GB2511277A - Improvements to gaming systems - Google Patents

Improvements to gaming systems Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2511277A
GB2511277A GB1219497.3A GB201219497A GB2511277A GB 2511277 A GB2511277 A GB 2511277A GB 201219497 A GB201219497 A GB 201219497A GB 2511277 A GB2511277 A GB 2511277A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
regulated
gaming
environment
user
gaming environment
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1219497.3A
Other versions
GB201219497D0 (en
Inventor
Paul Nicholas Whitbread
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
NETWORK RESOURCE MAN Ltd
Original Assignee
NETWORK RESOURCE MAN Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by NETWORK RESOURCE MAN Ltd filed Critical NETWORK RESOURCE MAN Ltd
Priority to GB1219497.3A priority Critical patent/GB2511277A/en
Publication of GB201219497D0 publication Critical patent/GB201219497D0/en
Publication of GB2511277A publication Critical patent/GB2511277A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3223—Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F3/00—Board games; Raffle games
    • A63F3/06—Lottos or bingo games; Systems, apparatus or devices for checking such games
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3216—Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects
    • G07F17/3218—Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects wherein at least part of the system is portable
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3241—Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3286—Type of games
    • G07F17/329—Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)

Abstract

A system to allow access to at least one gaming activity by a user in a regulated environment, such as a bingo club, including a wireless communication system, which allows transmission within at least a portion of the regulated environment, of data relating to the gaming activity and a person's mobile phone which is selectively operable to allow access to be obtained to the gaming activity and a different wireless communication mode useable for communications external of the regulated gaming environment. Preferably the user may use a common access code or finances for playing game activities in each environment and means are provided to prevent the wireless communications in the regulated environment from extending externally of the environment. Optionally a centralised database collects data from a plurality of regulated gaming environments.

Description

Improvements to gaming systems The invention to which this application relates is to an improvement in apparatus and systems for the undertaking of gaming and typically, although not necessarily exclusively, for the participation in gaming in restricted or regulated environments.
Gaming activities, such as bingo, lottery, and other number and symbol based games, are participated in by a large percentage of the population and in order to attempt to protect the interest of the participants, gaming or at least certain types of gaming, has only been permitted in licensed or regulated buildings or premises, hereinafter referred to as regulated environments, in which rules and regulations have to be followed with regard to the gaming activities that can be undertaken and specific requirements are required to be met by the owners or organisers of the regulated environment. Such regulated environments are, for example, gaming arcades, bingo halls in which bingo is played, and the like. With regard to the playing of bingo, conventionally, the bingo games were played using a paper sheet on which a number of cards were printed, each card including a plurality of numbers which when called out are marked and the person who has marked the relevant numbers on the card in a particular game wins a prize.
More recently, the paper sheet cards have been replaced by an electronic display screen which displays the "cards" to the user and the display screens are typically provided in the form of a tablet device with which the player interacts to mark the called numbers. The tablet device is only operable in the regulated environment and is provided and retained by the operator of the regulated environment. The need to purchase and provide these tablet devices represents a significant investment financially by the regulated environment operator.
Another recent occurrence has been the increase in gaming activity which can be accessed via the internet by a user, via a communication device and which allows the users to undertake certain gaming activities in any environment whether that be their home, on transport or the like. This access to gaming activity in non-regulated environments does represent a challenge to the operators of regulated environments and potentially, represents a loss in income.
The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a system which allows the required control of gaming activities to be maintained to meet regulations for regulated environments whilst, at the same time, allowing access to gaming activities both in regulated and non-regulated environments to be made easier for users.
In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a system to allow access to at least one gaming activity by a user in a regulated environment, said system including a communication system which allows transmission, within at least a portion of the regulated environment, of data relating to the said gaming activity; a communication device with a display screen, said device operable by the user to allow access to be obtained to the gaming activity wherein, upon entering the regulated environment, the user renders the device into a mode in which the same is communicable with the said communication system in the regulated environment.
In one embodiment, the said device is a personal device owned by the user and typically is also operable by them when located externally of the regulated environment. In one example the device is a mobile phone.
In one embodiment, one of the further uses of the device is to play a gaming activity via connection to the internet when the device is not located in the regulated environment and, in a particular environment, the gaming activity may be the same type of gaming activity as that which the user can play when in the regulated environment via the device. Furthermore, the provider of the gaming activity via the internet connection may be the same provider as the operator of the gaming activity in the regulated environment. Typically, in this embodiment, the user may use a common access code and/or common finances to play gaming activities when provided by the same operator via the internet connection and/or when in a regulated environment.
In one embodiment a common communication device is used to participate in a gaming activity which is provided via at least two different communication systems in at least two distinct environments, one of which is a regulated environment.
Typically, in the regulated environment, the communication means is a wireless communication system which has a range which extends at least partially through the regulated environment so as to allow the user's device to obtain data for the gaming activity which is performed within the regulated environment. Typically, the regulated environment is provided with means to prevent the wireless communication system from extending externally of the regulated environment.
In one embodiment, when the user enters the regulated environment, they may already have a wireless communication function active on their device or may be instructed to activate the same and the device can then communicate with the wireless communication system in the regulated environment. Typically, the initial user interaction will be to enter a password and/or other required information which, if correct, allows the user's device to then be used to play the gaming activity within the regulated environment in a permitted manner.
Typically, in addition to providing a password and/or other information, the user can then, once authorised communication has been made, decide which games of the gaming activity they wish to play, can obtain prizes which they are due and/or input finances to allow them to play the games and these actions may be performed remotely via their device or via assistance provided in the regulated environment.
Typically, at the regulated environment, there will be provided a database server which is operable to control the gaming activities and to register and allow interaction with the users devices present in the regulated environment at that time and local to that regulated environment. Typically, the database server from that regulated environment, and typically a plurality of database servers from a number of different regulated environments, may also be in communication with a centralised database typically located remote from the regulated environments, which will collect data from a plurality of regulated environments.
Typically the centralised database will be the same as, or in communication with, a database which allows operation of internet based gaming activities provided by the operator of the regulated environment and thereby allow data which may be obtained in relation to operation of the device in the regulated environment or in relation to the internet based gaming to be accessible to and used in subsequent playing of gaming activities
S
using a device or other devices in the other of the regulated environment or internet based gaming.
In one embodiment, in addition to performing gaming activities when in a regulated environment, the user of the device may ako be able to participate in social networking with other participants of the gaming activity in the regulated environment via a social network site which is made available upon entry to the regulated environment. Yet further, specific information may be made available to the user via the device when they have gained access to the system provided in the regulated environment such as upcoming events, special offers, transport Enks and the like.
In one embodiment the software which may be required to allow the user's device to be operated in accordance with the invention can be provided as an "app" which can be downloaded by the user.
In one embodiment the user's device may be used to give the geographical location of the nearest regulated environment, for example a bingo club, to the users present location, in order that the user may then visit that location to play the games.
A specific embodiment of the invention is now described with regard to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 illustrates various gaming activity options available to the user in accordance with the current invention; Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment of the communication system in accordance with the invention; and Figure 3 iflustrates a device in use to participate in a gaming activity in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
In order to allow the gaming activity to occur in accordance with the invention there is required to be in place a communication system, an example of which is shown in Figure 1. Tn this Figure there is shown the consumer device 2 such as a mobile phone device which can be used by the user to participate in gaming activities at home 4 and when on the move 6 via internet gaming activities, and, in accordance with the invention, in a regdated environment 8.
In the regulated environment the communication system is typically a wireless communication system which has a defined range, typicafly the area of the regulated environment and with which the user can interact, in a manner which will be described, via their own device in order to participate in the permitted gaming activities in the regulated environment.
In addition the user can still use their device to participate in the internet originated gaming activities at any time and location with the current invention allowing a common look and feel, and allowing the transfer of certain user data for gaming activities provided by the same operator via the internet and in the regulated environments.
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of one embodiment of a communications system in accordance with the invention. In this case there is provided the gaming activity information and parameters 10 which typically will be operated by a third party on behalf of the gaming activity operator and which may be communicated to a centralised database 12 for all of the gaming activities provided by that operator. The centralised database then allows data and gaming activities to be provided to the user's device 14 via two, distinct paths 16,18 but allows the user to access the same via the common device 14.
In path 18 the gaming activity data and communication is via the internet 20 and suitable communication means 22 which can be provided in commercial locations or via the user's own communication services. In the path 16, the communication of the gaming activity is to the regulated environment such as a bingo hall, and is via a database server 24, typically located at the regulated environment and which controls the gaming activity at that regulated environment whilst remaining in communication with the centralised database 12. The database server then communicates with the device 14 when the device and hence user is present in the regulated environment via the local wireless communication system 26 in the regulated environment. In one embodiment the server (24) displays battery life, signal strength, status in venue, user name and other information relating to the users terminal within the regulated environment.
Tn order to commence the operation of the user's device in accordance with the invention then, in one embodiment, the user is first required to obtain the application which they need for their device to be operable in the regulated environment.
This can typically be downloaded from one or more internet or other source and can be searched for, or can be provided via promotional material or made available in the regulated environment. Typically, when installed an identifying logo will be added to the display screen of the device which may, for example, be a tablet device with a display screen, a laptop computer or a mobile telephone device.
In one embodiment the application may include an information display which sets out various options and other information for the user.
Typically, in order to render the device operable, a number of steps are required to be followed which can include to visit the regulated environment with the device, select a suitable Wi-hi access point which is operable in the regulated environment in order to connect the device therewith and to then register the user details which in one embodiment will include a username and password, the users name, date of birth, postcode, mobile number, email address, membership details with regard to the operator of the regulated environment, registration code and agreement to the terms and conditions.
With the device rendered operable, a display will be generated on the display screen in relation to the gaming activity and typically this will always include the current account balance for that user. The user can add money to their account in a number of ways, one being the purchase at the regulated environment of a voucher which includes a code which, when input to the application on the users device acts to add a monetary amount to the users account. An alternative is to allow a cashier at the regulated environment to directly add the monetary value to the user's account and a yet further possibility is to allow a user to interact with a self service terminal to input money and allocate to their account to which the same will be added.
In order to allow users of the device to play the games of the gaming activity, the various game options then can be provided via the application to the device and the games and packages may be required to have been previously set up manually by the game operator to meet specific legal requirements. The operator of the regulated environment can also set up information and options for specific games such as the price to play, what is involved in the package being bought and/or the scheduling of playing the games.
It is also possible that in addition to the packages defined by the gaming activity organiser, the user can select their own package by selecting via their device, individual games, confirm their purchase and the amount due for the package is then taken from their account.
Typically in play of the game, the relevant gaming activities at that time are displayed on the display screen an example of which is shown in Figure 3 and typically the user interacts with the screen and hence the displayed gaming activities to play the games. Different displays and orientations of display can be selected by the user, for example, by the use of button, touching the display screen and/or changing the orientation of the device.
Tf the user wins a game then the display may indicate the same to the user and/or an audible or vibratory effect may be created on the user's device, with the win information having been transmitted to the device and the win will typically be added to the user's account.
There is therefore provided in accordance with the invention a communication system and application which permits a user's device to be used by them in playing a gaming activity in a regulated environment by allowing the device to communicate in a controlled and secLire and hence allowable manner with the gaming activity organiser's communication system. Furthermore, the same user's device call then be used to participate in gaming activities which can be provided at any location, including locations external to the regulated environment. *

Claims (11)

  1. Claims 1. A system to allow access to at least one gaming activity by a user in a regulated gaming environment, said system including a wireless communication system which allows selective transmission to, and receipt of, data relating to the said gaming activity via a user's mobile phone device, said mobile phone device having a first wireless communication mode usable for communication externally of the regulated gaming environment and a second wireless communication mode, different to the first, wherein said mobile phone device is operable by the user to allow access to be obtained to the gaming activity when the mobile phone device is within the regulated gaming environment by selecting the second wireless communication o. . : mode, and the range in which communication can be made with *** . . . * the said wireless communication system via the mobile phone device is confined to be within the regulated gaming environment. * *
  2. 2. A system according to claim 1 wherein a gaming activity accessed by the device when external to the regulated gaming environment is of the same type but in a different form to the gaming activity which the user can play when in the regulated gaming environment via the device.
  3. 3. A system according to claim 1 wherein the user uses a * common access code and/or common finances to play gaming activities when provided by the same operator when accessed via the device external of the regulated gaming environment and when in the regulated gaming environment.
  4. 4. A system according to claim 1 wherein the regulated environment is provided with means to prevent the wireless communication system from extending externally of the regulated gaming environment.
  5. 5. A system according to claim 1 wherein when the user enters the regulated gaming environment an initial user interaction is to enter a password and/or other required information which, if correct, allows the user's device to then be used to play the gaming activity within the regulated gaming environment.
  6. 6. A system according to claim 5 wherein in addition to providing a password and/or other required information, the user can, once authorised, interact to determine which gaming activity they wish to play, can obtain prizes which they are due and/or input finances to allow them to play the games via their device *
  7. 7. A system according to claim 1 wherein at the regulated * * * * gaming environment, there is provided a database server which * is operable to control the gaming activities and to register and allow interaction with the user devices present in the regulated gaming environment at an instant of time and local to that
    Sregulated gaming environment.
  8. 8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the database server from the regulated gaming environment, and a plurality of database servers from a number of different regulated gaming environments, are provided in communication with a centralised database which collects data from a plurality of regulated gaming environments.
  9. 9. A system according to claim 8 wherein the centralised database is the same as, or is in communication with, a database which allows operation of internet based gaming activities provided by the operator of the regulated gaming environment and allows data obtained in relation to operation of the device in the regulated gaming environment or in relation to the internet based gaming to be accessible to and used in subsequent playing of gaming activities by the user in the other of the regulated gaming environment or internet based gaming.
  10. 10. A system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the confined range of the wireless system defines the range of access to the gaming activity via the device to be within the regulated gaming environment and prevent access via a device when external of the regulated environment.
  11. 11. A system according to any of the preceding claims wherein the gaming activity within the regulated gaming environment can * p 0 * also be accessed by a user of a tablet device when located in the pl* . . - * regulated gaming environment and placed in the appropriate **. : wireless communication mode. * * * * * * 4 p. t4 * a *
GB1219497.3A 2012-10-30 2012-10-30 Improvements to gaming systems Withdrawn GB2511277A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1219497.3A GB2511277A (en) 2012-10-30 2012-10-30 Improvements to gaming systems

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1219497.3A GB2511277A (en) 2012-10-30 2012-10-30 Improvements to gaming systems

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB201219497D0 GB201219497D0 (en) 2012-12-12
GB2511277A true GB2511277A (en) 2014-09-03

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20050197190A1 (en) * 2004-02-25 2005-09-08 Amaitis Lee M. System and method for convenience gaming
US20070021198A1 (en) * 2001-09-20 2007-01-25 Igt Method and apparatus for registering a mobile device with a gaming machine
US20070060355A1 (en) * 2005-08-09 2007-03-15 Amaitis Lee M System and method for wireless gaming system with alerts
US20070155489A1 (en) * 2005-12-30 2007-07-05 Frederic Beckley Device and network enabled geo-fencing for area sensitive gaming enablement
US20120149463A1 (en) * 2009-03-03 2012-06-14 E3 Llc System and method for gaming in a dynamic network using wireless communication devices
EP2546811A1 (en) * 2011-07-13 2013-01-16 Igt Methods and apparatus for providing secure logon to a gaming machine using a mobile device

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070021198A1 (en) * 2001-09-20 2007-01-25 Igt Method and apparatus for registering a mobile device with a gaming machine
US20050197190A1 (en) * 2004-02-25 2005-09-08 Amaitis Lee M. System and method for convenience gaming
US20070060355A1 (en) * 2005-08-09 2007-03-15 Amaitis Lee M System and method for wireless gaming system with alerts
US20070155489A1 (en) * 2005-12-30 2007-07-05 Frederic Beckley Device and network enabled geo-fencing for area sensitive gaming enablement
US20120149463A1 (en) * 2009-03-03 2012-06-14 E3 Llc System and method for gaming in a dynamic network using wireless communication devices
EP2546811A1 (en) * 2011-07-13 2013-01-16 Igt Methods and apparatus for providing secure logon to a gaming machine using a mobile device

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Publication number Publication date
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