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

• US 20030139190A1
• Filed: 02/27/2002
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Inventors: Steelberg, Ryan S., Steelberg, Chad E.
• Granted Patent: US 7,460,863 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• 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. An electronic gaming system for enabling one or more player devices disposed at locations remote from a gaming source, the devices receiving communications from the gaming source, the gaming system comprising:

an RF sub-carrier broadcast station, the station communicating game play signals developed by the gaming source;

at least one player device disposed at a first location, the player device including electronic game play means for enabling a player to make a wager by inputting wager data, and to commence game play by causing an activation signal to be received and processed; and

wherein the player device is placed in condition to receive said activation signal by the device'"'"'s first location being within a bounded authorized area.

2. An electronic gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the player device further comprises:

an RF receiver conftigured to receive RF sub-carrier signals from the broadcast station;

a microprocessor coupled to operate in cooperation with the RF receiver; and

game software, hosted on the microprocessor, the game software developing electronic data for driving a display means for generating graphical images depicting game play.

3. An electronic gaming system according to claim 2, the player device further comprising:

an integrated circuit GPS receiver; and

a persistent memory store, the memory store containing data elements defining bounded authorized areas within which the player device is activated upon receipt of the activation signal.

4. An electronic gaming system according to claim 2, the player device further comprising:

a radio frequency triangulation telemetry tracking system; and

a persistent memory store, the memory store containing data elements defining bounded authorized areas within which the player device is activated upon receipt of the activation signal.

5. An electronic gaming system according to claim 4, wherein radio frequency triangulation telemetry tracking data is received by RF sub-carrier signals issued from the broadcast station, the player device forming thereby an RFTTT derived location.

6. An electronic gaming system according to claim 5, wherein the bounded authorized areas define geographical locations where gaming is permitted, the memory store data elements corresponding to said permitted geographical locations.

7. An electronic gaming system according to claim 6, wherein a player device RFTTT location is compared to the permitted geographical locations contained in the memory store, the player device put in an active condition for game play in the event of the RFTTT location and a permitted location forming an included set.

8. An electronic gaming system according to claim 3, wherein GPS differential correction signal data is received by RF sub-carrier signals issued from the broadcast station.

9. An electronic gaming system according to claim 8, wherein the bounded authorized areas define geographical locations where gaming is permitted, the memory store data elements corresponding to said permitted geographical locations.

10. An electronic gaming system according to claim 9, wherein a player device GPS location is compared to the permitted geographical locations contained in the memory store, the player device put in an active condition for game play in the event of the GPS location and a permitted location forming an included set.

11. An electronic gaming system according to claim 10, wherein the RF sub-carrier signals are broadcast on a ban selected from the group consisting of an FM sub-carrier band, an AM sub-carrier band, a Television sub-carrier band, a satellite band, and a cellular band.

12. An electronic gaming system according to claim 11, wherein the player device is configured as a smart card.

13. An electronic gaming system according to claim 12, wherein the player device is configured as a stand-alone purpose-built electronic gaming device.

14. A remote gaming device having a receiver programmed to accept radio signals broadcast at a frequency selected by a network node, the frequency residing within at least one of an FM sub-carrier band, an AM sub-carrier band, a Television sub-carrier band, a satellite band, and a cellular band, the gaming device further including location determination means for establishing whether the device is physically within a gaming authorized region, wherein the gaming device is activated for game play only when its physical location is within the gaming authorized region.

15. A method for electronic gaming at locations remote from a gaming source, the method comprising:

establishing a broadcast station, the station broadcasting game play data in accordance with instructions received from a gaming source;

providing a remote player device, the player device receiving game play data from the broadcast station, the player device executing game play software under microprocessor operational control;

providing a location determination system, the location determination system establishing a physical location of the player device; and

wherein the device is placed in condition to receive game play data if an established physical location corresponds to an authorized gaming area.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising:

incorporating an integrated circuit GPS receiver in the player device; and

providing a persistent memory store, the memory store containing data elements defining bounded authorized areas within which the player device is placed in condition to receive game play data.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

incorporating a radio frequency triangulation telemetry tracking system in the player device; and

providing a persistent memory store, the memory store containing data elements defining bounded authorized areas within which the player device is placed in condition to receive game play data.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein radio frequency triangulation telemetry tracking data is received by RF sub-carrier signals issued from the broadcast station, the player device forming thereby an RFTTT derived location.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the bounded authorized areas define geographical locations where gaming is permitted, the memory store data elements corresponding to said permitted geographical locations.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein a player device RFTTT location is compared to the permitted geogriphical locations contained in the memory store, the player device put in an active condition for game play in the event of the RFTTT location and a permitted location forming an included set.

21. The method according to claim 16, wherein GPS differential correction signal data is received over RF sub-carrier signals issued from the broadcast station.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the bounded authorized areas define geographical locations where gaming is permitted, the memory store data elements corresponding to said permitted geographical locations.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein a player device GPS location is compared to the permitted geographical locations contained in the memory store, the player device put in an active condition for game play in the event of the GPS location and a permitted location forming an included set.

25. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

registering the player device with a network node authority, a user inputting at least a unique device serial number and a personal identification code;

activating the device for use by receiving a signal over an RF sub-carrier channel; and

establishing a credit balance, the credit balance contained within the device'"'"'s persistent memory store.

26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising:

determining a physical location of a player device;

comparing the determined location to at least one of a multiplicity of authorized gaming locations; and

placing the device in condition to operate when the determined location corresponds to an authorized gaming location.

27. The method according to claim 26, further comprising:

broadcasting game play data to a plurality of player devices in simultaneous fashion;

receiving game play data by the plurality of player devices; and

processing the game play data in each device of the plurality by mathematical combination of the game play data with each device'"'"'s unique serial number so as to generate uniquely random game play data for each device of the plurality.

28. The method according to claim 27, further comprising:

recording a wager result for each device of the plurality, for each set of game play data; and

calculating an increment or decrement to the credit balance stored on each device of the plurality.

29. The method according to claim 28, further comprising:

verifying an authorization to use a device; and

settling a final credit balance stored on a device.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the settling step includes crediting a user account when a final credit balance is positive and, wherein the settling step includes debiting a user account when a final credit balance is negative.

24. The method according to c laim 23, wherein the RF sub-carrier signals are broadcast on a ban selected from the group consisting of an FM sub-carrier band, an AM sub-carrier band, a Television sub-carrier band, a satellite band, and a cellular band.