`
`(12)
`
`United States Patent
`Nguyen et a].
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,577,847 B2
`Aug. 18,2009
`
`(54)
`
`(75)
`
`LOCATION AND USER IDENTIFICATION
`FOR ONLINE GAMING
`
`Inventors: Binh Nguyen, Reno, NV (US); Craig
`Paulsen, Reno, NV (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: IGT, Reno, NV (US)
`
`6,743,098 B2 *
`6,783,459 B2 *
`6,884,166 B2 *
`6,887,151 B2 *
`6,934,858 B2 *
`
`6/2004 Urie et a1. ................... .. 463/29
`8/2004 Cumbers
`463/29
`4/2005 Leen et al. .................. .. 463/16
`5/2005 Leen et al. .................. .. 463/16
`8/2005 Woodhill ..................... .. 726/5
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 896 days.
`
`WO
`
`WO 03/042830 A1
`
`5/2003
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`(21)
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`(56)
`
`Appl. No.: 10/981,435
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 3, 2004
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2006/0095790 A1
`
`May 4, 2006
`
`Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06F 21/00
`US. Cl. ......................... .. 713/186; 713/182; 726/5;
`726/11; 726/21; 380/231; 380/251; 463/29
`Field of Classi?cation Search ............... .. 713/186,
`713/182; 726/5, 11,21; 380/231, 251; 463/29
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`1/1992 MiWa .......................... .. 716/2
`5,079,717 A *
`5,475,740 A * 12/1995 Biggs et al.
`379/9102
`5,833,540 A * 11/1998 Miodunski et al
`463/42
`5,851,149 A * 12/1998 Xidos et al.
`463/42
`6,038,666 A *
`3/2000 Hsu et al.
`713/186
`6,091,957 A *
`7/2000 Larkins et al.
`455/4562
`6,104,815 A *
`8/2000 Alcorn et al.
`380/251
`6,554,705 B1* 4/2003 Cumbers ..... ..
`463/29
`6,562,553 B2 *
`5/2003 Mancini et a1. ........... .. 430/325
`6,737,713 B2 *
`5/2004 Georgescu et al. ........ .. 257/394
`
`International Search Report, dated Mar. 16, 2006 from corresponding
`International Application No. PCT/US2005/037301, 6 pp. including
`Noti?cation of Transmittal.
`(Continued)
`Primary ExamineriDavid Garcia Cervetti
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiWeaver Austin Villeneuve &
`Sampson LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention provides methods and devices for
`determining the location, identity and age of a user Who
`desires to initiate a gaming session from an uncontrolled
`environment such as a home, a gaming kiosk or a hotel room.
`In some implementations, the user’s location is determined in
`part by reference to a database of land telephone lines and
`corresponding addresses. The location may be veri?ed by
`other methods, e. g., by determining the location of an Internet
`service provider’s network device that is near a user’s host
`device or via a cellular telephone netWork. The user may be
`asked to input a con?rmation number and/or make an oral
`response during a telephone call to a telephone number asso
`ciated With the uncontrolled environment. The user may also
`be prompted to make statements verifying his or her identity,
`age, a maximum amount available for Wagering or other
`statements.
`
`37 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`Player Log-in Process
`
`PLAYER LOGS INTO GAMING
`SERVER
`
`305
`
`31 U
`
`SPECIFIC PLAYER ID AND
`PASSWORD ARE ENCRYPTED
`AND SENT FROM THE GAME
`TERMINAL TO THE GAME SERVER
`
`515
`
`' LAYER A
`REGISTERED
`OCATION?
`
`Y
`
`VALIDITY AND
`CHARACTERIZATION OF THE
`PLAVER‘S PHONE NUMBERv
`ALONG WITH RELATED
`GEOGRAPHIC
`INFORMATION, IS VERIFIED
`BY THE GAME SERVER
`
`GAME SERVER SENDS
`PLAYER DATA TO THE
`VERIFICATION SERVER
`
`33D
`
`335
`
`VERIFICATION SERVER PLACES A
`TELEPHONE CALL TO PLAYER AND
`COLLECTS VOICE RECORDINGS
`TO CREATE AN AUDIT TRAIL.
`DURING THE TELEPHONE CALL.
`THE PLAVER IS REQUIRED TO
`ENTER A RANDOMLV GENERATED
`CONFIRMATION NUMBER INTO A
`TELEPHONE KEYPAD.
`VERIFICATION SERVER CAPTURES
`PLAYER'S VOICE RECORDING.
`
`PLAVER ENTERS THE
`PHONE NUMBER FROM
`PLAYER'S CURRENT
`LOCATION
`
`r 340
`
`AFTER COMPLETION
`OF THE TELEPHONE
`CALL, VERIFICATION
`SERVER RETURNS
`VOICE DATA AND
`PHONE SESSION
`OUTCOME TO GAME
`
`1
`GAME SERVER
`COMPARES PLAYER
`DATA COLLECTED
`WITH THE STORED
`DATABASE DATA.
`
`345
`
`TWILIO, INC. EX. 1013
`Page 1
`
`
`
`US 7,577,847 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,945,870 B2* 9/2005 Garto etal ----------------- -- 463/29
`7,035,626 Bl* 4/2006 Lucianoilr
`455/4141
`7,092,943 B2* 8/2006 Roese et a1.
`..... .. 707/9
`7,175,528 131*
`2/2007 Cumbers
`463/29
`7,212,828 B2* 5/2007 Hind eta1~ -~
`- 455/4561
`7,218,739 B2* 5/2007 Multerer etal.
`380/251
`7229354 B2* 6/2007 McNutt eta1~ - - - -
`- - - - -- 463/29
`7239669 B2* 7/2007 Cummingsetal
`375/295
`7,285,048 132* 10/2007 Karmarkar
`-- 463/42
`7,308,251 B2* 12/2007 Karaoguz
`455/411
`7,357,717 131* 4/2008 Cumbers
`463/29
`7,360,248 Bl* 4/2008 Kanevskyetal -
`726/21
`7,383,572 B2* 6/2008 Rolfe -------------------- -- 726/5
`7,420,464 B2* 9/2008 Fitzgeraldetal- ---- -- 340/53913
`7,437,147 Bl* 10/2008 Lucianoilr ---- -
`455/4141
`
`. . . . . .. 705/1
`2001/0037211 A1* 11/2001 McNutt etal. . . . .
`~463/42
`2002/0111213 A1* 8/2002 McEntee eta1~ --
`- 463/25
`2002/0132663 A1* 9/2002 Cumbers ----- --
`-- 463/43
`2002/0142846 A1* 10/2002 Paulsen ---- -~
`---- -- 463/29
`2002/0160834 A1* 10/2002 Urie eta1~
`342/357.06
`2003/0006931 Al* 1/2003 Mages ...... ..
`.... .. 463/29
`2003/0017871 A1* 1/2003 Urie et a1.
`2003/0031321 Al* 2/2003 Mages ...................... .. 380/270
`2003/0070100 A1
`4/2003 Winkler
`2003/0073499 A1 *
`4/2003 Reece ....................... .. 463/42
`2003/0092489 Al* 5/2003 Veradej .............. .. 463/36
`2003/0139190 A1
`7/2003 Steelberg et a1.
`2003/0195037 Al* 10/2003 Viichgei a1. ................ ..463/29
`2003/0217122 A1* 11/2003 R0656 et a1~
`709/219
`2003/0217151 Al* 11/2003 Roese et a1.
`709/225
`2003/0225893 Al* 12/2003 Roese et a1.
`709/227
`2003/0236120 A1* 12/2003 Reeceetal, .... ..
`463/42
`2004/0053692 A1 *
`3/2004 Chatigny et a1. ............ .. 463/36
`
`2004/0098588 Al* 5/2004 Ohba etal. ............... .. 713/169
`2004/0121841 Al* 6/2004 Xidos et a1. ..
`.. 463/40
`2004/0203908 Al* 10/2004 Hind etal. ............. .. 455/456.1
`2004/0224755 Al* 11/2004 Ta1lal,Jr. ................... .. 463/25
`2004/0259626 Al>l< 12/2004 Akram et a1‘
`__ 463/17
`2005/0038825 Al* 2/2005 TarabZounietal. ....... .. 707/200
`2005/0054438 Al* 3/2005 Rothschild etal. .......... .. 463/29
`Zoos/0066044 A1>I<
`3/2005 Chaskaret a1‘ _
`709/230
`2005/0091338 Al* 4/2005 de la Huerga ............. .. 709/217
`2005/0137006 Al* 6/2005 Rothschild et a1. .......... .. 463/20
`2005/0187020 Al* 8/2005 Amaitisetal.
`.. 463/42
`2005/0193209 Al* 9/2005 Saunders etal. .......... .. 713/182
`2006/0052162 Al* 3/2006 Soukup etal. .............. .. 463/27
`2007/0060319 Al* 3/2007 Blocketal.
`.. 463/27
`2007/0063037 Al* 3/2007 silveihicck etal. ...... .. 235/432
`2007/0066347 Al* 3/2007 Silverbrooketal.
`455/556.1
`2007/0099698 Al* 5/2007 Cole ........... ..
`.. 463/29
`
`__ 434/11
`2007/0190494 A1* 8/2007 Rosenberg
`.. 463/29
`2008/0254877 Al* 10/2008 Mciicw ....... ..
`358/473
`2008/0278772 Al* 11/2008 silveihicck etal.
`455/556.1
`2009/0088206 Al* 4/2009 Silverbrooketal.
`2009/0093897 Al* 4/2009 LapSlllIl etal. .............. .. 700/94
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Written Opinion ofthe International SearchingAuthority, datedMar.
`16, 2006 from corresponding International Application No. PCT/
`Us2005/037301,6pp.
`Authentijjz, Authentify/Register, WWW.authentify.com, printed Jun.
`28100531331563,
`Matt Richtel,Launch of’Netgamblingputs MGMMi/"age in the hot
`Seat, Appendix, New York Times News Service, Sep, 30, 2002, 2
`page,
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`TWILIO, INC. EX. 1013
`Page 2
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 18, 2009
`
`Sheet 1 of5
`
`US 7,577,847 B2
`
`_ .
`
`mm" w , > u . n
`
`N2 h _ n u.‘ _
`
`
`
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`om? mm? m: cm? _ mm? _
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`
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`
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`
`.IDDL .l _ _ y “
`
`_ _ rllllllllllllllllllllll
`
`TWILIO, INC. EX. 1013
`Page 3
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 18, 2009
`
`Sheet 2 of5
`
`US 7,577,847 B2
`
`Online Player Registration Process
`
`[205
`
`PLAYER LOGS INTO GAMING
`SERVER OR KIOSK AND
`BEGINs THE ONLINE
`REGISTRATION PROCEss
`K210
`I
`SPECIFIC PLAYER DATA,
`INCLUDING TELEPHONE NUMBER,
`ARE ENCRYPTED AND sENT
`rRoMggEEgpyEEgggyE'gm
`L
`215
`/
`
`VALIDITY AND
`CHARACTERIZATION OF THE
`PLAYER'S PHONE NUMBER,
`ALONG WITH RELATED
`GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION, ARE
`vERIFIED BY THE GAME sERvER
`
`r220
`
`GAME SERVER SENDS
`
`VER'F'CAT'ON SERVER
`K225
`I
`VERIFICATION SERVER PLACES A
`TELEPHONE CALL TO PLAYER AND
`COLLECTs vOICE RECORDINGS
`TO CREATE AN AUDIT TRAIL.
`DURING THE TELEPHONE CALL,
`THE PLAYER IS REQUIRED TO
`ENTER A RANDOMLY GENERATED
`CONFIRMATION NUMBER INTO A
`TELEPHONE KEYPAD-
`VERIFICATION SERVER CAPTURES
`PLAYER‘S VOICE RECORDING.
`I
`
`200
`{
`
`(230
`AFTERCOMPLETBN
`OF THE TELEPHONE
`CALL, VERIFICATION
`SERVER RETURNS
`vOICE DATA AND
`PHONE sEssION
`OUTCOME TO GAME
`sERvER.
`l
`
`235
`F
`GAME SERVER COMPAREs
`PLAYER DATA COLLECTED
`WITH APPROVAL
`CRITERIA. ADDITIONAL
`
`INFORMATION MAY ALsO
`BE NEEDED.
`
`' EGISTRATIO
`APPROVED?
`
`STQRE PLAYER
`sPECIFIC DATA INTO @
`THE GAMING
`SERVER DATABASE
`
`FIG. 2
`
`TWILIO, INC. EX. 1013
`Page 4
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 18,2009
`
`Sheet 3 0f 5
`
`US 7,577,847 B2
`
`Player Log-in Process
`r 305
`
`I
`
`300
`
`PLAYER LOGS INTO GAMING
`SERVER
`310
`r
`I
`SPECIFIC PLAYER ID AND
`PASSWORD ARE ENCRYPTED
`AND SENT FROM THE GAME
`TERMINAL TO THE GAME SERVER
`
`LAYER A
`REGISTERED
`LOCATION?
`
`Y
`
`325
`K
`
`CHARACTERIZATION OF THE
`,
`PLAYER S PHONE NUMBER,
`ALONG WITH RELATED
`GEOGRAPH'C
`INFORMATION, IS VERIFIED
`BY THE GAME SERVER
`I,
`GAME SERVER SENDS
`PLAYER DATA TO THE
`VERIFICATION SERVER
`i
`
`330
`f
`
`[335
`
`FIG. 3
`
`/320
`PLAYER ENTERS THE
`PHONE NUMBER FROM
`PLAYER'S CURRENT
`LOCATION
`
`340
`
`I
`QFJTEEECI’EIEIEBSE
`
`CALL, VERIFICATION
`SERVER RETURNS
`VOICE DATA AND
`PHONE SESSION
`OUTCOME To GAME
`SERVER.
`L
`GAME SERVER
`COMPARES PLAYER
`DATA COLLECTED
`WITH THE STORED
`DATABASE DATA.
`
`K345
`
`VERIFICATION SERVER PLACES A
`TELEPHONE CALL TO PLAYER AND
`COLLECTS VOICE RECORDINGS
`TO CREATE AN AUDIT TRAIL.
`DURING THE TELEPHONE CALL,
`THE PLAYER IS REQUIRED TO
`ENTER A RANDOMLY GENERATED
`CONFIRMATION NUMBER INTO A
`TELEPHONE KEYPAD.
`VERIFICATION SERVER CAPTURES
`PLAYER'S VOICE RECORDING.
`
`PLAYER
`APPROVED?
`
`PLAYER IS
`AUTHENTICATED TO
`PLAY GAMES.
`
`TWILIO, INC. EX. 1013
`Page 5
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 18, 2009
`
`Sheet 4 of5
`
`US 7,577,847 B2
`
`Start
`
`405
`'4
`
`Mobile device?
`
`Determine Location
`
`420
`
`5
`To 33 ‘_
`
`Jurisdiction O.K.?
`
`415
`,_J
`To 330
`
`430
`H
`End
`
`3
`From 50 -——>
`
`435
`"J
`Allow gaming <————
`
`440
`
`New
`location
`determination
`equired?
`
`Yes
`
`Determine location
`
`445
`,_J
`
`450
`
`455
`,_J
`End
`
`N0
`
`Jurisdiction O.K.?
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`Other limits
`attained?
`
`FIG. 4
`
`TWILIO, INC. EX. 1013
`Page 6
`
`
`
`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 18, 2009
`
`Sheet 5 of5
`
`US 7,577,847 B2
`
`n_
`
`N
`
`My Ammo/Emmi;
`
`m8 Sm\>
`
`Q82 \ _ mwm
`5m +
`
`my [I
`
`8m
`
`\ Awvmowwwoomm
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`A V
`
`m .QE
`
`E05: 2 E052
`
`Em
`
`(\l
`
`wwm A/
`0mm
`
`TWILIO, INC. EX. 1013
`Page 7
`
`
`
`US 7,577,847 B2
`
`1
`LOCATION AND USER IDENTIFICATION
`FOR ONLINE GAMING
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to online gaming. More par
`ticularly, the present invention relates to methods and devices
`for determining Whether a user is authorized to participate in
`online gaming.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Historically, certain types of gaming have been conducted
`With controlled environments such as casinos, card rooms, or
`similar gaming establishments. Offering games of chance in
`controlled environments alloWs the gaming establishment to
`verify a player’s identity, age, etc.
`HoWever, in recent years, a number of gaming establish
`ments have begun providing some games of chance to users
`Who are located in uncontrolled environments, such as the
`user’s home, a hotel room, etc. These gaming establishments
`Will be referred to herein as “Intemet casinos,” although those
`of skill in the art Will realize that Internet casinos are not
`casinos in a traditional sense and that Internet casinos may be
`accessed via netWorks other than the Internet. Typically,
`Internet casinos are groups of netWork devices (e. g., servers)
`that are con?gured to conduct games of chance, such as
`blackjack, video poker, etc., by interacting With a host device
`over a public netWork such as the Internet. This process Will
`be referred to herein as “Intemet gaming,” Whether or not the
`public netWork is the Internet and Whether or not the gaming
`activity spans a state’s border. The host device may be a
`gaming kiosk, a personal computer, a personal digital assis
`tant, a cellular telephone, or another such host device.
`Currently, federal laW prohibits the offering of casino and
`sports Wagers to residents of the United States across state
`lines via telephone or the Internet. The public policy grounds
`for these legal prohibitions include the dif?culty in determin
`ing a player’s identity and age, as Well as determining
`Whether the player is located in a jurisdiction Within Which
`such Wagers Would be permitted if made in person. HoWever,
`it is anticipated that Internet gaming Will eventually be
`offered Within certain jurisdictions (e.g., Within the state of
`Nevada) and possibly betWeen jurisdictions that alloW gam
`ing. Therefore, it Would be desirable to provide improved
`systems for determining the identity, age and location of a
`player Who desires to participate in Internet gaming.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides methods and devices for
`determining the location, identity and age of a user Who
`desires to initiate a gaming session from an uncontrolled
`environment such as a gaming kiosk, a home or a hotel room.
`In some implementations, the user’s location is determined in
`part by reference to a database of land telephone lines and
`corresponding addresses. The location may be veri?ed by
`reference to a location determined by other methods, e.g., by
`determining the location of an Internet service provider’s
`netWork device that is near a user’s host device. In other
`implementations, the user’s location is determined by infor
`mation provided by a cellular telephone netWork. The user
`may be asked to input a con?rmation number and/or make an
`oral response during a telephone call to a telephone number
`associated With the uncontrolled environment. These the oral
`response may be analyzed to verify the user’s identity. The
`user may also be prompted to make statements verifying his
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`or her identity, age, a maximum amount available for Wager
`ing or other statements, Which are preferably recorded and
`stored.
`Some implementations of the invention provide a gaming
`authentication method. The method includes the steps of
`receiving a request to initiate a gaming session from a user,
`the gaming session comprising the folloWing steps: receiving
`a Wager on a game; determining an outcome for the game; and
`presenting the outcome of the game. The method also
`includes these steps: ascertaining Whether the user is in a
`location for Which the gaming session Would be permitted;
`determining a telephone number associated With the location;
`placing a telephone call to the telephone number; prompting
`the user for a biometric response; and verifying Whether the
`user is an authorized user based in part on the biometric
`response. The biometric response may be, for example, a
`voice response, ?ngerprint data, retinal scan data, facial rec
`ognition data and/or hand shape data. The method may
`involve initiating the gaming session When the user is an
`authorized user.
`The method may also include the steps of prompting the
`user to enter a con?rmation number and verifying that the
`user has entered the con?rmation number. The verifying step
`may involve storing (e.g., making a ?rst recording of) the
`biometric response. The verifying step may also involve ana
`lyzing the biometric response to determine ?rst characteris
`tics and comparing the ?rst characteristics With second char
`acteristics of the user. The verifying step may include
`verifying that the user is old enough to participate in the
`gaming session according to laWs applicable to the location.
`The verifying step may involve verifying that a bet size, a
`session time, a maximum prize alloWed, a time of day for
`gaming or a purse size is permissible according to laWs appli
`cable to the location.
`The ascertaining step may involve determining positioning
`data associated With a cellular telephone and/or determining
`an address associated With the telephone number. The ascer
`taining step may include determining a user location and
`comparing the user location With a list of locations for Which
`gaming may be conducted from an uncontrolled gaming envi
`ronment.
`The prompting step may involve prompting the user to state
`an amount of money that the user Will authorize for the
`gaming session, prompting the user to state the user’ s identity,
`prompting the user to state a maximum amount of time that
`the user Will be authorized to spend for the gaming session,
`prompting the user to make sounds and/or to say Words that
`Were (or Were not) recorded during a user registration process
`and/or prompting the user to say Words in a ?rst sequence that
`Were recorded in a second sequence during a user registration
`process.
`The step of determining a user location can include the
`steps of determining a location of a netWork device in the
`vicinity of a host device operated by the user and comparing
`the location of the netWork device With the address associated
`With the telephone number. The method can also include the
`step of determining Whether an account associated With the
`user contains an amount of money authorized by the user.
`Alternative implementations of the invention provide a
`computer program embodied in a machine-readable medium.
`The computer program includes instructions for controlling
`at least one netWork device to receive a request to initiate a
`gaming session from a user, the gaming session comprising:
`receiving a Wager on a game; determining an outcome for the
`game; and presenting the outcome of the game. The computer
`program also includes instructions for controlling at least one
`netWork device to perform the folloWing steps: ascertain
`
`TWILIO, INC. EX. 1013
`Page 8
`
`
`
`US 7,577,847 B2
`
`3
`Whether the user is in a location for Which the gaming session
`Would be permitted; determine a telephone number associ
`ated With the location; place a telephone call to the telephone
`number; prompt the user for a biometric response; and verify
`Whether the user is an authorized user based in part on the
`biometric response. The biometric response may be a voice
`response, ?ngerprint data, retinal scan data, facial recognition
`data and/or hand shape data.
`The computer program may also include instructions for
`controlling at least one netWork device to perform the folloW
`ing steps: prompt the user to enter a con?rmation number;
`verify that the user has entered the con?rmation number and
`initiate the gaming session When the user is an authorized
`user.
`The verifying step may involve storing (e.g., making a ?rst
`recording of) the biometric response, analyzing the biometric
`response to determine ?rst characteristics and/or comparing
`the ?rst characteristics With second characteristics of the user.
`Other embodiments of the invention provide an integrated
`circuit operable to control a netWork device to receive a
`request to initiate a gaming session from a user, the gaming
`session comprising: receiving a Wager on a game; determin
`ing an outcome for the game; and presenting the outcome of
`the game. The integrated circuit is also operable to control the
`netWork device to perform the folloWing steps: ascertain
`Whether the user is in a location for Which the gaming session
`Would be permitted; determine a telephone number associ
`ated With the location; place a telephone call to the telephone
`number; prompt the user for a biometric response; and verify
`Whether the user is an authorized user based in part on the
`biometric response.
`The biometric response may be a voice response, ?nger
`print data, retinal scan data, facial recognition data and/or
`hand shape data. The integrated circuit may be an application
`speci?c integrated circuit. Related embodiments of the inven
`tion provide a set of semiconductor processing masks repre
`sentative of at least a portion of the integrated circuit.
`Yet other embodiments of the invention provide a netWork
`device having at least one port con?gured for communication
`With a netWork and at least one logic device con?gured to
`receive a request to initiate a gaming session from a user, the
`gaming session including: receiving a Wager on a game;
`determining an outcome for the game; and presenting the
`outcome of the game. At least one logic device of the netWork
`device is also con?gured to perform the folloWing steps:
`ascertain Whether the user is in a location for Which the
`gaming session Would be permitted; determine a telephone
`number associated With the location; place a telephone call to
`the telephone number; prompt the user for a biometric
`response; verify Whether the user is an authorized user based
`in part on the biometric response; and initiate the gaming
`session When the user is an authorized user. The biometric
`response may be a voice response, ?ngerprint data, retinal
`scan data, facial recognition data and/or hand shape data.
`At least one logic device of the netWork device may be
`further con?gured to prompt the user to enter a con?rmation
`number and verify that the user has entered the con?rmation
`number. The verifying step may involve storing (e. g., making
`a ?rst recording of) the biometric response. The verifying step
`may involve: analyzing the biometric response to determine
`?rst characteristics; and comparing the ?rst characteristics
`With second characteristics of the user.
`Still other embodiments of the invention provide a netWork
`device that includes at least one port con?gured for commu
`nication With a netWork and at least one logic device con?g
`ured to perform the folloWing steps: receive a request from a
`gaming server to authenticate a user Who has made a request
`
`4
`to initiate a gaming session from an uncontrolled gaming
`environment; ascertain Whether the user is in a location for
`Which the gaming session Would be permitted; determine a
`telephone number associated With the location; place a tele
`phone call to the telephone number; prompt the user for a
`biometric response; verify Whether the user is an authorized
`user based in part on the biometric response; and send a
`message to the gaming server indicating Whether the user is
`an authorized user and Whether the user is in a location for
`Which the gaming session Would be permitted.
`The gaming session involves: receiving a Wager on a game;
`determining an outcome for the game; and presenting the
`outcome of the game. At least one logic device is further
`con?gured to prompt the user to enter a con?rmation number
`and verify that the user has entered the con?rmation number.
`The verifying step may involve making a ?rst recording of
`the biometric response, analyzing the biometric response to
`determine ?rst characteristics and comparing the ?rst char
`acteristics With second characteristics of the user. The bio
`metric response may be a voice response, ?ngerprint data,
`retinal scan data, facial recognition data and/or hand shape
`data.
`Other embodiments of the invention provide a netWork
`device, including: at least one port con?gured for communi
`cation With a netWork; and at least one logic device con?g
`ured to perform the folloWing steps: receive a request to
`initiate a gaming session, the request being from a user in an
`uncontrolled gaming environment; send an authentication
`request regarding the user to a veri?cation server, the authen
`tication request including a telephone number associated With
`the uncontrolled gaming environment; receive an authentica
`tion response from the veri?cation server; and initiate the
`gaming session When the authentication response indicates
`that the user is an authorized user and that the uncontrolled
`gaming environment is an authorized location. The gaming
`session involves receiving a Wager on a game, determining an
`outcome for the game and presenting the outcome of the
`game.
`These and other features of the present invention Will be
`presented in more detail in the folloWing detailed description
`of the invention and the associated ?gures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention may best be understood by reference to the
`folloWing description taken in conjunction With the accom
`panying draWings, Which are illustrative of speci?c embodi
`ments of the present invention.
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary netWork for providing
`Internet gaming according to some embodiments of the
`invention.
`FIG. 2 is a How chart that illustrates player registration
`according to some implementations of the invention.
`FIG. 3 is a How chart that illustrates a player log-in process
`according to some implementations of the invention.
`FIG. 4 is a How chart that illustrates a log-in process for
`players using mobile telephones according to some imple
`mentations of the invention.
`FIG. 5 illustrates a netWork device that may be used to
`implement some aspects of the invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
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`Reference Will noW be made in detail to some speci?c
`embodiments of the invention including the best modes con
`templated by the inventors for carrying out the invention.
`
`TWILIO, INC. EX. 1013
`Page 9
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`
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`US 7,577,847 B2
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`5
`Examples of these speci?c embodiments are illustrated in the
`accompanying drawings. While the invention is described in
`conjunction With these speci?c embodiments, it Will be
`understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to the
`described embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to
`cover alternatives, modi?cations, and equivalents as may be
`included Within the spirit and scope of the invention as
`de?ned by the appended claims. Moreover, numerous spe
`ci?c details are set forth beloW in order to provide a thorough
`understanding of the present invention. The present invention
`may be practiced Without some or all of these speci?c details.
`In other instances, Well knoWn process operations have not
`been described in detail in order not to obscure the present
`invention.
`The present invention provides methods and devices for
`determining the location, identity and age of a user (also
`referred to herein as a “player” or a “client”) Who desires to
`initiate a gaming session from an uncontrolled environment.
`The uncontrolled environment may be stationary, such as a
`gaming kiosk, a home or a hotel room. In such stationary
`environments, the user may Wish to initiate a gaming session
`from a desktop computer, a laptop, or a similar device. In
`some implementations, if the user’s location is ?xed, the
`location Will be determined in part by reference to a database
`of land telephone lines and corresponding addresses. The
`location may be veri?ed by reference to a location determined
`by other methods, e.g., by use of a “traceroute” or similar
`program to determine the location of an Internet service pro
`vider’s netWork device that is near a user’s host device.
`The user may be asked to input a con?rmation number
`and/or make an oral response during a telephone call to a
`telephone number associated With the uncontrolled environ
`ment. The oral response may be analyZed, e.g., according to
`knoWn voice biometrics of a user obtained during a registra
`tion process, to verify the user’ s identity. The user may also be
`prompted to make statements verifying his or her identity,
`age, a maximum amount available for Wagering or other
`statements, Which are preferably recorded and stored.
`HoWever, a user’s location may sometimes change during
`the course of a gaming session. Therefore, in some imple
`mentations, a user’s location is determined in other Ways,
`e.g., by reference to positioning information provided by a
`cellular telephone netWork. For example, if the user is called
`on a cellular telephone to verify his or her identity, it may be
`presumed that the user’s location could change during the
`gaming session. The location is preferably checked again
`during the gaming session (if one is established) in order to
`ensure that the player is still Within a jurisdiction that alloWs
`online gaming.
`Referring noW to FIG. 1, an exemplary netWork for imple
`menting some embodiments of the invention Will be dis
`cussed. Client 105 is in uncontrolled environment 107, Which
`includes client device 110 (here, a laptop computer) and
`telephone 155. Although client device 110 is a laptop in this
`example, client device 110 could be any of a Wide variety of
`devices, such as a cellular telephone, a hand-held computer
`(e.g., a personal digital assistant), a kiosk, an in-room game
`terminal, a desktop computer, etc., that includes the hardWare
`and softWare needed for Internet gaming. In general, client
`device 110 Will include at least a memory, a processing
`device, a display, at least one input device and at least one
`communication interface. The display may be a CRT, LCD,
`LED, plasma, or any other suitable display. The input
`device(s) may include a mouse, a keyboard, one or more
`devices for processing voice commands, or other devices
`knoWn by those of skill in the art.
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`During the course of a game, a player may be required to
`make a number of decisions, Which affect the outcome of the
`game. For example, a player may vary his or her Wager on a
`particular game, select a prize for a particular game, or make
`game decisions regarding gaming criteria that affect the out
`come of a particular game. The player may make these
`choices using a keyboard, a mouse, a video display screen, a
`voice command or some other device Which enables a player
`to input information into client device 110.
`Local Internet service provider (“ISP”) 115 provides client
`device 110 access to netWork 120, Which is the Internet in this
`example. Although not shoWn in FIG. 1, it Will be understood
`that local ISP 115 can provide Internet access to many clients
`and that local ISP 115 is one of many ISPs providing Internet
`access. Therefore, client 105 is one of a potentially large
`number of clients Who may participate in Internet gaming at
`any given time.
`It Will be understood by those of skill in the art that netWork
`120 could be another type of netWork (such as a satellite
`netWork, a Wireless netWork, a metro optical transport, etc.)
`Accordingly, a variety of protocols may be used for commu
`nication on netWork 120, such as Internet Protocol (“IP”),
`Fibre Channel (“PC”), PC over IP (“FCIP”), Internet SCSI
`(“iSCSI,” an IP-based standard for linking data storage
`devices over a netWork and transferring data by carrying SCSI
`commands over IP netWorks), Dense Wavelength Division
`Multiplexing (“DWDM,” an optical technology used to
`increase bandWidth over existing ?ber optic backbones), or
`Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA, a Wireless cellular
`communication technology).
`Internet casino 125 includes a variety of devices adapted to
`present gaming events to clients via network 120 and to
`perform related functions. In this example, Internet casino
`125 includes several netWork devices, such as game servers
`130, veri?cation server 135, gateWay 124 and accounting/
`?nancial server 187. Although the devices that constitute
`Internet casino 125 do not need to be in the same physical
`location, for the sake of simplicity the embodiment of Internet
`casino 125 depicted in FIG. 1 does have all devices in a single
`location. Here, gateWay 124 is a netWork device With netWork
`address translation (“NAT”) and ?reWall capabilities that can
`support multiple devices of Internet casino 125 With a single
`external IP address. ISP 122 provides access to netWork 120
`for gateWay device 124.
`Game servers 130 are con?gured to interact With client
`devices and provide gaming sessions. Game server 130 may
`be con?gured to accept Wager or bet information, accept
`player game input, generate game event information, deter
`mine game outcomes, generate aWard information, etc. Veri
`?cation server 135 veri?es the identity, age and location of