Method of and system for managing client resources and assets for activities on computing devices

Abstract

A method of and system for enabling a distributed entertainment system over a computing device is described herein. When implementing a distributed entertainment system wherein the entertainment system is directly correlated to live events or televised programs, there are a number of issues that must be addressed such as differing timing and channels of television programs and separate state laws. Furthermore, there are a plethora of varying computing device models possibly requiring model-specific software. An “Activity Client” is provided to handle such concerns. Furthermore, since time is of the essence for activities based on live or televised events, it is necessary to ensure a computing device is able to receive the necessary updates for the program before the event begins. By providing only the needed components instead of entire data packages, the present invention is able to much more efficiently prepare users' computing devices in time.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method of implementing an entertainment service on computing devices comprising:
 downloading an activity client to a computing device; 
 selecting and registering with an entertainment service; 
 loading a set of event information related to a location of the computing device to the activity client, wherein the location determines the set of event information to be loaded, further wherein the location determines a geographic-specific schedule of events, wherein the set of event information includes a schedule of available events, further wherein the schedule of available events includes a name of a television event, identification of an activity to be played with the television event, a television network and local channel offering the television event, a duration of the television event and information relating to nature of a prize related to the television event; 
 selecting an event from the activity client to participate in by a user from a list of possible events; 
 downloading a set of activity-specific information related to an activity from a server to the computing device; and 
 executing an interactive application corresponding to the event on the computing device. 
 
     
     
       2. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the activity client is a program for managing activity information and data. 
     
     
       3. The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising identifying a user status. 
     
     
       4. The method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein identifying the user status includes identifying a geographic location of the computing device. 
     
     
       5. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the activity client is specifically designed for the computing device. 
     
     
       6. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein executing the application is in real-time, synchronized with the event. 
     
     
       7. The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising displaying the set of event information. 
     
     
       8. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the set of event information is continually broadcast from the server and received at the computing device. 
     
     
       9. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the set of activity-specific information includes activity-specific instructions and information related to nature of the activity and event. 
     
     
       10. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein an activity interpreter resident in the activity client is used to execute the application. 
     
     
       11. The method as claimed in  claim 10  wherein the activity interpreter combines the activity, event and device instructions to execute the activity in real-time. 
     
     
       12. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the application is selected from the group consisting of a game, a survey and a poll. 
     
     
       13. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the computing device is a wireless device. 
     
     
       14. The method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the computing device is selected from the group consisting of a set-top box, a personal computer, a gaming console, a laptop computer, a cell phone, a PDA and a combination device. 
     
     
       15. The method as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising:
 a. receiving a list of assets from the server; 
 b. comparing the list of assets with a first set of assets on the computing device; 
 c. receiving only a second set of assets within the list of assets that are not already resident on the computing device. 
 
     
     
       16. The method as claimed in  claim 15  further comprising improving efficiency by prioritizing the second set of assets. 
     
     
       17. The method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the second set of assets are grouped into a set of necessary assets and a set of preferred assets. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1  wherein the application comprises an interactive activity. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 1  wherein the entertainment service comprises a game service. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 1  wherein the entertainment service comprises a television-related service. 
     
     
       21. A method of implementing an entertainment service at a server comprising:
 receiving information registering with the entertainment service from one or more computing devices; 
 downloading an activity client from the server to the one or more computing devices; 
 determining a location of each of the one or more computing devices; 
 for each of the one or more computing devices, loading a set of event information related to the location of the computing device to the activity client, wherein the location determines the set of event information to be loaded, further wherein the location determines a geographic-specific schedule of events, wherein the set of event information includes a schedule of available events, further wherein the schedule of available events includes a name of a television event, identification of an activity to be played with the television event, a television network and local channel offering the television event, a duration of the television event and information relating to nature of a prize related to the television event; 
 downloading a set of activity-specific information related to an activity from the server to one or more of the computing devices. 
 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21  wherein the entertainment service comprises a game service. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 21  wherein the entertainment service comprises a television-related service. 
     
     
       24. The method of  claim 21  further comprising executing an application corresponding to a selected event on the computing device. 
     
     
       25. The method of  claim 24  wherein the application is an interactive activity. 
     
     
       26. The method of  claim 24  wherein the application is selected from the group consisting of a game, a survey and a poll. 
     
     
       27. The method of  claim 24  wherein the application is synchronized with television programming. 
     
     
       28. The of  claim 21  wherein downloading the set of activity-specific information comprises:
 receiving a list of assets from the server; 
 comparing the list of assets with a first set of assets on the computing device; and 
 receiving only a second set of assets within the list of assets that are not already resident on the computing device. 
 
     
     
       29. A method of implementing an entertainment service on computing devices comprising:
 downloading an activity client to a computing device; 
 selecting and registering with an entertainment service; 
 loading a set of event information related to a location of the computing device to the activity client, wherein the location determines the set of event information to be loaded, wherein the set of event information includes a schedule of available events, further wherein the schedule of available events includes a name of a television event, identification of an activity to be played with the television event, a television network and local channel offering the television event, a duration of the television event and information relating to nature of a prize related to the television event; 
 selecting an event from the activity client to participate in by a user from a list of possible events; 
 downloading a set of event-specific information related to an activity from a server to the computing device including:
 receiving a list of assets from the server; 
 comparing the list of assets with a first set of assets on the computing device; 
 receiving only a second set of assets within the list of assets that are not already resident on the computing device; and 
 
 executing an interactive application corresponding to the event on the computing device. 
 
     
     
       30. The method of  claim 29  wherein the entertainment service comprises a game service. 
     
     
       31. The method of  claim 29  wherein the entertainment service comprises a television-related service. 
     
     
       32. The method of  claim 29  wherein the application is selected from the group consisting of a game, a survey and a poll. 
     
     
       33. The method of  claim 29  wherein the application is synchronized with television programming. 
     
     
       34. A method of implementing an entertainment service on computing devices comprising:
 selecting and registering with an entertainment service; 
 downloading an activity client to a computing device; 
 loading a set of game information related to a location of the computing device to the activity client, wherein the location determines the set of game information to be loaded, wherein the set of event information includes a schedule of available events, further wherein the schedule of available events includes a name of a television event, identification of an activity to be played with the television event, a television network and local channel offering the television event, a duration of the television event and information relating to nature of a prize related to the television event; 
 selecting a game from the activity client to participate in by a user from a presented list of possible games constructed from the set of game information; 
 downloading a set of activity-specific information related to an activity from a server to the computing device; and 
 executing an interactive application corresponding to the game on the computing device. 
 
     
     
       35. The method of  claim 34  wherein the entertainment service comprises a game service. 
     
     
       36. The method of  claim 34  wherein the entertainment service comprises a television-related service. 
     
     
       37. The method of  claim 34  wherein the application is selected from the group consisting of a game, a survey and a poll. 
     
     
       38. The method of  claim 34  wherein the application is synchronized with television programming.