U.S. patent application number 10/906860 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-21 for method and system for remote wagering on live games of chance.
This patent application is currently assigned to IBIS NETWORKS, LLC. Invention is credited to Buttars, David B., Romney, Vincent C., Whitlock, Michael Paul.
Application Number | 20050159212 10/906860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34750677 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050159212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Romney, Vincent C. ; et
al. |
July 21, 2005 |
Method and system for remote wagering on live games of chance
Abstract
A method of monitoring of live games of chance via a remote
device that includes both a system for transporting video feed of a
live game of chance via a wireless or wired communication link to
the remote device, a method of placing bets on the live game of
chance over a secured wireless or wired communication link via the
device, a method of calculating the result of the placed bet after
the game transaction is complete, and a method of resolving betting
account balances based on the results of the bets. Embodiments of
the invention comprise apparatus forming a part of a gaming network
or system including any live game of chance, a server for
coordinating game play, storage of all data, and resolving account
balances with the house account system, and remote devices for
monitoring game play and placing bets.
Inventors: |
Romney, Vincent C.;
(herriman, UT) ; Buttars, David B.; (park city,
UT) ; Whitlock, Michael Paul; (Gweynedd, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVID B. BUTTARS
3033 LOWER SADDLEBACK RD.
PARK CITY
UT
84098
US
|
Assignee: |
IBIS NETWORKS, LLC
PO Box 981957
Park City
UT
|
Family ID: |
34750677 |
Appl. No.: |
10/906860 |
Filed: |
March 9, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3288 20130101;
G06Q 50/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/025 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of remotely viewing a live game of chance comprising: A
video capture device, such as a digital video camera, set to view
the playing field of the game; Transmission of the video feed of
the live game via a secured wired or wireless communication link to
a remote server; Transmitting the live video feed from the remote
server to a remote device, which has registered with the server
utilizing a secured wireless or wired communication link; Capture
and cataloging of the video feed and storing of said video feed in
a data storage system controlled by the remote server.
2. A method for placing bets on a live game of chance, based on
observing the live video feed via an authenticated remote device
comprising: Authenticating a remote device at the server to
authorize the remote device into the betting system; A method for
ensuring the authenticated remote device is being operated by the
approved user (such as fingerprint scan, eye-scan, etc) during the
authenticated session; Creating an individual transaction account
on the server for every authenticated remote device on the system;
Encrypting the data stream between the authenticated remote device
and the server; A manual (human controlled) or automated (logic
controlled) system by which betting is opened and closed to the
authenticated remote device at the server in coordination with the
normal flow of game play; Transmission of the status of betting
(open or closed) to the authenticated remote device via the server;
A graphic display for notifying the user of the authenticated
remote device that betting is open or closed; A graphic user
interface on the authenticated remote device to place bets in a
similar fashion to players physically participating at the live
game; A graphic display showing the placed bets by the user of the
authenticated remote device to that user; Transmission of any bets
placed on the authenticated remote device to the authenticated
device's account on the server; A graphic display on the
authenticated remote device to see the result of the bet based on
the game play, and the user's account balance after each betting
transaction; In the case of a "house" betting account, encrypted
transmission of the user's account balance from the server to the
"house" account system for account resolution at timer periods set
by the house.
3. A gaming algorithm residing on the server to control gaming
protocol consisting of: Reception of video feed as outlined in
section 1.; Reception of message from the live game via a manual
(human controlled) or automated (logic controlled) input that
betting is open; Reception of query for authentication by remote
devices; Authentication of the remote device and creation of a
transaction account for the authenticated remote device; Reception
of "open betting" message as described in section 2; Opening of
gaming algorithm to receive bets from authenticated remote devices;
Reception of message from the authenticated remote device of bet
placement during an "open betting" session, and storage of that
message in the transaction account for that device; Reception of
message from the live game via a manual (human controlled) or
automated (logic controlled) input that betting is closed;
Reception of a message from the live game via a manual (human
controlled) or automated (logic controlled) input of the result of
the game play upon which the bet was placed; Calculation of the
win/loss position attained for each betting transaction for the
authenticated remote device, and logging of that result in the
transaction account for the authenticated remote device;
Transmission of the account status of the authenticated remote
device to a house account (in the situation where a house account
is present) at some interval during game play (as in section 2
above) and upon log-out (either intentional or un-intentional) of
the authenticated remote device; Monitoring of the betting patterns
of the users of the authenticated remote devices both individually
and in aggregate to determine if collusion betting is occurring
Transmission of a message to the house security system of any
betting patterns identified as collusion betting.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein it is applied to live card
games.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein it is applied to live card
games.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein it is applied to transmission of
the video over a WAN, LAN, or the Internet.
7. The method of claim 2, wherein it is applied to transmission of
the video over a WAN, LAN, or the Internet.
8. The method of claim 3, wherein it is applied to transmission of
the video over a WAN, LAN, or the Internet.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention in its current form relates to providing a
method of participating in live games of chance from a remote
location, via a remote device over an encrypted wired or wireless
communication link.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In the past, playing casino style games of chance from a
location other than the playing floor of a casino involved the
player logging into a "virtual" casino and playing casino style
games, which were in fact, computer algorithms which simulated the
casino game.
[0003] The player had no sense of the play action normally
associated with playing games of chance on a live casino floor.
[0004] In an ever-increasingly competitive environment, Casino
operators continue to look for additional methods of attracting
players, in particular "high-rollers", and in extending players'
time "at the table". Casino operators continue to offer significant
"comps", or complimentary services to their preferred players, but
this has basically equalized among all the best casinos. Casinos
invest in new and diverse games of chance to entice players, but
again this equalizes among casinos as they all bring the same games
onto their playing floor.
[0005] The answer is not solely in bringing new and improved games,
or offering additional or extended "comps". What is needed is a
method to extended the playing floor and allow preferred clients of
the casinos to bet on the on-going, live games happening on the
floor, while taking advantage of the amenities offered by the
casino.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A system and method for playing live, casino games of
chance, occurring in real-time, via a remote device across an
encrypted wired or wireless communication link.
[0007] One embodiment of the invention comprises a system and
method for capturing video of games of chance occurring in
real-time via a digital video camera, and transmitting that video
via a wired or wireless communication link to a central server
where it is distributed to a plurality of hand-held devices or
other remote terminal device located at remote locations on a
casino property. The central server holds the gaming algorithms,
which coordinate the remote devices with the game-play occurring at
the live game. The server also authenticates the remote devices and
creates separate user accounts for each device, and reconciles the
financial account status of the remote device user account with the
casino's house account system. Users of the remote devices log-in
to the server via an encrypted wireless communication link and are
given access to the gaming system on the server. From the gaming
system, users can scan through various video feeds from a plurality
of games occurring on the gaming floor of the casino. Users can
then opt to enter play on a specific game and begin to place bets
on the game via the remote device. Betting is controlled at the
server via game-play algorithms, which allow betting at the same
sequencing and rhythm as the live game.
[0008] All data and video, including all events and transactions
from both the remote device and the server are stored in a
time-stamped data storage file coordinated with the remote device
as well as the user.
[0009] Another embodiment of the invention involves the
implementation of methods of 1, 2, and 3 in an existing casino
hotel cable television system, where the methods of 1, 2, and 3 are
effected using the cable of the existing casino hotel cable
television system as the video transmission and communication
links, using the casino hotel television as the viewing system, and
using an input device and interface connected to the hotel
television as the log-in, authentication, and betting input
modality.
[0010] In another embodiment of the invention, all methods of 1, 2,
and 3 are implemented where video from one set of games is
transmitted to a geographically remote server bank (i.e. in another
city), which in turn transmits the video feed and provides gaming
control algorithms to remote player devices in yet another
geographically remote location (i.e. in yet another city).
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system of the present
invention.
[0012] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrates a flow-diagram for one embodiment
of the method for accessing the gaming system using a remote
device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The invention is a method and system for playing live games
of chance from a remote location via a combination of video and
data communication links over a secured, encrypted local or wide
area network. In the following description, numerous specific
details are used to provide a more complete description of the
present invention. However, the invention is not dependent on these
specifics to function, but these specifics are used to more fully
illustrate the invention.
[0014] In general, the invention comprises a method and system by
which a person may place bets, in cadence with normal game flow, on
any of a plurality of live games of chance occurring in real-time
from a location geographically remote from the actual on-going
game. The invention also comprises a method and system for
controlling betting in precise correspondence with normal betting
occurring at the live game. The invention also comprises a method
and system for creating individual betting accounts for each remote
device logged into the system. The invention also comprises a
method and system for archiving all video and data associated with
every betting transaction made by each device logged into the
system.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention that
comprises a system and method for betting on live games of chance
from a remote location, while still experiencing the live feel and
pace of the game.
[0016] In this embodiment, the system includes a plurality of
cameras placed above the playing surfaces of a plurality of live
games of chance. The video feed is captured, compressed, and
transmitted via an encrypted wired or wireless communication link
to a server where logic processes the video for transport to
authenticated remote devices. Remote devices log into the server
via encrypted wired or wireless communication link to the
server.
[0017] Once logged into the server, the remote devices can then
choose to view the video feeds from the plurality of on-going live
games by selecting them using the Graphic User Interface (GUI) on
the remote device. The user of the remote device can select any one
of the games observed and enter that game by selecting it on the
GUI on the remote device.
[0018] Once a specific game has been selected by the user of the
remote device, the server creates a transaction account for the
remote device and begins sending "open betting" and "closed
betting" messages to the remote device, and accepts betting input
messages from the remote device.
[0019] The server uses logic or manual inputs to determine the
results of the play at the actual live game, and then calculates
the results of the bets placed by the user of the remote device,
debiting or crediting the transaction account as appropriate for
each bet. The server stores all video and all data for every
transaction made by the remote device and archives it to the disk
array.
[0020] At periods preset by the system operator, the server will
require re-authentication by the remote device user, which may
include thumbprint or fingerprint recognition scans, iris scans, or
any number of other personal authentication processes.
[0021] Also at periods preset by the system operator, the server
also sends updates to the house account system (if in-place) to
update the financial account status of the remote device user. The
server will also monitor bets made from the remote devices and use
logic to compare bets made to preset thresholds to determine if
betting collusion or other possible illegal betting is occurring.
If these thresholds are met, the server will either lock out the
remote device, or notify the house security system depending on
settings determined by the system owner or operator.
[0022] At any time a communication link is lost during a session in
which a user of a remote device is logged into the system, the
remote device will notify the user via a graphic display that the
link has been lost, and will list any bets placed prior to the loss
of communication. Upon re-establishment of the link, the user must
re-authenticate with the server and will then be notified of the
result of any bet placed prior to the loss of communication. If in
the case of wireless communication links, the remote device user
will be notified via a graphic message when the signal strength
begins to degrade, warning the user of pending signal loss and
resultant loss of communication.
[0023] All communication links utilized in any of the embodiments
of this system are encrypted using any number of encryption
technologies, including public and private key encryption,
proprietary hardware encryption, software encryption, etc., and any
combination thereof. Communications links may use various
protocols/architectures. If a link is a wireless link, the
protocol/architecture may be IEEE 802.11 (a, b, and/or g). For
wired links, the protocol/architecture may be RS-232, IEEE-1394
(Firewire.TM.), TCP/IP or Ethernet.
[0024] In one embodiment, the regulatory bodies, such as state
gaming boards, may be sent messages at the same or at different
intervals as those sent to the house accounts system (if in place)
by the server to keep such bodies appraised of the activities
within and peripheral to the system.
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a graphic user
interface logic path on a remote device leading from a general
gaming screen where the user chooses the type of game to preview,
to a screen where the user chooses from a plurality of video feeds
from the same type of game, to the actual playing screen where the
user can place bets on the chosen game.
[0026] The graphic user interface will allow navigation forward and
backwards within the gaming system so the user of the remote device
can move from game to game both in the playing mode and in the
preview mode. The graphic user interface may be displayed on any of
a plurality of screens or devices based on the embodiment of the
system used in any one specific situation.
* * * * *