Method and system for playing computer games sent via electronic mail

• US 20020061778A1
• Filed: 09/26/2001
• Published: 05/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Accero, Inc. (Cornerstone Ondemand Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Accero, Inc. (Cornerstone Ondemand Incorporated)
• Inventors: Acres, John
• Application Number:
  US09/965,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20020061778A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/40
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value

Abstract

A method and system for receiving and playing a computer game is provided. In one embodiment, the user executes a game program that is self-contained within an email message sent by a game server computer system. If the outcome of the game indicates success, then the computer game may display instructions on how to redeem a reward. Because the computer game is sent via email, and stored in the user'"'"'s email system, the user can choose to play the game even when no connection to a game web site is established. The user can later redeem their rewards, if any, when a connection to a redemption web site is established. Thus, the user can play the computer games even when not connected to the game web site.

Claims

1. A method in a computer for playing a computer game, the method comprising:

receiving via a communications link an electronic mail message containing the computer game;

executing the received computer game so that a user can play the received computer game;

displaying an outcome once playing of the computer game is completed; and

when the displayed outcome indicates success, coordinating the redeeming of a reward from a redemption server via a communications link

wherein the computer game is played without interacting with another computer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the outcome of the computer game is predetermined.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the computer game is played by uncovering items on a computer display, the items indicating the outcome of the computer game.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the computer game is a scratch-game.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the outcome is based on the performance of the user while playing the game.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein coordinating includes displaying a link for a redemption web site.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the link includes an outcome code.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the electronic mail message includes an outcome code.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the computer game generates an outcome code.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the computer game includes an executable game and game data.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the computer game includes a component for automatically downloading an executable game if not already stored on the computer.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the outcome of the computer game is predetermined.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the computer game is a scratch-game.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the outcome is based on the performance of the user while playing the game.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the received indication includes a game outcome code.

17. The method of claim 16 including determining whether the game outcome code indicates success.

18. The method of claim 12 wherein the electronic mail message includes a game outcome code.

19. The method of claim 18 including identifying whether the game outcome code was previously redeemed.

12. A method in a computer for supplying a computer game the method comprising:

preparing an electronic mail message containing the computer game, the computer game having executable instructions that allow a user to play the computer game, that display an outcome upon completion of the computer game, and that support redeeming a reward;

sending the prepared email to a client computer;

receiving an indication that the game was successful; and

providing a reward based on success at the computer game.

20. A method in a computer for playing a computer game, the method comprising:

receiving via a communications link, an electronic mail message containing the computer game, the computer game having an outcome that is predetermined;

executing the received computer game so that a user can discover the predetermined outcome;

displaying the predetermined outcome once playing of the computer game is completed; and

when success is indicated, displaying a link for redeeming a reward from a redemption server.

21. The method in claim 20 wherein the link is a Uniform Resource Locator.

22. The method in claim 20 wherein the link includes an outcome code that is sent to the redemption server when the link is selected.

24. The method in claim 23 wherein the encoded game data consists of scratch game data.

23. A method in a computer for playing a computer game, the method comprising:

receiving a game outcome discovery program;

receiving, via electronic mail, encoded game data indicating a predetermined outcome;

executing the game outcome discovery program to discover the predetermined outcome;

displaying the predetermined outcome once playing of the computer game is completed; and

when success is indicated, displaying information for redeeming a reward from a reward server system.

25. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to play a computer game, by a method comprising:

receiving via a communications link an electronic mail message containing the computer game;

executing the received computer game so that a user can play the received computer game;

displaying an outcome once playing of the computer game is completed; and

when the displayed outcome indicates success, displaying information for redeeming a reward from a reward server system via a communications link.

26. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to supply a computer game, by a method comprising:

preparing an electronic mail message containing the computer game, the computer game having executable instructions that allow a user to play the computer game, display an outcome upon completion of the computer game, and support redeeming a reward;

sending the prepared email to a client computer;

receiving an indication that the game was successful; and

providing a reward based on success at the computer game.

27. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to play a computer game, by a method comprising:

receiving a game outcome discovery program;

receiving, via electronic mail, encoded game data indicating a predetermined outcome;

executing the game outcome discovery program to discover or decode the predetermined outcome;

displaying the predetermined outcome once playing of the computer game is completed; and

when success is indicated, displaying a link for redeeming a reward from a reward server system.

28. A computer system for playing a computer game, comprising:

means for receiving via a communications link an electronic mail message containing the computer game;

means for executing the received computer game so that a user can play the received computer game;

means for displaying an outcome once playing of the computer game is completed; and

means for redeeming a reward from a reward server system via a communications link.

29. A computer system for supplying a computer game, comprising:

means for preparing an electronic mail message containing the computer game, the computer game having executable instructions that allow a user to play the computer game, that display an outcome upon completion of the computer game, and that support redeeming a reward;

means for sending the prepared email to a client computer;

means for receiving an indication that the game was successful; and

means for providing a reward based on success at the computer game.

30. A computer system for playing a computer game, comprising:

means for receiving a game outcome discovery program;

means for receiving, via electronic mail, encoded game data indicating a predetermined outcome;

means for executing the game outcome discovery program to discover or decode the predetermined outcome;

means for displaying the predetermined outcome once playing of the computer game is completed; and

means for when success is indicated, displaying a link for redeeming a reward from a reward server system.