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US 7,303,473 B2Granted
Network gaming system
AssigneeIgt
InventorRichard E. Rowe
Life of this patent
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AssigneeIgt
InventorRichard E. Rowe
Estimating the term…
An apparatus and method of operating a website computing apparatus may comprise receiving at the website computing apparatus game selection data representing a game selection from a player device via the Internet, transmitting a data communication from the website computing apparatus to either a first gaming apparatus that facilitates play of a first game if the game selection data represents the first game, or to a second gaming apparatus that facilitates play of a second game if the game selection data represents the second game, receiving at the website computing apparatus game display data from one of the gaming apparatuses, transmitting the game display data to the remote player device via the Internet, receiving at the website computing apparatus wager data from the remote player device via the Internet, transmitting the wager data to either the first or second gaming apparatus.
A gaming system that allows players to play games via a plurality of remote player devices, said gaming system comprising:
A website server, comprising:
A website server, comprising:
A website controller that controls operation of a website, said controller comprising:
A method of operating a website computing apparatus, comprising:
A method of operating a website computing apparatus, comprising:
A method of operating a gaming apparatus, comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or
Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services: for games, toys, sports, or amusements
Characterised by details of platform network: secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
Characterised by details of platform network: data transfer via internet
Term ended 26 Nov 2023 (estimated)
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This patent is directed to a networked gaming system that may include a website server which may be accessed by a plurality of players via remotely located player terminals.
Various network gaming systems have been previously described. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,325 to Fisk discloses a computer network which manages multiple simultaneous bingo games having a potentially large number of bingo cards. The computers simultaneously and in parallel compare called bingo numbers to bingo cards stored in each respective computer and also double-verify winning cards. Called numbers may be applicable to one, many, or all of the simultaneous bingo games, and the games may have different times or different rules. Bingo cards are distributed in the network in accordance with number of hits needed by the cards: “one-away” computers handle bingo cards needing one more hit; “two-away” computers handle cards needing two hits. The computers in the network also generate statistics on the progress of bingo cards toward winning patterns. The winning pattern for any game can be changed in real-time, as desired to continue interest in the game.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,560 to Goldberg, et al. discloses a game playing method and apparatus for automating games such as blackjack, poker, craps, roulette, baccarat and pai gow, wherein players may play continuously and asynchronously, and information related to advertised items can be exchanged between players and advertisers. In one embodiment, each instance of a game is likely unique from all other current game instances. The games do not require a manual dealer and in one embodiment, played in a gaming establishment using low cost gaming stations. The system may also be used to play such games on the Internet or an interactive cable television network wherein a game controller communicates with players at network nodes in their homes and at their leisure.
Various embodiments of the invention are described in connection with the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gaming system in accordance with the invention;
FIG. 2A is a block diagram of one of the player terminals shown schematically in FIG. 1;
Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention.
It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘______’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term by limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph.
FIG. 1 illustrates one possible embodiment of a gaming system 10, which may be an Internet gaming system, that is shown operatively coupled to a plurality of remote player terminals 12. The gaming system 10 may include a website server 14 and a plurality of gaming servers 16 operatively coupled to the website server 14 via a plurality of data links 18, a network 20, and a data link 22 connected between the network 20 and the website server 14. The network 20 may comprise, for example, the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or a local area network (LAN). The player terminals 12 may be operatively coupled to the website server 14 via a plurality of data links 24, a network 26, and a data link 28 connected between the network 26 and the website server 14. The network 26 may comprise, for example, the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or a local area network (LAN). Each of the networks 20, 26 may include a plurality of network computers or server computers (not shown), each of which may be operatively interconnected. Where the networks 20, 26 comprises the Internet, data communication may take place over the communication links 22, 28 via an Internet communication protocol.