US20070202945A1

US20070202945A1 - Accessibility and security in a gaming environment

Info

Publication number: US20070202945A1
Application number: US11/363,987
Authority: US
Inventors: William Stopford; William Sobel
Original assignee: LoyalCommerce Systems Inc
Current assignee: LoyalCommerce Systems Inc
Priority date: 2006-02-27
Filing date: 2006-02-27
Publication date: 2007-08-30

Abstract

An accessibility and security in a gaming environment method and system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes associating an accessibility feature to a navigation mechanism of a game, processing a response through the navigation mechanism of a special-needs user when the accessibility feature is enabled, and/or generating a trusted ticket using at least one security algorithm when the special-needs user initiates a transaction. The game may be a lottery game, a sweepstakes contest, a poker game, a contest game, a gambling game, a game of chance, and/or a game of skill. The generating the trusted ticket using the security algorithm may include an embedded certification of authenticity provided by a certification authority module. The method may also include generating a context data associated with a grid structure in the navigation mechanism and/or generating an expression of the context data associated with each row position and each column position in the grid structure using the accessibility feature.

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

This disclosure relates generally to the technical fields of software and/or hardware technology and, in one example embodiment, to a method and/or system of accessibility and security in a gaming environment.

BACKGROUND

A gaming provider (e.g., California State Lottery™, PokerStars™, etc.) may provide a gaming service (e.g., game of chance, game of skill, etc.) to a user (e.g., a player). However, the gaming service may not be accessible to a special-needs user (e.g., a person with physical and/or mental impairments). The special-needs user may wish to access the gaming service but may be unable participate in the gaming service because information presented by the gaming service may not be accessible to the special-needs user (e.g., the special-needs user may not be able to perceive data presented in the gaming service because the special-needs user may not be able to visualize and/or hear a game). In addition, a market size of the gaming service may be limited due to a lack of accessibility by special-needs users.
A remote nature of the gaming service (e.g., an online gaming service) may attract fraudulent activity (e.g., a hacker may intercept an electronic value-bearing document and/or feign affiliation with the gaming service, etc.). For example, a criminal may propagate a spam email congratulating the user (e.g., game players, lottery players, etc.) that they are winners of the game. The criminal may then attempt to fraudulently secure monetary funds from the user. As such, the online gaming service can be unreliable, untrustworthy, insecure, and limited in its ability to reach target customers.

SUMMARY

An accessibility and security in a gaming environment method and apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes associating an accessibility feature to a navigation mechanism of a game, processing a response through the navigation mechanism of a special-needs user when the accessibility feature is enabled, and/or generating a trusted ticket using at least one security algorithm when the special-needs user initiates a transaction. The game may be a lottery game, a sweepstakes contest, a poker game, a contest game, a gambling game, a game of chance, and/or a game of skill. The generating the trusted ticket using the security algorithm may include an embedded certification of authenticity provided by a certification authority module.
The embedded certification of authenticity may include a digital watermark, an encryption data, a public key, a private key, and/or a validation data. The method may also include generating a context data associated with a grid structure in the navigation mechanism and/or generating an expression of the context data associated with each row position and each column position in the grid structure using the accessibility feature. The method may further include creating the grid structure in any number of criteria-based dimensions based on a request of the special-needs user. The criteria based dimensions may include a type, a name, a repetition window, a frequency, a cost, and/or a subscription component.
The method may yet include designing the accessibility feature such that the accessibility feature conforms to a governmental guideline and/or an industry guideline. The accessibility feature may be audibly communicated to the special-needs user. The method may also include associating a descriptive data with a standard data accessible by the special-needs user in the navigation mechanism. The descriptive data may include a simplified expression of the standard data, and/or may be perceptible by the special-needs user through a positioning device action associated with the standard data. The standard data may be a label associated with an input request that is constrained based on a parameter value.
The method may also include developing a subscription data based on the response which activates reoccurring trusted tickets that are periodically and automatically issued to the special-needs user. The reoccurring trusted tickets may each have a separate unique identifier, which may be automatically generated based on a probability index and/or a user defined criteria. The method may also include determining that the trusted ticket is a winning ticket when the trusted ticket is verified as unaltered using the certification authority module. The method may further include selecting the accessibility feature and the navigation mechanism based on a user profile data provided by the special-needs user.
In another aspect, a method includes a client device expressing a context data associated with a relative position in a multi-coordinated structure of a gambling activity in an online environment, and/or decrypting a trusted confirmation data generated based on a selection of various attributes in the multi-coordinated structure of the gambling activity. The selection may be automatically performed based on a constrained criteria. The constrained criteria may include values that are automatically generated by a gaming provider module. The context data may be expressed in any number of formats including a visual expression, an auditory expression, a tactile expression, an orally distinguishable expression, a bio-electrical signal expression and/or an olfactory expression.
In yet another aspect, a system includes a client device to automatically express a meta-data associated with a dimensional attribute of a gaming profile, a feature module to embed an authentication data in a gaming ticket and/or to determine an expression format of the meta-data, and/or a gaming provider module to electronically provide the gaming ticket directly to a user of the client device through an online environment. The expression format may be a verbal expression of the meta-data on the client device and/or an alternative text that is automatically displayed on the client device based on a point-over of an assisted technology device.
The methods, systems, and apparatuses disclosed herein may be implemented in any means for achieving various aspects, and may be executed in a form of a machine-readable medium embodying a set of instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform any of the operations disclosed herein. Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
FIG. 1 is a system view of a feature module that communicates with a client device, a certification module, a gaming provider module, and/or an other environments module through a network, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the feature module of FIG. 1 having a task module, an accessibility module, and/or a security module, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the client device of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a user interface view of the client device of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a table view of content referenced by the client database of FIG. 2, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a data processing system within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, may be executed, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an interaction diagram of a process flow between the client device, the feature module, the certification authority module and the gaming provider module of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a process flow to associate an accessibility feature to a navigation mechanism of a game, process a response through the navigation mechanism of a special-needs user when the accessibility feature is enabled, and/or generate a trusted ticket using at least one security algorithm when the special-needs user initiates a transaction, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a process flow to express a context data associated with a relative position in a multi-coordinated structure of a gambling activity in an online environment, according to one embodiment.
Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An accessibility and security in a gaming environment method and system is disclosed. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It will be evident, however to one skilled in the art that the various embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.
An example embodiment provides methods and systems to associate an accessibility feature to a navigation mechanism (e.g., a user interface, a multi-coordinated online gaming structure, etc.) of a game (e.g., a lottery game, a sweepstakes contest, a poker game, a contest game, a gambling game, a game of chance, and/or a game of skill, etc.), process a response (e.g., a response by the user using the accessibility feature associated with the navigation mechanism) through the navigation mechanism (e.g., a user interface, a multi-coordinated online gaming structure, etc.) of a special-needs user when the accessibility feature is enabled, and/or generate a trusted ticket using at least one security algorithm when the special-needs user initiates a transaction.
Another example embodiment provides methods and systems to express a context data associated with a relative position in a multi-coordinated structure of a gambling activity in an online environment and/or to decrypt a trusted confirmation data generated based on a selection of various attributes in the multi-coordinated structure of the gambling activity (e.g., a lottery game, a sweepstakes contest, a poker game, a contest game, a gambling game, a game of chance, and/or a game of skill, etc.).
A further example embodiment provides methods and systems to automatically express a meta-data (e.g., a meta data automatically displayed on the client device 102 based on a point-over of an assisted technology device) associated with a dimensional attribute of a gaming profile, embed an authentication data (e.g., a certification of authenticity provided by the certification authority module 104) in a gaming ticket (e.g., a gaming ticket generated by the feature module 100 in response to a transaction initiated by the user of the client device 102) and/or determine an expression format (e.g., a verbal expression and/or an alternative-text) of the meta-data (e.g., a meta data automatically displayed on the client device 102 based on a point-over of an assisted technology device), and/or electronically provide the gaming ticket (e.g., a gaming ticket generated by the feature module 100 in response to a transaction initiated by the user of the client device 102) directly to a user of the client device (e.g., a special-needs user) through an online environment.
It will be appreciated that the various embodiments discussed herein may/may not be the same embodiment, and may be grouped into various other embodiments not explicitly disclosed herein.
FIG. 1 is a system view of a feature module 100 that communicates with a client device 102, a certification authority module 104, a gaming provider module 108, and/or an other environments module 110 through a WAN 106 (e.g., Wide-Area Network, Internet, etc.), according to one embodiment. The feature module 100 may interact with the client device 102, the certification authority module 104, the gaming provider module 108 and/or the other environments module 110 to process a communication (e.g., process a meta data, and/or process accessibility and/or security features associated with a communication to, from and/or through a client device 102) associated with a game such as an online gaming activity (e.g., a lottery game, a sweepstakes contest, a poker game, a contest game, a gambling game, a game of chance, and/or a game of skill, etc.), according to one embodiment.
For example, the feature module 100 may associate an accessibility feature to a navigation mechanism (e.g., a user interface, a multi-coordinated online gaming structure, etc.) of the game (e.g., a navigation mechanism and/or an accessibility feature selected based on a user profile data communicated by a user such as a special-needs user associated with the client device 102). In one embodiment, the feature module 100 may process a response (e.g., a response by the user using the accessibility feature associated with the navigation mechanism) communicated by the client device 102.
In another example embodiment, the feature module 100 may embed an authentication data (e.g., a certification of authenticity provided by the certification authority module 104) in a gaming ticket (e.g., a gaming ticket generated by the feature module 100 in response to a transaction initiated by the user of the client device 102) and/or determine an expression format (e.g., a verbal expression and/or an alternative-text) of a meta-data (e.g., a meta data automatically displayed on the client device 102 based on a point-over of an assisted technology device) associated with a dimensional attribute of a gaming profile (e.g. a gaming profile associated with the user of the client device 102). The feature module 100 is best understood with reference to FIG. 2.
The client device 102 may process information (e.g., a meta data, and/or accessibility and/or security features associated with the online gaming activity) communicated by the feature module 100, the certification authority module 104, the gaming provider module 108 and/or the other environments module 110, and/or provided by the user associated with the client device 102 (e.g., a special-needs user). In one embodiment, the client device 102 may process an automatic expression (e.g., a visual expression, an auditory expression, a tactile expression, an orally distinguishable expression, a bio-electrical signal expression and/or an olfactory expression, etc.) of the meta-data (e.g., data associated with information about other data, an alternative text, a descriptive data and/or a audio data, etc.) associated with the dimensional attribute of the gaming profile. The client device 102 is best understood with reference to FIG. 3.
The certification authority module 104 (e.g., associated with a third-party data verification, validation and/or authorization entity) may process (e.g., validate, verify and/or authorize) information associated with a communication with the feature module 100 and/or the client device 102. For example, the certification authority module 104 may process a trusted ticket (e.g., a trusted ticket generated by the feature module 100 in response to a transaction initiated by the user) and verify an integrity of the trusted ticket (e.g., determine whether a security data associated with the trusted ticket is altered or unaltered). In another embodiment, an embedded certification of authority (e.g., a digital watermark, an encryption data, a public key, a private key, and/or a validation data) provided by the certification authority module 104 may be included in the trusted ticket generated by the feature module 100 (e.g., generated using a security algorithm).
The gaming provider module 108 may interact with the feature module 100, the client device 102, the certification authority module 104 and/or the other environments module 110 to communicate information (e.g., a trusted ticket, a promotional offering, a meta data, etc.) associated with the online gaming activity of the user, according to one embodiment. For example, the gaming provider module 108 may electronically provide a gaming ticket (e.g., using the feature module 100 to embed an authentication data in a gaming ticket) directly to the user through an online environment (e.g., the WAN 106). In another embodiment, the gaming provider module 108 may communicate an offering (e.g., a promotion, a free ticket, an advertisement, a coupon, a trial offer, etc.) to the feature module 100 (e.g., the feature module 100 may communicate with the client device 102 to determine an accessibility feature associated with the offering, and/or to provide an expression of the offering perceptible to the user (e.g., the special-needs user) associated with the client device 102).
In yet another embodiment, the gaming provider module 108 may communicate with the client device 102 and/or generate (e.g., automatically generate) constrained criteria (e.g., values and/or parameters, etc.) associated with various attributes in a multi-coordinated structure of a gaming (e.g., gambling) activity. The other environments module 110 may interact with feature module 100, the client device 102, the certification authority module 104 and/or the gaming provider module 108 to process (e.g., capture, store, generate, track and/or deliver) information associated with resources (e.g., products, goods, services and/or data) relevant to information (e.g. a profile data (e.g., a geographical data, a cultural data, an epoch data, a social data, etc.), a gaming history and/or interests) associated with the user (e.g., offerings by third-party entities having a relationship with the feature module 100, vendors, relationship networks, user groups, social and/or political organizations, meta data and/or statistical resources, etc.).
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the feature module 100 of FIG. 1 having a task module 200, an accessibility module 220, and/or a security module 240, according to one embodiment. The task module 200 may include a promotion module 202, a chance module 204, a ticketing module 206, a subscription module 208, and/or a skill module 210. The promotion module 202 may communicate with the gaming provider module 108 to process (e.g., capture, store, generate and/or track, etc.) an offering (e.g., a promotional offer, a free ticket, an advertisement, a coupon, a trial offer, etc) of the gaming provider module 108. The promotion module 202 may interact with the client device 102 of FIG. 1 to determine an accessibility feature associated with an expression (e.g., a sensory expression perceptible to a special-needs user associated with the user of client device 102) of the offering communicated by the gaming provider module 108, according to one embodiment.
The chance module 204 may process accessibility and/or security features and/or meta data associated with a communication (e.g., a communication associated with a game of chance) with the client device 102 of FIG. 1. The ticketing module 206 may include a client database 201 (e.g., the client database 201 may store and/or track data and/or meta data (e.g., profile data, meta-data associated with accessibility and/or security features, subscription data, etc.) associated with any number of users. The ticketing module 206 may generate (e.g., generate automatically) a trusted ticket (e.g., using a security algorithm) based on a communication with the client device 102 (e.g., a transaction initiated by the user associated with the client device 102).
In one embodiment, the trusted ticket may include a unique identifier. For example, the unique identifier may be generated based on a communication between the ticketing module 206, the accessibility module 220, and/or the security module 240, and/or may be generated based on a probability index and/or a criteria defined by the user (e.g., based on a communication with the client device 102). The subscription module 208 may process (e.g., capture, track, store and/or generate, etc.) a subscription data (e.g., based on a response by the user and/or communicated using the client device 102 of FIG. 1). For example, the subscription data may activate reoccurring trusted tickets (e.g., trusted tickets associated with a particular user) that may be issued (e.g., periodically and/or automatically) to the user (e.g., the special-needs user). In one embodiment, each reoccurring trusted ticket may have a separate (e.g., unique) identifier. The skill module 210 may process accessibility and/or security features and/or meta data associated with a communication (e.g., a communication associated with a game of skill) with the client device 102 of FIG. 1.
The accessibility module 220 may include a table module 222, a contextual module 224, a meta-data generator 226, a simplification module 228, and/or a conformance module 230. The table module 222 may communicate with the client device 102 of FIG. 1, the contextual module 224, the meta-data generator 226 and/or the task module 200 to process (e.g., capture, interpret, generate, render, track and/or deliver, etc.) information (e.g., a context data, a descriptive data, a meta data and/or the expression perceptible to the user, etc.) associated with the navigation mechanism and/or the multi-coordinated structure of the online gaming (e.g., gambling) activity. In one embodiment, the table module 222 may generate a grid structure (e.g., a table, an array, a map, a matrix, a user interface, a multi-coordinated structure and/or a coordinate reference index, etc.) in any number of criteria-based dimensions (e.g., dimensional attributes of the multi-coordinated structure such as) based on a request (e.g., an input request processed by the client device 102) of the user (e.g., the special-needs user). For example, criteria-based dimensions may include a type, a name, a repetition window, a frequency, a cost, and/or a subscription component.
The contextual module 224 may communicate with the client device 102 of FIG. 1, the task module 200 and/or the security module 240 to process (e.g., capture, track, store and/or generate, etc.) information associated with data (e.g., a relative position associated with the gaming activity of the user) related to the navigation mechanism and/or the multi-coordinated structure of the gaming (e.g., gambling) activity of the user (e.g., the special-needs user). In one embodiment, the contextual module 224 may generate a context data associated with a grid structure (e.g., a context data may be associated with each row position and/or each column position in the grid structure) in the navigation mechanism of the game (e.g., the navigation mechanism associated with the accessibility feature selected based on the user profile data communicated by the user associated with the client device 102).
In another embodiment, the contextual module 224 may generate a standard data (e.g., a label associated with an input request (e.g., an input request communicated by the client device 102 of FIG. 1) that is constrained based on at least one parameter value) associated with the navigation mechanism and/or the accessibility feature. The contextual module 224 may generate and/or associate a descriptive data (e.g., the meta-data, the expression perceptible to the user, the context data and/or a simplified expression of the standard data, etc.) with a standard data (e.g., a descriptive data accessible by the user such as a special-needs user in the navigation mechanism and/or the multi-coordinated structure of the gaming (e.g., gambling) activity). For example, the descriptive data may be perceptible by the special-needs user (e.g., based on a positioning device (e.g., an audio positioning device, a tactile positioning device, a simplified textual positioning device, etc.) associated with the standard data.
The security module 240 may include a hash module 242, an encryption module 244, a decryption module 246, and/or a verification module 248. The hash module 242 may communicate with the encryption module 244 to create a unique identifier (e.g., a digital watermark, a digital fingerprint, a digital signature, etc.) for an electronically transmitted document (e.g., a ticket). In one embodiment, the hash module 242 may process (e.g., create, generate and/or compute) a unique value (e.g. a hash value) of the electronically transmitted document (e.g., the ticket) based on an algorithm (e.g., a security algorithm). In another embodiment, the encryption module 244 may process (e.g., convert, create, etc.) the unique identifier of the electronically transmitted document with a key (e.g., a private key) to create the separate unique identifier (e.g., the digital watermark, the digital fingerprint and/or the digital signature, etc.).
The decryption module 246 may communicate with the verification module 248, the client device 102 of FIG. 1 and/or the task module 200 of the feature module 100 to process (e.g., capture, track, store, decrypt and/or generate, etc.) information associated with the electronically transmitted document (e.g., a winning ticket). In one embodiment, the decryption module 246 may process (e.g., decrypt, convert, compute and/or create, etc.) the unique identifier using the key (e.g., the private key) to the unique value (e.g., the hash value). In another embodiment, the decryption module may communicate (e.g., transmit) the unique value to the verification module 248 and/or the certification authority module 104 of FIG. 1 through the network (e.g., the WAN 106) of FIG. 1 (e.g., to verify that the electronically transmitted document is trusted and unaltered in any form).
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the client device 102 of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. The client device 102 may include a U/I module 302 (e.g., a User Interface Module 302), a sensory module 304, a decryption module 306, and/or a verification module 308. The U/I module 302 may communicate with the sensory module 304, the decryption module 306, and/or the verification module 308 to process (e.g., capture, interpret, generate, render, track and/or deliver, etc.) information (e.g., a standard data, a context data, a descriptive data, a meta data and/or the expression perceptible to the user, etc.) associated with the navigation mechanism and/or the multi-coordinated structure of the online gaming (e.g., gambling) activity. In one embodiment, the standard data identified by a positioning device action (e.g., a rollover, a tactile pressure and/or a verbal command, etc.) on the U/I module 302 may be perceptible to the user (e.g., the special-needs user, using the sensory module 304).
In another embodiment, the U/I module 302 may to process (e.g., capture, interpret, generate, render, track and/or deliver, etc.) the standard data (e.g., a label that may be associated with an input request) that may be constrained based on one or more parameter value (e.g., a maximum and/or a minimum value). In yet another embodiment, the U/I module 302 may generate a separate unique identifier automatically based on a probability index and/or a user defined criteria. In another embodiment, a data (e.g., a user profile data) provided by the user (e.g., the special-needs user) through the U/I module 302 may be used to determine (e.g., select) a feature (e.g., the accessibility feature and/or the navigation mechanism).
The sensory module 304 may communicate with the U/I module 302 to process (e.g., express, capture, track, store and/or generate, etc.) information associated with data (e.g., a relative position associated with the gaming activity of the user) related to the navigation mechanism and/or the multi-coordinated structure of the gaming (e.g., gambling) activity of the user (e.g., the special-needs user). In one embodiment, the sensory module 304 may generate an automatic expression (e.g., a visual expression, an auditory expression, a tactile expression, an orally distinguishable expression, a bio-electrical signal expression and/or an olfactory expression, etc.) for information (e.g., a standard data, a context data, a descriptive data, a meta data and/or the expression perceptible to the user, etc.) associated with the navigation mechanism and/or the multi-coordinated structure of the online gaming (e.g., gambling) activity.
The decryption module 306 may communicate with the verification module 308 to process (e.g., capture, track, store, decrypt and/or generate, etc.) information associated the electronically transmitted document (e.g., the ticket). In one embodiment, the decryption module 306 may process (e.g., decrypt, convert, compute, and/or create, etc.) the unique identifier using the key (e.g., the private key) to the unique value (e.g., the hash value). For example, the decryption module may communicate (e.g., transmit) the unique value (e.g., the hash value) to the verification module 308 and/or the certification authority module 104 of FIG. 1 through the network (e.g., the WAN 106) of FIG. 1 (e.g., to verify that the electronically transmitted document such as the ticket is trusted and/or unaltered in any form).
FIG. 4 is a user interface view 400 of the U/I module 302 of the client device of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. The user interface view may include a welcome page, a cursor view 402, a meta data text view 404, a sensory module view 406, a table view 408, a subscription options view 410, a promotional information view 412, a current games view 414, an account information view 416, a checkout now view 418, and/or a profile view 420. The cursor view 402 may show where a navigation device is located. The meta data text view 404 may indicate an expression of meta data associated with the navigation mechanism and/or the multi-coordinated structure of the online gaming (e.g., gambling) activity. The sensory module view 406 may display the form of an automatic expression (e.g., a visual expression, an auditory expression, a tactile expression, an orally distinguishable expression, a bio-electrical signal expression and/or an olfactory expression, etc.) for information (e.g., a standard data, a context data, a descriptive data, a meta data and/or the expression perceptible to the user, etc.).
The table view 408 may display a game that a user is currently playing. The subscription options view 410 may display subscription options (e.g., number of weeks, frequency and/or type, etc.) associated with the game. The promotional information view 412 may display any offerings (e.g., promotions and/or deals) that may be in effect. The current games view 414 may include a list of games associated with the user (e.g., quickpick, bingo, sports betting, poker and/or new car sweepstakes, etc.). The account information view 416 may display subscription information about the user. The checkout now view 418 may display the user's current outstanding balance. The profile view 420 may include data about the user (e.g., address, source IP, email address and/or special-needs, etc.).
For example, a hypothetical participant ‘William’ is illustrated in FIG. 4. The user interface view includes a welcome message ‘Welcome William’ identifying ‘William’ as a user. The cursor view 402 indicates where the navigation device is pointed. The meta data text view 404 has ‘You are playing quick pick and bingo’ and ‘You are in quick pick one ball two, enter a number between one and sixty’ indicating the text that is being expressed from the sensory module (e.g., the sensory module 304 of FIG. 3). The sensory module view 406 shows two loudspeaker icons indicating that the meta data text is being expressed in audio form. The subscription options view 410 shows ‘52’ weeks, ‘weekly’ frequency, and ‘IND’ type indicating that the subscription is for a duration of fifty two weeks, on a weekly basis, and individual type. The current games view 414 shows that ‘William’ is currently playing ‘quick pick’ and ‘bingo’. ‘William’ may also view the promotional information 412, view and/or edit his account information 416, profile 420, and/or view his current balance and/or choose to checkout now 418.
FIG. 5 is a table view of content referenced by the client database 201 of FIG. 2, according to one embodiment. The table 500 in FIG. 5 may include a client field 502, an options field 504, a private/public key pair field 506, a subscribed field 508, a subscription type field 510, and/or an other field 512.
The client field 502 may be a name and/or an identification tag associated with a user. The options field 504 may be a unique identification and/or a reference index associated with needs of the user. The private/public key pair field 506 may be a reference index (e.g., a private key/public key pair) associated with the user and a service provider. The subscribed field 508 may indicate whether the user has subscribed to a service. The subscription type field 510 may indicate the duration of the subscription, if applicable (e.g., 4 weeks, 10 weeks, or no subscription, etc.). The other field 512 may indicate miscellaneous and/or additional information associated with and/or relevant to the user.
For example, two users are illustrated in FIG. 5 (e.g., ‘Joe’ and ‘Alice’). The user ‘Joe’ has an options field value ‘NONE’ indicating a unique identification and/or reference index associated with the needs of ‘Joe,’ a private/public key pair ‘1x0512ACD’ indicating that the private/public key pair associated with ‘Joe’ is 1x0512ACD, his subscribed field is ‘Y’ indicating he has subscribed, the subscription field indicating ‘4’ indicating that ‘Joe’ has a four week subscription. In addition, user ‘Joe’ includes ‘CA, xx, yy’ in his other field 512, indicating any supplemental information that may be relevant to ‘Joe’.
The user ‘Alice’ has an options field value ‘NONE’ indicating the unique identification and/or reference index associated with the needs of ‘Alice,’ a private/public key pair ‘146xNMOP’ indicating that the private/public key pair associated with ‘Alice’ is 146xNMOP, his subscribed field is ‘N’ indicating she has subscribed, the subscription field indicating ‘10’ indicating that ‘Alice’ has a ten week subscription. In addition, user ‘Alice’ includes ‘NY, aa, bb’ in her other field 512, indicating any supplemental information that may be relevant to ‘Alice’.
FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the example form of a computer system 600 within which a set of instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein, may be executed. In various embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device and/or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server and/or a client machine in server-client network environment, and/or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine may be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a web appliance, a network router, switch and/or bridge, an embedded system and/or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential and/or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually and/or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one and/or more of the methodologies discussed herein.
The example computer system 600 includes a processor 602 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) a graphics processing unit (GPU) and/or both), a main memory 604 and a static memory 606, which communicate with each other via a bus 608. The computer system 600 may further include a video display unit 610 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) and/or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 600 also includes an alphanumeric input device 612 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 614 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 616, a signal generation device 618 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 620 and/or an accessibility device 128 (e.g., a headgear, a footgear, a mouthpiece, a visual aid, a tactile device and/or a bio-feedback device etc.).
The disk drive unit 616 includes a machine-readable medium 622 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 624) embodying any one or more of the methodologies and/or functions described herein. The software 624 may also reside, completely and/or at least partially, within the main memory 604 and/or within the processor 602 during execution thereof by the computer system 600, the main memory 604 and the processor 602 also constituting machine-readable media.
The software 624 may further be transmitted and/or received over a network 626 via the network interface device 620. While the machine-readable medium 622 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium and/or multiple media (e.g., a centralized and/or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding and/or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the various embodiments. The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic media, and carrier wave signals.
FIG. 7 is an interaction diagram of a process flow between the client device 102, the feature module 100, the certification authority module 104 and the gaming provider module 108 of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment. In operation 700, a profile data from the client device 102 is processed by the feature module 100 to determine feature privileges. In operation 702, a ticket request is processed by the client device 102. In operation 704, a ticket is authorized by the gaming provider module 108 based on the ticket request. In operation 706, a certification of authenticity is provided by the certification authority module 104. In operation 708, the ticket is hashed and/or encrypted by the feature module 100 based on a security algorithm. In operation 710, accessibility features are attached by the feature module 100 based on the profile data.
In operation 712, the ticket is decrypted and/or authenticity is verified by the client device 102. In operation 714, the certification of authenticity from the client device 102 is processed by the certification authority module 104. In operation 716, it is determined by the client device 102 that the ticket is a winning ticket. In operation 718, it is verified by the feature module 100 that the winning ticket has not been altered. In operation 720, authenticity is confirmed by the certification authority module 104. In operation 722, it is verified by the gaming provider module 108 that the winning ticket contains a winning combination. In operation 724, a consideration is provided to the client device 102 by the gaming provider module 108 based on the winning ticket.
FIG. 8 is a process flow to associate an accessibility feature to a navigation mechanism (e.g., a user interface, a multi-coordinated online gaming structure, etc.) Of a game (e.g., a lottery game, a sweepstakes contest, a poker game, a contest game, a gambling game, a game of chance, and/or a game of skill, etc.), process a response (e.g., a response by the user using the accessibility feature associated with the navigation mechanism) through the navigation mechanism of a special-needs user when the accessibility feature is enabled, and/or generate a trusted ticket (e.g., a trusted ticket generated by the feature module 100 in response to a transaction initiated by the user) using at least one security algorithm when the special-needs user initiates a transaction, according to one embodiment.
In operation 802, the accessibility feature is associated to the navigation mechanism of the game. In operation 804, the response is processed through the navigation mechanism of the special-needs user when the accessibility feature is enabled. In operation 806, the trusted ticket is generated using the security algorithm when the special-needs user initiates the transaction. In operation 808, a context data is generated associated with a grid structure (e.g., a table, an array, a map, a matrix, a user interface, a multi-coordinated structure and/or a coordinate reference index, etc.) in the navigation mechanism. In operation 810, an expression is generated of the context data associated with each row position and each column position in the grid structure using the accessibility feature.
In operation 812, the grid structure is created in a plurality of criteria-based dimensions based on a request (e.g., an input request processed by the client device 102) of the special-needs user. In operation 814, the accessibility feature is designed such that the accessibility feature conforms to a governmental guideline and/or an industry guideline. In operation 816, a descriptive data (e.g., a meta-data, an expression perceptible to the user, a context data and/or a simplified expression of the standard data, etc.) is associated with a standard data accessible by the special-needs user in the navigation mechanism. In operation 818, a subscription data is developed based on the response which activates reoccurring trusted tickets that are periodically and/or automatically issued to the special-needs user. In operation 820, the accessibility feature and/or the navigation mechanism is selected based on a user profile data provided by the special-needs user.
FIG. 9 is a process flow to express a context data associated with a relative position in a multi-coordinated structure of a gambling activity (e.g., a context data may be associated with each row position and/or each column position in a grid structure) in an online environment, according to one embodiment. In operation 902, a context data associated with a relative position in a multi-coordinated structure of a gambling activity in an online environment is expressed. In operation 904, a trusted confirmation data generated based on a selection of various attributes in the multi-coordinated structure of the gambling activity is decrypted (e.g., using the decryption module 306 of FIG. 3).
Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. For example, the various devices, modules, analyzers, generators, etc. described herein may be enabled and operated using hardware circuitry (e.g., CMOS based logic circuitry), firmware, software and/or any combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software (e.g., embodied in a machine readable medium).
For example, the feature module 100, the client device 102, the certification authority module 104, the gaming provider module 108, the other environments module 110, the task module 200, the promotion module 202, the chance module 204, the ticketing module 206, the subscription module 208, the skill module 210, the accessibility module 220, the table module 222, the contextual module 224, the meta-data generator 226, the simplification module 228, the conformance module 230, the security module 240, the hash module 242, the encryption module 244, the decryption module 246, the verification module 248, the U/I module 302, the sensory module 304, the decryption module 306, and/or the verification module 308 may be enabled using transistors, logic gates, and electrical circuits (e.g., application specific integrated ASIC circuitry) using a feature circuit, a client circuit, a certification authority circuit, a gaming provider circuit, an other environments circuit, a task circuit, a promotion circuit, a chance circuit, a ticketing circuit, a subscription circuit, a skill circuit, an accessibility circuit, a table circuit, a contextual circuit, a meta-data circuit, a simplification circuit, a conformance circuit, a security circuit, a hash circuit, an encryption circuit, a description circuit, a verification circuit, a U/I circuit, a sensory circuit, a decryption circuit, and/or a verification circuit.
In addition, it will be appreciated that the various operations, processes, and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in a machine-readable medium and/or a machine accessible medium compatible with a data processing system (e.g., a computer system), and may be performed in any other. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrated rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A method of a feature module, comprising:

associating an accessibility feature to a navigation mechanism of a game;

processing a response through the navigation mechanism of a special-needs user when the accessibility feature is enabled; and

generating a trusted ticket using at least one security algorithm when the special-needs user initiates a transaction.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

generating a context data associated with a grid structure in the navigation mechanism; and

generating an expression of the context data associated with each row position and each column position in the grid structure using the accessibility feature.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising creating the grid structure in a plurality of criteria-based dimensions based on a request of the special-needs user, wherein the plurality of criteria based dimensions include a type, a name, a repetition window, a frequency, a cost, and a subscription component.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising designing the accessibility feature such that the accessibility feature conforms to at least one of a governmental guideline and an industry guideline, wherein the accessibility feature is audibly communicated to the special-needs user.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising associating a descriptive data with a standard data accessible by the special-needs user in the navigation mechanism.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the descriptive data includes a simplified expression of the standard data.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the descriptive data is perceptible by the special-needs user through a positioning device action associated with the standard data.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the standard data is a label associated with an input request that is constrained based on at least one parameter value.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising developing a subscription data based on the response which activates reoccurring ones of the trusted ticket that are periodically and automatically issued to the special-needs user, wherein the reoccurring ones of the trusted ticket each have a separate unique identifier.

10. The method of claim 10 wherein the separate unique identifier is automatically generated based on at least one of a probability index and a user defined criteria.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the game is at least one of a lottery game, a sweepstakes contest, a poker game, a contest game, a gambling game, a game of chance, and a game of skill.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the generating the trusted ticket using the at least one security algorithm includes an embedded certification of authenticity provided by a certification authority module, and wherein the embedded certification of authenticity to include at least one of a digital watermark, an encryption data, a public key, a private key, and a validation data.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising determining that the trusted ticket is a winning ticket when the trusted ticket is verified as unaltered using the certification authority module.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting the accessibility feature and the navigation mechanism based on a user profile data provided by the special-needs user.

15. The method of claim 1 in a form of a machine-readable medium embodying a set of instructions that, when executed by a machine, causes the machine to perform the method of claim 1.

16. A method of a client device, comprising:

expressing a context data associated with a relative position in a multi-coordinated structure of a gambling activity in an online environment; and

decrypting a trusted confirmation data generated based on a selection of various attributes in the multi-coordinated structure of the gambling activity.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the selection is automatically performed based on a constrained criteria, wherein the constrained criteria includes values that are automatically generated by a gaming provider module.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the context data is expressed in a plurality of formats including a visual expression, an auditory expression, a tactile expression, an orally distinguishable expression, a bio-electrical signal expression and an olfactory expression.

19. A system, comprising:

a client device to automatically express a meta-data associated with a dimensional attribute of a gaming profile;

a feature module to embed an authentication data in a gaming ticket and to determine an expression format of the meta-data; and

a gaming provider module to electronically provide the gaming ticket directly to a user of the client device through an online environment.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the expression format is at least one of a verbal expression of the meta-data on the client device and an alternative text that is automatically displayed on the client device based on a point-over of an assisted technology device.