Patent US5263723A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5263723A
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Interactive contest system
Assignee: iTV ENTERTAINMENT LLC
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Filing: 1991-04-25
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Granted: 1993-11-23
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Expires: 2011-04-25
Abstract
Abstract An interactive contest system is provided which permits competition among a plurality of remote participants. The system includes a central controller, storage devices for storing a Contest Roster from which each participant selects a team roster, a plurality of Touch-Tone™ telephones linked to the controller, and a publication such as a newspaper distributed to all participants. Each participant's team roster is evaluated on a periodic basis according to a formula for calculating each member's score employing a database of variable performance statistics which reflect the roster members' actual performances. Team roster totals are compared for discrete periods of competition to determine which participants have accumulated the highest score.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy R. Pearson
- 👤 William W. Junkin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:00
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/08; A63F3/081; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/80; A63F2300/8064
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for providing an interactive game competition among an unlimited number of participants, comprising: (a) a central controller; (b) a plurality of data entry terminals remote from the central controller and accessible by the participants; (c) a data link linking the data entry terminals to the central controller; (d) a data register having stored therein a predefined data base comprising a finite set of data values corresponding to specific elements wherein the data register is accessible to the central controller; (e) a statistical database which includes a set of statistics corresponding to elements of the data register; (f) an unlimited number of subset databases, each subset database selected by a participant and including a non-exclusive subset of elements of the data register, wherein any of said elements may be simultaneously included in an unlimited number of said subset databases; and (g) means for evaluating said subset databases on the basis of the statistical data base to provide a ranking of game participants.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
An apparatus for providing an interactive game competition among an unlimited number of participants, comprising: (a) a central controller; (b) a plurality of data entry terminals remote from the central controller and accessible by the participants; (c) a data link linking the data entry terminals to the central controller; (d) a data register having stored therein a predefined data base comprising a finite set of data values corresponding to specific elements wherein the data register is accessible to the central controller; (e) a statistical database which includes a set of statistics corresponding to elements of the data register; (f) an unlimited number of subset databases, each subset database selected by a participant and including a non-exclusive subset of elements of the data register, wherein any of said elements may be simultaneously included in an unlimited number of said subset databases; and (g) means for evaluating said subset databases on the basis of the statistical data base to provide a ranking of game participants.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the data entry terminal is a telephone capable of producing machine recognizable signals and the central controller is capable of recognizing the signals produced by the data entry terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a periodic publication which discloses information about the interactive game system to the participants.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the data entry terminal is a telephone capable of producing machine recognizable signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the publication is a printed publication.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein the printed publication is a newspaper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein the publication is a broadcast.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the data values correspond to athletes who participate in a particular sport.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the particular sport is baseball.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said specific elements represent athletes and said subset databases represent team rosters of athletes selected by participants.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the athletes participate in baseball.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-11-22 | 1997-05-24 | 1997-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-11-22 | 2001-05-24 | 2001-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-11-22 | 2005-05-24 | 2005-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |