Background of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to interactive wagering systems and methods, and particularly
to wagering systems and methods that allow users to place wagers on live wagering
events, such as thoroughbred races, harness races, dog races, etc., at locations remote
from the locations where the wagering events take place, such as the users' homes.
More particularly, this invention relates to wagering systems and methods that allow
users to conveniently place wagers on live wagering events using wagering information
that is provided with wagering-related video content.
[0002] Wagering on live events, such as thoroughbred races, harness races, dog races, etc.,
is an exciting and increasingly popular leisure activity. However, it is difficult
or inconvenient for many racing enthusiasts to attend wagering events in person. Although
off-track betting establishments provide greater access to wagering opportunities,
they are still inconvenient because users must spend time locating and traveling to
such establishments to place wagers.
[0003] The above-described difficulties that faced wagering enthusiasts were addressed in
commonly-assigned U.S. Patent 5,830,068 ("the '068 patent") of Brenner et al. entitled
"Interactive Wagering Systems And Processes," which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety. The '068 patent discloses interactive wagering systems and
processes that allow wagering enthusiasts to place wagers on live wagering events,
such as horse races, from the convenience of their homes through the use of an in-home
wagering terminal. The disclosed systems and processes give the users the opportunity
to place wagers on live events being conducted at many different venues. In addition,
the disclosed systems and processes provide the user with the opportunity to place
many different types of wagers, ranging from the simple to the very complex, through
an intuitive, on-screen interface. Information that may assist the users in making
wagering decisions, such as odds, weather, track conditions, and handicapping data,
is also provided through the on-screen interface.
[0004] More recently, ODS Technologies, L.P. announced the launch of the TVG Network - a
television channel dedicated to delivering programming relating to horse racing. In
addition to live coverage of racing events, the TVG Network may broadcast profiles,
reviews and/or feature presentations that relate to certain horses, jockeys, trainers,
owners, tracks, racing events, etc. Many TVG Network viewers may, as a result of watching
the broadcast, become interested in placing a wager based on the subject matter of
the broadcast. However, unless specifically mentioned in the broadcast, the viewers
may not know when a wagering opportunity relating to the subject matter of the broadcast
will be available, if at all. Even if the wagering opportunity is mentioned, the users
would have to pay close attention to gather the information they would need to place
a wager.
[0005] Moreover, users who are watching programming other television channels may not even
be made aware of the availability of the interactive wagering service or of the TVG
Network wagering television channel.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improved ways in which
to promote wagering services such as interactive wagering and wagering television
channels.
[0007] It is also an object of the present invention to provide improved ways to bring interactive
wagering opportunities to the attention'of television viewers.
Summary of the Invention
[0008] These and other objects of the invention are provided in accordance with the principles
of the present invention by providing systems and methods that alert users who are
watching a television channel of the presence of an interactive wagering service.
Users may also be provided with an opportunity to sign up for the interactive wagering
service. Promotional material may be displayed to provide users with information on
a wagering television channel that the users may sign up for. Systems and methods
may also be provided that provide a user with immediate notification of a wagering
opportunity relating to a broadcast, and that simplify the process of placing a wager
based on the broadcast. The broadcast may be a wagering television channel broadcast
or a conventional television channel broadcast.
[0009] Users may be alerted to the presence of an interactive wagering service using a pop-up
ticker or other notification that appears as an overlay on top of the video for the
currently-displayed television channel. Such a pop-up ticker may be displayed at any
suitable time. For example, the pop-up ticker may be displayed whenever the user is
watching horse-racing related television. The pop-up ticker may also be displayed
when the user is watching television programming related to other subjects or is watching
any other television programming. If desired, such a pop-up ticker may be used to
promote the wagering television channel.
[0010] Wagering information may be provided to a user terminal in connection with wagering-related
television broadcasts. This information may be provided using any suitable technique,
such as by embedding the information in a broadcast signal or otherwise providing
the information in association with a broadcast signal, providing the information
as part of a television program guide database, providing the information in a continuous
data stream not associated with any particular broadcast signal, providing the information
on demand by the user, or providing the information periodically (e.g., once per day
or once per hour, etc.)
[0011] Broadcast wagering information and other such wagering information may be used to
link the broadcast to an interactive wagering interface provided by the user terminal,
such as the wagering interface disclosed in the '068 patent. Any known arrangement
for providing the wagering information with the television broadcast may be used.
For example, the wagering information can be embedded in unused portions of the broadcast
signal, such as the horizontal or vertical blanking intervals. Alternatively, the
wagering information may be provided in separate signal, such as an FM subcarrier
or in a separate digital data stream. The manner by which the wagering information
relating to the television broadcast is provided may be selected in part on the particular
hardware platform on which the wagering interface is implemented.
[0012] When the user terminal receives wagering information relating to a broadcast, the
interactive wagering application that supports the interactive wagering service or
other suitable application may display a visual indication on the user's display to
notify the user that there is a wagering opportunity available relating to the broadcast
the user is watching. The visual indication may be, for example, a small icon generated
by the interactive wagering application that is displayed as an overlay on top of
a wagering-related broadcast.
[0013] In one embodiment, a non-interactive icon is displayed that simply serves as notification
that the user may use the interactive wagering service to place a wager relating to
the broadcast. For example, if a particular horse is being discussed on the wagering-related
broadcast channel, the icon may be displayed to notify the user that there is an opportunity
to place a wager on the horse being discussed. Upon seeing the icon, the user can
invoke the wagering application to place a wager on that horse.
[0014] In another embodiment of the invention, the displayed icon may be interactive, and
may be selected by the user using any type of suitable user input device, such as
a remote control unit or a keyboard. The interactive wagering interface may respond
to the user's selection of the displayed icon in various ways, depending on the level
of sophistication desired. In one embodiment, the user's selection of the displayed
icon causes the user terminal to invoke the interactive wagering interface, and then
allows the user to navigate through the available menus to place a wager, if desired.
For example, when the icon is selected, the user terminal may display a main menu
screen of the interactive wagering service. From there, the user can use the wagering
service menu system to place a wager relating to the subject matter of the wagering-related
television broadcast.
[0015] The wagering information included with the wagering-related broadcast may streamline
the user's wagering experience by allowing the wagering application to bypass some
of the menus that would otherwise be provided to the user. Specifically, in addition
to providing an indication of a wagering opportunity, the transmitted wagering information
may include more detailed information about the wagering opportunity that can be used
in place of user responses to menu prompts in the wagering application. For example,
if the wagering-related broadcast is discussing a particular horse, the wagering information
can include a racetrack identification, a race identification, and a horse identification.
If the user selects the interactive icon, the wagering application may use that information
to bypass the menus that would otherwise be displayed to allow the user to select
a racetrack, race, and horse. The first menu presented to the user may be, for example,
a menu that allows the user to select a wager type and amount for the identified racetrack,
race, and horse. The data supplied by the broadcast wagering information may be clearly
displayed to the user to ensure the user fully appreciates what it is he or she is
in the process of wagering on.
[0016] The initial menu displayed to the user may be based on the type of information included
in the broadcast wagering information. For example, if the wagering information only
identifies a racetrack (if, for example, the wagering-related broadcast is profiling
a particular racetrack), then the wagering application may display a menu of races
being run at that track.
[0017] Although the wagering application may direct the user to a particular menu, the user
would be able to navigate to other menus as well, including those that may have been
bypassed. The user can return to the wagering-related broadcast at any time (e.g.,
by pressing a designated key on the user input device).
[0018] In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the broadcast wagering information
may be used in connection with a modified wagering application that displays a small
overlay on the wagering-related broadcast. The overlay allows the user to continue
to watch the broadcast while considering possible wagering opportunities. The overlay
may be displayed automatically when the broadcast wagering information indicates that
there is a wagering opportunity. Alternatively, the overlay may be displayed in response
to the user's selection of the interactive icon discussed above. Scaled video can
be used as an alternative to an overlay (depending on the hardware platform) to avoid
obscuring the underlying video content.
[0019] Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantages will be more
apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiments.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0020]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an illustrative interactive wagering system in accordance
with the present invention.
FIG. 2 shows an illustrative display screen arrangement for promoting a wagering television
channel and providing an on-screen opportunity to subscribe to the wagering television
channel in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows an illustrative display screen arrangement for promoting an interactive
wagering service and providing an on-screen opportunity to sign up for the interactive
wagering service in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows an illustrative display screen arrangement for promoting a particular
wagering opportunity and providing on-screen options that allow a user to place a
corresponding wager in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows an illustrative display screen arrangement in which an interactive wagering
region is overlaid on top of a wagering television channel when the user indicates
a desire to take advantage of a wagering opportunity being discussed on the wagering
television channel in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows an illustrative display screen arrangement in which a promotion is presented
based on information collected about the user's past wagers in accordance with the
present invention.
FIG. 7 shows an illustrative display screen arrangement in which promotional materials
related to wagering or horse racing are displayed based on the content of a television
program being watched by the user in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows an illustrative display screen arrangement in which a promotion is displayed
in the form of scrolling text in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing illustrative steps involved monitoring user activities
and presenting promotional material to users in accordance with the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
[0021] An illustrative interactive wagering system 10 in accordance with the present invention
is shown in FIG. 1. Aspects of the invention apply to various different types of wagering,
but are described herein primarily in the context of interactive wagering on races
(e.g., horse races) for specificity and clarity.
[0022] Races may be run at racetracks 12, which may be located at various geographic locations.
Races run at' the racetracks may be simulcast to television viewers. For example,
simulcast videos may be provided to users with satellite receivers or to off-track
betting establishments via satellite.
[0023] System 10 may be used to provide an interactive wagering service to users of various
user equipment. An interactive wagering application may be used to provide the wagering
service. The interactive wagering application may run locally on the user equipment
(e.g., on a set-top box, personal computer, cellular telephone, handheld computing
device, etc.) or may run using a client-server or distributed architecture where some
of the application is implemented locally on the user equipment in the form of a client
process and some of the application is implemented at a remote location (e.g., on
a server computer or other such equipment in the system) as a server process. These
arrangements are merely illustrative. Other suitable techniques for implementing the
interactive wagering application may be used if desired.
[0024] Real-time videos from racetracks 12 may also be provided to video production system
14 for distribution to users as part of a television wagering service (i.e., a wagering
television channel or similar Internet-delivered service or the like). If desired,
multiple simulcast videos may be provided to video production system 14 in real-time.
Talent (e.g., commentators who discuss horse races) for the television wagering service
provided by the interactive wagering application may be located at studio 16. Studio
16 may provide a video feed containing commentary and the like to video production
system 14. Graphic overlays for the television wagering service may be added to the
service at video production system 14.
[0025] The television wagering service may use video production system 14 to combine selected
video segments from desired racing simulcasts with the video feed from studio 16 and
suitable graphic overlays. If desired, video production system 14 or a separate facility
may be used to reformat simulcasts from racetracks 12. For example, if racetracks
12 provide simulcasts as traditional analog television channels, video production
system 14 (or a separate facility) may convert these simulcasts or portions of these
simulcasts into digital signals (e.g., digital video signals) or into a different
number of analog signals. Digital video signals may require less bandwidth than analog
video signals and may be appropriate for situations in which videos are to be transmitted
over either high or low bandwidth pathways. Low bandwidth pathways may include telephone
lines, the Internet, etc.
[0026] Video production system 14 may be used to provide a television wagering service that
includes selected simulcast videos, video from studio 16, and graphic overlays to
television distribution facilities 18 (for redistribution to user television equipment
22 and user computer equipment 20), to user computer equipment 20, and to user telephone
equipment 32 (if user telephone equipment 32 has a display capable of displaying moving
images). Television distribution facilities 16 may be any suitable facilities for
supplying television to users, such as cable system headends, satellite systems, broadcast
television systems, or other suitable systems or combinations of such systems. User
computer equipment 20 may be any suitable computer equipment that supports an interactive
wagering application. For example, user computer equipment 20 may be a personal computer.
User computer equipment 20 may also be based on a mainframe computer, a workstation,
a networked computer or computers, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a handheld
computing device such as a personal digital assistant or other small portable computer,
etc.
[0027] Each of television distribution facilities 18 is typically located at a different
geographic location. Users with user television equipment 22 may receive the television
wagering service from an associated television distribution facility. User television
equipment 22 may include, for example, a television or other suitable monitor. A television
may be used to watch the television wagering service on a traditional analog television
channel. User television equipment 22 may also include a digital or analog set-top
box connected to a television distribution facility 16 by a cable path. A digital
set-top box may be used to receive the television wagering service on a digital channel.
If desired, user television equipment 22 may contain a satellite receiver, a WebTV
box, a personal computer television (PC/TV), or hardware similar to such devices into
which set-top box capabilities have been integrated. A recording device such as a
videocassette recorder or digital recording device (e.g., a personal video recorder
or digital video recorder based on hard disk drives or the like) may be used in user
television equipment 22 to store videos. The recording device may be separate from
or part of the other components of user television equipment 22.
[0028] User computer equipment 20 may receive the television wagering service using a video
card or other video-capable equipment to receive analog or digital (e.g., moving picture
experts group or MPEG) videos from a television distribution facility. User computer
equipment 20 may also receive the television wagering service directly from video
production system 14 using, for example, a modem link. If desired, the video for the
television wagering service may be compressed (e.g., using MPEG techniques). This
may be useful, for example, if the path to user computer equipment 20 is a modem connection
using telephone links. If video production system 14 is only used to serve user computer
equipment 20 without traditional analog television capabilities, video production
system 14 may only need to supply such digitally-compressed video signals and not
analog television signals.
[0029] Video clips of races and other simulcast information may be provided to users in
the form of a television wagering service or by an interactive wagering service provided
by the interactive wagering application. If desired, race-related videos may be provided
to the user by using video production system 14 or other suitable equipment to route
appropriate video clips from the simulcasts to the user in real time. Video clips
may also be stored for later viewing. For example, one or more video servers located
at racetracks 12, video production system 14, television distribution facilities 18,
or other suitable locations may be used to store video clips. The stored videos may
then be played back in real time or downloaded for viewing at user television equipment
22, user computer equipment 20, or user telephone equipment 32. The video clips may
contain videos of races, commentary, interviews with jockeys, or any other suitable
race-related information. If desired, real-time or stored videos may be provided from
racetracks 12 directly to user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20,
or user telephone equipment 32 over the Internet or other suitable communications
paths without involving video production system 14. Videos may also be provided by
routing video signals through equipment located elsewhere in system 10. For example,
videos may be routed through transaction processing and subscription management system
24.
[0030] Transaction processing and subscription management system 24 may contain computer
equipment 26 and other equipment for supporting system functions such as transaction
processing (e.g., handling tasks related to wagers, product purchasing, adjusting
the amount of funds in user accounts based on the outcomes of wagers, video clip ordering,
etc.), data distribution (e.g., for distributing racing data to the users), and subscriber
management (e.g., features related to opening an account for a user, closing an account,
allowing a user to add or withdraw funds from an account, changing the user's address
or personal identification number, etc.). Databases within transaction processing
and subscription management system 24 or associated with system 24 may be used to
store racing data, wagering data and other transaction data, and subscriber data such
as such as information on the user's current account balance, past wagering history,
individual wager limits, personal identification number, billing addresses, credit
card numbers, bank account numbers, social security numbers, etc. Using such databases
may allow the user to access information more quickly and allows for central administration
of the wagering service.
[0031] If desired, racing videos and other services may be provided using servers and other
equipment located at transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
For example, video clips may be provided to the user on-demand. Interactive advertisements
may be provided to the user. When the user selects a desired advertisement, transaction
processing and subscription management system 24 may provide additional information
or other services related to the advertisement to the user.
[0032] Product ordering services may be implemented using computer equipment at transaction
processing and subscriber management system 24 to handle orders and to assist in adjusting
the appropriate account of the user accordingly. Orders may be fulfilled using merchandise
fulfillment facilities 34. Merchandise fulfillment facilities 34 may be operated solely
to provide merchandise fulfillment or may be associated with independently-operated
mail-order or on-line businesses. Similar facilities may be used to allow users to
order services.
[0033] Statistical racing data such as the post times for each race, jockey names, runner
names and the number of races associated with each track, handicapping information
(e.g., information on past performances such as the number of wins and losses for
the past year, etc.), and weather conditions at various tracks may be provided by
racing data collection and processing system 28. Some of the data may be collected
from racetracks 12 and some may be provided by third party information sources such
as Axcis Pocket Information Network, Inc. of Santa Clara, California or other suitable
data sources.
[0034] Racing data may also be provided from totalisators 30. Totalisators 30 are the computer
systems that may be used to handle wagers made at the racetracks, made at off-track
betting establishments, and made using interactive wagering system 10. Totalisators
30 generate wagering odds in real time. Totalisators 30 generate these odds based
on information on which wagers are being placed (e.g., based on information on which
wagers are being placed on races at racetracks 12). Totalisators 30 are available
from companies such as Amtote International, Inc. of Hunt Valley, Maryland. Totalisators
30 may be associated with individual racetracks 12 or groups of racetracks 12. Totalisators
30 may communicate with one another using a communication protocol known as the Intertote
Track System Protocol (ITSP). This allows totalisators 30 to share wagering pools.
Totalisators 30 may provide racing data including information on the current races
at racetracks 12, the number of races associated with each racetrack, win, place,
and show odds and pool totals for each horse or other runner, and exacta, trifecta,
and quinella payoff predictions and pool totals for every possible combination of
runners. Totalisators 30 may also provide current odds and other real-time racing
data for other types of wagers. Totalisators 30 may provide the time until post time
for each race.
[0035] Totalisators 30 may provide race results, such as the order-of-finish list for at
least the first three positions and payoff values versus a standard wager amount for
win, place, and show, for each runner in the finish list. Payoff values may be provided
for winning complex wager types such as exacta, trifecta, quinella, pick-n (where
n is the number of races involved in the pick-n wager), and daily double. The payoff
values may be accompanied by a synopsis of the associated finish list.
[0036] Totalisators 30 may also provide program information of the type typically provided
in printed racing programs. Such program information may include early odds, early
scratches, race descriptions (including the distance of each race and the race surface
- grass, dirt, artificial turf, etc.), allowed class ratings (based on a fixed ratio
of external criteria), purse value (payoff to winning runner), allowed age range of
runners, and the allowed number of wins and starts for each runner.
[0037] If desired, some of the information provided to transaction processing and subscription
management system 24 by totalisators 30 (such as the program information or other
suitable racing data) may be provided by racing data collection and processing system
28. Similarly, some of the information provided to transaction processing and subscription
management system 24 by racing data collection and processing system 28 may be provided
by totalisators 30. Moreover, the foregoing examples of different suitable types of
racing data are merely illustrative. Any suitable data related to racing may be provided
to transaction processing and subscription management system if desired.
[0038] Transaction processing and subscription management system 24 provides the racing
data to users at user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, and user
telephone equipment 32 for use in following race results and developing wagers. If
desired, racing data may be provided to users using paths that do not directly involve
transaction processing and subscription management system 24. For example, racing
data may be provided from racing data collection and processing system 28 to user
television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, or user telephone equipment 32
using the Internet or other suitable communications paths.
[0039] User telephone equipment 32 may be a conventional telephone, a cordless telephone,
a cellular telephone or other portable wireless telephone, or any other suitable telephone
equipment. Users at user television equipment 22 and user computer equipment 20 may
view information on the racing data on a television or other suitable monitor. Users
at user telephone equipment 32 may listen to racing data using an interactive voice
system. User telephone equipment 32 may be based on cellular telephones with displays.
Users may view racing data displayed on such displays.
[0040] Users who wish to place wagers may establish an account at transaction processing
and subscription management system 24. An account may also be established at one of
totalisators 30. The user and the interactive wagering services may have their own
bank accounts at financial institutions 38. A user may set up an account electronically
by using user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, or user telephone
equipment 32 to interact with the subscriber management functions of transaction processing
and subscription management system 24. If desired, accounts may be established with
the interactive wagering service with the assistance of customer service representatives
at customer service facility 36. Customer service facility 36 may be at the same location
as transaction processing and subscription management system 24, may be part of system
24, or may be located remote from system 24. Customer service representatives at customer
service facility 36 may be reached by telephone. If user telephone equipment 32 is
used to access the interactive wagering service, for example, user telephone equipment
32 may be used to reach the customer service representative using communications path
42. If user television equipment 22 or user computer equipment 20 is being used with
the service, a telephone at the same location as that equipment may be used to reach
the customer service representative.
[0041] The user's identity may be checked using social security number information or other
identification information with the assistance of subscriber verification facility
40. The services of subscriber verification facility 40 are used to ensure that the
user lives in a geographic area in which wagering is legal, that the user is of a
legal age, and that the identification information (e.g., the user's social security
number) matches the name provided by the user. If the user is using a cellular telephone
or handheld computing device, the user's present physical location may be determined
by determining which general part of the cellular telephone network is being accessed
by the user or by using the cellular network or a handset-based location device such
as a global positioning system (GPS) receiver in the body of the cellular telephone
to pinpoint the user's location. This location information may be used to verify that
the user is located in a geographic area where wagering is legal.
[0042] In a typical enrollment process, the user provides personal information to the interactive
wagering service and provides funds with a credit card or funds from the user's bank
account. The interactive wagering service sets up an account for the user at transaction
processing and subscription management system 24 and directs one of totalisators 30
to set up a new account for the user at the totalisator. The totalisator is also directed
to credit the user's account to reflect the amount of funds provided by the user.
After the user places a wager and wins or loses, the totalisator adjusts the user's
totalisator account to reflect the outcome of the wager. The totalisator may periodically
inform the interactive wagering service of the adjusted balance in the user's account.
This may be accomplished using any suitable technique (e.g., periodically, continuously,
on-request, etc.). For example, reports may be collected periodically (e.g., once
a day in an end-of-day report) and provided to the interactive wagering service to
reconcile the account balances at transaction processing and subscription management
system 24 with the account balances at totalisators 30.
[0043] If the user makes a balance inquiry, the inquiry may be passed to the appropriate
totalisator by transaction processing and subscription management system 24. If the
user is charged a fee for subscribing to the service, the service may debit the fee
from the user's account at the transaction processing and subscription management
system 24.
[0044] The accounts at totalisators 30 and transaction processing and subscription management
system 24 are typically maintained separately, because the business entities that
operate totalisators 30 and transaction processing and subscription management system
24 are independent. If desired, financial functions related to opening and maintaining
user accounts and the like may be handled using computer equipment at another location
such as one of financial institutions 38 or other location remote from totalisators
30 and system 24. Such financial functions may also be implemented primarily at a
totalisator 30 or primarily at the transaction processing and subscription management
system 24 if desired.
[0045] Users at user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, and user telephone
equipment 32 may place wagers by providing wagering data and otherwise interacting
with transaction processing and subscription management system 24. The interactive
wagering service may provide a user at user television equipment 22, user computer
equipment 20, or user telephone equipment 32 that has display capabilities with screens
containing various racing data. For example, the user may be presented with screens
that allow the user to view the current odds for horses in an upcoming race at a given
track.
[0046] The service may provide the user with interactive screens containing menus and selectable
options that allow the user to specify the type of wager in which the user is interested
and the desired wager amount. With a set-top box arrangement, for example, the user
may use a remote control or wireless keyboard to navigate the various menus and selectable
options. With a personal computer, the user may use a keyboard, mouse, trackball,
touch pad, or other suitable input or pointing device. With a cellular telephone with
a display, the user may use buttons on the telephone. When the user has made appropriate
selections to define a desired wager, the user television equipment, user computer
equipment, or user telephone equipment may transmit wagering data for the wager to
transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
[0047] Users with telephones may also interact with the service using an interactive voice
response system located at transaction processing and subscription management system
24. The interactive voice response system may present menu options to the user in
the form of audio prompts (e.g., "press 1 to select a $2 wager amount," etc.). The
user may interact with the service be pressing the corresponding buttons on a touch
tone telephone. User telephone equipment 32 that is based on cellular telephones allows
the user to interact with the wagering service in this way. User telephone equipment
32 that is based on cellular telephones with messaging and display capabilities also
allows the user to interact visually with the interactive wagering service.
[0048] The television wagering service or wagering television channel that is provided by
video production system 14 may often contain programming that discusses a particular
racetrack. The programming may also discuss a particular race or races at this racetrack.
The names of various horses may be discussed in connection with the discussion of
the racetrack and race. This wagering information may be provided to the wagering
application or other suitable application at user television equipment 22, user computer
equipment 20, and user telephone equipment 32 in real time or in advance, so that
the user may be provided with notifications or promotions that encourage the user
to sign up for the wagering television channel and interactive wagering service and
that encourage the user to place wagers. If the information on the content of the
programming on the wagering television channel at a particular point in time is known
far enough in advance, this information may be provided in the form of wagering schedule
data.
[0049] Wagering schedule data may be provided to the wagering application or other suitable
application in advance. A data source may be used to distribute the wagering schedule
data to the application. If desired, the data source that is used to provide the wagering
schedule data to the user may also be used to distribute program guide data to the
user for use in an interactive television program guide.
[0050] An illustrative program guide data source 43 is shown in FIG. 1. Program guide data
source 43 may be used to provide wagering television channel schedule data and schedule
data for other television channels to the equipment of the user. An interactive television
program guide application may use the schedule data to display program listings information
for the user in various display formats. For example, the user may direct the program
guide to display program titles in a grid format organized by time and channel. Program
titles may also be displayed in lists organized by time or by channel.
[0051] The program guide may display program listings on user television equipment 22, user
computer equipment 20, or a cellular telephone with a display. The program guide may
allow the user to set reminders for programs of interest, establish favorite programs
and channels, and set parental controls based on ratings information. The program
guide may also allow the user to order pay-per-view programming, view interactive
advertisements, order products, and perform other suitable functions. Data for the
program guide that may be provided by program guide data source 43 may include data
such as program titles, scheduled broadcast times, channels, content ratings (G, TV-Y,
PG, etc.), star ratings (i.e., review-based ratings), pricing information for pay-per-view
programs, program descriptions, information on actors, running times, directors, category
or genre classifications, etc. This data may contain information (e.g., genre information
or title or description information or special additional information) that indicates
whether certain television programming is related to horse racing, wagering, racing,
sports, equine themes, etc.
[0052] Wagering information on the racetracks, races, and horses that are discussed on the
wagering television channel that is provided by video production system 14 may be
provided from video production system 14 or other such facility directly to user television
equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, or user telephone equipment 32. Such wagering
information may also be provided from video production system 14 to program guide
data source 43.
[0053] Wagering information on the racetracks, races, and horses that are discussed on the
wagering television channel and other information on the programming on the wagering
television channel may be provided, e.g., to the program guide for use in displaying
a schedule of the programming that is scheduled to appear on the wagering television
channel. In client-server-based program guides, the program guide data that is provided
by program guide data source 43 may be stored on server processors (e.g., servers
located at television distribution facilities 18 that may be accessed by user television
equipment 22 or user computer equipment 20 or servers that may be accessed by computer
equipment 20 or user telephone equipment 32 over the Internet or other suitable communications
paths). In locally-based program guides, a program guide database may be maintained
at the user equipment (e.g., in memory in a set-top box that is part of user television
equipment 22).
[0054] Regardless of where the program guide data from program guide data source 43 is maintained,
the program guide data may be used by both the program guide and the interactive wagering
application. The interactive wagering application may use wagering schedule information
that is provided as part of the program guide data to determine when certain television
channels are broadcasting content that might appeal to horse-racing fans. The interactive
wagering application or other suitable application may analyze the program guide data
to determine, for example, whether certain television programming is horse-related,
racing-related, sports-related or wagering-related.
[0055] Information on whether a program is sports-related may, for example, be gathered
from the category or genre information that is used by the program guide to identify
certain programs as "sports" programs. Information on whether a program is horse-related
may be determined from a title or description search (e.g., looking for the word "horse")
or may be based on a list of known horse-related programs (e.g., National Velvet)
that is supplied to the wagering application. Information on whether a program is
racing-related or wagering-related may similarly be based on a keyword match in the
title or description or may be based on a match between the program title and a list
of known programs of these types. Lists of titles may be provided to the wagering
application from program guide data source 43, transaction processing and subscription
management system 24, or other suitable equipment such as a server or servers or other
computer equipment. If desired, information such as genre, title, and description
information may be provided using data sources that operate independently from any
program guide data source. These examples are merely illustrative. The nature of the
television programming being provided to the user (e.g., at user television equipment
22) may be determined using any suitable approach.
[0056] The components of system 10 may be interconnected using various communications paths
44. Communications paths 44 may include satellite paths, coaxial cable paths, fiber-optic
paths, twisted pair paths, other wire or cable-based links, wireless paths through
free space, or any other suitable paths or combination of such paths. Communications
over paths 44 may involve analog transmissions, digital transmissions, wireless transmissions,
microwave transmissions, radio-frequency transmissions, optical transmissions, audio
transmissions, or any other suitable type of transmissions or combination of such
transmissions. Communications may involve Internet transmissions, private network
transmissions, packet-based transmissions, television channel transmissions, transmissions
in the vertical blanking interval of a television channel or on a television sideband,
MPEG transmissions, etc. Communications may involve wireless pager or other messaging
transmissions. Communications paths 44 may include cable connected to cable modems,
digital subscriber lines, integrated services digital network (ISDN) lines, or any
other suitable paths. Examples of suitable communications paths are described below.
Those examples are, however, merely illustrative. Any of the communications path arrangements
described above or other suitable arrangements may be used if desired.
[0057] Communications paths that carry video and particularly uncompressed analog video
or lightly-compressed or full-screen digital video generally use more bandwidth than
communications paths that carry only data or that carry partial-screen digital video.
For example, if it is desired to transmit high-quality simulcasts of races from racetracks
12 to video production system 14, analog or digital videos may be transmitted from
racetracks 12 to video production system 14 over path 44a using satellite links. Video
may be transmitted from studio 16 to video production system 14 over path 44b using
a satellite link or a high-speed terrestrial path such as a fiber-optic path. Studio
16 may also be located at the same site as video production system 14, thereby avoiding
the need for a long-haul transmission path. Videos may be transmitted from video production
system 14 to user computer equipment 20 over path 14c using a modem link (using, for
example, a digital subscriber line, a telephone network link, a wireless link etc.)
The modem link may be made over a private network.
[0058] A user with a cable modem may connect a personal computer or other such user computer
equipment 20 to an associated cable system headend using path 44d. (The headend in
such an arrangement would be one of the television distribution facilities 18 shown
in FIG. 1.) The user may then receive videos from the headend via cable modem. Videos
may be provided to the headend over path 44e using a network link, fiber optic links,
cable links, microwave links, satellite links, etc. A user with a set-top box (shown
in FIG. 1 as part of user television equipment 22) or similar device may also receive
videos from a cable system headend using a cable modem or other such communications
device over path 44f. In addition, a user with user television equipment 22 may receive
videos over the Internet or a private network using a telephone-based modem or other
such communications device using path 44g. In a system with distributed processing,
interactive wagering services may be provided using a television distribution facility
18 that includes equipment that supplements or replaces at least some of the equipment
at transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
[0059] If desired, user television equipment 22 or user computer equipment 20 may receive
analog or digital videos from an associated television distribution facility over
the communications paths normally used to distribute television programming (e.g.,
paths 44f and 44d). For example, videos may be received as part of a wagering television
channel. If videos are provided as digital signals (e.g., MPEG signals), 10 or more
digital videos may be carried on a single analog channel (or one digital video may
be carried on one-tenth of the bandwidth of an analog channel). If the videos are
not full-screen videos, even more videos may be simultaneously provided without a
loss of image quality.
[0060] Racing videos may be provided to user telephone equipment 32 over a partially-wireless
telephone Internet link or other telephone link using path 44n.
[0061] If desired, racing data may accompany the racing videos along any of these paths.
Moreover, racing videos may be provided by routing them directly from racetracks 12
to user television equipment 22, user computer equipment 20 (e.g., over the Internet
or a private network, etc.), or user telephone equipment 32. Racing videos may also
be provided by routing them through transaction processing and subscription management
system 24. If a cellular telephone or portable computing device has sufficient display
capabilities to support moving images, racing videos may be displayed. Such videos
may be provided using any suitable path, such as a direct path from racetracks 12,
a path through video production system 14 or other suitable video processing equipment,
through a hub such as transaction processing and subscription management system 24,
etc. Racing videos may be provided in real time or may be recorded for later distribution.
Videos that are not provided in real-time may be downloaded by user television equipment
22, user computer equipment 20, a cellular telephone, or other suitable user equipment
at a lower data rate than would otherwise be required and may be downloaded in the
background if desired. Such videos may also be provided to the user at real-time video
rates for direct viewing by the user.
[0062] Racing data and other information related to the interactive wagering service may
be provided to users over paths connected to transaction processing and subscription
management system 24. For example, racing data and other data for the service may
be provided to user computer equipment 20 over path 44h using a modem link. Path 44h
may be a private network path or an Internet path. Path 44h may use telephone lines,
digital subscriber lines, ISDN lines, wireless data paths, or any other suitable type
of communications links. User television equipment 22 may receive data for the wagering
service over communications path 44i, which may be a telephone line, digital subscriber
line, ISDN line, or other suitable type of communications path and which may use a
private network path or an Internet path, etc.
[0063] Data for the wagering service may be provided to users of the interactive wagering
application via communications path 44j and paths 44f and 44d. Communications path
44j may be provided over a private network, using the public telephone network, using
satellite links, or any other suitable type of links. Data from paths such as path
44j may be routed to paths such as paths 44f and 44d directly by associated television
distribution facilities 18, or may be buffered at television distribution facilities
18 if desired. Paths 44f and 44d may include coaxial cable and use of paths 44f and
44d may involve the use of cable modems or the like. If data is provided over path
44j and path 44f or path 44d using an Internet protocol, a web browser or similar
software running on user television equipment 22 or user computer equipment 20 may
be used to access the data. Such software may be integrated into the interactive wagering
application or may be used separately. Software may also be used to view videos and
may be used on other platforms (e.g., advanced cellular telephones) if desired.
[0064] The communications paths 44k that are used to connect various other components of
the system typically do not carry high-bandwidth video signals. Accordingly, paths
44k may be telephone-like paths that are part of the Internet or a private network.
Such paths and various other paths 44 may be dedicated connections for security, reliability,
and economy.
[0065] User telephone equipment 32 may receive information for the wagering service via
path 44m. If user telephone equipment 32 is a standard (non-cellular) telephone, such
information may be in the form of audio prompts ("press 1 to place a wager") and audio
racing data ("the current win odds for horse 2 are 5-1"). Transaction data processing
and subscription management system 24 may contain interactive voice response equipment
that provides such information to the user and that responds to touch-tone signals
from the user when the user responds to prompts by pressing buttons on the user's
telephone.
[0066] If user telephone equipment is a cellular telephone, racing data and other information
for the interactive wagering service may be provided to the user by using a cellular
wireless connection as part of path 44m. Users with cellular telephones may be provided
with audio prompts using an interactive voice response system located at transaction
processing and subscription management system 24 to which the users may respond by
pressing cellular telephone buttons to generate touch-tone signals.
[0067] Racing data and other information for the interactive wagering service may be provided
to cellular telephones in the form of alphanumeric messages. Such messages may be
transmitted to the user by using paging or other alphanumeric messaging formats or
any other suitable data communications scheme. If desired, data may be provided to
the cellular telephones over the voice channel and decoded by the cellular telephone
using modem circuitry or other suitable circuitry. Data may also be provided using
any other suitable cellular or wireless path. Regardless of the way in which racing
data and other information for the interactive wagering service are provided to the
cellular telephone, such information may be provided to the user by displaying it
on the cellular telephone display screen or by presenting it in audible form through
the speaker of the cellular telephone.
[0068] Racing data and other interactive wagering service information for the users may
be provided in one or more continuous data streams, may be provided periodically (e.g.,
once per hour or once per day), or may be provided using a client-server arrangement
in which data is requested by a client processor (e.g., user television equipment
22, user computer equipment 20, user telephone equipment 32, or any other such equipment)
from a server (e.g., a server implemented using computer equipment 26 at transaction
processing and subscription management system 24 or computer equipment at another
suitable location. Videos may also be provided using any of these techniques.
[0069] A return communications path between the user and the interactive wagering service
may be used to allow the user to place wagers and otherwise interact with the interactive
wagering service. For example, a user with a standard telephone or a cellular telephone
may interact with the service by pressing touch-tone keys on the telephone in response
to audio prompts provided by an interactive voice response system at transaction processing
and subscription management system 24. If desired, users may call customer service
representatives at customer service facility 36 and place wagers with manual assistance.
The user of a cellular telephone may interact with the wagering service by selecting
menu options and otherwise interacting with information displayed on the cellular
telephone. When a selection is made, software implemented on the telephone may be
used to assist the user in transmitting appropriate data (e.g., wagering data) to
the wagering service. Such data may be transmitted using any suitable technique. For
example, data may be transmitted using a wireless data link that is separate from
the cellular voice channels. Data may also be transmitted over the voice channel (e.g.,
using a modem built into the cellular telephone, by automatically generating touch-tone
signals that may be recognized by the interactive voice response system at transaction
processing and subscription management system 24, or using any other suitable arrangement).
These approaches may be used even if the user receives racing data and other information
for the service using a platform other than a telephone-based platform.
[0070] Users with user television equipment 22 may interact with the service by sending
data (e.g., wager data) to transaction processing and subscription management system
24 using path 44i or using paths 44f and 44j. Users with user computer equipment 20
may send data (e.g., wager data) to transaction processing and subscription management
system 24 via path 44h or paths 44d and 44j. Users at any user equipment may send
data for the service to locations other than transaction processing and subscription
management system 24. For example, the user may provide information directly to customer
service facility 36, etc.
[0071] If desired, the user may send data to the service at transaction processing and subscription
management system 24 using different paths than those used to receive data from transaction
processing and subscription management system 24. For example, racing data may be
received at user television equipment 22 via paths 44j and 44f, whereas data may be
sent by the user from user television equipment 22 to transaction processing and subscription
management system 24 using path 44i, etc. Moreover, the paths used to receive certain
video information may be different from those used to receive racing data. For example,
user television equipment 22 may receive racing videos using path 44f, but may receive
racing data using path 44i. These examples are merely illustrative. Any suitable combination
of paths may be used to distribute racing data and other information for the interactive
wagering service, any suitable combination of paths may be used to receive videos,
and any suitable combination of paths may be used to send data to the wagering service.
[0072] Video production system 14 may provide program schedule information including wagering
information on specific racetracks, races, and horses to be discussed on the wagering
television channel to program guide data source 43 over path 44p, which may be, for
example, a telephone modem link, an Internet-link, a wireless link, or any other suitable
path. Program schedule data including schedule data for the wagering television channel
and other data from program guide data source 43 may be provided to television distribution
facilities 18 via path 44q and may be provided to transaction processing and subscription
management system 24 via path 44r. Because there are typically many television distribution
facilities 18, it may be desirable to use a broadcast-oriented system such as a satellite
data distribution system to distribute the program guide data from source 43 to television
distribution facilities 18. With such a system, data may be distributed to multiple
television distribution facilities 18 in parallel. Paths such as path 44q may involve
satellite distributions or may use other links such as modem links, etc. Path 44r
may be, for example, a modem link, an Internet link, or any other suitable path.
[0073] The program guide schedule information and wagering schedule information that is
provided to television distribution facilities 18 may be distributed to user television
equipment 22 over path 44f (e.g., with the video signal for the wagering television
channel). The information may be distributed to user computer equipment 20 over path
44d. Such information may be distributed to user television equipment 22 and user
computer equipment 20 directly from program guide data source 43 or video production
system 14 or another suitable source or may be distributed to user television equipment
22 and user computer equipment 20 through other components of system 10. Program guide
schedule information and wagering schedule information may be distributed to user
telephone equipment 32 directly or via transaction processing and subscription management
system 24 or other suitable intermediate components in system 10.
[0074] If information on the racetracks, races, and horses being discussed on the wagering
television channel is not known sufficiently far in advance to provide in the form
of wagering schedule data, such information may nevertheless by provided to user television
equipment 22, user computer equipment 20, and user television equipment 32 in real
time. This information may be distributed from video production system 14 or other
suitable location in real time using paths 44g, 44c, 44e and 44f, 44e and 44d, and
44n. This information may also be distributed to user telephone equipment 32 in real
time through intermediate components such as transaction processing and subscription
management system 24.
[0075] System 10 may collect information on the activities of the user. For example, the
user's equipment may be used to collect information on which television programs the
user watches. Information may also be collected on how the user sets up the wagering
application, the program guide, and other applications. For example, the system may
collect information on which channels the user sets as favorites in the program guide.
The system may also collect information on the programs for which the user sets reminders.
These actions and other such actions by the user indicate an interest in certain types
of programming and may be used to target wagering-related notifications and promotions
to the user.
[0076] If the user interacts with other applications such as a video-on-demand application,
a home shopping application, etc., information may be collected regarding the user's
activities with respect to those other application.
[0077] Information on the user's actions that is gathered by the user equipment may be maintained
in a local database or may be transmitted to a remote location. For example, the user's
set-top box or other user television equipment 22 may gather information on which
channels the user has tuned to and the durations for which these channels were tuned
to. This information may be stored in memory in the set-top box or may be transmitted
to a server (e.g., a server at one of television distribution facilities 18 or other
suitable server or computer).
[0078] If information on the user's interests is stored locally, the interactive wagering
application or any other suitable application may access this locally-stored information
when presenting notifications or other promotions to the user. If information on the
user's interests is stored remotely (e.g., on a server), a client-server wagering
application or other suitable application may access this information when determining
which notification and promotions to present to the user.
[0079] If desired, the user may interact with the wagering service using more than one platform.
For example, the user may place a wager using a cellular telephone while the user
is driving home. When the user arrives home, the user may determine the outcome of
the wager by watching a video of the race on user television equipment. Later in the
day, the user may check the user's account balance using a personal computer. This
is merely an illustrative example. The various wagering platforms may be used in any
suitable combination.
[0080] Although system 10 has been described in the context of a system that supports multiple
wagering platforms, system 10 may support fewer platforms if desired. For example,
aspects of the invention may be implemented using a system 10 that only supports cellular
telephone wagering or wagering using handheld computer devices. If desired, system
10 may be configured so that it does not support personal computer wagering, wagering
with standard telephones, or wagering with user television equipment. The system may
support cellular telephones and/or handheld computing devices such as personal digital
assistants, palm-sized computers, etc. in combination with any other suitable platform.
[0081] The interactive wagering application may be implemented using application software
that runs primarily on a set-top box or other such local platform or using a remote
server or other computer that is accessed from a local platform. Arrangements in which
interactive wagering services are implemented using software on remote computers that
is accessed on-demand from local platforms may be referred to as client-server arrangements.
Such client-server arrangements may be used to allow client processes on set-top boxes
to access server processes running on servers located at cable system headends or
other television distribution facilities 18 (FIG. 1). Regardless of the type of system
architecture or platform used, the software that supports the interactive wagering
service features described herein may be referred to as an interactive wagering application.
[0082] Promotional material may be presented to the user by the interactive wagering application,
an interactive program guide application, or any other suitable application. These
features may be provided by a stand-alone application or may be provided by code that
is incorporated into an operating system or other software. For clarity, the promotional
features are described herein as being provided primarily by the interactive wagering
application. This is, however, merely illustrative.
[0083] Moreover, the types of display screens that may be presented to the user are illustrated
in the context of display screens provided by an interactive wagering application
implemented using user television equipment 22. Such illustrative display screens
may be displayed, for example, on a television connected to a set-top box. Although
illustrated in this context, the display screens may be implemented using user computer
equipment 20 or user telephone equipment 32 if desired. In such arrangements, the
television programming that is displayed by the user computer equipment 20 or user
telephone equipment 32 may be provided from any suitable source, including television
distribution facilities 18, video production system 14, transaction processing and
subscription management system 24, etc. For example, user computer equipment 20 may
have a television tuner card that allows television programming to be displayed on
a monitor or may display streaming video for a television channel on the monitor using
graphics or video processing circuitry.
[0084] The wagering application may present the user with notifications or promotions related
to wagering while the user is watching television. As shown in the illustrative display
screen 46 of FIG. 2, for example, the wagering application may display a pop-up message
48 as an overlay on top of the video 50 for the current television program that the
user is watching. The wagering television channel may be a premium service to which
the user may subscribe. Messages such as message 48 may be used to suggest that the
user press a key on the remote control to interactively order the television wagering
channel.
[0085] Messages such as message 48 may be displayed when the wagering application determines
that the user does not currently subscribe to the wagering television channel. Information
on which television channels the user subscribes to may be provided to the wagering
application by the user's service provider (e.g., the operator of the television distribution
facility 18 that is associated with user television equipment 22). This information
may also be stored in memory in the user television equipment 22 or other user equipment
(e.g., as part of a program guide database).
[0086] If desired, message 48 may be displayed whenever the content of video 50 relates
to racing. This ensures that there is a likelihood that the user is interested in
the television wagering channel service being promoted by message 48. The wagering
application may determine when the content of the current television channel is related
to racing by analyzing the program title, genre, and description information in the
program guide data that is provided to the wagering application or by using any other
suitable technique. The program guide data may be maintained, for example, in a database
stored in memory in the user's set-top box and may be accessed by the wagering application
whenever the user watches television. Information on the current state of the tuner
(indicating the channel to which the user is tuned) and information on the current
time may be gathered from the set-top box.
[0087] If the user does not respond to message 48 within a predetermined time limit (e.g.,
a few seconds), the wagering application may remove message 48 from screen 46. If,
however, the user presses the appropriate key (e.g., the * key) while message 48 is
displayed, the user may be presented with a screen such as screen 52 of FIG. 2 that
includes a menu 54 that provides the user with an opportunity to interactively order
the wagering television channel. The menu 54 or other such options may allow the user
to order services in addition to the television wagering channel. If desired, the
menu 54 may contain a telephone number that the user may call to consummate the order,
rather than completing the order using the remote control to interact with on-screen
options.
[0088] After the user's order has been processed, the user's service provider (e.g., the
cable system operator) may activate the television wagering channel service for the
user. The activation process may be automated using computer equipment at the cable
headend or other television distribution facility to process the order. The user may
then tune to and watch the television wagering channel.
[0089] The wagering application may also promote the interactive wagering service. As shown
in FIG. 3, for example, the wagering application may display a message such as message
56 on the video 58 for the current television program being watched by the user. In
the example of FIG. 3, the current television program relates to horse racing. The
wagering application may wait until such programming is being displayed before displaying
promotional messages such as message 56. The wagering application may determine that
race-related programming is being displayed by examining the program schedule data.
[0090] Message 56 encourages the user to press a remote control key if the user is interested
in signing up for the interactive wagering service. If the user presses the appropriate
key, the interactive wagering application may display a sign-up screen such as screen
60 that provides the user with an opportunity to sign up for the interactive wagering
service. Screen 60 may contain information 62 on a telephone number that the user
may call to activate the interactive wagering service. The user may also be presented
with regions such as region 64 in which to enter enrollment information. A highlight
region 66 may be positioned on top of a data entry region or selectable option using
remote control arrow keys. A user may select a desired option by pressing a remote
control OK key. An illustrative option is more option 68. If the user selects more
option 68, the wagering application may provide the user with additional screens to
complete the on-screen enrollment process.
[0091] Screens such as screens 58 and 60 are merely illustrative. The interactive wagering
application may use any suitable promotional messages to interest the user in signing
up for the interactive wagering service when it is determined that the user is watching
a racing-related program and may use any suitable on-screen data entry regions and
selectable options to support on-screen enrollment if desired.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 4, a promotional message such as promotional message 70 may be displayed
over the current television program 72 when it is determined that the user is watching
television coverage of a race. Message 70 may be removed from the screen if the user
does not respond within a few seconds. If the user presses the appropriate remote
control key when message 70 is displayed, the wagering application may display an
interactive wagering menu such as menu 74. Menu 74 may be displayed as an overlay
on top of video for the current television channel (e.g., ABC) or the channel may
be changed to the television wagering channel and menu 74 displayed as an overlay
on top of the television wagering channel.
[0093] Menu 74 may provide the user with an opportunity to create a wager for submission
to transaction processing and subscription management system 24 (FIG. 1). For example,
menu 74 and subsequent menus linked to menu 74 may contain options that provide the
user with an opportunity to specify a racetrack, race, wager type, horse or horses,
and wager amount for a wager. An option may be provided that allows the user to submit
the wager to transaction processing and subscription management system 24.
[0094] If a particular racetrack and race were being discussed in television program 72
when the message 70 was displayed, pressing * may direct the wagering application
to supply menus to the user in which this information is already "filled in." For
example, rather than provide the user with an option to select a desired racetrack,
the racetrack may be preselected to match the racetrack being discussed in program
72. Similarly, information on the race being discussed in the program may be preselected
when the interactive wagering application is invoked.
[0095] Information on which racetrack and race are being discussed during a particular television
program may be supplied to the interactive wagering application in advance of the
scheduled broadcast time for the program (e.g., as part of the program guide data
for that program or in association with the program guide data for that program).
Wagering information of this type may also be provided to the wagering application
in real time (e.g., from a source such as the racetrack at which the race is being
run, from a third party database, from the program guide database, from transaction
processing and subscription management system 24, or any other suitable source).
[0096] The user may be watching the television wagering channel when a promotion is displayed.
This is illustrated in FIG. 5. When a racing event that is to be promoted is being
discussed on the wagering television channel, a message such as message 76 may be
displayed as an overlay on top of the wagering television channel programming 78.
Message 76 may suggest to the user that the user press a remote control key to place
a wager on the race currently being discussed. If the user does not respond to message
76 (e.g., within a few seconds), message 76 may be removed from the display.
[0097] If the user presses the appropriate key while message 76 is being displayed, the
wagering application may display an interactive wagering region such as region 80
as an overlay on top of the wagering television channel 78. The top portion 82 of
region 80 may be used to provide the user with a clear identification of the track,
race and horse being wagered on. Selectable options such as options 84, 86, 88, and
90 may be displayed in the lower portion of region 80. Options 84, 86, and 88 allow
the user to make win, place or show wagers on the identified horse. Left and right
arrow keys on the remote control or other suitable user input device may be used to
select a desired wager type (e.g., win, place, or show). The user can change the amount
of the selected wager type by using up and down arrows on the remote control or other
input device. After the user is comfortable with the settings, the user may press
an OK key on the remote to submit the wager. The wager may be confirmed to the user
on the display. Additional wagers can be placed, if desired. Region 80 may be removed
after the user has placed the wager or by pressing a designated key on the remote
control.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 5, region 80 may also include an option 90 - labeled "FULL" in this
example - that allows the user to call up a full-screen wagering interface. This may
be desirable if the user wishes to place complicated wagers that are difficult to
present on a small overlay, or if the user wants to use the robust information capabilities
of the full-screen interface. When the user selects the "FULL" menu option 90, the
wagering application can use the broadcast wagering information that is supplied by
video production system 14 (FIG. 1) or other suitable source to preselect the currently
racetrack, race, and horse being discussed. This allows the wagering application to
bypass certain menus that would otherwise be provided to allow the user to select
the track, race, etc. for the wager.
[0099] The options presented in region 80 may be based on data included in the broadcast
wagering information (e.g., wagering information provided by video production system
14). For example, if a racetrack (rather than a horse) is featured in the broadcast,
the system may first present an overlay that allows the user to select a race, and
then present additional overlays to allow the user to select a horse or horses and
a wager type and amount.
[0100] Region 80 may include other choices that may be of interest to the user. They may
include some or all of the following choices (as well as others):
1. Handicapping information -- this choice may provide handicapping data that relates
to, e.g., a horse featured on the wagering-related broadcast. The data may be displayed
as an overlay, or through the full interface by bypassing menus.
2. Help -- this choice may provide access to context sensitive help, either as an
overlay or through the full interface using menu bypassing.
3. Recording control -- this choice can be used to configure the user's system to
record, e.g., a race being discussed on the wagering-related broadcast.
4. Schedule -- this choice can be used to obtain a schedule of upcoming broadcasts,
including races, to be aired on the wagering-related broadcast channel. This option
can also be configured to provide a schedule of upcoming races, whether broadcast
or not.
5. Account -- this choice provides the user with access to account management options,
including the ability to review current balances and to transfer funds to/from a wagering
account.
[0101] Some users may find region 80 to be a convenient alternative to a full wagering interface
for many functions. Thus, it may be desirable to give the users access to certain
wagering options in the form of such a region even in the absence of triggering broadcast
wagering information. The region may be invoked, for example, by pressing a dedicated
key on the remote control or other user input device. It may also be desirable to
group certain menu overlay options together for ease of use. For example, different
overlays could be provided for 1) wagering options, 2) information options (e.g.,
handicapping data, help, etc.), and 3) account management options. If desired, region
80 may be displayed as a full-screen region, rather than as an overlay.
[0102] Another way in which users may be encouraged to use the interactive wagering application
is illustrated in FIG. 6. When the user is watching a television channel 92 (even,
if desired, a television channel airing programming that is currently unrelated to
racing), the wagering application may display a message such as message 94. Message
94 may inform the user that the user previously won a wager placed on a particular
horse. Message 94 may also inform the user that the same horse is running again in
a few minutes and that the user may place a wager on the horse by pressing an appropriate
remote control key. If the user does not respond within a few seconds, message 94
may be removed.
[0103] If the user presses the appropriate remote control key while message 94 is being
displayed, the wagering application may display a partial-screen overlay region such
as region 96 or other suitable menu of options that allows the user to interactively
wager on the given horse. Regions such as region 96 may be displayed as full screen
displays or as overlays. Overlays may be displayed on top of the original television
channel being displayed when the user pressed the appropriate remote control key or
the wagering application may automatically tune the set-top box or other equipment
to the television wagering channel 98 as illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0104] Some of the wagering options in region 96 may be preselected to assist the user in
placing the desired wager on the horse mentioned in message 94. For example, the racetrack
at which the horse is running and the race in which the horse is running may be preselected.
This allows the wagering application to bypass the track selection menu option and
race selection menu option that would otherwise be provided. The wagering application
may collect the information on the user's past wagers as wagers are processed and
may store this information locally. Later, when the wagering application senses that
the user is watching television, the wagering application may display messages such
as message 94 that are based on the user's wagering interests and past wagers.
[0105] If desired, information that is collected on the user's wagering activities may be
stored remotely (e.g., at a server at the television distribution facility associated
with the user's equipment or at transaction processing and subscription management
system 24 of FIG. 1). The wagering application may access such remote information
when displaying messages to the user, so that the messages may be targeted. Messages
may also be generated at a remote location and distributed to the user's equipment
for display.
[0106] These approaches for determining the user's wagering interests by collecting information
are merely illustrative. Any other suitable approach for determining the user's wagering
interests may be used if desired.
[0107] The wagering application may present advertisements to users, as shown in FIG. 7.
For example, the wagering application may display a message such as message 100 as
an overlay on top of the video for the current television channel 102. The message
100 may be displayed when it is determined that the current programming on channel
102 is related to racing, sports, or equine themes, or that channel 102 itself is
related to racing, sports, or equine themes. When the user responds to message 100
(e.g., by pressing an appropriate remote control key), the wagering application may
display an advertisement such as advertisement 104.
[0108] Advertisement 104 may be displayed as an overlay on top of the current television
channel 106 or other suitable channel (e.g., the television wagering channel). If
desired, advertisement 104 may occupy the entire display screen. Advertisement 104
may contain text 108, graphics 110, and video 112. The content of advertisement 104
may be supplied to the wagering application using any suitable technique. For example,
content may be distributed to the wagering application with program guide data, with
racing data, or separately. Videos may be distributed in advance and stored locally
for playback when advertisement 104 is displayed. Videos may also be distributed to
the wagering application and displayed in real time.
[0109] Advertisements such as advertisement 104 may be used to promote any suitable products
and services. For example, advertisement 104 may be used to promote products or services
related to horse racing or wagering. Products that may be advertised include racing
memorabilia (mugs, hats, tee-shirts, racing programs, etc.), books on racing, videotapes
related to racing, etc. Services that may be advertised include television channels,
interactive wagering services, information services (e.g., sports-related information
services), video-on-demand programming related to horse racing or the like, etc.
[0110] If desired, advertisements such as advertisement 104 may be interactive. The user
may press remote control buttons to select certain products for ordering. Orders may
be handled by transaction processing and subscription management system 24 (FIG. 1)
and merchandise fulfillment facilities 34 (FIG. 1).
[0111] As shown in FIG. 8, the wagering application may display promotional materials (e.g.,
messages, advertisements, notifications, or any other suitable promotional information)
in the form of scrolling text promotions. Scrolling promotions such as promotion 114
may be displayed as an overlay on top of the current television channel 116. The content
of promotion 114 may be related to the nature of the current television channel (e.g.,
the content may be horse-related, racing-related, wagering-related, or may be related
to the television wagering channel, etc.) or may be related to the content of the
current programming being watched by the user (e.g., horse-related, racing-related,
wagering-related, etc.).
[0112] Illustrative steps involved in promoting the wagering television channel or interactive
wagering or the like are shown in FIG. 9. At step 116, the user's interactions with
the user equipment may be monitored to determine the user's interests. For example,
the user's television viewing activities may be monitored to determine whether the
user is interested in racing, wagering, horses, etc. The channels that the user tunes
to and the programs that the user watches may be monitored. Information on the type
of content carried by a particular television channel and the type of programming
being viewed at any given time by the user may be determined by analyzing program
schedule data. The program schedule data may be stored locally in the user equipment
and accessed periodically by the wagering application.
[0113] Information on which channels the user is tuned to and the duration that a user watches
a particular channel may be ascertained by the wagering application from the state
of the set-top box or other user equipment. Information may also be gathered on which
settings the user establishes in the program guide, wagering application, or other
applications. For example, if the user sets a sports-related channel as a favorite
channel in the program guide, it may be inferred that the user is interested in sports.
Information on this type of setting may be passed directly from the program guide
to the wagering application or may be stored by the program guide and subsequently
retrieved by the wagering application.
[0114] Settings in the wagering application may also be used to determine the user's interests.
For example, if the user has set up a favorite racetrack at which to wager, this information
may be used to promote wagers at that racetrack as they become available. Other user
activities that may be monitored at step 116 include which wagers are placed by the
user and the results of these wagers. For example, information may be collected on
which horses the user most often places wagers. Information may also be collected
on the wagers the user has won and loss. The wagering application or any other suitable
application may perform the monitoring and information collection functions of step
116.
[0115] At step 118, the wagering application or other application may present notifications,
reminders, advertisements, promotions, and other such material to the user. These
materials may be displayed as an overlay on top of a television program currently
being watched by the user or on top of another suitable television program. Any of
these materials may also be displayed by themselves as a full-screen or partial-screen,
without being displayed on top of a television program. The audio played by the user
equipment may be muted when the materials are displayed or the audio may be replaced
by music or a promotional message. The audio may also be the sound for-the current
television channel or other suitable television channel.
[0116] The materials that are displayed at step 118 may promote wagering, the wagering televison
channel, the interactive wagering service, or any other suitable subject. If desired,
displayed content may be targeted based on the information collected at step 116.
For example, the displayed material may be a notification that is only displayed when
it is determined that the content of the current television program is related to
a subject that is conducive to wagering on horse races. If the current television
program relates to racing (for example), the materials that are presented may be a
notification message promoting the availability of an interactive horse racing wagering
application.
[0117] The displayed materials may provide the user with an opportunity to subscribe to
a television channel such as the wagering television channel. For example, the user
may be provided with an interactive opportunity to subscribe to the channel by pressing
keys on the remote control.
[0118] The materials may be interactive advertisements. When the user selects an on-screen
option or otherwise responds to an interactive advertisement, the user may be provided
with an opportunity to purchase a product or service.
[0119] The user may be provided with a reminder at step 118 that is based on information
collected at step 116 on the user's favorite horse or other wagering preferences.
For example, the wagering application may display a reminder that informs the user
that a particular horse is about to run in a race. If the user responds to the reminder,
the wagering application may provide the user with an opportunity to place a wager
on the horse. The wagering application may present the user with a wagering menu or
options in which the racetrack, race, and horse have been preselected. For example,
if the user is watching television programming (e.g., television programming on the
wagering television channel) in which a racetrack, race, and horse or the like are
being discussed, and the user responds to a promotion or prompt (e.g., an on-screen
notification that a wagering opportunity is available), wagering information on the
specific wagering opportunity that is being discussed may be provided to the wagering
application. The wagering application may use this information to bypass at least
some of the racetrack, race, and horse selection options that would otherwise have
been provided to the user and may use the information to provide the user with options
and menus in which at least some of the racetrack, race, and horse selections have
already been made for the user.
[0120] The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and various
modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of the invention.