Gaming Machine Chair

• US 20080054561A1
• Filed: 07/29/2005
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Wurz, Norman, Greenberg, Jacob, Pryzby, Eric, Canterbury, Stephen, Loose, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 8,113,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/148B
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/72 Adaptations for incorporating lamps, radio sets, bars, telephones, ventilation, heating or cooling arrangements or the like
• 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 17/3216 Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects

Abstract

A gaming chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair includes a seat and a tactile device for providing tactile sensations via the seat according to at least one of events occurring in the wagering game, and player input through an input device.

Claims

1. A gaming chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair comprising:

a seat;

a back extending upward from the seat; and

an illuminated image display for displaying an image, the image display being coupled to the back.

2. The chair of claim 1 wherein the image display includes an artwork panel.

3. The chair of claim 1 wherein the image display includes an artwork member adapted to scroll between at least first and second positions, the artwork member displaying a first viewable portion when in the first position and displaying a second viewable portion when in the second position.

4. The chair of claim 1 wherein the image display includes a video display

5. The chair of claim 1 wherein the back includes a first side and a second side, the first side facing the gaming machine, the second side facing away from the gaming machine, the image display being mounted to the second side

6. The chair of claim 1 wherein the image is associated with the wagering game, a gaming establishment containing the gaming machine, or advertising.

7. A gaming chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair comprising:

a seat; and

a motion device for moving the seat according to at least one of (i) random events occurring in the wagering game so as to simulate such events and (ii) repetitive actions based on player input through an input device.

8. The chair of claim 7 further including a user interface for enabling, disabling, or adjusting the motion device.

9. The chair of claim 7 wherein the wagering game is accompanied by an audio track, the audio track containing embedded markers for triggering the motion device to move the seat.

10. The chair of claim 7 wherein the motion device is adapted to vertically move and tilt the seat.

11. The chair of claim 7 wherein the motion device includes at least one of hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders.

12. A gaming chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair comprising:

a seat;

a support member; and

a user interface removably mounted to the support member.

13. The chair of claim 12 wherein the user interface includes a touchpad.

14. The chair of claim 12 wherein the user interface includes a touch screen video display.

15. The chair of claim 12 wherein the user interface includes electromechanical buttons.

16. The chair of claim 12 wherein the user interface includes a spring-loaded handle.

17. The chair of claim 12 wherein the support member includes an armrest.

18. The chair of claim 12 wherein the support member includes a side console alongside the seat.

19. The chair of claim 12 wherein the user interface is physically linked to the support member by a retractable tether.

20. The chair of claim 12 wherein the user interface includes one or more controls for operating the wagering game.

21. The chair of claim 12 wherein the user interface includes one or more controls for operating one or more features not associated with the wagering game.

22. The chair of claim 12 wherein the user interface transmits control signals through a wired or wireless communications link.

23. A gaming chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair comprising:

a seat;

a reading device connected to the seat; and

a portable data unit for communicating with the reading device through a wireless connection without inserting the data unit into the reading device.

24. The chair of claim 23 wherein information is transmitted across the wireless connection, the information including player-tracking data.

25. The chair of claim 23 wherein information is transmitted across the wireless connection, the information including monetary data.

26. The chair of claim 23 wherein information is transmitted across the wireless connection, the information including gaming machine data.

27. The chair of claim 23 wherein information is transmitted across the wireless connection, the information including account data.

28. The chair of claim 23 wherein information is transmitted across the wireless connection, the information including player preference data.

29. The chair of claim 23 wherein information is transmitted across the wireless connection, the information including game data.

30. The chair of claim 23 further including an armrest, the reading device being mounted to or within the armrest.

31. The chair of claim 23 further including a side console alongside the seat, the reading device being mounted to or within the side console.

32. A gaming chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair comprising:

a seat; and

an audio speaker for providing tactile sensations based on at least one of (i) random events occurring in the wagering game and (ii) player input through an input device.

33. The chair of claim 32 wherein the audio speaker is un-dampened or partially dampened.

34. The chair of claim 32 wherein the audio speaker is located in the seat, a back, a leg rest, a headrest, or a foot rest.

35. A gaming system, comprising:

a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game; and

a gaming chair including a seat, a back extending upward from the seat, and an illuminated image display for displaying an image, the image display being coupled to the back.

36. A gaming system, comprising:

a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game; and

a gaming chair including a seat and a motion device for moving the seat according to at least one of (i) random events occurring in the wagering game so as to simulate such events and (ii) repetitive actions based on player input through an input device.

37. A gaming system, comprising:

a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game; and

a gaming chair including a seat, a support member, and a user interface removably mounted to the support member.

38. A gaming system, comprising:

a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game; and

a gaming chair including a seat, a reading device, and a portable data unit for communicating with the reading device through a wireless connection without inserting the data unit into the reading device.

39. A method of conducting a wagering game in a gaming system including a gaming machine and a gaming chair, the gaming chair including a seat and a motion device, the method comprising:

producing random events in the wagering game;

moving the seat according to at least one of (i) random events occurring in the wagering game so as to simulate such events and (ii) repetitive actions based on player input through an input device.

40. A method of using a user interface in a gaming system, the gaming system including a gaming machine and a gaming chair, the gaming machine being adapted to conduct a wagering game, the gaming chair including a seat, a support member, and the user interface, the user interface being removably mounted to the support member, the method comprising:

removing the user interface from the support member; and

actuating a control on the user interface.

41. A method of using a portable data unit in a gaming system, the gaming system including a gaming machine and a gaming chair, the gaming machine being adapted to conduct a wagering game, the gaming chair including a seat and a reading device, the method comprising:

placing the portable data unit in proximity to the reading device, without inserting the portable data unit into the reading device, such that the portable data unit communicates with the reading device through a wireless connection.

42. A method of communicating information between a portable data unit and a gaming system, the gaming system including a gaming machine and a gaming chair, the gaming machine being adapted to conduct a wagering game, the gaming chair including a seat and a reading device, the method comprising:

detecting the portable data unit in proximity to the reading device, without receiving the portable data unit into the reading device; and

communicating the information between the reading device and portable data unit through a wireless connection.

43. A method of communicating information from a portable data unit to a gaming system, the gaming system including a gaming machine and a gaming chair, the gaming machine being adapted to conduct a wagering game, the gaming chair including a seat and a reading device, the method comprising:

detecting the portable data unit in proximity to the reading device, without receiving the portable data unit into the reading device; and

communicating the information to the reading device from the portable data unit through a wireless connection

44. A method of using an audio speaker in a gaming system, the gaming system including a gaming machine and a gaming chair, the gaming machine being adapted to conduct a wagering game, the gaming chair including an audio speaker, the method comprising:

generating audio signals based on at least one of (i) random events occurring in the wagering game and (ii) player input through an input device;

transmitting the audio signals to the audio speaker; and

converting the audio signal into un-dampened or partially dampened acoustical energy, the acoustical energy transferring into the gaming chair as a tactile effect.