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

• US 9,345,968 B2
• Filed: 02/18/2015
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• 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:
  US14/625,211
• Publication Number:
  US 20150157935A1
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 first device configured to selectively execute one or more application programs, comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

a processor configured to cooperate with the transceiver and at least enable;

sending of data receivable by other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith, a first portion of the data being indicative of a condition to be met by a device to be connected to, and another portion of the data including an identifier of the one or more application programs,

reception of such data from other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith, and

in response to having received such data from another device, determination as to whether the first device meets the condition of which the first portion of the received data is indicative and, based on a determination that the first device meets the condition of which the first portion of the received data is indicative, further sending of a response to the another device without establishing a connection therewith.

2. The first device of claim 1, wherein the determination is made without establishing connections to other devices within communication range of the transceiver.

3. The first device of claim 1, wherein the data sending function is configured to broadcast the data.

4. The first device of claim 1, wherein a second portion of the data includes an identifier of the first device.

5. The first device of claim 1, wherein a third portion of the data includes a flag indicating whether connection to the first device is permitted.

6. The first device of claim 1, wherein the condition specifies a kind of data that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

7. The first device of claim 6, wherein the condition further specifies a date range and/or a time range indicating when another device can be connected to by the first device.

8. The first device of claim 6, wherein the condition further specifies an event, related to the one or more application programs, that must have occurred in order for another device to connect with the first device.

9. The first device of claim 1, wherein the condition specifies (a) a date range and/or a time range indicating when another device can be connected to by the first device, and/or (b) an event, related to the one or more application programs, that must have occurred in order for the another device to connect with the first device.

10. The first device of claim 1, wherein the condition specifies a resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

11. The first device of claim 10, wherein the condition further specifies an aspect specific to the resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

12. The first device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to at least enable issuance of a request for user confirmation as to whether a connection is to be formed with a prospective opponent device.

13. The first device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to at least enable establishment of a connection with a determined opponent device.

14. The first device of claim 13, wherein the determined opponent device and the first device directly wirelessly connect with one another.

15. The first device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to at least enable communication with the determined opponent device to send and/or receive data associated with the one or more application programs, once the connection is established therewith.

16. The first device of claim 15, wherein the data associated with the one or more application programs is originated from the one or more application programs when the one or more application programs is/are being executed.

17. The first device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to at least enable a user to designate data from among data associated with the one or more application programs to be provided to another device, wherein the communication provides another device with the designated data.

18. The first device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to at least enable automatic communication with the determined opponent device to send and/or receive data associated with the one or more application programs, once the connection is established therewith.

19. The first device of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to at least enable a user to designate data from among data associated with the one or more application programs to be provided to another device, wherein the automatic communication provides another device with the designated data.

20. A device configured to selectively execute one or more application programs, comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

a processor configured to cooperate with the transceiver and at least enable;

sending of data receivable by other devices within communication range of the transceiver, a first portion of the data being indicative of a condition of a device to be connected to, and another portion of the data including an identifier of the one or more application programs,

reception of such data from other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith, and

in response to having received such data from another device, determination as to whether the condition of which the first portion of the received data is indicative is met and, based on a determination that the condition of which the first portion of the received data is indicative is met, sending of a response to the another device from which such data has been received;

wherein the data is sent without establishing connections to other devices.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to enable responses to be sent without establishing connections to other devices.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the condition specifies a resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the device.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the condition further specifies (a) a date range and/or a time range indicating when another device can be connected to by the device, and/or (b) an event, related to the one or more application programs, that must have occurred in order for the another device to connect with the device.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the condition further specifies an aspect specific to the resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the device.

25. The device of claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to enable a selection to be made based on received responses, the selection indicating another device that is to be connected to.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured to enable a connection to be established between the device and the another device indicated by the selection.

27. A first device configured to selectively execute one or more application programs, comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

a processor configured to cooperate with the transceiver and at least enable;

sending of data receivable by other devices within communication range of the transceiver, a first portion of the data being indicative of a condition of a device to be connected to, and another portion of the data including an identifier of the one or more application programs,

reception of such data from other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith, and

sending of a response to a prospective opponent device from which such data has been received, provided that the first portion of such received data is indicative of a condition of the first device;

wherein the data is sent without establishing connections to other devices.

28. The first device of claim 27, wherein the processor is further configured to enable responses to be sent without establishing connections to other devices.

29. The first device of claim 27, wherein the condition specifies a resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

30. A device configured to selectively execute one or more application programs, comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

a processor configured to cooperate with the transceiver and at least enable;

sending of data receivable by other devices within communication range of the transceiver, a first portion of the data being indicative of a resource of a device to be connected to, and another portion of the data including an identifier of the one or more application programs,

reception of such data from other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith, and

sending of a response to another device from which such data has been received, provided that the first portion of such received data is indicative of a resource of this device;

wherein the data is sent without establishing connections to other devices.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the processor is further configured to enable responses to be sent without establishing connections to other devices.

32. At least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing instructions for use with a first device including a processor and a wireless transceiver configured to perform wireless communication, the first device being configured to selectively execute one or more application programs, the instructions being executable to provide functionality including at least:

sending data receivable by other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith, a first portion of the data being indicative of a condition to be met by a device to be connected to, and another portion of the data including an identifier of the one or more application programs;

receiving such data from other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith; and

in response to having received such data from another device, determining whether the first device meets the condition of which the first portion of the received data is indicative and, based on a determination that the first device meets the condition of which the first portion of the received data is indicative, further sending a response to the another device without establishing a connection therewith.

33. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the determination is made without establishing connections to other devices within communication range of the transceiver.

34. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the data sending function is configured to broadcast the data.

35. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium device of claim 32, wherein a second portion of the data includes an identifier of the first device.

36. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein a third portion of the data includes a flag indicating whether connection to the first device is permitted.

37. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the condition specifies a kind of data that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

38. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the condition further specifies a date range and/or a time range indicating when another device can be connected to by the first device.

39. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 37, wherein the condition further specifies an event, related to the one or more application programs, that must have occurred in order for another device to connect with the first device.

40. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the condition specifies (a) a date range and/or a time range indicating when another device can be connected to by the first device, and/or (b) an event, related to the one or more application programs, that must have occurred in order for the another device to connect with the first device.

41. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32, wherein the condition specifies a resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

42. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 41, wherein the condition further specifies an aspect specific to the resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

43. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least issuing a request for user confirmation as to whether a connection is to be formed with a prospective opponent device.

44. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 32, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least establishing a connection with a determined opponent device.

45. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 44, wherein the determined opponent device and the first device directly wirelessly connect with one another.

46. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 44, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least communicating with the determined opponent device to send and/or receive data associated with the one or more application programs, once the connection is established therewith.

47. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 46, wherein the data associated with the one or more application programs is originated from the one or more application programs when the one or more application programs is/are being executed.

48. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 46, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least enabling a user to designate data from among data associated with the one or more application programs to be provided to another device, wherein the communication provides another device with the designated data.

49. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 44, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least automatically communicating with the determined opponent device to send and/or receive data associated with the one or more application programs, once the connection is established therewith.

50. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 49, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least enabling a user to designate data from among data associated with the one or more application programs to be provided to another device, wherein the automatic communication provides another device with the designated data.

51. At least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing instructions for use with a device including a processor and a wireless transceiver configured to perform wireless communication, the device being configured to selectively execute one or more application programs, the instructions being executable to provide functionality including at least:

sending data receivable by other devices within communication range of the transceiver, a first portion of the data being indicative of a condition of a device to be connected to, and another portion of the data including an identifier of the one or more application programs;

receiving such data from other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith; and

in response to having received such data from another device, determining whether the condition of which the first portion of the received data is indicative is met and, based on a determination that the condition of which the first portion of the received data is indicative is met, sending a response to the another device from which such data has been received,

wherein the data is sent without establishing connections to other devices.

52. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 51, wherein responses are sendable without establishing connections to other devices.

53. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 51, wherein the condition specifies a resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the device.

54. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 53, wherein the condition further specifies (a) a date range and/or a time range indicating when another device can be connected to by the device, and/or (b) an event, related to the one or more application programs, that must have occurred in order for the another device to connect with the device.

55. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 53, wherein the condition further specifies an aspect specific to the resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the device.

56. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 51, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least enabling a selection to be made based on received responses, the selection indicating another device that is to be connected to.

57. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 56, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least establishing a connection between the device and the another device indicated by the selection.

58. At least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing instructions for use with a first device including a processor and a wireless transceiver configured to perform wireless communication, the first device being configured to selectively execute one or more application programs, the instructions being executable to provide functionality including at least:

sending data receivable by other devices within communication range of the transceiver, a first portion of the data being indicative of a condition of a device to be connected to, and another portion of the data including an identifier of the one or more application programs;

receiving such data from other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith; and

sending a response to a prospective opponent device from which such data has been received, provided that the first portion of such received data is indicative of a condition of the first device,

wherein the data is sent without establishing connections to other devices.

59. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 58, wherein responses are sendable without establishing connections to other devices.

60. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 58, wherein the condition specifies a resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

61. At least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium tangibly storing instructions for use with a device including a processor and a wireless transceiver configured to perform wireless communication, the device being configured to selectively execute one or more application programs, the instructions being executable to provide functionality including at least:

sending data receivable by other devices within communication range of the transceiver, a first portion of the data being indicative of a resource of a device to be connected to, and another portion of the data including an identifier of the one or more application programs;

receiving such data from other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith; and

sending a response to another device from which such data has been received, provided that the first portion of such received data is indicative of a resource of this device,

wherein the data is sent without establishing connections to other devices.

62. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein responses are sendable without establishing connections to other devices.

63. A system comprising at least first and second devices, the first device being configured to selectively execute one or more application programs and comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

a processor configured to cooperate with the transceiver and at least enable;

sending of data receivable by other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith, a first portion of the data being indicative of a condition to be met by a device to be connected to, and another portion of the data including an identifier of the one or more application programs,

reception of such data from other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith, and

in response to having received such data from another device, determination as to whether the first device meets the condition of which the first portion of the received data is indicative and, based on a determination that the first device meets the condition of which the first portion of the received data is indicative, further sending of a response to the another device without establishing a connection therewith.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the determination is made without establishing connections to other devices within communication range of the transceiver of the first device.

65. The system of claim 63, wherein the condition specifies a kind of data that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

66. The system of claim 63, wherein the condition specifies (a) a date range and/or a time range indicating when another device can be connected to by the first device, and/or (b) an event, related to the one or more application programs, that must have occurred in order for the another device to connect with the first device.

67. The system of claim 63, wherein the condition specifies a resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein the condition further specifies an aspect specific to the resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

69. The system of claim 63, wherein the processor of the first device is further configured to at least enable establishment of a connection with a determined opponent device.

70. The system of claim 69, wherein the processor of the first device is further configured to at least enable communication with the determined opponent device to send and/or receive data associated with the one or more application programs, once the connection is established therewith.

71. The system of claim 70, wherein the data associated with the one or more application programs is originated from the one or more application programs when the one or more application programs is/are being executed.

72. The system of claim 70, wherein the processor of the first device is further configured to at least enable a user to designate data from among data associated with the one or more application programs to be provided to another device, wherein the communication provides another device with the designated data.

73. A system comprising at least first and second devices, the first device being configured to selectively execute one or more application programs and comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

a processor configured to cooperate with the transceiver and at least enable;

sending of data receivable by other devices within communication range of the transceiver, a first portion of the data being indicative of a condition of a device to be connected to, and another portion of the data including an identifier of the one or more application programs,

reception of such data from other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith, and

in response to having received such data from another device, determination as to whether the condition of which the first portion of the received data is indicative is met and, based on a determination that the condition of which the first portion of the received data is indicative is met, sending of a response to the another device from which such data has been received,

wherein the data is sent without establishing connections to other devices.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein the processor of the first device is further configured to enable responses to be sent without establishing connections to other devices.

75. The system of claim 73, wherein the condition specifies a resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

76. The system of claim 75, wherein the condition further specifies (a) a date range and/or a time range indicating when another device can be connected to by the first device, and/or (b) an event, related to the one or more application programs, that must have occurred in order for the another device to connect with the first device.

77. The system of claim 75, wherein the condition further specifies an aspect specific to the resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

78. The system of claim 73, wherein the processor of the first device is further configured to enable a selection to be made based on received responses, the selection indicating another device that is to be connected to.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein the processor of the first device is further configured to enable a connection to be established between the first device and the another device indicated by the selection.

80. A system comprising at least first and second devices, the first device being configured to selectively execute one or more application programs and comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

a processor configured to cooperate with the transceiver and at least enable;

sending of data receivable by other devices within communication range of the transceiver, a first portion of the data being indicative of a condition of a device to be connected to, and another portion of the data including an identifier of the one or more application programs,

reception of such data from other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith, and

sending of a response to a prospective opponent device from which such data has been received, provided that the first portion of such received data is indicative of a condition of the first device;

wherein the data is sent without establishing connections to other devices.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein the processor of the first device is further configured to enable responses to be sent without establishing connections to other devices.

82. The system of claim 80, wherein the condition specifies a resource that must be providable by another device in order for it to be connected to by the first device.

83. A system comprising at least first and second devices, the first device being configured to selectively execute one or more application programs and comprising:

a wireless transceiver; and

a processor configured to cooperate with the transceiver and at least enable;

sending of data receivable by other devices within communication range of the transceiver, a first portion of the data being indicative of a resource of a device to be connected to, and another portion of the data including an identifier of the one or more application programs,

reception of such data from other devices within communication range of the transceiver, without establishing connections therewith, and

sending of a response to another device from which such data has been received, provided that the first portion of such received data is indicative of a resource of the device;

wherein the data is sent without establishing connections to other devices.

84. The system of claim 83, wherein the processor of the first device is further configured to enable responses to be sent without establishing connections to other devices.