WAGERING GAME WEARABLES

• US 20160093154A1
• Filed: 09/25/2015
• Published: 03/31/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bytnar, Michael R., Dicillo, Michael V., Gustafson, Patrick M., Hornik, Jeremy M., Oswald, Gary J., Robbins, Richard B., Shin, Nickey C., Smith, Jesse M., Sunblade, Simon E., Vann, Jamie W., Velu, Muthu, Ward, Matthew J., Zoloto, Steven J., Buchholz, Dale R., Gagner, Mark B., Sylla, Craig J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,858,751 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3272 Games involving multiple players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games

Abstract

A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting that one or more wearable computers are within a proximity range to a wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include determining one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include providing a feature associated with a wagering game based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more wearable computers.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming system primarily dedicated to playing one or more regulated casino wagering games, the gaming system including a secure gaming cabinet, game-logic circuitry, and an electronic display device coupled to the gaming cabinet, the method comprising:

detecting, via the game-logic circuitry, that one or more wearable computers are within a proximity range to the gaming system;

determining, via the game-logic circuitry, one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the gaming system; and

providing, via the game-logic circuitry, a feature associated with a casino wagering game based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more wearable computers, wherein the feature is presentable via one or more of the electronic display device and the one or more wearable computers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers comprises:

determining that a first wearable computer, of the one or more wearable computers, is associated with play of the casino wagering game at the gaming system, wherein the first wearable computer is of a first type of wearable computer; and

determining that a second wearable computer, of the one or more wearable computers, is associated with the play of a casino wagering game at the gaming system at the same time that the first wearable computer is associated with the play of the casino wagering game, wherein the second wearable computer is of a second type of wearable computer.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the providing the feature associated with a casino wagering game comprises:

activating the feature in response to the first wearable computer of the first type and the second wearable computer of the second type being associated with the play of the casino wagering game at the same time.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the providing the feature associated with the casino wagering game comprises:

prior to detecting that the second wearable of the second type is associated with the play of the casino wagering game, indicating, via the first wearable, that the second wearable of the second type is located within a casino; and

based on user input via the first wearable, sending an invitation to the second wearable to join the play of the casino wagering game.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers comprises:

determining one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the gaming system

6. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a set of one or more processors of a wagering game machine, cause the one or more processor to perform operations comprising:

detecting an event from a wagering game presented via a wagering game machine, wherein the wagering game machine is primarily dedicated to playing a regulated casino wagering game, and wherein the wagering game machine includes a gaming cabinet, game-logic circuitry, and one or more presentation devices coupled to the gaming cabinet;

determining a presentation parameter that corresponds to the event; and

using the presentation parameter to present, via the one or more presentation devices of the wagering game machine, a signal that identifies the event, wherein the signal is non-detectable to human perception, and wherein the signal is detectable by a wearable computer associated with a player that is associated with the wagering game machine.

7. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 6, wherein, the signal is one or more of a tone with a frequency that is imperceptible to human hearing and a light pattern with a luminosity level that is imperceptible to human vision.

8. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 7, wherein the presentation parameter indicates a sound frequency that is at or above 14 kilohertz.

9. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 6, said operations further comprising directing the signal to an area of the wagering game machine at which the wearable computer is located.

10. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 6, said operations further comprising:

detecting that a portion of the wagering game machine is in physical contact with one or more of a portion of the player and a portion of the wearable computer; and

transmitting the signal via the portion of the wagering game machine to the one or more of the portion of the player and the portion of the wearable computer via the physical contact.

11. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 10, wherein the wearable device is in contact with skin of the player, and wherein the signal is transmitted, via electrical conductance of the skin of the player, to the wearable device.

12. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 6, wherein the wearable computer is configured to detect the signal, determine the event, and transmit an indication of the event to a mobile device in communication with the wearable computer.

13. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 6, said operations further comprising:

pairing the wearable computer with the wagering game machine prior to occurrence of the event; and

transmitting the inaudible tone with an encryption code that is decodable by the wearable computer based on the pairing.

14. A gaming system primarily dedicated to providing a casino wagering game, the gaming system comprising:

a secure gaming cabinet for housing components associated with the casino wagering game;

an electronic display device coupled to the gaming cabinet;

an electronic input device coupled to the gaming cabinet, the electronic input device configured to receive a physical input from a player to initiate the casino wagering game and transform the input into an electronic data signal;

a value input device configured to receive monetary value for placement of wagers on the casino wagering game; and

game-logic circuitry configured to,

detect one or more biometric signals from one or more wearable computers associated with a player of the casino wagering game,

evaluate the one or more biometric signals against player data, and

cause one or more wagering game activities to occur based on evaluation of the one or more biometric signals against the player data.

15. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the game-logic circuitry configured to evaluate the one or more biometric signals against the player data is configured to compare the one or more biometric signals to biometric data related to a baseline emotional state of the player.

16. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the game-logic circuitry is further configured to determine an emotional state of the player based on the evaluation of the one or more biometric signals against the player data, and wherein the wearable computer unit is configured to cause the one or more wagering game activities to occur in response to determination of the emotional state of the player.

17. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the game-logic circuitry is further configured to:

present a luck indicator via the electronic display device; and

modify the luck indicator based on the emotional state.

18. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the game-logic circuitry is configured to:

detect a type of the wearable computer; and

determine a type of wagering game content to provide for presentation based on the type of the wearable computer.

19. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the game-logic circuitry is configured to:

detect a wagering game event; and

generate a signal to provide to the wearable computer, wherein the signal causes the wearable computer to generate an accompanying response to the wagering game event.

20. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the game-logic circuitry, which is configured to cause the one or more wagering game activities to occur, is configured to change a state of the wagering game based on the one or more biometric signals.

21. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the player data comprises a history of biometric data for the player associated with the casino wagering game, wherein the evaluation of the one or more biometric signals against the player data comprises comparing the history of biometric data for the player to the one or more biometric signals, and wherein the game-logic circuitry is configured to select wagering game content to present based on the comparing.

22. A method comprising:

detecting an event that occurs in a regulated casino wagering game based on game-logic circuitry, wherein the casino wagering game is presented via a gaming system primarily dedicated to playing casino wagering games, the gaming system including one or more communication devices configured to communicate with a wearable computer, the game-logic circuitry, one or more output presentation devices, and a value input device configured to receive monetary value for placement of wagers on the casino wagering game;

providing, via the one or more communication devices, an indication of the event for presentation via a wearable computer;

after providing the indication of the event, detecting, via the one or more communication devices, use of the wearable computer, wherein the use of the wearable computer is related to the indication of the event; and

causing an activation of a feature associated with the gaming system in response to the use of the wearable computer, wherein the feature is presentable via one or more of the one or more output presentation devices and the wearable computer.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the event indicates an error of the gaming system, and wherein the causing the activation of the feature associated with the gaming system comprises providing, for presentation via the wearable computer, maintenance information associated with the error.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the event is a wagering game outcome, and further comprising authorizing the wearable computer to activate the feature in response to the wagering game outcome.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the detecting the use of the wearable computer related to the indication of the event comprises detecting a physical interaction of the wearable computer with the gaming system, and wherein the causing the activation of the feature associated with the gaming system is in response to the physical interaction of the wearable computer with the gaming system.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the causing the activation of the feature associated with the gaming system comprises initiating a security feature of the gaming system in response to the physical interaction.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising providing indicators, for presentation via the wearable computer, to a location of the gaming system within a casino in response to detecting the event.