KR100727530B1 - Method and device for operating an electronic communication network game - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and computer program product for exchanging and processing data in connection with playing a wireless network based game. The first object is a reference object provided by the first party. At least one second object is a comparison object provided by at least one second party and the first party and the at least one second party are involved in a comparison procedure via a communication network. Information representing the first object is set and a task associated with the first object available to the at least one second party is created. The first party receives the at least one second object from the second party. The at least one received second object was created according to the task by the at least one second party. The at least one second object is compared with the first object to determine a similarity value.

Object, electronics, communication, wireless, network, game

Description

Method and device for operating an electronic communication network game

The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and computer program product for exchanging and processing image data in connection with playing a wireless network based game. The present invention also relates to multimedia messaging technology in mobile telephones and public switched mobile telephone networks. The invention also relates to the technical implementation of marketing methods such as contention such as "seek and find", spotting and the like.

In recent years, mobile phones have taken on many "routine" tasks such as planners, reminders, phone lists and address books. Another aspect of the functionality of mobile network devices is to provide entertainment features. Today, games such as space attack, snakes, pairs, and pinball have been adapted to the limited resources of mobile phones.

Basically there are already several types of games and entertainment applications using mobile communication devices. In Finland, for example, you can chat via television by sending an SMS to any number and your message is displayed on the screen for everyone to see. These features are also provided for interactive shows through "music television" programs.

Together with multimedia messaging technology and email capabilities, imaging phones have simplified the capture and transmission of images. However, traditional short messages can often carry all the necessary information so that additional transmission of the image to the recipient is often not considered to be worth the cost.

There have been useful and interesting applications that use the captured images. For example, images taken by a user with an imaging phone can be stored on a network server and shared between friends from the server. The images can also be used in the terminal as a basis for games, for example in a MixPix application in a Nokia 7650 imaging phone.

The present invention relates to the use of image comparison. Due to the increasing prevalence of mobile terminals, the market for mobile terminal telephones is becoming more and more saturated. In order to be able to sell new mobile phones, there is a need to provide mobile phones with more and better features that provide increased usability beyond providing voice access alone.

Image-based electronic games are described, for example, in US-patent US 6346043 and US 4508353 and Japanese patent application No. JA 08016807 A.

An image based electronic game is embodied as an image matching game for use in slot machines, and is disclosed in patent US 6346043 in which the image and arrangement of images displayed to the user are associated with the award.

US-Patent 4508353 discloses an image matching video game based on memory games in which the user has to select two matching images for a certain period of time. The configuration has fewer but moving pairs and can simply describe some type of electronically animated pairs game.

JP 08016807 describes an object image comparison apparatus in which the images may have some combat strength based on certain qualified persons for the image data and the intensity may be used to compare the intensities of two different images to determine a winner. have.

Now, there are spotting contentions based, for example, on arcs. The radio station can broadcast "Find our commercial car and call us. The first spotter will win the prize."

There is a need for a mobilizer to send multimedia messages to increase operator revenue from the technology and to reveal the potential of video messaging to the holders of imaging phones. New methods of using the captured images are needed. The exchange of images is a new dimension in mobile communication and there are still a small number of applications adapted to be attractive for generating fun and entertainment from the images.

It may also be desirable to augment existing sporting type contention organized by local radio stations, restaurants, etc. based on calls.

It may also be desirable to have a game that makes full use of the resources provided by modern camera phones. Images have been used in different types of memory games at some time and it is desirable to widen and diversify this use with camera phones.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for comparing at least two objects is provided. In the method a first object is a reference object provided by a first party and at least one second object is a comparison object provided by at least one second party and the first party and the at least one second party communicate. This comparison is accompanied by a network. The method comprises making information indicative of the first object and a task associated with the first object available to the at least one second party, at least one second object from the second party at the first party. Receiving the at least one first object and the at least one first object with the second object to determine a step and similar value formed in accordance with the task by the at least one second party. Comparing.

The present invention will be described below as an example for operating an electronic communication network game to provide a clear example. In all of the following illustrative examples of the network game implementation, the first party is the constructor of the game and the second party is the participants or players. Information representing the first object and tasks associated with the first object are referred to as task patterns and tasks in the description. The second object is referred to as a pattern, and the first object is referred to as a reference pattern.

In a game implementation the method further comprises posting a task pattern and a task, receiving at least one pattern from players over the wireless network, comparing the received pattern with a reference pattern to determine a similarity or similarity. And notifying players of the transmission of patterns that exceed the determined or predetermined similarity value or similarity.

By posting a task pattern and a task associated with the task pattern, the task and task pattern are made available to potential players. The task may include rules of the game. The task may be to take an image. The task can also be any other arbitrary task in which contention can be demonstrated by pictures or respective patterns. The type of task pattern used is not fixed and may depend on the type of the task. The task may be, for example, "take a picture of a car or a car's logo or a car's license plate (indicated in the task pattern) and send it to number xxx." The posting of the task pattern may be performed over an information or communication network, such as an internet mobile telephone network, a broadcast or television network. The task and the task pattern may also be posted to potential players as a magazine appendix, postcard, email, multimedia message (MMS) or short message (SMS). The task includes an address to which the image is to be sent, verifying completion of the task.

It can be noted that the task does not necessarily have to be contention. The invention can also be used in science when processing large amounts of observations. For example, in biology, you may need to do a quick survey of the amount of a butterfly, etc. Surveys of birds or butterflies of interest may be sent to a number of people located in the study area. The results can be automatically processed to obtain statistical results with some accuracy. Scientific applications are not necessarily price related. For scientific applications, such as virtual "butterfly hunting," additional transmission of the actual position or coordinates at which the image was taken may be as useful as transmission of the time at which the image was taken.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a determination is made of the success of performing the task, wherein the determination of the success is based on the similarity value.

Another application may exist in person spotting tasks, which may be to take a "star portrait" of an important person. In other applications the method may include, for example, tasks that include descriptions of very similar contentions or wanted posters for tracking suspects, prisoners or fugitives, or missing or lost pets. It may be important to clarify that the task is part of a game-like application or security activity. Performing matches similar to escaping suspects should be clearly avoided. The same principle can also be applied to any type of lost and found office application.

The number of possible applications can be easily extended to any type of distributed tasks. The tasks can also be used to collect data in field trip studies. Telephone booth operators can use the task to collect an overview of the status of the telephone booth, the task being " negative rating " in which the price to win is reduced with the number of images received from a single booth. It may include. In this case, location information and time information can be very useful. The data collected can be used to evaluate which telephone booth actually requires maintenance, cleaning and / or service.

It is assumed that at least one user or player transmits an image in response to the posted tasks or the published task pattern. The message is received via a wireless network. The received pattern provides evidence of the task's solution or completion of the task.

Completion of the task is checked by comparing the at least one received pattern with a reference pattern to determine a similar value. Completion of the task should result in an unambiguous pattern that can be compared with the proposed solution. It should be noted that the task pattern and the reference pattern need not be identical.

In another exemplary embodiment the method further includes the second object notifying the at least one second party exceeding the determined similarity value.

Notifying the players that the received patterns exceed the determined similarity is executed. In a simple case, the notification may be performed by a simple short message sent to the sender of the pattern with the highest similarity with respect to the reference pattern. In more complex games operated by commercial game operators, prices may be used and different values of prices may be provided depending on the similarity reached.

In the case of the exemplary task example described above, the method comprises the steps of receiving a digital image of a target (photographed by a telephone) via MMS, for example, at a given number / address (server), the image transmitted from the server and the reference image. Comparing and feeding back to the sender whether the match is acceptable, for example using SMS or MMS. In order to complete the method, the comparing server must have the added intelligence to process the method.

In another exemplary embodiment the method further comprises receiving at least one first or second object from at least one second party via a wireless network. When the first object is received, the player suggests a new task or new first object. In other cases this further includes receiving at least one second object from the second party at the first party, wherein the at least one received second object has been received via the communication network.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the information representing the first object and making the task available to the second party are performed using the communication network. Thereby, the method can be performed using only the communication channels provided by the communication network.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method the received second object or at least one pattern is at least one digital picture. By using the images, the accessibility and use of video operation telephones can be improved. By using a digital image that can be taken within seconds, the user can simply and easily join the game without having to perform complicated actions or to study the usage instructions accurately.

In another exemplary embodiment, the information representing the task pattern or the first object is substantially the same as the reference pattern or the first object. The task pattern may be partially identical to the reference pattern. The task pattern may be entirely the same as the reference pattern. The task pattern may be depicted as a cartoon such as a picture, in order to prevent the user from simply reusing the task pattern or the image as his pretending solution.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method, comparing the second object with the first object or comparing the at least one received pattern with the reference pattern comprises pixel matching, region matching, shape counting or a combination thereof. Performed by combination. The type of algorithm used to determine the similarity can be defined by the constructor of the game or left to each user. Different algorithms may be used to compensate for different focal lengths of different cameras, changes in the resolution of the cameras and other disturbing effects. In the exemplary embodiment, the pictures do not need to visually resemble each other, but instead the number of round objects in the picture, for example, is the only criterion to count. Any combination of such shape matching and pattern matching may also be used: The matching criterion may include taking an image containing some task pattern and some shapes.

In another exemplary embodiment, the information representing the task pattern or the first object or the first reference pattern includes an ROI. The region of interest may be highlighted with a mark or a label. In the example car picture task example, the car represents a region of interest and is not a background. The region of interest in the task pattern or image may be highlighted with a label. For example, if the contour of the target can be expected to be relatively unique, the task pattern can only include the contour, and the task is to find the exact object that closely matches the label.

According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for comparing at least two objects, wherein the first object is a reference object provided by the first entity and the at least one second object is provided by at least one second party. A comparison object, wherein the first party and the at least one second party are involved in the comparison via a communication network. The method includes establishing one of the plurality of parties as a first party and setting all other parties as second parties. The method includes creating the first object at the first party and over the communication network, information indicative of the first object and a task associated with the first object are available to the at least one second party. Followed by receiving at least one second object from the second party at the first party, wherein the at least one received second object is received by the at least one second party. It was formed according to the above task. The at least one second object is then compared with the first object to determine a similarity value and to make a decision about the success of performing the task, wherein the determination of success is based on the similarity value. The first party then informs the at least one second party that the second object exceeds the determined similarity value, and sets the first party by setting one of the second parties as the first party. Communicate the status of the party to one of the second parties.

In a network game implementation aspect of the invention this means that the method further comprises generating a task pattern and delivering the game to a next player. By creating a task pattern a new round or cycle of the game can be started, for example by taking an image. A single game round may be ended by passing the next round to another player game server element when the winner of the last round is determined. Until this section, only the operations of the game server or challenger have been described.

By receiving a task pattern and a task associated with the task pattern, a potential player gains an opportunity to participate in the game. The task includes a task of taking an image of an object according to the task pattern and an address to which the image is to be transmitted. By sending the image to a game server via a wireless communication network, a user can use the image directly to take and send options for his mobile phone, eliminating the need for complicated or time-consuming user input.

If the task image is the reference image, the user can evaluate the degree / grade of similarity by comparing his image with the reference image on his mobile device. The advantage of this procedure is that the user can only participate in the game if he can expect a practical chance to win. The feature will have the effect of reducing the number of transmitted images and increasing the quality or similarity of the transmitted messages. So according to this example, the game can be played in different leagues, ie with different equipment. It should be noted that if the similarity of the picture can be determined before the picture is sent to the challenger device or the server, the similarity determinations for both devices result in similar or identical results.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of taking an image according to a target or reference pattern or image is provided. The method includes displaying the camera's field of view and the reference pattern in a camera's viewfinder using cross fading techniques. For example, the reference pattern includes a region of interest marked in the camera's viewfinder with a silhouette of the region of interest depicted in a crosshair style. In the case of a target silhouette, the target may simply be overlaid or double displayed on the display of the viewfinder. In the case of a more complex target picture it may be performed such that both the received image and the viewing area of the camera overlap (with 50% transparency of the viewing area) as is known from the double exposure. Another way to overlay the field of view and the reference picture is to depict both in a split screen fashion. Another possibility is to use an alternating display that alternately displays the field of view and the reference image. The number of shifts per second or per minute can be selectable or predetermined.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for operating a network game system comprising a server and network devices in a wireless communication network, comprising the procedures as disclosed in the preceding description.

In another exemplary embodiment the first and / or second objects or patterns are transmitted using multimedia messaging. By sending the captured images to multimedia messaging, the images can be easily received and processed by an automatic electronic device such as a mobile communication device or a game server. By sending the task patterns to multimedia messaging, the tasks and the task patterns or images can be easily and automatically transmitted only to potential players. Electronically transmitted tasks and task patterns or reference patterns have the advantage that the human resources that run these games can be minimized. Notification of winners may also be performed using the communication network.

In another exemplary embodiment the notifications of the second parties or players are posted using a television broadcast network. Other possibilities to notify the players are by using radio broadcast, teletext, internet, wireless application protocol, short messages or multimedia messages or by letter, postcard or packet.

The task may be to take a picture of an event in a TV show. Commercial scenes on TV may include, for example, tasks such as "take a star on our latest TV commercial." The image can be taken live event or directly at any moment during the commercial. In order to achieve this, it may be helpful to have a digital camera that can be synchronized with the picture of the TV screen. For an advertising campaign it may also include tasks such as "Take a star on our latest TV commercial."

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a software tool comprising program code means for performing the method of the preceding description when the software tool is executed on a computer or network device.

According to another aspect of the invention, a program code means for performing the steps of the client or server of the previous methods when the program is run on a computer or network device is downloaded from the server to perform the method of the preceding description. Possible computer program products are provided.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium for carrying out the method steps of the preceding description, when the program product is executed on a computer or network device. do.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a computer data signal is provided. The computer data signal represents a program that is embodied on a carrier wave and causes the computer to perform the steps of the methods included in the previous description when the computer program is run on a computer or network device.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a network device or network server for comparing at least two objects, where the first object is a reference object provided by the first party and the at least one second object is at least one second. A comparison object provided by a party, wherein the first party and the at least one second party are involved in the comparison via a communication network. The network device includes a storage device, a network interface and a central processing unit. The storage device is for storing the first object and a task associated with the first object. The network interface is connected to the communication network to receive a second object of at least one of the second objects from the at least one second party via the wireless network. The central processing unit is connected to the storage device and the network interface.

The central processing unit may determine the at least one received second object to determine a similarity value for each of the at least one received second object with respect to the first object according to the stored task. Configured to compare with a pattern, wherein the central processing unit is further configured to notify senders of the received second objects via the network interface according to the determined similarity value and the stored task.

In the case of the network game application, the implementation feature may be regarded as a network server for operating an electronic communication network game. The network device includes a storage device, a network interface and a central processing unit.

The storage device is suitable for storing a reference pattern and a task associated with the reference pattern. The task may include a time factor, playing time or other additional restrictions. The task may include rules of the game and an address to which the image is to be sent.

The network interface is connected to a communication network to receive at least one pattern or image from at least one player via the wireless network.

The central processing unit is connected to the storage device and the network interface. The central processing unit is configured to compare the received pattern or image with the reference pattern to determine a similarity value or similarity / similarity level for each of the received patterns with respect to the reference pattern. The determination of the similarity is performed automatically using an automatic comparison algorithm. The determination of the similarity value may be performed according to the stored task. The central processing unit is further configured to notify senders of the received patterns via the network interface according to the determined similarity value and the stored task.

The network device described above may operate as a game server or challenger device.

According to another additional aspect of the present invention there is provided a network device for creating a second object according to a first object received via a communication network, wherein the first device is a reference object provided by the first party. . The network device includes a storage device, a network interface, a camera and a display.

The network interface is connectable to a communication network to receive the first object and a task associated with the first object. The storage device is connected to the network interface for storing the first object and the associated task. The camera is provided for taking at least one image according to the first object and the associated task, the camera being connected to the storage device. The display is provided for displaying the task, the first object and the taken at least one image.

In the network game implementation this is a network device for participating in an electronic communication network game. The network device includes a storage device, a network interface, a camera and a display.

The camera is for taking at least one image according to the task pattern and the related task. In the basic version the task pattern is not necessarily received over a wireless communication channel. In the basic version, the user or player can take an image, for example according to a reference image on a postcard. The storage device connected to the camera is adapted to store the captured images. The network interface is connected to the storage device that is connectable to a communication network and capable of transmitting the images taken to a game friend (challenger) or game server. In addition, the network interface may be used to receive a task pattern or each task from a challenger device or game server via the communication network. The received task pattern and the task associated with the task pattern may be stored in the connected storage device. The display is for displaying at least one captured image. In addition, the task and the task pattern may also be displayed on the display.

The network device described above may serve as a participant in a network game or an opponent for the challenger or server device. Since it is not necessary to have the ability to determine the similarity, it can be seen that the device required to join the game can be implemented much simpler than the challenge device.

More complex game devices may include features of the challenger device and features of the device making the challenge. Such a combined device may be used to operate as the game operator device or challenger device as well as the gaming device. The apparatus can therefore take pictures, define tasks and task patterns or reference pictures, send and receive pictures or patterns, and compare the received pictures with the reference picture to determine similarity values. With at least two of these devices, two players can alternately play the roles of the challenger or game operator and player.

In another exemplary embodiment, the network device, network server or network interface comprises a mobile phone. By integrating the device into a mobile phone, the formation of exclusive single gaming devices can be avoided.

In another exemplary embodiment the first and / or second objects or patterns received or transmitted via the communication network are digital pictures.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic image camera capable of taking an image according to a first object or a reference pattern or a reference image is provided. The electronic or digital camera according to the present invention comprises a viewfinder means, a first object or reference pattern storage device and means for displaying the first object or reference pattern and the field of view of the camera using cross-fading techniques.

The viewfinder means is for displaying the field of view of the camera and represents the state of the art. The viewfinder means may be a conventional lens set or an electronic display.

The first object or reference pattern storage device is for storing at least one first object or reference pattern. Means for displaying the camera's field of view and the first object or reference pattern using cross-fading technology may be implemented entirely electronically in the case of an electronic viewfinder display. Means for displaying the camera's field of view and the first object or reference pattern using the cross-fading technique may be implemented using translucent displays, beam splitters or head-up displays.

Means for displaying the camera's field of view and the first reference pattern using the cross-fading technique can be controlled with a small dial. The fading can be implemented with any type of known fading technique. The user can then resemble the historical originals by arranging the objects of the image to be taken until the mutual positional relationship of the objects in the image to be taken is substantially the same as in a famous painting, for example to arrange a portrait in a "mona lisa" style. You can simply take pictures. The camera may also be adapted to the similarity determination algorithm described above for improved fun for the user of the camera.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention such a camera is integrated into a network gaming device as described in the above description.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a network system for comparing at least two objects, wherein the first object is a reference object provided by the first party and the at least one second object is provided by at least one second party. A comparison object, wherein the first party and the at least one second party are involved in the comparison via a communication network. The network system may be implemented to operate an electronic communications network game. The system includes at least one challenger or server device according to the previous description and at least one counterpart device according to the previous description. The minimum requirements for providing such a system are a server device and a cam-phone device.

In the following, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 illustrates a basic flow diagram of a terminal-based implementation of the present invention.

2 shows a basic flow diagram of a network-based implementation of the present invention.

2A shows a basic flow diagram of a method for comparing at least two objects.

3 shows some different matching criteria.

4 illustrates an example task pattern or target image.

5 illustrates an example task pattern or target image with a marked region of interest.

6 illustrates an embodiment of a network device that can be operated as a server device.

7 illustrates an embodiment of a network device that can be operated as a network terminal device.

One mode of implementing the invention requires at least two, more three camera phones, each with a game application on the phone. Another alternative implementation includes a network server, where the terminal implementation can be formed with a lighter weight and the terminal need not be provided with any additional embedded features. The parameters of the game may change depending on the implementation and even somewhat by the players.

1 shows a basic flow diagram of a game in a terminal-based implementation. In the terminal-based implementation, the challenger takes a picture (2). The challenger may process the image and select at least one matching criterion. The challenger can process the image, for example by changing color, defining region of interest (s) (4), and selecting at least one matching criterion, such as the mutual position of regions, colors or contrast elements. . The challenger sends (6) a short description of the rules and the task or target, automatically generated by the picture and possibly the game application, to other players via a multimedia message (or any other suitable message). The other players will store the received image in a gaming folder where all other images acquired in the game are also stored. The game application uses the camera application and some image processing functions, but the image folder created in the game is a normal directory for storing images, which will be maintained as a "memory" of the gaming session. If the player accepts the challenge, he opens the image received in the game application and begins searching for a good match with the image using some matching criteria of the game (which he can choose). This is preferably done so that both the received image and the viewing area of the camera overlap (with 50% transparency of the viewing area).

Alternatively, the result of the matching may be displayed in the viewing area. If the player is satisfied with the image to be taken, he takes an image (8) and stores it in the gaming folder. The player may have the option of taking three images, for example, after which he must select the best image and send a response (10). The game application may limit the seek time to, for example, one minute, and the number of snapshots may not be limited. In this mode, the video sequence can also be captured to match the challenge image. If the player sends the best match to the challenger (10), the challenger evaluates the matches of the different players (12) and preferably sends a victory image or video clip to all other players to declare a winner. do. Compensation in this manner may be voluntary or may include, for example, a token or even electronic money for some digital content. The winner is declared if a similar value of more than 50% is reached according to the strategy in the game. If a price is set, the price may have to be paid by the player (s) or challenger with the lowest likelihood. After the round is completed, the challenge is turned over to another player (14). For example, the winner or loser of the last round, and the game starts anew. The game can also be played by two competitors by exchanging targets and evaluating speed and similarity at the end of each round. The players can purchase or obtain "matching engines" that facilitate the discovery of a match by providing automated functions in the viewfinder to play the game. The "matching engines" may be implemented in small programs that allow the system to overlap a target pattern or target object in the viewfinder. Other applications may include graded handicap lists that include staggered lists of hints about where to find the target, how to obtain a picture of the target, or how to solve the task. In such an embodiment, the matching engine may be single-use or the usage time may be limited, and the user may purchase a usage time for this engine or he may obtain such time by winning or winning a game round or The time can be obtained randomly.

2 shows a basic flow diagram of the game in a network-based implementation. In a server-based implementation, at least 24 storing and transmitting the images takes place via the server. Moreover, the matching may also occur at the server and no specific gaming application is needed at the terminal. The target image can be taken (20) from the challenger and processed and then sent to the server. The server may also process the target image and select 22 matching criteria. A time limit then begins at transmission 24 from the server to the challenged players, who can be allowed to find (26) and submit (28) any number of images as a response. have. At the end of the round, the server finds the winner 30 and gives the server credits (e.g. Club Nokia credits) or if the server is being operated by a network operator, some free multimedia messages are sent from the winner terminal. The winner may be rewarded (32). In the latter case, sending the next new challenge image to all game mates can always be free, and only the responses will be charged. Alternatively or additionally, users may also obtain augmentations for the game application (such as the matching engine described above) or may obtain these augmentations when they play the game longer. In a server implementation, players can obtain a common picture album on the server as the game progresses.

In both implementations, using stored images may or may not be allowed. If the use of stored images is allowed, the images can be used only once as a response, for example (the gaming application will record the use of the images). However, the gaming application may include a search function that allows the best matching image to be found among the images stored in the terminal. Alternatively, the player may be allowed to submit multiple images to the server and the server will select the best matching image as the player's response.

Time stamps, additional time information or location stamps, additional location information (GPRS, base stations, hotspots, GPS, and the like based thereon) can be used to personalize the picture and later the car is actually present at that point in time. It can be used to check for the presence. Since each picture can be associated with a point and time, the same information can also be used to set up distribution maps, range maps of species and other post data processing. When evaluating the data, it should be taken into account that the evaluation considers that the distribution of the data sources and the data collection behavior is uneven or unevenly distributed.

2A shows a basic flow chart of a method for comparing at least two objects, wherein a first object is a reference object provided by a first party and at least one second object is a comparison object provided by at least one second party. And the first party and the at least one second party are involved in the comparison via a communication network. The method begins with step 2 'of making information representing the first object and a task associated with the first object available to the at least one second party. In a next step the first party receives (4 ') at least one second object from the second party, wherein the at least one received second object is in accordance with the task by the at least one second party. Formed. Execution of the basic method is completed at step 6 ', comparing the at least one first object with the second object to determine a similarity value. All the above extensions are found in this basic method.

3 shows some different matching criteria. The challenger can select the matching criteria to be used or they can be freely selected by the players. Alternatively, the criteria are chosen randomly when the challenge is transmitted. The criterion may include most of any image processing operations: 1) a) the entire image, b) a portion of the image or c) pixel matching from any block to any block 40, 2) a) edge Certain features, such as ones 48 or flat areas, b) (various) pattern matching 44 of any detected shapes or objects and 3) a) converted images or b) all or part of the image Transform matching 50 of a portion 54 of the transform of. In particular and by way of example only, color, decoration, geometric shapes, faces, cars, license plates or other object shapes can be used as matching criteria.

When scoring is determined, various scoring schemes are possible. The winner may earn one point for a round or a number of best matches may be rewarded in a manner used in many sporting events such as Formula 1 races, for example. Alternatively, the score may be obtained directly from the similarity match. For rewards, the scores may be converted into virtual credits or monetary units used in many services. To sponsor the game, theaters and the like may distribute free tickets to the best players. In this configuration it is also possible to send the challenge images intensively, which may be related to the event being promoted. One group of people can compete against each other depending on the subject, and one of the registered players can get a free entry or some other bonus, while others just enjoy.

4 illustrates an example task pattern or target image. The picture shown includes a car in front of the bar, i.e. the picture taken can only reach maximum similarity if the car is actually parked in front of the bar when the game starts. In another embodiment, the user may send some images in response to the task, wherein portions of the task image may be found in each response image. Such compound tasks may be, for example, "take a picture of this car in front of the restaurant", and sending a compound response with one image taken by the restaurant and another image taken by the car is valid for the task. You can qualify as a response. In this embodiment, transmitting images as long as both the restaurant and the vehicle are present may be preferred for the composite response, but only transmitting images of the vehicle may be completely disqualified.

5 illustrates an example task pattern or target image with a marked region of interest. 5 may also display a target pattern (silhouette) that overlaps with the viewing area (black and white background) of the camera. For the configuration shown, only a unique silhouette of the vehicle may be sufficient as the target pattern. 5 can also be interpreted as a target image with an indication of the region of interest embodied as a line delineating the car, so that the sporting game can be played even when the car is not actually parked in front of the bar. In the case of a marked region of interest, only a portion of the image in the contour is used to determine the similar value.

Implementations of the present invention that use a wireless communication network minimally may include posting the reference picture or pattern through an appendix in a magazine or as a free sample present in an advertising campaign. The reference image or "target" may be displayed on a postcard, the rules of the game being displayed on the back of the postcard. The reference picture may be displayed in a cartoon style picture, just to prevent players from taking pictures from the postcard. Possible target images are shown in FIG. 4. The participant of the game may follow the rules on the back of the postcard, including a telephone number or network address. So the user can only have a picture of the target, instructions to take a picture and a destination address to send the picture.

In an alternative embodiment, the challenge or task and picture may be received from a local broadcaster operator via a local connection, eg Bluetooth. Such a configuration is convenient, for example, in shops, stores, kiosks, billboards, etc., where a user can obtain spotting challenges or tasks related to the products he sees in the vicinity. Alternatively, these challenges may be embedded in a product that the user purchases, such as a grain food box, a container of lubricant, and the like. Alternatively, the challenge may be delivered to the user via a local connection in a theater or restaurant, or multiplexed or additionally supplied to a television or radio transmission. For example, advertisements displayed during a TV or movie presentation may be delivered via local connection to nearby devices.

The images are transmitted to the game's creator, i. The creator of the game can automatically compare all received pictures with the reference picture. During the comparison, the constructor may arrange the received pictures according to respective determined similarities. The most similar, the predetermined number of most similar pictures or all pictures with similarity above the threshold may be selected to be the winner. Awards can be associated with similar values. Additional information such as time, location, etc. may be added to the captured image to help verify the accuracy of the image so that the image is taken in the correct area and within a certain time. The addition of time or location information may be accomplished through the use of methods known to those skilled in the art, for example by GPS or network location, and by providing a digital signature to the data.

The winner (s) of the game may be notified via telephone, radio broadcast, TV broadcast, mail, SMS, and the like. Thus, in the simplest case the game can be played using the wireless network only to send the pictures to the address of the game constructor.

The present invention further diversifies the use of camera phones and provides new business opportunities for both operators and companies. The invention also provides a method of exchanging pictures between friends. The present invention makes it possible to actually exchange pictures conveniently and at the same time a group of friends can collect a mutual image gallery. The present invention increases the use of multimedia messages, which will eventually lead to a drop in price. Experienced users of camera phones can also reduce the cost of using the multimedia messages, which will increase the attractiveness of camera phones. The present invention also provides a new and more attractive way to participate in spotting competition. In order to participate in and use the present invention, the user must purchase an imaging phone.

An aspect of the invention is the comparison of images taken by some cameras (phones) with a reference image.

The spotting contention may be configured such that there is no cost for the user. The spotting contention may be configured such that there is no cost for the constructor.

The game function is easily seen from the terminal and a system for advertising such a game needs to be supported by the terminals. Since the rules of the game can be transmitted simultaneously with the target image, the overall structure of the camera can be formed very clearly.

The present invention proposes a new method of using multimedia messaging and image comparison together as a game or contention. The present invention proposes a new method of using multimedia messaging and image comparison together as a new method for research / investigation. The invention is not limited to public use in games and other tasks, but also in a field research project a limited group of people or distributed events or objects, such as market research groups of scientists, may be recorded for research. It can be noted that it can be applied to other applications. This survey can also be applied to any type of descending objects, such as airlifted relief supplies and meteor debris.

The reference picture becomes available at the server and all participants can take pictures with their camera phones and send them to the server for image comparison. The comparison can be done in several ways. This method can be easily used as a game or a competition such as a company announces a reference picture and anyone who obtains the closest picture wins an award. The result of the game and the selection of the best reference pictures can be displayed on an Internet address, such as "www-server", a WAP address or on a television for example.

The present invention introduces technical means for implementing a multiplayer imaging game. In the game, one of the players takes a picture (or video clip) and sends the challenge to other players. Other players can see the image and try to capture as similar an image as possible according to some measure. Images taken by other players are then sent back to the sender of the challenge, and the player who has won the best match will win the round. The winner may be rewarded by any means. Then the challenge turn will go to the other player.

A new system for dealing with spotting contention is introduced. The contention may be announced initially or by sending an MMS to the user mobile. The task (sporting the target) may be, for example, "take a picture of the logo of the car or car and send it to number xxx." When the picture is received at the server, the picture is compared with a reference picture using common techniques. If the match is acceptable, a reward is awarded to the spotter. In particular, if the task is to take a picture of the logo, it is easier to make a comparison at the server. Of course the target of the spotting comparison can be anything: people, butterflies, trains. The target may also be stations of rabbit and hound play, where a single station of rabbit and hound play may be used to receive a picture of the next checkpoint. The target may also be a solution of a game using matchsticks and the target will be to take images of matchsticks in the solution configuration.

6 illustrates an embodiment of a network device that can be operated as a server device. The server device 66 shown includes an interface or interface module 70 for connecting the device to the communication network 60. The communication network 60 may be any type of communication network. The communication network may be a wireless communication network such as a mobile telephone network. The network 60 provides communication to terminal devices as indicated by arrow 62. The server device 66 further includes a central processing unit (CPU) 68, a storage device 72, and a storage device 74. The storage device 74 is for storing first objects and related tasks. It can be posted to terminal devices via a communication network. The task may be any type of tasks as described in the previous specification. The server may receive second objects from different senders via the communication network 60 and may store the second objects and the addresses of the senders in the storage device 72. Depending on the task, the received second objects may be evaluated by performing comparison algorithms in the CPU 68 between the first and second objects in accordance with the task. Depending on the results of the task and the comparison algorithms, the sender of the best matching or most similar second object may be determined and notified.

7 illustrates an embodiment of a network device that can be operated as a network terminal device. The illustrated terminal device 80 is implemented as a wireless network terminal device. The air or air interface 86 may communicate 84 with a communication network (not shown) via an antenna 82. The air interface 86 for the communication network is connected to a central processing unit (CPU) 88 of the terminal device 80. In this embodiment, the CPU is connected to a storage device 94, an optical recording system 90 (ie a lens system with a charge coupled device (CCD) chip) and a display 92 that acts as a viewfinder and display. . With the interface 86, the device can receive first objects or reference patterns and tasks, and store them in one of the storage devices 94. The device can take images via the optical recording system 90 and store them in the storage device 94. The terminal device 80 is also configured to simultaneously display the first objects received on the display 92 and the actual field of view using the cross fading techniques provided by the CPU 88.

This application contains the description of embodiments and embodiments of the present invention with the aid of examples. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the embodiments presented above, and that the present invention can be implemented in other forms without departing from the features of the present invention. The embodiments presented above should be considered illustrative and should not be considered limiting. Accordingly, the possibility of implementing and using the invention is limited only by the appended claims. Therefore, various options for implementing the invention as determined by the claims, including equivalent embodiments, also fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims (23)

A method for operating an electronic communications network game, the method comprising: Publishing a task pattern and a task associated with the task pattern such that a task pattern and a task associated with the task pattern are available to players; Receiving task patterns associated with the task from at least two players over a wireless network; Comparing the received patterns with a reference pattern to determine a similarity value for each received pattern; And Notifying players who have transmitted patterns exceeding the determined similarity value. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining about the success of performing the task, wherein the determination of the success is based on the similarity value. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising receiving at least one received pattern from at least one of the at least two players via a wireless network. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the posting of the task and the task associated with the task pattern is performed using the communication network. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the received patterns received from the at least two players are digital pictures. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the comparing of the received patterns with the reference pattern is performed by pixel matching, region matching, shape counting or any combination thereof. The method of claim 1, wherein the task pattern includes a region of interest highlighted by a mark. A method for operating an electronic communications network game, the method comprising: Establishing a state defining one of the parties as the first party and defining all other parties as at least two players; Creating a first object at the first party; Publishing a task pattern and a task associated with the task pattern such that a task pattern and a task associated with the task pattern are available to the at least two players; Receiving task patterns associated with the task from at least two players over a wireless network at the first party; Comparing the received patterns with a reference pattern to determine a similarity value for each received pattern; Determining a success of the performance of the task, wherein the determination of the success is based on the similarity value; Notifying players who have transmitted patterns exceeding the determined similarity value; And Communicating the status of the first party to one of the at least two players by setting one of the at least two players as the first party. A method for operating a network game system comprising a network server device and network devices in a wireless communication network, comprising the procedures described in any one of claims 1, 2 and 8. 9. A method according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 8, wherein said patterns are transmitted using multimedia messaging. 9. A method according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 8, wherein the notifications are posted via a television broadcast network. A computer readable medium comprising program code for performing the method of any one of claims 1, 2 and 8 when the program code is executed on a computer or a network device. A computer readable medium comprising program code downloadable from a server for performing the method of any one of claims 1, 2 and 8 when the program code is executed on a computer or a network device. A computer readable medium comprising a computer data structure representing a program instructing a computer to perform the steps of the method of any one of claims 1, 2 and 8. A network device for operating an electronic communications network game, wherein a task pattern and a task associated with the task pattern are provided by a first party and the received patterns are comparison objects provided by at least two players, wherein the first party and Wherein at least two players are involved in the comparison via a communication network, A storage device for storing the task pattern, a task associated with the task pattern, and a reference pattern; A network interface connected to the telecommunications network for receiving patterns received from the at least two players via the wireless network; And A central processing unit connected to the storage device and the network interface, The central processing unit is configured to compare the received patterns with the reference pattern to determine similarity values for each of the received patterns with respect to the reference pattern according to the stored task, wherein the central processing unit is determined. And notify through the network interface to players who have transmitted the received patterns exceeding a similarity value. A network device for operating an electronic communication network game for generating a pattern according to a task pattern received through a communication network, the network device wherein the task pattern is a reference pattern provided by a first party, A network interface connectable to a communication network to receive the task pattern and a task associated with the task pattern; A storage device connected to the network interface, for storing the task pattern and the related task; A camera connected to the storage device and configured to take at least one image according to the task pattern and the related task; And And a display for displaying the task, the task pattern, and the taken pattern image. 17. A network device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the network device for comparing at least two objects or generating a pattern according to a task pattern, said network device comprising a mobile telephone. 17. The network device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the pattern received through the communication network is a digital picture. An electronic image camera capable of taking an image according to a task pattern, said electronic image camera comprising a viewfinder means for displaying a field of view of said camera, A task pattern storage device for storing a task pattern; And And means for displaying the field of view and the task pattern of the camera using cross fading techniques. 20. An electronic video camera according to claim 19, wherein said camera is embedded in a network device according to claim 15 or 16. 17. A network system for operating an electronic communications network game, comprising at least one device according to claim 15 and at least one device according to claim 16. delete delete

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