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

• US 9,457,268 B2
• Filed: 08/13/2015
• Issued: 10/04/2016
• 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:
  US14/825,657
• Publication Number:
  US 20150343307A1
• Time in Patent Office: 418 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 radio communication; and

a processing system including a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver and control the device to at least execute a first function to send broadcasts for other devices during a first period and a second function to receive broadcasts from other devices during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasts plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles; and

wherein the processing system is further configured to, in cooperation with the transceiver, control the device executing the second function to automatically send responding data, in response to receiving a broadcast, to the other device that sent the received broadcast.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other devices.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the responding data is sent based on a received search satisfying a predetermined condition.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to control the device executing the first function to receive responding data sent from one of the other devices in response to the device'"'"'s own broadcast.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to, after responding data is received, cooperate with the transceiver and control the device to execute a connection process with the other device that sent the received responding data.

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

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless radio communication is direct wireless radio communication.

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

9. The device of claim 1, wherein determinations of when to transition between the first and second functions are made independent of determinations of when to transition between first and second functions on other devices.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein determinations as to when to transition between the first and second functions are made by the device.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the processing system is further configured to control the device to execute the first function and the second function in a time-sharing system.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second periods comprises a variable length of time.

13. The device of claim 1, further comprising a timer, wherein transitions are determined based on the timer.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second functions follow one another, consecutively.

15. The device of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first and second periods comprises a randomized length of time.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the functions are executed in the cycles in a predetermined order, the predetermined order being defined as a first function followed by a second function.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein the functions are executed in the cycles in a predetermined order, the predetermined order being defined as a first function immediately followed by a second function.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function followed by another first function.

45. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second functions are executable in each of a plurality of cycles.

113. The device of claim 1, wherein broadcasts specify functionality desired from one or more other devices.

114. The device of claim 113, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the functionality desired from one or more other devices.

115. The device of claim 1, wherein broadcasts specify data desired from one or more other devices.

116. The device of claim 115, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the data desired from one or more other devices.

117. The device of claim 1, wherein broadcasts specify data offered by the device.

118. The device of claim 117, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the data offered by the device.

119. The device of claim 1, wherein broadcasts specify functionality offered by the device.

120. The device of claim 119, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the functionality offered by the device.

121. The device of claim 1, wherein the responding data is sent based on content of the received broadcast.

122. The device of claim 121, wherein the content specifies functionality offered by the device.

123. The device of claim 121, wherein the content specifies functionality offered, and one or more conditions met, by the device.

124. The device of claim 123, wherein the processing system is further configured to, after responding data is received, cooperate with the transceiver and control the device to execute a connection process with the other device that sent the received responding data.

125. The device of claim 121, wherein the content specifies data offered by the device.

126. The device of claim 121, wherein the content specifies data offered, and one or more conditions met, by the device.

127. The device of claim 125, wherein the processing system is further configured to, after responding data is received, cooperate with the transceiver and control the device to execute a connection process with the other device that sent the received responding data.

128. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second periods in at least one of the cycles comprises a randomized length of time.

129. The device of claim 128, wherein the first and second functions alternately repeat.

130. The device of claim 1, wherein the first and second functions alternately repeat.

131. The device of claim 130, wherein broadcasts are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

132. The device of claim 1, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other devices that are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

133. The device of claim 1, wherein broadcasts are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

134. The device of claim 133, wherein the processing system is further configured to, after responding data is received, cooperate with the transceiver and control the device to execute a connection process with the other device that sent the received responding data.

180. The method of claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second periods comprises a randomized length of time.

20. A device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless radio communication; and

a processing system including a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver and control the device to at least execute a first function to send broadcasts for other devices during a first period and a second function to receive broadcasts from other devices during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasts plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles; and

wherein at least one of the first and second periods in at least one of the cycles comprises a randomized length of time.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein at least one of the first and second periods comprises a periodically randomized length of time.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second periods comprises a length of time randomized with each cycle.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein one of the first and second periods comprises a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second period comprises a randomized length of time.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the second period comprises a randomized length of time.

25. The device of claim 20, wherein the functions are executed in the cycles in a predetermined order, the predetermined order being defined as a first function followed by a second function.

26. The device of claim 20, wherein the functions are executed in the cycles in a predetermined order, the predetermined order being defined as a first function immediately followed by a second function.

27. The device of claim 20, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function.

28. The device of claim 20, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function followed by another first function.

46. The device of claim 20, wherein the first and second functions are executable in each of a plurality of cycles.

135. The device of claim 20, wherein broadcasts specify functionality desired from one or more other devices.

136. The device of claim 135, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the functionality desired from one or more other devices.

137. The device of claim 20, wherein the processing system is further configured to perform a connection process with one of the other devices that is configured to provide the functionality desired.

138. The device of claim 20, wherein broadcasts specify data desired from one or more other devices.

139. The device of claim 138, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the data desired from one or more other devices.

140. The device of claim 20, wherein broadcasts specify data offered by the device.

141. The device of claim 140, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the data offered by the device.

142. The device of claim 20, wherein broadcasts specify functionality offered by the device.

143. The device of claim 142, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the functionality offered by the device.

144. The device of claim 20, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other devices.

145. The device of claim 20, wherein the first and second functions alternately repeat.

146. The device of claim 145, wherein broadcasts are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

147. The device of claim 20, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other devices that are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

148. The device of claim 20, wherein broadcasts are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

149. The device of claim 148, wherein the processing system is further configured to, after responding data is received, cooperate with the transceiver and control the device to execute a connection process with the other device that sent the received responding data.

29. A device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless radio communication, and

a processing system including a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver and control the device to at least execute a first function that sends broadcasting data during a first period and a second function that waits to receive broadcasting data during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasting data plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles, and

wherein the first function and the second function are executed in a time-sharing system.

30. The device of claim 29, wherein at least one of the first and second periods in at least one of the cycles comprises a randomized length of time.

31. The device of claim 29, wherein the processing system is further configured to, in cooperation with the transceiver, control the device executing the second function to send responding data in response to receiving broadcasting data to another device that sent the broadcasting data.

32. The device of claim 31, wherein the responding data is sent automatically in response to receiving broadcasting data.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the responding data is sent based on the broadcasting data satisfying a predetermined condition.

34. The device of claim 31, wherein the processing system is further configured to, in cooperation with the transceiver, control the device to execute the first function to receive responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own broadcasting data.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the processing system is further configured to, after responding data is received, control the device to execute a connection process with another device that sent the received responding data.

36. The device of claim 29, wherein the wireless radio communication is short-distance wireless radio communication.

37. The device of claim 29, wherein the wireless radio communication is direct wireless radio communication.

38. The device of claim 29, wherein the device is handheld.

39. The device of claim 29, wherein determinations of when to transition between the first and second functions are made independent of determinations of when to transition between first and second functions on other devices.

40. The device of claim 29, wherein determinations as to when to transition between the first and second functions are made by the device.

41. The device of claim 29, wherein the functions are executed in the cycles in a predetermined order, the predetermined order being defined as a first function followed by a second function.

42. The device of claim 29, wherein the functions are executed in the cycles in a predetermined order, the predetermined order being defined as a first function immediately followed by a second function.

43. The device of claim 29, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function.

44. The device of claim 29, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function followed by another first function.

47. The device of claim 29, wherein the first and second functions are executable in each of a plurality of cycles.

150. The device of claim 29, wherein broadcasts specify functionality desired from one or more other devices.

151. The device of claim 150, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the functionality desired from one or more other devices.

152. The device of claim 29, wherein the processing system is further configured to perform a connection process with one of the other devices that is configured to provide the functionality desired.

153. The device of claim 29, wherein broadcasts specify data desired from one or more other devices.

154. The device of claim 153, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the data desired from one or more other devices.

155. The device of claim 29, wherein broadcasts specify data offered by the device.

156. The device of claim 155, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the data offered by the device.

157. The device of claim 29, wherein broadcasts specify functionality offered by the device.

158. The device of claim 157, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the functionality offered by the device.

159. The device of claim 29, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other devices.

160. The device of claim 29, wherein the first and second functions alternately repeat.

161. The device of claim 160, wherein broadcasts are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

162. The device of claim 29, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other devices that are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

163. The device of claim 29, wherein broadcasts are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

164. The device of claim 163, wherein the processing system is further configured to, after responding data is received, cooperate with the transceiver and control the device to execute a connection process with the other device that sent the received responding data.

48. A game device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless radio communication; and

a processing system including a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver and control the game device to at least execute a first function to send broadcasts to other game devices during a first period and a second function to receive broadcasts from other game devices during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasts plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles; and

wherein the processing system is further configured to, in cooperation with the transceiver, control the game device executing the second function to automatically send responding data, in response to receiving a broadcast, to the other game device that sent the received broadcast.

49. The game device of claim 48, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other game devices.

50. The game device of claim 48, wherein the processing system is further configured to, after responding data is received, cooperate with the transceiver and control the game device to execute a connection process with the other game device that sent the received responding data.

51. The game device of claim 48, wherein the processing system is further configured to control the game device to execute the first function and the second function in a time-sharing system.

52. The game device of claim 49, wherein at least one of the first and second periods comprises a randomized length of time.

53. The game device of claim 48, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function.

54. A game device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless radio communication; and

a processing system including a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver and control the game device to at least execute a first function to send broadcasts for other game devices during a first period and a second function to receive broadcasts from other game devices during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasts plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles; and

wherein at least one of the first and second periods in at least one of the cycles comprises a randomized length of time.

55. The game device of claim 54, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function.

56. A game device, comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless radio communication, and

a processing system including a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver and control the game device to at least execute a first function that sends broadcasting data during a first period and a second function that waits to receive broadcasting data during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasting data plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles, and

wherein the first function and the second function are executed in a time-sharing system.

57. The game device of claim 56, wherein at least one of the first and second periods in at least one of the cycles comprises a randomized length of time.

58. The game device of claim 56, wherein the processing system is further configured to, after responding data is received, control the game device to execute a connection process with another game device that sent the received responding data.

59. The game device of claim 56, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function.

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

executing a first function to send broadcasts for other devices during a first period and a second function to receive broadcasts from other devices during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasts plural times during the first period, wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles; and

automatically sending, during execution of the second function, responding data in response to receiving a broadcast, to the other device that sent the received broadcast.

61. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other devices.

62. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein the responding data is sent based on a received search satisfying a predetermined condition.

63. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least controlling the device when executing the first function to receive responding data sent from one of the other devices in response to the device'"'"'s own broadcast.

64. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least executing, after responding data is received, a connection process with the other device that sent the received responding data.

65. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the wireless radio communication is short-distance wireless radio communication.

66. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the wireless radio communication is direct wireless radio communication.

67. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the device is handheld.

68. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein determinations of when to transition between the first and second functions are made independent of determinations of when to transition between first and second functions on other devices.

69. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein determinations as to when to transition between the first and second functions are made by the device.

70. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the first function and the second function are executable in a time-sharing system.

71. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein at least one of the first and second periods comprises a variable length of time.

72. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein transitions are determined based on the timer of the device.

73. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the first and second functions follow one another, consecutively.

74. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 61, wherein at least one of the first and second periods comprises a randomized length of time.

75. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the functions are executed in the cycles in a predetermined order, the predetermined order being defined as a first function followed by a second function.

76. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the functions are executed in the cycles in a predetermined order, the predetermined order being defined as a first function immediately followed by a second function.

77. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function.

78. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function followed by another first function.

79. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 60, wherein the first and second functions are executable in each of a plurality of cycles.

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

executing a first function to send broadcasts for other devices during a first period and a second function to receive broadcasts from other devices during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasts plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles; and

wherein at least one of the first and second periods in at least one of the cycles comprises a randomized length of time.

81. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 80, wherein at least one of the first and second periods comprises a periodically randomized length of time.

82. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 81, wherein at least one of the first and second periods comprises a length of time randomized with each cycle.

83. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 81, wherein one of the first and second periods comprises a fixed length of time and the other of the first and second period comprises a randomized length of time.

84. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 83, wherein the second period comprises a randomized length of time.

85. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 80, wherein the functions are executed in the cycles in a predetermined order, the predetermined order being defined as a first function followed by a second function.

86. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 80, wherein the functions are executed in the cycles in a predetermined order, the predetermined order being defined as a first function immediately followed by a second function.

87. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 80, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function.

88. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 80, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function followed by another first function.

89. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 80, wherein the first and second functions are executable in each of a plurality of cycles.

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

executing a first function that sends broadcasting data during a first period and a second function that waits to receive broadcasting data during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasting data plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles, and

wherein the first function and the second function are executed in a time-sharing system.

91. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein at least one of the first and second periods in at least one of the cycles comprises a randomized length of time.

92. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least controlling the device executing the second function to send responding data in response to receiving broadcasting data to another device that sent the broadcasting data.

93. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 92, wherein the responding data is sent automatically in response to receiving broadcasting data.

94. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 93, wherein the responding data is sent based on the broadcasting data satisfying a predetermined condition.

95. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 92, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least executing the first function to receive responding data from another device in response to the device'"'"'s own broadcasting data.

96. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 95, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least executing, after responding data is received, a connection process with another device that sent the received responding data.

97. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the wireless radio communication is short-distance wireless radio communication.

98. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the wireless radio communication is direct wireless radio communication.

99. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the device is handheld.

100. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein determinations of when to transition between the first and second functions are made independent of determinations of when to transition between first and second functions on other devices.

101. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein determinations as to when to transition between the first and second functions are made by the device.

102. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the functions are executed in the cycles in a predetermined order, the predetermined order being defined as a first function followed by a second function.

103. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the functions are executed in the cycles in a predetermined order, the predetermined order being defined as a first function immediately followed by a second function.

104. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function.

105. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein at least some of the cycles consist of a first function followed by a second function followed by another first function.

106. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the first and second functions are executable in each of a plurality of cycles.

165. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein broadcasts specify functionality desired from one or more other devices.

166. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 165, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the functionality desired from one or more other devices.

167. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least performing a connection process with one of the other devices that is configured to provide the functionality desired.

168. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein broadcasts specify data desired from one or more other devices.

169. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 168, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the data desired from one or more other devices.

170. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein broadcasts specify data offered by the device.

171. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 170, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the data offered by the device.

172. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein broadcasts specify functionality offered by the device.

173. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 172, wherein broadcasts further specify one or more conditions associated with the functionality offered by the device.

174. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other devices.

175. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the first and second functions alternately repeat.

176. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 175, wherein broadcasts are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

177. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other devices that are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

178. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 90, wherein broadcasts are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

179. The at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 178, further comprising instructions executable to provide functionality including at least after responding data is received, cooperate with the transceiver and control the device to execute a connection process with the other device that sent the received responding data.

107. A system comprising a plurality of devices, a first device of the plurality of devices comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless radio communication; and

a processing system including a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver and control the first device to at least execute a first function to send broadcasts for other devices during a first period and a second function to receive broadcasts from other devices during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasts plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles; and

wherein the processing system is further configured to, in cooperation with the transceiver, control the first device executing the second function to automatically send responding data, in response to receiving a broadcast, to the other device that sent the received broadcast.

108. A system comprising a plurality of devices, a first device of the plurality of devices comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless radio communication; and

a processing system including a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver and control the first device to at least execute a first function to send broadcasts for other devices during a first period and a second function to receive broadcasts from other devices during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasts plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles; and

wherein at least one of the first and second periods in at least one of the cycles comprises a randomized length of time.

109. A system comprising a plurality of devices, a first device of the plurality of devices comprising:

a transceiver configured to perform wireless radio communication, and

a processing system including a processor, the processing system being configured to cooperate with the transceiver and control the first device to at least execute a first function that sends broadcasting data during a first period and a second function that waits to receive broadcasting data during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasting data plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles, and

wherein the first function and the second function are executed in a time-sharing system.

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

using a processor of a device,

executing a first function to send broadcasts for other devices during a first period and a second function to receive broadcasts from other devices during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasts plural times during the first period, wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles; and

controlling the device executing the second function to automatically send responding data, in response to receiving a broadcast, to the other device that sent the received broadcast.

181. The method of claim 110, wherein the first and second functions alternately repeat.

182. The method of claim 110, further comprising after responding data is received, executing a connection process with the other device that sent the received responding data.

183. The method of claim 110, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other devices.

184. The method of claim 110, wherein broadcasts specify data and/or a function offered by the device.

185. The method of claim 110, wherein broadcasts are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

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

using a processor of a device,

executing a first function to send broadcasts for other devices during a first period and a second function to receive broadcasts from other devices during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasts plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles; and

wherein at least one of the first and second periods in at least one of the cycles comprises a randomized length of time.

186. The method of claim 111, wherein the first and second functions alternately repeat.

187. The method of claim 111, further comprising after responding data is received, executing a connection process with the other device that sent the received responding data.

188. The method of claim 111, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other devices.

189. The method of claim 111, wherein broadcasts specify data and/or a function offered by the device.

190. The method of claim 111, wherein broadcasts are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.

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

using a processor of a device,

executing a first function that sends broadcasting data during a first period and a second function that waits to receive broadcasting data during a second period, the first function intermittently sending broadcasting data plural times during the first period,

wherein the first and second functions are executable in a plurality of cycles, and

wherein the first function and the second function are executed in a time-sharing system.

191. The method of claim 112, wherein at least one of the first and second periods comprises a randomized length of time.

192. The method of claim 112, wherein the first and second functions alternately repeat.

193. The method of claim 112, further comprising after responding data is received, executing a connection process with the other device that sent the received responding data.

194. The method of claim 112, wherein the broadcasts are searches for other devices.

195. The method of claim 112, wherein broadcasts specify data and/or a function offered by the device.

196. The method of claim 112, wherein broadcasts are sendable while the device is operating in a power-saving mode.