Networked game challenge system

Abstract

The networked game system uses a local area network to allow multi-player competition between terminals in real time. The game software of each terminal allows that terminal to act as the communication server if that terminal initiates an invitation to play in a networked mode. In a preferred aspect the game software allows an initiating player to send an open invitation or a restricted invitation that requires a PIN to respond. In a different aspect each terminal includes a player activated Do Not Disturb feature if the player does not want to receive invitations.

1 . In a game system having a series of networked game terminals, each game terminal having a display and including a series of games with at least some of said games being playable in a networked mode by two or more players at different networked terminals, and wherein said terminals include a player selected notice function for sending a communication to at least some of said networked terminals of an invitation to play a game in a networked mode. 
   
   
       2 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said series of networked terminals are connected by a local area computer network. 
   
   
       3 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said networked terminals are networked over an Ethernet network. 
   
   
       4 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least some of said networked games allow both real players at networked terminals and computer simulated players to compete in said networked games. 
   
   
       5 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 4  wherein at least some of said networked games include poker games and up to  6  real players can participate at different networked terminals. 
   
   
       6 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 5  wherein each networked game includes an indication on said display or access to a menu of invitations that have been received for possible participation in a networked game. 
   
   
       7 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 6  wherein each terminal upon commencement of a networked game withdraws any invitations that are no longer available for participation. 
   
   
       8 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each terminal includes an indication displayed on said display of the receipt of an invitation. 
   
   
       9 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 8  wherein each terminal includes a player initiated action to withhold the display of invitations received. 
   
   
       10 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said player initiated action is activating a Do Not Disturb function of the terminal. 
   
   
       11 . In a game system comprising a series of networked terminals that cooperate to allow game play on each individual terminal or game play in a networked mode between said terminals; each game terminal having a series of games with at least some of said games being playable in said networked mode by two or more players at different terminals, each of said terminals including a player selected function to send a communication to other terminals of a desire to play a game in said networked mode; each of said terminals including a normal function where notice of an opportunity to participate in a networked game is actively communicated to a player of the terminal and a private function where notice of the opportunity to participate in a networked game is not actively communicated to a player of the terminal. 
   
   
       12 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 11  wherein each networked terminal in said private function allows the player to select an option to view notices of opportunities to participate in a networked game. 
   
   
       13 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 12  wherein each terminal tracks notices of opportunities to compete in a networked game and removes any notices where the opportunity to play has terminated. 
   
   
       14 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein upon commencement of at least some networked games where it is still possible for further players to join in play of the networked game a different notice is sent to said terminals. 
   
   
       15 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said different notice includes an indication that the networked game has already commenced. 
   
   
       16 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein each terminal allows a player to send notice of a desire to join play of an active networked game where play has already commenced. 
   
   
       17 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 16  wherein notice of a player's desire to join an active game is provided to a terminal of an active networked game at predetermined intervals appropriate for a new play to join the active networked game. 
   
   
       18 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a terminal that sends a communication of an invitation to play in a networked game acts as a server for the networked game. 
   
   
       19 . In a game system as claimed in  claim 11  wherein a terminal that sends a communication of an invitation to play in a networked game acts as a server for the networked game.