System and method for providing accurate location information for wireless or wired remote gaming activities

• US 20030006931A1
• Filed: 07/03/2002
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sam Buchbinder
• Original Assignee: Sam Buchbinder
• Inventors: Mages, Ken
• Application Number:
  US10/190,056
• Publication Number:
  US 20030006931A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.06
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/11 wherein the cooperating elements are pseudolites or satellite radio beacon positioning system signal repeaters
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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

Abstract

A system and method for accurately locating the position of wireless or wired devices used for playing casino games. The system includes a plurality of transmitters located throughout the interior of the building and on the grounds of the building property for communicating with the device. The transmitters are connected to a CDMA server or the like that is connected to a GPS base station or the like to assist in determining the precise location of the device and to verify that the device is located in an area where casino games may be lawfully played.

Claims

1. A system for locating the user of a device inside or outside a building comprising;

a GPS base station, wherein the GPS base station communicates with at least one GPS satellite;

a plurality of transmitters located inside or outside the building, wherein each of the plurality of transmitters is programmed to transmit information concerning its location; and

a device operably connected to the plurality of transmitters for providing the location of the user of the device inside or outside the building.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the device is a wireless device.

3. The system of claim 2 which further comprises means to provide extended customer service opportunities.

4. The system of claim 2 which further comprises a CDMA network including a server for permitting the wireless device to offer cellular services.

5. A system for verifying the location of a user of a device who desires to participate in gaming activities comprising:

a GPS base station, wherein the GPS base station communicates with at least one GPS satellite;

a plurality of transmitters located inside the building and operably connected to the GPS base station; and

a device operably connected to the plurality of transmitters for providing the location of the user of the device within the building; and

means to provide gaming activities.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the device is a wireless device.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the plurality of transmitters are Bluetooth transmitters.

8. The system of claim 6 which further comprises means to recognize the identity of the user.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the recognizing means includes a biometric thumb print scanner.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the recognizing means includes an alphanumeric password.

11. The system of claim 6 which further comprises means to record information associated with the wireless device.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the recorded information includes the duration of time spent playing a game and the amount of money wagered.

13. The system of claim 6 wherein the means to play gaming activities includes connecting the wireless device to the Internet.

14. The system of claim 6 wherein the means to play gaming activities includes connecting the wireless device to a remote server.

15. The system of claim 6 which further includes a plurality of transmitters located outside the building.

16. The system of claim 6 which further includes a CDMA network having a server to allow the wireless device to participate in cellular services.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the device is a wireless device.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the plurality of transmitters are Bluetooth transmitters.

17. A method for locating the user of a device inside a building comprising the steps of:

providing a device having GPS capabilities for communicating with at least one GPS satellite and a GPS base station;

receiving at least one signal from at least one GPS satellite at the device;

receiving at least one signal from one of a plurality of transmitters located inside the building at the device, wherein the one of a plurality of transmitters includes information regarding the location of the transmitter; and

transmitting the information regarding the location of the transmitter that is in communication with the device to the GPS base station or GPS satellite to assist in accurately determining the location of the device.

20. A method for verifying the location of a user of a device for participating in gaming activities associated with a casino, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a device for participating in gaming activities;

providing means to activate the device;

determining the location of the device;

selectively allowing the gaming activities to proceed depending on the location of the device.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the device is a wireless device.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein the step of determining the location of the wireless device comprises:

a GPS base station, wherein the GPS base station communicates with at least one GPS satellite; and

a plurality of transmitters located inside the building, wherein each of the plurality of transmitters is programmed to transmit information concerning its location in the building;

wherein, the wireless device is operably connected to the plurality of transmitters for providing the location of the user of the wireless device within the building.

23. The method of claim 21 wherein the means to activate the wireless device includes a smart card having a unique identification number.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the device is a wireless device.

26. The method of claim 25 which further includes the step of verifying the identity of the user.

27. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of verifying the identity of the user includes a biometric thumb print scanner.

28. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of verifying the identity of the user includes the step of inputting an alphanumeric password.

29. The method of claim 25 wherein the system further includes the step of recording information associated with the use of the wireless device.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the information includes the duration of time spent playing a game and the amount wagered.

31. The method of claim 25 wherein the step of determining the location of the wireless device comprises:

a GPS base station, wherein the GPS base station communicates with at least one GPS satellite; and

a plurality of transmitters located inside the building, wherein each of the plurality of transmitters is programmed to transmit information concerning its location in the building;

wherein, the wireless device is operably connected to the plurality of transmitters for providing the location of the user of the wireless device within the building.

32. The method of claim 31 which further comprises a second plurality of transmitters located outside the building, wherein each of the second plurality of transmitters is programmed to transmit information concerning its location outside the building and wherein the wireless device is operably connected to the second plurality of transmitters for providing the location of the user of the wireless device outside the building.

33. The method of claim 25 wherein the means to activate the wireless device includes a smart card having a unique identification number.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the device is a wireless device

24. A method for participating in gaming activities within the boundaries of a property comprising the steps of:

providing a device for participating in gaming activities;

connecting the device to the Internet or a computer system of the casino;

providing means to activate the device;

determining the location of the device by using transmitters positioned on the property;

selectively allowing the gaming activities to proceed depending on the location of the device.

34. A method for allowing a device user having an account to participate in gaming activities on a property comprising the steps of:

providing a device for participating in gaming activities;

connecting the device to the Internet or a computer system of the casino;

providing means to activate the device;

determining the location of the device by using a plurality of transmitters located on the property;

selectively allowing the gaming activities to proceed depending on the location of the device;

offering at least one gaming activity to be played on the device;

indicating the results of the gaming activity;

adjusting the account of the device user based on the results of the gaming activity; and

prompting the user to inquire if the user wants to play again.