Systems and methods wherein a player positions an item in a list during game play

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided wherein a player positions an item in a list during game play. According to one embodiment, a list of item descriptions is provided to the player. Each item description is positioned in the list according to an associated item value. For example, each item description may comprise an event description and each item value may be an event date associated with an event description. An additional item description, associated with an additional item value, is also provided to the player. An indication of a list position associated with the additional item is received from the player. If the received indication is correct, the additional item description is added to the list and another additional item description is provided to the player.

Description

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to games. In particular, the present invention relates to systems and methods wherein a player positions an item in a list during game play.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Many players enjoy playing games in which a game result is based on (i.e., is based at least in part on) a player's knowledge, such as a trivia game in which a player is required to answer a question. For example, consider the following question:

[0003] “Which of the following products was first introduced in 1985?

[0004] A) NEW COKE®

[0005] B) DIET PEPSI®

[0006] C) GATORAIDE®

[0007] D) YOO-HOO®)”

[0008] In this case, the player would be required to indicate an answer to the question (e.g., by selecting one of A through D). If the player indicates the correct answer, he or she may continue playing the game by answering other questions.

[0009] Similarly, a player may be required to place a list of items in a correct order. For example, consider the following:

[0010] “Order the following products based on the date each product was first introduced, starting with the earliest.

[0011] A) NEW COKE®

[0012] B) DIET PEPSI®

[0013] C) GATORAIDE®

[0014] D) YOO-HOO®”

[0015] In this case, the player would be required to indicate an order of the items (e.g., by selecting A-D-B-C). The “fast finger” round in WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRES is one example of such a game question format.

[0016] There are a number of disadvantages, however, with both of these game question formats. For example, it is often desirable to have game questions become more difficult during game play. Consider a game in which a player wins a prize when he or she correctly answers twenty questions (without incorrectly answering any question). In this case, players may enjoy the game more if they are first asked relatively easy questions (e.g., allowing most players to correctly answer at least a few questions). Of course, a game provider will still want the later questions to become more difficult to prevent too many players from winning the prize. Such an approach also naturally enhances the drama and excitement of game play.

[0017] Simply having a player answer a series of different questions and/or order different lists of items, however, will not necessarily result in increasingly difficult game play. Instead, a game provider would need to review each question (or list of items) and estimate a level of difficulty. For example, a game provider might predict that most people will be able to correctly order the four drinks listed in the previous example, and therefore decide that such a question (or list) should be provided to players near the beginning of game play. Such an approach, however, is subjective and time consuming, especially if a large number of players will play the game (e.g., when thousands of players are going to play the game every day).

[0018] Moreover, requiring a player to order different lists of items during game play means that the player will need to read and evaluate every item in each list. Some players will find this approach boring, and the game format will lack suspense because each new list does not build on a player's previous game play (e.g., the items the player evaluated on previous lists).

SUMMARY

[0019] To alleviate problems inherent in the prior art, the present invention introduces systems and methods wherein a player positions an item in a list during game play.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a list of item descriptions is provided to a player. Each item description is positioned in the list according to an associated item value. An additional item description, associated with an additional item value, is also provided to the player. An indication of a list position associated with the additional item is received from the player. If the received indication is correct, the additional item description is added to the list and another additional item description is provided to the player.

[0021] Another embodiment is directed to a computer-implemented method of conducting a game. According to this embodiment, it is arranged for a player to provide a payment in exchange for playing a game. A list of event descriptions is then transmitted to a remote player device via a communication network. Each of the event description are positioned in the list in accordance with an event date associated with the event description. An additional event description is also transmitted, and a list position associated with the additional event description is received from the remote player device. The received list position is then evaluated based on an event date associated with the additional event description. If the received list position is correct, the list is updated to include the additional event description and another additional event description is transmitted. Based on a number of correct list positions received from the player, it may be arranged for the player to receive payment of a prize amount.

[0022] According to another embodiment, a first indication of a first item associated with a first value is provided along with second indication of a second item associated with a second value. An additional indication of an additional item associated with an additional value is also provided. An indication is then received, the indication representing (i) a relationship between the additional value and the first value and (ii) a relationship between the additional value and the second value.

[0023] According to another embodiment, a first indication of a first item associated with a first value is provided along with second indication of a second item associated with a second value. According to this embodiment, the first value and the second value are not indicated to the player, but a relationship between the first value and the second value is indicated to the player. An additional indication of an additional item associated with an additional value is also provided without indicating the additional value to the player. An indication is then received, the indication representing (i) a relationship between the additional value and the first value and (ii) a relationship between the additional value and the second value.

[0024] According to another embodiment, a list of item descriptions is provided to a player, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value. An indication of a list position is also provided to the player along with a set of additional item descriptions, each of the additional item descriptions being associated with an additional item value. An indication of one of the additional item descriptions is then received from the player. If the received indication is correct, the appropriate additional item description is added to the list and another indication of a list position is provided to the player along with another set of additional item descriptions.

[0025] According to another embodiment, a player receives a list of item descriptions, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value. The player also receives an additional item description, the additional item description being associated with an additional item value, and provides an indication of a list position associated with the additional item. If the provided indication is correct, the player receives (i) an updated list including the additional item description and (ii) another additional item description.

[0026] One embodiment of the present invention comprises: means for providing a list of item descriptions to a player, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value; means for providing an additional item description to the player, the additional item description being associated with an additional item value; means for receiving from the player an indication of a list position associated with the additional item; and means for adding the additional item description to the list and providing another additional item description to the player if the received indication is correct.

[0027] Another embodiment comprises: means for arranging for a player to provide a payment in exchange for playing a game; means for transmitting a list of event descriptions to a remote player device via a communication network, each event description being positioned in the list in accordance with an event date associated with the event description; means for transmitting an additional event description; means for receiving from the remote player device a list position associated with the additional event description; means for evaluating the received list position based on an event date associated with the additional event description; means for updating the list to include the additional event description and transmitting another additional event description if the received list position is correct; and means for arranging for the player to receive payment of a prize amount based on a number of correct list positions received from the player.

[0028] With these and other advantages and features of the invention that will become hereinafter apparent, the invention may be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, the appended claims, and the drawings attached herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a block diagram overview of a game system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 2A is a flow chart of a method for facilitating game play according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 2B illustrates two game displays according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a player device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a game controller according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a tabular representation of a portion of a player database according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a tabular representation of a portion of an item database according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a tabular representation of a portion of a game database according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIGS. 10A through 10C illustrate player devices displaying information according to some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods wherein a player positions an “item” in a list during game play. As used herein, the term “item” refers to any object or information that is associated with a value. For example, an item may be a historical event that is associated with a date on which the event occurred. Other examples of items include cities (e.g., associated with latitudes), countries (e.g., associated with populations), consumer items (e.g., associated with retail prices), and celebrities (e.g., associated with popularity survey results).

[0041] Game System Overview

[0042] Turning now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a game system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The game system 100 includes a game controller 400 in communication with a number of player devices 300. As used herein, devices (such as the player devices 300 and the game controller 400) may communicate, for example, via a communication network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a proprietary network, a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) network, a cable television network, or an Internet Protocol (IP) network such as the Internet, an intranet or an extranet. Moreover, as used herein, communications include those enabled by wired or wireless technology. Note that although a single game controller 400 is shown in FIG. 1, any number of game controllers 400 may be included in the game system 100. Similarly, any number of the other devices described herein may be included in the game system 100 according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, a player device 300 communicates with a remote, Web-based game controller 400 (e.g., a server) via the Internet. Although some embodiments of the present invention are described with respect to information exchanged using a Web site, according to other embodiments information can instead be exchanged, for example, via: a telephone, an Interactive Voice Response Unit (IVRU), electronic mail, a WEBTV® interface, a cable network interface, and/or a wireless communication system.

[0044] The player device 300 and the game controller 400 may be any devices capable of performing various functions described herein. The player device 300 may be, for example: a Personal Computer (PC), a portable computing device such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a wired or wireless telephone, a one-way or two-way pager, a kiosk (e.g., a game kiosk located at an airport terminal), an interactive television device, a game terminal (e.g., a SONY PLAY STATION® video game terminal), or any other appropriate storage and/or communication device.

[0045] Note that the devices shown in FIG. 1 need not be in constant communication. For example, the player device 300 may only communicate with the game controller 400 via the Internet when appropriate (e.g., when attached to a “docking” station or “cradle” coupled to the player's PC). The player device 300 may also communicate with the game controller 400 via an infrared device when near a game kiosk. Note also that a player device 300 and the game controller 400 may be incorporated in a single device (e.g., a game kiosk may act as both a player device 300 and the game controller 400).

[0046] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a player uses a player device 300 to communicate with the game controller 400. For example, a player may use his or her PC to access a Web site associated with the game controller 400 in order to play a game. In this case, the game controller 400 may transmit a list of item descriptions to the player device 300 along with an additional item description.

[0047] The player may use his or her player device 300 to transmit an indication of a list position to the game controller 400. For example, a player may use a keyboard or mouse coupled to his or her PC to indicate a list position associated with the additional item description to the game controller 400.

[0048] If the indication received by the game controller 400 is correct (e.g., the player has correctly placed the additional item description in the list), the game controller 400 may add the additional item description to the list and transmit another additional item description to the player device 300.

[0049] FIG. 2A is a flow chart of a method for facilitating game play according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method shown in FIG. 2A may be performed by, for example, the game controller 400 and/or a player device 300. At 202, an ordered list of item descriptions is provided to a player, and each item description is positioned in the list according to an associated item value. For example, each item description may comprise an event description (e.g., “COCA-COLA® introduces NEW COKE®, angering many of its customers”), in which case each item value may be an event date associated with the event description (e.g., “1985”). The item description may comprise, for example, text information, audio information, and/or image information that is transmitted from the game controller 400 to the player device 300.

[0050] Note that an item value does not have to represent an event date. For example, each item description may describe a physical item, in which case each item value may represent a physical measurement, such as a size, a height, a weight, a temperature, a distance, a speed, or a geographic location. By way of example, a player may be provided with an ordered list of famous buildings, each building being associated with a building height. According to other embodiments, an item value may represent a monetary amount (e.g., a retail price), population information, or opinion information (e.g., information based on survey results).

[0051] At 204, an additional item description is also provided to the player. The additional item description is associated with an additional item value and may comprise, for example, text information, audio information, and/or image information that is transmitted from the game controller 400 to the player device 300. Consider, for example, FIG. 2B which illustrates a first game display 252 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the player has been provided with an ordered list of event descriptions (i.e., including “Saturday Night Live debuts on public television” and “General Motors® introduces the Saturn®”) along with an additional event description (i.e., “COCA-COLA® introduces NEW COKE®, angering many of its customers”).

[0052] At 206, an indication of a list position associated with the additional item is received from the player. That is, the player will attempt to place the item in the ordered list based on the additional item value and the values associated with the items in the list (e.g., by placing the additional item in the ordered list based on the event date of the additional item and the event dates of the items in the list). For example, the player may use a mouse or keyboard coupled to his or her PC to indicate a list position associated with the additional item (e.g., as illustrated by the dashed line in the first game display 252 of FIG. 2B).

[0053] According to another embodiment, the player may be provided with a set of additional item descriptions. For example, the player may be provided with three additional item descriptions, in which case the player can select one of the three additional item descriptions to place in the list. In this case, each of the set of additional item descriptions may be associated with a difficulty level (e.g., easy, medium, or difficult) and/or a score (e.g., a number of points that will be earned by the player if he or she correctly places the item in the list).

[0054] The game controller 400 may then evaluate the indication received from the player device 300 based on the list position, the additional item value, and the item values associated with each item description in the ordered list. Consider, for example, a player who indicates that an additional event occurred between a third event and a fourth event in a list. In this case, the game controller 400 may determine if an additional event occurred on a date (i) after a date that the third event occurred and (ii) before a date that the fourth event occurred.

[0055] If the received indication is not correct at 208, the process ends (e.g., the player incorrectly positioned the item in the list and the player's game may be over). If the received indication is correct at 208, the additional item description is added to the list and another additional item description is provided to the to the player at 210. Such an updated list and additional item description are illustrated in the second game display 254 shown in FIG. 2B.

[0056] According to one embodiment, indications are provided to and received from the player until an incorrect list position is received by the game controller 400. For example, a player may be allowed to place items in the list indefinitely until he or she places an item in an incorrect position. Note that game play will naturally become more difficult as the player continues to add items to the list (e.g., positioning an item in a longer list will be more difficult than positioning an item in a shorter list).

[0057] According to another embodiment, indications are provided to and received from the player until a predetermined condition occurs. For example, a player may be allowed to place items in a list until he or she incorrectly positions a predetermined number of items (e.g., until he or she places three items in wrong positions) or until he or she correctly positions a predetermined number of items (e.g., the player may win the game if he or she correctly places twenty items in a list). According to another embodiment, a player may be allowed to place items in a list until another player (e.g., a competing player) correctly or incorrectly positions a predetermined number of items. According to still another embodiment, a player may be allowed to place items in a list for a predetermined period of time (e.g., for ninety seconds) or until a predetermined time occurs (e.g., until 1:05 PM).

[0058] Based on the indications received from the player during a game, the game controller 400 may determine a game result. For example, the game result may simply indicate a number of correct indications that have been received from the player. According to other embodiments, the game result may also be based on, for example, a time (e.g., how long it took the player to position items in a list), a difficulty level associated with one or more additional items, and/or a score associated with one or more additional items.

[0059] Referring again to FIG. 1, according to one embodiment the game controller 400 also arranges for a player to provide a payment in exchange for playing a game and/or arranges for the player to receive a payment based on a game result. For example, the game controller 400 may arrange for the player to receive $1,000 if he or she correctly positions twenty items in a list. According to such an embodiment, a payment device 110 may be used to arrange for the player to provide and/or receive payments. For example, the game controller 400 may arrange for a player to purchase one or more game plays via the payment device 110 (e.g., via a credit card account, a debit card account, a banking account, or an electronic payment protocol). According to one embodiment, the player receives a benefit other than payment of a prize amount based on a game result (e.g., the player may receive a free play or a discount on a future purchase).

[0060] Player Device

[0061] FIG. 3 illustrates a player device 300 that is descriptive of the device shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The player device 300 comprises a processor 310, such as one or more INTEL® Pentium® processors, coupled to a communication device 320 configured to communicate via a communication network (not shown in FIG. 3). The communication device 320 may be used to communicate, for example, with the game controller 400 and/or the payment device 110.

[0062] The processor 310 is also in communication with an input device 340. The input device 340 may comprise, for example, a keyboard, a mouse or other pointing device, a microphone, a knob or a switch (including an electronic representation of a knob or a switch), an infrared port, a docking station, and/or a touch screen. Such an input device 340 may be used, for example, by a player to play a game (e.g., by manipulating a pointer associated with a computer-based golf game).

[0063] The processor 310 is also in communication with an output device 350. The output device 340 may comprise, for example, a display (e.g., a computer monitor), a speaker, and/or a printer. The output device 350 may be used, for example, to provide game information to a player.

[0064] The processor 310 is also in communication with a storage device 330. The storage device 330 may comprise any appropriate information storage device, including combinations of magnetic storage devices (e.g., magnetic tape and hard disk drives), optical storage devices, and/or semiconductor memory devices such as Random Access Memory (RAM) devices and Read Only Memory (ROM) devices.

[0065] The storage device 330 stores a program 315 for controlling the processor 310. The processor 310 performs instructions of the program 315, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention. For example, the processor 310 may arrange for a player to play a game.

[0066] As used herein, information may be “received” by or “transmitted” to, for example: (i) the player device 300 from the game controller 400; or (ii) a software application or module within the player device 300 from another software application, module, or any other source.

[0067] FIG. 10A illustrates a PC 302 displaying game information according to an embodiment of the present invention. The PC 302 includes a keyboard 342A and a mouse 342B which can be used by a player to play a game (e.g., by inputting an indication of a list position associated with an additional item). The PC 302 also includes a computer display 352A and speakers 352B which can be used to, for example, provide a list of item descriptions to a player.

[0068] FIG. 10B illustrates a PDA 304 displaying game information according to another embodiment of the present invention. The PDA 304 includes an input device 344 and an output device 354 (e.g., a display screen) that may be used by a player to play a game. Similarly, FIG. 10C illustrates a wireless telephone 306 including an input device 346 and an output device 356 displaying game information.

[0069] Game Controller

[0070] FIG. 4 illustrates a game controller 400 that is descriptive of the device shown in FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game controller 400 comprises a processor 410, such as one or more INTEL® Pentium® processors, coupled to a communication device 420 configured to communicate via a communication network (not shown in FIG. 4). The communication device 420 may be used to communicate, for example, with one or more player devices 300 and/or the payment device 110.

[0071] The processor 410 is also in communication with a storage device 430. The storage device 430 may comprise any appropriate information storage device, including combinations of magnetic storage devices (e.g., magnetic tape and hard disk drives), optical storage devices, and/or semiconductor memory devices such as RAM devices and ROM devices.

[0072] The storage device 430 stores a program 415 for controlling the processor 410. The processor 410 performs instructions of the program 415, and thereby operates in accordance with the present invention. For example, the processor 410 may provide a list of item descriptions to a player device 300, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value. The processor 410 may also provide an additional item description to the player device 300, the additional item description being associated with an additional item value, and receive from the player device 300 an indication of a list position associated with the additional item. If the received indication is correct, the processor 410 may add the additional item description to the list and provide another additional item description to the player device 300.

[0073] According to another embodiment, the processor 410 arranges for a player to provide a payment in exchange for playing a game. The processor 410 also transmits a list of event descriptions along with an additional event description to a player via a communication network, each event description being positioned in the list in accordance with an event date associated with the event description. The processor 410 receives a list position associated with the additional event description and evaluates the received list position based on an event date associated with the additional event description. If the received list position is correct, the processor 410 updates the list to include the additional event description and transmits another additional event description to the player. The processor 410 also arranges for the player to receive payment of a prize amount based on a number of correct list positions received from the player.

[0074] The program 415 may be stored in a compressed, uncompiled and/or encrypted format. The program 415 may furthermore include other program elements, such as an operating system, a database management system, and/or device drivers used by the processor 410 to interface with peripheral devices.

[0075] As used herein, information may be “received” by or “transmitted” to, for example: (i) the game controller 400 from the player device 300; or (ii) a software application or module within the game controller 400 from another software application, module, or any other source.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 4, the storage device 430 also stores a player database 500 (described with respect to FIG. 5), an item database 600 (described with respect to FIG. 6), and a game database 700 (described with respect to FIG. 7). Examples of databases that may be used in connection with the game system 100 will now be described in detail with respect to FIGS. 5 through 7. The illustrations and accompanying descriptions of the databases presented herein are exemplary, and any number of other database arrangements could be employed besides those suggested by the figures.

[0077] Player Database

[0078] Referring to FIG. 5, a table represents the player database 500 that may be stored at the game controller 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The table includes entries identifying players who may play games via the game system 100. The table also defines fields 502, 504, 506, 508, 510 for each of the entries. The fields specify: a player identifier 502, a name 504, contact information 506, a payment identifier 508, and an account balance 510. The information in the player database 500 may be created and updated, for example, based on information received from player when he or she registers with the game controller 400. The information in the player database 500 may also be based on, for example, information generated as the player plays games via the game system 100.

[0079] The player identifier 502 may be, for example, an alphanumeric code associated with a player who has registered to use the game system 100. The player identifier 502 may be generated by, for example, the game controller 400 or the player (e.g., when the player provides a user name and password). The player database 500 also stores the name 504 and contact information 506 (e.g., a postal address, an electronic mail address, an IP address, or a telephone number) associated with each player.

[0080] The payment identifier 508 may comprise, for example, a credit card, debit card or bank account number (e.g., a checking account number) or digital payment protocol information. The account balance 510 may represent an amount that a player owes to a game provider or an amount that the game provider owes to the player. The payment identifier 508 and account balance 510 may be used, for example, by the game controller 400 to arrange for the player to provide or receive a payment.

[0081] Item Database

[0082] Referring to FIG. 6, a table represents the item database 600 that may be stored at the game controller 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to another embodiment, all or some of the information in the item database 600 may instead be stored at a player device 300. The table includes entries identifying events that may be used by the game controller 400 during game play. The table also defines fields 602, 604, 606 for each of the entries. The fields specify: an event identifier 602, a description 604, and a date 606. The information in the item database 600 may be created and updated, for example, by the game controller 400.

[0083] The item identifier 602 may be, for example, an alphanumeric code associated with an event (e.g., a historical event) that can be used by the game controller 400 during game play. The event may be used, for example, as an item in a list or as an additional item that a player must position in a list.

[0084] The description 604 represents information that describes the event. The description 604 may be, for example, text information, audio information, and/or image information that is transmitted from the game controller 400 to the player device 300.

[0085] The date 606 represents a date associated with the event. The date 606 may be, for example, the year in which the event occurred. The date 606 may be used by the game controller 400 to position items in a list and/or to evaluate an indication of a list position received from a player device 300.

[0086] According to one embodiment, an operator associated with a game provider generates the information stored in the item database 600. According to another embodiment, the information in the item database 600 is automatically generated based on information stored in other databases (e.g., general information databases). For example, event information in an encyclopedia database may be used to generate the information in the item database 600. In this case, the event information in the encyclopedia database may be filtered (e.g., to remove events that occurred before and/or after predetermined dates) and/or modified (e.g., by translating a specific date into a year). Such an approach may be useful, for example, if a large amount of item information is required by the game controller 400 (e.g., when thousands of players are expected to play an online game).

[0087] In addition to the information described above, the item database 600 may store information associated with, for example, an item category (e.g., “historical event,” “sporting event,” or “geographic information”) and/or a difficulty level (e.g., “well known” or “obscure”). According to other embodiment, the item database 600 may also indicate how many times an item has been used during game play and/or which players have already been exposed to the item during game play.

[0088] Game Database

[0089] Referring to FIG. 7, a table represents the game database 700 that may be stored at the game controller 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to another embodiment, all or some of the information in the game database 700 may instead be stored at a player device 300. The table includes entries identifying games that have been played via the game system 100. The table also defines fields 702, 704, 706, 708 for each of the entries. The fields specify: a game identifier 702, a player identifier 704, a number of correct list positions 706, and a game result 708. The information in the game database 700 may be created and updated, for example, as players play games.

[0090] The game identifier 702 may be, for example, an alphanumeric code associated with a game that was played via the game system 100. The player identifier 704 indicates the player who played the game, and may be based on, or associated with, the player identifier 502 stored in the player database 500.

[0091] The number of correct list positions 706 may indicate a total number of items that a player has correctly positioned in a list during game play, and the game result 708 may indicate the result of the game (e.g., a prize amount won by the player). According to one embodiment, the game result 708 is based on the number of correct list positions 706.

[0092] In addition to the information described above, the game database 700 may store information enabling the determination of, for example, a list of items, one or more additional item descriptions, and/or one or more received indications. Such information may be useful, for example, to settle any dispute that may arise between a game provider and a player.

[0093] Methods that may be used in connection with the game system 100 according to some embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0094] Game System Methods

[0095] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a method that may be performed by the game controller 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flow charts in FIG. 8 and the other figures described herein do not imply a fixed order to the steps, and embodiments of the present invention can be practiced in any order that is practicable. Moreover, the methods may be performed by any of the devices described herein, including a player device 300.

[0096] At 802, it is arranged for a player to provide a payment in exchange for playing a game. For example, the game controller 400 may transmit a payment identifier 508 to a payment device 110 to arrange for the player to provide a payment of $1.00 in exchange for playing the game. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the player also selects a player category associated with the game. For example, a player may indicate that he or she wants to receive item descriptions associated with historical events. The player category may also be associated with maximum and minimum item values. For example, each item description in a “1970's music” category might be associated with an item value of between “Jan. 1, 1970” and “Dec. 31, 1979.” According to another embodiment, player demographic information is used to determine an item category.

[0097] At 804, a list of event descriptions is transmitted from the game controller 400 to a remote player device 300 via a communication network, each of the event description being positioned in the list in accordance with an event date associated with the event description. The game controller 400 may generate the list based on, for example, information stored in the item database 600.

[0098] At 806, an additional event description is transmitted from the game controller 400 to the player device 300. According to one embodiment, the game controller 400 may also determine a level of difficulty associated with, for example, the list, the additional item description, and/or a set of additional item descriptions.

[0099] Note that the game controller 400 may select, for example, an item description on the list, an additional item description, and/or a set of additional item descriptions from the item database 600. This selection may be based on, for example, an item value, an item description indicated to the player in a current game, an item description indicated to the player in a prior game, an item description indicated to another player, a player category (e.g., the player has selected “political events” as a player category), and/or demographic information associated with the player. According to another embodiment, the selecting is based on a level of difficulty (e.g., the game controller 400 may select an additional event description having an event date that is very close to an event date of one of the events in the list).

[0100] At 808, the game controller 400 receives a list position associated with the additional event description from the player device 300. At 810, the game controller 400 evaluates the received list position based on an event date associated with the additional event description (e.g., based on a date 606 stored in the item database 600). If the evaluation indicates that the received list position is not correct at 812, the process ends (e.g., the player has provided a wrong answer and the game is over).

[0101] If the evaluation indicates that the received list position is correct at 812, the game controller 400 determines if the player has provided a predetermined number of correct indications at 814. If the player has provided the predetermined number of correct indications (e.g., the player has won the game), it is arranged for the player to receive payment of a prize amount at 816.

[0102] If the player has not yet provided the predetermined number of correct indications, the game controller 400 updates the list to include the additional event description and transmits another additional event description to the player device 300 at 818. The player then continues to play the game until he or she incorrectly positions an item or wins the game.

[0103] Thus, as the player correctly positions events in the list, the list grows (making it more difficult to position additional events in the list). Moreover, each new list presented to the player builds on a list that was previously considered by the player (making game play more interesting to the player).

[0104] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method according to another embodiment of the present invention. At 902, a first indication of a first item (associated with a first value) is provided. For example, a description of a first event may be transmitted to a player. At 904, a second indication of a second item (associated with a second value) is provided, and an additional indication of an additional item (associated with an additional value) is provided at 906. According to one embodiment, a relationship between the first value and the second value is indicated to the player (e.g., by presenting the first item and the second in an ordered list). Note that the exact relationship between the first value and the second value may not be indicated to the player (e.g., the player may not be told if items in a list are ordered based on increasing or decreasing values). According to another embodiment, a magnitude associated with a relationship is indicated to a player (e.g., events descriptions positioned far apart on a time line may be associated with event dates that are far apart). Moreover, at least one of the first value, the second value, and the additional value are not indicated to a player according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] At 908, an indication is received of (i) a relationship between the additional value and the first value and (ii) a relationship between the additional value and the second value. For example, a player may position the additional item in an ordered list with respect to the first and second items.

[0106] Additional Embodiments

[0107] The following illustrates various additional embodiments of the present invention. These do not constitute a definition of all possible embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is applicable to many other embodiments. Further, although the following embodiments are briefly described for clarity, those skilled in the art will understand how to make any changes, if necessary, to the above-described apparatus and methods to accommodate these and other embodiments and applications.

[0108] Although most of the embodiments described herein are associated with a game controller 400 determining an ordered list of items and/or an additional item, either of these functions may instead be performed by a player device 300. Moreover, embodiments of the present invention may or may not involve players who provide payments in exchange for playing the game (e.g., a sweepstakes-type prize may be awarded to a player). In addition, embodiments of the present invention may be used with respect to educational games as well as entertainment games (including games associated with skill and/or chance).

[0109] Similarly, although most of the embodiments described herein are associated with a game played by a single player, the present invention can also be used with respect to a game involving multiple players. For example, the first player to correctly position twenty items may receive payment of a prize amount. Similarly, the player who correctly positions the most items may win a game. According to one embodiment, multiple players take turns adding items to a single list.

[0110] Moreover, it is not necessary for the player to indicate a list position associated with an additional item. For example, the game controller 400 may provide the following information to a player: (i) an ordered list, (ii) a list position, and (iii) a set of additional item descriptions. In this case, the player may be required to select the correct additional item description associated with the list position.

[0111] According to another embodiment, a player may not need to indicate the exact position of an item in a list (e.g., the player may be allowed to position the item within a predetermined range of a correct position).

[0112] The present invention has been described in terms of several embodiments solely for the purpose of illustration. Persons skilled in the art will recognize from this description that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but may be practiced with modifications and alterations limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating game play, comprising:

providing a list of item descriptions to a player, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value;

providing an additional item description to the player, the additional item description being associated with an additional item value;

receiving from the player an indication of a list position associated with the additional item; and

if the received indication is correct, adding the additional item description to the list and providing another additional item description to the player.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein indications are provided to and received from a player until an incorrect list position is received.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein indications are provided to and received from a player until a predetermined condition occurs.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein th e predetermined condition comprises at least one of: (i) receiving a predetermined number of incorrect list positions from the player, (ii) receiving a predetermined number of correct list positions from the player, (iii) receiving a predetermined number of incorrect list positions from another player, (iv) receiving a predetermined number of correct list positions from another player, (v) a predetermined time, and (vi) a predetermined period of time.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said providing an additional item description comprises providing a set of additional item descriptions to the player, and said receiving comprises receiving (i) a selected additional item description and (ii) an indication of a list position associated with the selected additional item.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the set of additional item descriptions are associated with a difficulty level and a score.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

evaluating the received indication based on the list position, the additional item value, and the item values associated with the item descriptions.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a game result.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein indications are received from the player until an incorrect indication is received, and the game result comprises a number of correct indications received from the player.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the game result is based on at least one of the following: (i) a number of correct indications received from the player, (ii) a time, (iii) a difficulty level associated with an additional item, and (iv) a score associated with the additional item.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

arranging for the player to receive a prize based on the game result.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

comparing the game result with a game result associated with another player.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a level of difficulty associated with at least one of: (i) the list, (ii) the additional item description, and (iii) a set of additional item descriptions.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

selecting at least one of: (i) an item description on the list, (ii) the additional item description, and (iii) a set of additional item descriptions.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said selecting is based on at least one of: (i) an item value, (ii) an item description indicated to the player in a current game, (iii) an item description indicated to the player in a prior game, (iv) an item description indicated to another player, (v) a player category, and (vi) demographic information associated with the player.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said selecting is based on a level of difficulty.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein each item description comprises an event description, and each item value comprises an event date associated with the event description.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein each item value comprises a physical measurement associated with an item description.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the physical measurement comprises one of: (i) a size, (ii) a height, (iii) a weight, (iv) a temperature, (v) a distance, (vi) a speed, and (vii) a geographic location.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein each item value comprises one of: (i) a monetary amount associated with the item description, (ii) population information associated with the item description, and (iii) opinion information associated with the item description.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of an item description and the additional item description comprises at least one of: (i) text information, (ii) audio information, and (iii) image information.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the player plays a game at a remote player device in communication with a game controller, and at least one of said providing and said receiving comprises:

exchanging information with the remote player device via a communication network.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the remote player device comprises at least one of: (i) a personal computer, (ii) a portable computing device, (iii) a personal digital assistant, (iv) a telephone, (v) a wireless telephone, (vi) a game terminal, (vii) an interactive television device, and (viii) a kiosk.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the communication network comprises at least one of: (i) the Internet, (ii) a public network, (iii) a public switched telephone network, (iv) a proprietary network, (v) a cable television network, (vi) a wireless network, and (vii) a local area network.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

arranging for the player to provide a payment in exchange for playing a game.

26. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

storing information enabling the determination of at least one of: (i) the list, (ii) the additional item description, (iii) a set of additional item descriptions, and (iv) the received indication.

27. A game apparatus, comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to:

provide a list of item descriptions to a player, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value;

provide an additional item description to the player, the additional item description being associated with an additional item value;

receive from the player an indication of a list position associated with the additional item; and

if the received indication is correct, add the additional item description to the list and providing another additional item description to the player.

28. The game apparatus of claim 27, wherein said storage device further stores at least one of: (i) a player database, (ii) an item database, and (iii) a game database.

29. The game apparatus of claim 27, further comprising:

a communication device coupled to said processor and adapted to communicate with at least one of: (i) a player device, (ii) a game controller, and (iii) a payment device.

30. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to facilitate game play, said method comprising:

providing a list of item descriptions to a player, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value;

providing an additional item description to the player, the additional item description being associated with an additional item value;

receiving from the player an indication of a list position associated with the additional item; and

if the received indication is correct, adding the additional item description to the list and providing another additional item description to the player.

31. A computer-implemented method of conducting a game, comprising:

arranging for a player to provide a payment in exchange for playing a game;

transmitting a list of event descriptions to a remote player device via a communication network, each event description being positioned in the list in accordance with an event date associated with the event description;

transmitting an additional event description;

receiving from the remote player device a list position associated with the additional event description;

evaluating the received list position based on an event date associated with the additional event description;

if said evaluating indicates that the received list position is correct, updating the list to include the additional event description and transmitting another additional event description; and

arranging for the player to receive payment of a prize amount based on a number of correct list positions received from the player.

32. A method of facilitating game play, comprising:

providing a first indication of a first item associated with a first value;

providing a second indication of a second item associated with a second value;

providing an additional indication of an additional item associated with an additional value; and

receiving an indication of (i) a relationship between the additional value and the first value and (ii) a relationship between the additional value and the second value.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein a relationship between the first value and the second value is indicated to a player.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein at least one of the first value, the second value, and the additional item value are not indicated to a player.

35. A method of facilitating game play, comprising:

providing a first indication of a first item to a player, the first item being associated with a first value;

providing a second indication of a second item to the player, the second item being associated with a second value, wherein (i) the first value and the second value are not indicated to the player, and (ii) a relationship between the first value and the second value is indicated to the player;

providing an additional item to the player, the additional item being associated with an additional value that is not indicated to the player; and

receiving from the player an indication of (i) a relationship between the additional value and the first value and (ii) a relationship between the additional value and the second value.

36. A method of facilitating game play, comprising:

providing a list of item descriptions to a player, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value;

providing an indication of a list position to the player;

providing a set of additional item descriptions to the player, each of the additional item descriptions being associated with an additional item value;

receiving form the player an indication of one of the additional item descriptions; and

if the received indication is correct, adding the appropriate additional item description to the list and providing another indication of a list position to the player along with another set of additional item descriptions.

37. A method of playing a game, comprising:

receiving a list of item descriptions, each item description being positioned in the list according to an associated item value;

receiving an additional item description, the additional item description being associated with an additional item value;

providing an indication of a list position associated with the additional item; and

if the provided indication is correct, receiving: (i) an updated list including the additional item description, and (ii) another additional item description.