LOCATION-BASED MULTIPLAYER GAMING PLATFORM

• US 20090017913A1
• Filed: 03/17/2008
• Published: 01/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GTC Poplio Associates
• Original Assignee: GTC Poplio Associates
• Inventors: Bell, Jason S., Gomez, Brian Andrew, Parry, Thomas H., Ernst, Frederick W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,795,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/40
• 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 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• 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 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• 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 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/537 for exchanging game data using a messaging service, e.g. e-mail, SMS, MMS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

The methods and systems disclosed herein include a gaming platform that may support massively-multiplayer online computer games, with elements of social networking, in which players may use mobile devices in order to verify their location and claim a measure of control over the location. Players may function like game pieces in association with other members on a team and participate in competitions to capture and defend real-world territory as part of the gaming experience. The gaming platform and associated entities may share revenue and other incentives with entities associated with the locations controlled by the players on the game platform.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

associating a geographic location with a code;

transmitting the code using a mobile communication facility;

verifying the code transmission receipt at a geographic location using a location verification facility located at the geographic location; and

broadcasting the verification to a network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein upon broadcasting of the verification, a measure is awarded based on the verification.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the measure is a location control measure of a multiplayer game.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the geographic location is ground level.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the geographic location is subterranean.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the geographic location is above ground level.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using GPS.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the geographic location of the mobile communication facility is established using triangulation.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the code is associated with a game scenario.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmission of the code invokes a fee.

42. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast is associated with an interactive user interface.

4-19. -19. (canceled)

26-29. -29. (canceled)

31-41. -41. (canceled)

43-58. -58. (canceled)

59. A method comprising:

associating a mobile communication facility with a plurality of mobile communication facilities, wherein the association forms a multiplayer team;

associating a code with a geographic location;

transmitting the code using the mobile communication facility;

identifying whether the mobile communication facility is present at the geographic location near the time of entering the code; and

creating a first multiplayer team score based at least in part on verifying that the mobile communication facility is present at the geographic location near the time of the code transmission.

64. The method of claim 59, further comprising creating an aggregated multiplayer team score based at least in part on a combination of the code transmission and a second code transmission.

68. The method of claim 59, further comprising converting an aggregated multiplayer team score into a weighting of the multiplayer team'"'"'s location control measure.

60-63. -63. (canceled)

65-67. -67. (canceled)

69-73. -73. (canceled)

74. A method comprising:

creating a first code associated with a first location, a second code associated with a second location, and a third code associated with a third location, lines among the three locations defining at least a portion of a perimeter of a geographic territory;

transmitting the first, second, and third codes using at least one mobile communication facility;

verifying location of the mobile communication facility upon receipt of the codes'"'"' transmissions; and

upon verification of at least three codes, awarding a territory control measure for the geographic territory to an entity associated with the mobile communication facility.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein upon broadcasting of the verification, a measure is awarded based on the verification.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein the measure is a location control measure of a multiplayer game.

78. The method of claim 74, further comprising broadcasting the territory control measure to a network.

81. The method of claim 74, further comprising eliminating a rival location control that is associated with a location within the geographic territory upon awarding territory control.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the rival location control is associated with a rival mobile communication facility in competition for location control with the mobile communication facility.

77. (canceled)

79-80. -80. (canceled)

83-238. -238. (canceled)