US 6,174,237 B1Granted

Method for a game of skill tournament

OwnerJohn H. Stephensoninventor

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Abstract

A method for a game of skill tournament that is challenging and provides the player a reliable gauge of his skill level as compared to other players. The tournament has a qualifying round and a playoff round, and is played over an interactive computer system. In the qualifying round, a player competes against a host computer. The object of this round is to score a sufficient number of points to qualify for the highest level of performance possible. Once a player obtains a level of performance, he is recognized for his accomplishment and given a reward. This allows the player to gauge his skill level. In the playoff round, those players reaching a predetermined level of performance, play the same game simultaneously against the host computer under the same rules and conditions for a set amount of time. At the end of this time frame, the results are analyzed. Those players with the highest point totals will be recognized and given a reward.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A method of playing a game of skill tournament having a qualifying round and a playoff round, and played over an interactive computer system, said interactive computer system having a host computer system, a plurality of terminals computers and compatible software, said method comprising the following steps:

a. playing a game of skill in a qualifying round between a single player and the host computer;
b. evaluating the results of said qualifying round to determine if said player qualifies to be classified within a specific performance level from a plurality of performance levels ranging from a low performance level to a high performance level;
c. evaluating the results of said qualifying round to determine if said player qualifies to be classified within a qualifying performance level taken from said plurality of performance levels;
d. distributing to said player a performance level award, said performance level award being dependent upon the specific performance level obtained;
e. playing said game of skill in a playoff round between said player and the host computer simultaneously along with other players, wherein each player has been classified within a qualifying performance level;
f. evaluating the results of said playoff round to determine a tournament winner and subsequent ranking of players;
and
g. distributing tournament awards to tournament participants.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/316,840Filed 21 May 1999
Granted: 16 Jan 2001
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification16 codes

A63F 13/798
Involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories: for assessing skills or for ranking players, e.g. for…
A63F 13/35
Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection…: details…
A63F 13/46
Controlling the progress of the video game: computing the game score
G07F 17/32
Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services: for games, toys, sports, or amusements