Location-based mobile gaming application and method for implementing the same using a scalable tiered geocast protocol

• US 8,821,293 B2
• Filed: 11/20/2012
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hall, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Thomas, Eric M
• Application Number:
  US13/682,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20130079152A1
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 463/2, 463/7, 463/9, 463 30- 34, 463 40- 42
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/32 using local area network [LAN] connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• 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: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/027 using movement velocity, acceleration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/20 based on geographic position or location

Abstract

A method is disclosed for initiating real-time geo-game using geocast messaging according to a scalable tiered geocast protocol. The method includes a first wireless terminal (WT), programmed with a geo-gaming application and the scalable tiered geocast protocol, geocasting a game declaration to a destination geocast region containing potential participants. The method also includes a second WT, of one of the potential participants, and programmed with the geo-gaming application and the scalable tiered geocast protocol, receiving the game declaration in the destination geocast region and responding by geocasting a response message indicating interest in participating in the real-time geo-game.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a processor; and

memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising executable instructions that when executed by the processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising;

receiving a first action input;

responsive to receiving the first action input;

generating a first geocast data packet for sending a virtual game object of a geo-game, the first geocast data packet comprising;

a destination geocast region; and

movement information indicating movement characteristics of the virtual game object; and

geocasting the first geocast data packet to the destination geocast region according to transmission heuristics of a scalable tiered geocast protocol.

2. The device of claim 1, the operations further comprising:

receiving a second geocast data packet, the second geocast data packet being different than the first geocast data packet; and

retransmitting the second geocast data packet according to the transmission heuristics of the tiered geocast protocol.

3. The device of claim 1, the operations further comprising:

displaying, on a display of the device, a representation of at least one virtual game characteristic comprising at least one of;

a portion of a first playing field associated with the device;

a portion of a second playing field associated with another device;

a first player moving with respect to the first playing field, or

a second player moving with respect to the second playing field.

4. The device of claim 1, the operation further comprising:

displaying, on the display of the device, an actual environment in which the device is being operated to create an augmented reality experience for a user of the device.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the first geocast data packet further comprises scoring information pertaining to the geo-game.

6. The device of claim 1, the operations further comprising:

determining, by the device, that a scoring event has occurred by determining that the device was not in a geo-location corresponding to an impact location of a virtual object of the geo-game at an impact time associated with the virtual object.

7. The device of claim 6, the operations further comprising:

response to determining that the scoring event has occurred, generating, by the device, a scoring message; and

geocasting, by the device, the scoring message.

8. A method comprising:

receiving, by a device, a first action input;

responsive to receiving the first action input;

generating, by the device, a first geocast data packet for sending a virtual game object, the first geocast data packet comprising;

a first destination geocast region; and

movement information indicating first movement characteristics of the virtual game object; and

geocasting, by the device, the first geocast data packet to the destination geocast region according to transmission heuristics of a scalable tiered geocast protocol.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving, by the device, a second geocast data packet, the second geocast data packet being different than the first geocast data packet; and

retransmitting, by the device, the second geocast data packet according to the transmission heuristics of the tiered geocast protocol.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

displaying, on a display of the device, a representation of at least one virtual game characteristic comprising at least one of;

a portion of a first playing field associated with the device;

a portion of a second playing field associated with another device;

a first player moving with respect to the first playing field, or

a second player moving with respect to the second playing field.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein:

displaying, on the display of the device, an actual environment in which the device is being operated to create an augmented reality experience for a user of the device.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein:

the first geocast data packet further comprises scoring information pertaining to the geo-game.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

determining, by the device, that a scoring event has occurred by determining that the device was not in a geo-location corresponding to an impact location of a virtual object of the geo-game at an impact time associated with the virtual object.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

response to determining that the scoring event has occurred, generating, by the device, a scoring message; and

geocasting, by the device, the scoring message.

15. A computer-readable storage medium that is not a propagating signal, the computer-readable storage medium comprising executable instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to effectuate operations comprising:

receiving a first action input;

responsive to receiving the first action input;

generating a first geocast data packet for sending a virtual game object, the first geocast data packet comprising;

a destination geocast region; and

movement information indicating first movement characteristics of the virtual game object; and

geocasting the first geocast data packet to the destination geocast region according to transmission heuristics of a scalable tiered geocast protocol.

16. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, the operations further comprising:

receiving a second geocast data packet, the second geocast data packet being different than the first geocast data packet; and

retransmitting the second geocast data packet according to the transmission heuristics of the tiered geocast protocol.

17. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, the operations further comprising:

displaying a representation of at least one virtual game characteristic comprising at least one of;

a portion of a first playing field associated with a first device;

a portion of a second playing field associated with a second device;

a first player moving with respect to the first playing field, or

a second player moving with respect to the second playing field.

18. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, the operations further comprising:

displaying an actual environment in which the device is being operated to create an augmented reality experience for a user of the device.

19. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein:

the first geocast data packet further comprises scoring information pertaining to the geo-game.

20. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, the operations further comprising:

determining, by the device, that a scoring event has occurred by determining that the device was not in a geo-location corresponding to an impact location of a virtual object of the geo-game at an impact time associated with the virtual object;

response to determining that the scoring event has occurred, generating, by the device, a scoring message; and

geocasting, by the device, the scoring message.