United States Patent
`Yoshikawa et al .
`
`( 10 ) Patent No .: US 10,583,365 B2
`( 45 ) Date of Patent :
`Mar. 10 , 2020
`
`US010583365B2
`
`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 / 531,536
`Aug. 5 , 2019
`( 22 ) Filed :
`( 65 )
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2019/0351330 A1 Nov. 21 , 2019
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation of application No. 16 / 053,149 , filed on
`Aug. 2 , 2018 , which is a continuation of application
`( Continued )
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`( 30 )
`( JP )
`Jun . 21 , 2012
`2012-140213
`( 51 )
`Int . Cl .
`A63F 13/35
`A63F 13/69
`A63F 13/79
`U.S. CI .
`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 13/79 ; A63F 13/798
`See application file for complete search history .
`
`( 2014.01 )
`( 2014.01 )
`( 2014.01 )
`
`( 52 )
`
`( 58 )
`
`( 54 )
`
`( 63 )
`
`( 56 )
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2003/0008710 Al
`2004/0259642 Al
`
`1/2003 Yamaoka et al .
`12/2004 Tanaka et al .
`( Continued )
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`
`8/2001
`2001218981 A
`9/2001
`2001259228 A
`( Continued )
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Sep. 10 , 2013 International Search Report issued in Application No.
`PCT / JP2013 / 003899 .
`
`( Continued )
`
`James S. McClellan
`Primary Examiner
`( 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 .
`
`18 Claims , 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`Acquirable item information
`Item type Acquisition Total
`count
`count
`4
`13
`8
`1
`4
`2
`2
`1
`
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`
`Scratch card
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 1
`
`

`

`US 10,583,365 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`No. 14 / 409,219 , filed as application No. PCT / JP2013 /
`003899 on Jun . 21 , 2013 , now Pat . No. 10,076,708 .
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`( 56 )
`
`2005/0282634 A1 * 12/2005 Yamada
`
`2006/0082068 A1 *
`
`4/2006 Patchen
`
`2009/0247260 A1 10/2009 Goto et al .
`2011/0124415 A1 5/2011 Shimono
`2011/0275442 A1 * 11/2011 Hawkins , III
`
`2011/0294558 Al
`2012/0004038 Al
`2012/0202575 Al
`2013/0337906 Al
`2014/0038716 A1 *
`
`12/2011 Kim
`1/2012 Van Luchene
`8/2012 Matsuno
`12/2013 Ikeda
`2/2014 Endo
`
`2014/0143687 A1 5/2014 Tan et al .
`
`A63F 13/12
`463/39
`A63F 9/183
`273/430
`
`G06Q 10/00
`463/42
`
`A63F 13/12
`463/31
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`2001-353371 A
`2002-236773 A
`2002-366852 A
`2003-016333 A
`2003-019356 A
`2003-154172 A
`2003260266 A
`2005-318995 A
`2007117656 A
`2008-220984 A
`2011067534 A
`2013-027477 A
`2014000103 A
`
`12/2001
`8/2002
`12/2002
`1/2003
`1/2003
`5/2003
`9/2003
`11/2005
`5/2007
`9/2008
`4/2011
`2/2013
`1/2014
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`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 ] , SameCast 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 .
`Sep. 18 , 2018 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application
`No. 2017-126020 .
`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 , pp .
`28 , Jan. 10 , 2012 .
`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. H30 ( 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
`Gamecast , “ Showing Really How Much Money is Spent on Gandam
`Card Collections and Gacha : Taking a Look at Social Games ” ,
`< http://gamecast-blog.com/archives/65683438.html > , Jun . 10 , 2012 .
`Oct. 29 , 2019 Office Action issued in Japanese Patent Application
`No. 2018-221107 .
`* cited by examiner
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 10 , 2020
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`2
`
`Communication terminal
`
`FIG . 1
`
`
`
`Communication unit
`
`
`
`Control unit
`
`10
`
`13
`
`
`
`Information presentation unit
`
`2
`
`12
`
`
`
`Item data
`
`
`
`
`
`User information table
`
`
`
`Memory unit
`
`
`
`
`
`Battle game server
`
`
`
`
`
`Item information table
`
`113
`
`112
`
`111a111c
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 10 , 2020
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`
`
`Item type
`
`FIG . 2C
`TID3
`
`
`
`Item name
`
`5
`
`2
`
`1
`
`5
`
`N
`
`2
`
`2
`
`2
`
`3
`
`???
`
`1 3
`
`2
`
`2
`
`2
`
`2
`
`6
`
`3
`
`3
`
`4
`
`2
`
`1
`
`1
`
`6
`
`2
`
`1
`
`1
`
`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
`
`Item M2
`
`Item N2
`
`Item 02
`
`Item P2
`
`Item Q2
`
`Item M2
`
`Item M2
`
`Item N2
`
`Item 02
`
`Item P2
`
`Item Q2
`
`Item R2
`
`Item S2
`
`Item T2
`
`Item U2
`
`UN 203
`
`UNI230
`
`Item identification information
`
`UNI201
`
`UNI202
`
`UNI204
`
`UNI205
`
`UNI206
`
`UNI207
`
`UNI208
`
`UN209
`
`UNI210
`
`UNI211
`
`UNI212
`
`UNI213
`
`UNI214
`
`UNI215
`
`UNI216
`
`UNI217
`
`UNI218
`
`UNI219
`
`UNI220
`
`UNI221
`
`UNI222
`
`UN1223
`
`UNI224
`
`UNI225
`
`UNI226
`
`UNI227
`
`UNI228
`
`UNI229
`
`
`
`Item type
`
`2
`
`??
`
`1
`
`5
`
`2
`
`2
`
`2
`
`3
`
`4
`
`2
`
`2
`
`2
`
`2
`
`1
`
`2
`
`2
`
`2
`
`2
`
`1
`
`5
`
`3
`
`5
`
`5
`
`1
`
`1
`
`6
`
`2
`
`1
`
`1
`
`Item 11
`
`Item J1
`
`Item P1
`
`Item Q1
`
`Item Q1
`
`Item S1
`
`Item T1
`
`FIG . 2B
`TD2
`
`
`
`Item name
`
`Item identification information
`
`Item A1
`
`Item B1
`
`Item ci
`
`Item D1
`
`Item E1
`
`Item F1
`
`Item G1
`
`Item H1
`
`Item K1
`
`Item ki
`
`Item ki
`
`Item 11
`
`Item M1
`
`Item N1
`
`Item N1
`
`Item 01
`
`Item M1
`
`Item M1
`
`Item N1
`
`Item 01
`
`Item P1
`
`Item R1
`
`Item U1
`
`UNI101
`
`UNI102 .
`
`UNI103
`
`UNI 104
`
`UNI105
`
`UNI106
`
`UNI 107
`
`UNI108
`
`UNI109
`
`UNI110
`
`UNI111
`
`UNI112
`
`UN1113
`
`UNI114
`
`UNI115
`
`UNI116
`
`UNI117
`
`UNI118
`
`UNI119
`
`UNI120
`
`UNI121
`
`UNI122
`
`UNI123
`
`UNI124
`
`UNI125
`
`UNI726
`
`UNI127
`
`UNI128
`
`UNI129
`
`UNI130
`
`1
`
`A
`
`2
`
`1
`
`I
`
`1
`
`1
`
`1
`
`1
`
`1
`
`
`
`Item type
`
`FIG . 2A
`
`TID 1
`
`
`
`Item name
`
`Item identification information
`
`1
`
`2
`
`???
`
`?????
`
`2
`
`2
`
`2
`
`sunt
`
`2
`
`3
`
`5
`
`2
`
`6
`
`2
`
`Item A
`
`Item B
`Item C
`Item D
`
`Item F
`Item E
`
`Item G
`
`Item 1
`Item J
`Item H
`
`Item K
`
`Item k
`
`Item K
`
`Item N
`Item M
`Item M
`Item L
`
`Item 0
`
`Item P
`Item 0
`
`Item M
`
`Item M
`Item N
`
`Item 0
`Item P
`
`Item S
`Item Q
`Item R
`
`Item T
`Item U
`
`UN11
`
`UNI2
`
`UN 13
`
`UN 14
`
`UN15
`
`UNIO
`
`UN17
`
`UNI8
`
`UN19
`
`UNI11
`
`UN112
`
`UNI13
`
`UNI14
`
`UNI15
`
`UNI16
`
`UNI 17
`
`UNI18
`
`UNI 19
`
`UNI20
`
`UNI21
`
`UNI22
`
`UN123
`
`UNI24
`
`UNI25
`
`UNI26
`
`UNI27
`
`UNI 28
`
`UNI29
`
`WNI30
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 10 , 2020
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`:::
`
`
`
`UNI 127
`
`UN14
`
`UNI12
`
`UNI 215
`
`UNI2
`
`UNI 119
`
`UN 18
`
`UNI 204
`
`UNI17
`
`UNI10
`
`TID1
`
`TID2
`
`TID1
`
`TID3
`
`TID2
`
`UID1
`
`UID2
`
`UID3
`
`UID4
`
`UID5
`
`+ +
`
`
`
`
`
`Identification information of provided items
`
`FIG . 3
`
`information
`
`
`
`User identification Table identification
`information
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 10 , 2020
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`FIG . 4
`
`Item identification
`information
`UNI1
`UNI 2
`UNI3
`UNI4
`UNI5
`
`Item image
`Item A image
`Item B image
`Item C image
`Item D image
`Item E image
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 10 , 2020
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`FIG . 5
`
`!
`
`1
`
`Acquirable item information
`
`502
`Item type Acquisition
`count
`2
`1
`1
`0
`1
`0
`
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`
`501
`
`Total
`count
`13
`8
`4
`2
`2
`
`2
`
`Acquirable item information
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 10 , 2020
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`FIG . 6
`
`Battle game server
`
`Present acquirable
`item information
`
`Determine item to provide
`
`Provide item
`
`S2
`
`S4
`
`S5
`
`Si
`
`Change and store information
`in memory unit
`
`End
`
`Communication
`terminal
`
`2
`
`Request to
`present information
`
`-S1
`
`Item acquisition request
`
`-S3
`
`Reset request
`
`-S6
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 10 , 2020
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`FIG . ZA
`
`Acquirable item information
`Item type | Acquisition
`Total
`count
`count
`13
`2
`1
`8
`4
`pan
`0
`2
`1
`2
`1
`0
`
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`
`[ Approach gauge ]
`212213
`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 .
`FIG . 7B
`Acquirable item information
`Item type Acquisition Total
`count
`count
`13
`2
`1
`8
`2
`4
`0
`2
`1
`2
`ym
`0
`
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`
`[ Approach gauge ]
`215 216 217 218 219
`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 1005
`Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 10 , 2020
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`FIG . 8
`
`Acquirable item information
`Item type Acquisition Tota
`count
`count
`13
`2
`8
`2
`4
`2
`0
`2
`2
`
`2
`3
`4
`5
`
`6
`
`0
`
`[ Approach gauge ]
`201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 219
`Item Item
`E
`N
`Note : Each
`
`contains an item with a high value for the item type .
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 10 , 2020
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`FIG . 9
`
`Acquirable item information
`Item type Acquisition Total
`count
`count
`1
`13
`2
`8
`2
`????
`1
`3
`4
`4
`0
`2
`07
`1
`2
`1
`6
`0
`
`Scratch card
`
`301
`
`302
`
`303
`
`304
`
`305
`
`306
`
`307
`
`308
`
`309
`
`310
`
`311
`
`312
`
`313
`
`314
`
`315
`
`316
`
`3172
`
`318
`
`319
`
`320
`
`321
`
`322
`
`323
`
`324
`
`325
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 10 , 2020
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`3203
`
`
`
`Scratch card
`
`
`
`Scratch card
`
`FIG . 10B
`
`FIG . 10A
`
`
`
`
`
`Acquirable item information
`
`
`
`
`
`Acquirable item information
`
`Total count
`Acquisition
`count
`
`
`
`Item type
`
`
`Acquisition Total
`
`count count
`
`
`
`Item type
`
`13
`
`4
`8
`
`2
`
`2 1
`
`4
`
`1
`
`1
`
`o
`
`2
`1
`
`3
`
`4
`
`5 6
`
`13
`
`8
`4
`
`2
`
`2
`
`1
`
`2
`
`youndwa
`
`0
`
`1
`
`0
`
`2
`3
`
`4 .
`
`6
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 12
`
`

`

`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`1
`GAME CONTROL METHOD , GAME
`SERVER , AND PROGRAM
`
`2
`tion terminal ; ( b ) determining an item to provide to the
`communication terminal when receiving an item acquisition
`request from the communication terminal ; and ( c ) changing
`the acquirable item information when receiving a reset
`CROSS - REFERENCE TO RELATED
`5 request from the communication terminal .
`APPLICATION
`In the game control method according to the present
`invention , in step ( a ) , a method for presenting the acquirable
`This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser . No. 16/053 ,
`item information presented to the communication terminal
`149 filed Aug. 2 , 2018 , which is a continuation of U.S. Ser .
`may differ between a first item and a second item , a
`No. 14 / 409,219 filed Dec. 18 , 2014 , which is a National
`Stage of PCT / JP2013 / 003899 filed Jun . 21 , 2013 and is 10 numerical value of the item type being at least a predeter
`mined value for the first item , and the numerical value of the
`based on and claims priority to and the benefit of Japanese
`item type being less than the predetermined value for the
`Patent Application No. 2012-140213 filed Jun . 21 , 2012 , the
`second item .
`entire contents of the above applications being incorporated
`In the game control method according to the present
`herein by reference .
`15 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
`invention , information on another user who has acquired the
`game server , and a program .
`20 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
`communication terminal , one item
`selected from among
`Conventionally , in a battle game server , each user's deck
`items for which the count of necessary attempts for acqui
`is formed by a plurality of battle cards or the like stored for
`each user , and the battle game server allows a plurality of 25 sition is at most the predetermined value may be determined
`to be the item to provide .
`users to compete with each other based on the total value of
`A game server according to the present invention
`the attack strength and defense strength of the deck ( for
`includes : information presentation means for presenting a
`example , see Patent Literature 1 ) . In such a battle game
`server , the user acquires a battle card by methods such as
`communication terminal , connected over a communication
`purchasing the battle card or obtaining the battle card by 30 line , with acquirable item information that , for each item
`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
`information related to items acquirable by the communica
`CITATION LIST
`tion terminal is received from the communication terminal ;
`35 and control means for determining an item to provide to the
`communication terminal when an item acquisition request is
`received from the communication terminal , such that the
`control means changes the acquirable item information
`when receiving a reset request from the communication
`40 terminal .
`In the game server according to the present invention , the
`Technical Problem
`information presentation means may adopt a different
`method for presenting the acquirable item information pre
`In a conventional battle game server , however , the meth
`sented to the communication terminal for a first item than for
`ods for acquiring battle cards and the like are limited ,
`causing the user to lose interest in the game . In particular , 45 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
`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
`50 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 ,
`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 55
`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
`from among items for which the count of necessary attempts
`Solution to Problem
`for acquisition is at most the predetermined value to be the
`A game control method according to the present invention 60 item to provide .
`A program according to the present invention is for
`for solving the above problems includes the steps of : ( a )
`presenting a communication terminal , connected over a
`causing a computer that functions as a battle game server to
`communication line , with acquirable item information that ,
`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 , 65 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
`
`Patent Literature
`Patent Literature 1 : JP 2008-220984 A
`
`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 13
`
`

`

`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`4
`3
`server 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention
`terminal , a request to present information related to items
`includes a communication unit 10 , a memory unit 11 , an
`acquirable by the communication terminal ; ( b ) determining
`information presentation unit 12 , and a control unit 13 .
`an item
`to provide to the communication terminal when
`The communication unit 10 communicates with a com
`receiving an item acquisition request from the communica
`tion terminal ; and ( c ) changing the acquirable item infor- 5 munication terminal 2 over either or both of a wireless and
`mation when receiving a reset request from the communi
`wired connection .
`cation terminal .
`In association with identification information uniquely
`In the program according to the present invention , in step
`allocated to each user that operates a communication termi
`( a ) , a method for presenting the acquirable item information
`nal 2 ( referred to below as user identification information ) ,
`presented to the communication terminal may differ between
`10 the memory unit 11 stores information on items to provide ,
`a first item and a second item , a numerical value of the item
`a total count of items , item type , and an acquisition count .
`type being at least a predetermined value for the first item ,
`An " item ” refers to any of a variety of objects used within
`and the numerical value of the item type being less than the
`a game , such as a battle card constituting a user's deck , a
`predetermined value for the second item .
`character , a weapon , armor , an ornament , a plant , food , and
`In the program according to the present invention , the
`acquirable item information for the first item may include 15 the like . The item type is a numerical value representing the
`rarity value of the item , a numerical value representing the
`identification information or an image for an item .
`In the program according to the present invention , in step
`category of the item , or the like .
`( a ) , information on another user who has acquired the first
`Specifically , the memory unit 11 stores this information
`by dividing the information among tables . A plurality of item
`item may be presented .
`In the program according to the present invention , in step 20 information tables 111a to 111c , a user information table
`( b ) , based on a selection request from the communication
`112 , and item data 113 are stored in the memory unit 11 .
`terminal , one item selected from among items for which the
`While three item information tables are described here , this
`count of necessary attempts for acquisition is at most the
`example is not limiting , and the number of item information
`predetermined value may be determined to be the item to
`tables may be two or fewer , or four or more .
`provide .
`The item information tables 111a to 111c are tables
`including information on the total count of items and the
`Advantageous Effect of Invention
`item type . FIGS . 2 ( a ) to 2 ( c ) illustrate examples of the item
`information tables 111a to 111c . As illustrated in FIGS . 2 ( a )
`According to the game control method , game server , and
`to 2 ( c ) , for example the item information table 111a includes
`program of the present invention , it is possible to increase
`the variations on methods for acquiring battle cards and the 30 item identification information “ UNI1 ” , an item name " item
`A ” , and an item type “ 3 ” . The item identification informa
`like , increase the predictability of acquisition of a card or the
`tion is an identifier for uniquely identifying an item in the
`like with a high numerical value for the item type , and
`present system . The item information tables 111a to 111c are
`heighten interest in the game .
`provided with table identification information for uniquely
`35 identifying an item information table in the battle game
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`server 1. Here , the item information tables 111a to 111c are
`The present invention will be further described below
`respectively provided with “ TID1 ” , “ TID2 ” , and “ TID3 ” as
`the table identification information .
`with reference to the accompanying drawings , wherein :
`The user information table 112 is a table storing , for each
`FIG . 1 is a block diagram of a battle game server in
`40 user , the provided items and information for calculating an
`Embodiment 1 ;
`FIGS . 2 ( a ) , 2 ( b ) , and 2 ( c ) are examples of an item
`item
`acquisition count . The user information table 112
`associates the user identification information , table identi
`information table in Embodiment 1 ;
`FIG . 3 is an example of a user information table in
`fication information , and identification information of pro
`vided items .
`Embodiment 1 ;
`FIG . 4 is an example of item data in Embodiment 1 ;
`FIG . 3 illustrates an example of the user information table
`112. As illustrated in FIG . 3 , the user information table 112
`FIG . 5 is an example of acquirable item information in
`includes user identification information “ UID1 ” , table iden
`Embodiment 1 ;
`tification information “ TID1 ” , identification information of
`FIG . 6 is a flowchart of operations by the battle game
`provided items " UNI2 ” and “ UNI4 ” , and the like .
`server in Embodiment 1 ;
`FIGS . 7 ( a ) and 7 ( b ) are examples of acquirable item
`The item data 113 stores data on an image for an item
`provided to the user in association with item identification
`information in Embodiment 2 ;
`FIG . 8 is an example of acquirable item information in
`information . FIG . 4 illustrates an example of the item data
`113. As illustrated in FIG . 4 , the item data for example
`Embodiment 3 ;
`includes item identification information “ UNI1 ” , an item
`FIG . 9 is an example of a scratch card for selection in
`55 image “ item A image ” , and the like . The image data may be
`Embodiment 3 ; and
`in any image format , such as JPEG , GIF , PNG , or the like .
`FIGS . 10 ( a ) and 10 ( b ) are examples of a screen for
`When receiving a request to present information from the
`selecting an item to acquire .
`communication terminal 2 , then based on information ,
`stored in the memory unit 11 , that corresponds to the user
`DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`60 identification information pertaining to the communication
`terminal 2 , the information presentation unit 12 presents the
`The following describes embodiments of the present
`communication terminal 2 , via the communication unit 10 ,
`invention .
`with acquirable item information that includes information ,
`for each item type , on a total count and an acquisition count
`Embodiment 1
`65 of items .
`Specifically , when a request to present information is
`FIG . 1 is a block diagram of a battle game server 1 in
`received from the communication terminal 2 via the com
`Embodiment 1 of the present invention . The battle game
`
`50
`
`25
`
`45
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1005
`Page 14
`
`

`

`US 10,583,365 B2
`
`6
`5
`“ UID1 " . Subsequently , the control unit refers to the item
`munication unit 10 , then based on the item information
`information table 111a , randomly selects item identification
`tables 111a to 111c , the information presentation unit 12
`information not included in the identification information of
`tallies the total count of items for each item type . The
`provided items ( for example , “ UNI1 ” ) , and determines that
`information presentation unit 12 also refers to the user
`information table 112 to calculate the acquisition count of 5 the selected item is the item to provide to the communication
`items for each item type based on the identification infor
`terminal 2. The control unit 13 then refers to the item data
`mation of provided items and the table identification infor
`113 and provides the communication terminal 2 , via the
`mation that correspond to the user identification information
`communication unit 10 , with the item image “ item A image "
`pertaining to the communication terminal 2. The informa
`corresponding to the item identification information “ UNIL ”
`tion presentation unit 12 then presents the communication 10 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
`as identification information of provided items .
`that the information presentation unit 12 presents . FIG . 5
`Furthermore , in the present invention , the battle game
`illustrates an example of the acquirable item information 15 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
`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 20 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
`tification information and identification information of pro
`been described above , yet this example is not limiting . For
`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 25
`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
`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 30 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
`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 35 “ 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
`“ 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 40 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 use