Method and apparatus for multi-player gaming over a network
AssigneeBell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
InventorDaniel O'Callaghan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Multiple player games implemented by computer are improved to permit playing without any delay penalty for stations remote from another station. Delay times are compensated using measurement of round trip delay times to each station and the stations participating in the game determine the proper master station based on shared information.
Claims17
A gaming apparatus in which each player is interconnected with plural other players over a communications network, comprising at each player's location:
- (a) means for measuring round trip delay times required to communicate between players over said network, respectively;
- (b) means for determining which player will serve as a master station based on said round trip delay times;
- and
- (c) means for equalizing communication delays so that any command sent by any player to the master station is transmitted to all players and received at all player locations substantially simultaneously.
A method of gaming in which each player is interconnected with plural other players over a communications network, comprising at each players location:
- (a) measuring the round trip delay times required to communicate between a local player and each other player over said network, respectively;
- (b) determining which player will serve as a master station based on said round trip delay times;
- and
- (c) equalizing communication delays so that each command sent by any player to the master station is transmitted to all players and received at all player locations substantially simultaneously.
A method of operating a communication network to permit gaming by a plurality of players connected to the network, comprising:
- (a) designating a player to act as a master station based on measured round trip communication delay times experienced between pairs of players;
- (b) routing all game commands through the master station for transmission to all players;
- and
- (c) equalizing the delays experienced by game commands received at the master station so that each command will be received at all player locations substantially simultaneously.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.