APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPLEMENTING ENHANCED GAMING AND PRIZING PARAMETERS IN AN ELECTRONIC ENVIRONMENT

• US 20120302329A1
• Filed: 08/13/2012
• Published: 11/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
• Original Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
• Inventors: KATZ, RANDALL, Dawson, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 8,795,071 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/06 Lottos or bingo games; Systems, apparatus or devices for checking such games small boxes with balls used for generating random numbers A63F7/048; lottery apparatus G07C15/00; lottery gaming stations, online lottery or bingo G07F17/329; printing processes for lottery tickets B41M3/005
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/081 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• 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 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• 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 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

System and methods are provided for effecting user experience in an electronic game environment through use of virtual currency or vCoins. In a multi-level game, the systems and methods include memory for storing information on game play, the information including input received from the user, information relating to levels within the multi-level game and game display information for output to the user. A processor is coupled to the memory for generating game play information, preferably including game play with virtual money. The virtual money is acquired through game play or cash purchase. The virtual money is convertible into a non-cash good comprising advancement to another level within the game.

Claims

1. A system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment comprising:

memory storing information on game play, the information including input received from the user, information relating to levels within the multi-level game and game display information for output to the user,

a processor coupled to the memory generating game play information, the game play information including game play with virtual money, the virtual money being acquired through

game play or

cash purchase,

conversion of the virtual money into a non-cash good comprising advancement to another level within the game, and

memory storing account information which is increased and decreased through the user experience.

2. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the non-cash good is an image to permit advancement to another level within the game.

3. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the virtual money comprises vCoins.

4. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the virtual money is further acquired by non-cash purchase.

5. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 4 wherein the non-cash purchase utilizes a credit.

6. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 4 wherein the non-cash purchase utilizes an inducement.

7. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 4 wherein the non-cash purchase utilizes a promotion.

8. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the virtual money is further acquired by entry of a code from a physical product purchased at a retail vendor location.

9. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the virtual money is subject to a multiplier.

10. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 9 wherein the multiplier is variable.

11. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 10 wherein the multiplier is variable over time.

12. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 10 wherein the multiplier is variable based on player status.

13. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the virtual money may be converted to cash.

14. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 13 wherein the virtual money is converted to cash at a retail location.

15. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein game play processor is a lottery processor.

16. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein memory stores association groupings for game play pairings.

17. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein memory stores buddy lists.

18. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the game play information further includes a leader board.

19. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 further including a ticket for accessing the electronic environment.

20. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 19 wherein the ticket is a lottery ticket.

21. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 20 wherein the lottery ticket includes variable information regarding the electronic environment.

22. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 20 wherein the lottery ticket includes a scratch-off lottery ticket.

23. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 further including a player registration system.

24. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 23 wherein the player registration is an on line registration system.

25. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein game play information includes a display of game play having a portion of the display with a first display image chosen by the user followed by a second display image in the same portion of the display.

26. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 further including a game play analysis system.

27. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 26 wherein the game play analysis system tracks user specific play.

28. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 26 wherein the game play analysis system includes a decision engine to optimize the prizing structure.

29. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 26 wherein the game play analysis system includes a decision engine to maximize game play.

30. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 further including a game application to be downloaded to a communications device.

31. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 30 wherein the communications device is a wireless device.

32. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 31 wherein the wireless device is a hand-held wireless device including a display.

33. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the game is a casino game.

34. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 33 wherein the casino game is poker.

35. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 33 wherein the casino game is blackjack.

36. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the system includes an input to receive player selection of game speed.

37. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the system generates probability information relating to game play for the player.

38. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the virtual money is cashable.

39. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the virtual money is not cashable.

40. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the virtual money is acquired through game play and cash purchase.

41. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the memory storing account information is prefunded.

42. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the memory storing account information is account is funded at a retail location.

43. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the memory storing account information is a financial account.

44. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 43 wherein the financial account is a bank account.

45. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 44 wherein the bank account is within a geography where the user is resident.

46. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the memory storing account information is account is checked for status information.

47. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 46 wherein the memory storing account information is where status information is that the account is statused.

48. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 47 wherein the memory storing account information is statused indicates player is not permitted game play.

49. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the memory storing account information is account includes monetary amount.

50. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 wherein the memory storing account information is account includes points.

51. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 1 further including an input coupled to the processor for receipt of real time game play.

52. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 51 wherein the input is a television format input.

53. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 51 wherein the input is provided over a communication network to players located remote from the real time game play.

54. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 53 wherein players receive virtual money for game play.

55. The system for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 54 wherein the virtual money are points.

56. A method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment comprising the steps of:

storing information on game play, the information including

input received from the user,

information relating to levels within the multi-level game and

game display information for output to the user,

generating game play information,

the game play information including game play with virtual money,

the virtual money being acquired through

game play or

cash purchase,

converting the virtual money into a non-cash good comprising

advancement to another level within the game, and

storing an account value associated with the game play.

57. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 wherein the image permits advancement to another level within the game.

58. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 wherein the virtual money is further acquired by non-cash purchase.

59. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 58 wherein the non-cash purchase utilizes a credit.

60. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 58 wherein the non-cash purchase utilizes an inducement.

61. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 58 wherein the non-cash purchase utilizes a promotion.

62. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 wherein the virtual money is further acquired by entry of a code from a physical product purchased at a retail vendor location.

63. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 wherein the game is a casino game.

64. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 63 wherein the casino game is poker.

65. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 63 wherein the casino game is blackjack.

66. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 wherein the input received from the player is selection of game speed.

67. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 wherein the probability information is generated relating to game play for the player.

68. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 wherein the virtual money is convertible to cash.

69. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 68 wherein the virtual money is convertible to cash at a retail location.

70. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 wherein game play is a lottery.

71. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 further including the step of using association groupings for game play pairings.

72. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 71 wherein the association grouping is identified in a list.

73. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 further including the step of ranking players on a leader board.

74. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 further including a ticket for accessing the electronic environment.

75. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 wherein the ticket is a lottery ticket.

76. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 75 wherein the lottery ticket includes variable information regarding the electronic environment.

77. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 75 wherein the lottery ticket includes a scratch-off lottery ticket.

78. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 further including the step of subjecting the virtual money to a multiplier.

79. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 78 wherein the multiplier is variable.

80. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 79 wherein the multiplier is variable over time.

81. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 79 wherein the multiplier is variable based on player status.

82. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 further including the step of player registration.

83. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 82 wherein the player registration is on line registration.

84. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 wherein game play information includes a display of game play having a portion of the display with a first display image chosen by the user followed by a second display image in the same portion of the display.

85. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 further including analysis of the game play.

86. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 85 wherein the analysis tracks user specific play.

87. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 85 wherein the game play analysis optimizes the prizing structure.

88. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 85 wherein the game play analysis maximizes game play.

89. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 further including the step of providing a game application for downloading to a communications device.

90. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 89 wherein the communications device is a wireless device.

91. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 90 wherein the wireless device is a hand-held wireless device including a display.

92. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 wherein the virtual money is not cashable.

93. The method for effecting user experience in a multi-level electronic game environment of claim 56 wherein the virtual money is acquired through game play and cash purchase.

94. A system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment, over a communications network between multiple users of the system at multiple locations and a remote location including a play server, the users utilizing display enabled devices, comprising:

memory storing information on game play, the information including input received from the user and game display information for output to the user,

memory for storing at least one association grouping for a first user of the system to enable game play between the first user and one or more members of the association grouping,

memory for storing an account value,

a processor coupled to the memory generating game play information and memory for storing at least one association grouping,

the game play information including game play with virtual money,

the virtual money being acquired at least through game play,

the virtual money convertible into a non-cash good comprising an image, and

game play in the multi-player environment having association groupings utilized to form game play pairings, and

a display system for generating presentations for at least displaying game play events, the display of game play events having at least some common portions for all of the display enabled devices of the users.

95. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 94 wherein the association grouping forms competitive game play groupings between a user and others in the association grouping.

96. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 94 wherein the virtual money is acquired through purchase.

97. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 96 wherein purchase is a cash purchase.

98. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 94 wherein the virtual money is further acquired by non-cash purchase.

99. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 98 wherein the non-cash purchase utilizes a credit.

100. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 98 wherein the non-cash purchase utilizes an inducement.

101. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 98 wherein the non-cash purchase utilizes a promotion.

102. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 94 further including an analysis system.

103. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 102 wherein the analysis system tracks user specific play.

104. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 102 wherein the analysis system includes a decision engine to optimize the prizing structure.

105. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 102 wherein the analysis system includes a decision engine to maximize game play.

106. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 99 wherein the credit is optimized for a subset of the users.

107. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 100 wherein the inducement is optimized for a subset of the users.

108. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 101 wherein promotion is optimized for a subset of the users.

109. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 94 wherein the virtual money is subject to a multiplier.

110. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 94 wherein game play processor is a lottery processor.

111. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 94 wherein game play information includes a display of game play having a portion of the display with a first display image chosen by the user followed by a second display image in the same portion of the display.

112. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 94 wherein the game is a casino game.

113. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 112 wherein the casino game is poker.

114. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 112 wherein the casino game is blackjack.

115. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 94 wherein the system includes an input to receive player selection of game speed.

116. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 94 wherein the system generates probability relating to game play for the player.

117. The system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 94 wherein the association grouping is identified in a list.

118. A method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment, over a communications network between multiple users of the system at multiple locations and a remote location including a play server, the users utilizing display enabled devices, comprising the steps of:

receiving a user association grouping,

storing the user association grouping,

storing an account value,

forming game play pairings between the user and one or more members of the association grouping,

generating a display for game play events, the display of the game play events having at least some common portions for all of the display enabled devices of the users, generating game play processing to enable game play between the game play pairings,

providing virtual money to the players for at least game play, and

converting the virtual money into a non-cash good comprising an image.

119. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 118 wherein the game play pairings are competitive game play pairings.

120. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 118 wherein the virtual money is acquired as credit.

121. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 118 wherein the virtual money is acquired by inducement.

122. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 118 wherein the virtual money is acquired by promotion.

123. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 118 including the step of targeting the promotion to a subset of players.

124. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 118 further including the step of player registration.

125. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 118 further including the step of entry of a user identification.

126. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 125 wherein the user identification is utilized to provide targeted discounts.

127. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 125 wherein the user identification is utilized to provide targeted offers.

128. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 127 wherein the targeted offer is of a service.

129. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 125 wherein the user identification is utilized to provide an upsell.

130. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 118 further including the step of analyzing play.

131. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 130 wherein analyzing tracks user specific play.

132. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 130 wherein the prizing structure is optimized.

133. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 130 wherein the game play is optimized.

134. The method system for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 118 wherein the association grouping provides opinion polling information.

135. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 118 wherein the association grouping is identified in a list.

136. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 118 further including the step of applying a variable multiplier to a monetary amount to generate the amount of virtual money for use in the game play.

137. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 136 wherein the variable multiplier varies by time.

138. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 136 wherein the variable multiplier varies by game.

139. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 136 wherein the variable multiplier varies by player status.

140. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 118 wherein the variable multiplier is a time dependent inducement.

141. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 136 wherein the variable multiplier varies based on level of skill.

142. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 136 wherein the level of skill is a real level of skill required for the game play.

143. The method for effecting multi-player game play in an electronic game environment of claim 136 wherein the level of skill is a perceived level of skill required for the game play.

144. A system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment comprising:

memory storing information on the user experience and prizing, the information including input received from the user and user experience display and prizing information for output to the user,

a processor coupled to the memory generating game play information,

the game play information including game play with virtual money,

the virtual money being acquired through

game play and

cash purchase,

conversion of the virtual money into one or more non-cash goods, and

memory for storing account information.

145. A system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 144 wherein the non-cash good is an image to permit advancement to another level within the game.

146. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 144 wherein the virtual money is further acquired by non-cash purchase.

147. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 146 wherein the non-cash purchase utilizes a credit.

148. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 146 wherein the non-cash purchase utilizes an inducement.

149. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 146 wherein the non-cash purchase utilizes a promotion.

150. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 144 wherein the virtual money is further acquired by entry of a code from a physical product purchased at a retail vendor location.

151. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 144 wherein the virtual money is subject to a multiplier.

152. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 151 wherein the multiplier is variable.

153. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 152 wherein the multiplier is variable over time.

154. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 152 wherein the multiplier is variable based on player status.

155. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 144 wherein the virtual money may be converted to cash.

156. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 155 wherein the virtual money is converted to cash at a retail location.

157. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 144 further including a lottery processor.

158. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 144 wherein the memory further stores association groupings for game play pairings.

159. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 158 wherein the game play pairings are competitive game play pairings.

160. The system for effecting user experience and prizing in an electronic environment of claim 158 wherein the association grouping is identified in a list.