Location-Based Wagering Via Remote Devices
Patent No. US12266244 (titled "Location-Based Wagering Via Remote Devices") was filed by Micro-Gaming Ventures Llc on Jan 24, 2021.
What is this patent about?
’244 is related to the field of online gaming and wagering, specifically addressing the challenge of providing location-based wagering services via mobile devices. The background acknowledges the multi-billion dollar sports and event betting industry, highlighting the need for systems that can adapt to varying legal and regulatory environments across different jurisdictions.
The underlying idea behind ’244 is to enable a mobile device to access an online wagering service, where the service dynamically adjusts its offerings based on the device's location. This involves determining the device's location, verifying its legality for wagering in that jurisdiction, and then presenting wagering options that comply with local laws and regulations. The system also allows for the presentation of gaming event information, including video and statistics, alongside online betting options.
The claims of ’244 focus on a computer-implemented method for location-based wagering. This involves invoking an online wagering service via a mobile device, determining the device's location, and authorizing access based on that location. The method includes a micro-betting GUI and a control function to manage betting opportunities. The system tests for user selection of micro-bets, processes them via a server, and offers new options if no selection is made, ultimately generating a result for the user.
In practice, the invention uses a mobile device's location data (e.g., from GPS) to tailor the wagering experience. When a user accesses the service, their location is determined, and the system checks if wagering is permitted in that area. If allowed, the system presents a list of available bets, ensuring they adhere to local regulations. The micro-betting GUI allows users to place wagers on specific events within a larger game, offering a dynamic and interactive betting experience.
’244 differentiates itself from prior approaches by integrating location verification directly into the wagering process. Traditional online betting platforms often lack this granular level of control, potentially allowing users to circumvent local gambling laws. By using a mobile device's location to dynamically adjust the available betting options, the invention provides a more secure and compliant wagering experience, ensuring that users are only presented with options that are legal and appropriate for their current location. The dynamic adjustment of betting options based on location is a key differentiator.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2020s when ’244 was filed, mobile devices were ubiquitous, and location-based services were commonly implemented using GPS or cellular triangulation. At a time when online gaming platforms typically relied on secure communication protocols and user authentication methods, hardware and software constraints made real-time location verification and dynamic adjustment of gaming options based on location non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner approved the application because the prior art, specifically Miller, Matsuno, and Curtis, did not disclose all the specific limitations of claim 44. These limitations include invoking an online wagering service via a mobile device with a video display for macro-event activity and micro-event gaming data, a micro-betting GUI with a control function for setting micro-betting opportunity start and end times, determining the mobile device's location, authorizing access based on location, processing micro-bet selections, and offering new micro-bets if no selection is made.
Claims
This patent contains 11 claims, with claim 1 being the only independent claim. Independent claim 1 is directed to a computer-implemented method for location-based wagering using a mobile device and an online wagering service. The dependent claims generally elaborate on the features and display aspects of the micro-betting graphical user interface and the presentation of macro-event and micro-event data.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
Patent Family
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Date
Description
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US12266244
- Application Number
- US17156599
- Filing Date
- Jan 24, 2021
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Apr 25, 2034
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents