Abstract:
A method for updating a game session comprises detecting a game event during a game session, sending an update request to a game data object server responsive to the game event, receiving a game data object from the game data server responsive to the update request, and updating the game session with the game data object. The update request preferably includes an event identifier associated with the game event and the identity of at least one game participant. Based on the player and event identified in the update request, the game data object server selects a corresponding game data object and sends the game data object to each of the players.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates generally to mobile gaming and, more particularly, to a method for updating a multiplayer game session on a mobile device. 
     The widespread availability of mobile communication devices, such as cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, and laptop computers, has lead to increasing demand for mobile game applications. In the past, most mobile game applications comprised single player applications that were pre-installed or downloaded into the memory of the mobile device. Many mobile devices have limited capabilities, such as small displays and limited memory. Further, many mobile devices may connect over communication links characterized by limited bandwidth and intermittent connectivity. These limitations make it difficult to implement multi-player games on mobile devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates generally to multi-player games designed to be played on mobile devices. The multi-player game may comprise a plurality of game stages or game scenarios that can be stored as game data objects at a game data object server connected to a communication network. The game data can be downloaded one at a time to the mobile devices to update a game session on the mobile devices. Because the game applications are executed independently on each of the mobile devices, the mobile devices do not have to remain connected to the network to continue playing the game. A mobile device involved in a multiplayer game may connect to the game server, download a game scenario, and disconnect while the scenario is played on the mobile device. When a game update is required, the mobile device can reconnect to the game server to request a game update. 
     One aspect of the present invention includes a method for updating a game session on a mobile device. The method comprises detecting a game event during a game session, sending an update request to a game data object server responsive to the game event, receiving a game data object from the game data server responsive to the update request, and updating the game session with the game data object. The update request preferably includes an event identifier associated with the game event and the identity of one or more game participants. The game data object server may select a game data object based on the event identifier and/or the game participants identified in the update request. The game data object is sent to all participants in the game and contains information for a new game stage or new game scenario. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary communication network for online gaming. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary method of updating a game session on a mobile device. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary mobile device for playing multiplayer games. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary game data object server. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is described below in the context of a data communications network  10 , shown in  FIG. 1 . Data communications network  10  provides networking capabilities for a plurality of mobile devices  100 , which may comprise cellular telephones, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, or personal game devices. The data communications network  10  enables 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 network  10  comprises a mobile communication network  20  having one or more base stations or wireless access points  22  for communicating with mobile devices  100 . The mobile communication network  20  provides packet data services to mobile devices  100  as is known in the art and may operate according to any conventional standard, such as GSM, WCDMA, WiFi, WiMAX, and LTE standards. Mobile communication network  20  connects to a Packet Data Network (PDN)  30 . PDN  30  comprises a packet-switched network that implements conventional protocols, such as the suite of Internet protocols. The PDN  30  may 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 PDN  30 . Mobile devices  100  may also connect to the PDN  30 . 
     A game data object (GDO) server  50  connects to the mobile communication network  20  and/or PDN  30  and is accessible to the mobile devices  100  via the mobile communication network  20  and/or PDN  30 . The GDO server  50  provides online gaming services to mobile devices  100  and may function as a game server. In one exemplary embodiment, the mobile devices  100  may have a game client installed for interacting with the GDO server  50 . In other embodiments, the GDO server  50  may push game applications to the mobile devices  100  to enable players to play games with their mobile devices  100 . 
     The GDO server  50  enables 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 devices  100  may connect to the GDO server  50  to download a GDO containing a game stage. When the GDO is downloaded, the mobile device  100  can disconnect from the game server  50  while the game stage is played. When the game stage is completed, the mobile device  100  can reconnect to the GDO server  50  and request a new game stage. 
     The GDOs may contain state information that updates a game application executing on the players&#39; mobile devices  100 . When predetermined game events defined by a game stage or game scenario occur, the game client on the player&#39;s mobile device  100  sends an update request to the GDO server  50 . In response to the update request, the GDO server  50  sends a new GDO containing a new game stage to the game players. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary method  200  for 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 server  50  may 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 server  50  to create or define one or more game stages or game scenarios (block  202 ). For example, the GDO server  50  may 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 server  50  (block  204 ). 
     When the players are ready to begin playing the game, the players establish a gaming session (block  206 ). 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 device  100  to request an update from the GDO server  50 . When a game event is detected requiring an update of the game session (block  208 ), the mobile device  100  connects to the GDO server  50  and sends an update request (block  210 ). 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&#39;s game client detects the game event, Player A&#39;s game client sends an update request including the identity of Player B. Conversely, if the Player B&#39;s game client detects the game event, the Player B&#39;s game client sends the update request including the identity of Player A. In response to the update request, the GDO server  50  sends a new GDO corresponding to a new game stage to both players (block  212 ). When the new GDO is received by the mobile device  50  (block  214 ), the game session is updated (block  216 ). 
     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. 3  illustrates an exemplary mobile device  100  for online gaming The mobile device  100  comprises a game processor  102 , memory  104 , a communication interface  106 , and a user interface  108 . The game processor  102  may comprise one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, hardware circuits, and/or a combination thereof, for executing game applications and for communicating with the GDO server  50 . Memory  104  stores data and programs needed by the game processor  52 . Memory  104  may comprise one or more discrete memory devices, such as random access memory, read-only memory, and flash memory. Communications interface  106  connects the mobile device to the communication network  10 . The communication interface  106  may comprise, for example, a cellular transceiver, WiFi transceiver, an Ethernet interface, cable modem, or DSL interface. The user interface  108  may comprise a display for viewing game information and one or more input devices, such a keypad, joystick, etc for receiving user input. The mobile device  100  may further include a GPS receiver  110  for determining the location of the mobile device  100 . Alternatively, the players&#39; mobile device  100  may determine its location using triangulation techniques as is known in the art. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary GDO server  50 . The GDO server  50  comprises a game processor  52 , memory  54 , communication interface  56 , and a mass storage device  60 . The data processor  52  may comprise one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, hardware circuits, and/or a combination thereof. Memory  54  stores data and programs needed by the data processor  52 . Memory  54  may comprise one or more discrete memory devices, such as random access memory, read-only memory, and flash memory. Communications interface  56  connects the GDO server  50  to the packet data network  30  or mobile communication network  20 . The communication interface  56  may comprise, for example, an Ethernet interface, cable modem, or DSL interface. The GDO server  50  receives update requests and sends GDO objects to players via the communication interface  56 . The mass storage device  60 , 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.