Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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INTERACTIVE WAGERTNG SYSTEMS AND
METHODS WITH PARIMUTUEL POOL FEATURES
This application claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional application No. 60/194,852, filed
April 5, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
Background of the Invention
This invention relates to systems and methods
for interactirre wagering. More particularly, this
invention relates to' systems and methods for'
determining the effect of proposed wagers on parimutuel
pools so that users of interactive wagering systems can
determine whether or not to place a wager based on the
effects.
Wagering on sporting events such as horse,
dog, and harness racing is a popular leisure activity.
However, it is sometimes inconvenient to attend racing
events in person. Not all racing fans have sufficient
time to visit race tracks as often as they would like
and some fans have difficulty in obtaining suitable
transportation to the track. Thus, there is a need for
wagering services for fans who cannot attend racing
events in person.
Off-track betting establishments, which are
generally more readily accessible than race tracks,
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have attempted to fill this need. However, racing fans
who desire to place a wager still face the prospect of
traveling to the off-track betting establishment.
Wagering via telephone is another option. A
user of a telephone-based system typically sets up a
telephone account against which wagers may be made. In
order to place wagers, the user must interact with a
computerized telephone ordering system. This type of
system is mainly used for placing wagers. Detailed
racing information is typically obtained from other
sources, such as printed racing programs.
Wagering via a television set-top box is
still another option. As described in Brenner et al.
United States Patent 5,830,068, which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, known
systems enable a user to receive wagering information
and place wagers using a television set-top box in a
user's home.
Watering via computer is yet another option.
Using a computer, a user can similarly receive wagering
information and place wagers from the user's home.
Interactive wagering systems, in any incarnation, have
gained widespread popularity due to the ease of use for
the user.
A form of wagering called parimutuel wagering
exists in which all money wagered in a race is pooled
and~divided up among those who have winning tickets,
after deductions such as statutory commissions and
taxes are made. Therefore, the odds in parimutuel
pools are determined by the sums wagered by
participants. For example, in a parimutuel pool for a
horse race, the odds on a horse are determined by the
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sums of money wagered on the horse relative to the
total sum of money in the parimutuel pool.
It would therefore be desirable to provide
systems and methods for interactive wagering that allow
a user to see the effect of placing wagers on
parimutuel pools in advance of actually placing the
wagers.
Summary of the Invention
In accordance with the principles of the
.invention, systems and methods for interactive wagering
may be provided that allow a user to see the effect of
placing wagers on parimutuel pools in advance of
actually placing the wagers.
Interactive wagering systems and methods that
allow a user to see the effect of placing a wager on
parimutuel pools may comprise a wagering data hub that
controls the flow of data that is related to wagers,
wagering events, and wagering accounts which include
associated parimutuel pools. In order to access this
data, a user of the present invention may use a
television set-top box, a computer, a telephone, and/or
any other suitable devica.
When a user builds a wager associated with a
parimutuel pool using a suitable device, the wager
amount and parimutuel pool information may be used to
determine what effect the user's wager has on the
user's potential winnings before placing the wager.
The effects determined can be made and provided to the
user before the user finalizes the wager, such that the
user may be informed about a possible result of the
wager before the wager is finalized.
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Brief Description of the Drawings
The above and other advantages of the present
invention will be apparent upon consideration of the
following detailed description, taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference
characters refer to like parts throughout, and in
which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wagering
system constructed in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wagering data
hub suitable for use with the wagering system of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 3A is a block diagram of a subscriber
management system suitable for use with the wagering
system of FTG. 1;
FTG. 3B is a block diagram of a set-top box
and related equipment suitable for use with the
wagering system of FIG. 1;
FTGS. 4-5 are illustrations of display
screens through which a user may initiate wagering on a
set-top box or computer interface in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 6-7 are illustrations of main menu
display screens that may be presented in a set-top box
or computer interface in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a
proBET mode that may be presented in a set-top box or
computer interface in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention;
FIGS. 9-15 are illustrations of display
screens that may be presented as part of the ProBET
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mode in a set-top box or computer interface in
accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a wagering
system constructed in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 17A is a flow diagram illustrating a
process that allows users to see what projected effect
proposed wagers may have on parimutuel pools in
accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 17B is a flow diagram illustrating a
process that may be used to determine what projected
effects proposed wagers may have on parimutuel pools in
accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 18 is an illustration of a display
screen that may be presented as part of the ProBET mode
in a set-top box or computer ir2terface in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention; and
FIG. 19 is a flow diagram illustrating a
process that may be used to provide users with
projected effects of proposed wagers on a user
interface implemented on telephones in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
One embodiment of an interactive wagering
system 100 in accordance with the present invention is
shown in FIG. 1. As illustrated, system 100 includes a
wagering data hub 102 that controls wagering in system
100 and that may be coupled to one or more television
set-top boxes 104, one or more user telephones 106, and
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one or more user computers 108. Using any set-top box
104, telephone 106, or computer 108 coupled to hub 102,
a user of the present invention can receive information
regarding wagering events and wagering accounts, and
place wagers related to those wagering events. The
wagering data hub 102 may also be connected to a
subscriber management system 110, one or more
television distribution systems 112, one or more tote
companies 114, one or more racing data providers 116,
and one or more handicapping data providers 118.
Turning first to set-top boxes 104, in
accordance with the present invention, set-top boxes
104 may be any suitable devices for receiving data
signals and video signals, processing the data signals,
displaying at least a portion of the data signals and
the video signals, and receiving user commands that
cause data signals .to be transmitted to wagering data
hub 102. For example, set-top boxes 104 may be
conventional set-top boxes, may be circuitry in video
cassette recorders, digital video disc players, or
televisions, or may be any other suitable devices.
As can be seen from FIG. 1, set-top boxes 104
may receive data signals from hub 102 via communication
link 132, television distribution system 112, and
communication link 128. These data signals preferably
include data relating to wagering events and wagering
accounts. Alternatively or additionally to receiving
the data signals via link 132, system 112, and link
128, these signals may be received via communication
link 138.
Set-top boxes 104 may receive video signals
from a video production system 120 via communication
link 134, television distribution system 112, and
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communication link 130. These video signals preferably
include video relating to wagering events that
originate at race tracks 122 and 124 and are
transmitted to video production system 120 via
satellite 126. Alternatively or additionally to
receiving video signals via link 134, system 112, and
link 130, video signals may be received from video
production system 220 via communication link 140, hub
102, and link 138. Although links 128 and 130 are
illustrated as separate paths for transmitting signals,
each link may be part of a single communication
mechanism. For example, link 128 may transmit signals
in the vertical blanking interval of a video signal
carried in link 130.
Set-top boxes 104 may transmit wagering data
signals to wagering data hub 102 via communication link
136, television distribution system 112, and
communication link 142 and/or via communication link
138. Communication link 138 is preferably a telephone
connection, although any suitable connection (such as
an Internet connection, etc.) could also be used. The
signals received and transmitted by set-top box 104 may
be any suitable type of analog and/or digital signals
that are transmitted using any suitable method.
Television distribution system 112 and
communication links 128, 130, 132, 13~~, 136, and 142
are preferably all part of a cable television system,
although each may be part of any suitable communication
system or combination of communication systems, such as
satellite television systems, over-the-air television
systems (including RF, microwave, etc.), and computer
networks (e.g., the Internet). Similarly to links 128
and 130, link 136 may be incorporated with either or
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both of links 12.8 and 130 as part of a single
communication mechanism if desired, and links 132 and
142 may be incorporated together as part of a single
communication mechanism if desired.
User telephones l06 preferably connect to hub
102 via telephone line 144, although any suitable
mechanism for connecting user telephones 106 to hub 102
may also be used. Although user telephones 106 are
illustrated as standard telephones, any type of device
for receiving audio prompts that may be heard by a user
and for responding to those prompts (either by spoken
word or key depression) may also be used. In addition,
user telephone 106 may include video displays that show
video relating to wagering events that originate at
race tracks 122 and 124. The video displays may be
touch screens that accept user input.
User computers 108 preferably connect to
hub 102 via computer network 146. Computer network 146
may be any suitable mechanism for connecting a computer
to hub 102, such as a direct telephone connection, one
or more telephone connections and a data network
connection (such as an Internet connection or a
connection provided by computer network provider), or a
direct data network connection.
Subscriber management system 110 enables the
operator of the present invention to control access by
users to the services provided by hub 102. In addition
to being connected to hub 102 by communication link
148, subscriber management system is also connected. to
tote companies 114 via communication link 150.
Communication links 148 and 150 may be any suitable
mechanism for communicating data and may use any type
of data transmission method. The connection to tote
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companies 114 enables subscriber management system 110
to create and update wagering accounts that are located
at tote companies 114. In preferred embodiments of the
present invention, when a wager is placed by a user
using one of set-top boxes 104, telephones 106, and
computers 108, hub 102 accesses subscriber management
system 110 to verify that the wager is authorized. One
embodiment of a subscriber management system 110 is
described further below in connection with FIG. 3A.
As stated above, tote companies 114, racing
data providers 116, and handicapping data providers 118
may be connected to hub 102 via communication links
150, 152, and 154, respectively. Tote companies 114
preferably provide wagering event data and account
information to hub 102, and receive wager information
from hub 102. Racing data providers 116 and
handicapping data providers 118 preferably provide
statistical and handicapping data to hub 102. As
shown, tote companies 114 and racing data providers 116
typically receive data from race tracks 122 and 124 via
communication links 158, while handicapping data
providers typically receive data from one or more of
racing data providers 116 via communication link 156.
The data received from and transmitted to tote
companies 124, racing data providers 116, and
handicapping data providers 118 may be transmitted over
links 150, 152, and 154 using any suitable method, and
these communication links may be any suitable
mechanisms for transmitting that data. Similarly,
communication links 156 and 158 may be any suitable
mechanism for transmitting data that use any suitable
method.
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Turning additionally to FIG. 2, wagering data
hub 102 (FIG. 1) is illustrated in further detail. As
shown, hub 102 includes a data distribution system 202,
a database 204, a set-top server (non-telco) 206, a
set-top server (telco) 208, an interactive voice
response (IVR) server 210, a personal computer (PC)
server 212, a modem bank 214, and interface circuitry
216. Data distribution system 202 and database 204
work in conjunction with each other to receive, store,
and provide racing statistical and handicapping data
from and to other components in system 100 of the
present invention. As illustrated, racing data may be
received from tote companies 114 (via interface
circuitry 216) and racing data providers 116, and
handicapping data may be received from handicapping
data providers 118. This racing and handicapping data
may then,be provided to set-top servers 206 and 208,
IVR server 210, and PC server 212.
Set-top server (non-telco) 206 may provide
data and video signals to, and receive data signals
from, set-top terminals 104 via television distribution
system 112. Set-top server (telco) 208 may provide
data and video signals to, and receive data signals
from, set-top terminals 104 via modem bank 214 and
communication link 138. To coordinate the data sent
between servers 206 and 208, hub 102 may incorporate a
link 218 between the servers, or the servers may be
consolidated into a single mechanism.
Interactive voice response server 210 may
provide interactive voice prompts to telephones 106 via
link 144. These prompts may be a menu of actual or
simulated voice options to which a user can respond by
speaking or depressing a button on one of telephones
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106. Through these prompts, server 210 may provide
account information and racing and handicapping data,
including information about various races, horses,
jockeys, odds, etc. Through these responses, server
210 may receive wager data.
PC server 212 may provide data and video
signals to, and receive data signals from, computers
108 via modem bank 214 and link 146 or through link 146
alone. When computers 108 access server 212 via a
telephone line, the computers preferably use bank 214
and link 146. When computers 108 use a computer
network connection (such as the Tnternet) to access
server 212, the computers preferably bypass modem
bank 214.
Tn order to authorize and submit wagers, each
of servers 206, 208, 210, and 212 preferably provide
data to and receive data from tote companies 114 (via
interface circuitry 216 and link l50) and subscriber
management system 120 (via link 148). For example,
when a user requests to place a wager via any of these
servers, the corresponding server may send an
authorization request to either subscriber management
system (SMS) 110 or one of tote companies 114. When
the request is sent to a tote company 114, the server
may select the desired tote company from among several
available tote companies. In response to that request,
the SMS 110 or tote l14 may reply with an
authorization. The server may then send the wager to
the tote company (if not already completed).
Similarly, to notify the users of the status
or history of their accounts or to credit those
accounts with additional funds or winnings, account
information and money transfer information may be
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transmitted to and received from the tote or SMS. For
example, using a user interface from one of a set-top
box 104, telephone 106, or computer 108, a user may
authorize additional funds to be transferred from the
user's bank or credit card account when the available
funds in the user's account drop below a desired level.
In some embodiments of the present invention,
video signals are provided to set-top boxes 104 by
servers 206 and/or 208, and to computers 108 by server
212. These signals are preferably received at the
servers from video production system 120 by link 140.
One embodiment of a subscriber management
system (SMS) 110 in accordance with the present
invention is illustrated in FIG. 3A. As shown, SMS 110
may include a subscriber database 302, an interface
computer 304, one or more customer service stations
306, one or more remote customer service stations 308,
and one or more tote company administration stations
310. Subscriber database 302 stores information
regarding each user's account. This data may include
current balance, past wagering history, individual
wagering limits, personal identification numbers,
billing addresses, credit card numbers, bank account
numbers, social security numbers, etc. The data in
database 302 may be accessed by hub 102 (FIG. 1) using
interface computer 304. In some embodiments of the
present invention, interface computer 304 may be
omitted and hub 102 may access database 302 directly.
Stations 306 and 308 preferably enable the
operator of system 100 (FIG. 1) to oversee and control
the usage of the system by the users. Tote company
administration stations 310 enable the operators of
system 100 to create and update accounts for users at
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the tote companies 114 (FIG. 1). Subscriber
database 302 and interface computer 30.4 may be any
suitable devices for storing data and accessing the
data base, respectively. Each of stations 306, 308,
and 310 may be any~suitable computers for accessing
database 302 and tote companies 114.
Although wagering data hub 102 and subscriber
management system 110 are illustrated as separate
systems and may be located at separate facilities, it
should be noted that hub 102 and system 110 may be
combined into a single system at a single location, or
may be further split apart into finer sub-units at
remotely connected locations.
As shown in FIGS. 1-3B, by centralizing the
storage of race and handicapping data in database 204
and account information in database 302, the present
invention provides a more cost-efficient and
centralized interactive wagering system that may be
accessed by users using a variety of methods. For,
example, a user may access race and handicapping data
from home using a set-top box 104 in order to consider
a wager to be made. Later, that user may place that
wager using a cellular telephone while away from his or
home. Finally, from the user's office, the user can
then use his or her PC to check the status of the wager
to determine if the user won. In this way, a user may
access any of his or her accounts using any of the
interfaces provided in the interactive wagering system.
Alternatively, for example, wagering enthusiasts who do
not have access to a set-top box 104 or a computer 108
may still receive race, handicapping, and account
information and place wagers using the IVR interface
accessible using telephones 106.
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An illustration of a set-top box 104 (FIG. 1)
and related components is shown in FIG. 3B. As can be
seen, set-top box 104 may be connected to television
distribution system 112 by links 128, 130, and 136.
Set-top box 104 may also be connected to a telephone
network by link 138. Through these connections, set-
top box 104 is able to communicate with wagering data
hub 102 (FIG. 1). In order to control set-top box 104,
a remote control 352, a keyboard 354 (e. g., an infrared
keyboard), and/or a pointing device 356 may also be
provided. Additionally, set-top box 104 may be
connected to a videocassette recorder 360 (or any other
suitable television appliance) and/or a television 362,
and any other local equipment 364 (such as a personal
computer that is connected to a cable modem in set-top
box 104). In order to control a videocassette recorder
360, an infrared transmitter (or any other suitable
control interface, such as an RS-232 interface) may
'
~ also be provided.
Set-top box 104 may include tuning,
communications, and display circuitry 366, a modem 368,
a receiver 370, control circuitry 372, a data port 374,
indicators 376, and memory 378. Tuning,
communications, and display circuitry 366 may be any
suitable circuitry for receiving, splitting, combining,
and/or distributing video and data signals to and from
the television distribution system 112, control
circuitry 372, memory 378, videocassette recorder 360,
and television 362. Modem 368 may be any suitable
device for communicating data with a telephone network.
Receiver 370 may be any suitable device for receiving
signals from keyboard 354. Control circuitry 372 may
be any suitable device, such as a microprocessor,
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microcontroller, dedicated logic, a computer, etc., for
controlling the functionality of set-top box 104. Data
port 374 may be any suitable interface for
communicating with local equipment 364. Indicators 376
may be any suitable devices for indicating events and
statures to a user, including light-emitting diodes,
displays, audio systems, etc. Finally, memory 378 may
be any suitable storage device or devices for storing
data, including random access memory, flash memory, a
disk drive, etc.
During operation, control circuitry 372 will
preferably execute instructions stored in memory 378.
. 'Through these instructions, the control circuitry will
control the flow of video and data through circuitry
366, control the flow of data through modem 368,
receiver 370, data port 374, and infrared transmitter
358, and drive indicators 376. More particularly,
these instructions may cause a user interface as
described below to be implemented on television 362.
A variety of user interfaces can be provided
at set-top boxes 104, telephones 106, and computers 108
(FIG. 1) in accordance with the present invention. One
embodiment of a user interface that may be implemented
on set-top boxes 104 and computers 108, for example, is
illustrated in FIGS. 4-15 and FIG. 18. Although
specific combinations of features are illustrated in
these figures, any subset of these features and many
additional features could be implemented in accordance
with the present invention. Also, although the
illustrated embodiment of the user interface is
directed to wagering on horse racing, it should be
noted that this user interface could be modified for
any type of wagering event.
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Turning first to FIGS. 4 and 5, two examples
of methods for accessing the user,interface are shown.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, the user interface could be
accessible from the main menu 400 of an interactive
television program guide. In addition to listing menu
options for displaying information about television
programs and for performing other functions, such a
menu could include a menu option 402 that, when
selected, would initiate the user interface.
Additionally or alternatively, as illustrated in FIG.
5, the user interface could be initiated using a prompt
502 that appears on top of a user television program
500. This prompt could appear on top of any television
program (for example, when triggered by the start of a
l5 race for which a wager has been placed (as explained
below)) or could appear on top of wagering event
programs only when those programs are selected for
viewing (for example, when triggered by a signal in the
vertical blanking interval of a program or by an
attached program guide). Also illustrated in FIG. 5,
is a banner 504 that indicates that the user has tuned
to the "TVG" channel and that channel is currently
showing horse racing. Although illustrated in FIG. 5,
banner 504 is optional.
Once the user interface has been initiated,
one of the main menus in FIGS. 6 or 7 is displayed. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, an initial main menu 608 is
displayed in screen 600. Initial main menu 608 is
preferably only presented when the user interface is
used for the first time. The initial main menu 608 may
also be displayed when the user interface detects that
the user is making many mistakes, or at any other
suitable time. At all other times, normal main menu
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702 shown in FIG. 7 is displayed when the user
activates the user interface.
As shown, screen 600 also includes a status
bar 601 that includes an operator icon 602, a current
function indicator 604, and a clock 606. As will be
illustrated in other figures that follow, status bar
601 may include other pieces of information as well.
Operator icon 602 indicates to the user that "TVG" is
the operator of system 100 (FIG. 1). Function
l0 indicator 604 indicates to the user that he or she is
currently in the main menu. As the user moves through
different menus, function indicator 604 preferably
changes to indicate the current function being used.
Initial main menu 60~ includes a "Tour TVG"
option 610, a "How To Open Account" option 612, a
"Player Setup" option 614, and a "Watch TVG" option
616. Any of these options (or any of the.options in
the subsequent menus) may be selected by using a remote
control to reposition the highlight that is, illustrated
around option 610 to a desired option and to select
that option. Alternatively, any other suitable method
for selecting the menu options (such as using a
computer mouse or keyboard) may be used in accordance
with the present invention.
Turning to the options, "Tour TVG" option 610
preferably causes a tutorial of the features and
operation of the user interface to be presented to the
user. This tutorial could be presented in any method
known in the art. Similarly, "How To Open Account"
option 612 preferably causes instructions to be
presented to the user that instruct him or her how to
open an account for wagering. These instructions may
additionally enable the user to actually open an
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account using the user interface or may require the
user to contact the operator directly (for example, by
calling a "1-800" telephone number). "Player Setup"
option 614 enables the user to access the player setup
submenu. The player setup submenu is discussed further
in connection with FIGS. 109-118 below. Finally,
"Watch TVG" option 616 causes the user interface to
terminate and a wagering television channel (or any
other suitable channel) to be displayed as illustrated
in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 illustrates normal main menu 702 in
screen 700. As shown, menu 702 includes a "ProBET"
option 704, a "Build-A-Bet" option 706, a
"Handicapping" option 708, a "Track Information" option
710, a "Player Information" option 712, a "Setup"
option 724, and a "Watch TVG" option 716.
,When a user selects "ProBET" option 704 from
me_zu 702 or menu 718, series 800 of display screens
900-1500 and 1800 (FIGS. 9-15 and FIG. 18) illustrated
in FIG. 8 can be accessed. For example, when a user
selects option 704, screen 900 is displayed as shown in
FIG. 9. As can be seen, in screen 900, current
function indicator 604 indicates that the user is
currently operating in the "ProBET" menu function. In
this mode, a selection window 902 is first displayed.
Window 902 includes an action indicator 904 that
indicates to the user the next action that must be
taken. In this case, the user is required to select a
track for the bet. To do so, the user is presented
with track option indicator 906 and a series of track
options 908. The user interface then waits for the
user to select one of options 908. In FIG. 9, it can
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be seen that the user has highlighted "CD" which is an
abbreviation for "Churchill Downs."
Once the user has selected a track, screen
1000 is displayed as shown in FIG. 10. As illustrated,
status bar 601 now includes a track indicator 1002 that
indicates that the user has selected "Churchill Downs."
Similarly, track options 908 next to track option
indicator 906 have changed their appearance so that all
of options 908 except for track option 1004 (the
selected track option) are light in color and track
option 1004 is dark in color. Further, to indicate the
track selection, a ticket window 1006 in screen 1000
shows a track indication 1008 that preferably uses the
same abbreviation as that selection from track options
908.
In screen 1000, the user is required to
select one of race choices 1010 as indicated by race
choice indicator 1012. As can be seen, the left-most
choice 1010 is indicated as "MRB." This is a "multi-
race bet" choice that requires selections from multiple
races. Next to the right-most choice 1010 is an arrow
1014 that indicates that other race choices 1010 are
available by scrolling to the right of the right-most
choice.
Once the user has selected a race, screen
1100 is displayed as shown in FIG. 11. As can be seen,
the user's selection of race 2 in screen 1000 (FIG. 10)
is indicated in a race countdown 1102 in status bar
601, in the display colors of race options 1010, and in
race indication 110.4 of ticket window 1006. Similarly
to selecting the race, the user is next required in
screen 1100 to select the type of bet (or wager). Next
to a type indicator 1106, a series of type options 1108
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are displayed. Arrow 1110 indicates that additional
options 110 are available. Choices "EXA," "EXB,"
"TRI," "TRB," "WIN," "PLC," and "SHW" indicate the
common horse racing bet types "exacta," "exacta-box,"
"trifecta," "trifecta-box," "win," "place," and "show,"
respectively.
Turning to FIG. 12, it cari be seen that the
user has selected "trifecta" from type indicator 1202
in ticket window 1006 of screen 1200. Because the user
20 has selected a "trifecta" race type, three place
selections (i.e., 1st, 2nd, and 3rd) must be selected
by the user. If the user had selected a "win" race
type, for example, then only a single place selection
would be required. In response to place choices 1204,
the user is then required to select at least one first
place choice, at least one second place choice, and at
least one third place choice, each from the
corresponding row of choices 1204.
After the user has selected the place
choices, screen 1300 is displayed as illustrated in
FIG. 13. As shown, the user has selected one first
place choice (choice "5"), one second place choice
(choice "2"), and three third place choices (choices
"3", "4", and "6"). Because of these last three
choices, the user is in effect placing three wagers:
one for choices "5", "2", and "3"; one for choices "5"
" " .. .. '. ..
"2", and "4"~ and one for choices 5 , 2 , and 6 .
At this point, the user interface requires the user to
select a per bet amount from one of amount choices
1302. As the user moves the highlight to select each
one of the choices 1302, the total bet amount indicated
in ticket window is preferably updated.
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Finally, once the user has selected the bet
amount from screen 1300, the user is presented with
screen 1400 as shown in FIG. 14 to confirm the bet by
selecting "OK" icon 1402 before the bet is placed in a
bet queue, The user interface then proceeds to
screen 1500 shown in FIG. 15.
As illustrated in FIG. 15, screen 1500
includes queue window 1502. Queue window 1502 includes
bet queue 1508, user options 1504, action indicator
1506, and total bet indicator 1510, From bet queue
1508, the user. can see all of his or her previously
placed, but unsent bets. Total bet indicator 1510
indicates to the user the total amount of the bets
waiting to be sent. Also shown in window 1502 is odds
window 1512. If an unsent bet in a race is highlighted
by the user, for example, the Churchill Downs bet shown
r in race 1514, the odds for that wager are displayed in
odds window 1512. Odds window 1512 displays that
unhorse "1" has 7-to-1 odds to win. By selecting one of
user options 1504, the user can indicate to the user
interface how to proceed with the bets shown in bet
queue 1508. For example, by selecting the "New" option
1504, the user can add another bet. By selecting the
"Dup" option 1504, the user can duplicate a bet. By
selecting the "Send" option 1504, the user can send the
bets to the tote company which finalizes them and
places them into racetrack pools. By selecting the
"Del" option 1504, the user can delete a bet and by
selecting the "Menu" option 1504, the user can access a
drop down menu. As the user scrolls through each of
options 1504, the user interface updates action
indicator 1506 to indicate what will happen if the
selection is selected.
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Once the user has built or proposed a wager,
the interactive wagering system can proceed to
determine what effects the user's proposed wager would
have on parimutuel pools that are associated with the
user's proposed wager. With reference now to FIG. 16,
the projected effects can be determined by computer
wagering system 1604, IVR control system 1606, wagering
data hub 1602, TV wagering system 1608, or any other
suitable equipment with data processing circuitry or by
software that has access to the user's wager settings.
FIG. 16 shows some components of interactive
wagering system 100 that may be used to determine what
effects the user's wager may have on associated
parimutuel pools. The data that may be required to
determine the effects of the user's wager may be stored
in computer wagering system 1604, IVR control
system 1606, wagering data hub 1602, TV wagering system
1608, or any other suitable devices with data storage
facilities which are part of interactive wagering
system 100 illustratively shown in FIG. 1. Data
signals may be communicated between these devices as
shown in FIGS. 2-3.
The data required to determine what effect
the user's wager would have on associated pools may
include parameters of the user's proposed wager such as
the race track, wager type, wager amou:~t, current odds,
and current size of 'the parimutuel pool (the amount of
money wagered for that wager in that race) that is
associated with the user selected race or races as
shown in data storage block 1610. Once the projected
effects of the user's proposed wager on associated
parimutuel pools have been determined, the projected
effects may be presented to the user with devices such
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as computer 1612, telephone 1614, television set-top
box 1616, or any other suitable user device. These
devices are coupled to each other and other parts of
interactive wagering system 100 as shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 17A shows process 1700 for an
interactive wagering system which allows a user to see
the projected effect of the user's proposed wager on
parimutuel pools. Process 1700 starts, at step 1702,
then receives user's input at step 1704. Information
is preferably obtained, based on user's input, that
affect winnings, such as odds, pool size, and size of
wagers on other horses at step 1706. The projected
effect of user's proposed wager on associated
parimutuel pools is determined at step 1708, and the
projected effects are displayed at step 1710. Whether
the user's wager is final is preferably determined at
step 1712, before the process ends at step 1714. If
the user's wager is not final, process 1700 is
repeated, starting at step 1704. '
For a win wager, where the user picks a horse
to finish in first place at one race track, the user
receives winnings which are proportional to the user's
proposed wager amount and odds. FIG. 17B shows
process .1700 for determining the projected effect of
the odds on a win wager based on the proposed new wager
by the user.
FIG. 17B shows process 1716 starting at
step 1718 and receiving user input for building the
user's wagers, such as wager amount, race track, race,
and wager type at.step 1720. The process continues at
step 1722 when data such as odds and pool size
associated with the user selected race track are
determined. The pool can be the total amount of money
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wagered by all users for the same wager type on the
same race less any amount deducted by race track
service providers. At step 1724, the user's proposed
wager amount is added to the win pool to get new pool
result, "XT." At step 1726, the user's wager mount is
added to wagers the same horse to get the result, "X1."
In order to determine odds for each horse entered in
the race, the amounts wagered thus far on each horse is
divided by the new pool, "XT", to get projected odds for
each horse at step 1728. The projected odds may then
be displayed at step 1730 before the wager is finalized
in step 1732. When process 1716 ends at step 1734, the
projected odds may be stored in computer wagering
system 1604, IVR control system 1606, wagering data hub
1602, TV wagering system 1608, or any other suitable
equipment with data storage facilities.
Steps 1724 and 1726 are interchangeable in
order of occurrence in process 1716. For a win wager
on a race, process 1716 can be repeated each time with
different proposed wager amounts, so that the user can
get projected new odds for different proposed wager
amounts.
In addition to win wagers, the user may
obtain projected odds for other types of wagers such as
for wagers such as place, show, exacta, quinella,
trifecta, superfecta, daily double, pick 3, pick 4,
pick 6, or any type of wager for which there is at
least one associated parimutuel pool. The user can
find the projected effects of different proposed wagers
(amount, number of horses, etc.) on parimutuel pools
associated with the wager type.
Turning back to FIG. 15, projected odds may
be displayed in an odds window. As shown in FIGS. 15
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and 18, odds window 1512 may be selected to toggle
between showing the odds for the race, the odds prior
to the user placing the wager ("Old Odds"), and showing
the projected odds ("New Odds") for the race based on
the user placing a wager that the user has created. In
another embodiment of the present invention, the user
may access projected odds by using the user input
device, instead of toggling odds window 1512. For
example, if the user input device is a remote control,
there may be a button that the user can press in order
to display projected odds in odds window 1512. In yet
~ another embodiment of the present invention, projected
future odds may appear in another odds window called
"New Odds" alongside odds window 1512 which may display
"Old Odds."
FIG. 18 shows "New Odds" which are determined
by taking'into account the projected effects of the
user's proposed wager. In a parimutuel pool which is
relatively smell compared to the user's proposed wager,
the effect of the user's proposed wager is to decrease
the odds for horses selected by the user. FIGS. 15
and 18 show a trifecta wager which has been placed by
the user. When odds window 1812 shows the "New Odds"
for the horses of highlighted race 1814, the odds for
horses numbered 2, 3, 4, and 5 in the highlighted race
have decreased. The user's potential winnings on a
horse originates from wagers on other horses. The odds
on a horse is proportionate to the ratio of the wagers
on other horses to the wagers on that horse. When a
user places a large bet on a horse, or group of horses,
the ratio of the wagers on other horses to the wagers
on-that horse, or group of horses, decreases, thereby
causing the odds on the horse, or group of horses, to
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substantially decrease. The substantially decreased
odds may simply mean that the expected return on the
proposed wager, if successful, will also substantially
decrease, as reflected in odds window 1812 of FIG. 18.
If the user is dissatisfied with the
projected odds of wagers, the user can change or delete
the wagers. For every new wager that is placed, odds
window 1812 can be toggled to show either "Old Odds" or
"New Odds" for a proposed wager that is highlighted.
As can be seen from FIG. 8, if the user selects the
"New" option, the user interface will return the user
to screen 2100 of FIG. 11. At this point, the user
interface will use the track and race selections chosen
by the user in making the previous wager. If the user
would like to change those selections, the user may
move the highlight up to choices 1010 (FIG. 10) or
options 908 (FIG. 9).
If the user selects the "Dup", "Del", or
"Menu" options, the user interface will enable the user
to duplicate a bet, delete a bet, or access a drop down
menu, respectively. If the user is satisfied with a
bet, the user can select the "Send" option, then the
user interface will enablE the user to finalize a bet.
After the user has finalized the wager, the interactive
wagering system may update odds window 1512 to show the
actual odds associated with the user's wager. These
odds may be different in value from the "New Odds"
shown to the user for reasons such as simultaneous
wagering of other users on the interactive wagering
system.
Projected odds based on proposed wagers
associated with parimutuel pools can also be provided
to the user with a user interface based on
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telephones 106 or computers 108. FIG. 19 shows
process 1900 starting at step 1902 which allows a user
to build a wager at step.1904 with parameters such as
wager amount, race track, race, and wager type. The
user may be prompted for the parameters and may respond
by pressing telephone buttons, by pressing keys on a
keyboard, by voice, or by touch screen display.
FIG. 19 alSC) S~"1C)WS f'h~i- 'I-i'W i ni-Arar~i-; tro
wagering system may calculate the projected odds based
on the user's tentative wager at step 1906. The
calculation may be performed by IVR control
system 1606, by wagering data hub 1602, by computer
wagering control system 1604, by any other suitable
equipment with data processing circuitry or by software
that has access to the user's wager settings. The user
interface may then present the user with projected odds
in step 1908, by announcing them to the user, or by
showirug them in a display. If desired, the size of
pools associated with the proposed wager may also be
displayed. The user can choose to repeat the projected
odds in step 1910, or proceed to finalize the wager in~
step 1912. The wager may then be sent in step 1914 to
wagering data hub 102.
Projected odds may be displayed on a
telephone (cellular telephone, land-based telephone,
etc.), a computer monitor, or a personal digital
assistant using display screens such as the display
screen of FIG. 19. Cellular phone based interactive
wagering systems are described in Zaring et al. United
States Patent Application No. 09/516,736, filed March
1, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety. However, the display screen
may vary to suit the display capabilities of the
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telephone, computer monitor, or personal digital
assistant.
Thus systems and methods for interactive
wagering for providing the projected effects of
proposed or unsent wagers on parimutuel pools are
described. One skilled in the art will appreciate that
the present invention may be practiced by other than
the described embodiments, which are presented for
purposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the
l0 present invention is limited only by the claims that
follow.
