Method and system for providing computer gaming

Abstract

An improved system and method for providing remote instant type lottery games is provided. The instant type games are presented on a portable gaming computer. Predetermined outcomes are pre-programmed into the gaming computer before it is provided to the player. This may be done by preprogramming a computer memory in the gaming computer with the outcomes during manufacture of the device. Thus, the gaming computer can be ready for play as soon as it is purchased, without any action necessary by the player or retailer to activate or enable play on the gaming computer. The predetermined outcomes of the games stored in the computer memory can be coded somewhere in or on the gaming computer, for example, in a bar code on the gaming computer or stored in a memory. The outcomes are read from the bar codes or memory during a redemption process and validated. Additionally, the gaming computer is provided with a “freeze” feature that may be activated by the player. When activated, the “freeze” feature prevents further play on the gaming computer. Any amounts that have been won by the player are “frozen” in the gaming computer, for example, on a display and in a memory. The freeze provides the player with a sense of security that they will not “lose” their winnings by further play or a gaming computer malfunction.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A system for providing a remote lottery game, comprising: 
 a gaming computer having a program stored in a computer memory, the program generating one of a number of predetermined outcomes on a display when activated by a player, the predetermined outcomes being preprogrammed into the computer memory directly via a programming computer;    a portable data storage unit associated with the portable gaming computer, the portable gaming computer storing an identifier and the predetermined outcomes programmed into the portable gaming computer;    a central computer having a memory storing the identifiers for each gaming computer and associating the predetermined outcomes programmed into the gaming computer's computer memory with the unique identifier; and    a validation computer for reading the portable data storage unit and generating a redemption request based thereon, communicating the redemption request to the central computer and receiving a validation message from the central computer, wherein the central computer includes processing means to compare the redemption request and the unique identifier and associated predetermined outcomes and generating the validation message based on the comparison.    
     
     
         2 . A computer gaming device, comprising: 
 a display;    a locking button that when actuated by the player generates a stop signal;    a computer processor; and    a computer readable memory storing computer readable program code means for causing the computer processor to generate and present on the display a game that yields at least one of a number of predetermined outcomes, to keep a running balance of amounts won from the predetermined outcomes, and upon receipt of the stop signal, stores the amount of the current running balance and prevent additional games from being played.    
     
     
         3 . The computer gaming device according to  claim 2 , wherein the computer readable memory further comprises computer readable program code means for causing the computer processor to set a flag indicating the stop signal has been generated.  
     
     
         4 . The computer gaming device according to  claim 2 , wherein the computer readable memory further comprises computer readable program code means for causing the computer processor to generate a redemption request, the redemption request including the flag and the current running balance.  
     
     
         5 . The computer gaming device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a play button that when actuated causes the computer processor to generate and present on the display the one game that yields at least one of the predetermined outcomes.  
     
     
         6 . The computer gaming device according to  claim 2 , wherein the display is divided into a number of subfields, the game deploying alphanumeric characters in the sub fields.  
     
     
         7 . The computer gaming device according to  claim 6 , wherein the game presents variations of the word “millionaire” on the display.  
     
     
         8 . The computer gaming device according to  claim 6 , wherein the game displays one of 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000, and 100,000 on the display.  
     
     
         9 . The computer gaming device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a second display the presents the running balance to the player.  
     
     
         10 . The computer gaming device according to  claim 2 , further comprising a power button for turning the gaming device on and off.  
     
     
         11 . A computer lottery system, comprising: 
 a portable gaming device having a computer readable memory storing computer readable program code means for causing gaming device computer processor to generate and present on the display at least one game that yields at least one of a number of predetermined outcomes, to keep a running balance of amounts won from the displayed predetermined outcomes, and upon receipt of the stop signal, stores the amount of the current running balance, prevent additional games from being played and predetermined outcomes from being presented, to generate a redemption request, the redemption request including the flag and the current running balance;    a central computer having a computer readable memory storing identifiers for each gaming device and associating the predetermined outcomes in the portable gaming device's computer readable memory with the unique identifier, the computer readable memory in the central computer storing computer readable program code means for causing a central computer processor to check the redemption request against the unique identifier and associated predetermined outcomes and generate a validation message in response to the redemption request, when the flag is set, the validation message includes an instruction to pay the current running balance;    a validation computer receiving the redemption request from the gaming computer, communicating the redemption request to the central computer and receiving and processing the validation message to enable any payoff.    
     
     
         12 . A method of providing a remote lottery game, comprising: 
 generating a number of predetermined outcomes for the lottery game; and    programming at least one of the predetermined outcomes into a memory of a gaming computer before the gaming computer is presented at a point of sale.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising validating the gaming device at the point of sale.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising associating the predetermined outcomes stored in the memory with an identifier for the gaming computer.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the gaming computer comprises a program stored in a computer memory, the program generating one of the number of predetermined outcomes that are stored in the memory on a display when activated by a player.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising progressively revealing the predetermined outcomes on the display.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein a player selects the progressive revealing.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the predetermined outcomes are programmed into the memory before payment for the gaming computer.  
     
     
         19 . A computer gaming device, comprising: 
 a display;    player input controls;    a computer processor; and    a computer readable memory storing computer readable program code means for causing the computer processor to generate and present on the display a game that yields at least one of a number of predetermined outcomes, the predetermined outcome being revealed on the display in a progressive manner in response to input from the player input controls.    
     
     
         20 . The gaming device of  claim 19  wherein the player input controls comprise a membrane keypad.  
     
     
         21 . The gaming device of  claim 19  further comprising means for generating sound associated with the predetermined outcomes.  
     
     
         22 . A computer gaming device, comprising: 
 means for displaying images to a player;    means for receiving input from the player;    means for processing; and    a computer readable memory storing computer readable program code means for causing the means for processing to generate and present on the means for displaying a game that yields at least one of a number of predetermined outcomes, the predetermined outcome being revealed on the means for displaying in a progressive manner in response to input from the means for receiving.