Method and System for Networked Bingo

Abstract

Methods and systems for facilitating networked bingo matches are presented. Bingo cards may be generated by distributing symbols from a set of symbols into grid positions on each card. One or more patterns of marked positions on a bingo card may be pre-defined. An example embodiment includes the ability for a client devices to join a networked bingo game, each being associated with one or more potentially different special symbols. When a client device achieves a pre-defined pattern of marked positions on one or more of the client device's cards where one of the client device's special symbols is used to complete the pre-defined pattern(s), the client device may be awarded a prize.

1 . A method for operating a networked bingo match, the operation taking place between a server device and a plurality of client devices, wherein the networked bingo match comprises a set of symbols; a set of bingo cards, each bingo card containing a grid, at least one position on the grid being associated with a symbol chosen from the set of symbols; a pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions on a bingo card; and a prize, the method comprising:
 the server device, receiving from a client device of the plurality of client devices, a request to join the networked bingo match, the client device associated with a first special symbol from the set of symbols;   the server device transmitting an indication of a bingo card to the client device;   the server device initiating the networked bingo match to be operated between the client device and at least one other client device of the plurality of client devices, wherein each iteration of the networked bingo match includes the steps of:
 the server device selecting a new symbol from the set of symbols; 
 the server device testing for the condition that the grid on the bingo card contains the new symbol, and, when the condition is met, marking the grid position on the bingo card containing the new symbol; 
 the server device testing for the condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the first special symbol associated with the client device, and, when the condition is met, the server device awarding at least some of the prize to the client device and transmitting an indication to the client device that the client device has been awarded at least some of the prize. 
   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-defined pattern is a match ending pattern, each iteration of the networked bingo match further including the step of:
 when the condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the first special symbol associated with the client device is met, the server device transmitting to the plurality of client devices an indication that the match has ended.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the match ending pattern comprises all positions on the bingo card being marked. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-defined pattern is an intermediate pattern, the intermediate pattern selected from the group consisting of all positions in at least one row of the bingo card's grid being marked, all positions in at least one column of the bingo card's grid being marked, and all positions in at least one diagonal pattern on the bingo card's grid being marked. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of symbols is a non-repeating set of symbols and each position on each bingo card's grid is associated with a different symbol chosen without replacement from the non-repeating set of symbols. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the server device generating the bingo card to transmit to the client device, wherein the symbols associated with the positions on the grid of the bingo card are randomly chosen and the server device selects new symbols from the set of symbols without replacement. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of symbols comprises the numbers 1 through 75. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each bingo card includes a grid of 5 rows and 5 columns. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the set of symbols comprises the numbers 1 through 90. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each bingo card includes a strip of sub-cards such that each symbol of the set of symbols is represented exactly once amongst all cards of the strip of sub-cards. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the pre-defined pattern is a match ending pattern, and the match ending pattern comprises all positions on at least one sub-card being marked. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein each card of the strip of sub-cards comprises at least one grid position that is pre-marked. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the server device and the plurality of client devices communicate with one another over the Internet. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a payment sub-method, the payment sub-method comprising the steps of:
 the client device providing an indication of a form of payment to the server device;   the server device validating the form of payment according to the requirements of a first networked bingo match operator;   the server device transmitting an indication of success to the client device.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 the server device transmitting to the client device an indication of a username and a password, with which the client device can log on to the server device to participate in the networked bingo match.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of clients is registered with the first operator of the networked bingo match. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein at least one client of the plurality of clients is registered with the first operator of the networked bingo match, and at least one client of the plurality of clients is registered with a second operator of the networked bingo match. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the prize is progressive. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the progressive prize is of a monetary value. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 the client device transmitting to the server device a request to purchase the bingo card; and   the server device adding a percentage of the cost of the bingo card to the progressive prize.   
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein each iteration of the networked bingo match further comprises the step of:
 responsive to the condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the first special symbol associated with the client device being met, the server device resetting the prize to a pre-determined amount.   
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the client device transmitting to the server device a request to be associated with a second special symbol from the set of symbols;   the server device removing the association of the client device with the first special symbol; and   the server device associating the client device with the second special symbol.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one position on the grid of each bingo card is pre-marked. 
   
   
       24 . A method for operating a networked bingo match between a server device and a plurality of client devices, wherein the networked bingo match comprises a set of non-repeating symbols; a set of bingo cards, each bingo card containing a grid, at least one position on the grid being associated with a symbol randomly chosen without replacement from the set of non-repeating symbols, the number of positions on the grid less than the number of non-repeating symbols; a pre-defined match ending pattern of marked grid positions on a bingo card; and a prize, the method comprising:
 the server device, receiving from a client device of the plurality of client devices, a request to join the networked bingo match, the client device associated with a special symbol from the set of non-repeating symbols;   the server device, receiving from the client device, a request to purchase a bingo card;   the server device randomly generating a bingo card and transmitting the bingo card to the client device;   the server device initiating the bingo match, wherein each iteration of the bingo match comprises the steps of:
 the server device randomly selecting without replacement a new symbol from the set of non-repeating symbols; 
 the server device testing for the condition that the grid on the bingo card contains the new symbol, and, when the condition is met, marking the grid position on the bingo card containing the new symbol; 
 the server device testing for the condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device, and, when the condition is met, the server device awarding at least some of the prize to the client device and transmitting an indication to the client device that the client device has been awarded at least some of the prize. 
   
   
   
       25 . A server device for operating a networked bingo match, wherein the networked bingo match comprises a set of symbols; a set of bingo cards, each bingo card containing a grid, at least one position on the grid being associated with a symbol chosen from the set of symbols; a pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions on a bingo card; and a prize, and wherein the server device is connected to a plurality of client devices by a communication network, each of the plurality of client devices associated with a special symbol from the set of symbols, the server device comprising:
 a central processing unit (CPU);   a memory for holding machine instructions and data to be manipulated by the CPU;   a network interface for transmitting information on the communication network and receiving information from the communication network;   a database containing profiles, each profile associated with a client device of the plurality of client devices, and each profile comprising:
 at least one bingo card; and 
 the special symbol associated with the profile's client device; 
   machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for initiating the bingo match, wherein each iteration of the bingo match includes the server device selecting a new symbol from the set of symbols and, for each bingo card in each profile, executing the steps of:
 the server device testing for the condition that the grid on the bingo card contains the new symbol, and, when the condition is met, marking the grid position on the bingo card containing the new symbol; 
 the server device testing for the condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device, and, when the condition is met, the server device awarding at least some of the prize to the client device and transmitting an indication to the client device that the client device has been awarded at least some of the prize. 
   
   
   
       26 . The server device of  claim 25 , wherein the pre-defined pattern is a match ending pattern, the server device further comprising machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the step of:
 when the condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device is met, the server device transmitting to the plurality of client devices an indication that the match has ended.   
   
   
       27 . The server device of  claim 26 , wherein the match ending pattern comprises all positions on the bingo card being marked. 
   
   
       28 . The server device of  claim 25 , wherein the pre-defined pattern is an intermediate pattern, the intermediate pattern selected from the group consisting of all positions in at least one row of the bingo card's grid being marked, all positions in at least one column of the bingo card's grid being marked, and all positions in at least one diagonal pattern on the bingo card's grid being marked. 
   
   
       29 . The server device of  claim 25 , wherein the set of symbols is a non-repeating set of symbols and each position on each bingo card's grid is associated with a different symbol chosen without replacement from the non-repeating set of symbols. 
   
   
       30 . The server device of  claim 25 , further comprising machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the steps of:
 generating a bingo card, wherein the symbols associated with the positions on the grid of the bingo card are randomly chosen and the server device selects new symbols from the set of symbols without replacement;   storing the bingo card client device's profile in the database; and   transmitting a representation of the bingo card to the client device.   
   
   
       31 . The server device of  claim 25 , wherein the set of symbols comprises the numbers 1 through 75. 
   
   
       32 . The server device of  claim 25 , wherein each bingo card includes a grid of 5 rows and 5 columns. 
   
   
       33 . The server device of  claim 25 , wherein the set of symbols comprises the numbers 1 through 90. 
   
   
       34 . The server device of  claim 25 , wherein each bingo card includes a strip of sub-cards such that each symbol of the set of symbols is represented exactly once amongst all cards of the strip of sub-cards. 
   
   
       35 . The server device of  claim 34 , wherein the pre-defined pattern is a match ending pattern, and the match ending pattern comprises all positions on at least one sub-card being marked. 
   
   
       36 . The server device of  claim 34 , wherein each card of the strip of sub-cards comprises at least one grid position that is pre-marked. 
   
   
       37 . The server device of  claim 25 , wherein the communication network is the Internet. 
   
   
       38 . The server device of  claim 25 , further comprising machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the steps of:
 receiving from a client device of the plurality of client devices an indication of a form of payment;   validating the form of payment according to the requirements of a first networked bingo match operator;   updating the client device's profile in the database; and   transmitting an indication of success to the client device.   
   
   
       39 . The server device of  claim 38 , further comprising machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the step of:
 transmitting to the client device an indication of a username and a password, with which the client device can log on to the server device to participate in the networked bingo match.   
   
   
       40 . The server device of  claim 38 , wherein each of the plurality of clients is registered with the first operator of the networked bingo match. 
   
   
       41 . The server device of  claim 38 , wherein at least one client of the plurality of clients is registered with the first operator of the networked bingo match, and at least one client of the plurality of clients is registered with a second operator of the networked bingo match. 
   
   
       42 . The server device of  claim 25 , wherein the prize is progressive. 
   
   
       43 . The server device of  claim 42 , wherein the progressive prize is of a monetary value. 
   
   
       44 . The server device of  claim 43 , further comprising machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the steps of:
 receiving from the client device of the plurality of client devices a request to purchase a bingo card;   updating the client device's profile in the database; and   adding a percentage of the cost of the bingo card to the progressive prize.   
   
   
       45 . The server device of  claim 42 , further comprising machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the step of:
 responsive to the condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device being met, the server device resetting the prize to a pre-determined amount.   
   
   
       46 . The server device of  claim 25 , further comprising machine instructions, operable by the CPU, for executing the steps of:
 receiving from a client device a request to be associated with a new symbol from the set of symbols;   removing the client device's previous association with its special symbol in the database; and   associating the client device with the new symbol in the database, thus making the new symbol the client device's special symbol.   
   
   
       47 . The server device of  claim 25 , wherein at least one position on the grid of each bingo card is pre-marked. 
   
   
       48 . A system for operating a networked bingo match, wherein the networked bingo match comprises a set of symbols; a set of bingo cards, each bingo card containing a grid, at least one position on the grid being associated with a symbol chosen from the set of symbols; a pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions on a bingo card; and a prize, the system comprising:
 a plurality of client devices, wherein each client device is associated with a special symbol from the set of symbols;   a database containing profiles, each profile associated with a client device of the plurality of client devices, and each profile comprising:
 at least one bingo card; and 
 the special symbol associated with the profile's client device; and 
   a server device for initiating the bingo match, wherein each iteration of the bingo match includes the server device selecting a new symbol from the set of symbols and, for each bingo card in each profile, executing the steps of:
 the server device testing for the condition that the grid on the bingo card contains the new symbol, and, when the condition is met, marking the grid position on the bingo card containing the new symbol; 
 the server device testing for the condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device, and, when the condition is met, the server device awarding at least some of the prize to the client device and transmitting an indication to the client device that the client device has been awarded at least some of the prize. 
   
   
   
       49 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the pre-defined pattern is a match ending pattern, further comprising the server device executing the step of:
 when the condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device is met, the server device transmitting to the plurality of client devices an indication that the match has ended.   
   
   
       50 . The system of  claim 49 , wherein the match ending pattern comprises all positions on the bingo card being marked. 
   
   
       51 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the pre-defined pattern is an intermediate pattern, the intermediate pattern selected from the group consisting of all positions in at least one row of the bingo card's grid being marked, all positions in at least one column of the bingo card's grid being marked, and all positions in at least one diagonal pattern on the bingo card's grid being marked. 
   
   
       52 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the set of symbols is a non-repeating set of symbols and each position on each bingo card's grid is associated with a different symbol chosen without replacement from the non-repeating set of symbols. 
   
   
       53 . The system of  claim 48 , further comprising the server device executing the steps of:
 generating a bingo card, wherein the symbols associated with the positions on the grid of the bingo card are randomly chosen and the server device selects new symbols from the set of symbols without replacement;   storing the bingo card in the database; and   transmitting a representation of the bingo card to the client device.   
   
   
       54 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the set of symbols comprises the numbers 1 through 75. 
   
   
       55 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein each bingo card includes a grid of 5 rows and 5 columns. 
   
   
       56 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the set of symbols comprises the numbers 1 through 90. 
   
   
       57 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein each bingo card includes a strip of sub-cards such that each symbol of the set of symbols is represented exactly once amongst all cards of the strip of sub-cards. 
   
   
       58 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein the pre-defined pattern is a match ending pattern, and the match ending pattern comprises all positions on at least one sub-card being marked. 
   
   
       59 . The system of  claim 57 , wherein each card of the strip of sub-cards comprises at least one grid position that is pre-marked. 
   
   
       60 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein server device is coupled to the plurality of client devices by a first communication network. 
   
   
       61 . The system of  claim 48 , further comprising the server device executing the steps of:
 receiving from a client device of the plurality of client devices an indication of a form of payment;   validating the form of payment according to the requirements of a first networked bingo match operator;   updating the client device's profile in the database; and   transmitting an indication of success to the client device.   
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 61 , further comprising the server device executing the step of:
 transmitting to the client device an indication of a username and a password, with which the client device can log on to the server device to participate in the networked bingo match.   
   
   
       63 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein each of the plurality of clients is registered with the first operator of the networked bingo match. 
   
   
       64 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein at least one client of the plurality of clients is registered with the first operator of the networked bingo match, and at least one client of the plurality of clients is registered with a second operator of the networked bingo match. 
   
   
       65 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein the prize is progressive. 
   
   
       66 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the progressive prize is of a monetary value. 
   
   
       67 . The system of  claim 66 , further comprising the server device executing the steps of:
 receiving from a client device of the plurality of client devices a request to purchase a bingo card; and   adding a percentage of the cost of the bingo card to the progressive prize.   
   
   
       68 . The system of  claim 65 , further comprising the server device executing the step of:
 responsive to the condition that the bingo card contains the pre-defined pattern of marked grid positions and the new symbol is equivalent to the special symbol associated with the client device being met, the server device resetting the prize to a pre-determined amount.   
   
   
       69 . The system of  claim 48 , further comprising the server device executing the steps of:
 receiving from a client device a request to be associated with a new symbol from the set of symbols;   removing the client device's previous association with its special symbol in the database; and   associating the client device with the new symbol in the database, thus making the new symbol the client device's special symbol.   
   
   
       70 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein at least one position on the grid of each bingo card is pre-marked. 
   
   
       71 . The system of  claim 48 , further comprising:
 a second communication network, coupling the server device to the database.   
   
   
       72 . The system of  claim 48 , wherein each client device further comprises:
 at least one input mechanism;   at least one output mechanism; and   a network interface for transmitting information on the first communication network and receiving information from the first communication network.   
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 72 , wherein the at least one output mechanism comprises a graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface displays at least one bingo card associated with the client device and provides options to perform at least one of the acts of providing a form of payment, purchasing a bingo card, and cashing out a balance.