Transfer of Features Between Gaming Devices

Abstract

A method of connecting gaming devices together is described which enables multi-party gaming between devices with different feature sets. A device receives data from several gaming devices and determines which features each gaming device requires These required features are those which are not held at the particular device but are held by one or more of the other devices. Code relating to the particular features required by each gaming device is then transferred to each of the gaming devices.

1 . A method of connecting gaming devices together to enable a multi-party game, the method comprising:
 receiving data from a plurality of gaming devices, the data detailing features of a game associated with each of the plurality of gaming devices;   determining one or more required features associated with a first of the plurality of gaming devices, wherein a required feature comprises a feature associated with one of the plurality of gaming devices and not associated with the first of the plurality of gaming devices;   transmitting code relating to the required features to the first of the plurality of gaming devices; and   repeating the determining and transmitting steps for each of the plurality of gaming devices.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to transmitting code:
 accessing a store of code relating to features of the game;   determining if the code relating to each of the required features is stored in the store; and   if not, requesting the code from one of the plurality of gaming devices.   
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein transmitting code relating to the required features to the first of the plurality of gaming devices comprises:
 filtering the required features according to predetermined parameters; and   transmitting code relating to the filtered required features to the first of the plurality of gaming devices.   
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein filtering the required features according to predetermined parameters comprises:
 identifying a subset of the plurality of gaming devices associated with the first of the plurality of gaming devices according to predetermined parameters; and   filtering the required features such that the filtered required features comprise one or more features associated with one of the subset of the plurality of gaming devices and not associated with the first of the plurality of gaming devices.   
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein identifying a subset of the plurality of gaming devices associated with the first of the plurality of gaming devices comprises:
 determining a game position for objects in the game controlled by each of the plurality of gaming devices;   defining an area around a game position for an object controlled by the first of the plurality of gaming devices based on predetermined parameters;   identifying any objects located with the area; and   determining the one or more of the plurality of gaming devices controlling the identified objects.   
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the predetermined parameters comprise one or more of: a data rate of a connection to the first of the plurality of gaming devices, and a target data transfer rate to the first of the plurality of gaming devices. 
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 3 , wherein filtering the required features according to predetermined parameters comprises:
 determining ownership information for each of the required features; and   filtering the required features to remove any features not owned by one of the plurality of gaming devices or a gamer associated with one of the plurality of gaming devices.   
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the code relating to a required feature comprises ownership information. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 8 , wherein the ownership information identifies a gaming device, a gamer or a group of gamers. 
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises, prior to receiving data from a plurality of gaming devices:
 receiving a request from each of the plurality of gaming devices to participate in the game; and   requesting data from each of the plurality of gaming devices, the data detailing features of a game associated with each of the plurality of gaming devices.   
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 enabling the use of the required features by a receiving one of the plurality of gaming devices according to predefined rules.   
     
     
         12 . One or more device readable media with device-executable instructions for performing steps comprising:
 receiving data from a plurality of gaming devices, the data detailing features of a game associated with each of the plurality of gaming devices;   determining one or more required features associated with a first of the plurality of gaming devices, wherein a required feature comprises a feature associated with one of the plurality of gaming devices and not associated with the first of the plurality of gaming devices;   transmitting code relating to the required features to the first of the plurality of gaming devices; and   repeating the determining and transmitting steps for each of the plurality of gaming devices.   
     
     
         13 . A method of connecting a plurality of gaming devices together to enable a multi-party game, the method comprising, at a first of the plurality of gaming devices:
 sending data detailing features of a game associated with the first of the plurality of gaming devices to a remote device;   receiving code relating to a set of required features, wherein a required feature comprises a feature associated with another of the plurality of gaming devices and not associated with the first of the plurality of gaming devices; and   storing the received code.   
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising, prior to sending data detailing features of the game:
 sending a request to participate in the game to the remote device; and   receiving a request for data from the remote device, the data detailing features of a game associated with the first of the plurality of gaming devices.   
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 13 , further comprising:
 receiving a trigger to purge received code;   determining ownership information for each required feature; and   deleting received code relating to any required features not owned by any gaming devices connected to the remote device or by gamers associated with any of the gaming devices connected to the remote device.   
     
     
         16 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the code relating to the set of required features is received from the remote device. 
     
     
         17 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the code relating to the set of required features is received from one or more of the plurality of gaming devices. 
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the remote device is one of the plurality of gaming devices. 
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 13 , wherein the remote device comprises a server.