SOCIALLY-MEDIATED FLASH SALES
First Claim
1. A method for performing a flash sale transaction of a computer-implemented virtual game, the method comprising:
- determining transaction details for the flash sale transaction, the transaction details indicating at least an item for sale, invitation requirements applicable to a player of the virtual game, and transaction requirements applicable to participants of the flash sale transaction;
selectively providing an invitation request to a first player of the virtual game based on the invitation requirements of the flash sale transaction;
receiving an acceptance response from at least a minimum number of players of the virtual game that are needed to complete the flash sale transaction, the minimum number of players being within a social graph of the first player and having received the transaction details for the flash sale from the first player; and
using at least one processor, completing the flash sale transaction based on determining that the minimum number of players have satisfied the transaction requirements and wherein the minimum number of players includes;
a second player of the virtual game that is invited to the flash sale transaction directly by the first player; and
at least one third player of the virtual game that is invited to the flash sale transaction indirectly by the second player.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A flash sale mechanic of a virtual game may perform a flash sale transaction based on transaction details for the flash sale transaction. These transaction details may indicate an item for sale, invitation requirements applicable to a player of the virtual game, and transaction requirements applicable to participants of the flash sale transaction. The flash sale mechanic may selectively provide an invitation request to a first player of the virtual game based on the invitation requirements of the flash sale transaction, and may receive acceptance responses from players that choose to participate in the flash sale transaction. The flash sale mechanic may complete the flash sale transaction if it determines that it has received an acceptance response from at least a minimum number of players that are needed to complete the flash sale transaction, and that these players have satisfied the transaction requirements.
72 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for performing a flash sale transaction of a computer-implemented virtual game, the method comprising:
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determining transaction details for the flash sale transaction, the transaction details indicating at least an item for sale, invitation requirements applicable to a player of the virtual game, and transaction requirements applicable to participants of the flash sale transaction; selectively providing an invitation request to a first player of the virtual game based on the invitation requirements of the flash sale transaction; receiving an acceptance response from at least a minimum number of players of the virtual game that are needed to complete the flash sale transaction, the minimum number of players being within a social graph of the first player and having received the transaction details for the flash sale from the first player; and using at least one processor, completing the flash sale transaction based on determining that the minimum number of players have satisfied the transaction requirements and wherein the minimum number of players includes; a second player of the virtual game that is invited to the flash sale transaction directly by the first player; and at least one third player of the virtual game that is invited to the flash sale transaction indirectly by the second player. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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7. (canceled)
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12. An apparatus to facilitate performing a flash sale transaction of a computer-implemented virtual game, the apparatus comprising:
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a storage module to store transaction details for the flash sale transaction, the transaction details indicating at least an item for sale, invitation requirements applicable to a player of the virtual game, and transaction requirements applicable to participants of the flash sale transaction; a transaction-processing module to selectively provide an invitation request to a first player of the virtual game based on the invitation requirements of the flash sale transaction; and a communication mechanism to receive an acceptance response from at least a minimum number of players of the virtual game that are needed to complete the flash sale transaction, the minimum number of players being within a social graph of the first player and having received the transaction details for the flash sale from the first player, the transaction-processing module being further configured to complete the flash sale transaction based on determining that the minimum number of players have satisfied the transaction requirements and wherein the minimum number of players includes; a second player of the virtual game that is invited to the flash sale transaction directly by the first player; and at least one third player of the virtual game that is invited to the flash sale transaction indirectly by the second player. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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18. (canceled)
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26. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions, which when executed using one or more processors performs a method for facilitating the processing of a flash sale transaction, the method comprising:
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determining transaction details for the flash sale transaction, the transaction details indicating at least an item for sale, invitation requirements applicable to a player of the virtual game, and transaction requirements applicable to participants of the flash sale transaction; selectively providing an invitation request to a first player of the virtual game based on the invitation requirements of the flash sale transaction; receiving an acceptance response from at least a minimum number of players of the virtual game that are needed to complete the flash sale transaction, the minimum number of players being within a social graph of the first player and having received the transaction details for the flash sale from the first player; and using at least one processor, completing the flash sale transaction based on determining that the minimum number of players have satisfied the transaction requirements and wherein the minimum number of players includes; a second player of the virtual game that is invited to the flash sale transaction directly by the first player; and at least one third player of the virtual game that is invited to the flash sale transaction indirectly by the second player. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification