Gaming apparatus with power saving feature

• US 20030190949A1
• Filed: 04/03/2002
• Published: 10/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Williams, Richard C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,670,224 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/24
• 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 17/3206 Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics

Abstract

A gaming apparatus may include a display unit capable of generating video images, a detection apparatus capable of detecting the presence of a person by detecting radiation from the person, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and said detection device. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory and may be programed to allow a person to make a wager, to cause a video image representing a video gambling game to be generated on the display unit, to determine an outcome of the video gambling game and a value payout associated with the outcome of the video gambling game, and to cause the gaming apparatus to enter a sleep mode after no detection of a person for a period of time, and to cause the gaming apparatus to terminate the sleep mode upon detection of a person.

Claims

1. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit that is capable of generating video images;

a value input device;

a detection device capable of detecting a person without physical contact between said gaming apparatus and said person;

a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager,

said controller being programmed to cause a video image associated with a game to be generated on said display unit, said video image representing one of the following games;

video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo,

said video game image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker,

said video game image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game comprises video slots,

said video game image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack,

said video game image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if said game comprises video keno, and

said video game image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game comprises video bingo;

said controller being programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to enter a sleep mode after no detection of said person for a period of time; and

said controller being programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to terminate said sleep mode upon detection of said person by said detection device.

2. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises a color video display unit and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said color video display unit to power down in response to said gaming apparatus entering said sleep mode.

3. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises at least one fluorescent light and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said fluorescent light to power down in response to said gaming apparatus entering said sleep mode.

4. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises at least one fluorescent light and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said fluorescent light to power up in response to said gaming apparatus terminating said sleep mode.

5. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises a color video display unit and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said color video display unit to power up in response to said gaming apparatus terminating said sleep mode.

6. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said controller is programmed to measure said period of time beginning at a time when no person is detected, and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to enter said sleep mode when said period of time is substantially equivalent to a predetermined time duration.

7. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said controller is programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to enter said sleep mode when said period of time is at least about ten minutes.

8. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said controller is programmed to allow an operator to adjust said predetermined time duration.

9. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said controller is programmed to determine, prior to terminating said sleep mode, if said gaming apparatus is in said sleep mode.

10. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined in claim 1, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a network of gaming apparatuses.

11. A gaming system as defined in claim 10, wherein said gaming apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.

12. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit that is capable of generating video images;

a value input device;

a detection device capable of detecting a person;

a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager,

said controller being programmed to cause a video image associated with a game to be generated on said display unit, said video image representing one of the following games;

video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo,

said video game image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker,

said video game image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game comprises video slots,

said video game image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack,

said video game image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if said game comprises video keno, and

said video game image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game comprises video bingo;

said controller being programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to enter a sleep mode after no detection of said person for a period of time; and

said controller being programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to terminate said sleep mode upon detection of said person by said detection device.

13. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said gaming apparatus utilizes at least about fifty percent less power while in said sleep mode than said gaming apparatus utilizes while in a gaming mode.

14. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises a color video display unit and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said color video display unit to power down in response to said gaming apparatus entering said sleep mode.

15. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises at least one fluorescent light and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said fluorescent light to power down in response to said gaming apparatus entering said sleep mode.

16. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises at least one fluorescent light and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said fluorescent light to power up in response to said gaming apparatus terminating said sleep mode.

17. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises a color video display unit and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said color video display unit to power up in response to said gaming apparatus terminating said sleep mode.

18. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said controller is programmed to measure said period of time beginning at a time when no person is detected, and wherein said controller is programed to cause said gaming apparatus to enter said sleep mode when said period of time is substantially equivalent to a predetermined time duration.

19. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said controller is programmed to allow an operator to adjust said predetermined time duration.

20. A gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined in claim 12, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a network of gaming apparatuses.

21. A gaming system as defined in claim 20, wherein said gaming apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.

22. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit that is capable of generating video images;

a value input device;

a detection device capable of detecting a person;

a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager,

said controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said display unit, said video image representing a game,

said controller being programmed to determine, after said video image has been displayed, a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented by said video image;

said controller being programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to enter a sleep mode after no detection of said person for a period of time; and

said controller being programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to terminate said sleep mode upon detection of said person by said detection device.

23. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises a color video display unit and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said color video display unit to power down in response to said gaming apparatus entering said sleep mode.

24. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises at least one video driver and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said video driver to power down in response to said gaming apparatus entering said sleep mode.

25. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises at least one video driver and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said video driver to power up in response to said gaming apparatus terminating said sleep mode.

26. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises a color video display unit and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said color video display unit to power up in response to said gaming apparatus terminating said sleep mode.

27. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 22, wherein said controller is programmed to measure said period of time beginning at a time when no person is detected, and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to enter said sleep mode when said period of time is substantially equivalent to a predetermined time duration.

28. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein said controller is programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to enter said sleep mode when said period of time is at least about thirty minutes.

29. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 27, wherein said controller is programmed to allow an operator to adjust said predetermined time duration.

30. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit that is capable of generating video images;

a value input device;

a detection device capable of detecting a person;

a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a payline selection,

said controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said display unit, said video image comprising a plurality of simulated slot machine reels of a slots game, each of said slot machine reels having a plurality of slot machine symbols,

said controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said slots game, said controller being programmed to determine said outcome of said slots game based on a configuration of said slot machine symbols,

said controller being programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to enter a sleep mode after no detection of said person for a period of time; and

said controller being programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to terminate said sleep mode upon a detection of said person by said detection device.

31. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 30, wherein said controller is programmed to allow a user to select a number of paylines.

32. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 30, wherein said gaming apparatus utilizes at least about 50 percent less power while in said sleep mode than said gaming apparatus utilizes while in a gaming mode.

33. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 30, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises a color video display unit and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said color video display unit to power down in response to said gaming apparatus entering said sleep mode.

34. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 30, wherein said gaming apparatus additionally comprises a color video display unit and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said color video display unit to power up in response to said gaming apparatus terminating said sleep mode.

35. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 30, wherein said controller is programmed to measure said period of time beginning at a time when no person is detected, and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said gaming apparatus to enter said sleep mode when said period of time is substantially equivalent to a predetermined time duration.

36. A gaming method comprising:

detecting an absence of a person;

entering a sleep mode after detecting said absence of a person for a period of time;

terminating said sleep mode upon a detection of a person;

causing a video game image to be generated, said video game image representing a game selected from the group of games consisting of video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo,

said video game image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker,

said video game image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game comprises video slots,

said video game image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack,

said video game image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if said game comprises video keno, and

said video game image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game comprises video bingo; and

determining a value payout associated with an outcome of said game represented by said video game image.

37. A gaming method as defined in claim 36, additionally comprising:

causing a color video display unit to power down in response to entering said sleep mode;

causing a video driver to power down in response to entering said sleep mode,

causing a fluorescent light to power down in response to entering said sleep mode; and

causing a hard drive to power down in response to entering said sleep mode.

38. A gaming method as defined in claim 36, additionally comprising:

causing a hard drive to power up in response to terminating said sleep mode;

causing a fluorescent light to power up in response to terminating said sleep mode;

causing a video driver to power up in response to terminating said sleep mode; and

causing a color video display unit to power up in response to terminating said sleep mode.

39. A gaming method as defined in claim 36, additionally comprising:

measuring said period of time beginning at a time when no person is detected;

comparing said period of time to a predetermined time duration; and

causing said sleep mode when said period of time is substantially equivalent to said predetermined time duration.

40. A gaming method as defined in claim 36, comprising detecting said person by sensing radiation from said person.

42. A slot machine as defined in claim 40, wherein said controller is programmed to allow a user to select a number of paylines.

43. A slot machine as defined in claim 40, wherein said detection device is capable of detecting motion of a person.

44. A slot machine as defined in claim 40, wherein said detection device is capable of detecting heat generated by a person.

45. A slot machine as defined in claim 40, wherein said slot machine additionally comprises at least one flourescent light and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said flourescent light to power down in response to said slot machine entering said sleep mode.

46. A slot machine as defined in claim 40, wherein said slot machine additionally comprises at least one flourescent light and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said flourescent light to power up in response to said slot machine terminating said sleep mode.

47. A slot machine as defined in claim 40, wherein said controller is programmed to measure said period of time beginning at a time when no person is detected, and wherein said controller is programmed to cause said slot machine to enter said sleep mode when said period of time is substantially equivalent to a predetermined time duration.

41. A slot machine, comprising:

a value input device;

a detection device;

a plurality of slot machine reels, each of said slot machine reels having a plurality of slot machine symbols; and

a controller operatively coupled to said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager,

said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a payline selection,

said controller being programmed to cause said plurality of slot machine reels to rotate in connection with play of a slots game, each of said slot machine reels having a plurality of slot machine symbols,

said controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said slots game, said controller being programmed to determine said value payout based on a configuration of said slot machine symbols,

said controller being programmed to cause said slot machine to enter a sleep mode if a person is not detected for a period of time; and

said controller being programmed to cause said slot machine to terminate said sleep mode upon a detection of a person by said detection device.