System and method for wireless gaming with location determination

Abstract

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method for wireless gaming with location determination are provided. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the system includes a gaming server; a wireless network at least partially covering a property, the wireless network comprising a plurality of signal detection devices; and a gaming communication device operable to transmit and receive gaming information to and from the gaming server via the wireless network. A location of the gaming communication device on the property may be determined based upon a signal received by the plurality of signal detection devices from the gaming communication device. Based upon the location of the gaming communication device on the property, a predetermined functionality of the gaming communication device may be enabled.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A method comprising:
 controlling, by at least one processor:   determining a first location of a mobile device by comparing a first set of signal characteristics involving the mobile device and a plurality of wireless network devices of a communication network, with predetermined sets of signal characteristics,   in which each of the predetermined sets of signal characteristics is associated with a respective given location of a plurality of locations covered by the communication network, in which each of the predetermined sets of signal characteristics includes a respective plurality of signal characteristics, and in which each signal characteristic of a respective plurality of signal characteristics corresponds to a signal between a given device and a given wireless network device of the communication network;   enabling a functionality of the mobile device based upon the first location; and   disabling the functionality in response to a period of non-use of the mobile device.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , in which the first set of signal characteristics includes strengths of a plurality of signals between the mobile device and the wireless network devices. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , in which at least one of the wireless network devices includes at least one of a wireless access point, a wireless router, a wireless base station, or a satellite. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , in which the first set of signal characteristics includes transmission times of a plurality of signals between the mobile device and the wireless network devices. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , in which determining the first location includes determining that the first location is in a first region of a property that is covered by the communication network and includes multiple regions that are covered by the communication network. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 controlling, by the at least one processor, suggesting a course adjustment to a user of the mobile device in response to determining that the mobile device has moved from the first region.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , in which each of the regions is associated with at least one allowed activity; and in which enabling the functionality includes allowing at least one activity associated with the first region. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , in which the first region is divided into a plurality of areas, and in which the predetermined sets of signal characteristics include a first predetermined set of signal characteristics for each of the plurality of areas. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , in which determining the first location includes determining an area of the plurality of areas in which the mobile device is located by comparing the first set of signal characteristics with the first predetermined sets of signal characteristics. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 controlling, by the at least one processor, allowing, in response to determining the first location, at least one of a making of a reservation, a purchasing of merchandise, a purchasing of a service, a purchasing of food, a purchasing of a beverage, a purchasing of a ticket to an entertainment event, or a purchasing of transportation.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising controlling, by the at least one processor, measuring each of the predetermined sets of signal characteristics before determining the first location. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , in which the wireless network devices include at least one second mobile device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 2 , in which the wireless network devices are distinct from the mobile device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising controlling, by the at least one processor, calculating each of the predetermined sets of signal characteristics before the mobile device is allowed to use the communications network for at least one activity corresponding to the functionality. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 2 , in which determining the first location includes matching the first set of signal characteristics with a first predetermined set of signal characteristics of the predetermined sets of signal characteristics that corresponds to the first location. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 2 , in which each of the wireless network devices includes a respective access point to the communication network through which the mobile device may access the communications network. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 2 , in which the at least one processor, the mobile device and the wireless network devices are distinct. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 2 , in which the plurality of locations is located within a property spanned by the communications network. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus comprising:
 at least one processor configured to control:   determining a first location of a mobile device by comparing a first set of signal characteristics involving the mobile device and a plurality of wireless network devices of a communication network, with predetermined sets of signal characteristics,   in which each of the predetermined sets of signal characteristics is associated with a respective given location of a plurality of locations covered by the communication network, in which each of the predetermined sets of signal characteristics includes a respective plurality of signal characteristics, and in which each signal characteristic of a respective plurality of signal characteristics corresponds to a signal between a given device and a given wireless network device of the communication network;   enabling a functionality of the mobile device based upon the first location; and   disabling the functionality in response to a period of non-use of the mobile device.   
     
     
         21 . A non-transitory storage medium configured to store instructions which, when executed by a computer, control:
 determining a first location of a mobile device by comparing a first set of signal characteristics involving the mobile device and a plurality of wireless network devices of a communication network, with predetermined sets of signal characteristics,   in which each of the predetermined sets of signal characteristics is associated with a respective given location of a plurality of locations covered by the communication network, in which each of the predetermined sets of signal characteristics includes a respective plurality of signal characteristics, and in which each signal characteristic of a respective plurality of signal characteristics corresponds to a signal between a given device and a given wireless network device of the communication network;   enabling a functionality of the mobile device based upon the first location; and   disabling the functionality in response to a period of non-use of the mobile device.