Method and System of Location-Based Game for Improving Mobile Operator's Profit

• US 20100287011A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Martec Corporation
• Original Assignee: Martec Corporation
• Inventors: Muchkaev, Artem
• Application Number:
  US11/939,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20100287011A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/7
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/60 Generating or modifying game content before or while executing the game program, e.g. authoring tools specially adapted for game development or game-integrated level editor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/61 using advertising information
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/67 adaptively or by learning from player actions, e.g. skill level adjustment or by storing successful combat sequences for re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/833 Hand-to-hand fighting, e.g. martial arts competition A63F13/837 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/837 Shooting of targets
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/847 Cooperative playing, e.g. requiring coordinated actions from several players to achieve a common goal
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5513 involving billing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5566 by matching opponents or finding partners to build a team, e.g. by skill level, geographical area, background, play style
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/54 for revenue sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8033 : location-dependent, e.g. business or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7435 : Location dependent, e.g. Bussiness or home
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing

Abstract

This invention provides a method for telecommunication carriers to generate revenues from location-based services (LBS) through a location-based game (LBG). Also provided is a method for administrating a location-based game and mobile terminals configured with LBG of the present invention. Games of the present invention may be played in stationary mode, mobile mode, or any combinations thereof; they may also include a scoring system that is based on token collection and, therefore, does not require real-time update or fast response from the LBS.

Claims

1. A business method for generating a revenue from location-based telecommunication services, comprising:

(1) providing a telecommunication infrastructure offering telecommunication services, including location-based services;

(2) providing a location-based game capable of utilizing all telecommunication services provided by the telecommunication infrastructure, including location-based services, wherein the game supports a stationary mode, a mobile mode, and combinations thereof; and

(3) accounting for usage of the location-based services by at least one player during game play,

wherein the game is designed such that usage of location-based service provides game winning advantages to the players, thereby encouraging the usage of the service.

2. The business method of claim 1, wherein the location-based game is a team-oriented game.

3. The business method of claim 1, wherein the location-based game is hosted on a game server in communication with the players via the telecommunication infrastructure.

4. The business method of claim 1, wherein the location-based game maps a virtual space in the game to a physical space in a scalable zone fashion and wherein the player is allowed to choose any scalable zone supported by the game.

5. The business method of claim 4, wherein the player is allowed to choose a scalable zone not corresponding to the zone that maps to the physical space in which the player currently resides.

6. The business method of claim 1, wherein the game further includes artificial intelligence algorithm controlled opponents.

7. The business method of claim 1, wherein the telecommunication infrastructure comprises a communication network and a plurality of mobile terminals capable of sending and receiving messages via the network, executing software programs, accepting inputs from users and displaying outputs to the users, and wherein the step of providing a location-based game is performed by allowing the player to download the game from a server, pre-installing the game on the mobile terminal, or combinations thereof.

8. The business method of claim 1, wherein the location-based game is provided to the player free of charge.

9. The business method of claim 1, wherein the location-based game offers a prize for winner of the game.

10. The business method of claim 1, wherein the location-based game is based on a storyline.

11. The business method of claim 1, wherein the location-based game is a role-playing game.

12. The business method of claim 1, wherein the location-based game has a game logic according to the algorithm shown in FIG. 5.

13. The business method of claim 1, wherein the step of accounting for usage of location-based service further comprises charging a fee to the player according to the usage.

14. The business method of claim 1, wherein usage of the location-based services during the game is pre-paid.

15. The business method of claim 1, wherein usage of the location-based service is charged on a subscription-basis.

16. The business method of claim 1, wherein the location-based game is implemented using preexisting telecommunication infrastructure and telecommunication equipment, including mobile terminals.

17. A method of administering a location-based game hosted on a game server over a telecommunication network, comprising:

(1) creating a virtual space having a plurality of zones within the game, wherein the plurality of zones are mapped to regions of physical space covered by the telecommunication network;

(2) allowing players to join the game by establishing communication with the game server via the telecommunication network, wherein upon joining, each player is assigned a token;

(3) providing the players with information of game environments upon request by the players, wherein the game environment for each player is determined by the physical location of the player, and wherein said request by the players is performed by utilizing location-based services provided on the telecommunication network;

(4) allowing the players to choose a virtual zone to explore, wherein the act of exploring includes scanning for other players currently residing in the chosen zone; and

(5) allowing the players residing within the chosen zone to interact with each other in a competitive contest, wherein upon winning the contest, the winning player receives the token(s) of the losing player,

wherein the game is completed when a player or a team of players accumulates a predetermined number of tokens to win the game.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the game server further comprises a game website server hosting game-related web applications.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein a player can join the game while the game is already in progress or at the beginning of the game.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the game is a team-oriented game and wherein when a player joins the game, the player is given a choice to choose a team affiliation or assigned to a team by the game.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein communication between the player and the game server is done via a location-based services (LBS) enabled mobile terminal.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the game supports a mobile mode, a stationary mode, and their combinations.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the game is capable of utilizing all services offered by the telecommunication network.

24. The method. of claim 17, wherein said competitive contest is one selected from virtual fighting, shooting, a game of chance, or contest of wits.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the act of joining a game further comprises downloading a copy of the game over the telecommunication network.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the token assigned to each player represents a piece of global token required to complete the game, wherein the game is completed when a player or a team of players accumulates all pieces necessary to obtain the global token.

27. A mobile terminal configured with a location-based game according to claim 17.

28. A process for designing location-based games suitable for deployment on a telecommunication infrastructure offering telecommunication services including location-based services, comprising:

performing a value-chain analysis to build a value-chain model that describes a value creation process having a plurality of value creation activities, wherein the value-chain activities encompasses activities from both the game industry and the telecommunication industry;

identifying a value creation activity of interest from the telecommunication industry; and

creating a design for the game utilizing the value creation activity of interest in the game such that the value creation activity of interest is presented in the game as a feature that gives players of the game a winning advantage.