U.S. patent application number 12/577599 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-22 for method and system for playing an online fantasy game.
This patent application is currently assigned to OPEN SPORTS NETWORK, INC.. Invention is credited to Barry A. CARPE, Mark C. Hennessy, Micheal LEVY, David A. MARCHETTI, Robert C. PHYTHIAN.
Application Number | 20100184495 12/577599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42337392 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100184495 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LEVY; Micheal ; et
al. |
July 22, 2010 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PLAYING AN ONLINE FANTASY GAME
Abstract
Disclosed is a method of playing a fantasy game. The fantasy
game persists for a predetermined duration, within a fantasy league
having a number of fantasy teams, each fantasy team being managed
by a manager and having number of roster positions. The method
provides for selecting a first fantasy player corresponding to a
first real-world performer, assigning the first fantasy player to a
first position of a first fantasy team, selecting a second fantasy
player corresponding to a second real-world performer, and
substituting the second fantasy player for the first fantasy player
before the expiration of the predetermined duration and after the
performance by the first real-world player has begun.
Inventors: |
LEVY; Micheal; (Boca Raton,
FL) ; PHYTHIAN; Robert C.; (St. Paul, MN) ;
CARPE; Barry A.; (Boca Raton, FL) ; MARCHETTI; David
A.; (Boca Raton, FL) ; Hennessy; Mark C.;
(Miramar, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOLLAND & KNIGHT LLP
2099 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, SUITE 100
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Assignee: |
OPEN SPORTS NETWORK, INC.
Deerfield Beach
FL
|
Family ID: |
42337392 |
Appl. No.: |
12/577599 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61146201 |
Jan 21, 2009 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/4 ;
463/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/828 20140902;
A63F 13/65 20140902; A63F 13/46 20140902; A63F 13/12 20130101; A63F
13/71 20140902 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/4 ;
463/43 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method of playing an online fantasy game, which persists for a
predetermined duration, within a fantasy league having a plurality
of fantasy teams, each fantasy team being managed by a manager and
having plurality of roster positions, the method comprising:
selecting a first fantasy player corresponding to a first
real-world performer in a first real-world event; assigning the
first fantasy player to a first position of a first fantasy team;
storing a record of the assignment in an online game data server;
selecting a second fantasy player corresponding to a second
real-world performer in a second real-world event; substituting the
second fantasy player for the first fantasy player before
expiration of a predetermined duration and after the first
real-world event has begun; and storing a record of the
substitution in an online game data server.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first real-world player is a
member of a professional athletic team.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first real-world player is a
member of a collegiate athletic team.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: separating
performance aspects of the first real-world performer in the first
real-world event into a plurality of categories; and awarding a
point value to each of the plurality of categories.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the awarding is based on point
value assigned to a category.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first fantasy player is
simultaneously assigned to a first fantasy team and a second
fantasy team of the plurality of fantasy teams in the fantasy
league.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of fantasy teams in
the fantasy league is exactly 2.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second real-world
events are the same real-world event.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein the awarding is recalculated
continuously before expiration of the predetermined duration.
10. A method of administering an online fantasy game, which
persists for a predetermined duration, within a fantasy league
having a plurality of fantasy teams, each fantasy team being
managed by a manager and having plurality of roster positions, the
method comprising: verifying the identity of a manager; enabling
the manager to select a first fantasy player; correlating the first
fantasy player to a first real-world performer; facilitating the
manager to assign the first fantasy player to a first roster
position of a first fantasy team; determining a first score for the
first fantasy player based on a first contemporaneous performance
of the first real-world performer in a first real-world event;
enabling the manager to select a second fantasy player; correlating
the second fantasy player to a second real-world performer in a
second real-world event; facilitating the manager to substitute the
second fantasy player for the first fantasy player before
expiration of the predetermined duration and after the first
contemporaneous performance by the first real-world performer has
begun in the first real-world event; determining a second score for
the second fantasy player based on a second contemporaneous
performance of the second real-world performer in the second
real-world event; and summing the first score and the second score
during the predetermined duration.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first score is updated
continuously throughout the first contemporaneous performance of
the first real-world player.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein the second score is updated
continuously throughout the second contemporaneous performance of
the second real-world player.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the determining of the first
score is based on a statistical attribute for each of a plurality
of performance categories.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the first fantasy player may
simultaneously be assigned to the first fantasy team and a second
fantasy team in the fantasy league.
15. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of fantasy teams
in the fantasy league is exactly 2.
16. A system for playing a fantasy game, which persists for a
predetermined duration, within a fantasy league having a plurality
of fantasy teams, each fantasy team being managed by a manager and
having plurality of roster positions, the system comprising: an
authentication module which identifies a manager; and a roster
management module which facilitates: selecting a first fantasy
player corresponding to a first real-world performer in a first
real-world event; assigning the first fantasy player to a first
position of a first fantasy team; selecting a second fantasy player
corresponding to a second real-world performer in a second
real-world event; and substituting the second fantasy player for
the first fantasy player before expiration of the predetermined
duration and after the first real-world event has begun.
17. The system of claim 16, further comprising: a social networking
module which facilitates: inviting a friend from a social network
to join the fantasy game, locating the friend from a social network
already playing the fantasy game, and publishing status data from
the fantasy game to the social network.
18. The system of claim 16, wherein the roster management module
facilitates the simultaneous assignment of the first fantasy player
to both the first fantasy team and a second fantasy team in the
fantasy league.
Description
[0001] This invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61-146,201 filed on Jan. 21, 2009, which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The embodiments of the invention relate to an online fantasy
game and, more particularly, to a method and system for playing an
online fantasy game. Although embodiments of the invention are
suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly
suitable for an online fantasy game in which participants can make
roster substitutions during the event or events upon which the
fantasy game is based.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] In general, fantasy games are games that are based upon
actions of people in the real world in an event such as a
professional sports game. Participants in a fantasy game select a
person or persons from the real world and accumulate points when
the persons they have selected perform certain acts in the event. A
participant wins a fantasy game by accumulating more points than
other opponents in the fantasy game.
[0006] The participants in a fantasy game are called managers and
compete with other managers in a group called a fantasy league.
Each manager has a team with a number of roster positions. Roster
positions are filled, at the discretion of the manager, from a pool
of fantasy players. Within a traditional fantasy league, fantasy
players are owned exclusively by a single manager and correlate to
real-world performers. Fantasy players earn points for their
fantasy team based upon a real-world performance of the real-world
performer in a real-world event. Managers can trade or substitute
fantasy players with a history of poor performances for other
fantasy players. Roster changes may be made before the underlying
real-world performance of a fantasy player has begun. Managers
defeat other managers by obtaining a higher score based upon the
manager's prior selection of fantasy players who scored more
points.
[0007] Typically, fantasy games are based on athletic competitions
in the real world. Athletic competitions include American football,
baseball, basketball, and hockey. For example, a manager might
score points when a particular baseball player hits a home run or
when a basketball player scores a free throw. However, fantasy
games are not necessarily limited to athletic competitions and can
be based upon any happening in the real world.
[0008] In traditional fantasy games, a group of managers will join
together to form a league. Managers then take turns selecting
fantasy players to fill their rosters in a fantasy draft. Once a
fantasy player has been selected by one manager, that same fantasy
player cannot be selected by another manager. Fantasy players not
initially selected in the fantasy draft are called free agents and
can be selected by managers to fill roster positions later in the
fantasy game. Managers directly compete against other managers in
periodic one-on-one competitions called matchups. League rules
dictate the duration of fantasy game, matchup schedules, and
scoring methodology. The fantasy game typically persists for the
entire set of underlying real-world performances. Matchups between
managers occur for a subset of the performances. For example, a
fantasy game will typically cover an entire sporting season and
matchups will occur for all games in a given week.
[0009] In a variant of the traditional fantasy game, each fantasy
player is assigned a fantasy salary based on the market demand for
that fantasy player. Each manager is given a "salary cap" and must
staff the fantasy team while the sum of all fantasy player's
salaries under the salary cap. In this variant, the same fantasy
player may be possessed by multiple managers within the same
fantasy league.
[0010] In traditional fantasy games, once a real-world event in
which the real-world performer is performing has begun, the roster
is locked and no roster changes may be made. For example, once a
real-world hockey game has started, the roster position of any
fantasy player in the hockey game is locked. If the athlete has the
misfortune of suffering a game ending injury, and thereby obviates
the athlete's ability to score points for the fantasy team, there
is no recourse. Similarly, if an athlete who is not on a fantasy
team is having an outstanding performance, a manager cannot add
that performer to the team's roster. Thus, managers exercising poor
discretion in selecting performers prior to the performance are
forced to suffer the consequences of their initial judgment. Once
the real-world event has begun, the manager's interaction with the
fantasy game is limited to being a spectator.
[0011] Traditional fantasy games only allow a fantasy player to be
possessed by a single manager within the fantasy league. When
playing salary cap variants of fantasy games where concurrent
ownership is permitted by the rules, managers are constrained by
salary cap limitations. This limits the ability of managers for
poorly performing teams to rectify their misfortune.
[0012] Further, traditional fantasy games take place over long
periods of time. Because fantasy games often persist for the
duration of an entire athletic season, managers may become
disinterested in the game if their fantasy team is performing
poorly. Additionally, managers with poorly performing fantasy teams
may become disenfranchised in the later part of the season and
limit their participation or withdraw from the game. Disinterested
or withdrawing managers diminishes the fantasy game experience for
the remaining managers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Accordingly, embodiments of the invention are directed to a
method and system for playing a fantasy game that substantially
obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and
disadvantages of the related art.
[0014] An object of embodiments of the invention is to allow
managers to substitute fantasy players after the events upon which
the fantasy game is based have begun.
[0015] Another object of embodiments of the invention is to
provide, an online fantasy game format suitable for active
participation during a short period of time.
[0016] Another object of embodiments of the invention is to enable
the same fantasy player to be possessed by multiple managers
simultaneously.
[0017] Another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide
an interactive software tool to manage an online fantasy game.
[0018] Another object of embodiments of the invention is to provide
integration with external social networks enabling managers to
invite and locate friends from the network and upload fantasy
status updates to the network.
[0019] Additional features and advantages of embodiments of the
invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and
in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by
practice of embodiments of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the embodiments of the invention will be realized and
attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written
description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0020] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of embodiments of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described, the method and system for playing an online
fantasy game includes a method of playing an online fantasy game,
which persists for a predetermined duration, within a fantasy
league having a plurality of fantasy teams, each fantasy team being
managed by a manager and having plurality of roster positions, the
method comprising: selecting a first fantasy player corresponding
to a first real-world performer in a first real-world event;
assigning the first fantasy player to a first position of a first
fantasy team; selecting a second fantasy player corresponding to a
second real-world performer in a second real-world event; and
substituting the second fantasy player for the first fantasy player
before expiration of the predetermined duration and after the first
real-world event has begun.
[0021] In another aspect, the method and system for playing an
online fantasy game includes a method of administering an online
fantasy game, which persists for a predetermined duration, within a
fantasy league having a plurality of fantasy teams, each fantasy
team being managed by a manager and having plurality of roster
positions, the method comprising: verifying the identity of a
manager; enabling the manager to select a first fantasy player;
correlating the first fantasy player to a first real-world
performer; facilitating the manager to assign the first fantasy
player to a first roster position of a first fantasy team;
determining a first score for the first fantasy player based on a
first contemporaneous performance of the first real-world performer
in a first real-world event; enabling the manager to select a
second fantasy player; correlating the second fantasy player to a
second real-world performer in a second real-world event;
facilitating the manager to substitute the second fantasy player
for the first fantasy player before expiration of the predetermined
duration and after the first contemporaneous performance by the
first real-world performer has begun in the first real-world event;
determining a second score for the second fantasy player based on a
second contemporaneous performance of the second real-world
performer in the second real-world event; and summing the first
score and the second score during the predetermined duration.
[0022] In another aspect, the method and system for playing an
online fantasy game includes a system for playing a fantasy game,
which persists for a predetermined duration, within a fantasy
league having a plurality of fantasy teams, each fantasy team being
managed by a manager and having plurality of roster positions, the
system comprising: an authentication module which identifies a
manager; and a roster management module which facilitates:
selecting a first fantasy player corresponding to a first
real-world performer in a first real-world event; assigning the
first fantasy player to a first position of a first fantasy team;
selecting a second fantasy player corresponding to a second
real-world performer in a second real-world event; and substituting
the second fantasy player for the first fantasy player before
expiration of the predetermined duration and after the first
real-world event has begun.
[0023] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
embodiments of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of embodiments of the invention and are
incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification,
illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the
description serve to explain the principles of embodiments of the
invention.
[0025] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating game play according to
an embodiment of the invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a timeline illustrating substitutions according to
an embodiment of the invention;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a ledger illustrating scoring for a fantasy game
based on football according to an embodiment of the invention;
[0028] FIGS. 4A-4C are ledgers illustrating scoring for a fantasy
game based on basketball according to an embodiment of the
invention;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating modules of a fantasy game
system according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for capturing
performance data according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the flow of performance
data according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating administration of an
online fantasy game according to an embodiment of the
invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied
in many different forms and should not be construed as being
limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these
embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough
and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to
those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the thicknesses of
layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity. Like reference
numerals in the drawings denote like elements.
[0034] FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating game play according to
an embodiment of the invention. Managers may select fantasy players
to fill their roster 100 prior to commencement of the underlying
real-world performances. A record of the manager's selection is
stored in an online game data server. The real-world performance
can be participation in a sporting event or group of sporting
events, but may also be a non-athletic performance. Real-world
performers may be a member of a professional, collegiate, or
amateur team. Multiple managers within a fantasy league may own the
same fantasy player. After the fantasy game starts 110, managers
continually assess 120 the performances of the underlying
real-world performers in real-world events. Managers may add and
remove fantasy players to maintain an optimal roster by making
substitutions 150. A record of the manager's substitution is stored
in the online game data server. A fantasy player only accrues
points for the fantasy team of a manager while the fantasy player
is on the roster. When a fantasy player is removed from the roster
by the manager, the fantasy player no longer accrues points for
that manager's fantasy team. Once a fantasy game reaches its ending
date 130, final points are calculated 140, standings are computed,
and prizes may be awarded. Fantasy players on each fantasy team
accumulate points based on the performance of the corresponding
real-world performer in a concurrent real-world event in the given
time period that the fantasy game runs.
[0035] FIG. 2 is a timeline illustrating substitutions according to
an embodiment of the invention. The timeline shows substitutions
for a given roster position of a fantasy team. The fantasy game
starts at t=0 and ends at t=3. The roster position is filled with a
first fantasy player FP1. For the duration of the first fantasy
player's tenure on the roster, the player accumulates points 230
based upon the performance of the underlying real-world player.
Scores are updated continuously as fantasy players accrue points.
At t=1, a substitution occurs. The first fantasy player is removed
from the roster position and a second fantasy player is added and
begins accumulating points 240. Because the first fantasy player is
no longer on the roster, the first fantasy player can not
accumulate points. At t=2, a third fantasy player FP3 is
substituted in place of the second fantasy player. At the end of
the fantasy game, t=3, the points for all fantasy players that
occupied the roster position over the course of the game are
totaled 260. In an embodiment of the invention based on football,
substitutions must occur at least ten seconds before the beginning
of each play.
[0036] Fantasy players can correspond to real-world performers who
are performing in the same event. For example, a fantasy team can
have fantasy players from each of two real-world teams that are
competing in head-to-head competition. A fantasy team can also have
fantasy players who are performing in different yet concurrent
events.
[0037] The accumulated points of all fantasy players on the fantasy
team are tabulated by point category. In football, these point
categories include passing, rushing, receiving and kicking. In
baseball, these point categories include home runs, runs batted in
(RBI's), stolen bases, runs scored, batting average, wins, saves,
strikeouts, earned run average (ERA) and whip (Walks+Hits per
Innings Pitched). In basketball, these point categories include
points scored, steals, rebounds, assists, blocked shots, field goal
percentage and free throw percentage. In hockey, these point
categories include goals, assists, plus/minus ratio, penalty
minutes, goals allowed, shut outs, wins, save percentage and shut
outs. While specific sports and point categories have been
described, other sports and non-sports as well as other point
categories are contemplated.
[0038] The number of points awarded for specific attributes of the
performance is determined at the outset of the fantasy game. The
determination of points can be done by the fantasy game provider or
the organizer of the fantasy league. In an embodiment of the
invention based on football, a touchdown scored by rushing is worth
60 points and each yard gained is worth 1 point. A two-point
conversion is worth 20 points, a field goal 30 points, and an extra
point worth 10 points. Interceptions and lost fumbles are worth -20
points.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary scoring ledger for a fantasy
game based on football. Each roster position 310, is awarded points
for each category 320. The scores for each point category 320 are
totaled to determine a total score for that roster position 330.
The total score 330 for each roster position 310 is totaled to
determine a total score for the fantasy team 340. The fantasy team
with the highest total score wins the fantasy game.
[0040] In fantasy games based on baseball, basketball, and hockey,
each fantasy team is scored based on their standing for each
individual point category. The fantasy team with the highest score
in any given point category is awarded an amount of points equal to
the number of teams in the fantasy league (i.e. in an 8-man league,
first place in Home Runs receives 8 points). Each other fantasy
team in that point category is awarded one less point than the
fantasy team above it (i.e. 2nd place in home runs for an 8-man
league receives 7 points, 3rd receives 6 points, etc). Once each
point category has been scored, the fantasy team's total score is
the sum of all point categories. The fantasy team with the highest
score wins.
[0041] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate an exemplary set of scoring ledgers
for a fantasy game based on basketball. For each point category
400, managers 410 are ranked according to their accumulated points
420 in that category. The top manager 430 is awarded a score 440
equal to the number of managers in the league. Each subsequent
manager is awarded 1 less point than the previous. The lowest
ranked manager 450 receives a score of 1. To obtain a final score
for a manager 410, the scores from each category are totaled 460.
The manager with the highest score 470 is the winner of the fantasy
game.
[0042] In an embodiment of the invention, each fantasy game may
have as few as 2 managers competing head-to-head or as many as 100
managers competing in a fantasy league. Multiple fantasy leagues
may persist concurrently and a manager may enter into multiple
leagues at the same time with the same or a different fantasy team.
Managers are ranked against other managers in their league to
determine the winner of league play. Managers are also ranked
against managers from other concurrent fantasy leagues to determine
an overall winner. This system of multiple ranking adds to the user
experience by improving a manager's opportunities to win and
increasing the manager's interest in the game.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a diagram of a fantasy game system according to an
embodiment of the invention. A network enabled management tool (not
shown) is provided to interface with the fantasy game system 500
and facilitate game play according to the aforementioned aspects of
the game. The management tool may persist on the manager's personal
computer, cellular telephone, or wireless communications device.
Alternatively, the management tool may exist as an applet or
webpage hosted on the world wide web by the fantasy game provider.
Additionally, the management tool may exist on dedicated portable
or stationary hardware. Dedicated hardware may be owned by a casino
or arcade and provisioned for the use of guests or owned in an
individual capacity by fantasy managers.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, an authentication module 510
controls access to the fantasy game system. Managers may sign up
for an account with the fantasy game provider. Accounts are
associated with both a unique username and password. Managers can
use the management tool in combination with their username and
password to log into their accounts, gain access to fantasy games,
and perform management functions on their fantasy team or
teams.
[0045] In an exemplary embodiment, the fantasy game system provides
for a fantasy lobby module 520 where managers may choose a fantasy
game that matches their desired level of participation. From the
fantasy lobby, the manager will be able to select a fantasy league
525 from among the following exemplary league attributes: their
friends (listed first), league size, entry fee, and prize amount.
Fantasy leagues disappear when they fill up. In an embodiment, the
fantasy lobby will also have a messaging component 535 where users
can exchange ideas, look for people to challenge, or otherwise
engage in friendly banter about the fantasy game. In another
embodiment, the fantasy lobby will also support the ability for
managers to invite friends 545 and issue challenges to other
managers.
[0046] Managers build their fantasy team according to the specific
league's roster requirements. Roster requirements dictate how many
and what type of fantasy players are allowed on a fantasy team.
Roster requirements can limit the universe of real-world performers
to a particular sport. In an exemplary embodiment, the fantasy game
system provides for a roster management module 530 which enforces
league roster requirements. Unlike traditional fantasy games,
managers do not have to go through a league draft to assemble their
initial roster. Mangers select fantasy players using the management
tool to add fantasy players according to the league rules enforced
by the roster management module. Multiple managers within a fantasy
league may have the same fantasy players on their roster.
[0047] Managers may make substitutions at any time during the
fantasy game. Managers may make an unlimited number of
substitutions. To make a substitution, a manager selects a first
fantasy player to remove from the roster. Next, the manager selects
a second fantasy player to replace the first. This process is
repeated for as many substitutions as the manager wishes to make
during the fantasy game. In an embodiment, the management tool
provides a fantasy player list that shows the available fantasy
players eligible for substitution onto the fantasy team. In another
embodiment, the management tool provides a list of recently
substituted fantasy players so that managers can quickly find
recently used fantasy players.
[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, the fantasy game system provides
a leaderboard module 540 which maintains standings in leaderboards.
Managers may use the management tool to monitor the leaderboards.
Leaderboards are updated continuously for the duration of the
fantasy game. One leaderboard may display standings within the
manager's fantasy league. Another leaderboard may display standings
for all managers in all leagues.
[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the fantasy game system provides
for a scoring module 550 which maintains data about the fantasy
game the underlying real-world performances. Managers may use the
management tool to monitor the scoring module data. In head-to-head
matchups, the management tool shows the scores of both managers. If
the manager is participating in a fantasy league, the management
tool shows the manager with the highest score. If the manager is
the current leader in the fantasy league, the management tool shows
the second place manager's score along with manager's own score.
The manager may use the management tool to target another manager
in the manager's leaderboard by highlighting and selecting the
other manager's fantasy team. The manager may change the view an
unlimited number of times.
[0050] In an exemplary embodiment, news feed module 560 will
receive live updates alerts regarding the underlying real-world
performances. Updates will be available to managers through the
management tool. Example live updates alerts include: real-world
team news, real-world player news/injuries, automated real-world
game alerts including red zone or scoring notification, automated
fantasy alerts, scoring summaries, current drive. A "shout box" 570
is provided where managers can type messages to interact in
real-time. Additionally the live scoring module provides game-wide
alerts to notify managers of major injuries, milestones, or events.
Game-wide alerts are supplemental to the automated live update
alerts.
[0051] In an exemplary embodiment, the scoring module provides for
a graphical display element 580 which measures the amount of
activity being generated for a particular matchup. Increased
activity could be indicative of changed circumstances necessitating
a substitution. The graphical display element gives the manager
visual feedback so that they can effectively manage their roster.
The graphical display element may be embodied as a thermometer that
moves up and down throughout the duration of the underlying
real-world performance.
[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the fantasy game system provides
a social networking module 590 which integrates with social
networking sites, such as Facebook.RTM., MySpace.RTM., or
Twitter.RTM.. The social networking module allows managers to
identify friends from other social networks that have existing
accounts with the fantasy game provider and to invite new friends
to the fantasy game using the management tool. The social
networking module allows mangers to see friends who are currently
playing fantasy games and to maintain a list of friends for easy
reference. Additionally, the social networking module may have
status updates from the fantasy game manually or automatically
posted to an external social networking site.
[0053] Fantasy players earn points for the fantasy team based upon
the performances of the corresponding real-world performers. In an
exemplary embodiment of the invention, the performance is measured
by the combination of both statistical data and timing data.
Statistical data and timing data may be recorded by a person or
persons watching the real-world performances. The persons may
operate separately for error checking and redundancy. The persons
may also operate together, dividing the data collecting tasks.
[0054] FIG. 6 illustrates a method for collecting performance data.
A video feed of the performance is captured at the location of the
performance 600 and sent to a satellite 610 for distribution via a
satellite TV provider such as DirecTV. Data is collected by two
redundant teams 620 of two persons watching the satellite video
feed on standard televisions. Each team is located on opposite
sides of the United States to hedge the risk of atmospheric
conditions disrupting the satellite feed. Each team includes a time
keeper 630 who records the time of individual acts of the
performance and a statistician 640 who records the details of the
act.
[0055] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the sources, synthesis, and storage
of performance data. As shown in FIG. 7, statistical data 730 is
data which quantifies the specific acts that constitute the
real-world performance. Statistical data is stored in a statistical
database 740. Timing data 750 is the time when each of the specific
acts constituting the real-world performance occurred. Timing data
is stored in a timing database 710. For example, in a baseball
game, statistical data may show that a batter had four hits. The
timing data shows the time each of the hits occurred.
[0056] Data from both the statistical database 740 and the timing
database 710 are synthesized in the performance engine 700 where
statistical events are correlated with a timing information.
Synthesized data is stored in a performance database 720. Data from
the performance database can then be matched to a period that a
fantasy player was on the roster of a fantasy team. Matching allows
the fantasy player to accrue points for the fantasy team based on
the performance of the real-world player.
[0057] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating administration of an
online fantasy game according to an embodiment of the invention.
Managers can make changes to their fantasy teams after verifying
800 their identity. Verification can be implemented by a simple
username and password. After verification, managers are enabled 810
to select a fantasy player. The selected fantasy player is then
correlated 820 to a real-world performer in a real-world event. The
manager can then assign 830 the selected fantasy player to a roster
position of the manager's fantasy team. After assignment, the
fantasy athlete can be assigned a score 840 based upon the
real-world performer's performance in the real-world event.
Successive 850 fantasy players can be selected, correlated,
assigned, and scored according to this method. When the fantasy
game is over, the total points scored by the fantasy team can
calculated 860. In an embodiment, the total score for a fantasy
team is calculated continuously throughout the fantasy game as the
performance by the underlying real-world performer accrues points
for the fantasy team.
[0058] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the method and system
for playing a fantasy game of embodiments of the invention without
departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is
intended that embodiments of the invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
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