(12) United States Patent
`Benes et al.
`
`USOO6756882B2
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,756,882 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Jun. 29, 2004
`
`(54) METHOD AND CONTROLLER FOR
`PROVIDING A LOCATION-BASED GAME
`ASSOCIATED WITH A PLURALITY OF
`MOBILE STATIONS
`
`(75) Inventors: Stanley J. Benes, Round Lake Beach,
`IL (US); Lawrence Downing,
`Hoffmann Estates, IL (US); Gerald J.
`Gutowski, Chicago, IL (US)
`(73) Assignee: Motorola, Inc., Schaumburg, IL (US)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 111 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/237,573
`(22) Filed:
`Sep. 9, 2002
`(65)
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2004/0046655 A1 Mar. 11, 2004
`(51) Int. Cl." ................................................ G08B 23/00
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................. 340/323 R; 340/286.02;
`340/539.13; 273/454; 273/459
`(58) Field of Search ........................ 340/323 R, 286.02,
`340/568.7,995.27,995.28, 7.48, 539.11,
`539.13; 273/454, 457, 459, 460
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(56)
`
`5,204657. A * 4/1993 Prosser et al. ........... 340/568.7
`5,686,887 A * 11/1997 Chen et al. ............ 340/539.19
`5,942,969 A 8/1999 Wicks
`5.999,808 A 12/1999 LaDue
`6,320,495 B1 11/2001 Sporgis
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner Van Trieu
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Marshall, Gerstein & Borun
`LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A method (400) and a controller (210) for providing a
`location-based game associated with a plurality of mobile
`stations (170) are described herein. The controller (210) may
`determine a plurality of game parameters based on user
`input from one of a plurality of players. The plurality of
`game parameters may include, but is not limited to, a game
`area (500) having a plurality of activation locations (505).
`The See). (210) may determine location S t
`at least one of the plurality of mobile stations (164). In
`response to one of the plurality of mobile stations (164)
`being within a proximity threshold (535) associated with one
`of the plurality of activation locations (530), the controller
`(210) may activate a game feature within one of the plurality
`of mobile stations (164). Accordingly, the controller (210)
`may provide a point value to one of the plurality of players
`in response to a trigger event associated with the game
`feature.
`
`4,961,575 A * 10/1990 Perry ..................... 340/323 R
`
`22 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`COMMUNICAT
`ION
`NETWORK
`
`Page 1 of 13
`
`SNAP EXHIBIT 1014
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 2004
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 6,756,882 B2
`
`COMMUNICATION
`NETWORK
`
`110
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`MEMORY
`
`DATABASE
`
`PROCESSOR
`
`At ZG 2
`
`At A G 3
`
`Page 2 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 2004
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 6,756,882 B2
`
`DEFINE A PLURALITY OF GAME PARAMETERS-405
`
`ASSIGN TARGETS-415
`
`START LOCATION-BASED GAME - 420
`
`430
`
`IREDNYES
`T
`DEPLOY EXP
`
`ASSIGN NEW MINE -435
`
`440 TTARGET EXPIRED?
`
`YES
`
`ASSIGN NEW TARGET-445
`
`Typ EXPIRED
`
`450
`
`YES
`
`DELETE MINE
`FROM DATABASE
`
`55
`
`SUSPEND PLAYER -465
`
`NO
`IN GAME AREA?
`YES
`IN PROXIMITY THRESHOLD2
`
`
`
`
`
`DEPLOYMENT OF MINES
`
`NO
`
`(around:gorg
`Grovernix.org
`
`YES
`
`YES
`480
`
`FLOW CHART 600 475
`
`FLOW CHART 700
`
`485
`
`END CONDITION?
`
`YES
`
`495
`
`490
`
`400
`At 7G 4
`
`Page 3 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 2004
`Jun. 29, 2004
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 6,756,882 B2
`US 6,756,882 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`AZ G. A
`FIG. 5
`
`Page 4 of 13
`
`Page 4 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 6,756,882 B2
`
`FLOW CHART 600
`
`
`
`
`
`TSAFE EXPIRED?
`YES
`PROVIDE PLAYER WITH GAME QUESTION
`
`605
`
`
`
`
`
`DECREMENT
`TDETONATION
`
`665
`
`TDEIONATION EXPIRED?
`NO
`PLAYER RESPOND
`LAYER
`O
`
`YES
`CORRECT RESPONSE
`
`YE S
`INCREMENT
`PLAYER'S SCORE
`
`INCREMENT MINE
`SETTER'S SCORE
`BASED ON PROXIMITY
`THRESHOLD
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DECREMENT
`PLAYER's scoRE 625
`
`IS PLAYER THE TARGET
`
`YES
`INCREMENT MINE
`SETTER'S SCORE
`BASED ON TARGET AND
`PROXIMITY THRESHOLD
`
`
`
`610
`
`RETURN TO
`CHECK MINE ACTIVITY
`
`At A G. 6
`
`600
`
`Page 5 of 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 29, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 6,756,882 B2
`
`MINE COUNTXO?
`
`YES
`TDEPLOY EXPIRED?
`YES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DEPLOYMENT COMPLETE
`
`745
`
`700
`
`AZG 27
`
`Page 6 of 13
`
`

`

`US 6,756,882 B2
`
`1
`METHOD AND CONTROLLER FOR
`PROVIDING A LOCATION-BASED GAME
`ASSOCIATED WITH A PLURALITY OF
`MOBILE STATIONS
`
`2
`mobile Stations may act as a host mobile Station. The
`plurality of game parameters may include, but is not limited
`to, a game area having a plurality of activation locations, a
`time period associated with the location-based game, and an
`end condition associated with the location-based game. The
`controller may also determine location associated with one
`of the plurality of mobile Stations. In response to one of the
`plurality of mobile Stations being within a proximity thresh
`old associated with one of the plurality of activation
`locations, the controller may activate a game feature within
`one of the plurality of mobile Stations. For example, the
`controller may generate a game question within a mobile
`Station in response to that particular mobile Station being
`within the proximity threshold of one of the plurality of
`activation locations. Further, the controller may provide a
`point value to one of the plurality of players in response to
`a trigger event associated with the game feature. The trigger
`event may be, but is not limited to, a diffusing event and a
`detonating event. For example, a player may be awarded
`with points if that player responds correctly to the game
`question. However, if that player fails to respond correctly to
`the game question then another player may be awarded with
`points. Although the embodiments disclosed herein are
`particularly well Suited for use with a cellular telephone Such
`as one operable in accordance with Java 2 platform, Micro
`Edition (J2ME), persons of ordinary skill in the art will
`readily appreciate that the teachings of this disclosure are in
`no way limited to cellular telephones. On the contrary,
`perSons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that
`the teachings of this disclosure can be employed with any
`wireleSS communication device Such as a pager and a
`personal digital assistant (PDA).
`A communication System in accordance with the present
`disclosure is described in terms of Several preferred
`embodiments, and particularly, in terms of a wireleSS com
`munication System operating in accordance with at least one
`of Several Standards. These Standards include analog, digital
`or dual-mode communication System protocols Such as, but
`not limited to, the Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS),
`the Narrowband Advanced Mobile Phone System
`(NAMPS), the Global System for Mobile Communications
`(GSM), the IS-55 Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)
`digital cellular system, the IS-95 Code Division Multiple
`Access (CDMA) digital cellular system, CDMA2000, the
`Personal Communications System (PCS), 3G, the Universal
`Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and variations
`and evolutions of these protocols.
`A wireleSS communication System is a complex network
`of Systems and elements. Typical Systems and elements
`include (1) a radio link to mobile Stations (e.g., a cellular
`telephone or a Subscriber equipment used to access the
`wireless communication System), which is usually provided
`by at least one and typically several base stations, (2)
`communication links between the base stations, (3) a
`controller, typically one or more base Station controllers or
`centralized base station controllers (BSC/CBSC), to control
`communication between and to manage the operation and
`interaction of the base stations, (4) a Switching System,
`typically including a mobile Switching center (MSC), to
`perform call processing within the System, and (5) a link to
`the land line, i.e., the public Switch telephone network
`(PSTN) or the integrated services digital network (ISDN).
`Abase station subsystem (BSS) or a radio access network
`(RAN), which typically includes one or more base station
`controllers and a plurality of base Stations, provides all of the
`radio-related functions. The base Station controller provides
`all the control functions and physical links between the
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`The present disclosure relates to wireleSS communication
`Systems, and more particularly, to a method and a controller
`for providing a location-based game associated with a
`plurality of mobile Stations.
`
`BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE
`INVENTION
`Wireless communication service providers offer many
`location-based Services Such as emergency Services, mobile
`yellow pages, and navigation assistance to Subscribers. In
`fact, Some providers may provide entertainment Services
`Such as games based on location of Subscribers. Typically, a
`provider may automatically provide a location-based game
`without allowing the Subscribers to alter the game rules and
`parameters. That is, current location-based games do not
`permit Subscribers to alter the game by defining a desired
`area of play nor do they activate game features without
`direct communication between the Subscriber and the pro
`vider. For example, a Subscriber may be physically at a
`particular location but the Subscriber may need to call in to
`the provider to activate a game feature associated with the
`location-based game. As a result, SubscriberS may be forced
`to use premium airtime to participate in the game.
`Further, one aspect of designing a wireleSS communica
`tion System is to optimize the resources available to Sub
`Scribers. In particular, one method of improving the avail
`ability of resources within the wireleSS communication
`System is to reduce traffic to and from mobile Stations.
`Therefore, a need exists for a player-defined location-based
`game and an effective means to provide that game.
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`40
`
`This disclosure will describe several embodiments to
`illustrate its broad teachings. Reference is also made to the
`attached drawings.
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a wireleSS
`communication System.
`FIGS. 2 and 3 are block diagram representations of a
`controller.
`FIG. 4 is a visual representation of a location-based game.
`FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 are flow diagrams illustrating a method
`for providing a location based game.
`
`45
`
`50
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`A method and a controller for providing a location-based
`game associated with a plurality of mobile Stations are
`described herein. In a wireleSS communication System, each
`of a plurality of mobile Stations may correspond to one of a
`plurality of players of the location-based game. The con
`troller may determine a plurality of game parameters based
`on user input within one of the plurality of mobile Stations.
`In particular, the controller may be integrated into a com
`munication network that provides communication Service to
`the plurality of mobile Stations. Alternatively, the location
`based game may be mobile Station-centric Such that the
`controller may be integrated into at least one of the plurality
`of mobile stations. For example, one of the plurality of
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Page 7 of 13
`
`

`

`US 6,756,882 B2
`
`15
`
`3
`Switching System and the base Stations. The base Station
`controller is also a high-capacity Switch that provides func
`tions Such as handover, cell configuration, and control of
`radio frequency (RF) power levels in the base stations.
`The base station handles the radio interface to the mobile
`Station. The base Station includes the radio equipment
`(transceivers, antennas, amplifiers, etc.) needed to Service
`each communication cell in the System. A group of base
`Stations is controlled by a base Station controller. Thus, the
`base Station controller operates in conjunction with the base
`Station as part of the base Station Subsystem to provide the
`mobile Station with real-time Voice, data, and multimedia
`Services (e.g., a call).
`Referring to FIG. 1, a wireleSS communication System
`100 includes a communication network 110 and a plurality
`of base station controllers (BSC), generally shown as 120
`and 125, servicing a total service area 130. AS is known for
`such systems, each BSC 120 and 125 has associated there
`with a plurality of base stations (BS), generally shown as
`140, 142, 144, and 146, servicing communication cells,
`generally shown as 150, 152, 154, and 156, within the total
`service area 130. The BSCs 120 and 125, and base stations
`140, 142, 144, and 146 are specified and operate in accor
`dance with the applicable Standard or Standards for provid
`ing wireleSS communication Services to a plurality of mobile
`stations (MS) 170, generally shown as 160, 162, 164, and
`166, operating in communication cells 150, 152, 154, and
`156, and each of these elements are commercially available
`from Motorola, Inc. of Schaumburg, Ill.
`Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a controller 210 adapted to
`provide a location-based game is shown. AS used herein
`“game” refers to any form of amusement, recreation, com
`petition or contest. Further, "game' also refers to any
`Simulated activity, Virtual activity, role-playing activity,
`competitive activity involving skill, chance and/or
`endurance, or activity requiring a number of points for
`winning. The controller 210 may be operatively coupled to
`a database 220 and integrated into the communication
`network 110 as shown in FIG. 2. The controller 210 may
`operate as a central Server from the communication network
`110 to provide the location-based game as described herein.
`Alternatively, the location-based game may be mobile
`station-centric such that the controller 210 may be integrated
`into at least one of the plurality of mobile stations 170 (one
`shown as 160 in FIG. 3). That is, one of the plurality of
`mobile stations 170 may act as a host mobile station or all
`of plurality of mobile stations 170 may act in conjunction
`with each other to operate the location-based game as
`described herein. The controller 210 includes a processor
`250 and a memory 260. The processor 250 is operatively
`coupled to the memory 260, which Stores a program or a Set
`of operating instructions for the processor 250. The proces
`Sor 250 executes the program or the Set of operating instruc
`tions such that the controller 210 operates as described
`herein. The program of the Set of operating instructions may
`be embodied in a computer-readable medium Such as, but
`not limited to, paper, a programmable gate array, an appli
`cation specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an erasable pro
`grammable read only memory (EPROM), a read only
`memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a mag
`60
`netic media, and an optical media. The database 220 may be
`operable to Store information associated with the location
`based game Such as, but not limited to, a plurality of game
`parameters, a plurality of timers, and game records.
`One possible implementation of the computer program
`executed by the controller 210 (e.g., via the processor 250)
`is illustrated in FIG. 4. Persons of ordinary skill in the art
`
`65
`
`4
`will appreciate that the computer program can be imple
`mented in any of many different ways utilizing any of many
`different programming codes Stored on any of many
`computer-readable mediums Such as a volatile or nonvolatile
`memory or other mass storage device (e.g., a floppy disk, a
`compact disc (CD), and a digital versatile disc (DVD)).
`Thus, although a particular order of Steps is illustrated in
`FIG. 4, persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
`that these Steps can be performed in other temporal
`Sequences. Again, the flow chart 400 is merely provided as
`an example of one way to program the controller 210 to
`provide a location-based game associated with a plurality of
`mobile stations 170. The flow chart 400 begins at step 405,
`wherein the controller 210 may define a plurality of game
`parameters based on user input from one of a plurality of
`players of the location-based game. The plurality of game
`parameters may be, but is not limited to, a game area, a time
`period, an end condition, a category of game questions, and
`a proximity threshold associated with one of a plurality of
`activation locations within the game area. Each of the
`plurality of playerS may operate one of the plurality of
`mobile Stations 170. For example, a player operating the
`mobile station 160 may define a game area within the total
`Service area 130 shown in FIG. 1 for the location-based
`game.
`Referring to FIG. 5, the game area 500 may be a geo
`graphic region defined by, but not limited to, user input (i.e.,
`inputting latitude and longitude coordinates via a mobile
`Station) and Survey (i.e., physically being at a location) of
`the boundaries. When a player (e.g., one of the users of the
`mobile stations 160, 162,164) is within the game area 500,
`a game feature associated with the location-based game may
`be automatically activated (i.e., without user input). In
`contrast, when a player (e.g., user of the mobile station 166)
`is outside of the game area 500, the player may be suspended
`from participating in the location-based game. The game
`area 500 may include a plurality of activation locations 505,
`generally shown as Location A510, Location B 520, Loca
`tion C 530, and Location D 540, so that the game feature
`may be activated when a player is within a proximity
`threshold (generally shown as 515, 525,535, 545) of one of
`the plurality of activation locations 505 as described in detail
`below. The plurality of activation locations 505 may be
`defined as a latitude/longitude coordinate by a location
`System Such as, but not limited to, a global positioning
`system (GPS), and a forward link trilateration (FLT) system.
`Other examples of an activation location may be a location
`asSociated with, but not limited to, an area code, a Zip code,
`and a Square block.
`A player of the location-based game (e.g., the user of the
`mobile station 160) may also define the game feature
`asSociated with the location-based game. For example, the
`game feature may be, but is not limited to, generating a game
`question when a player is within a proximity threshold of
`one of the plurality of activation locations 505. In particular,
`the game questions may be associated with a category Such
`as, but not limited to, Sports, Science, history, arts,
`entertainment, people, and places. The response by a player
`to the game questions may determine how to assign point
`values to the players in the location-based game as described
`in detail below.
`Further, a player Such as, but not limited to, the player
`operating the mobile Station 160, may define an end condi
`tion associated with the location-based game. For example,
`the location-based game may end for all players after a game
`time period (TAE). The game time period (TAE) may
`be, but is not limited to, a user-defined time period and a
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`Page 8 of 13
`
`

`

`S
`randomly-generated time period. In another example, the
`location-based game may have a single elimination format
`Such that a player may exit the location-based game after a
`detonating event (i.e., a player may detonate a “mine' by
`failing to respond correctly to a game question). A player
`may also exit the location-based game after detonating a
`predetermined number of mines (i.e., failing to respond
`correctly to a predetermined number of game questions).
`Alternatively, the location-based game may end when a
`player scores a predetermined number of points (i.e., reaches
`a predetermined point value). For example, the location
`based game may end when a player Scores a particular
`number of points. A player's participation in the location
`based game may be terminated when the Score of that player
`falls below a minimum threshold such as zero (0) points.
`Upon defining the plurality of game parameters as
`described above, the controller 210 at step 415 may assign
`each player participating in the location-based game with
`another player as a target. The controller 210 may either
`assign targets based on user input or randomly assign each
`player to at least one target. For example, the player oper
`ating the mobile Station 162 may be a target for the player
`operating the mobile Station 164, which in turn, may be a
`target for the player operating the mobile station 166 (i.e.,
`MS 162->MS 164->MS 166). Alternatively, the controller
`210 may assign targets on a reciprocal basis as oppose to a
`non-reciprocal basis as described above. That is, the player
`operating the mobile Station 162 may be a target for the
`player operating the mobile station 164 and Vice versa (i.e.,
`MS 162es MS 164). A player may be a target of a mine setter
`(i.e., another player) for a time period (Targer) or until that
`detonates a mine set by the mine setter (i.e., failing to
`respond correctly to a game question). The assignment of
`targets may contribute to providing point values to the
`players in the location-based game as described in detail
`below.
`The location-based game may start at Step 420. In
`particular, a plurality of time periods associated with, but not
`limited to, the game, a target, and an activation location may
`begin to increment/decrement. For example, a player may
`have defined the location-based game to end in eight (8)
`hours (i.e., an end condition). AS result, the players may play
`the location-based game until the game time period
`increments/decrements to eight (8) hours.
`The controller 210 may also keep track of a deployment
`time period (Toro), which is a time period for a player
`to activate a plurality of activation locations 505 (“mines”).
`That is, a player may activate a predetermined number of
`locations within the game area 500 as one of the plurality of
`activation locations 505 such that a game feature may be
`activated when another player is within a proximity thresh
`old of one of the plurality of activation locations 505. The
`plurality of activation locations 505 (i.e., location of the
`mines) may be stored within the database 220. As mines are
`deployed, for example, the number of mines available for a
`player to deploy may decrease. To prevent “flooding of the
`game space 500 with mines all at once, the controller 210 at
`step 430 may determine whether the deployment time period
`(Toro) has expired before assigning additional mines for
`a player to deploy. In which case, the controller 210 may
`assign additional mines to a player at Step 435. Otherwise,
`the controller 210 may proceed directly to step 440 to
`determine whether a target time period (TA) has
`expired, i.e., a time period associated with a player being a
`target. If the target time period (Targer) has expired then
`the controller 210 at step 445 may assign that player as a new
`target for another player. Following the example described
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US 6,756,882 B2
`
`6
`above, the player operating the mobile Station 162 may be a
`target of the player operating the mobile station 164. When
`the target time period (Targer) associated with the player
`operating the mobile station 162 expires, the controller 210
`may assign the player operating the mobile Station 164 with
`another player as a target. Next, the controller 210 may
`proceed to step 450 to determine whether an expiration time
`period (TExprArrow) of one of the plurality of activation
`locations 505 has expired. That is, a location within the
`game area may be activated as an activation location (i.e., a
`“mine') for a particular time period. After the expiration
`time period (TExprArrow), a location may no longer be
`activated So that a game feature may be triggered when a
`player is within a proximity threshold of that particular
`location. Accordingly, the controller 210 at step 455 may
`delete that particular location from the database 220 as one
`of the plurality of activation locations 505 (i.e., no longer a
`“mine').
`The controller 210 may monitor and determine location
`asSociated with at least one of the plurality of mobile Stations
`170. Persons of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
`determining location of a mobile Station may be imple
`mented in many ways. For example, the controller 210 may
`determine location associated with the mobile station 160
`based on a global positioning system (GPS). Based on the
`location of a mobile station, the controller 210 at step 460
`may determine whether that particular mobile Station is
`within the game area 500. If the mobile station is outside of
`the game area 500 (e.g., mobile station 166), the controller
`at Step 465 may Suspend the player operating that mobile
`Station from participating in the location-based game. For
`example, the player operating the mobile station 166 may
`not participate in the location-based game because the
`mobile station 166 is outside the game area 500 as shown in
`FIG. 5. Otherwise, referring back to FIG. 4, the controller
`210 at step 470 may determine whether the mobile station is
`within a proximity threshold of one of the plurality of
`activation locations 505. Each proximity threshold, gener
`ally shown as 515,525,535,545, may be a surrounding area
`that defines the boundary of a corresponding activation
`location 510, 520, 530, 540, respectively. For example, the
`proximity threshold 525 of Location B 520 may be 100 feet
`(i.e., less than or equal to 100 feet), and the mobile Station
`162 may be more than 100 feet from Location B 520 (i.e.,
`>100 feet). Because the mobile station 162 is outside the
`proximity threshold 525 of Location B 520, the mobile
`Station 162 may not activate a game feature associated with
`the location-based game. In contrast, for example, the proX
`imity threshold 535 of Location C 530 may be 200 feet (i.e.,
`less than or equal to 200 feet), and the mobile station 164
`may be less than 200 feet from Location C 530. As a result,
`the mobile Station 164 may activate a game feature associ
`ated with the location-based game because the mobile
`station 164 is within the proximity threshold 535 of the
`Location C 530.
`Each of the proximity thresholds 515, 525,535,535 may
`be user-defined by a player who designated a corresponding
`location as one of the plurality of activation locations 505
`(i.e., the mine setter may set the proximity threshold of a
`“mine”). Point values may be awarded based on the prox
`imity threshold. That is, a smaller proximity threshold may
`correspond to more points for the mine Setter whereas a
`larger threshold may correspond to fewer points for the mine
`Setter in response to a mine being detonated. For example,
`the miner setter of Location B 520 may receive more points
`than the mine setter of Location C 530 because the proximity
`threshold 525 for Location B 520 is less than the proximity
`
`Page 9 of 13
`
`

`

`US 6,756,882 B2
`
`15
`
`25
`
`35
`
`40
`
`7
`threshold 535 for Location C (i.e., 100 feet versus 200 feet,
`respectively, as mentioned in the above example).
`By being in within the proximity threshold of one of the
`plurality of activation locations 505 (i.e., triggering a mine)
`as the mobile station 164 did in the above example, the
`player operating the mobile Station 164 may be provided
`with a notification indicating that a game feature may be
`activated (i.e., a game question). The notification may be,
`but is not limited to, a graphical image, a Sound indication,
`a Visual indication, a text message, an audio message, a
`Video message, and a multimedia message. Accordingly, the
`controller 210 at step 475 may proceed to flow chart 600
`shown in FIG. 6. In particular, the controller 210 at step 605
`may determine whether a safe time period (TA) associ
`ated with one of the plurality of activation locations has
`expired, i.e., a time period for a player to designate a
`location as one of the plurality of activation locations and to
`leave the proximity threshold of that activation location
`before it may be armed. Thus, the Safe time period (Ts)
`may allow a player to “back track to designate another
`location as one of the plurality of activation locations. The
`controller 210 may return to flow chart 400 via step 610 if
`the Safe time period (TA) has not expired. Otherwise, the
`controller 210 may remove that activation location from the
`database 220 and proceed to step 615 to provide a player
`with a game question. The controller 210 may randomly
`Select the game question for the player to respond.
`Alternatively, the player may Select a game question within
`a category. Points may be awarded to the playerS based on
`whether a mine diffused. In particular, a player may diffuse
`a mine by responding correctly to a game question within a
`detonation time period (Torovarrow). At Steps 620, the
`controller 210 may determine whether the detonation time
`period (Tetovarrow) has expired. If the player fails to
`respond correctly the game questions prior to the detonation
`time period (TorrowArrow) expiring, the controller 210 may
`to provide point values to the playerS accordingly. To
`illustrate the concept of providing point values, the control
`ler 210 at step 625 may begin providing point values to the
`players by decrementing the Score of the player who failed
`to respond to the game question prior to the detonation time
`period (TA). Further, the controller 210 at Step
`630 may determine whether that player (i.e., one who
`activated the game feature by being within the proximity
`threshold of one of the plurality of activation locations 505)
`is a target of the player who designated the location as one
`of the plurality of activation locations 505. That is, the
`controller 210 may determine whether the player who trig
`gered the mine is a target of the player who set the mine (i.e.,
`the mine Setter). For example, the player operating the
`mobile Station 164 may have activated a game feature by
`being within the proximity threshold 535 of location C 530.
`Accordingly, the controller 210 may determine whether the
`player operating the mobile Station 164 may be a target of
`the player who designated Location C 530 as one of the
`plurality of activation locations 505 (i.e., the player who
`deployed the mine at Location C). If the player operating the
`mobile Station 164 is a target of the mine Setter, the con
`troller 210 at step 640 may increment the score the mine
`Setter accordingly. That is, the mine Setter may receive more
`points because a target failed to provide a correct response
`to the game question within the detonation time period
`(Torovario) (i.e., the target detonated the mine). Further,
`the controller 210 may also award points based on the
`proximity threshold. AS noted above, a Smaller proximity
`threshold may correspond to more points for the mine Setter
`whereas a larger proximity threshold may correspond to
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`fewer points because a Smaller proximity threshold is not as
`encompassing as a larger proximity threshold (i.e., a Smaller
`proximity threshold covers a Smaller area than a larger
`proximity threshold). On the other hand, if the player
`operating the mobile Station 164 is not a target of the mine
`setter, the controller 210 at step 645 may increment the score
`of the mine setter simply based on the proximity threshold.
`After providing point values to the players at either step 640
`or step 645, the controller 210 at step 610 may return to step
`480 of flow chart 400 shown in FIG. 4.
`Referring back to step 620, if the controller 210 deter
`mines that the detonation time period (Tetovarrow) has not
`expired then the controller 210 may proceed to step 660 to
`determine whether the player provided a response to the
`game question. If the player has not responded to the
`questions then the controller 210 at step 665 may decrement
`the detonation time period (Tetovarrow) and return to step
`620 to determine whether the detonation time period
`(Torovario) has expired. Otherwise, the controller 210
`may proceed to step 670 to determine whether the player
`provided a correct response to the game question to diffuse
`the mine. If the player fails to respond correctly to the game
`questions (i.e., the mine detonated), the controller 210 may
`proceed to provide point values to the players beginning
`with step 625 as described above. However, if the player
`correctly answers to the game question then the controller
`210 at step 680 may increment the score of that player. From
`the example illustrated above, if the player operating the
`mobile Station 164 correctly responds to the game question
`then the player operating the mobil