Location-Based Video Game System Using Mobile GPS Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Video games often lack interaction with the broader physical world, as gameplay is typically confined to specialized devices and does not effectively incorporate real-world location information.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a mobile communication device's location to associate game play attributes with players, allowing for network-based video game play that affects gameplay based on player location, enabling interactions with real-world locations and attributes such as property ownership or control of game entities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If video games are played on specialized devices or general purpose computers, then video game play is provided, but interaction with the broader physical world is prevented or inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling mobile communication devices to serve dual purposes: their original communication functions plus video game play. The system allows standard mobile phones to function as game devices by receiving game play information via network interface circuitry and processing it through existing processors, eliminating the need for specialized video game hardware while maintaining game functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses network interface circuitry as an intermediary to bridge the physical world and the digital game environment. This intermediary receives location data from GPS satellites and transmits it to the game server, which then translates physical location into game play attributes, allowing seamless interaction between the physical and virtual worlds without requiring complex specialized devices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If video game play is centered about specialized devices, then video game functionality is provided, but engagement with real-world locations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring the player's real-world location through GPS and dynamically adjusting game play attributes based on this information. The system receives location data, determines game play attributes associated with that location, and feeds this information back to the player through the mobile device, creating a continuous loop that maintains engagement with real-world locations while providing relevant game information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing associations between real-world locations and game play attributes in a database before gameplay begins. This allows the system to quickly retrieve and apply relevant game attributes when a player arrives at a location, without requiring complex real-time processing or loss of location information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If GPS location tracking is implemented, then location-based game play is enabled, but use of energy by the mobile device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by having the mobile device perform only the essential function of capturing GPS location data and transmitting it to the server, rather than performing all game processing locally. This reduces the energy burden on the mobile device while still enabling location-based gameplay functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the game server as an intermediary to handle energy-intensive processing tasks. The mobile device's role is limited to communicating location information and receiving game play updates, while the server performs the complex operations of determining game attributes, managing game state, and generating game content, thereby conserving mobile device energy.
Data Source
AI summary
A real world location information related video game. The video game utilizes real world location information derived from a player's mobile device to associate attributes and entities to game players. The associated attributes and entities may be useful in further game play on a player's mobile device or PC.