Method of operating a money game means

• US 7,103,356 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2002
• Issued: 09/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bally Wulff Holding GmbH & Company KG
• Original Assignee: Bally Wulff Holding GmbH & Company KG
• Inventors: Pawlas, Axel F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ramos-Feliciano, Eliseo
• Assistant Examiner(s): CAI, WAYNE HUU
• Application Number:
  US10/109,566
• Publication Number:
  US 20030109250A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,622 Days
• Field of Search: 463/41, 463/42, 463/29, 463/43, 463/25, 713/200, 455/419, 455/405, 455/406, 455/414.1, 455/410, 455/411, 455/517, 455/352, 455 68- 70
• US Class Current: 455/419
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/4014 Identity check for transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• 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

The invention relates to a method of operating a money game means. During such operation electronic data are exchanged between a money game means (1), a server means (2), and a mobile radio telephone service means (3). A user of the money game means (1) is identified by way of electronic data exchange. Upon successful identification of the user, a credit is entered electronically in the money game means (1) whereby the user is given a stake to play an electronic game in the money game means (1). Noncash operation of money game means (1) thus is rendered possible.

Claims

1. A method of operating a money game means which includes a control means and is connected to a server means, permitting data to be exchanged between the money game means and the server means, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) electronically recording a keypad input which includes an identification number of a mobile radio telephone service means by the control means of the money game means or a control means of a money dispensing means, the keypad being formed as part of the money game means/money dispensing means and being connected to the respective control means;

(b) transmitting electronic input information which includes information associated with the keypad input recorded, from the money game means/money dispensing means to the server means, wherein the information associated with the keypad input recorded includes the identification number of the mobile radio telephone service means;

(c) having the server means process the input information in a way in which the server means utilizes the identification number for automatically establishing a connection between the server means and the mobile radio telephone service means;

(d) establishing the connection between the mobile radio telephone service means and the server means, said connection including a mobile radio telephone connection;

(e) electronically generating a request by the server means to input a personal identification number (PIN);

(f) transmitting the request for PIN input from the server means to the mobile radio telephone service means;

(g) electronically recording a PIN input by the mobile radio telephone service means and transmitting the PIN input recorded to the server means;

(h) electronically analyzing the PIN input recorded while automatically taking into account electronically stored user data with the aid of the server means to identify a user;

(i) transmitting clearance information from the server means to the control means of the money game means or the money dispensing means in response to the electronic analysis made in step (h); and

(j) automatically releasing electronic crediting of an amount of money in the money game means and enabling the money game means with the aid of the control means in response to the clearance information so that the money game means is ready for a money game to be played by the user.

2. The method of claim 1, characterized in that the amount of money is debited against an account electronically allocated by the server means to the user and is entered as a credit against an account electronically allocated to the money game means/money dispensing means.

3. The method of claim 1, characterized in that prior to method step (i) at least a portion of the user data is electronically transmitted to a bank server means, and the amount of money is debited electronically by the bank server means and the server means.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein information associated with the amount of money debited is generated electronically by the server means and transmitted to the mobile radio telephone service means by SMS (short message service) communication.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronically credited amount of money is output by a display means of the money game means/money dispensing means.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically releasing electronic crediting of an amount of money in the money game means and enabling the money game means includes:

automatically making available the amount of money credited to the user by the money dispensing means; and

automatically recording the amount of money credited by the money game means, and enabling use of the money game means upon electronic recording of the amount of money credited.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the amount credited is transferred through an online connection from the money dispensing means to the money game means by electronic data.

8. A method of operating a money game means, the method comprising the following steps:

(a) electronically recording a keypad input which includes an identification number of a mobile radio telephone service means by control means of the money game means or control means of a money dispensing means, the keypad being formed as part of the money game means/money dispensing means and being connected to the respective control means;

(b) transmitting electronic input information which includes information associated with the keypad input recorded from the money game means/money dispensing means to a server means, wherein the information associated with the keypad input recorded includes the identification number of the mobile radio telephone service means;

(c) having the server means process the input information in a way in which the server means utilizes the identification number for automatically establishing a connection between the server means and the mobile radio telephone service means;

(d) establishing the connection between the mobile radio telephone service means and the server means, said connection including the mobile radio telephone connection;

(e) electronically generating a request by the server means to input a personal identification number (PIN);

(f) transmitting the request for PIN input from the server means to the mobile radio telephone service means;

(g) electronically recording a PIN input by the mobile radio telephone service means and transmitting the PIN input recorded to the server means;

(h) electronically analyzing the PIN input recorded while automatically taking into account electronically stored user data with the aid of the server means to identify a user;

(i) establishing an electronic connection for electronic data exchange between the server means and the money dispensing means, and automatically releasing crediting of an amount of money in the money dispensing means in response to the electronic analysis made in step (h);

(j) automatically making available the amount of money credited to the user by the money dispensing means; and

(k) automatically recording the amount of money credited by the money game means, and enabling use of the money game means upon electronic recording of the amount of money credited.

9. The method of claim 8, characterized in that the amount of money is debited against an account electronically allocated by the server means to the user and is entered as a credit against an account electronically allocated to the money game means/money dispensing means.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

(i) transmitting electronic repayment information which includes information associated with money won from the money game means to the server means; and

(j) electronically entering the money won as a credit against an account electronically allocated by the server means to the identified user.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein crediting information associated with the electronic entry of the money won is generated electronically by the server means and transmitted to the mobile radio telephone service means by SMS (short message service) communication.

12. The method of claim 8, characterized in that prior to method step (i) at least a portion of the user data is electronically transmitted to a bank server means, and the amount of money is debited electronically by the bank server means and the server means.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein information associated with the amount of money debited is generated electronically by the server means and transmitted to the mobile radio telephone service means by SMS (short message service) communication.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the electronically credited amount of money is output by a display means of the money game means/money dispensing means.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein the amount credited is transferred through an online connection from the money dispensing means to the money game means by electronic data.