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

• US 9,387,404 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2015
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• 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:
  US14/688,111
• Publication Number:
  US 20150217193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 453 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 device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication; and

a processing system comprising a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver in at least;

executing a program or function, wherein the function is for exchanging operational data;

searching for an unspecified device repeatedly and continuously; and

automatically establishing a connection with a device found by the search,

wherein the searching alternately repeats a sending function to send data for the search and a receiving function to receive such data, and

wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the searching alternately repeats the sending function to send, via connectionless transmissions, data for the searching, and the receiving function to receive such data.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least automatically communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the data associated with the program or function is originated from the program or function when the program or function is executed.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to at least enable a user to prepare data to be provided to another device, wherein the communicating provides the another device with the prepared data.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to at least enable a user to pre-select data associated with the program or function to be provided to another device, wherein the communicating provides the another device with the pre-selected data.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the sending function is further configured to send identifying information to identify the program or function.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the sending function is further configured to send identifying information to identify the program or function.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the searching is executed without establishing a connection.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the searching is configured to execute the sending function to send data intermittently plural times without establishing a connection, and the receiving function to receive such data without establishing a connection.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein at least one of the sending function and the receiving function is performable for a random length of time.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the searching is broadcasting.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the sending function is configured to broadcast data and the receiving function is configured to receive such broadcasted data.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the sending function is further configured to broadcast identifying information to identify the program or function.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein at least one of the broadcasting function and the receiving function is performable for a random length of time.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the transceiver is configured to perform direct wireless communication.

21. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least searching for an unspecified device while the device is in a sleep mode.

22. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least searching for an unspecified device while the device is in a power saving mode.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least searching for an unspecified device while a display of the device is off.

24. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least performing the searching and connection establishing while a display of the device is off.

25. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least searching for an unspecified device while application software is running on the device.

26. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least performing the search and connection establishing while application software is running on the device.

27. The device of claim 26, wherein the application software is a user interactive application.

9. A device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication; and

a processing system comprising a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver in at least;

executing a program or function;

searching for an unspecified device repeatedly and continuously; and

automatically establishing a connection with a device found by the search,

wherein the searching alternately repeats a sending function to send data for the search and a receiving function to receive such data, and

wherein at least one of the sending function and the receiving function is performable for a random length of time.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the sending function and the receiving function is performable for a random length of time that varies with a predetermined cycle.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the sending function and the receiving function is performable for a length of time that varies across cycles.

12. The device of claim 9, wherein at least one of the sending function and the receiving function is performable for a length of time that varies with a predetermined cycle.

73. The device of claim 9, wherein the searching alternately repeats the sending function to send, via connectionless transmissions, data for the searching, and the receiving function to receive such data.

74. The device of claim 9, wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least automatically communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

75. The device of claim 9, wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

76. The device of claim 75, wherein the data associated with the program or function is originated from the program or function when the program or function is executed.

77. The device of claim 75, wherein the processing system is further configured to at least enable a user to prepare data to be provided to another device, wherein the communicating provides the another device with the prepared data.

28. A device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication; and

a processing system comprising a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver in at least;

executing a program, or executing a function for exchanging operational data;

alternately executing (i) a first function of broadcasting data repeatedly and continuously, and (ii) a second function to receive such broadcasted data from other devices;

automatically establishing a connection with at least one of the other devices that sent such broadcasted data which was received by the device during its execution of the second function; and

communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the second function is configured to wait for a period to receive such broadcasted data from other devices.

78. The device of claim 28, wherein the alternately executing performs the first function to send, via connectionless transmissions, data for searching for other devices, and the second function to receive such data.

79. The device of claim 28, wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least automatically communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

80. The device of claim 28, wherein the data associated with the program or function is originated from the program or function when the program or function is executed.

81. The device of claim 28, wherein the processing system is further configured to at least enable a user to prepare data to be provided to another device, wherein the communicating provides the another device with the prepared data.

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

executing a program or function, wherein the function is for exchanging operational data;

searching for an unspecified device repeatedly and continuously;

automatically establishing a connection with a device found by the search; and

communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function,

wherein the searching alternately repeats a sending function to send data for the search and a receiving function to receive such data.

31. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the searching alternately repeats the sending function to send, via connectionless transmissions, data for the searching, and the receiving function to receive such data.

32. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least automatically communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

33. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the data associated with the program or function is originated from the program or function when the program or function is executed.

34. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least enabling a user to prepare data to be provided to another device, wherein the communicating provides the another device with the prepared data.

35. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least enabling a user to pre-select data associated with the program or function to be provided to another device, wherein the communicating provides the another device with the pre-selected data.

36. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the sending function is further configured to send identifying information to identify the program or function.

37. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the sending function is further configured to send identifying information to identify the program or function.

42. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the searching is executed without establishing a connection.

43. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 42, wherein the searching is configured to execute the sending function to send data intermittently plural times without establishing a connection, and the receiving function to receive such data without establishing a connection.

44. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 43, wherein at least one of the sending function and the receiving function is performable for a random length of time.

45. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the searching is broadcasting.

46. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 45, wherein the sending function is configured to broadcast data and the receiving function is configured to receive such broadcasted data.

47. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 45, wherein the sending function is further configured to broadcast identifying information to identify the program or function.

48. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 45, wherein at least one of the broadcasting function and the receiving function is performable for a random length of time.

49. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the transceiver is configured to perform direct wireless communication.

50. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the searching for an unspecified device is performable while the device is in a sleep mode.

51. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the searching for an unspecified device is performable while the device is in a power saving mode.

52. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the searching for an unspecified device is performable while a display of the device is off.

53. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the searching and connection establishing is performable while a display of the device is off.

54. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the searching for an unspecified device is performable while application software is running on the device.

55. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 30, wherein the search and connection establishing is performable while application software is running on the device.

56. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 55, wherein the application software is a user interactive application.

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

executing a program or function;

searching for an unspecified device repeatedly and continuously; and

automatically establishing a connection with a device found by the search;

wherein the searching alternately repeats a sending function to send data for the search and a receiving function to receive such data, and

wherein at least one of the sending function and the receiving function is performable for a random length of time.

39. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein at least one of the sending function and the receiving function is performable for a random length of time that varies with a predetermined cycle.

40. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein at least one of the sending function and the receiving function is performable for a length of time that varies across cycles.

41. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein at least one of the sending function and the receiving function is performable for a length of time that varies with a predetermined cycle.

87. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, wherein the searching alternately repeats the sending function to send, via connectionless transmissions, data for the searching, and the receiving function to receive such data.

88. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least automatically communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

89. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 38, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

90. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 89, wherein the data associated with the program or function is originated from the program or function when the program or function is executed.

91. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 89, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least enabling a user to prepare data to be provided to another device, wherein the communicating provides the another device with the prepared data.

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

executing a program;

alternately executing (i) a first function of broadcasting data repeatedly and continuously, and (ii) a second function to receive such broadcasted data from other devices;

automatically establishing a connection with at least one of the other devices that sent such broadcasted data which was received by the device during its execution of the second function; and

communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program.

58. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the second function is configured to wait for a period to receive such broadcasted data from other devices.

92. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the alternately executing performs the first function to send, via connectionless transmissions, data for searching for other devices, and the second function to receive such data.

93. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least automatically communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program.

94. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, wherein the data associated with the program or function is originated from the program when the program or function is executed.

95. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 57, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least enabling a user to prepare data to be provided to another device, wherein the communicating provides the another device with the prepared data.

59. A system comprising at least first and second devices, the first device comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication; and

a processing system comprising a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver in at least;

executing a program or function, wherein the function is for exchanging operational data;

searching for an unspecified device repeatedly and continuously;

automatically establishing a connection with a device found by the search; and

communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function,

wherein the searching alternately repeats a sending function to send data for the search and a receiving function to receive such data.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the searching alternately repeats the sending function to send, via connectionless transmissions, data for the searching, and the receiving function to receive such data.

61. A system comprising at least first and second devices, the first device comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication; and

a processing system comprising a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver in at least;

executing a program, or executing a function for exchanging operational data;

alternately executing (i) a first function of broadcasting data repeatedly and continuously, and (ii) a second function to receive such broadcasted data from other devices;

automatically establishing a connection with at least one of the other devices that sent such broadcasted data which was received by the device during its execution of the second function; and

communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

62. The system of claim 61, wherein the second function is configured to wait for a period to receive such broadcasted data from other devices.

63. A method for performing wireless communication, the method comprising:

using a processing system of a device, the processing system comprising a processor,

executing a program or function, wherein the function is for exchanging operational data;

searching for an unspecified device repeatedly and continuously;

automatically establishing a connection with a device found by the search; and

communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function,

wherein the searching alternately repeats a sending function to send data for the search and a receiving function to receive such data.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein the searching alternately repeats the sending function to send, via connectionless transmissions, data for the searching, and the receiving function to receive such data.

65. A method for performing wireless communication, the method comprising:

using a processing system of a device, the processing system comprising a processor,

executing a program, or executing a function for exchanging data;

alternately executing (i) a first function of broadcasting data repeatedly and continuously, and (ii) a second function to receive such broadcasted data from other devices;

automatically establishing a connection with at least one of the other devices that sent such broadcasted data which was received by the device during its execution of the second function; and

communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the second function is configured to wait for a period to receive such broadcasted data from other devices.

67. A device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication; and

a processing system comprising a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver in at least;

execute a program or function;

alternately executing (i) a first function of broadcasting data repeatedly and continuously, and (ii) a second function to receive such broadcasted data from other devices; and

automatically establishing a connection with at least one of the other devices that sent such broadcasted data which was received by the device during its execution of the second function,

wherein at least one of the first function and the second function is performable for a random length of time.

82. The device of claim 67, wherein the alternately executing performs the first function to send, via connectionless transmissions, data for searching for other devices, and the second function to receive such data.

83. The device of claim 67, wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least automatically communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

84. The device of claim 67, wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

85. The device of claim 84, wherein the data associated with the program or function is originated from the program or function when the program or function is executed.

86. The device of claim 84, wherein the processing system is further configured to at least enable a user to prepare data to be provided to another device, wherein the communicating provides the another device with the prepared data.

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

executing a program or function;

alternately executing (i) a first function of broadcasting data repeatedly and continuously, and (ii) a second function to receive such broadcasted data from other devices; and

automatically establishing a connection with at least one of the other devices that sent such broadcasted data which was received by the device during its execution of the second function,

wherein at least one of the first function and the second function is performable for a random length of time.

96. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, wherein the alternately executing performs the first function to send, via connectionless transmissions, data for searching for other devices, and the second function to receive such data.

97. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least automatically communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

98. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 68, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program or function.

99. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 98, wherein the data associated with the program or function is originated from the program or function when the program or function is executed.

100. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 98, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least enabling a user to prepare data to be provided to another device, wherein the communicating provides the another device with the prepared data.

69. A system, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication; and

a processing system comprising a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver in at least;

executing a program;

searching for an unspecified device repeatedly and continuously; and

automatically establishing a connection with a device found by the search,

wherein the searching alternately repeats a sending function to send data for the search and a receiving function to receive such data, and

wherein the processing system and the transceiver are configured to further cooperate in at least communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program.

70. A system, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication; and

a processing system comprising a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver in at least;

executing a program or function;

searching for an unspecified device repeatedly and continuously; and

automatically establishing a connection with a device found by the search,

wherein the searching alternately repeats a sending function to send data for the search and a receiving function to receive such data, and

wherein at least one of the sending function and the receiving function is performable for a random length of time.

71. A system, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication; and

a processing system comprising a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver in at least;

executing a program;

alternately executing (i) a first function of broadcasting data repeatedly and continuously, and (ii) a second function to receive such broadcasted data from other devices;

automatically establishing a connection with at least one of the other devices that sent such broadcasted data which was received by the device during its execution of the second function; and

communicating with a device connected with by the automatic establishing to send and/or receive data associated with the program.

72. A system, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless communication; and

a processing system comprising a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver in at least;

executing a program or function;

alternately executing (i) a first function of broadcasting data repeatedly and continuously, and (ii) a second function to receive such broadcasted data from other devices; and

automatically establishing a connection with at least one of the other devices that sent such broadcasted data which was received by the device during its execution of the second function,

wherein at least one of the first function and the second function is performable for a random length of time.