Gaming system using a portable gaming device

• US 20030008703A1
• Filed: 05/08/2002
• Published: 01/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GTECH Germany GmbH
• Original Assignee: GTECH Germany GmbH
• Inventors: Gauselmann, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/142,105
• Publication Number:
  US 20030008703A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• 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 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions

Abstract

The gaming system of the present invention uses a portable gaming device and a central unit. The central unit comprises a central control unit, a storage device, and a wireless communication device. The portable gaming device comprises a video display, a control element, a power supply, a second communication device, and a control unit. A player inserts credit into the central unit or into the portable gaming device and is allowed to select a game program. A player may then play the selected game on the portable gaming device. The portable gaming device may play any of a variety of games offered by the central unit.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a central unit comprising a central control unit, a storage device, and a wireless communication device; and

a hand-held portable gaming device comprising a video display, a control element, a power supply, a second wireless communication device, and a control unit, said portable gaming device being configured to transmit and receive game data to and from said central unit to enable operation of any of a plurality of games to be played on said portable gaming device.

2. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said central control unit further comprises a central unit display for displaying a selection of games to be played on said portable gaming device.

3. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said central unit further comprises a portable gaming device holder having terminals that recharge a battery in said portable gaming device.

4. The gaming system of claim 3 wherein said central unit comprises a player input device for providing credit to play one or more games, and wherein said portable gaming device holder comprises a locking element that unlocks said portable gaming device when said player deposits money or a monetary equivalent into said player input device.

5. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said power supply is a battery.

6. The gaming system of claim 5 wherein said portable gaming device comprises contact terminals for recharging said battery.

7. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said central unit further comprises a player input device for providing credit to play one or more games, said player input device comprising at least one of a coin slot and a bill acceptor.

8. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said first communication device and said second communication device transfer game data during play of a game.

9. The gaming device of claim 1 wherein said portable gaming device is configured to download game programs from said storage device via said bi-directional connection.

10. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said central unit activates a menu of game programs which is shown on said display of said portable gaming device to allow a player to select a game to be played.

11. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said central unit further comprises a central display, and wherein said central unit displays a menu of game programs for selection by a player to be played on said portable gaming device.

12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said control element is a touch sensitive screen.

13. The gaming system of claim 1 wherein said central unit further comprises an award output mechanism for providing an award to said player after playing a game on said portable gaming device.

14. The gaming system of claim 13 wherein said award is coins.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising unlocking said portable gaming device from said central unit.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising downloading a selected game program from said central unit to said portable gaming device after said displaying a selection of game programs.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said displaying a selection of game programs is performed on a display on said portable gaming device.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said displaying a selection of game programs is performed on a display on said central unit.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein said depositing a monetary amount comprises depositing at least one of coins, bills, and cards.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein said central unit unlocks said portable gaming device from a holder after said player deposits said monetary amount into said central unit.

22. The method of claim 15 further comprising transferring game data during play of a game via said wireless connection.

23. The method of claim 15 further comprising downloading game programs from said central unit to said portable gaming device via said wireless connection.

24. The method of claim 15 further comprising entering player commands via a touch sensitive screen on said portable gaming device.

25. The method of claim 15 wherein said award is coins.

15. A method of operating a gaming system comprising:

depositing a monetary amount into a central unit;

providing credit by said central unit to a portable gaming device via a bi-directional wireless connection between said central unit and said portable gaming device;

displaying a selection of game programs;

enabling a selected game program to be played on said portable gaming device; and

providing an award to said player by said central unit.