WO2001064015A2 - Option personnalisee sur des courses pour systemes de paris interactifs - Google Patents

Option personnalisee sur des courses pour systemes de paris interactifs Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001064015A2
WO2001064015A2 PCT/US2001/006382 US0106382W WO0164015A2 WO 2001064015 A2 WO2001064015 A2 WO 2001064015A2 US 0106382 W US0106382 W US 0106382W WO 0164015 A2 WO0164015 A2 WO 0164015A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user
wager
races
personal
race
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/006382
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001064015A8 (fr
Inventor
Thomas L. Aronson
Original Assignee
Ods Properties, Inc.
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 Ods Properties, Inc. filed Critical Ods Properties, Inc.
Priority to AU2001241841A priority Critical patent/AU2001241841A1/en
Publication of WO2001064015A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001064015A2/fr
Publication of WO2001064015A8 publication Critical patent/WO2001064015A8/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
    • G06Q50/34—Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
    • 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
    • G07F17/3288—Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Definitions

  • This invention relates to interactive wagering, and more particularly, to interactive wagering applications that allow users to create personalized options that assist the users in placing wagers .
  • Wagering is a popular leisure activity. For example, many racing fans wager on events such as horse, dog, and harness racing. However, it may be inconvenient to attend racing events in person. Not all racing fans have sufficient time to visit racetracks as often as they would like and some fans have difficulties in obtaining suitable transportation to the track. Off-track betting establishments are available for fans who cannot attend racing events in person, but fans must still travel to the off-track betting establishments.
  • a wagering application allows users to create personal track profiles of their own wagering preferences to assist them when wagering.
  • a user may create a personal track profile based on criteria such as the user's favorite types of runners, track surfaces, race distances, race classifications, purse amounts, class ratings, racetracks, etc.
  • the wagering application may display a race selection menu containing a list of only those races that match the user's personal track profile criteria. This reduces the amount of visual clutter that is presented on the screen for the user to navigate through and makes it easier for the user to locate wagering opportunities of interest.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative interactive wagering system on which interactive wagering applications may be implemented in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows an illustrative racetrack selection screen and an illustrative race selection screen that may be provided by a wagering application implemented using user television equipment in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 shows an illustrative race track selection screen that may be provided by an interactive wagering application using user computer equipment in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 shows an illustrative profile editing screen that may be provided by an interactive wagering application using user computer equipment in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 shows an illustrative cellular telephone having a display on which a wagering application has displayed a racetrack selection menu in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in providing a wagering service having a personal track option in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 An illustrative interactive wagering system 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. Aspects of the invention apply to various different types of wagering, but are described herein primarily in the context of interactive wagering on races (e.g., horse races) for specificity and clarity. Races may be run at racetracks 12, which may be located at various geographic locations. Races run at the racetracks may be simulcast to television viewers. For example, simulcast videos may be provided to users with satellite receivers or to off-track betting establishments via satellite.
  • races e.g., horse races
  • racetracks 12 may be located at various geographic locations. Races run at the racetracks may be simulcast to television viewers. For example, simulcast videos may be provided to users with satellite receivers or to off-track betting establishments via satellite.
  • System 10 may be used to provide an interactive wagering service to users of various user equipment.
  • An interactive wagering application may be used to provide the wagering service.
  • the interactive wagering application may run locally on the user equipment (e.g., on a set-top box, personal computer, cellular telephone, handheld computing device, etc.) or may run using a client-server or distributed architecture where some of the application is implemented locally on the user equipment in the form of a client process and some of the application is implemented at a remote location (e.g., on a server computer or other such equipment in the system) as a server process.
  • client-server or distributed architecture where some of the application is implemented locally on the user equipment in the form of a client process and some of the application is implemented at a remote location (e.g., on a server computer or other such equipment in the system) as a server process.
  • Real-time videos from racetracks 12 may also be provided to video production system 14 for distribution to users as part of a television wagering service (i.e., a wagering-related television channel or Internet-delivered service or the like) . If desired, multiple simulcast videos may be provided to video production system 14 in real-time.
  • Talent e.g., commentators
  • Studio 16 may provide a video feed containing commentary and the like to video production system 14.
  • Graphic overlays for the television wagering service may be added to the service at video production system 14.
  • the television wagering service may use video production system 14 to combine selected video segments from desired racing simulcasts with the video feed from studio 16 and suitable graphic overlays.
  • video production system 14 or a separate facility may be used to reformat simulcasts from racetracks 12.
  • racetracks 12 provide simulcasts as traditional analog television channels
  • video production system 14 may convert these simulcasts or portions of these simulcasts into digital signals (e.g., digital video signals) or into a different number of analog signals.
  • Digital video signals may require less bandwidth than analog video signals and may be appropriate for situations in which videos are to be transmitted over either high or low bandwidth pathways . Low bandwidth pathways may include telephone lines, the Internet, etc.
  • Video production system 14 may be used to provide a television wagering service that includes selected simulcast videos, video from studio 16, and graphic overlays to television distribution facilities 18 (for redistribution to user television equipment 22 and user computer equipment 20) , to user computer equipment 20, and to user telephone equipment 32 (if user telephone equipment 32 has a display capable of displaying moving images) .
  • Television distribution facilities 18 may be any suitable facilities for supplying television to users, such as cable system headends, satellite systems, broadcast television systems, or other suitable systems or combinations of such systems.
  • User computer equipment 20 may be any suitable computer equipment that supports an interactive wagering application.
  • user computer equipment 20 may be a personal computer.
  • User computer equipment 20 may also be based on a mainframe computer, a workstation, a networked computer or computers, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a handheld computing device such as a personal digital assistant or other small portable computer, etc.
  • Each of television distribution facilities 18 is typically located at a different geographic location.
  • Users with user television equipment 22 may receive the television wagering service from an associated television distribution facility.
  • User television equipment 22 may include, for example, a television or other suitable monitor.
  • a television may be used to watch the television wagering service on a traditional analog television channel.
  • User television equipment 22 may also include a digital or analog set- top box connected to a television distribution facility 18 by a cable path.
  • a digital set-top box may be used to receive the television wagering service on a digital channel.
  • user television equipment 22 may contain a satellite receiver, a WebTV box, a personal computer television (PC/TV) , or hardware similar to such devices into which set-top box capabilities have been integrated.
  • a recording device such as a videocassette recorder or digital recording device (e.g., a personal video recorder or digital video recorder based on hard disk drives or the like) may be used in user television equipment 22 to store videos. The recording device may be separate from or part of the other components of user television equipment 22.
  • User computer equipment 20 may receive the television wagering service using a video card or other video-capable equipment to receive analog or digital (e.g., moving picture experts group or MPEG) videos from a television distribution facility.
  • User computer equipment 20 may also receive the television wagering service directly from video production system 14 using, for example, a modem link. If desired, the video for the television wagering service may be compressed
  • video production system 14 may only need to supply such digitally-compressed video signals and not analog television signals.
  • Video clips of races and other simulcast information may be provided to users in the form of a television wagering service or by an interactive wagering service provided by the interactive wagering application.
  • race-related videos may be provided to the user by using video production system 14 or other suitable equipment to route appropriate video clips from the simulcasts to the user in real time.
  • Video clips may also be stored for later viewing. For example, one or more video servers located at racetracks 12, video production system 14, television distribution facilities 18, or other suitable locations may be used to store video clips. The stored videos may then be played back in real time or downloaded for viewing at user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, or user telephone equipment 32.
  • the video clips may contain videos of races, commentary, interviews with jockeys, or any other suitable race-related information.
  • real-time or stored videos may be provided from racetracks 12 directly to user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, or user telephone equipment 32 over the Internet or other suitable communications paths without involving video production system 14. Videos may also be provided by routing video signals through equipment located elsewhere in system 10. For example, videos may be routed through transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • Transaction processing and subscription management system 24 may contain computer equipment 26 and other equipment for supporting system functions such as transaction processing (e.g., handling tasks related to wagers, product purchasing, adjusting the amount of funds in user accounts based on the outcomes of wagers, video clip ordering, etc.), data distribution (e.g., for distributing racing data to the users), and subscriber management (e.g., features related to opening an account for a user, closing an account, allowing a user to add or withdraw funds from an account, changing the user's address or personal identification number, etc.).
  • transaction processing e.g., handling tasks related to wagers, product purchasing, adjusting the amount of funds in user accounts based on the outcomes of wagers, video clip ordering, etc.
  • data distribution e.g., for distributing racing data to the users
  • subscriber management e.g., features related to opening an account for a user, closing an account, allowing a user to add or withdraw funds from an account, changing the user's address or personal identification number, etc.
  • Databases within transaction processing and subscription management system 24 or associated with system 24 may be used to store racing data, wagering data and other transaction data, and subscriber data such as such as information on the user's current account balance, past wagering history, individual wager limits, personal identification number, billing addresses, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, social security numbers, etc. Using such databases may allow the user to access information more quickly and allows for central administration of the wagering service.
  • racing videos and other services may be provided using servers and other equipment located at transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • video clips may be provided to the user on-demand.
  • Interactive advertisements may be provided to the user.
  • transaction processing and subscription management system 24 may provide additional information or other services related to the advertisement to the user.
  • Product ordering services may be implemented using computer equipment at transaction processing and subscriber management system 24 to handle orders and to assist in adjusting the appropriate account of the user accordingly. Orders may be fulfilled using merchandise fulfillment facilities 34. Merchandise fulfillment facilities 34 may be operated solely to provide merchandise fulfillment or may be associated with independently-operated mail-order or on-line businesses. Similar facilities may be used to allow users to order services.
  • racing data such as the post times for each race, jockey names, runner names and the number of races associated with each track, handicapping information (e.g., information on past performances such as the number of wins and losses for the past year, etc.), and weather conditions at various tracks may be provided by racing data collection and processing system 28.
  • handicapping information e.g., information on past performances such as the number of wins and losses for the past year, etc.
  • weather conditions at various tracks may be provided by racing data collection and processing system 28.
  • Some of the data may be collected from racetracks 12 and some may be provided by third party information sources such as Axcis Pocket Information Network, Inc. of Santa Clara, California or other suitable data sources.
  • Totalisators 30 are the computer systems that may be used to handle wagers made at the racetracks, made at off-track betting establishments, and made using interactive wagering system 10.
  • Totalisators 30 generate wagering odds in real time.
  • Totalisators 30 generate these odds based on information on which wagers are being placed (e.g., based on information on which wagers are being placed - li ⁇
  • Totalisators 30 are available from companies such as Amtote International, Inc. of Hunt Valley, Maryland. Totalisators 30 may be associated with individual racetracks 12 or groups of racetracks 12. Totalisators 30 may communicate with one another using a communication protocol known as the Intertote Track System Protocol (ITSP) . This allows totalisators 30 to share wagering pools.
  • Totalisators 30 may provide racing data including information on the current races at racetracks 12, the number of races associated with each racetrack, win, place, and show odds and pool totals for each horse or other runner, and exacta, trifecta, and quinella payoff predictions and pool totals for every possible combination of runners. Totalisators 30 may also provide current odds and other real-time racing data for other types of wagers. Totalisators 30 may provide the time until post time for each race.
  • Totalisators 30 may provide race results, such as the order-of-finish list for at least the first three positions and payoff values versus a standard wager amount for win, place, and show, for each runner in the finish list.
  • Payoff values may be provided for winning complex wager types such as exacta, trifecta, quinella, pick-n (where n is the number of races involved in the pick-n wager), and daily double.
  • the payoff values may be accompanied by a synopsis of the associated finish list.
  • Totalisators 30 may also provide program information of the type typically provided in printed racing programs. Such program information may include early odds, early scratches, race descriptions (including the distance of each race and the race surface - grass, dirt, artificial turf, etc.), allowed class ratings (based on a fixed ratio of external criteria) , purse value (payoff to winning runner) , allowed age range of runners, and the allowed number of wins and starts for each runner.
  • program information may include early odds, early scratches, race descriptions (including the distance of each race and the race surface - grass, dirt, artificial turf, etc.), allowed class ratings (based on a fixed ratio of external criteria) , purse value (payoff to winning runner) , allowed age range of runners, and the allowed number of wins and starts for each runner.
  • totalisators 30 may be provided by racing data collection and processing system 28.
  • racing data collection and processing system 28 may be provided by totalisators 30.
  • racing data are merely illustrative. Any suitable data related to racing may be provided to transaction processing and subscription management system 24 if desired.
  • Transaction processing and subscription management system 24 provides the racing data to users at user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, and user telephone equipment 32 for use in following race results and developing wagers. If desired, racing data may be provided to users using paths that do not directly involve transaction processing and subscription management system 24. For example, racing data may be provided from racing data collection and processing system 28 to user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, or user telephone equipment 32 using the Internet or other suitable communications paths.
  • User telephone equipment 32 may be a conventional telephone, a cordless telephone, a cellular telephone or other portable wireless telephone, or any other suitable telephone equipment. Users at user television equipment 22 and user computer equipment 20 may view information on the racing data on a television or other suitable monitor. Users at user telephone equipment 32 may listen to racing data using an interactive voice system. User telephone equipment
  • 32 may be based on cellular telephones with displays.
  • Users who wish to place wagers may establish an account at transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • An account may also be established at one of totalisators 30.
  • the user and the interactive wagering services may have their own bank accounts at financial institutions 38.
  • a user may set up an account electronically by using user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, or user telephone equipment 32 to interact with the subscriber management functions of transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • accounts may be established with the interactive wagering service with the assistance of customer service representatives at customer service facility 36.
  • Customer service facility 36 may be at the same location as transaction processing and subscription management system 24, may be part of system 24, or may be located remote from system 24. Customer service representatives at customer service facility 36 may be reached by telephone.
  • user telephone equipment 32 may be used to reach the customer service representative using communications path 42. If user television equipment 22 or user computer equipment 20 is being used with the service, a telephone at the same location as that equipment may be used to reach the customer service representative.
  • the user's identity may be checked using social security number information or other identification information with the assistance of subscriber verification facility 40.
  • the services of subscriber verification facility 40 are used to ensure that the user lives in a geographic area in which wagering is legal, that the user is of a legal age, and that the identification information (e.g., the user's social security number) matches the name provided by the user.
  • the user's present physical location may be determined by determining which general part of the cellular telephone network is being accessed by the user or by using the cellular network or a handset-based location device such as a global positioning, system (GPS) receiver in the body of the cellular telephone to pinpoint the user's location.
  • GPS global positioning, system
  • This location information may be used to verify that the user is located in a geographic area where wagering is legal.
  • the user provides personal information to the interactive wagering service and provides funds with a credit card or funds from the user's bank account.
  • the interactive wagering service sets up an account for the user at transaction processing and subscription management system 24 and directs one of totalisators 30 to set up a new account for the user at the totalisator.
  • the totalisator is also directed to credit the user's account to reflect the amount of funds provided by the user. After the user places a wager and wins or loses, the totalisator adjusts the user's totalisator account to reflect the outcome of the wager.
  • the totalisator may periodically inform the interactive wagering service of the adjusted balance in the user's account. This may be accomplished using any suitable technique (e.g., periodically, continuously, on-request, etc.). For example, reports may be collected periodically
  • the inquiry may be passed to the appropriate totalisator by transaction processing and subscription management system 24. If the user is charged a fee for subscribing to the service, the service may debit the fee from the user's account at the transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • the accounts at totalisators 30 and transaction processing and subscription management system 24 are typically maintained separately, because the business entities that operate totalisators 30 and transaction processing and subscription management system 24 are independent. If desired, financial functions related to opening and maintaining user accounts and the like may be handled using computer equipment at another location such as one of financial institutions 38 or other location remote from totalisators 30 and system 24. Such financial functions may also be implemented primarily at a totalisator 30 or primarily at the transaction processing and subscription management system 24 if desired.
  • Users at user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, and user telephone equipment 32 may place wagers by providing wagering data and otherwise interacting with transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • the interactive wagering service may provide a user at user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, or user telephone equipment 32 that has display capabilities with screens containing various racing data. For example, the user may be presented with screens that allow the user to view the current odds for horses in an upcoming race at a given track.
  • the service may provide the user with interactive screens containing menus and selectable options that allow the user to specify the type of wager in which the user is interested and the desired wager amount.
  • a set-top box arrangement for example, the user may use a remote control or wireless keyboard to navigate the various menus and selectable options.
  • the user may use a keyboard, mouse, trackball, touch pad, or other suitable input or pointing device.
  • the user may use buttons on the telephone.
  • the user television equipment, user computer equipment, or user telephone equipment may transmit wagering data for the wager to transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • Users with telephones may also interact with the service using an interactive voice response system located at transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • the interactive voice response system may present menu options to the user in the form of audio prompts (e.g., "press 1 to select a $2 wager amount," etc.).
  • the user may interact with the service be pressing the corresponding buttons on a touch tone telephone.
  • User telephone equipment 32 that is based on cellular telephones allows the user to interact with the wagering service in this way.
  • User telephone equipment 32 that is based on cellular telephones with messaging and display capabilities also allows the user to interact visually with the interactive wagering service .
  • Communications paths 44 may include satellite paths, coaxial cable paths, fiber-optic paths, twisted pair paths, other wire or cable-based links, wireless paths through free space, or any other suitable paths or combination of such paths.
  • Communications over paths 44 may involve analog transmissions, digital transmissions, wireless transmissions, microwave transmissions, radio-frequency transmissions, optical transmissions, audio transmissions, or any other suitable type of transmissions or combination of such transmissions.
  • Communications may involve Internet transmissions, private network transmissions, packet- based transmissions, television channel transmissions, transmissions in the vertical blanking interval of a television channel or on a television sideband, MPEG transmissions, etc.
  • Communications may involve wireless pager or other messaging transmissions.
  • Communications paths 44 may include cable connected to cable modems, digital subscriber lines, integrated services digital network (ISDN) lines, or any other suitable paths. Examples of suitable communications paths are described below. Those examples are, however, merely illustrative. Any of the communications path arrangements described above or other suitable arrangements may be used if desired. Communications paths that carry video and particularly uncompressed analog video or lightly- compressed or full-screen digital video generally use more bandwidth than communications paths that carry only data or that carry partial-screen digital video. For example, if it is desired to transmit high-quality simulcasts of races from racetracks 12 to video production system 14, analog or digital videos may be transmitted from racetracks 12 to video production system 14 over path 44a using satellite links.
  • ISDN integrated services digital network
  • Video may be transmitted from studio 16 to video production system 14 over path 44b using a satellite link or a high-speed terrestrial path such as a fiber-optic path.
  • Studio 16 may also be located at the same site as video production system 14, thereby avoiding the need for a long-haul transmission path.
  • Videos may be transmitted from video production system 14 to user computer equipment 20 over path 14c using a modem link (using, for example, a digital subscriber line, a telephone network link, a wireless link etc.)
  • the modem link may be made over a private network.
  • a user with a cable modem may connect a personal computer or other such user computer equipment 20 to an associated cable system headend using path 44d. (The headend in such an arrangement would be one of the television distribution facilities 18 shown in FIG. 1.) The user may then receive videos from the headend via cable modem. Videos may be provided to the headend over path 44e using a network link, fiber optic links, cable links, microwave links, satellite links, etc.
  • a user with a set-top box or similar device may also receive videos from a cable system headend using a cable modem or other such communications device over path 44f.
  • a user with user television equipment may receive videos over the Internet or a private network using a telephone-based modem or other such communications device using path 44g.
  • interactive wagering services may be provided using a television distribution facility 18 that includes equipment that supplements or replaces at least some of the equipment at transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • user television equipment 22 or user computer equipment 20 may receive analog or digital videos from an associated television distribution facility over the communications paths normally used to distribute television programming (e.g., paths 44f and 44d) .
  • videos may be received as part of a dedicated interactive wagering service television channel.
  • videos are provided as digital signals (e.g., MPEG signals), 10 or more digital videos may be carried on a single analog channel (or one digital video may be carried on one- tenth of the bandwidth of an analog channel) . If the videos are not full-screen videos, even more videos may be simultaneously provided without a loss of image quality.
  • digital signals e.g., MPEG signals
  • 10 or more digital videos may be carried on a single analog channel (or one digital video may be carried on one- tenth of the bandwidth of an analog channel) . If the videos are not full-screen videos, even more videos may be simultaneously provided without a loss of image quality.
  • Racing videos may be provided to user telephone equipment 32 over a partially-wireless telephone Internet link or other telephone link using path 44n.
  • racing data may accompany the racing videos along any of these paths.
  • racing videos may be provided by routing them directly from racetracks 12 to user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20 (e.g., over the Internet or a private network, etc.), or user telephone equipment 32.
  • Racing videos may also be provided by routing them through transaction processing and subscription management system 24. If a cellular telephone or portable computing device has sufficient display capabilities to support moving images, racing videos may be displayed.
  • Such videos may be provided using any suitable path, such as a direct path from racetracks 12, a path through video production system 14 or other suitable video processing equipment, through a hub such as transaction processing and subscription management system 24, etc.
  • Racing videos may be provided in real time or may be recorded for later distribution.
  • Videos that are not provided in real-time may be downloaded by user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, a cellular telephone, or other suitable user equipment at a lower data rate than would otherwise be required and may be downloaded in the background if desired. Such videos may also be provided to the user at real-time video rates for direct viewing by the user.
  • Racing data and other information related to the interactive wagering service may be provided to users over paths connected to transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • racing data and other data for the service may be provided to user computer equipment 20 over path 44h using a modem link.
  • Path 44h may be a private network path or an Internet path.
  • Path 44h may use telephone lines, digital subscriber lines, ISDN lines, wireless data paths, or any other suitable type of communications links.
  • User television equipment 22 may receive data for the wagering service over communications path 44i, which may be a telephone line, digital subscriber line, ISDN line, or other suitable type of communications path and which may use a private network path or an Internet path, etc.
  • Data for the wagering service may be provided to users of the interactive wagering application via communications path 44j and paths 44f and 44d.
  • Communications path 44j may be provided over a private network, using the public telephone network, using satellite links, or any other suitable type of links. Data from paths such as path 44j may be routed to paths such as paths 44f and 44d directly by associated television distribution facilities 18, or may be buffered at television distribution facilities 18 if desired.
  • Paths 44f and 44d may include coaxial cable and use of paths 44f and 44d may involve the use of cable modems or the like.
  • a web browser or similar software running on user television equipment 22 or user computer equipment 20 may be used to access the data. Such software may be integrated into the interactive wagering application or may be used separately. Software may also be used to view videos and may be used on other platforms (e.g., advanced cellular telephones) if desired.
  • paths 44k that are used to connect various other components of the system typically do not carry high-bandwidth video signals. Accordingly, paths 44k may be telephone-like paths that are part of the Internet or a private network. Such paths and various other paths 44 may be dedicated connections for security, reliability, and economy.
  • User telephone equipment 32 may receive information for the wagering service via path 44m. If user telephone equipment 32 is a standard (non- cellular) telephone, such information may be in the form of audio prompts ("press 1 to place a wager") and audio racing data ("the current win odds for horse 2 are 5-1") .
  • Transaction data processing and subscription management system 24 may contain interactive voice response equipment that provides such information to the user and that responds to touch-tone signals from the user when the user responds to prompts by pressing buttons on the user's telephone.
  • user telephone equipment 32 is a cellular telephone
  • racing data and other information for the interactive wagering service may be provided to the user by using a cellular wireless connection as part of path 44m.
  • Users with cellular telephones may be provided with audio prompts using an interactive voice response system located at transaction processing and subscription management system 24 to which the users may respond by pressing cellular telephone buttons to generate touch-tone signals.
  • Racing data and other information for the interactive wagering service may be provided to cellular telephones in the form of alphanumeric messages. Such messages may be transmitted to the user by using paging or other alphanumeric messaging formats or any other suitable data communications scheme. If desired, data may be provided to the cellular telephones over the voice channel and decoded by the cellular telephone using modem circuitry or other suitable circuitry. Data may also be provided using any other suitable cellular or wireless path. Regardless of the way in which racing data and other information for the interactive wagering service are provided to the cellular telephone, such information may be provided to the user by displaying it on the cellular telephone display screen or by presenting it in audible form through the speaker of the cellular telephone.
  • Racing data and other interactive wagering service information for the users may be provided in one or more continuous data streams, may be provided periodically (e.g., once per hour or once per day), or may be provided using a client-server arrangement in which data is requested by a client processor (e.g., user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, user telephone equipment 32, or any other such equipment) from a server (e.g., a server implemented using computer equipment 26 at transaction processing and subscription management system 24 or computer equipment at another suitable location) . Videos may also be provided using any of these techniques.
  • a client processor e.g., user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, user telephone equipment 32, or any other such equipment
  • a server e.g., a server implemented using computer equipment 26 at transaction processing and subscription management system 24 or computer equipment at another suitable location.
  • Videos may also be provided using any of these techniques.
  • a return communications path between the user and the interactive wagering service may be used to allow the user to place wagers and otherwise interact with the interactive wagering service.
  • a user with a standard telephone or a cellular telephone may interact with the service by pressing touch-tone keys on the telephone in response to audio prompts provided by an interactive voice response system at transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • users may call customer service representatives at customer service facility 36 and place wagers with manual assistance.
  • the user of a cellular telephone may interact with the wagering service by selecting menu options and otherwise interacting with information displayed on the cellular telephone.
  • software implemented on the telephone may be used to assist the user in transmitting appropriate data (e.g., wagering data) to the wagering service.
  • data may be transmitted using any suitable technique.
  • data may be transmitted using a wireless data link that is separate from the cellular voice channels.
  • Data may also be transmitted over the voice channel (e.g., using a modem built into the cellular telephone, by automatically generating touch-tone signals that may be recognized by the interactive voice response system at transaction processing and subscription management system 24, or using any other suitable arrangement) .
  • voice channel e.g., using a modem built into the cellular telephone, by automatically generating touch-tone signals that may be recognized by the interactive voice response system at transaction processing and subscription management system 24, or using any other suitable arrangement.
  • Users with user television equipment 22 may interact with the service by sending data (e.g., wager data) to transaction processing and subscription management system 24 using path 44i or using paths 44f and 44j .
  • Users with user computer equipment 20 may send data (e.g., wager data) to transaction processing and subscription management system 24 via path 44h or paths 44d and 44j .
  • Users at any user equipment may send data for the service to locations other than transaction processing and subscription management system 24. For example, the user may provide information directly to customer service facility 36, etc.
  • the user may send data to the service at transaction processing and subscription management system 24 using different paths than those used to receive data from transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • racing data may be received at user television equipment 22 via paths 44j and 44f, whereas data may be sent by the user from user television equipment 22 to transaction processing and subscription management system 24 using path 44i, etc.
  • the paths used to receive certain video information may be different from those used to receive racing data.
  • user television equipment 22 may receive racing videos using path 44f, but may receive racing data using path 44i.
  • the user may interact with the wagering service using more than one platform.
  • the user may place a wager using a cellular telephone while the user is driving home.
  • the user may determine the outcome of the wager by watching a video of the race on user television equipment. Later in the day, the user may check the user's account balance using a personal computer.
  • the various wagering platforms may be used in any suitable combination.
  • system 10 may support fewer platforms if desired.
  • aspects of the invention may be implemented using a system 10 that only supports cellular telephone wagering or wagering using handheld computer devices.
  • system 10 may be configured so that it does not support personal computer wagering, wagering with standard telephones, or wagering with user television equipment.
  • the system may support cellular telephones and/or handheld computing devices such as personal digital assistants, palm-sized computers, etc. in combination with any other suitable platform.
  • the interactive wagering application may be implemented using application software that runs primarily on a set-top box or other such local platform or using a remote server or other computer that is accessed from a local platform.
  • client- server arrangements Arrangements in which interactive wagering services are implemented using software on remote computers that is accessed on-demand from local platforms may be referred to as client- server arrangements.
  • client-server arrangements may be used to allow client processes on set-top boxes to access server processes running on servers located at cable system headends or other television distribution facilities 18 (FIG. 1) .
  • the software that supports the interactive wagering service features described herein may be referred to as an interactive wagering application.
  • FIG. 2 Illustrative display screens that may be provided by the interactive wagering application, and particularly by an interactive wagering application implemented using user television equipment 22, are shown in FIG. 2. Screens such as screens 46 and 48 ' of FIG. 2 may be accessed in a variety of ways.
  • a user may initially be provided with an opportunity to launch the interactive wagering application.
  • the system may allow the user to launch the application by pressing a menu option in an interactive television program guide or other set-top box application or menu. If desired, the application may be launched automatically whenever the user tunes to a particular channel (e.g., the television wagering channel) . After the user has tuned to this channel, the system may display an interactive icon on the user's television screen that indicates that the interactive wagering application is available. If the user presses an "OK" remote control key, the system may launch the application.
  • a particular channel e.g., the television wagering channel
  • the first screen displayed by the interactive wagering application when it is launched may be a popup menu that is displayed on top of the video for the television wagering channel.
  • the menu may contain menu options that allow the user to inform the application that the user wishes to configure the system, to place a wager, etc.
  • the user may select an option for placing a wager that causes the application to display a screen such as screen 46 of FIG. 2.
  • Screen 46 of FIG. 2 may contain tabs that indicate the current status of the application. For example, when tab 50 is displayed on top of the other tabs, this indicates that the track selection menu 52 is active. Tabs 54 and 56 may be used to indicate when the race selection option or wager type options are active . The menus options associated with tabs 50,
  • Track selection menu 52 may be used to allow the user to select a desired track. Track selections and other menu selections may be made by positioning movable highlight region 58 on top of an item of interest and by pressing a select or enter or OK key on a remote control. Highlight region 58 may be positioned using remote control arrow keys or any other suitable user input arrangement .
  • the system may direct the user to a race selection menu in which the user may select a any of a number of races that are scheduled for the Gulfstream racetrack.
  • the races may be numbered 1-10, for example, and information may be provided regarding their scheduled start times.
  • the user may complete the wager by selecting a desired race from the racetrack selection menu, selecting a desired wager type for the wager from a wager type selection menu, selecting a desired horse (or horses) for the wager from a horse selection menu, selecting a desired wager amount for the wager from a wager amount selection menu.
  • the wager may be submitted to transaction processing and subscription management system 24 by selecting an onscreen submit button or the like. The above approach is generally satisfactory if the user does not use the system heavily.
  • the user may, however, place bets frequently, and may have a particular interest in wagering on certain races. In this situation, the user may select a personal track option such as my track option 60.
  • the wagering application may provide the user with an interactive display screen containing selectable options that allow the user to enter personal track profile criteria that are indicative of the user's wagering preferences.
  • Suitable criteria that may be entered include information on the user's favorite racetracks, favorite age range for horses, favorite breeds (e.g., harness, thoroughbred, or quarter horse) , favorite track surfaces (e.g., turf or dirt), favorite race distances, favorite race classifications (e.g., maiden special weights, maiden, maiden claiming, allowance, etc.), favorite class ratings, horses, favorite trainers, favorite jockeys, favorite silks (jockey colors), etc.
  • Some of these criteria may be interdependent. For example, because there are no "turf" races in harness racing, the turf surface option need not be presented to the if the user selects the harness criteria. Moreover, these are merely illustrative criteria.
  • Any suitable information associated with the wagering opportunities may be used if desired. Ranges of any of these values may be used as criteria (e.g., race lengths of 5 furlongs and less, 5-7 furlongs, or 7 furlongs or less, etc.) . Criteria such as a certain handicapper ' s ratings or a horse's past performance statistics may also be used. Information on which wagering opportunities and particularly which races satisfy these criteria may be obtained from racing data stored in a database located at, for example, transaction processing and subscription management system 24 (e.g., using computer equipment 26) . Racing data of this type may be provided to transaction processing and subscription management system 24 from sources such as totalizators 30 and racing data collection and processing system 28.
  • criteria e.g., race lengths of 5 furlongs and less, 5-7 furlongs, or 7 furlongs or less, etc.
  • Criteria such as a certain handicapper ' s ratings or a horse's past performance statistics may also be used.
  • the wagering application may present a screen to the user such as racetrack selection screen 48.
  • the racetrack selection screen 52 that is displayed when my track option 60 is selected contains race options 62 that match the user's personal track profile and may involve races at multiple tracks. For example, if the user indicates an interest in turf races with purses greater than $100,000.00, only the races that satisfy these criteria are displayed, although this may include races from multiple different racetracks.
  • the races that match the user's personal track profile criteria are located at various different racetracks.
  • the racetracks are listed in options 62 by their abbreviations (e.g., AQU, GUL, LSP, etc.), but this is merely illustrative.
  • the example of FIG. 2 illustrates how optional race header information 64 (e.g., "T" for a turf race or "5.0" for a 5 furlong race) may be displayed with options 62 if desired.
  • the user may select one of options 62 (by positioning highlight region 66 on top of a desired option using remote control arrow keys and by pressing a remote control OK key.
  • the wagering application may provide the user with an opportunity to place a wager on that race. This may involve providing the user with an opportunity to select a desired wager type (e.g., win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, etc.), a horse or horses for the wager, and a wager amount (e.g., $2, $5, etc.) .
  • a desired wager type e.g., win, place, show, exacta, trifecta, etc.
  • a horse or horses e.g., $2, $5, etc.
  • the wagering application may provide an option such as edit my profile option 68.
  • the wagering application may provide the user with an opportunity to modify the user's personal track profile criteria. Any suitable screen or interface may be used to allow the user to modify the profile criteria.
  • On-line wagering applications may also use the personalized track feature.
  • Such on-line wagering applications and wagering applications that are based on user computer equipment 20 may use different user interfaces than wagering applications based on set-top box and television arrangements.
  • a pointing device such as a mouse or trackball may be used to select options, rather than a remote control.
  • Web browsers may be used to display screens for the application.
  • FIG. 3 An illustrative screen 70 that may be provided to the user of an on-line wagering application is shown in FIG. 3.
  • Indicator bar 72 may have a highlight 74 that indicates whether the wagering application is currently focused on the process of racetrack selection, race selection, wager type selection, horse selection, or the process of selecting a wager amount.
  • the wagering application has searched for races matching the user's personal track profile criteria and has displayed a list of matches in regions 76 and 78. The user may select one of the listed races by clicking on that race. The interactive wagering application may then provide the user with an opportunity to complete the creation of a wager for that race by selecting a wager type, horse or horses for the wager, and wager amount.
  • the user selected two tracks (Churchill Downs and Will Rogers Downs) as personal track profile criteria.
  • the user also selected other personal track profile criteria such as favorite track surfaces, race classifications, etc. Race 9 at Churchill Downs matched the user's criteria and is therefore listed in region 76. However, no races matched the user's criteria at Will Roger Downs. Region 78 therefore contains a text message that informs the user that there are no races at the Will Roger Downs racetrack that match the user's criteria.
  • the layout and content of screen 70 are merely illustrative. Any suitable arrangement may be used to display information on which races match the user's personal track profile criteria if desired.
  • Screen 70 may contain an option 80 that the user may click on to view an edit profile screen.
  • An illustrative edit profile screen 82 is shown in FIG. 4.
  • Screen 82 of FIG. 4 contains options that the user can click on to select various criteria for their personal track profile. For example, the user may click on options 84 to select a desired age range. Options 86 may be used to select a desired track surface. Options 88 allow the user to select a desired race distance. Options 90 allow the user to select a desired race classification. Option 92 allow the user to select whether a race has a purse of a certain size. Options 94 allows the user to select a desired class rating. Options 96 allow the user to select a desired track.
  • the user of a cellular telephone wagering application may set up a personal track profile.
  • An illustrative cellular telephone 100 on which an interactive wagering application has been implemented is shown in FIG. 5.
  • Cellular telephone 100 has a display 102 that displays wagering data and wagering options.
  • the user may use keys 104 to navigate among the wagering options displayed on display 102 and to select a desired wagering option.
  • a racetrack selection menu is displayed. The user may select a desired racetrack by pressing a down arrow key on the cellular telephone 100 to position indicator 106 adjacent to the listing for that track and by pressing a select key. Using this approach, the user may select my track option 108.
  • the cellular telephone wagering application may display options that allow the user to set up a personal track profile. After the user has set up a profile, selecting my track option 108 directs the interactive wagering application to present the user with a list of races that match the user's personal track profile criteria. Information on races that match the user's profile may be displayed on display 102. The information may be displayed in any suitable format. With one approach, a list of matching races may be displayed. When the user selects a given one of the displayed races, the interactive wagering application may provide the user with an opportunity to select a desired wager type, a horse or horses for the wager, and a wager amount. Further aspects of interactive wagering applications implemented using cellular telephones are described in Zaring et al. U.S. patent application
  • a wagering application may provide the user with an opportunity to select a desired racetrack.
  • the wagering application may be implemented using user equipment such as user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, or user telephone equipment 32 (e.g., a cellular telephone).
  • the racetrack options that are provided to the user at step 110 include a personal track or "my track" option.
  • the interactive wagering application provides the user with an opportunity to create a personal track profile by selecting certain profile criteria at step 112.
  • the user may be provided with options that allow the user to select preferred racetracks, ages of horses, track surfaces, race distances, race classifications, purse sizes, class ratings, etc. These personal track profile criteria are merely illustrative.
  • the wagering application may provide options that allow the user to build a profile based on any suitable criteria.
  • the interactive wagering application may provide the user with an opportunity to create a wager by selecting a race at the Churchill Downs racetrack, a wager type (e.g., win, place, show, exacta, etc.), horse or horses, and a wager amount.
  • a wager type e.g., win, place, show, exacta, etc.
  • horse or horses e.g., horse or horses
  • a wager amount e.g., horse or horses
  • the user may be provided with an opportunity to submit the wager for processing (e.g., to transaction processing and- subscription management system 24 of FIG. 1) .
  • Racing data for steps 114 and 116 may be provided to the user equipment by transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
  • the interactive wagering application may provide the user with an opportunity to create a wager by selecting a race from a displayed list of races that match the user's personal track profile criteria. The user may also select a wager type, a horse or horses, and a wager amount.
  • the user may be provided with an opportunity to submit the wager for processing (e.g., to transaction processing and subscription management system 24 of FIG. 1) .
  • the present invention has been described primarily in the context of personal track options that may be selected from a racetrack selection menu, this is merely illustrative.
  • a personal track option may be accessed from any suitable screen or option in the interactive wagering application if desired.
  • the personal track profile that the user establishes on one platform may be used on other platforms (e.g., user computer equipment or user telephone equipment) .
  • the profiles may be synchronized by sharing personal track profile criteria between the various types of user equipment involved.
  • the personal track profile criteria may be shared by storing them at transaction processing and subscription management system 24 and by providing them to each platform as needed.

Landscapes

  • Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Human Resources & Organizations (AREA)
  • Marketing (AREA)
  • Primary Health Care (AREA)
  • Strategic Management (AREA)
  • Tourism & Hospitality (AREA)
  • Economics (AREA)
  • General Business, Economics & Management (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention a trait à une application interactive pour paris permettant à des utilisateurs d'établir des profils de course personnels. Ce profil de course peut comporter des critères de profil représentatifs des sortes de courses sur lesquelles il souhaite parier. Parmi ces critères de profil pouvant être utilisés, figurent les hippodromes favoris, la configuration de la piste, la longueur de la course, l'importance des enjeux alloués, etc. Cette application interactive pour paris peut fournir une option personnalisée sur des courses. Lorsque l'utilisateur sélectionne l'option personnalisée, l'application est en mesure d'afficher une liste des courses correspondant au profil personnel de cet utilisateur. L'utilisateur a alors la possibilité de choisir l'une des courses affichées afin de parier sur celle-ci. L'application permet également à l'utilisateur de choisir un type de pari, un cheval ou des chevaux, ainsi que le montant de la mise relative à la course retenue. Il est possible d'exécuter cette application à l'aide de plates-formes fonctionnant avec des boîtiers de décodage, d'ordinateurs personnels, de terminaux de poche, de téléphones cellulaires ou de tout autre dispositif adapté.
PCT/US2001/006382 2000-03-01 2001-02-28 Option personnalisee sur des courses pour systemes de paris interactifs WO2001064015A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2001241841A AU2001241841A1 (en) 2000-03-01 2001-02-28 Personalized track option for interactive wagering systems

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US51642300A 2000-03-01 2000-03-01
US09/516,423 2000-03-01

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001064015A2 true WO2001064015A2 (fr) 2001-09-07
WO2001064015A8 WO2001064015A8 (fr) 2003-06-12

Family

ID=24055515

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/006382 WO2001064015A2 (fr) 2000-03-01 2001-02-28 Option personnalisee sur des courses pour systemes de paris interactifs

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2001241841A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2001064015A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2001241844B2 (en) * 2000-03-01 2005-10-27 Ods Properties, Inc. Interactive wagering system with criteria wagering

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
No Search *

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AU2001241844B2 (en) * 2000-03-01 2005-10-27 Ods Properties, Inc. Interactive wagering system with criteria wagering

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU2001241841A1 (en) 2001-09-12
WO2001064015A8 (fr) 2003-06-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
AU2001247701B2 (en) Interactive wagering system
US6887156B2 (en) Interactive wagering systems and methods with multiple television feeds
AU2001241844B2 (en) Interactive wagering system with criteria wagering
US7628695B2 (en) Interactive wagering system with automatic runner selection
AU2001247701A1 (en) Interactive wagering system
WO2001077974A1 (fr) Systeme interactif de paris a selection de totalisateurs
AU2001243678A1 (en) Interactive wagering system with totalisator selection
AU2001238709A1 (en) Interactive wagering system with wireless wagering capabilities
AU2002227002A1 (en) Interactive wagering system with automatic runner selection
WO2001073649A2 (fr) Systeme de pari interactif assorti de macros
CA2403668A1 (fr) Systemes et procedes permettant de commander la largeur de bande de distribution de television et d'utiliser des donnees de speculation statistiques en temps reel
WO2001064015A2 (fr) Option personnalisee sur des courses pour systemes de paris interactifs
WO2001067352A2 (fr) Systeme de paris interactifs comportant une soumission selective de paris
EP1876562A2 (fr) Système de paris interactifs avec sélection de totalisateur
ZA200207697B (en) Systems and methods for controlling television distribution bandwidth and for utilizing real-time statistical wagering data.
ZA200207692B (en) Interactive wagering system.

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT TZ UA UG UZ VN YU ZA ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
D17 Declaration under article 17(2)a
NENP Non-entry into the national phase in:

Ref country code: JP