Commercial Game System and Method
First Claim
1. A commercial game system comprising:
- a server connected to a communications network;
electronic media connected to the server on which recorded advertisements are stored for playback to a user;
a media player device communicatively connected to the server via the communications network further comprising a display screen for playing the recorded advertisements for viewing by the user;
software installed on the server for transmitting questions related to the advertisements that are viewable on the media player device;
a control device communicatively connected to the media player device comprising control features for entering an answer to questions transmitted by the server;
software installed on the server for determining whether answers entered by the user and transmitted to the server are correct;
software installed on the server for calculating, recording, and displaying the number of points awarded to the user for answering questions correctly; and
a plurality of goods and services for which the points earned by the user while viewing advertisements and answering questions are redeemable.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for providing a commercial game that poses questions to a user related to advertisements that the user views or listens to using a multimedia device such as a computer connected to the Internet. Points may be awarded to the user based on the number of questions answered correctly, the number of advertisements viewed, the length of time advertisements are viewed, the number of attempts at answering each question before providing the correct answer, or other advertiser-selected criteria. Points earned by the user are immediately redeemable for services such as subscription services, movies downloads, Pay-Per-View credits, or for any other tangible or intangible good, service, or reward representing a monetary value. If the user provides an incorrect answer to a question, the user is permitted to watch the advertisement multiple times until a correct answer is provided and points are awarded.
67 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A commercial game system comprising:
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a server connected to a communications network; electronic media connected to the server on which recorded advertisements are stored for playback to a user; a media player device communicatively connected to the server via the communications network further comprising a display screen for playing the recorded advertisements for viewing by the user; software installed on the server for transmitting questions related to the advertisements that are viewable on the media player device; a control device communicatively connected to the media player device comprising control features for entering an answer to questions transmitted by the server; software installed on the server for determining whether answers entered by the user and transmitted to the server are correct; software installed on the server for calculating, recording, and displaying the number of points awarded to the user for answering questions correctly; and a plurality of goods and services for which the points earned by the user while viewing advertisements and answering questions are redeemable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method comprising the steps of:
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(a) playing an advertisement on a display screen viewed by a user, wherein the advertisement comprises information related to a retail item; (b) presenting the user a series of questions on the display screen related to the retail item; (c) electronically awarding the user points saved into a user account stored on a server based upon the number of questions answered correctly by the user, wherein the server is communicatively connected to the display screen; and (d) providing the user with a plurality of reward items for which the point earned by the user may be redeemed. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A method comprising the steps of:
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(a) playing an advertisement for viewing by a user on a media player device that further comprises a display screen, wherein the media player device is communicatively connected to a server via a communications network; (b) after the advertisement has been played for viewing by the user, displaying at least a first question on the display screen, wherein the first question is related to the advertisement; (c) using the media player device, entering an answer to the first question presented on the display screen; (d) transmitting the answer entered by the user from the media player device to the server over the communications network; (e) using software installed on the server, comparing the user'"'"'s answer to a stored correct answer programmed into the software; (f) awarding one or more points to the user for a user-entered correct answer; (g) electronically recording the number of points awarded to the user on a storage device of the server in a user account associated with the user; (h) transmitting the number of points awarded for the correct answer to the media player device and displaying the number of points awarded on the display screen; and (i) providing a virtual mall accessible through the media player device via the communications network, wherein the virtual mall displays items or services for sale for which the points awarded to the user are redeemable. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification