Content Synchronization
First Claim
1. A method, executed on a game content management server, for unlocking content in a game, the method comprising:
- providing the game via a gaming network, the gaming network comprising one of an Internet network, a cable television network, or an interactive television network, wherein a portion of the game is locked and inaccessible to a player of the game;
providing, an identifier to a television program provider for inclusion during a television program broadcast;
receiving the identifier from the player via the gaming network;
validating the identifier; and
unlocking the portion of the game if the identifier is valid and making the portion of the game accessible to the player.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Described are methods, systems, and computer program products for synchronizing game content access to the broadcast of particular television content. A game, wherein a portion of the game is locked and inaccessible to a player of the game, is provided via a gaming network comprising one of an Internet network, a cable television network, or an interactive television network. An identifier is provided to a television program for broadcast, which is then viewed by the player. The player inputs the identifier, the identifier is validated, and, if the identifier is valid, the locked portion of the game is unlocked and made accessible to the player.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method, executed on a game content management server, for unlocking content in a game, the method comprising:
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providing the game via a gaming network, the gaming network comprising one of an Internet network, a cable television network, or an interactive television network, wherein a portion of the game is locked and inaccessible to a player of the game; providing, an identifier to a television program provider for inclusion during a television program broadcast; receiving the identifier from the player via the gaming network; validating the identifier; and unlocking the portion of the game if the identifier is valid and making the portion of the game accessible to the player. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method, executed on a game content management server, for unlocking access to a portion of a game provided over an Internet network, the method comprising:
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providing a first portion of the game over the Internet network; transmitting an identifier via a television program or interactive television program; receiving the identifier from a player; and unlocking access to a second portion of the game based on the identifier. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, executed on a server, comprising:
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providing a first version of a game on a web page, the first version not comprising an additional locked portion of the game; determining if a predetermined timer associated with a television program had elapsed; refreshing the web page if the predetermined timer has elapsed; and replacing the first version of the game with a second version of the game that includes the additional locked portion, wherein the additional portion is unlockable only if a player provides an unlock identifier.
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16. A computer program product, tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, for unlocking content in a game, the computer program product comprising instructions operable to cause a data processing apparatus to:
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provide the game via a gaming network comprising one of an Internet network, a cable television network, or an interactive television network, wherein a portion of the game is locked and inaccessible to a player of the game; provide an identifier to a television program for broadcast; receive the identifier from the player via the gaming network; validate the identifier; and unlock the portion of the game if the identifier is valid and make the portion of the game accessible to the player.
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17. A computer program product, tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, for unlocking access to a portion of a game provided over an Internet network, the computer program product comprising instructions operable to cause a data processing apparatus to:
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provide a first portion of the game over the Internet network; transmit an identifier to a television program or interactive television program for broadcast; receive the identifier from a player; and unlock access to a second portion of the game based on the identifier.
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18. A computer program product, tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, for providing a game comprising an additional locked portion of the game, the computer program product comprising instructions operable to cause a data processing apparatus to:
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provide a first version of the game on a web page, the first version not comprising the additional locked portion; determine if a predetermined timer associated with a television program had elapsed; refresh the web page if the predetermined timer has elapsed; and replace the first version of the game with a second version of the game that includes the additional locked portion, wherein the additional locked portion is unlockable only if a player provides an unlock identifier.
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19. A system for unlocking content in a game, the system comprising:
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a game content management server to provide the game via a gaming network comprising one of an Internet network, a cable television network, or an interactive television network, wherein a portion of the game is locked and inaccessible to a player of the game; a transceiver to transmit an identifier to a television program show provider for inclusion of the identifier in a television program broadcast; a receiver to receive the identifier from the player via the gaming network; and a validation engine in signal communication with the game content management server that determines if the identifier is valid; wherein the game content management server; (i) unlocks the portion of the game if the validation engine determines the identifier is valid; and (ii) makes the portion of the game accessible to the player. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A system for unlocking access to a portion of a game provided over an Internet network, the system comprising:
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a transceiver to transmit an identifier to a television program show provider or interactive television program for inclusion of the identifier in a program broadcast; a receiver to receive the identifier from a player; and a game content management server to; provide a first portion of the game over the Internet network; and unlock access to a second portion of the game based on the identifier. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A system for providing a game comprising an additional locked portion, the system comprising:
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a web server configured to; provide a web page comprising a first version of the game that does not include the additional locked portion of the game; determine if a predetermined timer associated with a television program has elapsed; refresh the web page if the predetermined timer has elapsed; and replace the first version of the game with a second version of the game that includes the additional locked portion; and an unlock module configured to; receive an unlock identifier; validate the unlock identifier; and unlock the additional locked portion of the game.
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Specification