Device and network enabled geo-fencing for area sensitive gaming enablement

Abstract

A Location Device Platform (LDP) Client 110 and LDP Server 220 enable location services for any physical item. In one mode, the item is or comprises wireless communications device (cell phone, PDA, etc.) configured for the purposes of wagering. Since wagering is controlled by local or state regulations, the location of legal wagering is typically confined to enclosed areas such as casinos, riverboats, parimutuel tracks, or assigned off-site locations. Use of the LPD capabilities allows for wagering to take place anywhere under the control of a regulatory body.

1 . A location device platform (LDP) client device, comprising a wireless communications subsystem, a processor and a computer readable storage medium, said LDP client device being configured to communicate with a gaming server for providing government-regulated gaming services to said client device.  
   
   
       2 . An LDP client device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said wireless communications subsystem comprises a radio receiver and a radio transmitter.  
   
   
       3 . An LDP client device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a location determination subsystem for determining the location of the LDP client device.  
   
   
       4 . An LDP client device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said processor and computer readable storage medium are configured such that said LDP client device is primarily limited to use as a gaming device.  
   
   
       5 . An LDP client device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said wireless communications subsystem comprises a radio receiver and a radio transmitter; further comprising a location determination subsystem for determining the location of the LDP client device; and wherein said processor and computer readable storage medium are configured such that said LDP client device is primarily limited to use as a gaming device.  
   
   
       6 . A location device platform (LDP) server, comprising a processor and a computer readable storage medium, said LDP server being configured to communicate with a gaming server and a wireless location system for the purpose of providing government-regulated gaming services to an LDP client device.  
   
   
       7 . An LDP server as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the provision of said gaming services is based on the geographic location of said LDP client device.  
   
   
       8 . An LDP server as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said processor and computer readable storage medium are configured such that said LDP server receives requests from said gaming server and provides information to said gaming server, wherein said information is useful by said gaming server in determining what, if any, gaming services are to be provided to said LDP client device.  
   
   
       9 . An LDP server as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said processor and computer readable storage medium are configured such that said LDP server receives requests from said gaming server and requests location information from said wireless location system.  
   
   
       10 . An LDP server as recited in  claim 7 , wherein said processor and computer readable storage medium are configured such that said LDP server receives requests from said gaming server and provides information to said gaming server, wherein said information is useful by said gaming server in determining the gaming services to be provided to said LDP client device; and wherein said processor and computer readable storage medium are further configured such that said LDP server requests location information from said wireless location system, said location information being related to the geographic location of said LDP client device.  
   
   
       11 . A system, comprising: 
 an LDP client device, comprising a wireless communications subsystem, a processor and a computer readable storage medium;    an LDP server, comprising a processor and a computer readable storage medium;    a wireless location subsystem for determining the location of the LDP client device; and    a gaming server for providing a gaming service to said LDP client device;    wherein said LDP client device is configured to communicate with said gaming server for providing government-regulated gaming services to said client device, and said LDP server is configured to communicate with said gaming server and said wireless location system.    
   
   
       12 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said LDP client device further comprises a location determination subsystem.  
   
   
       13 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said processor and computer readable storage medium of said LDP client device are configured such that said LDP client device is primarily limited to use as a gaming device.  
   
   
       14 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said wireless communications subsystem of said LDP client device comprises a radio receiver and a radio transmitter; and wherein said LDP client device further comprises a location determination subsystem for determining the location of the LDP client device; and wherein said processor and computer readable storage medium are configured such that said LDP client device is primarily limited to use as a gaming device.  
   
   
       15 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the provision of said gaming services to said LDP client device is based on the geographic location of said LDP client device.  
   
   
       16 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said processor and computer readable storage medium of said LDP server are configured such that said LDP server receives requests from said gaming server and provides information to said gaming server, wherein said information is useful by said gaming server in determining what, if any, gaming services are to be provided to said LDP client device.  
   
   
       17 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said processor and computer readable storage medium of said LDP server are configured such that said LDP server receives requests from said gaming server and requests location information from said wireless location system.  
   
   
       18 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said processor and computer readable storage medium of said LDP server are configured such that said LDP server receives requests from said gaming server and provides information to said gaming server, wherein said information is useful by said gaming server in determining the gaming services to be provided to said LDP client device; and wherein said processor and computer readable storage medium of said LDP server are further configured such that said LDP server requests location information from said wireless location system, said location information being related to the geographic location of said LDP client device.  
   
   
       19 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said gaming server and LDP server are implemented on separate computers.  
   
   
       20 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said gaming server and LDP server are implemented on a common computer.  
   
   
       21 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the location of said LDP client device is determined by a network-based location technique.  
   
   
       22 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the location of said LDP client device is determined by a device-based location technique.  
   
   
       23 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the location of said LDP client device is determined by a hybrid network/device-based location technique.  
   
   
       24 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said LDP server is configured to select the technique by which the location of the LDP client device is determined.  
   
   
       25 . A system as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the selection of the technique by which the location of the LDP client device is determined is based on required accuracy.  
   
   
       26 . A system as recited in  claim 24 , wherein the selection of the technique by which the location of the LDP client device is determined is based on cost.  
   
   
       27 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein data communications between said LDP client device and LDP server are carried on a wired communications link.  
   
   
       28 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein data communications between said LDP client device and LDP server are carried on a wireless communications link.  
   
   
       29 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the location of said LDP client device is obtained via address to caller-ID correlation by the LDP server.  
   
   
       30 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said LDP server maintains the service areas and rules associated with each service area.  
   
   
       31 . A system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein said service area is defined by a polygon defined by a set of latitude and longitude points.  
   
   
       32 . A system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein said service area is defined by a radius around a central point.  
   
   
       33 . A system as recited in  claim 30 , wherein said service area is defined within the location-aware server based on gaming statutes.  
   
   
       34 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said LDP server or said gaming server may grant the LDP client device fall access, limited access, or no access to gaming services.  
   
   
       35 . A system as recited in  claim 34 , wherein limited access means that only simulated play is enabled.  
   
   
       36 . A system as recited in  claim 34 , wherein limited access means that multi-player gaming is enabled, but without real money.  
   
   
       37 . A system as recited in  claim 34 , wherein limited access means that a reservation for gaming at a particular time and within a prescribed area is made.  
   
   
       38 . A system as recited in  claim 34 , wherein denial of access allows for directions to where requested gaming is allowed.  
   
   
       39 . A system as recited in  claim 11 , wherein gaming includes a plurality of online gaming and wagering activities.