Method and apparatus for interactive real time distributed gaming

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus, system and method for playing interactive distributed gaming. One embodiment of the method comprises transmitting a performance prediction to a scoring database on a game server and determining an actual performance outcome. The actual performance outcome representation is transmitted to a remote terminal. The performance prediction is scored based on the actual performance outcome. In at least one embodiment, a predetermined ruleset is used to score the performance prediction based on the actual performance outcome.

1 . A method for playing an interactive distributed game, the method comprising: 
 transmitting a performance prediction to a scoring database on a game server;    determining an actual performance outcome;    transmitting an actual performance outcome representation to a remote terminal; and    scoring said performance prediction based on said actual performance outcome.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , including transmitting said performance prediction and determining said actual performance outcome for a sporting event.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , including transmitting said performance prediction and determining said actual performance outcome for a fantasy sporting event.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , including transmitting said performance prediction and determining said actual performance outcome for a trivia game.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein scoring said performance prediction based on said actual performance outcome comprises using a predetermined ruleset.  
   
   
       6 . A method for performing an interactive distributed game, the method comprising: 
 receiving a next performance prediction at a scoring database on a game server;    determining an actual performance outcome;    transmitting an actual performance outcome representation; and    scoring said performance prediction based on said actual performance outcome using a predetermined ruleset.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , including transmitting said next performance prediction to said scoring database using a remote terminal.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , including storing said next performance prediction locally on said remote terminal.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , including storing said next performance prediction on said scoring database.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , including transmitting said actual performance outcome representation to a remote terminal.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein transmitting comprises at least one of transmitting over a communications network, transmitting over a radio channel, and transmitting over a television channel.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein scoring comprises awarding points when said next performance prediction is correct.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising transmitting a defensive performance outcome representation and scoring said defensive performance outcome.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising transmitting video of a sporting event.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising transmitting auxiliary information.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising transmitting text information.  
   
   
       17 . An interactive distributed game comprising: 
 a game server adapted to determine a performance-stopped-state and receive a next performance prediction during a submit-prediction-mode over a communication interface;    a scoring database storing a participant score in a scoring memory; and    a remote terminal adapted to submit said next performance prediction to said game server, the remote terminal responsive to an actual performance outcome representation to update a participant score based on the actual performance outcome and said next performance prediction.    
   
   
       18 . The interactive distributed game of  claim 17 , further comprising a scoring database storing a participant score in a scoring memory.  
   
   
       19 . The interactive distributed game of  claim 17 , wherein said next performance prediction is one of a yardage prediction and a scoring prediction.  
   
   
       20 . The interactive distributed game of  claim 17 , wherein said remote terminal is further responsive to a defensive performance outcome to update the participant score.