WO2002013931A2 - Advertising system and game - Google Patents

Abstract

A trivia-based game is disclosed. The game includes a game board with one or more spaces which of has a first state and a second state. A single or multiple players attempt to convert spaces from the first state to the second state by answering questions in order to form pre-defined winning combinations of spaces in the second state. Some spaces may initially be put into the second state as "free spaces" for which a question does not have to be answered. In some embodiments, advertisements associated with primary and/or associate sponsors are displayed on free spaces and on spaces in the second state. Prizes may be awarded for players that achieve high scores over a selected period of time. The prizes may include qualification for a live competition round in which contestants compete in a live version of the game. The live version of the game may have multiple rounds. In at least the first round, all contestants compete using the same game board. Contestants may be eliminated during some rounds and the contestant who has the highest score after a selected number of rounds is declared the winner. The winner may optionally be allowed to participate in a bonus or jackpot round. During the live competition round, all contestants and a host may be presented in the same physical location. Alternatively, they may be located in two or more locations and their images may be combined use video processing techniques.

Description

TITLE: Advertising System and Game

Field of the Invention

[01] This invention relates to advertising systems and games incorporating a skill testing aspect. More particularly, the invention relates to a trivia based game in which logos representing various sponsors may optionally be displayed and in which the game includes a skill testing aspect. In addition, the invention relates to an advertising system which utilizes such a trivia based game.

Background of the Invention

[02] The Internet has become a dominant and valuable advertising vehicle in recent years. In particular, the World Wide Web (WWW) is an important advertising venue. Various mechanisms for advertising on the Internet and the WWW have been developed with varying degrees of success. [03] One prominent Internet advertising mechanism is banner advertising.

This mechanism allows an advertiser to display a message, or "banner", on a selected part of a web page (generally near the top of the page). The web surfer may click on the banner to find out more information about the advertiser's products or services. This type of advertising has proven relatively ineffective as many web surfers simply ignore the banner advertisement. Attempts to increase the appeal of these advertisements by adding video and audio components to them have not substantially improved their efficacy.

[04] Another method of advertising on the Internet is described in U.S. patent No. 5,794,210 entitled Attention Brokerage. According to this method, advertisements are characterized as negative value information. A web surfer is compensated for time spent reviewing the advertisements, either through coupons or through another mechanism. This mechanism is problematic because it does not actually ensure that the surfer is actually reviewing the advertisements but merely ensures that the surfer is allowing them to be displayed in a window on his or her computer screen. This method does not necessarily ensure that the window is actually visible to the viewer.

[05] Accordingly there is a need for a system and method of advertising on the Internet which will attract web surfers to advertisements and which will keep web surfers interested in continued viewing of the advertisements. It is preferable that the system and method ensure that the web surfer is actively viewing the advertisements as they are presented to him or her.

[06] Increasingly, different forms of communication and advertising are converging and synergies between them have become possible. In one case, a television game show has instituted a telephone based system for accepting contestants. The increased accessibility of the Internet and other technologies allow for cohesive integration with television. Accordingly, it will be advantageous to combine the use of the Internet and other communication technologies with a television program

Summary of the Invention

[07] The present invention provides an advertising and game system which encourages players to participate for a longer period and actively view advertisements for a longer period than prior art methods.

[08] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a network based, trivia based game in which advertisements representing a primary sponsor and, optionally, associate sponsor are displayed as a part of the game. A game board consisting of spaces that have a first state and a second state is displayed. Optionally, some spaces may be designated as free spaces, which are then displayed in the second state. Spaces in the first state are those which have not been designated as free spaces and for which a question has not been answered correctly. Spaces in the second state are those which have either been designated as free spaces or for which a question has been answered correctly. [09] Spaces in the first state may be referred to as covered spaces and those in the second state may be referred to as uncovered spaces. [10] Optionally, advertisements corresponding to the covered spaces may be viewed briefly and a player may select specific covered spaces based on the advertisement associated with them. When a space is selected, a skill testing question is presented and if the player answers the question correctly, the advertisement associated with the space is revealed. Points are awarded for revealing advertisements by answering questions correctly and for revealing winning combinations of spaces. Points may be redeemed for prizes which may be provided by the primary sponsor and associate sponsors. [11] In another embodiment, the game does not include sponsors or advertisements. Points are awarded for correctly answering questions and revealing winning combinations. Players compete for higher scores over a single game or multiple games.

[12] In another embodiment, advertising campaigns involving primary sponsors and/or associate sponsors are conducted for a selected time period. Players may participate in different campaigns to earn points and prizes in those campaigns and may also accumulate points from more than one campaign having different sponsors to earn other prizes.

[13] In another embodiment, no advertisements are displayed on the spaces and the game may be played by multiple players using the same game board who compete to earn the highest number of points during a defined time or during a selected number of games.

[14] In another embodiment, one of the embodiments described above is provided on a computer readable medium such as a floppy disc, CD-ROM or DVD- ROM, for installation on a standalone terminal. The stand-alone terminal may be a player's personal computer or it may be installed in a retail establishment. Prizes that may be redeemed subsequently may be awarded. If the terminal is in a retail establishment, the prizes are preferably related to merchandise or services available in the establishment. Optionally, this embodiment may be provided with or without advertisements being displayed on the spaces. [15] In another embodiment, which is not network based, players play in turn using a single pre-printed game board and may indicate spaces in the first state and spaces in the second state using the presence or absence of a marker or other device (such as a plastic disk, penny or any other marking device). Players compete to complete winning combinations. [16] In another embodiment, one of the above network based embodiments is used to select contestants for a live competition round during which the contestants compete in a non-network based game. The live competition round may have several game rounds during which contestants attempt to accumulate points and in which some contestants may be eliminated. The player with the highest point total after a selected number of rounds is declared the winner and may optionally be allowed to participate in a final or jackpot round. During the live competition round, all contestants and a host may be presented in the same physical location. Alternatively, they may be located in two or more locations and their images may be combined using video processing techniques.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[17] The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of an advertising and game system according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary campaign according to the present invention; Figure 3 illustrates a game window of the exemplary campaign of

Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating how the campaign of Figure 2 may be configured;

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating how an unregistered surfer may become a registered surfer of the system of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating how a campaign such as that of Figure 2 may be created; and

Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating how a registered surfer may participate in a campaign such as that of Figure 2.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[18] Reference is first made to Figure 1 which illustrates an advertising and game system 100, according to the present invention. System 100 includes a campaign server 102. Server 102 is operated by a campaign server manager 103 and is coupled to a network 104. A number of surfers 106 may access campaign server 102 by connecting with network 104. In the preferred embodiment of system 100, network 104 will typically be the Internet and surfers 106 will typically be web surfers who are connected to the Internet. Campaign server 102 includes a campaign registry 108, a registered surfer registry 110, a skill testing question registry 112, a game type registry 113, a surfer registration page 115 and a campaign configuration page 117. Campaign registry 108 contains one or more advertising campaigns 114. Registered surfer registry 110 contains information relating to surfers 106 who are registered with campaign server 102. Such registered surfers are referred to as registered surfers 116. Question registry 112 contains a number of skill-testing questions which a registered surfer 116 must answer while participating in a campaign 114, as described below. Game type registry 113 contains one or more different game types which may be incorporated into one or more campaigns 114. Each game type is defined by the campaign server manager 103 in accordance with method 300 described below. [19] Reference is next made to Figure 2 which illustrates an exemplary campaign 120. Campaign 120 has a primary sponsor 122 and a number of associate sponsors 124. Campaign 120 also includes a game window 126, a game prize registry 128 and an associate sponsor prize registry 130. Campaign 120 has three associate sponsors 124: A, B and C. A different campaign 114 may have no associate sponsors or may have 1 or more associate sponsors. The primary sponsor 122 of a campaign 114 may also be an associate sponsor 124 of the campaign 114. [20] Reference is next made to Figure 3 which illustrates game window

126, which is part of exemplary campaign 120. Game window 126 has a game section 140 and an information section 142. Typically, a registered surfer 116 will see game window 126 in a browser window (i.e. a window operated by a browser such as Netscape Communicator™ or Microsoft Explorer™) on the monitor of a computer that the registered surfer 116 is using to access campaign server 102. Game section 140 is used to display a game board 144 based on a game type selected by the operator of campaign server 102 or by primary sponsor 122, as described below. Game board 144 of game window 126 consists of spaces or squares 146, which may be arranged in a matrix as shown in Figure 3 or in any other pattern or arrangement, including a random or irregular arrangement. Spaces 146 are used to display advertisements representing primary sponsor 122 and associate sponsors 124 as part of a game that a registered surfer 116 may play using game section 140. [21] Information section 142 is used to display information relating to a registered surfer's performance in a particular game he or she is playing, the registered surfer's performance in different games played during campaign 120 or other information relating to campaign 120. For example, information section 142 may be used to display a list of high scores achieved by different registered surfers 116 during campaign 120 or to display information relating to primary sponsor 122 or associate sponsors 124.

[22] The use of system 100 will now be explained with reference to the creation and operation of the exemplary advertising system 100, which includes exemplary campaign 120.

[23] Reference is next made to Figure 4 which illustrates a method 300 of configuring campaign server 102. Method 300 commences in step 302 in which campaign server manager 103 records a set of skill-testing questions in skill- testing question registry 112. These skill-testing questions may include questions of various types including trivia questions, which may have multiple-choice answers, true/false questions, riddles, puzzles, etc. Different types of questions may be included in skill-testing registry 112. An appropriate answer (or answers) is also recorded in skill-testing question registry 112 for each answer. [24] In system 100, campaign server manager 103 has recorded several hundred trivia questions with multiple-choice answers in skill-testing question registry 112.

[25] Method 300 next proceeds to step 304 in which campaign server manager 103 defines one or more game types which may be used in campaigns 114. Each game type is recorded in game type registry 113 (Figure 1). To define a game type, campaign server manager 103 must first define the appearance of the game. Typically, a game will have a plurality of spaces (i.e. spaces 146 of game window 126) which may be either in a first state in which it is covered or in a second state in which it is uncovered or revealed at any particular time during the game. Campaign server manager 103 must define one or more winning combinations of spaces. Campaign server manager 103 may designate any of the spaces to be "free" spaces 164, which are revealed at the start of each game. Campaign manager 103 may select a number of free spaces that may be placed randomly at the start of each game, or may allow a random number of free spaces to be randomly positioned at the start of each game. Alternatively, campaign server manager 103 may not designate any of the spaces to be free spaces. [26] The object of each game is for a registered surfer 116 to reveal individual spaces and to reveal winning combinations of spaces by answering skill-testing questions. A registered surfer 116 who does so is awarded points which may be collected and redeemed to receive prizes. Points are divided into game points and associate sponsor points. Game points are awarded for revealing a combination of spaces that corresponds to a winning combination. Game points are awarded by the primary sponsor. Associate sponsor points are awarded by a specific associate sponsor 124 for answering a skill-testing question which reveals a space in which an advertisement related to that specific associate sponsor is displayed.

[27] In addition, campaign server manager 103 must define end-of-game conditions. If any of these conditions occur during a game, the game will be terminated.

[28] Reference is again made to Figure 3. Exemplary game board 144 comprises twenty five space 144 organized in a five-by-five matrix similar to a bingo game card. Campaign server manager 103 has defined the middle column and middle row of the matrix as a set of free spaces 164, which are revealed automatically at the beginning of each game. These nine free spaces may be used in combination with the 16 regular spaces (i.e. non-free spaces) to produce a winning combination. Campaign server manager 103 has defined the following winning combinations for the game type on which game board 144 is based:

(i) every row other than the middle row (i.e. the first, second, fourth and fifth columns, counting from the top - this defines four winning combinations) ; (ii) every column other than the middle column (i.e. the first, second, fourth and fifth columns, counting from the left side - this defines four winning combinations); (iii) a diagonal from the top left corner to the bottom right corner of the matrix; (iv) a diagonal from the top right corner to the bottom left corner of the matrix; and (v) all 25 spaces (a "full card"). [29] If campaign server manager 103 had not defined the middle column and the middle row as free spaces, then the middle column and middle row could also have been defined as winning combinations. [30] Campaign server manager 103 has defined two end-of-game conditions for the game type:

(i) all 25 spaces are revealed; and

(ii) three skill-testing questions have been answered incorrectly. [31] This game type, which is used for exemplary campaign 120 is one example of the different game types which may be defined and used for other campaigns. Any game type which would allow a registered surfer 116 to reveal a winning combination of spaces (or collect a winning combination of tokens, etc.) may be included in game type registry 113. For example, a game type may consist of a three-by-three matrix in which the winning combinations correspond to winning combinations of the well-known tic-tac-toe game. Another game type might simply have a line of spaces wherein the winning combination is any subset of the spaces (i.e. any three of the spaces). Once the game types have been defined, they are stored in game type registry 113 and method 300 (Figure 4) ends. [32] Reference is next made to Figure 5 which illustrates a method 400 for registering web surfers 106 as registered surfers 116.

[33] Method 400 commences in step 402 in which an unregistered surfer

106 accesses a surfer registration page 117 (Figure 1) of campaign server 102. On surfer registration page 117 the surfer 106 may select a username, a password and may identify his geographic location by entering a zip code or a postal code. Optionally, surfer 106 may enter additional information such as his or her name and address for the delivery of prizes won while participating in a campaign according to method 600, described below. Surfer 106 may also enter contact information such as a telephone number or e-mail address to allow campaign server manager 103 to contact surfer 106. [34] Method 400 next proceeds to decision step 404. If surfer 106 has correctly entered all of the required information in step 402 then method 400 proceeds to step 406. Otherwise, method 400 returns to step 402. [35] In step 406 the information provided by surfer 106 in step 402 is recorded in a registered surfer registry 110 and surfer 106 is designated a registered surfer 116. [36] Method 400 then ends. [37] Reference is next made to Figure 6 which illustrates a method 500 by which an advertising campaign 114 may be created by campaign server manager 103. Method 500 will be explained with reference to the creation of exemplary campaign 120 (Figure 2). [38] Method 500 starts in step 502 in which a primary sponsor 122 (Figure 2) is selected for campaign 120. Primary sponsor 122 may be selected from a number of potential primary sponsors which have previously requested that a campaign be created for them. Alternatively, method 500 may have been commenced specifically in response to a request from primary sponsor 122 for the creation of a campaign. [39] Primary sponsor 122 will provide one or more primary advertisements which may be displayed in any free spaces designated by campaign server manager 103 in step 304. These primary advertisements may be graphic images, or may be multimedia advertisements including still and/or moving graphic components and audio components. [40] Method 500 next proceeds to step 504 in which associate sponsors

124 may be selected for the campaign. Campaign 120 may have no associate sponsors or may have one or more associate sponsors. Primary sponsor 122 may be one of the associate sponsors of campaign 120. Each associate sponsor chosen in this step will provide one or more associate sponsor advertisements which may be displayed on spaces 162 other than the free spaces 164. These associate sponsor advertisements may also include still or moving graphic components and/or audio components.

[41] Method 500 next proceeds to step 506 in which campaign server manager 103 selects a particular game type from game type registry 113. The selection of the game type will define the winning combinations which apply during a campaign and will also define the maximum number and type of primary or associate advertisements which may be displayed during a particular game. The maximum number of primary advertisements which may appear during a particular game is equal to the number of free spaces in a game. Similarly, the maximum number of associate advertisements which may appear during a particular game is equal to the number of spaces 162 minus the number of free spaces 164 in the selected game type. [42] Method 500 next proceeds to step 508 in which campaign server manager 103 (in conjunction with associate sponsors 124) defines a set of game prizes which will be awarded by the primary sponsor 122 and a set of associate sponsor prizes that will be awarded by the associate sponsors 124 during campaign 120. Information relating to the game prizes and the associate sponsor prizes is recorded in game prize registry 128 and sponsor prize registry 130, respectively.

[43] For the primary sponsor, the campaign server manager 103 defines: i. The number of game points which will be awarded for revealing a winning combination of spaces 162 for the game type selected in step 506. The number of game points which will be awarded may be different for different winning combinations, ii. A set of game prizes which the primary sponsor 122 will award to a registered surfer who collects sufficient game points. The campaign server manager 103 must also define the maximum number of each sponsor prize that the primary sponsor will award, if the primary sponsor wishes to impose a limit, iii. The number of game points which must be redeemed to receive a game prize. Again, this may be defined in terms of point levels or in terms of the number of points which must be redeemed to obtain a specific prize. In addition, some game prizes may be tied to a relative point level such as the highest point total attained by any registered surfer during the term of campaign 120 (the term is defined in step 510), etc. [44] For each associate sponsor, campaign server manager 103 defines: i. The number of points which will be awarded by the associate sponsor 124 for correctly answering a skill-testing question to reveal an associate advertisement from that associate sponsor 124. ii. A set of associate sponsor prizes which the associate sponsor 124 will award to a registered surfer 116 who collects sufficient associate sponsor points, from that specific associate sponsor 124, during campaign 120. The campaign server manager 103 must also define the maximum number of each prize that the associate sponsor 124 will award, if the associate sponsor wishes to impose a limit. iii. The number of associate sponsor points a registered surfer 116 must collect to earn each such associate sponsor prize. The number of associate sponsor points required to receive a prize may be specified by stating point levels which must be achieved to receive a series of prizes or by setting out a specific number of points which must be redeemed to receive a specific associate sponsor prize. For example, campaign server manager 103 may specify that if a registered surfer 116 collects 100 sponsor points from a particular sponsor he will receive a prize of a baseball cap and if registered surfer 116 subsequently reaches the 500 point level, he will receive a prize of a duffel bag from that associate sponsor. Alternatively, campaign server manager 103 may define the number of points required to be redeemed to obtain a baseball cap as 100 and may define the number of points required to be redeemed to receive a duffel bag as 400 thereby allowing the registered surfer 116 the option of collecting points to receive only the duffel bag when he has earned 400 sponsor points.

[45] In exemplary campaign 120, campaign server manager 103 has set the following definitions

(a) For the primary sponsor 122: i. 1000 game points will be awarded a winning combination other than a full card. 10,000 game points will be awarded for a winning combination consisting of a full card. ii. A first game prize will be awarded for collecting 100,000 points and a second game prize will be awarded for collecting

1 ,000,000 points. Up to 500 first game prizes may be awarded. Up to 100 second game prizes may be awarded. In addition, game prizes will be awarded to registered surfers

116 who collect the five highest point totals during the entire campaign 120. (b) For associate sponsor A: i. 10 associate sponsor points will be awarded for each correct answer to a skill testing question that reveals an advertisement for associate sponsor A; ii. 500 points may be redeemed for first associate sponsor prize and 10000 points may be redeemed for a second associate sponsor prize. There is no limit on the number of associate sponsor prizes which may be awarded.

[46] Similar associate sponsor and prize definitions are made for associate sponsors B and C.

[47] Method 500 next proceeds to step 510 in which campaign server manager 103, in conjunction with primary sponsor 122 and possibly in conjunction with associate sponsors 124, defines the term of campaign 120. Registered surfers 116 will be permitted to collect points during the term of campaign 120. As noted above, the primary sponsor 120 or one or more associate sponsors 124 may award prizes to registered surfers who achieve the highest point totals during a campaign. [48] In another embodiment of system 100, the term of a campaign 1 14 may be divided into sub-terms (i.e. a 3 month campaign may be divided into weekly sub-terms and into monthly sub-terms). The primary sponsor 122 and/or the associate sponsors 124 may award prizes to the registered surfers who collect the highest point totals during each sub-term or who collect more than a selected number of points during a sub-term, or who have the highest cumulative point totals at the end of a sub-term. The use of sub-terms may increase interest in the campaign (and accordingly the exposure of advertisements in the campaign 114 during the early part of a campaign 114 and may encourage registered surfers 116 who have fallen well behind the high point leaders to continue to compete for sub- term based prizes.

[49] Method 500 next proceeds to step 512 in which the campaign server manager 103, in conjunction with the primary sponsor 122 and possibly in conjunction with associate sponsors 124, defines the target geographic area for the campaign. The target geographic area may be defined by selecting a specific postal or zip code, a city, a state, an entire country, a continent, the entire world or any set of one or more of these types of geographic regions. [50] Method 500 next proceeds to step 514 in which the campaign is then added to campaign registry 108. [51] Method 500 then ends.

[52] Reference is next made to Figure 7 which illustrates a method 600 by which a registered surfer 116 may participate in a campaign 114 and play one or more games in that campaign. Method 600 will be described in the context of a specific registered surfer 170 (Figure 1) participating in exemplary campaign 120. [53] Method 600 commences in step 602 in which the registered surfer

170 logs into campaign server 102 by entering his or her username and password. The registered surfer's entry from registered surfer registry 110 is retrieved. [54] Method 600 next proceeds to step 604 in which one campaign from the group of campaigns which are targeted at the user's geographic area is selected either randomly or according to some other criteria. If only one campaign is targeted at the user's geographic area, that campaign is automatically selected. If no campaign is targeted at the user's geographic area, then a default campaign which does not include any advertisements from any sponsor may be displayed to allow the user to use system 100 without participating in a specific campaign 114. [55] In the present example, the geographic area specified for campaign

120 in step 512 (Figure 6) corresponds to the geographic location of registered surfer 170 and is selected in this step. [56] Method 600 next proceeds to step 606 in which a specific game board 144 is randomly created based on the configuration on the campaign selected in step 604. [57] The specific game board 144 is created by first selecting an advertisement representing the primary sponsor 122 for each free space 162 on the game board. For each remaining space 146 an associate sponsor 124 is randomly selected from the associate sponsors 124 which are participating in the campaign 120. One advertisement designated by the selected associate sponsor 124 is selected for that space 146. Finally, for each space 162 it is randomly determined whether the space 146 will be revealed at the start of the game. The number of spaces 146 that are determined to be free spaces in a particular game board 144 may be completely random, may be random within a minimum and maximum range specified by the campaign server manager 103 in step 204 in method 200 or may be fixed. The specific location of the free spaces may also be random or fixed.

[58] Reference is again made to Figure 3. In the present example, a subset of squares 146 are selected to be initially revealed squares 172. These five revealed spaces 146 are shown as shaded in Figure 3. As a result of this selection, a total of 14 spaces will be revealed at the start of the game created in this step (including the 9 free spaces defined by campaign server manager 103 in step 506 (Figure 6)). [59] Reference is again made to Figure 7. Method 600 next proceeds to step 608 in which the specific game board 144 created in step 606 is displayed in the game section 140 of a game window 126. Referring briefly to Figure 3, each of the spaces 146 determined to be free spaces 164 in step 506 and each of the spaces 146 selected as revealed spaces 172 are revealed at the start of the game and any of these spaces may be used to complete a winning combination. In each of the free spaces 146, one of the advertisement or advertisements selected to represent primary sponsor 122 in step 604 is displayed. In each of the initially revealed spaces 172 selected in step 606, the advertisement representing one of the associate sponsors 124 is displayed. The remaining spaces, which are covered spaces 162 (i.e. the advertisement associated with the space is not revealed). These spaces may appear blank or may have a selected design (which itself may be an advertisement for a primary sponsor 122, associate sponsor 124 or other entity) on them. Information relating to the registered surfer's score in the campaign is displayed in information section 142. This information may include the registered surfer's score since the beginning of the term of the campaign 114, since the beginning of any sub-term of the campaign, the number of points earned during the present game (which will be 0 at the beginning of each game) and the number of associate sponsor points awarded to registered surfer 170 by each associate sponsor 124 since the beginning of the term of the campaign 1 14 and/or a sub-term of the campaign 114. In addition, the number of questions answered incorrectly during the present game is displayed (this will be 0 at the beginning of each game). [60] Method 600 next proceeds to step 610. In this step campaign server 102 determines if any winning combinations exist as a result of the free spaces 164 and revealed spaces 172 which are revealed at the start of the game. Registered surfer 170 is awarded game points for any such winning combinations. It is possible that an end-of-game condition, such as a full card or revealed squares, may occur at the start of a game. In such a case, the registered surfer 170 is awarded points for all winning combinations and the method would proceed directly to step 624. This path is not shown, but will be readily understood by a person skilled in the art.

[61] Registered surfer 170 is not awarded associate sponsor for any advertisements revealed as a result of the determination in step 606. In an alternative system, associate sponsor points may be awarded.

[62] Method 600 next proceeds to step 612 in which registered surfer 170 begins to play the game of this invention.

[63] Registered surfer 170 may move his cursor across the different spaces 146 of the game board 144. As registered surfer 116 moves the cursor across a covered space 162 (i.e. any space which is not a free space 164 or a revealed space 172) the advertisement associated with that space 146 will be momentarily revealed allowing the registered surfer 170 to determine whether he wishes to attempt to reveal that space 146. Registered surfer 170 may select one of the covered spaces 162 for various reasons. For example, registered surfer 170 may choose a covered space 162 to obtain associate sponsor points from the associate sponsor 124 associated with the advertisement for that space. Alternatively, registered surfer 170 may choose a covered space 162 in order to reveal all or part of a winning combination in order to earn additional game points. When registered surfer 170 has selected a covered space 162, method 600 proceeds to step 614.

[64] In step 614, a skill testing question selected from skill testing question registry 112 is presented to registered surfer 170. This step ends when registered surfer 170 answers the selected skill testing question.

[65] Method 600 next proceeds to decision step 616. If registered surfer

170 answers the skill testing question correctly (or completes a skill testing puzzle, etc.) then the method 616 proceeds to step 618. Otherwise, method 600 proceeds to step 620. [66] In step 618, the covered space 162 selected by registered surfer 170 in step 612 is revealed (i.e. the advertisement associated with that space is displayed) and the space is designated a revealed space 172. In addition, any points earned as a result of the correctly answered question are awarded. For each correctly answered question, registered surfer 170 will receive associate sponsor points from the associate sponsor 124 which specified the advertisement associated with the newly revealed space 172. In addition, game points may be awarded for one or more winning combinations newly revealed in full. Method 600 next proceeds to decision step 622. [67] In step 620, the number of incorrect answers given by registered surfer 170 and displayed in information section 142 is incremented. Method 600 next proceeds to decision step 622.

[68] From decision step 622, method 600 proceeds to step 624, if any end-of-game conditions specified in step 304 have been reached. In the present example, if registered surfer 170 has answered three questions incorrectly or has revealed all of the spaces 146 on game board 144, then the game is over. If an end-of-game condition has not been reached, method 600 returns to step 612. [69] In step 624, registered surfer 170 is permitted to redeem his game points and associate sponsor points for prizes specified by primary sponsor 22 and associate sponsors 124 in step 508. A registered surfer 170 may only claim a prize which is still available (i.e. the maximum number of the prize has not already been awarded to previous registered surfers 170). This step may be skipped if registered surfer 170 has insufficient points to obtain any prize. [70] Method 600 next proceeds to step 626 in which the record for registered surfer 170 in registered surfer registry 110 is updated to reflect the registered surfer's new point totals and to indicate which prizes, if any, the registered surfer has received. [71] Method 600 then ends. Alternatively, method 600 may be configured to ask the surfer if he wishes to play again. If so, method 600 may return to step 606.

[72] In addition to the scoring information described above, additional information may be displayed in information section 142. For example, controls (not shown) may be provided to display screens describing the rules of the game described above (i.e. which combinations are winning combinations, the number of game or associate sponsor points awarded for various actions), the number of points required to earn a prize, a list of high scores for the term or a sub-term of the campaign 114, information about how a person may become a primary sponsor 122 or associate sponsor 124 of a campaign, etc. A person skilled in the art will be capable of displaying such information in information section 142 (or possibly in a separate browser window).

[73] Registered surfer 170 may be permitted to redeem prizes at any time during a game (most likely during step 612) by adding a control to game window 126 which jumps to a prize redemption page (not shown, and which may also be used for step 624) and then returns to step 612.

[74] Method 300, 400, 500 and 600 allows a campaign server 102 to be configured, registered users 116 to obtain that status, campaigns 114 to be created and registered users 116 to participate in campaigns 114. [75] Trivia based advertising and game system 100 provides an innovative system and method for keeping registered surfers 116 interested in longer term and active viewing of advertisements. In effect, the system may be viewed by advertisers as an advertising system and by registered surfers 116 as a game which allows them to win prizes. In many cases, the prizes will be branded products bearing the logos and other advertising of a primary sponsor 122 or a associate sponsor 124, further increasing the advertising value of the system. [76] Many variations of trivia based advertising and game system 100 are possible and some of these are discussed below. [77] In a second embodiment 1200 (not shown) of a system according to the present invention, a registered surfer 116 may be permitted to accumulate points collected in more than one campaign over a defined period (which may or may not match the term of any particular campaign 114). Campaign server manager 103 may then award prizes to registered surfers 116 who achieve selected point levels over the period or who achieve the highest point totals during the period. In this embodiment, it may be preferable for campaign server manager 103 to ensure that comparable numbers of points are awarded for comparable actions in different campaigns to ensure that each campaign has a similar effect on the overall success of a registered surfer 116 in winning prizes awarded by campaign server manager 103.

[78] A third embodiment 1300 (not shown) may be identical to system

1200, except that point levels awarded in different campaigns for similar actions may be substantially different. For example in one campaign 314 (not shown), 10 points may be awarded for answering a skill testing question correctly. In a different campaign 315 (not shown), 1000 points may be awarded for answering a skill testing question correctly. As a result, a registered surfer 116 who is attempting to earn a prize awarded by campaign server manager 103 for a particular number of point in all campaigns 114 will prefer to participate in campaign 315. As a result, the advertisements displayed in campaign 315 will receive greater exposure than those in campaign 314. This in turn allows campaign server manager 103 to demand a greater participation fee, if one is charged, from the primary sponsor and associate sponsors of campaign 315. [79] Another feature which may be added to any of the above campaigns is to permit a registered surfer 116 to select a specific campaign in step 604. This will allow a registered surfer 116 to focus on winning prizes in a specific campaign of interest rather than forcing the registered surfer 116 to participate in campaigns that he or she does not wish to participate in. Allowing such a choice may be particularly advantageous in embodiment 1300 and would increase the effect of disparate point values in different campaigns.

[80] In a fourth embodiment 1400 (not shown) of a system according to the present invention, the concept of advertising may be removed. In this embodiment, there are no sponsors for a campaign and no advertisements are displayed on spaces 146. Instead, covered spaces 162 are displayed in one color (or with one insignia) and revealed spaces are displayed in a different color (or with a different insignia). Registered surfers 116 may compete with one another to obtain higher scores in a single game or over the term of a campaign. This embodiment is essentially a trivia based game in which the players (i.e. the registered surfers) attempt to form winning combinations.

[81] A fifth embodiment 1500 (not shown) of a system according to the present invention may be installed on a computer terminal and operated as a stand-alone unit. The terminal may be optionally connected to a campaign management server to receive details about new campaigns which are to be offered on the terminal. However, the methods set out above may be carried out entirely on the terminal and the display screen of the terminal may be used entirely as game window 126. As a particular example, such a terminal may be installed in a retail establishment such as a bar. A player (equivalent to a registered surfer 116 of system 100) may be permitted to redeem game points or associate sponsor points for prizes that may be delivered by the owner of the bar (or the bartender). In particular, if one of the sponsors of a campaign is a pizza company, one of the prizes may be a token for a free slice of pizza, which may be redeemed within the bar. [82] Embodiment 1500 may optionally be provided for installation on a user's computer on a computer readable-medium, such as a DVD-ROM, CD-ROM or floppy disc or may be made available for download over the Internet. This will allow users to play the stand-alone version of the present invention at home without being connected to the Internet. Such a stand-alone version may be configured to download updated campaigns from a campaign management server.

[83] A sixth embodiment 1600 (not shown) may combine the stand-alone version of system 1500 with the non-advertising aspects of system 1400 to provide a stand-alone trivia game which may be played on a computer terminal which is not connected to a network. Embodiment 1600 may optionally be provided on a computer readable medium or made available for download over the Internet in a form for installation on a user's computer. [84] A seventh embodiment 1700 (not shown) of a system according to the present invention provides a multi-player trivia game. In this embodiment, there are no sponsors and no advertisements are displayed, as in system 1400. Each player (who is analogous to a registered surfer, but may not be required to user system 1700 without registering and without entering a username and password) plays in turn, using the same game board, and each player's turn continues until the player answers a skill-testing question incorrectly. Players receive points for revealing individual spaces by answering a skill testing questions correctly and for completing winning combinations. The winner is the player who has the most points after a defined term. The term of a campaign (which may be the only campaign) may be a few hours and is likely to be substantially shorter than the term of a campaign in system 100. The term may be as short as a single game. In this case, each game is essentially played independently of any other game. [85] An eighth embodiment 1800 (not shown) of the present invention provides a non-network and non-computer based trivia game. Each player is provided with a game board with a plurality of spaces and for which one or more winning combinations has been defined. Some of the spaces may optionally be initially uncovered as free spaces, based on a fixed or random rule. The player is provided with questions which may or may not be associated with specific spaces. A single question may be associated with one or more spaces. When a player answers a question correctly, he is permitted to uncover a space associated with the question, or a space selected randomly or by the player. When the player has uncovered a winning combination of spaces, the player may receive a selected number of points. Two or more players may compete to earn more points during an allotted time period, or may compete to uncover one or more winning combinations faster. The terms "covered" and "uncovered" are used for descriptive purposes here and, in fact, a player may place a marker or indicator on a covered square to identify it as an uncovered square. [86] An ninth embodiment 1900 (not shown) of the present invention is described next. Embodiment 1900 has two primary stages: a qualification stage and a live competition stage. The live competition stage may be repeated in a series of rounds. [87] The qualification stage, which may be performed in accordance with any of embodiments 100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600 or 1700 described above, is used to select candidates for the live competition stage. In effect, qualification as a candidate is offered as a prize (a "qualification prize"), in any category of prizes (i.e. a game prize or a sponsor prize) described above. Typically, a qualification prize will be offered as a game prize for achieving either a pre-selected high number of points or for placing amongst a selected number of highest point scorers during the term or a sub-term of a campaign. Generally, the criteria for receiving a qualification prize is selected so that only highly competent participants in the qualification stage are able to win a qualification prize.

[88] The awarding of qualification prizes may be done solely through the use of an embodiment described above. Alternatively, qualification prizes may be awarded using other methods in addition to the use of one of the embodiments described above. For example, qualification prizes may be awarded by a combination of: (i) the use of an embodiment described above, (ii) a telephone based qualification method, (iii) use of embodiment 1800 and/or (iv) any other qualification method. All winners of a qualification prize are considered candidates for the live competition stage. Collectively, these winners form a candidate group. [89] Typically, each round of the live competition stage will include two or more contestants selected from the candidate group. Typically, although not necessarily, the number of candidates in the candidate group will exceed the number of contestants required for one round of the live competition stage. The appropriate number of contestants for a round of the live competition stage may be selected from the group of candidates using any method including random selection.

[90] The selected contestants then participate in a round of the live competition stage. During the live competition stage, the selected contestants participate in a multiple player competition. Typically, a round of the live competition stage will be hosted by a host. [91] In one version of embodiment 1900, each round of the live competition stage is played in accordance with method 1700 with the following difference: the contestants do not participate over the Internet. Instead, the players may be physically present in a single location, along with the host. The game board is displayed to all of the players on a large screen (which may be a multiple element screen). In this version, an audience may be present to watch the round and the game board is also displayed to the audience.

[92] In another version of embodiment 1900, the contestants for the live competition round and its host are physically located in two or more different locations. Their images are captured using one or more video cameras and their respective images are combined to form a virtual game theatre. To allow a consistent appearance for the virtual game theatre, each of the contestants and the host may be positioned in front of a monochromatic screen that may be removed used well-known techniques. Each of the contestants and the host is shown the game board simultaneously using computer monitors at their physical locations. [93] Each round of the live competition stage may comprise one or more game rounds. During each game round, a single game board is played by all contestants. During some game rounds, one or more contestants may be eliminated and only the remaining candidates are eligible for the next game round. Contestants may receive different point amounts for completing winning combinations in different game rounds. The winner of a round of the live competition stage will typically be the contestant that receives the highest cumulative number of points in all game rounds, although any method of selecting a winner may be used. The winner may optionally be permitted to participate in a bonus round, which may be played according to any single-player embodiment described above, or which may be played according to a different format. [94] Each round of the live competition stage may be recorded for later broadcast, which may be an Internet based or television based broadcast. [95] A specific example 2000 of embodiment 1900 is described next. The qualification stage of exemplary embodiment 2000, which is referred to as Internet Trivia Bingo round, is performed using the Internet and is used to select candidates for the live competition round as described above in relation to embodiment 1900. In this embodiment 2000, various sponsors (including primary and optionally associate sponsors) may provide advertisements and prizes as described in relation to system 100. In addition, qualification prizes are awarded. [96] The live competition round of embodiment 2000, which is referred to as the TV Trivia Bingo round, incorporates a Trivia Challenge game round, a Trivia Challenge Bonus game round and a Jackpot BINGO game round, described below. The game board 144 is similar to that shown in Figure 3, where the middle row and column are defined as free spaces, although a game board for any game type described above may be used. The combination of the nine free spaces is referred to as the Magic Cross. In this embodiment, the game board is referred to as a "BINGO card".

[97] The live competition round of embodiment 2000 is a made for television program combining the skill-testing aspect of trivia with the excitement of BINGO! TV Trivia Bingo transfers the excitement of the world's most recognized game, BINGO, to the television screen.

[98] Internet Trivia BINGO allows a contestant to qualify for TV Trivia Bingo via the Internet. In one version of embodiment 2000, TV Trivia Bingo contestants will only be able to qualify via the Internet. This is unlike the majority of television game shows, which require contestants to qualify either via the telephone (i.e. Who Wants to be a Millionaire?) or by mail (i.e. the Price is Right). Qualifying on the Internet is free and open to anyone. Any person with a computer and access to the Internet is permitted to play Internet Trivia Bingo. In other versions of embodiment 2000, TV Trivia Bingo contestants may qualify through various methods, as described above in relation to embodiment 1900. [99] TV Trivia Bingo round may be played in front of a live studio audience.

Alternatively, TV Trivia Bingo rounds may be played using the virtual game theatre technique described above in relation to embodiment 1900 wherein the contestants and host are not all located in the same physical location, but their images are combined for display. [100] In TV Trivia Bingo, winning combinations are referred to as BINGOs.

In addition, spaces are referred to as squares.

[101] Each round of TV Trivia Bingo is made into a television program, or part of a television program. TV Trivia Bingo is played as follows. [102] For each TV Trivia Bingo round, a selected number of contestants that have qualified through the Internet Trivia Bingo round are selected. Preferably, three contestants will be selected.

[103] All of the contestants play a single BINGO card. The BINGO card is clearly viewable by the audience. The BINGO card appears as a traditional BINGO card with five squares containing random BINGO numbers in each column under the heading letters B I N G O - 25 squares in total).

[104] As in Internet Trivia Bingo, to assist the Contestants in achieving

BINGOs all of the squares in the 3^rd row and all of the squares in the column under the letter N will be shaded red. This is referred to as the "Magic Cross". A red shaded square signifies a revealed square just like in the real game of BINGO, however there is no longer a need for blotters, pennies, etc. to indicate a called number. The computer lets you know when a square is revealed by shading it in red. All remaining squares on the BINGO card will be shaded blue (indicating a covered square). With the Magic Cross each Contestant is already on his or her way to achieving a BINGO.

[105] The computer will randomly convert blue shaded squares (covered squares) to red shaded squares (revealed, or uncovered, squares) to further assist the Contestants in achieving BINGOs. A red shaded square indicates a revealed square while a blue shaded square signifies an covered square, which a Contestant will need to reveal to create a BINGO opportunity. [106] A blue shaded square (a covered square) may be converted to a red shaded square (a revealed square) only by a Contestant selecting the particular square and correctly answering a trivia question with that square. The trivia questions will be asked by the TV Host. The trivia question may be associated with the square (i.e. if the question is answered incorrectly, another contestant may select the same square and answer the same question to win the square) or a different question may be selected for the square each time it is selected. [107] The Trivia Challenge Game Round is played as follows. [108] The Host will ask the first contestant (the order in which the contestants play may be selected by any method such as drawing numbers) to select a blue square (a covered square) on the BINGO card. The Contestant will select a square by referencing the letter and the number (i.e. B - 10). The Contestant's objective is to convert blue shaded squares (covered squares) to red shaded squares (revealed squares) to create BINGOs or BINGO opportunities.

[109] When the first contestant has selected the blue shaded square

(covered square), the first contestant is presented with a trivia question selected from a question registry 112. The question may be of any type, as described above in relation to question registry 112 and method 100. The Contestant will then have a selected amount of time to correctly answer the question. If the first contestant correctly answers the question, the blue shaded square (covered square) will be replaced by a red shaded square, indicating a revealed square. If this creates one or more BINGOs, the contestant will immediately be credited with a selected number of points for each BINGO (these points will later be utilized to determine the Trivia Challenge winner). Provided the Contestant has answered the trivia question correctly, the Contestant will be asked by the Host to again select a blue shaded square (covered square) on the BINGO card to attempt to reveal that particular selected square. The Contestant continues until he or she gets a trivia question answer wrong or until the entire BINGO card contains all squares shaded red (all revealed squares). This is referred to as a "Full Card". If a Full Card is achieved, the Contestant who converts the final BINGO square to a revealed square will also receive Full Card bonus points which will be added to his or her previous points (if any).

[110] If, however, the Contestant answers the trivia question incorrectly, the blue shaded square (covered square) will remain open and the Contestant will lose his or her turn. Control of the BINGO card is then transferred to the next contestant. [111] The Trivia Challenge Round will continue for a set time period or until a Full Card is achieved.

[112] The Trivia Challenge Bonus game round is played in the same manner as the Trivia Challenge game round, with the following exceptions. The first contestant to play in the Trivia Challenge Bonus game round may the contest who would have followed the last contestant to play in the Trivia Challenge game round. Otherwise, the first contestant to play in the Trivia Challenge Bonus game round may be selected in any way, including a random selection, or by selecting the player with the lowest score after the Trivia Challenge game round. In addition, the number of points awarded for forming BINGOs or a Full Card may be different than in the Trivia Challenge game round, and will typically be higher. The amount of time allowed for answering questions may be different than in the Trivia Challenge game round, and will typically be shorter. [113] The Trivia Challenge Bonus Round continues for a selected time period or until a Full Card is achieved. At this point the Trivia Challenge Bonus Round is over and the Contestant with the most FirstBingo points (including any Full Card Bonus Points awarded) will be declared the Trivia Bingo winner. [114] The Jackpot BINGO game round is played as follows. The Trivia

Bingo winner is the only contestant in the Jackpot BINGO game round. [115] The Trivia Bingo winner is presented with another BINGO card, which will also have the Magic Cross identified as free uncovered spaces. [116] The contestant is then given a selected time (for example, 3 minutes) to correctly answer as many Trivia Questions as possible. During the selected time, the contestant selects covered spaces and is presented with a question. If the contestant answers the question correctly, the selected space is uncovered. This process is repeated until the selected time elapses or until the contestant has uncovered all of the spaces on the BINGO card. The contestant is then awarded points for each BINGO that has been formed with uncovered squares. For example, if the contestant has uncovered a full card (which is one form of winning combination), the contestant may win a selected Jackpot prize. [117] Several exemplary embodiment of the present invention have been described. Various aspects of the embodiments may be combined to form many other variations that fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of playing a game comprising the steps of:

(a) recording a plurality of questions in a question registry;

(b) defining one or more game types and storing the game type definitions in a game type registry, wherein each game type includes: i. a game board have one or more spaces wherein each of said spaces may have a first state and a second state; ii. one or more winning combinations of said spaces, wherein each of said winning combinations occurs when all spaces in the winning combination are in the second state; and iii. one or more end-of-game conditions for said each game type,

(c) selecting a game type from said game type registry;

(d) displaying the game board of the selected game type to a player;

(e) allowing the player to select a space that is in the first state;

(f) presenting the player with a question and allowing the player to answer the question;

(g) if the player's answer in step (f) is correct, setting the selected space to the second state;

(h) if setting a space to the second state in step (g) results in a winning combination being formed, awarding the player a selected number of points, wherein the number of points awarded depends on the winning combination formed; (i) if setting a space to the second state in step (g) or an incorrect answer in step (f) results in an end-of-game condition occurring, terminating the game; and (j) repeating steps (e), (f), (g), (h) and (i) until the game is terminated.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein, in step (d), one or more spaces are displayed in the second state.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein, in step (d), the spaces displayed in the second state are selected randomly.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein, in step (b), one or more spaces are designated to be displayed in the second state during step (d).

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: (k) selecting one or more prizes associated with at least some of said winning combinations; and (I) awarding one or more of said prizes to the player if the player achieves an associated winning combination.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of awarding a selected prize to players that achieve a selected point total.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said step (c) to (j) are repeated, and wherein each repetition is a round of said game, and wherein the player is permitted to accumulate points earned in different rounds, and wherein said prize is awarded based on the number of points accumulated by the player.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the player is permit to accumulate point for a selected campaign period.

9. A method of conducting an advertising campaign comprising the steps of:

(a) recording a plurality of questions in a question registry;

(b) defining one or more game types and storing the game type definitions in a game type registry, wherein each game type includes: i. a game board have one or more spaces wherein each of said spaces may have a first state and a second state; ii. one or more winning combinations of said spaces, wherein each of said winning combinations occurs when, all spaces in the winning combination are in the second state; and iii. one or more end-of-game conditions for said each game type,

(c) defining an advertising campaign by: i. selecting a primary sponsor; and ii. defining one or more primary advertisements associated with the primary sponsor,

(d) selecting a game type from said game type registry;

(e) displaying the game board of the selected game type to a player, wherein one or more of the space is displayed in the second state and wherein one of the primary advertisements is displayed in each space that is displayed in the second state;

(f) allowing the player to select a space that is in the first state;

(g) presenting the player with one of the questions and allowing the player to answer the question;

(h) if the player's answer in step (g) is correct, setting the selected space to the second state; (i) if setting a space to the second state in step (h) results in a winning combination being formed, awarding the player a selected number of points, wherein the number of points awarded depends on the winning combination formed; (j) if setting a space to the second state in step (h) or an incorrect answer in step (g) results in an end-of-game condition occurring, terminating the game; and (k) repeating steps (f), (g), (h), (i) and (j) until the game is terminated.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein, in step (e), the spaces displayed in the second state are selected randomly.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein, in step (b), one or more spaces are designated to be displayed in the second state during step (e).

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said step (c) to (j) are repeated, and wherein each repetition is a round of said game, and wherein the player is permitted to accumulate points earned in different rounds, and wherein said prize is awarded based on the number of points accumulated by the player.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein additional players are permitted to participate in different rounds of the game and wherein the total points earned by each player during a selected time period is recorded.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein one or more prizes are associated with a selected minimum number of points and one of the prizes is awarded to players whose total points equal or exceed the minimum number of points.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein one or more prizes are associated with a selected minimum number of points and one of the prizes is awarded to players whose total points exceed the minimum number of points.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein a prize is awarded to a selected number of players who achieve the highest total points during the selected time period.

17. The method of claim C1 wherein step (c) further includes the steps of: iii. selecting one or more associate sponsors; and iv. defining one or more associate advertisements associated with each of said associate sponsors, and wherein step (h) includes: v. displaying one of the associate advertisements on the selected space when it is set to the second state.

18. The method of claim 15 or 16 wherein one of the prizes is a qualification prize.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising selecting two or more winners of qualification prizes as candidates for a live competition round, and ordering the candidates into a candidate list.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the live competition round comprises: (1) presenting each of said players with a second game board, wherein the second game board includes one or more spaces in the first state; (m) permitting the first candidate in the candidate list to select a space on the second game board;

(n) presenting the first candidate with a question;

(p) if the first candidate answers the question correctly, setting the space to the second state and awarding the first candidate a selected number of points; (q) if the setting of a space to the second state in step (p) results in the completion of a winning combination, awarding the first candidate with a selected number of points; (q) if there is at least one space on the game board in the first state and if the first candidate answered question correctly, repeating steps (m), (n), (p) and (q);

(r) if there is at least one space on the game board in the first state and if the first candidate answered the question incorrectly, repeating step

(m), (n), (p) and (q) in respect of the second candidate on the candidate list. (s) sequentially repeating steps (q) and (r) in respect of each candidate.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein steps (q), (r) and (s) are repeated only for a selected time.

22. A method of playing a game comprising the steps of:

(a) displaying a game board with a plurality of spaces including a set of revealed spaces and a set of covered spaces;

(b) revealing a space by transferring it from said set of covered spaces to said set of revealed spaces in response to a player completing a specified skill- testing task.

(c) repeating step (b) zero or more times.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said task is correctly answering a skill- testing question.

24. The method of claim 22 wherein advertisement are displayed on said revealed spaces.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein said spaces include at least one free space which is part of said set of revealed spaces.

26. The method of claim 22 further including the step of awarding a prize for completing said specified skill-testing task.

27. The method of claim 22 further including the step of awarding a prize for revealing a pre-determined combination