PATENT APPLICATION
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`BIOMETRIC BROADBAND GAMING
`SYSTEM AND METHOD
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`Inventor(s):
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`Michael A. Kerr
`302 Chimney Rock Rd.
`Stateline, NV 89449
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`Assignee:
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`Entity:
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`NONE
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`Small
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`Attorney for Applicant(s):
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`Michael A. Kerr
`P. 0. Box 2345
`Stateline, NV 89449
`Tel: (775) 588-9498
`Fax: (775) 588-9788
`Reg. No. 42,722
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`Attorney Docket Number: KerrOl.003
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`BIOMETRIC BROADBAND GAMING
`SYSTEM AND METHOD
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`CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
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`This patent application is a continuation-in-part of provisional patent application
`60/266,856 filed on February 6, 2001.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`1. Field of Invention
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`The present invention is a biometric broadband interactive gaming system and
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`method. More particularly, the biometric broadband interactive gaming system and method
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`operates in a networked environment which interfaces with a plurality of network access
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`devices including personal computers, wireless devices, and interactive set-top boxes.
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`2. Description of Related Art
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`The related art includes gaming devices, on-line gaming, networked interactive
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`gaming, and biometrics.
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`Gaming Devices
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`For purposes of this patent, the term "gaming" shall refer to either gambling and/or
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`gaming applications. Gaming devices include games of skill and games of chance. Games of
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`chance include many casino-type gaming devices in which the outcome of the game depends,
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`at least in part, on a randomly generated event. For example, a game of chance may use a
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`random number generator to generate a random or pseudo-random number. The random
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`number may then be compared to a predefined table to determine the outcome of the event.
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`If the random number falls within a certain range of numbers on the table, the player may win
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`a predefined prize. The table may also contain display information that allows the gaming
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`device to generate a display that corresponds to the outcome of the game. The gaming device
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`may present the outcome of the game on a large variety of display devices, such as
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`mechanical spinning reels or video screens.
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`Games of skill comprise a skill component in which a player combines letters or
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`5 words (word puzzles), answers questions (trivia), overcomes challenges (video games),
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`competes with other players (networked video games), and the like. Generally, a game of
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`skill is a game requiring a level of skill which does not rely solely on chance. Some games of
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`skill require a high degree of expertise and knowledge and other games of skill require very
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`limited expertise or knowledge.
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`On-Line Gaming
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`In June 2001, Nevada signed a bill that could result in Nevada being the first state to
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`offer legalized gambling over the Internet. The new law authorizes state gaming regulators to
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`set up an infrastructure to license and oversee online gaming in Nevada when such gaming
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`becomes legal. Online gaming is a federal issue whose legality is unclear at present.
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`A variety of technological limitations have been asserted as preventing Congress's
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`endorsement of on-line gaming. These technological limitations are related to the preventing
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`of underage gambling, controlling of gambling addiction, and ensuring the security and
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`reliability of on-line gaming is secure and reliable.
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`To prevent underage gambling prior art systems and methods use passwords, user
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`ID's, credit cards and "click-through" agreements that ask the player to agree to being of
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`legal gambling age by clicking on a button. Presently, there are no systems and methods to
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`control on-line gambling addiction. With respect to ensuring that on-line gaming is secure
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`and reliable, prior art systems and methods use various cryptographic techniques such as
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`RSA encryption, digital certificates, or other similar well known cryptographic methods.
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`These cryptographic methods are helpful in ensuring secure communications, however these
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`cryptographic methods do not ensure that the individual accessing the on-line game is a valid
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`user.
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`In view of the prior art systems, a minor or other unauthorized individual simply
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`needs a user ID and a corresponding password to access a gaming site. The obtaining of a
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`user ID and password is a relatively simple task as this information is generally not modified.
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`Commonly the user ID information is acquired by identifying the web site's naming
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`convention for the player. The player password can be easily determined by remembering
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`the pattern of keys typed by the player during the log-on procedures or by simply requesting
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`the password from the player as part of a diagnostic procedure. The latter is a trick
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`commonly used by hackers to access a system. The password problem may be overcome by
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`modifying the password on a regular basis, however the player must then remember the
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`modified password. Should the player forget the password a new password is mailed.
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`During the mailing process it is common for e-mail to be easily intercepted in cyberspace.
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`10 Additionally, it is common for unauthorized users to simulate being at a certain location by
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`submitting an IP address that identifies an authorized user.
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`Therefore, a better system and method for identifying a valid user is needed.
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`Additionally, it would be beneficial to provide a gaming system and method that would:
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`prevent underage gambling, be simple to implement, prevent gambling addiction, and
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`provide a higher degree of security and reliability from unauthorized users.
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`Networked Interactive Gaming
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`Networked interactive gaming in an open networked environment such as the Internet
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`is well-known. However, interactive gaming in an open network such as the Internet is
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`confined to communicating with other devices using the same TCP/IP protocols. Currently
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`networked interactive gaming systems using the TCP/IP protocol are not configured to
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`communicate with interactive set-top boxes using MPEG protocols.
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`Networked interactive gaming in an open networked environment using traditional
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`security methods such as secure socket layers and digital certificates are well known.
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`25 However, networked interactive gaming in an open networked environment using traditional
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`security methods does not prevent gambling from a minor having acquired a parent's user ID
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`and password without the parent's consent.
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`Networked interactive gaming using LANs and WANs for progressive slot machines
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`having large jackpots are also well-known. However, networked interactive systems using
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`LANs and WANs for progressive slot machines generally exist in a highly secure proprietary
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`network environment. Thus, the creation of a progressive slot machine with a large jackpot
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`in an open network environment is not well known.
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`Biometrics
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`A biometric is a measurable psychological and/or behavioral trait that can be captured
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`and subsequently compared with another instance at the time of verification. This definition
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`includes the matching of fingerprints, voice patterns, hand geometry, iris and retina scans,
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`vein patterns and other such methodologies. For purposes of the invention described
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`heretofore, the definition of biometrics also includes signature verification, keystroke patterns
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`and other methodologies weighted towards individual behavior.
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`Biometric applications for games of skill and games of chance are limited. For
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`example biometric gaming applications are taught in U.S. Patent 6,010,404 granted to Walker
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`et al. teaches a method and apparatus for using player input codes ( e.g., numeric, biometric or
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`physical) to affect the outcomes of electronic gambling devices, such as slot machines.
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`15 Additionally, U.S. Patent No. 6,142,876 granted to Cumbers teaches a system and method for
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`passively tracking the play of players playing gaming devices such as slot machines. Players
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`provide identification information and facial recognition data is acquired by a digital or video
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`camera. For each player an account file and a file of the facial image data is stored. When the
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`player plays the slot machine, a camera scans the player and acquires facial image data which
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`is compared to stored data to identify the player. Furthermore, U.S. Patent No. 5,902,983
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`granted to Crevelt et al., teaches a gaming machine configured to perform EFT transactions
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`which are limited to preset amounts. The patent teaches the use of a fingerprint imaging
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`device, and retinal scans for verifying a player's identity.
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`Although biometric applications for gaming applications are known, biometric
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`applications for on-line gaming systems are not known. Furthermore, the managing of
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`biometric information and gaming information in an open network environment is not
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`known. Additionally, the use of biometrics in a gaming system and method to prevent
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`underage gambling and prevent gambling addiction is not known.
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`1.
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`Advantages of the Invention
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`SUMMARY OF INVENTION
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`One of the advantages of the present invention is that it provides a secure and reliable
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`on-line gaming system and method.
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`A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a secure system and
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`method for identifying a user in an open network environment.
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`A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a system and method to
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`prevent underage gambling.
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`A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a more secure and
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`reliable and secure gaming system and method.
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`Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a system and method for
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`managing biometric information and gaming information in an open network environment.
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`Another advantage of the present invention is that it permits a plurality of users in a
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`geographically broad area to play the same game.
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`A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides a pseudo-real time
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`gaming system and method.
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`Another advantage of the present invention is that it simulates a game of chance such
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`as a slot machine in an on-line environment.
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`An additional advantage of the present invention is that it provides a networked
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`jackpot.
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`2.
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`Brief Description of the Invention
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`The present invention is a networked gaming system that comprises a verification
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`system, a broadband gaming system and a transactional system. The verification system
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`operations include ensuring that a user is a registered player by using a biometric input. The
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`broadband gaming system operations include managing and performing at least one game.
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`The transactional system operations include providing oversight for each transaction
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`conducted by the verification system and the broadband gaming system.
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`The present invention comprises a verification system for playing the networked
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`gaming system. The networked games include games of chance and games of skill. The
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`verification system communicates with a biometric input module and a network access
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`device to generate a user identification information. The user identification information is
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`compared to information in a registration database. If an acceptable match is made between
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`the user identification information and the information in the registration database, the user is
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`designated as a player. The player then has access to both the broadband gaming system and
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`the transactional system.
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`Additionally, the present invention includes a broadband gaming system which is in
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`communication with the verification system. The broadband gaming system includes a
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`buffer which stores information about players who desire to play a game. The buffer is
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`operatively coupled to a random number generator that generates a random number for each
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`player in the buffer. A paytable module in communication with the random number
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`generator determines the outcome associated with the random number generator. The
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`paytable also determines which images associated with the outcome for each player.
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`Preferably, the images are stored on a mini video server and then cached in a memory
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`15 module. The images are intelligently buffered for downstream communications. In its
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`preferred embodiment, a plurality of encoders are operatively coupled to the memory module
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`caching the broadcast video streams. The plurality of encoders encode the broadcast
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`downstream images according to requirements for each network access device. Each encoder
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`is operatively coupled to an encryption module that encrypts the broadcast. A modulation
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`20 module is operatively coupled to the encryption module and modulates encrypted images for
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`downstream transmission. Each network access device includes a tuner, a demodulation
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`module, and a decryption module that permits an image to be viewed by the network access
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`device.
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`Further still the present invention provides a transactional system and method that
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`ensures secure communications occur in the verification system and the broadband gaming
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`system. The transactional system also performs accounting, bonusing, tracking and other
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`such functions. Preferably, the transactional system is capable of receiving a plurality of
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`funds from a financial account and converting them to credits that are used in the broadband
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`gaming system.
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`The above description sets forth, rather broadly, the more important features of the
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`present invention so that the detailed description of the preferred embodiment that follows
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`may be better understood and contributions of the present invention to the art may be better
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`appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described
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`below and will form the subject matter of claims. In this respect, before explaining at least
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`one preferred embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention
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`is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangement of the
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`components set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The
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`invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various
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`1 0 ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
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`for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`Preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown in the accompanying
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`drawings wherein:
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`FIG. la through FIG. Id provide diagrams of a plurality of network access devices.
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`FIG. 2 is a high level diagram of a gaming system networked to a plurality of network
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`access devices.
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`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an illustrative biometric input module.
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`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a gaming system configured to receive a biometric input
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`from a network access device.
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`FIG. 5 is a table of the data fields in a verification system.
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`FIG. 6 is a table of the data fields in a broadband gaming system and in a transactional
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`system.
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`FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a broadband gaming system.
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`FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the registration method for the gaming system.
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`FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the verification method for the gaming system.
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`FIG. 10 is a flowchart of the gaming method for the gaming system.
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`FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the method for purchasing credits for the gaming system.
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`FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the method for storing credits on the gaming system.
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`FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the information processed by the broadband gaming system.
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`FIG. 14 is a continuation of the FIG. 13 flowchart.
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`FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the information processed by the transactional system in
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`communication with the broadband gaming system.
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`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
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`In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made
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`to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this application. The drawings show, by
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`way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be
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`understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made
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`without departing from the scope of the present invention.
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`NETWORK ACCESS DEVICES
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`Referring to FIG. la through FIG. ld there is shown a plurality of illustrative network
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`access devices. Each of the network access devices is configured to be capable of running a
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`gaming application. For illustrative purposes the gaming application shown simulates the
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`spinning reels of a slot machine.
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`The network access device in FIG. la is a personal computer 10 having a network
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`interface card (not shown) that may be operatively coupled to a modem (not shown).
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`20 Another network access device shown in FIG. 1 b includes a television 12 operatively coupled
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`to an interactive set-top box 14 that is operatively coupled to a cable network (not shown).
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`The other network access device shown in FIG. le is a wireless device 16 such as a digital
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`phone or personal digital system (PDA) or other such wireless device which is configured to
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`communicate with a network using wireless networking protocols. Yet another network
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`access device is shown in FIG. Id and includes a gaming terminal 18 such as a slot machine
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`on a casino floor that is operatively coupled to a plurality of other gaming tem1inals. It shall
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`be appreciated by those skilled in the art of networking that the distinguishing feature
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`between each of these network access devices is the type of communications protocols used
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`by each device to enable communications between similar network access devices.
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`Each of the network access devices either includes a biometric input module
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`operatively coupled to the network access device or includes a biometric input module
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`communicatively coupled to the network access device. A biometric is a measurable
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`psychological and/or behavioral trait that can be captured and subsequently compared with
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`another instance at the time of verification. This definition includes the matching of
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`fingerprints, voice patterns, hand geometry, iris and retina scans, vein patterns and other such
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`methodologies. For purposes of the invention described heretofore, the definition of
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`biometrics also includes signature verification, keystroke patterns and other methodologies
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`weighted towards individual behavior.
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`In one illustrative embodiment, the biometric input module is a fingerprint scanner 20
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`resident on the gaming terminal 18 wherein the biometric input is a fingerprint. In another
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`illustrative embodiment, the biometric input module is the screen 22 of wireless device 16
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`wherein the screen is configured to receive a biometric input such as a user signature. In yet
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`another illustrative embodiment, the biometric input module is a telephone 24 that is
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`configured to receive a voice pattern from a user prior to engaging communications with the
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`interactive set-top box 14. In yet another illustrative embodiment the biometric input module
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`is a keyboard 26 operatively coupled to computer 10 wherein the user is requested to input a
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`keystroke pattern. An illustrative example of a biometric input module operatively coupled
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`to the network access device is shown in FIG. 1 d having the fingerprint scanner 20 on the
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`gaming terminal 18. An illustrative example of a biometric input module, e.g. the telephone
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`24, communicatively coupled to the network access device, e.g. the interactive set-top box
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`14, is shown in FIG. lb
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`The biometric input is used to prevent unauthorized gaming activity and to efficiently
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`store credits on the user's behalf. By way of example and not of limitation, unauthorized
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`gaming activity includes underage gaming and players with histories of gambling addiction.
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`Additionally, player credits may be stored on a network so that the player does not need to
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`carry coins, paper currency, coupons, credit cards or debits cards to play a game. It shall be
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`appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that different
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`biometric input modules may be used in conjunction with different network access devices.
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`GAMING SYSTEM
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`Referring to FIG. 2 there is shown a high level block diagram of a gaming system 30
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`in communication with a plurality of network access devices coupled to a network 32. The
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`gaming system includes a verification system 34, a broadband gaming system 36 and a
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`transactional system 38. The verification system 34 verifies that a user operating a network
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`access device is a registered player. The broadband gaming system 36 performs the function
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`of generating a game and broadcasting the game results to each of the network access
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`devices. The transactional system 38 performs a plurality of functions including tracking
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`each transaction performed by both the verification system and the broadband gaming system
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`and conducting electronic fund transfers.
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`Verification System
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`The verification system 34 verifies that a user desiring to play the game is a registered
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`player. The verification system 34 communicates with the biometric input module and a
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`network access device to generate user identification information. The user identification
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`information includes information such as cryptographic keys that are necessary to securely
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`identify the network access device. The user identification information also includes media
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`access control (MAC) identification and confirmation of the user Internet Protocol (IP)
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`address. The user identification information is compared to information in a registration
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`database 40 by a verification server 42. If an acceptable match is made between the user
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`identification information and the information in the registration database, the user is
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`designated as a player. The player then has access to either the broadband gaming system 36
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`or the transactional system 38.
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`In an alternative embodiment the user identification information is housed in a smart
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`card (not shown) that is in communication with the verification system 34. The smart card
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`includes a stored biometric which is used to identify the user as a player. Cryptographic keys
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`are then exchanged between the verification system 34 and the smart card to provide the
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`player access to either the broadband gaming system or the transactional system 38.
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`Referring to FIG. 3 there is shown an illustrative biometric input module 50. By way
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`of example, the illustrative biometric input module 50 is a fingerprint scanner. It shall be
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`appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the use of the
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`fingerprint scanner as the illustrative biometric input module is not restrictive. A scanned
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`fingerprint image is collected by the biometric input 52. After the scanned fingerprint image
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`is collected, the fingerprint image is compressed by the compression module 54. A memory
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`5 module 56 provides fast memory resources for the compression of the fingerprint image.
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`After compression, the fingerprint image is encrypted by the encryption module 58 for
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`downstream transmission. The encryption module 58 also includes a memory module 60
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`that provides fast memory resources for the encryption of the compressed fingerprint image.
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`An encrypted compressed fingerprint image is then communicated to network 32 (see FIG. 2)
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`using the network interface module 62.
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`Referring to FIG. 4 there is shown a block diagram of the verification system 34. The
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`verification system is operatively coupled to network 32 with network interface module 64.
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`The network interface module 64 is configured to receive user identification information
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`generated by the network access devices and from the biometric input module. Preferably,
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`the biometric and other user identification information received by the verification system is
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`an encrypted biometric that is decrypted by decryption module 66. A memory module 68 is
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`preferably a fast memory module that expedites the decryption process. After decryption, the
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`biometric and remaining user identification information is processed by the verification
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`server. It shall be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the verification server 42 may
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`house the network interface module 64, decryption module 66 and the memory module 68.
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`The verification server 42 is also in operative communication with a registration database 40.
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`The verification server 42 performs the function of matching the user identification
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`information collected from the network access device with the player information in the
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`registration database 40. Additionally, the verification server 42 performs the caching
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`functions needed to ensure that once a player has been identified during an initial game,
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`subsequent usage by the same player proceeds quickly.
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`Preferably, the verification server 42 identifies registered players using a biometric
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`template of the registered player residing on the registration database 40. The registered
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`players are referenced with Personal ID numbers. When a transaction is undertaken the user
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`firstly calls up the particular template from the registration database 40 by inputting a
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`Personal ID. The Personal ID includes a particular number, user ID, password or other such
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`identification techniques. The inputting of the Personal ID is accomplished with a familiar
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`numeric keypad, keyboard, magstripe card or smart card. The correct template is called and
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`held in memory ready for comparison with the biometric sample provided by the user. A
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`comparison takes place that results in a binary true or false condition as to the identity of the
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`user. The user is in effect claiming an identity by inputting the Personal ID and the system is
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`subsequently verifying that the claim is genuine according to the matching criteria setup
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`within the system.
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`Referring to FIG. 5 there is shown the registration data fields 70 and user submitted
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`data fields 72. The registration data fields 70 include data fields that comprise the user
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`identification information. The registration data fields include user identification information
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`such as player name, address, user name, password, credit card information, and the date and
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`time of the registration. The player biometric and Personal ID also comprises the user
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`identification information and provides unique information about the player. The Personal
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`ID may be the same as the user name or password. It shall be appreciated by those skilled in
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`the art that some biometric information may be compressed. Furthermore, the user
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`identification information includes data about the network access device and the network
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`connection such as MAC ID, IP addresses, browser type, any cookies resident on the network
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`access device, etc. Finally, the user identification system includes cryptographic keys which
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`are used to encrypt and decrypt the communications between the verification system and each
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`of the network access devices.
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`The user submitted data fields 72 mirror the registration data fields 70. The user
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`submitted data fields receive data generated by a user that is attempting to access the
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`broadband gaming system 36. The user submitted information is carefully analyzed to ensure
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`that a valid user is being identified. It is well known that the connection of one network
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`access device to another network access device generates security concerns. Preferably, the
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`present verification system operates using a fast hardware-type firewall that performs a
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`stateful multilayer inspection. In its preferred embodiment the firewall provides packet
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`filtering using a secure protocol such as IP Sec. This protocol provides encryption of the data
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`at the packet level as well as at the source address level. Without access to the encryption
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`keys, a potential intruder would have difficulty penetrating the firewall. Additionally, it
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`would be preferable to provide a circuit level gateway and an application level gateway. The
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`circuit level gateway works on the session layer of the OSI model or the TCP layer of the
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`TCP/IP model and monitors TCP handshaking between packets to determine whether a
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`requested session is legitimate. The application level gateway filters data packets at the
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`application layer of the OSI model. A stateful multilayer inspection firewall offers a high
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`level of security, good performance and transparency to end users.
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`Referring to FIG. 6 there is shown the player data fields 74 that are generated by the
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`broadband gaming system and the transactional system after the user has been verified to be a
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`registered player. The player data fields 74 are used to generate a player matrix which is used
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`as an additional internal security measure. The player data fields 74 include a Player ID that
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`identifies the player, a timestamp that provides the date, time in and time out by the player
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`during the game. Additionally, the type of game, credits played, and credits remaining are
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`monitored. Based on the level of player activity a bonus is provided to the player. Further
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`15
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`still the session time for each type of game and the amount played during the session is
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`monitored to better define the type of games the player likes. Transactional information is
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`also monitored and updated, preferably, by the transactional system 38. The transactional
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`information includes credit card information, transaction requests, transaction approval,
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`conversion of monetary funds to credits for playing the game, any transfers of credits for
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`20
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`playing the game, and conversions from credits to monetary funds that are credited to the
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`player's financial account. Preferably, communications between the transactional system and
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`the broadband gaming system are conducted in a secure environment using cryptographic
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`keys. Although the use of cryptography within the private network may appear excessive,
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`one of the greatest security threats within a private network comes from its own employees.
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`25
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`Therefore, it is preferable to use internal firewalls for communications between the
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`broadband gaming system, the transactional system and the verification system.
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`Broadband Gaming System
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`A more detailed drawing of the broadband gaming system is provided in FIG. 7. The
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`30
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`dashecj boundary in FIG. 7 defines the broadband gaming system 36. After player
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`Page 15
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`verification is completed at the verification system 34, the broadband gaming system 34 is
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`engaged. The broadband gaming system 34 includes a player buffer 84 configured to receive
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`the players who will be playing the game. The player buffer 84 generates an initial player
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`matrix with player data fields 74.
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`5
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`A countdown timer 82 is coupled to the player buffer 80. Preferably, the countdown
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`timer 82 is also displayed to the player. The countdown timer 82 provides a window of time
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`within which players may join the game. The players that have joined the game before the
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`end of the timing period are stored in the buffer. When the timing period reaches zero the
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`initial player matrix is communicated to the transactional system 38 and to the gaming
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`10 module 84.
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`The gaming module 84 provides a game that is played by the plurality of players. The
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`game may include a plurality of different games and the type of game is not restrictive to this
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`invention. Preferably, the gaming module 84 includes at least one random number generator
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`86 and a paytable module 88.
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`15
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`The random number generator 86 is operatively coupled to the player buffer. The
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`random number generator 86 generates at least one random number that is stored in the
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`player matrix. In one embodiment, at least one random number is generated for the plurality
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`of players playing the game. In an alternative embodiment, at least one random number is
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`generated for each player. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of random numbers are
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`20
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`generated that are applied to the plurality of players playing the game. Preferably, the
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`random number generator 86 is a fast hardware module.
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`A paytable module 88 is operatively coupled to the random number generator 86.
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`The paytable module 88 is a programmable module that dete