Method and system for playing computer games sent via electronic mail
First Claim
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.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
227 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method in a computer for playing a computer game, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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12. A method in a computer for supplying a computer game the method comprising:
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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.
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20. A method in a computer for playing a computer game, the method comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 24)
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23. A method in a computer for playing a computer game, the method comprising:
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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.
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25. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to play a computer game, by a method comprising:
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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.
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26. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to supply a computer game, by a method comprising:
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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.
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27. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for controlling a computer system to play a computer game, by a method comprising:
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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.
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28. A computer system for playing a computer game, comprising:
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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.
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29. A computer system for supplying a computer game, comprising:
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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.
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30. A computer system for playing a computer game, comprising:
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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.
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Specification