Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and method of organizing a predictions-based game through an electronic gaming system, and more particularly to a system and method of inputting predictions related to a game, such as “Fantasee Football,” through an electronic gaming system, such as an electronic dart game machine.
Various establishments, such as bars and restaurants, have gaming systems on premises. For example, the establishments may have electronic dart game machines, video games, pool tables, and the like. Further, many of these gaming systems include electronic interfaces configured to allow a user to input information and/or activate game play.
Games of chance represent one particular form of entertainment offered by establishments. Casinos offer various types of gambling machines, e.g., slot machines, poker machines, and the like. Additionally, individuals often make predictions and/or wagers in relation to sporting events, in an effort to derive more excitement from the sporting events.
Often, establishments offer patrons a predictions-based game for cash and prizes. Some of these games are promotional and offered to patrons at no cost, but offer patrons who predict correct results prizes. “Fantasee Football” is one such game that offers patrons a chance to predict the outcome of football games. Information regarding “Fantasee Football” can be found at www.FantaseeFootball.com. Typically, patrons write down their predictions and/or inform an employee at a particular establishment of their predictions, who then records the predictions. As such, paper records are required to document the predictions. The employee later communicates the predictions to a central game location.
The paper records, however, may be lost. Additionally, predictions or wagers may be mis-recorded and/or mis-communicated.
Thus, a need exists for a system and method of efficiently inputting, recording and tabulating predictions in predictions-based games.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of playing a predictions-based game based on a particular event. The method includes inputting identification information into an electronic gaming system through a user interface, inputting prediction information into the electronic gaming system through the user interface, relaying the identification information and prediction information to a processing unit that is programmed to operate the predictions-based game, monitoring the status of the particular event, determining whether the prediction information is in accordance with an outcome of the particular event at the processing unit, relaying results of the determining step to the electronic gaming system, and displaying the results on a display of the electronic gaming system.
The electronic gaming system may be an electronic dart game machine, a video game, a parlor game having an activation assembly having a user interface, or various other electronic gaming systems. The electronic gaming system may be remotely located from a location where the predictions-based game is operated. The particular event may be a sporting event, such as a baseball, football, basketball, or hockey game.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings.
Embodiments of the present invention may be used with various electronic gaming systems, including the electronic dart golf game described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,354, entitled “Electronic Dart Golf Game,” issued to Martin et al (the “'354 patent”), computer jukeboxes, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,189, entitled “Computer Jukebox and Jukebox Network,” issued to Martin et al. (the “'189 patent”), and the gaming devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,212, entitled “Gaming device providing high security communications with a remote station,” issued to Martin (the “'212 patent”). The '354 patent, the '189 patent, and the '212 patent are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
In general, embodiments of the present invention may also be used with an electronic gaming system that includes a user interface that allows a user to input information. Embodiments of the present invention may also be used with the remote activation assembly shown and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/737,054, entitled “Improved Parlor Game,” which was filed on Dec. 16, 2003, listing Martin et al, as inventors, which is also hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Players may input game selection information and other parameters through the interface keys 110, and/or a touchscreen included on the video display 108. The video display 108 may be a cathode ray tube (CRT) based display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a dense grid of light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like. The display 108 may present players with various game selection choices, which may be activated by pressing a corresponding interface key 110, and/or an appropriate location on the touchscreen of the video display 108. The electronic dart game machine 100 may also provide video output connectors, which may provide standard connections to VGA, NTSC or S-video displays. The video display may then be mounted in a location remote from the electronic dart game machine 100.
Each electronic dart board 104 and 106 may include, for example, a set of switches (which may be magnetic, mechanical or optical) associated with each segment (such as double 20, triple 20 and bullseye) for each target value on the electronic dart board 104 or 106. When a dart hits or contacts a segment, such as triple 20, a switch associated with the segment closes. By scanning the set of switches with a general purpose bus, the CPU included within the electronic dart game machine 100 may determine the switch that was closed. Consequently, the CPU may determine the associated target value.
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When the electronic dart game machine 100 is not in use, the CPU 202 may display advertising information regarding the predictions-based game on the video display 108 in a user attract mode. That is, information regarding the predictions-based game may be displayed on the video display 108 in order to prompt users to play the predictions-based game. For example, the CPU 202 may display “PLAY FANTASEE FOOTBALL FOR PRIZES” on the video display 108.
In operation, a user inputs a prediction into the electronic dart game machine 100 through a user interface, such as the interface keys 110 and/or the video display 108 (which may be, e.g., a touchscreen interface). The video display 108 guides the user through the predictions process. For example, the electronic dart game machine 100 may display a menu, which offers dart play, or predictions-based game play. The user selects the predictions-based game through the user interface. For example, the user may select “Fantasee Football.” The CPU 202 receives this selection and retrieves information regarding the predictions-based game from the memory 204. The CPU 202 then operates to display selection information on the video display 108. The video display 108 may show particular events of which a user may be allowed to predict the outcomes. For example, the video display 108 may display all NFL games on a particular Sunday. The CPU 202 receives information regarding these events from the central management system 202 through a communication link 304, which may include a modem, DSL, T1 lines, T3 lines, wireless interfaces, satellite communication, or various other communications systems and methods used to connect users to, for example, the Internet.
The user enters identification information and predictions by way of the user interface. The CPU 202 then receives this information and relays it to the central management system 302. Thus, the electronic dart game machine 100 allows a user to input information for a predictions-based game.
The central management system 302 monitors the outcomes of the particular events, such as NFL games, and determines whether users accurately predicted the results. The central management system 302 then relays the results of the predictions back to the electronic dart game machine 100, such that the results may be displayed on the video display 108.
For example, a user enters identification information and prediction information for each NFL game played on a particular date into the electronic dart game machine 100 through the user interface. This information is then sent to the central management system 302. The central management system 302 monitors, or an operator inputs, the outcomes of each game. The central management system 302 tabulates the results for each user who is playing the NFL prediction game. At the conclusion of a particular predictions-based game (e.g., “predict the score of NFL game 1,” “predict the winner of NFL game 1,” “predict the winners of NFL games 1-3,” or “predict the winners of all NFL games on a particular date”), the central management system 302 relays the results back to the electronic dart game machine 100. The CPU 202 displays the results on the video display. For example, the CPU 202 may display winner information received from the central management system 302 on the video display, such as “John Doe is the winner because he accurately predicted the outcome of the most games played on X date.”
Further, the CPU 202 may be configured to allow a user to view weekly and seasonal results. That is, a user may access these results through the user interface, which displays an appropriate menu selection. The CPU 202 then communicates with the central management system 302 to retrieve weekly and/or seasonal results.
Optionally, the central management system 302 may be housed within the electronic dart game machine 302. Further, instead of using a central management system 302, information regarding the predictions-based game may be stored within the memory 204 of the electronic dart game machine 100, which may be networked with other electronic dart game machines and/or electronic gaming systems.
While an electronic dart game machine 100 is shown and described, embodiments of the present invention may be used with various electronic gaming systems, such as video games, trivia games, parlor games having electronic interfaces, and the like. Further, embodiments of the present invention may utilize various predictions-based games, such as those relating to other sports.
The central management system relays results of the events/games and predictions to the remote game machines at 506. The game machines display the results on monitors or the like. The central management system may also store the results of the events/games and predictions at 508. Further, the central management system may tabulate and compile stats for players at 510. For example, the central management system may keep up-to-date prediction accuracy scores for each player. The accuracy scores may then be relayed to the game machines at 512. The game machines may include a menu option that allows a player to review accuracy scores, rankings, and the like for various predictions-based game at various times, such as when a game machine is not being played.
Embodiments of the present invention may also be used with voting on future events. That is, an electronic gaming system, such as the dart game machine 100, may be used to input and track voting with respect to a host of different events or occasions, such as elections, meetings, and the like.
Additionally, embodiments of the present invention may be used in conjunction with memory storage devices, such as memory buttons, that may be used to store a user's predictions and results, and the like. The memory button may be positioned on a key chain. For example, in order for a player to register or a play a particular predictions-based game, player information is programmed, or loaded, into the button. Player information may be programmed into the button at a central database or at an authorized game unit. The button may then connected to a database connector, or receptor. The button then receives and stores player information and predictions information via the database connector. The information is then stored on the button and within the central data base or central management system.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method of efficiently inputting predictions in prediction-based games. Users may enter identification information and predictions through various electronic gaming systems on-site that are in communication with a remote central management system that stores information regarding the predictions-based game, and operates accordingly. Embodiments of the present invention effectively eliminate the middle man because users may directly enter their predictions into an existing electronic gaming system.
While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application relates to and claims priority benefits from U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/660,487 entitled “System and Method of Organizing a Predictions-Based Game Through An Electronic Gaming System,” filed Mar. 10, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60660487 | Mar 2005 | US |