US 9,306,952 B2 · System and method for wireless gaming with location determination

Abstract

In accordance with the teachings of the present embodiment, a system and method for wireless gaming with location-dependent gaming functions are provided. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus includes a gaming server; a wireless network at least partially covering a property, the wireless network comprising a plurality of signal detection devices; and a gaming communication device operable to transmit and receive gaming information to and from the gaming server via the wireless network. A location of the gaming communication device on the property is used to alter a game play function, such as a bet option, wager, graphic overlay, permission, or to provide location-dependent advertising or embedded advertising. Based upon the location of the gaming communication device on the property, a predetermined functionality of the gaming communication device may be enabled and/or controlled.

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Claims30

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor;
and
a memory that stores instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, direct the at least one processor to:
determine a plurality of selectable betting parameters for a wager in a game,
each selectable betting parameter comprising a game parameter that affects an outcome of a bet by a first user in the game,
the plurality of selectable betting parameters comprising at least a first selectable betting parameter and a second selectable betting parameter,
the game being played by at least one user using a corresponding at least one wireless gaming terminal associated with each of the at least one user, each of the at least one wireless gaming terminal having a wireless network interface operable to transmit and receive gaming information, the at least one user comprising the first user,
in which each wireless gaming terminal is in communication with a location determination system that determines a location of the wireless gaming terminal, each wireless gaming terminal further having a user interface for interacting with a corresponding user of the wireless gaming terminal to implement a game, wherein the game depends on the determined location;
determine a plurality of different locations in a gaming area,
each location corresponding to at least one of the plurality of selectable betting parameters,
the plurality of locations comprising at least a first location corresponding to the first betting parameter and a second location corresponding to the second betting parameter,
in which the first location is different from the second location,
in which the first selectable betting parameter is different from the second selectable betting parameter such that a selection of the first selectable betting parameter would cause a different result for the bet than a selection of the second selectable betting parameter;
during the game, determine a location of at least one wireless gaming terminal corresponding to each of the at least one user in the game, in which the act of determining the location of the at least one wireless gaming terminal comprises determining a location of the first user by determining a location of a first wireless gaming terminal of the first user;
determine at least one of the plurality of selectable betting parameters associated with the at least one user in the game based on the determined location of the at least one user, in which the act of determining at least one of the plurality of selectable betting parameters comprises determining at least one of the plurality of selectable betting parameters associated with the first user based on the determined location of the first user;
and
determine the outcome of the bet based at least in part on the determined at least one betting parameter in accordance with one or more predetermined rules of the game.

14 more elements

A method comprising:

determining by at least one processor a plurality of selectable betting parameters for a wager in a game,
each selectable betting parameter comprising a game parameter that affects an outcome of a bet by a first user in the game,
the plurality of selectable betting parameters comprising at least a first selectable betting parameter and a second selectable betting parameter,
the game being played by at least one user using a corresponding at least one wireless gaming terminal associated with each of the at least one user, each of the at least one wireless gaming terminal having a wireless network interface operable to transmit and receive gaming information, the at least one user comprising the first user,
in which each wireless gaming terminal is in communication with a location determination system that determines a location of the wireless gaming terminal, each wireless gaming terminal further having a user interface for interacting with a corresponding user of the wireless gaming terminal to implement a game, wherein the game depends on the determined location;
determining by the at least one processor a plurality of different locations in a gaming area,
each location corresponding to at least one of the plurality of selectable betting parameters,
the plurality of locations comprising at least a first location corresponding to the first betting parameter and a second location corresponding to the second betting parameter,
in which the first location is different from the second location,
in which the first selectable betting parameter is different from the second selectable betting parameter such that a selection of the first selectable betting parameter would cause a different result for the bet than a selection of the second selectable betting parameter;
during the game, determining by the at least one processor a location of at least one wireless gaming terminal corresponding to each of the at least one user in the game, in which the act of determining the location of the at least one wireless gaming terminal comprises determining a location of a first wireless gaming terminal of a first user;
determining by the at least one processor at least one of the plurality of selectable betting parameters associated with the at least one user in the game based on the determined location of the at least one user, in which the act of determining at least one of the plurality of selectable betting parameters comprises determining at least one of the plurality of selectable betting parameters associated with the first user based on the determined location of the first user;
determining by the at least one processor the outcome of the bet based at least in part on the determined betting parameter in accordance with one or more predetermined rules of the game;
and
outputting by the at least one processor information based on the determined result.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description20,045 words

Summary149 words

#FIG. 1 illustrates a gaming system according to an embodiment;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a wireless gaming system according to an embodiment;

#FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a gaming system illustrating various gaming activities in accordance with an embodiment;

Detailed description19,896 words

#The gaming industry allows people to participate in a variety of gaming activities within the limits of state and federal law. Possible gaming activities include gambling, such as that provided by casinos. Casino-type gambling activities include, but are not limited to, slot machines, table games, poker, keno, and other gaming activities that allow for the placement of bets. Events also may be wagered on and may include, for example, sporting events, such as horse or auto racing, and athletic competitions such as football, basketball, baseball, boxing, and golf. Gaming can also include non-wagering games and events, such as lottery contests. In a casino environment, the participation in such gaming activities is generally limited by a participant's physical location. For example, participants in casino-type gambling activities must be present at a gaming machine or at a gaming table within the casino in order to place a bet. Similarly, people interested in wagering on sporting events or athletic competitions in a casino environment must place bets through a sports book that is located in the casino.

#Location-based services provide the ability to tailor the function or result of an automated system based on a location input, typically the location of a geolocation device. Geolocation devices include satellite based geolocation systems, e.g., GPS, Glonass, Galileo, etc.; long range terrestrial geolocation systems, e.g., LORAN; short-range network based geolocation systems, e.g., network based cellular e911; short range proximity location sensing, e.g., 802.11 access point identification, line-of-sight location identification, e.g., IRdA or other visible, sonic or invisible electromagnetic waves which are confined by barriers; RFID based location detectors; and the like.

#In accordance with the teachings of an embodiment, a system and method with location-based input to a gaming function is provided. That is, an outcome of the gaming system is dependent, in part, on the location of the user or terminal. Typically, the user will employ a wireless gaming terminal, and therefore the input will represent the location of the wireless device, which when in use will also represent the location of the user. The location may be determined in any convenient manner, for example a manual input, satellite geolocation system, long range terrestrial geolocation system, network-based location, local sensors or transmitters, or the like. Preferably, the location is determined by a wireless-LAN network based location. Also, the location is preferably determined automatically, and is not dependent on a manual input per se, though a physical relocation of the portable terminal is itself “manually” (or pedally) determined.

Facts

Application

11/553,130Filed 26 Oct 2006

Published

US 2008/0102956 A11 May 2008

Granted

5 Apr 2016

Term ends

30 Oct 2030

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 1,465 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification14 codes

G07F 17/3223
Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof: architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal…
G06Q 20/3224
Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]: transactions dependent on location of M-devices
G07F 17/32
Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services: for games, toys, sports, or amusements
G07F 17/3227
Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users: configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal…

Timeline

26 Oct 2006Application filedUS 11/553,130
7 Mar 2008Assigned to Cfph, LLCassignment of assignor's interest
1 May 2008PublishedUS 2008/0102956 A1
5 Apr 2016GrantedUS 9,306,952 B2
10 Jun 2016Assigned to Interactive Games LLCassignment of assignor's interest
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
30 Oct 2030Term endsEstimated, includes 1,465 days of adjustment

System and method for wireless gaming with location determination

Life of this patent

System and method for wireless gaming with location determination

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims30

Description20,045 words

Drawings

Classification14 codes

Life of this patent

Description20,045 words