Method and apparatus for registering a mobile device with a gaming machine

• US 20070021198A1
• Filed: 08/31/2006
• Published: 01/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Binh, Muir, David
• Granted Patent: US 7,699,703 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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
• 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

Abstract

Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing techniques for securing a gaming machine for a player of the gaming machine using a mobile device such as a cell phone associated with the player. A player input requests securing of the gaming machine. Responsive to the player input, an access code and a security code are retrieved. The access code defines an access point of a communication system. The security code is specific to a game play session for the player at the gaming machine. The retrieved access code and security code are provided for the player. When the mobile device accesses the communications system and submits the security code, a secure signal is sent to the gaming machine, instructing the gaming machine to enter a remote game play state. The gaming machine can be released from the remote game play state responsive to a releasing event. In one implementation, a wireless interface enables communication between the mobile device and gaming machine according to a wireless protocol such as Bluetooth.

Claims

1. A method of secure remote gaming on a gaming machine using a mobile device associated with a player of the gaming machine, the method comprising:

retrieving an access code and a security code for a player of the gaming machine;

providing the retrieved access code and the security code for the player;

receiving a confirmation message from a communications apparatus indicating access of the communications apparatus using the access code, and receipt of the security code from the mobile device;

responsive to the confirmation message, securing the gaming machine so that the gaming machine enters a remote game play state; and

providing a remote game play session during the remote game play state, the remote game play session enabling remote play of a game of chance on the gaming machine using the mobile device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending game outcomes from the gaming machine to the mobile device over a wireless communications channel.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the game outcomes are sent in a substantially real-time manner.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

retrieving the game outcomes from a memory.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the memory is situated at a remote location with respect to the gaming machine.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the memory is situated at a local location with respect to the gaming machine.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

enabling selection of one of a plurality of games using the mobile device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a game software management application to the mobile device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending game software licensing information to the mobile device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the remote game play session includes:

establishing a wireless communications session between the mobile device and the gaming machine.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the gaming machine includes:

maintaining meter information in the gaming machine.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the gaming machine includes:

transferring meter information from the gaming machine to a server.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote game play session includes:

enabling a control function on the mobile device, the control function providing player interaction with the gaming machine.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the control function is selected from the group consisting of:

a game play input, an information input, and a customer service request.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

enabling a fund transfer operation using the mobile device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the fund transfer operation includes:

access of an account; and

transfer of value from the account to the gaming machine.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing for purchase of outcomes using the mobile device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is selected from the group consisting of:

a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, and a laptop computer.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine includes an interface with a table game.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein securing the gaming machine includes:

providing a local game play session for a player of the table game.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the remote game play session includes proxy betting on a player of the table game, using the mobile device.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the confirmation message further indicates:

identification of an approved location of the mobile device.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the approved location is in a gaming environment.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the remote game play session includes one or more selected from the group consisting of:

receiving a message containing a wager amount for the game of chance, receiving a message containing information from input signals generated on one or more input mechanisms of the mobile device, adding credits to the gaming machine, storing a history of games played on the mobile device, and generating a bonus game outcome.

25. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending content to the mobile device, the entertainment content selected from the group consisting of an advertisement, news, stock quotes, e-mail, a web page, a message service, a locator service, a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical selection, a casino promotion, a broadcast event, a player tracking service, a drink menu, and a snack menu.

26. A gaming machine for providing secure remote gaming for a player having an associated mobile device, the gaming machine comprising:

a player interface coupled to receive a player input requesting remote gaming;

a gaming controller including a processor configured to;

i) retrieve an access code and a security code, and

ii) provide the retrieved access code and the security code for the player; and

a network interface coupled to receive a confirmation message from a communications apparatus indicating access of the communications apparatus using the access code, and receipt of the security code from the mobile device;

wherein the gaming controller is further configured to;

iii) responsive to the confirmation message, secure the gaming machine so that the gaming machine enters a remote game play state, and

iv) provide a remote game play session during the remote game play state, the remote game play session enabling remote play of a game of chance on the gaming machine using the mobile device.

27. The gaming machine of claim 26, the gaming controller further configured to:

send game outcomes from the gaming machine to the mobile device.

28. The gaming machine of claim 27, wherein the game outcomes are sent in a substantially real-time manner.

29. The gaming machine of claim 27, the gaming controller further configured to:

retrieve the game outcomes from a memory.

30. The gaming machine of claim 26, further comprising:

a communications interface coupled to establish a wireless communications session with the mobile device.

31. The gaming machine of claim 26, the network interface further coupled to:

transfer meter information from the gaming machine to a server.

32. The gaming machine of claim 26, wherein the gaming machine includes a table game interface providing an interface with a table game.

33. The gaming machine of claim 32, wherein securing the gaming machine includes:

providing a local game play session for a player of the table game.

34. The gaming machine of claim 32, wherein the remote game play session includes proxy betting on a player of the table game, using the mobile device.

35. The gaming machine of claim 26, wherein the confirmation message further indicates:

identification of an approved location of the mobile device.

36. The gaming machine of claim 35, wherein the approved location is in a gaming environment.

37. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the communications interface is further coupled to:

send content to the mobile device, the entertainment content selected from the group consisting of an advertisement, news, stock quotes, e-mail, a web page, a message service, a locator service, a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical selection, a casino promotion, a broadcast event, a player tracking service, a drink menu, and a snack menu.

38. A data processing apparatus for providing secure remote gaming for a player of a gaming machine using a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:

a network interface coupled to receive a secure instruction from a gaming machine over a communications network, the secure instruction requesting securing of the gaming machine for the player;

a processor configured to execute program code to;

i) retrieve an access code and a security code from a storage medium,

ii) provide the retrieved access code and the security code to the gaming machine over the network interface,

iii) receive the security code from the mobile device through a communications apparatus, and

iv) send a secure signal to the gaming machine, the secure signal instructing the gaming machine to enter a remote game play state enabling remote play of a game of chance on the gaming machine using the mobile device.