System and method for application management through threshold events

The present invention generally relates to computer networks and wireless communications. In particular, the present invention relates to managing a remote application in a wireless communication network that causes a threshold event during application execution.

Mobile communication devices such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants have computer platforms that can provide more services than simple voice or data communication services. Existing mobile phones can receive "short messages" such as paging messages or emails. The mobile phone can also act as a web browser, allowing users to access the Internet and view a variety of information. Current mobile device processors generally manage any resident application, which simply runs the application and does not interact with servers or other computer devices on the wireless network.

Simplex communication is common in existing wireless networks. One example is a short message downloaded from a server to a mobile device, such as a page or email. These unidirectional communications generally use a limited amount of expensive bandwidth in cellular networks. Therefore, two-way communication is provided for voice calls between members on the network.

It is also known to have multiple user environments and substantially real-time interactions between personal computer devices on a wired LAN or the Internet. Such interactions generally occur via servers on the Internet or LAN, or selectively. And, like application management, market data collection, and the dissemination of software patches and updates, the server can store a record of multiple user interactions that the host desires for some purpose. However, the interaction and management of such applications has been unnecessary and impractical in wireless devices due to bandwidth constraints and the lack of a multi-user interaction environment.

Therefore, in wireless networks, it would be advantageous to provide systems and methods that enable remote application management on remote and mobile computer devices. Therefore, it is to provide such systems and methods to which the present invention is primarily directed.

Outline of the invention

The present invention is a system, method, and program that provides an interactive game or application among multiple users located at different geographic locations. In this case, the system manages the application according to the threshold events that occur in the application. Such threshold events can occur for individual users in a shared application or for a group of users.

The system includes a server connected to a wireless communication network and optionally a database accessible by the server. The server communicates with a plurality of wireless communication devices such as mobile phones or other mobile terminals via a wireless communication network. One or more users can start an application by connecting to the server and selecting the application. The server identifies the user through the identity associated with the mobile device and searches for the appropriate level or access or application for one or more users. The server can also send invitations to other users identified as teammates to that user, or, if desired, acquire other users for a multi-user environment. .. If the application contains opponents, the server can send a list of opponents and let the user select an opponent. After the user selects an opponent, the server can send an invitation to the opponent and set up the application between the two members.

In one embodiment, the server selects an application available to the user based on the user's previous application data, such as the score earned or the duration of use of the application. Therefore, the server compares the application data to determine if the threshold event was delivered by the user or a group of users, and if the threshold event is delivered, the server can change the application that exists for the user. You can provide users with different levels of access, or you can record the events delivered. The server or other database tracks and stores application event data for that user or group, especially for remotely used applications, thus eliminating the possibility of threshold data being tampered with by the user. ..

In another embodiment, the server executes the selected application using the display information transmitted to the screen on each mobile communication device, and each user inputs data from his / her mobile communication device. It is transmitted from the mobile device to the server via the wireless communication network. The server receives the input and incorporates it into the application. The output from the application is broadcast by the server to each mobile device for display. The server tracks events for multi-user interactions.

In an alternative embodiment, the selected application can be downloaded to and executed on each mobile device. In this embodiment, the user takes the input, the mobile device locally performs an input and an application de- transmits the over data to the server on the network. As such, the server-side user can determine the threshold events that occur on a single mobile device.

Therefore, systems, methods, and programs offer advantages in managing applications on remote mobile devices and in controlling access to server-side applications, through server-side decisions on threshold events. To benefit users. The invention can be used by a single user or application on a device with a common user team and is therefore extensible to multi-user applications. And since the application data for the mobile device is held at least on the server side, the data is safe against user tampering.

Other objectives, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent after a brief description of the drawings described below, a detailed description of the invention, and a scrutiny of the claims.

In this description, the terms "game" and "application" are used interchangeably. "Score" and "threshold event" are used interchangeably. Similar symbols throughout some drawings refer to similar elements. As technology for third-generation (3G) wireless communications matures, more service providers are beginning to update the data transfer rates and communications capabilities of wireless networks. Using 3G technology, transmission speeds can be increased to 2.4 million bits per second (mbps) in fixed environments or 500 kilobits per second (kbps) in mobile environments. This increase in transmission speed provides more bandwidth for mobile communications, as well as other mobile communications that can communicate data to and from other mobile and fixed computer devices over wireless networks. To do. Mobile communication devices such as mobile phones and personal digital assistance have computer platforms that can provide more services than simple voice or data communication services. A 3G mobile phone can act as a web browser, allowing you to access the Internet to view various information, or connect to a server and download software applications. With the higher data transfer rates possible in 3G mobile phone networks, very fast unidirectional or bidirectional communication is possible that allows interactive computer sessions with multiple users. Such an interactive session can include a game or other computer application that requires the mobile device to engage in data download and upload while the application is running. Increased bandwidth in this wireless network allows interactive applications with graphic displays to play games between multiple users in addition to providing regular telecommunications services between users. To. The wireless communication network 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a plurality of communication towers 102. Each communication tower 102 is connected to a serving user having a base station 104 and a communication device 106. Communication device 106 can be a mobile phone, pager, PDAs, laptop computer, or portable, fixed, or portable communication device that uses wireless and cellular telecommunications networks. The commands and data input by each user are transmitted to the communication tower 102 as digital data. Communication between the user using the communication device 106 and the communication tower 103 is code division multiple access, time division multiple access, frequency division multiple access, global system for mobile communication (GSM), or wireless communication network or data communication. The network can be based on different technologies such as other protocols that may be used. Data from each user is transmitted from the communication tower 102 to the base station (BS) 104 and to the mobile communication switchboard (MSC) 108, which may be connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 110. .. The MSC108 sends data to a server 112 that may connect directly to the MSC108 or PSTN110. Server 112 runs an application that may be a special computer program that parses the data and provides a response that follows it. This response can be a graphical display, command, or data. This response is broadcast to one or more users over the wireless communication network 100. The application executed by the server 112 may have the architecture 200 shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, and the application runs on the server, block 202. The application may access block 204, a database in which application data is stored. The application communicates with an applet running on the mobile communication device 206 via download link 208 or upload link 210. The applet receives a command or data from the application and modifies the display 212 on the communication device. The applet also receives input from the user via input device 214 and uploads the input to the application on the server. An applet can be a simple software application that runs independently on a communication device.

An alternative embodiment of Architecture 300 is shown in the block diagram of FIG. In this embodiment, a copy of the application is downloaded to each communication device, block 302, and a simpler applet runs on the server, block 304. In this embodiment, the applet on the server performs the simple task of receiving inputs from each communication device and broadcasting those inputs to all communication devices 106 running the same application. The input is received by each communication device and executed by an application on the communication device 106. In most cases, each application modifies the graphical display on the communication device 106. The applet on the server, block 304, is also responsible for tracking score or threshold events and accessing application data on the database, block 204. When a user in communication device 1 scores against another user in communication device 2, a score or event is transmitted from communication device 1 to the server. The applet on the server receives the score or event and broadcasts it to communication device 2. At the end of the application, the applet stores the score or event information in the server-side database 204. By storing the score information in the database 204, the system prevents potential user tampering with the score. Threshold data such as scores, or duration of application use or criteria for application use can be stored in the database. It provides users (s) of applications with special services such as advanced application availability, competitive entry, application updates, or other benefits that are provided to the user (s) when a threshold event occurs. Can also be supplied to). FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary flowchart for a communication device process 400 for playing a game, including changes in game application availability that occur in a threshold event. The user activates the communication device 106 and starts the communication device process 400 by accessing the server 112. The user may connect to the server 112 by dialing the predefined access number assigned by the server 112. Further, the connection between the communication device 106 and the server 112 may be via a predetermined data communication channel or may follow a predetermined communication protocol. After the communication device 106 is connected to the server 112, the communication device 106 transmits the identification information to the server 112, block 402. Identification is, for example, the user's initials or personal identification number (PIN), or mobile identification number (MIN) assigned to the mobile device, or electronic serial number (ESN) or device identification number (EID) of the mobile device, Or it may be user identification information such as a combination thereof. After transmitting the identification information, the communication device 106 receives a user-tailored menu (block 404) and displays it on the display screen on the communication device 106. The menu received by the communication device can be changed according to the user. The menu may be a list of applications available to the user and may include a list of levels. User access to more advanced levels depends on the user's past behavior at lower levels, and user scores at lower levels are preferably stored in database 204. For applications that do not include prizes or competition, the user's score may be stored locally in the communication device 106. The user can select an application from the menu (block 406), and if there are multiple levels for the selected application, the user can also select the application level. However, for multi-level applications, the server 112 may automatically determine the application level. Server 112 finds the user's score associated with such an application and determines the application level by comparing the score with the score table. The result of the comparison determines the level the user must play. Thus, if the user acquires a threshold event for the duration of play, the advanced gaming application can be supplied to the user's communication device 106. After the user selects an application, the selection information is sent to server 112 (block 408), which sends the application to communication device 106 for execution. The communication device 106 receives the application (block 410) and executes the application (block 412). Execution of the application in the communication device is further described in FIG. The server can also launch applets related to the application as described above. FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart of the server process 500 for managing a game application running on the communication device 106. The server 112 receives the identification information from the communication device 106 and checks it against the user table or the subscriber table. If the user is a subscriber or otherwise an authorized user, the server sends a menu to the communicator (block 504). If the user is a visitor, the server must retrieve the user's information from the user's home server before making the user accessible to the system. After the user makes a selection, the server receives the selection (block 506) and retrieves the user's score from the database (block 508). Scores are associated with each application and stored in a database. The server compares the user's score to the score table to determine if the user is eligible to play the application or at a certain level (block 510). The server then selects an application based on the score (block 512) and sends the application to communication device 106 (block 514). If the application selected is a team application, i.e. includes two or more users and a communicator 106, the server can query the user for information about other teammates and invite the teammates (block 518). ). This invitation can arise from finding a message indicating that a member wants to play a team game when prepared and sending it to another communication device 106. The teammate information may also be stored in the database, and the server can retrieve the teammate information from the database before inviting the teammates. If the selected application contains a match application, i.e. an opponent, the server may search the database for an opponent list and send the opponent list to the communications device (block 522). The opponent list can be predefined by all users who have previously played this application, or it can be predefined by the user. After the user selects an opponent, which may be an individual or a team of several people, the server receives the opponent selection and invites the opponent (block 526). When teammates and / or opponents accept the invitation, the server broadcasts the application to each (block 528) and the server runs the application or its applet (block 530). At the end of the application, the server stores the score and application information in the database (block 532). FIG. 6 is a detail of block 412 of FIG. While the communication device 106 is running the application, the communication device 106 checks for input from the user (block 602). If there is input from the user, communication device 106 executes it (block 604) and sends the input to the server (block 606). However, if the communication device 106 is only executing the applet of the application, the communication device 106 only sends the input to the server and does not have to execute it locally. The input from each user can be sent to the server as part of a data packet containing the user's identity. Communication device 106 also checks for commands from the server (block 608). When the command is received from the server, communication device 106 executes the command (block 610). Execution of the command may include updating the screen display, generating sound effects, or other effects equipped with communication device 106. The communication device 106 repeatedly executes the steps shown in FIG. 6 until the input from the user for terminating the application is received or the termination command is received from the server. FIG. 7 is a detail of block 530 of FIG. While the server is running the application, the server checks input from the user, block 532. When the input is received from the user, the server executes the input (block 534) and broadcasts the resulting command to all communication devices 106 connected to the same application (block 536). These commands are used by the communication device 106 to synchronize with the server. If the server is running an applet for an application, the server uses the input to update its state and broadcast the input to all communication devices 106. In this case, the input is performed individually on each communication device. After the server broadcasts the command to the communication device, the server 112 stores the score in its internal register, block 538. When the application is finished, the score is stored in the database. Server 112 iteratively performs the steps shown in FIG. 7 until the application termination event is received. The application termination event may be user input or other criteria that may be technically known. In addition to coordinating behavior between communication devices 106 and tracking scores or other thresholds, server 112 may also be responsible for billing. Users may be billed for access time or on a per-application basis. FIG. 8 illustrates the user application data 800 that can be stored in the database 204. Information about User Joe includes applications he subscribes to, 802, scores per application he subscribes to, teams he subscribes to per application, 806, and opponents per application he subscribes to, 808. You may. If the application is not a match application, the opponent field remains blank for that application. If the application is not a team application, the team field remains blank for that application. Therefore, the system can run multiple user match applications. In this case, the multiple teams compete with each other. For example, the user may choose to choose a basketball game for other teams. When a user connects to server 112, their identity, such as the ESN of their mobile device, is sent to server 112. Server 112 enables its identity to the database and ensures that the user has permission to access the service. As part of the activation, the server may also require the user to enter a PIN. After ensuring that the user has permission to access the service, server 112 provides a menu of games for the user to select. The user selects a basketball game and the selection information is sent to the server. Server 112 checks if the user belongs to a predetermined team, and if the user belongs to a team, server 112 sends an invitation to the user's teammates. Server 112 also checks for previous scores earned by the user's team and selects a list of opponents. A list of opponents is sent to the user, who can select one opponent team. After the opponent team is selected, server 112 sends an invitation to the members of the opponent team.

With all teammates and opponents in place, Server 112 then broadcasts the game to all participants. Each communication device 106 receives a copy of the game and executes it locally. The screen display is locally controlled from the output of the game relayed by the server 112. During the game, input from each user is executed locally and uploaded to the server. After receiving input from the user to one person, the server broadcasts those input to all players in the same game. When the communication device 106 receives the input, each device executes the input and updates the screen accordingly. For example, when user 1 inputs a jump shot, that user's communication device 106 jumps. Execute shoot) and upload the jump shot with all the support information to the server 112. The support information may include the position of the user, the angle of the jump shot, the force of the jump shot, and the like. The jump shot is received by the server 112 along with all support information and is broadcast by the server to all communication devices 106. Each device performs a jump shot, and if the jump shot is good, all communication devices show the jump shot as a score for the user's team. The server 112 tracks the score by receiving information from the communication device 106 during the game. At the end of the game, Server 112 stores the score in a database that will be available the next time the user selects a basketball game. Although the present invention has been specifically shown and described using some embodiments, various modifications in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the following claims. Good things will be understood by those skilled in the art. Further, although the elements of the invention may be described or claimed in the singular, they are intended to be plural unless the limitation to the singular is explicitly stated.

<figref num="1">Figure 1 shows the architecture of a wireless communication network.</figref><figref num="2">FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an application managed via a threshold event.</figref><figref num="3">FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the application managed via threshold events.</figref><figref num="4">FIG. 4 is a flowchart for an embodiment of a process executed on a mobile device to receive and execute a game application.</figref><figref num="5">FIG. 5 is a flowchart for another embodiment of the process running on a server in a wireless network to manage a gaming application running on the device of FIG.</figref><figref num="6">FIG. 6 is a flow chart for a process to be executed on a mobile device when executing a command while executing an application such as a game.</figref><figref num="7">FIG. 7 is a flowchart for the server to receive and execute the command transmitted from the mobile device of FIG.</figref><figref num="8">FIG. 8 shows an example of application data stored in the server-side database.</figref>