U.S. patent application number 09/793012 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-17 for remote sports wagering system.
Invention is credited to Guinn, Robert, Richards, David, Schmit, Patrick.
Application Number | 20020151340 09/793012 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25158810 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020151340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Guinn, Robert ; et
al. |
October 17, 2002 |
Remote sports wagering system
Abstract
At a wagering terminal that is remote from a central site, a
person makes a wagering choice on a sporting event and posts an
amount of a wager. The wagering choice and the amount of the wager
are downloaded from the remote site to the central site. A ticket
dispensed to the person has printed thereon the wagering choice,
the amount of the wager and the name and location of a casino. When
the person wins the wager, a payout is made at the casino upon
presentation of the ticket.
Inventors: |
Guinn, Robert; (Henderson,
NV) ; Schmit, Patrick; (Henderson, NV) ;
Richards, David; (Las Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEONARD WEISS
2300 WEST SAHARA AVENUE
BOX 34
LAS VEGAS
NV
89102
|
Family ID: |
25158810 |
Appl. No.: |
09/793012 |
Filed: |
February 27, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/16 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 50/34 20130101;
G07F 17/3288 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/16 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
We claim:
1. In the method of wagering on a sporting event at a terminal that
is remote from a central site, comprising the steps of: determining
a wagering choice of a person on an outcome of the sporting event;
posting an amount of a wager on said wagering choice at the
terminal; transmitting said wagering choice and said amount from
the terminal to the central site; dispensing a betting ticket at
the terminal whereon said amount, said wagering choice and a payout
site are printed; making a payout at said payout site upon
presentation of said betting ticket when the person wins said
wager.
2. In the method of claim 1 wherein the step of posting comprises
the step of depositing money into a bill validator.
3. In the method of claim 1 wherein the step of posting comprises
the step of using a credit card to create a credit transaction.
4. In the method of claim 1 wherein said payout site is a
casino.
5. In the method of claim 1, comprising the additional steps of:
providing a communication link between the terminal and the central
site; transmitting data related to the sporting event from the
central site to the terminal via said communication link; and
displaying said data at the terminal.
6. In the method of claim 5, comprising the additional step of
transmitting said wagering choice and said amount to the central
site from the terminal via said communication link.
7. In the method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining
comprises the steps of: displaying on a touch screen of a video
display a start button in an initial image; and displaying an event
type image on said touch screen in response to a touching of said
start button, said event type image including a plurality of
pushbuttons that have a name of a type of sporting event
thereon.
8. In the method of claim 7 wherein a message of general interest
is included in said initial image.
9. In the method of claim 7 wherein said step of determining
comprises the step of displaying on said touch screen a roster of
sporting events of a given type in response to the person touching
one of said pushbuttons.
10. In the method of claim 9 wherein the step of determining
comprises the additional step of selecting a sporting event of said
given type in response to a touching said touch screen.
11. In the method of claim 10 wherein the step of determining
comprises the additional step of displaying on said touch screen
wagering choices for said selected event.
12. In the method of claim 11 wherein the step of determining
comprises the additional step of making said wagering choice by
touching said touch screen.
13. In the method of claim 13 comprising the additional step of
canceling said wagering choice in response to a touching of said
touch screen.
14. In the method of claim 12, comprising the additional steps of:
providing a display on said touch screen that is touched to
indicate that the person does not desire to make an additional
wagering choice; and providing a display of a summary of wagering
activity on said touch screen in response to said indication that
the person does not desire to make said additional wagering
choice.
15. In the method of claim 14 wherein said step of providing said
summary display includes the steps of: displaying a listing of
wagered upon sporting events; displaying a list of wagers made by
the person and an amount wagered on each of the listed wagers;
displaying a total amount that is wagered; and displaying a total
amount of money posted.
16. In the method of claim 15, comprising the additional steps of:
including a cancellation box in said summary display; touching said
cancellation box to cancel said listed wagers; dispensing a
cancellation ticket in response to said touching of said
cancellation box, said cancellation ticket having printed thereon
said total amount of money posted and said payout site; and making
a payout at said payout site upon presentation of said cancellation
ticket.
17. In the method of claim 15, comprising the additional steps of:
providing an accept box in said summary display; and dispensing
said betting ticket in response to a touching of said touch
box.
18. In the method of claim 17 comprising the additional steps of:
providing a time remaining counter in said summary display, said
time remaining counter showing of a starting number prior to a
posting of money at least equal to said total amount wagered;
decrementing said starting number by one each second after said
posting of money at least equal to said total amount wagered; and
canceling said listed wagers when said accept box is not touched
prior to said starting number being decremented to zero.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention is in the general field of sports wagering
and, more particularly, is a wagering terminal that is connected to
a central site via a communication link.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Gambling facilities of a casino are the subject matter of a
marketing strategy that includes providing a wagering terminal that
is remote from the casino. Heretofore, the strategy has been used
in connection with wagering on sporting events such as horse races
and dog races.
[0005] As described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,409, the strategy is
implemented by providing a cable television transmission of racing
data to the wagering terminal. The data includes track conditions,
odds and other information that a person may consider either
essential or desirable prior to making a wager on a horse race, for
example.
[0006] Typically, the person maintains a wagering account with the
casino. When the person makes the wager, the account is debited by
the amount of the wager. When the person wins the wager, the
account is credited by the amount that the player wins.
[0007] A disadvantage of the system described in the '409 patent is
that it does not attract the person to the casino; it does exactly
the opposite. It would be preferable to attract the person to the
casino upon the person winning the wager, thereby providing a
circumstantial guarantee that the person has money to spend. While
in the casino, the person has an opportunity to play roulette,
craps, blackjack and any other games managed by the casino.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the present invention is to attract people to a
casino.
[0009] Another object of the invention is to provide a terminal
that is remote from a casino where a wager on a sporting event may
be placed by a person.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a convenient
way to wager on a sporting event.
[0011] According to the present invention, data related to a
sporting event that is transmitted from a central site is displayed
at a wagering terminal. A person posts an amount of a wager on a
wagering choice at the terminal. The amount and the wagering choice
are transmitted from the terminal to the central site. A ticket is
dispensed at the terminal. Printed upon the ticket are the amount,
the wagering choice and a name of a casino. When the person wins
the wager, a payout is made at the casino upon presentation of the
ticket.
[0012] When the person wins the wager, the ticket dispensed at the
terminal is said to be a winning ticket; it is said to be a losing
ticket when the person loses. Winning and losing tickets may be
used in a drawing at the casino. A winner of the drawing is paid
cash and frequently given a promotional item.
[0013] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention
should be apparent from the following description of the preferred
embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0014] FIG. 1 is a pictorial block diagram of major components of a
wagering kiosk;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a logic flow diagram of a process for making a
wager on a sports event;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a touch screen of a video display
that shows a starting image;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that
displays sports wagering options;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that
displays a roster of professional football games;
[0019] FIGS. 6-8 are plan views of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that
shows wagering displays related to a football game;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that
displays an image of an inquiry as to whether an additional
football wager is desired;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a plan view of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that
displays an image of an inquiry as to whether a wager on another
type of sporting event is desired;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that
displays a settle and confirm image prior to a person making either
a payment or a credit transaction related to a wager; and
[0023] FIG. 12 is a plan view of the touch screen of FIG. 3 that
displays the settle and confirm image of FIG. 11 after the person
makes either the payment or the credit transaction.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0024] In this embodiment, a kiosk is a wagering terminal that is
constructed and maintained in accordance with standards similar to
those used in construction and maintenance of a site of an ATM
machine. As explained hereinafter, a person makes a wager on a
sporting event at the kiosk.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a kiosk 10 has therein a video display
12 with a touch screen 14 that is operable as an output device and
an input device. More particularly, the touch screen 14 is used as
an output device that provides a display of data relevant to sports
wagers and other information that might be of interest to the
person. The touch screen 14 is used by the person as an input
device to make the wager. Video displays with touch screens are
well known in the art.
[0026] Within the kiosk 10, a modem 16 is connected to a central
site (not shown) through either telephone lines (not shown) or high
speed networking lines that are a communication link between the
central site and the kiosk 10. A network card may be used as an
alternative to the modem 16.
[0027] An essential feature of making the wager is posting the
amount that is wagered. A bill validator 18 within the kiosk 10 is
operable to receive currency when the person chooses to post the
amount in cash. The bill validator 18 is a security device that
rejects counterfeit currency.
[0028] A card reader 20 in the kiosk 10 is used when the person
desires to post the amount by using a credit card to create a
credit transaction. Additionally, the credit card or other player
tracking card may be used for player tracking and marketing
purposes. Bill validators and card readers are well known to those
skilled in the art.
[0029] After making the wager, a betting ticket is disgorged by a
ticket printer 22 within the kiosk 10. Upon winning the wager, a
payout is made upon presentation of the betting ticket as described
hereinafter.
[0030] The display 12, the modem 16, the bill validator 18, the
card reader 20 and the ticket printer 22 are connected to a digital
signal processor 23 via a plurality of signal lines 24 to form a
special purpose computer 25. The processor 23 provides signals that
cause the elements to operate as described hereinbefore. All
aspects of the wager are downloaded from the special purpose
computer 25 to the central site and vice versa via the
communication link. In this embodiment, the central site is a
casino. Signal processors and special purpose computers are well
known in the computer art.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 2, a flow diagram includes an action block
26 with a statement therein that a display of an initial image is
provided on the touch screen 14.
[0032] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 3, the initial image is of a
message of general interest about an upcoming sporting event
(Monday Night Football), a Tuesday night drawing, an advertisement
of buffet dining and a start button 28.
[0033] The block 26 (FIG. 2) is connected to a decision block 30 at
an input thereof. Within the block 30 is the question, "HAS THE
START BUTTON BEEN TOUCHED?" A "yes" output of the block 30 is
connected to an action block 32 that carries therein an instruction
to "DISPLAY NAMES OF TYPES OF SPORTING EVENTS". A "no" output of
the block 30 is connected to the input of the block 30. In other
words, the instruction to "DISPLAY NAMES . . . " awaits the
touching of the start button 28.
[0034] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 4, in response to the person
touching the start button 28 (FIG. 3), an event type image 34 is
displayed on the touch screen 14. The image 34 includes pushbuttons
41-48 with type names professional football, college football,
professional baseball, boxing, professional golf, professional
basketball and specialty lines, respectively, thereon.
Additionally, a central portion of the image 34 includes an
instruction, "select an event type".
[0035] The block 32 (FIG. 2) is connected to an action block 50
that carries therein the words, "SELECT EVENT TYPE". The block 50
is connected to an action block 52 that carries therein the words,
"DISPLAY ROSTER FOR EVENT TYPE".
[0036] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 5, in response to the person
touching the pushbutton 41 (FIG. 4), a roster of professional
football games is displayed on the touch screen 14.
[0037] The block 52 (FIG. 2) is connected to an action block 56
that carries therein the words, "DISPLAY WAGERING CHOICES FOR A
SELECTED EVENT".
[0038] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 6, in response to the person
touching the words "Denver 3.5 OAKLAND" of the football roster
(FIG. 5), a wager image 57 related to a football game between the
Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders is shown on the touch screen
14. A Denver straight wager box 58 and an Oakland straight wager
box 60 of the image 57 have data therein related to straight wagers
on Denver and Oakland, respectively. A straight wager on Denver is
chosen in response to the person touching the box 58. A straight
wager on Oakland is chosen in response to the person touching the
box 60.
[0039] An over wager box 62 and an under wager box 64 of the image
57 have data therein related to an over wager and an under wager on
the football game, respectively. The over wager is chosen in
response to the person touching the box 62. The under wager is
chosen in response to the person touching the box 64.
[0040] The image 57 further includes a Denver money line wager box
66 and an Oakland money line wager box 68 having data therein
related to money line wagers on Denver and Oakland, respectively. A
money line wager on Denver is chosen in response to the person
touching the box 66. A money line wager on Oakland is chosen in
response to the person touching the box 68. Straight wagers, over
and under wagers and money line wagers are well known in the
art.
[0041] A column 70 of the image 57 is headed by the words "CURRENT
WAGERS". There are no entries in the column 70. The block 56 (FIG.
2) is connected to an action block 72 that carries therein the
instruction, "MAKE WAGERING CHOICE FOR SELECTED EVENT". The person
may, for example, choose a straight wager on Oakland by making a
first touching of the box 60 (FIG. 6).
[0042] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 7, in response to the first
touching of the box 60, a wager image 57A is provided whereon a box
61 appears within the column 70. The box 61 is a replication of the
box 60.
[0043] The block 72 (FIG. 2) is connected to an action block 74
that carries therein the instruction, "SELECT AMOUNT OF WAGER".
[0044] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 8, in response to the person
making a second touching of the box 60, a wager image 57B is
provided whereon the amount, $50, appears within the box 61.
[0045] Additionally, the amount, $50, is entered within a box 76
that is headed by the words, "TOTAL WAGERED".
[0046] In other words a fifty dollar straight wager on Oakland is
made in response to the second touching of the box 60. A third
touching of the box 60 increases the straight wager on Oakland to
one hundred dollars. In a similar manner, the straight wager on
Oakland is further increased.
[0047] In response to a touching of the box 61, the wager on
Oakland is canceled thereby causing the amount, $50, to be removed
from the boxes 61, 76 in the wager display 57B. In a manner similar
to that described hereinbefore, the person can make or cancel a
money line wager, an over wager and an under wager.
[0048] A box 78 of the display 57B has the words "FINAL CHECKOUT"
therein. The person touches the box 78 when the person does not
desire to make an additional wager on the Denver v Oakland football
game.
[0049] The block 74 (FIG. 2) is connected to a decision block 80
that carries therein the question, "ARE MORE WAGERS DESIRED FOR THE
EVENT TYPE?". A "yes" output of the block 80 is connected to the
block 52. In other words, the person is permitted to make an
additional wager on a professional football game as described
hereinbefore.
[0050] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 9, in response to the person
touching the box 78 (FIG. 8), an image of the question, "DO YOU
WANT TO MAKE ANOTHER PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL WAGER?" appears on the
touch screen 14. Additionally, images of response boxes 84, 86
appear with the words, "YES" and "NO", respectively, therein. In
response to the box 84 (YES) being touched, the football roster
(FIG. 5) is displayed on the touch screen 14 as a prelude to the
person making an additional professional football wager.
[0051] A "no" output of the block 80 (FIG. 2) is connected to a
decision block 82 that carries therein the question, "IS A WAGER ON
ANOTHER TYPE OF SPORTING EVENT DESIRED?". A "yes" output of the
block 82 is connected to the block 50 whereby the person is again
permitted to select an event type for a sports wager.
[0052] Correspondingly shown in FIG. 10, in response to the person
touching the box 86 (FIG. 9), an image of the question, "DO YOU
WANT TO MAKE A WAGER ON ANOTHER TYPE OF SPORTING EVENT?" appears on
the touch screen 14. Additionally, images of response boxes 88, 90
appear with the words, "YES" and "NO", respectively, therein. In
response to the box 88 being touched, the image 34 (FIG. 4) is
displayed and an event type is selected as described
hereinbefore.
[0053] A "no" output of the block 82 (FIG. 2) is connected to an
action block 92 that carries therein the words "SETTLE AND CONFIRM
WAGERS". The block 92 is connected to the block 26. In other words,
after all of the person's wagers are settled, the initial image is
provided on the touch screen 14. The settlement and confirmation of
wagers is described hereinafter.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 11, a wager completion and confirmation
display 94 is provided on the touch screen 14 in response to the
box 90 (FIG. 10) being touched. The display 94 includes a summary
of the person's wagering activity.
[0055] As a first element of the summary, a box 100 of the display
94 is headed by the word, GAMES, where sporting events upon which
wagers were made are listed. As an example of the listing of the
sporting events, within the box 100 are two pairs of entries. A
first pair of entries is for a football game between the Denver
Broncos and the Oakland Raiders. The first pair of entries are
given as:
1 100 Denver Broncos -3.5 101 Oakland Raiders +3.5
[0056] The numbers, 100, 101 in the first pair of entries, known as
betting numbers, are assigned at the central site. A purpose of the
betting numbers is to obviate an error that may be caused when, for
example, there is a Denver Bronco hockey team as well as the Denver
Bronco football team. The numbers, -3.5 and +3.5, are germane to a
straight wager on the football game.
[0057] A second pair of entries within the box 100 is for a
basketball game between the Seattle Supersonics and the Utah Jazz.
Betting numbers, 205, 206, are assigned to the Supersonics and the
Jazz, respectively. The numbers, +6.5 and -6.5, are germane to a
straight wager on the basketball game. Therefore, the wagered upon
sporting events are the football game and the basketball game.
[0058] As a second element of the summary, a box 102 of the display
94 is headed by the words, YOUR BETS. Within the box 102 is a list
of wagers made by the person and an amount of each of the listed
wagers. In accordance with the list, the person made a fifty dollar
straight wager on Oakland and a fifty dollar straight wager on the
Jazz.
[0059] As a third element of the summary, a box 104 of the display
94 has therein the words, TOTAL WAGER. Within the box 104, a total
amount of money wagered by the person is given; the total wager is
given as one hundred dollars.
[0060] As a fourth element of the summary, a box 106 of the display
94 has therein the word, BANK. Within the box 106, an amount of
money posted by the person is given; the posted amount is given as
zero.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 12, in response to the person either
depositing one hundred dollars within the bill validator 18 or
using a credit card to create a one hundred dollar credit
transaction, a display 108 provides a showing of a posted amount of
one hundred dollars within the box 106.
[0062] The displays 94, 108 includes a box 110 with the notation,
<<back, therein. In response to the person touching the box
110, the image shown in FIG. 10 (DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A WAGER ON
ANOTHER TYPE OF SPORTING EVENT?) appears on the touch screen 14
whereby the person may make another wager as described
hereinbefore.
[0063] A box 112 with the word, cancel, therein is included in the
displays 94, 108. The person touches the box 112 to cancel the
listed wagers and cause the initial image (FIG. 3) to be shown on
the touch screen 14. When the person has previously posted a wager
amount, the touching of the box 112 causes a cancellation ticket to
be dispensed by the printer 22. The cancellation ticket states the
previously posted wager amount and designates a payout casino.
[0064] The cancellation ticket is presented at the sports book of
the payout casino. It should be understood that the cancellation
ticket carries encrypted information, such as a bar code, for
security reasons. After executing a validation procedure, personnel
of the payout casino make a payout of the previously posted
wager.
[0065] The displays 94, 108 include a box 114 with the word,
accept, therein. The person touches the box 114 when the listed
wagers, the amount wagered and the posted amount are in accordance
with the person's wishes. In response to a touching of the box 114,
the printer 16 dispenses a betting ticket stating the listed
wagers, the amount wagered and the name of the payout casino. The
betting ticket, like the cancellation ticket, carries encrypted
information for security reasons.
[0066] When the posted amount shown in the box 106 exceeds the
total amount wagered shown in the box 104, the person has made an
over payment. In response to the touching of the box 114 when there
is the over payment, the printer 16 dispenses a cash voucher for
the amount of the over payment in addition to the betting ticket.
The cash voucher carries encrypted information for security
reasons.
[0067] The cash voucher is presented at the sports book of the
payout casino. After executing a validation procedure, personnel of
the payout casino redeem the cash voucher. Therefore, although the
cash voucher is dispensed for the overpayment or the person cancels
the listed wagers, an objective of getting the person to go to the
payout casino is fulfilled.
[0068] Upon winning any of the wagers, the betting ticket is
presented at the sports book of the payout casino. After executing
the validation procedure, the payout casino personnel make a
payout.
[0069] Preferably, the displays 94, 108 include a time remaining
counter 116 that provides a showing of a starting number prior to a
posting of money. After the person posts an amount of money that is
at least equal to the amount wagered, the starting number is
decremented by one each second. When the person does not touch any
of the boxes 110, 112, 114 before the starting number is
decremented to zero, there is a cancellation of the listed
wagers.
[0070] The displays 94, 108 additionally include a help button 116.
In response to the person touching the button 116, a help display
(not shown) on the touch screen 14 provides answers to questions
that the person may have in connection with making a sports
wager.
[0071] In one embodiment, the central site is operable to download
advertisements, audio and video messages and video highlights of
games in progress to the special purpose computer 25.
[0072] In another embodiment, the central site is operable to
download aspects of a promotional ticket to the special purpose
computer 25. The promotional tickets are dispensed by the ticket
printer 22 and used, for example, for free drawings and store
discounts. Additionally, the promotional tickets may be used for
free play at gaming machines at a bar, for example.
* * * * *