Video Game Including User Determined Location Information

• US 20140200078A1
• Filed: 03/18/2014
• Published: 07/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Palo Alto Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Blackbird Tech LLC
• Inventors: Rouille, David W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,802,127 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/42 by mapping the input signals into game commands, e.g. mapping the displacement of a stylus on a touch screen to the steering angle of a virtual vehicle
• 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 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/205 for detecting the geographical location of the game platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product for a video game including user determined location information is presented. Location information (e.g. GPS, Google Maps, an entered address or the like) determined by a user of a video game is acquired. Then user determined location information relating to a physical location determined by the user is mapped to a video game environment wherein the user of the video game experiences objects from the users entered location while playing the video game.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving information about a location for a user of a video game;

obtaining user determined location information relating to said location determined by said user; and

mapping said user determined location information into a video game environment wherein the user of said video game experiences objects from the users entered location while playing said video game.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said receiving information about a location for a user of a video game includes at least one of the group consisting of receiving an address provided by said user and receiving Global Positioning System (GPS) information relating to a physical location of said user.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said obtaining user determined location information includes receiving map information relating to said location determined by said user.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising saving said user determined location information relating to said location determined by said user.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said user determined location information includes streets, buildings, and points of interest near said location used by said user.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said video game is playable on at least one of the group consisting of a gaming platform, a computer, a hand-held gaming system, a cellular telephone and a tablet.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising playing said video game, wherein during said playing of said video game, said user encounters objects from said location determined by said user.

8. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer readable code thereon for a video game including local content, the medium including instructions in which a computer system performs operations comprising:

receiving information about a location for a user of a video game;

obtaining user determined location information relating to said location determined by said user; and

mapping said user determined location information into a video game environment wherein the user of said video game experiences objects from the users entered location while playing said video game.

9. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8 wherein said instructions for receiving information about a location for a user of a video game includes at least one of the group consisting of receiving an address provided by said user and receiving Global Positioning System (GPS) information relating to a physical location of said user.

10. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8 wherein said instructions for obtaining user determined location information includes instructions for receiving map information relating to said location determined by said user.

11. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8 further comprising instructions for saving said user determined location information relating to said location determined by said user.

12. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8 wherein said user determined location information includes streets, buildings, and points of interest near said location determined by said user.

13. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8 wherein said video game is playable on at least one of the group consisting of a gaming platform, a computer, a hand-held gaming system, a cellular telephone and a tablet.

14. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8 further comprising instructions for playing said video game, wherein during said playing of said video game, said user encounters objects from said location determined by said user.

15. A computer system comprising:

a memory;

a processor;

a communications interface;

an interconnection mechanism coupling the memory, the processor and the communications interface; and

wherein the memory is encoded with an application providing a video game including local content, that when performed on the processor, provides a process for processing information, the process causing the computer system to perform the operations of;

receiving information about a location for a user of a video game;

obtaining user determined location information relating to said location determined by said user; and

mapping said user determined location information into a video game environment wherein the user of said video game experiences objects from the users entered location while playing said video game.

16. The computer system of claim 15 wherein said receiving information about a location for a user of a video game includes at least one of the group consisting of receiving an address provided by said user and receiving Global Positioning System (GPS) information relating to a physical location of said user.

17. The computer system of claim 15 wherein said obtaining user determined location information includes receiving map information relating to said location determined by said user.

18. The computer system of claim 15 further comprising performing the operation of saving said user determined location information relating to said location determined by said user.

19. The computer system of claim 15 wherein said user determined location information includes streets, buildings, and points of interest near said location determined by said user.

20. The computer system of claim 15 wherein said computer system is selected from the group consisting of a gaming platform, a computer, a hand-held gaming system, a cellular telephone and a tablet.