Proximity based games for mobile communication devices

• US 8,616,975 B1
• Filed: 09/04/2012
• Issued: 12/31/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PICO Mobile Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: PICO Mobile Networks Incorporated
• Inventors: Saund, Saran, Lambert, Paul A.
• Primary Examiner(s): D'Agostino, Paul A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Doshi, Ankit
• Application Number:
  US13/602,850
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 463/30, 463/41, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/31 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 13/358 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 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location

Abstract

A first wireless device including a communication module and a processor. The communication module is configured to detect a wireless signal from a target device. The processor is configured to determine a radial proximity of the first wireless devices to the target device based on a strength of the wireless signal. The processor is configured to execute a program. The program allows a user of the first wireless device to play a game with a second wireless device executing the program. The program is configured to generate a pictorial representation of the game on the first wireless device and the second wireless device. The processor is configured to alter the pictorial representation of the game on the first wireless device and the second wireless device based on the radial proximity of the first wireless device to the target device.

Claims

1. A first wireless device comprising:

a communication module configured to detect a wireless signal from a target device; and

a processor configured to;

determine a radial proximity of the first wireless devices to the target device based on a strength of the wireless signal; and

execute a program, wherein the program

allows a user of the first wireless device to play a game with a second wireless device;

generates a pictorial representation of the game on the first wireless device and the second wireless device according to data exchanged between the first wireless device and the second wireless device during the game; and

alters the pictorial representation of the game on the first wireless device and the second wireless device based on (i) the data exchanged between the first wireless device and the second wireless device during the game, and (ii) the radial proximity of the first wireless device to the target device,

wherein the processor is configured to calculate a distance of the first wireless device from the target device based on the strength of the wireless signal, and

wherein the communication module is configured to transmit the distance to the second wireless device.

2. The first wireless device of claim 1, wherein the program is configured to determine a reward based on the radial proximity.

3. The first wireless device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to generate an alert in response to receiving a reward from the target device.

4. The first wireless device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to generate an alert in response to the first wireless devices being proximate to the target device.

5. The first wireless device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to generate an alert in response to identifying the second wireless device within a range of the first wireless device.

6. The first wireless device of claim 1, wherein:

the pictorial representation includes a pictorial representation of functions and data associated with the game;

the functions include functions to initiate, progress, and terminate the game; and

the data include audio and video content of the game.

7. The first wireless device of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured to output the pictorial representation.

8. The first wireless device of claim 1, wherein the communication module is configured to access the program stored on a server.

9. The first wireless device of claim 1, further comprising memory configured to store the program.

10. A method comprising:

receiving, at a first wireless device, a wireless signal from a target device;

determining a radial proximity of the first wireless devices to the target device based on a strength of the wireless signal;

executing a program on the first wireless device and a second wireless device to allow a user of the first wireless device to play a game with the second wireless device;

generating a pictorial representation of the game on the first wireless device and the second wireless device;

altering the pictorial representation of the game on the first wireless device and the second wireless device based on the radial proximity of the first wireless device to the target device;

calculating a distance of the first wireless device from the target device based on the strength of the wireless signal; and

transmitting the distance to the second wireless device.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising determining a reward based on the radial proximity.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising generating an alert in response to receiving a reward from the target device.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising generating an alert in response to the first wireless devices being proximate to the target device.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising generating an alert in response to identifying the second wireless device within a range of the first wireless device.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein:

the pictorial representation includes a pictorial representation of functions and data associated with the game;

the functions include functions to initiate, progress, and terminate the game; and

the data include audio and video content of the game.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising outputting the pictorial representation on a user interface of the first wireless device.

17. The method of claim 10, further comprising accessing the program stored on a server.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising storing the program on the first wireless device.