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

Database driven online distributed tournament system

Patent 6224486 Issued on May 1, 2001. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject February 24, 2018. 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.

Patent References

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Game of skill or chance playable by several participants remote from each other in conjunction with a common event
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Interactive game show and method for achieving interactive communication therewith
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System for automatic collection and distribution of player statistics for electronic dart games
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Inventor: Tillery, et al.

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Issued on: 05/25/1993
Inventor: Sherman

System and method of communication with authenticated wagering participation
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Issued on: 02/01/1994
Inventor: Von Kohorn

Automated universal tournament management system
Patent #: 5359510
Issued on: 10/25/1994
Inventor: Sabaliauskas

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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.)

Examiners

Primary: Sager, Mark

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foreign Patent References

  • 42 22 896 DE. 07/11/1992

International Class

A63F 009/22

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
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