Dual-mode communication devices and methods for arena gaming

• US 9,654,613 B2
• Filed: 05/02/2016
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kevin Griffin
• Original Assignee: Kevin Griffin
• Inventors: Griffin, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOSHI, ANKIT B
• Application Number:
  US15/144,723
• Publication Number:
  US 20160243444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• 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 13/327 using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/34 using peer-to-peer connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/358 Adapting the game course according to the network or server load, e.g. for reducing latency due to different connection speeds between clients
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/60 Generating or modifying game content before or while executing the game program, e.g. authoring tools specially adapted for game development or game-integrated level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/534 for network load management, e.g. bandwidth optimization, latency reduction
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/538 for performing operations on behalf of the game client, e.g. rendering
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 23/04 using light waves, e.g. infrared
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/40 Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4122 additional display device, e.g. video projector digital output for controlling a plurality of local displays G06F3/1423
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42202 environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4781 Games
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6137 : involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 : IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 : Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Methods, systems, and techniques for dual-mode communication are provided. Example embodiments provide an enhanced mobile device that includes a CPU, a low latency transceiver, and a high latency transceiver. The enhanced mobile device is in communication with a console via both the low latency transceiver and the high latency transceiver. The console also includes a CPU, a low latency transceiver, and a high latency transceiver. In some embodiments, the low latency communication channel is used to transmit control messages to an entertainment console whereas the high latency communication channel is used to communicate data between the mobile device and the entertainment console. The dual-mode communication may be used in different scenarios, including with an entertainment console for arena gaming and other entertainment applications.

Claims

1. A method for providing an arena gaming environment, the method comprising:

managing an arena gaming environment that includes a gaming system and multiple mobile devices that are each operated by a corresponding player and that each include a low latency transceiver and a high latency transceiver, wherein both the low latency transceiver and the high latency transceiver are communicatively coupled to the mobile devices and the gaming system, the managing performed by;

receiving control messages from each of the multiple mobile devices via its corresponding low latency transceiver, the control messages including sensor inputs from sensors of the multiple mobile devices, wherein the sensors detect changes in the arena gaming environment including player locations;

modifying a game model data structure stored in the gaming system based on the received control messages, the game model data structure storing a game model representing information about player locations in the arena gaming environment and data representing the arena gaming environment; and

transmitting game data messages to each of the multiple mobile devices via its corresponding high latency transceiver, the transmitted game data messages based on the modified game model data structure and including at least one of game data, image data, video data, or audio data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying a game model data structure includes:

updating player locations in the game model based on sensor data received via the low latency transceiver connections to the multiple mobile devices, the sensor data obtained from location sensors and/or orientation sensors of the multiple mobile devices; and

determining whether a first player is directing a game action towards a second player, based on their respective locations represented in the game model, the game action including one of an aiming action, a weapon firing action, a throwing action, a catching action, and/or an item exchanging action.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying a game model data structure includes:

updating player locations in the game model based on sensor data received from a motion sensor of the gaming system; and

updating player locations in the game model based on sensor data received from motions sensors of the multiple mobile devices.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting, by a first one of the multiple mobile devices to a second one of the multiple mobile devices, sensor data obtained from a motion sensor, a position sensor, and/or an orientation sensor of the first mobile device; and

causing the second mobile device to update a game model data structure stored on the second mobile device based on the transmitted sensor data, the game model data structure storing game model data representing the location of the player corresponding to the first mobile device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving control messages further comprises:

receiving control messages via a 2.4 Gigahertz frequency communication link to one of the multiple mobile devices.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving control messages further comprises:

receiving control messages via a communication connection that has a latency of less than 15 milliseconds.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting game data messages further comprises:

transmitting data messages to one of the multiple mobile devices via IP communication or via the Internet.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically detecting an arrival of a third player based on a signal transmitted by a mobile device of the third player;

transmitting an invitation via the mobile device of the third player to enter the arena gaming environment; and

incorporating the third player into the game model.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the arena gaming environment is a first arena gaming environment, and further comprising:

linking the first arena gaming environment with a second arena gaming environment that is remote from the first arena gaming environment, by;

receiving information about players situated at the second arena gaming environment;

incorporating the received information into the game model; and

presenting visual representations of the players at the second arena gaming environment to the first and/or second player via their corresponding mobile devices.

10. A system for arena gaming, the system comprising:

a gaming system having a low latency transceiver and a high latency transceiver; and

multiple mobile devices, each operated by a corresponding player, that each include a low latency transceiver and a high latency transceiver, both transceivers communicatively coupled to the gaming system, and include logic executable on a computer processor of each mobile device that is configured to;

communicate control messages with the gaming system and other of the multiple mobile devices via its low latency transceiver, the control messages including input from a sensor of the mobile device, the sensor detecting at least changes in player location; and

communicate game data messages with the gaining system via its high latency transceiver, wherein the data messages include at least one of game data, image data, video data, or audio data.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the multiple mobile devices are each one of a smart phone or a tablet computer.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the multiple mobile devices each operate as an input device and an additional display for a 3D game hosted by the gaming system.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the multiple mobile devices each operate as a weapon sight configured to aim a weapon in a 3D game at other players in the arena gaining system, the 3D game hosted by the gaming system.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the multiple mobile devices each operate as an input device configured to direct a game action at other players in the arena gaming system, the 3D game hosted by the gaming system.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the control messages include position, motion, and/or orientation sensor data obtained from sensors of the multiple mobile devices.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the multiple mobile devices includes:

a first mobile device that displays an image that includes a view obtained from a camera of the first mobile device along with a game element.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the game element is an aiming element operable to select a target, and wherein the target is a user depicted in the image displayed by the first mobile device.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the gaming system is configured to prepare a model of the space about the gaming system based on sensor data received from the multiple mobile devices, and to track position, movement, and orientation of the multiple mobile devices with respect to the model of the space.

19. The system of claim 10, wherein the gaming system includes a motion sensor that is configured to track position and movement of users of the multiple mobile devices.

20. The system of claim 10, wherein the multiple mobile devices and the gaming system are located proximate to one another.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the multiple mobile devices and the gaming system are located within 10 meters of one another.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the gaming system is a gaming console or personal computer communicatively coupled to a display, and wherein each of the multiple mobile devices communicates gaming control signals to the gaming system via its low latency transceiver.

23. The system of claim 10, wherein the low latency transceiver includes at least one of a 2.4 Gigahertz frequency transmitter, a Bluetooth transceiver, or a transceiver with a maximum range of about 10 meters.

24. The system of claim 10, wherein the high latency transceiver of at least one of the multiple mobile devices communicates with the gaming system via at least one of IP communication, a Wi-Fi connection, a 3G connection, a 4G connection, or an LTE connection.

25. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including contents that are configured, when executed, to cause a computing system to perform a method for providing an arena gaming environment, the method comprising:

managing an arena gaming environment that includes a gaming system and multiple mobile devices that are each operated by a corresponding player and that each include a low latency transceiver and a high latency transceiver, wherein both the low latency transceiver and the high latency transceiver are communicatively coupled to the mobile devices and the gaming system, the managing performed, the managing performed by;

receiving control messages from each of the multiple mobile devices via its corresponding low latency transceiver, the control messages including sensor inputs from sensors of the multiple mobile devices, wherein the sensors detect changes in the arena gaming environment including player locations;

modifying a game model data structure in the gaming system based on the received control messages, the game model data structure storing a game model representing information about player locations in the arena gaming environment and data representing the arena gaming environment; and

transmitting game data messages to each of the multiple mobile devices via its corresponding high latency transceiver, the transmitted game data messages based on the modified game model data structure and including at least one of game data, image data, video data, or audio data.