Method, System And Portable Digital Media For Processing An Interactive Game Of Chance

A method, system and portable digital media for processing an interactive game of chance enables an alternative gambling experience. The method includes coupling a portable digital media, including the interactive game of chance, with a consumer device; viewing visual components of the interactive game of chance, wherein the visual components are used to define a predetermined outcome of the interactive game of chance; interacting with the visual components through the consumer device; and viewing the predetermined outcome of the interactive game of chance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gambling. In particular, although not exclusively, the invention relates to remote gambling.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There is a substantial segment of the world population that enjoys wagering responsibly on various games of chance for entertainment purposes. There are a considerable number of wagering options including visiting purpose-built facilities (such as pubs, clubs, casinos and bingo halls), and using online wagering sites through a personal computer connected to the internet.

There are however several disadvantages of the wagering options mentioned above, especially for those who wish to wager on games of chance from home. For example, a computer and an internet connection of sufficient capability are needed. Some gamblers may only have a standalone computer without an internet connection, or may be unable or unwilling to connect to the Internet. Additionally, local laws or regulations may prohibit a person from participating in online wagering. A further disadvantage is that the gambler may not have a level of comfort to access and navigate various web sites to perform any necessary software installation, player registration, and funds management to enable playing online games with confidence.

A further aspect of online wagering relates to payment, or a depositing of funds to enable game play. This is usually performed online at the wagering web site and is often facilitated by a third party service. A disadvantage of this system is that a significant level of security awareness and a familiarity with performing online transactions is required. Additionally, a credit card is generally required as cash cannot be used.

Another disadvantage with online wagering is that all wagering goes through one or more wagering servers, enabling others to track a gambler's behaviour in great detail.

A disadvantage with credit card based wagering services is that there is little to no control over a gambler's expenditure. When credit cards are used as a purchasing medium online, for example, problems with greater than planned expenditure and the problems related therewith typically increase.

Lottery tickets are a popular form of gambling that may be enjoyed at home, without the need for a computer or internet. A disadvantage, however, is that lottery ticket results are revealed at a set time which cannot be controlled by the user and are delivered in a strictly limited and predefined format.

Scratch cards are another popular form of gambling where a user may gamble at home, or otherwise, at a time of his or her choice. Scratch cards have the disadvantage of being “static” as they are printed on a card, as opposed to the lights, music, animation and/or video which may be present online and at purpose-built gambling facilities.

Recordings of gambling experiences, e.g. recordings of slot machines in action, are available for viewing at home, for example on a DVD player. Such recordings lack however an interactive component which is present when actually gambling, as one is simply viewing a recording of a gambling session.

Some or all of the abovementioned disadvantages may present barriers that can frustrate a player who wants to experience a genuine and fair wagering experience in the comfort of their home, at a time of their choosing and with safeguards on their wagering expenditure.

There is therefore a need to overcome or alleviate many of the above discussed disadvantages associated with gambling of the prior art.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of some embodiments of the present invention to provide consumers with improvements and advantages over the above described prior art, and/or overcome and alleviate one or more of the above described disadvantages of the prior art, and/or provide a useful commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, the invention resides in a method of processing an interactive game of chance, including:

coupling a portable digital media, including said interactive game of chance, with a consumer device;

viewing visual components of said interactive game of chance, wherein said visual components are used to define a predetermined outcome of said interactive game of chance;

interacting with said visual components through said consumer device; and

viewing said predetermined outcome of said interactive game of chance.

Preferably, said method further includes redeeming a prize based upon said predetermined outcome.

Preferably, said interactive game of chance includes a virtual scratch card, said visual components include a plurality of scratch panels, and interacting with said visual components includes simulating scratching said plurality of scratch panels.

Preferably, said interactive game of chance includes a virtual slot machine, said visual components include reels of said virtual slot machine, and said step of interacting includes at least one of selecting a bet size, selecting a payline and initiating spinning of said reels.

Preferably, said interactive game of chance includes a virtual card game, said visual components include cards of said virtual card game, and said step of interacting includes at least one of selecting a bet size, and selecting cards to be held, discarded or drawn.

Preferably, said interactive game of chance includes a starting point including said visual components of said interactive game, and an end point including said predetermined outcome, wherein said interactive game comprises traversing one pathway of a plurality of pathways between said starting point and said end point, said one pathway dependent on said step of interacting with said visual components.

Preferably, said one pathway between said starting point and said end point is skill dependent.

Preferably, said method further includes selecting said interactive game from a plurality of interactive games, wherein said plurality of interactive games all include said predetermined outcome.

According to a further aspect, the invention resides in a portable digital media containing digital instructions, executable by a consumer device, for:

displaying visual components of an interactive game of chance, wherein said visual components are used to define an outcome of said interactive game of chance;

processing an interaction between a user and said visual components through said consumer device; and

displaying at least one predetermined outcome of said interactive game of chance, wherein said predetermined outcome is independent of said interaction.

Preferably, said predetermined outcome is associated with a prize.

Preferably, said portable digital media further includes a tamper resistant packaging.

Preferably, said predetermined outcome is written on an outer surface of said portable media.

Preferably, said predetermined outcome written on said outer surface is coded.

Preferably, said predetermined outcome written on said outer surface is not visible through said tamper resistant packaging.

Preferably, said predetermined outcome is linked at purchase to at least one of a person, a credit card, and an account.

Preferably, said portable digital media comprises a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) and said digital instructions are recorded in video mode.

Preferably, said digital instructions comprise a virtual-machine menu and a plurality of video titles, wherein said interaction comprises selecting a component of said virtual-machine menu, and said digital instructions result in a display of a video title of said plurality of video titles based upon said component that was selected.

Preferably, said digital instructions comprise a first level virtual-machine menu, a plurality of second level virtual-machine menus, a plurality of first level video titles, and a plurality of second level video titles, wherein said interaction comprises selecting a first component of said first level virtual-machine menu and selecting a second component of a second level virtual-machine menu of said plurality of second level virtual-machine menus, wherein said digital instructions result in displaying a video of said plurality of first level video titles and said second level virtual-machine menu based upon said first component that was selected and displaying a video of said plurality of second level video titles based upon said second component that was selected.

Preferably, said portable digital media consists of one of the following: a USB memory, a DVD, a solid state memory device, a flash memory device, a memory stick, a smart media card, a secure digital card.

Preferably, digital instructions comprise a computer program.

According to a further aspect, the invention resides in a system for generating a portable digital media including an interactive game of chance, including:

an outcome generator, which generates an outcome for an interactive game of chance;

an interactive game of chance resource including visual components;

a game generator, which generates said interactive game of chance from said interactive game of chance resource and said outcome, wherein said outcome is displayed using said visual component of said interactive game of chance resource; and

a game recorder, which records said interactive game of chance to a portable digital media.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that minor deviations from the layout of components as illustrated in the drawings will not detract from the proper functioning of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise gambling systems, methods and media. Elements of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary to the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to clutter the disclosure with excessive detail that will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description.

In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, front and back, top and bottom, etc., are used solely to define one element or method step from another element or method step without necessarily requiring a specific relative position or sequence that is described by the adjectives. Words such as “comprises” or “includes” are not used to define an exclusive set of elements or method steps. Rather, such words merely define a minimum set of elements or method steps included in a particular embodiment of the present invention.

In one aspect, the invention resides in a method for remote gambling. The method includes coupling a portable digital media, including an interactive game of chance, with a consumer device; viewing visual components of said interactive game of chance, wherein said visual components are used to define a predetermined outcome of said interactive game of chance: interacting with said visual components through said consumer device; and viewing said predetermined outcome of said interactive game of chance.

Advantages of some embodiments of the present invention include the ability to gamble at a time and place of choice, without needing a computer with an internet connection of a particular capability, without needing to register an identification, without needing a credit card, and with the privacy of not allowing others to track gambling behaviour in great detail. Further embodiments of the present invention include an interactive component that gives the user the feeling and excitement associated with gambling in real time and determining or changing a final outcome. Additionally, the portable digital media enables an enhanced multimedia experience including audio and visual effects, and an ability to have a long gaming session in a small format.

FIG. 1Ashows a screen shot of an interactive game of chance in the form of a scratch card100according to an embodiment of the present invention. The scratch card100includes a plurality of visual components including scratch panels105, a brand identifier110and instructions115. The scratch panels are used to define a predetermined outcome of the interactive game of chance. The scratch panels are ‘scratched’ through an electronic interaction revealing the predetermined outcome.

As is understood by a person skilled in the art, several other visual components may be present in a scratch card100, and neither the brand identifier110nor instructions115need be present on the scratch card100. Furthermore, as is understood by one skilled in the art, any number of scratch panels105may be present on the scratch card100, as may any number of prize panels or prize-multiplier panels.

FIG. 1Bshows another screen shot of the scratch card100where a scratch panel105has been scratched, i.e. a user has interacted with the scratch panel105by scratching it. An outcome component120of the scratch card100is revealed. As is understood by one skilled in the art, no actual scratching is performed, but scratching is simulated. Forms of simulated scratching include simply revealing an outcome component120, and removing the scratch panel105in a manner such that the outcome component120is revealed in a gradual manner. Alternatively, flashes or other animations may be used to simulate scratching that may typically not be associated with real scratching.

FIG. 1Cshows another screen shot of the scratch card100where all scratch panels105have been ‘scratched’ and a winning outcome is displayed. The winning outcome is displayed both as a combination of the outcome components120, and as a further winning message125. As is understood by one skilled in the art, the winning outcome need only be displayed in a single form.

The outcome component120and/or winning message125is associated with a prize. For example, the outcome component120may indicate a monetary value that is redeemable from an agent, or from where the scratch card100was purchased. Other examples of prizes include further games of chance, material prizes or any other type of reward or prize.

FIG. 1Dshows another screen shot of the scratch card100where all scratch panels105have been ‘scratched’ and a losing outcome is displayed. The losing outcome is displayed both as a combination of the outcome components120, and as a further losing message130. As is understood by one skilled in the art, the losing outcome need only be displayed in a single form.

FIG. 2shows a flow diagram200of the processing of an interactive game by a consumer device. The consumer device may be in the form of a DVD player with a remote control, or a personal computer with a computer input, for example. For the sake of clarity, the embodiment described herein is described in the context of the DVD player with the remote control, but as is understood by one skilled in the art the flow could easily be adapted to suit other device types.

In use, a user couples a portable digital media, in the form of a DVD, with a consumer device, in the form of a DVD player. Visual components of the scratch card are displayed on a screen of the device, or a screen connected to the device. The only visual components shown inFIG. 2are scratch panels205a,205b,205c,but as is understood by a person skilled in the art other visual components may be present. Initially all scratch panels205a,205b,205care shown to be unscratched as shown in state210. A user interaction between the user and the scratch panels205a,205b,205cmay occur through a remote control of the DVD player. The user interacts with the scratch panels205a,205b,205cby selecting a scratch panel205a,205b,205cto be scratched, for example by using navigation buttons and an OK/ENTER button on the remote control. From state210, the user may choose to scratch the scratch panel205a,205bor205cwhich results in a transfer to state215,220, or225respectively.

From state215, the user may choose to scratch the scratch panel205bor205cwhich results in a transfer to state230, or235respectively. From state220, the user may choose to scratch the scratch panel205aor205cwhich results in a transfer to state240, or245respectively. From state225, the user may choose to scratch the scratch panel205aor205bwhich results in a transfer to state250, or255respectively.

At states230,235,240,245,250and255, only a single scratch panel205a,205b,205cis remaining. Upon scratching the remaining scratch panel205a,205b,205c,the state is transferred from state230,235,240,245,250or255to state260,265,270,275,280or285respectively.

FIG. 3shows screen shot of an interactive game of chance in the form of a slot machine300according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slot machine300includes a plurality of visual components including reels305, bet size selection buttons310, a spin button315, an outcome panel320and a credits panel325.

A gaming session may include playing the slot machine300multiple times. The gaming session may include a predetermined amount of slot machine plays, or a variable amount of slot machine plays selectable by a user.

A bet size is selected using the bet size selection buttons310. In this embodiment, one, five or ten credits may be chosen, but as is understood by a person skilled in the art, any number of bet selection buttons310, having any values, may be used. The user may be given a predetermined amount of credits, and the variable amount of slot machine plays is determined by the selected bet size. For example, a user betting one credit per game will get five times as many plays as a user betting five credits per game.

As the outcome is predetermined, the choice of bet size does not influence a final outcome of the slot machine300. An outcome may be determined per slot machine play, i.e. the outcome is predetermined for each game played of a gaming session which also results in the final outcome being predetermined. Alternatively, only the final outcome is predetermined. In this case, to achieve a predetermined final outcome, a large win in an early game may be offset by a series of losses in later games.

The outcome, shown inFIG. 3as a losing outcome, is displayed both as a combination of the reels305, and as a win panel320. As is understood by a person skilled in the art. the outcome need only be displayed in a single form.

The credits panel325displays a total number of credits. The total number of credits may be used to show accumulated winnings, credits remaining for play, or any other state of credits spanning over the slot machine plays.

As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the interactive game of chance could similarly include a virtual card game such as poker or blackjack. The visual components could include cards of the virtual card game, and the step of interacting could includes selecting a bet size, selecting cards to be held, discarded or drawn, for example. Similarly, the interactive game of chance includes other games, such as bingo, but can also include games which traditionally are not associated with gambling or lotteries.

The interactive game of chance may include a skill component, i.e. a level of skill of the user may determine a path to the predetermined outcome. For example, a skilled user may be able to play a game for longer than an unskilled user. Alternatively, a skilled user may be presented with a more challenging game than a less skilled user. For example, in black jack, the dealer may have better hands when playing against a skilled player than when playing against a less skilled player.

Although the outcome is predetermined, a skill level of a user can be determined and communicated by the game. This may be performed by logging the pathways taken and by communicating a skill level to the player in the form of a ‘code’. This code may be used to restart a future game at a similar skill level, to keep a record of the player's aggregate skill level over several games, and/or to give the player a benefit separate to the outcome.

FIG. 4shows a flow diagram400of the processing of an interactive game in the form of a scratch card on a DVD, by a DVD player. The interactive game includes video sequences and virtual machine menus. The video sequences are used to define animations between states and animation as a result of interaction, and virtual-machine menus are used for interaction. The video sequences are stored in one or more video title sets (VTSs). A virtual machine menu is a sequence of DVD Virtual Machine commands defining navigation between the video sequences and other menus. The virtual machine menus are stored in the video manager group menu (VMGM), for example, or may be stored in any video title set menu (VTSM).

After a user couples the DVD with the DVD player, an initial view405is shown, for example on a TV screen connected to the DVD player. The initial view405comprises visual components in the form of scratch panels410a,410b,410cand the initial view is a virtual-machine menu. The scratch panels410a,410b,410care similar to the scratch panels105ofFIG. 1a-FIG. 1d.

Upon selection, by the user, of the scratch panel410a,410b,410ca respective video title415a,415b,415cis played. The video title415a,415b,415cis a graphical representation of the scratching of the scratch panel410a,410b,410c.

After the video title415a,415b,415chas been played, a second virtual machine menu420a,420b,420cis displayed to the user, the said second virtual machine menus420a,420b,420ccorresponding to the video titles415a,415b,415crespectively.

At the second virtual machine menu420a,420b,420cthe user selects a second scratch panel410a,410b,410c.Upon selection of the second scratch panel410a,410b,410c,a second video title425a,425b,425c,425d,425e,425fis played. The second video title425a,425b,425c,425d,425e,425fis a graphical representation of the scratching of the second scratch panel410a,410b,410cin the context of the second virtual machine menu420a,420b,420c.

After playback of the second video title425a,425b,425c,425d,425e,425fa third virtual machine menu430a,430b,430cis displayed to the user, the said third virtual machine menus430a,430b,430ccorresponding to the second video titles425a,425b,425c,425d,425e,425f. The second video title425a,425b,425c,425d,425e,425fis one of six alternatives, but the third virtual menu430a,430b,430cis one of three alternatives. This is due to the second video file425a,425b,425c,425d,425e,425fdisplaying a transition from the second virtual menu420a,420b,420cto the third virtual menu430a,430b,430c, where the transition can happen in six ways, but using only three distinct menus.

Finally, at the third virtual menu430a,430b,430c, the user has only a single scratch panel410a,410b,410cto select. Upon selection, a third video title435a,435b,435cis displayed, followed by a final common result video title440. As is understood by one skilled in the art. the final common result video title440may be replaced by a final common result virtual machine menu.

The interactive game of chance includes a starting point, e.g. view405, and an end point, e.g. video title440. The starting point includes visual components of the interactive game. namely scratch panels410a,410b,410c, and the end point includes the predetermined outcome.

One of a plurality of pathways between the starting point and the end point is traversed. The one pathway depends on interaction with the visual components.

InFIG. 4, the one pathway between the starting point and the end point is chosen without requiring a specific skill of the user, i.e. a user may randomly select an order in which to scratch the scratch panels410a,410b,410c. As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the one pathway may be chosen in a skill dependent manner. For example, it may be faster for a skilled user to reach the predetermined outcome that an unskilled user.

In an alternative embodiment, in the context of poker, for example, a player may have cards available at a particular stage of the game and various bet options. For example, the player may choose to bet all money, half, or no money when committing to the next step of the game. If all money is bet, and the outcome is negative, the user immediately goes to the final outcome of the game. If, on the other hand, a portion of the users money is bet, game play is extended.

FIG. 5shows a DVD structure500of a plurality of interactive games of chance stored on a single DVD.

The DVD structure includes a VMGM portion505and a VTS portion510. The VMGM portion505includes a plurality of virtual machine menus515and the VTS portion510includes a plurality of titles520. The plurality of virtual machine menus515comprises a plurality of virtual machine menu groups525. The plurality of titles520comprises a plurality of title groups530.

Each interactive game of chance is depicted with a broken box and comprises a virtual machine menu group525and a title group530similar to the structure described inFIG. 4. A virtual machine menu515of an interactive game of chance links to one or more titles, for example through an interactive component.

The plurality of interactive games of chance are linked via one or more menus of the virtual machine menus. A final menu of a first interactive game of chance535is linked to an initial menu of a second interactive game of chance540as is indicated by an arrow. As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the plurality of interactive games of chance may be linked through video titles, multiple video titlesets, including menus within video titlesets, or by other means.

As is understood by a person skilled in the art, only a small number of transitional arrows are indicated inFIG. 5, for the sake of clarity. Each menu and each video-title may link to one or more other menus and/or video titles in the same video titleset or span multiple video titlesets, or by other means.

The DVD may be replayed multiple times, but with the same outcome. This may be advantageous if a user wishes to experience a winning feeling again. A winning ticket may be given as a gift by a person knowing the winning outcome. Alternatively, losing tickets may be enjoyed again for the game only.

In alternative embodiments, a portable digital media may be single play. This may be performed by deleting, modifying or creating files on the portable digital media during play.

FIG. 6shows a portable digital media600including an interactive game of chance according to an embodiment of the present invention. The interactive game of chance is an interactive game of chance of the type described inFIGS. 1-5, for example. The portable digital media600further includes a coded predetermined outcome605written on an outer surface610of the portable digital media600.

The coded predetermined outcome605corresponds to a final outcome of the interactive game of chance. The final outcome of the interactive game of chance may be based upon a sequence of predetermined outcomes, or a single predetermined outcome. For example, a plurality of scratch cards100may be present on a portable digital media600. In this case, the final outcome is a sum of individual outcomes of each of the plurality of scratch cards100.

The coded predetermined outcome605is coded in a format that is not easily understandable by a user. The format may include encryption, or any other coding format as is understood by a person skilled in the art.

The portable digital media600may also include other information, including a brand identifier615.

FIG. 7shows a digital media700, including a tamper resistant packaging705, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The digital media may include a predetermined outcome, similar to the coded predetermined outcome605ofFIG. 6, that is not visible through the tamper resistant packaging705. The tamper resistant packaging705includes seals710which break upon opening, or any other type of resistance to tampering, such that the digital media700is difficult to remove or play, or the predetermined outcome is difficult to read, without visibly affecting the packaging.

The tamper resistant packaging includes a transparent component715and an opaque component720. This enables portions of contents of the tamper resistant packaging to be seen, which may help with marketing, and portions of the contents to be hidden, which may help with security.

FIG. 8illustrates a system800for generating digital media805including a game of chance according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The system includes an outcome generator810and a game resource815. The outcome generator810and a game resource815are used as input to a game generator820. The game generator820generates one or more data files825that together make a game of chance. The data files825may comprise MPEG files in a DVD suitable format, a combination of video and computer or consumer product instruction files, or any suitable format.

The system800further comprises a recorder830. The recorder830takes the data files825and generates one or more digital media805including a game of chance. The recorder advantageously converts the data files to a format suitable for recording, for example an ISO Image including the ISO 9660 file system or the ISO/IEC 13346 file system, which is suited for burning to a DVD, a Compact Disc (CD) or a Blu-ray Disc (BD).

The system800may include the ability to batch process outcomes and games corresponding to a plurality of games on a single digital media805, and/or corresponding to a plurality of digital media805having different outcomes, e.g. generating both winning digital media805and losing digital media805.

FIG. 9shows a flow diagram900of a method of processing an interactive game of chance.

At step905, a portable digital media, including the interactive game of chance, is coupled with a consumer device. The consumer device may be, for example, a DVD player or a personal computer.

At step910, visual components of said interactive game of chance are viewed. The visual components are used to define a predetermined outcome of said interactive game of chance and may comprise reels of a slot machine and/or associated buttons, or panels of a virtual scratch card, for example.

At step915, said visual components are interacted with through said consumer device. The interaction may be done through a remote control, a keyboard, a pointing device, or any other suitable input means.

At step920, the predetermined outcome of the interactive game of chance is viewed. The predetermined outcome may be viewed through the visual components, or through a message associated with said visual components, for example.

In summary, advantages of some embodiments of the present invention include the ability to gamble at a time and place of choice, without needing a computer with an internet connection of a particular capability, without needing to register, without needing a credit card, and with the privacy of not allowing others to track gambling behaviour in great detail. Further, embodiments of the present invention include an interactive component that gives the user the feeling and excitement associated with gambling in real time and determining or changing a final outcome. Additionally, the portable digital media enables an enhanced multimedia experience including audio and visual effects, and an ability to have a long gaming session in a small format.