WO2001077919A1

WO2001077919A1 - Adverse prize contest

Info

Publication number: WO2001077919A1
Application number: PCT/JP2001/002913
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yilei Gao
Original assignee: Yilei Gao
Priority date: 2000-04-05
Filing date: 2001-04-04
Publication date: 2001-10-18
Also published as: JP2003530648A; AU2001244723A1

Abstract

A contest system or method in which information as to a plurality prizes available for winning in a contest, is provided over a network to at least one information processing device. Enterring the contest preferably requires the entrant to pay a fee. The contest or method includes receiving a selection from the entrant as to a prize that the entrant desires to attempt to win in the contest. If the entrant wins the contest, the entrant receives the selected prize. After the entrant`s prize selection has been received, the method or system includes providing a plurality of quiz questions for transmission over the network to the information processing device for display to the entrant. Quiz difficulty is determind based on the entrant`s prize selection, and there is a time limit for answering quiz questions. An answer is received to each question from the entrant by the entrant using the information processing device to ransmit answers to each question. A determination is made as to whether the contest entrant has won the selection based on the answers received.

Description

DESCRIPTION

ADVERSE PRIZE CONTEST

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to contest systems or methods and in particular to contest systems or methods in which contestants perform an action and/or answer one or more questions to win a prize in a contest.

Background of the Invention

There are various types of prize contests where promoters promise a prize to winners of entrants in the contest. Prizes can include money, vacations, merchandise, e.g., a sports car, tickets to events, and other prizes that promoters hope will attract people to enter the contest.

A risk for promoters is that the contest will not attract sufficient entrants to compensate for expenses so that the promoters cannot afford to continue to offer contests. There are several factors that contribute to the number of entrants that ultimately enter a contest, such as admission cost, the attractiveness of prizes, the extent of contest publicity, how convenient or inconvenient it is to enter the contest, and other factors.

With respect to prizes, promoters attempt to select prizes appealing to the maximum number of people in the area from which contest entrants are drawn. A general difficulty though, in selecting prizes to award for a contest, is that the attractiveness of prizes varies according to individual interests.

The following paragraphs describe a contest system designed to: (1) appeal to a greater number of people for a given set of prizes; (2) reduce difficulty in entering the contest, i.e., make the contest very convenient for contestants to enter; and (3) reduce promotion costs for the contest and expand the area from which contest entrants can be drawn.

Summary of the Invention

A preferred contest system or method in accordance with the present invention includes providing information as to a plurality prizes available for winning in a contest on an information processing device. The information is transmitted to the information processing device through a network, such as the internet. Preferably, a web-site for the contest is hosted on a server, which makes information for the contest available to persons accessing the web-site through devices, such as computers, mobile phones, personal digital assistants ("PDA's"), or other information processing devices.

The system or method includes a means for the contest entrant to select one of the prizes to attempt to win in the contest. If the entrant wins the contest, the entrant receives the selected prize. Preferably, the contest entrant transmits the selection from the information processing device over the network, and entering the contest requires the entrant to pay a fee.

After the entrant's prize selection has been received, the method or system includes providing a plurality of quiz questions for transmission over the network to the information processing device for display to the entrant. The quiz questions are selected randomly. Therefore, if an entrant enters the contest a plurality of times, with the same prize selection each time, the entrant receives different quiz questions in each contest attempt.

Quiz difficulty is determined based on the entrant's prize selection, with a time limit for answering quiz questions. An answer is received to each question from the entrant by the entrant using the information processing device to transmit answers to each question. A determination is made as to whether the contest entrant receives the selected prize based on the answers received.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of a menu display for display on a mobile device for choosing a prize category in a contest system or method in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 schematically illustrates a menu display following the menu of Figure 1, for choosing a particular prize from a prize category;

Figure 3 schematically illustrates a display following the menu of Figure 2 if a television has been selected for a prize;

Figure 4 schematically illustrates a display following the menu of Figure 2 if a CD player has been selected for a prize;

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a menu for a sample quiz question for following the display of Figure 3; and

Figure 6 schematically illustrates a representative network environment for use with a contest system in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

A preferred embodiment of a contest system in accordance with the present invention is deployed in a network environment 10, such as that schematically illustrated in Figure 6. Promoters make information regarding a contest available to persons accessing the network. Access to the network is through information processing devices 12, such as computers, mobile telephones, PDA's, and/or other types of information processing apparatus.

An information processing device 14, such as server, distributes information about the contest to persons accessing the network. Information may be distributed through advertising, such as banner ads, pop-up ads, displays on menus during "down-time" on personal information devices, and etc., for promoting the contest. Persons viewing an ad for the contest may then use their information processing device 12 to obtain more information about the contest such as, for instance, by accessing a server hosting a website for the contest. Advertising for the contest may be presented in other media, such as print advertising, flyers, billboards, banners on motor vehicles and etc., presenting information about the contest and directions for accessing contest information through an information processing device, for instance, by listing the universal resource locator ("URL") for a contest website, and/or an electronic mail ("e-mail") address. Other information may be advertised as well, such as postal addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and/or other information.

Once a person has viewed information about the contest and decided to join, the person preferably pays a fee for entering the contest. For example, the person may use their information processing device 12 to provide credit card, bank information, number of a prepaid card, or other information for payment of the fee. Other methods of payment, may be the addition of a charge by the person's service provider, such as the monthly fee charged by a mobile telephone service or an internet service provider. In addition to fee payment, the person preferably provides further information, such as the person's name or identification, selects a user name, password, provides contact information, such a postal and/or email addresses, and telephone numbers so that the person can be contacted should the person win a prize or if other information is needed. Sensitive data, username, password and/or payment information for example, is preferably exchanged through a secure process, such as Secure Sockets Layer ("SSL"), encrypted e-mail using Secure Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension ("S/MIME"), or other secure process.

The person is thereafter enrolled in the contest as an entrant and provided with additional information. The information is preferably displayed on the entrant's personal information device, but the information may be provided in the form of an e-mail or text message to the entrant for informing the entrant of actions required to win the contest. Again, sensitive information is preferably provided through a secure process.

As shown in Figure 1, the information includes a menu 16 for the entrant to select a prize category. In particular, Figure 1 illustrates a menu 16 adapted for display on a mobile device 18 of the type often employed for present day mobile telephone handsets. The entrant depresses the number on the telephone keypad associated with the prize category that the entrant most desires to win a prize in. Prior to this screen being made available to the entrant, the entrant may have been required to provide identification by entering a username and password, selected when the entrant enrolled or registered in the contest.

As shown in Figure 2, a menu for the selected category is thereafter displayed. From this menu, the entrant chooses a particular prize. Figure 2 illustrates an example, where the entrant selected the category for electrical goods. To select a particular prize to attempt to win, the entrant depresses the number on the telephone keypad associated with the prize that the entrant desires to win.

Next, as shown in Figure 3, a message is displayed confirming the entrant's prize selection. Additionally, the message indicates the number of questions in a quiz that the entrant must answer to win the prize. The message further indicates a time limit for completing the quiz.

Figure 3 illustrates a confirming message wherein the entrant selected to attempt to win a television from the previous menu. Figure 4 illustrates a confirming message, wherein the entrant selected to attempt to win a CD player. As shown, the confirming message for the attempt to win a television (Figure 3), requires the entrant to answer more quiz questions than where the entrant desires to attempt to win a CD player (Figure 4).

In this regard, the contest preferably comprises quiz questions that the entrant must answer to win the selected prize. There is a time limit for completing the quiz, and more preferably, there is a time limit for each individual question in the quiz. The difficulty of the quiz varies in proportion to the value of the prize selected by the entrant. Difficulty is preferably controlled by the number of questions in a quiz. However, difficulty may be controlled in other ways, such as by adjusting the time limit allowed for answering questions, providing more choices for responding to multiple choice questions, adjusting the number of questions that must be answered correctly to win, asking more complex questions, and etc.

After the confirming message is displayed, quiz questions are presented to the entrant. Figure 5 illustrates a sample quiz question being presented, for when the entrant has selected to win a television. Each question is presented together with a display of the time remaining for the entrant to answer the question. The questions are preferably displayed in multiple choice format, but may include other formats as well, such as true-false, short answer, and etc.

All of the quizzes are preferably different and chosen at random. Thus, if an entrant makes an attempt to win the same prize as in a previous attempt, the quiz will be different. Additionally, the contest system preferably includes incentives for entrants to continue to attempt to win prizes. For instance, for each quiz in which an entrant fails to win a prize, the entrant is awarded a point. Accumulated points can be redeemed for use in paying the fee for a future contest or for a prize. Preferably, it requires at least twenty unsuccessful attempts, before enough points have been accumulated to enable redemption for the fee for a future contest or for a prize. Depending on the situation, for instance, prize value, number of questions answered correctly in unsuccessful attempts, or other factors, more or less unsuccessful attempts could be required before enough points have been accumulated to win a prize or enable redemption for the fee in a future contest.

An advantage of the contest system, is that it uses a reverse prize system. Specifically, entrants can select to attempt to win the prize that the entrant is most interested in. Thus, the prizes will appeal to the maximum number of entrants.

If none of the prizes appeal to an entrant, preferably the entrant has the option to select a prize of the entrant's own choosing. When exercising this option, the entrant provides information to the contest promoters particularly describing an alternative prize, such as a specific product, including a brand, model number, price, and where the product may be purchased. Preferably, the information is entered in a menu page format in a network system, such as through a web-site for the contest. So long as the entrant's selected alternative prize meets price limitations, the entrant can attempt to win the selected alternative prize. If the entrant wins, the entrant further has the option of purchasing the price personally, whereupon the contest system provides for reimbursement to the entrant upon presentation of a satisfactory receipt. Alternatively, if the entrant wins, the entrant may obtain the prize for free from shop or service providers having a partnership or affiliated program with the contest promoter. In other preferred embodiments, entrant's may be limited to selecting an alternative prize corresponding to an offered prize, but differing in some way, such as another brand or model.

Another advantage is convenience. If a potential contest entrant is in a shop or service provider having a partnership or affiliated program with the contest promoter, the potential contest entrant while therein may use a mobile communication device to enter the contest and immediately receive a prize if successful in the contest. It is therefore very convenient for persons to enter a contest, and receive a prize if successful in the contest. Preferably, there are displays of promotional materials in shops or service providers having partnerships or affiliated programs with the contest promoters, to provide persons with ready access to information for entering the contest with a mobile communication device while on the premises, such as the URL for a contest website, to promote goods and/or services and simultaneously attract more contest entrants.

A further advantage is that entrants can be drawn from a wide area. The drawing area is virtually worldwide, if information regarding the contest is distributed via the internet. While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in connection with the drawing figures herein, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, information on communication devices can be displayed in many different forms. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the invention in any way be limited by the disclosure, but instead, that it be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A method of providing a contest, comprising the steps of: a) providing information as to a plurality prizes available for winning in a contest, on an information processing device, with the information transmitted to the information processing device through a network; b) receiving a selection from a contest entrant as to one of the prizes that the entrant desires to attempt to win, by the contest entrant transmitting the selection from the information processing device over the network; c) after the selection has been received, providing a plurality of quiz questions for transmission over the network to the information processing device for display to the contest entrant; d) receiving an answer to each question from the contest entrant by the contest entrant transmitting answers from the information processing device over the network; and e) determining whether the contest entrant has won the selection based on the answers received from the contest entrant.

2. The method of Claim 1, further comprising the step of receiving a fee from the contest entrant for entering the contest.

3. The method of Claim 2, wherein the fee is received electronically by the contest entrant using the information processing device to send information via the network.

4. The method of Claim 1, wherein the information processing device is a mobile telephone.

5. The method of Claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the number of quiz questions based on the selection received from the contest entrant.

6. The method of Claim 1, further comprising the step of determining the difficulty of quiz questions based on the selection received from the contest entrant.

7. The method of Claim 6, wherein the difficulty of each quiz question is determined based on the selection received from the contest entrant.

8. The method of Claim 1, wherein said providing a plurality of quiz questions for transmission over the network, includes providing a time limit for receiving answers to the questions.

9. The method of Claim 1, wherein said providing a plurality of quiz questions for transmission over the network, includes providing a time limit for receiving an answer to each question.

10. A contest system, comprising at least one server connected to a network and accessible by a plurality of information processing devices, the server including program logic which when accessed by an information processing device: a) provides data via the network to the accessing information processing device for visual display on the information processing device, as to a plurality of prizes available for winning in a contest by an entrant using the information processing device; b) provides for receiving data from the accessing information processing device over the network, indicating a selected prize from the entrant that the entrant desires to attempt to win in the contest, when the entrant uses the information processing device to transmit a prize selection to the server; c) after data indicating a selected prize has been received, provides data via the network to the accessing information processing device for visual display on the information processing device of a plurality of quiz questions for answering by the entrant; d) provides for receiving data from the accessing information processing device over the network, indicating an answer to each quiz question from the contest entrant, when the contest entrant uses the information processing device to transmit answers to the server; and e) determines whether the entrant has won the selected prize based on data received from the accessing information processing device, indicating an answer to each quiz question.

11. The contest system of Claim 10, wherein the program logic determines whether a fee has been received from the contest entrant prior to providing data via the network to the accessing information processing device for visual display on the information processing device of a plurality of quiz questions for answering by the entrant.

12. The contest system of Claim 10, wherein the program logic further provides for receiving data from the entrant pertaining to fee payment for entering the contest.

13. The contest system of Claim 10, wherein the information processing device is a mobile telephone.

14. The contest system of Claim 10, wherein the program logic determines a number of quiz questions for answering by the entrant based on the data indicating a selected prize from the entrant.

15. The contest system of Claim 10, wherein the program logic randomly selects quiz questions for answering by the entrant.

16. The contest system of 10, wherein the program logic requires a time limit for when data answering a question must be received by for the entrant to have correctly answered a question.

17. A method of providing a contest, comprising the steps of: a) providing information as to a plurality prizes available for winning in a contest, on an information processing device, with the information transmitted to the information processing device through a network; b) means for a contest entrant to select to attempt to win in the contest, one of the prizes of the plurality, and if none of the prizes of the plurality appeal to the entrant, a selected alternative prize; c) after the step of means for a contest entrant to select has been performed, providing a plurality of quiz questions for transmission over the network to the information processing device for display to the contest entrant; d) receiving an answer to each question from the contest entrant by the contest entrant transmitting answers from the information processing device over the network; and e) determining whether the contest entrant has won the selection based on the answers received from the contest entrant.

18. The method of Claim 17, further comprising the step of receiving a fee from the contest entrant for entering the contest.

19. The method of Claim 18, wherein the fee is received electronically by the contest entrant using the information processing device to send information via the network.

20. The method of Claim 17, further comprising the step of determining the number of quiz questions based on the selection received from the contest entrant.

21. The method of Claim 17, further comprising the step of determining a time limit for when each question must be answered by.

22. The method of Claim 17, wherein the information processing device is a mobile telephone.