IP Library Granted Patent US 10,780,346
Granted Patent B2
US 10,780,346 · App. 16/705,316 · Granted Sep 22, 2020

Server apparatus, control method for server apparatus, and program

Inventor: Seokhoon Choi (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: GREE, Inc.
A63F13/49A63F13/30A63F13/35A63F13/77H04L67/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,780,346
App. No.
16/705,316
Granted
Sep 22, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A server apparatus for providing a game using game media to a user over a network may include a storage unit, an identifier obtaining unit, and a game content output unit. The storage unit may store identifiers and game media in association with each other. The identifier obtaining unit may obtain, from a terminal apparatus, an identifier selected through a user operation. The game content output unit may obtain a game content associated with the identifier obtained by the identifier obtaining unit and may output the game content to the terminal apparatus. The game content may not be identifiable using the identifier.

Claims (116)

1. A server apparatus for providing to a user of a terminal apparatus, over a network, a game that uses game content, wherein the server apparatus is configured to execute steps comprising:

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, a first screen, wherein the first screen is configured to receive a first identifier setting from the user;

receiving, from the terminal apparatus, based on a user input to the first screen, a first identifier, and, after receiving the first identifier, preventing the first identifier from being subsequently received from the terminal apparatus;

storing, in a storage unit of the server apparatus, the first identifier received from the terminal apparatus, the storage unit configured to store a plurality of identifiers and game contents associated with each of the plurality of identifiers;

outputting to the user terminal, based on the plurality of identifiers and associated game contents, a first game content associated with the first identifier;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, a second screen, wherein the second screen is configured to receive a second identifier setting other than the first identifier setting from the user;

receiving, from the terminal apparatus, based on a user input to the second screen, a second identifier other than the first identifier; and

outputting to the user terminal, based on the plurality of identifiers and associated game contents, a second game content associated with the second identifier.

2. The server apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a step of displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the second screen further comprises preventing a selection of the first identifier on the second screen.

3. A terminal apparatus configured to communicate with a server apparatus to provide, over a network, a game that uses game content, wherein the terminal apparatus is configured to execute steps comprising:

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, information for displaying a first screen, wherein the first screen is configured to receive an identifier setting from the user;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the first screen;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, a user input to the first screen comprising a first identifier, and accepting the first identifier provided by the user on the first screen;

transmitting, from the terminal apparatus to the server apparatus, the first identifier, the server apparatus having a storage unit comprising a plurality of identifiers and a plurality of game contents associated with the plurality of identifiers, and, after transmitting the first identifier, preventing the terminal apparatus from transmitting the first identifier;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, a first game content associated with the first identifier;

after transmitting the first identifier, receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, information for displaying a second screen, wherein the second screen is configured to receive an identifier setting from the user;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the second screen;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, a user input to the second screen comprising a second identifier other than the first identifier, and accepting the second identifier provided by the user on the second screen;

transmitting, from the terminal apparatus to the server apparatus, the second identifier; and

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, a second game content associated with the second identifier.

4. The terminal apparatus of claim 3 , wherein a step of receiving, on the terminal apparatus, the user input to the second screen comprising the second identifier further comprises preventing the first identifier from being input to the second screen.

5. A control method for a server apparatus for providing to a user of a terminal apparatus, over a network, a game that uses game content, the control method comprising:

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, a first screen, wherein the first screen is configured to receive a first identifier setting from the user;

receiving, from the terminal apparatus, based on a user input to the first screen, a first identifier, and, after receiving the first identifier, preventing the first identifier from being subsequently received from the terminal apparatus;

storing, in a storage unit of the server apparatus, the first identifier received from the terminal apparatus, the storage unit configured to store a plurality of identifiers and game contents associated with each of the plurality of identifiers;

outputting to the user terminal, based on the plurality of identifiers and associated game contents, a first game content associated with the first identifier;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, a second screen, wherein the second screen is configured to receive a second identifier setting other than the first identifier setting from the user;

receiving, from the terminal apparatus, based on a user input to the second screen, a second identifier other than the first identifier; and

outputting to the user terminal, based on the plurality of identifiers and associated game contents, a second game content associated with the second identifier.

6. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which is provided computer program code that, when executed on a server apparatus for providing to a user of a terminal apparatus, over a network, a game that uses game content, causes the server apparatus to execute steps comprising:

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, a first screen, wherein the first screen is configured to receive a first identifier setting from the user;

receiving, from the terminal apparatus, based on a user input to the first screen, a first identifier, and, after receiving the first identifier, preventing the first identifier from being subsequently received from the terminal apparatus;

storing, in a storage unit of the server apparatus, the first identifier received from the terminal apparatus, the storage unit configured to store a plurality of identifiers and game contents associated with each of the plurality of identifiers;

outputting to the user terminal, based on the plurality of identifiers and associated game contents, a first game content associated with the first identifier;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, a second screen, wherein the second screen is configured to receive a second identifier setting other than the first identifier setting from the user;

receiving, from the terminal apparatus, based on a user input to the second screen, a second identifier other than the first identifier; and

outputting to the user terminal, based on the plurality of identifiers and associated game contents, a second game content associated with the second identifier.

7. A method for operating a terminal apparatus configured to communicate with a server apparatus to provide, over a network, a game that uses game content, the method comprising:

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, information for displaying a first screen, wherein the first screen is configured to receive an identifier setting from the user;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the first screen;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, a user input to the first screen comprising a first identifier, and accepting the first identifier provided by the user on the first screen;

transmitting, from the terminal apparatus to the server apparatus, the first identifier, the server apparatus having a storage unit comprising a plurality of identifiers and a plurality of game contents associated with the plurality of identifiers, and, after transmitting the first identifier, preventing the terminal apparatus from transmitting the first identifier;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, a first game content associated with the first identifier;

after transmitting the first identifier, receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, information for displaying a second screen, wherein the second screen is configured to receive an identifier setting from the user;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the second screen;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, a user input to the second screen comprising a second identifier other than the first identifier, and accepting the second identifier provided by the user on the second screen;

transmitting, from the terminal apparatus to the server apparatus, the second identifier; and

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, a second game content associated with the second identifier.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which is provided computer program code that, when executed on a terminal apparatus configured to communicate with a server apparatus to provide, over a network, a game that uses game content, causes the terminal apparatus to execute steps comprising:

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, information for displaying a first screen, wherein the first screen is configured to receive an identifier setting from the user;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the first screen;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, a user input to the first screen comprising a first identifier, and accepting the first identifier provided by the user on the first screen;

transmitting, from the terminal apparatus to the server apparatus, the first identifier, the server apparatus having a storage unit comprising a plurality of identifiers and a plurality of game contents associated with the plurality of identifiers, and, after transmitting the first identifier, preventing the terminal apparatus from transmitting the first identifier;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, a first game content associated with the first identifier;

after transmitting the first identifier, receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, information for displaying a second screen, wherein the second screen is configured to receive an identifier setting from the user;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the second screen;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, a user input to the second screen comprising a second identifier other than the first identifier, and accepting the second identifier provided by the user on the second screen;

transmitting, from the terminal apparatus to the server apparatus, the second identifier; and

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, a second game content associated with the second identifier.

9. A server apparatus for providing to a user of a terminal apparatus, over a network, a game that uses game content, wherein the server apparatus is configured to execute steps comprising:

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, a first screen, wherein the first screen is configured to receive a first identifier setting from the user;

receiving, from the terminal apparatus, based on a user input to the first screen, a first identifier, and, after receiving the first identifier, receiving, from the terminal apparatus, another input comprising the first identifier;

storing, in a storage unit of the server apparatus, the first identifier received from the terminal apparatus, the storage unit configured to store a plurality of identifiers and game contents associated with each of the plurality of identifiers;

outputting to the user terminal, based on the plurality of identifiers and associated game contents, a first game content associated with the first identifier;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, a second screen, wherein the second screen is configured to receive a second identifier setting other than the first identifier setting from the user, wherein displaying the second screen further comprises displaying a notification that the first identifier cannot be transmitted on the terminal apparatus after the another input comprising the first identifier is received;

receiving, from the terminal apparatus, based on a user input to the second screen, a second identifier other than the first identifier; and

outputting to the user terminal, based on the plurality of identifiers and associated game contents, a second game content associated with the second identifier.

10. A terminal apparatus configured to communicate with a server apparatus to provide, over a network, a game that uses game content, wherein the terminal apparatus is configured to execute steps comprising:

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, information for displaying a first screen, wherein the first screen is configured to receive an identifier setting from the user;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the first screen;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, a user input to the first screen comprising a first identifier, and accepting the first identifier provided by the user on the first screen;

transmitting, from the terminal apparatus to the server apparatus, the first identifier, the server apparatus having a storage unit comprising a plurality of identifiers and a plurality of game contents associated with the plurality of identifiers;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, a first game content associated with the first identifier;

after transmitting the first identifier, receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, information for displaying a second screen, wherein the second screen is configured to receive an identifier setting from the user;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the second screen;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, a user input to the second screen comprising a second identifier other than the first identifier, and accepting the second identifier provided by the user on the second screen, wherein receiving the user input to the second screen further comprises generating and displaying a notification that the first identifier cannot be transmitted as the second identifier when the first identifier is received as the second identifier;

transmitting, from the terminal apparatus to the server apparatus, the second identifier; and

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, a second game content associated with the second identifier.

11. A control method for a server apparatus for providing to a user of a terminal apparatus, over a network, a game that uses game content, the control method comprising:

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, a first screen, wherein the first screen is configured to receive a first identifier setting from the user;

receiving, from the terminal apparatus, based on a user input to the first screen, a first identifier, and, after receiving the first identifier, receiving, from the terminal apparatus, another input comprising the first identifier;

storing, in a storage unit of the server apparatus, the first identifier received from the terminal apparatus, the storage unit configured to store a plurality of identifiers and game contents associated with each of the plurality of identifiers;

outputting to the user terminal, based on the plurality of identifiers and associated game contents, a first game content associated with the first identifier;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, a second screen, wherein the second screen is configured to receive a second identifier setting other than the first identifier setting from the user, wherein displaying the second screen further comprises displaying a notification that the first identifier cannot be transmitted on the terminal apparatus after the another input comprising the first identifier is received;

receiving, from the terminal apparatus, based on a user input to the second screen, a second identifier other than the first identifier; and

outputting to the user terminal, based on the plurality of identifiers and associated game contents, a second game content associated with the second identifier.

12. A method for operating a terminal apparatus configured to communicate with a server apparatus to provide, over a network, a game that uses game content, the method comprising:

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, information for displaying a first screen, wherein the first screen is configured to receive an identifier setting from the user;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the first screen;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, a user input to the first screen comprising a first identifier, and accepting the first identifier provided by the user on the first screen;

transmitting, from the terminal apparatus to the server apparatus, the first identifier, the server apparatus having a storage unit comprising a plurality of identifiers and a plurality of game contents associated with the plurality of identifiers;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, a first game content associated with the first identifier;

after transmitting the first identifier, receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, information for displaying a second screen, wherein the second screen is configured to receive an identifier setting from the user;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the second screen;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, a user input to the second screen comprising a second identifier other than the first identifier, and accepting the second identifier provided by the user on the second screen, wherein receiving the user input to the second screen further comprises generating and displaying a notification that the first identifier cannot be transmitted as the second identifier when the first identifier is received as the second identifier;

transmitting, from the terminal apparatus to the server apparatus, the second identifier; and

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, a second game content associated with the second identifier.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which is provided computer program code that, when executed on a server apparatus for providing to a user of a terminal apparatus, over a network, a game that uses game content, causes the server apparatus to execute steps comprising:

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, a first screen, wherein the first screen is configured to receive a first identifier setting from the user;

receiving, from the terminal apparatus, based on a user input to the first screen, a first identifier, and, after receiving the first identifier, receiving, from the terminal apparatus, another input comprising the first identifier;

storing, in a storage unit of the server apparatus, the first identifier received from the terminal apparatus, the storage unit configured to store a plurality of identifiers and game contents associated with each of the plurality of identifiers;

outputting to the user terminal, based on the plurality of identifiers and associated game contents, a first game content associated with the first identifier;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, a second screen, wherein the second screen is configured to receive a second identifier setting other than the first identifier setting from the user, wherein displaying the second screen further comprises displaying a notification that the first identifier cannot be transmitted on the terminal apparatus after the another input comprising the first identifier is received;

receiving, from the terminal apparatus, based on a user input to the second screen, a second identifier other than the first identifier; and

outputting to the user terminal, based on the plurality of identifiers and associated game contents, a second game content associated with the second identifier.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium on which is provided computer program code that, when executed on a terminal apparatus configured to communicate with a server apparatus to provide, over a network, a game that uses game content, causes the terminal apparatus to execute steps comprising:

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, information for displaying a first screen, wherein the first screen is configured to receive an identifier setting from the user;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the first screen;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, a user input to the first screen comprising a first identifier, and accepting the first identifier provided by the user on the first screen;

transmitting, from the terminal apparatus to the server apparatus, the first identifier, the server apparatus having a storage unit comprising a plurality of identifiers and a plurality of game contents associated with the plurality of identifiers;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, a first game content associated with the first identifier;

after transmitting the first identifier, receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, information for displaying a second screen, wherein the second screen is configured to receive an identifier setting from the user;

displaying, on the terminal apparatus, the second screen;

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, a user input to the second screen comprising a second identifier other than the first identifier, and accepting the second identifier provided by the user on the second screen, wherein receiving the user input to the second screen further comprises generating and displaying a notification that the first identifier cannot be transmitted as the second identifier when the first identifier is received as the second identifier;

transmitting, from the terminal apparatus to the server apparatus, the second identifier; and

receiving, on the terminal apparatus, from the server apparatus, a second game content associated with the second identifier.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE RECEIVING PARTY DATA AND ATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 71303 FRAME: 640. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jun 10, 2025
From: GREE, INC.
To: GREE HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 071611/0161 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded May 16, 2025
From: GREE, INC.
To: GREE HOLDINGS, INC.
Reel/Frame 071303/0640 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 6, 2019
From: CHOI, SEOKHOON
To: GREE, INC.
Reel/Frame 051198/0422 →
Priority Claims (2)
JP 2014-259236 · Dec 22, 2014 · national
JP 2015-160671 · Aug 17, 2015 · national
Continuity (4)
Continuation 16176110 · Oct 31, 2018
Continuation 15878553 · Jan 24, 2018
Continuation 14976609 · Dec 21, 2015
Related Publication 20200139243A1 · May 7, 2020