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

• US 20060287051A1
• Filed: 09/01/2004
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
• Original Assignee: Milestone Entertainment LLC
• Inventors: Dawson, Gary, Katz, Randall
• Granted Patent: US 8,241,110 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/17
• 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

The inventions herein relate to novel forms of interaction with an electronic system, such as for games of chance, games of skill, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the existing lottery infrastructure is used in conjunction with electronic remote game play. 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. In another mode, the system receives and implements various prizing parameters, such as those that vary the winning and losing experience, and where the frequency of wins is varied by person, by multiple players, by number of plays, by source, by geography, by time, by game, or by any combination thereof. In some modes, a ‘prize board’ is used as a part of the system and methods, where initial game play may be conducted, followed by a prizing phase. The game play phase may be played in a predetermined manner or may be played where the player'"'"'s actions determine the outcome of the game play phase. Since the system has the ‘last play’, the outcome may be set such that the prizing criteria are met. Game play may be utilized for entry into a prizing phase. Multilevel prizing may be utilized, such as where game play is utilized for entry into more lucrative prizing phases. Optionally, additional wagers may be required for game play for entry into higher prizing levels. In one mode, the identification number provided to the player includes the necessary information and instructions for complete game play.

Claims

1. A system for effecting user experience 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,

a processing system coupled to the memory for implementing the mandated parameters by utilizing variable parameters,

storage for recording information regarding particular user experience events as determined by the processor, and

a presentation system for at least displaying user experience events.

2. The system for effecting user experience and prizing of claim 1 wherein the parameters include a guaranteed prizing structure.

3. The system for effecting user experience and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined at least in part by a subunit of N units.

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

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

6. The system for effecting user experience and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined by player.

7. The system for effecting user experience and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined by multiple players.

8. The system for effecting user experience and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined by multiple players in a tournament.

9. The system for effecting user experience and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined by retailer.

10. The system for effecting user experience and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined by source.

11. The system for effecting user experience and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined by geographic region.

12. The system for effecting user experience and prizing of claim 11 wherein the geographic region is the purchase geography.

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

14. The system for effecting user experience and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined by time.

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

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

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

18. The system for effecting user experience and prizing of claim 2 wherein the guaranteed prizing structure is defined by game.

19-46. -46. (canceled)

47. A method for multi-level electronic entertainment comprising the steps of:

interactively displaying a first phase of user experience, followed by a second phase of user experience for revealing prize information wherein the displayed prize information is determined at least in part by predefined imposed prizing parameters.

48-55. -55. (canceled)

56. A method for electronic interaction with users of the system through a series of interactions, comprising the steps of:

storing user experience and prizing criteria, and

varying the displays presented to the user to achieve the user experience criteria.

57-62. -62. (canceled)