METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING CUSTOMIZED GAMES

• US 20090149246A1
• Filed: 12/05/2007
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Opaluch, Robert Edward
• Granted Patent: US 9,067,140 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• 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 13/63 by the player, e.g. authoring using a level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/208 for storing personal settings or data of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/552 for downloading to client devices, e.g. using OS version, hardware or software profile of the client device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5546 using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6018 where the game content is authored by the player, e.g. level editor or by game device at runtime, e.g. level is created from music data on CD
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: G06N 5/022 Knowledge engineering; Knowledge acquisition

Abstract

An approach is provided for developing customized games. Customization information is obtained from a user (or someone preparing the game for the user) in response to a menu of options relating to a game, or is automatically collected from customization information already collected. Gaming information, including rules and design layout, is output in response to the customization information for playing the game.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a request from a user to subscribe to a game service for generating a customized game;

prompting the user for customization information relating to the game upon subscribing the user to the game service, wherein the customization information includes player identity, player preference, or player characteristic;

receiving input, from the user via a graphical user interface, specifying the customization information;

obtaining content for the game, wherein the content includes educational content or content for assessing a player; and

outputting gaming information that includes rules and design layout for playing the game, wherein the content and complexity of the game are modified according to pre-determined objectives relating to education, socialization, or a combination thereof.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the game is a video game, and the game is modified dynamically during play of the game.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

collecting data associated with play of the game for assessing a trait of a player of the game, the trait including a psychological profile, educational level, level of interest in a particular content, or requirements of the player.

4. An apparatus comprising:

a user interface configured to receive a request from a user to subscribe to a game service for generating a customized game, and to prompt the user for customization information relating to the game upon subscribing the user to the game service, wherein the customization information includes player identity, player preference, or player characteristic, the user interface being further configured to receive input from the user specifying the customization information;

an asset manager module configured to obtain content for the game, wherein the content includes educational content or content for assessing a player; and

an inference engine configured to output gaming information that includes rules and design layout for playing the game, wherein the content and complexity of the game are modified according to pre-determined objectives relating to education, socialization, or a combination thereof.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the game is a video game, and the game is modified dynamically during play of the game.

6. An apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising:

a memory configured to store data associated with play of the game for assessing a trait of a player of the game, the trait including a psychological profile, educational level, level of interest in a particular content, or requirements of the player.

7. A method comprising:

prompting a user through a menu of options relating to a game to obtain customization information; and

outputting gaming information in response to the customization information for playing the game, wherein the gaming information includes rules and design layout.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising:

receiving content for the game, wherein the content is either retrieved from a database of a provider or obtained from the user.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the content includes educational content or content for assessing a player.

10. A method according to claim 8, further comprising:

modifying the rules or the content to increase complexity of the game.

11. A method according to claim 7, wherein the menu is part of a wizard application that outputs the gaming information, and the customization information includes player identity, player preference, or player characteristic.

12. A method according to claim 7, wherein the game is a video game, and the modification is performed dynamically during play of the game.

13. A method according to claim 7, wherein data associated with play of the game is collected for assessing a trait of a player of the game, the trait including a psychological profile, educational level, level of interest in a particular content, or requirements of the player.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the trait is specified by the user, the player or another player.

15. A method according to claim 7, wherein the game is a physical board game.

16. A method according to claim 7, wherein the user receives the menu of options over a data network using a computing device.

17. An apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to prompt a user through a menu of options relating to a game to obtain customization information, and to output gaming information in response to the customization information for playing the game, wherein the gaming information includes rules and design layout.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive content for the game, wherein the content is either retrieved from a database of a provider or obtained from the user.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the content includes educational content or content for assessing a player, and the customization information includes player identity, player preference, or player characteristic.

20. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to modify the rules or the content to increase complexity of the game.

21. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the menu is part of a wizard application that outputs the gaming information.

22. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the game is a video game, and the modification is performed dynamically during play of the game.

23. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein data associated with play of the game is collected for assessing a trait of a player of the game, the trait including a psychological profile, educational level, level of interest in a particular content, or requirements of the player.

24. An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the trait is specified by the player or another player.

25. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the game is a physical board game.