Gaming system including portable game devices

• US 20010044337A1
• Filed: 06/15/2001
• Published: 11/22/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Rowe, Rick, Oberberger, Mike
• Granted Patent: US 6,676,522 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

A gaming system including hand-held, portable gaming devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to present at least one game to a player and includes a portable gaming device or interface having a display for displaying game and other information to a player. The portable gaming device is capable of receiving and sending information to a remote device/location. A game server generates game data, and transmits the game data to the portable gaming device and receives information, such as player input, from the portable gaming device. A payment transaction server validates payment and establishes entitlement of a player to play a game via the portable gaming device as provided by the game server. In one or more embodiments, the gaming system includes one or more stationary gaming machines capable of printing tickets having a value associated therewith. The portable gaming device includes a ticket reader for reading ticket information for use by the payment transaction server in verifying the associated value for establishing entitlement of a player to play the game. Preferably, communication to and from the portable gaming device is via a wireless communication channel.

Claims

1. A gaming system for presenting at least one game to a player comprising:

a hand-held communication interface having at least one display for displaying game information to a player, said hand-held communication interface capable of receiving and sending information;

a game server for generating game data, transmitting game data to said hand-held communication interface and receiving information from said communication interface; and

a payment transaction server for validating payment and establishing entitlement of a player to play a game provided by said game server.

2. The gaming system in accordance with

claim 1

wherein said hand-held communication interface includes a ticket reader for reading a ticket having information used by said payment transaction server in validating payment.

3. The gaming system in accordance with

claim 2

including at least one gaming machine in communication with said payment transaction server, said at least one gaming machine capable of issuing said ticket having value associated therewith verifiable by said payment transaction server.

4. The gaming system in accordance with

claim 1

wherein said hand-held communication interface comprises a wireless communication interface.

5. The gaming system in accordance with

claim 1

wherein said hand-held communication interface includes a memory for storing game data transmitted from said game server for use in presenting a game.

6. The gaming system in accordance with

claim 1

including at least one transaction server for receiving a transaction service request from said hand-held communication interface.

7. The gaming system in accordance with

claim 1

wherein said hand-held communication interface includes at least one interface for enabling transaction with said game server.

8. The gaming system in accordance with

claim 1

wherein said hand-held communication interface includes means for configuring information presented to a user based upon a status of said user input thereto.

9. A gaming system for presenting at least one game to a player comprising:

at least one gaming machine capable of presenting a game to a player and issuing a ticket having a value associated therewith;

at least one payment transaction server for verifying a value associated with an issued ticket;

at least one portable game interface having a display for presenting at least one game, said portable game interface capable of receiving and transmitting data over a wireless communication channel and said portable game interface capable of reading information associated with a ticket and transmitting said data to said payment transaction server for verifying a value associated with said ticket for establishing entitlement to play a game presented at said portable game interface; and

at least one game server capable of generating game data and transmitting generated game data to said at least one portable game interface.

10. The gaming system in accordance with

claim 9

including at least one transaction server for receiving a transaction service request from said portable game interface.

11. The gaming system in accordance with

claim 10

wherein said portable game interface is capable of presenting a login interface and access to said at least one transaction server is dependent upon a login status provided through said interface.

12. The gaming system in accordance with

claim 10

wherein said portable game interface is adapted to display a plurality of interfaces for initiating transaction service requests.

13. The gaming system in accordance with

claim 9

wherein said ticket reader comprises an bar-code reader.

14. The gaming system in accordance with

claim 9

wherein said portable game interface includes a card reader.

15. A method of presenting a game to a user of a portable gaming interface associated with a gaming system including a game server and a payment transaction server comprising:

establishing communications between said portable gaming interface and said game and payment transaction servers via at least one wire-less communication channel;

inputting data to said portable gaming interface for use by said payment transaction server in establishing entitlement of a player to obtain a service based upon provided value; and

obtaining game data from said game server for presenting a game to said player.

16. The method in accordance with

claim 15

wherein said inputting step includes the step of reading information from a ticket.

17. The method in accordance with

claim 16

wherein said ticket was printed by another gaming device.

18. The method in accordance with

claim 15

including the step of inputting a transaction request in order to obtain said game data.