System and method for providing an objective to a user

Abstract

A system and method for providing an objective to a user comprises a user registration unit, a build unit, a user interface unit, and an objective determination unit. The user registration unit is configured to receive a user request to operate the system. The build unit is configured to select a plurality of variable components for the system. The user interface unit is configured to receive user requests to interact with the variable components and to provide information to the user in response to the user requests. The objective determination unit is configured to determine whether the user has achieved the objective based at least in part on the user interactions.

1 . A system for providing an objective to a user, comprising:
 a user registration unit configured to receive a user request to operate the system;   a build unit configured to select a plurality of variable components for the system;   a user interface unit configured to receive user requests to interact with the variable components and to provide information to the user in response to the user requests; and   an objective determination unit configured to determine whether the user has achieved the objective based at least in part on the user interactions.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user log unit configured to log user interactions with the variable components. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an electronic mail message unit configured to receive electronic mail messages from the user and to send electronic mail messages to the user. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a network communication unit configured to communicate between the user interface unit and the Internet. 
   
   
       5 . A computer program stored on a computer-readable medium for operation by a processor or for transmission to another computer-readable medium for storage thereon for operation by another processor, wherein the computer program is configured to cause the processor operating the program to provide functions comprising:
 receiving a user request to operate the computer program, wherein the computer program is configured to provide an objective to the user;   selecting a plurality of variable components for the computer program;   receiving user requests to interact with the variable components;   providing information to the user in response to the user requests; and   determining whether the user has achieved the objective.   
   
   
       6 . The computer program of  claim 5 , wherein the objective relates to a criminal investigation or a treasure hunt. 
   
   
       7 . The computer program of  claim 5 , wherein the objective relates to military training or user education. 
   
   
       8 . The computer program of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of variable components are selected randomly for each of a plurality of different users. 
   
   
       9 . The computer program of  claim 5 , wherein the system is configured to present a plurality of rooms to the user, wherein the variable components comprise at least one of props, clues, and evidence. 
   
   
       10 . The computer program of  claim 9 , wherein the variable components comprise at least one of a misinformation component configured to direct the user away from accomplishing the objective. 
   
   
       11 . The computer program of  claim 5 , further comprising logging the user interactions with the variable components, wherein the determination of whether the user has achieved the objective is based at least in part on the logged user interactions. 
   
   
       12 . The computer program of  claim 11 , wherein the determination of whether the user has achieved the objective is further based on whether a correct guess is received from the user. 
   
   
       13 . The computer program of  claim 5 , further comprising selecting at least one of a plurality of users who has achieved the objective for a reward. 
   
   
       14 . The computer program of  claim 5 , wherein receiving a user interaction comprises receiving an electronic mail message from the user, further comprising providing a response to the electronic mail message and logging the response in a profile associated with the user, wherein the determination of whether the user has achieved the objective is based at least in part on the logged response. 
   
   
       15 . The computer program of  claim 5 , further comprising, in response to the request to operate the program:
 randomly selecting from the plurality of variable components for the system to create a first build of the system;   generating a first access code associated with the first build; and   sending the first access code to the user.   
   
   
       16 . The computer program of  claim 15 , further comprising, in response to a second request from the same user to operate the program:
 randomly selecting a plurality of variable components for the system to create a second build of the system, different from the first build;   generating a second access code associated with the second build different than the first access code; and   sending the second access code to the user.   
   
   
       17 . The computer program of  claim 5 , wherein the system is configured to communicate with the user using web pages available on the Internet. 
   
   
       18 . A device for providing an objective to a user, comprising:
 a processing circuit configured to provide a system with which a user may interact; and   a memory configured to store a plurality of time periods associated with different user interactions, wherein the processing circuit is configured to receive user requests to interact with the system, retrieve from the memory time periods associated with the received user interactions, to sum the retrieved time periods, and to determine whether the user has achieved the objective based at least in part on the summed time periods.   
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the time periods stored in the memory are determined before receipt of the first user request associated with a time period. 
   
   
       20 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the time periods are not based on real time of the user's interaction with the system. 
   
   
       21 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the objective relates to a criminal investigation or a treasure hunt. 
   
   
       22 . The device of  claim 21 , wherein at least one time period relates to a time for a character in the system to travel a geographic distance in the system. 
   
   
       23 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the time periods are different for different builds of the system. 
   
   
       24 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the system is configured to communicate with the user using web pages available on the Internet.