SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING VIRTUAL INCENTIVES FOR REAL-WORLD ACTIVITIES

• US 20130017891A1
• Filed: 07/15/2011
• Published: 01/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fungoplay, LLC
• Original Assignee: Fungoplay, LLC
• Inventors: ROMERO, Christopher, Concepcion, Ria, Grzesek, Robert John
• Application Number:
  US13/184,402
• Publication Number:
  US 20130017891A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/40 Acceleration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0059 Exercising apparatus with reward systems
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/00 Bats, rackets, or the like, not covered by groups A63B49/00 - A63B57/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/46 Measurement devices associated with golf clubs, bats, rackets or the like for measuring physical parameters relating to sporting activity, e.g. baseball bats with impact indicators or bracelets for measuring the golf swing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 65/10 Discus discs; Quoits
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A physical play object, such as for example a soccer ball or flying disk, may include a sensor to generate signals conveying information regarding the amount of real-world physical play which has been performed with that play object. Once the amount of play crosses a threshold level, a user may be presented with a code. With this code, the user may redeem virtual benefits and/or incentives for a virtual space. This way, real-world physical activity is encouraged through virtual space benefits.

Claims

1. A system for encouraging physical activity of a user, the system comprising:

a play object to be used in real-world physical play, the play object having an object identifier;

a sensor carried by the play object, the sensor being configured to generate an output signal conveying information related to an amount of real-world physical play performed with the play object;

an electronic display carried by the play object; and

one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising;

a level module configured to determine whether the amount of real-world physical play performed with the play object has crossed a threshold level; and

a code module configured to obtain, responsive to a determination that the amount of real-world physical play with the play object crossed a threshold level, a level code corresponding to the crossed threshold, wherein the level code is redeemable for a benefit in a virtual space; and

a display module configured to present the level code to the user via the electronic display such that the level code is redeemable by the user in the virtual space for the benefit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes one or both of an accelerometer and/or a rotary sensor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the play object is a flying disk, a ball, a bat, a scooter, or a skateboard.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the threshold level is a threshold level in a succession of threshold levels, wherein the level code is a level code in a succession of level codes, and wherein individual threshold levels correspond to individual level codes.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the display module is further configured to present, via the electronic display, an indication of progress towards a subsequent threshold level in the succession of threshold levels.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer program modules are further configured to present the object identifier to the user via the electronic display to facilitate registration of the play object with a user account in the virtual space that is associated with the user.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are carried by the play object.

8. A system for encouraging physical activity of a user, the system comprising:

one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising;

a user account module configured to manage user accounts in a virtual space that include account information of users, wherein individual user accounts are associated with individual users;

a object registration module configured to facilitate registration of a play object with a user account in the virtual space, wherein the play object is to be used in real-world physical play, wherein the play object has an object identifier, and wherein registration of the play object requires the object identifier of the play object; and

a code redemption module configured to redeem a level code for a benefit in the virtual space, wherein the level code corresponds to a crossed threshold level of an amount of real-world physical play with the play object, wherein the benefit is associated with the user account upon redemption.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the code redemption module is configured to redeem the level code for a benefit in the virtual space responsive to registration of the play object by the object registration module.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the code redemption module is further configured to receive the level code through a user interface of a client computing platform.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the account information includes an amount of virtual currency, wherein the benefit increases the amount of virtual currency, and wherein the virtual currency is exchangeable for a virtual good in a virtual space.

12. The system of claim 8, further comprising a virtual space module configured to cause presentation of views from an instance of the virtual space to the user, and wherein the instance is associated with the user account.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the benefit includes one or more options of virtual goods, and wherein the code redemption module is further configured to receive a user-selection of the one or more options through a user interface of a client computing platform.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the benefit is a virtual good in the virtual space.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the benefit unlocks a virtual place and/or virtual activity within the virtual space.

16. The system of claim 8, wherein account information includes account history information, and wherein the code redemption module is further configured to authenticate the level code based on account history information.

17. A method for encouraging physical activity of a user, the method being implemented in a system that includes one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the method comprising:

receiving an object identifier of a play object, wherein the play object is to be used in real-world physical play;

receiving account access authorization for a user account in a virtual space;

registering, responsive to receipt of the account access authorization, the object identifier with the user account;

receiving a level code, wherein the level code corresponds to a crossed threshold level of an amount of real-world physical play with the play object, and wherein the level code is associated with a play object;

redeeming the level code for a benefit in the virtual space, wherein the benefit is associated with the user account, and wherein the benefit increases an amount of virtual currency associated with the user account.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the benefit and/or the virtual currency is exchangeable for a virtual good in the virtual space.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the benefit unlocks a virtual place and/or virtual activity within the virtual space.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising authenticating the level code prior to redemption.