Card Drafting And Trading System And Method

Abstract

A method of drafting and trading cards includes providing a box of hidden cards, a computer system operating a draft, and a plurality of openings in the draft available for acquisition by users. The users acquire the openings in the draft and are arranged in spots within a draft order by the computer system. A spot attribute value is assigned to each spot. The spot attribute value assigned to the spot matches a card attribute value highest in a preference list of card attribute values created by the user occupying the spot and not already assigned to another spot. The users then trade spots to occupy spots assigned with more desirable spot attribute values. After trading, the cards are revealed. Cards having card attribute values matching spot attribute values are issued to users occupying spots assigned with the matching spot attribute values.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/827,715, filed May 27, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to trading cards, and more particularly to a system and method for acquiring and trading trading cards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trading cards are a staple of childhood and adolescence, when the cards of idol athletes and legends are purchased, traded, and kept safe. Trading cards are frequently purchased in packs, which are sealed opaque pouches containing a number of cards which are generally quite low in value. Occasionally, a card in the pack may have a higher value, because it is an error card, a rookie card, the card for a desired player, or for some other reason. But generally, packs of trading cards contained fairly low-value cards so as to make them accessible to a wide audience.

At another end of the trading card spectrum, high-value cards are distributed in boxes. Boxes, like packages, are sealed and opaque so that the contents cannot be seen. Unlike packages, boxes are distributed with one or several high-value cards or other memorabilia, such as autographs. While the boxes also contain low-value cards, they usually contain high-value cards. Accordingly, boxes are generally sold at high prices.

Average boxes range from around $100 to $150 in price, but some boxes containing high-value cards can cost between $400 and $600. This prices many people out of the market, because it is simply too much money to spend when the contents are unknown, and there is a risk that the cards acquired from the box, though they may value, may not desirable to the purchaser of the entire box. As such, an improved way of providing access to the desired cards within a box is needed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the principle of the invention, a method of drafting and trading cards allows a plurality of users to acquire openings in a draft so as to receive desired cards from one or several boxes in which the cards are hidden. The method generally includes providing a box including a number of hidden cards, each of the cards to be drafted by users of a draft and having a unique card attribute value, providing a computer system operating the draft and maintaining user accounts for the users, the user accounts including preference lists of card attribute values for each user, and providing a plurality of openings in the draft equal to the number of cards. The users acquire the openings in the draft, thereby becoming draft participants. The draft participants are organized into a draft order, each draft participant occupying a spot in the draft order. The method next includes assigning a unique spot attribute value to each spot in the draft order, and then revealing the cards of the box, thereby revealing the card attribute value of each card. Each of the cards is assigned to one of the spots, and to each draft participant occupying a spot, the card assigned to the spot occupied by the draft participant is issued and delivered to that draft participant.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a generalized schematic view of a system of drafting and trading cards constructed and arranged according to the principle of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a generalized schematic illustrating a preference list of card attribute values for a card attribute constructed by a user of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a generalized process flow chart showing steps employed by the system of FIG. 1 in a method of drafting and trading cards;

FIG. 4 is a generalized schematic illustrating randomization of a list of users in the system of FIG. 1 and assignment of spot attribute values to spots the users occupy in the list; and

FIGS. 5-9 illustrate a series of trades of spots assigned with spot attribute values among users in the system of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now is made to the drawings, in which the same reference characters are used throughout the different figures to designate the same elements. FIG. 1 is a generalized schematic of a card drafting and trading system 20 constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention. The system 20 is useful for allowing users 21 to participate in a draft of cards from boxes 22, the cards including sport cards, fantasy cards, and like trading cards.

Very generally, the system 20 includes a networked computer server 23 on which a website 24 is hosted to the internet 27. A host 25, such as a webmaster or owner of the server 23 or other person, accesses the server 23 through a host computer 30 to facilitate “box breaks.” A box break is an opening of a sealed box 22 which includes a number of hidden cards about to be revealed in a draft. Users 21 purchase openings in the draft and are provided with spots in an organized, and preferably randomized, list of users participating in the draft. Each spot occupied by a user 21 is assigned a value, such as a specific sports team, which corresponds to values that may appear in the cards hidden in the box 22. A trading period during which users can trade spots within and among boxes is then preferably held. The host 25 then conducts each box break by “breaking” open the box 22 and revealing the hidden cards. Each card having a value which matches the value of a spot is issued to the user occupying the spot.

To participate in a box break, users 21 must first register with the system 20. A user 21 establishes a user account 26 on the server 23 by logging into the server 23 from their own user computer 33 and creating the user account 26. The user 21 creates the user account 26 and provides a username and a password which provide the user 21 with unique and exclusive access to the user account 26. The user 21 then creates a user profile which is saved on the server 23 in the user account 26 for the user 21. The user profile includes biographical information such as the actual name of the user 21 and the username, or screen name, of the user 21 and address information. A username is, for instance, a fictional name or avatar to represent the user 21 on the website 24. The user 21 may also select an avatar image, from either a personal image file or an image file provided by the server 23, to enhance the portrayal of the user 21 on the website 24. The user 21 also enters electronic payment information, such as credit or debit card information, PayPal® account information, or like information for making online payments.

Each user account 26 allows the user to create preference lists of preferred card attribute values, or of preferences for cards that may be revealed in a box break. Each of the cards in a box 22 includes a plurality of card attributes and a unique card attribute value for each of the card attributes. Card attributes are characteristics of the cards which are common to all of the cards. For instance, in a box of football cards, every card includes, at least, the card attributes of team, player, position, jersey color, touchdowns, sacks, college, rookie year, and similar characteristics. The card attribute is a general category; each card attribute has a card attribute value which identifies and distinguishes a card from others. The card attribute values are values for each card attribute; they are identifiers within the category. For instance, for the card attribute of teams, the card attribute values include Cardinals, Colts, Giants, Jets, etc. For the card attribute of position, the card attribute values include quarterback, running back, center, linebacker, etc. It is noted that these card attribute values can change with time; for example, a team that may exist in 2013 may be disbanded in 2014.

The user 21 selects card attribute values for each card attribute and generally organizes the card attribute values by preference within an ordered preference list of card attribute values. For example, FIG. 2 shows a preference list 70 for the card attribute of teams for an exemplary user 21. The user 21 has organized the preference list 70 according to his considerations. The Cardinals occupy the top position highest in the preference list 70, and the Broncos occupy the bottom position lowest in the preference list 70. The considerations driving the organization of the preference list 70 are entirely personal to the user 21; he may have organized the list based on needs for building a personal collection of specific cards, he may believe that placing the Cardinals highest in the list presents the best chance of acquiring a high-value card, or there may be some other reason for organizing the preference list 70 in the manner he has chosen. Each preference list 70 of a user is customizable by that user 21. Moreover, the preference list 70 is specific to a box value. Each of the boxes 22 has one of a plurality of box values. The box values are characteristics of the box which distinguish that box from other boxes. For example, box values may include the year of the box, the manufacturer of the box, the series of the box, or other similar characteristics. For the preference list 70 shown in FIG. 2, the preference list 70 is specific to a box value of 2013, and the teams shown are all teams which were active in 2013. For a box value with the year 1982, the preference list 70 for a user 21 would be different since different teams were operating in 1982. The preference list 70 is preferably built when the user registers his user account 26, but the system 20 allows the user 21 to change his preference list 70 at any time by dragging and dropping card attribute values within the preference list 70. In this way, the user 21 builds and organizes many preference lists 70 of card attribute values for each card attribute, wherein each preference list 70 is specific to a box value. It is noted here that the pronouns “he” and “his” will be used to refer to a user 21, though, for convenience only; this is not intended to be a limiting or offensive definition.

Once the user 21 has created his user account 26, he can begin participating in box breaks. The host 25 organizes the box breaks. Typically, the host 25 will arrange a period of time, known as the “draft” and identified in the various FIGS. with the reference character 50, for breaking a box. Several boxes 22 are typically broken during the draft 50, such as three boxes 22 within an evening. Referring now to FIG. 3, prior to the beginning of the draft 50, the boxes 22 are advertised to the users 21 on the website 24, as shown in step 40 in FIG. 3. The boxes 22 are advertised with limited information, because the contents of the boxes 22 are hidden to not only the users 21, but to the host 25 as well. Such limited information includes box values, such as the manufacturer of the cards in the box 22, the year from which the cards were drawn, and may also include other information such as the number of cards in the box 22. For instance, the website 24 may advertise that the box 22 to be broken is a 2012 Topps box containing eight cards. Some other information may be available, such as the number of autographed cards, limited edition cards, or standard cards in the box 22, if such information is known to the host 25 and desired to be revealed by the host 25.

After the box 22 is advertised, openings in the draft are made available for acquisition, as shown in step 41 in FIG. 3. The host 25 preferably selects and sets the amount of time between the initial advertisement of the box and making the openings available for purchase; often this will be between a few hours to a few days. The host also sets the acquisition price for an opening; where an opening can be purchased, the opening may have a cost as low as a dollar or two or as high as several dozen or even hundred dollars. The number of openings for the box in the draft equals the number of hidden cards in the box 22; boxes 22 with more cards will have a greater number of openings for purchase than those with a lesser number of cards. A user 21 can acquire a single opening in the box for the draft or multiple openings in the box or boxes for the draft; the user 21 decides how many openings to acquire based on his risk tolerance, desire to play, financial and other considerations. Each opening available for acquisition corresponds to one of the boxes 22, such that when the user 21 purchases an opening in the draft, he is purchasing an opening in the draft for a specific box 22 with a specific box value.

In step 42, the users 21 acquire the openings in the draft, thereby becoming draft participants. Draft participants are users 21 who have acquired an opening allowing them to participate in the draft, so that the users 21 have a chance of being issued a card from the box 22 which will be broken in the draft. As such, from here forward, the description will refer to draft participants as users 21 who have purchased an opening in the draft, and will refer to users 21 generally as those users 21 who have not purchased or not yet purchased an opening in the draft. It is further noted that a user 21 preferably acquires an opening by purchase, such as by exchanging financial consideration in the form of cash, credit, debit, virtual currency, bitcoin, and the like. Users 21 may acquire a single opening in the draft for one box 21, may acquire multiple openings in the draft for one box 21, may acquire single openings in the draft in multiple boxes 21, or may acquire multiple openings in the draft for multiple boxes 21. Again the user 21 decides how many openings to acquire based on his risk tolerance, desire to play, financial and other considerations.

As more users 21 acquire openings, less openings are available. The website 21 displays in real time the users 21 acquiring the openings; as an opening is acquired, the username of the user 21 who acquired the opening is displayed in a list below the username of the user 21 who acquired the previous opening. When all of the openings for a box have been acquired, the box 22 closes, as shown in step 43 of FIG. 3. When the box 22 closes, no more openings for that box 22 can be acquired, and so the draft participants for the box 22 are known. A draft order is then created for each closed box 22, as shown in step 44. To create the draft order for each box 22, the draft participants are organized into an ordered list. The ordered list includes spots equal in number to the number of openings for that box and thus also to the number of cards in that box. The draft participants are initially organized according to the order in which they acquired the openings; the first user 21 to become a draft participant in the box 22 is assigned to a first spot or position in the ordered list, the second user 21 to become a draft participant in the box 22 is assigned to a second spot or position in the ordered list, and so on. FIG. 4 illustrates an ordered list 60 of draft participants A, B, C, D, and E (only five draft participants are shown for clarity; typically many more openings have been acquired by draft participants). The ordered list 60 is the initial list, and as such, it can be known that draft participant A acquired his opening before draft participant B, who acquired before draft participant C, who acquired before draft participant D, who acquired before draft participant E, because those draft participants 21 are organized into respective first, second, third, fourth, and fifth spots in the ordered list.

Once the ordered list 60 is created, the ordered list 60 is randomized, preferably twice. In one embodiment, the server 23 has an internal, software-based randomizing algorithm which randomly orders the ordered list 60 of draft participants. In a preferred embodiment, the ordered list 60 of users 21 is transmitted to a third-party randomizer 32 (shown in FIG. 1) such as the website www.random.org, for randomizing. A third-party randomizer 32 provides the appearance of neutrality, though the internal, software-based randomizing algorithm is equally neutral.

Returning to FIG. 4, the ordered list 60 of draft participants sent to the randomizer 32 returns a once-randomized list 61, which is then sent back to the randomizer 32 for a second randomizing. A twice-randomized list is returned, which is set as a draft order 62 for the box break in the draft 50. As seen in FIG. 3, the list 60 of draft participants was initially ordered draft participant A, draft participant B, draft participant C, draft participant D, and draft participant E. The once-randomized list 61 included, in order, draft participant A, draft participant C, draft participant E, draft participant D, and draft participant B. The twice-randomized list, or the draft order 62, includes, in order, draft participant E, draft participant B, draft participant A, draft participant C, and draft participant D. The draft order 62 is displayed on the website 24 to be viewed by the draft participants.

After the draft order 62 is set, each spot 31 is assigned a unique spot attribute value, as shown in step 45 in FIG. 3. The spot attribute values correspond to the card attribute values in the preference lists of the draft participants for the box 22. Spot attribute values have the same values as the card attribute values, such as Cardinals, Colts, Giants, Jets, etc. Spot attribute values are assigned to the spots 31 sequentially from the first, or highest, spot 31 to the last, or lowest, spot 31.

For the draft participant first (highest) in the draft order 62, the spot 31 occupied by that draft participant is assigned a spot attribute value equal to the card attribute value highest in the preference list of card attribute values for that draft participant. For example, if the draft participant in the first spot 31 had the preference list shown in FIG. 2, the first spot 31 would be assigned the card attribute value highest in the preference list, the Cardinals. Thus, the first spot 31 in the draft order 62 would be assigned the spot attribute value of the Cardinals.

The second spot 31 is then assigned a spot attribute value similarly. The spot 31 occupied by that draft participant is assigned the card attribute value highest in the preference list of card attribute values for that draft participant, provided, however that that card attribute value was not already assigned to the first spot in the draft order. Card attribute values are unique among the cards in the box, so a specific spot attribute value can only be assigned once. If the card attribute value highest in the preference list of card attribute values was already assigned to the first spot as the spot attribute value, then the card attribute value next highest in the preference list of card attribute values is assigned to that spot 31.

Each subsequent spot 31 is assigned a spot attribute value in a similar way, ensuring that all spots 31 are assigned unique spot attribute values. For each subsequent spot 31, that spot 31 is assigned a spot attribute value of the card attribute value highest in the preference list of card attribute values for the draft participant occupying that spot 31, provided that that card attribute value has not already been assigned, and if so, then assigning the next highest card attribute value in the preference list of card attribute values for the draft participant. In FIG. 4, the draft participant E occupies the first spot 31 in the draft order 62 which has been assigned spot attribute value E1, corresponding to the highest card attribute value in the preference list for draft participant E. Similarly, the draft participant B occupies the second spot 31 in the draft order 62 which has been assigned spot attribute value B1, corresponding to the highest card attribute value in the preference list for draft participant B. Draft participant A, however, occupies the third spot 31 in the draft order 62, which has been assigned spot attribute value A2, corresponding to the second highest card attribute value in the preference list for draft participant A, because the highest card attribute value in his preference (card attribute value A1) had already been assigned, either to the first or second spots in the draft order. On other words, card attribute value A1 was the same as one of card attribute values E1 or B1. Similarly, draft participant C occupies the fourth spot 31 assigned with spot attribute value C3, corresponding to the third highest card attribute value in the preference list of draft participant C, and draft participant D occupies the fifth spot 31 assigned with spot attribute value D2, corresponding to the second highest card attribute value in the preference list of draft participant D. In this way, the draft participants are organized in spots 31 which have been assigned spot attribute values corresponding to the highest card attribute values in their respective preference list which had not already been assigned to a higher spot 31. As can be seen, draft participants lower in the draft order 62 are less likely to occupy spots 31 assigned with card attribute values high in their preference lists than are draft participants higher in the draft order 62, while draft participants higher in the draft order 62 are more likely to occupy spots 31 assigned with card attribute values high in their preference lists than are draft participants lower in the draft order 62.

As an example, in FIG. 4, draft participant E is in the highest spot 31 in the draft order 62, and as such, that spot 31 will be assigned the highest card attribute value in draft participant E's preference list of card attribute values. If his preference list includes at the top the Rams, Patriots, Cardinals, Seahawks, and Giants, the Rams will be assigned to the first spot 31, occupied by draft participant E. Draft participant B is in the second spot 31 in the draft order 62, and as such, the second spot 31 will be assigned the highest card attribute in his preference list of card attribute values that was not selected by user E above user B. If user B's list includes at the top the Seahawks, Titans, Dolphins, Raiders, and Cardinals, then the Seahawks will be assigned to the second spot 31, occupied by draft participant B, because the Seahawks are at the top of his preference list of card attribute values and were not assigned to draft participant E. Draft participant A is in the third spot 31 in the draft order 62, and as such, the third spot 31 in the draft order 62 will be assigned the highest card attribute in his preference list of card attribute values that was not assigned to the spots 31 occupied by draft participant E or draft participant B. If draft participant A's preference list includes at the top the Rams, Titans, Ravens, Bills, and Bengals, then the third spot will be assigned the Titans, because the Titans are at the top of draft participant A's preference list of card attribute values and were not already assigned to draft participants E or B (the Rams having already been assigned to the spot 31 occupied by draft participant E). Draft participant C is in the fourth spot 31 in the draft order 62, and as such, the fourth spot 31 in the draft order 62 will next be assigned the highest card attribute in his preference list of card attribute values that was not selected by draft participants E, B, or A. If draft participant C's preference list includes at the top the Seahawks, Titans, Cardinals, Patriots, and Jets, then the fourth spot 31 will be assigned the Cardinals, because the Cardinals are at the top of draft participant C's preference list of card attribute values and were not previously assigned to draft participants E, B, or A (the Seahawks and Titans having previously been assigned to the spots 31 occupied by the draft participants B and A, respectively). Draft participant D is in the fifth spot 31 in the draft order 62, and as such, the fifth spot 31 will be assigned the highest card attribute in his preference list of card attribute values that was not already assigned to the spots occupied by draft participants E, B, A, or C. If draft participant D's preference list includes at the top the Cardinals, Eagles, Rams, Seahawks, and Ravens, then the fifth spot, occupied by draft participant D, will be assigned the Eagles, because the Eagles are at the top of his preference list of card attribute values and were not assigned to draft participants E, B, A, or C (the Cardinals having been previously assigned to the spot 31 occupied by draft participant C). This process continues, with each spot 31 occupied by a draft participant 21 further down in the draft order 62 being assigned a card attribute value as well, until each spot 31 in the draft order 62 has been assigned a unique spot attribute value.

The draft orders 62 are thus set, and spot attribute values are thus assigned for every box 22 in the draft. If only one box 22 will be broken in the draft, only one draft order 62 is organized and spot attribute values assigned for that draft order 62. If, on the other hand, several boxes 22 will be broken, draft orders 62 are organized for each box 22, and each spot 31 in each box 22 is assigned a spot attribute value. Trading then begins, according to step 46 in FIG. 3. During trading, draft participants can trade within a single box in which they are participating, or they can trade among some or all of the boxes being broken in the same draft. The website 24 provides a forum on which trading takes place. A draft participant may offer his spot 31 assigned with a spot attribute value, or a draft participant may post a request for a spot 31 assigned with a desired spot attribute value in a box 22.

In response to a draft participant offering his spot 31 for trade, the website 24 displays the offer by displaying the spot attribute value assigned to that spot 31, the box 22 in which spot 31 exists, and the amount that the opening corresponding to the spot 31 was purchased for, since some openings are more expensive than others. If a draft participant requests a spot attribute value, the website 24 displays the request. Another draft participant can view the proposed offer or request. If the other draft participant wants to trade with the draft participant, the other draft participant can propose a trade by responding to the draft participant. If the draft participant offered his spot (which is assigned with a unique spot attribute value), then the other user offers his spot (which is also assigned with a unique spot attribute value). If, on the other hand, the first draft participant requested a spot attribute value, then the other draft participant must have a spot 31 with that spot attribute value to respond with an offer. If the trade is acceptable to both parties, the trade is made.

Many trades can be made after the spot attribute values are assigned to spots 31 and before the draft begins. The website 24 displays all offers and requests on the trading forum, and draft participants trade frequently to obtain more desirable spots having more desirable spot attribute values. In response to a draft participant hovering his cursor icon over prospective trades, the website 24 will display details about the trade, such as the spot attribute value, the box 22 in which the spot 31 is located, and the original purchase price of the opening corresponding to the spot 31, so that draft participants may view the details of a proposed trade. For example, hovering over a colored box icon containing the words “DET” calls up a pop-up box that states “Detroit Lions—Box 20 ($10.00),” letting the draft participant know that this is a potential trade for a spot 31 assigned with the spot attribute value of Detroit Lions in Box 20, which opening was purchased for $10.

For explanation, FIGS. 5-9 illustrate hypothetical trades among three Boxes 1, 2, and 3 being broken in the draft. In FIG. 5, draft participant C wishes to trade; he occupies the fourth spot 31 in the draft order in Box 1, and that spot 31 has been assigned with a spot attribute value of C3, matching the card attribute value which is third in the preference list of draft participant C, which preference list is specific to the box value of Box 1. In this way, the fourth spot 31 in Box 1 is permanently assigned with the spot attribute value C3, and so draft participant C is offering to trade the fourth spot 31 in Box 1 which has a spot attribute value of C3. Draft participant C posts on the trade forum that he is willing to trade the fourth spot 31 in Box 1 assigned with the spot attribute value C3. Draft participant B sees the trade offered on the forum. Draft participant B has spots 31 in each of Boxes A, B, and C, and thus can offer one, some, or all of those spots 31. Draft participant B offers to draft participant C his spot 31 in Box 2, which is assigned with the spot attribute value B3 (assigned from the card attribute value B3 in the preference list of draft participant B). Draft participant B occupies the third spot 31 in Box 2. Both draft participants B and C agree to the trade, and the trade is made. FIG. 6 shows that draft participant C and draft participant B have switched spots 31 with each other; draft participant B now occupies the fourth spot 31 in Box 1, and draft participant C now has the third spot 31 in Box 2. While the draft participants B and C have switched spots 31 in the Boxes 1 and 2, the spot attribute values have not; the spot attribute value of C3 originally assigned to the fourth spot 31 in Box 1 is still assigned to the fourth spot in Box 1, and the spot attribute value of B3 originally assigned to the third spot 31 in Box 2 is still assigned to the third spot in Box 2.

FIG. 7 shows the completion of the trade between draft participants B and C. Also in FIG. 7, draft participant J wishes to trade; he has been assigned to the third spot 31 in the draft order in Box 3. Draft participant J posts on the trade forum that he is willing to trade his spot 31 in Box 3. Draft participant D sees the trade offered in the trade forum. Draft participant D occupies spots 31 in each of Boxes 1, 2, and 3. Draft participant D offers two spots 31 in consideration for draft participant J's spot in Box 3. As shown in FIG. 8, Draft participant D offers his fifth spot 31 in Box 1 as well as his fourth spot 31 in Box 2 in exchange for draft participant J's third spot 31 in Box 3. Draft participant offers two spots 31 in exchange for a spot 31 in a box he already occupies, albeit a higher spot (draft participant D already occupies the fourth spot 31 in Box 3). Draft participant may strongly believe that there is a benefit to having two spots 31 in Box C. Both draft participants D and J agree to the trade, and the trade is made. FIG. 9 shows that draft participant D and draft participant J have switched spots 31; draft participant D now has the third spot 31 in Box C, and draft participant J now has the fifth spot 31 in Box A and the fourth spot 31 in Box B. Again, while the draft participants D and J have switched spots 31 in the Boxes 1, 2, and 3, the spot attribute values have not moved; the spot attribute value of D2 originally assigned to the fifth spot in Box 1 is still assigned to the fifth spot in Box 1, the spot attribute value of D3 originally assigned to the fourth spot in Box 2 is still assigned to the fourth spot in Box 2, and the spot attribute value of J2 originally assigned to the third spot 3 in Box 3 is still assigned to the third spot 31 in Box 31.

Trading carries on in this manner, until just before the draft 50 during which the boxes 22 are broken. Just before the boxes 22 are to be broken, the host 25 turns on the host computer 30 and the web camera 34, and the website 24 begins to live stream video of the host 25 captured by the web camera 34. The host 25 informs the users 21 that the boxes 22 are about to be broken, generally by making an announcement on the video, and that trading should stop. The host 25 then closes trading and begins breaking the boxes 22 by revealing the cards. Once the host 25 has closed trading, no further trades are allowed. Trades which are proposed but not yet completed are lost once the host 25 begins breaking boxes. Preferably, the host 25 marks the end of trading by making the announcement and triggering a signal, such as by pressing a button on the host computer 30, which causes the server 23 to close trading, end current trades, and prevent future trades for the draft.

Once trading is closed, the host 25 then breaks the boxes 22, as shown in step 47 on FIG. 3. The boxes 22 generally include several cards wrapped in sealed, opaque plastic pouches. Each of the cards in a single box 22 has a plurality of card attribute values, each of which is unique and hidden from view before the box 22 is broken. The host 25 picks up the first box 22, shows it to the camera 34, and cuts open the box 22. The host 25 often initially hides all the cards in the box 22 from the camera 34, to build suspense. The host 25 picks up the first card in the box 22, reveals it to the camera 34 so as to display the card attribute values of the card, and reveals and identifies the card attribute values of the card, such as the particular player, team, position, etc. The host 25 then puts the first card down and picks the next card up and reveals it to the camera 34 as well, revealing and identifying the attribute values of the card. The host 25 continues this process for all of the cards in the box, generally providing witty banter during the process for the draft participants' entertainment. When all of the cards in the first box 22 have been revealed, the host 25 breaks the remaining boxes in the same manner.

The host 25 then issues the cards, as in step 48 in FIG. 3. For each box 22, the host 25 issues cards to winning draft participants, defined as draft participants who occupy a spot 31 assigned with a spot attribute value that matches a card attribute value of a card actually revealed in the box 22. The host 25 issues the card to the winning draft participant occupying the spot 31 with the spot attribute value that matches the card attribute value of that particular card. Not all spots 31 will have spot attribute values matching a card attribute value of a card in the box; indeed, some draft participants may not be issued a card. The server 23 maintains the draft order for each box and the spot attribute values assigned to all spots 31 in the draft order. The host 25 then simply matches cards with winning draft participants based on matching card attribute values with spot attribute values. For instance, if a draft participant occupies a spot 31 assigned with the Cardinals as the spot attribute value, and a card with a player from the Cardinals was in the box 22, that draft participant occupying that spot 31 is considered a winning draft participant and is issued the card. If a draft participant occupies a spot 31 assigned with the Ravens as a spot attribute value, and no cards with a player from the Ravens were in the box 22, that draft participant is not issued a card. The host 25 then delivers the cards to the draft participants to whom the cards are issued, such as by mail or other conventional delivery methods.

The present invention is described above with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the present invention. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.

Having fully and clearly described the invention so as to enable one having skill in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is:

Claims

1. A method of drafting, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a box including a number of hidden cards, each of the cards to be drafted by users of a draft and having a unique card attribute value;

providing a computer system operating the draft and maintaining user accounts for the users, the user accounts including preference lists of card attribute values for each user;

providing a plurality of openings in the draft equal to the number of cards;

the users acquiring the openings in the draft, thereby becoming draft participants;

organizing the draft participants into a draft order, each draft participant occupying a spot in the draft order;

assigning a unique spot attribute value to each spot in the draft order;

revealing the cards of the box, thereby revealing the card attribute value of each card;

assigning each of the cards to the spots; and

to each draft participant occupying a spot, issuing the card assigned to the spot occupied by the draft participant.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of allowing the draft participants to trade spots with each other after assigning a unique spot attribute value to each spot.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of revealing the cards of the box comprises preventing box participants from trading spots with each other.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of assigning the cards to the spots includes assigning the card to the spot with the spot attribute value that matches the card attribute value of the card.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

advertising the box to the users; and

making the openings available for purchase by the users.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the box of cards has one of a plurality of box values; and

each preference list of card attribute values is specific to one of the plurality of box values.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of assigning a unique spot attribute value to each spot comprises the steps of:

for the draft participant highest in the draft order, assigning to the spot occupied by the respective draft participant a spot attribute value matching the card attribute value highest in the preference list of card attribute values for the respective draft participant;

for the draft participant next highest in the draft order, assigning to the spot occupied by the respective draft participant a spot attribute value matching the card attribute value highest in the preference list of card attribute values for the respective draft participant which has not already been assigned; and

repeating the above step for remaining draft participants in the draft order.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of organizing the draft participants into a draft order includes randomizing the draft order.

9. A method of drafting, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a box including a number of hidden cards, each of the cards to be drafted by users of a draft and having a unique card attribute value;

providing a computer system operating the draft and maintaining user accounts for the users, the user accounts including preference lists of card attribute values for each user;

providing a plurality of openings in the draft equal to the number of cards;

the users acquiring the openings in the draft, thereby becoming draft participants;

organizing the draft participants into a draft order, each draft participant occupying a spot in the draft order;

assigning a unique spot attribute value to each spot in the draft order;

allowing the draft participants to trade spots with each other;

revealing the cards of the box, thereby revealing the card attribute value of each card; and

issuing the cards to the spots.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of revealing the cards of the box comprises ending the step of allowing the draft participants to trade spots with each other.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of issuing the cards to the spots comprises, for each card of the box, assigning the card to a winning draft participant, the winning draft participant defining the draft participant occupying the spot assigned with the spot attribute value that matches the card attribute value of the card.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of issuing the cards to the spots includes, for each card of the box:

assigning the card to the spot with the spot attribute value that matches the card attribute value of the card; and

delivering the card assigned to the spot occupied by the draft participant to the draft participant.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

advertising the box to the users; and

making the openings available for purchase by the users.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein:

the box of cards has one of a plurality of box values; and

each preference list of card attribute values is specific to one of the plurality of box values.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of assigning a unique spot attribute value to each spot comprises the steps of:

for the draft participant highest in the draft order, assigning to the spot occupied by the respective draft participant a spot attribute value matching the card attribute value highest in the preference list of card attribute values for the respective draft participant;

for the draft participant next highest in the draft order, assigning to the spot occupied by the respective draft participant a spot attribute value matching the card attribute value highest in the preference list of card attribute values for the respective draft participant which has not already been assigned; and

repeating the above step for remaining draft participants in the draft order.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of organizing the draft participants into a draft order includes randomizing the draft order.

17. A method of drafting, the method comprising the steps of:

providing first and second boxes, the first and second boxes including first and second numbers of hidden cards, respectively, and having unique first and second box values of a plurality of box values, respectively, and each of the cards to be drafted by users of a draft and having a unique card attribute value within the respective first and second box;

providing a computer system operating the draft and maintaining user accounts for the users, the user accounts including preference lists of card attribute values for each user;

providing a plurality of first and second openings in the draft equal to the number of cards of the first and second boxes, respectively;

the users acquiring the first and second openings in the draft, thereby becoming draft participants;

organizing the draft participants into spots in first and second draft orders for the first and second boxes, respectively;

assigning a spot attribute value to each spot, each spot attribute value being unique to the respective first or second box;

allowing the draft participants to trade spots with each other between the first and second boxes;

revealing the cards of the first and second boxes, thereby revealing the card attribute value of each card; and

for each card of the first and second boxes, issuing the card to the draft participant occupying the spot with the spot attribute value that matches the card attribute value of the card.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein each preference list of card attribute values is specific to one of the plurality of box values.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of assigning a spot attribute value to each spot comprises, for each of the first and second draft orders, the steps of:

for the draft participant highest in the respective first or second draft order, assigning to the spot occupied by the respective draft participant a spot attribute value matching the card attribute value highest in the preference list of card attribute values for the respective draft participant;

for the draft participant next highest in the respective first or second draft order of draft participants, assigning to the spot occupied by the respective draft participant a spot attribute value matching the card attribute value highest in the preference list of card attribute values for the respective draft participant which has not already been assigned; and

repeating the above step for remaining draft participants in the respective first or second draft order.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of organizing the draft participants into spots in first and second draft orders includes randomizing the first and second draft orders.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of revealing the cards comprises ending the step of allowing the draft participants to trade spots with each other.