Method and System for Issueing In-Game Reward

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention set forth a method for issuing an in-game virtual reward by visiting a physical location. The method includes offering an incentive for obtaining an opt-in authorization from a device; receiving the opt-in authorization from the device after the incentive is determined to be accepted; requesting the location of the device based on the opt-in authorization when receiving a notification message from the device; and issuing an in-game virtual reward after the notification message is determined to be sent at the physical location.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a reward associated with a virtual game and more specifically to techniques for issuing an in-game virtual reward by visiting a physical location.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a virtual game or other virtual experience, users may interact with one another in a simulated environment. Recently, development efforts have been focused on expanding the user experience beyond the simulated virtual environment into the real physical world. For example, a social networking service provider may try to connect people who share something in common by providing services, such as, permitting friends of the user to track the physical whereabouts of the user. One drawback of attempting to build real-world interactions into virtual experiences is that implementing those interactions oftentimes places specific technical requirements on end-users. To the extent users feel more comfortable interacting with virtual objects and characters in the simulated virtual environment than interacting with objects and people in the real physical world, placing such additional technical requirements/burdens on those users causes them to become even more focused on the virtual aspects of the overall game or other experience. Further, when users become deeply involved in a virtual game or other virtual experience, those users tend to ignore options for real-world interactions.

As the foregoing illustrates, what is needed in the art is an approach that reduces the impediments to having real-world interactions built into virtual experiences, so that users increase their real-world interactions during such experiences.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the present invention may generally relate to methods for issuing an in-game virtual reward by visiting a physical location. One example method may include offering an incentive for obtaining an opt-in authorization from a device; receiving the opt-in authorization from the device after the incentive is determined to be accepted; requesting the location of the device based on the opt-in authorization when receiving a notification message from the device; and issuing an in-game virtual reward after the notification message is determined to be sent at the physical location.

Other embodiments of the present invention may generally relate to computing devices for issuing an in-game virtual reward by visiting a physical location. One example computing device may include a processor. The processor is configured to offer an incentive for obtaining an opt-in authorization from a device; receive the opt-in authorization from the device after the incentive is determined to be accepted; request the location of the device based on the opt-in authorization when receiving a notification message from the device; and issue an in-game virtual reward after the notification message is determined to be sent at the physical location.

Additional embodiments of the present invention may generally relate to methods for participating in a virtual game by visiting a physical location. An example method may include signing up to be a physical location of interest in the virtual game; providing location information of the physical location of interest; and providing a reward based on a second message received on a device. The second message may be in response to a first message sent out from the device at the physical location of interest.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several embodiments in accordance with the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram of an example computing device configured to implement one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 1B illustrates a system configured to issue an in-game virtual reward, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for issuing an in-game virtual reward by visiting a physical location of interest, according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for participating in a virtual game, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in order to avoid obscuring embodiments of the invention.

In this disclosure, the term “in-game” is generally used to represent objects associated with a virtual game. The term “opt-in” generally refers to an express permission from a virtual game player or a device user.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example computing device, configured to implement one or more aspects of the present invention. Computing device 100 may be a computer workstation, personal computer, mobile device, tablet, or any other device suitable for practicing one or more embodiments of the present invention. As shown, computing device 100 includes one or more processing units, such as central processing unit (CPU) 102, and a system memory 104 communicating via a bus path that may include a memory bridge 105. CPU 102 includes one or more processing cores, and, in operation, CPU 102 is the master processor of computing device 100, controlling and coordinating operations of other system components. System memory 104 stores software applications and data for use by CPU 102. CPU 102 runs software applications and optionally an operating system. Memory bridge 105, which may be, e.g., a Northbridge chip, is connected via a bus or other communication path (e.g., a HyperTransport link) to an I/O (input/output) bridge 107. I/O bridge 107, which may be, e.g., a Southbridge chip, receives an external input from one or more input devices such as keyboard 108 or mouse 109 and forwards the input to CPU 102 via memory bridge 105. In alternative embodiments, I/O bridge 107 may also be connected to other input devices such as a joystick, digitizer tablets, touch pads, touch screens, still or video cameras, motion sensors, and/or microphones (not shown).

One or more display processors, such as display processor 112, are coupled to memory bridge 105 via a bus or other communication path 113 (e.g., a PCI Express, Accelerated Graphics Port, or HyperTransport link); in one embodiment display processor 112 is a graphics subsystem that includes at least one graphics processing unit (GPU) and graphics memory. Graphics memory includes a display memory (e.g., a frame buffer) used for storing pixel data for each pixel of an output image. Graphics memory can be integrated in the same device as the GPU, connected as a separate device with the GPU, and/or implemented within system memory 104. Display processor 112 periodically delivers pixels to a display device 110 that may be any conventional CRT or LED monitor. Display processor 112 can provide display device 110 with an analog or digital signal.

A system disk 114 is also connected to I/O bridge 107 and may be configured to store content and applications and data for use by CPU 102 and display processor 112. System disk 114 provides non-volatile storage for applications and data and may include fixed or removable hard disk drives, flash memory devices, and CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Blu-ray, HD-DVD, or other magnetic, optical, or solid state storage devices.

A switch 116 provides connections between I/O bridge 107 and other components such as a network adapter 118 and various add-in cards 120 and 121. Network adapter 118 allows system 100 to communicate with other systems via an electronic communications network, and may include wired or wireless communication over local area networks and wide area networks such as the Internet.

Other components (not shown), including USB or other port connections, film recording devices, and the like, may also be connected to I/O bridge 107. For example, an audio processor may be used to generate analog or digital audio output from instructions and/or data provided by CPU 102, system memory 104, or system disk 114. Communication paths interconnecting the various components in FIG. 1 may be implemented using any suitable protocols, such as PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect), PCI Express (PCI-E), AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port), HyperTransport, or any other bus or point-to-point communication protocol(s), and connections between different devices may use different protocols, as is known in the art.

In one embodiment, display processor 112 incorporates circuitry optimized for graphics and video processing, including, for example, video output circuitry, and constitutes a graphics processing unit (GPU). In another embodiment, display processor 112 incorporates circuitry optimized for general purpose processing. In yet another embodiment, display processor 112 may be integrated with one or more other system elements, such as the memory bridge 105, CPU 102, and I/O bridge 107 to form a system on chip (SoC). In still further embodiments, display processor 112 is omitted and software executed by CPU 102 performs the functions of display processor 112.

Pixel data can be provided to display processor 112 directly from CPU 102. In some embodiments of the present invention, instructions and/or data representing a scene are provided to a render farm or a set of server computers, each similar to system 100, via network adapter 118 or system disk 114. The render farm generates one or more rendered images of the scene using the provided instructions and/or data. These rendered images may be stored on computer-readable media in a digital format and optionally returned to system 100 for display.

Alternatively, CPU 102 provides display processor 112 with data and/or instructions defining the desired output images, from which display processor 112 generates the pixel data of one or more output images, including characterizing and/or adjusting the offset between stereoscopic image pairs. The data and/or instructions defining the desired output images can be stored in system memory 104 or a graphics memory within display processor 112. In an embodiment, display processor 112 includes 3D rendering capabilities for generating pixel data for output images from instructions and data defining the geometry, lighting shading, texturing, motion, and/or camera parameters for a scene. Display processor 112 can further include one or more programmable execution units capable of executing shader programs, tone mapping programs, and the like.

In one embodiment, application 135 is stored in system memory 104. Application 135 may be any application configured to display a graphical user interface (GUI) on display device 110. Application 135 may be configured to generate and modify documents based on input received from a user. For example, application 135 may be a word processing application or an image editing program.

It will be appreciated that the system shown herein is illustrative and that variations and modifications are possible. The connection topology, including the number and arrangement of bridges, may be modified as desired. For instance, in some embodiments, system memory 104 may be connected to CPU 102 directly rather than through a bridge, and other devices may communicate with system memory 104 via memory bridge 105 and CPU 102. In other alternative topologies display processor 112 may be connected to I/O bridge 107 or directly to CPU 102, rather than to memory bridge 105. In still other embodiments, I/O bridge 107 and memory bridge 105 may be integrated in a single chip. In addition, the particular components shown herein are optional. For instance, any number of add-in cards or peripheral devices might be supported. In some embodiments, switch 116 is eliminated, and network adapter 118 and add-in cards 120, 121 connect directly to I/O bridge 107.

FIG. 1B illustrates a system 150 configured to issue an in-game virtual reward, according to one embodiment of the present invention. System 150 includes, without limitation, a mobile device 151, a first computing device 153, a second computing device 155, and a location lookup computing device 157. Any or all of first computing device 153, second computing device 155, and location lookup computing device 157 may have the configuration of computing device 100 illustrated in FIG. 1A and described above. In some embodiments, first computing device 153 is configured to send first message 160 to a mobile device. First message 160 may include an offer of an incentive and a virtual game invitation. The incentive may be virtual or physical. For example, the incentive may be a virtual tool in the virtual game or a physical limited edition item provided by the provider or operator of the virtual game.

After receiving first message 160, if the incentive is deemed acceptable to the user of mobile device 151, the mobile device 151 may send an authorization message 163 to first computing device 153 to sign the user up with the virtual game. Authorization message 163 may include an opt-in message that user of mobile device 151 agrees to disclose the location of mobile device 151. Authorization message 163 may also include the phone number of mobile device 151 or a short code.

Optionally, first computing device 153 may send a verification message to mobile device 151 to check with the user whether he or she is indeed signing up with the virtual game. In response to the verification message, mobile device 151 may send a confirmation message to first computing device 153 to confirm the user's signing up with the virtual game.

First computing device 153 is then configured to send a list of offers of in-game virtual rewards 165 to mobile device 151. An offer of one in-game virtual reward may be associated with a visit to a physical location of interest. An example offer may be “Earn 10,000 points for visiting Disneyland weekly from now to the end of the year and send us a text each time when you come to Disneyland.” In this example, Disneyland is the physical location of interest. First computing device 153 may provide an offer of earning more points by visiting Disneyland more often than on a weekly basis.

First computing device 153 may receive a notification message 167, such as a short message service (SMS) message, from mobile device 151 when mobile device 151 arrives at the physical location of interest. First computing device 153 is configured to verify whether notification message 167 is sent from the physical location of interest. In some embodiments, based on authorization message 163 and notification message 167, first computing device 153 is configured to send a request 170 to second computing device 155 for the location of mobile device 151.

In some embodiments, second computing device 155 is associated with the carrier of mobile device 151. Second computing device 155 may send a call command 180 to an application programming interface (API) supported by location lookup computing device 157. Location lookup computing device 157 is configured to perform any known triangulation or Global Positioning System (GPS) techniques (e.g., by calling a location service API supported by mobile device 151 or utilizing GPS-fencing application installed on mobile device 151) to locate mobile device 151 when mobile device 151 is within a predetermined range from the physical location of interest. Location lookup computing device 157 is then configured to send location information 181 of mobile device 151 to second computing device 155, and second computing device 155 then sends message 171 including such location information to first processing device 153.

Based on message 171, first computing device 153 is configured to determine whether the requested location information of mobile device 151 matches the physical location of interest. If the requested location information of mobile device 151 matches the physical location of interest, first computing device 153 is configured to issue an in-game virtual reward 169 to mobile device 151.

In some embodiments, messages (e.g., messages 160, 163, 165, 167 and 169) between mobile device 151 and first computing device 153 are SMS based. Therefore, a smart phone or a new application is not required.

Further, although FIG. 1B depicts mobile device 151 as a mobile phone, those skilled in the art will appreciate that mobile device 151 may be any device capable of transmitting and/or receiving a signal, including a data signal, a signal that includes position location information, and the like. Examples of such devices include, without limitation, cameras, mobile telephones, in-car entertainment devices, mobile/portable computing devices, personal digital assistants, and the like.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method 200 for issuing an in-game virtual reward by visiting a physical location of interest, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method 200 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions illustrated by steps 201, 203, 205 and 207. Although the steps are illustrated in a sequential order, these steps may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than those described herein. Also, the various steps may be combined into fewer steps, divided into additional steps, and/or eliminated based upon the desired implementation. Further, any system or device that implements the steps of method 200, in any order, falls within the scope of the present invention.

In conjunction with FIG. 1B, the method 200 begins at step 201, where first computing device 153 executes a set of instructions for a first application to offer an incentive to a mobile device (e.g., mobile device 151) for obtaining an opt-in authorization from it. The method 200 continues at step 203, where first computing device 153 is configured to receive the opt-in authorization from the mobile device. In some embodiments, the opt-in authorization includes two messages in sequence. The first message includes a phone number or a short code which represents the willingness of the user of the mobile device to sign up with a virtual game. The second message includes a verification confirming that the user he/she is signing up.

At step 205, first computing device 153 is configured to request for the location of the mobile device based on the opt-in authorization. In some instances, first computing device 153 makes such a request in response to having received a notification message from the mobile device. The location of the mobile device may be determined by another party (e.g., second computing device 155 and/or location lookup computing device 157). At step 207, first computing device 153 is configured to issue an in-game virtual reward when the requested location of the mobile device matches the physical location of interest. In some embodiments, a match is found when first computing device 153 determines that the notification message is sent from the physical location of interest.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method 300 for participating in a virtual game, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method 300 may include one or more operations, functions, or actions illustrated by steps 301, 303 and 305. Although the steps are illustrated in a sequential order, these steps may also be performed in parallel, and/or in a different order than those described herein. Also, the various steps may be combined into fewer steps, divided into additional steps, and/or eliminated based upon the desired implementation. Again, any system or device that implements the steps of the method 300, in any order, falls within the scope of the present invention.

In some embodiments, a virtual game provider/operator may allow in-game virtual rewards to be issued when a virtual game player visits a physical location of interest. One or more participant stores for such a virtual game may also be given incentives (e.g., increasing the number of customers visiting the store) to become the physical locations of interest associated with the virtual game. For illustration purposes, a participant store may utilize first computing device 153 of FIG. 1B.

The method 300 begins at step 301, where first computing device 153 at a participant store is configured to sign up with a virtual game provider/operator to be a physical location of interest associated with the virtual game. The participant store may also provide advertisements of the virtual game to show the association between the participant store and the virtual game to its customers. As discussed above, there may be a list of offers of in-game rewards for the players of the virtual game. The offers may be provided by the virtual game provider/operator directly or by the participant store. In some embodiments, the virtual game provider/operator may provide in-game virtual rewards if the player physically visits the participant store. In some other embodiments, the participant store may provide a discount rate on the products/services it sells to the player if he/she physically visits the participant store.

At step 303, first computing device 153 at the participant store is configured to provide location information (e.g., address or geographic coordinates) so that the virtual game provider/operator can have such location information to verify whether its player physically visits the participant store. First computing device 153 is configured to send this location information of the participant store to the virtual game provider/operator. When the virtual game player is physically at the participant store and tries to send a first message to the virtual game provider/operator, the participant store may provide a predetermined short code to the virtual game user to include in the first message. After determining that the location of sending the first message is the same as the location information of the participant store, the virtual game provider/operator may send a second message to the mobile device of its player.

At step 305, first computing device 153 in the participant store may be used to determine a physical reward based on the second message shown on the mobile device of the virtual game player. For example, the physical reward may be a discount for a drink or an item sold in the participant store, and the second message may affect the discount amount.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. For example, aspects of the present invention may be implemented in hardware or software or in a combination of hardware and software. One embodiment of the invention may be implemented as a program product for use with a computer system. The program(s) of the program product define functions of the embodiments (including the methods described herein) and can be contained on a variety of computer-readable storage media. Illustrative computer-readable storage media include, but are not limited to: (i) non-writable storage media (e.g., read-only memory devices within a computer such as CD-ROM disks readable by a CD-ROM drive, flash memory, ROM chips or any type of solid-state non-volatile semiconductor memory) on which information is permanently stored; and (ii) writable storage media (e.g., floppy disks within a diskette drive or hard-disk drive or any type of solid-state random-access semiconductor memory) on which alterable information is stored. Such computer-readable storage media, when carrying computer-readable instructions that direct the functions of the present invention, are embodiments of the present invention.

The scope of the present invention is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A method for issuing an in-game virtual reward associated with a virtual game by visiting a physical location of interest, comprising:

offering an incentive for obtaining from a device an opt-in authorization to sign up with a virtual game;

receiving the opt-in authorization from the device;

requesting the location of the device based on the opt-in authorization; and

issuing an in-game virtual reward when the location of the device matches the physical location of interest.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the incentive is virtual or physical.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a notification message from the device; and

determining whether the notification message is sent from the physical location of interest.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein requesting comprises calling a global positioning system (GPS) application programming interface supported by the device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein requesting comprises utilizing a GPS-fencing application installed on the device when the device is within a predetermined range from the physical location of interest.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising sending an offer of the in-game virtual reward to the device after receiving the opt-in authorization.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the in-game virtual reward changes based on the frequency of the device visiting the physical location of interest.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the opt-in authorization received from the device is a short message.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the in-game virtual reward is issued through a short message.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the opt-in authorization includes an identification code associated with the device.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises a mobile or portable device.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the mobile or portable device comprises a mobile telephone.

13. A computing device configured to issue an in-game virtual reward associated with a virtual game, comprising:

a memory unit; and

a processor configured to:

offer an incentive for obtaining from a device an opt-in authorization to sign up for the virtual game;

receive the opt-in authorization from the device to sign up with the virtual game;

request the location of the device based on the opt-in authorization; and

issue an in-game virtual reward when the location of the device matches a physical location of interest.

14. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a notification message from the device; and

determine whether the notification message is sent from the physical location of interest.

15. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to call a GPS application programming interface supported by the device.

16. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to utilize a GPS-fencing application installed on the device when the device is within a predetermined range from the physical location of interest.

17. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the processor is further configured to send an offer of the in-game virtual reward to the device after receiving the opt-in authorization.

18. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the in-game virtual reward changes based on the frequency of the device visiting the physical location of interest.

19. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the opt-in authorization includes an identification code associated with the device.

20. The computing device of claim 13, wherein the device comprises a mobile or portable device.

21. The computing device of claim 20, wherein the mobile or portable device comprises a mobile telephone.

22. A method for participating in a virtual game, comprising:

registering as a physical location of interest associated with a virtual game;

providing location information corresponding to the physical location of interest; and

determining a reward based on a second message received on a device, wherein the second message is transmitted in response to a first message being transmitted from the device at the physical location of interest.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing a short code to be used in the first message.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising providing an advertisement to a user of the virtual game.