U.S. patent application number 12/783576 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-24 for means for directing a contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues.
Invention is credited to Shylon Ray Hunter, David Andrew Lindmeir.
Application Number | 20110287834 12/783576 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44972914 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110287834 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lindmeir; David Andrew ; et
al. |
November 24, 2011 |
MEANS FOR DIRECTING A CONTESTANT THROUGH A COMPETITION USING
WIRELESSLY TRANSMITTED CLUES
Abstract
An apparatus, computer program product, method and system are
disclosed for directing a contestant in a competition through a
series of puzzles to find a hidden item of value using digitized
clues wirelessly transmitted to the contestant using SMS messaging.
The digitized clues are transmitted sequentially to contestants in
accordance with each contestant's, or team of contestants',
satisfaction of performance benchmarks in the competition. Certain
embodiments of the present invention include substitute means of
generating and transmitting clues, as well as of collecting
contestant performance data.
Inventors: |
Lindmeir; David Andrew;
(Layton, UT) ; Hunter; Shylon Ray; (South Layton,
UT) |
Family ID: |
44972914 |
Appl. No.: |
12/783576 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/29 ; 463/42;
463/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/12 20130101; A63F
13/798 20140902; A63F 13/216 20140902; H04W 4/21 20180201; A63F
13/332 20140902; H04L 67/38 20130101; A63F 2300/406 20130101; H04M
3/493 20130101; A63F 2300/5533 20130101; A63F 2300/8082
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/29 ; 463/42;
463/43 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A system to remotely direct a game contestant to the location of
a prize, the system comprising: a persistent computer readable
storage; an incorporation module configured to incorporate a
contestant into a virtual game framework, the incorporation module
configured to store the contestant's name and mobile phone number
in a database record in the persistent computer readable storage,
the incorporation module configured to verify a contestant's name
and registration by messaging the contestant wirelessly using one
of a Short Message Service (SMS) and a Multimedia Message Service
(MMS); a distributor module configured to effectuate a wireless
distribution to the contestant of a digitized clue stored in
persistent storage with a plurality of digitized clues, the
digitized clue indicative of the physical location of one or more
items of value ensconced with a confirmation code, the digitized
clue distributed in response to receipt of SMS from the contestant
that matches the confirmation code exclusively associated with the
digitized clue, the confirmation code encrypted in the persistent
computer readable storage and discoverable exclusively at the
physical location indicated by the digitized clue; a receiver
module configured to await SMS receipt the confirmation code sent
by the contestant; a measurement module configured to measure
contestant game performance, the measurement module configured to
measure one or more of: the time that elapses between transmission
of a digitized clue to the contestant and receipt of the
confirmation number associated with the digitized clue, mileage
traveled by the contestant, relative position with respect to other
participants, and points accumulated by the contestant; and a
passive transmitter module configured to interface with a social
networking website, the transmitter module configured to transmit
one or more measurements of contestant performance data to the
social networking website.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the incorporation module is
further configured to await a reply SMS message sent from the
contestant before incorporating the contestant into the virtual
game framework, the reply SMS sent to one of a short code text
number and a standard telephone number.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the incorporation module is
further configured to await a reply SMS message sent to a standard
telephone number from the contestant before incorporating the
contestant into the virtual game framework
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an active transmitter
module configured to electronically transmit one or more
measurements of contestant performance data to individuals who have
affirmatively requested said contestant performance data via an
Internet, the transmission comprising one of: an SMS, an email, and
an asynchronous API transmission via the Internet.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the item of value comprises an
amount of money that grows in direct proportion to one of: the
digitally totaled amount of money received electronically from
sponsors of the competition and the amount of observers who have
communicated with the active transmitter module.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the contestant is virtually
grouped into one of a plurality of contestant groups in accordance
with a predetermined algorithm.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the digitized clues are
distributed sequentially in accordance with a predetermined
sequence to each contestant in a contestant group in the plurality
of contestant groups.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the measurement module is in
communication with a Global Positioning System (GPS) in possession
of the contestant.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver module is configured
to await one or more of: SMS receipt the confirmation code sent by
the contestant, RFID confirmation of contestant presence at a
predetermined location, an optical scan of a QR Code, GPS
confirmation of contestant presence at a predetermined location,
and magnetic card swipe of a card in the possession of the
contestant.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the incorporation module is
further configured to incorporate a team of contestants into a
single database record.
11. The system of claim 1, wherein the digitized clue is randomly
selected from the plurality of digitized clues.
12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tallying module
configured to receive and tally votes communicated telephonically
by third-parties tracking contestant performance, the tallying
module storing vote tallies in the persistent computer storage.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the digitized clue is
transmitted to the contestant accumulating the highest vote
tally.
14. The system of claim 1, further comprising an automatic call
distributor (ACD).
15. The system of claim 1, wherein the confirmation code is relayed
by the contestant to the receiver module telephonically with DTMF
signaling.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver module comprises in
IVR platform configured to recognize oral recitation of the
confirmation code by the contestant.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter module is
further configured to transmit one or more measurements of
contestant performance data electronically to a television
network.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the item of value comprises a
pool of money that grows in direct proportion to the amount of
viewers garnered by the television network broadcasting a
television program comprising contestant performance data and
commentary on the game.
19. The system of claim 1, wherein the confirmation code stored at
the location of the prize is generated by a computer device.
20. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver module is further
configured to acknowledge receipt of the confirmation code in
response to correct transmission of the confirmation receipt and
further configured to inform the contestant of non-confirmation of
the confirmation code in response to incorrect transmission of the
confirmation code.
21. A computer program product comprising a computer readable
medium having computer usable program code executable to perform
operations for directing a game contestant to the location of a
prize, the operations of the computer program product comprising:
incorporating a contestant into a virtual game framework, the
incorporation module configured to store the contestant's name and
mobile phone number in a database record in the persistent computer
readable storage, the incorporation module configured to verify a
contestant's name and registration by messaging the contestant
wirelessly using one of a Short Message Service (SMS) and a
Multimedia Message Service (MMS); effectuating a wireless
distribution to the contestant of a digitized clue stored in
persistent storage with a plurality of digitized clues, the
digitized clue indicative of the physical location of one or more
items of value ensconced with a confirmation code, the digitized
clue distributed in response to receipt of SMS from the contestant
that satisfies the confirmation code exclusively associated with
the digitized clue; awaiting SMS receipt the confirmation code sent
by the contestant; measuring one or more of: the time that elapses
between transmission of a digitized clue to the contestant and
receipt of the confirmation number associated with the digitized
clue, mileage traveled by the contestant, points accumulated by the
contestant, the order in which contestants reach physical locations
identified by the plurality of digitized clues; and interfacing
with a social networking website, the transmitter module configured
to transmit one or more measurements of contestant performance data
to the social networking website.
22. The computer program product of claim 21, further comprising
distributing a digitized clue sequentially, in accordance with a
predetermined sequence, to each contestant in a contestant group in
the plurality of contestant groups.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to games and entertainment, and more
particularly relates to a system and computer program product for
directing a contestant in a competition to an item of value using
wirelessly transmitted clues.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Reality television programs have steadily grown in
popularity for more than decade. Over time, the most successful
reality television programs have pitted contestants against each
other in various genres of competitions for one or more prizes
awaiting the winner, including competitions for the affection of a
man or woman, for recording contracts with prominent record labels,
or for employment with high profile organizations.
[0005] While the contestants in some of these competitions are
advised or assisted in the competition by judges or counselors, the
art does not teach competitions in which the contestants are
directed electronically by a computer program product from one
physical location to another in pursuit of a prize.
[0006] People across the world enjoy entertaining themselves with
video games managed exclusively by computer program products which
impose rules upon game participants in virtual environments. People
across the world also enjoy watching sports and competitions
managed manually by organizations and individuals imposing rules
upon game participants in real-world environments. There are,
however, no games in the industry which comprise computer programs
that manage, and impose rules upon, game participants competing for
a prize in a real-world environment by distributing clues to them
electronically, which clues allow the contestants to continue their
participation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a
need exists for a system, apparatus and computer program product
for directing contestant through a competition using wirelessly
transmitted clues. The present invention has been developed in
response to the present state of the art; and, in particular, in
response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet
been fully solved by currently available methods, systems and
apparatii, and that overcome many or all of the above-discussed
shortcomings in the art. Accordingly, the present invention has
been developed to provide an apparatus, computer program product,
and system for directing a contestant through a competition using
wirelessly transmitted clues.
[0008] A system is disclosed that remotely directs a game
contestant to the location of a prize, the system comprising: a
persistent computer readable storage; and an incorporation module
configured to incorporate a contestant into a virtual game
framework, the incorporation module configured to store the
contestant's name and mobile phone number in a database record in
the persistent computer readable storage, the incorporation module
configured to verify a contestant's name and registration by
messaging the contestant wirelessly using one of a Short Message
Service (SMS) and a Multimedia Message Service (MMS).
[0009] The system further comprises a distributor module configured
to effectuate a wireless distribution to the contestant of a
digitized clue stored in persistent storage with a plurality of
digitized clues, the digitized clue indicative of the physical
location of one or more items of value ensconced with a
confirmation code, the digitized clue distributed in response to
receipt of SMS from the contestant that satisfies a confirmation
code exclusively associated with the digitized clue; a receiver
module configured to await SMS receipt the confirmation code sent
by the contestant; and a measurement module configured to measure
contestant game performance, the measurement module configured to
measure one or more of: the time that elapses between transmission
of a digitized clue to the contestant and receipt of the
confirmation number associated with the digitized clue, mileage
traveled by the contestant, and points accumulated by the
contestant, relative rank of the contestant.
[0010] The system also comprises a transmitter module configured to
interface with a social networking website, the transmitter module
configured to transmit one or more measurements of contestant
performance data to the social networking website.
[0011] In some embodiments, the incorporation module is further
configured to await a reply SMS message from the contestant before
incorporating the contestant into the virtual game framework. In
some embodiments, the incorporation module awaits a reply sent to
short code telephone number.
[0012] In still further embodiments, the contestant is virtually
grouped into one of a plurality of contestant groups in accordance
with a predetermined algorithm in which one or more factors
comprise measurements of contestant's game performance. In various
embodiments, the digitized clues are distributed sequentially in
accordance with a predetermined sequence to each contestant in a
contestant group in the plurality of contestant groups.
[0013] In other embodiments, the measurement module is in
communication with a Global Positioning System (GPS) in possession
of the contestant. In still other embodiments, the receiver module
is configured to await one or more of: SMS receipt the confirmation
code sent by the contestant, RFID confirmation of contestant
presence at a predetermined location, GPS confirmation of
contestant presence at a predetermined location or magnetic card
swipe.
[0014] The incorporation module may also be configured to
incorporate a team of contestants into a single database record.
The digitized clue may be randomly selected from the plurality of
digitized clues.
[0015] The system may comprise a tallying module configured to
receive and tally votes communicated telephonically by
third-parties tracking contestant performance, the tallying module
storing vote tallies in the persistent computer storage.
[0016] The digitized clue may be transmitted to the contestant
accumulating the highest vote tally, and may comprise an automatic
call distributor (ACD). The confirmation code may be relayed by the
contestant to the receiver module telephonically with DTMF
signaling.
[0017] The system may comprise an IVR platform configured to
recognize oral recitation of the confirmation code by the
contestant. The transmitter module may be further configured to
transmit one or more measurements of contestant performance data
electronically to a television network.
[0018] The item of value may comprise a pool of money that grows in
direct proportion to the amount of viewers garnered by the
television network broadcasting a television program comprising
contestant performance data and commentary on the game.
[0019] The value of the item of value may grow with the number of
participants.
[0020] Alternatively, the confirmation code may be stored at the
location of the prize is generated by a computer device. The
receiver module may also be further configured to acknowledge
receipt of the confirmation code in response to correct
transmission of the confirmation receipt and further configured to
inform the contestant of non-confirmation of the confirmation code
in response to incorrect transmission of the confirmation code.
[0021] A computer program product is also disclosed, comprising a
memory device, which computer program product is configured to
perform operations that closely mirror the functions imparted to
the system recited above. Additionally, an apparatus to direct
contestants through a competition by wirelessly transmitting clues
which comprises modules functionally similar to those of the system
is disclosed.
[0022] Reference throughout this specification to features,
advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the
features and advantages that may be realized with the present
invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the
invention. Rather, language referring to the features and
advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature,
advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present
invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and
similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not
necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.
[0023] Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and
characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable
manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art
will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or
more of the specific features or advantages of a particular
embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages
may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in
all embodiments of the invention.
[0024] These features and advantages of the present invention will
become more fully apparent from the following description and
appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention
as set forth hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] In order that the advantages of the invention will be
readily understood, a more particular description of the invention
will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are
illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these
drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are
not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the
invention will be described and explained with additional
specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is an entity-relationship diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a system that directs a contestant through a
competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with
the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is an entity-relationship diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a system that directs a contestant through a
competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with
the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of
an apparatus for directing a contestant through a competition using
wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with the present
invention; and
[0029] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of directing a contestant
through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in
accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,"
"an embodiment," or similar language means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
present invention. Appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment,"
"in an embodiment," and similar language throughout this
specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same
embodiment.
[0031] The described features, structures, or characteristics of
the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more
embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific
details are provided. One skilled in the relevant art will
recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one
or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components,
materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures,
materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to
avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. The apparatus modules
recited in the claims may be configured to impart the recited
functionality to the apparatus.
[0032] FIG. 1 is an entity-relationship diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a system 100 that directs a contestant through a
competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with
the present invention. The system 100 comprises a server 102, an
SMS gateway provider 104, a wireless network 106, an IVR 108, a
persistent storage 109, a measurement module 112, a digitized clue
library 114, contestant records 116, measurement data 118, a social
networking website 120, and a television network 122. A contestant
110 and observer 124 interact with the system 100.
[0033] Those of skill in the art recognize that the system 100 may
be more simple or complex than illustrated so long as the system
100 includes modules or sub-systems that correspond to those
described herein. The server 102 may comprise a computer program
running on one or more data processing devices (DPDs), such as a
server, computer workstation, router, mainframe computer, or the
like. In various embodiments, the DPD comprises one or more
processors. The processor is a computing device well-known to those
in the art and may include an application-specific integrated
circuit ("ASIC").
[0034] Typically, the server 102 comprises one or more central
processing units executing software and/or firmware to control and
manage the other components within the system 100. In one
embodiment, the server 102 comprises hardware and/or software more
commonly referred to as a Multiple Virtual Storage (MVS), OS/390,
zSeries/Operating System (z/OS), UNIX, Linux, or Windows system
100.
[0035] In the shown embodiment, the server 102 creates contest
records 116 from information gathered telephonically from a
contestant 110 communicating with the server 102 wirelessly through
an SMS Gateway Provider 104 using a Short Message Service (SMS) or
Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message. Alternatively, the server
102 may be in logical communication with contestants 110 through a
networked environment, such as local area network (LAN) or wide
area network (WAN), including the wireless network 106.
[0036] In alternative embodiments, the contestant 110 communicates
with the server 102 using other wireless personal DPDs such as
laptops, Smart Phones, Palm Pilots.RTM., GPS signaling devices,
digital cameras, personal gaming system, and the like.
[0037] The server 102 is in logical communication, or networked
communication, via the Internet (shown as wireless network 106)
with one or more social networking websites 120 and/or one or more
television networks 122.
[0038] The information gathered by the system 100 and stored in
contestant records 116 in persistent storage 109 comprises, in some
embodiments, IP addresses, names, email addresses, phone numbers,
ages, and demographic information, including sex, race, income, and
socioeconomic status. This information, in some embodiments, is
input wirelessly using SMSs.
[0039] The server 102 may comprise, internally or externally, an
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 108, which recognizes verbal and
keypad input from callers and enables contestants 110 to input
information to the IVR 102 in the form of natural voice
communication or DTMF keypad input.
[0040] The persistent storage 109 also stores a library of
digitized clues 114. In the shown embodiment, the digitized clue
library 114 comprises a plurality of textually displayable
digitized clues stored as text in computer readable files
transmittable over a signal bearing medium. In the shown
embodiment, the digitized clues are stored in database format and
are further described below in relation to FIG. 2.
[0041] The measurement module 112 measures contestant performance
data, or measurement data 118, such as the amount of time that
elapses between distribution of a digitized clue to a contestant
110 and receipt of a confirmation code exclusively associated with
that digitized clue. The measurement data 118 may also comprise a
tally of the number of digitized clues that have been properly
deciphered by one or more contestants 110, mileage traveled by one
or more contestants 110, subsequent clarifying clues (or cheats)
that a contestant 110 requests from the server 102 or that the
server 102 distributes to one or more contestants 110, and the
like. The measurement data 118 may be determinative, dispositive,
or partially determinative of which of a plurality of contestants
110 is ultimately chosen by the server 102 or third-parties as the
winner of the competition.
[0042] Alternatively, the server 102 may communicate with observers
124 using Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Internet Message
Access Protocol (IMAP), Post Office Protocol (POP), or other
protocols well-known to those of skill in the art.
[0043] The contestant 110 may comprise any individual,
organization, or group of individuals and/or organizations,
including a man, woman, child, husband and wife, executive,
athlete, or vagrant interested in competing in the competition, and
the like.
[0044] The contestants 110 may be grouped into teams, the
composition of which may be determined by the server 102, voters,
observers 124, third-parties, or the contestants 110 themselves.
The teams may comprise contestants 110 of similarly situated
racial, sexual, familial, geographic, economic or socioeconomic
statii.
[0045] The persistent storage 109 provides persistent storage of
data. In particular, the persistent storage 109 stores computer
readable database files, including a library of digitized clues 114
and contestant records 116, which comprise information about
contestants 110 who have been incorporated into a virtual game
structure (i.e. virtual competition structure or virtual game
framework).
[0046] FIG. 2 is an entity-relationship diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a system 200 that directs a contestant through a
competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with
the present invention. The system 200 comprises a server 102, a
phone 202a, a phone 202b, a phone 202c, registration information
204, GPS data 206, a confirmation code 210a, a digitized clue 212a,
a confirmation code 210a, and a digitized clue 212a. Contestants
110a-c interact with the system 200.
[0047] The phones 202a-c are substantially described above in
relation to FIG. 1.
[0048] The GPS data 206 comprises Global Positioning System (GPS)
information identifying a contestant's 110 physical location. A GPS
module may be comprised by the phones 202a-c.
[0049] The digitized clues 212a-b are described generally above in
relation to FIG. 1 and more specifically described below. The
digitized clues 212a-b are indicative of the physical location of
an item of value. The digitized clues 212a-b are stored in the
library of digital clues 114. The digitized clues 212a-b may
directly denote the location of an item of value, or merely suggest
the location. The digitized clues 212a-b comprise computer readable
files stored in persistent storage 109 and transmittable over a
signal bearing medium.
[0050] The digitized clues 212a-b may comprise passwords, user
names, encryption codes, hash keys, GPS coordinates, names, places,
or colors. The digitized clues 212a-b may merely be indicative of a
sequence, order, or organization that can imposed on another
dataset, such as numbers gathered by contestants 110 in the field
or given to them by the server 102.
[0051] Alternatively, the digitized clues 212a-b may be indicative
of a piece of information necessary to solving a larger puzzle,
such as a crossword puzzle, maze. The digitized clues 114 may
comprise acronyms, anagrams, bilingual words, and the like.
[0052] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more
observers 124 vote for a winner of the competition telephonically,
which votes are tallied by the server 102 and determinative of the
winner, or a factor used by the system 200 in determining the
winner.
[0053] In other embodiments, the server 102 determines the winner
by identifying the contest 110 with the highest relative position,
or rank, with respect to other participants.
[0054] The item of value may comprise any item, or piece of
information, of value. The item of value may comprise gold, money,
consumer goods, or even another clue.
[0055] Located with each item of value is a confirmation code 210,
discoverable by contestants 110 only upon finding the item of
value.
[0056] The system 200 determines, in some embodiments, that a
contestant 110 has discovered the item of value by awaiting an SMS
from the contestant 110 containing the confirmation code found with
the item of value. In other embodiments, the contestant 110 scans a
QR Code printed on, or affixed to or near, the item of value. In
still further embodiments, the contestant 110 activates a passive
or active RFID tag located with the item of value. In still further
embodiments, the contestant 110 swipes a magnetic card exclusively
in the contestant's 110 possession through a swiping apparatus
located with the item of value.
[0057] In the shown embodiment, contest 110b and contestant 110c
transmit the confirmation code 212a and confirmation code 212b
respectively to the server 102. After receiving the confirmation
codes 212a-b, and verifying their authenticity, the server 102
relays digitized clue 212a and digitized clue 212b to contestant
110b and contestant 110c respectively. Digitized clue 212a and
digitized clue 212b comprise textualized clues and are serialized
in the digitized clue library 114 to add sequence to the plurality
of digitized clues 114 for ordering their distribution to
contestants 110.
[0058] The digitized clues 212 may serialized numerically, as hash
codes and/or in a has table, with ASCII, or through other methods,
with the serialization formatted in persistent memory 109 in
database columns in the digitized clue library 114.
[0059] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of
an apparatus 300 for directing a contestant through a competition
using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with the present
invention. The apparatus 300 comprises persistent storage 109, an
incorporation module 302, a distributor module 304, a receiver
module 306, a measurement module 308, a grouping module 310, a
tallying module 312, a webs server 314, a relational database
management system (RDBMS) 316, an interactive voice response (IVR)
318, a generation module 320, and a randomizer 322.
[0060] The persistent storage 109 and IVR 318 is substantially
described above in relation to FIGS. 1-2.
[0061] The modules of apparatus 300 are configured to substantially
perform the operations and functions of the systems 100 and 200
above.
[0062] The incorporation module 302 incorporates contestants 110
into the virtual game framework. In some embodiments, the
incorporation module 302 will only incorporate contestants 110 in
the virtual competition structure who have been invited to
incorporate using electronic means well-known to those of skill in
the art, including email.
[0063] Contestants may be incorporated into the virtual game
framework by filling about a questionnaire made available to them
via the wireless network 106. In some embodiments, a predetermined
number of contestants 110 are randomly chosen for incorporation
from a group of individuals in concurrent wireless communication
with server 102.
[0064] The distributor module 304 distributes digitized clues 212
to contestants 111 wireless as substantially described above in
relation to FIGS. 1-2.
[0065] The measurement module 112 is in logical communication with
the server 102, and gathers contestant measurement data 118. The
measurement module 112 relays this measurement data to a television
network 122 using means well-known to those of skill in the art. In
alternate embodiments, the measurement module 112 additionally or
alternatively relays measurement data 118 to a social networking
website, such as FaceBook.RTM., Twitter.RTM., MySpace.RTM., and the
like, where it can be made available to users integrated as virtual
friends or enemies into one or more accounts with the social
networking site.
[0066] Further embodiments of the apparatus 300 may also comprise a
determination module which determines the winner of the
competition. The winning contestant may be determined using a
predetermined algorithm reliant on one or more parameters of
measurement data 118 and/or vote tallies.
[0067] The apparatus 300 comprises, in some embodiments, a
Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) for managing computer
readable files saved in database format in persistent storage 109
and/or the measurement module 112, including IBM DB2.RTM.,
SQL.RTM., Oracle.RTM. and the like.
[0068] The grouping module groups contestants 110 into team as
described above.
[0069] The tallying module tallies votes submitted by observers
124.
[0070] The web server 314 is substantially described above as the
server 102, and may include Apache.RTM. and other software
applications well-known to those of skill in the art.
[0071] The generation module 320 generates information needed by
the virtual game framework, including conformation codes 210.
Confirmation codes 210 generated by the generation module may be
encrypted and placed with the item of value by the server on a
digital display using means well-known to those of skill in the
art.
[0072] In some embodiments of the present invention, the generation
module 320 generates a physical location for placement of the item
of value. In still further embodiments, the generation module 320
is configured to generate, or assist in generating, one or more
digitized clues 212 for distribution to the contestants 110.
[0073] The randomizer 322 randomly picks a digitized clue 212 from
the digitized clue library 114 for distribution to one or more
contestants 110 in some embodiments, or randomly picks a digitized
clue 212 from a group of digitized clues 212 not yet distributed to
any contestant 110 incorporated into the virtual game
framework.
[0074] FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method 400 of directing a
contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues
in accordance with the present invention.
[0075] The method 400 begins 402 when a contestant is incorporated
404 into a virtual competition framework. In some embodiments, the
contestant 110 is incorporated 404 after the contestant 110 is
electronically invited to register for the competition. The contest
110 registers with a series of SMSs in some embodiments using a
cellular phone 202.
[0076] The method 400 proceeds by checking 406 whether or not there
are digitized clues 212 in the library of digitized clue 114 which
have not yet been distributed to a contestant 110, or which have
yet to be distributed to any of a plurality of contestants 110,
including a team of contestants.
[0077] If there is an undistributed digitized clue 212 in the
library of digitized clues 114, the method proceeds by distributing
408 the undistributed digitized clue 212. In some embodiments, the
digitized clue 212 which is distributed is distributed in
accordance with a predetermined sequence. In other embodiments, the
digitized clue 212 is distributed randomly. In still further
embodiments, the digitized clue 212 may be a bonus clue, which is
distributed only to a contestant 110 that has accumulated a certain
quantity of points, or exceeded a predetermined performance
threshold.
[0078] The method 400 proceeds by measuring 410 contestant
performance data 118 as substantially described above in relation
to FIGS. 1-3.
[0079] The method 400 then awaits 412 receipt of the confirmation
code 210 as substantially described above in relation to FIGS.
1-3.
[0080] Once the confirmation code 210 is received, the method 400
proceeds by checking 416 whether or not the confirmation code 210
is accurate. If the confirmation code 210 is not accurate, the
method 400 returns to step 410 and continues measuring contestant
210 performance.
[0081] If the confirmation code 210 is confirmed upon receipt, the
method 400 returns to step 406 and determines 406 whether or not
there are still undistributed digitized clues 212 in the library of
digitized clues 114. If there are not undistributed digitized clues
114, then the method 400 proceeds and determines 418 a winner and
notifies 420 the other contestants 110 incorporated into the
competition of the identity of the winner. In some embodiments,
observers 124, one or more television networks 122, and/or social
networking websites are simultaneously notified of the
determination 418 of a winner.
[0082] Finally, the method 400 terminates 422.
[0083] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from its spirit or essential
characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in
all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
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