Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
  • H04N21/414—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
• • A63F13/12—
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
  • G06Q50/10—Services
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
  • A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
  • A63F13/33—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using wide area network [WAN] connections
  • A63F13/332—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using wide area network [WAN] connections using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
  • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
  • H04B1/40—Circuits
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
  • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
  • H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
  • H04M1/72403—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
  • H04M1/72427—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality for supporting games or graphical animations
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
  • H04N21/414—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
  • H04N21/41407—Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/41—Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
  • H04N21/422—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
  • H04N21/42202—Input-only peripherals, i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] environmental sensors, e.g. for detecting temperature, luminosity, pressure, earthquakes
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
  • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
  • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
  • H04N21/47—End-user applications
  • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
  • H04N21/4781—Games
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/20—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of the game platform
  • A63F2300/204—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of the game platform the platform being a handheld device
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/40—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of platform network
  • A63F2300/406—Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/50—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by details of game servers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
  • A63F2300/50—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by details of game servers
  • A63F2300/55—Details of game data or player data management
  • A63F2300/5546—Details of game data or player data management using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
  • A63F2300/5573—Details of game data or player data management using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history player location
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
  • H04M2250/12—Details of telephonic subscriber devices including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a method for playing a game by using a mobile communication terminal incorporating an electronic compass module therein; and, more specifically, to a mobile communication terminal including an electronic compass module which is operated by the same principle as that of an electronic compass and a method for playing a network mobile game on the mobile communication terminal by way of converting a value outputted from the electronic compass module which varies with a movement direction of the mobile communication terminal into a three-dimensional coordinate value for use in playing the network mobile game.
• mobile communication terminals are endowed with diversified functions. That is to say, a user can enjoy various services including wireless Internet access, video communication, moving picture message transmission, etc., as well as voice communication by using a mobile communication terminal.
• Such mobile communication terminal represented by a cellular phone may overcome a greatest drawback of PC (personal computer), i.e., immobility, so that it may guarantee mobility of the user extensively.
• PC personal computer
• a CPU control processing unit
• the mobile communication terminal makes faster data processing speed possible and a color LCD (liquid crystal display) screen and a 64-chord melody level sound source are supported, it becomes possible to play various games by using the mobile communication terminal.
• a game capable of being played on the mobile communication terminal may be played anytime, anywhere, and another new game may be played without replacing the mobile communication terminal unlike other game machines, the number of mobile game users has been rapidly increasing. Specifically, although stand-alone mobile games downloaded into the mobile communication terminal has been commonly prevailed due to a poor performance of the mobile communication terminal, network mobile games that can be played with other people through the online are now being widely propagated.
• Fig. 1 shows an exemplary screen of a mobile game played by using a conventional mobile communication terminal. In Fig. 1, a game screen of the mobile game which is being played on the mobile communication terminal is displayed leftward while functions assigned to key buttons to support the mobile game are displayed rightward.
• a key button for moving a user-controlled character in the mobile game is assigned to each of an upward, a downward, a leftward, a rightward and a jumping motion. Accordingly, the user must learn the functions assigned to the key buttons which are displayed on the right portion of Fig. 1 before starting the mobile game. For example, the key buttons assigned to the upward, the downward, the leftward, the rightward and the jumping motion must be hit continually with both thumbs of the user in order to move the user-controlled character. Further, since it is difficult to make a special motion such as "bubble attack" shown in Fig. 1 while moving the user- controlled character, a great amount .of time and efforts are required to master the mobile game.
• an object of the present invention to provide a mobile communication terminal including an electronic compass module which is operated by the same principle as that of an electronic compass and a method for playing a network mobile game on the mobile communication terminal by way of converting a value outputted from the electronic compass module which varies with a movement direction of the mobile communication terminal into a three- dimensional coordinate value for use in playing the network mobile game.
• a mobile communication terminal for supporting a network mobile game by using electronic compass function, the mobile game being a game electronically performed by or at a mobile communication terminal, comprising: a program memory unit storing a compiler for performing compilation to execute the mobile game and a wireless Internet browser for gaining access to a wireless Internet; a parameter storage unit for storing therein various parameters for use in performing a data communication; a subscriber identity module (SIM) for storing therein a mobile identification number (MIN) , an electric serial number (ESN) , a personal security key and various data required to operate the mobile communication terminal; a key input unit including at least one key button for inputting commands for selecting, starting, playing and stopping the mobile game; an electronic compass module incorporating a magnetic sensor for outputting a sensor output signal proportional to magnitude of the external geomagnetic field which varies with an upward, a downward, a leftward and a rightward motion of the mobile communication terminal, for outputting a horizontal
• a method for providing a network mobile game service by using a mobile communication terminal incorporating an electronic compass module therein in a wireless Internet game system comprising the steps of: (a) providing a mobile game list to the mobile communication terminal connected through a wireless Internet; (b) presenting a network mobile game selected by the mobile communication terminal and a game mode supported by the selected network mobile game; (c) providing a game mode selection screen, if the selected network mobile game is determined to be a dual mode game; (d) executing the selected network mobile game and waiting for control data to be received, if an electronic compass mode is selected on the mobile communication terminal; (e) controlling a movement of a user-controlled character based on the received control data; and (f) transmitting to the mobile communication terminal a game screen on which the user-controlled character is moved.
• Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary screen of a mobile game played by using a conventional mobile communication terminal
• Fig. 2 is a block diagram for schematically showing an internal configuration of a mobile communication terminal in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 3 presents a block-" diagram for schematically showing an internal configuration of an electronic compass module in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Figs. 1 illustrates an exemplary screen of a mobile game played by using a conventional mobile communication terminal
• Fig. 2 is a block diagram for schematically showing an internal configuration of a mobile communication terminal in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 3 presents a block-" diagram for schematically showing an internal configuration of an electronic compass module in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention
• FIG. 4A and 4B set forth graphs for describing a relationship between an external magnetic field in an X-axis magnetic sensor and an output "value thereof and a relationship between an external magnetic filed in a Y-axis magnetic sensor and an output value thereof, respectively, in accordance with the embodiment of "the present invention
• Fig. " 5A and 5B illustrate a moving state of a user- controlled character when the mobile communication terminal is moved leftward and rightward in an electronic compass mode in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. ⁇ A and 6B show a moving state of the user- controlled character when the mobile communication terminal is moved upward and downward in the electronic compass mode in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 7 depicts a flowchart for describing a playing sequence of a network mobile game by using an electronic compass function in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram for schematically showing an internal configuration of a mobile communication terminal 200 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the mobile communication terminal 200 includes a program memory unit 210, a parameter storage unit 211, a key input unit 212, an LCD unit 213, an electronic compass module 214, a mobile game storage unit 215, a mode state storage unit 216, a subscriber identity module 217, a microprocessor 220, a digital signal processor 230, a baseband converter 240, an RF signal processor 250, a speaker 260, a microphone 270 and an antenna 280.
• Stored in the program memory unit 210 are a protocol software for processing a message transceived through a network and a compiler for processing a mobile game in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the compiler serves to- compile and execute mobile game contents coded in a .
• a predetermined wireless Internet browser which allows the mobile communication terminal 200 to gain access to a .specific server such as a wireless Internet server via a wireless Internet to execute a network mobile game or download mobile game contents.
• the wireless Internet browser installed in the mobile communication terminal 200 may be a WAP (wireless application protocol) browser coded in WML (wireless markup language), a Mobile Explorer coded in m-HTML (Microsoft-HTML) , a Compact Netfront coded in c- HTML (Compact-HTML) , or the like.
• WAP wireless application protocol
• m-HTML Microsoft-HTML
• c- HTML Compact Netfront coded in c- HTML
• Stored or capable of being stored in the parameter storage unit 211 are various parameters to be used in a synchronous, an asynchronous and a fourth-generation communication system defined by 3GPP (the 3 rd generation partnership project) , 3GPP2, ITU (international telecommunication union) , OHG (operator harmonization group) and so on to cause the mobile communication terminal to execute audio call and/or data communication.
• 3GPP the 3 rd generation partnership project
• 3GPP2 the 3 rd generation partnership project
• ITU international
• the protocol software stored in the program memory unit 210 uses the various parameters stored in the parameter storage unit 211 to modulate and demodulate audio signals and/or data signals transceived by the mobile communication terminal 200.
• the key input unit 212 is provided with a number of key buttons for use in inputting numbers such as telephone numbers or characters .
• key buttons include twelve number keys (0 to 9, *, #) , a plurality of function keys, a multiplicity of cursor displacement keys, a scroll key and so forth.
• the user may manipulate the number keys, the function keys, direction keys and so on provided on the key input unit 212 so as to select and play a desired mobile game.
• the key buttons provided on the key input unit 212 can be irrelevant to the movement of an image (hereinafter, referred to as a "user-controlled character") that can be moved by an user under the mobile game. That is to say, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, even though the user can manipulate the specific key buttons provided on the key input unit 212 to move the user-controlled character, the user can move the mobile communication terminal itself to move the user-controlled character. In other words, the user-controlled character may be moved in proportion to a moving direction and a moving angle by which the mobile communication terminal 200 is moved.
• the movement of the mobile communication terminal 200 will be described in further detail with reference to Figs.
• the LCD unit 213 shows operational states of the mobile communication terminal 200 including a residual battery capacity of a battery, a receiving intensity of a radio wave, date and time. Furthermore, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the LCD unit 213 serves to display various mobile-game-related screens including a game screen, movements of the user-controlled character, a game score and a game ranking when the mobile game is being played on the mobile communication terminal 200.
• the electronic compass module 214 incorporates therein a magnetic sensor or a geomagnetic sensor so that the electronic compass module 214 may detect a variation in a geomagnetic field depending on a moving distance and/or a moving direction, by which the mobile communication terminal 200 is moved, to generate an output signal related with the variation in the geomagnetic field. It is preferable that the electronic compass module 214 is disposed horizontally with respect to the mobile communication terminal 200 to guarantee a precise operation thereof. Accordingly, the installation place of the electronic compass module 214 may be varied depending on whether the mobile communication terminal 200 is of a flip type or a folder type.
• the key input unit 212 and the LCD unit 200 are installed on a same plane so that the electronic compass module 214 can be equilibrated with respect to the mobile communication terminal 200 wherever it is installed, the installation place of the electronic compass module 214 may not be important. Since, however, in case of a folder-type mobile communication terminal, the key input unit 212 and the LCD unit 213 may be angled with each other by a predetermined angle under the execution of the mobile game, it is preferable that the electronic compass module 214 is mounted at a body portion of the mobile communication terminal 200, in which the key input unit 212 communicated with both hands of the user is provided.
• the mobile game storage unit 215 stores therein at least one mobile game that is downloaded from a certain wireless Internet game server through an access to the wireless Internet or received with other methods by the mobile communication terminal 200. Meanwhile, in order to apply the technical sprit of the present invention to a mobile game, there is a user-controlled character in the mobile game, and a movement of the user-controlled character is also required, so that a shooting game and so on may be preferable.
• the movement of the user-controlled character refers to a movement by which an angle formed between a reference axis such as a horizontal axis or a vertical axis and the user-controlled character at a fixed position is varied about the reference axis upward, downward, leftward or rightward.
• a reference axis such as a horizontal axis or a vertical axis
• the mobile game employing the technical sprit of the present invention is a game for supporting a mode (hereinafter, referred to as an "electronic compass mode") in which a value of an output signal outputted from the electronic compass module 214 is used to control the movement of the user-controlled character.
• the mobile game in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention supports both the electronic compass mode and a mode (hereinafter, referred to as a "key matrix mode") in which the key buttons are used to control the movement of the user-controlled character, and the mobile game also supports a function for allowing a user to select one of the two modes in case of executing a certain mobile game.
• the mode state storage unit 216 stores a current operation mode of the mobile communication terminal 200 selected by the key input unit 212 .as a state flag (for example, 0, 1, 2, ...) .
• the microprocessor 220 assigns an identified state flag to each mode in order to distinguish a standby mode, a call mode, a stand-alone mobile game mode and a network mobile game mode, and updates the mode state storage unit 216.
• the subscriber identify module (SIM) 217 stores therein a mobile identification number (MIN) , an electrical serial number (ESN) , a personal security key and various data required to operate the mobile communication terminal.
• MIN mobile identification number
• ESN electrical serial number
• the SIM 217 which is also called as an SIM card because it has a card shape adapted to be inserted into a slot inside the mobile communication terminal, serves as an interface between the mobile communication terminal and a wired or wireless communication network.
• the microprocessor 220 controls the overall operation of the mobile communication terminal 200 by referring to the state flag stored in the mode state storage unit 216.
• the microprocessor 220 displays a list of stand-alone mobile games stored in the mobile game storage unit 215 on the LCD unit 213.
• the microprocessor 220 when a key value related to a request for execution of a network mobile game is inputted from the key input unit 212, the microprocessor 220 gains access to a predetermined wireless Internet game server via the wireless Internet, receives a game list of network mobile games therefrom and displays the game list on the LCD unit 213. If a network mobile game is selected by the user, the microprocessor 220 plays the game while communicating game data with the wireless Internet game server via the wireless Internet on a real-time basis. That is to say, the microprocessor 220 transmits not only game-control key values inputted from the key input unit 212 but also game- control data received from the electronic compass module 214 to the wireless Internet game server via the wireless Internet on the real-time basis.
• the wireless Internet game server which receives the game-control key values and/or the game-control data from the mobile communication terminal 200 via the wireless Internet, controls the movement of the user-controlled character and the like based on rules of the game being played on the mobile communication terminal 200. Moreover, the wireless Internet game server provides game screen data of the game being played to the mobile communication terminal 200 via the wireless Internet on the real-time basis, thereby allowing the user to check the game screen data. Meanwhile, the technology for supporting a network mobile game by using the mobile communication terminal, the wireless Internet, the wireless Internet game server and so forth is well known to those skilled in the art, and, therefore, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
• the microprocessor 220 may clarify what kind of modes are supported by the stand-alone mobile game or the network; mobile game and display it on a game list screen.
• ⁇ key> may be displayed for a game that supports a key matrix mode only; ⁇ compass>, for a game that supports an electronic compass mode only; and ⁇ key & compass>, for a game that supports both the key matrix mode and the electronic compass mode.
• the selected mobile game provides a mode selection screen to allow the user to select a certain mode prior to starting the game.
• the microprocessor 220 operates the electronic compass module 214 and controls the movement of a user- controlled character in the mobile game under being executed by using values of output signals transmitted from the electronic compass module 214. Furthermore, the microprocessor 220 transmits digital data (TX DATA) for use in performing various functions requested through the key input unit 212 to the baseband converter 240.
• the digital signal processor (hereinafter, referred to as a "DSP") 230 is a digital signal rocessing processor for encoding and/or decoding a speech signal, serving as ' an equalizer to eliminate multiple channel noises and performing audio data processing function.
• the DSP 230 exchanges speech data (SPEECH) with the baseband converter 240 and receives digital data (RX DATA) from the baseband converter 240.
• the baseband converter 240 converts signals communicated between the DSP 230 and the RF signal processor 250, the speaker 260 and the microphone 270 into baseband signals and serves as a digital to analog converter (DAC) and an analog to digital converser (ADC) .
• the baseband converter 240 delivers transmission data (TXIQ) to the RF signal processor 250 and controls a power (POWER) of the RF signal processor 250 or automatically controls an automatic gain control (AGC) of the RF signal processor 250. Then, the baseband converter 240 receives a received signal (RXIQ) from the RF signal processor 250.
• TXIQ transmission data
• POWER power
• AGC automatic gain control
• the RF signal processor 250 demodulates and amplifies the RF signal received from the RF antenna 280, and modulates the transmission signal provided from the baseband converter 240 to transmit the modulated signal into a wave propagation space.
• the speaker 260 receives audio data outputted from the currently played mobile game through the baseband converter 240 and outputs the audio data as audible sounds, and the microphone 270 converts a speech input of the user into an electric signal.
• the mobile communication terminal 200 in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention may be a PDA (personal digital assistant) , a cellular phone, a PCS (personal communication service) phone, a hand-held PC, a GSM (global system for mobile) phone, a W-CDMA (wideband
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram for schematically showing the internal configuration of the electronic compass module 214 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• the electronic compass module 214 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a magnetic sensor 310, a control circuit 320, a compensation processor 330 and so forth.
• the magnetic sensor 310 is an element for outputting a specific signal depending on a direction and a magnitude of an external magnetic field, and includes an X-axis magnetic sensor 312 and a Y-axis magnetic sensor 314.
• the magnetic sensor is a ring-shaped magnetic permalloy with high magnetic permeability around which an exciting coil is wounded along the entire circumference thereof and the X- axis magnetic sensor 312 and the Y-axis magnetic sensor 314 serving as detection coils are wounded along diametrical directions to be perpendicular to each other, respectively.
• a geomagnetic field i.e., the Earth's magnetic field, is a magnetic field facing north from south.
• the control circuit 320 includes an analog to digital converter (ADC) 322, a constant DC voltage circuit 324 and so forth.
• ADC analog to digital converter
• the control circuit 320 serves to process the output signals provided from the X-axis magnetic sensor 312 and the Y-axis magnetic sensor 314, to thereby output digital signals.
• the ADC 322 receives the sensor output signal outputted from each of the X-axis magnetic sensor 312 and the Y-axis magnetic sensor 314 to convert the received signal into a digital signal.
• the value of the digital signal outputted from the ADC 322 is determined as a vertical or a horizontal rotation angle value about the reference axis such as the horizontal or the vertical axis due to a movement of the user-controlled character during the game.
• the ADC 322 sends the converted digital signal to the compensation processor 330.
• the constant DC voltage circuit 324 supplies a constant DC voltage, whose magnitude is not changed, to the X-axis magnetic sensor 312 and the Y-axis magnetic sensor
• the compensation processor 330 receives a digital signal from the ADC 322 of- the control circuit 320; if a compensation of the digital signal is required, the compensation processor 330 performs the compensation thereof; and transfers the compensated digital signal to the microprocessor 220.
• the digital signal has a negative value or is equal to or greater than 360°, it is determined that the compensation of the digital signal is required.
• the compensation processor 330 determines the received digital signal to be negative, 360° may be added to the received digital signal to compensate the rotation angle value, while, if the compensation processor 330 determines the received digital signal to be equal to or greater than 360°, 360° may be subtracted from the received digital signal,, thereby compensating the rotation angle value.
• the compensated digital signal outputted from the electronic compass module 214 is always controlled to have a value ranging- from 0° to 360°.
• the compensation processor 330 compares the value of the received digital signal with the threshold value, and may perform a compensation thereof in the same manner as described above.
• Fig. 4A and 4B set forth graphs for describing a relationship between an external magnetic field in an X-axis magnetic sensor 312 and an output value thereof and- a relationship between an external magnetic filed in a Y-axis magnetic sensor 314 and an output value thereof, respectively, in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. As can be known from Fig.
• the X-axis magnetic sensor 312 outputs a sensor output value S x proportional to an X component of the external magnetic field at a state where the X-axis magnetic sensor 312 is mounted in the mobile communication terminal 200.
• the Y-axis magnetic sensor 314 outputs a sensor output value S y proportional to a Y component of the external magnetic field at a state where the Y-axis magnetic sensor 314 is mounted in the mobile communication terminal 200.
• Fig. 5A and 5B describes a moving state of a user-controlled character 550 when the mobile communication terminal 200 is moved leftward and rightward in an electronic compass mode in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 5A, it is assumed that the mobile communication terminal 200 is moved rightward by an angle A about a line perpendicular to the reference axis, i.e., the horizontal axis 510.
• each of reference numerals 520, 530 and 540 represents a rotation axis of the mobile communication terminal 200. Accordingly, when the mobile communication terminal 200 is moved rightward by the angle A, its precise meaning is that the angle formed between two rotation axes 520 and 530 is the angle A. If the mobile communication terminal 200 is moved rightward by the angle A, the Y-axis magnetic sensor 314 embedded in the mobile communication terminal 200 generates a sensor output signal in proportion to a magnitude change of the external field and provides the sensor output signal to the microprocessor 220 via the ADC 322 and the compensation processor 330.
• the microprocessor 220 reads a compensated digital signal provided from the compensation processor 330 and moves the user-controlled character 550 in the game under execution in the same direction and by the same angle as those by which the mobile communication terminal 200 is moved, as shown in Fig. 5B.
• the moving angle of the user-controlled character 550 may be set to be identical to the real moving angle of the mobile communication terminal 200, but it may be also magnified or scaled down at a predetermined ratio by multiplying the real moving angle of the communication terminal 200 by a preset weight.
• the mobile communication terminal 200 moved leftward by an angle B can be explained by the same principle as the rightward movement of the mobile communication terminal by the angle A has been explained.
• Fig. 6A and 6B shows a moving state of the user- controlled character 620 when the mobile communication terminal 200 is moved upward and downward in the electronic compass mode in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 6A, it is assumed that the mobile communication terminal 200 is moved upward by angles A, B and C about a line perpendicular to the reference axis, i.e., the vertical axis 610.
• the X-axis magnetic sensor 312 embedded in the mobile communication terminal 200 generates a sensor output signal in proportion to magnitude variations of the external field and provides the sensor output signal to the microprocessor 220 via the ADC 322 and the compensation processor 330.
• the microprocessor 220 reads a compensated digital signal provided from the compensation processor 330 and moves the user-controlled character 620 in the game under execution in the same direction and by the same angle as those by which the mobile communication terminal 200 is moved, as shown in Fig. 6B.
• Fig. 6B Here, as described above in Fig.
• the moving angle of the user- controlled character 620 may be set to be identical to the real moving angle of the mobile communication terminal 200, but it may be also magnified or scaled down at a predetermined ratio by multiplying the real moving angle of the communication terminal 200 by a preset weight. Accordingly, by moving the mobile communication terminal 200 upward or downward with reference to the vertical axis, the user can easily execute a upward and a downward angular adjustment of the use-controllable character in the real mobile game.
• Fig. 7 there is shown a flowchart for describing a playing sequence of a network mobile game by using an electronic compass function in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• a user drives a wireless Internet browser embedded in the mobile communication terminal 200 to gain access to specific wireless Internet game server via a wireless Internet (S700) . Then, the user selects a mobile game from a menu screen provided from the wireless Internet game server and receives a mobile game list therefrom (S702) .
• mobile games included in the mobile game list are network mobile games.
• the network mobile games in accordance with the embodiment of the present invention includes games providing a match mode between the user and a computer endowed with artificial intelligence identified by at least one level and/or a match mode between at least two coincident users.
• the inputted key value is transmitted to the wireless Internet game server via the wireless Internet (S704) .
• the wireless Internet game server uses the received key value to clarify the selected network mobile game and to clarify a game mode capable of being supported by the clarified network mobile game (S706) .
• the game mode includes the key matrix mode, the electronic compass mode, and the dual mode capable of supporting both the key matrix mode and the electronic compass mode .
• the wireless Internet game server provides a game mode selection screen for selecting the game mode to the mobile communication terminal (S708) .
• the selected key value is transmitted to the wireless Internet game server (S710) .
• the wireless Internet game server clarifies the received key value to execute the network mobile game requested to be performed under the electronic compass mode, and awaits control data to be received from the mobile communication terminal 200 (S712) .
• the control data refers to the horizontal and/or the vertical rotation angle value generated by the movement of the mobile communication terminal .
• the wireless Internet game server controls upward, downward, leftward and rightward movements of the user- controlled character in the network mobile game under execution based on the control data transmitted from the mobile communication terminal 200 (S714) .
• the wireless Internet game server generates a game screen in which the user-controlled character is moved, and sends the generated game screen to the mobile communication terminal 200 on a real-time basis via the wireless Internet (S716) .
• the conventional method of playing a mobile game by using small key buttons provided on the mobile communication terminal have many difficulties.
• the user-controlled character in the mobile game is moved according to the movement of the mobile communication terminal . itself, upward, downward, leftward and rightward movement of the user-controlled character can be easily controlled.
• the push count by which the key buttons provided on a small area of a key matrix are pressed is comparatively reduced to play the mobile game in accordance with the present invention, it becomes possible to play the mobile game faster and more easily with an improved precision.

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• 2003
  • 2003-09-15 KR KR1020030063771A patent/KR100673080B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2004
  • 2004-09-15 CA CA002539317A patent/CA2539317A1/en not_active Abandoned
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