U.S. patent application number 11/888990 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-05 for interactive real world gaming supported over internet protocol multimedia subsystem.
This patent application is currently assigned to Lucent Technologies Inc.. Invention is credited to David S. Benco, Anne Yin-Fee Lee, Stinson S. Mathai.
Application Number | 20090036186 11/888990 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40338671 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090036186 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benco; David S. ; et
al. |
February 5, 2009 |
Interactive real world gaming supported over internet protocol
multimedia subsystem
Abstract
A method is provided for administering an interactive real world
game in which a player (20) is to find a designated target.
Suitably, the player (20) employs mobile user equipment (UE) (40)
to participate in the game, wherein the UE (40) is served by a
wireless access network (32) providing the UE (40) access to an
Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) (30). The method
includes: sending a clue to the UE (40) via the IMS (30), the clue
hinting at an identity of the designated target; receiving an
answer to the clue, the answer being submitted from the UE (40) via
the IMS (30); and, determining whether the received answer
correctly or incorrectly identifies the designated target.
Inventors: |
Benco; David S.; (Winfield,
IL) ; Lee; Anne Yin-Fee; (Naperville, IL) ;
Mathai; Stinson S.; (Wheaton, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FAY SHARPE/LUCENT
1100 SUPERIOR AVE, SEVENTH FLOOR
CLEVELAND
OH
44114
US
|
Assignee: |
Lucent Technologies Inc.
|
Family ID: |
40338671 |
Appl. No.: |
11/888990 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3223 20130101;
G07F 17/3295 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/9 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method for administering an interactive real world game in
which a player is to find a designated target, wherein said player
employs mobile user equipment (UE) to participate in the game, said
UE being served by a wireless access network providing the UE
access to an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS),
said method comprising: (a) sending a clue to the UE via the IMS,
said clue hinting at an identity of the designated target; (b)
receiving an answer to the clue, said answer being submitted from
the UE via the IMS; and, (c) determining whether the received
answer correctly or incorrectly identifies the designated
target.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said received answer includes an
image obtained by the UE and step (d) comprises: analyzing the
image included in the received answer to determine whether or not
the image included in the received answer depicts the designated
target such that if the image included in the received answer is
determined to depict the designated target, then the received
answer is determined to correctly identify the designated target,
otherwise if the image included in the received answer is
determined not to depict the designated target, then the received
answer is determined to incorrectly identify the designated
target.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said analyzing comprises:
comparing the image included in the received answer to a reference
image of the designated target such that if the image included in
the received answer sufficiently matches the reference image, then
the image included in the received answer is determined to depict
the designated target, otherwise if the image included in the
received answer does not sufficiently match the reference image,
then the image included in the received answer is determined to not
depict the designated target.
4. The method of claim 2, said method further comprising: (e)
establishing a position of the UE at a selected point in time; and,
(f) determining whether the received answer is valid or invalid
based upon the established position of the UE.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein step (e) comprises: employing a
Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver provisioned in the UE to
establish the position of the UE.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein step (f) comprises: determining
that the received answer is valid if the established position of
the UE sufficiently matches an actual location of the designated
target, otherwise determining that the received answer is invalid
if the established position of the UE does not sufficiently match
the actual location of the designated target.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the selected point in time is one
of a time when the image is obtained by the UE, a time when the
answer is received and a time when the answer is submitted by the
UE.
8. A system for administering an interactive real world game in
which a player is to find a designated target, wherein said player
employs mobile user equipment (UE) to participate in the game, said
UE being served by a wireless access network providing the UE
access to an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS),
said system comprising: clue supplying means for sending a clue to
the UE via the IMS, said clue hinting at an identity of the
designated target; answer receiving means for receiving an answer
to the clue, said answer being submitted from the UE via the IMS;
and, answer evaluation means for determining whether the received
answer correctly or incorrectly identifies the designated
target.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said received answer includes an
image obtained by the UE and the answer evaluation means comprises:
image analysis means for analyzing the image included in the
received answer to determine whether or not the image included in
the received answer depicts the designated target such that if the
image analysis means determines that image included in the received
answer does depict the designated target, then the answer
evaluation means determines that the received answer correctly
identifies the designated target, otherwise if the image analysis
means determines that the image included in the received answer
does not depict the designated target, then the answer evaluation
means determines that the received answer incorrectly identifies
the designated target.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein said image analysis means is
operative to compare the image included in the received answer to a
reference image of the designated target such that if the image
included in the received answer sufficiently matches the reference
image, then the image analysis means determines that the image
included in the received answer does depict the designated target,
otherwise if the image included in the received answer does not
sufficiently match the reference image, then the image analysis
means determines that the image included in the received answer
does not depict the designated target.
11. The system of claim 9, said system further comprising:
positioning means for establishing a position of the UE at a
selected point in time; and, validation means for determining
whether the received answer is valid or invalid based upon the
established position of the UE.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein said positioning means
comprise: a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver provisioned in
the UE to establish the position of the UE.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein said validation means determine
that the received answer is valid if the established position of
the UE sufficiently matches an actual location of the designated
target, otherwise said validation means determine that the received
answer is invalid if the established position of the UE does not
sufficiently match the actual location of the designated
target.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the selected point in time is
one of a time when the image is obtained by the UE, a time when the
answer is received and a time when the answer is submitted by the
UE.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present inventive subject matter relates to the art of
wireless telecommunications networks. Particular application is
found in conjunction with an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia
Subsystem, and the specification makes particular reference
thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the
present inventive subject matter are also amenable to other like
networks, devices and/or applications.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Generally, multiplayer interactive games played over
computer networks, such as the Internet, are widely popular. High
resolution computer graphics and broadband connection speeds have
further encouraged on-line game playing through the enhancement of
virtual reality environments. However, computer simulations can
only emulate the real world or true reality to a limited extent.
Accordingly, there remains a strong desire to physically compete in
real world multiplayer interactive games.
[0003] For example, a scavenger hunt is a well known interactive
multiplayer real world game whereby players uncover or otherwise
use clues to find designated objects and/or locations within a
particular geographic region or set of boundaries. Such games can
be used on corporate retreats, organization meeting or the like as
a team building, educational, motivational and/or other like
exercise. Additionally, a scavenger hunt game may also be a tool
used to provide or enhance a guided tour of a particular location,
e.g., a museum, zoo, public garden, park, city, etc.
[0004] Ultimately, to ensure compliance with the rules of the game,
it is desirable to validate that a player has indeed found the
appropriate objects and/or reached the designated locations.
Traditionally, computer networks have been unable to provide
suitable validation or they could be easily spoofed or fooled,
e.g., by falsified, illegitimate or inaccurate input from a player.
Accordingly, the playing of multiplayer interactive games in a real
world environment can give rise to other burdens. For example, in
connection with the aforementioned scavenger hunt game, game
marshals are commonly employed to manually verify compliance with
the game rules. However, such a solution can be both expensive
and/or error-prone, e.g., including manual data entry, dedicated
human observers, etc.
[0005] Accordingly, a new and improved system and/or method is
provided that overcomes the above-referenced problems and
others.
SUMMARY
[0006] In accordance with one embodiment, a method is provided for
administering an interactive real world game in which a player is
to find a designated target(s). Suitably, the player employs mobile
user equipment (UE) to participate in the game, wherein the UE is
served by a wireless access network providing the UE access to an
Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The method
includes: sending a clue to the UE via the IMS, the clue hinting at
an identity of the designated target; receiving an answer to the
clue, the answer being submitted from the UE via the IMS; and,
determining whether the received answer correctly or incorrectly
identifies the designated target.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment, a system is provided
for administering an interactive real world game in which a player
is to find a designated target. Suitably, the player employs mobile
user equipment (UE) to participate in the game, wherein the UE is
served by a wireless access network providing the UE access to an
Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). The system
includes: clue supplying means for sending a clue to the UE via the
IMS, the clue hinting at an identity of the designated target;
answer receiving means for receiving an answer to the clue, the
answer being submitted from the UE via the IMS; and, answer
evaluation means for determining whether the received answer
correctly or incorrectly identifies the designated target.
[0008] Numerous advantages and benefits of the inventive subject
matter disclosed herein will become apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art upon reading and understanding the present
specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The inventive subject matter may take form in various
components and arrangements of components, and in various steps and
arrangements of steps. The drawings are only for purposes of
illustrating preferred embodiments and are not to be construed as
limiting. Further, it is to be appreciated that the drawings are
not to scale.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary network
architecture suitable for practicing aspects of the present
inventive subject matter.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a post and rail call flow diagram showing an
exemplary manner for administering a real world interactive game in
accordance with aspects of the present inventive subject
matter.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process
executed by a game server to administer a real world interactive
game in accordance with aspects of the present inventive subject
matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] For clarity and simplicity, the present specification shall
refer to structural and/or functional elements, relevant
communication standards, protocols and/or services, and other
components that are commonly known in the art without further
detailed explanation as to their configuration or operation except
to the extent they have been modified or altered in accordance with
and/or to accommodate the preferred embodiment(s) presented
herein.
[0014] Generally, the present specification relates to a real world
interactive game administered to players by an application or game
server via an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). As is known in the
wireless telecommunication arts, the IMS is an architectural
framework (originally designed by the wireless standards body known
as the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)) for delivering IP
multimedia to wireless mobile device users. That is to say, the IMS
supports the use of IP multimedia applications and/or services
within a wireless telecommunications system or network. Generally,
the IMS enables wireless network service providers and/or operators
to offer their subscribers (i.e., mobile users) multimedia services
based on and/or built upon Internet applications, services and/or
protocols (e.g., including SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), which
is used to manage the IP multimedia sessions).
[0015] More specifically, the present specification relates to a
scavenger hunt game, e.g., in which one or more players participate
in the game using their mobile user equipment (UE) which is served
by a wireless telecommunications network providing access to the
game server via the IMS. Suitably, based upon one or more clues,
each player attempts to find one more designated objects and/or to
reach one or more designated locations within a set geographic
region or some particular bounded area. The aforementioned clues
are, e.g., provided to each player's UE by the game server via the
IMS.
[0016] In one suitable embodiment, a player indicates that they
have found what they believe to be one of the designated objects by
taking, recording or otherwise capturing a still or video image of
the found object, e.g., with a camera equipped on their UE. The
captured image is submit from the UE via the IMS to the game server
which determines if the submitted image sufficiently matches the
designated object which the player was suppose to find. For
example, the game server suitably has access to an image
recognition function which is used to make the foregoing
determination.
[0017] Additionally, the game server also has access to UE position
or location information. For example, the UE is optionally equipped
or otherwise provisioned with a Global Positioning System (GPS)
receiver or the like from which the position or location of the UE
can be determined at a given time in the usual manner. Suitably,
the GPS receiver is used to calculate or otherwise obtain the
position or location of the UE and the UE communicates this
information to the game server or the game server otherwise obtains
this information to determine the position or location of the UE at
selected times. Accordingly, the game server can optionally verify
that a player has reached a designated location.
[0018] In one suitable embodiment, the UE position or location
information is used by the game server to ensure that submitted
images received from the UE are obtained by the players from the
actual locations where designated objects are to be found by the
players. In this manner, the game server guards against players
submitting fraudulent images, i.e., images which may be obtained in
some way other than the players themselves actually capturing the
images of the designated objects at their actual locations.
[0019] For example, assume one of the designated objects the
players are supposed to find is a particular landmark at a specific
location. A player may deduce from the provided clues the identity
of the landmark. However, rather than going to the specific
location of the actual landmark and capturing an image of the same
to submit to the game server, an unscrupulous player may attempt to
cheat by downloading an image of the landmark to their UE, e.g.,
from the Internet, and submitting the downloaded image (i.e., the
fraudulent image) to the game server in lieu of an image the player
actually captures themselves at the landmark's specific location.
However, using the UE position or location information available to
the game server, the game server optionally verifies the position
or location of the UE at or about the time the image is captured
and/or submitted. Therefore, if the image is captured and/or
submitted when the UE is not at or within a threshold proximity to
the specific location of the landmark, then the game server
optionally refuses to accept the image or otherwise does not credit
the player with having successfully found the landmark.
Accordingly, in order to obtain credit for having found the
landmark, the player is obligated to go to the specific location of
the actual landmark where the player can themselves capture an
image of the actual landmark and submit the same to the game
server.
[0020] With reference now to FIG. 1, there is shown an application
server or game server 10 that is operative to administer a real
world interactive game (e.g., a scavenger hunt game) to a player 20
via an IMS 30. Suitably, the player 20 participates in the game by
using the UE 40 which is served by a wireless access network 32
that provides the UE 40 access to the game server 10 via the IMS
30. While only a single player 20 and UE 40 are illustrated in FIG.
1 for clarity and simplicity herein, it is to be appreciated that
in practice the game server 10 generally administers the game at
any given time to a plurality of similarly situated players
employing similarly provisioned UE.
[0021] In a suitable embodiment, the UE 40 is a mobile node (MN),
e.g., a mobile telephone, wireless Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
or other suitable mobile station (MS) or mobile terminal (MT), that
operatively communicates with the wireless access network 32 in the
usual manner. As illustrated, the UE 40 is equipped or otherwise
provisioned as is generally known in the art with a camera 42
suitable for selectively taking, recording or otherwise capturing
still or video images of objects or targets at which the camera 42
is pointed or otherwise directed. Additionally, the UE 40 is also
optionally equipped or otherwise provisioned in the usual manner
with a GPS receiver 44 that is operable to monitor, track or other
determine the position or location of the UE 40 at selected times.
Alternatively, location of the user can be obtained by wireless
network-based location determination means.
[0022] Generally, the wireless access network 32 is implemented as
an IMS Radio Access Network (RAN) or similar subsystem operatively
connected to and/or in communication with the IMS 30 in the usual
manner. For example, in the RAN, one or more base stations are
employed to provide a radio frequency (RF) or other suitable
wireless or over-the-air-interface with the UE 40. Each base
station (BS) suitably provides the aforementioned interface in a
designated geographic area served by the BS--i.e., in a particular
cell served by the BS. Accordingly, as the UE 40 is carried from
cell to cell by the player 20, the respective base stations serving
those cells provide the UE 40 with the aforementioned interface to
the RAN thereby operatively connecting the UE 40 with the IMS 30.
Additionally, the RAN may also include a wide area local access
network (WLAN) through which the UE 40 is operatively connected to
the IMS 30 in the usual manner.
[0023] In one exemplary embodiment, during game play, one or more
clues are provided to the player's UE 40 by the game server 10 via
the IMS 30. Optionally, the clues are provided to the UE 40 in any
one or more various media formats, e.g., including a Short Message
Service (SMS) message or other appropriate text message or instant
message (IM), an e-mail message, a still or video image, a voice
message, etc. Suitably, the clues provide hints to the identity of
one more designated targets (i.e., objects or locations) which the
player 20 is to find and/or reach within a set geographic region or
some particular bounded area. Accordingly, the goal of the game is
for the player 20 to return answers or responses to the game server
10 via the IMS 30 which prove or otherwise provide suitable
evidence that the player 20 has indeed correctly deciphered the
clues and found and/or reached the correct targets identified by
the clues. For example, once the player 20 has deduced what they
believe to be the identity of a designated target, the player 20
proceeds with their UE 40 to the actual location of the proposed
target and submits their answer or response to the game server 10
via the IMS 30. Suitably, the aforementioned answer or response
includes an image (i.e., still or video) of the proposed target
captured with the camera 42 provisioned in the UE 40. Alternately,
an answer or response that adequately describes or identifies the
proposed target is provided to the game server 10 in any one or
more various media formats, e.g., including a SMS message or other
appropriate text message or IM, an e-mail message, a voice message,
etc.
[0024] Having received an answer or response from the UE 40 via the
IMS 30, the game server 10 validates the submitted answer or
response, i.e., determines whether or not the submitted answer or
response is correct. If the answer or response is correct and/or
otherwise validated by the game server 10, then the player 20 is
given credit for having found and/or reached a designated target.
Otherwise, if the answer or response is incorrect or not validated
by the game server 10, then the player 20 is not given credit for
having found and/or reached a designated target.
[0025] As previously indicated, in one suitable embodiment, the
answer or response generally takes the form of an image (i.e.,
still or video) of a proposed target, e.g., captured by the player
20 using the camera 42, and submitted by the UE 40 to the game
server 10 via the IMS 30. In this case, suitably, the game server
10 employs an optional image recognition function 12 to analyze the
submitted image and determine if the corresponding answer or
response is correct, i.e., if the submitted image does in fact show
or depict a designated target. In practice, the image recognition
function 12 may be implemented in any one of a variety of known
manners. For example, suitably, the image recognition function 12
compares the submitted image with one or more reference images of
the corresponding designated target to determine if there is a
sufficient match there between. Optionally, the reference images
for various targets designated in the particular game are
maintained in a reference image database (RIDB) 14 accessible by
the reference image function 12. Accordingly, if a submitted image
sufficiently matches the corresponding reference image, then the
answer or response including the submitted image is generally
deemed to be correct by the game server 10. Otherwise, if the
submitted image does not sufficiently match the corresponding
reference image, then the answer or response including the
submitted image is generally deemed to be incorrect by the game
server 10. Suitably, when the submitted image is in video format,
optionally one or more frames may be selected from the video for
the foregoing comparison.
[0026] In one exemplary embodiment, the game server 10 also
optionally tracks, determines or otherwise obtains the position or
location of the UE 40 from time to time so as to ensure compliance
with game rules, e.g., to validate that designate target locations
have been reached by the player 20 and/or to confirm that answers
or responses provided by the player 20 are obtained at and/or
submitted from the actual specific locations of designated target
objects. For example, by employing the optional GPS receiver 44 in
the usual manner, the UE 40 optionally provides the game server 10
its current position or location for time to time. Alternately, any
one or more other well known techniques are optionally used to
track, monitor and/or detect the location of the UE 40 at any given
time such that the determined UE position or location information
is supplied, provided and/or otherwise made available to the game
server 10. For example, a network or UE-based technique is employed
to determine or measure the position or location of the UE 40,
e.g., using over-the-air-interfaces and/or signals exchanged
between the UE 40 and one or more base stations of the RAN. More
specifically, suitable known network and/or UE-based solutions for
determining the location of the UE 40 include, without limitation:
observed time difference (OTD); time of arrival (TOA); time
difference of arrival (TDOA); angle of arrival (AOA); multipath
fingerprinting; timing advance (TA); enhanced forward link
triangulation (E-FLT); received signal strength (RSS); etc.
Optionally, a hybrid location determination solution combining one
or more of the aforementioned techniques is employed or so-called
assisted-GPS may also be employed.
[0027] Optionally, each time an answer or response is submitted to
the game server 10, the location or position of the UE 40 is
determined and/or otherwise obtained by the game server 10.
Suitably, at the time the answer or response is submitted by the UE
40, the current location of the UE 40 is submitted along therewith
from the UE 40. Alternately, e.g., in an embodiment where the
camera 42 is used to capture an image which is to be included in
the answer or response, the UE 40 optionally records or otherwise
notes the position of the UE 40 at the time the image is captured
or otherwise obtained by the camera 42. Accordingly, when the
answer or response containing the captured image is submitted to
the game server 10 via the IMS 30, the location of the UE 40 at the
time the image was captured or otherwise obtained by the camera 42
is optionally forwarded along with the answer or response, e.g.,
rather than the current location of the UE 40 which may have
changed in the interim. In this manner, the player 20 is able to
submit an answer or response from a location other than where the
image was captured, while still supplying the game server 10 the
accurate location from which the image was obtained. This allows
the player 20 to begin searching for and/or moving toward the next
designated target while the answer or response associated with the
prior designated target is being submitted.
[0028] As previously indicated, in one optional embodiment, the
clues provided to the UE 40 from the game server 10 via the IMS 30
relate to a designated target location that the player 20 is
suppose to reach. The player 20 accordingly travels or otherwise
moves to a particular location they think the clues are hinting at
or otherwise identifying. When the player 20 reaches the proposed
target location, they suitably employ the UE 40 to signal the game
server 10, at which time the game server 10 optionally obtains or
otherwise determines the current location of the UE 40.
Accordingly, if it is determined by the game server 10 that the UE
40 is at or within a threshold proximity of the correct designated
location which the player 20 is suppose to reach, then the player
20 is given credit for reaching the designated location in
question; otherwise, if it is determined by the game server 10 that
the UE 40 is not at or is outside the threshold proximity of the
correct designated location which the player 20 is suppose to
reach, then the player 20 is not given credit for reaching the
designated location in question.
[0029] Similarly, in another optional embodiment, the clues
provided to the UE 40 may relate to a designated target object that
the player 20 is suppose to find. The player 20 accordingly travels
or otherwise moves to a particular location in which they think
they will find the designated object the clues are hinting at or
otherwise identifying. When the player 20 finds the proposed target
object at the location where it was sought, they suitably employ
the UE 40 to generate an answer or response (e.g., including
capturing an image of the proposed target object with the camera
42) and submit the answer or response to the game server 10 via the
IMS 30. Suitably, in addition to verifying that the answer or
response is correct or accurate (e.g., in the manner described
above), the game server 10 also verifies that the answer or
response was generated at or submitted from the actual location
where the designated target object was to be found. For example, at
the time the answer or response is submitted, the game server 10
optionally determines or otherwise obtains the current location of
the UE 40. Alternately, the game server 10 references UE position
or location information supplied with the answer or response to
determine the position or location of the UE 40 at the time the
answer or response was generated. In either case, if it is
determined by the game server 10 that an otherwise correct answer
or response was generated or was submitted when the UE 40 was at or
within a threshold proximity of the actual location of a designated
object which the player 20 was suppose to find, then the player 20
is given credit for finding the designated object in question;
otherwise, if it is determined by the game server 10 that an answer
or response (even if it is otherwise correct) was generated or was
submitted when the UE 40 was not at or was outside the threshold
proximity of the actual location of the designated object which the
player 20 was suppose to find, then the player 20 is not given
credit for finding the designated object in question.
[0030] In yet another optional embodiment, the game server 10
tracks the location of the UE 40 and maintains a record of the UE's
positions at given time intervals. Optionally, when the camera 42
is used by the player 20 to capture an image of a proposed target
object, the image is time stamped with the time and/or date of its
capture. Accordingly, when a captured image is included in an
answer or response submitted by the UE 40 to the game server 10 via
the IMS 30, the game server 10 compares the associated time stamp
against the maintained record of the UE's positions over time.
Accordingly, if the time stamp corroborates that the image was
captured while the UE 40 was at or within a threshold proximity of
the actual location of a designated object which the player 20 was
suppose to find, then the player 20 is given credit for finding the
designated object in question; otherwise, if time stamp indicates
that the image was captured while the UE 40 was not at or was
outside the threshold proximity of the actual location of the
designated object which the player 20 was suppose to find, then the
player 20 is not given credit for finding the designated object in
question.
[0031] With reference now to FIG. 2, the illustrated call flow
demonstrates an exemplary manner in which a suitable game is
administered by the game server 10. Suitably, the player 20 first
employs the UE 40 to place a "Registration Request" to join the
game being administered by the game server 10. Optionally, there
are various ways provided to register for participation in the
game, e.g., including SMS, IM, e-mail, webpage access, voice call,
etc. Suitably, at this time, any appropriate billing can be done to
the player's account.
[0032] The ISM 30 generally recognizes the "Registration Request"
received from the UE 40 and forwards it to the game server 10 where
appropriate actions are taken for the player 20 to be authorized
and/or registered for participation in the game. After the player
20 is registered for the game, the game server 10 suitably returns
an acknowledgement or "ACK" back to the player's UE 40 via the IMS
30. Optionally, the "ACK" is sent as any of a variety of media
types, e.g., including SMS message, IM, e-mail, voice message,
etc.
[0033] Once the player 20 has registered for the game, the game
server 10 suitably sends the clues to the UE 40 via the IMS 30.
Again, the clues may optionally be sent as any of a variety of
media types, e.g., including SMS message, IM, e-mail, voice
message, still image or video, etc. Suitably, one or more clues are
sent for each designated target location or object the player 20 is
to reach and/or find. Optionally, the clues for all the targets are
sent up-front so that the player 20 may choose the order in which
to find and/or reach them. Alternately, the clues for each target
are sent successively after each target is correctly reached or
found by the player 20 such that the player is obligated to follow
a set order.
[0034] As described above, the player 20 deciphers the clues and
uses the UE 40 to submit their "Answers" to the game server 10 via
the IMS 30. Again, the "Answers" can optionally be submitted in any
one or more of a variety of media formats, e.g., including SMS
message, IM, e-mail, voice message, still or video image, etc. The
game server 10 in turn validates and/or otherwise determines the
accuracy or correctness of the submitted answers, e.g., as
described above. Optionally, e.g., the player 20 may have to be at
a particular location to be able to submit a correct or otherwise
valid answer. The image recognition function 12 may also optionally
be used to verify that an image submitted with the answer does in
fact show or depict the corresponding target object hinted at or
identified by the previously supplied clues.
[0035] Once validated, the game server 10 optionally returns an
"Answer Response" to the UE 40 via the IMS 30. Suitably, for
example, the "Answer Response" indicates to the player 20 whether
or not the previously submitted answer was correct and/or valid.
Again, the "Answer Response" can optionally be returned to the UE
40 in any one or more of a variety of media formats, e.g.,
including SMS message, IM, e-mail, voice message, still or video
image, etc. Suitably, the winner of the game is the player, e.g.,
that is first to provide all the correct/valid answers or that
provides all the correct/valid answers in the shortest amount of
time or that provides the most correct/valid answers in a
determined time period or over a set amount of time. Optionally,
points or credit may be deduced for incorrect or invalid answers
supplied by the player 20.
[0036] With reference now to FIG. 3, the illustrated flow chart
shows an exemplary process carried out by the game server 10 to
administered a scavenger hunt game wherein the goal is for the
player 20 to capture an image of a designated target object at its
actual location with the camera 42 of the UE 40.
[0037] Suitably, the process begins at step 100 with the game
server 10 receiving a submitted image from the UE 40 via the IMS
30. At step 102, the game server 10 obtains, determines or
otherwise establishes a position or location of the UE 40. For
example, optionally, the UE 40 employs the GPS receiver 44 to
determine its current position and communicate the same to the game
server 10 when the image is submitted. Alternately, the UE 40
employs the GPS receiver 44 to determine the position of the UE 40
at the time the image was captured (e.g., with the camera 42) and
this position is communicated to the game server 10 along with the
submitted image. In still other suitable embodiments, alternate
means and/or methods (e.g., as indicated above) are optionally used
to determine the position or location of the UE 40 at the
appropriate point in time (i.e., either at the time the image is
submitted or at the time the image is captured).
[0038] At step 104, the game server 10 analyzes the received image,
e.g., using the image recognition function 12 as described above.
That is to say, suitably the received image is compared to one or
more reference images of the designated target object, e.g.,
obtained from the RIDB 14. Accordingly, at decision step 106, the
game server 10 determines if the received image sufficiently
matches one or more of the reference images to which it was
compared. If there is a sufficient match, then the received image
is deemed correct (i.e., the received image in fact depicts or
shows the designate target object) and the process continues to
step 108. Otherwise, if there is not a sufficient match, then the
received image is deemed incorrect (i.e., the received image does
not in fact depict or show the designate target object) and the
process branches to step 110.
[0039] At step 108, the game server 10 analyzes the position of the
UE 40 established in step 102. For example, the established
position of the UE 40 is compared to an actual location where the
designated target object is to be found. Suitably, (as shown in
FIG. 1) the actual location of designated targets are maintained in
a target location database (TLDB) 16 that is accessible by the game
server 10. Accordingly, at decision step 112, the game server 10
determines if the established position of the UE 40 sufficiently
matches the actual location of the designated target object--i.e.,
if the established position of the UE 40 is at or is within a
threshold proximity of the actual location of the designated target
object. If the established UE position sufficiently matches the
actual designated object's location, then the received image is
deemed valid (i.e., the received image was in fact obtained or
captured at or was in fact submitted from the actual location of
the designated target object) and the process continues to step
114. Otherwise, if the established UE position does not
sufficiently match the actual designated object's location, then
the received image is deemed invalid (i.e., the received image was
not in fact obtained or captured at or was not in fact submitted
from the actual location of the designated target object) and the
process branches to step 110.
[0040] Suitably, when step 110 is reached, the player 20 is not
credited with having found the designated target object and the
game server 10 notifies the player 20 with an appropriate message
or signal sent to the UE 40 via the IMS 30 that the submitted image
received by the game server 10 has been deemed incorrect or invalid
as the case may be. Alternately, when step 114 is reached, the
player 20 is credited with having found the designated target
object and the game server 10 notifies the player 20 with an
appropriate message or signal sent to the UE 40 via the IMS 30 that
the submitted image received by the game server 10 has been deemed
correct and valid.
[0041] In conclusion, it is to be appreciated that in connection
with the particular exemplary embodiments presented herein certain
structural and/or function features are described as being
incorporated in defined elements and/or components. However, it is
contemplated that these features may, to the same or similar
benefit, also likewise be incorporated in other elements and/or
components where appropriate. It is also to be appreciated that
different aspects of the exemplary embodiments may be selectively
employed as appropriate to achieve other alternate embodiments
suited for desired applications, the other alternate embodiments
thereby realizing the respective advantages of the aspects
incorporated therein.
[0042] It is also to be appreciated that particular elements or
components described herein may have their functionality suitably
implemented via hardware, software, firmware or a combination
thereof. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that certain
elements described herein as incorporated together may under
suitable circumstances be stand-alone elements or otherwise
divided. Similarly, a plurality of particular functions described
as being carried out by one particular element may be carried out
by a plurality of distinct elements acting independently to carry
out individual functions, or certain individual functions may be
split-up and carried out by a plurality of distinct elements acting
in concert. Alternately, some elements or components otherwise
described and/or shown herein as distinct from one another may be
physically or functionally combined where appropriate.
[0043] In short, the present specification has been set forth with
reference to preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and
alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the
present specification. It is intended that the invention be
construed as including all such modifications and alterations
insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the
equivalents thereof.
* * * * *