Means for directing a contestant through a competition using wirelessly transmitted clues

Abstract

An apparatus, computer program product, method and system are disclosed for directing a contestant in a competition through a series of puzzles to find a hidden item of value using digitized clues wirelessly transmitted to the contestant using SMS messaging. The digitized clues are transmitted sequentially to contestants in accordance with each contestant's, or team of contestants', satisfaction of performance benchmarks in the competition. Certain embodiments of the present invention include substitute means of generating and transmitting clues, as well as of collecting contestant performance data.

1 . A system to remotely direct a game contestant to the location of a prize, the system comprising:
 a persistent computer readable storage;   an incorporation module configured to incorporate a contestant into a virtual game framework, the incorporation module configured to store the contestant's name and mobile phone number in a database record in the persistent computer readable storage, the incorporation module configured to verify a contestant's name and registration by messaging the contestant wirelessly using one of a Short Message Service (SMS) and a Multimedia Message Service (MMS);   a distributor module configured to effectuate a wireless distribution to the contestant of a digitized clue stored in persistent storage with a plurality of digitized clues, the digitized clue indicative of the physical location of one or more items of value ensconced with a confirmation code, the digitized clue distributed in response to receipt of SMS from the contestant that matches the confirmation code exclusively associated with the digitized clue, the confirmation code encrypted in the persistent computer readable storage and discoverable exclusively at the physical location indicated by the digitized clue;   a receiver module configured to await SMS receipt the confirmation code sent by the contestant;   a measurement module configured to measure contestant game performance, the measurement module configured to measure one or more of: the time that elapses between transmission of a digitized clue to the contestant and receipt of the confirmation number associated with the digitized clue, mileage traveled by the contestant, relative position with respect to other participants, and points accumulated by the contestant; and   a passive transmitter module configured to interface with a social networking website, the transmitter module configured to transmit one or more measurements of contestant performance data to the social networking website.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the incorporation module is further configured to await a reply SMS message sent from the contestant before incorporating the contestant into the virtual game framework, the reply SMS sent to one of a short code text number and a standard telephone number. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the incorporation module is further configured to await a reply SMS message sent to a standard telephone number from the contestant before incorporating the contestant into the virtual game framework 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an active transmitter module configured to electronically transmit one or more measurements of contestant performance data to individuals who have affirmatively requested said contestant performance data via an Internet, the transmission comprising one of: an SMS, an email, and an asynchronous API transmission via the Internet. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the item of value comprises an amount of money that grows in direct proportion to one of: the digitally totaled amount of money received electronically from sponsors of the competition and the amount of observers who have communicated with the active transmitter module. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the contestant is virtually grouped into one of a plurality of contestant groups in accordance with a predetermined algorithm. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the digitized clues are distributed sequentially in accordance with a predetermined sequence to each contestant in a contestant group in the plurality of contestant groups. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the measurement module is in communication with a Global Positioning System (GPS) in possession of the contestant. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver module is configured to await one or more of: SMS receipt the confirmation code sent by the contestant, RFID confirmation of contestant presence at a predetermined location, an optical scan of a QR Code, GPS confirmation of contestant presence at a predetermined location, and magnetic card swipe of a card in the possession of the contestant. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the incorporation module is further configured to incorporate a team of contestants into a single database record. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the digitized clue is randomly selected from the plurality of digitized clues. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a tallying module configured to receive and tally votes communicated telephonically by third-parties tracking contestant performance, the tallying module storing vote tallies in the persistent computer storage. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the digitized clue is transmitted to the contestant accumulating the highest vote tally. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an automatic call distributor (ACD). 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the confirmation code is relayed by the contestant to the receiver module telephonically with DTMF signaling. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver module comprises in IVR platform configured to recognize oral recitation of the confirmation code by the contestant. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transmitter module is further configured to transmit one or more measurements of contestant performance data electronically to a television network. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the item of value comprises a pool of money that grows in direct proportion to the amount of viewers garnered by the television network broadcasting a television program comprising contestant performance data and commentary on the game. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the confirmation code stored at the location of the prize is generated by a computer device. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver module is further configured to acknowledge receipt of the confirmation code in response to correct transmission of the confirmation receipt and further configured to inform the contestant of non-confirmation of the confirmation code in response to incorrect transmission of the confirmation code. 
     
     
         21 . A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium having computer usable program code executable to perform operations for directing a game contestant to the location of a prize, the operations of the computer program product comprising:
 incorporating a contestant into a virtual game framework, the incorporation module configured to store the contestant's name and mobile phone number in a database record in the persistent computer readable storage, the incorporation module configured to verify a contestant's name and registration by messaging the contestant wirelessly using one of a Short Message Service (SMS) and a Multimedia Message Service (MMS);   effectuating a wireless distribution to the contestant of a digitized clue stored in persistent storage with a plurality of digitized clues, the digitized clue indicative of the physical location of one or more items of value ensconced with a confirmation code, the digitized clue distributed in response to receipt of SMS from the contestant that satisfies the confirmation code exclusively associated with the digitized clue;   awaiting SMS receipt the confirmation code sent by the contestant;   measuring one or more of: the time that elapses between transmission of a digitized clue to the contestant and receipt of the confirmation number associated with the digitized clue, mileage traveled by the contestant, points accumulated by the contestant, the order in which contestants reach physical locations identified by the plurality of digitized clues; and   interfacing with a social networking website, the transmitter module configured to transmit one or more measurements of contestant performance data to the social networking website.   
     
     
         22 . The computer program product of  claim 21 , further comprising distributing a digitized clue sequentially, in accordance with a predetermined sequence, to each contestant in a contestant group in the plurality of contestant groups.