Remote gaming device

• US 6,001,016 A
• Filed: 12/31/1996
• Issued: 12/14/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Sparico, Thomas M., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US08/775,577
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/12-13, 463/16, 463/20, 463/25, 463/29-30, 463/36, 463/40-42, 273/143 R, 273/292, 273/293, 273/307, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/139, 364/410.1, 364/411.1, 364/412.1
• US Class Current: 463/42
• 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 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

A method and system for remote play of a gaming device, such as a slot machine. A player enters play preferences at a remote wagering terminal. The remote wagering terminal transmits the play preferences to a slot network server that stores the play preferences. Based upon the play preferences, the slot network server identifies one or more slot machines and transmits outcome data from those slot machines to the remote wagering terminal. The outcome data may be live or historical. In one embodiment of the present invention, the slot network server generates visual representation data based on the historical data, and transmits same to the remote wagering terminal. The slot network server keeps track of the player'"'"'s wins and losses based upon the outcome data.

Claims

1. A method for the remote play of a slot machine, comprising:

receiving data identifying a plurality of slot machines each engaged in local play;

transmitting from a remote location data selecting at least a one of said plurality of slot machines for remote play;

receiving at said remote location a live outcome resulting from a local play of said one slot machine; and

using said live outcome to generate a payout.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said one slot machine includes a starting controller; and

said outcome includes a reel position.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said payout comprises a cash payout.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of receiving data includes receiving data selecting at least two of said plurality of slot machines for remote play.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of receiving data includes receiving a slot machine identifier.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said step of receiving data includes receiving a slot machine type.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of receiving data includes receiving player preferences.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said one slot machine comprises a video poker machine including a display for displaying a poker hand.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said live outcome comprises data identifying the value of said payout; and

further comprising the step of

using said payout data to simulate a display of said live outcome at said remote location.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein:

said live outcome comprises data identifying a reel position of a slot machine; and

further comprising the step of

using said live outcome data to display said reel position at said remote location.

11. The method of claim 1 and further including the steps of:

receiving a player identifier; and

transmitting said player identifier for identification of said player.

12. A terminal for the remote play of a slot machine, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory connected to said processor and including instructions for controlling said processor;

said processor operative with said instructions in said memory to

receive data identifying a plurality of slot machines each engaged in local play,

transmit from a remote location data selecting at least a one of said plurality of slot machines for remote play,

receive at said remote location a live outcome resulting from a local play of said one slot machine, and

use said live outcome to generate a payout at said remote location.

13. The remote terminal of claim 12 wherein:

said one slot machine includes a starting controller; and

said outcome includes a reel position.

14. The remote terminal of claim 12 wherein said payout comprises a cash payout.

15. The remote terminal of claim 12 wherein said operation of receiving data includes receiving data selecting at least two of said plurality of slot machines for remote play.

16. The remote terminal of claim 15 wherein said operation of receiving data includes receiving a slot machine identifier.

17. The remote terminal of claim 15 wherein said operation of receiving data includes receiving a slot machine type.

18. The remote terminal of claim 12 wherein said operation of receiving data includes receiving player preferences.

19. The remote terminal of claim 12 wherein said one slot machine comprises a video poker machine including a display for displaying a poker hand.

20. The remote terminal of claim 12 wherein:

said live outcome comprises data identifying the value of said payout; and

further comprising the operation of

using said payout data to simulate a display of said live outcome at said remote location.

21. The remote terminal of claim 12 wherein:

said outcome comprises data identifying a reel position of said one slot machine; and

further comprising the operation of

using said outcome data to display said reel position at said remote location.

22. The remote terminal of claims 12 and further including the operations of:

receiving a player identifier; and

transmitting said player identifier for identification of said player.

23. The remote terminal of claim 12 and further including:

a hopper for dispensing currency; and

a hopper controller connected to said hopper and to said processor.

24. A remote terminal for the remote play of a slot machine, comprising:

means for receiving data identifying a plurality of slot machines each engaged in local play;

means for transmitting from a remote location data selecting at least a one of said plurality of slot machines for remote play;

means for receiving at said remote location a live outcome resulting from a local play of said one slot machine; and

means for using said live outcome to generate a payout at said remote location.