( 12 ) United States Patent
`Yoshikawa et al .
`
`( 10 ) Patent No . : US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`Sep . 17 , 2019
`
`US010413832B2
`
`( 54 ) GAME CONTROL METHOD , GAME
`SERVER , AND PROGRAM
`( 71 ) Applicant : GREE , INC . , Tokyo ( JP )
`( 72 ) Inventors : Tsuyoshi Yoshikawa , Tokyo ( JP ) ;
`Tomohiro Tsukihara , Tokyo ( JP ) ;
`Norikazu Kato , Tokyo ( JP ) ; Tomoki
`Yasuhara , Tokyo ( JP )
`( 73 ) Assignee : GREE , INC . , Tokyo ( JP )
`Subject to any disclaimer , the term of this
`( * ) Notice :
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U . S . C . 154 ( b ) by 0 days .
`( 21 ) Appl . No . : 16 / 053 , 149
`( 22 ) Filed :
`Aug . 2 , 2018
`( 65 )
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2018 / 0361249 A1 Dec . 20 , 2018
`Related U . S . Application Data
`( 63 ) Continuation of application No . 14 / 409 , 219 , filed as
`application No . PCT / JP2013 / 003899 on Jun . 21 ,
`2013 , now Pat . No . 10 , 076 , 708 .
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`( 30 )
`. . . 2012 - 140213
`Jun . 21 , 2012 ( JP ) . . .
`( 51 ) Int . Ci .
`A63F 13 / 00
`( 2014 . 01 )
`A63F 13 / 69
`( 2014 . 01 )
`( Continued )
`U . S . CI .
`CPC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A63F 13 / 69 ( 2014 . 09 ) ; A63F 13 / 35
`( 2014 . 09 ) ; A63F 13 / 79 ( 2014 . 09 ) ; A63F
`2300 / 575 ( 2013 . 01 ) ; A63F 2300 / 609 ( 2013 . 01 )
`Field of Classification Search
`CPC . . . . . . . . . . A63F 13 / 30 ; A63F 13 / 55 ; A63F 13 / 67 ;
`A63F 13 / 69 ; A63F 13 / 78 ; A63F 13 / 798
`See application file for complete search history .
`
`( 52 )
`
`( 58 )
`
`( 56 )
`
`References Cited
`U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2003 / 0008710 A11 / 2003 Yamaoka et al .
`2004 / 0259642 Al 12 / 2004 Tanaka et al .
`( Continued )
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2001218981 A
`8 / 2001
`2001259228 A
`9 / 2001
`( Continued )
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Sep . 18 , 2018 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application
`No . 2017 - 126020 .
`
`( Continued )
`
`Primary Examiner — James S . McClellan
`( 74 ) Attorney , Agent , or Firm - Oliff PLC
`
`( 57 )
`ABSTRACT
`A game control method , game server , and program can
`increase variations on methods for acquiring items , increase
`the predictability of acquisition of an item with a high rarity
`value or the like , and heighten interest in the game . Included
`are the steps of presenting a communication terminal , con
`nected over a communication line , with acquirable item
`information that , for each item type , includes a total count
`and an acquisition count or a non - acquisition count of items
`when receiving , from the communication terminal , a request
`to present information related to items acquirable by the
`communication terminal , determining an item to provide to
`the communication terminal when receiving an item acqui
`sition request from the communication terminal , and chang
`ing the acquirable item information when receiving a reset
`request from the communication terminal .
`
`15 Claims , 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`Acquirable item information
`502
`501
`Item type Acquisition
`Total
`count
`count
`13
`
`2
`
`1
`
`0
`4
`2
`/
`1
`5
`6011 Acquirable Item Information
`
`DO
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 1
`
`

`

`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`Page 2
`
`( 51 )
`
`( 56 )
`
`Int . Cl .
`A63F 13 / 35
`A63F 13 / 79
`
`( 2014 . 01 )
`( 2014 . 01 )
`References Cited
`U . S . PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2005 / 0282634 A1 * 12 / 2005 Yamada
`A63F 13 / 12
`463 / 39
`2009 / 0247260 A1 10 / 2009 Goto et al .
`2011 / 0124415 A1 *
`5 / 2011 Shimono . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A63F 13 / 92
`463 / 42
`2011 / 0294558 Al 12 / 2011 Kim
`2012 / 0004038 A1
`1 / 2012 Van Luchene
`2012 / 0202575 AL
`8 / 2012 Matsuno
`2013 / 0337906 Al 12 / 2013 Ikeda
`2014 / 0038716 A1
`2 / 2014 Endo
`2014 / 0143687 A15 / 2014 Tan et al .
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`12 / 2001
`2001 - 353371 A
`8 / 2002
`2002 - 236773 A
`2002 - 366852 A
`12 / 2002
`2003 - 016333 A
`1 / 2003
`1 / 2003
`2003 - 019356 A
`2003 - 154172 A
`5 / 2003
`9 / 2003
`2003260266 A
`2005 - 318995 A
`11 / 2005
`5 / 2007
`2007117656 A
`9 / 2008
`2008 - 220984 A
`2011067534 A
`4 / 2011
`2013 - 027477 A
`2 / 2013
`2014000103 A
`1 / 2014
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Media Works Inc . “ Yoshi ' s Island DS , The Complete Guide ” . 3rd
`Edition , pp . 6 - 9 , Jun . 5 , 2007 .
`DigiCube Co . , Ltd . “ Kingdom Heart ' s Ultimania ” . Revised Edition ,
`pp . 17 , 308 , 312 , Jun . 12 , 2003 .
`Enterbrain Inc . “ 7th Dragon 2020 , Complete Guide ” . 1st Edition , p .
`28 , Jan . 10 , 2012 .
`Sep . 10 , 2013 International Search Report issued in Application No .
`PCT / JP2013 / 003899 .
`Mar . 11 , 2014 Japanese Office Action issued in Application No .
`2013 - 544606 .
`Mar . 11 , 2014 Japanese Office Action issued in Application No .
`2014 - 007086 .
`Jun . 10 , 2014 Japanese Office Action issued in Application No .
`2013 - 544606 .
`Sep . 16 , 2014 Japanese Office Action issued in Application No .
`2014 - 142613 .
`Nov . 19 , 2013 Japanese Office Action issued in Application No .
`2013 - 544606 .
`Social Game Review 7 : Social Gacha ' s payment encouragement
`scheme has overwhelmed network games [ online ] , GameCast iPhone ,
`Feb . 11 , 2012 , ( with partial translation ) .
`
`“ Power Pro Kun Pocket 14 Official Complete Guide ” , Enterbrain ,
`1st Edition , p . 157 , Feb . 22 , 2012 , ( with partial translation ) .
`“ Dengeki ! ! Yoen Kunoichi ” , Appli Fan , Cosmic Publishing , vol . 2 ,
`pp . 116 - 117 , Apr . 15 , 2012 .
`“ Wonder Life Special , Nintendo Official Guidebook , Pokemon XD ,
`Gale of Darkness , Dark Lugia ” , Shogakukan Inc . , 1st Edition , p .
`152 , Oct . 1 , 2005 .
`Feb . 3 , 2015 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application
`No . 2014 - 208126 .
`Dec . 22 , 2015 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application
`No . 2015 - 131303 .
`Oct . 4 , 2016 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application
`No . 2016 - 051444 .
`Dec . 1 , 2016 Office Action issued in U . S . Appl . No . 14 / 409 , 219 .
`Feb . 21 , 2017 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application
`No . 2016 - 051444 .
`Nintendo DREAM August issue separate volume , Tomodachi Col
`lection , Shima No Seikatsu Mankitsu Guide , Mainichi Communi
`cations Inc . , vol . 14 , No . 8 , p . 19 , 2009 .
`May 9 , 2017 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application
`No . 2016 - 051444
`Saka Tsuku DS Touch and Direct Perfect Guide , ENTERBRAIN ,
`INC . , First Version , pp . 74 - 76 , Jan . 8 , 2009 .
`Aug . 25 , 2017 Office Action issued in U . S . Appl . No . 14 / 409 , 219 .
`Feb . 9 , 2018 Office Action issued in U . S . Appl . No . 14 / 409 , 219 .
`Jun . 26 , 2018 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application
`No . 2017 - 126020 .
`May 25 , 2018 Notice of Allowance issued in
`U . S . Appl . No .
`14 / 409 , 219 .
`Supercell , “ Third Assertion Document by Obligors , ” submitted in
`Case No . H30 ( YO ) 22064 of JP Patent No . 6276314 , pp . 1 - 24 , Sep .
`3 , 2018
`Gmo , “ Significantly Renewed ' Gacha and Ponta , ” ” submitted in
`Case No . H30 ( YO ) 22064 of JP Patent No . 6276314 , pp . 1 - 2 , Nov .
`19 , 2009 .
`Bangacha , “ Summary of Spec Description of Gacha and Ponta 2 , "
`submitted in Case No . 1 - 130 ( YO ) 22064 of JP Patent No . 6276314 ,
`pp . 1 - 11 , Nov . 21 , 2009 .
`Yamaguchi Masahiro , “ What is The New “ Windows Touch ” Func
`tion in Windows 7 ? ” submitted in Case No . H30 ( YO ) 22064 of JP
`Patent No . 6276314 , pp . 1 - 13 , Oct . 23 , 2009 .
`Nikkei Trendy Net , “ “ Windows 7 Sales Start ! ” Related Article to Be
`Further Acquainted With 7 , ” submitted in Case No . H30 ( YO ) 22064
`of JP Patent No . 6276314 , pp . 1 - 4 , Oct . 23 , 2009 .
`HobbyJAPAN Co . , Ltd . , “ Gandam Network Operation 3 — First
`Step Guide , ” submitted in Case No . H30 ( YO ) 22064 of JP Patent
`No . 6276314 , pp . 006 , 007 , 042 , 043 , Mar . 1 , 2010 .
`Takizawa Osamu , “ Bandai Namco , Win " Gandam Network Opera
`tion 3 , " " " " submitted in Case No . H30 ( YO ) 22064 of JP Patent No .
`6276314 , pp . 1 - 6 , Feb . 25 , 2010 .
`Takizawa Osamu , “ Bandai Namco , Win “ Gandam Network Opera
`tion 3 , " submitted in Case No . H30 ( YO ) 22064 of JP Patent No .
`6276314 , pp . 1 - 2 , printed on Aug . 9 , 2018 .
`Supercell ' s Agent , “ Function Confirmation Report , ” submitted in
`Case No . H30 ( YO ) 22064 of JP Patent No . 6276314 , pp . 1 - 2 , Sep .
`3 , 2018
`* cited by examiner
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 2
`
`

`

`atent
`
`Sep . 17 , 2019
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`
`
`
`Item data
`
`
`
`Memory unit
`
`
`
`
`
`Battle game server
`
`Communication terminal
`
`
`
`Communication unit
`
`
`
`Control unit
`
`
`
`Information presentation unit
`
`FIG . 1
`
`112
`
`111a - 1110
`
`
`
`Item information table | | | | User information tablel
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`Sep . 17 , 2019
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`
`
`
`Iten type
`
`
`
`Item name
`
`FIG . 20
`TID3
`
`Item A2 Item B2
`
`Item C2
`
`Item D2
`
`Item E2
`
`Item F2
`
`Item G2
`
`Item H2
`
`Item 12
`
`Item J2
`
`Item K2 Item K2 Item K2 Item L2 Item M2
`
`UN202
`
`UNI203
`
`UN1204
`
`UNI205
`
`UNI206
`
`UNI207
`
`UN1208
`
`UNI209
`
`UNI210
`
`UNI211
`
`UNI212
`
`UN213
`
`UNI214
`
`UNI215
`
`Item identification information UNI201
`
`
`
`Item type
`
`Item N2 Item 02 Item P2
`
`S
`
`Item M2
`mart
`yny
`
`UNI216
`
`hun
`
`Item M2 Item M2 Item N2 Item 02 Item P2 Item Q2
`
`Item R2
`
`Item S2 Item T2 Item U2
`
`wenyewe
`Item 02
`Werewers
`
`errepreneur
`
`det
`
`UNI217
`
`UNI218
`
`UNI219
`
`UNI220
`
`UNI221
`
`UNI222
`
`UNI223
`
`UN224
`
`UN225
`
`UNI226
`
`UNI227
`
`UNI228
`
`UNI229
`
`UNI230
`
`Mwandten
`
`W
`
`FIG . 2B
`TID2
`
`Item name
`
`Item A1
`
`Item B1
`
`Item C1
`
`Item D1
`
`Item E1
`
`Item FI
`
`Item G1 Item H1
`
`Item 11
`
`Item JI
`
`Item ki
`
`Item K1
`
`Item K1
`
`Item L1
`
`Item M1
`
`Item M1
`
`evenemeye
`
`Item N1
`
`Item 01
`
`Item P1 Item Q1
`wimbo
`
`Item M1
`
`Item M1 Item N1
`
`Item 01
`
`Item P1
`
`Item Q1
`
`pity
`
`Item R1
`
`Item S1
`
`Item T1
`
`Item U1
`
`ownerleistung
`wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
`
`wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
`
`UNI112
`
`UNI113
`
`UNI114
`
`UNI115
`
`UNI116
`
`UNI117
`
`UNI118
`
`UNI119
`
`www .
`
`UNI120
`
`UNI121
`
`UNI122
`
`UNI123
`
`UNI124
`
`UNI125
`
`UNI126
`
`UNI127
`
`UNI128
`
`UNI129
`
`UNI130
`
`wheel
`
`UNM02
`
`UN1103
`
`RAY
`
`
`
`UNI 104
`
`UNI105
`
`UNI106
`
`UNI107
`
`UNI108
`
`UNI109
`
`UNI110
`
`Item identification information UNI101
`
`
`
`Item type
`
`UNI111
`
`thwest
`wrthritt * *
`www
`
`FIG . 2A
`
`TID 1
`
`
`
`Item name
`
`Item C
`Item B
`
`wittelewi
`
`Item D
`
`Item E
`yeye Item F
`
`Item H Item 1
`Item G
`
`Item J
`Item K
`
`Item K
`
`Item K Iten L
`Item M
`Item M
`
`Item N
`
`Item 0
`
`Item 0
`Item P
`Item M
`
`Item M
`Item N
`
`Iten 0
`
`Item P
`
`Item Q
`Item R
`
`Item S
`
`Item T
`Item U
`
`wwwwwww
`
`UNI3
`
`UN14
`
`UNI5
`
`UNI7
`
`UNI 8
`
`UNI9
`
`UNI 10
`
`UNI11
`
`wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww UNI 13
`
`UNI12
`
`UNI 14
`
`UNI 15
`
`UNI 16
`
`UNI 17
`
`UNI 18
`
`UNI 19
`
`UNI 20
`
`UNI21
`
`UN122
`
`UNI23
`
`UNI 24
`
`UNI 25
`
`UNI26
`
`UNI 27
`
`UNI 28
`
`UNI 29
`
`UNI30
`
`were Item A
`identification information UNI1
`
`Item
`
`PELI
`
`UNI2
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 4
`
`

`

`atent
`
`Sep . 17 , 2019
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`
`:
`
`:
`
`
`
`UNI 127
`
`UNI 12
`
`UNI4
`
`UNI215
`
`UNI17
`
`
`
`
`
`Identification information of provided items
`
`UNI2
`
`UNI 119
`
`UNIS
`
`UNI 204
`
`UNI 10
`
`FIG . 3
`
`information
`
`
`
`User identification Table identification
`information
`
`TID1
`
`TID2
`
`TID1
`
`TID3
`
`TID2
`
`UID1
`
`UID2
`
`UID3
`
`UID4
`
`UID5
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 5
`
`

`

`atent
`
`Sep . 17 , 2019
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`
`FIG . 4
`
`Item identification
`information
`UNI1
`UNI2
`UNI3
`UNI4
`UNI5
`
`Item image
`Item A image
`Item B image
`Item C image
`Item D image
`Item E image
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 6
`
`

`

`atent
`
`Sep . 17 , 2019
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`
`FIG . 5
`
`Acquirable item information
`501
`502
`Item type Acquisition
`Total
`count
`count
`13
`
`Acquirable item information
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 7
`
`

`

`atent
`
`Sep . 17 , 2019
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`
`FIG . 6
`
`Battle game server
`
`Present acquirable
`item information
`
`terminal L2
`Communication
`Request to
`present information Ls1
`
`Item acquisition request
`
`S3
`
`544
`Determine item to provide
`som
`s $ 50
`Provide item
`
`Provide item
`
`Change and store information
`in memory unit
`
`Reset request
`
`End
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 8
`
`

`

`atent
`
`Sep . 17 , 2019
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`
`FIG . ZA
`Acquirable item information
`Item type Acquisition
`Tota
`count
`I count
`2
`13
`
`2
`2
`
`|
`6 10
`
`[ Approach gauge ]
`201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219
`2
`2
`
`www .
`
`*
`
`+
`
`.
`
`Note : Each
`
`+
`
`7
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`#
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`+
`
`.
`
`.
`
`+
`
`#
`
`+
`
`4
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`contains an item with a high value for the item type .
`FIG . 7B
`
`Acquirable item information
`Item type Acquisition
`Total
`count
`count
`2
`13
`
`OWN
`
`[ Approach gauge ]
`201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219
`
`Note : Each
`
`contains an item with a high value for the item type .
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 9
`
`

`

`atent
`
`Sep . 17 , 2019
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`
`FIG . 8
`
`Acquirable item information
`Item type Acquisition Total
`count
`count
`13
`2
`2
`
`6
`
`L
`
`0
`
`1
`
`[ Approach gauge ]
`201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212213 214 215 216 217 218 219
`
`.
`.
`+
`
`1
`.
`.
`+
`
`.
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`ItemItem
`EN . .
`Note : Each
`
`T
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`.
`
`II
`
`VI
`contains an item with a high value for the item type .
`
`.
`. AN .
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`
`
`! !
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 10
`
`

`

`atent
`
`Sep . 17 , 2019
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`
`FIG . 9
`
`Acquirable item information
`Total
`Item type Acquisition
`count
`count
`13
`
`.
`
`Scratch card
`303
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`302
`
`306
`
`( 307
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`1 311
`
`+
`
`1
`
`312
`
`308 %
`11
`
`313
`
`*
`
`316
`
`+
`
`+
`
`+
`
`1
`
`+
`
`4
`
`+
`
`4
`
`318
`
`th
`
`319
`
`wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
`
`w
`
`wwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
`
`. . .
`
`. . .
`
`. .
`
`. . . .
`
`.
`
`. . . . .
`
`. .
`
`. . . .
`
`.
`
`. . . . . . . .
`
`WW . . .
`
`304
`
`309
`
`305
`
`310
`
`315
`
`320
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 11
`
`

`

`U . S . Patent
`
`S ep . 17 , 2019
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`
`.
`
`. . UK
`
`2 .
`
`MON
`
`.
`#
`.
`
`. .
`#
`#
`
`M
`
`.
`
`.
`.
`#
`Wo . .
`.
`#
`
`TR
`
`.
`
`
`
`Acquirable item information
`FIG . 10B
`
`
`Acquisition Total count
`count
`
`
`
`Item type
`
`13
`
`2
`
`L
`
`2 1 8
`4
`3 L 1 4
`
`1
`0
`
`
`
`Scratch card
`
`1
`
`5
`
`FIG . 10A
`
`
`
`
`
`Acquirable item information
`
`Total count 13 8 4 2
`Acquisition
`count
`
`1
`
`2 1
`
`
`
`Item type
`
`1
`3
`2
`
`i
`
`0
`
`
`
`Scratch card
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 12
`
`

`

`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
`
`CROSS - REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`5
`
`GAME CONTROL METHOD , GAME
`SERVER , AND PROGRAM
`
`the acquirable item information when receiving a reset
`request from the communication terminal .
`In the game control method according to the present
`invention , in step ( a ) , a method for presenting the acquirable
`item information presented to the communication terminal
`may differ between a first item and a second item , a
`numerical value of the item type being at least a predeter
`This application is a continuation of U . S . application Ser .
`mined value for the first item , and the numerical value of the
`No . 14 / 409 , 219 filed Dec . 18 , 2014 , which is based on and
`item type being less than the predetermined value for the
`claims priority to and the benefit of Japanese Patent Appli
`cation No . 2012 - 140213 filed Jun . 21 , 2012 , the entire 10 second item .
`In the game control method according to the present
`contents of which are incorporated herein by reference .
`invention , the acquirable item information for the first item
`may include identification information or an image for an
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`item .
`In the game control method according to the present
`The present invention relates to a game control method , a 13
`invention , information on another user who has acquired the
`game server , and a program .
`first item may be presented .
`In the game control method according to the present
`BACKGROUND ART
`invention , in step ( b ) , based on a selection request from the
`Conventionally , in a battle game server , each user ' s deck 20 communication terminal , one item selected from among
`is formed by a plurality of battle cards or the like stored for
`items for which the count of necessary attempts for acqui
`each user , and the battle game server allows a plurality of
`sition is at most the predetermined value may be determined
`users to compete with each other based on the total value of
`to be the item to provide .
`A game server according to the present invention
`the attack strength and defense strength of the deck ( for
`example , see Patent Literature 1 ) . In such a battle game 25 includes : information presentation means for presenting a
`communication terminal , connected over a communication
`server , the user acquires a battle card by methods such as
`line , with acquirable item information that , for each item
`purchasing the battle card or obtaining the battle card by
`type , includes a total count and an acquisition count or a
`winning a battle against an opponent .
`non - acquisition count of items when a request to present
`30 information related to items acquirable by the communica
`CITATION LIST
`tion terminal is received from the communication terminal ;
`and control means for determining an item to provide to the
`Patent Literature
`communication terminal when an item acquisition request is
`received from the communication terminal , such that the
`Patent Literature 1 : JP 2008 - 220984 A
`control means changes the acquirable item information
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`when receiving a reset request from the communication
`terminal .
`In the game server according to the present invention , the
`Technical Problem
`information presentation means may adopt a different
`In a conventional battle game server , however , the meth - 40 method for presenting the acquirable item information pre
`ods for acquiring battle cards and the like are limited ,
`sented to the communication terminal for a first item than for
`causing the user to lose interest in the game . In particular ,
`a second item , a numerical value of the item type being at
`since it is difficult to acquire a battle card or the like with a
`least a predetermined value for the first item , and the
`high rarity value , the user ends up with the impression that
`numerical value of the item type being less than the prede
`such an item cannot be acquired at all and suffers a drastic 45 termined value for the second item .
`In the game server according to the present invention , the
`loss of interest in the game .
`Accordingly , the present invention has been conceived in
`acquirable item information for the first item may include
`light of the above problems and provides a game control
`identification information or an image for an item .
`method , a game server , and a program that can increase the
`In the game server according to the present invention , the
`variations on methods for acquiring battle cards and the like , 50 information presentation means may present information on
`increase the predictability of acquisition of a card or the like
`another user who has acquired the first item .
`with a high rarity value or the like , and heighten interest in
`In the game server according to the present invention ,
`based on a selection request from the communication ter
`the game .
`minal , the control means may determine one item selected
`55 from among items for which the count of necessary attempts
`for acquisition is at most the predetermined value to be the
`item to provide .
`A game control method according to the present invention
`A program according to the present invention is for
`for solving the above problems includes the steps of : ( a )
`causing a computer that functions as a battle game server to
`presenting a communication terminal , connected over a
`communication line , with acquirable item information that , 60 perform the steps of : ( a ) presenting a communication ter
`for each item type , includes a total count and an acquisition
`minal , connected over a communication line , with acquir
`count or a non - acquisition count of items when receiving ,
`able item information that , for each item type , includes a
`from the communication terminal , a request to present
`total count and an acquisition count or a non - acquisition
`information related to items acquirable by the communica -
`count of items when receiving , from the communication
`tion terminal ; ( b ) determining an item to provide to the 65 terminal , a request to present information related to items
`communication terminal when receiving an item acquisition
`acquirable by the communication terminal ; ( b ) determining
`request from the communication terminal ; and ( c ) changing
`an item
`to provide to the communication terminal when
`
`Solution to Problem
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 13
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`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
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`receiving an item acquisition request from the communica -
`The communication unit 10 communicates with a com
`tion terminal ; and ( c ) changing the acquirable item infor
`munication terminal 2 over either or both of a wireless and
`mation when receiving a reset request from the communi -
`wired connection .
`In association with identification information uniquely
`cation terminal .
`In the program according to the present invention , in step 5 allocated to each user that operates a communication termi
`nol
`nal 2 ( referred to below as user identification information ) ,
`( a ) , a method for presenting the acquirable item information
`the memory unit 11 stores information on items to provide ,
`presented to the communication terminal may differ between
`a total count of items , item type , and an acquisition count .
`a first item and a second item , a numerical value of the item
`An “ item ” refers to any of a variety of objects used within
`type being at least a predetermined value for the first item ,
`and the numerical value of the item type being less than the 10 a game , such as a battle card constituting a user ' s deck , a
`character , a weapon , armor , an ornament , a plant , food , and
`predetermined value for the second item .
`the like . The item type is a numerical value representing the
`In the program according to the present invention , the
`rarity value of the item , a numerical value representing the
`acquirable item information for the first item may include
`category of the item , or the like .
`identification information or an image for an item .
`In the program according to the present invention , in step 15
`Specifically , the memory unit 11 stores this information
`by dividing the information among tables . A plurality of item
`( a ) , information on another user who has acquired the first
`information tables 111a to 111c , a user information table
`item may be presented .
`112 , and item data 113 are stored in the memory unit 11 .
`In the program according to the present invention , in step
`While three item information tables are described here , this
`( b ) , based on a selection request from the communication
`terminal , one item selected from among items for which the 20 example is not limiting , and the number of item information
`tables may be two or fewer , or four or more .
`count of necessary attempts for acquisition is at most the
`The item information tables 111a to 111c are tables
`predetermined value may be determined to be the item to
`including information on the total count of items and the
`provide .
`item type . FIGS . 2 ( a ) to 2 ( c ) illustrate examples of the item
`Advantageous Effect of Invention
`25 information tables 111a to 111c . As illustrated in FIGS . 2 ( a )
`to 2 ( c ) , for example the item information table 111a includes
`item identification information “ UNI1 ” , an item name " item
`According to the game control method , game server , and
`A ” , and an item type “ 3 ” . The item identification informa
`program of the present invention , it is possible to increase
`tion is an identifier for uniquely identifying an item in the
`the variations on methods for acquiring battle cards and the
`like , increase the predictability of acquisition of a card or the 30 present system . The item information tables 111a to 111c are
`for the item type and
`provided with table identification information for uniquely
`like with a high numerical value for the item type , and
`identifying an item information table in the battle game
`heighten interest in the game .
`server 1 . Here , the item information tables 111a to 111c are
`respectively provided with “ TID1 ” , “ TID2 ” , and “ TID3 ” as
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`35 the table identification information .
`The present invention will be further described below
`The user information table 112 is a table storing , for each
`with reference to the accompanying drawings , wherein :
`user , the provided items and information for calculating an
`FIG . 1 is a block diagram of a battle game server in
`item acquisition count . The user information table 112
`associates the user identification information , table identi
`Embodiment 1 ;
`FIGS . 2 ( a ) , 2 ( b ) , and 2 ( c ) are examples of an item 40 fication information , and identification information of pro
`vided items .
`information table in Embodiment 1 ;
`FIG . 3 is an example of a user information table in
`FIG . 3 illustrates an example of the user information table
`112 . As illustrated in FIG . 3 , the user information table 112
`Embodiment 1 ;
`FIG . 4 is an example of item data in Embodiment 1 ;
`includes user identification information “ UID1 ” , table iden
`FIG . 5 is an example of acquirable item information in 45 tification information “ TID1 " , identification information of
`provided items “ UNI2 ” and “ UNI4 ” , and the like .
`Embodiment 1 ;
`FIG . 6 is a flowchart of operations by the battle game
`The item data 113 stores data on an image for an item
`provided to the user in association with item identification
`server in Embodiment 1 ;
`FIGS . 7 ( a ) and 7 ( b ) are examples of acquirable item
`information . FIG . 4 illustrates an example of the item data
`50 113 . As illustrated in FIG . 4 , the item data for example
`information in Embodiment 2 ;
`FIG . 8 is an example of acquirable item information in
`includes item identification information “ UNI1 ” , an item
`image item A image ” , and the like . The image data may be
`Embodiment 3 ;
`FIG . 9 is an example of a scratch card for selection in
`in any image format , such as JPEG , GIF , PNG , or the like .
`When receiving a request to present information from the
`Embodiment 3 ; and
`FIGS . 10 ( a ) and 10 ( b ) are examples of a screen for 55 communication terminal 2 , then based on information ,
`stored in the memory unit 11 , that corresponds to the user
`selecting an item to acquire .
`identification information pertaining to the communication
`DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`terminal 2 , the information presentation unit 12 presents the
`communication terminal 2 , via the communication unit 10 ,
`The following describes embodiments of the present 60 with acquirable item information that includes information ,
`for each item type , on a total count and an acquisition count
`invention .
`of items .
`Embodiment 1
`Specifically , when a request to present information is
`FIG . 1 is a block diagram of a battle game server 1 in
`Embodiment 1 of the present invention . The battle game
`received from the communication terminal 2 via the com
`server 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention 65 munication unit 10 , then based on the item information
`includes a communication unit 10 , a memory unit 11 , an
`tables 111a to 111c , the information presentation unit 12
`information presentation unit 12 , and a control unit 13 .
`tallies the total count of items for each item type . The
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 14
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`US 10 , 413 , 832 B2
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`provided items ( for example , " UNI1 ” ) , and determines that
`information presentation unit 12 also refers to the user
`the selected item is the item to provide to the communication
`information table 112 to calculate the acquisition count of
`terminal 2 . The control unit 13 then refers to the item data
`items for each item type based on the identification infor
`113 and provides the communication terminal 2 , via the
`mation of provided items and the table identification infor -
`mation that correspond to the user identification information 5 communication unit 10 , with the item image " item Aimage "
`pertaining to the communication terminal 2 . The informa
`corresponding to the item identification information “ UNI1 ”
`tion presentation unit 12 then presents the communication
`pertaining to the item to be provided . The control unit 13
`terminal 2 , via the communication unit 10 , with the result of
`also adds the item identification information “ UNI1 ” per
`taining to the provided item to the user information table 112
`calculation as the acquirable item information .
`FIG . 5 is an example of the acquirable item information 10 as identification information of provided items .
`Furthermore , in the present invention , the battle game
`that the information presentation unit 12 presents . FIG . 5
`illustrates an example of the acquirable item information
`server 1 is configured to allow for receipt of a reset request
`presented when a request to present information is received
`at any time from the communication terminal 2 . In general
`from the communication terminal 2 and the user identifica
`terms , the reset request is a request for resetting the current
`tion information pertaining to the communication terminal 2
`15 user information table 112 . When receiving a reset request
`is “ UID1 ” . As illustrated in FIG . 5 , information 501 on the
`from the communication terminal 2 pertaining to predeter
`total count and information 502 on the acquisition count of
`mined user identification information , the control unit 13
`items for each item type are presented to the communication
`changes and stores , in the memory unit 11 , the table iden
`terminal 2 . The case of presenting the acquisition count has
`t ification information and identification information of pro
`been described above , yet this example is not limiting . For 20 vided items that correspond to the user identification infor
`example , a non - acquisition count may be presented by
`mation pertaining to the communication terminal 2 .
`subtracting the acquisition count from the total count of
`Specifically , when receiving a reset request from the
`communication terminal 2 via the communication unit 10 ,
`items .
`The control unit 13 performs a variety of control pertain
`the control unit 13 changes the table identification informa
`ing to the battle game server 1 . For example , when receiving 25 tion that corresponds to the user identification information
`an item acquisition request from the communication termi -
`pertaining to the communication terminal 2 and that was
`nal 2 , the control unit 13 determines one item to provide to
`stored in the user information table 112 of the memory unit
`the communication terminal 2 based on information corre -
`11 to other table identification information .
`sponding to the user identification information pertaining to
`For example , when a reset request is received from the
`30 communication terminal 2 , and the user identification infor
`the communication terminal 2 .
`Specifically , when receiving an item acquisition request
`mation pertaining to the communication terminal 2 is
`from the communication terminal 2 via the communication
`“ UID1 ” , the control unit 13 changes the table identification
`unit 10 , the control unit 13 refers to the user information
`information that corresponds to “ UID1 ” of the user infor
`table 112 , and based on the table identification information
`mation table 112 randomly from “ TID1 ” to “ TID2 " or
`that corresponds to the user identification information per - 35 “ TID3 ” .
`taining to the communication terminal 2 , retrieves the item
`Next , operations by the battle game server 1 in Embodi
`information table . Next , the control unit 13 refers to the user
`ment 1 of the present invention are described using the
`information table 112 and retrieves the identification infor -
`flowchart in FIG . 6 . It is assumed that the tables illustrated
`mation of provided items that corresponds to the user
`in FIGS . 2 ( a ) , 2 ( b ) , and 2 ( c ) through FIG . 4 have been stored
`identification information pertaining to the communication