Nintendo Co., Ltd.

Game Freak Inc.

Katsumi Ohno

Junichi Masuda

Yoshinori Matsuda

Hiroki Sotoike

Mikihiro Ishikawa

An information processing apparatus acquires operation information of a user, and executes an application based on the operation information. While the application is being executed, the information processing apparatus repeatedly searches for other unspecified information processing apparatuses by using a wireless communication function, and establishes a connection with the one or more of the other information processing apparatuses having been searched for. The information processing apparatus executes a communication application to communicate with the connected one or more of the other information processing apparatuses, based on the operation information and on operation information relating to the one or more of the other information processing apparatuses.

Information processing system, computer-readable storage medium having information processing program stored therein, information processing apparatus, and information processing method

Each game apparatus participating in a network system has a wireless communication module for performing a one-to-many wireless communication with reference to identifying information and a local communication module for performing a one-to-one infrared communication without referring to it. In a case that the one-to-many wireless communication is performed, pairing processing is executed in a tournament method such that a master and a slave are first decided between its own game apparatus and any one of the game apparatuses over the local communication module, and identifying information stored on the slave side is collected into the master side. In a case that its own game apparatus becomes the only master game apparatus as a result of a series of pairing processing, it transmits a signal including identifying information of all the game apparatuses over the wireless communication module whereas in a case that its own game apparatus becomes the slave apparatus, it receives the signal.

Video game using short range communications to establish pairing and alternate communications during multiplayer gameplay

A game apparatus constantly broadcasts beacons at predetermined intervals by means of a local communication module during game processing being executed. The beacons include various pieces of information such as information relating to the player, information indicating a game status, and messages. The game apparatus receives beacons from one or more other game apparatuses present in an area near the game apparatus, and displays profiles of the players of the other game apparatuses, the game statuses of the other game apparatuses, or the like, based on the various pieces of information included in the beacons.

Growing community of inventors

Setagaya-ku, Japan

Katsumi Ohno