Secure geographic based gaming

• US 10,016,684 B2
• Filed: 10/28/2010
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hall, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): OBEID, MAMON A
• Application Number:
  US12/914,886
• Publication Number:
  US 20120108326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,812 Days
• Field of Search: 705 51
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/48 Starting a game, e.g. activating a game device or waiting for other players to join a multiplayer session
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/75 Enforcing rules, e.g. detecting foul play or generating lists of cheating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5533 using program state or machine event data, e.g. server keeps track of the state of multiple players on in a multiple player game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location

Abstract

Security in a geogame is maintained by implementing various security techniques. The various techniques provide specific advantages for different threat modes and attack styles against a geogame implemented via a mobile ad hoc network utilizing a geocast protocol. Jamming is detected by each player device listening for expected retransmissions of its own originated geocasts. If it fails to hear a retransmission, it concludes jamming. Network interdiction is detected by monitoring for received transmissions and/or periodically sending dummy transmissions to support other devices'"'"' detections. Location determination attacks are detected by recognizing “impossible” movements. Geogame interruption attacks are detected by detecting unauthorized requests to restart a geogame. Other security measures include utilizing cryptographic keys and/or pass phrases when geocasting. Various penalties within the context of a geogame are levied against a player if a security breach is detected.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining, by a device participating in a geogame based on a geographic location of the device, an amount of time that has passed since a previous network message was received by the device;

determining, by the device, if the amount of time is equal to or greater than a threshold value of time;

receiving, by the device, a geocast message;

determining, by the device, if the received geocast message is redundant with a previously received geocast message;

upon a determination that the received geocast message is not redundant with a previously received geocast message, comparing, by the device, embedded parameters in the received geocast message with a current state of the device; and

determining, by the device, that

a network interdiction attack has occurred based on;

a determination that the amount of time is greater than a threshold value of time; and

a determination that a current state of geogame play is not possible based on a result of the comparing of the embedded parameters in the received geocast message;

or

a network interdiction attack has not occurred based on a determination that the amount of time is not greater than a threshold value of time.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, when it is determined that the amount of time is greater than a threshold value of time, levying a penalty upon a player associated with the device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the penalty comprises at least one of:

reducing game time of the player;

ending the game;

or

reducing a game score of the player.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising geocasting a network interdiction attack detection message.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the network interdiction attack detection message is geocast periodically with a time period having a value less than the threshold value time.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

based on the result of the comparison indicating that the current state of geogame play is not possible, levying a penalty upon a player associated with the device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining multiple locations of the device;

determining a movement parameter of the device based on the determined multiple locations;

determining if the movement parameter is possible for a current state of game play;

when it is determined that the movement parameter is possible, determining that a location determination interdiction attack has not occurred; and

when it is determined that the movement parameter is not possible, determining that a location determination interdiction attack has occurred.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising denying, by the device, a request received prior to conclusion of the geogame to restart the geogame.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a unique geogame identifier comprising an indication of an ID of the device and an indication of a start time of the geogame; and

rendering an indication of the unique geogame identifier on the device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

entering a pass phrase by a player associated with the device into the device and into each other device participating in the geogame;

generating a key from the pass phrase;

encrypting a geogame message using the key; and

geocasting the encrypted geogame message.

11. A mobile device comprising:

a processor; and

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

determining an amount of time that has passed since a previous geocast packet was received by the device, wherein the device is participating in a geogame based on a geographic location of the device;

determining if the amount of time is equal to or greater than a threshold value of time;

receiving a geocast message;

determining if the received geocast message is redundant with a previously received geocast message;

upon a determination that the received geocast message is not redundant with a previously received geocast message, comparing embedded parameters in the received geocast message with a current state of the device; and

determining that

a network interdiction attack has occurred based on

a determination that the amount of time is greater than a threshold value of time; and

a determination that a current state of geogame play is not possible;

or

a network interdiction attack has not occurred based on a determination that the amount of time is not greater than a threshold value of time.

12. The device of claim 11, the operations further comprising, when it is determined that the amount of time is greater than a threshold value of time, levying a penalty upon a player associated with the device.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the penalty comprises at least one of:

reducing game time of the player;

ending the game;

or

reducing a game score of the player.

14. The device of claim 11, the operations further comprising geocasting a network interdiction attack detection message.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the network interdiction attack detection message is geocast periodically with a time period having a value less than the threshold value time.

16. The device of claim 11, the operations further comprising:

based on a result of the comparison indicating that a current state of geogame play is not possible, levying a penalty upon a player associated with the device.

17. The device of claim 11, the operations further comprising:

determining multiple locations of the device;

determining a movement parameter of the device based on the determined multiple locations;

determining if the movement parameter is possible for a current state of game play;

when it is determined that the movement parameter is possible, determining that a location determination interdiction attack has not occurred;

when it is determined that the movement parameter is possible, determining that a location determination interdiction attack has occurred.

18. The device of claim 11, the operations further comprising denying a request received prior to conclusion of the geogame to restart the geogame.

19. The device of claim 11, the operations further comprising:

generating a unique geogame identifier comprising an indication of an ID of the device and an indication of a start time of the geogame; and

rendering an indication of the unique geogame identifier on the device.