COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT TRANSACTION SYSTEM TO TRANSACT COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT CIRCUMVENTIONS

• US 20130012304A1
• Filed: 09/14/2012
• Published: 01/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gametek LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Gametek LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Inventors: Cartwright, Shawn
• Granted Patent: US 10,607,237 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/61 using advertising information
• 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: G06Q 30/0211 Determining the effectiveness of discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0222 During e-commerce, i.e. online transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0274 Split fees
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0275 Auctions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]

Abstract

A system and methods allowing the creation, integration, and transaction of rule circumventions and/or interactive advertisements in computing environments is provided. In an illustrative implementation, the present invention comprises a core transaction server, a multimedia transaction server, and browser application. A computing environment cooperates with the core transaction server to obtain data representative of computing environment rule circumventions for integration within the computing environment as well as computing environment circumvention transaction information. The core transaction server cooperates with the multimedia transaction server to obtain data representative of the desired computing environment rule circumvention and with the browser application to obtain inputs from computing environment to establish accounts for use when transacting computing environment rule circumvention transactions.

Claims

1. A method of managing operation of a game that includes a game environment, the method employing a programmed computer coupled to a network, the computer programmed to control a networked gaming action of at least one of a plurality of users, the computer comprising a programmed processor configured to execute computer executable instructions stored in one or more memory devices to effect actions comprising:

tracking activity of the at least one of a plurality of users during the gaming action;

enabling the at least one of a plurality of users to display in the game environment a plurality of game objects that respectively have at least one displayed price;

maintaining an account for the at least one of a plurality of users;

permitting the at least one of a plurality of users to use consideration to increase the balance of the account;

determining whether the at least one of a plurality of users is qualified to obtain one or more of the plurality of the displayed game objects, dependent upon data comprising;

i) the tracked activity of the at least one of a plurality of users, and

ii) whether the at least one of a plurality of users has a sufficient balance in the account to obtain the selected game object at the displayed price;

enabling the at least one of a plurality of users to obtain the game object at the displayed price without leaving the game; and

enabling the at least one of a plurality of users to incorporate the game object into the game.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising permitting the at least one of a plurality of users to add to the balance of the account using at least one of:

credit cards, internet enabled currency, or secondary monetary source.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the gaming action continues while the at least one of a plurality of users obtains the game object.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising receiving a password from the at least one of a plurality of users prior to permitting use of consideration to increase the balance of the account.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the network is the internet.

7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to permit the at least one of a plurality of users to add to the balance of the account using one or more of:

credit cards, internet enabled currency, or secondary monetary source.

8. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor is configured to receive a password from the at least one of a plurality of users prior to permitting use of consideration to increase the balance of the account.

9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the network coupled to the computer is the internet.

10. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the processor is adapted to enable at least a portion of the gaming action to continue while the at least one of a plurality of users obtains the game object.

6. An apparatus for managing operation of a game which includes a game environment, the apparatus comprising a programmed computer coupled to a network, the computer programmed to control a networked gaming action of at least one of a plurality of users, the computer comprising a programmed processor configured to execute software instructions stored in one or more memory devices, the processor adapted to:

track activity of the at least one of a plurality of users during the gaming action;

enable the at least one of a plurality of users to display in the game environment a plurality of game objects that respectively have at least one displayed price;

maintain an account for the at least one of a plurality of users

permit the at least one of a plurality of users to use consideration to increase the balance of the account;

determine whether the at least one of a plurality of users is qualified to obtain one or more of the plurality of the displayed game objects, dependent upon data comprising;

i) the tracked activity of the at least one of a plurality of users, and

ii) whether the at least one of a plurality of users has a sufficient balance in the account to obtain the selected game object at the displayed price;

enable the at least one of a plurality of users to obtain the game object at the displayed price without leaving the game; and

enable the at least one of a plurality of users to incorporate the game object into the game.

11. A computer readable medium that stores computer readable instructions configured to cause a computer, comprising a processor and coupled to a network, to manage operation of a game which includes a game environment, the instructions further configured to cause the computer to control a networked gaming action of a user, the instructions further configured to cause the computer to:

a) track activity of the user during the gaming action;

b) enable the user to display in the game environment a plurality of game objects, wherein respective game objects have at least one displayed price;

c) maintain an account for the user;

d) permit the user to use consideration to add to the balance of the account;

e) determine whether the user is qualified to obtain one or more of the plurality of the displayed game objects, dependent upon data comprising;

i) the tracked activity of user, and

ii) whether the user has a sufficient balance in the account to obtain the selected game object at the displayed price;

f) enable the user to obtain the game object at the displayed price without leaving the game; and

f) enable the user to incorporate the game object into the game.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer readable instructions are configured to cause the computer to permit the user to add to the balance of the account using one or more of:

credit cards, internet enabled currency, or a secondary monetary source.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer readable instructions are configured to enable the computer to receive a password from the user prior to use of consideration to increase the balance of the account.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 11, wherein the computer readable instructions are configured to enable at least a portion of the gaming action to continue while the at least one of a plurality of users obtains the game object.

15. A computer implemented method comprising:

tracking activity of a user during a gaming action;

displaying in a game environment a plurality of game objects that respectively have at least one displayed price;

maintaining an account for the user;

receiving instructions from the user to use consideration to increase the balance of the account;

determining whether the user is qualified to obtain one or more of a plurality of displayed game objects, dependent upon data comprising;

i) the tracked activity of the user, and

ii) whether the user has a sufficient balance in the account to obtain a selected game object at the displayed price;

providing the selected game object to the user within the game environment at the displayed price while the user continues the gaming action; and

incorporating the game object into the game while the user continues the gaming action.

16. The method of claim 15, comprising permitting the user to add to the balance of the account using at least one of:

credit cards, internet enabled currency, or secondary monetary source.

17. The method of claim 15, comprising receiving a password from the user prior to permitting use of consideration to increase the balance of the account.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the gaming action continues while the at least one of a plurality of users obtains the game object.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor configured to execute computer executable instructions stored in one or more memory devices to perform the following acts;

track activity of a user during a gaming action;

display in a game environment a plurality of game objects that respectively have at least one displayed price;

maintain an account for the user;

receive instructions from the user to use consideration to increase the balance of the account;

determine whether the user is qualified to obtain one or more of a plurality of displayed game objects, dependent upon data comprising;

i) the tracked activity of the user, and

ii) whether the user has a sufficient balance in the account to obtain a selected game object at the displayed price;

provide the selected game object to the user within the game environment at the displayed price while the user continues the gaming action; and

incorporate the game object into the game while the user continues the gaming action.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processor is configured to permit the at least one of a plurality of users to add to the balance of the account using one or more of:

credit cards, internet enabled currency, or secondary monetary source.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processor is configured to receive a password from the at least one of a plurality of users prior to permitting use of consideration to increase the balance of the account.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processor is adapted to enable at least a portion of the gaming action to continue while the at least one of a plurality of users obtains the game object.

23. A computer readable medium that stores computer readable instructions configured to cause a computer, comprising a processor and coupled to a network, to manage operation of a game which includes a game environment, the instructions further configured to cause the computer to control a networked gaming action of a user, the instructions further configured to cause the computer to:

track activity of the user during the gaming action;

display in the game environment a plurality of game objects that respectively have at least one displayed price;

maintain an account for the user;

receive instructions from the user to use consideration to increase the balance of the account;

determine whether the user is qualified to obtain one or more of a plurality of displayed game objects, dependent upon data comprising;

i) the tracked activity of the user, and

ii) whether the user has a sufficient balance in the account to obtain a selected game object at the displayed price;

provide the selected game object to the user within the game environment at the displayed price while the user continues the gaming action; and

incorporate the game object into the game while the user continues the gaming action.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the computer readable instructions are configured to cause the computer to permit adding to the balance of the account using one or more of:

credit cards, internet enabled currency, or a secondary monetary source.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the computer readable instructions are configured to enable the computer to receive a password from the user prior to use of consideration to increase the balance of the account.

26. The computer readable medium of claim 23, wherein the computer readable instructions are configured to enable at least a portion of the gaming action to continue while the at least one of a plurality of users obtains the game object.

27. A computer implemented method comprising:

tracking activity of a user during a gaming action;

displaying in a game environment a plurality of game objects that respectively have at least one displayed price;

receiving instructions from the user to use consideration to increase balance of an account;

determining whether the user is qualified to obtain one or more of a plurality of displayed game objects, dependent upon data comprising;

i) the tracked activity of the user, and

ii) whether the user has a sufficient balance in the account to obtain a selected game object at the displayed price;

providing the selected game object to the user within the game environment at the displayed price while the user continues the gaming action; and

incorporating the game object into the game while the user continues the gaming action.