ONLINE GAMING AND REWARDS SYSTEM

• US 20090156310A1
• Filed: 12/18/2007
• Published: 06/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Inxile Entertainment
• Inventors: FARGO, BRIAN
• Granted Patent: US 8,382,581 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• 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 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3253 involving articles, e.g. paying in bottles, paying out toys
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played

Abstract

A system and method for rewarding and providing real world rewards for online game participation is provided. The system allows a user to access an online website having a plurality of different games to play or other activities to participate in, whereby the online website is able to track and monitor online participation and award points that may be redeemed for physical prizes that may be sent to the individual participating in the online activity. Additionally, the system allows the user to accumulate a sufficient amount of points which may be redeemed for better prizes after prolonged play and utilization of the online activity. Moreover, the system may reward the individual for specific contributions or reward for superior activity or play within the participation activity.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating rewards for online participation, comprising:

providing to a user a login menu that is executed on a computer, wherein the login menu is programmed to acquire from a user a set of parameters for online use;

displaying a participation menu that utilizes the set of parameters to allow the user to select a participation activity;

providing a point furnishing system whereby a user is furnished with points during the activity; and

displaying to a user a rewards menu for choice of a reward to the user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the set of parameters comprise an identification outline.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the set of parameters comprise a plurality of personal information from an individual user.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the participation menu comprises a plurality of online activities to participate in.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the participation menu comprises a plurality of online games to participate in.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the point furnishing system allows for accumulation of points in response to activity accomplishments.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the point furnishing system allows for accumulation of points in response to a user'"'"'s continuous online participation in an online activity.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising a step of transferring information from the point furnishing system into the rewards menu such that information relating to points accumulated are displayed in the rewards menu.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the rewards menu allows a user to utilize points from the point furnishing system to pick a reward from the rewards menu.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the rewards menu has a plurality of different rewards that may be won by an individual online user whereby each reward has a point amount associated therewith.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein after a user has picked a reward from the rewards menu, the point furnishing system deducts the points needed to redeem the reward from the points accumulated by an individual user.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the rewards system utilizes the login information received from the individual user to send the individual user the chosen reward.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the reward is sent to the individual online user.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the points system allocates to the individual user points which may be accumulated by the individual user for preset achievements.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the preset achievements may be participation time, winning an activity, or answering a question correctly.

14. A system for rewarding online participation by an individual user, the system comprising:

an authentication and identification menu whereby an individual user may input personal information and characteristics;

associating at least one of a plurality of said information to a participation menu whereby the participation menu reveals to the individual user certain activities to which they may participate;

a points system whereby points are allocated to the individual user for preset achievements; and

a rewards system whereby prizes may be chosen from a rewards menu.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the system allows the user to select a participation activity and transfers the individual to the selected activity.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein the authentication and identification menu allows the user to identify personal likes and dislikes and whereby the system may forward this inputted information to the participation activity menu and the rewards system may thereby designate information that corresponds to the inputted information from the user.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein the rewards system may have a plurality of prizes corresponding to preset point totals whereby a prize may be selected by a user if the user has accumulated the necessary amount of points.

20. The system of claim 14 further comprising a step of allowing the user to accumulate points awarded by the points system to redeem the same for prizes in the rewards system and whereby when a prize is selected from the rewards system, the prize is sent to the individual user in exchange for the accumulated points.