U.S. patent application number 10/097116 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-18 for livestock judging game and method.
Invention is credited to Brink, John T., Brink, Philip C..
Application Number | 20030173743 10/097116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28039118 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030173743 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brink, John T. ; et
al. |
September 18, 2003 |
Livestock Judging game and method
Abstract
A method of conducting livestock judging games is provided which
utilizes visual images of animals, such as livestock, and can be
presented to, and played by, players in multiple geographies by
utilizing a plurality of communication media, including the
Internet, electronic mail, printed material, and other means. The
method of conducting said livestock judging games consists of 5
primary elements: (1) displaying images of animal(s) to players,
and providing to players the specific criteria which players are to
utilize when judging one or more animals on a game-specific basis,
(2) providing multiple means for players to judge said animals and,
after doing so, enter their ranking designations into a central
database, (3) providing means for player scores to be calculated in
correspondence with each of multiple livestock judging and
evaluation activities provided, and storing said scores in a
centralized database, (4) providing means to communicate game
results to players, and (5) providing means to award prizes to
players. Various individual games are provided that are played by
utilizing the method elements described above.
Inventors: |
Brink, John T.; (Thornton,
CO) ; Brink, Philip C.; (Erie, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIP C. BRINK
154 AUTUMN COURT
ERIE
CO
80516
US
|
Family ID: |
28039118 |
Appl. No.: |
10/097116 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/297 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2300/8058 20130101;
A63F 13/10 20130101; A63F 13/825 20140902; A63F 13/12 20130101;
A63F 13/798 20140902; A63F 2300/407 20130101; A63F 2011/0053
20130101; A63F 13/46 20140902; A63F 13/335 20140902 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/297 |
International
Class: |
A63F 001/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A method of conducting competitive livestock judging games for a
plurality of players comprising: (a) Enabling each player to judge
(i.e. evaluate) one or a plurality of animals by viewing images or
other visual representations of said animals in electronic or print
format; (b) Enabling each player to place (i.e. rank), select or
categorize said animals based on described ranking or selection
protocol and providing means for each player to enter his or her
placement (i.e. ranking), selection or categorization choices into
centralized database; (c) Automatically calculating a score for
each player in conjunction with each game in which player
participates, with each score being generated based upon specific
scoring rules; (d) Storing player placement (i.e. ranking) and
selection choices data, and player score data, in a centralized
database; (e) Enabling each player to view his or her respective
score and other scoring information regarding each game in which
player has participated; and allowing players to compare their
score(s) with other player score(s); (f) Providing one or multiple
means of determining winners and awarding prizes to one or a
plurality of players based on player scores or other criteria.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal specie is bovine.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal specie is equine.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal specie is ovine.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the animal specie is porcine.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said method is conducted via one
or a plurality of communication media including the Internet,
electronic mail, print media, telephone, facsimile, interactive
television, or other means of display and communication.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Enabling each player
to view and assess said animals by viewing images of said animals
and comparing their respective individual physical characteristics
in conjunction with any ancillary information provided about each
animal.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Presenting player
with animal judging instructions which are based on commonly
accepted specie-specific evaluation and ranking protocols or other
evaluation and ranking criteria.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Enabling player to
judge said animals based on said animal ranking and evaluation
instructions and include descriptive comments about said
animals.
10. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Enabling player to
convey said player-designated ranking and categorization data and
any related descriptive comments player may add about said animals
to the game operator by one or a plurality of communication means,
including the Internet, electronic mail, and other means of
communication.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: A method of storing
player information in a centralized electronic database and
managing said information correspondent to each player and their
participation in said animal judging game(s), by providing a
database whereby player information, including player-designated
animal ranking and categorization information, player contact
information, and other data can be entered, stored, and
analyzed.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: The provision of a
rule-based player scoring system whereby one or a plurality of
methods can be used to determine the correct score for each player
correspondent to each animal judging game in which each player
participates, by comparing how closely the ranking selections and
categorizations of each player match an official judge's rankings,
or other suitable comparative scoring method.
13. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Enabling the
communication of individual score results to players by providing
one or a plurality of means of enabling players to access and view
their scores corresponding with one or multiple said competitive
animal judging games by utilizing one or a plurality of
communication media including the Internet, electronic mail or
other suitable communication means.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Enabling the
communication of the official judge's comments concerning the
explanation and justification which he or she used to rank, place,
or categorize the animal(s) displayed, depending upon the specific
game, by communicating said comments via a plurality of means,
including text, audio clip(s), video clip(s), some combination
thereof, or other suitable means of communication.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Awarding prizes to
one or a plurality of players based on scores earned in playing
said livestock judging games, or upon some randomized selection
means dependent upon other criteria, such as a player's
participation in said games during a specified period of time.
16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: Enabling player to
pay a fee in exchange for the opportunity to participate in one or
a plurality of said animal judging games.
17. The method of claim 1 whereby said animal judging game may be
called "Keep or Cull" or some other term descriptive of the game's
primary activity, comprising: (a) Enabling one or a plurality of
players to view an image or other visual representation of three
(3) or more similar animals, and providing an explanation of how
the game is played and how points are awarded and, thus, how scores
are calculated, (b) Enabling each player to select two (2) or more
animals from among the said three or more animals displayed, which
player determines or believes, based upon visual appraisal, are
higher in quality, more useful or productive for a specific
purpose, or more valuable than the other animals displayed, such
that upon completion of their selection, the classification of
"Keep" or "Retain" will be assigned to the said two (2) or more
animals chosen as the highest quality animals, according to
specific game rules, and a "Cull" or "Discard" is applied to all
remaining, non-selected animals, (c) Enabling each player to
communicate said assignments to game operator such that the
assignments are entered and stored in centralized database, (d)
Enabling each player to view a comparison of his or her assignments
with the assignments made by the official judge, and also view any
comments included by the official judge regarding why said
assignments were made, (e) Calculating a score for each player
based upon how closely the assignments of each said player match
the assignments made by the official judge, whereby ten (10) points
are awarded for each correct player assignment, and ten (10) points
are subtracted for each incorrect assignment, and displaying or
communicating resulting score to respective player, (g) Awarding
prizes to one or a plurality of players based on said player
scores, or upon some randomized selection means, dependent only on
player participation during a certain period of time.
18. The method of claim 1 whereby said animal judging game may be
called "Pick Traits" or some other term descriptive of the game's
primary activity, comprising: (a) Enabling one or a plurality of
players to view an image or other visual representation of one
animal, (b) Providing to each said player a list of two (2) or more
phenotypic or implicit genetic characteristics which have some
degree of descriptive relevance to said animal, and provide an
explanation of how the game is played and how points are awarded
and, thus, how scores are calculated, (c) Enabling each player to
select one (1) or more of the two (2) or more said listed genetic
characteristics that appear to most or least closely match the
animal shown, and communicate said selections such that the
selections are entered and stored in a centralized database, (d)
Enabling each player to view a comparison of his or her selections
with the selections chosen by said official judge, as well as
enabling players to read, watch or listen to comments, if any,
included by the official judge regarding why said selections were
made, (e) Calculating a score for each player based upon how
closely said selections made by said player match with the
selections chosen by the official judge, and communicating said
player scores to each respective player. (f) Awarding prizes to one
or a plurality of players based on said player scores, or upon some
randomized selection means dependent only on their participation in
said game during a certain period of time.
19. The method of claim 1 whereby said animal judging game may be
called "Match Attributes" or some other term descriptive of the
game's primary activity, comprising: (a) Enabling one or a
plurality of players to view images or other visual representations
of two (2) similar animals, and provide an explanation of how the
game is played and how points are awarded and, thus, how scores are
calculated, (b) Providing to each player a list of two (2) or more
phenotypic or genotypic attributes which have some degree of
descriptive relevance to the said two animals displayed, (c)
Enabling each player to select and assign each said attribute to
whichever animal, of the two animals shown, that the attribute most
closely describes or fits, whereby, upon completion, each attribute
have been assigned to an animal, (d) Enabling each player to
communicate said attribute assignments such that said attribute
assignments are entered and stored in centralized database, (e)
Enabling each player to view a comparison of his or her attribute
assignments with the assignments made by the official judge, as
well as read, watch or listen to any comments included by the
official judge regarding why said assignments were made, (f)
Calculating a score for each player based upon how closely said
player assignments match with the selections chosen by the official
judge, with a specific number of points being awarded for each
correct match, and displaying said player respective score, (g)
Awarding prizes to one or a plurality of players based on said
scores, or upon some randomized selection means dependent only on
their participation in said game during a certain period of
time.
20. The method of claim 1 whereby said animal judging game may be
called "Scale Characteristics" or some other term descriptive of
the game's primary activity, comprising: (a) Enabling one or a
plurality of players to view an image or other visual
representation of one (1) animal and provide an explanation of how
the game is played and how points are awarded and, thus, how scores
are calculated, (b) Providing to each said player a list of two (2)
or more characteristics, each of which has some degree of
descriptive relevance to said animal displayed, (c) Enabling each
said player to rank, from one through five, a characteristic based
on how much or how little of each said characteristic is exhibited
by said displayed animal, such that upon completion of
characteristic ranking, a numeric rank of one, two, three, four or
five has been assigned to each specific characteristic, (d)
Enabling each said player to communicate said ranking assignments
such that the assignments are entered and stored in centralized
database, (e) Enabling each said player to view a comparison of his
or her characteristic ranking assignments with the ranking
assignments made by the official judge, as well as enabling players
to read, watch, or listen to any comments included by the official
judge regarding why said ranking assignments were made, (f)
Calculating a score for each said player based upon how closely
each player's said ranking assignments match with the ranking
assignments made by the official judge, whereby a specific number
of points are awarded for each correct player match, and displaying
said score to each respective player, (g) Awarding prizes to one or
a plurality of players based on said scores, or upon some
randomized selection means dependent only on their participation in
said game during a specified period of time.
21. The method of claim 1 whereby said animal judging game may be
called "Fix-it Shop" or some other term descriptive of the game's
primary activity, comprising: (a) Enabling one or a plurality of
players to view an image or other visual representation of an
animal or animals, and provide an explanation of how the game is
played, how points are awarded, and how scores are calculated, (b)
Presenting each player with a list of at least four (4) physical or
genetic characteristics associated with each animal shown that may
be considered deficiencies or weaknesses, (c) Enabling each said
player to select two (2) or more characteristics, per animal, that
player believes are the most obvious weaknesses or deficiencies
possessed by each animal(s) displayed, such that upon completion of
player selections, the player has identified and selected the two
(2) or more characteristics that most need to be "fixed" or
improved about each animal displayed to make said animal more
desirable based on implicit or explicit criteria, (d) Enabling each
player to communicate said selections such that they are entered
and stored in centralized database, (e) Enabling each said player
to view a comparison of his or her selections with the selections
made by the official judge, as well as read, watch, or listen to
any comments included by the official judge regarding why said
selections were made, (f) Generating a score for each said player
based upon how closely each player's said characteristic selections
match the selections made by the official judge, (g) Awarding
prizes to one or a plurality of players based on the highest
scores, or upon some randomized selection means dependent only on
their participation in said game during a specified period of
time.
22. The method of claim 1 whereby one or more of said animal
judging games may be simplified and offered under the label of
"Just For Kids" or some other term descriptive of the game's
intended primary audience.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of
knowledge and skill based games, and particularly to a method of
conducting competitive livestock judging games by utilizing a
plurality of communication media, including the Internet,
electronic mail, printed material, and other means, including any
combination of the communication media described above. In another
aspect, the present invention relates to a method of conducting
competitive livestock judging games, utilizing a said plurality of
communication media, that can be presented to, and played by,
players in multiple geographies in which players judge the images
or other representations of animals according to specified
criteria, and make selections or ranking designations based upon
such evaluations, and are then scored or awarded points according
to the accuracy or appropriateness of their selections or
designations. In the preferred embodiment, the Internet is the
communication medium through which said livestock judging games are
played, but other means of communication, or combinations thereof,
may also be utilized. The present invention uniquely incorporates
the use of livestock images, instead of the physical presence of
livestock, involving players in a multiplicity of livestock
evaluation activities, according to predetermined rules and
objectives which are similar, in many material aspects, to actual
livestock shows or instructional seminars designed to teach
livestock judging.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] Traditional livestock judging continues to be a popular
activity today. Animals are transported to a common location where
the livestock show is held, and judges visually compare and judge
the live animals based on a variety of criteria. Recently, a few
entities have utilized a combination of certain print and
electronic communication means to facilitate livestock judging by
participants located in remote locations. Some of these entities
have also used the Internet to display photographs and biographical
information about the individuals who serve as "official" judges of
the animals. One known entity has used the Internet exclusively to
both display animals and allow viewers to rank the animals by
selecting their choice from a menu of choices.
[0003] However, no entity is known to have progressed beyond this
point of sophistication. Thus, the present invention describes the
first known livestock judging games and livestock judging website
that combines the display of livestock images with an interactive
database that allows the input and archiving of each player's
livestock placements (rankings), and calculates each player's score
for each game in which player participates, as well as calculating
and storing the cumulative score that each player maintains over
some time period, and allowing each player to check his or her
scores online and view the award(s), if any, relating to a specific
game and dated event. In combination with the novel features
described immediately above, the present invention describes the
first known livestock judging games or website that archives
official judge placements and comments relative to each game and
specific event, and allows players to view current and archived
placements and comments made by official judges. Additionally, the
present invention includes several novel livestock judging games
that are unlike any previous known livestock judging activities or
games. None of the related art described below is known to be
patented or have a patent pending.
[0004] In 1997, the Gelbvieh World, a cattle breed publication
produced by the American Gelbvieh Association, published
photographs of a class of four cattle and invited readers to
"place" the cattle first through fourth, based on apparent
superiority of each relative to the other three animals. The
ranking made by an official judge, as well as the official judge's
comments, were printed elsewhere in the same publication. Readers
who went through the exercise of placing the cattle in the group
were not provided with any opportunity to win any prizes,
recognition or awards, nor the opportunity to convey their
placement choices to the magazine publisher.
[0005] Hoard's Dairyman, a dairy industry magazine, advertises that
it has been conducting dairy animal judging contests through its
magazine for many years. The magazine may use its associated
website, www.hoards.com, to promote judging contests that are being
conducted via the magazine, however, the company does not utilize
the Internet to conduct its judging contests.
[0006] Beef Magazine published a "Beef Quality Challenge" in the
October editions of the magazine in both 2000 and 2001 that
displayed photographs of beef cattle and provided the address of a
website that, if accessed, also showed photographs of the same
animals, as well as contest rules. Although multiple animals were
shown both years, the contest was not patterned after a
conventional livestock judging contest. Rather, it required
participants to select a small number of cattle (from a larger
group of cattle) that would be expected to perform the best, based
on certain criteria. Magazine and website viewers wishing to
participate in the judging contest could communicate their
livestock ranking assignment entries by utilizing regular mail,
electronic mail, and facsimile. The magazine also reported that
entries could be made via a corresponding web page at
www.beef-mag.com, implying that participants could, therefore,
enter their selections through the website. In reality, the website
directed people interested in participating to send their entries
via electronic mail to the project coordinator by actuating the
website's automated link to an electronic mail address of the
project coordinator. Thus, participant animal selection entries
could not be captured, stored or analyzed through any electronic
database directly connected with the website.
[0007] The University of Vermont, in Burlington, Vt., operates an
Internet web page at
www.uvm.edu/.about.jagilmor/judging/judging.html that displays
photographic images of groups of dairy cows, four animals per
group, and shows multiple views of each cow. The web page allows
viewers to compare the images of any two cows, and rank, or "place"
the animals in the group from the first through fourth. The
four-animal class represents the standard class size in the field
of livestock judging. This site represents a basic example of a
conventional class of dairy cows as they would normally be judged
live. The site is operated for educational purposes and does not
provide for competitive judging by players. Despite allowing
players to select their placements of the class from a menu
displaying all possible combinations of placement choices, once a
player has made a selection, no database was operable to capture
that data and calculate a score or archive player placements.
[0008] An Internet web page is operated by Utah State University
Extension at
http://utahreach.usu.edu/boxelder/ext/4-h/cyberjdg/cyberpg.htm that
displays images of different classes of animals among different
species, including cattle, hogs, and lambs, as well as different
types of meats. This site allows users to view classes of animals
and their official placements. Site users may download a "livestock
judging scorecard" program to their personal computer (pc). The
site indicates this program "provides an easy way to calculate
livestock judging scores." The program, when executed, allows a
user to enter placements for a class, enter official placements,
and enter the basis of grading or "cuts," which are the numeric
score reductions for incorrectly placing one animal over another.
Once this information is entered, the program, which is executed by
the user's pc, calculates the theoretical score based on the
inputted data. The site has an link entitled "View your score and
placings," which is not operable. User's may enter their placements
in the body of an e-mail and send it to the game operator. The game
operator indicates scores are "no longer" provided back to the
user. Thus, this web page also does not provide for interactive
player placement entry, automated score calculation or archiving of
player placements.
[0009] Lake Land Junior College, Mattoon, Ill., advertises that it
displayed images of classes of livestock for judging purposes
during December, 1997, on an Internet web site entitled "Virtual
Livestock Judging Contest," located at www.swine.net/vljc1.htm. The
web page did not provide any competitive games, but indicates that
it would allow players to place animals in a class by selecting a
placement choice from a menu of possible placement combinations.
This feature was not operable during the numerous times the website
was visited. The web page provides biographical information about
the official judges. The web page advertises, but does not actually
enable, player placements to be "entered." No database was evident
to capture or store player livestock placements or calculate
scores.
[0010] Another Internet website with the web address of
www.mycattle.com allows a player to play interactive games of poker
and blackjack against the "house" with virtual "cowchips" as poker
chips. The website does not award any prizes to winners. It does
keep a temporary record of player and dealer scores as long as the
game continues, but does not archive scores after a game round has
ended. The site does not offer any livestock judging
activities.
[0011] An Internet website, indicating located at the address
www.showdairygoats.com enables goat judging. Viewer placement of
the offered classes is accomplished by clicking on a picture of a
goat, which directs the viewer into an electronic mail addressed to
the game operator. The viewer can type his or her personal
placement choices in the body of the electronic mail letter. A
judge's placement of the animals is displayed along with reasons
the judge used to place the goats within the class. Again, the site
does not provide for any entry or storage of player selections via
an interactive database, nor does it provide player scoring
calculations. Additionally, the site does not award any prizes to
viewers who place animals.
[0012] An Internet website located at the address www.dogshow.com
enables virtual dog showing and judging. Viewers of the site are
not enabled to participate in judging activities. Only official
judges, designated by the game operator, judge the animals.
Contestants send physical or digital photographs of their dogs to
the game operator along with an entry fee, and the game operator
may include the dog(s) in a given show. Designated judges view
pictures of the dogs in a class and then place the class. Since
viewers are not given the opportunity to place animals, no viewer
scores are recorded. Prizes may be awarded to the owner(s) of a
winning dog or dogs in a class.
[0013] No known livestock judging game or contest has fully enabled
livestock judging via the Internet alone. The most advanced of the
other animal judging or showing web sites have not progressed
beyond displaying classes of animals and providing some means of
ranking the animals, either on the website or via electronic mail
or other means. No prior livestock judging game has accepted player
registration information and player animal class placements into an
interactive database that is integrally part of the web site.
Moreover, no previous livestock judging game has had an integral
database that automatically calculates player scores and archives
each player's animal placements and scores. The present invention
allows players to view their scores in conjunction with each game
played, as well as longer terms charts displaying a player's scores
and related statistics over time. The present invention is also the
first known livestock judging website that allows players to both
read and hear the official judge's animal placement reasons by
allowing players to access a pre-recorded audio clip of the judge's
comments. There are also no other competitive livestock judging
games in existence which provide unique individual livestock
judging games such as those described in the claims section of this
invention under the headings of "Keep or Cull," "Pick Traits,"
"Match Attributes," "Scale Characteristics," and "Fix It Shop."
[0014] An additional novel component of the invention is the
automated electronic score calculation for traditional classes of
four animals, as well as other group sizes. When a player has
completed evaluating a class and places the animals within the
group, this invention enables any possible combination of player
numeric placements to be electronically compared with the official
judge's placement of the animals, along with the official basis for
grading or cuts (score reductions for incorrectly placed animals
within the group) designated by the judge, and automatically
calculates a player's resulting score. The automated electronic
score calculation is accomplished by the game server, rather than
by an executable program residing on the player's pc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention provides for a method of conducting
livestock judging games, which utilize visual images or
representations of animals, in the form of electronic or printed
images, and can be presented to or accessed by one or multiple
players by utilizing a plurality of communication media including
the Internet, electronic mail, telephone system, and printed
material. Players view visual images or representations of one or
more animals, as well as any ancillary information that may be
provided about said animal or animals, to evaluate and rank, select
or categorize (judge) each animal based on specified criteria.
Animal attributes that players may consider in their evaluation of
one or more animals may include the physical characteristics of
each animal, as well as performance or expected performance,
genetic background, usefulness for a certain purpose, and other
information associated with each animal. This invention provides a
means for one or more official judges, selected by the game
operator, to view and judge the animal(s) being displayed and
provide comments justifying their placement or selection decisions.
The present invention also provides a means for judge placements
and comments to be stored in an integral centralized database.
[0016] The present invention provides for a method of enabling
players to enter their animal placements, ranking assignments,
selections or categorizations, as well as player comments
justifying why player so ranked the animals, into an integrated
centralized database. The present invention provides a means for
each player to view game rules associated with each type of
livestock judging game, and also provides a means for a score to be
generated for each player in conjunction with each game in which
player participates, with each score being based upon specific
scoring rules. Other means of determining player scores may also be
utilized. The present invention also provides for a method for each
participating player to view his or her respective score in each
game in which the player has participated, and read or listen to
the official judge's animal placements and comments concerning a
particular game and class of animals. This invention also allows
each player to view statistics relating to his or her scoring
performance over varying time periods, and enables players to
compare their scores with those of other players. The present
invention also provides for awards, prizes or scholarships to be
awarded to players based on player scores or other specified
criteria.
[0017] The five (5) primary elements of the invention are:
[0018] (1) Multiple means for players to view, evaluate and rank
such animal images for various apparent or expected phenotypic,
genetic or carcass characteristics, and to designate such observed,
expected or inferred characteristics as being positive, neutral, or
negative compared to that which is generally accepted as ideal or a
standard of desirability within the livestock industry, and in some
cases, to rank or place groups of similar livestock in a
player-selected order from best to worst. Further, a means is
provided for players to enter comments about their selections or
ranking designations, the livestock they evaluated, their
experience or feelings during the evaluation process and about the
judges and official rankings, selections and designations, into an
interactive database.
[0019] (2) Computerized means of archiving player placements,
rankings designations, selections and comments correspondent to the
multiplicity of livestock evaluation activities in which they
participate.
[0020] (3) Player scoring systems corresponding to the multiplicity
of livestock judging and evaluation activities offered, using
multiple means of data processing and compilations to determine
player scores, or other relative measures of successful
designations, when compared to official characteristic or animal
designations provided by an official livestock judge, average or
other aggregation of player designations, or other selected means
to identify a certain set of designations which are considered
right or correct.
[0021] (4) Multiple means of communicating game results to players,
and a means for players to track their performance or scores over a
period of time.
[0022] (5) Multiple means of offering prizes, such as cash,
merchandise and scholarships, to winning players, based upon their
scores, or upon some randomized selection means dependent on other
criteria, such as their participation during a certain period of
time.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0023] Livestock judging is a well-known activity, which has been
commonplace in the United States and around the world for
centuries. It remains popular today for major livestock species,
such as beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, swine, and sheep.
Traditional Livestock judging events, referred to as "shows,"
involve the physical assembly of similar classes of live animals
(which are grouped by specie, and may also be further grouped by
sex, breed, purpose, age, and other factors) from multiple owners
at a common location for viewing and evaluation by one or more
judges. In some instances, handlers parade individual animals in an
arena, or similar setting, while the designated judge(s) evaluates
the animals based on one or more characteristics, such as physical
features, performance, genetic attributes, and other factors. In
other instances, grouped animals stand stationary when the
designated judge evaluates them. The judge "places" (i.e. judges or
ranks) the group of animals from best animal to worst animal,
according to generally accepted judging standards, specific to each
animal specie. The judge(s) also explains the rankings he/she made
during the evaluation process by orally expressing the good and bad
characteristics he/she observed about the animals in the class or
group. Comments of the judge in this regard are often referred to
as "reasons."
[0024] Prizes are typically awarded to the owners and/or presenters
of top-placing animals. Such awards may include cash, merchandise,
promotional opportunities, trophies, ribbons, or some form of
public recognition for their accomplishment in raising or
presenting one or more show-winning animals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a symbolic schematic diagram depicting the
infrastructure within which the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is practiced, including its main components, and
describing the general method by which the livestock judging games
may be accessed, viewed, played and otherwise utilized and
managed.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram that illustrates the preferred
embodiment of the process by which a player may access and play a
given livestock judging game and review other game-associated
information.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram describing the features of a "Pick
Traits" game and illustrating the process by which said game may be
played by a player.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram describing the features of a "Match
Attributes" game and illustrating the process by which said game
may be played by a player.
[0029] FIGS. 5 is a flow diagram describing the features of a
"Scale Characteristics" game and illustrating the process by which
said game may be played by a player.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram describing the features of a
"Fix-It Shop" game and illustrating the process by which said game
may be played by a player.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram describing the features of a "Keep
or Cull" game and illustrating the process by which said game may
be played by a player.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the said games are played via the
Internet using World Wide Web technology, although any
communication medium or combination of communication media could be
used, including conventional Local Area Networks (LANs), Wide Area
Networks (WANs), electronic Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs),
telephone system, facsimile, United States Postal Service, and
print media.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting the overall
operational structure of the present invention where player 10
utilizes a communication interface 20 to access competitive
livestock judging game 30 operated by game operator 40. A player
may be presented with options concerning different games available
for play 50, such as "Keep or Cull" 51, "Pick Traits" 52, "Match
Attributes" 53, "Scale Characteristics" 54, "Fix-it Shop" 55, and
various games for youth (kids) 56. A player may also be presented
with options relating to information contained in database 60,
including the opportunity to change player contact information 61,
and view data associated with player's past judging activities,
including previous animal rankings or designations 62. In a
preferred embodiment, a player may view official judge placings
regarding any particular animal or animals associated with past or
current livestock judging games that are being or have been
conducted by the game operators 63. In one embodiment, a player may
also view his or her past scores 64 and review details associated
with past livestock judging games 65. In some embodiments, a player
may view images of livestock 66 that are currently on display as
part of an active judging game. A player may also view images of
livestock that were in previous livestock judging game classes.
Present and past game rules may be accessed and reviewed by the
player 67 in order to better understand how individual games are
played. A player may also read biographical information about
official judges 68 that are currently or have previously provided
official livestock placings in conjunction with one or more games.
In another embodiment, the game operator may select one or more
official game judge from among a group of players. In another
suitable approach, the game operator may use as the "official
judge" those judgment placements that represent those placements or
categorizations that are statistically most common among players.
Some embodiments may allow the player to access information about
prizes and prize winners of past or present games 69. In another
suitable approach, the player may only be able to review what
prizes were awarded in association with a particular game on a
specific date. In some embodiments, the type of prize awarded to
players under the age of eighteen (18) may be in the form of a
scholarship, gift certificate, or some form of recognition.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a general flowchart depicting an embodiment of the
manner in which a player may access and play one or more livestock
judging games. In some embodiments, a player may utilize a
communication interface, such as the Internet, to establish a
communication link with the livestock judging game operator 70. A
player may provide a unique pre-assigned username and password that
identifies the player to the game operator 70. In a preferred
embodiment, a player uses a mouse, trackball, keyboard, or other
appropriate input as a means of communicating information and
selecting desired game choices. The player may access and review
information pertaining to current, past or upcoming livestock
judging games or other activities 71, such as past scores, judges
and official animal placements, prizes awarded, and so on. Some
embodiments may allow a player to view images of livestock classes
associated with current or past real-world judging contests with
live animals, such as those related to national, regional, or state
livestock showing and judging competitions. In the preferred
embodiment, players may be presented with the opportunity to read
game rules, query score information, read game-related news and
events, and view current and past official animal placings and
comments 71. A player may be enabled to read and post messages or
comments pertaining to livestock judging activities on an
electronic message board. A player may also check prize and award
information, and select a game in which to participate, as well as
review other information and options 71. A player may be presented
with visual images of one or more animals associated with a
specific game selected 72, as well as the opportunity to view any
information about the displayed animals which may be provided, and
specific game rules and instructions explaining the method in which
player may enter animal rankings, designations and/or selections.
After a player places a class of animals or makes other animal
rankings or designations through an interactive medium, the
player's choices may be archived in a central database and a
player's score may be calculated 73. In one embodiment, a player's
livestock rankings, selections or designations may be sent from the
player's personal computer to a server connected to the central
game database. This may be done in any manner known in the art. A
player may also download a game program written in the form of the
"Java", "Java script" or another language to his or her PC prior to
playing any of the available livestock judging games. This program
may operate on the player's computer. When the game player has
completed his or her animal judging selections, the program allows
transmission of all selections at once to the server maintained by
the game operator, where the selections are recorded in the game
database. In another suitable approach, a player may participate in
one or more of the individual games by viewing printed images of
the animals in media formats such as magazines and newsletters, and
providing his or her animal ranking assignments to the game
operators by way of the Internet, electronic mail, U.S.P.S. mail,
or other methods of information conveyance. In some embodiments, a
player may be offered the opportunity to view his or her score, and
see how his or her score compares with other players scores in the
same group. A player may also be able to view the official
placement of the class or official designations or selections made
by the official judge, as well as access and view and/or listen to
any reasons the official judge may have included regarding why his
or her placements, designations or selections were made 74. A
player may choose to exit the current game during or after judging
activities are completed and return to and utilize other options
described in area 71. In some embodiments, a player may exit the
game completely. Any combination of the approaches described above
may also be used, and any other suitable approach may also be
used.
[0035] FIG. 3. is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a game
that may be called "Pick Traits" or some other name that describes
the primary activity of the game. A player may be presented with
the visual image or representation of one (1) animal 80, as well as
an explanation of how the game is played, how points are awarded,
how scores are calculated, and how prizes, if any, may be awarded
to players 80. In one embodiment, a player may be presented with a
list of six (6) attributes which have some degree of descriptive
relevance to the animal shown 81. In some embodiments, the number
of attributes that are presented to a player may be more or less
than six. A player may be enabled to select three (3) descriptions
or attributes, from the list of six, that the player feels most
accurately match or describe the animal shown 81. The player may
communicate his or her selections such that they are received by
the game operator and entered into the central database 82. In some
embodiments, a player's selections may be compared against the
official judge's selections 83. The player's score may be
calculated based on how closely player selections match the
official judge's selections, and the player's selections and score
may be archived in the central database 83. A player may be
presented with a visual comparison of his or her selections versus
the official judge's selections 84. A player may also view his
score in some embodiments. In some embodiments, a player may be
informed concerning when the present game will conclude and when
player can check back to determine if player has won a prize or
scholarship 85. Any combination of the approaches described above
may also be used, and any other suitable approach may also be
used.
[0036] FIG. 4 is a flowchart depicting the preferred embodiment of
a game that may be called "Match Attributes" or another term
descriptive of the game's unique characteristics. A player may be
presented with visual images or representations of two (2) animals
90. In some embodiments, more than two animals may be displayed 90.
A player may be allowed to view game rules and explanations
concerning how the game is played, how points are awarded, how
scores are calculated, and how prizes, if any, may be awarded to
players 90. A player may be presented in some embodiments with an
even-numbered list of four (4) to twelve (12) attributes which have
some degree of descriptive relevance to the animals shown 91. A
player may be enabled to select each individual attribute and
assign the attribute to whichever one of the two animals shown that
the attribute most accurately describes or fits 92, whereby, upon
completion, an equal number of attributes are assigned to each
animal. In some embodiments, a player's selections may be entered
into a central database and compared against the official judge's
selections. A player's score may be calculated based on how closely
the player's selections match the official judge's selections 93.
Player selections and score may be archived. A player may be
presented with a visual comparison of his or her selections versus
the official judge's selections and player's score 94. In some
embodiments, a player may be able to view how his or her placements
and score compare with those of other groups of players. A player
may be informed of when the present game will conclude and when the
player can check back to determine if the player has won a prize or
scholarship, if applicable 95. Any combination of the approaches
described above may also be used, and any other suitable approach
may also be used.
[0037] FIG. 5 is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a game
that may be called "Scale Characteristics" or some other term that
describes the primary activity of the game. In one embodiment, a
player may be presented with a visual image or representation of
one (1) animal 100. The player may be provided with an explanation
of how the game is played, how points are awarded, how scores are
calculated, and how prizes, if any, are awarded to players 100. A
player may be informed of when the present game will conclude and
when player can check back to determine if he or she has won a
prize or scholarship, if applicable 100. A player may be presented
with a list of characteristics which have some degree of
descriptive relevance to the animal shown 101. A player may be
enabled to rank, from one through five, each characteristic based
on how much or how little of that characteristic is exhibited by
the displayed animal, such that when the player has finished
ranking the characteristics, a numeric rank has been assigned to
each characteristic 102. Player ranking selections may be entered
into a central database and compared against the official judge's
selections 103. A player's score may be calculated based on how
closely the player's ranking selections match official judge
selections 104. The player's selections and scores may be archived.
A player may be presented with a visual comparison of his or her
selections versus the official judge's selections, and player's
score may be accessed and displayed 104. In some embodiments, a
player may be informed of when the present game will conclude and
when the player can check back to determine if he or she has won a
prize or scholarship, if applicable 105. Any combination of the
approaches described above may also be used, and any other suitable
approach may also be used.
[0038] FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting the preferred embodiment of
a game that may be called "Fix It Shop Game" or some other term
that describes the primary activity of the game. A player may be
presented with visual images or representations of one or more
animals 110. The player may be presented with an explanation of how
the game is played, how points are awarded, how scores are
calculated, and how prizes, if any, may be awarded to winners 110.
In one embodiment, a player may be presented with a list of at
least four (4) physical or genetic characteristics associated with
each animal shown that may be considered deficiencies or weaknesses
111. In another suitable approach, the number of physical or
genetic characteristics listed may be less than four. In the
present embodiment where four (4) or more characteristics are
listed, each player will be enabled to select two (2) or more
characteristics, per animal, that the player believes are the most
obvious weaknesses or deficiencies possessed by each animal(s)
shown, such that upon completion of player selections, the player
has identified and selected the two (2) or more characteristics
that he or she most need to be "fixed" or improved about each
animal shown 112. In some embodiments, a player's selections may be
entered into a central database and compared against the official
judge's selections 113. A player's score is calculated based on how
closely the player's selections match the official judge's
selections 113. The player's selections and score may be archived
113. A player may be allowed to view a visual comparison of how his
or her selections compare with the official judge's selections 114.
In another embodiment, a player may be able to view how his or her
selections compare with other players' selections. A player may be
informed of when the present game will conclude and when the player
can check back to determine if the player has won a prize or
scholarship, if applicable 115. Any combination of the approaches
described above may also be used, and any other suitable approach
may also be used.
[0039] FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting one embodiment of a game
that may be called "Keep or Cull Game" or some other term that
describes the primary activity of the game. In the preferred
embodiment, a player may be presented with visual images or
representations of three or more animals 120. The player may be
provided with an explanation of how the game is played, how points
are awarded, how scores are calculated, and how prizes, if any, may
be awarded to players 120. A player may be enabled to select two
(2) animals from the three or more animals displayed, that the
player determines or believes are the two most superior animals of
the group based on judging criteria that have been provided 121.
The player may communicate his or her selections such that they are
received by the game operator and entered into a central database
121. In another suitable approach, the player may select more than
two animals from the group of animals displayed, which may number
more than three. The number of animals selected will always be less
than the total number of animals displayed. Player selections may
be compared against official judge selections 122. A player's score
may be calculated based on how accurately player selections match
official judge selections, or by some other means. A player's
selections and scores may be archived, along with any additional
comments provided by the player 122. A player may be informed of
when the present game will conclude and when the player can check
back to view the official judge's selections and comments, and
player score(s) 123. The player may be presented with a visual
comparison of his or her selections versus the official judge's
selections, as well as player's resulting score, and whether the
player has won a prize or scholarship, if applicable 124. Any
combination of the approaches described above may also be used, and
any other suitable approach may also be used.
[0040] While the present invention has been illustrated and
described with reference to specific embodiments, further
modifications and alterations will occur to those skilled in the
art within the spirit and scope of this invention.
* * * * *
References