(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0164897 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Aug. 26, 2004
`Treadwell et al.
`
`US 2004O164897A1
`
`(54)
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR
`RECORDING REAL TIME MOVEMENTS
`AND EXPERIENCES FOR SUBSEQUENT
`REPLAY IN A VIRTUAL REALITY DOMAIN
`
`(76)
`
`Inventors: Simon Treadwell, Etobicoke (CA);
`Alastair Jenkins, Etobicoke (CA)
`Correspondence Address:
`MEREK, BLACKMON & VOORHEES, LLC
`673 South Washington Street
`Alexandria, VA 22314 (US)
`(21) Appl. No.:
`10/779,798
`(22) Filed:
`Feb. 18, 2004
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/448,865, filed on Feb.
`24, 2003.
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl. .................................................... H01O 3/22
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................ 342/358; 342/375
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An apparatus to permit real time movements and events
`experienced by one or more individuals to be recorded for
`Subsequent replay in a virtual reality domain. The apparatus
`comprises a GPS receiver for receiving a plurality of GPS
`Signals, a processor operatively connected to the GPS
`receiver and programmed to calculate the position of the
`receiver relative to the Surface of the earth, a memory
`module operatively connected to the processor, and means to
`permit data corresponding to the movement of the GPS
`receiver and data corresponding to events experienced by
`the operator to be downloaded into the memory of a Sec
`ondary processor. The processor Stores in the memory
`module data corresponding to the calculated position of the
`GPS receiver and the movement of the GPS receiver for a
`given time interval. The memory module also Stores data
`corresponding to Specific events experienced by an operator
`of the apparatus during the time interval. After the data has
`been downloaded into the memory of a Secondary processor
`the events experienced by the operator and the movement of
`the receiver may be replayed in a virtual reality domain.
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`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1031
`Page 001
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2004 Sheet 1 of 6
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`Page 002
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2004 Sheet 2 of 6
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`US 2004/0164897 A1
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`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1031
`Page 003
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2004 Sheet 3 of 6
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`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1031
`Page 004
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2004 Sheet 4 of 6
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`US 2004/0164897 A1
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`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1031
`Page 005
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2004 Sheet 5 of 6
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`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1031
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`Patent Application Publication Aug. 26, 2004 Sheet 6 of 6
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`US 2004/0164897 A1
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`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1031
`Page 007
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`US 2004/O164897 A1
`
`Aug. 26, 2004
`
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECORDING
`REAL TIME MOVEMENTS AND EXPERIENCES
`FOR SUBSEQUENT REPLAY IN A VIRTUAL
`REALITY DOMAIN
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`0001. This invention relates to both an apparatus and a
`method for recording real time movement and events expe
`rienced by one or more individuals and that permits the
`Subsequent replay of those real time movements and events
`in a virtual reality domain. The invention also relates to a
`means of gaming utilizing Such an apparatus and method.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002 Games and events that take place out-of-doors are
`enjoyed by the young and old alike. There are an extremely
`wide variety of different games that individuals engage in as
`a form of recreation, Sport, exercise and general competition.
`Aside from traditional Sports Such as baseball, football,
`hockey, and basketball, Outdoor games and gaming may also
`include treasure hunts, traversing slalom courses or mazes,
`team games Such as capture the flag, poker runs, and Similar
`activities that may be played individually or Simultaneously
`by a number of different individuals.
`0003. With the release of global positioning satellite
`(“GPS) signals for use by the general public, GPS receivers
`have enjoyed wide spread use amongst the public, including
`those engaged in outdoor games and activities. A GPS
`receiver captures navigational Signals from a Series of Sat
`ellites orbiting the earth to permit the calculation of rela
`tively precise position co-ordinates in terms of latitude,
`longitude and elevation. Those co-ordinates may then be
`displayed on a Screen to visually indicate the position of the
`receiver relative to localized fixed objects or on an overlay
`map or grid. Regardless, the advent of GPS technology has
`added a further dimension to gaming and gaming methods
`that enables an individual to determine the location of the
`GPS receiver (and hence himself or herself) relative to the
`Surface of the earth or relative to specific fixed or moving
`objects.
`0004) To enhance gaming opportunities and experiences,
`others have proposed the integration of GPS technology and
`wireleSS communication devices into portable devices. In
`Some cases GPS receivers and pagers have been combined
`to allow for communication between an individual GPS unit
`and a pager base Station using pager technology. Still others
`have proposed combining GPS receivers with radio fre
`quency transmitters and receivers that enable individual
`units to communicate with one another over a wireleSS radio
`network. More recently GPS receivers have been combined
`with mobile cellular telephones to permit communications
`between individuals over a cellular network.
`0005 Although gaming technology has been signifi
`cantly advanced through the incorporation of GPS receivers,
`pagers, cellular telephones and radio transmitters into por
`table handheld game devices, existing gaming units are
`limited with respect to their ability to allow different indi
`viduals Separated by considerable distances to engage in the
`Same game or to play against one another. The radio
`frequency Signals that are capable of being generated by the
`relatively small transmitters in portable handheld devices
`have a range of typically from 1 to 5 km. The use of pager
`
`or cellular technology carries with it a significant infrastruc
`ture cost, as well as in most instances a monthly or per unit
`time charge. The use of pager and cellular Signals is also
`dependent upon localized transmission towers that may not
`be present in outlying areas. For these reasons the ability of
`individuals to play games and to engage in competitive
`activities with otherS Separated by considerable distances is
`often Severely limited, or may be prohibitively expensive.
`Further, under existing methods and currently available
`gaming devices, at the conclusion of the game or event the
`gaming device is turned off and the individual has no ability
`to re-live the adventure except through his or her own
`memories.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0006 The invention therefore provides both a method
`and an apparatus that may be used for gaming and/or for
`recording real time movements and experiences, and that
`thereafter permits the Subsequent replay of those movements
`and experiences in a virtual reality domain. Through the
`employment of the inventive method and apparatus an
`individual may re-live the experience of engaging in the real
`time movements and events. The invention also permits
`individuals to play or compete against computers or other
`individuals situated in distant localities without the limita
`tions and expense associated with the transmission of data
`through radio frequency, paging or cellular networkS.
`0007 Accordingly, in one of its aspects the invention
`provides an apparatus to permit real time movements and
`events experienced by one or more individuals to be
`recorded for Subsequent replay in a virtual reality domain,
`the apparatus comprising a GPS receiver for receiving a
`plurality of GPS signals from a plurality of satellites; a
`processor operatively connected to Said GPS receiver and
`programmed to calculate the position of Said GPS receiver
`relative to the Surface of the earth based upon Said received
`GPS Signals, a memory module operatively connected to
`Said processor, Said processor Storing in Said memory mod
`ule data corresponding to the calculated position of Said GPS
`receiver and the movement of Said GPS receiver for a time
`interval, Said memory module further Storing data corre
`sponding to specific events experienced by an operator of
`Said apparatus during Said time interval; and, means to
`permit Said data corresponding to the movement of Said GPS
`receiver and Said data corresponding to events experienced
`by Said operator to be downloaded into the memory of a
`Secondary processor for replaying and Simulating Said
`movement of said GPS receiver and the experiencing of said
`events in a virtual reality domain.
`0008. In a further aspect the invention provides a method
`of electronic gaming utilizing an electronic gaming unit
`wherein real time movements of one or more individuals or
`players are recorded for later replay in a virtual reality
`domain, the method comprising the Steps, with a GPS
`receiver, receiving a plurality of GPS Signals generated from
`a plurality of orbiting Satellites and directing Said received
`Signals to a processor programmed to calculate the position
`of said GPS receiver relative to the Surface of the earth based
`upon said received GPS Signals, in a memory module
`operatively connected to Said processor, Storing data corre
`sponding to the calculated position of Said GPS receiver and
`data corresponding to the movement of said GPS receiver
`for a time interval; and, transporting Said data corresponding
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1031
`Page 008
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`US 2004/O164897 A1
`
`Aug. 26, 2004
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`to the position and the movement of said GPS receiver to a
`Secondary processor for replaying and Simulating Said
`movement of said individual and said GPS receiver in a
`Virtual reality domain.
`0009 Further aspects and advantages of the invention
`will become apparent from the following description taken
`together with the accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0.010
`For a better understanding of the present invention,
`and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect,
`reference will now be made, by way of example, to the
`accompanying drawings which show the preferred embodi
`ments of the present invention in which:
`0011 FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portable handheld
`gaming device constructed in accordance with a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention;
`0012 FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the electronic
`architecture of a preferred embodiment of the gaming appa
`ratus shown in FIG. 1;
`0013 FIG. 3 is a sample of an image that may be
`displayed upon the display panel of an apparatus constructed
`in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention;
`0.014
`FIG. 4 is a further example of an image that may
`be displayed upon the display panel of an apparatus con
`Structed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention;
`0.015
`FIG. 5 is yet a further example of an image that
`may be displayed upon the display panel of an apparatus
`constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
`the present invention;
`0016 FIG. 6 is another example of an image that may be
`displayed upon the display panel of an apparatus constructed
`in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention;
`0017 FIG. 7 is another example of an image that may be
`displayed upon the display panel of an apparatus constructed
`in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention;
`0.018
`FIG. 8 is another example of an image that may be
`displayed upon the display panel of an apparatus constructed
`in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention;
`0.019
`FIG. 9 is a further example of an image that may
`be displayed upon the display panel of an apparatus con
`Structed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention; and,
`0020 FIG. 10 is an example of a table that may be
`generated by a computer or processor to track the perfor
`mance of different individuals utilizing the apparatus of the
`present invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`0021. The present invention may be embodied in a num
`ber of different forms. However, the specification and draw
`ings that follow describe and disclose only Some of the
`
`Specific forms of the invention and are not intended to limit
`the Scope of the invention as defined in the claims that
`follow herein.
`0022. An apparatus constructed in accordance with one
`of the preferred embodiments of the invention is shown
`generally in FIG. 1 and schematically in FIG. 2. It will be
`appreciated following a thorough understanding of the
`invention that the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be
`contained within a portable handheld housing that is pow
`ered by internal power Supply or, alternatively, may be
`integrated into existing components of vehicles Such as
`motorcycles, Snowmobiles, personal water crafts, all terrain
`vehicles, etc. For illustration purposes the description of the
`apparatus that follows is that of a portable handheld device
`Such as a portable gaming unit 1.
`0023. In FIGS. 1 and 2 portable gaming unit 1 is shown
`as comprised generally of a GPS module or receiver 2, a
`processor or central processing unit (CPU)3, a display 4 and
`a memory module 5. Where unit 1 is portable in nature it will
`also preferably include an internal power Source or a battery
`6. As indicated in FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the
`invention the primary components of unit 1 are contained
`within a portable case or housing 7. Housing 7 may take any
`one of extremely wide variety of different physical configu
`rations and the general shape of the housing as shown in
`FIG. 1 is merely a single example. In most instances display
`panel 4 will be positioned in an easy identifiable location on
`housing 7 and the housing will typically include a GPS
`antennae 8 and some form of keypad or user interface 9. The
`housing may also include one or more of a variety of
`different jacks or ports for purposes of connecting head
`phones, microphones, video output cables, external data
`cables, computer cables (Such as USB cables), etc. In an
`alternate embodiment gaming unit 1 may be configured
`without a display panel. Where no display panel is present
`the images that would normally have been viewable on the
`display panel will typically be Stored within memory module
`5 for accessing at a later point in time through the use of a
`Separate microprocessor or computer, or through the use of
`a display, printer or other output device that may be con
`nected to processor 3.
`0024. As shown schematically in FIG. 2, the primary
`operational components of gaming unit 1 are operatively
`connected through the use of a System buS 11 to enable
`processor 3 to communicate with and control the various
`other components. AS also indicated, memory module 5
`preferably includes two portions, one of which may be a
`fixed memory portion of random access memory (RAM),
`the other of which is a removable portion which may take
`the form of a flash or compact flash memory card, a
`computer disk, a multimedia card, a micro drive, a portable
`memory Stick or Similar memory device. The removable
`portion may also be a Segmented part of the fixed memory
`module that is accessible for downloading into a Secondary
`processor or computer. In the case where gaming unit 1 is
`equipped with one or more jacks or ports 10, the ports will
`typically be connected to an audio/video controller 12 which
`may be directly connected to processor 3 or indirectly
`connected to the processor through System buS 11.
`0025. Where one of ports 10 comprises an external data
`inputjack, that jack may be connected to a data controller 13
`which may then be either directly connected to processor 3
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`Page 009
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`or indirectly connected to the processor through the System
`bus. Finally, where gaming unit 1 includes a USB port,
`typically the USB port will be connected directly to proces
`Sor 3 to allow for the direct transmission of data into or out
`of gaming unit 1.
`0.026 Depending upon the desired end use of unit 1,
`where a display is present it may be comprised of a display
`panel or Screen 14 or, alternatively, may be comprised of a
`heads-up or virtual display 15 formed through the projection
`of an image onto the Surface of a visor or Similar object to
`be worn by an operator. Where the display is comprised of
`a display panel it is expected that in most instances the panel
`will be a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel which could
`display images in black and white or in colour. Where a
`heads-up or virtual display is utilized it is anticipated that in
`most instances the display will be integrated into a hat or
`helmet to be worn by an operator Such that an overlay map
`or grid can be projected onto a Visor upon the hat or helmet
`that is generally positioned in the line of Sight of the
`operator. Alternatively, the heads-up display may be incor
`porated into goggles or Sun glasses and may be Supported by
`a wired or wireleSS data transfer System. If the heads-up
`display is hard wired, transmission wires will connect the
`Virtual display to gaming unit 1 through one or more of the
`jacks or ports positioned upon housing 7. Where a wireleSS
`data transfer method is used commercially available tech
`nology, such as Bluetooth TM or other similar systems known
`in the art, may be employed to transmit data from the unit
`to the heads-up display.
`0027. It should also be noted that the use of a display
`panel and a heads-up or virtual display is not mutually
`exclusive and that if desired both forms of displays could be
`used. In either case a Video controller 16 is used to proceSS
`data Streams emanating from processor 3 in order to convert
`them into Signals recognizable by display panel 14 and/or
`virtual display 15. It will therefore be appreciated that
`through the operation of display panel 14 and/or virtual
`display 15 processor 3 will be able to visually display to an
`operator the position of the GPS receiver relative to the
`Surface of the earth or relative to an overlay map, grid or
`other image or object.
`0028. In one embodiment of the invention gaming unit 1
`may further include one or more inertia measurement Sen
`sors 18 that may be used to help determine the attitude,
`acceleration, deceleration, and other spacial properties of the
`unit and its movement. Sensors 18 may be comprised of 1
`or more accelerometers, gyroscopes or Similar components
`that are preferably operatively connected to System buS 11.
`Measurements taken by sensors 18 may be received by
`processor 3 and either displayed directly on display panel 4
`and/or heads up display 15 (where one or the other is
`present) or stored in memory for future retrieval and use.
`The measurements and data collected by sensors 18 will
`provide further detail concerning the precise location and
`movement of the gaming unit over and above the level of
`detail normally attained through the receipt of GPS signals
`alone. Such data will also enhance the reality of a simulation
`of the movement of the unit when later replayed in a virtual
`reality domain, as is discussed in more detail below.
`0029 Prior to the use of gaming unit 1, game or event
`Software is loaded into memory module 5 to allow the unit
`to "play' a particular game or games, or to facilitate the
`
`operator in engaging in a particular event. For example,
`background topographical maps, Slalom courses, treasure
`routes, or other forms of data may be received and Stored
`into the unit's memory for Subsequent use and recall during
`operation. Unit 1 may also be pre-programmed with a
`default topographical map or grid for a particular geographic
`area that can be later accessed by the processor to indicate
`the relative position of the unit on the default map based
`upon the receipt of GPS Signals. Having the proper topo
`graphical maps downloaded or pre-programmed into unit 1
`will permit the unit to be used as a standard GPS receiver
`when not engaged in gaming or Similar activities. The data
`and programs may be loaded into unit 1 through connecting
`the unit to a personal computer or other processor by means
`of an external data port, or through a Standard USB con
`nection. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in
`the art that in other instances it may be desirable to load or
`install game Software, overlay maps or other display graph
`ics through the use of removal memory modules, memory
`Sticks, data cards, or Similar types of transportable memory.
`0030. It should be also noted that gaming unit 1 may be
`assembled from the various components described above, or
`may be a hybridized version of an existing gaming device
`manufactured by others (for example, Gameboy'TM by Nin
`tendo'M). In the instance where gaming unit 1 is based upon
`an existing manufactured product, typically the products
`processor or microprocessor would be re-programmed to
`accommodate its new functionality and to permit the pro
`ceSSOr to compute geographical co-ordinates based upon
`received GPS signals. The unit would also typically need to
`be retrofitted with removal memory modules, additional user
`or operator controls or interfaces, a GPS module and anten
`nae, and a wireleSS communication link, as will be described
`in more detail below. The System bus, power Source and
`display panel of the existing device may be utilized without
`Significant modification.
`0031 AS mentioned above, gaming unit 1 may have
`incorporated within it a wireless communication link 17 that
`in most cases will be comprised of a radio frequency
`receiver and transmitter. In other cases wireleSS communi
`cation link 17 may include cellular or pager based receivers
`and transmitters. In any event, the respective receivers and
`transmitters are operatively connected to processor 3 to
`permit the receipt of wireleSS Signals that may then be
`transmitted to the processor, thereby allowing the processor
`to display or alter the appearance of particular images on
`display panel 14 and/or heads-up display 15. For example,
`the Signals received by wireleSS communication link 17 may
`be indicative of the location of one or more other similar
`gaming units thereby permitting processor 3 to analyze the
`Signals that are received and identify the Specific position of
`the one or more other units on display 4. Similarly, wireleSS
`communication link 17 may simultaneously transmit signals
`indicative of its particular location as determined by the
`processor in conjunction with the GPS module. Such signals
`may be transmitted and received by and between individual
`gaming units and/or individual units and a base Station or
`central Server to track and identify the location of Specific
`units in a particular geographic area.
`0032. Where a base station or central server is utilized,
`wireleSS transmissions may be used to forward additional
`Safety or gaming information to a particular gaming unit.
`The central Server or base Station may also be programmed
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`Aug. 26, 2004
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`to provide a Supervisory level of monitoring and may permit
`the transmission of dynamic change parameters governing
`the nature and complexity of play in accordance with rules
`and objectives of the game to individual units. In other cases
`the base Station or Server may transmit warnings or indica
`tors to particular gaming units that individuals are exceeding
`pre-defined boundaries or potentially engaging in unsafe
`activities. Continuous operation of wireleSS communication
`link 17 will essentially permit real time updates and inter
`action between multiple units and/or a central Server or base
`Station and allow for a continuous State of transmitting and
`receiving Signals to provide real time player movement and
`information transfer. By way of example, where an indi
`vidual operating a gaming unit is about to exceed a pre
`defined boundary designated for a certain game or activity,
`a central Server or base Station monitoring the position of the
`gaming unit may send out a wireleSS Signal informing the
`individual that he or She is about to approach a boundary
`limit. It may also be desirable to incorporate an audio alarm
`into unit 1 that may be activated in Such instances So as to
`provide both a visual and audio signal to the individual. It
`will also be appreciated that Similar alarms or visual indi
`cators could be transmitted for purposes of notifying an
`operator of the Status of certain game parameters, when an
`unsafe speed has been achieved where the operator is on a
`motorized vehicle, or a wide variety of other Safety or game
`related parameters.
`0033) Once gaming unit 1 has been loaded with the
`appropriate Software, Overlay and topographical maps, and
`any other necessary information and data, operation of the
`unit will permit the device to act generally as a referee or
`game keeper and will track the playing of a game or the
`engagement of an individual in an event or activity. Unit 1
`will not only track the geographic location of an individual
`player, or multiple players where more than one gaming unit
`is utilized, but will also be capable of tracking the interac
`tions of a single gaming unit vis-a-vis particular geographic
`locations or multiple gaming units relative to each other
`according to both pre-programmed rules of the game and/or
`particular game boundaries.
`0034. Operation of gaming unit 1 also permits for the
`determination of a triggering event that may have certain
`consequences under the rules of the particular game or
`activity that is being enjoyed. For example, a fictitious
`Slalom course may be overlain over a topographical map on
`display panel 14 wherein the fictitious course includes a
`finish line. As an individual moves over the face of the earth
`processor 3 will “track’ his or her movements and display
`the individual’s relative position upon display panel 14. To
`the individual it would appear that he or She is traversing the
`Slalom course shown on the overlay. Once processor 3
`determines that the geographic position of the individual
`vis-a-vis Surface of the earth “matches' the location of the
`fictitious finish line, the processor will advise the individual
`that the course has been completed and may display a time
`asSociated with completing the course or a relative ranking
`in the event that a number of individuals using Separate
`gaming units were engaged in traversing the course. In other
`games or activities a triggering event caused by an indi
`vidual occupying a particular geographic location may result
`in an incremental increase or decrease in a player's Score,
`expulsion from a game, the addition of a handicap to a
`player, a time penalty, or any variety of other consequences
`that may be associated with gaming and related activities.
`
`0035. During operation of gaming unit 1 display 4 will
`provide a Visual indicator to an operator of that individual’s
`particular location upon a geographic or topographical map,
`which may include overlain fictitious features. Where unit 1
`includes a wireleSS communication link and multiple gaming
`units are being used in the same region and/or for playing the
`Same game, the particular geographic locations of the other
`associated units may be shown on the display (see FIG. 8).
`Preferably the location of the individual operating a particu
`lar unit will be indicated on display 4 by a character or icon
`different than those that identify other gaming unit whose
`locations are also shown on the display. The additional
`gaming units may be shown through the use of a generic
`indicator or, alternatively, may be shown through the use of
`a particular name, number or icon to differentiate between
`them.
`0036) The software programmed into gaming unit 1 may
`also permit a player to define a geographic "play Zone' that
`may be utilized by that individual player or used by multiple
`playerS engaged in the same activity. A play Zone can be
`defined through moving a cursor acroSS display 4 using
`keypad or user interface 9, and thereafter dragging a bound
`ary box (see FIG. 3) or physically walking around a game
`boundary (see FIG. 4) to define a game Zone. Once defined,
`the game or play Zone is Stored in memory module 5 and
`becomes one of the parameters for the game or event. For
`multiple individuals using a plurality of gaming units
`engaged in the same activity, the limits of the game or play
`Zone may be communicated to other units and/or a central
`Server or base Station. Once a game or play Zone has been
`defined, unit 1 or a base Station can alert an individual in the
`event that they approach or croSS the pre-defined boundary
`(see FIG. 7).
`0037. With particular reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, opera
`tion of gaming unit 1 also permits a player or central Server
`or base Station to create and position a Synthetic or fictitious
`object to enhance game play or the enjoyment of a particular
`activity. The synthetic or fictitious objects will typically
`have characteristics that are defined by the type of game that
`is being played and could be physically shown on display 4
`or could be “invisible” to a player and not made known until
`processor 3 determines that the player physically occupies
`the same geographic position as the Synthetic or fictitious
`object. For example, a player may use keypad or user
`interface 9 to place a fictitious mine at a particular real world
`co-ordinate as depicted upon display 4 and choose to make
`the mine visible or invisible. When a player is determined to
`occupy the same real world co-ordinates as the mine certain
`consequences may result having an effect on the play of the
`game. Where the object is a fictitious mine the player may
`be determined to have become injured, may be terminated
`from playing any further, may have a deduction in points, or
`may be Subjected to Some other form of penalty. In other
`instances the fictitious object may represent a protective or
`Safe area, a first aid Station, provisions or Supplies, treasure,
`bonus points, or any one of a very wide variety of other
`features or characteristics common to gaming. In a further
`variation, a plurality of individuals may be engaged in the
`Same game or activity and divided into teams where par
`ticular Synthetic or fictitious objects are visible to the team
`that places them and invisible to opposing teams. In these
`regards FIG. 5 illustrates a fictitious object that is placed at
`Specific real world geographic co-ordinates by an individual
`and that is identified as being invisible to other players. FIG.
`
`Niantic's Exhibit No. 1031
`Page 0011
`
`

`

`US 2004/O164897 A1
`
`Aug. 26, 2004
`
`6 is an illustration showing the display on an opposing
`player's gaming unit where that player has moved and
`occupies the same real world geographic coordinates as the
`location of the fictitious object.
`0.038 A further feature of a preferred embodiment of
`portable gaming unit 1 is the ability of the unit to record the
`movements and interactions of a player (or players) through
`out the playing of a game or during a particular activity.
`Processor 3 is programmed So as to record the physical
`movements of GPS receiver 2 over the face of the earth (and
`hence the physical movements of the individual holding unit
`1) and to store historical data associated with those move
`ments in memory module 5. Unit 1 may also permit the
`Storage of the movement of other gaming units through
`communications transmitted and/or received by wireleSS
`communication links 17. In addition to the movement of one
`or more gaming units, processor 3 may record attributes of
`the game as it is played. For example, times and Sco