U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
U.S. patent applications available from 2005 to present.

Icon_funbox Quotables

"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."

Ken Olsen, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation ; 1977

Newsletter  PatentStorm News

Make the Most of PatentStorm

See this month's Top Inventors and Most Cited Patents.

Stay on top of the latest patents by subscribing to an RSS feed.

Got questions? Ask a Patent Expert!

Registered users: Manage your profile, comments and alerts.

 

US Patent 6224486 - Database driven online distributed tournament system

US Patent Issued on May 1, 2001
Estimated Patent Expiration Date: Icon_subject 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.
loading...


View Patent Images (PDF)
(Registered users only)

Abstract

A 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

  • "Word Puzzles With a Twist PUNZZLES Exercises for Your Brain", Pinnacle Solutions, 6 pages, Copyright 1995 Pinnacle Solutions
  • "How to Play the POOL! Compete with People all Across the Net and Win Big Prizes!", 2 pages, download date: Jan. 1996
  • "CONTEST: Worst Experience with a Salesperson", Sponsored By: Galileo, Peter Letterese & Associates, Inc., 2 pages, download date: Jan. 1996
  • "Who's In Front Of This Behind Contest!", 2 pages, download date: Jan. 1996
  • "The Rules", Bert & Associates, Inc., 4 pages, download date: Jan. 1996
  • "Alpha Sports Games You Could Win $10,000 This Week!", 3 pages, download date: Jan. 1996
  • Yoyodyne Games, 6 pages, download date: Jan., 1996
  • "Win $200! from The Gate", 2 pages, download date: Jan. 199

Inventors

Assignee

Application

No. 028781 filed on 02/24/1998

US 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 Search

463/1, 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 transaction

Examiners

Primary: Sager, Mark

Attorney, Agent or Firm

US Patent References

4586707, Competitive game
Issued 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: Lockton
5108115, 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: Sherman
5283734, System and method of communication with authenticated wagering participation
Issued on: 02/01/1994
Inventor: Von Kohorn
5359510, Automated universal tournament management system
Issued on: 10/25/1994
Inventor: Sabaliauskas
5429361, 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: Breeding
5558339, Network architecture to support recording and playback of real-time video games
Issued on: 09/24/1996
Inventor: Perlman
5593349, 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: Eiba
5643088, 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: Eiba
5983200Intelligent agent for executing delegated tasks
Issued on: 11/09/1999
Inventor: Slotznick

Foreign Patent References

  • 42 22 896 DE. 07/20/1992

International Class

A63F 009/22

Comments

No comments for this page
 
 
Forgot password?
Register here