Method and apparatus for electronic random prize distribution with fixed prize inventory and unknown participant count
US8147321B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 8, 2008 |
| Grant date | Apr 3, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 26, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q30/0209
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A probability of winning at least one of a plurality of prizes for a contest is dynamically adjusted, given a fixed prize inventory and an a priori unknown number of participants. A variable probability is determined by approximately dividing a current number of participants in the contest by a current number of prizes awarded. The variable probability is dynamically adjusted based on a variable probability multiplier, that is obtained by dividing a current number of winners in a predefined time interval by a remaining number of prizes in the predefined time interval. A prize can be awarded based on the adjusted variable probability.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.