U.S. patent application number 16/450910 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-10 for modular interactive application interleaved wagering system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gamblit Gaming, LLC. Invention is credited to Miles Arnone, Frank Cire, Eric Meyerhofer.
Application Number | 20190311572 16/450910 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57112734 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-10 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190311572 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arnone; Miles ; et
al. |
October 10, 2019 |
MODULAR INTERACTIVE APPLICATION INTERLEAVED WAGERING SYSTEM
Abstract
A modular interactive application interleaved wagering system is
disclosed. Such a system includes an interactive controller
constructed to generate a user interface of a wagering application,
generate a user interface of an interactive application, combine
the user interfaces into a combined user interface displayed to a
user, detect user interactions with the combined user interface and
communicate the user interactions to an application controller,
receive from the application controller a wager outcome, and
display to the user using the wagering user interface of the
combined user interface, the wager outcome. The application
controller operatively connects the interactive controller to a
wager controller, wherein the application controller is constructed
to receive from the interactive controller, the user interactions,
detect a wagering event from the user interactions, determine the
wager outcome responsive to the wagering event using the wager
controller, and communicate the wager event to the interactive
controller.
Inventors: |
Arnone; Miles; (Cambridge,
MA) ; Cire; Frank; (Pasadena, CA) ;
Meyerhofer; Eric; (Pasadena, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gamblit Gaming, LLC |
Glendale |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57112734 |
Appl. No.: |
16/450910 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15098313 |
Apr 13, 2016 |
10332338 |
|
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16450910 |
|
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62146960 |
Apr 13, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3267 20130101;
G07F 17/3295 20130101; G07F 17/3223 20130101; G07F 17/3262
20130101; G07F 17/3244 20130101; G07F 17/3206 20130101; G07F 17/326
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20060101
G07F017/32 |
Claims
1. A modular interactive application interleaved wagering system,
comprising: an interactive controller constructed to: generate a
user interface of a wagering application; generate a user interface
of an interactive application; combine the user interface of the
wagering application and the user interface of the interactive
application into a combined user interface displayed to a user;
detect user interactions with the combined user interface and
communicate the user interactions to an application controller;
receive from the application controller a wager outcome; and
display to the user using the wagering user interface of the
combined user interface, the wager outcome; and an application
controller operatively connecting the interactive controller to a
wager controller, wherein the application controller is constructed
to: receive from the interactive controller, the user interactions;
detect a wagering event from the user interactions; determine the
wager outcome responsive to the wagering event using the wager
controller; and communicate the wager event to the interactive
controller.
2. The modular interactive application interleaved wagering system
of claim 1, wherein interactive controller and application
controller are constructed from the same device, and wherein
application controller is operatively connected to the wager
controller using a communication link.
3. The modular interactive application interleaved wagering system
of claim 1, wherein the wager controller and application controller
are constructed from the same device, and wherein the application
controller is operatively connected to interactive controller using
a communication link.
4. The modular interactive application interleaved wagering system
of claim 1, further comprising: an enclosure constructed to mount:
a user input device operatively connected to the interactive
controller; a user output device operatively connected to the
interactive controller; a credit input device operatively connected
to the wager controller; and a credit output device operatively
connected to the wager controller.
5. The modular interactive application interleaved wagering system
of claim 4, further comprising a random number generator, wherein
the wager controller is further constructed to: communicate with
the credit input device to receive a credit input, the credit input
for wagering to determine the wager outcome; generate the wager
outcome based on a random result generated by the random number
generator; and update a credit meter based on the wager outcome.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 15/098,313, filed Apr. 13, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,332,338,
issued Jun. 25, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 62/146,960, filed Apr. 13, 2015 the contents
of each of which are incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Embodiments of the present invention are generally related
to communications within data processing systems. More
particularly, the present invention relates to the communication
and processing of wagering data.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The gaming industry has traditionally developed electronic
gaming machines that present simple gambling games to a user. The
communication and processing needs for these simple gambling games
are easily met using conventional processing systems.
[0004] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,405 to McClintic describes
a conventional computerized game provided with a central processor
(CPU) operably coupled to input logic circuitry and output logic
circuitry. The input logic circuitry is employed to operably couple
CPU to input devices such as, for example, a touch screen segment
or physical button, a coin acceptor, a bill acceptor, a player
tracking card reader or a credit/debit card reader. The output
logic circuitry is employed to operably couple the CPU with output
devices such as, for example, a hopper, a video monitor, meter
displays, and a printer. The CPU is also operably coupled to
controlling software memory, which includes assigned memory
locations storing game software and system software. Such
controlling software memory dictates when selected graphics or
messages are displayed to a player, as well as when play sequences
begin and end and management of wager input and award output. The
CPU is also operably coupled to a second memory, which is employed
to store data indicative of game statistics, number of plays,
number of wins, etc. Controlling software memory, a second memory,
or other, ancillary memory store data indicative of winning
results, such as data representative of one or more symbol
combinations, including winning combinations. Second memory may
also be used, for example, to store a bit map of the symbol pattern
depicted as a matrix display on video monitor. In operation of the
gaming device the CPU carries out instructions of the system
software to implement an initial display pattern on the video
monitor and to enable the input devices. After a wager is received
a player activates an initiator element such as a handle, the
physical button or the touch screen to initiate a play sequence. At
this point, the game software, in conjunction with a random number
generator, generates a random symbol configuration at for a random
final outcome comprised of a pattern of symbols for depiction on
video monitor. System software then animates the video monitor by
simulating the movement of visible representations of symbol
carriers including symbols thereon so that the player perceives
symbol carrier rotational "movement" of each symbol carrier as well
as, optionally, rotational movement of the entire group of symbol
carriers about a common axis. Once the visible representations of
the symbol carriers have stopped, all of the generated, displayed
symbols comprising a winning combination or combinations in the
matrix display are identified or flagged. The displayed results
(pattern of symbols depicted on the video monitor, which may
include symbols received from a remote location, is compared with
data stored in game software representing winning combinations to
determine if any displayed combination on an active pay line is a
winning combination. Any identified winning combination or
combinations of symbols are then associated with winnings to be
distributed to the player according to a paytable of the game
software associated with the various possible winning combinations.
The various pay line configurations and required combinations of
the various indicia for a winning combination within each pay line
reside within the game software and are retrieved for comparison to
the randomly generated pattern of indicia depicted on the video
monitor.
[0005] Operation of another conventional computerized game is
described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,409,602 issued to Wiltshire et al. A
game program is executed on server/host computer. It is then
determined whether an image is to be displayed on a screen of a
client/terminal computer. If so, an image is sent from the
server/host computer to client/terminal computer. The image may
include any type of graphical information including a bitmap, a
JPEG file, a TIFF file or even an encoded audio/video stream such
as a compressed video MPEG stream. The image is generated by game
computer program and passed to server/host interface program. In
turn, the image is transferred over communication pathways to
client/terminal computer via the network services provided by
server operating system. The image is received by a client/terminal
program executing on the client/terminal computer via the network
services provided by client operating system. The client/terminal
program then causes the image to be displayed on a screen of the
client/terminal computer. It is then determined whether an input
command has been entered by the patron using the client/terminal
computer. The input command may be a keystroke, movement or
clicking of the mouse, a voice activated command or even the
clicking of a "virtual button" on a touch screen. The
client/terminal program causes the input command to be transmitted
back to server/host computer via communication pathways, again
using network services provided by the client operating system on
one end and server operating system on the other. The command is
thus received by the server/host interface program, that, in turn,
passes the command back to the game program. The game program
processes the input command and updates the state of the game
accordingly.
[0006] However, more complicated wagering processes need
communication and processing systems that are better suited for
implementing these more complicated wagering processes. Various
aspects of embodiments of the invention meet such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the
invention provide a communication and data processing system
constructed for a modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system.
[0008] In an embodiment, a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system includes an interactive controller
constructed to: generate a user interface of a wagering
application; generate a user interface of an interactive
application; combine the user interface of the wagering application
and the user interface of the interactive application into a
combined user interface displayed to a user; detect user
interactions with the combined user interface and communicate the
user interactions to an application controller; receive from the
application controller a wager outcome; and display to the user
using the wagering user interface of the combined user interface,
the wager outcome. The application controller operatively connects
the interactive controller to a wager controller, wherein the
application controller is constructed to: receive from the
interactive controller, the user interactions; detect a wagering
event from the user interactions; determine the wager outcome
responsive to the wagering event using the wager controller; and
communicate the wager event to the interactive controller.
[0009] In some embodiments, the interactive controller and the
application controller are constructed from the same device, and
the application controller is operatively connected to the wager
controller using a communication link.
[0010] In another embodiment, the wager controller and application
controller are constructed from the same device, and the
application controller is operatively connected to interactive
controller using a communication link.
[0011] In some embodiments, the modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system further includes an enclosure
constructed to mount: a user input device operatively connected to
the interactive controller; a user output device operatively
connected to the interactive controller; a credit input device
operatively connected to the wager controller; and a credit output
device operatively connected to the wager controller.
[0012] In various embodiments, the modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system further includes a random number
generator, wherein the wager controller is further constructed to:
communicate with the credit input device to receive a credit input,
the credit input for wagering to determine the wager outcome;
generate the wager outcome based on a random result generated by
the random number generator; and update a credit meter based on the
wager outcome.
[0013] In an embodiment of the invention, an application controller
operates as an interface between an interactive controller that
determines skill outcomes and a wager controller that determines
wager outcomes. By virtue of this feature, the wager controller is
isolated from the interactive controller allowing the interactive
controller to operate in an unregulated environment while allowing
the wager controller to operate in a regulated environment, thus
providing for more efficient management of the operations of such a
system.
[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, a single wager
controller may provide services to two or more interactive
controllers, thus allowing a modular interactive application
wagering system to operate more efficiently over a large range of
scaling.
[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, multiple types of
interactive controllers using different operating systems may be
interfaced to a single type of application controller without
requiring customization of the application controller and/or the
wager controller, thus improving the efficiency of the application
controller and/or the wager controller by reducing complexity
associated with maintaining separate application controllers and/or
wager controllers for each type of interactive controller.
[0016] In another embodiment of the invention, an interactive
controller may be provided as a user device under control of a user
while maintaining the application controller in an environment
under the control of a regulated operator of wagering equipment,
thus providing for a more economical system as the regulated
operator need not expend capital to purchase interactive
controllers.
[0017] In another embodiment of the invention, data communicated
between the controllers may be encrypted to increase security of
the modular interactive application wagering system.
[0018] In another embodiment of the invention, an application
controller isolates chance-based component logic and skill
proposition logic as unregulated logic from a regulated wager
controller, thus allowing errors in the skill proposition logic
and/or chance-based component logic to be corrected, new skill
proposition logic and/or chance-based component logic to be used,
or modifications to be made to the skill proposition logic and/or
chance-based component logic without a need for time-consuming
regulatory approval.
[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, an interactive
application may require extensive processing resources from an
interactive controller leaving few processing resources for the
functions performed by an application controller and/or a wager
controller. By virtue of an architecture of some embodiments of the
invention, processing loads may be distributed across multiple
devices such that operations of the interactive controller may be
dedicated to an interactive application and the processes of the
application controller and/or wager controller are not burdened by
the requirements of the interactive application.
[0020] In another embodiment of the invention, a modular
interactive application wagering system operates with its
components being distributed across multiple devices. These devices
can be connected by communication channels including, but not
limited to, local area networks, wide area networks, local
communication buses, and/or the like. The devices may communicate
using various types of protocols, including but not limited to,
networking protocols, device-to-device communications protocols,
and the like. In many such embodiments, one or more components of a
modular interactive application wagering system are distributed in
close proximity to each other and communicate using a local area
network and/or a communication bus. In several embodiments, an
interactive controller and an application controller of a modular
interactive application wagering system are in a common location.
In some embodiments, an application controller communicates with an
external interactive controller. In various embodiments, these
multiple controllers and sub-controllers can be constructed from or
configured using a single device or a plurality of devices such
that a modular interactive application wagering system is executed
as a system in a virtualized space such as, but not limited to,
where a wager controller and an application controller are large
scale centralized servers and are operatively connected to
distributed interactive controllers via a wide area network such as
the Internet or a local area network. In such embodiments, the
components of a modular interactive application wagering system may
communicate using a networking protocol or other type of
device-to-device communications protocol.
[0021] In another embodiment of the invention, an interactive
controller is an interactive server acting as a host for managing
head-to-head user interactions over a network of interactive
sub-controllers connected to the interactive server using a
communication link. The interactive server provides an environment
where users can compete directly with one another and interact with
other users.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a structure of a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system in accordance with various
embodiments of the invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of a wagering protocol of a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a user interface display overlay in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0025] FIGS. 4A and 4B are memory allocation diagrams for a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system in accordance
with various embodiments of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of an initialization protocol
for a modular interactive application interleaved wagering system
in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is another sequence diagram of an initialization
protocol for a modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a workflow diagram for a process of approving and
deploying an interactive application in accordance with various
embodiments of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of an installation protocol for
an interactive application in accordance with various embodiments
of the invention.
[0030] FIG. 9A is a diagram of a land-based configuration of a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0031] FIG. 9B is another diagram of a land-based configuration of
a modular interactive application interleaved wagering system in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 10A is a diagram of an interactive configuration of a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0033] FIG. 10B is a diagram of a mobile configuration of a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system in accordance
with various embodiments of the invention.
[0034] FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are illustrations of
interactive controllers of a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system in accordance with various embodiments
of the invention.
[0035] FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C are diagrams of distributed modular
interactive application interleaved wagering systems in accordance
with various embodiments of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a structure of an interactive
controller of a modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system in accordance with various embodiments of the
invention.
[0037] FIG. 14 is a diagram of a structure of an application
controller of a modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system in accordance with various embodiments of the
invention.
[0038] FIG. 15 is a diagram of a structure of wager controller of a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0039] FIG. 16 is a diagram of a structure of a session/user
management controller of a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system in accordance with various embodiments
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a structure of a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system in accordance with various
embodiments of the invention. A the modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system 100 includes an the interactive
controller 102, an the application controller 104, and a the wager
controller 106. Components of the interactive controller 102 are
operatively connected to, and communicate with, components of the
application controller 104 using an interactive controller to
application controller interface 103. Components of the application
controller 104 are operatively connected to, and communicate with,
components of the interactive controller 102 using the application
controller to interactive controller interface 105. Components of
the application controller 104 are operatively connected to, and
communicate with, components of the wager controller 106 using an
application controller to wager controller communication interface
107. Components of the wager controller 106 are operatively
connected to, and communicate with components of the application
controller 104, using a wager controller to application controller
interface 109.
[0041] In some embodiments, components of the application
controller 104 are operatively connected to, and communicate with,
components of a session/user management controller 140 using an
application controller to session/user management controller
interface 111. In addition, components of the session/user
management controller 140 are operatively connected to, and
communicate with components of the application controller 104 using
a session/user management controller to application controller
interface 113.
[0042] The modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system 100 interleaves wagering with non-wagering processes. In
some embodiments of the modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system 100, an the interactive application 116 executed by
the interactive controller 102 provide non-wagering components of
the modular interactive application interleaved wagering system
100. The interactive controller 102 is operatively connected to the
application controller 104 and the application controller 104
instructs and configures the interactive application 116 of the
interactive controller 102 and determines when wagers should be
interleaved with the processes of the interactive application 116.
The application controller 104 is further operatively connected to
the wager controller 106 and the wager controller 106 provides one
or more wagering propositions for one or more wagers.
[0043] In some embodiments, the interactive application 116
controls one or more interactive user interface(s) 126 that utilize
user input and output devices of the interactive controller 102. A
wagering application executed on the interactive controller 102
generates a wagering user interface 136 that is used to display
data about a wagering process, including but not limited a wager
outcome of a wager made in accordance with a wagering proposition.
Content of the wagering user interface 136 is controlled by the
application controller 104 and includes content provided by the
wager controller 106. In many embodiments, the wagering application
is included in an application control layer 131 of the interactive
application 102.
[0044] In many embodiments, the wagering application is a component
of the interactive application.
[0045] In several embodiments, a user, or the user's interactions
with the interactive application 116, are represented in the
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system 100 by
an electronic representation of the interactions between the user
and the interactive application 116, typically received via
interactive user interface(s) 126 of the interactive application
116.
[0046] Many different types of interactive applications may be
utilized with the modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system 100. In some embodiments, the interactive
application 116 reacts to the physical activity of the user. In
these embodiments, the user interacts with the interactive
application 116 through one or more sensors that monitor the user's
physical activities and communicate sensor signals to the
interactive application 116. Such sensors may include, but are not
limited to, physiological sensors that monitor the physiology of
the user, environmental sensors that monitor the physical
environment of the location of the user, accelerometers that
monitor changes in motion of the user, and location sensors 134
that monitor a location of the user such as global positioning
sensors or the like.
[0047] In some embodiments, the interactive application 116
includes one or more skill-based interactive games that are played
by the user.
[0048] In some embodiments, the interactive application 116
includes a tool used by the user to achieve some useful goal.
[0049] In operation, a user interacts with the interactive
application 116 using various types of elements of the interactive
application 116 in an interactive application environment. Elements
are interactive application resources utilized by the user within
the interactive application environment to provide an interactive
experience for the user. Wagers of credits are made in accordance
with a wagering proposition as triggered by the user's use of one
or more of the elements of the interactive application 116. Wager
outcomes of wagers of credits made in accordance with the wagering
proposition can cause consumption, loss or accrual of credits.
[0050] In accordance with some embodiments, wager outcomes of
wagering events can influence elements in the interactive
application 116 such as, but not limited to, providing one or more
new elements, restoring one or more consumed elements, causing the
loss of one or more elements, and restoration or placement of one
or more fixed elements.
[0051] In various embodiments, the wagers may be made using one or
more credits (Cr).
[0052] In some embodiments, Cr can be one or more credits that are
purchased using, and redeemed in, a real world currency having a
real world value.
[0053] In many embodiments, Cr can be one or more credits in a
virtual currency. Virtual currency is an alternate currency that
can be acquired, purchased or transferred by or to a user, but does
not necessarily directly correlate to a real world currency. In
many such embodiments, Cr in a virtual currency are allowed to be
purchased using a real world currency but are prevented from being
redeemed in a real world currency having a real world value. In
other such embodiments, Cr in a virtual currency is provided to the
user without receiving compensation from the user, and the user may
be able to exchange the Cr for value such as a physical item,
services, or real world currency.
[0054] In several embodiments, during interaction with an
interactive application using the elements, a user can optionally
consume and/or accrue application credit (AC) within the
interactive application as a result of the user's use of the
interactive application 116. AC can be in the form of, but is not
limited to, application credits, experience points, game world
credit in an interactive game, and/or user points.
[0055] In various embodiments, when the interactive application 116
is a skill-based interactive game, AC is awarded to a player of the
skill-based interactive game on the basis of the player's skillful
play of the skill-based interactive game. In such embodiments, AC
may be analogous to the score in a video game. The skill-based
interactive game can have one or more scoring criteria, utilized by
the application controller 104 and/or the interactive controller
102 that executes the skill-based interactive game, that reflect
user performance against one or more goals of the skill-based
interactive game.
[0056] In many embodiments, AC can be used to purchase
in-application items, including but not limited to, application
elements that have particular properties, power ups for existing
items, and other item enhancements.
[0057] In some embodiments, AC may be used to earn entrance into a
sweepstakes drawing, to earn entrance in a tournament with prizes,
to score in the tournament, and/or to participate and/or score in a
game event.
[0058] In several embodiments, AC can be stored on a user-tracking
card or in a network-based user tracking system where the AC is
attributed to a specific user.
[0059] In many embodiments, a wagering proposition includes a wager
of AC for a wager outcome of a randomly generated payout of
interactive application AC, elements, and/or objects in accordance
with a wagering proposition.
[0060] In a number of embodiments, a wager of an amount of Cr
results in a wager outcome of a payout of AC, elements, and/or
objects that have a Cr value if exchanged for an amount of real
world currency.
[0061] In some embodiments, in a case that the interactive
application 116 is a skill-based interactive game, interactive
application objects include in-application objects that may be used
by a player of the skill-based interactive game to enhance the
player's gameplay of the skill-based interactive game. Such objects
include, but are not limited to, power-ups, enhanced in-application
items, and the like. In some embodiments, interactive application
objects include objects that are detrimental to the player's play
of the skill-based interactive game such as, but not limited to,
obstructions in the game space, a temporary player handicap, an
enhanced opponent, and the like.
[0062] In some embodiments, elements in the interactive application
116 include, but are not limited to, enabling elements (EE) that
are interactive application resources utilized during the user's
use of the interactive application 116 and whose utilization by the
user while using the interactive application 116 triggers execution
of a wager in accordance with a wagering proposition. In many
embodiments, elements in the interactive application 116 include,
but are not limited to, a reserve enabling element (REE), that is
an element that converts into one or more enabling elements upon
occurrence of a release event during an interactive user session.
In yet more embodiments, elements in the interactive application
116 include, but are not limited to, an actionable element (AE)
that is an element that is acted upon during use of the interactive
application 116 to trigger a wager in accordance with a wagering
proposition and may or may not be restorable during normal play of
the interactive application 116. In yet another embodiment,
elements in the interactive application 116 include, but are not
limited to, a common enabling element (CEE) that is an element that
may be shared by two or more users and causes a wagering event and
associated wager to be triggered in accordance with the wagering
proposition when used by one of the users during use of the
interactive application 116. In some embodiments, in progressing
through the interactive application 116 use, a user can utilize
elements during interactions with a controlled entity (CE). A CE is
a character, entity, inanimate object, device or other object under
control of a user.
[0063] In accordance with some embodiments of the modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system 100, the
triggering of the wagering event and/or wager can be dependent upon
an interactive application environment variable such as, but not
limited to, a required object (RO), a required environmental
condition (REC), or a controlled entity characteristic (CEC). A RO
is a specific interactive application object in the interactive
application 116 acted upon for an AE to be completed. A
non-limiting example of an RO is a specific key needed to open a
door. An REC is an interactive application state present within the
interactive application 116 for an AE to be completed. A
non-limiting example of an REC is daylight whose presence enables a
character to walk through woods. A CEC is a status of the CE within
the interactive application 116 for an AE to be completed. A
non-limiting example of a CEC is requirement that a CE have full
health points before entering battle. Although various interactive
application resources such as, but not limited to, the types of
interactive application elements as discussed herein may be used to
trigger a wager in accordance with a wagering proposition, one
skilled in the art will recognize that any interactive application
resource can be utilized in a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system to trigger a wager as appropriate to
the specification of a specific application in accordance with
various embodiments of the invention.
[0064] In several embodiments, the modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system 100 can utilize the application
controller 104 to monitor use of the interactive application 116
executing on the interactive controller 102 for detection of a
wagering event. When the application controller 104 detects a
wagering event, the application controller 104 generates a trigger
in accordance with at least one wagering event occurrence rule. The
trigger of the wagering event can be communicated by the
application controller 104 to the wager controller 106. In response
to receiving the trigger, the wager controller 106 executes a wager
in accordance with a wagering proposition. In addition, use of the
interactive application 116 in the modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system 100 can be modified by the application
controller 104 based upon a wager outcome of the wager as executed
by the wager controller 106.
[0065] In many embodiments, a wagering event occurrence can be
detected by the application controller 104 by scanning interactive
application telemetry data 120 communicated by the interactive
controller 102 to the application controller 104.
[0066] In several embodiments, a wagering event occurrence can be
detected from a value of one or more application environment
variables within the interactive application 116 that are used to
generate a trigger a wager and/or associated wager in accordance
with a wagering proposition. Application environment variables can
include, but are not limited to, passage of a period of time during
the interactive application 116 use, a result from a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system interactive
application user session (such as, but not limited to, achieving a
goal or a particular score), a user action that is a consumption of
an element, or a user action that achieves a combination of
elements to be associated with a user profile.
[0067] In numerous embodiments, an interactive application
instruction is an instruction to the interactive controller 102
and/or the interactive application 116 to modify the interactive
application 116 application state or modify one or more interactive
application resources of the interactive application 116. In some
embodiments, one or more interactive application instructions may
be generated by the application controller 104 based upon one or
more of a wager outcome and application environment variables. An
interactive application instruction can modify any aspect of the
interactive application 116, such as, but not limited to, an
addition of a period of time available for a current interactive
application user session for interactive application of modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system, an addition of
a period of time available for a future modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system interactive application
user session or any other modification to interactive application
elements that can be utilized during the interactive application
116 use. In some embodiments, an interactive application
instruction can modify a type of element whose consumption triggers
a wagering event occurrence. In many embodiments, an interactive
application instruction can modify a type of element whose
consumption is not required in a wagering event occurrence.
[0068] In some embodiments, a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system including an application controller
operatively connected to a wager controller and operatively
connected to an interactive controller may provide for interleaving
wagering outcomes into entertainment content of an interactive
application. The modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system provides for random wager outcomes in accordance
with a wagering proposition that are independent of user skill
while providing an interactive experience to the user that may be
shaped by the user's skill.
[0069] In several embodiments, the application controller 104 may
provide for a communications interface for asynchronous
communications between the wager controller 106 and the interactive
application 116 executing on the interactive controller 102, by
operatively connecting the interactive controller 102, and thus
interactive controller's 102 the interactive application 116, with
the wager controller 106. In some embodiments, asynchronous
communications provided for by the modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system 100 may reduce an amount of idle
waiting time by the interactive controller 102, thus increasing an
amount of processing resources that the interactive controller 102
may provide to the interactive application 116 or other processes
of the interactive controller 102. In many embodiments,
asynchronous communications provided for by the modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system 100 reduces an amount of
idle waiting time by the wager controller 106, thus increasing an
amount of processing resources that the wager controller 106 may
provide to execution of wagers to determine wager outcomes, and
other processes provided by the wager controller 106. In some
embodiments, the wager controller 106 may be operatively connected
to a plurality of interactive controllers through one or more
application controllers and the asynchronous communications
provided for by the one or more application controllers allows the
wager controller 106 to operate more efficiently and provide wager
outcomes to a larger number of interactive controllers than would
be achievable without the one or more application controllers.
[0070] In some embodiments, a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system including an application controller
operatively connected to a wager controller and operatively
connected to an interactive controller may provide for simplified
communication protocols for communications of the interactive
controller as the interactive controller may communicate user
interactions with the interactive application executing one the
interactive controller to the application controller without regard
to a nature of a wagering proposition to be interleaved with
processes of the interactive application.
[0071] In various embodiments, a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system including an application controller
operatively connected to a wager controller and operatively
connected to an interactive controller may provide for simplified
communication protocols for communications of the wager controller
as the wager controller 106 may receive wager requests, execute
wagers, and communicate wager outcomes without regard to a nature
of the interactive application provided by the interactive
controller.
[0072] In several embodiments, a wager controller is a controller
for providing one or more wagering propositions provided by a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system and
executes wagers in accordance with the wagering propositions. Types
of value wagered can be one or more of several different types.
Types of value of a wager can include, but are not limited to, a
wager of an amount of Cr corresponding to a real currency or a
virtual currency, a wager of an amount of AC earned by a user
through use of an interactive application, a wager of an amount of
elements of the interactive application, and a wager of an amount
of objects used in the interactive application. A wager outcome
determined for a wager in accordance with a wagering proposition
can increase or decrease an amount of the type of value used in the
wager, such as, but not limited to, increasing an amount of Cr for
a wager of Cr. In various embodiments, a wager outcome determined
for a wager in accordance with a wagering proposition can increase
or decrease an amount of a type of value that is different than a
type of value of the wager, such as, but not limited to, increasing
an amount of an object of an interactive application for a wager of
Cr.
[0073] In many embodiments, the wager controller 106 includes one
or more pseudo random or random number generators (P/RNG) 108 for
generating random results, one or more paytables 110 for
determining a wager outcome from the random results, and one or
more credit or value meters 112 for storing amounts of wagered and
won credits. In operation, the wager controller 106 receives wager
instruction data 147 from the application controller 104 via
interfaces 107 and 109. The wager controller uses a wagering
subcontroller 150 to execute a wager. The wagering subcontroller
debits credits from a meter of the one or more meters 112, reads a
pseudo random or random number from the one or more P/RNGs 108,
reads a paytable from the one or more paytables 110, determines a
wagering outcome using the pseudo random or random number and the
paytable,
[0074] The P/RNG generator(s) 108 execute processes that generate
random or pseudo random results. The paytable(s) 110 are tables
used in conjunction with the random or pseudo random results to
determine a wager outcome including an amount of Cr, AC, elements
or objects won as a function of modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system use. There can be one or more paytables
110 in the wager controller 106. The paytable(s) 110 are used to
implement one or more wagering propositions in conjunction with a
random output of the P/RNG generator(s) 108. In some embodiments,
selection of a paytable to use to execute a wager can be based on
factors including, but not limited to, interactive application
progress a user has achieved through use of an interactive
application, user identification, and eligibility of the user for
bonus rounds.
[0075] In various embodiments, the interactive controller 102
provides an execution environment for a wagering application and
the one or more interactive applications 116. The interactive
controller 102 also provides user input devices (such as, but not
limited to, keypads, keyboards, touchscreens, motion sensors, and
the like) and output devices (such as, but not limited to, audio
output devices, video screens, actuators, and the like) for
interacting with a user. The interactive controller 102 provides
for user interactions with the interactive application 116 and the
wagering application by receiving input from a user through the
user input devices and providing outputs using the user output
devices.
[0076] The interactive controller 102 is operatively connected to,
and communicates with, the application controller 104. The
interactive controller 102 communicates, using interactive
controller to application controller interface 103, application
telemetry data 120 to the application controller 104, and receives,
using interactive controller to application controller interface
103, interactive application instruction and resource data 122 from
the application controller 104.
[0077] The interactive controller 102 also receives, using
interactive controller to application controller interface 103,
wagering application instruction and resource data 124 from the
application controller 104. Through the communication of
application instructions and resources 122 and 124, the application
controller 104 can communicate certain application resources
including control parameters to a wagering application controlling
wagering user interface 136 and the interactive application 116 to
affect wagering application and interactive application execution
within an execution environment provided by the interactive
controller 102.
[0078] In some embodiments, the interactive application 116
generates and utilizes one or more respective interactive user
interface(s) 126 for presentation to a user using user input and
user output devices 118. Interactive user interface(s) 126 may
include audio features, visual features or tactile features, or any
combination of these features. Interactive user interface(s) 126
further include one or more human input devices interfaces that
communicate with one or more human input devices that a user can
use to interact with the interactive application 116. Interactive
application telemetry data 120 are communicated by the interactive
application 116 to the application controller 104.
[0079] In some embodiments, an administrative application utilizes
location signals 138 received from location sensor(s) 134 to
determine location data of the interactive controller 102, and thus
the user. Such location data may be communicated by the
administrative application to the application controller 104 as
administrative telemetry data 127 communicated to the session/user
management controller 140 via interactive controller to
session/user management controller interface 129 and session/user
management controller to interactive controller interface 123. In
various embodiments, the administrative application receives from a
user, using the administrative user interface 139, user and session
administrative data for configuring a user profile and a session,
respectively. The user and session administrative data is
communicated by the interactive controller 102 to the session/user
management controller 140 as part of the administrative telemetry
data 127 via interfaces 129 and 123. The session/user management
controller 140 in turn generates session control data 133 that is
communicated to the interactive controller 102 and used by the
administrative application to configure the interactive controller
102 and/or the execution of the interactive application 116. In
many embodiments, the administrative application is included in the
application control layer 131 of the interactive controller
102.
[0080] In various embodiments, an administrative application
functions as a browser client and communicates with a session/user
management controller using an Internet protocol.
[0081] In some embodiments, execution of the interactive
application 116 by the interactive controller 102 communicates user
interactions with the interactive application 116 to the
application controller 104 as part of application telemetry data
120. The user interactions include, but are not limited to, the
user's utilization of the elements in the interactive application
116.
[0082] In some embodiments, the interactive application 116 is a
skill-based interactive game. In such embodiments, execution of the
skill-based interactive game by the interactive controller 102 is
based on the user's skillful play of the skill-based interactive
game. The interactive controller 102 can also communicate user
choices made in the skill-based interactive game to the application
controller 104 included in the application telemetry data 120 such
as, but not limited to, the user's utilization of the elements of
the skill-based interactive game during the user's skillful play of
the skill-based interactive game. In such an embodiment,
application controller 102 is interfaced to the interactive
controller 102 in order to allow the coupling of the skill-based
interactive game to wagers made in accordance with a wagering
proposition.
[0083] In some embodiments, the interactive controller 102 includes
one or more sensors 134 that sense various aspects of the physical
environment of the interactive controller 102. Examples of sensors
include, but are not limited to: global positioning sensors (GPSs)
for sensing communications from a GPS system to determine a
position or location of the interactive controller 102; temperature
sensors; accelerometers; pressure sensors; and the like. Sensor
telemetry data 138 may be communicated by the interactive
controller 102 to the application controller 104 as part of
application telemetry data 120 or administrative telemetry data
127. The application controller 104 receives the sensor telemetry
data 138 from the interactive controller and can and use the sensor
telemetry data 138 to make wagering decisions.
[0084] In many embodiments, the application controller 104 provides
an interface between the interactive application 116 executing on
the interactive controller 102 and a wagering proposition provided
by the wager controller 106.
[0085] In some embodiments, the application controller 104 includes
an application controller to session/user management controller
interface 111 to the session/user management controller 140, and
the session/user management controller 140 includes a session/user
management controller to application controller interface 113, for
communication of data between the application controller 104 and
the session/user management controller 140, including but not
limited to session control data 142 from session/user management
controller 140 to the application controller 104 and session
telemetry data 145 from the application controller 104 to
session/user management controller 140.
[0086] The application controller 104 includes a rule-based
decision subcontroller 144 that receives telemetry data, such as
application telemetry data 120 and sensor telemetry data 138
included in application telemetry data 120, from the interactive
controller 102. The rule-based decision subcontroller 144 uses the
telemetry data, along with wager instruction logic 146, to
determine whether or not to trigger a wager and generates wager
instruction data 147. The application controller 104 communicates,
using the application controller to wager controller communication
interface 107, the wager instruction data 147 to the wager
controller 106 to instruct the wager controller 106 to execute a
wager. The wager controller 106 receives, using the wager
controller to application controller interface 109, the wager
execution instruction data 147 and executes a wager in accordance
with wager execution instructions included in the wager execution
instruction data 147.
[0087] In some embodiments, the application telemetry data 120
includes, but is not limited to, application environment variable
data that indicates a state of the interactive application 116
executed by the interactive controller 102, interactive controller
data indicating a state of the interactive controller 102, and
interaction data of interactions between a user and the interactive
application 116 executing on the interactive controller 102. Wager
execution instruction data 147 may include, but are not limited to,
an amount and type of a wager, a trigger of the wager, and a
selection of a paytable 108 to be used when executing the
wager.
[0088] In some embodiments, the wager controller 106 communicates,
using interface 109, wager outcome data 152 to the application
controller 104. The application controller 104 receives wager
outcome data 152 using interface 107, and the rule-based decision
subcontroller 144 uses the wager outcome data 152, in conjunction
with the telemetry data 120 and the interactive instruction logic
154, to determine interactive application instructions and
interactive application resources to be provided to the interactive
application 116 and generate interactive application instruction
and interactive application resource decision data 155 that is
communicated to an interactive application resource and instruction
generator 156. The interactive application resource and instruction
generator 156 uses the interactive application instruction and
interactive application resource decision data 155 to generate
interactive application instruction and resource data 122 for the
management of the interactive application 116. The application
controller 104 communicates, using interface 105, the interactive
application instruction and resource data 122 to the interactive
controller 102.
[0089] In some embodiments, wager outcome data 152 includes game
state data about execution of a gambling game that underlies a
wagering proposition, including but not limited to a final state,
an intermediate state and/or a beginning state of the gambling
game. For example: in a gambling game that is a slot math-based
game, the final state of the gambling game may be final reel
positions, an intermediate state may include spinning reels, and a
beginning state may be an initial reel positions; in a gambling
game that is a roulette wheel-based game, the final state may be a
pocket of a roulette wheel where a ball may have come to rest, an
intermediate state may be that the ball is circling a spinning
roulette wheel, and a beginning state may be a spinning roulette
wheel; in a gambling game that is a card-based game, the beginning,
intermediate and final states may represent a sequence of play of
cards, etc.
[0090] In many embodiments, the application controller 104 includes
a pseudo random or random result generator used to generate random
results that are communicated to application resource generator
156. Application resource generator 156 uses the random results to
generate the application instruction and application resource data
122 used by the application controller 104 to instruct the
interactive application 116.
[0091] In various embodiments, the rule-based decision
subcontroller 144 also determines an amount of AC to award to a
user based at least in part on the user's use of the interactive
application 116 as determined from application telemetry data 120.
In some embodiments, the wager outcome data 152 may also be used to
determine an amount of AC that should be awarded to a user.
[0092] In numerous embodiments, the interactive application 116 is
a skill-based interactive game and AC is awarded to the user for
the user's skillful play of the skill-based interactive game.
[0093] In some embodiments, the wager outcome data 152 are
communicated to a wagering user interface instruction generator
158. The wagering user interface instruction generator 158 receives
the wager outcome data 152 and generates wagering application
instruction and resource data 124. The wagering application
instruction and resource data 124 are communicated by the
application controller 104 to the interactive controller 102, using
interface 105.
[0094] A wagering application receives, using interface 103, the
wagering application instruction and resource data 124. The
wagering application uses the wagering application instruction and
resource data 124 to generate the wagering user interface 136 that
describes a state of wagering and credit accumulation and loss for
the modular interactive application interleaved wagering system
100. In some embodiments, the wagering application instruction and
resource data 124 may include, but are not limited to, amounts of
AC and interactive application elements earned, lost or accumulated
by the user through use of the interactive application 116 as
determined from a user's interactions with the interactive
application 116, and Cr amounts won, lost or accumulated as
determined from wager outcome data 152 and one or more meters
112.
[0095] In some embodiments, wager outcome data 152 also includes
game state data of a gambling game executed in accordance with a
wagering proposition by the wager controller 106. In various such
embodiments, wagering user interface instruction generator 158
generates gambling game process display data and/or gambling game
state display data using the game state data of the gambling game.
The gambling game process display data and/or gambling game state
display data is included in the wagering application instruction
and resource data 124 that is communicated to the interactive
controller 102. The gambling game process display data and/or a
gambling game state display data is displayed in the wagering user
interface 136 to a user by the wagering application.
[0096] In many applications, the administrative user interface 139,
the wagering user interface 136 and interactive user interface 126
are included in a combined user interface 148 of the interactive
controller 102.
[0097] The application controller 104 can further operatively
connect, using interfaces 107 and 109, with the wager controller
106 and request wagering data from the wager controller 106. The
wagering data may include, but is not limited to, an amount of Cr
available for wagering in meter(s) 112, and one or more of
paytable(s) 110 corresponding to one or more wagering propositions.
The wager instruction generator 148 may use the wagering data when
generating wager instruction data 147 to affect a wagering
proposition of the wager controller 106. Such an affect can
include, but is not limited to, affecting an amount of Cr in play
for participation in wagering events of a gambling game provided by
the wager controller 106, selecting a paytable to use in the
wagering proposition, etc. The application controller 104 may
additionally include various audit logs and activity meters.
[0098] In some embodiments, the wager controller 106 can also
couple, using interface 115 and interface 117, to the session/user
management controller 140 to exchange session telemetry data 119
and session control data 121, related to a user and activities of
the user during the user's use of the modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system 100.
[0099] In many embodiments, one or more users can be engaged in
using the interactive application 116 executed by the interactive
controller 102. In various embodiments, a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system can include an interactive
application that provides a skill-based interactive game that
includes head-to-head play between a single user and a computing
device, between two or more users against one another, or multiple
users playing against a computer device and/or each other. In some
embodiments, the interactive application 116 can be a skill-based
interactive game where the user is not skillfully playing against
the computer or any other user such as skill-based interactive
games where the user is effectively skillfully playing against
himself or herself.
[0100] In some embodiments, the operation of the application
controller 104 does not affect the provision of a wagering
proposition by the wager controller 106 except for user choice
parameters that are allowable in accordance with the wagering
proposition. Examples of user choice parameters include, but are
not limited to: wager terms such as but not limited to a wager
amount; speed of game play (for example, by pressing a button or
pulling a handle of a slot machine); and/or agreement to wager into
a bonus round.
[0101] In various embodiments, wager outcome data 152 communicated
from the wager controller 106 can also be used to convey a status
operation of the wager controller 106.
[0102] In a number of embodiments, communication of wager
instruction data 147 between the wager controller 106 and the
application controller 104 can further be used to communicate
various wagering control factors that the wager controller 106 uses
as input. Examples of wagering control factors include, but are not
limited to, an amount of Cr, AC, elements, or objects consumed per
wagering event, and/or the user's election to enter a jackpot
round.
[0103] In some embodiments, the application controller 104 utilizes
wagering user interface instruction generator 158 to generate
wagering user interface instruction data 124 for communication to,
and use by, a wagering application to display interactive
application data to a user, including but not limited to, club
points, user status, control of the selection of choices, and
messages which a user may find useful in order to adjust
interactive application experience.
[0104] In some embodiments, the application controller 104 utilizes
wagering user interface instruction generator 158 to generate
wagering user interface instruction data 124 for communication to,
and use by, a wagering application to display aspects of a wagering
proposition to a user including, but not limited to, odds of
certain wager outcomes, an amount of Cr, AC, interactive
application elements or objects in play, and amounts of Cr, AC,
interactive application elements or objects available.
[0105] In a number of embodiments, the wager controller 106 can
accept wager proposition factor data from the application
controller 104 using interface 107 and interface 109. The wager
proposition factor data may include, but is not limited to,
modifications in an amount of Cr, AC, interactive application
elements or objects wagered on each individual wagering event, a
number of wagering events per minute the wager controller 106 can
resolve, entrance into a bonus round, and other factors. An example
of a varying wager amount that a user can choose can include, but
is not limited to, using a more difficult interactive application
level associated with an amount of a wager. These factors can
increase or decrease an amount wagered per individual wagering
proposition in the same manner that a standard slot machine player
can decide to wager more or less credits for each pull of the
handle.
[0106] In several embodiments, the wager controller 106 can
communicate a number of factors back and forth to the application
controller 104, via interfaces 107 and 109, such that an
increase/decrease in a wagered amount can be related to the change
in user profile of a user of the interactive application 116. In
this manner, a user can control a wager amount per wagering event
in accordance with a wagering proposition with a change in mapping
to a parameter or component that is applicable to an interactive
application experience.
[0107] In some embodiments, the session/user management controller
140 is used to authorize a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system user session. The session/user
management controller receives, using interface 111 and interface
113, session telemetry data 145, that may include, but is not
limited to, user, interactive controller, application controller
and wager controller data from the application controller 104. The
session/user management controller 140 uses the user, interactive
controller, application controller and wager controller data to
regulate a modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system user session. In some embodiments, session/user management
controller 140 may also assert control of a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system game user session using
session control data 142. Such control data may include, but is not
limited to, instructions to end a user session, instructions to
initiate wagering in a user session, instructions to end wagering
during a user session but not ending a user's use of the
interactive application 116, and instructions to change wagering
from real credit wagering to virtual credit wagering, or vice
versa.
[0108] In many embodiments, the session/user management controller
140 manages user profiles for a plurality of users. The
session/user management controller 140 stores and manages data
about users in order to provide authentication and authorization of
users of the modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system 100. In some embodiments, the session/user management
controller 140 also manages geolocation information to ensure that
the modular interactive application interleaved wagering system 100
is only used by users in jurisdictions were gaming is approved. In
various embodiments, the session/user management controller 140
stores application credits that are associated with the user's use
of interactive application of the modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system 100.
[0109] In various embodiments, an application controller operates
as an interface between an interactive controller and a wager
controller. By virtue of this construction, the wager controller is
isolated from the interactive controller allowing the interactive
controller to operate in an unregulated environment while allowing
the wager controller to operate in a regulated environment.
[0110] In some embodiments, a single wager controller may provide
services to two or more interactive controllers and/or two or more
application controllers, thus allowing a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system to operate over a large
range of scaling.
[0111] In various embodiments, multiple types of interactive
controllers using different operating systems may be interfaced to
a single type of application controller and/or wager controller
without requiring customization of application controller and/or
the wager controller.
[0112] In many embodiments, an interactive controller may be
provided as a user device under control of a user while maintaining
the wager controller in an environment under the control of a
regulated operator of wagering equipment.
[0113] In several embodiments, data communicated between the
controllers may be encrypted to increase security of the modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system.
[0114] In some embodiments, an application controller isolates
trigger logic and application logic as unregulated logic from a
regulated wager controller, thus allowing errors in the application
logic and/or trigger logic to be corrected, new application logic
and/or trigger logic to be used, or modifications to be made to the
application logic and/or trigger logic without a need for
regulatory approval.
[0115] In various embodiments, an interactive application may
require extensive processing resources from an interactive
controller leaving few processing resources for the functions
performed by an application controller and/or a wager controller.
By virtue of the architecture described herein, processing loads
may be distributed across multiple devices such that operations of
interactive controller may be dedicated to interactive application
and the processes of application controller and/or wager controller
are not burdened by the requirements of interactive
application.
[0116] In many embodiments, a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system operates with its components being
distributed across multiple devices. These devices can be connected
by communication channels including, but not limited to, local area
networks, wide area networks, local communication buses, and/or the
like. The devices may communicate using various types of protocols,
including but not limited to, networking protocols,
device-to-device communications protocols, and the like.
[0117] In some embodiments, one or more components of a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system are distributed
in close proximity to each other and communicate using a local area
network and/or a communication bus. In several embodiments, an
interactive controller and an application controller of a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system are in a common
location and communicate with an external wager controller. In some
embodiments, an application controller and a wager controller of a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system are in
a common location and communicate with an external interactive
controller. In many embodiments, an interactive controller, an
application controller, and a wager controller of a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system are located in
a common location. In some embodiments, a session/user management
controller is located in a common location with an application
controller and/or a wager controller.
[0118] In various embodiments, multiple devices of a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system can be
constructed from or configured using a single server or a plurality
of servers such that a modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system is executed as a system in a virtualized space such
as, but not limited to, where a wager controller and an application
controller are large scale centralized servers in the cloud
operatively connected to widely distributed interactive controllers
via a wide area network such as the Internet or a local area
network. In such embodiments, the components of a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system may communicate
using a networking protocol or other type of device-to-device
communications protocol.
[0119] In many embodiments, a centralized wager controller is
operatively connected to, and communicates with, one or more
application controllers using a communication link. The centralized
wager controller can generate wager outcomes for wagers in
accordance with one or more wagering propositions. The centralized
wager controller can execute a number of simultaneous or
pseudo-simultaneous wagers in order to generate wager outcomes for
a variety of wagering propositions that one or more distributed
modular interactive application interleaved wagering systems can
use.
[0120] In several embodiments, a centralized application controller
is operatively connected to one or more interactive controllers and
one or more wager controllers using a communication link. The
centralized application controller can perform the functionality of
an application controller across various modular interactive
application interleaved wagering systems.
[0121] In a variety of embodiments, management of user profile data
can be performed by a session/user management controller
operatively connected to, and communicating with, one or more
application controllers, wager controllers and interactive
controllers using a communication link. A session/user management
controller can manage data related to a user profile. The managed
data in the user profile may include, but is not limited to, data
concerning controlled entities (characters) in interactive
application use, user performance metrics for a type or class of
interactive application, interactive application elements acquired
by a user; Cr and AC associated with a particular user, and
tournament reservations.
[0122] Although a session/user management controller is discussed
as being separate from an application controller server, a
centralized application controller server may also perform the
functions of a session/user management controller in some
embodiments.
[0123] In numerous embodiments, an interactive application server
provides a host for managing head-to-head play operating over a
network of interactive controllers connected to interactive
application server using a communication link. Such an interactive
application server provides an environment where users can compete
directly with one another and interact with other users.
[0124] Processing devices connected using a communication link to
construct modular interactive application interleaved wagering
systems in accordance with many embodiments of the invention can
communicate with each other to provide services utilized by a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system. In
several embodiments, a wager controller can communicate with an
application controller using a communication link. In some
embodiments, the wager controller can communicate with an
application controller to communicate any type of data as
appropriate for a specific application. Examples of the data that
may be communicated include, but are not limited to, data used to
configure the various simultaneous or pseudo simultaneous wager
controllers executing in parallel within the wager controller to
accomplish modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system functionalities; data used to determine metrics of wager
controller performance such as wagers run and/or wager outcomes for
tracking system performance; data used to perform audits and/or
provide operator reports; and data used to request the results of a
wager outcome for use in one or more function(s) operating within
application controller such as, but not limited to, automatic
drawings for prizes that are a function of interactive controller
performance.
[0125] In several embodiments, an application controller can
communicate with an interactive application server using a
communication link when interactive application server is also
communicating with one or more interactive controllers using a
communication link. An application controller can communicate with
an interactive application server to communicate any type of data
as appropriate for a specific application. The data that may be
communicated between an application controller and an interactive
application server includes, but is not limited to, the data for
management of an interactive application server by an application
controller server during a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system tournament. In an example embodiment,
an application controller may not be aware of the relationship of
application controller to the rest of a tournament since the actual
tournament play may be managed by interactive application server.
Therefore, management of a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system can include, but is not limited to
tasks including, but not limited to, conducting tournaments
according to system programming that can be coordinated by an
operator of the modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system; allowing entry of a particular user into a
tournament; communicating the number of users in a tournament; and
the status of the tournament (such as, but not limited to the
amount of surviving users, the status of each surviving user within
the game, and time remaining on the tournament); communicating the
performance of users within the tournament; communicating the
scores of the various users in the tournament; and providing a
synchronizing link to connect application controllers in a
tournament with their respective interactive controllers.
[0126] In several embodiments, an application controller can
communicate with a session/user management controller using a
communication link. An application controller can communicate with
a session/user management controller to communicate any type of
data as appropriate for a specific application. Examples of data
communicated between an application controller and a session/user
management controller include, but are not limited to, data for
configuring tournaments according to system programming conducted
by an operator of a modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system; data for exchange of data used to link a user's
user profile to an ability to participate in various forms of
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system
use(such as but not limited to the difficulty of play set by
application controller server for an interactive application that
is a skill-based interactive game); data for determining a user's
ability to participate in a tournament as a function of a user's
characteristics (such as but not limited to a user's prowess or
other metrics used for tournament screening); data for configuring
application controller and interactive controller performance to
suit preferences of a user on a particular modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system; and data for determining a
user's use and wagering performance for the purposes of marketing
intelligence; and data for logging secondary drawing awards,
tournament prizes, Cr and/or AC into the user profile.
[0127] In many embodiments, a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system can be distributed across one or more
processing devices, with the actual location of where various
process are executed being located either on an end device
(session/user management controller, wager controller, application
controller, interactive controller), on servers (session/user
management controller, wager controller, application controller, or
interactive application server), or a combination of both end
devices and servers. In a number of embodiments, certain functions
of a wager controller, application controller, and/or interactive
application server can operate on a local wager controller, local
application controller and/or local interactive controller used to
construct a modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system being provided locally on a device. In some embodiments, a
controller or server can be part of a server system including
multiple servers, where applications can be run on one or more
physical devices. Similarly, in particular embodiments, multiple
servers can be combined on a single physical device.
[0128] In many embodiments, a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system can be distributed across one or more
processing devices that are in close proximity to each other, such
as a common enclosure. In such an embodiment, the one or more
processing devices can be operatively connected using communication
links that incorporate an interdevice communication protocol over a
serial or parallel physical link.
[0129] FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of a wagering protocol of a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The wager
controller receives (201) a credit input from a user and transfers
credits to a credit meter associated with the user as described
herein. An interactive controller 200 provides an execution
environment for an interactive application 202 and a wagering
application 204. The wagering application 204 determines wager
configuration data based on inputs from a user. The wager
configuration data is communicated by the wagering application 204
to an application controller 212 as wager telemetry data 210. The
interactive application 202 detects (206) a user's interaction with
elements of the interactive application 202. The interactive
application 202 communicates interactive application telemetry data
210 including the user's interactions to the application controller
212. The application controller 212 receives the interactive
application telemetry data 210 and uses interactive application
telemetry data 210 to generate (214) wager instruction data 216.
The application controller 212 communicates the wager instruction
data 216 to the wager controller 218. The wager controller 218
receives the wager instruction data 216 and uses the wager
instruction data 216 to execute (220) a wager and generate wager
outcome data 222. The wager controller 218 communicates the wager
outcome data 222 to the application controller 212 and updates
(221) the user's credit meter based on the wager outcome. The
application controller 212 receives the wager outcome data 222 and
uses the wager outcome data 222 to generate (224) interactive
application and wagering application resource and instruction data
230. The application controller 212 also uses wager outcome data
222 to generate (226) wagering process instruction and resource
data 228. The application controller 212 communicates the
interactive application and wagering application resource and
instruction data 230 to the interactive application 202 of
interactive controller 200. The interactive application 202
receives the interactive application instruction and resource data
230 and executes (232) instructions included in the interactive
application instruction and resource data 230 and incorporates into
the interactive application 202 interactive application resources
included in the interactive application instruction and resource
data 230. The wagering application 204 receives the wagering
application user interface data and wagering process data included
in wagering application instruction and resource data 228 to
generate (236) a wagering user interface. The interactive
application 202 generates (238) an interactive user interface using
interactive application instruction and resource data included in
application instruction and resource data 230. At the end of a
wagering session, the wager controller 218 transfers credit off of
the user's credit meter and generates (240) a credit output as
described herein based on the credits stored in the user's credit
meter.
[0130] In some embodiments, the credits used for wagering are
credits in a real or virtual currency (Cr) or application credits
(AC) as described herein.
[0131] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a user interface display overlay in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. A wagering
application 306 and one or more interactive application(s)
executing on an interactive controller 300 cooperate to generate a
combined display 302 for presentation to a user. The combined
display 302 includes display components that are used by the
wagering application and the interactive application(s) 308 to
display information to a user. The combined display 302 includes
wagering information collected in an organized display region 304
supplied by the wagering application 306. The wagering information
includes, but is not limited to, indication of a user or player,
indication of an amount of Cr to be wagered, an indication of a
total amount of Cr that the user has available, a selectable icon
for information about the wagering process, indication of a
denomination of a single Cr, and an amount of AC earned by the
user, indication of a wagering process indicating a type of a
wagering mechanic, and indication of a wagering outcome. The
combined display 302 also includes components 310 generated by the
interactive application 308, including but not limited to, elements
that are utilized by the user that when utilized, trigger a wager
as described herein. In the illustration, the interactive
application is a game of skill similar to Breakout-style game
having a ball that is reflected from a user controlled paddle at a
wall composed of individual bricks. When the ball strikes a brick,
the brick is destroyed. In such a skill-based game, a user's
attention is focused on the ball, the paddle, or both.
[0132] In operation, the interactive application generates an
interactive application user interface including the components 310
generated by the interactive application 308 and the wagering
application generates a wagering user interface including the
organized display region 304 supplied by the wagering application
306. The interactive application user interface and the wagering
user interface are combined to create the combined display 302 that
is then displayed to the user.
[0133] FIG. 4A is a memory allocation diagrams for a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system in accordance
with various embodiments of the invention. As seen in FIG. 4A, a
memory store 400 of an interactive controller includes a wagering
application 402. The wagering application includes one or more
interactive applications 404. In operation, the wagering
application is executed by the interactive controller. The wagering
application receives from the user a selection of a selected one of
the one or more interactive applications for execution
simultaneously with the wagering application 402. The wagering
application generates a wagering user interface as described herein
and the selected interactive application generates an interactive
user interface as described herein. The wagering user interface and
the interactive user interface are combined to create a combined
user interface as described herein.
[0134] FIG. 4B is a memory allocation diagrams for another modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system in accordance
with various embodiments of the invention. As seen in FIG. 4B, a
memory store 406 of an interactive controller includes a launcher
408, a wagering application 410 and one or more interactive
applications 412. In operation, the launcher 408 is executed by the
interactive controller. The launcher 408 receives from the user a
selection of a selected one of the one or more interactive
applications 412 for execution simultaneously with the wagering
application 410. The launcher 408 initiates execution by the
interactive controller of the wagering application and the selected
interactive application. The wagering application generates a
wagering user interface as described herein and the selected
interactive application generates an interactive user interface as
described herein. The wagering user interface and the interactive
user interface are combined to create a combined user interface as
described herein.
[0135] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of an initialization protocol
for a modular interactive application interleaved wagering system
in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. During an
initialization process, a wagering application 500 of an
interactive controller 502 determines 504 if there are one or more
interactive applications 501 available for a user on the
interactive controller. If so, the wagering application generates a
list of available interactive applications and displays 506 the
list to the user. The user selects one of the available interactive
applications from the list and the wagering application receives
508 the user selection of the selected interactive application. The
wagering application determines 510 a memory location of the
instructions and configuration data of the selected interactive
application, reads the instructions and configuration data of the
interactive application into memory, and performs a hash 510 of the
instructions and data of the interactive application. The wagering
application also determines 512 a certificate of the interactive
application stored with the interactive application. The wagering
application communicates 514 the certificate of the interactive
application, the hash of the interactive application, and the
wagering application's own certificate to an application controller
515. The application controller forwards 516 the certificate of the
interactive application, the hash of the interactive application,
and the wagering application's own certificate to a session/user
management controller 517 for validation. The session/user
management controller receives the interactive application, the
hash of the interactive application, and the wagering application's
own certificate and validates 518 the interactive application for
use with the certified wagering application by comparing the
interactive application's validation data with interactive
application data previously stored by the session/user management
controller. The session/user management controller 517 communicates
data of the validation 520 to the application controller 515. The
application controller forwards 522 the data of the validation to
the wagering application 500 of the interactive controller 502.
Responsive to receiving the data of the validation, the wagering
application invokes 524 the selected interactive application of the
one or more interactive applications 501.
[0136] FIG. 6 is another sequence diagram of an initialization
protocol for a modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
During an initialization process, a launcher 602 of an interactive
controller 600 determines 608 if there are one or more interactive
applications 604 available for a user on the interactive
controller. If so, the launcher generates a list of available
interactive applications and displays 610 the list to the user. The
user selects one of the available interactive applications from the
list and the launcher receives 612 the user selection of the
selected interactive application. The launcher determines a memory
location of the instructions and configuration data of the selected
interactive application, reads the instructions and configuration
data of the interactive application into memory, and performs a
hash 614 of the instructions and data of the interactive
application. The launcher invokes 616 a wagering application for
execution by the interactive controller 600 and communicates the
hash of the selected interactive application to the wagering
application. The launcher also invokes the selected interactive
application of the one or more interactive applications 604 for
execution by the interactive controller 600. The wagering
application receives 620 a certificate of the interactive
application stored with the interactive application from the
interactive application. The wagering application communicates 622
the certificate of the interactive application, the hash of the
interactive application, and the wagering application's own
certificate to an application controller 624. The application
controller forwards 624 the certificate of the interactive
application, the hash of the interactive application, and the
wagering application's own certificate to a session/user management
controller 628 for validation. The session/user management
controller receives the interactive application, the hash of the
interactive application, and the wagering application's own
certificate and validates 630 the interactive application for use
with the certified wagering application by comparing the
interactive application's validation data with interactive
application data previously stored by the session/user management
controller. The session/user management controller communicates
data of the validation 632 to the application controller 624. The
application controller forwards 634 the data of the validation to
the wagering application 606 of the interactive controller 600.
Responsive to receiving the data of the validation, the wagering
application permits the continued execution of the selected
interactive application of the one or more interactive applications
604.
[0137] FIG. 7 is a workflow diagram for a process of approving and
deploying an interactive application in accordance with various
embodiments of the invention. An interactive application provider
700 generates 702 an interactive application 704 and submits 706
the interactive application to a session/user management controller
(not shown) under the control of a skill wagering interleaved
gaming operator 711. The session/user management controller
analyzes 710 the interactive application 704 and determines
interactive application validation data 712 that is stored in an
interactive application validation database 714 of the session/user
management controller. The session/user management controller
communicates 716 the interactive application validation data 712
along with an approval of the interactive application 704 to the
interactive application provider 700. The session/user management
controller also communicates 716 the interactive application
validation data 712 along with an approval of the interactive
application 704 to an interactive application content server 724
and the interactive content server 724 stores the interactive
application validation data 712 along with an approval of the
interactive application 704 along with the interactive application
704 in an interactive application content database 720.
[0138] During operation the interactive application content server
724 and the session/user management controller (not shown) are
operatively connected to one or more application controllers (not
shown) by a network 722. The one or more application controllers
access the interactive application content server 724 and the
session/user management controller to load and validate the
interactive application 704 at runtime.
[0139] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of an installation protocol for
an interactive application in accordance with various embodiments
of the invention. SWig storefront application 802 executing on an
interactive controller communicates 806 a request for a list of
approved interactive applications to a session/user management
controller 808. The session/user management controller 808
communicates 810 a list of approved interactive applications to the
SWig storefront application. The SWig storefront application
displays 812 the list of available and approved interactive
applications to a user. The SWig storefront application receives
814 a user selection of a selected interactive application from the
list of approved interactive applications. The SWig storefront
application communicates 816 data of a request for validation of
the selected interactive application to the session/user management
controller 808. The session/user management controller receives the
request for validation of the selected interactive application and
validates the selected interactive application using previously
stored interactive validation data as described herein. The
session/user management controller communicates validation data 818
of the selected interactive application to the SWig storefront
application 802. Responsive to receiving the selected interactive
application validation data, the SWig storefront application
communicates 820 interactive application request data to an
interactive application content server 822 storing the selected
interactive application. The interactive application content server
receives the selected interactive application request data and,
responsive to the selected interactive application request data,
communicates the selected interactive application 824 to the SWig
storefront application. The SWig storefront application performs
826 a hash on the received selected interactive application to
validate the received selected interactive application using the
selected application validation data 818 received from the
session/management controller 808. If validated, the selected
interactive application is stored 828 in a memory of the
interactive controller 800 and the SWig storefront application
invokes 830 the selected interactive application 804 for execution
on the interactive controller 800.
[0140] FIG. 9A is a diagram of a land-based configuration of a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Land-based
configurations are suitable for deployment in a gaming
establishment as an electronic gaming machine similar to a slot
machine or the like. A land-based configuration includes an
enclosure constructed to mount one or more user input devices
operatively connected to and interactive controller, one or more
user output devices operatively connected to the interactive
controller, one or more credit input devices operatively connected
to a wager controller, and one or more credit output devices
operatively connected to the wager controller.
[0141] A land-based configuration of a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system 756 includes an interactive
controller 758, an application controller 760 and a wager
controller 762 housed in a common enclosure. Application controller
760 is operatively connected to an external session/user management
controller 764. The wager controller 762 is operatively connected
to a ticket-in-ticket-out (TITO) controller 766 or other type of
credit controller. The wager controller 762 communicates with the
TITO controller 766 to obtain amounts of credits used for wagering.
In operation, the wager controller 762 uses a bill validator/ticket
scanner 768 to scan a TITO ticket having indicia of credit account
data of a credit account of the TITO controller 766. The wager
controller 762 communicates the credit account data to the TITO
controller 766. The TITO controller 766 uses the credit account
data to determine an amount of credits to transfer to the wager
controller 762. The TITO controller 766 communicates the amount of
credits to the wager controller 762. The wager controller 762
credits the one or more credit meters with the amount of credits so
that the credits can be used when a user makes wagers using the
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system 756. In
addition, the wager controller 762 can use the TITO controller 766
along with a ticket printer 770 to generate a TITO ticket for a
user. In operation, the wager controller 762 communicates an amount
of credits for a credit account on the TITO controller 766. The
TITO controller 766 receives the amount of credits and creates the
credit account and credits the credit account with the amount of
credits. The TITO controller 766 generates credit account data for
the credit account and communicates the credit account data to the
wager controller 762. The wager controller 762 uses the ticket
printer 770 to print indicia of the credit account data onto a TITO
ticket.
[0142] In many embodiments, a credit processing subcontroller of
the wager controller 762 operatively connects to one or more credit
input devices for generating incoming credit data from a credit
input. Credit inputs can include, but are not limited to, credit
items used to transfer credits. The incoming credit data are
communicated by the credit processing subcontroller to the wager
controller 762. In various embodiments, the one or more credit
input devices and their corresponding credit items include, but are
not limited to: card readers for reading cards having magnetic
stripes, RFID chips, smart chips, and the like; scanners, such as
bill validator/ticket scanner 768, for reading various types of
printed indicia printed on to various types of media such as
vouchers, coupons, TITO tickets, rewritable cards, or the like; and
bill validator and/or coin validators that receive and validate
paper and/or coin currency or tokens, such as bill validator/ticket
scanner 768.
[0143] In various embodiments, the credit processing subcontroller
is operatively connected to one or more credit output devices, such
as printer, for generating a credit output based on outgoing credit
data communicated from the wager controller. Credit outputs can
include, but are not limited to, credit items used to transfer
credits. Types of credit output devices and their corresponding
credit items may include, but are not limited to: writing devices
that are used to write to cards having magnetic stripes, smart
chips or the like; printers, such as printer 770, for printing
various types of printed indicia onto vouchers, coupons, TITO
tickets, vouchers, rewritable cards or the like; and bill and/or
coin dispensers that output paper and/or coin currency or
tokens.
[0144] In some embodiments, the credit processing subcontroller is
operatively connected to, and communicates with, a TITO controller
766 or the like to determine incoming credit data representing
amounts of credits to be transferred into the modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system and to determine outgoing
credit data representing amounts of credits to be transferred out
of the modular interactive application interleaved wagering system.
In operation, the credit processing subcontroller communicates with
a connected credit input device, such as a bill validator/ticket
scanner 768, used to scan a credit input in the form of a TITO
ticket having indicia of credit account data of a credit account of
the TITO controller. The credit processing subcontroller
communicates the credit account data to the TITO controller. The
TITO controller uses the credit account data to determine an amount
of credits to transfer to the credit processing subcontroller, and
thus to the wager controller 762. The TITO controller communicates
the amount of credits to the credit processing subcontroller. The
credit processing subcontroller communicates the amount of credits
as incoming credit data to the wager controller 762 and the wager
controller credits one or more credit meters with the amount of
credits so that the credits can be used when a user makes wagers
using the modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system.
[0145] In many embodiments, the credit processing subcontroller is
operatively connected to a bill validator/ticket scanner 768 as one
of the one or more credit input devices. The credit processing
subcontroller communicates with the bill validator/ticket scanner
to scan currency used as a credit input to determine an amount of
credits as incoming credit data to transfer credit to one or more
credit meters associated with one or more users. The wager
controller 762 credits the one or more credit meters with the
amount of credits so that the credits can be used when a user makes
wagers using the modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system.
[0146] In some embodiments, the credit processing subcontroller can
use a TITO controller along with a ticket or voucher printer 770 as
one of the one or more credit output devices to generate a TITO
ticket as a credit output for a user. In operation, the credit
processing subcontroller communicates, as outgoing credit data,
data of an amount of credits to be credited to a credit account on
the TITO controller. The TITO controller receives the amount of
credits and creates the credit account and credits the credit
account with the amount of credits. The TITO controller generates
credit account data for the credit account and communicates the
credit account data to the credit processing subcontroller. The
credit processing subcontroller uses the ticket or voucher printer
770 to print indicia of the credit account data onto a TITO ticket
or voucher as a credit output.
[0147] In various embodiments, the credit processing subcontroller
provides an interface to an electronic payment management system
(not shown) such as an electronic wallet or the like. The
electronic payment system provides credit account data that is used
for generating incoming credit data as a credit input and outgoing
credit data as a credit output.
[0148] FIG. 9B is a diagram of another land-based configuration of
a modular interactive application interleaved wagering system in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Land-based
configurations are suitable for deployment in a gaming
establishment as an electronic gaming machine similar to a slot
machine or the like. A land-based configuration includes an
enclosure constructed to mount one or more user input devices
operatively connected to and interactive controller, one or more
user output devices operatively connected to the interactive
controller, one or more credit input devices operatively connected
to a wager controller, and one or more credit output devices
operatively connected to the wager controller. A land-based
configuration of a modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system 772 includes an interactive controller 772, an
application controller 774 and a wager controller 776 housed in a
common enclosure. Application controller 774 is operatively
connected to an external session/user management controller 778.
The wager controller 776 is operatively connected to a
ticket-in-ticket-out (TITO) controller 780 or other type of credit
controller. The wager controller 776 communicates with the TITO
controller 780 to obtain amounts of credits used for wagering. In
operation, the wager controller 776 uses a bill validator/ticket
scanner 782 to scan a TITO ticket having indicia of credit account
data of a credit account of the TITO controller 780. The wager
controller 776 communicates the credit account data to the TITO
controller 780. The TITO controller 780 uses the credit account
data to determine an amount of credits to transfer to the wager
controller 776. The TITO controller 780 communicates the amount of
credits to the wager controller 776. The wager controller 776
receives the amount of credits and credits the one or more credit
meters with the amount of credits so that the credits can be used
when a user makes wagers using the modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system 772. In addition, the wager controller
776 can use the TITO controller 780 along with a ticket printer 784
to generate a TITO ticket for a user. In operation, the wager
controller 776 communicates an amount of credits for a credit
account on the TITO controller 780. The TITO controller 780
receives the amount of credits and creates the credit account and
credits the credit account with the amount of credits. The TITO
controller 780 generates credit account data for the credit account
and communicates the credit account data to the wager controller
776. The wager controller 776 uses the ticket printer 784 to print
indicia of the credit account data onto a TITO ticket.
[0149] The wager controller 776 is operatively connected to a
central determination controller 786. In operation, when the wager
controller 776 needs to determine a wager outcome, the wager
controller communicates a request to the central determination
controller 786 for the wager outcome. The central determination
controller 786 receives the wager outcome request and generates a
wager outcome in response to the wager request. The central
determination controller 786 communicates the wager outcome to the
wager controller 776. The wager controller 776 receives the wager
outcome and utilizes the wager outcome as described herein. In some
embodiments, the wager outcome is drawn from a pool of
pre-determined wager outcomes. In some embodiments, the wager
outcome is a pseudo random result or random result that is utilized
by the wager controller along with paytables to determine a wager
outcome as described herein.
[0150] In many embodiments, a credit processing subcontroller of
the wager controller 776 operatively connects to one or more credit
input devices for generating incoming credit data from a credit
input. Credit inputs can include, but are not limited to, credit
items used to transfer credits. The incoming credit data are
communicated by the credit processing subcontroller to the wager
controller 776. In various embodiments, the one or more credit
input devices and their corresponding credit items include, but are
not limited to: card readers for reading cards having magnetic
stripes, RFID chips, smart chips, and the like; scanners, such as
bill validator/ticket scanner 782, for reading various types of
printed indicia printed on to various types of media such as
vouchers, coupons, TITO tickets, rewritable cards, or the like; and
bill validator and/or coin validators that receive and validate
paper and/or coin currency or tokens, such as bill validator/ticket
scanner 782.
[0151] In various embodiments, the credit processing subcontroller
is operatively connected to one or more credit output devices, such
as printer, for generating a credit output based on outgoing credit
data communicated from the wager controller. Credit outputs can
include, but are not limited to, credit items used to transfer
credits. Types of credit output devices and their corresponding
credit items may include, but are not limited to: writing devices
that are used to write to cards having magnetic stripes, smart
chips or the like; printers, such as printer 784, for printing
various types of printed indicia onto vouchers, coupons, TITO
tickets, vouchers, rewritable cards or the like; and bill and/or
coin dispensers that output paper and/or coin currency or
tokens.
[0152] In some embodiments, the credit processing subcontroller is
operatively connected to, and communicates with, a TITO controller
776 or the like to determine incoming credit data representing
amounts of credits to be transferred into the modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system and to determine outgoing
credit data representing amounts of credits to be transferred out
of the modular interactive application interleaved wagering system.
In operation, the credit processing subcontroller communicates with
a connected credit input device, such as a bill validator/ticket
scanner 782, used to scan a credit input in the form of a TITO
ticket having indicia of credit account data of a credit account of
the TITO controller. The credit processing subcontroller
communicates the credit account data to the TITO controller. The
TITO controller uses the credit account data to determine an amount
of credits to transfer to the credit processing subcontroller, and
thus to the wager controller 776. The TITO controller communicates
the amount of credits to the credit processing subcontroller. The
credit processing subcontroller communicates the amount of credits
as incoming credit data to the wager controller 776 and the wager
controller credits one or more credit meters with the amount of
credits so that the credits can be used when a user makes wagers
using the modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system.
[0153] In many embodiments, the credit processing subcontroller is
operatively connected to a bill validator/ticket scanner 782 as one
of the one or more credit input devices. The credit processing
subcontroller communicates with the bill validator/ticket scanner
to scan currency used as a credit input to determine an amount of
credits as incoming credit data to transfer credit to one or more
credit meters associated with one or more users. The wager
controller 776 credits the one or more credit meters with the
amount of credits so that the credits can be used when a user makes
wagers using the modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system.
[0154] In some embodiments, the credit processing subcontroller can
use a TITO controller 780 along with a ticket or voucher printer
784 as one of the one or more credit output devices to generate a
TITO ticket as a credit output for a user. In operation, the credit
processing subcontroller communicates, as outgoing credit data,
data of an amount of credits to be credited to a credit account on
the TITO controller 780. The TITO controller 780 receives the
amount of credits and creates the credit account and credits the
credit account with the amount of credits. The TITO controller 780
generates credit account data for the credit account and
communicates the credit account data to the credit processing
subcontroller. The credit processing subcontroller uses the ticket
or voucher printer 784 to print indicia of the credit account data
onto a TITO ticket or voucher as a credit output.
[0155] In various embodiments, the credit processing subcontroller
provides an interface to an electronic payment management system
(not shown) such as an electronic wallet or the like. The
electronic payment system provides credit account data that is used
for generating incoming credit data as a credit input and outgoing
credit data as a credit output.
[0156] FIG. 10A is a diagram of an interactive configuration of a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. An
interactive configuration of a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system is useful for deployment over a wide
area network such as an internet. An interactive configuration of a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system 888
includes an interactive controller 889 operatively connected by a
network 890 to an application controller 891, and a wager
controller 892. Application controller 891 is operatively connected
to a session/user management controller 893.
[0157] FIG. 10B is a diagram of a mobile configuration of a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system in accordance
with various embodiments of the invention. A mobile configuration
of a modular interactive application interleaved wagering system is
useful for deployment over wireless communication network, such as
a wireless local area network or a wireless telecommunications
network. An interactive configuration of a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system 894 includes an interactive
controller 895 operatively connected by a wireless network 896 to
an application controller 897, and a wager controller 898.
Application controller 897 is also operatively connected to a
session/user management controller 899.
[0158] FIGS. 11A, 11B, 11C, and 11D are illustrations of
interactive controllers of a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system in accordance with various embodiments
of the invention. An interactive controller, such as interactive
controller of FIG. 1, may be constructed from or configured using
one or more processing devices configured to perform the operations
of an interactive controller. An interactive controller in a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system may be
constructed from or configured using any processing device having
sufficient processing and communication capabilities that may be
configured to perform the processes of an interactive controller in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. In some
embodiments, the construction or configuration of interactive
controller may be achieved through the use of a wagering
application, such as a wagering application FIG. 1, and/or through
the use of an interactive application, such as an interactive
application of FIG. 1.
[0159] In some embodiments, an interactive controller may be
constructed from or configured using a land-based electronic gaming
machine 900 as shown in FIG. 11A. The electronic gaming machine 900
may be physically located in various types of gaming
establishments.
[0160] In many embodiments, an interactive controller may be
constructed from or configured using a portable device 902 as shown
in FIG. 11B. The portable device 902 is a device that may
wirelessly connect to a network. Examples of portable devices
include, but are not limited to, a tablet computer, a personal
digital assistant, and a smartphone.
[0161] In some embodiments, an interactive controller may be
constructed from or configured using a gaming console 904 as shown
in FIG. 11C.
[0162] In various embodiments, an interactive controller may be
constructed from or configured using a personal computer 906 as
shown in FIG. 11D.
[0163] In some embodiments, a device, such as the devices of FIGS.
11A, 11B, 11C, and 1D, may be used to construct a complete modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system and may be
operatively connected using a communication link to a session/user
management controller, such as a session/user management controller
of FIG. 1.
[0164] Some modular interactive application interleaved wagering
systems in accordance with many embodiments of the invention can be
distributed across a plurality of devices in various
configurations. FIGS. 12A, 12B and 12C are diagrams of distributed
modular interactive application interleaved wagering systems in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Turning now
to FIG. 12A, one or more interactive controllers of a distributed
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system, such
as but not limited to, a mobile or wireless device 1000, a gaming
console 1002, a personal computer 1004, and an electronic gaming
machine 1005, are operatively connected with a wager controller
1006 of a distributed modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system using a communication link 1008. Communication link
1008 is a communications link that allows processing systems to
communicate with each other and to share data. Examples of the
communication link 1008 can include, but are not limited to: a
wired or wireless interdevice communication link, a serial or
parallel interdevice communication bus; a wired or wireless network
such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), or
the link; or a wired or wireless communication network such as a
wireless telecommunications network or plain old telephone system
(POTS). In some embodiments, one or more processes of an
interactive controller and an application controller as described
herein are executed on the individual interactive controllers 1000,
1002, 1004 and 1005 while one or more processes of a wager
controller as described herein can be executed by the wager
controller 1006.
[0165] In many embodiments, a distributed modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system and may be operatively
connected using a communication link to a session/user management
controller 1007, that performs the processes of a session/user
management controller as described herein.
[0166] A distributed modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention is illustrated in FIG. 12B. As illustrated, one or more
interactive controllers of a distributed modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system, such as but not limited
to, a mobile or wireless device 1010, a gaming console 1012, a
personal computer 1014, and an electronic gaming machine 1015, are
operatively connected with a wager controller server 1016 and an
application controller 1018 over a communication link 1020.
Communication link 1020 is a communication link that allows
processing systems to communicate and share data. Examples of the
communication link 1020 can include, but are not limited to: a
wired or wireless interdevice communication link, a serial or
parallel interdevice communication bus; a wired or wireless network
such as a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), or
the link; or a wired or wireless communication network such as a
wireless telecommunications network or plain old telephone system
(POTS). In some embodiments, the processes of an interactive
controller as described herein are executed on the individual
interactive controllers 1010, 1012, 1014 and 1015. One or more
processes of a wager controller as described herein are executed by
the wager controller 1016, and one or more processes of an
application controller as described herein are executed by
application controller 1018.
[0167] In many embodiments, a distributed modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system and may be operatively
connected using a communication link to a session/user management
controller 1019, that performs the processes of a session/user
management controller as described herein.
[0168] A distributed modular interactive application interleaved
wagering systems in accordance with still another embodiment of the
invention is illustrated in FIG. 12C. As illustrated, one or more
interactive controllers of a distributed modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system, such as but not limited
to, a mobile device 1042, a gaming console 1044, a personal
computer 1046, and an electronic gaming machine 1040 are
operatively connected with a wager controller 1048 and an
application controller 1050, and an interactive application server
1052 using a communication link 1054. Communication link 1054 is a
communications link that allows processing systems to communicate
and to share data. Examples of the communication link 1054 can
include, but are not limited to: a wired or wireless interdevice
communication link, a serial or parallel interdevice communication
bus; a wired or wireless network such as a Local Area Network
(LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), or the link; or a wired or
wireless communication network such as a wireless
telecommunications network or plain old telephone system (POTS). In
some embodiments, one or more processes of a display and user
interface of an interactive controller as described herein are
executed on the individual interactive controllers 1040, 1042, 1044
and 1046. One or more processes of a wager controller as described
herein can be executed by the wager controller server 1048. One or
more processes of an application controller as described herein can
be executed by application controller server 1050 and one or more
processes of an interactive controller excluding the display and
user interfaces can be executed by interactive application server
1052.
[0169] In many embodiments, a distributed modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system and may be operatively
connected using a communication link to a session/user management
controller 1053, that performs the processes of a session/user
management controller as described herein.
[0170] In various embodiments, a session/user management controller
may be operatively connected to components of a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system using a communication link.
In other embodiments, a number of other peripheral systems, such as
a user management system, a gaming establishment management system,
a regulatory system, and/or hosting servers are also operatively
connected with the modular interactive application interleaved
wagering systems using a communication link. Also, other servers
can reside outside the bounds of a network within a firewall of the
operator to provide additional services for network connected
modular interactive application interleaved wagering systems.
[0171] Although various distributed modular interactive application
interleaved wagering systems are described herein, modular
interactive application interleaved wagering systems can be
distributed in any configuration as appropriate to the
specification of a specific application in accordance with
embodiments of the invention. In some embodiments, components of a
distributed modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system, such as an application controller, wager controller,
interactive controller, or other servers that perform services for
an application controller, wager controller and/or interactive
controller, can be distributed in different configurations for a
specific distributed modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system application.
[0172] FIG. 13 is a diagram of a structure of an interactive
controller of a modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system in accordance with various embodiments of the
invention. An interactive controller may be constructed from or
configured using one or more processing devices configured to
perform the operations of interactive controller. In many
embodiments, an interactive controller can be constructed from or
configured using various types of processing devices including, but
not limited to, a mobile device such as a smartphone or the like, a
personal digital assistant, a wireless device such as a tablet
computer or the like, an electronic gaming machine, a personal
computer, a gaming console, a set-top box, a computing device, a
controller, or the like.
[0173] An interactive controller 1100, suitable for use as an
interactive controller of FIG. 1, provides an execution environment
for an interactive application of a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system. In several embodiments, an interactive
controller of a modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system provides an interactive application that generates
an application user interface for interaction with by a user.
[0174] In some embodiments, various components of interactive
application can read data from an application state in order to
provide one or more features of an interactive application. In
various embodiments, components of interactive application can
include, but are not limited to, a physics engine, a rules engine,
and/or a graphics engine. The physics engine is used to simulate
physical interactions between virtual objects in interactive
application. The rules engine implements the rules of interactive
application and a P/RNG that may be used for influencing or
determining certain variables and/or outcomes to provide a
randomizing influence on the operations of interactive application.
The graphics engine is used to generate a visual representation of
interactive application state to the user. Furthermore, the
components may also include an audio engine to generate audio
outputs for the user interface.
[0175] During operation, an interactive application reads and
writes application resources stored on a data store of interactive
controller 1100. The application resources may include objects
having graphics and/or control logic used to provide application
environment objects of interactive application. In various
embodiments, the resources may also include, but are not limited
to, video files that are used to generate a portion of the user
presentation; audio files used to generate music, sound effects,
etc. within an interactive application; configuration files used to
configure the features of an interactive application; scripts or
other types of control code used to provide various features of
interactive application; and graphics resources such as textures,
objects, etc. that are used by a graphics engine to render objects
displayed in an interactive application.
[0176] In operation, components of interactive application read
portions of the application state and generate the user
presentation for the user that is presented to the user using the
user interface. The user perceives the user presentation and
provides user interactions using the HIDs. The corresponding user
interactions are received as user actions or inputs by various
components of interactive application 402. Interactive application
translates the user actions into interactions with the virtual
objects of the application environment stored in the application
state. Components of an interactive application use the user
interactions with the virtual objects of an interactive application
and interactive application state to update the application state
and update the user presentation presented to the user. The process
loops continuously while the user interacts with interactive
application of the modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system.
[0177] Interactive controller 1100 provides one or more interfaces
between interactive controller and other components of a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system, such as, but
not limited to, an application controller. Interactive controller
1100 and the other modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system components communicate with each other using the
interfaces. The interface may be used to pass various types of
data, and to communicate and receive messages, status data,
commands and the like. In certain embodiments, interactive
controller 1100 and an application controller communicate
application instructions and environment resources and application
telemetry data. In some embodiments, the communications include
requests by application controller that interactive controller
update the application state using data provided by application
controller.
[0178] In many embodiments, a communication by an application
controller includes a request that interactive controller update
one or more resources using data provided by application
controller. In a number of embodiments, interactive controller
provides all or a portion of the application state to application
controller. In some embodiments, interactive controller may also
provide data about one or more of the application resources to
application controller. In some embodiments, the communication
includes user interactions that interactive controller communicates
to application controller. The user interactions may be low level
user interactions with the user interface, such as manipulation of
a HID, or may be high level interactions with game objects as
determined by interactive application. The user interactions may
also include resultant actions such as modifications to the
application state or game resources resulting from the user's
interactions taken in the modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system interactive application. In some
embodiments, user interactions include, but are not limited to,
actions taken by entities such as non-player characters (NPC) of
interactive application that act on behalf of or under the control
of the user.
[0179] In some embodiments, interactive controller includes a
wagering user interface used to communicate modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system telemetry data to and from
the user. The modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system telemetry data from the modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system include, but are not limited to, data
used by the user to configure Cr, AC and element wagers, and data
about the gambling game Cr, AC and element wagers such as, but not
limited to, Cr, AC and element balances and Cr, AC and element
amounts wagered.
[0180] In some embodiments, interactive controller 1100 includes
one or more sensors. Such sensors may include, but are not limited
to, physiological sensors that monitor the physiology of the user,
environmental sensors that monitor the physical environment of
interactive controller, accelerometers that monitor changes in
motion of interactive controller, and location sensors that monitor
the location of interactive controller such as global positioning
sensors (GPSs). Interactive controller 1100 communicates sensor
telemetry data to one or more components of the modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system.
[0181] Interactive controller 1100 includes a bus 1102 that
provides an interface for one or more processors 1104, random
access memory (RAM) 1106, read only memory (ROM) 1108,
machine-readable storage medium 1110, one or more user output
devices 1112, one or more user input devices 1114, and one or more
communication interface devices 1116.
[0182] The one or more processors 1104 may take many forms, such
as, but not limited to: a central processing unit (CPU); a
multi-processor unit (MPU); an ARM processor; a controller; a
programmable logic device; or the like.
[0183] In the example embodiment, the one or more processors 1104
and the random access memory (RAM) 1106 form an interactive
controller processing unit 1199. In some embodiments, interactive
controller processing unit includes one or more processors
operatively connected to one or more of a RAM, ROM, and
machine-readable storage medium; the one or more processors of
interactive controller processing unit receive instructions stored
by the one or more of a RAM, ROM, and machine-readable storage
medium via a bus; and the one or more processors execute the
received instructions. In some embodiments, interactive controller
processing unit is an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated
Circuit). In some embodiments, interactive controller processing
unit is a SoC (System-on-Chip).
[0184] Examples of output devices 1112 include, but are not limited
to, display screens; light panels; and/or lighted displays. In
accordance with particular embodiments, the one or more processors
1104 are operatively connected to audio output devices such as, but
not limited to: speakers; and/or sound amplifiers. In accordance
with many of these embodiments, the one or more processors 1104 are
operatively connected to tactile output devices like vibrators,
and/or manipulators.
[0185] Examples of user input devices 1114 include, but are not
limited to: tactile devices including but not limited to,
keyboards, keypads, foot pads, touch screens, and/or trackballs;
non-contact devices such as audio input devices; motion sensors and
motion capture devices that interactive controller can use to
receive inputs from a user when the user interacts with interactive
controller; physiological sensors that monitor the physiology of
the user; environmental sensors that monitor the physical
environment of interactive controller; accelerometers that monitor
changes in motion of interactive controller; and location sensors
that monitor the location of interactive controller such as global
positioning sensors.
[0186] The one or more communication interface devices 1116 provide
one or more wired or wireless interfaces for communicating data and
commands between interactive controller 400 and other devices that
may be included in a modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system. Such wired and wireless interfaces include, but
are not limited to: a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface; a
Bluetooth interface; a Wi-Fi interface; an Ethernet interface; a
Near Field Communication (NFC) interface; a plain old telephone
system (POTS) interface, a cellular or satellite telephone network
interface; and the like.
[0187] The machine-readable storage medium 1110 stores
machine-executable instructions for various components of
interactive controller 1100, such as but not limited to: an
operating system 1118; one or more device drivers 1122; wagering
application instructions and data 1126; instructions and data for
one or more application programs 1128 and 1130; and modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system interactive
controller instructions and data for use by the one or more
processors 1104 to provide the features of an interactive
controller as described herein.
[0188] In various embodiments, the machine-readable storage medium
1110 is one of a (or a combination of two or more of) a hard drive,
a flash drive, a DVD, a CD, a flash storage, a solid state drive, a
ROM, an EEPROM, and the like.
[0189] In operation, the machine-executable instructions are loaded
into memory 1106 from the machine-readable storage medium 1110, the
ROM 1108 or any other storage location. The respective
machine-executable instructions are accessed by the one or more
processors 1104 via the bus 1102, and then executed by the one or
more processors 1104. Data used by the one or more processors 1104
are also stored in memory 1106, and the one or more processors 1104
access such data during execution of the machine-executable
instructions. Execution of the machine-executable instructions
causes the one or more processors 1104 to control interactive
controller 400 to provide the features of a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system interactive controller as
described herein
[0190] Although an interactive controller is described herein as
being constructed from or configured using one or more processors
and instructions stored and executed by hardware components,
interactive controller can be constructed from or configured using
only hardware components in accordance with other embodiments. In
addition, although the storage medium 1110 is described as being
operatively connected to the one or more processors through a bus,
those skilled in the art of interactive controllers will understand
that the storage medium can include removable media such as, but
not limited to, a USB memory device, an optical CD ROM, magnetic
media such as tape and disks. In some embodiments, the storage
medium 1110 can be accessed by the one or more processors 1104
through one of the communication interface devices 1116 or using a
communication link. Furthermore, any of the user input devices or
user output devices can be operatively connected to the one or more
processors 1104 via one of the communication interface devices 1116
or using a communication link.
[0191] In some embodiments, an interactive controller can be
distributed across a plurality of different devices. In many such
embodiments, an interactive controller of a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system includes an interactive
application server operatively connected to an interactive client
using a communication link. Interactive application server and
interactive application client cooperate to provide the features of
an interactive controller as described herein.
[0192] In various embodiments, an interactive controller may be
used to construct other components of a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system as described herein.
[0193] In some embodiments, components of an interactive controller
and an application controller of a modular interactive application
wagering interleaved system may be constructed from or configured
using a single device using processes that communicate using an
interprocess communication protocol. In other such embodiments, the
components of an interactive controller and an application
controller of a modular interactive application wagering
interleaved system may communicate by passing messages, parameters
or the like.
[0194] FIG. 14 is a diagram of a structure of an application
controller 1260 in accordance with various embodiments of the
invention. An application controller may be constructed from or
configured using one or more processing devices configured to
perform the operations of application controller. In many
embodiments, an application controller can be constructed from or
configured using various types of processing devices including, but
not limited to, a mobile device such as a smartphone, a personal
digital assistant, a wireless device such as a tablet computer or
the like, an electronic gaming machine, a personal computer, a
gaming console, a set-top box, a computing device, a controller, or
the like.
[0195] In many embodiments, an application controller 1260,
suitable for use as an application controller of FIG. 1, manages
operation of a modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system, with a wager controller and an interactive controller being
support units to application controller. Application controller
provides an interface between interactive application, provided by
an interactive controller, and a wagering proposition, provided by
a wager controller.
[0196] In some embodiments, application controller includes an
interactive controller interface to an interactive controller.
Interactive controller interface provides for communication of data
between an interactive controller and application controller,
including but not limited to wager telemetry data, application
instructions and resources, application telemetry data, and sensor
telemetry data.
[0197] In various embodiments, application controller includes a
wager controller interface to a wager controller. The wager
controller interface provides for communication of data between
application controller and a wager controller, including but not
limited to wager outcomes and wager execution instructions.
[0198] In some embodiments, application controller includes a
session/user management controller interface to a session/user
management controller. The session/user management controller
interface provides for communication of data between application
controller and a session/user management controller, including but
not limited to user session control data and user session telemetry
data.
[0199] Application controller includes a rule-based decision
subcontroller that receives telemetry data, such as application
telemetry data and sensor telemetry data, from an interactive
controller. The rule-based decision subcontroller uses the
telemetry data, along with trigger logic to generate wager
execution instructions used to trigger a wager in a wager
controller.
[0200] In some embodiments, the application telemetry data
includes, but is not limited to, application environment variables
that indicate the state of an interactive application being used by
a user, interactive controller data indicating a state of an
interactive controller, and user actions and interactions between a
user and an interactive application provided by an interactive
controller. The wagering and/or wager execution instructions may
include, but is not limited to, an amount and type of the wager, a
trigger of the wager, and a selection of a paytable to be used when
executing the wager.
[0201] In some embodiments, the rule-based decision subcontroller
also receives wager outcome data from a wager controller. The
decision subcontroller uses the wager outcome data, in conjunction
with telemetry data and application logic to generate application
decisions communicated to an application resource generator. The
application resource generator receives the application decisions
and uses the application decisions to generate application
instructions and application resources to be communicated to an
interactive application.
[0202] In many embodiments, application controller 1260 includes a
pseudo random or random result generator used to generate random
results that are communicated to the application resource
generator. The application resource generator uses the random
results to generate application instructions and application
resources to be communicated to an interactive controller for use
by an interactive application.
[0203] In various embodiments, the rule-based decision
subcontroller also determines an amount of AC to award to a user
based at least in part on the user's use of an interactive
application of the modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system as determined from application telemetry data. In
some embodiments, wager outcome data may also be used to determine
the amount of AC that should be awarded to the user.
[0204] In numerous embodiments, an interactive application is a
skill-based interactive game and the AC is awarded to the user for
the user's skillful play of the skill-based interactive game.
[0205] In some embodiments, the application decisions and wager
outcome data are communicated to a wagering user interface
generator. The wagering user interface generator receives the
application decisions and wager outcome data and generates wager
telemetry data describing the state of wagering and credit
accumulation and loss for the modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system. In some embodiments, the wager
telemetry data may include, but is not limited to, amounts of AC
and elements earned, lost or accumulated by the user through use of
interactive application as determined from the application
decisions, and Cr amounts won, lost or accumulated as determined
from the wager outcome data and the one or more credit meters.
[0206] In some embodiments, the wager outcome data also includes
data about one or more game states of a gambling game executed in
accordance with a wagering proposition by a wager controller. In
various such embodiments, the wagering user interface generator
generates a gambling game process display and/or gambling game
state display using the one or more game states of the gambling
game. The gambling game process display and/or gambling game state
display is included in wager telemetry data that is communicated to
an interactive controller. The gambling game process display and/or
a gambling game state display is displayed by a wagering user
interface of interactive controller to a user. In other such
embodiments, the one or more game states of the gambling game are
communicated to an interactive controller and a wagering user
interface of interactive controller generates a gambling game
process display and/or gambling game state display using the one or
more game states of the gambling game for display to a user.
[0207] Application controller 1260 can further operatively connect
to a wager controller to determine an amount of credit or elements
available and other wagering metrics of a wagering proposition.
Thus, application controller may potentially affect an amount of Cr
in play for participation in the wagering events of a gambling game
provided by the wager controller. Application controller may
additionally include various audit logs and activity meters. In
some embodiments, application controller can also couple to a
centralized server for exchanging various data related to the user
and the activities of the user during game play of a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system.
[0208] In some embodiments, the operation of application controller
1260 does not affect the provision of a wagering proposition by a
wager controller except for user choice parameters that are
allowable in accordance with the wagering proposition. Examples of
user choice parameters include, but are not limited to: wager terms
such as but not limited to a wager amount; speed of game play (for
example, by pressing a button or pulling a handle of a slot
machine); and/or agreement to wager into a bonus round.
[0209] In a number of embodiments, communication of wager execution
instructions between a wager controller and application controller
1260 can further be used to communicate various wagering control
factors that the wager controller uses as input. Examples of
wagering control factors include, but are not limited to, an amount
of Cr, AC, elements, or objects consumed per wagering event, and/or
the user's election to enter a jackpot round.
[0210] In some embodiments, application controller 1260 utilizes a
wagering user interface to communicate certain interactive
application data to the user, including but not limited to, club
points, user status, control of the selection of user choices, and
messages which a user can find useful in order to adjust
interactive application experience or understand the wagering
status of the user in accordance with the wagering proposition in
the wager controller.
[0211] In some embodiments, application controller 1260 utilizes a
wagering user interface to communicate aspects of a wagering
proposition to the user including, but not limited to, odds of
certain wager outcomes, amount of Cr, AC, elements, or objects in
play, and amounts of Cr, AC, elements, or objects available.
[0212] In a number of embodiments, a wager controller can accept
wager proposition factors including, but not limited to,
modifications in the amount of Cr, AC, elements, or objects wagered
on each individual wagering event, a number of wagering events per
minute the wager controller can resolve, entrance into a bonus
round, and other factors. In several embodiments, application
controller 1260 can communicate a number of factors back and forth
to the wager controller, such that an increase/decrease in a
wagered amount can be related to the change in user profile of the
user in interactive application. In this manner, a user can control
a wager amount per wagering event in accordance with the wagering
proposition with the change mapping to a parameter or component
that is applicable to an interactive application experience.
[0213] Application controller 1260 includes a bus 1261 providing an
interface for one or more processors 1263, random access memory
(RAM) 1264, read only memory (ROM) 1265, machine-readable storage
medium 1266, one or more user output devices 1267, one or more user
input devices 1268, and one or more communication interface and/or
network interface devices 1269.
[0214] The one or more processors 1263 may take many forms, such
as, but not limited to: a central processing unit (CPU); a
multi-processor unit (MPU); an ARM processor; a programmable logic
device; or the like.
[0215] Examples of output devices 1267 include, include, but are
not limited to: display screens; light panels; and/or lighted
displays. In accordance with particular embodiments, the one or
more processors 1263 are operatively connected to audio output
devices such as, but not limited to: speakers; and/or sound
amplifiers. In accordance with many of these embodiments, the one
or more processors 1263 are operatively connected to tactile output
devices like vibrators, and/or manipulators.
[0216] In the example embodiment, the one or more processors 1263
and the random access memory (RAM) 1264 form an application
controller processing unit 1270. In some embodiments, application
controller processing unit includes one or more processors
operatively connected to one or more of a RAM, ROM, and
machine-readable storage medium; the one or more processors of
application controller processing unit receive instructions stored
by the one or more of a RAM, ROM, and machine-readable storage
medium via a bus; and the one or more processors execute the
received instructions. In some embodiments, application controller
processing unit is an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated
Circuit). In some embodiments, application controller processing
unit is a SoC (System-on-Chip).
[0217] Examples of user input devices 1268 include, but are not
limited to: tactile devices including but not limited to,
keyboards, keypads, foot pads, touch screens, and/or trackballs;
non-contact devices such as audio input devices; motion sensors and
motion capture devices that application controller can use to
receive inputs from a user when the user interacts with application
controller 1260.
[0218] The one or more communication interface and/or network
interface devices 1269 provide one or more wired or wireless
interfaces for exchanging data and commands between application
controller 1260 and other devices that may be included in a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system. Such wired and
wireless interfaces include, but are not limited to: a Universal
Serial Bus (USB) interface; a Bluetooth interface; a Wi-Fi
interface; an Ethernet interface; a Near Field Communication (NFC)
interface; a plain old telephone system (POTS), cellular, or
satellite telephone network interface; and the like.
[0219] The machine-readable storage medium 1266 stores
machine-executable instructions for various components of
application controller 1260 such as, but not limited to: an
operating system 1271; one or more applications 1272; one or more
device drivers 1273; and modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system application controller instructions and
data 1274 for use by the one or more processors 1263 to provide the
features of an application controller as described herein.
[0220] In various embodiments, the machine-readable storage medium
1270 is one of a (or a combination of two or more of) a hard drive,
a flash drive, a DVD, a CD, a flash storage, a solid state drive, a
ROM, an EEPROM, and the like.
[0221] In operation, the machine-executable instructions are loaded
into memory 1264 from the machine-readable storage medium 1266, the
ROM 1265 or any other storage location. The respective
machine-executable instructions are accessed by the one or more
processors 1263 via the bus 1261, and then executed by the one or
more processors 1263. Data used by the one or more processors 1263
are also stored in memory 1264, and the one or more processors 1263
access such data during execution of the machine-executable
instructions. Execution of the machine-executable instructions
causes the one or more processors 1263 to control application
controller 1260 to provide the features of a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system application controller as
described herein.
[0222] Although application controller 1260 is described herein as
being constructed from or configured using one or more processors
and instructions stored and executed by hardware components,
application controller can be composed of only hardware components
in accordance with other embodiments. In addition, although the
storage medium 1266 is described as being operatively connected to
the one or more processors through a bus, those skilled in the art
of application controllers will understand that the storage medium
can include removable media such as, but not limited to, a USB
memory device, an optical CD ROM, magnetic media such as tape and
disks. Also, in some embodiments, the storage medium 1266 may be
accessed by processor 1263 through one of the interfaces or using a
communication link. Furthermore, any of the user input devices or
user output devices may be operatively connected to the one or more
processors 1263 via one of the interfaces or using a communication
link.
[0223] In various embodiments, application controller 1260 may be
used to construct other components of a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system as described herein.
[0224] In some embodiments, components of an interactive controller
and an application controller of a modular interactive application
wagering interleaved system may be constructed from or configured
using a single device using processes that communicate using an
interprocess communication protocol. In other such embodiments, the
components of an interactive controller and an application
controller of a modular interactive application wagering
interleaved system may communicate by passing messages, parameters
or the like.
[0225] FIG. 15 is a diagram of a structure of a wager controller
1304 of a modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. A
wager controller may be constructed from or configured using one or
more processing devices configured to perform the operations of the
wager controller. In many embodiments, a wager controller can be
constructed from or configured using various types of processing
devices including, but not limited to, a mobile device such as a
smartphone or the like, a personal digital assistant, a wireless
device such as a tablet computer or the like, an electronic gaming
machine, a personal computer, a gaming console, a set-top box, a
computing device, a controller, or the like.
[0226] Wager controller 1304, suitable for use as a wager
controller of FIG. 1, includes one or more pseudorandom or random
number generators (P/RNG) to produce random results or pseudo
random results; one or more paytables which includes a plurality of
factors indexed by the random result to be multiplied with an
amount of Cr, AC, elements, or objects committed in a wager; and a
wagering control module whose processes may include, but are not
limited to, generating random results, looking up factors in the
paytables, multiplying the factors by an amount of Cr, AC,
elements, or objects wagered, and administering one or more Cr, AC,
element, or object meters. The various wager controller components
can interface with each other via an internal bus and/or other
appropriate communication mechanism.
[0227] An interface allows the wager controller to operatively
connect to an external device, such as one or more application
controllers as described herein. The interface provides for
receiving of wager execution instructions from the external device
that is used to specify wager parameters and/or trigger execution
of a wager by the wager controller. The interface may also provide
for communicating wager outcome data to an external device. In
numerous embodiments, the interface between the wager controller
and other systems/devices may be a wide area network (WAN) such as
the Internet. However, other methods of communication may be used
including, but not limited to, a local area network (LAN), a
universal serial bus (USB) interface, and/or some other method by
which two electronic devices could communicate with each other.
[0228] In various embodiments, a wager controller may use a P/RNG
provided by an external system. The external system may be
connected to the wager controller by a suitable communication
network such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network
(WAN). In some embodiments, the external P/RNG is a central
deterministic system that provides random or pseudo random results
to one or more connected wager controllers.
[0229] During operation of the wager controller, the external
system communicates wager execution instructions to the wager
controller. The wager controller receives the wager execution
instructions and uses the wager execution instructions to trigger
execution of a wager in accordance with a wagering proposition. The
wager controller executes the wager and determines a wager outcome
for the wager. The wager controller communicates wager outcome data
of the wager outcome to the external system.
[0230] In some embodiments, the wager controller uses the wager
execution instructions to select a paytable to use and/or an amount
of Cr, AC, elements, or objects to wager.
[0231] In some embodiments, the wager outcome data may include, but
is not limited to, an amount of Cr, AC, elements, or objects won in
the wager.
[0232] In various embodiments, the wager outcome data may include,
but is not limited to, an amount of Cr, AC, elements, or objects in
the one or more meters.
[0233] In some embodiments, the wager outcome data includes state
data for the wagering proposition of the executed wager. The state
data may correspond to one or more game states of a gambling game
that is associated with the wagering proposition. Examples of state
data include, but are not limited to, reel strips in an operation
state or a final state for a reel-based gambling game, one or more
dice positions for a dice-based gambling game, positions of a
roulette wheel and roulette ball, position of a wheel of fortune,
or the like.
[0234] In various embodiments, the wagering control module
determines an amount of a wager and a paytable to use from the one
or more paytables. In such embodiments, in response to the wager
execution instructions triggering execution of the wager, the wager
control module executes the wager by requesting a P/RNG result from
the P/RNG; retrieving a paytable from the one or more paytables;
adjusting the one or more credit meters for an amount of the wager;
applying the P/RNG result to the retrieved paytable; multiplying
the resultant factor from the paytable by an amount wagered to
determine a wager outcome; updating the one or more meters based on
the wager outcome; and communicating the wager outcome to the
external device.
[0235] In various embodiments, an external system communicates a
request for a P/RNG result from the wager controller. In response,
the wager controller returns a P/RNG result as a function of an
internal P/RNG or a P/RNG external to the external system to which
the wager controller is operatively connected.
[0236] In some embodiments, a communication exchange between the
wager controller and an external system relate to the external
system support for coupling a P/RNG result to a particular paytable
contained in the wager controller. In such an exchange, the
external system communicates to the wager controller as to which of
the one or more paytables to use, and requests a result whereby the
P/RNG result would be associated with the requested paytable 623.
The result of the coupling is returned to the external system. In
such an exchange, no actual Cr, AC, element, or object wager is
conducted, but might be useful in coupling certain non-value
wagering interactive application behaviors and propositions to the
same final resultant wagering return which is understood for the
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system to
conduct wagering.
[0237] In some embodiments, the wager controller may also include
storage for statuses, wagers, wager outcomes, meters and other
historical events in a storage device.
[0238] In some embodiments, an authorization access module provides
a process to permit access and command exchange with the wager
controller and access to the one or more credit meters for the
amount of Cr, AC, elements, or objects being wagered by the user in
the modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system.
[0239] In numerous embodiments, communication occurs between
various types of a wager controller and an external system, such as
application controller. In some of these embodiments, the purpose
of the wager controller is to allocate wagers to pools, detect
occurrences of one or more events upon which the wagers were made,
and determine the wager outcomes for each individual wager based on
the number of winning wagers and the amount paid into the pool.
[0240] In some embodiments, the wager controller manages accounts
for individual users wherein the users make deposits into the
accounts, amounts are deducted from the accounts, and amounts are
credited to the users' accounts based on the wager outcomes.
[0241] In some embodiments a wager controller is a pari-mutuel
wagering system such as used for wagering on an events such as
horse races, greyhound races, sporting events and the like. In a
pari-mutuel wagering system, user's wagers on the outcome of an
event are allocated to a pool. When the event occurs, wager
outcomes are calculated by sharing the pool among all winning
wagers.
[0242] In various embodiments, a wager controller is a central
determination system, such as but not limited to a central
determination system for a Class II wagering system or a wagering
system in support of a "scratch off" style lottery. In such a
wagering system, a player plays against other players and competes
for a common prize. In a given set of wager outcomes, there are a
certain number of wins and losses. Once a certain wager outcome has
been determined, the same wager outcome cannot occur again until a
new set of wager outcomes is generated.
[0243] In numerous embodiments, communication occurs between
various components of a wager controller 604 and an external
system, such as an application controller. In some of these
embodiments, the purpose of the wager controller is to manage
wagering on wagering events and to provide random (or pseudo
random) results from a P/RNG.
[0244] Wager controller 1304 includes a bus 1332 that provides an
interface for one or more processors 1334, random access memory
(RAM) 1336, read only memory (ROM) 1338, machine-readable storage
medium 1340, one or more user output devices 1342, one or more user
input devices 1344, and one or more communication interface and/or
network interface devices 1346.
[0245] The one or more processors 1334 may take many forms, such
as, but not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a
multi-processor unit (MPU), an ARM processor, a controller, a
programmable logic device, or the like.
[0246] In the example embodiment, the one or more processors 1334
and the random access memory (RAM) 1336 form a wager controller
processing unit 1399. In some embodiments, the wager controller
processing unit includes one or more processors operatively
connected to one or more of a RAM, ROM, and machine-readable
storage medium; the one or more processors of the wager controller
processing unit receive instructions stored by the one or more of a
RAM, ROM, and machine-readable storage medium via a bus; and the
one or more processors execute the received instructions. In some
embodiments, the wager controller processing unit is an ASIC
(Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). In some embodiments, the
wager controller processing unit is a SoC (System-on-Chip).
[0247] Examples of output devices 1342 include, but are not limited
to, display screens, light panels, and/or lighted displays. In
accordance with particular embodiments, the one or more processors
1334 are operatively connected to audio output devices such as, but
not limited to speakers, and/or sound amplifiers. In accordance
with many of these embodiments, the one or more processors 1334 are
operatively connected to tactile output devices like vibrators,
and/or manipulators.
[0248] Examples of user input devices 1334 include, but are not
limited to, tactile devices including but not limited to,
keyboards, keypads, touch screens, and/or trackballs; non-contact
devices such as audio input devices; motion sensors and motion
capture devices that the wager controller can use to receive inputs
from a user when the user interacts with the wager controller
604.
[0249] The one or more communication interface and/or network
interface devices 1346 provide one or more wired or wireless
interfaces for exchanging data and commands between the wager
controller 1304 and other devices that may be included in a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system. Such wired and
wireless interfaces include, but are not limited to: a Universal
Serial Bus (USB) interface; a Bluetooth interface; a Wi-Fi
interface; an Ethernet interface; a Near Field Communication (NFC)
interface; a plain old telephone system (POTS) interface; a
cellular or satellite telephone network interface; and the
like.
[0250] The machine-readable storage medium 1340 stores
machine-executable instructions for various components of a wager
controller, such as but not limited to: an operating system 1348;
one or more application programs 1350; one or more device drivers
1352; and modular interactive application interleaved wagering
system wager controller instructions and data 1354 for use by the
one or more processors 1334 to provide the features of a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system wager
controller as described herein.
[0251] In various embodiments, the machine-readable storage medium
1340 is one of a (or a combination of two or more of) a hard drive,
a flash drive, a DVD, a CD, a flash storage, a solid state drive, a
ROM, an EEPROM, and the like.
[0252] In operation, the machine-executable instructions are loaded
into memory 1336 from the machine-readable storage medium 1340, the
ROM 1338 or any other storage location. The respective
machine-executable instructions are accessed by the one or more
processors 1334 via the bus 1332, and then executed by the one or
more processors 1334. Data used by the one or more processors 1334
are also stored in memory 1336, and the one or more processors 1334
access such data during execution of the machine-executable
instructions. Execution of the machine-executable instructions
causes the one or more processors 1334 to control the wager
controller 1304 to provide the features of a modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system wager controller as
described herein.
[0253] Although the wager controller 1304 is described herein as
being constructed from or configured using one or more processors
and machine-executable instructions stored and executed by hardware
components, the wager controller can be composed of only hardware
components in accordance with other embodiments. In addition,
although the storage medium 1340 is described as being operatively
connected to the one or more processors through a bus, those
skilled in the art of processing devices will understand that the
storage medium can include removable media such as, but not limited
to, a USB memory device, an optical CD ROM, magnetic media such as
tape and disks. In some embodiments, the storage medium 1340 can be
accessed by the one or more processors 1334 through one of the
interfaces or using a communication link. Furthermore, any of the
user input devices or user output devices can be operatively
connected to the one or more processors 1334 via one of the
interfaces or using a communication link.
[0254] In various embodiments, the wager controller 604 may be used
to construct other components of a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system as described herein.
[0255] In some embodiments, components of a wager controller and an
application controller of a modular interactive application
wagering interleaved system may be constructed from or configured
using a single device using processes that communicate using an
interprocess communication protocol. In other such embodiments, the
components of a wager controller and an application controller of a
modular interactive application wagering interleaved system may
communicate by passing messages, parameters or the like.
[0256] It should be understood that there may be many embodiments
of a wager controller 1304 which could be possible, including forms
where many modules and components of the wager controller are
located in various servers and locations, so the foregoing is not
meant to be exhaustive or all inclusive, but rather provide data on
various embodiments of a wager controller 1304.
[0257] FIG. 16 is a diagram of a structure of a session/user
management controller 1404 of a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system in accordance with various embodiments
of the invention. A session/user management controller may be
constructed from or configured using one or more processing devices
configured to perform the operations of the session/user management
controller. In many embodiments, a wager user session can be
constructed from or configured using various types of processing
devices including, but not limited to, a mobile device such as a
smartphone or the like, a personal digital assistant, a wireless
device such as a tablet computer or the like, an electronic gaming
machine, a personal computer, a gaming console, a set-top box, a
computing device, a controller, a server, or the like.
[0258] A session/user management controller 1404, suitable for use
as session/user management controller of FIG. 1, includes a user
management and session control module whose processes may include,
but are not limited to, registering users of a modular interactive
application wagering interleaved system, validating users of a
modular interactive application wagering interleaved system using
user registration data, managing various types of user sessions for
users of the modular interactive application wagering interleaved
system, and the like.
[0259] The session/user management controller may further include a
datastore storing user data used to manage user registration and
validation. The session/user management controller may further
include a datastore storing user session data used to manage one or
more user sessions.
[0260] The various session/user management controller components
can interface with each other via an internal bus and/or other
appropriate communication mechanism.
[0261] An interface allows the session/user management controller
to operatively connect to one or more external devices, such as one
or more application controllers, wager controllers and/or
interactive controllers as described herein. The interface provides
for receiving session telemetry data from the one more external
devices. The user session telemetry data includes, but is not
limited to, amounts of AC earned by one or more users, requests for
entering into a modular interactive application user session as
described herein, and telemetry data regarding the progress of one
or more users during a modular interactive application user
session. The interface may also provide for communicating secession
control data used to manage a user session.
[0262] In numerous embodiments, the interface between the
session/user management controller and other systems/devices may be
a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. However, other
methods of communication may be used including, but not limited to,
a local area network (LAN), a universal serial bus (USB) interface,
and/or some other method by which two electronic devices could
communicate with each other.
[0263] During operation of the session/user management controller,
the external system communicates user session telemetry data to the
session/user management controller. The session/user management
controller receives the user session telemetry data and uses the
user session telemetry data to generate user session control data
as described herein. The session/user management controller
communicates the user session control data to the external
system.
[0264] The session/user management controller 1404 includes a bus
1432 that provides an interface for one or more processors 1434,
random access memory (RAM) 1436, read only memory (ROM) 1438,
machine-readable storage medium 1440, one or more user output
devices 1442, one or more user input devices 1444, and one or more
communication interface and/or network interface devices 1446.
[0265] The one or more processors 1434 may take many forms, such
as, but not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU), a
multi-processor unit (MPU), an ARM processor, a controller, a
programmable logic device, or the like.
[0266] In the example embodiment, the one or more processors 1434
and the random access memory (RAM) 1436 form a session/user
management controller processing unit 1499. In some embodiments,
the session/user management controller processing unit includes one
or more processors operatively connected to one or more of a RAM,
ROM, and machine-readable storage medium; the one or more
processors of the session/user management controller processing
unit receive instructions stored by the one or more of a RAM, ROM,
and machine-readable storage medium via a bus; and the one or more
processors execute the received instructions. In some embodiments,
the session/user management controller processing unit is an ASIC
(Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). In some embodiments, the
session/user management controller processing unit is a SoC
(System-on-Chip).
[0267] Examples of output devices 1442 include, but are not limited
to, display screens, light panels, and/or lighted displays. In
accordance with particular embodiments, the one or more processors
1434 are operatively connected to audio output devices such as, but
not limited to speakers, and/or sound amplifiers. In accordance
with many of these embodiments, the one or more processors 1434 are
operatively connected to tactile output devices like vibrators,
and/or manipulators.
[0268] Examples of user input devices 1444 include, but are not
limited to, tactile devices including but not limited to,
keyboards, keypads, touch screens, and/or trackballs; non-contact
devices such as audio input devices; motion sensors and motion
capture devices that the session/user management controller can use
to receive inputs from a user when the user interacts with the
session/user management controller 1404.
[0269] The one or more communication interface and/or network
interface devices 1446 provide one or more wired or wireless
interfaces for exchanging data and commands between the
session/user management controller 1404 and other devices that may
be included in a modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system. Such wired and wireless interfaces include, but
are not limited to: a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface; a
Bluetooth interface; a Wi-Fi interface; an Ethernet interface; a
Near Field Communication (NFC) interface; a plain old telephone
system (POTS) interface; a cellular or satellite telephone network
interface; and the like.
[0270] The machine-readable storage medium 1440 stores
machine-executable instructions for various components of a
session/user management controller, such as but not limited to: an
operating system 1448; one or more application programs 1450; one
or more device drivers 1452; and modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system session/user management controller
instructions and data 1454 for use by the one or more processors
1434 to provide the features of a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system session/user management controller as
described herein.
[0271] In various embodiments, the machine-readable storage medium
1440 is one of a (or a combination of two or more of) a hard drive,
a flash drive, a DVD, a CD, a flash storage, a solid state drive, a
ROM, an EEPROM, and the like.
[0272] In operation, the machine-executable instructions are loaded
into memory 736 from the machine-readable storage medium 1440, the
ROM 1438 or any other storage location. The respective
machine-executable instructions are accessed by the one or more
processors 1434 via the bus 1432, and then executed by the one or
more processors 1434. Data used by the one or more processors 1434
are also stored in memory 1436, and the one or more processors 1434
access such data during execution of the machine-executable
instructions. Execution of the machine-executable instructions
causes the one or more processors 1434 to control the session/user
management controller 1404 to provide the features of a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system session/user
management controller as described herein
[0273] Although the session/user management controller 1404 is
described herein as being constructed from or configured using one
or more processors and machine-executable instructions stored and
executed by hardware components, the session/user management
controller can be composed of only hardware components in
accordance with other embodiments. In addition, although the
storage medium 1440 is described as being operatively connected to
the one or more processors through a bus, those skilled in the art
of processing devices will understand that the storage medium can
include removable media such as, but not limited to, a USB memory
device, an optical CD ROM, magnetic media such as tape and disks.
In some embodiments, the storage medium 1440 can be accessed by the
one or more processors 1434 through one of the interfaces or using
a communication link. Furthermore, any of the user input devices or
user output devices can be operatively connected to the one or more
processors 1434 via one of the interfaces or using a communication
link.
[0274] In various embodiments, the session/user management
controller 1404 may be used to construct other components of a
modular interactive application interleaved wagering system as
described herein.
[0275] In some embodiments, components of a session/user management
controller and an application controller of a modular interactive
application wagering interleaved system may be constructed from or
configured using a single device using processes that communicate
using an interprocess communication protocol. In other such
embodiments, the components of a session/user management controller
and an application controller of a modular interactive application
wagering interleaved system may communicate by passing messages,
parameters or the like.
[0276] In some embodiments, components of a session/user management
controller and a wager controller of a modular interactive
application wagering interleaved system may be constructed from or
configured using a single device using processes that communicate
using an interprocess communication protocol. In other such
embodiments, the components of a session/user management controller
and an application controller of a modular interactive application
wagering interleaved system may communicate by passing messages,
parameters or the like.
[0277] It should be understood that there may be many embodiments
of a session/user management controller 1404 which could be
possible, including forms where many modules and components of the
session/user management controller are located in various servers
and locations, so the foregoing is not meant to be exhaustive or
all inclusive, but rather provide data on various embodiments of a
session/user management controller 1404.
[0278] In numerous embodiments, any of a wager controller, an
application controller, an interactive controller, or a
session/user management controller as described herein can be
constructed from or configured using multiple processing devices,
whether dedicated, shared, or distributed in any combination
thereof, or can be constructed from or configured using a single
processing device. In addition, while certain aspects and features
of modular interactive application interleaved wagering system
processes described herein have been attributed to a wager
controller, an application controller, an interactive controller,
or a session/user management controller, these aspects and features
can be provided in a distributed form where any of the features or
aspects can be provided by any of a session/user management
controller, a wager controller, an application controller, and/or
an interactive controller within a modular interactive application
interleaved wagering system without deviating from the spirit of
the invention.
[0279] Although various components of modular interactive
application interleaved wagering systems are discussed herein,
modular interactive application interleaved wagering systems can be
configured with any component as appropriate to the specification
of a specific application in accordance with embodiments of the
invention. In certain embodiments, components of a modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system, such as a
session/user management controller, an application controller, a
wager controller, and/or an interactive controller, can be
configured in different ways for a specific modular interactive
application interleaved wagering system.
[0280] In some embodiments, components of a session/user management
controller, an interactive controller, an application controller,
and/or a wager controller of a modular interactive application
wagering interleaved system may be constructed from or configured
using a single device using processes that communicate using an
interprocess communication protocol. In many embodiments, the
components of a session/user management controller, an interactive
controller, an application controller and a wager controller of a
modular interactive application wagering interleaved system may
communicate by passing messages, parameters or the like.
[0281] In addition, while certain aspects and features of modular
interactive application interleaved wagering system processes
described herein have been attributed to a session/user management
controller, a wager controller, an application controller, or an
interactive controller, these aspects and features can be provided
in a distributed form where any of the features or aspects can be
provided by any of a session/user management controller, a wager
controller, an application controller, and/or an interactive
controller within a modular interactive application interleaved
wagering system.
[0282] While the above description may include many specific
embodiments of the invention, these should not be construed as
limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as examples
of embodiments thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the
present invention can be practiced otherwise than specifically
described, without departing from the scope and spirit of the
present invention. Thus, embodiments of the present invention
described herein should be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive.
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