Processing of a user device game-playing transaction based on location

• US 10,229,561 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2018
• Issued: 03/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: e2Interactive Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Linq3 Technologies, LLC
• Inventors: Cage, Daniel, Minutaglio, John, Leach, Roy, Tashjian, David, Smith, Travis L., Houseal, Jr., John Frederick
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca, Pierre E
• Application Number:
  US16/010,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20180293834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 270 Days
• Field of Search: 463 25, 463 29
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/216 using geographical information, e.g. location of the game device or player using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/73 Authorising game programs or game devices, e.g. checking authenticity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/047 using payment protocols involving electronic receipts
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3224 Transactions dependent on location of M-devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3276 using a pictured code, e.g. barcode or QR-code, being read by the M-device
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 : Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information

Abstract

An exemplary method comprises receiving information associated with a game-playing transaction conducted between a user device and a game-playing terminal, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a request for playing a game; determining a location of the user device associated with the game; determining the user device is located in an approved location associated with the game; and processing the game-playing transaction based on determining the user device is located in the approved location associated with the game. The game-playing transaction is conducted on a first communication interface, and the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received on a first or second communication interface.

Claims

1. A method for processing, or enabling initiation or conduction of, game-playing transactions, the method comprising:

receiving or sending information, associated with a game-playing transaction, between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises game information;

determining, using one or more computing device processors, location information or identification information associated with the user device or the game-playing apparatus;

determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises or is an approved user device or an approved game-playing apparatus, wherein the approved user device or the approved game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game;

processing the information or the game-playing transaction, or enabling initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction, based on at least one of;

determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises or is the approved user device or the approved game-playing apparatus based on determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the location information or the identification information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to second information or second identification information, or

determining, using the one or more computing device processors, a period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired,

wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and

wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the game-playing transaction comprises, is, or is comprised in at least one of a gaming transaction, a wagering transaction, a game initiation transaction, a game completing transaction, a pre-game transaction, a post-game transaction, an in-game transaction, a game-related transaction, a card-based transaction, a betting transaction, a location determining transaction, an identification transaction, an information processing transaction, a sports betting transaction, a user identification transaction, a crypto-based transaction, a blockchain-based transaction, a user device identifying transaction, a mobile device identifying transaction, a game-playing apparatus-related transaction, or a game-playing apparatus identifying transaction.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of:

determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises or is the approved user device or the approved game-playing apparatus based on determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the location information or the identification information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to the second information or the second identification information, or determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, comprises;

determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises or is the approved user device or the approved game-playing apparatus based on determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the identification information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to the second information or the second identification information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of:

determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises or is the approved user device or the approved game-playing apparatus based on determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the location information or the identification information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to the second information or the second identification information, or determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, comprises;

determining, using the one or more computing device processors, the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more computing device processors are comprised in at least one of the user device, the game-playing apparatus, or one or more local or remote computing apparatuses.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more computing device processors are software-customized for performing specialized operations associated with the game-playing transactions.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein an interaction between a gaming card and the user device causes receiving, at the game-playing apparatus, the information from the user device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the information is stored on the gaming card and is transmitted to or accessed by the user device when the gaming card interacts with the user device.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the information is comprised in a code associated with the gaming card.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the information is comprised in a code visible on a face of the gaming card.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the code is or comprises an activation code.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the gaming card further comprises a second code covered by a removable surface.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second code is or comprises a redemption code.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the code comprises third identification information, and wherein the third identification information is associated with the gaming card.

15. The method of claim 7, wherein the gaming card comprises a lottery gaming card.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein the gaming card comprises a non-lottery gaming card.

17. The method of claim 7, wherein the interaction comprises at least one of a contact interaction, a swiping interaction, or a contactless interaction.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises, is, or is associated with, integrated with, or comprised in at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail apparatus, an entity, one or more mobile computing devices, one or more non-mobile computing devices, one or more local computing apparatuses, or one or more remote computing apparatuses.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a retail apparatus configured for receiving, processing, or transmitting the information associated with the game-playing transaction.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication interface is located between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the second communication interface is located at least one of between the user device and the game-playing apparatus, or between the game-playing apparatus and a second game-playing apparatus.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication interface and the second communication interface are the same communication interface.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication interface and the second communication interface are different communication interfaces.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication interface or the second communication interface comprises at least one of a Bluetooth-based interface, a near-field communication (NFC) interface, a code-based interface, a Wi-Fi interface, a cellular interface, or a wired interface.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises a customized gaming facilitator, wherein the customized gaming facilitator comprises a firewall, logging security, core logic, and customized transaction logic.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises one or more communication exchange servers.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises the identification information associated with the user device or the game-playing apparatus.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the identification information associated with the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises entity identification information for an entity associated with the user device or the game-playing apparatus.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the information or the second information comprises lottery number information associated with or loaded onto a gaming card.

30. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to processing the information or the game-playing transaction, or enabling the initiation or the conduction of the game-playing transaction, transmitting third information to a gaming system.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the third information comprises a wagering request based on the information.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the wagering request comprises at least one of lottery number information associated with a gaming card interacting with the user device, the information, or the identification information associated with the user device or the game-playing apparatus.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising receiving winning user information or winning gaming card identification information, the winning user information or the winning gaming card identification information being associated with the game.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising sending an update to a database system, the update being based on the winning user information or the winning gaming card identification information.

35. The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises third identification information, wherein the third identification information is associated with a gaming card interacting with the user device.

36. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving or sending the information is executed before the game-playing transaction.

37. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving or sending the information is executed after the game-playing transaction.

38. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving or sending the information is executed as part of or substantially simultaneously with the game-playing transaction.

39. The method of claim 1, wherein the information comprises a request to activate a gaming card or gaming card identification information associated with the gaming card, wherein the gaming card interacts with the user device, thereby causing receiving or sending the information between the user device and the game-playing apparatus.

40. The method of claim 1, wherein an interaction between a gaming card and the user device causes receiving, at the game-playing apparatus, the information from the user device, and wherein the gaming card, or a package comprising the gaming card, comprises a hook slot or hole shaped or configured for enabling placement of the gaming card, or the package comprising the gaming card, onto a display hook.

41. The method of claim 1, wherein an interaction between a gaming card and the user device causes receiving, at the game-playing apparatus, the information from the user device, and wherein the gaming card is associated with or comprises one or more game plays prior to the interaction between the gaming card and the user device.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the one or more game plays comprises one or more lottery numbers associated with one or more draw dates.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the one or more draw dates are associated with a single lottery gaming provider or at least two different lottery gaming providers, and wherein the one or more draw dates comprises at least one of a next draw date associated with the game or a future draw date associated with the game.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the one or more game plays are pre-configured or user-configurable such that the information received or sent between the user device and the game-playing apparatus comprises game play information associated with the one or more game plays.

45. The method of claim 1, wherein an interaction between a gaming card and the user device causes receiving, at the game-playing apparatus, the information from the user device, and wherein the gaming card is comprised in a gaming card package that comprises a hook hole or slot shaped or configured for enabling placement of the gaming card package onto a display hook.

46. The method of claim 1, wherein the game-playing apparatus comprises one or more game-playing apparatuses, and wherein the one or more computing device processors are comprised in the one or more game-playing apparatuses.

47. An apparatus for processing, or enabling initiation or conduction of, game-playing transactions, the apparatus comprising one or more computing device processors configured to:

receive or send information, associated with a game-playing transaction, between a user device and a game-playing apparatus, wherein the game-playing transaction is associated with a game, wherein the game is associated with or comprises game information;

determine location information or identification information associated with the user device or the game-playing apparatus;

determine the user device or the game-playing apparatus is associated with approved location information or approved identification information associated with the game, wherein the user device or the game-playing apparatus is located in an approved location associated with the game;

process the information or the game-playing transaction, or enable initiation or conduction of the game-playing transaction, based on at least one of;

determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is associated with the approved location information or the approved identification information associated with the game based on determining the location information or the identification information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to second information or second identification information, or

determining a period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired,

wherein the game-playing transaction is conducted or is to be conducted on a first communication interface, and

wherein the information associated with the game-playing transaction is received or sent on the first communication interface or a second communication interface.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the game-playing transaction comprises, is, or is comprised in at least one of a gaming transaction, a wagering transaction, a game initiation transaction, a game completing transaction, a pre-game transaction, a post-game transaction, an in-game transaction, a game-related transaction, a betting transaction, a location determining transaction, an identification transaction, an information processing transaction, a sports betting transaction, a user identification transaction, a crypto-based transaction, a blockchain-based transaction, a user device identifying transaction, a mobile device identifying transaction, an apparatus-related transaction, a game-playing apparatus-related transaction, or a game-playing apparatus identifying transaction.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein at least one of:

determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is associated with the approved location information or the approved identification information associated with the game based on determining the location information or the identification information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to the second information or the second identification information, or determining the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, comprises;

determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is associated with the approved location information or the approved identification information associated with the game based on determining the location information or the identification information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to the second information or the second identification information.

50. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein at least one of:

determining the user device or the game-playing apparatus is associated with the approved location information or the approved identification information associated with the game based on determining the location information or the identification information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to the second information or the second identification information, or determining the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, comprises;

determining the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired.

51. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the apparatus is further configured to modify or configure the user device or the game-playing apparatus based on the determination that the user device or the game-playing apparatus is associated with the approved location information or the approved identification information associated with the game.

52. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the one or more computing device processors are software-customized for processing the information, or enabling the initiation or the conduction of the game-playing transaction.

53. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein at least one of the user device or the game-playing apparatus comprises, is, or is associated with, integrated with, or comprised in at least one of a pump, an ATM, a servicing station, a retail apparatus, an entity, one or more mobile computing devices, one or more non-mobile computing devices, one or more local computing apparatuses, one or more remote computing apparatuses, or the apparatus.

54. The method of claim 47, wherein an interaction between a gaming card and the user device causes receipt, at the apparatus or the game-playing apparatus, of the information from the user device.

55. The apparatus of claim 54, wherein the gaming card, or a package comprising the gaming card, comprises a hook hole or slot shaped or configured for enabling placement of the gaming card, or the package comprising the gaming card, onto a display hook.

56. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein at least one of the first communication interface or the second communication interface is located between the apparatus, or the game-playing apparatus, and the user device, and wherein the at least one of the first communication interface or the second communication interface comprises one or more intermediary computing devices enabling communication between the apparatus, or the game-playing apparatus, and the user device.

57. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein a gaming card associated with the game comprises one or more lottery game play sets associated with one or more draws.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the gaming card comprises a first code for activating the gaming card and a second code for redeeming an item or a prize associated with a game play associated with the one or more lottery game play sets.

59. A gaming apparatus configured to:

interact with a user device, the interaction causing information comprised in the gaming apparatus to be received, by at least one remote server configured for operations associated with game-playing transactions, or accessed, by the at least one remote server, from the user device, wherein the user device is located in an approved location associated with a game, wherein the user device is associated with approved identification information or approved location information, wherein the game is associated with or comprises game information,

wherein the at least one remote server is further configured to;

determine the information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to second information or identification information, the second information or the identification information being received, by the at least one remote server, or accessed, by the at least one remote server, from a computing device;

process the information, or enable initiation or conduction of a game-playing transaction based on or associated with the information, based on at least one of;

determining the information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to the second information or the identification information, wherein the information is received or accessed from the user device located in the approved location associated with the game, wherein the interaction between the user device and the gaming apparatus occurs in the approved location associated with the game, or

determining a period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired,

wherein the information is received or accessed by the at least one remote server on a first communication interface between the user device and the at least one remote server, and

wherein the second information is received or accessed by the at least one remote server on a second communication interface between the computing device and the at least one remote server.

60. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the gaming apparatus is customized for the interaction with the user device.

61. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the information comprises location information associated with the user device or second identification information, wherein the second identification information is associated with the user device.

62. The gaming apparatus of claim 61, wherein the information further comprises gaming apparatus identification information associated with the gaming apparatus.

63. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the information comprises gaming apparatus identification information associated with the gaming apparatus.

64. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the information is not visible on the gaming apparatus in a first state of the gaming apparatus.

65. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the information is covered by a removable surface in a first state of the gaming apparatus.

66. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the information is comprised in a readable indicia located on a surface of the gaming apparatus.

67. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the information is comprised in a code comprised in or on a surface of the gaming apparatus.

68. The gaming apparatus of claim 67, wherein the code comprises a barcode.

69. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, further comprising an activation code and a redemption code.

70. The gaming apparatus of claim 69, wherein the activation code is visible on a first surface of the gaming apparatus, and wherein the redemption code is covered by a removable surface on a second surface of the gaming apparatus.

71. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, further comprising a game board, wherein the game board comprises one or more game plays.

72. The gaming apparatus of claim 71, wherein the one or more game plays are associated with at least two draws.

73. The gaming apparatus of claim 71, wherein the one or more game plays are associated with a single draw.

74. The gaming apparatus of claim 71, wherein each game play, comprised in the one or more game plays, comprises a randomly generated number set associated with the game.

75. The gaming apparatus of claim 71, wherein each game play, comprised in the one or more game plays, comprises a user-defined number set associated with the game.

76. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the game-playing transaction comprises, is, or is comprised in at least one of a gaming transaction, a wagering transaction, a game initiation transaction, a game completing transaction, a pre-game transaction, a post-game transaction, an in-game transaction, a game-related transaction, a card-based transaction, a betting transaction, a location determining transaction, an identification transaction, an information processing transaction, a sports betting transaction, a user identification transaction, a crypto-based transaction, a blockchain-based transaction, a user device identifying transaction, a mobile device identifying transaction, a game-facilitating apparatus-related transaction, a game-playing apparatus-related transaction, or a game-playing apparatus identifying transaction.

77. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the information is comprised in a chip or a magnetic stripe comprised in or on the gaming apparatus.

78. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the interaction comprises a contact-based interaction.

79. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the interaction comprises a contactless interaction.

80. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the gaming apparatus is or comprises a physical gaming instrument.

81. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the gaming apparatus, or a package comprising the gaming apparatus, comprises a hook hole or slot, and wherein the hook hole or slot is configured or shaped for enabling placement of the gaming apparatus, or the package comprising the gaming apparatus, onto a display hook.

82. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the gaming apparatus is or comprises a physical gaming card.

83. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein the gaming apparatus is or comprises an electronic gaming card displayable on a mobile device.

84. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein at least one of:

determining the information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to the second information or the identification information, wherein the information is received or accessed from the user device located in the approved location associated with the game, wherein the interaction between the user device and the gaming apparatus occurs in the approved location associated with the game, or determining the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, comprises;

determining the information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to the second information or the identification information, wherein the information is received or accessed from the user device located in the approved location associated with the game, wherein the interaction between the user device and the gaming apparatus occurs in the approved location associated with the game.

85. The gaming apparatus of claim 59, wherein at least one of:

determining the information is at least partially consistent with or mappable to the second information or the identification information, wherein the information is received or accessed from the user device located in the approved location associated with the game, wherein the interaction between the user device and the gaming apparatus occurs in the approved location associated with the game, or determining the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired, comprises;

determining the period of validity associated with the information or the game information has not expired.