IP Library Granted Patent US 9,873,044
Granted Patent B2
US 9,873,044 · App. 15/491,349 · Granted Jan 23, 2018

Method for controlling server device, server device, computer-readable recording medium and game system

Inventor: Yuki Ino (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: GREE, Inc.
A63F13/332A63F13/795A63F13/822A63F13/847G06Q30/02G06Q30/0207G06Q30/0208G06Q30/0209G06Q30/0214G06Q30/0235G06Q30/0236
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,873,044
App. No.
15/491,349
Granted
Jan 23, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

To enhance motivation of a player to invite another player to a social game, thus activating the social game and a platform that provides the social game, a server device includes incentive giving means that gives an incentive to a player who operates a first terminal device when a player of a second terminal device that receives, from the first terminal device, invitation information including solicitation information to at least suggest participating in the game and specific information to at least specify a landing screen associated with a home screen of the game operates the second terminal device to access the landing screen on a basis of the specific information.

Claims (30)

1. A method for controlling a server device that provides a game, in which a plurality of players can participate, and that is connected to terminal devices operated by the players via a communication line, comprising:

by the server device, enabling a first terminal device to send invitation information to a second terminal device, wherein the invitation information includes specific information to at least specify a landing screen associated with the game;

by the server device, detecting when the second terminal device is operated to access the landing screen on a basis of the specific information;

by the server device, responsive to said detecting, giving a first incentive to a first player who operates the first terminal device; and

by the server device, giving a second incentive to the first player when a second player who operates the second terminal device participates in the game and achieves a specific matter that is predetermined in the game.

2. The method for controlling according to claim 1 , wherein

the specific information is associated with identification information to distinguish the first player from other players, and

in the first incentive giving step, when the second terminal device accesses the landing screen, the server device identifies the first player who transmits the invitation information to the second terminal device using the identification information associated with the specific information.

3. The method for controlling according to claim 2 , wherein

a third incentive is further given at least to the first player when the second player registers as a player of the game via the landing screen.

4. The method for controlling according to claim 3 , further comprising:

limiting a number of times of the first incentive that can be given in a predetermined duration and changing limitations of the number of times of the first incentive that can be given for every predetermined duration.

5. The method for controlling according to claim 2 , further comprising:

limiting a number of times of the first incentive that can be given in a predetermined duration and changing limitations of the number of times of the first incentive that can be given for every predetermined duration.

6. The method for controlling according to claim 1 , wherein

a third incentive is further given at least to the first player when the second player registers as a player of the game via the landing screen.

7. The method for controlling according to claim 6 , further comprising:

limiting a number of times of the first incentive that can be given in a predetermined duration and changing limitations of the number of times of the first incentive that can be given for every predetermined duration.

8. The method for controlling according to claim 1 , further comprising:

limiting a number of times of the first incentive that can be given in a predetermined duration and changing limitations of the number of times of the first incentive that can be given for every predetermined duration.

9. A server device that provides a game, in which a plurality of players can participate, and that is connected to terminal devices operated by the players via a communication line, the server device being operative:

to enable a first terminal device to send invitation information to a second terminal device, wherein the invitation information includes specific information to at least specify a landing screen associated with the game;

to detect when the second terminal device is operated to access the landing screen on a basis of the specific information;

responsive to said detecting, to give a first incentive to a first player who operates the first terminal device; and

to give a second incentive to the first player when a second player who operates the second terminal device participates in the game and achieves a specific matter that is predetermined in the game.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium having a program that can be readable by a computer that provides a game, in which a plurality of players can participate, and that is connected to terminal devices operated by the players via a communication line and which program, when executed by said computer, provides an incentive giving function that:

enables a first terminal device to send invitation information to a second terminal device, wherein the invitation information includes specific information to at least specify a landing screen associated with the game;

detects when the second terminal device is operated to access the landing screen on a basis of the specific information; and

responsive to said detecting, gives a first incentive to a first player who operates the first terminal device; and

gives a second incentive to the first player when a second player who operates the second terminal device participates in the game and achieves a specific matter that is predetermined in the game.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE STREET ADDRESS AND ATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 71303 FRAME: 337. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE OF NAME. Recorded Jun 10, 2025
From: GREE, INC.
To: GREE HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 071611/0102 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 16, 2025
From: GREE, INC.
To: GREE HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 071303/0337 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2013-152162 · Jul 22, 2013 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation 14338030 · Jul 22, 2014
Related Publication 20170216719A1 · Aug 3, 2017