AU2018264031A1 - Systems and methods for making real-time, fantasy sports coaching adjustments to live games - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a fantasy sports system that enables a user to engage in a fantasy sports game by selecting and applying statistical modifiers, referred to as coaching tactics, to a live game. Specifically, the system is based on users competing with one another to engineer the widest win margins, or reduce the losing margins, for the team they chose to coach, through the selection and application of optimized statistical modifiers that produce a corresponding fantasy score outcome of contemporaneous live games by increasing or decreasing points scored for or against the existing teams. -26- GiAME MODIRER= caallers Opponts Cauallrs iea Opponents Cnslers caa nr tas re fanasys"""r CfaaAnrler G Date cavaliersspponen Metaata realW-Ife,uctul * kingor erians m 0m awmingonit h tnv win W mre mre lsingmarrklri GAME GA M r mcOOthI MODFR rmn l I Tue, Oct 17, 2017 Bsuton Celtics 302 99 3 W 110,7 90-3 20. W 2 Frl Oct 20,2017 Miwaukee Backs 116 97 19 W 124.7 88,3 S365 W 3 Sat,Oct22,2017 OrlandoNiagic 93 114 -21L 101.7 1053 13.51L 4 Tue,Oct24,2017 CblcgoBulls 119 112 71W 127.7 103.3 24.5 W S Wed.Oct25,2017 BrooklynNets 107 112 -5 L 115.7 1033 12.5 6 Sat,Oc28,2017 NewOrleasPecans 101 123 -22 L 107 114.3 4.5) L 7 SUnOct29,2017 NewYorkKnicks 95 114 -19L 103L7 105.3 (LS)L 8 Wed,Nov.2017 IndianaPacers 107 124 -17 L 115.7 115,3 0,$5 9 K Nov3,2017 WashingonWizards 130 122 BW 13.7 1113 255 W 20 Sun, Nov 5, 2017 Atlanta Hawks 115 117 -2 L 123.7 103 25,5 W 11 Tue, Nov 7, 2017 lliwaukee Bucks 124 119 S W 132.7 110.3 22.5 W 22 ThuNov9,2017 Houston Rockets 113 117 4L 121.7 10&3 13.5 ZW Fig. 4

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING REAL-TIME, FANTASY SPORTS COACHING ADJUSTMENTS TO LIVE GAMES

Background of the Invention [0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a system and method for a fantasy sports platform and network for playing fantasy sports as a fantasy coach of a singular, real-life team, as opposed to a general manager or team owner of a fantasy team comprising players from multiple teams. Generally, the present invention offers a fantasy sports user the opportunity to play as their favorite or fair-weather team for a singular, real-life contest and select specific coaching-style tactics that, when applied to their chosen team’s game, produce a new fantasy score for that game that is typically an improved result for the user’s chosen team when compared to the real-life, actual score for that team’s game. The present invention relates to both a system and method with components configured to allow users to make pre-game and/or real-time coaching decisions that increase or decrease team or opponent point scores (offensive and defensive coaching decisions respectively) that affect the outcome of a sports game and engineer a fantasy win or loss margins in real-time.

[0002] Fantasy sports platforms have enjoyed widespread popularity. These platforms promise to create an experience for sports fans that elevates their entertainment from that of fandom to fantasy. The success of that promise is clear. Considering only fantasy basketball, there were an estimated twenty million participants in 2016 as well as an estimated $650 million wagered in fantasy basketball leagues. Despite this success, however, there has not been much development in these fantasy platforms themselves. Currently, as fantasy basketball demonstrates, there is one type of model used to structure systems and methods of fantasy sports platforms: the draft model.

-12018264031 14 Nov 2018 [0003] Typically, fantasy sports platforms place users in the same single role as managers in charge of a fictitious team’s draft. In other words, these users pick players from different teams throughout a given league (such as, but not limited to, the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, or eSports or virtual sports leagues for example) to form their fantasy teams. Once a team is drafted, the manager may then decide to make decisions as to which players on the fantasy team’s roster may play during a given game time. These pre-game choices are limited, however, to substitutions for who will be playing during a given game time, e.g. when rostered player gets an injury. A fantasy game will pit two fantasy teams against one another, with scores being calculated based on how each team’s drafted players perform in their separate games. The user whose team accumulates the most fantasy points wins. Despite its success, this draft model has limitations and problems.

[0004] As use of the draft model has continued, it has developed into a separate form of entertainment based on the niche strategic gameplay and advanced statistical knowledge involved in drafting and managing professional sports teams. The consequence of this is that fantasy sports become more of a chore rather than a fantasy for the everyday fan. This is because of three key issues with the draft model: spreading user attention across multiple games, requiring advanced statistical knowledge for success, and the failure to provide fans a way to maintain a strong connection with their favorite teams.

[0005] First, the viewing habits of fans do not match up with the structure of current fantasy sports platforms. Whereas fantasy teams are affected by results in multiple games occurring across a league, fans typically only watch their favorite team play. In other words, fantasy leagues pull fan attention away from the games they actually care about rather than providing more access and involvement. Essentially,

-22018264031 14 Nov 2018 fantasy sports users must choose between enjoying a connection with their favorite team or their fantasy team. This, however, is not the only aspect of current fantasy sports platforms that diminishes typical fan connections.

[0006] The simple fact that fantasy sports players cannot play as their favorite sports team means that fans feel less connected to their favorite teams and the games that fans are actually watching.

[0007] Finally, the requirement that users have advanced statistical knowledge to succeed in the draft model is discouraging to everyday fans who do not have the time, money, or resources typically needed to play at such a high level.

[0008] Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for a fantasy sports system as described herein that allows users to participate more fully in the real-time game play of their team of choice through pre-game and/or real time coaching decisions while giving these users access to statistics and statistical models to help inform their decisions and keep the playing field level when competing against other users.

Brief Summary of the Invention [0009] To meet the needs described above and others, the present disclosure provides a system and method for a fantasy sports system that allows users to participate more fully in the real-time game play of their team of choice through pregame and/or real-time coaching decisions while giving these users access to statistics and statistical models to help inform their decisions and keep the playing field level when competing against other users. The system allows users to make these coaching decisions by applying a select set of optimized statistical modifiers, referred to as coaching tactics, to real-time events occurring in a live sports game in order to generate a corresponding fantasy game outcome. The system generates a statistical improvement to the team’s results, that if applied to that team’s games, would improve

-32018264031 14 Nov 2018 that team’s win-loss record to, or near, the best in its professional league’s history or potentially beyond. That statistical improvement could be referred to as the game modifier, the number of points added to a team’s score and subtracted from opponent’s to better ensure a fantasy score victory and improve a team’s win-loss record when applied to a number of its games during a season.

[0010] Specifically, the coaching-style tactics a user chooses when playing fantasy sports while using the system described herein adjust and/or re-calculate specific actual and real-world statistical metrics that measure a particular sporting game or contest. When the system re-calculates these statistical metrics based on the coaching tactics chosen by the user, the system also re-calculates the overall game or contest score to produce a new fantasy score for the contest, one that is typically an improved game or contest result for the user’s chosen team’s actual score or result. The system and method described herein may be applied to professional and eSports leagues for sports such as basketball, baseball, American football, cricket, Australian rules football, soccer, and more.

[0011] The system also generates and offers the user a selection of additional statistical modifiers to choose from, the coaching tactics, that can achieve or exceed the game modifier, if chosen correctly, based on the statistics, results, and/or events that occur in the game(s) the user’s team is playing. The statistical modifiers offered as coaching tactics typically work to improve or increase the user’s chosen team’s score or result, and reduce or decrease the chosen team’s opposition’s score or result, improving the user’s chosen team’s winning margin, or reducing its losing margin, or turning their chosen team’s loss into a win by way of the system’s fantasy scoring method. It also allows the user to produce a fantasy score, based on that single game or contest, using specific coaching tactics, providing a fantasy sports experience as part of a coaching

-42018264031 14 Nov 2018 simulation experience. Once the live game has ended, the system applies all combinations of the offered coaching tactics to the actual results of the game in order to compare and rank the impact of each tactic and combination of tactics on the game’s outcome. The system also continuously collects and optimizes the statistical modifiers throughout the season to account for changes in team and individual player records and performance in order to maintain competitive parity across a given sports league. [0012] By providing a select number of options of statistical modifiers to the user and continually optimizing the modifiers throughout the season based on each team’s record and performance, the system and method provide a fantasy sports league that allows users to experiment with and compare the effect of different modifiers and their combinations on team statistics throughout a given sports season. The system allows users to play as a fantasy coach for a chosen team’s live game as well as compete against other fantasy coaches for the most successful game plan strategies using a discrete number of offensive and defensive tactics which this system and method calculates and creates using team, league, and player records and statistics collected throughout the current or previous season of a given professional sports league.

[0013] This system and method is not limited to any particular sport. As such, it may be applied to any sport by creating optimized statistical modifiers (the system’s game modifiers and coaching tactics) relative to a given sport’s point scoring system and league, team, and player performance statistics.

[0014] The system includes a server that receives sports data and communicates with a downloadable software application on a user’s device. To use the fantasy gameplay system and method, users select a specific team, which could be a user’s favorite or fairweather team. The user then selects from that chosen team’s game schedule to determine which specific game the user would like to coach. The system

-52018264031 14 Nov 2018 provides coaching tactic options including both offensive and defensive tactics, which generally relate to parameters that boost or increase a user’s team’s points, goals, runs, or score and/or decrease the opposing team’s points, goals, runs, or score. For example, the user may select to increase the number of points earned by a specific player on his team by a predefined percentage, or the user may choose to reduce the number of points earned by a specific player on the opposing team by a predefined percentage. Once the user has made their pre-game selection of these coaching tactics and locks in the game plan, the system presents the score of the game plan in real time. In another embodiment the user selects coaching tactics over the course of their chosen team’s live game.

[0015] The offensive and defensive coaching tactics are carefully calculated based on the relevant professional sports league data to create league-wide parity between the professional teams. Specifically, the system analyzes the sports league data and calculates the optimal statistical improvement for each team in terms of points, runs, goals, or other scoring metric, that, if applied to a team’s games, would improve a team’s record to be near, at, or beyond the best in that team’s professional league’s history. This statistical improvement can be referred to as the game modifier. The system also analyzes specific player and team statistics who/which materially affect a team’s performance or record, to calculate what improvement would be needed to each player and team statistic, in order to achieve or create the incremental statistical improvement equal to, or exceeding the game modifier. These statistical improvements can be referred to as coaching tactics. The system uses these statistics to generate the set of tactics presented to the user as a menu of coaching decisions for their given team and game. As the season progresses, the system adjusts team modifiers and tactics to account for changes in team record and player performance.

-62018264031 14 Nov 2018 [0016] Once the user has selected his/her coaching tactics and the game has started, the system monitors the live game statistics and applies the coaching tactics to the results of the game in real-time, providing notifications to the user regarding these effects so he/she can see the impact of his/her coaching decisions on the outcome of the game in real-time. Once the game is over, the system applies all combinations of the offered coaching tactics to the actual results of the selected game in order to rank each tactic and each combination of tactics. The server collects user performance data related to the success of their tactical choices in improving team scores, comparing and ranking those results and records against those of other users. Accordingly, the user has a sense of how successful their strategy was in relation to those of other users. The user may, through this system, publish stats, game outcomes, and/or ranking to various social media and other sites. Furthermore, in order to make more informed decisions about strategy, a user may access relevant analytics through this system and method, which are collected and analyzed through its server. These statistics may reflect, for example, the success rate of a given tactic. A user may use this data to make more informed decisions about which tactic to use against a given team, especially if the user is competing against others.

[0017] The following description of the present invention uses basketball and the NBA’s 2017-2018 Cleveland Cavaliers as an example, during which the Cleveland Cavaliers won 50 of 82 regular season games. If 8.7375 points were added to the Cavaliers points scored for each of their games and 8.7375 points were deducted from their opponent’s points scored each game, the Cavaliers would have won 73 of the 82 games that season, equal to the best regular season win-loss record in NBA history (at this time). In this case, 8.7375 points is the game modifier. In one embodiment, the system calculates a unique game modifier for each team, an overall statistical

-72018264031 14 Nov 2018 improvement that, when applied to the scores of each game, would improve their results for each game and, ultimately over the course of a season, their overall win-loss record. In this case, improving it to the best win-loss record in NBA history.

[0018] In addition to calculating a game modifier for each NBA team, the system provides a selection of options to the user, referred to as coaching tactics, that offer the user the chance to achieve an improvement to their chosen team’s fantasy score, equal to, or greater than, the game modifier. If the game modifier is the overall improvement that transforms a team’s real-life game results into a highly improved fantasy result, the coaching tactics are the means the system offers to a user to achieve the game modifier. Coaching tactics are changes to specific statistics within a game, such as points scored by a particular player, or points scored by a team in a particular way. The tactics work to recalculate specific statistics for the user’s chosen team in such a way as to improve them, and recalculate specific statistics of the user’s chosen team’s opposition in such a way as to reduce the benefit or impact of them. In doing so, the coaching tactics work to generate an improved score for the user’s chosen team’s game or contest.

[0019] Coaching tactics are typically presented in context with a user’s chosen sport (basketball in this example). For example, where the system is being used to play fantasy basketball, the coaching tactics offered to improve specific statistics for the user’s chosen team are presented to the user as offensive tactics and the coaching tactics offered that decrease or reduce the benefit or impact of specific statistics for the user’s team’s opposition are presented to the user as defensive tactics. Where the system is being used to play fantasy cricket, by comparison, these coaching tactics would be presented as batting tactics and fielding and bowling tactics, and so forth for other sports.

[0020] The object of the system’s game is for the user to select which coaching

-82018264031 14 Nov 2018 tactic(s) and combinations (known as the game plan) will produce the greatest statistical improvement and, thus, fantasy score for their chosen team’s game or contest based on the real-life statistics for that same game. An additional challenge is presented to the user if they choose to compete against other users.

[0021] In competition with other users, the objective of the system is for a user to select a coaching tactic(s) that produce a greater statistical improvement than coaching tactic(s) selected by other users, playing as the same team for that same game or sporting contest. The user with the best fantasy game margin (which could be the highest winning margin or lowest losing margin) is the winner of the contest between users.

[0022] The system and method translates to other sports and leagues, such as the National Football League, Major League Baseball and one-day cricket. For example, the 2016-2017 Oakland Raiders had a 6-10 win-loss record. If eleven points were added to each of their game scores that season, and eleven points were deducted from their opponent’s total in each game, the Raiders win-loss record for that season would have been 15-1. Therefore, a game modifier of eleven points would have given the Raiders the best NFL regular season record of all time. The system would offer a user playing as a fantasy coach for the Oakland Raiders a series of offensive tactics that potentially increase a particular Raiders offensive statistic by eleven points and also offer a series of defensive tactics that potentially decrease a particular offensive statistic of the opposition’s by eleven points.

[0023] In another example, Major League Baseball’s 2016-2017 LA Dodgers had a 104-58 win-loss record. If one run was added to each of their game scores, and one run was deducted from each opponent’s total, the Dodgers win-loss record for that year would have been 123-39. Therefore, a game modifier of one run would have given the

-92018264031 14 Nov 2018

Dodgers the best MLB regular season record of all time. The system would offer a user playing as a fantasy coach for the Dodgers a series of batting tactics that potentially increase a particular Dodgers batting statistics by one run and also offer a series of fielding and pitching tactics that potentially decrease a particular batting statistic of the opposition’s by one run.

[0024] In another example, Australia lost a 2017-2018 one-day international game against England by sixteen runs, 286 to 302. If 8.5 runs were added to Australia’s runs total and 8.5 runs were deducted from England’s total, Australia would have won the match. Therefore, a game modifier of 8.5 runs would have given Australia victory. The system would offer a user playing as a one-day fantasy coach for Australia a series of batting tactics that potentially increase a particular Australian batting statistic by 8.5 runs and also offer a series of fielding and bowling tactics that potentially decrease a particular batting statistic of the opposition by 8.5 runs.

[0025] By providing a designated server that includes the ability to collect, store, and analyze both professional sports and fantasy player statistics, the system and method allows users access to up-to-date, real-time team information, unique sets of optimized statistical modifiers to apply as coaching decisions to create and/or affect the fantasy outcomes of live sports games, as well as other user data to compare use of these statistical modifiers, their combinations, and their impact on league statistics for a given team, game, season, and/or league . Furthermore, the server includes the ability to send notifications to user devices, allowing them to stay up-to-date on their network activity, chosen games/teams, the success of their choice of coaching tactics, competitions, and ranking among other users.

[0026] By providing a connection to a network of users through the internet and connectivity with the system’s server and the user’s device, the system and method

-102018264031 14 Nov 2018 provides users a means of communicating and connecting with other users. This connectivity facilitates various competitions between players based on the relative success of their chosen coaching tactics and their combination. Furthermore, this connectivity further facilitates these competitions through the messaging, and publication of results and statistics through this system as well as other existing social media networks in which the user may participate.

[0027] By providing downloadable software for user devices, the system and method allows users to conveniently access the professional sports statistics, fantasy statistics, online gameplay, and a network of fantasy sports players essential to the system and method’s operation.

[0028] By providing downloadable software for user devices, the system and method allows users to conveniently select individual teams and games for the application of a select set of optimized statistical modifiers to produce fantasy outcomes for corresponding live games.

[0029] In some embodiments, the user has the option of creating and challenging other users to competitions, which could have stakes and buy-ins.

[0030] An object of the invention is to provide a solution to fantasy sports players being unable to focus and engage in real-time decision making for a game that they are viewing.

[0031] An additional or alternative object of the invention is to provide a solution to the distance that fantasy players have from their teams of choice.

[0032] An additional or alternative object of the invention is to provide a solution to fantasy players being relegated to participating in games solely from a managerial perspective.

[0033] An additional or alternative object of the invention is to level the playing

-112018264031 14 Nov 2018 field between fantasy players by providing players access to statistics and statistical models through the fantasy network that will better inform players about potential decisions.

[0034] An advantage of the invention is that it provides players the ability to coach their favorite teams.

[0035] Another advantage of the invention is that it provides a means for fantasy players to engage in pre-game and/or real-time decision making to affect the fantasy results of a game that they are watching live.

[0036] A further advantage of the invention is that it provides a means for players to access statistics and statistical models to help inform their fantasy coaching decisions.

[0037] Yet another advantage of the invention is that it provides sports fans and users of the system a means of competing against one another.

[0038] Another advantage of the invention is that it provides precisely calculated coaching options.

[0039] Yet another advantage of the invention is that it provides a means of accumulating and distributing game points or credits based on a user’s success over the course of a given sports league’s season.

[0040] Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the examples will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following description and the accompanying drawings or may be learned by production or operation of the examples. The objects and advantages of the concepts may be realized and attained by means of the methodologies, instrumentalities, and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

-122018264031 14 Nov 2018

Brief Description of the Drawings [0041] Illustrating the concept using the sport of basketball and the National Basketball Association teams and players as an example, the drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements.

[0042] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the system disclosed herein.

[0043] Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the steps to a method of using the system of Fig. 1.

[0044] Fig. 3 includes a team selection user interface, a game selection user interface, and a game lock-in user interface of the system of Fig. 1.

[0045] Fig. 4 shows a spreadsheet demonstrating how the system calculates a game modifier.

[0046] Fig. 5 includes an offensive tactic selection user interface, a defensive tactic selection user interface, and a game plan lock-in user interface of the system of Fig-1[0047] Fig. 6 shows a spreadsheet demonstrating how the system applies coaching tactics to modify actual game statistics in order to produce a unique fantasy score.

[0048] Fig. 7shows a spreadsheet demonstrating how the system calculates a team’s winning margin in a game based off of a real-time and fantasy score.

[0049] Fig. 8 includes a game score user interface and a game plan update user interface of the system of Fig. 1.

[0050] Figs. 9 and 10 include a plurality of tactic ranking user interfaces of the system of Fig. 1.

-132018264031 14 Nov 2018 [0051] Fig. 11 is a diagram demonstrating examples of push notifications generated and sent to a user’s mobile device by the system’s server.

[0052] Fig. 12 includes social networking user interfaces of the system of Fig. 1.

[0053] Fig. 13 includes coaching ranking user interfaces of the system of Fig. 1.

[0054] Fig. 14 includes a contest selection user interface of the system of Fig. 1.

[0055] Fig. 15 includes a contest generation user interface and a contest user interface of the system of Fig. 1.

[0056] Fig. 16 includes a contest board user interface of the system of Fig. 1.

[0057] Fig. 17 includes contest request and offer user interfaces of the system of

Fig-1[0058] Fig. 18 includes a contest score user interface of the system of Fig. 1.

[0059] Fig. 19 includes an overall contest comparison user interface of the system of Fig. 1.

[0060] Fig. 20 includes a contest offensive tactic comparison user interface and a contest defensive tactic comparison user interface of the system of Fig. 1.

[0061] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing examples of push notifications generated and sent by the system’s server to the user’s device during the course of a contest on the network.

[0062] Fig. 22 includes an overall contest comparison user interface of the system of Fig. 1 once the game has ended in real time.

[0063] Fig. 23 includes a user’s statistics user interface of the system of Fig. 1.

[0064] Fig. 24 includes an alternative embodiment of the offensive tactic selection user interface shown in Fig. 6, including additional statistical information for each optional tactic.

[0065] Fig. 25 includes a plurality of tactic comparison user interfaces of the

-142018264031 14 Nov 2018 system of Fig. 1.

[0066] Fig. 26 shows a spreadsheet demonstrating potential coaching tactics for football.

[0067] Fig. 27 shows a spreadsheet demonstrating potential coaching tactics for baseball.

[0068] Fig. 28 shows a spreadsheet demonstrating potential coaching tactics for one-day cricket.

Detailed Description of the Invention [0069] Fig. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for a fantasy sports league based on unique competitive coaching gameplay. Generally, the system 100 enables a user to engage in a fantasy sports game by selecting and applying statistical modifiers, referred to as coaching tactics, to a live game. Specifically, the system 100 is based on users competing with one another to engineer the widest win margins, or reduce the losing margins, for the team they chose to coach, through the selection and application of optimized statistical modifiers that produce a corresponding fantasy score outcome of contemporaneous live games by increasing or decreasing points scored for or against the existing teams.

[0070] The system 100 includes a sending user device 102 and a receiving user device 104 in communication with a server 106. Wired or wireless communication links over the internet or other cellular network 108 relay data 112 between the devices 102, 104 and the server 106. The server 106 hosts a program that may be accessed through the Internet or on a mobile application running on the devices 102,104, although the receiving user device 104 does not need to use the app in order to receive communications. A database 110 used in connection with the server 106 stores data 112.

-152018264031 14 Nov 2018 [0071] The system also includes a memory coupled to the server, wherein the memory is configured to store program instructions executable by the server. The server is configured to perform the method steps set forth in Fig. 2 and to provide the user interfaces of Figs. 3-25.

[0072] Referring to Figs. 1-25, the user using the device 102 to connect with the

Internet or cellular network 108 may access the program hosted on the server 106. There, the sending user may engage in fantasy game play decisions outlined in Fig. 2, including engaging other users 104 who may also access the server through the internet or cellular network 108.

[0073] While the embodiment in the description below is based on a basketball game, the fantasy sports league system may be applied to a variety of competitive events such as cricket, football, soccer, and hockey, for example.

[0074] As shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, upon first accessing the program, the user signs in and is presented with a list of teams to coach in a professional sports league 302 through a team selection user interface 300. Once the user has chosen a team, the program accesses upcoming game schedules for the chosen team, presenting them to the user 306 through a game selection user interface 304. The user then selects which game they would like to coach from this list 304. Once these selections are made, the user may choose to lock in their game plan, i.e. to agree on and confirm their fantasy coaching strategy for their selected game, by selecting a lock button 308 on a game lock-in user interface.

[0075] In one embodiment, the user’s goal is to select which coaching tactics will produce a statistical improvement to their team’s game or contest result that exceeds the calculated game modifier for their chosen team. The game modifier is the value that when added to the team’s score the user is coaching and deducted from the team’s score

-162018264031 14 Nov 2018 against which the user’s team is playing, will improve the user’s fantasy game score. The game modifier is calculated using historical statistical data for that team. Fig. 4 illustrates how the system 100 uses actual and real-time sports data 112 stored within the system’s 100 database 110 to calculate a unique game modifier 400 for a user’s selected team. As described above, the game modifier 400 is a value that the system 100 calculates in order to create a fantasy record 402 for a selected team that significantly improves the team’s win-loss record when added to the number of points the team scores in each game 404 and subtracted from the number of points the team’s opponents score against them in each game 406. In one embodiment, the system 100 calculates the winning or losing margin of each game in the season, determines the fantasy record 402 that is intended to be achieved, and deduces the game modifier 400 - or the value that is both added to the team’s score and deducted from the opponent’s score - that achieves the fantasy record 402. In other embodiments, other relevant data and information may be factored into the calculation of the game modifier 400.

[0076] Using the user’s selected team and game, as well as relevant stats for the team and the opponent team’s performance (including individual player performance) and league history, the server calculates and presents the user with a variety of offensive tactics 502 as shown in an offensive tactic selection user interface 500 illustrated in Fig. 5. These offensive tactics generally boost a specific player’s performance by a certain percent, or a team statistic by a certain percent, thereby increasing the potential points a given player, and/or team, might generate within a game. The user then selects which particular offensive tactic(s) will be applied during the game. Following these selections, the user must select a defensive strategy to employ during the game 506. In other embodiments featuring different sports, the coaching tactics will be tailored to the specific sport. For example, where the game is

-172018264031 14 Nov 2018 cricket, the coaching tactics may be fielding and bowling tactics and batting tactics. [0077] Referring to Fig. 5, using the user’s selected team and game as well as relevant stats for the team and the opponent team’s performance (including individual player performance) and league history, the server calculates and presents the user with a variety of defensive tactics 506 through a defensive tactic selection user interface 504. These defensive tactics generally reduce a specific player’s performance on the opposing team by a certain percent, or an opposing team statistic by a certain percent, thereby decreasing the number of points that the player, and/or team, might generate within the game. Following these selections, the program presents a visual game plan to the user through a coaching tactic lock-in user interface 508, who may select the change tactics button 510 to edit the selection of offensive tactics 502 or defensive tactics 506, or lock-in the selected tactics 502, 506 before the start of the game in real-time by selecting the lock-in button 512.

[0078] Fig. 6 illustrates examples of optional coaching tactics 600 for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers that the system 100 may generate and make available to the user for applying to actual game statistics to create extra fantasy points for their team and deduct fantasy points from their opponent’s team. For example, the listed offensive tactics boost the points generated by specific players by a certain percentage. The system 100 takes this percentage increase 604 and applies it to the actual statistic 602 that the player generates within a live game. For example, the system 100 increases Jose Calderon’s fantasy points by 40% from the 19 points that Calderon scored in real-time 608 to 26.6 points in the new fantasy statistics 606. Accordingly, in selecting this coaching tactic at the start of the game, the user adds 7.6 extra points 610 to the Cavaliers’ total for this particular game, thereby potentially increasing their win margin or decreasing their loss margin.

-182018264031 14 Nov 2018 [0079] Similarly, the listed defensive tactics reduce the points scored by particular players by a certain percentage. The system 100 takes this percentage decrease 612 and applies it to the actual statistic that the player generates within a realtime game. For example, the system 100 decreases Serge Ibaka’s points by 35% from the 16 points Ibaka scored in real time 612 to a fantasy score 614 of 10.4 points. Accordingly, in selecting this coaching tactic at the start of the game, the user 102 would reduce the Cavaliers’ opponent’s score by 5.6 points 616, thereby increasing the Cavaliers’ win margin or decreasing their loss margin.

[0080] As illustrated in Fig. 7, applying offensive and defensive coaching tactics to actual game statistics creates new fantasy scores and winning margins. For example, the user’s coaching tactics increased the Cavaliers’ actual score 700 of 112 to a fantasy score 702 of 119.6, while decreasing the Toronto Raptors’ actual score 704 from 106 to a fantasy score 706 of 100.4, giving the Cavaliers a new winning margin 708 of 19.2. [0081] Once a user has decided to lock in their game plan, the server will send a notification to the user through the program stored on the user’s device as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 8. Once the game has started, the user will be able to monitor the actual game score as well as their fantasy score through a game score user interface 800. The server collects and analyzes game data in real-time and, in applying the selected offensive and defensive tactics, calculates the fantasy score 802. The game score user interface 800 also provides a differential 804 to illustrate how a user’s coaching decisions improved or reduced their fantasy team’s score.

[0082] Referring to Figs. 1 and 8, as the game progresses, the user may choose to assess how their chosen tactics are performing by selecting a tactic viewing button 806. Selection of the button 806 leads to a game plan update user interface 808 to provide the real-time performance statistics that are stored on the server 106 and presents

-192018264031 14 Nov 2018 them to the user 808, who may then see how their offensive 810 and defensive tactics 812 are operating during the game in creating or reducing points to create the user’s fantasy score.

[0083] In one embodiment, the server collects and analyzes the data of all players on the network concerning the performance of their offensive and defensive tactics during these games. The server calculates user ranks using these tactics and how well they improved the outcome for their respective team. For example, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9, the server ranks and notifies a user that their offensive tactic was ranked first out of a possible twenty-two tactics 900, their defensive tactic second out of a possible twenty-eight tactics, and/or their game plan was ranked first out of 572 possible game plans for the game. The server may rank the user in relation to the overall success of their game plan in relation to other users coaching the same game. For example, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 10, the user could be ranked in the top two percent of all users playing as a certain team for a certain game 1000, or, in other terms, 506th out of 25,583 coaches for a particular team and game 1002.

[0084] Throughout game play, the server 106 would send notifications to the user’s device via the program stored on the device. These notifications would, for example, inform a user as to how their tactics are performing throughout the course of the game at gameplay intervals (such as periods, quarters, and halves) as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 11.

[0085] Through the user’s device and the program hosted on it, the user may publish notifications regarding their performance to the internet, as shown in the social networking user interfaces 1200 illustrated in Fig. 12. For example, a user may choose to publish their ranking of best offensive tactic to Facebook 1202.

-202018264031 14 Nov 2018 [0086] Throughout a professional league season, the server will store and calculate user data related to their performance history, i.e. how well or how poorly their coaching decisions have impacted their chosen team’s score in relation to other coaches for the same team as shown in the coaching ranking user interfaces 1300,1302 illustrated in Fig. 13. For example, a user may be ranked in the top two percent of all coaches for a particular team, or 1,673rd out of 57,834 coaches for a particular team, over the course of the season.

[0087] This system also offers user the ability to raise the stakes for their game play by creating or joining competitions with other users once they have locked in their game plans 1406 as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 14. Users may create head-to-head contests 1402, create a group contest 1404, or find an existing contest 1406 through a contest selection user interface 1400.

[0088] Figs. 15-20 demonstrate the ability of a user to engage with other users, or other fantasy coaches, in one-to-one or group contests or competitions. In creating competitions through a contest generation user interface 1500, a user may assign a wager amount to the competition by selecting a cash contest generation button 1502, or may create a free competition by selecting a free contest generation button 1504. Once the contest is created, a user may invite contacts and others to join through buttons 1508 on a contest user interface 1506. Once a user is invited by another, they receive a notification on their device through a contest request user interface 1700 shown in Fig. 17. In opening this notice through the program, the invited user will be able to see information associated with the contest, including, for example, the date and time of the game and the contest entry fee through a contest offer user interface 1702. The invited user may accept or reject this invitation by selecting buttons 1704. The contest may also be made public on the network and viewable by other users engaging in the contest

-212018264031 14 Nov 2018 through the contest board user interface 1600 shown in Fig. 16. The user who created the contest and those who join the contest will be able to see the entry fee for the contest as well as the size of the contest pool as it grows.

[0089] The one-to-one or group contests may be coordinated through the system 100 on single competition basis or throughout the season. Where the competitions continue throughout the seasons, points may be accrued and awarded based on user performance, selection of winning coaching tactics, or other various measures. As the user participates in a number of fantasy games throughout a sporting league season(s), virtual points, credits, or tokens may be accrued by the user, having been awarded them based on user performance, success in contests against other users, selection of winning coaching tactics, or other various measures.

[0090] Referring to Figs. 18-20, once the contest is started, users will be able to access information that includes how their coaching decisions are performing during the contest through a contest score user interface 1800 and a contest comparison user interface 1900. The contest score user interface 1800 show real-time contest statistics on how one user’s tactics are affecting the game score in relation to an opponent’s tactics. The contest comparison user interface 1900 show real-time contest statistics on how many points one user’s offensive tactics have created in relation to the opponent’s tactics. Contest offensive and defensive tactic comparison user interfaces shown in Fig. 20 show real-time contest statistics on how many points one user’s offensive and defensive tactics have created in relation to the opponent’s tactics.

[0091] In addition to sending notifications to a user’s device concerning the performance of their tactics during a game, the server and program also facilitate communication between users as shown in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 21. For example, a user could decide to trash talk their opponent during a competition. The user

-222018264031 14 Nov 2018 would generate the message using their device. This communication 2102 would then be sent to the user’s opponent’s device.

[0092] Once the live game that players are coaching ends, the fantasy game play ends as well. A user is then notified of the game ending and the final scores in both the actual game they were coaching and the fantasy result. In an overall contest comparison user interface 2202 as illustrated in Fig. 22, if a user is in a competition, they are notified of how their chosen tactics performed against their opponent’s 2204, the differential between the two fantasy scores 2206 and whether they have earned any prize.

[0093] During the course of a professional league’s season, the server is collecting and analyzing user statistics concerning their performance in competitions. Users will be able to access this information in terms of rankings as shown by a user’s statistics user interface 2300 illustrated in Fig. 23. For example, a user may, through the program, see that they have a seventy-eight percent winning rate in head-to-head competitions.

[0094] As shown in the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 24-25, through the program, users will have the option to access analytical data stored on the server concerning the performance of types of offensive and defensive tactics used for particular teams 2404. Fig. 24 includes an alternative embodiment of the offensive tactic selection user interface shown in Fig. 5, including additional statistical information for each optional tactic. In the tactic comparison user interfaces of Fig. 25, a user could see how many games a tactic for a material player has been ranked the first, second, third, etc. performing offensive tactic in a game 2500, has performed better than another specific tactic 2502, or has been the best performing tactic 2504.

[0095] Figs. 26-28 illustrate coaching tactics for a variety of sports. Fig. 26 illustrates such point increasing and decreasing statistics applicable to the National

-232018264031 14 Nov 2018

Football League; Fig. 27 does the same for Major League Baseball; and Fig. 28 does the same for one-day cricket.

[0096] It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.

Claims (1)

1. Claim

   I claim:

   1. A fantasy sports system comprising:

   one or more user devices;

   a wireless communication module that receives data related to one or more live contests;

   a database including a plurality of statistical adjustments, wherein the plurality of statistical adjustments includes a first statistical adjustment and a second statistical adjustment that are associated with a team that is participating in at least one live contest;

   a controller in communication with the one or more user devices and the database, wherein the controller receives data related to the one or more live contests;

   a memory coupled to the controller, wherein the memory is configured to store program instructions executable by the controller;

   wherein in response to executing the program instructions, the controller is configured to:

   provide a first graphical user interface accessible through the one or more user devices through which a first user is presented with the first and second statistical adjustments;

   receive a selection of one of the first and second statistical adjustments from the first user; and calculate a fantasy score using the data related to the live contest and the selected one of the first and second statistical adjustments.