Method and apparatus for online geographic and user verification and restriction using a GPS system

• US 6,931,131 B1
• Filed: 11/17/2000
• Issued: 08/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tomahawk Merger LLC
• Original Assignee: Youbet.com, Inc. (Churchill Downs Incorporated)
• Inventors: Hasson, Joseph Jay, Becker, Philip Smith Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Morse, Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): Simitoski, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US09/715,469
• Time in Patent Office: 1,733 Days
• Field of Search: 380/258, 380/251, 713/172, 713/185, 463/16, 463/25, 463/29, 463/31, 463/37
• US Class Current: 380/258
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/34 involving the use of external additional devices, e.g. dongles or smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/36 by graphic or iconic representation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2109 Game systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2111 Location-sensitive, e.g. geographical location, GPS

Abstract

A method and system for determining geographic location and mental state of a user. A GPS circuit is to generate signals representing a geographic location. The system uses a host computer and a local computer connected to each other over a network. A keypad is used to enter provided sequence information which is sent to the host computer if entered within a set period of time along with geographic location information provided by a GPS system and serial number information. The host computer verifies that the sequence information, serial number and geographic location information are as expected and if so, allows a user access to certain information provided by the host system.

Claims

1. A verification system comprising:

a) a GPS circuit to generate signals representing a geographic location;

b) means for connecting the system to a network;

c) means for connecting the system to a local computer coupled to said network;

d) a keypad having a plurality of keys, each key having a changeable color or symbol;

e) logic means for;

i) communicating with a remote host computer coupled to said network and with said local computer;

ii) receiving key sequence information from said remote host computer;

iii) after a key has been depressed, changing a color or symbol associated with each of said keys based on said received key sequence;

iv) determining if an attempt has been made to enter a key sequence using said keypad within a predetermined period of time, and if yes, sending said entered key sequence, a serial number and geographic information provided by said GPS circuit to said host computer.

2. The system defined by claim 1 wherein said GPS circuit operates to communicate with GPS satellites and generate a latitude and longitude of said GPS circuit using signals received from said satellites.

3. The system defined by claim 1 wherein said means for connecting the system to a network comprises one of a serial port and a USB port.

4. The system defined by claim 1 wherein said means for connecting the system to a local computer comprises one of a serial port and a USB port.

5. The system defined by claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of keys comprises at least one LED.

6. The system defined by claim 1 wherein said logic means comprises a computer program executed by a processor.

7. The method defined by claim 1 wherein if said determining step determines that said entered key sequence was not entered within said predetermined period of time, a message to that effect, said serial number and said geographic information provided by a GPS circuit are sent to said host computer.

8. A method for verifying location of a user comprising the steps of:

a) communicating with a remote host computer coupled to a network and with a local computer coupled to said network;

b) receiving key sequence information from said remote host computer;

c) after a key of a keypad has been depressed, changing a color or symbol associated with each key of said keypad based on said received key sequence;

d) determining if an attempt has been made to enter a key sequence using said keypad within a predetermined period of time, and if yes, sending said entered key sequence, a serial number and geographic information provided by a GPS circuit to said host computer.

9. The method defined by claim 8, wherein said GPS circuit operates to communicate with GPS satellites and generate a latitude and longitude of said GPS circuit using signals received from said satellites.