Stephenson v. Game Show Network, LLC et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT with Jury Demand against Game Show Network, LLC, WorldWinner.Com, Inc. (paid $350 filing fee; receipt number 1085-905695) by John Stephenson (With attachments) (Harris, Steven)

EXHIBIT A

111111
(12)

United States Patent

Stephenson

(54)

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
US006174237Bl

(10)
(45)

METHOD FOR A GAME OF SKILL
TOURNAMENT

(76)

Inventor:
Notice:

Under 35 U.S.c. 154(b), the term of this
patent shall be extended for 0 days.

(21)

Appl. No.: 09/316,840

(22)

Filed:

(51)

Int. CI? .............................. A63F 13/00; A63F 9/24;
G06F 17/00; G06F 19/00
U.S. CI. ................................. 463/42; 463/25; 463/40;
434/322; 434/332; 700/90; 700/91; 700/92
Field of Search .................................. 463/42, 40, 43,
463/9, 10, 11, 12, 14,25,29,30; 434/322,
323, 324, 332, 350; 700/90, 91, 92, 93

5,643,088
5,649,705
5,660,391
5,660,392
5,743,532
5,755,621
5,768,382
5,816,918
5,836,586
5,902,983
5,944,316
5,970,143
6,019,374
6,048,271

John H. Stephenson, 4608 S.
Knoxville, Tulsa, OK (US) 74135

(*)

(52)
(58)

May 21,1999

References Cited

(56)

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
4,593,904
4,666,160
4,669,730
4,926,327
5,038,022
5,083,271
5,114,155
5,429,361
5,454,570
5,513,117
5,518,249
5,544,892
5,546,523
5,549,300
5,566,946
5,593,349

*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*

6/1986
5/1987
6/1987
5/1990
8/1991
1/1992
5/1992
7/1995
10/1995
4/1996
5/1996
8/1996
8/1996
8/1996
10/1996
1/1997

Graves ............................. 273/1 E X
Hamilton ............................. 273/242
Small ........................... 273/138 A X
Sidley .............................. 364/412 X
Lucero ............................. 235/380 X
Thacher et al. .................. 364/411 X
Tillery et al. .................... 273/371 X
Raven et al. ..................... 273/138 A
Karal .................................... 273/292
Small ............................... 364/479 X
Sines et al. .......................... 273/304
Breeding .......................... 273/292 X
Gatto ................................ 395/156 X
Sardarian ............................. 273/292
Parker .................................. 273/292
Miguel et al. ..................... 463/30 X

Patent No.:
US 6,174,237 Bl
Date of Patent:
Jan. 16,2001

* 7/1997 Vaughn et al. ..................... 463/40 X

*
*
*
*
*
*
*

7/1997
8/1997
8/1997
4/1998
5/1998
6/1998
10/1998
11/1998
5/1999
8/1999
10/1999
2/2000
4/2000

String ................................... 273/292
Klasee .................................. 273/292
Hansen ................................. 273/292
Lafferty ................................ 273/292
Marks et al. ........................... 463/42
Schneier et al. ................... 380/23 X
Kelly et al. ............................ 463/16
Marks et al. ......................... 273/292
Crevelt et al. ................... 235/380 X
Hernandez ........................... 273/292
Schneier et al. ................... 380/23 X
Breeding .......................... 273/292 X
Barcelou ............................ 463/48 X

* cited by examiner
Primary Examiner-Michael O'Neill
Assistant Examiner-Binh-An Nguyen
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Head, Johnson & Kachigian
(57)

ABSTRACT

A method for a game of skill tournament that is challenging
and provides the player a reliable gauge of his skill level as
compared to other players. The tournament has a qualifying
round and a playoff round, and is played over an interactive
computer system. In the qualifying round, a player competes
against a host computer. The object of this round is to score
a sufficient number of points to qualify for the highest level
of performance possible. Once a player obtains a level of
performance, he is recognized for his accomplishment and
given a reward. This allows the player to gauge his skill
level. In the playoff round, those players reaching a predetermined level of performance, play the same game simultaneously against the host computer under the same rules
and conditions for a set amount of time. At the end of this
time frame, the results are analyzed. Those players with the
highest point totals will be recognized and given a reward.
19 Claims, 1 Drawing Sheet

u.s. Patent

Jan. 16,2001

US 6,174,237 Bl

FIG. 1

10\..
22

PLAYER PLAYS
GOSvs. HOST
COMPUTER

ANALYZE
RESULTS

24

PLAYER PLAYS
GOSvs. HOST
COMPUTER
SIMULTANEOUS
WITH OTHER PLAYERS

42

~

40

CLASSIFY
PLAYERS IN
APPROPRIATE LOP

46

32-_

ANALYZE
RESULTS

DISTRIBUTE
LOP AWARD

48

RANK
PLAYERS

50

DISTRIBUTE
AWARDS PER
RANK

52

US 6,174,237 B1
1

2

METHOD FOR A GAME OF SKILL
TOURNAMENT

being played over an interactive computer system, is disclosed. Generally, the qualifying round is played between a
single player and a host computer. The playoff round is
played between those players that have obtained a predetermined level of performance during the qualifying round.
Awards are distributed to those players who reach specific
levels of performance during the qualifying round and to the
top scorers of the playoff round.
For purposes of the present invention, a game of skill is
defined as any game where a player's knowledge and
experience influences the outcome of the game. Examples of
games of skill include but are not limited chess, poker,
bridge, hearts, blackjack and question/answer trivia games.
The game of skill tournament is divided into two distinct
portions: the qualifying round and the playoff round. The
qualifying round is played between a single player through
a computer terminal and a host computer. The host computer
has the ability to act as a game sponsor by keeping score,
operating the game, monitoring the player's progress and to
distribute awards when appropriate. Also, the host computer
has the ability to act as another player if the game requires
more than a single player. The object of the qualifying round
is to obtain a level of performance that will allow a player
to participate in the playoff round. Awards are given to those
players reaching various levels of performance during the
qualifying round and to the top scorers during the playoff
round.
With respect to the levels of performance, there are a
plurality of levels ranging from low-performance to highperformance. Typically, there would be a low-performance
level, one or more mid-performance levels and a highperformance level.
If a player obtains a result while playing a game of skill
during the qualifying round which satisfies a predetermined
criteria specific to a level of performance, the player would
then be classified a player of that level and would be given
an award specific to that level.
If a player obtains a result that qualifies him to be classed
into a level of performance that qualifies him to be able to
participate in the playoff round, he would be eligible to play
the game of skill against the host computer in the playoff
round. During the playoff round, all players which obtained
a specific level of performance would simultaneously play
the game of skill against the host computer under the same
rules and conditions as during the qualifying round, except
for a specific time limit. Typically, the levels of performance
which qualify a player for the playoff round are the highest
most levels.
After the time limit for the playoff round ends, the results
are evaluated, with the players being ranked according to the
number of point each obtained during the playoff round.
Awards are distributed to those players reaching a predetermined ranking. For example, the winner, second place and
third place players will each receive different awards.
The game of skill tournament can be played over an
electronic system, such as a local area network (LAN), wide
area network (WAN), campus-wide network, fixed based
unit network, Intranet or Internet.
The primary object of the present invention is to create a
game of skill tournament which improves upon the prior art
tournaments.
Another object of the present invention is to create a game
of skill tournament which challenges the participants and
reward those participants who obtain a certain level of
performance.
Other objects and a further scope of the applicability of
the present invention will become apparent from the detailed

REFERENCE TO PENDING APPLICATIONS
This application is not related to any pending applica _
tions.

5

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX
This application is not referenced in any microfiche
appendix.

10

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a game of skill
tournament. Specifically, the present invention is directed to
a tournament having a qualifying round and a playoff round,
and played on an interactive computer system. The qualifying round is played between a player through a computer
terminal and a host computer. The playoff round is played
between those players which have obtained a predetermined
level of performance and the host computer. This round is
played under the same rules and conditions as in the qualifying round except all the players are playing simultaneously within a specific time frame on a specific date.
Interactive video computer software, the Internet and the
public's fascination with the challenge, competitiveness and
gratification of computer based video games has increased
the need for new games and gaming formats. There exists
the need for a gaming format which allows a player to gauge
the level of skill he possess as compared to other players,
without traveling long distances and incurring the expenses
of meeting at a central contest site.
For many years, games of skill, such as chess, bridge,
poker and blackjack, have attracted tournaments. Various
types of tournaments have been created and attempted to
satisfy the above mentioned needs. These tournaments
involve games such as poker and blackjack. Typically,
various rules have been placed upon the individual game.
Examples of such attempts are described:
U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,392 to Hansen involves a method for
playing a blackjack type card game having specific rules
regarding the play of the game; U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,391 to
Klasse involves a method for playing blackjack where a
player wagers whether a hand will be a Blackjack, 21, 20,19
or 18; U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,946 to Parker involves a method
to play blackjack where different bets are placed on the Ante
and the Play with different odds being placed on same.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,755,621 to Marks involves a poker card
tournament where a player creates a poker hand by first
receiving a pair of cards, discarding one of the card and
repeating the process until the hand has been completed.
This tournament is played solely between the player and the
house computer system or between other players.
The prior art game of skill games or tournaments have not
been successful. These references do not allow a player to
gauge his level of performance by allowing the player to test
his skill and ability against the tournament sponsor and other
players during the same tournament. There is a need for a
tournament which allows for a player to compete and obtain
a reliable index as to his skill as compared to other competitors competing under the same game conditions while
simultaneously enjoying the game.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention a game of skill
tournament having a qualifying round and a playoff round,

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

55

60

65

US 6,174,237 B1

3

4

description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like parts are designated by like
reference numerals.

results are compared to a predetermined list of levels of
performance 60, as shown in box 26. If the results satisfy
predetermined criteria, the player will be classified into the
level of performance that matches his results, as shown in
box 28. If the player's results do not meet a minimum level
of performance, the player will be eliminated from the
tournament will be terminated, as shown in box 30. If a
player is classified into a level of performance, an award
specific to the specific level of performance is distributed to
the player, as shown in box 32.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

5

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention as shown in FIG. 1, a method directed
toward a game of skill tournament 10 having a qualifying
round 20 and a playoff round 40 is generally disclosed. A
least one player participates in the qualifying round 20
against a host computer. The playoff round 40 is played by
those players that have obtained a predetermined level of
performance during the qualifying round 20 against the host
computer. Awards are distributed to those players who reach
specific levels of performance during the qualifying round
and to those players in the playoff round who obtain a
predetermined rank. The awards can be distributed either
instantaneous or can be made available to be received by the
recipient at some time in future.
The game of skill tournament first begins with at least one
player playing a game of skill against the host computer in
the qualifying round 20 as shown in box 22. The maximum
number of participants during the qualifying round 20 is
open-ended. The only restriction on the number of participants would be specific to the particular game of skill being
played. The game of skill can be any game of skill that
requires the player to utilize his knowledge and experience
to affect the outcome of the game. Examples of games of
skill include but are not limited to games, card games and
strategy games. Card games can include: rummy, gin
rummy, poker, bridge, pinochle, bezique, piquet, klaberjass,
julepe, boure, cribbage, casino, euchre, napoleon, two hand
five hundred, spoil five, ecarte, hearts, cans, seven-up, draw
seven, auction pitch, blackjack, pontoon, fifteen, van john,
seven and a half, ten and half, pong, maco, chemin de fer,
baccarat, skin game, horse race, eights, sharnery, sharney
gin, doctor videtti, tableanette, and solitaire. Trivia games
can include games relating to: geography, history, motion
pictures, science, the Bible, literature, fictional writings,
nonfictional writings, musicians, writers, composers, actors,
statesmen, military battles, military leaders, mathematical
problems, mathematical formulas, fine arts, horticulture,
agriculture, medicine, television shows, spelling, phrase
origins, word origins, science-fiction, sporting events,
athletics, anatomy and astronomy. Strategy games can
include: crossword puzzles, word search, word scramble,
word match, chess, maze games, computer-generated sporting games, player participation sports including but not
limited to virtual sporting events, video sporting events and
computer-based sporting events, player participation virtual
reality games, player participation action games, dominos,
checkers, pinball and foosball trivia.
The object of the qualifying round 20 is to obtain a
sufficient number of points during the course of play which
satisfies a predetermined criteria for a level of performance.
Qualifying round 20 can be only a single game or a series of
games. Once a player has obtained sufficient points which
would classify him in the top most level of performance, the
player would not have to continue with the game or games.
Once the player completes his play against the host
computer, the results are analyzed, as shown in box 24. The

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

If a player is eliminated from the tournament, he has the
ability to begin a new qualifying round. The reasons for
beginning a new qualifying round include attempting to
qualify for the minimum level of performance, qualifying
for a higher level of performance and to receive additional
rewards.
If a player is classified into a level of performance that
would qualify him to participate in the playoff round 40, the
player will advance, as shown in box 34. Typically, these
qualifying levels of performance are reserved for the highest
most levels of performance. If the player's level of performance does not meet the predetermined qualifying level of
performance, the player will be eliminated from the
tournament, as shown in box 38. As mentioned above, the
player would be able to begin a new qualifying round in
order to attempt to reach a level of performance that would
allow him to participate in the playoff round 40.

Typically the qualifying round is played in a continuous
manner. By this it is meant that the player selects the day and
time in which to participate. The only limitations to this time
frame is if the qualifying round is not active. An example of
this is illustrated as follows: The tournament is open for
qualifying round play from Monday at noon to Saturday at
midnight. Any player would have the ability to participate in
the qualifying round at the time of his choice as long as it
was between the pre-established time frame.
The playoff round 40 will begin at a preset time with those
player who have qualified by a specific cut-off date and time
playing the game of skill against the host computer, as
shown in box 42. The playoff round will continue for a
preset amount of time, as shown in step 43. After the playoff
round has concluded, the results are analyzed, as shown in
step 46. The results are analyzed to determine the each
player's rank. The players are ranked according to
performance, as shown in step 48. An award is then distributed to those players which have reached a predetermined
rank, as shown in step 50. The tournament then end as
shown in step 52.
EXAMPLE OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

55

60

65

An example of the preferred embodiment of the present
invention is set forth below. The parameters of the example
are for illustrative purposes only. They are not intended to
limit the scope of the invention. The game of skill will be set
as Hearts. The tournament will be played over the Internet,
where the host computer and participants' terminals are each
in different locations. The qualifying round is open for play
seven days a week, twenty-four hours per day. The playoff
round is to played on each Saturday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
GMT. The playoff qualifying cutoff date and time is Saturday at noon, GMT.
The predetermined levels of performance are set out
below in Table 1.

US 6,174,237 B1
5

6

interactive computer system, said interactive computer system having a host computer system, a plurality of terminals
TABLE 1
computers and compatible software, said method comprisLevel
Minimum Points
Award
ing the following steps:
5
a. playing a game of skill in a qualifying round between
Bronze
200
X
Silver
300
2X
a single player and the host computer;
Gold
400
3X
b. evaluating the results of said qualifying round to
Platinum
500
4X
determine if said player qualifies to be classified within
a specific performance level from a plurality of perforPoints are earned based on winning rounds of play. The 10
mance levels ranging from a low performance level to
qualifying levels of performance include the Gold and
a high performance level;
Platinum levels. Four players start the qualifying round
c. evaluating the results of said qualifying round to
against the host computer. Since the tournament is played
determine if said player qualifies to be classified within
over the Internet, each player is able to participate at a
a qualifying performance level taken from said pluralvariety of locations at the time of their choosing prior to 15
ity of performance levels;
noon on Saturday.
d. distributing to said player a performance level award,
The host computer is represented by a computer system
said performance level award being dependent upon the
having compatible hardware and software. The location of
specific performance level obtained;
the host computer system can be a different location than
those locations of each player. Through a series of two-way 20
e. playing said game of skill in a playoff round between
communications, the game of skill is conducted between the
said player and the host computer simultaneously along
players and the host computer system.
with other players, wherein each player has been clasAfter each player has completed the qualifying round, the
sified within a qualifying performance level;
results are analyzed. The results are listed in Table 2.
f. evaluating the results of said playoff round to determine
a tournament winner and subsequent ranking of play25
TABLE 2
ers; and
g. distributing tournament awards to tournament particiPlayer
Score
Classification
Award
Advance
pants.
A
75
None
None
No
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said interactive comB
250
Bronze
X
No
30 puter system is selected from the group consisting of a local
C
400
Gold
3X
Yes
area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), campus0
525
Platinum
4X
Yes
wide network, fixed based unit network, Intranet or Internet.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said qualifying round
The results show Player Ahad 75 points, Player B had 250
is defined as a plurality of individual games and the results
points, Player Chad 450 points and Player D had 525 points. 35 of said qualifying round is an aggregate of the results of each
Player A does not satisfy the minimum level of perforindividual game.
mance. Thus, Player A is eliminated from the tournament.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said performance level
Player B meets the criteria for the Bronze level of perforaward increases as a player qualifies for higher performance
mance. Player C meets the criteria for the Gold level of
level classifications.
performance. Player D meets the criteria for the Platinum 40
5. The method of claim 1 wherein said qualifying perforlevel of performance. Host computer system distributes
mance level as recited in subparagraph (d) is further defined
level of performance specific awards to Players B, C and D.
as being the highest performance level.
However, only players C and D advance to the playoff round
6. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of
against other qualified players of equal level.
performance levels is further defined as having four perforAt the predetermined time on Saturday, Player C then 45 mance levels ranging from a low performance level to a
plays the game of skill in the playoff round against the host
medium-low performance level to a medium-high perforcomputer simultaneously with other Gold level players.
mance level to a high performance level.
Player D plays the game of skill in the playoff round against
7. The method of claim 6 wherein said qualifying perforthe host computer simultaneously with other Platinum level
mance level is further defined as being the medium-high and
players. Host computer system analyzes the results the Gold 50 highest performance levels.
and Platinum level playoff rounds. The players are then
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said step (b) and step
ranked according to their specific performance during the
(c) are performed simultaneously.
playoff round.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein said game of skill is
Assume Players C and D are ranked first and third in their
further defined as a card game requiring skill and knowlrespective divisions. Host computer would then distribute an 55 edge.
award to Player C specific to his first place ranking in the
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said card game is
Gold playoff round and an award to Player D specific to his
selected from the group consisting of rummy, gin rummy,
third place ranking in the Platinum playoff round.
poker, bridge, pinochle, bezique, piquet, klaberjass, julepe,
boure, cribbage, casino, euchre, napoleon, two hand five
While the foregoing detailed description has described
several embodiments of the method in accordance with the 60 hundred, spoil five, ecarte, hearts, cans, seven-up, draw
present invention, it is to be understood that the above
seven, auction pitch, blackjack, pontoon, fifteen, van john,
seven and a half, ten and a half, pong, maco, chemin de fer,
description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disbaccarat, skin game, horse race, eights, sharnery, sharney
closed invention. Thus, the invention is to be limited only by
the claims as set forth below.
gin, doctor videtti, table anette, and solitaire.
What is claimed:
11. The method of claim 1 wherein said game of skill is
65
further defined as a question and answer game requiring skill
1. A method of playing a game of skill tournament having
and knowledge.
a qualifying round and a playoff round, and played over an

US 6,174,237 B1

7

8

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said trivia game is
events and computer based sporting events, player particiselected from the group consisting of geography, history,
pation virtual reality games, player participation action
games, dominos, checkers, pinball and foosball.
motion picture, science, bible, literature, fictional writings,
nonfictional writings, musicians, writers, composers, actors,
15. The method of claim 1 wherein said game of skill is
statesmen, military battles, military leaders, mathematical 5 based on the memory reaction of the player.
problems, mathematical formulas, fine arts, horticulture,
16. The method of claim 1 wherein said game of skill is
agriculture, medicine, television shows, spelling, phrase
based on the manual dexterity and reaction time of the
origins, word origins, science-fiction, sporting events,
player.
athletics, anatomy and astronomy.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein said playoff round is
13. The method of claim 1 wherein said game of skill is 10 played at a predetermined time and date.
further defined as a strategy game requiring skill and knowl18. The method of claim 1 wherein said playoff round is
edge.
played for a predetermined amount of time.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein said strategy game is
19. The method of claim 1 wherein said player can
selected from the group consisting of crosswords, word
participate in said qualifying round during a predetermined
search, word scramble, word match, chess, maze games, 15 time frame.
computer generated sporting games, player participation
sports including virtual sporting events, video sporting
* * * * *