CA2573161A1 - Method and apparatus for providing awards using transponders - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for providing awards using transponders Download PDFInfo
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- CA2573161A1 CA2573161A1 CA002573161A CA2573161A CA2573161A1 CA 2573161 A1 CA2573161 A1 CA 2573161A1 CA 002573161 A CA002573161 A CA 002573161A CA 2573161 A CA2573161 A CA 2573161A CA 2573161 A1 CA2573161 A1 CA 2573161A1
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- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 claims description 6
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
- A63F13/32—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using local area network [LAN] connections
- A63F13/327—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using local area network [LAN] connections using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi® or piconet
-
- A63F13/12—
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/30—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
- A63F13/33—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using wide area network [WAN] connections
- A63F13/332—Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using wide area network [WAN] connections using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/80—Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/85—Providing additional services to players
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F13/00—Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions
- A63F13/90—Constructional details or arrangements of video game devices not provided for in groups A63F13/20 or A63F13/25, e.g. housing, wiring, connections or cabinets
- A63F13/95—Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/20—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of the game platform
- A63F2300/206—Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
- A63F2300/208—Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards for storing personal settings or data of the player
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/40—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of platform network
- A63F2300/404—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of platform network characterized by a local network connection
- A63F2300/405—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of platform network characterized by a local network connection being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/40—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterised by details of platform network
- A63F2300/406—Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/50—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by details of game servers
- A63F2300/55—Details of game data or player data management
- A63F2300/5513—Details of game data or player data management involving billing
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F2300/00—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game
- A63F2300/50—Features of games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions, e.g. on a television screen, showing representations related to the game characterized by details of game servers
- A63F2300/55—Details of game data or player data management
- A63F2300/5546—Details of game data or player data management using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
Abstract
A method and system for providing awards to participants utilizing electronic data storage elements such as radio frequency identification ("RFID") tags. RFID
tags containing directions to an award processing center and other unique coded information are placed at locations where customer patronage is to be encouraged. Award program participants are provided with RFID readers capable of reading the information on the RFID tag.
Award program participants read the information on the RFID tag with their reader and utilize that information to access the award processing center which then provides awards to the participants, such as redeemable customer loyalty points or product coupons.
A bounty hunter game where game participants attempt to earn awards, or items, or to have awards or items taken away from another game participant, by transmitting information from electronic data storage elements, such as an RFID tags, to a central game processing site.
The electronic data storage elements may be carried by the game participants and/or placed at locations where game participants must go. Clues may be provided to game participants to lead them to electronic data storage elements. Clues may also be provided to game participants to lead them on a treasure hunt that is played simultaneously with the bounty hunter game.
tags containing directions to an award processing center and other unique coded information are placed at locations where customer patronage is to be encouraged. Award program participants are provided with RFID readers capable of reading the information on the RFID tag.
Award program participants read the information on the RFID tag with their reader and utilize that information to access the award processing center which then provides awards to the participants, such as redeemable customer loyalty points or product coupons.
A bounty hunter game where game participants attempt to earn awards, or items, or to have awards or items taken away from another game participant, by transmitting information from electronic data storage elements, such as an RFID tags, to a central game processing site.
The electronic data storage elements may be carried by the game participants and/or placed at locations where game participants must go. Clues may be provided to game participants to lead them to electronic data storage elements. Clues may also be provided to game participants to lead them on a treasure hunt that is played simultaneously with the bounty hunter game.
Description
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AWARDS
USING TRANSPONDERS
BACKGROUND
(1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to providing awards or items when a person comes within a certain proximity of a electronic data storage element, such as an RFID tag, and the information from the electronic data storage element is transmitted to a processing center.
USING TRANSPONDERS
BACKGROUND
(1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to providing awards or items when a person comes within a certain proximity of a electronic data storage element, such as an RFID tag, and the information from the electronic data storage element is transmitted to a processing center.
(2) DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
Increasing customers is a goal of many businesses. In order to increase customers, some businesses market their products, others provide discounts or coupons to customers, and still others create customer loyalty programs that reward customers for repeat patronage. Some business use all these methods and all businesses use some method to draw customers. The present invention increases patronage at business establishments by using electronic data storage elements (EDSEs") such as RFID technology to provide awards to persons that visit or make purchases at such establishments. The present invention also provides for a game where game participants attempt to earn awards, or items, by transmitting information from EDSEs to a processing center.
Evolving technologies allow products or other items to be tagged with inexpensive EDSEs then tracked by devices that can read the information encoded into the tag. One form of electronic data storage element is a radio frequency transponder. Radio frequency identification ("RFID") uses low-powered radio transmitters to read data stored in a transponder at distances up to 200 feet away. Present applications of this technology include tracking assets, managing inventory, automatic vehicle identification, highway tolls and authorizing payments. RFID
technology is also used by certain automobile manufacturers to provide electronic keys to their automobiles.
RFID systems originated in the 1940s when the U.S. government used transponders to distinguish between friendly and enemy aircraft. Aircraft still utilize transponders today for aircraft tracking. In addition to tracking aircraft, the airline industry, along with the FAA has used RFID tags to route baggage and increase air security. In the 1970s, the U.S. government used RFID systems for tracking livestock and nuclear material. Companies such as McDonald's and Exxon Mobile have tested RFID chips to allow customers to pay for food or gas.
RFID technology is known to those skilled in the art. Commercial utilizations typically operate in a number of unlicensed frequency bands, with 125 KHz and 13.56 MHz being the most common. The greater the bandwidth the more information a RFID tag can hold. For instance, a 13.56 MHZ tag can hold as much as 2,000 bits of data, roughly 30 times the information that can be held on a 125 KHz tag. Active RF1D tags are equipped with a battery that allows an active tag to transmit a signal to a reader. These tags often provide the greatest range, up to 200 feet, but are more expensive than other tags. Passive RFID
tags are not battery powered. They draw power from the electromagnetic waves emitted from the receiver-transmitter. The read range of these tags is generally under three meters and the tags are inexpensive to manufacture. Semi-passive RFID tags have batteries like active RFID tags, but the battery is only used to power the tag's microchip circuitry, it does not power the transmission from the tag to the reader. Semi-passive tags also have longer read ranges than passive tags.
One example of EDSE or RFID use is inventory control. In this application, a RFID tag is placed on the item to be tracked. Up to 2,000 bits of data are stored on a memory chip that is housed in a button or integrated circuit card. Tags can also be etched on a substrate that is then embedded in a paper or plastic tag. The information stored on the tag may include a unique product identification code, the place of product manufacture and the place of sale. The tag may include a battery or it may be passive. A RFID transmitter-receiver or reader is utilized that contains a transmitter, receiver and digital control module connected to a transmitting antenna.
When the control module senses a tag, it interrogates the tag (after awakening the tag if passive), decodes the data and typically passes that data on to a host system by way of wired or wireless communication. The host system assimilates the data received from the product tags and the data is used to track product inventory and sales.
The majority of RFID tags are write-once/read-only, but others offer read/write capability such that the information contained on the tag can be rewritten. For instance if tracking an item in transit, the information can be rewritten as the item travels along its route or is rerouted. RFID
readers may be hand-held and wireless. Devices are being produced that combine an RFID
reader with a wireless, mobile telephone, sucll as the Nokia Mobile RFID Kit for Nokia 5140 and Nokia 5140i. A Smart Card Alliance task force is working toward building a robust market for contactless paynlents utilizing mobile telephones equipped with RFID
technology.
Several companies have developed RFID technology, including Texas Instruments (see U.S. Patent Nos. 5,347,280 and 5,541,604), IBM (see U.S. Patent Nos.
5,528,222; 5,550,547;
5,521,601; and 5,682,143), Motorola/Indala (see U.S. Patent No. 5,378,880 and 5,565,846), and Mikron/Philips Semiconductors (see U.S. Patent No. 4,442,507; 4,796,074;
5,095,362;
5,296,722; and 5,407,851). In addition, RFID technology and tracking systems are described in additional patents, including U.S. Patent Nos. 6,424,262 and 6,484,780 to Garber, assigned to 3M (describing the use of RFID to track library materials); U.S. Patent No.
6,100,804 to Brady, assigned to Intecmec (describing a RFID systenl employing a thin, flexible RFID tag and integrated antenna); U.S. Patent Application 2002/0139848 (describing a system for tracking a changeable description of an article for use in a home inventory system); and U.S. Patent No.
6,563,417 to Shaw, assigned to Identec Solutions (describing a RFID method of tracking products moving along a distribution path). Other patents and patent applications describe other uses for RFID technology. For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 09/859,359 by Hind describes a method for providing targeted advertising and personalized customer services using RFID tagged products and wireless communication devices and U.S. Patent Application No.
09/442533 by Hidary describes a system for distributing and retrieving information about an object using RFID transponders and Internet access devices.
U.S. Patent Application No. 11/230,049 by Sprogis discloses a method and apparatus for providing awards using transponders. U.S. Patent Application No. 11/327,771 by Sprogis discloses a game where game participants attempt to earn awards, or items, or to have awards or items taken away from another player, by transmitting information from electronic data storage elements, such as RFID tags, to a game processing center. U.S. Patent No.
6,932,698 and No.
6,320,495 to Sprogis describe the use of location positioning technology to direct a game participant to a specific location or locations.
Examples of EDSE technology and uses can also be found in the June 2003 Equity Research of Bear Stearns, titled Supply-Chain Technology: Track(ing) to the Future, The Impending RFID-based Inventory Revolution.
(3) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention involves a method for determining when a person is in a certain desired area for the purpose of providing awards to the person. The invention utilizes EDSEs, such as RFID tags, and EDSE readers. Persons who wish to cam awards are provided with EDSE readers. Persons also carry a wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone, which may be integrated with the EDSE reader.
One or more EDSEs are placed in selected locations, for example, the counter at a fast food restaurant or at the entrances to a department store. Each EDSE has information stored on it to direct persons to a special award location on a processing site such as a server that is affiliated with the company sponsoring the award. When the EDSE reader comes within the proximity of the EDSE it interrogates the EDSE and reads the information stored thereon. The person then uses their wireless communications device to access the special award location on the server affiliated with the company sponsoring the award.
The special award location on the server is only accessible by using the EDSE
information that directs persons to that location. For that reason, when a person accesses the special awards location, the server knows that they have come within proximity of the EDSE and are entitled to an award. The server recognizes the person by means of a unique identification code for that person, such as the person's cellular telephone number. The server then grants an award, such as a merchandise coupon or redeemable points, to the person.
The EDSE may also contain a special award code that is read by the EDSE reader and sent to the special award location of the server and correlated with an award that is given to the person. A second, additional award code may also be given to the person if a purchase is made.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a game wherein participants are provided with electronic data storage elements and data readers. The game participants try to be the first game participant to read the RFID tag(s) of other game participants and to send that information to a game processing center. The participant transmitting information to the game processing center is awarded points or some other award, such as an item, for transmitting information from the other players' RFID tag. In addition, the game player or participant whose information is sent by the other game participant to the game processing center may be eliminated from the game, either permanently or for a certain period of time, have points taken away, or lose an item. The captured player may also have points taken away, lose items or have his or her points or items transferred to the capturing player. Players may be directed to specific locations where tags have been placed through the use of location positioning technology such as global positioning satellite ("GPS"). Numerous variations on the basic concept of the invention can also be implemented. The object of the game is to earn awards (points, items, etc.), eliminate other players, and be the last game participant in the game - the last man standing.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, game participants are also provided with awards or items for transmitting information to the game processing center or centers from RFID tags that are not associated with other game participants. For example, RFID tags are placed in fast food restaurants and when a game participant enters the restaurant, reads the tag and transmits the tags' identification information to a game processing center, the player is provided with an award such as additional points, an item, or a period of invincibility wherein the player may not be captured or eliminated from the game.
All documents, including other patents and references, referred to in this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, although no documents are admitted to render any of the claims herein unpatentable either alone or in combination with any other references known by the applicant.
(4) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 depicts the components of the system and method.
Figure 2 depicts components used to provide awards when a purchase is made.
Figure 3 depicts a further embodiment of the invention.
Increasing customers is a goal of many businesses. In order to increase customers, some businesses market their products, others provide discounts or coupons to customers, and still others create customer loyalty programs that reward customers for repeat patronage. Some business use all these methods and all businesses use some method to draw customers. The present invention increases patronage at business establishments by using electronic data storage elements (EDSEs") such as RFID technology to provide awards to persons that visit or make purchases at such establishments. The present invention also provides for a game where game participants attempt to earn awards, or items, by transmitting information from EDSEs to a processing center.
Evolving technologies allow products or other items to be tagged with inexpensive EDSEs then tracked by devices that can read the information encoded into the tag. One form of electronic data storage element is a radio frequency transponder. Radio frequency identification ("RFID") uses low-powered radio transmitters to read data stored in a transponder at distances up to 200 feet away. Present applications of this technology include tracking assets, managing inventory, automatic vehicle identification, highway tolls and authorizing payments. RFID
technology is also used by certain automobile manufacturers to provide electronic keys to their automobiles.
RFID systems originated in the 1940s when the U.S. government used transponders to distinguish between friendly and enemy aircraft. Aircraft still utilize transponders today for aircraft tracking. In addition to tracking aircraft, the airline industry, along with the FAA has used RFID tags to route baggage and increase air security. In the 1970s, the U.S. government used RFID systems for tracking livestock and nuclear material. Companies such as McDonald's and Exxon Mobile have tested RFID chips to allow customers to pay for food or gas.
RFID technology is known to those skilled in the art. Commercial utilizations typically operate in a number of unlicensed frequency bands, with 125 KHz and 13.56 MHz being the most common. The greater the bandwidth the more information a RFID tag can hold. For instance, a 13.56 MHZ tag can hold as much as 2,000 bits of data, roughly 30 times the information that can be held on a 125 KHz tag. Active RF1D tags are equipped with a battery that allows an active tag to transmit a signal to a reader. These tags often provide the greatest range, up to 200 feet, but are more expensive than other tags. Passive RFID
tags are not battery powered. They draw power from the electromagnetic waves emitted from the receiver-transmitter. The read range of these tags is generally under three meters and the tags are inexpensive to manufacture. Semi-passive RFID tags have batteries like active RFID tags, but the battery is only used to power the tag's microchip circuitry, it does not power the transmission from the tag to the reader. Semi-passive tags also have longer read ranges than passive tags.
One example of EDSE or RFID use is inventory control. In this application, a RFID tag is placed on the item to be tracked. Up to 2,000 bits of data are stored on a memory chip that is housed in a button or integrated circuit card. Tags can also be etched on a substrate that is then embedded in a paper or plastic tag. The information stored on the tag may include a unique product identification code, the place of product manufacture and the place of sale. The tag may include a battery or it may be passive. A RFID transmitter-receiver or reader is utilized that contains a transmitter, receiver and digital control module connected to a transmitting antenna.
When the control module senses a tag, it interrogates the tag (after awakening the tag if passive), decodes the data and typically passes that data on to a host system by way of wired or wireless communication. The host system assimilates the data received from the product tags and the data is used to track product inventory and sales.
The majority of RFID tags are write-once/read-only, but others offer read/write capability such that the information contained on the tag can be rewritten. For instance if tracking an item in transit, the information can be rewritten as the item travels along its route or is rerouted. RFID
readers may be hand-held and wireless. Devices are being produced that combine an RFID
reader with a wireless, mobile telephone, sucll as the Nokia Mobile RFID Kit for Nokia 5140 and Nokia 5140i. A Smart Card Alliance task force is working toward building a robust market for contactless paynlents utilizing mobile telephones equipped with RFID
technology.
Several companies have developed RFID technology, including Texas Instruments (see U.S. Patent Nos. 5,347,280 and 5,541,604), IBM (see U.S. Patent Nos.
5,528,222; 5,550,547;
5,521,601; and 5,682,143), Motorola/Indala (see U.S. Patent No. 5,378,880 and 5,565,846), and Mikron/Philips Semiconductors (see U.S. Patent No. 4,442,507; 4,796,074;
5,095,362;
5,296,722; and 5,407,851). In addition, RFID technology and tracking systems are described in additional patents, including U.S. Patent Nos. 6,424,262 and 6,484,780 to Garber, assigned to 3M (describing the use of RFID to track library materials); U.S. Patent No.
6,100,804 to Brady, assigned to Intecmec (describing a RFID systenl employing a thin, flexible RFID tag and integrated antenna); U.S. Patent Application 2002/0139848 (describing a system for tracking a changeable description of an article for use in a home inventory system); and U.S. Patent No.
6,563,417 to Shaw, assigned to Identec Solutions (describing a RFID method of tracking products moving along a distribution path). Other patents and patent applications describe other uses for RFID technology. For example, U.S. Patent Application No. 09/859,359 by Hind describes a method for providing targeted advertising and personalized customer services using RFID tagged products and wireless communication devices and U.S. Patent Application No.
09/442533 by Hidary describes a system for distributing and retrieving information about an object using RFID transponders and Internet access devices.
U.S. Patent Application No. 11/230,049 by Sprogis discloses a method and apparatus for providing awards using transponders. U.S. Patent Application No. 11/327,771 by Sprogis discloses a game where game participants attempt to earn awards, or items, or to have awards or items taken away from another player, by transmitting information from electronic data storage elements, such as RFID tags, to a game processing center. U.S. Patent No.
6,932,698 and No.
6,320,495 to Sprogis describe the use of location positioning technology to direct a game participant to a specific location or locations.
Examples of EDSE technology and uses can also be found in the June 2003 Equity Research of Bear Stearns, titled Supply-Chain Technology: Track(ing) to the Future, The Impending RFID-based Inventory Revolution.
(3) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention involves a method for determining when a person is in a certain desired area for the purpose of providing awards to the person. The invention utilizes EDSEs, such as RFID tags, and EDSE readers. Persons who wish to cam awards are provided with EDSE readers. Persons also carry a wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone, which may be integrated with the EDSE reader.
One or more EDSEs are placed in selected locations, for example, the counter at a fast food restaurant or at the entrances to a department store. Each EDSE has information stored on it to direct persons to a special award location on a processing site such as a server that is affiliated with the company sponsoring the award. When the EDSE reader comes within the proximity of the EDSE it interrogates the EDSE and reads the information stored thereon. The person then uses their wireless communications device to access the special award location on the server affiliated with the company sponsoring the award.
The special award location on the server is only accessible by using the EDSE
information that directs persons to that location. For that reason, when a person accesses the special awards location, the server knows that they have come within proximity of the EDSE and are entitled to an award. The server recognizes the person by means of a unique identification code for that person, such as the person's cellular telephone number. The server then grants an award, such as a merchandise coupon or redeemable points, to the person.
The EDSE may also contain a special award code that is read by the EDSE reader and sent to the special award location of the server and correlated with an award that is given to the person. A second, additional award code may also be given to the person if a purchase is made.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a game wherein participants are provided with electronic data storage elements and data readers. The game participants try to be the first game participant to read the RFID tag(s) of other game participants and to send that information to a game processing center. The participant transmitting information to the game processing center is awarded points or some other award, such as an item, for transmitting information from the other players' RFID tag. In addition, the game player or participant whose information is sent by the other game participant to the game processing center may be eliminated from the game, either permanently or for a certain period of time, have points taken away, or lose an item. The captured player may also have points taken away, lose items or have his or her points or items transferred to the capturing player. Players may be directed to specific locations where tags have been placed through the use of location positioning technology such as global positioning satellite ("GPS"). Numerous variations on the basic concept of the invention can also be implemented. The object of the game is to earn awards (points, items, etc.), eliminate other players, and be the last game participant in the game - the last man standing.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, game participants are also provided with awards or items for transmitting information to the game processing center or centers from RFID tags that are not associated with other game participants. For example, RFID tags are placed in fast food restaurants and when a game participant enters the restaurant, reads the tag and transmits the tags' identification information to a game processing center, the player is provided with an award such as additional points, an item, or a period of invincibility wherein the player may not be captured or eliminated from the game.
All documents, including other patents and references, referred to in this document are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, although no documents are admitted to render any of the claims herein unpatentable either alone or in combination with any other references known by the applicant.
(4) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 depicts the components of the system and method.
Figure 2 depicts components used to provide awards when a purchase is made.
Figure 3 depicts a further embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 depicts the components of the game system and method involving two game participants.
(5) DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention provides awards to persons in order to incentivize those persons to patronize certain businesses or other places. In the present invention, businesses or other persons place electronic data storage elements ("EDSE"s) in selected locations. The EDSEs contain information that provides directions to an award location on a host computer, such as a website.
When a person carrying an EDSE reader comes within the proximity of the EDSE, the reader interrogates the EDSE and obtains the directions to the award location. The person then utilizes a wireless communications device such as a web-enabled cellular telephone to access the award location and receives an award.
Using Figure 1, a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. A
business such as a fast-food restaurant desires to increase customer traffic, both by driving more customers to its stores and also by encouraging customers to make repeat visits. It registers persons (14) who wish to participate in a promotional program, explains the program rules, and those persons who are participants in the promotional program are provided with EDSE readers (10). The participant's registration information, including a unique identification code, such as a cellular telephone number, is recorded in a database. Persons participating in the award program also carry a wireless communications device such as a web-enabled cellular telephone or Blackberry (11). The wireless communications device and EDSE reader may be combined into a single device, such as in the Nokia Mobile RFID Kit for the Nokia 5140 and Nokia 5140i.
The restaurant places EDSEs (12) at strategic locations within its store(s), such as under the service counter (13). The EDSE's contain an address for a special award location on a website that is dedicated to providing awards to registered persons (14) that visit the restaurants.
(5) DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The present invention provides awards to persons in order to incentivize those persons to patronize certain businesses or other places. In the present invention, businesses or other persons place electronic data storage elements ("EDSE"s) in selected locations. The EDSEs contain information that provides directions to an award location on a host computer, such as a website.
When a person carrying an EDSE reader comes within the proximity of the EDSE, the reader interrogates the EDSE and obtains the directions to the award location. The person then utilizes a wireless communications device such as a web-enabled cellular telephone to access the award location and receives an award.
Using Figure 1, a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention is provided. A
business such as a fast-food restaurant desires to increase customer traffic, both by driving more customers to its stores and also by encouraging customers to make repeat visits. It registers persons (14) who wish to participate in a promotional program, explains the program rules, and those persons who are participants in the promotional program are provided with EDSE readers (10). The participant's registration information, including a unique identification code, such as a cellular telephone number, is recorded in a database. Persons participating in the award program also carry a wireless communications device such as a web-enabled cellular telephone or Blackberry (11). The wireless communications device and EDSE reader may be combined into a single device, such as in the Nokia Mobile RFID Kit for the Nokia 5140 and Nokia 5140i.
The restaurant places EDSEs (12) at strategic locations within its store(s), such as under the service counter (13). The EDSE's contain an address for a special award location on a website that is dedicated to providing awards to registered persons (14) that visit the restaurants.
When the person (14) enters a participating restaurant and approaches the counter (13) to place his order, the EDSE reader (10) interrogates the EDSE (12), and from it receives the Internet address of the special award location. The person (14) then uses the lnternet address and the wireless communications device (11) to access the award location on the host computer (15).
The award location uses the telephone number of the person to identify the person and assigns an award to the person to reward his visit to the restaurant. Awards can be of any of a wide variety known in the art, including but not limited to coupons, discount certificates, free merchandise or customer loyalty points.
In order to encourage purchases, an additional step is added as in Figure 2.
As shown in Figure 2, a special code (20) is printed on purchase receipts (21). The special code may also be incorporated into product packaging (22). The purchaser sends this special code to the awards location using their web-enabled wireless communications device (11), for example by typing in the symbols on the keypad of a cellular telephone. The awards location recognizes the special code (20) and provides an award, which may be in addition to a first award, to the person based upon the fact that a purchase was made.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, EDSEs are encoded with both a prompt to provide the address of an award location and a separate code to identify the specific EDSE. The EDSE reader reads both the address and the specific EDSE
identification information. The person sends the specific EDSE identification information to the awards location on the website and that location verifies that the specific EDSE
identification information is accurate and up to date. For instance, in order to combat potential fraud, the restaurant could decide that it will change the EDSEs or the information contained thereon on a weekly or even daily basis. Because of the very low cost of such devices this would not be cost-prohibitive. All EDSEs used by the restaurant contain directions to the same awards location, but the EDSE identification information is changed every week. Awards are only given to persons that enter the current EDSE identification information when accessing the awards location of the website.
In another embodiment the EDSE does not contain directions to a special awards location at all. The EDSE only contains information identifying the specific EDSE. When persons register to participate in the awards program, they are provided with the awards program Internet address or a telephone number or other directions that connect them to the awards location processing center. Then, upon entering a participating location and receiving the EDSE
identifying code, the participant can access the awards web-page or call the awards telephone number, enter the EDSE identifying code, and be credited with their award. As described in a previous embodiment, additional awards can be credited when a purchase is made.
Other methods of preventing fraud can also be used. For example, instead of changing the information on the EDSE or the EDSE itself, the special award location could verify that the person was in the participating location via location positioning equipment, such as global positioning satellite equipment, that is well known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Patent No.
6,932,698 to Sprogis.
One type of award envisioned by the present invention is customer loyalty points. Each time a customer visits a participating business establishment the customer is awarded a certain number of points. If the customer makes a purchase, and provides a purchase code to the awards center, the customer is awarded additional points. Points arc redeemed for free products or other promotional items.
The award location uses the telephone number of the person to identify the person and assigns an award to the person to reward his visit to the restaurant. Awards can be of any of a wide variety known in the art, including but not limited to coupons, discount certificates, free merchandise or customer loyalty points.
In order to encourage purchases, an additional step is added as in Figure 2.
As shown in Figure 2, a special code (20) is printed on purchase receipts (21). The special code may also be incorporated into product packaging (22). The purchaser sends this special code to the awards location using their web-enabled wireless communications device (11), for example by typing in the symbols on the keypad of a cellular telephone. The awards location recognizes the special code (20) and provides an award, which may be in addition to a first award, to the person based upon the fact that a purchase was made.
In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, EDSEs are encoded with both a prompt to provide the address of an award location and a separate code to identify the specific EDSE. The EDSE reader reads both the address and the specific EDSE
identification information. The person sends the specific EDSE identification information to the awards location on the website and that location verifies that the specific EDSE
identification information is accurate and up to date. For instance, in order to combat potential fraud, the restaurant could decide that it will change the EDSEs or the information contained thereon on a weekly or even daily basis. Because of the very low cost of such devices this would not be cost-prohibitive. All EDSEs used by the restaurant contain directions to the same awards location, but the EDSE identification information is changed every week. Awards are only given to persons that enter the current EDSE identification information when accessing the awards location of the website.
In another embodiment the EDSE does not contain directions to a special awards location at all. The EDSE only contains information identifying the specific EDSE. When persons register to participate in the awards program, they are provided with the awards program Internet address or a telephone number or other directions that connect them to the awards location processing center. Then, upon entering a participating location and receiving the EDSE
identifying code, the participant can access the awards web-page or call the awards telephone number, enter the EDSE identifying code, and be credited with their award. As described in a previous embodiment, additional awards can be credited when a purchase is made.
Other methods of preventing fraud can also be used. For example, instead of changing the information on the EDSE or the EDSE itself, the special award location could verify that the person was in the participating location via location positioning equipment, such as global positioning satellite equipment, that is well known in the art. See, for example, U.S. Patent No.
6,932,698 to Sprogis.
One type of award envisioned by the present invention is customer loyalty points. Each time a customer visits a participating business establishment the customer is awarded a certain number of points. If the customer makes a purchase, and provides a purchase code to the awards center, the customer is awarded additional points. Points arc redeemed for free products or other promotional items.
Another method of providing awards to customers envisioned by the present invention is depicted in Figure 3. This embodiment involves installing EDSE readers (30) in a business establishment and providing awards program participants (14) with EDSEs (16).
The EDSEs (16) provided to the customer are encoded with information that identifies the customer (14). In this method, when a customer (14) comes within close enough proximity to the EDSE reader (30) to allow the customer's EDSE (16) to be interrogated and read, the EDSE
reader (30) reads the information identifying the customer and sends that information to a central processing center (15). The central processing center (15) records the fact that the customer's EDSE (16) was read at the location of the EDSE reader (30) and provides an award to the customer. The award could be, for example, a coupon for a free drink. The processing center (15) provides the free soft drink coupon to the person by any of many methods well-known in the art, for example by mail, by e-mail, at the point of sale, or by allowing the person to pick up the coupon at a specified location.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a game played by game participants.
The game is in the form of a bounty hunter game, in that there are players that are hunting other players, Hunters, and other players that are trying to escape capture by the Hunters, the Hunted.
Players may sign up for the game as either Hunters or Hunted.
Each player or participant is equipped with: an electronic data storage element such as a radio frequency identification ("RFID") tag; a reader capable of reading the information stored on the RFID tag; and a wireless communications device capable of communicating with a game processing center or centers that manage the game and provide awards to the players. The object of the game is to earn awards, points, items or other awards by, among other things, capturing the Hunted or by eliminating Hunters. Items might include such things as a virtual sword that may be used in the game by the participant, health boosts to give the participant extended life, or any of a multitude of other items typically sought by players of computer and video games and known in the gaming industry. Capture or elimination awards are earned by sending information from the RFID tag of the participant captured or eliminated to the game processing center before that person is able to send the information from your RFID tag to the game processing center.
Another object of the game is to stay in the game as long as possible, avoiding elimination, and being be the last player standing.
A description of the game involving two participants is now described using Figure 4. A
first participant (40) is provided with a RFID tag (41) that contains information identifying the first participant, such as an alpha-numeric code that is associated with the participant. The first participant also carries a reader capable of reading RFID tags (42). In Figure 1, the RFID tag (41) is carried by the first participant on a belt that can also hold the first participant's RFID tag reader (42) and a wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone (43). As depicted in Figure 1, the RFID tag reader (42) and the wireless communications device (43) may be integrated into a single unit (44), such as the Nokia Mobile RFID Kit for the Nokia 5140 and Nokia 5140i. A second game participant (50) is also provided with an RFID tag (51) that contains information identifying the second game participant (50). The second game participant (50) also carries, in this example, an integrated device (54), comprising an RFID reader (52) and a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone (53).
When a first game participant (40) comes into proximity of the RFID tag carried by a second game participant (50), such that the first game participant's tag reader (42) can read the second game participant's RFID tag (51) and, conversely, the second game participant's reader (52) can read the first game participant's tag (41), the race is on.
The first game participant's tag reader (42) receives the identification information from the second game participant's RFID tag (51) and displays that information to the first game participant (40) on his reader (42). The first game participant (40) must then, using his wireless communications device (43), transmit the identification information to a game processing center (60) before the second game participant (50) receives and transmits information from the first game participant (40) to the game processing center (60). The information may be transmitted to the processing center (60), which may comprise a computer with a processor and a memory, by using cellular, voice over Internet protocol, Internet or other technologies.
When the game processing center (60) receives the transmitted information it recognizes the information as identifying the second game participant (50). This may be done easily by such methods as having a look-up table that matches the identification information from the RFID tag to the name of the game participant. Other methods of matching the RFID tag information to the game participant carrying the RFID tag are of course possible and are well-known to those skilled in the art. The identification information could even be the participant's name. The game processing center then will note that the second game participant (50) has been captured (if it is a Hunted) or eliminated (if it is a Hunter). The second game participant (50) is then excluded from the remainder of the game.
In addition to excluding the second game participant (50) from the remainder of the game, the game processing center (60) may also, or alternatively, award capture or elimination points to the first game player (40). For example, it may be worth five points to capture a Hunted or eliminate a Hunter and upon the game processing center's receipt of identification information from an RFID tag it may award five points to the participant sending the information. The game processing center identifies the participant sending the information by, for example, recognizing the cellular telephone number of the participant that transmits the RFID
information. The participant sending the identification information may also send a pre-assigned code to identify herself.
Instead of eliminating the second participant whose information is first transmitted to the game processing center, in order to facilitate longer play the game processing center may instead isolate that participant from the game for a period of time. This may be done by disabling the second game participant's RFID reader (52) or implementing a screen so that no information sent by the second game participant's wireless communication device (53) is processed by the game processing center (60). This embodiment of the game is similar to the disabling of a player's laser gun after that player is tagged in the popular game of laser tag. To enhance the game, game participants may be sent clues as to the location of other game participants or RFIDs on their wireless communications device.
Other envisioned permutations include deducting points from the captured or eliminated participant or changing the participant from Hunter to Hunted or vice versa.
Deducted points could be awarded to the capturing or eliminating game participant as well.
RFID tags also may be placed at selected locations in and around the area in which the game is played, such as in business establishments, on lampposts or on the side of a building as described above with regard to Figure 1.
Businesses that wish to drive traffic to their locations place RFID tags (12) at strategic locations, such as the counter of a fast food restaurant (13). Game participants that enter the restaurant and approach the counter (13) interrogate the RFID tag with their reader. The information from the tag (12) is then transmitted by the game participant to a game processing center using a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone. The information from the tag is correlated with a designated function by the game processing center. For example, the game participant may be awarded immunity from game capture or elimination for a period of time as an award for transmitting the RFID tag information to the game processing center. The game processing center recognizes the game participant, for example, by the telephone number of the participant's cellular telephone. The game then gives the transmitting game participant immunity from capture or elimination for a period of time, for example, 15 minutes. During the period of immunity, the game processing center, if it receives the information from the game participant's RFID tag from another game participant, will not eliminate the participant.
In one embodiment of the invention, the person entering the fast food restaurant or other establishment must make a purchase in order to earn an award (either an initial award or a second award in addition to an award for sending RFID information), as depicted in Figure 2. In this case, the person is provided with a code (20) at the time of purchase indicating that a purchase has been made. The code (20) is preferably present on the receipt for the purchase (21), but may also be included in the packaging of the item purchased (22) or otherwise provided. The game participant then types the code (20) into his or her wireless communications device and the code is sent back to the game processing center which recognizes the code as indicative of a purchase and provides awards commensurate with the purchase.
The award may be extended periods of immunity or some other award.
This embodiment is depicted with the game participants carrying their own identifying RFID tag on their person. It is not a limitation of the invention, however, that game participants carry RFID tags. Player identifying RFID tags could be placed on the player's car or in their home. Or, player identifying RFID tags may be eliminated and the game played by game participants going to where RFID tags are located, transmitting the identifying information from the RFID tag to a game processing center and receiving awards.
The present invention may also be used in conjunction with a treasure hunt game, such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 6,932,698, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the treasure hunt game, participants are guided in a treasure hunt through clues that are provided to the participants on RFID readers. RFID tags containing clues are placed along the treasure hunt route such that when a participant arrives at a site with an RFID tag, the participant reads the clue from the tag with her RFID tag reader and may then, upon deciphering the clue, proceed to the next location of the treasure hunt route, read and decipher the next clue on the next tag and move on. This continues until the participant completes the treasure hunt route. At that point, and/or at interim points, the participant is provided an award.
In another embodiment, the game participants play in a treasure hunt game, consisting of providing clues to participants to direct thein to a final destination, while the participants are simultaneously playing the Bounty Hunter game such as described above. The participants may be provided with the location of an RFID tag and use locating positioning technology such as GPS in order to find the tag. In this way, the excitement of seeking to capture or eliminate players is added to the thrill of a treasure hunt game.
The preceding examples are preferred embodiments of the invention. The invention itself is not limited to the examples above, and as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, can be practiced in numerous variations on the above. The invention is limited only by the following claims.
The EDSEs (16) provided to the customer are encoded with information that identifies the customer (14). In this method, when a customer (14) comes within close enough proximity to the EDSE reader (30) to allow the customer's EDSE (16) to be interrogated and read, the EDSE
reader (30) reads the information identifying the customer and sends that information to a central processing center (15). The central processing center (15) records the fact that the customer's EDSE (16) was read at the location of the EDSE reader (30) and provides an award to the customer. The award could be, for example, a coupon for a free drink. The processing center (15) provides the free soft drink coupon to the person by any of many methods well-known in the art, for example by mail, by e-mail, at the point of sale, or by allowing the person to pick up the coupon at a specified location.
Another aspect of the present invention involves a game played by game participants.
The game is in the form of a bounty hunter game, in that there are players that are hunting other players, Hunters, and other players that are trying to escape capture by the Hunters, the Hunted.
Players may sign up for the game as either Hunters or Hunted.
Each player or participant is equipped with: an electronic data storage element such as a radio frequency identification ("RFID") tag; a reader capable of reading the information stored on the RFID tag; and a wireless communications device capable of communicating with a game processing center or centers that manage the game and provide awards to the players. The object of the game is to earn awards, points, items or other awards by, among other things, capturing the Hunted or by eliminating Hunters. Items might include such things as a virtual sword that may be used in the game by the participant, health boosts to give the participant extended life, or any of a multitude of other items typically sought by players of computer and video games and known in the gaming industry. Capture or elimination awards are earned by sending information from the RFID tag of the participant captured or eliminated to the game processing center before that person is able to send the information from your RFID tag to the game processing center.
Another object of the game is to stay in the game as long as possible, avoiding elimination, and being be the last player standing.
A description of the game involving two participants is now described using Figure 4. A
first participant (40) is provided with a RFID tag (41) that contains information identifying the first participant, such as an alpha-numeric code that is associated with the participant. The first participant also carries a reader capable of reading RFID tags (42). In Figure 1, the RFID tag (41) is carried by the first participant on a belt that can also hold the first participant's RFID tag reader (42) and a wireless communications device, such as a cellular telephone (43). As depicted in Figure 1, the RFID tag reader (42) and the wireless communications device (43) may be integrated into a single unit (44), such as the Nokia Mobile RFID Kit for the Nokia 5140 and Nokia 5140i. A second game participant (50) is also provided with an RFID tag (51) that contains information identifying the second game participant (50). The second game participant (50) also carries, in this example, an integrated device (54), comprising an RFID reader (52) and a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone (53).
When a first game participant (40) comes into proximity of the RFID tag carried by a second game participant (50), such that the first game participant's tag reader (42) can read the second game participant's RFID tag (51) and, conversely, the second game participant's reader (52) can read the first game participant's tag (41), the race is on.
The first game participant's tag reader (42) receives the identification information from the second game participant's RFID tag (51) and displays that information to the first game participant (40) on his reader (42). The first game participant (40) must then, using his wireless communications device (43), transmit the identification information to a game processing center (60) before the second game participant (50) receives and transmits information from the first game participant (40) to the game processing center (60). The information may be transmitted to the processing center (60), which may comprise a computer with a processor and a memory, by using cellular, voice over Internet protocol, Internet or other technologies.
When the game processing center (60) receives the transmitted information it recognizes the information as identifying the second game participant (50). This may be done easily by such methods as having a look-up table that matches the identification information from the RFID tag to the name of the game participant. Other methods of matching the RFID tag information to the game participant carrying the RFID tag are of course possible and are well-known to those skilled in the art. The identification information could even be the participant's name. The game processing center then will note that the second game participant (50) has been captured (if it is a Hunted) or eliminated (if it is a Hunter). The second game participant (50) is then excluded from the remainder of the game.
In addition to excluding the second game participant (50) from the remainder of the game, the game processing center (60) may also, or alternatively, award capture or elimination points to the first game player (40). For example, it may be worth five points to capture a Hunted or eliminate a Hunter and upon the game processing center's receipt of identification information from an RFID tag it may award five points to the participant sending the information. The game processing center identifies the participant sending the information by, for example, recognizing the cellular telephone number of the participant that transmits the RFID
information. The participant sending the identification information may also send a pre-assigned code to identify herself.
Instead of eliminating the second participant whose information is first transmitted to the game processing center, in order to facilitate longer play the game processing center may instead isolate that participant from the game for a period of time. This may be done by disabling the second game participant's RFID reader (52) or implementing a screen so that no information sent by the second game participant's wireless communication device (53) is processed by the game processing center (60). This embodiment of the game is similar to the disabling of a player's laser gun after that player is tagged in the popular game of laser tag. To enhance the game, game participants may be sent clues as to the location of other game participants or RFIDs on their wireless communications device.
Other envisioned permutations include deducting points from the captured or eliminated participant or changing the participant from Hunter to Hunted or vice versa.
Deducted points could be awarded to the capturing or eliminating game participant as well.
RFID tags also may be placed at selected locations in and around the area in which the game is played, such as in business establishments, on lampposts or on the side of a building as described above with regard to Figure 1.
Businesses that wish to drive traffic to their locations place RFID tags (12) at strategic locations, such as the counter of a fast food restaurant (13). Game participants that enter the restaurant and approach the counter (13) interrogate the RFID tag with their reader. The information from the tag (12) is then transmitted by the game participant to a game processing center using a wireless communication device such as a cellular telephone. The information from the tag is correlated with a designated function by the game processing center. For example, the game participant may be awarded immunity from game capture or elimination for a period of time as an award for transmitting the RFID tag information to the game processing center. The game processing center recognizes the game participant, for example, by the telephone number of the participant's cellular telephone. The game then gives the transmitting game participant immunity from capture or elimination for a period of time, for example, 15 minutes. During the period of immunity, the game processing center, if it receives the information from the game participant's RFID tag from another game participant, will not eliminate the participant.
In one embodiment of the invention, the person entering the fast food restaurant or other establishment must make a purchase in order to earn an award (either an initial award or a second award in addition to an award for sending RFID information), as depicted in Figure 2. In this case, the person is provided with a code (20) at the time of purchase indicating that a purchase has been made. The code (20) is preferably present on the receipt for the purchase (21), but may also be included in the packaging of the item purchased (22) or otherwise provided. The game participant then types the code (20) into his or her wireless communications device and the code is sent back to the game processing center which recognizes the code as indicative of a purchase and provides awards commensurate with the purchase.
The award may be extended periods of immunity or some other award.
This embodiment is depicted with the game participants carrying their own identifying RFID tag on their person. It is not a limitation of the invention, however, that game participants carry RFID tags. Player identifying RFID tags could be placed on the player's car or in their home. Or, player identifying RFID tags may be eliminated and the game played by game participants going to where RFID tags are located, transmitting the identifying information from the RFID tag to a game processing center and receiving awards.
The present invention may also be used in conjunction with a treasure hunt game, such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 6,932,698, which is incorporated herein by reference. In the treasure hunt game, participants are guided in a treasure hunt through clues that are provided to the participants on RFID readers. RFID tags containing clues are placed along the treasure hunt route such that when a participant arrives at a site with an RFID tag, the participant reads the clue from the tag with her RFID tag reader and may then, upon deciphering the clue, proceed to the next location of the treasure hunt route, read and decipher the next clue on the next tag and move on. This continues until the participant completes the treasure hunt route. At that point, and/or at interim points, the participant is provided an award.
In another embodiment, the game participants play in a treasure hunt game, consisting of providing clues to participants to direct thein to a final destination, while the participants are simultaneously playing the Bounty Hunter game such as described above. The participants may be provided with the location of an RFID tag and use locating positioning technology such as GPS in order to find the tag. In this way, the excitement of seeking to capture or eliminate players is added to the thrill of a treasure hunt game.
The preceding examples are preferred embodiments of the invention. The invention itself is not limited to the examples above, and as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, can be practiced in numerous variations on the above. The invention is limited only by the following claims.
Claims (11)
1. A method of providing awards comprising:
(a) placing one or more electronic data storage elements containing directions to an award processing center at one or more locations;
(b) providing participants in an awards program with electronic data storage element readers;
(c) reading said directions to said award processing center from said electronic data storage element with said electronic data storage element reader;
(d) utilizing said directions to access said award processing center;
(e) identifying said participant; and (f) providing an award to said participant.
(a) placing one or more electronic data storage elements containing directions to an award processing center at one or more locations;
(b) providing participants in an awards program with electronic data storage element readers;
(c) reading said directions to said award processing center from said electronic data storage element with said electronic data storage element reader;
(d) utilizing said directions to access said award processing center;
(e) identifying said participant; and (f) providing an award to said participant.
2. The method of Claim I wherein said electronic data storage element is a radio frequency identification tag.
3. The method of Claim 1 wherein said directions to said award processing center are an Internet address and said participant accesses the award processing center by using a web-enabled wireless communications device.
4. The method of Claim 1 wherein the participant is provided with a code indicating that a purchase has been made and where said code is provided to the award processing center and said award is provided.
5. The method of Claim 4 wherein said code is provided on a purchase receipt.
6. The method of Claim 4 wherein said code is provided on product packaging.
7. The method of Claim 1 wherein the award provided is redeemable customer loyalty points.
8. The method of Claim 1 where the award provided is one or more coupons for product discounts.
9. A method of encouraging customer patronage by providing awards to customers comprising:
(a) placing one or more electronic data storage elements containing identifying information at one or more locations;
(b) providing participants in an award program with electronic data storage element readers;
(c) reading said identifying information from said electronic data storage element with said electronic data storage element reader;
(d) accessing an award processing center;
(e) transmitting the identifying information to the award processing center;
and (f) providing an award to said participant.
(a) placing one or more electronic data storage elements containing identifying information at one or more locations;
(b) providing participants in an award program with electronic data storage element readers;
(c) reading said identifying information from said electronic data storage element with said electronic data storage element reader;
(d) accessing an award processing center;
(e) transmitting the identifying information to the award processing center;
and (f) providing an award to said participant.
10. The method of Claim 9 wherein the electronic data storage elements are periodically replaced to change the identifying information.
11. The method of Claim 9 wherein the electronic data storage elements are radio frequency identification tags. 12. The method of Claim 9 wherein the award provided is redeemable customer loyalty points.
13. The method of Claim 9 wherein the award provided is one or more coupons for product discounts.
14. The method of Claim 9 wherein directions for accessing the award processing center are also read from the electronic data storage element.
15. The method of Claim 9 wherein the participant is provided with a code indicating that a purchase has been made and where said code is provided to said award processing center and a second award is provided.
16. The method of Claim 15 wherein the code indicating that a purchase has been made is placed on a purchase receipt.
17. The method of Claim 15 wherein the code indicating that a purchase has been made is placed on product packaging.
18. A method of encouraging customer loyalty and patronage comprising:
(a) registering participants in a customer loyalty program;
(b) providing one or more of said participants with an electronic data storage element encoded with information identifying the participant;
(c) providing electronic data storage element readers to one or more locations;
(d) reading the information identifying the participant from the electronic data storage element with the electronic data storage element reader; and (e) providing an award to the identified participant.
19. The method of Claim 18 wherein a wireless communications device transmits the identifying information from the electronic data storage element to an award processing center.
20. The method of Claim 18 wherein the award processing center correlates the information identifying the participant with information previously provided by the participant.
21. The method of Claim 18 wherein the award provided is redeemable customer loyalty points.
22. The method of Claim 18 wherein the award provided is one or more coupons for product discounts.
23. A system of providing awards comprising:
(a) one or more electronic data storage elements containing directions to an award processing center;
(b) electronic data storage element readers capable of reading said directions from said electronic data storage elements;
(c) a communications device capable of using said directions to access said award processing center wherein said award processing center provides an award to an award program participant when said participant accesses said award processing center.
24. The system of Claim 23 wherein said award processing center identifies said award program participant by a unique code associated with said participant's communications device.
25. The system of Claim 24 wherein said participant's communications device is a web-enabled cellular telephone and said unique code associated with said communications device is the telephone number of the web-enabled cellular telephone.
26. The system of Claim 23 wherein said electronic data storage elements are radio frequency identification tags.
27. The system of Claim 23 wherein said award is redeemable customer loyalty points.
28. The system of Claim 23 wherein said award is one or more coupons for product discounts.
29. The system of Claim 23 wherein said directions to said award processing center are an Internet address and said participant uses said directions to access said award processing center over the Internet.
30. The system of Claim 23 wherein the participant is provided with a code indicating that a purchase has been made and wherein said code is provided to the award processing center and a second award is provided.
31. The system of Claim 30 wherein said code is provided on a purchase receipt.
32. The system of Claim 30 wherein said code is provided on product packaging.
33. A system for encouraging customer patronage by providing awards to customers comprising:
(a) one or more electronic data storage elements containing identifying information;
(b) electronic data storage element readers capable of reading said identifying information from said electronic data storage elements;
(c) an awards processing center that provides awards to one or more participant(s) in an awards program when said participant transmits the identifying information from said electronic data storage element to the awards processing center.
34. The system of Claim 33 wherein the electronic data storage elements are periodically replaced to change the identifying information.
35. The system of Claim 33 wherein the electronic data storage elements are radio frequency identification tags.
36. The system of Claim 33 wherein the award provided is redeemable customer loyalty points.
37. The system of Claim 33 wherein the award provided is one or more coupons for product discounts.
38. The system of Claim 33 wherein directions for accessing the award processing center are also read from the electronic data storage element by the electronic data storage element reader.
39. The system of Claim 33 wherein the participant is provided with a code indicating that a purchase has been made and where said code is provided to said award processing center and a second award is provided.
40. The system of Claim 39 wherein the code indicating that a purchase has been made is placed on a purchase receipt.
41. The system of Claim 39 wherein the code indicating that a purchase has been made is placed on product packaging.
42. A system of encouraging customer loyalty and patronage comprising:
(a) one or more participant(s) in a customer loyalty program;
(b) an electronic data storage element provided to each participant that is encoded with information identifying said participant;
(c) electronic data storage element readers capable of reading said electronic data storage element(s);
(d) awards that are provided to said participant when said participant's identifying information stored on said participant's electronic data storage element is read by said electronic data storage element reader and transmitted to an award processing center.
43. The system of Claim 42 wherein said electronic data storage element is a radio frequency identification tag.
44. The system of Claim 42 wherein the award provided is redeemable customer loyalty points. 45. The system of Claim 42 wherein the award provided is one or more coupons for products discounts.
46. A game involving one or more game participants comprising:
(a) one or more electronic data storage elements containing identification information;
(b) one or more electronic data storage element readers capable of reading the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage elements;
(c) one or more communications devices capable of sending the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage element and read by the electronic data storage element reader to a game processing center; and (d) an award provided to the game participant that sends the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage element and read by the electronic data storage element reader to the game processing center.
47. The game of claim 46 wherein said electronic data storage element is a radio frequency identification tag.
48. The game of claim 46 wherein said electronic data storage element(s) are carried by the one or more game participants and the identification information identifies said game participant(s).
49. The game of claim 46 wherein the electronic data storage element(s) are placed in locations where game participant traffic is desired.
50. The game of claim 49 wherein the game participant is provided with a code when a purchase is made and wherein the award is provided for providing said code to said game processing center.
51. The game of claim 46 wherein the award is game points credited to the game participant that sends the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage element.
52. The game of claim 46 wherein the award is an item, such as a virtual sword.
53. The game of claim 46 wherein the award is a period of invincibility during which the game participant that sends the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage element may not be captured or eliminated by other game participants.
54. The game of claim 46 wherein the game participant(s) are provided clues to help locate the electronic data storage elements.
55. The game of claim 54 wherein the game participant(s) locate the electronic data storage elements using location positioning technology.
56. The game of claim 46 wherein the clues consist of a latitude and longitude.
57. The game of claim 48 wherein the award is a deduction of points or items from the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center, 58. The game of claim 57 wherein the points or items deducted from the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center are credited to the game participant who sends the identification information.
59. The game of claim 48 wherein the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center is eliminated from the game.
60. The game of claim 59 wherein the elimination from the game is permanent.
61. The game of claim 59 wherein the game participant that has not been eliminated from the game when all other said game participants have been eliminated is the winner.
62. A bounty hunter game involving two or more game participants comprising:
(a) two or more electronic data storage elements containing information that identifies said game participants;
(b) two or more electronic data storage element readers capable of reading the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage elements;
(c) two or more communications devices capable of sending the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage elements to a game processing site;
(d) awards that are provided to the game participant that sends the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage element and read by the electronic data storage element reader to the award processing center.
63. The game of claim 62 wherein said electronic data storage element is a radio frequency identification tag.
64. The game of claim 62 wherein the electronic data storage elements are carried by the game participants.
65. The game of claim 62 wherein the electronic data storage elements are placed in locations where game participant traffic is desired.
66. The game of claim 65 wherein the game participants are provided with clues to the location of the electronic data storage elements and locate the electronic data storage elements using location positioning technology.
67. The game of claim 66 wherein the clues consist of a latitude and longitude.
68. The game of claim 65 wherein the game participants are provided with a code when a purchase is made and wherein an award is provided to said game participants for providing said code to said game processing center.
69. The game of claim 62 wherein the award is points credited to the game participant that sends the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage elements.
70. The game of claim 62 wherein the award is an item, such as a virtual sword.
71. The game of claim 62 wherein the award is a period of invincibility during which the participant that sends the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage elements may not be captured or eliminated by other game participants.
72. The game of claim 62 wherein the award is a deduction of points or items from the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center.
73. The game of claim 72 wherein the points or items deducted from the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center are credited to the game participant who sends the identification information.
74. The game of claim 62 wherein the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center is eliminated from the game.
75. The game of claim 74 wherein the elimination from the game is permanent.
76. The bounty hunter game as described in claim 62 wherein the game participants simultaneously play a treasure hunt game comprising clues transmitted from the game processing center to the game participants' wireless communications devices to guide game participants on a treasure hunt.
77. A treasure hunt game involving one or more game participants and using electronic data storage elements comprising:
(a) electronic data storage elements containing clues to direct the one or more game participants on a treasure hunt;
(b) electronic data storage element readers capable of reading and displaying said clues to said game participants;
(c) reading said clues on said electronic data storage element readers and following said clues on said treasure hunt; and (d) providing an award to said game participant that completes said treasure hunt.
78. A method of playing a bounty hunter game involving two or more game participants comprising:
(a) providing the game participants with electronic data storage elements containing information that identifies said game participants;
(b) providing the game participants with electronic data storage element readers capable of reading the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage elements and with communications devices capable of sending the identification information contained on the electronic data storage elements to a game processing center; and (c) providing an award to the game participant that sends the identification information contained on the data storage element of another game participant and read by the electronic data storage element reader to the game processing site.
79. The method of claim 78 wherein said electronic data storage element is a radio frequency identification tag.
80. The method of claim 78 wherein additional electronic data storage elements are placed in locations wherein customer traffic is desired.
81. The game of claim 80 wherein the game participant is provided with a code when a purchase is made and wherein an award is provided to said game participant for providing said code to said game processing center.
82. The method of claim 78 wherein the award is game points credited to the game participant that sends the identification information contained on the electronic data storage elements.
83. The method of claim 78 wherein the award is an item, such as a virtual sword.
84. The method of claim 78 wherein the award is a period of invincibility during which the game participant that sends the identification information may not be captured or eliminated by other game participants.
85. The method of claim 78 wherein the game participants carry the electronic data storage elements and wherein the award is a deduction of points or items from the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center.
86. The method of claim 85 wherein the points or items deducted from the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center are credited to the game participant who sends the other game participant's identification information.
87. The method of claim 78 wherein the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center is eliminated from the game.
88. The method of claim 87 wherein the elimination from the game is permanent.
89. The method of claim 78 wherein the game participants are provided clues to help locate the electronic data storage elements.
90. The method of claim 89 wherein the game participants locate the electronic data storage elements using location positioning technology.
91. The method of claim 90 wherein the clues consist of a latitude and longitude.
92. A method of playing a treasure hunt game using electronic data storage elements comprising:
(a) locating electronic data storage elements containing clues to direct one or more game participants on a treasure hunt along a treasure hunt route;
(b) providing electronic data storage element readers capable of reading and displaying said clues to said game participants; and (c) reading said clues on said electronic data storage element readers and following said clues on said treasure hunt.
93. The method of playing the bounty hunter game as described in claim 78 wherein game participants simultaneously play a treasure hunt game comprising clues transmitted from the game processing center to participants' wireless communications devices to guide participants on a treasure hunt.
13. The method of Claim 9 wherein the award provided is one or more coupons for product discounts.
14. The method of Claim 9 wherein directions for accessing the award processing center are also read from the electronic data storage element.
15. The method of Claim 9 wherein the participant is provided with a code indicating that a purchase has been made and where said code is provided to said award processing center and a second award is provided.
16. The method of Claim 15 wherein the code indicating that a purchase has been made is placed on a purchase receipt.
17. The method of Claim 15 wherein the code indicating that a purchase has been made is placed on product packaging.
18. A method of encouraging customer loyalty and patronage comprising:
(a) registering participants in a customer loyalty program;
(b) providing one or more of said participants with an electronic data storage element encoded with information identifying the participant;
(c) providing electronic data storage element readers to one or more locations;
(d) reading the information identifying the participant from the electronic data storage element with the electronic data storage element reader; and (e) providing an award to the identified participant.
19. The method of Claim 18 wherein a wireless communications device transmits the identifying information from the electronic data storage element to an award processing center.
20. The method of Claim 18 wherein the award processing center correlates the information identifying the participant with information previously provided by the participant.
21. The method of Claim 18 wherein the award provided is redeemable customer loyalty points.
22. The method of Claim 18 wherein the award provided is one or more coupons for product discounts.
23. A system of providing awards comprising:
(a) one or more electronic data storage elements containing directions to an award processing center;
(b) electronic data storage element readers capable of reading said directions from said electronic data storage elements;
(c) a communications device capable of using said directions to access said award processing center wherein said award processing center provides an award to an award program participant when said participant accesses said award processing center.
24. The system of Claim 23 wherein said award processing center identifies said award program participant by a unique code associated with said participant's communications device.
25. The system of Claim 24 wherein said participant's communications device is a web-enabled cellular telephone and said unique code associated with said communications device is the telephone number of the web-enabled cellular telephone.
26. The system of Claim 23 wherein said electronic data storage elements are radio frequency identification tags.
27. The system of Claim 23 wherein said award is redeemable customer loyalty points.
28. The system of Claim 23 wherein said award is one or more coupons for product discounts.
29. The system of Claim 23 wherein said directions to said award processing center are an Internet address and said participant uses said directions to access said award processing center over the Internet.
30. The system of Claim 23 wherein the participant is provided with a code indicating that a purchase has been made and wherein said code is provided to the award processing center and a second award is provided.
31. The system of Claim 30 wherein said code is provided on a purchase receipt.
32. The system of Claim 30 wherein said code is provided on product packaging.
33. A system for encouraging customer patronage by providing awards to customers comprising:
(a) one or more electronic data storage elements containing identifying information;
(b) electronic data storage element readers capable of reading said identifying information from said electronic data storage elements;
(c) an awards processing center that provides awards to one or more participant(s) in an awards program when said participant transmits the identifying information from said electronic data storage element to the awards processing center.
34. The system of Claim 33 wherein the electronic data storage elements are periodically replaced to change the identifying information.
35. The system of Claim 33 wherein the electronic data storage elements are radio frequency identification tags.
36. The system of Claim 33 wherein the award provided is redeemable customer loyalty points.
37. The system of Claim 33 wherein the award provided is one or more coupons for product discounts.
38. The system of Claim 33 wherein directions for accessing the award processing center are also read from the electronic data storage element by the electronic data storage element reader.
39. The system of Claim 33 wherein the participant is provided with a code indicating that a purchase has been made and where said code is provided to said award processing center and a second award is provided.
40. The system of Claim 39 wherein the code indicating that a purchase has been made is placed on a purchase receipt.
41. The system of Claim 39 wherein the code indicating that a purchase has been made is placed on product packaging.
42. A system of encouraging customer loyalty and patronage comprising:
(a) one or more participant(s) in a customer loyalty program;
(b) an electronic data storage element provided to each participant that is encoded with information identifying said participant;
(c) electronic data storage element readers capable of reading said electronic data storage element(s);
(d) awards that are provided to said participant when said participant's identifying information stored on said participant's electronic data storage element is read by said electronic data storage element reader and transmitted to an award processing center.
43. The system of Claim 42 wherein said electronic data storage element is a radio frequency identification tag.
44. The system of Claim 42 wherein the award provided is redeemable customer loyalty points. 45. The system of Claim 42 wherein the award provided is one or more coupons for products discounts.
46. A game involving one or more game participants comprising:
(a) one or more electronic data storage elements containing identification information;
(b) one or more electronic data storage element readers capable of reading the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage elements;
(c) one or more communications devices capable of sending the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage element and read by the electronic data storage element reader to a game processing center; and (d) an award provided to the game participant that sends the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage element and read by the electronic data storage element reader to the game processing center.
47. The game of claim 46 wherein said electronic data storage element is a radio frequency identification tag.
48. The game of claim 46 wherein said electronic data storage element(s) are carried by the one or more game participants and the identification information identifies said game participant(s).
49. The game of claim 46 wherein the electronic data storage element(s) are placed in locations where game participant traffic is desired.
50. The game of claim 49 wherein the game participant is provided with a code when a purchase is made and wherein the award is provided for providing said code to said game processing center.
51. The game of claim 46 wherein the award is game points credited to the game participant that sends the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage element.
52. The game of claim 46 wherein the award is an item, such as a virtual sword.
53. The game of claim 46 wherein the award is a period of invincibility during which the game participant that sends the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage element may not be captured or eliminated by other game participants.
54. The game of claim 46 wherein the game participant(s) are provided clues to help locate the electronic data storage elements.
55. The game of claim 54 wherein the game participant(s) locate the electronic data storage elements using location positioning technology.
56. The game of claim 46 wherein the clues consist of a latitude and longitude.
57. The game of claim 48 wherein the award is a deduction of points or items from the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center, 58. The game of claim 57 wherein the points or items deducted from the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center are credited to the game participant who sends the identification information.
59. The game of claim 48 wherein the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center is eliminated from the game.
60. The game of claim 59 wherein the elimination from the game is permanent.
61. The game of claim 59 wherein the game participant that has not been eliminated from the game when all other said game participants have been eliminated is the winner.
62. A bounty hunter game involving two or more game participants comprising:
(a) two or more electronic data storage elements containing information that identifies said game participants;
(b) two or more electronic data storage element readers capable of reading the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage elements;
(c) two or more communications devices capable of sending the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage elements to a game processing site;
(d) awards that are provided to the game participant that sends the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage element and read by the electronic data storage element reader to the award processing center.
63. The game of claim 62 wherein said electronic data storage element is a radio frequency identification tag.
64. The game of claim 62 wherein the electronic data storage elements are carried by the game participants.
65. The game of claim 62 wherein the electronic data storage elements are placed in locations where game participant traffic is desired.
66. The game of claim 65 wherein the game participants are provided with clues to the location of the electronic data storage elements and locate the electronic data storage elements using location positioning technology.
67. The game of claim 66 wherein the clues consist of a latitude and longitude.
68. The game of claim 65 wherein the game participants are provided with a code when a purchase is made and wherein an award is provided to said game participants for providing said code to said game processing center.
69. The game of claim 62 wherein the award is points credited to the game participant that sends the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage elements.
70. The game of claim 62 wherein the award is an item, such as a virtual sword.
71. The game of claim 62 wherein the award is a period of invincibility during which the participant that sends the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage elements may not be captured or eliminated by other game participants.
72. The game of claim 62 wherein the award is a deduction of points or items from the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center.
73. The game of claim 72 wherein the points or items deducted from the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center are credited to the game participant who sends the identification information.
74. The game of claim 62 wherein the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center is eliminated from the game.
75. The game of claim 74 wherein the elimination from the game is permanent.
76. The bounty hunter game as described in claim 62 wherein the game participants simultaneously play a treasure hunt game comprising clues transmitted from the game processing center to the game participants' wireless communications devices to guide game participants on a treasure hunt.
77. A treasure hunt game involving one or more game participants and using electronic data storage elements comprising:
(a) electronic data storage elements containing clues to direct the one or more game participants on a treasure hunt;
(b) electronic data storage element readers capable of reading and displaying said clues to said game participants;
(c) reading said clues on said electronic data storage element readers and following said clues on said treasure hunt; and (d) providing an award to said game participant that completes said treasure hunt.
78. A method of playing a bounty hunter game involving two or more game participants comprising:
(a) providing the game participants with electronic data storage elements containing information that identifies said game participants;
(b) providing the game participants with electronic data storage element readers capable of reading the identification information that is contained on the electronic data storage elements and with communications devices capable of sending the identification information contained on the electronic data storage elements to a game processing center; and (c) providing an award to the game participant that sends the identification information contained on the data storage element of another game participant and read by the electronic data storage element reader to the game processing site.
79. The method of claim 78 wherein said electronic data storage element is a radio frequency identification tag.
80. The method of claim 78 wherein additional electronic data storage elements are placed in locations wherein customer traffic is desired.
81. The game of claim 80 wherein the game participant is provided with a code when a purchase is made and wherein an award is provided to said game participant for providing said code to said game processing center.
82. The method of claim 78 wherein the award is game points credited to the game participant that sends the identification information contained on the electronic data storage elements.
83. The method of claim 78 wherein the award is an item, such as a virtual sword.
84. The method of claim 78 wherein the award is a period of invincibility during which the game participant that sends the identification information may not be captured or eliminated by other game participants.
85. The method of claim 78 wherein the game participants carry the electronic data storage elements and wherein the award is a deduction of points or items from the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center.
86. The method of claim 85 wherein the points or items deducted from the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center are credited to the game participant who sends the other game participant's identification information.
87. The method of claim 78 wherein the game participant whose identification information is provided to the game processing center is eliminated from the game.
88. The method of claim 87 wherein the elimination from the game is permanent.
89. The method of claim 78 wherein the game participants are provided clues to help locate the electronic data storage elements.
90. The method of claim 89 wherein the game participants locate the electronic data storage elements using location positioning technology.
91. The method of claim 90 wherein the clues consist of a latitude and longitude.
92. A method of playing a treasure hunt game using electronic data storage elements comprising:
(a) locating electronic data storage elements containing clues to direct one or more game participants on a treasure hunt along a treasure hunt route;
(b) providing electronic data storage element readers capable of reading and displaying said clues to said game participants; and (c) reading said clues on said electronic data storage element readers and following said clues on said treasure hunt.
93. The method of playing the bounty hunter game as described in claim 78 wherein game participants simultaneously play a treasure hunt game comprising clues transmitted from the game processing center to participants' wireless communications devices to guide participants on a treasure hunt.
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| US11/327,771 | 2006-01-06 |
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| US6691032B1 (en) * | 2002-09-09 | 2004-02-10 | Groundspeak, Inc. | System and method for executing user-definable events triggered through geolocational data describing zones of influence |
| US8795084B2 (en) * | 2007-03-16 | 2014-08-05 | Jason S Bell | Location-based multiplayer gaming platform |
| WO2009067001A1 (en) * | 2007-11-22 | 2009-05-28 | Swinxs B.V. | Gaming system |
| AU2007249109A1 (en) * | 2007-12-19 | 2009-07-09 | Toral Coarasa, Juan Pablo Mr | Educational profession-oriented role-play game |
| WO2009141751A1 (en) * | 2008-05-19 | 2009-11-26 | Nxp B.V. | Mobile communication device and system |
| CN102159289B (en) * | 2008-08-06 | 2014-10-22 | Nxp股份有限公司 | System, carrier, program and controllable device |
| WO2010015995A1 (en) * | 2008-08-08 | 2010-02-11 | Nxp B.V. | Mobile communication device and system |
| US20100079338A1 (en) | 2008-09-30 | 2010-04-01 | Clear Channel Management Services, Inc. | Promotion Using Geopositioning Technology |
| US8550916B2 (en) * | 2010-06-08 | 2013-10-08 | Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. | Interactive game systems and methods including a transceiver and transponder receptor |
| US8944922B2 (en) | 2012-01-31 | 2015-02-03 | Sony Corporation | System and method for transferring gaming elements between peer devices |
| KR20150004331A (en) * | 2012-02-28 | 2015-01-12 | 인트라로트 에스.에이. 인티그레이티드 로터리 시스템즈 앤드 서비시스 | Methods and systems for conducting lottery games with portable devices enabled for near field communication(nfc) |
| US8702538B1 (en) * | 2013-03-01 | 2014-04-22 | Intellitrain Sports, LLC | Target recognition system |
| US8574049B1 (en) * | 2013-07-19 | 2013-11-05 | Jake Ackerman | Proximity tag race system and method |
| US9694291B2 (en) | 2013-08-09 | 2017-07-04 | Legacy Game Systems Llc | System and method for interactive role-play game support |
| US9901825B2 (en) | 2013-08-09 | 2018-02-27 | Legacy Game Systems Llc | System, apparatus, and method of monitoring interactions |
| EP2886902B1 (en) | 2013-12-20 | 2016-12-07 | Brembo SGL Carbon Ceramic Brakes GmbH | Connecting means for brake disc assembly |
| US20190015754A1 (en) * | 2017-07-16 | 2019-01-17 | Theodor Radu | Apparatus, computer-readable storage medium storing an application thereon, system and method |
| CN113952707B (en) * | 2021-12-16 | 2022-03-22 | 广州优刻谷科技有限公司 | Motion sensing game action recognition method, scoring method and system based on RFID |
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| US6967566B2 (en) * | 2002-04-05 | 2005-11-22 | Creative Kingdoms, Llc | Live-action interactive adventure game |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20141208 |