Web-based game platform with mobile device motion sensor input

Abstract

A distributed gaming platform is provided wherein mobile devices (e.g., a smartphone) with motion sensors are used as input controllers of a game. A cloud-based gaming rules engine manages multiple players and the content for display in the game. The game output is displayed on any web-enabled display which is physically distinct from the mobile device. Multiple players may simultaneously play the same game, or different games, in multiple geographic locations.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gaming system, comprising:
 a gaming server configured to manage at least one game, wherein   (a) a first connection is established between a first device and the gaming server, the first device having first motion sensors;   (b) a second connection is established between a second device and the gaming server;   (c) a third connection is established between a third device and the gaming server, the third device having second motion sensors;   (d) at the gaming server, via the first connection, first device game motion data is received from the first device, the first device game motion data determined using the first motion sensors, responsive to the first device being moved by a first player during a game;   (e) at the second device, first image content is displayed related to the game, the first image content rendered at least in part based on the received first device game motion data;   (f) at the gaming server, via the third connection, third device game motion data is received from the third device, the third device game motion data determined using the second motion sensors, responsive to the third device being moved by a second player during the game; and   (g) at the second device related to the game, second image content is displayed, the second image content rendered at least in part based on the received third device game motion data.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the second device is a web-enabled display. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the first connection and the second connection are separate Internet connections. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the first motion sensors include a gyroscope and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the first device analyzes raw motion data obtained from the gyroscope and the accelerometer to determine the first game motion data. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the first device game motion data includes swing speed and roll angle. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming system of  claim 6 , wherein the first device game motion data includes forearm rotation rate, wrist hinge, and swing path. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the first device and the second device are connected via a fourth connection on a local area network (LAN), and the third device and the fourth device are connected via a fifth connection on the LAN. 
     
     
         9 . A gaming system, comprising;
 a gaming server configured to manage at least one game, wherein   (a) a first connection is established between a first device and the gaming server, the first device having first motion sensors;   (b) a second connection is established between a second device and the gaming server;   (c) at the gaming server, via the first connection, first device game motion data is received from the first device, the first device game motion data determined using the first motion sensors, responsive to the first device being moved by a first player during a game;   (d) at the second device, first image content is displayed related to the game, the first image content rendered at least in part based on the received first device game motion data.   
     
     
         10 . The gaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the first device game motion data relates to at least one sports motion. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the first device game motion data includes a starting point determined by the first device being held still. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the second device is a web-enabled display. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the first connection and the second connection are separate Internet connections. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the first motion sensors include a gyroscope and an accelerometer. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the first device analyzes raw motion data obtained from the gyroscope and the accelerometer to determine the first device game motion data. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the first device game motion data includes swing speed and roll angle. 
     
     
         17 . The gaming system of  claim 16 , wherein the first device game motion data includes forearm rotation rate, wrist hinge, and swing path. 
     
     
         18 . The gaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the rendered first image content is rendered by selecting among a plurality of image content. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming system of  claim 18 , wherein the plurality of image content includes image content predicted to probably occur. 
     
     
         20 . The gaming system of  claim 9 , wherein the rendered first image content relates to an impact or release point determined using the first device motion data including both pitch and yaw motion data. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 (e) establishing an nth connection between an nth device and the gaming server, the nth device having (n−1)th motion sensors;   (f) establishing an (n+1)th connection between an (n+1)th device and the gaming server;   (g) receiving at the gaming server, via the nth connection, nth device game motion data from the nth device, the nth device game motion data determined using the (n−1)th motion sensors, responsive to the nth device being moved during the game; and   (h) displaying image content at the (n−1)th device and the (n+1)th device related to the game, the image content rendered at least in part based on the nth device game motion data;   (i) wherein n is an integer, 3≦n.   
     
     
         22 . A gaming system, comprising;
 a gaming server configured to manage at least one game, wherein   (a) a first connection is established between a first device and the gaming server, the first device having first motion sensors;   (b) a second connection is established between a second device and the gaming server;   (c) a third connection is established between a third device and the gaming server, the third device having second motion sensors;   (d) at the gaming server, via the first connection, first device game motion data is received from the first device, the first device game motion data determined using the first motion sensors, responsive to the first device being moved by a first player during a game;   (e) at the second device, first image content is displayed related to the game, the first image content rendered at least in part based on the received first device game motion data;   (f) at the gaming server, via the third connection, third device game motion data is received from the third device, the third device game motion data determined using the second motion sensors, responsive to the third device being moved by a second player during the game; and   (g) at the second device related to the game, second image content is displayed, the second image content rendered at least in part based on the received third device game motion data.   
     
     
         23 . The gaming system of  claim 22 , further including wherein the first device game motion data includes a starting point.