U.S. Pat. No. 8,147,327

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is described below in the context of a data communications network10, shown inFIG. 1. Data communications network10provides networking capabilities for a plurality of mobile devices100, which may comprise cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, or personal game devices. The data communications network10enables mobile device users to participate in multiplayer games. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention is not limited to any specific type of data communications network or access technology.

The data communication network10comprises a mobile communication network20having one or more base stations or wireless access points22for communicating with mobile devices100. The mobile communication network20provides packet data services to mobile devices100as is known in the art and may operate according to any conventional standard, such as GSM, WCDMA, WiFi, WiMAX, and LTE standards. Mobile communication network20connects to a Packet Data Network (PDN)30. PDN30comprises a packet-switched network that implements conventional protocols, such as the suite of Internet protocols. The PDN30may comprise a public or private network, and may be a wide area or local area network. The Internet is one well-known example of a PDN30. Mobile devices100may also connect to the PDN30.

A game data object (GDO) server50connects to the mobile communication network20and/or PDN30and is accessible to the mobile devices100via the mobile communication network20and/or PDN30. The GDO server50provides online gaming services to mobile devices100and may function as a game server. In one exemplary embodiment, the mobile devices100may have a game client installed for interacting with the GDO server50. In other embodiments, the GDO server50may push game applications to the mobile devices100to enable players to play games with their mobile devices100.

The GDO server50enables two or more players to engage in a multiplayer game without the need to remain connected to the network for the duration of the game session. The game may be embodied in a series of GDOs that are pushed to the user one at a time. Each GDO may represent a distinct game stage or game scenario. As described in more detail below, the mobile devices100may connect to the GDO server50to download a GDO containing a game stage. When the GDO is downloaded, the mobile device100can disconnect from the game server50while the game stage is played. When the game stage is completed, the mobile device100can reconnect to the GDO server50and request a new game stage.

The GDOs may contain state information that updates a game application executing on the players' mobile devices100. When predetermined game events defined by a game stage or game scenario occur, the game client on the player's mobile device100sends an update request to the GDO server50. In response to the update request, the GDO server50sends a new GDO containing a new game stage to the game players.

FIG. 2illustrates an exemplary method200for updating a game session according to one embodiment of the invention. To simplify the description, it is assumed that there are two game players, denoted herein as Player A and Player B. Those skilled in the art will appreciate, however, that the principals may be easily extended to three or more players.

The GDO server50may allow the players to create customized game stages or game scenarios that are unique to the particular players. Before beginning a gaming session, Player A and Player B may optionally log into the GDO server50to create or define one or more game stages or game scenarios (block202). For example, the GDO server50may allow game players to define one or more events that may occur during a game stage, define characters in the game, define objects that appear in the game, and define rewards and penalties. The game stages or scenarios created by the players are stored as GDOs by the GDO server50(block204).

When the players are ready to begin playing the game, the players establish a gaming session (block206). At the start of the game session, a GDO corresponding to the first game stage is sent to each of the players. During the course of the game, the occurrence of certain predetermined game events defined by the game scenario will trigger the game application on the mobile device100to request an update from the GDO server50. When a game event is detected requiring an update of the game session (block208), the mobile device100connects to the GDO server50and sends an update request (block210). The update request includes an event identifier to identify the game event that triggered the update request, and a player identifier that identifies at least one other game player. For example, if Player A's game client detects the game event, Player A's game client sends an update request including the identity of Player B. Conversely, if the Player B's game client detects the game event, the Player B's game client sends the update request including the identity of Player A. In response to the update request, the GDO server50sends a new GDO corresponding to a new game stage to both players (block212). When the new GDO is received by the mobile device50(block214), the game session is updated (block216).

The game events that trigger game updates may comprise composite events. A composite event is an event having two or more components. For example, the game context may require a game player to move around in a real-world environment. The movement of the player in the real-world environment may be reflected in the virtual game environment. In this example, the game context may require the player to move to a predetermined location and perform some predetermined action. Thus, the composite game event comprises moving to location x and performing action y.

FIG. 3illustrates an exemplary mobile device100for online gaming The mobile device100comprises a game processor102, memory104, a communication interface106, and a user interface108. The game processor102may comprise one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, hardware circuits, and/or a combination thereof, for executing game applications and for communicating with the GDO server50. Memory104stores data and programs needed by the game processor52. Memory104may comprise one or more discrete memory devices, such as random access memory, read-only memory, and flash memory. Communications interface106connects the mobile device to the communication network10. The communication interface106may comprise, for example, a cellular transceiver, WiFi transceiver, an Ethernet interface, cable modem, or DSL interface. The user interface108may comprise a display for viewing game information and one or more input devices, such a keypad, joystick, etc for receiving user input. The mobile device100may further include a GPS receiver110for determining the location of the mobile device100. Alternatively, the players' mobile device100may determine its location using triangulation techniques as is known in the art.

FIG. 4illustrates an exemplary GDO server50. The GDO server50comprises a game processor52, memory54, communication interface56, and a mass storage device60. The data processor52may comprise one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, hardware circuits, and/or a combination thereof. Memory54stores data and programs needed by the data processor52. Memory54may comprise one or more discrete memory devices, such as random access memory, read-only memory, and flash memory. Communications interface56connects the GDO server50to the packet data network30or mobile communication network20. The communication interface56may comprise, for example, an Ethernet interface, cable modem, or DSL interface. The GDO server50receives update requests and sends GDO objects to players via the communication interface56. The mass storage device60, such as a magnetic or optical disk drive, stores game data objects.

The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.