Portable data unit for communicating with gaming machine over wireless link
First Claim
1. A method of communicating with a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a first wireless transceiver, the method comprising:
- acquiring a portable data unit from a data unit provider, the portable data unit including a second wireless transceiver;
positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, to establish a wireless transmission link between the first and second wireless transceivers; and
transmitting information between the portable data unit and the gaming machine via the wireless transmission link.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and arrangement for communicating with a gaming machine is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a first wireless transceiver. A portable data unit includes a second wireless transceiver. In response to positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, a wireless transmission link is established between the first and second wireless transceivers. The wireless transmission link may, for example, be a radio (RF) link or an infrared (IR) link. Information is transmitted between the portable data unit and the gaming machine via the wireless transmission link for such purposes as cashless gaming, player tracking, game customization, and data transfer.
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Citations
74 Claims
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1. A method of communicating with a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a first wireless transceiver, the method comprising:
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acquiring a portable data unit from a data unit provider, the portable data unit including a second wireless transceiver;
positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, to establish a wireless transmission link between the first and second wireless transceivers; and
transmitting information between the portable data unit and the gaming machine via the wireless transmission link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of communicating with a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a first radio microchip, the method comprising:
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providing a portable data unit including a second radio microchip;
in response to positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, establishing a short range, wireless radio link between the first and second radio microchips; and
transmitting information between the portable data unit and the gaming machine via the radio link. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A cashless gaming method, comprising:
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providing a gaming machine including a first wireless transceiver;
providing a portable data unit including a second wireless transceiver and monetary information;
positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, to establish a wireless transmission link between the first and second wireless transceivers; and
transmitting the monetary information from the portable data unit to the gaming machine via the wireless transmission link. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A cashless gaming method, comprising:
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providing a gaming machine including a first wireless transceiver;
providing a portable data unit including a second wireless transceiver and a personal identifier;
positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, to establish a wireless transmission link between the first and second wireless transceivers;
transmitting the personal identifier from the portable data unit to the gaming machine via the wireless transmission link;
transmitting the personal identifier from the gaming machine to a central host computer remote from and linked to the gaming machine;
accessing monetary information from a player'"'"'s monetary account at the central host computer, the player'"'"'s account being associated with the personal identifier; and
transmitting the monetary information from the central host computer to the gaming machine. - View Dependent Claims (40)
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41. An arrangement for communicating with a gaming machine, comprising:
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a first wireless transceiver mounted at the gaming machine;
a portable data unit including a second wireless transceiver and carried by an individual; and
a wireless transmission link established between the first and second wireless transceivers in response to positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, the wireless transmission link transmitting information between the portable data unit and the gaming machine. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64)
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65. An arrangement for communicating with a gaming machine, comprising:
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a first radio microchip mounted at the gaming machine;
a portable data unit including a second radio microchip and carried by an individual; and
a short range, wireless radio link established between the first and second radio microchips in response to positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the to gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, the radio link transmitting information between the portable data unit and the gaming machine.
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66. A cashless gaming system, comprising:
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a gaming machine including a first wireless transceiver;
a portable data unit including a second wireless transceiver and monetary information; and
a wireless transmission link established between the first and second wireless transceivers in response to positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, the wireless transmission link transmitting the monetary information from the portable data unit to the gaming machine. - View Dependent Claims (67)
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68. A cashless gaming system, comprising:
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a gaming machine including a first wireless transceiver;
a portable data unit including a second wireless transceiver and a personal identifier;
a wireless transmission link established between the first and second wireless transceivers in response to positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, the wireless transmission link transmitting the personal identifier from the portable data unit to the gaming machine; and
a central host computer remote from and linked to the gaming machine, the central host computer receiving the personal identifier from the gaming machine, accessing monetary information from a player'"'"'s monetary account associated with the personal identifier, and transmitting the monetary information to the gaming machine. - View Dependent Claims (69)
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70. A method of playing a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a first transceiver, the method comprising:
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carrying a portable data unit including a second transceiver;
positioning the portable data unit in proximity to the gaming machine, without inserting the portable data unit into any portion of the gaming machine, to establish a wireless transmission link between the first and second transceivers;
transmitting information between the portable data unit and the gaming machine via the wireless transmission link; and
playing a game on the gaming machine using the transmitted information. - View Dependent Claims (71, 72, 73, 74)
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Specification