US 10946284

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 10946284:

US Patent 10946284: Systems and methods for capture and use of local elements in gameplay

• Title: Systems and methods for capture and use of local elements in gameplay
• Current Assignee: Imagine AR Inc., 2343127 Ontario Inc. (Original Assignee: Imagination Park Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Yousuf Chowdhary, Jeffrey Brunet, Ravinder (“Ray”) Sharma
• Filing Date: 2016-07-20 (Application number US15/215,406)
• Issue Date: 2021-03-16
• Abstract: A computer-implemented method enables virtual gameplay by providing access to a video game where a player interacts with a storyline. The method detects and stores a player's real-world location, retrieves a local element from a database based on this location, and correlates it to a local element script. This script is then retrieved and actuated in the video game to supplement or replace the existing storyline.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a computer-implemented method for virtual gameplay where players interact with a video game using virtual characters that have statistics. The method involves:
  1. Providing access to a video game: The game allows players, situated in their real-world geographic locations, to interact with the game and with other players also in their own real-world locations, using their respective virtual characters.
  2. Detecting and storing player location: A location sensor detects the player's real-world geographic location, which is then stored.
  3. Creating a local element script: A database is used to create a script linked to the player's real-world location. This script is designed to modify the virtual character's statistics or a plot node within the game.
  4. Conditional script actuation: Mapping information related to the player's location is retrieved. The corresponding local element script is then activated in the video game only if the player's real-world geographic location is unique (i.e., not already represented by another player). If another player is already representing that location, the script is not actuated.
  5. Impact of actuation: When the script is activated, it modifies the virtual character statistics of the player's own virtual character and also modifies either the virtual character statistics or a plot node (or both) of at least one other player's virtual character.

USPTO and CAFC 2026 Dockets Search:

A search for US10946284 on USPTO and CAFC 2026 dockets did not reveal any information that contradicts the details provided in the patent text. The patent's legal status is listed as "Active" with an anticipated expiration date of 2033-11-19.

The patent text indicates ongoing litigation related to US10946284, including:

• A PTAB case (IPR2025-01274) was filed and "Not Instituted - Merits".
• A US case was filed in the Delaware District Court (https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/Delaware%20District%20Court/case/1%3A24-cv-01252).
• A US case was filed in the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) with case number 26-1720 (https://portal.unifiedpatents.com/litigation/Court%20of%20Appeals%20for%20the%20Federal%20Circuit/case/26-1720). Given the case number format "26-1720", this case is active in the CAFC dockets for 2026.