Dynamic physical interaction tracking system and method

• US 8,794,508 B1
• Filed: 05/16/2012
• Issued: 08/05/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pascal Ventures, LLC
• Original Assignee: Andrew Pascal
• Inventors: Pascal, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Mikels, Matthew
• Application Number:
  US13/473,349
• Time in Patent Office: 811 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/381, 235/383, 235/385, 235/435.439, 235/454, 235/462
• US Class Current: 235/375
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/21 for social networking applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a social networking game that enables players to scan QR codes (or other identifying markers) and transmit the items scanned to a server that determines the physical location of the player. Players can play a game where they attempt to find and scan as many QR codes as possible. In an embodiment, the QR codes can also be used for crowd control. People in areas that are overly populated can be incentivized to move to lower traffic areas by offering them incentives for reporting to the low traffic area.

Claims

1. A method to provide a game, the method comprising:

placing markers in different physical locations;

enabling players to register for the game;

receiving marker scans from a plurality of mobile devices, each marker scan comprising scan data identifying one of the players and one of the markers;

storing the scan data in an electronic database;

determining a winner of the game based on the scan data in the database, wherein the winner is determined as having completed a plurality of marker scans; and

upon determination of completion of the plurality of marker scans, awarding the winner a prize,

wherein the winner of the game is defined as a first player out of the players to scan a predetermined number of different markers.

2. A method to provide a game, the method comprising:

placing markers in different physical locations;

enabling players to register for the game;

receiving marker scans from a plurality of mobile devices, each marker scan comprising scan data identifying one of the players and one of the markers;

storing the scan data in an electronic database;

determining a winner of the game based on the scan data in the database, wherein the winner is determined as having completed a plurality of marker scans; and

upon determination of completion of the plurality of marker scans, awarding the winner a prize,

wherein the winner of the game is defined as a player with a highest number of different marker scans after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

3. A method to provide a game, the method comprising:

placing markers in different physical locations;

enabling players to register for the game;

receiving marker scans from a plurality of mobile devices, each marker scan comprising scan data identifying one of the players and one of the markers;

storing the scan data in an electronic database;

determining a winner of the game based on the scan data in the database, wherein the winner is determined as having completed a plurality of marker scans; and

upon determination of completion of the plurality of marker scans, awarding the winner a prize,

wherein the winner of the game is defined as a player who has scanned a predetermined number of different markers.

4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the markers are QR codes.

5. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the markers are located only in a single building.

6. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the markers are located in different buildings throughout a city.

7. The method as recited in claim 3, further comprising providing the players a downloadable application for their mobile devices, the application comprising a QR code reader and is configured to transmit a decoded text string identifying each QR code to the database.

8. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein at least one marker of the markers is located on a sign which is physically relocatable.

9. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein the database maintains an index of the markers and their respective physical location.

10. An apparatus to provide a game, the apparatus comprising:

physical markers located in different physical locations;

a network connection;

a server connected to the network connection, the server configured to;

enable players to register for the game;

receive marker scans from a plurality of mobile devices, each marker scan comprising scan data identifying one of the players and one of the markers;

store the scan data;

determine a winner of the game based on the scan data, wherein the winner has completed a plurality of scans of a plurality of markers; and

upon determination of completion of the plurality of scans, award the winner a prize,

wherein the server is further configured such that the winner of the game is a first player out of the players to scan a predetermined number of different markers.

11. An apparatus to provide a game, the apparatus comprising:

physical markers located in different physical locations;

a network connection;

a server connected to the network connection, the server configured to;

enable players to register for the game;

receive marker scans from a plurality of mobile devices, each marker scan comprising scan data identifying one of the players and one of the markers;

store the scan data;

determine a winner of the game based on the scan data, wherein the winner is determined has having completed a plurality of marker scans; and

upon determination of completion of the plurality of marker scans, award the winner a prize,

wherein the server is further configured such that the winner of the game is a player with a highest number of different marker scans after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

12. An apparatus to provide a game, the apparatus comprising:

physical markers located in different physical locations;

a network connection;

a server connected to the network connection, the server configured to;

enable players to register for the game;

receive marker scans from a plurality of mobile devices, each marker scan comprising scan data identifying one of the players and one of the markers;

store the scan data;

determine a winner of the game based on the scan data, wherein the winner is determined has having completed a plurality of marker scans; and

upon determination of completion of the plurality of marker scans, award the winner a prize,

wherein the server is further configured such that the winner of the game is a player who has scanned a predetermined number of different markers.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the markers are QR codes.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the markers are located only in a single building.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the markers are located in different buildings throughout a city.

16. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the server is further configured to provide the players a downloadable application for their mobile devices, the application comprising a QR code reader and is configured to transmit a decoded text string identifying each QR code to the database.

17. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein at least one marker of the markers is located on a sign which is physically relocatable.

18. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the server maintains an index of the markers and their respective physical location.