(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2012/0071245 A1
`Kotkin et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Mar. 22, 2012
`
`US 2012007 1245A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GAMING
`REWARD PLATFORMS
`
`(75) Inventors:
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`Adam Kotkin, New York, NY
`(US); Douglas W. Walsh,
`Monmouth Junction, NJ (US)
`Apps Genius Corporation, Red
`Bank, NJ (US)
`12/888,010
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 22, 2010
`O
`O
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`A63F 9/24
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................. 463/42; 463/25
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Method and systems for providing online gaming to a plural
`ity of players through a network, such as the Internet is
`disclosed. A server enables the plurality of players on remote
`terminals to access a game application in the memory in the
`server through the network. A processor on the server moni
`tors the activity of each of the plurality of players while
`accessing the game application to determine an activity level
`of each of the plurality of players. It also compares the activity
`level of each of the plurality of plavers and causes a reward to
`be issued to one E. S. RRity of players based on
`the comparison of the activity level of each of the plurality of
`players. Various levels of rewards are contemplated.
`
`
`
`14
`
`N
`
`PLAYER 1
`
`PLAYER n
`
`10
`
`12
`
`SERVER
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 1
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 1 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`14
`
`Ne
`
`PLAYER 1
`
`PLAYER n
`
`10
`
`12
`
`SERVER
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 2 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`PLAYER 1
`
`O
`
`PLAYER In
`
`1 Y'
`
`15
`
`10
`
`N
`
`WEB SERVER
`
`16
`
`AD
`SERVER
`?m
`20
`
`REWARD
`SERVER
`
`1
`18
`
`DB SERVER
`
`1
`24
`
`W
`
`22
`
`COMPARISON
`ENGINE
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 3
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 3 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`INTERFACE
`
`30
`
`PROCESSOR
`1
`32
`
`MEMORY
`1
`34
`
`INTERFACE
`1
`36
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 4 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`k
`
`RER
`
`EAERBOARES f:S
`
`Affiliari Chezicii
`Execiv's test Š
`
`Lamborghi
`Reventor
`
`Stawiseries Arratt
`
`X
`
`liteins are up for Renewa
`Yoti aye isotiatisfasid your icy isday
`
`Neys Fees
`
`shes, i8 rites age
`Your etoiage inherinber Red a bought yoi a
`Anai Ciazicii Giorgio Model Suit
`
`Match 3 symbols
`aid with that prize
`O
`
`XYXYYXXYnysaxsaxy)-3-222a-SaxoXY
`Cone back every day for your chance to will
`prizes if the daily viy viad lotte
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 5
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 5 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`HOME
`
`PROFE
`
`EAANCE SHEET
`
`RECRT
`
`LEACERBOARDS
`
`FORUMS
`
`:
`
`Starainia
`3f.
`
`SHOPPES
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 6
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 6 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`CASC
`
`Casic Fiays Left
`
`asid flaxset
`
`320,000
`
`Availabie Ossirio Ganes
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 7 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`Casino Piays. Left
`
`Casir Max at
`
`$20,000
`
`- Backie Casing Safiss
`
`Stig poker
`
`Max Bet
`Total Cash: s 304.20,
`Hands won; no
`aids lost;
`2
`Net profit
`s 40,000
`
`Essi is Casing Games
`
`FIG. 7
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 8
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 8 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`Casing Pays left:
`
`Casins tax ist:
`
`sick Alber
`
`rry, you picked the number 9,
`but the dealer chose 4.
`
`Times won
`Times Lost:
`Net Profit:
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 9 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`Casino
`
`Casing Riays left:
`
`C3
`
`w
`
`a-ax-
`
`$25,000
`
`Horse Racing
`
`Horse Racing
`
`Ciet ockeys
`appsternits
`iristian
`file
`Sarai
`e
`
`Back to ssino Games
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 10
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 10 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`CASINO
`
`a sacks Casino sates
`
`Casio Pays aft:
`
`Casily six
`
`ess Raging
`
`Horse Racing
`
`&x & 3& 828: 2d22222saaSaaSZas 3.2322
`
`eitokeys
`asgenius
`acquely
`Erics
`afin
`filiar
`
`FIG 10
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 11 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`Casio Pays left
`
`Casino Max 36t
`
`at easin Gates
`
`SS
`
`SLOTS
`
`Spissio: i.
`Spits last
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 12
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 12 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`HOME
`
`RFILE
`
`SAARCE SHEET
`
`RECR
`
`EAERBARS
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 13
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 13 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`Bark to AESfting Events
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 14 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`jays Spread
`Pades Spread: iii.5
`otai defei.5.
`otai wers.
`
`F.G. 14
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 15
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 15 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`S. pictionary as RhyinéZone
`lifornistic
`
`HCfE
`
`PROFILE
`
`Curefit EEts
`ye to bets currently place se
`
`Recent setting Results
`You have no bets currently. Place Bets
`
`F.G. 15
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 16
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 16 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`Yoti Portfolio
`
`Symbol Company Nans
`
`Find stocks
`
`Satistics
`
`Recentiy Traded Stocks
`
`Symbol Carpany Manhs
`
`AMERGROUP Corporation
`AOL.inc
`
`Charge
`
`Trading Frice
`257,38
`
`FIG. 16
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 17
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 17 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`HOi
`
`RfILE
`
`AAMCE 3.
`
`RECRI
`
`EAER3ARS
`
`he
`
`Battle Shop
`
`Weicaine to the Battle Shop.
`Here yet ray purchase any ten available up to your Battle ieved for tse in the Battle Arena. At Battle
`Aeria iterns are considered Assets atid purchasing them withot affect your Riet Worth.
`
`Battle itsts
`
`FIG. 17
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 18
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 18 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`HOME
`
`PROFILE
`
`BALANCE SHEE
`
`RECRUIT
`
`EAERSCARES
`
`FORMS
`
`Congratulatiors, you purchased 5 Jonny Wawas Eyewea's to use in the Battie Aerial Go to
`the Battle Afafia in
`
`Weiceans to the Battle Shop.
`efs yet finay purchase any item available up to your Battle eve for tise in the Battie Arena. A Battle
`Area tens are considered Assets and purchasing thern will heaffect your NetWorth.
`
`Battie items
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 19
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 19 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`PROFIE
`
`BALANC
`
`EE
`
`RECRUIT
`
`LEA
`
`sos Ris
`
`FORMS
`
`t
`
`Battle Arena
`
`is of Battie tefis:
`sts value
`EntourageSize:
`
`People to Challenge
`
`a hy
`Battie level
`
`fia
`:
`Battle Level 1
`
`Battie eyeli
`
`Moderate
`
`Moderate
`
`Mighty
`
`Mighty
`
`Moderate
`
`Moderate
`
`Miederate.
`
`Moderate
`
`Moderate
`
`F.G. 19
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 20
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 20 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`.
`
`FIG. 20
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 21
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 21 of 39
`
`US 2012/007 1245 A1
`
`
`
`festis
`stal visit is
`Eigurage
`
`Opponent. 3
`
`FIG 21
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 22
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 22 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`FIG. 22
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 23
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 23 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`FIG. 23
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 24
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 24 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`Opponent: iais
`
`FIG. 24
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 25
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 25 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`HOME
`
`PROFILE
`
`AACE SEE
`
`RECR
`
`AO: S3 FORMs
`
`Your Entourage
`
`Paga
`
`Entet Fage Size: 4+1.
`
`FIG. 25
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 26
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 26 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`BALANCE SHEET
`
`RECR
`
`is
`
`is
`
`My Mad Millions Points
`
`Ato-Pay Services
`Hie 2 Entourage
`Broker Package
`Casine Package
`Sports Package
`Spending Power
`
`these effers are provided by a iii party service. If you are thissing points, please click the "Wiew
`SE Status" button below. Please its of your ad-hocker if you have problems viewing the offers
`sei.
`
`FIG. 26
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 27
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 27 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`Hove
`
`PROFILE
`
`BALANCE SHEE
`
`RECRU
`
`LEAERBARDS
`
`FORurs
`
`FG. 27
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 28
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 28 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`SPES 3.
`
`Spending Spree
`
`Assign a Bookie Manager.
`
`Choose a Bookie Manager
`who would you like to be year Books viainager
`
`isian
`appsgenius
`sate
`Regner
`
`8,
`
`8,
`
`Bookie Manager
`viety ob
`32,750 3 day
`job Fays
`Eiley Cost 10
`
`FIG. 28
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 29
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 29 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`HOME
`
`PROFE
`
`BALANCE SHEE
`
`RECRIT
`
`EAERS ARES
`
`FORUMS
`
`Assign a Bookie Manager Completed
`You Just Speats
`You have new nicked the Bookie. Go ahead aii Fiske a cope bets.
`
`Rent A Yacht
`
`take coinard of the seas by enting at ownistry yacht. Haveyati
`at ready at any portin, the word with a firew at a motheristice.
`
`FIG. 29
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 30
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 30 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`Spending Spree
`
`Rent A Yacht
`
`Choose your
`Yacht
`
`
`
`sia 2008 if Athe
`
`gait
`Rw Ea
`
`WallyPo
`get
`
`S
`
`FIG. 30
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 31
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 31 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`Spending Spree
`
`Rent A Yacht
`
`Choose your Captain
`theose a captain who you feel is best Suited to dive your yacht.
`Captain David Schwar
`Captain Schwarz possesses "fi
`charge" competency and was the
`responsibilities of being if coinafid,
`Yeti will quickly recognize is
`professional approach in pairing
`your ottings, ensuring the every
`day operation of your yacht, aid
`ability to narrage your crew. tie
`ecks forward to hitting the ope
`sea with you
`
`Salary Cost 3834.
`525, 20 per roit
`1 Day
`
`Saiary ite
`
`FG. 31
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 32
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 32 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`HCE . PROFILE
`
`BALANCE SHEET
`
`RECRUIT
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 33
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 33 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`First Mate Mike joines
`Crew
`
`led by First Mate Mike Jones, this
`prestigious boat crew has weiked
`together for years aboard waits
`cruise ships. Five years ago, Mike
`arid his cred inade the decisitti to
`break away from the cruise
`idustry, capitalize or their boating
`proviess and market themselves as
`a boating commodity for hire. Ever
`site then they have beer sailing
`tie Sever seas for much strisisir afid
`excisive private ventures widing
`aboard pivate yachts. They are
`garanteed to give you a
`ofessional and memorable
`experience.
`
`Saai y Cost Si35
`5ii arriori
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 34
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 34 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`FIG. 34
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 35
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 35 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`Choose your dock
`
`Atlantis, Paradise Island:
`Baharinas
`
`Catalina Island, CA
`
`Hong Kong Marina
`
`Atlantis, Paradise Island; Bahamas
`
`Park your yacht here on Paradise Island at the
`Atlantis fesort. With a huge port designed to
`iaid the world's most luxurios and biggest
`yachts, yours will it righti. So park it here for
`the day, go do some garbing in the Atlantis,
`and ther set off into a Baihatha Stinset.
`
`Rental Cost $1,000
`$300 per icini
`1 Day
`
`Raintaine
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 36
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 36 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`:
`
`you finally have the chance to travel at your wn leisure. lease your own
`it never have to wait at the airport again. With your oviet
`
`FIG. 36
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 37
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 37 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`WEBSERVER RECEIVES REQUEST FROM
`PLAYER, ACCESSES APPROPRIATE
`SOFTWARE APPLICATION TOIMPLMENT
`ACTIVITY AND SENDS INFORMATION
`REGARDING REQUESTED ACTIVITY AND
`PLAYER TO DATABASE SERVER
`
`
`
`DATABASE SERVER LOGS ACTIVITY AND
`PLAYER ID
`
`
`
`
`
`100
`
`102
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ON ADAILY BASIS,
`COMPARISON ENGINE
`READS ACTIVITY LOG ON
`DATABASE SERVER AND,
`BASED ON RULES,
`DETERMINES DALY
`USAGE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ON A PERIODIC BASIS,
`REWARD SERVER
`ACCESSES ACTIVITY LOG
`ON DATABASE SERVERTO
`DETERMINE REWARDS
`
`106
`
`FIG. 37
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 38
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 38 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`You Have 33
`
`
`
`Filies ag.
`Your Auto-Pay Service has been renewing you
`Metropolitan Townhouse and has spent
`
`2 hours, 3 minutes ago
`Your Auto-Pay Service has been renewing you
`Tasia Roadster and has spent -áS
`hours, 3 minutes ago
`Your Auto-Pay Service has been Fenewing you
`Aston Martin EB9 and has spent -
`3 hours, 37 minutes ago
`Your entourage harber Cindy 3 bought you a
`Safiyski Encrusted
`st
`
`highs, it minutes ago
`You were challenged in the Battle Arena by
`radar33 and you won You gave away a Solar
`lay ionis.
`
`1 hours, 25 minutes ago
`Yo were challenged in the Battle Arena by
`Crystal and you lost You received a Solar Law
`visie.
`
`FIG 38
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 39
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Mar. 22, 2012 Sheet 39 of 39
`
`US 2012/0071245 A1
`
`
`
`The more you play My Mad Millions the
`more cash & prizes you can earn. Each
`day the top 20% of users share in the
`revenue generated by the game. Every
`time you are in the Top 20% you
`eley is a Black aflond titafitt Card
`that can be converted to flash aid
`Mercianise.
`
`You Haye 18 Reward Cards
`
`FIG. 39
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 40
`
`

`

`US 2012/007 1245 A1
`
`Mar. 22, 2012
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GAMING
`REWARD PLATFORMS
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0001. The present invention relates to social gaming and to
`mobile gaming. It also relates to reward platforms for use in
`Such gaming environments.
`0002 There are numerous games available, including
`online games. One type of online game that is becoming
`popular are social games.
`0003. Due to the large number of online social games
`available on the internet and through mobile devices, attract
`ing players to the internet sites to play the Social games can be
`difficult. Once the players are attracted to a site to play one or
`more games, maintaining these players and users on the sites
`is also difficult.
`0004. The stakes are high because the lifeblood of these
`sites is players and users playing the games. The Survival of
`the sites generally depends on continued usage of the sites. It
`may also depend on the willingness of players to pay for
`various options offered by the online Social game.
`0005 Accordingly, new and improved systems and meth
`ods of attracting players to the online Social games are
`needed.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0006 Unlike traditional reward programs, the player
`reward system and method of the present invention quantifies
`a player's use of, as well as the player's results in, a social
`game and compares them to all the other players in the game.
`It then automatically issues reward points to the players based
`on the use and results. The reward points are redeemable for
`cash, goods or services.
`0007. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the
`reward points are based on algorithm uses factors such as
`logins, time played, game progression, game tier achieved,
`rate of play, acquisition of game items and players recruited
`and continuously updates against other players.
`0008. In accordance with one aspect of the present inven
`tion. A method of providing online gaming to a plurality of
`players, each of the plurality of players being on a remote
`terminal that is connected through a network to a server, the
`server having a processor and a memory. The server enables
`the plurality of players on the remote terminals to access a
`game application in the memory in the server through the
`network. The processor monitors the activity of each of the
`plurality of players while accessing the game application to
`determine an activity level of each of the plurality of players.
`The processor compares the activity level of each of the
`plurality of players and causes a reward to be issued to one or
`more of the plurality of players based on the comparison of
`the activity level of each of the plurality of players.
`0009. In accordance with one aspect of the present inven
`tion, the step of monitoring the activity of each of the plurality
`of players can include monitoring a length of time the game
`application is accessed. It can also include monitoring for
`purchases of advertised goods or services. It can also include
`monitoring for purchases of extra points. It can further
`include monitoring for referrals of other players to the game
`application on the server.
`0010. In accordance with further aspects of the present
`invention, the step of rewarding can include the processor at
`the server determining a total revenue collected from the
`
`plurality of players accessing the game application and allot
`ting a portion of the total revenue to the one or more of the
`plurality of players.
`0011. In accordance with one aspect of the present inven
`tion, the network is the Internet.
`0012. In accordance with further aspects of the present
`invention, a predetermined percentage of the plurality of
`players with the highest activity levels are allotted a portion of
`the total revenue.
`0013. In accordance with yet further aspects of the present
`invention, rewards are provided as follows. A first predeter
`mined percentage of the plurality of players with the highest
`activity levels are allotted a first percentage of the total rev
`enue. A second predetermined percentage of the plurality of
`players with the second highest activity levels are allotted a
`second percentage of the total revenue. A third predetermined
`percentage of the plurality of players with the third highest
`activity levels are allotted a third percentage of the total
`revenue. A fourth predetermined percentage of the plurality
`of players with the fourth highest activity levels are allotted a
`fourth percentage of the total revenue. The first percentage of
`the total revenue is higher than the second percentage of total
`revenue, which is higher than the third percentage of total
`revenue, which is higher than the fourth percentage of total
`CWU
`0014. A system for providing online gaming is also pro
`vided by the present invention. In the system a plurality of
`players are on a remote terminal connected through a network
`to a server and the server has a processor, a memory con
`nected to the processor and a gaming application stored in the
`memory and operable on the processor. The processor is
`operable to: monitor the activity of each of the plurality of
`players while accessing the game application to determine an
`activity level of each of the plurality of players; compare the
`activity level of each of the plurality of players; and cause a
`reward to be issued to one or more of the plurality of players
`based on the comparison of the activity level of each of the
`plurality of players.
`0015 The activities monitored and the rewards issues have
`already been discussed above.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
`0016 FIG. 1 illustrates a system in accordance with one
`aspect of the present invention.
`0017 FIG. 2 illustrates a system in accordance with
`another aspect of the present invention.
`0018 FIG. 3 illustrates a typical server configuration in
`accordance with one aspect of the present invention.
`0019 FIGS. 4 to 36 illustrate various screen shots of an
`online Social game in which various aspects of the present
`invention are used.
`(0020 FIG. 37 illustrates a flow chart of the steps in accor
`dance with one aspect of the present invention.
`0021
`FIG. 38 illustrates a screen shot of a user showing
`the daily awards granted in accordance with one aspect of the
`present invention.
`0022 FIG. 39 illustrates a screen showing the reward peri
`odically granted in accordance with an aspect of the present
`invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION
`0023 FIG. 1 illustrates a system in accordance with an
`aspect of the present invention. The system includes a net
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
`Page 41
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`US 2012/007 1245 A1
`
`Mar. 22, 2012
`
`work 10, a server 12 and a plurality of players at remote
`terminals 14 and 15. The network 10 is preferably the Inter
`net. The server 12 comprises conventional components,
`including processors, interface circuitry, memory and various
`Software applications that are typically stored in the memory
`and operable on one or more of the processors. The remote
`terminals are typically personal computers connected to the
`Internet.
`0024. The server 12 enables the plurality of players 14 to
`15 on the remote terminals to access a game application in
`memory in the server 12 through the Internet 10. A processor
`in the server 12 monitors the activity of each of the plurality
`of players 14 to 15 while accessing the game application to
`determine an activity level of each of the plurality of players
`14 to 15. The processor compares the activity level of each of
`the plurality of players 14 to 15. The processor causes a
`reward to be issued to one or more of the plurality of players
`14 to 15 based on the comparison of the activity level of each
`of the plurality of players 14 to 15.
`0025. In accordance with one aspect of the present inven
`tion, the step of monitoring the activity of each of the plurality
`of players includes monitoring a length of time the game
`application is accessed. It can also include for purchases of
`advertised goods or services by the each of the plurality of
`players. It can further include monitoring for purchases of
`extra points by each of the plurality of players. The step can
`also include monitoring for referrals of other players to the
`game application on the server by each of the plurality of
`players.
`0026. The step of monitoring the activity of each of the
`plurality of players 14 to 15 can include monitoring for many
`different types of activities. The types of activities monitored
`will depend on the type of social game being offered. As one
`example, the reward system and method of the present inven
`tion can be used on Social games, such as the My Mad Mil
`lions game available on Facebook. In this game, a player is
`assigned a dollar amount which is to be spent without accu
`mulating any assets. In the My Mad Millions game, the fol
`lowing activities can be monitored by the processor in deter
`mining how to reward the plurality of players 14 to 15: sports
`betting; battling another players, energy usage, spending
`power, casino usage, checking a stock quote; reaching an
`achievement; setting a daily outfit; Visiting forums; renewing
`a rental; clearing a news feed; hitting a main page; transfer
`ring money; assigning a job to an entourage member; gaining
`a battle level; gaining an entourage member, spending My
`Mad Millions points; upgrading a statisitic; checking leader
`boards; inviting a friend; checking achievements; checking a
`balance sheet to see how much money has been spent. It
`should be apparent that almost any activity on the game can be
`monitored.
`0027. Each activity can be credited with a point value. The
`point value is selected to try to encourage interesting activity
`on the Social game to encourage players to continue to play
`the game and to encourage new players to play the game. For
`example, in accordance with one aspect of the present inven
`tion, a system that awards 1 point, 2 points, 3 points, 5 points,
`10 points or 25 points to different activities can be used. The
`point value will depend on the game and what activities are
`being encouraged. Thus, the point value will vary from game
`to game and, even within a game, can vary from time to time.
`0028. Additionally, the points can be awarded on a time
`basis. Thus, a player cannot simply repeat a high-point value
`activity repeatedly because the system, in accordance with an
`
`aspect of the present invention, will only award points on a
`periodic basis. For example, in the My Mad Millions game, if
`the activity of checking a stock quote is to be rewarded with
`a point value, it might only be checked periodically, for
`example, every 15 minutes, every 30 minutes or every 60
`minutes and points awarded every time the activity is checked
`or logged. Thus, if the activity of checking a stock quote were
`performed twice in 30 minutes and the server only awarded 3
`points every 30 minutes for such activity, then the reward
`system of the present invention would only award 3 points—
`even though a player performed the activity twice in the
`relevant time period.
`0029. The period can also be measured through other
`means as well. For example, if sports betting during the game
`My Mad Millions is being measured, then points could be
`awarded for every S100,000, every $500,000 or every S1,000,
`000 bet.
`0030. As an activity by one of the players occurs, the
`processor in the server 12 notes the activity and the player
`identification. As described above, each of the activities has a
`point value, and as a player performs one of the activities, the
`processor adds that point value to the players total point
`value. The points added may be limited in the manner
`described in the previous two paragraphs.
`0031. On a periodic basis, the processor in the server 12
`compares the activity level of each of the plurality of players
`14 to 15 in terms of the total points awarded to each of the
`players. The processor then causes a reward to be issued to
`one or more of the plurality of players based on the compari
`son of the activity level of each of the plurality of players.
`0032. In accordance with one aspect of the present inven
`tion, the step of rewarding performed by the processor
`includes the processor at the server determining a total rev
`enue collected from the plurality of players accessing the
`game application and allottingaportion of the total revenue to
`the one or more of the plurality of players based on the
`comparison of the activity levels. In accordance with further
`aspects of the present invention, a predetermined percentage
`of the plurality of players with the highest activity levels are
`allotted a portion of the total revenue. In one method of
`issuing the reward, a first predetermined percentage of the
`plurality of players with the highest activity levels are allotted
`a first percentage of the total revenue, a second predetermined
`percentage of the plurality of players with the second highest
`activity levels are allotted a second percentage of the total
`revenue, a third predetermined percentage of the plurality of
`players with the third highest activity levels are allotted a third
`percentage of the total revenue and a fourth predetermined
`percentage of the plurality of players with the fourth highest
`activity levels are allotted a fourth percentage of the total
`revenue, the first percentage of the total revenue being higher
`than the second percentage of total revenue, which is higher
`than the third percentage of total revenue, which is higher
`than the fourth percentage of total revenue. Any measure of
`revenue can be used.
`0033. The processors, interface circuitry, memory and
`other devices in the server 12 can be arranged in many differ
`ent architectures, depending on many parameters such as
`Scalability. Thus, for example, the server 12 can comprise,
`and usually would comprise, a plurality of servers and other
`equipment Such as processors that implement the features of
`the present invention.
`0034 FIG. 2 illustrates a possible architecture in accor
`dance with one aspect of the present invention. As before, a
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1012
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`US 2012/007 1245 A1
`
`Mar. 22, 2012
`
`plurality of players 14 to 15 on remote terminals are con
`nected to the Internet 10. Also connected to the Internet 10, in
`accordance with an aspect of the present invention, is a web
`server 16, a reward server 18, an advertising server 20, a
`database server 22 and a comparison engine 24.
`0035. The web server 16 controls a player's access to the
`game and the game flow. It can include processors, memory
`and game application software. When a player 14 or 15
`attempts to access the game, the web server 16 makes Sure
`that the player is authorized to access the game by checking
`user names and passwords. The web server 16 then accesses
`the game and a player's profile and presents one or more
`screens over the internet 10 to the players 14 and 15. Based on
`the selections of the players 14 and 15, the web server 16
`helps to determine the next steps, including the outcome of
`any activities based on the activities selected by the player 14
`and 15.
`0036. The reward server 18, in accordance with this
`embodiment of the present invention, is used to determine the
`rewards to be given to each player 14 and 15, based on usage
`of the game. The reward server 18 operates periodically.
`When it operates, it accesses the comparison engine 24,
`which accesses the database server 22, to determine player
`activity levels based on a set of rules. Thus, as previously
`described, for each player 14 and 15 accessing the game, it
`determines what activities were performed and what points
`those activities are worth. It can also determine the frequency
`that those activities were performed and award points in
`accordance with frequency rules as well. Thus, even if an
`activity were performed multiple times during a time period,
`the reward server 18 will only award the points for that activ
`ity once during the allowable time period.
`0037. The advertising server 20 maintains a database of
`advertisements to be offered in the social game. The adver
`tising server 20 is accessed by the web server 16 to determine
`what advertisements to offer players of the social game while
`they are playing the game.
`0038. The database server 22 maintains a database of the
`activity of each of the players. For each player action, the
`database server 22 receives a signal from the web server 16
`and updates the database based on the player activity. For
`example, for each player activity, the database server 22
`updates the database with the player identification, the date of
`the activity, the time of the activity, the activity, the result of
`the activity and other information.
`0039. The comparison engine 24 includes processors and
`memory. When accessed by the reward server 18 to determine
`rewards, it accesses the database and the database server 22 to
`determine the leading players in accordance with a set of
`rules. The comparison engine 24 sends the results identifying
`the top players to the reward server 18, which then issues the
`rewards to the players 14 and 15. Reference to a server in this
`document includes the single server embodiment shown in
`FIG. 1 as well as multiple server embodiments, such as the
`one illustrated in FIG. 2.
`0040 FIG. 3 illustrates a typical server configuration in
`accordance with one aspect of the present invention. A typical
`server includes interface circuitry 30 that controls connection
`of the server to a network, such as the Internet. One or more
`processors 32 are connected to the interface circuitry 30 to
`control communications over the Internet and to process
`information in accordance with the various aspects of the
`present invention. Memory 34 is connected to the processors
`32. The memory stores application software needed to control
`
`the processing by the processors 32. The application Software
`includes instructions needed provide normal Internet com
`munications as well as instructions needed to process infor
`mation in accordance with the various aspects of the present
`invention. An interface circuit 36 is connected to the proces
`sor 32 and elsewhere as needed to provide other communica
`tions as needed.
`0041. The present invention can