WO2008061181A2 - Systèmes et procédés pour déterminer qu'un dispositif de jeu communique avec un serveur de jeu - Google Patents

Systèmes et procédés pour déterminer qu'un dispositif de jeu communique avec un serveur de jeu Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008061181A2
WO2008061181A2 PCT/US2007/084805 US2007084805W WO2008061181A2 WO 2008061181 A2 WO2008061181 A2 WO 2008061181A2 US 2007084805 W US2007084805 W US 2007084805W WO 2008061181 A2 WO2008061181 A2 WO 2008061181A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
gaming
player
indicator
gaming device
verification
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2007/084805
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2008061181A3 (fr
Inventor
Dean Alderucci
Original Assignee
Dean Alderucci
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
Priority claimed from US11/560,065 external-priority patent/US7942738B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/560,136 external-priority patent/US7942742B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/560,083 external-priority patent/US7942740B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/560,077 external-priority patent/US7942739B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/560,358 external-priority patent/US8012015B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/560,124 external-priority patent/US7942741B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/560,829 external-priority patent/US10068421B2/en
Priority to JP2009537361A priority Critical patent/JP5675106B2/ja
Priority to EP07864449A priority patent/EP2086658A4/fr
Application filed by Dean Alderucci filed Critical Dean Alderucci
Priority to AU2007319182A priority patent/AU2007319182A1/en
Priority to CA2669826A priority patent/CA2669826C/fr
Publication of WO2008061181A2 publication Critical patent/WO2008061181A2/fr
Publication of WO2008061181A3 publication Critical patent/WO2008061181A3/fr

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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
    • G07F17/3241—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
    • 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
    • G07F17/3225—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
    • G07F17/3232—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed

Definitions

  • process means any process, algorithm, method or the like, unless expressly specified otherwise.
  • the phrase "at least one of, when such phrase modifies a plurality of things means any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise.
  • the phrase "at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel” means either (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car and a wheel.
  • the phrase "at least one of, when such phrase modifies a plurality of things, does not mean "one of each of the plurality of things.
  • Numerical terms such as “one”, “two”, etc. when used as cardinal numbers to indicate quantity of something mean the quantity indicated by that numerical term, but do not mean at least the quantity indicated by that numerical term.
  • the phrase “one widget” does not mean “at least one widget”, and therefore the phrase “one widget” does not cover, e.g., two widgets.
  • each such thing has its own characteristic, and these characteristics can be different from each other but need not be.
  • the phrase "each of two machines has a respective function” means that the first such machine has a function and the second such machine has a function as well.
  • the function of the first machine may or may not be the same as the function of the second machine.
  • any given numerical range shall include whole and fractions of numbers within the range.
  • the range "1 to 10" shall be interpreted to specifically include whole numbers between 1 and 10 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, ... 9) and non-whole numbers (e.g., 1.1, 1.2, ... 1.9).
  • a reference to "another embodiment” in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise.
  • determining and grammatical variants thereof (e.g., to determine a price, determining a value, determine an object which meets a certain criterion) is used in an extremely broad sense.
  • the term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions and therefore “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like.
  • determining can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like.
  • determining can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.
  • determining does not imply certainty or absolute precision, and therefore “determining” can include estimating, extrapolating, predicting, guessing and the like.
  • determining does not imply that mathematical processing must be performed, and does not imply that numerical methods must be used, and does not imply that an algorithm or process is used.
  • determining does not imply that any particular device must be used. For example, a computer need not necessarily perform the determining.
  • ordinal number such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on
  • that ordinal number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature, such as to distinguish that particular feature from another feature that is described by the same term or by a similar term.
  • a "first widget” may be so named merely to distinguish it from, e.g., a "second widget”.
  • the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate any other relationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate any other characteristics of either or both widgets.
  • the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or after any other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widget occurs or acts before or after any other in time; and (3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as in importance or quality.
  • the mere usage of ordinal numbers does not define a numerical limit to the features identified with the ordinal numbers.
  • the mere usage of the ordinal numbers "first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate that there must be no more than two widgets.
  • a single device / article may alternatively be used in place of the more than one device or article that is described.
  • a plurality of computer-based devices may be substituted with a single computer- based device.
  • the various functionality that is described as being possessed by more than one device or article may alternatively be possessed by a single device / article.
  • Indication is used in an extremely broad sense.
  • the term “indication” may, among other things, encompass a sign, symptom, or token of something else.
  • indication may be used to refer to any indicia and / or other information indicative of or associated with a subject, item, entity, and / or other object and / or idea.
  • indicia may be used to refer to any information that represents, describes, and / or is otherwise associated with a related entity, subject, or object.
  • Indicia of information may include, for example, a code, a reference, a link, a signal, an identifier, and / or any combination thereof and / or any other informative representation associated with the information.
  • indicia of information may be or include the information itself and / or any portion or component of the information.
  • an indication may include a request, a solicitation, a broadcast, and / or any other form of information gathering and / or dissemination.
  • Devices that are described as in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to each other as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine in communication with another machine via the Internet may not transmit data to the other machine for long period of time (e.g., weeks at a time). In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
  • process may be described singly or without reference to other products or methods, in an embodiment the process may interact with other products or methods.
  • interaction may include linking one business model to another business model.
  • Such interaction may be provided to enhance the flexibility or desirability of the process.
  • a product may be described as including a plurality of components, aspects, qualities, characteristics and / or features, that does not indicate that any or all of the plurality are preferred, essential or required.
  • Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other products that omit some or all of the described plurality.
  • An enumerated list of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.
  • an enumerated list of items does not imply that any or all of the items are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specified otherwise.
  • the enumerated list "a computer, a laptop, a PDA" does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are mutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are comprehensive of any category.
  • processors e.g., one or more microprocessors, one or more microcontrollers, one or more digital signal processors
  • a "processor” means one or more microprocessors, central processing units (CPUs), computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, or like devices or any combination thereof.
  • a description of a process is likewise a description of an apparatus for performing the process.
  • the apparatus that performs the process can include, e.g., a processor and those input devices and output devices that are appropriate to perform the process.
  • programs that implement such methods may be stored and transmitted using a variety of media (e.g., computer readable media) in a number of manners.
  • media e.g., computer readable media
  • hard- wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, some or all of the software instructions that can implement the processes of various embodiments.
  • various combinations of hardware and software may be used instead of software only.
  • Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory.
  • Volatile media include dynamic random access memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main memory.
  • Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor.
  • Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications.
  • RF radio frequency
  • IR infrared
  • Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read.
  • data may be (i) delivered from RAM to a processor; (ii) carried over a wireless transmission medium; (iii) formatted and / or transmitted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such as Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), SAP, ATP, BluetoothTM, and TCP/IP, TDMA, CDMA, and 3G; and / or (iv) encrypted to ensure privacy or prevent fraud in any of a variety of ways well known in the art.
  • a description of a process is likewise a description of a computer-readable medium storing a program for performing the process.
  • the computer-readable medium can store (in any appropriate format) those program elements which are appropriate to perform the method.
  • an apparatus includes a computer / computing device operable to perform some (but not necessarily all) of the described process.
  • a computer- readable medium storing a program or data structure include a computer-readable medium storing a program that, when executed, can cause a processor to perform some (but not necessarily all) of the described process.
  • databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations or descriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrative arrangements for stored representations of information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g., tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content of the entries can be different from those described herein. Further, despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats (including relational databases, object-based models and / or distributed databases) could be used to store and manipulate the data types described herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a database can be used to implement various processes, such as the described herein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be stored locally or remotely from a device which accesses data in such a database.
  • Various embodiments can be configured to work in a network environment including a computer that is in communication (e.g., via a communications network) with one or more devices.
  • the computer may communicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via any wired or wireless medium (e.g. the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, a telephone line, a cable line, a radio channel, an optical communications line, commercial on-line service providers, bulletin board systems, a satellite communications link, a combination of any of the above).
  • Each of the devices may themselves comprise computers or other computing devices, such as those based on the Intel® Pentium® or CentrinoTM processor, that are adapted to communicate with the computer. Any number and type of devices may be in communication with the computer.
  • a server computer or centralized authority may not be necessary or desirable.
  • the present invention may, in an embodiment, be practiced on one or more devices without a central authority.
  • any functions described herein as performed by the server computer or data described as stored on the server computer may instead be performed by or stored on one or more such devices.
  • the process may operate without any user intervention.
  • the process includes some human intervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of a human).
  • a limitation of the claim which does not include the phrase “means for” or the phrase “step for” means that 35 U.S.C. ⁇ 112, paragraph 6 does not apply to that limitation, regardless of whether that limitation recites a function without recitation of structure, material or acts for performing that function.
  • the mere use of the phrase "step of or the phrase "steps of in referring to one or more steps of the claim or of another claim does not mean that 35 U.S.C. ⁇ 112, paragraph 6, applies to that step(s).
  • Computers, processors, computing devices and like products are structures that can perform a wide variety of functions. Such products can be operable to perform a specified function by executing one or more programs, such as a program stored in a memory device of that product or in a memory device which that product accesses. Unless expressly specified otherwise, such a program need not be based on any particular algorithm, such as any particular algorithm that might be disclosed in the present application. It is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art that a specified function may be implemented via different algorithms, and any of a number of different algorithms would be a mere design choice for carrying out the specified function.
  • structure corresponding to a specified function includes any product programmed to perform the specified function.
  • Such structure includes programmed products which perform the function, regardless of whether such product is programmed with (i) a disclosed algorithm for performing the function, (ii) an algorithm that is similar to a disclosed algorithm, or (iii) a different algorithm for performing the function.
  • Figure 1 shows a gaming system according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows an example communications network according to an embodiment of the invention that may be used in the gaming system of Figure 1
  • Figure 3 shows an example process according to an embodiment of the invention for engaging in a gaming activity and/or convenience service using the gaming system shown in Figure 1.
  • Figure 4 shows a verification system in combination with the gaming system of Figure 1 according to an embodiment of the invention, which verification system may be used to verify whether a gaming device is in communications with a licensed gaming server.
  • Figure 5 shows a verification service provided by the verification system of Figure 4 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 6 shows another verification service provided by the verification system of Figure 4 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 7 shows a further verification service provided by the verification system of Figure 4 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 8 shows another verification service provided by the verification system of Figure 4 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 9 shows a further verification service provided by the verification system of Figure 4 according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • gaming system 100 for providing one or more gaming activities, and possibly other convenience services, to one or more players, such as players 102 and 104, according to an embodiment of the invention.
  • gaming system 100 may include a gaming server 110 that provides the gaming activities and convenience services, one or more gaming devices 130 that provide players 102/104 access to gaming system 100 and that operate with gaming server 110 to provide the gaming activities and convenience services to the players, possibly one or more databases 180, and a communications network 150 through which gaming server 110 and gaming devices 130 communicate.
  • gaming system 100 through the use of gaming devices 130 gaming system 100 enables players 102 and 104 to engage in gaming activities and possibly other convenience services as provided by gaming server 110.
  • gaming server 110 may be any computing device operable to provide one or more gaming activities and to exchange information related to gaming activities
  • Gaming information may include any information that is necessary and/or desirable in the operation of a gaming activity in which a player participates or engages.
  • gaming activities provided by gaming server 110 may include gambling activities, such as those provided by casinos.
  • Example gambling activities may include any casino-type gambling activities such as slot machines, video poker, table games (e.g., craps, roulette, blackjack, pai gow poker, Caribbean stud poker, baccarat, etc.), the wheel of fortune game, keno, sports betting, horse racing, dog racing, jai alai, and any other gambling activities.
  • the gaming activities provided by gaming server 110 may also include wagering on any type of event.
  • Events may include, for example, sporting events, such as horse racing and auto racing, and athletic competitions, such as football, basketball, baseball, golf, etc. Events may also include events that do not normally involve wagering such as political elections, entertainment industry awards, and box office performance of movies.
  • the gaming activities provided by gaming server 110 may further include lotteries or lottery-type activities, such as state and interstate lotteries. These lotteries may include all forms of number-selection lotteries, "scratch-off lotteries, and other lottery contests.
  • the gaming activities provided by gaming server 110 may also include non-wagering/non-gambling activities, including games and events.
  • gaming server 110 is not limited to the above described gaming activities and other gaming activities are possible.
  • gaming server 110 may also be operable to provide one or more convenience services and to exchange information related to these convenience services ("convenience services information") over communications network 150 with gaming devices 130.
  • convenience services information information related to these convenience services
  • Convenience services information may include any information that is necessary and/or desirable in the operation of a convenience service in which a player engages.
  • Example convenience services may include restaurant services, entertainment services, hotel services, money management services, news services, financial exchange services, or other appropriate services and combinations thereof that may be offered to a player of a gaming device.
  • Restaurant services may include, for example, services that allow a player to order drinks, order food, make reservations, or perform other restaurant related activities.
  • Entertainment services may include, for example, services that allow a player to purchase show tickets, arrange appointments or services, virtually shop, arrange transportation, or perform other entertainment related activities.
  • Hotel services may include, for example, services that allow a player to check in, check out, make spa appointments, check messages, leave messages, review a hotel bill, or perform other guest-related activities.
  • Money management services may include, for example, services that allow a player to transfer funds, pay bills, or perform other money management activities.
  • News services may include, for example, services that allow a player to select and view a news source and/or a news story.
  • a financial exchange service may include, for example, a service that allows a player to place a buy and/or sell order on a financial exchange.
  • gaming server 110 is not limited to the above described convenience services.
  • gaming server 110 may include one or more processors, such as processor 112, memory 114, and one or more applications 116, which are operable to provide gaming activities and convenience services like those described herein and to exchange gaming and convenience services information with the gaming devices 130.
  • Applications 116 may be embodied as one or more software modules that reside in memory 114 and execute on processor 112. Alternatively or in addition, applications 116 may be embodied as one or more firmware and/or hardware modules.
  • Gaming server 110 may also include one or more communications modules 118 for interfacing with and communicating over communications network 150 (and possibly other communications networks not shown) and for transmitting and/or receiving gaming and convenience services information with gaming devices 130.
  • Gaming server 110 may also include a computer readable medium 115 (e.g., disk drive) for storing applications 116. As shown in Figure 1, gaming server 110 may also be operable to access one or more databases, such as database 180. Database 180 may store, for example, player record or player profile information for each player of gaming system 100, as further described herein. While gaming server 110 is shown as a single server, one skilled in the art will recognize that gaming server 110 may include a plurality of servers, including redundant servers. According to an embodiment of the invention, gaming server 110 may, at least in part, be a web server, such as an http (hypertext transfer protocol) web server.
  • http hypertext transfer protocol
  • gaming server 110 and the associated applications 116 may be provided by a gaming service provider 172.
  • the actual controlling of gaming activity and convenience services in turn may be provided by a gaming facility 174.
  • a gaming facility may include, for example, a casino, casino-hotel, or other type of entity in Las Vegas, Nevada, Atlantic City, New Jersey, or some other state, may include an entity within international jurisdiction, such as a cruise ship, may include a Native American gaming facility, and/or may include a "racino", which is a race track that provides slot machines, video lottery terminals, etc.
  • gaming facility 174 may not only control the gaming activity and convenience services, but may also provide gaming server 110 and the associated applications 116, in which case a gaming service provider 172 is not present.
  • gaming service provider 172 may provide gaming server 110 and the associated applications 116 and may also control the gaming activity and convenience services, in which case a gaming facility 174 is not present.
  • gaming service provider 172 may provide gaming server 110 and the associated applications 116 and may also control the gaming activity and convenience services, in which case a gaming facility 174 is not present.
  • gaming service provider 172 may provide gaming server 110 and the associated applications 116 and may also control the gaming activity and convenience services, in which case a gaming facility 174 is not present.
  • gaming server 110 may reside within the geographic boundaries of gaming service provider 172 and the gaming service provider in turn may be remotely located from gaming facility 174. Nonetheless, one skilled in the art will recognize that other arrangements are possible. For example, gaming server 110 may be remotely located from gaming service provider 172. As another example, gaming service provider 172 and gaming server 110 may be within the geographic boundaries of gaming facility 174.
  • a gaming device 130 may be any device that, in combination with gaming server 110, is operable to provide one or more gaming activities and possibly convenience services to a player using the device, to receive inputs from the player and to present information to the player in relation to the gaming activities and convenience services, and to exchange gaming and convenience services information over communications network 150 with gaming server 110.
  • a gaming device 130 may be a mobile/cellular phone, a PDA (personal digital assistant), a pocket PC (personal computer), a personal computing device (e.g., a laptop), a pager, or any special or general purpose computing device (e.g., a kiosk) configured to provide one or more gaming activities and possibly convenience services, such as a slot machine, a video poker machine, etc.
  • gaming system 100 may include different types of gaming devices 130. One skilled in the art will recognize that other types of gaming devices are possible.
  • a gaming device 130 may be a stationary device or a device tethered to a stationary object and may be located within a gaming area of a gaming facility 174 or may be located in a remote location, such as in a player's room, by a pool-side, in a restaurant, etc.
  • a gaming device may be a mobile device, thereby allowing a player to be mobile while participating in one or more gaming activities or convenience services.
  • a mobile gaming device may allow a player to engage in an activity and/or service while within or remote from a gaming area of a gaming facility.
  • a gaming device When a gaming device is a mobile device, the device may be provided to a player by a gaming facility 174 and/or a gaming service provider 172. For example, a player may obtain such a device upon check-in at a hotel and/or from a central location from within a gaming facility, which device is then temporarily assigned to the player.
  • a mobile gaming device may be a device owned by the player, such as a cellular phone or PDA.
  • a gaming device 130 may include a communications module 131 for interfacing with communications network 150 and for transmitting and/or receiving gaming and convenience services information with gaming server 110.
  • a gaming device may also include at least one output device.
  • Example output devices may include at least one display 132, such as a CRT (cathode ray tube) or an LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying textual and/or graphical information and player selectable options associated with one or more gaming activities or convenience services.
  • Other example output devices may include one or more LEDs (light-emitting diodes), and at least one audio output (e.g., a speaker) for conveying information associated with one or more gaming activities or convenience services.
  • a gaming device may also include at least one input device 134, such as a mouse, a touch-sensitive pad, a pointer, a stylus, a trackball, a hard button, a keypad and/or keyboard with one or more keys representing alphanumeric characters, a wheel, a touch-sensitive monitor, and/or an audio input (e.g., a microphone), thereby allowing a player to enter commands and/or information related to one or more gaming activities or convenience services.
  • a gaming device may also include at least one biometric input device 136 for entering biometric information, such as a fingerprint, to gain access to gaming system 100.
  • a gaming device may also include one or more processors, such as processor 137, memory 138, and one or more applications 140 that operate in conjunction with applications 116 to provide one or more gaming activities and convenience services.
  • Applications 140 may be embodied as one or more software modules that reside in memory 138 and execute on processor 137.
  • applications 140 may be embodied as one or more firmware and/or hardware modules.
  • applications 140 When applications 140 are embodied as one or more software modules, these software modules may pre-loaded on the gaming device, stored on a computer readable medium 139, for example, and thereafter used repeatedly.
  • a corresponding application 140 may be loaded from gaming server 110, for example (e.g., as web applications).
  • gaming server 110 for example (e.g., as web applications).
  • a gaming device may also be operable to access one or more databases, such as database 180, either directly or via gaming server 110, for example.
  • database 180 may be operable to access one or more databases, such as database 180, either directly or via gaming server 110, for example.
  • different gaming devices may provide different gaming activities and convenience services depending, for example, on the gaming device and/or player.
  • a gaming device 130 may, at least in part, operate as a web client (e.g., include a Web browser).
  • gaming activities and convenience services may be provided to a player through a combination of applications 116 executing on gaming server 110 and applications 140 executing on a gaming device.
  • applications 116 executing on gaming server 110 and applications 140 executing on a gaming device.
  • any portion of a gaming activity or convenience service may execute on the gaming server 110 and gaming device
  • a gaming activity or convenience service may execute on the gaming server with the gaming device merely presenting information to and receiving inputs from a player.
  • a gaming activity or convenience service may execute on the gaming device, which in turn presents results to the gaming server.
  • a gaming device 130 may also be operable to provide a player with one or more communication services, such as telephony and/or data communication services, such as cellular, POTS (plan old telephone service), and/or IP (Internet protocol) telephony services, Internet based services, email services, text messaging services, etc., as is known in the art.
  • telephony and/or data communication services such as cellular, POTS (plan old telephone service), and/or IP (Internet protocol) telephony services, Internet based services, email services, text messaging services, etc.
  • the gaming device may provide a telephony and/or data communication service, and also provide one or more gaming activities and convenience services as provided by gaming system 100.
  • a player may purchase these various telephony/data communication services and gaming activity/convenience services either together or separately.
  • One skilled in the art will also recognize that even when a gaming device 130 is not owned by a player, the device may still provide telephony and/or data communication services.
  • a gaming device 130 may be used to provide telephony and/or data communication services, and one or more gaming activities and/or convenience services.
  • hardware and/or software modules used to provide data communication services may also be used to communicate with a gaming server 110.
  • a telephony and/or data communication service may or may not use communications network 150.
  • a gaming device may include one or more communications modules, in addition to communication module 131.
  • communications network 150 provides a mechanism for gaming devices 130 and gaming server 110 to exchange gaming and convenience services information.
  • gaming and convenience services information may include the loading of applications 140 to the gaming devices 130, security information, such as logins and passwords, and any graphical, textual, and/or audible representations of information and selections exchanged between the gaming server 110 and gaming devices 130.
  • security information such as logins and passwords
  • communications network 150 may be any network that allows, in whole or in part, for the transmission of graphical, textual, and/or audible information, and for the transmission of information in any format including digital and/or analog format.
  • communications network 150 may be a wireline and/or wireless network, including a telephony and/or data communications network.
  • Communications network 150 may be a private and/or public network, and depending on the security needs of the gaming and convenience services information being exchanged between gaming server 110 and gaming devices 130, may include, at least in part, the public Internet.
  • Network 150 may be based on any known and/or future transport technologies.
  • Example wireless technologies may include, for example, licensed or license-exempt technologies and in particular, may include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM),
  • CDMA Code Division Multiple Access
  • GSM Global System for Mobile Communication
  • communications network 150 may include a plurality of different networks, which may or may not be interconnected and which may or may not be based on different transport technologies. Gaming server 110 may interface each network individually and/or may interface one or more networks through a common access point. Different gaming devices may interface different networks.
  • These multiple networks may each provide or cover different gaming areas/locations. Alternatively, one or more networks may cover the same gaming area/location and be based on different transport technologies, thereby allowing different types of gaming devices to use different technologies to access gaming server 110. Because communications network 150 may include multiple networks, one or more gaming devices may use a wireless network to access gaming server 110 and as such, may be mobile gaming devices. Similarly, one or more other gaming devices may use a wireline network to access gaming server 110 and as such, may be stationary gaming devices.
  • Communications network 250 is a cellular network and includes a plurality of base stations 252, each of which has a corresponding coverage area 253.
  • Base station technology is known in the art and base stations 252 may be of any type found in a typical cellular network. The base stations may have coverage areas that overlap.
  • Gaming devices 130 access network 250 through the reception and transmission of radio signals with base stations 252.
  • gaming devices 130 may be cellular phones.
  • Network 250 also includes at least one voice/data switch 254, which may be connected to base stations 252 through a mobile switching center (MSC) (not shown).
  • Gaming server 110 is connected to voice/data switch 254 through a dedicated, secure landline 256, for example.
  • communications network 250 may provide telephony and/or data communication services to gaming devices 130.
  • the data communication services may be used to transfer, via voice/data switch 254, gaming and convenience services information between the gaming devices 130 and gaming server 110.
  • voice/data switch 254 may route telephony calls between gaming devices 130 and a public and/or private voice network (not shown).
  • gaming system 100 may also include one or more databases, such as database 180, including possibly one or more redundant and/or backup databases.
  • database 180 may be accessible to gaming server 110 and may also be accessible to one or more gaming devices 130.
  • One or more of the databases may be provided by and/or controlled by gaming service provider 172 and/or gaming facility 174, and may be co-located with and/or remotely located from gaming server 110.
  • gaming service provider 172 and/or gaming facility 174 may be co-located with and/or remotely located from gaming server 110.
  • database 180 may be a part of gaming server 110.
  • database 180 may be a database management system.
  • database 180 may be a computer readable medium within gaming server 110 and information may be maintained therein by the gaming server as flat files, for example.
  • database 180 may be one or more dynamic data structures (e.g., arrays) within memory 114 of gaming server 110 and may be maintained therein by the gaming server.
  • information may be maintained using any combination of these implementations and any other imp lementations .
  • database 180 may store player profile information for one or more players 102/104 of gaming system 100.
  • database 180 may store other types of information.
  • the player profile information may be accessible to gaming server 110 in providing gaming activities and/or convenience services and may also be accessible to one or more gaming devices 130.
  • the player profile information may be created, maintained, and modified, and in particular, may be created, maintained, and modified when a player first enters a gaming facility 174 (e.g., registers at a hotel), when a player subscribes to one or more gaming activities and/or convenience services (assuming a player may subscribe to such activities/services), when a player obtains a gaming device (e.g., upon check-in at a hotel and/or from a central location within a gaming facility), as a player engages in one or more gaming activities, and/or as a player engages in one more convenience services.
  • a gaming facility 174 e.g., registers at a hotel
  • a player subscribes to one or more gaming activities and/or convenience services assuming a player may subscribe to such activities/services
  • a player obtains a gaming device e.g., upon check-in at a hotel and/or from a central location within a gaming facility
  • player profile information may be created, maintained, and modified at other times.
  • the player profile information may be information the player provides and/or designates, information assigned to the player, information related to the monitoring of a player, and/or information associated with a gaming device 130 used by the player, in addition to other types of information.
  • the player profile information may be created, maintained, and modified in database 180 by a player, by an attendant of gaming system 100, and/or by gaming server 110.
  • the player profile information may be maintained in a plurality of different databases, each which may be implemented in any fashion.
  • the player profile information stored in database 180 may include information relating to respective players themselves.
  • the player profile information may include player identification information, such as a player's name, home and/or business address, hotel room number, one or more telephone numbers including a cell phone number, a social security number, a driver's license number, one or more account numbers including bank, ATM, debit-card, and/or credit-card numbers, and credit/credit-scoring information.
  • player identification information such as a player's name, home and/or business address, hotel room number, one or more telephone numbers including a cell phone number, a social security number, a driver's license number, one or more account numbers including bank, ATM, debit-card, and/or credit-card numbers, and credit/credit-scoring information.
  • player identification information such as a player's name, home and/or business address, hotel room number, one or more telephone numbers including a cell phone number, a social security number, a driver's license number, one or more account numbers including bank, ATM, debit-card, and/or credit-card numbers, and credit/credit-scoring information.
  • the player profile information may also include player security information that a player may need to enter at a gaming device 130, for example, in order to gain access to gaming system 100/gaming server 110.
  • Player security information may include a player identification value such as a login, a player password, and electronic files of fingerprint, voice, photograph, retina scan, and/or other biometric information. In the case of the login and password, one or both of these values may be designated/assigned by the player, by an attendant of a gaming facility and/or gaming service provider, or some combination thereof.
  • Player security information may also include one or more pieces of personal information associated with a player, such as a player's maiden name, a name of a player's pet, a town in which a player was born, and/or a hospital in which a player was born.
  • the player security information may include other types of personal information associated with a player.
  • the personal information associated with a player may be stored in database 180 in different formats, such as just the personal information itself (e.g., "Smith"), as a common question and an answer to the question, in which the answer is the personal information (e.g., "What is you maiden name?
  • the personal information may be stored in other formats.
  • the personal information regardless of the format, may be stored as a textual value and/or as an audible value.
  • the player security information may also include one or more values, such as a random value, specified by a player.
  • a value may include, for example, any alphanumeric text value, a plurality of alphanumeric text values, an audible signal, an audible tone, an audible text value, and/or a plurality of audible text values, or some combination thereof.
  • player security information may include other types of values.
  • the profile information may include other types of player security information than that disclosed herein.
  • a player may specify some or all of the player security information during a registration period prior to the start of any gaming activity and/or engaging in any convenience service, and/or during a gaming activity and/or convenience service.
  • the player profile information may also include information relating to the gaming device 130 that a player is using to access gaming system 100.
  • Gaming device information may including a tracking value assigned to the gaming device, such as a serial number, inventory number, or some other alphanumeric value assigned to the gaming device.
  • the tacking number assigned to a gaming device may be assigned by gaming server 110, a manufacturer of the gaming device, a gaming facility, a gaming service provider, and/or a gaming authority 176 (A gaming authority may include, for example, the Nevada Gaming Commission, the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (CCC), or the National Indian Gaming Commission.
  • DGE New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement
  • CCC New Jersey Casino Control Commission
  • a gaming authority may include some other local, state. Federal, and/or non-federal gaming/gambling ' 'casino commission/board.), or some combination thereof.
  • gaming server 110 may use a tracking value to internally refer to a gaming device.
  • Gaming device information may also include a name (e.g., an address) assigned to a gaming device including, for example, a URL (uniform resource locator), an IP address, a MAC (media access control) address, a host name (such as a fully qualified domain name and/or a subname of a fully qualified domain name), a phone number, an electronic serial number (ESN), and/or a mobile identification number (MIN).
  • a name e.g., an address assigned to a gaming device including, for example, a URL (uniform resource locator), an IP address, a MAC (media access control) address, a host name (such as a fully qualified domain name and/or a subname of a fully qualified domain name), a phone number, an electronic serial number (ESN), and/or a mobile identification number (MIN).
  • a name e.g., an address assigned to a gaming device including, for example, a URL (uniform resource locator), an IP address, a MAC (media
  • gaming device information may be created, maintained, and modified in database 180 by a player, by an attendant of gaming system 100, and/or by gaming server 110.
  • the gaming server may determine a gaming device's name through communications with a gaming device and store this information in database 180.
  • the player profile information may include other types of gaming device information than that disclosed herein.
  • the player profile information may also include information related to gaming activities.
  • Information related to gaming activities may include, for example, gaming activity preferences of a player, such as preferred gaming activities, preferred configurations of gaming activities, preferred screen configurations of gaming activities, and betting/wagering preferences in general and/or with respect to particular gaming activities.
  • gaming activity preferences of a player may be maintained.
  • Information related to gaming activities may also include information associated with one or more gaming activities engaged in by a player.
  • gaming server 110 may monitor, track, and/or store a player's activity to obtain such information. Such information may be maintained, for example, for the entire duration a player engages in various gaming activities and/or may be maintained over a moving fixed duration of time.
  • the information associated with one or more gaming activities engaged in by a player may include a name of a gaming activity currently engaged in by a player, a name of a gaming activity previously engaged in by a player, a name of any gaming activity engaged in by a player, and a sequence of one or more names of gaming activities as engaged in by a player.
  • the information associated with one or more gaming activities engaged in by a player may also include a location at which a player is currently engaged in a gaming activity, a location at which a player previously engaged in a gaming activity, a location at which the player engaged in any gaming activity, and a sequence of one or more locations at which a player engaged in gaming activities.
  • Location type information may be obtained, for example, based on the location of a stationary gaming device or in the case of a mobile gaming device, by using a location verification technology, such as a network-based technology like multi-lateration, triangulation, or geo-fencing, and/or a satellite- based technology like a global positioning satellite (GPS) technology, for example.
  • GPS global positioning satellite
  • the information associated with one or more gaming activities engaged in by a player may also include an obtained skill (or success) level of a gaming activity currently engaged in by a player, an obtained skill/success level of a gaming activity previously engaged in by a player, an obtained skill/success level of any gaming activity engaged in by a player, and a sequence of one or more obtained skill/success levels of gaming activities as engaged in by a player.
  • the information associated with one or more gaming activities engaged in by a player may also include an amount wagered in a gaming activity currently engaged in by a player, an amount wagered in a gaming activity previously engaged in by a player, an amount wagered in any gaming activity engaged in by a player, a sequence of wagered amounts in one or more gaming activities as engaged in by a player, and an average amount wagered by a player in connection with one or more gaming activities.
  • the information associated with one or more gaming activities engaged in by a player may also include a monetary outcome (i.e., amount won or amount lost) in a gaming activity currently engaged in by a player, a monetary outcome in a gaming activity previously engaged in by a player, a monetary outcome in any gaming activity engaged in by a player, a sequence of a monetary outcomes in one or more gaming activities as engaged in by a player, and a total monetary outcome in one or more gaming activities engaged in by a player.
  • a monetary outcome i.e., amount won or amount lost
  • the information associated with one or more gaming activities engaged in by a player may also include a win-lose outcome in a gaming activity currently engaged in by a player, a win-lose outcome in a gaming activity previously engaged in by a player, a win-lose outcome in any gaming activity engaged in by a player, and a sequence of a win- lose outcomes in one or more gaming activities as engaged in by a player.
  • the information associated with one or more gaming activities engaged in by a player may also include a sequence of events (e.g., cards dealt in a hand of black jack) in a gaming activity currently engaged in by a player, a sequence of events in a gaming activity previously engaged in by a player, a sequence of events in any gaming activity engaged in by a player, and a sequence of events in one or more gaming activities as engaged in by a player.
  • a sequence of events e.g., cards dealt in a hand of black jack
  • the player profile information may also include credit information of a player.
  • the credit information may include a credit amount of a player as reflected by a credit account.
  • the credit amount as reflected by the credit account may fluctuate. For example, prior to engaging in a gaming activity, a player, through the use of a cashier for example, may initially deposit a credit amount in the credit account in exchange for a credit-card type deposit or other type of deposit. Thereafter, the credit amount may fluctuate as a player engages in one or more gaming activities and gaming server 110 causes the player's winnings and/or losses to be added to and subtracted from the credit account. Similarly, a player, through a cashier, may deposit additional funds to and/or withdraw funds from the credit account.
  • gaming server 110 may also cause purchase costs and/or earnings associated with these services to be subtracted from and/or added to the credit account.
  • purchase costs and/or earnings associated with these services may fluctuate in other ways.
  • the credit information may also include a transaction history of the credit account as the credit amount fluctuates through deposits, withdrawals, winning, losses, purchase costs, and earnings.
  • the credit information may also include one or more credit limits, including wagering/betting limits assigned to a player in connection with gaming activities. For example, a single wagering/betting limit may be assigned to one or more gaming activities engaged by a player. Alternatively, one or more gaming activities may have an assigned wagering/betting limit.
  • the credit limits may also include one or more spending limits assigned to a player in connection with convenience services. As a player engages in one or more gaming activities and/or convenience services, the gaming server may dynamically fluctuate a player's wagering/betting limits and spending limits.
  • the player profile information may include other types of credit information of a player.
  • the player profile information may also include information associated with one or more convenience services engaged in by a player, which information gaming server 110, for example, may monitor and maintain.
  • Information associated with one or more convenience services engaged in by a player may include, for example, reservations and/or appointments made by a player, items purchased by a player, and purchase costs and/or deposit amounts associated with reservations, appointments, and items made/purchased by a player.
  • the player profile information may include other types of information associated with one or more convenience services engaged in by a player.
  • One skilled in the art will also recognize that other types of player profile information in addition to that disclosed herein may be created, maintained, and modified.
  • database 180 may be implemented such that one or more pieces of player profile information as disclosed herein, in addition to other player profile information, may be used to access and, for example, to index database 180 in order to obtain one or more other pieces of player profile information.
  • a player 102 may first activate a gaming device 130 by, for example, turning on the device. As a result of being activated, gaming device 130 may automatically connect to communications network 150 or player 102 may cause the gaming device to connect to the communications network. Thereafter, gaming device 130 may automatically establish communications with gaming server 110 or player 102, by selecting an option and/or entering a command, may cause the gaming device to establish these communications. Thereafter, gaming server 110 may load one or more applications 140 onto the gaming device.
  • gaming server 110 and/or gaming device 130 may next cause player 102 to possibly enter player identification information and may also cause player 102 to enter player security information including, for example, a login and password and possibly biometric information.
  • a gaming device when initially used by a player, may already be activated and in communications with gaming server 110.
  • process 300 may begin at step 304, for example.
  • gaming server 110 and/or gaming device 130 may next present player 102 with the option of proceeding with gaming activities or possibly convenience services (step 306). Assuming the player chooses to proceed with gaming activities, a gaming environment may be presented to the player.
  • the gaming environment may include a casino lobby where the player is presented with broad categories of gaming activities including, for example, gambling activities, wagering on an event, lottery activities, etc. Assuming the player selects a particular category, the player may then be presented with specific types of gaming activities from which to choose.
  • player 102 may select a particular gaming activity, such as a particular casino table game.
  • the gaming server and/or gaming device may next present the player with one or more options related to the selected gaming activity.
  • the player may then select an option.
  • the player may place a wager or draw a card.
  • the gaming device 130 may accept the selected option and may transmit the selected option to the gaming server 110.
  • the gaming server may then act on the selected option.
  • the gaming server may determine an outcome, such as won or lost and/or an amount won or lost, based on, for example, an amount wagered and any applicable odds.
  • an outcome such as won or lost and/or an amount won or lost, based on, for example, an amount wagered and any applicable odds.
  • a random number generator may be incorporated to determine an outcome.
  • the gaming server may prepare a response to the player in accordance with the determined outcome, and send the response to the gaming device/player.
  • the player may acknowledge the response with the gaming server. For example, the player may acknowledge that a hand of blackjack has been won and may acknowledge the designated payout.
  • the player may then log out of the gaming server/gaming device.
  • gaming server 110 may be a trusted server (e.g., a "licensed server” / "licensed gaming server") in that a gaming service provider 172, gaming facility 174, and/or gaming authority 176 may have mechanisms in place to ensure the server has not been tampered with.
  • a gaming service provider 172, gaming facility 174, and/or gaming authority 176 may have mechanisms in place to physically secure (e.g., limit access to) the gaming server 110 and/or to check the authenticity of applications 116 that provide the gaming activities and convenience services.
  • gaming server 110 for example, may also have mechanisms in place to ensure a gaming device 130 has not been tampered with.
  • gaming server 110 may have mechanisms to check the authenticity of applications 140 on a gaming device. Accordingly, as a player uses a gaming device 130 to engage in one or more gaming activities or convenience services, gaming server 110 may ensure the gaming device has not been tampered with and may discontinue the activity or service, for example, if an issue is detected.
  • Verification system 400 may include a verification server 410, one or more verification devices 430a/430b/430c that provide players 102/104, for example, access to verification system 400, and a communications network 450 through which verification server 410 and verification devices 430a/430b may communicate.
  • verification server 410 provides one or more "verification services" to one or more players 102/104 of gaming system 100 and in particular, enables a player to verify, possibly through the use of a verification device 430a/430b/430c, that the gaming device 130 that the player is using is in communications with a licensed gaming server 110, rather than a bogus/malicious gaming server.
  • verification server 410 may be any computing device operable to provide one or more verification services as disclosed herein. As shown in Figure 4, verification server 410 may be a computing device separate from gaming server 110.
  • verification server 410 may include one or more processors, such as processor 412, memory 414, and one or more applications, such as application 416, each of which may be operable to provide a verification service as disclosed herein.
  • Each application 416 may be embodied as one or more software modules that reside in memory 414 and execute on processor 412.
  • an application 416 may be embodied as one or more firmware and/or hardware modules.
  • Verification server 410 may also include one or more communications modules 418 for interfacing with communications network 450 (and possibly other communications networks) and for transmitting and/or receiving verification information with verification devices 430a/430b.
  • Verification information may include any information that is necessary and/or desirable in the operation of a verification service as further disclosed herein and in particular, may include any information exchanged between verification server 410 and a verification device 430 and/or any information exchanged between verification server 410 and a gaming device 130.
  • Verification server 410 may also include one or more interactive voice response (IVR) systems, such as system 419, to allow players, for example, to interact with verification server 410 in an automated fashion, as further disclosed herein.
  • Verification server 410 may also include a computer readable medium 415 for storing, for example, one or more applications 416. While verification server 410 is shown as a single server, one skilled in the art will recognize that verification server 410 may include a plurality of servers, including redundant servers.
  • verification server 410 may, at least in part, be a web server, such as an http web server.
  • verification server 410 may also be interconnected to licensed gaming server 110, as represented by connection 452.
  • connection 452 may be a communications network, such as data communications network, and may be a network separate from or part of communications network 150 and/or communications network 450.
  • verification server 410 and gaming server 110 may also include one or more communications modules (not shown) for communicating over communications network 452.
  • communications network 452 may be used to interconnect verification server 410 and gaming server 110.
  • verification server 410 may exchange, via gaming server 110, verification information with a gaming device 130 in order to verify for a player using the gaming device that the device is in communications with gaming server 110.
  • verification server 410 may transfer verification information to and/or receive verification information from a gaming device 130, which information may pass through communications network 150 and connection 452, and in particular, may pass via licensed gaming server 110.
  • gaming server 110 may include any mechanism known in the art to enable the passing of verification information between verification server 410 and gaming devices 130.
  • verification server 410 is shown in Figure 4 as being connected to a single gaming server 110/gaming system 100, according to other embodiments of the invention verification server 410 may be interconnected to a plurality of gaming servers 110, each provided by and/or controlled by a different gaming service provider and/or a gaming facility, for example. Here, verification server 410 may provide verification services for players using gaming devices 130 on any of these gaming systems.
  • verification server 410 is shown in Figure 4 as being a separate computing device from gaming server 110, one skilled in the art will recognize that alternative implementations of verification server 410 are possible, such as gaming server 110 including verification server 410.
  • gaming server 110 and verification server 410 may be the same system.
  • verification server 410 may be a physical entity within/physically a part of gaming server 110.
  • gaming server 110 may include one or more processors, such as processor 412, memory 414, and one or more applications, such as application 416, which processors/memory/applications may represent verification server 410.
  • verification server 410 may be a logical entity within gaming server 110 such that gaming server 110 again includes verification server 410.
  • gaming server 110 may include one or more applications, such as application 416, that execute as one or more processes on gaming server 110, which processes may represent verification server 410.
  • gaming server [00137] According to these various alternative embodiments, gaming server
  • gaming server 110 may also include one or more communications modules 418 for "verification server” 410 to interface with communications network 450 and to transmit and/or receive verification information to/from verification devices 430a/430b.
  • gaming server 110 may include one or more IVR systems, such as system 419, to allow players, for example, to interact with "verification server” 410 in an automated fashion.
  • gaming server 110 may also include any mechanism known in the art for "verification server” 410 to transfer verification information to and/or to receive verification information from a gaming device 130 and as such, verification information may still be considered to pass between verification server 410 and a gaming device 130 via gaming server 110.
  • verification server 410 and/or gaming server 110 are possible.
  • verification server 410 may also be operable to access one or more databases, such as database 180.
  • database 180 may access database 180 directly (as represented by connection 454) and/or may access database 180 via gaming server 110.
  • verification server 410 and the associated applications 416 may be provided by and/or controlled by a gaming service provider 172, a gaming facility 174, and/or a gaming authority 176 and may be within the geographic boundaries of any one or more of these entities.
  • the servers may be co-located and/or remotely located from one another.
  • 410 may be a trusted server (a "licensed server” / "licensed verification server") in that a gaming service provider 172, gaming facility 174, and/or gaming authority 176 may physically secure (e.g., limit access to) the verification server and/or have mechanisms to check the authenticity of applications 416, for example.
  • different mechanisms may also be provided such that a player 102/104 using a verification device 430 to access verification server 410 may verify that the verification server is a "licensed verification server” rather than a bogus server.
  • verification devices 430a, 430b, and 430c provide a player
  • verification system 100 may include only verification devices 430a, 430b, or 430c, or alternatively, may include some combination of these devices.
  • verification system 400 may include one or multiple types of each device, as further disclosed herein.
  • verification devices 430a may include any device operable to interface with communications network 450, operable to transmit verification information to and/or to receive verification information from verification server 410, and operable to present verification information to and/or to receive verification information from a player.
  • a verification device 430a may be a POTS phone, a mobile/cellular phone, an IP phone, a PDA, a pocket PC, a personal computing device, a pager, a terminal, or a kiosk.
  • verification system 400 may include different types of verification devices 430a. One skilled in the art will recognize that other types of verification devices 430a are possible.
  • a verification device may be a POTS phone, a mobile/cellular phone, an IP phone, a PDA, a pocket PC, a personal computing device, a pager, a terminal, or a kiosk.
  • verification system 400 may include different types of verification devices 430a.
  • a verification device may include different types of verification devices 430a.
  • a verification device may be a POTS phone,
  • a gaming facility 174, a gaming service provider 172, and/or a gaming authority 176 may provide one or more verification devices 430 that may be used by players.
  • the verification device may be a stationary device (e.g., a kiosk) or a device tethered to and/or mounted to a stationary object (e.g., a wall), and may be located within a gaming area/location of a gaming facility 174 or any other location.
  • the device when a gaming facility, a gaming service provider, and/or a gaming authority provides a verification device 430a, the device may be placed in a conspicuous location, thereby providing a player using the verification device with a degree of trust that the verification device has not been tampered with and is accessing a "licensed verification server" 410 when used.
  • a verification device 430a may include a communications module 431 for interfacing with communications network 450 and for transmitting and/or receiving verification information to/from verification server 410.
  • Verification device 430a may also include at least one output device for conveying verification information to a player, such as at least one display 432, one or more LEDs, and/or at least one audio output.
  • Verification device 430a may also include at least one input device 434, such as a mouse, a touch-sensitive pad, a pointer, a stylus, a trackball, a button, a keypad and/or keyboard with one or more keys representing alphanumeric characters, a wheel, a touch-sensitive monitor, and/or an audio input, thereby allowing a player to enter verification information.
  • Verification device 430a may also include one or more processors, such as processor 436, memory 438, and a computer readable medium 439.
  • processors such as processor 436, memory 438, and a computer readable medium 439.
  • a verification device 430a may not include any applications (e.g., software, firmware, and/or hardware modules) specific to verification system 400.
  • a verification device 430a may include one or more applications, such as application 440, that operate in conjunction with applications 416 to provide one or more verification services.
  • Each application 440 may be embodied as one or more software modules that reside in memory 438 and execute on processor 436 and/or may be embodied as one or more firmware and/or hardware modules.
  • a verification device 430a may, at least in part, operate as a web client (e.g., include a Web browser).
  • these devices include any device operable to function as both a verification device 430a and a gaming device 130, as disclosed herein.
  • a verification device 430b may be a verification device that is integral with a gaming device 130.
  • An example of such a device may include a gaming device 130 operable to provide a player with one or more gaming activities and possibly convenience services, and also one or more communication services, such as telephony and/or data communication services, as disclosed herein.
  • a verification device 430b may be a stationary device or a device tethered to a stationary object, or may be a mobile device.
  • the device may be provided to a player by a gaming facility 174 and/or a gaming service provider 172 or may be owned by a player.
  • verification devices 430c include any mechanism operable to directly interface with verification server 410 in order to transmit verification information thereto and/or to receive verification information there from, and operable to present verification information to and/or to receive verification information from a player, for example.
  • a verification device 430c may be one or more output devices interfaced to verification server 410, such as a display, one or more LEDs, and/or an audio output.
  • a verification device 430c may be one or more input devices interfaced to verification server 410, such as a mouse, a touch- sensitive pad, a pointer, a stylus, a trackball, a button, a keypad and/or keyboard with one or more keys representing alphanumeric characters, a wheel, a touch- sensitive monitor, and/or an audio input.
  • verification system 400 may include different combinations of verification devices 430c.
  • One skilled in the art will recognize that other types of verification devices 430c are possible.
  • a gaming facility According to an embodiment of the invention, a gaming facility
  • a gaming service provider 172, and/or a gaming authority 176 may control access to a verification device 430a and/or 430c and/or may operate such a device on behalf of a player in order for the player to verify that the player's respective gaming device 130 is in communications with a licensed gaming server 110.
  • an attendant associated with a gaming facility, a gaming service provider, and/or a gaming authority may be positioned at a location within a gaming facility, such as at a booth, and may have access to one or more verification devices 430a/430c. A player may request that this attendant verify, on behalf of the player, a gaming device 130 being used by the player.
  • the player may provide verification information to the attendant for the attendant to enter into the verification device and/or may receive verification information from the attendant that the attendant obtained from the verification device.
  • such an attendant may be located at a conspicuous location, thereby providing a player with a degree of trust that the attendant is valid and is accessing a "licensed verification server" 410 to verify the player's gaming device.
  • an attendant associated with a gaming facility, a gaming service provider, and/or a gaming authority may be positioned at a call or data center, for example, and have access to one or more verification devices 430a/430c.
  • a player may contact such an attendant, via phone or data connection for example, and request that the attendant verify, on behalf of the player, a gaming device 130 being used by the player.
  • a phone number or data address, for example, used by the player to contact the attendant may be posted at a conspicuous location within a gaming facility, for example, thereby providing a player with a degree of trust that the attendant is valid and is accessing a "licensed verification server" 410 to verify the player's gaming device.
  • communications network 450 provides a mechanism for verification devices 430a/430b and verification server 410 to exchange verification information.
  • the verification information may be transmitted in whole, or in combination, as graphical, textual, and/or as audible information and may be transmitted in any format including digital and/or analog.
  • communications network 450 may be a wireline and/or wireless network, including a telephony and/or data communications network, and may be based on any known and/or future transport technologies.
  • Communications network 450 may be a private and/or public network, and may include, at least in part, the public Internet.
  • communications network 450 may include a plurality of different networks, which may or may not be interconnected and which may or may not be based on different transport technologies.
  • Verification server 410 may interface each network individually and/or may interface one or more networks through a common access point.
  • Different verification devices 430a/430b may interface different networks and may use different technologies to access verification server 410.
  • communications network 450 and communications network 150 may or may not share common resources, and may or may not be interconnected.
  • communications network 450 and communications network 150 are the same network.
  • verification network 450 may vary, and in particular, may provide verification devices 450a/450b access to verification server 410 from gaming area/locations within a gaming facility, and/or beyond a gaming facility.
  • FIG. 5 there is shown steps of a verification service 500 according to an embodiment of the invention, which service is provided through a combination of verification server 410, a verification device, and a gaming device.
  • verification service 500 is described as a sequence of ordered steps, the specific order of these steps may vary, one or more steps may be combined, and not all steps may be required.
  • gaming device 130 may require one or more applications (as represented by application 417 in Figure 4) (pre-loaded and/or dynamically loaded, for example) that operate in conjunction with applications 416 on the verification server to provide verification service 500.
  • the player may have just started using the gaming device (e.g., just turned the device on and/or entered player identification/security information), may be currently engaged in one or more gaming activities and/or convenience services, and/or may have completed one or more gaming activities and/or convenience services.
  • the player may have previously used gaming device 130 and subsequently turned the device off and/or logged out of the device, before the current use of the device.
  • the player may have used other gaming devices prior to the current use of the present device.
  • the player may now want to verify that gaming device 130 is in fact in communications with a licensed gaming server 110, rather than a bogus/malicious gaming server.
  • the verification device 430a/430b/430c used to verify the gaming device need be at least operable to receive verification information from a player/attendant and to convey this information to verification server 410. Nonetheless, the verification device is also preferably operable to receive verification information from verification server 410 and to convey this information to a player/attendant.
  • verification service 500 will be described assuming that a player has a verification device 430a or 430b (i.e., the gaming device 130 to be verified is integral with the verification device), and is using this device directly (i.e., not through an attendant) to verify the gaming device the player is using.
  • verification server 110 may initially establish communications with the verification device 430a/430b via communications network 450.
  • the player may initially cause the verification device to establish communications with verification server 410.
  • the verification device is a phone or personal computing device
  • the player may enter an address of the verification server, such as phone number or data address, such as a URL.
  • the player may obtain this address from conspicuous postings throughout a gaming facility and/or from audible announcements, for example.
  • a player may obtain a degree of trust that by using the address, the player is accessing a "licensed verification server" 410.
  • the address may be printed, for example, on gaming device 130 or made available by the gaming device through a display 132, for example. If the verification device is provided by a gaming authority, gaming facility, and/or gaming service provider, for example, the address may be printed on the verification device or made available by the verification device through a display 432, for example. One skilled in the art will recognize that the player may obtain the address in other ways.
  • the device when a gaming authority, gaming facility, and/or gaming service provider provides the verification device, the device may have consistent communications with verification server 410, thereby not requiring, for example, that the player establish communications with verification server 410.
  • the device when a verification device is provided by such an entity, the device may be configured to automatically establish communications with verification server 410.
  • the verification device is a phone
  • the phone may be configured to establish communications with verification server 410 when taken off-hook.
  • the kiosk may include, for example, a hard button, or a soft button and/or display option made available through a display 432 that the player may depress/select to cause the device to establish communications with verification server 410.
  • verification server 410 may next receive a request for verification service from the player via the verification device.
  • the player may make the request as an audible command, an audible tone (e.g., selecting an alphanumeric button on a phone), by depressing a hard button, or by selecting a soft button and/or display option made available through a display 432, for example.
  • the request may be made in response to receiving a prompt (e.g., audible, textual, and/or graphical prompt) from the verification server and/or verification device.
  • a prompt e.g., audible, textual, and/or graphical prompt
  • verification server 410 may consider the mere establishing of communications with the verification device as a verification service request, in which case step 504 is not needed.
  • the request for verification service from the player may include a request for a particular type of verification service, as disclosed herein.
  • verification server 410 may next determine the gaming device 130 that the player wants to verify and in particular, may determine the gaming device such that the verification server may subsequently communicate in any fashion with the gaming device via gaming server 110, as further disclosed herein.
  • verification server 410 may determine the gaming device by determining identification information associated with the player and/or gaming device (step 507).
  • the verification server may determine such identification information by receiving the identification information from the verification device/player.
  • the verification server 410 may determine identification information in other fashions.
  • the identification information may include, for example, player identification information (e.g., the player's name), player security information (e.g., the player's login to gaming server 110), and/or information relating to the gaming device 130 (e.g., a tracking value or name of the gaming device) as disclosed herein.
  • player identification information e.g., the player's name
  • player security information e.g., the player's login to gaming server 110
  • information relating to the gaming device 130 e.g., a tracking value or name of the gaming device
  • the identification information may include other types of information.
  • the identification information itself may allow the verification server to determine the gaming device and to subsequently communicate in any fashion with the gaming device via gaming server 110.
  • the verification server may use the identification information as an index, for example, to access database 180, for example, and the player's profile information and to thereby determine the gaming device and in particular, to determine any information necessary to subsequently communicate with the gaming device via gaming server 110.
  • the identification information may include the player's name, which information may be used to access database 180 and thereby determine a name/address of the gaming device assigned to the player.
  • the identification information may include a tracking value of the gaming device, which information may be used to access database 180 and thereby determine an address of the gaming device.
  • the verification server receives the identification information from the verification device, the player may enter this identification information at the verification device, possibly coincident with the request for verification or possibly in response to receiving a prompt from the verification server and/or verification device.
  • the player may obtain the information from the gaming device, such as from information printed on the gaming device and/or made available by the gaming device through a display 132, for example.
  • the verification device may have a mechanism for obtaining the identification information from the gaming device and for thereafter sending the information to the verification server.
  • the verification device may be a kiosk that includes a reader (e.g., an optical scanner, magnetic card reader, RFID transceiver) for reading information printed and/or encoded on/within the gaming device (e.g., a tracking value).
  • a reader e.g., an optical scanner, magnetic card reader, RFID transceiver
  • the verification device and gaming device may include communication interfaces that allow the verification device to obtain the identification information from the gaming device.
  • verification server 410 may optionally confirm for the player that the player/verification device is in communications with a licensed verification server 410.
  • the verification server may use the above described identification information as an index, for example, to database 180 to access the player's profile information and thereby obtain player security information related to the player, for example, such as personal information associated with the player (e.g., the player's maiden name, a name of the player's pet, etc.) and/or a random value specified by the player, as disclosed herein.
  • the verification server and/or verification device may prompt the player for additional identification information and use such information to access database 180 to obtain player security information related to the player.
  • the verification server may send the player security information to the verification device, causing the verification device to provide the information to the player as audible and/or displayed information. In this fashion the player is able to verify that the verification device is in communications with a licensed verification server 410.
  • the verification server may next cause the verification device to prompt the player to enter at the verification device an indicator of the player's choice.
  • the verification server may then send the indicator (step 514), via gaming server 110, to the gaming device, causing the gaming device to make the indicator known to the player.
  • the indicator as specified by the player at the verification device and as received by the verification server may be any alphanumeric text value, a plurality of alphanumeric text values, an audible signal, an audible tone, an audible text value, a plurality of audible text values, or some combination thereof.
  • the indicator may include player security information related to the player, such as personal information associated with the player as disclosed herein.
  • the indicator may take other forms.
  • the player may enter the indicator at the verification device by speaking the indicator into an audio input (such as a phone receiver), by entering the indicator via a keypad or keyboard, or by using any other of numerous input devices as disclosed herein.
  • the verification server may in turn send the indicator to the gaming device in the same form as received from the verification device.
  • the verification server may alter the form of the indicator prior to sending the indicator to the gaming device, thereby causing the gaming device to make the indicator known to the player in a different form than entered.
  • the verification server may receive the indicator from the verification device/player as an audible text value, convert the audible text value to an equivalent alphanumeric text value, and then send the equivalent alphanumeric text value to the gaming device, which alphanumeric text value may then be displayed to the player.
  • the verification server may cause the verification device to prompt the player to enter the indicator at the gaming device. Upon receiving this indicator via gaming server 110 from the gaming device, the verification server may then send the indicator to the verification device, causing the verification device to make the indicator known to the player.
  • the player by passing an indicator between the verification device 430a/430b and gaming device 130 via the licensed verification server 410 and licensed gaming server 110 and in which the indicator is both originated by and received by the player (i.e., known to the player), the player is able to verify, when the sent and received indicators match, that the gaming device is in communications with the licensed gaming server 110, rather than a bogus/malicious gaming server.
  • the player may conclude that the gaming device may not be in communications with a licensed gaming server 110 and should seek assistance.
  • the verification device may have a mechanism for obtaining information from the gaming device, as similarly disclosed above in relation to step 507 of verification service 500 with respect to the identification information.
  • the verification device may retain the indicator sent to verification server and may also obtain the indicator received at the gaming device and perform a match of the two indicators on behalf of the player.
  • verification service 500 was described with respect to a verification device 430a or 430b.
  • verification service 500 may also be provided using a verification device 430c.
  • a player may use a verification device 430c to verify a gaming device 130 as similarly described above for verification device 430a or 430b.
  • a player may interact with an attendant associated with a gaming facility 174, a gaming service provider 172, and/or a gaming authority 176, which attendant may use a verification device 430a and/or 430c to verify a gaming device 130 on behalf of a player.
  • this attendant may be located at a booth, for example, or accessible via a call or data center, for example.
  • the player may communicate with the verification server via an attendant, who will in turn communicate with the verification server.
  • a verification service may resemble verification service 500 from steps 502 through 508, for example.
  • the verification server and/or verification device may prompt the player to enter at the verification device an indicator (which indicator may be generally referred to in the context of this embodiment as a first indicator).
  • the verification server may then use the first indicator to determine some other information, possibly known to and/or verifiable by the player (which information may be generally referred to in the context of this embodiment as a second indicator).
  • the verification server may then send this information (i.e., second indicator) to the gaming device via the gaming server, causing the gaming device to make the information known to the player.
  • the verification server may use the identification information obtained in step 507 as an index, for example, to database 180, for example, in order to access the player's profile information, for example.
  • the verification server and/or verification device may prompt the player to provide additional identification information that the verification server may then use to access the player's profile information.
  • the player's profile information may be accessed in other fashions.
  • the verification server may then use the first indicator as obtained from the verification device/player as a selection mechanism to select an entry from among the plurality of information making up the player's profile information, the value of this entry being the second indicator.
  • the player's profile information may include one or more pieces of information related to player security information, one or more pieces of information associated with one or more gaming activities engaged in by a player, one or more pieces of information associated with one or more convenience services engaged in by a player, and/or one or more pieces of information related to credit information of a player, in addition to other types of information.
  • the verification server may use the first indicator, as received from/specified by the verification device/player, to select/access one or more pieces of this information (i.e., the second indicator) and then send the information via the gaming server to the gaming device.
  • the first indicator from the verification device may be "What is my mother's maiden name?” and the second indicator determined from the player profile information and sent to the gaming device may be "Smith".
  • the first indicator from the verification device may be "What is the name of a gaming activity engaged in by the player” and the second indicator determined from the player profile information and sent to the gaming device may be the name of a gaming activity.
  • other player profile information may be determined from the first indicator.
  • the verification server and/or verification device may prompt the player to enter (and/or present the player with one or more options to select from) a type of information the player would like to access from the player's profile information, thereby causing the player to respond with a selection (i.e., the first indicator).
  • the verification server may thereafter receive the player's selection and determine corresponding information from the player's profile information (i.e., the second indicator) based on this selection.
  • the player by receiving at the gaming device information known to the player (e.g., mother's maiden name) or that can be confirmed/verified by the player (e.g., name of a gaming activity engaged in by the player), the player is able to verify that the gaming device is in communications with the gaming server.
  • the first indicator may alternatively be sent from the gaming device and the second indicator sent to the verification device.
  • the verification server may treat the first indicator as a command (i.e., request), for example, from the verification device/player to automatically select information (i.e., the second indicator) from the player's profile information and to then send this information to the gaming device via the gaming server.
  • the verification server may have selected the second indicator prior to receiving the first indicator and may then send the second indicator in response to receiving the first indicator.
  • the verification server may not require the first indicator/command from the verification device but rather, may automatically select information (i.e., second indicator) from the player's profile information and then send the information to the gaming device via the gaming server.
  • the verification server may automatically select and send the information (i.e., second indicator) to the gaming device in response to receiving the request for verification service from the verification device/player.
  • the information the verification server selects from the player's profile information may be predetermined (e.g., preconfigured at the verification server) and/or may be selected at random by the verification server, for example.
  • predetermined e.g., preconfigured at the verification server
  • the player may use a verification device 430a/430b/430c to verify the gaming device, or the player may verify the gaming device through an attendant, which may be using any verification device 430a/430c, as similarly described above.
  • a verification service may resemble verification service 500 from steps 502 through 508, for example.
  • the verification server may determine an indicator unknown to the player, such as a random value.
  • the verification server may send the indicator, via gaming server 110, to the gaming device, causing the gaming device to make the indicator known to the player, and may also send the indicator to the verification device, causing the verification device to also make the indicator known to the player.
  • the player Assuming the player receives the indicator at the gaming device and the two indicators match, the player is able to verify that the gaming device is in communications with the licensed gaming server 110, rather than a bogus/malicious gaming server. Alternatively, if the player does not receive the indicator at the gaming device or receives a different indicator than received at the verification device, the player may conclude that the gaming device may not be in communications with a licensed gaming server 110 and should seek assistance.
  • the verification device may have a mechanism for obtaining information from the gaming device, as similarly disclosed above in relation to step 507 of verification service 500 with respect to the identification information. Here, the verification device may obtain the indicator received at the gaming device and perform the match for the player.
  • the indicator as specified by the verification server may be any alphanumeric text value, a plurality of alphanumeric text values, an audible signal, an audible tone, an audible text value, a plurality of audible text values, or some combination thereof.
  • the indicator may take other forms.
  • the verification server may send the indicator to the verification device and gaming device in the same form (e.g., both as an audible text value) or in different forms.
  • the player may use a verification device 430a/430b/430c to verify the gaming device, or the player may verify the gaming device through an attendant, which may be using any verification device 430a/430c, as similarly described above.
  • a verification service may again resemble verification service 500 from steps 502 through 508, for example.
  • the verification server may determine an indicator unknown to the player, such as a random value, and may send the indicator, via gaming server 110, to the gaming device, causing the gaming device to make the indicator known to the player (the indicator sent to the gaming device may be referred to as a first indicator in the context of this embodiment).
  • the verification server may then prompt the player (via the verification device or gaming device) to specify/indicate/send via the verification device the indicator that was received at the gaming device (the indicator sent to the verification server from the verification device may be referred to as a second indicator in the context of this embodiment).
  • the verification device may have a mechanism for obtaining information from the gaming device, as similarly disclosed above, and may obtain the indicator received at the gaming device and automatically send the indicator to the verification server.
  • the verification server may then match the first indicator sent to the player via the gaming device to the second indicator received from the player via the verification device and notify the player (e.g., provide the player with notification), via the verification device or gaming device, whether the first and second indicators match. Assuming the player receives the first indicator at the gaming device and the verification server determines this received indicator matches the value sent, the player is able to verify that the gaming device is in communications with the licensed gaming server 110.
  • the verification server may send the first indicator to the verification device and then prompt the player to specify/indicate the first indicator via the gaming device, which may then send the indicator (i.e., second indicator) to the verification server via the gaming server.
  • the indicator i.e., second indicator
  • a player may interact with an attendant associated with a gaming facility 174, a gaming service provider 172, and/or a gaming authority 176, which attendant may use a verification device 430a and/or 430c to verify a gaming device 130 on behalf of a player.
  • a verification service may resemble verification service 500 from steps 502 through 508, for example.
  • the attendant may determine an indicator unknown to the player (such as a random value), specify the indicator to the player, and also enter the indicator at the verification device, causing the verification server to send the indicator, via gaming server 110, to the gaming device, and causing the gaming device to make the indicator known to the player.
  • the player Assuming the player receives the indicator at the gaming device and the two indicators match, the player is able to verify that the gaming device is in communications with the licensed gaming server 110, rather than a bogus/malicious gaming server. Alternatively, if the player does not receive the indicator at the gaming device or receives a different indicator than that specified by the attendant, the player may conclude that the gaming device may not be in communications with a licensed gaming server 110 and should seek assistance.
  • the attendant may again determine an indicator unknown to the player (e.g., a random value), and enter the indicator at the verification device, causing the verification server to send the indicator, via gaming server 110, to the gaming device, and causing the gaming device to make the indicator known to the player (the indicator sent to the gaming device may be referred to as a first indicator in the context of this embodiment). Thereafter, the attendant may ask the player to specify/indicate the indicator that was received at the gaming device and upon receiving this indicator from the player (the indicator sent to the attendant by the player may be referred to as a second indicator in the context of this embodiment), specify to the player whether this is match (e.g., provide the player with a notification). Assuming the player receives the first indicator at the gaming device and this indicator matches the value sent by the attendant, the player is able to verify that the gaming device is in communications with the licensed gaming server 110.
  • an indicator unknown to the player e.g., a random value
  • FIG. 6 there is shown steps of a verification service 600 according to another embodiment of the invention, which service is provided through a combination of verification server 410, a verification device, and a gaming device.
  • verification service 600 is described as a sequence of ordered steps, the specific order of these steps may vary, one or more steps may be combined, and not all steps may be required.
  • gaming device 130 may require one or more applications (as represented by application 417 in Figure 4) that operate in conjunction with applications 416 on the verification server to provide verification service 600.
  • the player may use a verification device 430a/430b/430c to verify the gaming device.
  • the player may verify the gaming device through an attendant, which may be using any verification device 430a/430c, as similarly described above.
  • the verification device 430a/430b/430c need be at least operable to receive verification information from a player and/or attendant and to convey this information to verification server 410, but is preferably also operable to receive verification information from verification server 410 and to convey this information to a player and/or attendant.
  • verification service 600 will be described assuming that a player has a verification device 430a or 430b and is using this device directly (i.e., not through an attendant) to verify the gaming device the player is using.
  • verification server 110 may initially establish communications with the verification device and may next receive a request for verification service from the player via the verification device, as similarly described for steps 502 and 504 of verification service 500.
  • verification server 410 may next determine identification information associated with the player and/or gaming device. According to this embodiment of the invention, the verification server may use the identification information to store an indicator, as further disclosed herein.
  • the verification server may determine the identification information by receiving the identification information from the verification device/player.
  • the identification information may include, for example, player identification information, player security information, and/or information relating to the gaming device 130 the player wants to verify.
  • the identification information may include other types of information.
  • the verification server receives the identification information from the verification device, the player may enter the identification information at the verification device, and/or the verification device may obtain the identification information from the gaming device and thereafter send the information to the verification server, as similarly described in relation to step 506 of verification service 500.
  • verification server 410 may optionally confirm for the player that the player/verification device is in communications with a licensed verification server 410, as similarly described in relation to step 508 of verification service 500.
  • the verification server may next cause the verification device to prompt the player to enter at the verification device an indicator of the player's choice.
  • the verification server may receive the indicator from the verification device/player and may then store the indicator (step 614) in any fashion such that the indicator is associated, either directly or indirectly, with the identification information determined in step 606 and such that the indicator may be subsequently retrieved, as further disclosed herein.
  • the verification server may store the indicator in database 180, for example, associating the indicator with the identification information and in particular, may use the identification information as an index, for example, to database 180 to store the indicator therein.
  • the verification server may store the indicator with the player's profile information.
  • the verification server may store the indicator in a database specific to the verification server and associate the indicator with the identification information or some other identification information that may, for example, be obtained from database 180 and the player's profile information.
  • database as used herein with respect to the verification server is not intended to limit how the indicator is stored and/or accessed by the verification server.
  • the database may be a database management system, may be a computer readable medium within verification server 410 and the indicator stored therein as a flat file, for example, may be one or more dynamic data structure within the memory of verification server 410 and the indicator stored therein, and/or some combination of these implementations and other implementations.
  • the indicator as specified by the player at the verification device and as received by the verification server may be any alphanumeric text value, a plurality of alphanumeric text values, an audible signal, an audible tone, an audible text value, a plurality of audible text values, or some combination thereof.
  • the indicator may include player security information related to the player, such as personal information associated with the player as disclosed herein.
  • the indicator may take other forms.
  • the player may enter the indicator at the verification device by speaking the indicator into an audio input (such as a phone receiver), by entering the indicator via a keypad or keyboard, or by using any other of numerous input devices as disclosed herein.
  • the verification server may store the indicator in the same form as received from the verification device/player or alternatively, may alter the form of the indicator prior to storing the indicator.
  • the verification server may receive the indicator from the verification device/player as an audible text value, convert the audible text value to an equivalent alphanumeric text value, and then store the equivalent alphanumeric text value.
  • the verification server may next cause the verification device to prompt the player to enter, via the gaming device, a request for verification service and in particular, may prompt the player to enter a request, via the gaming device, to retrieve the indicator previously received from the player via the verification device.
  • the player may make the request at the gaming device as an audible command, an audible tone (e.g., selecting an alphanumeric button on a phone), by depressing a hard button, or by selecting a soft button and/or display option made available through a display 132, for example.
  • the gaming device may send the request to the verification server either directly, or via gaming server 110.
  • the verification server may receive the request from the gaming device and in response to this request, may determine the indicator previously received from the player via the verification device (step 622).
  • verification server 410 may determine the indicator by determining identification information from the gaming device (step 620) and by using the identification information to access the database in which the verification server previously stored the indicator.
  • the verification server may use the identification information as an index, for example, to access the database.
  • the identification information may include, for example, player identification information, player security information, and/or information relating to the gaming device 130.
  • the verification server may determine the identification information by receiving the identification information from the gaming device/player. For example, the player may enter the identification information at the gaming device, possibly in conjunction with entering the request for verification service and/or in response to receiving a prompt from the verification server and/or gaming device (as similarly disclosed in relation to step 506 of verification service 500, the player may obtain the identification information from the gaming device itself).
  • the gaming device may automatically include the identification information with the request for verification service (e.g., the gaming device may send the player's login or a name/address of the gaming device).
  • the verification server may determine the identification information based on the communications of receiving the request from the gaming device (e.g., the verification server may be able to determine a name/address associated with the gaming device).
  • the verification server may determine the identification information in other fashions.
  • the identification information received from the gaming device may be the same as and/or different from the identification information received from the verification device in step 606.
  • the verification server may use the determined identification information from the gaming device to now determine the indicator previously received from the player via the verification device (step 622) and in particular, may use the identification information to access the database in which the verification server previously stored the indicator.
  • the identification information used to store the indicator in the database may be different from the identification information now used to access the database, depending on the form of the database. Assuming the verification server is not able to use the form of the identification information received from the gaming device to access the database, the verification server may convert the identification information into another useable form through, for example, database 180.
  • the verification server may next send the indicator, via licensed gaming server 110, to the gaming device, causing the gaming device to make the indicator known to the player.
  • the verification server may send the indicator to the gaming device in the same form as received from the verification device or alternatively, may alter the form of the indicator sent to the gaming device, thereby causing the gaming device to make the indicator known to the player in a different form than entered.
  • a licensed verification server 410 stores an indicator received from a verification device/player and then upon receiving a request from the gaming device/player, sends the indicator, via licensed gaming server 110, to the gaming device/player, thereby allowing the player to verify that the gaming device is in communications with licensed gaming server 110, rather than a bogus/malicious gaming server.
  • the player may conclude that the gaming device may not be in communications with a licensed gaming server 110 and should seek assistance.
  • verification service 600 similar to the alternative embodiments of verification service 500 in which a player interacts with an attendant and the attendant specifies the indicator, are also possible.
  • verification service 700 there is shown steps of a verification service 700 according to an embodiment of the invention, which service is provided through a combination of verification server 410, a verification device, and a gaming device.
  • verification service 700 is described as a sequence of ordered steps, the specific order of these steps may vary, one or more steps may be combined, and not all steps may be required.
  • verification service 500 it is assumed a player is using a gaming device 130 that is already in communications with a gaming server, presumably a licensed gaming server 110, and that if required, the player has already entered any required player identification information and/or player security information.
  • the player may be at any one of various states with respect to the player's use of the gaming device.
  • gaming device 130 may require one or more applications that operate in conjunction with applications 416 on the verification server to provide verification service 700.
  • the player may use a verification device 430a/430b/430c to verify the gaming device.
  • the player may verify the gaming device through an attendant, which may be using any verification device 430a/430c, as similarly described above.
  • the verification device 430a/430b/430c need be at least operable to receive verification information from verification server 410 and to convey this information to a player and/or attendant, but is preferably also operable to receive verification information from a player and/or attendant and to convey this information to a verification server 410.
  • verification service 700 will be described assuming that a player has a verification device 430a or 430b and is using this device directly (i.e., not through an attendant) to verify the gaming device the player is using.
  • verification server 410 may initially receive a request for verification service from the player via the gaming device.
  • the player may make the request at the gaming device as an audible command, an audible tone (e.g., selecting an alphanumeric button on a phone), by depressing a hard button, or by selecting a soft button and/or display option made available through a display 132, for example.
  • an audible tone e.g., selecting an alphanumeric button on a phone
  • the gaming device may send the request to the verification server either directly, or via gaming server 110.
  • verification server 410 may next determine from the gaming device/player identification information associated with the player and/or gaming device.
  • the verification server may use the identification information to store an indicator received from the gaming device, as further disclosed herein.
  • the identification information may include, for example, player identification information, player security information, and/or information relating to the gaming device 130, although other types of identification information may be used.
  • the verification server may determine the identification information by receiving the identification information from the gaming device/player, as similarly disclosed in relation to step 620 of verification service 600.
  • the player may enter the identification information at the gaming device, possibly in conjunction with entering the request for verification service and/or in response to receiving a prompt from the verification server and/or gaming device.
  • the gaming device may automatically include the identification information with the request for verification service.
  • the verification server may determine the identification information based on the communications of receiving the request for verification service from the gaming device.
  • the verification server may determine the identification information in other fashions.
  • the verification server may next cause the gaming device to prompt the player to enter at the gaming device an indicator of the player's choice.
  • the verification server may next receive the indicator from the gaming device/player and preferably, may receive the indicator via the gaming server 110.
  • the verification server may store the indicator (step 710) in any fashion such that the indicator is associated, either directly or indirectly, with the identification information obtained in step 704 and such that the indicator may be subsequently retrieved, as further disclosed herein.
  • the verification server may store the indicator in database 180, for example, associating the indicator with the identification information and in particular, using the identification information as an index, for example, to database 180 to store the indicator therein.
  • the verification server may store the indicator in a database specific to the verification server and associate the indicator with the identification information or some other identification information that may, for example, be obtained from database 180 and the player's profile information.
  • the indicator as specified by the player at the gaming device and as received by the verification server may be any alphanumeric text value, a plurality of alphanumeric text values, an audible signal, an audible tone, an audible text value, a plurality of audible text values, or some combination thereof.
  • the indicator may include player security information related to the player, such as personal information associated with the player as disclosed herein.
  • the indicator may take other forms. Regardless of the type of indicator, the player may enter the indicator at the gaming device by speaking the indicator into an audio input, by entering the indicator via a keypad or keyboard, or by using any other of numerous input devices as disclosed herein.
  • the verification server may store the indicator in the same form as received from the gaming device/player or alternatively, may alter the form of the indicator prior to storing the indicator, as similarly described in relation to step 614 of verification process 600.
  • verification server 410 may next cause the gaming device to prompt the player to use a verification device 430a/430b to establish communications with verification server 410 and from this device make a request for verification service and in particular, make a request to retrieve the indicator previously received from the player via the gaming device.
  • the player may perform these actions as similarly described in relation to steps 502 and 504 of verification service 500.
  • verification server 110 may establish communications with the player's verification device and may receive a request from the verification device.
  • the verification server may next determine the indicator previously received from the player via the gaming device/gaming server 110 (step 718).
  • verification server 410 may determine the indicator by determining identification information from the verification device/player (step 716) and by using this identification information to access the database in which the verification server previously stored the indicator (step 718).
  • the verification server may determine the identification information by receiving the identification information from the verification device/player.
  • verification server 410 may determine the identification information in other fashions.
  • the identification information may include, for example, player identification information, player security information, and/or information relating to the gaming device 130, although other types of information may be used.
  • the verification server receives the identification information from the verification device, the player may enter the identification information at the verification device, and/or the verification device may obtain the identification information from the gaming device and thereafter send the information to the verification server, as similarly described in relation to step 506 of verification service 500.
  • the identification information received from the verification device may be the same as and/or different from the identification information received from the gaming device in step 704.
  • step 712 may occur prior to step 702.
  • verification server 410 may also confirm for the player that the player/verification device is in communications with a licensed verification server 410 by, for example, using the identification information from the verification device to obtain player security information related to the player and thereafter sending the information to the player.
  • the verification server may use the determined identification information from the verification device to now determine the indicator previously received from the player via the gaming device and in particular, may use the identification information to access the database in which the verification server previously stored the indicator.
  • the verification server may next send the indicator to the verification device, causing the verification device to make the indicator known to the player. Similar to step 624 of verification service 600, the verification server may send the indicator to the verification device in the same form as received from the gaming device or alternatively, may alter the form of the indicator sent to the verification device, thereby causing the verification device to make the indicator known to the player in a different form than entered.
  • a licensed verification server 410 stores an indicator received from a gaming device/player via licensed gaming server 110, and then upon receiving a request from a verification device, sends the indicator to the verification device/player, thereby allowing the player to verify that the gaming device is in communications with a licensed gaming server 110.
  • the player may conclude that the gaming device may not be in communications with a licensed gaming server 110 and should seek assistance.
  • verification service 800 there is shown steps of a verification service 800 according to another embodiment of the invention, which service is provided through a combination of verification server 410 and a verification device.
  • verification server 410 may not exchange verification information with the gaming device to be verified, unlike verification services 500, 600, and 700.
  • verification service 800 is described as a sequence of ordered steps, the specific order of these steps may vary, one or more steps may be combined, and not all steps may be required.
  • a player is using a gaming device 130 that is in communications with a gaming server, presumably a licensed gaming server 110, and that the player is currently engaged in one or more gaming activities and/or convenience services, and/or that the player has completed one or more gaming activities and/or convenience services.
  • the player may have completed one or more gaming activities and/or convenience services and has turned off and/or logged out of the gaming device.
  • the player may now want to verify that the gaming device the player is currently using or has completed using is/was in fact in communications with a licensed gaming server 110, rather than a bogus/malicious gaming server.
  • a licensed gaming server 110 may monitor/track a player's actions and may maintain as part of the player's profile information, for example, in database 180, for example, information associated with one or more gaming activities engaged in by a player, information associated with one or more convenience services engaged in by a player, and/or credit information of the player (One skilled in the art will recognize that such information may be monitored/tracked by a device other than gaming server 110, such as verification server 410, or some other device).
  • a player may use a verification device 430a/430b/430c, either directly or through an attendant, to access such player profile information and by doing such, may verify that the information is consistent with what the player feels the information should be.
  • the verification device 430a/430b/430c need be at least operable to receive verification information from verification server 410 and to convey this information to a player and/or attendant, but is preferably also operable to receive verification information from a player and/or attendant and to convey this information to a verification server 410.
  • verification service 800 will be described assuming that a player has a verification device 430a or 430b and is using this device directly (i.e., not through an attendant) to verify the gaming device.
  • verification server 410 may initially establish communications via communications network 450 with the verification device and may next receive a request for a verification service from the player via the verification device, as similarly described in relation to steps 502 and 504 of verification service 500.
  • verification server 410 may next determine identification information associated with the player and/or gaming device, such as player identification information, player security information, and/or information relating to the gaming device 130 as disclosed herein, although other types of information may be determined.
  • the verification server may use the identification information to access database 180, for example, and in particular, may use the identification information to obtain player profile information, as further disclosed herein.
  • the verification server may determine the identification information by receiving the identification information from the verification device/player, as similarly described in relation to step 506 of verification service 500, for example.
  • verification server 410 may determine the identification information in other fashions.
  • verification server 410 may next confirm for the player that the player/verification device is in communications with a licensed verification server 410, as similarly described in relation to step 508 of verification service 500.
  • verification server 410 may use the identification information to determine one or more indicators and in particular, may use the identification information as an index, for example, to database 180 in order to access the player's profile information and thereby determine one or more indicators.
  • the player's profile information may include, for example, information associated with one or more gaming activities engaged in by a player (e.g., the name of the gaming activity currently engaged in by the player), information associated with one or more convenience services engaged in by a player (e.g., an item purchased by the player), and/or credit information of the player (e.g., a credit amount of the player).
  • the verification server may use the identification information as an index to database 180 in order to access the player's profile information and may thereafter automatically select one or more pieces of the above described information (or other types of information), which information may be generally referred to in the context of this embodiment as one or more indicators. Which information the verification server selects may be predetermined or may be done at random, for example.
  • the verification server and/or verification device may prompt the player (e.g., through an audible, textual, and/or graphical prompt) and/or present the player with one or more options as to the type(s) of information the player would like to access from the player's profile information in database 180.
  • the verification server may thereafter receive the player's selection(s) and select one or more pieces of the player's profile information (i.e., indicator(s)) based on these selection(s).
  • verification server 410 may send the accessed information (i.e., indicator(s)) to the verification device, causing the verification device to make the information known to the player as audible values, textual values, etc.
  • the information appears accurate, the player may conclude that gaming device the player is currently using, or was using, is/was in communications with a licensed gaming server 110. Alternatively, if the information does not appear accurate, the player may conclude that the gaming device is/was not in communications with a licensed gaming server 110 and should seek assistance.
  • verification service 900 there is shown steps of a verification service 900 according to another embodiment of the invention, which service is provided through a combination of verification server 410 and a gaming device.
  • verification server 410 does not exchange verification information with a verification device, unlike verification services 500, 600, 700, and 800.
  • a verification device may not be needed to verify a gaming device.
  • verification service 900 is described as a sequence of ordered steps, the specific order of these steps may vary, one or more steps may be combined, and not all steps may be required.
  • verification service 500 As similarly described for verification service 500, according to this embodiment, it is assumed a player is using a gaming device 130 that is already in communications with a gaming server, presumably a licensed gaming server 110, and that if required, the player has already entered any required player identification information and/or player security information. Similar to above, the player may be at any one of various states with respect to the player's use of the gaming device. It should be noted that according to this embodiment of the invention, gaming device 130 may require one or more applications that operate in conjunction with applications 416 on the verification server to provide verification service 900. [00219] Beginning with step 902 of verification service 900, verification server 410 may initially receive a request for verification service from the player via the gaming device.
  • the player may make the request at the gaming device as an audible command, an audible tone (e.g., selecting an alphanumeric button on a phone), by depressing a hard button, or by selecting a soft button and/or display option made available through a display 132, for example.
  • an audible command e.g., selecting an alphanumeric button on a phone
  • the gaming device may send the request to the verification server either directly, or via gaming server 110.
  • verification server 410 may next determine identification information associated with the player and/or gaming device, such as player identification information, player security information, and/or information relating to the gaming device 130 as disclosed herein, although other types of information may be determined.
  • the verification server may use the identification information to access database 180, for example, and in particular, may use the identification information to obtain player profile information, as further disclosed herein.
  • the verification server may determine the identification information by receiving the identification information from the gaming device/player, as similarly described in relation to step 620 of verification service 600, for example.
  • verification server 410 may determine the identification information in other fashions.
  • verification server 410 may next use the identification information to determine one or more indicators and in particular, may use the identification information as an index, for example, to database 180 in order to access the player's profile information and thereby determine one or more indicators.
  • the player's profile information may include player security information related to the player, such as personal information associated with the player (e.g., the player's maiden name, a name of the player's pet, etc) and/or a random value specified by the player.
  • a player may specify some or all of the player security information during a registration period prior to the start of any gaming activity and/or engaging in any convenience services.
  • the verification server may use the identification information as an index to database 180 in order to access the player's profile information and may thereafter automatically select one or more pieces of the above described information (or other types of information), which information may be generally referred to in the context of this embodiment as one or more indicators. Which information the verification server selects may be predetermined or may be done at random, for example.
  • the verification server and/or gaming device may prompt the player and/or present the player with one or more options as to the type(s) of information the player would like to access from the player's profile information in database 180. The verification server may thereafter receive the player's selection(s) and select one or more pieces of the player's profile information (i.e., indicator(s)) based on these selection(s).
  • the verification server may send the accessed information (i.e., indicator(s)) to the gaming device via the gaming server 110, causing the gaming device to make the information known to the player as audible values, textual values, etc.
  • the verification server automatically accesses the information and presents the information to the player, the information may be presented as: "Your maiden name is: Smith", for example.
  • the verification serve may respond with "Smith".
  • the player may conclude that when the accessed information is accurate, the gaming device the player is currently using is in communications with a licensed gaming server 110. Alternatively, if the information is not accurate, the player may conclude that the gaming device is not in communications with a licensed gaming server 110 and should seek assistance.
  • the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

Abstract

Le système comprend un serveur de vérification, un serveur de jeu et un dispositif de jeu, dans lequel le dispositif de jeu et le serveur de jeu offrent au moins une activité de jeu et éventuellement au moins un service à un joueur utilisant le dispositif de jeu. Le système peut encore comprendre un dispositif de vérification en communication avec le serveur de vérification. Dans un aspect, le serveur de vérification peut faire passer un indicateur entre le dispositif de vérification et le dispositif de jeu par le biais du serveur de jeu. De cette manière, on peut vérifier que le dispositif de jeu est en communication avec le serveur de jeu. Dans un autre aspect, le serveur de vérification peut stocker un indicateur reçu du dispositif de vérification. Ensuite, en réponse à une demande du dispositif de jeu, le serveur de vérification peut retirer l'indicateur stocker et l'envoyer au dispositif de jeu par le serveur de jeu. De cette manière, on vérifie que le dispositif de jeu est en communication avec le serveur de jeu. Dans un autre aspect, le serveur de vérification peut stocker un indicateur reçu du dispositif de jeu, éventuellement par le serveur de jeu. Ensuite, en réponse à une demande du dispositif de vérification, le serveur de vérification peut retirer l'indicateur stocké et l'envoyer au dispositif de vérification. De cette manière, on vérifie que le dispositif de jeu est en communication avec le serveur de jeu. Dans un autre aspect, un indicateur fondé sur une ou plusieurs actions effectuées par le joueur par le biais du dispositif de jeu peut être conservé. Ensuite, en réponse à une demande du dispositif de vérification, le serveur de vérification peut envoyer l'indicateur au dispositif de vérification. De cette manière, on vérifie que le dispositif de jeu est en communication avec le serveur de jeu. Dans un autre aspect, en réponse à une demande du dispositif de jeu, le serveur de vérification peut déterminer un indicateur connu du joueur et l'envoyer au dispositif de jeu par le serveur de jeu. De cette manière, on vérifie que le dispositif de jeu est en communication avec le serveur de jeu. Dans un autre aspect, le serveur de vérification peut envoyer un indicateur au dispositif de jeu par le serveur de jeu, et peut aussi envoyer l'indicateur au dispositif de vérification. Selon une autre solution, le serveur de vérification peut envoyer un indicateur par le serveur de jeu au dispositif de jeu, par exemple, et l'indicateur peut ensuite être renvoyé au serveur de vérification depuis le dispositif de vérification. Le serveur peut alors déterminer si les indicateurs envoyés et reçus correspondent. De cette manière, on vérifie que le dispositif de jeu est en communication avec le serveur de jeu. Dans un autre aspect, le serveur de vérification peut déterminer un indicateur qui est vérifiable par le joueur et peut envoyer l'indicateur au dispositif de jeu par le serveur de jeu. Le serveur de vérification peut envoyer l'indicateur en réponse à la réception d'une demande/instruction du dispositif de vérification, et peut déterminer l'indicateur en utilisant un autre indicateur reçu du dispositif de vérification. De cette manière, on vérifie si le dispositif de jeu est en communication avec le serveur de jeu.
PCT/US2007/084805 2006-11-15 2007-11-15 Systèmes et procédés pour déterminer qu'un dispositif de jeu communique avec un serveur de jeu WO2008061181A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2669826A CA2669826C (fr) 2006-11-15 2007-11-15 Systemes et procedes pour determiner qu'un dispositif de jeu communique avec un serveur de jeu
AU2007319182A AU2007319182A1 (en) 2006-11-15 2007-11-15 Systems and methods for determining that a gaming device is communicating with a gaming server
JP2009537361A JP5675106B2 (ja) 2006-11-15 2007-11-15 ゲームサーバと通信しているゲーム機を決定する装置および方法
EP07864449A EP2086658A4 (fr) 2006-11-15 2007-11-15 Systèmes et procédés pour déterminer qu'un dispositif de jeu communique avec un serveur de jeu

Applications Claiming Priority (14)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/560,065 US7942738B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2006-11-15 Verifying a gaming device is in communications with a gaming server
US11/560,136 2006-11-15
US11/560,124 US7942741B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2006-11-15 Verifying whether a device is communicating with a server
US11/560,358 US8012015B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2006-11-15 Verifying whether a gaming device is communicating with a gaming server
US11/560,065 2006-11-15
US11/560,083 2006-11-15
US11/560,358 2006-11-15
US11/560,124 2006-11-15
US11/560,077 2006-11-15
US11/560,077 US7942739B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2006-11-15 Storing information from a verification device and accessing the information from a gaming device to verify that the gaming device is communicating with a server
US11/560,083 US7942740B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2006-11-15 Verifying a first device is in communications with a server by storing a value from the first device and accessing the value from a second device
US11/560,136 US7942742B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2006-11-15 Accessing identification information to verify a gaming device is in communications with a server
US11/560,829 US10068421B2 (en) 2006-11-16 2006-11-16 Using a first device to verify whether a second device is communicating with a server
US11/560,829 2006-11-16

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WO2008061181A3 WO2008061181A3 (fr) 2008-08-21

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JP (3) JP5675106B2 (fr)
AU (1) AU2007319182A1 (fr)
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WO (1) WO2008061181A2 (fr)

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US7942739B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2011-05-17 Cfph, Llc Storing information from a verification device and accessing the information from a gaming device to verify that the gaming device is communicating with a server
US7942741B2 (en) 2006-11-15 2011-05-17 Cfph, Llc Verifying whether a device is communicating with a server
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AU2007319182A1 (en) 2008-05-22
CA2669826C (fr) 2018-02-27
JP6553149B2 (ja) 2019-07-31
CA2992250C (fr) 2021-03-09
JP6227498B2 (ja) 2017-11-08
WO2008061181A3 (fr) 2008-08-21
JP5675106B2 (ja) 2015-02-25
JP2014239917A (ja) 2014-12-25
JP2018038828A (ja) 2018-03-15
CA3106530A1 (fr) 2008-05-22
EP2086658A2 (fr) 2009-08-12
EP2086658A4 (fr) 2011-01-05
CA2992250A1 (fr) 2008-05-22
JP2010509999A (ja) 2010-04-02
CA2669826A1 (fr) 2008-05-22

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