SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A PHYSICAL INDICATION OF AN OBJECTIVE MET IN AN ENTERTAINMENT PLATFORM

• US 20120283019A1
• Filed: 05/03/2011
• Published: 11/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Original Assignee: Disney Enterprises Incorporated (The Walt Disney Company)
• Inventors: VEPRINSKY, Michael, JONES, Allan D. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,604,149 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• 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 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A method for enabling purchases of status items associated with an online virtual game is disclosed. The method involves: determining that a player of the online virtual game has achieved a first objective defined in the online virtual game, and informing an online store that the player has achieved the first objective. The online store is configured to allow the player to purchase a first status item for achieving the first objective. The first status item comprises a real-world indication that the player has achieved the first objective. The online store is configured to allow a particular player to purchase a particular status item associated with achieving a particular objective in the online virtual game that conveys that the particular player has, in fact, achieved the particular objective. The online store is configured to not allow the particular player to purchase the particular status item without actually having achieved the particular objective.

Claims

1. A method for enabling access to status items associated with an entertainment platform, the method comprising:

determining using a computing device that a player of the entertainment platform has achieved a first objective defined in the entertainment platform; and

providing an indicia that the player has achieved the first objective, wherein, in response to the indicia, a store is configured to;

display only a first set of status items to the player,

allow the player to purchase each status item included in the first set of status items, wherein each status item included in the first set of status items comprises a real-world item that indicates that the player has achieved a particular objective defined in the entertainment platform, and wherein the first set of status items includes a first status item that comprises a real-world item that indicates that the player has achieved the first objective,

whereby the store does not allow a particular player to purchase a particular status item without actually having achieved a particular objective associated with the particular status item.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein achieving the first objective comprises reaching a first level in the entertainment platform, completing a first quest in the entertainment platform, defeating a first number of opponents in the entertainment platform, or obtaining a first ranking in the entertainment platform.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the store comprises an online store, and login information associated with the player and used for the entertainment platform is the same as login information associated with the player and used for the store.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the store comprises an online store, and login information associated with the player and used for the entertainment platform is different from login information of the player and used for the store.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

informing the store of the login information associated with the player and used for the entertainment platform prior to allowing the player to purchase the status item.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the player has achieved a second objective defined in the entertainment platform, informing the store that the player has achieved the second objective, wherein the store is configured to allow the player to purchase a second status item for achieving the second objective, the second status item is related to the first status item and, when purchased, is physically attached to the first status item by the player.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the indicia that the player has achieved the first objective comprises a printable coupon, a mobile phone-based coupon or a coupon code.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the store comprises a physical store having a brick and mortar presence.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the store comprises an online store, and the indicia that the player has achieved the first objective comprises an electronic message transmitted to the store, a cookie that is stored on a computer associated with the player and accessible to the store, or a coupon code provided to the player.

6-7. -7. (canceled)

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processing unit, cause the processing unit to perform the steps of:

determining using a computing device that a player of an entertainment platform has achieved a first objective defined in the entertainment platform; and

providing an indicia that the player has achieved the first objective, wherein, in response to the indicia, a store is configured to;

display only a first set of status items to the player,

allow the player to purchase each status item included in the first set of status items, wherein each status item included in the first set of status items comprises a real-world item that indicates that the player has achieved a particular objective defined in the entertainment platform, and wherein the first set of status items includes a first status item that comprises a real-world item that indicates that the player has achieved the first objective,

whereby the store does not allow a particular player to purchase a particular status item without actually having achieved a particular objective associated with the particular status item.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein achieving the first objective comprises reaching a first level in the entertainment platform, completing a first quest in the entertainment platform, defeating a first number of opponents in the entertainment platform, or obtaining a first ranking in the entertainment platform.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein login information associated with the player and used for the entertainment platform is the same as login information associated with the player and used for the store.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein login information associated with the player and used for the entertainment platform is different from login information of the player and used for the store.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the instructions further comprise:

informing the store of the login information associated with the player and used for the entertainment platform prior to allowing the player to purchase the status item.

17-18. -18. (canceled)

19. A system, comprising:

a machine within which an entertainment platform module executes, wherein the entertainment platform module is configured to;

determine that a player of the entertainment platform has achieved a first objective defined in the entertainment platform; and

provide an indicia that the player has achieved the first objective, wherein, in response to the indicia, a store is configured to display only a first set of status items to the player, wherein, in response to the indicia, a store is configured to;

display only a first set of status items to the player,

allow the player to purchase each status item included in the first set of status items, wherein each status item included in the first set of status items comprises a real-world item that indicates that the player has achieved a particular objective defined in the entertainment platform, and wherein the first set of status items includes a first status item that comprises a real-world item that indicates that the player has achieved the first objective,

whereby the store does not allow a particular player to purchase a particular status item without actually having achieved a particular objective associated with the particular status item.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the store also executes within the machine.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein login information associated with the player and used for the entertainment platform module is the same as login information associated with the player and used for the store.

22. The system of claim 19, wherein the store executes within a second machine.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein login information associated with the player and used for the entertainment platform module is different from login information associated with the player and used for the store.