Processes and systems for playing games via NFC tag usage

A process for playing a game includes purchasing a product with an information tag associated therewith, playing a first game associated with the product, scanning the information tag with a portable electronic device (PED) and interacting with at least one gaming website by playing the first game again online, playing a second game online or collecting winnings from playing at least one of the first game and the second game. The product may be a flexible pouch, a cup, a bottle, a beverage can, a beverage glass, a serving tray and a static piece gaming device with a pull tab, scratch off film or peel-off label, a clothing item and a sports memorabilia item.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is related to processes and system for playing a game and particularly to processes and systems that use an information tag to assist in playing a game.

BACKGROUND

Products with bar codes, quick response (QR) Codes, radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and/or NFC (near field communication) tags are known. Such bar codes, QR Codes, RFID tags and/or NFC tags typically provide information on the product to an electronic scanner or reader which may or may not be in the form of a PED (portable electronic device) such as a smartphone. Playing a game online, e.g. a casino game, is also known. However such playing of a game online requires an individual to specifically direct his/her computer, PED, etc., to an online game website. Accordingly, a process or system that can direct a PED to a gaming website such that a user of the PED can play a game, collect winnings from playing the game, etc., would be desirable.

SUMMARY

A process for playing a game includes purchasing a product with an information tag associated therewith and scanning the information tag with a portable electronic device (PED). In embodiments, the process includes playing a first game associated with the product before scanning the information tag with the PED. In other embodiments, the process includes playing a first game online after scanning the information tag with the PED. The process may include interacting with at least one gaming website by playing the first game online, playing the first game again online, playing a second game online or collecting winnings from playing at least one of the first game and the second game. The product may be a flexible pouch, a cup, a bottle, a beverage can, a beverage glass, a static piece gaming device with a pull tab, scratch off film or peel-off label, a clothing item or a sports memorabilia item. The information tag may be attached to the product. Also, a delivery item for the product, for example, a serving tray, may have the information tag associated with the product. The first game and the second game may be a lottery game, a raffle game, a bingo game, a casino game or a combination thereof, and collection of the winnings from playing at least one of the first game and the second game may include transferring electronic funds to an online account of a user of the PED. The first game and the second game may be played on the same website, or in the alternative, the first game may be played on a first website and the second game may played on a second website.

A system for playing a game is also provided. The system includes a product with an information tag associated therewith, a communication network, a gaming website, and a PED operable to read information from the information tag and be directed to the gaming website via the communication network. The PED, communication network and website are operable to interact with each other such that an online game may be played on the website and winnings from the playing the online game may be collected. The product may be a flexible pouch, a cup, a bottle, a beverage can, a beverage glass, a static piece gaming device with a pull tab, scratch off film or peel-off label, a clothing item and a sports memorabilia item. The information tag may be attached to the product, or in the alternative, a delivery item associated with the product may have the information tag. The online game may be a lottery game, a raffle game, a bingo game, a casino game of a combination thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of a process and a system for playing a game. Whenever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. One embodiment of a process for playing a game is schematically depicted inFIG. 6. The process may include purchasing a product with an information tag associated therewith and playing a game. The product may be a flexible pouch, a cup, a bottle, a beverage can, a beverage glass, a serving tray and a static piece gaming device with a pull tab, scratch off film or peel-off label, a clothing item or a sports memorabilia item and the information tag may be attached to the product. The information tag may be an NFC tag. Also, a delivery item for the product, for example a serving tray for serving the product, may be included and have the information tag associated with the product. Once the product is obtained a game that is part of or accompanies the product is played. If the game is won, a PED scans the information tag associated with the product and winnings of playing the game are collected online. The process also allows for playing the same game again and/or playing a different game online.

For purposes of the instant disclosure, the term “winnings” refers to money, prizes, credits, points, etc., owed to an individual that has won a game. The term “collecting winnings” refers to transferring the winnings to an individual, or to a representative of an individual, that has won a game. The term “website” refers to a location connected to the Internet that maintains one or more website pages on the World Wide Web. The term “website page” refers to a hypertext document connected to the World Wide Web. The term “online” refers to being connected by computer, PED, etc., to one or more other computers or networks, as through a commercial electronic information service or the Internet. The term “gaming website” refers to a website with online game that is either partially or primarily played through the Internet or another computer network. The term “product” refers to a physical item that may be obtained by an individual. The term “delivery item” refers to an item such as a bag, box, tray, plate, cup, glass, mug, container, etc., which is used to assist in delivering an obtained product to an individual that has obtained the product. The term “communication network” refers to an electronic network that facilitates communication between two electronic devices. The term “communication line” refers to both wired and wireless communication. The term “associated with” refers to attached to or proximate to. The term “gaming website” refers to a website that hosts one or more casino games, gambling games, lottery games, contests, etc., that may be played online.

Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any process set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order, nor that with any system specific orientations be required. Accordingly, where a process claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps, or that any system claim does not actually recite an order or orientation to individual components, or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or description that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, or that a specific order or orientation to components of a system is not recited, it is in no way intended that an order or orientation be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including: matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps, operational flow, order of components, or orientation of components; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, and; the number or type of embodiments described in the specification.

Turning now toFIG. 1, an embodiment of a product according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown generally at reference numeral10. The product10is in the form of a pouch and can have a side panel100, at least one side seam104, and one or more end seams106. The pouch may or may not have a label102, an aperture108for hanging the pouch, and/or a fitment110for removal of a product contained within the product10.

Still referring toFIG. 1, a PED200with a screen202, an RFID and/or NFC tag reader transmitting a signal to the RFID tag130and/or that NFC tag140may be included. For example, if the RFID tag130and/or NFC tag140is a passive RFID tag and/or passive NFC tag, then a signal from the reader220is required. However it is appreciated that if the RFID tag130and/or NFC tag140is an active tag, then the reader220can simply receive a signal from the RFID or NFC tag. Assuming the RFID tag130and/or NFC tag140is a passive tag, and upon activation of the RFID tag130and/or NFC tag140, the RFID tag130and/or NFC tag140provides a signal to the PED200, which may or may not be converted and/or displayed as information204on the screen202. For example, the information204can be in the form of specific URL and/or a specific URL plus tag identifier associated with the pouch. It should be appreciated that the PED200may scan the QR Code120and display information204from the QR Code120on the screen202.

Turning now toFIG. 2, a plurality of illustrative products are shown. Particularly, a beverage can11, a beverage bottle12, a beverage glass13, a hot beverage cup14, a cold beverage cup15, a clothing cap16, and a game ticket18are shown. A delivery item in the form of a tray17is also shown. It should be appreciated that other products such as food items, sports memorabilia, sporting goods items, jewelry items, clothing items, etc., may be included within the scope of the instant disclosure. Each of the products11-16,18and/or delivery item17may have a QR code120, RFID tag130and/or NFC tag140associated therewith. For example, a QR code120, RFID tag130and/or NFC tag140may be directly printed onto one or more of the products11-16,18and/or delivery item17, be attached via a tether, be attached with an adhesive or separately accompany one or more of the products11-16,18and/or delivery item17.

The PED200can have one or more components as illustrated inFIG. 3. For example, the PED200can have a bar code scanner/reader241, a QR code scanner or reader243, an RFID tag reader or scanner245, and/or an NFC tag scanner or reader247. In addition, the PED200can have a software module249that communicates with the components241-247and directs communication with a communication network250and one or more websites (FIG. 5).

The website may be on a computer260with a processing unit270as illustrated inFIG. 4. The processing unit270may include memory271, a software module272, a communication module273, and other processing unit components274,275in electronic communication with each other. The computer260may be in electronic communication with the communication network250.

Referring now toFIG. 5, a system for playing a game is shown generally at reference numeral30. In embodiments, the system30includes a product300with an NFC tag302, a PED310and one or more websites320,330,340. The NFC tag302may be scanned or read by the PED310. Thereafter the PED310may be directed to a first website 1 and/or website page 1320(shown as “Website/Page 1” inFIG. 5) via a communication line312. The first website 1 and/or website page 1320may transmit information back to the PED310via communication line324. The ID of the PED310, product information on the product300, results of having played a game associated with the product300, etc., may be transmitted to the first website320. In the alternative, or in addition to, product information on the product300, information of winnings for the game associated with the product300, information on playing the game associated with the product300again, information on playing a different game, etc., may be transmitted to the PED310from the first website320. After being directed to the first website 1 and/or website page 1320, the PED310may be directed to a second website 2 and/or website page 2330(shown as “Website/Page 2” inFIG. 5), a third website and/or website page, a fourth website and/or website page, etc. (illustrated by “Website/Page n” at340inFIG. 5). It should be appreciated that the PED310may be directed to the second website 2 and/or website page 2330via communication line314or322without first being directed to the first website and/or website page 1320, and the second website and/or website page 2330may transmit information to the PED310via communication line332. It should also be appreciated that the first website 1 and/or website page 1320, second website 2 and/or website page 2330and/or the nth website n and/or website page n340may be a gaming website.

In embodiments, one or more of the websites and/or website pages320-340require a user of the PED310to provide registration information before proceeding with playing a game, collecting winnings, etc. Such registration information can include but not be limited to the user's name, age, sex, home address, credit card information and the like. Once the individual has entered the appropriate registration information, if required, one or more of the websites and/or website pages320-340may interact with the user of the PED310such that the user may play a first game, collect winnings from playing a first game, continue playing the first game, play a second game, etc.

Referring toFIG. 6, a process for playing a game is shown generally at reference numeral40. In embodiments, a product with an NFC tag associated therewith is obtained at step400and a game is played at step410. It should be appreciated that the product may be obtained by purchasing the product, receiving the product as a gift, receiving the product as part of a sales or marketing promotion, etc. The game is associated with the product and may be a lottery game, a raffle game, a bingo game, a casino game, etc. For example, the game may be a scratch-off lottery game, a peel-off lottery game, etc. Whether or not the game played is a winner, e.g. a prize has been won, is determined at step420. If the game played is not a winner, then the process stops at step430. In the alternative, if the game is a winner, the NFC tag is scanned with a PED at step440and the PED is directed to at least one website and the winnings of the game played are collected at step450. In the alternative, the at least one website instructs a user of the PED where the winnings of the game may be collected, e.g. at a cashier's desk, a prize station, a retail outlet, etc.

Referring toFIG. 7, another process for playing a game is shown generally at reference numeral50. In embodiments, a product with an NFC tag associated therewith is obtained at step500. The NFC tag is scanned with a PED at step502and the user of the PED is directed to at least one website. After being directed to the at least one website, the user of the PED is provided the opportunity to play a first game at step504. If the user of the PED chooses not to play the first game at step504, the process ends at step505. If the user of the PED chooses to play the first game at step504, the first game is played and whether or not the game is a winner is determined at step506. It should be appreciated that registration information as described above may or may not be required before playing the first game. If the game is determined to be a winner at step506, the user is provided with an option to collect winnings from the first game at step510. The winnings may be collected online, e.g. via an electronic transfer of funds to an online account, back to a credit card, debit card, etc., or in the alternative, the winnings may be collected at a cashier's station, a prize station, a retail outlet, etc.

Whether or not the user of the PED chooses to collect the winnings from the first game (Yes/No), the user may choose to end the process at step511, i.e. the user of the PED may collect the winnings from the first game and end the process at step511or the user of the PED may not collect the winnings from the first game and end the process at step511. In the alternative, whether or not the user of the PED chooses to collect winnings from the first game (Yes/No), the user of the PED may choose to play the first game again at step512or play a second game (shown as “Different Game” inFIG. 7) at step514, i.e. the user of the PED may collect the winnings from the first game and choose to play the first game again at step512or play the second game at step514, or the user of the PED may not collect the winnings from the first game and choose to play the first game again at step512or play the second game at step514. After the user of the PED chooses to play the first game again at step512or play the second game at step514, the process returns to step510where the user of the PED chooses whether or not to collect winnings from playing the first game, playing the first game again, playing the second game, etc. This process continues until the user decides to end the process at step511.

Still referring toFIG. 7, if the game is determined not to be a winner at step506, the process50proceeds to step520where the user of the PED chooses whether or not to stop the process. If the user of the PED chooses to stop the process at step520, then the process ends at step521. If the user of the PED chooses not to the stop the process at step520, then the user may choose to play the first game again at step524or play a second game (shown as “Different Game” inFIG. 7) at step526. The process determines if the first game played again at step524or the second game played at step526was a winner at step528. If the first game played again at step524or the second game played at step526is a winner, then the process proceeds to step510where the user of the PED may choose whether or not to collect winnings from the first game played again at step524or the second game played at step526. After the user of the PED chooses whether or not to collect winnings from the first game played again at step524or the second game played at step526, the process proceeds to step511,512or514as described above. If the first game played again at step524or the second game played at step526is not winner, then the process proceeds to step530where the user of the PED may choose whether or not to stop the process. If the user of the PED chooses to stop the process at step530, the process ends at step531. If the user of the PED chooses not to stop the process at step530, then the process proceeds back to step524or526as discussed above. Although embodiments described inFIG. 7illustrate playing a first game and a second game, it should be appreciated that embodiments disclosed herein include choices of playing a third game, a fourth game, etc.

Referring toFIG. 8, another process for playing a game is shown generally at reference numeral60. In embodiments, a product with an NFC tag associated therewith is obtained at step600. A game associated with the obtained product is played at step602and whether or not the game is a winner is determined at step604. If the game played at step602is a winner, the NFC tag is scanned with a PED at step606and the user of the PED is directed to at least one website. After being directed to the at least one website, the user the user is provided with an option to collect winnings from the first game at step608. Whether or not the user of the PED chooses to collect the winnings from the first game at step608(Yes/No), the user may choose to end the process at step609, i.e. the user of the PED may collect the winnings from the first game and end the process at step609or the user of the PED may not collect the winnings from the first game and end the process at step609. In the alternative, whether or not the user of the PED chooses to collect winnings from the first game (Yes/No), the user of the PED may choose to play the first game again at step610or play a second game (shown as “Different Game” inFIG. 8) at step612, i.e. the user of the PED may collect the winnings from the first game and choose to play the first game again at step610or play the second game at step612, or the user of the PED may not collect the winnings from the first game and choose to play the first game again at step610or play the second game at step612. After the user of the PED chooses to play the first game again at step610or play the second game at step612, the process returns to step608where the user of the PED chooses whether or not to collect winnings from playing the first game, playing the first game again, playing the second game, etc. This process continues until the user of the PED decides to end the process at step609. If the game is determined not to be a winner at step604, the process60proceeds to step620where the user of the PED chooses whether or not to stop the process. If the user of the PED chooses to stop the process at step620, the process ends at step621. If the user of the PED chooses not to the stop the process at step620, then the PED scans the NFC tag associated with the product at step622and the PED is directed to at least one website. After being directed to the at least one website, the user is provided with an option to play the first game again at step624or play a second game (shown as “Different Game” inFIG. 8) at step626. The process determines if the first game played again at step624or the second game played at step626is a winner at step628. If the first game played again at step624or the second game played at step626is a winner, then the process proceeds to step608where the user of the PED may choose whether or not to collect winnings from the first game played again at step624or the second game played at step626. After the user of the PED chooses whether or not to collect winnings from the first game played again at step624or the second game played at step626, the process proceeds to step609,610or612as described above. If the first game played again at step624or the second game played at step626is not winner, then the process proceeds to step630where the user of the PED may choose whether or not to stop the process. If the user of the PED chooses to stop the process at step630, the process ends at step631. If the user of the PED chooses not to stop the process at step630, then the process proceeds back to step624or626as discussed above. Although embodiments described inFIG. 8illustrate playing a first game and a second game, it should be appreciated that embodiments disclosed herein include choices of playing a third game, a fourth game, etc.

In order to better provide a teaching of one or more embodiments disclosed herein, but not limit the scope of the disclosure in any way, the following examples are provided.

Referring back toFIG. 3, in one example an individual with the PED310, e.g. a smartphone, is at an entertainment event such as a sporting event, a casino, a horse race, etc., and obtains a product300in the form of a beverage. The product300has an NFC tag302associated therewith which can be read or scanned by the PED310. The individual scans or reads the NFC tag302with the PED310and the PED310is directed to and provides the PED ID to the website 1 and/or website page 1320, which in turn provides product information on the beverage back to the PED310as a function of the PED ID. The website 1 and/or website page 1320also provides an option to the individual to play a game, e.g. a pick 3 instant lottery game. If selected by the individual, the website 1 and/or website page 1320directs the PED310to the website 2 and/or website page 2330where a request for registration information from the individual is delivered. Upon entry of the appropriate registration information, the website 2 and/or website page 2330allows the individual to select 3 lottery numbers, or in the alternative, automatically selects 3 lottery numbers for the individual. In addition, the 3 lottery numbers are compared to a winning set of 3 lottery numbers and the individual is informed by the website 2 and/or website page 2330via the PED310as to whether or not he/she has won. It is appreciated that the individual can even be awarded a secondary prize, e.g. a free beverage, a food item, etc., if he/she wins or does not win the lottery game. In the event that the individual has won the lottery game, payment information provided by the individual can be used to transfer money back to a credit card, to a debit card, etc., or in the alternative, the individual could receive his/her winnings at a cashier's desk. It is appreciated that the website 2 and/or website page 2720can allow for the individual to continue playing one or more games as described in reference toFIGS. 7 and 8. In addition, the PED310can be directed to additional websites and/or website pages n as illustrated by the dotted line arrow and dotted line box inFIG. 5.

Still referring toFIG. 3, in another example an individual obtains a product300such as a scratch off ticket/card, pull tab ticket/card, peel and reveal ticket/card, etc. Upon scratching off a film, pulling a tab and/or peeling a sticker from the ticket/card, the individual instantly has knowledge as to whether or not he/she has won a gambling event. Thereafter, the individual enters a “second chance to win” by scanning an NFC tag302that is attached to and/or is part of the product300using a PED310. Upon scanning the NFC tag302, the PED310is directed to the website 1 and/or website page 1320, as discussed above, which in turn directs the PED and the individual to the website 2 and/or website page 2330as discussed above. In the alternative, the PED is directed straight to the website 2 and/or website page 2330. In this manner, the individual can have a second chance to win a prize, money, etc., even if he/she did not win initially. In the event that the individual has won the lottery game, payment information provided by the individual can be used to transfer money back to a credit card, to a debit card, etc., or in the alternative, the individual could receive his/her winnings at a cashier's desk.

In addition to the above, the individual can also get access to a wide range of social media applications as well as access to various audio and visual media applications. Also, game cards can become talking game pieces. Furthermore, non-for-profit organizations such as the Red Cross, FEMA, etc., can use the game cards for fundraising purposes, linking the consumer to local causes and the like.

The disclosure is not to be limited to the described embodiments herein, but it should be appreciated that one skilled in the art would make various changes, modifications, etc. and still fall within the scope of the disclosure. As such, the specification and the drawings should be interpreted broadly.