Interactive display advertising providing game play through instant messaging technology

• US 20040153363A1
• Filed: 02/04/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Matthew D. Stehling
• Original Assignee: Matthew D. Stehling
• Inventors: Stehling, Matthew D.
• Application Number:
  US10/357,581
• Publication Number:
  US 20040153363A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0273 Determination of fees for advertising

Abstract

Interactive display advertising providing game play through instant messaging technology includes at least one game server connected to the Internet and an Internet communication device. Each Internet user installs a game client on their Internet communication device for communication with the at least one game server. The game client is capable of receiving and displaying a game document. The game document includes a graphic and a URL of a sponsor. The sponsor pays for the cost of sending the game to Internet users, so that the sponsor may advertise their product or service on the game client. The games are preferably randomly sent out to a different list of Internet users. The Internet users who send a correct modified game document within a maximum period of time will be recorded as eligible winners. A winner will be drawn from the among the eligible winners.

Claims

1. A method of interactive display advertising comprising the steps of:

supplying a game client to a plurality of internet communication devices;

sending a game document to at least two of said plurality of internet communication devices;

displaying said game document in said game client;

displaying the name of said sponsor of said game document;

playing said game contained in said game document;

sending said game document to a game server after playing said game; and

awarding at least one prize based on the play of said game.

2. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

including a multimedia advertisement in said game document, showing said multimedia advertisement before displaying said game.

3. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing a flashing icon on each one of said plurality of internet communication devices to show that said game document has been received.

4. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

charging said sponsor a fee for sending said game document.

5. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

modifying said game document to produce a modified game document to show that play of said game has been completed.

6. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

evaluating said modified game document to see if thereof has been submitted within a maximum amount of time.

7. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

sending a notice back to each one of said plurality of internet communication devices concerning the timeliness of said modified game document submission.

8. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

providing said game as a trivia question.

9. A method of interactive display advertising comprising the steps of:

supplying a game client to a plurality of internet communication devices;

sending a game document to at least two of said plurality of internet communication devices;

displaying said game document in said game client;

displaying the name of said sponsor of said game document;

playing said game contained in said game document;

modifying said game document to produce a modified game document to show that play of said game has been completed;

sending said modified game document to a game server; and

awarding at least one prize based on the submission of said game.

10. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

including a multimedia advertisement in said game document, showing said multimedia advertisement before displaying said game.

11. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

providing a flashing icon on each one of said plurality of internet communication devices to show that said game document has been received.

12. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

charging said sponsor a fee for sending said game document.

13. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

evaluating said modified game document to see if thereof has been submitted within a maximum amount of time.

14. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

sending a notice back to each internet communication device concerning the timeliness of said modified game document submission.

15. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

providing said game as a trivia question.

16. A method of interactive display advertising comprising the steps of:

providing at least one game server;

providing a plurality of internet communication devices;

installing a game client on each one of said plurality of internet communication devices;

sending a game document to at least two of said plurality of internet communication devices;

displaying said game document in said game client;

displaying the name of said sponsor of said game document, displaying a product or service that said sponsor provides;

playing said game contained in said game document;

sending said game document to a game server after playing said game; and

awarding at least one prize based on the play of said game.

17. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

including a multimedia advertisement in said game document, showing said multimedia advertisement before displaying said game.

18. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

providing a flashing icon on each one of said plurality of internet communication devices to show that said game document has been received.

19. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 16, further comprising the step of:

modifying said game document to produce a modified game document to show that play of said game has been completed.

20. The method of interactive display advertising of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

sending a notice back to each one of said plurality of internet communication devices concerning the timeliness of said modified game document submission.