Systems and methods wherein at least one set of possible input parameters to a physics simulation will produce a successful game result

• US 6,802,772 B1
• Filed: 10/11/2000
• Issued: 10/12/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Kunzle, Adrian E., Garcia, V. Maximillian
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAPRON, AARON J
• Application Number:
  US09/686,638
• Time in Patent Office: 1,462 Days
• Field of Search: 473/131, 473/134, 100/91, 463/1-4, 463/30, 463/36-39
• US Class Current: 463/2
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/10 Control of the course of the game, e.g. start, progess, end
• 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 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/573 using trajectories of game objects, e.g. of a golf ball according to the point of impact
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/812 Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided to conduct a game associated with a physics simulation, the physics simulation being adapted to generate a game result based on a set of input parameters. According to one embodiment, a game condition associated with a game to be played by a player is established. For example, a three-dimensional terrain associated with a golf putting green may be established. It is then determined that at least one set of possible input parameters to the physics simulation will produce a successful game result given the established game condition. For example, it may be determined that a player can use his or her mouse to provide a set of inputs parameters to the physics simulation such that a simulated golf ball will reach a simulated golf hole based on the three-dimensional golf putting green terrain.

Claims

1. A method of providing game play comprising:

providing a game associated with a physics simulation.

wherein the physics simulation is adapted to generate a game result, and

wherein the game result is a function of a set of game conditions and a single set of input parameters;

determining a first set of game conditions;

determining existence of a first single set of input parameters that would result in a successful game result given the first set of game conditions;

altering the first set of game conditions if said determining existence results in that a first single set of input parameters does not exist that would result in a successful game result given the altered first set of game conditions;

initiating game play once the existence of a first single set of input parameters that would result in a successful game result given the first set of game conditions has been determined;

receiving a second single set of input parameters from a player;

receiving an indication from the player that all input parameters of the single set of input parameters have been entered;

terminating game play; and

determining if the second single set of input parameters from the player results in a successful game result given the first set of game conditions.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining a first set of game conditions includes:

determining a third single set of input parameters; and

determining the first set of game conditions based on the third single set of input parameters as being defined as resulting in a successful game result.

3. (Currently Amended) A method comprising:

determining a tee location, a wind speed, and a wind direction for a golf simulation game;

generating a first club value and a first swing direction;

determining a hole location based upon the tee location, the wind speed, the wind direction, the first club value, and the first swing direction; and

initiating game play by displaying a representation of the hole location;

receiving a second club value and a second swing direction from a player;

determining a ball location based upon the tee location, the wind speed, the wind direction, the second club value, and the second swing direction; and

determining a game result based on the ball location and the hole location.

4. A method comprising:

generating a first game condition for a physics simulation game;

generating an first input parameter;

determining a second game condition based on the first game condition and the first input parameter;

receiving a second input parameter from a player;

determining a game result based upon the second input parameter, the first game condition, and the second game condition,

wherein the physics simulation game is associated with propelling a simulated object from an initial location, a successful game result comprises the simulated object reaching a predetermined destination, and determining a second game condition comprises;

selecting a potential initial location and a potential predetermined destination; and

performing a calculation to determine if a set of possible input parameters to the physics simulation will propel the simulated object from the potential initial location to the potential predetermined destination; and

if the calculation determines that no set of possible input parameters to the physics simulation will propel the simulated object from the potential initial location to the potential predetermined destination, adjusting at least one of the potential initial location and the potential predetermined destination.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first game condition is generated in association with a particular game to be played by the player.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

arranging for the player to play the physics simulation game in accordance with the second game condition.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein arranging comprises:

receiving from a remote player device the second input parameter via a communication network.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein arranging further comprises:

transmitting to the remote player device an indication associated with the game result via the communication network.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the player device comprises at least one of:

(i) a personal computer, (ii) a portable computing device, (iii) a personal digital assistant, (iv) a wireless telephone, and (v) a game terminal.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the communication network comprises at least one of:

(i) the Internet, (ii) a public network, (iii) a public switched telephone network, (iv) a proprietary network, and (v) a local area network.

11. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

arranging for the player to provide a payment in exchange for playing the game.

12. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

arranging for the player to receive a payment if the determined game result has a predetermined relationship to a successful game result.

13. The method of claim 4, wherein the physics simulation game is associated with propelling a simulated object, and a successful game result comprises the simulated object reaching a predetermined destination.

14. The method of claim 4, wherein the physics simulation game comprises a golf simulation, and the first and second input parameters include sets of parameters that include information associated with at least one of:

a golf ball velocity,

a golf ball angular measurement,

a golf ball rotation,

a golf ball location,

a golf club velocity,

a golf club angular measurement,

a golf club location,

a golf club type,

an aiming direction, and

an aiming location.

15. The method of claim 4, wherein the physics simulation game comprises a golf simulation, and the first and second game conditions comprise information associated with at least one of:

a terrain feature,

a terrain contour,

a three-dimensional putting green terrain,

a fairway layout,

a fairway contour,

a wind direction,

a wind velocity,

a friction parameter,

a golf ball location, and

a golf hole location.

16. The method of claim 4, wherein the physics simulation game comprises a golf simulation, and a successful game result comprises information associated with at least one of:

a distance between a golf ball and a golf hole,

whether the golf ball comes to rest within the golf hole, and

a number of strokes required to place the golf ball within the golf hole.

17. The method of claim 4, wherein the physics simulation game comprises at least one of:

a golf simulation;

a golf putting simulation;

a golf driving simulation;

a baseball simulation;

a basketball simulation;

a football simulation;

a soccer simulation;

a hockey simulation;

a bowling simulation;

a billiards simulation;

a throwing simulation;

a ring-toss simulation;

a darts simulation;

a shooting simulation; and

a space simulation.

18. The method of claim 4, wherein the physics simulation game is associated with propelling a simulated object, a successful game result comprises the simulated object reaching a predetermined destination, and determining a second game condition comprises:

placing the simulated object at a first location;

propelling the simulated object in accordance with the first input parameter;

determining a second location of the simulated object based on the physics simulation and the first game condition; and

establishing the first location as an initial location for the simulated object and the second location as the predetermined destination.

19. The method of claim 4, wherein the physics simulation game is associated with propelling a simulated object, a successful game result comprises the simulated object reaching a predetermined destination, and determining a second game condition comprises:

placing the simulated object at a first location;

propelling the simulated object in accordance with the first input parameter;

determining a second location of the simulated object based on the physics simulation and the first game condition; and

establishing the second location as an initial location for the simulated object and the first location as the predetermined destination.

20. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

if the calculation determines that a set of possible input parameters to the physics simulation will propel the simulated object from the simulated object'"'"'s potential initial location to the potential predetermined destination, establishing the potential initial location as the initial location and the potential predetermined destination as the predetermined destination.

21. The method of claim 4, wherein the physics simulation game is associated with propelling a simulated object from an initial location, a successful game result comprises the simulated object reaching a predetermined destination, and determining a second game condition comprises:

selecting an initial location; and

performing a calculation to generate the predetermined destination such that a set of possible input parameters to the physics simulation will propel the simulated object from the initial location to the potential predetermined destination.

22. The method of claim 4, wherein the physics simulation game is associated with propelling a simulated object from an initial location, a successfull game result comprises the simulated object reaching a predetermined destination, and determining a second game condition comprises:

selecting the predetermined destination; and

performing a calculation to generate a initial location such that a set of possible input parameters to the physics simulation will propel the simulated object from the initial location to the predetermined destination.

23. The method of claim 4, wherein the physics simulation game is associated with propelling a simulated object from an initial location, a successful game result comprises the simulated object reaching a predetermined destination, and determining a second game condition comprises:

selecting an initial location;

generating a list of appropriate predetermined destinations, such that for each appropriate predetermined destination a set of possible input parameters will propel the simulated object from the initial location to the predetermined destination; and

selecting one of the appropriate predetermined destinations.

24. The method of claim 4, wherein the physics simulation game is associated with propelling a simulated object from an initial location, a successful game result comprises the simulated object reaching a predetermined destination, and determining a second game condition comprises:

selecting the predetermined destination;

generating a list of appropriate initial locations, such that for each appropriate initial location a set of possible input parameters to the physics simulation will propel the simulated object from the initial location to the predetermined destination; and

selecting one of the appropriate initial locations.

25. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;

generate a first game condition for a physics simulation game;

generate an first input parameter;

determine a second game condition based on the first game condition and the first input parameter;

receive a second input parameter from a player; and

determine a game result based upon the second input parameter, the first game condition, and the second game condition,

wherein the physics simulation game is associated with propelling a simulated object from an initial location, a successful game result comprises the simulated object reaching a predetermined destination, and determining a second game condition comprises;

selecting a potential initial location and a potential predetermined destination, and

performing a calculation to determine if a set of possible input parameters to the physics simulation will propel the simulated object from the potential initial location to the potential predetermined destination, and

if the calculation determines that no set of possible input parameters to the physics simulation will propel the simulated object from the potential initial location to the potential predetermined destination, adjust at least one of the potential initial location and the potential predetermined destination.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said storage device further stores at least one of (i) a player database;

and (ii) a game database.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

a communication device coupled to said processor and adapted to communicate with at least one of;

(i) a player device, and (ii) a game controller.

28. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method of conducting a game associated with a physics simulation, the physics simulation being adapted to generate a game result, said method comprising:

generating a first game condition for a physics simulation game;

generating an first input parameter;

determining a second game condition based on the first game condition and the first input parameter;

receiving a second input parameter from a player; and

determining a game result based upon the second input parameter, the first game condition, and the second game condition

wherein the physics simulation game is associated with propelling a simulated object from an initial location, a successful game result comprises the simulated object reaching a predetermined destination, and determining a second game condition comprises;

selecting a potential initial location and a potential predetermined destination; and

performing a calculation to determine if a set of possible input parameters to the physics simulation will propel the simulated object from the potential initial location to the potential predetermined destination; and

if the calculation determines that no set of possible input parameters to the physics simulation will propel the simulated object from the potential initial location to the potential predetermined destination, adjusting at least one of the potential initial location and the potential predetermined destination.

29. A computer-implemented method of conducting a golf game associated with a golf simulation, the golf simulation being adapted to generate a game result based on a set of input parameters, comprising:

establishing a golf game condition;

determining that at least one single set of possible input parameters to the golf simulation will produce a successful game result given the established golf game condition;

altering the golf game condition until at least one single set of possible input parameters to the golf simulation will produce a successful game result given the altered golf game condition;

arranging for the player to provide a payment in exchange for playing the golf game;

initiating play of the golf game;

receiving from a remote player device a set of player input parameters via a communication network;

determining a game result based on the received player input parameters, the golf game condition, and the golf simulation, wherein the golf game is associated with hitting a simulated golf ball and the game result comprises the simulated golf ball reaching a destination;

transmitting to the remote player device an indication associated with the game result via the communication network; and

arranging for the player to receive a payment if the destination of the simulated golf ball is within a predetermined distance of a simulated golf hole.

30. A method comprising:

determining a set of game conditions and a single set of input parameters for a physics simulation game that includes a game result that is a function of the set of game conditions and the single set of input parameters;

determining if, based on the physics simulation, the single set of input parameters could result in a successful game result given the set of game conditions; and

altering the set of game conditions until the single set of input parameters could result in a successful game result given the altered set of game conditions.

31. A method comprising:

determining an initial set of game conditions and a range of input parameters for a physics simulation game that includes a game result, wherein the game result is a function of a set of game conditions and a single set of input parameters; and

altering the initial set of game conditions until the range of input parameters includes at least one single set of input parameters that would result in a successful game result given the altered set of game conditions, if, based on the physics simulation, the range of input parameters does not include at least one single set of input parameters that would result in a successful game result given the initial set of game conditions.