U.S. Pat. No. 10,099,143

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of the present invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, geocaching games, and related methods and computer program products, are provided. In the present disclosure, references are made to the term “waypoint” and to the phrase “virtual prize.” Herein, the term “waypoint” is used to refer to a pre-selected physical location on the surface of the earth. The term “waypoint” is part of the geocaching vernacular, and refers to the physical location where a cache is hidden. Herein the term “waypoint” has the same meaning, except that an actual cache may not be present at the waypoint as, pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, a player may be awarded a virtual prize for reaching a waypoint or for answering questions with information obtained at a waypoint in lieu of receiving something from a physical hidden cache. Typically, a waypoint is designated by its coordinates in latitude and longitude. Likewise, the term “virtual prize”, as used herein, refers to a reward that is made available or given to a player of the game that is not a real, physical reward, but instead is something that is created, provided and/or simulated by software and/or a computer or computer network. In certain embodiments, of the present invention, the virtual prize may comprise a reward that is useable in a video game aspect of the game such as, for example, points in the video game, access to different levels of the video game, access to special features in the video game such as special weapons, armament, magic etc. In other embodiments, the virtual prize may comprise a computer-based simulation or representation of an object such as a logbook or a trinket that a player may obtain in possess in a virtual computer/software generated reality. In still other embodiments, the virtual prize may be information, such as a clue to a mystery, which is provided to the user by the software and/or the computer or computer network

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram illustrating a GPS system10that may be used in playing geocaching games. As shown inFIG. 1, the GPS system10includes a plurality of global positioning satellites20that orbit the earth. The satellites are positioned such that a plurality of the satellites20(three or more) should generally be viewable from most locations on the surface of the earth.

FIG. 2is a schematic diagram that illustrates the manner in which a GPS receiver40may use signals transmitted by a plurality of the satellites20ofFIG. 1to determine the coordinates of the location of the GPS receiver40. As shown inFIG. 2, the GPS receiver40is able to receive signals30from several of the global positioning satellites20. The signal30transmitted by each global positioning satellite20identifies the location of the satellite20. The GPS receiver40uses triangulation techniques to determine the coordinates of the GPS receiver40. Typically, a participant in a geocaching game enters the coordinates of a selected cache (as obtained, for example, from a geocaching website) into the GPS receiver40. The GPS receiver40may include built in maps, an electronic compass, voice navigation and various other features that help direct the user to the cache (i.e., to the coordinates that were entered into the GPS receiver40). It will also be appreciated that other navigational techniques may be used in lieu of, or in addition to, GPS receivers to play geocaching games including, for example, assisted-GPS, Enhanced Observed Time Difference, Uplink Time Difference of Arrival, Advanced Forward Link Trilateration and Cell ID.

While a GPS receiver may accurately pinpoint the location of a cache, physically getting to the cache may still be quite difficult. For example, a cache may be located on the side of a cliff such that it is only be accessible by rock climbing, or may be located underwater or underground. Many caches are located far away from any roads or other vehicle access points such that a long hike is required to reach the cache. Moreover, terrain barriers such as mountains, rivers, canyons, etc. may effectively increase the hiking distance required to reach a cache, since the shortest route to a particular cache may not always be physically possible to travel. In fact, part of the game may involve using map reading skills to select a best route to a cache location that takes into account both distance and terrain obstacles.

Additionally, once a player has used a GPS receiver to arrive at the location of the cache, it may still be a significant challenge to find the hidden cache. While GPS receivers having accuracies to within as little as 6 to 20 feet are commercially available, many GPS receivers have far less accuracy, and may only place a player within 50-100 feet of the hidden cache. Moreover, the caches may be very small (some are even referred to as microcaches, and may be no larger than a 35 mm film canister), and may be well concealed.

While conventional geocaching games have proven to be very popular, they primarily challenge participants at an individual level in the sense that they may not involve team play and/or head-to-head competition with others. As such, some conventional geocaching games may lack some of the team camaraderie and/or competitive atmosphere that attracts many individuals to games and sports. Additionally, the rewards that are placed in most caches have low monetary value, as caches are typically maintained and stocked by individuals who often have little incentive to leave valuable rewards for others. Most geocaching games involve hiding an actual cache, which may make some otherwise interesting locations unsuitable as cache locations (e.g., the middle of a large public square that is devoid of hiding places). Moreover, significant volunteer work is required to maintain the many existing caches (which can be subject to damage from environmental factors such as weather events or animals, vandalism and/or plundering) and to create new ones. As a result, geocaching games have generally not been commercialized in the way that video games have.

In contrast, many conventional video games may involve direct competition between (and/or interaction with) other game participants. Conventional video games may also be well-suited to commercialization in the form of selling game modules, games and/or software, or in providing on-line games over the Internet that can be funded by pay-to-play fees, subscription fees and/or by Internet advertising. As a result of this commercial structure, it is possible to offer prizes to participants who win multi-player games, as it may be relatively easy to fund the prizes through entrance fees and/or advertising revenues. However, many conventional video games may be played solely on a computer, game console or arcade unit, and hence often involve limited physical activity, and can result in eye strain when played for extended periods of time. Conventional video games are also typically played indoors at a single location, and thus may not involve any interaction with nature.

As noted above, pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, geocaching games, and related methods and computer program products, are provided. In some embodiments of the present invention, the game may primarily comprise a video game that also includes a geocaching component. Pursuant to this geocaching component, an individual that is playing the game (a “player”) would be required to, or alternatively be given the option of, traveling to a “waypoint” that is identified to the player as part of the video game in order to earn points, access to different levels of the video game or other desirable features or things that assist the player in the video game. As noted above, herein a “waypoint” is a pre-selected physical location on the surface of the earth. In other embodiments, the game may primarily be a geocaching game, but the cache aspects of the game are replaced with a “virtual cache” that is implemented in a video game like component of the game that might be accessible, for example, via a player's GPS-enabled cellular telephone. In still other embodiments, the game may again primarily be a geocaching game, but may use video game like features to give the game a multiplayer aspect and to allow players to compete against one another.

FIG. 3is a schematic diagram that illustrates exemplary environments in which games100according to embodiments of the present invention may be used. As shown inFIG. 3, the environment may include a first location110in which a game participant or “player”112initiates the game. This first location110might comprise, for example, the player's home or office. The player112may have a GPS receiver114. The player112may also use a wireless transmitter116such as, for example, a cellular telephone. It will also be appreciated that in some embodiments of the present invention the wireless transmitter116may be omitted. It will also be appreciated that the GPS receiver114and the wireless transmitter116may be combined into a single device such as, for example, a location-capable wireless telephone.

As is also shown inFIG. 3, the player112may also use a display118and some form of computer or processor120that serves as a game console120. The display118and processor120may be located at the first location110. The display118and processor120may be used to run and/or present to the player112the video game aspects of the game100. WhileFIG. 3depicts the display118and the processor120as separate items as would be the case, for example, with a computer and monitor or with a Sony Playstation II® that is played on a television set, it will also be appreciated that the display118and the processor120may alternatively be implemented as a single unit as would be the case, for example, with a Nintendo GameBoy®. It will also be appreciated that, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the display118and the processor120may be implemented in a cellular telephone (which may be a location capable cellular telephone that serves as the GPS receiver114and wireless transmitter116) or in some other handheld or mobile device.

As is also shown inFIG. 3, the environment may also include a server132that may be located at a second (remote) location130. This remote server132may facilitate the playing of the game in a number of different ways. By way of example, in some embodiments of the present invention, some or all of the video game aspects of the game100may be implemented as an online Internet or “web-based” game. In such embodiments, a video game application134may be hosted on the remote server132. The video game application134may deliver, over one or more networks140such as the Internet, web pages to the processor120which are then displayed on the display118. As discussed in more detail below, the remote server132(or some other remote server) may also receive confirmation (via a network such as network170) that the player112has reached a waypoint, and in response to that confirmation award the player112a virtual prize in the video game application134. It will be appreciated that while some embodiments of the present invention are implemented as web-based games, in other embodiments, some or all of the video game aspects of the game may comprise a software application122that is run on the processor120instead of on the remote server132.

As noted above, the player112may receive coordinates of a waypoint160. These coordinates may be provided to the game participant112, for example, via the video game and displayed to the player112on the display120. As shown by the dotted line inFIG. 3, after receiving the coordinates, the player112may enter the coordinates into the GPS receiver114and then use the GPS receiver114to travel to the waypoint160associated with the coordinates.

As is also shown inFIG. 3, clues162and/or codes164may be located at the waypoint160. The player112may use these clues162and/or codes164in aspects of either or both the geocaching and/or video game portions of the game100, as discussed in more detail herein. As is also shown inFIG. 3, in some embodiments of the present invention, the wireless transmitter116may send a message180to the video game application (which may be, for example, video game application134on the server132or the video game application122on the processor118). The message180may include the coordinates of the GPS receiver114in order to confirm that the player112was physically present at the waypoint160. In response to this confirmation, the player112may be awarded a virtual prize, as will be discussed in more detail herein with respect to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with respect toFIG. 3andFIGS. 4-6.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the game100may primarily be a video game that also includes a geocaching component. The game100may include features such as, for example, virtual characters, figures, icons or objects whose movements and actions (e.g., firing weapons) are controlled by a player112of the video game in an effort to attain one or more goals. In conventional video games, the goal of the game often involves having the character/object compete against other characters/objects, overcome obstacles, solve puzzles, defeat enemies, avoid injury, etc.

In addition to these and/or other conventional video game features, the game100also includes a geocaching component pursuant to which the player112of the game100would be required to, or alternatively be given the option of, traveling to a waypoint160that is identified to the player112. Typically, the waypoint160would be identified to the player112through the video game aspect of the game100, although other implementations are possible. The waypoint160would usually be identified by a set of coordinates such as a latitude and a longitude, although, in certain embodiments of the present invention, the waypoint160may be identified in other ways such as, for example, as clues to a puzzle that the player112must solve to figure out the coordinates of a location or the location itself (i.e., the Washington Monument or some other well known historic or geographic landmark). Upon receiving the coordinates or otherwise identifying the location of the waypoint160, the player112may then locate and travel to the identified waypoint160using, for example, conventional geocaching navigational techniques. Once at the waypoint160, the player112may provide a confirmation that they have reached the identified waypoint160. This confirmation could be provided, for example, by sending a message180from a location-capable wireless device114/116to a processor120or server132on which the video game portion of the game100is running. This message180may include, for example, the coordinates of the location-capable wireless device114/116. In other embodiments, this confirmation could be provided by, for example, the player112answering a question that is presented to the player112via the video game, where the answer to the question may generally only be found at the waypoint160. In response to the player112confirming that they have in fact reached the waypoint160, the player112may be awarded a virtual prize. This virtual prize may comprise, for example, something that assists the player112in winning the video game aspects of the game100. By way of example, the virtual prize could be points in the game100, access to a different level in the game, puzzle pieces, clues, access to weapons, health points, or other features that assist the participant in the game100, etc.

FIG. 4depicts an exemplary screen display205of a game200according to certain embodiments of the present invention in which the game comprises a video game that includes geocaching aspects. As shown inFIG. 4, the screen display205may include, for example, virtual characters, figures, icons or objects whose movements and actions are controlled by a player112of the game200. As is also shown inFIG. 4, the video game aspect of the game200may include a plurality of different levels, as shown by the level indicator210in the top left hand portion of the screen display205. In certain embodiments of the present invention, the virtual prize that may be awarded upon receipt of confirmation that the player112has reached a waypoint160in the geocaching aspect of the game200may be access to another level of the video game aspect of the game200. As shown by the box220in the top right hand corner of the screen display205ofFIG. 4, in some embodiments, the video game may include a variety of “accessories”222such as weapons, armor, vehicles, etc. that a player112may use in attempting to achieve a goal of the video game. Typically, a player112can select the accessories222that the virtual character/object uses at any given time. In further embodiments of the present invention, the virtual prize that is awarded upon receipt of confirmation that the player112has reached a waypoint160in the geocaching aspect of the game200may be access to additional accessories222. As is also shown inFIG. 4, the video game may keep a running point total (box230) and/or a health, life, time or other meter (box240) which generally runs down as the game200is played. In still other embodiments of the present invention, the virtual prize that is awarded upon receipt of confirmation that the player112has reached a waypoint160in the geocaching aspect of the game200may be the award of points and/or health, life, time or other resources that are generally a scarce (i.e., depleting) resource in the playing of the video game. Thus, by achieving success in the geocaching aspect of the game200, a player112may improve his performance in the video game aspect of the game200according to certain embodiments of the present invention.

In further embodiments of the present invention, the game100may be more similar to a conventional geocaching game, but may also include video game aspects that may improve a player's gaming experience. By way of example, the game could comprise a conventional geocaching game except that the cache (and the contents thereof) that would be hidden at the waypoint in a conventional geocaching game are replaced with a “virtual cache” that is implemented in a video game aspect of the game.FIG. 5depicts exemplary screen displays310and320of one such game300.

Referring now toFIGS. 3 and 5, in the geocaching aspects of the game, a player112could use a location capable (i.e., GPS enabled) cellular telephone114/116in place of a conventional GPS receiver. Upon arriving at the coordinates of a selected waypoint160, the player112may connect to a server132to confirm to the server132that the player112had successfully arrived at the waypoint160. As shown inFIG. 5, in response to confirming that the player112had arrived at the waypoint160, the server132would display to the player112on the display118the items in the virtual cache. In particular, as shown in exemplary display screen310(an exemplary screen is a depiction of a display screen that might be displayed to a player), such items might include a logbook312which contains information regarding other players who had previously successfully made their way to the waypoint160. The player112may also be provided a mechanism for writing into the logbook, as shown in box314of screen310. The player112may also be given access to a virtual cache322that contains one or more objects or prizes324, as shown in screen320ofFIG. 5. The virtual cache322could be accessed by the player112through the video game aspects of the game300. The player112might select an item324to remove from this virtual cache322, thereby making the removed item324unavailable to players that later visit this particular waypoint160. By way of example, the video game aspect of the game300could allow each player to have a virtual depository (which is not shown inFIG. 5) into which they can deposit items324that they remove from virtual caches322at the waypoints160that they visit. In such a game, the goal could be to find and collect a full set of objects that are hidden through a plurality of virtual caches322that are associated with respective of a plurality of waypoints160. The player112may also place other items in their possession (i.e., from their virtual depository) into the virtual cache322. In variations of such a game, players could be allowed to move items from one virtual cache to another, making it more complicated for other players who are trying to complete their set of objects. In each of the above-described game, the virtual caches322and logbooks312may replace the physical caches that are used in conventional geocaching games. Through the use of virtual caches, problems of, for example, upkeep, vandalism and plundering that can exist with physical caches may be reduced and/or avoided altogether. In certain embodiments, the virtual cache may also include coordinates and/or clues to the locations of other caches, as shown in box326ofFIG. 5. This may be the only way for a player112to obtain location information for some of the waypoints160.

In some cases, a player may have to visit more than one particular waypoint in order to earn a prize and/or access to a virtual cache. In such embodiments, the player must first visit one or more pre-requisite waypoints (as confirmed by GPS or other means) in order to be allowed access to the prize and/or virtual cache associated with another, “final” waypoint. The player could also be required to visit all of the waypoints (i.e., the pre-requisite waypoints and the final waypoint) in a particular order and/or within a predetermined amount of time in order to obtain the prize at the final waypoint. In still other embodiments, a basic prize may be awarded if the player reaches the final waypoint, and additional bonus prizes are awarded if the player first reached one or more of the pre-requisite waypoints and/or visited the waypoints in a particular sequence.

In still further embodiments of the present invention, the game may again primarily comprise a geocaching game, but may also include video game components that may allow for increased competition and interaction between players. By way of example, in some embodiments, the game may be presented as a video game in which players compete against other players and/or the game itself. In such embodiments, players may obtain the coordinates and/or other clues for waypoints via the video game interface. The players may then physically travel to selected waypoints using, for example, traditional geocaching techniques. Players may be awarded prizes within the video game, such as, for example, points, for successfully arriving at each waypoint. The amount of points awarded may be based on a wide variety of factors, including, for example, the difficulty involved in getting to the waypoint (which may be an absolute difficulty or may be variable depending, for example, on a player's starting location), the time it took the participant to arrive at the waypoint after receipt of the coordinates thereof, the player's order in arriving at the waypoint as compared to other players, etc.

FIG. 6depicts a screen display405of exemplary embodiments of such a game400. As shown inFIG. 6, the video game aspect of the game400may provide a player112a list of virtual caches410, as well as an identification of the points420that will be awarded if the player112successfully reaches the waypoint160associated with each virtual cache. A listing of players having the highest point totals430could also be provided. In certain embodiments of the game400, each player112might attempt to obtain a complete set of virtual objects that are awarded to a player112for successfully accomplishing feats such as arriving at a waypoint160. In such embodiments, the screen display405could also list the virtual objects in each player's possession440and/or the virtual objects that are currently in each virtual cache (which, as noted above, may change over time if players have the ability to remove virtual objects from a virtual cache and/or to add virtual objects to a virtual cache).

Numerous variations on the above-described games are also within the scope of the present invention. By way of example, the game could be a murder mystery or other “clue” based game in which players112travel to waypoints160in order to earn clues that will help them to solve a mystery. In such games, the virtual prize that is awarded to a player112upon arrival at a waypoint160may be a clue to a mystery. Such a game may be played by a single player112who attempts to solve the mystery, or by a plurality of players112who are racing each other to be the first to solve the mystery. In some embodiments of such a game, other clues could be made available to players112for achieving success in an associated video game aspect of the game. In still other embodiments, multiple players could choose to cooperate as opposed to compete against each other. In particular, one or more teams of players could self-assemble or be formed, and this team or teams could then work together to achieve an award and/or to share in awards achieved by other team members. When multiple teams exist, the teams could compete against one another. Pre-configured rules for team play may be provided, and the players may select and/or agree to some or all of these pre-configured rules in order to establish the rules that apply for such team geocaching games.

As discussed above, pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, a player may be awarded a virtual prize, given access to a virtual cache and/or allowed to record an entry into a virtual logbook. In certain embodiments of the present invention, at least some of these game features may comprise data that may be manually or automatically (via software) inserted into existing types of messages such as, for example, e-mail messages, SMS messages, text messages, etc. By way of example, when a player reaches a waypoint, the game may send a message to the player's cellular telephone or other wireless device (or cause the device to make a pop-up window appear) that states, for example: “You have reached waypoint XYZ. If you wish to add an entry to the virtual logbook for this waypoint, text message your entry to address 123-456-7890.” Each virtual logbook could have a unique number or address, and the game could require confirmation that the player is at the waypoint before allowing the player access to the virtual log as described above. As another example, the virtual prize could be a code that allows a player access to another level of a video game aspect of the game. The access code may be sent to the player, upon confirmation that the player reached the waypoint, in a text, SMS or e-mail message (or as an attachment thereto). Such an implementation would also allow for players to conveniently share and/or trade virtual prizes.

FIG. 7is a flow chart illustrating methods of implementing a game according to certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 7, the method may start with the provision of the location of a waypoint (block500). As discussed above, the location may be specified in terms of a set of coordinates or in some other fashion, and may be provided in the video game aspect of the game or in some other fashion. Next, the game may involve confirming that the player physically arrived at the waypoint (block510). This may be done, for example, by receiving a message from the player transmitted over a location-capable wireless device, where the message includes information as to a current location of the location-capable wireless device, or by receiving a message from the player that contains information that was obtained at the waypoint. In some embodiments of these methods, a virtual prize that is to be awarded to the user may then be selected (block520). This selection may take place, for example, where there are a plurality of different prizes that might be awarded. A number of different criteria may be used to select the virtual prize. For example, in some embodiments, the virtual prize may be selected based at least in part on a time that the player is confirmed as being physically present at the waypoint. In other embodiments, the virtual prize may be selected based at least in part on the time that the player is confirmed as being physically present at the waypoint as compared to the respective times that one or more other players are confirmed as being physically present at the waypoint. In still other embodiments, the virtual prize may be selected based at least in part on the time that the player is confirmed as being physically present at the waypoint as compared to a time that the information regarding the location of the waypoint was provided to the player. It will be also appreciated that numerous other criteria for selecting the virtual prize may be used. Finally, as shown at block530ofFIG. 7, the virtual prize may be awarded to the player.

FIG. 8is a flow chart illustrating methods of implementing geocaching games according to further embodiments of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 8, the method may start with the receipt of a message from a player of the game that indicates that the player has visited a pre-selected waypoint. This message may be sent by the player from the waypoint using a wireless transmitter such as, for example, a GPS enabled cellular telephone, or may alternatively be sent by the player at a later time from, for example, the player's home or office. Next, the game may involve confirming that the player physically arrived at the waypoint (block610). This may be done, for example, by receiving a message from the player transmitted over a location-capable wireless device, where the message includes information as to a current location of the location-capable wireless device, or by receiving a message from the player that contains information that was obtained at the waypoint. Finally, a virtual prize may be awarded to the player (block620).

FIG. 9is a block diagram illustrating a system700which may be used to implement games according to certain embodiments of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 9, the system700includes a processor710, a memory720, a display740and a user interface750. As shown inFIG. 9, the processor710is coupled to a user interface750and a display740. As noted above, in some embodiments of the present invention, the user interface, the display and the processor may be co-located, and connected, for example, by an internal bus, cables, etc. In other embodiments, the processor710may be a remote server or other processor that is connected to the user interface750and/or display740over one or more networks.

The processor.710may communicate with the memory720via an address/data bus760. The processor710can be any commercially available or custom microprocessor. The memory720is representative of the overall hierarchy of memory devices. The memory720can include, but is not limited to, the following types of devices: cache, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, SRAM, and DRAM. As shown inFIG. 9, the memory720may include, for example, an operating system722and the video game application724. The memory may also include data associated with the video game (e.g., the contents of each players virtual depository) and input/output (I/O) device drivers770. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the operating system722may be any operating system suitable for use with a data processing system, such as OS/2, AIX, System390 or z/OS from International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., Windows2000 or WindowsXP from Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash., Unix or Linux. The I/O device drivers770typically include software routines accessed through the operating system722by the application programs such as the video game application724to communicate with devices such as I/O data port(s) and certain memory components.

It will also be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention may include mechanisms for providers of the game to commercially profit from making the game available to players. By way of example, in online versions of the game in which HTML web pages are transmitted from a game server132for display on a players display118, at least some of the HTML web pages that are displayed may include banner or other types of advertisements and/or hyperlinks. The game provider may sell or rent advertising space on the HTML web pages. Such an online version of the game could also be set up so that players are charged subscription fees to get access to the game (or to get access to various aspects, features and/or levels of the game). Other embodiments may be software based, where a player, for example, loads software onto their computer or purchases a cartridge that may be loaded into a game console. In these embodiments, the software and/or cartridge may be sold to players, allowing a game provider to recoup their investment in creating, developing and distributing the game. In still other embodiments, players could be offered the opportunity to purchase virtual prizes or other things that assist the player in achieving the goal of the game. For instance, to obtain access to a particular level of a game, a player might have to successfully travel to a particular waypoint that is quite difficult to reach. Some players of the game might find it too difficult to reach this waypoint. In certain embodiments of the present invention, players could be given the option of purchasing access to the level by, for example, a credit card payment to the game provider. This may provide another mechanism for a game provider to recoup their investment and/or to profit from making the game available.

Many geocaching games may be primarily or completely implemented, without charge by enthusiasts of the game. In fact, geocaching enthusiasts have gone to great lengths and expense in setting up caches, complicated murder mystery games, etc. for other geocaching enthusiasts to play. Pursuant to embodiments of the present invention, mechanisms could be provided which allow such enthusiasts to continue to establish games that are then incorporated into an overall game suite that is made available by a gaming provider. For example, geocaching enthusiasts may establish, modify and/or manage particular games via, for example, a web-based interface. The web-interface may allow such an enthusiast to start (and subsequently manage) a game by defining various aspects of the game such as the type of game, the waypoints, the virtual objects included in each virtual cache, specific rules for the game, etc. These aspects may be defined using menu and/or parameter selections. The enthusiast could, for example, choose waypoints from a pre-defined list of waypoints or could create new waypoints and associated virtual caches. The virtual objects could be selected and/or obtained from customized lists, downloadable software, on line tool boxes, from trades with other players, purchased, etc. The web-interface may also include collaboration tools that allow teams of game designers to successively add to a game while ensuring that the subsequent changes and/or additions to the game do not damage the functionality of the game by automatically checking for self-consistency and/or by applying other types of checking rules. It will also be appreciated that the gaming provider may develop their own games to include in the game suite.

In still further embodiments of the present invention, a players location in the physical world may be displayed on maps which can be accessed in the video game aspect of the game. In such embodiments, a location-capable wireless transmitter may be used to periodically update a game server/application regarding the location of a particular user. This feature may be particularly desirable in multi-player games, as it will allow other players to track their competitors and perhaps deduce their game strategies.

In one set of specific embodiments, a wireless telephone provider may offer geocaching games such as the games described herein as part of a service. The game could be run on one or more computer servers maintained by the wireless provider. A software application running on the server could verify when a player reaches a waypoint by, for example, receiving a message sent by the player on a location-capable cellular telephone or by receiving a message that includes specific information that the player was told to find at the waypoint and send to the server. In these embodiments, the virtual prize that is awarded to the player may be accessed by the player via the cellular telephone while present at the waypoint. The player could also be given the opportunity to view and/or make entries into a virtual logbook associated with the waypoint while at the waypoint (e.g., via the cellular telephone). Any video game aspect of the game could also be accessed by the player using their cellular telephone. This service could be run, for example, as a pay-to-play or subscription service.

As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, the present invention may be embodied as a method and/or as a system. Moreover, aspects of embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable storage medium having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium. Any suitable computer readable medium may be utilized including hard disks, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, a transmission media such as those supporting the Internet or an intranet, or magnetic storage devices.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be implemented using programmable aspects of existing application programs. Aspects of the computer program code may also be written in an object oriented programming language such as Java®, Smalltalk or C++ and/or using a conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language. The program code may execute entirely on a single computer or on multiple computers, which may or may not be co-located.

The present invention is described above with reference to flowchart illustrations and block diagrams of methods and systems according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that blocks of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention. Although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined by the following claims.