Software application for conducting online knowledge-based competitions

• US 20070077975A1
• Filed: 08/15/2006
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Roswitha Warda
• Original Assignee: Roswitha Warda
• Inventors: Warda, Roswitha
• Application Number:
  US11/464,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20070077975A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/9
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/71 using secure communication between game devices and game servers, e.g. by encrypting game data or authenticating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/792 for payment purposes, e.g. monthly subscriptions
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/798 for assessing skills or for ranking players, e.g. for generating a hall of fame computing the game score A63F13/46
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/50 characterized by details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5546 using player registration data, e.g. identification, account, preferences, game history
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8064 Quiz

Abstract

A software application, provided either through a computer network or via the Internet, where registered users can participate in a competition such as a Spelling Bee (Geography Bee, Science Bee etc.), either synchronously or over a certain time period, and from various locations. It allows for customization of the quiz content and presents the same tasks to every participant. Participants'"'"' accomplishments are recorded to determine their rank in the competition.

Claims

1. An interactive software application for an interactive software application for conducting online knowledge-based competitions through the internet (or similar network), comprising:

an authoring module for providing a standardized set of tasks that will be fed into the quiz database and used in the quiz session, predetermining tasks and their order;

a quiz database, for storing data provided by authoring module and sending task data to user interface in predefined order, possibly containing text, audio or images;

a quiz interface for providing the actual quiz screens to the contestant, directly populated by said quiz database, providing text, images and sound that are part of the current task to the user, allowing for user input via text entry box, multiple choice check box or drop down menu, containing button to submit answer;

an optional timer, for limiting the total time available for each task, if so desired, optionally added to said quiz interface;

a task trigger, for triggering the quiz database to display the next task in sequence to the user when task is completed correctly and within the given time period (optional), simultaneously receiving information from said optional timer and said quiz interface;

a session terminator, for terminating the session when a task is completed incorrectly or not within the given time period (optional), simultaneously receiving information from said optional timer and said quiz interface;

a final score registration module, for computing and finalizing the user'"'"'s test score and submitting it to the user database after said session terminator closed the quiz session;

a user database, for maintaining and storing the registration and session data of users, directly connected to said final score registration;

a final ranking table, for determining the final ranking order for the completed session based on set criteria, structurally connected to said user database, applying filters, if so desired, to determine winners based on specific criteria (age, location, gender, etc.);

a report generator, for generating reports that summarize the results of the quiz session based on administrator'"'"'s directives, directly connected to said final ranking table;

an optional certificate mailer, for generating documents or certificates that display the results of the quiz for the individual user, simultaneously connected to said final ranking table;

an user registration, directly connected to said user database, for allowing user to register with the program and create log-in access that associates performance with the user'"'"'s account;

an log-in module, for entering log-in information and submitting it to identity verification engine, while allowing user to choose which quiz to participate in if more than one is offered;

an identity verification engine, for verifying with the user database that the user'"'"'s data provided in the log-in module is indeed registered in the user database and linking user'"'"'s quiz data to the user'"'"'s entry in the user database, sending user to the next step in registration process which may be an optional payment processor and/or an optional supervision verification and/or starting quiz via task trigger module upon successful verification/completion of requirements;

an optional payment processor, allowing user to submit payment if required as entry fee for the quiz;

an optional supervision verification module, for accepting verification information from registered supervisors that are responsible for securing a fair quiz environment, if desired;

a supervisor database, for storing data for registered supervisors, directly connected to said optional supervision verification; and

a supervisor registration module, for registering supervisors into said supervisor database after they provided testimonial that they will ensure compliance with quiz requirements.