Method of and system for conducting multiple contests of skill with a single performance

• US 9,056,251 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2011
• Issued: 06/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Winview IP Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: WinView Incorporated (GameSquare Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lockton, David B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US13/246,464
• Publication Number:
  US 20120058808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,358 Days
• Field of Search: 463/5, 463/9, 463/16, 463/25, 463/42
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/31 Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/35 Details of game servers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/795 for finding other players; for building a team; for providing a buddy list
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3293 Card games, e.g. poker, canasta, black jack
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3295 Games involving skill, e.g. dexterity, memory, thinking

Abstract

A method and system for conducting multiple competitions of skill for a single performance are described herein. User generated competition groups and system generated competition groups allow users to participate in multiple competitions at once based on answering the same questions or making the same selections related to a single event. The users are informed of each competition either via email, text message or when logging into the network via a website. The users select which competition groups to join. After joining the desired groups, users then make their selections related to the event which are transmitted to the network where results are tabulated and transmitted back to the users. The results are separated based on each competition group, so that users can continually know where they stand in each separate competition. With multiple competition groups, users are able to have varying success from the same performance in multiple competitions.

Claims

1. A method of participating in multiple contests of skill corresponding to an event, programmed in a device, the method comprising:

a. receiving a list of competitive groups to join;

b. receiving user input including a group selection of a plurality of competitive groups to join;

c. receiving additional user input including a single set of event selections related to the event, wherein the single set of event selections enables simultaneously participating with the plurality of competitive groups by sending the single set of event selections related to the event to a server, wherein the single set of event selections is separately applied to each of the plurality of competitive groups; and

d. receiving standings on a device from the server, wherein the standings are based on results from the single set of event selections.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the event is selected from the group consisting of a television-based sporting event, an entertainment show, a game show, a reality show, a news show, and a commercial contained in a broadcast.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the event comprises card, dice, trivia and word games played simultaneously.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein receiving the standings on the device occurs during participating with the plurality of competitive groups.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the standings are separated based on the plurality of competitive groups.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the standings are received periodically and represent relative performance in the separate competitive groups.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the competitive groups are selected from the group consisting of service provider generated competitive groups and user generated competitive groups.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the service provider generated competitive groups are based on general playing characteristics.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the user generated competitive groups includes contacts on a social networking site.

10. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the list of competitive groups to join is received on the device selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, a laptop computer, a personal computer, PDA and a tablet computer.

11. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the competitive groups are maintained in a database.

12. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the results are adjusted using a handicap by providing additional points to users in lower level groups.

13. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the method is implemented using HTML5 or a native application.

67. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the event comprises a sports event and the single set of event selections include predictions related to unfolding competition in the sports event.

68. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the event comprises a sports event and the single set of event selections include choosing participants in the sports event.

14. A method of conducting multiple contests of skill corresponding to an event, programmed in a device, the method comprising:

a. generating separate competitive groups related to the event;

b. coupling to a network to participate in the competitive groups;

c. informing a user which of the competitive groups are available for the user to join;

d. receiving user input including joining a selected number of the competitive groups;

e. receiving additional user input including a single set of event selections related to the event, wherein the single set of event selections enables simultaneously participating with the competitive groups by sending the single set of event selections related to the event to a server within the network, wherein the single set of event selections is separately applied to each of the competitive groups;

f. storing results and standings on the server, wherein the standings are based on the results and the results are based on the selections; and

g. transmitting the standings to a device.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein a user pays a separate consideration to play in a contest of the multiple contests of skill through a micropayments system, where a prize is supplemented or funded by an entry fee or consideration paid by all who participate in a group.

16. The method as claimed in claim 14 further comprising displaying the standings on the device.

17. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the server contains an application and a database for assisting in generating the competitive group.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the application includes a graphical user interface.

19. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the device contains an application for assisting in generating the competitive group.

20. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein generating competitive groups related to the event further comprises:

a. coupling to the server;

b. selecting a type of contest and additional conditions to be included in the competitive group;

c. adding competitors to the competitive group; and

d. selecting the event for competition by the competitive group.

21. The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the type of contest is selected from the group consisting of an open contest, a head-to-head contest and a team contest.

22. The method as claimed in claim 20 wherein adding competitors to the competitive group includes identifying the competitors by an identifier selected from the group consisting of a username, an email address, a cellular phone number and a personal identifier.

23. The method as claimed in claim 20 further comprising sending an invitation which informs the competitors of an opportunity to be included in the competitive group.

24. The method as claimed in claim 23 wherein the invitation is sent by a mechanism selected from the group consisting of an email, an SMS text message and a voice message.

25. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the event is selected from the group consisting of a television-based sporting event, an entertainment show, a game show, a reality show, a news show and a commercial contained in a broadcast.

26. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the event comprises card, dice, trivia and word games played simultaneously.

27. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein transmitting the standings occurs during participating with the competitive groups.

28. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the standings are separated based on the competitive groups.

29. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the standings are received periodically and represent performance within the competitive groups.

30. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the competitive groups are selected from the group consisting of service provider generated competitive groups and user generated competitive groups.

31. The method as claimed in claim 30 wherein the service provider generated competitive groups are based on general playing characteristics.

32. The method as claimed in claim 30 wherein the user generated competitive groups include contacts on a social networking site.

33. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a cellular phone, a laptop computer, a personal computer, PDA and a tablet computer.

34. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the competitive groups are maintained in a database.

35. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the results are adjusted using a handicap by providing additional points to users in lower level groups.

36. The method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the method is implemented using HTML5 or a native application.

37. A server device for conducting multiple contests of skill corresponding to an event comprising:

a. a storage mechanism; and

b. an application for interacting with the storage mechanism to generate and store competitive groups which are used to simultaneously compete in the multiple contests of skill, the application further for;

i. receiving user input including event selections related to the event, wherein the event selections are separately applied to each of the competitive groups;

ii. storing results and standings based on the event selections, wherein the standings are based on the results; and

iii. transmitting the standings to the device,

wherein the competitive groups include a team competition formed by users, further wherein teams in the team competition are able to challenge other teams.

38. The server device as claimed in claim 37 wherein the application is further for providing an interface for generating competitive groups related to the event.

39. The server device as claimed in claim 37 wherein the event is selected from the group consisting of a television-based sporting event, an entertainment show, a game show, a reality show, a news show and a commercial contained in a broadcast.

40. The server device as claimed in claim 37 wherein the event comprises card, dice, trivia and word games played simultaneously.

41. The server device as claimed in claim 37 wherein the server device communicates data for generating the competitive groups, for selecting the competitive groups to join and for submitting the selections.

42. The server device as claimed in claim 37 wherein the standings are transmitted periodically to the device and represent performance within the competitive groups.

43. The server device as claimed in claim 37 wherein the standings are separated based on the competitive groups.

44. The server device as claimed in claim 37 wherein a network identifies the competitive groups a user is eligible for.

45. The server device as claimed in claim 37 further comprising a database stored on the server device for managing the selections, the results, the standings and the competitive groups.

46. The server device as claimed in claim 37 wherein the results are adjusted using a handicap by providing additional points to users in lower level groups.

47. A device for participating in multiple contests of skill corresponding to an event comprising:

a. a communications module for coupling to a server; and

b. an application for utilizing the communications module for coupling to a server to communicate with the server to generate competitive groups which are used to simultaneously compete in the multiple contests of skill, wherein the competitive groups include a team competition formed by users, further wherein teams in the team competition are able to challenge other teams, wherein a total score for each team is determined based on individual scores of the users of each team and is compared to determine a winner between the teams, wherein the application is configured for receiving user input including a group selection of a plurality of competitive groups to join and receiving additional user input including a single set of event selections related to the event.

48. The device as claimed in claim 47 wherein the application utilizes the communications module for coupling to the server to send selections to and receive standings from the server.

49. The device as claimed in claim 47 wherein the event is selected from the group consisting of a television-based sporting event, an entertainment show, a game show, a reality show, a news show and a commercial contained in a broadcast.

50. The device as claimed in claim 47 wherein the event comprises card, dice, trivia and word games played simultaneously.

51. The device as claimed in claim 47 wherein the competitive groups comprise user generated competitive groups including contacts on a social networking site.

52. The device as claimed in claim 47 wherein the device and the server implement HTML5.

53. A method programmed in a memory of a device comprising:

a. generating a list of competitive groups to join;

b. presenting the list of competitive groups to join, wherein the list of competitive groups are for simultaneously participating in multiple contests of skill corresponding to an event, wherein a single set of event selections is separately applied to each of the competitive groups;

c. receiving user input including a group selection of the competitive groups to join;

d. receiving additional user input including the single set of event selections related to the event; and

e. providing standings on the device, wherein the standings are based on results based on the event selections.

54. The method as claimed in claim 53 wherein users are provided a currency for watching the event or participating in the multiple contests of skill.

55. The method as claimed in claim 54 where the currency is redeemable for prizes or services.

56. The method as claimed in claim 54 wherein each group pools the currency received by users and the currency is distributed to a member of each group.

57. The method as claimed in claim 56 wherein the member is chosen at random.

58. The method as claimed in claim 56 wherein the member is chosen based on skill.

59. The method as claimed in claim 53 wherein participants in a group of the competitive groups pool sweepstakes entries together and divide a resulting award from the sweepstakes among the participants of the group.

60. The method as claimed in claim 53 wherein a game of skill is synchronized with the event.

61. The method as claimed in claim 60 wherein the game of skill is synchronized with the event using watermarking or fingerprinting.

62. The method as claimed in claim 53 wherein the multiple contests of skill are generated by users using a template.

63. The method as claimed in claim 53 wherein promotional awards are awarded for participating.

64. The method as claimed in claim 53 wherein frequent player points are offered for participating.

65. The method as claimed in claim 53 wherein users are able to invite other user to a contest of the multiple contests of skill through a social networking site.

66. The method as claimed in claim 53 wherein a user pays a separate consideration to play in a contest of the multiple contests of skill through a micropayments system, where a prize is supplemented or funded by an entry fee or consideration paid by all who participate in a group.