`JDM/005 CON7
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`IN THE UNITED
`STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`Applicant
`
`Application No.
`
` Confirmation No.
`Filed For
`
`Group Art Unit
`
` Examiner
`
`
` Herewith
` Not Yet Assigned
`
`
` ON
`
`SYSTEMS AND
`
`
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`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`Jeffrey D. Mullen
`
`Not Yet Assigned
`
`
`
`
`ETHODS FOR
`LOCATION BASED GAMES AND
`
`
`
`
`EMPLOYMENT OF THE SAME
`
`
`
`LOCATION ENABLED DEVICES
`
`
`
`
`Not Yet Assigned
`
`Not Yet Assigned
`
`Mail Stop: Amendment
`for Patents
`Hon. Commissioner
`
`P.O. Box 1450
`
`
`
`Pittsburgh, PA 15232
`August 20, 2007
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`
`
`PRELIMINARY AMENDMENT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Sir:
`
`
`
`
`
`Before examination of the application, please
`
`
`amend the application as follows:
`
`Amendments to the Specification are reflect
`
`ted the
`
`
`
`on page 2.
`
`
`listing of claims,
`
`Amendments to the Claims are reflected in
`
`
`which begins on page 3 of
`this paper.
`
`Remarks/Arguments begin on page 6 of this
`
`paper.
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 001
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 001
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`Amendments to the Specification:
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`Please replace paragraph 1,
`located on
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`page 1 of the specification, with the following
`
`paragraph showing amendments.
`
`n
`
`--This application is a continuation of
`
`U.S. Patent Application No. 10/932,536, filed on
`
`
`
`
`September 1, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S.
`
`
`Provisional Patent Application No. 60/499,810, filed
`on
`
`September 2, 2003 which is incorporated by
` ference herein in its entirety.—-
`
`re
`
`Please replace paragraph 2,
`
`located on
`
`
`
`page 1 of the specification, with the following
`
`
`
`paragraph showing amendments.
`
`
`--[ a This application]] U.S. Patent
`
`
`Application No. 10/932,536 also claims the benefit
`
` of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
`
`
`60/603,481 [[--/---,---]] filed on [[August,]]
`
`
`August 20, 2004 titled “Wireless Devices With
`
`
`
` Flexible Monitors and Keyboards” (Docket No.
`
`
`JDM/007) which is hereby incorporated by reference
`
`herein in its entirety.--
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 002
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 002
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`
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`Amendments to the Claims:
`
`
`This listing of
`
`claims will replace all prior
`
`
`versions, and listings, of
`
`claims in the application:
`
`
`Listing of
`Claims:
`
`1-18.
`
`(cancelled).
`
`19,
`
`(new)
`
`A location-based game comprising:
`
`
`a virtual play
`ay
`
`
`
`
`a first character,
`
`field;
`
`
`wherein the location of
`
`said
`
` first character
`
`in said virtual
`
`p)
`
`
`field is determined
`
`utilizing a first control signal
`
`from a
`
`
`first locating
`
`device;
`
`and
`
`character
`
`is computer controlled.
`
`a second character,
`
`wherein said second
`
`
`
`20.
`
`(new)
`
`A location-based game comprising:
`
`a virtual playfield;
`
`
`a first character, wherein the location of said
`
`
`
`first character in said virtual playfield is determined
`
`utilizing a first control signal
`
`
`from a first locating
`
`device;
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a second character, wherein said second
`
`character is computer controlled;
`
`a virtual object, wherein said virtual object
`
`is operable o
`
`
`
`f being picked up by said first character.
`
`21.
`
`(new) A location-based game comprising:
`
`
`a first character,
`
`field;
`
`
`wherein the location of
`
`said
`
`ay
`a virtual play
`
`
`
` first character
`
`in said virtual
`
`pl
`
`
`field is determined
`
`utilizing a first control signal
`
`from a
`
`
`first locating
`
`device;
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 003
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 003
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`
`
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`an impenetrable object, wherein said first
`
`
`
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`character is stunned for a period of time when said first
`
`character contacts said impenetrable object.
`
`
`
`22.
`
`(new) A location-based game comprising:
`
`a virtual playfield;
`
`
`
`a first character, wherein the location of said
`
`
`first character in said virtual playfield is determined
`
`
`
`utilizing a first control signal
`
`
`
`
`
`from a first locating
`
`
`
`
`
` device; and
`
`an impenetrable object, wherein the lives of
`
`
`said first game character is reduced when said first game
`
`character contacts said impenetrable object
`
`23.
`
`(new) A location-based game comprising:
`
`a virtual playfield;
`
`
`a first character, wherein the location of said
`
`
`
`first character in said virtual playfield is determined
`
`
`
`
`from a first locating
`
`utilizing a first control signal
`
`
`
`
`
`device;
`
`an impenetrable object, wherein a number of
`
`points is deducted when said first character contacts
`
`said impenetrable object.
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 004
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 004
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`
`
`
`Summary of Applicant's Amendments
`
`
`REMARKS
`
`Applicant has cancelled claims 1-18 without
`
`prejudice. Applicant reserves the right to claim any
`
`
`
`
`
`subject matter lost in the cancellation of claims 1-18,
`
`or any subject matter included in the present
`
`application,
`
`
`in any number of continuation or divisional
`
`
`
`
`
`applications.
`
`Applicant has added claims in order to more
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`particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject
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` matter that applicant regards as the invention.
`
`Conclusion
`
`
`Applicant respectfully submits that this
`
`including the pending claims,
`application,
`
`
`condition for allowance.
`
`
`
`is in
`
`Reconsideration and prompt allowance of this
`
`
`application are respectfully requested.
`
`
`
`
`Respectfully Submitted,
`
`
`
`
`
`
`/Jeffrey D. Mullen/
`
`
`
`Jeffrey D. Mullen
`Applicant
`(Reg. No. 52,056)
`Customer No. 32733
`
`731 South Negley, Apt.
`Pittsburgh,
`PA 15232
`Tel.:
`(914) 837-7741
`
`
`
`
`
`2
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 005
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 005
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`
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`Electronic Patent Application Fee Transmittal
`
`Filing Date:
`
`Title of Invention:
`
`SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOCATION BASED GAMES AND
`EMPLOYMENT OF THE SAME ON LOCATION ENABLED DEVICES
`
`
`
`oemae||S
`
`First Named Inventor/Applicant Name:
`
`Jeffrey David Mullen
`
`Attorney Docket Number:
`
`JDM/005 CON7
`
`Jeffrey David Mullen
`
`Filed as Small Entity
`
`Utility
`
`Filing Fees
`
`Claims:
`
`Miscellaneous-Filing
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 006
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 006
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`
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`Post-Allowance-and-Post-lssuance:
`
`Extension-of-Time:
`
`Miscellaneous:
`
`Patent-Appeals-and-Interference:
`
`625
`
`Total in USD ($)
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 007
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 007
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`
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`
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`i i
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`Paymentinformation:
`
`Charge any Additional Fees required under 37 C.F.R. Section 1.16 and 1.17
`
`The Director of the USPTOis hereby authorized to charge indicated fees and credit any overpaymentas follows:
`
`File Listing:
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 008
`
`ec
`
`etemepsannme
`
`Title of Invention:
`
`SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOCATION BASED GAMES AND
`EMPLOYMENT OF THE SAME ON LOCATION ENABLED DEVICES
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 008
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`
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`Document
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`was
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`File Size(Bytes)
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`Multi
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`Pages
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`JDM-005-USPTOScan.paf
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`2789064
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`Obe34b34625826ce1 10066732181028
`8cbt1436b
`
`Multipart Description/PDF files in .zip description
`
`Oath or Declaration filed
`
`Information:
`
`Warnings:
`
`Information:
`
`Application Data Sheet
`
`JDM-005CON7-ADS. pdf
`
`124027
`
`4bice3694b0cdb1 c36c463a87670974a
`ecb74e99
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`This is not an USPTO supplied ADS fillable form
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`JDM-005CON7-Prelim.padf
`
`e3c899b6d313c4b51 Sab9e9416690be6
`3e5298c4
`
`Multipart Description/PDF files in .zip description
`
`ee
`
`Preliminary Amendment
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`anes|
`
`
`
`Applicant Arguments/Remarks Made in an Amendment
`
`Warnings:
`
`Information:
`
`Fee Worksheet (PTO-06)
`
`fee-info.pdf
`
`513529¢731 ch508902bbc51e1dc9e607
`473e7c53
`
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 009
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 009
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`
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`Information:
`
`This AcknowledgementReceipt evidencesreceipt on the noted date by the USPTOofthe indicated documents,
`characterized by the applicant, and including page counts, where applicable.
`It serves as evidenceof receipt
`similar to a Post Card, as described in MPEP 503.
`
`Receipt will establish the international filing date of the application.
`
`New International Application Filed with the USPTO as a Receiving Office
`If a new international application is being filed and the international application includes the necessary
`componentsfor an internationalfiling date (see PCT Article 11 and MPEP 1810), a Notification of the
`International Application Numberandof the International Filing Date (Form PCT/RO/105)will be issued in due
`course, subject to prescriptions concerning national security, and the date shown on this Acknowledgement
`
`New Applications Under 35 U.S.C. 111
`If a new application is being filed and the application includes the necessary componentsfora filing date (see
`37 CFR 1.53(b)-(d) and MPEP 506), a Filing Receipt (37 CFR 1.54) will be issued in due course and the date
`shown on this AcknowledgementReceipt will establish the filing date of the application.
`
`National Stage of an International Application under 35 U.S.C. 371
`If a timely submission to enter the national stage of an international application is compliant with the conditions
`of 35 U.S.C. 371 and other applicable requirements a Form PCT/DO/E0O/903 indicating acceptance of the
`application as a national stage submission under 35 U.S.C. 371 will be issued in addition to the Filing Receipt,
`in due course.
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0010
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0010
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`
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`SMALL ENTITY
`
`JDM/005
`
`SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LOCATION BASED GAMES AND
`EMPLOYMENT OF THE SAME ON LOCATION ENABLED DEVICES
`
`Cross-Reference to Related Application
`
`>
`
`[0001]
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S.
`
`Provisional Patent Application No. 60/499,810 filed on
`
`September 2, 2003 which is hereby incorporated by
`
`reference herein in its entirety.
`
`[0002]
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S.
`
`Provisional Patent Application No. --/---,--~- filed on
`
`10
`
`August, 20, 2004 titled "Wireless Devices With Flexible
`
`Monitors and Keyboards"
`
`(Docket No.
`
`JDM/007) which is
`
`hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
`
`entirety.
`
`Background of the Invention
`
`15
`
`[0003]
`
`This invention relates to video games and
`
`video game systems.
`
`[0004]
`
`Virtual reality games have been developed
`
`where a user places a helmet on his/her head and is
`
`ammersed into an alternate reality via a display
`
`20
`
`located in the helmet. This user is then allowed to
`
`move through an alternate reality by means of a
`
`joystick.
`
`The user is displayed the alternate reality
`
`Express MailNo.
`EV31dta407i8WS 004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0011
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0011
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`
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`from a first person perspective.
`
`A user is limited in
`
`actual physical movement by means of a very small
`
`{e.g., 48 inches) enclosed virtual reality platform.
`
`Such traditional virtual reality systems are deficient
`
`because of the need for additional, unneeded manual
`
`actions to be made to move a joystick in order to move
`
`the user through the alternate reality.
`
`It is
`
`therefore desirable to provide a game system with
`
`improved user controls.
`
`10
`
`[0005]
`
`Traditional virtual reality systems are also
`
`unsafe because a user cannot visually see his/her
`
`physical environment. Guard rails are typically
`
`provided such that a user cannot stray from the virtual
`
`reality platform. Yet, a user may become distorted in
`
`15
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`the alternate reality and lose a sense of direction as
`to where such rails are located. Thus, a user may
`
`dangerously contact such guard rails or foreign objects
`
`introduced onto a virtual reality platform.
`
`It is
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`therefore desirable to provide safer game systems.
`
`20
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`[0006]
`
`Traditionally heavy computer hardware,
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`multiple platforms,
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`large interconnection wires, and
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`numerous manual control devices are required to immerse
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`more than one user in the same alternate reality.
`
`Such
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`virtual reality systems typically cost
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`in the tens of
`
`25
`
`thousands,
`
`to hundreds of thousands, of dollars.
`
`It is
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`therefore desirable provide an economical video game
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`system with improved functionality.
`
`It is also
`
`desirable to provide software that can realize improved
`
`gaming systems in traditional devices such as wireless
`
`30
`
`telephones.
`
`[0007]
`
`Zingy.com offers wireless telephone ringers
`
`for sale and download.
`
`Zingy.com allows a user to
`
`enter in a wireless telephone number anda
`
`Express Mail No.
`EV371754078US
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0012
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0012
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`
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`corresponding wireless telephone model a website.
`user, however, must set up a user profile through a
`user identification process that includes sending a
`
`The
`
`text message containing a confirmation code to the
`
`wireless telephone number.
`
`A user must enter in this
`
`confirmation code on the website to confirm that the
`
`user is in possession of the wireless telephone.
`
`Desired ringers must be paid for, and downloaded, one
`
`at a time. After a particular ringer has been
`
`10
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`purchased,
`
`that user is sent, via a text message, a
`
`Wireless Access Protocol
`
`(WAP) address.
`
`Such an
`
`address must be manually extracted from the text
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`message, or entered directly into a browser,
`
`in order
`
`to be directed to the location of the desired ringer.
`
`15
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`The user's wireless telephone will then ask the user if
`
`the material is OK to download. Only one ringer may be
`
`downloaded to a wireless device at a time.
`
`It is
`
`therefore desirable to provide improved jdata
`interchange capabilities for a wireless device.
`
`20
`
`[0008]
`
`Sprint offers a VISION PCS service in which
`
`the internet location of a Global Content Descriptor
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`file (.GCD file) must be sent, via text messaging, toa
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`Sprint VISION PCS wireless telephone in order to
`
`download a file (e.g., a ringer)
`
`from a website (e.g.,
`
`25
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`Zingy.com). This .GCD file contains a variety of data
`
`fields that tell the wireless telephone,
`
`the size of
`
`the file,
`
`the title of the file,
`
`the creator of the
`
`the file type, and file's internet storage
`file,
`location. Traditional wireless telephones contain
`
`30
`
`programs that use the information of the .GCD file.
`
`For example,
`
`if the size of the file, as described by
`
`the .GCD file,
`
`is too large then the wireless telephone
`
`will prompt the user that the file is too large to
`
`Express Mail No.
`EVRAHOTEYS 004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0013
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0013
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`
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`download.
`
`Such systems are deficient because two files
`
`must be transferred in order to manually obtain a
`
`download of a single file.
`
`It is therefore desirable
`
`to provide a wireless telephone that does not need to
`
`download a .GCD file, or a similar file,
`
`in order to
`
`download content.
`
`Summary of the Invention
`[0009]
`The present invention provides an actual,
`
`10
`
`reality-based video game in which a user's physical
`
`(actual)
`
`location on a playfield, reflects a virtual
`
`game character's virtual location in a video game
`
`environment.
`
`In this manner, an actual-reality
`
`(hereinafter "actuality") video game system may be
`
`15
`
`provided. Generally, an actuality game is a location-
`
`based game where a user's location on a physical
`
`playfield corresponds to a video game character's
`
`location on a virtual video game playfield. Multiple
`
`types of other location-based games are also provided.
`
`20
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`{0010]
`
`Multiple type of displays are provided that
`
`realize a variety of different types of location-based
`
`games.
`
`For example, a gaming system is provided in
`
`which a user's actual environment is completely visible
`
`to a user.
`
`In this manner, a game system that provides
`
`25
`
`a visible physical playfield may be provided.
`
`A
`
`display (e.g., a monitor) may be provided to display
`
`the video game to a user.
`
`A location device may be
`
`included in the video game system such that the actual
`
`location of the video game system may be obtained and
`
`30
`
`utilized,
`
`for example,
`
`to control the location of a
`
`virtual video game character on a virtual playfield.
`
`In this manner,
`
`the user is provided as choice wether
`
`Express Mail No.
`EV371754078US
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0014
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`ome
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0014
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`
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`or not
`
`to view either the physical playing field or the
`
`game system display while operating the game.
`
`[0011]
`
`As per another example, a game system is
`
`provided with a transparent display such that virtual
`
`indicial may be presented on portions of the display.
`
`Such virtual indicia may be configured to block,
`
`Manipulate, or overlay a portion of a user's actual,
`
`physical environment.
`
`In this manner, a game system
`
`that provides a semi-visible physical playfield may be
`
`10
`
`provided.
`
`Such displays may be,
`
`for example, flexible,
`
`transparent, and head-mounted display. Alternatively,
`
`such virtual indicia may be displayed directly on the
`
`retina through the use of light emitting elements. One
`
`advantage of a semi-visible environment game system is
`
`15
`
`that the system allows a user to travel safely at fast
`
`speeds through a physical environment.
`
`The is because
`
`the user may be able to’ see all of, or part of, his/her
`
`physical environment.
`
`[0012]
`
`In such a game system that provides a semi-
`
`20
`
`visible environment, a user may go to a soccer field,
`
`mount a semi-visible environment gaming system display
`over his/her field-of-view, download a "goalie" video
`
`game, and practice blocking penalty kicks that are
`
`shown through the display. Expanding this example, as
`
`25
`
`a virtual ball is virtually kicked on the head-set,
`
`the
`
`user may change locations to try and block the ball.
`
`In this manner,
`
`the gaming system may use the user's
`
`location to render the next frame of images display on
`
`the user's display. Thus, if a user moves one foot to
`
`30
`
`the left towards the ball,
`
`the video game system may
`
`render the ball to be one foot closer to the user in
`
`the next frame.
`
`Express Mail No.
`EV371754078US
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0015
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`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0015
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`
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`[0013]
`
`Yet another game system is provided in which
`
`the video game display completely immerses a user into
`
`a virtual reality so that a user cannot see his/her
`
`physical environment.
`
`.
`
`In this manner, a game system
`
`that provides a non-visible physical playfield may be
`
`provided. Location information may be utilized,
`
`for
`
`example,
`
`to determine a virtual character's location
`
`(e.g., a particular first-person perspective) in the
`
`virtual realm.
`
`10
`
`[0014]
`
`At any time during gameplay, a user's
`
`location may be used as a reference by the video game
`
`or another user's video game.
`
`For example, a child in
`
`his/her backyard in the U.S. may play a game of virtual
`
`PACMAN with his/her father that is located in a park in
`
`15
`
`Japan. At the beginning of such a multiplayer game,
`
`information about the starting location of each user
`
`may be utilized as a points of reference for the game.
`
`Accordingly,
`
`the game system may transmit the child's
`
`location with respect to the child's starting location
`
`20
`
`to his/her father's game system.
`
`The father's game
`
`system may then utilize this information to determine
`
`where the child would be if the two user's were playing
`
`on the same physical playfield. Accordingly,
`
`the
`
`father and child may play the same actuality game
`
`25
`
`together even though the father and the child are on
`
`opposite sides of the world.
`
`[0015]
`
`A visor may be provided that includes a
`
`transparent display such that virtual objects can be
`
`overlayed/placed onto the user's actual, physical
`
`30
`
`environment.
`
`If the game is a reincarnation of the
`
`classic game of PACMAN, maze walls may be provided to a
`
`transparent display.
`
`Thus, a user may see the actual
`
`environment that the user is running through (e.g.,
`
`the
`
`Express Mail No.
`MENEASAYRS
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0016
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0016
`
`
`
`actual, physical playfield) and also see the maze walls
`
`that he/she has to follow (e.g.,
`
`the virtual
`
`playfield).
`
`[0016]
`
`Any device with a locating device anda
`
`display may be programmed to be at least a visible
`
`environment game system.
`
`For example, a wireless
`
`telephone with a Global Positioning System (GPS) system
`
`may be utilized as a visible environment game system
`
`that plays,
`
`for example, actuality games. As
`
`10
`
`introduced above, one actuality game may be a
`
`reincarnation of the classic game of PACMAN.
`
`Such a
`
`game may include a multiplayer mode where multiple
`
`players may simultaneously play the game. Control of,
`
`for example,
`
`PACMAN may be provided by changing the
`
`15
`
`location of the wireless telephone.
`
`A different player
`
`could use a different game system (e.g., a different
`
`wireless telephone)
`
`to control a ghost in the same
`
`game.
`
`Such a different user may be located on a remote
`
`playfield (e.g.,
`
`in a park in Japan).
`
`Thus, a user may
`
`20
`
`look down at a display screen, see his/her character,
`
`and run around his/her physical environment in order to
`
`Similary run his/her virtual character through a
`
`virtual maze. Communication devices may be included in
`
`such multiplayer game systems such that individual
`
`25
`
`gaming systems may communicate location information to
`
`each other or a remote storage device.
`
`Such a remote
`
`storage device (e.g., a remote database) may be
`
`periodically updated with each user's location
`
`information and periodically accessed by each user's
`
`30
`
`device to obtain, for example,
`
`the other user's
`
`location. Accordingly,
`
`the ability of a wireless
`
`telephone to transmit/receive data may be utilized to
`
`realize multiplayer actuality games or other location-
`
`Express Mail No.
`EYRE04
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0017
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0017
`
`
`
`based games. Alternatively,
`
`the devices may establish
`
`a direct communications link with each other.
`
`[0017]
`
`Additional locating devices, or directional
`
`devices, may be placed on a user to obtain additional
`
`transparent controls (e.g., controls where a user does
`
`not have to perform an unnatural action).
`
`For example,
`
`a GPS device (or any type of locating device) may be
`
`placed on a user's hand.
`
`A hand-word locating device
`
`may be used to obtain the location of a user's hand in
`
`10
`
`a three-dimensional field. Therefore,
`
`the height,
`
`latitude, and longitude of the user's hand may control
`
`the height and position of a virtual game character's
`
`hand (or other movement).
`
`[0018]
`
`As per another example, a locating device may
`
`15
`
`be provided on a head-mounted display that determines
`
`how the head-mounted display moves with respect to a
`
`reference point.
`
`In this manner,
`
`the video game may be
`
`provided with signals representative of the direction
`
`that the user's head is pointed towards.
`
`A directional
`
`20
`
`electronic compass is also provided through the
`
`configuration of two location devices (e.g.,
`
`two GPS
`
`devices).
`
`If,
`
`for example, one location device is
`
`placed in one location of a portable gaming system
`
`the front of a visor) and a second location
`(e.g.,
`device placed ina second location of the portable
`
`25
`
`gaming system (e.g.,
`
`the back of a visor) then the
`
`direction the visor is pointing may be determined be
`
`determining the location of these two location devices.
`
`[0019]
`
`Additional locating and/or directional
`
`30
`
`devices may be provided on other actual objects (e.g.,
`
`a sword, gun, baseball bat) such that the location of
`
`these objects may also be utilized to provide input to
`
`the location-based video game.
`
`For example, multiple
`
`Express Mail No.
`EV371754078US
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0018
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0018
`
`
`
`locating devices may be provided in a baseball bat such
`
`that a user may play an actuality game of baseball.
`
`[0020]
`
`Simplistic examples of a location-based game
`
`system are provided (e.g., a dedicated non-
`
`communicating one-player game system).
`
`Such systems
`
`may be constructed and marketed for considerably less
`
`than conventional hardware (e.g.,
`
`less than the cost of
`
`a wireless telephone).
`
`[0021]
`
`Additional manual controls may be provided to
`
`10
`
`increase the functionality of a game system of the
`
`present invention.
`
`Such manual controls may be,
`
`for
`
`example, buttons and/or joysticks.
`
`[0022]
`
`A data interchange may also be provided.
`
`Users may upload content from a wireless telephone and
`
`15
`
`allow different users (e.g., selected users)
`
`to
`
`download content to their different wireless devices
`
`(e.g., a wireless Personal Electronic Device).
`
`Interactive games are provided to wireless telephones
`
`by,
`
`for example,
`
`including a database that can store a
`
`20
`
`player's progress in the game.
`
`[0023]
`
`An automatic content update, or an automatic
`
`content download, may be provided to a wireless
`
`telephone user.
`
`Such an update may be the result of a
`
`paid subscription for such periodic updates.
`
`A
`
`25
`
`wireless telephone is provided that includes the
`ability to have non-service provider automatic updates
`
`without the consent of the wireless telephone's user
`
`every time data is downloaded.
`
`A wireless telephone is
`
`also provided that is operable to download a file
`
`30
`
`directly without a .GCD, or similar, file.
`
`[0024]
`
`Conversion components are also provided that
`
`may provide a location-based game functionality toa
`non-located enabled device.
`For example, a peripheral
`
`Express Mail No.
`EVROBUS004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0019
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0019
`
`
`
`- 10 -
`
`with a game, a locating device, and a wireless
`
`transmitter/receiver, may is provided that may
`
`interface with a particular non-location enabled
`
`device.
`
`Such a peripheral may be operable to interface
`
`with PCMCIA slots or USB ports.
`
`In this manner, a
`
`laptop user may purchase a conversion component so that
`
`the laptop is operable to play a particular location-
`
`based game or take on the attributed of a location-
`
`based gaming system.
`
`10
`
`[0025]
`
`A stationary game system is provided that
`
`interacts with an actual-location based video game
`
`system of the present invention.
`
`In this manner, a
`
`user of a stationary gaming system (e.g., a home
`
`Personal Computer) may play a game against the user of
`
`15
`
`an actuality gaming system. Using PACMAN as an
`
`example,
`
`the stationary user may control a ghost with a
`
`joystick while the location-based user controls PACMAN
`
`with his/her physical location on a physical playfield.
`
`A handicap may be given to the stationary user such
`
`20
`
`that the actual-location based user is provided with an
`
`advantage (e.g.,
`
`the handicap's player may move
`
`slower).
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings
`
`25
`
`[0026]
`The above and other features of the present
`invention, its nature and various advantages will be
`more apparent upon consideration of the following
`
`detailed description,
`
`taken in conjunction with the
`
`accompanying drawings,
`
`in which like reference
`
`30
`
`characters refer to like parts throughout, and in
`
`which:
`
`Express Mail No.
`MaAiBHrebdS
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0020
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0020
`
`
`
`-~11-
`
`[0027]
`
`FIG.
`
`1 is an illustration of one embodiment
`
`of a gaming system topology constructed in accordance
`
`with the principles of the present invention;
`
`[0028]
`
`FIG.
`
`2 is a flow chart for a variety of
`
`functionalities that may be included in a gaming system
`
`constructed in accordance with the principles of the
`
`present invention;
`
`[0029]
`
`FIG.
`
`3 is an illustration of a wireless
`
`telephone for use as a gaming system constructed in
`
`10
`
`accordance with the principles of the present
`
`invention;
`
`[0030]
`
`FIGS. 4-5 are illustrations of user
`
`interfaces, and accompanying functionality, constructed
`
`in accordance with principles of the present invention;
`
`15
`
`[0031]
`
`FIG.
`
`6 is an illustration of one embodiment
`
`of a gaming system constructed in accordance with the
`
`principles of the present invention;
`[0032]
`FIG.
`7 is an illustration of one embodiment
`
`of a gaming system constructed in accordance with the
`
`20
`
`principles of the present invention;
`
`[0033]
`
`FIG.
`
`8 is an illustration of a game system
`
`architecture constructed in accordance with the
`
`principles of the present invention;
`
`[0034]
`
`FIG.
`
`9 are illustrations of multiple game
`
`25
`
`system configurations constructed in accordance with
`
`the principles of the present invention;
`
`[0035]
`
`FIG. 10 is an illustration of a gaming system
`
`constructed in accordance with the principles of the
`
`present invention;
`
`30
`
`[0036]
`
`FIG. 11 are illustrations of gaming system
`
`peripherals constructed in accordance with the
`
`principles of the present invention;
`
`Express Mail No.
`EV37 1 WaQFit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0021
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0021
`
`
`
`~ 12 -
`
`[0037]
`
`FIG. 12 is an illustration of a gaming system
`
`network constructed in accordance with the principles
`
`of the present invention;
`
`[0038]
`
`FIG. 13 is an illustration of a gaming system
`
`constructed in accordance with the principles of the
`
`present invention; and
`
`[0039]
`
`FIG. 14 is an illustration of a flow chart of
`
`a multiplayer game that shares location information
`
`constructed in accordance with the principles of the
`
`10
`
`present invention.
`
`Detailed Description of the Drawings
`
`[0040]
`
`U.S. Patent Application No. 10/400,296 filed
`
`on March 25, 2003 titled "Systems and Methods for
`
`15
`
`Locating Wireless Telephones and Security Measures for
`
`the Same"
`
`(Docket No.
`
`JDM/002)
`
`is hereby incorporated
`
`by reference herein in its entirety.
`
`[0041]
`
`U.S. Patent Application No. 10/797,801 filed
`
`on March 9, 2004 titled "Systems and Methods for
`
`20
`
`Providing Remote Incoming Call Notification for
`
`Wireless Telephones"
`
`(Docket No. JDM/004)
`
`is hereby
`
`incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
`
`[0042]
`
`FIG.
`
`1 shows gaming system 100 in which
`
`locating device 131 receives location signals from
`
`25
`
`satellites 111-113.
`
`Persons skilled in the art will
`
`appreciate that satellites 111-113 may be transmitters
`
`placed around a physical playfield (e.g., may be placed
`
`around/suspend above the perimeter of a physical
`
`playfield). Wireless telephone 130 may house locating
`
`30
`
`device 131 and may provide a location-based game on
`
`display 140.
`
`[0043]
`
`To initiate a location-based game, a user may
`
`be prompted to set an origin for the game trough a
`
`Express Mail No.
`Mata EARBRAVES
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0022
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0022
`
`
`
`- 13 -
`
`Graphical User Interface (GUI). Alternatively, an
`
`origin may be set automatically.
`
`Furthermore, a GUI
`
`may be provided that prompts a user on how much free
`
`physical space is needed on all sides of the origin for
`
`gameplay.
`
`Such a functionality may allow a user to
`
`locate a proper spot on an actual, physical playfield
`
`before gameplay begins or to allow a video game to
`
`establish a reference location.
`
`The dimensions of the
`
`physical playfield may be operable to be changed by a
`
`10
`
`user.
`
`For example, a user may be provided with a
`
`number of physical playfield dimensions to choose from
`
`as shown in GUI 411.
`
`[0044]
`
`In multiplayer embodiments,
`
`for example, a
`
`user may determine playfield dimensions and an opponent
`
`15
`
`may be,
`
`for example, requested to confirm that user's
`
`selected dimensions (or display that user's selected
`
`dimensions). Alternatively, each user may select
`
`different dimensions for their local, physical
`
`playfield and control signals may be appropriately
`
`20
`
`scaled as will be discussed below. Default dimensions
`
`for the physical playfield may be utilized by a video
`
`game and displayed to a user.
`
`Such dimensions may be
`
`changed during operation of the video game (e.g., a
`
`game may be PAUSED,
`
`taken to a different physical,
`
`25
`
`playfield, and the physical playfield dimensions may be
`
`changed before the game is RESTARTED).
`
`[0045]
`
`Persons skilled in the art will appreciate
`
`that location-based video games may be initially
`
`configured in a variety of ways by a user.
`
`For
`
`30
`
`example, a user may be provided with a GUI that
`
`includes a number of choices as to the shape of an
`
`physical playfield (e.g., a circle, square, or
`
`rectangle).
`
`AS per another example, GUI 412 may be
`
`Express Mail No.
`EV371754078US
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0023
`
`Meta Exhibit 1004
`Meta v. Mullen - Page 0023
`
`
`
`- 14 -
`
`provided in which a user may go to a physical playfield
`
`boundary that the user desires and establish that
`
`location as a location boundary for a game. Dimensions
`
`information may be utilized by a video game system to
`
`determine how to scale location-based inputs.
`
`For
`
`example, if a user is playing an actualty game of
`PACMAN then a user movement in a 10 ft. x 10 ft.
`
`physical playfield may result in PACMAN moving faster
`
`than that same user movement in a 100 ft. x 100 ft.
`
`10
`
`foot physical playfield. Accordingly, a video game
`
`system may scale location inputs such that a person
`
`playing on a 10 ft. x 10 ft. playfield may play in the
`
`same virtual playfield (although multiple displays may
`
`display the virtual playfield) as a user playing ona
`
`15
`
`100 ft. x 100 ft. playfield.
`
`A program may scale user
`
`inputs based on,
`
`for example,
`
`the dimension
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