Method and system for remote gaming

Abstract

The invention consists of a method, apparatus, and data structure that allows a player remotely located from wagering devices, such as slot machines, video lottery terminals (VLTs), etc., to make wagers on the wagering devices using funds on deposit in an account. The remote player may establish a communication link to the location where the wagering devices are housed through a remote-access service. After authentication of the player's identity, the player may be provided with a menu of available wagering devices. A wagering device computer network server, preferably coupled to video cameras, may transmit the image of the selected wagering device, or as appropriate, the video output of the wagering device, through telecommunications media, to the player. A pop-up control panel on the player's remote viewing system may provide graphical representations of the game play inputs of the actual wagering device, as well as a graphical display of current funds on account. The player may deposit money from an account directly into the wagering device via software controlled by icons in the pop-up control panel. The player then operates the selected device remotely through the graphical representations of the game play inputs in the pop-up control panel. Game play proceeds as per the attributes of the wagering device. Game play records and accounting may be kept on the wagering device, and the wagering device network server. The status of the player's current amount of money on deposit in the wagering device may be displayed on the device and transmitted to the player's remote viewing system in the video broadcast process. Upon conclusion of the gaming session, any money remaining on deposit in the wagering device may be transferred to the player's account. The invention also discloses a method, apparatus, and data structure for remote gaming. This may include a video display, a control device, a video/audio distribution amplifier, a video graphic overlay board, and apparatus for linking the video display and control device.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A gaming system comprising: 
 a television, a control device, and a smart card;    a camera;    a microphone;    an audio amplifier;    a video/audio distribution amplifier;    a card reading shoe;    a video switching system;    a modulation system;    a video graphic overlay board;    a database server; and    a computer, said computer configured to control said video graphic overlay board, said video switching system, said card reading shoe, said modulation system, and data processed by said database server;    wherein said video graphic overlay board is coupled between said camera and said video/audio distribution amplifier.    
     
     
         2 . A gaming system comprising: 
 a television, a control device, and a smart card;    a camera;    a microphone;    an audio amplifier;    a video/audio distribution amplifier;    a card reading shoe;    a video switching system;    a modulation system;    a video graphic overlay board;    a database server; and    a computer, said computer configured to control said video graphic overlay board, said video switching system, said card reading shoe, said modulation system, and data processed by said database server;    wherein said video/audio distribution amplifier is coupled between said graphic overlay board and said camera.    
     
     
         3 . A gaming system comprising: 
 a television, a control device, and a smart card;    a camera;    a microphone;    an audio amplifier;    a video/audio distribution amplifier;    a card reading shoe;    a video switching system;    a modulation system;    a game-server computer system electrically coupled between said camera and said video/audio distribution amplifier;    a database server; and    an account computer, said account computer configured to control said video overlay board, said video switching system, said card reading shoe, said modulation system, and account data processed by said database server.    
     
     
         4 . A gaming system comprising: 
 a television, a control device, and a smart card;    a camera;    a microphone;    an audio amplifier;    a video/audio distribution amplifier;    a card reading shoe;    a video switching system;    a modulation system;    a card game server, said card game server coupled to an output of said video/audio distribution amplifier;    a database server;    an account server computer, said account server computer configured to control functions of said card game server, said video switching system, said card reading shoe, said modulation system, and account data processed said database server.    
     
     
         5 . The gaming system according to  claim 1 , wherein a down card is displayed to a single location.  
     
     
         6 . The gaming system according to  claim 2 , wherein a down card is displayed to a single location.  
     
     
         7 . The gaming system according to  claim 3 , wherein a down card is displayed to a single location.  
     
     
         8 . The gaming system according to  claim 4 , wherein a down card is displayed to a single location.  
     
     
         9 . The gaming system according to  claim 1 , wherein a player account balance is displayed at a conclusion of a hand to a single location.  
     
     
         10 . The gaming system according to  claim 2 , wherein a player account balance is displayed at a conclusion of a hand to a single location.  
     
     
         11 . The gaming system according to  claim 3 , wherein a player account balance is displayed at a conclusion of a hand to a single location.  
     
     
         12 . The gaming system according to  claim 4 , wherein a player account balance is displayed at a conclusion of a hand to a single location.