| System and method for instant ticket-based entertainment game -> Monitor Keywords |
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System and method for instant ticket-based entertainment gameRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), Credit/debit Monitoring Or Manipulation (e.g., Game Entry, Betting, Prize Level, Etc.)System and method for instant ticket-based entertainment game description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070218980, System and method for instant ticket-based entertainment game. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/404,402, filed on Apr. 13, 2006, entitled "System and Method for Entertainment Game," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to communication systems and methods for implementing mobile, PC and console entertainment games with instant ticket capabilities. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Communication between people has been a main social event ever since the invention of the telephone reduced the spatial limits of communication--further reduced by the subsequent introduction of the Internet. Whereas communication via telephone generally continues to be delimited to a person-to-person contact or between limited numbers of participants in a conference call, Internet and related networks use platforms for more open communication between larger groups of people, sometimes between a virtually unlimited number of participants. In contrast to traditional broadcasting (e.g., radio, television), communication through modern communication networks operates bi-directionally. One well-known example of multi-directional communication is commonly known as a "chat room". [0004] Prior to the invention of computers, games were primarily used as a means of social interaction--to bring people together. Prior to the inception of digital media distribution channels, single-player betting and instant ticket games predominated. Players would bet against a bet company, e.g., "the bookmaker", on the results of sporting events or other types of events through points-of-sale. Players would also buy instant scratch-off tickets that reveal instant-winnings. The introduction of digital distribution channels, and especially mobile phone gaming, have radically changed the way games are conceived and designed. Because mobile phones are personal devices connected to each other over a communication network and are used extensively for facilitating social events and for keeping in touch with friends, family and others, and because games are social events that require social environments, digital channels, particularly mobile phones, and multiplayer gaming are a natural fit that should be widely accepted by a global consumer market. [0005] Any game is, in a sense, a competition, a struggle--players are expected to prepare and train to achieve their objectives. In a single-player game, the player's struggle may be against chance, in the case of a statistical number game, or against odds calculated by a "bookmaker". In most current games, players compete against statistical challenges, mental challenges and, of course, luck. Often, the outcome of these games may also depend upon the player's skill or knowledge. In a multiplayer game, the player's struggle is usually against opposing players. The players' skills and knowledge typically dictate the performance of each player and the game's outcome. Multiplayer games give players the ability to hinder or help each other, bet against each other, or participate in cash competitions. Other types of challenges that exist in single-player games may also exist in multiplayer games. For example, the need to think several moves ahead in a strategy game like chess presents mental challenges while the ticket winning distribution in an instant ticket cash competition provides statistical challenges. [0006] The concept of "metagame," a "game around the game," involves a set of surrounding factors and circumstances that increase interest in a game and promote repeat play. For example, in online card games, the ability of players to socialize during game-play via a communication network with a chat feature may be very important for the ultimate success of the game. For two-player games, a "challenge" system whereby one player can challenge another to play the game may also be important. Game seasons and tournaments are other examples of circumstances that may enhance a game's success. For many game players, the outcome of an entire season or tournament may be more important than whether they win or lose a particular game. In other words, tournaments and seasons give players an incentive to compete for the honor of winning the tournament or championship. Gaming therefore becomes an ongoing event instead of one session of game-play. [0007] Currently, entertainment gaming solutions exist for PC, mobile and console devices with different implementation architectures. However, there are currently no adequate technological solutions available for enabling an effective combination of entertainment games and lottery/chance or betting games for a multitude of channels including PC, mobile and console devices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] These and other long-felt but previously unmet needs are addressed, at least in part, by various aspects of the present invention. [0009] The present invention combines elements of chance, competition against other players and individual skill in an instant ticket game that is exciting, fun and simple to play. Players are entertained by learning to improve their skill levels and thereby increase their odds of winning. The aspects of the present invention allow players to connect to a community and freely meet opponents thus permitting play from a mobile phone even for those who are on the move. [0010] The present invention, therefore, is a natural choice for game service providers seeking to offer unique entertainment games combined with skill and chance features. Games can be offered through a variety of digital channels, including, though not limited to, mobile networks (e.g., GPRS, 3G, SMS, WAP), Internet, game consoles and interactive TV. In addition, game service providers will be able to offer complete game lobby features including matchmaking, online and offline messaging, scores, rankings, relevant statistics and content. [0011] One aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of a gaming system for an instant ticket game combining elements of chance and skill comprising a game server, at least one instant ticket edition file, a user device, a communications medium for enabling communication between the game server and the user device, and a game client. The instant ticket edition file is generated by the game server and comprises a set of bonus games with game attributes and a set of instant tickets. The instant ticket edition file has a preselected total payout to be awarded for that set of instant tickets. The instant tickets comprise a base game corresponding to an instant-win play area and at least one game attribute for use during play of a bonus game selected from the set of bonus games. The game client is downloaded from the game server to the user device over the communications medium, typically before the purchase of an instant ticket by the user. The game client loads, from the purchased instant ticket, the game attribute for bonus play prior to running the bonus game. The outcome of the bonus game is at least partially dependent upon a combination of the game attribute and the gaming skill of a participating user. [0012] Another aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of a gaming system for an entertainment game combining elements of chance and player skill comprising at least one instant ticket edition file with a pre-selected total payout, the at least one instant ticket edition file comprising a set of interactive bonus games with associated game attributes and a set of instant tickets for awarding instant prizes and at least one game attribute for use in at least one interactive bonus game. The gaming system further comprises a pre-selected set of winning categories. At least one winning category comprises an instant prize awarded with an instant ticket. At least one other winning category comprises a checkpoint winning based on the performance of a player using the awarded at least one game attribute during play of the at least one interactive bonus game. During the interactive bonus game, a player competes against other players. Therefore, the outcome of the interactive bonus game depends in part on the player's performance as well as on the performance of his or her opponent(s). The performance of a player is measured, at least in part, by the player's ranking position relative to the other players at a game checkpoint associated with the checkpoint winning. A game checkpoint may occur at pre-defined time periods or when all instant tickets of an edition file are sold. In a rally game, for example, each checkpoint may correspond to a different position on a race track. The checkpoints are pre-defined for each interactive bonus game. [0013] Yet another aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of an instant ticket edition file for use in an instant ticket entertainment game combining elements of luck and user skill comprising a set of bonus games with associated bonus game attributes, a set of instant tickets wherein at least one instant ticket of the set of instant tickets includes an instant-win play area and a bonus game play area, a pre-selected payout amount, and a pre-selected set of winning categories. The instant-win play area comprises a concealed instant-win prize and the bonus game play area comprises a concealed bonus game attribute for use in at least one bonus game selected from the set of bonus games. The outcome of the bonus game is at least partially dependent upon a combination of the bonus game attribute of the at least one instant ticket and the gaming skill of a game player. [0014] Another aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of a method for playing an entertainment game combining elements of luck and skill. First, a game ticket is requested from a system server through a client device in communication with the system server over a network. The game ticket comprises an instant-win play area corresponding to an instant-win prize and an interactive play area corresponding to a game attribute for use in an interactive bonus game. The outcome of the interactive bonus game depends, at least in part, on a combination of the game attribute and game user skill. Second, the requested game ticket is received at the client device. Third, the game ticket is displayed on the client device. [0015] Still yet another aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of a method for playing a game combining elements of chance and player skill comprising the following steps. First, a central server generates an edition file based, in part, on a pre-selected total payout amount. The edition file comprises a series of instant-win vouchers and the instantwin vouchers provide an instant-win prize and at least one game attribute for use in an associated interactive bonus game at least partially utilizing player skill. Next, the central server transmits an instant-win voucher to a client device via a communication network. [0016] In one embodiment of this aspect of the present invention, the pre-selected total payout amount comprises a pre-selected total mystery prize amount and the series of instant-win vouchers comprises at least one mystery prize winning voucher inserted at a predetermined location within the series of instant-win vouchers. The at least one mystery prize winning voucher awards at least a pre-selected portion of the pre-selected total mystery prize amount. The method further comprises the following steps. A counter value associated with the edition file is increased by a uniform pre-selected amount, such that when the at least one mystery prize winning voucher is transmitted, the counter value will correspond to the pre-selected portion of the pre-selected total mystery prize amount awarded with the mystery prize winning voucher. The counter value will also be displayed. [0017] A further aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of a method for playing a game whose outcome depends on both random parameters and player skill. A client device first downloads a client application from a system server via a communications network. The client then receives unique identifying information relating to a player and transmits the unique identifying information to the system server for authentication of the player and authorization of game play. Upon successful authorization by the system server, the system server transmits an instant ticket to the client device. The instant ticket comprises an instant prize and a game attribute for use in a corresponding interactive bonus game. The game client then loads the game attribute into the client device. Next, the game client runs the interactive bonus game on the client device with the loaded game attribute. Upon successful completion of the interactive bonus game, a game score is reported to the system server. The outcome of the interactive bonus game depends, at least in part, on a combination of player skill and the game attribute provided by the instant ticket. [0018] Another aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of a gaming system for an instant ticket game combining elements of chance and user skill comprising an instant ticket file object, a game device and a central server for generating the instant ticket file object and for distributing the instant ticket file object to the game device via a communications network. The instant ticket file object comprises an instant-win game and an interactive bonus game. The game device receives the instant ticket file object and displays a graphical representation of the instant ticket file object. The graphical representation of the instant ticket file object comprises an instant-win game play area corresponding to the instant-win game and an interactive bonus game play area corresponding to the interactive bonus game. The user enters input into the game device to advance play of the instant-win game and to advance play of the interactive bonus game. The result of the instant-win game is based on a random parameter and the result of the interactive bonus game is based at least partly on a combination of a measure of a user's performance and a game attribute randomly assigned to the interactive bonus game play area of the instant ticket file object. [0019] Yet another aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of a system for playing an interactive instant ticket lottery game combining elements of user skill and chance comprising a game server and at least one game terminal. The game server comprises a processor for generating an instant ticket edition file. The instant ticket edition file comprises a set of bonus games with associated game attributes and a series of instant tickets for randomly awarding an instant prize and a game attribute for use in at least one bonus game. At least one instant ticket of the series of instant tickets corresponds to a mystery promotion winning ticket located at a pre-selected position within the series of instant tickets. The game terminal is configured to receive an instant ticket from the game server over a communications medium, display the instant prize and the game attribute awarded with the received instant ticket, and display a mystery promotion counter value assigned, by the game server, to the received instant ticket. The mystery promotion counter value assigned to the first instant ticket in the series of instant tickets corresponds to a pre-selected minimum value. The value assigned to each subsequent ticket in the series of instant tickets corresponds to a uniformly increasing amount such that the mystery promotion counter value assigned to the mystery promotion winning ticket corresponds to a pre-determined mystery prize value. [0020] A further aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of a system for playing an instant ticket-based entertainment game comprising a processor located in a central server and at least one client device connected to the central server via a communication network. The processor is configured to generate a series of pre-sorted instant tickets. At least one instant ticket in the series of pre-sorted instant tickets corresponds to a mystery prize winning ticket inserted into a pre-selected position within the series of pre-sorted instant tickets. A plurality of instant tickets award at least one instant prize and at least one game attribute for use in an interactive bonus game. The processor assigns a counter value to each instant ticket in the series of instant tickets. The value assigned to the first instant ticket in the series of instant tickets corresponds to a pre-selected minimum value. The value assigned to each subsequent ticket in the series of instant tickets corresponds to a uniformly increasing amount such that the value assigned to the mystery promotion winning ticket will correspond to a pre-determined mystery prize value. The client device requests an instant ticket from the central server, receives the requested instant ticket from the central server over the communication network, displays the instant prize and the game attribute awarded with the received instant ticket, and displays the counter value assigned to the received instant ticket. [0021] An additional aspect of the present invention is an embodiment of a method for distributing instant tickets in an instant ticket-based entertainment game comprising a mystery promotion feature. A processor located in a server generates at least one ticket file object. The at least one ticket file object comprises a set of bonus games with associated game attributes, a series of pre-sorted instant tickets for awarding an instant prize and a game attribute for use in a bonus game selected from the set of bonus games and a fixed total payout. In a preferred embodiment, each instant ticket awards a set of game attributes corresponding to one and only one of the available bonus games. At least one instant ticket in the series of pre-sorted instant tickets corresponds to a mystery promotion winning ticket inserted at a pre-selected position within the series of pre-sorted instant tickets. The fixed total payout comprises a fixed pre-selected mystery promotion winning ticket payout amount corresponding to the prize value awarded with the at least one first mystery promotion winning ticket. A processor assigns a counter value to each ticket in the series of tickets. The counter value assigned to the first instant ticket in the series of instant tickets corresponds to a pre-selected minimum value. The counter value assigned to each subsequent ticket in the series of instant tickets corresponds to a uniformly increasing amount such that the value assigned to the mystery promotion winning ticket will correspond to a predetermined mystery prize value. An instant ticket is then distributed to a remote client device over a communication network. The counter value assigned to the distributed instant ticket is displayed. Continue reading about System and method for instant ticket-based entertainment game... 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