WO2007049115A2

WO2007049115A2 - Bingo game system and management system of the accumulated prizes for a plurality of rooms and electronic machines

Info

Publication number: WO2007049115A2
Application number: PCT/IB2006/002942
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johnny De Viveiros Ortiz; Alejandro De Viveiros Ortiz
Original assignee: Mytos, S.Ar.L.
Priority date: 2005-10-28
Filing date: 2006-10-19
Publication date: 2007-05-03
Also published as: WO2007049115A3; AR057837A1; TW200800347A

Abstract

The invention describes a bingo game system comprising a plurality of electronic bingo game machines (1) that are linked through a local network in a game room (2) , said game room (2) being provided with a room server (3) and at least a giant terminal (4) that displays the special results, each of the game premises (5) networking together a plurality of said game rooms (2) having a cash module (6) and a management server (7), and that by means of a router (8) are linked with an extensive network such as the Internet, and in which a game server (9) , also connected to the Internet, links a plurality of premises (5) for playing one single bingo game; the system describes how the accumulated Jackpot-type prizes are determined for each of said common games.

Description

BINGO GAME SYSTEM AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF THE ACCUMULATED PRIZES FOR A PLURALTY OF ROOMS AND ELECTRONIC MACHINES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a system for the game of bingo in which a plurality of electronic bingo game machines located in a plurality of rooms intervene, all of said rooms being linked by means of an extensive network such as the Internet, and developing one single game of bingo. The system describes how Jackpot-type accumulated prizes become determined in said common games.

BACKROUND OF THE INVENTION

Well known are the electronic devices machines for the game of bingo which permit the perfect reproduction of the game of bingo with the electronic management of bingo cards, the random determination of the balls extracted and the control of the prizes that are awarded.

Also known is the linking of a group of electronic game machines in a same room for sharing a single game, such as the one that is described in Spanish patent ES2186532. By the same token, different systems have been developed to link said game rooms with others that are remotely located, following different protocols of communication. Within this context there exist different inventions related to different aspects of the communication between game rooms, the management of the different games, and the synchronization of the events of the same.

Although there exist games in the network that permit a simple synchronization of events because practically all the weight of the game resides not on the game server but in each machine which participates, in others, such as the game of bingo, the weight of a centralized game falls principally on the game server, which tends to collapse as the number of machines and players increase.

And that fact is that in the game of bingo and other similar games when it is intended to decentralize the tasks to be performed by transferring said tasks from the game server to each individual machine, the serious problem of synchronizing the events, principally the prize events, comes up, this likely bringing about a failure of the entire system.

Independent of the synchronization difficulties of events during mutual decentralized games with multiple network players in which said games utilize multiple graphic resources, like horse race games, the game of bingo presents a few peculiarities, which are unique and deserve special attention, mainly in regards to the determination of the accumulated prizes such as the Jackpot. As is known, in the game of bingo the prizes are determined in relation to the bingo cards of the players, said cards being an organized grid or group of numbers. When the system extracts a ball at random, the players check and mark if they have a match on their playing cards . The awards or prizes are obtained when a playing card is completed, or a line, or any other figure that is determined to be worthy of award.

The JackPot or accumulated prize is a prize that is formed by the accumulation of all the draws that have not given any prize whatsoever and that the machine reserves or accumulates in a jar or canister with part of said total costs reserved to comprise the JackPot. The JackPot occurs and is handed to someone that obtains bingo with a number of drawn balls lower than the number established by the configuration of the game as the maximum number of balls.

In practice, networked game systems pose the problem of controlling said JackPots and attaining its efficient management in order to avoid the collapse of the system. Because one way or another either the networked game becomes extraordinarily slow, as it incorporates a number of players that are still small in number, or there occur unacceptable delays during the game sequence when the time comes to determining a special prize, or errors simply come about and different machines present the same award or prize to several players since then the bingo would have been obtained locally and the Jackpot given with still no notice having been received from the system warning that another player had received the accumulated prize.

The present invention develops a system of networked bingo games for electronic game machines that includes a special prize manager that solves the problems described above, so that the accumulated prizes are handed over without altering the pace and normal development of events of a networked game in progress, and it is assured that no errors are produced such as the one described above involving multiple handing out of accumulated prizes to several different players.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention develops a bingo game system for a plurality of electronic machines located in a plurality of rooms, all of said rooms being connected through a vast network such as the Internet, said invention providing a system of management of special prizes or JackPots in said single game taking place in the network.

The system includes for each room a plurality of electronic machines for the game of bingo that are linked by means of a local network via the TCP/IP protocol, several rooms or halls linked together in the same game premises, and for example, by means of a router, a plurality of premises linked to the Internet. A game server in the Internet is responsible for carrying out particular aspects of each single game and the determination of the special prizes and manages the system of signals and warnings that permit the functioning of the system.

Specifically, what is utilized is timed signals that are encoded with the event .to be transmitted, its order or priority in the game sequence and the identification of the machine that transmits it, so that it is ensured the quick transmission and the synchronization of the events of the game to all the machines which participate in the same game.

The individual machines carry out the entire presentation of graphics in a game in progress, the management of player entries, the local control of the prizes, etc.

The system of the invention establishes that when there has been awarded a prize which is of general interest for the development of the game, and not merely of local interest for a single machine or machine room, the delivery and reception of security signals interact with security filters established in the system to secure an event of special nature in a single manner.

Moreover, there exist events related to the presentation of said accumulated prizes that formalize a pause of the system which permits that slower connections enter a phase of the game sequence in a manner that is barely perceived by the players, thereby being required a synchronization through said security signals to resume the game sequence in each of the machines connected to the global game.

In other configurations the system of the invention provides a centralized use by way of the game server for the determination of the accumulated prizes or Jackpots.

The game machines are synchronized with each other and with the game server at the moment the game initiates and each machine generates an increase of the jackpot entered in the game server. When it is time to award the Jackpot, bhe server randomly determines a machine where said Jackpot will be given in the next game. Once said prize is given, the meters are reset to begin the calculation of a new accumulated prize.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better comprehension of the invention, appended is a sheet of non-limitative drawings for the purposes of illustration only.

In Figure 1 it is shown a schematic representation according to the known art, of a network of electronic machines and game rooms that develop a global game through the Internet, in which it is shown the game server and different resources of both the game rooms and the game server in the Internet. Figure 2 shows a block diagram with aspects of the sequence of events that is characteristic of the present invention, which sequence is related to the management of special prizes or Jackpots for the game of bingo in a game network like the one shown in the previous figure and in one of its possible embodiments.

Figure 3 shows a block diagram with aspects of the sequence of events characteristic of other possible embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a block diagram with the rules of the security filter for' the awarding of special prizes or Jackpots and the encoded timed signal which connects the electronic game machines and the different servers.

DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention consists of a system for the game of bingo and for the management of special accumulated prizes for a plurality of rooms and electronic machines that includes a plurality of electronic machines (1) for the game of bingo linked by means of a local network in a game room (2), said game room (2) forming part of a plurality of rooms that through a router (8), or an equivalent means in function, are linked with a network of vast area such as the Internet, in which a game server (9) is in charge of managing the data and common events of the common game. Different structures or topologies are possible within each game room (2). In fact, the preferred embodiment of the invention includes the existence in each game room (2) of a room server (3) that in connection with a centre hub relates each one of the individual electronic machines (1) of the game of bingo, there also exists in each room a giant terminal (4) for displaying special results. All and each of the game rooms (2) are linked in the game premises (5) and centralized by means of a management server (7) that is provided with a cash account module. By means of a router (8) the overall plurality of machines present on the game premises (5) are linked with the Internet where they interact with said game server (9) and the bingo game in progress.

The system of the invention accepts different embodiments depending on the respective role of the game server (9) and the electronic machines (1) for the game of bingo as regards the management of said common game and the determination of the special accumulated prizes or Jackpot.

The system of the invention requires for its efficiency the existence of synchronized means for the game events within the game sequence. On one hand there exist game events of local nature that affect just one electronic machine (1) , for example by way of individual choice of the player which permits to follow a thread of progress to said electronic machine (1) . Other events are of a multi-faced nature and affect various machines, inside a game room (2) and the whole group of machines (1) that participate in the global game .

As the graphic interface of the game does not have to be the same in all machines, and therefore, the representation of the events, despite being formally equivalent, can be represented by distinct graphics, part of the task of representation of the game sequence and the events of the game either fall locally or on each individual electronic machine (1), on the game room servers (3) or on the management servers (7) , depending on the nature of the task involved in the event or game sequence.

There exists in the system a timed signal (10) , that keeps track of the processing time and the order of the game sequence, and identification data of the machine (1) or server (9, 7, 3) which are generated by the event. Said encoded signal (10) transmits not the whole completed event but an encoded key of the same, which key in the system of the invention all the agents intervening in the game know how to interpret. Said encoded key, which implies a small data size and greater velocities of transmission than if the complete representation of the events of the game were transmitted, is interpreted .for example by an electronic bingo game machine (1) to be suitably ordered in the game sequence and to reproduce, if necessary, a specific event of the same. The weight of the visualization of said event and of performing the next game sequence falls on each individual machine (1), thereby freeing the game server (9) of said task and lightening the traffic present in the game network.

The system includes the capacity that each agent, server (9, 7, 3) or electronic machine (1) can, when there exists a lapse of signal reception of the game sequence, simulate resumption of the same, either by generating an alternative game sequence of local nature, or by generating an alternative overall game sequence. In the event that the isolation of a machine persists, such machine is disconnected off the global game. Otherwise, it be.comes incorporated into the following game sequence, thus the already initiated alternative sequences becoming appropriately finalized and the global game being again resumed with normality.

Therefore, there exist in the system of the invention, apart from the encoded and timed signal (10), different mechanisms both in the servers (9, 7, 3) and in the individual electronic bingo game machines (1) that serve as synchronization filters for either giving permission (11) for executing the game sequence or event thereby blocking

(12) said event and keeping it from taking place, or simply postpone (13) said event for giving all the electronic machines (1) enough time for getting adjusted and synchronized at the same time with respect to the same game sequence or event.

Specifically, the system of the invention which is to cope with the difficult management of the special accumulated prizes or Jackpots, is provided with a filter for special prizes or Jackpot filter which functions as a FIFO (first in first out) filter with cut.

Due to the difficulties in communication, the management of bingo games in networks or of said Jackpots is very compromising. It might be the case that several machines reach very closely in time a prize related to the handing in of a Jackpot, normally a bingo, although it could be any figure or figures to which this property is attributed.

By means of the Jackpot filter (14) the system of the present invention accepts, thanks to the timed and encoded signal (10) , the first event that has occurred and is worthy of said prize as the first Jackpot in list of Jackpots to be given. The game server (9), after a few parametric security moments have lapsed, these moments having being adjusted according to the reliability of the connections of the network and to the acceptable delays of transmission, grants to an entry of the time-reorganized battery in accordance with the timed and encoded signals

(10), the first order of the list and deems it as the

Jackpot of the game, sending a suitable timed and encoded signal (10) of said event through, the network. The rest of the entries of request for Jackpot are ignored.

The bingo game electronic machines (1) receive from the game server (9) said encoded signal (10) and proceed to update their game sequence, displaying said special event or Jackpot. In fact, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, there exists in each game room (2) a giant terminal (4) , which is administered by the game room server (3) and adequately displays the aforesaid special events involved in the granting of a Jackpot. The display of a Jackpot for all the electronic game machines (1) also involves attending to a block filter (12) of the normal game sequence and a delay filter (13) for local events.

In fact, the attention of the timed and encoded signal (10), corresponding to a Jackpot, and the fact that said prize is displayed in the giant terminal (4) present in each game room, even with the possibility that- every electronic machine (1) simultaneously can emit an audio or voiced" message, whether music or a specific beep, when the sequence of overall events has stopped, permits a lapse of useful time so that all the game machines (1) located in all the game rooms (2) of every premise (5), can synchronize with said event and set its internal game sequence clock in the same condition.

In another of the possible embodiments of the system of the invention, the generation of the Jackpots is carried out locally in each electronic bingo game machine (1). The system of the invention in the first place carries out a process of initialization which performs a synchronization of the Jackpots within all the electronic machines (1).

In the event that there are several machines (1) with different internal Jackpots, it is generated a process of synchronization to select the correct Jackpot. Once said correct Jackpot is selected the electronic machines (1) are ready to receive the increments and display on their screens the new values of the Jackpot. This process of increments includes sending to the game server (9) the value played using the bet, bingo cards and the value of the credit. The game server (9) receives the data, carries out the ensuing calculation to increase the

Jackpot and subsequently sends the final value to all the terminals or electronic machines (1).

To carry out the payment of a Jackpot it is necessary that a device obtains the right prize combination, and in that moment it is sent to the server the alert that the Jackpot is being paid. This alert is utilized so that the electronic machines (1) proceed to decrease the Jackpot that is displayed on the screen. Upon payment of the Jackpot the awarded electronic machine (1) sends a warning of payment finalization, as a result of which the other electronic devices (1) display the new Jackpot.

The system, as stated above, provides in another of its embodiments control over the Jackpot prize from a central computer, which permits that the draw of the accumulated Jackpot is carried out from a game server (9) where the value of the Jackpot is located. Said game server (9) manages the increments and the possibility of handing the Jackpot to a machine (1) . When it has been decided that the Jackpot is to be given, a random draw begins between all the devices playing at that moment. The game server (9) selects one o them and in the following game that machine obtains the Jackpot.

There exist some operation filters so that if an electronic machine (1) that had received a Jackpot were disconnected or would cease to play, after some predetermined time the game server (9) would select another machine (1) as destination for the next Jackpot.

Due to the complexity in the configuration of the parameters which are necessary for the electronic bingo game machines (1), the system of the invention provides for the possibility of configuring a terminal or electronic machine (1) and subsequently transmitting said configuration data to all the other game -machines (1) with the ensuing saving of configuration work for the entire system and increase in reliability for future use of identical parameters.

It is understood that in the present case variations which do not alter or modify the essence of the invention may be applied to details of the embodiment described.

Claims

1.- BINGO GAME SYSTEM AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF SPECIAL PRIZES FOR A PLURALTY OF ROOMS AND ELECTRONIC MACHINES comprising a plurality of electronic bingo game machines (1) that are linked through a local network in a game room (2), said game room (2) being provided with a room server (3) and at least a giant terminal (4) that displays the special results, each of the game premises (5) networking together a plurality of said game rooms (2) having a cash module (6) and a management server (7), and that by means of a router (8) are linked with an extensive network such as the Internet, and in which a game server (9), also connected to the Internet, links a plurality of premises (5) for playing one single bingo game; there existing a system of signals of synchronization between said game server (9), said management servers (7), said game room servers (3) and each one of the electronic bingo game machines (1), which permits a control over the game events with the aim of stopping (12) or authorizing (11) said game events and giving timed encodings (10) of the same which permits each one of said agents simulate the sequence and events of the following game and/or reconstruct the event and sequence of the following game; there being present in the system means so that said game server (9) carries out a centralized control of the special prizes or Jackpots, so that by means of FIFO filters (14) only one of said special events becomes accepted and awarded in the first place in accordance with said timed synchronization signals (10) from each one of said machines (1); and in which are present means for displaying prizes and for delaying (13) the game sequence that permit in each situation of special prize event recovering for the game sequence of said game server (9) of each and every electronic game machine (9) in said single bingo games.

2. - BINGO GAME SYSTEM AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF SPECIAL PRIZES FOR A PLURALTY OF ROOMS AND ELECTRONIC MACHINES, according to claim 1, characterized in that the configuration of operational parameters established for a particular, electronic machine (1) can be transmitted through the network and be transferred to any electronic machine (1) of the system of the invention.

3. - BINGO GAME SYSTEM AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM OF ACCUMULATED PRIZES FOR A PLURALTY OF ROOMS AND ELECTRONIC MACHINES, according to the previous claims, characterized in that each one of the agents operating within the system of the invention, both electronic bingo game machines (1) and game room servers (3), management servers (7), and the game server (9), can either simulate the sequences of resumption of the game related with the data of one or several points of the network from which no signals are received, or generate an alternative thread of game sequence to resume the normal game sequence since it receives the appropriate timed and encoded signal (10) from the lost nodules, or otherwise, definitively disconnect the inactive nodules.