METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AWARDING POINTS THROUGH A LIVE EVENT

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent Ser. No. 13/595,899 which was filed on Aug. 27, 2012 and entitled “Method and System for Awarding Points Through a Live Event.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods and systems for rewarding participants in a live event. More particularly, the present invention is a method and system for awarding points through a live event separate from any score earned in the live event.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Almost all sports include a scoring system to rank direct competitors. For example, the winner of a golf tournament is the player who completed the course in the fewest strokes. Thus, a player with a score of 68 places higher than a player with a score of 70.

Many sports also include a rating system to rank players' overall ability. For example, the United States Tennis Association uses a numerical rating system of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, and so forth up to 7.0, with new players having a rating of 1.5 and “world class” players having a rating of 7.0. This allows players of varying abilities to compete against comparable players. Golf uses a handicap system which not only allows a general comparison between players' abilities but also can be used to “normalize” a score between players of differing abilities.

These rating systems have drawbacks. For example, the rating system used in tennis is subjective. Although some leagues and tournaments require that a player be rated by a tennis pro, many players are self-rated. While golf handicaps are more objective in that they are derived from a mathematical formula applied to a player's golf scores over a defined period, golf scores can be subject to manipulation since golf scores outside of competition are usually not verified.

A separate issue arises for players who typically do not participate in competitions, such as tournaments or leagues. These players often reach some achievement or accomplishment in the sport or game, but are not rewarded. For example, a player may hit a hole in one in golf, bowl three consecutive strikes in bowling, or the like, but receive no reward or even have the accomplishment enter into the rating system.

Customer reward systems have been developed in the retail context to reward customers based on economic activity, such as amount spent, miles traveled, nights stayed, or the like, with a retailer. Player reward systems have likewise been developed in the gaming industry to reward customers based on action, such as amount wagered, amount of play, amount lost, or the like, at a casino. However, because these systems are based on directly measurable economic activity, neither can be translated to sports or other participatory events.

Therefore, it can be seen that there is a need in the art for a method and system for awarding points through a live event separate from any score earned in the live event.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a method and system for use in combination with a live event that generates a score for a participant. A method includes defining at least one accomplishment in the live event that is associated with a point award. Optionally, an award table is defined with numerous accomplishments correlated with point awards. In an optional embodiment, the point awards are defined in a database stored in a data storage device.

The live event is monitored for the accomplishment or accomplishments associated with point awards. In an optional embodiment, the monitoring occurs through an automatic scoring system. If an accomplishment associated with a point award is detected, a point award is issued to the participant separate from any score earned from the accomplishment. That is, an accomplishment may be associated with both a point award and a score or scoring opportunity in the underlying game. Alternatively, an accomplishment may be associated with a point award only.

In an optional embodiment, the points earned by a participant through point awards are stored in a database on a data storage device. In an optional embodiment, the points are stored in a record correlated to the participant or an identifier associated with the participant. In a further optional embodiment, the points may be exchangeable for goods and/or services.

The present invention also includes a system for awarding points to a participant in a live event separate from any score earned in the live event. In an optional embodiment, a monitoring device communicates with a server. The server optionally includes a data storage device that stores a database of participants and point balances.

An award table containing at least one point award correlated to at least one accomplishment is defined and stored. It is contemplated that the award table may be stored at the monitoring device, the server, or both.

The monitoring device is adapted to monitor the live event for accomplishments associated with point awards. In a further optional embodiment, the monitoring device may additionally score a live event or monitoring scoring for a live event. That is, the monitoring device may also perform scoring functions or may be integrated into a scoring system or scoring device. Upon occurrence of an accomplishment, a point award correlated to the accomplishment may be issued to the participant who earned the accomplishment. This could occur by the monitoring device communicating the accomplishment and/or the point award to the server, and the server updating the participant's point balance in a database.

In a further optional embodiment, a terminal may communicate with the server to direct the exchange of points held by a player for goods or services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION

Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention includes a system for awarding points to a participant in a live event separate from any score earned in the live event. Although the examples given below pertain primarily to bowling, this should be interpreted as merely illustrative of the present invention since it is contemplated that the present invention could be applied to any live event. The live event could take any form, such as sports, races, contests, competitions, or the like, in which a verifiable score is generated and conduct may be monitored as discussed in greater detail below.

In an optional embodiment, a system includes a server 100. The server 100 may take any form, including a general purpose computer. In one such optional embodiment, the server includes or communicates with a data storage device. The data storage device may take any form, including flash memory, magnetic storage, optical storage, or the like. In an optional embodiment, the data storage device stores a database of participants and their point balances. In an optional embodiment, the database may store additional information, such as personal information, contact information, event information, or the like for each participant and/or groups of participants. For example, in one such optional embodiment, participants and/or groups of participants may set up accounts that are stored in a database by inputting information on an electronic form. The participant or group of participants may be assigned an identifier, such as a username, identification number, or the like, that is correlated to the record stored in the database. In an optional embodiment, a participant may log into the participant's record through a monitoring device 102, automatic scoring system 104, terminal 106, or mobile device 502 in communication with the server 100. For example, an automatic scoring system 104 may communicate with a server 100 for the purpose of a frequent customer program (also known as a customer loyalty or customer rewards program) so that the participant is rewarded when he or she logs into the program. In one such optional embodiment, the participant's record may be correlated to the participant's program number, so that the participant is simultaneously logged into the participant's record when the participant logs into his or her customer program.

The point balance for each player is a measure of the point awards (described in greater detail below) awarded to the player through a system according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, a point balance of 500 could reflect point awards of 25, 225, 10, 75, 15, and 150 points. Although the term “points” is used in this description, it is contemplated that the name used to describe the awards may vary within the scope of the present invention.

Regardless of the name used, the point awards are correlated to accomplishments in the live event. Optionally, the point awards may vary based on the accomplishment. For example, larger point awards may be correlated to accomplishments that are objectively more difficult to obtain or arise from rarer occurrences. It is contemplated that the point awards may be correlated to any measurable accomplishment. For example, in an optional embodiment directed to bowling, a point award may be associated with varying number of consecutive strikes with, for example, a higher point award for five consecutive strikes than four or three consecutive strikes. It is further contemplated that the accomplishments may be skill-based, chance-based, and/or require a combination of skill and chance. Accomplishments may be attainable by a single participant or require multiple participants acting in competition or as a team. It is contemplated that the accomplishments may include a mixture of skill-based, chance-based, combination skill-based and chance-based, single participant, and/or multiple participant accomplishments.

In a further optional embodiment, point awards may vary depending on participant(s). For example, a higher point award may be associated with the same accomplishment if the participant is a child than if the participant is an adult, e.g., a child bowling three consecutive strikes may earn a larger point award than an adult bowling three consecutive strikes. Similarly, point awards may vary based on the other participants. For example, a point award may be associated with a bowler with a lower average defeating a bowler with a higher average, but no point award (or a smaller point award) may be associated with a bowler with a higher average defeating a bowler with a lower average. As may be appreciated, the size of point awards, the accomplishments associated with point awards, and the like may vary depending on the embodiment.

The point awards may be correlated with accomplishments on an award table. An award table may be stored at a server 100 or monitoring device 102 or both, depending on the embodiment. The monitoring device 102 and its interrelationship with a server 100 are discussed in greater detail below. In any event, it is contemplated that either the monitoring device 102 or the server 100 or both may store an award table and utilize the award table in carrying out a method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A monitoring device 102 communicates with a server 100. The monitoring device 102 may be remote from the server 100 and communicate with the server 100 via a local area network, wide area network, virtual private network, the Internet, or the like. Moreover, it is contemplated that the monitoring device 102 may communicate directly with a server 100 or via an intermediary, such as an intermediary server or the like. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, a server 100 may communicate with multiple monitoring devices 102. For example, a server 100 may be configured to communicate with multiple monitoring devices 102 in one or more bowling alleys.

Monitoring devices 102 may take any form. In one optional embodiment, a monitoring device 102 may include an interface or other input device that receives data manually input by a participant, observer, scorekeeper, or the like. For example, a monitoring device 102 could be a scoring device, cellular telephone, tablet device, or other device running a software application to receive manual input and communicate data representing the manual input to a server 100. Alternatively or additionally, a monitoring device 102 may automatically sense and transmit data. For example, the monitoring device 102 may be incorporated into, or communicate with, an automatic scoring device 104, such as those used in bowling alleys, to automatically sense the conduct of the live event and transmit data representing conduct of the live event to a server 100. Although FIG. 2 illustrates an automatic scoring device 104 as separate from a monitoring device 102, it is contemplated that an automatic scoring device 104 may be programmed to function as a monitoring device 102, thereby providing both functions in a single device.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, in an optional embodiment, a system may include a terminal 106 in communication with the server 100. In an optional embodiment, a terminal 106 may serve to access the data in the database. For example, a terminal 106 may include a personal computer, cellular telephone, tablet device, or the like which can be used to access a participant's record to view the point balance, change personal information or contact information, or otherwise maintain the participant's record. In a further optional embodiment, a terminal 106 may be used to exchange points for goods and/or services. For example, a terminal 106 may be used to order products from a website and direct the exchange of points from the participant's account to pay for those products, obtain a discount, or the like. Similarly, a terminal 106 may take the form of a point of sale terminal, cash register, or the like that can debit points from a participant's point balance in exchange for goods and/or services.

The present invention also includes a method for awarding points in a live event. As shown in FIG. 4, accomplishments and point awards are defined 400. Optionally, these accomplishments and point awards are stored in a database at a server 100, a monitoring device 102, or both. A monitoring device 102 monitors 402 a live event for the occurrence of an accomplishment. As noted above, the accomplishment may be the result of the conduct of the live event and, as such, may be related to a score or scoring opportunity. In such an embodiment, the monitoring device 102 may be combined with a manual or automatic scoring device and may detect the accomplishment through the scoring. For example, in bowling, an accomplishment may include bowling three consecutive strikes.

Referring to the example of bowling, accomplishments may take a variety of forms. For example, accomplishments may relate to completing a predetermined quantity of games, a score (including individual game score, average score, running average, comparison between individual game score and running average, or the like), quantity of games over a defined period of time, converting difficult scoring opportunities (such as picking up spares), or the like. Table 1 provides an example of an award table correlating accomplishments to point awards. Table 1 should be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting, as the accomplishments and point awards may be changed, added to, deleted from, or otherwise altered in various optional embodiments.

As may be appreciated, the gross size of the point awards may vary depending on the embodiment. For example, points awards may be scaled up or down, proportionally or non-proportionally, depending on the optional embodiment.

In an optional embodiment, point awards may also be awarded as a bonus for accomplishments accrued over one or multiple games. For example, Table 2 illustrates bonus that may be earned over one or more games. Still other accomplishments may be earned in comparison to other participants, whether competing against the particular participant earning the accomplishment or other participants throughout the system. Again, Table 2 should be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting as the accomplishments and point awards shown in Table 2 may be changed, added to, deleted from, or otherwise altered in various optional embodiments.

It is noted that other accomplishments may likewise be defined. In an example directed to bowling, certain accomplishments may be associated with “collecting” mini-accomplishments over one or more games. One example may include bowling games in which specific scores are earned, such as games with scores of 125, 150, 175, 200, 225, 250, 275, and 300. As may be appreciated, such a “collection” would require completion of at least eight different games. Another example may include collecting split conversions over one or more games, such as a 7-10 split, Baby Splits, and Crazy Splits. As may be appreciated, accomplishments that require collection of mini-accomplishments over multiple games may be open-ended, i.e., an unlimited number of games to collect the mini-accomplishments, or closed, i.e., a limited number of games to collect the mini-accomplishments. For example, after converting a 7-10 split, baby split, or crazy split, a participant may fulfill an accomplishment and be awarded the associated point award if he or she converts the remaining two types of splits within the ensuing five games. Alternatively, such an accomplishment may effectively be open-ended with no limit to converting the remaining two types of splits to be awarded the associated point award. In yet another example, an accomplishment may include achieving a certain strike percentage, such as a strike percentage over 50%, over a defined quantity of games, such as fifty games. It is contemplated that many other types of accomplishments may be defined.

In an additional or alternative optional embodiment, point awards may be dynamic in addition to, or rather than, static. For example, in one such optional embodiment, various factors could be included in an algorithm that calculates a point award for various accomplishments. The factors could include anything, including the age of the participant, the gender of the participant, the experience of the participant (which may be measured in frequency of participation, volume of participation, or any other manner), skill of the participant (which may be measured by running average, handicap, rating, ranking, achievement of accomplishments according to the present invention, or any other measure), or the like.

It is contemplated that the accomplishments may be used to determine, or used as a factor in determining, a handicap or other rating for participants. For example, in an optional embodiment, factors such as those described above may be compared against other participants and/or averages of other participants (such as a national or regional average) to produce a rating or “handicap” for the participant.

In an optional embodiment, accomplishments may be earned by a team and/or accomplishments earned by a team member may be shared with teammates. For example, in an optional embodiment, points may be determined for certain accomplishments based on a variety of factors, including one or more of the difficulty of the accomplishment, the average scores of all team members, the combined team average, the average age of team members, the total games logged as a team, the total combined games of each individual team member, or the like. As suggested above, accomplishments may be earned by a team as a whole (such as obtaining and maintaining a certain strike percentage as a team), earned by individuals in the team (such as “collecting” converted spares), or any variation thereof.

If an accomplishment is achieved 404, a point award is issued 406 to the participant or participants eligible for a point award. For example, if the accomplishment is a team accomplishment, multiple participants may receive a point award. Conversely, if the accomplishment is an individual accomplishment, only a single participant may receive a point award. The point award may be issued in any manner. For example, in one optional embodiment, a monitoring device 102 monitors the accomplishment and transmits data to a server 100 informing the server 100 of the accomplishment. The server 100 determines the point award, such as through an award table, and adds the point award to the point balance for the eligible participant(s). In another optional embodiment, a monitoring device 102 monitors the accomplishment and determines the point award associated therewith, such as by using an award table. The monitoring device 102 transmits data representing the point award and the eligible participant(s) to the server 100, which adds the point award to the point balance for the eligible participant(s).

As previously noted, points may be exchangeable for goods and/or services. In such an optional embodiment, a transaction may be conducted using a terminal 106 to exchange points for goods and/or services. The transaction may be conducted via a network, such as the Internet, with the goods and/or services ordered through a terminal 106. Alternatively or additionally, a transaction may be conducted in a brick and mortar location, with the goods and/or services provided directly to the participant after deducting the points used in the exchange from the point balance.

In addition to using the points to acquire goods and/or services, the points may optionally be used to rate participants. This rating may be used to compare participants (such as a tournament), match participants of similar rating, or the like.

In an optional embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, a mobile device 502 may communicate with a data storage device, optionally at a server 100. The mobile device 502 may communicate with the server 100 in any fashion, including via a browser, a software application (or “app”), or the like. Similarly, the physical connection between the mobile device 502 and the server 100 may take any form, including a wired or wireless network, broadband wireless, WiFi, or the like.

A mobile device 502 may be used in various features provided according to the present system including providing a means for viewing and/or alerting a participant to other participants logged in to a system. For example, upon logging in, a bowler may be presented with a list of other bowlers who are currently participating in the system. The mobile device 502 may be used to communicate with other participants who are logged in, such as through a browser interface, app interface, or the like. In a further optional embodiment, a participant may use a mobile device to issue challenges to other participants, either generally to active participants or a subset thereof, or specifically to a participant or team of participants. The challenges may be merely for fun or to earn achievements and receive point awards. It is also contemplated that the challenge may be synchronous (i.e., each participant or team of participants may complete the challenge more or less concurrently) or asynchronous (i.e., each participant or team of participants may complete the challenge separately). Such challenges could develop into private tournaments, leagues, and challenges without regard to geographic limitations.

A mobile device 502 or other terminal 106 may also receive alerts from system operators. Such alerts may be delivered via conventional communications channels such as short message service (“SMS”) text messages, email, or the like. Additionally or alternatively, alerts may be “pushed” to users of a software app installed on the mobile device 502 or terminal 106.

For example, in one optional embodiment, alerts may be provided upon the occurrence of certain events. Thus, when a participant earns an achievement that results in a point award, the participant may receive a message via mobile device 502 or terminal 106 of the point award. Such an alert may take any form. For example, in one optional embodiment, the alert may congratulate the participant and notifying the participant of the point award. The alert may include a display of the award that may be shown to a vendor of goods and/or services to exchange the points associated with the point award for goods and/or services. For example, in an optional embodiment, the alert may include a code, bar code, confirmation number, quick recognition (“QR”) code, or the like that may be printed or read directly from the mobile device 502 or terminal 106. In a further optional embodiment, an alert that an accomplishment has been achieved may be accompanied by a bonus or instant reward. For example, in addition to the point award, a participant may be provided with a coupon or other instant award in an alert.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described it is to be understood that the present invention is subject to many modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention presented herein.