USOO7357718B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Yamaoka et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`*Apr. 15, 2008
`
`(54) SERVER FOR NETWORK GAME,
`NETWORK GAME PROCESS CONTROL
`METHOD, NETWORK GAME PROGRESS
`CONTROL PROGRAMAND RECORDING
`MEDIUMISTORING NETWORK GAME
`PROGRESS CONTROL PROGRAM
`
`(75) Inventors: Masatoshi Yamaoka, Sakai (JP);
`Kazuhiro Namba, Amagasaki (JP)
`(73) Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co.,
`Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 604 days.
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`(21)
`(22)
`(65)
`
`Appl. No.:
`10/188,400
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 2, 2002
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2003 FOOO871 O A1
`Jan. 9, 2003
`
`(30)
`Jul.
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`5, 2001
`(JP)
`............................. 2001-205226
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Int. C.
`(2006.01)
`G09G 5/00
`U.S. Cl. ........................................................ 463/41
`Field of Classification Search .................. 463/43,
`463/16, 25, 40–42; 700/91-92
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,588,649 A 12/1996 Blumberg et al.
`5,749,785 A
`5/1998 Rossides
`5.782,470 A * 7/1998 Langan ....................... 273/139
`5,810,359 A * 9/1998 Wilkins et al. ............. 273/256
`5,816,918 A * 10/1998 Kelly et al. ................... 463/16
`5,984,780 A * 11/1999 Takemoto et al. ............ 463,20
`6,015,345 A
`1/2000 Kail
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`
`O 873 772
`
`10, 1998
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Diablo II Handbook, Blizzarrd Entertainment, RAD Inc., 2000. pp.
`10-15, 26-28, 30-37, & 72.*
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner Ronald Laneau
`Assistant Examiner Tramar Harper
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Jordan and Hamburg LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`In order to enable a user to play a game continuously and to
`facilitate acquisition of valuable data by the user, the present
`invention provides a network game server device 1 that
`conducts a game in which a user is enabled to acquire
`valuable data having a prescribed value while performing
`transmission/reception of data with a terminal device
`employed by the user through a network 2 enables the user
`to play a single game of a plurality of games; awards
`prescribed points to this user in accordance with the results
`of the game played by the user, and provides to this user
`valuable data having a prescribed value in accordance with
`the points awarded to the user.
`
`4,592,546 A
`
`6, 1986 Fascenda et al. ............. 463,29
`
`19 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`200
`
`500
`
`50
`
`520
`
`503
`
`501 } 502 53 51 1st 523 521
`
`522
`
`CARD SHOP
`cRRENTS:
`84 POINTS
`WELCOME
`WHAT CAN WEO
`For YoU today
`BUY CARD
`SELCARD
`LEAWESOP
`
`CARD SHO
`CURRENTRONS:
`84 FOINTS
`ARARE CARD ISA
`6 ONTs.
`WE MUST WARN YOU
`THATWN'T KNOW
`WHA CAR WiLL
`TURNP, so DONT
`COMPAN
`PURCHASE
`STOP
`
`CARD SHOP
`CURRENPONTS:
`84 poss
`YOU CAN coS
`THE CARD RANK,
`But YOU CANNot
`chose ALAYER
`WHATRANK OF
`CAR
`YOU WANT
`
`NORMA CARD
`FVE POINTS
`RARE CARB:
`60 poiMTS
`ULTRARARE CARD:
`30CONTS
`
`CARD SHOP
`CURRENPINTS:
`24 POINTS
`
`TO CARD SHOP
`MAINMENU
`
`536
`
`GOODUCK!
`(i) GET CARD
`2 CARSHOP
`(3) TRAD
`(4) CARE ALBUM
`(5) CARD RANKING
`(6) CARE GIFT
`(7) MN-GAME
`(8) CHANGE
`SUPPORTETEAM
`(9) MATCH REPORT
`(10) CURRENTRANKin
`(1) St MAL
`TRANSMISSION
`(2) PROCUREFOR
`UNSUBSCRBING
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`202
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 1
`
`

`

`US 7,357,718 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,113,495 A * 9/2000 Walker et al. ................ 463/42
`6,126,542 A * 10/2000 Fier
`... 463/16
`6,135,881 A 10, 2000 Abbott et al.
`6,200,216 B1
`3/2001 Peppel
`6,236,900 B1
`5/2001 Geiger
`6,298.442 B 1 * 10/2001 Kocher et al. .............. T13,194
`6,385,596 B1
`5, 2002 Wiser et al.
`6,582,310 B1* 6/2003 Walker et al. ................ 463/42
`7,144,323 B2 * 12/2006 Yamaoka et al. .
`... 463f42
`2001/0000044 A1
`3f2001 Lin ..................
`... 705/26
`2002/0115489 A1* 8, 2002 Jordan et al. ..
`... 463f42
`2002/0142839 A1* 10/2002 Wolinsky ...
`... 463f41
`2002/0142846 A1* 10, 2002 Paulsen ......
`... 463f43
`2002/015.1364 A1* 10, 2002 Suchocki ..................... 463/42
`2002fO198053 A1 12/2002 Yamaoka et al.
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`O 934 765
`8, 1999
`6-295,390
`10, 1994
`
`
`
`EP
`JP
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`KR
`
`10-145423
`2001-157721
`2000-2681.07
`2000-296271
`2000-298631
`2000-325656
`2001-43278
`2001-56834
`2001-155061
`2001-297169
`2001-353371
`2000-24688
`2000-0054116
`
`5, 1998
`6, 2000
`9, 2000
`10, 2000
`10, 2000
`11 2000
`2, 2001
`2, 2001
`6, 2001
`10, 2001
`12/2001
`1, 2002
`9, 2000
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`& 8
`- - - - -
`I-mode official game navigation', the first edition, Kabushiki
`Kaisha Enix, published on Oct. 13, 2000, pp. 8-11.
`“Perfect capturing guidance for i-mode game', published by T2
`ublishing Co., Ltd., on Aug. 15, 2000, pp. 64 to 65.
`p
`9.
`9.
`pp
`* cited by examiner
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`
`Sheet 1 of 16
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`,\N\/dWOO
`
`
`
`
`
`NOI_L\/OINT) WIWO'O ETIEHOW
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`6Sls
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 4
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`
`Sheet 3 of 16
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`
`
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`303
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`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`
`Sheet 4 of 16
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`
`FIG. 4
`
`START
`
`FRONT PAGE SCREEN
`TRANSMISSION
`
`MY MENUSCREEN
`TRANSMISSION
`
`ST
`
`ST2
`
`USER INFORMATION
`SCREEN TRANSMISSION
`
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`HEADINGS OK?
`
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`ST5
`
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`TRANSMISSION
`
`USER INFORMATION
`REGISTRATION
`
`MENUSCREEN
`TRANSMISSION
`
`ST6
`
`ST7
`
`ST8
`
`PROCESSING OF SELECTED
`MENU ITEM
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`
`Sheet 5 of 16
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`
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`Page 7
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`
`Sheet 6 of 16
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`
`FIG. 6
`
`START
`
`ACGUIRE MATCH RESULT DATA AFTER
`PRO BASEBALL MATCH HAS FINISHED
`
`COMPARE PREDICTION DATA WITH MATCH
`RESULT DATA AND PERFORM POINTS
`INCREASING PROCESSING
`
`TRANSMIT MATCH RESULT DATA
`
`TRANSMIT POINT INCREASE RESULT
`SCREEN
`
`END
`
`ST11
`
`ST12
`
`ST13
`
`ST14
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`
`Sheet 7 of 16
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`
`FIG. 7
`
`ST21
`
`ALREADY
`REGISTERED?
`
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`ST22
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`TRANSMIT MENUSCREEN
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`EXECUTION INSTRUCTION
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`AT LEAST PRESCRIBED
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`PROCESSING
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`ST26
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 9
`
`

`

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`Apr. 15, 2008
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`Sheet 8 of 16
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 10
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`Sheet 9 of 16
`FIG. 9
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`
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`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`
`Sheet 10 of 16
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`
`Sheet 11 of 16
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`
`FIG 11
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 13
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`
`Sheet 12 of 16
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`
`
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 14
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 14
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`
`Sheet 13 of 16
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`
`FIG. 13
`
`
`
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`
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`
`
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`
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`
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`
`RECEIVE SELECTION OF CARD ALBUM
`
`TRANSMIT ACOUIRED CARD LIST SCREEN
`
`RECEIVE TEAM DESIGNATION
`
`TRANSMIT CARD LIST SCREEN
`CLASSIFIED BY TEAM
`
`RECEIVE DESIRED CARD SELECTION
`
`TRANSMIT CARD IMAGE DISPLAY SCREEN
`
`END
`
`ST62
`
`ST63
`
`ST64
`
`ST65
`
`ST66
`
`ST67
`
`ST68
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`
`099
`
`| 99
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`
`Sheet 15 of 16
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
`
`FIG. 15
`
`ST71
`
`ALREADY
`REGISTERED?
`
`YES
`TRANSMIT MENUSCREEN
`
`ST72
`
`ST73
`TRANSMIT MINI-GAME SCREEN
`
`ST74
`
`ARE THERE
`PRESCRIBED NUMBER
`OF POINTS?
`
`ST76
`YES
`TRANSMIT CARD SELECTION
`SCREEN
`
`ST77
`RECEIVE CARD SELECTION
`INSTRUCTION
`
`ST75
`TRANSMIT MINI-GAME NOT
`POSSIBLE SCREEN
`
`
`
`CARD IS NOT A
`OUT CARD?
`
`
`
`S
`ST79
`YE
`POINT ADDITION PROCESSING
`
`
`
`TRANSMIT MINI-GAME
`COMPLETED SCREEN
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 17
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 15, 2008
`
`Sheet 16 of 16
`
`US 7,357,718 B2
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`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 18
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 18
`
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`
`

`

`US 7,357,718 B2
`
`1.
`SERVER FOR NETWORK GAME,
`NETWORK GAME PROCESS CONTROL
`METHOD, NETWORK GAME PROGRESS
`CONTROL PROGRAM AND RECORDING
`MEDIUMISTORING NETWORK GAME
`PROGRESS CONTROL PROGRAM
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a network game that is
`executed by performing transmission and reception of data
`between a terminal device and a network game server
`through a network.
`2. Description of the Related Art
`In a known network game using a network Such as the
`Internet, for example the user performs a lottery game using
`a terminal device Such as a mobile telephone and in the event
`of a correct guess a service is provided Such as providing
`image data (valuable data) of for example a pop star to the
`USC.
`However, in the above lottery game, image data are
`provided to the user in accordance with the results of single
`game based on the chance of a correct guess or a wrong
`guess. Consequently, the user can only acquire the image
`data, which is the objective, by playing the game, so the
`method of acquiring the image data is restricted. Also, the
`above lottery game did not increase the user's feeling of
`anticipation by increasing the rate of acquisition of image
`data in accordance with the extent of progress with the game
`so it was difficult to induce the user to play the game
`continuously.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`An object of the present invention is to provide a network
`game server, network game progress control method and
`network game progress control program wherein the user
`can easily be induced to acquire valuable data and the user
`can be induced to play the game continuously.
`In order to achieve the above objects, according to the
`present invention, a network game server device that con
`ducts a game in which a user is enabled to acquire valuable
`data having a prescribed value by performing transmission/
`reception of data with a terminal device employed by the
`user through a network, comprising: game execution means
`for enabling the user to play a single game of a plurality of
`games; point awarding means that awards prescribed points
`to this user in accordance with the results of a game played
`by the user using said game execution means; and valuable
`data provision means that provides to this user valuable data
`having a prescribed value in accordance with the points
`awarded to the user by said point awarding means.
`With the present invention described in the above, the user
`is enabled to play a single game of a plurality of games, this
`user is awarded prescribed points in accordance with the
`results of the game played by the user and valuable data
`having a prescribed value in accordance with the awarded
`points is provided to this user. In this way, since a plurality
`of games are provided whereby the points needed for
`acquiring valuable data having a prescribed value can be
`acquired, a plurality of methods of acquisition of the valu
`able data by the user can be provided. Also, since, rather than
`providing the valuable data directly to the user by playing
`the game, points needed for acquiring the valuable data are
`awarded, the feeling of anticipation of the user of for
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`example increasing the rate of acquisition of valuable data in
`accordance with the degree of progress of the game can be
`increased.
`These and other objects, features and advantageous of the
`present invention will become more apparent upon reading
`the following detailed description along with the accompa
`nied drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is an overall diagram of an embodiment of a
`network game system employing a network game server 1
`according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the
`construction of network game server 1,
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile telephone 3
`(terminal device) employed in this embodiment;
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the
`processing procedure performed by network game server 1
`from user registration processing up to the processing for
`menu item selection;
`FIG. 5 is an example of a view of the changes of the
`screen displayed on mobile telephone 3 accompanying reg
`istration processing:
`FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the
`processing procedure for results data acquisition in respect
`of prediction data performed by network game server 1:
`FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the
`processing procedure for providing valuable data performed
`by network game server 1,
`FIG. 8 is an example of a view of the changes of the
`screen displayed on mobile telephone 3:
`FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the
`processing procedure for exchange of valuable data and
`points performed by network game server 1,
`FIG. 10 is an example of the changes of the screen
`displayed on mobile telephone 3 during exchange of valu
`able data and points;
`FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the
`processing procedure for exchange of valuable data and
`points performed by network game server 1,
`FIG. 12 is an example of the changes of the screen
`displayed on mobile telephone 3 during exchange of valu
`able data and points;
`FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the
`processing procedure performed by network game server 1
`in accordance with a request from a user to peruse valuable
`data;
`FIG. 14 is an example of a view of the changes of the
`screen displayed on mobile telephone 3 during perusal of
`valuable data;
`FIG. 15 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the
`processing procedure performed by network game server 1
`in awarding points when the user is enabled to play a
`mini-game; and
`FIG. 16 is an example of a view of the changes of the
`screen displayed on mobile telephone 3 during playing of
`the mini-game.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Hereinbelow, a network game system using a network
`game server 1 constituting an example of a network game
`server according to the present invention is described with
`reference to appropriate drawings.
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 19
`
`

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`US 7,357,718 B2
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`It should be noted that, in the description below, various
`types of processing and the like performed by network game
`server 1 to enable a user to conduct these games are
`described whilst referring to appropriate drawings taking a
`professional baseball match results prediction game (first
`game) and card-based game (second game) as examples of
`a plurality of games for enabling a user to acquire points.
`The games for acquiring points could be of three or more
`types.
`In particular, although, as a professional baseball match
`result prediction game, the description assumes that the user
`employing a mobile telephone constituting a terminal device
`is made to predict the results of professional baseball
`matches, the present invention is not particularly restricted
`to this example and may be applied to the prediction of other
`phenomena so long as the results as a prediction in regard to
`an actual phenomenon that occurs in the future can be
`acquired by network game server 1 (server for network
`game). For example, it could be applied to prediction in
`respect of sports, fights, races, or pop charts; results or
`rankings are particularly Suitable for prediction, but it would
`also be possible to apply this to prediction or the like of
`weather data, marine data, political data, economic data, and
`the like.
`FIG. 1 is an overview of an embodiment of a network
`game system employing a network game server 1 according
`to the present invention. Network game server 1 shown in
`FIG. 1 controls the progress of the game and is installed on
`a network 2 constituted by the Internet. In this embodiment,
`a mobile telephone 3 is employed as the terminal device
`employed by the user, communication of mobile telephone
`3 and network game server 1 is made possible by connection
`with network 2 through a prescribed mobile communication
`company 4 that acts as the provider for connection with
`network 2.
`The terminal device is not restricted to the embodiment
`described above and a PDA5 or the like connected to mobile
`telephone 3 could be employed; any terminal device, irre
`spective of type or mobile communication company where
`this is registered could be employed so long as it can use the
`same communication system.
`Next, a detailed description of network game server 1 will
`be given. Network game server 1 is constituted of a WWW
`server device or the like and manages the progress of the
`game by performing transmission and reception through
`network 2 of data of various types with mobile telephone 3
`employed by the user.
`FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating the
`construction of network game server 1. As shown in FIG. 2,
`network game server 1 functionally includes a program
`execution section 10, data storage section 20 and program
`storage section 30. Program execution section 10 function
`ally includes communication section 11, registration pro
`cessing section 12, result data acquisition section 13, point
`awarding processing section 14, valuable data provision
`processing section 15, user information management section
`16, valuable data perusal processing section 17 and game
`execution section 18. Data storage section 20 includes
`valuable data storage section 21, user information storage
`section 22 and results data storage section 23. Program
`storage section 30 includes a computer-readable recording
`medium 31.
`Program execution section 10 comprises a CPU (central
`processing unit) or the like of network game server 1. This
`CPU functions as communication section 11, storage pro
`cessing section 12, results data acquisition section 13, point
`awarding processing section 14, valuable data provision
`
`4
`processing section 15, user information management section
`16, valuable data perusal processing section 17 and game
`execution section 18 by reading and executing various
`programs stored in recording medium 31 included in pro
`gram storage section 30.
`Communication section 11 is implemented by the CPU or
`the like running a communication program. Communication
`section 11 performs the necessary processing for performing
`transmission and reception of various types of data with
`mobile telephone 3. This communication section 11 com
`prises a function of receiving as prediction data a profes
`sional baseball team match result predicted by a user from
`mobile telephone 3, a function of receiving a request to
`provide valuable data (card image) whose provision is
`requested from a mobile telephone 3, a function of receiving
`a points exchange request made from mobile telephone 3
`that requests exchange with points determined in accordance
`with this valuable data from the valuable data managed by
`a user information management section 16, to be described
`and a function of receiving a request made from mobile
`telephone 3 to peruse the valuable data supplied to the user.
`Also, this communication section 11 has a function, under
`the control of a user information management section 16, to
`be described, if it concludes that the user employing a
`mobile telephone 3 has acquired points of at least a pre
`scribed value (satisfying a prescribed condition), of notify
`ing mobile telephone 3 that exchange of these points for
`valuable data is possible.
`Furthermore, this communication section 11 has a func
`tion of providing in viewable form valuable data corre
`sponding to a valuable data perusal request from mobile
`telephone 3.
`Registration processing section 12 is implemented by
`CPU or the like executing a registration processing program.
`It registers (including altered/updated registration) in user
`information storage section 22, to be described, information
`relating to the user who employs mobile telephone 3. This
`registration processing section 12 has a function (predicted
`data registration means) of registering in association with
`the user who employs the mobile telephone 3 prediction data
`of winning or losing by professional baseball teams received
`by communication section 11 from mobile telephone 3.
`Also, registration processing section 12 functions as part of
`a game execution section 18, to be described. As will be
`described in detail later, the user information includes a
`nickname, Supported team, rival team, mail address and
`password.
`Results data acquisition section 13 is implemented by
`CPU or the like executing a results data acquisition program.
`Results data acquisition section 13 has a function (results
`data acquisition means) of acquiring as results data through
`network 2 the results that are actually generated in respect of
`the prediction data corresponding to the content of the user's
`predictions. Also, results data acquisition section 13 func
`tions as part of game execution section 18, to be described.
`Point awarding processing section 14 is implemented by
`CPU or the like executing a point awarding program. Point
`awarding processing section 14 uses game execution section
`18, to be described, to enable the user employing mobile
`telephone 3 to execute a game capable of being run by one
`of the plurality of game programs stored on recording
`medium 31 included in program storage section 30 and
`stores (awards) points determined in accordance with the
`results of the game performed by the user in user informa
`tion storage section 22.
`Point awarding processing section 14 is provided with a
`function (point awarding means) of comparing results data
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`Supercell
`Exhibit 1021
`Page 20
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`

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`US 7,357,718 B2
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`acquired by results data acquisition section 13 and predic
`tion data derived from the user and, if both these data satisfy
`prescribed conditions, of storing prescribed points in respect
`of the user who made the prediction in user information
`storage section 22; and is also provided with a function of
`deleting the valuable data stored in user information storage
`section 22, to be described, in response to a points exchange
`request from a mobile telephone 3 and storing points deter
`mined in accordance with this valuable data in user infor
`mation storage section 22.
`Valuable data provision processing section 15 is imple
`mented by CPU or the like executing a valuable data
`provision program. Valuable data provision processing sec
`tion 15 has a function (valuable data provision means) of
`providing to the user valuable data having a prescribed
`value, in accordance with the points. This valuable data
`provision processing section 15 has a function of storing in
`user information storage section 22 in association with the
`user information managed by the user information manage
`ment section 16 valuable data in accordance with a valuable
`data provision request (card image provision request)
`received from a mobile telephone 3 by communication
`section 11. In addition, this valuable data provision process
`ing section 15 has a function of performing Subtraction
`processing of the points determined in accordance with the
`valuable data that have been provided from the acquired
`points stored in user information storage section 22, to be
`described, and storing the result in user information storage
`section 22.
`Also, this valuable data provision processing section 15
`has a function of storing in user information storage section
`22, in association with the user, valuable data randomly
`selected from the valuable data stored in valuable data
`storage section 21, if the points managed by user informa
`tion management section 16 satisfy a prescribed condition
`and notification of agreement to the exchange of the pre
`scribed points for the valuable data has been received from
`mobile telephone 3.
`User information management section 16 is implemented
`by the CPU or the like executing a user information man
`40
`agement program. User information management section 16
`manages in association with the user who employs the
`mobile telephone 3 the valuable data and the points acquired
`by the user within user information storage section 22, to be
`described. Also, this user information management section
`16 has a function of ascertaining whether or not the user who
`employs mobile telephone 3 is already registered when
`access is received from mobile telephone 3.
`Valuable data perusal processing section 17 is imple
`mented by CPU or the like executing a valuable data perusal
`processing program. Valuable data perusal processing sec
`tion 17, when a valuable data perusal request provided by
`valuable data provision processing section 15 is received
`from mobile telephone 3, performs prescribed data process
`ing Such as to ensure that this valuable data cannot be copied
`at mobile telephone 3.
`Game execution section 18 is implemented by CPU or the
`like running a game execution program. Game execution
`section 18 enables the user to execute a game capable of
`being run by one of the plurality of game programs stored on
`recording medium 31 included in program storage section
`30. Game execution section 18 has a function (first game
`execution means) of enabling a user to play a professional
`baseball match results prediction game continuing for a
`prescribed period and a function (second game execution
`means) of enabling a user to play a card-based game which
`is completed in a shorter time than the professional baseball
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`match results prediction game. Also, when game execution
`section 18 is executing the professional baseball match
`results prediction game, the professional baseball match
`results prediction game is executed using registration pro
`cessing section 12 and results data acquisition section 13,
`described above.
`In this embodiment, the plurality of programs included in
`storage medium 31 of program storage section 30 are a
`program for enabling a user to execute the professional
`baseball match results prediction game and a program for
`executing the card-based game.
`Data storage section 20 is constituted of non-volatile
`memory or the like Such as a hard disk of network game
`server 1 and stores the necessary data for communication
`section 11, registration processing section 12, results data
`acquisition section 13, point awarding processing section 14,
`valuable data provision processing section 15, user infor
`mation management section 16, valuable data perusal pro
`cessing section 17 and game execution section 18 to perform
`various processing.
`Valuable data storage section 21 stores the valuable data
`(card images) for perusal provision to mobile telephone 3 in
`association with the corresponding points. Valuable data
`storage section 21 is constituted so as to be capable of
`storing the valuable data in each team and each card rank.
`User information storage section 22 stores the information
`relating to the user who uses the mobile telephone 3 regis
`tered by registration processing section 12 and stores, in
`association, the valuable data and points acquired by this
`user during the progress steps of the game.
`Results data storage section 23 stores the results data
`acquired by results data acquisition section 13. Results data
`storage section 23 is constructed so as to be capable of
`accumulating and storing professional baseball match
`results data corresponding to the team Supported by the user
`and a rival team.
`Next, a mobile telephone 3 (terminal device) employed by
`a user will be described.
`FIG.3 is a block diagram of a mobile telephone employed
`in this embodiment and ext