System and method for facilitating play of a video game via a web site

• US 7,985,132 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2007
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Sammon, Russell P., Fincham, Magdalena M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): DOSHI, ANKIT B
• Application Number:
  US11/624,764
• Publication Number:
  US 20070117621A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,649 Days
• Field of Search: 463/23
• US Class Current: 463/23
• 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 2300/8064 Quiz
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

A method and system for operating a video game or video game tournament (e.g., via a Web site) is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system a bonus is provided to a player playing the video game or participating in the video game tournament. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if a rating associated with the player is worse than a threshold rating. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition is identified. Such a condition may be, for example, a condition that indicates the player will soon cease playing the video game or participating in the tournament.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with the processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by the processor to;

facilitate a play of a game session of a first game by a first player;

facilitate a play of a game session of a second game by a second player, wherein the first game is a different type of game than the second game;

determine a first mean score associated with the game session of the first game;

determine a second mean score associated with the game session of the second game;

normalize a first score achieved by the first player in the game session of the first game by converting the first score into a first number of standard deviations from the first mean;

normalize a second score achieved by the second player in the game session of the second game by converting the second score into a second number of standard deviations from the second mean;

determine that one or more of the first and second number of standard deviations is greater than a pre-determined threshold, wherein the pre-determined threshold comprises one standard deviation; and

determine, based on the first and second number of standard deviations, that one or more of the first and second players, respectively, qualify for advancement to a subsequent round of a tournament.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first mean score is determined based on scores achieved by a plurality of different players having played the first game.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the first mean score is determined based on scores achieved by the plurality of different players having participated in the game session of the first game.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second mean score is determined based on scores achieved by a plurality of different players having played the second game.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the second mean score is determined based on scores achieved by the plurality of different players having participated in the game session of the second game.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with the processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by the processor to;

facilitate a play of a game session of a first type of game by a first player;

facilitate a play of a game session of a second type of game by a second player, wherein the first type of game is different than the second type of game;

determine a first mean score associated with the game session of the first type of game;

determine a second mean score associated with the game session of the second type of game;

normalize a first score achieved by the first player in the game session of the first type of game by converting the first score into a first number of standard deviations from the first mean;

normalize a second score achieved by the second player in the game session of the second type of game by converting the second score into a second number of standard deviations from the second mean;

determine, based on the first and second number of standard deviations, that one or more of the first and second players, respectively, qualify for advancement to a subsequent round of a tournament; and

adjusting the first number of standard deviations by a numeric constant that is based on a difficulty associated with the first type of game.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first mean score is determined based on scores achieved by a plurality of different players having played the first game.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the first mean score is determined based on scores achieved by the plurality of different players having participated in the game session of the first game.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the second mean score is determined based on scores achieved by a plurality of different players having played the second game.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second mean score is determined based on scores achieved by the plurality of different players having participated in the game session of the second game.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to:

facilitate a play of a game session of a first game by a first player;

facilitate a play of a game session of a second game by a second player, wherein the first game is a different type of game than the second game;

determine a first mean score associated with the game session of the first game;

determine a second mean score associated with the game session of the second game;

normalize a first score achieved by the first player in the game session of the first game by converting the first score into a first number of standard deviations from the first mean;

normalize a second score achieved by the second player in the game session of the second game by converting the second score into a second number of standard deviations from the second mean;

determine that one or more of the first and second number of standard deviations is greater than a pre-determined threshold, wherein the pre-determined threshold comprises one standard deviation; and

determine, based on the first and second number of standard deviations, that one or more of the first and second players, respectively, qualify for advancement to a subsequent round of a tournament.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to:

facilitate a play of a game session of a first type of game by a first player;

facilitate a play of a game session of a second type of game by a second player, wherein the first type of game is different than the second type of game;

determine a first mean score associated with the game session of the first type of game;

determine a second mean score associated with the game session of the second type of game;

normalize a first score achieved by the first player in the game session of the first type of game by converting the first score into a first number of standard deviations from the first mean;

normalize a second score achieved by the second player in the game session of the second type of game by converting the second score into a second number of standard deviations from the second mean;

determine, based on the first and second number of standard deviations, that one or more of the first and second players, respectively, qualify for advancement to a subsequent round of a tournament; and

adjusting the first number of standard deviations by a numeric constant that is based on a difficulty associated with the first type of game.