I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US009597594B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Eda
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`Mar.21,2017
`
`(54) COMPUTER CONTROL METHOD,
`CONTROL PROGRAM AND COMPUTER
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(71) Applicant: GREE, INC., Tokyo (JP)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Taiki Eda, Tokyo (JP)
`
`(73) Assignee: GREE, INC., Tokyo (JP)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`DE
`EP
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 14/983,984
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Dec. 30, 2015
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2016/0107085 Al
`
`Apr. 21, 2016
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`application
`of
`(63) Continuation
`PCT/JP2014/075673, filed on Sep. 26, 2014.
`
`No.
`
`6,454,653 Bl
`8,764,534 Bl*
`
`9/2002 Kawazu
`7/2014 DeSanti ............................ 3/335
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`10/2007
`60035382 T2
`10/2000
`1040855 A2
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160034
`dated Mar. 1, 2016 (4 pages).
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner - Masud Ahmed
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - Obion, McClelland,
`Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P.
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Sep. 27, 2013
`Apr. 9, 2014
`
`(JP) ................................. 2013-202721
`(JP) ............ ... ... ... ... ......... 2014-080554
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(2014.01)
`(2014.01)
`(2014.01)
`(2014.01)
`(2014.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A63F 13/00
`A63F 13/55
`A63F 13/822
`A63F 13/63
`A63F 13/92
`U.S. Cl.
`CPC .............. A63F 13/55 (2014.09); A63F 13/63
`(2014.09); A63F 13/822 (2014.09); A63F
`13/92 (2014.09)
`
`( 58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC . ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... .. 463/29-42
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`Provided is a method for controlling a computer, etc., which
`makes it possible to improve the usability of city building
`games. The computer is provided with a storage unit con(cid:173)
`figured to store game contents arranged within a game spa.ce,
`positions of the game contents, and a template defimng
`positions of one or more of game contents, and progresses
`a game by arranging the game contents within the game
`space based on a command by a player. The method includes
`when the template is applied to a predetermined area within
`the game space based on the command by the player,
`moving, by the computer, the game contents arranged within
`the game space to the positions of the game contents defined
`by the template.
`
`20 Claims, 15 Drawing Sheets
`
`310
`
`311 301
`
`[CONFlRM]N312
`
`ARRANGE
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 1
`
`

`

`US 9,597,594 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8,821,260 Bl*
`
`8,845,423 Bl*
`
`9,022,869 Bl*
`
`2013/0217489 Al*
`
`2015/0005051 Al*
`
`9/2014 DeSanti .................. A63F 13/00
`463/25
`9/2014 Monahan ................ A63F 13/00
`463/29
`5/2015 DeSanti ... ... ... ... .. G07F 17 /3225
`463/42
`
`8/2013 Bronstein Bendayan
`
`A63F 13/12
`463/31
`1/2015 Smalley .................. A63F 13/30
`463/25
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`2000-279637 A
`2002-052249 A
`2007-215757 A
`2007-296199 A
`2009-207624 A
`2009-233098 A
`2010-125023
`2010-125023 A
`2011-000170 A
`2011-161042 A
`2013-165747
`5525096
`5676032 B
`2015-066141 A
`
`10/2000
`2/2002
`8/2007
`11/2007
`9/2009
`10/2009
`6/2010
`6/2010
`1/2011
`8/2011
`8/2013
`4/2014
`1/2015
`4/2015
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160035
`dated Mar. 1, 2016 (6 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160035
`dated May 17, 2016 (6 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160036
`dated Mar. 1, 2016 (9 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160038
`dated Mar. 1, 2016 (6 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160038
`dated May 17, 2016 (2 pages).
`Nobunyaga No Yabou, Nekobukan, Koei Tecmo Games Co., Ltd.,
`Jan. 27, 2012, Second printing, pp. 112 and 113.
`Nobunaga No Yabou/Tendou Handbook the second volume, Koei
`Co., Ltd., Nov. 1, 2009, First pringing, pp. 60 and 61.
`International Search Report for corresponding international appli(cid:173)
`cation No. PCT/JP2014/075673; mailed Oct. 21, 2014 (3 pages).
`Final Rejection for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-123316
`dated Sep. 30, 2015 (5 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-123331
`dated Jul. 6, 2015 (5 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160032
`dated Sep. 30, 2015 (13 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160033
`dated Oct. 5, 2015 (15 pages).
`
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160034
`dated Oct. 5, 2015 (13 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160035
`dated Sep. 30, 2015 (15 pages) .
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160036
`dated Sep. 30, 2015 (15 pages) .
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160037
`dated Sep. 30, 2015 (16 pages) .
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-160038
`dated Sep. 30, 2015 (15 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-123316
`dated Jul. 6, 2015 (10 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2014-080554
`dated Sep. 9, 2015 (4 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2014-080554
`dated Jun. 19, 2014 (9 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2013-202721
`dated Nov. 21, 2013 (7 pages).
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2014-259251
`dated Mar. 6, 2015 (7 pages).
`Konami Official Guide for World Soccer Winning Eleven 2000
`U-23, Konami Co., Ltd., on Dec. 8, 2000, Second Printing, p. 019.
`Capcom, Jun. 19, 2007, Monster Hunter Frontier G, PC version,
`online manual, [Jun. 9, 2014 search], interface Netto <URL:
`http:! /cog-members.rnhf-g.jp/ sp/manual/pagel 64.html
`#
`bf2e27ce883c8ca097adc4a4 lfl 14562>.
`A-Train? Official Expert Guidebook-Simulation Game, Railroad
`Management, Urban Development, published Mar. 22, 2006.
`A-Train9 Version 2.0 Professional Edition-Official Guidebook,
`published Dec. 19, 2012.
`Frontier communication-Monster Hunter Frontier Online For(cid:173)
`ward. 3, published Feb. 15, 2012.
`https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title~SimCity
`&oldid~572690969.
`https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title~Clash_of_ Clans
`&oldid~57247297 l.
`PC Game Review of Medieval Lords, Aug. 2005. URL: http://game.
`watch.impress.co.jp/docs/20050801/medieval.htm.
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-022433
`dated Feb. 23, 2016 (3 pages).
`Monster Hunter Frontier Online, Frontier Communication Forward.
`3, ENTERBRAIN, Inc. Feb. 15, 2012, p. 126.
`The Convenience Store 2----Chain Store Development Throughout
`Japan-Game Winning Method, Futabasha Publishers Ltd., Apr. 15,
`1998, pp. 11-14, Sections for "Read Interior" and "Save Interior.".
`The Convenience Store DS, 1st Edition, SHINKIGENSHA Co. Ltd.,
`Dec. 4, 2008, pp. 14-35.
`Dengeki Play Station, Phantasy Star Online 2. vol. 19, ASCII Media
`Works Corporation, No. 21, Jun. 27, 2013, pp. 116-119, section "My
`Room Function, Layout Pattern Switching".
`Decision of Admiral, Super Guide Book, Fifth Edition, Koei Co.,
`Ltd, Mar. 25, 1993, pp. 8-9, section "Scenario Selection Screen".
`Office Action for corresponding JP Application No. 2015-123316,
`dated Oct. 7, 2016 (2 pages).
`Nobunyaga No Yabou, Nekobukan, Koei Tecmo Games Co., Ltd.,
`Jan. 27, 2012, Second printing, pp. 111 and 126.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.21,2017
`
`Sheet 1 of 15
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`FIG. 1
`
`MOBILE
`COMMUNICATION
`NETWORK
`
`INTERNET
`
`GATEWAY
`
`SERVER
`
`PORTABLE DEVICE
`············
`··········
`
`//~)~k,,~fA~;~\
`r[jt ___ :~~':*---+-\---1
`(
`/< i
`'. 2#
`4 .,/
`///
`\\
`.......... ~ ...... ....
`········ .............. 2.......................
`
`5
`
`7
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.21,2017
`
`Sheet 2 of 15
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`DEVICE
`PROCESSING UNIT
`GAME PROGRESSION
`UNIT
`TEMPLATE
`CREA TI ON UN IT
`TEMPLATE
`APPLICATION UNIT
`
`~ 2
`"-..__./ 2
`5
`
`v-
`
`,.i-----,_
`
`_.,.,- 25 1
`
`_/25 2
`,-r-,...
`
`_/25 3
`,-r,...
`
`22
`
`....._
`
`....._
`
`FIG.2A
`PORTABLE DEVICE
`21 '-..../ - COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE
`UNIT
`'-..../ - STORAGE UN IT
`DEVICE
`23 '-..../ -OPERA TI ON UN IT ....._
`24 '-..../ - DISPLAY UNIT
`FIG.2B
`POSITION
`TYPE
`S 001
`(3, 2)
`S 001
`(3, 3)
`S 002
`(4, 2)
`...
`...
`
`FACILITY
`F 001
`F 002
`F 003
`. ..
`
`FIG.2C
`IMAGE
`NAME
`WALL
`S_001.jpg
`HOUSE
`S_002.jpg
`CASTLE
`S_003.jpg
`...
`.. .
`
`TYPE
`S 001
`S 002
`S 003
`...
`
`...
`...
`...
`...
`. ..
`
`...
`...
`...
`...
`.. .
`
`TEMPLATE
`
`IMAGE
`
`T 001
`
`T_001.jpg
`
`...
`
`FIG.2D
`TYPE
`S 001
`S 001
`S 002
`. ..
`
`POSITION
`(1, 1)
`(1, 2)
`(2, 1)
`...
`
`...
`...
`...
`...
`.. .
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.21,2017
`
`Sheet 3 of 15
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`FIG.3A
`300
`
`301
`
`302
`
`FIG.3B
`310
`311 301
`(
`
`305
`
`306
`
`307
`ARRANGE
`
`~312
`
`FIG.3C
`
`321
`
`320
`
`...
`
`322
`
`C],
`
`...
`
`FIG.3D
`330
`(
`
`FIG.3E
`
`340
`
`301
`
`341
`
`SELECT
`
`331
`
`332
`(
`:. WALLSx20
`HOUSESx8
`,a...~J~~~ · CASTLES x 1
`
`~333
`
`~342
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.21,2017
`
`Sheet 4 of 15
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`FIG.4
`
`400 L/
`
`401
`
`1 2 3 4 5
`
`~
`
`-
`
`I
`
`I
`I
`
`•
`-
`I • •
`...
`... • I
`...
`II •
`-
`-
`
`:-
`
`I
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`
`\ /
`
`1 2 3
`1~41 0
`2~
`
`I.
`
`I
`
`---I
`.._1
`\
`\
`424
`
`I
`
`422
`,.J
`01
`
`420
`J
`421
`,11 _/. I--.. 1.../
`I'
`I.A.
`...
`1,
`1,
`I\
`423
`
`I
`
`•
`\
`425
`
`420'
`
`J
`
`422 423
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`... •
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`425
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
`424
`
`432 430
`
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`I
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`
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`
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`I
`I
`
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`
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`
`431
`
`/
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`
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`
`• ... 433
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`435
`
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`
`430'
`
`I
`
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`
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`
`432
`433
`\ • !
`I\ • • ...
`...
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`( ...
`(
`)
`434
`
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`
`435
`
`44 0
`
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`
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`
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`
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`\
`)
`442
`443
`
`I
`
`I
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.21,2017
`
`Sheet 5 of 15
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`FIG.5A
`
`~ 3
`
`r---...
`....- 33
`
`SERVER
`SERVER
`......____ ~ COMMUNICATION
`UNIT
`
`31
`
`........___ v-,.._ SERVER
`32
`STORAGE UNIT
`
`-
`
`SERVER PROCESSING
`UNIT
`SERVER
`CONTROL UNIT
`TEMPLATE
`REGISTRATION
`UNIT
`
`TEMPLATE
`PROV IS ION UN IT
`
`---r-- -33
`---r-- -33
`---r-- -33
`
`1
`
`2
`
`3
`
`FIG.5B
`IMAGE
`TEMPLATE
`NAME
`PLAYER 1 P _001.jpg T_001, ...
`PLAYER 2 P _002.jpg T_003, ...
`PLAYER 3 P _003.jpg T_004, ...
`
`PLAYER
`P 001
`
`P 002
`
`P 003
`
`...
`
`...
`
`. ..
`
`...
`
`TEMPLATE
`
`IMAGE
`
`T 001
`
`T _001.jpg
`
`. ..
`
`FIG.SC
`TYPE
`S 001
`S 001
`S 002
`...
`
`POSITION
`(1, 1)
`(1, 2)
`(2, 1)
`...
`
`...
`
`...
`
`...
`
`...
`
`. ..
`
`...
`...
`...
`...
`...
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 7
`
`

`

`FIG.6A
`START
`1 - - -
`
`S100
`
`DISPLAY GAME PROGRESSION SCREEN
`
`S104
`
`TEMPLATE CREATION
`
`FIG.6B
`TEMPLATE
`CREATION
`
`S120
`
`DISPLAY AREA
`SELECTION SCREEN
`S122,
`
`SELECT AREA
`
`S124
`\
`
`CREATE TEMPLATE
`
`S108
`
`REG I STER TEMPLATE I
`
`END
`
`)
`
`S110
`
`EXECUTE DIFFERENT
`PROCESSING
`
`e •
`
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`FIG. 6C
`TEMPLATE
`APPLICATION
`
`S130
`
`DISPLAY TEMPLATE
`SELECTION SCREEN
`
`S132
`~I SELECT TEMPLATE
`S134
`~ CONFIRM '+'.TEMPLATE
`S136
`
`~ SELECT AREA
`
`S138
`~ AP:LY ~MPLATE
`
`END
`
`~
`~
`:"I
`N ....
`0 ....
`
`'"
`N
`
`-....J
`
`('D
`('D
`
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`O'I
`0 ....
`....
`
`Ul
`
`d r.,;_
`
`'"'..c
`UI
`'..c
`-....l
`tit
`'..c
`
`~ = N
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 8
`
`

`

`FIG. 7A
`
`FIG. 7B
`TEMPLATE
`REGISTRATION
`
`FIG. 7C
`
`TEMPLATE
`PROVISION
`
`)
`
`S230
`
`\
`
`/
`
`"'-
`
`S202
`
`N
`
`TEMPLATE
`REGISTRATION
`
`END
`
`S204
`
`S208
`
`EXECUTE DIFFERENT
`PROCESSING
`
`S206
`
`y
`
`S232
`I
`\
`
`OBTAIN
`TEMPLATE LISTI
`
`S234
`)
`
`N
`OBTAIN
`TEMPLATE
`r
`S236
`SEND TEMPLATE!
`UST
`I
`END
`
`/'
`
`e •
`
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`~
`~
`:"I
`N ....
`0 ....
`
`'"
`N
`
`-....J
`
`('D
`
`rJJ =-('D
`.....
`-....J
`0 ....
`....
`
`Ul
`
`d r.,;_
`
`'"'..c
`UI
`'..c
`-....l
`tit
`'..c
`
`~ = N
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.21,2017
`
`Sheet 8 of 15
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`FIG.SA
`
`PORTABLE DEVICE
`DEVICE
`UNIT
`
`STORAGE UNIT
`
`21
`
`22'
`
`23
`'---./
`
`' - . / - COMMUNICATION
`'---./ - DEVICE
`-
`-OPERA TI ON UN IT
`-
`24 ' - . / - DI SPLAY UN IT -
`
`2
`~
`
`,..- '--.._/ 2
`5
`
`v....._ -...__/ 25
`1'
`
`v....._ -...__/ 25 2
`
`v....._ -...__/ 25
`3
`
`v....._ -...__/ 25 4
`
`DEVICE PROCESSING
`UNIT
`GAME PROGRESSION
`UNIT
`TEMPLATE
`CREATION UN IT
`TEMPLATE
`APPLICATION UNIT
`SECOND TEMPLATE
`APPLICATION UNIT
`
`FIG.8B
`
`PLAYER
`
`P 001
`
`FACILITY
`F 001
`F 002
`F 003
`
`...
`
`. . .
`
`TYPE
`S 001
`S 002
`S 003
`
`...
`
`POSITION
`(3, 2)
`(3, 3)
`(4, 2)
`
`. . .
`
`...
`
`...
`
`...
`
`...
`
`...
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.21,2017
`
`Sheet 9 of 15
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`FIG.9
`
`~910
`
`940
`
`~
`
`903
`
`904
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`...
`I •
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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`...
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`
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`
`~930
`~
`
`i.------...,.- 900'
`
`• • • ...
`...
`•
`...
`•
`... • • •
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.21,2017
`
`Sheet 10 of 15
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`FIG. 10A
`
`START
`
`S100
`
`DISPLAY GAME
`PROGRESSION SCREEN
`S102
`
`y
`
`y
`
`FIG. 108
`SECOND TEMPLATE
`APPLICATION
`
`OBTAfN TEMPLATE
`
`S310
`
`S312
`
`S104
`
`APPLY TEMPLATE
`
`END
`
`S108
`
`TEMPLATE APPLICATION
`
`APPLY
`TEMPLATE BY
`DIFFERENT
`PLAYER?
`
`N
`
`y
`
`S302
`
`SECOND TEMPLATE
`APPLICATION
`
`S110
`
`EXECUTE DIFFERENT
`PROCESSING
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.21,2017
`
`Sheet 11 of 15
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`FIG. 11
`1110
`
`~
`l
`
`1103
`\ ____________ ~1100
`11
`11
`
`1
`
`1120
`
`1140
`
`0 0
`0
`
`-
`
`11
`I
`l _____ ,Li------,1
`11 I~
`, .... - - - - -11 - - - - - 1
`11
`I
`I
`l
`11
`, - - -
`_/i
`11
`I
`1102
`i .... ____ _:l_ __ ~
`
`0
`
`0
`
`O
`
`I 1101
`
`w1130
`
`0
`
`0
`
`I:,.
`
`0
`
`0
`
`1150
`I:,. ~
`
`I:,.
`
`D
`
`l:,. D D D
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.21,2017
`
`Sheet 12 of 15
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`FIG. 12
`
`~ 2
`
`1 "
`.,,,i---.. r--..-- 25
`
`
`
`.,,-i-----r--..-- 25 2
`
`DEVICE PROCESSING v ~2
`5
`UNIT
`GAME
`PROGRESSION UNIT
`TEMPLATE
`CREA TI ON UN IT
`TEMPLATE
`APPLICATION UNIT
`THIRD TEMPLATE
`APPLICATION UNIT
`
`.,,-r--
`
`3
`I'--" 25
`
`5
`.,,-i-----I'--" 25
`
`PORTABLE DEVICE
`
`21
`
`DEVICE
`' -~ COMMUNICATION
`UNIT
`
`22
`
`DEVICE
`' -~ STORAGE UN IT
`
`-
`
`23
`
`' -~ OPERATION UN IT -
`
`24 ........__ ~ DISPLAY UNIT -
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 14
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.21,2017
`
`Sheet 13 of 15
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`FIG. 13A
`
`SERVER
`
`31
`
`SERVER
`' -v---- COMMUNICATION
`UNIT
`
`32'
`' -
`
`v--,- SERVER
`
`STORAGE UNIT -
`
`------- 3
`
`3
`3
`
`SERVER PROCESSING v---
`UNIT
`SERVER CONTROL
`UNIT
`
`1'
`.____. 33
`vr--...
`
`TEMPLATE
`REGISTRATION
`UNIT
`TEMPLATE
`PROV I S ION UN IT
`
`v:---. ___..33 2
`
`vr--... .____. 33
`3
`
`EVENT
`MANAGEMENT UNIT
`
`1,-,.......__ .____. 33
`4
`
`FIG. 13B
`STARTING DATE
`AND TIME
`13/10/1,21 :00:00
`13/10/2,21 :00:00
`13/10/3,21 :00:00
`...
`
`TEMPLATE
`T 001
`T 003
`T 004
`...
`
`EVENT
`I 001
`I 002
`I 003
`...
`
`PLAYER
`P _001, ...
`
`...
`
`...
`
`...
`...
`...
`...
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 15
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar.21,2017
`
`Sheet 14 of 15
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`FIG. 148
`
`THIRD TEMPLATE
`APPUCATfON
`
`S410
`OBTAIN TEMPLATE
`S412
`
`APPLY TEMPLATE
`
`END
`
`FIG. 14A
`
`START
`
`DISPLAY GAME
`PROGRESSION SCREEN
`
`S100
`
`y
`
`y
`
`S104
`
`S108
`
`TEMPLATE APPLICATION
`
`y
`
`S402
`
`S110
`
`N
`
`THIRD TEMPLATE
`APPLICATION
`
`EXECUTE DIFFERENT
`PROCESSING
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 16
`
`

`

`FIG. 15A
`
`y
`
`S202
`
`TEMPLATE REGISTRATION
`
`REQUEST --(cid:173)
`FOR PROVIDING
`TEMPLATE LI ST?
`
`1i S206
`
`END
`
`FIG. 15B
`QvENT r- ST AR_i)
`S510
`
`FIG. 15C
`QvENT ___ PAR: IC I PAT IO~
`S520
`
`REPORT EVENT START
`
`MAKE PLAYER
`PARTICIPATE
`
`e •
`
`00
`•
`~
`~
`~
`
`~ = ~
`
`S522
`
`S524
`
`END
`
`~
`~
`:"I
`N ....
`0 ....
`
`'"
`N
`
`-....J
`
`('D
`('D
`
`rJJ =(cid:173)
`.....
`....
`Ul
`0 ....
`....
`
`Ul
`
`EXECUTE DIFFERENT
`PROCESSING
`
`d r.,;_
`
`'"'..c
`UI
`'..c
`-....l
`tit
`'..c
`
`~ = N
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 17
`
`

`

`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`1
`COMPUTER CONTROL METHOD,
`CONTROL PROGRAM AND COMPUTER
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a new U.S. patent application that
`claims the benefit of priority from JP 2013-202721, filed on
`Sep. 27, 2013, JP 2014-080554, filed on Apr. 9, 2014, and
`PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2014/075673, the
`entire content of which are incorporated herein by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This invention relates to a method for controlling a 15
`computer, a recording medium and a computer.
`
`2
`contents arranged within a game space, pos1t10ns of the
`game contents, and a template defining positions of one or
`more of game contents, and that progresses a game by
`arranging the game contents within the game space based on
`5 a command by a player. The method includes when the
`template is applied to a predetermined area within the game
`space based on the command by the player, moving, by the
`computer, the game contents arranged within the game space
`to the positions of the game contents defined by the tem-
`lO plate.
`The computer may be, for example, a portable device, a
`desktop device, a server, etc., as long as it can execute the
`above procedure.
`In one embodiment, in the above method, the storage unit
`further stores a template related to a different player, and
`when the template related to the different player is applied
`to a predetermined area within the game space based on the
`command by the player, the computer moves the game
`20 contents arranged within the game space to the positions of
`the game contents defined by the template related to the
`different player.
`In another embodiment, in the above method, the storage
`unit further stores game contents which are arranged within
`25 the game space and are related to the different player, and
`positions of the game contents, and when the template
`related to the different player is applied to a predetermined
`area within the game space based on a command by the
`different player, the computer moves, out of the game
`30 contents arranged within the game space, game contents
`related to the different player to the positions of the game
`contents defined by the template related to the different
`player.
`In another embodiment, in the above method, when a start
`35 of an event is reported by a different computer, the computer
`obtains a template for the event from the different computer
`and moves the game contents arranged within the game
`space to the positions of the game contents defined by the
`template obtained from the different computer.
`Yet in another embodiment, in the above method, when
`the number of game contents arranged within the game
`space is smaller than the number of game contents for which
`positions are defined by the template, the computer moves
`the game contents arranged within the game space to the
`45 positions of the game contents defined by the template to
`which the moving distance is the smallest.
`Still in another embodiment, in the above method, out of
`the positions of the game contents defined by the template,
`the computer displays positions on which no game contents
`50 are arranged and the game contents, in a discernible condi(cid:173)
`tion.
`In another embodiment, in the above method, when the
`number of game contents arranged within the game space is
`larger than the number of game contents for which position
`55 are defined by the template, the computer moves the game
`contents arranged within the game space for which the
`moving distance to the positions of the game contents
`defined by the template is the smallest, to the positions.
`In another embodiment, in the above method, when a
`60 template is created for a predetermined area within the game
`space based on a command from the player, the computer
`stores positions of game contents arranged within the pre(cid:173)
`determined area, as the template, in the storage unit.
`Yet in another embodiment, in the above method, when a
`65 template is created by combining a plurality of templates
`based on a command from the player or a different player,
`or commands from the player and the different player, the
`
`40
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`In recent years, games which are played by installing a
`game program on a portable device from a server via a
`communication network have become common. Such games
`include games in which multiple players can participate
`( so-called "social games"). There are games wherein players
`can not only fight against or help each other, but are also
`enabled to communicate with each other.
`Such known games include, for example, games (so(cid:173)
`called "city building games") wherein a player builds a city
`within a virtual space (hereinafter referred to as "game
`space") provided in the game program. In city building
`games, players can build various facilities (such as houses,
`streets, ports, train stations, airports, castles, training facili(cid:173)
`ties, etc.) on desired positions and create a city after their
`liking. See, "SimCity", [online], Aug. 27, 2013, [Searched
`on Sep. 13, 2013], URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sim(cid:173)
`City; and "Clash of Clans", [online], Sep. 6, 2013, [Searched
`on Sep. 13, 2013], URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clash
`of Clans
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In conventional city building games, it is the object of the
`game to build a desired city, and it is unnecessary to
`completely rebuild a city after it has been built once. On the
`other hand, in recent city building games, a city built by one
`player is attacked by a different player, and the city (arrange(cid:173)
`ment of items such as protective walls, buildings that are
`subject to an attack, protecting soldiers, weapons, etc.) is
`one of factors for deciding the winning and losing, or
`superiority and inferiority. However, since the items (game
`contents) of a city of a player increase as the city develops,
`it is very complicated for a player to change positions, types,
`levels, etc., of individual items. Further, it is hard to under(cid:173)
`stand what kind of effect changing a city would have against
`an attack from a different player. Therefore, many players
`have limited themselves to change only certain kinds of
`items, such as soldiers and weapons, for which changing
`positions, types, levels, etc., is easy. As a result, as the game
`progresses, it becomes monotonous, and players might
`become bored with it.
`The present invention has been devised to address the
`above problem, and an object of the invention is to provide
`a method for controlling a computer, a recording medium
`and a computer that improve the usability of city building
`games and continuously attract players to the game.
`Provided is a method for controlling a computer that is
`provided with a storage unit configured to store game
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 18
`
`

`

`3
`computer stores the positions of the game contents defined
`by the plurality of templates, as the template, in the storage
`unit.
`Provided is a non-transitory computer-readable recording
`medium having recorded thereon a program for a computer 5
`that is provided with a storage unit configured to store game
`contents arranged within a game space, positions of the
`game contents, and a template defining positions of one or
`more of game contents, and that progresses a game by
`arranging the game contents within the game space based on 10
`a command by a player. The program causes the computer
`to execute a process. The process includes when the tem(cid:173)
`plate is applied to a predetermined area within the game
`space based on the command by the player, moving, by the 15
`computer, the game contents arranged within the game space
`to the positions of the game contents defined by the tem(cid:173)
`plate.
`Provided is a computer that progresses a game by arrang(cid:173)
`ing game contents within a game space based on a command 20
`by a player. The computer includes a storage unit configured
`to store game contents arranged within a game space,
`positions of the game contents, and a template defining
`positions of one or more of game contents, and a processing
`unit configured to apply the template to a predetermined area 25
`within the game space based on the command by the player.
`When the template is applied, the processing unit moves the
`game contents arranged within the game space to the posi(cid:173)
`tions of the game contents defined by the template.
`The above method, recording medium and computer 30
`make it possible to improve the usability of city building
`games and continuously attract players to the game by
`making game contents and the arrangement of the game
`contents changeable by using templates.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Other features and advantages of the present invention
`will be apparent from the ensuing description, taken in
`conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a schematic configuration
`of a game system;
`FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a schematic configura(cid:173)
`tion of the portable device;
`FIGS. 28 to 2D illustrate examples of data structures of
`the various types of tables;
`FIGS. 3A to 3E illustrate examples of a display screen of
`the portable device;
`FIG. 4 illustrates a concept of creating and applying a
`template;
`FIG. SA illustrates one possible schematic configuration
`of the server;
`FIGS. SB and SC illustrate examples of data structures of
`the various types of tables;
`FIGS. 6A to 6C illustrate examples of the operational flow 55
`of the portable device;
`FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate examples of the operational flow
`of the server;
`FIG. SA illustrates an example of a schematic configura(cid:173)
`tion of the portable device according to the second embodi(cid:173)
`ment;
`FIG. SB illustrates an example of a data structure of the
`facility table;
`FIG. 9 illustrates a concept of applying a template in a
`multi-player environment;
`FIGS. lOA and lOB illustrate examples of the operational
`flow of the portable device;
`
`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`4
`FIG. 11 illustrates a concept of combining templates in a
`multi-player environment;
`FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a schematic configura(cid:173)
`tion of the portable device according to the third embodi(cid:173)
`ment;
`FIG. 13A illustrates one possible schematic configuration
`of the server;
`FIG. l3B illustrates an example of a data structure of the
`event table;
`FIGS. 14A and l4B illustrate examples of the operational
`flow of the portable device; and
`FIGS. 15A to 15C illustrate examples of the operational
`flow of the server.
`
`DESCRIPTION
`
`Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a method for
`controlling a computer, a recording medium, and a computer
`will be described. It should be noted that the technical scope
`of the present invention is not limited to the described
`embodiments, but covers the invention described in the
`claims and its equivalent.
`
`First Embodiment
`
`In the present embodiment, a player builds a city within
`a game space. The player can arrange various facilities
`which are one example of game contents, within the game
`space. Further, for a predetermined area within the game
`space, the player can also create a template stipulating types
`and positions of facilities based on the types and positions of
`facilities arranged within the area. Moreover, the player can
`also apply the created template to a given area within the
`game space. When a template is applied, facilities arranged
`35 within the game space are automatically changed to the
`facilities defined in the template, and they are automatically
`moved to the defined positions.
`Game contents refer to digital contents used in a game,
`and include, besides facilities, characters, soldiers, weapons,
`40 cards, figures, avatars, items, etc.
`FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a schematic configuration
`of a game system 1.
`The game system 1 includes at least one portable device
`2 and a server 3. The portable device 2 and the server 3 are
`45 connected to each other via a communication network, and
`are connected to each other, for example, via a base station
`4, a mobile communication network 5, a gateway 6, and the
`Internet 7. A program to be executed by the portable device
`2 (e.g., a game program) and a program to be executed by
`50 the server 3 (e.g., a game control program) communicate
`with each other by using a communication protocol such as
`a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP).
`FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a schematic configura(cid:173)
`tion of the portable device 2.
`The portable device 2 progresses the game in response to
`an operation of an operation unit 23 by a player. When
`necessary, the portable device 2 is connected to the server 3
`via the base station 4, the mobile communication network 5,
`the gateway 6, and the Internet 7, to communicate with the
`60 server 3. In order to implement the foregoing functions, the
`portable device 2 includes a device communication unit 21,
`a device storage unit 22, the operation unit 23, a display unit
`24, and a device processing unit 25.
`While a multifunctional mobile phone (a so-called
`65 "smartphone") may be assumed as the portable device 2, the
`present invention is not limited to this. The portable device
`2 may be, for example, a mobile phone (a so-called "feature
`
`Supercell
`Exhibit 1003
`Page 19
`
`

`

`US 9,597,594 B2
`
`10
`
`5
`phone"), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portable game
`machine, a portable music player, a tablet device, a tablet
`personal computer (PC), a notebook PC, etc., as long as the
`present invention is applicable thereto.
`The device communication unit 21 includes a communi(cid:173)
`cation interface circuit including an antenna having a sen(cid:173)
`sitivity band in a predetermined frequency band, and con(cid:173)
`nects the portable device 2 to a wireless communication
`network. The device communication unit 21 establishes a
`wireless signal link with the base station 4 by a Code
`Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system or the like via a
`channel to be assigned by the base station 4, and commu(cid:173)
`nicates with the base station 4. The device communication
`unit 21 sends data supplied from the device processing unit
`25 to the server 3 or the like. The device communication unit
`21 supplies the data received from the server 3 or the like to
`the device processing unit 25.
`The device storage unit 22 includes a semiconductor
`memory, for example. The device storage unit 22 stores an
`operating system program, a driver program, an application
`program, data, etc., used for processing in the device pro(cid:173)
`cessing unit 25. For example, the device storage unit 22
`stores an input device driver program for controlling the
`operation unit 23 and an output device driver program for
`controlling the display unit 24, as the driver program. The
`device storage unit 22 stores a game program, etc., for
`progressing the game and displaying the result thereof, as
`the application program. The device storage unit 22 stores
`identification numbers (IDs) of the players, a facility table 30
`(FIG. 28) for managing facilities arranged within the game
`space, a facility-type table (FIG. 2C) for managing types of
`the facilities, a template table (FIG. 2D) for managing
`templates, and image data, video data, etc., relating to the
`facilities, templates, etc., as the data. Further, the device 35
`storage unit 22 may store temporary data relating to prede(cid:173)
`termined processing.
`FIG. 28 depicts a facility table. In the facility table, a
`facility ID, a type ID, a position within the game space, etc.,
`are recorded for each facility.
`In the present embodiment, the game space is configured
`in grid form, wherein one facility is arranged on one grid,
`and the position of the facility is represented with the help
`of grid coordinates that have their origin in a predetermined
`grid (e.g., upper left of the game space). However, the 45
`present invention is not limited to this configuration. Any
`configuration of the game space, etc., is possible as long as
`the present invention can be applied to the configuration.
`FIG. 2C depicts a facility-type table. In the facility-type
`table, a type ID, name, file name of image data, etc., are 50
`recorded for each type of facility.
`FIG. 2D depi