Wagering Game Adaptive On-Screen User Volume Control

• US 20080214289A1
• Filed: 05/17/2006
• Published: 09/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Radek, Paul, Pryzby, Eric M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,100,762 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 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value

Abstract

A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio channel coupled to an adaptive on-screen user volume control. The volume control comprises a user setting and a master setting, wherein the user volume setting is operable to adjust the system volume over a limited volume range near the master volume setting, and wherein the master volume is operable to change over time based on user volume settings.

Claims

1. A computerized wagering game system, comprising:

a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and further comprising at least one audio channel operable to produce sound;

a volume control comprising a user setting and a master setting, wherein the user volume setting is operable to adjust the system volume over a limited volume range near the master volume setting, and wherein the master volume is operable to change over time based on user volume settings.

2. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the user volume setting is changed via actuation of a touchscreen button.

3. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, further comprising storing a user volume preference associated with a wagering game player.

4. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the volume control is operable to change the master volume setting based on user volume setting such that the master volume setting is the system volume setting resulting from an average of two or more user volume settings.

5. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the user volume setting is operable to adjust the system volume higher when the master volume is at a low level, is operable to adjust the system volume lower when the master volume is at a high level, and is operable to adjust the system volume lower or higher when the master volume is at a moderate volume.

6. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the master volume is operable to change based on user volume settings only based on user volume settings made during a wagering game playing session.

7. The computerized wagering game system of claim 1, wherein the master volume setting varies during the course of a day.

8. A method of operating a computerized wagering game machine, comprising:

presenting a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered; and

controlling volume of at least one audio signal via a user setting and a master setting, wherein the user volume setting is operable to adjust the system volume over a limited volume range near the master volume setting, and wherein the master volume is operable to change over time based on user volume settings.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the user volume setting is changed via actuation of a touchscreen button.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising storing a user volume preference associated with a wagering game player.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the volume control is operable to change the master volume setting based on user volume setting such that the master volume setting is the system volume setting resulting from an average of two or more user volume settings.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the user volume setting is operable to adjust the system volume higher when the master volume is at a low level, is operable to adjust the system volume lower when the master volume is at a high level, and is operable to adjust the system volume lower or higher when the master volume is at a moderate volume.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the master volume is operable to change based on user volume settings only based on user volume settings made during a wagering game playing session.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the master volume setting varies during the course of a day.

15. A machine-readable medium with instructions stored thereon, the instructions when executed operable to cause a computerized wagering game system to:

present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered; and

control volume of at least one audio signal via a user setting and a master setting, wherein the user volume setting is operable to adjust the system volume over a limited volume range near the master volume setting, and wherein the master volume is operable to change over time based on user volume settings.

16. The machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the user volume setting is changed via actuation of a touchscreen button.

17. The machine-readable medium of claim 15, the instructions when executed further operable to store a user volume preference associated with a wagering game player.

18. The machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the volume control is operable to change the master volume setting based on user volume setting such that the master volume setting is the system volume setting resulting from an average of two or more user volume settings.

19. The machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the user volume setting is operable to adjust the system volume higher when the master volume is at a low level, is operable to adjust the system volume lower when the master volume is at a high level, and is operable to adjust the system volume lower or higher when the master volume is at a moderate volume.

20. The machine-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the master volume is operable to change based on user volume settings only based on user volume settings made during a wagering game playing session.