System and method for interactive game-play scheduled based on real-life events

• US 6,758,754 B1
• Filed: 08/13/1999
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: OpenTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Original Assignee: ACTV, Inc. (Kudelski SA)
• Inventors: Lavanchy, Eric Robert, Zito, Anthony Frank, Lamb, Richard Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): Walberg, Teresa
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, BINH AN DUC
• Application Number:
  US09/373,578
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1-4, 463/7, 463/43, 463/23, 463/25, 463/29-36, 463/40, 463/41, 463/42, 434/350, 434/354
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/46 Computing the game score
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/48 Starting a game, e.g. activating a game device or waiting for other players to join a multiplayer session
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/65 automatically by game devices or servers from real world data, e.g. measurement in live racing competition
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• 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 13/812 Ball games, e.g. soccer or baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/87 Communicating with other players during game play, e.g. by e-mail or chat
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/308 Details of the user interface
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5506 using advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5566 by matching opponents or finding partners to build a team, e.g. by skill level, geographical area, background, play style
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/558 by assessing the players' skills or ranking
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5593 involving scheduling aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/572 Communication between players during game play of non game information, e.g. e-mail, chat, file transfer, streaming of audio and streaming of video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/636 involving process of starting or resuming a game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/69 Involving elements of the real world in the game world, e.g. measurement in live races, real video
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8011 : Ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/8064 : Quiz

Abstract

A method and system for providing on-line game competition are provided. Players select their favorite teams, join with other fans of the team, and compete against players on the opposite team. Teams compete against each other in matches, where matches are based on schedules of real-life events, such as sports schedules or entertainment schedules. Players are grouped with other players associated with their favorite teams, and matches are organized. Various trivia questions may be presented, and players have a predetermined period of time to answer the questions. Points may be awarded based on a player'"'"'s success in competition and the overall teams success in matches. Further, prizes are awarded based on points received by a player.

Claims

1. A method for computer-implemented game-play comprising:

identifying a plurality of players, each player associated with one of a plurality of teams based on a player profile indicating a real-life participant preference, each team relating to a real-life participant in a scheduled event;

matching two or more teams for one or more contests corresponding to the real-life scheduled event involving one or more real-life participants; and

performing the one or more contests;

wherein the real-life scheduled event involving real-life participants is different from the one or more contests involving the plurality of players.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of awarding a score to each of the plurality of players based on the results of the one or more contests.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein each player has a player profile displayed in the form of a player trading card, the player profile comprises at least one of:

a) an image of the player;

b) statistics of the players play;

c) the name of the player; and

d) the affiliation of the player to a real-life entities.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of matching the plurality of teams includes matching the two or more teams based on a real-life sports schedule.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of performing the one or more contests further comprises:

a) presenting the plurality of players with a plurality of questions;

b) tallying the answers for each team for each of the plurality of questions; and

c) tallying the answers for each of the plurality of players for each of the plurality of questions; and

wherein the step of awarding a score further includes awarding a score to each of the plurality of players based on at least one of the tally for each team and the tally for the player.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein a player utilizes a game-play system operatively connected over a distributed network environment to a server.

7. A method for computer-implemented game-play comprising:

logging in a plurality of players, each player associated with a selected one of a plurality of entities;

placing each player on a team based on being associated with one of a plurality of entities;

matching the plurality of teams for one or more contests; and

performing the one or more contests;

wherein the plurality of entities are different from the plurality of players.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of awarding a score to each of the plurality of players based on the results of the one or more contests.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein each player has a player profile displayed in the form of a player trading card, wherein the player profile comprises at least one of:

a) an image of the player;

b) statistics of the players play;

c) the name of the player; and

d) the affiliation of the player to a real-life entity.

10. The method according to claim 7, wherein:

a) the step of performing the one or more contests further comprises;

i) presenting the plurality of players with a plurality of questions;

ii) tallying the answers for each team for each of the plurality of questions; and

iii) tallying the answers for each of the plurality of players for each of the plurality of questions; and

b) wherein the step of awarding a score further includes awarding a score to each of the plurality of players based on at least one of the tally for each team and the tally for the player.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the selected entity is a real-life entity;

and

wherein the step of matching teams for the one or more contests including matching teams based on a real-life schedule of events.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein a player utilizes a game-play system operatively connected over a distributed network environment to a server.

13. The method according to claim 7 wherein the step of matching further comprises the steps of:

determining match-up criteria wherein match-up criteria relates to an equal number of players on each team and

implementing a computer controlled player based on the match-up criteria.

14. A system for controlling game-play, in which a plurality of players, participate in one or more contests through input/output devices connected to a central server which manages the one or more contests, the system comprising:

means for uniquely identifying a plurality of players;

means for assigning the plurality of players connected over a network to the central server to a team for the one or more contests;

wherein the means for assigning is based on a player profile indicating a real-life participant preference;

means for matching the plurality of teams to participate in the one or more contests corresponding to a real-life schedule of events involving the real-life participant; and

means for enabling the players to compete in the one or more contests based on the real-life schedule of events;

wherein the real-life participant and each player are different.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the plurality of teams are based on real-life sports team, and

wherein matching the plurality of teams includes matching the plurality of teams based on a real-life sports schedule.

16. The system according to claim 14, further comprising means for displaying a player profile for each player in the form of a player trading card, wherein a player profile comprises at least one of:

a) an image of the player;

b) contest statistics of the player;

c) the name of the player; and

d) the affiliation of the player to a real life party.

17. The system according to claim 14, wherein:

a) means for enabling a plurality of players to compete further comprises means for presenting the plurality of players with a plurality of questions; and

b) further comprising means for storing player information, wherein the storing means further comprises;

i) means for tallying the answers for each team for each of the plurality of questions;

ii) means for tallying the answers for each of the plurality of players for each of the plurality of questions; and

iii) means for awarding a score to each of the plurality of players based on at least one of the tally for each team and the tally for the player.

18. A system for controlling game-play, in which a plurality of players participate in one or more contests through input/output devices connected to a central server which manages the one or more contests, the system comprising:

means for uniquely identifying a plurality of players;

means for assigning the plurality of players connected over a network to a central server to a team for the one or more contests;

means for grouping players into a plurality of teams based on an entity selected by the player;

means for matching the plurality of teams to participate in the one or more contests; and

means for enabling the players to compete in the one or more contests;

wherein the selected entity and each player are different.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the selected entity is a real-life entity, and

wherein matching the plurality of teams includes matching the plurality of teams based on a real-life schedule.

20. The system according to claim 18, further comprising means for displaying a player profile for each player in the form of a player trading card, wherein a player profile comprises at least one of:

a) an image of the player;

b) contest statistics of the player;

c) the name of the player; and

d) the affiliation of the player to a real-life entity.

21. The system according to claim 18, wherein:

a) means for matching a plurality of teams to compete further comprises means for presenting each of the plurality of players on the plurality of teams with a plurality of questions; and

b) further comprising means for storing player information, wherein the storing means further comprises;

i) means for tallying the answers for each team for each of the plurality of questions;

ii) means for tallying the answers for each of the plurality of players for each of the plurality of questions; and

iii) means for awarding a score to each of the plurality of players based on at least one of the tally for each team and the tally for the player.

22. The system according to claim 18 where the means for matching further comprises:

means for determining match-up criteria wherein match-up criteria relates to an equal number of players on each team and

means for implementing a computer controlled player based on the match-up criteria.

23. A player system for enabling a player having a selected association with a real-life participant in a scheduled event to participate in one or more contests offered by a contest system connected to the player system over a network server which manages the contests, the player system comprising:

contest display means for displaying an assignment of a plurality of players to a team for the one or more contests based on a player profile indicating a real-life participant preference and a matching of a plurality of teams to participate in one or more contests corresponding to the real-life scheduled event;

input means for enabling the player to participate in the contest by responding to contest information; and

receiving means for receiving results of player participation in the contest;

wherein the real-life scheduled event involving real-life participants is different from the one or more contests involving the plurality of players.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the selected association is with a real-life sports team, and

wherein matching teams includes matching teams according to a real-life sports schedule.

25. The system according to claim 23, further comprising player trading card means for displaying a player profile for each player, wherein a player profile comprises at least one of:

a) an image of the player;

b) contest statistics of the player;

c) the name of the player; and

d) the affiliation of the player to a real life entity.

26. The system according to claim 23, wherein:

a) means for enabling a plurality of players to compete further comprises means for presenting the plurality of players with a plurality of questions; and

b) further comprising means for storing player information, wherein storing means further comprises;

i) means for tallying the answers for each team for each of the plurality of questions;

ii) means for tallying the answers for each of the plurality of players for each of the plurality of questions; and

iii) means for awarding a score to each of the plurality of players based on at least one of the tally for each team and the tally for the player.

27. A player system for enabling a player having a selected association with an entity to participate in one or more contests offered by a contest system connected to the player system over a network server which manages the contests, the player system comprising:

contest display means for displaying an assignment of a plurality of players to a team for the one or more contests and a matching of a plurality of teams to participate in the one or more contests wherein the matching is based on the selected entity;

input means for enabling the player to participate in the contest by responding to contest information; and

receiving means for receiving results of player participation in the contest;

wherein the selected entity and each player are different.

28. The system according to claim 27, further comprising player trading card means for displaying a player profile for each player, wherein a player profile comprises at least one of:

a) an image of the player;

b) contest statistics of the player;

c) the name of the player; and

d) the affiliation of the player to a real life entity.

29. The system according to claim 27, wherein the selected entity is a real-life entity, and

wherein matching the plurality of teams includes matching the plurality of teams based on real-life scheduled events.

30. The system according to claim 27, wherein:

a) means for enabling a plurality of players to compete further comprises means for presenting the plurality of players with a plurality of questions; and

b) further comprising means for storing player information, wherein storing means further comprises;

i) means for tallying the answers for each team for each of the plurality of questions;

ii) means for tallying the answers for each of the plurality of players for each of the plurality of questions; and

iii) means for awarding a score to each of the plurality of players based on at least one of the tally for each team and the tally for the player.

31. The system according to claim 27, further comprising:

determining means for determining match-up criteria wherein match-up criteria relates to an equal number of players on each team and

implementing means for implementing a computer controlled player based on the match-up criteria.