Method and handheld apparatus for facilitating remote play of a slot machine

• US 20060025209A1
• Filed: 09/01/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Sparico, Thomas M., Walker, Jay S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,588,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A method according to at least one embodiment of the present invention comprises receiving an indication of play of a slot machine associated with a remote player. At least one handheld device that is associated with the remote player is determined, and a signal is transmitted to the at least one handheld device, in which the signal represents the at least one outcome of the play of the slot machine.

Claims

1-35. -35. (canceled)

36. A handheld device comprising:

a processor;

a communication device for communicating with a server;

a display; and

a storage device in communication with the processor and storing instructions configured to direct the processor to;

receive from the server outcome data associated with play of a slot machine game, the outcome data including an outcome generated at a first time;

store an indication of the outcome; and

selectively display the outcome of the slot machine game via the display at a second time.

37. The handheld device of claim 36, in which the communication device is configured to communicate wirelessly with the server.

38. The handheld device of claim 36,

further comprising an input device for receiving input from a player;

and

in which selectively displaying comprises displaying the outcome based on a request received from a player via the input device.

39. The handheld device of claim 36, in which selectively displaying comprises displaying a reel position outcome on the display.

40. The handheld device of claim 36, in which the outcome data comprises a payout associated with the outcome.

41. The handheld device of claim 36, in which the outcome data comprises a current credit balance of a player.

42. The handheld device of claim 36, in which selectively displaying comprises displaying the outcome at a predetermined time.

43. The handheld device of claim 36,

in which the storage device further stores at least one player preference for displaying outcomes;

and

in which selectively displaying comprises displaying the outcome based on the at least one player preference for displaying outcomes.

44. A method comprising:

receiving first data representative of at least one of;

an end time for play,

a maximum number of plays,

a wager amount, and

a rate of play;

initiating play of a slot machine;

terminating the play of the slot machine based on the first data; and

transmitting second data based on the play to a communication device associated with a remote player.

45. The method of claim 44, in which the communication device comprises a pager.

46. The method of claim 44, in which the communication device comprises a handheld device.

47. The method of claim 44, in which the communication device comprises a telephone.

48. The method of claim 44, in which the communication device comprises a personal digital assistant.

49. The method of claim 44, in which the communication device comprises a set-top display device.

50. The method of claim 44, in which the communication device is associated with an internet protocol address.

51. The method of claim 44, in which transmitting the second data comprises:

transmitting the second data via wireless communication.

52. A computer-readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform steps of:

receiving an indication of at least one outcome of automated play of a slot machine,

in which the automated play of the slot machine is associated with a remote player,

in which the automated play of the slot machine is terminated based on at least one preference selected by the remote player, and

in which the slot machine is unavailable for manual play at least during the automated play;

determining at least one handheld device that is associated with the remote player; and

transmitting a second signal to the at least one handheld device,

in which the second signal represents the at least one outcome of the automated play.

53. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

the computer-readable medium of claim 52 in communication with the processor.