System and method for donations using online interactive games

Abstract

A system and method for donations using online interactive games with players using social networks. Users play games wherein winning results in others donating to their selected recipient, such as a cause, charity, school, etc. A database maintains user information, recipient information, and tracks donation credits. Users play games, donate to recipients, and have players donate to their selected recipients. The system and method can automatically match users as teammates, competitors, and tournament members. The system and method facilitate game play, collection of funds, and payment of collected funds to selected recipients. The funds benefit recipients, and new supporters are identified to the recipients.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of Invention[0002]The invention relates to the field of electronic commerce over data communications networks and, more particularly, is related to a system and method for enabling donations using interactive games that operate on social networks, gaming networks, or telecommunication networks.[0003]2. Background of the Invention[0004]To facilitate donations, especially to charitable organizations, often a component of competition is introduced to encourage participation in fund raising initiatives. Traditional methods of using competitive activities to encourage donations include charitable golf tournaments with tournament ticket sales profits going to charity or a casino night sponsored by a civic association or the like. As people receive more and more donation solicitations through the phone, email, websites and other mediums, there is a need for a new donation system that provides competition, entertainment, a possibility of a micro-don...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]It should be apparent that there exists a need for associating fundraising activity with online gaming. Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for enabling donations to causes through the use of interactive games that could operate on social networks, gaming networks, or telecommunication networks. Associating a component of raising funds for causes with online gaming potentially makes game-playing more “meaningful” since the player's level of play will determine whether a favorite cause will receive funds. As opposed to standard gaming where the user plays for their own benefit, the user is playing to benefit their favorite cause.

Problems solved by technology

However, there are no donation credits to be purchased and won by users to donate to their designated cause.

Further, there is not the competitive feature of players vying to win money for their favorite cause.

However, there is not the competitive game aspect, automated pairing of players (team members and opponents), or donation credits that enable micro-donations.

The prior art systems and methods fail to address, among other things, the competitive game features and team / player pairing features that allow users and teams to play for and win donation credits for their favorite cause.

Images