Content Synchronization

• US 20120172132A1
• Filed: 01/05/2011
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2011
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Defy Media, LLC
• Original Assignee: Viacom International Incorporated (ViacomCBS Incorporated)
• Inventors: Molyneaux, Justin, Banks, Pete
• Application Number:
  US12/985,053
• Publication Number:
  US 20120172132A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/69 by enabling or updating specific game elements, e.g. unlocking hidden features, items, levels or versions
• 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 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/609 for unlocking hidden game elements, e.g. features, items, levels

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein unlocking comprises:

determining if a timer has expired; and

unlocking the portion of the game only if the timer has not expired.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating the identifier based on the timer.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the portion of the game that is unlocked is based on the identifier.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifier unlocks multiple locked portions of the game associated with other identifiers.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein unlocking the portion of the game is synchronized to the identifier being broadcast on the television program.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein unlocking the portion of the game can occur only after the identifier is broadcast on the television program.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the identifier to the television program for broadcast comprises emailing the identifier to a television show provider before the broadcast for insertion into the television show.

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:

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.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the access that is unlocked is Internet access to the second portion of the game.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

preventing Internet access to the second portion of the game before transmitting the identifier.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein unlocking comprises:

determining if a timer has expired; and

unlocking Internet access to the second portion of the game if the timer has not expired.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the unlocking step comprises:

validating the identifier after receiving it; and

unlocking access to the second portion of the game if the identifier is valid.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein different identifiers unlock access to different second portions of the game.

15. A method, executed on a server, comprising:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

19. A system for unlocking content in a game, the system comprising:

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.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the game content management server unlocks the portion of the game only if a timer has not expired.

21. A system for unlocking access to a portion of a game provided over an Internet network, the system comprising:

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.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the game content management server unlocks access to the second portion of the game if a timer has not expired.

23. A system for providing a game comprising an additional locked portion, the system comprising:

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.