Exchanging virtual rewards for computing resources

• US 8,632,411 B1
• Filed: 06/28/2012
• Issued: 01/21/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Red 5 Studios, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Red 5 Studios, Inc.
• Inventors: Kern, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Brewster, William
• Assistant Examiner(s): SKAARUP, JASON M
• Application Number:
  US13/536,943
• Publication Number:
  US 20140004952A1
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 463/42, 705/14.11, 705/14.12
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/34 using peer-to-peer connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/355 Performing operations on behalf of clients with restricted processing capabilities, e.g. servers transform changing game scene into an encoded video stream for transmitting to a mobile phone or a thin client
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots

Abstract

Systems and methods for exchanging virtual rewards for computing resources are provided herein. Exemplary methods may include receiving access to a portion of computing resources of an end user computing system and providing a virtual reward within a networked gaming environment to an end user in exchange for utilizing an amount of the portion of the computing resources of the end user computing system.

Claims

1. A method for exchanging virtual rewards for computing resources, the method comprising:

implementing a networked gaming environment for a plurality of end users of the networked gaming environment;

receiving access to a portion of computing resources of an end user computing system of an end user while the end user is interacting with the networked gaming environment, the computing resources for use in implementation of the networked gaming environment; and

providing a virtual reward when the portion of the computing resource is dedicated for access by the networked gaming environment, the virtual reward provided for use within the networked gaming environment to the end user in exchange for utilizing an amount of the portion of the computing resources of the end user computing system.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the computing resources comprises any of processing, memory, network bandwidth, or any combinations thereof.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein a value of the virtual reward is increased as additional portions of the computing resources are dedicated and utilized.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual reward that is provided is also based upon an operating period during which access to the computing resources has been provided.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual reward comprises any of virtual currency, virtual items, gaming points, prioritized access to the networked gaming environment, or any combinations thereof.

6. The method according to claim 1, providing to the end user computing system, a visual indication of the amount of the portion of the computing resources of the end user computing system that is being utilized.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising providing to the end user computing system, a visual indication that virtual rewards have been provided to the end user.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

calculating, over a period of time, a total amount of the computing resources of the end user computing system utilized by a networked gaming environment; and

selecting the virtual reward based upon the total amount of the computing resources of the end user computing system utilized by the networked gaming environment.

9. A method for exchanging virtual rewards for computing resources, the method comprising:

monitoring an amount of computing resources of an end user computing system utilized by a networked gaming environment over a given period of time; and

providing a virtual reward to an end user within the networked gaming environment when the amount of computing resources of the end user computing system utilized by the networked gaming environment over the given period of time exceeds a threshold value and when a portion of the computing resource is dedicated for access by the networked gaming environment.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein a value of the virtual reward is proportional to the amount of computing resources of the end user computing system utilized by the networked gaming environment.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the virtual reward that is provided to the end user is based upon a type of computing resource that is provided to the networked gaming environment by the end user computing system.

12. An online gaming system that facilitates a networked gaming environment, the online gaming system comprising:

at least one server that is selectively coupleable to an end user computing system, the at least one server comprising a processor configured to execute instructions that comprise;

a resource manager that receives access to a portion of computing resources of the end user computing system for use in the networked gaming environment; and

a reward module that provides a virtual reward within the networked gaming environment to an end user in exchange for an amount of the portion of computing resources of the end user computing system that is utilized to facilitate operation of the networked gaming environment, the virtual reward being provided when the portion of the computing resource is dedicated for access by the networked gaming environment.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the computing resources comprises any of processing, memory, network bandwidth, or any combinations thereof.

14. The system according to claim 12, wherein a value of the virtual reward that is provided by the reward module is increased as additional portions of the computing resources are utilized by the resource manager.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the virtual reward that is provided is also based upon an operating period during which access to the computing resources has been provided.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein the virtual reward comprises any of virtual currency, virtual items, gaming points, prioritized access to the networked gaming environment, or any combinations thereof.

17. The system according to claim 12, wherein the reward module further:

calculates, over a period of time, a total amount of the computing resources of the end user computing system utilized by the networked gaming environment; and

selects the virtual reward based upon the total amount of the computing resources of the end user computing system utilized by the networked gaming environment.