Game based on combinations of words and implemented by a computer system

Abstract

A computer-implemented game including at least one terminal controlled by a player, a remote game site coupled to each of the terminals, and a search engine. The terminal and the site are designed to apply a request to the search engine, the request containing a word or a combination of words, and to receive therefrom in response a numerical score representative of the number of hits for the word or the combination of words in a set of web pages indexed by the search engine. Players add additional words to the search terms in an effort to reduce the numerical score to a desired target value or target range of values without falling below that value or range. Prizes are awarded on the basis of the number of words needed to reach the target, the time required, or other suitable criteria.

1 . A method of awarding prizes to players implemented as a game using a computer system that includes at least one terminal controlled by a player, a remote game site coupled to said terminal, and a search engine, the method comprising the sequence of successive steps of: 
 a) selecting an initial word and inputting a request containing said initial word;    b) applying the request to the search engine;    c) receiving in response an initial numerical score representative of the number of hits for said initial word in a set of web pages indexed by the search engine;    d) selecting, by the player, an additional word and inputting another request containing a combination of the initial word and the additional word;    e) receiving in response an amended numerical score representative of the number of hits for said combination of words in the set of web pages indexed by the search engine, said amended score being lower than the initial score;    f) if the amended score lies within a predetermined range of values about a target value, stopping the game and awarding a prize to the player;    g) if the amended score is less than a lowermost limit of the predetermined range, stopping the game without awarding a prize to the player; and    h) if the amended score is greater than an uppermost limit of the predetermined range, continuing the game by iteration from step d), with an additional word being selected and added to the combination of words.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target value is a predetermined value.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the target value is 10,000.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the target value is a value that is a function of the initial score.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the target value is a predetermined percentage of the initial score.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the limits of said predetermined range of values surrounding the target value are defined by a percentage of the target value.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the predetermined range of values surrounding the target value is a range of ±10% of the target value.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the additional word selected in step d) is a word belonging to a same semantic field as the initial word.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prize awarded in step f) is a function of the number of said iterations.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prize awarded in step f) is a function of the time that has elapsed since step a).  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initial word selected in step a) is selected by the player from a predefined set of words controlled by the game site.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the initial word selected in step a) is drawn at random from a predefined set of words controlled by the game site.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prize awarded in step f) is a prize provided by at least one awarding economic agent that is distinct from an economic agent operating the game site.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the prize is a money prize, and the method further comprises the steps of: 
 accessing a website for managing online payments;    registering the player as a client of said website; and    said website crediting a corresponding client account by an amount of said prize.    
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the terminal is also coupled to the game site in such a manner as to display an advertising message promoting said awarding economic agent(s).  
   
   
       16 . A method of awarding prizes to players implemented as a game using a computer system that includes at least one terminal controlled by a player, a remote game site coupled to said terminal, and a search engine, the method comprising the sequence of successive steps of: 
 a) receiving at the remote game site a request from the player containing an initial word;    b) applying the request to the search engine;    c) providing an initial numerical score to the player, said initial numerical score representative of the number of hits for said initial word in a set of web pages indexed by the search engine;    d) receiving at the remote game site a subsequent request containing a combination of the initial word and an additional word;    e) applying the subsequent request to the search engine;    f) providing an amended numerical score to the player, said amended numerical score representative of the number of hits for said combination of words in the set of web pages indexed by the search engine, said amended score being lower than the initial score;    g) if the amended score lies within a predetermined range of values about a target value, stopping the game and awarding a prize to the player;    h) if the amended score is less than a lowermost limit of the predetermined range, stopping the game without awarding a prize to the player; and    i) if the amended score is greater than an uppermost limit of the predetermined range, continuing the game by iteration from step d), with an additional word being added to the combination of words at each iteration.    
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the target value is a value that is a function of the initial score.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the target value is a predetermined percentage of the initial score.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the limits of said predetermined range of values surrounding the target value are defined by a percentage of the target value.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the predetermined range of values surrounding the target value is a range of ±10% of the target value.