Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies in fantasy sports contest applications

• US 8,400,456 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2012
• Issued: 03/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rovi Technologies Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Hughes, Patrick J., Barber, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Kimbinh T
• Application Number:
  US13/527,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20120304071A1
• Time in Patent Office: 273 Days
• Field of Search: 345/473, 463/20, 463/29, 463/30, 463/31, 725/50
• US Class Current: 345/473
• 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 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/537 using indicators, e.g. showing the condition of a game character on screen
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/828 Managing virtual sport teams
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/326 Game play aspects of gaming systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies with fantasy sports contest applications are provided. This invention enables a fantasy sports contest application to depict plays in various sporting events using graphic animation. The fantasy sports contest application may combine graphical representation of real-life elements such as, for example, player facial features, with default elements such as, for example, a generic player body, to create realistic graphic video. The fantasy sports contest application may provide links to animated videos for depicting plays on contest screens in which information associated with the plays may be displayed. The fantasy sports contest application may play the animated video for a user in response to the user selecting such a link. In some embodiment of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may also customize animated video based on user-supplied setup information.

Claims

1. A method for using user equipment comprising graphics processing equipment to provide a graphic animation, the method comprising:

generating the graphic animation using the graphics processing equipment to depict a graphical representation of at least a portion of a real-life play in a sporting event involving real-life athletes;

playing the graphic animation on a display device;

allowing a first user to control a first athlete involved in the real-life play using a first input device; and

allowing a second user to control a second athlete involved in the real-life play using a second input device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating is performed by a fantasy sports contest application.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

displaying fantasy sports contest information associated with the real-life play and a fantasy sports contest;

determining an outcome based on the first user control of the first athlete and the second user control of the second athlete; and

awarding points to the first user and second user in the fantasy sports contest based on the determined outcome.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the real-life play has completed prior to the generating.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

playing a scene of the real-life play; and

playing the graphic animation on the display device after playing the scene of the real-life play.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically controlling the second athlete based on programmed instructions.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating further comprises:

receiving a selection of a real-life athlete from a user; and

generating the graphic animation based on the received selection of the real-life athlete.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating further comprises:

receiving a selection of the sporting event from a user; and

generating the graphic animation based on the received selection of the sporting event.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the generating further comprises:

receiving a selection of the real-life play from a user; and

generating the graphic animation based on the received selection of the real-life play.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising playing the graphic animation in a program guide application.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a user input; and

controlling playback of the graphic animation based on the received user input.

12. A system for providing a graphic animation, the system comprising:

user equipment comprising graphics processing equipment configured to;

generate the graphic animation using the graphics processing equipment to depict a graphical representation of at least a portion of a real-life play in a sporting event involving real-life athletes;

play the graphic animation on a display device;

allow a first user to control a first athlete involved in the real-life play using a first input device; and

allow a second user to control a second athlete involved in the real-life play using a second input device.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the generating is performed by a fantasy sports contest application.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the graphics processing equipment is further configured to:

display fantasy sports contest information associated with the real-life play and a fantasy sports contest;

determine an outcome based on the first user control of the first athlete and the second user control of the second athlete; and

award points to the first user and second user in the fantasy sports contest based on the determined outcome.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the real-life play has completed prior to the generating.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the graphics processing equipment is further configured to:

play a scene of the real-life play; and

play the graphic animation on the display device after playing the scene of the real-life play.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein the graphics processing equipment is further configured to:

automatically control the second athlete based on programmed instructions.

18. The system of claim 12, wherein the graphics processing equipment is further configured to:

receive a selection of a real-life athlete from a user; and

generate the graphic animation based on the received selection of the real-life athlete.

19. The system of claim 12, wherein the graphics processing equipment is further configured to:

receive a selection of the sporting event from a user; and

generate the graphic animation based on the received selection of the sporting event.

20. The system of claim 12, wherein the graphics processing equipment is further configured to:

receive a selection of the real-life play from a user; and

generate the graphic animation based on the received selection of the real-life play.

21. The system of claim 12, wherein the graphics processing equipment is further configured to:

play the graphic animation in a program guide application.

22. The system of claim 12, wherein the graphics processing equipment is further configured to:

receive a user input, and

control playback of the graphic animation based on the received user input.