Apparatus, systems and methods for implementing enhanced gaming and prizing parameters in an electronic environment

• US 7,798,896 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Issued: 09/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
• Original Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
• Inventors: Dawson, Gary, Katz, Randall M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coburn; Corbett B
• Application Number:
  US10/654,585
• Publication Number:
  US 20040259631A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,576 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00157 Casino or betting games horse races A63F3/00082
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/06 Lottos or bingo games; Systems, apparatus or devices for checking such games small boxes with balls used for generating random numbers A63F7/048; lottery apparatus G07C15/00; lottery gaming stations, online lottery or bingo G07F17/329; printing processes for lottery tickets B41M3/005
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/081 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

Forms of interaction with an electronic system, such as for games of chance, games of skill, and combinations thereof are described herein. A system is provided for effecting defined game play and prizing structure parameters in an electronic entertainment environment. The system may include an input for receiving the parameters, a memory coupled to the input for storing the parameters, a processing system coupled to the storage for generating game play to effect the defined parameters, storage for recording information regarding particular game play events and an interface for at least presenting game play events to users of the electronic entertainment system. In one mode of operation, one or more mandated parameters are externally imposed, and variable parameters are selected such that the mandated parameters are met globally, and such that the user experience is optimized.

Claims

1. A system for effecting game play and prizing in an electronic environment, comprising:

an input for receiving mandated parameters,

a memory coupled to the input for storing at least the mandated parameters, the mandated parameters including at least prize payout and win rates,

a processing system coupled to the memory for implementing the mandated parameters by utilizing variable parameters which define a particular game play experience, the variable parameters including at least the game structure, characterized in that the system utilizes probabilities corresponding closely with real world probabilities while the mandated parameters constrain the game to provide prizing which could not be achieved through use of said probability,

storage for recording information regarding particular game play events as determined by the processor, and

a presentation system for at least displaying game play events.

2. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 wherein the mandated parameters include a guaranteed prizing structure.

3. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined at least in part as applied to a subunit of N units.

4. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 3 wherein N is less than the total number of game play events.

5. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 3 wherein N=the total number of game play events.

6. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined as applied to a player.

7. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined as applied to multiple players.

8. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined as applied to multiple players in a tournament.

9. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined as applied to a retailer.

10. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined as applied to a source.

11. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined as applied to a geographic region.

12. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 11 wherein game play requires purchase of a ticket and wherein the geographic region is the geographic region in which the ticket was purchased.

13. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 11 wherein the geographic region is the geography of the player.

14. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined as applied to a time unit.

15. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 14 wherein the time unit is a day.

16. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 14 wherein the time unit is a week.

17. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 14 wherein the time unit is a game.

18. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined as applied to a game.

19. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined as applied to a collection of games.

20. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 wherein the game play and prizing structure includes a hybrid structure.

21. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 20 wherein the hybrid structure includes a guaranteed prizing structure for a first tier of prizes and a second, different prizing structure for additional tier prizes.

22. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 21 wherein the additional tier prizes are awarded based upon player skill.

23. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 21 wherein the processing system includes a server.

24. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 wherein the memory stores data processed by the processing system for a complete set of game play events required to meet the mandated parameters all prior to game play displayed on the presentation system.

25. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 wherein the electronic system comprises an internet based electronic game play system.

26. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 wherein the electronic system involves a lottery.

27. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 wherein the game play includes a separate prizing phase.

28. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 27 wherein the prizing phase includes a prize board display.

29. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 27 wherein the player'"'"'s actions determine the outcome of the game.

30. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 wherein the processing system generates a set of defined outcomes.

31. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 wherein the processor generates game play having probability outcomes substantially equal to real world outcomes.

32. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 further including a receipt generator.

33. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 further including a confirmation number generator.

34. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 wherein the memory is updated after game play.

35. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 34 wherein the player account information is updated.

36. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 34 wherein the player financial information is updated.

37. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 34 wherein the processing system is centralized.

38. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 34 wherein the processing system is distributed.

39. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 further including an audit trail system.

40. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 wherein the prize structure parameters includes criteria for near wins.

41. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 40 wherein the criteria for near wins includes the number of near wins for the game.

42. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 wherein the prize structure parameters include the length of game play.

43. The system for effecting game play and prizing of claim 1 wherein the prize structure parameters include multiplayer prize structure parameters.