The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 08, 2008
Filed:
May. 25, 2004
Michal Bortnik, Seattle, WA (US);
Steven D. Lamb, Woodinville, WA (US);
Max Hoberman, Redmond, WA (US);
Johan P. Hansen, Bellevue, WA (US);
Michal Bortnik, Seattle, WA (US);
Steven D. Lamb, Woodinville, WA (US);
Max Hoberman, Redmond, WA (US);
Johan P. Hansen, Bellevue, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
A multilevel online tournament is provided. The first tournament round has a single bracket and each subsequent tournament round has a winners bracket and a losers bracket corresponding to a bracket in the previous tournament round. The tournament format allows players to match-up against any other player located within the same bracket. The online tournament format also allows participants to start playing match in a round of the tournament prior to the official start of that round. Thus, players are able to more quickly advance through the tournament and spend less time waiting for a suitable opponent. The tournament format also allows for players to request available tournament byes and to automatically progress when they are unable to connect with other players due to quality of service issues.