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System and method for facilitating play of a video game via a web siteRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), In A Chance ApplicationSystem and method for facilitating play of a video game via a web site description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060287046, System and method for facilitating play of a video game via a web site. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a divisional of patent application Ser. No. 10/159,945 filed May 30, 2002 entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FACILITATING PLAY OF A VIDEO GAME VIA A WEB SITE" which claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/337,993, filed Dec. 03, 2001, entitled "SKILLGAMES POINTS BALANCING." The content of each of these applications is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. [0002] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/768,567, filed Jan. 24, 2001, and entitled "DATABASE DRIVEN ONLINE DISTRIBUTED TOURNAMENT SYSTEM", and which issued Jul. 30, 2002 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,425,828, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/028,781, filed Feb. 24, 1998, entitled "DATABASE DRIVEN ONLINE DISTRIBUTED TOURNAMENT SYSTEM", and which issued May 01, 2001 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,224,486, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/635,576, filed Apr. 22, 1996, entitled "DATABASE DRIVEN ONLINE DISTRIBUTED TOURNAMENT SYSTEM", and which issued Jul. 14, 1998 as U.S. Pat. No. 5,779,549. The content of each of these applications is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates generally to games, and more particularly to video games that are capable of being played via a Web site. BACKGROUND [0004] Online gaming Web sites allow participants to "meet" in cyberspace, competing at a virtual location accessible to any player at any time. However, there are drawbacks that exist in such online group play of video games and video game tournaments. For example, players of relatively lower skill level or that achieve relatively lower success when competing in a group video game or game tournament may become discouraged and refrain from play. Such a problem may be particularly acute if the game or tournament is being played for a prize. A player who does not often win a prize or come close to winning a prize because the player's skill level or luck is below that of other players may become discouraged, depressed, or even angry that they are not able to win prizes like they want to. [0005] Unhappy players are detrimental to the development and maintenance of a successful and popular gaming Web site. For example, unhappy players may complain to their friends or relatives and convince them to stop patronizing the gaming Web site. Unhappy players themselves may stop patronizing the gaming Web site or contact the Web site's customer service department frequently, thus increasing the costs for the Web site. The avoidance of unhappy players may be of particular concern to a gaming Web site that collects entry fees from players that participate in games or tournaments or whose revenue depends on advertising monies that are generated based on the number of players patronizing the Web site. Accordingly, there is a need to minimize the number of players that become unhappy as a result of their poor performance during play of a game or tournament on a gaming Web site. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a distributed electronic tournament system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0007] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment implementing the present invention. [0008] FIG. 3 is a flow process that illustrates a method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, of uniquely identifying a player. [0009] FIG. 4 is a flow process that illustrates a method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, of responding to payment of an entry fee. [0010] FIG. 5 is a flow process that illustrates a method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, of accessing player information collected from prior tournaments. [0011] FIG. 6 is a flow process that illustrates a method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, of awarding a player a prize. [0012] FIG. 7 is a flow process that illustrates a method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, of a player playing in a specific game session with a fixed start time. [0013] FIG. 8 is a flow process that illustrates a method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, of processing payment. [0014] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a Web page in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 10 is a flow process that illustrates a method, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, of providing a bonus to a player based on a player rating and a threshold rating. [0016] The numerals in FIGS. 1-10 are assigned to similar elements in all the figures. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-10. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes, as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0017] An object of the present invention is to provide methods and devices for effectively operating multiple database-driven distributed electronic game tournaments for remotely located players. The present invention provides numerous advantages over existing tournament systems; such as simplifying the collection of entry fees and the payment of prizes, as well as allowing for rating and handicap systems. [0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide methods and systems for minimizing the number of players that do not obtain any benefit as a result of their participation in a game or tournament through a gaming Web site. [0019] In the invented system, players pay entry fees for the right to compete for substantial prizes in electronic tournaments. Unlike existing tournament systems, the present invention allows for the coordination of multiple tournaments, making each tournament part of a whole rather than a stand-alone individual event. [0020] In one preferred embodiment, a central controller manages the tournament system, coordinating both the players and game software with which the players compete. The system uniquely identifies each player as they log on, authenticating the associated input/output device that is connected to the central controller. This unique identifier allows other players to know whom they are competing against. Each player typically pays the system an entry fee before participating in a particular tournament, with payment delivered through the associated input/output device. The tournament begins and ends within a fixed time window, typically measured in hours or minutes. 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