MEANS FOR DIRECTING A CONTESTANT THROUGH A COMPETITION USING WIRELESSLY TRANSMITTED CLUES

Abstract

An apparatus, computer program product, method and system are disclosed for directing a contestant in a competition through a series of puzzles to find a hidden item of value using digitized clues wirelessly transmitted to the contestant using SMS messaging. The digitized clues are transmitted sequentially to contestants in accordance with each contestant's, or team of contestants', satisfaction of performance benchmarks in the competition. Certain embodiments of the present invention include substitute means of generating and transmitting clues, as well as of collecting contestant performance data.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to games and entertainment, and more particularly relates to a system and computer program product for directing a contestant in a competition to an item of value using wirelessly transmitted clues.

2. Description of the Related Art

Reality television programs have steadily grown in popularity for more than decade. Over time, the most successful reality television programs have pitted contestants against each other in various genres of competitions for one or more prizes awaiting the winner, including competitions for the affection of a man or woman, for recording contracts with prominent record labels, or for employment with high profile organizations.

While the contestants in some of these competitions are advised or assisted in the competition by judges or counselors, the art does not teach competitions in which the contestants are directed electronically by a computer program product from one physical location to another in pursuit of a prize.

People across the world enjoy entertaining themselves with video games managed exclusively by computer program products which impose rules upon game participants in virtual environments. People across the world also enjoy watching sports and competitions managed manually by organizations and individuals imposing rules upon game participants in real-world environments. There are, however, no games in the industry which comprise computer programs that manage, and impose rules upon, game participants competing for a prize in a real-world environment by distributing clues to them electronically, which clues allow the contestants to continue their participation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that a need exists for a system, apparatus and computer program product for directing contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues. The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art; and, in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available methods, systems and apparatii, and that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, computer program product, and system for directing a contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues.

A system is disclosed that remotely directs a game contestant to the location of a prize, the system comprising: a persistent computer readable storage; and an incorporation module configured to incorporate a contestant into a virtual game framework, the incorporation module configured to store the contestant's name and mobile phone number in a database record in the persistent computer readable storage, the incorporation module configured to verify a contestant's name and registration by messaging the contestant wirelessly using one of a Short Message Service (SMS) and a Multimedia Message Service (MMS).

The system further comprises a distributor module configured to effectuate a wireless distribution to the contestant of a digitized clue stored in persistent storage with a plurality of digitized clues, the digitized clue indicative of the physical location of one or more items of value ensconced with a confirmation code, the digitized clue distributed in response to receipt of SMS from the contestant that satisfies a confirmation code exclusively associated with the digitized clue; a receiver module configured to await SMS receipt the confirmation code sent by the contestant; and a measurement module configured to measure contestant game performance, the measurement module configured to measure one or more of: the time that elapses between transmission of a digitized clue to the contestant and receipt of the confirmation number associated with the digitized clue, mileage traveled by the contestant, and points accumulated by the contestant, relative rank of the contestant.

The system also comprises a transmitter module configured to interface with a social networking website, the transmitter module configured to transmit one or more measurements of contestant performance data to the social networking website.

In some embodiments, the incorporation module is further configured to await a reply SMS message from the contestant before incorporating the contestant into the virtual game framework. In some embodiments, the incorporation module awaits a reply sent to short code telephone number.

In still further embodiments, the contestant is virtually grouped into one of a plurality of contestant groups in accordance with a predetermined algorithm in which one or more factors comprise measurements of contestant's game performance. In various embodiments, the digitized clues are distributed sequentially in accordance with a predetermined sequence to each contestant in a contestant group in the plurality of contestant groups.

In other embodiments, the measurement module is in communication with a Global Positioning System (GPS) in possession of the contestant. In still other embodiments, the receiver module is configured to await one or more of: SMS receipt the confirmation code sent by the contestant, RFID confirmation of contestant presence at a predetermined location, GPS confirmation of contestant presence at a predetermined location or magnetic card swipe.

The incorporation module may also be configured to incorporate a team of contestants into a single database record. The digitized clue may be randomly selected from the plurality of digitized clues.

The system may comprise a tallying module configured to receive and tally votes communicated telephonically by third-parties tracking contestant performance, the tallying module storing vote tallies in the persistent computer storage.

The digitized clue may be transmitted to the contestant accumulating the highest vote tally, and may comprise an automatic call distributor (ACD). The confirmation code may be relayed by the contestant to the receiver module telephonically with DTMF signaling.

The system may comprise an IVR platform configured to recognize oral recitation of the confirmation code by the contestant. The transmitter module may be further configured to transmit one or more measurements of contestant performance data electronically to a television network.

The item of value may comprise a pool of money that grows in direct proportion to the amount of viewers garnered by the television network broadcasting a television program comprising contestant performance data and commentary on the game.

The value of the item of value may grow with the number of participants.

Alternatively, the confirmation code may be stored at the location of the prize is generated by a computer device. The receiver module may also be further configured to acknowledge receipt of the confirmation code in response to correct transmission of the confirmation receipt and further configured to inform the contestant of non-confirmation of the confirmation code in response to incorrect transmission of the confirmation code.

A computer program product is also disclosed, comprising a memory device, which computer program product is configured to perform operations that closely mirror the functions imparted to the system recited above. Additionally, an apparatus to direct contestants through a competition by wirelessly transmitting clues which comprises modules functionally similar to those of the system is disclosed.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an entity-relationship diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system that directs a contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an entity-relationship diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system that directs a contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of an apparatus for directing a contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of directing a contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention. The apparatus modules recited in the claims may be configured to impart the recited functionality to the apparatus.

FIG. 1 is an entity-relationship diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system 100 that directs a contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with the present invention. The system 100 comprises a server 102, an SMS gateway provider 104, a wireless network 106, an IVR 108, a persistent storage 109, a measurement module 112, a digitized clue library 114, contestant records 116, measurement data 118, a social networking website 120, and a television network 122. A contestant 110 and observer 124 interact with the system 100.

Those of skill in the art recognize that the system 100 may be more simple or complex than illustrated so long as the system 100 includes modules or sub-systems that correspond to those described herein. The server 102 may comprise a computer program running on one or more data processing devices (DPDs), such as a server, computer workstation, router, mainframe computer, or the like. In various embodiments, the DPD comprises one or more processors. The processor is a computing device well-known to those in the art and may include an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”).

Typically, the server 102 comprises one or more central processing units executing software and/or firmware to control and manage the other components within the system 100. In one embodiment, the server 102 comprises hardware and/or software more commonly referred to as a Multiple Virtual Storage (MVS), OS/390, zSeries/Operating System (z/OS), UNIX, Linux, or Windows system 100.

In the shown embodiment, the server 102 creates contest records 116 from information gathered telephonically from a contestant 110 communicating with the server 102 wirelessly through an SMS Gateway Provider 104 using a Short Message Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) message. Alternatively, the server 102 may be in logical communication with contestants 110 through a networked environment, such as local area network (LAN) or wide area network (WAN), including the wireless network 106.

In alternative embodiments, the contestant 110 communicates with the server 102 using other wireless personal DPDs such as laptops, Smart Phones, Palm Pilots®, GPS signaling devices, digital cameras, personal gaming system, and the like.

The server 102 is in logical communication, or networked communication, via the Internet (shown as wireless network 106) with one or more social networking websites 120 and/or one or more television networks 122.

The information gathered by the system 100 and stored in contestant records 116 in persistent storage 109 comprises, in some embodiments, IP addresses, names, email addresses, phone numbers, ages, and demographic information, including sex, race, income, and socioeconomic status. This information, in some embodiments, is input wirelessly using SMSs.

The server 102 may comprise, internally or externally, an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) 108, which recognizes verbal and keypad input from callers and enables contestants 110 to input information to the IVR 102 in the form of natural voice communication or DTMF keypad input.

The persistent storage 109 also stores a library of digitized clues 114. In the shown embodiment, the digitized clue library 114 comprises a plurality of textually displayable digitized clues stored as text in computer readable files transmittable over a signal bearing medium. In the shown embodiment, the digitized clues are stored in database format and are further described below in relation to FIG. 2.

The measurement module 112 measures contestant performance data, or measurement data 118, such as the amount of time that elapses between distribution of a digitized clue to a contestant 110 and receipt of a confirmation code exclusively associated with that digitized clue. The measurement data 118 may also comprise a tally of the number of digitized clues that have been properly deciphered by one or more contestants 110, mileage traveled by one or more contestants 110, subsequent clarifying clues (or cheats) that a contestant 110 requests from the server 102 or that the server 102 distributes to one or more contestants 110, and the like. The measurement data 118 may be determinative, dispositive, or partially determinative of which of a plurality of contestants 110 is ultimately chosen by the server 102 or third-parties as the winner of the competition.

Alternatively, the server 102 may communicate with observers 124 using Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP), Post Office Protocol (POP), or other protocols well-known to those of skill in the art.

The contestant 110 may comprise any individual, organization, or group of individuals and/or organizations, including a man, woman, child, husband and wife, executive, athlete, or vagrant interested in competing in the competition, and the like.

The contestants 110 may be grouped into teams, the composition of which may be determined by the server 102, voters, observers 124, third-parties, or the contestants 110 themselves. The teams may comprise contestants 110 of similarly situated racial, sexual, familial, geographic, economic or socioeconomic statii.

The persistent storage 109 provides persistent storage of data. In particular, the persistent storage 109 stores computer readable database files, including a library of digitized clues 114 and contestant records 116, which comprise information about contestants 110 who have been incorporated into a virtual game structure (i.e. virtual competition structure or virtual game framework).

FIG. 2 is an entity-relationship diagram illustrating one embodiment of a system 200 that directs a contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with the present invention. The system 200 comprises a server 102, a phone 202a, a phone 202b, a phone 202c, registration information 204, GPS data 206, a confirmation code 210a, a digitized clue 212a, a confirmation code 210a, and a digitized clue 212a. Contestants 110a-c interact with the system 200.

The phones 202a-c are substantially described above in relation to FIG. 1.

The GPS data 206 comprises Global Positioning System (GPS) information identifying a contestant's 110 physical location. A GPS module may be comprised by the phones 202a-c.

The digitized clues 212a-b are described generally above in relation to FIG. 1 and more specifically described below. The digitized clues 212a-b are indicative of the physical location of an item of value. The digitized clues 212a-b are stored in the library of digital clues 114. The digitized clues 212a-b may directly denote the location of an item of value, or merely suggest the location. The digitized clues 212a-b comprise computer readable files stored in persistent storage 109 and transmittable over a signal bearing medium.

The digitized clues 212a-b may comprise passwords, user names, encryption codes, hash keys, GPS coordinates, names, places, or colors. The digitized clues 212a-b may merely be indicative of a sequence, order, or organization that can imposed on another dataset, such as numbers gathered by contestants 110 in the field or given to them by the server 102.

Alternatively, the digitized clues 212a-b may be indicative of a piece of information necessary to solving a larger puzzle, such as a crossword puzzle, maze. The digitized clues 114 may comprise acronyms, anagrams, bilingual words, and the like.

In some embodiments of the present invention, one or more observers 124 vote for a winner of the competition telephonically, which votes are tallied by the server 102 and determinative of the winner, or a factor used by the system 200 in determining the winner.

In other embodiments, the server 102 determines the winner by identifying the contest 110 with the highest relative position, or rank, with respect to other participants.

The item of value may comprise any item, or piece of information, of value. The item of value may comprise gold, money, consumer goods, or even another clue.

Located with each item of value is a confirmation code 210, discoverable by contestants 110 only upon finding the item of value.

The system 200 determines, in some embodiments, that a contestant 110 has discovered the item of value by awaiting an SMS from the contestant 110 containing the confirmation code found with the item of value. In other embodiments, the contestant 110 scans a QR Code printed on, or affixed to or near, the item of value. In still further embodiments, the contestant 110 activates a passive or active RFID tag located with the item of value. In still further embodiments, the contestant 110 swipes a magnetic card exclusively in the contestant's 110 possession through a swiping apparatus located with the item of value.

In the shown embodiment, contest 110b and contestant 110c transmit the confirmation code 212a and confirmation code 212b respectively to the server 102. After receiving the confirmation codes 212a-b, and verifying their authenticity, the server 102 relays digitized clue 212a and digitized clue 212b to contestant 110b and contestant 110c respectively. Digitized clue 212a and digitized clue 212b comprise textualized clues and are serialized in the digitized clue library 114 to add sequence to the plurality of digitized clues 114 for ordering their distribution to contestants 110.

The digitized clues 212 may serialized numerically, as hash codes and/or in a has table, with ASCII, or through other methods, with the serialization formatted in persistent memory 109 in database columns in the digitized clue library 114.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating another embodiment of an apparatus 300 for directing a contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with the present invention. The apparatus 300 comprises persistent storage 109, an incorporation module 302, a distributor module 304, a receiver module 306, a measurement module 308, a grouping module 310, a tallying module 312, a webs server 314, a relational database management system (RDBMS) 316, an interactive voice response (IVR) 318, a generation module 320, and a randomizer 322.

The persistent storage 109 and IVR 318 is substantially described above in relation to FIGS. 1-2.

The modules of apparatus 300 are configured to substantially perform the operations and functions of the systems 100 and 200 above.

The incorporation module 302 incorporates contestants 110 into the virtual game framework. In some embodiments, the incorporation module 302 will only incorporate contestants 110 in the virtual competition structure who have been invited to incorporate using electronic means well-known to those of skill in the art, including email.

Contestants may be incorporated into the virtual game framework by filling about a questionnaire made available to them via the wireless network 106. In some embodiments, a predetermined number of contestants 110 are randomly chosen for incorporation from a group of individuals in concurrent wireless communication with server 102.

The distributor module 304 distributes digitized clues 212 to contestants 111 wireless as substantially described above in relation to FIGS. 1-2.

The measurement module 112 is in logical communication with the server 102, and gathers contestant measurement data 118. The measurement module 112 relays this measurement data to a television network 122 using means well-known to those of skill in the art. In alternate embodiments, the measurement module 112 additionally or alternatively relays measurement data 118 to a social networking website, such as FaceBook®, Twitter®, MySpace®, and the like, where it can be made available to users integrated as virtual friends or enemies into one or more accounts with the social networking site.

Further embodiments of the apparatus 300 may also comprise a determination module which determines the winner of the competition. The winning contestant may be determined using a predetermined algorithm reliant on one or more parameters of measurement data 118 and/or vote tallies.

The apparatus 300 comprises, in some embodiments, a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) for managing computer readable files saved in database format in persistent storage 109 and/or the measurement module 112, including IBM DB2®, SQL®, Oracle® and the like.

The grouping module groups contestants 110 into team as described above.

The tallying module tallies votes submitted by observers 124.

The web server 314 is substantially described above as the server 102, and may include Apache® and other software applications well-known to those of skill in the art.

The generation module 320 generates information needed by the virtual game framework, including conformation codes 210. Confirmation codes 210 generated by the generation module may be encrypted and placed with the item of value by the server on a digital display using means well-known to those of skill in the art.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the generation module 320 generates a physical location for placement of the item of value. In still further embodiments, the generation module 320 is configured to generate, or assist in generating, one or more digitized clues 212 for distribution to the contestants 110.

The randomizer 322 randomly picks a digitized clue 212 from the digitized clue library 114 for distribution to one or more contestants 110 in some embodiments, or randomly picks a digitized clue 212 from a group of digitized clues 212 not yet distributed to any contestant 110 incorporated into the virtual game framework.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method 400 of directing a contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues in accordance with the present invention.

The method 400 begins 402 when a contestant is incorporated 404 into a virtual competition framework. In some embodiments, the contestant 110 is incorporated 404 after the contestant 110 is electronically invited to register for the competition. The contest 110 registers with a series of SMSs in some embodiments using a cellular phone 202.

The method 400 proceeds by checking 406 whether or not there are digitized clues 212 in the library of digitized clue 114 which have not yet been distributed to a contestant 110, or which have yet to be distributed to any of a plurality of contestants 110, including a team of contestants.

If there is an undistributed digitized clue 212 in the library of digitized clues 114, the method proceeds by distributing 408 the undistributed digitized clue 212. In some embodiments, the digitized clue 212 which is distributed is distributed in accordance with a predetermined sequence. In other embodiments, the digitized clue 212 is distributed randomly. In still further embodiments, the digitized clue 212 may be a bonus clue, which is distributed only to a contestant 110 that has accumulated a certain quantity of points, or exceeded a predetermined performance threshold.

The method 400 proceeds by measuring 410 contestant performance data 118 as substantially described above in relation to FIGS. 1-3.

The method 400 then awaits 412 receipt of the confirmation code 210 as substantially described above in relation to FIGS. 1-3.

Once the confirmation code 210 is received, the method 400 proceeds by checking 416 whether or not the confirmation code 210 is accurate. If the confirmation code 210 is not accurate, the method 400 returns to step 410 and continues measuring contestant 210 performance.

If the confirmation code 210 is confirmed upon receipt, the method 400 returns to step 406 and determines 406 whether or not there are still undistributed digitized clues 212 in the library of digitized clues 114. If there are not undistributed digitized clues 114, then the method 400 proceeds and determines 418 a winner and notifies 420 the other contestants 110 incorporated into the competition of the identity of the winner. In some embodiments, observers 124, one or more television networks 122, and/or social networking websites are simultaneously notified of the determination 418 of a winner.

Finally, the method 400 terminates 422.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Claims

1. A system to remotely direct a game contestant to the location of a prize, the system comprising:

a persistent computer readable storage;

an incorporation module configured to incorporate a contestant into a virtual game framework, the incorporation module configured to store the contestant's name and mobile phone number in a database record in the persistent computer readable storage, the incorporation module configured to verify a contestant's name and registration by messaging the contestant wirelessly using one of a Short Message Service (SMS) and a Multimedia Message Service (MMS);

a distributor module configured to effectuate a wireless distribution to the contestant of a digitized clue stored in persistent storage with a plurality of digitized clues, the digitized clue indicative of the physical location of one or more items of value ensconced with a confirmation code, the digitized clue distributed in response to receipt of SMS from the contestant that matches the confirmation code exclusively associated with the digitized clue, the confirmation code encrypted in the persistent computer readable storage and discoverable exclusively at the physical location indicated by the digitized clue;

a receiver module configured to await SMS receipt the confirmation code sent by the contestant;

a measurement module configured to measure contestant game performance, the measurement module configured to measure one or more of: the time that elapses between transmission of a digitized clue to the contestant and receipt of the confirmation number associated with the digitized clue, mileage traveled by the contestant, relative position with respect to other participants, and points accumulated by the contestant; and

a passive transmitter module configured to interface with a social networking website, the transmitter module configured to transmit one or more measurements of contestant performance data to the social networking website.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the incorporation module is further configured to await a reply SMS message sent from the contestant before incorporating the contestant into the virtual game framework, the reply SMS sent to one of a short code text number and a standard telephone number.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the incorporation module is further configured to await a reply SMS message sent to a standard telephone number from the contestant before incorporating the contestant into the virtual game framework

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising an active transmitter module configured to electronically transmit one or more measurements of contestant performance data to individuals who have affirmatively requested said contestant performance data via an Internet, the transmission comprising one of: an SMS, an email, and an asynchronous API transmission via the Internet.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the item of value comprises an amount of money that grows in direct proportion to one of: the digitally totaled amount of money received electronically from sponsors of the competition and the amount of observers who have communicated with the active transmitter module.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the contestant is virtually grouped into one of a plurality of contestant groups in accordance with a predetermined algorithm.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the digitized clues are distributed sequentially in accordance with a predetermined sequence to each contestant in a contestant group in the plurality of contestant groups.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the measurement module is in communication with a Global Positioning System (GPS) in possession of the contestant.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver module is configured to await one or more of: SMS receipt the confirmation code sent by the contestant, RFID confirmation of contestant presence at a predetermined location, an optical scan of a QR Code, GPS confirmation of contestant presence at a predetermined location, and magnetic card swipe of a card in the possession of the contestant.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the incorporation module is further configured to incorporate a team of contestants into a single database record.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the digitized clue is randomly selected from the plurality of digitized clues.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising a tallying module configured to receive and tally votes communicated telephonically by third-parties tracking contestant performance, the tallying module storing vote tallies in the persistent computer storage.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the digitized clue is transmitted to the contestant accumulating the highest vote tally.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising an automatic call distributor (ACD).

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the confirmation code is relayed by the contestant to the receiver module telephonically with DTMF signaling.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver module comprises in IVR platform configured to recognize oral recitation of the confirmation code by the contestant.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the transmitter module is further configured to transmit one or more measurements of contestant performance data electronically to a television network.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the item of value comprises a pool of money that grows in direct proportion to the amount of viewers garnered by the television network broadcasting a television program comprising contestant performance data and commentary on the game.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the confirmation code stored at the location of the prize is generated by a computer device.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the receiver module is further configured to acknowledge receipt of the confirmation code in response to correct transmission of the confirmation receipt and further configured to inform the contestant of non-confirmation of the confirmation code in response to incorrect transmission of the confirmation code.

21. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer usable program code executable to perform operations for directing a game contestant to the location of a prize, the operations of the computer program product comprising:

incorporating a contestant into a virtual game framework, the incorporation module configured to store the contestant's name and mobile phone number in a database record in the persistent computer readable storage, the incorporation module configured to verify a contestant's name and registration by messaging the contestant wirelessly using one of a Short Message Service (SMS) and a Multimedia Message Service (MMS);

effectuating a wireless distribution to the contestant of a digitized clue stored in persistent storage with a plurality of digitized clues, the digitized clue indicative of the physical location of one or more items of value ensconced with a confirmation code, the digitized clue distributed in response to receipt of SMS from the contestant that satisfies the confirmation code exclusively associated with the digitized clue;

awaiting SMS receipt the confirmation code sent by the contestant;

measuring one or more of: the time that elapses between transmission of a digitized clue to the contestant and receipt of the confirmation number associated with the digitized clue, mileage traveled by the contestant, points accumulated by the contestant, the order in which contestants reach physical locations identified by the plurality of digitized clues; and

interfacing with a social networking website, the transmitter module configured to transmit one or more measurements of contestant performance data to the social networking website.

22. The computer program product of claim 21, further comprising distributing a digitized clue sequentially, in accordance with a predetermined sequence, to each contestant in a contestant group in the plurality of contestant groups.