United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`US005823879A
`
`[11]
`
`Patent Number:
`
`5,823,879
`Goldberg et al. Oct. 20, 1998 [45]
`Date of Patent:
`
`
`
`
`
`[54] NETWORK GAMING SYSTEM
`
`[75]
`
`Inventors: Sheldon F. Goldberg, 3360 E. Serene,
`Henderson, Nev. 89014; John Van
`Antwerp, Springdale, Md.
`
`[73] Assignee: Sheldon F. Goldberg, Henderson, Nev.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 759,895
`
`[22]
`
`Filed:
`
`Dec. 3, 1996
`
`Tint. Ceec eeeeeeseccseesnnnneeeeeeeenesnnneees A63F 9/24
`[SL]
`[52] U.S. C1. ccc ecceesserssnseesessessanessnessenessensssnies 463/42
`[58] Field of Search oe 463/26, 27, 42,
`463/11, 12, 13; 273/236, 237
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U.S, PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`
`
`
`
`7/1982 Hedges et al. ieee 364/412
`4,339,798
`8/1984 Hedgesetal.
`w. 364/412
`4,467,424
`
`«. 364/412
`..
`1/1985 Troyet al.
`4,494,197
`
`... 364/000
`7/1985 Freeny,Jr.
`4,528,643
`7/1985 Ubland 0. 364/412
`4,531,187
`9/1986 Takashima wo. cece canes 273/85
`4,614,342
`1/1987 Harlick.....
`». 364/412
`4,636,951
`7/1988 Sidley ..
`». 364/412
`4,760,527
`8/1989 Itkis .
`wo. 273/237
`4,856,787
`4,875,164 10/1989 Monfort
`». 364/412
`.
`w. 273/256
`4,902,020
`2/1990 Auxier
`
`.. 364/412
`4,926,327
`5/1990 Sidley ..
`2. 273/240
`5,009,429
`4/1991 Auxier
`.
`8/1991 Lucero.....
`.. 235/380
`5,038,022
`5,129,549
`7/1992 Hallman, Jr.et al.
`364/412
`5,224,706
`7/1993 Bridgemanetal. ..........
`273/85
`5,257,789
`11/1993 LeVASsCur
`..cccccccscretsssereeens 273/309
`5,257,810 11/1993 Schorret al.
`wa 273/292
`
`». 273/292
`5,320,356
`6/1994 Cauda......
`6/1994 Craine oo.eee 235/380
`5,321,241
`7/1994 Pease et al. wiccccccceesseer ene 273/138
`5,326,104
`2/1995 Paulsen et al.
`.
`we 273/292
`5,393,067
`
`.
`w. 273/304
`5,403,015
`4/1995 Forte etal.
`
`w. 273/292
`5,437,462
`8/1995 Breeding ..
`.. 235/380
`5,559,312
`9/1996 Lucero ........
`.
`5,586,936 12/1996 Bennett et al.
`463/42
`
`5,611,730
`3/1997 Weiss ..........
`463/20
`
`7/1997 Vaughnetal. ..
`5,643,088
`463/40
`o..scseessssseesscseseeee 463/27
`5,707,287
`1/1998 McCrea, Jr.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Patent application, Auxieret al.
`Advertising brochure for “Trak—21”, by Digital Biometics,
`Inc., Gaming Division, 5600 Rowland Road, Minnctonka,
`MN 55343.
`Advertising page for “Tracker—Plus TP—700 Player Tracking
`Equipment for Table Games”, by Open Technologies, 6520
`Platt Ave., Suite 672, West Hills, CA 91307.
`Advertising pages (15—16 and Order Form) for QQP games,
`in eStrategy Plus, believed to be from 1994.
`Estavanik, “Designing On-Line, Multiplayer Games”,
`Game Developer, pp. 14-21, Premier 1994.
`Horton, “The Power of ImaginNation”, in Advertising Age,
`Mar. 7, 1994.
`Information sheet for “Action Tracker Electronic Voucher
`System”.
`Marketing Plan for Manitest Destiny, Inc., 1994.
`O’Connell, “Advertisers Get Benched”, Promo, The Inter-
`national Magazine for Promotion Marketing, p. 96, Mar.
`1994.
`
`in
`
`Primary Examiner—George Manuel
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Sheridan Ross P.C.
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`‘lhe present invention is a game playing method and appa-
`ratus for automating games such as blackjack, poker, craps,
`roulette, baccarat and pai gow, wherein players may play
`continuously and asynchronously, and informationrelated to
`advertised items can be exchanged between players and
`advertisers. In one embodiment, each instance of a gameis
`likely unique from all other current game instances. The
`games do not
`require a manual dealer and in one
`embodiment, played in a gaming establishment using low
`cost gaming stations. The present invention may also be
`used to play such games on the Internet or an interactive
`cable television network wherein a game controller com-
`municates with players at network nodesin their homes and
`at their leisure since there is no game tempo requirement.
`During a game,advertising is selectively provided by com-
`paring player personal information with a desired demo-
`graphic profile. Player responses to advertising are used for
`evaluating advertising effectiveness. The invention is useful
`for test marketing of products, advertisements, and reduces
`advertising costs.
`
`96 Claims, 14 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
` 42
`WAGER,
`
`
`
`ACCOUNTING
`}wfBLACKJACK
`
`
` GENERATOR
`MODULE.
`DEALER
` J
`HOISE
`
`
`MODULE
`30
`PLAYING
`
`
`7
`MODULE
`
`
`
`i
`
`DRVERat[-—*] BLACKIACK
`Loi
`BLACKJACK[*
`BLACKJACK,
`
`HAND
`PLAYER
`
`EVALUATOR
`
`
`EVALUATOR,
`
`
`
`26
`
`COMMUNICATION INT
`
`STATION |" *° GAMING
`/ 1
`
`wo®|GAMING GAMING
`STATION
`j
`STATION
`
`
`
`
`“18
`iw -~
`“18,
`“18
`
`
`
`AND PLAYING
`STATUS
`DATABASE 28
`
`
`
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 1
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 1
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 1 of 14
`
`5,823,879
`
`BLACKJACK GAME CONTROLLER 14
`
`WAGER
`
`
`
`38
`42
`
`ACCOUNTING
`
`HOUSE
`
`
`
`
`BLACKJACK
`
`
`MODULE
`
`DEALER
`
`
`
`30
`
`
`PLAYING
`MODULE
`
`
`CARD
`GENERATOR
`
`
`
`ee
`
`MODULE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BLACKJACK
`BLACKJACK
`
`HAND
`
`
`PLAYER
`EVALUATOR
`EVALUATOR
`
`
`
`
`
`Seep
`
`
`COMMUNICATION INTERFACE
`
`
`
`
`GAMING
`STATION
`
`18
`
`
`10 BLACKJACK
`
`PLAYER
`
`REGISTRATION
`AND PLAYING
`STATUS
`DATABASE28
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG.
`
`1
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 2
`Zyngav. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 2
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 2 of 14
`
`5,823,879
`
`|
`
`||
`
`288
`
`29
`
`299
`*
`
`339
`+
`
`216
`
`208
`
`HOUSE HAND
`
`A®
`
`STATUS
`
`CONTINUING
`
`PLAYER HAND(S)
`
`STATUS
`
`OPTIONS
`
`LAST
`BET
`
`TOTAL
`BET
`
`$200
`$200
`
`$50
`$50
`
`NONE
`STND
`STND,HIT,
`PICK
`/
`DBL, BET
`OPTION
`302-
`ACCEPT/CANCEL
`304° MOST RECENT BET: $30
`ACCEPTED
`312.|
`INSURANCEBET: $25
`30. AMOUNT AVAILABLE FOR BETTING: $1,000
`ELAPSED PLAYING TIME:
`45 MIN
`324.{
`SREMAINING PLAYING TIME: 3 HR 15 MIN
`TOURNAMENTID: 12-28-6
`328-4 GAMES PLAYED: 8
`GAME NUMBER: 16
`RULES:
`INSURANCEPAYS3:1
`DOUBLE DOWN AFTER SPLITTING ALLOWED ONCE
`MIN BET: $25
`34214-PLAYER: I.B. SMITH
`
`CANCEL
`
`LAST
`
`
`
`204
`
`
`264
`0
`
`CANCEL\-’
`$100
`\;
`
`LAST
`
`268
`
`
`
`
`
`/
`
`
`SPEED OF PLAY | FAST
`
`280
`
`FIG, 2
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 3
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 3
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 3 of 14
`
`5,823,879
`
`
`
`WEBSITE 308
`
`
`BLACKJACK GAME CONTROLLER 14
`
`
`
`WAGER
`
`
`CARD
`HOUSE
`ACCOUNTING
`
`
`
`MODULE
`BLACKJACK
`GENERATOR
`
`
`
`MODULE
`PLAYING
`
`
`
`
`30
`MODULE
`
`38
`
`42
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ACKJACK
`
`HAND
`
`
`
`
`EVALUATOR
`
`
`
`an
`22
`
`tyLi
`Co
`
`BLACKJACK
`PLAYER
`EVALUATO
`
`26
`
`
`
`Lti
`
`
`10
`
`INTERNET
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`INTERNET
`INTERNET
`
`
`BLACKJACK
`CLIENT
`
`
`CLIENT
`CLIENT
`
`NODE
`NODE
`PLAYER
`NODE
`
`
`
`REGISTRATION
`318
`318
`AND PLAYING
`STATUS
`
`
`DATABASE 28
`
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 4
`Zyngav. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 4
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 4 of 14
`
`5,823,879
`
`FIG. 4A
`
`408
`
`THE BLACKJACK GAME
`CONTROLLER14 IS INITIALIZED
`
`CARD DEALER MODULE 38 OUTPUTS AT
`REGULAR INTERVALS RANDOM CARD
`REPRESENTATIONS TO THE BLACKJACK
`PLAYER EVALUATOR 34 AND THE HOUSE
`BLACKJACK PLAYING MODULE42
`
`WAIT FOR NEXT PLAYER INPUT
`
`404
`
`416
`
`430
`
`COMMUNICATION INTERFACE 22 RECEIVES A BLACKJACK
`GAME REQUEST FROM AN INTERNET CLIENT NODE318
`(GAMING STATION 18) AND TRANSMITS THE REQUEST TO
`THE BLACKJACK DRIVER 26
`
`436
`
`NO
`
`IS THE REQUEST RELATED TO A
`CURRENT BLACKJACK GAME AND/OR
`BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT?
`
`YES
`
`476
`
`
`
`
`
`<> YES
`NO
`
`AND/OR BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT
`IN WHICH THE PLAYER MAY BE
`CURRENTLY INVOLVED
`
`
`
`DOES THE
`THE BLACKJACK DRIVER 26 USES THE
`PLAYER
`PLAYER'S ID PROVIDED WITH THE
`REQUEST TO
`REQUEST FOR RETRIEVING ANY
`ENTER A
`STATUS INFORMATION FROM THE
`BLACKJACK
`AA
`\ TOURNAMENT?|DATABASE SYSTEM 28 REGARDING
`
`-
`ANY CURRENT BLACKJACK GAME
`
`
`
`PROCESS
`MISCELLANEOUS
`REQUESTS
`
`
`470
`NO <> YES
`
`480
`
`DOES THE PLAYER REQUEST
`TO COMMENCE A NEW
`BLACKJACK GAME IN A
`CURRENT TOURNAMENT?
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 5
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 5
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 5 of 14
`
`5,823,879
`
`IS THE PLAYER REQUEST
`RELATED TO A PLAY INA
`
`CURRENTLY ACTIVE
` BLACKJACK GAME?
`
`4
`
`
`
`524
`
`
`
`
`
`OUTPUT THE
`CONFIRMATION RECORD
`TO THE PLAYER AT
`HIS/HER INTERNET
`CLIENT NODE 318
`(GAMINGSTATION 18)
`
`528
`
`IS THE PLAYER REQUEST
`FOR A NEW CARD
`REPRESENTATION?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`THE BLACKJACK
`
`
`
`DRIVER 26 DETERMINES
`<>
`
`
`A BLACKJACK
`NO
`
`TOURNAMENT AND
`
`ENTERS THE PLAYER
`
`
`
`PROCESS
`
`
`
`MISCELLANEOUS
`CREATE A CONFIRMATION
`
`REQUESTS
`
`
`RECORD IDENTIFYING THE
`BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT
`
`IN WHICH THE PLAYERIS
`
`ENTERED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
` ENTERINTO THE DATA-
`
`
`BASE 28 INFORMATION
`
`
`INDICATING THE
`BLACKJACK TOURNAMENT
`IN WHICH THE PLAYER HAS
`BEEN ENTERED
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`576
`
`
`
`THE BLACKJACK DRIVER
`OUTPUTS A NEW
`BLACKJACK GAME
`CONFIGURATION TO THE
`PLAYER
`
` PROCESS OTHER
`
`
`
`BLACKJACK GAME
`
`REQUESTS
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 4B
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 6
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 6
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`

`

`5,823,879
`
`||
`
`FIG. 4C
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 7
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`
`
`
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 6 of 14
`
`532
`
`FOR WHOM?
`
`THE BLACKJACK DRIVER 26
`COMMUNICATES WITH THE
`HOUSE BLACKJACK PLAYING
`MODULE 42 FOR OBTAINING A
`NEW BLACKJACK GAME
`CONFIGURATION FOR THE
`CURRENT BLACKJACK GAME,
`WHEREIN THE NEW GAME
`CONFIGURATION INCLUDES
`THE MOST RECENTLY OUTPUT
`CARD REPRESENTATION FROM
`THE CARD DEALER MODULE38
`AS THE NEXT CARD
`REPRESENTATION IN THE
`HOUSE HANDFOR THE
`BLACKJACK GAME FROM
`WHICH THE CURRENT
`PLAYER'S REQUEST CAME
`
`
`
`THE BLACKJACK PLAYER
`
`EVALUATOR34
`
`
`DETERMINES A NEW
`
`BLACKJACK GAME
`
`
`
`CONFIGURATION FOR
`
`
`
`THE CURRENT
`
`BLACKJACK GAME,
`
`
`WHEREIN THE NEW
`
`
`GAME CONFIGURATION
`
`
`
`INCLUDES THE MOST
`
`
`
`RECENTLY OUTPUT
`
`CARD REPRESENTATION
`
`
`
`FROM THE CARD
`
`
`
`DEALER MODULE38 AS
`
`
`THE NEXT CARD
`
`
`REPRESENTATION FOR
`
`THE PLAYER'S HAND(S)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`THE BLACKJACK
`THE HOUSE BLACKJACK
`
`PLAYING MODULE42
`PLAYER EVALUATOR 34
`
`
`OUTPUTS BLACKJACK
`DETERMINES THE NEXT
`
`
`GAME CONFIGURATION
`BLACKJACK PLAY
`
`
`INFORMATION
`OPTIONS AND OUTPUTS
`
`
`
`INDICATING THE NEW
`A NEW BLACKJACK
`
`
`HOUSE HAND CARD
`GAME CONFIGURATION
`
`REPRESENTATION AND
`TO THE BLACKJACK
`
`
`
`ANY PLAYER RESPONSE(S)
`DRIVER 26
`
`542
`|
`572
`|
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 7
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 7 of 14
`
`5,823,879
`
`
`
` THE BLACKJACK DRIVER 26
`OUTPUTS A BLACKJACK
`GAME CONFIGURATION TO
`THE PLAYER ATHIS/HER
`INTERNET CLIENT NODE
`318 (GAMING STATION 18)
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`THE BLACKJACK DRIVER 26
`SENDS THE BLACKJACK
`GAME RESULTS TO THE
`WAGER ACCOUNTING
`MODULE30 FOR UPDATING
`THE PLAYER'S ACCOUNT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`THE WAGER ACCOUNTING MODULE30 RESPONDS
`WITH UPDATED ACCOUNTING INFORMATION TO BE
`
`PROVIDED TO THE PLAYER
`
`
`
`THE BLACKJACK DRIVER 26 OUTPUTS THE
`RESULTS OF THE BLACKJACK GAME AND THE
`
`
`PLAYER'S UPDATED ACCOUNT INFORMATION
`
`
`
`
`546
`
`
`IS THERE A FURTHER
`PLAYER RESPONSE
`POSSIBLE?
`
`556
`
`|
`
`|
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`THE BLACKJACK DRIVER 26 REQUESTS CONFIRMATION
`FROM THE WAGER ACCOUNTING MODULE30 THAT THE
`PLAYER CAN COMMENCE A NEW BLACKJACK GAME IN
`THE CURRENT TOURNAMENT
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 4D
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 8
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 8
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 8 of 14
`
`5,823,879
`
`
`
`THE BLACKJACK DRIVER 26
`OUTPUTS A MESSAGE TO THE
`PLAYERAT HIS/HER INTERNET
`CLIENT NODE 318 (GAMING STATION
`18) INDICATING THAT A NEW GAME
`CANNOT BE COMMENCEDIN THE
`CURRENT TOURNAMENT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`494
`
`CREATE A BLACKJACK GAME
`RECORD FOR THE PLAYER
`
`496
`
`500
`
`THE BLACKJACK DRIVER 26 REQUESTS THE
`BLACKJACK PLAYER EVALUATOR34 TO PROVIDE
`
`AN INITIAL BLACKJACK GAME CONFIGURATION
`
`THE HOUSE BLACKJACK PLAYING MODULE42 RESPONDS
`WITH AN INITIAL BLACKJACK GAME CONFIGURATION
`INCLUDING THEINITIAL CARD REPRESENTATION FOR THE
`HOUSE HAND,THIS INITIAL CARD REPRESENTATION BEING
`THE MOST RECENT CARD REPRESENTATION PROVIDED TO IT
`BY THE CARD DEALER MODULE38
`
`FOR THE PLAYERIN THE DATABASE 28
`
`NODE318 (GAMING STATION 18)
`
`THE BLACKJACK DRIVER 26 STORES INFORMATION
`REGARDING THE IDENTITY AND INITIAL CONFIGURATION
`
`504
`
`THE BLACKJACK DRIVER 26 OUTPUTSAN INITIAL
`BLACKJACK GAME CONFIGURATION FOR THE NEW
`GAMETO THE PLAYERAT HIS/HER INTERNET CLIENT
`
`508
`
`FIG. 4E
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 9
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 9
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 9 of 14
`
`5,823,879
`
`
`
`31
`ec
`
`
`ec
`
`
`Ol
`el
`el
`
`
`91
`6l
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`§Old
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 10
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`ih
`
`+g¢4INGOW
`
`
`
`AdLNdNOAONANOAS
`
`
`
`WATVACCUVOAHL
`
`SCUV)JOSANTVA
`
`auvoWOU
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CNVHMIAVId
`CNVHYdAVld
`CNVHWAVId
`CNVHYaAVTd
`NOLLVNIVA
`NOILVOATVAA
`CNVH4SMOH
`
`NOLLVIYIVAY
`CNVH4SN0OH
`
`NOILLVIVIVAY
`NOUVATIVAG|
`NOLLVIYIVAd
`CNVHdSMOH
`
`NOILVOYTIVAA
`CNVHASNOH
`
`NOLLVATVAA
`19ANVD
`19HWIVD
`
`AOVTd
`
`MOV!
`
`MOVTd
`
`MOvel
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 10
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`
`

`

`
`
`80¢ALISddMLNAIWASILYYAGW/AWVD
`asSVaVLVdoF5bE
`
`
`WASLLYAAGV£9ANIONAAW'IdYNVO
`
`
`(HdAV1d)YOLVAIVAT>)YOLVNIVA
`wasnaNwaARICSNOILLdOpoLevaPoUaAVTd
`
`
`NOLLOATASYOLVAANAD
`
`HNIONAMaDVANONIAV'IdSSNOH
`
`ONILNNOOOVcPTINGOW
`
`ASVaVIVdONISILYUHAGV
`
`TINGOW
`
`Of
`
`
`
`NAMAOL
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 10 of 14
`
`5,823,879
`
`09YAVIOULNOO
`
`sre
`
`
`
`Bree_
`
`
`
`
`
`OveYHAWHSGHMACIMCTHOM
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 11
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 11
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 11 of 14
`
`5,823,879
`
`
`
`8T€AGONLNAI19LANYALNI
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`LNAWNdINODADVAMALNI
`
`NOLLVOINNWINOD
`
`17,2)
`en
`
`
`
`INANdINOSJOVINALNI
`
`NOLLVOINOQWINO2
`
`
`
`AOVAYALNILANUALNI
`
`
`
`MOVISdi/dOL
`
`qd9“Dld
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 12
`Zyngav. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 12
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 12 of 14
`
`wAGEdOT.
`
`POL-
`
`00L
`
`
`
`SSdadddvLANYALNI
`
`
`
`HOVdONINEdO
`
`5,823,879
`
`
`
`NOLLONGOWLNINOLLONGOWLNINOLLONGOWLNIAf(sowerJosd1049)
`y9el—OEL79LO€LpolELJFAVO<sany?g€INVO<sIny/=-VTNVD<>soiny/
`
`
`
`87L~,87L—s7L—¢loJUNVDOL
`daNVDOLVdNVDOLVv
`80.7SoSHOVd
`XHONI
`dOVdANVObeO1L7
`
`/SLINAWASILYAACY\ty“O[SNOLLVZINVDUO
`tyfo7LSTWNOLLOWOUdBIL
`
`NOILVULSIONYINVS.LISANAd
`
`LOld
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 13
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 13
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 13 of 14
`
`5,823,879
`
`VASILLYAACV
`
`ASVaVLVd
`
`cT9
`
`(HAATd)
`
`ASVAVLVG
`
`wasn
`
`8c
`
`80€ALISdHMLNAWHSILLYSACV/ANVD
`
`NOLLOATASYOLVANE
`ONISILYSACVZOANIONAVTdFNVD
`
`
`dNIONA‘|ONIAVIdJSNOH
`0ZFTINGOW
`
`
`FOVINELNIAVMALVDNOWANOD
`
`YOLVATVAIL}yaaa|TOROVAS
`WV)ONIAVDPoMAAVId
`
`
`
`
`09UATIOULNODLNAWASLLYAACV/ANWVD
`
`
`
`BPE(ID0-d.LLH)
`
`
`
`Ob€UAAUASGAMACIMATYOM
`
`SNOTLdO
`
`FE
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 14
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 14
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 20, 1998
`
`Sheet 14 of 14
`
`5,823,879
`
`
`
`
`
`TtHUONLINAITOLANYSLNI
`
`
`
`
`
`WASMOUAOVAMALLNI-(dS)
`
`09INAWdINOAOrg
`
`WV'eDOuddv)
`
`WAMAIAGVNOWAVd
`
`dV/dOL
`
`(WAAIAONA
`
`
`
`MMMNOLLVOINOWWODWACIAOUd
`
`LANYYINI
`
`SOIAYAS
`
`
`
`
`NOWAVGdI/dOLMOVILSdi/dOL\
`YWAAGNASAV_
`
`
`
`cee
`
`
`
`ROEILNAWdINOFFOVAMALNI
`
`NOLLVOINQWINOO
`
`d8“DI
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 15
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 15
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`5,823,879
`
`1
`NETWORK GAMING SYSTEM
`
`REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
`Application Ser. No. 06/010,361, filed Jan. 19, 1996, and
`US. Provisional Application Ser. No. 06/010,703, filed Jan.
`26, 1996.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present inventionis related to a method and apparatus
`for automating the playing games such as blackjack so that
`they can be played continuously and asynchronously by a
`potentially large plurality of players substantially, and
`whercin information related to goods and services for sale
`can be exchanged between players and sponsors of adver-
`tisements presented during the playing of a game.
`BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION
`
`‘The cost effective automation of playing certain games,
`like blackjack, has been difficult due to the fact that these
`gamestypically require a dealer and onlya relatively small
`number of players may play the game with a single dealer.
`However, with the popularity of local and widc-arca data
`communication networks, it is desirable to have an auto-
`mated gaming system for games such as blackjack wherein
`large numbersof players may cost-effectively and efficiently
`play such games.
`Furthermore, it has been difficult to cost-etfectively pro-
`vide a network gaming system on such networks as the
`Internet in that gaming restrictions prohibit wagering and
`ante fees in most contexts except such situations as local
`area networks within a casino. However, since manyplayers
`have an interest in playing casino-type games, it would also
`be desirable to have a wayto benefit from interests in such
`games. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a system
`that utilized a gaming context as a vehicle for delivering
`product and/or service information to users of a network
`such as the Internet. In particular, it would be desirable to
`have a data processing system that provided a large number
`of players with the ability to substantially asynchronously
`play casino-style games on the Internet for prizes at a
`reduced risk or at substantially no risk, wherein the data
`processing system coordinated the presentation of products
`and/or services from sponsors of the gamesso that there is
`a coordinated, interactive exchange of information between
`players and sponsors regarding advertisements, samples,
`prizes and questionnaires related to sponsor products and/or
`services.
`
`Accordingly, since the present invention, as described in
`the sections hereinbelow, addresses the above-discussed
`problems within the context of playing blackjack, an over-
`view ofthis particular game is provided so that the novelty
`and various related aspects of the present invention may be
`more fully appreciated.
`Description of Blackjack
`The card game of blackjack is a game of chance played
`between a designated player knownas a “dealer” and onc or
`more other players. Basically, each player plays against the
`dealer in the sense that cach player attempts to achieve a
`collection or hand of cards having a total score for the hand
`closer to the value 21 than the score of the hand ofthe dealer.
`However, if a player’s card hand goes over 21, the player
`maylose any wagers bet on the hand regardless of the value
`of the card hand of the dealer.
`In further detail, blackjack is typically played with one or
`more standard playing card decks wherein each card has a
`
`10
`
`20
`
`30
`
`40
`
`50
`
`60
`
`2
`value. In particular, each of the face cards has the value of
`10, and non-face card has a value identical to the numerical
`value as indicated on the card, except for aces. That is, for
`aces a value maybe assignedofeither 1 or 11, depending on
`which value a player deems most beneficial to his/her hand.
`In one conventional method for playing blackjack, at the
`commencement of a blackjack hand, each player initially is
`provided with two cards and the dealer also receives two
`cards. Typically, one of the dealer’s cards is dealt with the
`value of the card showing whereas the other card is dealt
`with the value of the card hidden. However, variations on
`when the dealer receives his/her cards may depend on the
`blackjack gaming rules where blackjack is being played but,
`in anycase, one of the dealer’s cards must be face-up before
`the players exercise various wagering options beyond an
`initial ante.
`
`After a player has reviewed his/her cards, the player may
`request one or more additional cards in an attemptto get: (a)
`a value for a card handthat will be greater than the hand the
`dealer will have, and (b) a valuefor the card handthat is less
`than or equal to 21. Further, a player may under certain
`circumstances, as will be described below, simultaneously
`play more than one handof cards against the dealer’s cards.
`However, in requesting such additional cards, a player runs
`the risk of “busting” each hand played wherein the player
`loses his/her wager(s) on a card hand by adding cardsto the
`hand until a value exceeding 21 occurs. Further note that
`such busting of a hand occurs regardless of whether or not
`the dealer has a card hand value ofless than or equal to 21.
`Note that after each player has ceased to request further
`cards (i.c., cach player “stands” on his cards),
`the dealer
`either takes one or more further cards(i.c., “hits”) according
`to predetermined blackjack rules as established, for
`example, by the gaming establishment where the blackjack
`game is being conducted. In general, the dealer must take
`additional cardsif his/hercurrent card counttotalis less than
`17 and the dealer must decline further cards if the dealer’s
`hand has a value of 17 or more. However, there are various
`rules regarding whether a dealer may stand or hit when the
`card counttotal is a “soft 17.” hat is, one of the dealer’s
`cards is an ace (and therefore may have a value of 1 or 11)
`and one of the values for the dealer’s hand is 17. For
`
`example, the dealer maybe required to take a hit on a soft
`17.
`Since a hit(s) taken by the dealer is performed after all
`players have exercised their wagering options,
`the final
`numerical value of the dealer’s hand is then comparedto the
`final numerical value of each of the player’s hand(s) to
`determine the winning and losing wagers. Note that if the
`dealer’s hand exceeds the value of 21, then any player that
`has not busted wins the wagers for their hand(s) regardless
`of the hand’s total value. Alternatively, if the dealer’s card
`handis less or equal to 21, then it is compared with each of
`the player’s card hand(s) and in each comparison the card
`hand with the closest total value to 21 without exceeding 21
`wins. Of course, ties are possible. In such cases (called a
`“push”),
`the player’s wager(s) on his/her card hand are
`returned.
`It is typical in blackjack to have at least three additional
`player options depending on the circumstances of play. A
`first such option is knownas “doubling down”whereinif the
`player’s first two cards have a value within a predetermined
`range (e.g., 10 or 11), then the player may doublehis or her
`wagerand once dealt a single additional card, the total of the
`three card hand becomesthe value for the player’s hand.
`Alternatively, another option is that of “splitting pairs”
`wherein if the player’s first two cards are identical with the
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 16
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 16
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`

`

`5,823,879
`
`
`
`3
`exception of suit (i.c., a pair), then the pair may besplit so
`that two card hands are created with one card of the pair in
`each hand. Thus, the player must wageron eachofthe hands
`at least the initial wagering or ante amount. Subsequently, a
`second card and any subsequent successive cardsare dealt to
`each of the separate hands as the player requests and the
`results of both hands are compared to the dealer’s hand,
`assuming neither the dealer nor either of the player’s two
`handsbusts.
`In a third option, played immediatelyafter each player has
`been dealt their first two cards and the dealer has been dealt
`at least a first card, a player may request “insurance” under
`the circumstances where the dealer’s single face-up card is
`an ace. In this circumstance, the player is betting that the
`dealer has blackjack (ie., a card value total of 21). If the
`dealer does not have blackjack, then the insurance bet is
`forfeited and the player plays his/her blackjack hand asif the
`insurance bet were never made. Note that the player can
`typically wager an insurance bet of one-half of the amount
`of his/her initial blackjack wageror ante andif the dealer has
`blackjack,
`then the dealer (or the gaming establishment)
`pays the player double or triple his/her insurance bet.
`Further note that options for splitting pairs and doubling
`down may interact with one another according to certain
`pre-established gaming establishment
`rules wherein,
`for
`example, a player may double down on one or more of
`his/her split hands.
`Additionally,
`there are blackjack tournaments having
`tournament entrants that compete against each other for
`tournament prizes. In such tournaments each entrant has a
`fixcd initial number of points that can be wagered in a
`pre-established numberof tournamentblackjack gamesto be
`played. Accordingly, the player having the highest number
`of points at the end of the tournament wins the tournament.
`Note that in such tournaments, there may be specific guide-
`lines established at
`the beginning of the tournament for
`varying the blackjack gaming rules between tournament
`games. For example, rules may vary on when a player may
`split pairs repeatedly during the same blackjack game. Also,
`double down rules may vary so that, for example, after a
`splitting of pairs, a player may be allowed to double down
`on any twocardsor, alternatively, an additional wager ofless
`than the initial wager may be acceptable when a player
`requests to double down.
`Ilowever, in all knownvariations of blackjack, players are
`only allowed to enter a blackjack game at the completion of
`a previous game and, further,
`there is a relatively small
`number of players that can play blackjack at a dealer’s
`station simultaneously. Accordingly, it is desirable to pro-
`vide a system for playing blackjack wherein potentially a
`very larger number of players can play blackjack simulta-
`neously from a single dealer station and wherein players can
`commenceplaying blackjack at their own discretion without
`waiting for a previous blackjack game to complete.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is a computerized interactive adver-
`tising system (i.c., method and apparatus) for cxchanging
`information regarding goods and/or services between a first
`population of users (hereinafter also knownas “players” or
`“users”) and a second population of users (hereinafter also
`known as “sponsors” or “advertisers”). In particular,
`the
`sponsors or advertisers may present information related to
`goods and/or services to the players using the present
`invention and the players may view this information while,
`for example,
`interacting with the present
`invention for
`playing a game suchas blackjack, craps, roulette, poker, pai
`
`20
`
`30
`
`40
`
`50
`
`60
`
`4
`gowor the like. Moreover, a player may also interact with
`the present invention so that the player has the capability for
`responding to sponsor or advertiser presented
`questionnaires, as well as for purchasing or viewing sponsor
`goods and/or services. Thus, the present invention provides
`an information exchange service within a gaming context for
`enticing players to view and/or interact with sponsor pre-
`sentations such as interactive advertisements.
`
`It is also an aspect of the present invention that each
`player oruseris presented with advertisements for products
`and/or services, wherein it is believed the player will be
`receptive to the advertiscment. Thatis, the present invention
`selectively presents advertisements to each player, accord-
`ing to stored characteristics and preferences of the player
`that the present invention has determined from, for example,
`player supplied personal information, player responses to
`questions, and/or analysis of player interactions such as
`player requests for additional information related an adver-
`tisement. Thus, such a selective presentation of advertise-
`ments allows a sponsor or advertiser to provide information
`related to relatively extensive or expensive promotionals
`(e.g., demonstrations, samples, discounts,
`trial
`subscriptions, prizes, bonuses) to players most likely to
`subsequently purchase the advertised product or service.
`Consequently, such selectivity can greatly increase the cost
`effectiveness of advertising, wherein the term, advertising
`(or advertising presentation), as used herein is understood to
`include not only product or service presentations that are
`merely informational, but also more interactive advertising
`presentations such as promotionals wherein discounts, free
`samples or a trial usage may beoffered.
`Moreover,it is an aspect of the present invention that each
`player may interact with and play a gameat a time and pace
`(ie.,
`tempo) substantially of the player’s choosing.
`In
`particular, the player is not bound by a required order or
`sequence of play involving other players, even though the
`playcr may be in competition with other players. In fact, a
`player may cease play for an extended time while in the
`midst of a game and subsequently continue the gameat the
`point where the player ceased to play. Thus, if the present
`invention is easily accessible, then players may interact with
`the present invention at their leisure.
`Accordingly, in a related aspect of the present invention,
`it is intended that players (more generally, users) are able to
`interact with the present invention remotely, as for example,
`via the Internet and/or an interactive cable television net-
`work. Thus, using an Internet embodiment as an exemplary
`embodimentof the present invention, a gaming web site may
`be provided wherein players may access the interactive
`gaming capabilities of the present invention and substan-
`tially simultaneously also be presented with sponsor or
`advertiser provided information related to goods and/or
`services of the sponsor or advertiser (those two terms being
`used substantially interchangeably to denote e.g., those who
`provide advertising to users and/or subsidize game playing,
`product promotionals or network access). Moreover,
`the
`sponsor provided information may include, for example,
`hypertext links (also denoted hyperlinks) that allow players
`to activate, for example, network transfers for obtaining
`additional information regarding a sponsor’s goods and/or
`scrvices regardless of the status of any game in which a
`player may be currently involved at the gaming website.
`It is a further aspect in one embodiment of the present
`invention that a player is able to commence play of a game
`at substantially any time the player accesses the present
`invention. Thatis, it is not necessary for any previous game
`being played by other players to be completed for the player
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 17
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00199
`
`Zynga Ex. 1004, p. 17
` Zynga v. IGT
` IPR2022-00199
`
`

`

`5,823,879
`
`5
`to commence play. In other words, games provided by the
`present invention may be continuously and asynchronously
`commenced or entered by players.
`It is a further aspect of the present invention to require
`each player to use a distinct identification provided when the
`player “registers” with the present invention before playing
`any games so that a network site for the invention may be
`able to identify each player. Accordingly, it is an aspect of
`the present invention during registration, that each player
`provides personal information about him/herself both for
`gaming identification and for use as selection criteria by
`sponsors or advertisers for presenting particular presenta-
`tions. For example, in the case of an Internet embodiment of
`the present invention, such registering can be performed via
`the Internet prior to play of any games at a gaming/
`advertising web site. Thus, players may be required to
`provide the present invention with information about them-
`selves such as name, address, E-mail address, age, sex,
`and/or other player characteristics deemed pertinent to one
`or more sponsors or advertisers. Accordingly, the present
`invention provides a sponsor or advertiser with the capabil-
`ity to target its presentations substantially only to players or
`users having selected characteristics as, for example, deter-
`mined from player information provided when registering
`with a network site for the present invention.
`It is a further aspect of the present invention to have
`players compete against one another for prizes in one or
`more gaming tournaments. Using the Internet embodiment
`of the present invention as illustrative, a gaming/advertising
`web site for the present invention may partition the popu-
`lation of players into competitive groups wherein each group
`includesthe players for a distinct tournament. Moreover, the
`present
`invention may determine a competitive group
`accordingto criteria such as: (a) the game(s)to be played in
`the tournament; (b) a skill level for the players (e.g., as
`determined by play in a previous tournament(s)); (c) par-
`ticular player characteristics such as age, area of residence,
`home ownership, ctc.; (d) particular player lifestyle traits
`suchastraits exhibited by exercise enthusiasts or cruis