Network gaming system

• US 8,092,307 B2
• Filed: 03/23/2006
• Issued: 01/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming International Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Kelly, Bryan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, JEFFREY KEITH
• Application Number:
  US11/277,342
• Publication Number:
  US 20080254886A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,119 Days
• Field of Search: 463/25, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/081 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• 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 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3253 involving articles, e.g. paying in bottles, paying out toys
• 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 17/3272 Games involving multiple players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3297 Fairground games, e.g. Tivoli, coin pusher machines, cranes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A gaming system is disclosed that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input. The gaming system includes a game server and a plurality of game units connected via a network. The game server stores one or more games. The game units each include a web browser having a monetary input device, and a ticket dispenser having a printer. The game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play. The gaming system enables game units to request games from the game server over the network. The games may be downloaded over the network from the game server to the requesting game unit to be executed at the game unit and to be displayed in one or more web browsers.

Claims

1. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server, wherein the game server stores one or more games in electronic form; and

a plurality of game units each including a web browser a monetary input device, and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a wired network, and wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash, and wherein each game is played in exchange for monetary input received via the monetary input device of the game;

wherein the gaming system enables one or more game units to request games from the game server over the wired network, and one or more games to be downloaded over the wired network from the game server to the requesting game unit to be executed at the game unit and to be displayed in one or more web browsers.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein a game includes information that is sent using HTML.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein a game includes information that is sent using Java.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein a game includes information that is sent using Active X.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein a game includes information that is sent using VRML.

6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein a game is selected by a player at a game unit, and wherein the selected game is the game to be downloaded.

7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein a game is downloaded in response to a request.

8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein a game is executed locally at a game unit by a web browser located in the game unit.

9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein a game is executed at the game server and game execution related data is sent between the game server and a web browser in a game unit.

10. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server, wherein the game server stores one or more games in electronic form; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a network;

wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the network from the game server to one or more game units, wherein each game is executed at the game unit; and

wherein the game units are at least partially connected to the game server over a fiber optic line, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

11. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server, wherein the game server stores one or more games in electronic form; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a network;

wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the network from the game server to one or more game units, wherein each game is executed at the game unit; and

wherein the game units are at least partially connected to the game server over an Ethernet line, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

12. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server, wherein the game server stores one or more games in electronic form; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a wired network;

wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the wired network from the game server to one or more game units, wherein each game is executed at the game unit; and

wherein the game units are at least partially connected to the game server using TCP/IP, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

13. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server, wherein the game server stores one or more games in electronic form; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a wired network;

wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the wired network from the game server to one or more game units, wherein each game is executed at the game unit; and

wherein the game units are at least partially connected to the game server using IPX, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

14. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server, wherein the game server stores one or more games in electronic form; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a wired network;

wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the wired network from the game server to one or more game units, wherein each game is executed at the game unit; and

wherein the game units are at least partially connected to the game server using routers, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

15. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server, wherein the game server stores one or more games in electronic form; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a wired network;

wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the wired network from the game server to one or more game units, wherein each game is executed at the game unit; and

wherein the game units are at least partially connected to the game server using switches, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

16. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server, wherein the game server stores one or more games in electronic form; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a wired network;

wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the wired network from the game server to one or more game units, wherein each game is executed at the game unit; and

wherein each game unit includes a Uniform Resource Locator, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

17. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server, wherein the game server stores one or more games in electronic form; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a wired network;

wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the wired network from the game server to one or more game units, wherein each game is executed at the game unit; and

wherein each game unit associates with resources on the game server using Uniform Resource Locators, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

18. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server, wherein the game server stores one or more games in electronic form;

a web server; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a wired network, wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the wired network from the game server to one or more game units, wherein each game is executed at the game unit, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

19. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a web server;

wherein the web server stores one or more games in electronic form; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the web server over a wired network, wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the wired network from the web server to one or more game units, wherein each game is executed at the game unit, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

20. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server, wherein the game server stores one or more games in electronic form; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a wired network, wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the network from the game server to one or more game units, wherein each game is executed at the game unit,

wherein at least one game unit includes a browser, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

21. The gaming system of claim 20, wherein a game executes in the browser.

22. The gaming system of claim 20, wherein the browser displays game related data.

23. The gaming system of claim 22, wherein the browser displays tournament game related data.

24. The gaming system of claim 22, wherein the browser displays prize game related data.

25. The gaming system of claim 20, wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the network from the game server using the browser.

26. The gaming system of claim 20, wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the network from the game server to the game unit for use by the browser.

27. The gaming system of claim 20, wherein the browser displays advertising related data.

28. The gaming system of claim 20, wherein a game is executed at the game server and game execution related data is sent between the game server and a browser in a game unit.

29. The game unit of claim 20, wherein the gaming system includes a monetary input device.

30. A game unit that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the game unit comprising:

one or more displays associated with the game unit, wherein each game is executed at the game unit;

a monetary input device;

a ticket dispenser having a printer; and

a browser associated with at least one of the one or more displays, wherein the browser output is shown on at least one of the one or more displays, wherein one or more games are downloaded over a network from a game server to the game unit, wherein the game unit enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

31. The game unit of claim 30, wherein a game executes in the browser.

32. The game unit of claim 30, wherein the browser displays game related data.

33. The game unit of claim 32, wherein the browser displays tournament game related data.

34. The game unit of claim 32, wherein the browser displays prize game related data.

35. The game unit of claim 30, wherein one or more games are downloadable over a network from a game server using the browser.

36. The game unit of claim 30, wherein one or more games are downloadable over a network from a game server to the game unit for use by the browser.

37. The game unit of claim 30, wherein the browser displays advertising related data.

38. The game unit of claim 30, wherein a game is executed at a game server and game execution related data is sent between the game server and the browser in the game unit.

39. The game unit of claim 30, wherein the gaming system includes a monetary input device.

40. A gaming system for providing tournament play data to a remote user, the gaming system comprising:

a game unit including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game unit is for playing a tournament that generates tournament play data, wherein each game is executed at the game unit, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash;

a server, wherein the server stores the tournament play data, wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over a network from the server to the game unit; and

an access device capable of accessing the Internet, wherein the tournament play data is available to the user via the access device while the user is located remote from the game unit.

41. The gaming system of claim 40, wherein the gaming system includes a player account that is accessible by the user via the access device while the user is located remote from the game unit.

42. A gaming system for providing game play data to a remote user, the gaming system comprising:

a game unit including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game unit is for playing a game that generates game play data, wherein each game is executed at the game unit;

a server, wherein the server stores the game play data, wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over a network from the server to the game unit; and

an access device capable of accessing the Internet, wherein the game play data is available to the user via the access device while the user is located remote from the game unit,

wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

43. The gaming system of claim 42, wherein the gaming system includes a player account that is accessible by the user via the access device while the user is located remote from the game unit.

44. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server;

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a wired network, wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the network from the server to the game unit and displayed in a web browser of the game unit, wherein each game is executed at the game unit, wherein each game unit includes a player identification device for monitoring game play of a player;

wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash; and

a touch screen interface associated with the player identification device for enabling the player to input information and commands.

45. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a wired network, wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over a network from the server to the game unit and displayed in a web browser of the game unit, wherein each game is executed at the game unit,

wherein the gaming system enables remotely adjusting prize and payout percentages of the game units, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

46. The gaming system of claim 45, wherein the adjustment of prize and payout percentages is performed to achieve a desired profitability of the game units, and wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit in response too winning game play, the prize has a monetary value other than as a medium of exchange for use in the gaming system.

47. A gaming system that provides an opportunity to win a prize in response to game play, each game being played in exchange for monetary input, the gaming system comprising:

a game server; and

a plurality of game units each including a monetary input device and a ticket dispenser having a printer, wherein the game units are connected to the game server over a wired network, wherein the gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over a network from the server to the game unit and displayed in a web browser of the game unit, wherein each game is executed at the game unit,

wherein the gaming system automatically enables remotely adjusting prize and payout percentages, wherein the game system enables a player to receive a prize at a game unit via the ticket dispenser in response to winning game play, and wherein the prize comprises a ticket for a physical prize, coins, or cash.

48. The gaming system of claim 47, wherein the adjustment of prize and payout percentages is performed to achieve a desired profitability of the game units.