Multi-functional peripheral device

• US 10,052,551 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2010
• Issued: 08/21/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Incorporated (Aristocrat Leisure Limited)
• Original Assignee: Nguyen Gaming LLC
• Inventors: Nguyen, Binh T.
• Primary Examiner(s): GARNER, WERNER G
• Application Number:
  US12/945,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20120122584A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,837 Days
• Field of Search: 463 25, 463 47, 704 39, 194206
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/21 characterised by their sensors, purposes or types
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3206 Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens

Abstract

A system, apparatus, and method for communicating information between a gaming device and a portable electronic device using a multi-functional peripheral device associated with the gaming device are disclosed. The multi-functional peripheral device may include a sensor to detect sensory input from the user and/or the portable electronic device associated with the user to play a game of chance on the gaming device.

Claims

1. A multi-functional peripheral device configured to couple to a gaming device, comprising:

at least one sensor device configured to detect at least one sensory input from a portable electronic device, wherein the at least one sensor device comprises at least one accelerometer;

a memory having at least one money transfer program configured to wirelessly transfer funds;

a wireless interface configured to communicate with the portable electronic device; and

a processor configured to;

determine if the at least one sensory input is associated with the at least one money transfer program;

determine if the at least one sensory input is to transfer money to the gaming machine or transfer money to the portable electronic device if it is determined that the at least one sensory input is associated with the at least one money transfer program;

execute the at least one money transfer program to transfer money to the gaming machine if it is determined that the at least one sensory input is to transfer money to the gaming machine; and

execute the at least one money transfer program to transfer money to the portable electronic device if it is determined that the at least one sensory input is to transfer money to the portable electronic device,

wherein the at least one money transfer program is configured to wirelessly transfer funds between the portable electronic device and the gaming device,

wherein the multi-function peripheral device is at least partially housed within the gaming device, and

wherein the gaming device comprises a slot machine.

2. The multi-functional peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensory input detected by the at least one accelerometer is used for authentication.

3. The multi-functional peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the sensory input is an audio input, a visual input, or a physical contact.

4. The multi-functional peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the sensory input is a predefined user action associated with a fund transfer request.

5. The multi-functional peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the wireless transfer of funds yields at least one source of funding to play a game of chance.

6. The multi-functional peripheral device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor device is configured to detect at least one user action, wherein the at least one user action is used to play a game of chance on the gaming device.

7. The multifunctional peripheral device of claim 6, wherein the at least one user action is an audio input, a visual input, or a physical contact.

8. A system to transfer funds in a gaming environment, comprising:

a portable electronic device including;

a first memory having a first money transfer program configured to wirelessly transfer funds; and

a first processor configured to execute the first money transfer program,

wherein the first money transfer program is configured to transmit a request to transfer funds;

a gaming machine configured to house a multi-functional peripheral device, the multi-functional peripheral device including at least;

at least one sensor device configured to detect at least one sensory input from the portable electronic device, wherein the at least one sensor device comprises at least one accelerometer;

a second memory having a second money transfer program configured to wirelessly transfer funds; and

a second processor configured to;

(i) receive, from the portable electronic device, the request to transfer funds;

(ii) determine if the at least one sensory input is to transfer funds to the gaming machine or transfer funds to the portable electronic device based on the at least one sensory input;

(iii) execute the second money transfer program to transfer funds to the gaming machine if it is determined that the at least one sensory input is to transfer funds to the gaming machine; and

(iv) execute the second money transfer program to transfer funds to the portable electronic device if it is determined that the at least one sensory input is to transfer funds to the portable electronic device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one sensor device comprises a microphone, a touchpad, a touchscreen, a radio frequency identification reader, a near-field magnetic reader, or a camera.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one sensory input is an audio input, a visual input, or a physical contact.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the transferred funds are used to play a game of chance on the gaming machine when the funds are transferred to the gaming machine.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the request to transfer funds is a request to transfer a preset fund amount.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the first money transfer program is configured to transmit a request to withdraw funds.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the second money transfer program is configured to transfer funds from the gaming machine to the portable electronic device.

15. The system of claim 8, wherein the second money transfer program is further configured to wirelessly transfer a digital receipt.

16. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a location server configured to track a location of the portable electronic device and the multi-functional peripheral device;

an authorization server including;

a memory having a location verification program configured to authorize funds transfer;

a database configured to store a plurality of local jurisdictional gaming rules; and

a third processor configured to;

(i) receive a funds transfer request;

(ii) execute the location verification program;

(iii) determine if the tracked location of the portable electronic device and the multi-functional peripheral device conflict with at least one jurisdictional gaming rule;

(iv) disallow the funds transfer request if it is determined that the tracked location of the portable electronic device and the multi-functional peripheral device conflicts with the at least one jurisdictional gaming rule; and

(v) permit the funds transfer request if it is determined that the tracked location of the portable electronic device and the multi-functional peripheral device do not conflict with the at least one jurisdictional gaming rule.

17. A method for transferring funds using a multi-functional peripheral device housed within a housing of a gaming device, comprising:

receiving, at the multi-functional peripheral device, at least one sensory input from a portable electronic device, wherein the at least one sensory input is provided by at least one accelerometer;

determining whether to initiate a transfer of funds to or from the gaming device based on the at least one sensory input, the transfer of funds including a fund amount; and

transferring funds from the portable electronic device to the gaming device via the multi-functional peripheral device if it is determined that the transfer of funds to the gaming device is to be initiated, wherein the fund amount is used to play a game of chance on the gaming device,

wherein the multi-function peripheral device is a peripheral for the gaming machine and is housed at least partially internal to the housing of the gaming device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising transferring funds from the gaming device to the portable electronic device via the multi-functional peripheral device if it is determined that the transfer of funds to the portable electronic device is to be initiated.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising transferring a digital receipt to the portable electronic device.

20. The method for transferring funds of claim 17, wherein the gaming device is in communication with a gaming server, and

wherein the transferring of funds includes transmitting the fund amount from the multi-functional peripheral device to the gaming server via the gaming device.

21. The method for transferring funds of claim 17, wherein the at least one sensory input is provided by at least one sensor device, the at least one sensor device comprises a microphone, a touchpad, a touchscreen, a radio frequency identification reader, a near-field magnetic reader, or a camera.

22. The method for transferring funds of claim 17, wherein the determining further comprises:

verifying a location of the transaction; and

preventing the transaction if the location does not meet at least one local jurisdiction rule.

23. A bill acceptor to communicate with a gaming device, comprising:

a value receiving device configured to receive bills or coins;

at least one sensor device configured to receive at least one sensory input;

a memory having at least one money transfer program configured to execute a wireless transfer of funds;

a processor configured to;

detect the at least one sensory input from the at least one sensor device;

determine if the at least one sensory input is associated with the at least one money transfer program;

determine if the at least one sensory input is to transfer money to the gaming device or transfer money to a portable electronic device if it is determined that the at least one sensory input is associated with the at least one money transfer program;

execute the at least one money transfer program to transfer money to the gaming machine if it is determined that the at least one sensory input is to transfer money to the gaming machine; and

execute the at least one money transfer program to transfer money to the portable electronic device if it is determined that the at least one sensory input is to transfer money to the portable electronic device,

wherein the sensory input is received from the portable electronic device and wherein the wireless transfer of funds occurs between the portable electronic device and the gaming device via the at least one money transfer program and the sensory input,

wherein the bill acceptor is at least partially housed within the gaming device.

24. The bill acceptor of claim 23, wherein the at least one sensory input is provided by the at least one sensor device, the at least one sensor device comprises at least one accelerometer, a microphone, a touchpad, a touchscreen, a radio frequency identification reader, a near-field magnetic reader, or a camera.

25. The bill acceptor of claim 23, wherein the wireless transfer of funds yields a source of funding to play a game of chance on the gaming device.

26. The bill acceptor of claim 25, wherein the bill acceptor further comprises a camera configured to detect at least one user gesture, wherein the at least one user gesture is used to play the game of chance on the gaming device.

27. The bill acceptor of claim 23, wherein the bill acceptor comprises a display configured to present a notification that the wireless transfer of funds was successful.

28. The bill acceptor of claim 23, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit a digital receipt to the portable electronic device on completion of the wireless transfer of funds.