Methods and apparatus for managing network linked gambling video games

• US 9,311,778 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2014
• Issued: 04/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Fincham, Magdalena M., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Tulley, Stephen C., Tedesco, Daniel E., Tedesco, Robert C.
• Primary Examiner(s): McClellan, James S
• Application Number:
  US14/336,939
• Publication Number:
  US 20140329573A1
• Time in Patent Office: 631 Days
• Field of Search: 463/13, 463/16, 463/20, 463/26, 463/29, 463/42
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/008 adapted for being playable on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• 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 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for playing video games in a network environment are provided. One method includes receiving a request to initiate a game for a player of a first network connected device and enabling a second player from a second networked connected device to play the game. The method also enables transfer of currency between the first and second players using the network for playing the game. The method debits an account of a player that transferred the currency and credits an account of a player that that received the currency. The method then enables purchases in the game using the credited currency and displays an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked connected device, and displays an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked connected device.

Claims

1. A method for playing video games in a network environment that includes one or more game servers, comprising:

one of said game servers is configured to interface with a random number generator that is managed by a regulatory agency to control odds in games;

receiving a request, at one game server, to initiate a game for a first player of a first network connected device;

enabling a second player from a second networked connected device to play the game;

enabling transfer of currency between the first and second players using the network for playing the game;

debiting an account of a player that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency;

enabling purchases in the game using the credited currency;

displaying an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked connected device; and

displaying an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked connected device, the method being executed by at least one processor of the game server.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

receiving a request to enable additional players to play the game from a graphical user interface.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising,

receiving a request to search a server to identify users to play the game.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second players are friends.

6. Non-transitory computer readable media having program instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

7. A server for processing play of a video game played in a networked environment, comprising,

memory,

a processor, the processor executing,

program instructions for interfacing with a random number generator that is managed by a regulatory agency to control odds in games;

program instructions for receiving a request to initiate a game for a first player of a first network connected device;

program instructions for enabling a second player from a second networked connected device to play the game;

program instructions for enabling transfer of currency between the first and second players using the network during play of the gambling game;

program instructions for debiting an account of a player that transferred the currency and crediting an account of a player that that received the currency;

program instructions for enabling display of an avatar of the first player on a display of the second networked connected device;

program instructions for enabling display of an avatar of the second player on a display of the first networked connected device.

8. The server of claim 7, wherein the game is a casino game managed by servers.

9. The server of claim 7, wherein the transfer is processed in response to one player graphically moving the currency from one location on a graphical user interface to another location in the graphical user interface.

10. The server of claim 7, wherein storage of a server identifies the first and second players as friends.

11. The server of claim 7, wherein logic of the server provides instructions to render the game as a slot machine game, a poker game, a bingo game, or a casino game.

12. The server of claim 7, wherein the networked environment connected to a wide area network.