System and method for participation in interactive applications

Abstract

A system for interactive participation in applications is provided. The system includes a computing device having a processor and an interactive application accessible by a user of the computing device. The interactive application is operable for selecting multiple participants to invite to participate in the interactive application. The interactive application is operable to promote communicating a signal to one or more other computing devices associated with the invited participants. At least some of the invited participants use the associated other computing devices to select to participate in the interactive application with the user of the computing device in response to receiving the signal from the computing device regarding participation in the interactive application.

1 . A system for interactive participation in applications, comprising; 
 a first device operable by a user for selection of an application for participation with multiple participants, the first device further operable for selection of at least one participant to engage in the application; and    a second device in communication with the first device and operable by at least one participant, the second device operable for the at least one participant to select to participate in the application with the user of the first device in response to receiving a signal from the first device regarding participation in the application.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the application is operable for multi-user operation such that the user of the first device is able to interact with the application while the at least participant interacts with the application on the second device such that at least some interactions by the first user are observable by the at least one participant.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein participating in the application is further defined as selection of a least one participant to engage in working on a workgroup application.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the application is further defined as a game and wherein participating in the application is further defined as selection of at least one player to engage in play of the game.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one participant selects to participate by a single input via the second device that initiates participation in the application by the at least one participant via the second device.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein selecting to participate is further defined as initiating participation in the application by the at least one participant using the second device.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second devices are selected from a group consisting of mobile phones, wireless devices, wireless handsets, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, desktop computers, workstation computers, set-top boxes, and game platforms.  
   
   
       8 . A system for interactive participation in applications, comprising; 
 a computing device having a processor; and    an interactive application accessible by a user of the computing device, the interactive application operable for selecting multiple participants to invite to participate in the interactive application and further operable to promote communicating a signal to one or more other computing devices associated with the invited participants, at least some of the invited participants using the associated other computing devices to select to participate in the interactive application with the user of the computing device in response to receiving the signal from the computing device regarding participation in the interactive application.    
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the interactive application is further operable for selection of a minimum number of participants required to initiate participation in the interactive application.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , where the application is further defined as an interactive multi-participant application selected from a group consisting of video games, productivity applications, and interactive workgroup applications.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the computing device and the other computing devices are selected from a group consisting of mobile phones, wireless devices, wireless handsets, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, laptop computers, tablet computers, desktop computers, workstation computers, set-top boxes, and game platforms.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising a server and wherein at least a portion of the interactive application is deployed on the server which is accessible by the computing device and other devices used by the invited participants  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein at least a component of the interactive application deployed on the computing device.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a presence sever to determine whether participants to invite are available to participate in the interactive application.  
   
   
       15 . A method of participation in applications, comprising: 
 selecting, by an organizer, an application;    selecting, by the organizer, multiple participants to invite to participate in the application;    sending invitations to at least some of the invited participants;    at least some of the invited participants receiving a signal related to being invited to participate in the application;    at least some of the participants selecting to participate in the application in response to receiving the signal; and    the organizer and at least some of the invited participants participating in the application in response to at least some of the participants selecting to participate.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 wherein the organizer uses a device having access to the application to select and invite the participants and to participate in the application;    wherein each of the at least some participants have devices having access to the application, the at least some participants use the respective devices to select to participate in the application participate; and    wherein the at least some of the participants select, using the device and via a user interface associated with the application, to participate and in response the application launches on the participant's device.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the user selection is further defined as a single input by the user using the device.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 selecting a minimum number of participants required to initiate the application for participation; and    determining whether the participants are available to participate.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein determining whether the participants are available comprises: 
 a presence server determining whether a mobile device associated with invited participant is accessible; and    determining whether the participant has selected not to be disturbed.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 wherein the organizer uses a mobile handset and the application is further defined as a game; and    wherein at least one participant uses a personal computer.