Tournament data system with game score communication between remote player terminal and central computer
Patent 5083271 Issued on January 21, 1992. Estimated Expiration Date: January 21, 2009. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
A tournament system for electronic games in which scores achieved on the games are transmitted to one or a hierarchy of computers in which a winner is determined. At least one computer stores a player code associated with player credits. The players insert credit cards into the games which read the player codes, send the codes to a computer, obtain verification signals from the computer and are thereby enabled. The computer also stores handicap values associated with players and/or the games, and modifies the scores by the handicap values. The computer can also download advertising, winner or other messages to specific ones or all the games for display, and can cause the games played to be modified or changed.
Other References
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Bartimo, J., "Net to Transmit Videotex, Games to 12 Million Users", Computerworld, Jun. 13, 1983, 40
Masterline.SM. Software by Phone, Issue Two, Control Video Corporation, 1984, top score instructions
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Schrage, M., "Videogame Jockeys Can Play by Phone", Washington Post, May 4, 1983, pp. D9, D12
January 21, 2009. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
