Cellular phone games based upon television archives

• US 9,511,287 B2
• Filed: 10/02/2006
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Winview IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: WinView Incorporated (GameSquare Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lockton, David B., Berner, Mark K.
• Primary Examiner(s): D'AGOSTINO, PAUL ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US11/542,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20070078009A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,718 Days
• Field of Search: 463/40, 463/41, 463/42, 463/43
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/338 using television networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/798 for assessing skills or for ranking players, e.g. for generating a hall of fame computing the game score A63F13/46
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/409 Data transfer via television network
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/558 by assessing the players' skills or ranking

Abstract

Cellular phone games based on television archives allow users to play games on their cellular phones wherein the games are based on archived television programs. The game is able to be played simultaneously between competitors or on demand. Game data and video data are combined into one file and are sent to participating cellular phones so that the required information is received at the same time at each cellular phone. Each cellular phone contains software to manipulate the game and video data so that the user is able to play the game. The game is played by watching video clips from archived television programs and then selecting choices related to the video clips using the inputs on the user'"'"'s cellular phone. User scores are determined based on the answers to the questions related to the video clips and results are distributed to the participants.

Claims

1. A method of playing a game based on archived television programs, comprising:

a. receiving one or more video files and one or more game data files;

b. operating a cellular based program to display one or more video clips and game data from the one or more video files and the one or more game data files, wherein the one or more video files and the one or more game data files are simultaneously broadcast to all entrants to the game at a specific time, wherein operating the cellular based program includes receiving a time stamped lockout signal by the cellular based program to prevent additional user input, wherein the game data is displayed simultaneously on the same screen with the one or more video clips; and

c. determining a score for each entrant of the game at a game server.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising receiving a game start signal and starting the game.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising playing the game by selecting one or more choices related to the video clips.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more video files and the one or more game data files are received in a combined file.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the game data is overlayed on the video clips.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising collecting the scores and reporting performance of participants to a cellular phone.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more video files and the one or more game data files are compressed.

8. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the game data contains graphic information in addition to the video clips.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the graphic information is displayed as a selected one of crawling information, closed captioned information, a picture in picture and a graphical overlay.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more video files and the one or more game data files are received in advance of a scheduled start.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising transmitting the one or more video files and the one or more game data files on a transmission selected from the group consisting of a single TCP, UDP, 3G, multicast and broadcast transmission.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein transmitting is selected from the group consisting of digital broadcasting, individual streaming and downloading.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the game is played as a selected one of simultaneously live, on demand and practice.

14. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a set of digital audio is received with the one or more video files and the one or more game data files.

15. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a user identifies one or more remote competitors to challenge and compete against in a challenge game.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein after all of the challenged competitors complete the challenge game, results are sent to the challenged competitors including rankings.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the user utilizes the Internet to identify the one or more remote competitors to challenge and compete against.

18. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more video files and the one or more game data files are pre-produced.

19. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the archived television programs are selected from the group consisting of sporting events, game shows and entertainment shows.

20. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein one or more segments of the archived television programs are included in the one or more video files.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the one or more segments are between five minutes and twenty minutes.

22. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising digitizing analog video.

23. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more video files and the one or more game data files are received over a wireless cellular network.

24. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the video clips and the game data are synchronously displayed.

25. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein a record of episodes of the archived television programs played by the user is maintained on the game server to ensure the user receives a never-before played game by the user.

26. A method of playing a game based on a segment of an archived television program, comprising:

a. transmitting a set of files from a server over a wireless cellular network, the set of files comprising;

i. one or more pre-produced video files, wherein the one or more pre-produced video files contain one or more video clips;

ii. one or more game data files, wherein the one or more game data files contain game data, further wherein the game data contains graphic information in addition to the one or more video clips; and

iii. one or more audio files;

b. receiving the set of files on a mobile device, wherein the set of files is simultaneously broadcast to all entrants to the game at a specific time;

c. operating a cellular based program contained on the mobile device to synchronously display the one or more video clips and the game data, wherein operating the cellular based program includes receiving a time stamped lockout signal at the mobile device to prevent additional user input, wherein the game data is displayed simultaneously on the same screen with the one or more video clips;

d. playing the game by selecting one or more choices; and

e. determining a score for each entrant of the game at a game server.

27. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the set of files is assembled into a combined file.

28. The method as claimed in claim 26 further comprising collecting the scores and reporting performance of participants to the mobile device.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28 wherein the graphic information is displayed as a selected one of crawling information, closed captioned information, a picture in picture and a graphic overlay.

30. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the set of files contains compressed data.

31. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the set of files is received in advance of scheduled start.

32. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein transmitting the set of files is on a transmission selected from the group consisting of a single TCP, UDP, 3G, multicast and broadcast transmission.

33. The method as claimed in claim 32 wherein transmitting is selected from the group consisting of digital broadcasting, individual streaming and downloading.

34. The method as claimed in claim 33 wherein the game is played as a selected one of simultaneously live, on demand and practice.

35. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein a user identifies one or more remote competitors to challenge and compete against in a challenge game.

36. The method as claimed in claim 35 wherein after all of the challenged competitors complete the challenge game, results are sent to the challenged competitors including rankings.

37. The method as claimed in claim 26 wherein the archived television program is selected from the group consisting of sporting events, game shows and entertainment shows.

38. A system for producing and distributing a game based on archived television programs, comprising:

a. a game production device for grouping one or more video clips and game data into a set of files;

b. a first server coupled to the game production device, wherein the first server receives and transmits the set of files, wherein the set of files is simultaneously broadcast to all entrants to the game at a specific time, further wherein the first server transmits a time stamped lockout signal to prevent additional user input, wherein the game data is displayed simultaneously on the same screen with the one or more video clips; and

c. a second server coupled to the first server, wherein the second server determines a score for each entrant of the game.

39. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the set of files is assembled into a combined file.

40. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the video clips and the game data allow a user to play the game by selecting one or more choices related to the video clips.

41. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the second server is used for determining standings and communicating the standings to participants.

42. The system as claimed in claim 41 wherein the first server and the second server are contained within a single server device.

43. The system as claimed in claim 38 further comprising a cellular service operator coupled to the first server and a wireless network for transmitting the set of files to the wireless network.

44. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the set of files contains compressed data.

45. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the set of files is transmitted on a transmission selected from the group consisting of a single TCP, UDP, 3G, multicast and broadcast transmission.

46. The system as claimed in claim 45 wherein transmitting the set of files is selected from the group consisting of digital broadcasting, individual streaming and downloading.

47. The system as claimed in claim 46 wherein the game is played as a selected one of simultaneously live, on demand and practice.

48. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein a set of digital audio is grouped into the set of files.

49. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the video clips and the game data are pre-produced.

50. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the archived television programs are selected from the group consisting of sporting events, game shows and entertainment shows.

51. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein one or more segments of the archived television programs are included in the video clips.

52. The system as claimed in claim 51 wherein the one or more segments are between five minutes and twenty minutes.

53. A device for playing a game based on archived television programs, comprising a cellular phone, wherein the cellular phone receives a set of files after the set of files is simultaneously broadcast to all entrants to the game at a specific time, wherein the set of files contain one or more video clips and game data and utilizes a program and the set of files to present the one or more video clips and the game data to a user that entered to the game, wherein the program is configured for receiving a time stamped lockout signal at the cellular phone to prevent additional user input, wherein the game data is displayed simultaneously on the same screen with the one or more video clips, wherein the user identifies one or more remote competitors to challenge and compete against in a challenge game, and further wherein the cellular phone transmits responses input by the user when playing the game to a game server that determines a score of the user for the game.

54. The device as claimed in claim 53 wherein the set of files is assembled into a combined file.

55. The device as claimed in claim 53 wherein the game data is overlayed on the video clips.

56. The device as claimed in claim 53 wherein the game data contains graphic information in addition to the video clips.

57. The device as claimed in claim 56 wherein the graphic information is displayed as a selected one of crawling information, closed captioned information, a picture in picture and a graphic overlay.

58. The device as claimed in claim 53 wherein the video clips and the game data are synchronized.

59. The device as claimed in claim 53 wherein the game is transmitted to the cellular phone using a selected one of digital broadcasting, individual streaming and downloading.

60. The device as claimed in claim 53 wherein the game is played as a selected one of simultaneously live, on demand and practice.

61. The device as claimed in claim 53 wherein after all of the challenged competitors complete the challenge game, results are sent to the challenged competitors including rankings.

62. The device as claimed in claim 53 wherein standings information is received from the game server.

63. The device as claimed in claim 53 wherein the video clips and the game data are pre-produced.

64. The device as claimed in claim 53 wherein the archived television programs are selected from the group consisting of sporting events, game shows and entertainment shows.

65. The device as claimed in claim 53 wherein one or more segments of the archived television programs are included in the video clips.

108. The device as claimed in claim 53 wherein the cellular phone receives the set of files upon demand by the user of the cellular phone.

66. A network of devices for playing a game based on archived television programs, comprising:

a. a game production device for combining one or more video clips with game data into a combined file;

b. a first server coupled to the game production device, wherein the server receives and transmits the combined file, wherein the first server sends a time stamped lockout signal to prevent additional user input, wherein the game data is displayed simultaneously on the same screen with the one or more video clips;

c. a plurality of devices communicating with the first server through a wireless network, wherein the plurality of devices receive the combined file and utilize a program and the combined file to present the one or more video clips and the game data to a user, wherein the combined file is simultaneously broadcast to all entrants to the game at a specific time; and

d. a second server coupled to the first server, wherein the second server determines a score for each entrant of the game.

67. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein the video clips and the game data allow the user to play the game by selecting one or more choices related to the video clips.

68. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein the plurality of devices are selected from the group consisting of cellular phones, personal computers, laptops and PDAs.

69. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein the combined file is received substantially simultaneously at each of the devices.

70. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein the second server receives the scoring data and determines standings.

71. The network of devices as claimed in claim 70 wherein the first server and the second server are contained within a single server device.

72. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein standings information and results are transmitted to participants.

73. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 further comprising a cellular service operator coupled to the first server and the wireless network for transmitting the combined file to the wireless network.

74. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein the game data is overlayed on the video clips.

75. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein the combined file contains compressed data.

76. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein the game data contains graphic information in addition to the video clips.

77. The network of devices as claimed in claim 76 wherein the graphic information is displayed as a selected one of crawling information, closed captioned information, a picture in picture and a graphic overlay.

78. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein the combined file is transmitted on a selected one of a single TCP, UDP, 3G, multicast and broadcast transmission.

79. The network of devices as claimed in claim 78 wherein transmitting the combined file is selected from the group consisting of digital broadcasting, individual streaming and downloading.

80. The network of devices as claimed in claim 79 wherein the game is played as a selected one of simultaneously live, on demand or practice.

81. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein a set of digital audio is combined into the combined file.

82. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein the user identifies one or more remote competitors to challenge and compete against in a challenge game.

83. The network of devices as claimed in claim 82 wherein the competitors are able to choose when to play the challenge game.

84. The network of devices as claimed in claim 83 wherein after all of the challenged competitors complete the challenge game, results are sent to the challenged competitors including rankings.

85. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein the video clips and game data are pre-produced.

86. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein the archived television programs are selected from the group consisting of sporting events, game shows and entertainment shows.

87. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein one or more segments of the archived television programs are included in the video clips.

88. The network of devices as claimed in claim 87 wherein the one or more segments are between five minutes and twenty minutes.

89. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 wherein the video and the game data are synchronized.

90. The network of devices as claimed in claim 66 further comprising an Internet for registering a group of competitors.

91. A method of playing a game comprising:

a. receiving one or more pre-produced video files and one or more game data files;

b. operating a cellular based program to display one or more video clips and game data from the one or more pre-produced video files and the one or more game data files, wherein the one or more pre-produced video files and the one or more game data files are simultaneously broadcast to all entrants to the game at a specific time, wherein operating the cellular based program includes receiving a time stamped lockout signal by the cellular based program to prevent additional user input, wherein the game data is displayed simultaneously on the same screen with the one or more video clips; and

c. determining a score for each entrant of the game at a game server.

92. The method as claimed in claim 91 further comprising playing the game by viewing the video clips and making a selection from a plurality of choices related to the video clips.

93. The method as claimed in claim 92 wherein playing the game further includes providing a positive result to a user when a correct selection is made from the plurality of choices.

94. The method as claimed in claim 91 wherein the one or more pre-produced video files comprise one or more videos produced and recorded specifically for playing the game.

95. A method of playing a game comprising:

a. receiving one or more pre-recorded video files and one or more game data files;

b. operating a cellular based program to display one or more video clips and game data from the one or more pre-recorded video files and the one or more game data files, wherein the one or more pre-recorded video files and the one or more game data files are simultaneously broadcast to all entrants to the game at a specific time, wherein operating the cellular based program includes receiving a time stamped lockout signal by the cellular based program to prevent additional user input, wherein the game data is displayed simultaneously on the same screen with the one or more video clips; and

c. determining a score for each entrant of the game at a game server.

96. The method as claimed in claim 95 further comprising playing the game by viewing the video clips and making a selection from a plurality of choices related to the video clips.

97. The method as claimed in claim 96 wherein playing the game further includes providing a positive result to a user when a correct selection is made from the plurality of choices.

98. The method as claimed in claim 95 wherein the one or more pre-recorded video files comprise one or more videos produced and recorded specifically for playing the game.

99. A method of playing a game comprising:

a. receiving one or more video files on a mobile device, wherein the one or more video files are simultaneously broadcast to all entrants to the game at a specific time, wherein the specific time occurs at periodic intervals;

b. displaying the one or more video files on the mobile device;

c. presenting a plurality of choices on the mobile device and receiving a time stamped lockout signal at the mobile device to prevent additional user input, wherein the game data is displayed simultaneously on the same screen with the one or more video clips, further wherein the game data and audio are synchronized with the one or more video clips using an application stored on the mobile device;

d. selecting a choice from the plurality of choices on the mobile device;

e. providing a positive result when a correct selection from the plurality of choices is made; and

f. determining a score for each entrant of the game at a game server.

100. The method as claimed in claim 99 wherein the plurality of choices are based on the one or more video files.

101. The method as claimed in claim 100 wherein the plurality of choices are based on situations arising in the one or more video files.

102. The method as claimed in claim 100 wherein the one or more video files each include a person.

103. The method as claimed in claim 99 wherein further comprising receiving one or more game data files.

104. The method as claimed in claim 99 wherein the one or more video files are pre-recorded.

105. The method as claimed in claim 99 wherein the positive result includes a correct selection score.

106. The method as claimed in claim 99 wherein the one or more video files comprise one or more videos produced and recorded specifically for playing the game.

107. The method as claimed in claim 99 wherein the one or more video files comprise one or more videos custom produced for playing the game.

109. The method as claimed in claim 99 wherein the game data is displayed on the same screen with the video clips such that when the game data is displayed, the video clips are minimized, and when the video clips are displayed, the game data is minimized.

110. The method as claimed in claim 99 wherein the game data is displayed on the same screen with the video clips utilizing a picture in picture implementation.

111. The method as claimed in claim 99 wherein the one or more video files, the game data and audio are combined before being sent, and are received by the mobile device.