GB2537896A - Improvements in or relating to online gaming - Google Patents

Abstract

A player terminal 100 (typically a smartphone) comprises a player actuable interface 101, a game module 102, a camera 103 and a communication unit 104. The game module 102 can trigger the camera 103 to capture an image of the player to facilitate entry to an online game and to associate the approved captured image with player identification information. The image and player identification information are then transmitted via a communication unit 104 to a remote game server 200 as an entry to an online game. At the remote server 200, the communication unit 201 is operable to receive identification information and the associated image from the terminal 100 for validation by identification unit 202. In response, the entry module 203 extracts the associated image and passes the image to the game engine 204 which is operable to operate the online game and to generate a simulated animation indicating the operation of and subsequently the outcome of the game. During the simulation, the image is associated with or applied to an object representing the player's entry into the game. The image can be applied to a game element such as a simulated ball or card depending on the game.

Description

Improvements in or Relating to Online Gaming Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates to improvement in online gaming. In particular, the present invention relates to an improved method and system for more personalised 5 entry to online games and an improved method and system for running more personalised online games.

Background to the Invention

There are a number of operators providing online games. Typically, these games require a player to enter (often by paying a fee). After entering the player can take part in the online game. For online games of chance, the entry is communicated to a game engine After running a game program, the player is notified of the game outcome. In order to increase the attractiveness of such games, the game engine may be operable to generate a visual representation of the operation of the game and/or the outcomes. Typically, this might comprise an animated simulation of a real world game upon which the online game is based. For instance, an animation of a roulette wheel and ball for a roulette game or an animation of a selection of one or more balls from a plurality of numbered balls for a lottery game.

In most such games, the individual entries are distinguished simply by a number or an identification code. In other instances, players may be identified by a username alongside a representation of the game. The lack of personal identification can result in a loss of interest and/or engagement by players It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an online game and for entry to the same that at least partially overcomes or alleviates the above problems

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a terminal for facilitating entry to an online game, the terminal comprising player actuable interface means; a game module operable to store player identification information; and a camera operable in response to the game module to capture an image wherein the game module is operable to associate player identification information with said captured image and transmit the player identification information and associated image to a remote game server as an entry to an online game.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an online gaming system adapted to facilitate personalised entry to an online game, the system comprising: a communication unit operable to receive player identification information and an associated image from one or more remote player term nals an dentification unit operable to validate player identification information; and an entry module operable in response to the identification unit to extract an image associated with a valid game entry and pass said image to a game engine operating the online game such that the image may be used in indicating the operation or outcome of the game.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of facilitating personalised entry to an online game, the method comprising the steps of providing player identification information; capturing an image; associating the captured image with the player identification information; transmitting the image and associated player identification information to a game server validating the identification information extracting the image associated with the player identification information and using the image to provide an indication of the operation or outcome of the game.

The present invention thus provides for simple and effective personalisation of game entries by association of an image of the player with an entry.

The game module may be operable to store player identification information.

Typically, the player identification information may comprise a user name or other suitable player identifier. The captured image may be an image of the player. Nevertheless, the player may choose a captured image of another individual or object.

The game module may be controlled in response to the player actuable interface.

This enables a player to request that the game module generate an entry to the game by making suitable inputs via the player actuable interface. Typically the player actuable interface will comprise one or more player input means and one or more output means. The input means may comprise buttons, keys, switches or the like. The output means may comprise a display or other visual indication and or audio output means. In a preferred embodiment, the player actuable interface comprises a touchscreen interface.

The camera may be operated automatically to capture an image by the game module or only in response to inputs detected via the player interface In some embodiments, the game module may be operable to display the captured image to the player before associating the image with a game entry. This can enable the player to approve or disapprove the image. In cases where the image is approved, the game module may be operable to associate the image with player identification information and transmit this information to the online gaming system. In cases where the image is disapproved, the camera may be operated automatically by the game module to capture a further image for approval. Approval or disapproval of an image may be determined by monitoring player inputs to the player actuable interface.

In some embodiments, the game module may be operable in combination with the player actuable interface to enable a player to report images associated with other players. In response to such a report, the entry module may be operable to extract a copy of the reported image and forward this image for review. This can allow a system operator to be informed of and block use of potentially offensive or otherwise inappropriate images.

In some embodiments, the game module may be operable to generate multiple entries to the online game In such cases, the game module may be operable to use the same image for each entry. Alternatively, the game module may be operable to control the camera to capture a separate image for each individual entry.

The terminal may comprises any suitable device incorporating or connected to a camera In particular, the terminal may comprise any of: a smartphone, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a media player or the like.

The online game may be a game of chance. In particular, the online game may comprise a lottery based game In other implementations, the online game may comprise a game based on any one of roulette, craps, poker, blackjack, bingo or the like.

The entry module may comprise or be connected to a payment module. The payment module may be operable to debit payment from a dedicated game account or an external bank account in response to a validated game entry. The payment module may be further operable to make payments to a dedicated game account or an external bank in response to prizes awarded to players.

The game engine may be operable to generate a simulation of the operation of the game. Preferably, the simulation is in the form of an animation, The game engine may be operable to transmit the animation or information indicative of the animation to the game module for display on the terminal, Preferably, the image is associated with or applied to an object representing the player's entry into the game. In the case of a lottery game, the image may be applied to the ball or ticket associated with the player' s entry. In the case of a casino type game, the image may be associated with the player' s simulated gambling chips. In the case of a card game, the image may be associated with the reverse face of the cards.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an online gaming system operable to run an online game comprising an entry module operable to receive entries to the game and to extract an image associated with a valid game entry; and a game engine operating the online game and generating a corresponding simulation of the game operation, characterised in that the extracted image is associated with or applied to an object in the simulation representing the player's entry into the game.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating an online game comprising the steps of receiving entries to the game; extracting images associated with the received entries; and generating a simulation of the game operation characterised in that the extracted image is associated with or applied to an object in the simulation representing the player's entry into the game.

The system of the fourth and the method of the fifth aspects of the present invention may incorporate any or all features of the first three aspects of the present invention as desired or as appropriate.

Detailed Description of the Invention

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment/embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a player terminal and system according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a schematic indication of the operation of the terminal to capture an image to associate with a game entry according to the present invention, Figure 3 is a schematic indication of a simulation of the operation of the online game in accordance with the present invention.

Turning now to figure 1, a player terminal 100 (typically a smartphone) comprises a player actuable interface 101, a game module 102, a camera 103 and a communication unit 104. The interface 101 is typically a touchscreen but may comprise any other suitable combination of input/output means. The game module 102 is operable to facilitate entries to an online game. In order to do so, the game module 102 can trigger the camera 103 to capture an image of the player.

The capturing of an image may be automatic. Alternatively, it may take place under control of the player interface 101 as is illustrated in figure 2, using the example of a touchscreen interface 20. In this example in response to detection of player inputs indicating a request to enter a game, the game module 102 operates camera 103 to capture an image 21 and display the image 21 to the player alongside control buttons 22, 23. Typically, the image will be a image of the player themselves (a selfiel), nevertheless, the player may alternatively choose to capture an image of a nearby item or individual In particular, players may choose to capture images of loved ones, pets or favoured possessions, views or the like By actuating control button 22, the player can approve the captured image 21. By actuating control button 23, the player can disapprove the image 21, triggering the camera 103 to capture a further image and display the further image for approval As a further alterative, the actuating control button 24 may enable the game module to access a gallery of images stored on the terminal 100 and thereby allow the player to select a stored image in place of a captured image.

The game module 102 is operable to associate the approved captured image with player identification information, typically stored in the game module 102 or input by the player via the interface 101. The image and player identification information are then transmitted via a communication unit 104 to an online gaming system 200. Typically the transmission takes place via an existing wired or wireless data network 50. For instance, transmission may take place via a suitable data connection to the internet including a wireless data network or a cable connection.

The gaming system 200, is typically provided on a cloud server. The gaming system 200 comprises a communication unit 201, an identification unit 202, an entry module 203, a game engine 204 and a payment module 205. The communication unit 201 is operable to receive identification information and the associated image from the terminal 100. The identification information is then validated by an identification unit 202. In response to validation, the entry module 203 extracts the associated image and passes the image to the game module 204 In response to a validated entry, the entry module may also indicate to the payment module 205 that a player account can be debited.

The game engine 204 is operable to operate the online game and to generate a simulated animation indicating the operation of and subsequently the outcome of the game. During the simulation, the image is associated with or applied to an object representing the player's entry into the game The animation may be transmitted to the terminal 100 by the communication unit 201. In some embodiments, to save on bandwidth, information indicative of the animation may be transmitted to the terminal 100 by the communication unit 201 and the animation can then be regenerated by the game module 102.

This is illustrated schematically by figure 3 for a lottery game 30, the illustration in figure 3 being indicative of the screen display on terminal 100. The game 30 comprises a plurality of balls 31, constrained within a mixing area 32. Each ball 31 has the image of a player applied thereto. During simulation, the balls 31 move within the mixing area 32 and interact with the boundaries of the mixing area 32 and each other according to suitable game physics stored within the game engine 204. At an appropriate time or in response to the game physics, one ball 31 is selected Upon selection, the ball 31 may be displayed momentarily in enlarged form covering a substantial portion of the mixing area 32 to facilitate player recognition of the image. Subsequently, the ball 31 (including applied image) may be added to a table of winners 33 displayed alongside the mixing area 32. This allows players to readily identify themselves as winner or to readily recognise other winners.

The skilled man will appreciate that in the case of other games, the image may be associated with other game features. For instance, in the case of a casino type game, the image may be associated with the player's simulated gambling chips and in a card game, the image may be associated with the reverse face of the cards.

The above embodiment is are described by way of example only. Many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.