System and method for controlling access to a massively multiplayer on-line role-playing game

• US 20070111794A1
• Filed: 09/17/2004
• Published: 05/17/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Derek Dupras, Eric Austrew, Mike Hogan, Sean Cunningham
• Original Assignee: Derek Dupras, Eric Austrew, Mike Hogan, Sean Cunningham
• Inventors: Hogan, Mike, Austrew, Eric, Dupras, Derek, Cunningham, Sean
• Application Number:
  US10/572,230
• Publication Number:
  US 20070111794A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/75 Enforcing rules, e.g. detecting foul play or generating lists of cheating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/401 Secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5546 using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5586 for enforcing rights or rules, e.g. to prevent foul play
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5593 involving scheduling aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/807 Role playing or strategy games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

A method for controlling access to a massively multi-player, online role-playing game begins by presenting a web page to a first user. The web page receives a parameter for controlling access of a second user to a massively multi-player, online role-playing game. The received parameter is transmitted to a database server, which stores the received parameter in a database record associated with the second user. A game server receives at connection request from the second user and controls access of the second user to the massively multi-player, online role-playing game using the stored parameter.

Claims

11. An article of manufacture embodying computer-readable programs means for controlling access to a massively multi-player, online role-playing game, the article of manufacture comprising:

(a) computer-readable program means for presenting a user interface to a first user;

(b) computer-readable program means for receiving, via the user interface, a parameter for controlling access of a second user to a massively multi-player, online role-playing game;

(c) computer-readable program means for transmitting to a database server the received parameter;

(d) computer-readable program means for storing the received parameter in a database record associated with the second user;

(e) computer-readable program means for receiving, at a game server, a connection request from the second user; and

(f) computer-readable program means for controlling access of the second user to the massively multi-player, online role playing game using the stored parameter.

1. A method for controlling access to a massively multi-player, online role-playing game, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) presenting a user interface to a first user;

(b) receiving, via the user interface, a parameter for controlling access of a second user to a massively multi-player, online role-playing game;

(c) transmitting to a database server the received parameter;

(d) storing the received parameter in a database record associated with the second user;

(e) receiving, at a game server, a connection request from the second user; and

(f) controlling access of the second user to the massively multi-player, online role playing game using the stored parameter.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises presenting a web page to a user, the web page displaying to the first user information regarding gameplay behavior of a second user.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises presenting a web page to a first user, the web page displaying information regarding gameplay statistics for a second user.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the web page displays information regarding the most recent login time of a second user.

5. The method of claim 3 wherein the web page displays information regarding total playtime of a second user during the most recent game session of the second user.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises receiving, via the user interface, a parameter for prohibiting access of a second user to the game for a predetermined amount of time.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises receiving, via the user interface, a parameter for terminating a game session of a second user.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein step (b) comprises receiving, via the user interface, a parameter for prohibiting access of a second user to the game for a predetermined period of time on a predetermined day of the week.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein step (f) comprises:

(f-1) transmitting, by the game server in response to the connection request, an authentication request to the database server, the transmitted request identifying the second user and the time of the connection request;

(f-2) comparing, by the database server, the second user and the time of the connection request to the database record associated with the second user;

(f-3) sending to the game server, by the database server, a authentication denial message; and

(f-4) refusing, by the game server, access of the second user to the game.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein step (f) comprises:

(f-1) transmitting, by the game server in response to the connection request, an authentication request to the database server, the transmitted request identifying the second user;

(f-2) sending, by the database server, the database record associated with the second user;

(f-3) comparing, by the game server, the second user and the time of the connection request to the transmitted database record; and

(f-4) refusing, by the game server, access of the second user to the game responsive to the comparison.

12. The article of manufacture of claim 11 further comprising computer-readable program means for presenting a web page to a user, the web page displaying to the first user information regarding gameplay behavior of a second user.

13. The article of manufacture of claim 11 further comprising computer-readable program means for presenting a web page to a first user, the web page displaying information regarding gameplay statistics for a second user.

14. The article of manufacture of claim 11 further comprising computer-readable program means for receiving, via the user interface, a parameter for terminating a game session of a second user.

15. The article of manufacture of claim 11 further comprising computer-readable program means for receiving, via the user interface, a parameter for prohibiting access of a second user to the game for a predetermined period of time on a predetermined day of the week.

16. The article of manufacture of claim 11 further comprising:

(f-1) computer-readable program means for transmitting, by the game server in response to the connection request, an authentication request to the database server, the transmitted request identifying the second user and the time of the connection request;

(f-2) computer-readable program means for comparing, by the database server, the second user and the time of the connection request to the database record associated with the second user;

(f-3) computer-readable program means for sending to the game server, by the database server, a authentication denial message; and

(f-4) computer-readable program means for refusing, by the game server, access of the second user to the game.

17. The article of manufacture of claim 11 further comprising:

(f-1) computer-readable program means for transmitting, by the game server in response to the connection request, an authentication request to the database server, the transmitted request identifying the second user;

(f-2) computer-readable program means for sending, by the database server, the database record associated with the second user;

(f-3) computer-readable program means for comparing, by the game server, the second user and the time of the connection request to the transmitted database record; and

(f-4) computer-readable program means for refusing, by the game server, access of the second user to the game responsive to the comparison.

13-1. The article of manufacture of claim 11 further comprising computer-readable program means for receiving, via the user interface, a parameter for prohibiting access of a second user to the game for a predetermined amount of time.

18. A system for controlling access to a massively multi-player, online role-playing game, the system comprising:

a user interface server presenting a user interface to a first user and receiving from the first user a parameter for controlling access of a second user to the game;

a database server in communication with the user interface server, the database server receiving from the user interface server the parameter for controlling access of the second user to the game and storing the parameter in a database record associated with the second user, and

a game server in communication with the database server, the game server receiving a connection request from the second user and prohibiting access to the game responsive to data received from the database server.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the database server further comprises an Open Database Connectivity-compliant database.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein the user interface server communicates with the database server over a first network and the database server communicates with the game server over a second network.