured to enable selection of at least one device from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received by the receiver; and

a connection requesting circuit configured to request a connection with the at least one device selected by the selection circuit.

47. The game device of claim 46, wherein the transmitter is configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information while the device is in a sleep mode.

48. The game device of claim 46, wherein the transmitter is configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information while the device is in a power saving mode.

49. The game device of claim 46, wherein the transmitter is configured to send self-identifying information and connection capability information while application software is running on the device.

50. The game device of claim 49, wherein the application software is a user interactive application.

51. The game device of claim 46, wherein the transmitter is configured to send for another device self-identifying information and connection capability information in a search mode, and wherein the receiver is configured to wait to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information in a search mode.

52. The game device of claim 46, wherein the transmitter is configured to send for another device self-identifying information and connection capability information without establishing a connection with the another device, and wherein the receiver is configured to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information without establishing a connection with another device.

53. A game device, comprising:

a wireless transceiver,

wherein the wireless transceiver is operable to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device, and

wherein the wireless transceiver is further operable to at least send a request for a connection with at least one device selected from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received.

54. A game device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication, wherein the transceiver is operable to at least receive from other devices, without establishing connections with the other devices, self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device; and

a selection circuited to enable a selection of at least one device from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received, in order to enable a connection with the selected at least one device to be requested.

55. A game device, comprising:

a wireless transceiver operable to at least;

broadcast self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting with the device; and

send are s for a connection with least one device selection from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received.

56. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing a program executable on a device comprising at least one processor and a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication, the program comprising instructions configured to at least:

receive, before a service provider starts a service, self-identifying information and connection capability information which indicates a capability of connecting device; and

select at least one device from a plurality of devices from which self-identifying information was received, in requesting the service provider to start the service.

57. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 56, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least:

determine whether a device that sent received connection capability information is connection capable; and

send a connection request to the device that is determined to be connection capable.

58. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 56, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least:

send for another device self-identifying information and connection capability information in a search mode;

wait to receive self-identifying information and connection capability information in a search mode.

59. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 56, wherein the program further comprises instructions to at least:

send for another device self-identifying information and connection capability information without establishing a connection with the another device; and

receive self-identifying information and connection capability information without establishing a connection with another device.