REMOTE GAMING ENVIRONMENT

• US 20090291762A1
• Filed: 05/20/2009
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,152,645 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/322 Casino tables, e.g. tables having integrated screens, chip detection means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3272 Games involving multiple players

Abstract

A gambler'"'"'s gaming experience is extended outside the traditional gaming environment by providing a remote gaming environment that duplicates the sights, sounds, smells, and experience of a traditional casino floor. The remote gaming environment may be networked into a customer service center to help resolve issues and prevent fraud.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

conducting game play at a table in a gaming establishment;

providing information about the game play to a remotely positioned player at a remote location;

instructing the remotely positioned player to mimic game play at the remote location by manipulating one or more physical game components on a table surface at the remote location;

tracking activities of the remotely positioned player to determine whether the activities at the remote location correctly mimic the game play at the table;

providing information about the tracking to a customer service representative; and

enabling a communication channel between the customer service representative and the remotely positioned player.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the physical game components comprise at least one of:

a card and a chip representing a wager.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein providing information about the game play to a remotely positioned player comprises providing information to the remotely positioned player in a hotel room associated with the gaming establishment.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein providing information about the game play to a remotely positioned player comprises providing information to the remotely positioned player in a location removed from a property associated with the gaming establishment.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein tracking activities comprises using a camera to capture images associated with the activities and sending captured images to the customer service representative.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing an audio signal from the game play at the table to the remotely positioned player.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising replicating environmental effects from the game play at the table for the remotely positioned player.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein replicating environmental effects comprises reproducing at least one of sounds and smells.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising accepting a wager from the remotely positioned player by allowing the remotely positioned player to insert a chip into a chip receiver.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein accepting the wager comprises including an indication of time the wager was placed.

11. The method of claim 9 further comprising providing winnings to the remotely positioned player by a chip hopper.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein providing information about the game play to the remotely positioned player comprises transmitting data on a continuous basis.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein providing information about the game play to the remotely positioned player comprises transmitting data on a semi-continuous basis.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising verifying information about the remote player to insure the remote player is approved to use an associated account.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a request for assistance from a remotely positioned player.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising facilitating a response to the request through the communication channel between the customer service representative and the remotely positioned player.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving an error message associated with a peripheral device.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising facilitating a resolution to the error message through the communication channel between the customer service representative and the remotely positioned player.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying a disputed issue associated with the remotely positioned player.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising facilitating resolution of the disputed issue through the communication channel between the customer service representative and the remotely positioned player.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising verifying resolution of the disputed issue.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying an issue from received game data associated with the remote location.

23. The method of claim 22 further comprising facilitating resolution of the issue through the communication channel between the customer service representative and the remotely positioned player.

24. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying an issue associated with the remotely positioned player that may be addressed through remedial training of the remotely positioned player.

25. The method of claim 1 further comprising soliciting feedback from the remotely positioned player relating to interactions between the remotely positioned player and the customer service representative.

26. The method of claim 1 wherein the customer service representative is not involved in the game play at the table.

27. A method comprising:

conducting game play at a table in a gaming establishment;

establishing a remote game play station for a remotely positioned player, wherein the remote game play station comprises;

a playing surface copied from a playing surface at the table;

a wager receiver;

a benefit dispenser;

a card shoe adapted to dispense cards;

a camera to record remote game play at the remote game play station;

a microphone to receive audio signals from the remotely positioned player; and

a speaker to provide audio signals to the remotely positioned player;

instructing the remotely positioned player to mimic the game play at the table with the remote game play station;

tracking remote game play activity at the remote game play station;

updating game play at the table based on the remote game play activity;

detecting discrepancies between the remote game play and the game play at the table; and

enabling a communication channel between the remotely positioned player and a customer service representative to resolve the discrepancies.