US2017006440A1PendingUtilityA1

Method and system for location-based game play

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Assignee: POSTREL RICHARDPriority: Nov 15, 2013Filed: Jul 14, 2016Published: Jan 5, 2017
Est. expiryNov 15, 2033(~7.3 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Richard Postrel
H04W 4/12H04W 4/80H04W 88/06H04L 67/306H04W 4/023H04L 67/10H04L 67/02H04L 67/18H04L 67/52G01S 19/48
55
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Claims

Abstract

A wireless beacon message management system and method of operating the system with a mobile device. At least one wireless beacon is strategically located in a premises, such as a building or other geocentrically defined area. Each wireless beacon has means for transmitting a wireless beacon signal, wherein the wireless beacon signal includes a beacon data message that has a beacon identification that identifies the beacon transmitting the signal, and optionally the content being delivered. A mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet or the like receives the wireless beacon signal and analyzes it to extract the beacon identification and optional beacon content. The mobile device may then apply one or more software filters to the beacon data message that enables the mobile device to initiate an action based on the filtered beacon data message.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for playing a game comprising
 a receiving beacon receiving a location signal comprising a set of location coordinates of a target location;   the receiving beacon extracting the location coordinates of the target location from the received location signal;   the receiving beacon displaying a map in which the extracted location coordinates of the target location are displayed;   relocating the receiving beacon to the target location as displayed on the map; and   issuing a reward to the receiving beacon when it relocates to the target location.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the reward comprises reward points. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the location signal is transmitted by a control beacon located at the target location. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising the step of the receiving beacon sending to the control beacon a set of location coordinates of the receiving beacon. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of the control beacon executing a location verification step to verify that the receiving beacon is at the target location. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the verification step comprises the control beacon using the set of location coordinates of the receiving beacon to verify that the receiving beacon is at the target location. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the verification step comprises the receiving beacon inputting verification information. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the receiving beacon comprises a smartphone. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the control beacon comprises a smartphone. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the control beacon and the receiving beacon communicate with each other for business purposes. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the control beacon and the receiving beacon communicate with each other for personal purposes. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising each of an additional plurality of receiving beacons collaborate by
 receiving the location signal transmitted by the control beacon; 
 extracting the location coordinates of the target location from the received location signal; 
 displaying a map in which the extracted location coordinates of the target location are displayed; and 
 receiving a reward issued by the control beacon after relocation to the target location as displayed on the map. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising storing on the receiving beacon a set of parameters in a profile. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the profile comprises one or more of the user's name, geographic location, contact information, email address, desired activities, demographic information, gender, race, sexual preference, age, hobbies, and interests. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the profile is established by entering data into the receiving beacon. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the profile is established by obtaining data from an external database. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the external database is associated with a social networking service. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising recording in the profile an event associated with the receiving beacon. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising tracking in the profile GPS data associated with the receiving beacon. 
     
     
         21 . A system for playing a game comprising
 a receiving beacon comprising wireless communications means, user input means, and processing means programmed to
 receive a location signal comprising a set of location coordinates of a target location; 
 extract the location coordinates of the target location from the received location signal; 
 display a map in which the extracted location coordinates of the target location are displayed; 
   
       wherein, when the receiving beacon is relocated to the target location as displayed on the map, a reward is issued to the receiving beacon. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the reward comprises reward points. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the reward comprises a purchase incentive. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 21  further comprising a control beacon located at the target location, the control beacon programmed to transmit the location signal. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the receiving beacon is further programmed to send to the control beacon a set of location coordinates of the receiving beacon. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 25  wherein the control beacon is programmed to execute a location verification step to verify that the receiving beacon is at the target location. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the verification step comprises the control beacon using the set of location coordinates of the receiving beacon to verify that the receiving beacon is at the target location. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26  wherein the verification step comprises the receiving beacon inputting verification information. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 21  wherein the receiving beacon comprises a smartphone. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the control beacon comprises a smartphone. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the control beacon and the receiving beacon communicate with each other for business purposes. 
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the control beacon and the receiving beacon communicate with each other for personal purposes. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 24  further comprising an additional plurality of receiving beacons, each programmed to collaborate by
 receiving the location signal transmitted by the control beacon; 
 extracting the location coordinates of the target location from the received location signal; 
 displaying a map in which the extracted location coordinates of the target location are displayed; and 
 receiving a reward issued by the control beacon after relocation to the target location as displayed on the map. 
 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein a set of parameters in a profile are stored on the receiving beacon. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 34  wherein the user information comprises one or more of the user's name, geographic location, contact information, email address, desired activities, demographic information, gender, race, sexual preference, age, hobbies, and interests. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 34  wherein the profile is established by entering data into the receiving beacon. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 34  wherein the profile is established by obtaining data from an external database. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37  wherein the external database is associated with a social networking service. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 34  wherein the receiving beacon records in the profile an event associated with the receiving beacon. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 39  wherein the receiving beacon tracks in the profile GPS data associated with the receiving beacon.

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