U.S. patent application number 12/851943 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-10 for system and method for allowing remote wagers (both for real wagers and for fun/points/prizes) by confirming player location using network generated and/or network centric data.
Invention is credited to Gary Miller, James Morrison, Victor Salerno.
Application Number | 20110034252 12/851943 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43535236 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110034252 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Morrison; James ; et
al. |
February 10, 2011 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ALLOWING REMOTE WAGERS (BOTH FOR REAL WAGERS
AND FOR FUN/POINTS/PRIZES) BY CONFIRMING PLAYER LOCATION USING
NETWORK GENERATED AND/OR NETWORK CENTRIC DATA
Abstract
A system and method for allowing wager(s) to be placed over a
wireless network using a remote device by authenticating an
established user account, and validating the location of the player
using network centric data. The player utilizes the remote device,
which may be a cell phone or remote computing device, connected
securely to a wagering system over a wireless network (e.g., 3G).
Depending on the type of game, player location is determined using
GPS and/or control plane technology utilizing carrier network
information. Wagers may be placed using verbal instructions or
keypad entries which communicate with an interactive voice
recognition system, a dedicated software application, live operator
and/or web browser based application. Regardless of the wager
placement methodology, the remote device is linked to a wager
server and location verification is specific to the subject remote
device connected thereto. Other methods of verifying location are
utilized as safeguards against spoofing.
Inventors: |
Morrison; James; (Henderson,
NV) ; Salerno; Victor; (Henderson, NV) ;
Miller; Gary; (Henderson, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG (LV)
3773 HOWARD HUGHES PARKWAY, Suite 400 North
LAS VEGAS
NV
89169
US
|
Family ID: |
43535236 |
Appl. No.: |
12/851943 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61231994 |
Aug 6, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 ;
463/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3223 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 ;
463/43 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a wagering system including at least a
processor, data storage device and means for communicating with
remote devices; and a program running on said wagering system, said
program configured to permit placement of wagers remotely
responsive to validation that a subject remote device is within a
pre-established wagering location and prohibit placement of wagers
remotely responsive to lack of validation that a subject remote
device is within a pre-established wagering location; and means for
obtaining remote device location data derived from communications
between said remote devices and remote device towers during
wireless connections between said remote devices and said wagering
system, said remote device location data used to validate a
location of said remote devices.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a program running on
said remote devices which validates to the wagering system that a
user is utilizing a remote device user interface during a wireless
connection between the remote devices and said wagering system.
3. The system of claim 1 further comprising means for obtaining GPS
data to determine remote device location.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote device location data
derived from communications between said remote devices and remote
device towers during wireless connections between said remote
devices and said wagering system include signal strength between
the remote device and multiple remote device towers.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote device location data
derived from communications between said remote devices and remote
device towers during wireless connections between said remote
devices and said wagering system include signal transmission times
between the remote device and multiple remote device towers.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein said program is further configured
to compare and validate acquired remote device identification
information with stored remote device identification
information.
7. A system comprising: a wagering system including at least a
processor and data storage device, said wagering system including
means to communicate with remote devices; a program running on said
wagering system and configured to: utilize remote device location
data derived from communications between said remote devices and
remote device towers during wireless connections between said
remote devices and said wagering system; responsive to validation
that a subject remote device is within a pre-established wagering
location: transmit wagering data to said remote devices; receive
wager instructions input into said remote devices by users thereof;
accept and record one or more wagers pursuant to said wager
instructions; transmit confirmation of said one or more wagers to
said remote devices; and apply winnings associated with said wager
instructions and collect losses associated with said wager
instructions from pre-established user accounts; and responsive to
a lack of validation that a subject remote device is within a
pre-established wagering location, reject placement of a wager to
be placed through the wagering system.
8. The system of claim 7 further comprising a program running on
said remote devices which validates to the wagering system that a
user is utilizing a remote device user interface during a wireless
connection between the remote devices and said wagering system.
9. The system of claim 7 wherein the program is further configured
to utilize GPS data to determine remote device location.
10. The system of claim 7 wherein remote device location data
derived from communications between said remote devices and remote
device towers during wireless connections between said remote
devices and said wagering system include signal strength between
the remote device and multiple remote device towers.
11. The system of claim 7 wherein remote device location data
derived from communications between said remote devices and remote
device towers during wireless connections between said remote
devices and said wagering system include signal transmission times
between the remote device and multiple remote device towers.
12. A method facilitated by a wagering system including at least a
processor, data storage device and means for communicating with
remote devices, comprising: utilizing remote device location data
premised on communications between said remote devices and remote
device towers during wireless connections between said remote
devices and said wagering system; validating remote device location
based on said location data; responsive to validation that a
subject remote device is within a pre-established wagering
location, accepting placement of remote wagers submitted to said
wagering system via said remote devices; responsive to a lack of
validation that a subject remote device in within a pre-established
wagering location, prohibiting placement of remote wagers submitted
to said wagering system via said remote devices.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising validating to the
wagering system that a user is utilizing a remote device user
interface during a wireless connection between the remote devices
and said wagering system.
14. The method of claim 12 further comprising acquiring GPS
location data.
15. The method of claim 12 further comprising utilizing signal
strength between the remote device and multiple remote device
towers to validate remote device locations.
16. The method of claim 12 further comprising utilizing signal
transmission times between the remote device and multiple remote
device towers to validate remote device location.
17. The method of claim 12 further comprising comparing remote
device identification information with stored remote device
identification information.
18. A method facilitated by a wagering system including at least a
processor, data storage device and means for communicating with
remote devices, comprising: utilizing remote device location data
derived from communications between said remote devices and remote
device towers during wireless connections between said remote
devices and said wagering system to validate a location of remote
devices; responsive to validation that a subject remote device is
within a pre-established wagering location: transmitting wagering
data to said remote devices; receiving wager instructions input
into said remote devices by users thereof; accepting and record one
or more wagers pursuant to said wager instructions; transmitting
confirmation of said one or more wagers to said remote devices; and
applying winnings associated with said wager instructions and
collecting losses associated with said wager instructions from
pre-established user accounts; and responsive to a lack of
validation that a subject remote device is within a pre-established
wagering location, rejecting placement of a wager through the
wagering system.
19. The method of claim 18 further comprising validating to the
wagering system that a user is utilizing a remote device user
interface during a wireless connection between the remote devices
and said wagering system.
20. The method of claim 18 further comprising utilizing GPS
location data.
21. The method of claim 18 further comprising utilizing signal
strength between the remote device and multiple remote device
towers to validate remote device locations.
22. The method of claim 18 further comprising utilizing signal
transmission times between the remote device and multiple remote
device towers to validate remote device location.
23. The method of claim 18 further comprising comparing remote
device identification information with stored remote device
identification information.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/231,994 filed Aug. 6, 2009.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The embodiments of the present invention relate generally to
systems and methods for allowing a player to make wagers over
remote devices and computers, and more particularly, to systems and
methods for confirming the location of the player using location
based services and authenticating and verifying that location
through (mobile) Carrier network generated and/or network centric
data that validates the location of the player. The systems and
methods according to the embodiments of the present invention also
allow for marketing, advertising, and commercial transactions based
on the player's authenticated location through the remote
device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Wireless gaming is on the horizon. There are generally two
types of wireless gaming. First, a particular jurisdiction, for
example a state in the U.S., may allow certain types of wagers to
be made over a wireless device as long as the player is within the
borders of the state. The player may make a wager over a telephone
through an interactive voice recognition (IVR) system.
[0004] Second, wireless based gaming may be provided within a
particular casino. Since 2006, the state of Nevada has allowed
wireless gaming (e.g., the placing of wagers using wireless devices
within a casino.) Other states may soon follow suit. The
jurisdiction may allow casino patrons to use remote, wireless
devices to place wagers within the sports book or other designated
areas within the casino such as restaurants and pool areas while
prohibiting the placement of wireless wagers within other areas
such as hotel rooms.
[0005] The United States' Global Positioning System (GPS) typically
allows the location of a GPS receiver to be determined with
sufficient accuracy to determine if the receiver is within the
borders of a given jurisdiction or within a specific location.
Additionally, many cell phones, computers, and wireless modems
include a GPS receiver. Thus, it is possible to determine the
location of the cell phone or other remote device using the GPS
receiver integrated with the remote device or a GPS receiver
attached herewith.
[0006] However, such location determinations may be "spoofed" or
otherwise falsified. For example, several GPS providers and
location based applications allow users to determine and
self-report their GPS-based location to provide maps and/or
directions and to share their location with other users. However,
the application allows the user to set the location (e.g., by
address, city, or state) that other users observe, which allows
by-passing of the GPS determined location.
[0007] One known method 10 for attempting to verify the location
and identity of a caller attempting to make a wager is shown in
FIG. 1. This method requires the use of a telephone which
establishes the location of the telephone using a beeper. In a
first step 12, the caller uses the telephone to call into an IVR
and enters an account number. The IVR system sends an account
access request (based on the entered account number) to the
wagering system (step 14). The wagering system verifies that the
account is valid, active and is authorized to use beepers, and
generates a PIN (step 16). In step 18, the wagering system sends
the PIN to a beeper system which sends the PIN to the caller's
beeper. The wagering system sends the PIN and other account
information to the IVR system in step 20. The IVR system asks the
caller to enter the PIN (step 22) which is then entered by the
caller (step 24). In step 26, the IVR system verifies that the
entered PIN matches the information received from the wagering
system and then allows the caller to place wagers.
[0008] The aforementioned system is cumbersome to players and not
suitable for a system designed to handle a large number of
transactions. Additionally, this system requires capital
investments including the cost, use, and maintenance associated
with additional equipment including beepers and the beeper system.
Currently the system is only available in Las Vegas and is limited
to the broadcast range of the beeper system. The embodiments of the
present invention are directed at one or more of the shortcomings
identified above.
[0009] Other variations, embodiments and features of the present
invention will become evident from the following detailed
description, drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art method of verifying
the location and identification of a caller making a wager;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for allowing a player
to make a wager using a remote device over a network, according to
a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system for allowing a player
to make a wager using a remote device over a network, according to
a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for allowing a player
to make a wager using a remote device over a network, according to
a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method for allowing a player
to make a wager using a remote device over a network, according to
a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method for allowing a player
to make a wager using a remote device over a network, according to
a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method for allowing a player
to make a wager verbally using a remote device over a network,
according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a diagram of a conventional cell tower grid;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a cell phone location being
determined using signal strength data acquired by cell towers;
and
[0019] FIG. 10 is an exemplary system configuration according to
the embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0020] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles in accordance with the embodiments of the present
invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments
illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to
describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no
limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any
alterations and further modifications of the inventive feature
illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the
principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would
normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having
possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the
scope of the invention claimed.
[0021] The system and method described herein may be used with a
wagering component involving money wagers and payouts, sweepstakes
component involving prize giveaways and an advertising and
promotional data component. The type of location determination and
verification methodology used may be more stringent based on the
regulatory issues involved with each component.
[0022] Referring to the figures, wherein like numerals indicate
like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, a system
and/or method allows wagers to be placed from remote devices over a
wireless network (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) networks where the networks
determine location from fixed access points. One of the primary
concerns with placing wagers over wireless networks is the ability
to ascertain with certainty the location of the individual placing
the wager. The system and method described herein address the
ability to identify with certainty the location of an individual
placing a wager.
[0023] With reference to FIG. 2, a system 100 allows a player to
use a remote device 102 (e.g., cellular telephone) to place a wager
on a wagering system 106 over a wireless network 104. The system
100 verifies that the player and the remote device 102 are within a
given, predetermined location (e.g., state, jurisdiction, building,
or other predetermined location or locations within a larger
geographic area). Only after the player's location is verified to
be within the predetermined location, and with a verified device ID
and user credentials, does the system 100 allow a wager to be
placed.
[0024] The most commonly used system to locate the position of
items is GPS. Automobiles, cellular telephones, hikers and any
other item may be tracked using GPS. GPS while accurate, is
dependent on the remote device 102 reporting itself as part of a
3-D trilateration system. Such a system can be subjected to
spoofing and falsification. With the embodiments of the present
invention, a validation location is compared to the network
information relative to the device based on the infrastructure or
base stations/cell towers with which the remote device is actually
communicating (i.e., control plane).
[0025] It should be noted that gaming includes placing wagers using
real money in the form of tokens, electronic funds or other
financial instruments in which the player may be provided an award
or payout based on a winning result of the game or may include
simply playing a game, such as a video or arcade game in which the
player is not awarded a prize or is awarded a non-monetary award,
such as a ticket or merchandise. Some systems are for money systems
and some systems are for points. In other words, in some systems
wagers are made with money (or equivalent) and wins are paid out in
money and in some systems, wins are paid out with prize awards. In
each instance, location will be used to determine player location
not only to validate their ability to play for money or for points
but also to provide insight into presenting advertisements tailored
to the location of the consumer.
[0026] As described below, the embodiments of the present invention
use control plane functionality to derive an accurate location of a
user based on carrier tower triangulation data. However, in one
aspect, the decision to allow a wager is determined not just based
on location, but also business logic and other account, subscriber
profile and "limits" placed by gaming regulations and other
processes which may also be considered before allowing a person to
place a wager. In one embodiment, the system also informs the
player that the player cannot place a wager and provides relocation
data to an area where the wager can be placed.
[0027] The wagering system 106 may be any type of electronic
wagering system which allows a player to place a wager. For
example, the wagering system 106 can be provided by a casino (or
race and sports book operator) and allow the player to place a
wager on a sporting event at the casino sports book, on a keno
game, table game or other casino game. For example, the wagering
system may be the type of sports book system utilized by Nevada
casinos to allow live cash wagers but configured to accept wireless
wagers. Such systems are conventional and need only be modified to
accept wireless incoming transmissions and transmit outgoing
transmissions regarding accepted wagers.
[0028] In one embodiment of the present invention, the player's
location is established using network generated and/or centric
data, i.e., data which comes from the wireless network, carrier or
authorized carrier location aggregator. Such a location
determination method is not subject to spoofing and/or
falsification like GPS. In one embodiment, the location
determination method includes identifying the cell phone tower with
which the remote device 102 is in communication. That is, cell
phones communicate with cell towers in proximity to the cell phone.
In general, this network centric and network generated data cannot
be spoofed since the network validates the location of the device
within the network based on the physical tower(s), or carrier
installed base station(s), with which the device is communicating
and the device is authenticated.
[0029] FIG. 8 shows a conventional cell phone tower grid. The grid
300 includes a plurality of individual cells 305 each including a
cell tower 310 and base station housing electronics (e.g.,
receivers and transmitters) which facilitate the functionality of
the cell network. The cell towers constantly track cell phone
signals and the strength of those signals. This allows the towers
to compute roughly the caller's general location in the cell phone
grid 300. Since the cell towers 310 only have a certain radius
within which they can pick up and send calls, the cell towers 310
need to pass off the signal reception to another nearby cell tower
310 if the caller moves too far out of range. This constant
exchange of information allows an exact cell phone location to be
determined.
[0030] FIG. 9 shows a diagram 350 visually indicating how the
location of a cell phone is determined using signal strength data
of three cell towers 310-1 through 310-3. The methodology involves
determining the cell tower 310-1 with the strongest signal and plot
the radius of signal detection associated with the cell tower
310-1. Since the signal as detected by cell tower 310-1 is the
strongest, the cell phone must be within the radius of signal
detection of cell tower 310-1. Next plot the radius of the cell
tower 310-2 with the second strongest reception. Lastly, plot the
radius of the cell tower 310-3 with the third strongest reception.
The point of intersection 355 corresponds very closely to the cell
phone position. Mobile device carriers may be required to provide
such communication information between remote devices and remote
device stations including towers.
[0031] For example, in one embodiment the wireless network is a
cell phone network provided by a wireless carrier, such as Sprint,
AT&T, Verizon, etc., as well as new wireless network providers
like Clear, etc. The remote device 102 is a cell phone, computing
device using an external or internal wireless modem or other data
device, such as a cell phone used as a wireless modem, or other
device capable of connecting to the wagering system 106 over the
wireless network 104. When the remote device 102 connects to the
wireless network 104, the connection is through a cell phone tower
(not shown). The location of each cell phone tower is
geographically fixed and known. Thus, as set forth above, the
location of the remote device 102 can be determined based on the
signal strength measured by multiple cell towers 310. A single cell
tower 310 is also able to determine the general location (as
determined by the radius of operation of the cell tower handing the
call or transmission) of the remote device 102 but not a specific
location as with multiple cell towers. This is important since it
may be used for transmissions and communications not requiring the
specific location of the remote device 102.
[0032] To further improve the verification of cell phone location,
additional data, such as a signal transmission time to cell towers,
may be combined with the signal strength data described above.
Also, GPS and/or A-GPS data may be used as a backup to verify the
location as determined by the cell phone tower triangulation
methodology.
[0033] In another embodiment, the system detects mechanical
operations (e.g., key presses or touch screen manipulations) of the
cell phone or remote device 102 to prevent spoofing or unauthorized
remote communication to a remote device 102 in the permitted
jurisdiction while the player is not located within the permitted
jurisdiction. For example, it is possible to operate a first remote
device in a first location via a second remote device in a second
location without the user interface (e.g., keypad or touch screen)
being manipulated. To prevent such use, a software application
downloaded on the remote device 102 from the wagering system 106 or
affiliated server is configured to transmit verification of
mechanical operations to the wagering system 106 which can be used
as another step in the location verification methodology described
above. The software application transmits signals to the wagering
system responsive to all or some of the mechanical operations
associated with the use of the remote device associated with the
communications between the remote device and the wagering system
102. In one specific example, the software application can
determine if a player pin (required to access the wagering system)
is entered using the remote device's keypad or touch screen. The
software application may also be configured to determine if the
remote device 102 is running any suspect applications of the type
associated with spoofing and other acts which would seek to defeat
the accurate identification of the remote device location.
[0034] An optional, additional layer of security involves matching
the electronic serial numbers (ESN) or similar remote device
identification information (IP address) associated with individual
cell phones to the cell towers in communication with the cell
phones within a cell tower grid. In this instance, the remote
device identification information is compared with stored or known
data regarding the device identification information. Such matching
ensures that the registered remote device is the actual remote
device being used to place the wagers and communicates with the
wagering system (e.g., server).
[0035] The aforementioned methods of location verification may be
used singularly or in any combinations depending on the
jurisdiction, service type and/or operator.
[0036] It should be noted that a player has total control of their
location privacy. That is, a player is able to prevent the system
from deriving the location of the remote device 102 via a software
application installed on the remote device 102 at the time it is
manufactured. Alternatively, the software facilitating the system
hereunder includes a prompt allowing the player to refuse to
provide remote device data needed to determine the location. Under
such conditions, the system is unable to process a wager from the
player because the location of the player (i.e., remote device 102)
cannot be determined.
[0037] Below are described the registration process and various
embodiments of the present invention directed to verifying the
location of the player via the remote device 102 based on the
above-described systems and methods.
[0038] As referenced above, there embodiments of the present
invention may be used to facilitate a wagering component involving
money wagers and payouts, sweepstakes or free play component
involving prize giveaways and an advertising and promotional data
component. The type of location verification methodology used may
be more stringent based on the regulatory issues involved with each
component. That is, the wagering component will likely require the
most stringent location verification followed by the sweepstakes
component while the advertising and promotional data component
requires the least stringent location verification.
[0039] Prior to allowing players to participate in wagering via the
system, players are required to register. In one embodiment, the
registration process takes place in a brick and mortar casino
offering casino games and/or sports wagering. Prospective players
complete a registration form which requests personal information of
the prospective player. Once approved, the player is optionally
provided or permitted to establish a PIN or similar code. Also, the
player is able to deposit a sum of money which is held by the
casino and used to fund the wagering activities. The money may be
in the form of cash or withdrawn from a credit card or bank
account. If a credit card or bank account is used, the player may
authorize the credit card or bank account information to be
securely stored by the casino for later use (e.g., additional
withdrawals) if necessary. The player may also decline to allow the
credit card or bank account information to be stored by the casino.
The player then downloads the wagering software onto the player's
remote device which allows the player to interface with the
wagering system 106. The software download may be accomplished via
a wired or wireless connection to the server hosting the wagering
software.
[0040] With specific reference to FIG. 4, a method 120 for allowing
a player to utilize a remote device 102 to place a wager on a
wagering system 106 is described. In a first step 122, the player
initiates a wager session over the wireless network 104 utilizing
the remote device 102. The manner in which the player initiates the
wager session will depend, in part, on the nature of the remote
device 102 (see below). At this stage, the player may be required
to enter a PIN or similar code to access the wagering system 106.
In a second step 124, the wagering system 106 receives information
which identifies the remote device 102. In one example, the remote
device 102 transmits its ESN to the wagering system 106 for
verification. Alternatively, the gaming software downloaded on the
remote device 102 may incorporate a security key or similar data
which allows the wagering system to identify the remote device 102.
The location of the remote device 102 is established as a function
of the remote device ID information and network centric data (step
126). In a decision block 128, if the established location can be
validated, e.g., the location can be established with sufficient
certainty to be within the subject jurisdiction, then in step 132,
the player is informed that the location has been verified and the
player is allowed to place a wager or wagers. For example, the
player's device identification, account number and entered PIN have
to match, and the device identification has to match the
application identification.
[0041] As discussed above, in one embodiment of the present
invention, the player's location is established on the basis of the
cell phone towers 310 through which the remote device 102 is
communicating with the network 104. Additionally, it should be
noted that, as discussed above, if the player's location cannot be
verified solely based on the information received from the cell
phone towers, other network centric methods and other safeguards
may be utilized.
[0042] With reference to FIG. 3, in a second embodiment of the
present invention, a system 200 allows user(s) to utilize various
types of remote devices 202 to wirelessly place wagers on a
wagering system 206 over a wireless network 204. In the illustrated
embodiment, the remote device 202 can be a computing device 202A,
such as a notebook, laptop, netbook, desktop computer, or other
computing device cable of using an external or integrated cell
modem, a cell phone 202B through a web-browser application or a
dedicated application, or a cell phone 202C using voice activated
commands.
[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, wagering system 206 includes
a wager server 212 and an application server 214. The computing
device 202A and the cell phone 202B communicate over the wireless
network 204 to the application server 214. The application server
214 and the wager server 212 communicate over a network 210, such
as the Internet or other network.
[0044] In general, the connection over the network 210 needs to be
secure. For example, the connection can utilize a VPN direct
connection to a known server with a client/server dependency that
controls the connection and validates the device to the server. Or
the connection can be a specific network connection that may be
wireless or wired that requires that the device be connected to a
common access point that can only connect via a secure connection
to a wager or casual gaming server.
[0045] In the latter example, the first location lookup may tell is
that the device is in a legal or valid area, such as Nevada, and
the second location lookup verifies the location with the carrier.
Each connect is to a different server, with different rules from
the base application and the client can run secure connections to
both servers running both application.
[0046] The cell phone 202C communicates verbal commands from the
player to the wagering system 200 via an interactive voice
recognition (IVR) server 208. The IVR server 208 is connected to
the wagering system 200 over the network 210.
[0047] With reference to FIG. 5 in one aspect of the present
invention, a method 220 of allowing a player to place a wager on a
wagering system 206 using a remote computing device 202A is
provided. In one embodiment, the remote computing device 202A
utilizes a wireless modem or other communications transceiver (not
shown), such as a cell modem which allows the remote computing
device 202A to communicate over the wireless network 204.
[0048] In one aspect, the cell modem is an external cell modem
embodied in a data card (not shown) which connects to the remote
computing device 202A via a USB or other data port.
[0049] In a first step 222, the player inserts or connects the data
card to the remote computing device 202A. In a second step 224, the
remote computing device shuts off all other communications ports.
In a third step 226, the remote computing device 202A initiates a
virtual private network (VPN) to ensure secure and private
communications between the remote computing device 202A and the
wagering system 206 and runs a wagering application. The wagering
application may either be a web-browser based application or a
dedicated application. When linking through a VPN or other secure
or dedicated connection, the application has to validate the
account number and the location of the device is reported via the
data card GPS reporting capabilities and from the network as the
final validation.
[0050] Once the wagering application is in communication with the
wager server 212, the application server 214 receives the base
station ID, i.e., cell tower, through which the remote computer
device 202A is communicating over the wireless network 204 and
establishes the location of the remote computing device 202A (step
228). In decision block 230, if the established location has been
established with a predetermined degree of certainty, based on the
application, wager type, wagering system 206, etc., and a wager can
be placed at the location, then the method 220 proceeds to step
238, in which the player is notified that their location has been
verified and approved and the player is then allowed to place
wagers. If the location established as a function of the base
station ID cannot be verified in block 230, then the method 220
proceeds to step 232 in which the location of the remote computing
device 202A is established using a second network centric process,
such as assisted-GPS. In decision block 234 if the second
established location is valid, then the method proceeds to step
238. Otherwise, the player is informed that their location cannot
be verified and/or is not valid for making the wager in step
236.
[0051] With reference to FIG. 6, in another aspect of the present
invention, a method 250 of allowing a player to place a wager on a
wagering system 206 using a cell phone 202B is provided. The cell
phone communicates with the wagering system 206 over the wireless
network 204.
[0052] In a first step 252, the player installs and runs a software
application on the cell phone 202B. The software application may be
a web-browser application or specific application for placing a
wager. If this is done in WAP Mobile Browser Session then specific
access information has to be installed to derive location (e.g.,
asking the user to allow location to be utilized). In a second step
254, the application server 214 receives handset identification
(e.g., the telephone number from the cell phone and the
International Mobile Equipment Identity or IMEI or other mobile
device identification information, such as, IMSI, MAC Address (if
Wi-Fi is being used), B-SSID, and/or other information).
[0053] In one aspect of the present invention, the system and
method collect both application and device ID information that must
be connect together in order to validate subscription.
[0054] The telephone number is specific to (e.g., the sim card) in
the cell phone, and the IMEI number is specific to the handset. In
step 256, the handset identification is compared with the handset
assigned to the player's account. If the data matches, then the
player can be identified and authenticated. This ensures that the
sim card is being used with the correct handset. It should be noted
that different phones report their ID differently and different
carriers manage the users' privacy and access differently. The
present invention has the ability, if needed, to track the phone
and locations and help restrict access, if a person's phone or sim
card is stolen.
[0055] In step 258, the application server 214 receives the base
station ID, i.e., cell tower, through which the cell phone 202B is
communicating over the wireless network 204 and establishes a
location of the cell phone 202B (step 258). In one aspect the
system receives a latitude/longitude reading and an accuracy
determination from the network.
[0056] In decision block 260, if the location has been established
with a predetermined degree of certainty, based on the application,
wagering system 206, etc., and a wager can be placed at the
location, then the method 250 proceeds to step 268, in which the
player is notified that their location has been verified and
approved and the player is then allowed to place wagers. If the
location established as a function of the base station ID cannot be
verified in block 260, then the method 250 proceeds to step 262 in
which the location of the cell phone 202A is established using a
second network centric process, such as assisted-GPS. In decision
block 264 if the second established location is valid, then the
method proceeds to step 268. Otherwise, the player is informed that
their location cannot be verified and/or is not valid for making
the wager in step 266.
[0057] With reference to FIG. 7, in another aspect of the present
invention, a method 270 of allowing a player to verbally place a
wager on a wagering system 206 using a cell phone 202B is provided.
The cell phone communicates with the IVR server 208 over the
wireless network 204.
[0058] In a first step 272, the player places a call to the IVR
server 208 and enters or says their account number. It should be
noted that the player may either speak their account number or
input their account number using the handset. The IVR server 208
also collects the telephone number of the handset (from Caller
ID).
[0059] In a second step 274, the IVR server 208 sends an account
access request (using the account number and the telephone number)
to the wager server 212. The wager server 212 verifies that the
account is active and valid and is authorized to GPS phones in step
276. Once the account has been verified, the IVR server 208
requests the cell tower through which the cell phone is
communicating and establishes the location of the cell phone as a
function of the cell tower.
[0060] In decision block 280, if the established location has been
established with a predetermined degree of certainty, based on the
application, wagering system 206, etc. (see above) and a wager can
be placed at the location, then the method 270 proceeds to step
288, in which the player is notified that their location has been
verified and approved and the player is then allowed to place
wagers. If the location established as a function of the base
station ID cannot be verified in block 280, then the method 270
proceeds to step 282 in which the location of the cell phone 202C
is established using a second network centric process, such as
assisted-GPS. In decision block 264 if the second established
location is valid, then the method proceeds to step 288. Otherwise,
the player is informed that their location cannot be verified
and/or is not valid for making the wager in step 286. It should be
noted that in all four methods 120, 220, 250, 270, the established
location may be compared with a GPS determined location (derived at
the user level, i.e., the remote computing device 202).
[0061] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary system 400 configuration
according to the embodiments of the present invention. The system
400 comprises a first component 405 and second component 505. The
first component 405 is designated to manage national contests,
sweepstakes and similar less regulated matters while the second
component 505 is designated to manage local sports wagering and
similar highly-regulated matters. For example, the second component
505 may be configured to handle sports wagers from players proven
to be located in Nevada as discussed above.
[0062] A first architecture of the first component 405 includes a
router 410, firewall 415, switch 420, optional traffic load
balancer 425, web server 430, optional load-balanced servers 435,
switch 440, back-end firewall 445, switch 450 and integrity servers
455. A second connection architecture of the first component 405
incorporates a download server 460. A VPN connection 465 is also
shown.
[0063] The architecture of the second component 505 includes router
510, firewall 515, switch 520, web server 525, blackberry
enterprise server 530, back-end firewall 535, router with explicit
access list 540, switch 545, integrity servers 550. VPN connections
555 provide access to the integrity servers 550 via corporate
network core 560. The blackberry enterprise server 530 is exemplary
and those skilled in the art will recognize that other mobile
device brand servers may be incorporated to handle other mobile
devices and carriers.
[0064] Although not shown in the flow chart diagrams, if the player
is unable to place wagers because of his or her location, the
system may be configured to provide the player with location
information which would allow the player to place the wager. For
example, if the player attempted to place a sports wager from
Baker, Calif., the system would initially not allow the wager to be
made. Thereafter however, the system may alert the player if the
player proceeds to Primm, Nev. (about 60 miles north on I-15) the
wager may then be placed.
[0065] Based on the location and the type of wager being made, data
acquired using different location verification methods may be
sufficient. For example, sports wagering is only legal in a few
states including Nevada. Therefore, sports wagers could be made by
registered players via a remote device 102 assuming the cell tower
triangulation method described above is able to verify that the
player is within the borders of the state of Nevada. In another
example, sweepstakes, contests and free play games are allowed by
many states such that the location verification may rely on a
GPS-based verification system. In one embodiment, the system 100
initially conducts a "free" lookup to determine if the user is out
of state and therefore only allowed access to sweepstakes and/or
free game play (i.e., no money involved).
[0066] The system herein may also be configured to transmit
location-based advertising, promotions and offers. Such
transmissions do not require the same level of location
verification as the gaming and sweepstakes components. Indeed, the
location may be used but does not need to be validated. This allows
the system 100 to determine how to insert either location-based or
customer profile-based advertising, promotions, and offers. The
advertisements, promotions and offers can be of any type but in one
example they are related to wagering games, sweepstakes, contests
and free play in an effort to expand the services utilized by
players. Non-related businesses may also seek to allow ad content
to be disseminated via the wagering system 100. The location data
allows the advertising, promotions and offers to be tailored to the
location of the player. For example, assuming a player registers to
utilize the wagering system 100 at a first casino property, which
is part of a casino corporate entity having multiple casino
properties, the player may be sent advertising, promotions and
offers regarding a second casino property operated by the same
casino corporate entity when the player is near the second casino
property in an effort to encourage the player to enter the second
casino property.
[0067] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to several embodiments, additional variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as
described and defined in the following claims.
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