WO2001091870A1

WO2001091870A1 - Game

Info

Publication number: WO2001091870A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/002431
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven John Donovan; Paul Kelly
Original assignee: Injini Limited
Priority date: 2000-05-31
Filing date: 2001-05-31
Publication date: 2001-12-06
Also published as: AU2001260487A1

Abstract

An internet web site, a computer program for generating an internet web site and apparatus for playing an internet-based game, comprising means for a user to register for a first web site, and means to provide the user with a game piece for a visit to any one of a selection of web sites by clicking on an advertising banner, the arrangement being such that game pieces can be assembled to provide a desired combination.

Description

GAME

The invention relates to a game, and more particularly to a web site.

The pastime of "surfing" the Internet is a well known and popular activity. Web sites often have advertising banners to attract potential customers to the advertiser's web site. However, such banners are so prevalent that many surfers and users do not notice them, particularly when they form part of the background scenery of a busy and colourful web page. This has led to a lack of interest in and thus use of, such banners.

It is an object of the invention to seek to mitigate these disadvantages.

According to the invention, there is provided a first Internet web site with a database comprising means for a user to register for the first web site, and means to provide the user with a game piece for a visit to any one of a selection of web sites by clicking on an advertising banner, the arrangement being that game pieces can be assembled to provide a desired combination.

Thus using the invention it is possible to provide a "collect and win" scenario that is attractive to users of the Internet, to motivate them to click through to associated web sites promoted in banner adverts. Users will be motivated to repeatedly visit participating web sites to increase their collection of game pieces. The user may register for the first web site on a first visit to any one of the selection of web sites. There may be means to provide the user with a first game piece on registration.

There may be two game pieces which can be matched to provide the desired combination. Thus a relatively simple matching halves game may be provided to provide the desired combina_.tion.

There may be a plurality of game pieces which can be collected to provide the desired combination. This provides a multiple piece collection game.

Matching and collecting comprise assembling of the game pieces.

The game pieces may be stored on the database under an identifier of the user. This may be the name of the user.

There may be means for providing some game pieces which are "common" and others which are "rare". Thus the number of likely "winners" may be controlled.

A game piece may be added to the user's collection as a "one per visit - no purchase necessary" basis. This enhances interest and revisiting of the web site.

There may be means for limiting the number of game pieces provided to the user on visiting the same one of the selection of web sites a particular number of times. This prevents the user from simply repetitively visiting the same web site, for example on a single day, just to increase the number of game pieces in their collection.

There may be means for the user to add a game piece obtained via another medium to their collection. The another medium may comprise transmission of game pieces to mobile telephones or such like, or distribution of physical game pieces via , high street outlets, package goods (such as, for example, breakfast cereals) or publications, (such as, for example, newspapers and magazines). This advantageously allows compatibility between on-line and off-line game pieces, all of which may be stored in the user's collection on the web site.

There may be means adapted to provide a "swap" facility of a particular game piece in the user's collection with a particular game piece in the collection of another user. Thus, the users may trade individual game pieces.

The web site may provide an indication to the user of when a desired combination is achieved. The indication may comprise an on-screen message and/or an audible indication.

There may be means for the user to check his current collection of game pieces.

The web site may include security means.

The web site may include a print-out system. Thus in a first web site embodying the invention, which includes a database, there is a relatively simple system for assembling, i.e. matching and/or collecting game pieces. Thus it could be a simple matching halves game e.g. Shell Make Money, or could involve the collection of a series of individual game pieces to form a winning collection, e.g. a complete hand of playing cards or a completed collection of jig saw game pieces.

In operation, on visiting any web site, a clickable inset message on an advertising banner denotes participation by an advertiser. By clicking on the message, the user is taken to the relevant advertiser's web site. If the user had not yet registered for participation in the game piece collection system, they would be able to do so, for example by providing their name, e-mail address and a password. In return for registration, the user would receive an on-line game piece. In addition, the user receives an on-line game piece for visiting the advertiser's web site. For a matching halves game format, this would create the first opportunity to win. If the user were unsuccessful on this initial opportunity, they would now have two chances to achieve a match up next time they obtained an on-line game piece.

The user data and on-line game pieces are stored in the database at the first web site.

The user is presented with a game piece on visiting a relevant advertiser's web site. If the user had already registered for the game piece collection system, they would be able to enter their login details in order to add the game piece to their collection. Further game pieces may be added for each successive click on a participating banner advert. A limit could be set on the number of game pieces awarded per user per day for visiting the advertiser's web site.

Each user would have access to the first web site to check their own collection of game pieces stored in the database. Users could print out copies of all or any game pieces in their collection. There would also be a facility to trade game pieces with other users.

In the event of assembling a winning match up, or winning collection, an on-screen message accompanied by an audible fanfare could announce that the relevant prize had been won.

Security measures are provided to prevent cheating and forgery of collections of game pieces. Each on-line game piece has an encrypted unique identification code. A multifactor algorithm process (prior to encryption) generates each identification code. This feature is designed to prevent a potential forger from creating an on-line game piece with the objective of covertly attempting to add it to an on-line collection.

Every complete set of game pieces and every individual game piece has an assigned unique identification number prior to game piece publication, these numbers are combined and encrypted. The resultant serial number is used to validate the authenticity of a game piece when it is added to a user's collection. In addition, game pieces are not stored as standard O/S level files, but are stored within a high security oracle database which places file access under the restrictions imposed by oracle security. Data is restricted to read-only access so that the content can only be amended via the use of "stored procedures". A "stored procedure" is a compiled programme within the oracle database accessible only to prescribed authorised individuals via a login code. -

An initial pool of game pieces to be issued is created and stored within the database. Game pieces can only be created using stored procedures and by default are invalid on creation. The game pieces only become valid via the execution of further stored procedures. The first procedure activated by an authorised individual sets the pool size, and the second process double checks the size of the pool. There is a back-up verification process, which can only be executed by a second independent authorised individual.

Each time a game piece is published the relevant pool size is correspondingly reduced by a stored procedure.

The game pieces stored in each player's collection at the first web site can only be altered by a stored procedure located within the oracle database. The processes facilitate the verification of the game piece serial number i.e. that the identification code is one that has been legitimately published. It also checks the uniqueness of the identification code through all stored collections. For security reasons, it is impossible for users to move individual collections from one user to another. There is no mechanism in the system that allows for any data manipulation within individual collections, other than players making additions or swaps of bona fide game pieces. If a user made an addition by copying from another user's collection, as a result of the verification processes already described, the operation would automatically be rejected as invalid.

As a result of the security measures, hackers would" be urrable to decipher the encrypted game piece identification code that identifies precisely which game pieces have been issued, and the corresponding names/e-mail addresses of the users.

The on-line system provides an advantage in comparison with physical game pieces distributed, for example, at high street outlets. In the latter instance, no-one knows precisely which game piece has been issued, whether it is "common" or "rare" nor the identity of the recipient. With this on-line system, the organisers know precisely which game pieces have been issued to each user and the identity and contact details of each such user.

The on-line system provides a further advantage in comparison with the distribution of physical game pieces. When producing a promotional game using physical game pieces, it is obviously necessary to calculate in advance the quantity of game pieces required for the relevant promotional period, with distribution by a given number of outlets. The prize winner ratio (for example the number of "seeded" winners per 1000 customers) has to be factored into calculations. The likely increase in customer traffic also has to be estimated. If the success of the scheme vastly exceeds expectations, then the promoter can end up in the situation where game pieces are exhausted well before the date the promotion was anticipated to end. On the other hand, if too many physical game pieces were produced, then money will have been wasted on game pieces that will never be issued. In contrast, the on-line system allows game pieces to be generated in line with demand.

The on-line system also facilitates compatibility between on-line and off-line game pieces. For example, on-line game pieces may be collected in combination with game pieces issued via another medium. Game pieces may be distributed via transmission to mobile telephones or the like, or physical game pieces may be distributed via high street outlets, package goods (such as, for example, breakfast cereals), or publications (such as, for example, newspapers and magazines). The serial numbers of these game pieces could be entered by the user into the database at the first web site, thereby adding the game piece to the user's collection.

Game pieces could possibly also have a discount or loyalty element.

Users would also be able to trade on-line and off-line game pieces.

Claims

1 . A first Internet web site with a database comprising means for a user to register for the first web site, and means to provide the user with a game piece for a visit to any one of a selection of web sites by clicking on an advertising banner, the arrangement being such that game pieces can be assembled to. provide a -desired combination.

2. A computer program for generating a first internet web site with a database, the database comprising means for a user to register for the first web site, and means to provide the user with a game piece for a visit to any one of a selection of web sites by clicking on an advertising banner, the arrangement being such that game pieces can be assembled to provide a desired combination.

3. Apparatus for playing an internet-based game, including means for storing user registration data, means for displaying an advertising banner linked to any one of a selection of web sites, means for detecting a user input corresponding to the user clicking on the advertising banner, means for indicating to the user the acquisition of a game piece when a web site is visited in response to said clicking on the advertising banner, wherein means is provided for arranging the acquired game pieces to provide a desired combination.

4. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to Claims 1 , 2 or 3, including means for the user to register for the first web site on a first visit to any one of the selection of web sites.

5. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to claim 4, including means to provide the user with a first game piece on registration.

6. A first web site, computer program or apparatus according to any preceding claim, there being two game pieces which can be matched to provide the desired combination.

7. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to any preceding claim, there being a plurality of game pieces which can be collected to provide the desired combination.

8. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to any preceding claim, the game pieces being stored on the database under an identifier of the user.

9. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to Claim 8, the identifier being the name of the user.

10. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to any preceding claim, including means for providing some game pieces which are "common" and others which are "rare".

1 1 . A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to any preceding claim, including means for adding a game piece to a user's collection as a "one per visit - no purchase necessary" basis.

12. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to any preceding claim, including means for limiting the number of game pieces provided to the user on visiting the same one of a selection of web sites a particular number of times.

13. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to any preceding claim, including means for the user to add to their collection a game piece obtained via another medium.

14. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to any preceding claim, including means adapted to provide a "swap" facility of a particular game piece in the user's collection with a particular game piece in the collection of another user.

15. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to any preceding claim, including means for providing an indication to the user when a desired combination is achieved.

16. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to Claim 1 5, the indication comprising an on-screen message and/or an audible indication.

17. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to any preceding claim, including means for the user to check their current collection of game pieces.

18. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to any preceding claim, including security means.

19. A first Internet web site, computer program or apparatus according to any preceding claim, including a print-out system.