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US Patent 6224486 - Database driven online distributed tournament system
US Patent Issued on May 1, 2001
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
February 24, 2018Estimated 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.
Estimated Patent Expiration Date:
February 24, 2018Estimated 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.AbstractA method and a system for a distributed electronic tournament system in which many remotely located players participate in a tournament through input/output devices connected to a central controller which manages the tournament. The method includes the steps of (a) uniquely identifying a player communicating with the central controller via an associated input/output device; (b) responding to payment of an entry fee by the player for allowing the player to participate in a tournament occurring within a fixed time window via an associated input/output device; (c) accessing a database to store in the database player information that is generated as the player participates in the tournament, such information being available for use in a subsequent tournament, which is administered by said controller and in which the player participates; and (d) awarding the player a prize for achieving a pre-established performance level in the tournament. In another preferred embodiment, the method further includes the steps of determining whether the player has been qualified to advance to a subsequent game session, in which at least one player is eliminated from the previous game session; and permitting each player qualified to a subsequent game session to participate in that game session. The system includes software and hardware to implement the method steps.Other References
| InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 028781 filed on 02/24/1998US Classes:463/42, Network type (e.g., computer network, etc.)463/23, Skill level adjustment (e.g., speed change, complexity, etc.)463/25Credit/debit monitoring or manipulation (e.g., game entry, betting, prize level, etc.)Field of Search463/1, INCLUDING MEANS FOR PROCESSING ELECTRONIC DATA (E.G., COMPUTER/VIDEO GAME, ETC.)463/23, Skill level adjustment (e.g., speed change, complexity, etc.)463/29, Access or authorization (e.g., game selection, security, etc.)463/25, Credit/debit monitoring or manipulation (e.g., game entry, betting, prize level, etc.)463/30, Perceptible output or display (e.g., tactile, etc.)463/40, With communication link (e.g., television broadcast, etc.)463/41, Telephonic (e.g., modem, etc.)463/42, Network type (e.g., computer network, etc.)463/16, In a chance application463/20, Lot-to-lot combination (e.g., slot machine, etc.)463/7, In a game requiring an element of a participant`s physical skill or ability (e.g., hand-eye coordination, reflex, etc.)463/8, Martial-art type (e.g., boxing, fencing, wrestling, etc.)463/12, Ultimate outcome dependant upon summation of plural card or tile values (e.g., blackjack, etc.)463/13, Ultimate outcome dependant upon relative odds of a card or tile combination (e.g., poker, etc.)463/11, Card- or tile-type (e.g., bridge, dominoes, etc.)463/9, In a game requiring strategy or problem solving by a participant (e.g., problem eliciting response, puzzle, etc.)463/10, With chance element or event (e.g., backgammon, Scrabble, etc.)273/138.2, Electric or magnetic273/139, Chance selection273/292, CARD OR TILE GAMES, CARDS OR TILES THEREFOR235/380, Credit or identification card systems235/382, Permitting access700/91, Contest or contestant analysis, management, or monitoring (e.g., statistical analysis, handicapping, scoring)700/92, Scoring700/93, Probability determination or handicapping705/39Including funds transfer or credit transactionExaminersPrimary: Sager, MarkAttorney, Agent or FirmUS Patent References4586707, Competitive gameIssued on: 05/06/1986 Inventor: McNeight , et al.4592546, Game of skill playable by remote participants in conjunction with a live event Issued on: 06/03/1986 Inventor: Fascenda , et al.5083271, Tournament data system with game score communication between remote player terminal and central computer Issued on: 01/21/1992 Inventor: Thacher, et al.5083800, Game of skill or chance playable by several participants remote from each other in conjunction with a common event Issued on: 01/28/1992 Inventor: Lockton5108115, Interactive game show and method for achieving interactive communication therewith Issued on: 04/28/1992 Inventor: Berman, et al.5114155, System for automatic collection and distribution of player statistics for electronic dart games Issued on: 05/19/1992 Inventor: Tillery, et al.5127044, Automatic golf scoring and scheduling system Issued on: 06/30/1992 Inventor: Bonito, et al.5213337, System for communication using a broadcast audio signal Issued on: 05/25/1993 Inventor: Sherman5283734, System and method of communication with authenticated wagering participation Issued on: 02/01/1994 Inventor: Von Kohorn5359510, Automated universal tournament management system Issued on: 10/25/1994 Inventor: Sabaliauskas5429361, Gaming machine information, communication and display system Issued on: 07/04/1995 Inventor: Raven, et al.5544892, Multi-tiered wagering method and game Issued on: 08/13/1996 Inventor: Breeding5558339, Network architecture to support recording and playback of real-time video games Issued on: 09/24/1996 Inventor: Perlman5593349, Automated league and tournament system for electronic games Issued on: 01/14/1997 Inventor: Miguel, et al.5637844, Process and system for automated running of sports contests Issued on: 06/10/1997 Inventor: Eiba5643088, Game of skill or chance playable by remote participants in conjunction with a common game event including inserted interactive advertising Issued on: 07/01/1997 Inventor: Vaughn, et al.5779549, Database driven online distributed tournament system Issued on: 07/14/1998 Inventor: Walker, et al.5813398, Combined anti fog and anti glare features for face masks Issued on: 09/29/1998 Inventor: Baird, et al.5855516, Method and system for automatic running of tournaments Issued on: 01/05/1999 Inventor: Eiba5983200Intelligent agent for executing delegated tasks Issued on: 11/09/1999 Inventor: Slotznick Foreign Patent References
International ClassA63F 009/22 |
