Systems and methods for peer-to-peer gaming

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9613498-B2
Application number	US-48824109-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 19, 2009
Priority date	Jun 20, 2008
Publication date	Apr 4, 2017
Grant date	Apr 4, 2017

Abstract

A system and method for peer-to-peer gaming is described. One embodiment includes a system for peer-to-peer gaming, the system comprising an at least one gaming client, wherein the at least one gaming client is configured to accept a selection of an at least one gaming option from a player, and allow the player to play a game based on the selection of the at least one gaming option; an administration server, wherein the administration server is configured to receive the selection of the at least one gaming option from the at least one gaming client, and initiate the game for the player based on the selection of the at least one gaming option; and an at least one gaming server, wherein the at least one gaming sever is configured to run the game and transmit data about the game to the administration server.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-server-based method for peer-to-peer gaming, comprising:
creating a list of player gaming options for a player in a current location,
wherein the list of player gaming options is automatically created at an administration server based on the current location of the player,
wherein the list of player gaming options is limited to legal gaming options in the current location of the player; and
wherein the legal gaming options include limits on waging amounts or types of games to prevent the player from unlawful play in the current location of the player:

presenting a player with the list of player gaming options, wherein the list of player gaming options is presented to the player at a player gaming client;
collecting a selection of player gaming options from the player,
wherein the selection of player gaming options includes a betting range;

determining a game type that the player selected, wherein the game type is based on the selection of player gaming options;
matching the player with an at least one competitor,
wherein matching the player with the at least one competitor is based at least in part on the betting range, and
wherein matching the player with the at least one competitor is performed by the administration server;

collecting a bet from the player,
wherein the bet is within the betting range identified in the selection of player gaming options;

initiating a game for the player, wherein the game is based on the selection of player gaming options;
collecting results of the game, wherein the results of the game are received at the administration server; and
compensating the player with player winnings, wherein the player winnings are based on the results of the game.

2. The computer-server-based method of claim 1 , further comprising:
performing risk management based on player information, wherein risk management is performed by the administration server.

3. The computer-server-based method of claim 2 , wherein performing risk management based on player information comprises:
collecting player information, wherein the player information comprises player gaming behavior;
evaluating player gaming behavior for prohibited activity; and
eliminating the player based on the prohibited activity.

4. The computer-server-based method of claim 1 , wherein creating the list of player gaming options comprises:
creating a list of gaming options; and
removing gaming options from the list of gaming options based on the location of the player.

5. The computer-server-based method of claim 1 , wherein initiating the game comprises:
transferring an identification of the player to a gaming server;
transferring at least a game type to the gaming server; and
connecting the player gaming client to the gaming server.

6. The computer-server-based method of claim 1 , wherein matching the player with the at least one competitor comprises:
collecting a selection of competitor gaming options, wherein the selection of competitor gaming options is made by the at least one competitor; and
creating a list of compatible competitors, wherein the list of compatible competitors is based on the selection of player gaming options and the selection of competitor gaming options.

7. The computer-server-based method of claim 6 , wherein matching the player with the at least one competitor further comprises:
presenting the player with the list of compatible competitors, wherein the list of compatible competitors is presented to the player at the player gaming client; and
collecting a competitor selection from the player, wherein the competitor selection is from the list of compatible competitors.

8. The computer-server-based method of claim 6 , wherein the list of compatible competitors comprises at least one competitor whose competitor gaming options are identical to the selection of player gaming options.

9. The computer-server-based method of claim 1 , wherein presenting the player with the list of player gaming options comprises:
presenting the player with a list of competitors;
collecting a competitor selection from the player, wherein the competitor selection is made from the list of competitors, and wherein the competitor selection includes the at least one competitor; and
initiating contact between the player and the at least one competitor.

10. The computer-server-based method of claim 1 , wherein compensating the player with the player winnings is compensating the player with no monetary winnings.

11. The computer-server-based method of claim 1 , wherein compensating the player with the player winnings comprises:
determining the player winnings;
deducting an administrative fee from the player winnings; and
distributing the player winnings, less the administrative fee, to the player.

12. A system for peer-to-peer gaming, the system comprising:
at least one processor;
at least one communication interface; and
a memory containing a plurality of program instructions configured to cause the at least one processor to:
create a list of player gaming options for a player at a current location,
wherein the list of player gaming options restricts limits on wagers or types of games allowed in the current location of the player;

transfer the list of player gaming options to a player gaming client through the communication interface;
receive a selection of player gaming options from the player gaming client through the communication interface,
wherein the selection of player gaming options includes a betting range;

match a player using the player gaming client with a competitor using a competitor gaming client,
wherein the player and the competitor are matched based at least in part on the betting range;

receive a bet within the betting range;
initiate a game based on the selection of player gaming options, wherein the game is executed on a gaming server;
receive data about the game from the gaming server through the communications interface, and
compensate the player with player winnings, wherein the player winnings are based on data about the game.

13. A system for peer-to-peer gaming, the system comprising:
at least one gaming client, wherein the at least one gaming client is configured to:
present only legal gaming options that include limits on waging amounts or types of games to prevent the player from unlawful or prohibited play in a current location;
accept a selection of at least one gaming option from a player, wherein the selection of the at least one gaming option includes a betting range; and
allow the player to play a game based on the selection of the at least one gaming option;

an administration server, wherein the administration server is configured to:
receive the selection of the at least one gaming option from the at least one gaming client;
match the player with at least one competitor based at least in part on the betting range; and
initiate the game for the player based on the selection of the at least one gaming option; and

at least one gaming server, wherein the at least one gaming server is configured to:
run the game; and
transmit data about the game to the administration server.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the game is a skill-based game.

15. The system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one gaming client is selected from a group consisting of: an interactive television, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, a computer, a cellular telephone, or an interactive kiosk.

16. The system of claim 13 , wherein the administration server and the at least on

Assignees

• Koustas Nicholas
• Mix John
• Oxman Alexander
• Ag 18 Llc

Inventors

• Koustas Nicholas
• Mix John
• Oxman Alexander

Classifications

• G07F17/3286

  Type of games · CPC title

• G07F17/3223 Primary

  Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, leader-follower, wireless communication · CPC title

• G07F17/3295 Primary

  Games involving skill, e.g. dexterity, memory, thinking · CPC title

• G07F17/3262

  Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played · CPC title

• G07F17/32

  for games, toys, sports, or amusements · CPC title