Methods and apparatus for playing bingo over a wide geographic area

Abstract

Methods and apparatus (systems) are set forth for enabling bingo (and similar games of chance, referred to hereinafter collectively as “bingo”) to be played in real time at locations which are remote (geographically separated in a physical sense) from the location where the numbers (or more generally symbols) used to play a bingo type of game are being selected. The disclosed methods and apparatus are directed to both passive and interactive systems which allow bingo to be played from the aforementioned remote locations.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for enabling bingo to be played over a wide geographic area, comprising: 
 (a) means for issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests;    (b) means for keeping track of all game card arrays issued in response to said purchase requests;    (c) means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session; and    (d) means for communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session.    
     
     
         2 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said means for for issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests further comprises: 
 (a) point of sale terminal means including means for uploading game card array purchase requests to system base station means from a site other then where said system base station means is physically located; and  
 (b) system base station means including means for for issuing valid game card arrays and downloading said valid game card arrays to said point of sale terminal means in response to game card array purchase requests.  
 
     
     
         3 . A system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said point of sale terminal means includes means for printing valid game card arrays downloaded from said system base station means.  
     
     
         4 . A system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said point of sale terminal means includes means for storing valid game card arrays downloaded from said system base station means into an electronic gaming device.  
     
     
         5 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said means for for issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests further comprises: 
 (a) system base station means, including point of sale terminal means and means for inputting game card array purchase requests to said terminal means, for issuing valid game card arrays in response to game card array purchase requests input thereto; and  
 (b) means for downloading said valid game card arrays to an electronic gaming device.  
 
     
     
         6 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said means for for issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests further comprises: 
 (a) system base station means, including point of sale terminal means and means for inputting game card array purchase requests to said terminal means, for issuing valid game card arrays in response to game card array purchase requests input thereto; and  
 (b) means for downloading said valid game card arrays to a means for printing said arrays.  
 
     
     
         7 . A system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said system base station means further comprises: 
 (a) means for creating a set of game card arrays from which valid game card arrays may be issued; and  
 (b) means for storing the set of game card arrays created by said system base station means.  
 
     
     
         8 . A system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said system base station means further comprises means for storing a predefined library of game card arrays from which valid game card arrays may be issued.  
     
     
         9 . A system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said system base station means further comprises means for determining if a given game card array purchase request is for a game card array containing a set of symbols chosen by a purchaser.  
     
     
         10 . A system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said system base station means further comprises means for determining if a given game card array purchase request is for game card array to be automatically selected by the system.  
     
     
         11 . A system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said means for keeping track of all game card arrays issued further comprises memory means, coupled to said means for issuing valid game card arrays, for storing each issued game card array associated with each game in a pre-specified bingo session.  
     
     
         12 . A system as set forth in  claim 11  wherein each game card array stored in said memory means has validation information associated therewith to enable the validity of an issued game card array presented as a winning array to be verified.  
     
     
         13 . A system as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session further comprises means for recording each randomly generated symbol in the sequence of randomly generated symbols associated with a given game of bingo.  
     
     
         14 . A system as set forth in  claim 13 , further comprising means for randomly generating the symbols used to play a game of bingo.  
     
     
         15 . A system as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session further comprises means for identifying winning game card arrays including pattern recognition means, coupled to said memory means and said means for recording each randomly generated symbol, for determining, as the game of bingo is being played, which if any of the valid game card arrays stored in said memory means is a winning array.  
     
     
         16 . A system as set forth in  claim 15  wherein said system base station means further comprises: 
 (a) means for issuing a win signal when a valid winning array has been determined to exist by said pattern recognition means; and  
 (b) means for terminating the game in progress when a valid winning array has been determined to exist. communicating further comprises a broadcast television system.  
 
     
     
         17 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said means for communication further comprises a broadcast television system.  
     
     
         18 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said means for communication further comprises a cable television system.  
     
     
         19 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said means for communicating further comprises a radio link.  
     
     
         20 . A system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said means for communicating further comprises a telephone link.  
     
     
         21 . A system as set forth in  claim 2  further comprising means for allowing a game participant to interact with said base station means as each game of bingo is played.  
     
     
         22 . A system as set forth in  claim 21  wherein said means for allowing a game participant to interact with said base station means as each game of bingo is played further comprises a communications path between an individual playing a game of bingo and said means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session.  
     
     
         23 . A system as set forth in  claim 22  wherein said communications path may be utilized by an individual playing a game of bingo to input to said system a win indication signal upon recognition of a win pattern on a game card array in play.  
     
     
         24 . A system as set forth in  claim 23  wherein said means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session is operative, in response to an input win indication signal, to check said game card array in play for a win pattern and terminate the game in progress upon verifying a winning game card array.  
     
     
         25 . A system for enabling bingo to be interactively played over a wide geographic area, comprising: 
 (a) means for issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests;    (b) means for keeping track of all game card arrays issued in response to said purchase requests;    (c) means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session;    (d) means for communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players at locations over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session; and    (e) a communications path for allowing a game participant to interact with the system.    
     
     
         26 . A system as set forth in  claim 25  wherein said communications path is coupled to said means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session and may be utilized by a game participant to input to said system a win indication signal upon recognition of a win pattern on a game card array in play.  
     
     
         27 . A system as set forth in  claim 26  wherein said means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session is operative, in response to an input win indication signal, to check said game card array in play for a win pattern and terminate the game in progress upon verifying a winning game card array.  
     
     
         28 . A system as set forth in  claim 25  wherein said communications path is coupled to said means for issuing game card arrays which, in response to purchase requests, may be utilized by a game participant to purchase game card arrays.  
     
     
         29 . A gaming system for playing a game of chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising: 
 (a) means for keeping track of game card arrays in play; and    (b) means for communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session.    
     
     
         30 . A system as set forth in  claim 29  further comprising means for randomly generating the symbols used to play a game of bingo.  
     
     
         31 . A system as set forth in  claim 29  further comprising means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session.  
     
     
         32 . A system as set forth in  claim 29  further comprising a communications path for allowing a game participant to interact with the system.  
     
     
         33 . An interactive gaming system for playing a game of chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising: 
 (a) means for communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session; and    (b) a communications path for allowing game participants to interact with the system When the game participants are physically located over a wide geographic area.    
     
     
         34 . A gaming system for playing a game of chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising: 
 (a) means for issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests; and    (b) means for communication over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session.    
     
     
         35 . A gaming system for playing a game of chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising: 
 (a) means for sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session; and    (b) means for communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session.    
     
     
         36 . A method for enabling bingo to be played over a wide geographic area, comprising the steps of; 
 (a) issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests;    (b) keeping track of all game card arrays issued in response to said purchase requests;    (c) sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session; and    (d) communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session.    
     
     
         37 . A method as set forth in  claim 36  wherein said step of issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests further comprises the steps of: 
 (a) uploading game card array purchase requests to system base station means from a site other then where the system base station means is physically located; and  
 (b) downloading valid game card arrays to point of sale terminal means in response to game card array purchase requests.  
 
     
     
         38 . A method as set forth in  claim 37  further comprising the step of printing valid game card arrays downloaded from said system base station means.  
     
     
         39 . A method as set forth in  claim 37  further comprising the step of storing valid game card arrays downloaded from said system base station means into an electronic gaming device.  
     
     
         40 . A method as set forth in  claim 36  further comprising the step of storing a predefined library of game card arrays from which valid game card arrays may be issued.  
     
     
         41 . A method as set forth in  claim 36  further comprising the step of determining if a given game card array purchase request is for a game card array containing a set of symbols chosen by a purchaser.  
     
     
         42 . A method as set forth in  claim 36  further comprising the step of determining if a given game card array purchase request is for game card array to be automatically selected by the system.  
     
     
         43 . A method as set forth in  claim 36  wherein said step of keeping track of all game card arrays issued further comprises the step of storing each issued game card array associated with each game in a pre-specified bingo session in memory means.  
     
     
         44 . A method as set forth in  claim 43  further comprising the step of storing validation information, for each issued game card array associated with each game in a pre-specified bingo session, in said memory means to enable the validity of an issued game card array presented as a winning array to be verified.  
     
     
         45 . A method as set forth in  claim 44  wherein said step of sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session further comprises the step of recording each randomly generated symbol in the sequence of randomly generated symbols associated with a given game of bingo.  
     
     
         46 . A method as set forth in  claim 45  further comprising the step of randomly generating the symbols used to play a game of bingo.  
     
     
         47 . A method as set forth in  claim 45  wherein said step of sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session further comprises the step of determining, as the game of bingo is being played, which if any of the valid game card arrays stored in said memory means is a valid winning array.  
     
     
         48 . A method as set forth in  claim 47  wherein said step of sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session further comprises the steps of: 
 (a) issuing a win signal when a winning array has been determined to exist; and  
 (b) terminating the game in progress when a winning array has been determined to exist.  
 
     
     
         49 . A method as set forth in  claim 36  wherein said step of communicating over a wide geographic area further comprises the step of broadcasting the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game over said area utilizing a broadcast television system.  
     
     
         50 . A method as set forth in  claim 36  wherein said step of communicating over a wide geographic area further comprises the step of transmitting the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game over said area utilizing a cable television system.  
     
     
         51 . A method as set forth in  claim 36  wherein said step of communicating over a wide geographic area further comprises the step of broadcasting the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game over said area utilizing radio.  
     
     
         52 . A method as set forth in  claim 36  wherein said step of communicating over a wide geographic area further comprises the step of transmitting the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game over said area utilizing a telephone network.  
     
     
         53 . A method for operating a gaming system for playing a game of chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) keeping track of game card arrays in play; and    (b) communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session.    
     
     
         54 . A method as set forth in  claim 53  further comprising the step of providing a communications path for allowing a game participant to interact with the system.  
     
     
         55 . A method for operating a gaming system for interactively playing a game of chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the way geographic area to participate in the bingo session; and    (b) providing a communications path for allowing game participants to interact with the system when the game participants are physically located over a wide geographic area.    
     
     
         56 . A method for operating a gaming system for playing a game of chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) issuing game card arrays in response to purchase requests; and    (b) communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session.    
     
     
         57 . A method for playing a game of chance over a wide geographic area, wherein said game requires a plurality of game card arrays, each formed from a plurality of symbols positioned in predetermined symbol display locations, and further wherein it is an object of the game to sequentially and randomly generate symbols from a predefined symbol universe, matching generated symbols against the symbols on said game card arrays, with a winner being declared whenever a predefined pattern of generated symbols is formed on at least one of said game card arrays, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) sequencing through each bingo game in a scheduled bingo session; and    (b) communicating over a wide geographic area the sequence of random symbols being generated during a particular bingo game to thereby enable players over the wide geographic area to participate in the bingo session.