On-line game method

• US 7,297,063 B2
• Filed: 09/19/2002
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Eighting
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Eighting
• Inventors: Satou, Shouji, Fujisawa, Tomonori
• Primary Examiner(s): PEZZUTO, ROBERT ERIC
• Application Number:
  US10/490,034
• Publication Number:
  US 20040242326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,888 Days
• Field of Search: 463/24, 463/1, 463/36, 463/3, 463/4, 463/37, 463/40, 463/16, 463/43, 463/44
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/402 Communication between platforms, i.e. physical link to protocol
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM

Abstract

Strengthening a relation between “products” and a virtual space, and improving values of both game characters and the “products” mimicking the characters by stimulating users'"'"' affection to original products. In an online game method, a product carrying an ID code assigned thereto and a number of image characters reflecting features of the product and correlated to the ID code are previously prepared, and a user can use the image characters as characters for the online game by inputting the ID code in the online game to register the image characters therein.

Claims

1. A method of providing an online game comprising the steps of:

preparing a product carrying an ID code assigned thereto;

storing in a data base a number of image characters reflecting features of the product and correlated to the ID code of the product;

transmitting the ID code of the product to an administration server of a service provider comprising the data base;

searching in the data base at least one image character correlated to the ID code;

selecting the at least one image character and registering the at least one image character;

transmitting the selected at least one image character to a mobile terminal; and

displaying said transmitted at least one image character as the online game character in the online game on the mobile terminal.

2. The method of providing an online game according to claim 1, wherein the image character mimics the corresponding product.

3. The method of providing an online game according to claim 1, wherein membership registration in the online game is made prior to transmitting the ID code.

4. The method of providing an online game according to claim 1, wherein the product is a premium for a prize awarding machine.

5. The method of providing an online game according to claim 1, wherein the registered at least one image character is possibly shown in a form of an album.

6. The method of providing an online game according to claim 1, wherein a game point is given to a registered member simultaneously when the image character is registered.