Abstract:
A method of playing a predictions-based game based on a particular event, including 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 of a central management system that is adapted 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.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     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. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     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.  
         [0003]     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.  
         [0004]     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.  
         [0005]     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.  
         [0006]     The paper records, however, may be lost. Additionally, predictions or wagers may be mis-recorded and/or mis-communicated.  
         [0007]     Thus, a need exists for a system and method of efficiently inputting, recording and tabulating predictions in predictions-based games.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     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.  
         [0009]     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.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic dart game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a hardware configuration of the electronic dart game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flow chart of a method of operating a predictions-based game according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow chart of a method of monitoring predictions made at remote game machines according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0014]     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.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     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 “&#39;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 “&#39;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 “&#39;212 patent”). The &#39;354 patent, the &#39;189 patent, and the &#39;212 patent are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.  
         [0016]     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.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic dart game machine  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electronic dart game machine  100  may include a coin/bill acceptor  102 , a first electronic dart board  104 , a second electronic dart board  106 , a video display  108 , interface keys  110 , and a CPU (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). The interface keys  110  may include selection keys and player change buttons. Alternatively, the electronic dart game machine  100  may include only one electronic dart board. Also, alternatively, the electronic dart game machine  100  may include more than two electronic dart boards.  
         [0018]     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 .  
         [0019]     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.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of a hardware configuration  200  of the electronic dart game machine  100  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hardware configuration  200  includes the video display  108 , the first electronic dart board  104 , the second electronic dart board  106 , the CPU  202  and a memory  204 . The CPU  202  electronically connects to the first and second dart boards  104  and  106 , the video display  108  and the memory  204 . The memory  204  provides the CPU  202  with memory resources and may include banks of RAM, ROM, flash memory, EEPROM, magnetic memory or the like. The CPU  202  may be a single processor unit, or may be implemented with discrete logic, programmable logic, or a combination of a high-level processor core and discrete logic. The CPU  202  includes game set-up and game mode information. That is, the CPU  202  controls the set-up and game play of the game. For example, the CPU  202  may store a plurality of games, including Fantasee Football, an electronic dart golf game, and various other games, within the memory  204 . During each game, the CPU  202  retrieves information regarding the next phase of the game. For example, after a player(s) makes a prediction regarding a football game, the CPU  202  keeps track of, and displays, the player(s)&#39; prediction and moves on to another contest for a prediction, and/or awaits the results of the first game.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in addition to playing darts on the electronic dart game machine  100 , one may also utilize the electronic dart game machine to input predictions for a predictions-based game. The CPU  202  may be programmed to allow a user to input predictions. The predictions-based game, for example, “Fantasee Football,” may be stored in the memory  204 . Further, the electronic dart game machine  100  may be networked to a remote server  300  of a remote central management system  302  that is separate and distinct from the electronic dart game machine  100 . The remote central management system  302  resides at a centralized location and includes hardware having a memory that stores rules, organization scoring, and other such information for the predictions-based game and operates according to that information.  
         [0022]     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 .  
         [0023]     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.  
         [0024]     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.  
         [0025]     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 .  
         [0026]     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.” 
         [0027]     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.  
         [0028]     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.  
         [0029]     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.  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  illustrates a flow chart of a method of operating a predictions-based game according to an embodiment of the present invention. At  400 , the game machine determines if a game, such as an electronic dart game, is being played. If a game is being played, the game machine operates or continues to operate the game at  402 . If a game is not being played, user attract graphics, such as “PLAY FANTASEE FOOTBALL” are displayed at  404 . If the game interface is engaged at  406 , the game machine displays a game menu at  408 . The game menu may prompt a player to decide whether to play a first game, such as darts, or a second game, such as a predictions-based game. If, at  410 , a predictions-based game is selected, the game machine displays a menu listing various games/events for prediction or wagering at  412 . The game machine then prompts the player to make predictions at  414 . After the player has made his/her predictions, the game machine prompts the user to input identification information at  416 . Identification information may be input before the prediction(s). The identification information may include a player&#39;s name, password, and/or various other information that may be stored in the game machine or at the central management system. Once the player has input his/her predictions and identification information, data representing the predictions and associated identification information is sent to the central management system at  418 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow chart of a method of monitoring predictions made at remote game machines according to an embodiment of the present invention. At  500 , the central management system receives a prediction(s) and associated identification information from a remote game machine(s). The central management system then stores this information. At  502 , the central management system monitors outcomes of the various events/games of which players predicted outcomes. At  504 , the central management system determines whether the events/games were predicted accurately by the player(s).  
         [0032]     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.  
         [0033]     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.  
         [0034]     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&#39;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.  
         [0035]     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.  
         [0036]     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.