Method and apparatus for promoting desired on-line activities using on-line games
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a computer-implemented server that is separate from a website belonging to a third party different from a party that controls the server, the third party website being made publicly accessible via the Internet by the third party, wherein the server is in network communication with a client application residing on a host, and wherein the host is configured to allow a user to interact with other users also visiting the third party website, the server including;
a games manager that monitors the user'"'"'s online activities by receiving information from the client application regarding the user'"'"'s interaction with the other users on the third party website, and thereafter automatically initiates a game with game content that is separate from content provided by the third party website, wherein the game is selected based on the received user interaction with the other users regarding the separate content provided by the third party website before the game is initiated, and wherein the games manager provides the game content to the client application for rendering on the host in addition to the user receiving the separate content from the third party website,wherein the host further includes a web browser application, and wherein in a first game application, the client application embeds the game content together with the separate content from the third party website displayed by the web browser application, andwherein in a second game application, the client application communicates with the server to display the game content in a full screen of the host.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a computer system and method for promoting on-line activities on desired sites via a virtual entertainment system that provides games, interactions or activities that take place either partially or fully on the partner'"'"'s website or within the virtual space associated with the partner'"'"'s website. According to one aspect, the invention drives on-line traffic to partner sites using Virtual Collectibles and other prizes rewarded for participation in Internet-based games. The games are designed to promote users to visit and/or perform other activities on the partner sites, and can include giveaways, special offers, treasure hunts, combo puzzles, among many other types of games. According to other aspects, the games can be played by users in the course of, or with very little effort in addition to casually surfing the web.
80 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a computer-implemented server that is separate from a website belonging to a third party different from a party that controls the server, the third party website being made publicly accessible via the Internet by the third party, wherein the server is in network communication with a client application residing on a host, and wherein the host is configured to allow a user to interact with other users also visiting the third party website, the server including; a games manager that monitors the user'"'"'s online activities by receiving information from the client application regarding the user'"'"'s interaction with the other users on the third party website, and thereafter automatically initiates a game with game content that is separate from content provided by the third party website, wherein the game is selected based on the received user interaction with the other users regarding the separate content provided by the third party website before the game is initiated, and wherein the games manager provides the game content to the client application for rendering on the host in addition to the user receiving the separate content from the third party website, wherein the host further includes a web browser application, and wherein in a first game application, the client application embeds the game content together with the separate content from the third party website displayed by the web browser application, and wherein in a second game application, the client application communicates with the server to display the game content in a full screen of the host. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, comprising the following computer-implemented steps:
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providing a server that is separate from a website belonging to a third party different from a party that controls the server, the third party website being made publicly accessible via the Internet by the third party; communicating, at the server via the Internet, with a client application residing on a host for monitoring a user'"'"'s online activities, and wherein the host is configured to allow the user to interact with the third party website; receiving from the client application via the communication between the server and client, information regarding the user'"'"'s interaction with the third party website; and in response to the user'"'"'s interaction with the third party website, automatically initiating, by the server, a game with game content that is separate from content provided by the third party website, wherein the initiation of the game is based on the received user interaction with other users regarding the separate content provided by the third party website before the game is initiated, and providing the game content to the client application for rendering on the host in addition to the user receiving separate content from the third party website, wherein the host further includes a web browser application, and wherein in a first game application the method further comprises; causing the game content to be embedded together with the separate content from the third party website displayed by the web browser application, and wherein in a second game application, the method further comprises; configuring the client application to communicate with the server to display the game content in a full screen provided by the web browser application. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification