U.S. patent application number 10/011648 was filed with the patent office on 2003-06-05 for wireless wagering system.
Invention is credited to Itkis, Boris, Itkis, Yuri.
Application Number | 20030104865 10/011648 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21751371 |
Filed Date | 2003-06-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030104865 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Itkis, Yuri ; et
al. |
June 5, 2003 |
Wireless wagering system
Abstract
A casino game is implemented on the basis of a wireless mobile
player unit adapted to play poker, slots, bingo and other casino
games. The unit obtains random game outcomes from a central
computer over a radio channel utilizing a data encryption technique
relying on an authentication key. The authentication key is
downloaded into the unit from the central computer via a secure
wired communication channel while the unit is stored, recharged and
locked in a dispensing kiosk controlled by the central computer. A
player rents the unit from the kiosk, plays it throughout the
casino and returns the unit to the kiosk to obtain prizes and/or
bonus points earned. The central computer tracks the inventory of
the units in the kiosk and on the casino floor.
Inventors: |
Itkis, Yuri; (Las Vagas,
NV) ; Itkis, Boris; (Las Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
QUIRK & TRATOS
3773 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY
SUITE 500 NORTH
LAS VEGAS
NV
89109
US
|
Family ID: |
21751371 |
Appl. No.: |
10/011648 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/39 ;
463/40 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3239 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3223 20130101; G07F 17/3218
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/39 ;
463/40 |
International
Class: |
A63F 013/00 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A wagering system including: a central game controller and at
least one gaming device; said central game controller generating
and storing a data encryption key and communicating said data
encryption key to said gaming device via a secure communication
means; said gaming device generating and sending a wagering request
to said central game controller via a communication channel, said
request authenticated by said data encryption key; and said central
game controller generating and sending a response, to said wagering
request, to said gaming device via said communication channel.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein said communication channel is a
wireless communication channel.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein said gaming device is plugged into
said secure communication means.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said response is authenticated by
said data encryption key.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said secure communication means is
a wired communication link.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said gaming device is provided
with said data encryption key by the central game controller over
said secure communication means while said gaming device is stored
in a dispensing kiosk.
7. The system of claim 6 wherein said dispensing kiosk includes a
latch for securing said gaming device in said dispensing kiosk,
said latch being released upon a predetermined event.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein said predetermined event is
insertion of monetary consideration into said kiosk.
9. The system of claim 6 wherein said kiosk is responsive to said
central game controller.
10. The system of claim 6 wherein said central game controller
monitors inventory of said gaming devices located inside and
outside of said dispensing kiosk.
11. The system of claim 6 wherein said central game controller
links each said gaming device with an identification of a player
removing said gaming device from said dispensing kiosk.
12. The system of claim 6 wherein said dispensing kiosk charges a
gaming device battery while said gaming device is stored in said
dispensing kiosk.
13. The system of claim 6 wherein said dispensing kiosk includes a
bill validator for accepting monetary consideration in return for
said gaming device.
14. The system of claim 6 wherein said dispensing kiosk includes a
card reader for reading a player club card.
15. The system of claim 6 wherein said dispensing kiosk includes a
currency dispenser for paying a player an account balance.
16. The system of claim 6 wherein said dispensing kiosk includes a
printer for printing a sales receipt.
17. The system of claim 6 wherein said dispensing kiosk includes a
barcode reader for reading barcodes on said sales receipt.
18. The system of claim 1 wherein said central game controller
includes a means for generating random numbers.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein said gaming device is adapted to
play at least one game of a group of games consisting of bingo,
poker, blackjack, slots, sports book and horse races in response to
said central game controller.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein said gaming device is a
telephone.
21. The system of claim 19 wherein said gaming device is a personal
digital assistant.
22. The system of claim 1 wherein said request includes an order to
purchase a game card.
23. The system of claim 22 wherein said game card is a bingo
card
24. The system of claim 1 wherein said secure communications means
is by infrared light facilitated by said central game controller
and said gaming device each having an infrared communication
port.
25. The system of claim 1 further including a portable device
capable of storing and transmitting data in secure communication
with said gaming device.
26. The system of claim 6 wherein said dispensing kiosk maintains
an account for at least one user of said gaming device.
27. The system of claim 26 wherein said dispensing kiosk credits
said account upon return of said gaming device to said
dispenser.
28. The system of claim 26 wherein said dispenser refunds the
balance of said account upon return of said gaming device to said
dispenser.
29. A wagering method including the following steps: (a) generating
and storing a data encryption key by a central game controller and
delivering a copy of said data encryption key to a remote wagering
device utilizing a secure delivery procedure; (b) sending a
wagering request by said remote wagering device to said central
game controller over a communication channel, said wagering request
being authenticated by said data encryption key; and (c) said
central game controller generating and sending a response, to said
wagering request, to said remote wagering device via said
communication channel.
30. The method of claim 29 wherein said communication channel is a
wireless communication channel.
31. The method of claim 29 wherein said gaming device is plugged
into said secure communication means.
32. The method of claim 29 wherein said response is authenticated
by said data encryption key.
33. The method of claim 29 wherein said secure communication means
is a wired communication link.
34. The method of claim 29 wherein said gaming device is provided
with said data encryption key by the central game controller over
said secure communication means while said gaming device is stored
in a dispensing kiosk.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein said dispensing kiosk includes a
latch for securing said gaming device in said dispensing kiosk,
said latch being released upon a predetermined event.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein said predetermined event is
insertion of monetary consideration into said kiosk.
37. The method of claim 34 wherein said kiosk is responsive to said
central game controller.
38. The method of claim 34 wherein said central game controller
monitors inventory of said gaming devices located inside and
outside of said dispensing kiosk.
39. The method of claim 34 wherein said central game controller
links each said gaming device with identification of a player
removing said gaming device from said dispensing kiosk.
40. The method of claim 34 wherein said dispensing kiosk charges a
gaming device battery while said gaming device is stored in said
dispensing kiosk.
41. The method of claim 34 wherein said dispensing kiosk includes a
bill validator for accepting monetary consideration in return for
said gaming device.
42. The method of claim 34 wherein said dispensing kiosk includes a
card reader for reading a player club card.
43. The method of claim 34 wherein said dispensing kiosk includes a
currency dispenser for paying a player an account balance.
44. The method of claim 34 wherein said dispensing kiosk includes a
printer for printing a sales receipt.
45. The method of claim 34 wherein said dispensing kiosk includes a
barcode reader for reading barcodes on said sales receipt.
46. The method of claim 29 wherein said central game controller
includes a means for generating random numbers.
47. The method of claim 46 wherein said gaming device is adapted to
play at least one game from a group of games consisting of bingo,
poker, blackjack, slots, sports book and horse races in response to
said central game controller.
48. The method of claim 47 wherein said gaming device is a
telephone.
49. The method of claim 47 wherein said gaming device is a personal
digital assistant.
50. The method of claim 29 wherein said request includes an order
to purchase a game card.
51. The method of claim 50 wherein said game card is a bingo
card
52. The method of claim 29 wherein said secure communications means
is by infrared light facilitated by said central game controller
and said gaming device each having an infrared communication
port.
53. The method of claim 29 further including a portable device
capable of storing and transmitting data in secure communication
with said gaming device.
54. The method of claim 34 wherein said dispensing kiosk maintains
an account for at least one user of said gaming device.
55. The method of claim 54 wherein said dispensing kiosk credits
said account upon return of said gaming device to said dispensing
kiosk.
56. The method of claim 54 wherein said dispenser refunds the
balance of said account upon return of said gaming device to said
dispensing kiosk.
57. A self-service dispenser for dispensing at least one portable
gaming device including: said dispenser being controlled by a
computer; said gaming device receiving data from said computer
while being housed in said dispenser; and said data enabling
operation of said portable gaming device following dispensing of
said gaming device from said dispenser.
58. The dispenser of claim 57 further including a latch for
securing said gaming device in said dispenser, said latch being
released upon a predetermined event.
59. The dispenser of claim 58 wherein said predetermined event is
insertion of monetary consideration into said dispenser.
60. The dispenser of claim 57 wherein said dispenser receives from
said portable gaming device an identification of said gaming device
while said gaming device is housed in said dispenser.
61. The dispenser of claim 57 wherein said data includes a bingo
card.
62. The dispenser of claim 57 wherein said data includes an
encryption key.
63. The dispenser of claim 57 wherein said gaming device includes a
transceiver for wireless communication with said computer while
being outside of said dispenser.
64. The dispenser of claim 57 wherein said dispenser charges a
gaming device battery while said gaming device is housed in said
dispenser.
65. The dispenser of claim 57 wherein said dispenser includes a
bill validator for accepting monetary consideration in return for
said gaming device.
66. The dispenser of claim 57 wherein said dispenser includes a
card reader for reading a player club card.
67. The dispenser of claim 57 wherein said dispenser includes a
printer for printing a sales receipt.
68. The dispenser of claim 57 wherein said dispenser includes a
barcode reader for reading barcodes on said sales receipt.
69. The dispenser of claim 57 wherein said dispenser maintains an
account for at least one user of said gaming device.
70. The dispenser of claim 57 wherein said dispenser credits said
account upon return of said gaming device to said dispenser.
71. The dispenser of claim 57 wherein said dispenser refunds the
balance of said account upon return of said gaming device to said
dispenser.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to gaming devices in general
and, more specifically, to portable gaming devices suitable for use
in gaming establishments such as casinos and bingo halls.
[0002] In recent years, radio-controlled hand-held or portable
electronic bingo devices, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,455,025 and 4,624,462 both to Itkis and in bingo industry
publications, including an article "Bingo Playing Enhanced With New
Innovations", Bingo Manager, July, 2001, gained substantial
popularity in casinos. However, mobile electronic bingo devices
have limited applications in a casino environment and are
labor-intensive because of the need to download bingo cards at a
point-of-sale terminal operated by a cashier.
[0003] Recently, portable remote gaming devices were proposed for
playing "classic" casino games such as poker, slots and keno. In
particular, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,012,983 and 6,001,016 both to Walker,
et al., propose to utilize pager-like devices for remote monitoring
of the progress of a slot game executed automatically on a player's
behalf on an actual slot machine available at a "casino warehouse."
However, Walker limits play to a rather passive observation of the
game and, therefore, diminishes a player's interest in the game.
Besides, Walker's approach requires a costly investment in real
slot machines located remotely at a "casino warehouse." In
addition, Walker does not provide any mechanism for facilitating
the labor-intensive process of distributing gaming devices to
players and does not assure security of the gaming devices. A
commercial implementation of remote playing on a "warehoused" slot
machine by GameCast Live as disclosed in "Expanding Casino
Borders", International Gaming and Wagering Business, September
2001, suffers from the same deficiencies as Walker's disclosures.
Moreover, although GameCast Live offers players convincing video
and audio data streams originating at video cameras aimed at actual
slot machines, such implementation is labor intensive and requires
costly hardware. In addition, such an approach cannot provide a
casino with an adequate number (e.g., several hundred) of remote
wagering devices since the overall radio frequency (RF) bandwidth
available for a casino is severely limited.
[0004] On the other hand, a cellular telephone-based approach to
remote gaming being promoted by companies, such as Motorola, Inc.,
TRIMON Systems, Inc. and NuvoStudios, Inc., as disclosed, for
example, in "NuvoStudios, Inc., Corporate Profile", NuvoStudios,
Inc., October 2001 and "Mobile Casino Solution", TRIMON Systems,
Inc., October 2001, does alleviate the issue of available radio
frequency bandwidth. Yet, remote gaming on cellular telephones is
functionally indistinguishable from gaming on the Internet.
Although casinos are tempted by the lucrative prospects of Internet
gaming, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,800,268 to Molnick,
5,999,808 to La Due and 5,779,545 to Berg et al., the disclosed
Internet wagering techniques cannot be directly transplanted into
casino environment because of the vast differences between the
security and integrity requirements of "brick-and-mortar" casinos
and "click-and-mortar" casinos. While there is no conceivable
motivation for an Internet player to sabotage his or her own
personal computer (PC), telephone or mobile Personal Digital
Assistant (PDA), an unscrupulous player will not hesitate to
subvert a casino slot machine. In addition, a potentially
unscrupulous player is thwarted from cheating on the Internet by
the fear of violating a vast plethora of laws and regulations aimed
to prevent wire fraud and credit card fraud. In comparison, the
intra-casino operation of slot machines is typically outside of
purview of such anti-fraud laws. Being functionally equivalent to
gaming on stationary Internet terminals, wireless gaming on
Internet-enabled phones and PDAs suffers from the same serious
security and integrity deficiencies that are inherent in stationary
Internet terminals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is the primary objective of the present invention to
provide a casino player with an opportunity to securely play casino
games, such as poker, slots, keno and bingo "on the go" without the
need for a stationary video and/or reel slot machine.
[0006] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide a casino player with a secure method of playing a mobile
casino game on a small device convenient for carrying on the
person.
[0007] It is a further objective of the present invention to
automate the process of renting such mobile wagering devices to
players.
[0008] Yet another objective of the present invention is to
automatically track mobile player devices rented to players to
encourage the return of the devices to the casino.
[0009] These and further objectives will become apparent from the
attached drawings and the following description of the preferred
embodiment.
[0010] The above objectives are achieved through the present
invention by providing a casino player with a wireless wagering
device akin to a wireless PDA or an Internet-enabled cellular
telephone. The preferred embodiment of a mobile wagering device,
programmed to play typical casino games, including poker, slots,
keno and bingo, incorporates a radio frequency transceiver, an
infrared downloading port and a rechargeable battery. A player
rents such a mobile player unit from the casino at a self-service
dispensing kiosk. In order to rent a mobile player unit, a player
inserts a player club card into the kiosk's magnetic card reader
and deposit money into the kiosk's bill validator The kiosk houses
a number of mobile player units in its storage and recharging
cells. Each of the cells are networked over a local area network
with a central PC-compatible computer controlling the kiosk.
[0011] When a player buys a pack of electronic bingo cards at a
kiosk, the kiosk's central computer downloads the purchased bingo
cards into an available player unit plugged into the internal local
area network of the kiosk while the unit is housed in the kiosk. A
player can then take the downloaded unit out of the kiosk to any
location of the casino floor. Over a radio channel, the unit
receives bingo data, such as bingo patterns and pseudo-random bingo
numbers from the kiosk's central computer, and plays downloaded
bingo cards automatically. The central computer automatically
verifies all bingo cards downloaded into all rented mobile player
units, detects winning bingo cards, computes the prizes due to the
winning players and stores the outcomes of the games in an internal
database. When a player re-inserts the player unit into the kiosk,
the kiosk automatically dispenses any winnings due the player
through a bill dispenser and/or coin hopper.
[0012] The central computer also maintains a database of the rented
units and may award bonus points to players returning the rented
units to the kiosk. A complete self-service rent-and-return cycle
yields substantial labor costs savings for casinos. The kiosk is
also equipped with electronic latches controlled by the central
computer. The latches lock the unit inside the kiosk and prevent a
player from taking the unit out of the kiosk without first paying
for the unit.
[0013] A player having a sufficient account balance can also
purchase, by means of radio communications, bingo cards with the
help of the mobile player unit located on the casino floor. In
order to prevent fraud and make radio communication with the unit
secure, the central computer downloads an encryption key to each
unit being rented. The encryption key is downloaded over the
kiosk's internal local area network while the unit remains locked
inside of the kiosk. Even though a radio communication can be
easily intercepted, such an internal downloading of the encryption
key assures security of the subsequent communications between the
central computer and the rented unit over the public radio channel.
As a result, a player can confidently place an order for purchasing
bingo cards right from the casino floor in real time.
[0014] Moreover, secure gaming over a public radio channel
authenticated by an encryption key downloaded at a dispensing kiosk
opens an opportunity for playing "classic" casino games, such as
poker and slots, on the very same mobile player unit. In this case,
the player unit transmits authenticated encoded game requests, such
as "deal a poker hand", "spin reels" and "draw keno balls", to the
central computer. In response, the central computer broadcasts
authenticated outcomes of the games determined by a software random
number generator running on the central computer. The response
received by the player unit determines the outcome of the game
including winnings, if any, and a new credit balance. Each such
request and response thereto are authenticated by digital
signatures based upon a secure authentication key downloaded into
the player unit from the central computer while the player unit
remains inside the dispensing kiosk.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The invention is illustrated by the following drawings:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a local area network of the present
invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a player unit of the
present invention;
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a locking mechanism of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a status table of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a player-tracking card of the present
invention;
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a rental receipt of the present
invention;
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a "dispense unit" task of
the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a "verify" task of the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates a return receipt of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates a "buy pack" window of the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 12 (a) illustrates a "bingo request" data block of the
present invention;
[0028] FIG. 12 (b) illustrates a "spin request" data block of the
present invention;
[0029] FIG. 12 (c) illustrates a "deal request" data block of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 12 (d) illustrates a "draw request" data block of the
present invention;
[0031] FIG. 13 (a) illustrates a "service request" data block of
the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 13 (b) illustrates a "service response" data block of
the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 14 illustrates a "initiate spin" task of the present
invention;
[0034] FIG. 15 illustrates a "determine outcome" task of the
present invention;
[0035] FIG. 16 illustrates a "display outcome" task of the present
invention;
[0036] FIG. 17 (a) illustrates a "deal" data block of the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 17 (b) illustrates a "draw" data block of the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 18 (a) illustrates a lateral communication between two
player units via an infrared port of the present invention; and
[0039] FIG. 18 (b) illustrates an infrared communication via a
local area network of the present invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the
present invention includes two main elements, namely, a mobile
player unit (MPU) 1 and a unit dispenser kiosk (UDK) 2.
Specifically, FIG. 1 shows three mobile player units 1 located
outside dispenser kiosk 2 and fifteen mobile player units 1 located
inside kiosk 2. It is presumed that mobile player units 1 located
outside of kiosk 2 are rented to players and that the units 1
located inside kiosk 2 are generally available for rent. The rented
units 1 are shown with their touchscreen liquid crystal displays
(LCD) 3 facing the reader and with their radio-frequency (RF)
antennae 4 extended, whereas mobile player units 1 inside kiosk 2
are shown positioned on their sides 5 with antennae 4 retracted
into respective units 1. FIG. 1 also illustrates that MPU 1 is
equipped with control pushbuttons 6, a charger and communications
connector 7 and a "UNIT READY" light emitting diode (LED) 8. LCD 3
of a first rented unit 1 displays an image of a bingo card, while
LCD 3 of a second rented unit 1 displays an image of slot reels,
and LCD 3 of a third rented MPU 1 displays an image of poker cards.
Although only a few mobile player units 1 are shown in FIG. 1, a
typical casino is expected to have hundreds of rental MPU 1
available for its patrons and is expected to be equipped with
several UDKs 2 networked together.
[0041] Being a combination kiosk-type dispenser of MPUs 1 with a
central game controller, UDK 2 includes an assortment of
conventional point-of-sale and automatic-teller-machine components,
including a touchscreen video monitor 9, a receipt printer (PRT)
10, a magnetic card reader (MCR) 11, a bill
validator/barcode-reader (BV) 12 a bill dispenser (BD) 13 and a
coin dispenser CD 14. In addition, UDK 2 incorporates a RF antenna
15 being a part of an embedded RF transceiver 16 shown explicitly
in FIG. 2. The UDK 2 includes a plurality of storage cells 17. Each
storage cell 17 is capable of housing one MPU 1. In addition, each
storage cell 17 is capable of recharging and communicating with the
MPU 1 housed therein. Specifically, FIG. 1 shows thirty cells 17
arranged in three rows of ten cells 17 each. Some illustrated cells
17 are occupied by units 1 and some cells 17 are empty as some MPUs
1 have been rented. Although FIG. 1 explicitly shows only thirty
storage cells 17, a typical UDK 2 may incorporate more or less than
thirty cells 17.
[0042] The internal design of an MPU 1 is illustrated in FIG. 3.
Being essentially a wireless PDA, unit 1 incorporates touchscreen
LCD 3, antenna 4, LED 8, connector 7, control buttons 6, a
programmable microprocessor 18, such as a Dragon-Ball-Z.RTM.
microprocessor, a spread-spectrum RF transceiver 19, such as a
BlueTooth.RTM. transceiver and a speaker 20. Also incorporated
within the internal design of an MPU 1, but not shown explicitly in
FIG. 3, are conventional dynamic and non-volatile memory and a
rechargeable battery.
[0043] The internal design of UDK 2 is detailed in FIG. 2.
Architecturally, UDK 2 is a local area network (LAN) 22 governed by
a conventional personal computer (PC) 21. The internal components
of UDK 2 are interfaced with each other via LAN 22. In particular,
PC 21, BV 12, MCR 11, PRT 10, BD 13, and CD 14 are permanently
plugged into LAN 22. An MPU 1 temporarily occupying cell 17 is
interconnected with LAN 22 via its own connector 7 and a mating
charging and communication connector 23 on the end of cable 24 that
forms a branch of LAN 22. Connector 23 is built into cell 17 as
shown in FIG. 4. LAN 22 also includes cables 25 through 30 forming
branches of LAN 22 interfacing respectively with PC 21, BV 12, MCR
11, PRT 10, BD 13 and CD 14. In addition, LAN 22 is wirelessly
interfaced with rented MPUs 1 via a spread-spectrum RF channel 31,
preferably, a public domain RF channel. More specifically, PC 21
incorporates a spread-spectrum transceiver 16 (shown in dashed
lines) identical to the spread-spectrum transceiver 19 of MPU 1 and
an antenna 15 identical to the antenna 4 of MPU 1. Via transceivers
16 and 19 and antennae 4 and 15, LAN 22 is wirelessly interfaced
with MPU 1 over a spread-spectrum RF channel 31.
[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates three neighboring cells 17 of UDK 2. The
leftmost cell 17 and the central cell 17 are occupied by MPUs 1,
whereas the rightmost cell 17 is empty. As shown in FIG. 4, each
storage cell 17 includes a battery charger and communications
connector 23, for mating with connector 7 of MPU 1, and an
electromechanical lock formed by a spring-loaded solenoid 134 (the
spring is not explicitly shown in FIG. 4.) having a solenoid rod
32. The leftmost cell 17 shows solenoid 134 in a deactivated state
with its rod 32 being forced out by the spring and, consequently,
MPU 1 being locked inside the leftmost storage cell 17. The central
storage cell 17 shows solenoid 134 in an active state with its rod
32 retracted and, consequently, MPU 1 being released. The mechanics
of solenoid 134 are such that its rod 32 allows for easy insertion
of MPU 1 into cell 17 but precludes removal of MPU 1 from cell 17
without activation of solenoid 134. Although not shown explicitly,
each storage cell 17 also includes charging circuitry for charging
MPU 1 while it is inserted into storage cell 17.
[0045] Via LAN 22, PC 21 periodically polls all cells 17 of UDK 2
to determine whether they are occupied and, if so, by which MPU 1.
Note that each MPU 1 is characterized by its unique manufacturer's
identification number 33 stored in its non-volatile memory and
further etched on the top surface 34 of MPU 1 as shown in FIG. 1.
In particular, PC 21 periodically sends a test data block to each
occupied cell 17 via respective communication connectors 23 and 7.
In response to the received test block, MPU 1 residing in a
particular cell 17 sends an acknowledgment containing its
manufacturer's identification number 33 to PC 21 via embedded
connector 7. The conventional details of the test and
acknowledgment data blocks flowing between MPU 1 and PC 21 are
omitted herewith as they are well known to practitioners of the
art. Once PC 21 receives a positive acknowledgment from MPU 1, it
marks, in its memory, the respective cell 17 together with MPU 1
residing therein as available for dispensing to a player.
Specifically, PC 21 maintains in its memory a status table 35
illustrated in FIG. 5. The status table 35 details the current
status of each cell 17, each MPU 1 and each casino patron renting
an MPU 1. Each row of table 35 presents status of an individual
cell 17. Specifically, the first group 36 of thirty rows represents
the current status of thirty individual cells 17. The individual
cells 17 in table 35 are indexed by the cell identification number
37. The top leftmost cell 17 of FIG. 1 is identified as cell number
one (1) and the bottom rightmost cell 17 of FIG. 1 is identified as
cell number thirty (30). For each storage cell 17, table 35
indicates the manufacturer's identification number 33 of mobile
player unit 1 housed therein and the current status 38 of MPU 1
located in the cell 17. The current status of each MPU 1 stored in
a cell 17 is indicated by status flag 38 that is equal to one, if
respective cell 17 houses an MPU 1 ready for dispensing, and is
equal to zero otherwise.
[0046] Players rent MPUs 1 from UDK 2 and return MPUs 1 to UDK 2
once they complete playing. In order to rent an MPU 1 from UDK 2, a
player is preferably required to first insert into MCR 11 a player
tracking card 39 as illustrated in FIG. 6, otherwise no MPU 1
should be dispensed by UDK 2 to the player. Along with a player's
name 40, card 39 bears a player's identification number 41. For
purposes of brevity, a player having identification number 41 may
simply be called player 41 throughout the remainder of the
disclosure. The name 40 and identification number 41 may also be
encoded in a magnetic form on magnetic strip 42 and may also be
available in a barcode format 43. In order to rent a player unit, a
player must, in addition to inserting player card 39 into MCR 11,
also deposit money into BV 12.
[0047] Initially, in order to facilitate the description of the
operation of the system, a simple case of a player renting an MPU 1
to play a prepackaged set of electronic bingo cards ("pack") is
considered. For example, it is assumed that a casino offers players
only one type of bingo packs and allows players to buy only one
pack. A specific bingo pack sold to a player 41 is identified on a
rental receipt 44 issued by PRT 10 as illustrated in FIG. 7. Note
that manufacturers of paper and electronic bingo packs design their
packs in such a way that each bingo pack contains predetermined
bingo cards and each bingo pack is identifiable by its
manufacturer's pack identification number 100. To determine each
and every bingo card to be played by player 41 in each and every
bingo game of a bingo session for which pack 43 is intended, it is
sufficient to know the pack identification number 100. The reverse
is also true where duplicate bingo cards are not allowed in any
game.
[0048] The operations being performed by PC 21 of UDK 2 in this
simplified case are illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 8
illustrating a "dispense unit" task. Note that PC 21 operates in a
multitasking environment, such as Linux.RTM., and executes
multitasking applications software. In accordance with the
instructions 120 displayed on the touchscreen monitor 9, a player
starts by inserting a player card 39 into magnetic card reader 11.
MCR 11 detects the inserted player card 39 and transfers a player
identification number 33 over LAN 22 to PC 21 as illustrated by the
step "READ PLAYER CARD" 45 of the flowchart in FIG. 8. Subsequently
in the step "FETCH PLAYER RECORD" 46, PC 21 attempts to fetch the
current player record by matching the read-in player identification
number 33 from the status table 35. Techniques of searching
databases are well known in the industry and, therefore, not
described in detail herein. If as a result of the test "VALID
RECORD?" 47, a matching record is not found in table 35, PC 21
returns to step 45 of reading player card 39. If test 47 is passed
successfully, PC 21 begins to poll BV 12 in step "POLL VALIDATOR"
48. If a bill is indeed inserted, then the test "BILL IN?" 49 is
deemed successful, and the player's balance 57 that is stored in
status table 35 is incremented according to the denomination of the
bill in step "INCREMENT PLAYER's BALANCE" 50. Assuming the
resulting balance 57 is sufficient to purchase a bingo pack, the
test "SUFFICIENT BALANCE?" 51 is satisfied and PC 21 proceeds to
the next step "SELECT UNIT" 52, otherwise PC 21 loops back to step
48. Excess deposited funds, if any, are credited to player's
account balance 57. While performing step "SELECT UNIT" 52, PC 21
scans table 35 and finds the next available MPU 1 ready for
operation. The located MPU 1 is downloaded with purchased
electronic bingo cards in the step "DOWNLOAD CARDS" 53. As
techniques of downloading electronic player units with bingo cards
are well known in the industry, they are omitted herein. Instead,
it is emphasized that bingo cards are downloaded into MPU 1 via a
secure, private communication channel formed by connectors 7 and
23. Note that communications via connectors 7 and 23 are not
susceptible to interception, whereas communications via public
radio channel 31 can be easily intercepted. Subsequently, PC 21
updates a record of player 41 (more exactly, a player having
identification 41) in status table 35 in the step "UPDATE PLAYER
RECORD" 54. In particular, PC 21 updates a player's credit balance
57 to reflect the payment for the purchased bingo pack 43 and also
links the record of player 41 with the manufacturer's
identification number 33 of MPU 1 downloaded with pack 43. At this
point, PC 21 causes PRT 10 to print rental receipt 44 including
player identification number 41, identification number 33 of the
rented MPU 1, identification number of the downloaded pack 43,
receipt identification number 58 and receipt identification barcode
59. Barcode 59 uniquely encodes the information printed on receipt
44. PRT 10 prints receipt 44 in a format compatible with the
built-in barcode reader of BV 12 so that the BV 12 can read barcode
59. Lastly, PC 21 activates solenoid 134 of the cell 17 containing
the downloaded MPU 1 in the step "RELEASE UNIT" 56 as is
illustrated by the central cell 17 in FIG. 4. Now, a player can
remove MPU 1, carrying the downloaded information, from a
respective cell 17. In order to assist the player in finding the
MPU 1, the MPU 1 starts blinking its LED 8 as soon as it detects
the end of the process of downloading of, via connectors 7 and 23,
pack 43 by PC 21.
[0049] Once player 41 removes MPU 1 from UDK 2, PC 21 transfers the
identification number 33 of the removed MPU 1 from the first 30
rows 36 of table 35 to the group of records 70 that lists
"homeless" MPUs 1 (i.e., units not housed in any specific cell 17
and, presumably, located somewhere on the casino floor). As
illustrated in FIG. 5, each "homeless" unit listed in group 70
however is "temporarily owned" by a specific player 41 and visa
versa each player 41 becomes linked by PC 21 with a specific MPU 1
having a specific identification number 33. Note that the last
group of records in table 35, namely group 133, is essentially a
player club database that stores a player's remaining balances 57
and bonus points 68 once the player returns a MPU 1 to UDK 2.
[0050] Once removed from UDK 2, a player can carry a rented MPU 1
anywhere through a casino and, as long as MPU 1 receives bingo data
over RF channel 31, it will play bingo automatically as illustrated
in the flowchart of FIG. 9 illustrating a "verify" task.
Specifically in the step "RECEIVE BROADCAST" 60, MPU 1 receives
bingo data, such as called bingo numbers and bingo patterns,
broadcast by UDK 2 to all MPUs 1 via antenna 15. Note that the
broadcast data does not have to be encrypted because it is not
necessary to encode publicly known data, such as called bingo
numbers and bingo patterns being played. In particular, MPU 1
checks for new called bingo numbers in the test step "NEW #?" 61
and for new bingo pattern in the test step "NEW PATTERN?" 62.
Should any new data be discovered, MPU 1 marks electronic bingo
cards in its memory in accordance with the received new data in the
step "MARK CARDS" 63. Otherwise, MPU 1 loops back to step 60. Once
MPU 1 marks cards, it sorts the marked bingo cards in accordance
with their closeness to winning and displays the best bingo cards
on its screen 3 in the step "DISPLAY BEST CARDS" 65. In particular,
if MPU 1 detects a card that achieved bingo, MPU 1 immediately
displays the winning card 66 on touchscreen 3 and continuously
blinks card 66 to attract a player's attention. In addition, MPU 1
may play a winning tune through speaker 20.
[0051] The data broadcast by UDK 2 over antenna 15 originates at PC
21. PC 21 stores a schedule of bingo games or patterns to be played
in its memory in a conventional way. PC 21 also utilizes a standard
random number generation utility to generate randomly called bingo
numbers. As an alternative, a conventional ball hopper or bingo
rack may be used to generate random bingo numbers. PC 21 also
automatically verifies all sold bingo cards (i.e., bingo cards
downloaded in each rented MPUs 1), with each new called bingo
number in order to detect a winning card as taught by U.S. Pat. No.
5,951,396 to Tawil and is further disclosed in applicants'
copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/241,982 entitled
"Fully Automated Bingo Session." Once a winning card is detected,
PC 21 algorithmically computes the identification number 100 of
bingo pack 43 that the winning bingo card was downloaded to.
Knowing the winning pack number 43, PC 21 finds the winning player
corresponding to the manufacturer's identification number 33 by
searching status table 35. Once the winning player is found, PC 21
updates the player's balance 57 to reflect the winning prize.
[0052] Meanwhile, the winning MPU 1 independently detects a winner
as described above and starts blinking the winning card 66 on
display 3 and optionally plays a winning tune through speaker 20.
At this point, a winning player may approach UDK 2 and claim a
prize by inserting the winning MPU 1 back into UDK 2. A player may
insert MPU 1 into any empty cell 17. PC 21 detects the insertion of
MPU 1 through cell 17 polling procedure described above. Upon
learning the physical identification number 33 of the inserted MPU
1, PC 21 searches status table 35 and fetches the identification
number 41 of the player who rented the unit and also fetches the
player's account balance 57 from table 35. The account balance 57
includes the player's winnings as described above. Now PC 21 causes
BD 13 and CD 14 to dispense the player's balance due. Specifically,
BD 13 dispenses the dollar amount of the player's balance 57 and CD
14 dispenses the remaining amount, if any, of cents in coins. Once
dispensing of the balance 57 is complete, PC 21 clears balance 57
in player's 41 record in table 35 and also clears MPU 1
manufacturer's identification field 33. The operation of clearing
field 33 releases player 41 from any responsibility for the
returned MPU 1. As a courtesy to the player, PC 21 also causes PRT
10 to issue a return receipt 67 illustrated in FIG. 10, wherein 68
is the refund value, if any, and 69 is the barcode that uniquely
identifies and verifies return receipt 67.
[0053] Optionally, a player may also be required to insert the
barcoded receipt 44 into BV 12 and/or insert the player card 39
into magnetic card reader 11. If such an option is selected, then
BV 12 reads barcoded identification 59 of receipt 44 and/or
magnetic card reader 11 reads-in player identification number 41
from card 39, and PC 21 compares read-in identifications 59 and/or
42 of receipt 44 and/or card 39 with the values stored in table 35.
Assuming they match with the read-in identification 33 of MPU 1
stored in the player's 41 record in table 35, the validity of the
winning claim is well-established. Some casinos may even elect to
rely exclusively on the validation of receipt 44 and/or card 39 for
purposes of paying winners without the requirement of returning the
winning MPU 1 into UDK 2. However, the preferred requirement of
returning the winning MPU 1 decreases the casino's labor costs
since casino employees will not have to retrieve and return MPUs
left all over the casino. Also, it insures that MPUs 1 are readily
available for new players to rent. Moreover, it prevents a player
from taking a MPU 1 home as a "souvenir" or the like. For all such
reasons, it makes sense for a casino to require all players to
return all rented MPUs 1 to UDK 2 once a player is finished. A
casino is in a position to enforce the return of the MPUs 1 because
status table 35 contains detailed records of MPUs 1 rented by
players. However, instead of enforcing the return of MPU 1, a
casino may encourage a voluntary return by, for example, awarding a
player's account bonus points 68 upon the return of the rented MPU
1. A player may use the bonus points 68 as discounts for buffets,
souvenirs, etc. Also, a casino may impose a deposit fee for renting
MPU 1 and refund the deposit to the player through dispensers 13
and/or 14, once a player returns the MPU 1.
[0054] The primary reason the above-described MPU 1 is equipped
with RF-channel 31 is to facilitate automatic playing of bingo on
the casino floor. However, some players and some casinos prefer
manual entry of all necessary bingo data into the MPUs 1 as
described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,940 to Gluz et al.,
and the article "Bingo Playing Enhanced With New Innovations",
Bingo Manager, July, 2001. If manual entry is required, the MPU 1
does not have to be equipped with transceiver 19 and antenna 4
resulting in a less expensive MPU 1. However, even in such a
simplified case, the UDK 2 is still very useful since it completely
automates the process of selling electronic bingo cards and yields
substantial labor costs savings for casinos and bingo halls.
[0055] The aforementioned simple example of the system illustrated
in FIG. 1 presumes that a player purchases only one specific bingo
pack 43. However, being equipped with touchscreen 9, UDK 2 can
offer a player a choice of types and quantities of packs as
illustrated in FIG. 11 showing a window 71 on touchscreen 9. Window
71 displays an example of a menu of choices available to the
player. Specifically, by touching button 72, a player can select a
"REGULAR" pack costing $5.00 and by pressing button 73, a player
can select a "SPECIAL" pack costing $9.00. Touchbuttons "+" 74 and
"-" 75 allow a player to increase and decrease respectively the
number of packs to purchase. Finally, touchbutton "BUY" 76 allows a
player to actually place a purchase order. PC 21 processes the
player's purchase order in a conventional manner.
[0056] To this point, it was assumed that bingo packs 43 are to be
purchased by the player at the UDK 2 when the player rents MPU 1.
This is acceptable in the case of bingo games organized in sessions
of one hour or more. However, in the case of so-called continuous
bingo wherein players buy bingo cards for each game separately and
may, for example, play some games while skipping other games, it is
inconvenient for a player to buy bingo cards at UDK 2 separately
for each game. It is therefore desirable to allow a player to
purchase bingo packs on the casino floor, through MPU 1 that has an
inherent capability of two-way radio communication via transceiver
19. For example, touchscreen 3 of MPU 1 can display the same menu
71 illustrated in FIG. 11 as the touchscreen 9 of UDK 2. Once a
player completes the purchase order by pressing "BUY" button 76,
MPU 1 can send a request to purchase electronic bingo cards to UDK
2 via RF channel 31. In particular, MPU 1 can send a "bingo
request" data block 77 illustrated in FIG. 12(a) wherein, a data
field "BINGO" 78 signifies that the present request is to purchase
bingo packs, the next field 79 specifies the number of regular
packs to purchase and the last field 80 specifies the number of
special packs included in the purchase. Upon receiving a purchase
request 77 from MPU 1, PC 21 fetches from status table 35 a record
corresponding to the identification number 33 of MPU 1 and checks
the current account balance 57 of the player for sufficiency of
funds to cover the request 77. Assuming sufficient funds are
available, UDK 2 transmits purchased electronic bingo cards to MPU
1 via RF channel 31 rather than downloading purchased bingo cards
via connectors 7 and 23. PC 21 also decrements account balance 57
by the amount of the order.
[0057] However, there is a serious concern with the direct two-way
RF communication between MPU 1 and UDK 2. Specifically, such a
communication over open RF channel 31 can be easily intercepted.
The lack of security can be resolved by encrypting such
communications with the help of a private encryption key that is
generated by UDK 2 and downloaded into MPU 1 via a secure route
formed by connectors 7 and 23. Specifically, in addition to, and/or
instead of bingo cards, PC 21 can download MPU 1 with at least one
random digital security key to secure the two-way radio
communications between MPU 1 and UDK 2. Such a digital security key
is typically known in the industry under a variety of names (e.g.,
a digital encryption key, DES key, an authentication key, a private
key, a digital signature key, a hashing algorithm, etc.)
Importantly, MPU 1 is downloaded with a new unique random
encryption key each time MPU 1 is rented and, therefore, even if
the same player 41 accidentally rents the same MPU 1 having the
same identification number 33, the downloaded encryption key is
different every time. Optionally, the downloaded security key may
be printed on sale receipt as is illustrated in FIG. 7 wherein the
numeral 82 denotes a security or encryption key. Although an
explicit printing of security key 82 may potentially result in
complications in the case where a player loses receipt 44, a
"spelled-out" key 82 facilitates auditing procedures and increases
a player's trust in the fairness of gaming conducted by the
casino.
[0058] A random encryption key 82 is generated by PC 21 with the
help of random number generation software utility in a conventional
way. The details of the generation and utilization of key 82 are
omitted herein since techniques of data encryption are well known
in the industry and are disclosed in numerous publications
including, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,670,857 to Rackman,
5,643,086 to Alcorn et al., 6,071,190 to Weiss et al., and
6,149,522 to Alcorn et al. Instead, it is re-emphasized that PC 21
downloads MPU 1 with a security key 82 over a secure communication
channel formed by cable 24 and connectors 7 and 23 and that the
security key 82 changes with every downloading. Being downloaded
with a security key 82, MPU 1 can send authenticated data blocks to
UDK 2 over the public radio frequency channel 31. Specifically,
each such data block is authenticated with the help of a digital
signature based on the security key 82 as illustrated in FIG. 13.
Similarly, each data block MPU 1 receives from UDK 2 over the
public RF channel 31 is also authenticated with the help of a
digital signature based on the security key 82 as illustrated in
FIG. 13.
[0059] Specifically, FIG. 13 (a) shows a "service request" data
block 83 originating at MPU 1 on the casino floor. The data block
83 starts with manufacturer's identification number 33 of MPU 1
followed by a block sequence number 84 followed by a digital
signature 85 and ending with a data field 86. Typically, block
sequence number 84 is incremented with each new block sent by MPU
1. In the specific case under consideration, data field 86 is a
request to purchase bingo cards 77 illustrated in FIG. 12 (a).
Importantly, authentication field 85 is generated by MPU 1 as a
predetermined function of at least one of the fields 33, 84 or 86
using a security key 82 downloaded by PC 21 into MPU 1 over
connectors 7 and 23. Due to authentication field 85, the entire
data block 83 is secure even though some portions of the data block
(e.g., 33, 84 and 86) may not be secure. Therefore, an unscrupulous
player cannot advance a false claim that he or she did not play a
particular game that resulted in a loss or that he or she won a
large prize since no other player can realistically send out a
properly authenticated data block 83. Also, given a sufficiently
long authentication field 85 (e.g., five hundred and twelve bits),
spurious radio frequency noise cannot realistically produce a false
request by a player's MPU 1. Similarly, a "hacker" who does not
know the true security key 82 cannot send a false game request in
the place of a legitimate player. In summary, the casino is
protected from false claims that might otherwise be advanced by
cheats and "hackers" and players are more confident that gaming in
the casino is fair and secure.
[0060] Each response block 87 transmitted by UDK 2 to MPU 1 is also
protected by an embedded authentication field 88 as shown in FIG.
13 (b) illustrating a "service request" data block. In FIG. 13 (b),
manufacturer's identification number 33 of an addressed MPU 1 is
the destination address of data block 87, 89 denotes a block
sequence number assigned by UDK 2 and 91 denotes a data field
(e.g., bingo card contents). Only a specific MPU 1 addressed in the
field 33 recognizes and authenticates data block 87 since only this
specific device was downloaded by PC 21 with a specific digital key
82 matching data block 87. A sufficiently long digital signature 88
virtually guarantees that the outcome of the game shown on
touchscreen 3 is correct rather than "hacked" by some
prankster.
[0061] The above-described technique of secure two-way
communication between MPU 1 and UDK 2 over public RF channel 31
with the help of an encryption key 82 downloaded by UDK 2 into MPU
1 over a secure wired channel is useful not only for playing bingo
games but is also beneficial for playing "classic" casino games,
such as poker, slots and keno. For example, a player can play a
slot game on MPU 1 by simply touching touchbutton "SPIN" 92
displayed on touchscreen 3. Once a player touches button 92, MPU 1
causes the image of reels 93 on display 3 to spin and transmits an
encoded request 83 having data field 86 structured as "spin
request" data block 94 illustrated in FIG. 12 (b). The field 95 of
block 94 specifies a number of coins the player wagered and the
field "SPIN" 96 specifies a request to generate a random final
position for the reels 93 to stop. Since MPU 1 is not a per se
secure device, the outcome of the game cannot be determined by MPU
1 itself. Only secure PC 21 of UDK 2 can be trusted to generate
random numbers on behalf of MPU 1 and thusly determine the prize,
if any, won by MPU 1. Upon receiving request 94, UDK 2 randomly
generates a new final position for the "reels" 93 and transmits it
in an encoded, authenticated form to MPU 1. The MPU 1 decodes the
response received from UDK 2 and gradually slows down the "reels"
to a new final position determined by UDK 2.
[0062] The above general outline of events involved in playing
slots on MPU 1 is illustrated by flowcharts presented in FIGS. 14
through 16. Specifically, FIG. 14 illustrates the "initiate spin"
task performed by MPU 1 in response to pressing pushbutton "SPIN"
92. Note that similarly to PC 21, MPU 1 also executes a
multitasking application program preferably, in Linux.RTM.
environment. The processing involves a repetitive polling of
touchscreen button 92 by the embedded microprocessor of MPU 1 in
the step "SPIN?" 116. The polling continues until a pressing of
button 92 is detected. Then, MPU 1 forms request 94 in the step
"FORM REQUEST" 117. Subsequently, MPU 1 encodes request 94 into
block 83 and transmits it via transceiver 19 in the step "TRANSMIT
REQUEST" 119. The request 83 sent by MPU 1 is received by UDK 2 and
processed by its PC 21 in the step "RECEIVE REQUEST" 120 shown in
FIG. 15 that illustrates a "determine outcome" task. Subsequently
in the step "DECODE REQUEST" 121, PC 21 decodes the true request 94
from its received encapsulated form 83 using the
encryption/decryption key 82 stored in table 35. In the same step
"DECODE REQUEST" 121, PC 21 strips out the manufacturer's
identification number 33 of MPU 1 that transmitted request 83.
Using the decoded manufacturer's identification number 33, PC 21
then performs the step "FETCH UNIT RECORD" 122 by searching group
70 of table 35 for a record matching MPU 1 that transmitted the
received request 83. Subsequently, in the step "DECREMENT UNIT's
BALANCE" 123, PC 21, assuming the current balance 57 is sufficient,
decrements a player's balance 57 by the amount of coins specified
in the field 95 of request 94Rob to edit At this point, PC 21
determines the random outcome of player's bet 95 by executing the
step "GENERATE RANDOM OUTCOME" 124 involving a generation of a
pseudo random number with the help of a conventional software
utility. If the generated random outcome results in winnings as
determined in the test step 125, PC 21 increments a player's
balance 57, by the amount won as specified in the pay table of the
game stored in the memory of PC 21, in the step "INCREMENT PLAYER's
BALANCE" 126. Otherwise, PC 21 directly proceeds to the step "FORM
RESPONSE" 127. In the latter step, PC 21 forms data field 91 and
the return address 33 of MPU 1 and increments the block sequence
number 89. Subsequently, PC 21 computes digital signature 88
utilizing the encoding/decoding key 82 in the step "ENCODE
RESPONSE" 129. Finally, PC 21 transmits the fully formed response
87 to MPU 1 via transceiver 16. The response 87 of UDK 2 is
received by MPU 1 in the step "RECEIVE RESPONSE" 130 and is decoded
in the step "DECODE RESPONSE" 132 with the help of key 82.
Specifically, the random outcome of the game 91 is filtered out and
is presented on touchscreen 3 in the step "DISPLAY OUTCOME" 132
shown in FIG. 16 illustrating a "display outcome" task.
[0063] MPU 1 allows playing of a poker game in a similar manner.
Specifically, a player touches a toggle touchbutton "DEAL/DRAW" 97
on touchscreen 3 requesting a new "deal." In response, MPU 1 forms
a player's request block 83 with the data field 86 structured in
the form 98 of a "deal request" data block illustrated in FIG. 12
(c) wherein 99 is a number of coins the player bets while the
request field 100 specifies a request to generate a random hand of
cards. The request 98 is authenticated by MPU 1 and relayed to UDK
2 in the form 83. Once UDK 2 receives "DEAL" request 98, PC 21
sends a set of randomly generated cards back to MPU 1 in an encoded
and authenticated format 87 with data field 91 structured as shown
in FIG. 17 (a) illustrating a "deal" data block. Specifically, FIG.
17 (a) illustrates a case wherein PC 21 generates a random deal
hand consisting of the two of diamonds, seven of clubs, four of
diamonds, five of diamonds and six of diamonds. The generated hand
is encoded as a data block 101 shown in FIG. 17 (a) wherein 102 is
a response identification field "DEAL" and 103 is a five-byte long
data field containing encoded representation of dealt cards. The
received random poker hand is displayed to the player by MPU 1 on
its touchscreen 3. The player then makes his selection as to which
cards to hold by touching respective cards on the screen 3 and
presses the toggle touchbutton "DEAL/DRAW" 97. Once the player does
so, MPU 1 sends a request 83 to UDK 2 with the data field 86
structured as "draw request" data block 104 illustrated in FIG. 12
(d) wherein the five consecutive fields 105 through 106 indicate
respectively which cards the player decided to hold as indicated by
their value being equal to one, and which cards are to be discarded
as indicated by their value being equal to zero. The main field
"DRAW" 110 indicates that this is a request to draw random cards to
substitute for the cards the player decided to discard. In this
specific case, the player makes an obvious choice to discard the
"seven of clubs" and retain the rest of the dealt cards. In
response, UDK 2 sends back an encrypted block 87 containing a data
filed structured as block 111 shown in FIG. 17 (b) illustrating a
"draw" data block. The response identification field "DRAW" 112 in
FIG. 17 (b) indicates that this is an outcome of a poker game.
Specifically, the five consecutive bytes of information following
the "DRAW" field contain the drawn cards, the next two byte data
field 113 contains the amount won by the player, and the last two
byte data field 114 contains the player's new account balance. As
illustrated in FIG. 17 (b), the drawn card is the "three of
diamonds", the prize won as a result of the "straight" is one
hundred coins, and the player's new balance is one hundred twenty
coins. Note that MPU 1 does not have any responsibility for
generating random numbers nor maintaining the current player's
balance but rather simply displays the balance computed by UDK 2 on
behalf of MPU 1.
[0064] In a manner similar to that described above, MPU 1 may be
adapted to play virtually any casino game, including black jack,
keno, roulette, sports book and horse racing. In fact, MPU 1 can
play several games concurrently. For example, slots and bingo can
be played concurrently as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,787 to
Itkis et al. Moreover, the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG.
1 can be adapted to implement a broad variety of various
applications without departing from the main principles of the
invention. For example, although FIG. 1 shows only one UDK 2, a
casino may have any number of such UDKs 2 installed throughout the
property and integrated in an extended local area network. The
networked UDKs 2 can interchange data over a local area network 22
extended beyond a single UDK 2 and can share a common player
database 35. In a casino equipped with a number of such networked
UDKs 2, a player may rent MPU 1 from a first such UDK 2 and return
it to a second such UDK 2.
[0065] Moreover, the extended LAN 22 can be equipped with multiple
connectors 23 installed throughout the casino, such as near lounge
chairs, for convenient player access as illustrated in FIG. 2 by
MPU 1 that is positioned outside UDK 2 and is plugged into LAN 22
via a cable 115 leading to connector 23. Once securely downloaded
inside UDK 2 with authentication key 82, MPU 1 can be carried by a
player to any such external outlet of extended LAN 22. Once plugged
into socket 23, MPU can directly communicate with UDK 2 over LAN 22
instead of RF channel 31. Therefore, MPU 1 can send to and receive
from UDK 2 data blocks 83 and 87 over LAN 22. Advantages of such a
"plug and play" arrangement include the virtual absence of noise, a
much higher channel throughput as compared with RF channel 31, and
an additional level of security afforded by wired cables. These
advantages may well outweigh the additional cost of running LAN 22
throughout casino. Of course, a "plug and play" MPU 1 still must be
initially downloaded with secure encryption key 82 inside UDK 2,
otherwise MPU 1 can be easily subverted in transit between UDK 2
and socket 23 installed on the casino floor.
[0066] Although connectors 7 and 23 are described as the primary
LAN 22 channel for downloading to MPU 1 by UDK 2, their
communication function can also be carried out by infrared
communication ports built into MPU 1 and UDK 2 as is illustrated in
FIG. 18. As shown in FIGS. 18 (a) and 18 (b) respectively, MPU1 is
equipped with infrared (IrDa) communications port 135, while LAN 22
is equipped with a matching IrDa port 137. Note that although
infrared ports 135 and 137 are more expensive than connectors 7 and
23, the former do not require a precise alignment of the
communicating devices and, therefore, are frequently utilized in
PDAs for the purposes of communicating with downloading stations.
Ports 135 and 137 allow UDK 2 to download MPU 1 through infrared
channel 136. Moreover, a commercial wireless PDA equipped with an
infrared port 135 can function as MPU 1, provided it is downloaded
by PC 21 not only with encryption key 82 and/or bingo pack 43 but
also with the above-described executable program for playing casino
games and such downloading is performed via an infrared
communication port. Note that techniques of downloading executable
files from a stationary device into a portable device are well
known and not explained herein. Therefore, an opportunity for a
player to bring to the casino a favorite PDA and use it as a
personal slot machine may be very attractive for some casinos
because it decreases the cost of owning and maintaining the rental
fleet of MPU 1 devices.
[0067] Similarly, an off-the-shelf programmable telephone equipped
with a graphics display and menu-navigation keys 6 may serve as a
MPU 1. A broad variety of downloadable "third generation"
telephones is available on the market. In case of a telephone-based
implementation, a player may use his or her own telephone for
playing casino games in the above-described manner, provided of
course, that the player's telephone is downloaded with a security
key 82 as a precondition for playing casino games. Assuming
connector 7 is compatible with the downloading and recharging
connector of such a telephone, a player may insert a telephone into
any available or reserved slot 17 of UDK 2 and wait a few seconds
while PC 21 downloads key 82 into the memory of the player's
telephone. In addition to key 82, PC 21 also downloads the
above-described casino games into the player's telephone. The
downloadable casino games are preferably written in JAVA language
since many modern commercial telephones are capable of downloading
and executing application programs written in JAVA language.
[0068] Infrared port 135 built into MPU 1 also allows for lateral
communication between two MPUs 1 as illustrated in FIG. 18 (a). Two
MPUs 1 can interchange arbitrary data via their respective ports
135. Such a data interchange is secure provided two units 1 are
placed in close proximity to one another and their IrDa ports 135
are aimed at each other. Note that a likelihood of intercepting a
line-of-site infrared communication between two closely located
MPUs 1 by an outsider is negligible. This opens up an opportunity
for utilization of a MPU 1 as a mobile point-of-sale terminal as
indicated by numeral 138 in FIG. 18 (a). Specifically, one of the
MPU 1 units may be allocated to a casino employee. Initially, MPU 1
allocated to a casino employee may be downloaded with a large
number of bingo packs 43 as described above. Subsequently, the
casino employee may dispense, via aligned infrared ports 135, a
portion of the bingo packs 43 stored in its memory to a MPU 1, PDA
or telephone in possession of a player. The information about such
an indirect downloading of player's MPU 1 by a casino employee may
be reported by the employee's MPU 1 to UDK 2 via antenna 4. Since
RF communication between the employee's MPU 1 and UDK 2 is
inherently secure, the entire process of indirect downloading of
the player's MPU 1 is also secure. The data downloaded into
player's MPU 1 from the employee's MPU 1 is not limited to bingo
cards. A unique data encryption key 82 reserved for the player can
be downloaded from the employee's MPU 1 along with monetary credits
and casino games as well.
[0069] A viable alternative to downloading files via communication
ports 7 and 23 and/or ports 135 and 137 is utilization of smart
cards for transporting files from PC 21 to MPU 1. Assuming card
reader 11 is equipped with a smart-card reader/writer circuitry,
the necessary files can be written onto a smart-card and
subsequently read-in by MPU 1 that is also equipped with a smart
card reader/writer peripheral. Since many modern PDA devices are
equipped with smart-card readers/writers, the opportunity for a
player to play casino games on his or her own PDA in a casino
becomes even more feasible, assuming of course, the above-described
security techniques are followed.
[0070] Another alternative for inputting encryption key 82 into MPU
1 includes a player reading key 82 from receipt 44 and manually
entering key 82 into MPU 1 via a touch-pad on touchscreen 3.
Although manual entry of key 82 is subject to error, it may be used
as a substitute for the downloading of key 82 in an effort to save
costs or in the case of a failure of downloading the key 82 via
connectors 7 and 23.
[0071] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to a preferred embodiment, additional variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as
described and defined in the following claims.
* * * * *