System and method for integrating business-related content into an electronic game

• US 20040078263A1
• Filed: 10/16/2002
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quantum Imaging LLC
• Original Assignee: Barbaro Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Altieri, Frances Barbaro
• Granted Patent: US 8,458,028 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/215 comprising means for detecting acoustic signals, e.g. using a microphone
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/217 using environment-related information, i.e. information generated otherwise than by the player, e.g. ambient temperature or humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: G03H 1/0005 Adaptation of holography to specific applications holographic optical element G02B5/32; holographic scanner G02B26/106; recognition using holographic mask G06V10/88; holographic memories G11B7/0065, G11C13/042
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 19/006 Mixed reality object pose determination, tracking or camera calibration for mixed reality G06T7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/363 using image projection screens volumetric display H04N13/388
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 13/366 using viewer tracking

Abstract

A method of integrating business-related content into the execution of a game application is disclosed. A player of the game application is exposed to the business-related content within the context of the game. User actions within the game cause the game application to transparently re-direct the user to a customized corporate web site containing selected information from a business sponsor. Game-related user actions performed while the player is at the customized corporate web site cause the player to be exposed to additional business-related content from the business sponsor. The player may earn benefits while at the customized corporate web site. Some of the player benefits are real-life benefits external to the game application which may be utilized by the player after finishing the game. A record of external benefits is kept by the business sponsor. Other benefits may be immediately available to the player by pausing the game, thereby allowing the player to access the sponsor'"'"'s reward program. Following the occurrence of a pre-determined event, the game application transparently re-directs the player back to the original game site.

Claims

1. In a network with a primary electronic device holding a game application, and at least one secondary electronic device holding business-related content, a method, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request at said primary electronic device to initiate said game application from a user interfaced with said network;

initiating said game application; and

integrating business-related content into said game application during the execution of said game application.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising the further steps of:

providing at least one customized web page at said secondary electronic device, said web page customized with business-related content for use with said game application; and

re-directing said user to said customized web page on said secondary electronic device from said primary electronic device, said re-direction being integrated into said game application and said re-direction occurring as part of the user executing said game application.

3. The method of claim 2, comprising the further step of:

executing a game-related action at said secondary electronic device, said game-related action generating a benefit for said user relating to said business-related content, said benefit external to said game.

4. The method of claim 2, comprising the further step of:

re-directing said user back to said primary electronic device as part of the execution of said game application

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said user purchases an item from a vendor associated with said business-related content on said at least one customized web page.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said game application displays branded business-related content to said user.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said branded business-related content is dynamically updated.

8. The method of claim 1, comprising the further steps of:

executing actions in said game as a result of user choices; and

generating a player profile based on game choices made by said user.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said profiles are disseminated to providers of business-related content used in said game application.

10. In a network with an electronic device holding a game application, and at least one secondary electronic device, a method, comprising the steps of:

initiating said game application in response to a user request;

providing at least one customized web page at said secondary electronic device, said web page customized with business-related content for use with said game application; and

re-directing said user to said customized web page on said secondary electronic device from said electronic device, said re-direction being integrated into said game application and said re-direction occurring as part of the user executing said game application.

11. The method of claim 10, comprising the further steps of:

executing a game-related action, said game-related action generating a benefit for said user relating to said business-related content.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said benefit for said user is external to said game.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein said benefit for said user is calculated in real-time.

14. The method of claim 11, comprising the further step of:

transmitting said benefit to said user for use during the execution of said game application.

15. A system, comprising:

a primary electronic device holding a game application, said primary electronic device initiating said game application in response to a user request;

a virtual reality platform interfaced with said primary electronic device, said virtual reality platform providing a three-dimensional effect to said user during the execution of the game application; and

a secondary electronic device interfaced with said primary electronic device over a network, said secondary electronic device holding a web page customized with business-related content for use with said game application, said user being re-directed to said customized web page as part of the execution of said game application.

16. In a network with a primary electronic device holding business-related content and a game application, and at least one secondary electronic device holding business-related content, a method, comprising the steps of:

providing a virtual reality platform interfaced with said primary electronic device, said virtual reality platform providing a three-dimensional effect to said user during the execution of the game application;

initiating said game application in response to a user request; and

re-directing the content source for said virtual reality platform from said primary electronic device to a customized web page on said secondary electronic device as part of the execution of said game application, said web page customized with business-related content for use with said game application.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the virtual reality platforms are located at franchised locations.

18. In a network with an electronic device holding a game application, and at least one secondary electronic device holding business-related content, a medium holding computer-executable steps for a method, said method comprising the steps of:

initiating said game application in response to a user request;

providing at least one customized web page at said secondary electronic device, said web page customized with business-related content for use with said game application; and

re-directing said user to said customized web page on said secondary electronic device from said electronic device, said re-direction being integrated into said game application and said re-direction occurring as part of the user executing said game application.

19. The medium of claim 18 wherein said method comprises the further step of:

displaying to said user as part of the execution of said game application branded business-related content.

20. In a network with an electronic device holding a game application and at least one secondary electronic device holding business-related content, a medium holding computer-executable steps for a method, said method comprising the steps of:

initiating said game application in response to a user request;

providing at least one customized web page at said secondary electronic device, said web page customized with business-related content for use with said game application;

re-directing said user to said customized web page on said secondary electronic device from said electronic device, said re-direction being integrated into said game application and occurring as part of the user executing said game application; and

displaying to said user as part of the execution of said game application branded business-related content.