Apparatus, System, and Method for Target Search and Using Geocaching

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019213619-A1
Application number	US-201916352360-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 13, 2019
Priority date	Sep 11, 2017
Publication date	Jul 11, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method of locating a target in a geographical space includes providing information to searcher users searching for the target, and potentially selecting among multiple targets for location, and providing rewards to the searchers after locating the target. The target may be a virtual object, and the method may use augmented reality features in locating the virtual object. The method may also provide for participating users who are not actively searching for the target, but may team with a searcher to receive a reward if the searcher locates the target, and who may potentially assist the user in locating the target. Participating users may be eligible if they are located in a designated participation area. The method may further provide for observing users who can observe progress of searchers in searching for the target but are not involved in the search or reward.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method comprising:
determining that a geographic position of a mobile device of a user is located within a search area; providing, by the mobile device, information regarding a plurality of targets located at a plurality of different target locations within the search area; receiving, by the mobile device, a user selection of a first target from the plurality of targets located at a first target location; monitoring the geographic position of the mobile device; providing, by the mobile device, information to the user to assist the user in locating the first target; and providing a reward to the user after the mobile device reaches the first target location, wherein the reward comprises access to purchase a tangible consumer product or a voucher to purchase the tangible consumer product.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the tangible consumer product is an article of apparel.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, by the mobile device, user input to activate the first target when the mobile device reaches the first target location.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the user input comprises capturing, using a camera of the mobile device, an image of a physical object proximate the first target location.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the target is a virtual object, further comprising displaying, by the mobile device, images captured by a camera of the mobile device, and modifying the images to include a depiction of the virtual object, when the mobile device reaches the first target location.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein a limited inventory of the tangible consumer product is associated with each of the plurality of targets, and wherein the information regarding the plurality of targets includes information indicating an amount of the limited inventory available for each of the plurality of targets.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining that the geographic position of the mobile device is located within the search area and the monitoring the geographic position of the mobile device are performed by communication between the mobile device and an external device.

8 . A method comprising:
determining that a geographic position of a mobile device of a user is not located within a search area and that the geographic position of the mobile device is located within a participation area, wherein the search area and the participation area are separate geographic areas; providing, by the mobile device, information regarding a plurality of primary users located within the search area and searching for a first target located at a first target location within the search area; receiving, by the mobile device, a user selection of a first primary user from the plurality of primary users; providing, by the mobile device, information to the user about the first primary user; and providing a reward to the user after the first primary user reaches the first target location, wherein the reward comprises access to purchase a tangible consumer product or a voucher to purchase the tangible consumer product.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the tangible consumer product is an article of apparel.

10 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
receiving, by the mobile device, user input to provide assistance to the first primary user in searching for the first target.

11 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
displaying, by the mobile device, images captured by a first primary user device of the first primary user during searching for the first target.

12 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
providing, by the mobile device, information regarding a plurality of targets, including the first target, located at a plurality of different target locations within the search area; receiving, by the mobile device, a user selection of the first target from the plurality of targets; providing, by the mobile device, information regarding a plurality of primary users, including the first primary user, searching for the first target; and receiving, by the mobile device, a user selection of the first primary user from the plurality of primary users.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein a limited inventory of the tangible consumer product is associated with each of the plurality of targets, and wherein the information regarding the plurality of targets includes information indicating an amount of the limited inventory available for each of the plurality of targets.

14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the information regarding the plurality of primary users includes information indicating a proximity of each of the primary users to the first target.

15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising receiving, at the mobile device, an indication that the limited inventory for all of the plurality of targets has been exhausted, and providing the reward to the user after all of the limited inventory for all of the plurality of targets has been exhausted.

16 . An apparatus comprising:
one or more processors; memory storing computer-readable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform:
determining that a geographic position of a user is located within a search area;
providing information regarding a plurality of targets located at a plurality of different target locations within the search area;
receiving a user selection of a first target from the plurality of targets located at a first target location;
monitoring the geographic position of the user;
providing information to the user to assist the user in locating the first target; and
providing a reward to the user after the user reaches the first target location, wherein the reward comprises access to purchase a tangible consumer product or a voucher to purchase the tangible consumer product.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the tangible consumer product is an article of apparel.

18 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to further perform:
receiving user input to activate the first target when the user reaches the first target location.

19 . The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the user input comprises capturing, using a camera, an image of a physical object proximate the first target location.

20 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the target is a virtual object, further comprising displaying images captured by a camera of the user, and modifying the images to include a depiction of the virtual object, when the user reaches the first target location.

21 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein a limited inventory of the tangible consumer product is associated with each of the plurality of targets, and wherein the information regarding the plurality of targets includes information indicating an amount of the limited inventory available for each of the plurality of targets.

22 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the apparatus is a mobile device operated by the user and located at the geographic position of the user, and wherein the determining that the geographic position of the user is located within the search area and the monitoring the geographic position of the user are performed by communication between the mobile device and an external device.

23 . An apparatus comprising:
one or more processors; memory storing computer-readable i

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Andon Christopher
• Faris Ron G
• House Jett
• Uhrmacher Aaron L

Classifications

• G06Q10/40

  Business processes related to social networking or social networking services · CPC title

• G06Q30/0207 Primary

  Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates · CPC title

• A63F13/212

  using sensors worn by the player, e.g. for measuring heart beat or leg activity · CPC title

• H04W4/21

  for social networking applications · CPC title

• G06Q30/0209

  Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game · CPC title