Interactive Puzzle Game over a Portable Device

Abstract

A game which divides an image into multiple parts, sends the multiple parts to multiple users, and allows the users to make “guesses” about what the image represents. The user or user groups who guesses what the image is really showing wins a prize.

1 . A method, comprising:
 Hosting a game by obtaining an image, and dividing said image into multiple different parts,   responsive to a request from a user, sending one of said parts to the user, and   receiving, from the user, information indicative of the users guess at what the different pieces of the image represent, wherein said guests is compared with the correct information, to determine if said guess is a correct guess, and awarding a prize for a correct guess.   
   
   
       2 . A method as in  claim 1 , wherein said dividing an image comprises dividing the image into at least 25 different parts, and sending said parts only responsive to said request. 
   
   
       3 . A method as in  claim 2 , wherein said dividing comprises dividing the image into parts, and where said part each have a different shape than a shape of a cellular phone display. 
   
   
       4 . A method as in  claim 2 , further comprising allowing entry of an indication that multiple users working together have made the correct guess, and automatically dividing a prize obtained from the correct guess. 
   
   
       5 . A system, comprising:
 a computer which obtains an image of a recognizable thing, and divides said image into a plurality of separated image parts, and sends said plurality of separated image parts responsive to requests, wherein each request receives a single image part, said computer sending said image parts over a cellular network such that said image parts can be displayed on displays of cellular telephones,   said computer receiving a response from one of the cellular telephones indicating a name that the picture represents, comparing said name to an actual name of the picture, and awarding a prize when the name that is guest by said one of said cellular phones is correct.   
   
   
       6 . A system as in  claim 5 , wherein said computer divides said image into at least 20 different parts. 
   
   
       7 . A system as in  claim 5 , wherein said computer divides only parts of said image, and sends said only parts. 
   
   
       8 . A system as in  claim 5 , wherein said computer divides said image into division portions that are different than a shape of the cellular display. 
   
   
       9 . A method, comprising:
 requesting, from a cellular phone, a portion of an image of an overall image;   forming a team between multiple cellular phone users, and analyzing multiple portions of the overall image among said users; and   making a guess from said team of cellular users, said guess representing the contents of said image.   
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 9 , further comprising awarding a prize for a proper guess, and automatically dividing said prize among said team. 
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 9 , wherein said requesting requires payment of a fee to obtain said portion. 
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 9 , wherein said requesting requires viewing an advertisement to obtain said portion.