US20130079145A1 - Mobile device interface for online games - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to games and applications in general and in particular to computer-implemented online games playable on mobile devices. A mobile server receives a signal from a user to perform a mobile in-game action, where the signal is received at the mobile server via a mobile user interface on a mobile client device. The mobile server automatically performs a particular in-game action with respect to multiple in-game objects responsive to reception of the signal to perform the mobile in-game action. The performance of the particular in-game action with respect to the multiple in-game objects is responsive to user input on a browser user interface requiring multiple signals corresponding to the respective in-game objects.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY
• This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/823,021, entitled “MOBILE DEVICE INTERFACE FOR ONLINE GAMES,” filed on Jun. 24, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present disclosure generally relates to games and applications in general and in particular to computer-implemented online games playable on mobile devices.
BACKGROUND
• In many games, there is a virtual world or some other imagined playing space where a player/user of the game controls one or more player characters (herein “character,” “player character,” or “PC”). Player characters can be considered in-game representations of the controlling player. As used herein, the terms “player,” “user,” “entity,” and “friend” may refer to the in-game player character controlled by that player, user, entity, or friend, unless context suggests otherwise. The game display can display a representation of the player character. A game engine accepts inputs from the player, determines player character actions, decides outcomes of events and presents the player with a game display illuminating what happened. In some games, there are multiple players, wherein each player controls one or more player characters.
• In many computer games, there are various types of in-game actions that a player character can make within the game. For example, a player character in an online role-playing game may be able to interact with other player characters, build a virtual house, attack enemies, go on a quest, go to a virtual store to buy/sell virtual items, etc. A player character in an online poker game may be able to play at specific tables, place bets of virtual currency for certain amounts, play or fold certain hands, play in a online poker tournament, etc.
• Internet users typically access online games using browser clients (e.g., Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc.). Many mobile client systems (e.g., cellular phones, personal digital assistants, computer tablets, etc.) can access and run various computer games. Some mobile systems can access the Internet, allowing the user to play online games. Mobile client users typically access online games using browser clients or using custom applications for accessing the game.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a game interface for an online game accessed by a browser client.
• FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a game interface for an online game accessed by a mobile client system.
• FIG. 2B shows a flowchart illustrating a process for accessing in-game actions on a mobile game interface.
• FIG. 3 depicts a schematic of a system and data flow.
• FIG. 4 illustrates an example network environment.
• FIG. 5 illustrates an example computer system architecture.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTSGame Systems
• In an online game, players control player characters (PCs), a game engine controls non-player characters (NPCs), game elements, and other game features, and the game engine also manages player character state. A player character can engage in one or more in-game actions, wherein the game actions may effect game state. As used herein, the term “player character state” can refer to one or more in-game characteristics of a player character, such as location, assets, levels, condition, health, status, inventory, skill set, name, orientation, affiliation, specialty, and so on. As used herein, the term “game state” can refer to one or more in-game characteristics of any in-game element, including player character state, NPC state, virtual item state, game feature state, game environment state, etc.
• A game event may be an outcome of an engagement, a provision of access, rights and/or benefits, or the obtaining of some assets (e.g., health, money, strength, inventory, land, etc.). A game engine determines the outcome of a game event according to a variety of factors, such as the game rules, a player character's in-game actions, player character state, game state, interactions of other player characters, and random calculations. Engagements can include simple tasks (e.g., plant a crop, clean a stove), complex tasks (e.g., build a farm, run a café), or other events.
• An online game can be hosted by agame networking system320, which can be accessed over any suitable network with anappropriate client system330. A player may have a game system account ongame system320, wherein the game system account can contain a variety of information about the player (e.g., the player's personal information, player character state, game state, etc.). In various embodiments, an online game can be embedded into a third-party website. The game can be hosted by the networking system of the third-party website, or it can be hosted ongame system320 and merely accessed via the third-party website. The embedded online game can be hosted solely on a server ofgame system320 or using a third-party vendor server. In addition, any combination of the functions of the present disclosure can be hosted on or provided from any number of distributed network resources. For example, one or more executable code objects that implement all or a portion of the game can be downloaded to a client system for execution.
Virtual Currency
• In various embodiments, players within the game can acquire virtual currency. In such games, the virtual currency might be represented by virtual coins, virtual cash, or by a number or value stored by the server for that player's benefit. Such virtual currency represents units of value for use in the online game system, and is analogous to legal currency. Virtual currency can be purchased in one or more actual cash or credit transactions by a player, where the legal currency is transferred using a credit/debit/charge card transaction conveyed over a financial network. In some embodiments, a player may earn virtual currency by taking action in the game. For example, a player may be rewarded with one or more units of virtual currency after completing a task, quest, challenge, or mission within the game. For example, a farming game might reward 10 gold coins each time a virtual crop is harvested.
• In some embodiments, virtual currency can be used to purchase one or more in-game assets or other benefits. For example, a player may be able to exchange virtual currency for a desired level, access, right, or item in an online game. In one embodiment, legal currency can be used to directly purchase an in-game asset or other benefit. The player can select the desired in-game asset or other benefit. Once the necessary selections are made, the player can place the order to purchase the in-game asset or other benefit. This order is received by thegame system320, which can then process the order. If the order is processed successfully, an appropriate financial account associated with the player can be debited by the amount of virtual currency or legal currency needed to buy the selected in-game asset or other benefit.
• In some embodiments, multiple types of virtual currency may be available for purchase from the game system operator. For example, an online game may have virtual gold coins and virtual cash. The different types of virtual currency may have different exchange rates with respect to legal currency and each other. For example, a player may be able to exchange $1 in legal currency for either 100 virtual gold coins or $2 in virtual cash, but virtual gold coins may not be exchanged for virtual cash. Similarly, where in-game assets and other benefits can be purchased with virtual currency, they may have different exchange rates with respect to the different types of virtual currency. For example, a player may be able to buy a virtual farmhouse for $10 in virtual cash, but may not purchase the virtual farmhouse for virtual gold coins alone. In some embodiments, certain types of virtual currency can be acquired by engaging in various in-game actions while other types of virtual currency can only be acquired by exchanging legal currency. For example, a player may be able to acquire virtual gold coins by growing and selling virtual crops, but can only acquire virtual cash by exchanging legal currency.
Harvest Mechanic
• In various embodiments, an online game can include a series of user-initiated in-game actions that comprise a harvest mechanic. The harvest mechanic generally has two components: a set of initiating actions and a set of collecting actions. In an initiating action, a player may “click” or otherwise interact with an element of the online game to initiate the harvest mechanic. In some games, multiple clicks or other actions may be necessary to complete the initiating action. For example, a player may have to click on a stove to clean it and click again to prepare ingredients and initiate cooking virtual food. In another example, a player may have to click on land to plow it and click again to plant seeds and initiate growing virtual crops.
• Once the initiating action is complete, the online game may begin a processing action, wherein the game state of the element is modified by the game system during some time period. The time period can range from seconds to days, depending on the game system. For example, the game system may require an hour for virtual food to get cooked, or it may require three days for a virtual crop to grow. During the processing action, the player may be able to cancel the processing action, thereby resetting the entire harvest mechanic sequence. During the processing action, the player may also be able to interact with the element. For example, the player could add spice to his virtual food while it is cooking, or the player could add fertilizer to his virtual crops while they are growing. These interactions may or may not have an in-game effect on the element. In some embodiments, there is no processing action, and the collecting action is accessible immediately after the initiating action is complete. In other embodiments, the processing action is instantaneous.
• After the processing action is complete, the game system can alter the game state of the element. At this point, the collecting action may be available. In a collecting action, a player may click or otherwise interact with the element to complete the harvest mechanic. For example, a player may have to click on the fully-cooked virtual food to serve it. In another example, a player may have to click on fully-grown crops to harvest them. In some games, multiple clicks or other actions may be necessary to complete the collecting action.
• Once the collecting action is complete, the harvest mechanic may be reset with respect to that game element. In some embodiments, the player may have to click or otherwise interact with the element to reset the harvest mechanic. In other embodiments, the harvest mechanic may reset automatically once the collecting action is complete. Once the harvest mechanic is reset, the initiating action may be available again for that game element.
• Two detailed examples of the harvest mechanic follow.
• FarmVille Example
• In one embodiment, a user controls a player character on a virtual farm in Zynga's FarmVille online game. The player (via his player character) can build and maintain the virtual farm. The player can plants seeds, which grow into crops, which can be harvested to earn virtual currency. Animals and trees can also be purchased and can also be raised and harvested for profits.
• To grow crops, a player must first select a plot of land to plow. When the player clicks on the plot of land, his player character will move over to the plot of land and plow it. Once the player character finishes plowing the land, the player can select a type of seed to plant (e.g., pumpkin, wheat, etc.). Each type of seed indicates its cost in virtual currency and the time necessary for it to grow into a harvestable crop. For example, raspberry seeds have a two hour growth time and cost 20 virtual coins. Watermelon seeds have a four day growth time and cost130 virtual coins. The player can then click on the land, and his player character will move to the plot of land and plant the seeds, thereby completing the initiating action. The player's game account is also debited by the amount of virtual coins needed to buy the seeds.
• Once the seeds are planted, the processing action begins, and the game engine indicates that the seeds are growing. By clicking on the growing crop, the player can view how much time is remaining in the processing action.
• Once the growth time has elapsed, the processing action will end and the game engine will modify the crops into fully-grown harvestable crops. The player can then click on the crops to harvest them and sell them for virtual coins. For example, raspberries yield 46 virtual coins per plot and watermelons yield 348 coins. This completes the collecting action.
• If the crop is not harvested within a specific time, it will wilt and must be plowed again, unless the unwither feature is applied. For example, pumpkins will grow in 8 hours. If the pumpkins are not harvested within 16 hours of planting, they will wither and die, and the player will not be able to harvest them for virtual coins, unless the unwither feature is applied. To gain access to the unwither feature, the player may spend legal currency to buy virtual cash, which can then be used to buy the unwither feature.
• Café World Example
• In another embodiment, a user controls a player character in a virtual café in Zynga's Café World online game. The player (via his player character) can build and maintain the virtual café. The player can prepare and cook virtual food, serve it to virtual customers (NPCs), and build and modify the virtual café.
• To prepare food, a player must first select a dirty stove. When the player clicks on the stove, his player character will move to the stove and clean it. Once the player character finishes cleaning the stove, the player can select the Dish Menu to choose the type of dish to prepare (e.g., pumpkin pie, cheesecake, soup, hamburgers, etc.). Each type of dish indicates its cost in virtual currency and the time necessary for it to cook into a servable dish. For example, cheeseburgers have a 5 minutes cooking time and cost 15 virtual coins. Cheesecake has a 12 hour cooking time and costs 400 virtual coins. The player can then click on the stove and his player character will move to the stove and begin cooking. The player's game account is also debited by the amount of virtual coins needed to buy the dish. Depending on the dish, the player may have to click one or more additional times to prepare ingredients for the dish. The initiating action to begin cooking will be complete once the player character has prepared the appropriate number of ingredients.
• Once the dish begins cooking, the processing action begins, and the game engine indicates that the dish is cooking. By clicking on the cooking dish, the player can view how much time is remaining in the processing action. The player can also click on the cooking dish to cancel the dish and reset the harvest mechanic for that stove.
• Once the cooking time has elapsed, the processing action will end and the game engine will modify the dish into a fully-cooked virtual dish that can be served. The player can then click on the cooked dish, which causes the player character to pick up the dish and move it to a serving counter. Serving the dishes is done automatically by the game engine, which controls waiters (NPCs), who serve the dishes to the virtual customers and thereby earn virtual coins. For example, a dish of cheeseburgers yield 52 virtual coins and cheesecake yields 1640 virtual coins. Moving the dish to the serving counter completes the collecting action and resets the harvest mechanic for that stove. After the dish is served, the game engine will indicate that the stove is dirty. If the dish is not served within a specific time, it will rot and the stove will have to be cleaned again, resetting the harvest mechanic.
Game Interfaces
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a webpage-based game interface for an online game accessed by a browser client110 (e.g., Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, etc.). In various embodiments, a user of aclient system330 can use abrowser client110 to access the online game over the Internet (or other suitable network). Thegame interface170 illustrated inFIG. 1 may be automatically generated and presented to the user in response to the user visiting or accessing the game operator's website or a third-party's website fromclient system330 with abrowser client110.Game system320 can transmit data toclient system330 allowing it to displaygame interface170, which is typically some type of graphic user interface. For example, the webpage downloaded toclient system330 may include an embedded call that causesclient system330 to download an executable object, such as a Flash .SWF object, which executes onclient system330 and renders the game within the context of the webpage. Other interface types are possible, such as server-side rendering and the like.Game interface170 is configured to receive signals from the user viaclient system330. For example, the user can click ongame interface170, or enter commands from a keyboard or other suitable input device. The game engine can respond to these signals to allow game play. The display ofgame interface170 can change based on the output of the game engine, the input of the player, and other signals fromgame system320 andclient system330.
• Thegame interface170 can display various game components, such as the game environment, options available to the player (e.g., in-game actions, preferences, settings, etc.), game results, etc. Some components of the game interface may be static, while others may be dynamic (e.g., changing with game play). The user may be able to interact with some components (e.g.,player character101, NPCs, etc.) and not interact with other components (e.g., the background of the virtual world, such as the virtual street or sidewalk). The user can controlplayer character101 andcause player character101 to engage in specific in-game actions or activities by providing input togame interface170.
• In the example online game illustrated inFIG. 1, the usercontrols player character101 in a virtual café in Zynga's Café World online game.Game interface170 shows the virtual café and various components of the café.Player character101 can move around the café to interact with various elements of the café, such as thevirtual stoves120 and virtual serving counters130. The user can click on (or otherwise activate) various aspects of the game interface to provide instructions to the game engine. For example, by clicking on thevirtual stove120, the user can causeplayer character101 to move over to the stove and to begin preparing a dish. Once the dish if fully-cooked, the user can click on thevirtual stove120, causing player character1010 to take the prepared dish fromstove120 and to move it to a servingcounter130.
• The user can also click on various icons ingame interface170 to activate various game options. For example, if the user clicks on one of the icons inoption bar160, the game engine will alter thegame interface170 to present the user with options for buying and selling virtual items for use in the virtual café. For example, the player could buy or sell virtual furniture, appliances, décor, windows, etc. Similarly, the user can click on other icons inoption bar160 to access other game options.
• One skilled in the art would appreciate thatFIG. 1 is presented merely as an example of an embodiment of one type of online game and that the present disclosure is intended to encompass a variety of game types, including gambling games, role-playing games, puzzle games, etc.
Game Interfaces on Mobile Devices
• A player of an online game may want to have access to a particular online game on both an internet client system and a mobile client system. For example, a user may want to play an online role-playing game (e.g., Zynga's Café World) from his desktop computer while at home and from his cellular phone while travelling. Many mobile client systems have browser clients with the ability to access webpages on the Internet. However, certain limitations of mobile client systems (e.g., size, limited memory, limited data transfer rates, etc.) may make it desirable to a use a specially designed game interface to access the game from mobile client systems that accommodates these limitations.
• FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a game interface for an online game accessed by aclient system330 over a mobile network.FIG. 2B shows a flowchart illustrating a process for accessing various in-game actions onmobile game interface215. Thegame interface215 may be provided in a structured document and processed by a mobile browser of a client system, or may be provided by a dedicated client application hosted on the mobile device itself.
• FIG. 2A illustrates aclient system210 that is a smart phone, however any mobile client system may be used (e.g., cellular phones, personal digital assistants, computer tablets, etc.). In various embodiments, a user ofmobile client system210 can use a browser client or other application to access an online game over a mobile network (or other suitable network). Themobile game interface215 illustrated inFIG. 2A may be automatically generated and presented to the user in response to the user visiting or accessing the game operator's website, a third-party website, or executing an application onmobile client system210.Mobile game interface215 operates analogously togame interface170. For example, the user can click, touch, or otherwise interact withmobile game interface215 to select various in-game actions to perform atstep265. If this in-game action is available, the game engine can perform the action atstep280.
• In various embodiments,mobile game interface215 may limit the in-game actions and other options available to the user. For example, inFIG. 2A, the user controls his player character in a virtual café in Zynga's Café World online game. Unlikegame interface170 in FIG.1, which shows the entire virtual café,mobile game interface215 only shows certain components from the virtual café. Specifically,FIG. 2A shows a representation of thestoves120 fromFIG. 1. The user can interact with the stoves to initiate certain in-game actions. For example, by clicking onvirtual stove220'saction button225, the user can cause his player character to begin preparing a dish. Or by clicking onvirtual stove240'saction button245, the user can cause his player character to serve a prepared dish.
• In some embodiments, certain in-game actions, such as the harvest mechanic, may be restricted or otherwise unavailable. These are so-called “restricted in-game actions.”Game system320 can cause one or more in-game actions to be restricted in-game actions when the online game is played ongame interface215. For example, inFIG. 2A, only the “serve” option may be available throughmobile game interface215, while the “clean” and “prepare” options may be disabled. To activate these restricted in-game actions, the user may have to access the online game on the Internet through abrowser client110. In one embodiment, one or more restricted in-game actions can be enabled or activated frommobile game interface215 if the user exchanges some amount of virtual currency or legal currency. For example, the “prepare” action may be a restricted in-game action onmobile game interface215, but the user can pay $5 in virtual cash to enable a single use of the action on that interface.
• In some embodiments, certain in-game actions may be available when accessingmobile game interface215 that are not available when accessinggame interface170. These in-game actions may allow the user to perform certain in-game actions more conveniently or quickly. These are so-called “convenience in-game actions.” For example, a user playing Zynga's Café World onmobile client system210 may have a plurality of virtual stoves with dishes that are prepared and ready to serve. Normally, the user would have to click on each stove individually to have his player character perform the serve action for each dish. However,mobile game interface215 may give the user the option to click on one button that causes the game engine to serve all dishes that are currently ready to serve. In one embodiment, one or more convenience in-game actions can be activated only if the user exchanges virtual currency or legal currency. For example, the “serve” action may normally require the user to click on each stove with a ready dish onmobile game interface215, but the user can pay $2 in legal currency to cause the game engine to serve all dishes that are currently ready to serve.
• To access restricted in-game actions or convenience in-game actions, the game system can first determine whether the selected action is available atstep275. If the selected in-game action is available, the game engine can perform the action atstep280. However, if it is not currently available,game system320 can then determine whether the user may purchase access to the in-game action by exchanging virtual currency or legal currency atstep285. If access can be purchased,game system330 can present an offer to the user to purchase access to the selected restricted in-game action or convenience in-game action atstep290. If the user purchases access atstep295, the game engine can then perform the action atstep280 and the user's account can be debited the appropriate amount of virtual or legal currency. However, if access cannot be purchased atstep285, or if access is not purchased atstep295, then the game system will not perform the action and may inform the user that the in-game action was not performed and/or that the selected in-game action is not available.
• One skilled in the art would appreciate thatFIGS. 2A and 2B are presented merely as an example of an embodiment of one type of online game on one type of client system and that the present disclosure is intended to encompass a variety of game types that offer a variety of in-game actions on a variety of client systems.
Data Flow
• FIG. 3 depicts a schematic ofsystem300 and data flow between the components ofsystem300.System300 can include aclient system330 and agame networking system320.Client system330 andgame networking system320 can each have a corresponding data store such aslocal storage medium335 and gamedata storage medium324, respectively.Game networking system320 can also have one or more servers that can communicate withclient system330 over an appropriate network.Game networking system320 can have an internet server322A for communicating withclient system330 the Internet. Similarly,game networking system320 can have a mobile server322B for communicating withclient system330 via a mobile network (e.g., GSM, PCS, Wi-Fi, WPAN, etc.). In some embodiments, one server may be able to communicate withclient system330 over both the Internet and a mobile network. In other embodiments, separate servers can be used.
• Client system330 can communicate withgame networking system320 to receive webpages, messages, transmit data to and receivedata340,350 (e.g., game inputs, web pages, data transfers, etc.) fromgame networking system320. In a similar fashion,game networking system320 can communicatedata packets340,350, including HTTP packets, data requests, transaction information, updates, etc. At some other time, or at the same time,game networking system320 can communicate data (e.g., game state information, game system account information, page info, messages, etc.) with other networking systems, such as a social networking system (e.g., Facebook, Myspace, etc.).
• Communication betweenclient system330 andgame networking system320 can occur over any appropriate electronic communication medium or network using any suitable communications protocols. For example,client system330, as well as various servers of the systems described herein, may include Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networking stacks to provide for datagram and transport functions. Of course, any other suitable network and transport layer protocols can be utilized.
• In addition, hosts or end-systems described herein may use a variety of higher layer communications protocols, including client-server (or request-response) protocols, such as the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and other communications protocols, such as HTTP-S, FTP, SNMP, TELNET, and a number of other protocols, may be used. In addition, a server in one interaction context may be a client in another interaction context. Still further, in particular implementations, the information transmitted between hosts may be formatted as HyperText Markup Language (HTML) documents. Other structured document languages or formats can be used, such as XML, and the like. Executable code objects, such as JavaScript and ActionScript, can also be embedded in the structured documents.
• In some client-server protocols, such as the use of HTML over HTTP, a server generally transmits a response to a request from a client. The response may comprise one or more data objects. For example, the response may comprise a first data object, followed by subsequently transmitted data objects. In one implementation, for example, a client request may cause a server to respond with a first data object, such as an HTML page, which itself refers to other data objects. A client application, such as a browser, will request these additional data objects as it parses or otherwise processes the first data object.
Systems and Methods
• In various example embodiments, one or more described webpages may be associated with a networking system or networking service. However, alternate embodiments may have application to the retrieval and rendering of structured documents hosted by any type of network addressable resource or web site. Additionally, as used herein, a “user” may be an individual, a group, or an entity (such as a business or third party application).
• Particular embodiments may operate in a wide area network environment, such as the Internet, including multiple network addressable systems.FIG. 4 illustrates an example network environment, in which various example embodiments may operate.Network cloud460 generally represents one or more interconnected networks, over which the systems and hosts described herein can communicate.Network cloud460 may include packet-based wide area networks (such as the Internet), private networks, wireless networks, satellite networks, cellular networks, paging networks, and the like. AsFIG. 4 illustrates, particular embodiments may operate in a network environment comprising one or more networking systems, such asgame networking system420, and one ormore client devices430.Client devices430 are operably connected to the network environment via a network service provider, a wireless carrier, or any other suitable means.
• Game networking system420 is a network addressable system that, in various example embodiments, comprises one or morephysical servers422 anddata stores424. The one or morephysical servers422 are operably connected tocomputer network460 via, by way of example, a set of routers and/or networking switches426. In an example embodiment, the functionality hosted by the one or more physical servers122 may include web or HTTP servers, FTP servers, as well as, without limitation, webpages and applications implemented using Common Gateway Interface (CGI) script, PHP Hyper-text Preprocessor (PHP), Active Server Pages (ASP), Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), Extensible Markup Language (XML), Java, JavaScript, Asynchronous JavaScript and XML (AJAX), Flash, ActionScript, and the like.
• Physical servers422 may host functionality directed to the operations ofgame networking system420. Hereinafterservers422 may be referred to asserver422, althoughserver422 may include numerous servers hosting, for example,game networking system420, as well as other content distribution servers, data stores, and databases.Data store424 may store content and data relating to, and enabling, operation of thegame networking system420 as digital data objects. A data object, in particular implementations, is an item of digital information typically stored or embodied in a data file, database or record. Content objects may take many forms, including: text (e.g., ASCII, SGML, HTML), images (e.g., jpeg, tif and gif), graphics (vector-based or bitmap), audio, video (e.g., mpeg), or other multimedia, and combinations thereof. Content object data may also include executable code objects (e.g., games executable within a browser window or frame), podcasts, etc. Logically,data store424 corresponds to one or more of a variety of separate and integrated databases, such as relational databases and object-oriented databases, that maintain information as an integrated collecting of logically related records or files stored on one or more physical systems. Structurally,data store424 may generally include one or more of a large class of data storage and management systems. In particular embodiments,data store424 may be implemented by any suitable physical system(s) including components, such as one or more database servers, mass storage media, media library systems, storage area networks, data storage clouds, and the like. In one example embodiment,data store424 includes one or more servers, databases (e.g., MySQL), and/or data warehouses.Data store424 may include data associated with differentgame networking system420 users and/orclient devices430.
• Client device430 is generally a computer or computing device including functionality for communicating (e.g., remotely) over a computer network.Client device430 may be a desktop computer, laptop computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), in- or out-of-car navigation system, smart phone or other cellular or mobile phone, or mobile gaming device, among other suitable computing devices.Client device430 may execute one or more client applications, such as a web browser (e.g., Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Google Chrome, and Opera, etc.), to access and view content over a computer network. In particular implementations, the client applications allow a user ofclient device430 to enter addresses of specific network resources to be retrieved, such as resources hosted bynetworking system420. These addresses can be Uniform Resource Locators, or URLs. In addition, once a page or other resource has been retrieved, the client applications may provide access to other pages or records when the user “clicks” on hyperlinks to other resources. By way of example, such hyperlinks may be located within the webpages and provide an automated way for the user to enter the URL of another page and to retrieve that page.
• A webpage or resource embedded within a webpage, which may itself include multiple embedded resources, may include data records, such as plain textual information, or more complex digitally encoded multimedia content, such as software programs or other code objects, graphics, images, audio signals, videos, and so forth. One prevalent markup language for creating webpages is the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). Other common web browser-supported languages and technologies include the Extensible Markup Language (XML), the Extensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML), JavaScript, Flash, ActionScript, Cascading Style Sheet (CSS), and, frequently, Java. By way of example, HTML enables a page developer to create a structured document by denoting structural semantics for text and links, as well as images, web applications and other objects that can be embedded within the page. Generally, a webpage may be delivered to a client as a static document, however, through the use of web elements embedded in the page, an interactive experience may be achieved with the page or a sequence of pages. During a user session at the client, the web browser interprets and displays the pages and associated resources received or retrieved from the website hosting the page, as well as, potentially, resources from other websites.
• When a user at aclient device430 desires to view a particular webpage (hereinafter also referred to as target structured document) hosted bygame networking system420, the user's web browser, or other document rendering engine or suitable client application, formulates and transmits a request tonetworking system420. The request generally includes a URL or other document identifier as well as metadata or other information. By way of example, the request may include information identifying the user, such as a user ID, as well as information identifying or characterizing the web browser or operating system running on the user'sclient computing device430. The request may also include location information identifying a geographic location of the user's client device or a logical network location of the user's client device. The request may also include a timestamp identifying when the request was transmitted.
• FIG. 5 illustrates an example computing system architecture, which may be used to implement aserver422 or aclient device430. In one embodiment,hardware system500 comprises aprocessor502, acache memory504, and one or more executable modules and drivers, stored on a tangible computer readable medium, directed to the functions described herein. Additionally,hardware system500 may include a high performance input/output (I/O)bus506 and a standard I/O bus508. Ahost bridge510 may coupleprocessor502 to high performance I/O bus506, whereas I/O bus bridge512 couples the twobuses506 and508 to each other. Asystem memory514 and one or more network/communication interfaces516 couple tobus506.Hardware system500 may further include video memory (not shown) and a display device coupled to the video memory.Mass storage518, and I/O ports520 couple tobus508.Hardware system500 may optionally include a keyboard and pointing device, and a display device (not shown) coupled tobus508. Collectively, these elements are intended to represent a broad category of computer hardware systems, including but not limited to general purpose computer systems based on the x86-compatible processors manufactured by Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif., and the x86-compatible processors manufactured by Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), Inc., of Sunnyvale, Calif., as well as any other suitable processor.
• The elements ofhardware system500 are described in greater detail below. In particular,network interface516 provides communication betweenhardware system500 and any of a wide range of networks, such as an Ethernet (e.g., IEEE 802.3) network, a backplane, etc.Mass storage518 provides permanent storage for the data and programming instructions to perform the above-described functions implemented inservers422, whereas system memory514 (e.g., DRAM) provides temporary storage for the data and programming instructions when executed byprocessor502. I/O ports520 are one or more serial and/or parallel communication ports that provide communication between additional peripheral devices, which may be coupled tohardware system500.
• Hardware system500 may include a variety of system architectures; and various components ofhardware system500 may be rearranged. For example,cache504 may be on-chip withprocessor502. Alternatively,cache504 andprocessor502 may be packed together as a “processor module,” withprocessor502 being referred to as the “processor core.” Furthermore, certain embodiments of the present invention may not require nor include all of the above components. For example, the peripheral devices shown coupled to standard I/O bus508 may couple to high performance I/O bus506. In addition, in some embodiments, only a single bus may exist, with the components ofhardware system500 being coupled to the single bus. Furthermore,hardware system500 may include additional components, such as additional processors, storage devices, or memories.
• An operating system manages and controls the operation ofhardware system500, including the input and output of data to and from software applications (not shown). The operating system provides an interface between the software applications being executed on the system and the hardware components of the system. Any suitable operating system may be used, such as the LINUX Operating System, the Apple Macintosh Operating System, available from Apple Computer Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., UNIX operating systems, Microsoft® Windows® operating systems, BSD operating systems, and the like. Of course, other implementations are possible. For example, the functions described herein may be implemented in firmware or on an application specific integrated circuit.
• Furthermore, the above-described elements and operations can be comprised of instructions that are stored on non-transitory storage media. The instructions can be retrieved and executed by a processing system. Some examples of instructions are software, program code, and firmware. Some examples of non-transitory storage media are memory devices, tape, disks, integrated circuits, and servers. The instructions are operational when executed by the processing system to direct the processing system to operate in accord with the invention. The term “processing system” refers to a single processing device or a group of inter-operational processing devices. Some examples of processing devices are integrated circuits and logic circuitry. Those skilled in the art are familiar with instructions, computers, and storage media.
Miscellaneous
• One or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention.
• A recitation of “a”, “an,” or “the” is intended to mean “one or more” unless specifically indicated to the contrary.
• The present disclosure encompasses all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend. Similarly, where appropriate, the appended claims encompass all changes, substitutions, variations, alterations, and modifications to the example embodiments herein that a person having ordinary skill in the art would comprehend.
• For example, the processes described herein may be implemented using hardware components, software components, and/or any combination thereof. By way of example, while embodiments of the present disclosure have been described as operating in connection with a networking website, various embodiments of the present invention can be used in connection with any communications facility that supports web applications. Furthermore, in some embodiments the term “web service” and “website” may be used interchangeably and additionally may refer to a custom or generalized API on a device, such as a mobile device (e.g., cellular phone, smart phone, personal GPS, personal digital assistance, personal gaming device, etc.), that makes API calls directly to a server. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims and that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (22)

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

receiving, at a mobile server, a signal from a user to perform a mobile in-game action, the signal being received at the mobile server from a mobile user interface on a mobile client device; and

automatically performing a particular in-game action with respect to a plurality of in-game objects in response to receiving the signal to perform the mobile in-game action, performance of the particular in-game action with respect to the plurality of in-game objects responsive to user input on a browser user interface requiring a plurality of signals corresponding to the respective in-game objects.

2. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, further comprising:

sending, from the mobile server to the mobile client device, display data associated with displaying game components related to a game state on the mobile user interface in response to performance of the particular in-game action with respect to the plurality of in-game objects.

3. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, wherein the mobile user interface allows access to the mobile in-game action subject to a debit charge to a user account of a user.

4. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 3, wherein the debit charge is a debiting of an amount of virtual currency from a game account of the user.

5. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 3, wherein the debit charge is a debiting of an amount of legal currency from a financial account of the user.

6. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, the particular in-game action being an initiating action or a collecting action.

7. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 1, the automatically performing a particular in-game action being based on any one or a combination of game rules, player character in-game actions, player character state, game state, and interaction of other players.

8. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

sending, to a mobile server from a mobile user interface on a mobile client device, a signal to perform a mobile in-game action; and

receiving, at the mobile client device from the mobile server, display data associated with displaying game components related to a game state on the mobile user interface in response to automatic performance of a particular in-game action with respect to a plurality of in-game objects based on the signal to perform the mobile in-game action, performance of the particular in-game action with respect to the plurality of in-game objects responsive to user input on a browser user interface requiring a plurality of signals corresponding to the respective in-game objects.

9. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 8, wherein the mobile user interface allows access to the mobile in-game action subject to a debit charge to a user account of a user.

10. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 9, wherein the debit charge is a debiting of an amount of virtual currency from a game account of the user.

11. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 9, wherein the debit charge is a debiting of an amount of legal currency from a financial account of the user.

12. The computer-implemented method ofclaim 8, the particular in-game action being an initiating action or a collecting action.

13. A system, comprising:

a mobile server capable of receiving a signal from a user to perform a mobile in-game action, the signal capable of being received at the mobile server from a mobile user interface on a mobile client device; and

a game engine in communication with the mobile server, the game engine being capable of automatically performing a particular in-game action with respect to a plurality of in-game objects in response to receiving the signal to perform the mobile in-game action, performance of the particular in-game action with respect to the plurality of in-game objects responsive to user input on a browser user interface requiring a plurality of signals corresponding to the respective in-game objects.

14. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the mobile server is capable of sending display data associated with displaying game components related to a game state on the mobile user interface in response to performance of the particular in-game action with respect to the plurality of in-game objects.

15. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the mobile user interface allows access to the mobile in-game action subject to a debit charge to a user account of a user.

16. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the debit charge is a debiting of an amount of virtual currency from a game account of the user.

17. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the debit charge is a debiting of an amount of legal currency from a financial account of the user.

18. The system ofclaim 13, the particular in-game action being an initiating action or a collecting action.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a set of instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to perform operations, comprising:

sending, to a mobile server from a mobile user interface on a mobile client device, a signal to perform a mobile in-game action; and

receiving, at the mobile client device from the mobile server, display data associated with displaying game components related to a game state on the mobile user interface in response to automatic performance of a particular in-game action with respect to a plurality of in-game objects based on the signal to perform the mobile in-game action, performance of the particular in-game action with respect to the plurality of in-game objects responsive to user input on a browser user interface requiring a plurality of signals corresponding to the respective in-game objects.

20. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 19, wherein the mobile user interface allows access to the mobile in-game action subject to a debit charge to a user account of a user.

21. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 20, wherein the debit charge is a debiting of an amount of virtual currency from a game account of the user.

22. The computer-readable storage medium ofclaim 20, wherein the debit charge is a debiting of an amount of legal currency from a financial account of the user.

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