Computer network management of wide-area multi-player bingo game

• US 6,280,325 B1
• Filed: 05/13/1999
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Net 7 Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Net 7 Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Fisk, Michael G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Martin-Wallace, Valencia
• Assistant Examiner(s): BROCKETTI, JULIE K
• Application Number:
  US09/311,461
• Time in Patent Office: 838 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/17, 463/18, 463/19, 463/40, 463/41, 463/42, 273/269, 273/274, 273/139, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/236, 273/237
• US Class Current: 463/19
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

A computer network which manages multiple simultaneous bingo games having a potentially large number of bingo cards. The computers simultaneously and in parallel compare called bingo numbers to bingo cards stored in each respective computer (and also double-verfy winning cards). Called numbers may be applicable to one, many, or all of the simultaneous bingo games, and the games may have different times or different rules. Bingo cards are distributed in the network in accordance with number of hits needed by the cards: “one-away” computers handle bingo cards needing one more hit; “two-away” computers handle cards needing two hits. The computers in the network also generate statistics on the progress of bingo cards toward wining patterns. These reports can be collated to develop overall statistics for any game in progress; in addition, the computer system broadcasts personal information, or live audio or video, of winning or close-to-winning players. The winning pattern for any game can be changed in real-time, as desired to continue interest in the game.

Claims

1. A computer network managing a game in which players are assigned arrays of locations, each location in each array being associated with one of a plurality of numbers, and then randomly drawn numbers are matched to locations on said arrays until the matched locations on one array form a predetermined pattern, said network comprising:

a first computer storing a first group of one or more of said arrays of locations,

a second computer storing a second group of one or more of said arrays of locations,

said first and second computers being connected together via a network to permit electronic communication therebetween,

said first and second computers simultaneously and in parallel comparing a drawn number to said arrays of locations, said first computer comparing matched locations in said arrays to a first pattern, said second computer comparing matched locations in said arrays to a second pattern different than said first pattern,

said computers generating and transmitting signals over said network in response to comparing matched locations in said arrays to said patterns, said signals indicating that matched locations on an identified array have an identified relationship to said predetermined pattern.

2. The computer network of claim 1 wherein

said first computer generates and transmits signals over said network upon determining that matched locations on said identified array form said predetermined pattern, and

said second computer generates and transmits signals over said network upon determining that matched locations on said identified array form a portion of said predetermined pattern.

3. The computer network of claim 2 wherein

said second computer responds to said signals transmitted over said network from said first computer by discontinuing comparisons between drawn numbers and arrays.

4. The computer network of claim 2 wherein

said second computer responds to said signals transmitted over said network from said first computer by comparing matched locations in said arrays to a new predetermined pattern.

5. The computer network of claim 2 wherein said second computer generates and transmits signals over said network upon determining that only one more location on said identified array need be matched to a drawn number for the matched locations of said identified array to form said predetermined pattern.

6. The computer network of claim 2 further comprising a third computer storing a group of one or more of said arrays of locations, said third computer being connected to said network, said third computer comparing a drawn number to said arrays of locations, and comparing matched locations in said arrays to said predetermined pattern, simultaneously and in parallel with said first and second computers, said third computer generating and transmitting signals over said network identifying an array, said signals being generated and transmitted upon determining that two more locations on said identified array need be matched to a drawn number for the matched locations of said identified array to form said predetermined pattern.

7. The computer network of claim 1, further comprising a communications connection to a location associated with a player,

said computers activating said communications connection being activated upon determining that matched locations in said player'"'"'s array form or are close to forming said predetermined pattern, and delivering communications via said communications connection to an audience monitoring said game.

8. The computer network of claim 7, further comprising a database of telephone numbers of players assigned to arrays, wherein said computers activate said communications connection by dialing a telephone number assigned to a player.

9. The computer network of claim 7, further comprising a database of Internet addresses of players assigned to arrays, wherein said computers activate said communications connection by connecting to an Internet address assigned to a player.

10. The computer network of claim 7, wherein said communication connection leads to a retail location where said player purchased said player'"'"'s array.

11. The computer network of claim 1, wherein

said first and second computers compare matched locations in said arrays to a second predetermined pattern.

12. The computer network of claim 1, wherein

said first and second computers are responsive to signals transmitted over said network to alter said predetermined pattern to a new pattern, to subsequently compare matched locations in said arrays to said new pattern.

13. The computer network of claim 1, wherein

said first computer is responsive to signals transmitted over said network to store an additional array for subsequent comparison to drawn numbers.

14. The computer network of claim 13, wherein

said first computer further comprises prior number storage for storing a complete list of drawn numbers since the initiation of a game, and

said first computer, upon receipt of an additional array, compares said additional array to all drawn numbers in said prior number storage.

15. The computer network of claim 1, adapted for management of a second game in which matched locations of arrays are compared to a preset pattern, wherein

said first computer stores a third group of one or more arrays of locations,

said second computer stores a fourth group of one or more arrays of locations,

said first and second computers simultaneously and in parallel comparing a drawn number to arrays of said first, second, third and fourth groups, and comparing matched locations in said arrays of said first and second group to said predetermined pattern, and comparing matched locations in said arrays of said second and third groups to said preset pattern,

said computers generating and transmitting signals over said network in response to comparing matched locations in said arrays to said predetermined and preset patterns, said signals indicating that matched locations on an identified array have an identified relationship to said predetermined or preset pattern.

16. The computer network of claim 15, wherein said first and second computers compare at least one drawn number only to arrays in said first and second groups, and compare another drawn number only to arrays in said third and fourth groups.

17. A computer network for managing a game in which players are assigned arrays of locations, each location in each array being associated with one of a plurality of numbers, and then randomly drawn numbers are matched to locations on said arrays until the matched locations on one array form a predetermined pattern, said network comprising:

a first computer storing a first group of one or more of said arrays of locations,

a second computer storing a second group of one or more of said arrays of locations, wherein

said first and second computers are connected together via a network to permit electronic communication therebetween,

said first and second computers simultaneously and in parallel compare a drawn number to said arrays of locations,

said second computer generates signals transmitted over said network which include said identified array, and

said first computer responds to said signals transmitted over said network from said second computer by storing said identified array in said first computer for subsequent comparison to drawn numbers.

18. A computer network for managing a game in which players are assigned arrays of locations, each location in each array being associated with one of a plurality of numbers, and then randomly drawn numbers are matched to locations on said arrays until the matched locations on one array form a predetermined pattern, said network comprising:

a first computer storing a first group of one or more of said arrays of locations,

a second computer storing a second group of one or more of said arrays of locations, wherein

said first and second computers are connected together via a network to permit electronic communication therebetween,

said first and second computers simultaneously and in parallel compare a drawn number to said arrays of locations,

said first and second computers generate and transmit signals over said network which indicate characteristics or a number of arrays in said first and second groups stored in said computers.

19. The computer network of claim 18 wherein

said computers evaluate each array to determine a number of locations in the array needed to be matched for the matched locations in the array to form said predetermined pattern, and

said computers generate statistics on numbers of arrays needing specific numbers of locations to be matched.

20. The computer network of claim 19, wherein said signals generated and transmitted by said computers incorporate said statistics.

21. A computer network managing a game in which players are assigned arrays of locations, each location in each array being associated with one of a plurality of numbers, and then randomly drawn numbers are matched to locations on said arrays until the matched locations on one array form a predetermined pattern, said network comprising

a first computer storing a first group of one or more of said arrays of locations,

a second computer storing a second group of one or more of said arrays of locations, and

a third computer,

said first and second computers comparing drawn numbers to said arrays of locations, and comparing matched locations in said arrays to said predetermined pattern,

said third computer being responsive to a startup signal to begin comparing drawn numbers to arrays of locations in said first group, and comparing matched locations in said arrays to said predetermined pattern.

22. The computer network of claim 21, wherein said startup signal identifies arrays of locations in said first group,

said third computer comparing drawn numbers to arrays of locations identified in said startup signal after receipt of said startup signal.

23. The computer network of claim 22, wherein said startup signal is generated by said first computer.

24. The computer network of claim 22, further comprising

an accounting computer storing backup copies of said first and second groups of arrays, wherein

said startup signal is generated by said accounting computer and transmitted to said third computer upon detection of a failure in said first computer, thereby transferring all arrays in said first group to said third computer.