Method and System for Issueing In-Game Reward

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention set forth a method for issuing an in-game virtual reward by visiting a physical location. The method includes offering an incentive for obtaining an opt-in authorization from a device; receiving the opt-in authorization from the device after the incentive is determined to be accepted; requesting the location of the device based on the opt-in authorization when receiving a notification message from the device; and issuing an in-game virtual reward after the notification message is determined to be sent at the physical location.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for issuing an in-game virtual reward associated with a virtual game by visiting a physical location of interest, comprising:
 offering an incentive for obtaining from a device an opt-in authorization to sign up with a virtual game;   receiving the opt-in authorization from the device;   requesting the location of the device based on the opt-in authorization; and   issuing an in-game virtual reward when the location of the device matches the physical location of interest.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the incentive is virtual or physical. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a notification message from the device; and   determining whether the notification message is sent from the physical location of interest.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein requesting comprises calling a global positioning system (GPS) application programming interface supported by the device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein requesting comprises utilizing a GPS-fencing application installed on the device when the device is within a predetermined range from the physical location of interest. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising sending an offer of the in-game virtual reward to the device after receiving the opt-in authorization. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the in-game virtual reward changes based on the frequency of the device visiting the physical location of interest. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the opt-in authorization received from the device is a short message. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the in-game virtual reward is issued through a short message. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the opt-in authorization includes an identification code associated with the device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a mobile or portable device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the mobile or portable device comprises a mobile telephone. 
     
     
         13 . A computing device configured to issue an in-game virtual reward associated with a virtual game, comprising:
 a memory unit; and   a processor configured to:   offer an incentive for obtaining from a device an opt-in authorization to sign up for the virtual game;   receive the opt-in authorization from the device to sign up with the virtual game;   request the location of the device based on the opt-in authorization; and   issue an in-game virtual reward when the location of the device matches a physical location of interest.   
     
     
         14 . The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 receive a notification message from the device; and   determine whether the notification message is sent from the physical location of interest.   
     
     
         15 . The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to call a GPS application programming interface supported by the device. 
     
     
         16 . The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to utilize a GPS-fencing application installed on the device when the device is within a predetermined range from the physical location of interest. 
     
     
         17 . The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the processor is further configured to send an offer of the in-game virtual reward to the device after receiving the opt-in authorization. 
     
     
         18 . The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the in-game virtual reward changes based on the frequency of the device visiting the physical location of interest. 
     
     
         19 . The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the opt-in authorization includes an identification code associated with the device. 
     
     
         20 . The computing device of  claim 13 , wherein the device comprises a mobile or portable device. 
     
     
         21 . The computing device of  claim 20 , wherein the mobile or portable device comprises a mobile telephone. 
     
     
         22 . A method for participating in a virtual game, comprising:
 registering as a physical location of interest associated with a virtual game;   providing location information corresponding to the physical location of interest; and   determining a reward based on a second message received on a device, wherein the second message is transmitted in response to a first message being transmitted from the device at the physical location of interest.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising providing a short code to be used in the first message. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising providing an advertisement to a user of the virtual game.