Methods for Processing Mobile Game By Managing Interactions at Different Geolocations

Abstract

Methods for processing operations of a mobile game to be played via a portable device that is used in various geographic locations of a real world to enable players of the mobile game to complete game-related tasks are provided. One method includes assigning, by a server, a first game-related task to a first geographic location in the real world and establishing, by the server, a wireless connection with the portable device to enable play of the mobile game. The method includes receiving, by the server, global positioning system (GPS) data from the portable device, the GPS data providing a geographic position of the portable device and determining, by the server based on the GPS data, that the portable device is within a proximity of the first geographic location. The method further includes sending, by the server to the portable device via the wireless connection, the first game-related task assigned to the first geographic location. The game-related task is configured for interaction via the portable device to obtain a first in-game item. The method further includes receiving, by the server, data from the portable device that indicates that interaction required for completing the first game-related task has occurred which provides the first in-game item usable for completing at least part of the mobile game.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for processing operations of a game to be played via a portable device, the method comprising:
 selecting geographic locations of a real world where a user can complete game-related tasks;   assigning a first game-related task to a first geographic location in the real world;   establishing a connection with the portable device;   receiving global positioning system (GPS) data from the portable device, the GPS data providing a geographic position of the portable device;   determining, based on the GPS data, that the portable device is within a proximity of the first geographic location;   sending, to the portable device via the connection, the first game-related task assigned to the first geographic location, the game-related task is configured for interaction via the portable device to perform the first game-related task; and   receiving, from the portable device, data that indicates that interaction required for completing the first game-related task has occurred which provides an in-game item usable for completing at least part of the game.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interaction required for completing the first game-related task includes interaction with the in-game item on a screen of the portable device at or proximate to the first geographic location. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interaction required for completing the first game-related task further includes capturing a shape of the in-game item via the portable device. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising,
 assigning a second game-related task to a second geographic location in the real world; and   sending, to the portable device via the connection or another connection, the second game-related task, the in-game item being usable to complete the second game-related task when the portable device is determined to be at the second geographic location.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first geographic location is either a same geographic location as the second geographic location or a different geographic location. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising,
 receiving data from the portable device indicative that the second game-related task has been completed; and   providing points toward advancing in the game.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the in-game item is configured for interaction via a screen of the portable device, the interaction via the screen includes detecting gestures upon the screen. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the interaction required for completing the second game-related task includes capturing images with a video camera. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising,
 assigning a third game-related task to a third geographic location in the real world;   determining that the portable device is at or proximate to the third geographic location;   sending, to the portable device via the connection or the other connection the third game-related task when the portable device is determined to be at or proximate to the third geographic location; and   wherein the third game-related task is configured to enable use of the portable device to compete during interaction of the third game-related task with one or more other portable devices associated with one or more other users that connect with the game for completing game-related tasks in the game.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the third game-related task is completed at different times by the user or other users of the one or more other portable devices. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising,
 identifying that the user is associated with a team, the team including another user that is enabled for interaction with the game.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the team enables team play within the game. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the team enables team play to complete one or more of the game-related tasks. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising,
 assigning a third game-related task to a third geographic location in the real world;   determining that the portable device is at or proximate to the third geographic location;   sending, to the portable device via the connection or the other connection the third game-related task when the portable device is determined to be at or proximate to the third geographic location; and   wherein the third game related task is configured to enable use of the portable device to compete during interaction of the third game-related task with one or more other portable devices associated with one or more other users that are linked or synchronized together simultaneously for completing game-related tasks in the game.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein being linked or synchronized together simultaneously uses one of a local connection or a game server. 
     
     
         16 . A method for processing operations of a mobile game to be played via a portable device that is used in various geographic locations of a real world to enable players of the mobile game to complete game-related tasks, comprising,
 assigning, by a server, a first game-related task to a first geographic location in the real world;   establishing, by the server, a wireless connection with the portable device to enable play of the mobile game;   receiving, by the server, global positioning system (GPS) data from the portable device, the GPS data providing a geographic position of the portable device;   determining, by the server based on the GPS data, that the portable device is within a proximity of the first geographic location;   sending, by the server to the portable device via the wireless connection, the first game-related task assigned to the first geographic location, the game-related task is configured for interaction via the portable device to obtain a first in-game item; and   receiving, by the server, data from the portable device that indicates that interaction required for completing the first game-related task has occurred which provides the first in-game item usable for completing at least part of the mobile game.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising,
 assigning, by the server, a second game-related task to a second geographic location in the real world; and   sending, by the server to the portable device via the wireless connection or another wireless connection, the second game-related task, the first in-game item being usable to complete the second game-related task when the portable device is determined to be at the second geographic location, wherein completing the second game-related task obtains a second in-game item usable for completing at least another part of the mobile game.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising,
 assigning, by the server, a third game-related task to a third geographic location in the real world;   determining, by the server, that the portable device is at the third geographic location;   sending, by the server to the portable device via the wireless connection or the other wireless connection the third game-related task when the portable device is determined to be at the third geographic location; and   wherein the third game-related task is defines a competition to be completed by a user of the portable device to obtain points in the mobile game.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the interaction in the mobile game includes interfacing with a screen of the portable device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the interaction is via a screen responsive to touch-sensitive input or gestures. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the interaction required for completing the first game-related task further includes capturing a shape of the first in-game item via the portable device. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising,
 identifying that a user of the portable device is associated with a team, the team including another user that is enabled for interaction with the mobile game.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the team enables team play within the mobile game. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the team enables team play to complete one or more of the game-related tasks. 
     
     
         25 . Computer readable media having program instructions for processing operations of a mobile game to be played via a portable device that is used in various geographic locations of a real world to enable players of the game to complete game-related tasks, comprising,
 program instructions for assigning a first game-related task to a first geographic location in the real world;   program instructions for establishing a wireless connection with the portable device to enable play of the mobile game;   program instructions for receiving global positioning system (GPS) data from the portable device, the GPS data providing a geographic position of the portable device;   program instructions for determining, based on the GPS data, that the portable device is within a proximity of the first geographic location;   program instructions for sending to the portable device via the wireless connection, the first game-related task assigned to the first geographic location, the game-related task is configured for interaction via the portable device to obtain a first in-game item; and   program instructions for receiving data from the portable device that indicates that interaction required for completing the first game-related task has occurred which provides the first in-game item usable for completing at least part of the mobile game.   
     
     
         26 . The computer readable media of  claim 25 , further comprising,
 program instructions for assigning a second game-related task to a second geographic location in the real world; and   program instructions for sending to the portable device via the wireless connection or another wireless connection, the second game-related task, the first in-game item being usable to complete the second game-related task when the portable device is determined to be at the second geographic location, wherein completing the second game-related task obtains a second in-game item usable for completing at least another part of the mobile game.   
     
     
         27 . The computer readable media of  claim 26 , further comprising,
 program instructions for assigning a third game-related task to a third geographic location in the real world;   program instructions for determining that the portable device is at the third geographic location; and   program instructions for sending to the portable device via the wireless connection or the other wireless connection the third game-related task when the portable device is determined to be at the third geographic location, wherein the third game-related task is defines a competition to be completed by a user of the portable device to obtain points in the mobile game.   
     
     
         28 . The computer readable media of  claim 26 , wherein the interaction in the mobile game interfacing with a screen of the portable device. 
     
     
         29 . The computer readable media of  claim 26 , wherein the interaction required for completing the first game-related task further includes capturing a shape of the first in-game item via the portable device. 
     
     
         30 . The computer readable media of  claim 29 , wherein the interaction is via the screen responsive to touch-sensitive input or gestures.