Method and apparatus using geographical position and universal time determination means to provide authenticated, secure, on-line communication between remote gaming locations

Abstract

Method and apparatus for providing authenticated, secure, on-line communication between remote locations including a user terminal adapted to enable a player in one location to remotely communicate via a communications medium such as the Internet with a gaming host in another location. Location of the remote user terminal, the host server and universal time are determined using means for accessing signals generated by geostationary navigational transmitters, such as in the global positioning satellite (GPS) system. Player authentication (identity verification) is determined by use of a personal identification number (PIN) and an electronic signature verification service. Security of communication is accomplished through use of a public-key / private-key encryption system. The remote user terminal may be comprised of one or more discreet components adapted to be used with a laptop or desktop personal computer (PC), or may be embodied in a stand alone or self-contained single unit that is portable and communicates via radio waves, telephone lines or the Internet to a host server.

Description

[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 035,290, filed Jan. 10, 1997.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to secure communications systems, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for authenticating and securely communicating, in addition to transactional data, user location data and event time data relating to a computer-based transaction executed using an electronic communication medium interconnecting a remotely located player (client) and a casino (host server).BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Many on-line transactions that are completed using a computer require knowledge of the purchaser's actual location, identity and time, such as, for example, the purchase of controlled materials, cash transfer transactions, etc. Heretofore, in order to accommodate such transactions between remote locations, dedicated telephone lines or other secure communications systems have been required. However, as the Inte...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a system of the type described in which all communications between a remote player and a gaming site can be securely conducted.

[0019]An important advantage of the present invention is that it allows remote users to legally gamble at legal casino sites using an unsecured communications medium such as the Internet as the connecting medium.

[0020]Another advantage of the present invention is that it facilitates denial of gambling or other transactional privileges to those who are resident at locations or in jurisdictions that would make such transactions illegal.

[0021]Still another advantage of the present invention is that it assures that the time a wager is placed, or other action taken, is accurately determined and recorded.

[0022]A still further advantage of this present invention is that it assures security in the transaction.

Problems solved by technology

However, as the Internet becomes the media of choice for many communications and commercial transactions, use of the Internet for transactions in which location, time and identity of the parties are required becomes problematic since prior to the present invention there was no way that the parties could be assured of the actual input time of the communication and the location of the other party.

But there has to date been no successful regulation of gambling beyond a country's geopolitical boundaries.

This is of particular concern relative to remote gambling transactions made using a communication medium such as the Internet because one cannot always know where both the client (player) and the host server (usually at a casino) is located when the connecting medium is not “hard wire” connected from one end of the link to the other.

However, various state authorities have now taken contrary positions and it doesn't make any difference where the player is extant.

In fact, during the past several years, several states have challenged such practices and legal battles in this regard persist.

In either case, both parties to the transaction may be subject to legal liability if one of them is a resident in a jurisdiction where cross boundary gambling is not legal.

Furthermore, in use of a communications medium that is subject to transmission delays, it is possible to change the apparent time of day of the player input to the extent that one could make a play after the legal period for wagering has expired, and yet appear to have entered his bet within the legal time window.

This of course makes such play ripe for fraudulent opportunity.

There is presently no facility on the Internet to preclude such actions.

Remote communication problems, in addition to party location and time of transactional activities that will require solutions in the gambling industry, be it through use of the Internet or any other communications medium, are authentication (identification) of both the casino and the player, privacy of the results of the transaction, security for the games to preclude tampering, and protection against unauthorized access to a player's financial accounts.

Although some communications links, such as hardwire connections between remote terminals, are more or less secure, the Internet, in its current implementation, is not designed to be restrictive in any way; in fact, quite the opposite is true.

It is also true that any action that may attempt to restrict a user's freedom on the Internet is met with massive resistance.

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