U.S. Pat. No. 9,123,205

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a detailed description of presently known, exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention can, may or could be constructed and/or utilized. The detailed description sets forth the functions and the sequence of the steps for constructing and operating the disclosure in connection with the illustrated embodiments as well as the best mode of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences can be accomplished by different exemplary embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of this invention.

The present system and method provides an online video gaming tournament. The present system and method utilizing the hundreds and thousands or even millions of existing multi-player garners and creates tournaments around them where not only are the players competing indirectly against other players in other regions and countries, but the players can also directly compete against other players while in the same game server on opposite teams or even on the same team. Players may not get eliminated horn a tournament and continue to play until the tournament expires. The present system and method may provide two types of tournaments, non-entry-fee tournaments and entry-free tournaments. Sometimes a subscriber service offers free tournaments that are put on by a particular subscriber service. These, too, are covered within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Referring toFIG. 1, the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the system, is illustrated in schematic and generally denoted by the numeral100. The system100includes a plurality of game servers2. The servers2are divided based upon certain criteria. As shown inFIG. 1, the servers2may be divided based on geographic location/region. However, other criteria are possible and such is not meant as limiting the disclosure of the invention in any way. The system100includes both regional contestants1who may wish to play in a regional online gaming tournament as well as global contestants3who may wish to play in a global online gaining tournament. The system100may allow regional contestants1and global contestants3to have the option to enter both global and regional online gaming Tournaments. Alternatively, within the spirit and scope of the invention, the system100may only include regional or exclusively include global tournaments. There may even be servers dedicated to particular game manufacturers or a particular category of games. In system100, the tournaments are played on the same game servers2, at the same time, but displayed on separate grids as will be more fully appreciated below. Thus, players can join a server2in Atlanta and participate in a global and regional online gaming tournament because a player's performance statistics can be used in each online gaming tournament individually. In the system100, a contestants' performance statistics is calculated and compared against the other online gaming tournament contestants1or3and that calculation may be used to determine the player's grid ranking and their price winnings.

The system100, in the exemplary embodiment shown, uses servers2which are public servers. By having public gaming servers, the system100allows contestants1or3of the online gaming tournaments to play with non-tournament participants. This allows online gaming tournament contestants1or3to earn game statistics regardless of the amount of actual tournament participants. The use of public servers in the exemplary embodiment is not meant to be limiting of the invention. Within the spirit and scope of the invention, the system100uses private servers, semi-private servers and any other possible server, presently known or to be invented and discovered that would accomplish the purposes herein.

Referring now toFIG. 2a global tournament is described in detail. For a global tournament, global contestants3are able to access one or more gaming servers2. In the exemplary embodiment shown inFIG. 2, the gaming servers2are coupled to an application programming interface (API)4. The API4is used to calculate statistics related to the game being played on the servers2. Global tournaments include gathering performance statistics for the global contestant3from all the game servers2around the world, from a given game and game type, and compiling then into a single ranking system determined by the API4to be displayed on the grid. For example, Player “A” located in Los Angeles Calif., USA can indirectly compete against Player “B” located in London, England, UK without directly playing against one another.

In a Global tournament, the global contestants3generally pay an entry-fee. As shown in the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 2, the entry fee is taken from a player's bank account5. The player's bank account5includes any type of account set-up by the player, be it real, brick and mortar store or virtual. The player's bank account5does not have to be an actual bank account but may be an online gaming account, virtual game account, a Paypal account, or the like. Once an entry fee has been paid from the player's bank account5, the global contestants3may be directed to an official server list of games on the game servers2located around the world.

The global contestants3may then play on one or multiple official game servers2to obtain performance statistics. Those statistics may be calculated by the API4and that may be used to determine a global contestants3ranking and consequently their winnings. Once determined, the API4may transfer the winnings to the player's bank account5of the global contestants3.

As illustrated inFIG. 3, a regional tournament will be described in more detail. For a regional tournament, regional contestants1access one or more regional gaming servers6. The regional tournament consists of gathering performance statistics from specific regional game servers6in a given geographical location, such as United States West, specific states in the United States, or United Kingdom and compiling them via the API4into a single ranking system to be displayed on the Grid. Player “A” located in Los Angeles, Calif., USA, can indirectly or directly compete with another player in the same region, such as Seattle, Wash., USA.

In a regional tournament, a regional contestant1may be required to pay an entry-fee. The entry fee may be taken from a player's bank account5. The player's bank account5may be any type of account set-up by the regional contestants1. The player's bank account5does not have to be an actual bank account but may be an online gaming account, virtual game account, a Paypal account, or the like. Once an entry fee has been paid from the player's bank account5, the regional contestants1may be directed to an official server list on the regional game servers6located within a specific region. In this example, this regional online gaming tournament is taking place across Central United States. The player may then play in one or multiple official regional game servers6within a region to obtain performance statistics. Those statistics may be calculated and compared against other regional contestants1through the API4and may be used to determine a regional contestants1ranking and consequently their winnings. Once determined, the API4may transfer the winnings to the player's bank account5.

For a paid regional tournament or a paid global tournament, all contestants1or3pay an entry fee to enter a tournament. After paying the entry-fee, the contestants1or3are presented with an official server list in which those players play in order to qualify for the tournament and become eligible for rewards. The entry fees are used to establish a tournament pool in one exemplary embodiment. A percentage of the money from entry-fees may be collected and distributed from and to players. Once the tournament has expired, the contestants1or3may receive their winnings based on their statistical game performance. All funds may be distributed and contained within a player's bank account5until the contestants1or3submit a withdrawal request.

Referring now toFIG. 4, description of one embodiment of a tournament pay table will be disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment, approximately sixty percent of all tournament players may receive winnings with an approximate eighty-five to ninety-five percent game return. There may be a range of consolation groups from one to one hundred that may be paid out. Each consolation group may be populated by a percentage of the winning players.

As may be seen in the embodiment shown inFIG. 4, Consolation Group One7A may contain the top one percent of all paid contestants1or3participating in a tournament (i.e., paid regional tournament or a paid global tournament) and may split eight percent (8%) of the Tournament Pool; Consolation Group Two7B may contain the next top two percent of all paid contestants1or3participating in the paid tournament (i.e., paid regional tournament or a paid global tournament) and may split eleven percent (11%) of the Tournament Pool; Consolation Group Three7C may contain the next top six percent of all paid contestants1or3participating in the paid tournament (i.e., paid regional tournament or a paid global tournament) and may split thirteen and one-half percent (13.5%) of the Tournament Pool; Consolation Group Four7D may contain the next top eleven percent of all paid contestants1or3participating in the paid tournament (i.e., paid regional tournament or a paid global tournament) and may split nineteen percent (19%) of the Tournament Pool; Consolation Group Five7E may contain the next top forty percent of all paid contestants1or3participating in the paid tournament (i.e., paid regional tournament or a paid global tournament) and may split forty-four percent (44%) of the Tournament Pool. This embodiment is not meant to be limiting, it's merely descriptive of one embodiment. There could of course be more or less than five groups, different monetary percentages for each group and different percentages for the number of players being paid in each group without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The system100allows progressive jackpots. Progressive jackpots in the gambling industry are generally based on a predetermined winning combination(s) that is generally difficult to obtain and all having an element of chance. In video game tournaments, chance is not allowed or it may be considered to be gambling which is currently illegal in all jurisdictions in the United States and most Countries. These tournaments (i.e., paid regional tournament or a paid global tournament) are generally based entirely on skill based achievements. The progressive jackpots are also be based on skill based achievements or combinations of skill sets or sequential skills or skill sets. For example, being the first person to win a predetermined winning combination(s) of skill based achievements could be a first progressive jackpot based on non-gambling scenarios. The above is given as an example and should not be seen in a limiting manner.

Referring now toFIG. 5, there is shown a block diagram schematic illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the tournament pool9distribution. In this embodiment, the contestants1or3in the paid regional tournament or a paid global tournament pay the entry fee to participate. The entry fee may be placed into a tournament pool9. In this embodiment, a small percent of every tournament pool9is reserved and divided between a plurality of progressive tournament pools9A. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 5, three progressive tournament pools9A (Primary Pool11, Secondary Pool12and Tertiary Pool13) are visible and obtainable by tournament players and there are hidden tournament pools10, which are created to replenish the Primary Pool11once it has been paid out or hit. A percentage of the Primary Pool11may be reserved for the Secondary Pool12and the Tertiary Pool13. The above is only shown as an exemplary embodiment. There may be more or less Progressive Tournament pools9A as well as different means for allocating distribution of the rewards without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the Secondary Pool12and Tertiary Pool13pools may have Hidden Pools10.

Progressive tournament pools9A may be won in different manners. For example, to win the Tertiary Pool13, a paid player: Places third or better four times in the same game and tournament type. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, the Secondary Pool12may be awarded after the Tertiary Pool13has been won. Once the Tertiary Pool13has been won, to in for the Secondary Pool12, a paid player may have to Place in second or better three times in the same game and tournament type. In accordance with one exemplary embodiment, once the Tertiary Pool13and Secondary Pool12have been won, to qualify for the Primary Pool11a contestant may have to: Place in first two times in the same type of tournament for the same game. The above are only given as examples and should not be seen in a limiting, manner.

Referring toFIG. 6, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of the tournament pool distribution. InFIG. 6, a Contestant “A”14from one of the paid regional tournaments or paid global tournaments wins the Tertiary Pool13. Then Contestant “B”15may win the Secondary Pool12, only after the Tertiary Pool13has been hit. Then any contestant can win the Primary Pool11, but only after the Tertiary Pool13and Secondary Pool12have been hit.

In the event that the Primary Pool11is won, Hidden Pools10are allocated. For example, Hidden Pool 1, in one exemplary embodiment, is allocated to the Primary Pool11, Hidden Pool 2 is allocated to Hidden Pool 1 and Hidden Pool 3 is depleted to zero. This may be used to help prevent the Primary Pool11from starting at an, insignificant dollar amount. This progressive embodiment is not meant to be limiting, its merely descriptive of one exemplary embodiment. In-Game skills and skill sets could also be used in competing scenarios to form progressive jackpots.

In an exemplary embodiment of the system100, the API4is stored on a server4A within the system100in accordance with one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The server can take the form of a computer server, and more specifically a web server. The server4A can include ROM, operating system and software instructions, RAM, central processor unit (CPU), network interface to connect the server storing the API4to the gaming servers2and a data storage device. A conventional personal computer or computer workstation with sufficient memory and processing capabilities can be used as the server4A. Alternatively, multiple interconnected servers can also serve as the server.

In another exemplary embodiment using the cube18ofFIG. 9, the API4factors into the ranking, the player's or team's performance in-game and skill ranking differential between the two players (or teams) in determining actual grid movement during and after a match and a player's or team's post-match ranking. Skill ranking and new skills are earned during a match and those skills are updated during the match and reflected in the cube18. Post-match performance algorithms assign a percentage of the losing players skill ranking to the winning player: or declares an in-game performance score multiplier; which effectively transfers skill rating from a losing player to a winning player, or rewards a winning player with additional skill ranking/rating points based on an outcome with a higher-ranked player, in addition to any already calculated performance data from the match game statistics.

Referring now toFIGS. 7-10, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of the grid8. In this embodiment, the API4generates a ranking grid8. The grid8is a unique multi-level, multi-tier grid. In accordance with this embodiment, the grid8has 100 positions (10 levels with 10 tiers) player ranking grid per tournament, per game.

The grid8is used for rating and ranking players skill based on live and real-time or past performance within the given game and/or tournament; by means of skill rating algorithms and mathematics that are processed during and after each tournament match. The higher of a players skill, the higher they are visually seen, and programmatically ranked on the grid8(high being towards upper-left, L1T1—Level 1,16, Tier 1 as may be seen inFIG. 7).

The grid8has the ability to function in a dynamic mode, enabling the Level 1, Tier 1 position to have a minimum numerical skill ranking equal to that of the highest ranked player; and then allow for an exponential decrease in minimum/maximums required per each level/tier combination until the bottom (level 10, tier 10,17) is reached—which in most cases is at 0.

During a tournament, players may join via one of two methods; (1) manually by using a user interface of a website, mobile applications, or other deemed user interface applications, or (2) automatically by having enabled an Auto-Join Feature, which may intelligently join a user to a tournament based on defined and agreed upon criteria once the system detects that the player is playing in a sanctioned tournament server (location).

Players may play throughout the tournament within one or multiple Game Servers2(locations); from this point, the system100may “handshake” with the game server2and pull real-time or near real-time game play performance and commit to the grid8via use of the API4; exposing public-facing methods to allow for on-demand grid calculation algorithmic processing for player performance data obtained within the aforementioned server(s)2.

Once player performance data has been fed from the game server(s)2of the tournament(s), the API4processes gamer performance into numerical rating and ranking “scores” which are then plotted on the appropriate tournament grid(s)8; from this point, once a tournament has expired or otherwise completed based on the allotted play-time, the system100calculates player positions, rewards, and progressive jackpot(s)/tournament pool(s) issuance based on the player rating/ranking as demonstrated per the placement on the actual tournament gaming “grid”8. The grid8has the ultimate responsibility of determining player skill ranking within the game, and determining what player(s) get rewarded, as well as visually showing to players, users, and bystanders the progress and performance of players within.

The system100may operate a unique 100 position (10 levels with 10 tiers) player ranking grid8per tournament, per game. The grid8is responsible for rating and ranking players skill based on live and real-time or past performance within the given game and/or tournament; by means of unique skill rating algorithms and mathematics that are processed during and after each tournament match. The higher of a player skill, the higher they are visually seen, and programmatically ranked on the grid (high being towards upper-left, L1T1—Level 1, Tier 1,16).

The grid8has the ability to function in a dynamic mode, enabling the Level 1, Tier 1 position16to have a minimum numerical skill ranking equal to that of the highest ranked player; and then allow for an exponential decrease in minimum/maximums required per each level/tier combination until the bottom (level 10, tier 10,17) is reached—which in most cases is at 0.

Players may play throughout the tournament within one or multiple sanctioned Game Servers2(locations) i.e Game Server2running Game “A” or Game Server2running Game “B”; from this point, the system100may “handshake” with the game servers2and pull real-time or near real-time game play performance and commit to the grid8via use of the API4; exposing public-facing methods to allow for on-demand grid calculation algorithmic processing for player performance data obtained within the aforementioned server(s)2.

Once player performance data has been fed from the game server(s)2of the tournament(s), the system100processes gamer performance into numerical rating and ranking “scores” which may then be plotted on the appropriate tournament grid(s)8i.e Grid for Game “A” or Grid for Game “B”; from this point, once a tournament has expired or otherwise completed based on the allotted play-time, the system100may calculate player positions, rewards, and progressive jackpot(s)/tournament pool(s) issuance based on the player rating/ranking as demonstrated per the placement on the actual tournament gaming grid8. The grid8has the ultimate responsibility of determining player skill ranking within the game, and determining what player(s) get rewarded, as well as visually showing to players, users, and bystanders the progress and performance of players within.

The system100may be expanded to so that the grid technology can incorporate millions of players that will be playing from around the world. The grids8may be configured into a 3-Dimensional Cube18as shown inFIG. 9, which can have a multitude of functions. i.e. player ratings, types of games, amounts of the various progressive prizes or any other functions of the games that need and/or players want displaying. In addition to ranking players, a portion of the 3-Dimensional Cube18, may, in an exemplary embodiment, be dedicated to ranking the game itself, comparing the instant game to other games on the 3-Dimensional Cube18. Since the 3-Dimensional Cube18is capable of serving many games, the various games may be compared to one another and ranked against one another.

As illustrated in exemplary embodiment of the 3-Dimensional Cube18ofFIG. 9, the cube18includes a plurality of stacked grids8. The stacked grids8having a plurality of levels and each level having a plurality of tiers8A

In the exemplary embodiment of the 3-Dimensional Cube18inFIG. 9, the cube18gives the tournament the functionality and the flexibility to allow players of multiple level skills to compete against one another on a generally level playing field. As a player progresses through the game's skill levels and acquires new skills, the player receives increasingly greater challenges. However, as a result of using the ranking functionality of the 3-Dimensional Cube18, players mostly compete against players of equal Or lesser skill levels, for example, within 5 to 10 level range based on Cube schema 1 or Cube schema 2.

Cube Schema 1, Functional Description

With particular reference toFIG. 9, there is illustrated an exemplary embodiment of the 3-dimensional cube18. In the embodiment illustrated, the 3-dimensional cube18includes a plurality of stacked grid levels resulting in a minimum and maximum of 10 levels of difference in the player skill during play on that level of the cube section. As the player progresses to the next cube level, 10 in-game experience levels are earned prior to attaining the next cube level. This repeats itself until a player goes as far as possible based upon the player's skill level.

Cube Schema 2 Functional Explanation

Interlaced and offset cube level layers (FIG. 10) produce a fixed effect for the player as the player enters the next cube level at the middle of the skill levels thus having a + or −5 level difference in actual skill as the player proceeds through the cube levels. The same format pertains to this cube level as in Schema 2. As the player progresses to the next cube level, 10 in-game experience levels are earned. These levels must be earned prior to attaining the next cube level. This repeats itself until a player goes as far as possible based upon the player's skill level.

While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.