Method and apparatus for collecting user game play data and crediting users in an online gaming environment

Abstract

A computer implemented method for monitoring game play behavior of a user in an online gaming environment. Responsive to detecting execution of a game, gaming characteristics of the user are monitored. The game interacts with a game server. Game play data of the user is collected. Collecting game play data is performed by a plug-in application located on the game server.

1 . A computer implemented method for monitoring game play behavior of a user and reporting user game play data in an online gaming environment, the computer implemented method comprising:
 responsive to detecting execution of a game, monitoring gaming characteristics of the user, wherein the game interacts with a remote server and wherein monitoring is performed by a software agent located on a local data processing system;   collecting game play data of the user; and   reporting the game play data for processing, wherein collecting and reporting are performed by a plug-in application located on the remote server, and wherein the plug-in application communicates with the software agent.   
   
   
       2 . A computer implemented method for monitoring game play behavior of a user in an online gaming environment, the computer implemented method comprising:
 responsive to detecting execution of a game, monitoring gaming characteristics of the user, wherein the game interacts with a game server; and   collecting game play data of the user, wherein collecting is performed by a plug-in application located on the game server.   
   
   
       3 . The computer implemented method of  claim 2  further comprising:
 reporting the game play data for processing.   
   
   
       4 . The computer implemented method of  claim 2  wherein monitoring is performed by a software agent located on a local data processing system, and wherein collecting is performed by a plug-in application located on the game server, wherein the plug-in application communicates with the software agent. 
   
   
       5 . The computer implemented method of  claim 4 , wherein the gaming characteristics include at least one of user mouse movement, user joystick movement, user keyboard movement, user active process, memory usage, processor utilization, user controller input, and data processing system resources used by the game during game execution. 
   
   
       6 . The computer implemented method of  claim 4 , wherein the game play data comprises post sales data indicating behavior of the user after the game is purchased. 
   
   
       7 . The computer implemented method of  claim 4 , wherein the reporting step comprises:
 accumulating the game play data in a client game data file on the game server; and   sending the game play data to a second server via a secure communication protocol.   
   
   
       8 . The computer implemented method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 updating the game play data into a database; and   receiving dynamic data from the database, wherein the dynamic data comprises at least one of streaming statistics, a chat subscription, chat buddy statuses, a local user status, real time performance statistics, a game guide, or a challenge prompt.   
   
   
       9 . The computer implemented method of  claim 4 , wherein the game play data comprises at least one of an amount of time the user spent playing the game, a time of day, a game title, or performance statistics. 
   
   
       10 . The computer implemented method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 crediting a user account of the user with account credits based on a parameter selected from the group consisting of an amount of time the user spent playing the game and performance statistics.   
   
   
       11 . The computer implemented method of  claim 10 , wherein the performance statistics comprise at least one of a number of points the user scored within the game, a number of kills the user made within the game, a level of the game the user accomplished, a mission within the game the user completed, a status of the user, a number of wins the user accomplished while playing the game, or other measures of success relevant to the game. 
   
   
       12 . The computer implemented method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 managing spending of account credits in the user account on products and services in a virtual mall.   
   
   
       13 . The computer implemented method of  claim 4 , wherein the collecting step further comprises:
 creating dynamic services for purposes of generating interactive game help; and   creating a dynamic user interface for displaying the game help.   
   
   
       14 . The computer implemented method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 creating a dynamic user interface; and   displaying a challenge prompt in the dynamic user interface.   
   
   
       15 . The computer implemented method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 responsive to a correct response to the challenge prompt, continuing the step of crediting.   
   
   
       16 . The computer implemented method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 responsive to an event selected from the group consisting of:   an incorrect response to the challenge prompt, and failure to respond to the challenge prompt, marking a challenge failure; and   responsive to the challenge failure, activating a security measure selected from the group consisting of:
 suspending at least one function of the software agent; 
 generating a second challenge prompt; 
 suspending game play; 
 terminating execution of the game; and 
 marking data packets generated after the challenge failure. 
   
   
   
       17 . A computer program product comprising:
 a computer usable medium having computer usable program code for monitoring game play behavior of a user and reporting user game play data in an online gaming environment, said computer program product including:
 computer usable program code for, responsive to detecting execution of a game, monitoring gaming characteristics of the user, wherein the game interacts with a game server; 
 computer usable program code for collecting game play data of the user; and 
 computer usable program code for reporting the game play data for processing, wherein the computer usable program code for collecting and reporting is located on the game server. 
   
   
   
       18 . A gaming apparatus for collecting user game play data, the gaming apparatus comprising:
 a bus;   a storage device connected to the bus, wherein the storage device contains computer usable code;   a communications unit connected to the bus; and   a processing unit connected to the bus, wherein the processing unit executes the computer usable code to:
 responsive to detecting execution of a game, monitor gaming characteristics of the user, wherein the game interacts with a game server; 
 collect game play data of the user; and 
 report the game play data for processing. 
   
   
   
       19 . A gaming apparatus for collecting user game play data, the gaming apparatus comprising:
 a bus;   a storage device connected to the bus, wherein the storage device contains computer usable code;   a communications unit connected to the bus; and   means for, responsive to detecting execution of a game, monitoring gaming characteristics of the user, wherein the game interacts with a game server and wherein the means for monitoring is connected to the bus;   means for collecting game play data of the user, wherein the means for collecting is connected to the bus; and   means for reporting the game play data for processing, wherein the means for reporting is connected to the bus.   
   
   
       20 . A gaming system for collecting user game play data, the gaming system comprising:
 a remote data processing system in communication with a local data processing system, the remote data processing system comprising:
 a bus; 
 a storage device connected to the bus, wherein the storage device contains computer usable code; 
 a communications unit connected to the bus; and 
 a processing unit connected to the bus, wherein the processing unit executes the computer usable code to:
 collect game play data of a user; and 
 report the game play data for processing; 
 wherein the local data processing system operates a software agent operable to:
 responsive to detecting execution of the game, monitor gaming characteristics of the user using the software agent, wherein the game interacts with the remote server.