FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to geocaching, and more specifically to systems and methods to verify geocache discoveries.

BACKGROUND

Geocaching is a recreational activity where participants hide and seek containers, called caches or geocaches, at locations throughout the world. Both hiders (organizers) and seekers use a Global Positioning System (and/or the Russian equivalent, Glonass) receiver and other navigational techniques to place and find geocaches. A typical geocache may include a small weather-resistant container holding a log book, writing utensil, ink stamps, small trinkets or toys, or the like. Seekers who find a cache may take one of the trinkets in exchange for one of their own. Trinkets are usually novelty items of little monetary value, and may be personalized to the hider or the seeker, such as a signature pin or coin. Seekers may sign the log book with a name, pseudonym, or handle, to prove that they actually found the cache.

However, conventional finding verification methods are subject to error, fraud, and are difficult to implement. For example, with log books, the organizer must routinely visit the geocache location to retrieve and inspect the log book, which is time-consuming and delays the verification that a user has found the cache. Further, manual log book entries can be forged, illegible, damaged due to environmental factors (e.g., moisture, mold, exposure to bright sunlight), or the cache could be lost, damaged or destroyed altogether, before the log book is retrieved.

In addition to the manual log book, other verification methods have been used. One example is a photo verification where successful seekers take a picture of themselves at the geocache location and email it to the organizer for verification. Similarly, some organizers have included a webcam positioned at the cache location, requiring finders to capture their image from the webcam for verification. Another example includes an embedded portable non-volatile memory device, such as a USB, Secure Digital (SD) or similar drive, stored at the cache location where the finder can transfer the file to their personal devices and the file is used for separate verification.

The above examples can be difficult to implement, administer, and are subject to fraud and other errors. For example, photo verification may require user intervention, is time consuming, subject to forgery, and difficult to automate, e.g., a user can use editing tools to insert a picture of themselves into pictures from successful seekers at the location. Also, often seekers may be by themselves and capturing a photograph with the requisite background and themselves in the frame can be difficult without a second person to assist. As to the webcam or other monitoring video tool implementations, this generally requires electricity and Internet access, which can be difficult because typical geocaches are placed in remote locations without access to power or Internet. Further, portable non-volatile memory devices can introduce security concerns for users connecting a device such as a computer, tablet, mobile phone or other computing device to the drive, especially given that the cache is unattended or unsecured, meaning hostile third parties could download malware or the like onto the device. The file can also be easily transmitted between various users, allowing possible verification of a cache find for those not physically present. Additionally, such devices typically include exposed electrical contacts subject to corrosion and damage.

SUMMARY

A method for verifying a discovery of a geocache positioned at one or more physical locations is disclosed. The method comprises providing a first location information corresponding to a first geocache located at a first physical position; receiving from a user device a target credential corresponding to the geocache, wherein the target credential comprises a dynamically varying identifier associated with the geocache; determining a validation credential associated with the geocache; comparing the target credential with the validation credential; and determining whether the geocache was discovered.

A system for verifying a discovery of a geocache positioned at one or more physical locations is disclosed. The system comprises a first geocache containing a verifier that generates a dynamically varying identifier associated with the geocache; a user device that stores information related to the dynamically varying identifier, and generates a target credential; and a server that receives the target credential, determine a validation credential associated with the geocache; compare the target credential with the validation credential; and determine whether the geocache was discovered.

A game including verifying a discovery of a geocache positioned at one or more physical locations is disclosed. The game comprises: a geocache containing a verifier, the verifier is configured to generate a dynamically varying identifier associated with the geocache; a device configured to capture the identifier, and generate a target credential; a network in communication with the user device, the network configured to transmit the target credential; a server in communication with the network, the server configured to receive the target geocache credential, determine a validation credential associated with the geocache; compare the target credential with the validation credential; determine whether the geocache was discovered; and award a virtual or physical game resource.

