METHOD AND DEVICE FOR SENDING AND RECEIVING GAME CONTENT INCLUDING DOWNLOAD THEREOF

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to methods and devices as well as handheld stations and computer program products for sending video game content to handheld mobile terminals, comprising broadcasting common video game content to handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel, to enable said handheld mobile terminals to execute video game applications.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of game data transfer to handheld mobile communication terminals. The present invention also relates to mobile multi-player online gaming. During such games data including game content has to be sent from the server to the players and back. The present invention also pertains to the delivery of amounts of data to mobile terminal devices. The present invention also proposes a new way to deliver video game resources (application, sounds, game levels, graphics, etc.) over digital television broadcasts, wherein the video game can be tied with television content such as certain shows.

In the area of online gaming often, the same data has to be sent to a large number of players. Frequently, this data is not especially timing critical, e.g. new backgrounds, new levels, sounds or features or the game software itself. In online gaming there are also individual data that are often timing critical such as game character actions. The present invention strives to find a new way to optimize the use of data transfer resources for an optimal gaming experience.

This invention is also related to the networking solutions for high-quality mobile massive multi-player on-line games (MMOG). The present invention is especially related to a novel algorithm with an effective combination of UMTS and radio digital broadcasting system for handheld devices.

The global spread of on-line multi-player gaming has made it more important to investigate the network behavior and game performance for better and broader networking supports. With increased requirements of the players and the expanded scale of the games, the downlink traffic tends to occupy more and more bandwidth resource, which is scarce and expensive in mobile networks.

Today, applications, such as games, can be downloaded into consumer devices over the air (OTA) utilizing cellular networks, WLAN, BT, etc. These downloading methods offer different bit rates and have different radio frequency coverage ranges. While cellular networks today offer good coverage, the available bit rates do not allow large game content to be downloaded within acceptable time periods.

The term computer game is a game usually composed of a computer controlled virtual environment in which players may interact in order to achieve a goal or a set of goals. The expression “video game” is used in the text in the sense of a game that for execution is depicted on a screen or a display of a handheld terminal device. The expression “video games” is not used in the sense of a video console game that is strongly tied to a single hardware equipment. The term “video game” is used in the sense of computer game where the video display is the primary feedback or output device. The expressions “computer game” or “video game” are not restricted to games to be executed on personal computers or video game consoles. In the following text the expression video game is used to refer to interactive game software of computer and video games irrespective on which kind of device or terminal (neither personal computer nor video game console) it is executed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention a method of sending video game contents to handheld mobile communication terminals is provided. The method comprises broadcasting common video game content to handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel. This basic embodiment simply discloses the use of a digital video broadcast handheld channel for downloading common video game content.

This embodiment is directed to special game online games such as obstacle race (a game where a user has to avoid obstacles on a path with increasing speed) or other pure reaction games that are based on single data stream. This first example embodiment can be used to utilize the whole digital video broadcast handheld channel only for common video game content. The term “common video game content” has been selected to indicate that the video game content is common i.e. not individually tailored for each user or receiver. This first embodiment does not require any upload or uplink data transfer and may be used as a kind of downlink only game. It may also serve to download complete software updates.

This embodiment of the method is intended to be executed on a digital video broadcast handheld (DVB-H) broadcast station, especially for game content downloading. However, it is also possible to execute this method also at an online game server that is capable of digital video broadcast handheld (DVB-H) broadcasting including game content.

The use of mobile, digital TV broadcasting networks, provides a wide area coverage and high bit rate, to download large game content over the air for mobile online multi-player gaming.

It should be noted that a whole DVB-H channel may be used for data transmission alternatively to TV transmission (e.g. at times of the day when there is no TV program). It is also envisaged to utilize unused capacity of TV transmission (e.g. when the picture doesn't change much and the data stream for TV only requires a low data rate) for the data transmission.

In an example embodiment the method further comprises receiving said common video game content from a remote game server. In this case the sender or provider of the said common video game content may be a remote server, such as e.g. from an online game provider or from an advertisement server.

In another example embodiment the method can further comprise combining/integrating said common video game content (that may have been received from a remote game server) with/into a video data stream, and broadcasting said common video game content combined with/integrated in said video data stream to said handheld mobile communication terminal via a DVB-H channel including game content.

In yet another example embodiment the method further comprises receiving a video data stream, generating said common video game content according to a content of said received video data stream, combining said generated common video game content with said received video data stream, and broadcasting said common video game content combined with said video data stream to handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel.

The video data stream can be received from a digitizer, a storage, an archive, or a video stream provider. The common video game content is generated according to a content of said received video data stream. The software for generating said common video game content might be received from a remote game server. That is the common video game content is related to the video data stream. It is for example possible to define certain target areas in the video stream as common video game content. This embodiment is directed to provide a kind of augmented TV online gaming.

Then the generated common video game content and the video data stream are merged and broadcasted to handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel. That is the video game content is tied to the content of the video stream and may further be related to the content of the video stream.

In another example embodiment said common video game content is transferred to said handheld mobile communication terminals using Internet protocol datacast (IPDC).

In the context of massive multi-player games that are played by wide audiences who all share a lot of common data of the game world, such data could be sent in a broadcast, from which each client filters out the unnecessary data, using only the parts essential for the particular player.

The method of the invention may be extended by an additional step of filtering out the necessary data, using only the parts essential for that particular player for executing the online game application.

According to another aspect of the invention a method is provided for receiving video game content at a handheld mobile communication terminal. The method comprises receiving a common video game content at a handheld mobile communication terminal via a digital video broadcast channel, and using at least a part of said common video game content for executing a video game application on said handheld mobile communication terminal.

This basic embodiment may be embodied as the download of video game content at a handheld mobile communication terminal. This may be embodied to utilize the whole digital video broadcast handheld channel only for common video game content. The common video game content is common i.e. not individually tailored for each single terminal. This first embodiment does not require any upload or uplink data transfer and may be used as a kind of downlink only game.

In another example embodiment said method further comprises executing at least a part of said received common video game content. This embodiment requires an execution of the game application. This embodiment may also select a certain part of the common video game content for executing the video game application. This embodiment may not necessarily require an uplink. This embodiment may be used to transfer e.g. two different common video game contents to enable a two player combat game experience, with two different kinds of target areas that are e.g. only valid for a single user.

In yet another example embodiment of the present invention said common video game content is received at the handheld mobile communication terminal combined with a video stream of a digital video broadcast channel. In this case the method further comprises extracting said common video game content, from said video stream, and using at least a part of said extracted common video game content for executing a video game application on said handheld mobile communication terminal.

This embodiment discloses the use of a background download of common video game content via DVB-H, e.g. while a user is watching TV on his mobile device.

In another example embodiment of the invention the method further comprises displaying said received extracted video stream on a display of said handheld mobile communication terminal, and executing said video game application in the handheld mobile communication terminal in accordance with said received and displayed video stream.

This embodiment represents a kind of augmented television gaming, wherein the game is related to the content of a DVB-H audio or video stream.

This may be implemented as a “censorship” game, one-button game to “beep out” any mentioning of a name of a certain person in a TV play (with points for every completely garbled name (or other word such as “and”) and “negative points for garbled non-target words).

Another implementation could be a “play along music videos” implementation. In this implementation, a set of sample files is transferred in the beginning as part of the broadcast. The idea in the game is that the player must press correct buttons at correct times in accordance to audio signals (or respective display elements). The buttons the player should press may appear on the screen superimposed on top of the music videos, or may each be illuminated at the point in time these keys have to be pressed. It is also possible that the buttons trigger musical sample files that are in harmony with the part of the music that is currently heard. In addition to “jamming” along the music video, also a score is calculated about the player's efforts.

It may also be possible to use special audio/video games that require to press a certain button in case a certain character or a certain event occurs in the video stream, for example to generate a certain sound effect as an confirmation.

In yet another additional example embodiment the method further comprises depicting said received video stream and video game display elements of said executed video game application superimposed on said display on said handheld mobile communication terminal.

This feature allows the implementation of games with a wide variability of forms such as “Assassin” wherein in the beginning of a television program, the player sees a picture of the character he must attempt to “shoot” during the television program. Every time the character appears on the screen, the game application is notified about this. This gem may also be extended by a crosshair that may be moved via screen to aim a virtual weapon to a certain character. In the end of the program, the game shows to the player how many “hits”, “misses” and “innocent victims” he made at shooting the character. This use case fits particularly well for cartoon television shows.

It may be considered to use similar games for broadcasts of sport events (for directing water bottles to a player), parliament broadcast debates (directing a microphone to a certain Member of Parliament) and the like. The same principle may be implemented as the game “anonymous” wherein a user controls the location, size and the orientation of a black eye bar on the display to anonymize e.g. a certain character in e.g. a TV series.

In yet another additional example embodiment the method further checks if said executed video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on a display of said handheld mobile communication terminal. In this embodiment the executing of said video game application can be interrupted (and the video game content may be deleted) if said executed video game application is not related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on a display of said handheld mobile communication terminal. That is, after a certain broadcast has ended, the resources become unusable. This may be implemented as a watch and game implementation, wherein it is only possible to execute a certain game when a DVB-H program is received. However in a more sophisticated embodiment the game may be terminated if a certain TV program or TV has ended.

It is for example possible to implement “playable commercials”, i.e. special advertisements during which small games could be played. The theme of the game could be closely related to the advertised product: e.g. a kind of “Snakes” game in a commercial for a candy coated chocolate pastilles wherein the snake hunts graphic elements in the form of candy coated chocolate pastilles.

In another example embodiment of the present invention the common video game content is related to the multi-player online video game application. In this embodiment the method further comprises sending individual video game content via a wireless wide area communication network. The individual video game content is exchanged with a game server or with another player for executing a multi-player online game. The term “individual video game content” has been selected as a content that is terminal specific and may be timing critical. The individual video game content may be transferred from a terminal device to a game server and may comprise e.g. position and status data of a player in a virtual environment and game input data which may be transferred to, e.g., an online game server. The individual video game content may be transferred via an online connection via a telecommunication network such as a cellular telephone network. It is also envisaged to transfer individual video game content from a server to a terminal via an online communication connection such as e.g. scores timing critical updates and the like. In the context of the present invention individual video game content is transferred via a mobile communication network and the common video game content is sent by using DVB-H broadcast.

Such a multi-player online game may be implemented as “Play the commercial”. This implementation is an application to other television content besides programs. This embodiment may be implemented by the task to press a button when a certain commercial is shown. When the player has caught e.g. 50 chocolate bar commercials, he may be rewarded with a free box of these Products. The advertisers also benefit from these types of games because they can get data about the visibility of their advertisements.

In yet another example embodiment of the present invention the method further comprises receiving individual video game content from a game server or from another player via a wireless wide area communication network.

This embodiment may be implemented for example as a betting service on events occurring in live broadcasts. In the beginning of the broadcast of some live event (e.g. an ice hockey game, a horse/car race, or the like), the game application is transferred to the terminals. The users can place bets in real-time of e.g. who they guess is going to be the next player getting a penalty, scoring a goal, etc. that are then transferred as individual game content to another player, an online betting-office or an online bookmaker. Depending on the legislation of the country where this service is provided, the player could actually bet real money from his account. This implementation can be used to transform, everyday television watching (except of repetitions of TV shows) into a game.

According to another example embodiment said wireless wide area communication network is a wireless wide area communication network according to the universal mobile telecommunication system standard. This implementation is directed to DVB-H enabled cellular game phones or cellular smart phones.

In another example embodiment of the present invention said common video game content is received at a handheld mobile communication terminal via a digital video broadcast channel using Internet protocol datacast.

According to another aspect of the present invention a method for exchanging video game content of an online video game on an online video game server with a number of connected handheld mobile communication terminals is provided. The method comprises operating an online video game on said online video game server, sending common video game content to at least one handheld mobile communication terminal via a digital video broadcast channel, and receiving individual video game content from at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network.

The operation of an online video game application on said online video game server comprises executing at least a part of said video game content for managing, executing, or controlling a video game application. By performing these actions the online video game application can be executed at least partially on at least one (connected) handheld mobile communication terminal.

In an embodiment the game server simply provides common video game content via a digital video broadcast channel as a down-link and receives individual video game content from connected handheld mobile communication terminals via a wide area communication network as an uplink. This allows a complete data exchange between the game server and gaming terminals. This embodiment is especially suitable for games that use a common virtual game area.

In an example embodiment the method further comprises sending individual video game content to at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network such as e.g. a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) mobile telephone network. It is for example possible to use e.g. GPRS (general packet radio service) of GSM for downloading player specific information directly top a certain user.

In yet another example embodiment said wireless wide area communication network is a universal mobile telecommunication system, which is also known as UMTS. More exactly the wide area communication network is a wide area communication network that is operated according to the data formats protocols and standard of UMTS.

In another example embodiment the method further comprises receiving a video data stream, generating said common video game content according to the content of said received video data stream, sending said common video game content to a broadcast station for combination with a video data stream to handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel. The method further comprises checking if said received individual video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream, and interrupting the reception of said individual video game content if said received individual video game content is not related to an actual content of said video stream.

By receiving a video data stream, generating said common video game content according to the content of said received video data stream the game server can be used to provide an augmented reality TV online game experience to users of DVB-H enabled terminals.

A DVB-H transmitting station may perform the transmission of the common video game content on a video data stream in a DVB-H channel to handheld mobile communication terminals.

Up to this section the server serves as a game server for generating common video game content according to a video stream. However the game server also executes an online game that is performed/based on individual game data that are received or exchanged with connected mobile terminal devices. The online game server can execute the game in a timing critical manner and only as long as a respective video game content is executed.

This embodiment of the method is executed a the game server and further comprises checking if said received individual video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream, and interrupting the reception of said individual video game content (and maybe deleting said video game content) if said received individual video game content is not related to an actual content of said video stream. With these steps the game server ensures that after a broadcast has ended, the resources become unusable, as the game server rejects all incoming individual game content.

In still another example embodiment said method further comprises generating said video game content, checking if said video game content is timing critical, and classifying said video game content as common video game content if it is not timing critical and classifying said video game content as individual video game content if it is timing critical.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a software tool is provided comprising program code means for carrying out the method of the preceding description when said program product is run on a computer or a network device.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer program product downloadable from a server for carrying out the method of the preceding description is provided, which comprises program code means for performing all of the steps of the preceding methods when said program is run on a computer or a network device.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, a computer program product is provided comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium for carrying out the methods of the preceding description, when said program product is run on a computer or a network device.

According to another aspect of the present invention a computer data signal is provided. The computer data signal is embodied in a carrier wave and represents a program that makes the computer perform the steps of the method contained in the preceding description, when said computer program is run on a computer, or a network device.

According to just another aspect of the present invention digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station is provided. The digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station comprises a storage, a digital video broadcast handheld encoder and a transmitter. The storage is provided for storing a common video game content, that may be retrieved from said digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station. In an embodiment said storage is just an in queue storage of interface to a game server. The digital video broadcast handheld is encoder connected to said storage, for encoding said receiving a common video game content according to the DVB-H data formats, standards and protocols. The transmitter is connected to said digital video broadcast handheld encoder, to broadcast said encoded common video game content to handheld mobile communication terminals via a DVB-H radio channel. This embodiment is especially suitable for providing game software download to DVB-H terminals.

In an example embodiment of the present invention said digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station is further provided with a receiver or an interface that is connected to said storage, for receiving said common video game content from a remote game server. The addition of the receiver for receiving said common video game content the broadcast station may also be used to send an online game content via a DVB-H channel.

The receiver may also be implemented as a hard-wired connection to a remote game server, i.e. the receiver or the interface may also be a receiver for a cable connection, e.g., an interface to the Internet or another communication network or communication connection.

Both preceding embodiments may use up to a whole DVB-H channel only for downloading a respective common game content.

An example embodiment of the digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station of the present invention is further provided with an interface for receiving a video data stream and a combiner or an integrator. The interface for receiving a video data stream is provided to enable the digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station to broadcast a video stream.

The combiner is not a mathematical element to perform combination or integration operations but serves to integrating/combining said common video game content (that may be have been received from a remote game server) into/with a video data stream, to be broadcasted via a digital video broadcast handheld channel. The combiner is connected to said receiver, said interface for receiving a video data stream and to said a digital video broadcast handheld encoder.

The device may also be provided with a receiver, a storage or a digitizer for obtaining/providing a digital video data stream from an analog video source such as an analogue video archive or an analogue video TV receiver.

In just another example embodiment said digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station further comprises a generator connected to said interface for generating common video game content according to a content of said received video data stream. The generator is connected to said combiner. The combiner is configured to integrate/combine said generated common video game content into/with said received video data stream.

By broadcasting said common video game content that is combined with and related to said video data stream to handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel augmented television online gaming becomes possible wherein gameplay is directly related to the content of a video stream. In a case the video stream may only serve as a background for the execution of the online (or better “on-screen”) games. In more sophisticated embodiments a tight relation between the background and the on screen game may be provided as indicated in the detailed description of the method of the present invention.

In yet another example embodiment of the present invention said digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station is configured to use Internet protocol datacast for sending said common online game content.

According to still another aspect of the present invention a handheld mobile terminal is provided. The handheld mobile terminal comprises a digital video broadcast handheld receiver and a processing unit. The digital video broadcast handheld receiver is provided for receiving a common video game content at the handheld mobile terminal via a digital video broadcast channel. The processing unit is connected to said digital video broadcast handheld receiver. The processing unit is configured to execute a video game application that uses at least a part of said common video game content on said handheld mobile terminal.

This basic embodiment may just serve to download common video game content via a DVB-H channel, the performance for executing game software or using the common video game content may be less important.

It should be mentioned that the handheld mobile terminal may also comprise e.g. a user interface with components such as e.g. displays, screens amplifiers loudspeakers, force feed back components input components such as keys rocker keys joysticks touch-screens, touch-pads and the like. The handheld mobile terminal may also be provided with a camera module.

In an example embodiment said handheld mobile terminal is further provided with a digital video broadcast handheld tuner, a display and an extractor. The digital video broadcast handheld tuner is connected to said processing unit, to receive a video stream of a digital video broadcast channel. The display is connected to said processing unit. The extractor is connected to said processing unit, to extract said common video game content from said video stream. The extractor is substantially the counterpart of the combiner of the DVB-H broadcast station. This embodiment may be used as DVB-H TV and as a mobile gaming device. However this embodiment may not be able to execute gaming software and displaying a DVB-H video stream simultaneously on a screen. It may not even be able to extract common video game content while depicting a DVB-H video stream.

In yet another example embodiment said processing unit is configured to use at least a part of said extracted common video game content for executing a video game application.

In still another example embodiment said handheld mobile terminal is configured to display said video stream and/or said executed video game application on said display.

This embodiment shows that the handheld mobile terminal may be used as (online) gaming device, communication terminal or a DVB-H “TV”. The device may be also capable of executing an online game while displaying a DVB-H video stream e.g. in the background or in a section of the display, while in the foreground or in another section of the display area an online video game application may be executed.

In another example embodiment of the present invention the processing unit is configured to display said received extracted video stream on a display of said handheld mobile terminal, and execute said video game in the handheld mobile terminal in accordance with said received and displayed video stream.

This embodiment is suitable of executing a video game on a first section of the display while another section of the display can be used to show a DVB-H video stream.

In yet another example embodiment said handheld mobile terminal is further provided with a superimposer. The superimposer is connected to said processing unit and possibly to said display and possible to said DVB-H tuner. The superimposer is provided to depict said received video stream and video game display elements of said executed video game application superimposed on said display on said handheld mobile terminal.

In a simple embodiment a user may play games such as “pong”, “breakout” or “Tetris” in front of a DVB-H background with the additional thrill not to allow the stones to block the view to the DVB-H program.

In another example embodiment of the present invention said handheld mobile terminal further comprises a checking unit. The checking unit is connected to said processing unit. The checking unit is provided to check if an executed video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on a display of said handheld mobile terminal. In this embodiment the processing unit is configured to interrupt the executing said video game (and may delete said video game content) if said executed video game is not related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on a display of said handheld mobile terminal. This embodiment is provided to terminate the online game after the broadcast has ended.

This embodiment is designed for the execution of online game applications that are strongly tied to the content of a current video transmission such as the commercial online video games mentioned in the preceding description.

In another example embodiment of the present invention handheld mobile terminal is as handheld mobile communication terminal that is further provided with an interface to a wide area communication network. The interface to a wide area communication network is connected to said processing unit. The interface to a wide area communication network is provided for sending individual video game content via a wide area communication network for executing an online multi-player game to a game server or to another player. In this embodiment the common video game content is related to the multi-player online video game.

In just another example embodiment of the present invention said handheld mobile communication terminal is further configured to receive individual video game content from a game server or from another player via said interface to a wireless wide area communication network. This embodiment allows the execution of multi-player online games that require a fast data exchange between the devices of all participants to enable reaction-based multi-player gaming.

In yet another example embodiment of the present invention said interface to a wide area communication network is an interface to a universal mobile telecommunication system. That is the handheld mobile communication terminal is a DVB-H enabled UMTS mobile game telephone.

In still another example embodiment of the present invention said handheld mobile communication terminal further comprises components to decode data received via said digital video broadcast handheld receiver according to the internet protocol datacast.

In just another example embodiment said handheld mobile terminal is further provided with a mobile telephone module connected to said processing unit. That is, this embodiment of the terminal device may be used a cellular telephone or as a wireless telephone. This embodiment may be utilized as a basis for SMS (short message) based DVB-H TV online video games.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention an online game server for exchanging video game content of an online video game application on an online video game server with a number of connected handheld mobile communication terminals is provided. The online game server comprises a processing unit, a first interface to a digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station, and a second interface to a wide area communication network.

The processing unit is provided to operate at least one online video game application, execute at least a part of said video game content for “managing/executing/controlling/overheadding” of video games that are to be at least partially executed on said at least one handheld mobile communication terminal. The first interface is an interface to a digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station, and is connected to said processing unit, for sending common video game content to at least one handheld mobile communication terminal via a digital video broadcast channel. The second interface is an interface to a wide area communication network, and is also connected to said processing unit. The second interface is provided for receiving individual video game content from at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network.

The online game server can provide at least download of game software while more sophisticated embodiments relate to online game servers.

An embodiment of the online game server can be operated with a DVB-H down-link and a GSM or GPRS uplink for providing at least a kind of duplex data exchange.

In an example embodiment, the online game server interface to a wide area communication network is further configured to receive individual video game content from at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network, such as e.g. a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) mobile telephone network.

This embodiment allows fully interactive online gaming as the data exchange between the server and the terminal can be performed in full duplex and with only short time delay to enable a rich game experience even in the case of reaction based multi-player games.

In another example embodiment said online game server further comprises a video game content generator and a checking unit. Said video game content generator is connected to said control unit and possibly to said interfaces. The video game content generator receives a video data stream, for generating said common video game content in accordance with the content of said received video data stream.

This embodiment is directed to a game server that generates the common game content and simultaneously serves as an online game server for a number of terminal devices using individual game content.

In this embodiment the processing unit is configured to send said generated common video game content to a broadcast station for combination with a video data stream to handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel. The processing unit is also configured to check if said received individual video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream, and to interrupt the reception of said individual video game content if said received individual video game content is not related to an actual content of said video stream.

The processing unit may also be configured to delete received individual video game content if said received individual video game content is not related to an actual content of said video stream.

After the broadcast has ended, the resources become unusable, as the online game server becomes inaccessible.

In the following, the invention will be described in detail by referring to the enclosed drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a basic method for sending video game content to handheld mobile terminals according to the present invention,

FIG. 2 depicts a more sophisticated method for sending video game content to handheld mobile terminals according to the present invention,

FIG. 3 depicts a basic method for receiving video game content at a handheld mobile terminal according to the present invention,

FIG. 4 depicts a more sophisticated method for receiving video game content at a handheld mobile terminal according to the present invention,

FIG. 5 depicts a basic embodiment of a method for exchanging video game content of an online video game application on an online video game server with a number of connected handheld mobile communication terminals according to the present invention,

FIG. 6 depicts a more sophisticated embodiment of a method for exchanging video game content of an online video game application on an online video game server with a number of connected handheld mobile communication terminals according to the present invention,

FIG. 7 shows a basic embodiment of a digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station according to the present invention,

FIG. 8 shows a more sophisticated embodiment of a digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station according to the present invention,

FIG. 9 shows a basic embodiment of a handheld mobile terminal according to the present invention,

FIG. 10 shows a more sophisticated embodiment of a handheld mobile communication terminal according to the present invention,

FIG. 11 shows a basic embodiment of an online video game server according to the present invention, and

FIG. 12 shows a more sophisticated embodiment of an online video game server according to the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a basic embodiment of the method for sending video game content to handheld mobile terminals the present invention comprising only the step of broadcasting 10 common video game content to handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel, to enable said handheld mobile terminals to execute video game applications.

This implementation may be used to repeat a certain video data stream with and certain video game content. In this case a stored video stream and respective common video game data are transmitted again. This implementation is especially useful for any kind of playable advertisements.

FIG. 2 depicts a more sophisticated embodiment of the method for sending video game content to handheld mobile terminals. In contrast to FIG. 1 the combined video/common video game data stream ha to be generated.

In FIG. 2 the method starts by retrieving or receiving 2 a video stream is at the DVB-H transmission station.

Then common video game data are received from a remote server 4, or are generated according to the content of the video stream a the DVB-H transmission station (serving also as video game data generator).

Then said common video game content is combined with said video data stream 8. The common video game content combined with said video data stream is then broadcasted 10 to handheld mobile terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel.

Said common video game content may be transferred 12 to said handheld mobile terminals using Internet protocol datacast.

FIG. 3 depicts a basic method for receiving video game content at a handheld mobile terminal according to the present invention. The method starts with receiving a common video game content at a handheld mobile terminal via a digital video broadcast channel 14 and continues with using 20 at least a part of said common video game content for executing a video game application on said handheld mobile terminal. This embodiment may be restricted to a method that uses a DVB-H channel to download video game data or video game content.

FIG. 4 depicts a more sophisticated method for receiving video game content at a handheld mobile terminal according to the present invention.

The first step 14 is the same as in FIG. 3. In addition to the FIG. 3 it is possible receive the broadcast via a digital video broadcast channel using Internet protocol datacast 16.

In a next step the common video game content is extracted from said video stream 18, and at least a part of said extracted common video game content is used 20 for executing a video game application on said handheld mobile terminal (as in FIG. 3).

At least a part of the received common video game content is executed 22 which means that a video game is actually played on the terminal device.

The received DVB-H video stream is displayed 24 on a display of said handheld mobile terminal, i.e. the terminal device serves as an operating TV set.

The video game application in the handheld mobile terminal is executed 26 according to the received and displayed video stream. That is, the video stream may be used to control a random element in the video game.

The received video stream and video game display elements of said executed video game application are then displayed 28 in a superimposed manner on said display of said handheld mobile terminal.

In connection with the execution of the video game and in case the common video game content is related to a multi-player online video game application, said method further comprises sending or receiving 32 individual video game content via a wireless wide area communication network such as a UMTS mobile telephone network 32.

It is also checked 34 if said executed video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on a display of said handheld mobile terminal. If said executed video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on a display of said handheld mobile terminal the method is continued (i.e. the execution of the game is continued). If the executed video game content is not related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on a display of said handheld mobile terminal, the execution of said video game application is interrupted 36.

FIG. 5 depicts a basic embodiment of a method for exchanging video game content of an online video game application on an online video game server with a number of connected handheld mobile communication terminals according to the present invention. The method of FIG. 5 comprises, operating 38 an online video game application on an online video game server, using common video game content and individual video game content. The common video game content is sent 50 to at least one handheld mobile communication terminal via a digital video broadcast channel, for example via a DVB-H broadcast station. The individual video game content is received from at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network such as a mobile communication network and/or via Internet.

FIG. 6 depicts a more sophisticated embodiment of a method for exchanging video game content of an online video game application on an online video game server with a number of connected handheld mobile communication terminals according to the present invention.

The method of FIG. 6 starts the same as the method of FIG. 5 with operating an online video game application on an online video game server.

The method of FIG. 5 is extended by receiving or retrieving 40 a video data stream on the basis of which said received/retrieved video data stream (at least a common) video game content is generated 24.

Then it is checked if said video game content is timing critical 44, and the video game content is classified 46 as common video game content if it is not timing critical and classified 48 as individual video game content if it is timing critical.

As in FIG. 5, the common video game content is sent 50 to a broadcast station for combination with a video data stream to be forwarded to handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel.

Common video game content is sent 52 or received 54 to and from at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network using 54 UMTS.

The method of FIG. 6 is also depicted as comprising as step of checking 58 if received video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream. If said received individual video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream the method is continued (i.e. the execution of the game is continued or repeated). If the received video game content is not related to an actual content of said video stream, the execution of said video game application and/or the reception of individual video game content is interrupted 36.

FIG. 7 shows a basic embodiment of a digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station according to the present invention. The digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station 70, comprises a storage 72 for storing a common video game content, a digital video broadcast handheld encoder 74 connected to said storage, for encoding common video game content retrieved from said storage, and a transmitter 76 connected to said digital video broadcast handheld encoder, to broadcast said encoded common video game content. The transmitter can transmit the common video game content that has been coded into a DVB-H channel via an antenna as an electromagnetic signal 80.

FIG. 8 shows a more sophisticated embodiment of a digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station according to the present invention. In contrast to FIG. 7 comprises the digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station further a game data receiver 82 for receiving said common video game content from a remote game server, that is (indirectly) connected to said storage 72. The game data receiver 82 may comprise an air interface 84, 86 or may also embodied as a communication line interface to e.g. the Internet or a broadband local area network.

FIG. 8 also shows video data receiver 88 for receiving said common video game content from a remote video server, that is also (indirectly) connected to said storage. The video data receiver 88 may comprise an air interface 90, 82 or may also embodied as a communication line interface to e.g. the Internet or a broadband local area network to a video data server.

The digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station of FIG. 8 is also provided with a game data generator 96 (i.e. a video game component) that is connected to said video data receiver 88 and is indirectly connected to said storage 72. Digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station can obtain video game data alternatively by reception of by generation.

A combiner 94 is inserted between said video data receiver 88, said game data generator 96, said game data receiver 82 on one hand and said storage 72. It is also possible to insert the combiner 94 between the storage 72 and the DVB-H-Encoder 74. The combiner combines the video data or the video stream and the received or generated (common) video game data for transmission.

FIG. 9 shows a basic embodiment of a handheld mobile terminal according to the present invention. FIG. 9 the handheld mobile terminal 98 comprises a digital video broadcast handheld receiver 100 with an antenna 104 for receiving a common video game content 102 at a the handheld mobile terminal via a digital video broadcast channel. The digital video broadcast handheld receiver 100 is connected to a processing unit 106 that is provided for executing a video game application on said handheld mobile terminal that uses at least a part of said common video game content received via said receiver 100.

FIG. 10 shows a more sophisticated embodiment of a handheld mobile communication terminal according to the present invention. The handheld mobile communication terminal 98 comprises all components that are present in FIG. 9.

In FIG. 10 the handheld mobile communication terminal is provided with a display 110 that is connected to said processing unit 106. With the display the device may output video images while executing a video game (software or data which have been received via a DVB-H channel).

The handheld mobile communication terminal of FIG. 10 is provided with a digital video broadcast handheld tuner 108 that is connected to said processing unit and to said DVB-H receiver 100. The digital video broadcast handheld tuner 108 enables the device to receive and utilize a video stream of a digital video broadcast channel, and to depict the received video stream via said CPU 106 on said display 110.

In the handheld mobile communication terminal an extractor 112 is provided that is connected to said processing unit, to extract said common video game content e.g. form said video stream received as the CPU 106. The extractor can enable the device to extract the video stream data or the video game content from the DVB-H signal received from the DVB-H receiver 100.

The handheld mobile communication terminal 98 of FIG. 10 is provided with a superimposer 114 that is connected to said processing unit 106 to depict said received video stream and video game display elements of said executed video game application superimposed on said display 110.

A checking unit 122 is provided in FIG. 10 to check if an executed video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on a display 110. The checking unit 122 connected to said processing unit 106 to be able to perform the checking operation. The processing unit 106 is configured to interrupt the executing said video game application if a signal from the checking unit is received indicating that an executed video game application is not related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on a display of said handheld mobile communication terminal or received by the DVB-H receiver 100.

The terminal of FIG. 10 is also provided with an interface to a wide area communication network 116 that is embodies as an UMTS-Network transceiver. The interface 116 is connected to said processing unit 106, for exchanging individual video game content via a wide area communication network, to a online video game server.

The handheld mobile terminal also comprises a decoder unit 124 to decode data received via said digital video broadcast handheld receiver that are coded according to e.g. the internet protocol datacast.

The handheld mobile terminal is also provided with a storage 126 to store video streams, game data, scores and the like.

Handheld mobile terminal is further provided with mobile telephone module 128 that is connected to said processing unit 106. With the mobile telephone module 128 the handheld mobile communication terminal 98 can provide a fully-fledged telephonability.

FIG. 11 shows a basic embodiment of an online video game server according to the present invention. The online game server 130 is provided for exchanging video game content of an online video game application running on the online video game server with a number of connected handheld mobile communication terminals. The online video game server 130 is provided with a processing unit 132 to operate/execute an online video game application. A first interface to a digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station 134 is provided, that is connected to said processing unit 132, for sending common video game content to at least one handheld mobile communication terminal via a digital video broadcast channel. A second interface 140 to a wide area communication network is provided that is connected to said processing unit 132, to receive individual video game content from at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network.

FIG. 12 shows a more sophisticated embodiment of an online video game server according to the present invention. In addition to the components of FIG. 9 the online video game server 130 is additionally provided with a video game content generator 146 to generate said video game content in accordance with a video data stream received via said first interface to a digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station 134.

The online game server may be configured to send generated individual video game content to at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network.

The online game server is depicted comprising a storage 148 that may be used to store all relevant data required for execution of the computer/video game, performing the data exchange with the handheld mobile communication terminals or the digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station store individual and common video game data and the like.

In FIG. 12 the online game server is depicted comprising a checking unit 150 to check if an received individual video game content is related to an actual content received via interface 134. The checking unit 150 connected to said processing unit 136 to be able to perform the checking operation. The processing unit 136 is configured to interrupt the executing said video game application if a signal from the checking unit is received indicating that an received individual video game content is not related to an actual content of said video stream displayed received via said interface 134 to the DVB-H station.

This application contains the description of implementations and embodiments of the present invention with the help of examples. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the present invention is not restricted to details of the embodiments presented above, and that the invention can also be implemented in another form without deviating from the characteristics of the invention. The embodiments presented above should be considered illustrative, but not restricting. Thus the possibilities of implementing and using the invention are only restricted by the enclosed claims. Consequently various options of implementing the invention as determined by the claims, including equivalent implementations, also belong to the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method of sending video game content to handheld mobile terminals, comprising:

combining common video game content with a video data stream; and

broadcasting said common video game content combined with said video data stream to one or more handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel using datacast, to enable said handheld mobile terminals to execute video game applications.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving said common video game content from a remote game server.

3. (canceled)

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a video data stream,

generating said common video game content according to a content of said received video data stream,

combining said generated common video game content with said received video data stream, and

broadcasting said common video game content combined with said video data stream to one or more handheld mobile terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein using datacast comprises using internet protocol datacast.

6. A method of receiving video game content at a handheld mobile terminal, comprising:

receiving a common video game content at a handheld mobile terminal combined with a video stream of a digital video broadcast channel via a digital video handheld broadcast channel using datacast;

extracting said common video game content from said video stream;

displaying said received video stream on a display of said handheld mobile terminal; and

using at least a part of said extracted common video game content for executing a video game application on said handheld mobile terminal in accordance with said received and displayed video stream.

7. A method according to claim 6, further comprising executing at least a part of said received common video game content.

8. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

10. A method according to claim 6, further comprising depicting said received video stream and video game display elements of said executed video game application superimposed on said display of said handheld mobile terminal.

11. A method according to claim 6, further comprising.

checking if said executed video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on the display of said handheld mobile terminal, and

interrupting the execution of said video game application if said executed video game application is not related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on the display of said handheld mobile terminal.

12. A method according to claim 6, wherein said handheld mobile terminal is a handheld mobile communication terminal, and wherein said common video game content is related to a multi-player online video game application, and wherein said method further comprises sending individual video game content via a wireless wide area communication network.

13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising receiving individual video game content via a wireless wide area communication network.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein said wireless wide area communication network is a universal mobile telecommunication system.

15. A method according to claim 6, wherein using datacast comprises using internet protocol datacast.

16. A method for exchanging video game content of an online video game application on an online video game server with a number of connected handheld mobile communication terminals, comprising:

operating an online video game application on said online video game server,

combining common video game content with a video data stream,

sending the common video game content combined with the video data stream to at least one handheld mobile communication terminal via a digital video broadcast channel using datacast, and

receiving individual video game content from at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network.

17. A method according to claim 16, further comprising sending individual video game content to at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said wireless wide area communication network is a universal mobile telecommunication system.

19. A method according to claim 16 to 18, further comprising:

receiving a video data stream,

generating said common video game content according to the content of said received video data stream,

sending said common video game content to a broadcast station for combination with a video data stream to handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel,

checking if said received individual video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream, and

interrupting the reception of said individual video game content if said received individual video game content is not related to an actual content of said video stream.

20. A method according to claim 16, further comprising:

generating said video game content,

checking if said video game content is timing critical, and

classifying said video game content as common video game content if it is not timing critical and

classifying said video game content as individual video game content if it is timing critical.

21. Computer program product capable of exchanging video game content of an online video game application between a video game server and handheld mobile terminals, comprising program code sections for carrying out the steps of claim 1, when said program is run on a controller, processor-based device, a computer, a microprocessor based device, a terminal, a network device, a mobile terminal or a mobile communication enabled terminal.

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. Digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station, wherein the digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station is configured to use datacast for sending game content comprising:

a storage for storing a common video game content;

a digital video broadcast handheld encoder in communication with connected to said storage, for encoding common video game content retrieved from said storage,

an interface for receiving a video data stream,

a combiner, in communication with the digital video broadcast handheld encoder for combining the common video game content with the video data stream,

a transmitter connected to said digital video broadcast handheld encoder, to broadcast said encoded common video game content combined with the video data stream via a digital video broadcast handheld channel.

26. Digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station according to claim 25, further comprising a receiver connected to said storage, for receiving said common video game content from a remote game server.

27. (canceled)

28. Digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station according to claim 25, further comprising:

a generator connected to said interface for generating common video game content according to a content of said received video data stream, and

wherein said generator and said interface are connected to said combiner and said combiner is configured to combine said generated common video game content with said received video data stream.

29. (canceled)

30. Handheld mobile terminal comprising:

a digital video broadcast handheld receiver, the receiver configured to receive a video stream of a digital video broadcast channel including for receiving a common video game content at said handheld mobile terminal via a digital video broadcast channel according to datacast;

an extractor in communication with the receiver, the extractor configured to extract the common video game content from the video stream.

a processing unit connected to said digital video broadcast handheld receiver and the extractor for executing a video game application using at least a part of said common video game content on said handheld mobile terminal, and

a display connected to the processing unit.

31. (canceled)

32. Handheld mobile communication terminal according to claim 30, wherein said processing unit is configured to use at least a part of said extracted common video game content for executing a video game application.

33. Handheld mobile communication terminal according to claim 32, wherein said handheld mobile communication terminal is configured to display said video stream and/or said executed video game on said display.

34. Handheld mobile communication terminal according to claim 33, wherein said processing unit is configured to display said received video stream on a display of said handheld mobile communication terminal, and execute said video game application in the handheld mobile communication terminal in accordance with said received and displayed video stream.

35. Handheld mobile communication terminal according to claim 34, further comprising a superimposer connected to said processing unit to depict said received video stream and video game display elements of said executed video game application superimposed on said display on said handheld mobile communication terminal.

36. Handheld mobile communication terminal according to claim 34, further comprising

a checking unit, connected to said processing unit, to check if an executed video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on a display of said handheld mobile communication terminal,

wherein said processing unit is configured to interrupt the executing said video game application if said executed video game application is not related to an actual content of said video stream displayed on a display of said handheld mobile communication terminal.

37. Handheld mobile communication terminal according to anyone claim 30, further comprising

an interface to a wide area communication network, connected to said processing unit, for sending individual video game content via a wide area communication network, and

wherein said common video game content is related to the multi-player online video game application, and

wherein said processing unit is configured to send individual video game content via said interface via a wide area communication network.

38. Handheld mobile communication terminal according to claim 37, wherein said handheld mobile communication terminal is further configured to receive individual video game content via said interface or through a wireless wide area communication network.

39. Handheld mobile communication terminal according to claim 38, wherein said interface to a wide area communication network is an interface to a universal mobile telecommunication system.

40. (canceled)

41. Handheld mobile terminal according to claim 30, further comprising mobile telephone module connected to said processing unit.

42. Online game server for exchanging video game content of an online video game application on an online video game server with a number of connected handheld mobile communication terminals, comprising:

a processing unit to operate an online video game application,

a combiner for combining common video game content and a video data stream;

a first interface to a digital video broadcast handheld transmitting station, connected to said processing unit, for sending common video game content combined with the video data stream to at least one handheld mobile communication terminal via a digital video broadcast handheld channel using datacast, and

a second interface to a wide area communication network, connected to said processing unit, for receiving individual video game content from at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network.

43. Online game server according to claim 42, wherein said interface to a wide area communication network is further configured to send individual video game content to at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network.

44. Online game server according to claim 42, further comprising:

a video game content generator connected to said control processing unit receiving a video data stream, for generating said common video game content according to content of said received video data stream, and

a checking unit to check if said received individual video game content is related to an actual content of said video data stream,

wherein said processing unit is configured to send said generated common video game content to a broadcast station for combination with a video data stream to handheld mobile communication terminals via a digital video broadcast handheld channel,

to check if said received individual video game content is related to an actual content of said video stream, and

to interrupt the reception of said individual video game content if said received individual video game content is not related to an actual content of said video stream.

45. A method comprising:

operating an online video game application on an online video game server;

generating video game content;

determining if the video game content is timing critical, wherein determining if the video game content is timing critical comprises classifying the video game content as common video game content if the video game content is not timing critical, and classifying the video game content as individual video game content if the video game content is timing critical;

sending common video game content to at least one handheld mobile communication terminal via a digital video broadcast channel; and

receiving individual video game content from at least one connected handheld mobile communication terminal via a wide area communication network.

46. A computing device comprising:

a processing unit configured to operate an online video game application;