U.S. patent application number 12/143910 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-24 for method and system for networked bingo.
This patent application is currently assigned to Entertainment Networks Limited. Invention is credited to Aviva Lange.
Application Number | 20090318231 12/143910 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40941605 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090318231 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lange; Aviva |
December 24, 2009 |
Method and System for Networked Bingo
Abstract
Methods and systems for facilitating networked bingo matches are
presented. Bingo cards may be generated by distributing symbols
from a set of symbols into grid positions on each card. One or more
patterns of marked positions on a bingo card may be pre-defined. An
example embodiment includes the ability for a client devices to
join a networked bingo game, each being associated with one or more
potentially different special symbols. When a client device
achieves a pre-defined pattern of marked positions on one or more
of the client device's cards where one of the client device's
special symbols is used to complete the pre-defined pattern(s), the
client device may be awarded a prize.
Inventors: |
Lange; Aviva; (Johannesburg,
ZA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCDONNELL BOEHNEN HULBERT & BERGHOFF LLP
300 S. WACKER DRIVE, 32ND FLOOR
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Entertainment Networks
Limited
Belize City
BZ
|
Family ID: |
40941605 |
Appl. No.: |
12/143910 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3223 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method for operating a networked bingo match, the operation
taking place between a server device and a plurality of client
devices, wherein the networked bingo match comprises a set of
symbols; a set of bingo cards, each bingo card containing a grid,
at least one position on the grid being associated with a symbol
chosen from the set of symbols; a pre-defined pattern of marked
grid positions on a bingo card; and a prize, the method comprising:
the server device, receiving from a client device of the plurality
of client devices, a request to join the networked bingo match, the
client device associated with a first special symbol from the set
of symbols; the server device transmitting an indication of a bingo
card to the client device; the server device initiating the
networked bingo match to be operated between the client device and
at least one other client device of the plurality of client
devices, wherein each iteration of the networked bingo match
includes the steps of: the server device selecting a new symbol
from the set of symbols; the server device testing for the
condition that the grid on the bingo card contains the new symbol,
and, when the condition is met, marking the grid position on the
bingo card containing the new symbol; the server device testing for
the condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern
of marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the
first special symbol associated with the client device, and, when
the condition is met, the server device awarding at least some of
the prize to the client device and transmitting an indication to
the client device that the client device has been awarded at least
some of the prize.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-defined pattern is a
match ending pattern, each iteration of the networked bingo match
further including the step of: when the condition that the bingo
card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and
the new symbol is equivalent to the first special symbol associated
with the client device is met, the server device transmitting to
the plurality of client devices an indication that the match has
ended.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the match ending pattern
comprises all positions on the bingo card being marked.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the pre-defined pattern is an
intermediate pattern, the intermediate pattern selected from the
group consisting of all positions in at least one row of the bingo
card's grid being marked, all positions in at least one column of
the bingo card's grid being marked, and all positions in at least
one diagonal pattern on the bingo card's grid being marked.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of symbols is a
non-repeating set of symbols and each position on each bingo card's
grid is associated with a different symbol chosen without
replacement from the non-repeating set of symbols.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the server device
generating the bingo card to transmit to the client device, wherein
the symbols associated with the positions on the grid of the bingo
card are randomly chosen and the server device selects new symbols
from the set of symbols without replacement.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of symbols comprises the
numbers 1 through 75.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein each bingo card includes a grid
of 5 rows and 5 columns.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of symbols comprises the
numbers 1 through 90.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein each bingo card includes a strip
of sub-cards such that each symbol of the set of symbols is
represented exactly once amongst all cards of the strip of
sub-cards.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the pre-defined pattern is a
match ending pattern, and the match ending pattern comprises all
positions on at least one sub-card being marked.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein each card of the strip of
sub-cards comprises at least one grid position that is
pre-marked.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein the server device and the
plurality of client devices communicate with one another over the
Internet.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising a payment sub-method,
the payment sub-method comprising the steps of: the client device
providing an indication of a form of payment to the server device;
the server device validating the form of payment according to the
requirements of a first networked bingo match operator; the server
device transmitting an indication of success to the client
device.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: the server device
transmitting to the client device an indication of a username and a
password, with which the client device can log on to the server
device to participate in the networked bingo match.
16. The method of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of
clients is registered with the first operator of the networked
bingo match.
17. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one client of the
plurality of clients is registered with the first operator of the
networked bingo match, and at least one client of the plurality of
clients is registered with a second operator of the networked bingo
match.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the prize is progressive.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the progressive prize is of a
monetary value.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: the client device
transmitting to the server device a request to purchase the bingo
card; and the server device adding a percentage of the cost of the
bingo card to the progressive prize.
21. The method of claim 18, wherein each iteration of the networked
bingo match further comprises the step of: responsive to the
condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of
marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the first
special symbol associated with the client device being met, the
server device resetting the prize to a pre-determined amount.
22. The method of claim 1, further comprising: the client device
transmitting to the server device a request to be associated with a
second special symbol from the set of symbols; the server device
removing the association of the client device with the first
special symbol; and the server device associating the client device
with the second special symbol.
23. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one position on the
grid of each bingo card is pre-marked.
24. A method for operating a networked bingo match between a server
device and a plurality of client devices, wherein the networked
bingo match comprises a set of non-repeating symbols; a set of
bingo cards, each bingo card containing a grid, at least one
position on the grid being associated with a symbol randomly chosen
without replacement from the set of non-repeating symbols, the
number of positions on the grid less than the number of
non-repeating symbols; a pre-defined match ending pattern of marked
grid positions on a bingo card; and a prize, the method comprising:
the server device, receiving from a client device of the plurality
of client devices, a request to join the networked bingo match, the
client device associated with a special symbol from the set of
non-repeating symbols; the server device, receiving from the client
device, a request to purchase a bingo card; the server device
randomly generating a bingo card and transmitting the bingo card to
the client device; the server device initiating the bingo match,
wherein each iteration of the bingo match comprises the steps of:
the server device randomly selecting without replacement a new
symbol from the set of non-repeating symbols; the server device
testing for the condition that the grid on the bingo card contains
the new symbol, and, when the condition is met, marking the grid
position on the bingo card containing the new symbol; the server
device testing for the condition that the bingo card contains the
pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is
equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device,
and, when the condition is met, the server device awarding at least
some of the prize to the client device and transmitting an
indication to the client device that the client device has been
awarded at least some of the prize.
25. A server device for operating a networked bingo match, wherein
the networked bingo match comprises a set of symbols; a set of
bingo cards, each bingo card containing a grid, at least one
position on the grid being associated with a symbol chosen from the
set of symbols; a pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions on a
bingo card; and a prize, and wherein the server device is connected
to a plurality of client devices by a communication network, each
of the plurality of client devices associated with a special symbol
from the set of symbols, the server device comprising: a central
processing unit (CPU); a memory for holding machine instructions
and data to be manipulated by the CPU; a network interface for
transmitting information on the communication network and receiving
information from the communication network; a database containing
profiles, each profile associated with a client device of the
plurality of client devices, and each profile comprising: at least
one bingo card; and the special symbol associated with the
profile's client device; machine instructions, operable by the CPU,
for initiating the bingo match, wherein each iteration of the bingo
match includes the server device selecting a new symbol from the
set of symbols and, for each bingo card in each profile, executing
the steps of: the server device testing for the condition that the
grid on the bingo card contains the new symbol, and, when the
condition is met, marking the grid position on the bingo card
containing the new symbol; the server device testing for the
condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of
marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the
special symbol associated with the client device, and, when the
condition is met, the server device awarding at least some of the
prize to the client device and transmitting an indication to the
client device that the client device has been awarded at least some
of the prize.
26. The server device of claim 25, wherein the pre-defined pattern
is a match ending pattern, the server device further comprising
machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the step
of: when the condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined
pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent
to the special symbol associated with the client device is met, the
server device transmitting to the plurality of client devices an
indication that the match has ended.
27. The server device of claim 26, wherein the match ending pattern
comprises all positions on the bingo card being marked.
28. The server device of claim 25, wherein the pre-defined pattern
is an intermediate pattern, the intermediate pattern selected from
the group consisting of all positions in at least one row of the
bingo card's grid being marked, all positions in at least one
column of the bingo card's grid being marked, and all positions in
at least one diagonal pattern on the bingo card's grid being
marked.
29. The server device of claim 25, wherein the set of symbols is a
non-repeating set of symbols and each position on each bingo card's
grid is associated with a different symbol chosen without
replacement from the non-repeating set of symbols.
30. The server device of claim 25, further comprising machine
instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the steps of:
generating a bingo card, wherein the symbols associated with the
positions on the grid of the bingo card are randomly chosen and the
server device selects new symbols from the set of symbols without
replacement; storing the bingo card client device's profile in the
database; and transmitting a representation of the bingo card to
the client device.
31. The server device of claim 25, wherein the set of symbols
comprises the numbers 1 through 75.
32. The server device of claim 25, wherein each bingo card includes
a grid of 5 rows and 5 columns.
33. The server device of claim 25, wherein the set of symbols
comprises the numbers 1 through 90.
34. The server device of claim 25, wherein each bingo card includes
a strip of sub-cards such that each symbol of the set of symbols is
represented exactly once amongst all cards of the strip of
sub-cards.
35. The server device of claim 34, wherein the pre-defined pattern
is a match ending pattern, and the match ending pattern comprises
all positions on at least one sub-card being marked.
36. The server device of claim 34, wherein each card of the strip
of sub-cards comprises at least one grid position that is
pre-marked.
37. The server device of claim 25, wherein the communication
network is the Internet.
38. The server device of claim 25, further comprising machine
instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the steps of:
receiving from a client device of the plurality of client devices
an indication of a form of payment; validating the form of payment
according to the requirements of a first networked bingo match
operator; updating the client device's profile in the database; and
transmitting an indication of success to the client device.
39. The server device of claim 38, further comprising machine
instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the step of:
transmitting to the client device an indication of a username and a
password, with which the client device can log on to the server
device to participate in the networked bingo match.
40. The server device of claim 38, wherein each of the plurality of
clients is registered with the first operator of the networked
bingo match.
41. The server device of claim 38, wherein at least one client of
the plurality of clients is registered with the first operator of
the networked bingo match, and at least one client of the plurality
of clients is registered with a second operator of the networked
bingo match.
42. The server device of claim 25, wherein the prize is
progressive.
43. The server device of claim 42, wherein the progressive prize is
of a monetary value.
44. The server device of claim 43, further comprising machine
instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the steps of:
receiving from the client device of the plurality of client devices
a request to purchase a bingo card; updating the client device's
profile in the database; and adding a percentage of the cost of the
bingo card to the progressive prize.
45. The server device of claim 42, further comprising machine
instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the step of:
responsive to the condition that the bingo card contains the
pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is
equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device
being met, the server device resetting the prize to a
pre-determined amount.
46. The server device of claim 25, further comprising machine
instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the steps of:
receiving from a client device a request to be associated with a
new symbol from the set of symbols; removing the client device's
previous association with its special symbol in the database; and
associating the client device with the new symbol in the database,
thus making the new symbol the client device's special symbol.
47. The server device of claim 25, wherein at least one position on
the grid of each bingo card is pre-marked.
48. A system for operating a networked bingo match, wherein the
networked bingo match comprises a set of symbols; a set of bingo
cards, each bingo card containing a grid, at least one position on
the grid being associated with a symbol chosen from the set of
symbols; a pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions on a bingo
card; and a prize, the system comprising: a plurality of client
devices, wherein each client device is associated with a special
symbol from the set of symbols; a database containing profiles,
each profile associated with a client device of the plurality of
client devices, and each profile comprising: at least one bingo
card; and the special symbol associated with the profile's client
device; and a server device for initiating the bingo match, wherein
each iteration of the bingo match includes the server device
selecting a new symbol from the set of symbols and, for each bingo
card in each profile, executing the steps of: the server device
testing for the condition that the grid on the bingo card contains
the new symbol, and, when the condition is met, marking the grid
position on the bingo card containing the new symbol; the server
device testing for the condition that the bingo card contains the
pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is
equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device,
and, when the condition is met, the server device awarding at least
some of the prize to the client device and transmitting an
indication to the client device that the client device has been
awarded at least some of the prize.
49. The system of claim 48, wherein the pre-defined pattern is a
match ending pattern, further comprising the server device
executing the step of: when the condition that the bingo card
contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the
new symbol is equivalent to the special symbol associated with the
client device is met, the server device transmitting to the
plurality of client devices an indication that the match has
ended.
50. The system of claim 49, wherein the match ending pattern
comprises all positions on the bingo card being marked.
51. The system of claim 48, wherein the pre-defined pattern is an
intermediate pattern, the intermediate pattern selected from the
group consisting of all positions in at least one row of the bingo
card's grid being marked, all positions in at least one column of
the bingo card's grid being marked, and all positions in at least
one diagonal pattern on the bingo card's grid being marked.
52. The system of claim 48, wherein the set of symbols is a
non-repeating set of symbols and each position on each bingo card's
grid is associated with a different symbol chosen without
replacement from the non-repeating set of symbols.
53. The system of claim 48, further comprising the server device
executing the steps of: generating a bingo card, wherein the
symbols associated with the positions on the grid of the bingo card
are randomly chosen and the server device selects new symbols from
the set of symbols without replacement; storing the bingo card in
the database; and transmitting a representation of the bingo card
to the client device.
54. The system of claim 48, wherein the set of symbols comprises
the numbers 1 through 75.
55. The system of claim 48, wherein each bingo card includes a grid
of 5 rows and 5 columns.
56. The system of claim 48, wherein the set of symbols comprises
the numbers 1 through 90.
57. The system of claim 48, wherein each bingo card includes a
strip of sub-cards such that each symbol of the set of symbols is
represented exactly once amongst all cards of the strip of
sub-cards.
58. The system of claim 57, wherein the pre-defined pattern is a
match ending pattern, and the match ending pattern comprises all
positions on at least one sub-card being marked.
59. The system of claim 57, wherein each card of the strip of
sub-cards comprises at least one grid position that is
pre-marked.
60. The system of claim 48, wherein server device is coupled to the
plurality of client devices by a first communication network.
61. The system of claim 48, further comprising the server device
executing the steps of: receiving from a client device of the
plurality of client devices an indication of a form of payment;
validating the form of payment according to the requirements of a
first networked bingo match operator; updating the client device's
profile in the database; and transmitting an indication of success
to the client device.
62. The system of claim 61, further comprising the server device
executing the step of: transmitting to the client device an
indication of a username and a password, with which the client
device can log on to the server device to participate in the
networked bingo match.
63. The system of claim 61, wherein each of the plurality of
clients is registered with the first operator of the networked
bingo match.
64. The system of claim 61, wherein at least one client of the
plurality of clients is registered with the first operator of the
networked bingo match, and at least one client of the plurality of
clients is registered with a second operator of the networked bingo
match.
65. The system of claim 48, wherein the prize is progressive.
66. The system of claim 65, wherein the progressive prize is of a
monetary value.
67. The system of claim 66, further comprising the server device
executing the steps of: receiving from a client device of the
plurality of client devices a request to purchase a bingo card; and
adding a percentage of the cost of the bingo card to the
progressive prize.
68. The system of claim 65, further comprising the server device
executing the step of: responsive to the condition that the bingo
card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and
the new symbol is equivalent to the special symbol associated with
the client device being met, the server device resetting the prize
to a pre-determined amount.
69. The system of claim 48, further comprising the server device
executing the steps of: receiving from a client device a request to
be associated with a new symbol from the set of symbols; removing
the client device's previous association with its special symbol in
the database; and associating the client device with the new symbol
in the database, thus making the new symbol the client device's
special symbol.
70. The system of claim 48, wherein at least one position on the
grid of each bingo card is pre-marked.
71. The system of claim 48, further comprising: a second
communication network, coupling the server device to the
database.
72. The system of claim 48, wherein each client device further
comprises: at least one input mechanism; at least one output
mechanism; and a network interface for transmitting information on
the first communication network and receiving information from the
first communication network.
73. The method of claim 72, wherein the at least one output
mechanism comprises a graphical user interface, wherein the
graphical user interface displays at least one bingo card
associated with the client device and provides options to perform
at least one of the acts of providing a form of payment, purchasing
a bingo card, and cashing out a balance.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The Internet and other data networks have facilitated the
growth of real-time or near-real-time networked gaming. Players
from around the world can log on to a gaming server and enjoy
competing against one another in a computer-mediated contest over a
computer network, such as the Internet. These matches can be played
for fun, entertainment, or for gain.
[0002] Bingo is a well-known game of chance involving two or more
players. Traditional bingo is played on bingo cards, which are
5-by-5 grids, each grid position containing a symbol. The symbol is
typically a number selected randomly and without replacement from
the numbers 1 through 75. Each bingo card contains a different
combination and arrangement of numbers.
[0003] Each bingo card may also contain one or more "free" spaces
that are not associated with a number. The numbers 1 through 75
also are each represented on exactly one plastic ball.
[0004] The balls are shuffled and then selected in a random
sequence. When a ball is selected, a "caller" announces the ball's
number. Each player then determines if one or more of his or her
bingo cards contains this number, and if so, marks the grid
position(s) containing the number on his or her bingo card(s).
[0005] The match ends when one of the player's cards is the first
to exhibit a pre-defined pattern of grid markings. A common match
ending pattern is for all of the grid positions on a card to be
marked. However other match ending patterns may be defined.
Typically any "free" spaces on the bingo cards are considered to be
effectively pre-marked, and count towards the match-ending
position. The winner of a match is usually the first player to
achieve a match ending position.
[0006] Like many games of chance, bingo has been implemented and
deployed so that it can be played over computer networks. Networked
bingo has the advantage of reaching a market segment of players who
would prefer to play bingo from the comfort of their own homes.
Operators of networked bingo matches compete with one another for
players. The more players that play with a given operator, the more
revenue that operator is able to generate. Therefore, operators of
networked bingo matches seek to differentiate their services by
offering new and unique variations of bingo that may attract more
players.
[0007] To this end, the operation of new types of bingo matches
between players over a network such as the Internet can more easily
facilitate the development and market testing of these matches, due
to the ability of the networks to rapidly reach a large and
targeted market of players. Furthermore, the flexibility of
computerized implementations of networked bingo allow for rapid
development and deployment of variations of networked bingo.
OVERVIEW
[0008] Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for
providing networked bingo matches. These methods, devices, and
systems enable networked bingo players to place a wager on an
outcome of a networked bingo match, the success of which is
determined as a function of a parameter, rather than randomly as in
a conventional bingo match. In particular, each player may choose
one or more symbols from a pre-defined set of symbols to be that
player's special symbols. When a one of a player's bingo cards
exhibits a pre-defined pattern of markings and the most recently
"called" symbol is one of the player's special symbols, the player
wins a prize.
[0009] An example embodiment of such a networked bingo game
includes a server device, a database, a number of web portals, and
a number of client devices coupled to the server device via a
communication network, and the database storing profiles associated
with each player. Players, operating the client devices, request to
join a networked bingo match. Each iteration of the match involves
the server device randomly selecting a symbol from the set of
symbols and then checking each card of each player to determine if
the symbol appears on the card. If the symbol does appear on the
card, the grid position on the card containing the symbol is
marked. Furthermore, the server device checks if the selected
symbol has completed a pre-defined pattern on the card. If it has,
and the selected symbol matches one of special symbols associated
with the player, the player may be awarded a prize. The prize may
be progressive in nature; thus, the prize may grow in value until
won.
[0010] These and other aspects and advantages will become apparent
to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the following
detailed description, with reference where appropriate to the
accompanying drawings. Further, it should be understood that the
foregoing overview is merely for purposes of illustration and is
not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a depiction of a networked bingo client/server
architecture in accordance with an example embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting a method for processing
registrations and payments for networked bingo in accordance with
an example embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flow chart depicting a method for generating,
storing and transmitting a bingo card in accordance with an example
embodiment;
[0014] FIG. 4A is a flow chart depicting a method for enabling an
iteration of networked bingo in accordance with an example
embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 4B is a flow chart depicting a method for enabling an
iteration of networked bingo in accordance with an example
embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting a method for associating a
client device with a special symbol in accordance with an example
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flow chart depicting a method for replacing a
client device's association with a special symbol in accordance
with an example embodiment; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a flow chart depicting a method for enabling a
progressive prize in accordance with an example embodiment.
DESCRIPTION
I. Networked Bingo
[0019] The implementation of networked bingo play over a network
and mediated by computers affords operators of these games options
and variations that may not be possible or practical in traditional
bingo play. In order to support these options and variations,
networked bingo can be formally described in more general terms
than those used in traditional bingo. Accordingly, networked bingo
may comprise a set of symbols, a set of bingo cards, one or more
variations of match play, and an optional prize or prizes. Each of
these elements are described in more detail below, and may be
combined in various ways to define new methods, devices, and
systems for networked bingo.
[0020] A. Symbols
[0021] Networked bingo operates on a set of symbols. In traditional
bingo these symbols typically are the numbers 1 through 75, but in
networked bingo the symbols are not restricted to a given range of
numbers, nor are they restricted to being numbers or numerical
values at all. Thus, networked bingo symbols may include a
different range of numbers (for example, 1 through 90), multiple
ranges of numbers (for example, 1 through 50 and 100 through 125),
or a non-sequential range of numbers (for example, the first 75
prime numbers, 2 through 379). Furthermore, symbols need not be
numbers at all, and instead may comprise letters, punctuation
marks, symbols from phonemic, syllabic, or logographic alphabets or
writing systems, pictures, or any other representation of
information.
[0022] The set of symbols used in a networked bingo game may be
non-repeating or repeating. For non-repeating sets of symbols, each
symbol appears exactly once in the set, while in repeating sets of
symbols, each symbol may appear in the set more than once.
[0023] While in traditional bingo, the symbols are usually
represented on balls, in a computer mediated networked bingo match,
there is no need for physical balls and instead the symbols may be
represented though various means in computer memory and displayed
on a computer screen or some other medium.
[0024] B. Bingo Cards
[0025] Each player of networked bingo is given, chooses, or
purchases one or more bingo cards to be used in a match. Each card
comprises a grid of symbols, with each position on the grid
containing one or more symbols chosen from the set of symbols. The
grid may be square, (for example, 5-by-5, with 5 rows and 5
columns, for a total of 25 grid positions), rectangular,
diamond-shaped, or irregularly shaped. In networked bingo, the
bingo cards need not be physical cards, and may consist of
computerized representations of bingo cards displayed to players on
a computer screen or some other medium.
[0026] The symbols in the grid positions may be chosen from the set
of symbols either with or without replacement. If the symbols are
chosen with replacement, each symbol may appear more than one time
on a bingo card. If the symbols are chosen without replacement,
each symbol may appear no more than once on each bingo card.
Additional symbols, such as symbols indicating a "free" space, may
appear in any position on a bingo card. The distribution of symbols
to bingo card grid positions may be pre-chosen or dynamically
chosen, preferably randomly or pseudo-randomly chosen. Thus, bingo
cards may be generated and stored for later use, or may be
generated in real time, as needed.
[0027] It can be appreciated that a wide variety of types of bingo
cards can be created in accordance with this definition. For
example, a particular embodiment of bingo may comprise 90 symbols,
representing the numbers 1 through 90. Each bingo card may comprise
6 sub-cards, each sub-card further comprising a grid of 3 rows and
9 columns. Each row may include 5 positions containing symbols and
4 "free" positions. Thus, each bingo card contains 15 grid
positions, each of which is associated, randomly, with a symbol
representing a number between 1 and 90, corresponding to one of the
90 symbols available in the networked bingo game. The 6 such bingo
sub-cards is called a strip and, in such a strip, every symbol from
1 to 90 may appear in a grid position only once. Therefore, for
every symbol "called," only one grid position will be marked across
the 6 bingo cards. Of course, many other variations of networked
bingo either including sub-cards or not including sub-cards, may be
defined.
[0028] C. Match Play
[0029] Networked bingo can be played in various ways. A preferred
method of match play is for each player to use one or more bingo
cards in a match. Each bingo card begins unmarked, except for
"free" spaces that are either pre-marked by default or otherwise
considered to be marked for purposes of scoring. Players may be
required to purchase the one or more bingo cards as a fee for entry
into a game. From these fees, the networked bingo operator may
collect a percentage, or "rake," which contributes to the
operator's revenue.
[0030] Each iteration, or turn, of a match consists of a new symbol
being chosen from the set of symbols. The symbols may be chosen
either with or without replacement. If the symbols are chosen with
replacement, each symbol may be chosen more than once per match. If
the symbols are chosen without replacement, each symbol may be
chosen no more than once per match. Once a symbol is chosen, it may
be "called" or otherwise indicated to the players, preferably over
a network. Additionally, each bingo card of each player in the
match may be checked to determine if the bingo card contains the
symbol in a grid position. If the bingo card does contain the
symbol, the symbol is preferably marked on the card. This marking
may take the form of highlighting the symbol in some fashion, such
as changing its color, graying it out, circling it, or otherwise
indicating that the symbol has been chosen from the set of symbols.
The sequence of chosen symbols may be pre-chosen or dynamically
chosen, preferably randomly or pseudo-randomly chosen. These
iterations of "calling" and marking continue until the bingo match
concludes.
[0031] The act of marking a bingo card may be referred to as
"daubing." In traditional bingo a player must "daub" the
appropriate positions on his or her bingo cards as each symbol is
"called." However, in networked bingo, a player may be required to
"daub," or the networked bingo game may automatically "daub" the
appropriate positions on each player's bingo cards.
[0032] Networked bingo match play further comprises one or more
match ending patterns as well as one or more optional intermediate
patterns. A match ending pattern is preferably a pattern of
markings on a bingo card that, when completed by a player, causes
the bingo match to end. A typical match ending pattern is a
player's bingo card having all grid positions, including both grid
positions with symbols from the set of symbols as well as any
"free" grid positions, marked. However other match ending patterns
may be defined.
[0033] Preferably, the first player to achieve a match ending
pattern wins the bingo match. It is possible for more than one
player to achieve the match ending pattern on the same iteration of
the bingo match. In this case, all of the players achieving the
match ending pattern may be considered to have won the match.
[0034] An intermediate pattern is preferably a pattern of markings
on a bingo card that confers a particular status or benefit upon a
player who achieves it. For example, an intermediate pattern may be
defined to be all of the symbols in one or more rows, columns, or
diagonals on a bingo card being marked. However, more complex
intermediate patterns may be defined, such as all of the grid
positions in a square, rectangle, or diamond shape being marked.
Intermediate patterns may be arbitrarily defined based on the grid
configuration on one or more cards, or based on some other means.
Like match ending patterns, grid positions indicated as "free" may
be considered to be marked for purposes of determining when an
intermediate pattern is achieved.
[0035] Preferably, the first player to achieve an intermediate
pattern is awarded the status or benefit associated with the
intermediate pattern. It is possible for more than one player to
achieve the intermediate pattern on the same iteration of the bingo
match. In this case, all of the players achieving the intermediate
pattern may be awarded or may share the status or benefit.
Furthermore, the intermediate pattern may be associated with
different statuses or benefits for each player than achieves the
intermediate pattern. For example, the first player to achieve an
intermediate pattern may be awarded one status or benefit, while
players to achieve the intermediate pattern on subsequent
iterations of the networked bingo match may be awarded different
statuses or benefits.
[0036] For variations of networked bingo that use a strip of
sub-cards, match ending patterns and intermediate patterns may need
only appear on one or more of the sub-cards, rather than across the
entire strip. For example, a match ending pattern may be defined to
be particular pattern that appears on any sub-card, and the first
player to exhibit that pattern on at least one of his or her
sub-cards is determined to be the winner of the match.
[0037] D. Prizes
[0038] Match ending patterns, intermediate patterns, or other
events in a networked bingo game may be associated with prizes. The
prizes may be monetary or may have some other value. Examples of
non-monetary prizes include goods or services, options to buy goods
or services, chances in a raffle, an opportunity to meet a
celebrity or particular person or persons, or any other valuable
good, commodity, service, or benefit.
[0039] Prizes may also be progressive in nature. A progressive
prize is typically a prize that is not necessarily awarded in each
bingo match, but increases in value for each bingo match played.
For example, a progressive prize of monetary value may begin at a
certain minimum level, say 100 dollars. For each bingo match played
for which the progressive prize is not awarded, the progressive
prize may increase in value by a fixed amount, by a percentage of
the cost of entry to the match paid by each player, or according to
some other formula. Thus, the more bingo matches played, the larger
the progressive prize, the more attractive the game is to players,
and the higher the potential revenue for the networked bingo match
operator.
[0040] E. Variations
[0041] It will be appreciated that the means for playing networked
bingo described above include virtually limitless variations of
bingo matches and game play. Thus, virtually unlimited example
embodiments of bingo can be defined. In one example embodiment
described herein, each player may be associated with a special
symbol chosen from the set of symbols. The player may choose this
special symbol or the special symbol may be assigned to the player.
Furthermore, the player may be required to purchase the special
symbol prior to each bingo match, or, once purchasing the special
symbol, the player may be semi-permanently associated it.
[0042] A player may be allowed to change the special symbol that he
or she is associated with. For example, the networked bingo match
may allow the player to change his or her special symbol at any
point prior to or during a match. But, if a player's special symbol
is changed during a networked bingo match, the special symbol
change may not take effect until the next networked bingo
match.
[0043] Once associated with a special symbol, the player may be
awarded a prize based on that special symbol being marked on one of
the player's bingo cards as part of a match ending pattern or
intermediate pattern. For example, a prize may be awarded on the
condition that a player's special symbol is chosen during an
iteration of the bingo game and this special symbol is the symbol
that allows the player to achieve a match ending pattern. This
example embodiment may also allow a player to purchase and/or be
associated with more than one special symbol at a time, thus
increasing the player's odds for winning a prize. Many other
networked bingo variations can also be defined.
II. Networked Bingo Architecture
[0044] Networked bingo may be facilitated through the
interconnection of computers and computer networks arranged to
facilitate such game play. FIG. 1 depicts an example of such an
arrangement. It should be understood, however, that this and other
arrangements and processes described herein are set forth for
purposes of example only, and other arrangements and elements
(e.g., machines, interfaces, functions, orders of elements, etc.)
can be added or used instead, and some elements may be omitted
altogether. Further, as in most communication architectures, those
skilled in the art will appreciate that many of the elements
described herein are functional entities that may be implemented as
discrete components or in conjunction with other components, in any
suitable combination and location. An example system and method for
playing games over a communication network is described in
published PCT application WO 03/093921 A2, which is incorporated by
reference herein.
[0045] In FIG. 1, system 20 includes server device 22, database 33,
administration device 32, and a number of portals 23a, 23b,
preferably in the form of World Wide Web (WWW) sites. In this
embodiment, each of the portals 23a, 23b may comprise an online
bingo room hosted on a corresponding bingo web server (not shown).
Furthermore, each of the portals 23a, 23b may be accessible by a
would-be bingo player (not shown) using a client device 24 having a
display 25 and an associated pointing device 25a, such as a mouse
or, alternatively, a touchpad.
[0046] In this embodiment the online bingo portal 23a is shown as
having one client device 24 logically connected thereto, whereas
bingo portal 23b is shown as being logically connected to two
client devices 24. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that such an online bingo portal 23a, 23b can be logically
connected to any number of such client devices 24
simultaneously.
[0047] Server device 22, database 33, bingo portal web servers (not
shown) corresponding to the bingo portal 23a, 23b, client devices
24 and administration device 32 are capable of communicating with
each other by means of communication networks 26, 27, 28, 29, 30
and 31. Communication networks 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 may be
public Internet Protocol (IP) networks such as the Internet, or
private IP networks, or public or private networks that operate
according to other communication protocols. Furthermore,
communication networks 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 may be
purpose-built or hardcoded networks designed for the support of
networked bingo. For example, server device 22 may be a mainframe
computer and client devices 24 may be so-called "dumb terminals"
that only communicate with server device 22. Thus, communication
networks 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 may only comprise communication
links between the devices they connect.
[0048] Client devices 24, server device 22, database 33 and
administration device 32 may include various computing
technologies, such as those that are semiconductor-based, magnetic,
optical, acoustic, or biological in nature, any combination of
these computing technologies, or any other technology known today
or developed in the future, that can be used in conjunction with
computational devices.
[0049] A networked bingo architecture may also be defined to
comprise more or fewer elements. For example, server device 22 and
database 33 may be combined into the same physical or logical
device, or each distributed across more than one physical or
logical device.
[0050] A. Server Devices
[0051] Server device 22 may comprise a computing device with input,
output, processing, storage, and memory functions. Server device 22
may be a form of personal computer, or may be physically designed
for server operation. For example, server device 22 may be a
rack-mounted or blade server component. Furthermore, server device
22 preferably includes at least one processor, one or more banks of
memory, and program instructions stored in the memory and
executable by the processor to carry out functions described
herein.
[0052] With respect to the depiction of server device 22 in FIG. 1,
server device 22 may actually take the form of multiple physical
components or computers that are co-located or distributed. For
example, server device 22 may be a cluster of computing devices
that operate in conjunction with one another to enable networked
bingo matches. This cluster may be in a particular physical
location, such as an Internet service provider (ISP), or may
operate over a network to coordinate server functions.
[0053] Server device 22 may run a standalone or distributed
operating system to enable server functions. This operating system
may be based on Microsoft Windows, Apple's MacOS, Linux, FreeBSD or
various other technologies. These operating systems preferably
support multiple processes or threads of execution so that a single
server device 22 can support a potentially large number of
networked bingo matches simultaneously.
[0054] Server device 22 preferably operates under control of a
server-stored program (not shown) capable of enabling all players
in bingo portals 23a, 23b to participate in one or more games of
networked bingo. The server-stored program provides a
discrimination means in the form of computer instructions capable
of determining a winner or winners of a networked bingo match. The
stored program in the server device 22 may also maintain a dynamic
register of all players admitted to, and actively participating in,
a networked bingo match, together with data representative of a
corresponding bingo portal 23a, 23b through which each
participating player may access a networked bingo game.
[0055] B. Database
[0056] Database 33 is preferably coupled to server device 22, and
stores networked bingo game information. Database 33 is either a
standalone component, as depicted in FIG. 1, or it may be combined
with server device 22. Database 33 may contain profile data for
players of a networked bingo match. This profile data may include a
player's identification and means for authenticating and
authorizing the player, such as a username and password. The
profile data may also include information pertinent to a networked
bingo match, such as any bingo cards associated with the player as
well as any special symbols associated with the player. The profile
data may additionally include other information that an operator of
a networked bingo game might find useful to store, such as the
player's means of payment (e.g., credit card information or bank
account information), win/loss record, historical wagering data, a
"friends list" of other players, and so on.
[0057] Database 33 may be facilitated by database software, such as
that from Oracle Corporation, MySQL AB, or the PostgreSQL free
software. Furthermore, database 33 may operate across multiple
physical devices in a clustered mode. However, database 33 need not
be a database in the traditional sense, and may instead comprise
one or more flat text files, or some other means of storing and
retrieving profile data.
[0058] C. Client Devices
[0059] Client devices 24 may comprise a personal computer, laptop
computer, a wireless communication device such as a cell phone, a
personal digital assistant, a computer terminal, or a similar
device. Client devices 24 preferably include at least one
processor, one or more banks of memory, and program instructions
stored in the memory and executable by the processor to carry out
functions described herein. Furthermore, client devices 24 may
operate under an operating system such as Microsoft Windows, Apple
MacOS, Linux or FreeBSD, and are preferably provisioned with a web
browser and network connection.
[0060] This network connection may take the form of a wireline
connection, such as an Ethernet, cable modem, digital subscriber
line, or T1 carrier connection. This network connection may also
take the form of a local area or wide area wireless connection,
such as IEEE 802.11 (Wifi), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA),
Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), or Worldwide
Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX). However, other forms
of physical layer connections and other types of standard or
proprietary communication protocols may be used.
[0061] Using client device 24, networked bingo may be facilitated
by a client process (not shown) that executes on client device 24,
and the server-stored program (not shown), or server process, that
executes on the server device 22. In order to play a networked
bingo match from any client device 24, a client process (not shown)
may first be downloaded, for example, from the server device 22 or
bingo portal 23a, 23b to the client device 24. The downloaded
client process (not shown) may then be installed in the client
device 24, where after it is ready for execution. Alternatively,
the client process (not shown) executes from within a WWW browser
of the client device 24, and is loaded from the player's bingo
portal 23a, 23b, WWW server (not shown) by the client device's 24
WWW browser. In either case, once the client process (not shown) is
launched, communication between the client device 24 and the server
device 22 then proceeds.
[0062] In a distributed topology, the client process (not shown) on
the player's client device 24 may be functionally identical,
irrespective of which online bingo portal 23a, 23b a player selects
to access a networked bingo match. The output functions of client
devices 24 may comprise a graphical user interface (GUI) rendered
on display 25. Such a GUI may represent networked bingo match
information in some combination of graphics and text. For example,
a GUI on display 25 may represent a bingo card associated with the
client device 24, and include options to perform the acts of
providing a form of payment, purchasing a bingo card, and/or
cashing out a balance of funds or a prize. The client process
executing on client device 24 will typically display different
trade marks, color schemes, or "look and feel" depending on which
online bingo portal 23a, 23b was selected by the player.
[0063] D. Administration Facilities
[0064] System 20 further includes administration device 32,
preferably in the form of an application server coupled to server
device 22 using communication network 29. Administration device 32
may be used by operators of networked bingo games to monitor the
status of client devices 24, server device 22, and database 33.
Additionally, operators of networked bingo games may use an
administration device to monitor, collect, or repair the status of
players or matches. For example, an administration device may allow
an operator to view the number of players in a networked bingo
match, the amount of money being wagered in the match, size of a
progressive prize, and so on. Additionally, administration device
32 preferably settles the wagers of the participating players after
the completion of every iteration of a networked bingo match.
Further operational aspects of administration device 32 are
described in cited PCT application WO 03/093921 A2.
[0065] E. Networked Bingo Operators
[0066] Additionally, operators of networked bingo matches are not
represented in FIG. 1. These operators may be individuals, groups,
corporations, or other business or non-business entities that
operate networked bingo games for entertainment, profit or other
purposes. Multiple operators may operate networked bingo games on
the same physical devices, or may own or have dedicated access to
certain devices. Furthermore, devices operated by different
operators may be networked to allow distributed networked bingo
matches, thus expanding the reach of an operator to include players
that may not have a business relationship with the operator.
III. Match Play
[0067] Using client device 24, a networked bingo match may be
facilitated by a client process (not shown) that executes on client
device 24, and the server-stored program (not shown), or server
process, that executes on the server device 22. The server process
(not shown) may generate random events representing a "called"
symbol. The client process (not shown) obtains the result of each
random event from the server device 22, across the communication
network 28, and marks any grid position on a player's bingo cards
that are associated with the same symbol as that of the "called"
symbol. The client process (not shown) displays a representation
the player's bingo cards on the display 25 of the client device 24
with any marked off grid positions being discernible on the bingo
cards.
[0068] Networked bingo matches comprise various players competing
against one another in variations of bingo. However, not all of
these players need to be human. It may be beneficial to allow human
players to compete against simulated players. This way, if there
are not enough fellow human players to compete against, a human
player can still compete in a match. The simulated players may be
simulated by server device 22 or one of client devices 24.
[0069] For purposes of simplicity, human players and simulated
players will be referenced by the client devices 24 that they use
to access server device 22. A single client device 24 may be used
by more than one human player, a human player may use more than one
client device 24, and a simulated player may not require a client
device 24 at all.
[0070] Each of the methods described below are for purposes of
example. In each method, more or fewer steps may be used, and the
steps may be carried out in a different order than is illustrated
below. Additionally, two or more of these methods may be combined
with one another in multiple arrangements. However, preferred
embodiments are not limited to these methods or any combination of
these methods.
[0071] A. Registration and Payment
[0072] An operator of networked bingo matches may require a client
device 24 to register and/or provide payment for networked bingo
match services prior to allowing the client device 24 to
participate in these networked bingo match services.
[0073] In FIG. 2, method 200 depicts an example client device 24
registration and payment process. In step 205, server device 22
receives from a client device 24 an indication of a form of
payment. Acceptable forms of payment include credit card, debit
card, or bank account information, as well as other methods of
facilitating traditional or electronic payments. In step 210,
server device 22 validates the form of payment according to the
requirements of an operator of networked bingo. This validation may
include transactions between server device 22, database 33, and
third-party payment verification services that are not represented
in FIG. 1.
[0074] Assuming that the form of payment is properly validated, at
step 215, server device 22 may update the client device's 24
profile in database 33. This update may include adding a
representation of the form of payment to the client device's 24
profile in database 33, updating the amount or type of funds
available to the client device 24, or other actions. At step 220,
server device 22 may transmit an indication of success to the
client device 24, and the client device 24 may responsively display
an indication of success on an output peripheral, such as display
25.
[0075] In step 225, server device 22 may transmit an indication of
a username and password to the client device 24. This step would
preferably occur when a new networked bingo account is being
provisioned on behalf of the client device 24. The client device 24
may then, and as needed, use the username and password to log on to
server device 22 and participate in networked bingo.
[0076] B. Bingo Card Generation and Distribution
[0077] Preferably, server device 22 generates and distributes bingo
cards for networked bingo matches. As described above, these bingo
cards may be computerized representations of bingo cards that are
generated and stored for later use, or may be generated in real
time, as needed. Thus, the generation of bingo cards at server
device 22 may be triggered by one or more networked bingo match
events or may occur asynchronously to client device 24 and match
activities. For example, a client device 24 may request a bingo
card and server device 22 may dynamically generate a new bingo card
in response to the request, or server device 22 may, from time to
time, generate a number of new bingo cards and then store these
bingo cards for later use.
[0078] In FIG. 3, method 300 depicts an example bingo card
generation and distribution process. At step 305, server device 22
generates a bingo card. At step 310, server device 22 stores the
bingo card in database 33. If the bingo card is associated with a
client device 24, it may be stored in a profile that is associated
with the client device 24, and at step 315, server device 22 may
transmit a representation of the bingo card to the client device
24. Alternatively, if the bingo card is not associated with a
client device 24, the bingo card may be stored for later use.
[0079] C. Iterations of a Match
[0080] Each iteration of a networked bingo match involves a new
symbol being "called" and each bingo card used by each client
device 24 being checked to determine if the bingo cards contain the
new symbol. For a bingo card that does contain the new symbol,
server device 22 may perform an additional set of determinations
and steps. These steps may include awarding prizes to client
devices 24 based on the new symbol being equivalent to a special
symbol associated with the client device 24 and/or the new symbol
being used to complete a pre-defined pattern on a client device's
24 bingo card.
[0081] In FIG. 4, method 400 depicts an example iteration of a
networked bingo match. In step 405, server device 22 selects a new
symbol from the set of symbols. As described above, this selection
may be performed with or without replacement. At step 410, server
device 22 prepares to check for the symbol on each bingo card of
each client device 24 participating in the match. At step 415,
server device 22 determines if a given bingo card of a given client
device 24 contains the new symbol on a position in the bingo card's
grid. If the bingo card does not contains the new symbol, server
device 22 returns to step 410 and prepares to check another bingo
card. If the bingo card does contain the new symbol, then, at step
420, server device 22 marks the grid position on the bingo card
that contains the new symbol.
[0082] At step 425, server device 22 determines if the bingo card
contains a pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions.
Preferably, the marked grid positions on the bingo card include the
grid position containing the new symbol. The pre-defined pattern
may be a match ending pattern or an intermediate pattern. If the
bingo card does not contain a pre-defined pattern, server device 22
returns to step 410 and prepares to check another bingo card. If
the bingo card contains a pre-defined pattern, then, in step 430,
server device 22 further determines if the new symbol is equivalent
to a special symbol that is associated with the client device 24
that is using the bingo card upon which the new symbol was
marked.
[0083] If this further determination is that the new symbol is not
equivalent to a special symbol associated with the client device
24, server device 22 may proceed to step 445. If this further
determination is that the new symbol is equivalent to a special
symbol associated with the client device 24, then, at step 440,
server device 22 may award at least some of a prize to the client
device 24 and transmit an indication to the client device 24 that
it has been awarded at least some of the prize. The client device
24 might not be awarded the entire prize because the networked
bingo match rules may specify that if two or more client devices 24
qualify to win the same prize on the same iteration of the bingo
match, these clients share the prize.
[0084] At step 445, server device 22 determines if the pre-defined
pattern that is contained on the bingo card is a match ending
pattern. If not, server device 22 may then return to step 410 and
prepare to check another bingo card. If the pre-defined pattern is
a match ending pattern, then, at step 450, server device 22 may
transmit an indication to all clients involved in the bingo match
that the match has ended.
[0085] D. Client Device Adds or Replaces an Association with a
Special Symbol
[0086] A client device 24 may be associated with one or more
special symbols. An association with a special symbol may qualify
the client device 24 for certain prizes that are awarded when the
client device 24 achieves intermediate or match ending patterns on
one or more of its bingo cards. From time to time, a client device
24 may request to be associated with a special symbol. The client
device 24 may request to add an association between itself and a
special symbol, or the client device 24 may request to replace its
association with a first special symbol with an association with a
second special symbol.
[0087] In FIG. 5, method 500 depicts an example association of a
special symbol with a client device 24. At step 505, server device
22 receives a request from a client device 24 for the client device
24 to be associated with a special symbol. In response, server
device 22 associates the client device 24 with the special symbol.
In doing so, server device 22 preferably adds an association
between the client device 24 and the special symbol to database
33.
[0088] In FIG. 6, method 600 depicts an example of a client device
24 changing its association with a first special symbol to an
association with a second special symbol. In step 605, server
device 22 receives a request from a client device 24 that is
associated with a first special symbol to replace the first special
symbol with a second special symbol. At step 610, server device 22
removes the association of the client device 24 with the first
special symbol. At step 615, server device 22 associates the client
device 24 with the second special symbol. Server device 22
preferably carries out steps 610 and 615 by updating database
33.
[0089] E. Progressive Prizes
[0090] A prize may be awarded to a client device 24 for achieving
an intermediate pattern or match ending pattern on one of the
client device's 24 bingo cards when the pattern is completed with a
"called" symbol that is equivalent to a special symbol associated
with the client device 24. These prizes may be static or
progressive in nature, and their values and associated data may be
stored in database 33.
[0091] In FIG. 7, method 700 depicts an example of how a
progressive prize is funded. At step 705, a progressive prize is
reset to a predetermined amount. The progressive prize may be reset
because it was won by a client device 24, as part of the
initialization of one or more networked bingo matches, or for some
other purpose. At step 710, server device 22 receives a request to
purchase a bingo card. At step 715, server device 22 adds a
percentage of the cost of the bingo card to the progressive prize.
This way, the progressive prize grows with every player who joins a
networked bingo match, until the prize is won.
IV. Example Embodiments
[0092] The following example embodiments describe two variations of
networked bingo that may be enabled according to the methods,
devices, and systems described herein.
[0093] In order to participate in an iteration of a bingo match, a
client device 24 is required to purchase one or more bingo cards.
The payments received from the bingo cards purchased by client
devices 24 are accumulated and a portion thereof, for example 20%,
may be paid over to an operator of the bingo portal 23a, 23b. The
remainder of the accumulated payment may form a prize that that can
be won by client devices 24 participating in a bingo match.
[0094] A. 75 Symbol Networked Bingo
[0095] This embodiment of a networked bingo has 75 symbols,
numbered from 1 to 75, respectively. Each bingo card has 25 grid
positions arranged in 5 rows and 5 columns. Each grid position on a
bingo card is associated, randomly, with a number between 1 and 75
corresponding to one of the 75 symbols.
[0096] A bingo match commences with the server device 22 generating
a random number between 1 and 75 and transmitting this random
number to a client device 24. If the generated random number
appears on any of the client device's 24 bingo cards, the
corresponding grid positions on the bingo cards are "marked off",
for example by greying out, highlighting or marking the grid
positions with an "X." Server device 22 then checks whether an
intermediate pattern or a match ending pattern has occurred on any
bingo card of any client device 24. If not, server device 22
generates another random number in the same range and without
replacement, and the above process repeats.
[0097] The following intermediate patterns and match ending
patterns are defined, each of which has an associated prize:
intermediate pattern IPI, in which a client device 24 wins 12% of
the prize by being the first client device 24 to mark one complete
horizontal line of grid positions on a bingo card, intermediate
pattern IP2, in which a client device 24 wins 18% of the prize by
being the first client device 24 to mark two complete horizontal
lines of grid positions on a bingo card, and a match ending
pattern, in which a client device 24 wins 70% of the prize by being
the first client device 24 to successfully mark off all the grid
positions on a bingo card.
[0098] If server device 22 detects the occurrence of an
intermediate pattern, a prize associated with that intermediate
pattern is credited to the client device 24 on whose bingo card the
intermediate pattern occurred. The networked bingo match then
continues. When the server device 22 detects the occurrence of a
match ending pattern, the prize associated with the match ending
pattern is credited to the client device 24 on whose bingo card the
match ending pattern occurred, and the networked bingo match
terminates. A new networked bingo match may commence, and client
devices 24 participating in the new networked bingo match may be
each required to purchase at least one new bingo card. If two or
more client devices 24 achieve an intermediate pattern or a match
ending pattern on the same iteration of the networked bingo match,
the associated prize may be shared equally among these client
devices 24.
[0099] This embodiment of networked bingo offers client devices 24
a jackpot prize. This prize is won by the first client device 24
achieving a match ending pattern in which the last grid position
that is marked corresponds to the client device's 24 special
symbol, details of which may be stored in the client device's 24
profile in the database 33 coupled to the server 22. This prize can
be a fixed prize that is paid by the operator of the bingo portal
23a, 23b, or, alternatively, a progressive prize that is funded in
a manner that was described above.
[0100] B. 90 Symbol Networked Bingo
[0101] This alternative embodiment provides for 90 symbols,
numbered from 1 to 90, respectively. Each bingo card consists of 3
rows and 9 columns. Each row has 5 numbered squares and 4 "free"
squares that are not numbered. It will thus be appreciated that
each bingo card will contain 15 grid positions, each of which is
associated, randomly, with a number between 1 and 90 corresponding
to one of the 90 symbols available in the bingo game. A set of 6
such bingo cards is called a strip and, in such a strip, every
number from 1 to 90 appears in a grid position only once.
Therefore, for every ball drawn by server device 22, only 1 grid
position will be marked across the 6 bingo cards.
[0102] This embodiment of the bingo game has the same intermediate
patterns and match ending patterns as that of the 75 symbol
embodiment described above. Furthermore, the jackpot prize is won,
as above, by the first client device 24 that achieves a match
ending pattern in which the last grid position that is marked off
corresponds to the client device's 24 special symbol.
V. Examples Methods, Devices and Systems
[0103] Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail
can be made to the described embodiments, it is intended that all
matters in the preceding description and shown in the accompanying
drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting
sense. Further, it is intended to be understood that the following
clauses further describe aspects of the present application.
[0104] (1) A method for operating a networked bingo match, the
operation taking place between a server device and a plurality of
client devices, wherein the networked bingo match comprises a set
of symbols; a set of bingo cards, each bingo card containing a
grid, at least one position on the grid being associated with a
symbol chosen from the set of symbols; a pre-defined pattern of
marked grid positions on a bingo card; and a prize, the method
comprising:
[0105] the server device, receiving from a client device of the
plurality of client devices, a request to join the networked bingo
match, the client device associated with a first special symbol
from the set of symbols;
[0106] the server device transmitting an indication of a bingo card
to the client device;
[0107] the server device initiating the networked bingo match to be
operated between the client device and at least one other client
device of the plurality of client devices, wherein each iteration
of the networked bingo match includes the steps of: [0108] the
server device selecting a new symbol from the set of symbols;
[0109] the server device testing for the condition that the grid on
the bingo card contains the new symbol, and, when the condition is
met, marking the grid position on the bingo card containing the new
symbol; [0110] the server device testing for the condition that the
bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid
positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the first special
symbol associated with the client device, and, when the condition
is met, the server device awarding at least some of the prize to
the client device and transmitting an indication to the client
device that the client device has been awarded at least some of the
prize.
[0111] (2) The method of clause (1), wherein the pre-defined
pattern is a match ending pattern, each iteration of the networked
bingo match further including the step of:
[0112] when the condition that the bingo card contains the
pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is
equivalent to the first special symbol associated with the client
device is met, the server device transmitting to the plurality of
client devices an indication that the match has ended.
[0113] (3) The method of clause (2), wherein the match ending
pattern comprises all positions on the bingo card being marked.
[0114] (4) The method of clauses (1), (2), or (3), wherein the
pre-defined pattern is an intermediate pattern, the intermediate
pattern selected from the group consisting of all positions in at
least one row of the bingo card's grid being marked, all positions
in at least one column of the bingo card's grid being marked, and
all positions in at least one diagonal pattern on the bingo card's
grid being marked.
[0115] (5) The method of clauses (1), (2), (3), or (4), wherein the
set of symbols is a non-repeating set of symbols and each position
on each bingo card's grid is associated with a different symbol
chosen without replacement from the non-repeating set of
symbols.
[0116] (6) The method of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), or (5),
further comprising the server device generating the bingo card to
transmit to the client device, wherein the symbols associated with
the positions on the grid of the bingo card are randomly chosen and
the server device selects new symbols from the set of symbols
without replacement.
[0117] (7) The method of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (6),
wherein the set of symbols comprises the numbers 1 through 75.
[0118] (8) The method of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or
(7), wherein each bingo card includes a grid of 5 rows and 5
columns.
[0119] (9) The method of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), or
(8), wherein the set of symbols comprises the numbers 1 through
90.
[0120] (10) The method of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6),
(7), (8), or (9), wherein each bingo card includes a strip of
sub-cards such that each symbol of the set of symbols is
represented exactly once amongst all cards of the strip of
sub-cards.
[0121] (11) The method of clause (10), wherein the pre-defined
pattern is a match ending pattern, and the match ending pattern
comprises all positions on at least one sub-card being marked.
[0122] (12) The method of clauses (10) or (11) wherein each card of
the strip of sub-cards comprises at least one grid position that is
pre-marked.
[0123] (13) The method of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6),
(7), (8), (9), (10), (11), or (12), wherein the server device and
the plurality of client devices communicate with one another over
the Internet.
[0124] (14) The method of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6),
(7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), or (13), further comprising a
payment sub-method, the payment sub-method comprising the steps
of:
[0125] the client device providing an indication of a form of
payment to the server device;
[0126] the server device validating the form of payment according
to the requirements of a first networked bingo match operator;
[0127] the server device transmitting an indication of success to
the client device.
[0128] (15) The method of clause (14), further comprising:
[0129] the server device transmitting to the client device an
indication of a username and a password, with which the client
device can log on to the server device to participate in the
networked bingo match.
[0130] (16) The method of clauses (14) or (15), wherein each of the
plurality of clients is registered with the first operator of the
networked bingo match.
[0131] (17) The method of clauses (14) or (15), wherein at least
one client of the plurality of clients is registered with the first
operator of the networked bingo match, and at least one client of
the plurality of clients is registered with a second operator of
the networked bingo match.
[0132] (18) The method of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6),
(7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), or (17),
wherein the prize is progressive.
[0133] (19) The method of clause (18), wherein the progressive
prize is of a monetary value.
[0134] (20) The method of clause (19), further comprising:
[0135] the client device transmitting to the server device a
request to purchase the bingo card; and
[0136] the server device adding a percentage of the cost of the
bingo card to the progressive prize.
[0137] (21) The method of clauses (18), (19), or (20), wherein each
iteration of the networked bingo match further comprises the step
of:
[0138] responsive to the condition that the bingo card contains the
pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is
equivalent to the first special symbol associated with the client
device being met, the server device resetting the prize to a
pre-determined amount.
[0139] (22) The method of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6),
(7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17),
(18), (19), (20), or (21), further comprising:
[0140] the client device transmitting to the server device a
request to be associated with a second special symbol from the set
of symbols;
[0141] the server device removing the association of the client
device with the first special symbol; and
[0142] the server device associating the client device with the
second special symbol.
[0143] (23) The method of clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6),
(7), (8), (9), (10), (11), (12), (13), (14), (15), (16), (17),
(18), (19), (20), (21), or (22), wherein at least one position on
the grid of each bingo card is pre-marked.
[0144] (24) A method for operating a networked bingo match between
a server device and a plurality of client devices, wherein the
networked bingo match comprises a set of non-repeating symbols; a
set of bingo cards, each bingo card containing a grid, at least one
position on the grid being associated with a symbol randomly chosen
without replacement from the set of non-repeating symbols, the
number of positions on the grid less than the number of
non-repeating symbols; a pre-defined match ending pattern of marked
grid positions on a bingo card; and a prize, the method
comprising:
[0145] the server device, receiving from a client device of the
plurality of client devices, a request to join the networked bingo
match, the client device associated with a special symbol from the
set of non-repeating symbols;
[0146] the server device, receiving from the client device, a
request to purchase a bingo card;
[0147] the server device randomly generating a bingo card and
transmitting the bingo card to the client device;
[0148] the server device initiating the bingo match, wherein each
iteration of the bingo match comprises the steps of: [0149] the
server device randomly selecting without replacement a new symbol
from the set of non-repeating symbols; [0150] the server device
testing for the condition that the grid on the bingo card contains
the new symbol, and, when the condition is met, marking the grid
position on the bingo card containing the new symbol; [0151] the
server device testing for the condition that the bingo card
contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the
new symbol is equivalent to the special symbol associated with the
client device, and, when the condition is met, the server device
awarding at least some of the prize to the client device and
transmitting an indication to the client device that the client
device has been awarded at least some of the prize.
[0152] (25) A server device for operating a networked bingo match,
wherein the networked bingo match comprises a set of symbols; a set
of bingo cards, each bingo card containing a grid, at least one
position on the grid being associated with a symbol chosen from the
set of symbols; a pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions on a
bingo card; and a prize, and wherein the server device is connected
to a plurality of client devices by a communication network, each
of the plurality of client devices associated with a special symbol
from the set of symbols, the server device comprising:
[0153] a central processing unit (CPU);
[0154] a memory for holding machine instructions and data to be
manipulated by the CPU;
[0155] a network interface for transmitting information on the
communication network and receiving information from the
communication network;
[0156] a database containing profiles, each profile associated with
a client device of the plurality of client devices, and each
profile comprising: [0157] at least one bingo card; and [0158] the
special symbol associated with the profile's client device;
[0159] machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for initiating
the bingo match, wherein each iteration of the bingo match includes
the server device selecting a new symbol from the set of symbols
and, for each bingo card in each profile, executing the steps of:
[0160] the server device testing for the condition that the grid on
the bingo card contains the new symbol, and, when the condition is
met, marking the grid position on the bingo card containing the new
symbol; [0161] the server device testing for the condition that the
bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid
positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the special symbol
associated with the client device, and, when the condition is met,
the server device awarding at least some of the prize to the client
device and transmitting an indication to the client device that the
client device has been awarded at least some of the prize.
[0162] (26) The server device of clause (25), wherein the
pre-defined pattern is a match ending pattern, the server device
further comprising machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for
executing the step of:
[0163] when the condition that the bingo card contains the
pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is
equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device
is met, the server device transmitting to the plurality of client
devices an indication that the match has ended.
[0164] (27) The server device of clauses (25) or (26), wherein the
match ending pattern comprises all positions on the bingo card
being marked.
[0165] (28) The server device of clauses (25), (26), or (27),
wherein the pre-defined pattern is an intermediate pattern, the
intermediate pattern selected from the group consisting of all
positions in at least one row of the bingo card's grid being
marked, all positions in at least one column of the bingo card's
grid being marked, and all positions in at least one diagonal
pattern on the bingo card's grid being marked.
[0166] (29) The server device of clauses (25), (26), (27), or (28),
wherein the set of symbols is a non-repeating set of symbols and
each position on each bingo card's grid is associated with a
different symbol chosen without replacement from the non-repeating
set of symbols.
[0167] (30) The server device of clauses (25), (26), (27), (28), or
(29), further comprising machine instructions, operable by the CPU,
for executing the steps of:
[0168] generating a bingo card, wherein the symbols associated with
the positions on the grid of the bingo card are randomly chosen and
the server device selects new symbols from the set of symbols
without replacement;
[0169] storing the bingo card client device's profile in the
database; and
[0170] transmitting a representation of the bingo card to the
client device.
[0171] (31) The server device of clauses (25), (26), (27), (28),
(29), or (30), wherein the set of symbols comprises the numbers 1
through 75.
[0172] (32) The server device of clauses (25), (26), (27), (28),
(29), (30), or (31), wherein each bingo card includes a grid of 5
rows and 5 columns.
[0173] (33) The server device of clauses (25), (26), (27), (28),
(29), (30), or (32), wherein the set of symbols comprises the
numbers 1 through 90.
[0174] (34) The server device of clauses (25), (26), (27), (28),
(29), (30), (31), (32), or (33), wherein each bingo card includes a
strip of sub-cards such that each symbol of the set of symbols is
represented exactly once amongst all cards of the strip of
sub-cards.
[0175] (35) The server device of clause (34), wherein the
pre-defined pattern is a match ending pattern, and the match ending
pattern comprises all positions on at least one sub-card being
marked.
[0176] (36) The server device of clauses (34) or (35), wherein each
card of the strip of sub-cards comprises at least one grid position
that is pre-marked.
[0177] (37) The server device of clauses (25), (26), (27), (28),
(29), (30), (31), (32), (33), (34), (35), or (36), wherein the
communication network is the Internet.
[0178] (38) The server device of clauses (25), (26), (27), (28),
(29), (30), (31), (32), (33), (34), (35), (36), or (37), further
comprising machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing
the steps of:
[0179] receiving from a client device of the plurality of client
devices an indication of a form of payment;
[0180] validating the form of payment according to the requirements
of a first networked bingo match operator;
[0181] updating the client device's profile in the database;
and
[0182] transmitting an indication of success to the client
device.
[0183] (39) The server device of clause (38), further comprising
machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the step
of:
[0184] transmitting to the client device an indication of a
username and a password, with which the client device can log on to
the server device to participate in the networked bingo match.
[0185] (40) The server device of clauses (38) or (39), wherein each
of the plurality of clients is registered with the first operator
of the networked bingo match.
[0186] (41) The server device of clauses (38) or (39), wherein at
least one client of the plurality of clients is registered with the
first operator of the networked bingo match, and at least one
client of the plurality of clients is registered with a second
operator of the networked bingo match.
[0187] (42) The server device of clauses (25), (26), (27), (28),
(29), (30), (31), (32), (33), (34), (35), (36), (37), (38), (39),
(40) or (41), wherein the prize is progressive.
[0188] (43) The server device of clause (42), wherein the
progressive prize is of a monetary value.
[0189] (44) The server device of clause (43), further comprising
machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the steps
of:
[0190] receiving from the client device of the plurality of client
devices a request to purchase a bingo card;
[0191] updating the client device's profile in the database;
and
[0192] adding a percentage of the cost of the bingo card to the
progressive prize.
[0193] (45) The server device of clauses (42), (43), or (44),
further comprising machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for
executing the step of:
[0194] responsive to the condition that the bingo card contains the
pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is
equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device
being met, the server device resetting the prize to a
pre-determined amount.
[0195] (46) The server device of clauses (25), (26), (27), (28),
(29), (30), (31), (32), (33), (34), (35), (36), (37), (38), (39),
(40), (41), (42), (43), (44), or (45), further comprising machine
instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the steps of:
[0196] receiving from a client device a request to be associated
with a new symbol from the set of symbols;
[0197] removing the client device's previous association with its
special symbol in the database; and
[0198] associating the client device with the new symbol in the
database, thus making the new symbol the client device's special
symbol.
[0199] (47) The server device of clauses (25), (26), (27), (28),
(29), (30), (31), (32), (33), (34), (35), (36), (37), (38), (39),
(40), (41), (42), (43), (44), (45), or (46), wherein at least one
position on the grid of each bingo card is pre-marked.
[0200] (48) A system for operating a networked bingo match, wherein
the networked bingo match comprises a set of symbols; a set of
bingo cards, each bingo card containing a grid, at least one
position on the grid being associated with a symbol chosen from the
set of symbols; a pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions on a
bingo card; and a prize, the system comprising:
[0201] a plurality of client devices, wherein each client device is
associated with a special symbol from the set of symbols;
[0202] a database containing profiles, each profile associated with
a client device of the plurality of client devices, and each
profile comprising: [0203] at least one bingo card; and [0204] the
special symbol associated with the profile's client device; and
[0205] a server device for initiating the bingo match, wherein each
iteration of the bingo match includes the server device selecting a
new symbol from the set of symbols and, for each bingo card in each
profile, executing the steps of: [0206] the server device testing
for the condition that the grid on the bingo card contains the new
symbol, and, when the condition is met, marking the grid position
on the bingo card containing the new symbol; [0207] the server
device testing for the condition that the bingo card contains the
pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is
equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device,
and, when the condition is met, the server device awarding at least
some of the prize to the client device and transmitting an
indication to the client device that the client device has been
awarded at least some of the prize.
[0208] (49) The system of clause (48), wherein the pre-defined
pattern is a match ending pattern, further comprising the server
device executing the step of:
[0209] when the condition that the bingo card contains the
pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is
equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device
is met, the server device transmitting to the plurality of client
devices an indication that the match has ended.
[0210] (50) The system of clause (49), wherein the match ending
pattern comprises all positions on the bingo card being marked.
[0211] (51) The system of clauses (48), (49), or (50), wherein the
pre-defined pattern is an intermediate pattern, the intermediate
pattern selected from the group consisting of all positions in at
least one row of the bingo card's grid being marked, all positions
in at least one column of the bingo card's grid being marked, and
all positions in at least one diagonal pattern on the bingo card's
grid being marked.
[0212] (52) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), or (51),
wherein the set of symbols is a non-repeating set of symbols and
each position on each bingo card's grid is associated with a
different symbol chosen without replacement from the non-repeating
set of symbols.
[0213] (53) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), or (52),
further comprising the server device executing the steps of:
[0214] generating a bingo card, wherein the symbols associated with
the positions on the grid of the bingo card are randomly chosen and
the server device selects new symbols from the set of symbols
without replacement;
[0215] storing the bingo card in the database; and
[0216] transmitting a representation of the bingo card to the
client device.
[0217] (54) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), (52), or
(53), wherein the set of symbols comprises the numbers 1 through
75.
[0218] (55) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), (52),
(53), or (54), wherein each bingo card includes a grid of 5 rows
and 5 columns.
[0219] (56) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), (52), or
(53), wherein the set of symbols comprises the numbers 1 through
90.
[0220] (57) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), (52),
(53), (54), (55), or (56), wherein each bingo card includes a strip
of sub-cards such that each symbol of the set of symbols is
represented exactly once amongst all cards of the strip of
sub-cards.
[0221] (58) The system of clause (57), wherein the pre-defined
pattern is a match ending pattern, and the match ending pattern
comprises all positions on at least one sub-card being marked.
[0222] (59) The system of clauses (57) or (58), wherein each card
of the strip of sub-cards comprises at least one grid position that
is pre-marked.
[0223] (60) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), (52),
(53), (54), (55), (56), (57), (58), or (59), wherein server device
is coupled to the plurality of client devices by a first
communication network.
[0224] (61) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), (52),
(53), (54), (55), (56), (57), (58), (59), or (60), further
comprising the server device executing the steps of:
[0225] receiving from a client device of the plurality of client
devices an indication of a form of payment;
[0226] validating the form of payment according to the requirements
of a first networked bingo match operator;
[0227] updating the client device's profile in the database;
and
[0228] transmitting an indication of success to the client
device.
[0229] (62) The system of clause (61) further comprising the server
device executing the step of:
[0230] transmitting to the client device an indication of a
username and a password, with which the client device can log on to
the server device to participate in the networked bingo match.
[0231] (63) The system of clauses (61) or (62), wherein each of the
plurality of clients is registered with the first operator of the
networked bingo match.
[0232] (64) The system of clauses (61) or (62), wherein at least
one client of the plurality of clients is registered with the first
operator of the networked bingo match, and at least one client of
the plurality of clients is registered with a second operator of
the networked bingo match.
[0233] (65) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), (52),
(53), (54), (55), (56), (57), (58), (59), (60), (61), (62), (63),
or (64), wherein the prize is progressive.
[0234] (66) The system of clause (65), wherein the progressive
prize is of a monetary value.
[0235] (67) The system of clause (66), further comprising the
server device executing the steps of:
[0236] receiving from a client device of the plurality of client
devices a request to purchase a bingo card; and
[0237] adding a percentage of the cost of the bingo card to the
progressive prize.
[0238] (68) The system of clauses (65), (66), or (67), further
comprising the server device executing the step of:
[0239] responsive to the condition that the bingo card contains the
pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is
equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device
being met, the server device resetting the prize to a
pre-determined amount.
[0240] (69) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), (52),
(53), (54), (55), (56), (57), (58), (59), (60), (61), (62), (63),
(64), (65), (66), (67), or (68), further comprising the server
device executing the steps of:
[0241] receiving from a client device a request to be associated
with a new symbol from the set of symbols;
[0242] removing the client device's previous association with its
special symbol in the database; and
[0243] associating the client device with the new symbol in the
database, thus making the new symbol the client device's special
symbol.
[0244] (70) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), (52),
(53), (54), (55), (56), (57), (58), (59), (60), (61), (62), (63),
(64), (65), (66), (67), (68), or (69), wherein at least one
position on the grid of each bingo card is pre-marked.
[0245] (71) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), (52),
(53), (54), (55), (56), (57), (58), (59), (60), (61), (62), (63),
(64), (65), (66), (67), (68), (69), or (70), further
comprising:
[0246] a second communication network, coupling the server device
to the database.
[0247] (72) The system of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), (52),
(53), (54), (55), (56), (57), (58), (59), (60), (61), (62), (63),
(64), (65), (66), (67), (68), (69), (70), or (71), wherein each
client device further comprises:
[0248] at least one input mechanism;
[0249] at least one output mechanism; and
[0250] a network interface for transmitting information on the
first communication network and receiving information from the
first communication network.
[0251] (73) The method of clauses (48), (49), (50), (51), (52),
(53), (54), (55), (56), (57), (58), (59), (60), (61), (62), (63),
(64), (65), (66), (67), (68), (69), (70), (71), or (72), wherein
the at least one output mechanism comprises a graphical user
interface, wherein the graphical user interface displays at least
one bingo card associated with the client device and provides
options to perform at least one of the acts of providing a form of
payment, purchasing a bingo card, and cashing out a balance.
VI. Conclusion
[0252] Example embodiments have been described above. Those skilled
in the art will understand, however, that changes and modifications
may be made to these embodiments without departing from the true
scope and spirit of the invention, which is defined by the
claims.
* * * * *