Method and apparatus for linked play gaming

• US 7,387,571 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2006
• Issued: 06/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Tulley, Stephen C., Santisi, Steven M., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thai; Xuan M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, DAT
• Application Number:
  US11/422,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20060211479A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/17, 463/19, 463/20, 463/40, 463/42, 463 25- 28
• US Class Current: 463/26
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• 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 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

The invention includes a system and method for providing linked play via gaming and other devices. In some embodiments, a casino server registers a group for linked play and a group objective and format are established. The linked play commences according to the group format on the gaming devices while the casino server, or another device, concurrently facilitates interaction between the group members operating the gaming devices. The linked play is terminated according to the group format and a determination is made by the casino server whether the group objective has been achieved. Prizes are awarded via the gaming devices if the group objective was achieved.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining that a group of players is associated with linked game play;

determining that a first outcome at a first gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices combined with a second outcome at a second gaming device of the plurality of the gaming devices results in a combined winning outcome;

pooling funds from players within the group for wagering use by the group as they gamble; and

providing an indication of the combined winning outcome to the group.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein determining that the first outcome combined with the second outcome results in a combined winning outcome comprises evaluating individual gross winnings associated with the first and second outcomes.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein determining that the first outcome combined with the second outcome results in a combined winning outcome comprises evaluating individual net winnings for players of the first and second gaming devices.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein determining that the first outcome combined with the second outcome results in a combined winning outcome comprises determining that the first and second outcomes are of a particular type.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein determining that the first and second outcomes are of a particular type comprises determining that the first and second outcomes are poker hands of a certain value.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein determining that the first outcome combined with the second outcome results in a winning outcome comprises determining that the first and second outcomes contain a predetermined number of corresponding symbols.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of gaming devices comprises a mobile terminal.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first gaming device is positioned remotely from the second gaming device and the gaming devices are operatively connected through the internet.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising accepting an entry fee for at least one player using a gaming device within the plurality of gaming devices.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising enabling communication between players within the group.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein enabling communication between players within the group comprises enabling at least one of:

email communication, voice communication, and video communication.

12. A method comprising:

determining that a group is associated with multiplayer game play;

determining that a first outcome at a first gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices combined with a second outcome at a second gaming device of the plurality of the gaming devices results in a combined winning outcome;

pooling funds from players within the group for wagering use by the group as they gamble; and

providing an indication of the combined winning outcome to the group.

13. A system comprising:

a first gaming device;

a second gaming device; and

a controller operatively coupled to the first gaming device and the second gaming device, the controller adapted to;

determine that a group is associated with linked game play;

enable linked game play via at least the first gaming device and the second gaming device;

determine that a first outcome of the first gaming device combined with a second outcome of the second gaming device results in a combined winning outcome;

pool funds from players within the group for wagering use by the group as they gamble; and

provide an indication of the winning outcome to the group.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the first gaming device is a mobile terminal.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the mobile terminal comprises at least one of:

a laptop computer, a wearable computer, a cellular/wireless phone, a palm-top computer, a hand-held computer, and a personal digital assistant.

16. A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions to:

determine that a group is associated with linked game play;

enable linked game play at a plurality of gaming devices;

determine that a first outcome at a first of the plurality of gaming devices combined with a second outcome at a second of the plurality of gaming devices results in a combined winning outcome;

pool funds from players within the group for wagering use by the group as they gamble; and

provide an indication of the winning outcome to the group.

17. A method comprising:

determining that a group is associated with linked gambling game play;

enabling linked game play at a plurality of gaming devices;

affirmatively establishing a rule that determines how linked game play may be terminated;

pooling funds between members of the group for use by the members for wagering at the gaming devices; and

terminating linked game play according to the rule.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the rule that determines how linked game play may be terminated comprises a rule that linked game play terminates on achievement of a group objective.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the rule is based on at least one of:

an elapsed amount of time;

a number of executed game plays;

an amount wagered;

identifying a winning member within the group, determining a losing member within the group;

occurrence of one or more types of outcomes;

occurrence of one or more particular outcomes; and

occurrence of one more predetermined symbols.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the rule is based on an amount wagered.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein rule is based on an amount wagered individually by members of the group.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the rule is based on an amount wagered collectively by members of the group.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein at least one of the plurality of gaming devices comprises a mobile terminal.

24. The method of claim 17 further comprising receiving a challenge from a first member of the group to be issued to a second member of the group.

25. The method of claim 17 further comprising collecting an entry fee from at least one member of the group.

26. The method of claim 17 further comprising enabling communication between members of the group.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein enabling communication between members of the group comprises enabling at least one of:

an email communication, an instant messenger communication, an audio communication, and a video communication.

28. The method of claim 17 wherein establishing the rule comprises receiving an indication from at least one member of the group.

29. The method of claim 17 wherein establishing the group rule comprises receiving an indication from a casino associated with the plurality of gaming devices.

30. A system comprising:

a first gaming device;

a second gaming device; and

a controller operatively coupled to the first and second gaming devices and adapted to;

determine that a group is associated with linked gambling game play;

enable linked game play through the first and second gaming devices;

affirmatively establish a group rule that determines how linked game play may be terminated;

pool funds between members of the group for use by the members for wagering at the first and second gaming devices; and

terminate linked game play according to the group rule.

31. A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions to:

determine that a group is associated with linked gambling game play;

enable linked game play at a plurality of gaming devices;

affirmatively establish a group rule that determines how linked game play may be terminated;

pool funds between members of the group for use by the members for wagering at the gaming devices; and

terminate linked game play according to the group rule.

32. A method comprising:

establishing a multiplayer gambling game on at least one gaming device wherein at least one player participates in the multiplayer gambling game through the internet;

determining a group outcome for the multiplayer gambling game;

creating a pool of funds for players of the multiplayer gambling game from which wagers are made; and

providing an indication of the group outcome to players of the multiplayer gambling game.

35. The method of claim 32 further comprising outputting video information about a first player to a second player.

33. The method of claim =wherein at least a second player participates in the multiplayer gambling game through a mobile terminal.

34. The method of claim =further comprising collecting an entry fee for participation in the multiplayer gambling game.

36. A method comprising:

establishing a multiplayer gambling game on at least one gaming device wherein at least one player participates in the multiplayer gambling game through a local area network;

determining a group outcome for the multiplayer gambling game;

creating a pool of funds for players of the multiplayer gambling game from which wagers are made; and

providing an indication of the group outcome to players of the multiplayer gambling game.

37. A method comprising:

receiving personal information from a player of a multiplayer gambling game;

generating a pool of funds for the multiplayer gambling game from which players may make wagers; and

displaying the personal information to another player of the multiplayer gambling game.

38. The method of claim 37 further comprising determining a group outcome for the multiplayer gambling game.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising providing an indication of the group outcome to players of the multiplayer gambling game.

40. The method of claim 37 further comprising registering players for the multiplayer gambling game.

41. The method of claim 37 wherein the personal information comprises at least one of:

an occupation, a hobby, biographical information, and pictures.

42. The method of claim 37 further comprising receiving a request for multiplayer play from a first player.

43. The method of claim 42 further comprising transmitting a challenge to a second player in response to the request from the first player.