METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING NETWORK LINKED GAMBLING VIDEO GAMES

• US 20120302328A1
• Filed: 08/07/2012
• Published: 11/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel E. Tedesco, Geoffrey M. Gelman, James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Magdalena M. Fincham, Robert C. Tedesco, Stephen C. Tulley
• Original Assignee: Daniel E. Tedesco, Geoffrey M. Gelman, James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Magdalena M. Fincham, Robert C. Tedesco, Stephen C. Tulley
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Fincham, Magdalena M., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Tulley, Stephen C., Tedesco, Daniel E., Tedesco, Robert C.
• Granted Patent: US 8,512,117 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/008 adapted for being playable on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for team play in video games is provided. One method includes receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first networked machine and joining a second player of a second networked machine to a team. The method further enables transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked machines during play of the gambling game. The method debits an account of a player using the networked machine that transferred the currency and credits an account of a player that that received the currency. The method further enables wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency, and the method is executed by at least one processor.

Claims

1. A method for team play in video games, comprising:

receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first networked machine;

joining a second player of a second networked machine to a team;

enabling transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked machines during play of the gambling game;

debiting an account of a player using the networked machine that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency; and

enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency, the method being executed by at least one processor.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

assigning the team to compete with another team of players;

monitoring win progress of each of the teams; and

assigning a prize to the team that accumulates a higher win total.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the gambling game is a poker game managed by at least one networked server.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

displaying an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked machine;

displaying an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked machine;

wherein the avatars of the first player and the second player provide hints regarding game position.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

processing data to forward to one of the first or second players to identify a likelihood of bluffing during the gambling game.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the likelihood of bluffing is computed by a bluff meter that graphically indicates the likelihood of an opponent bluffing during game play.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the likelihood is computed from statistics of prior game play.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, receiving a request to add additional players to the team, the request being in response to detecting selection of join team play from a graphical user interface.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising, receiving a request to search a server to identify other teams to join.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising, generating bonus conditions for particular other teams that are available for joining;

and

receiving a request from the first player or the second player to join a new team associated with a bonus condition and enabling leaving of the team.

12. Computer readable media having program instructions for team play in video games, comprising:

program instructions for receiving a request to initiate a gambling game for a player of a first networked machine;

program instructions for joining a second player of a second networked machine to a team;

program instructions for enabling transfer of currency between the first and second players of the team using the networked machines during play of the gambling game;

program instructions for debiting an account of a player using the networked machine that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency; and

program instructions for enabling wagers in the gambling game using the credited currency, the method being executed by at least one processor.

13. The computer readable media of claim 12, further comprising,

program instructions for assigning the team to compete with another team of players;

program instructions for monitoring win progress of each of the teams; and

program instructions for assigning a prize to the team that accumulates a higher win total.

14. The computer readable media of claim 12, wherein the gambling game is a casino-type game managed by at least one networked server.

15. The computer readable media of claim 12, further comprising,

program instructions for displaying an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked machine;

program instructions for displaying an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked machine;

wherein the avatars of the first player and the second player provide hints regarding game position.

16. The computer readable media of claim 12, further comprising,

processing data to forward to one of the first or second players to identify a likelihood of bluffing during the gambling game.

17. The computer readable media of claim 16, wherein the likelihood of bluffing is computed by a bluff meter that graphically indicates the likelihood of an opponent bluffing during game play, and the likelihood is computed from statistics of prior game play.

18. The computer readable media of claim 12, wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

19. The computer readable media of claim 12, further comprising,

program instructions for receiving a request to search a server to identify other teams to join.

20. The computer readable media of claim 12, further comprising,

program instructions for generating bonus conditions for particular other teams that are available for joining;

and

program instructions for receiving a request from the first player or the second player to join a new team associated with a bonus condition and enabling leaving of the team.