Abstract:
An operating method for a wireless recreation system is described. A recreation user can log on to a recreation network server located in a wireless network environment using a portable wireless apparatus. Afterward, the user can download audio or video data from the mentioned server, or send an instant message thereby, or play an online game anywhere. Following steps illustrates the operating method after switching the portable wireless recreation device on. First, a wireless module built into the wireless recreation device is activated. After searching for a nearby wireless station, a set network address is allocated. When a link between the wireless recreation device and the recreation server is established, the user can select recreation content from a recreation menu. Lastly, the user starts performing the recreation content after downloading the required objects from the server.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an operating method for a wireless recreation system and, more particularly, to a portable wireless device used by a user to link a wireless recreation platform to a global wireless network environment.  
         [0003]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0004]     When a wireless receive/transmit module is incorporated into a wireless device, such as a notebook having a wireless network card, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone or another mobile media device, the wireless device can perform wireless transmission or other related services within the range of a wireless station. Nevertheless, even though wireless devices are widely used, there are still many places the WLAN cannot reach since the “hot spots” are not widely dispersed.  
         [0005]     Furthermore, if a user desires to surf the Internet, download shared media content, send an instant message, or play an on-line game for example, a desktop computer or notebook is required for those applications. A conventional portable wireless device, such as a PDA or a cellular phone, can be used to link to the Internet if a user needs to use the recreation service in a location with a WLAN signal, but it is still inconvenient if there is no wireless signal somehow or not enough hot spots that allow wireless connectivity.  
         [0006]     In the prior art, if a user wants to play a game using their mobile phone, first of all, the game has to be downloaded into the device&#39;s memory through GPRS service or the like. The game can be played when the data thereof is completely loaded. Besides the standalone game in the mobile device, some parts of the game need to exchange some information with the game server to allow interaction with other users. Moreover, network connection fees and bandwidth are two major drawbacks of the conventional using method, and problems associated with transferring between wireless stations is still an issue for on-line game playing or instant messaging.  
         [0007]     U.S. Publication No. 2002/0174248 provides a solution for occupied bandwidth for sending an instant message and the data packets for on-line games. A broadcast channel for a communication channel of the prior art is used for data transmission between end users and the server during instant messaging. The broadcast channel is only occupied when network services are processing, but otherwise it will be unoccupied.  
         [0008]     Referring to U.S. Publication No. 2004/0192366, in a wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless devices can transmit messages to each other when they are connected, but the devices are not connected to the Internet or other public network. Reference is made to  FIG. 1  showing a plurality of mobile devices  10 ,  11 ,  12 ,  13 , such as mobile phones or PDAs. Each mobile device is equipped with wireless connection software whereby a network address is allotted by the WLAN. A wireless receive/transmit (R/T) component therein is used to search for a connection or connect with other devices nearby. For example, a first mobile device  10  establishes a real-time game, and other mobile devices  11 ,  12 ,  13  in the same WLAN can connect with the mobile device  10  using the wireless connection software and join the established game.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  shows the schematic diagram of U.S. Publication No. 2004/0162142. Wherein a communication device  20 , such as a mobile phone, a PDA or a notebook, enters a game system using its own communication component. The CPU  203  couples an I/O device  201 , such as a monitor, a keyboard or a mouse, with the connection software  204  installed in the device  20 , and memory  202  used for storage. The connection software  204  connects with a remote game server  21 , which provides the game&#39;s downloading service where the users can link to and download the game via the communication device  20 . The game server  21  includes a database  213  for storing data, a verification unit  211  for verifying a user, a memory  214  for the use of the CPU  212 , and connection software  215  installed by the game players. The game server  21  further connects with a bank server  22  for charging the user&#39;s account for their usage of the system.  
         [0010]     In view of the prior art shown in  FIG. 1 , the prior art is inadequate as the WLAN and the games or other resources built into the mobile device are limited; either a global wireless network area or widespread hot spots are necessary to provide a connection to a recreation server. The game server mentioned in the embodiment of  FIG. 2  only provides one-way game downloading services, and the server doesn&#39;t provide an interactive game service for multiple users.  
         [0011]     The present invention relates to an operating method for a wireless recreation system, wherein the WiMAX (IEEE802.16), that has a covering range of several kilometers, can be a fundamental protocol. Using a WiMAX, mobile devices can link to a game server having a variety of applications, such as interactive games, instant messaging and sharing resources, through that global connection.  
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE  
       [0012]     The operating method for a wireless recreation system is described. A user uses a portable wireless device having a wireless R/T module. After registering with a wireless recreation server, the user can proceed to download recreational content, such as media data, instant messages or on-line games through network from any location.  
         [0013]     The method for a wireless recreation system is operated within a wireless network environment, wherein a portable wireless recreation device with an incorporated wireless R/T (Receive and Transmit) module is used to process a plurality of recreation options downloaded from a recreation server, the following steps are explained below. Firstly, a wireless recreation device is switched on, then a wireless station, in which a wireless R/T module is installed in the wireless creation device establishes a link after a nearby wireless station is contacted. After that, a network session between the wireless recreation device and the recreation server is established, and secure verification is made there between. From the recreation server, a recreation menu is obtained and one of the recreation options therein is selected in the next step. Next, a plurality of objects of the selected recreation content are downloaded, and starting to process the recreation content.  
         [0014]     Within the recreation system, the operating environment of the wireless recreation system is a global wireless network area, and linking software is installed in the wireless recreation device. Furthermore, the wireless recreation device will be allotted a network address or a hostname by an automatic address allotment mechanism of the wireless station. The link established from the wireless recreation device to the server is a three-way handshake, and some form of security verification, like a username and a password, is required. After that, a secure channel therebetween is ready. The recreation menu is provided by the recreation server or defined by the user themselves. Finally, the required objects or files can be downloaded to the wireless recreation device for later use. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0015]     The present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows an application of the wireless communication of the prior art;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the association between a recreation device and the recreation server according to the prior art;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4A  shows the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4B  shows the second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of the first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  shows a flow chart of the second embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     To allow the Examiner to understand the technology, means and functions adopted in the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and attached drawings. The Examiner shall readily understand the invention deeply and concretely from the purpose, characteristics and specification of the present invention. Nevertheless, the present invention is not limited to the attached drawings and embodiments in the following description.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic diagram of the wireless recreation system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of portable wireless recreation devices  31  are wirelessly connected with the wireless stations  301 ,  302  and  303 , by which the device  31  can connect to at least one recreation server  38  or  39 . In this preferred embodiment, a variety of media content and interactive games are provided by the first recreation server  38  having a first storage  381 , meanwhile, the second recreation server  39  with a second storage  391  also provides miscellaneous media and recreation content in the form of a database. The portable wireless recreation device  31  connecting with the widespread wireless network can download the recreation content listed in a recreation menu, and send the request to the recreation server  38  or  39 .  
         [0026]     The aforementioned portable wireless recreation device  31  is disposed in the wireless R/T module with various wireless communication protocols. When the nearby wireless station is contacted, the device  31  can interact with other devices of the like, and exchange messages, share files, or play games together and so on. For example, a user using the wireless recreation device  31  can create a battlefield of a game, and other players can join this battlefield with their own equipment.  
         [0027]     The conventional methods for wireless communication, such as GPRS, WiFi, or WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microware Access) can achieve global connectivity, an increase in the transmission rate and a lowering of the associated costs.  
         [0028]     The first embodiment of the recreation system of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 4A . The Internet service providers ISP 1  and ISP 2  provide the wireless connection between the Internet  44  and the end users. The portable wireless devices  411 ,  412  and  413  connect with the Internet  44  and further with a recreation server  41  through the ISP  401  or ISP  402  shown in the diagram. The database  45  of the recreation server  41  contains a variety of media content or games items, where the items are provided for the users to choose from. The database  45  further includes verification data for each user comprising of a user&#39;s account, password, identification data, bill data, etc. The portable wireless devices  411 ,  412  and  413  include at least the connection software and the recreation content menu, from which the users can easily choose and download data from. Furthermore, the portable wireless devices  411 ,  412  and  413  can make a peer-to-peer connection with other portable devices, or establish a server-client connection.  
         [0029]     Moreover, for protecting the copyright of the on-line media content, the first embodiment of the present invention introduces on-line video watching and audio listening modes instead of actually downloading the content, namely, the user can watch or listen to the A/V content in real time by extracting the content in a continuous stream.  
         [0030]     The second embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 4B . A database  46  connected with the recreation server  41  doesn&#39;t provide the media or games content, rather it stores users&#39; information. The recreation content is provided by an authorized third-party like the information service providers  421  or  422  shown in diagram. For example, the information service providers  421  or  422  can be video downloading providers, music companies or other legal data or game downloading providers. The recreation server  41  of the present invention is a platform that integrates various services with other service providers, wherein a customized menu accompanying the downloading path and legal software is provided. The user can extract and enjoy the A/V content or games easily anytime and anywhere.  
         [0031]     The portable wireless devices  411 ,  412  and  413  mentioned above wirelessly connect to the Internet  44  through the ISPs  401  or  402 , and later connects to the recreation server  41  located on the Internet  44 . The database  46  of the recreation server  41  of this embodiment contains the connection account, password, ID verification and billing information of its users. Moreover, the recreation content provided by the information service providers  421  and  422  needs to be authorized by the operatively coupled recreation server  41 . Namely, the recreation server  41  of the embodiment of the present invention can be a gateway, which provides optimized and legal downloading services for wireless devices.  
         [0032]     The preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5  shows the operating method for the connection between the wireless recreation devices and the server. The wireless network of the present invention is available worldwide, such as WiMAX protocol. To begin, the user turns the wireless recreation device on (step S 501 ). The built-in wireless receive/transmit unit and the connection software are used to search for a strong signal from a wireless station in step S 503 . When the searching is successful, the wireless recreation device can be allotted an IP address from the wireless station automatically (step S 505 ). Through the connection with the wireless station, the wireless recreation device can communicate with the recreation server of the Internet, wherein the recreation server is connected in a wired or wirelessly manner with the wireless station (step S 507 ).  
         [0033]     A session established between the wireless recreation device and the recreation server can use HTTP protocol. Before the session is established, the portable wireless recreation device performs a handshake process, such as a three-way handshake, with the recreation server. In which, the wireless recreation device sends a request signal to the server. Then the recreation server sends a confirmation signal and requisite information to the device after the server receives the request signal. Finally the session is established after confirming the connection. Afterwards, the wireless recreation device is successfully associated with the recreation server and can perform further transactions.  
         [0034]     A secure verification is necessary for a transaction to begin between the wireless recreation device and the recreation server, including the verification of the connection account and its password, or even biological authentication, such as fingerprint and iris scans, etc. Moreover, a secure channel between the wireless recreation device and the server can also operate with another secure connecting method for exchanging information therebetween (step S 509 ).  
         [0035]     After verification, the wireless recreation device can download the recreation content menu manually or automatically. The menu is provided by the recreation server, or can be a customized one defined by the users (step S 511 ).  
         [0036]     The recreation content in the menu, that the users can select from, can be comprised of a variety of media content, such as movies or music, electronic books, standalone games or interactive games, news, daily information, etc., and is not limited as per this description (step S 513 ).  
         [0037]     After that, the wireless recreation device downloads the required objects or files from the recreation server. For example, wherein the required objects are needed by some specific games for initialization (step  515 ). In the last step S 517 , the user can process the recreation content after downloading.  
         [0038]     Reference is made to  FIG. 6 , which is the flowchart for the first embodiment of the present invention. To begin, a wireless recreation device is switched on (step S 601 ). Then a wireless module therein is started (step S 603 ). The wireless device starts to search for a nearby wireless station or one that has the best transmission bandwidth (step S 605 ). After connecting with the wireless station, a network address is obtained whereby (step S 607 ). For example, an IP address is required for TCP/IP protocol.  
         [0039]     Next, a link is established between the recreation server and the wireless recreation device, and after a security verification has been performed, a secure connection for information exchanging between the device and the server is guaranteed (step S 609 ).  
         [0040]     The recreation options in the menu, such as games, movies, music, news, etc., downloaded from the recreation server are selected in step S 611 . Selecting an A/V downloading mode is an example thereof; the music album or video can be searched for by title, or selected via categories, such as movie/Taiwan movie/90′ movie/, etc. (step S 613 ).  
         [0041]     In the method for menu selecting, the recreation options of the menu can be provided by the recreation server, or defined by the user (step S 615 ). Next, the A/V item is selected (step S 617 ). After that, if the A/V items can be downloaded from a plurality of information service providers, users can choose the source by themselves, or they can choose the source server suggested by the recreation server (step S 621 ), and proceed to download (step S 623 ).  
         [0042]     In the method for searching for the A/V content, the wireless recreation device searches for the content using various keywords, such as video title, the director&#39;s name, the cast of actors, etc. (step S 619 ). After that, if the A/V items are provided for downloading by a plurality of information service providers, the user can choose which one to download from, or follow the suggestion of downloading source from the recreation server (step S 621 ), and proceed to downloading (step S 623 ).  
         [0043]      FIG. 7  shows a flowchart of the second embodiment of the present invention. In first step S 701 , a recreation device is switched on. Then a wireless module is started selectively or automatically (step S 703 ). The wireless device starts to search for a nearby wireless station or one that has the best transmission bandwidth (step S 705 ). A network address is can then be allotted from the wireless station (step S 707 ). For example, an IP address is required for TCP/IP protocol.  
         [0044]     Next, a link is established between the recreation server and the wireless recreation device, and the identity of the user is verified. After that, a secure connection for information exchanging between the device and the server is guaranteed (step S 709 ).  
         [0045]     The recreation options in the menu, such as games, movies, music, news, etc., can then be downloaded from the recreation server are selected by the user (step S 711 ). For example, a specific game can be searched for by various keywords, such as its title, type of games, etc., or even selected from a categorized menu.  
         [0046]     After making a selection, users can choose a download server by themselves or follow the suggestion from the recreation server (step S 713 ). The recreation download server chosen by the user can be one of a plurality of third-party providers. Otherwise, the recreation server can analyze each downloading bandwidth or the quality of those providers, or the database built in the recreation server can provide these services on it&#39;s own.  
         [0047]     After the download server is selected, the requisite objects or files are downloaded by the recreation device. In one embodiment, the user can download the objects or files relating to a specific game or other modes, such as an interactive game or standalone game (step S 715 ). Next, the user enters a game menu belonging to the game selected by the user (step S 717 ), and a recreation/game mode is selected for interactive or standalone game afterwards (step S 719 ).  
         [0048]     Next, related objects or files are downloaded after an indicated recreation mode is selected. If the recreation/game mode is an interactive game, which reacts instantly with other on-line users, the wireless recreation device will interact and exchange signals with others, and related objects should be downloaded to initialize the game. If the recreation/game mode is a standalone game, the recreation device can download the related file as a continuous stream. The aforementioned objects or files related to the indicated recreation content are downloaded into a memory of the wireless recreation device in step S 721 .  
         [0049]     For example, if the indicated game is an interactive game, the user will join another user&#39;s battlefield. The recreation device should respond to relevant messages from the recreation server, and vice versa (step S 723 ). Finally, the recreation/game content is started (step S 725 ).  
         [0050]     In particular, the present invention discloses an operating method for a wireless recreation system, which works in a global wireless network area, such as WiMAX or WiFi. The user can download the audio or video data from a recreation server through a wireless recreation device, or send an instant message thereby, or play an online game anywhere, or the device can interact with other devices in this global wireless network area.  
         [0051]     The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description above and it is intended by the appended claims to cover all. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.