U.S. Pat. No. 8,152,643

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to computer solitaire games, which are adapted for tournament play over the Internet. Each of the games described below begins by dealing twenty-eight cards to the play field14in seven columns. The games are played according to the rules of the classic Klondike solitaire game. In a first embodiment scoring is principally determined by the speed of each successful play, plus any bonus which is provided. Now referring toFIG. 1, a display screen10is depicted for play of solitaire on a personal computer, having a series of seven columns of playing cards12on a play field14. The top card on each column is depicted face up. On the lower section of play field14is a play deck16from which cards are sequentially revealed. Adjacent to the play deck there is depicted a series of five play stacks17a-ewith the top card of each stack revealed. In the right-hand corner of play field14is wild card icon20.

Also depicted on the play field14is the target indicator22which is in the shape of a head and two paws and is located behind the six of clubs. When the target indicator feature is activated, a bonus score is awarded upon the removal of all the cards directly in front of the target indicator. The bonus score associated with the target indicator may have a fixed value or a dynamic value, which decreases with time. When the bonus score has a dynamic value there is an incentive for the player to expose the target indicator at an earlier rather than later time in the game. The location of the target indicator with respect to the columns is randomly provided to the player along with the card sequence.

To the left of play field14is the ace field24where four locations are provided on which aces may be played, followed by cards of the corresponding suit in ascending sequential order. In the preferred embodiment successful play to the ace field is awarded three times the countdown timer value. An additional scoring feature, which may be activated, is referred to as the ace countdown bonus. This further feature rewards the playing of an ace on the ace column at an early time in the game. In versions of the game using this scoring feature, a point value is displayed over each of the empty aces in the ace column and the value decreases with time. When an ace is played, the bonus point value, which is displayed, is added to the score.

On top of play field14is top score board26. Top score board26includes a countdown timer30, a total score box28, a game indicator32, a move indicator counter34and a miss indicator counter36. Total score box28keeps a running tally of the score of the game, which is currently being played. The countdown timer in the preferred embodiment starts at 200 and rapidly counts down to zero. In a preferred embodiment the player has approximately seven seconds to make a play or the next card in the play deck16will be turned and revealed. When the countdown reaches a count of ten (or when there is approximately one second remaining in which to make a move), an audio signal is generated to alert the player. When the countdown time has elapsed, the next card from play deck16will be revealed and made available for play. Cards are dealt first to play stack17a, then to play stack7b, and so on continuing to stack17e. The game is then programmed to distribute cards in a manner to try to keep the number of cards in the respective stacks equal.

A frame indicator47in form of a bright yellow outline is displayed around the card, which was most recently distributed from play deck16. The frame indicator allows a player to quickly determine which card is new and may allow a player to predict where the next card distributed card will be placed. The move box34tracks the total number of successful moves made by a player in a particular game and the miss box36tracks any scoring moves that the player missed.

Bottom score board38contains a “cards left” counter40, a high score indicator42and a scrolling banner box38. In the bottom left hand corner is a give-up box45, which stops the game. The cards left box indicates the number of cards remaining in the play deck16for the particular game. The high score box provides information relating to the highest score posted in the tournament which the payer has entered and is downloaded from the server at the time the player selects the tournament. The scrolling banner also contains information downloaded from a server and can display information relating to the tournament, such as the ending time, or other information such as advertising.

A paramount objective in playing a solitaire game is “busting the deck” or moving all the cards to the ace columns. It is estimated that a good player will bust the deck approximately one time out of fifty games played in a conventional solitaire game. One of the inventor's principal objectives in the creation of the present invention was to determine manners in which to increase the chances that a player would bust the deck. One manner in which to achieve this goal was to increase the number of possible moves at a given point in the game. By increasing the number of possible moves, the chances are increased that a player will bust the deck. A first manner to achieve this objective is to provide the player with multiple play stacks from which cards may be played, the exact number of which is controlled by the game server. The server, according to the invention, may provide from between one and five play stacks, depending on the games available and the games, which are selected from the menu.

The game presented inFIG. 1depicts a five-stack game with both the wild card20and target feature22activated. The five-stack game allows play from any one of the five stacks17a-17eon the bottom of the play field to either one of the seven columns12in the play field or to the ace field24. Play is effected by moving an indicator with the mouse over a selected card and depressing the selection button on the mouse. The indicator is then moved to the desired play location and the activation button is again selected. If the selected location is a proper play according to the rules of the game, the card will move from the initial position to the selected location and a score will be awarded. Cards may also be played from the columns to the ace stacks and from column to column according to the conventional rules of solitaire In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 1each successful move is scored based upon the elapsed time, as indicated by the time remaining on the points timer30, plus any bonus which may be in effect. For example,FIG. 1depicts a score of 105 for the successful play of the two of diamonds onto the three of spades with no bonus awarded. The score for each particular play is displayed at or near the location where the play was made. In the preferred embodiment, a successful play to the aces column is awarded three times the countdown value displayed at the time the card is played, plus any bonus. In conventional solitaire, the play must be from a single play deck. By increasing the number of decks to multiple numbers of play decks, the chances that a player will bust the deck also increases.

Referring back to the top scoreboard26and more particularly game indicator32, the game depicted inFIG. 1is the first game of a three-game tournament. Move box34reflects that the player has made fifteen successful moves and box36indicates the player has missed two point-scoring moves. When a potential play is missed, an audible signal is generated. In the event a player attempts to make an improper move, a different audible signal is provided and the card is returned to the location from which it originated.

In a preferred embodiment, when a card is first revealed and accessible for play or to be moved a timer starts counting down from a value of 110 to a value of zero over a period of approximately seven seconds. This timer resets to 110 each time a player makes a successful move. When a player makes a successful play the number of points awarded is equal to the timer value at the moment the play is completed. If it takes a while for a player to recognize a possible play and then make a play; the timer may count down to a low value, e.g., 10, in which case the player would only score 10 points for that play. If a player quickly recognizes and completes a play, the player's score is higher. In the course of a game, a fast player may score several thousand points more than a slow player. There are other features that can add to a player's score, discussed in further sections.

Another manner in which to increase the possibility of busting the deck and generally extend the length of a game is the incorporation of the wild card feature. The wild card feature allows a player to select the wild card icon20and play the icon on any of the stacks or to one of the ace columns at any time during the game. The program for the wild card feature determines the possible cards, which could be played at the desired location and then first scans the play deck16and then the column12for the first card, which can be played in the selected location. In the event a card is located in one of the columns a marker is inserted at that location. In the event that the location where the marker has been placed is later revealed during play, the program is instructed to reveal the next card in the column. If the only cards, which can be played at the desired location, are in the ace columns or is exposed on the play field then the wild card cannot be played. If the player attempts to play the wild card feature and the wild card program determines that no card can be played, the wild card icon will not be removed. When the wild card feature is enabled, the player will get one wild card per game. The player can play the wild card at any time during the game. If the wild card feature is activated and the player does not use the wild card, the player will collect a 500-point bonus at the end of the game. The rationale behind this scoring scenario is to provoke thought by the player on how and when to use the wild card. If the wild card is used and it only gains the player 100 points then the player made an unwise decision because 500 points would have been gained by not playing it.

FIG. 2shows an alternative embodiment of the game in which there are three play stacks rather than the five depicted inFIG. 1.FIG. 3depicts a screen where there is only one discard stack with the wild card feature activated.FIG. 4depicts a screen display providing an area60onto which a player may place a card from the play stack for future play. This feature allows a player to select a card from the play stacks and move the card to the future play area. Only one card at a time may be held in the future play area. In the embodiment depicted inFIG. 4the area is open and can receive a card. Cards may be moved from the future play area to the play field or ace columns according to conventional rules.

FIG. 5shows a screen display likeFIG. 1with a further feature of a bar graph61which is displayed below play field14. Bar graph61moves at a constant rate in conjunction with changes to the points timer and provides an easily recognizable visible display of the elapsed time and time remaining for each card's play. The bar graph allows a player to observe the time remaining by using his or her peripheral vision in a form, which is easier to quickly conceptualize than is the numerical points, countdown display. As time elapses, the portion63of the graph decreases and the portion62of the graph increases. The bar graph allows the player to comprehend the time remaining while simultaneously concentrating on the play field.

When a player successfully plays all fifty-two cards in the ace column, the situation is called a “busted deck.” In a preferred embodiment, when this event occurs an animation is displayed and the player receives a 100 point bonus for each card played, or 5200 points.

FIG. 6depicts a screen display, which sets forth information regarding the tournaments in progress and scheduled games. Window100contains data, which is updated by the server, while the remaining portion of the display is part of the control software, which is downloaded with the game software. The data in window100includes a column102which depicts an identification number for each game, column104which identifies the number of games each player must play in the tournament, column106which identifies the number of play stacks in the game, column108which specifies the cost of playing the game, column110which identifies the jackpot for the tournament, column112which identifies the current high score, and column114which identifies the ending date and time of each tournament. Field120is reserved for advertising space. Field122instructs a prospective player to select one of the available tournaments; the selection is made by highlighting the line using the mouse pointer. Upon selection of a game, the player moves the cursor to the play button124and depresses the selection button on the mouse. Upon activating the play button the program is instructed to contact the web server with information relating to the selected game. The web server then “provides” the cards by providing a seed number and other information relating to the features, which are to be activated in the particular game, selected. After a brief interim period, characterized by “dealing” the play deck to set up the columns, play begins. Since the player can watch the deck as it is dealt, the player can plan the first few moves before control by the player and the countdown timer count actually begin.

The program for the game and necessary control features which enable communication with a central server are downloaded to the player's personal computer. The activation of the various features on the players personal computer is controlled by the server. In order to ensure that contact is not lost with the player's Internet Service Provider, the program is instructed to periodically re-access the host server between games.

There are a number of tournament structures provided. In a first structure, the player with the highest point value after a predetermined time period has elapsed wins the tournament. In another tournament format, referred to as the Sprint format, play progresses until the first player exceeds a predetermined score. This score can be calculated in a manner, which will only be exceeded if a player busts the deck and thus the subversion of the sprint game is the “first to bust the deck game.” The first to bust the deck game may be continuously repeated with a new tournament beginning as soon as a player breaks the predetermined score. In yet another scoring variation referred to as “no clock” scoring, a player has a predetermined length of time in which to make a successful play and each successful play is credited with a predetermined non-decreasing point value. In this variation, a player must make a play within the predetermined period or the next card will be flipped from the play deck; however, the rapidity of play is not determinative of the score. In an embodiment of this game each play to the seven-stack array is worth 200 points and each play to the aces column is worth three times the value, or 600 points. In this No Clock embodiment, there is an incentive to move long columns because each card in the column has a value of 200 points. For example, if there are two cards in a column, which is successfully moved, the player scores 400 points. In yet a further tournament feature is a first to bust the deck tournament. This tournament starts upon each time a player reports that the deck has been busted. In yet a further tournament format, the tournament is limited to players who have never previously won before. The format may be policed by only allowing those with register under their own name and who provide an address in order to receive cash prizes. In the event a player enters under a false name, the check will not be forwarded to the correct individual.

The game pattern includes game features and graphic elements of the game that are displayed on the desktop to the game player. The activation of game features and graphic elements, including the play field background and the card back graphics, is controlled by the game server so as to control the general appearance of the game. Present on the desktop software are the game play features, which are controlled by the game server and described below. By activating various combinations of these game features it is possible to create multiple variations of the games. Altering the features and graphics as well as providing different tournament formats helps to prevent players from getting tired of repeatedly playing the same game. The graphics may also be used to display advertisements and serve as an additional source of revenue.

A further feature of the invention is its ability to work effectively with low bandwidth Internet connections. As explained above, the game software is downloaded one time from the web site and resides on the player's personal computer. The data passed between the player's computer and the game server consists of relatively small packets at intermittent time periods after the conclusion of each game. When a player initially logs onto the web site a relatively small packet of data, which primarily includes information relating to the identity of the player, is transferred between the player's computer and the game server. The server then transfers back information relating to the player's account, and updated information relating to the tournaments in progress at that time. Upon the selection of a tournament by a player and after activating the play button, the server transfers data including instructions on which features will be activated for the selected game, the card sequence, the location of the target bonus, and any screen updates such as graphics or advertising material. The sequence of the cards provided to the player for each game is determined by the transfer of a “seed” consisting of a random number, which is generated by the server. This concept is well known in the art. The sequence of cards is not technically preselected but is computed on the player's computer by an algorithm dependant on the seed.

The server is a HTTP server running a custom extension (ISAPI) that processes the game server requests. The game client is essentially a web browser that is only useful at the host site and can communicate with the extension.

After the software on the player's computer has been initialized, play of the game is initiated. To provide a transition time and to enable the player to prepare to make the first play, the program depicts both sound effects of the shuffling of the decks and a visual display which shows the cards being distributed across the play field. Upon completion of the deal, play may be initiated. During game play no data is passed between the player and the game server so a low bandwidth connection does not slow down or affect game play. The game will play just as well on a 14.4 Kbps connection as on a T1 connection. After each game is completed, a data transfer occurs between the player's computer and the game server. The player's custom browser contacts the server again and reports the score. Data transferred includes information relating to the players identify, the game and tournament selected. If the player posts a winning or leading score, the player's browser is also requested by the server to send information relating the sequence of play and the time which had elapsed between each play. This procedure is a security measure and is designed to ensure that players have not tampered with the program. The moment of time the player was provided the play deck seed can also be compared to the moment of time the game was completed. In the event the duration of play is longer than the expected duration in view of the score, the sequence of play can be further scrutinized by the web host to ensure there was no fraud. Scores, which are returned reporting an unreasonable amount of time, are rejected. This time period will vary depending on the number of games and the type of games played in the respective tournament.

After each tournament is completed the final results of the game played are passed to the game server. The player's score is posted in the tournament database, sorted with all the other tournament scores and the player's rank is sent back to the player for displayed so the player can see how that game ranked with other games in the tournament.FIG. 7depicts an illustration of a screen display, which displays the scores. Window200provides data relating to the scores of the current top five players and the scores of the player. Directly underneath the top five and provided in a different color is the player's rank in a rank column213, player name column215and player score column217, as well as the player's best rank in column219and best score in column221. The back button223and next button225scroll the information: in window200. Play may be initiated by activation of play button227. If the player desires to switch windows to the select tournament window, the player may activate button229. To quit the game, player activates quit button231.

In the event the player posts a top score, defined as the highest, further information relating to the timing and sequence of the play of the game is also transferred to the server. This feature, as alluded to above, serves to detect fraud because the timing and sequence of each of the players' moves are recorded and then transferred to the server upon demand. If the score is a top score the game details can be examined in detail to determine if the high score was the result of an automated game-playing program as opposed to the manual manipulations by a human player. A fraud detection feature of the game server can be programmed to flag and therefore examine scores, which are a predetermined minimum number of points higher than an existing high score. If a suspicious score is detected, the sequence and timing of the game can be examined to attempt to determine if the integrity of the game was in any manner compromised.

In the present game the ability to have a wide score spread is possible and consequently numerous players can be accommodated in a single tournament. The accommodation of a large number of players is further effected by the intermittent manner in which the players communicate with the host server. In view of the possibility that a very large number of players would participate in a single tournament, a scoring resolution higher than that in a conventional solitaire game was necessary in order to provide maximum score differentiation. In this regard, a game server can accommodate many more players than would be possible if the communications between the player and the server were more frequent. It would be unsatisfactory for a large number of players to tie for first place or other top places so additional scoring features are incorporated into the game to further discriminate the scoring.

If a player wants to give up during a game, the player can select the Give Up button45and the game in progress will end and the next game will begin if there are any games left in that tournament. A method is also provided whereby the player can exit the whole tournament rather than just the one game. This is done by pressing the key on the keyboard. This can be used by someone playing at work when they need to exit the game quickly. The Give Up and Escape features allows a player who is playing in a multiple game tournament to give up upon making a determination that his or her score will not be able to win the overall tournament. For example, if the high score listed is 50,000 points, a player may know that in order to reach 50,000 points he or she must bust two decks. If the player completes the first game and does not successfully bust the deck, there is no incentive to play the second game because at that point it will be impossible to beat the high score. The player can then choose to activate the ESC key and end the tournament. Players may end a game or tournament anytime they do not like their hand or if they think they have no chance to surpass the highest score. By prematurely ending the low-scoring games, they can make more attempts to beat the top score in a given length of time. For example, by judiciously using the Give Up button and the ESC key a player may be able to attempt eighty games in one hour as opposed to only fifty if the games are played all the way through to completion.

There are some scoring features that are not apparent when a player first plays the game and must be learned. These features are not explained in the instructions or directions to the game. It usually takes the players a while to deduce these features and thus a player who plays the game repeatedly is rewarded for his or her effort. For example, to play to a column, the mouse icon does not have to be positioned directly on the location where the card will be displayed but can be anywhere in an area vertically aligned with the column in the play field. Likewise, to play to the ace field, the mouse icon does not have to be located directly over the intended stack but can be positioned at any location in the ace field. These features allow a player to execute moves faster and consequently, players that learn and use these features can achieve higher scores. Another way to increase the score is to play to the columns before the ace stacks and make a double play. For example, if a red ace is turned over in the stack, the player's initial thought might be to move it to the ace column as soon as possible. But a player can score higher if he or she first moves the ace onto a black two on the play field then move the ace to the ace column. This could earn the player around 400 points instead of the 300 points that would be earned if the ace were played directly onto the ace column. This move not only works with an ace but with any card that can indirectly be played to the ace column.

Another feature to increase scores is to activate the Give Up button as soon as he or she has determined that there are no more moves the player will collect the points remaining on the timer.

In order to play the Internet tournament version of the game, the player must first register with the web site administrator. The administrator maintains a server with a web site, which sends and receives data relating to the games. The registration process includes identifying the location at which the player can be contacted to receive any awards won by playing the game. Additionally, a password is provided to allow the player access his or her account.

The player may also set up an account with the administrator in order to play certain fee-based games which are located on the menu. At the end of the registration process, a Windows-compatible game program which includes a number of versions of solitaire games is downloaded to the player's personal computer. In addition to the game software, “wav” or “midi” sound files are also sent to the player's computer which allow a player to listen to music during play of the game. A player can to listen to preselected midi files, or select his or her own sound files to play during game play. Other sound effects which are associated with game events include “deck shuffle,” “deck deal,” “card flip,” “successful card play,” “illegal move,” and “potential move has been missed.” In the event the deck is “busted” there are additional sound effects and graphics which are activated.

The present games are designed to be played in a tournament format which can accommodate thousands of players. The tournament elements add competition to the game and make it more attractive to play.

In a preferred embodiment, a player signs onto the Internet and then activates the tournament games software. A telephonic connection via Internet is established with the tournament game server which provides a menu screen which describes the games available, the jackpot and the time remaining before the tournament is closed.

The menu contains a number of solitaire games, each of which contains different features. Typically, a selected tournament will involve two to three iterations of the same game. In response to a game request, the server downloads “cards” to the player and any additional programming instructions required. The server may also download updated advertising materials, announcements from the server and software updates.

The server also keeps a record of the card deal seed which was provided to the player and the time the download was completed. The server then disconnects the Internet link to the player and play is initiated on the player's personal computer. Play proceeds until the game or games are completed. The player's computer then automatically contacts the server and reports the score and other information relating to the progress of the game. The player's score is then posted on a scoreboard which will reflect the current top five scores and the player's rank and score in relation to the top five players for the tournament.

Most of the program instructions for the games are downloaded to the player by way of a separate Internet connection which provides the programs for the games. The instructions transmitted from the server to the player act to enable certain features of the program, such as the existence of a wild card, the number of discard decks used or the location of the “fuzzy” or target bonus feature.

In one version of the tournament, play is allowed for only a certain time period. Players are each provided randomly shuffled decks of cards; thus, the tournament progresses with players using different decks. A player can play as often as he or she desires during the allotted time period. At the end of the predetermined period, usually set at twenty-four hours, persons achieving the top scores are awarded prizes.

In another game version known as the Sprint version, play will continue until a player reaches a predetermined score. This score is identified on the game menu in the “ends” column, where it denotes the point value which must be achieved by any player in order to end (and win) the tournament. For example, the end column may indicate the games ends at “25,700 pts.” The first player to reach 27,500 points is the winner and will receive the prize. When the point value is reached, a new Sprint game will begin. The various features such as the wild card, the hold card and the target bonus as discussed herein can be activated in conjunction with the Sprint tournaments just like with the other games.

The player may also examine a second menu which displays the current high score and an identification of the player who achieved that score. Upon selecting the game, the server provides or deals the player with the necessary data and activates the program on the player's personal computer. The server may also download any advertising material to be displayed on the backs of the cards or scrolling messages. Information relating to the cards required to play a number of hands corresponding to the game are provided. The link is then disconnected from the server.

In a first game version, the cards dealt in a given hand to any player are randomly provided. Thus, each player in the tournament will be dealt a unique card deck or decks. In this first version the luck of the deal or draw will have some impact on the player's score. By providing some degree of chance in the games the novice player can effectively compete with expert players. This feature helps prevent novice players from being discouraged when playing in tournaments in which they believe their skills are less than those of experts. Additionally, as novice players continue to play their skill levels increase. In an alternative version of the game, each player in the tournament is provided identically arranged card decks. The identity of the exact card deck arrangement can be selected by using the time at which a player logs on and requests to play, or there could be a predetermined sequence of decks which are distributed to all players during a particular open tournament. In this second version the exercise of skill in the game is emphasized.

Most sites use banner ads as the major source of advertising revenue. The more people come to a web site, the more revenue can be earned, generated through advertising. In virtually all of the games, there is an incentive to play multiple games and increase the connection time between the players and the web site. With increased connection time, the advertising revenue of the site can be enhanced. However, the nature of the present game allows the player to play the game on his or her home computer, so the connection time is limited and intermittent. In this regard, this reduced connection time allows the server to provide more capacity but places technical restrictions on the display of advertising. In order to enhance the possibility of banner advertising revenue, the web site employs a number of features. Also, it should be recognized that when the web site is initially accessed conventional advertising banners may be displayed.

One manner to enhance revenue is to provide advertising on the card backs. The card back advertisement would be seen by the players throughout the play of the game. It may include a logo, web site or phone number. A further unique concept is to place a banner advertisement on the menu program which is downloaded to the desktop. This banner ad can be linked to the advertiser's web site. Thus, when a player initiates play from the desktop icon, the banner ad is displayed even though the web site has not been visited. The banner ad is controlled by the game server so the server can match certain tournaments to certain advertisers, coordinating the card back graphic and the banner ad. These banner ads that are displayed are actually embedded into the software which is download to the desktop, as opposed to merely being retrieved on demand from a possibly transient web site. The correlation of the banner ad with the card back helps to increase the amount of advertisement retention in the player's mind.

Lastly, in order to download the program the player must be registered with the web host; thus, the web host can develop an extensive database of registrants who are interested in playing games. In order to be eligible for the cash prizes, the player's home address information is required to be submitted during the registration. People who play solitaire or other card games on the Internet provide a unique demographic population to potential advertisers.

Now referring toFIG. 8a, after a connection with an Internet Service Provider is established, the game software is initiated at the player's or client computer at Start step1002. The game software presents the player with a log in display and prompts the player to enter a player name and password. The player types a user name and password on the keyboard, and the information is sent to the server at step1004. The server next attempts to validate the player name and password at step1006. If the player name and password cannot be authenticated, the server commands the client to display the login prompt again.

If the player name and password have been determined by the server to be valid, the server sends to the client a list of tournaments that are currently available to play at step1008. The player or user then makes a selection and requests that game begin at step1010. Since the games and tournaments are of relatively short duration, the server verifies that the tournament selected by the user is still available to be played at step1012. If the tournament is no longer available, the server sends a message to that effect to the Client, along with a new list of the tournaments available to be played.

Once the server verifies that the tournament desired by the user is in fact still available to be played, the server determines whether a fee must be paid by the user in order to play the desired tournament at step1018. If a fee is required, the server examines the User's account to determine whether the account balance is sufficient to pay for the tournament at step1020. If the User's account does not possess a sufficient quantity of finds a message to that effect is sent to the client computer, along with a current list of the tournaments available to be played so that the User can make another selection.

If a fee is required to play the desired tournament and the User's account has a balance sufficiently high to pay for the tournament, at step1024the fee is subtracted from the user's account. If no fee is required to play the tournament or if a fee was required and has been paid, the server proceeds to step1026and sends a packet of information to the client. Contained in the packet of information is a list of the current tournament leaders, a list of game features to enable for the tournament game or games, the seed number for the client to use while generating the sequence of cards in the card deck, the Internet Uniform Resource Locator from which to obtain the card back graphics, and the Internet URL from which to obtain the game background graphics. After the information packet has been received by the client and processed, game play begins as reflected in step1028. While the user is playing the game, the server may periodically send a list of current tournament leaders to the client computer at step1030. These transmissions keep the player informed of current standings and also help keep the Internet link between the client and server active. At the conclusion of the game, the client computer sends the user's final score to the server at step1036.

The server computes the elapsed time between the time the game was started and the time the final score was received at step1038. If the elapsed time seems unreasonable, as determined by algorithm at step1040, the score is rejected.

If the server determines the user's score is valid, based upon the amount of time used to play the game at step1042, the user's score is compared to the tournament's highest score. If the user's score is higher than the tournament's present highest score, the server requests that the client send the game log file to the server at step1044. The log file contains a record of the original card deck sequence, each game move made by the user while playing the game, and a time stamp for each of the moves the user made. This log file is then stored on the server and can be examined for inconsistencies at a future time in cases where fraud is suspected.

Finally, the server sends status and rankings information to the client at step1046. This information includes the user's current tournament score and tournament ranking, the tournament's highest score and ranking, and the tournament's five highest scores and the names of the users achieving those scores are displayed on a screen such as that depicted inFIG. 7. The player can then return to the game selection display page such as that represented byFIG. 6to enter another tournament or quit the program at step1048by selecting the quit button. Selecting the quit button returns to the logon page. A further selection of the quit is required to stop running the program.

Referring now toFIG. 9, there is a pictorial representation, which depicts a system in which the present invention may be implemented. A personal computer2000is depicted which includes a system unit2002, a video display terminal2004, a keyboard2006, storage devices2008, which may include floppy drives and other types of permanent and removable storage media, and mouse2010. Although the depicted representation shows a personal computer, other embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in other types of data processing systems, such as network computers, or other Internet appliances. Computer2000also preferably includes a graphical user interface that may be implemented by means of systems software residing in computer readable media in operation within computer2000.

System2020is a network of computers in which the present invention may be implemented. System2020contains a network2022, which is the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected together within system2020. Network2022may include permanent connections, such as wire or fiber optic cables, temporary connections made through telephone connections or networks which employ wireless technology. A server2026is connected to network2022which has a built in storage unit and is used to provide game information and data to players on client computers. Clients2000,2030, and2032and2034are also connected to a network2020. These clients2000,2030, and2032and2034may be personal computers or network computers, wherein a network computer is defined as any computer, coupled to a network, which receives a program or other application from another computer coupled to the network. Server2026provides data for operation of the game to clients2000,2030, and2032and2034. In the depicted example, system2020is the Internet with network2022representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, government, educational and other computer systems that route data and messages. It is contemplated that system2020may also be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as, for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). Internet, also referred to as an “internetwork,” is a set of computer networks, possibly dissimilar, joined together by means of gateways that handle data transfer and the conversion of messages from the sending network to the protocols used by the receiving network (with packets if necessary). When capitalized, the term “Internet” refers to the collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols. Each client computer is provided application software which can be downloaded from the server. The application software is then executed after an Internet connection has been established with the players Internet service provider. The application software then is used to request and receive content from the server over the Internet.

FIG. 10depicts the sequence of a solitaire tournament game. After a connection with an Internet Service Provider is established, the game software is initiated to create a window at the player's or client's computer. The game software then checks the software that is residing on the player's drive to ensure that all software necessary for playing the game is available and to see if the software was updated. In the event that additional software module necessary to play the game is missing or the game software has been updated, the game software prompts the user to download any new necessary software. In a preferred embodiment, software necessary for the game includes DirectX, a Microsoft product that provides graphic files and sound files and is available from the Internet or from MicroSoft Corp. Then, the game software presents the player with a log in display and prompts the player to enter a player name and password. When the player name and password entered are invalid, the game software will prompt the player to exit the game without getting further information about the tournament. When the player name and password entered have been determined by the server to be valid, the server sends to the player/client a list of tournaments that are currently available to play which are displayed at the player's/client's computer. The player or user then makes a selection on the tournament game and requests that game begins. Before the game begins, the player has a chance to quit the game and exit the tournament. If the player selects to quit the game, the game software prompts the player to exit the game. Once the player foregoes the opportunity to quit the game, the game starts and the player plays the selected tournament. At the end of the selected tournament game, the game software prompts to get the tournaments available on the server and displays on the player's computer for the player to select. If the player selects a tournament and play, the game software prompts the player to continue to play the selected tournament. If the player selects to quit the game, the game software prompts the player to exit the game.

Referring toFIGS. 11aand11b, the steps of playing the computer-based solitaire tournament game are depicted in greater details with game features of a wildcard. As shown inFIG. 11a, once the player starts to play a selected tournament game, the game software prompts to shuffle deck and deal cards with the sequence determined by transfer of a “seed” determined by the server. The game software also display the wildcard icon on the player's computer and discard stacks including the four (4) ace stacks and the multiple player stacks whose number is controlled by the server.

The game software prompts to get the player's input. If the player selects to prematurely end the game, the game software prompts to end the game. If the player selects a card, an icon of “FROM” is shown on the card selected. Then, the game software gets the player's input on moving the card to another stack or column. When the game software determines that the move is valid, the card is moved to the selected stack/column and the player is awarded points accordingly and the player continues to select a card and play until the player has “busted the deck.” If the game software determines that the move is invalid, the game software cancels out the move and prompts to get the player's input and continues the game.

Referring toFIG. 11b, at the conclusion of the game, the client/player computer sends the user's final score to the server to post scores to the internet. The server receives scores from multiple players and computes the ranking among them according to a predetermined tournament format. Then, such rankings are sent to each player's computer and displayed at the computers. Then, the player/client may choose to play a new game or a new tournament and continues.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art and it is contemplated that variations and/or changes in the embodiments illustrated and described herein may be made without departure from the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the foregoing description is illustrative only, not limiting, and that the true spirit and scope of the present invention will be determined by the appended claims.