Interactive wagering systems and processes

• US 6,089,981 A
• Filed: 08/12/1999
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ODS Technologies LP (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ODS Technologies LP (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Perry, Brent E., McNutt, Richard E., Zaring, Jon C., Lucas, Andrew T., Reneau, W. Scott, Brenner, Mark A., Srikanth, Kannan, Dewell, Ronald E., Devore, Everett L., Neilsen, Mitch L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin-Wallace, Valencia
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOTALING, JOHN M
• Application Number:
  US09/372,936
• Time in Patent Office: 341 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/6, 463/16, 463/20, 463/25, 463/40-42, 700/91-93
• US Class Current: 463/40
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

Systems and processes for interactive off-track wagering are provided. A user reviews racing information and places bets using an off-track terminal. The user interactively selects a desired racetrack and race. Odds, pools, and payoff amounts may be viewed for a variety of complex wager types. To place a wager, the user selects a wager type, wager amount, and the desired runners. Account information can be reviewed. If desired, the user can transfer funds from a bank account to an account used for wagering. Racing videos can be viewed while the user reviews odds and places bets. Video clips of past races can be ordered. Related advertisements can be presented using text or video clips. Merchandise may be ordered interactively. Information regarding system usage may be gathered.

Claims

1. A method for using an off-track wagering system to interactively wager on races, comprising:

providing a user with an opportunity to place a wager on a given race that has not been run using a user terminal; and

displaying a video of the given race using the user terminal.

2. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying the video of the given race on a monitor connected to the user terminal.

3. The method defined in claim 2 wherein the monitor is a television set having a tuner for tuning to a desired television channel.

4. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying information on available tracks at which there are races to be run on which wagers may be placed using the user terminal.

5. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying handicapping information using the user terminal.

6. The method defined in claim 5 wherein the handicapping information includes snapshot power ratings, speed-class ratings, and pace ratings.

7. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising allowing the user to use the user terminal to place an exacta wager on the given race.

8. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying information on scratches for the given race using the user terminal.

9. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying information on late changes for the given race using the user terminal.

10. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying information on track conditions for the given race using the user terminal.

11. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying odds for the given race using the user terminal.

12. The method defined in claim 11 wherein the displayed odds for the given race are periodically updated with the current odds.

13. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying information on the post times for multiple races that are to be run using the user terminal.

14. The method defined in claim 13 wherein the post times for multiple races are for races at different tracks.

15. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising displaying a menu that contains at least two racetracks at which a user may place a wager on a race that has not been run and a race number corresponding to each racetrack for the race that has not been run.

16. The method defined in claim 15 wherein the race number corresponding to each racetrack is for the next race that is to be run at that racetrack.

17. The method defined in claim 15 wherein the menu displays the post times for the displayed race number corresponding to each racetrack.

18. The method defined in claim 15 further comprising:

providing the user with an opportunity to select a given racetrack; and

displaying, in response to the racetrack selection, additional information on races available at the given racetrack.

19. The method defined in claim 1 further comprising allowing the user to use the user terminal to place a win, show, and place wager on the given race.

20. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the video related to the given race is displayed in real-time.

21. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the video related to the given race is a pre-recorded video clip.

22. The method defined in claim 1 wherein the video related to the given race is received from a video and data distribution facility.

23. The method defined in claim 22 wherein the video and data distribution facility is a cable headend facility.

24. The method defined in claim 22 wherein the video and data distribution facility is a satellite broadcast facility.

25. A method for off-track wagering with a user terminal that is remote from any racetrack, comprising:

allowing a user to place a wager on a given race to be run using the user terminal; and

displaying a real-time video of the given race on which the wager was placed using the user terminal.

26. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising displaying the real-time video of the given race on a monitor connected to the user terminal.

27. The method defined in claim 26 wherein the monitor is a television set having a tuner for tuning to a desired television channel.

28. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising displaying information on scratches for the given race using the user terminal.

29. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising displaying information on late changes for the given race using the user terminal.

30. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising displaying information on track conditions for the given race using the user terminal.

31. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising displaying information on the post times for multiple races that are to be run using the user terminal.

32. The method defined in claim 31 wherein the post times for multiple races are for races at different tracks.

33. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising displaying information on available tracks at which there are races that have not been run on which wagers may be placed using the user terminal.

34. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising displaying handicapping information using the user terminal.

35. The method defined in claim 34 wherein the handicapping information includes snapshot power ratings, speed-class ratings, and pace ratings.

36. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising displaying odds for the given race using the user terminal.

37. The method defined in claim 36 wherein the displayed odds for the given race are periodically updated with the current odds.

38. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising displaying a menu that contains at least two racetracks at which a user may place a wager on a race that has not been run and a race number corresponding to each racetrack for the race that has not been run.

39. The method defined in claim 38 wherein the race number corresponding to each racetrack is for the next race that is to be run at that racetrack.

40. The method defined in claim 38 wherein the menu displays the post times for the displayed race number corresponding to each racetrack.

41. The method defined in claim 38 further comprising:

providing the user with an opportunity to select a given racetrack; and

displaying, in response to the racetrack selection, additional information on races available at the given racetrack.

42. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising allowing the user to use the user terminal to place a win, show, and place wager on the given race.

43. The method defined in claim 25 further comprising allowing the user to use the user terminal to place an exacta wager on the given race.

44. The method defined in claim 25 wherein the real-time video of the given race is received from a video and data distribution facility.

45. The method defined in claim 44 wherein the video and data distribution facility is a cable headend facility.

46. The method defined in claim 44 wherein the video and data distribution facility is a satellite broadcast facility.

47. A method for using an off-track wagering system to interactively wager on races, comprising:

providing a user with an opportunity to place a wager on a given race that has not been run using a user terminal; and

playing audio of the given race using the user terminal.

48. The method defined in claim 47 further comprising displaying information on available tracks at which there are races that have not been run on which wagers may be placed using the user terminal.

49. The method defined in claim 47 further comprising displaying handicapping information using the user terminal.

50. The method defined in claim 49 wherein the handicapping information includes snapshot power ratings, speed-class ratings, and pace ratings.

51. The method defined in claim 47 further comprising displaying information on scratches for the given race using the user terminal.

52. The method defined in claim 47 further comprising displaying information on late changes for the given race using the user terminal.

53. The method defined in claim 47 further comprising displaying information on track conditions for the given race using the user terminal.

54. The method defined in claim 47 further comprising displaying odds for the given race using the user terminal.

55. The method defined in claim 54 wherein the displayed odds for the given race are periodically updated with the current odds.

56. The method defined in claim 47 further comprising displaying information on the post times for multiple races that are to be run using the user terminal.

57. The method defined in claim 56 wherein the post times for multiple races are for races at different tracks.

58. The method defined in claim 47 further comprising displaying a menu that contains at least two racetracks at which a user may place a wager on a race that has not been run and a race number corresponding to each racetrack for the race that has not been run.

59. The method defined in claim 58 wherein the race number corresponding to each racetrack is for a next race that is to be run at that racetrack.

60. The method defined in claim 58 wherein the menu displays the post times for the displayed race number corresponding to each racetrack.

61. The method defined in claim 58 further comprising:

providing the user with an opportunity to select a given racetrack; and

displaying, in response to the racetrack selection, additional information on races available at the given racetrack.

62. The method defined in claim 47 further comprising allowing the user to use the user terminal to place a win, show, and place wager on the given race.

63. The method defined in claim 47 further comprising allowing the user to use the user terminal to place an exacta wager on the given race.

64. The method defined in claim 47 further comprising displaying a video of the given race using the user terminal.

65. A method for using an off-track wagering system to interactively wager on races, comprising:

providing a user with an opportunity to place a wager on a given race that has not been run using a user terminal; and

displaying a preview video related to the given race using the user terminal, wherein the preview video is displayed before the given race is run.

66. The method defined in claim 65 further comprising displaying the preview video related to the given race on a monitor connected to the user terminal.

67. The method defined in claim 66 wherein the monitor is a television set having a tuner for tuning to a desired television channel.

68. The method defined in claim 65 further comprising displaying information on available tracks at which there are races that have not been run on which wagers may be placed using the user terminal.

69. The method defined in claim 65 further comprising displaying handicapping information using the user terminal.

70. The method defined in claim 69 wherein the handicapping information includes snapshot power ratings, speed-class ratings, and pace ratings.

71. The method defined in claim 65 further comprising displaying information on scratches for the given race using the user terminal.

72. The method defined in claim 65 further comprising displaying information on late changes for the given race using the user terminal.

73. The method defined in claim 65 further comprising displaying information on track conditions for the given race using the user terminal.

74. The method defined in claim 65 further comprising displaying odds for the given race using the user terminal.

75. The method defined in claim 74 wherein the displayed odds for the given race are periodically updated with the current odds.

76. The method defined in claim 65 further comprising displaying minutes to post for the given race using the user terminal.

77. The method defined in claim 65 further comprising displaying a menu that contains at least two racetracks at which a user may place a wager on a race that has not been run and a race number corresponding to each racetrack for the race that has not been run.

78. The method defined in claim 77 wherein the race number corresponding to each racetrack is for the next race that is to be run at that racetrack.

79. The method defined in claim 77 wherein the menu displays the post times for the displayed race number corresponding to each racetrack.

80. The method defined in claim 77 further comprising:

providing the user with an opportunity to select a given racetrack; and

displaying, in response to the racetrack selection, additional information on races available at the given racetrack.

81. The method defined in claim 65 further comprising allowing the user to use the user terminal to place a win, show, and place wager on the given race.

82. The method defined in claim 65 further comprising allowing the user to use the user terminal to place an exacta wager on the given race.

83. The method defined in claim 65 wherein the races involve runners and jockeys for each runner, and wherein the preview video related to the given race includes an interview with a jockey in the given race.

84. The method defined in claim 65 wherein the races involve runners who are trained by trainers, and wherein the preview video related to the given race includes an interview with a trainer of one of the runners in the given race.

85. The method defined in claim 65 wherein the preview video related to the given race includes a commentary.

86. The method defined in claim 65 further comprising displaying a video of the given race at post time of the given race.

87. The method defined in claim 65 wherein the preview video related to the given race is received from a video and data distribution facility.

88. The method defined in claim 87 wherein the video and data distribution facility is a cable headend facility.

89. The method defined in claim 87 wherein the video and data distribution facility is a satellite broadcast facility.

90. An off-track wagering system for interactively wagering on races that is remote from any racetrack, comprising:

a user terminal for providing a user with an opportunity to place a wager on a given race that has not been run, wherein the user terminal displays a video of the given race.

91. The system defined in claim 90 further comprising a video and data distribution facility for providing the user terminal with the video of the given race.

92. The system defined in claim 91 wherein the video and data distribution system is a cable headend facility.

93. The system defined in claim 91 wherein the video and data distribution system is a satellite broadcast facility.

94. The system defined in claim 91 wherein the video and data distribution facility provides the user terminal with racing videos.

95. The system defined in claim 94 wherein the video and data distribution facility receives the racing videos from at least two separate racetracks.

96. The system defined in claim 90 further comprising a monitor connected to the user terminal for displaying the video related to the given race.

97. The system defined in claim 96 wherein the monitor is a television set having a tuner for tuning to a desired television channel.

98. The system defined in claim 90 further comprising a telephone network for transmitting and receiving transaction data related to a wager.

99. The system defined in claim 90 further comprising a totalisator for receiving wager data from the user terminal.

100. The system defined in claim 90 wherein the user terminal periodically receives and displays current odds for the given race.

101. The system defined in claim 90 wherein the video of the given race is displayed in real-time.

102. The system defined in claim 90 wherein the video of the given race is a pre-recorded video clip of the given race.

103. The system defined in claim 90 wherein the user terminal records the video of the given race as a video clip and provides the user with an opportunity to view the video clip.

104. The system defined in claim 90 wherein the user terminal receives and displays racing data.

105. The system defined in claim 104 further comprising a video and data distribution facility for providing the user terminal with the racing data.

106. An off-track wagering system for interactively wagering on races that is remote from any racetrack, comprising:

a user terminal for providing a user with an opportunity to place a wager on a given race that has not been run, wherein the user terminal plays audio of the given race.

107. The system defined in claim 106 further comprising a video and data distribution facility for providing the user terminal with the audio of the given race.

108. The system defined in claim 107 wherein the video and data distribution system is a cable headend facility.

109. The system defined in claim 107 wherein the video and data distribution system is a satellite broadcast facility.

110. The system defined in claim 107 wherein the video and data distribution system provides the user terminal with racing videos.

111. The system defined in claim 106 further comprising a telephone network for transmitting and receiving transaction data related to a wager.

112. The system defined in claim 106 further comprising a totalisator for receiving wager data from the user terminal.

113. The system defined in claim 106 wherein the user terminal periodically receives and displays current odds for the given race.

114. The system defined in claim 106 wherein the audio of the given race is played in real-time.

115. A user terminal for use in a user'"'"'s home that allows the user to place a wager on a race that has not been run, comprising:

a receiver that receives racing videos and racing data; and

a processor that presents an interactive wagering interface which includes the racing data on a monitor, wherein the user can place wagers using the interactive wagering interface and view the racing videos on the monitor.

116. The user terminal defined in claim 115 further comprising memory for storing the racing data.

117. The user terminal defined in claim 115 wherein the racing videos are compressed racing videos and the receiver receives the compressed racing videos as racing video data.

118. The user terminal defined in claim 115 wherein the racing videos are real-time racing videos.

119. The user terminal defined in claim 115 wherein the racing videos are pre-recorded racing video clips.

120. The user terminal defined in claim 115 wherein there are a plurality of races for which the user is allowed to place a wager on and at least two of the plurality of races are from different racetracks.

121. A user terminal for use in a user'"'"'s home that allows the user to place a wager on a race that has not been run, comprising:

a receiver that receives audio of races and racing data; and

a processor that presents an interactive wagering interface which includes the racing data on a monitor, wherein the user can place wagers using the interactive wagering interface and play audio of the races.

122. The user terminal defined in claim 121 further comprising memory for storing the racing data.

123. The user terminal defined in claim 121 wherein the audio of the races is received in real-time.