System and Method for Interactive Location-Based Gameplay

• US 20120129590A1
• Filed: 06/21/2011
• Published: 05/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Booyah Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Booyah Incorporated
• Inventors: Morrisroe, Brian, Wang, David, Lee, Keith
• Application Number:
  US13/165,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20120129590A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• 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 13/533 for prompting the player, e.g. by displaying a game menu
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/61 using advertising information
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video

Abstract

Disclosed is a system comprising a location engine for detecting the location of the system, an attraction engine for identifying an attraction proximate to the system, a gameplay engine for enabling gameplay of a user to earn virtual credits based on the proximity, and a virtual item engine for providing a virtual item to the user during gameplay, the virtual item having a real-world implication and being usable by the gameplay engine for an increase or decrease of virtual credits.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a location engine for detecting the location of the system;

an attraction engine for identifying an attraction proximate to the system;

a gameplay engine for enabling gameplay of a user to earn virtual credits based on the proximity; and

a virtual item engine for providing a virtual item to the user during gameplay, the virtual item having a real-world implication and being usable by the gameplay engine for an increase or decrease of virtual credits.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual item identifies a real-world item.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the real-world implication is a good, service, person, establishment, or entertainment experience.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the real-world implication includes audio, video, or text content.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the real-world implication includes a video game.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the attraction includes a business, residence or other location.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the attraction includes an event.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the event exists only during a specified time period.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual item includes branding or advertisement information.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual item includes a coupon.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual item includes audio, video, or text.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual item engine selects the virtual item from a data structure of virtual items.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the virtual item is selected based on user location.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the virtual item is selected based on likely proximity of the user to a real-world item.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the virtual item is selected based the attraction.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the virtual item is selected based on environmental factors.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the virtual item is selected based on economic factors.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the virtual item is selected based on information about the user.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the virtual item is selected based on the time of day.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the virtual item is selected at random.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the virtual item is selected based on information about other persons associated with the user.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual item has real-world implication if combined with other virtual items.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual item has real-world implication if transmitted to other users.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual credits include virtual cash, points, levels, tools, or achievements.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein gameplay includes enabling a user to check-in at the attraction in exchange for virtual credits.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein gameplay includes enabling the user to purchase the attraction using virtual credits.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the gameplay engine enables a user to earn virtual credits based on the proximity by enabling a user to interact with the attraction only when the user is within a predetermined distance of the attraction.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual item is usable by the gameplay engine for an increase or decrease of virtual credits by affecting the value of another virtual item.

29. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual item is usable by the gameplay engine for an increase or decrease of virtual credits by affecting a proximity threshold or a proximity award.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the virtual item is usable by the gameplay engine for an increase or decrease of virtual credits by receiving a tool capable of improving the user'"'"'s chance of increasing or decreasing virtual credits.

31. A method comprising:

enabling gameplay of a user to earn virtual credits based on proximity of a mobile device to a user-selected attraction;

selecting an interactive virtual item having a real-world implication, the selection based at least in part on an attribute of the user-selected attraction;

sending the interactive virtual item to the mobile device;

receiving interaction information relating to the interactive virtual item; and

modifying the virtual credits based on the interaction information.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein selecting the interactive item comprises evaluating web analytic data corresponding to the user.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising modifying the virtual item based on the interaction information.

34. A computer readable medium having embodied thereon executable instructions, the executable instructions being executable by a processor for performing a method, the method comprising:

enabling gameplay of a user to earn virtual credits based on proximity of a mobile device to a user-selected attraction;

selecting an interactive virtual item having a real-world implication, the selection based at least in part on an attribute of the user-selected attraction;

sending the interactive virtual item to the mobile device;

receiving interaction information relating to the interactive virtual item; and

modifying the virtual credits based on the interaction information.