Systems and methods for data mining via an on-line, interactive game

• US 20050143174A1
• Filed: 08/19/2004
• Published: 06/30/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bandalong Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bandalong Incorporated
• Inventors: Seaton, Timothy Lane, Goldman, Daniel Philip
• Application Number:
  US10/921,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20050143174A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/822 Strategy games; Role-playing games A63F13/825, A63F13/828 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5506 using advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5553 user representation in the game field, e.g. avatar
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/572 Communication between players during game play of non game information, e.g. e-mail, chat, file transfer, streaming of audio and streaming of video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/575 for trading virtual items
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

Systems and methods for obtaining data using participants in a virtual gaming environment is provided. This method provides a simulated market economy with multiple participants. The simulated market economy is supported by instant messaging as a communications platform. The participants are enabled to obtain virtual resources available from the simulated market economy by, for example, (i) using virtual currency to purchase an item from a virtual store, (ii) by purchasing the item from another participant in a simulated secondary market purchase, or (iii) by trading one item from the participant'"'"'s inventory for another item in a simulated barter transaction. Once a participant obtains a virtual resource, a signal is generated. This signal is transmitted to other participants through the instant messaging platform to indicate that such virtual resource has been obtained. Data regarding behavior of the participants in the simulated market economy is collected.

Claims

1. A method for obtaining data comprising:

a) providing a simulated market economy participated by a plurality of participants and supported by an instant messaging platform;

b) enabling at least one of the plurality of participants to obtain a virtual resource available from the simulated market economy;

c) generating a signal which indicates that the at least one of the plurality of participants has obtained the virtual resource;

d) transmitting the signal to at least one other of the plurality of participants through the instant messaging platform; and

e) collecting data regarding a behavior of the at least one of the plurality of participants in the simulated market economy.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step e) comprises collecting data regarding usage of the virtual resource by the at least one of the plurality of participants.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the virtual resource comprises a virtual currency.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the virtual resource comprises a virtual item that simulates an item offered for sale by a real merchant.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein step e) comprises collecting aggregated data regarding the behavior of the plurality of participants in the simulated market economy.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to create an avatar to represent the participant in the simulated market economy.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to control the avatar.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to create and control an avatar to represent the at least one of the plurality of participants and wherein step e) comprises collecting data relating to preferences of the at least one of the plurality of participants displayed through an appearance of the avatar as controlled by the at least one of the plurality of participants.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to control a facial expression of the avatar.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to control a bodily movement of the avatar.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to control the avatar by changing an item of clothing worn by the avatar.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to control the avatar by changing an accessory worn by the avatar.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to store in an inventory at least one virtual resource used to control an appearance of the avatar.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to create an avatar to represent the participant in the simulated market economy and subsequently change an appearance of the avatar, and wherein step b) comprises enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to obtain a virtual resource used to create and change an appearance of the avatar, and step c) comprises generating a signal indicative of the change in an appearance the avatar and transmitting such signal to the at least one other of the plurality of participants through the instant messaging platform.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising prompting a client terminal used by the at least one other of the plurality of participants to participate in the simulated market economy to automatically update and display the avatar with the change in appearance.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to create an avatar to represent the participant in the simulated market economy and to store in an inventory at least one virtual resource used to control an appearance of the avatar and wherein step (e) comprises collecting data regarding the virtual resource stored in the inventory.

17. The method of claim 6, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to engage in a transaction involving a virtual resource with the at least one other of the plurality of participants.

18. The method of claim 6, further comprising enabling the avatar to engage in an experience.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to collect virtual currency by accomplishing a specific task.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein accomplishing a specific task comprises playing a game.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an incentive for the at least one of the plurality of participants to recommend to at least one other individual to participate in the simulated market economy.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to send an installation file necessary to participate in the simulated market economy to the at least one other individual.

23. A method for obtaining data comprising:

a) providing an on-line interactive community which simulates a market participated by a plurality of participants, in which at least two virtual merchants offer for sale a plurality of virtual items;

b) enabling at least one of the plurality of participants to obtain one of the virtual items, thereby displaying a preference for the obtained virtual item; and

c) collecting data regarding which virtual items have been obtained by the at least one of the plurality of participants.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to create an avatar to represent the participant in the on-line interactive community.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to control the avatar.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to store in an inventory at least one virtual item used to control an appearance of the avatar.

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to create an avatar to represent the participant in the on-line interactive community and subsequently change an appearance of the avatar, and wherein step b) comprises enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to obtain one of the virtual items used to create and change an appearance of the avatar.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising generating a signal indicative of the change in the appearance the avatar and transmitting such signal to the at least one other of the plurality of participants through an instant messaging platform.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising prompting a client terminal used by the at least one other of the plurality of participants to participate in the on-line interactive community to automatically update and display the avatar with the change in the appearance.

30. A method for obtaining data comprising:

a) providing a simulated market participated by a plurality of participants;

b) enabling at least one of the plurality of participants to create an avatar to represent the participant in the market;

c) enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to collect a plurality of virtual resources used to control an appearance of the avatar; and

d) generating a signal indicative of a change in the appearance of the avatar;

e) transmitting the signal to at least one other of the plurality of participants through an instant messaging platform;

f) prompting a client terminal used by the at least one other of the plurality of participants to participate in the simulated market to automatically update and display the avatar with the change in the appearance; and

g) collecting data regarding the plurality of virtual resources collected by the at least one of the plurality of participants.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein step g) comprises collecting data regarding usage of the virtual resource by the at least one of the plurality of participants.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein step g) comprises collecting aggregated data regarding a behavior of the plurality of participants in the simulated market.

33. The method of claim 30, wherein step g) comprises collecting data relating to preferences of the at least one of the plurality of participants displayed through an appearance of the avatar as controlled by the at least one of the plurality of participants.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein step c) comprises enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to control a facial expression of the avatar.

35. The method of claim 30, wherein step c) comprises enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to control a bodily movement of the avatar.

36. The method of claim 30, wherein step c) comprises enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to control the avatar by changing an item of clothing worn by the avatar.

37. The method of claim 30, further comprising enabling the at least one of the plurality of participants to store in an inventory at least one of the plurality of virtual resources used to control the appearance of the avatar.

38. A system for obtaining data comprising:

a) a module configured to enable a first participant of a plurality of participants in a simulated market economy to obtain a virtual resource available from the simulated market economy;

b) an instant messaging platform configured to convey to a second participant of plurality of participants a message which indicates that the first participant has obtained the virtual resource; and

c) a server configured to collect data regarding a behavior of the first participant.

39. The system of claim 38, further comprising a second module configured to enable the first participant to create an avatar to represent the first participant.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the second module enables the first participant to control the avatar.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the second module enables the first participant to control a facial expression of the avatar.

42. The system of claim 40, wherein the second module enables the first participant to control a bodily movement of the avatar.

43. The system of claim 40, wherein the second module enables the first participant to change an item of clothing worn by the avatar.

44. The system of claim 40, further comprising a third module for storing at least one virtual resource used to control an appearance of the avatar.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the at least one virtual resource comprises a clothing item for the avatar.

46. The system of claim 44, wherein the at least one virtual resource comprises an accessory for the avatar.

47. The system of claim 44, wherein the server collects data regarding the virtual resource stored in the third module.

48. The system of claim 40, further comprising a fourth module which enables the avatar to engage an experience.

49. The system of claim 38, wherein the server is configured to collect data regarding usage of the virtual resource by the participant.

50. The system of claim 38, further comprising a second module configured to enable the first participant to create and control an avatar to represent the first participant and wherein the server collects data relating to preferences of the first participant as displayed through an appearance of the avatar controlled by the first participant.

51. The system of claim 38, wherein the server is configured to collect aggregated data regarding the behavior of the plurality of participants in the simulated market economy.

52. The system of claim 38, further comprising a second module configured to enable the first participant to purchase a real item from a real merchant.

53. A system for obtaining data comprising:

a) a module configured to enable a first participant of a plurality of participants in an on-line interactive community which simulates a market, in which at least two virtual merchants offer for sale a plurality of virtual items, to obtain one of the virtual items, thereby displaying a preference for the obtained virtual item; and

c) a server configured to collect data regarding which virtual items have been obtained by the first participant.

54. The system of claim 53, further comprising a second module configured to enable the first participant to create an avatar to represent the first participant.

55. The system of claim 54, wherein the second module enables the first participant to control the avatar.

56. The system of claim 55, further comprising a third module for storing at least one virtual resource which is used to control an appearance of the avatar.

57. A system for obtaining data comprising:

a) a first module for enabling a first participant of a plurality of participants to create an avatar to represent the participant in a simulated market;

b) a second module for enabling the first participant to collect a plurality of virtual resources from the simulated market for use in controlling an appearance of the avatar; and

c) a third module for generating a signal indicative of a change in the appearance of the avatar;

d) an instant messaging platform configured to transmit the signal to a second participant of the plurality of participants, thereby prompting a client terminal used by the second participant to automatically update and display the avatar with the change in the appearance; and

e) a server configured to collect data regarding the plurality of virtual resources collected by the first participant.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the second module enables the first participant to control a facial expression of the avatar.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein the second module enables the first participant to control a bodily movement of the avatar.

60. The system of claim 57, wherein the second module enables the first participant to change an item of clothing worn by the avatar.

61. The system of claim 57, further comprising a fourth module for storing the plurality of virtual resources.

62. The system of claim 57, wherein the server is configured to collect data regarding a usage of the plurality of the virtual resources by the first participant.

63. The system of claim 57, wherein the server is configured to collect data relating to preferences of the first participant as displayed through an appearance of the avatar controlled by the first participant.