Internet Scavenger Game

Abstract

A system, method, and computer readable medium for playing a scavenger hunt game via an electronic network, such as the Internet. Players are enabled to search and find clues distributed amongst multiple electronic locations, such as Web pages, in order to reach a final objective. Clues lead each player from a starting uniform resource locator (URL) to a final URL.

1 . A method for playing a game via the Internet, the method comprising:
 receiving, by a scavenger hunt system from a Web browser, a request from a user to activate a scavenger hunt;   activating the requested scavenger hunt;   transmitting to the Web browser, a first uniform resource locator (URL), wherein the URL pertains to a Web page associated with a hunt objective;   receiving, by the scavenger hunt system from the Web browser, hunt objective answer data; and   making a first determination whether the received hunt objective answer data is correct by comparing the received hunt objective answer data to stored objective answer data, wherein:
 if the received hunt objective answer data is determined to be incorrect, transmitting to the Web browser an alert message; and 
 if the received hunt objective answer data is determined to be correct, making a second determination whether the final hunt objective has been reached, wherein:
 if the final hunt objective has not been reached, transmitting to the Web browse a subsequent URL, wherein the subsequent URL pertains to a Web page associated with a subsequent hunt objective; and 
 if the final hunt objective has been reached, transmitting to the Web browser a completion message. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the Web browser is enabled to interact with the scavenger hunt system via a hunt utility mechanism included with the Web browser. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising transmitting to the Web browser a hunt objective clue. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the scavenger hunt is a team-building exercise. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the scavenger hunt is a test of knowledge. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein if the final hunt object has been reached, making a third determination whether the user is eligible for a reward per a reward parameter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein if the user is determined to be eligible for the reward per the reward parameter, transmitting to the Web browser a reward message. 
     
     
         8 . A method for creating a scavenger hunt, the method comprising:
 receiving, at a scavenger hunt system, a request to create a scavenger hunt;   receiving scavenger hunt data, wherein scavenger hunt data comprises hunt description data;   receiving scavenger hunt step data, wherein the scavenger hunt step data comprises:
 a hunt step objective; 
 a hunt objective clue; and 
 a uniform resource locator (URL) pertaining to a Web page associated with the hunt step objective; 
   requesting instruction whether the scavenger hunt is complete, wherein:
 if a received instruction indicates that the scavenger hunt is incomplete, 
   transmitting a request for subsequent scavenger hunt step data;
 if a received instruction indicates that the scavenger hunt is complete, transmitting a request for scavenger hunt rule data; 
   receiving the scavenger hunt rule data; and   activating the scavenger hunt in compliance with the scavenger hunt rule data.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving a player quantity requirement. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving a team quantity requirement. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the scavenger hunt pertains to one or more of the goods and services of a commercial entity. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising receiving scavenger hunt reward data. 
     
     
         13 . A system for enabling an electronic network scavenger hunt, the system comprising:
 a scavenger hunt system accessible via an electronic network, wherein the scavenger hunt system comprises:
 a data store mechanism configured to maintain scavenger hunt data for one or more scavenger hunts, wherein the scavenger hunt data includes a plurality of uniform resource locators (URLs) associated with the steps of a scavenger hunt; 
 a hunt creation interface mechanism configured to receive the scavenger hunt data, to enable the creation of a scavenger hunt based on the received scavenger hunt data, and to activate the created scavenger hunt; and 
 a hunt distribution mechanism configured to distribute one or more steps of the created scavenger hunt to an access mechanism via an electronic network in order to enable an individual to participate in the scavenger hunt. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the access mechanism is one or more of the following: a personal computer, a mobile phone, a multipurpose mobile device, an interactive television, a kiosk, or a video game system. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the electronic network is one of the following: the Internet, a mobile network, an intranet, and a broadcast network. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the hunt distribution mechanism is configured to distribute the one or more steps of the created scavenger hunt to the access mechanism by distributing the one or more steps of the created scavenger hunt to a hunt utility mechanism included in the access mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the hunt utility mechanism is configured to interact with a Web browser included in the access mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the data store mechanism is further configured to store user data. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the scavenger hunt data further includes reward data. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the scavenger hunt system is configured to interact with a social network system.