U.S. Pat. No. 8,382,581

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings wherein elements are identified by numbers and like elements are identified by like numbers throughout the 4 figures, the invention is depicted inFIG. 1and illustrates a system and a method for rewarding participation in an online activity.

Referring first toFIG. 1, as illustrated, an individual may wish to participate in an online activity1. To further illustrate an online activity1, and for purpose of illustration, in an exemplary embodiment, an online gaming activity has been selected. However, it should be understood that any online activity, including reading, quizzes, puzzles, and any other interactive type activity may be utilized by the embodied system and method for rewarding the individual user with real world prizes. In an exemplary embodiment, an individual may participate in an online game3whereby the individual will log5into the online website. The online website may require authentication7and a unique identification for each individual to identify each said individual user. This required identification and authorization7portion may be a login menu9. The login menu9may allow new users to register11at the website whereby when notified that the individual user is a new user, the login menu5will prompt a new user (not shown) menu which requires the user to input identification and personal information, such as name13, address15and personal characteristics such as gender17and age19. The input identification and personal information may toggle the system to identify certain information relating to each individual user and may prompt specific advertisement and/or third party information appropriate for each individual user based on the input characteristics.

For example, for younger users of the online system1, after authentication and identification7information has been received, the online system1may determine that based on the age of the individual using the system1, that games and activities are inappropriate for that particular individual and will only let certain games and activities be accessed by that individual. Additionally, only certain advertisements21and promotional material will be presented to that younger individual. Moreover, the point system25and rewards27relating to online game play and participation may be limited to appropriate material for that individual.

As further illustrated inFIG. 1, after authentication and identification, the system may present the individual with a screen name29that may be utilized to help identify the user online and allow the user to communicate with other system users31. Additionally, the point system25of the online system1may be allocated to that specific screen name29and/or user. The user may then be presented with a game menu33which may allow the individual to choose from a plurality of different games and activities which they may participate in.

After the individual has chosen a game or activity in which to participate, the individual will be routed to the appropriate website or menu allowing them to participate in the online activity. The individual may have a tool bar portion35which may inform the individual of possible points39that they may receive from any participation in any activity or for winning a game. Additionally, the tool bar35may have a counter37which may allow the individual to continuously know the amount of points they have accumulated to date and may show real time point awardment to that individual such that they may keep track of their total points39while playing or participating in the game.

Additionally, the system1may have a point total menu (not shown) whereby the point total menu may allow the individual to access all of their points39received for online play/participation. Moreover, the point total menu (not shown) may also show an entire history of points awarded and the reasoning behind all the points including length of play, awards for achievement and the like. The point total menu may allow the individual to purchase more points39, trade points or give away points. Moreover, the point total menu may be linked to a rewards menu41whereby the individual may redeem their points for rewards from the rewards menu41.

As illustrated inFIG. 2, the rewards menu41may show a plurality of different awards43that may be awarded with the redemption of the individual's earned points39from the points total menu. The awards43are based on the information provided during the identification stage including gender21, age19, interests and the like. Thereby, the appropriate rewards43may be presented that would most likely be in line with the expectations of a particular individual of a specific subset relating to age19, gender21and specific interests.

The individual may choose a reward43whereby the system1may inform the individual how many awards points39must be utilized in order to redeem for that particular prize. If the individual has the appropriate number of points39collected from game play and game achievement, the individual may redeem those collected points for presented prizes/rewards43.

FIG. 3illustrates the user redeeming the collected points for prizes43. After the individual has chosen a prize43and has decided to redeem his/her collected points39against that prize43, the system1prompts the individual to confirm45that the individual wishes to redeem and utilize their points39in order to do so. With confirmation, the prize43is selected and the individual is taken to a sign out menu51shown inFIG. 4which prompts the individual to enter shipping information55whereby the reward is shipped to the individual.

In an embodiment, if the individual does not have the appropriate number of points39in order to redeem for a prize43, the system1may allow the individual to either buy the appropriate number of points39and/or may allow the individual to pay a prorated amount to redeem what points39they do have against the prize43. Moreover, the system1may also calculate what amount of participation may be necessary in order to earn enough points39for redemption.

In an exemplary embodiment, the gaming system1may be utilized for a plurality of different applications including rewarding an individual for online reading. For example, in the situation of children of learning age, the system1and method may be utilized whereby the child would log onto the reward site, utilizing the same above-mentioned identification and authorization7process, and whereby the child would then receive rewards43for reading a book online whereby for each page read, the child is rewarded points for reading, and/or for a certain time period that the child is reading, they are rewarded points for participation. The system1may also calculate lengths for which normal reading would occur such that if an individual scrolled through the screen too quickly, no points would be rewarded. As previously stated, the child could then redeem points39accumulated during reading and/or learning sessions for certain prizes43in the system1and/or may be automatically sent specific prizes when a threshold point amount has been reached.

Thus, specific embodiments and applications of a gaming system have been disclosed. It should be apparent however, to those skilled in the art, that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. The terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.