Patent Publication Number: US-11024125-B1

Title: Systems, methods, and media for implementing internet-based wagering

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/626,267, filed Feb. 5, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Wagering is a popular recreational activity for adults around the world. In traditional wagering, a player would have to travel to a casino to place wagers. While casinos are enjoyable, traveling to one can be expensive and time consuming. 
     Internet-based wagering system allow players to wager from home without the need to travel to a casino. Unfortunately, however, many internet-based wagering systems are simply computer-generated interfaces that do not replicate in any way a real environment like is present in a casino. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide internet-based wagering that replicates aspects of a real casino. 
     SUMMARY 
     Systems, methods, and media for implementing internet-based wager are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, systems for wagering are provided, the systems comprising: a game wheel having a plurality of positions including at least one multiplier position and at least one non-multiplier position; and a hardware processor configured to: receive bet information describing bets from a plurality of player devices, wherein the bet information includes a bet amount and a bet position on the game wheel for each of the bets; determine a payout amount for each of the bets; receive first wheel spin information including a first wheel stop position for a first spin of the game wheel; determine that the first wheel stop position is one of the at least one multiplier position having a multiplier value, and apply the multiplier value to the payout amount for each of the bets; receive final wheel spin information including a final wheel stop position for a final spin of the game wheel; and determine that the final wheel stop position is one of the non-multiplier positions, and cause payouts to be made to each of the bets having a bet position matching the final wheel stop position. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, methods for wagering are provided, the methods comprising: receiving bet information describing bets at a hardware processor from a plurality of player devices, wherein the bet information includes a bet amount and a bet position on a game wheel for each of the bets; determining a payout amount for each of the bets using the hardware processor; receiving first wheel spin information including a first wheel stop position for a first spin of the game wheel using the hardware processor; determining that the first wheel stop position is one of at least one multiplier position on the game wheel having a multiplier value using the hardware processor, and applying the multiplier value to the payout amount for each of the bets using the hardware processor; receiving final wheel spin information including a final wheel stop position for a final spin of the game wheel using the hardware processor; and determining that the final wheel stop position is one of non-multiplier positions on the game wheel using the hardware processor, and causing payouts to be made to each of the bets having a bet position matching the final wheel stop position using the hardware processor. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, non-transitory computer-readable media containing computer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a method for wagering are provided, the method comprising: receiving bet information describing bets from a plurality of player devices, wherein the bet information includes a bet amount and a bet position on a game wheel for each of the bets; determining a payout amount for each of the bets; receiving first wheel spin information including a first wheel stop position for a first spin of the game wheel; determining that the first wheel stop position is one of at least one multiplier position on the game wheel having a multiplier value, and applying the multiplier value to the payout amount for each of the bets; receiving final wheel spin information including a final wheel stop position for a final spin of the game wheel; and determining that the final wheel stop position is one of non-multiplier positions on the game wheel, and causing payouts to be made to each of the bets having a bet position matching the final wheel stop position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an example of a system for implementing an internet-based wagering system in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is an example of a process for a wager game in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is an example of a user interface for internet-based wagering in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is an example of a game wheel that is used in an Internet-based wagering game in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is an example of hardware for implementing certain components of  FIG. 1  in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Turning to  FIG. 1 , an example  100  of a system for implementing internet-based wagering in accordance with some embodiments is shown. As illustrated, system  100  includes a game wheel  102 , a wheel and clapper sensor  104 , a dealer computer  106 , a core application computer  108 , a video switch  110 , cameras  112  and  114 , a video/audio encoder  116 , an audio mixer and digitizer  118 , a microphone  120 , an audiovisual control system  122 , an LED driver  124 , an LED matrix  126 , a computer network  128 , a tablet player device  130 , a smart phone player device  132 , and a computer player device  134 . 
     Game wheel  102  can be any suitable game wheel for implementing a wagering game. This game wheel can be a real, physical game wheel. For example, game wheel  102  can be implemented using game wheel  400  as shown in  FIG. 4 . As illustrated in this figure, the game wheel can include any suitable number of positions. In some embodiments, 54 positions can be provided as shown in  FIG. 4 . These positions can be separated by pins in the wheel in some embodiments. During use, in some embodiments, a human dealer (or game presenter) spins the wheel by hand and eventually the wheel stops spinning and a pointer at the top of the wheel points to one of the positions. One or more cameras, described below, can be pointed at the wheel and capture video that is transmitted to player devices participating in a game involving the wheel. 
     Each of the positions on the wheel can be any of a plurality of types. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , one or more positions can be of a “1” gold type, one or more positions can be of a “2” blue type, one or more positions can be of a “5” purple type, one or more positions can be of a “10” green type, one or more positions can be of a “20” orange type, one or more positions can be of a “40” red type, one or more positions can be of a “2× Multiplier” type, and one or more positions can be of a “7× Multiplier” type. Although specific example of position types are described herein, any suitable position types can be used, and any suitable number of different types of position types can be used. Moreover, even though specific numbers of the different position types are shown in  FIG. 4 , any suitable number (including zero) of each type can be used in some embodiments. 
     In some embodiments, the position types represent how a payout will be made should a player&#39;s wager include a selection of that position type and should a position having that position type be pointed to by a pointer on the wheel following a spin. For example, if a player places a wager on a “10” green position type and, after a wheel spin, the wheel&#39;s pointer points to any of the four positions illustrated in  FIG. 4  as being of that position type, the player will receive a payout of 10 times the bet amount. 
     In some embodiments, a position type can be a multiplier (e.g., “2× Multiplier” or “7× Multiplier”) that increases the payout of a bet should a subsequent spin land on a position having the type corresponding to the bet. For example, in the example in the previous paragraph, should a spin of the wheel have first landed on a position of the type “2× Multiplier” in a spin just prior to a spin landing on a position having the “10” green position type, the payout would be 20 times the bet amount. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , wheel and clapper sensor  104  can detect the spinning of a wheel and the position pointed to by the pointer when the wheel stops spinning. The sensor can be implemented in any suitable manner. For example, the sensor can be implemented as a bar code scanner that points at bar codes on the outer circumference of the wheel in each position. 
     Dealer computer  106  can be any suitable computer that can be used by a game presented to monitor game activity. For example, in some embodiments, computer  106  can be used to monitor how sensor  104  is sensing the wheel, to manually enter wheel position data, to view video feeds of the wheel, and to see gaming data relating to bets, payouts, previous plays, and/or any other suitable data. 
     Core application computer  108  can be any suitable computer that controls the activity of the game being presented by system  100 . This can include generating user interfaces, presenting user interfaces to devices  130 ,  132 , and  134 , receiving input from players via those user interfaces, receiving bet information, causing money wagered to be collected, receiving data from sensor  104  and/or computer  106 , applying game rules, determining payouts, causing payout money to be paid, controlling video that is streamed to players, and/or any other suitable functions. 
     Video switch  110  can receive video from cameras  112  and  114  and provide it to video/audio encoder  116 . Any suitable video switch can be used in some embodiments. 
     Video/audio encoder  116  can be any suitable video and/or audio encoder. In some embodiments, encoder  116  can be implemented as multiple encoders, any of which encoders can be different from any others of the encoders. For example, when using multiple encoders, some may be video encoders and some may be audio encoders. Some may be high definition encoders, while others can be standard definition encoders, as another example. 
     Audio mixer and digitizer  118  can be any suitable audio mixer and digitizer for receiving sound-effect signals and background-music signals from audiovisual control system  122  and voice signals from microphone  120 , mixing those signals, digitizing those signals, and providing those signals to encoder  116 . 
     Microphone  120  can be any suitable microphone for capturing the voice of a game presenter (or dealer). In some embodiments, microphone  120  can be part of another device, such as a headset, one of cameras  112  and  114 , etc. 
     Audiovisual control system  122  can be any suitable computer system for controlling sound effects, background music, light emitting diodes in matrix  126 , any other suitable lights, etc. In some embodiments, system  122  can receive inputs from core application computer  108  that causes special sounds and/or lights (or any other effects) to be presented when certain events happen during the course of play (e.g., such as a big payout being paid, the wheel landing on a multiplier position, etc.). 
     LED driver  124  can be any suitable driver circuitry for driving LEDs, lights, and/or any other visual effects that are presented on or around the wheel and/or in the field of view of one or more of cameras  112  and  114 . 
     LED matrix  126  can be any suitable collection of one or more LEDs, lights, and/or any other visual effects that are presented on or around the wheel and/or in the field of view of one or more of cameras  112  and  114 . For example, in some embodiments, LEDs can be presented on the wheel to accentuate movement of the wheel, a position on the wheel landed upon when the wheel stops spinning, etc. 
     Computer network  128  can be any suitable communication network or combination of communication networks that can be used by a device  130 ,  132 , and/or  134  for communicating with the remainder of system  100 . For example, network  128  can include the Internet, one or more mobile telephone networks, one or more mobile data networks, one or more cable television networks, one or more satellite networks, one or more WiFi networks, one or more local area networks, one or more wide area networks, and/or any other one or more suitable communication networks. 
     Player devices  120 ,  132 , and  134  can be any suitable devices for interacting with the remainder of system  100 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , these devices can present a user interface, video, and audio that can allow a player to experience a wagering game. The devices can receive bets via the interface, indicate account balance, indicate past plays, provide video and/or audio of the wheel, provide video and/or audio of the game presenter, provide video and/or audio of the video effects, audio effects, music, etc., capture video and/or audio of a player using one of the devices, capture text input of the player, provide video and/or audio of other players, present text input of the other players, etc. 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , an example  200  of a process for implementing a wagering game in accordance with some embodiments is shown. As illustrated, after process  200  begins at  202 , the process can receive bet information and set possible payouts based on the bet information. Any suitable bet information can be received in some embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, the bet information can include a position type (e.g., “10” green or any other suitable type), a bet amount (e.g., $20 or any other suitable value), etc. Any suitable possible payouts can be set in some embodiments. For example, if a bet is for $20 on “10” green, the payout can be calculated to be $200 (i.e., 10 times $20). The position type may indicate the payout. For example, position type “1” can have a one times payout, position type “2” can have a two times payout, position type “5” can have a five times payout, position type “10” can have a ten times payout, position type “20” can have a twenty times payout, and position type “40” can have a forty times payout. Any other suitable position types and position type payouts can be used in some embodiments. 
     Next, at  206 , bets can be closed by process  200 . This can occur in response to a game presenter selecting on dealer computer  106  to close bets, based on an automatic timer, and/or based on any other suitable factors. Once bets are closed, players may be prevented from adding new bets, cancelling existing bets, and/or altering existing bets. 
     At  208  and  210 , process  200  can detect a wheel spin and then a wheel stop respectively. As described above, these can be detected based on output from sensor  104 . In some embodiments,  208  and  210  can be omitted and data on wheel spins (e.g., such as wheel position after a spin) can be received from manual entries on a dealer computer by a dealer (or game presenter). 
     At  212 , process  200  can determine if the position on the wheel landed upon is a multiplier. If so, at  214 , process  200  can apply the multiplier to the possible payouts set in  204 . For example, if, as in the example above, a bet is for $20 on “10” green, the possible payout calculated at  204  would be $200. If it is determined at  212  that a “7× Multiplier” was landed upon, then at  214  process  200  would update the possible payout to be $1400. Following  214 , process  200  loops back to  208  and then 210 to detect another wheel spin and stop. If another multiplier is detected at  212 , that multiplier would once again be applied at  214  to the possible payouts. For example, if a “2× Multiplier” position is landed-upon following the “7× multiplier” position in the example immediately above, the possible payout would be updated to be $2800. Multipliers can stack in this manner any suitable number of times in some embodiments. In some embodiments, a maximum possible payout may limit the effect of stacked multipliers. 
     If at  212 , it is determined that the wheel did not stop on a multiplier position, then at  216 , process  200  can deduct bet money from player accounts (in some embodiments, the bet money may have been previously deducted or frozen at step  204  or  206 ) and make payouts of money. For example, if the wheel stopped on a “10” green position in the examples above, the possible payout of $2800 would be paid to the player&#39;s account. 
     Following  216 , process  200  clears all bet information and loops back to  204  to proceed with the next play as described above. 
     In some embodiments, process  200  can be executed in computer  108 . 
     Turning to  FIG. 3 , an example  300  of a user interface than can presented on a player device  130 ,  132 , or  134  in accordance with some embodiments is shown. As illustrated, interface  300  can include a video area  302  and a betting interface area  304 . Video area can show any suitable video including video of the wheel, video of a game presenter, video of LEDs, lights, and/or other visual effects that are captured using cameras  112  and  114 . As described above, this video is of a real environment including a real wheel, real lights, a real game presenter, etc. 
     In some embodiments, video area  302  can show feedback  314  to the players of the position type detected following a spin of the wheel. 
     Betting interface area  304  can provide any suitable user interface elements for wagering in the game provided. For example, as shown, an account balance  306  and total bet amount  308  can be provided to show a player how much money the player has in the betting account and how much money the player is currently wagering, respectively. By clicking on amount  308  while bets are open, the player can change the bet amount. As another example, as shown in area  310 , the player can select a position type on which to bet. As illustrated, area  310  includes icons for “1” gold, “2” blue, “5” purple, “10” green, “20” orange, and “40” red position types. Any suitable position types can be included in area  310 . As yet another example, as shown in area  312 , previous play information can be shown. For example, area  312  can show a purple “5” in the top left of area  312  to represent that the current play outcome was “5” purple. To the right of that, another “5” is shown indicating that the previous play outcome was “5” purple. To the right of that, a “1” is shown indicating that the previous play outcome was “1” gold. As yet another example, a “click to chat” field  316  can enable a player to open up a field in which the player can chat with the game presenter and/or other players. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 1 , components  106 ,  108 ,  116 ,  122 ,  130 ,  132 , and  134  can be implemented using any suitable hardware. For example, in some embodiments, these components can be implemented using any suitable general-purpose computer or special-purpose computer. Any such general-purpose computer or special-purpose computer can include any suitable hardware. For example, as illustrated in example hardware  500  of  FIG. 5 , such hardware can include hardware processor  502 , memory  504 , storage  506 , display/audio interface(s)  508 , input interface(s)  510 , communication interface(s)  512 , and a bus  514 . 
     Hardware processor  502  can include any suitable hardware processor, such as a microprocessor, a micro-controller, digital signal processor(s), dedicated logic, and/or any other suitable circuitry for controlling the functioning of a general-purpose computer or a special-purpose computer in some embodiments. 
     Memory  504  can be any suitable memory for storing programs, data, media content, and/or any other suitable information in some embodiments. For example, memory  504  can include random access memory, read-only memory, flash memory, and/or any other suitable memory. 
     Storage  506  can be any suitable storage for storing programs, data, media content, and/or any other suitable information in some embodiments. For example, storage  506  can include flash memory, hard disk drive, optical media, and/or any other suitable storage. 
     Display/audio interface(s)  508  can be any suitable circuitry for controlling and driving output to one or more display/audio output circuitries in some embodiments. For example, display/audio interface(s)  508  can be circuitry for driving an LCD display, a speaker, an LED, or any other type of output device. 
     Input interface(s)  510  can be any suitable circuitry for controlling and receiving input from any suitable input device(s) in some embodiments. For example, input interface(s)  510  can be any suitable circuitry for receiving input from an input device, such as a touch screen, from one or more buttons, from a voice recognition circuit, from a microphone, from a camera, from an optical sensor, from an accelerometer, from a temperature sensor, from a near field sensor, and/or any other type of input device. 
     Communication interface(s)  512  can be any suitable circuitry for interfacing with one or more communication networks, such as network  128  as shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, interface(s)  512  can include network interface card circuitry, wireless communication circuitry, and/or any other suitable type of communication network circuitry. 
     Bus  514  can be any suitable mechanism for communicating between two or more components  502 ,  504 ,  506 ,  508 ,  510 , and  512  in some embodiments. 
     Any other suitable components can be included in hardware  500  in accordance with some embodiments. 
     It should be understood that at least some of the above described blocks of the process of  FIG. 2  can be executed or performed in any order or sequence not limited to the order and sequence shown in and described in the figure. Also, some of the above blocks of the process of  FIG. 2  can be executed or performed substantially simultaneously where appropriate or in parallel to reduce latency and processing times. Additionally or alternatively, some of the above described blocks of the process of  FIG. 2  can be omitted. 
     In some implementations, any suitable computer readable media can be used for storing instructions for performing the functions and/or processes described herein. For example, in some implementations, computer readable media can be transitory or non-transitory. For example, non-transitory computer readable media can include media such as non-transitory forms of magnetic media (such as hard disks, floppy disks, etc.), non-transitory forms of optical media (such as compact discs, digital video discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), non-transitory forms of semiconductor media (such as flash memory, electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), etc.), any suitable media that is not fleeting or devoid of any semblance of permanence during transmission, and/or any suitable tangible media. As another example, transitory computer readable media can include signals on networks, in wires, conductors, optical fibers, circuits, any suitable media that is fleeting and devoid of any semblance of permanence during transmission, and/or any suitable intangible media. 
     In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can be used to implement an Internet based gaming product. In some embodiments of such a product, the game wheel and dealer can be located in a studio (or any other suitable location (such as a casino)) and players use a player device from a remote location to place bets. In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can be additionally or alternatively be used to implement a casino game in which the game wheel and dealer are in a casino and players use player devices (which can be the player devices described in connection with  FIG. 1  and/or dedicated gaming devices, such as a gaming terminal) within the casino. In some embodiments, the mechanisms described herein can be implemented in a fully electronic manner wherein no dealer or real game wheel is present. Rather, the game wheel can be computer generated. Players can access the game using the player devices described in connection with  FIG. 1  and/or dedicated gaming devices, such as a gaming terminal. This can be implemented in a casino and/or over the Internet. 
     Although the invention has been described and illustrated in the foregoing illustrative embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims that follow. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways.