Gaming machine system having an acoustic-sensing mechanism

• US 20040166936A1
• Filed: 02/26/2003
• Published: 08/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Rothschild, Wayne H., Kopera, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US10/375,827
• Publication Number:
  US 20040166936A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/35
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen

Abstract

A gaming machine has a processor for conducting a wagering game on the gaming machine and an acoustic-sensing mechanism having at least one microphone that converts acoustic signals to audio signals. The acoustic-sensing mechanism can be used for providing various inputs, including the selection of certain options during the operation of the game. The acoustic-sensing mechanism may further distinguish between a first acoustic input indicative of a first player input and a second acoustic input indicative of a second player input.

Claims

1. A method of operating a wagering game for a gaming machine, comprising:

monitoring an acoustic input from a player with a microphone;

in response to said acoustic input, activating a function associated with said gaming machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said function relates to a selection of paylines in a basic-game mode.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said function relates to a wager amount.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said gaming machine operates in a basic-game mode and a bonus-game mode, said monitoring said acoustic input occurs during said bonus-game mode.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said activating includes distinguishing between a first acoustic input indicative of a first function and a second acoustic input indicative of a second function.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said monitoring is performed by an acoustic-sensing module that is peripherally coupled to a main processor that conducts a wagering game on said gaming machine.

7. The method of claim 1, further including recording in a memory device audio signals corresponding to said acoustic input.

8. The method of claim 7, further including driving speakers associated with said gaming machine with said audio signals or a processed form of said audio signals.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said activating includes distinguishing between different acoustic inputs, said different acoustic inputs being different words.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said activating includes distinguishing between said acoustic input and ambient noise.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said activating includes distinguishing by voice pattern recognition.

12. A gaming machine, comprising:

at least one microphone for receiving from a player an acoustic input; and

a processor for activating a function associated with said gaming machine in response to said acoustic input.

13. The gaming machine of claim 12, wherein said function relates to a wager amount.

14. The gaming machine of claim 12, wherein said function relates to a starting or stopping of reels of said gaming machine.

15. The gaming machine of claim 12, wherein said function relates to a selection of paylines in said gaming machine.

16. The gaming machine of claim 12, wherein said gaming machine operates in a basic-game mode and a bonus-game mode, said acoustic input occurs during said bonus-game mode

17. The gaming machine of claim 12, further including a memory device for recording input audio signals corresponding to said acoustic input.

18. The gaming machine of claim 17, wherein said input audio signals are used for voice recognition.

19. The gaming machine of claim 17, further including speakers that, after said input audio signals are recorded, broadcast acoustic outputs corresponding to said input audio signals during operation of said wagering game.

20. The gaming machine of claim 12, further including a memory device for recording an electronic vocabulary against which audio signals corresponding to said acoustic input are compared.

21. The gaming machine of claim 12, wherein said processor distinguishes between said acoustic input and ambient noise.

22. The gaming machine of claim 12, further including a microphone activation button for being activated by said player prior to said microphone receiving said acoustic inputs.

23. A method of operating a gaming machine, comprising:

monitoring, with a microphone, an acoustic input from a player;

comparing said acoustic input with a plurality of acoustic inputs stored in a memory associated with said gaming machine to determine a function associated with said acoustic input; and

performing said function in said gaming machine.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said monitoring is performed by an acoustic-sensing mechanism that is peripherally coupled to a main processor that conducts a wagering game on said gaming machine.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein said comparing is performed by said acoustic-sensing mechanism.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein said function relates to a wager amount.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein said function relates to a selection of a payline.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein said function relates to a starting or stopping of reels of said gaming machine.

29. The method of claim 23, wherein said gaming machine operates in a basic-game mode and a bonus-game mode, said monitoring occurring during said bonus-game mode.

30. The method of claim 23, wherein said function relates to providing an acoustic output to said player that is broadcast to said player by speakers associated with said gaming machine.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said acoustic input includes an anticipated audible response that is common of a player of said gaming machine, and said acoustic output is a reply to said an anticipated audible response.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein said anticipated audible response is an emphatic statement after achieving a positive outcome.