Method, system, and device to allow a person a commercial spaceflight

Abstract

The disclosed subject matter involves a skill based game where users predict a future event. Once the contestants make their prediction, the value is recorded and then compared against the actual data of the event predicted when the event occurs. The difference between the actual and predicted value is used to determine a winner of the skill based game. The winner of the competition advances in a tournament to reach the goal of the contest.

1 . A method for allowing at least one user to win a trip to space on a spaceship using a skill-based game, comprising the steps of:
 associating a plurality of users with a skill-based game wherein said skill-based game comprises predicting a future parameter value within a range of future parameter values, said future parameter value being undetermined until the occurrence of a predetermined event;   allowing each of said plurality of users to make at least one entry into said skill-based game, said at least one entry comprising a user prediction of said future parameter value;   receiving from each of said plurality of users a prediction of said future parameter value;   determining the value of said future parameter value as an actual parameter value upon the occurrence of said predetermined event;   determining for each of said plurality of users a parameter value relationship between said actual parameter value and said corresponding user prediction of said future parameter value, thereby generating a plurality of parameter value relationships;   determining from among said plurality of parameter value relationships a predetermined subset of parameter value relationships, each of said parameter value relationships within said predetermined subset comprising a desirable attribute relative to said actual parameter value; and   selecting from said plurality of users at least one user corresponding to at least one of said plurality of parameter value relationship; and
 awarding to said at least one selected user a prize. 
   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined parameter values comprise values of a high temperature, low temperature, precipitation, and humidity in Central Park, New York City within a twenty-four hour period from midnight to midnight on a given day, which values then compare to the predicted future values selected by the users. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of users are divided into subsets to compete against each other before the occurrence of the predetermined event. 
   
   
       4 . A method of raising funds for a private venture, comprising the steps of:
 associating a plurality of users with a skill-based game wherein said skill-based game comprises predicting a future parameter value within a range of future parameter values, said future parameter value being undetermined until the occurrence of a predetermined event;   allowing each of said plurality of users to make at least one entry into said skill-based game, said at least one entry comprising a user prediction of said future parameter value;   requiring collection of a fee from either the participant or a third party as a precondition of game play;   receiving from each of said plurality of users a prediction of said future parameter value;   determining the value of said future parameter value as an actual parameter value upon the occurrence of said predetermined event;   determining for each of said plurality of users a parameter value relationship between said actual parameter value and said corresponding user prediction of said future parameter value, thereby generating a plurality of parameter value relationships;   determining from among said plurality of parameter value relationships a predetermined subset of parameter value relationships, each of said parameter value relationships within said predetermined subset comprising a desirable attribute relative to said actual parameter value;   selecting from said plurality of users at least one user corresponding to at least one of said plurality of parameter value relationship;   repeating the competition until a terminal condition has been met to satisfy the costs of the prize; and   awarding to said at least one selected user a trip to space on a spaceship.   
   
   
       5 . A system for allowing at least one user to win a trip into space on a spaceship using a skill based game comprising of:
 a plurality of users;   a skill based game comprising:
 predicting a future parameter value within a range of future parameter values; 
 allowing said users to make a least one entry comprising a prediction of the said future parameter value; 
 allowing said users to coordinate into subsets with other users to compete against for a single round; 
 allowing said users in the subsets to compare predictions against an actual outcome of the predetermined event, after the predetermined event occurs; and 
 advancing a subset of said plurality of users by determining which ones of said plurality of users in a subset make a predetermined prediction; and 
 an interactive device for allowing said plurality of users to input their predictions into said game system. 
   
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said game system further comprises:
 contestant inputs made at a remote location;   
     said contestant inputs transmitted by a communication medium to a central server; and
 said server where all game information is collected and processed. 
 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising repetition of the game until reaching a termination event selected by the game operator prior to the beginning of the game. 
   
   
       8 . A game where a contestant makes a skill based prediction comprising of:
 means for allowing a contestant to participate in a game based on skill where said contestant predicts a future value;   means for allowing a contestant to compete against others in a subunit of all contestants at an equal level of game advancement, and   means for selecting an advancing contestant as a result of said prediction.   
   
   
       9 . The game of  claim 8  where the variables predicted comprise independent variables. 
   
   
       10 . The game of  claim 9  where the variables predicted comprise physical phenomena. 
   
   
       11 . The game of  claim 8  where the winner in the single elimination round advances to the next level in a tournament until a predetermined level of advancement is reached to declare a winner. 
   
   
       12 . The game of  claim 8  where contestants comprise assigned to a subset of other contestants in the same level to compete against where:
 if a contestant wins, he advances to the next level of active play and his contingency play, if previously made, becomes the new active play for the next round; or   
     if a contestant loses, he loses all advancements and reverts to the beginning of game play; or
 if two contestants tie, they both advance to a contingency round at the same level they were playing at and their contingency plays, if previously made, become active for the contingency round. 
 
   
   
       13 . The game of  claim 12  where contestants sent to a contingency round comprise set to compete against each other and:
 if a contestant wins, he advances to the next level of active play and his contingency play, if previously made, becomes the new active play for the next round; or   if a contestant loses, he loses all advancements and reverts to the beginning of game play; or   if two contestants tie, they both advance to a contingency round at the same level they were playing at and their contingency plays, if previously made, become active for another contingency round.   
   
   
       14 . The game of  claim 12  where the variables comprise evaluated in a fixed order and advancement from the round is determined by the contestant to get the first variable correct or closest to correct, then the next criteria in the series is looked at until a winner is declared or a tie is found based on both answers being identical or the same offset from the correct answer, resulting in both contestants participating in a contingency round. 
   
   
       15 . The game of  claim 8  where the predictions comprise published in advance of the third party announcement. 
   
   
       16 . The game of  claim 8  where contestants comprise supplied with predicative information from third parties. 
   
   
       17 . The game of  claim 16  where the contestant is alerted to whether his predictions comprise outside of the predicted range of values from the aforementioned third party before the contestant makes his selection. 
   
   
       18 . The game of  claim 8 , wherein contestants use an interactive display comprising of:
 an action menu for contestants to make a selection;   
     a login in panel to allow contestants to access their accounts on the game; 
     a play area to allow contestants to make their selections for the game; and 
     a dynamic area displaying regularly updated information relevant to the contestant. 
   
   
       19 . The display of  claim 18  wherein contestants inputs comprise made by use of a radio button control display. 
   
   
       20 . The game of  claim 8  further comprising repetition of the game until a termination event selected by the game operator prior to the beginning of the game has been reached.