Title: A METHOD OF PLAYING A GAME ON AN INTERNET ENABLED COMPUTING DEVICE SYNCHRONOUS
WITH A TV ADVERTISEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates generally to TV advertising and more particularly to a method of playing a game on an internet enabled computing device synchronous with a TV advertisement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] Television has played a vital role in bringing the information and entertainment industry to every household. Most of the homes have a TV set arid people use it for watching news, movies and other programs of their interest. The millions of television viewers across the world are potential customers for any product. Short time advertisements are broadcasted between the TV programs telling about a product or service. Since millions of people watch TV programs simultaneously, the impact and ROI of TV advertisements are among the best as compared to other advertisement methods for any advertiser.

[003] Digital broadcasting is rapidly replacing the analog broadcasting and various technical developments are proceeding in transfer of digital signals through broadcast network, video and sound signal processing, displays for digital televisions. Digital broadcasting is advantageous over analog broadcasting in data compression capacity, transfer rate and sound and picture qualities.

[004] For the implementation of digital broadcasting of TV content, set-top box (STB) is an important computing device for accessing media content services and the media content within those services.

[005] A STB is typically connected to a cable or satellite, and a subscriber TV set, and includes hardware and software necessary to provide the functionality of viewing the TV content broadcasted on the subscriber TV set. In addition to supporting traditional analog broadcast video functionality, STBs also support an increasing number of two-way digital services such as video-on-demand, internet protocol television (IPTV), and personal video recording.

[006] The digital broadcasting of TV content has also made possible to watch the TV content from other devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops, personal digital assistant PDAs, desktop computers. People use these smart devices by connecting with internet to search the TV content of their choice and watch it on their devices. Different TV channels also make their content available on the internet in the form of digital content, which can be watched by a user whenever he wishes. The content is also downloaded and uploaded by users to other video sharing sites (for example youtube.com) from where it is also made available. The advances in display technology and digitization of the broadcasting have opened unlimited possibilities for the television channels and advertisers alike.

[007] Advertising forms an important part of TV programs including broadcast video. The purpose of an advertisement is to promote a brand, product, service, with the goal to expand business and increase customer base. An advertiser pays a fixed fee for an advertisement to be broadcasted over a subscriber TV set during a particular time slot. The advertisement may be played during breaks of a TV program. Payments for advertising are the main source of income for various producers of TV programs and in some cases advertisers pay entirely for programs received by the subscribers. As an example, over the air broadcast TV programs are provided entirely free to viewers and the cost is essentially paid by the advertisements placed in the shows that are watched.

[008] However, such advertising arrangements are rather limiting for viewers and advertisers. Though an advertisement may raise a potential consumer's interest in a product, consumers may want to know more information regarding the product, the company that manufactures the product or want to contact the retailers who sell the product. Likewise, advertisers naturally want to provide consumers with a quick and simple method to purchase a product in direct response to an advertisement.

[009] Consumers lack the ability to obtain additional information about the advertised product or service or conduct transactions in response to an advertisement with ease. Usually, if consumers remember an advertisement, they either cannot mentally connect the advertisement to a specific retailer or manufacturer or they must travel to the retailer or manufacturer to receive product information or to conduct transactions.

[0010] For example, a user who views a particular advertisement has little or no control over the information being presented. Moreover, the user typically has to take nontrivial, disconnected action in order to contact an advertiser, buy the advertised services or products, or even access additional information about the advertised services or products. For instance, a user may have to write down contact information (e.g., a telephone number or web address) for use in contacting the advertiser at a later time. The nontrivial and disconnected nature of these actions may cause a user not to respond to an advertisement even though the user initially felt a desire to do so when viewing the advertisement.

[0011] The issue of TV viewers with present TV advertisement method is that the viewers are not able to engage with the TV ads due to their passive consumption mode and repetitive telecast. As a result the advertisers obtain a very low brand recall from the target audience thereby limiting their return on investment on the huge investment they make for TV advertising.

[0012] In view of the limitations inherent in the TV advertisements method, there exists a need for an improved method of TV advertisements which allow consumers to interact with specific advertisement to gather information on a product in response to that specific advertisement. The present invention solves the problem by providing a game synchronous with the TV advertisement to engage and interact with the TV advertisement in a fast, secure, and environmental friendly manner. The present invention fulfils the need and provides further advantages as described in the following summary.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior arts, the general purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved combination of convenience and utility, to include the advantages of the prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.

[0014] A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a method playing a game on an internet enabled computing device, synchronous with a TV advertisement having advantages not taught by the prior art.

[0015] In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of playing a game on an internet enabled computing device, synchronous with a TV advertisement. The method comprises receiving advertisement information, game information associated with the advertisement information from the server, populating the game information in a template to make the interactive game, scheduling the start of the game, starting the interactive game, receiving user solution of the game, matching the user solution with the correct solution, verifying and informing that the user is first to provide correct solution in the social network of friends and - allocating points to the user, if the user solution is first correct solution in the network. Informing that the user solution is correct but not first in the network and allocating points to the user, if the user solution is correct solution but not first in the network, increasing a game level and sending analytics of the user solution to the server.

[0016] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method system where the GUI of the game is adapted to allow the user to contact the advertiser using the advertiser contact details presented on the screen of the computing device.

[0017] In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method where the game information is filtered based on personal data, preference and use history of the user.

[0018] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method where the server collects the analytics of the usage of the game solution from users and makes it available to the advertiser.

[0019] These together with other aspects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of traditional TV broadcast system;

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method of playing game synchronous with a TV advertisement, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of steps for receiving the advertisement and game information, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of the TV advertisement broadcast and game information broadcast from a server to the computing device, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

[0027] As used in this application, the words "a," "an," and "one" are defined to include one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. Also, the terms "have," "include," "contain," and similar terms are defined to mean "comprising" unless specifically stated otherwise. Furthermore, the terminology used in the specification provided below is hereby defined to include similar and/or equivalent terms, and/or alternative embodiments that would be considered obvious to one skilled in the art given the teachings of the present patent application.

[0028] The terms 'computing device' or 'internet enabled computing device' may be used herein interchangeably and refer to convey the same meaning. Similarly the terns 'server' or 'game server' be used herein interchangeably and refer to convey the same meaning.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1 which illustrates a schematic diagram of traditional TV broadcast system. The TV channel is the source of all content to be broadcasted to the TV viewers at scheduled timings. The TV producers may buy slots to broadcast their TV programs and advertisers buy slots to broadcast their advertisements. The content of TV program and the advertisements may be matched by bidding process and then the breaks between the TV programs are filled with the advertisements.

[0030] The TV program with the advertisement content is broadcasted by the TV channel from the TV tower. The TV set receives the signals from the TV tower and plays the TV program. A set top box may also be used which needs a signal receiving satellite disc and cable to receive the broadcasted signals from the TV channel. As a user is viewing the TV program, the advertisements are played during the breaks of the TV program. The timings of different TV programs, breaks, advertisements etc is pre scheduled from the channel. The user has no choice to watch any other TV program or advertisement when viewing the same channel. Whatever broadcasted by the channel is available for viewing of the user and at pre-specified time. If a user wants to watch any other program, he needs to change the channel. The user has to sit and watch as a passive user the TV programs and the advertisements.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 2 which illustrates a flowchart of a method of playing a game synchronous with a TV advertisement, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method 100 is for playing a game on an internet enabled computing device such as mobile phone, tablet, laptop, desktop etc synchronous with a TV advertisement. The user is watching a TV advertisement and plays the game on his computing device. The method 100 starts with step 110 of receiving advertisement information on the computing device from a server. The advertisement information may include advertisement image, advertisement video, advertisement schedule and advertiser contact details. The server may get this information from the advertiser or from the TV channel. In one embodiment of the present invention the server receives the advertisement information from the advertiser and stores in an advertisement database.

[0032] The advertisement image, advertisement video briefly describes the advertisement being showed on the TV at that time. The advertisement schedule is used to know when a particular advertisement will be showed on the TV and when that advertisement is shown, the associated advertisement image and advertisement video is shown on the computing device used for playing the game of present invention.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention the advertiser contact details may Include email address, phone number, and website link of the advertiser. These are made available so if the viewer wants to contact the advertiser while viewing the advertisement, he is able to do so by using his computing device. The GUI of the game according to present method 100 may be adapted to allow the user to contact the advertiser using the advertiser contact details presented on the screen of the computing device.

[0034] In next step 120 the game information associated with the advertisement information is received from the server. The advertisement information and the game information may be stored in a memory of the computing device The game information may include an interactive game, a correct solution of the interactive game, game image, game metadata and game levels. Different games may be presented for the user to play. The games may include question answer games, puzzles, matching games, guessing games, other famous games such as Minesweeper etc. Each of the game also has a predefined correct solution associated with it. For example the question answer game will have a correct answer. Puzzles, matching games, guessing games will also have a correct solution. Similarly other games such as Minesweeper may have the correct solution as number of mines being destroyed, number of points obtained etc. It is to be noted that a variety of different games may be presented to the user here which have a predefined correct solution and the games are not limited to that disclosed here. The game image, game metadata and game levels may be used to create the gaming interface on the screen of the computing device.

[0035] The server used in the method 100 is adapted to transfers information and receive responses from the computing device in an instantaneous manner. There is no significant delay in sending the advertisement and game information from the server to the computing device. Similarly the processing of all messages and requests on the server is done in an instantaneous manner.

[0036] In step 130 the game information including the game image, game metadata, game levels is populated in a template to make a GUI of the interactive game on the screen of the computing device. The template may be made available in the computing device before playing the game. The user may also obtain the template from the server or internet. This creates the game on the computing device and the game is now ready to be played.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present invention, the advertisement information and the game information is provided to the computing device in the form of an xml/JSON (Extensible Markup Language or Javascript Object Notation) file.

[0038] Now in step 140 the start of the game is scheduled after a pre-specified time delay after the starting of the TV advertisement. When the advertisement starts on TV and user is watching then after pre-specified time (say 20 seconds), the game starts on the computing device. This makes sure that the viewer has watched the advertisement and the ready to play the game. This is also needed important step, as the game may have questions related to the advertisement being shown on TV. For example the question may include 'What is the name of the actor, in the advertisement?' or "What is the name of the monument shown in the advertisement. To play such question answer game, the user needs to see the advertisement for some time.

[0039] In step 150 the game is started game by presenting it to the user. After the specified time delay as explained in step 140, the game is started. The game may include question answer game, puzzle, matching game, guessing game, other famous games such as Minesweeper etc. In one embodiment of the present invention the game information is filtered based on a personal data, a preference and a use history of the user to present the game as per the user preference. For example, a male user could be shown an image or game of a product from the same brand that is targeted to males like a skin whitening cream for males and a female user could be shown an image of game of a product from the same brand that is targeted to females like a skin protection cream for females.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present invention the personal data, preference of the user may be collected before and the game information is filtered to present game of user's choice. Similarly in another embodiment the selection of game by the user is recorded and use history is used to present the game to the user.

[0041] The user plays the game and provides a solution of the game. In step 160 the user solution of the interactive game is received from the user using the GUI of the game. The user may provide the solution by entering the correct answer to a question in a text box or by clicking the correct answer from different buttons on the screen or by meeting a score in the game.

[0042] In step 170 the user solution is matched with the correct solution made available along with the game information. In this step the decision is made and the control shifts based on the matching of the solution. If the user solution is equal to the correct solution then control shifts to step 190. But if the user solution is not equal to the correct solution then control shifts to step 180, in which the user is presented with the same game at the same level, when the same advertisement is being showed on the TV. The game again starts from the same level and the step 180 is repeated until the user gives correct solution. On giving the correct answer the step 190 is processed.

[0043] The method of the present invention is adapted to allow the user to play the game along with his social network of friends. The same game may be played simultaneously and the network of such players is formed. In one embodiment the user may play the game along with his friends on social networking websites such as Facebook, Orkut, Google + or other similar networks. The user may also invite his friends by email, SMSes to form the network and play the same game.

[0044] In step 190 when the user solution is equal to the correct solution, it is verified on the server that the user solution is first correct solution among the network of users playing the same game. In one embodiment, if the user solution is correct then the user solution along with time stamp is sent to the server. The server also receives such responses from other users in the network, and finds the first user to provide the correct solution. If the user is first to answer correctly then the control shifts to step 200 but if the user is not the first to provide the correct solution then control shifts to step 210.

[0045] In step 200 the server informs the user that he is the first user to provide the correct solution to the game in the network of users and allocate some points based on his performance. In step 210 the server informs the user that his solution is correct but he is not the first user to provide the correct solution in the network.

[0046] After both the steps 200 and 210 since the user has provided the correct solution, the level of the game is increased to a higher level in step 220 and the same game at higher level is presented to the user when the same advertisement is being showed on the TV. The level of game passed by the user is stored and the next higher level of game is obtained from the game information as received in step 120. The game levels continue to keep increasing till all games mentioned in the game information are complete.

[0047] Next step 220 is common last step for the method after the steps 180, 200 and 210. In this step the analyses of the user solution from each user of the network is cent to the server. In one embodiment of the present invention the server sends the analytics of the user solution from each user of the network of users to the advertiser. The advertiser may use such analytics as a research for tracking the response, ROI of advertisements, changes needed, target market, viewer engagement etc.

[0048] The steps 110 and 120 of receiving the advertisement information and the game information respectively from the server may be done in different ways. In one embodiment of the present invention the user requests the server to provide a list of scheduled TV advertisements while watching a TV program. A user interested in playing the game sends a request to the server for the scheduled advertisements which will be broadcasted along with the TV program which he is viewing presently. In response to user request the server sends the advertisement and the game information to the user's computing device where it is stored and the game is presented as per the scheduled timing of the advertisement and the game.

[0049] In another embodiment of the present invention, the server sends the advertisement information and the game information after detecting the TV advertisement. This may be done manually in which a operator watches the TV and as soon as the advertisement is played on TV, the operator sends the advertisement and game information to all the users watching the same TV program by using the server console. The users do not need to request such information and have only to play the game. In another embodiment a software may be installed on the server which automatically detects the advertisement during a TV program and send the advertisement and game information to the registered users of the game.

[0050] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the step 110 further includes step 112 in which the user requests fingerprints of the advertisement information while watching a TV program. The fingerprints include vital data pieces which may be used to identify and locate the advertisement information on the server. In next step 114 the fingerprints of the advertisement information are stored on the computing device of the user. While the user is watching television, he uses the computing device and makes the device listen to an audio of the TV program he is watching in step 116.

[0051] The audio is matched with the stored fingerprints of the advertisement information to detecting the TV advertisement in step 118. The audio is matched with available fingerprints of the advertisement and the correct advertisement is detected. After detecting the advertisement, the fingerprints are used to obtain the complete advertisement information from the*server and also request the game information associated with the advertisement information of the detected TV advertisement from the server in step 120. In this way the advertisement and the game information is made available to the computing device for playing the game.

[0052] In one embodiment the server receives the advertisement information from the advertiser and stores in an advertisement database. The advertisement database also stores the information about the TV programs, users and games in separate tables. The user database may include tables that contain user ID, demographic data, program the user is watching on TV, user's game data, user's conversation links, user's social networking data, personal data, preferences, favorite TV programs etc.

[0053] Similarly the TV programs database may include tables that contain program ID, schedule program meta data, program conversation links, scheduled advertisements with program etc. And the advertisement database may include tables that contain advertiser ID, Ad campaign data, Ad budget data, status of Ad, Ad campaign target profile filter, targeted program data, gratification data etc.

[0054] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention the method 100 may be implemented as a mobile app along with a connected game server as illustrated in FIG. 4. The mobile app may be installed on different internet enabled computing devices such as mobile phone, tablet, iphone, ipad, laptop, desktops etc. Different versions of the mobile app may be made available for different operating systems such as Android, iPhone, Symbian, Windows etc. The internet enabled computing device may connect to the game server using internet. Similarly the TV set gets signals from the TV tower to display the TV program and the advertisements as per the TV channel instructions.

[0055] The mobile app may be downloaded form an online store for example Google Play and installed on the computing device. As soon as the mobile app is started it gets connected to the game server. The user personal data and preferences may be recorded at this stage and stored on the server. The mobile app may have different options on the screen where the user may network with friends sharing, messaging, and discussing about TV programs. The user may also invite, connect and accept requests for social networking.

[0056] The mobile app may have a screen or space on the screen dedicated for electronic program guide where the user can search or browse from TV programs to choose what program the user would like to watch or discuss. It may also have a screen or set of screens or space on screen where the user checks into while watching a program and access his social network, chat, do external social interactions with Facebook, Orkut, Twitter, etc.

[0057] Another set of screen may allow the user to see advertisements in sync with what is happening on TV and be able to play a the game of the present invention. In yet another screen the user may change the settings of his mobile app as per his preference.

[0058] The game server includes APIs offered to user mobile app to access databases, user social networking operations to connect/disconnect from friends, program information retrieval, advertisement information retrieval and uploading analytics. The server may include a Admin Console Panel to administer, create, edit, and delete database information. The server also broadcasts advertisements, game information, capture user events from the mobile app, store/retrieve data, manage game results in the user's social network and display and analytics reports.

[0059] The method 100 may be implemented as an apparatus comprising a mobile app on an internet enabled device, a server and a database.

[0060] Although a particular exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will be recognized to those skilled in the art that variations or modifications of the disclosed invention, including the rearrangement in the steps of the method, changes in sequence, variations in steps may be possible. Accordingly, the invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as may fall within the spirit and scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0061] The exemplary embodiments described herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many variations of steps, structure and design. It should be emphasized, however that the present invention is not limited to particular method of playing a game on an internet enabled computing device, synchronous with a TV advertisement, as shown and described. Rather, the principles of the present invention can be used with a variety of configurations and arrangements of method of playing a game on an internet enabled computing device, synchronous with a TV advertisement. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but the present invention is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims.

[0062] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions, substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

We Claim:

1. A method of playing a game on an internet enabled computing device, synchronous with a TV advertisement, the method comprising the steps of:

- receiving an advertisement information on the computing device from a server, the advertisement information including an advertisement image, an advertisement video, an advertisement schedule, an advertiser contact details;

- receiving a game information associated with the advertisement information from the server, the game information including an interactive game, a correct solution of the interactive game, a game image, a game metadata, a game levels;

- populating the game information in a template to make a GUI of the interactive game on a screen of the computing device;

- scheduling the start of the game after a pre-specified time delay after the starting of the TV advertisement;

- starting the interactive game by presenting it to a user;

- receiving a user solution of the interactive game from the user using the GUI of the game;

- matching the user solution with the correct solution;

- verifying on the server that the user solution is first correct solution among a network of users playing the same game;

- informing the user that the user is first to provide correct solution among the network of users playing the same game and allocating points to the user, if the user solution is first correct solution among the network of users;

- informing the user that the user solution is correct but not first among the network of users playing the same game and allocating points to the user, if the user solution is correct solution but not first among the network of users ;

- increasing a game level if the user solution is correct solution and starting the game at next level when the same TV advertisement is displayed next time;

- presenting the same game at same level again when the same TV advertisement is displayed next time, if the user solution is not same as the correct solution; and

- sending analytics of the user solution from each user of the network of users to the server.

2. The method of playing the game according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement information and the game information is received when the user requests the server to provide a list of scheduled TV advertisements while watching a TV program.

3. The method of playing the game according to claim 1, wherein the steps of

receiving of the advertisement information and the game information comprising steps of:

- requesting fingerprints of the advertisement information while watching a TV program;

- storing the fingerprints of the advertisement information on the computing device;

- listening to an audio of the TV program;

- matching the audio with the stored fingerprints of the advertisement information and detecting the TV advertisement; and

- requesting the game information associated with the advertisement information of the detected TV advertisement from the server.

4. The method of playing the game according to claim 1, wherein the advertisement information and 'he game information is received when the server sends the advertisement information and the game information after detecting the TV advertisement.

5. The method of playing the game according to claim 4, wherein the server detects the TV advertisement with aid of an operator manually.

6. The method of playing the game according to claim 4, wherein the server detects the TV advertisement with aid of a software automatically.

7. The method of playing the game according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the advertiser contact details including at least one contact from a list of an email, a phone number, a website link.

8. The method of playing the game according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the GUI is adapted to allow the user to contact the advertiser using the advertiser contact details presented on the screen of the computing device.

9. The method of playing the game according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the server receives the advertisement information from the advertiser and stores in an advertisement database.

10. The method of playing the game according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the server sends the analytics of the user solution from each user of the network of users to the advertiser.

11. The method of playing the game according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the game information is filtered based on a personal data, a preference and a use history of the user.