Location-Based Game Platform for Verified Merchant Purchases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gaming platforms do not incentivize players to purchase real-world goods or services from real-world vendor locations, and there is no way to track or verify such purchases.
Innovation Solution
A location-based reality game platform that associates players with a source of funds and monitors their geographic coordinates, allowing in-game rewards for purchasing real-world merchant offers, with real-time verification through transaction data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a location-based augmented reality game platform is implemented, then player engagement with real-world locations increases, but there is no way to track or verify real-world purchases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transaction processing entity as an intermediary between the game platform and merchants. This intermediary receives transaction data from merchants, verifies purchases, and communicates verification status back to the game platform, enabling reliable tracking of real-world purchases without requiring direct integration between the game platform and every merchant system
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where transaction data is collected from merchants, processed by the transaction processing entity, and the verification results are fed back to the game platform to trigger appropriate in-game rewards. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures accurate tracking and verification of purchases
2Reliability
If real-time purchase verification is implemented, then reward accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex transaction verification functionality from the game platform and places it in a separate, dedicated transaction processing entity. This separation allows the game platform to remain relatively simple while the verification complexity is handled by a specialized component designed for that specific function
Solution Approach 2:
The transaction processing entity serves as an intermediary that handles all complex verification logic, data validation, and communication with merchants. This intermediary absorbs the system complexity, allowing the game platform to maintain simplicity while achieving high reward accuracy through the intermediary's sophisticated verification processes
3Adaptability or versatility
If merchants are integrated into the reward system, then real-world engagement increases, but merchants must implement additional infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables merchants to participate in the reward program through self-service mechanisms where they can register their locations and offers through simplified interfaces. The transaction processing entity automatically handles the complex integration details, allowing merchants to join the program without significant infrastructure investments
Solution Approach 2:
The transaction processing entity serves multiple functions: it acts as a communication hub between merchants and the game platform, processes transaction data, verifies purchases, and manages merchant registrations. This multi-functional intermediary reduces the infrastructure burden on individual merchants by consolidating complex operations in a centralized system
Data Source
AI summary
Computer-implemented methods and systems are provided for hosting a location-based virtual environment in which one or more users can participate. Geographic coordinates of the user in real world using data provided by a positioning system may be determined. The real world geographic coordinates of the user may be mapped to virtualized coordinates of an avatar in the virtual environment. The user's real world geographic coordinates may be compared to real world geographic coordinates of one or more entities having a presence in the virtual environment. The user may be presented with options for accepting or activating a first reward from the list of rewards. Responsive to the user selecting the first reward, the first reward may be activated for a first time period in association with one or more goods or services offered by the first entity. The user is rewarded in response to verifying the user has purchased the offered goods or services during the first time period.