System and method wherein game players are provided electronic maps to communication-enabled locations to perform game activities at the locations
First Claim
1. A method for enabling performance by players of game-related activities at authorized physical locations, such as retail establishments, the method comprising:
- designating a plurality of set physical locations as authorized communication-enabled locations, each physical location being a knowing pre-authorized participant in the game-related activities related to the method, wherein each location is configured with a transmitter device that is located at the location and broadcasts an ID signal within a limited range that encompasses public areas of the location accessible to the players, the ID signal unique to the communication-enabled location, or each location configured with a receiver that receives an ID signal unique to a particular player in the public areas of the location;
providing the players with capability to receive the unique ID signals emitted by the transmitter devices within the communication-enabled locations on a mobile smart device, or to broadcast the ID signal unique to the player for receipt by the receiver in the communication-enabled locations;
providing a game server that is common to the communication-enabled locations, wherein for each of the players in one of the communication-enabled locations, the game server receives a transmission that includes at least part of the ID signal unique to the respective communication-enabled location or the ID signal unique to the player, the game server thereby identifying all of the players and their respective communication-enabled location; and
providing the identity and location of all of the participating communication-enabled locations to all of the players via an electronic map accessible by the players before the players commence the game-related activities, wherein each player is free to choose any one of the participation locations to commence the game regardless of the player'"'"'s actual starting location, the electronic map also informing the players of game-related functions that are able to be performed by the players at each one of the respective communication-enabled locations so that, before the game commences, the player is able to decide on which of the communication-enabled locations to visit based on the identified game-related functions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method are provided for enabling performance by players of game-related activities at authorized physical locations, such as retail establishments. A plurality of physical locations are designated as authorized communication-enabled locations and are configured with a transmitter device that broadcasts a unique ID signal or a receiver that receives the unique ID signal. The identity and location of the communication-enabled locations are published to the players via an electronic map on a website accessible by the players. The electronic map also informs the players of game-related functions that are able to be performed by the players at the respective communication-enabled locations.
21 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for enabling performance by players of game-related activities at authorized physical locations, such as retail establishments, the method comprising:
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designating a plurality of set physical locations as authorized communication-enabled locations, each physical location being a knowing pre-authorized participant in the game-related activities related to the method, wherein each location is configured with a transmitter device that is located at the location and broadcasts an ID signal within a limited range that encompasses public areas of the location accessible to the players, the ID signal unique to the communication-enabled location, or each location configured with a receiver that receives an ID signal unique to a particular player in the public areas of the location; providing the players with capability to receive the unique ID signals emitted by the transmitter devices within the communication-enabled locations on a mobile smart device, or to broadcast the ID signal unique to the player for receipt by the receiver in the communication-enabled locations; providing a game server that is common to the communication-enabled locations, wherein for each of the players in one of the communication-enabled locations, the game server receives a transmission that includes at least part of the ID signal unique to the respective communication-enabled location or the ID signal unique to the player, the game server thereby identifying all of the players and their respective communication-enabled location; and providing the identity and location of all of the participating communication-enabled locations to all of the players via an electronic map accessible by the players before the players commence the game-related activities, wherein each player is free to choose any one of the participation locations to commence the game regardless of the player'"'"'s actual starting location, the electronic map also informing the players of game-related functions that are able to be performed by the players at each one of the respective communication-enabled locations so that, before the game commences, the player is able to decide on which of the communication-enabled locations to visit based on the identified game-related functions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification