Heterogeneous system for the real-time award and fulfillment of prizes using networked electronic devices

Abstract

The system integrating video game applications played on networked electronic devices, using Internet accessible servers. The preferred embodiment integrates advertising and brand marketing within game play, with instantaneous, real-time awarding of skilled and non-skilled based prizes, product discounts and free products and services. Fulfillment of the awarded prizes can be processed at retail and online stores that connect to these same Internet accessible servers.

1 . A system for networked electronic devices, comprising a plurality of video game applications and a plurality of Internet accessible servers, whereby a registered user of a networked electronic device may redeem a prize from a sponsor in real-time at a retail and online location. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said networked electronic device comprises mobile phones, personal digital assistants, portable audio players, portable video players, desktop and laptop computers, home and portable game consoles. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said user of said networked electronic device using said plurality of video game applications must provide personal information to establish an account and become a registered user. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of video game applications are downloaded and/or can be pre-loaded onto said networked electronic device. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of video game applications have contest rules. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of video game applications can be played as often as desired, but frequency of obtaining a win is determined within contest rules. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said registered user plays said plurality of video game applications attempting to achieve a pre-determined goal/objective on said networked electronic device. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein pre-determined goal/objective on said plurality of video game applications on said networked electronic devices can be both of a skilled and a luck based nature. 
   
   
       9 . The system of in  claim 7  wherein said registered user achieves said pre-determined objective on said plurality of video game applications on said networked electronic device, thereby recording a win, and thereby said registered user becomes a winner. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of Internet accessible servers validate said plurality of video game applications of the registered user. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said win on said plurality of video game application are validated on said Internet accessible servers in real-time. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said winner is sent a winning notification to said networked electronic device in real-time. Said winning notification can also be sent and redeemed by other methods, comprising electronic data transfer using said networked electronic devices, email and conventional mail. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said winning notification comprises a unique and secure image or data having a means to be securely transmitted over Internet accessible servers in said real-time for identifying said registered user of said plurality of video game applications on said networked electronic devices as said winner. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein said winning notification comprises a method having a means to securely authenticate the said winning game on said plurality of video game applications, on said networked electronic devices, by said registered users and said winners. 
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 9  wherein said winners bring said winning notification to said retail and online location having a means to perform a validation and a fulfillment function, to award said winner said prize. 
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 1  where said prize is identified in said contest rules. 
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein once said prize is redeemed, said winning notification is immediately deactivated in real-time to prevent reuse and unauthorized redeeming of said prize, thereby violating said contest rules. 
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said sponsors utilize said plurality of video game applications for the purpose of said registered users redeeming said prize at said retail and online location for advertising and promotional purposes. 
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of video game applications is designed to contain related game play, graphics and audio as exists in the sponsor's related advertising campaign in television, print, radio and online media to create a congruous advertising message. 
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said registered user of said networked device plays said plurality of video game application to achieve said winning game and redeem said prize at said retail and online location.