System and Method for Cross Platform Persistent Gaming Sessions Using a Mobile Device

• US 20130203489A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Lyons, Martin S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,672,688 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/322 Aspects of commerce using mobile devices [M-devices]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3204 Player-machine interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament

Abstract

Various embodiments directed to systems and methods that enable cross platform persistent gaming sessions using a mobile device in a mobile device-enhanced system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method may include enabling a cross platform gaming session in a system that includes a gaming machine that presents a game, and a computing device distinct from the gaming machine, both in communication with one another. The method may include associating the computing device with the gaming machine. The computing device may have one or more displays. The method may include receiving, by the computing device, reformatted graphical data from the gaming machine. The method may include presenting the game on the one or more displays of the computing device using the reformatted graphical data.

Claims

23. A system for enabling a cross platform gaming session for presentment of a game, the system comprising:

a gaming machine; and

a computing device having one or more displays, wherein the computing device is distinct from the gaming machine and is operable to associate with the gaming machine, to receive reformatted graphical data from the gaming machine, and to present the game on the one or more displays of the computing device using the reformatted graphical data, and wherein the gaming machine is operable to associate with the computing device, to receive user input data from the computing device, and to control the game while the game is being presented on the computing device.

1. A method for enabling a cross platform gaming session in a system that includes a gaming machine that presents a game, and a computing device distinct from the gaming machine, both in communication with one another, the method comprising:

associating the computing device with the gaming machine, wherein the computing device has one or more displays;

receiving, by the computing device, reformatted graphical data from the gaming machine; and

presenting the game on the one or more displays of the computing device using the reformatted graphical data.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein associating the computing device with the gaming machine includes connecting the computing device to an access point on a communication network within range of the computing device.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein associating the computing device with the gaming machine includes inputting an identifier unique to the gaming machine.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3, wherein the identifier is dynamic.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the identifier changes after a gaming session is completed.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, wherein the unique identifier remains unique to the gaming machine even after being changed.

7. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the identifier changes after a period of time elapses.

8. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the identifier changes after a cash-out event is initiated.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein associating the computing device with the gaming machine includes determining an IP address associated with the gaming machine based on an identifier unique to the gaming machine that is input using the computing device.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein associating the computing device with the gaming machine includes sending a connection request to the gaming machine over a communication network using an IP address associated with the gaming machine.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein associating the computing device with the gaming machine includes receiving input data from one or more input devices associated with the gaming machine to confirm the connection request.

12. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising disassociating the computing device from the gaming machine.

13. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising terminating presentation of the game on the one or more displays of the computing device.

14. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein disassociating the computing device from the gaming machine occurs after a cash-out event has been detected on the computing device.

15. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reformatted graphical data is based on at least one characteristic specific to the computing device.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the at least one characteristic includes physical size information associated with the one or more displays.

17. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the at least one characteristic includes contrast information associated with the one or more displays.

18. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the at least one characteristic includes resolution information associated with the one or more displays.

19. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the at least one characteristic includes aspect ratio information associated with the one or more displays.

20. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reformatted graphical data is based on at least one characteristic of graphical data presented on the gaming machine.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein the at least one characteristic of the graphical data presented on the gaming machine includes resolution information associated with the graphical data.

22. The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein the at least one characteristic of the graphical data presented on the gaming machine includes aspect ratio information associated with the graphical data.

24. The system as set forth in claim 23, further comprising a connection server in communication with the gaming machine and computing device.

25. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the gaming machine includes a unique identifier.

26. The system as set forth in claim 25, wherein the unique identifier is dynamic.

27. The system as set forth in claim 26, wherein the unique identifier changes after a gaming session is completed.

28. The system as set forth in claim 26, wherein the unique identifier changes after a period of time elapses.

29. The system as set forth in claim 26, wherein the unique identifier changes after a cash-out event is initiated.

30. The system as set forth in claim 27, wherein the unique identifier remains unique to the gaming machine even after being changed.

31. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the computing device is operable to disassociate from the gaming machine.

32. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the gaming machine is operable to disassociate from the computing device.

33. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the computing device or the gaming machine is operable to terminate presentation of the game on the one or more displays of the computing device.

34. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the computing device or the gaming machine is operable to disassociate from the other after a cash-out event has been detected on the computing device.

35. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the reformatted graphical data is based on at least one characteristic specific to the computing device.

36. The system as set forth in claim 35, wherein the at least one characteristic includes physical size information associated with the one or more displays.

37. The system as set forth in claim 35, wherein the at least one characteristic includes contrast information associated with the one or more displays.

38. The system as set forth in claim 35, wherein the at least one characteristic includes resolution information associated with the one or more displays.

39. The system as set forth in claim 35, wherein the at least one characteristic includes aspect ratio information associated with the one or more displays.

40. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the reformatted graphical data is based on at least one characteristic of graphical data presented on the gaming machine.

41. The system as set forth in claim 40, wherein the at least one characteristic of the graphical data presented on the gaming machine includes resolution information associated with the graphical data.

42. The system as set forth in claim 40, wherein the at least one characteristic of the graphical data presented on the gaming machine includes aspect ratio information associated with the graphical data.

26-1. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the computing device is operable to associate with the gaming machine and the gaming machine is operable to associate with the computing device based on an identifier presented on the gaming machine, the identifier being unique to the gaming machine.

27-2. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the computing device is operable to associate with the gaming machine based on an IP address associated with the gaming machine.

28-3. The system as set forth in claim 27, wherein the computing device is operable to obtain the IP address associated with the gaming machine based on an identifier presented on the gaming machine, the identifier being unique to the gaming machine.

29-4. The system as set forth in claim 23, wherein the computing device is operable to send a connection request to the gaming machine over the communication network.

30-5. The system as set forth in claim 29, wherein the computing device is operable to receive input data from one or more input devices on the gaming machine to confirm the connection request.

43. A system for enabling a cross platform gaming session, the system comprising:

one or more memories in communication with one or more hardware processors of one or more computing devices, wherein the one or more memories have instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the one or more computing devices, cause the one or more computing devices to perform operations, comprising;

associating a first computing device with a second computing device, wherein the second computing device has one or more displays, and wherein the first computing device is a gaming machine distinct from the second computing device;

transmitting, by the first computing device, reformatted graphical data to the second computing device; and

presenting the reformatted graphical data on the one or more displays of the second computing device using the reformatted graphical data thereby resulting in display of a game.