U.S. Pat. No. 10,543,422

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present technology is directed to synchronized and integrated architecture for facilitating video gaming among users (e.g., players or gamers, clients), which are hosted either in social networks, third party servers, or otherwise in a cloud or coordinated web sites etc. The specification describes examples of systems and methods for providing this synchronized and integrated architecture to facilitate a unique user experience.

In some embodiments, the synchronized and integrated architecture provides a continuous visual experience for players across different platforms (platform agnostic) and engages them at different levels. Each of the players may have a unique and different visual experience, depending upon the gaming platform a player uses. This synchronized and integrated architecture facilitates access to video gaming arenas or applications in various ways, including 1) via social networks or sites, for example, accessed via personal computers (desk tops or lap tops); 2) via wall posts or via an online social networking service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts; 3) via mobile devices (iOS®, Android™, or Windows-based smart phones); and 4) via game consoles (for example, PS3®, Xbox 360®, or Wii®).

Video gaming applications may be purchased via platform application stores or otherwise. These applications are supported by Android™ (Android™ is a Linux-based operating system for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers—it is developed by the Open Handset Alliance), iOS® (a mobile operating system developed by Apple Inc.) platforms, and phone operating windows. The user interface of iOS® is based on the concept of direct manipulation, using multi-touch gestures. Interface control elements consist of sliders, switches, and buttons. The response to user input is immediate and provides a fluid interface.

Video gaming applications may be hosted or accessed via social networks, other third party services or on third party servers (configured individually or in a cloud formation), stand-alone platforms, tablets, smartphones, or the like. Multiple players (hundreds, thousands, if not millions) may access gaming one or more applications via any or all of these ways. In addition, the synchronized and integrated architecture provides a scalable infrastructure with cross-platform pollination technology (game plays including achievements and rewards are transferred between platforms for particular players) and secure data collection. Video gaming applications may be based on universal themes that appeal to a broad range of demographics and provides a continuous flow of data analytics. They offer opportunities for configuring advertisements and promotions to accomplish strategic goals.

In yet other embodiments, which may include any or all of the aspects described above, the synchronized and integrated architecture permits mobile play, extending the gaming arena or world to different platforms (used by different players as well as the same player), so achievements in a particular game may be earned and shared more easily across platforms. In addition, a player may earn location-based rewards.

Moreover, the system provides rewards at check-in, to coax players by providing greater incentives. The synchronized and integrated architecture permits for concurrent “solo” play by a player or gamer and collaborative and competitive play between multiple players. User interfaces are configured to provide different experiences for different players, including a three-dimensional user experience. In some embodiments, the video gaming applications include story-driven quests and game play, giving players more than just tasks and chores. As one example, an aviation gaming application, may utilize a collection of 250 aircrafts and include transactions relating to the aircrafts and its environment, permitting players to create an environment in which the aircrafts operate etc. In this particular application, players may create and manage their experience (for example, by creating an aviation empire), enjoy the thrill of history (aviation's past), and travel the globe and fly through an open network of friendly and rival airports.

The system provides features for player control of the virtual arena including control of “play” times, “gifts” and “rewards,” “collect” and “decorate,” monitor “play” (for example, acceleration progress), generate user content, etc.

Players (with any status described above) may access game play via mobile devices or other platforms, at any location, and receive location-based rewards. They may access a virtual game arena, their own or that of other players, via several platforms and take up play where they left off. They may link up friends for collaborative play. Players may also participate in stand-alone game play, via tablets, mobile devices, console-based gameplay, target-based game play or the like. In addition, the system permits cross-pollination game play, sending game objects from one game world or arena to another.

In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are indicated in order to provide a thorough understanding of the technology described. It should be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that this technology can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the technology. For example, the present technology is described with some embodiments below with reference to particular user interfaces or user platforms and particular hardware. However, the present technology applies to any type of computing device or platform that can receive data and commands, and any devices providing services. Moreover, the present technology is described below primarily in the context of video gaming applications configured to enhance and improve the quality of these gaming applications in order to facilitate synchronous play by hundreds, thousands, if not millions of players. The players may enjoy different user experiences based on their individual preferences and may enjoy seamless play across different gaming platforms or devices (desktop computer, mobile device or the like). However, those skilled in the art should understand that the present technology applies to any type of application and can be used for other applications beyond gaming applications.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or “some embodiments” means simply that one or more particular features, structures, or characteristics described in connection with the one or more embodiments is included in at least one or more embodiments that are described. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Some portions of the detailed descriptions that follow may be presented in terms of algorithms and symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a computer memory of either one or more computing devices or gaming platforms. These algorithmic descriptions and representations are the means used by those skilled in the data processing arts to most effectively convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. An algorithm as indicated here, and generally, is conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not necessarily, these quantities take the form of electrical or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the like.

It should be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the following discussion, it should be appreciated that throughout the description, discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or “displaying” or the like, refer to the action and processes of a computer system, or similar electronic computing device or platform, that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical (electronic) quantities within the computer system's registers and memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer system memories or registers or other such information storage, transmission, or display devices.

The present technology also relates to an apparatus or one or more synchronized and integrated systems for performing the operations described here. This apparatus or one or more systems may be specially constructed for the required purposes, or it may comprise a general-purpose computer selectively activated or reconfigured by a computer program stored in the computer. Such a computer program may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, such as, but not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, CD-ROMs, magnetic disks, read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs), EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnetic or optical cards, flash memories including USB keys with non-volatile memory or any type of media suitable for storing electronic instructions, each coupled to a computer system bus.

This technology can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment containing both hardware and software components. In some embodiments, this technology is implemented in software, which includes but is not limited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.

Furthermore, this technology can take the form of a computer program product accessible from a computer-usable or computer-readable medium providing program code for use by or in connection with a computer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of this description, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing program code includes at least one processor coupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements may include local memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memories, which provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during execution.

Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards, displays, pointing devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers.

Communication units including network adapters may also be coupled to the systems to enable them to couple to other data processing systems, remote printers, or storage devices, through either intervening private or public networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are just a few examples of the currently available types of network adapters.

Finally, the algorithms and displays presented in this application are not inherently related to any particular computer, gaming platform or other apparatus. Various general-purpose systems may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings here, or it may prove convenient to construct more specialized apparatus to perform the required method steps. The required structure for a variety of these systems is outlined in the description below. In addition, the present technology is not described with reference to any particular programming language. It should be understood that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the technology as described here.

System Architecture Overview

FIG. 1is a high-level block diagram illustrating some embodiments of systems for providing synchronized and integrated gaming applications, accessed either via social networks or hosted on third party servers. The system100illustrated inFIG. 1provides one or more gaming platforms (one gaming platform106aillustrated on a social network server102a), so that participants (players or gamers) may access one or more games (Game 1 . . . Game N), initiate a play on one device or gaming platform (for example, as gaming platform106a) and continue play at another device or gaming platform (for example,106bthrough106n), making transitions between devices or platforms essentially seamless and enabling a continuous playing experience for one or more players.

The system100includes one or more social network servers102athrough102nthat may be accessed via user devices115a,115b, through115n, which are used by one or more users125a,125b, through125n, to connect to any one of the social network servers102athrough102nor third party servers134athrough134n. The user devices115athrough115nmay be a desktop computer, a game system, a mobile phone, or other electronic device. These entities (user devices115a-115nand social network servers102a-102n) are communicatively coupled via one or more networks105a,105b, and105n. Although only three user devices or platforms115a,115b, through115nare illustrated, any numbers of user devices or platforms115nmay be used by any number of users (players, gamers, or the like)125n. Moreover, those skilled in the art should recognize that while the present disclosure is described below primarily in the context of providing gaming applications in a synchronized and integrated architecture or setting, the present disclosure may be applicable to other types of applications, for entertainment or otherwise. As one example, gaming applications may include operations for creating plays, participating in plays, etc.

The user devices115athrough115ninFIG. 1are illustrated by way of example. AlthoughFIG. 1illustrates only three devices, the present disclosure applies to any system architecture having one or more user devices115athrough115n, therefore, any number of user devices115n(hundreds, thousands, even millions or more) may be used.

Furthermore, while only three networks105a,105b, and105nare illustrated as coupled to the user devices115a,115bthrough115n, the social network servers102a-102n, the profile server130, the web server132, an online-live-gaming server140, a cross-platform server, and one or more third party servers134athrough134n, in practice, any number of networks105nmay be connected, either directly or indirectly, to these entities. In addition, although only two third party servers134athrough134nare shown, the system architecture100may include one or more third party servers134n, each with a gaming platform106bthrough106n, operating one or more gaming applications that are similar or different.

In some embodiments, the social network server102ais coupled to the network105a, via a signal line110. The social network server102aincludes a social network application104, which comprises the software routines and instructions to operate the social network server102aand its functions and operations. Although only one social network server102ais described here, persons of ordinary skill in the art should recognize that multiple servers may be present, as illustrated by social network servers102n, each with functionality similar to social network server102aor different.

The term “social network” as used here encompasses its plain and ordinary meaning including, but not limited to, any type of social structure where the users are connected by a common feature or link. The common feature includes relationships/connections, e.g., friendship, family, work, a similar interest, etc. The common features are provided by one or more social networking systems, such as those included in the system architecture100, including explicitly-defined relationships and relationships implied by social connections with other online users, where the relationships form a social graph108.

The term “social graph” as used here encompasses its plain and ordinary meaning including, but not limited to, a set of online relationships between users (players and non-players), such as provided by one or more social networking systems, operating on social network servers102athrough102n, including explicitly-defined relationships and relationships implied by social connections with other online users, where the relationships form a social graph. In some examples, the social graph108may reflect a mapping of these users and how they are related.

It should be understood that social network server102aand the social network software/application104are representative of a single social network. Each of the plurality of social networks102athrough102nis coupled to any one of the networks105a,105b, and105n, each having its own server, application, and social graph. For example, a first social network system operated or hosted on a social network server may be directed to business networking, a second directed to or centered on academics, a third directed to local business, a fourth directed to dating or gaming, and yet others directed to other general interests or perhaps a specific focus. Yet, each may provide access to a gaming platform106afor operating or providing access to video gaming applications.

A profile server130is illustrated as a stand-alone server inFIG. 1. In other embodiments of the system architecture100, all or part of the profile server130may be part of the social network server102a. The profile server130is directly connected to the network105a, via a line131. The profile server130stores profiles for all the users that belong to a social network. A third party server134ais connected to the network105b, via a signal line135. A web server132is connected, via a line133, to the network105n. The web server132delivers access to content, via the internet, for example, by hosted websites or the like. Users (for example, players, gamers, or clients) may use the web browsers on their electronic devices or gaming platforms to browse for gaming applications and access websites hosting gaming applications. The online-live-gaming server140is connected to the network105avia a line141and is an example of a server hosting live games. The cross-platform server142is connected to the network105n, via a line143, and is an example of a single platform that may be a front-end interface to other dedicated platforms.

The user devices or player gaming platforms115athrough115ncan be a computing device, for example, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a mobile telephone (iOS®, Android™, or windows-based phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile email device, a portable game player, a game console (PS3®, Xbox 360®, WHO or the like) a portable music player, a television with one or more processors embedded in the television or coupled to it, or any other electronic device capable of accessing a network and participating in a gaming application.

The network105a,105b, or105n, is of conventional type, wired or wireless, and may have any number of configurations, such as a star configuration, token ring configuration, or other configurations known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, the network105may comprise a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN, e.g., the Internet), and/or any other interconnected data path across which one or more devices may communicate.

In another embodiment, the network105a,105b, or105nmay be a peer-to-peer network. The network105a,105b, or105nmay also be coupled to or include portions of one or more telecommunications networks for sending data in a variety of different communication protocols.

In yet another embodiment, the network105a,105b, or105n, includes Bluetooth communication networks or a cellular communications network for sending and receiving data such as via short messaging service (SMS), multimedia messaging service (MMS), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), direct data connection, WAP, email, etc.

In some embodiments, the social network server102a, the profile server130, the web server132, and the third party servers134athrough134nare hardware servers including a processor, memory, and network communication capabilities. One or more of the users (players or gamers)125athrough125naccess any of the social network servers102athrough102n, or the third party servers134athrough134n, via browsers in their user devices or gaming platforms and via the web server132. The user devices115athrough115nhave user interface applications117a,117b, through117n, that manage access by particular players to select gaming applications or their choice.

FIG. 2is a block diagram illustrating some embodiments of the social network server102(a through n) or third party server134(a through n). It should be recognized that the online-live-gaming server140and/or the cross-platform server142may be configured with similar hardware components. InFIG. 2, like reference numerals have been used to reference like components with the same or similar functionality that has been described above with reference toFIG. 1. Since those components have been described above that description is not repeated here. The social network server102or third-party server134generally comprises one or more processors, although only one processor235is illustrated inFIG. 2. The processor is coupled via a bus220to memory237and database storage233, which stores user account data252, game options data254, user rewards/points256, user play/save data258, game options/preferences260, promotion data262and advertising data264.

In some embodiments, the database storage233is a database organized by the hosting server and the user, or either one. For each user or player, the data storage233stores data on the user and user game plays etc. For example, this data may include game plays and related social network activity such as posts, shares, invitations, status changes etc., associated with each user engaged in a video gaming application.

A user or player125a, via a user or gaming device115a, communicates a request to initiate a gaming application or reacts to a keyword via communication unit239. The “set up” for a video gaming application is managed by the gaming platform106aor106b. It should be recognized that the gaming platform106a(illustrated in the social network server102a) and106b(illustrated in the third party server134a) are shown separately, but include similar functionality, at least for purposes of operating the gaming applications. A user or player display250coupled to the user device115athroughn, is configured to provide the video source of the gaming application in one of many formats, high definition graphics, three dimensional formats etc.

Referring now toFIG. 3, like reference numerals have been used to reference like components with the same or similar functionality that has been described above with reference toFIG. 1. Since those components have been described above, that description is not repeated here. The gaming platform106(a orb or other) includes various modules that are programmed to perform the functionalities described here. These modules may be variously distributed or may be in a single unit. The gaming platform106(as it may appear in either a social network server, a third-party server, an online-live-gaming server or cross-platform server includes a user interface module301, a permissions module303, a user/player account module305, a user/player status module307, a promotion module309, a game initiation/operation module311, and a social-network module313. Each of these modules is coupled to a software communication mechanism320to communicate with the other modules. Examples of a software communications mechanism320may be an object bus (such as COBRA), direct socket communication (such as TCP/IP sockets) among software modules, remote procedure calls, UDP broadcasts and receipts, HTTP connections, function or procedure calls etc. Further, any or all of the communication could be secure (SSH, HTTPS, etc.). The software communication can be implemented on any underlying hardware, such as a network, the Internet, a bus220ofFIG. 2, or a combination thereof etc.

As one example, a particular user125acommunicates via a user device115a, to either initiate or react to a game play. The user interface module301facilitates a connection of the user device115awith the social network server102a/the third-party server134aor other server, in the event the player wishes to engage or participate in a gaming application via the social network server102a/third-party server134aor any other server illustrated inFIG. 1. The permission module303ensures that the user device is compliant with protocols and any privacy concerns. Once a video gaming application has been set up, the user/player account module305makes a note of the user to determine if the user has an existing account or must create one. The user/player status module307considers the status of the various users (for example, “leader,” “follower,” or “spectator” or any other designation accorded by a particular game). A promotion/rewards module309operates the necessary promotions or rewards permitting players to earn rewards accorded by the promotions. The game initiation/operation module311initiates “play” and the social network or other server module313tracks the applications engaged by a particular player and updates the player's social or game profile accordingly.

Methods

Referring now toFIG. 4, an example method400illustrates the operations involved with allowing access from one or more clients (users, players, or gamers) to a game. The method400begins and proceeds (either directly or via other operations) to a block402including one or more operations configured to receive a game play request (for a single player) from one or more clients (for example, via a mobile device, a social network, online gaming server etc.). From there the method400proceeds to the next block404, which includes one or more operations configured to select a game from an incoming port number. From there, the method400proceeds to the next block406, which includes one or more operations configured to authorize a client to send/receive game-play information. From that point the method400proceeds to the next block408, which includes one or more operations for translating game-play information in order to accommodate different clients. From there, the method400proceeds to the next block410including one or more operations configured to either initiate or perform game play through the client. From there, the method400(or subroutine) may either end or proceed to other blocks of operations.

Referring now toFIG. 5, an example method500illustrates how to determine game-play graphics based on a user device. The method500begins and proceeds to block502, which includes one or more operations configured to sign in a user/player or display log-in options. The method500proceeds to either block504or506. In block504, the method500includes one or more operations for determining the type of user device (for example, desktop, mobile device, tablet etc.) In block506, the method500includes one or more operations for receiving user preferences. From blocks504and506, the method500proceeds to block508, at which stage, with one or more operations, the method alters game-play graphics (for example, 3D, 2D, etc.) based on the type of user device and/or user preference. From there the method500(or subroutine) may end or proceed to other subroutines.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a method600for synchronizing information across platforms begins and proceeds (either directly or via other operations) to a block602, including one or more operations for either initiating or performing game play. From there, the method600proceeds to the next block604, including one or more operations for receiving game-play information (for example, rewards, features, etc.) From there, the method600proceeds to the next block606, which includes one or more operations configured to synchronize information that is received with a global database. From there, the method600(a subroutine) may either end or proceed to other operations.

Referring now toFIG. 7, a graphical representation illustrates generally as indicated by reference numeral700integrated play by various users with a different user status. An index of user status is indicated by reference numeral702indicating a “leader,” a “follower,” and a “bystander.” The examples of user “status” indicated accords full play capabilities to a “leader,” “restricted” or “limited” play capabilities to a “follower” and “viewing” and capability to “influence” play with keyword responses to a “bystander.”FIG. 7illustrates that multiple users, for example, Users 1, 2, 3, through N, each with a different status, for example, either “leader,” “bystander,” or “follower,” may initiate games, for example, Game 1 (indicated by reference numeral710a), Game 2 (indicated by reference numeral710b), Game 3 (indicated by reference numeral710c) through Game N (indicated by reference numeral710d). Each of these games is played in a virtual game arena704, either individual or shared, hosted on a dedicated server or in a cloud. Game 1 is displayed or accessed on a desktop, Game 2 on a laptop, Game 3 on a tablet. As one example, User 1 (a “leader”) is illustrated as accessing Game 1 on a desktop. As another example, User 3 (a “bystander”) is illustrated as viewing Game 1. As yet another example, User 2 (a “follower”) is illustrated as branching off to a sub game 1 (indicated by reference numeral720), for separate play on a tablet. Any information accumulated during the sub game is synchronized after User 2 reconnects to the original game. A user with “bystander” status (User 3) may influence the game by responding to wall posts or responding with a key word. Reward or point allocation is based on the status of the player. For example, a player playing a game (for example, a follower), receives rewards or takes away from the main game player more than a bystander does. A bystander does not receive any rewards; its role is simply to assist a friend or influence game play by a “core” player. As another example, User 4 (for example, a follower) may branch off to a sub-game on a mobile phone. Any information for or on the game is synchronized after User 4 reconnects to the original game.

Referring now toFIG. 8, a graphical representation illustrates that virtual game play may be operated in a cloud for one or more games, concurrently or otherwise, as indicated by reference numeral820. The platform may be agnostic facilitating shared game play, bystander game play or remote game play. Players or gamers may access this virtual game play either via a personal computer810, a game console812, a mobile device814, or a tablet816.

FIG. 9illustrates a graphical representation indicated generally by reference numeral900to show different user experience. For example, a particular user (User 1) may experience a three-dimensional (3D) display on a computer910(for example, a desktop) during the main game912. From the main game, the same user (User 1) may branch off to a sub-game play to experience a two-dimensional display (2D) as indicated by reference numeral922on a mobile device920(for example, on either a tablet, a mobile device, etc.).

FIG. 10illustrates integrated play of Game 1 on a desktop (710a), Game 2 on a laptop (710b), and Game 3 on a tablet (710c). As illustrated, each of these games may be accessed via a mobile device client1010, a social network client1020, and an online gaming client1030. An incoming port number determines the appropriate game (1040). As one example, a client may be authorized for play in Game 2 through a session key, as illustrated by reference numeral1042. Authorization may be with communication with a global accounts database1050. Commands are processed (1040) with communication with databases (Game 1 database1060, Game 2 database1070, and Game 3 database1080) and replies are generated back to clients (1046).

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the present technology has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present technology to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the present technology be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims of this application. As should be understood by those familiar with the art, the present technology may be embodied in other specific forms, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Likewise, the particular naming and division of the modules, routines, features, attributes, methodologies, and other aspects are not mandatory or significant, and the mechanisms that implement the present invention or its features may have different names, divisions and/or formats. Furthermore, as should be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art, the modules, routines, features, attributes, methodologies and other aspects of the present technology can be implemented as software, hardware, firmware, or any combination of the three. Also, wherever a component, an example of which is a module, of the present technology is implemented as software, the component can be implemented as a standalone program, as part of a larger program, as a plurality of separate programs, as a statically or dynamically linked library, as a kernel loadable module, as a device driver, and/or in every and any other way known now or in the future to those of ordinary skill in the art of computer programming. Additionally, the present technology is in no way limited to implementation in any specific programming language, or for any specific operating system or environment. Accordingly, the disclosure of the present technology is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.