Operating method for a wireless recreation system

Abstract

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

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an operating method for a wireless recreation system and, more particularly, to a portable wireless device used by a user to link a wireless recreation platform to a global wireless network environment.

2. Description of Related Art

When a wireless receive/transmit module is incorporated into a wireless device, such as a notebook having a wireless network card, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular phone or another mobile media device, the wireless device can perform wireless transmission or other related services within the range of a wireless station. Nevertheless, even though wireless devices are widely used, there are still many places the WLAN cannot reach since the “hot spots” are not widely dispersed.

Furthermore, if a user desires to surf the Internet, download shared media content, send an instant message, or play an on-line game for example, a desktop computer or notebook is required for those applications. A conventional portable wireless device, such as a PDA or a cellular phone, can be used to link to the Internet if a user needs to use the recreation service in a location with a WLAN signal, but it is still inconvenient if there is no wireless signal somehow or not enough hot spots that allow wireless connectivity.

In the prior art, if a user wants to play a game using their mobile phone, first of all, the game has to be downloaded into the device's memory through GPRS service or the like. The game can be played when the data thereof is completely loaded. Besides the standalone game in the mobile device, some parts of the game need to exchange some information with the game server to allow interaction with other users. Moreover, network connection fees and bandwidth are two major drawbacks of the conventional using method, and problems associated with transferring between wireless stations is still an issue for on-line game playing or instant messaging.

U.S. Publication No. 2002/0174248 provides a solution for occupied bandwidth for sending an instant message and the data packets for on-line games. A broadcast channel for a communication channel of the prior art is used for data transmission between end users and the server during instant messaging. The broadcast channel is only occupied when network services are processing, but otherwise it will be unoccupied.

Referring to U.S. Publication No. 2004/0192366, in a wireless local area network (WLAN), wireless devices can transmit messages to each other when they are connected, but the devices are not connected to the Internet or other public network. Reference is made to FIG. 1 showing a plurality of mobile devices 10, 11, 12, 13, such as mobile phones or PDAs. Each mobile device is equipped with wireless connection software whereby a network address is allotted by the WLAN. A wireless receive/transmit (R/T) component therein is used to search for a connection or connect with other devices nearby. For example, a first mobile device 10 establishes a real-time game, and other mobile devices 11, 12, 13 in the same WLAN can connect with the mobile device 10 using the wireless connection software and join the established game.

FIG. 2 shows the schematic diagram of U.S. Publication No. 2004/0162142. Wherein a communication device 20, such as a mobile phone, a PDA or a notebook, enters a game system using its own communication component. The CPU 203 couples an I/O device 201, such as a monitor, a keyboard or a mouse, with the connection software 204 installed in the device 20, and memory 202 used for storage. The connection software 204 connects with a remote game server 21, which provides the game's downloading service where the users can link to and download the game via the communication device 20. The game server 21 includes a database 213 for storing data, a verification unit 211 for verifying a user, a memory 214 for the use of the CPU 212, and connection software 215 installed by the game players. The game server 21 further connects with a bank server 22 for charging the user's account for their usage of the system.

In view of the prior art shown in FIG. 1, the prior art is inadequate as the WLAN and the games or other resources built into the mobile device are limited; either a global wireless network area or widespread hot spots are necessary to provide a connection to a recreation server. The game server mentioned in the embodiment of FIG. 2 only provides one-way game downloading services, and the server doesn't provide an interactive game service for multiple users.

The present invention relates to an operating method for a wireless recreation system, wherein the WiMAX (IEEE802.16), that has a covering range of several kilometers, can be a fundamental protocol. Using a WiMAX, mobile devices can link to a game server having a variety of applications, such as interactive games, instant messaging and sharing resources, through that global connection.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The operating method for a wireless recreation system is described. A user uses a portable wireless device having a wireless R/T module. After registering with a wireless recreation server, the user can proceed to download recreational content, such as media data, instant messages or on-line games through network from any location.

The method for a wireless recreation system is operated within a wireless network environment, wherein a portable wireless recreation device with an incorporated wireless R/T (Receive and Transmit) module is used to process a plurality of recreation options downloaded from a recreation server, the following steps are explained below. Firstly, a wireless recreation device is switched on, then a wireless station, in which a wireless R/T module is installed in the wireless creation device establishes a link after a nearby wireless station is contacted. After that, a network session between the wireless recreation device and the recreation server is established, and secure verification is made there between. From the recreation server, a recreation menu is obtained and one of the recreation options therein is selected in the next step. Next, a plurality of objects of the selected recreation content are downloaded, and starting to process the recreation content.

Within the recreation system, the operating environment of the wireless recreation system is a global wireless network area, and linking software is installed in the wireless recreation device. Furthermore, the wireless recreation device will be allotted a network address or a hostname by an automatic address allotment mechanism of the wireless station. The link established from the wireless recreation device to the server is a three-way handshake, and some form of security verification, like a username and a password, is required. After that, a secure channel therebetween is ready. The recreation menu is provided by the recreation server or defined by the user themselves. Finally, the required objects or files can be downloaded to the wireless recreation device for later use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an application of the wireless communication of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the association between a recreation device and the recreation server according to the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A shows the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B shows the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a flow chart of the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

To allow the Examiner to understand the technology, means and functions adopted in the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description and attached drawings. The Examiner shall readily understand the invention deeply and concretely from the purpose, characteristics and specification of the present invention. Nevertheless, the present invention is not limited to the attached drawings and embodiments in the following description.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the wireless recreation system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of portable wireless recreation devices 31 are wirelessly connected with the wireless stations 301, 302 and 303, by which the device 31 can connect to at least one recreation server 38 or 39. In this preferred embodiment, a variety of media content and interactive games are provided by the first recreation server 38 having a first storage 381, meanwhile, the second recreation server 39 with a second storage 391 also provides miscellaneous media and recreation content in the form of a database. The portable wireless recreation device 31 connecting with the widespread wireless network can download the recreation content listed in a recreation menu, and send the request to the recreation server 38 or 39.

The aforementioned portable wireless recreation device 31 is disposed in the wireless R/T module with various wireless communication protocols. When the nearby wireless station is contacted, the device 31 can interact with other devices of the like, and exchange messages, share files, or play games together and so on. For example, a user using the wireless recreation device 31 can create a battlefield of a game, and other players can join this battlefield with their own equipment.

The conventional methods for wireless communication, such as GPRS, WiFi, or WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microware Access) can achieve global connectivity, an increase in the transmission rate and a lowering of the associated costs.

The first embodiment of the recreation system of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4A. The Internet service providers ISP1 and ISP2 provide the wireless connection between the Internet 44 and the end users. The portable wireless devices 411, 412 and 413 connect with the Internet 44 and further with a recreation server 41 through the ISP 401 or ISP 402 shown in the diagram. The database 45 of the recreation server 41 contains a variety of media content or games items, where the items are provided for the users to choose from. The database 45 further includes verification data for each user comprising of a user's account, password, identification data, bill data, etc. The portable wireless devices 411, 412 and 413 include at least the connection software and the recreation content menu, from which the users can easily choose and download data from. Furthermore, the portable wireless devices 411, 412 and 413 can make a peer-to-peer connection with other portable devices, or establish a server-client connection.

Moreover, for protecting the copyright of the on-line media content, the first embodiment of the present invention introduces on-line video watching and audio listening modes instead of actually downloading the content, namely, the user can watch or listen to the A/V content in real time by extracting the content in a continuous stream.

The second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4B. A database 46 connected with the recreation server 41 doesn't provide the media or games content, rather it stores users' information. The recreation content is provided by an authorized third-party like the information service providers 421 or 422 shown in diagram. For example, the information service providers 421 or 422 can be video downloading providers, music companies or other legal data or game downloading providers. The recreation server 41 of the present invention is a platform that integrates various services with other service providers, wherein a customized menu accompanying the downloading path and legal software is provided. The user can extract and enjoy the A/V content or games easily anytime and anywhere.

The portable wireless devices 411, 412 and 413 mentioned above wirelessly connect to the Internet 44 through the ISPs 401 or 402, and later connects to the recreation server 41 located on the Internet 44. The database 46 of the recreation server 41 of this embodiment contains the connection account, password, ID verification and billing information of its users. Moreover, the recreation content provided by the information service providers 421 and 422 needs to be authorized by the operatively coupled recreation server 41. Namely, the recreation server 41 of the embodiment of the present invention can be a gateway, which provides optimized and legal downloading services for wireless devices.

The preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 shows the operating method for the connection between the wireless recreation devices and the server. The wireless network of the present invention is available worldwide, such as WiMAX protocol. To begin, the user turns the wireless recreation device on (step S501). The built-in wireless receive/transmit unit and the connection software are used to search for a strong signal from a wireless station in step S503. When the searching is successful, the wireless recreation device can be allotted an IP address from the wireless station automatically (step S505). Through the connection with the wireless station, the wireless recreation device can communicate with the recreation server of the Internet, wherein the recreation server is connected in a wired or wirelessly manner with the wireless station (step S507).

A session established between the wireless recreation device and the recreation server can use HTTP protocol. Before the session is established, the portable wireless recreation device performs a handshake process, such as a three-way handshake, with the recreation server. In which, the wireless recreation device sends a request signal to the server. Then the recreation server sends a confirmation signal and requisite information to the device after the server receives the request signal. Finally the session is established after confirming the connection. Afterwards, the wireless recreation device is successfully associated with the recreation server and can perform further transactions.

A secure verification is necessary for a transaction to begin between the wireless recreation device and the recreation server, including the verification of the connection account and its password, or even biological authentication, such as fingerprint and iris scans, etc. Moreover, a secure channel between the wireless recreation device and the server can also operate with another secure connecting method for exchanging information therebetween (step S509).

After verification, the wireless recreation device can download the recreation content menu manually or automatically. The menu is provided by the recreation server, or can be a customized one defined by the users (step S511).

The recreation content in the menu, that the users can select from, can be comprised of a variety of media content, such as movies or music, electronic books, standalone games or interactive games, news, daily information, etc., and is not limited as per this description (step S513).

After that, the wireless recreation device downloads the required objects or files from the recreation server. For example, wherein the required objects are needed by some specific games for initialization (step 515). In the last step S517, the user can process the recreation content after downloading.

Reference is made to FIG. 6, which is the flowchart for the first embodiment of the present invention. To begin, a wireless recreation device is switched on (step S601). Then a wireless module therein is started (step S603). The wireless device starts to search for a nearby wireless station or one that has the best transmission bandwidth (step S605). After connecting with the wireless station, a network address is obtained whereby (step S607). For example, an IP address is required for TCP/IP protocol.

Next, a link is established between the recreation server and the wireless recreation device, and after a security verification has been performed, a secure connection for information exchanging between the device and the server is guaranteed (step S609).

The recreation options in the menu, such as games, movies, music, news, etc., downloaded from the recreation server are selected in step S611. Selecting an A/V downloading mode is an example thereof; the music album or video can be searched for by title, or selected via categories, such as movie/Taiwan movie/90′ movie/, etc. (step S613).

In the method for menu selecting, the recreation options of the menu can be provided by the recreation server, or defined by the user (step S615). Next, the A/V item is selected (step S617). After that, if the A/V items can be downloaded from a plurality of information service providers, users can choose the source by themselves, or they can choose the source server suggested by the recreation server (step S621), and proceed to download (step S623).

In the method for searching for the A/V content, the wireless recreation device searches for the content using various keywords, such as video title, the director's name, the cast of actors, etc. (step S619). After that, if the A/V items are provided for downloading by a plurality of information service providers, the user can choose which one to download from, or follow the suggestion of downloading source from the recreation server (step S621), and proceed to downloading (step S623).

FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of the second embodiment of the present invention. In first step S701, a recreation device is switched on. Then a wireless module is started selectively or automatically (step S703). The wireless device starts to search for a nearby wireless station or one that has the best transmission bandwidth (step S705). A network address is can then be allotted from the wireless station (step S707). For example, an IP address is required for TCP/IP protocol.

Next, a link is established between the recreation server and the wireless recreation device, and the identity of the user is verified. After that, a secure connection for information exchanging between the device and the server is guaranteed (step S709).

The recreation options in the menu, such as games, movies, music, news, etc., can then be downloaded from the recreation server are selected by the user (step S711). For example, a specific game can be searched for by various keywords, such as its title, type of games, etc., or even selected from a categorized menu.

After making a selection, users can choose a download server by themselves or follow the suggestion from the recreation server (step S713). The recreation download server chosen by the user can be one of a plurality of third-party providers. Otherwise, the recreation server can analyze each downloading bandwidth or the quality of those providers, or the database built in the recreation server can provide these services on it's own.

After the download server is selected, the requisite objects or files are downloaded by the recreation device. In one embodiment, the user can download the objects or files relating to a specific game or other modes, such as an interactive game or standalone game (step S715). Next, the user enters a game menu belonging to the game selected by the user (step S717), and a recreation/game mode is selected for interactive or standalone game afterwards (step S719).

Next, related objects or files are downloaded after an indicated recreation mode is selected. If the recreation/game mode is an interactive game, which reacts instantly with other on-line users, the wireless recreation device will interact and exchange signals with others, and related objects should be downloaded to initialize the game. If the recreation/game mode is a standalone game, the recreation device can download the related file as a continuous stream. The aforementioned objects or files related to the indicated recreation content are downloaded into a memory of the wireless recreation device in step S721.

For example, if the indicated game is an interactive game, the user will join another user's battlefield. The recreation device should respond to relevant messages from the recreation server, and vice versa (step S723). Finally, the recreation/game content is started (step S725).

In particular, the present invention discloses an operating method for a wireless recreation system, which works in a global wireless network area, such as WiMAX or WiFi. The user can download the audio or video data from a recreation server through a wireless recreation device, or send an instant message thereby, or play an online game anywhere, or the device can interact with other devices in this global wireless network area.

The many features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the written description above and it is intended by the appended claims to cover all. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation as illustrated and described. Hence, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for a wireless recreation system operated in a wireless network environment, wherein a portable wireless recreation device with a wireless R/T (Receive and Transmit) module incorporated, is used to process a plurality of recreation options downloaded from a recreation server, the method comprises of the following steps:

switching the wireless recreation device on;

linking a wireless station, in which the wireless R/T module installed in the wireless creation device establishes the link after the wireless station nearby is reached;

connecting with the recreation server;

establishing a network session between the wireless recreation device and the recreation server;

performing a security verification between the wireless recreation device and the recreation server;

obtaining a recreation menu, and selecting one of the recreation options;

downloading a plurality objects from the selected recreation content; and

starting to perform the recreation content.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the operating environment of the wireless recreation system is a global wireless network area.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein linking software is installed in the wireless recreation device.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the wireless recreation device is allotted a network address or a hostname by an automatic address allotment mechanism of the wireless station.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of connecting with the recreation server, the wireless recreation device establishes a handshake with the recreation server, such as a three-way handshake.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the secure verification includes an authentication of an account and a password for the same.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of performing the security verification, a secure channel between the wireless recreation device and the recreation server is established.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recreation menu is downloaded from the recreation server manually or automatically by the wireless recreation device.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recreation server connects with the wireless station by means of either a wired or a wireless method, or by another route.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recreation menu is provided by the recreation server.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recreation menu is a customized menu defined by the user themselves.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recreation content includes at least a movie, music or a game.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step of downloading the plurality objects, the recreation content is initialized.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recreation content is downloaded as continuous stream.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recreation content in the recreation server is provided by the recreation server.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the recreation content in the recreation server is provided by a plurality of third-party providers.

17. A method for a wireless recreation system operating in a wireless network environment, wherein the wireless recreation system is used to perform a plurality of recreation options, the method comprises steps:

switching a wireless recreation device on;

activating a wireless R/T module of the wireless recreation device;

searching for a wireless station and obtaining a set of a network address or a hostname;

establishing a link between the wireless recreation device and a recreation server;

obtaining a recreation menu downloaded from the recreation server or defined by the user;

selecting one of the recreation options thereof;

starting to download a plurality of objects from the selected recreation option; and

starting to process the recreation content.

18. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the wireless recreation devices can exchange messages with each other.

19. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the recreation option is selected by the step of searching, or from a categorized menu.

20. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the recreation content in the recreation server is provided by a plurality of third-party providers.

21. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the wireless recreation system is operated in a global wireless network area.

22. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the linking software is installed in the wireless recreation device.

23. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the recreation server connects with the wireless station by means of either a wired or a wireless method, or by another route.

24. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the recreation content includes at least a movie, music or a game.

25. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the recreation content is downloaded as a continuous stream.

26. The method as recited in claim 17, wherein the recreation content in the recreation server is provided by the recreation server.