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United States Patent
5283734
Von Kohorn
February 1, 1994
Title
System and method of communication with authenticated wagering participation
Abstract
A system and method for wagering and for evaluating responses to broadcast programs, such as television programs, includes an instructional signal modulated onto a signal transmitted concurrently with the television program, or time-multiplexed with a television. At each of a plurality of remote receiving stations, one or more members of a remote audience has the opportunity to respond to a situation presented in the television program by entering a response on a keyboard. The system includes, at each remote receiving station, a memory responsive to the instructional signal for storing acceptable responses, a comparison circuit for comparing responses entered at the keyboard with those stored in the memory, circuitry for scoring responses in accordance with commands from the instructional signal, and a recording device for providing a permanent record of the audience score at the remote station. For playing a lottery, numbers are entered at the remote stations and are stored at a central facility for verification upon presentation of lottery tickets. The tickets having both a played number(s) and a winning number(s) are printed at the remote stations. The program may be presented live conducted by a host at a central station, or by a prerecorded message accessible by telephone from a remote station with regulation from a central station.
Inventors:
Von Kohorn; Henry
(Vero Beach,
FL
)
Appl. No.:
763672
Filed:
September 19, 1991
Current U.S. Class:
463/17
463/25
463/40
463/41
463/42
902/23
Field of Search:
364/412 235/375,381 273/138A,DIG.28 358/84
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Other References
Sync (catalog), pp. 2 and 3, Advertisement Titled "Now You Can Beat The Contestants on TV's Most Popular Game Show" 1988. .
Rand Report No. R-88-MF, Baer, Nov., 1971..~
Primary Examiner:
McElheny, Jr.; Donald E.
Assistant Examiner:
Chung; Xuong M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Perman & Green
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 07/603,882 filed Oct. 25, 1990, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,915, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/424,089 filed Oct. 19, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,807, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 192, 355, filed May 10, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,255, which is continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 837,827 filed Mar. 10, 1986, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,745,468. Related material is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,592 which is also a continuation-in-part of said application Ser. No.: 837,827.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for conducting a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering by players at playing stations, said game being played with an entry including any one of a player's selected entry, indicium, wager, lottery selection, and ticket number, said system comprising
a data facility having means for storing wagering data including individual players' wagers, a plurality of playing stations remote from said data facility, and communication means linking said playing stations with said data facility for communication of wagering data, there being a reference element to serve as a basis for judging a winning wager, there being a determination of a winning wager;
redemption means distant from said data facility and from said playing stations for presenting to one or more of said players a prize in response to a winning wager;
wherein said communication means communicates players' wagers from respective ones of said playing stations to said data facility;
said system further comprises comparing means connecting with said data facility for comparing players' wagers to the reference element to determine a winning wager;
each of said playing stations comprises means for outputting a record of data including a player's wager; and
said system further comprises means at said redemption means and connecting with said data facility for authenticating records of the respective playing stations by comparing player's data on a record with the winning wager and with the player's data stored in said data facility, said authentication means being operated prior to presentation of said prize.
2. A system according to claim 1 wherein said communication means communicates a presentation of a wagering situation to the players.
3. A system according to claim 2 further comprising a central station connected to said communication means, a host at said central station providing said presentation;
wherein, under direction of the host, said communication means transmits the winning wager to each of said playing stations to appear upon said record at each of said playing stations.
4. A system according to claim 3 wherein said authenticating means enables forgery-resistant redemption of a record having a winning wager.
5. A system according to claim 2 wherein said presentation includes a sporting event.
6. A system according to claim 2 wherein said presentation includes a set of numbers, and said reference element is a set of numbers including at least one designated number.
7. A system according to claim 2 wherein said presentation includes a sporting event, and said reference element is the score of a winning team.
8. A system according to claim 2 wherein said presentation includes a contest among a plurality of contestants, and said reference element is a set of contestants including at least one winning contestant.
9. A system according to claim 2 wherein said presentation includes a dramatic or authored scenario, and said reference element is a possible outcome of said scenario.
10. A system according to claim 2 wherein each of said playing stations includes a television display, and said communication means communicates said presentation in the form of a television program to appear upon said television display.
11. A system according to claim 2 wherein
said presentation includes a game show establishing a task requiring a response by each of said players, a portion of said presentation including a scenario, said reference element being a possible outcome of said scenario, said wager being made in response to said scenario;
each of said playing stations includes a modem and a response unit enabling a player to response to a wagering situation and to said task, the response unit comprising a data entry device for entering a wager and a response to said task, the modem outputting a wager of said entry device to said communication means for transmission to said data facility, said record-outputting means being a part of said response unit.
12. A system according to claim 11 wherein
said communication means comprises a telephone system for communication of signals from the modem at each of said playing stations to said data facility;
said communication means communicates a response criteria signal and a scoring criteria signal to the response unit in each of said playing stations;
the response unit in each of said playing stations comprises memory and logic means connected to said entry device and operative with said response criteria and said scoring criteria signals for scoring a player's response to said task entered via said entry device; and
said record-outputting means outputs a score of said player upon said record in conjunction with the data of said wager.
13. A system according to claim 12 further comprising a central station connected to said communication means, said central station having recording apparatus for playing-back a previously recorded version of said game show and said scenario.
14. A system according to claim 12 further comprising a central station connected to said communication means, a host at said central station providing said presentation;
wherein each of said playing stations includes a television display, and said communication means communicates said presentation from said central station in the form of a television program to appear upon said television display; under direction of the host, said communication means transmits the winning wager to each of said playing stations to appear upon said record at each of said playing stations; and
said authenticating means enables forgery-resistant redemption of a record having a winning wager.
15. A system according to claim 1 wherein a subject of said wagering is a sporting event, and said reference element is a measure of performance of participants in the sporting event.
16. A system according to claim 1 wherein a subject of said wagering is a set of numbers, and said reference element is a set of numbers including at least one designated number.
17. A system according to claim 1 wherein a subject of said wagering is a sporting event, and said reference element is the score of a winning team.
18. A system according to claim 1 wherein a subject of said wagering is a contest among a plurality of contestants, and said reference element is a set of contestants including at least one winning contestant.
19. A system according to claim 1 wherein a subject of said wagering is a dramatic or authored scenario, and said reference element is a possible outcome of said scenario.
20. A system according to claim 1 wherein each of said playing stations includes a data entry device for entering a wager, and a modem for outputting a wager entered on said entry device to said communication means, and wherein said communication means includes a telephone system connected to said data facility.
21. A system according to claim 20 further comprising billing means coupled to said telephone system for billing a player for the amount of a wager.
22. A system according to claim 21 wherein a wager includes an estimate of the reference element and a monetary amount, said data entry device providing for entry of both said estimate and said monetary amount.
23. A system according to claim 1 wherein said authenticating means enables forgery-resistant redemption of a record having a winning wager.
24. A system according to claim 1 wherein said winning wager is stored in said storing means of said data facility.
25. A system according to claim 1 wherein said communication means communicates a presentation of a wagering situation to the players, said presentation includes a sporting event, and said reference element is an amount of points scored by a player.
26. A system according to claim 1 wherein said communication means communicates a presentation of a wagering situation to the players, said presentation includes a sporting event, and said reference element is the score of a winning team at a specified point in time or stage of the event.
27. A system according to claim 1 wherein a subject of said wagering is a sporting event, and said reference element is the score of a winning team at a specified point in time or stage of the event
28. A system according to claim 1 wherein said communication means communicates to the players a presentation of a wagering situation in the form of a radio program.
29. A system according to claim 1 wherein said communication means communicates a presentation of a wagering situation by telephone to the players.
30. A system according to claim 1 wherein each of said playing stations includes a data entry device for entering a wager, and a modem for outputting a wager entered on said entry device to said communication means, and wherein said communication means includes a telephone system connected to said data facility, and said system further comprises a billing facility connected to said telephone system for billing a player for the amount of a wager.
31. A system for conducting a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering by players at playing stations, said game being played with an entry including any one of a player's selected entry, indicium, wager, lottery selection, and ticket number, said system comprising
a data facility having means for storing wagering data including individual player's wagers, a plurality of playing stations remote from said data facility, and communication means linking said playing stations with said data facility for communication of wagering data, there being a reference element to serve as a basis for judging a winning wager, there being a determination of a winning wager;
wherein said communication means communicates players' wagers from respective ones of said playing stations to said data facility;
said system further comprises comparing means connecting with said data facility for comparing players' wagers to the reference element to determine a winning wager;
each of said playing stations comprises means for outputting a record of data including a player's wager;
said system further comprises means connecting with said data facility for authenticating records of the respective playing stations by comparing player's data on a record with the winning wager and with the player's data stored in said data facility;
said communication means communicates a presentation of a wagering situation to the players;
said presentation includes a game show establishing a task requiring a response by each of said players, a portion of said presentation including a scenario, said reference element being a possible outcome of said scenario, said wager being made in response to said scenario;
each of said playing stations includes a modem and a response unit enabling a player to response to a wagering situation and to said task, the response unit comprising a data entry device for entering a wager and a response to said task, the modem outputting a wager of said entry device to said communication means for transmission to said data facility, said record-outputting means being a part of said response unit;
said communication means comprises a telephone system for communication of signals from the modem at each of said playing stations to said data facility;
said communication means communicates a response criteria signal and a scoring criteria signal to the response unit in each of said playing stations;
the response unit in each of said playing stations comprises memory and logic means connected to said entry device and operative with said response criteria and said scoring criteria signals for scoring a player's response to said task entered via said entry device; and
said record-outputting means outputs a score of said player upon said record in conjunction with the data of said wager;
said system further comprises a central station connected to said communication means, said central station having a studio providing said scenario and said game show, said scenario including an advertisement for a producer of the game show;
wherein, under direction of a host at the central station, a winning wager is transmitted via said communication means to each of said playing stations to appear upon said record at each of said playing stations; and
said authenticating means enables forgery-resistant redemption of a record having a winning wager.
32. A method for conducting a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering among players at playing stations remote from a data facility, said game being played with an entry including any one of a player's selected entry, indicium, wager, lottery selection, and ticket number, the method employing the data facility for storing wagering data and a communication system linking the playing stations with the data facility for communication of wagering data, the method comprising
entering wagers by individual ones of the players, in response to a wagering opportunity, via response units at respective ones of the playing stations;
communicating the wagers to the data facility;
by means of the response unit at each of the playing stations, outputting a record of data including a player's entered wager;
establishing a reference element to serve as a basis for judging a winning wager;
storing players' individual wagers at the data facility;
comparing each wager with the reference element to determine a player's winning wager;
establishing a redemption facility distant from said playing stations and from said data facility; and
validating a record at said redemption facility, said validating including a step of authenticating the record by comparing data of a winning player on the record with corresponding data of the winning player in the data facility.
33. A method according to claim 32 wherein said wagering opportunity includes a sporting event, and said reference element is a measure of the performance of participants in the sporting event.
34. A method according to claim 32 wherein a subject of said wagering opportunity includes a set of numbers, and said reference element is a set of numbers including at least one designated number.
35. A method according to claim 32 wherein a subject of said wagering opportunity includes a sporting event, and said reference element is the score of a team.
36. A method according to claim 32 wherein a subject of said wagering opportunity includes a contest among a plurality of contestants, and said reference element is a set of contestants.
37. A method according to claim 32 wherein a subject of said wagering opportunity includes a dramatic or authored scenario, and said reference element is a possible outcome of said scenario.
38. A method according to claim 32 wherein said step of storing the wagers includes a storing of the reference element at the data facility.
39. A method according to claim 32 wherein there is a central station connected to the communication system, the method further comprising a step of transmitting a presentation of a wagering situation from the central station to players at the playing stations.
40. A method according to claim 32 wherein there is a central station connected to the communication system, the method further comprising a step of communicating the winning wager from the central station to each of the playing stations.
41. A method according to claim 40 wherein, in addition to said step of communicating the winning wager to each of the playing stations, there is a step of announcing a winner.
42. A method according to claim 40 further comprising a step of inserting the winning wager in the data record outputted at each of said playing stations.
43. A method according to claim 40 further comprising
transmitting a presentation of a wagering situation from the central station to players at the playing stations.
44. A method according to claim 43 wherein
the presentation includes a game show establishing a task requiring a response by each of said players, a portion of said presentation including a scenario, said reference element being a possible outcome of said scenario, said wager being made in response to said scenario;
each of the response units comprising memory and logic means connected to an entry device and operative with said response criteria and said scoring criteria signals for scoring a player's response to said task entered via the entry device; and
the method further comprises a step of transmitting a response criteria signal and a scoring criteria signal to the response unit in each of said playing stations.
45. A method according to claim 44 further comprising a step of outputting a score of said player upon said record in conjunction with data of a wager.
46. A method according to claim 32 further comprising a step of presenting wagering information at a playing station.
47. A method for conducting a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering among players at playing stations remote from a data facility, said game being played with an entry including any one of a player's selected entry, indicium, wager, lottery selection, and ticket number, the method employing the data facility for storing wagering data and a communication system linking the playing stations with the data facility for communication of wagering data, the method comprising
entering wagers by individual ones of the players, in response to a wagering opportunity, via response units the respective ones of the playing stations;
communicating the wagers to the data facility;
by means of the response unit at each of the playing stations, outputting a record of data including a player's entered wager;
establishing a reference element to serve as a basis for judging a winning wager;
storing players' individual wagers at the data facility;
comparing each wager with the reference element to determine a player's winning wager;
validating a record, said validating including a step of authenticating the record by comparing data of a winning player on the record with corresponding data of the winning player in the data facility;
wherein there is a central station connected to the communication system, the method further comprising a step of communicating the winning wager from the central station to each of the playing stations;
transmitting a presentation of a wagering situation from the central station to players at the playing stations;
the presentation includes a game show establishing a task requiring a response by each of said players, a portion of said presentation including a scenario, said reference element being a possible outcome of said scenario, said wager being made in response to said scenario;
said of the response units comprising memory and logic means connected to an entry device and operative with said response criteria and said scoring criteria signals for scoring a player's response to said task entered via the entry device; and
the method further comprises a steps of transmitting a response criteria signal and a scoring criteria signal to the response unit in each of said playing stations; and
outputting a score of said player upon said record in conjunction with data of a wager; and
wherein the central station includes a studio providing the dramatic scenario and the game show, there being a host at the central station providing the response and the scoring criteria, the method including a step of employing the scenario as an advertisement for a producer of the game show.
48. A method for conducting a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering, on an outcome of an event by players at playing stations remote from a central station at which a winning wager becomes known following the event, said game being played with an entry including any one of a player's selected entry, indicium, wager, lottery selection, and ticket number, the method including a comparing of a player's wager with a winning wager, the method further comprising steps of
communicating, by a player, wagering data selected by or for said player to a central data storage facility;
entering said wagering data in said storage facility, said storage facility having means for associating individual wagering data with an individual player;
storing said wagering data in said storage facility at least until a winning wager has become known following the event;
providing at said storage facility forgery-resistant means to prevent an altering of said stored wagering data until a winning wager has become known;
following the event, making a winning wager known at said central station;
disseminating a winning wager data to remote playing stations;
comparing a player's stored wagering data with a winning wager;
identifying a player whose stored wagering data have a predetermined relationship to a winning wager;
establishing a redemption facility distant from said playing stations and from said data facility; and
validating a record at said redemption facility, said validating including a step of authenticating the record by comparing data of a winning player on the record with corresponding data of the winning player in the data facility.
49. A method according to claim 48 wherein a wager is a bet on a participant in a race.
50. A method according to claim 48 wherein said wagering is of the off-track betting type.
51. A method according to claim 48 wherein a player's wagering data includes a monetary value of the wager.
52. A method according to claim 48 wherein said disseminating step is based on activity in said central station, said central station including a gaming or lottery operating facility.
53. A method for conducting a tamper-resistant wager for a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering, said game being played with an entry including any one of a player's selected entry, indicium, wager, lottery selection, and ticket number, the method comprising steps of
recording by recording means of player's selected wager data on players' individual tickets at players' locations remote from a central location;
transmitting players' selected data on an electronic communications link operable by a player to a central data storage facility, said storage facility being resistant to tampering;
storing players' data at said central storage facility;
determining a winning wager by an operator at said central location;
transmitting winning wager information to players' remote locations on an electronic communications link operable by an operator at said central location;
recording by recording means at players' remote locations said winning wager information on players' individual tickets; and
identifying a winning player by comparing players' wager data recorded on said tickets with the winning wager information recorded on each of said tickets;
establishing a redemption facility distant from said playing stations and from said data storage facility; and
validating a record at said redemption facility, said validating including a step of authenticating the record by comparing data of a winning player on the record with corresponding data of the winning player in the data storage facility.
54. A method according to claim 53 wherein, in said step of determining a winning wager, there is a relationship pertaining to one participant in a subject of said winning wager relative to a defined group of participants.
55. A method according to claim 54 wherein said relationship places a participant within a determined sequence of said participants.
56. A method for conducting a tamper-resistant wagering for a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering, said game being played with an entry including any one of a player's selected entry, indicium, wager, lottery selection, and ticket number, the method comprising steps of
dispensing wagering tickets to individual players at locations remote from a central location, the wagering tickets being provided thereon with wagering data selected by or for each of said players;
determining a winning wager at a further location distant from locations of said players;
making known a winning wager at said central location by disseminating winning-wager information to players' locations from said central location;
wherein a ticket having provided thereon a player's wagering data having a determined correlation to a winning wager serves as a ticket;
said method further comprises, subsequent to said step of dispensing a wagering ticket, the steps of
communicating players' wagering data from said remote locations to a tamper-resisting data storage facility prior to the determination of a winning wager; and
storing players' wagering data at said storage facility until a winning wager has been determined;
establishing a redemption facility distant from said playing stations and from said data storage facility; and
validating a record at said redemption facility, said validating including a step of authenticating the record by comparing data of a winning player on the record with corresponding data of the winning player in the data storage facility.
57. A method according to claim 56 wherein said wager is of the off-track betting type.
58. A method according to claim 56 wherein a player's wagering data includes a monetary value of a wager.
59. A method according to claim 56 wherein said disseminating step is based on activity in said central station, said central location including a gaming or lottery operating facility.
60. A method according to claim 56 wherein said determining step is based on actions taken by officials at said central location, and said central location includes at least one official drawn from a group of officials consisting of judges, referees, handicappers, umpires, racing committee members, operators and other officials at or remote from the location of a contest, the contest being a subject of the wagering.
61. A system for conducting a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering by players at playing stations, said game being played with an entry including any one of a player's selected entry, indicium, wager, lottery selection, and ticket number, the system comprising
a data facility having means for storing wagering data including individual players' wagers and a reference element, a plurality of playing stations remote from said data facility, and communication means linking said playing stations with said data facility for communication of wagering data, the reference element serving as a basis for judging a winning wager;
redemption means distant from said data facility and from said playing stations for presenting to one or more of said players a prize in response to a wining wager;
wherein said communication means communicates players' wagers from respective ones of said playing stations to said data facility;
each of said playing stations comprises means for outputting a record of data including a player's wager; and
said system further comprises means at said redemption means and connecting with said data facility for authenticating records of the respective playing stations by comparing player's data on a record with the player's data stored in said data facility, said comparing including a comparing of a player's wager to the reference element to ascertain a winning wager, said authentication means being operated prior to presentation of said prize.
62. A system according to claim 61 wherein said communication means communicates a presentation of a wagering situation to the players.
63. A system according to claim 62 wherein
said presentation includes a game show establishing a task requiring a response by each of said players, a portion of said presentation including a scenario, said reference element being a possible outcome of said scenario, said wager being made in response to said scenario; each of said playing stations includes a modem and a response unit enabling a player to respond to a wagering situation and to said task, the response unit comprising a data entry device for entering a wager and a response to said task, the modem outputting a wager of said entry device to said communication means for transmission to said data facility, said record-outputting means being a part of said response unit.
64. A system according to claim 63 wherein
said communication means comprises a telephone system for communication of signals from the modem at each of said playing stations to said data facility;
said communication means communicates a response criteria signal and a scoring criteria signal to the response unit in each of said playing stations;
the response unit in each of said playing stations comprises memory and logic means connected to said entry device and operative with said response criteria and said scoring criteria signals for scoring a player's response to said task entered via said entry device; and
said record-outputting means outputs a score of said player upon said record in conjunction with the data of said wager.
65. A system according to claim 61 wherein each of said playing stations includes a data entry device for entering a wager, and a modem for outputting a wager entered on said entry device to said communication means, and wherein said communication means includes a telephone system connected to said data facility.
66. A system according to claim 65 further comprising billing means coupled to said telephone system for billing a player for the amount of a wager.
67. A system according to claim 66 wherein a wager includes an estimate of the reference element and a monetary amount, said data entry device providing for entry of both said estimate and said monetary amount.
68. A system for conducting a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering by players at playing stations, said game being played with an entry including any one of a player's selected entry, indicium, wager, lottery selection, and ticket number, the system comprising
a data facility having means for storing wagering data including individual players' wagers and a reference element, a plurality of playing stations remote from said data facility, and communication means linking said playing stations with said data facility for communication of wagering data, the reference element serving as a basis for judging a winning wager;
wherein said communication means communicates players' wagers from respective ones of said playing stations to said data facility;
each of said playing stations comprises means for outputting a record of data including a player's wager; and
said system further comprises means connecting with said data facility for authenticating records of the respective playing stations by comparing player's data on a record with the player's data stored in said data facility, said comparing including a comparing of a player's wager to the reference element to ascertain a winning wager;
wherein said communication means communicates a presentation of a wagering situation to the players;
said presentation includes a game show establishing a task requiring a response by each of said players, a portion of said presentation including a scenario, said reference element being a possible outcome of said scenario, said wager being made in response to said scenario;
each of said playing stations includes a modem and a response unit enabling a player to respond to a wagering situation and to said task, the response unit comprising a data entry device for entering a wager and a response to said task, the modem outputting a wager of said entry device to said communication means for transmission to said data facility, said record-outputting means being a part of said response unit;
said communication means comprises a telephone system for communication of signals from the modem at each of said playing stations to said data facility;
said communication means communicates a response criteria signal and a scoring criteria signal to the response unit in each of said playing stations;
the response unit in each of said playing stations comprises memory and logic means connected to said entry device and operative with said response criteria and said scoring criteria signals for scoring a player's response to said task entered via said entry device;
said record-outputting means outputs a score of said player upon said record in conjunction with the data of said wager;
a central station connected to said communication means, said central station having a studio providing said scenario and said game show, said scenario including an advertisement for a producer of the game show;
wherein, under direction of a host at the central station, a winning wager is transmitted via said communication means to each of said playing stations to appear upon said record at each of said playing stations; and
said authenticating means enables forgery-resistant redemption of a record having a winning wager.
69. A system for conducting a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering by players at playing stations, said game being played with an entry including any one of a player's selected entry, indicium, wager, lottery selection, and ticket number, each of said playing stations comprising means for entering a wager and means for outputting a record of data including a player's entered wager, the system comprising
a data facility having means for storing wagering data including individual players' entered wagers, a plurality of said playing stations located remote from said data facility, and communication means linking said playing stations with said data facility for communication of wagering data, there being a reference element to serve as a basis for judging a winning wager, there being a determination of a player's winning wager;
redemption means distant from said data facility and from said playing stations for presenting to one or more of said players a prize in response to a wining wager;
wherein said communication means communicates players' entered wagers from respective ones of said playing stations to said data facility;
said communication means includes means for announcing a winning wager to said playing stations; and
said system further comprises means at said redemption means for authenticating records of the respective playing stations by comparing player's data on a record with the winning wager and with the player's data stored in said data facility, said authentication means being operated prior to presentation of said prize.
70. A system according to claim 69 wherein said communication means communicates a presentation of a wagering situation to the players.
71. A system according to claim 70 wherein
said presentation includes a game show establishing a task requiring a response by each of said players, a portion of said presentation including a scenario, said reference element being a possible outcome of said scenario, said wager being made in response to said scenario;
each of said playing stations includes a modem and a response unit enabling a player to respond to a wagering situation and to said task, the modem outputting a player's entered wager to said communication means for transmission to said data facility, said entering means and said record-outputting means being a part of said response unit.
72. A system according to claim 71 wherein
said communication means comprises a telephone system for communication of signals from the modem at each of said playing stations to said data facility;
said communication means communicates a response criteria signal and a scoring criteria signal to the response unit in each of said playing stations;
said entering means and said record-outputting means form a part of said response unit in each of said playing stations;
the response unit in each of said playing stations further comprises memory and logic means connected to said entering means and operative with said response criteria and said scoring criteria signals for scoring a player's response to said task entered via said entering means; and
said record-outputting means outputs a score of said player upon said record in conjunction with the data of said wager.
73. A system according to claim 69 wherein each of said playing stations includes a modem for outputting a player's entered wager to said communication means, and wherein said communication means includes a telephone system connected to said data facility.
74. A system according to claim 73 further comprising billing means coupled to said telephone system for billing a player for the amount of a wager.
75. A system according to claim 74 wherein a wager includes an estimate of the reference element and a monetary amount, said entering means providing for entry of both said estimate and said monetary amount.
76. A system according to claim 69 wherein the records outputted at players' stations include winning wager data.
77. A system for conducting a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering by players at playing stations, said game being played with an entry including any one of a player's selected entry, indicium, wager, lottery selection, and ticket number, each of said playing stations comprising means for entering a wager and means for outputting a record of data including a player's entered wager, the system comprising
a data facility having means for storing wagering data including individual player's entered wagers, a plurality of said playing stations located remote from said data facility, and communication means linking said playing stations with said data facility for communication of wagering data, there being a reference element to serve as a basis for judging a winning wager, there being a determination of a player's winning wager;
wherein said communication means communicates players' entered wagers from respective ones of said playing stations to said data facility;
said communication means includes means for announcing a winning wager to said playing stations;
said system further comprises means for authenticating records of the respective playing stations by comparing player's data on a record with the winning wager and with the player's data stored in said data facility;
wherein said communication means communicates a presentation of a wagering situation to the players;
said presentation includes a game show establishing a task requiring a response by each of said players, a portion of said presentation including a scenario, said reference element being a possible outcome of said scenario, said wager being made ion response to said scenario;
each of said playing stations includes a modem and a response unit enabling a player to respond to a wagering situation and to said task, the modem outputting a player's entered wager to said communication means for transmission to said data facility, said entering means and said record-outputting means being a part of said response unit;
said communication means comprises a telephone system for communication of signals from the modem at each of said playing stations to said data facility;
said communication means communicates a response criteria signal and a scoring criteria signal to the response unit in each of said playing stations;
said entering means and said record-outputting means form a part of said response unit in each of said playing stations;
the response unit in each of said playing stations further comprises memory and logic means connected to said entering means and operative with said response criteria and said scoring criteria signals for scoring a player's response to said tank entered via said entering means;
said record-outputting means outputs a score of said player upon said record in conjunction with the data of said wager;
said system further comprises a central station connected to said communication means, said central station having a studio providing said scenario and said game show, said scenario including an advertisement for a producer of the game show;
wherein, under direction of a host at the central station, a winning wager is transmitted via said communication means to each of said playing stations to appear upon said record at each of said playing stations; and
said authenticating means enables forgery-resistant redemption of a record having a winning wager.
78. A method for conducting a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering among players at playing stations remote from a data facility, the method employing the data facility for storing wagering data, the method further employing a communication system linking the playing stations with the data facility for communication of wagering data, the method comprising steps of:
entering wagers by individual ones of the players, in response to a wagering opportunity, via response units at respective ones of the playing stations, said entering step including a step of selecting an expected outcome of the game;
communicating player data including identifications and expected outcomes of individual ones of the players to the data facility;
storing the player data at the data facility;
establishing a reference element to serve as a basis for judging a winning wager;
comparing each wager with the reference element to determine a player's winning wager;
establishing a redemption facility distant from said playing stations and from said data facility;
claiming an award at the redemption facility with a presentation of the player data to the redemption facility;
authenticating the presentation of player data by comparison with corresponding player data stored in the data facility; and
tendering an award to a player having a winning wager and an authenticated presentation of the player data.
79. A system for conducting a forgery-resistant game, including a lottery and a wagering by players at playing stations, the game being played with an entry including an indication of a selected outcome of the game, the system comprising
a data facility having means for storing wagering data including individual players' wagers and a reference element, the reference element serving as a basis for judging a winning wager;
a plurality of playing stations remote from said data facility, and communication means linking said playing stations with said data facility for communication of wagering data;
redemption means distant from said data facility and from said playing stations for presenting to one or more of said players an award in response to a wining wager;
wherein said communication means communicates player data including identifications and wagers of individual ones of the players to said data facility;
said system further comprises means for comparing each wager with the reference element to determine a player's winning wager, a claiming of an award being accomplished at the redemption facility with a presentation of the player data to the redemption facility; and
means at said redemption means and connecting with said data facility for authenticating the presentation of player data by comparison with corresponding player data stored in said data facility, said comparing including a comparing of a player's wager to the reference element to ascertain a winning wager, the redemption means providing for the tendering of an award to a player having a winning wager and an authenticated presentation of the player data.
80. A method for conducting a wagering by players at playing stations remote from a central facility including a forgery-resistant information storage facility for the conduction of a wagering event, comprising:
entering wagers by players at said playing stations in a lottery form of wagering event wherein a series of numbers and or symbols is selected, each of said players selecting a desired outcome of the wagering event;
communicating, by individual ones of said players and via a mode of communication, information conveying the desired outcome of the wavering event to said forgery-resistant information storage facility, wherein said mode of communication provides for communication of player information including desired outcome and player identification in only one direction to said storage facility without transmission of such information in a reverse direction to said players;
preventing wagering following a first point in time;
conducting the wagering event at a central location to determine winning wager information including a winning player's payoff;
determining a winning player at a second point in time subsequent to said first point in time;
presenting, by a winning player, a payoff claim at a paying station;
upon receipt of a payoff claim at a paying station from one of said players, authenticating the payoff claim of said one player by communicating between said paying station and said information storage facility via a mode of communication; and
paying the payoff claim.
81. A method according to claim 80 further comprising a step of locating said paying station distant from said information storage facility and from said playing stations.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to transmission by electronic media including radio and television broadcasting programs, as well as recordings of such programs, to listeners and viewers of the programs and, more particularly, to the provision of signals designating questions or tasks including a wagering situation, to the provision of response criteria for evaluating responses of the listeners and viewers of the broadcast or prerecorded programs, and to the dispensing of awards to individual listeners and viewers having provided answers meeting the response criteria and/or placed a wager.
The invention also particularly relates to the transmission of signals conveying scenarios of events about to take place or taking place and to outcome criteria for evaluating predictions of listeners and viewers of the broadcasts of such events and to the dispensing of awards to individual listeners and viewers having provided predictions meeting the outcome criteria. An example of a situation involving a prediction is a wagering situation in which a player designates a wager applied to a possible outcome of a given scenario.
A common form of program transmitted by the broadcast media is the quiz program. Typically, in such a program, a panel of people provide answers to questions arising from the subject matter of the quiz. Often, the answers are indicated by use of a keyboard with electronic circuitry. The answers may be provided in response to questions which are asked directly, or in response to a situation such as a chess game, or task presented by the program such as in the solving of a puzzle. Other situations such as in sports, call for predictions of outcomes of events.
A characteristic of such quiz programs is the fact that the responses to the questions are limited to participants in the studio audience. The much larger external audience, namely the listeners of radio and viewers of television, are generally excluded from participation except for those few people who, on occasion, may have the opportunity to call in a response via telephone to a situation arising in the program. Letter writing has also been employed as a means of response to questions and other matters raised by the program.
Thus, it is apparent that a problem exists in that a large percentage of the external audience is essentially excluded from active participation in the broadcast programs. In view of the fact that the studio audiences can provide their responses electronically, it is clear that personal involvement, such as conversation among participants, is not necessarily required. It is, therefore, apparent that such programs should be open to participation by the larger external audience in addition to the studio audience; yet, no system providing for such participation has been available.
It is noted that this problem is not limited to quiz programs only, but that other forms of programs in the areas of education and research might also be conducted in a fashion allowing active public participation if a suitable system were available to make such public participation possible. A desirable feature of such a system would be the capability for evaluating and recording the responses, a feature that would be very useful in the case of educational programs because such a feature would permit a teacher to grade examinations dispensed to students by the broadcast media. Such a system would also be useful in commercial ventures wherein a prize is to be given to a participant providing an acceptable answer. In such a case, the participant would bring the recorded answer, which might be in the form of a coded credit card, to a store or other establishment for receipt of the prize. This would be a great convenience in the implementation of a sales and advertising program. Responses by the listening or viewing audience can also be used in conducting a survey of public opinion. However, in spite of the advantages which would be provided by such a system, for including the listening and viewing audience, no practical system has yet been available.
It would be advantageous also if the equipment of the system could be employed in the conduct of wagering, whether a simple lottery or a more complex situation involving wagering based on responses to a quiz game, educational game or a situation relating to the advertising of a product. It would be advantageous furthermore if such wagering could be conducted electronically so as to inhibit forgery and to reduce the number of inconvenient trips which a better must travel to a lottery agent. Such a system and method of wagering is not available at the present time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing problem is overcome, and other advantages are provided by a system for the evaluation of responses to a broadcast or a prerecorded program wherein a response may include the entry of a wager on a possible outcome of a situation presented in the program. In accordance with the invention, the system provides for the transmission of signals designating conditions of the wagering and, in the case of scenarios, games or other events upon which a person may wish to bet, the system provides questions and response criteria along with a transmission of the broadcast program. Any or all of the signals may be recorded prior to transmission, and may be transmitted at a fixed predetermined time, or upon request of a person who will respond to the program and/or questions. The invention includes both method and system aspects which create added interest and excitement among listeners and viewers, and thus tend to increase the audience of stations carrying programs of the type to be described hereinafter.
In accordance with the theory of the invention, two groups of signals are broadcast, wherein each of the two signal groups may be divided in two portions designated as first and second signals. In the first signal group, the first of the two signals includes the program signal itself which may be broadcast from a radio station or television station to the listening or viewing audience. The second signal of the first group is a signal transmission setting forth a task, such as the answering of one or more questions which may be viewed on a television screen and/or listened to over radio or the audio portion of the television transmission. For simplicity in describing the invention, an audience viewing a televised program is presumed. It is understood that the description of the invention in terms of the viewing audience applies also to the listening audience of a radio broadcast.
The second of the two signal groups is in the nature of an instructional signal group identifying the amount of time available for an answer, the proper content and form of an acceptable answer, and a mode of scoring the answers. In one embodiment of the invention, the first signal of the second signal group sets forth the desired acceptable answer or answers, and the second signal provides the mode of scoring responses, such as the parameters, formulas and other response criteria to be employed in the scoring of the answers. Therefore, in this one embodiment of the invention, the two signal groups include at least four sets of signals which are transmitted, each of which can be varied independently of the other, and which may be transmitted concurrently or at different times.
Included at the site of each viewer in the external or remote audience is a television set, plus electronic response equipment having circuitry for reception of the instructional signal group transmitted from a central station, the response equipment also including a keyboard for designating answers or responses to the questions, timing circuitry, circuitry for comparing a response to one or more designated answers to determine acceptability of a response, scoring circuitry, and a recording device for recording answers to the question. The recording device includes preferably a dispenser for dispensing a record such as a printout, or a magnetizable card containing a person's responses to the questions and/or a person's score in answering the questions.
A particular advantage of the invention is the capacity for interaction between a person conducting a broadcast program and the external audience. This may be illustrated by way of example wherein a sportscaster is describing a sporting event such as a football game. The questions asked by the sportscaster may pertain to the winning team, to plays that have been accomplished, as well as to questions which may be called in by telephone from the listening/viewing audience. During the program, commercials may be aired, and various products and/or services may be described and offered to the viewing audience.
In the practice of the invention, it is noted that signals of the instructional signal group, Group Two, may be transmitted before, concurrently, or subsequent to the transmission of the program signals in accordance with the nature of the questions and responses required. For example, in the event that the program situation deals with a college professor giving an examination, the correct or acceptable answers to the various questions and the procedure for scoring answers to individual ones of the questions can be transmitted before the lecture in which the professor asks the questions. In the event that a limited period of time is available for response to each of the questions, then, at least a portion of the instructional signals, Group Two, must be sent concurrently with the program data, this portion being a timing signal which the professor would initiate when he asks the question. The timing signal would initiate operation of a timer in the electronic equipment at each of the receiving stations which are tuned to the broadcast program, the timer then clocking a requisite amount of time in accordance with an instructional signal which has been previously transmitted or is concurrently transmitted with the program data. In yet a further example, in the case of an interactive situation wherein the professor is responding to a comment made by a student in the classroom or, possibly in response to a telephoned inquiry, the professor may then ask a question for which the instructional signal designating the nature of the response would be transmitted after the question has been asked.
At a receiving station the electronic equipment includes a response unit having a keyboard by which a viewer of the broadcast program enters a response. The response should be a desirable or correct response, or at least an acceptable response in order to receive credit. The response is stored in a buffer store for comparison with a correct or acceptable response which is stored in a data memory. One or more acceptable responses are provided as a data input to the data memory by the instructional signal group. The comparison is provided by comparison circuitry which outputs a signal via timing circuitry to a score counter to provide a score at the conclusion of responses to a question. The timing circuit, under control of a program memory, is activated upon request from the host of the transmitted program. Instructional signals transmitted by the host are modulated onto the audio portion of the transmitted signals and, subsequently at a receiving station, are demodulated and decoded to provide the data signals for the data memory, synchronization signals for operation of the timing circuitry, and instructional signals for operation of the program memory. Alternatively, the instructional signals may be transmitted at television frequencies by known methods, such as the use of vertical blanking intervals or other unused parts of a television transmission. The resulting score from the score counter may be recorded in a readout device which, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, provides a printout or a card with an encrypted value of the score in a magnetic strip that is readily read by automatic card readers. According to one embodiment, a register may be included for the storage of responses which are printed or typed out in the form of a message. The message may be passed on to the readout device under instruction of the program memory.
At each of the remote receiving stations, circuitry responsive to the third signals is provided for implementing the response criteria. In particular, provisions are made to evaluate responses to the same question at different difficulty levels. For example, different amounts of credit can be given based on the speed at which a viewer responds to the question. Also, answers showing a more detailed, accurate or comprehensive understanding can be weighted to provide greater credit for responding to the question. If desired, a set of response criteria may include only one difficulty level.
The readout or dispensing device provides a printout having at least two sets of information. The information may be provided on a tape or card in printed lettering and/or in a bar code format to show the value of any award which might be given, and a verification of the fact that the award has been made. The printout may also verify the identity of the person answering the question. The verification may be provided either by a signal transmitted from a central station as part of the instructional group of signals to be stored at the remote location or, alternatively, by use of a validation code taking the form of alphanumeric data and/or other symbols, such as a machine readable code, which the dispenser is capable of printing. The value of the award is printed preferably in alphanumeric form so as to be readily understandable by the participant.
In the event that a two-way cable system is available, such system may be used to advantage in the practice of the invention by providing for transmission of the television program to a remote audience while also enabling members of the remote audience to communicate responses or other commentary back to the broadcasting station.
It is recognized that there may be situations wherein it is impractical to have communication of receiving stations with a studio at the central station at the time when the program is being generated. The invention would then be practiced by use of a further embodiment in which the program and instructional signals, including response criteria and scoring criteria, would be recorded for playback to the receiving stations at a later time. Such a situation might arise in the case of an educational program to be employed in a school, or to a program of general public interest which might be employed in a vehicle for public transportation, such as an aircraft. In the event that television is available at the receiving stations, the transmission and receiving equipment would be the same as that employed for the embodiment of the invention as disclosed above. However, in the event that only audio reception is possible, as by the use of earphones in an aircraft, then a verbal description of the task-setting situation would be provided, both the task setting and instructional verbal signals being recorded in an audio tape recording. Each of the receiving stations may be provided with a dispenser of hard-copy of results to responses to the task-setting message or, alternatively, a central dispenser may be used as in a classroom or aircraft, the central dispenser communicating via a digital communication system to response units at each of the receiving stations.
The transmission of a program, such as the playback of an audio-visual tape, may be initiated by a member of the remote audience though cable communication, including telephone. In such instances, a member of the home audience calls a dedicated number, such as a 900-number, and requests the playing of a tape. Such request may be made through a central operator or by dialing further digits of a dedicated number, associated with a specific tape or program selected by the caller.
In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, participants in the remote audience can designate an area of interest. This is particularly important with respect to an award received by individual ones of the participants, such that the award is related directly to a participants area of interest. Thus, in the case of a game show wherein advertisers products are displayed in various areas of interest, a participant of the remote audience can select a product area of interest and, subsequently, receive an award in the form of a coupon allowing him to purchase a product in the area of interest. This greatly increases a participants interest in the game show. This feature of the invention also greatly increases the chance that a participant will employ his coupon, as by visiting the store of an advertiser to redeem his coupon.
A further advantage of this feature of the invention is that it can be implemented using the electronic communication systems employed in various embodiments of the invention, including the use of a central station to broadcast program material with its set of instructional signals and directives on the imprinting of a coupon. Furthermore, this can be employed using the electronic systems of the embodiments of the invention wherein the program and the instructional signals are prerecorded. This includes the prerecorded format in which recording apparatus may be located, for example, in an aircraft, or may be employed with participants in the home interconnected with a central station by means of a telephone network.
In terms of utilization of the foregoing electronic equipment, questions, instructions, and coupon imprinting directives are transmitted from the central station to the remote stations in a plurality of categories of interest. These categories of interest are presented by the host in the communication transmitted from the central station. For example, in the case of a televised program, the categories of interest may be presented directly on the television screen. In cases wherein the program is transmitted by an audio channel only, then the categories of interest would be listed audibly by the host. The participants at the remote station by use of his response unit, presses a key on the keyboard indicating his selection of a desired category or area of interest. Thereupon, the response unit is responsive only to those questions, instructions, and coupon printing directives pertaining to the selected category of interest, and ignores the remaining questions, instructions, and coupon-printing directives as being irrelevant to the operation of the response unit. This is implemented readily by transmitting to the remote response unit, to be stored in a memory therein, the set of acceptable responses and the accompanying scoring criteria and advertising information for each area of interest. Then a respondent need only signal the response unit as to his desired area of interest, the signal serving to address the corresponding region of the memory. The response unit then operates with the data for the desired area of interest.
Normally, broadcast contests presently conducted are sponsored by manufacturers or retailers of products. Successful respondents may receive prize coupons entitling them to a discount on merchandise promoted by a sponsor. However, winners often receive coupons carrying a discount on merchandise they do not intend to purchase at the time they receive such a coupon. Discount coupons tied in this manner to an unwanted product will not be redeemed and are useless to both the public and the sponsor.
It is a weakness of the coupon system presently in use that the overall coupon redemption rate is less than 4%.
The disclosed system and methodology provide for a dispensing of coupons to members of a broadcast audience for redemption, and enable members of the audience who have acceptably responded to a task presented in a broadcast to win a prize coupon carrying a discount deductible from the price of a product selected by such a member for purchase. Local sponsors thereby may promote the sale of products.
The foregoing coupons may be issued in conjunction with a broadcast television and/or radio program requiring an audience response wherein a part or all of the program is conducted in the form of a lottery, or other wagering situation, in which case the coupon identifies the winning entity which may be a lottery number, or the identity of horse in a horse race, or the identity of a player in a sports event. This is accomplished in accordance with a further aspect of the invention in which the aforementioned equipment can be employed for conducting a lottery game in a fashion which is resistant to forgery.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided a central data storage facility in which all player responses and, when desired, the winning response(s) are stored. Player entries can be authenticated electronically prior to storage at the central facility, and are transmitted either electronically (as by two-way cable, or by modem over a telephone line) from remote sites of players to the central facility. Authentication is accomplished by comparing numbers or names assigned to players, including serial numbers of player entry devices, with reference data previously stored in the central facility. Further authentication is provided by storing at the central facility data, such as the players response and the winning number(s), which appears also on the coupon presented for redemption. At a redemption center, an electronic communication link with the central facility permits instant comparison of the two sets of data to verify the authenticity of the coupon and prevent fraud. The central facility may be connected to the remote stations and to a credit agency by means of a telephone network which permits verification of a players line of credit, and a charging of lottery fees against a preestablished credit limit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The aforementioned aspects and other features of the invention are described in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 is a simplified diagrammatic view of a system incorporating the invention and configured to show two embodiments of receiving stations, one receiving station employing simulcast radio and television signals of a program produced in a studio, and the second receiving station employing a television receiver system modified to receive an instructional signal from the studio;
FIG. 2 shows the audio spectrum and a portion thereof designated for an instructional signal;
FIG. 3 is a detailed diagram of the system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an electronic response unit in each remote receiving station of FIGS. 1 and 3;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing details of a dispenser of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the invention, similar to that of FIG. 3, the system of FIG. 6 employing the transmission of two signal groups each having plural sets of signals, wherein first and second signals of the first signal group are transmitted by video and audio portions of a television program, the first and the second signals presenting respectively a studio scene and a task for respondents, and wherein two sets of signals of the second group, an instructional group, are combined with an audio signal of the first group;
FIG. 7 is an alternative embodiment of the system of FIG. 6 wherein the signals of the second group are interleaved with the video signal of the first group by use of the vertical retrace time slot of a television transmission;
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a response unit for use with either of the systems of FIGS. 6 and 7;
FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a timing unit of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 shows the audio spectrum and a portion thereof designated for instructional signal bands of the second signal group utilized, respectively, for answers and criteria for evaluating answers;
FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic view of receiving stations of the invention installed, as a further embodiment of the invention, in an aircraft with separate receiving stations located at each passenger seat, this embodiment employing a recording of a game situation with instructions for response, each receiving station being equipped for both audio and video;
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing interconnection of electric components of the system of the invention for the installation of FIG. 11, the system of FIG. 12 employing response units having components disclosed in FIG. 8;
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a modification of the central station of FIG. 6 to provide for an audio-only recording of the game program for use by the receiving stations of FIG. 11;
FIG. 14 is an alternative embodiment of FIG. 12 for use of an audio recorder, the system of FIG. 14 employing a recording provided by the system of FIG. 13, the system of FIG. 14 employing response units having components disclosed in FIG. 8;
FIGS. 15 and 16 show a modification of the systems of FIGS. 13 and 14, respectively, wherein the central station and the response units of the receiving stations have been modified to be operative with response-criteria and scoring signals transmitted as unintelligible audio signals in the same audio band employed by the recorded audio description of a task-setting program and the audio instructions for response to the task;
FIG. 17 is a simplified diagrammatic view of the invention showing both the central station and a receiving station in which an audio recorder having four separate channels is employed, the channels communicating audio signals for task and instructions, for synchronization, for response criteria, and for scoring criteria;
FIG. 18 shows additional equipment which may be incorporated in the response units of FIGS. 11, 12, 14, and 16 for communication of scoring results by a digital communication system to a central dispenser for a hard-copy output of game results;
FIG. 19 is a timing diagram showing burst transmissions of response and scoring criteria between voice signals for an audio-only recording employing a single recording track;
FIG. 20 is a timing diagram shoving simultaneous transmission of voice, synchronization, response and scoring criteria signal in an audio-only system employing a multiple track recording medium;
FIG. 21 shows schematically an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the tape recorder is provided with five channels to allow separate and independent recordation of a verbal description of a scene and verbal instructions for responding to tasks presented in the scene;
FIG. 22 shows diagrammatically a further embodiment of the invention wherein a respondent can activate a prerecorded program by use of a telephone, the prerecorded program including a task, questions, instructions for responding, response criteria, and signals enabling automatic comparing of answers to predetermined responses and a scoring of responses by a response unit;
FIG. 23 shows diagrammatically a further embodiment in the transmission of an instructional signal from a central station to a remote receiving station by use of an optical link in combination with the video portion of a television transmission;
FIG. 24 is a diagram explaining operation of a telephone system of FIG. 22 for use in debiting and crediting a respondent;
FIG. 25 shows diagrammatically the storage of information in two of the memories of the response unit of FIGS. 8 and 26;
FIG. 26 is a block diagram of a response unit which is a modification of the response unit of FIG. 8;
FIG. 27 is a flow chart for operation of a computer in the response unit of FIG. 26;
FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a sequence of steps in the practice of the method of the invention;
FIG. 29 is block diagram of a further embodiment of the invention wherein a central station and a set of remote playing stations are employed to conduct a wagering game including the issuance of coupons, or other form of wagering record, in a forgery proof system;
FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a playing station of the system of FIG. 29; and
FIG. 31 is a flow chart showing method steps employed at various components of the system of FIG. 29 for practicing the forgery proof wagering game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, FIGS. 1-5 disclose embodiments of the invention useful for programs to be conducted with participation from remote audiences. In the disclosure of FIGS. 6-10, the system is adapted for a greater selection of, and modification of, parameters in criteria for evaluating answers to questions. The criteria are controllable from a central station. A level of difficulty in the questions may be selected by a contestant. The embodiment of the system of FIGS. 1-5 is described in terms of two signal groups, namely, a radio/television signal group, Group One, and an instructional signal group, Group Two. The embodiment of the system of FIGS. 6-10 is described with reference to at least four types of signals, namely, a television signal presenting a studio scene (TV program), a television signal presenting a task such as a set of questions (task signal), a signal setting forth acceptable answers to questions (response criteria), and a signal setting forth criteria to be employed in the evaluation of the answers (scoring mode). In FIGS. 11-22, there is shown a set of embodiments of the invention wherein an event, scenario, presentation, situation or other scene having a task to be performed is recorded for subsequent playback to respondents. The system of FIGS. 1-5 will be described first, this being followed by a description of the system of FIGS. 6-10 and the system of FIGS. 11-23. The systems of the various embodiments will now be described primarily in the context of responses to tasks and questions; it being understood that the practice of the invention is applicable to the making, evaluation and rewarding of predictions. Methods and systems employed in the context of predictions of the outcome of events are more particularly described in connection with FIGS. 22 and 24.
FIG. 1 presents a simplified description of a system 10 wherein a central station 12 includes a studio 14, such as a television studio which broadcasts programs to many external or remote receiving stations, two such receiving stations 16 and 18
being shown by way of example. In accordance with the invention, each of the receiving stations 16 and 18 includes means for observing the broadcast program, such as a television screen 20, and means by which persons in the external viewing audience can respond to situations presented in the studio, the response means being a response unit 22 which evaluates and records responses entered by persons in the viewing audience.
Two signals are broadcast by the central station 12 to each of the receiving stations 16 and 18. One of these two signals is a program signal for presenting on the television screen 20 a program generated in the studio 14. The second of the two signals is an instructional or command signal for operation of the response unit 22, the instructional signal providing appropriate commands to the response unit 22 for evaluating, rejecting or accepting, and scoring audience responses to questions raised in the televised program.
Two modes of transmission are provided for the two signals. In the case of the receiving station 18, both of the signals are carried by a single television channel carrier radiated from an antenna 24 of the central station 22, and received by an antenna 26 at the receiving station 18. The antenna 26 connects with a television system 28 which includes the foregoing television screen 20 and, furthermore, includes circuitry 30 for the separation of the instructional signal from the program signal. The instructional signal is then applied via line 32 to the response unit 22. In the case of the receiving station 16, the two signals are processed separately. The instructional signal is broadcast by a radio channel employing a radio antenna 34 at the central station 12, and received by an antenna 36 at the receiving station 16. Thus, at the receiving station 16, a standard television set 38 including the screen 20 receives the televised program via antenna 26 and presents the program on the screen 20. A separate radio receiver 40 and demodulator 42 are employed for receiving the instructional signal and for applying the instructional signal to the response unit 22.
In the practice of the invention, the instructional signal may be transmitted to a remote receiving station in any convenient manner such as via a cable transmission or by a specially broadcast transmission (not shown) or by combining the instructional signal with the audio signal in a radio broadcast or television broadcast. The combination of the instructional signal with the audio spectrum is demonstrated in the graph of FIG. 2 which shows a typical relationship of amplitude versus frequency in a transmitted audio spectrum. In that spectrum, a relatively narrow frequency band is set aside for transmission of the instructional signal, the narrow frequency band being at the upper frequency edge of the audio spectrum.
For example, the bandwidth of the instructional signal may be approximately 1% of the audio bandwidth, this being sufficient to enable a relatively slow transmission of instructional data to the response units 22 in the respective receiving stations. By maintaining the amplitude of the instructional signal well below that of the audio signal, the instructional signal does not introduce more than a negligible amount of interference with the audio signal. Also, it is noted that the instructional signal is not continuously present but, rather, appears only for a momentary burst of time, typically less than a few seconds duration, when necessary to instruct each response unit 22. In the case of the receiving station 16, a simulcast of radio and television is employed while, in the case of the receiving station 18, only the television program is broadcast, as has been described above. However, in both cases, the audio spectrum is the same, and the mode of combining the instructional signal with the audio transmission is the same. Typically, the system 10 would be implemented with only one of the transmissions, either the television transmission with the instructional signal combined therewith, as demonstrated by the receiving station 18, or by the simulcast of both the television and the radio transmissions as demonstrated by the receiving station 16. In the case of the simulcast, the instructional signal need not be combined with the television signal, the instructional signal appearing only in the radio broadcast from the antenna 34 as described above.
The receiver 40 and the demodulator 42 operate in a manner similar to that of the separation circuitry 30, and will be described in detail hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3.
In both of the receiving stations 16 and 18, the response unit 22 includes a keyboard 44 whereby a person in the remote viewing audience enters a response. The response unit 22 includes a dispenser 46 which dispenses a record of the score and/or responses in a permanent recording medium such as a card 48 of plastic, or similar material, and including a well-known strip of magnetizable material (not shown) upon which the score and/or responses have been recorded. Alternatively, by way of example, the dispenser 46 may be constructed in a form (not shown) f or outputting a tape which has been imprinted or punched with the desired information. Easily recognizable indicia may also be imprinted on the tape or card.
The system described lends itself well to multi-part questions and/or to multiple choice answers, for any of which special forms can be provided, to be filled in or otherwise marked. The response recording and/or data entering means can have provisions for the insertion of special forms or blanks, which can be made available or mailed to participants. For example, a school may mail to students forms specially prepared for a particular examination or assignment. The response unit 22 may therefore be configured to hold a recording medium such as a paper blank to which markings are applied. Alternatively, the medium, such as paper tape, discontinuous or continuous forms, may be inserted by the respondents.
Examination papers, whether taking the shape of forms to be filled in, or the result of a free hand composition or narrative, may also be graded by the comparator means, which is capable of identifying key phrases and words that are expected to appear on the completed examination paper. In similar fashion, comparator means to be described hereinafter is designed so as to be able to recognize and accept any one or more of a plurality of predetermined key words, symbols or phrases.
Dispenser 46 can be adapted to reward children who have provided answers meeting the predetermined response criteria by dispensing gold stars or other tokens. In another embodiment, the dispenser combines the coupons issued to winners with advertising material or shopping hints.
The records created pursuant to the present invention may be used as tokens, coupons, certificates and general proof of participation in the broadcast transmission program. Coupons may be redeemed by mail or in retail establishments for cash, prizes or discounts.
The following terms are useful in describing the system of the invention.
The term "quiz program" relates to one or more questions or interrogatories constituting an entire program, and also includes the insertion of a question into other material, such as a cinematic film presentation.
The term "task-setting" is intended to include the meaning of interrogative, opinion-eliciting, prediction-eliciting and statement-eliciting, as well as the soliciting of creative endeavors and all kinds of functions capable of being performed by an entry in a data entering device.
The term "comparing" relates to one or more possible established responses which may be established prior to or subsequent to a contestant's response (the previously known color of a golf ball, or during a game, a prediction of how close the ball will come to the hole), and a comparing of an actual response to an established response to determine if an actual response is acceptable. An acceptable response may be based on one or more words or phrase or alphanumeric symbol or selection of designated objects, by way of example.
The terms "evaluating" and "scoring" are intended to refer to and include the meanings of sorting, counting, screening, evaluating, analyzing and processing information, data and responses in accordance with predetermined criteria, ranging from simple comparing tasks to computerized processing and analyses.
The term "interactive system" refers to a system for communicating from a sender to a respondent and having the capacity for allowing the sender to receive a communication, when desired, from the respondent whether by manual or electronic means.
The term "response" is intended to include answers, elicited opinions, predictions and statements, text and narrative provided by contestants, respondents, students and other participants in broadcasts calling for interaction, reaction and responses.
The term "response criteria" is intended to refer to descriptive words, key words, key phrases, parameters, equations, formulas, symbols and definiens describing or defining responses that have been determined by the producer of a program to be acceptable in the context of a task so as to qualify for a reward.
The terms "outcome criteria" and "success criteria" are intended to include alphanumeric symbols and data by which the outcome of an event can be described, measured or identified, such as key and descriptive words, coordinates, grid, pinpointed and other locations, pictorial, diagrammatic and graphic presentations, results, scores, counts, records, distances, rates and other measurements.
The term "processed response" is intended to refer to and include the results produced by screening, sorting, scoring, evaluating, massaging, statistically analyzing, or otherwise machine-processing responses, data and information provided by participants at the receiving stations.
The term "hard copy" is intended to refer to and include any kind of permanent record capable of being visually read, scanned or machine read. The term "matrix" may be used to refer to the source or origin f rom which something originates, takes form or develops, such as a cellulosic or plastic strip capable of being provided with printed markings or magnetic recordings so as to create a hard copy record. The term "simulcast" is intended to refer to the simultaneous, but separate transmission from different propagating sources of the video and audio portions of a program.
In the context of formulating response criteria, the terms "formulate", "generate", "format" and "reformat" are intended to refer to and include the selection and determination of all factors affecting the evaluation and scoring of responses.
In the case of a task requiring a prediction of the outcome of an event which has not yet occurred or been completed, such as the completion of a forward pass in a football game, or winning a hand at a card game such as bridge, the response criteria may be referred to as outcome criteria. The outcome criteria is to be transmitted to contestants at remote stations at a time after the prediction has been made.
In the context of transmitting response criteria, for example, on an audio frequency, the use of the term "encoding" is intended to include various forms of signal coding as well as a transmission of signals at an increased speed which would render the signals unintelligible to the human ear. The term "encoding", as used by way of example for transmitting response criteria, is intended to include other modes of communication such as various forms of color signal coding and transmission of signals to television stations capable of being read by sensors of devices for receiving signals outside the audible frequency range. The transmission of encoded information, whether within the audio spectrum or within the visual spectrum, is to be accomplished preferably in a fashion which is essentially unnoticed by a contestant and cannot be perceived as conveying information. In this sense, the encoding is perceptually unintelligible.
The term "keypad" is understood to include other forms of data entry devices, the keyboard being presented by way of example.
The term "print-out" is intended to include printed, embossed, punched, stamped, and other types of hard copy, paper, cardboard and plastic in the form of coupons, certificates, tokens, cards, forms and matrices. The printing of the print-out includes the foregoing forms of marking including the creation of three-dimensional configurations.
The term "central" as used, for example, in "central location" is intended to refer to a broadcast station or network serving a country, a time zone or a region, and also is intended to include discrete local broadcast stations operating independently and serving a town or other smaller geographic area, always provided that such "central" station serves a multiplicity of remote receiving stations.
The terms "remote" or "external" as used for example in "external audience", are intended to include all television viewers and radio listeners tuned into an electronic transmission station, irrespective of the distance from such central station; as such, a "remote" audience includes, for example, students or other respondents positioned in close proximity to the source of a program, as in the case of a closed circuit transmission.
The term "interval" is intended to mean time interval or period of time.
The terms "code", "encoding", and "encryption" are intended to include alphanumeric codes, color codes, bar codes and symbols, including those readable, recognizable or conveyable by humans and machines.
The terms "acceptable response" or "acceptable answer" are intended to include all answers to a question, which answers meet or exceed a minimum standard or degree of accuracy, comprehensiveness or responsiveness; such "acceptable answers" specifically including partially correct answers. Similarly "acceptable predictions" are intended to include predictions falling within predetermined parameters or meeting standards determined by the operator of an event following its occurrence. Answers and predictions may be defined as "acceptable" irrespective of a level of difficulty or a scoring mode.
The term "commercial message" as used herein includes sponsored, paid-for and other messages intended for commercial purposes.
The term "user" of a recording medium as used herein includes viewers, listeners, and buyers of a recording medium such as video tapes, and the target audience intended to be reached by the commercial message.
The term "intelligible" is intended to mean intelligible to a human without machine intervention, for example, without decoding, demodulation, change of transmission or receiving speed, or other manipulations to make a signal intelligible to humans. The term "intelligible" includes material and forms of expression which can be seen or heard such as written material or speech. The term "unintelligible", as applied to various signals which may be transmitted by equipment employed in the practice of the invention, is intended to include signals which can be made intelligible only be machine intervention.
The terms "multipart task" or "multipart question" are intended to include any situations, such as questions, tasks and puzzles, in which a contestant is required to provide chronologically spaced responses related to a common question, task, puzzle, or subject matter requiring an action by the contestant. Such a task may include so-called umbrella or omnibus questions comprising sub-groups, contingent questions (e.g. "if the answer is "true". then proceed to . . . and sub-questions derived from a parent question.
The term "reward" is intended to include in its scope discounts, prizes, free merchandise, monetary awards and other rewards having monetary or symbolic value. A "sweepstakes award" may be a special award of extra value beyond the value of a typical award.
The term "host" is intended to include an on-stage and an of f-stage announcer, master of ceremonies, program director, operator, guest host and celebrities, announcers of commercials and any other individual associated with the program or appointed to carry out one or more of the activities enumerated herein. It also is intended to include the individuals engaged in the operation of formulating a message or program for broadcasting on behalf of an advertiser, manufacturer, store or sponsor.
The term "difficulty level" is intended to include difficulty levels set by the host and inherent in the task or question, as reflected by possible answers, as well as difficulty levels inherent in a response or answer set by a respondent based on the speed, accuracy, comprehensiveness or responsiveness of the response and reflecting respondent's confidence in his or her knowledge of the subject matter. Similarly, a "difficulty level" may apply to the outcome of an event, as reflected by possible predictions.
In the formulation of a response to a question by a member of the external television audience, in the ensuing description reference will be made to a response in terms of recognition of key words as well as responses which require several words as in a phrase, sentence, formula and the like. It is to be understood that, in the generation of such responses, the term "word" includes also alphanumeric characters and other symbols such as pictorial representations which may be required as a proper response to a question.
With respect to various embodiments of the invention, the response unit 22 may be configured to provide the foregoing functions of evaluating and scoring, as well as the processed response.
In FIG. 3 the studio 14 is shown, by way of example, to include a television host 50, conducting a quiz program or game 52 in front of a television camera 54 which views both the game 52 and the host 50, and, also including when required, display means on stage (not shown) to provide an image thereof, which image is televised or only visible to the studio audience. Words spoken by the host 50, as well as other sounds in the studio 14, are converted by a microphone 56 to electric signals.
Also included within the studio 14 is a keyboard 58 by which the host 50 or another person, may enter commands and instructions to be communicated via the instructional signal. The central station 12 further comprises an encoder 60 a modulator
62, an oscillator 64, a band-pass filter 66, a summer 68, a combiner 70, a radio transmitter 72, a television transmitter 74, and a switch 76. The switch 76 connects an input terminal of the combiner 70 to either an output terminal of the summer 68 on line 78 or an output terminal of the microphone 56 on line 80.
The instructional signals may be prerecorded and then propagated from a central transmission station to remote locations. In such a case, the host uses the keyboard (or other such device) to initiate the transmission of the instructional signal message.
In operation, the pressing of keys on the keyboard 58 activates the encoder 60 to output digital signals representing the keys which have been pressed. The oscillator 64 outputs a carrier signal which is modulated by the modulator 62 with the digital signals outputted by the encoder 60. The modulator 62 applies the modulated carrier signal to the filter 66 which narrows the bandwidth of the modulated signal to equal the instructional bandwidth shown in FIG. 2. The filtered signal is coupled from the filter 66 to one input terminal of the summer 68, a second input terminal of the summer 68 receiving the output electrical signal from the microphone 56 via line 80. An output signal of the camera 54 is connected to one input terminal of the combiner 70, either directly or via a video mixing unit (to be described with reference to FIG. 23). To facilitate the explanation of this embodiment of the invention, it is presumed now that the camera 54 is connected directly to the combiner 70. A second input terminal of the combiner 70 is connectable via the switch 76 in line 78 to an output terminal of the simmer 68. In the alternative position of the switch 76, the second input terminal of the combiner 70 is connected via line 80 to receive the output electric signal of the microphone 56 rather than the output signal of the summer 68. An output terminal of the combiner 70 is connected to the television transmitter 74. Signals outputted by the summer 68 are connected via line 78 also to the radio transmitter 72.
The signal outputted by the band-pass filter 66 is the instructional signal which is to be transmitted via either the transmitter 72 or 74 to a remote receiving station. The signal outputted by the microphone 56 is the audio signal component of the signals transmitted in the television channel via the transmitter 74, and is also transmitted via the radio transmitter 72 to the remote receiving stations when a radio transmission of the audio portion of the activity in the studio 14 is desired. The simmer 68 performs the function of combining the instructional signal with the audio signal whereby the instructional signal shares a small fraction of the audio spectrum as shown in FIG. 2. This is accomplished by adding the output signals of the microphone 56 and the filter 66 to output the sum signal on line 78. The combiner 70 functions, in a well-known fashion, to combine the video portion of the television channel signal from the camera 54 with either the microphone signal on line 80 or the composite signal of the summer 68 depending on the position of the switch 76.
In the event that the simulcast of both the radio and the television transmissions is to be provided by the transmitter 72 and 74, the switch 76 connects the combiner 70 to line 80 in which case the television signal transmitted by the transmitter 74 has the standard format of video and audio portions without the instructional signal, the latter being transmitted via the radio transmitter 72. In the event that the switch 76 is connected to line 78, then the television signal transmitted by the transmitter 74 includes the instructional signal within the audio portion of the television signal.
The circuitry of FIG. 3 demonstrates two possible embodiments of the invention wherein the receiving stations may have either of the two forms shown for the remote receiving stations 16 and 18. If all of the receiving stations have the form of the station 16, then the switch 76 may be placed in the position for connection of the line 80 to the combiner 70, in which case the transmitter 74 transmits a normal television signal while the instructional signal is transmitted by the transmitter 72. In the event that all of the receiving stations are in the form of the station 18 then the switch 76 connects a line 78 to the combiner 70 for providing a modified form of the transmitted television signal wherein the instructional signal is included within the television signal. In such case, the radio transmitter 72 is not used by the invention, but may, nevertheless, transmit a radio program to remote radios which do not form a part of the system of the invention.
The television system 28 comprises a receiver 82, a demodulator 84, and a speaker 86. The separation circuitry 30 comprises a narrow-band filter 88 and a demodulator 90. The passband of the filter 88 is equal to the bandwidth of the instructional signal shown in FIG. 2.
In the operation of the receiving station 16, the receiver 40 functions in the manner of a well-known radio receiver for receiving the radio transmission incident upon the antenna 36. In addition, the receiver 40 includes a narrow-band filter 92
having a passband equal to that of the filter 88. Thereby, the filter 92 extracts from the audio spectrum the portion of the spectrum, shown in FIG. 2 designated for the instructional signal. The signal outputted by the filter 92 is demodulated by the demodulator to recover the digitally formatted signal produced by the encoder 60, which digitally formatted signal is applied to the response unit for providing instruction thereto. The television set 38 in the receiving station 16, as noted hereinabove, functions in accordance with the well-known form of television set outputting both audio and video signals, the latter appearing on the screen 20.
In the operation of the receiving station 18, the receiver 82 includes a well-known television tuner (not shown) and outputs the television signal of the channel to which the receiver 82 is tuned. The television signal outputted by the receiver
82 is demodulated in a well-known fashion by the demodulator 84 to provide a video signal which is presented on the television screen 20, and an audio signal which is presented by the speaker 86.
In accordance with a feature of the invention the demodulator 84 also applies an audio signal to the filter 88 of the separation circuitry 30. The filter 88 extracts the portion of the audio spectrum designated for the instructional signal, as does the filter 92, and outputs the instructional signal to the demodulator 90. The demodulator 90 operates, as does the demodulator 42 to recover the digitally formatted signal produced by the encoder 60, which digitally formatted signal is applied to the response unit 22 to provide instruction thereto. Thereby, the response units 22 of the receiving stations 16 and 18 are able to function concurrently with the presentation of the broadcast television program upon the television screens 20. As indicated in the drawing for the receiving station 18, a member of the normally remote audience 94 operates the keyboard 44 of the response unit 22 while listening to the speaker 86 and watching the television screen 20.
With reference to FIG. 4, there is shown one embodiment of the response unit 22 of FIG. 3. The circuitry shown therein accomplishes the major functions of the response unit 22, namely, providing a member of the audience 94 with a means for entering a response to a situation viewed on the television screen 20 and/or heard via the speaker 86, not accepting (rejecting) or accepting, evaluating and scoring such response, recording such response, and outputting a temporary or permanent record of the response. In particular, it can be advantageous if the permanent record is in the form of the card 48, which form is machine readable to facilitate a reading of the score and/or response by either a third party or the host 50. It is to be understood that the circuitry of FIG. 4 constitutes only one possible embodiment of the invention for performing these functions and that other embodiments employing a digital computer suitably programmed (not shown) may also be employed.
The response unit 22 comprises three decoders 96, 98, and 100, a register 102, a score counter 104, a memory 106 for storing data, and a memory 108 for storing an operating program, a timer 110, a gate 112, a buffer store 114, a comparator 116
for comparing output signals of the store 114 with the memory 106, a logic unit 118, and a clock 120, these components being in addition to the keyboard 44 and the dispenser 46 disclosed previously with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.
In operation, the memory 106 stores data with respect to the answers which are to be provided by the viewing audience. For example, in the event that the viewing audience is composed of children in a children's show wherein children are learning to identify colors, the host may point successively to a red hat, a blue table, and a green car and request to know the colors of the respective objects. In such case, the memory 106 would store response criteria, in this instance, the words red, blue, and green in the sequence corresponding to the order in which the objects are to be addressed by the host. The keys on the keyboard 44 may be similarly colored to enable entry of the correct response. Alternatively, for older children, the keyboard may be an alphanumeric keyboard, as is found on a typewriter, in which case the viewing audience is to type the words corresp