Database driven online distributed tournament system
DC
First Claim
1. A method of conducting a distributed electronic tournament for a plurality of players, comprising:
- exchanging information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and
storing in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a subsequent game in the subsequent tournament.
8 Assignments
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Reexamination
Accused Products
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 preestablished 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.
550 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of conducting a distributed electronic tournament for a plurality of players, comprising:
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exchanging information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and
storing in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a subsequent game in the subsequent tournament. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
arranging for the player to provide payment of an entry fee.
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5. The method of claim 4, wherein said arranging comprises determining a payment identifier associated with the player, and wherein the player information is associated with the payment identifier.
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6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
arranging for the player to receive a prize based on game play.
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7. The method of claim 6, wherein said arranging comprises determining a payment identifier associated with the player, and wherein the player information is associated with the payment identifier.
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8. An apparatus for conducting a distributed electronic tournament for a plurality of players, comprising:
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means for exchanging information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and
means for storing in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a subsequent game in the subsequent tournament.
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9. An apparatus for conducting a distributed electronic tournament for a plurality of players, comprising:
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a processor; and
a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instruction adapted to be executed by said processor to;
exchange information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and
store in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a subsequent game in the subsequent tournament.
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10. A device-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to conduct a distributed electronic tournament, said instructions for directing a device to:
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exchange information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and
store in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a game in the subsequent tournament.
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Specification
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- Resources
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Current AssigneeInventor Holdings LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
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Original AssigneeWalker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
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InventorsJorasch, James A., Walker, Jay S.
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Primary Examiner(s)SAGER, MARK ALAN
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Application NumberUS09/768,567Publication NumberTime in Patent Office552 DaysField of Search463/1, 463/9-14, 463/16, 463/20, 463/23, 463/25, 463/29-30, 463/36, 463/40-43, 700/91-93, 340/323.BUS Class Current463/42CPC Class CodesA63F 13/12 involving interaction betwe...A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangement...A63F 2300/8064 QuizG07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or...G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary medi...G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete...
