System and method for facilitating play of a video game via a web site

• US 7,438,642 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2007
• Issued: 10/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Fincham, Magdalena M., Sammon, Russell P., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sager; M. A
• Application Number:
  US11/624,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20070117622A1
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 463/30
• 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 2300/8064 Quiz
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

A method and system for operating a video game or video game tournament (e.g., via a Web site) is disclosed. In accordance with the method and system a bonus is provided to a player playing the video game or participating in the video game tournament. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if a rating associated with the player is worse than a threshold rating. In some embodiments a bonus is provided to the player if the occurrence of at least one predetermined condition is identified. Such a condition may be, for example, a condition that indicates the player will soon cease playing the video game or participating in the tournament.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

causing a first display, on a display device associated with a player of a game session, of a first window comprising first data associated with the game session, wherein the first window is displayed as a first size that is smaller than a total size available for display on the display device; and

causing the first window to expand from the first size to a second size that is larger than the first size in the case that a probability of winning a prize increases in the game session played by the player.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the probability increases at least in part due to the player'"'"'s performance in the game session.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the player'"'"'s performance comprises advancing to a subsequent game session of a tournament associated with the game session.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing a second display, on the display device associated with the player of the game session, of a second window comprising second data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second window is displayed as a third size that is smaller than the total size available for display on the display device.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the second data is not associated with the game session.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second size is equivalent to the total size available for display on the display device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first size and the second size is pre-defined as a preference of the player.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

a display device;

a processor in communication with the display device; and

a storage device in communication with the processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by the processor to;

cause a first display, on the display device of a first window comprising first data associated with a game session, wherein the first window is displayed as a first size that is smaller than a total size available for display on the display device; and

cause the first window to expand from the first size to a second size that is larger than the first size in the case that a probability of winning a prize increases in the game session.

10. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to:

cause a first display, on a display device associated with a player of a game session, of a first window comprising first data associated with the game session, wherein the first window is displayed as a first size that is smaller than a total size available for display on the display device; and

cause the first window to expand from the first size to a second size that is larger than the first size in the case that a probability of winning a prize increases in the game session played by the player.