U.S. patent application number 09/326897 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-02 for methods and apparatus for playing bingo over a wide geographic area.
Invention is credited to FIORETTI, PHILLIP R..
Application Number | 20020052231 09/326897 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25484053 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020052231 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FIORETTI, PHILLIP R. |
May 2, 2002 |
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYING BINGO OVER A WIDE GEOGRAPHIC
AREA
Abstract
Methods and apparatus (systems) are set forth for enabling bingo
(and similar games of chance, referred to hereinafter collectively
as "bingo") to be played in real time at locations which are remote
(geographically separated in a physical sense) from the location
where the numbers (or more generally symbols) used to play a bingo
type of game are being selected. The disclosed methods and
apparatus are directed to both passive and interactive systems
which allow bingo to be played from the aforementioned remote
locations.
Inventors: |
FIORETTI, PHILLIP R.;
(POMPANO BEACH, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREGORY DUREAULT, ESQ.
IBC INVESTMENTS LIMITED
1055 WEST BROADWAY STREET, 5TH FLOOR
VANCOUVER
BC
V6H 1E2
CA
|
Family ID: |
25484053 |
Appl. No.: |
09/326897 |
Filed: |
June 7, 1999 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09326897 |
Jun 7, 1999 |
|
|
|
09122415 |
Jul 24, 1998 |
|
|
|
09122415 |
Jul 24, 1998 |
|
|
|
08712795 |
Sep 12, 1996 |
|
|
|
08712795 |
Sep 12, 1996 |
|
|
|
08274833 |
Jul 14, 1994 |
|
|
|
08274833 |
Jul 14, 1994 |
|
|
|
07946176 |
Sep 16, 1992 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/19 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 3/081 20130101;
A63F 3/0645 20130101; A63F 2009/0004 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101;
A63F 2003/082 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/19 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for enabling bingo to be played over a wide geographic
area, comprising: (a) means for issuing game card arrays in
response to purchase requests; (b) means for keeping track of all
game card arrays issued in response to said purchase requests; (c)
means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo
session; and (d) means for communicating over a wide geographic
area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a
particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide
geographic area to participate in the bingo session.
2. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for for
issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests further
comprises: (a) point of sale terminal means including means for
uploading game card array purchase requests to system base station
means from a site other then where said system base station means
is physically located; and (b) system base station means including
means for for issuing valid game card arrays and downloading said
valid game card arrays to said point of sale terminal means in
response to game card array purchase requests.
3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said point of sale
terminal means includes means for printing valid game card arrays
downloaded from said system base station means.
4. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said point of sale
terminal means includes means for storing valid game card arrays
downloaded from said system base station means into an electronic
gaming device.
5. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for for
issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests further
comprises: (a) system base station means, including point of sale
terminal means and means for inputting game card array purchase
requests to said terminal means, for issuing valid game card arrays
in response to game card array purchase requests input thereto; and
(b) means for downloading said valid game card arrays to an
electronic gaming device.
6. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for for
issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests further
comprises: (a) system base station means, including point of sale
terminal means and means for inputting game card array purchase
requests to said terminal means, for issuing valid game card arrays
in response to game card array purchase requests input thereto; and
(b) means for downloading said valid game card arrays to a means
for printing said arrays.
7. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said system base
station means further comprises: (a) means for creating a set of
game card arrays from which valid game card arrays may be issued;
and (b) means for storing the set of game card arrays created by
said system base station means.
8. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said system base
station means further comprises means for storing a predefined
library of game card arrays from which valid game card arrays may
be issued.
9. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said system base
station means further comprises means for determining if a given
game card array purchase request is for a game card array
containing a set of symbols chosen by a purchaser.
10. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said system base
station means further comprises means for determining if a given
game card array purchase request is for game card array to be
automatically selected by the system.
11. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said means for keeping
track of all game card arrays issued further comprises memory
means, coupled to said means for issuing valid game card arrays,
for storing each issued game card array associated with each game
in a pre-specified bingo session.
12. A system as set forth in claim 11 wherein each game card array
stored in said memory means has validation information associated
therewith to enable the validity of an issued game card array
presented as a winning array to be verified.
13. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said means for
sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session
further comprises means for recording each randomly generated
symbol in the sequence of randomly generated symbols associated
with a given game of bingo.
14. A system as set forth in claim 13, further comprising means for
randomly generating the symbols used to play a game of bingo.
15. A system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said means for
sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session
further comprises means for identifying winning game card arrays
including pattern recognition means, coupled to said memory means
and said means for recording each randomly generated symbol, for
determining, as the game of bingo is being played, which if any of
the valid game card arrays stored in said memory means is a winning
array.
16. A system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said system base
station means further comprises: (a) means for issuing a win signal
when a valid winning array has been determined to exist by said
pattern recognition means; and (b) means for terminating the game
in progress when a valid winning array has been determined to
exist. communicating further comprises a broadcast television
system.
17. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for
communication further comprises a broadcast television system.
18. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for
communication further comprises a cable television system.
19. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for
communicating further comprises a radio link.
20. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means for
communicating further comprises a telephone link.
21. A system as set forth in claim 2 further comprising means for
allowing a game participant to interact with said base station
means as each game of bingo is played.
22. A system as set forth in claim 21 wherein said means for
allowing a game participant to interact with said base station
means as each game of bingo is played further comprises a
communications path between an individual playing a game of bingo
and said means for sequencing through each bingo game in a
scheduled bingo session.
23. A system as set forth in claim 22 wherein said communications
path may be utilized by an individual playing a game of bingo to
input to said system a win indication signal upon recognition of a
win pattern on a game card array in play.
24. A system as set forth in claim 23 wherein said means for
sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session is
operative, in response to an input win indication signal, to check
said game card array in play for a win pattern and terminate the
game in progress upon verifying a winning game card array.
25. A system for enabling bingo to be interactively played over a
wide geographic area, comprising: (a) means for issuing game card
arrays in response to purchase requests; (b) means for keeping
track of all game card arrays issued in response to said purchase
requests; (c) means for sequencing through each bingo game in a
scheduled bingo session; (d) means for communicating over a wide
geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated
during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players at
locations over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo
session; and (e) a communications path for allowing a game
participant to interact with the system.
26. A system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said communications
path is coupled to said means for sequencing through each bingo
game in a scheduled bingo session and may be utilized by a game
participant to input to said system a win indication signal upon
recognition of a win pattern on a game card array in play.
27. A system as set forth in claim 26 wherein said means for
sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session is
operative, in response to an input win indication signal, to check
said game card array in play for a win pattern and terminate the
game in progress upon verifying a winning game card array.
28. A system as set forth in claim 25 wherein said communications
path is coupled to said means for issuing game card arrays which,
in response to purchase requests, may be utilized by a game
participant to purchase game card arrays.
29. A gaming system for playing a game of chance over a wide
geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game
card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in
predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is
an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols
from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols
against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being
declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is
formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising: (a)
means for keeping track of game card arrays in play; and (b) means
for communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of
random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to
thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate
in the bingo session.
30. A system as set forth in claim 29 further comprising means for
randomly generating the symbols used to play a game of bingo.
31. A system as set forth in claim 29 further comprising means for
sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo
session.
32. A system as set forth in claim 29 further comprising a
communications path for allowing a game participant to interact
with the system.
33. An interactive gaming system for playing a game of chance over
a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of
game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols
positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and further
wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and randomly
generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe, matching
generated symbols against the symbols on said game card arrays,
with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern of
generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card
arrays, comprising: (a) means for communicating over a wide
geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated
during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the
wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session; and (b) a
communications path for allowing game participants to interact with
the system When the game participants are physically located over a
wide geographic area.
34. A gaming system for playing a game of chance over a wide
geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game
card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in
predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is
an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols
from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols
against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being
declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is
formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising: (a)
means for issuing game card arrays in response to purchase
requests; and (b) means for communication over a wide geographic
area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a
particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide
geographic area to participate in the bingo session.
35. A gaming system for playing a game of chance over a wide
geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game
card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in
predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is
an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols
from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols
against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being
declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is
formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising: (a)
means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo
session; and (b) means for communicating over a wide geographic
area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a
particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide
geographic area to participate in the bingo session.
36. A method for enabling bingo to be played over a wide geographic
area, comprising the steps of; (a) issuing game card arrays in
response to purchase requests; (b) keeping track of all game card
arrays issued in response to said purchase requests; (c) sequencing
through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session; and (d)
communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random
symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby
enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in the
bingo session.
37. A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said step of issuing
game card arrays in response to purchase requests further comprises
the steps of: (a) uploading game card array purchase requests to
system base station means from a site other then where the system
base station means is physically located; and (b) downloading valid
game card arrays to point of sale terminal means in response to
game card array purchase requests.
38. A method as set forth in claim 37 further comprising the step
of printing valid game card arrays downloaded from said system base
station means.
39. A method as set forth in claim 37 further comprising the step
of storing valid game card arrays downloaded from said system base
station means into an electronic gaming device.
40. A method as set forth in claim 36 further comprising the step
of storing a predefined library of game card arrays from which
valid game card arrays may be issued.
41. A method as set forth in claim 36 further comprising the step
of determining if a given game card array purchase request is for a
game card array containing a set of symbols chosen by a
purchaser.
42. A method as set forth in claim 36 further comprising the step
of determining if a given game card array purchase request is for
game card array to be automatically selected by the system.
43. A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said step of keeping
track of all game card arrays issued further comprises the step of
storing each issued game card array associated with each game in a
pre-specified bingo session in memory means.
44. A method as set forth in claim 43 further comprising the step
of storing validation information, for each issued game card array
associated with each game in a pre-specified bingo session, in said
memory means to enable the validity of an issued game card array
presented as a winning array to be verified.
45. A method as set forth in claim 44 wherein said step of
sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session
further comprises the step of recording each randomly generated
symbol in the sequence of randomly generated symbols associated
with a given game of bingo.
46. A method as set forth in claim 45 further comprising the step
of randomly generating the symbols used to play a game of
bingo.
47. A method as set forth in claim 45 wherein said step of
sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session
further comprises the step of determining, as the game of bingo is
being played, which if any of the valid game card arrays stored in
said memory means is a valid winning array.
48. A method as set forth in claim 47 wherein said step of
sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session
further comprises the steps of: (a) issuing a win signal when a
winning array has been determined to exist; and (b) terminating the
game in progress when a winning array has been determined to
exist.
49. A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said step of
communicating over a wide geographic area further comprises the
step of broadcasting the sequence of random symbols being generated
during a particular bingo game over said area utilizing a broadcast
television system.
50. A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said step of
communicating over a wide geographic area further comprises the
step of transmitting the sequence of random symbols being generated
during a particular bingo game over said area utilizing a cable
television system.
51. A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said step of
communicating over a wide geographic area further comprises the
step of broadcasting the sequence of random symbols being generated
during a particular bingo game over said area utilizing radio.
52. A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein said step of
communicating over a wide geographic area further comprises the
step of transmitting the sequence of random symbols being generated
during a particular bingo game over said area utilizing a telephone
network.
53. A method for operating a gaming system for playing a game of
chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a
plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of
symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and
further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and
randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe,
matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card
arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern
of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card
arrays, comprising the steps of: (a) keeping track of game card
arrays in play; and (b) communicating over a wide geographic area
the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular
bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area
to participate in the bingo session.
54. A method as set forth in claim 53 further comprising the step
of providing a communications path for allowing a game participant
to interact with the system.
55. A method for operating a gaming system for interactively
playing a game of chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said
game requires a plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a
plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display
locations, and further wherein it is an object of the game to
sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol
universe, matching generated symbols against the symbols on said
game card arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a
predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at least one
of said game card arrays, comprising the steps of: (a)
communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random
symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby
enable players over the way geographic area to participate in the
bingo session; and (b) providing a communications path for allowing
game participants to interact with the system when the game
participants are physically located over a wide geographic
area.
56. A method for operating a gaming system for playing a game of
chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a
plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of
symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and
further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and
randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe,
matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card
arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern
of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card
arrays, comprising the steps of: (a) issuing game card arrays in
response to purchase requests; and (b) communicating over a wide
geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated
during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the
wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session.
57. A method for playing a game of chance over a wide geographic
area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game card arrays,
each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined
symbol display locations, and further wherein it is an object of
the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a
predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols against the
symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being declared
whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at
least one of said game card arrays, comprising the steps of: (a)
sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session;
and (b) communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of
random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to
thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate
in the bingo session.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates generally to games of chance such as
bingo and the like. More particularly, one aspect of the invention
relates to methods and apparatus for enabling bingo (and similar
games of chance, referred to hereinafter collectively as "bingo")
to be played in real time at locations which are remote
(geographically separated in a physical sense) from the location
where the numbers (or more generally symbols) used to play a bingo
type of game are being selected. Being able to play bingo in real
time, at the aforementioned remote locations, is defined herein as
the ability to play bingo over a "wide geographic area". A further
aspect of the invention is directed to interactive systems which
support playing bingo over a wide geographic area.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In bingo and similar games of chance the basic elements of
the game are a gaming board (or card) and a random number (or
symbol) generating device. The gaming board can be a square array
of symbols (with the term "symbol" being defined herein to include
numbers), usually a 5.times.5 numerical array, with the centermost
location being blank or termed a "free space". The game is
generally played with either 75 or 90 numbers. Each column in the
array is usually limited to only one-fifth of the numbers, e.g.,
the first column numbers are taken from the group 1 to 15 in the
event 75 numbers are used, and 1 to 18 if 90 numbers are used; the
second column numbers are taken from the group 16 to 30 or 19 to
36, and so on. Further, duplicate numbers cannot appear on a gaming
card.
[0005] When the game is being played, the game operator specifies a
shape or pattern to be formed on the gaming card by randomly
generated numbers (or other legal symbols), and then proceeds to
call the symbols generated at random (such as, for example, the
numbers between 1 and 75, or 1 and 90, etc.). If a symbol called
coincides with one on a player's board, the player marks the symbol
in some fashion on his board. The object of the game is to be the
first player to have a set of randomly called symbols coincide with
the marked symbols on the player's board so as to form the
specified shape or pattern.
[0006] The specified shape or pattern may be an X, T, L, a diagonal
line, five symbols horizontally or vertically, and so on. Several
of these games, usually between twelve and eighteen, constitute a
bingo program or session which is played during the course of an
evening over several hours. The games are played consecutively and
essentially without any major interruption except possibly for
intermissions.
[0007] These games have long been played at churches, in schools,
at bingo halls on Indian reservations, and at other centralized
facilities, to raise money for charity or to profit the institution
sponsoring the gaming session where gambling is legal.
[0008] The participants typically go to the central facility where
the gaming session is to be held, pay an admission charge and
purchase one or more game boards each having at least one fixed
numerical array printed thereon,
[0009] In some instances it is difficult or impossible for
individuals who would like to participate in a game of bingo to go
to central facility where the bingo session is scheduled to be
played. For example, there are instances where individuals are
unable to secure transportation to the facility. In some cases,
people who are confined to a hospital or nursing home cannot
physically attend a bingo session. In still other situations,
individuals are not able to leave their homes due to illness or
other responsibilities and although they desire to participate in a
bingo session, support a charitable event, engage in a
participatory form of entertainment, etc., they are presently
unable to do so. These problems exist because no methods and
apparatus (systems) are presently known which support the playing
of bingo like games over a wide geographic area.
[0010] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide methods and
apparatus for enabling bingo to be played in real time at locations
which are remote from the location where the numbers (or other
symbols) used to play a bingo type of game are being selected.
[0011] A further problem exists with the type of bingo games
currently played at centralized facilities. These games have long
been played with boards which have a fixed printed numerical array.
Players select from a large number of preprinted boards and,
therefore, are unable to create and play an array of their own
choosing and determination.
[0012] While some games have been played with blank paper boards
that are filled in with numbers (or other symbols) of the player's
own choosing, the cards are limited in size and can essentially be
used only once since the player marks out the numbers (or other
symbols) called with an ink dauber or like, means. This type of
random array selection results in an inefficiency of operation for
playing consecutive games on a minimum interruption basis.
[0013] This inefficiency affects not only the game operator, who
must find and check a copy of the marked paper boards which are
collected to avoid an unauthorized change in the numbers (or other
symbols) once the game has started, but also the player, who must
prepare a new board prior to each game. These actions require time
and detract from the desired even, and essentially uninterrupted,
flow of a successful bingo program. It is mainly for these reasons
that the blank board approach has been used only for single games
and then generally only for the first game of the bingo
program.
[0014] Another important consideration when playing bingo at either
a central facility or from remote locations is to provide a gaming
board which cannot be changed without the knowledge of the game
operator, which provides an indication that it was acquired for use
in the particular program being conducted, and which can be checked
quickly in the event a winning combination occurs on a board.
[0015] Furthermore, during a typical bingo program, the shape of
the winning array generally varies from one game to the next and
players having several cards to "mark" may loose track of numbers
(or other symbols) called or may not be responsive enough in their
marking effort to keep up with the progress of the game. Therefore,
it may be desirable for the player to be provided with an automatic
indication of when a match of the pattern being played for has
occurred in one of the game arrays that have been sold.
[0016] Recently, electronic gaming boards have been developed which
permit a player to select his own numbers and to display the shape
of a winning array. These boards signal the player when a winning
array has been achieved on his board. An electronic gaming board of
this type is more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,810,
issued to John Richardson on Dec. 28, 1982. Other advantageous
electronic gaming systems and components thereof are described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,848,771, 5,007,649, and 5,043,887, all issued in
the name of John Richardson; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,381, issued in
the name of Richardson et al. These patents are all hereby
expressly incorporated by reference.
[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,771, to Richardson, entitled "Gaming
System With Session Master And Gaming Boards", issued Jul. 18,
1989, describes an automatic gaming system for games of chance,
employing electronic game boards in conjunction with a system base
station for downloading game card arrays into the electronic game
board units, and validation units.
[0018] The game card arrays are downloaded into the electronic game
boards during an initialization process in which the base station
creates a gaming schedule, including win pattern definitions, pay
out levels, etc. The validation units are also initialized by the
base station and are used to check win claims by physically
coupling a validation unit to an electronic game board and checking
a validation code originally downloaded to both units by the base
station.
[0019] U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,649, to Richardson, entitled "Gaming
System With System Base Station And Gaming Boards", issued Apr. 16,
1991, describes an electronic gaming system that includes a base
station capable of downloading game card arrays into an electronic
game board. The game cards are stored in the base station as a
gaming card library. The 24 numbers (or symbols) for each array,
ranging from 1 to 75 (or 1 to 90), are packed into 12 bytes. In a
total of 600,000 bytes, 50,000 gaming cards are stored, each 12
bytes long.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,887, to Richardson, entitled "Automatic
Downloading Of Bingo Cards", issued Aug. 27, 1991, describes a
gaming system that employs a base station, including game card
array production means, and a plurality of gaming boards designed
to exchange information with the system base station (via a cable
connection to a communications port physically included as part of
the base station means), store game card arrays downloaded from the
base station, and means for actually playing the game as numbers
are selected.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,381, to Richardson et al., entitled
"Automatic Downloading Of Bingo Cards With Algorithm For Generating
Bingo Cards", issued Dec. 10, 1991, describes an electronic gaming
system including a base station which stores game card arrays in
individual records as a gaming card library, and which employs an
algorithm to generate cards which ensures that numerical arrays of
consecutive adjacent gaming arrays in the library, differ by more
than one array entry.
[0022] None of the aforementioned patents is directed to methods
and apparatus which permit a bingo like game to be played over a
wide geographic area. In fact, all of the aforementioned patents
teach away from such a system. It should be noted, for example,
that the initialization and win verification procedures described
in the incorporated references require that the electronic game
boards, the verification units and the system base station means,
all (at different times) be physically coupled to one another via
detachable cable connections made at the central facility where the
bingo session is being held. This is necessary so that these units
can be operated in accordance with the teachings set forth in the
incorporated reference.
[0023] For example, a cable must be attached to each electronic
game board and must be plugged into the system base station, for
the electronic game board to accept game card arrays and
instructions downloaded from the system base station; the
verification units must be physically coupled via a cable to each
winning electronic game board (after a win is signalled) to verify
that a genuine winning array has been sold, etc.
[0024] Furthermore, the electronic bingo system contemplated by the
incorporated references requires the use of expensive components,
such as the electronic game boards and verification units per se,
which because of their cost do not lend themselves to being safely
and securely removed from the central facility. Such units would be
expensive to replace if lost, stolen or damaged.
[0025] Still further, the electronic bingo system components taught
in the incorporated references would be expensive for the average
game participant to purchase if used in playing bingo from, for
example, a participant's home, assuming the communications and
security problems associated with using such equipment to play
bingo over a wide geographic area could be solved. These problems
include, for example, competition for communications resources when
downloading information to the electronic game boards, keeping
track of inputs to a centralized base station by participants as a
game is being played, detecting tampering of the data in or
electronics associated with a given electronic game board,
physically performing the win verification functions suggested by
the incorporated references over a wide geographic area, etc.
[0026] For all of the aforementioned reasons, the type of systems
described in the incorporated references, although illustrating the
state of the art and teaching the components of an electronic bingo
system (including electronic game boards, win verification units
and centralized base station means capable of sequencing through a
bingo game session, creating and storing game card arrays,
downloading such arrays upon request, etc.), do not teach methods
or apparatus suitable for playing bingo over a wide geographic
area.
[0027] The present state of the art regarding games of chance which
can be played from remote locations on an interactive basis may be
illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,760,527, and 4,926,327, both to
Sidley, entitled "System For Interactively Playing Poker With A
Plurality Of Players" (issued Jul. 26, 1988), and "Computerized
Gaming System" (issued May 15, 1990), respectively. These patents,
hereby incorporated by reference, describe an electronic system for
playing a card game of poker which permits interactive wagering
among a plurality of players.
[0028] The system taught by Sidley exemplifies an interactive
network which allows a plurality of players to compete against one
another. However, only a limited number of players are allowed to
compete at any one time (52 in total), and the teachings of Sidley
require that all players be interconnected via a plurality of
consoles (one for each player) which are all coupled to a central
computer unit. The communications problems inherent in physically
interconnecting a large number of players (hundreds or even
thousands of players) to compete in real time, are serious;
particularly if all the players compete for system resources within
a short time window, such as the time interval between when numbers
(or other symbols) are called during a bingo game.
[0029] Furthermore, the interactive systems taught in the Sidley
references do not support the playing of a bingo like game per
se.
[0030] For these reasons, although Sidley describes an interactive
gaming system, the system is not suitable for supporting the
playing of bingo over a wide geographic area on either a passive or
interactive basis.
[0031] Finally, it should be noted that commercially available
point of sale units for selling games of chance from remote
locations presently exist, such as those manufactured by General
Instrument Corporation, and are suitable for engaging in on-line
communications with a centralized computing system that maintains
records of a game of chance, in particular lottery games.
[0032] Using such on-line point of sale terminals, lottery tickets
are commonly sold for playing "numbers" type games, such as picking
a 3 digit number out of the 1,000 possible combinations of three
digits, picking 6 out of 40 numbers, etc. The various combinations
and permutations of selected numbers chosen by lottery players
constitute bets which result in both either fixed or computed pay
out levels usually determined by the number tickets sold.
[0033] While such remote terminals are well known for procuring
lottery tickets and offering such tickets to participants in a
lottery drawing on either a "quick pick" basis (i.e., where the
computer to which the terminal is coupled randomly generates the
sequence of numbers to appear on the lottery ticket), and a
"purchaser choice" basis (i.e., where the purchaser specifies the
set of numbers that he or she is interested in playing); there is
no known use of such a point of sale terminal to sell a bingo type
game over a wide geographic area.
[0034] Accordingly, in addition to the other desirable aspects of
methods and apparatus for playing bingo type games as set forth
hereinabove, it would be desirable to provide a system (including
methods and apparatus to perform the desired functions of such a
system) that supports the playing of bingo type games, over a wide
geographic area, which combines techniques and equipment for
generating bingo game card arrays in response to a player's request
for one or more game cards, with techniques and equipment used for
the on-line generation of gaming tickets at a plurality of
locations.
[0035] Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide a system that
combines the aforementioned techniques and equipment for generating
game card arrays in response to user requests, with techniques and
equipment for keeping track of all arrays sold; and to further
combine in such a system, methods and apparatus for sequencing
through a bingo schedule (playing a set of bingo games), and for
communicating the random symbols generated for each game in
progress over a wide geographic area. Such a combined system would
enable the participation in bingo games of people situated at
locations other than the actual location where the symbols are
being generated.
[0036] Still further, it would be desirable to provide at least one
version of a system for supporting the playing of bingo over a wide
geographic area, which is an "interactive" system. Such a system
would contemplate user inputs while a bingo session is in progress.
Furthermore, an interactive system would enhance the users overall
entertainment from and participation in a game of bingo being
played, particularly when compared to other passive types of games
of chance, such as a lottery.
[0037] Further yet, it would be desirable to provide a system for
playing bingo over a wide geographic area that enables players to
play by subscription, i.e., where advance orders for game card
arrays could be easily accommodated, along with sales from the
aforementioned on-line point of sale terminals.
[0038] Yet another desirable aspect of a system that supports
playing bingo over a wide geographic area would be a feature that
allows an electronic version of the game to be played. That is, a
system that utilizes the aforementioned electronic game boards,
home computer terminals or cable television "boxes", and the like,
for allowing game card array purchases to be made from remote
locations and/or for playing bingo at such locations without having
to utilize printed game cards. such a system, combined with the
aforementioned interactive type of system contemplated by one
embodiment of the invention, could even be designed to facilitate
the exchange of game card arrays during the progress of a game.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0039] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to
provide methods and apparatus for enabling bingo to be played in
real time at locations which are remote from the location where the
numbers (or other symbols) used to play a bingo type of game are
being selected (i.e., over a "wide geographic area" as defined
herein).
[0040] It is a further object of the invention to provide methods
and apparatus for enabling bingo to be played in real time over a
wide geographic area which can optionally provide a player at a
remote site with an automatic indication of when a match of the
pattern being played for has occurred on a valid game card
array.
[0041] It is a still a further object of the invention to provide
methods and apparatus for enabling bingo to be played in real time
over a wide geographic area which optionally allows players to
create and play arrays of their own choosing and determination.
[0042] Yet another object of the invention is to provide methods
and apparatus for enabling bingo to be played in real time over a
wide geographic area which combines techniques and equipment for
generating bingo game card arrays in response to a player's request
for one or more game cards, with techniques and equipment used for
the remote on-line point of sale generation of gaming tickets.
[0043] A still further object of the invention is to provide a
system that combines the aforementioned techniques and equipment
for generating game card arrays in response to user requests, with
techniques and equipment for keeping track of all arrays sold; and
to further combine in such a system, methods and apparatus for
sequencing through a bingo schedule (playing a set of bingo games),
and for communicating each game in progress over a wide geographic
area.
[0044] Further yet, it is an object of the invention to provide at
least one version of a system for supporting the playing of bingo
over a wide geographic area, which is an "interactive" system,
i.e., a system that contemplates and responds to preselected user
inputs while a game of bingo is in progress and/or before or after
a game is completed.
[0045] Still further, it is an object of the invention to provide a
system for playing bingo over a wide geographic area that enables
players to subscribe to a series of bingo sessions by making
advance purchases of game card arrays.
[0046] Finally, it is yet another object of the invention to
provide a system for playing bingo over a wide geographic area
using an "electronic" version of the game, defined as a system that
utilizes the aforementioned electronic game boards, home computer
terminals or cable television "boxes", and the like, for making
game card array purchases from remote locations and/or for playing
bingo at such locations without having to utilize printed game
cards.
[0047] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system for
enabling bingo to be played over a wide geographic area is
described, comprising: (a) means for issuing game card arrays in
response to purchase requests; (b) means for keeping track of all
game card arrays issued in response to said purchase requests; (c)
means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo
session; and (d) means for communicating over a wide geographic
area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a
particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide
geographic area to participate in the bingo session.
[0048] According to a specific illustrative embodiment of the
invention, methods and apparatus are set forth which facilitate the
purchase of bingo "cards" from at least one game card array on-line
point of sale outlet. Such outlets may be set up at convenient
locations, such as grocery stores, in liquor stores, and the like,
to enable purchasers to easily obtain game cards for a scheduled
game session.
[0049] Furthermore, according to this illustrative embodiment of
the invention, each point of sale outlet is coupled to a central
game station (also referred to herein as a system base station
means) which, for example, may be coupled to the point of sale
outlet by telephone lines. The central game station, in addition to
other functions to be described hereinafter, may be used to keep
track of the game array appearing on each card that is sold.
[0050] The central game station, in accordance with the
aforementioned illustrative embodiment of the invention, also
includes means for sequencing through a predefined gaming schedule,
means for playing each scheduled game and means for terminating a
given game upon determining that at least one game card array from
the set of all cards sold is a winning game card array.
[0051] Still further, according to this first aspect of the
invention, game participants, once purchasing a desired number of
game card arrays, may participate in each game by viewing or
listening to the game in progress from their homes or other remote
locations (remote with respect to the point of sale outlet and the
physical location of the central game station), by, for example,
tuning in a preselected standard television channel, cable
television channel, radio station or other means of communicating
the progress of a game being played over a wide geographic
area.
[0052] Any one or more of the aforementioned means of communicating
the progress of a game over a wide geographic area may be included
within or be coupled to the central game station, depending on the
particular design of a given gaming system.
[0053] Participants in a given gaming session may then, by
following the progress of a given game, mark their "cards" as each
game is played, "covering" each symbol generated that appears on a
given card. A winning card can be recognized by the participant
when a predetermined shape or pattern, which is the object of the
game, is reproduced on a card as a result of covering the symbols
that have been generated.
[0054] As indicated hereinbefore, in one embodiment of the
invention the central game station keeps track of all game card
arrays, identifies the first game card (or set of game cards) on
which the shape or pattern appears that is the object of the game
appears, and signals that a winning card (or cards) has been sold,
terminating the game.
[0055] According to this embodiment of the invention, a winner
might not be required to participate in the game as it is being
played in order to have a valid winning game card; in alternate
embodiments of the invention, the winner may be required to
register a winning card over an interactive data link (for example,
a phone line coupled to the central computing system), and claim a
prize within a pre-specified time limit (for example, before the
next number or other legal symbol is generated), or else forfeit
the prize with the game continuing.
[0056] According to a further alternate embodiment of the
invention, an interactive network on which to play bingo is
contemplated, wherein the network includes means for purchasing
game card arrays from a remote location, and means for engaging in
two way communications with the central game system to record
selected symbols, to signal a winning game card array and/or to
validate a winning game card array as being genuine. Still further
alternate embodiments of the invention contemplate the use of
electronic gaming systems, including electronic game boards and the
like, for playing bingo like games over either a passive or
interactive network.
[0057] In addition to the aforementioned systems and apparatus, the
invention encompasses methods for playing bingo over a wide
geographic area, such as a method comprising the steps of: (a)
issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests; (b)
keeping track of all game card arrays issued in response to said
purchase requests; (c) sequencing through each bingo game in a
scheduled bingo session; and (d) communicating over a wide
geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated
during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the
wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session.
[0058] The invention features methods and apparatus for enabling
bingo to be played in real time at locations which are remote from
the physical location where the numbers (or other symbols) used to
play a bingo type of game are being selected.
[0059] Furthermore, the invention features systems that allow bingo
to be played on either a passive or interactive basis over a wide
geographic area.
[0060] Still further, the invention features methods and apparatus
which enable bingo to be played in real time over a wide geographic
area and optionally allow players to create and play arrays of
their own choosing and determination.
[0061] These and other objects, embodiments and features of the
present invention and the manner of obtaining them will become
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the invention itself will
be best understood by reference to the following detailed
description read in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0062] FIG. 1 depicts, in the form of a flowchart, one method
which, in accordance with the teachings of the invention,
facilitates the playing of bingo over a wide geographic area.
[0063] FIG. 2 depicts, in the form of a functional block diagram,
one system which, in accordance with the teachings of the
invention, is suitable for playing of bingo over a wide geographic
area.
[0064] FIG. 3 depicts a more detailed illustrative version of the
system base station depicted in FIG. 2.
[0065] FIG. 4 depicts, in the form of a functional block diagram,
an example of an interactive system which, in accordance with the
teachings of the invention, is suitable for playing bingo over a
wide geographic area.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0066] Reference should be made to FIG. 1 which depicts, in the
form of a flowchart, one method that, in accordance with the
teachings of the invention, facilitates the playing of bingo over a
wide geographic area.
[0067] The illustrative method steps are shown at blocks 101-104 of
FIG. 1, as follows: (a) issuing game card arrays in response to
purchase requests, shown at block 101; (b) keeping track of all
game card arrays issued (in response to said purchase requests),
shown at block 102; (c) sequencing through each bingo game in a
scheduled bingo session, shown at block 103; and (d) communicating
over a wide geographic area (in real time) the sequence of random
symbols being generated during a particular bingo game (shown at
block 104), to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area
to participate in the bingo session.
[0068] As indicated hereinbefore, according to one embodiment of
the invention, the invention contemplates issuing (selling) bingo
game card arrays (sometimes referred to herein as "cards") in
response to purchaser requests using commercially available,
on-line point of sale terminal outlets. Such outlets, like those
presently in use for selling and printing lottery type tickets as
discussed hereinabove, may be set up at convenient locations, such
as grocery stores, in liquor stores, and the like, to enable
purchasers to easily obtain game cards for a scheduled game
session.
[0069] The only substantive modification needed to existing
equipment for selling lottery tickets (to print bingo cards
instead) would be to print game card arrays being issued, in the
form of a bingo card matrix. This is well within the ability of
those skilled in the art since the aforementioned commercially
available devices for selling and printing lottery tickets
presently have the ability to print sufficient characters on a
single ticket (including validity information in the form of a
serial number and other characters), to effectively issue (print) a
bingo game card matrix.
[0070] Furthermore, it is presently well known to couple each of
the point of sale terminals referred to hereinabove, (those
presently used for the sale of lottery tickets), to a central
gaming station (system base station means), which keeps track of
all lottery tickets issued. The same type of commercially available
central processing equipment (typically a digital computing
system), to which such terminals are coupled, may be used to keep
track of all bingo game card arrays issued, particularly in light
of teachings in the incorporated Richardson patents which are
directed to storing and keeping track of such arrays.
[0071] It should be noted that utilizing the technology
incorporated in the state of the art on-line point of sale
terminals referred to hereinabove (for selling lottery tickets),
and the terminology included in the point of sale terminals
included as part of the base station means described in the
incorporated Richardson patents (for generating and downloading
bingo game card arrays per se), those skilled in the art can
readily provide bingo game participants with the ability to choose
numbers of their own determination, or defer to the base station
means to make bingo card selections which are either randomly
generated or stored in a system library.
[0072] Furthermore, according to an illustrative embodiment of the
invention, each point of sale outlet may be coupled to the central
game station via telephone lines and commercially available modems,
making two types of point of sale outlets available to perspective
bingo game participants, namely (1) point of sale outlets which are
remotely coupled to a central game station which is not physically
located (in a geographic sense) in the same place as the point of
sale terminal (using for example, as indicated hereinabove,
telephone lines to interconnect the terminal and station); and (2)
"Richardson type" point of sale terminals (described in the
incorporated references) which are included as part of the central
game station itself (Richardson's system base station means).
[0073] In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the
invention being set forth herein, the central game station (system
bags station means) also includes means for sequencing through (and
playing) each game in a predefined gaming schedule. The methods and
apparatus for performing this function are also known to those
skilled in the art, with an illustrative example being set forth in
the incorporated Richardson patents with reference to Richardson's
system base station means (a microprocessor controlled system) and
his validation units.
[0074] Still further, according to the present invention, game
participants, once purchasing a desired number of game card arrays,
participate in each game by viewing or listening to the game in
progress from their homes or other remote locations (remote with
respect to the point of sale outlet and the physical location of
the central game station), by, for example, tuning in a preselected
standard television channel, cable television channel, radio
station or other means of communicating the progress of a game
being played over a wide geographic area.
[0075] This aspect of the invention relies on the use of well known
techniques for communicating over a wide geographic area; however,
what is new is the utilization of such techniques as part of a
combined system of elements (and/or method steps) for playing bingo
over a wide geographic area, i.e., communicating the sequence of
symbols generated, or otherwise determined during the course of
playing a game of bingo, in real time to locations that are wide
spread and/or physically different from the location where the
sequence of symbols is being generated.
[0076] As indicated hereinbefore, any one or more of the
aforementioned means of communicating the progress of a game over a
wide geographic area may be included within or be coupled to the
central game station, depending on the particular design of a given
gaming system.
[0077] Participants may play bingo during a given gaming session
being conducted on a system which employs the aforementioned
illustrative method steps, by simply following the progress of a
given game, marking their "cards" as each game is played, and
"covering" each symbol generated that appears on a given card.
[0078] Electronic means may also be utilized (but are not required
to be used) for keeping track of the progress of the bingo games in
a scheduled session. Where such devices are used (such as the
electronic game boards described by Richardson in the incorporated
references, game boards stored in PCs, etc.), the invention
contemplates either selling (issuing) game card arrays over a
communications path coupled from the site where a player is located
(e.g., his or her home) to the system base station means (using,
for example, a phone line, cellular link, cable link and associated
cable "box" , etc.); and/or issuing game card arrays at a game card
array sales site, by "charging up" and electronic device in much
the same way as a postage meter is initialized, i.e. by bringing
the electronic game board (or storage media associated therewith)
to an on-line point of sale terminal (for example, either of the
two types of terminals referred to hereinabove; so long as they
have the appropriate interfaces, such as those taught in the
incorporated Richardson references, for downloading purchased game
card arrays).
[0079] A winning card can be recognized by the participant (for
example, visually or tactilely in the case of game card arrays
containing symbols in braille, etc.) when a predetermined shape or
pattern, which is the object of the game, is reproduced on a card
as a result of "covering" the symbols that have been generated. In
such cases the player could submit a winning bingo game card array
for payment in much the same manner as winning lottery tickets are
presented for payment. In such cases a validity check would
typically be performed to insure that the card sold was genuine and
recorded (kept track of) by the system, a check would be made that
indeed the card is a winning card, and payment would then be
made.
[0080] The participant, according to an alternate embodiment of the
invention, could also be alerted to a winning array by electronic
means, such as an electronic game board of the type taught by
Richardson in the incorporated references.
[0081] Even the system itself, according to yet another embodiment
of the invention, could be used to signal the existence of a
winning game card by exhaustively checking all issued game card
arrays for winning arrays (utilizing, for example, the pattern
recognition teachings described in the incorporated Richardson
patents, or other such techniques), during the period between the
generation and communication of successive randomly generated
symbols.
[0082] As indicated hereinbefore, in one embodiment of the
invention the central game station keeps track of all game card
arrays, identifies (verifies) the first game card (or set of game
cards) on which the shape or pattern that is the object of the game
appears, and signals that a winning card (or cards) has been
identified, terminating the game. Suitable examples of methods and
apparatus for keeping track of symbols generated, identifying
(verifying) arrays which have win patterns thereon based on a
schedule of games, and signalling a winning array, are all
discussed in the incorporated Richardson references and will
therefore not be described further herein.
[0083] According to embodiments of the invention where the system
determines the winning game card array, a player would not
necessarily be required to participate in the game as it is being
played in order to be a winner. Such a game is defined herein as
being played on a "passive" system. An example of a passive system
contemplated by the invention will be described hereinafter in
detail with reference to FIGS. 2-3.
[0084] In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the winner may
be required to register a winning card over an interactive data
link (for example, a phone line coupled to the central computing
system), and claim a prize within a pre-specified time limit (for
example, before the next number or other legal symbol is
generated), or else forfeit the prize with the game continuing.
Such a system (defined herein as one form of an "interactive"
system for playing bingo over a wide geographic area) will be
described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 4.
[0085] In this type of system (interactive), pattern recognition
(visual, electronic, etc.), could be conducted at the site where a
participant is playing the game. Upon detecting a win, only the
serial number (for example) or other information identifying a
particular array sold would need to be input to the system base
station means (over any one of a number of well known types of
communications paths, such a phone line, etc.); whereupon the
system base station means would only have to verify (validate) that
a win pattern exists on the particular game card array identified;
rather than having to examine each and every game card array being
tracked by the system to assess whether or not a win has occurred
after a given random symbol has been generated and "called".
[0086] Furthermore, if electronic means are utilized to keep track
of the progress of a game, validation units, such as those taught
in the aforementioned incorporated Richardson patents, could be
used to verify wins and upload the pertinent information to the
system base station means to bring a given game to a close.
[0087] Reference should now be made to FIG. 2 which, as indicated
hereinabove, depicts (in the form of a functional block diagram),
one system (a passive system as defined herein) which, in
accordance with the teachings of the invention, is suitable for
playing of bingo over a wide geographic area; and to FIG. 3 which
depicts a more detailed illustrative version of the system base
station depicted in FIG. 2.
[0088] FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention
in which a point of sale terminal and the system base station means
are separate units, shown, for example, at blocks 201-1 and 202,
respectively. As indicated hereinabove, these two units could be
combined in the form of the system base station point of sale unit
taught by Richardson in the incorporated patents. The separate
units are preferred to allow game card array sale sites to be
located over the geographical area where the game of bingo is to be
played, making purchasing tickets more convenient for perspective
participants. In particular, FIG. 2 shows other game card array
point of sale terminals (e.g., terminal 201-n and other terminals
indicated by the three dots), which are presumably distributed over
a predefined geographic area, optionally coupled to system base
station 202.
[0089] The preferred embodiment of the invention is also one that
does not require (but does not necessarily exclude) the utilization
of electronic equipment located at the site where the participant
will play the game. This preferred embodiment of the invention is
meant to accommodate people who do not want to buy or rent
expensive equipment to participate in a game of bingo; and avoid
using or tying up communications equipment and resources (such as a
telephone line) that would be needed to exchange information
between remotely coupled electronic units and a centralized gaming
station.
[0090] In addition to game card array point of sale terminal 201
and system base station means 202, FIG. 2 depicts random symbol
generator 203, shown interconnected to system base station means
202 and/or wide geographic area communications means 204, via
dashed links 275 and 276. A dashed link is used since in alternate
embodiments of the system contemplated by the invention (1) system
base station means 202 may actually include a random symbol
generator of its own; (2) the symbols generated by random symbol
generator 203 may simply be input (from an external source) to
system base station means 202 (over, for example, dashed link 275);
or (3) the symbols generated by random symbol generator 203 may, in
addition to being input to the system base station means 202, be
directly coupled (over link dashed 276) to communications equipment
204. All of these variations of the system configuration described
hereinabove, are contemplated by the invention.
[0091] FIG. 2 goes on to depict communications equipment 204, which
is designed to keep players at remote locations (such as player
location 1, designated by block 210-1 in FIG. 2), informed (in real
time) of the sequence of random symbols generated during the course
of each game. According to the invention, players could be located
at a plurality of locations (shown as locations 210-2 thru 210-M in
FIG. 2) and all be simultaneously kept informed of the progress of
each game.
[0092] It should be noted that a standard broadcast television
system, cable television system, satellite system, radio channel,
telephone link or other commercially available means of
communicating the progress of a game being played over a wide
geographic area, may be used to realize the wide geographic area
communications equipment depicted at block 204 in FIG. 2.
[0093] The passive system depicted in FIG. 2 would not require any
player feedback to the system base station as a given game of bingo
is being played. This is because the system base station means
would simply bring each game to a conclusion when it determined
that a winning pattern existed on a game card array that was
sold.
[0094] A list of winning serial numbers could, for example, be
broadcast or published in local newspapers, etc., at any time
following the conclusion of a given game. Players holding winning
game card arrays (in the form of paper tickets, arrays stored in
electronic game boards, etc.) could then simply present their
winning card(s) for verification and payment in the manner
presently used to cash lottery tickets, or in the manner taught in
the incorporated Richardson patents where electronic game boards
are being used.
[0095] Reference should now be made to FIG. 3 which, as indicated
hereinbefore, presents a more detailed view of an illustrative
version of the system base station depicted in FIG. 2.
[0096] In particular, FIG. 3 shows base station 300 (which could be
used as base station 202 in FIG. 2), to include, storage for game
card arrays sold (at block 301); a game card array library (at
block 302); working storage (at block 303); and a CPU (and
associated program storage), shown at block 304, for processing
game card array purchase requests, downloading purchased game
cards, keeping track of all game card arrays sold, and sequencing
through each scheduled game.
[0097] A random symbol generator is optionally shown to be included
in system base station means 300. When no such means is included
(as discussed hereinabove), the symbols generated by an external
random symbol generator would at some time need to be input to the
system base station means to verify and/or identify winning game
card arrays. This input is shown provided via link 360 in FIG.
3.
[0098] Furthermore, link 350 is shown in FIG. 3, for providing the
bidirectional communications path necessary to accept purchase
requests and to accommodate the downloading of game card arrays
being issued by base station means 300.
[0099] A link 370 is shown in FIG. 3, for providing the wide
geographic area communication means with the sequence of randomly
generated symbols when the generator is included as part of base
station means 300.
[0100] Finally, FIG. 3 depicts CPU 304 (and the programs associated
therewith) being coupled to storage elements (memory means)
301-303, described herinbefore, to allow the CPU to optionally
perform at least the game playing and accounting functions taught
in the incorporated Richardson patents.
[0101] As indicated hereinabove, the CPU 304 could, for example, be
programmed (using techniques well known to those skilled in the
art), to simply do a table look up of a game card array serial
number (input following a given game), to find and verify a game
card array, stored (for example) in storage element 301, as a
winning array; CPU 304 could alternatively be programmed, for
example, to perform an exhaustive search for a winning array each
time a new symbol is generated during the course of a game, etc.,
the point being that the configuration depicted in FIG. 3 is
powerful enough to accommodate any one of the aforementioned game
playing scenarios on either a passive or interactive system
utilizing programming techniques which are either explicitly
described in the incorporated Richardson patents, variants thereof,
and other techniques (such as simple table lookups, etc.) well
known to those skilled in the art of programming digital
computers.
[0102] An alternate embodiment of the invention is illustrated in
FIG. 4 which, as indicated hereinbefore, depicts, in the form of a
functional block diagram, an example of an interactive system that,
in accordance with the teachings of the invention, is suitable for
playing bingo over a wide geographic area.
[0103] FIG. 4 depicts the same system components as shown in FIG.
2, namely a set of game card array point of sale terminals (401-1
thru 401-N), system base station means 402, random symbol generator
403, wide area geographic communications equipment 404, and a set
of M player locations (410-1 thru 410-M); interconnected in the
same fashion described hereinabove with reference to FIG. 2 (for
example, using dashed links 475 and 476 corresponding to dashed
links 275 and 276 respectively from FIG. 2, etc.). However, double
headed arrows are now shown on the communication paths between
system base station 402 and wide geographic area communications
equipment 404, and on the communication paths between at least some
(but not necessarily all) of the remote player locations (such as
locations 410-1 and 410-M) and wide geographic area communications
equipment 404.
[0104] These bidirectional (or alternatively parallel but separate)
paths, are intended to facilitate two way communications between
system base station 402 and a given player location. For example,
wide geographic area communications equipment 404 could include
standard broadcast television equipment and the public telephone
network, with a player signalling a win to system base station
means 402 over a telephone link, and base station means 402
acknowledging the win using the broadcast television system,
etc.
[0105] The system depicted in FIG. 4 is also capable of allowing a
player to purchase game cards from his home by, for example,
allowing a game card array purchase request to be communicated to
the system base station. The purchase could be charged to a credit
card, be charged to an account maintained by the player, etc.
[0106] The system depicted in FIG. 4 also would allow the system
base station to download an array being issued directly to the
player at a remote location.
[0107] To facilitate the aforementioned activities using the system
depicted in FIG. 4, all that would be required is, for example, a
bidirectional telephone link to be included as part of wide
geographic area communications equipment 404, with the user having
the appropriate modem(s) to facilitate communication with system
base station means 402 over the phone lines. Downloaded game card
arrays could, for example, be printed at the players remote
location, game card arrays could be ordered from the remote
locations and mailed to the player, game card arrays could be
downloaded into electronic game board devices, etc.
[0108] Many variations of the passive and interactive systems
described hereinabove can be appreciated by those skilled in the
art. For example, interactive systems can be devised which do not
accommodate play with electronic devices, while others allow for
play using home based PC type devices, game boards such as those
taught in the incorporated references, etc. Systems can be devised
which allow for players to subscribe to a set of bingo sessions by
mail, with the sessions being played at home. Still other systems
can be devised which although detecting a winning game card array,
continue play until a player signals a win thereby requiring
participation in each game, etc.
[0109] What has been described in detail hereinabove are methods
and apparatus meeting all of the aforestated objectives. As
previously indicated, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the foregoing description has been presented for the sake of
illustration and description only. It is not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed,
and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in
light of the above teaching.
[0110] The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented
in order to best explain the principles of the instant invention
and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in
the art to best utilize the instant invention in various
embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated.
[0111] It is, therefore, to be understood that the claims appended
hereto are intended to cover all such modifications and variations
which fall within the true scope and spirit of the invention.
* * * * *