Apparatus for pre-determined game outcomes

• US 20060068895A1
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Published: 03/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Binh T., Stockdale, James, Paulsen, Craig A., Muir, David
• Application Number:
  US10/937,989
• Publication Number:
  US 20060068895A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed

Abstract

A portable memory apparatus may include a player identification and game outcomes associated with the player identification. The portable memory apparatus may communicatively couple with a gaming apparatus, provide a game outcome to the gaming apparatus, and communicatively decouple from the gaming apparatus. A gaming apparatus may include a display unit, an input device and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the input device. The controller may be programmed to cause the input device to read game outcome data stored in a portable memory, to determine an outcome based on the game outcome data, to display the outcome on the display unit, to determine if the outcome is a winning outcome, to determine a value payout if the outcome is a winning outcome, and to cause the input device to update the portable memory with data relating to the outcome or the value payout.

Claims

1. A gaming system, comprising:

a portable memory apparatus having a plurality of seed values associated with a player identification stored thereon, each of said seed values related to an outcome of a game play;

a plurality of gaming apparatuses, wherein each of said plurality of gaming apparatuses comprise;

an input device for receiving and reading said portable memory, a display unit and a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

each of said controllers being programmed to read a seed value from said portable memory apparatus,

each of said controllers being programmed to cause said display unit to generate a game display relating to one of the following games;

poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo,

each of said controllers being programmed to determine an outcome of said game based on said seed value,

each of said controllers being programmed to determine a value payout associated with said outcome of said game.

2. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said seed values comprises a randomly generated seed value.

3. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein each of said controllers is programmed to generate a random number based on a random number sequence,

wherein said seed value comprises a starting value for said random number sequence,

wherein each of said controllers is programmed to associate said random number with said outcome of said game.

4. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein each of said controllers is programmed to accept a wager comprising a minimum denomination,

wherein the quantity of said plurality of seeds values stored in said portable memory apparatus is based on the lesser of the minimum denominations.

5. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said portable memory apparatus comprises a portable processor and a memory operatively coupled to said portable processor,

wherein said portable memory apparatus is programmed to store said plurality of seed values.

6. A gaming system as defined in claim 5, wherein said portable memory apparatus is programmed to store computer program instructions relating to said game.

7. A gaming system as defined in claim 6, wherein one or more of said controllers are programmed to read said computer program instructions relating to said game from said portable memory apparatus.

8. A gaming system as defined in claim 6, wherein one or more of said controllers are programmed to transmit said computer program instructions relating to said game to said portable memory apparatus.

9. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a purchase controller comprising a purchase processor and a memory operatively coupled to said purchase processor,

wherein said purchase controller is programmed to accept a value amount relating to a guaranteed number of game plays,

wherein said purchase controller is programmed to store said plurality of seed values on said portable memory apparatus, said plurality of seed values relating to said guaranteed number of game plays.

10. A gaming system as defined in claim 9,

wherein said purchase controller is programmed to store game limitation data on said portable memory apparatus, said game limitation data relating to a selection one of the following games:

poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo,

wherein each of said controllers is programmed to limit a selection of said game according to said game limitation data.

11. A gaming system as defined in claim 9,

wherein said purchase controller is programmed to store denomination data relating to a wager denomination for said game on said portable memory apparatus,

wherein each of said controllers is programmed to limit a wager amount for said game based on said denomination data.

12. A gaming system as defined in claim 9,

wherein said purchase controller is programmed to store location data relating to a gaming location on said portable memory apparatus,

wherein each of said controllers is programmed to read said seed value if said gaming apparatus is located in said gaming location.

13. A gaming system as defined in claim 9,

wherein said purchase controller is programmed to store gaming apparatus data on said portable memory apparatus, said gaming apparatus data relating to use of the portable memory apparatus with a permitted gaming apparatus,

wherein each of said controllers is programmed to read said seed value if said gaming apparatus comprises a permitted gaming apparatus.

14. A gaming system as defined in claim 9, wherein one or more of said gaming apparatuses further comprise said purchase controller.

15. A gaming system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a network computer communicatively coupled to a purchase controller, said first gaming apparatus, said second gaming apparatus and said portable memory apparatus, said network computer comprising a network controller comprising a network processor and a memory operatively coupled to said network processor,

wherein said network controller is programmed to receive said gaming data relating to said game from one or more of said gaming apparatuses,

wherein said network controller is programmed to receive a game outcome relating to said game from said portable memory apparatus,

said network controller being programmed to read an authentic copy of said seed value from a purchase controller used to purchase said seed values,

wherein said network controller is programmed to emulate said game based on said gaming data and said authentic copy of said seed value to determine an emulated outcome of said game,

wherein said network controller is programmed to compare said emulated outcome of said game to said game outcome of said game from said portable memory apparatus.

16. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein one or more of said gaming apparatuses comprise one of the following:

a casino gaming unit, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer and a cellular phone.

17. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said portable memory apparatus comprises one of the following:

a removable flash memory, a recordable integrated circuit, a smart card, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer and a cellular phone.

18. A gaming apparatus for determining outcomes of a wagering game based on game outcome data stored in a portable memory device, the gaming apparatus comprising:

a display unit;

an input device configured to communicatively couple to a portable memory device;

a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said controller being programmed to cause said input device to read game outcome data stored in a portable memory device,

said controller being programmed to determine an outcome based on said game outcome data,

said controller being programmed to display said outcome on said display unit,

said controller being programmed to determine if said outcome comprises a winning outcome,

said controller being programmed to determine a value payout if said outcome comprises a winning outcome,

said controller being programmed to cause said input device to update said portable memory device with data relating to one or more of the following;

said outcome or said value payout.

19. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein said display unit comprises a video display unit that is capable of generating video images.

20. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 19,

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards to be displayed if said game comprises video poker,

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels to be displayed if said game comprises video slots,

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards to be displayed if said game comprises video blackjack,

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers to be displayed if said game comprises video keno,

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a bingo grid to be displayed if said game comprises video bingo.

21. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said display unit comprises at least one mechanical slot machine reel.

22. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18,

wherein said game outcome data relates to a plurality of game outcomes,

wherein said controller is programmed to read a game outcome for each game play requested by a player.

23. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said controller is programmed to randomly read said game outcome from said plurality of game outcomes.

24. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said controller is programmed to sequentially read said game outcome from said plurality of game outcomes.

25. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein each of said plurality of game outcomes comprises a randomly generated game outcome.

26. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18,

wherein said game outcome data is encrypted,

wherein said controller is programmed to decrypt said game outcome.

27. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, whereby said game outcome data is associated with a signature unique to said game outcome data.

28. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18,

wherein said game outcome data comprises a plurality of seed values,

wherein said controller is programmed to generate a random number based on a random number sequence,

wherein a seed value relating to said game outcome comprises a starting value for said random number sequence,

wherein said controller is programmed to associate said random number with said outcome.

29. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said controller is programmed to read computer program instructions relating to said game from said portable memory apparatus.

30. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said controller is programmed to transmit computer program instructions relating to a game to said portable memory apparatus.

31. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18,

wherein said controller is programmed to read game limitation data relating to a game selection from said portable memory apparatus,

wherein said controller is programmed to limit a selection of a game according to said game limitation data.

32. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18,

wherein said controller is programmed to read denomination data relating to a wager denomination from said portable memory apparatus,

wherein said controller is programmed to limit a wager amount for a game according to said denomination data.

33. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18,

wherein said controller is programmed to read location data relating to a gaming location from said portable memory apparatus,

wherein said controller is programmed to read said game outcome data if said gaming apparatus is located in said gaming location.

34. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18,

wherein said controller is programmed to read game outcome data relating to use of the portable memory apparatus with a permitted gaming apparatus,

wherein said controller is programmed to read said game outcome data if said gaming apparatus comprises a permitted gaming apparatus.

35. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18,

wherein said controller is programmed to receive a value amount relating to a guaranteed number of game plays,

wherein said controller is programmed to store said game outcome data on said portable memory apparatus, said game outcome data relating to said guaranteed number of game plays.

36. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined in claim 18, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a network of gaming apparatuses.

37. A gaming system as defined in claim 36, wherein said gaming apparatuses are interconnected via one of the following:

the Internet, an intranet or a dedicated connection.

38. A portable memory apparatus having a computer program stored therein, said computer program being capable of being used in connection with a plurality of gaming apparatuses, said memory comprising:

a memory portion comprising identification data relating to a player identification,

a memory portion comprising game outcome data relating to a plurality of game outcomes associated with said player identification,

a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the portable memory apparatus to communicatively couple with a gaming apparatus,

a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the portable memory apparatus to provide a game outcome from said plurality of game outcomes to said gaming apparatus,

a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the portable memory apparatus to communicatively decouple from said gaming apparatus.

39. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein said portable memory apparatus additionally comprises a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the portable memory apparatus to provide a game outcome from said plurality of game outcomes for each game play requested by a player.

40. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 38, wherein said portable memory apparatus additionally comprises a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to generate a game display represented one of the following games:

poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo.

41. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said portable memory apparatus additionally comprises a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to determine a value payout associated with said game outcome.

42. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said portable memory apparatus additionally comprises a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to randomly select said game outcome from said plurality of game outcomes.

43. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said portable memory apparatus additionally comprises a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to sequentially select said game outcome from said plurality of game outcomes.

44. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein each of said plurality of game outcomes comprises a randomly generated game outcome.

45. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said plurality of game outcomes are encrypted.

46. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 45 wherein said encryption comprises asymmetric encryption.

47. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said plurality of game outcomes comprise a plurality of seed values each relating to a starting value for a random number sequence.

48. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 47 wherein said portable memory apparatus additionally comprises:

a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to generate a random number based on said random number sequence,

a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to associate said random number with an outcome of said game.

49. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 47 wherein said portable memory apparatus additionally comprises:

a memory portion comprising game limitation data relating to a game selection,

a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to limit a selection of said game according to said game limitation data.

50. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 47 wherein said portable memory apparatus additionally comprises:

a memory portion comprising denomination data relating to a wager denomination,

a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to limit a wager amount for said game according to said denomination data.

51. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 47 wherein said portable memory apparatus additionally comprises:

a memory portion comprising location data relating to a gaming location,

a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to read said seed value if said gaming apparatus is located in said gaming location.

52. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 47 wherein said portable memory apparatus additionally comprises:

a memory portion comprising gaming apparatus data relating to use of the portable memory apparatus with a permitted gaming apparatus,

a memory portion physically configured in accordance with computer program instructions that would cause the gaming apparatus to read said seed value if said gaming apparatus comprises a permitted gaming apparatus.

53. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said portable memory apparatus additionally comprises a controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said controller.

54. A portable memory apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein said portable memory apparatus comprises one of the following:

a removable flash memory, a recordable integrated circuit, a smart card, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer and a cellular phone.

55. A game purchasing apparatus, comprising:

a display unit;

a value input device;

a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said controller being programmed to receive a value amount relating to a plurality of game plays,

said controller being programmed to generate a game outcome for each of said plurality of game plays,

said controller being programmed to associate said plurality of game outcomes with a player identification,

said controller being programmed to store said game outcomes on a portable memory apparatus as game outcome data,

said controller being programmed to communicatively decouple from said portable memory apparatus.

56. A game purchasing apparatus as defined in claim 55, wherein said controller is programmed to store computer program instructions relating to a game on said portable memory apparatus.

57. A game purchasing apparatus as defined in claim 55,

wherein said controller is programmed to read a game outcome from said game outcome data,

wherein said controller is programmed to determine an outcome based on said game outcome data,

wherein said controller is programmed to display said outcome on said display unit,

wherein said controller is programmed to determine if said outcome comprises a winning outcome,

wherein said controller is programmed to determine a value payout if said outcome comprises a winning outcome.

58. A game purchasing apparatus as defined in claim 55, wherein said purchase controller is programmed to store game limitation data on said portable memory apparatus, said game limitation data relating to a selection of one of the following games:

poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo.

59. A game purchasing apparatus as defined in claim 55, wherein said purchase controller is programmed to store denomination data on said portable memory, said denomination data relating to a limitation on a wager amount.

60. A game purchasing apparatus as defined in claim 55, wherein said purchase controller is programmed to store location data on said portable memory, said location data relating to a limitation on use of the portable memory within a defined location.

61. A game purchasing apparatus as defined in claim 55, wherein said purchase controller is programmed to store gaming apparatus data on said portable memory apparatus, said gaming apparatus data relating to a limitation on use of the portable memory with a permitted gaming apparatus.

62. A method for providing a wagering game wherein a player may pre-purchase outcomes for the wagering game before playing the wagering game, the method comprising:

providing a portable memory apparatus;

providing a game outcome purchasing apparatus adapted to communicatively couple to said portable memory apparatus;

storing game outcome data relating to one or more game outcomes on said portable memory apparatus in response to a request from a player to purchase at least one game outcome;

dispensing said portable memory apparatus after said game outcome data has been stored thereon;

providing a gaming apparatus adapted to communicatively couple to said portable memory apparatus;

determining an outcome for a wagering game based on said game outcome data read by said gaming apparatus from said portable memory apparatus;

determining whether said outcome comprises a winning outcome; and

determining a value payout corresponding to a winning outcome if said outcome comprises a winning outcome.

63. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising accepting a value amount relating to a guaranteed number of game plays, wherein said game outcome data relates to said guaranteed number of game plays.

64. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising:

storing game limitation data relating to a wagering game selection on said portable memory apparatus; and

limiting a selection of said wagering game according to said game limitation data.

65. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising:

storing denomination data relating to a wager denomination for said wagering game on said portable memory apparatus; and

limiting a wager amount for said wagering game based on said denomination data.

66. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising:

storing location data relating to a gaming location on said portable memory apparatus; and

determining said outcome if said gaming apparatus is located in said gaming location.

67. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising:

storing permitted gaming apparatus data on said portable memory apparatus;

determining said outcome if said gaming apparatus comprises a permitted gaming apparatus.

68. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising randomly generating said game outcome data.

69. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising associating said game outcome data with an identification of said player.

70. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising encrypting said game outcome data on said portable memory apparatus.

71. A method as defined in claim 70, wherein encrypting said game outcome data comprises asymmetrically encrypting said game outcome data.

72. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising decrypting a game outcome from said one or more game outcomes.

73. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising:

generating a signature unique to said game outcome data; and

storing said unique signature on said portable memory apparatus.

74. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising:

randomly reading a game outcome from said one or more game outcomes; and

wherein determining said outcome comprises determining said outcome for said wagering game based on said randomly read game outcome.

75. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising:

sequentially reading a game outcome from said one or more game outcomes; and

wherein determining said outcome comprises determining said outcome for said wagering game based on said sequentially read game outcome.

76. A method as defined in claim 62, wherein said game outcome data comprises one or more seed values, each seed value relating to a starting value for a random number sequence, the method further comprising:

generating a random number based on a random number sequence and based on a seed value; and

associating said random number with said outcome.

77. A method as defined in claim 62, further comprising:

storing computer program instructions relating to said wagering game on said portable memory apparatus;

reading said computer program instructions from said portable memory apparatus; and

causing a game display relating to said wagering game to be generated in response to said computer program instructions.

78. A method as defined in claim 62 further comprising updating said portable memory apparatus with one or more of the following:

said outcome or said value payout.

79. A method as defined in claim 78 further comprising:

providing a network computer adapted to communicatively couple to said game outcome purchasing apparatus, said portable memory apparatus and said gaming apparatus,

reading gaming data relating to said wagering game from said gaming apparatus;

reading said outcome relating to said wagering game from said portable memory apparatus;

reading an authentic copy of said one or more game outcomes from said game outcome purchasing apparatus;

emulating said wagering game based on said gaming data and said authentic copy of said one or more game outcomes to determine an emulated outcome of said wagering game; and

comparing said emulated outcome of said wagering game to said outcome of said wagering game from said portable memory apparatus.

80. A method as defined in claim 62, wherein providing said portable memory apparatus comprises providing said portable memory apparatus on a reoccurring basis.

81. A method as defined in claim 62, wherein storing said game outcome data on said portable memory apparatus comprises storing game outcome data relating to one or more game outcomes on said portable memory apparatus in response to a request from a player to purchase at least one game outcome on a reoccurring basis.

82. A method as defined in claim 62, wherein said gaming apparatus comprises a personal electronic device of said player.