CN1838980A - Method and device for supporting wireless multi-player gaming with a multi-player game hub - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to wireless multi-player gaming with mobile game devices. It also relates to a method and a device capable of reducing the communication load of mobile game devices in wireless multi-player gaming. The method of the present invention is provided to support wireless multi-player gaming with a multi-player game hub, wherein in said method said hub is setting up wireless connections to at least two mobile game devices by performing an initialization procedure according to an initialization protocol. These connections form a hub-to all wireless network, wherein each connected game device is wirelessly connected as a slave device in said wireless network. In the method the hub further comprises controlling the transfer of game execution data between said at least two game devices. Thereby a method and a game system is provided to separate the communication load from the game execution load keeping the processing resources of the gaming devices clear for executing the game software in wireless multi-player gaming.

Description

Method and apparatus for supporting wireless multiplayer gaming using a multiplayer gaming hub

technical field

The present invention relates to wireless multiplayer gaming using mobile gaming devices. It also relates to new possibilities for relieving the communication load of mobile gaming devices in wireless multiplayer games. The present invention deals with central server-based multi-party game services and usage scenarios. In this scenario, the central server acts as the main part of the game that serves the different game participants and manages the communication and data exchange between the game participants. The present invention proposes a novel general-purpose multiplayer game server/hub particularly suitable for use in local networks.

Background technique

Currently, different types of mobile gaming devices are available. For example, SEGA ^™ GAMEGEAR ^™ , ATARI ^™ LYNX ^™ and the commercially successful NINTENDO ^™ , GAMEBOY ^™ . All these devices offer the possibility to play electronic games from inserted mass storage devices storing game software. Currently, some mobile gaming devices allow users to play against each other in certain games by using link cables. The cable link enables users to connect gaming devices of the same type to each other and play against each other in competitive or strategy games.

Conventionally, gaming devices are connected via a wired connection, and one or each of the devices requires a mass storage device to store the game software, depending on the complexity of the game.

Currently, it is possible to connect a mobile gaming device with a game console or a video game via a respective cable in order to use the mobile gaming device as a controller for said game console. The connection can also be used to exchange data between console and mobile versions of the same video game. Currently, there are also adapters available that allow users to use mobile versions of video games stored in solid-state memory devices with game consoles. In mobile applications, game functionality and interface are a compromise between usability and portability. With the help of such adapters, users can play games optimized for mobile games on the TV screen at home, so as to obtain a more convenient visual interface than the 6×6cm LCD screen of mobile gaming devices.

An example of wireless gaming is currently only available as a wireless controller for a conventional game console, utilizing a wireless infrared or radio connection instead of a cable connection to the user input interface. This connection is usually a one-way connection from the controller to the game console.

Other examples of mobile gaming devices connected via a wireless connection are described, for example, in document WO 93 23125 and US Patent 5,618,045. Both documents mention portable gaming devices that can be used for multiplayer games.

US Patent 5,618,045 discloses a communication topology in which every device can communicate with every other device by means of an ad hoc wireless all-to-all broadcast network. By using an all-to-all wireless all-to-all broadcast network, each of the devices must handle communication with every other device. Consequently, each of said devices must provide its considerable processing resources for communication, and these resources cannot be used to execute the game itself, thereby reducing the complexity of the game. It has been noted that the greater the number of participating gaming devices, the more processing power each device requires to handle communications with the other devices. Therefore, in the case of two connected gaming devices, the execution of the game may not be significantly affected by the processing of the communication messages. However, if more than, say, 4 devices are connected, processing communication packets and executing games may overload the processor. This overload may significantly interfere with the execution of the game itself, with users noticing slower and/or unstable execution of the game.

Document WO 93 23125 discloses a mobile gaming device capable of playing multiplayer games using a star topology type of communication architecture. This architecture reduces the overhead for providing communications for all devices except the master that communicates. The star topology relieves the data traffic of each of said slaves at the expense of the master. Therefore, it is possible that the main device happens to hit its computing limit, slowing down the game execution. In addition, the significant increase in power consumption of the main device can result in shortened game times and battery-induced limitations on the maximum game time of multiplayer games.

All the above methods for mobile wireless multiplayer games have one thing in common: they are not fully suitable for use with mobile end-devices, because the computation used to provide the communication is The load can significantly degrade the gaming experience. Therefore, there is a need for a wireless multiplayer gaming architecture/system to overcome the aforementioned problems.

Contents of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for wireless multiplayer gaming supported on a wireless multiplayer game hub is provided. Note that the word "wireless" in the context of this specification refers only to the data connection between the game hub and the game device. Thus, a "wireless gaming hub" may actually include, for example, a power supply cable, or may include a cable connection to an external display or audio device. The method of the present invention includes establishing a wireless connection to at least two mobile game devices at the wireless multiplayer game hub, and controlling the transfer of game execution data between the at least two game devices.

The establishment of said wireless connection, eg a radio or infrared (IR) connection to at least two mobile gaming devices is performed by an initialization procedure according to an initialization protocol. By establishing wireless connections to at least two devices, a wireless network is formed, wherein the wireless network is a hub-to-all wireless network. In the hub-to-all network, each of the connected gaming devices is wirelessly connected as a slave device in the wireless network. In the hub-to-all network, there is no direct connection between the gaming devices. It should be noted that in the case of two devices, the wireless multiplayer game hub could act as a repeater or relay station just to receive and forward game execution data, but this is not the case. In fact, the wireless multiplayer hub device actually acts as a communications controller, coordinating the flow of data between two or more related devices, so each of said devices only needs to communicate with one device, the hub.

The wireless multiplayer game hub coordinates the exchange of game data between the wirelessly connected mobile game devices, and thus the hub itself does not actually need to know the content of said data or their role in the game. Basically, the hub itself does not need to interpret the game data, therefore, does not need to have specific information about the game, and furthermore, the hub does not need to load any game program. The hub therefore requires no user interface (except for example for controlling the power supply), no interface for accessing mass storage devices, and no processing unit for executing game software.

In this basic implementation, it is assumed that all devices connected to the hub device have access to compatible game software. The software can be downloaded from a dedicated game server, or provided in the form of a pluggable memory module.

In an example implementation of the method, the establishment of the wireless connection includes: sending an initialization message, receiving an identification message, and establishing a connection.

By sending initialization messages, for example after an initialization process, the wireless multiplayer game hub device searches for gaming devices. The initialization process may be performed according to an initialization protocol used in a radio interface or an infrared interface. By receiving identification messages from the gaming devices, the hub device may determine the presence of other gaming devices. After finding at least two devices, the hub may establish a connection to the gaming devices to initiate communication between the gaming devices. During this initialization process, it may be necessary to determine what type of game software is actually present in the game device, so as to ensure that the game hardware/software actually used is actually compatible. It is possible to combine initialization processing with authorization steps, for example, with user validation. With the confirmation process, it can be ensured that only devices that are part of the party can join the running game. In addition, acknowledgments can increase the reliability of data transfers, since devices that have been identified as faulty cannot participate in data communication.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, the method further includes connecting to a mass storage and reading data contained in the mass storage. It should be noted that the mass storage may be connected directly to the hub device, or indirectly through (eg, wirelessly) connected mobile gaming devices to the hub device.

The mass storage device may be a detachable or interchangeable mass storage device, such as an MMC (Multimedia Card) or other type of flash memory card, which can be directly read by a mobile terminal or a game hub, or the game hub can The memory device is read indirectly via the connection to the mobile terminal.

Data can be read via a reader interface or reader device. Hub devices are not necessarily limited to mobile devices, therefore, readers may also include eg CD (Compact Disk) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) readers to access mass storage devices.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the read data includes: initialization control data and transfer control data for performing the connection establishment and the game data transfer. Hub devices can receive additional information to provide improved data transfer. The initialization control data and transfer control data for performing said connection establishment may be used to configure the software of the wireless mobile game device to execute the hub process. The software can be included on hardware storage devices normally used to store games. The wireless multiplayer game device can be configured as a hub when a certain mass memory including only communication process data but not game data is inserted.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, said read data comprises game data and said method further comprises transmitting said game data to each of said connected slave devices via a radio or infrared wireless interface.

By using this embodiment, the hub can download and forward the game software from one of the connected slave devices to another connected slave device. That is, when playing a low complexity game such as Tetris, the entire software can be transferred from one of the connected gaming devices to the other via the wireless connection. The game software transfer can be used to play multiplayer versions of the game without actually equipping each of said devices with a mass memory storing the game software. In the case of very complex games, this is rather unlikely to happen, as the transfer time for software transfers increases with the number of connected devices and software complexity. It is also possible to read the game software in the hub device and forward it to other connected slave game devices.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, said method further comprises: generating a video/audio output based on said game data from said connected mass storage and based on said transferred game execution data. Mobile gaming devices such as the Nokia N-Gage ^TM have always been optimized for portability reasons to be small and portable. Non-mobile home hubs do not have this limitation, and therefore can provide means to accommodate inexpensive mass storage devices such as CDs or DVDs, in addition to providing connections suitable for home appliances. To allow portable gaming devices to access storage or interfaces that are not space-optimized (eg, TV or home stereo connectors), wireless gaming hubs can provide mobile links to non-mobile electronic applications. Depending on the processing power of the mobile gaming device and the hub, it can be estimated that the user interface may not be of the visual quality of a proprietary home gaming console. The hub can be equipped with game-specific video enhancement software to be able to provide a video interface compatible with the TV. That is, the game is still executed on the mobile device, but the hub can provide a video output signal suitable for large screen needs, ie higher resolution.

In another example embodiment, the method further comprises: executing said game play data received from said connected mass storage according to said transmitted game play data. By executing the game data, the hub device may provide an additional output interface with eg a panorama of the game scene or a map-like representation. Another application has the possibility to use the mobile wireless gaming device as a controller for a game that is actually running on the hub device.

In yet another example embodiment of the present invention, the establishment of the wireless connection and the transfer of the game execution data are performed according to the Bluetooth protocol. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the establishment of the wireless connection and the transfer of the game execution data are performed according to a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) protocol.

By using W-LAN and Bluetooth, the invention can be implemented without developing a wireless interface or even a new data exchange protocol.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for operating a gaming system including a hub and a mobile gaming device is provided. The method includes the hub-based procedures described above. Additionally, the method includes receiving user input at said mobile gaming device, executing game software based on said received user input, generating game execution data to be transmitted to other mobile gaming devices, and transmitting to said hub via a wireless connection. the data. The method further includes receiving game execution data from other mobile game devices via the hub, and executing the game software according to the received game execution data. The method also includes exchanging initialization data, identification data, and game data between the mobile gaming device and the wireless gaming hub. The wording "wireless" simply refers to the wireless connection between the hub and the mobile gaming device. A "wireless gaming hub" may actually include, for example, a power supply cable or a video/audio output cable or connector.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a software tool comprising program code means for executing the method described above when said program product is run on a computer or network device.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a computer program product is provided. The computer program product can be downloaded from a server to execute the method described above. The computer program product includes program code means. When the above-mentioned program is used, the program code means executes all the steps of the above-mentioned method.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer-readable medium for executing the method described above when the program product is run on a computer or network device. The computer program product may be implemented, for example, as a mass storage device for use in a wireless mobile gaming device comprising only an initialization engine and a game communication control engine. When such mass storage is plugged into a conventional wireless multiplayer gaming device, the device can be configured to act only as a hub without the ability to simultaneously execute gaming software.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computer data signal is provided. This computer data signal is embodied in a carrier wave and represents a program which, when said computer program is run on a computer or network device, causes the computer to carry out the steps of the method contained in the preceding description.

According to another aspect of the invention, a wireless multiplayer game hub is provided. The multiplayer game hub includes a wireless interface, an initialization engine, and a game communication control engine.

The wireless (eg, radio or IR) interface is adapted to provide connections to at least two mobile wireless gaming devices simultaneously. The wireless interface is connected to the initialization engine in such a way that the initialization can perform an initialization process to subsequently connect at least two mobile wireless gaming devices. The initialization engine uses a star communication topology, where the hub is always set up as the master of the local wireless network, and where each connected mobile wireless gaming device logs onto the network as a slave.

The initialization engine can be implemented separately in a manner similar to that disclosed in, for example, WO 93 23125, and the game communication control engine can be implemented separately in a manner similar to that disclosed in document USP 5,618,045.

Currently, a game server is only dedicated to a specific game and must include both game logic and communication protocols, so it is inflexible and needs to be installed/uninstalled for each game. Unlike the prior art, the present invention proposes a universal multi-party gaming hub that takes over the task of communication between different gaming devices, reducing the communication overhead for each of said devices to a single connection to the gaming hub. In other words, the basic idea of the invention is based on separating the game logic from the game data and communication management in the case of multi-party games. According to the invention, all gaming devices actively participating in a multiplayer game no longer need to manage communication between the devices.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless multiplayer game hub further includes: a processing unit and an interface of a large-capacity storage, wherein the processing unit is connected to the interface of the large-capacity storage and the wireless interface. Thus, the game hub can read, for example, game software and transfer the software via the wireless interface to a wirelessly connected mobile game device. The extended capabilities of the game hub can also be described as a game server, so in the following the expression "game hub" is used for the communication device and "game server" is used for the game hub capable of executing game software. If the mass storage interface is compatible with the mass storage device used in the wireless mobile gaming device, then using a single mass storage device in the hub is sufficient to transfer game software to the device. Therefore, a single mass storage device containing games is sufficient to provide multiplayer gaming capabilities to all connected gaming devices.

In yet an additional example embodiment of the present invention, the wireless multiplayer game hub/server further comprises: a display controller and a display interface, wherein the display controller is connected to the display interface and the processing unit. A monitor or video controller enables the hub to interface with home entertainment equipment such as a television or stereo. In mobile applications, game functionality and interfaces are a compromise between usability and portability. The hub can overcome the inconvenience caused by the portability limitations of laptop-like docking stations when playing gaming devices at home. To make it most convenient, do it wirelessly.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, the wireless multiplayer game hub further includes a user interface. As noted above, a wireless multiplayer gaming device can be configured to act as a mobile wireless multiplayer hub. This mobile wireless gaming hub is battery powered for easy mobility. The mobile wireless gaming hub may be based on a wireless multiplayer gaming device equipped with a user interface, so the mobile wireless gaming hub also includes a user interface. A user interface can be used to perform identification and authorization procedures. Also, it helps to change the settings of the connected TV screen, which can run at 50Hz, 60Hz, or even 100Hz. Computer monitors offer even more varied display parameters, which can be selected via the user interface.

In another example embodiment of the present invention, the wireless multiplayer game hub further includes a desktop charger unit. A desktop charger unit is provided for plugging a wireless gaming device requiring charging into the hub to connect it to a power source in the hub. The charger unit of the hub device may provide a "docking station" for the mobile end device to provide a combined charger stand and multi-person hub. It is also possible to provide a desktop charger with more than one charger base. The hub device may include charger docks or slots for 2, 3 or even more than 3 devices in order to simultaneously charge, for example, multiplayer gaming devices of more than one family member.

The mechanical and electrical interface provided by the desktop charger of the hub may also provide an electrical data interface for transferring data. Thus, a user is able to place a mobile gaming device on/into the hub and press a button to authenticate/authorize the device for game play. It is also possible to provide a desktop charger interface with additional contacts to enable the hub device to access data stored, for example, in a mass memory plugged into said mobile gaming terminal which in turn is plugged into said desktop In the charger interface. Therefore, the game software stored in the mass memory can be accessed conveniently and quickly. This feature can also be used to transfer game data from one device to another by placing the first device in the charger and activating the mirroring of the game data/software to the internal memory of the hub device. The stored game data/software can then be loaded onto the next mobile gaming device by placing the device in the charger dock and uploading the software/data.

In yet another example embodiment, the wireless multiplayer game hub further includes a modem. A modem is provided for Internet access so that surfing can be done via said modem and a Bluetooth connection to the wireless multiplayer gaming device. If the device is also equipped with a display controller and video output, the user can use his wireless multiplayer gaming device as an input device for Internet surfing and a connected monitor/TV screen for displaying selected web pages. The hub may also include memory to enable the hub to download game software for use in multiplayer games.

In yet another example embodiment of the present invention, the wireless multiplayer game hub is implemented in a wireless mobile gaming device. The wireless multiplayer game hub may be implemented in a manner such that the wireless mobile gaming device includes a separate wireless multiplayer game hub, wherein a hardwired connection may be provided between the hub and the gaming device such that the device A radio or IR connection between them is more economical. The wireless multiplayer game hub can also be implemented as a clip-on or plug-in module of a wireless mobile game device, so that users only need to carry a combined device to experience multiplayer games. Due to the high power consumption, such plug-in or clip-on modules can be equipped with an auxiliary power supply. The wireless gaming device may also include a mobile phone.

According to another aspect of the invention, a wireless multiplayer gaming system is provided. The wireless multiplayer game system includes: the multiplayer game hub according to the foregoing description and a wireless mobile game device. The wireless mobile gaming devices are connectable to the hub via a wireless communication link, wherein the hub is a master device in the link and each of the mobile gaming devices is a slave device in the link. The device is provided to execute game software and communicate game execution data via the connected hub.

Description of drawings

Describe the present invention in detail below with reference to accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 represents conventional wireless multi-person network architecture;

FIG. 2A shows a wireless multi-person network architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2B shows the wireless multiplayer network architecture of Figure 2A equipped with a wireless multiplayer gaming device acting as a hub;

Fig. 3 represents another wireless multi-person network architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 shows the basis of a wireless multiplayer game hub according to an embodiment of the present invention

Implementation method;

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of a wireless multiplayer game hub/server according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method for supporting wireless multiplayer gaming at a wireless multiplayer game hub.

Detailed ways

Typically, server-based multi-party games require a central server containing the main game application, a predetermined data exchange protocol for data exchange between different game clients running on the devices of the game participants. The client server may run on a mobile device, such as a mobile game console, or on a stationary device, such as a personal computer or a home game console. In all existing cases, the server must have precise knowledge of the game logic and communication protocols. Either hardcode such knowledge into a software module of the server, or store such knowledge on the server machine's mass storage, such as a hard drive. Therefore, the software modules of the game server that are actually required must be pre-installed on the server machine. This is of course beneficial in the case of complex wide area network based multi-party game servers where the game includes very complex logic and/or the number of game participants to be served during the game is quite large (e.g. greater than 8) ), and therefore the communication protocol is very complex. In this use case, it is very useful to have the game logic pre-installed on a powerful game server machine, because on the one hand, whenever game participants wish to play a round, they can start playing the game almost immediately without having to execute Lengthy installation process. On the other hand, a powerful server machine handles the communication management between the client devices so that the client devices do not have to spend their large computing power for communication management. Instead, the computing power of the client device can be used to achieve a more complex visual and auditory experience of the game content itself.

However, the problem in such configurations is the fact that the games must be pre-installed on the server machine, and virtually every game requires a dedicated server. Such servers are generally fixed and not very flexible to use. If the server machine is to support a new game, the new game must be installed and depends on the memory capacity of the server machine. Sometimes other software modules or games must be uninstalled to free up more memory for the new game, which requires a relatively long period of time for performing the installation and uninstallation process. Current game servers are only dedicated to one specific game and must include both game logic and communication protocols. They are inflexible and require installation/uninstallation for each game. Additionally, in local network based multiplayer games, one or all of the wireless multiplayer gaming devices must act as game servers.

Figure 1 depicts a wireless multiplayer gaming network comprising wireless multiplayer gaming devices 40, 42' and 42". The wireless multiplayer gaming devices are connected via a radio connection 44. Each of said devices is equipped with a mass memory 46 for Game logic software is provided to each of said devices 40-42". In FIG. 1, the wireless multiplayer gaming device 40 acts as a game server, therefore, the device must reserve a large amount of its capabilities for communication monitoring. Correspondingly, the user's game experience of the wireless multiplayer game device 40 will be affected. The increased communication load does not affect the other devices 42-42". In order to prevent the wireless multiplayer gaming device 40 and its players from being at a disadvantage relative to other devices/players, a convoy principle can be used where the game The slowest performing device determines the game execution speed of all connected wireless multiplayer devices. This reduces the game experience for all players. Therefore, in a regular multiplayer game with wireless multiplayer devices, the complexity of the game Or execution speed will be limited by the capabilities of the wireless multiplayer device acting as the game server.

2A and 2B illustrate a wireless multiplayer network architecture according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 2A, the network proposed by the present invention offers the possibility to have a universal multi-party game server. The present invention proposes a general wireless multiplayer game server 50 for wireless multiplayer games, which only controls the communication between client devices and does not care about the game logic itself. The wireless multiplayer game server 50 may operate as a wireless multiplayer game hub, capable of providing communication between many wireless multiplayer game devices 42-42'' on its own.

Game logic 46 will be implemented (e.g., as mass storage) on each wireless multiplayer game device 42-42'', and each client software will rely on game participant state data distributed via common wireless multiplayer game server 50. , showing the game state of all participants.

In other words, the basic idea of the invention is based on separating the game logic from the game data and communication management in the case of a multi-party game. The generic wireless game server 50 is only concerned with communication management and service discovery and game participant management. Furthermore, the generic game server is not limited to a specific (predetermined) communication scheme. So neither limited to dedicated games nor limited to certain types of games.

For Figure 2A, the main assumption is that each mobile gaming device involved has a removable mass storage medium (such as a Multimedia Card (MMC)) that contains the actual game data and engine. But the universal wireless multiplayer game server 50 does not necessarily have any device to read the removable mass storage medium. The universal wireless game server 50 includes two intelligent engines, an initialization engine and a game communication control engine.

The initialization engine is based on a predetermined protocol. If a user wishes to start a multiplayer game using the universal wireless multiplayer game server 50, one of the game participants must connect his mobile wireless gaming device 42-42'' to the universal wireless multiplayer game server 50 and send the game server the required game data. Data exchange will be based on predetermined protocols, such as text-based markup languages.

The game data sent to the general game server 50 will handle user interface applications and possible game options, such as the maximum number of game devices 42-42'', supported levels and configurations, and the like. The game data sent will also handle game specific events and states that may occur while playing the game. Game events reflect game inputs created by game participants, while game states reflect state-dependent events such as game over, going to next level, etc.

After initialization is complete, the server 50 is ready to serve groups 42-42'' who wish to play a round together. The game participants 42-42'' register themselves with the game server 50 using a wireless connection to the game wheel and start playing the game. Thereafter, the general game server 50 is responsible for maintaining the game service. It receives input events and game events from each game participant 42-42'' and transmits them periodically (eg, up to 50 times per second) to the other players 42-42''. Each mobile wireless multiplayer game device 42-42'' involved in the game periodically receives update packets from the general game server 50. This packet includes input events and game state involving all parties in the game. Thus, the game engine implemented on the mobile wireless multiplayer game device 42-42'', containing the actual game logic, updates the game state by presenting visual and auditory signals (display frames and audio game signals) dependent on the data received.

In FIG. 2A, the generic wireless game server 50 merely provides communication between wireless multiplayer game devices. The server can be implemented using components in the wireless multiplayer gaming device.

FIG. 2B shows the wireless multiplayer network architecture of FIG. 2A in which the wireless hub is provided with a wireless multiplayer gaming device acting as the hub. In FIG. 2B, a wireless multiplayer game device 52 acting as a hub replaces the general wireless game server 50 of FIG. 2A. The wireless multiplayer gaming device 52 acting as a hub merely provides communication between the wireless multiplayer gaming devices. In contrast to the architecture disclosed in Figure 2A, only one type of gaming device is used. There is no proprietary hub device required, so the production and development costs of the hub device can be eliminated. Similar to Figure 1, the network architecture of Figure 2B is provided for 4 participating players. Compared to the architecture of Figure 1, 5 instead of only 4 wireless multiplayer gaming devices are required.

This is accomplished by using a wireless multiplayer game device equipped with, for example, a mass storage device that includes only software that configures the wireless multiplayer game device to act as the wireless multiplayer game server 50 of FIG. 2A . The material prerequisites are already provided in a wireless multiplayer game device and provided, for example, in a mass memory module, only for communication control software. At this time, the wireless multiplayer game system includes five wireless multiplayer game devices, four of which 42-42'' actively execute the game software and interact with the players, and one executes the wireless multiplayer game server software. This includes a conventional multiplayer gaming device 54 as well as multiplayer gaming devices 42-42'' that are identical from a hardware point of view.

Similar to FIG. 2A, game logic 46 may be implemented on each wireless multiplayer game device 42-42'' (eg, as mass storage). The general purpose wireless multiplayer gaming device 52 acting as a hub is only concerned with communication management and service discovery and game participant management. The wireless multiplayer gaming device 52 acting as a hub cannot be used to participate in a multiplayer game, as indicated by a cross 54 on the user input interface of the wireless multiplayer gaming device 52 acting as a hub.

Although the terminal cannot be used as an active game player, the game scene can be displayed on the device, so that it is possible, for example, to have a passive game observer acting as a referee.

Furthermore, the wireless multiplayer gaming device 52 acting as a hub is not limited to specific (predetermined) communication schemes, dedicated games, or certain types of games.

The wireless multiplayer game device 52 acting as a hub includes two intelligent engines, an initialization engine and a game communication control engine, such as the general multiplayer game server 50 of FIG. 2A . The implementation of the game execution and data exchange protocol is similar to that in Figure 2A.

Fig. 3 shows another wireless multiplayer network architecture according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, a wireless multiplayer game server 52 acts as a communications manager as well as a game logic distributor.

In this case, its main assumption is the fact that the wireless multiplayer game server 52 is equipped with a removable mass memory 48, which contains game data and logic. Wireless multiplayer gaming devices 42-42'' may not necessarily have means to read such mass storage media.

In FIG. 3, the wireless multiplayer game server 52 is equipped with higher intelligence (software complexity). This is necessary because it not only controls game execution by managing communications between mobile devices as described in FIG. 2, but also supports the mass storage medium 48 that contains the game logic. In this case, it is not necessarily necessary to transmit game communication data from one of the mobile wireless multiplayer game devices 42-42'' to the server 52. The wireless multiplayer game server 52 must send the actual game logic to the mobile wireless multiplayer game devices 42-42'' because they have no logic inside. Distributing game logic to mobile wireless multiplayer gaming devices 42-42'' is also based on a predetermined protocol, such as a text-based markup language.

The game control engine of the universal wireless game server 52 has the same responsibilities as described in FIG. 2 . It is responsible for the service discovery and establishment of the multi-party game wheel. Persons wishing to play the game must register themselves with the engine using a wireless connection such as Bluetooth (BT) or Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). After this step, the wireless multiplayer game server 52 will send the actual game logic retrieved from the mass storage 48 to the relevant device. The wireless multiplayer gaming device 42-42'' sends an acknowledgment back to the server 52 upon receipt of all game logic. Thereafter, the actual game will start and the general game server 52 will take care of game communication management as described in FIG. 2 . It receives input events and game events from each game participant and broadcasts them to other participants periodically (eg, up to 50 times per second). Each mobile wireless multiplayer game device 42-42'' involved in the game periodically receives update packets from the general game server 52. This packet includes input events and game state for all parties involved in the game. Thus, the game engine on the mobile game console, which contains the actual game logic, updates the game situation by presenting visual and auditory signals (display frames and audio game signals) that depend on the data received.

In both cases of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the servers 50, 52 may be implemented as stand-alone devices with integrated BT and/or WLAN capabilities. As mentioned above, the main function of a general game server is the control and execution of communication and data exchange.

During game play, the general game server 50, 52 also controls the presence/absence of game participants. If a certain game participant wishes to leave or join a game party, it must send a signal from the wireless multiplayer game device 42-42'' to the general game server 50, 52 indicating the intention to leave/join the game.

Figure 4 shows a basic implementation of a wireless multiplayer game hub according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the universal wireless game hub 2 is embodied as a game communication controller. In Figure 4, the game communication server is only acting as a data transfer provider, therefore, the term "hub" is used to emphasize the main communication implementation of the wireless multiplayer game server.

The implementation is based on two parts. A stand-alone wireless multiplayer game hub 2 requires sufficient computing power and memory (not shown). The hub device 2 is equipped with at least one wireless connection means, such as BT or W-LAN. The hub 2 is equipped with an initialization engine 8 and a communication engine 9 for exchanging game communication data in a predetermined manner. Both engines require a data exchange protocol. Both engines are connected to a transceiver 4 equipped with an antenna 6 .

This implementation can be done in a generic way, for example using a text-based markup language. By using a binary protocol, the protocol design can be optimized in relation to loading time (time required for initialization).

If you use a Bluetooth connection, you need to consider that a Bluetooth piconet can support up to 8 Bluetooth devices connected to each other. For example, if two Bluetooth modules are implemented in the game hub 50, the two Bluetooth modules can act as masters in two piconets connected to the Bluetooth scatternet. By coordinating the game execution data, 14 wireless mobile gaming devices can be connected to the game hub 50 without any interference with the game execution itself.

Game developers who wish to develop multiparty games using a general purpose game server must understand the protocol. For this purpose, a set of application protocol interfaces (APIs) reflecting the required functionality can be prepared and implemented as a dynamically loaded library. This library can be provided to game developers for further usefulness. The library should contain at least functionality to communicate information to the generic game server, such as the maximum number of participants, the number of events, a list of available events, user interface options, available game states and levels, and basic exception handling in case of communication errors .

Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of the wireless multiplayer game server 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the general wireless game server 2 includes a communication controller and a game logic distributor.

In Figure 5, the general game server is equipped with more computing power. The game server 2 not only functions as a communication server, but can also be the only device in the local network equipped with a removable mass storage medium 22 containing the actual game logic. In Fig. 5, the game server 2 is a stand-alone device equipped with the required internal memory and computing power.

Also, in this case the server 2 requires wireless connection means such as BT or WLAN, which is provided by the transceiver 4 connected to the antenna 6 . The server will be based on two software engines. The connection control engine or initialization engine 8 is responsible for handling game service discovery and monitoring the availability of connected devices while playing games. The server 2 is also equipped with a game control engine 10 for monitoring the game flow during game play. It is also responsible for managing game communication, i.e. collecting input events from all devices involved in a multiplayer game and distributing these events excessively so that each device periodically gets a sync packet which includes all events generated by the device concerned.

The software engine 10 is responsible for distributing the game logic excessively to the parties of the game with respect to the mobile game device. For this purpose, a predetermined communication protocol based on a markup language (similar to Fig. 4) can be used.

Via the Bluetooth module 4, the wireless multiplayer game server 2 can be linked to wireless multiplayer game devices 42-42''. The wireless multiplayer game server 2 may include a controller 16 and connectors for various fixed devices such as TV out, stereo audio line out, Ethernet and LAN.

The wireless multiplayer game server 2 may include an interface 14 for a mass storage device 22', such as an MMC slot and/or a CD/DVD-R/RW drive. The wireless multiplayer game server 2 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 12 and internal RAM (not shown).

Wireless Multiplayer Server 2 does not require a built-in user interface. A user can control the game server 2 through a wireless connection through at least one of the connected wireless multiplayer game devices.

Game content can be transferred from the wireless multiplayer game server 2 to the wireless multiplayer game device, and vice versa. Audio signals and control signals may be transmitted from the wireless multiplayer game device to the wireless multiplayer game server 2 via Bluetooth. The game server 2 has a processing unit 12 to run a mirror image of the game software.

A wireless multiplayer game server could also be implemented in such a way that the wireless multiplayer game device just wirelessly transmits keying to the multiplayer game server, and the entire game runs on the server. In the case of multiplayer games, the game server needs to run server software to combine the different screens.

A privilege management system can be implemented to allow two processors (the processor in the server and the processor in the game device) to run with the same game mass storage.

The wireless multiplayer game server 2 can be implemented as a wireless (Bluetooth or WLAN) station serving with CD/DVD R/RW storage devices and I/O connectors. A wireless multiplayer game server can be used to serve the following usage scenarios:

The server can play games and/or demos from an inserted CD/DVD.

The server can backup/store the games in the mobile wireless multiplayer gaming device.

The server can be connected to powerful user interface elements such as a television or home stereo for a richer gaming experience when used at home.

The server may display a game screen during a multiplayer game.

Wireless multiplayer game servers allow users to use the same physical mobile wireless gaming device and game content in both mobile and stationary environments. This is beneficial from an investment point of view and benefits from knowing the different devices.

The depicted wireless multiplayer game server further includes a modem 20 . The modem 20 may provide a connection 26 for accessing the Internet for surfing via the modem and a wireless connection to the connected mobile multiplayer gaming device.

The depicted wireless multiplayer game server 2 further includes a desktop charger unit 18 . A desktop charger unit 18 is provided for charging a mobile multiplayer game device connected to said wireless multiplayer game server 2 . The charger unit 18 may be provided as a "docking station" for the mobile end device, to provide a combined charger stand and multiplayer game server. It is also possible to connect a desktop charger unit 18 to the processor unit 12 for computer controlled charging of high performance rechargeable batteries. For clarity, the power supply is not depicted in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 6 shows a flowchart of a method for supporting wireless multiplayer gaming at a wireless multiplayer game hub. The method includes establishing a wireless (eg radio or IR) connection at the server to at least one mobile gaming device by performing an initialization procedure according to an initialization protocol. This initialization process includes initializing the preceding device discovery process 30 . During this discovery process, devices are detected via the air interface and a preliminary data exchange is performed to determine if the device is in fact a gaming device. During the initialization process 32, device and game communication data are exchanged in preparation for game data exchange. During this initialization process, a server-to-popular wireless network is formed, wherein each of said connected gaming devices is wirelessly connected as a slave device. That is, the server device is the master device and controls communication between all connected devices. It is assumed that at least two devices are actually connected to the server device.

If at least two devices are connected and a multiplayer game is started, the server device controls 34 the transfer of game execution data between said at least two gaming devices. In the case of two connected mobile gaming devices, the gain in performance is relatively small compared to the standard process where the devices simultaneously execute the gaming software and communicate. However, in the case of eg 7 connected mobile gaming devices, the execution of the communication requires a considerable amount of processing power which is otherwise not available for execution of the game.

The present invention can provide the following advantages:

Enables quick access to new games, as new games do not need to be installed on the game communication server.

Using a wireless local network, such as a Bluetooth-based or W-LAN-based connection, the gamer's run-time cost can be reduced because they do not have to pay for airtime in the game.

The computing power of the mobile game device can be better utilized because the general game server takes the communication load and takes care of the communication during game play.

When only BT, Auxiliary Video (AV) and serial port configurations are applied, the invention can be implemented without standard changes.

Additionally, other mobile enhancement vendors may provide compatible devices.

These advantages can be provided with a single additional dedicated server hardware.

This application contains a description of implementations and embodiments of the invention with the aid of examples. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to the details of the embodiments presented above and that it can also be implemented in another form without departing from the characteristics of the invention. The embodiments presented above should be considered as illustrative and not restrictive. Therefore, the possibilities of implementing and using the invention are limited only by the appended claims. Accordingly, various options for implementing the invention as defined by the appended claims, including their equivalent implementations, also belong to the present invention.

the scope of the invention.

List of Reference Numerals

2 wireless multiplayer hubs

4 wireless interface

6 antennas

8 Initialize the engine

9 Game communication control engine

10 game execution engine

12 processing units

14 Mass storage interface

16 Display/audio interface controller

18 desktop charger unit

20 Internet modems

22 mass storage device

24 video/display connections

26 Internet connection

30 Device Discovery Process

32 Initialization process

34 Game data exchange process

40 wireless multiplayer device acting as master

42-42 Wireless multiplayer gaming device acting as slave

44 wireless connection

46 Mass memory including game software

48 Mass storage including hub software

50 wireless multiplayer devices acting as master

52 Wireless Multiplayer Gaming Devices Acting as Hubs

54 Deactivated User Interface for Wireless Multiplayer Gaming Device Acting as Hub

Claims (21)

CLAIMS 1. A method for supporting wireless multiplayer gaming using a multiplayer gaming hub, the method comprising, in the hub: Establishing a wireless connection to at least two mobile gaming devices by performing an initialization process according to an initialization protocol to form a hub-to-all wireless network, wherein each of said connected gaming devices is wirelessly acting as a slave device in said wireless network connected, and Communication of game execution data between the at least two gaming devices is controlled. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the establishment of the wireless connection comprises: Send an initialization message to search for new wireless mobile gaming devices, receiving an identification message from said gaming device, and A connection is established to the gaming device. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising connect mass storage, and Data contained in the mass storage is read. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the data reading includes initialization control data and transfer control data for performing the connection establishment and the game data transfer. 5. A method according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said read data comprises game data, and said method further comprises Said game data is transmitted to each said connected slave device via a wireless interface. 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising generating video/audio output based on said game data from the connected mass storage, and based on said transferred game execution data. 7. A method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising, based on said transmitted game execution data, executing said game data received from said connected mass storage. 8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the establishment of the wireless connection and the transfer of the game execution data are performed according to the Bluetooth protocol. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the establishment of the wireless connection and the transfer of the game execution data are performed according to a WLAN protocol. 10. A method for performing a wireless multiplayer game in a wireless multiplayer gaming system comprising a game hub and at least two mobile gaming devices, wherein said method comprises any one of claims 1-9 The hub-based process of claim, and further comprising, on said mobile gaming device, receive user input, executing game software according to said received user input, generate game execution data to be transmitted to other mobile gaming devices, transmitting the data to the hub via a wireless connection, receiving game execution data from other mobile gaming devices via the hub, and The game software is executed according to the received game execution data. 11. A software tool comprising program code means stored on a computer-readable medium for performing any one of claims 1-10 when said software tool is run on a computer or network device required method. 12. A computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer-readable medium for executing any one of claims 1-10 when said program product is run on a computer or network device method of claim. 13. A computer program product comprising program code, the program product can be downloaded from a server, and when the program product is run on a computer or a network device, the program code is used to execute any one of claims 1-10 required method. 14. A multiplayer game hub comprising a wireless interface, an initialization engine and a game communication control engine, wherein the wireless interface is connected to the initialization engine and the game communication control engine. 15. The multiplayer game hub of claim 14, further comprising a processing unit and a mass storage interface, the processing unit being connected to the mass storage interface and the wireless interface. 16. A multiplayer game hub according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising a display controller and a display interface, wherein the display controller is connected to the display interface and the processing unit. 17. A multiplayer game hub according to any one of claims 14-16, further comprising a user interface. 18. A multiplayer game hub according to any one of claims 14-17, further comprising a desktop charger unit. 19. A multiplayer game hub according to any one of claims 14-18, further comprising a modem. 20. A multiplayer gaming hub according to any one of claims 14-19, wherein said multiplayer gaming hub is implemented in a wireless mobile gaming device. 21. A multiplayer game system, characterized in that the game system comprises a multiplayer game hub according to any one of claims 14-20, and a wireless mobile game device can communicate with the hub via a wireless communication link connected, wherein the hub is the master of the link and each of the mobile gaming devices is a slave of the link.

Images