U.S. patent application number 11/524880 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for systems and methods for gaming from an off-site location.
Invention is credited to Robert C. Angell, James R. Lavoie.
Application Number | 20070072677 11/524880 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41128102 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070072677 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lavoie; James R. ; et
al. |
March 29, 2007 |
Systems and methods for gaming from an off-site location
Abstract
Exemplary systems and methods allow a patron to play games from
an off-site location via an online network. For example, a server
may receive, from a client terminal, a purchase request for a
plurality of wagers from a patron before a game play has begun. The
server may determine the results of the plurality of wagers and
store the results in a database before the game play has begun.
Then, the server may adjust an account of the player based on the
results before the game play has begun, and send the results to the
client terminal before the game play has begun, in response to a
request to reveal the results. Additionally, exemplary systems and
methods allow a patron to play games using variable pay tables
based on denomination amounts, number of wagers, amounts of
previous wagers. Such systems and methods may, for example,
establish a plurality of denomination levels and corresponding pay
tables such that odds of winning increase as the denomination value
increases.
Inventors: |
Lavoie; James R.;
(Voluntown, CT) ; Angell; Robert C.; (West
Greenwich, RI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW, GARRETT & DUNNER;LLP
901 NEW YORK AVENUE, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20001-4413
US
|
Family ID: |
41128102 |
Appl. No.: |
11/524880 |
Filed: |
September 22, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09689841 |
Oct 13, 2000 |
7128652 |
|
|
11524880 |
Sep 22, 2006 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3223 20130101; G07F 17/3244 20130101; G07F 17/3288
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/042 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming method, comprising: receiving, at a server, a purchase
request for at least one wager from a player at a first client
terminal before a game play has begun; determining, at the server,
a result of the at least one wager before the game play has begun;
storing, at the server, the result in a database before the game
play has begun; adjusting, at the server, an account of the player
based on the result before the game play has begun; receiving, at
the server, a request to reveal the result; and sending, from the
server, after a predetermined period of time from receipt of the
request to reveal the result, the result to a second client
terminal.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second client terminal is one
of a group of devices consisting of: a mobile phone, a handheld
device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, and a home
computer.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining comprises one of:
retrieving the result from a pre-generated group of outcomes,
randomly generating the result, and drawing the result from a
lottery.
4. A gaming method, comprising: receiving, at a server, a purchase
request for at least one wager from a player at a first client
terminal before a game play has begun; determining, at the server,
a result of the at least one wager before the game play has begun;
storing, at the server, the result in a database before the game
play has begun; adjusting, at the server, an account of the player
based on the result before the game play has begun; receiving, at
the server, a request to reveal the result; sending, from the
server, the result to a second client terminal; and displaying the
result at the second client terminal after a predetermined period
of time from the sending of the result.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the second client terminal is one
of a group of devices consisting of: a mobile phone, a handheld
device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, and a home
computer.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein determining comprises one of:
retrieving the result from a pre-generated group of outcomes,
randomly generating the result, and drawing the result from a
lottery.
7. A gaming method, comprising: receiving a purchase request for a
wager from a player at a first client terminal before a game play
has begun; associating a purchase amount with the wager;
determining a pay table based on the purchase amount; determining a
result of the wager based on the determined pay table before the
game play has begun; receiving a request to reveal the result; and
sending the result to a second client terminal.
8. The method of claim 7, further comprising: establishing a
plurality of purchase amounts and corresponding pay tables such
that odds of winning increase as the purchase amount increases.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the purchase request includes the
purchase amount.
10. The method of claim 7, wherein the purchase request includes a
number of wagers and a denomination value.
11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: calculating the
purchase amount using the number of wagers and the denomination
value.
12. The method of claim 7, wherein the second client terminal is
one of a group of devices consisting of: a mobile phone, a handheld
device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, and a home
computer.
13. The method of claim 7, wherein determining comprises one of:
retrieving the result from a pre-generated group of outcomes,
randomly generating the result, and drawing the result from a
lottery.
14. A gaming method, comprising: receiving a purchase request for a
wager from a player at a first client terminal before a game play
has begun; associating a denomination value with the wager;
determining a pay table for the wager based on the denomination
value; determining a result of the wager based on the determined
pay table before the game play has begun; receiving a request to
reveal the result; and sending the result to a second client
terminal in response to the request to reveal the result.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: establishing a
plurality of denomination levels and corresponding pay tables such
that odds of winning increase as the denomination value
increases.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein the purchase request includes
the denomination value.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein associating further comprises:
selecting a predetermined denomination value.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein associating further comprises:
using a denomination value selected by the player.
19. The method of claim 14, wherein associating further comprises:
calculating the denomination value using the player's previous
denomination values.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein calculating further comprises:
calculating an average denomination value using the player's
previous denomination values.
21. The method of claim 14, wherein the second client terminal is
one of a group of devices consisting of: a mobile phone, a handheld
device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, and a home
computer.
22. The method of claim 14, wherein determining comprises one of:
retrieving the result from a pre-generated group of outcomes,
randomly generating the result, and drawing the result from a
lottery.
23. A gaming method, comprising: receiving a redemption request
from a player to redeem a prize amount from a previously placed
wager; receiving a purchase request from the player to use at least
some of the prize amount to place a new wager; determining a
previous pay table used to determine the prize amount from the
previously-placed wager; selecting a new pay table for the new
wager such that the new pay table has better odds of winning than
the previous pay table; determining a result of the new wager using
the new pay table before game play has begun; receiving a request
to reveal the result; and sending the result to a client terminal
in response to the request to reveal the result.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: establishing a
plurality of pay tables such that odds of winning increase as the
number of redemption requests increases.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein the client terminal is one of a
group of devices consisting of: a mobile phone, a handheld device,
a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, and a home
computer.
26. The method of claim 23, wherein determining comprises one of:
retrieving the result from a pre-generated group of outcomes,
randomly generating the result, and drawing the result from a
lottery.
27. A gaming method, comprising: receiving a purchase request for a
plurality of wagers from a player at a first client terminal before
a game play has begun; associating a first denomination value with
the plurality of wagers; determining a pay table based on the first
denomination value; determining results of the plurality of wagers
based on the pay table before the game play has begun; receiving,
from a second client terminal, a request to reveal modified
results, wherein the request includes a second denomination value
greater than the first denomination value; dividing the second
denomination value by the first denomination value to determine a
number of modified results; aggregating, at the server, the number
of modified results into a total prize; and sending, from the
server, the total prize the second client terminal in response to
the request to reveal the modified results.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the second client terminal is
one of a group of devices consisting of: a mobile phone, a handheld
device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, and a home
computer.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein determining comprises one of:
retrieving the results from a pre-generated group of outcomes,
randomly generating the results, and drawing the results from a
lottery.
30. A gaming method, comprising: receiving a redemption request
from a player to redeem a prize amount from a previously-placed
wager; receiving a purchase request from the player to use at least
some of the prize amount to place a new wager; determining a result
of the new wager before game play has begun; receiving a request to
reveal the result; and sending the result to a client terminal in
response to the request to reveal the result.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the client terminal is one of a
group of devices consisting of: a mobile phone, a handheld device,
a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, and a home
computer.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein determining comprises one of
retrieving the result from a pre-generated group of outcomes,
randomly generating the result, and drawing the result from a
lottery.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 09/488,556, filed Jan. 21, 2000, U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 08/877,375, filed Jun. 17, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,328,
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/719,651, filed Sep. 25, 1996,
now U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,128, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/689,842, filed Oct. 13, 2000. This application is a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
09/689,841, filed Oct. 13, 2000. The contents of all the aforesaid
applications are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates generally to gaming, and more
particularly, to a system, method, and article of manufacture for
providing patrons with the ability to play games from an off-site
location.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Gaming facilities (e.g., casinos) operate in a highly
competitive environment. To maximize revenues, these facilities try
to attract new and repeat patrons by making patrons feel welcome
and appreciated. For example, these facilities often offer patrons
a wide variety of amenities and services other than gaming, such as
restaurants and valet services, and entertainment options like
concerts and theater events. Moreover, successful gaming facilities
must continually update the games, amenities, and services that
they offer patrons in order to remain competitive.
[0004] New entrants to the gaming industry face even more
difficulty. For example, enormous amounts of capitol are necessary
to fund the design and development of a new gaming facility. These
problems prevent non-gaming type hospitality facilities, such as
hotels, motels, amusement parks, theme parks, and resorts, and
retail facilities, such as grocery stores and gas stations, from
entering the gaming industry.
[0005] One way for both gaming facilities to increase revenues and
for non-gaming facilities to enter into the gaming industry would
be for each to provide patrons with the ability to play from an
off-site location (e.g., from home) via an online network (e.g.,
the Internet). These facilities, however, face many problems
associated with providing off-site gaming over an online
network.
[0006] One problem is that patrons do not have confidence in the
security of the online networks, such as the Internet, and thus,
are hesitant to provide personal information or to purchase wagers
over online networks. Another problem is that gaming via online
networks, such as the Internet, is not legal in many places.
Therefore, these facilities may not be able to provide their
patrons with such an ability.
SUMMARY
[0007] A gaming method consistent with the present invention may
include receiving, at a server, a purchase request for a plurality
of wagers from a patron at a client terminal before a game play has
begun; determining, at the server, results of the plurality of
wagers before the game play has begun; storing, at the server, the
results of the plurality of wagers in a database before the game
play has begun; adjusting, at the server, an account of the player
based on the results of the plurality of wagers before the game
play has begun; and sending, from the server, the results of the
plurality of wagers to the client terminal before the game play has
begun, in response to a request received at the server to reveal
the results of the plurality of wagers.
[0008] Another gaming method consistent with the present invention
may include receiving, at a server, a patron identifier identifying
a patron from a first client terminal before a game play has begun;
receiving, at the server, a purchase request for at least one wager
from the first client terminal before the game play has begun;
debiting, at the server, an account balance of a patron account
corresponding to the received patron identifier based on the
received purchase request; determining, at the server, a result of
the at least one wager before the game play has begun; storing, at
the server, the result of the at least one wager in a database
before the game play has begun; adjusting, at the server, the
account balance of the patron account based on the result of the at
least one wager before the game play has begun; and sending, from
the server, to a second client terminal, the result of the at least
one wager before the game play has begun, in response to the patron
identifier identifying the patron and a request received at the
server to reveal the results of the at least one wager without the
game play.
[0009] A gaming system consistent with the present invention may
include a plurality of client terminals, each including: means for
receiving from a patron, a patron identifier identifying the patron
and a purchase request for a plurality of wagers before a game play
has begun, and means for transmitting the patron identifier and the
purchase request before the game play has begun; and a server,
connected to each of the plurality of client terminals, and
including: means for receiving, from the plurality of client
terminals, the patron identifier and the purchase request before
the game play has begun, means for debiting the patron account
corresponding to the patron identifier in response to the purchase
request before the game play has begun, means for determining
results of the plurality of wagers before the game play has begun,
means for adjusting the patron account based on the results of the
plurality of wagers before the game play has begun, means for
storing the results of the plurality of wagers before the game play
has begun; and means for sending, to the client terminals, the
result of the plurality of wagers before the game play has begun,
in response to the patron identifier identifying the patron and a
request received at the server to reveal the results of the
plurality of wagers without the game play.
[0010] Another gaming system consistent with the present invention
may include a plurality of client terminals, each including an
identification component for receiving, from a patron, a patron
identifier identifying the patron before a game play has begun, an
output device for displaying a selection menu including an option
to purchase a plurality of wagers, an input device for receiving,
from the patron, a purchase request for a plurality of wagers
before the game play has begun, and a first communications device
for transmitting the patron identifier and the purchase request
before the game play has begun; and a server, connected to each of
the plurality of client terminals, and including: a second
communications device for receiving, from the plurality of client
terminals, the patron identifier and the purchase request before
the game play has begun, a communications component for debiting
the patron account corresponding to the patron identifier in
response to the purchase request before the game play has begun, a
wagering component for determining the results of the plurality of
wagers before the game play has begun, an adjusting component for
adjusting the patron account based on the results of the plurality
of wagers before the game play has begun, a database for storing
the results of the plurality of wagers before the game play has
begun, and a transmitter for sending, to the client terminals, the
result of the plurality of wagers during the game play.
[0011] Another gaming system consistent with the present invention
may include a plurality of on-site client terminals for receiving a
wager purchase request; a server, connected to each of the
plurality of on-site client terminals for receiving wager purchase
requests before a game play has begun, determining the results of
the purchased wagers before the game play has begun, adjusting
player accounts based on the results of the purchased wagers before
the game play has begun, and storing the results of the purchased
wagers before the game play has begun; and a plurality of off-site
client terminals, connected to the server via an online network,
for receiving the results of the purchased wagers from the server
during the game play.
[0012] Another gaming method consistent with the present invention
may include receiving, at a server, a patron identifier identifying
a patron from a first client terminal before a game play has begun;
receiving, at the server, a purchase request for a plurality of
wagers from the first client terminal before the game play has
begun; debiting, at the server, an account balance of a patron
account corresponding to the received patron identifier based on
the received purchase request; determining, at the server, results
of the plurality of wagers before the game play has begun;
adjusting, at the server, the account balance of the patron account
based on the results of the plurality of wagers before the game
play has begun; storing, at the server, the results of the
plurality of wagers in a database before the game play has begun;
sending, from the server, the results of the plurality of wagers to
a second client terminal, during the game play.
[0013] A server connected to a plurality of client terminals in a
gaming system consistent with the present invention may include
means for receiving, from a patron at a first client terminal, a
purchase request for at least one wager before a game play has
begun; means for determining a result of the at least one wager
before a game play has begun; means for adjusting an account
balance of the patron based on the result of the at least one wager
before the game play has begun; means for storing the result of the
at least one wager before the game play has begun; and means for
sending the result of the at least one wager to a second client
terminal during the game play.
[0014] Another server-connected to a plurality of client terminals
in a gaming system consistent with the present invention may
include a communications device for receiving, from a patron at a
client terminal, a purchase request for a plurality of wagers
before a game play has begun; a wagering component for determining
results of the plurality of wagers before the game play has begun;
an adjusting component for adjusting an account balance of the
patron based on the results of the plurality of wagers before the
game play has begun; a database for storing the results of the
plurality of wagers before the game play has begun; and a sending
component for sending the results of the plurality of wagers to the
client terminal during the game play.
[0015] Another gaming method consistent with the present invention
may include receiving, at a server, a purchase request for at least
one wager from a first client terminal before a game play has
begun; determining, at the server, results of the at least one
wager before the game play has begun; updating, at the server, a
patron account balance according to the results of the at least one
wager before the game play has begun; storing, at the server, the
results of the at least one wager in a database before the game
play has begun; receiving, at the server, a request from a second
client terminal to reveal the results of the at least one wager
without the game play; and sending, from the server, the results of
the at least one wager to the second client terminal.
[0016] Another gaming method consistent with the present invention
may include receiving, at a server, a purchase request for at least
one wager from a player at a first client terminal before a game
play has begun; determining, at the server, a result of the at
least one wager before the game play has begun; storing, at the
server, the result in a database before the game play has begun;
adjusting, at the server, an account of the player based on the
result before the game play has begun; receiving, at the server, a
request to reveal the result; sending, from the server, the result
to a second client terminal; and displaying the result at the
second client terminal after a predetermined period of time from
the sending of the result.
[0017] Another gaming method consistent with the present invention
may include receiving, at a server, a purchase request for at least
one wager from a player at a first client terminal before a game
play has begun; determining, at the server, a result of the at
least one wager before the game play has begun; storing, at the
server, the result in a database before the game play has begun;
adjusting, at the server, an account of the player based on the
result before the game play has begun; receiving, at the server, a
request to reveal the result; sending, from the server, the result
to a second client terminal; and displaying the result at the
second client terminal after a predetermined period of time from
the sending of the result.
[0018] Another gaming method consistent with the present invention
may include receiving a purchase request for a wager from a player
at a first client terminal before a game play has begun;
associating a purchase amount with the wager; determining a pay
table based on the purchase amount; determining a result of the
wager based on the determined pay table before the game play has
begun; receiving a request to reveal the result; and sending the
result to a second client terminal.
[0019] Another gaming method consistent with the present invention
may include receiving a purchase request for a wager from a player
at a first client terminal before a game play has begun;
associating a denomination value with the wager; determining a pay
table for the wager based on the denomination value; determining a
result of the wager based on the determined pay table before the
game play has begun; receiving a request to reveal the result; and
sending the result to a second client terminal in response to the
request to reveal the result.
[0020] Another gaming method consistent with the present invention
may include receiving a redemption request from a player to redeem
a prize amount from a previously-placed wager; receiving a purchase
request from the player to use at least some of the prize amount to
place a new wager; determining a previous pay table used to
determine the prize amount from the previously-placed wager;
selecting a new pay table for the new wager such that the new pay
table has better odds of winning than the previous pay table;
determining a result of the new wager using the new pay table
before game play has begun; receiving a request to reveal the
result; and sending the result to a client terminal in response to
the request to reveal the result.
[0021] Another gaming method consistent with the present invention
may include receiving a purchase request for a plurality of wagers
from a player at a first client terminal before a game play has
begun; associating a first denomination value with the plurality of
wagers; determining a pay table based on the first denomination
value; determining results of the plurality of wagers based on the
pay table before the game play has begun; receiving, from a second
client terminal, a request to reveal modified results, wherein the
request includes a second denomination value greater than the first
denomination value; dividing the second denomination value by the
first denomination value to determine a number of modified results;
aggregating, at the server, the number of modified results into a
total prize; and sending from the server, the total prize the
second client terminal in response to the request to reveal the
modified results.
[0022] Another gaming method consistent with the present invention
may include receiving a redemption request from a player to redeem
a prize amount from a previously-placed wager; receiving a purchase
request from the player to use at least some of the prize amount to
place a new wager; determining a result of the new wager before
game play has begun; receiving a request to reveal the result; and
sending the result to a client terminal in response to the request
to reveal the result.
[0023] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as
claimed.
[0024] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one several
embodiments consistent with the invention and together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute
a part of this specification and, together with the description,
explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings,
[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary gaming system
consistent with the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another exemplary gaming system
consistent with the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another exemplary gaming system
consistent with the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary client terminal
consistent with the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary server consistent
with the present invention;
[0031] FIGS. 6-8 are flow diagrams of an exemplary method of
operating a system consistent with the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of
determining a result based on a pay table;
[0033] FIG. 10 is an exemplary denomination correspondence table;
and
[0034] FIG. 11 is an exemplary prize table.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0036] Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture consistent
with the present invention allow a patron to play games from an
off-site location (e.g., patron's home) via an online network
(e.g., the Internet). For example, systems, methods, and articles
of manufacture consistent with the present invention may assign a
unique patron identifier (e.g., account number) or a sending device
(such as a magnetic card or a transmitter) with a unique patron
identifier to each patron. The patron may use the patron identifier
or the sending device to log onto a client terminal located at a
facility, such as a hospitality facility or a retail facility. To
provide security, the patron also may be required to, for example,
enter a preestablished personal identification number (PIN) or use
biometric authentication.
[0037] After logging onto the client terminal, the patron may use
an input device at the client terminal to enter a request to
purchase at least one wager. The client terminal may then send a
wager purchase request to a server. The term wager, as used in this
application, refers to playing one game (e.g., one pull on a slot
machine type game). As part of the purchase request, the patron may
be required to specify selection information, such as a purchase
amount, number of wagers, or a denomination value for each wager.
After the server receives the request, it debits the account
balance corresponding to the patron's account based on the request,
for example, by subtracting the purchase amount from the patron's
account balance. Then, the server immediately determines the result
of each wager by using one of a number of different known methods
and stores the result of each wager in a transaction history file
corresponding to the patron's account.
[0038] Once the results of the wagers have been determined and
stored by the server on-site, the patron may use an off-site client
terminal, such as a computer located at the patron's home, to
reveal the results of the wagers. The off-site client terminal
connects to the on-site server via a public network, such as the
Internet. The server identifies the proper patron account and
transaction history file through receipt of the patron identifier.
To provide additional security, the patron may be required to enter
authentication information, such as a preestablished PIN, or use
biometric authentication. The results of the wagers may be revealed
to the patron by using a reveal component, such as a black jack, a
keno, or a slot machine type (e.g. spinning reel or multi-line)
graphical user interface application, which may be stored on the
off-site client terminal. The server may send the result of each
wager to the reveal component, which may in turn display a
different graphical user interface depending on whether the result
was a win or a loss. The patron may continue to reveal the
remaining wagers or stop playing at any time. After the patron has
finished playing, the patron may go back to the facility to collect
his or her account balance, which may be adjusted by an amount
reflecting any money won or lost by the patron when he or she
revealed any wagers.
[0039] Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture consistent
with the present invention receive wager purchase requests from
patrons at the facility, determine the results of the wagers at the
facility, but may reveal the results of the wagers at a location
other than at the facility. Furthermore, the results may be stored
in the patron's account and revealed by the patron at the
facility.
[0040] The foregoing and the following examples are intended to be
illustrative of the features of the present invention as opposed to
limiting it in any manner. Moreover, systems, methods, and articles
of manufacture consistent with the present invention are not
limited to any particular facility or patron. A facility may
include, but is not limited to, a hospitality facility (e.g.,
gaming facilities, hotels, motels, amusement parks, theme parks,
and resorts) and a retail facility (e.g., grocery stores and gas
stations). A patron may include, but is not limited to, a guest or
customer of the facility.
[0041] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary gaming system 100
consistent with the present invention. As shown, system 100 may
include one or more on-site client terminals 102a-102n, one or more
service client terminals 104a-104n, one or more off-site client
terminals 106a-106n, and a server 108, which are interconnected by
a network 110. In the following description, a single on-site
client terminal, a single service client terminal, and a single
off-site client terminal are referred to as on-site client terminal
102, service client terminal 104, and off-site client terminal 106,
respectively. Moreover, on-site client terminals 102a-102n, service
client terminals 104a-104n, and off-site client terminals 106a-106n
are collectively referred to as client terminals. On-site client
terminal 102 may be a computer or a similar device that may receive
or retrieve patron identifiers (e.g., account numbers), receive
requests from patrons, display information to patrons, and
communicate with server 108. Using on-site client terminal 102, a
patron may, for example, purchase wagers or perform other tasks,
such as play traditional on-site games, locate other patrons, or
communicate with other patrons in the facility. On-site client
terminals 102a-102n may be located throughout the facility.
[0042] In one embodiment, a patron may use on-site client terminal
102 to reveal the results of previously purchased wagers. For
example, if the facility is a casino, on-site client terminal 102
may be located at a restaurant in the casino or the patron's hotel
room so that the patron can reveal results of previously purchased
wagers in a location other than the casino floor. Of course,
systems, methods, and articles of manufacture consistent with the
present invention may also allow a patron to reveal the results of
previously purchased wagers at a client terminal on the casino
floor.
[0043] In one embodiment, on-site client terminals 102a-102n may be
the player terminals or kiosk terminals disclosed in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/488,556 ("'556 application"), filed Jan.
21, 2000; the player terminals disclosed in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 08/877,375 ("'375 application"), filed Jun. 17, 1997, now
U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,328, or U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,128 ("'128
patent"); the patron client terminals disclosed in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/689,842 ("'842 application"), filed Oct.
13, 2000; or the patron client terminals disclosed in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/689,841 ("841 application), filed Oct. 13,
2000. The contents of all the aforesaid applications are hereby
incorporated by reference. Alternatively, on-site client terminals
102a-102n may be combined with the player terminals, kiosk
terminals, or patron client terminals disclosed in the aforesaid
applications. In still another embodiment, on-site client terminals
102a-102n may be used to accomplish tasks performed by the player
terminals, kiosk terminals, or patron client terminals disclosed in
the aforesaid applications. For example, a patron may use on-site
client terminals 102a-102n to communicate or locate other patrons
of the facility, including the patrons that may be on-site and the
patrons that may be off-site, for example, the patrons that may be
using off-site client terminals 106a-106n to play games.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 1, systems, methods, and articles of
manufacture consistent with the present invention also may include
one or more service client terminals 104a-104n. Service client
terminal 104 may be a computer or a similar device that may be used
to accomplish administrative and management tasks, such as opening
accounts for patrons or generating various internal reports.
Generally, service client terminals 104a-104n may be used only by
personnel at the facility.
[0045] In one embodiment, a patron may purchase wagers at service
client terminals 104a-104n. In another embodiment, a patron may
establish an account for another person (e.g., friend or family
member) and purchase wagers for the account as a gift.
Alternatively, if the person already has an account with the
facility, the patron may simply purchase wagers for the account. In
this situation, the patron also would need to provide information
(e.g., patron name or patron identifier) that identifies the
person's account.
[0046] In another embodiment, a patron may reveal the results of
the purchased wagers at service client terminal 104. For example,
if a patron prefers to receive the total amount won or lost after
processing of all of the purchased wagers rather than reveal the
results one at a time, the patron may ask a clerk at service client
terminal 104 for that information.
[0047] In one embodiment, service client terminals 104a-104n may be
the service-client stations, customer service stations, the cashier
stations, or the management and reporting stations disclosed in the
'556 application; the cashier station or the customer service
station disclosed in the '375 application and the '128 patent; the
service client terminals disclosed in the '842 application; and the
client terminals disclosed in the '841 application. Alternatively,
the service client terminals 104a-104n may be combined with a
system that includes the service-client stations, customer service
stations, the cashier stations, the management and reporting
stations, or service client terminals disclosed in the aforesaid
applications. In still another embodiment, the service client
terminals 104a-104n may be used to accomplish the tasks performed
by the service-client stations, customer service station, the
cashier station, the management and reporting station, or the
service client terminals disclosed in the aforesaid applications.
For example, service client terminals 104a-104n may communicate
with server 108 to transmit new software and software upgrades to
on-site client terminals 102a-102n and to remotely reconfigure
these client terminals.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 1, systems, methods, and articles of
manufacture consistent with the present invention also may include
one or more off-site client terminals 106a-106n. Off-site client
terminal 106 may be a computer or a similar device. Off-site client
terminals 106a-106n are located outside of the facility, for
example, at a patron's home. Using an off-site client terminal 106,
a patron may reveal the results of previously purchased wagers or
perform other tasks, such as communicating or locating other
patrons at a facility or other patrons who may be logged onto other
off-site client terminals 102a-102n. In one embodiment, the
off-site client terminal 106 also may be used to purchase
wagers.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, systems, methods, and articles of
manufacture also may include server 108. Server 108 may be a
computer or a similar device that maintains and controls on-site
client terminals 102a-102n, service client terminals 104a-104n, and
off-site client terminals 106a-106n. In addition, server 108 may
receive a wager purchase request, debit a patron account balance
based on the purchase request, determine the results of each wager,
store the results of each wager in a transaction history file
corresponding to the patron's account, or receive and process wager
reveal requests. In an alternative embodiment, server 108 may send
wager purchase or reveal requests to another server or system for
processing.
[0050] Server 108 may include a database for storing patron account
files for each patron. Each patron account file may include, for
example, the patron's identifier (e.g., account number), the
patron's identification information (e.g., name, address, or date
of birth), the patron's preference information (e.g., preferred
beverage, snack, language, restaurant, or golf course), and a
transaction history file for storing the results of purchased
wagers.
[0051] Server 108 may be located in a secured area of the facility,
accessible by authorized personnel only. In the embodiment of FIG.
1, only one server 108 is shown. As the size of system 100 grows,
however, additional servers may be added. These additional servers
may assist with load balancing. Moreover, some servers may be used
for on-site requests and others may be used for off-site requests.
For example, some servers may be used to process wager purchase and
reveal requests that are received from on-site client terminals
102a-102n and others may be used to process wager purchase and
reveal requests that are received from off-site client terminals
106a-106n.
[0052] In one embodiment, server 108 may be the transaction
processor subsystem disclosed in the '556 application, or the
central control network disclosed in the '375 application or the
'128 patent. Alternatively, server 108 may be combined with a
system that includes the amenities server or transaction processor
subsystem disclosed in the '556 application; the central control
network, the games server, or the terminal server disclosed in the
'375 application or the '128 patent; or server 110 disclosed in the
'842 application. In still another embodiment, server 108 may be
used to accomplish tasks performed by the amenities server or
transaction processor subsystem disclosed in the '556 application;
the central control network, the games server, or the terminal
server disclosed in the '375 application or the '128 patent; or
server 110 disclosed in the '842 application. For example, server
108 may assist a patron in locating other patrons or communicating
with other patrons.
[0053] Network 110 may be a single or a combination of any type of
computer network, such as a Local Area Network (LAN) or a Wide Area
Network (WAN). For example, network 110 may comprise an Ethernet
network operating according to the IEEE 802.3 standard. In
addition, network 110 may be a combination of public (e.g.,
Internet) and private networks. For example, as shown in FIG. 2,
network 110 may include a public network 204 (e.g., Internet) and a
private network 202 (e.g., a LAN). The other components shown in
FIG. 2 are similar to the components shown in FIG. 1 and thus, will
not be described in further detail. Moreover, in one embodiment,
network 110 may be a combination of virtual LANs.
[0054] Other system and network configurations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art from the foregoing and following
description, and thus, are also within the scope of the present
invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, systems, methods, and
articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention may
be combined with an existing gaming system 302. The existing gaming
system 302 may be any gaming system, such as the video game system
disclosed in the '556 application or the cashless gaming system
disclosed in the '375 application or the '128 patent.
[0055] In this example, a patron may use a client terminal that
exists in the existing gaming system 302 or system 100 to send a
wager purchase request to the existing gaming system 302. Upon
receiving the wager purchase request, the existing gaming system
302 may forward the request to server 108 along with the patron's
patron identifier. The request may include, for example, the
purchase amount. Server 108 may receive the request and the patron
identifier. Server 108 may then determine the number of wagers that
may be purchased based on the request, for example, using the
purchase amount. Next, server 108 may determine the result of each
wager and store the result of each wager in the transaction history
file corresponding to the received patron identifier. After the
results have been stored, the patron may use a on-site client
terminal 102 or an off-site client terminal 106 to reveal the
results of the purchased wagers. In an alternative embodiment, the
wager purchase request may be automatically generated whenever the
patron logs off the client terminal in existing system 302. In this
embodiment, the existing system 302 may send the patron's account
balance, which may be used as the purchase amount, the wager
purchase request, and the patron identifier to server 108.
[0056] One skilled in the art would appreciate that systems,
methods, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present
invention also may be implemented either singly or in combination
with the inventions disclosed in the '556 application, '375
application, '128 patent, '842 application, or '841
application.
[0057] While the components of FIGS. 1-3 are shown as logical
devices, one skilled in the art would readily understand that each
is associated with a respective physical device. For example, as
described in the foregoing description, server 108 may be a
physical device, such as a computer. Also, it will be known to
those skilled in the art that the components of system 100 may use
a single or a combination of protocols and technologies to
communicate with each other. For example, server 108 and client
terminals may use Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) for
transport and Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) for presenting
information to patrons.
[0058] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a patron wishing to use system 100 may establish a patron account
for storage in server 108. This account may be established, for
example, at a service client terminal 104, which may be located,
for example, at the front desk of a hotel. In one embodiment, the
service client terminal 104 may be operated by an employee of the
facility. In another embodiment, the service client terminal 104
may be unmanned, obtaining information from a patron through a
series of interactive menus. To establish an account, the patron
may need to provide some identifier information (e.g., name,
address, or date of birth) and preference information (e.g.,
preferred beverage, snack, language, restaurant, or golf course).
Once the patron provides the requested information, service client
terminal 104 sends the information to server 108, which in turn
establishes a patron account file for the patron and issues the
patron a unique patron identifier. A patron identifier may include
letters, numbers, or a combination of both. In addition, during
account establishment, the patron may be asked to select a personal
identification number ("PIN") via an input device, such as a
keypad.
[0059] In another embodiment, the patron identifier may be stored
on a sending device (e.g., magnetic card) and the sending device
may be given to the patron. In still another embodiment, in
addition to storing the patron identifier, an encrypted version of
the PIN also may be stored on the sending device.
[0060] The sending device may be a magnetic card, a smart card, a
credit card, a debit card, a radio frequency transmitter, an
infrared frequency transmitter, a magnetic device, or a similar
device that can store a patron identifier. In addition, the sending
device may comprise jewelry (such as a watch, a pin, a bracelet, a
tie clip, or a belt buckle) with a transmitter or some other
promotional item (such as a key fob) with a transmitter. In one
embodiment, sending device may transmit a patron identifier to, for
example, an identification component of the client terminals.
[0061] For some types of sending devices, a number preassigned to
the sending device may be used as the unique patron identifier and
thus, server 108 need not generate a patron identifier. For
example, if the sending device is a credit card or a debit card,
the account number imprinted on the credit card or debit card may
be used as the patron identifier.
[0062] In another embodiment, the patron's identifier information
and preference information could be sent to the system 100 before
the patron arrives at the facility, for example, via the Internet,
so that the patron's account would be ready when the patron arrived
at the facility.
[0063] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary on-site client
terminal 102 consistent with the present invention. As shown,
on-site client terminal 102 may include an attract component 402, a
reveal component 404, an identification component 406, a browser
408, a communications device 410, an input device 412, an output
device 414, an audio device/speaker 416, processor and memory 418,
or other software and data storage 420.
[0064] Attract component 402 may comprise a software application
for displaying attract mode graphics to attract a patron to on-site
client terminal 102.
[0065] Reveal component 404 may comprise a software application
running electronic games, such as keno, black jack, or a slot
machine type (e.g., spinning reel or a multi-line reveal) game. A
patron may use the reveal component 404 to reveal the results of
previously purchased wagers. The server 108 may send the result of
each wager to the reveal component 404 and depending on the result,
the reveal component may display a particular graphical user
interface indicating a win or a loss. For example, if the result of
a wager is a win in the amount of $1 and the patron is playing a
"spinning fruit" game, which is a type of a spinning reel game, the
reveal component 404 may display a graphical user interface (e.g.,
three apples) that indicates a win amount of $1. On the other hand,
if the patron won 50 , the reveal component 404 may display a
graphical user interface (e.g., two apples and one orange) that
indicates a win amount of 50 .
[0066] Identification component 406 may be a combination of
software or hardware and assists a patron in logging onto a client
terminal. In one embodiment, the identification component 406 may
include a receiving device and a software driver to support the
receiving device. The receiving device may include a magnetic card
reader, a smart card reader, a radio frequency receiver, an
infrared frequency receiver, a magnetic device detector, or any
similar device known to those skilled in the art that retrieves or
receives patron identifier information. The type of sending device
may dictate the type of receiving device.
[0067] In another embodiment, the identification component 406 may
include a biometric authentication device, such as a fingerprint
scanner, to biometrically authenticate the patron. In still another
embodiment, identification component 406 may be a software
application that interacts with server 108 to authenticate the
identity of the patron. For example, identification component 406
may interact with server 108 to prompt a patron for information,
such as patron's social security number or date of birth, which
uniquely identifies the patron. The identification component 406
may send the information to server 108, which may compare the
information with the information stored in patron's account file to
authenticate the patron's identity. It will be apparent to one
skilled in the art that systems, methods, and articles of
manufacture consistent with the present invention are not limited
to the above described authentication methods.
[0068] Browser 408 may include a conventional software application,
such as NETSCAPE NAVIGATOR or INTERNET EXPLORER, for issuing HTTP
requests to the server 108. For example, browser 408 may request a
specific web page or ask the server 108 to perform a database
query. Browser 408 also may read HTML codes embedded in the web
pages received from the server 108 to determine how, where, and in
what colors and fonts the elements on the web pages must be
displayed. In one embodiment, instead of using the reveal component
404, a patron may use browser 408 to reveal the results of
previously purchased wagers. In still another embodiment, a patron
may use browser 408 in combination with reveal component 404 to
reveal the results of previously purchased wagers.
[0069] Communications device 410 may include an interface device
that transmits information from the on-site client terminal 102 to
network 110 and receives information that is addressed to on-site
client terminal 102 from network 110. For example, communications
device 410 may be a network interface card or a modem. In one
embodiment, when sending information, communications device 410 may
break the information into packets that are sent across a TCP/IP
network 110 to the server 108. In addition, communications device
410 may check for errors in transmission using, for example,
cyclical redundancy check ("CRC").
[0070] Input device 412 may include a device that is used for
receiving input from a patron. For example, input device 412 may
include a keyboard, a keypad, or a pointing device (e.g., a mouse
or a trackball). A keypad may comprise a conventional alphanumeric
or numeric key entry device. An input device may not be necessary,
however, because the patron may be able to use output device 414,
for example, if the output device 414 includes a touch screen.
[0071] Output device 414 may include a device that displays
information to users or receives inputs from users. For example,
output device 414 may comprise a conventional touch screen video
monitor for displaying video graphics and receiving patron inputs,
such as a PIN. A touch screen may not be necessary, however, since
patron inputs can be made through an input device 412.
[0072] On-site client terminal 102 also may include an audio
device/speaker module 416 that comprises a conventional audio card,
amplifier, or speaker for presenting audio. In addition, on-site
client terminal 102 also may include processor or memory 418. The
memory may include ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM (Random Access
Memory). The processor may control the components of client
terminal 102 and assist in processing requests received from
components. Furthermore, on-site client terminal 102 may include
other software and data storage 420, such as an operating
system.
[0073] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that on-site
client terminal 102 may include some or all the components shown in
FIG. 4. For example, in a facility that does not want patrons to
have the ability to reveal the results of previously purchased
wagers on-site, the on-site client terminals 102a-102n may not
include the reveal component 404. Moreover, it will be apparent to
one skilled in the art that on-site client terminal 102 may include
additional components not shown in FIG. 4. For example, client
terminal 104 may include a printer device to print, for example,
information received from the server 108. In addition, on-site
client terminal 102 also may include head phones, for example, to
listen to messages, and text-to-speech or speech-to-text conversion
software, respectively, to listen to received messages or to send
messages.
[0074] Furthermore, although not shown, the service client terminal
104 and the off-site client terminal 106 also may include some or
all of the components that are included in the on-site client
terminal 102 shown in FIG. 4. In one embodiment, service client
terminal 104 also may include a device that can write to the
sending device. For example, if the sending device is a magnetic
card, service client terminal 104 may include a magnetic card
issuance system like the one disclosed in the '556 patent
application. Service client terminal 104 also may include a
scanning device for scanning and storing a patron's signature or
photograph or scanning a patron's drivers license. In another
embodiment, service client terminal 104 may include recognition
software to detect the patron's identifier information, such as
name, address, or date of birth, from the patron's drivers
license.
[0075] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary server 108
consistent with the present invention. As shown, server 108 may
include a communications component 502, a transaction component
504, a wagering component 506, and a database 508.
[0076] Communications component 502 may include a combination of
software and hardware devices, such as a web server and a network
interface card. Communications component 502 may receive messages
from and send messages to client terminals. Communications
component 502 may identify a patron by comparing, for example, the
patron's patron identifier to the patron account and then,
authenticating the patron by comparing, for example, the patron's
PIN, to the patron account. Communications component 502 also may
decode, decrypt, and error check messages received from client
terminals. It also may encode and encrypt messages to client
terminals.
[0077] Communications component 502 also may act as an interface
between the client terminals and the other components of the server
108. In one embodiment, communications component 502 may send
messages, such as wager purchase and reveal requests, to the
transaction component 504 or wagering component 506 for further
processing. In another embodiment, communications component 502 may
retrieve results of previously purchased wagers from database 508
and send these results to the client terminals. Although not shown,
communications component 502 may include a database interface for
writing information into and retrieving information from database
508. In still another embodiment, the communications component may
determine if the patron account has sufficient balance to purchase
wagers and if it does have sufficient balance, may debit the
patron's account for the purchase amount and then, send the request
to wagering component 506 for further processing. If the patron's
account does not have sufficient balance, the communication
component 502 may send a message to the client terminal for display
to the patron notifying the patron that the patron has insufficient
funds.
[0078] Transaction component 504 may receive requests from
communications component 502 and may forward the requests to
wagering component 506. Transaction component 504 generally tracks
all transactions being processed by server 108 and may be used in
conjunction with service client terminal 104 to generate reports,
such as authentication failures or usage reports.
[0079] Wagering component 506 receives wager purchase requests from
transaction component 504 or communications component 502. In
addition, wagering component 506 may process the wager purchase
request or send the request to another component or server for
processing. To process a wager purchase request, the wagering
component may calculate the number of wagers if the number was not
specified by the patron or if the patron just specified the
purchase amount. The number of wagers may be calculated, for
example, by dividing the purchase amount by the denomination value.
Then, the wagering component determines the result of each wager by
using any one of an infinite number of methods. The methods used
for determining the result of a wager are well known to those
skilled in the art and are within the scope of the present
application. Examples include using electronically controlled
random number generators or using predefined yet shuffled outcome
values (e.g., random multipliers). As an example, if predefined yet
shuffled outcome values, such as random multipliers, are used, and
if a patron purchases ten wagers, the result of each of the ten
wagers may be calculated by multiplying the denomination value of
each wager by the corresponding random multiplier, as shown in
Table 1 below: TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Denomination Random Wager No.
Value Multiplier Result 1 $1 0 0 2 $2 2 4 3 $3 0 0 4 $2 6 12 5 $2 2
4 6 $3 0 0 7 $3 9 27 8 $2 0 0 9 $2 0 0 10 $1 0 0
[0080] In another embodiment, wagering component 506 may include
some or all the components of the manufacturing server disclosed in
the '556 application or may interact with the manufacturing server
to request a number of scratch tickets equivalent to the number of
wagers requested by a patron and then, determine the results of
each of the scratch tickets.
[0081] Server 108 also may include a database 508. Database 508
stores patron account files, each patron account file including a
patron identifier and a transaction history file. As the wagering
component 506 determines the result of each wager, it stores the
result in the appropriate transaction history file in database 508
so that the results can later be revealed using this transaction
history file. Database 508 may also store graphical menus and other
multimedia information.
[0082] Although not shown, it will be apparent to one skilled in
the art that server 108 may include other components, such as an
output device (e.g., monitor), input device (e.g., keyboard and
pointing device), network operating system, and a database server.
The network operating system may include a conventional network
operating system, such as WINDOWS NT SERVER. The network operating
system may process requests from client terminals, monitor network
hardware and software, coordinate communication in the network, and
provide transaction security. The database server may build and
maintain database 508. In addition, the database server may
retrieve from database 508 patron account information, graphical
menus, and other multimedia information to respond to requests from
the client terminals. Furthermore, the database server may be a SQL
(Structured Query Language) server.
[0083] FIGS. 6-7 are flow diagrams of an exemplary method of
operating a system consistent with the present invention. In the
exemplary method of FIGS. 6-7, it is assumed that the patron
already has established an account with system 100. Moreover, in
the following description, the use of the term client terminal
includes both on-site client terminal 102 and off-site client
terminal 106.
[0084] The patron may log on at the client terminal by entering
logon information such as his/her patron identifier (step 602). The
client terminal may then send a "logon" message, including the
patron identifier, to server 108 (step 604). Although not shown in
FIG. 6, if the client terminal is not connected to server 108, a
connection may be then established, for example, by using the
communications device 410 (e.g., modem). The server 108 receives
the "logon" message and may then determine whether the patron
identifier corresponds to an established patron account and may
also retrieve the account file corresponding to the patron
identifier from database 508 (step 606).
[0085] The method by which the patron enters the logon information
may vary depending on the sending device and receiving device. For
example, if the sending device is an infrared or radio frequency
transmitter, the patron may not need to take any action to enter
the logon information as long as the transmitter can communicate
with a receiver. On the other hand, if the sending device is a
magnetic card, the patron may need to insert the card into a
receiving device, such as a card reader, to log onto the client
terminal. Alternatively, if sending and receiving devices are not
used, the patron may be required to enter, for example, his or her
patron identifier.
[0086] Although not shown in FIG. 6, in response to the logon
message from the client terminal, server 108 may send to the client
terminal an authentication message requiring the patron to
authenticate his or her identity using, for example, a biometric
device such as, a finger print scanner. In another embodiment, if
the patron selected a PIN during account establishment, the patron
may need to enter the PIN to log onto the client terminal and
authenticate his or her identity. Alternatively, the patron may be
required to provide other information, such as social security
number, to authenticate his or her identity. These and other
authentication methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art
from the foregoing and following description, and thus, are also
within the scope of the present invention.
[0087] Although not shown in FIG. 6, the client terminal sends the
authentication information that the patron provided or the client
terminal retrieved from a sending device to server 108. Next,
server 108 compares this information to the information stored in
the patron's account file to authenticate the identity of the
patron.
[0088] If the logon information and authentication information sent
by the client terminal match the information in database 108, the
server sends a selection menu to the client terminal for display to
the patron (steps 606 and 608). On the other hand, if the
information is not correct, the patron may be asked to provide
logon or authentication information again (steps 602, 604, 606). It
will be apparent to one skilled in the art that a patron only may
be given a selected number of attempts to log onto the client
terminal and that the patron may be asked to contact a person
affiliated with the facility after a few unsuccessful attempts.
[0089] After the client terminal displays the selection menu, the
client terminal may receive, from the patron, a selection for the
option to purchase wagers (step 630). In response, the client
terminal may send a wager purchase request message to server 108
(step 630). Server 108 may send an acknowledge message to the
client terminal, requesting additional information concerning the
purchase of the wager (step 632). Although not shown, the client
terminal may then prompt the patron to enter selection information.
The selection information may include a purchase amount, a
denomination value, or number of wagers that the patron desires to
purchase.
[0090] Next, the client terminal receives, from the patron,
selection information (step 610). The purchase amount is the total
amount of money that the patron wants to spend on wagers and the
denomination value is the value of each wager. For example, if a
patron wants to buy $10 worth of $1 wagers, the purchase amount
would be $10 and the denomination value would be $1.
[0091] In one embodiment, the patron may be required to only submit
a purchase amount. In this embodiment, server 108 may either use a
denomination value specified by the facility or use the patron's
normal wager amount as the denomination value. The normal wager
amount, for example, may be the average denomination value of a
patron's previous wagers and may be stored in database 508 along
with the patron's other preference information. In another
embodiment, if the patron is required to only submit a denomination
value and number of wagers that the patron desires to purchase, the
purchase amount may be calculated by multiplying the denomination
value by the number of wagers that the patron desires to purchase.
In still another embodiment, the server 108 may ignore the
denomination value, if any, provided by the patron and use a low
denomination value, such as 5 . By using a low denomination value,
systems, methods, and articles of manufacture consistent with the
present invention allow the patron to vary the denomination value
when revealing the results. This embodiment will be further
described in detail along with the reveal process shown in FIG.
8.
[0092] The client terminal may send the patron selection
information to server 108 (step 611). Next, server 108 determines
whether the patron's account balance can cover the patron selection
(step 612). If the patron's account balance cannot cover the patron
selection, server 108 may send an "insufficient funds message" to
the client terminal (step 612). The client terminal may then
display a message to the patron (indicating, for example, that
purchase amount exceeds the patron's account balance) and prompts
the patron to enter a new selection or logoff (step 614). If the
patron elects to logoff, the purchasing process is complete (steps
614 and 628). Conversely, if the patron elects to enter a new
selection, the client terminal sends the new selection information
to server 108 (steps 614, 610, and 611). Systems, methods and
articles of manufacture consistent with the invention may also
allow the patron to deposit more funds into his or her account to
cover the difference between the patron's account balance and
selection.
[0093] On the other hand, if the patron account balance covers the
patron selection, the client terminal may prompt the patron to
confirm his or her selection (step 616). If the patron does not
confirm, the patron may either logoff or return to the selection
menu (steps 618 and 620). If the patron desires to logoff, the
client terminal sends a logoff message to server 108 (steps 620 and
628). On the other hand, if the patron does not wish to logoff, the
client terminal may display the selection menu (steps 620 and 608).
It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that systems,
methods, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present
invention need not give patrons the option of confirming their
selections after entry of the patron selection.
[0094] After the patron confirms the selection information (step
618), the client terminal sends a "confirmation" message to server
108. Server 108 may then debit the patron's account for the
purchase amount (step 622). Although not shown, if the patron did
not specify the number of wagers that the patron desires to
purchase, server 108 may then calculate the number of wagers by
dividing the purchase amount by the denomination value. These
wagers are referred to in this application as mandatory wagers.
Next, server 108 may determine the result of each mandatory wager
and store each result in a transaction history file corresponding
to the patron's account file (step 624). Each result may be
determined using one of an infinite number of methods, as described
in the foregoing description.
[0095] For example, if the purchase amount equals $10 and the
denomination equals $1, server 108 may first debit the patron's
account for $10 (step 622). Server 108 may then determine the
number of mandatory wagers by dividing the purchase amount by the
denomination value. In this example, the number of mandatory wagers
is equal to 10. Server 108 may then determine the results of each
of the ten $1 wagers and store the results in a transaction history
file that may include two columns, as shown in Table 2. The two
columns in Table 2 include the wager number and the result of the
wager. Other methods of storing results in a transaction history
file will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the
foregoing and the following description and are also within the
scope of the present invention. In addition, the transaction
history file might include more or less than two columns of
information. Systems and methods consistent with the present
invention may use any type of transaction history file that would
allow the client terminal to later reveal the results of each wager
to a patron.
[0096] In the example shown in Table 2, the result of the wager
equals the amount won for that individual wager. For example, the
result of wager no. 1 is zero. One of ordinary skill in the art
would understand, however, that the result of the wager could be
other values, such as the amount won minus the denomination amount.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Wager No. Result 1 0 2 $1 3 $2 4 $1 5 0 6 0
7 0 8 $1 9 $2 10 $0
[0097] After determining and storing the result of the ten
mandatory wagers, the server 108 determines whether the wager pool
is equal to zero (step 626). The wager pool is a sum of the results
of the mandatory wagers. Until the wager pool is zero, the server
108 may apply the wager pool towards additional wagers, determine
the results of these wagers, and store the results in the database
(steps 627, 624, and 626).
[0098] In the above example, after determining and storing the
result of each mandatory wager, the wager pool is equal to $7.
Therefore, in this example, the server 108 would apply the wager
pool towards additional seven wagers at $1 each until the wager
pool equals zero (step 627, 624, and 626). Moreover, each time the
server 108 repeats steps 627, 624, and 626, it adds the results of
the wagers to the end of the transaction history file, as shown in
Table 3.
[0099] After determining and storing the result of the seven
additional wagers, the server 108 determines whether the wager pool
is equal to zero (step 626). The wager pool is a sum of the results
of the seven additional wagers. Until the wager pool equals zero,
the server 108 may apply the wager pool towards additional wagers,
determine the results of these wagers, and store the results in the
database (steps 627, 624, and 626). As shown in Table 3, the new
wager pool would be the sum of the results of the last seven
wagers, which equals $4. Since the wager pool is not equal to zero,
server 108 may repeat steps 627, 624, and 626.
[0100] Once the wager pool equals zero, the iterative process of
determining the result of a wager, storing the result, and
adjusting the wager pool is complete (step 628). Although not
shown, server 108 may now send a message to the client terminal
notifying the patron that the purchasing process is complete.
Moreover, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the
wager purchase process may be asynchronous. Specifically, once the
patron confirms the selection information (step 618), the patron
may continue to perform other tasks at the client terminal.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Wager No. Result 1 $0 2 $1 3 $2 4 $1 5 $0 6
$0 7 $0 8 $1 9 $2 10 $0 11 $1 12 $0 13 $0 14 $0 15 $2 16 $0 17
$1
[0101] Moreover, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that
several modifications may be made to the process shown in FIG. 6
without departing from the scope of the present invention. For
example, FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 except that this process
applies to a system that includes multiple servers or is combined
with an existing system 302, as shown in FIG. 3. Since FIG. 7 is
similar to FIG. 6, only the steps that are different will be
explained now. After a patron logs onto a client terminal (steps
702, 704, and 706), the patron may be presented with a selection
menu (step 708). The patron may select and play games using the
existing system (step 710). After the patron is done playing games,
the patron logs off and the client terminal sends a logoff message
to the additional server or the existing system 302 (step 712).
Upon receiving a logoff message from the client terminal, the
additional server or the existing system 302 determines whether the
patron has a positive account balance (step 714). If the patron
does not have a positive account balance, the process is complete
(step 724).
[0102] On the other hand, if the patron does have a positive
account balance (step 714), the additional server or the existing
system 302 debits the patron's account balance and sends the
patron's account balance along with the patron's identifier to
server 108 (steps 716 and 718). In one embodiment, the additional
server or the existing system 302 also may send a desired
denomination value. Again, the denomination value may be a value
that is preset by the facility, based on patron preference, or may
be based on the patron's normal wager amount. The server 108
determines the number of mandatory wagers that may be purchased
using the account balance, determines results for each wager, and
stores the results in a transaction file corresponding to the
patron's account file (steps 718, 720, and 722). The rest of the
process (steps 723, 720, and 722) is similar to the process (steps
627, 624, and 626) shown in FIG. 6, and thus can be understood by
reference to FIG. 6.
[0103] Although not shown in FIG. 7, before or after the patron
logs off, the client terminal may prompt the patron to elect
whether the patron desires to use his or her remaining balance to
purchase wagers. Alternatively, when opening his or her account,
the patron may be required to sign a statement giving the facility
the authority to automatically use the patron's balance to purchase
wagers.
[0104] In addition, the process in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be modified by
removing the steps of continuing to apply the wager pool towards
additional wagers until the wager pool equals zero (steps 626 and
627). Alternatively, systems, methods, and articles of manufacture
consistent with the present invention may allow the patron to
request that the server 108 perform these steps after the client
terminal reveals the results of the originally purchased wagers.
Other such modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art
and are also within the scope of the present invention.
[0105] After completion of the process in FIGS. 6 and 7, the patron
has several options. One option is that if the step of applying the
wager pool towards additional wagers was removed from the processes
described in FIGS. 6 and 7, the patron may go to a service client
terminal 104 to get the results, for example, the wager pool. In
another embodiment, the patron may use either a client terminal 102
or an off-site client terminal 106 to reveal the results of the
purchased wagers. The process of revealing the results of these
wagers will be described now in detail by referring to FIG. 8.
Again, in the following description, the use of the term client
terminal includes both on-site client terminal 102 and off-site
client terminal 106.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 8, the patron may log on at a client
terminal by entering logon information such as his/her patron
identifier (step 802). Steps 802, 804, and 806 are similar to steps
602, 604, and 606, and thus, will not be further described in
detail. If the logon information and authentication information
sent by the client terminal match the information in database 108,
the server sends a selection menu to the client terminal for
display to the patron (steps 806 and 808). Alternatively, the
reveal component 404 may include a selection menu, which may be
displayed to the patron.
[0107] The patron may select, for example, the "Reveal Results"
option from the selection menu. The client terminal may receive
patron selection for the "Reveal Results" option and send a reveal
request to server 108 (step 810). Server 108 receives the request,
retrieves the patron's account balance, and sends the account
balance to the client terminal. The client terminal in turn
displays the account balance to the patron. In addition, although
not shown, the client terminal may also display various reveal
methods. The reveal methods may be the various games that are part
of the reveal component or may be games displayed by server 108,
for example, via servlets and java applets. Next, the client
terminal receives a selection for a reveal method from the patron
(step 814). Once the patron selects the reveal method (step 814),
the client terminal sends a request to server 108 for the result of
the first unrevealed wager (not shown). The server retrieves the
result of the first unrevealed wager from the transaction history
file corresponding to the patron's account and sends the result to
the reveal component 404 (not shown).
[0108] Depending on the result, the reveal component 404 may
display a particular graphical user interface indicating a win or a
loss and an updated account balance if it the result was a win
(step 816). For example, if the result of a wager was a win in the
amount of $1 and the patron is playing a "spinning fruit" game, the
reveal component 404 may display the graphical user interface
(e.g., three apples) that indicates a win amount of $1. On the
other hand, if the patron won 50 , the reveal component 404 may
display the combination (e.g., two apples and one orange) that
indicates a win amount of 50 .
[0109] On the other hand, instead of sending the result to the
reveal component 404, the server may send a particular graphical
user interface to a client terminal for display to a user depending
on the game and whether the result of the wager was a win or a loss
(step 816), for example, by using servlets and java applets.
[0110] In addition, the server also may send an updated account
balance to the client terminal for display to the patron (step
816). In another embodiment, the client terminal may just update
the account balance based on the result and display it to the
patron (step 816). Moreover, although not shown, the server 108 may
flag the particular wager in the transaction history file to
indicate that the wager has been revealed.
[0111] In another embodiment, in addition to selecting a reveal
method, the patron may be given the option of selecting a
denomination value for each wager (step 814). This denomination
value may be equal to or less than the denomination value specified
by the patron when the patron purchased the wagers. Several methods
may be used to allow patrons to change the denomination value when
revealing the results. For example, when determining the results of
the wagers, server 108 may ignore the denomination value, if any,
specified by the patron and instead use wagers that have a low
value, for example, 5 . By using a low denomination value when
determining the results of the wagers, the patron may be able to
vary the denomination value when revealing the results. For
example, while a patron might specify a denomination value of $1
when purchasing wagers, the server 108 may ignore this selection
and instead determine the results of the wagers with a denomination
value of 25 . Then, during the reveal process, if the patron
specifies a first denomination value of $1.50, the server may
aggregate the result of the first six 25 wagers to determine the
result of a $1.50 wager. Later, if the patron specifies a second
denomination value of 50 , the server may aggregate the result of
the first two wagers to determine the result of a 50 wager. These
and other methods will be apparent to one skilled in the art from
the following and foregoing description and thus, are also within
the scope of the present invention.
[0112] Next, the server 108 determines whether there are any
additional unrevealed wagers (step 818), for example, by examining
the transaction history file. If there are additional unrevealed
wagers, the patron may be given the option of revealing these
wagers (step 822). If the patron does want to reveal these
unrevealed wagers, the reveal process is repeated.
[0113] On the other hand, if the server determines that there are
no additional unrevealed wagers, the server 108 may send a message
to the client terminal for display to the patron notifying the
patron that there are no more unrevealed wagers (steps 818 and
820).
[0114] If the patron does want to stop revealing or if the server
has determined that there are no additional unrevealed wagers, the
server may display the selection menu again (steps 822, 818, 820,
and 808). Then, the patron may select other options, such as logoff
(step 824). The server completes the patron request and the process
is complete (step 828).
[0115] In one embodiment, other options that may be available to
the patron (step 824) include buying additional wagers. In another
embodiment, in step 824, the patron may be able to locate other
patrons or communicate with other patrons. In still another
embodiment, in step 824, if a facility awards complimentary points
to a patron for playing games, the patron may be able to check the
total number of complimentary points that he or she has earned or
use these complementary points to obtain items offered by the
facility, for example. In addition to using complementary points to
obtain items, the patron also may be able to purchase other
items.
[0116] After completing the process in FIG. 8, if the patron has
any unrevealed wagers, the patron may log onto a client terminal to
reveal the results of these wagers and repeat the process shown in
FIG. 8. In another embodiment, the patron may go back to the
facility and continue to reveal results using on-site client
terminal 102. In still another embodiment, the patron may go back
to the facility and log onto the on-site client terminal 102, for
example, to play traditional games. In this embodiment, the client
terminal may send a logon message to server 108. Upon receiving the
logon message, server 108 may erase the unrevealed wagers and add
the money applied towards the unrevealed wagers, and the wager pool
to the patron's account balance. Then, the patron may use this
updated account balance to, for example, play traditional games.
Alternatively, the patron may go to service client terminal 104 and
request that the patron's unrevealed wagers be erased and request a
refund of the money that was applied towards the unrevealed wagers,
wager pool, and or any of his account balance. In the latter two
embodiments, when erasing the unrevealed wagers, the server 108 may
record the results of these unrevealed wagers in the patron account
file and apply these results to wagers that the patron purchases in
the future. Other such methods will be apparent to those skilled in
the art from the foregoing and following description and thus, are
within the scope of the present invention. For example, the patron
may not choose to reveal results and may return to the facility and
request a refund. Alternatively, the patron could come back to the
facility and may want to use the money applied towards the
unrevealed wagers to play traditional games.
[0117] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method of
determining a result based on a pay table. A client terminal
receives a purchase request for a wager from a player before game
play has begun (step 910). Wagering component 506 associates a
denomination value with the wager (step 920).
[0118] In one embodiment, the client terminal receives information
from the patron as part of the purchase request, and wagering
component 506 may use the information to find the denomination
value. For example, as described in the foregoing description, as
part of the purchase request, the patron may be required to specify
selection information, such as a purchase amount, number of wagers,
or a denomination value for each wager.
[0119] In one embodiment, the patron may only submit a purchase
amount. In this embodiment, or if a denomination value is not
otherwise submitted by the patron, wagering component 506 may use a
denomination value specified by the facility, the patron's normal
wager amount, a randomly-determined denomination amount, etc. as
the denomination value. The normal wager amount, for example, may
be the average denomination value of a patron's previous wagers and
may be stored in database 508 along with the patron's other
preference information.
[0120] In yet another embodiment, the patron may submit only a
purchase amount and a number of wagers, and the denomination value
may be calculated, for example, by dividing the number of wagers by
the purchase amount. For example, the patron may specify a $250
purchase amount and select 250 wagers, which allows wagering
component 506 to calculate a denomination value of $1.00 per wager.
Selecting a $500 purchase amount and 250 wagers allows wagering
component 506 to calculate a denomination value of $2.00 per
wager.
[0121] In still another embodiment, wagering component 506 may
ignore the denomination value, if any, provided by the patron and
use a low denomination value, such as 1 or 5 . When a low
denomination value is used, the patron may vary the denomination
value when revealing the results, for example by choosing any
multiple of the denomination value (e.g., 10 , 20 , 30 , etc.) up
to the total purchase amount.
[0122] Next, wagering component 506 determines a pay table for the
wager (step 930). In certain embodiments, the chosen pay table may
be determined based on the denomination value. In other
embodiments, the pay table may be chosen based on the purchase
amount, number of wagers, player information, or it may be chosen
at random. FIG. 10 illustrates a denomination correspondence table
900 that wagering component 506 may use to determine the pay table
for the wager. The denomination correspondence table in FIG. 10 is
merely for illustration. A skilled artisan will appreciate that
many other means and methods may be used to determine a pay table
for a wager.
[0123] In FIG. 10, the first column ("Denomination") contains
denomination amounts that may be associated with a player's wager.
The second column ("Pay Table") includes pay tables that may be
associated with the denomination amounts of the first column. For
example, Pay Table 1 may be associated with a $1.00 denomination
amount, Pay Table 2 may be associated with a 50 denomination
amount, and Pay Table 3 may be associated with a 5 denomination
amount. A skilled artisan will appreciate that many other
combinations of pay tables and denomination amounts are
possible.
[0124] After associating the pay table with the wager, wagering
component 506 determines a result of the wager based on the chosen
pay table (step 940). In one embodiment, wagering component 506 may
use a prize table containing various pay tables to determine the
result of the wager. FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary prize table
902. The Result column of prize table 902 contains varying amounts
which may be won based on a patron's wager. The rows in each pay
table of prize table 902 contain a player's odds of winning the
correspondence amount. Prize table 902 is merely for illustration.
A skilled artisan will recognize that a variety of pay tables,
prize tables, odds, etc. may be used.
[0125] In one exemplary embodiment, various players, such as Patron
A, B, and C, may have their wagers associated with corresponding
pay tables according to denomination correspondence table 900. For
example, if Patron A chose a denomination value of $1.00, then Pay
Table 1 would apply, according to denomination correspondence table
900. Using Pay Table 1, Patron A has a 2 to 1 chance of winning 5 ,
a 3 to 1 chance of winning 10 , and so on. If another player,
Patron B, chose a denomination value of 50 , then Pay Table 2 would
apply, according to denomination correspondence table 900. Patron B
has only a 3 to 1 chance of winning 5 , a 5 to 1 chance of winning
10 , and so on. If a third player, Patron C, chose a denomination
value of 5 , Pay Table 3 would apply, according to denomination
correspondence table 900. Patron C has only a 5 to 1 chance of
winning 5 , a 7 to 1 chance of winning 10 , and so on.
[0126] In this exemplary embodiment, Pay Table 1 (corresponding to
a $1 wager, according to denomination correspondence table 900)
contains better odds of winning than Pay Tables 2 and 3
(corresponding to wagers of 50 and 5 , respectively, according to
denomination correspondence table 900). As shown in according to
denomination correspondence table 900 and prize table 902, Patron A
has a better chance of winning any amount than Patrons B or C,
because Patron A's wager is associated with a higher denomination
value ($1.00), which in turn is associated a pay table with better
odds (Pay Table 1). In the embodiment described above, the odds of
winning increase as the denomination value increases. In another
embodiment, the odds of winning may increase as the number of
wagers increases or decreases. In yet another embodiment, the odds
of winning may increase as the purchase amount increases or
decreases. Other odds determinations may also be used consistent
with the present invention. Furthermore, a skilled artisan will
appreciate that denomination correspondence table 900 may be
combined with prize table 902 or prize table 902 may be separated
into several pay tables.
[0127] In certain embodiments, once the patron reveals the results
of the wagers using the off-site client terminal, the patron may
use an input device at the off-site client terminal to enter a
request to purchase at least one wager using winnings from previous
wagers. The off-site client terminal may then send a wager purchase
request to server 108.
[0128] To encourage such additional wagers, a patron making a
purchase following redemption of a previous wager may have results
determined from a pay table with better odds. For example, if
Patron B (who originally chose a wager amount of 50 , corresponding
to Pay Table 2, according to denomination correspondence table 900)
decides to make a purchase request for a second wager following
redemption of a first wager, Patron B may have results for the
second wager determined from Pay Table 1 instead of Pay Table 2.
For example, in Patron B's first wager described above, Patron B's
results were determined from Pay Table 2. Patron B had only a 3 to
1 chance of winning 5 , a 5 to 1 chance of winning 10 , and so on.
If Patron B decides to make a purchase request following redemption
of that first wager, Patron B's results may be determined from Pay
Table 1. Patron B's chances of winning will therefore improve for
the subsequent wager: Patron B will have a 2 to 1 chance of winning
5 , a 3 to 1 chance of winning 10 , and so on, according to Pay
Table 1. In the embodiment described above, the odds of winning may
increase as the number of purchase requests from a player
increases. In other embodiments, a player may be rewarded for
wagering higher amounts of money, or for wagering more frequently,
by obtaining a pay table with better odds.
[0129] As described in the foregoing description, once the results
of the wagers have been determined and stored by the server
on-site, the patron may use an off-site client terminal, such as a
computer located at the patron's home, to reveal the results of the
wagers. The off-site client terminal connects to the on-site server
via a public network, such as the Internet. The off-site client
terminal may consist of a mobile phone, personal digital assistant
(PDA), personal computer (PC), laptop, handheld device, or any
other device that may receive information and reveal results.
[0130] In certain other embodiments, results may be determined and
displayed based on continuing events. For example, a player may
begin seeing completed results as the results (e.g., keno draws)
became final, while the results remain behind total outcome
completions. In another example, individual results may differ for
two players with the same outcome, or for a player with the same
outcome in different game plays. For example, each player may
ultimately win $5.00 on an $8.00 initial wager. As shown in Table
4, players may see different scenarios during game play, while the
end result is the same ($5.00) win. TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Scenario
1 Scenario 2 Scenario 3 (Total Bet: $8) (Total Bet: $8) (Total Bet:
$8) Bet 1; Win 1 Bet 1; Win 1 Bet 1; Win 0 Bet 1; Win 0 Bet 1; Win
1 Bet 1; Win 0 Bet 1; Win 3 Bet 1; Win 1 Bet 1; Win 0 Bet 1; Win 0
Bet 1; Win 1 Bet 1; Win 0 Bet 1; Win 1 Bet 1; Win 1 Bet 1; Win 0
Bet 1; Win 1 Bet 1; Win 1 Bet 1; Win 0 Bet 1; Win 0 Bet 1; Win 0
Bet 1; Win 0 Bet 1; Win 0 Bet 1; Win 0 Bet 1; Win 0 Bonus Round:
Bonus Round: Bonus Round: (none) (none) Bet 0; Win 5 Total Won: $5
Total Won: $5 Total Won: $5
[0131] The above-noted features, other aspects, and principles of
the present invention may be implemented in various system or
network configurations to provide automated and computational tools
to provide a patron with the ability to play from an off-site
location. Such configurations and applications may be specially
constructed for performing the various processes and operations of
the invention or they may include a general purpose computer or
computing platform selectively activated or reconfigured by program
code to provide the necessary functionality. The processes
disclosed herein are not inherently related to any particular
computer or other apparatus, and may be implemented by a suitable
combination of hardware, software, or firmware. For example,
various general purpose machines may be used with programs written
in accordance with teachings of the invention, or it may be more
convenient to construct a specialized apparatus or system to
perform the required methods and techniques.
[0132] The present invention also relates to computer readable
media that include program instruction or program code for
performing various computer-implemented operations based on the
methods and processes of the invention. The media and program
instructions may be those specially designed and constructed for
the purposes of the invention, or they may be of the kind
well-known and available to those having skill in the computer
software arts. The media may take many forms including, but not
limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission
media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or
magnetic disks. Volatile media includes, for example, dynamic
memory. Transmission media includes, for example, coaxial cables,
copper wire, and fiber optics. Transmission media can also take the
form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during
radio-wave and infra-red data communications. Examples of program
instructions include both machine code, such as produced by
compiler, and files containing a high level code that can be
executed by the computer using an interpreter.
[0133] Moreover, other embodiments of the invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the
specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is
intended that the specification and examples be considered as
exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being
indicated by the following claims.
* * * * *