Game Show Network Ex. 1001
`IPR of U.S. Pat. 6,174,237
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jan. 16,2001
`
`US 6,174,237 B1
`
`FIG. 1
`
`m
`
`\
`
`PLAYER PLAYS
`GOS vs. HOST
`COMPUTER
`
`22
`
`20N
`
`24
`
`ANALYZE
`RESULTS
`
`26
`
`30
`
`
`
`so
`
`
`
`@ CRITERIA
`
`YES
`
`28
`
`32
`
`38
`
`34
`
`END
`
`CLASSIFY
`PLAYERS IN
`APPROPRIATE LOP
`
`DISTRIBUTE
`LOP AWARD
`
`NO
`
`
`
`
`
`SATISFY
`QUALIFYING
`
`LOP
`
`CRITERI I
`
`
`
`YES
`
`42
`
`LOP
`
`48
`
`50
`
`
`PLAYER PLAYS
`GOS vs. HOST
`COMPUTER
`SIMULTANEOUS
`WITH OTHER PLAYERS
`
`
`
`
`
`YES
`
`ANALYZE
`RESULTS
`
`
`
`RANK
`PLAYERS
`
`
`DISTRIBUTE
`
`
`AWARDS PER
`RANK
`
`
`

`

`US 6,174,237 B1
`
`1
`METHOD FOR A GAME OF SKILL
`TOURNAMENT
`
`REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is not related to any pending applica-
`tions.
`
`REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
`
`This application is not referenced in any microfiche
`appendix.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`invention is directed to a game of skill
`The present
`tournament. Specifically, the present invention is directed to
`a tournament having a qualifying round and a playoff round,
`and played on an interactive computer system. The quali-
`fying round is played between a player through a computer
`terminal and a host computer. The playoff round is played
`between those players which have obtained a predetermined
`level of performance and the host computer. This round is
`played under the same rules and conditions as in the quali-
`fying round except all
`the players are playing simulta-
`neously within a specific time frame on a specific date.
`Interactive video computer software, the Internet and the
`public’s fascination with the challenge, competitiveness and
`gratification of computer based video games has increased
`the need for new games and gaming formats. There exists
`the need for a gaming format which allows a player to gauge
`the level of skill he possess as compared to other players,
`without traveling long distances and incurring the expenses
`of meeting at a central contest site.
`For many years, games of skill, such as chess, bridge,
`poker and blackjack, have attracted tournaments. Various
`types of tournaments have been created and attempted to
`satisfy the above mentioned needs. These tournaments
`involve games such as poker and blackjack. Typically,
`various rules have been placed upon the individual game.
`Examples of such attempts are described:
`US. Pat. No. 5,660,392 to Hansen involves a method for
`playing a blackjack type card game having specific rules
`regarding the play of the game; US. Pat. No. 5,660,391 to
`Klasse involves a method for playing blackjack where a
`player wagers whether a hand will be a Blackjack, 21, 20, 19
`or 18; US. Pat. No. 5,566,946 to Parker involves a method
`to play blackjack where different bets are placed on the Ante
`and the Play with different odds being placed on same.
`US. Pat. No. 5,755,621 to Marks involves a poker card
`tournament where a player creates a poker hand by first
`receiving a pair of cards, discarding one of the card and
`repeating the process until the hand has been completed.
`This tournament is played solely between the player and the
`house computer system or between other players.
`The prior art game of skill games or tournaments have not
`been successful. These references do not allow a player to
`gauge his level of performance by allowing the player to test
`his skill and ability against the tournament sponsor and other
`players during the same tournament. There is a need for a
`tournament which allows for a player to compete and obtain
`a reliable index as to his skill as compared to other com-
`petitors competing under the same game conditions while
`simultaneously enjoying the game.
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In accordance with the present invention a game of skill
`tournament having a qualifying round and a playoff round,
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`being played over an interactive computer system, is dis-
`closed. Generally, the qualifying round is played between a
`single player and a host computer. The playoff round is
`played between those players that have obtained a prede-
`termined level of performance during the qualifying round.
`Awards are distributed to those players who reach specific
`levels of performance during the qualifying round and to the
`top scorers of the playoff round.
`For purposes of the present invention, a game of skill is
`defined as any game where a player’s knowledge and
`experience influences the outcome of the game. Examples of
`games of skill include but are not limited chess, poker,
`bridge, hearts, blackjack and question/answer trivia games.
`The game of skill tournament is divided into two distinct
`portions: the qualifying round and the playoff round. The
`qualifying round is played between a single player through
`a computer terminal and a host computer. The host computer
`has the ability to act as a game sponsor by keeping score,
`operating the game, monitoring the player’s progress and to
`distribute awards when appropriate. Also, the host computer
`has the ability to act as another player if the game requires
`more than a single player. The object of the qualifying round
`is to obtain a level of performance that will allow a player
`to participate in the playoff round. Awards are given to those
`players reaching various levels of performance during the
`qualifying round and to the top scorers during the playoff
`round.
`
`With respect to the levels of performance, there are a
`plurality of levels ranging from low-performance to high-
`performance. Typically, there would be a low-performance
`level, one or more mid-performance levels and a high-
`performance level.
`If a player obtains a result while playing a game of skill
`during the qualifying round which satisfies a predetermined
`criteria specific to a level of performance, the player would
`then be classified a player of that level and would be given
`an award specific to that level.
`If a player obtains a result that qualifies him to be classed
`into a level of performance that qualifies him to be able to
`participate in the playoff round, he would be eligible to play
`the game of skill against the host computer in the playoff
`round. During the playoff round, all players which obtained
`a specific level of performance would simultaneously play
`the game of skill against the host computer under the same
`rules and conditions as during the qualifying round, except
`for a specific time limit. Typically, the levels of performance
`which qualify a player for the playoff round are the highest
`most levels.
`
`After the time limit for the playoff round ends, the results
`are evaluated, with the players being ranked according to the
`number of point each obtained during the playoff round.
`Awards are distributed to those players reaching a predeter-
`mined ranking. For example, the winner, second place and
`third place players will each receive different awards.
`The game of skill tournament can be played over an
`electronic system, such as a local area network (LAN), wide
`area network (WAN), campus-wide network, fixed based
`unit network, Intranet or Internet.
`The primary object of the present invention is to create a
`game of skill tournament which improves upon the prior art
`tournaments.
`
`Another object of the present invention is to create a game
`of skill tournament which challenges the participants and
`reward those participants who obtain a certain level of
`performance.
`Other objects and a further scope of the applicability of
`the present invention will become apparent from the detailed
`
`

`

`US 6,174,237 B1
`
`3
`description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accom-
`panying drawings wherein like parts are designated by like
`reference numerals.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the preferred embodiment of the
`present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
`present invention as shown in FIG. 1, a method directed
`toward a game of skill tournament 10 having a qualifying
`round 20 and a playoff round 40 is generally disclosed. A
`least one player participates in the qualifying round 20
`against a host computer. The playoff round 40 is played by
`those players that have obtained a predetermined level of
`performance during the qualifying round 20 against the host
`computer. Awards are distributed to those players who reach
`specific levels of performance during the qualifying round
`and to those players in the playoff round who obtain a
`predetermined rank. The awards can be distributed either
`instantaneous or can be made available to be received by the
`recipient at some time in future.
`The game of skill tournament first begins with at least one
`player playing a game of skill against the host computer in
`the qualifying round 20 as shown in box 22. The maximum
`number of participants during the qualifying round 20 is
`open-ended. The only restriction on the number of partici-
`pants would be specific to the particular game of skill being
`played. The game of skill can be any game of skill that
`requires the player to utilize his knowledge and experience
`to affect the outcome of the game. Examples of games of
`skill include but are not limited to games, card games and
`strategy games. Card games can include:
`rummy, gin
`rummy, poker, bridge, pinochle, bezique, piquet, klaberjass,
`julepe, boure, cribbage, casino, euchre, napoleon, two hand
`five hundred, spoil five, ecarte, hearts, cans, seven-up, draw
`seven, auction pitch, blackjack, pontoon, fifteen, van john,
`seven and a half, ten and half, pong, maco, chemin de fer,
`baccarat, skin game, horse race, eights, sharnery, sharney
`gin, doctor videtti, tableanette, and solitaire. Trivia games
`can include games relating to: geography, history, motion
`pictures, science,
`the Bible,
`literature, fictional writings,
`nonfictional writings, musicians, writers, composers, actors,
`statesmen, military battles, military leaders, mathematical
`problems, mathematical formulas, fine arts, horticulture,
`agriculture, medicine,
`television shows, spelling, phrase
`origins, word origins, science-fiction, sporting events,
`athletics, anatomy and astronomy. Strategy games can
`include: crossword puzzles, word search, word scramble,
`word match, chess, maze games, computer-generated sport-
`ing games, player participation sports including but not
`limited to virtual sporting events, video sporting events and
`computer-based sporting events, player participation virtual
`reality games, player participation action games, dominos,
`checkers, pinball and foosball trivia.
`The object of the qualifying round 20 is to obtain a
`sufficient number of points during the course of play which
`satisfies a predetermined criteria for a level of performance.
`Qualifying round 20 can be only a single game or a series of
`games. Once a player has obtained sufficient points which
`would classify him in the top most level of performance, the
`player would not have to continue with the game or games.
`Once the player completes his play against
`the host
`computer, the results are analyzed, as shown in box 24. The
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`results are compared to a predetermined list of levels of
`performance 60, as shown in box 26. If the results satisfy
`predetermined criteria, the player will be classified into the
`level of performance that matches his results, as shown in
`box 28. If the player’s results do not meet a minimum level
`of performance,
`the player will be eliminated from the
`tournament will be terminated, as shown in box 30. If a
`player is classified into a level of performance, an award
`specific to the specific level of performance is distributed to
`the player, as shown in box 32.
`
`If a player is eliminated from the tournament, he has the
`ability to begin a new qualifying round. The reasons for
`beginning a new qualifying round include attempting to
`qualify for the minimum level of performance, qualifying
`for a higher level of performance and to receive additional
`rewards.
`
`If a player is classified into a level of performance that
`would qualify him to participate in the playoff round 40, the
`player will advance, as shown in box 34. Typically, these
`qualifying levels of performance are reserved for the highest
`most levels of performance. If the player’s level of perfor-
`mance does not meet the predetermined qualifying level of
`performance,
`the player will be eliminated from the
`tournament, as shown in box 38. As mentioned above, the
`player would be able to begin a new qualifying round in
`order to attempt to reach a level of performance that would
`allow him to participate in the playoff round 40.
`
`Typically the qualifying round is played in a continuous
`manner. By this it is meant that the player selects the day and
`time in which to participate. The only limitations to this time
`frame is if the qualifying round is not active. An example of
`this is illustrated as follows: The tournament is open for
`qualifying round play from Monday at noon to Saturday at
`midnight. Any player would have the ability to participate in
`the qualifying round at the time of his choice as long as it
`was between the pre-established time frame.
`
`The playoff round 40 will begin at a preset time with those
`player who have qualified by a specific cut-off date and time
`playing the game of skill against the host computer, as
`shown in box 42. The playoff round will continue for a
`preset amount of time, as shown in step 43. After the playoff
`round has concluded, the results are analyzed, as shown in
`step 46. The results are analyzed to determine the each
`player’s rank. The players are ranked according to
`performance, as shown in step 48. An award is then distrib-
`uted to those players which have reached a predetermined
`rank, as shown in step 50. The tournament then end as
`shown in step 52.
`
`EXAMPLE OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`
`An example of the preferred embodiment of the present
`invention is set forth below. The parameters of the example
`are for illustrative purposes only. They are not intended to
`limit the scope of the invention. The game of skill will be set
`as Hearts. The tournament will be played over the Internet,
`where the host computer and participants’ terminals are each
`in different locations. The qualifying round is open for play
`seven days a week, twenty-four hours per day. The playoff
`round is to played on each Saturday from 6 pm. to 8 pm.
`GMT. The playoff qualifying cutoff date and time is Satur-
`day at noon, GMT.
`
`The predetermined levels of performance are set out
`below in Table 1.
`
`

`

`US 6,174,237 B1
`
`Level
`
`Bronze
`Silver
`Gold
`Platinum
`
`TABLE 1
`
`Minimum Points
`
`Award
`
`200
`300
`400
`500
`
`X
`2X
`3X
`4X
`
`Points are earned based on winning rounds of play. The
`qualifying levels of performance include the Gold and
`Platinum levels. Four players start
`the qualifying round
`against the host computer. Since the tournament is played
`over the Internet, each player is able to participate at a
`variety of locations at the time of their choosing prior to
`noon on Saturday.
`The host computer is represented by a computer system
`having compatible hardware and software. The location of
`the host computer system can be a different location than
`those locations of each player. Through a series of two-way
`communications, the game of skill is conducted between the
`players and the host computer system.
`After each player has completed the qualifying round, the
`results are analyzed. The results are listed in Table 2.
`
`TABLE 2
`
`Player
`A
`B
`C
`D
`
`Score
`75
`250
`400
`525
`
`Classification
`None
`Bronze
`Gold
`Platinum
`
`Award
`None
`X
`3X
`4X
`
`Advance
`No
`No
`Yes
`Yes
`
`The results show PlayerAhad 75 points, Player B had 250
`points, Player C had 450 points and Player D had 525 points.
`Player A does not satisfy the minimum level of perfor-
`mance. Thus, Player A is eliminated from the tournament.
`Player B meets the criteria for the Bronze level of perfor-
`mance. Player C meets the criteria for the Gold level of
`performance. Player D meets the criteria for the Platinum
`level of performance. Host computer system distributes
`level of performance specific awards to Players B, C and D.
`However, only players C and D advance to the playoff round
`against other qualified players of equal level.
`At the predetermined time on Saturday, Player C then
`plays the game of skill in the playoff round against the host
`computer simultaneously with other Gold level players.
`Player D plays the game of skill in the playoff round against
`the host computer simultaneously with other Platinum level
`players. Host computer system analyzes the results the Gold
`and Platinum level playoff rounds. The players are then
`ranked according to their specific performance during the
`playoff round.
`Assume Players C and D are ranked first and third in their
`respective divisions. Host computer would then distribute an
`award to Player C specific to his first place ranking in the
`Gold playoff round and an award to Player D specific to his
`third place ranking in the Platinum playoff round.
`While the foregoing detailed description has described
`several embodiments of the method in accordance with the
`
`is to be understood that the above
`it
`present invention,
`description is illustrative only and not limiting of the dis-
`closed invention. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by
`the claims as set forth below.
`What is claimed:
`
`1. A method of playing a game of skill tournament having
`a qualifying round and a playoff round, and played over an
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`interactive computer system, said interactive computer sys-
`tem having a host computer system, a plurality of terminals
`computers and compatible software, said method compris-
`ing the following steps:
`a. playing a game of skill in a qualifying round between
`a single player and the host computer;
`b. evaluating the results of said qualifying round to
`determine if said player qualifies to be classified within
`a specific performance level from a plurality of perfor-
`mance levels ranging from a low performance level to
`a high performance level;
`c. evaluating the results of said qualifying round to
`determine if said player qualifies to be classified within
`a qualifying performance level taken from said plural-
`ity of performance levels;
`d. distributing to said player a performance level award,
`said performance level award being dependent upon the
`specific performance level obtained;
`e. playing said game of skill in a playoff round between
`said player and the host computer simultaneously along
`with other players, wherein each player has been clas-
`sified within a qualifying performance level;
`f. evaluating the results of said playoff round to determine
`a tournament winner and subsequent ranking of play-
`ers; and
`g. distributing tournament awards to tournament partici-
`pants.
`2. The method of claim 1 wherein said interactive com-
`
`puter system is selected from the group consisting of a local
`area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), campus-
`wide network, fixed based unit network, Intranet or Internet.
`3. The method of claim 1 wherein said qualifying round
`is defined as a plurality of individual games and the results
`of said qualifying round is an aggregate of the results of each
`individual game.
`4. The method of claim 1 wherein said performance level
`award increases as a player qualifies for higher performance
`level classifications.
`
`5. The method of claim 1 wherein said qualifying perfor-
`mance level as recited in subparagraph (d) is further defined
`as being the highest performance level.
`6. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of
`performance levels is further defined as having four perfor-
`mance levels ranging from a low performance level to a
`medium-low performance level to a medium-high perfor-
`mance level to a high performance level.
`7. The method of claim 6 wherein said qualifying perfor-
`mance level is further defined as being the medium-high and
`highest performance levels.
`8. The method of claim 1 wherein said step (b) and step
`(c) are performed simultaneously.
`9. The method of claim 1 wherein said game of skill is
`further defined as a card game requiring skill and knowl-
`edge.
`10. The method of claim 9 wherein said card game is
`selected from the group consisting of rummy, gin rummy,
`poker, bridge, pinochle, bezique, piquet, klaberjass, julepe,
`boure, cribbage, casino, euchre, napoleon,
`two hand five
`hundred, spoil five, ecarte, hearts, cans, seven-up, draw
`seven, auction pitch, blackjack, pontoon, fifteen, van john,
`seven and a half, ten and a half, pong, maco, chemin de fer,
`baccarat, skin game, horse race, eights, sharnery, sharney
`gin, doctor Videtti, tableanette, and solitaire.
`11. The method of claim 1 wherein said game of skill is
`further defined as a question and answer game requiring skill
`and knowledge.
`
`

`

`US 6,174,237 B1
`
`7
`12. The method of claim 11 wherein said trivia game is
`selected from the group consisting of geography, history,
`motion picture, science, bible, literature, fictional writings,
`nonfictional writings, musicians, writers, composers, actors,
`statesmen, military battles, military leaders, mathematical
`problems, mathematical formulas, fine arts, horticulture,
`agriculture, medicine,
`television shows, spelling, phrase
`origins, word origins, science-fiction, sporting events,
`athletics, anatomy and astronomy.
`13. The method of claim 1 wherein said game of skill is 10
`further defined as a strategy game requiring skill and knowl-
`edge.
`14. The method of claim 13 wherein said strategy game is
`selected from the group consisting of crosswords, word
`search, word scramble, word match, chess, maze games,
`computer generated sporting games, player participation
`sports including virtual sporting events, video sporting
`
`5
`
`8
`events and computer based sporting events, player partici-
`pation virtual reality games, player participation action
`games, dominos, checkers, pinball and foosball.
`15. The method of claim 1 wherein said game of skill is
`based on the memory reaction of the player.
`16. The method of claim 1 wherein said game of skill is
`based on the manual dexterity and reaction time of the
`player.
`17. The method of claim 1 wherein said playoff round is
`played at a predetermined time and date.
`18. The method of claim 1 wherein said playoff round is
`played for a predetermined amount of time.
`19. The method of claim 1 wherein said player can
`participate in said qualifying round during a predetermined
`15 time frame.
`
`

`

`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`PATENT NO.
`DATED
`INVENTOR(S)
`
`: 6,174,237 Bl
`: January 16, 2001
`2 Stephenson
`
`Page 1 of 1
`
`It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent is
`hereby corrected as shown below:
`
`Claims
`
`a e 5 column 6
`
`Line 2, after “terminals” insc
`
`--, --;
`
`Line 63, change “sharnery” to —- skarney —-;
`Line 63, change “sharney” to -- skarney --.
`
`Acting Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`Signed and Sealed this
`
`Second Day of October, 2001
`
`Wm RM;
`
`Attesting Officer
`
`NICHOLAS P. GODICI
`
`