SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING ELECTRONIC INTERACTIVE GAMING-BASED INVESTMENTS

• US 20130332388A1
• Filed: 06/11/2012
• Published: 12/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Investable Games Technology Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cruttenden Partners LLC
• Inventors: Martell, Jason, Cruttonden, Waltor
• Granted Patent: US 9,495,708 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/36.R
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/50 Controlling the output signals based on the game progress
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/57 details of game services offered to the player
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/606 by securing the transmission between two devices or processes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/108 Remote banking, e.g. home banking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/381 Currency conversion
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/384 using social networks
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/00 Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/06 Asset management; Financial planning or analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 : Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 : Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

The field of the invention relates to systems and methods for facilitating investments through interactive online gaming. In one embodiment, an interactive electronic gaming system includes a game server for hosting a Web application game, accessible over a data network. One or more client communication devices are configured to access the game server. An index fund server is accessible over said data network for maintaining electronic investment portfolios. The game server is configured to intercept any electronic payment transactions over a payment gateway server through the Web application game from one or more client devices and redirect the intercepted transaction to the index fund server.

Claims

1. An interactive electronic gaming system comprising:

a payment gateway server;

a game server in electronic communication with said payment gateway server;

one or more client communication devices configured to create an electronic payment gateway with the payment gateway server during an in-game transaction, over a data network;

a portfolio server, the portfolio server is accessible to the client communication device over said data network;

a portfolio database in electronic communication to said portfolio server for maintaining electronic investment portfolios;

wherein the game server is operatively coupled to a computer program product, the computer program product having a computer-usable medium having a sequence of instructions which, when executed by a processor, causes said processor to execute a process that creates investment projections based on the intercepted payment transaction and redirects electronic transfers to said portfolio database, said process comprising;

hosting at the game server a game, the game configured to receive electronic payments in exchange for virtual currency;

intercepting a transaction through the electronic payment gateway, the transaction having a first numerical amount of electronic funds in exchange for virtual currency;

computing an expected return, wherein the return is based on the investment of the first numerical amount of electronic funds;

electronically publishing the expected return to the client communication device; and

electronically transferring the first numerical amount to the portfolio database at the portfolio server over said data network in exchange for virtual currency to be used during the game.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the process further includes the step of selecting long-term financial investment goals.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the process further includes the step of maintaining game metrics, said game metrics based on the relative performance of investments compared to said long-term financial investment goals.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the process further includes the step of publishing game metrics to said game server, said game metrics comparing a single user'"'"'s investment performance to the average investment performance for all users stored in said portfolio database.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the process further includes the step of aggregating said first numerical amount with additional electronic funds prior to transferring said first numerical transaction amount.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said game server represents a social media platform.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said game server represents a stand-alone kiosk configured to receive both electronic and physical funds.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein computing an expected return from investing the first transaction reflects the historical performance of similar investments designed according to Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT).

9. The system of claim 1, wherein user input modifies the first transaction amount.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the portfolio server represents a collective investment scheme.

11. A method of redirecting in-game consumer transactions between a game server in electronic communication with a payment gateway server to a portfolio database, said payment gateway server configured to create an electronic payment gateway with the game server, the method comprising:

intercepting a transaction through the electronic payment gateway, the transaction having a first numerical amount of electronic funds in exchange for virtual currency;

computing an expected return, wherein the return is based on the investment of the first numerical amount of electronic funds;

electronically publishing the expected return to the consumer; and

electronically transferring the first numerical amount to the portfolio database over a data network in exchange for virtual currency.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising converting actual funds, deposited to the game server, to an electronic payment for transfer over said electronic payment gateway prior to intercepting said transaction.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of hosting a game at the game server, the game configured to receive electronic payments in exchange for virtual currency.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising publishing game metrics to said game server, said game metrics comparing the relative performance of a single consumer'"'"'s investment performance to the average investment performance for consumer accounts stored in said portfolio database.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising aggregating said first numerical amount with additional electronic funds prior to transferring said first numerical transaction amount.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said game server represents a social media platform.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said game server represents a stand-alone kiosk.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein computing an expected return from investing the first transaction reflects the historical performance of similar investments designed according to Modern Portfolio Theory (MPT).

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising modifying the first transaction amount based on user input.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein said portfolio database represents a collective investment scheme.