DIRECTIONAL WIRELESS COMMUNICATION

• US 20150265915A1
• Filed: 06/08/2015
• Published: 09/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nelson, Dwayne R., LeMay, Steven G.
• Granted Patent: US 10,391,392 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/5375 for graphically or textually suggesting an action, e.g. by displaying an arrow indicating a turn in a driving game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/77 involving data related to game devices or game servers, e.g. configuration data, software version or amount of memory
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3206 Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• 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 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A method for establishing communication between a portable electronic device and an electronic gaming machine within a gaming environment includes receiving wireless signal data transmitted from the portable electronic device, determining a wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine based on the wireless signal data, and based on a determination that the wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine has increased, exceeded a predetermined threshold level, and leveled off for an amount of time exceeding a time threshold after becoming stronger, initiating a wireless communication link between the electronic gaming machine and the portable electronic device.

Claims

1. A method for controlling communication between a portable electronic device and an electronic gaming machine within a gaming environment, the method comprising:

determining a wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine based on wireless signal data received from the portable electronic device; and

based on a determination that the wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine has decreased below a predetermined threshold level, terminating a wireless communication link between the electronic gaming machine and the portable electronic device.

2. The method of claim 1, which include causing the electronic gaming machine to perform the step of determining the wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine.

3. The method of claim 1, which includes causing a controller separate from the electronic gaming machine to perform the step of determining the wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine.

4. The method of claim 1, which includes causing the portable electronic device to display a message regarding the communication between the portable electronic device and the electronic gaming machine.

5. A method for controlling communication between a portable electronic device and an electronic gaming machine within a gaming environment, the method comprising:

determining a wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine based on wireless signal data received from the portable electronic device; and

based on a determination that the wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine has decreased below a predetermined threshold level for an amount of time exceeding a time threshold, terminating a wireless communication link between the electronic gaming machine and the portable electronic device.

6. The method of claim 5, which include causing the electronic gaming machine to perform the step of determining the wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine.

7. The method of claim 5, which includes causing a controller separate from the electronic gaming machine to perform the step of determining the wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine.

8. The method of claim 5, which includes causing the portable electronic device to display a message regarding the communication between the portable electronic device and the electronic gaming machine.

9. A method for controlling communication between a portable electronic device and an electronic gaming machine within a gaming environment, the method comprising:

determining a wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine based on wireless signal data received from the portable electronic device;

determining if the electronic gaming machine is being actively played; and

based on a determination that the wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine has decreased below a predetermined threshold level and the determination of whether the electronic gaming machine is being actively played, terminating a wireless communication link between the electronic gaming machine and the portable electronic device.

10. The method of claim 9, which include causing the electronic gaming machine to perform the step of determining the wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine.

11. The method of claim 9, which includes causing a controller separate from the electronic gaming machine to perform the step of determining the wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine.

12. The method of claim 9, which includes causing the portable electronic device to display a message regarding the communication between the portable electronic device and the electronic gaming machine.