Method and apparatus using geographical position to provide authenticated, secure, radio frequency communication between a gaming host and a remote gaming device

• US 7,904,063 B1
• Filed: 12/02/2008
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Steelberg, Ryan S., Steelberg, Chad E.
• Primary Examiner(s): RAMPURIA, SHARAD K
• Application Number:
  US12/326,877
• Time in Patent Office: 826 Days
• Field of Search: 455419-420, 455/456.1, 455/408, 455/414.1, 455/414.3, 455/456.3, 455/411, 342/357.01, 342/357.06, 463 39- 42
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/401 Secure communication, e.g. using encryption or authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/532 using secure communication, e.g. by encryption, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/5573 player location
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02 using radio waves using satellite radio beacon systems for determining position G01S19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0239 Online discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0242 Determining effectiveness of advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• 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: H04H 20/34 using an out-of-band subcarrier signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/42 Arrangements for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/53 Arrangements specially adapted for specific applications, e.g. for traffic information or for mobile receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/91 broadcasting computer programmes
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/13 radio data system/radio broadcast data system [RDS/RBDS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/33 via the broadcast channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/70 : characterised in that receivers can be addressed
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/06 : Arrangements for scheduling broadcast services or broadcast-related services
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/07 : characterised by processes or methods for the generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/13 : Arrangements for device control affected by the broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/48 : for recognising items expressed in broadcast information
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/51 : of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/66 : for using the result on distributors' side
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/74 : using programme related information, e.g. title, composer or interpreter
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 : being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/24 : Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth, upstream requests monitoring of server performance or load G06F11/34; arrangements for observation, testing or troubleshooting for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 : Transmission or handling of upstream communications

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing authenticated, secure, communication between a gaming host communicating via radio frequency (RF) subcarriers to a remote user device in another location. Location of the remote user device and the host server are determined by accessing signals generated by either Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, or by terrestrial radio broadcast stations, through a process known as radio frequency triangulation telemetry tracking (RF-3T). Player authentication (identity verification) is determined by use of a personal identification number (PIN). A remote user device may be implemented as a stand alone or self-contained single unit that is portable and can receive communications via radio frequency, or may be implemented as one or more discreet components adapted to be used with a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or desktop personal computer (PC).

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a broadcast station configured to transmit game play signals in accordance with instructions from a gaming source authorized to host gaming services; and

a gaming device in communication with the broadcast station, the gaming device comprising;

a receiver configured to receive game play signals from the broadcast station and to receive a credit balance indicative of funds available for game play;

a memory configured to store information including the credit balance; and

a processor in communication with the receiver and the memory, the processor configured to determine whether a physical location of the gaming device is within an authorized gaming area associated with the gaming source, and to facilitate game play based on the game play signals when the physical location of the gaming device is within the authorized gaming area and when the credit balance is greater than zero.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming device further comprises:

a memory configured to store information comprising geographic delimiters corresponding to the authorized gaming area, wherein the processor is configured to use the geographic delimiters to determine whether the physical location of the gaming device is within the authorized gaming area.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming device further comprises:

a receiver configured to receive position information indicative of the physical location of the gaming device.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to determine the gaming device'"'"'s physical location based on the position information.

5. An electronic gaming device, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive game play signals from a broadcast station that is associated with a gaming source and to receive a credit balance indicative of funds available for game play;

a memory configured to store information including the credit balance; and

a processor in communication with the receiver and the memory, the processor configured to determine whether a physical location of the gaming device is within an authorized gaming area associated with the gaming source, and to facilitate game play based on the game play signals when the physical location of the gaming device is within the authorized gaming area and when the credit balance is greater than zero.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the gaming device further comprises:

a memory configured to store information comprising geographic delimiters corresponding to the authorized gaming area, wherein the processor is configured to use the geographic delimiters to determine whether the physical location of the gaming device is within the authorized gaming area.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the gaming device further comprises:

a receiver configured to receive position information indicative of the physical location of the gaming device.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the processor is configured to determine the gaming device'"'"'s physical location based on the position information.