Methods and apparatus for playing bingo over a wide geographic area
OwnerPhilip R. Fiorettiinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus (systems) are set forth for enabling bingo (and similar games of chance, referred to hereinafter collectively as "bingo") to be played in real time at locations which are remote (geographically separated in a physical sense) from the location where the numbers (or more generally symbols) used to play a bingo type of game are being selected. The disclosed methods and apparatus are directed to both passive and interactive systems which allow bingo to be played from the aforementioned remote locations.
Claims63
A system for enabling bingo to be played over a wide geographic area, comprising:
- (a) means for issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests, at the time of request, wherein said means for issuing game card arrays further includes:
- (a1) point of sale terminal means including means for uploading game card array purchase requests to system base station means from a site other then where said system base station means is physically located;
- and
- (a2) system base station means including means for issuing valid game card arrays and downloading said valid game card arrays to said point of sale terminal means in response to game card array purchase requests;
- (b) means for keeping track of all game card arrays issued in response to said purchase requests;
- (c) means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session;
- and
- (d) means for communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session.
A system for enabling bingo to be interactively played over a wide geographic area, comprising:
- (a) means for issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests, at the time of request wherein said means for issuing game card arrays further includes:
- (a1) point of sale terminal means including means for uploading game card array purchase requests to system base station means from a site other then where said system base station means is physically located;
- and
- (a2) system base station means including means for issuing valid game card arrays and downloading said valid game card arrays to said point of sale terminal means in response to game card array purchase request;
- (b) means for keeping track of all game card arrays issued in response to said purchase requests;
- (c) means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session;
- (d) means for communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session;
- and
- (e) a communications path for allowing a game participant to interact with the system.
A gaming system for playing a game of chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising:
- (a) means for issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests, at the time of request, wherein said means for issuing game card arrays further includes:
- (a1) point of sale terminal means including means for uploading game card array purchase requests to system base station means from a site other then where said system base station means is physically located;
- and
- system base station means including means for issuing valid game card arrays and downloading said valid game card arrays to said point of sale terminal means in response to game card array purchase requests;
- (b) means for communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular game of chance to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in said game of chance.
A method for enabling bingo to be played over a wide geographic area, comprising the steps of:
- (a) issuing game card arrays in response to
- purchase requests, at the time of request, wherein said step of issuing game card arrays further includes the steps of:
- (a1) uploading game card array purchase requests to system base station means from a site other then where the system base station means is physically located;
- and
- (a2) downloading valid game card arrays to point of sale terminal means in response to game card array purchase requests;
- (b) keeping track of all game card arrays issued in response to said purchase requests;
- (c) sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session;
- and
- (d) communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game.
A method for operating a gaming system for playing a game of chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising the steps of:
- (a) issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests, at the time of request, wherein said step of issuing game card arrays further includes the steps of:
- (a1) uploading game card array purchase requests to system base station means from a site other then where the system base station means is physically located;
- and
- (a2) downloading valid game card arrays to point of sale terminal, means in response to game card array purchase requests;
- and p1 (b) communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular game of chance to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in said game of chance.
A system which enables a game of bingo to be played over a wide geographic area, comprising:
- (a) means for issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests, at the time of request, wherein said means for issuing game card arrays further includes:
- (a1) point of sale terminal means including means for uploading game card array purchase requests to system base station means from a site other then where said system base station means is physically located;
- and
- (a2) system base station means including means for issuing valid game card arrays and downloading said valid game card arrays to said point of sale terminal means in response to game card array purchase requests;
- (b) means for keeping track of all game card arrays issued in response to said purchase requests;
- (c) means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session;
- and
- (d) means for enabling each potential participant in a bingo session to play bingo without physically having to attend a pre-established gaming hall.
A system as set forth in claim 58 wherein said system base station means further comprises means for determining if a given game card array purchase request is for game card array to be automatically selected by the system.
A gaming system for playing a game of chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising:
- (a) means for issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests, at the time of request, wherein said means for issuing game card arrays further includes:
- (a1) point of sale terminal means including means for uploading game card array purchase requests to system base station means from a site other then where said station means is physically located;
- and
- (a2) system base station means including means for issuing valid game card arrays and downloading said valid game card arrays to said point of sale terminal means in response to game card array purchase requests;
- and
- (b) means for enabling each potential participant in said game to independently select, from a multiplicity of potential game participation sites within said area, where to participate in said game of chance.
A method for enabling bingo to be played over a wide geographic area, comprising the steps of:
- (a) issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests, at the time of request, wherein said step of issuing game card arrays further includes the steps of:
- (a1) uploading game card array purchase requests to system base station means from a site other then where the system base station means is physically located;
- and
- (a2) downloading valid game card arrays to point of sale terminal means in response to game card array purchase requests;
- (b) keeping track of all game card arrays issued in response to said purchase requests;
- (c) sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session;
- and
- (d) enabling each potential participant in a bingo session to play bingo without physically having to attend a pre-established gaming hall.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.