US6425828B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Database driven online distributed tournament system
Assignee: Inventor Holdings LLC
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Filing: 2001-01-24
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Granted: 2002-07-30
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Expires: 2021-01-24
Abstract
Abstract A method and a system for a distributed electronic tournament system in which many remotely located players participate in a tournament through input/output devices connected to a central controller which manages the tournament. The method includes the steps of (a) uniquely identifying a player communicating with the central controller via an associated input/output device; (b) responding to payment of an entry fee by the player for allowing the player to participate in a tournament occurring within a fixed time window via an associated input/output device; (c) accessing a database to store in the database player information that is generated as the player participates in the tournament, such information being available for use in a subsequent tournament, which is administered by said controller and in which the player participates; and (d) awarding the player a prize for achieving a preestablished performance level in the tournament. In another preferred embodiment, the method further includes the steps of determining whether the player has been qualified to advance to a subsequent game session, in which at least one player is eliminated from the previous game session; and permitting each player qualified to a subsequent game session to participate in that game session. The system includes software and hardware to implement the method steps.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay S. Walker
- 👤 James A. Jorasch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 22:49
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; A63F13/12; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/30; G07F17/3244; G07F17/3248; G07F17/326; G07F17/3272; G07F17/3276; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/80; A63F2300/8064
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of conducting a distributed electronic tournament for a plurality of players, comprising: exchanging information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and storing in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a subsequent game in the subsequent tournament.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of conducting a distributed electronic tournament for a plurality of players, comprising: exchanging information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and storing in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a subsequent game in the subsequent tournament.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the stored player information comprises at least one of: (i) a player name, (ii) a player address, (iii) a player age, (iv) a player sex, (v) a player preference, (vi) billing information, (vii) a tournament format, (viii) a start time, (ix) a stop time, (x) opponent information, and (xi) a language.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the game comprises a game of skill.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: arranging for the player to provide payment of an entry fee.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 4 , wherein said arranging comprises determining a payment identifier associated with the player, and wherein the player information is associated with the payment identifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: arranging for the player to receive a prize based on game play.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein said arranging comprises determining a payment identifier associated with the player, and wherein the player information is associated with the payment identifier.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for conducting a distributed electronic tournament for a plurality of players, comprising: means for exchanging information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and means for storing in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a subsequent game in the subsequent tournament.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
95 words
An apparatus for conducting a distributed electronic tournament for a plurality of players, comprising: means for exchanging information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and means for storing in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a subsequent game in the subsequent tournament.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for conducting a distributed electronic tournament for a plurality of players, comprising: a processor; and a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instruction adapted to be executed by said processor to: exchange information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and store in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a subsequent game in the subsequent tournament.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
113 words
An apparatus for conducting a distributed electronic tournament for a plurality of players, comprising: a processor; and a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instruction adapted to be executed by said processor to: exchange information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and store in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a subsequent game in the subsequent tournament.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
101 words
A device-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to conduct a distributed electronic tournament, said instructions for directing a device to: exchange information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and store in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a game in the subsequent tournament.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
101 words
A device-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to conduct a distributed electronic tournament, said instructions for directing a device to: exchange information between a central controller and a player located remotely from the central controller, the information (i) being exchanged while the player plays a game in the tournament and (ii) influencing game play; and store in a database player information associated with the player, the stored player information being available for use in a subsequent tournament to influence game play of the subsequent tournament while the player is playing a game in the subsequent tournament.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-29 | 2006-01-28 | 2006-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-29 | 2010-01-28 | 2010-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-29 | 2014-01-28 | 2014-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |