Paging system for placing wagers

• US 6,011,485 A
• Filed: 02/28/1997
• Issued: 01/04/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.), Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Wicks, James E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Horabik, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): JEANGLAUDE, JEAN BRUNER
• Application Number:
  US08/808,869
• Time in Patent Office: 1,040 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.44, 340/905, 340/825.56, 455/38.1, 455/38.4, 455/53.1, 455/54.2, 455/56.1, 455/186.1, 455/345, 348/1, 348/4, 348/12, 348/13, 348/14, 348/20, 273/292, 273/303, 273/304, 273/305, 463/40
• US Class Current: 340/7.23
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/00 Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices

Abstract

A novel paging technology allows a gambler to receive information about an event on which a wager may be placed. The pager may also including an input device for inputting wager information and a transmitter for transmitting the wager information so as to place a wager in response to the input. The pager may be used over an extended area or localized to the track or other event forum where the betting occurs.

Claims

1. A method of using a paging system for wagering comprising:

compiling a database of event information about events on which wagers can be selectively placed;

accessing said event information in said database with a central processor;

wirelessly transmitting said event information to a pager unit with a paging system comprising a plurality of transceivers;

receiving transmissions containing said event information with a pager unit;

displaying said event information with a display of said pager unit;

inputting data to said pager unit in response to receipt of said event information, said data comprising wager information which represents at least a predicted outcome of the event referenced by said event information and an amount of a wager;

wirelessly transmitting said wager information to said paging system;

accepting or placing a wager from a user of said pager unit in accordance with said wager information; and

displaying a plurality of numerically ordered wager amounts on said display in response to receipt of said event information;

wherein, said step of inputting comprises selecting a desired wager from among said displayed amounts.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said event information comprises:

a listing of participants in said event; and

information about at least one anticipated outcome of said event.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an event information request icon on said display;

selecting said icon with data input means; and

transmitting a request for event information in response to the selection of said icon.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising storing said event information in a memory unit of said pager unit.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

providing a plurality of stations for wagering; and

associating one of said pager units with each said station.

6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said stations are seats from which said event is directly observable.