Abstract:
A method of adding advertisements and promotions to web properties has companies accessing an online gaming provider. Advertisement data of the companies to be displayed on a Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOG) is loaded. Players are tagged as coming from websites of specific companies. Advertisement data is displayed on the MMOG, wherein each player views advertisement data from the specific company where the player was tagged as visiting.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to online advertising and, more specifically, to a system and process that allows registered users the ability of adding content, contests and promotions to web properties. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Massively Multi-player OnlineGames (MMOG) are video games that allow registered users the opportunity to play online games with other players logged in via the Internet. MMOGs can enable players to cooperate and or compete with each other on a large scale, and sometimes to interact meaningfully with people around the world. 
         [0003]    Advertising on MMOGs is typically limited to banner type ads. Banner ads are small rectangular advertisements that generally appear around a perimeter of a Web page. Banner ads are designed to attract traffic to a website by linking to the website of the advertiser. Banner ads are generally constructed from an image (GIF, JPEG, PNG), JavaScript program or multimedia object employing technologies such as Silverlight, Java, Shockwave or Flash, often employing animation, sound, or video to maximize presence. When one moves a mouse icon over and clicks on the banner ad, the viewer is directed to the website advertised in the banner. This event is known as a “click through”. In many cases, banners are delivered by a central ad server. 
         [0004]    Furthermore, game developers have been able to integrate ads and products at the time of creation, with game publishers and business development people bringing the advertisers. However, once the ads are integrated within the game, the ads are generally fixed and cannot be changed. Furthermore, because the game development process itself could take two years or more, the advertisements need to be determined long before they are seen by the target audience. 
         [0005]    Therefore, a need existed to provide a system and method to overcome the above problem. The system and method would allow registered users the ability of adding content, contests and promotions to web properties. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A method of adding advertisements and promotions to web properties has companies accessing an online gaming provider. Advertisement data of the companies to be displayed on a Massively Multi-player Online Game (MMOL) is loaded. Players are tagged as coming from websites of specific companies. Advertisement data is displayed on the MMOG, wherein each player views advertisement data from the specific company where the player was tagged as visiting. 
         [0007]    The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a simplified block diagram of the system  10  using the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a screen shot of the affiliates registration page of the operator&#39;s website; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a screen shot of a login page of the operator&#39;s website; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a screen shot of an affiliates webpage having links to the operator&#39;s website; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a screen shot of a customized landing page of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a screen shot registration page on the affiliates website for players to register to play online games on the operator&#39;s website; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is a screen shot of an information page on the affiliates website for players who register to play online games on the operator&#39;s website; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a screen shot of an online game on the operator&#39;s website showing advertisements for the affiliate; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is a screen shot of a leaderboard on the operator&#39;s website; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a screen shot of a advertisement video on the operator&#39;s website. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and detailed description to indicate like elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a simplified schematic of the system  10  of the present invention is shown. The system  10  allows users the ability of adding content, contests and promotions to web properties. The system  10  generally has a server  12 . The server  12  is used for hosting a plurality of on-line gaming applications as well as templates for allowing registered users the ability to customize different on-line gaming applications. 
         [0020]    The server  12  may be connected to a host computer system  14 . The computer system  14  may have a processor unit  16  and a display  18 . Input devices maybe coupled to the processor unit  16 . The input devices may be a keyboard  19 , a mouse  20  and the like. 
         [0021]    The processor unit  16  may further have an I/O port  22  for downloading data to the processor unit  16 . The I/O port  22  may be a USB port, a FireWire port or the like. The listing of the above is given as an example and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0022]    Through the execution of program instructions forming a computer program product within the computer system  14 , the computer system  14  may provide a means that allows registered users the ability of adding content, contests and promotions to web properties and more specifically to allow registered users the ability to customize different on-line gaming applications. The program instructions maybe located within a memory  28  of the processor unit  16  and executed by a central processing unit  30  (CPU). Any data generated and or gathered from the running of the program instructions may be stored within a storage media, memory  28 , or the like. Alternatively, the computer system  14  may have a connection  34  to the server  12  wherein the server  12  is used to store the means that allows registered users the ability of adding content, contests and promotions to web properties and more specifically to allow registered users the ability to customize different on-line gaming applications and to store the data generated. 
         [0023]    The server  12  and or the computer system  14  may be connected to a communication network  36 . The communication network  36  may be any type of communication system. In accordance with one embodiment, the communication network  36  is the internet. The server  12  and or the computer system  14  maybe connected to a communication network  36  via a wired and or wireless connection  32 . 
         [0024]    A plurality of computer systems  38  may be coupled to the server  12  via the communication network  36 . Each computer system  38  may be coupled to the communication network via a wired or wireless connection  35 . The computer systems  38  allow customers  60  to access the server  12  in order to play the on-line gaming applications provided by the operator  37  of the server  12 . The customers  60  may have to register prior to accessing the on-line gaming applications of the server  12 . In accordance with one embodiment, the gaming applications are MMOGs. The computer systems  38  will be similar to the computer systems  14 . The computer system  38  may have a processor unit  40  and a display  42 . Input devices may be coupled to the processor unit  40 . The input devices may be a keyboard  43 , a mouse  44  and the like. 
         [0025]    The processor unit  40  may have a memory  48  and a central processing unit  50  (CPU). The processor unit  40  may further have an I/O port  46  for downloading data to the processor unit  40 . The I/O port  46  may be a USB port, a FireWire port or the like. The listing of the above is given as an example and should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0026]    One or more customer servers  52  may be coupled to the server  12  via the communication network  36 . The customer servers  52  may be connected to the communication network  36  via wired and or wireless connections  53 . The customer servers  52  are used for hosting customer websites. The customer servers  52  may be coupled to a customer main computer system  54 . The customer main computer system  54  is used for adding content to the customer server  52 . 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-9 , operation of the system  10  will be disclosed. In operation, a customer  60  will used the system  10  to partner with the operator  37  of the system  10  to offer an online promotion. In accordance with one embodiment, the customer  60  will offer visitors of the customer&#39;s website  62  a chance to win predetermined prizes (i.e., cash, gifts, etc.) by playing an online game. In accordance with one embodiment, the online game is an online MMOG. The MMOG may be a casino game. As shown in  FIG. 7 , in the present embodiment, the MMOG is a casino table game. 
         [0028]    To get started, the customer  60  will access the operator&#39; s website  64 . When a customer  60  accesses the operator&#39; s website  64 , the customer may be sent to a registration section  66  of the operator&#39;s website  64 . Alternatively, the customer  60  may be sent to a home page of the operator&#39; s website  64  where the customer  60  may have to navigate by use of navigation tabs  68  to the registration section  66  of the operator&#39; s website  64 . The registration section  66  allows the customer  60  to register as a new customer. If the customer  60  needs to register, the customer  60  may need to enter a plurality of identifying information. The registration section of the operator&#39; s website  64  will have a plurality of fields  70  where the identifying information is entered. The customer  60  will enter identifying information in the different fields. For example, the customer  60  may need to provide information such as, but not limited to: User Name, Password, Company Name, Company Address, and the like. 
         [0029]    Once the registration information has been submitted and reviewed by the operator  37 , the customer  60  will be notified of acceptance or if the customer&#39;s request has been declined. The notification may be an email, regular mail, a telephonic message, or the like. In accordance with one embodiment, the notification is an email. If the customer  60  has been approved, the email may contain a confirmation of acceptance and a link to login section  72  of the operator&#39;s website  64 . In a similar manner, if the customer  60  is already a registered user, the customer will access the login section  72  of the operator&#39;s website  64  in order to log into and access the operator&#39;s website  64 . The login section  72  will have one or more fields  74 . The customer  60  may be able to access the operator website  64  by entering at least one of a user name and or a password in the appropriate field  74 . Once the user name and or password has been validated, the customer  60  will be sent to the section of the operator&#39;s website  64  where the customer  60  may customize a particular gaming application. The section of the operator&#39;s website  64  where the customer  60  may customize a particular gaming application allows the customer to select a particular gaming application to use as a promotion. The gaming application may be any type of online gaming application. In accordance with one embodiment, the online gaming application is an online MMOG. The MMOG may be a casino game. As shown in  FIG. 8  in the present embodiment, the MMOG is a casino table game and more specifically, a casino poker game. 
         [0030]    Once a particular gaming application has been selected, the customer  60  may customize the gaming application. The customer  60  may customize the gaming application by selecting where and how different advertisements  76  may be shown. In accordance with one embodiment, the customer  60  may upload their logos  78  to be seen on the game table, background graphics to be seen behind the table and can insert advertising call tags so that their visitors see their ads while playing the game. Alternatively, the customer  60  may provide links which allows their logos  78  and advertising call tags to be downloaded from the client server  52 . 
         [0031]    The customer  60  may further have the option of running an invitational tournament for all, or a specific subset (high speed Internet users) of their players. The customer  60  may offer their registered users a private tournament that is only accessible through the entry of a code, password, or by loading an invitation list of specific emails. 
         [0032]    The customer  60  may further be provided with banners  78  to be placed on the customer&#39;s website  62 . The banners  78  will provide advertisement inviting visitors to the customer&#39;s website  62  the opportunity to visit the operator&#39;s website  64  where the visitor may play different gaming applications. The visitors to the customer&#39;s website  62  further may have the exclusive opportunity to play in a customer  60  sponsored only invitational tournament held at the operator&#39;s website  64 . The different gaming applications may award the winner different prizes. Local league prizes are an option and can be added at any time. 
         [0033]    When a visitor to the customer&#39;s website  62  clicks on the banner  78  or a link sent via email, the visitor is directed to a customized landing page  68 . The landing page  68  may explains about the operator&#39;s website  64 , reviews the customer&#39;s invitational tournament (if applicable), and or provides instructions on how to register. The landing page  68  is customized for each different customer. The landing page  68  may explains the above mentioned via text, audio, and or video means. In accordance with one embodiment, the landing page  68  introduces a site spokesman  80 , and reviews the customer&#39;s invitational tournament (if applicable), and provides instructions on how to register. The landing page  68  is customized for each different customer  60 . 
         [0034]    If a visitor decided to participate and become a player of the MMOG, the visitor is taken to a co-branded registration page  82 . The registration page  82  has a plurality of fields  84 . The fields  84  may be used for each player to enter identifying information. As part of the official rules, each player may have to agree to have the registration data shared. The identifying information to be entered in the fields  84  by each player may include, but is not limited to: Player Name, Player Address, Date of Birth, Sex, Screen Name, Password, Email Address, and the like. 
         [0035]    When a player that has registered from an affiliate site (i.e., customer website  62 ) logs-in to the operator&#39;s website  64  to play one of the gaming applications the player is sent to a home page  86  of the operator&#39;s website  64 . The player is ‘tagged’ as coming from a specific ‘affiliate’ site (i.e., customer website  62 ) on which the player registered. This means that players that have registered from these sites see a customized or ‘skinned’ presentation layer-extending the affiliates&#39; content seamlessly. Thus, each player sees an entirely different presentation layer based upon the affiliate site (i.e., customer website  62 ) that particular player registered from. Each player will see different advertisements  76 , banners  78 , and the like related to the specific ‘affiliate’ site (i.e., customer website  62 ) on which the player registered from. 
         [0036]    When a player selects a particular gaming application, the player is sent to the gaming page  88  selected. Again, the player is ‘tagged’ as coming from a specific ‘affiliate’ site (i.e., customer website  62 ) on which the player registered. That player sees the customized or ‘skinned’ presentation layer-extending the affiliates&#39; content seamlessly. Each player sees a different presentation layer based upon which affiliate site (i.e., customer website  62 ) that particular player registered from. Thus, each player will see different advertisements  76 , banners  78 , and the like related to the specific ‘affiliate’ site (i.e., customer website  62 ) on which the player registered from. This allows the system  10  to have the different players playing at a single table all seeing different presentation 
         [0037]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , each player sees a branded table top showing the logo  78 , backdrop, and a % of ads  76  that rotate around the table. In accordance with one embodiment, the logo  78 , backdrop, and a % of ads  76  that rotate around the table are called from the affiliate server  52 . This increases site visitation metrics and banner ad revenues, promotes cross conversion to other media and allows for targeted marketing to this online constituency. 
         [0038]    This also enables web properties to recognize players that have registered from their site at a site-specific basis while also having them compete at a national level. The operator&#39; s website  64  may further have a leaderboard page  90 . The leaderboard page  90  presents standings at both a national and affiliate basis. 
         [0039]    The operator&#39;s website  64  may further have a video page  92 . Prior to and during pre-programmed game-breaks, a streaming media player may open as shown in  FIG. 10 . The video page  92  allows customers  60  to showcase ad content or rich-media ads. 
         [0040]    Even if you one is not a customer  60 , the system  10  may allow any sponsor to deploy a promotional tournament, or series of tournaments, using the operator website  64 . 
         [0041]    For example: Company XYZ wants to offer their in-store visitors a new promotion. People come into the store and get a card with an invitation code on it. People go to the operator&#39; s website  64  (or through a landing page) and register to play in the Company XYZ Poker invitational. In order to register one must have a code—and of course no purchase is necessary. This could be done with a B2B application also where a national sales force runs a promotion and only the 3,000 sales people around the country can play and they can enter by just putting their Joe@mycompany.com email address in to the tournament registration area. 
         [0042]    The system  10  provides the thrill of high-stakes tournament gaming without any of the risk-all wrapped around a branded adver-gaming experience. Customers  60  get to touch their visitors on multiple levels in a casual gaming atmosphere. 
         [0043]    While embodiments of the disclosure have been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.