# US 2014/0156366 A1 · Interactive tracking virtual world system

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- Number: US 2014/0156366 A1
- Document ID: US20140156366A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/174,725
- Filed: 2014-02-06
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2011-05-03
- Inventors: Kristan Lisa HAMILL
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140156366A1

## CPC

- H04L 67/131: Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
- A63F 13/216: using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
- A63F 13/65: automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
- A63F 13/86: Watching games played by other players
- G06F 3/0484: for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
- G06Q 30/0209: {Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game}
- H04L 67/535: {Tracking the activity of the user (network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34)}
- H04W 4/02: Services making use of location information
- H04W 4/029: Location-based management or tracking services
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72)

## Abstract

An Interactive Tracking Virtual World (ITVW) system, may be utilized with other systems accessible through the Internet and/or a communications network. The ITVW system may be operable as an online game and/or to provide a virtual environment. ITVW system users (i.e., ITVW users) may be individuals or groups, such as parents and/or their children, which utilize the ITVW system for tracking an identity within the ITVW system. The ITVW system may also include ITVW system participants (i.e., ITVW participants), such as commercial business establishments, individuals and/or other entities associated with the ITVW system. The ITVW system collects an ITVW user's location information and location history.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of operating an interactive tracking virtual world (ITVW) system, the method comprising:
providing, utilizing a processor, a virtual environment associated with an ITVW system user;
receiving ITWV input data, including location data associated with a tracking device associated with an ITVW user;
storing the received ITVW input data in a database associated with the ITVW system, wherein the database is operable with data structures holding ITVW participant data;
cross-referencing the ITVW input data with the ITVW participant data; and
determining an ITVW event based on the ITVW input data.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the ITVW input data includes at least one of ITVW user identification data, ITVW participant identification data, event data and transaction data.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein at least part of the ITVW input data originates from the tracking device.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein at least part of the ITVW input data originates from a function of a communications system.

### Claim 5

A method of participating in the operation of an interactive tracking virtual world (ITVW) system, the method comprising:
receiving an ITVW user identification;
transmitting the ITVW user identification with an ITVW input data associated with an ITVW participant.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, the method further comprising:
registering as a participant with the ITVW system.

### Claim 7

A system configured to host a virtual space, the system comprising:
a sever comprising one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules, the computer program modules comprising:
a space module configured to execute an instance of a virtual space, and to implement the instance of the virtual space to provide view information to a client device that facilitates presentation of an interactive view of the virtual space to a first user through the client device;
a location module configured to obtain real-world location information indicating a real-world location of the first user;
a space trigger module configured to obtain event information specifying real-world location criteria that will trigger an event within the virtual space, to compare the real-world location information for the first user with the real-world location criteria for the event, and, responsive to the real-world location information indicating the first user has satisfied the real-world location criteria for the event, triggering the event for the first user in the virtual space.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the space trigger module is configured to obtain the event information via a graphical user interface configured to receive entry or selection of the event information from the a second user.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The system of claims 7, wherein the space module is configured such that triggering of the event results in manifestation of one or more impacts associated with the event in the virtual space for the first user.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the space trigger module is configured to obtain the one or more impacts associated with the event via a graphical user interface configured to receive entry or selection of the one or more impacts from a second user.

### Claim 11 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the space trigger module is configured such that the one or more impacts are only apparent in views of the virtual space provided to the first user.

### Claim 12 (depends on 9)

The system of claim 9, wherein the space trigger module is configured such that the one or more impacts are apparent in views of the virtual space provided to a third user by the space module.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the computer program modules further comprise a notification module configured to obtain notification information specifying real-world location criteria that will trigger a notification within the virtual space, to compare the real-world location information for the first user with the real-world location criteria for the notification, and, responsive to the real-world location information indicating the first user has satisfied the real-world location criteria for the notification, transmitting a notification transmission to an observer of the first user.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the real-world location criteria for the notification is different from the real-world location criteria for the event.

### Claim 15 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the real-world criteria for the notification is the same as the real-world criteria for the event.

### Claim 16 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the notification module is configured to obtain the notification information via a graphical user interface configured to receive entry or selection of the notification information from the observer.

### Claim 17 (depends on 13)

The system of claim 13, wherein the notification transmission includes one or more of an email, a message in a social networking platform, a message in a micro-blogging service, a text message, a phone call, or a virtual space message.