Computer based method and apparatus for enabling collaboration of multiple game players

• US 6,390,921 B1
• Filed: 02/07/2000
• Issued: 05/21/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Everglades Game Technologies LLC
• Original Assignee: Everglades Resources, Inc.
• Inventors: Busch, Steven, Gallery, Nick P., Bolson, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kim T.
• Application Number:
  US09/498,748
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/17-19, 463/30, 463/31, 463/40, 463/41, 463/42, 463/26, 463/22, 705/14, 705/16, 705/18, 273/271, 273/138.1, 273/264, 273/236
• 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 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/61 using advertising information
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/75 Enforcing rules, e.g. detecting foul play or generating lists of cheating players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/847 Cooperative playing, e.g. requiring coordinated actions from several players to achieve a common goal
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5506 using advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality

Abstract

A method and apparatus for effectuating the multilateral, sponsor driven winning of multiple “collect & win” games by individuals or businesses. The system allows individuals to share information pertaining specifically to so called “collect & win games” where a “piece” is needed in conjunction with other pieces, to win a prize from a game sponsor. The system receives and stores data on its members including their pieces, the game involved, as well as any requested information. The system matches one member'"'"'s (“player'"'"'s”) “piece” with pieces of another player or players. The system then sorts the data and alerts our staff of possible winners with “matching” pieces. The apparatus includes a controller which receives information from registered users, sorts information according to specific criteria, matches criteria based on the rules of the game, notifies the system operator of any viable matches, and then notifies members of their status.

Claims

1. A computer-based system for facilitating multiple players to increase chances of winning at least one of a collect-and-win game and match-and-win game collaboratively wherein the game requires multiple game pieces to be matched in a winning combination for the game to be won, said system comprising:

a. means for receiving and inputting data for at least one game player, said data including identification of the player and of said player'"'"'s game piece information;

b. means for tracking and referencing said data received for each of said at least one player and for other players each having inputted unique data to the system; and

c. means for matching said data from said players to match said multiple game pieces into said winning combination or portions of said winning combination for the game to be won collaboratively by multiple players, wherein said winning combination is predetermined before the onset of the game.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying said multiple players via said system of a possible winning combination of said multiple players'"'"' game pieces.

3. The system according to claim 2, further comprising means for verifying validity of said multiple players'"'"' game pieces.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for matching data further matches winning combinations from alternate players having at least a portion of said winning combination in conjunction with said means for receiving and inputting data.

5. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying matching game pieces according to said players'"'"' data including said winning combinations and portions of said winning combinations of said multiple game pieces, wherein a display provided by said means for displaying is accessible by said at least one game player via the system.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means tracking and referencing said data of data received for each unique data input, enabling multiple potential winning combinations or portions of winning combinations of game pieces to be matched, sorted, and ranked, according to said time and date.

7. The system according to claim 2, further comprising means for notifying each player of a winning or losing status as determined by parameters of the game.

8. The system according to claim 1, further comprising means for receiving and inputting data for multiple different games, each having unique game parameters and multiple game players.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein said game pieces are a combination of at least one of real game pieces which are tangible and uniquely coded for identification and validation and virtual game pieces generated by said system according to said unique data.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein said system further comprises means for identifying and flagging game players suspected of cheating or unfair playing of the game.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein said game piece is one of a physical game piece and a virtual game piece.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein said means for tracking and referencing said data includes sharing of said at least one collected game piece between said players.