U.S. patent application number 16/842603 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-29 for interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gamblit Gaming, LLC. Invention is credited to Miles Arnone, Eric Meyerhofer, Caitlyn Ross.
Application Number | 20200342712 16/842603 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004942482 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-29 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200342712 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arnone; Miles ; et
al. |
October 29, 2020 |
INTERLEAVED WAGERING SYSTEM WITH TIMED RANDOMIZED VARIABLE
Abstract
An interleaved wagering system with randomized variable is
disclosed. The system includes a mobile device that has an
interactive controller that provides an entertainment game. An
application controller operatively connects the mobile device to a
wager controller. The application controller receives user input
via the interactive controller, and requests a randomized variable
from the wager controller. The application controller inserts the
randomized variable into a skill event and communicates the result
of the skill event to the wager controller. The wager controller
generates a randomized variable. The wager controller uses the
skill event data to determine if the skill event is successful
according to parameters outside the control of the interactive
application.
Inventors: |
Arnone; Miles; (Cambridge,
MA) ; Meyerhofer; Eric; (Pasadena, CA) ; Ross;
Caitlyn; (Watertown, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Gamblit Gaming, LLC |
Glendale |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004942482 |
Appl. No.: |
16/842603 |
Filed: |
April 7, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16149940 |
Oct 2, 2018 |
10614659 |
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16842603 |
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15227881 |
Aug 3, 2016 |
10089825 |
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16149940 |
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62200199 |
Aug 3, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3269 20130101;
G07F 17/3244 20130101; G07F 17/3295 20130101; G07F 17/3225
20130101; G07F 17/3209 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20060101
G07F017/32 |
Claims
1. An interleaved wagering system with randomized variable,
comprising: a mobile device constructed to: accept user input via
an input device; provide an interactive application stored on a
non-transitory machine-readable storage medium; provide an
interactive application display; distribute the user input to an
application controller; the application controller operatively
connecting the mobile device to a wager controller, wherein the
application controller is constructed to: receive the user input
via the mobile device; generate a skill event; request a randomized
variable from the wager controller; receive the randomized variable
from the wager controller; insert the randomized variable into the
skill event; and distribute a result of the skill event to the
wager controller; and the wager controller constructed to; receive
the request for the randomized variable; generate the randomized
variable using a random number generator; distribute the randomized
variable; receive the result of the skill event; and determine if
the skill event is successful.
2. The interleaved wagering system with randomized variable of
claim 1, wherein the mobile device and the application controller
are constructed from the same device, and wherein the application
controller is operatively connected to the wager controller using a
communication link.
3. The interleaved wagering system with randomized variable of
claim 1, wherein there is a time limit associated with the skill
event.
4. The interleaved wagering system with randomized variable of
claim 1, wherein the skill event uses a timer that cannot be
stopped, paused, or otherwise halted by the user and operates
independently of user actions.
5. The interleaved wagering system with randomized variable of
claim 1, wherein the application controller: associates the skill
event with a skill event timer; calculates the amount of time the
skill event takes; distributes the skill event time to the wager
controller; and wherein the wager controller flags differences
between the skill event timer and a time elapsed.
6. The interleaved wagering system with randomized variable of
claim 5, wherein the wager controller suspends the interactive
application based on the differences between the skill event timer
and the time elapsed.
7. The interleaved wagering system with randomized variable of
claim 1, wherein the wager controller maintains an external
database of anomalies.
8. The interleaved wagering system with randomized variable of
claim 7, wherein the wager controller determines an anomaly is not
in the external database and adds the anomaly to the database.
9. The interleaved wagering system with randomized variable of
claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a smartphone.
10. The interleaved wagering system with randomized variable of
claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a tablet computer.
11. The interleaved wagering system with randomized variable of
claim 1, wherein the mobile device is a personal digital assistant.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The current application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/149,940, filed Oct. 2, 2018, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/227,881, filed
Aug. 3, 2016, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application
No. 62/200,199, filed Aug. 3, 2015, the entire contents of which
are incorporated by reference herein.
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 gaming device 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 computer gaming system 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 gambling games need communication
and processing systems that are better suited for implementing
these more complicated gambling games. Various aspects of
embodiments of the present 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 an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable.
[0008] In an aspect of an embodiment of the invention, an
application controller operates as an interface between an
interactive controller and a wager controller. By virtue of this
aspect, 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.
[0009] In another aspect of another embodiment of the invention, a
single wager controller may provide services to two or more
interactive controllers and/or two or more application controllers,
thus allowing an interleaved wagering system to operate more
efficiently over a large range of scaling.
[0010] In another aspect of another embodiment of the invention,
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 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.
[0011] In another aspect of another embodiment of the invention, 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, thus providing for a more economical system as the
regulated operator need not expend capital to purchase interactive
controllers.
[0012] In another aspect of another embodiment of the invention,
data communicated between the controllers may be encrypted to
increase security of the interleaved wagering system.
[0013] In another aspect of another embodiment of the invention, an
application controller isolates wager logic and application logic
as unregulated logic from a regulated wager controller, thus
allowing errors in the application logic and/or wager logic to be
corrected, new application logic and/or wager logic to be used, or
modifications to be made to the application logic and/or wager
logic without a need for time-consuming regulatory approval.
[0014] In another aspect of 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 the embodiments of the
invention, processing loads may be distributed across multiple
devices such that operations of the interactive controller may be
dedicated to the interactive application and the processes of the
application controller and/or wager controller are not burdened by
the requirements of the interactive application.
[0015] In another aspect of another embodiment of the invention, an
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. In many
such embodiments, one or more components of an 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 an 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 an 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 an interleaved wagering
system are located in a common location. In some embodiments, a
session/management controller is located in a common location with
an application controller and/or a wager controller. In various
embodiments, these multiple devices can be constructed from or
configured using a single device or a plurality of devices such
that an 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 an interleaved wagering system may communicate using
a networking protocol or other type of device-to-device
communications protocol.
[0016] In another aspect of another embodiment of the invention, 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 interleaved wagering system s can use.
[0017] In another aspect of another embodiment of the invention, 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 interleaved wagering system s.
[0018] In another aspect of another embodiment of the invention, an
interactive application server provides a host for managing
head-to-head play operating over a network of interactive
controllers connected to the interactive application server using a
communication link. The interactive application server provides an
environment where users can compete directly with one another and
interact with other users.
[0019] In another embodiment, an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable includes an interactive controller
constructed to receive a user input from a user, communicate the
user input to an application controller, receive a subsequent user
input from the user, and communicate the subsequent user input to
the application controller. The application controller operatively
connects the interactive controller to a wager controller, and the
application controller is constructed to receive the user input
from the interactive controller, determine a future user action
from the user input, receive the subsequent user input from the
interactive controller, determine a subsequent user action from the
subsequent user input, compare the future user action with the
subsequent user action, and generate an error when the subsequent
user action does not correspond to the future user action.
[0020] In another embodiment, 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.
[0021] In yet another embodiment, the wager controller and the
application controller are constructed from the same device, and
the application controller is operatively connected to the
interactive controller using a communication link.
[0022] In yet another embodiment, the interleaved wagering system
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.
[0023] In some embodiments, the wager controller is further
constructed to communicate with the credit input device to receive
a credit input, credit a credit meter with credits based on the
incoming credit data, execute a wager based on a communication
received from the application controller, update the credit meter
based on a wager outcome of the wager, and communicate with the
credit output device to generate a credit output based on credits
transferred off of the credit meter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1A is a diagram of a structure of an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable in accordance with
various embodiments of the invention.
[0025] FIG. 1B is a diagram of a land-based configuration of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0026] FIG. 1C is another diagram of a land-based configuration of
an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0027] FIG. 1D is a diagram of an interactive configuration of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0028] FIG. 1E is a diagram of a mobile configuration of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0029] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are illustrations of interactive
controllers of an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable in accordance with various embodiments of the
invention.
[0030] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are diagrams of distributed interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variables in accordance with
various embodiments of the invention.
[0031] FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams of a structure of an
interactive controller of an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable in accordance with various embodiments of the
invention.
[0032] FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams of a structure of a wager
controller of an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable in accordance with various embodiments of the
invention.
[0033] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams of a structure of an
application controller of an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable in accordance with various embodiments of the
invention.
[0034] FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams of a structure of a user
management and session controller of an interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variable in accordance with various
embodiments of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of interactions between
components of an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable in accordance with various embodiments of the
invention.
[0036] FIG. 9 is a collaboration diagram for components of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0037] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of steps that may be performed to
create a timed randomized variable within an interleaved wagering
system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 11 is a flowchart of steps that indicate where specific
algorithms operate within an interleaved wagering system in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] An interleaved wagering system with randomized variable
interleaves wagering with non-wagering activities. In some
embodiments of an interleaved wagering system with randomized
variable an interactive application executed by an interactive
controller provides non-wagering components of the interleaved
wagering system with randomized variable. The interactive
controller is operatively connected to an application controller
that manages and configures the interactive controller and the
interactive application, and determines when wagers should be
interleaved with the operations of the interactive application. The
application controller is further operatively connected to a wager
controller that provides one or more wagering propositions for one
or more wagers.
[0040] In some embodiments, the interactive controller also
executes a wagering user interface 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. The
content of the wagering user interface is controlled by the
application controller and includes content provided by the wager
controller.
[0041] In various embodiments, the interactive controller executes
a user management interface that a user uses to manage a user
profile including an electronic wallet for deposit and withdrawals
of credits used for wagering.
[0042] In several embodiments, a user or user interactions are
represented in an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable by the electronic representation of interactions between
the user and the interactive application, typically received via a
user interface of the interactive application, and a user profile
of the interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable
associated with the user.
[0043] Many different types of interactive applications may be
utilized with the interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable. In some embodiments, the interactive application reacts
to the physical activity of the user. In these embodiments, the
user interacts with the interactive application through one or more
sensors that monitor the user's physical activities. 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 user, accelerometers that
monitor changes in motion of the user, and location sensors that
monitor the location of the user such as global positioning
sensors.
[0044] In some embodiments, the interactive application is a
skill-based interactive game that is played by the user.
[0045] In some embodiments, the interactive application is a tool
used by the user to achieve some useful goal.
[0046] In operation, a user interacts with the interactive
application using various types of elements of the interactive
application 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. Wager
outcomes of wagers of credits made in accordance with the wagering
proposition can cause consumption, loss or accrual of credits.
[0047] In accordance with some embodiments, wager outcomes of
wagering events can influence elements in the interactive
application 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.
[0048] In various embodiments, the wagers may be made using one or
more credits (Cr).
[0049] 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.
[0050] 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.
[0051] In several embodiments, during interaction with the
interactive application using the elements, a user can optionally
consume and/or accrue application environment credit (AC) within
the interactive application as a result of the user's use of the
interactive application. AC can be in the form of, but is not
limited to, application environment credits, experience points, and
points generally.
[0052] In various embodiments, when the interactive application 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 typical video game. The
skill-based interactive game can have one or more scoring criteria,
embedded within an application controller and/or an interactive
controller that provides the skill-based interactive game, that
reflect user performance against one or more goals of the
skill-based interactive game.
[0053] 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.
[0054] 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
any other game event.
[0055] 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.
[0056] 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.
[0057] 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 an Cr value if cashed out.
[0058] In some embodiments, such as when an interactive application
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, the 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.
[0059] In some embodiments, elements in an interactive application
include, but are not limited to, enabling elements (EE) that are
interactive application environment resources utilized during the
user's use of the interactive application and whose utilization by
the user while using the interactive application triggers execution
of a wager in accordance with a wagering proposition. In another
embodiment, elements in an interactive application 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 another embodiment, elements in an interactive application
include, but are not limited to, an actionable element (AE) that is
an element that is acted upon during use of the interactive
application to trigger a wager in accordance with a wagering
proposition and may or may not be restorable during normal play of
the interactive application. In yet another embodiment, elements in
an interactive application 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. In some embodiments, in progressing through
interactive application 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.
[0060] In accordance with some embodiments of an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable, 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 an interactive
application 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 an interactive
application 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 an interactive
application 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, any interactive application
resource can be utilized in an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable to trigger of a wager as appropriate to
the specification of a specific application in accordance with
various embodiments of the invention.
[0061] In several embodiments, an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable can utilize an application controller to
monitor use of the interactive application executed by an
interactive controller for detecting a trigger of a wagering event.
The trigger for the wagering event can be detected by the
application controller from the utilization of the interactive
application in accordance with at least one wagering event
occurrence rule. The trigger of the wagering event can be
communicated to a wager controller. In response to notification of
the trigger, the wager controller executes a wager in accordance
with a wagering proposition. In addition, use of an interactive
application in an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable can be modified by the application controller based upon
the wager outcome.
[0062] In several embodiments, a wagering event occurrence can be
determined from one or more application environment variables
within an interactive application that are used to 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 interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variable interactive application use, a
result from an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable 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.
[0063] In numerous embodiments, an interactive application
instruction is an instruction to an interactive controller and/or
an interactive application to modify an interactive application
state or modify one or more interactive application resources. In
some embodiments, the interactive application instructions may be
based upon one or more of a wager outcome and application
environment variables. An interactive application instruction can
modify any aspect of an interactive application, such as, but not
limited to, an addition of a period of time available for a current
interactive application user session for the interactive
application of interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable, an addition of a period of time available for a future
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable
interactive application user session or any other modification to
the interactive application elements that can be utilized during
interactive application 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.
[0064] In a number of embodiments, a user interface can be utilized
that depicts a status of the interactive application in the
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable. A user
interface can depict any aspect of an interactive application
including, but not limited to, an illustration of interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable interactive
application use advancement as a user uses the interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable.
[0065] In some embodiments, an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable including an application controller
operatively connected to a wager controller and operatively
connected to an interactive controller may provide for interleaving
entertainment content from an interactive application with
wagering. The interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable provides for random wager outcomes in accordance with the
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.
[0066] In several embodiments, an application controller of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable may
provide for a communications interface for asynchronous
communications between a wager controller and an interactive
application provided by an interactive controller, by operatively
connecting the interactive controller, and thus the interactive
controller's interactive application, with the wager controller. In
some embodiments, asynchronous communications provided for by an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable may
reduce an amount of idle waiting time by an interactive controller
of the interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable,
thus increasing an amount of processing resources that the
interactive controller may provide to an interactive application or
other processes of the interactive controller. In many embodiments,
asynchronous communications provided for by an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable reduces an amount of idle
waiting time by a wager controller, thus increasing an amount of
processing resources that the wager controller may provide to
execution of wagers to determine wager outcomes, and other
processes provided by the wager controller. In some embodiments, a
wager controller of an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable 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 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 of the interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variable.
[0067] In some embodiments, an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable 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 an interactive application provided by 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.
[0068] In various embodiments, an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable 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 may receive wager requests and communicate
wager outcomes without regard to a nature of an interactive
application provided by the interactive controller.
Timed, Randomized Variable Wagering Interleaved Systems
[0069] FIG. 1A is a diagram of a structure of an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable in accordance with
various embodiments of the invention. The interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable 128 includes an interactive
controller 120, an application controller 112, and a wager
controller 102. The interactive controller 120 is operatively
connected to, and communicates with, the application controller
112. The application controller 112 is also operatively connected
to, and communicates with, the wager controller 102.
[0070] In several embodiments, the wager controller 102 is a
controller for providing one or more wagering propositions provided
by the interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable
128 and executes wagers in accordance with the wagering
propositions. Types of value of a wager 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 the player through use of an interactive application, a
wager of an amount of elements of an interactive application, and a
wager of an amount of objects used in an 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 or
decreasing 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.
[0071] In many embodiments, the wager controller 102 includes one
or more pseudo random or random number generators (P/RNG) 106 for
generating random results, one or more paytables 108 for
determining a wager outcome from the random results, and one or
more credit or value meters 110 for storing amounts of wagered and
won credits.
[0072] In operation, the one or more P/RNG generators 106 execute
processes that generate random or pseudo random results. The one or
more paytables 108 are tables that map the random or pseudo random
results a wager outcome including an amount of Cr, AC, elements or
objects won as a function of multiuser interleaved wagering system
use. There can be one or more paytables 108 in the wager controller
102. The paytables 108 are used to implement one or more wagering
propositions in conjunction with a random output of the random or
pseudo random results. For example, in one embodiment of a wager
controller, the wager controller continuously generates pseudo
random numbers using P/RNG generators 106. A most current pseudo
random number is stored in a buffer. When the wager controller
receives a request for a wager outcome, the wager controller uses
the stored pseudo random number along with a paytable selected from
paytables 108. The paytable includes a mapping of values in the
range of values of the pseudo random number to specified
multipliers to be applied to the number of credits wagered. The
multiplier is applied to an amount of wagered elements and the
resultant product is a wagering outcome for a wagering
proposition.
[0073] In some embodiments, a range of the value of the pseudo
random number is mapped to a symbol representing a random element
of a traditional gambling game, and the mapped to symbol is used in
conjunction with the paytable. In one such embodiment, the pseudo
random number is mapped to a card of a deck of cards. In another
such embodiment, the pseudo random number is mapped to a face of a
die. In yet another such embodiment, the pseudo random number is
mapped to symbol of a reel strip on a reel slot machine. In yet
another such embodiment, the pseudo random number is mapped to a
pocket of a roulette wheel. In some embodiments, two or more pseudo
numbers are mapped to appropriate symbols to represent a completed
gambling proposition. In one such embodiment, two pseudo numbers
are mapped to faces of a die to simulate a random outcome generated
by throwing two dice, such as in a game of craps. In another such
embodiment, multiple pseudo random numbers are mapped to cards from
a deck of cards without replacement such that the drawing of cards
from a deck of playing cards is achieved for creating a user's hand
in a card game. In yet another such embodiment, two or more pseudo
random numbers are mapped to a reel strip to create stop positions
for a multi-reel slot machine.
[0074] 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 the interactive application, user identification, and
eligibility of the user for bonus rounds.
[0075] In some embodiments, wager controller executes a wager in
accordance with a wagering proposition by executing wager execution
instructions that define processes of a wagering proposition where
the wager execution instructions are formatted in a scripting
language. In operation, a decision engine of an application
controller generates the wager execution instructions in the form
of a script written in the scripting language. The script includes
the wager execution instructions that describe how the wager
controller is to execute the wagering proposition. The completed
script is encoded as wager execution instruction data and
communicated to the wager controller by the application controller.
The wager controller receives the wager execution instruction data
and parses the script encoded in the wager execution instruction
data and executes the instructions included in the script to
execute the wager.
[0076] In some embodiments, a wager controller executes a wager in
accordance with a wagering proposition by executing wager execution
instructions that define processes of the wagering user interface.
In operation, a decision engine of an application controller
generates the wager execution instructions and encodes the wager
execution instructions into wager execution instruction data that
are communicated to the wager controller by the application
controller. The wager controller receives the wager execution
instruction data and executes the instructions encoded in the wager
execution instruction data to execute the wager.
[0077] In various embodiments, the interactive controller 120
provides an interactive application 143 and provides human input
devices (HIDs) and output devices for interacting with the user
140. The interactive controller 120 provides for user interactions
142 with the interactive application 143 by receiving input from a
user through the HIDs and providing outputs such as video, audio
and/or other sensory output to the user using the output
devices.
[0078] The interactive controller 120 is operatively connected to,
and communicates with, the application controller 112. The
interactive controller communicates application telemetry data 124
to the application controller 112 and receives application
instructions and resources 136 from the application controller 112.
Via the communication of application instructions and resources
136, the application controller 112 can communicate certain
interactive application resources including control parameters to
the interactive application 143 to affect the interactive
application's execution by the interactive controller 120. In
various embodiments, these interactive application control
parameters can be based on a wager outcome of a wager that was
triggered by an element in the interactive application being
utilized or acted upon by the user.
[0079] In some embodiments, execution of the interactive
application by the interactive controller 120 communicates user
interactions with the interactive application to the application
controller 112. The application telemetry data 124 includes, but is
not limited to, the user's utilization of the elements in the
interactive application.
[0080] In some embodiments, the interactive application 143 is a
skill-based interactive game. In such embodiments, execution of the
skill-based interactive game by the interactive controller 120 is
based on the user's skillful play of the skill-based interactive
game. The interactive controller 120 can also communicate user
choices made in the skill-based interactive game to the application
controller 112 included in the application telemetry data 124 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, the
application controller is interfaced to the interactive controller
120 in order to allow the coupling of the skill-based interactive
game to wagers made in accordance with a wagering proposition.
[0081] In some embodiments, the interactive controller 120 includes
one or more sensors 138 that sense various aspects of the physical
environment of the interactive controller 120. 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; temperature
sensors; accelerometers; pressure sensors; and the like. Sensor
telemetry data 133 is communicated by the interactive controller to
the application controller 112 as part of the application telemetry
data 124. The application controller 112 receives the sensor
telemetry data 133 and uses the sensor telemetry data to make wager
decisions.
[0082] In many embodiments, the interactive controller includes a
wagering user interface 148 used to display wagering data to the
user.
[0083] In various embodiments, an application control interface 131
resident in the interactive controller 120 provides an interface
between the interactive controller 120 and the application
controller 112. The application control interface 131 implements an
interactive controller to application controller communication
protocol employing a device-to-device communication protocol.
[0084] In some embodiments, the application controller 112 includes
an interactive controller interface 160 to an interactive
controller. The interactive controller interface 160 provides for
the communication of data between the interactive controller and
the application controller, including but not limited to wager
telemetry data 146, application instructions and resources 136,
application telemetry data 124, and sensor telemetry data 133.
[0085] In some embodiments, the application controller 112 includes
a user management and session controller interface 165 to a user
management and session controller. The user management and session
controller interface 165 provides for communication of data between
the application controller 112 and the user management and session
controller, including but not limited to user session control data
152 and user session telemetry data 154.
[0086] In many embodiments, application controller 112 provides an
interface between the interactive application 143 provided by the
interactive controller 120 and a wagering proposition provided by
the wager controller 102.
[0087] In various embodiments, the application controller 112
includes a wager controller interface 162 to a wager controller.
The wager controller interface 162 provides for communication of
data between the application controller 112 and the wager
controller, including but not limited to wager outcome data 130 and
wager execution instructions 129.
[0088] The application controller 112 includes a rule-based
decision engine 122 that receives telemetry data, such as
application telemetry data 124 and sensor telemetry data 133, from
the interactive controller 120. The rule-based decision engine 122
uses the telemetry data, along with wager logic 126 to generate
wager execution instructions 129 that are used by the application
controller 112 to instruct the wager controller 102 to execute a
wager. The wager execution instruction data is communicated by the
application controller 112 to the wager controller 102. The wager
controller 102 receives the wager execution instruction data 129
and executes a wager in accordance with the wager execution
instruction data.
[0089] In an embodiment, application telemetry data used by a
decision engine encodes data about the operation of an interactive
application executed by the interactive controller. In some
embodiments, the application telemetry data encodes operations
taken by a user, such as a user's selection of an object within a
game world. In many embodiments, the application telemetry data
includes a state of the interactive application, such as values of
variables that change as the interactive application is executed.
The decision engine includes one or more rules as part of wager
logic used by the decision engine to determine when a wager should
be triggered. Each rule includes one or more variable values
constituting a pattern that is to be matched to one or more
variable values encoded in the application telemetry data. Each
rule also includes one or more actions that are to be taken if the
pattern is matched. Actions can include generating wager execution
instruction data and using the wager execution instruction data to
instruct a wager controller to execute a wager as described herein.
During operation, the decision engine receives application
telemetry data from an interactive controller via an interface. The
decision engine compares the variable values encoded in the
application telemetry data to one or more patterns of one or more
rules. If a match between the variable values and a pattern of a
rule is found, then the decision engine performs the action of the
matched rule.
[0090] In some embodiments, the application telemetry data 124
includes, but is not limited to, application environment variables
that indicate the state of the interactive application 143 being
used by a user 140, interactive controller data indicating the
state of the interactive controller 120, and user actions and
interactions 142 between the user and the interactive application
143 provided by the interactive controller 120. The wager execution
instruction data 129 may include, but are 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.
[0091] In some embodiments, the rule-based decision engine 122 also
receives wager outcome data 130 from the wager controller 102. The
decision engine 122 uses the wager outcome data 130, in conjunction
with the telemetry data and application logic 132, to generate
interactive application instruction and resource data 136 that the
application controller 112 communicates to the interactive
controller 120 via interfaces 160 and 131.
[0092] In an embodiment, wager outcome data used by a decision
engine encodes data about the execution of a wager executed by a
wager controller. In some embodiments, the wager outcome data
encodes values of variables including an amount of credits wagered,
an amount of credits won and values of credits stored in one or
more meters of the wager controller. In many embodiments, the wager
outcome data includes a state of the wager controller, such as
values of variables that change as the wager controller executes
wagers. The decision engine includes one or more rules as part of
application logic used by the decision engine to generate
interactive application instruction and resource data. Each rule
includes one or more variable values constituting a pattern that is
to be matched to one or more variable values encoded in the wager
outcome data. Each rule also includes one or more actions that are
to be taken if the pattern is matched. Actions can include
generating interactive application instruction and resource data
and using the interactive application instruction and resource data
to instruct an interactive controller to affect execution of an
interactive application as described herein. During operation, the
decision engine receives wager outcome data from a wager controller
via an interface. The decision engine compares the variable values
encoded in the wager outcome data to one or more patterns of one or
more rules. If a match between the variable values and a pattern of
a rule is found, then the decision engine performs the action of
the matched rule. In some embodiments, the decision engine uses
application telemetry data received from an interactive controller
in conjunction with the wager outcome data to generate interactive
application instruction and resource data.
[0093] The interactive controller receives the interactive
application instructions and resource data 136 and uses the
interactive application instruction and resource data 136 to
configure and instruct the interactive application 143.
[0094] In some embodiments, an interactive application operates
utilizing a scripting language. The interactive application parses
scripts written in the scripting language and executes instructions
encoded in the scripts and sets variable values as defined in the
scripts. In operation of such embodiments, an application
controller generates interactive application instruction and
resource data in the form of scripts written in the scripting
language that are communicated to an interactive controller. The
interactive controller receives the scripts and passes them to the
interactive application. The interactive application receives the
scripts, parses the scripts and executes the instructions and sets
the variable values as encoded in the scripts.
[0095] In many embodiments, an interactive application can perform
operations as instructed by commands communicated from an
application controller. The commands instruct the interactive
controller to perform specified operations such as executing
specified instructions and/or setting the values of variables
utilized by the interactive application. In operation of such
embodiments, an application controller generates commands that are
encoded into interactive application instruction and resource data
that are communicated to an interactive controller. The interactive
controller passes the application instruction and resource data to
the interactive application. The interactive application parses the
application instruction and resource data and performs operations
in accordance with the commands encoded in the interactive
application instruction and resource data.
[0096] In many embodiments, the application controller 112 includes
a pseudo random or random result generator used to generate random
results that are used by the decision engine to generate portions
of the interactive application instruction and resource data
136.
[0097] In various embodiments, the rule-based decision engine 122
also determines an amount of AC to award to the user 140 based at
least in part on the user's use of the interactive application of
the interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable as
determined from the application telemetry data 124. In some
embodiments, wager outcome data 130 may also be used to determine
the amount of AC that should be awarded to the user.
[0098] In numerous embodiments, the 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.
[0099] In addition, the interactive application instruction and
resource data 136 are communicated to a wagering user interface
generator 144. The wagering user interface generator 144 also
receives wager outcome data 130. The wagering user interface
generator 144 uses the interactive application instruction and
resource data 136 and the wager outcome data 130 to generate wager
telemetry instructions 146 used by the application controller 112
to instruct the interactive controller to generate a wagering user
interface 148 describing the state of wagering and credit
accumulation and loss for the interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable. In some embodiments, the wager telemetry
data 146 may include, but is not limited to, amounts of AC and
elements earned, lost or accumulated by the user through use of the
interactive application as determined from the application
decisions, and Cr amounts won, lost or accumulated as determined
from the wager outcome data 130 and the one or more meters 110.
[0100] In some embodiments, the wager outcome data 130 also
includes data about one or more game states of a gambling game
executed in accordance with a wagering proposition by the wager
controller 102. In various such embodiments, the wagering user
interface generator 144 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 the wager
telemetry data 146 that is communicated to the interactive
controller 120. The gambling game process display and/or a gambling
game state display is displayed by the wagering user interface 148
to the user 140. In other such embodiments, the one or more game
states of the gambling game are communicated to the interactive
controller 120 and the interactive controller 120 is instructed to
generate the gambling game process display and/or gambling game
state display of the wagering user interface 148 using the one or
more game states of the gambling game for display to the user
140.
[0101] In some embodiments, the wager outcome data 130 includes
game state data about execution of a gambling game that underlies a
wagering proposition, including but not limited to a final state,
intermediate state and/or 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 reel positions, in a
gambling game that is a roulette wheel-based game, the final state
may be a pocket where a ball may have come to rest, in a gambling
game that is a card-based game, the beginning, intermediate and
final states may represent a play of cards, etc.
[0102] In some embodiments, an interactive controller generates a
wagering user interface by executing instructions that define
processes of the wagering user interface where the instructions are
formatted in a scripting language. In operation, a wagering user
interface generator of an application controller generates
instructions in the form of a script written in the scripting
language. The script includes instructions that describe how the
interactive controller is to display wagering outcome data to a
user. The completed script is encoded as wager telemetry data and
communicated to the interactive controller by the application
controller. The interactive controller receives the wager telemetry
data and parses the script encoded in the wager telemetry data and
executes the instructions included in the script to generate the
wagering user interface.
[0103] In many embodiments, an interactive controller generates a
wagering user interface based on a document written in a document
markup language that includes instructions that define processes of
the wagering user interface. In operation, a wagering user
interface generator of an application controller generates a
document composed in the document markup language. The document
includes instructions that describe how the interactive controller
is to display wagering outcome data to a user. The completed
document is encoded as wager telemetry data and communicated to the
interactive controller by the application controller. The
interactive controller receives the wager telemetry data and parses
the document encoded in the wager telemetry data and executes the
instructions encoded into the document to generate the wagering
user interface.
[0104] In some embodiments, an interactive controller generates a
wagering user interface by executing instructions that define
processes of the wagering user interface. In operation, a wagering
user interface generator of an application controller generates the
instructions and encodes the instructions into wager telemetry data
that is communicated to the interactive controller by the
application controller. The interactive controller receives the
wager telemetry data and executes the instructions encoded in the
wager telemetry data to generate the wagering user interface.
[0105] In various embodiments, an interactive controller includes a
data store of graphic and audio display resources that the
interactive controller uses to generate a wagering user interface
as described herein.
[0106] In many embodiments, an application controller communicates
graphic and audio display resources as part of wager telemetry data
to an interactive controller. The interactive controller uses the
graphic and audio display resources to generate a wagering user
interface as described herein.
[0107] When the user 140 interacts with the wagering user interface
148, wagering user interface telemetry data 149 is generated by the
wagering user interface 148 and communicated by the interactive
controller 120 to the application controller 112 using interfaces
131 and 160.
[0108] The application controller 112 can further operatively
connect to the wager controller 102 to determine an amount of
credit or elements available and other wagering metrics of a
wagering proposition. Thus, the application controller 112 may
potentially affect an amount of Cr in play for participation in the
wagering events of a gambling game provided by the wager controller
102 in some embodiments. The application controller 112 may
additionally include various audit logs and activity meters. In
some embodiments, the application controller 112 can also couple to
a centralized session and/or user management controller 150 for
exchanging various data related to the user and the activities of
the user during game play of an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable.
[0109] In many embodiments, one or more users can be engaged in
using the interactive application 143 executed by the interactive
controller 120. In various embodiments, an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable can include an interactive
application 143 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 143 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.
[0110] In some embodiments, the operation of the application
controller 112 does not affect the provision of a wagering
proposition by the wager controller 102 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.
[0111] In various embodiments, wager outcome data 130 communicated
from the wager controller 102 can also be used to convey a status
operation of the wager controller 102.
[0112] In a number of embodiments, communication of the wager
execution instructions 129 between the wager controller 102 and the
application controller 112 can further be used to communicate
various wagering control factors that the wager controller 102 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.
[0113] In some embodiments, the application controller 112 utilizes
the wagering user interface 148 to communicate certain interactive
application data to the user, including but not limited to, club
points, user status, control of the selection of choices, and
messages which a user can find useful in order to adjust the
interactive application experience or understand the wagering
status of the user in accordance with the wagering proposition in
the wager controller 102.
[0114] In some embodiments, the application controller 112 utilizes
the wagering user interface 148 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.
[0115] In a number of embodiments, the wager controller 102 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 102 can resolve, entrance into a bonus
round, and other factors. An example of a varying wager amount that
the 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. In several embodiments, the
wager controller 102 can communicate a number of factors back and
forth to the application controller 112, via an interface, such
that an increase/decrease in a wagered amount can be related to the
change in user profile of the user in the 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 the
interactive application experience.
[0116] In some embodiments, a user management and session
controller 150 is used to authorize an interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variable user session. The user management
and session controller receives game user session data 152, that
may include, but is not limited to, user, interactive controller,
application controller and wager controller data from the
application controller 112. The user management and session
controller 150 uses the user, interactive controller, application
controller and wager controller data to regulate an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable user session. In
some embodiments, the user management and session controller 150
may also assert control of an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable game user session 154. Such control may
include, but is not limited to, ending an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable game user session, initiating
wagering in an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable game user session, ending wagering in an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable game user session
but not ending a user's play of the interactive application portion
of the interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable,
and changing from real credit wagering in an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable to virtual credit wagering,
or vice versa.
[0117] In many embodiments, the user management and session
controller 150 manages user profiles for a plurality of users. The
user management and session controller 150 stores and manages data
about users in order to provide authentication and authorization of
users of the interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable 128. In some embodiments, the user management and session
controller 150 also manages geolocation information to ensure that
the interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable i128
is only used by users in jurisdictions were gaming is approved. In
various embodiments, the user management and session controller 150
stores application credits that are associated with the user's use
of the interactive application of the interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variable 128.
[0118] In some embodiments, the user management and session
controller 150 communicates user and session management data 155 to
the user using a management user interface 157 of the interactive
controller. The user 140 interacts with the management user
interface 157 and the management user interface generates
management telemetry data 159 that is communicated to the user
management and session controller 150.
[0119] In some embodiments, the wager controller 102 communicates
wager session control data 153 and 151 to and from the user
management and session controller 150 using interface 167.
[0120] In various embodiments, the application controller operates
as an interface between the interactive controller and the 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 will allowing
the wager controller to operate in a regulated environment.
[0121] 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 an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable to operate over a large range
of scaling.
[0122] 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 the application controller
and/or the wager controller.
[0123] 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.
[0124] In several embodiments, data communicated between the
controllers may be encrypted to increase security of the
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable.
[0125] In some embodiments, the application controller isolates
wager logic and application logic as unregulated logic from a
regulated wager controller, thus allowing errors in the application
logic and/or wager logic to be corrected, new application logic
and/or wager logic to be used, or modifications to be made to the
application logic and/or wager logic without a need for regulatory
approval.
[0126] 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
the interactive controller may be dedicated to the interactive
application and the processes of the application controller and/or
wager controller are not burdened by the requirements of the
interactive application.
[0127] In many embodiments, an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable 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.
[0128] In some embodiments, one or more components of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable 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 an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable are in a common location and communicate with an external
wager controller. In some embodiments, an application controller
and a wager controller of an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable 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 an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable are located in a common location. In some embodiments, a
user management and session controller is located in a common
location with an application controller and/or a wager
controller.
[0129] In various embodiments, These multiple devices can be
constructed from or configured using a single server or a plurality
of servers such that an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable 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 an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable may communicate
using a networking protocol or other type of device-to-device
communications protocol.
[0130] 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
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variables can
use.
[0131] 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 interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variables.
[0132] In a variety of embodiments, management of user profile data
can be performed by a user management and session controller
operatively connected to, and communicating with, one or more
application controllers, wager controllers and interactive
controllers using a communication link. A user management and
session 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.
[0133] Although a user management and session controller is
discussed as being separate from an application controller server,
a centralized application controller server may also perform the
functions of a user management and session controller in some
embodiments.
[0134] 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 the interactive
application server using a communication link. The interactive
application server provides an environment where users can compete
directly with one another and interact with other users.
[0135] Processing devices connected using a communication link to
construct interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variables in accordance with many embodiments of the invention can
communicate with each other to provide services utilized by an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable. 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 interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable 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
the application controller such as, but not limited to, automatic
drawings for prizes that are a function of interactive controller
performance.
[0136] In several embodiments, an application controller can
communicate with an interactive application server using a
communication link when the 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 an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable tournament. In an example embodiment, an
application controller may not be aware of the relationship of the
application controller to the rest of a tournament since the actual
tournament play may be managed by the interactive application
server. Therefore, management of an interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variable 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 interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable; 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 the application controllers in a
tournament with their respective interactive controllers.
[0137] In several embodiments, an application controller can
communicate with a user management and session controller using a
communication link. An application controller can communicate with
a user management and session controller to communicate any type of
data as appropriate for a specific application. Examples of data
communicated between an application controller and a user
management and session controller include, but are not limited to,
data for configuring tournaments according to system programming
conducted by an operator of an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable; data for exchange of data used to link a
user's user profile to an ability to participate in various forms
of interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable use
(such as but not limited to the difficulty of play set by the
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 interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable; 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.
[0138] In many embodiments, an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable 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 (user
management and session controller, wager controller, application
controller, interactive controller), on servers (user management
and session 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 an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable 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.
[0139] In many embodiments, an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable 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.
[0140] FIG. 1B is a diagram of a land-based configuration of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Land-based
configurations are suitable for deployment in a gaming
establishment. A land-based configuration of an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable 156 includes an
interactive controller 158, an application controller 160 and a
wager controller 162 housed in a common enclosure. The application
controller 160 is operatively connected to an external session/user
management controller 164. The wager controller 162 is operatively
connected to a ticket-in-ticket-out (TITO) controller 166 or other
type of credit controller. The wager controller 162 communicates
with the TITO controller 166 to obtain amounts of credits used for
wagering. In operation, the wager controller 162 uses a bill
validator/ticket scanner 168 to scan a TITO ticket having indicia
of credit account data of a credit account of the TITO controller
166. The wager controller 162 communicates the credit account data
to the TITO controller 166. The TITO controller 166 uses the credit
account data to determine an amount of credits to transfer to the
wager controller 162. The TITO controller 166 communicates the
amount of credits to the wager controller 162. The wager controller
162 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 interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable 156. In addition, the wager controller 162 can use the
TITO controller 166 along with a ticket printer 170 to generate a
TITO ticket for a user. In operation, the wager controller 162
communicates an amount of credits for a credit account on the TITO
controller 166. The TITO controller 166 receives the amount of
credits and creates the credit account and credits the credit
account with the amount of credits. The TITO controller 166
generates credit account data for the credit account and
communicates the credit account data to the wager controller 162.
The wager controller 162 uses the ticket printer 170 to print
indicia of the credit account data onto a TITO ticket.
[0141] FIG. 1B is a diagram of another land-based configuration of
an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. A land-based
configuration of an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable 172 includes an interactive controller 172, an
application controller 174 and a wager controller 176 housed in a
common enclosure. The application controller 174 is operatively
connected to an external session/user management controller 178.
The wager controller 176 is operatively connected to a
ticket-in-ticket-out (TITO) controller 180 or other type of credit
controller. The wager controller 176 communicates with the TITO
controller 180 to obtain amounts of credits used for wagering. In
operation, the wager controller 176 uses a bill validator/ticket
scanner 182 to scan a TITO ticket having indicia of credit account
data of a credit account of the TITO controller 180. The wager
controller 176 communicates the credit account data to the TITO
controller 180. The TITO controller 180 uses the credit account
data to determine an amount of credits to transfer to the wager
controller 176. The TITO controller 180 communicates the amount of
credits to the wager controller 176. The wager controller 176
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 interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable 172. In addition, the wager controller
176 can use the TITO controller 180 along with a ticket printer 184
to generate a TITO ticket for a user. In operation, the wager
controller 176 communicates an amount of credits for a credit
account on the TITO controller 180. The TITO controller 180
receives the amount of credits and creates the credit account and
credits the credit account with the amount of credits. The TITO
controller 180 generates credit account data for the credit account
and communicates the credit account data to the wager controller
176. The wager controller 176 uses the ticket printer 184 to print
indicia of the credit account data onto a TITO ticket.
[0142] The wager controller 176 is operatively connected to a
central determination controller 186. In operation, when the wager
controller 176 needs to determine a wager outcome, the wager
controller communicates a request to the central determination
controller 186 for the wager outcome. The central determination
controller 186 receives the wager outcome request and generates a
wager outcome in response to the wager request. The central
determination controller 186 communicates the wager outcome to the
wager controller 176. The wager controller 176 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.
[0143] FIG. 1D is a diagram of an interactive configuration of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. An
interactive configuration of an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable is useful for deployment over a wide area
network such as an internet. An interactive configuration of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable 188
includes an interactive controller 189 operatively connected by a
network 190 to an application controller 191, and a wager
controller 192. The application controller 191 is operatively
connected to a session/user management controller 193.
[0144] FIG. 1E is a diagram of a mobile configuration of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. A mobile
configuration of an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable is useful for deployment over wireless
communication network, such as a wireless local area network or a
wireless telecommunications network. An interactive configuration
of an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable
194 includes an interactive controller 195 operatively connected by
a wireless network 196 to an application controller 197, and a
wager controller 198. The application controller 197 is also
operatively connected to a session/user management controller
199.
[0145] FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D are illustrations of interactive
controllers of an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
An interactive controller, such as interactive controller 120 of
FIG. 1A, may be constructed from or configured using one or more
processing devices configured to perform the operations of the
interactive controller. An interactive controller in an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable 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 the interactive controller may be
achieved through the use of an application control interface, such
as application control interface 131 of FIG. 1A, and/or through the
use of an interactive application, such as interactive application
143 of FIG. 1A.
[0146] In some embodiments, an interactive controller may be
constructed from or configured using an electronic gaming machine
200 as shown in FIG. 2A. The electronic gaming machine 200 may be
physically located in various types of gaming establishments.
[0147] In many embodiments, an interactive controller may be
constructed from or configured using a portable device 202 as shown
in FIG. 2B. The portable device 202 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.
[0148] In some embodiments, an interactive controller may be
constructed from or configured using a gaming console 204 as shown
in FIG. 2C.
[0149] In various embodiments, an interactive controller may be
constructed from or configured using a personal computer 206 as
shown in FIG. 2D.
[0150] In some embodiments, a device, such as the devices of FIGS.
2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, may be used to construct a complete interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable and may be
operatively connected using a communication link to a session
and/or user management controller, such as session and/or user
management controller 150 of FIG. 1A.
[0151] Some interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variables in accordance with many embodiments of the invention can
be distributed across a plurality of devices in various
configurations. FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are diagrams of distributed
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variables in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. Turning now
to FIG. 3A, one or more interactive controllers of a distributed
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable, such as
but not limited to, a mobile or wireless device 300, a gaming
console 302, a personal computer 304, and an electronic gaming
machine 305, are operatively connected with a wager controller 306
of a distributed interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable using a communication link 308. Communication link 308 is
a communications link that allows processing systems to communicate
with each other and to share data. Examples of the communication
link 308 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 300, 302, 304
and 305 while one or more processes of a wager controller as
described herein can be executed by the wager controller 306.
[0152] In many embodiments, a distributed interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable and may be operatively
connected using a communication link to a session and/or user
management controller 307, that performs the processes of a session
and/or user management controller as described herein.
[0153] A distributed interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention is illustrated in FIG. 3B. As illustrated, one or more
interactive controllers of a distributed interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable, such as but not limited to,
a mobile or wireless device 310, a gaming console 312, a personal
computer 314, and an electronic gaming machine 315, are operatively
connected with a wager controller server 316 and an application
controller 318 over a communication link 320. Communication link
320 is a communication link that allows processing systems to
communicate and share data. Examples of the communication link 320
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 310, 312, 314 and 315. One or more processes of a wager
controller as described herein are executed by the wager controller
316, and one or more processes of an application controller as
described herein are executed by the application controller
318.
[0154] In many embodiments, a distributed interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable and may be operatively
connected using a communication link to a session and/or user
management controller 319, that performs the processes of a session
and/or user management controller as described herein.
[0155] A distributed interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variables in accordance with still another embodiment of
the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3C. As illustrated, one or
more interactive controllers of a distributed interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable, such as but not limited to,
a mobile device 342, a gaming console 344, a personal computer 346,
and an electronic gaming machine 340 are operatively connected with
a wager controller 348 and an application controller 350, and an
interactive application server 352 using a communication link 354.
Communication link 354 is a communications link that allows
processing systems to communicate and to share data. Examples of
the communication link 354 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 340, 342, 344
and 346. One or more processes of a wager controller as described
herein can be executed by the wager controller server 348. One or
more processes of an application controller as described herein can
be executed by the application controller server 350 and one or
more processes of an interactive controller excluding the display
and user interfaces can be executed by the interactive application
server 352.
[0156] In many embodiments, a distributed interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable and may be operatively
connected using a communication link to a session and/or user
management controller 353, that performs the processes of a session
and/or user management controller as described herein.
[0157] In various embodiments, a user management and session
controller may be operatively connected to components of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable 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 interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variables 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 interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variables.
[0158] Although various distributed interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variables are described herein, interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variables 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
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable, 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 interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable application.
[0159] FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams of a structure of an
interactive controller of an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable 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 the 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.
[0160] Referring now to FIG. 4A, an interactive controller 400,
suitable for use as interactive controller 120 of FIG. 1A, provides
an execution environment for an interactive application 402 of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable. In
several embodiments, an interactive controller 400 of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable provides
an interactive application 402 that generates an application user
interface 404 for interaction with by a user. The interactive
application 402 generates a user presentation 406 that is presented
to the user through the application user interface 404. The user
presentation 406 may include audio features, visual features or
tactile features, or any combination of these features. The
application user interface 404 further includes one or more human
input devices (HIDs) interfaces that communicate with one or more
HIDs (e.g., the input devices 514 of FIG. 4b) that the user can use
to interact with the interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable. The user's interactions 408 are included by
the interactive application 402 in application telemetry data 410
that is communicated by interactive controller 400 to various other
components of an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable as described herein. The interactive application 402
receives application instructions and resources 412 communicated
from various other components of an interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variable as described herein.
[0161] In some embodiments, various components of the interactive
application 402 can read data from an application state 414 in
order to provide one or more features of the interactive
application. In various embodiments, components of the interactive
application 402 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 the interactive application 402. The rules engine
implements the rules of the 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 the interactive application. The graphics engine is
used to generate a visual representation of the interactive
application state to the user. Furthermore, the components may also
include an audio engine to generate audio outputs for the user
interface.
[0162] During operation, the interactive application reads and
writes application resources 416 stored on a data store of the
interactive controller host. The application resources 416 may
include objects having graphics and/or control logic used to
provide application environment objects of the 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 406; audio files used
to generate music, sound effects, etc. within the interactive
application; configuration files used to configure the features of
the interactive application; scripts or other types of control code
used to provide various features of the 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.
[0163] In operation, components of the interactive application 402
read portions of the application state 414 and generate the user
presentation 406 for the user that is presented to the user using
the user interface 404. The user perceives the user presentation
and provides user interactions 408 using the HIDs. The
corresponding user interactions are received as user actions or
inputs by various components of the interactive application 402.
The interactive application 402 translates the user actions into
interactions with the virtual objects of the application
environment stored in the application state 414. Components of the
interactive application use the user interactions with the virtual
objects of the interactive application and the interactive
application state 414 to update the application state 414 and
update the user presentation 406 presented to the user. The process
loops continuously while the user interacts with the interactive
application of the interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable.
[0164] The interactive controller 400 provides one or more
interfaces 418 between the interactive controller 400 and other
components of an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable, such as, but not limited to, an application controller.
The interactive controller 400 and the other interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable 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, the
interactive controller 400 and an application controller
communicate application instructions and environment resources 412
and application telemetry data 410. In some embodiments, the
communications include requests by the application controller that
the interactive controller 400 update the application state 414
using data provided by the application controller.
[0165] In many embodiments, a communication by an application
controller includes a request that the interactive controller 400
update one or more resources 416 using data provided by the
application controller. In a number of embodiments, the interactive
controller 400 provides all or a portion of the application state
to the application controller. In some embodiments, the interactive
controller 400 may also provide data about one or more of the
application resources 416 to the application controller. In some
embodiments, the communication includes user interactions that the
interactive controller 400 communicates to the application
controller. The user interactions may be low level user
interactions with the user interface 404, such as manipulation of a
HID, or may be high level interactions with game objects as
determined by the interactive application. The user interactions
may also include resultant actions such as modifications to the
application state 414 or game resources 416 resulting from the
user's interactions taken in the interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable interactive application. In some
embodiments, user interactions include, but are not limited to,
actions taken by entities such as non-player characters (NPC) of
the interactive application that act on behalf of or under the
control of the user.
[0166] In some embodiments, the interactive controller 400 includes
a wagering user interface 420 used to communicate interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable telemetry data 422
to and from the user. The interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable telemetry data 422 from the interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable 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.
[0167] In some embodiments, the interactive controller includes one
or more sensors 424. 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
interactive controller, accelerometers that monitor changes in
motion of the interactive controller, and location sensors that
monitor the location of the interactive controller such as global
positioning sensors (GPSs). The interactive controller 400
communicates sensor telemetry data 426 to one or more components of
the interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable.
[0168] Referring now to FIG. 4B, interactive controller 400
includes a bus 502 that provides an interface for one or more
processors 504, random access memory (RAM) 506, read only memory
(ROM) 508, machine-readable storage medium 510, one or more user
output devices 512, one or more user input devices 514, and one or
more communication interface devices 516.
[0169] The one or more processors 504 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.
[0170] In the example embodiment, the one or more processors 504
and the random access memory (RAM) 506 form an interactive
controller processing unit 599. In some embodiments, the
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 the
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, the interactive
controller processing unit is an ASIC (Application-Specific
Integrated Circuit). In some embodiments, the interactive
controller processing unit is a SoC (System-on-Chip).
[0171] Examples of output devices 512 include, but are not limited
to, display screens; light panels; and/or lighted displays. In
accordance with particular embodiments, the one or more processors
504 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 504 are
operatively connected to tactile output devices like vibrators,
and/or manipulators.
[0172] Examples of user input devices 514 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 the interactive controller can use to
receive inputs from a user when the user interacts with the
interactive controller; physiological sensors that monitor the
physiology of the user; environmental sensors that monitor the
physical environment of the interactive controller; accelerometers
that monitor changes in motion of the interactive controller; and
location sensors that monitor the location of the interactive
controller such as global positioning sensors.
[0173] The one or more communication interface devices 516 provide
one or more wired or wireless interfaces for communicating data and
commands between the interactive controller 400 and other devices
that may be included in an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable. 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.
[0174] The machine-readable storage medium 510 stores
machine-executable instructions for various components of the
interactive controller, such as but not limited to: an operating
system 518; one or more device drivers 522; one or more application
programs 520 including but not limited to an interactive
application; and interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable interactive controller instructions and data 524 for use
by the one or more processors 504 to provide the features of an
interactive controller as described herein. In some embodiments,
the machine-executable instructions further include application
control interface/application control interface instructions and
data 526 for use by the one or more processors 504 to provide the
features of an application control interface/application control
interface as described herein.
[0175] In various embodiments, the machine-readable storage medium
510 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.
[0176] In operation, the machine-executable instructions are loaded
into memory 506 from the machine-readable storage medium 510, the
ROM 508 or any other storage location. The respective
machine-executable instructions are accessed by the one or more
processors 504 via the bus 502, and then executed by the one or
more processors 504. Data used by the one or more processors 504
are also stored in memory 506, and the one or more processors 504
access such data during execution of the machine-executable
instructions. Execution of the machine-executable instructions
causes the one or more processors 504 to control the interactive
controller 400 to provide the features of an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable interactive controller as
described herein
[0177] Although the interactive controller is described herein as
being constructed from or configured using one or more processors
and instructions stored and executed by hardware components, the
interactive controller can be constructed from or configured using
only hardware components in accordance with other embodiments. In
addition, although the storage medium 510 is described as being
operatively connected to the one or more processors through a bus,
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 510
can be accessed by the one or more processors 504 through one of
the communication interface devices 516 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
504 via one of the communication interface devices 516 or using a
communication link.
[0178] In some embodiments, the interactive controller 400 can be
distributed across a plurality of different devices. In many such
embodiments, an interactive controller of an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable includes an interactive
application server operatively connected to an interactive client
using a communication link. The interactive application server and
interactive application client cooperate to provide the features of
an interactive controller as described herein.
[0179] In various embodiments, the interactive controller 400 may
be used to construct other components of an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable as described herein.
[0180] In some embodiments, components of an interactive controller
and an application controller of an interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variable 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 an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable may communicate by passing messages, parameters
or the like.
[0181] FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams of a structure of a wager
controller of an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable 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.
[0182] Referring now to FIG. 5A, in various embodiments, a wager
controller 604, suitable for use as wager controller 102 of FIG.
1A, includes a pseudorandom or random number generator (P/RNG) 620
to produce random results or pseudo random results; one or more
paytables 623 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 622
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
626. The various wager controller components can interface with
each other via an internal bus 625 and/or other appropriate
communication mechanism.
[0183] An interface 628 allows the wager controller 604 to
operatively connect to an external device, such as one or more
application controllers as described herein. The interface 628
provides for receiving of wager execution instructions 629 from the
external device that is used to specify wager parameters and/or
trigger execution of a wager by the wager controller 604. The
interface 628 may also provide for communicating wager outcome data
631 to an external device. In numerous embodiments, the interface
between the wager controller 604 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.
[0184] In various embodiments, a wager controller 604 may use a
P/RNG provided by an external system. The external system may be
connected to the wager controller 604 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.
[0185] During operation of the wager controller, the external
system communicates wager execution instructions 629 to the wager
controller 604. The wager controller 604 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 604 executes the wager and
determines a wager outcome for the wager. The wager controller
communicates wager outcome data 631 of the wager outcome to the
external system.
[0186] In some embodiments, the wager controller uses the wager
execution instructions to select a paytable 628 to use and/or an
amount of Cr, AC, elements, or objects to wager.
[0187] 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.
[0188] 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 626.
[0189] 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.
[0190] In various embodiments, the wagering control module 622
determines an amount of a wager and a paytable to use from the one
or more paytables 623. In such embodiments, in response to the
wager execution instructions triggering execution of the wager, the
wager control module 622 executes the wager by requesting a P/RNG
result from the P/RNG 620; retrieving a paytable from the one or
more paytables 623; adjusting the one or more credit meters 626 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 626 based on the wager outcome; and communicating the
wager outcome to the external device.
[0191] In various embodiments, an external system communicates a
request for a P/RNG result from the wager controller 604. In
response, the wager controller 604 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 604 is operatively
connected.
[0192] In some embodiments, a communication exchange between the
wager controller 604 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 604. In such an exchange, the
external system communicates to the wager controller 604 as to
which of the one or more paytables 623 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 interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable to conduct wagering.
[0193] In some embodiments, the wager controller 604 may also
include storage for statuses, wagers, wager outcomes, meters and
other historical events in a storage device 616.
[0194] In some embodiments, an authorization access module provides
a process to permit access and command exchange with the wager
controller 604 and access to the one or more credit meters 626 for
the amount of Cr, AC, elements, or objects being wagered by the
user in the interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable.
[0195] In numerous embodiments, communication occurs between
various types of a wager controller and an external system 630,
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.
[0196] 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.
[0197] 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.
[0198] 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.
[0199] 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 604 is to manage
wagering on wagering events and to provide random (or pseudo
random) results from a P/RNG.
[0200] Referring now to FIG. 5B, wager controller 604 includes a
bus 732 that provides an interface for one or more processors 734,
random access memory (RAM) 736, read only memory (ROM) 738,
machine-readable storage medium 740, one or more user output
devices 742, one or more user input devices 744, and one or more
communication interface and/or network interface devices 746.
[0201] The one or more processors 734 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.
[0202] In the example embodiment, the one or more processors 734
and the random access memory (RAM) 736 form a wager controller
processing unit 799. 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).
[0203] Examples of output devices 742 include, but are not limited
to, display screens, light panels, and/or lighted displays. In
accordance with particular embodiments, the one or more processors
734 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 734 are
operatively connected to tactile output devices like vibrators,
and/or manipulators.
[0204] Examples of user input devices 734 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.
[0205] The one or more communication interface and/or network
interface devices 746 provide one or more wired or wireless
interfaces for exchanging data and commands between the wager
controller 604 and other devices that may be included in an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable. 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.
[0206] The machine-readable storage medium 740 stores
machine-executable instructions for various components of a wager
controller, such as but not limited to: an operating system 748;
one or more application programs 750; one or more device drivers
752; and interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable
wager controller instructions and data 754 for use by the one or
more processors 734 to provide the features of an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable wager controller as
described herein.
[0207] In various embodiments, the machine-readable storage medium
740 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.
[0208] In operation, the machine-executable instructions are loaded
into memory 736 from the machine-readable storage medium 740, the
ROM 738 or any other storage location. The respective
machine-executable instructions are accessed by the one or more
processors 734 via the bus 732, and then executed by the one or
more processors 734. Data used by the one or more processors 734
are also stored in memory 736, and the one or more processors 734
access such data during execution of the machine-executable
instructions. Execution of the machine-executable instructions
causes the one or more processors 734 to control the wager
controller 604 to provide the features of an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable wager controller as described
herein
[0209] Although the wager controller 604 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 740 is described as being operatively
connected to the one or more processors through a bus, 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 740 can be
accessed by the one or more processors 734 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 734 via one of the
interfaces or using a communication link.
[0210] In various embodiments, the wager controller 604 may be used
to construct other components of an interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variable as described herein.
[0211] In some embodiments, components of a wager controller and an
application controller of an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable 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
an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable may
communicate by passing messages, parameters or the like.
[0212] It should be understood that there may be many embodiments
of a wager controller 604 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 604.
[0213] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrams of a structure of an
application controller of an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable 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 the 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.
[0214] Referring now to FIG. 6A, in many embodiments, an
application controller 860, suitable for use as application
controller 112 of FIG. 1A, manages operation of an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable, with a wager
controller and an interactive controller being support units to the
application controller 860. The application controller 860 provides
an interface between the interactive application, provided by an
interactive controller, and a wagering proposition, provided by a
wager controller.
[0215] In some embodiments, the application controller 860 includes
an interactive controller interface 800 to an interactive
controller. The interactive controller interface 800 provides for
communication of data between an interactive controller and the
application controller 860, including but not limited to wager
telemetry data 802, application instructions and resources 804,
application telemetry data 806, and sensor telemetry data 810.
[0216] In various embodiments, the application controller 860
includes a wager controller interface 812 to a wager controller.
The wager controller interface 812 provides for communication of
data between the application controller 860 and a wager controller,
including but not limited to wager outcomes 814 and wager execution
instructions 816.
[0217] In some embodiments, the application controller 860 includes
a user management and session controller interface 818 to a user
management and session controller. The user management and session
controller interface 818 provides for communication of data between
the application controller 860 and a user management and session
controller, including but not limited to user session control data
820 and user session telemetry data 822.
[0218] The application controller 860 includes a rule-based
decision engine 824 that receives telemetry data, such as
application telemetry data and sensor telemetry data, from an
interactive controller. The rule-based decision engine 824 uses the
telemetry data, along with wager logic 826 to generate wager
execution instructions used to trigger a wager in a wager
controller.
[0219] 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.
[0220] In some embodiments, the rule-based decision engine 824 also
receives wager outcome data from a wager controller. The decision
engine 824 uses the wager outcome data, in conjunction with
telemetry data and application logic 828 to generate application
decisions 830 communicated to an application resource generator
832. The application resource generator 832 receives the
application decisions and uses the application decisions to
generate application instructions and application resources to be
communicated to an interactive application.
[0221] In many embodiments, the application controller 860 includes
a pseudo random or random result generator used to generate random
results that are communicated to the application resource generator
832. 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.
[0222] In various embodiments, the rule-based decision engine 824
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
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable 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.
[0223] 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.
[0224] In some embodiments, the application decisions and wager
outcome data are communicated to a wagering user interface
generator 834. The wagering user interface generator 834 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 interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable. In some embodiments, the wager telemetry
data 146 may include, but is not limited to, amounts of AC and
elements earned, lost or accumulated by the user through use of the
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.
[0225] In some embodiments, the wager outcome data 814 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 834 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 the 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 the 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.
[0226] The application controller 860 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, the application controller 860 may potentially
affect an amount of Cr in play for participation in the wagering
events of a gambling game provided by the wager controller. The
application controller 860 may additionally include various audit
logs and activity meters. In some embodiments, the application
controller 860 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 an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable.
[0227] In some embodiments, the operation of the application
controller 860 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.
[0228] In a number of embodiments, communication of wager execution
instructions between a wager controller and the application
controller 860 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.
[0229] In some embodiments, the application controller 860 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 the
interactive application experience or understand the wagering
status of the user in accordance with the wagering proposition in
the wager controller.
[0230] In some embodiments, the application controller 860 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.
[0231] 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, the application
controller 860 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 the 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 the interactive application
experience.
[0232] Referring now to FIG. 6B, application controller 860
includes a bus 861 providing an interface for one or more
processors 863, random access memory (RAM) 864, read only memory
(ROM) 865, machine-readable storage medium 866, one or more user
output devices 867, one or more user input devices 868, and one or
more communication interface and/or network interface devices
869.
[0233] The one or more processors 863 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.
[0234] Examples of output devices 867 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 863 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 863 are operatively connected to tactile output devices
like vibrators, and/or manipulators.
[0235] In the example embodiment, the one or more processors 863
and the random access memory (RAM) 864 form an application
controller processing unit 870. In some embodiments, the
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 the
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, the application
controller processing unit is an ASIC (Application-Specific
Integrated Circuit). In some embodiments, the application
controller processing unit is a SoC (System-on-Chip).
[0236] Examples of user input devices 868 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 the application controller can use to
receive inputs from a user when the user interacts with the
application controller 860.
[0237] The one or more communication interface and/or network
interface devices 869 provide one or more wired or wireless
interfaces for exchanging data and commands between the application
controller 860 and other devices that may be included in an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable. 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.
[0238] The machine-readable storage medium 866 stores
machine-executable instructions for various components of the
application controller 860 such as, but not limited to: an
operating system 871; one or more applications 872; one or more
device drivers 873; and interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable application controller instructions and data
874 for use by the one or more processors 863 to provide the
features of an application controller as described herein.
[0239] In various embodiments, the machine-readable storage medium
870 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.
[0240] In operation, the machine-executable instructions are loaded
into memory 864 from the machine-readable storage medium 866, the
ROM 865 or any other storage location. The respective
machine-executable instructions are accessed by the one or more
processors 863 via the bus 861, and then executed by the one or
more processors 863. Data used by the one or more processors 863
are also stored in memory 864, and the one or more processors 863
access such data during execution of the machine-executable
instructions. Execution of the machine-executable instructions
causes the one or more processors 863 to control the application
controller 860 to provide the features of an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable application controller as
described herein.
[0241] Although the application controller 860 is described herein
as being constructed from or configured using one or more
processors and instructions stored and executed by hardware
components, the application controller can be composed of only
hardware components in accordance with other embodiments. In
addition, although the storage medium 866 is described as being
operatively connected to the one or more processors through a bus,
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 866 may be accessed by processor 863 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 863 via one of the
interfaces or using a communication link.
[0242] In various embodiments, the application controller 860 may
be used to construct other components of an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable as described herein.
[0243] In some embodiments, components of an interactive controller
and an application controller of an interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variable 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 an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable may communicate by passing messages, parameters
or the like.
[0244] FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams of a structure of a user
management and session controller of an interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variable in accordance with various
embodiments of the invention. A user management and session
controller may be constructed from or configured using one or more
processing devices configured to perform the operations of the user
management and session 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.
[0245] Referring now to FIG. 7A, in various embodiments, a user
management and session controller 1104, suitable for use as user
management and session controller 150 of FIG. 1A, includes a user
management and session control module 1106 whose processes may
include, but are not limited to, registering users of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable,
validating users of an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable using user registration data, managing various
types of user sessions for users of the interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variable, and the like.
[0246] The user management and session controller 1104 may further
include a datastore 1108 storing user data used to manage user
registration and validation. The user management and session
controller 1104 may further include a datastore 1110 storing user
session data used to manage one or more user sessions.
[0247] The various user management and session controller
components can interface with each other via an internal bus 1112
and/or other appropriate communication mechanism.
[0248] An interface 1114 allows the user management and session
controller 1104 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 1116 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 user session as described
herein, and telemetry data regarding the progress of one or more
users during a user session. The interface 1114 may also provide
for communicating secession control data 1118 used to manage a user
session.
[0249] In numerous embodiments, the interface between the user
management and session 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.
[0250] During operation of the user management and session
controller, the external system communicates user session telemetry
data to the user management and session controller. The user
management and session controller receives the user session
telemetry data and uses the user session telemetry data to generate
user session control data as described herein. The user management
and session controller communicates the user session control data
to the external system.
[0251] Referring now to FIG. 7B, user management and session
controller 1104 includes a bus 1132 that provides an interface for
one or more processors 1134, random access memory (RAM) 1136, read
only memory (ROM) 1138, machine-readable storage medium 1140, one
or more user output devices 1142, one or more user input devices
1144, and one or more communication interface and/or network
interface devices 1146.
[0252] The one or more processors 1134 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.
[0253] In the example embodiment, the one or more processors 1134
and the random access memory (RAM) 1136 form a user management and
session controller processing unit 1199. In some embodiments, the
user management and session 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 user management and session 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 user management and session controller processing unit is an
ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). In some
embodiments, the user management and session controller processing
unit is a SoC (System-on-Chip).
[0254] Examples of output devices 1142 include, but are not limited
to, display screens, light panels, and/or lighted displays. In
accordance with particular embodiments, the one or more processors
1134 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 1134 are
operatively connected to tactile output devices like vibrators,
and/or manipulators.
[0255] Examples of user input devices 1144 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 user management and session controller can
use to receive inputs from a user when the user interacts with the
user management and session controller 1104.
[0256] The one or more communication interface and/or network
interface devices 1146 provide one or more wired or wireless
interfaces for exchanging data and commands between the user
management and session controller 1104 and other devices that may
be included in an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable. 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.
[0257] The machine-readable storage medium 1140 stores
machine-executable instructions for various components of a user
management and session controller, such as but not limited to: an
operating system 1148; one or more application programs 1150; one
or more device drivers 1152; and interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable user management and session controller
instructions and data 1154 for use by the one or more processors
1134 to provide the features of an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable user management and session controller as
described herein.
[0258] In various embodiments, the machine-readable storage medium
1140 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.
[0259] In operation, the machine-executable instructions are loaded
into memory 736 from the machine-readable storage medium 1140, the
ROM 1138 or any other storage location. The respective
machine-executable instructions are accessed by the one or more
processors 1134 via the bus 1132, and then executed by the one or
more processors 1134. Data used by the one or more processors 1134
are also stored in memory 1136, and the one or more processors 1134
access such data during execution of the machine-executable
instructions. Execution of the machine-executable instructions
causes the one or more processors 1134 to control the user
management and session controller 1104 to provide the features of
an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable user
management and session controller as described herein
[0260] Although the user management and session controller 1104 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 user management and session
controller can be composed of only hardware components in
accordance with other embodiments. In addition, although the
storage medium 1140 is described as being operatively connected to
the one or more processors through a bus, 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 1140 can be accessed by the
one or more processors 1134 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 1134 via one of the interfaces or using a communication
link.
[0261] In various embodiments, the user management and session
controller 1104 may be used to construct other components of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable as
described herein.
[0262] In some embodiments, components of a user management and
session controller and an application controller of an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable 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 user management and session
controller and an application controller of an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable may communicate by passing
messages, parameters or the like.
[0263] In some embodiments, components of a user management and
session controller and a wager controller of an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable 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 user management and session
controller and an application controller of an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable may communicate by passing
messages, parameters or the like.
[0264] It should be understood that there may be many embodiments
of a user management and session controller 1104 which could be
possible, including forms where many modules and components of the
user management and session 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 user management and session controller 1104.
[0265] In numerous embodiments, any of a wager controller, an
application controller, an interactive controller, or a user
management and session 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 interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable
processes described herein have been attributed to a wager
controller, an application controller, an interactive controller,
or a user management and session 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 user management and
session controller, a wager controller, an application controller,
and/or an interactive controller within an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable without deviating from the
spirit of the invention.
[0266] Although various components of interleaved wagering system
with timed randomized variables are discussed herein, interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variables 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 an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable, such as a user
management and session controller, an application controller, a
wager controller, and/or an interactive controller, can be
configured in different ways for a specific interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable.
[0267] In some embodiments, components of a user management and
session controller, an interactive controller, an application
controller, and/or a wager controller of an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable 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 user management and session controller, an
interactive controller, an application controller and a wager
controller of an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable may communicate by passing messages, parameters or the
like.
[0268] In addition, while certain aspects and features of
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable
processes described herein have been attributed to a user
management and session 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 user management and
session controller, a wager controller, an application controller,
and/or an interactive controller within an interleaved wagering
system with timed randomized variable.
Operation of Interleaved Wagering System with Timed Randomized
Variables
[0269] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram of interactions between
components of an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
The components of the interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable include a wager controller 902, such as wager
controller 102 of FIG. 1A, an application controller 904, such as
application controller 112 of FIG. 1A, and an interactive
controller 906, such as interactive controller 120 of FIG. 1A. The
process begins with the interactive controller 906 detecting a user
performing a user interaction in a user interface of an interactive
application provided by the interactive controller 906. The
interactive controller 906 communicates application telemetry data
908 to the application controller 904. The application telemetry
data includes, but is not limited to, the user interaction detected
by the interactive controller 906.
[0270] The application controller 904 receives the application
telemetry data 908. Upon determination by the application
controller 904 that the user interaction indicates a wagering
event, the application controller 904 generates wager execution
instructions including a wager request 912 that the application
controller 904 uses to instruct the wager controller 902 to execute
a wager. The request for a wager event may include wager terms
associated with a wagering proposition. The application controller
904 communicates the wager execution instructions to the wager
controller 902.
[0271] The wager controller 902 receives the wager execution
instructions 912 and uses the wager execution instructions to
execute (913) a wager in accordance with a wagering proposition.
The wager controller 902 communicates a wager outcome 914 of the
executed wager to the application controller 904.
[0272] The application controller 904 receives the wager outcome
and generates (915) interactive application instruction and
resource data 916 for the interactive application. The application
controller 904 uses the interactive application instruction and
resource data 916 to instruct the interactive controller. The
application controller communicates the interactive application
instruction and resource data 916 to the interactive controller
906. The application controller also communicates wagering
telemetry data 920 including the wager outcome to the interactive
controller 906.
[0273] The interactive controller 906 receives the interactive
application instruction and resource data 916 and wagering
telemetry data 918. The interactive controller 906 incorporates the
received interactive application resources and executes the
received interactive application instructions (918). The
interactive controller updates (922) an application user interface
of the interactive application provided by the interactive
controller using the interactive application instructions and the
resources, and updates (922) a wagering user interface using the
wagering telemetry data.
[0274] In several embodiments, a user can interact with an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable by using
Cr for wagering in accordance with a wagering proposition along
with AC and elements in interactions with an interactive
application. Wagering can be executed by a wager controller while
an interactive application can be executed by an interactive
controller and managed with an application controller.
[0275] FIG. 9 is a collaboration diagram that illustrates how
resources such as AC, Cr, elements, and objects are utilized in an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable in
accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The
collaboration diagram 1000 illustrates that Cr 1002, interactive
application resources including elements and objects 1004 and AC
1006 can be utilized by a user 1008 in interactions with a wager
controller 1010, such as wager controller 102 of FIG. 1A, an
application controller 1012, such as wager controller 112 of FIG.
1, and an interactive controller 1014, such as interactive
controller 120 of FIG. 1A, of an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable. The contribution of elements and objects
such as included in resources 1004, can be linked to a user's
access to credits, such as Cr 1002 and/or AC 1006. Electronic
receipt of these credits can come via a smart card, voucher or
other portable media, or as received using a communication link
from a server. In some embodiments, these credits can be drawn on
demand from a user profile located in a database locally on an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable or in a
remote server.
[0276] A user's actions and/or decisions can affect an interactive
application of interactive controller 1014 that consume and/or
accumulate AC 1004 and/or resources 1004 in an interactive
application executed by an interactive controller 1014, a wager
controller 101 and an application controller 1012. The application
controller 1012 can monitor the activities taking place within an
interactive application executed by an interactive controller 1014
for wagering event occurrences. The application controller 1012 can
also communicate the wagering event occurrences to the wager
controller 1010 that triggers a wager of Cr 1002 in accordance with
a wagering proposition executed by the wager controller 1010.
[0277] In several embodiments, the user commences interaction with
the interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable by
contributing credit to an interleaved wagering system with timed
randomized variable such as, but not limited to, Cr 1002 that may
be credit in a real currency or may be credit in a virtual currency
that is not fungible with a real currency, AC 1006 that may be
application environment credits, and specified types of interactive
application elements and/or objects 1004. One or more of these
contributions may be provided directly as currency and/or
transferred in electronically. Electronic transfer may come via a
smart card, voucher or other portable media, or as transferred in
using a communication link from a user data server or interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable user management and
session controller. In many embodiments, contributions may be drawn
on demand from user accounts located in servers residing on the
network or in the cloud on a real time basis as the credits,
elements and/or object are committed or consumed by the interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable. Generally, Cr is
utilized and accounted for by the wager controller 1010; and the
resources 1004 and AC 1006 are utilized and accounted for by the
application controller 1012 and/or the interactive controller
1014.
[0278] The user interacts (a) with an interactive application
provided by the interactive controller 1014 with the interaction
representing an action by the user within the context of the
interactive application. The interactive controller 1014 receives
the user interaction and communicates (b) the interaction to the
application controller 1012. The application controller 1012
receives the interaction and determines from the interaction
whether or not a wager should be triggered. If a wager should be
triggered, the application controller 1012 instructs (c) the wager
controller 1010 to execute a wager in accordance with a wagering
proposition associated with the interaction and thereby triggers a
wager. The wager controller receives the wager execution
instructions and executes the wager in accordance with the wagering
proposition, and consumes (d) an appropriate amount of Cr 1002 for
the wager. The wager controller 1010 adjusts (e) the Cr 1002 based
upon a wager outcome of the wager and communicates (f) the wager
outcome to the application controller 1012 as to the outcome of the
wager triggered by the application controller 1012. The application
controller 1012 receives the wager outcome. The application
controller determines what resources 1004 should be provided to the
interactive controller, generates the resources 1004 and
application instructions and instructs (g) the interactive
controller 1014 using the resources 1004 and application
instructions. The interactive controller receives the resources
1004 and application instructions from the application controller
1012 and integrates them into the execution of the interactive
application provided by the interactive controller 1014.
[0279] In some embodiments, the application controller 1012
communicates (h) data about the wager outcome to the interactive
controller. The interactive controller receives the wager outcome
and displays the wager outcome to the user 1008.
[0280] In some embodiments, the application controller 1012
determines what resources and instructions to provide to the
interactive controller 1014 for use by the interactive application
provided by the interactive controller 1014 partially on the basis
of the wager outcome. In some such embodiments, resources are
provided in a case that the wager was a winning wager for the user.
In other such embodiments, fewer or no resources are provided in a
case of a losing wager.
[0281] In some embodiments, the application controller 1012
determines what resources to provide based on internal logic of the
application controller 1012. In some such embodiments, the
application controller 1012 employs a random result generator, such
as a P/RNG, to generate a random result and the random result is
used to determine what resources are provided to the interactive
controller 1014.
[0282] In several embodiments, the application controller 1012
determines an increment or a decrement of an amount of AC 1006
using the interactions received from the interactive controller.
The increment or decremented amount is communicated (i) to the
interactive controller for display to the user.
[0283] In some embodiments, the application controller 1012
executes a wager of Cr as a virtual currency, AC, elements or
objects. In some such embodiments, the application controller 1012
employs a random result generator, such as a P/RNG, to generate a
random result and the random result is used to determine a wager
outcome in Cr as a virtual currency, AC, elements or objects.
[0284] The following is description of an embodiment of the
described collaboration where an interactive application provided
by an interactive controller of an interleaved wagering system with
timed randomized variable is a first person shooter game. The
process begins by a user selecting a machine gun to use in the game
and then fires a burst of bullets at an opponent. The interactive
controller can communicate to the application controller of the
user's choice of weapon, that a burst of bullets was fired, and/or
the outcome of the burst. The application controller communicates
to the wager controller that 3 credits (Cr) are to be wagered on
the outcome of a wagering event to match the three bullets
consumed. The wager controller then performs the wagering event and
determines the result of the wager and may determine the winnings
from a paytable. The wager controller consumes 3 credits of Cr for
the wager and executes the specified wager. By way of example, the
wager controller may determine that the user hit a jackpot of 6
credits and returns the 6 credits to the Cr and communicates to the
application controller that 3 net credits were won by the user.
[0285] The application controller communicates to the interactive
controller to add 3 bullets to an ammunition clip. The interactive
controller adds 3 bullets back to the ammo clip. The ammunition may
be added by directly adding the ammunition to the clip or by
allowing the user to find extra ammunition during use. The
application controller logs the new user score (AC) in the game (as
a function of the successful hit on the opponent) based on the
interactive controller communication, and adds 2 extra points to
the user score since a jackpot has been won. The application
controller then adds 10 points to the user score (AC) given the
success of the hit which in this example is worth 8 points, plus
the 2 extra point. Note that this example is only intended to
provide an illustration of how credits flow in an interleaved
wagering system with timed randomized variable, but is not intended
to be exhaustive and only lists only one of numerous possibilities
of how an interleaved wagering system with timed randomized
variable may be configured to manage its fundamental credits.
[0286] In many embodiments, user management and session controller
1020, such as user account controller 150 of FIG. 1A, of an
interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable is used
to store AC for use of the user. In such an embodiment, AC is
generated by the application controller based on the user's use of
the interleaved wagering system with timed randomized variable and
an amount of the AC is communicated to the user management and
session controller 1020. The user management and session controller
stores the amount of AC between user sessions. In some embodiments,
the user management and session controller communicates an amount
of AC to the application controller at the start of a user session
for use by the user during a user session.
[0287] FIG. 10 is a flowchart of steps that may be performed to
create a timed randomized variable within an interleaved wagering
system in accordance with various embodiments of the invention. The
interleaved wagering system includes an interactive controller, an
application controller, and a wager controller, as described
herein. The interactive controller may provide an interactive
application. In some embodiments, the interactive application is an
interactive game. In some embodiments, the interactive game is a
skill-based interactive game.
[0288] The interleaved wagering system further includes variables
that may be associated with a timer within the wager controller
while functioning within the application controller in response to
an action taken through the interactive controller.
[0289] As seen in FIG. 11, an action 1101 through the interactive
controller instructs the application controller 1215 to use a
randomized variable. In non-interleaved systems, this randomized
variable may be generated by the interactive application. The
application controller then requests 1102 a randomized variable
from the wager system 1216, so that the randomized variable is
generated outside the control of the client system.
[0290] The wager controller generates a randomized variable 1103.
The wager controller may be provided parameters for the variable.
For instance, if the interactive application normally generates a
randomized variable within a range of values, the wager controller
may use that same range of values to generate an independent
variable that still functions readily within the interactive
application. These parameters may be stored within the wager
controller rather than communicated with the request to maintain
the independence of the randomized variable. After the wager system
has generated the randomized variable 1103, it is associated with a
timer 1104. This timer operates solely within the wager
controller.
[0291] The randomized variable information 1105 is then pushed to
the application controller and used within the interactive
application for a specific skill event 1106. The skill event
integrates the randomized variable without changing the variable
information 1107. The results 1108 of the skill event are then
communicated by the application controller to the wager controller
1109. These results may include the specific randomized variable
data that was used by the interactive application during the skill
event.
[0292] When the event results are communicated to the wager
controller, the independent timer controlled by the wager
controller is stopped 1110. The time that has passed between the
communication of the randomized variable information to the
application controller and the communication of the event result to
the wager controller is determined 1111. The time that has passed
is then compared to the parameters defined within the wager
controller. Specifically, this may be a set time limit for an event
1112.
[0293] If the event has been completed within the parameters
dictated by the external controller, then the skill event has
succeeded 1113. If the completion falls outside the pre-determined
time frame, then the skill event has failed 1114.
[0294] In some embodiments, the time randomized variables
communicates through the interactive controller that there is a
time limit associated with the task. Additionally, the interactive
controller may indicate that the timer cannot be stopped, paused,
or otherwise halted by the user and operates independently of user
actions. In some embodiments, this may be communicated in a head's
up display within the interactive application UI, in a separate
rules page within the interactive application, or in a separate
display system.
[0295] In one example embodiment, the randomized variable generated
by the wager controller is a portion of a randomized variable that
is normally generated by the interactive controller. For instance,
in an interactive application in which a user must knock down a
tower, the interactive application may generate towers constructed
with different building materials. The building materials may be
randomly determined by the interactive application. Different
building materials may require different attack strategies. A tower
with a stone base may need to be destroyed from the top down, while
one with a mud base may need to be knocked down at ground
level.
[0296] In one example embodiment, when a skill event is initiated,
the building material is determined by the wager controller rather
than internally. The application controller communicates to the
wager controller that the variable must be determined. Once the
parameters of the variable are communicated to the application
controller, the interactive controller generates the tower as it
normally would, but instead of generating its own building material
variables, it accepts the variables provided by the wager
controller. After the tower has been generated and a display
created for the user, the user has a specific amount of time to
plan and complete their actions through the interactive controller.
With an external timing system, the user cannot pause or load
another program to make determinations for them. The user also
cannot plan their actions in advance, because the determination of
the building material is external to the interactive
application.
[0297] In some embodiments, the application controller will
associate the skill event with a skill event timer. This timer
operates independently from the timer within the wager controller.
The application controller will monitor the interactive application
and calculate the amount of time the skill event takes. This amount
of time may be communicated to the wager controller along with
information about the skill event.
[0298] In some embodiments, if interactions with the timed
randomized variable fall outside the independently measured time
frame within the wager controller, it may be flagged as a possible
violation of the rules governing the interleaved wagering system.
This may result in the wager controller suspending the interactive
application.
[0299] In some embodiments, the application controller will include
data about the randomized variable when it communicates the skill
event results to the wager controller. The randomized variable data
supplied by the application controller should match the randomized
variable data generated by the wager controller.
[0300] Any differences in data or time may be flagged as anomalies
for the operator to examine.
[0301] In some embodiments, the wager controller maintains an
external database of anomalies.
[0302] If an anomaly is detected that is not in the external
database, the operators may also inspect the code and run it within
an operator-controlled interleaved wagering system. If the code is
confirmed as a new cheat, it may be added to the database.
[0303] A conventional cheat detection may use parallel processes
running on a client that is executing an interactive application.
This system lacks secure computational resources to monitor for
potential cheating such as a secure random number generator and
secure timer mechanism while simultaneously providing a
full-featured interactive application to a user. The application
controller does not have the independent data necessary to detect
cheating while resolving the skill event.
[0304] By combining the wager controller and application
controller, the wager controller provides secure processing
resources (the timer and the random number generator) and the
application controller provides the determination of the skill
event.
[0305] 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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