METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES AT A GAMING MACHINE

• US 20130252716A1
• Filed: 05/16/2013
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Sammon, Russell P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,098,966 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 17/3223 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 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3272 Games involving multiple players

Abstract

In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing an auxiliary unit adapted to allow a gaming machine to be retrofitted to provide communications services; and (2) retrofitting a non-communications-enabled gaming machine with the auxiliary unit so that the non-communications enabled gaming machine is adapted to provide communications services based on game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine. Numerous other aspects are provided.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

(a) at a first point in time when a gaming machine is not in communication with a communications device and is not configured to provide any designated communication services to a player;

(i) enabling the player to place a first wager associated with a first play of a game at the gaming machine, and

(ii) causing at least one first processor to execute a first plurality of instructions to generate at least one outcome in association with the first play of the game; and

(b) at a second, subsequent point in time, after at least the communications device is added to the gaming machine;

(i) enabling the player to place a second wager associated with a second play of the game at the gaming machine,

(ii) causing the at least one first processor to execute the first plurality of instructions to generate at least one outcome in association with the second play of the game, and

(iii) causing at least one second processor to execute a second plurality of instructions to provide designated communication services to the player, the provided designated communication services being independent of any play of any game at the gaming machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a determination to provide said designated communication services to the player being based on if a level of game play at the gaming machine at least equals a predetermined level of game play.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the predetermined threshold level of game play includes payment of a minimum wager during game play.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said designated communication services includes access to an internet, said internet being distinct from any other network associated with the gaming machine.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said designated communication services includes at least one of:

(i) receiving data from an internet server, and (ii) transmitting data to the internet server.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said designated communication services include wireless communication services.

7. A method of retrofitting a gaming machine wherein prior to an occurrence of a reconfiguration event, the gaming machine is not in communication with a communications device and is not configured to provide any designated communication services to a player, said method comprising:

after at least the communications device is added to the gaming machine;

(i) enabling the player to place a wager associated with a play of the game at the gaming machine,

(ii) causing at least one first processor to execute a first plurality of instructions to generate at least one outcome in association with the play of the game, and

(iii) causing at least one second processor to execute a second plurality of instructions to provide designated communication services to the player, the provided designated communication services being independent of any play of any game at the gaming machine.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein a determination to provide said designated communication services to the player being based on if a level of game play at the gaming machine at least equals a predetermined level of game play.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined threshold level of game play includes payment of a minimum wager during game play.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said designated communication services includes access to an internet, said internet being distinct from any other network associated with the gaming machine.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein said designated communication services includes at least one of:

(i) receiving data from an internet server, and (ii) transmitting data to the internet server.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein said designated communication services include wireless communication services.