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`Customer No. 23932
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`PATENT
`47079-00077
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`APPLICATION FOR UNITED STATES LETTERS PATENT
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`For
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`METHOD OF TRANSFERRING GAMING DATA ON A
`GLOBAL COMPUTER NETWORK
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`By
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`Shridhar P. Joshi
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`EXPRESS MAIL MAILING LABEL
`NUMBER: --~E=L"-'70=544'-'--'-"94'-'-=27'--"U=S'--__ _
`
`October 16 2000
`DATE:
`I hereby certify that this paper or fee is being deposited with the United States Postal Service
`"EXPRESS MAIL POST OFFICE TO ADDRESSEE" service under 37 C.F.R. 1.10 on the date
`indicated above and is addressed to: Assistant Commissioner for Patents, Washington D.C.
`20231.
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`METHOD OF TRANSFERRING GAMING DATA ON A
`GLOBAL COMPUTER NETWORK
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`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates generally to gaming machines and, more
`particularly, to a method of transferring data from a gaming establishment to a player
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`at a remote site via a global computer network.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like,
`have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the
`popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood ( or perceived
`likelihood) of winning money and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine
`relative to other available gaming options. Shrewd operators consequently strive to
`employ the most entertaining and exciting machines available because such machines
`attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Accordingly, in
`the competitive gaming machine industry, there is a continuing need for gaming
`machine manufacturers to produce different methods to attract frequent play by
`enhancing the entertainment value and excitement associated with the game.
`Many game players want to be able to play gaming machines much more
`frequently then they are currently able to do. Such players are often limited because
`of the requisite travel required to attend casinos or other legal gaming establishments
`located in select portions of the United States. The involvedness, cost and
`inconvenience of a player being forced to travel to a gaming establishment severely
`limits. the amount of gamblin& .excursions that a player can assume. Furthermore,
`since these excursions are infrequent, a gaming player is often forced to spend as
`25 much time gambling as possible during the excursion because such a player may not
`have •the means to return to the gaming establishment for several months or years.
`There is continuing need for a gaming player to be able to gamble more frequently or
`for a shorter period time than is currently available and to be able to do so from a
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`location remote to the gaming establishment.
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`The present invention is directed to satisfying these needs. The foregoing and
`other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following
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`detailed description.
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`DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`A remote gaming method comprising a player accessing, via a remote
`terminal, a gaming site on a global computer network connected to the remote
`terminal. The player is able to provide via the remote terminal, personal identification
`information to the gaming site ·and select, via the remote terminal, a game of chance
`located at a gaming establishment for remote play. The remote terminal is located
`outside the gaming establishment. The player places, via the remote terminal, a wager
`for playing the selected game and receives randomly generated text or graphical
`outcome data at the remote terminal for the selected game. The outcome data being
`generated by either a gaming server or a gaming machine at the gaming establishment
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`~;g,: \) ~ ~ is subsequently relayed to the gaming site.
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`While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative
`forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example and will be
`described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not
`intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to
`cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and
`scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
`The present invention comprises a method by which data can be transferred
`from a gaming establishment to a gaming player disposed in a remote location from
`the host gaming
`Generally, a player accesses
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`the gaming establishment.
`establishment by use of a global computer network~ The host gaming establishment
`engages in gambling-type activities (e.g., a slot machine play) and reports the
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`outcomes to the remote player.
`During the 1990's, global computer networks, such as the World Wide Web
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`accessed through the Internet, became increasingly popular outlets. It is contemplated
`in accordance with the present invention that other types of global computer networks
`are available. The Internet is a global communications network built on worldwide
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`data and telephone networks. Computers connected to the Internet can exchange
`information with any other connected computer. The backbone of the Internet is
`founded on various sets of major telephone conduits and switches that exist across the
`world. These communications conduits are designed to move large volumes of data
`traffic at extremely high rates of speed.
`Each of the major conduits referred to above terminates at a router, which is a
`large, fast switch that sorts the large volumes of data. Each router is connected to
`additional, local routing devices. Local routing devices, called "points of presence"
`provide local Internet access. For example, an Internet termination router located in
`Chicago may have point of presence routers connected in, for example, Milwaukee
`and Indianapolis. A router is able to connect as many point of presence routers as the
`capacity of the switching systems and the Internet will permit.
`In addition to point of presence routers, commercial Internet exchanges and
`global Internet exchanges also. connect to the routers. These exchanges transfer data
`between Internet service providers, both nationally and internationally. When data
`originates on one U.S. Internet service provider with a destination on another U.S.
`long distance provider, the data is first routed to the commercial Internet exchange
`where it makes the transfer between providers.
`Personal computers typically connect to a local point of presence router
`through a local Internet carrier. A local Internet carrier obtains a direct line to the
`point of presence router and provides a modem or other connection by which a
`personal computer user achieves Internet access. When the personal computer
`connects to the modem of the local Internet carrier, the local Internet carrier switches
`the home computer to the point of presence router, which in tum connects the
`personal computer to the Internet.
`Another method of connecting computers to the Internet is by direct
`connection through a local area network (LAN) to the point of presence. Multiple
`personal computers can be connected to a single LAN, which connects to the point of
`presence through a leased data line. The computers connected to the LAN receive
`and transmit data to the point of the presence through the LAN.
`Attached to most LANs are a variety of different servers including the File
`Server and the Hypertext Transport Protocol ("HTTP") server. The File Server
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`connects to the LAN and contains the common data files used by the personal
`computers, the LAN and other servers. An HTTP server is a particular type of server
`that processes incoming and outgoing data written according to a certain Internet
`communication protocol, called hypertext transport protocol.
`As described above, the Internet is able to interconnect every computer on the
`Internet with every other computer on the Internet. An Internet site typically includes
`certain data files (called "web pages" that are a part of the World Wide Web) in its
`File Server. The Internet site HTTP server makes those pages available to other
`computers on the Internet. An HTTP Server that makes World Wide Web pages
`available on the Internet usually includes a so-called "home page," the starting point
`for outside users to navigate through the underlying World Wide Web pages serviced
`by the HTTP Server. These World Wide Web pages are written in a special World
`Wide Web language called Hypertext Markup Language ("HTML"). When a
`personal computer user wants to view a home page, it can do so by requesting that
`data over the Internet. In response, the requisite LAN retrieves the web page data
`from its File Server and instructs its HTTP Server to transmit the data, addressed via.
`the Internet, to the personal computer that requested the information. The data
`generally travels from the local leased link to the point of presence router near the
`location of the LAN, through the Internet, through the point of presence router near
`the requesting personal computer, through the local Internet carrier, and into the
`modem of the requesting personal computer.
`Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol ( ' 'TCP~
`transmission of data on the Internet to provide World Wide ~ommunication to
`users. To insure that data is sent to and received by t~propriate receiver on the
`Internet, every device communicating on the In~et is assigned a unique address
`called an Internet Protocol ("IP") addre~lliments of the IP address identify the
`location in the network that a ~e-"is connected. Other parts of the IP address
`identify the specific dev~lie IP address number has a three-digit element that
`e resident and an additional seven digits, three of which
`ident~fies the state of
`xchange of the resident and four digits that specifically identify the
`The IP address is presently a thirty-two bit binary address,
`~ - y processed by computers, but cumbersome for use by human users.
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`Consequently, the majority of IP addresses are a s s i~ a k e them
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`more "user friendly." The mnemonic-consists-of two parts: a host name and a domain
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`name. It is this representation of the--IP address that is commonly used by Internet
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`users to access Web sironventionally within the World Wide Web, the
`mnemonic "WWW~sed to represent the host name. The remaining portion of the
`mnemonic ~ents the domain or network where the host resides. For example,
`the domain {network)
`identifies a host named "www" in
`. ov,
`www.us
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`The standard protocol used by Internet components to address each other and
`usually is used as a Uniform Resource Locator {"URL"). This terminology appears as
`the opening element in the web site address. For example, http://www.uspto.gov, the
`Uniform Resource Locator indicates that the request is for "http" formatted data, {i.e.,
`a web page as opposed to, for example, an electronic mail message). The home page
`for the data resides on the "www" HTTP server on the "uspto.gov" LAN {or domain).
`The name of the file {to be found most likely in the file server supported by the
`uspto.gov LAN) is "homepage.html."
`Once a user has received an "HTML" formatted file corresponding to a web
`page, the text of the displayed file may prompt the user to request additional
`information contained in different web page files. The prompts are referred to as
`"hypertext" and usually show up on a home page {or other web page) in a different
`color than normal text, thus distinguishing them as hypertext links. Hypertext links in
`a document allow a reader to jump from· one object to another object within the
`document and to objects outside of the document. Hyperlinks between documents
`create an informational space with no formal pathways. Hyperlinks may include any
`kind of hypertext or other hypermedia link connecting one HTML page to another
`HTML page in the currently displayed web site or in some external web site. HTML
`is the computer language used to "compose" and represent information on a web
`page. By clicking a mouse on the hypertext, the user is automatically "transported"
`from a current web page to a new web page linked to that hypertext.
`For example, the master list server sends the request to a Domain Name Server
`{"DNS") responsible for handling calls to this address. If the DNS recognizes the
`call, then an affirmation is sent to the master list server that directs the call to the
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`server storing the particular home page. When the hypertext is selected, the browser
`requests a connection to the HTTP server hosting the file and it also requests from the
`HTTP server the file identified by the URL address. If the HTTP server accepts the
`connection requested by the browser, the HTTP server proceeds to transmit the
`requested file back to the browser. Once the browser receives the requested file, it
`delivers or presents the content of the file to the requesting user.
`One of the most popular mediums for browsing the Internet is the World Wide
`Web. The World Wide Web is a client/server application that helps the user access
`Its function is to display
`various HTML pages available at various Internet sites.
`documents and to make links between items of information available. The user then
`chooses which links to follow as the user pursues a course through various World
`Wide Web pages. An Internet World Wide Web site refers to an entity connected to
`the Internet that supports World Wide Web communications and/or World Wide Web
`files. A typical web site will include an HTTP server and one or more HTML pages
`(sometimes referred to as World Wide Web pages).
`A web site is usually configured to include a home page and a plurality of
`HTML pages that may each contain one or more hyperlinks. As a user clicks on one
`hyperlink in the home page, the user is transported to another HTML page. Further
`pages may have, for example, _a hyperlink that returns the user to the home page or a
`hyperlink that forwards the user to a subsequent page.
`A player can access a global computer network such as the Internet from a
`personal computer. It is contemplated in accordance with the present invention that
`other devices, such as a mobile telephone or pager can also access the Internet and
`allow information transfer as will be described with reference to a personal computer.
`The remainder of this application will refer to, for simplicity, a personal computer by
`which a player transmits and receives information regarding information transfer.
`As shown in FIG. 1, a personal computer preferably contains a microprocessor
`110 that executes instructions from its Read Only Memory (ROM) and during such
`execution, the microprocessor 110 temporarily stores and accesses information from
`the Random Access Memory (RAM). The microprocessor 110 is also attached to a
`remote video display driver and remote monitor 116. The remote monitor 116
`displays outcome data of one or more slot machines 160, 161, 162 that has been
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`received from a casino server 140 via the Internet 120. Also connected to the
`microprocessor 110 of the personal computer is a mouse 112, keyboard 114 and/or
`other accessories that a player may use to input information such as play preferences.
`Assuming that the player has accessed a casino web site 130 that allows interactive
`information transfer, the information entered by the player is available to a casino
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`server 140 and one or more slot machines 160, 161, 162 therein.
`The remote personal computer and microprocessor 110, as displayed in FIG.
`1, is communicatively connected to the casino server 140 and attached data storage
`unit 150 via the casino web site 130. The casino web site 130 is a remote wagering
`network controlled by the casino server 140. It is contemplated in accordance with
`the present invention that the web site 130 may be owned and operated by agencies or
`organizations separate from the casino; however, it is preferable that the casino server
`140 and the casino web site 130 are in constant communication to allow players
`access to the outcome informa,ti_on emanating from the slot machines 160, 161, 162
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`within the casino.
`At least one slot machine 160 within the casino communicates outcome data to
`the casino server 140 for transfer to the casino web site 130 and to the player.
`Outcome data shall be understood to include information including, but not limited to,
`all game-related activity such as the position of the reels of a slot machine 160, an
`indication of whether the player has won or lost and the corresponding amount won or
`lost. This data is passed from the individual slot machine 160 to the casino server 140
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`and subsequently to the casino web site 130 and player.
`Each slot machine 160 has unique identifying characteristics that allow the
`casino server 140 to distinguish the outcome data as being sent from a particular
`25 machine and to store and transmit that data with reference to that particular machine.
`The casino, via its web site 130, asks the player the type of game from which the
`player wishes to receive information. For example, the player may choose to be
`connected to a gaming machine such as a video or mechanical slot machine, video
`blackjack machine, video poker machine, video roulette machine, video keno machine
`or a video bingo machine. The slot machines 160, 161, 162 in FIG. 1 may be
`replaced with any of these other types of gaming machines. After receiving
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`information from the player regarding the type of game desired to be played, the
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`casino web site 130 transmits this information to the casino server 140 at the casino.
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`The slot machine 160 generally possesses myriad random gaming events in
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`which a player has the opportunity to place a wager on the outcome of the random
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`event. Each slot machine 160 includes a microprocessor, clock, and an operating
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`system. The microprocessor executes the instructions for playing the slot machine
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`160 and includes a random number generator. Random Access Memory (RAM)
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`temporarily stores information passed on to it by the microprocessor.
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`The slot machine 160 i_s initiated by inserting a coin or coins, using electronic
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`credit or by other methods commonly known in the art. The game begins in response
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`to the player activating a starting device (e.g., by pulling a lever or pushing a button).
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`This activation causes the microprocessor within the slot machine 160 to set the reels
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`in motion and the random number generator randomly selects a number that
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`corresponds to a given outcome. The microprocessor stops the reels to display the
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`symbols corresponding to the selected random number outcome. If the slot machine
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`160 is of the video type, simulated reels are rotated and stopped to place symbols on
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`the reels in visual association with a video display area.
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`In response to the activation of the slot machine 160, the microprocessor's
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`random number generator generates a random number that corresponds to a given
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`outcome.
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`In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a remote
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`player, via the Internet 120 or other global computer network, places a wager on the
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`outcome of this random number generation. The casino then transmits the outcome of
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`the random number generation in either a predetermined format or a format selected
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`by the player.
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`The casino server 140 also has a microprocessor, a clock and an operating
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`system associated therewith. The microprocessor of the server executes instruction of
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`a program stored in read-only memory (ROM) and the microprocessor temporarily
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`stores information in RAM. In order to communicate with the remote slot machine
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`160, each slot machine 160 is connected to the casino server 140. The server includes
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`one or more communications ports to connect with each slot machine 160 and also to
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`the network in order to transmit data to the casino's web site 130 and eventually to the
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`player. Furthermore, the microprocessor of the casino server 140 is united to a data
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`storage unit 150 comprising a transaction processor 156, a casino player database
`155, a session database 154, remote wagering database 152 and a gaming machine
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`database 153.
`In general, the transaction processor 156 manages the contents of the data
`storage unit. The casino player database 155 includes multiple records having
`multiple fields of information related to the identification of each player. The fields
`within each record include, for example, name, social security number, player
`identification number, address, telephone number(s), credit card type, number and
`expiration date, credit balance and other requisite information.
`The session database 154 comprises multiple records, each record relating to a
`remote play session. One field in each such record contains the player identification
`number and other fields include the type of slot machine 160 and its identification
`number to be accessed, the outcome(s), the bet per game, reel positions and payout. It
`is contemplated in accordance with the present invention that a remote player may
`choose multiple slot machines 160, 161, 162 for remote information transfer.
`The remote wagering database 152 includes multiple records, each of which
`corresponds to a different slot machine 160. Each record comprises fields including
`the terminal location, the player identification for players using the machine, start and
`end times for each player and gaming machine type. The information recorded in this
`database 152 is used to determine the amount of time that each slot machine 160 is
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`used.
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`The gaming machine database 153 also contains information regarding each
`gaming machine. Each slot machine is, as noted above, associated with particular
`identifying information and this information is stored in one field of the slot machine
`database 153. Other fields include machine type, machine denomination, maximum
`coins allowed, outcome data, and for reel games, reel position and payout. This
`database 153 allows the casino server 140 to easily search and discover the different
`machines that possess different types of games.
`The general operation of the system according to one embodiment of the
`present invention is discussed in connection with FIGS. 2a, 2b. After accessing the
`Internet 120, at step 205 of FIG. 2a, the player can simply request transfer to a
`casino's URL address or web site 130, in step 210, in the manner described above.
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`After gaining access to this address/site, a player will, in order to be able to receive
`information directed from a casino, need to register, as shown at step 215 of FIG. 2a,
`with the web site 130. One preferred method of obtaining identification from a player
`is to create a user identification ("User ID") number or name and password as
`commonly performed on many web sites. In order to create such a User ID, the web
`site 130 will preferably require the input of many pieces of information from a
`registering participant, such as name, address, telephone number, preferred game or
`games, preferred bet per game, credit card number, type of credit card, expiration date
`and other pertinent information. After receiving this information, the casino web site
`130 notifies the casino server 140 of the player's desire to obtain a transfer of
`information. The casino server 140 processes the information, stores the relevant
`identification information within the casino player database 155 and assigns a User ID
`and password to the new player. The User ID and password serve as an identification
`tag for a player to allow the player to easily and repeatedly enter and receive
`information associated with the casino web site 130 of the present invention. Once
`the User ID and password are accepted by the Web Administrator, the player is able
`to access the games.
`Specifically, after accessing the casino web site 130 ( or another authorized site
`designated to handle logging into a casino or gaming establishment), a player can
`enter or "log in" to, at step 220, the gaming area by providing, for example, the User
`ID and password, as described above. After receiving this information, the casino
`web site 130 will process the information, store the relevant identification information
`within the casino player database 155 and assign a User ID and password to the new
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`player.
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`The User ID and password serve as an identification tag for a player to allow
`the player to easily and repeatedly enter and receive information associated with the
`web site 130. Once the User ID and password are accepted, the player is given an
`option of the type of game to play, the amount to wager, etc. The player will indicate
`the preferred options using one or more selection buttons, mouse l f 2 inputs and/or
`keyboard 114 inputs. The player must also provide a means to pay for the
`information to be transferred from the casino to the player via the Internet 120. One
`preferred method that a player can ensure payment for the information transfer is to
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`arrange an account with the casino or other organization that maintains control over
`the web site 130. A player wishing to arrange such an account can deposit funds with
`the casino in person or arrange for a line of credit in the casino account. Each time a
`player participates in a game by asking for an information transfer, the casino will
`deduct from the casino account the amount of the fee for the game or portion of a
`game that is played. Payouts for winning outcomes can be added to the casino
`It is also contemplated in accordance with the present invention that the
`account.
`session database 154 and remote wagering database 152 can "remember" the amount
`wagered, lost, and won for a player during a particular gaming session and only
`remove or add to a casino account, depending on the random outcomes, at the end of a
`gaming session.
`As an initial step in the operation of the present embod~ment, the remote
`player may add funds to the player's credit balance. Funds are supplied to the player
`account via a credit card that the player has previously submitted to the casino. It is
`also contemplated in accordance with the present invention that a player can enter a
`credit card number via input means such as a mouse 112 and/or a keyboard 114 each
`time that the player begins an information retrieval session.
`The casino web site 130 transmits the player identifying information at step
`225 of FIG. 2a to the casino server 140. The casino server 140 accesses the record in
`the casino player database 155, at step 230, containing the received player
`identification information. The server proceeds to access the credit availability and
`credit information of the player. The microprocessor of the server 140 authenticates
`the player identification number, which involves searching the casino player database
`155 for the record having the received player identification numbers. If no record
`exists in the casino player database 155 having the particular player identification
`number, than the remote player is rejected and play is disallowed. If the casino player
`database 155 identifies a record containing the player identification number, the
`remote player is accepted for remote play.
`Once the credit and payment information is accessed, the player is then
`notified, at step 235 of FIG. 2b, to initiate remote play. Preferably, the remote
`monitor 116 displays a prompting message requesting that the remote player input the
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`play preferences. Specifically, the casino server 140 transmits a signal to the casino
`web site 130 that displays, on the remote monitor 116, the prompting message.
`In order to respond to the prompting message and place a specific wager on
`the outcome of the random number generation, the player communicates, at step 240,
`one or more preferences to the casino regarding the slot machine 160 event. The
`remote player proceeds to enter play preferences via a mouse 112 input, a keyboard
`114 input, a touch pen input, a touch screen input or other input means commonly
`known in the art. For example, the player may determine the amount of wager wished
`to be placed on a random event or the type of reward that player wishes to receive, if
`any. It is also contemplated in accordance with the present invention that the player
`may decide, via the Internet 120, what types of bonus prizes are desired and/or the
`different types of options to pursue if or when a bonus round is initiated.
`The play preferences and other identifying information are then transmitted
`from the casino web site 130 and to the casino server 140 for inclusion in the
`appropriate field of the player's record in the session database 154, as shown at step
`245 of FIG. 2b. Having received the play preferences, the casino server 140 accesses
`the record in the remote wagering database 152 and proceeds to enter the player
`identification into the appropriate field of that record.
`After creating a record in the remote wagering database 152, the casino server
`140 searches the slot machin~. database 153 for a slot machine{s) that matches {or
`most nearly matches) the play preferences, at step 250, inputted by the player. The
`casino then selects that machine{s) for use. The casino server 140 may select slot
`machines that are currently in use by live players {players physically present at the
`slot machines) of those that are not in use by live players. The selected slot
`25 machine{s) randomly generates outcome data for transmission to the casino server
`140. When generating the outcome data for a remote player, the slot machine does
`not visually display the outcome data or the generation of the outcome data on the slot
`machine itself. Such visual presentations by the slot machine itself are reserved for
`live players physically present at the slot machine.
`The casino server 140 receives the outcome data from the selected slot
`machines. Where the outcome ·data includes the visual representation of the outcome,
`i.e. reel positions, the reel positions may be received by the casino server 140.
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`Furthermore, so that the casino server 140 can identify which of the received outcome
`data corresponds to which slot machine, the slot machine transmits the outcome data,
`at step 255, along with its machine identification number. In alternate embodiments,
`other machine identifying information may be transmitted with the outcome data.
`The casino server 140 proceeds to transmit, at step 260, the outcome data for
`those selected slot machines to the casino web site 130 and then to the player. In the
`present embodiment, the remote monitor 116 displays the outcome, such as the reel
`positions ( or card values for video poker machines) as well as the payout information,
`if any. Furthermore, the remote monitor 116 may simulate play of the selected slot
`machine based upon the received outcome data by generating a graphical display of
`In alternate
`spinning reels in the same manner as a conventional slot machine.
`embodiments employing gaming devices other than slot machines, the remote monitor
`116 similarly may simulate play, such as the graphical dealing of cards or spinning of
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`a roulette wheel.
`The casino server 140 :i:ipdates the remote player's credit balance field that is
`also displayed on the remote monitor 116. After the server updates the player's credit
`balance field at the casino server 140, the casino server 140 determines whether the
`player has sufficient funds remaining to allow continued play. After this
`determination, the casino server 140 relays information through the casino web site
`130 to the player and inquires if further play is desired, at step 265 of FIG. 2b. If
`sufficient funds remain, the remote monitor 116 displays a request by asking t