U.S. patent application number 11/396317 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-02 for internet professional sports.
Invention is credited to Beau Hanson, Larry Hanson.
Application Number | 20060247060 11/396317 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37235171 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060247060 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hanson; Larry ; et
al. |
November 2, 2006 |
Internet professional sports
Abstract
A method providing an online virtual sport tournament system
includes assigning virtual players to one skill level out of two or
more skill levels based on the virtual player's performance in a
qualifying event; obtaining confirmation that a virtual player is
eligible to participate in the online virtual sport tournament
system; hosting a plurality of online virtual sport tournaments,
each associated with one of the two or more player skill levels;
and awarding high stakes prizes to top performing players.
Inventors: |
Hanson; Larry; (Missoula,
MT) ; Hanson; Beau; (Kalispell, MT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DORSEY & WHITNEY LLP;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
SUITE 1500
50 SOUTH SIXTH STREET
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-1498
US
|
Family ID: |
37235171 |
Appl. No.: |
11/396317 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60594529 |
Apr 15, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3276 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/042 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method for providing an online virtual sport tournament
comprising the steps of: assigning each of two or more players to
one of a plurality of skill levels; obtaining confirmation that
each skill level-assigned player is eligible to participate in the
online virtual sport tournament, wherein player eligibility is at
least partially based on player payment of participation fees;
hosting a non-elimination online virtual sport tournament, wherein
the tournament is associated with one of the plurality of skill
levels, and wherein only players having an assigned skill level
that is the same as the tournament skill level can participate in
the tournament; and awarding a prize to one or more players based
on a comparison of scores for each of the participating players
from the tournament, wherein at least a portion of the prize is
paid from participation fees paid by the participating players.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein assigning comprises
assigning based on a player's performance in a qualifying event,
the qualifying event measuring the player's skill in an online
virtual sport.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the player performance
in the qualifying golfing event is indicative of the player's
ability compared to other players.
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the qualifying event
comprises a virtual golf round and the non-elimination online
virtual sport tournament comprises a non-elimination online golf
tournament.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of skill
levels are based on a degree of mastery of online golf in an online
virtual golf tournament system.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein awarding prizes further
comprises awarding high stakes prizes of $1000 or more to one or
more top performers for each round played in the non-elimination
online golf tournament.
7. The method according to claim 2, wherein the player performance
used in assigning is indicative of a virtual golfer skill level
compared to other virtual golfers.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion of
the prizes further originates from one or more of sponsorships,
endorsement fees, merchandising fees, merchandise sales,
advertising revenues and marketing considerations.
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein awarding prizes
comprises awarding high stakes prizes having a value of $1000 or
more.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein awarding prizes
comprises awarding high stakes prizes of $1000 or more to top
finishers of the one or more players.
11. The method according to claim 1, wherein awarding prizes
comprises awarding high stakes prizes from an award pool of $1000
or more.
12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising ranking the
players based on the player scores for each tournament in which the
player participates.
13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising assigning
a player skill level based on the player ranking and enabling one
or more of the golfers to participate in tournaments corresponding
to their assigned skill level resulting from the golfer
ranking.
14. The method according to claim 1, wherein two or more players
comprises 2-1000 players.
15. A system for implementing an Internet professional sports
organization having multiple Internet sports leagues comprising: a
central organization server; at least one Internet sports league
server, the at least one sports league server maintaining some
connection to the central organization server and hosting
non-elimination Internet sports tournaments for a plurality of
users; and a plurality of input/output devices connected to the at
least one Internet sports league server via a public network, the
input/output devices enabling the plurality of users to participate
in the hosted Internet sports tournaments; wherein the central
organization server: receives data related to the performance of
the plurality of users in the hosted Internet sports tournaments
from the at least one Internet sports league server; determines
each user placement in each the Internet sports tournament; and
sends user placement and earnings data to a secure server for
payment of earnings.
16. The system according to claim 15, wherein one of the at least
one Internet sports league server is associated with an Internet
golf league, the Internet golf league hosting high stakes Internet
golf tournaments in which participants pay to participate, wherein
the high stakes comprise awards of $1000 or more.
17. An online virtual golf tournament system for online
participation comprising: means for assigning each of a plurality
of golfers to a first or a second skill level, the assignment at
based on: means for evaluating a golfer score in a golf round that
is uploaded to the online virtual golf tournament system, the golf
round measuring golfer skill against other golfers for the online
golf tournament system; and means for ranking each of the golfers
based on the golfer scores for each golf tournament the golfer
participates in, the rank used to assign the golfer to the first or
second skill level after each non-elimination online golf
tournament the golfer participates in; means for hosting a
plurality of non-elimination online golf tournaments, wherein each
of the tournaments host a plurality of players having one of the
first or second skill level, the skill level-assigned golfers
participating in golf tournaments having a corresponding skill
level such that golfers having the same skill level are competitors
in the online golf tournaments; and means for awarding high stakes
prizes to one or more golfers upon completion of each golf
tournament based on a comparison of the golf tournament scores of
each of the golfers and on which skill level of the first or second
skill level is associated with the tournament, the high stakes
prizes comprising monetary awards of $1000 or more.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/594,529 filed on Apr. 15, 2005, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to virtual sports, and more
particularly to an online virtual professional sport system capable
of hosting a plurality of individual professional players.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In online gaming settings, players are able to participate
online in virtual sports with each other. Players of Internet
sports are required to exhibit a degree of skill associated with
the Internet sport. Players may be required to: 1) perform multiple
hand tasks requiring operation of buttons, levers, steering wheels,
clutches, brakes and shifters to perform smooth and accurate
operations at high rates of speed and agility in order to perform
Internet tasks associated with an Internet sport; 2) demonstrate
above average hand eye coordination that requires fast response
times enabling quick or skilled performance of tasks associated
with playing the Internet sport; 3) develop expert knowledge of the
sport its rules and strategies associated with the Internet sport;
4) have the technical proficiency and expertise to improvise and
develop winning Internet sport game plans; and 5) avail themselves
of training opportunities and practice sessions to improve their
skills associated with the Internet sport.
[0004] When virtual sporting events are organized in a tournament
form, the tournament is typically a single-elimination-type
tournament where the final winning player out of the entire field
of participants, is deemed the winner. Typically, only the final
winning player or a small number of top finishing players receive
an award. Thus, a participant must first win several rounds or
games before being eligible to receive an award, and then may be
required to win several more rounds or games before receiving an
award. For example, match play, handicapped, and stroke play
tournaments are typically organized as a single-elimination
tournaments where the winner or winners are decided after the
competition ladder reaches a final round.
[0005] Some online games enable players to choose their skill level
so that they are matched against other players according to their
preference. This means that an online player can choose to compete
against other players having equal, lesser, or greater skill. This
causes the players to decide whether the competition will be played
fairly. However, even if one player desires fair play, other
players matched against him may choose to participate in games that
are below their skill level, thereby removing the possibility of
fair play for others.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed towards an online virtual
professional sport system that enables qualified individual players
to select a tournament in which to participate from a variety of
virtual sport tournaments. Each event, game, round, or the like, is
configured to be a non-elimination type competition, and the system
awards high stakes cash prizes to the best scoring
participants.
[0007] One complexity addressed by certain embodiments of the
present invention is online gaming for a profit where winnings are
won through luck and chance. Certain embodiments address this
complexity by configuring a virtual professional sport league where
individual players from the general public are evaluated for their
skill in the virtual sport, which may qualify them as a
professional sportsman. Qualified sportsmen are matched against
other sportsmen that demonstrate the same or a similar degree of
skill, thus enabling fair play in sporting events. When similarly
matched professionals compete against each other, the winning
individual or top ranking individuals are those who display the
highest level of skill out of the competition pool. This removes
aspects of luck and chance, thereby providing a system in which
monetary awards of varying stakes can be fairly awarded to
accomplished sportsmen that achieve victory or high ranking.
[0008] In additional embodiments, a professional Internet athlete
is evaluated for their skill after each competition, and matched
against other Internet athletes having the same degree of skill in
subsequent competitions. This ensures that participants of equal or
similar skill are continuously matched against each other so as to
enable fair play and to reduce factors such as chance or luck
[0009] Furthermore, in order to remove aspects of luck and chance
in virtual games, software may be configured so that a participant
is required to display a degree of skill in order to participate in
competition. In contrast, other virtual sport software programs are
designed to include factors of luck or include designed degrees of
difficulty corresponding to user performance.
[0010] To ensure that virtual sport competitions are games of
skill, software may be designed to resemble real life situations,
be consistent in degree of difficulty throughout the game, and to
treat all players alike. Software may also be configured to depict
how players play in the sport, but not to provide hints on how to
play the game. However, game information that is given to the
player by the programs' caddies, pit crews or coaches may be
provided, but limited to the types of information that is accepted
practice from caddies, pit crews or coaches. The game environment
may also be configured to be consistent with serious play; i.e.,
sound effects may not be over bearing and may mirror sounds the
player would hear from announcers, the crowd and nature at any like
sporting event. In addition, measures may be taken to weed out so
called "grief players" (those who play just to irritate and cause
grief to other players) and to protect against security
breaches.
[0011] Virtual professional sport platforms that may be implemented
according to the invention include devices that are used to deliver
the images and actions to each individual game player. These
platforms consist of devices such as a home computer that is
connected to the Internet. Other sources of virtual platforms
include X-box and Nintendo which are similar to home computers, but
are specifically designed to deliver the field of play on a TV
screen.
[0012] According to certain embodiments, a user's ability to
participate in an online event that awards cash prizes to the
winners is determined by whether a participant pays their online
play fees such as green fees, tournament fees, or the like. Online
play for a fee, for example, may include both online practice
rounds and online competition rounds. Thus, online play fees are
associated with access to online play rather than with a specific
competition.
[0013] In another example, online play fees are tournament fees in
which all or part of the fees are used to pay tournament winners. A
combination of tournament fees, sponsorships, endorsement fees,
merchandising fees, merchandise sales, advertising revenues and
marketing considerations may also be used for a pool of prize
money. The embodiments described above differ from other types of
online competition because a portion of the fees for entering the
competition are used in the award pool.
[0014] An additional complexity addressed by some embodiments of
the present invention is the award small monetary awards to
tournament participants. This complexity is addressed by paying
high stakes awards to one or more top finishing participants.
According to certain implementations, an award pool is a high
stakes pool of $1000 or more. The award pool may be distributed
among a group of top finishers, or may be awarded to the top
finisher of an event or tournament. According additional
embodiments, the top finishers for each tournament receives high
stakes awards that may range from $1000-$150,000, for example.
[0015] Another complexity addressed by certain embodiments of the
present invention is awarding individual players of virtual
sporting events for winning single elimination-type
tournaments.
[0016] Certain embodiments address this complexity by matching
equally yoked players in non-elimination virtual tournaments,
games, or match settings where individual professional players of
each virtual tournament are awarded prizes for a winning score or
for a score that is ranked above a specified level. The present
invention can provide such non-elimination tournaments by setting a
maximum number of participants per tournament. For example, in an
online virtual golf tournament where professional virtual golfers
participate, a maximum of 1000 professional golfers may participate
against each other in non-elimination competition. Awards may be
given to the top 25 finishers out of the 1000 participants, for
example.
[0017] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a
method for providing an online virtual sport tournament system for
online participation includes assigning at least two users, each
having associated virtual players, to one skill level out of two or
more skill levels. The skill level assignment may be based on a
virtual player's performance in a qualifying event, which is
designed to measure the virtual player's skill in the online
virtual sport. Additionally or alternatively, a qualifying event
score may be indicative of a player skill level compared to other
players. The method also includes receiving confirmation that a
virtual player is eligible to participate in the online virtual
sport tournament system, which may be based, for example, on
payment of monetary consideration for participation. The method
further includes hosting a plurality of online virtual sport
tournaments, where each may be associated with one of the two or
more skill levels to which players are assigned. This results in
competitions between players having a substantially similar or
comparable skill level. The method additionally includes awarding
high stakes prizes to top performing players based on a comparison
of their scores for each sport tournament. A portion of the high
stakes prizes may be paid from player payment of monetary
consideration.
[0018] According to a further embodiment, the qualifying event and
tournaments are a virtual golf round and a plurality of
non-elimination online golf tournaments, respectively. Players are
assigned to a skill level based on their degree of mastery of an
online virtual golf tournament system. Other embodiments may
include qualifying events such as qualifying laps for Internet car
racing, qualifying matches for Internet wrestling, and qualifying
games for Internet hockey.
[0019] High stakes prizes may be comprised of player entry fees,
but may also be based on sponsorships, endorsement fees,
merchandising fees, merchandise sales, advertising revenues and/or
marketing considerations. High stakes prizes may be defined as
prizes having a value of $1000 or more, including monetary prizes
of $1000.
[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
method for providing an online virtual golf tournament system for
online participation includes assigning a number of virtual
golfers, e.g. from 2-1000 virtual golfers, to one of a plurality of
skill levels. The assigned skill level for each virtual golfer
based on the virtual golfer's score in one or more qualifying
golfing events. The qualifying golfing events may be designed to
measure skill for the online golf tournament system and further may
be designed to measure the online golfers skill compared to other
golfers.
[0021] The method also includes receiving confirmation that the
virtual golfer is eligible to participate in the online golf
tournament system after the player has paid monetary consideration,
such as green fees, to participate. In certain implementations,
once monetary consideration has been paid, a user may be provided
with access to one or more virtual golf courses on which the
virtual golfer may practice.
[0022] The embodiment, the method further includes hosting
non-elimination online golf tournaments where each tournament is
associated with one of the plurality of golfer skill levels.
Eligible, skill level-assigned players are capable of participating
in golf tournaments at their corresponding skill level. This allows
virtual golfers having substantially similar or comparable skill
levels to compete in online golf tournaments. Throughout the
tournaments, which host players of differing skill levels, a
consistent level of difficulty is maintained. For example, two
tournaments each for a different skill level, may be held on the
same virtual golf course, such that the degree of difficulty of the
golf course remains the same. Individual golf courses may be more
or less challenging than other courses, but the degree of
difficulty for each golf course remains the same regardless of the
virtual golfer's skill level.
[0023] The present embodiment further includes awarding high stakes
prizes to one or more virtual golfers for each hosted virtual golf
tournament based on a comparison of the each player's tournament
score. The high stakes prizes may be at least partially paid from
player monetary consideration. According to certain
implementations, awards of $1000 or more constitute high stakes
prizes. Additionally or alternatively, an award pool of $1000 or
more constitutes high stakes prizes. Alternative configurations of
high stakes prizes may also be used within the scope of the present
invention. In further embodiments, high stakes awards may be
awarded to one or more top performers for each round played in a
non-elimination online golf tournaments. For example, where an
online golf tournament consists of four golf rounds, one or more
awards may be awarded for each golf round in addition to the awards
given for the top tournament performers.
[0024] In addition, the present embodiment may also include ranking
each golfer based on their scores for each golf tournament
completed. Player rank may be used in assigning player skill level
to enable periodic evaluation of a player's skill level. This
allows individual golfers to participate in tournaments
corresponding to their current skill level.
[0025] According to further embodiments, virtual golfers may be
provided access to virtual golf equipment which may include golf
shoes, golf clubs, and/or golf gloves in order to affect a virtual
player's participation.
[0026] According to yet another embodiment of the present
invention, a method for providing an online virtual golf tournament
system for online participation includes assigning individual
golfers to a first or a second skill level, where the assignment is
based on a golfer's score in a virtual golf round and/or is based
on a virtual golfer's performance in prior tournaments. The
assigned skill level is designed to be a measure of skill against
other individual golfers for the online golf tournament system.
[0027] The embodiment further includes hosting a plurality of
non-elimination online golf tournaments, each tournament hosting
virtual golfers having one of said first or second skill level.
This allows virtual golfers having the same skill level to compete
against each other in online golf tournaments.
[0028] The present embodiment further includes awarding high stakes
prizes of $1000 or more to one or more individual golfers upon
completion of each golf tournament. The recipients of the high
stakes awards are based on a comparison of virtual golfer scores in
the golf tournament and based on which skill level is associated
with the tournament.
[0029] In addition, the current embodiment includes ranking each
virtual golfer based on their tournament score for each golf
tournament in which the golfer has participated. The player rank
may be used to assign each golfer to the first or second skill
level.
[0030] These and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description, wherein it is shown and described
illustrative embodiments of the invention, including best modes
contemplated for carrying out the invention. As it will be
realized, the invention is capable of modifications in various
obvious aspects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed
description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not
restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a method for implementing
Internet professional sports having multiple sports leagues under a
central administrative body
[0032] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the structure of an Internet
professional sports organization.
[0033] FIG. 2 is block diagram of the top level organization of
Internet professional sports from FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the implementation of Internet
professional golf according to FIG. 1.
[0035] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a tournament structure of
Internet professional sports.
[0036] FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating exemplary distributions of
Pro tournament prize money that may be implemented.
[0037] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a method for providing a
professional Internet sports system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] According to the present invention, an Internet or virtual
professional sports organization is provided where Internet
professional athletes compete for high stakes awards where virtual
professional athletes are controlled by individual users from the
general public.
[0039] Internet athletes may qualify as a professionals, amateurs,
semi-professionals, or the like. Whether competition is on an
amateur or professional level, however, in order for an individual
player to compete in virtual professional sports, a participant may
be required to first demonstrate skill in or their mastery of the
virtual professional sport to the Internet professional sports
league or an affiliate. For example, individuals may be required to
demonstrate to a predetermined degree their mastery of a virtual
professional sport by entering into qualifying rounds of the
Internet professional sport. In another example, a qualified
professional Internet athlete may be required to display a degree
of mastery commensurate with his/her professional status in order
to retain his/her current professional status. Otherwise, if a
professional Internet athlete performs below or above their current
status, the athlete's status may be lowered or raised,
respectively.
[0040] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram
showing one method for implementing Internet professional sports
having multiple sports leagues under a central administrative body.
For example, central organization server 101 may be a commercial
third party software that processes, organizes, stores and
retrieves information which is associated with a variety of
different sports leagues. The different sports leagues having their
respective league servers 102-105 may be separate from the central
organization server 101 and each other, while maintaining some
connection to the central organization server 101. For example, the
connection may be maintained directly from the league server to the
central organization server, or the connection may be maintained
using a private network 106. Connecting league servers to a central
organization server via a private network may be necessary due to
the sensitivity of the data being processed and the oversight
administrative responsibilities of the central organization. When
isolation from public access is necessary, WAN or VPN may be used
for private networks. To secure against infiltration, iHA security
software such as VPN-1 Pro with Application Intelligence and
SmartDefense Check Points may be used.
[0041] Private networks may be useful in particular when
calculating and dispersing prize money. For example, once a player
has completed an event, the software located on the player's PC or
Video Console may tally the player's scorecard and submit the
results to the league server. The league server may then submit the
information safely via a private network to the central server,
where the tournament management software resides, where the
information is verified and recorded. The central server software
may process all of the players' scores as they are submitted and
determine the placement of the players and earnings distributions.
The central server may then safely send the players placement and
earnings data via the private network to the league server for
player notification. The central servers software may also send
players' earnings to a 3.sup.rd party distribution center for
payment of earnings. The central server may create, save and store
all scores, placements, tournaments played, transactions, and
earnings for future, tournament and player management.
[0042] The central organization server 101 may operate and maintain
a private network 106 for a variety of other purposes, such as for
maintaining secure databases, processing entry fees, collecting and
synchronizing game conditions, and various other aspects of
maintaining and protecting the system.
[0043] The league servers may also be connected to any number of
input/output devices in a public network 107-109 via the Internet.
Input/output devices used to compete in the tournaments may be a
player's home PC 110 or a video console 111, 112. The league
servers may process and compile all tournament player contact and
input with the league, host tournament play, administer the video
game software, coordinate player activities, supply real time
communication, and send tournament and player data to the central
organization servers.
[0044] Remotely connected input/output devices are loaded with
sports league game software 113 and are connected to a game
controller 114 used to operate the game software. The players'
video game controller may communicate the game actions of the
player to the players' home pc or video game console. To play a
video game, the player manipulates different control features to
execute the video game actions.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an Internet professional
sports organization 200. The block diagram depicts three Internet
sports leagues, golf 210, racing 220 and soccer 230. The Internet
professional sports organization may be supported by a server such
as central organization server 100 depicted in FIG. 1. In addition,
each Internet sports league may be supported in separate servers
such as league servers 102-105 FIG. 1. However, additional leagues
may be implemented in the professional sports organization
framework. For example, football, boxing, wrestling, basketball,
baseball, soccer, and extreme sports etc may also be implemented
within the professional sports organization framework according to
embodiments of the invention. Various segments of FIG. 2 are
described below in the discussions of FIGS. 3, 4, and 4.
[0046] FIG. 3 is an illustration of a portion of FIG. 2, namely a
central, top level Internet professional sports organization 300
and associated sports leagues that include Internet professional
golf 310, Internet professional racing 320, and Internet
professional soccer 330. The central organization 300 may provide
administrative services from a central server, i.e. central
organization server 101 in FIG. 1, to each of the different sports
leagues 310-330, and may be separate and independent of each sports
league 310-330. The central organization 300 may also be strictly
an administrative body; however, as an administrative body, one of
the administrative functions of the central organization 300 may be
to operate and maintain a central server system for each of the
sports leagues 310-330. In one example, each sports league 310-330
is a separate and independent entity, but rents server space and
purchases database services from the central server system. With a
central organization supporting a central server system, each of
the sports leagues 310-330 may share web development services,
financial services, billing services, banking services and any
other services that do not jeopardize the autonomy of each
league.
[0047] Administrative responsibilities of the central organization
300 may include performing oversight duties in order to ensure that
the sports leagues stay within the laws, rules, and standards of
the league, as well as ensure that the leagues follow and enforce
membership rules and codes of conduct. The central organization 300
may also oversee any rule changes and additions for each sports
entity, provide resolution services for player complaints, and
perform other services such as promoting and protecting the
leagues.
[0048] Three sports leagues 310-330 are shown as examples in FIGS.
2 & 3. However, Internet professional sports is not limited to
the three sports listed, but may include many other sports. The
sports leagues may be separate and independent of the central
organization 300, and may be separate and independent of each
other. Each league may be configured to maintain its own residence,
finances, board members, administrative personnel, programmers, web
developers, server system, hardware, software, competition format,
and any other functions necessary to operate and manage the league.
In addition, each league may have its own distinct website and be
in control of developing the league identity.
[0049] FIG. 4 is an illustration of one exemplary sports league
depicted in FIG. 2. An Internet professional golf league 400
includes potential players 401 that may contact the golf league 401
by accessing Internet professional golf's website. The website may
provide the potential player 402 with all the information and
required steps needed to qualify and compete in Internet
professional golf tournaments. For example, potential players 401,
at their discretion, can download an 18-hole qualifying video golf
game from the Internet professional golf website onto the hard
drive of their home PC at no charge. The potential player can then
practice the golf game on or off-line with no fees assessed and no
time limits until he/she chooses to play to attempt meet the
required qualifications 402 in a qualifying round.
[0050] As part of a potential player's qualifications 402, after
having an opportunity to practice the 18-hole qualifying game, a
player may choose to enter into a qualifying round. In this
example, the player may visit the Internet professional golf
website and submit a request for a secure password, set up an
account, i.e. choose a screen name and submit payment and credit
methods and legal information, and then may enter into the
qualifying round.
[0051] In one example, the player's account web page may include a
link to a qualifying round. When the link is selected, the
qualifying 18-hole golf game on the player's PC or video console
may be activated. Once the player has completed the qualifying
round, the final score may determine the players status, i.e.,
professional, semi-professional, amateur, or the like. According to
an example following the structure of FIG. 4, if the player's score
is above a predetermined amount, such as +5, the player is assigned
semi-professional status 404. If the score is equal to or below a
predetermined amount, such as +5, the player is assigned to a
professional status 403. A message notifying the player of his/her
status may appear on the PC screen or TV screen immediately at the
end of the qualifying round.
[0052] In another example, a user account profile may include
information related to the virtual appearance of their virtual
player. For example, a user associated with a player profile may
choose an appearance for their virtual player, i.e., clothing,
gender, race, and may choose equipment used by the virtual player,
such as golf shoes, golf clubs, and golf balls. A user may also be
required to pay the Internet golf system for selecting the golf
equipment or attire.
[0053] A player profile in a user's account may also include
information related to payment of consideration to compete or
practice. For example, green fees may be required before a player
may be permitted to practice on virtual golf courses or compete in
virtual golf tournaments, and a messages indicating that fees are
due may be displayed in a user's account. In some implementations,
access to player winnings may also be included within a player
profile enabling the user to pay for their green fees from their
winnings.
[0054] According to certain embodiments, players who receive
notification of professional status 403 may be directed to his/her
account web page where they can read and become familiar with the
league code of conduct 405 and membership rules and guidelines 407.
To become eligible to compete as a professional player in league
tournaments, he/she must agree to the leagues code of conduct and
become a member of the Internet professional sports
organization.
[0055] Players who receive notification of semi-professional 304
status may be directed to his/her account web page where they can
read and become familiar with the rules and guidelines of the
leagues code of conduct 406. To become eligible to compete as a
semi-professional player in league tournaments, he/she must agree
to the leagues code of conduct 406. In this example,
semi-professional players do not have a membership in the Internet
professional sports organization.
[0056] The code of conduct for the virtual athletes requires that a
participant meet a standard of decorum, or risk removal from
participating in competition. For example, participants may not be
allowed to cheat. If a participant is caught cheating, the could
receive a one-year suspension. In another example, where a
participant is caught cheating multiple times, they could be
permanently disqualified. Thus
[0057] According to some embodiments, semi-professional 404 players
may attain professional status 403 by re-qualifying and achieving
the predetermined low score or by achieving a designated level of
success in tournaments when competing in semi-pro tournaments.
[0058] According to another embodiment, in order to maintain
professional status, a professional player may be required to
participate in a minimum number of tournaments per year and
maintain an average score below a predetermined amount, and may be
required to pay the requisite membership fees. If any of the
requirement are not met, the professional player may be removed
from the sports league, or may be categorized as a
semi-professional and be permitted to compete in semi-professional
tournaments.
[0059] When the participant has been accepted as a professional or
semi-professional player, he/she may be invited to tournament
action 408, 409. To view tournament invitations, the player may go
to their account web page where they may be apprised of current
tournament schedules and notified of the tournaments in which they
are eligible to play, along with tournament details such as prize
money break downs, greens fees, amount of time remaining to sign
up, start/stop times, players currently signed up, special rules,
etc. According to certain embodiments, software associated with
sports tournaments is different from qualifying game software.
Therefore, a player may be required to download and/or purchase and
Internet professional sports tournament software. The tournament
software may be downloadable directly off of a central server or
may be purchased at a retail store, for example.
[0060] Once a participant has selected the tournament, he/she may
be directed to choose an available time to start their tournament
play by selecting an available tee time. The availability of tee
times may be governed by server traffic and the player's time
zones. Once the participant has selected an available tee time, the
participant may be directed to pay the tournament green fee through
a 3.sup.rd party payment service. The participant may be notified
of his/her acceptance to the tournament and their tee time after
the payment process is complete.
[0061] In an example tournament setting, during the week of the
tournament, a participant may play three practice rounds, once each
day on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. If the player wishes to play
more than one practice round per day, then extra green fees may be
charged. A participant than participates in the tournament on game
days, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 18 holes each day for
a total of 72 holes.
[0062] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a tournaments 500 structure for
Internet professional sports according to some embodiments of the
present invention. According to exemplary embodiments, all Internet
professional sports tournaments are open to players regardless of
age, gender, religion or nationality, which is in contrast to the
format of actual professional sports which divides the competition
by gender. The tournament structure, whether professional or
semi-professional, may follow the same basic format and may be
consistent from sport to sport. Tournaments and other sporting
events may involve the same rules of play as the PGA, NASCR, World
Soccer League, and other currently accepted professional sports
leagues in their respective sports.
[0063] The tournaments 500 field, according to FIG. 5, includes of
two divisions, professional 510 and semi-professional 530. As
previously noted, the divisions 510 and 530 are dissected based the
player skill levels supported, not by age or gender. According to
certain embodiments, tournament play may consist of weekly "tour"
tournaments 511, 531 and scheduled championship series 512, 532
play in both divisions. For example, "tour" tournaments 511, 531
may be played weekly and be open to all players who have played
their qualifying round and have been accepted for Internet
professional sports league play. A championship series 512, 532 may
not be open to all players and instead may be played by "tour"
winners. Invitations may be based by the amount of prize money won
in previous "tour" tournaments 511, 531. The frequency of
championship series 512, 532 may vary depending on the number of
available "tour" winners.
[0064] The weekly tournaments and championship series may be played
on a variety of video golf courses. In the example of FIG. 5, three
"tour" golf courses, Kootenia Golf Course 513, Cabinet Mountain
Resort 514, and Bear tooth Country Club 515 are shown. However, any
number of additional golf courses having their own design features
may be added to the pro tour. Software used in the professional
Internet golf is designed to include accurate course dimensions so
that the golf courses are calibrated to be as challenging as the
actual golf courses the software emulates. Virtual golf courses are
designed with precise dimensions so that, for example, an actual
putting green is reproduced as a virtual putting green in the
software. In another example, the length of virtual fairways may be
scaled so that centimeters on a computer screen are equal to inches
on an actual golf course, or so that inches on a computer screen
are equal to feet, yards, or the like on an actual golf course.
This allows golf courses around the world to be replicated in a
virtual setting. Furthermore, golf course conditions may also be
replicated. For example, where sporting events have a geographical
location assigned to it, on the day of the event, weather
conditions as close as possible to the conditions of the
geographical area may be programmed into the virtual course. In one
implementation, the central server may collect game time weather
conditions and send the weather information to the league server,
which may communicate with the players' video game software to set
the weather conditions for the sporting event. Accordingly, wind
variations on a virtual golf course may affect the virtual golf
ball velocity and direction in the same way actual wind would
affects a golf ball at a corresponding golf course.
[0065] According to some embodiments, tournaments may be limited to
a maximum of 1000 players, and each course may have a primary 516
and any number of secondary tournaments 517, 518 being played
simultaneously depending on the number of players. For example: if
there are 10,000 players registered for a tournament then one
primary and nine secondary tournaments may be organized. Prize
money 519-521 may be awarded for each primary and secondary
tournament. This is because according to embodiments of the
invention, prizes are awarded for each tournament held, and the
tournaments are not elimination tournaments, since each competitor
may play in a field of no more than 1,000 players exclusively. The
top players in each primary and secondary tournament, thus may be
awarded prize money. In the case of a tie, a play-off may be
conducted to determine the winner.
[0066] For tour tournaments 511 tournaments in which participants
are invited, invitations may be based on, for example, a player's
previous scores and/or rankings. This may create a fair playing
field in most instances. For example, if out of 10,000 players,
1,000 players have an average golf score of -1 in previous
tournament competition, or if they have not played in any previous
tournaments and have a -1 qualifying score, they may be placed into
the primary tournament. A "secondary-1" tournament may hold the
next 1,000 players that have the next lowest scores. The rest of
the eight secondary tournaments may follow accordingly.
[0067] "Tour" tournaments and championships series play include
entry fees. For Internet golf tournaments, green fees are required
to be paid before a professional virtual golfer may be permitted to
practice or compete. Players are officially confirmed and
registered for their chosen tournament when payment and tournament
entry forms have been received. Players may register for and play
in as many "tour" tournaments in the same week as they are
qualified for, as long as it is not the same course, racetrack or
arena. Players may not play in more than one "tour" tournament
simultaneously.
[0068] The amount charged per green fee may vary depending on the
type of play desired, i.e., practice only or practice and
competition. For example, payment of greens fees ranging from $2.00
to $5.00 may allow a virtual golfer to practice on one or more golf
courses for a set period of time, such as one round or one week.
Payment of green fees may also allow a virtual golfer to practice
and to enter into one or more tournaments. For example, pro "tour"
tournament fees may range from $25 to $250 and championship series
may be $500 to $5,000. Semi-pro "tour" tournament fees may range
from $5 to $75 and championship series may be $100 to $500. The
"tour" tournament fees also permit the player to play practice
rounds on the "tour" tournament course they have registered for.
The number of practice rounds allowed per registration may be
limited, and players may play more practice rounds prior to the
tournament by paying practice green fees, pit stop fees or arena
rental fees.
[0069] Green fees may also vary depending on the virtual golf
course to be used, the competitors the golfer competes against, and
the type virtual golf tournament. Where green fees are not paid, a
virtual golfer is prevented from entering into a tournament and
from practicing.
[0070] Although green fees have been described above, other virtual
professional sports such as car racing may have pit stop fees in
the form of charges for gas and tires. In another example, and
soccer tournaments may include arena rental fees.
[0071] FIG. 6 is a chart illustrating distributions of Pro
tournament prize money that may be implemented according to various
embodiments of the present invention. The chart is an illustration
of a variety of pro tournament events having listing entry fees,
the number of places that receive prize money, the potential
earnings distribution to players, and the total tournament prize
money paid out per event. Placement money is paid differently in
each event depending on a variety of circumstances. For example,
events with $25-$75 entry fees may receive money from 1.sup.st
place through 24.sup.th place, whereas $150 entry fees receive
money from 1.sup.st place through 61.sup.st place. Prize money per
event is not limited to a percentage the of entry fees paid. A
combination of entry fees, i.e. green fees, sponsorships,
endorsement fees, merchandising fees, merchandise sales,
advertising revenues and marketing considerations may also be used
as prize money and thus may be used to determine the amount of
prize money and the number of places paid per event. In addition,
the sale of individual personalization accessories and game
improvement tools such as new fashions for the game figure,
purchase of upgraded virtual clubs, practice sessions on the fields
of play, etc may also be used to determine the amount of prize
money and number of places that may receive awards.
[0072] According to some embodiments, the top finishers for each
tournament receives high stakes awards that may range from
$1000-$150,000, for example. The awards for tournaments are large
enough so that a user playing the Internet professional sport may
have the opportunity to supplement or provide their income through
achieving victory or high ranking in the tournaments. Awarding high
stakes prizes for each non-elimination tournament, according to the
present invention, increases a player's chances of receiving award
money, making participation in the sport more appealing compared to
virtual sports that require players to compete throughout a season
or regiment of competitions before achieving the ability to receive
award money.
[0073] According to certain implementations, an award pool is a
high stakes pool of $1000 or more. The award pool may be
distributed among a group of top finishers, or may be awarded to
the top finisher of an event or tournament. In this way, when a
golf tournament that consists of four golf rounds is conducted, top
finishers for each round played may be awarded money from a high
stakes award pool, and/or the top finishers of the overall
tournament may be awarded money from a pool of award money that is
$1000 or more. In another example, the top finisher for each round
may be awarded $1000 or more, and the top finisher of the overall
tournament may be awarded $1000 or more.
[0074] The chart illustrating player winnings in FIG. 6 is a
depiction of one way of distributing awards to tournament
participants. Other distribution methods that award high stakes
prizes to top finishers may also be used according to
implementations.
[0075] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a method 700 for providing a
professional Internet sports system according to an embodiment of
the present invention. The method 700 includes assigning 702 a
skill level to a player based on their performance in a qualifying
round. The qualifying round is calibrated so that a player exhibits
a degree of skill in the sport commensurate with a professional
Internet athlete in order to qualify as a professional and compete
against other professionals. According to the method, the
professional Internet sports system receives 704 confirmation that
a qualified player is eligible to participate in competition. For
example, a qualified player that has paid their entrance fees may
be confirmed and the confirmation message sent to the system.
Method 700 also includes hosting 706 online virtual sport
tournaments for each skill level so that participants having a
matching skill level are matched against each other in competition;
and includes awarding 708 high stakes prizes to the winners of each
of the tournaments which may include cash prizes of $1000 or more,
or prizes valued at $1000 or more. Other top finishers may also
receive high stakes awards, while other mid-level finishers may
receive smaller cash awards, i.e. $100-$900. In some
implementations, the method includes ranking 710 the individual
players based on their overall performance in their associated
professional sporting league. Depending on an individual
participant's rank after participating in tournament play, the
player may be assigned to a different skill level and thus may
compete in tournaments against players having the same skill level
as the individual participant.
[0076] The method and system according to the present invention may
be implemented using various combinations of software and hardware
as would be apparent to those of skill in the art and as desired by
the user. The present invention may be implemented in conjunction
with a general purpose or dedicated computer system having a
processor and memory components.
[0077] From the above description and drawings, it will be
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the
particular embodiments shown and described are for purposes of
illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the
present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that the present invention may be embodied in other
specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. References to details of particular embodiments
are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
* * * * *