Wireless game player

• US 6,846,238 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 01/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Wells, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/967,326
• Publication Number:
  US 20030064805A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,215 Days
• Field of Search: 463 40- 42, 463 12- 13, 463 16- 22, 463/25, 463/46, 463/47, 273/36, 273/39, 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/143.R, 273/139
• US Class Current: 463/39
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• 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 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games

Abstract

A disclosed gaming machine provides methods and apparatus for operating a wireless game player that presents a game of chance executed on a gaming machine in communication with the wireless game player. In one embodiment, the wireless game player is a hand-held mobile device, electronically linked to a licensed gaming machine via a wireless connection. All random number generation (RNG) events, game outcomes, meter information, game related information, and all cash transactions are maintained in the licensed (controlled) gaming machine and not the wireless game player. The wireless game player may be used anywhere within the legal areas of the casino and it has the capability of identifying who is using it. For example, a biometric input device, such as a finger print reader may be used on the wireless game player to identify the player. Thus, the issue of under-age or excluded players is addressed.

Claims

1. A hand-held wireless game player for playing a game of chance, the hand-held wireless game player comprising;

a wire-less communication interface;

a display screen for displaying a graphical rendition of the game of chance;

a sound interface for providing at least sound to a user of the wireless same player related to the game of chance;

one or more input mechanisms; and

a microprocessor configured

     1) to present the game of chance on the display screen under control of a master gaming controller located on a gaming machine wherein the master gaming controller executes regulated gaming software to generate the game of chance on the wireless game player and wherein the master gaming controller maintains and updates credit information resulting from playing the game of chance as each game of chance is played on the wireless game player and wherein communication between the microprocessor and the master gaming controller is via the wireless communication interface and

     2) to send information from input signals for playing the game of chance that are generated from the one or more input mechanisms to the master gaming controller via the wire-less communication interface wherein the wireless game player is adapted for use as a remote extension to the gaming machine

wherein each game of chance played on the hand-held wireless game player comprises;

establishing an active communication link with the master gaming controller and while the communication link is active;

a)receiving one or more input signals to indicate a wager amount for the game of chance and to initiate the game of chance on the one or more input mechanisms from a game player using the hand-held wireless game player;

b) sending information from the one or more input signals to the master gaming controller via the wireless communication interface wherein the master gaming controller generates the outcome game of chance in response to receiving the information from the one or more input signals from;

c) receiving from the master gaming controller at least an outcome for the game of chance; and

d) displaying the graphical rendition of the outcome of the game of chance on the display wherein the graphical rendition comprises a sequence of video frames and wherein the wireless game player is operable to output sound associated with the graphical rendition

and wherein when the communication link is inactive terminating play of the game of chance.

2. The wireless game player of claim 1, further comprising:

a peripheral interface for connecting to a peripheral gaming device.

3. The wireless game player of claim 2, wherein the peripheral interface is a serial interface, a parallel interface, a USB interface, a FireWire interface, an IEEE 1394 interface.

4. The wireless game player of claim 2, wherein the peripheral gaming device is a printer, a card reader, a hard drive and a CD-DVD drive.

5. The wireless game player of claim 1, further comprising:

a detachable memory interface designed to receive a detachable memory unit.

6. The wireless game player of claim 5, wherein the detachable memory unit stores graphical programs for one or more games chance played on the wireless game player.

7. The wireless game player of claim 5, further comprising:

a locking mechanism designed to prevent removal of the detachable memory unit.

8. The wireless game player of claim 1, further comprising:

an audio output interface for receiving a head phone jack.

9. The wireless game player of claim 1, further comprising:

an antenna.

10. The wireless game player of claim 1, further comprising:

a sound projection device.

11. The wireless game player of claim 1, further comprising:

a battery.

12. The wireless game player of claim 11, further comprising:

a power interface for supplying power to the wireless game player from an external power source and for charging the battery from the external power source.

13. The wireless game player of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory unit.

14. The wireless game player of claim 13, wherein the memory unit stores graphical programs for one or more games chance played on the wireless game player.

15. Th wireless game player of claim 1, further comprising:

an electronic key interface designed to receive an electronic key.

16. The wireless game player of claim 1, further comprising:

a video graphics card for rendering images on the display screen.

17. The wireless game player of claim 16, wherein the video graphics card is used to render 2-D graphics and 3-D graphics.

18. The wireless game player of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication interface uses a wireless communication protocol selected from the group consisting of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b. IEEE 802.11x, hyperlan/2, Bluetooth, IrDA and HomeRF.

19. The wireless game player of claim 1, wherein the game of chance is selected from the group consisting of slot games, poker, pachinko, multiple hand poker games, pai-gow poker, blackjack, keno, bingo, roulette, craps and card game.

20. The wireless game player of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is configured to present a bonus game on the display screen using instructions received from a master gaming controller on a gaming machine via the wireless communication interface.

21. The wireless game player of claim 1, wherein the instructions received from the master gaming controller and the input signals sent to the master gaming controller are encrypted.

22. The wireless game player of claim 1, wherein one or more inputs mechanisms are selected from the group consisting of a touch screen, a input switch, an input button and biometric input device.

23. The wireless game player of claim 22, wherein the biometric input device is a finger print reader.

24. The wireless game player of claim 1, further comprising:

gaming logic for displaying a web-browser to the display screen.

25. The wireless game player of claim 1, wherein the wireless game player is configured to present an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web page, a message service, a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical selection, a casino promotion, a broadcast event, a maintenance operation, a player tracking service, a drink menu and a snack menu.

26. The wireless game player of claim 1, further comprising:

a wire network interface for connecting the wireless game player to a wire network access point.

27. The wireless game player of claim 1, wherein the wireless game player is played in at least one of a plurality of venue locations physically separate from the location of the gaming machine.

28. The wireless game player of claim 1, wherein the plurality of venue locations are selected from the group consisting of a keno parlor, a bingo parlor, a restaurant, a sports book, a bar, a hotel, a pool area and a casino floor area.

29. The wireless game player of claim 1, further comprising:

one or more security mechanisms used to track a location of the wireless game player.

30. A gaming machine for providing remote game play, the gaming machine comprising:

a master gaming controller designed or configured

     1) to generate game outcomes for one or more games of chance using regulated gaining software,

     2) to maintain and update credit information resulting from playing the game of chance as each game of chance is played remotely and

     3) to present remotely the game outcomes for the one or more games of chance on a wireless game player; and

the wireless game player the wireless game player comprising;

a wireless communication interface;

a display screen;

a sound interface for providing at least sound to a user of the wireless game player related to the game of chance;

one or more input mechanisms; and

a microprocessor configured i) to present a game of chance on the display screen under control of the master gaming controller located on the gaming machine wherein communication between the microprocessor and the master gaming controller is via the wireless communication interface and ii) to send information from input signals generated from the one or more input mechanisms to the master gaming controller via the wireless communication interface wherein the wireless game player is adapted for use as a remote extension to the gaming machine wherein each game of chance played on the hand-held wireless game player comprises;

establishing an active communication link with the master gaming controller and while the communication link is active;

a)receiving one or more input signals to indicate a wager amount for the game of chance and to initiate the game of chance on the one or more input mechanisms from a game player using the wireless game player;

b) sending information from the one or more input signals to the master gaming controller via the wireless communication interface wherein the master gaming controller generates the outcome game of chance in response to receiving the information from the one or more input signals from the wireless game player;

c) receiving from the master gaming controller at least an outcome for the game of chance; and

d) displaying a graphical rendition of the outcome of the game of chance on the display wherein the graphical rendition comprises a sequence of video frames and wherein the wireless game player is operable to output sound associated with the graphical rendition

and wherein when the communication link is inactive terminating play of the game of chance.

31. The gaming machine of claim 30, further comprising:

one or more gaming devices selected from a group consisting of lights, printers, coin hoppers, bill validators, ticket readers, card readers, key pads, button panels, display screens, speakers, information panels, player tracking devices and mass storage devices.

32. The gaming machine of claim 30, further comprising:

a network interface.

33. The gaming machine of claim 32, wherein the network interface is used to communicate with one or more remote servers selected from the group consisting of a prize server, a game server, an entertainment content server, a cashless ticketing server, progressive game server, a bonus game server, a wireless game play server, a web-server and a money transfer server.

34. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the master gaming controller is designed to execute regulated gaming software to present the one or more games of chance.

35. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the wireless communication interface uses a wireless communication protocol selected from the group consisting of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11x, hyperlan/2, Bluetooth, and HomeRF.

36. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the game of chance is selected from the group consisting of slot games, poker, pachinko, multiple hand poker games, pai-gow poker, blackjack, keno, bingo, roulette, craps and card game.

37. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the master gaming controller is designed or configured to present a bonus game on the wireless game player.

38. The gaming machine of claim 30, further comprising:

gaming software logic for encrypting communications sent to the wireless game player and decrypting communications received from the wireless game player.

39. The gaming machine of claim 30, further comprising:

gaming software logic for storing a game history record of games played on the wireless game player.

40. The gaming machine of claim 30, further comprising:

one or more biometric input devices selected from the group consisting of a microphone, a camera, a finger print reader, hand writing input mechanism and a retinal scanner.

41. The gaming machine of claim 40, further comprising:

gaming software logic for determining the identity of a game player using biometric information input using the one or more biometric input devices.

42. The gaming machine of claim 30, further comprising:

one or more display screens located in a main cabinet of the gaming machine.

43. The gaming machine of claim 42, wherein a first game of chance is presented on the wireless game player and a second game of chance is presented simultaneously on the one or more displays screens located in the main cabinet of the gaming machine.

44. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the wireless game player is configured to display an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web page, a message service, a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical selection, a casino promotion, a broadcast event, a maintenance operation, a player tracking service, a drink menu and a snack menu.

45. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the wireless game player is played in at least one of a plurality of venue locations physically separate from the location of the gaming machine.

46. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the plurality of venue locations are selected from the group consisting of a keno parlor, a bingo parlor, a restaurant, a sports book, a bar, a hotel, a pool area and a casino floor area.

47. The gaming machine of claim 30, further comprising:

an antenna used to communicate with one or more wireless game players wherein the antenna is located in a candle on top of the gaming machine.

48. A wireless game play system, the wireless game play system comprising:

a plurality of gaming machine designed to generate and to control wireless game play sessions on wireless game players in communication with the gaming machines;

a plurality of wireless game players wherein each wireless game player is designed i) to communicate with at least one gaming machine and ii) to present a game of chance under control of at least one of said gaming machine wherein each of the wireless game players is adapted for use as a remote extension to at least one of the gaming machines and wherein each game of chance played on the wireless game players comprises;

establishing an active communication link with the gaming machine and while the communication link is active;

a)receiving one or more input signals to indicate a wager amount for the game of chance and to initiate the game of chance on the one or more input mechanisms from a game player using the wireless game player;

b) sending information from the one or more input signals to a master gaming controller on the gaming machine via the wireless communication interface wherein the master gaming controller generates the outcome of the game of chance in response to receiving the information from the one or more input signals from the wireless game player and wherein the master gaming controller maintains and updates credit information resulting from playing the game of chance as each game of chance is played remotely on the wireless game player;

c) receiving from the master gaming controller at least an outcome for the game of chance; and

d) displaying a graphical rendition of the outcome of the game of chance on the display wherein the graphical rendition comprises a sequence of video frames and wherein the wireless game player is operable to output sound associated with the graphical rendition

and wherein when the communication link is inactive terminating play of the game of chance; and

a wireless game play network, said wireless game play network comprising;

one more wireless access points designed to transmit wireless communications to the plurality of wireless game players and designed to receive wireless communications from the wireless game players.

49. The wireless game play system of claim 48, farther comprising:

one or more repeaters.

50. The wireless game play system of claim 48, further comprising:

one or more antennas.

51. The wireless game play system of claim 50, wherein at least one of the antennas is located in a gaming machine.

52. The wireless game play system of claim 48, further comprising:

one or more storage cradles for the wireless game players.

53. The wireless game play system of claim 52, wherein the one or more storage cradles further comprises:

a communication interface designed to connect the wireless game player to the wireless game play network.

54. The wireless game play system of claim 53, wherein the communication interface is an Ethernet connection.

55. The wireless game play system of claim 48, further comprising:

one or more wireless game play kiosks designed to provide wireless game play services.

56. The wireless game play system of claim 48, further comprising:

one or more gaming machines connected to said wireless game play network designed to provide only wireless game play sessions.

57. The wireless game play system of claim 48, wherein the plurality of gaming machines are designed to present a local game play session and a wireless game play session.

58. The wireless game play system of claim 48, further comprising:

one or more wireless game play servers.

59. The wireless game play system of claim 48, wherein the wireless game play network is connected to one or more network interfaces.

60. The wireless game play system of claim 59, wherein the one or more network interfaces are used to communicate with one or remote servers selected from the group consisting of a prize server, a game server, an entertainment content server, a cashless ticketing server, progressive game server, a bonus game server, a wireless game play server, a web-server and a money transfer server.

61. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein the game of chance is selected from the group consisting of slot games, poker, pachinko, multiple hand poker games, pai-gow poker, blackjack, keno, bingo, roulette, craps and a card game.

62. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein the wireless game player is played in at least one of a plurality of venue locations physically separate from the location of the gaming machine in communication with said wireless game player.

63. The gaming machine of claim 62, wherein the plurality of venue locations are selected from the group consisting of a keno parlor, a bingo parlor, a restaurant, a sports book, a bar, a hotel, a pool area and a casino floor area.

64. In a gaming machine, a method of providing a wireless game play session on a wireless game player in communication with the gaming machine, said method comprising:

establishing communications with the wireless game player wherein the wireless game player is a remote extension to the gaming machine and under control of the gaming machine;

while communications between the gaming machine and the wireless game player are active and for each game of chance played in the wireless game play session,

i) receiving a message from the wireless game player requesting the gaming machine to initiate the game of chance and indicating a wager amount for the game of chance;

ii) generating a game outcome for the game of chance in response to receiving the message from the wireless game player;

iii) controlling operation of the wireless game player in manner that allows the game outcome for the game of chance to be graphically presented on the wireless game player wherein the graphical rendition comprises a sequence of video frames and wherein the wireless game player is operable to output sound associated with the graphical rendition; and

iv) maintaining and updating credit information resulting from play of the game of chance as the game of chance is played on the wireless game player; and

terminating play of the game of chance when the communication link between the gaming machine and the wireless game player is inactive.

65. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

reserving the gaming machine for wireless game play.

66. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

receiving a request from the wireless game player to select a game of chance to be played on the wireless game player.

67. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

prior to establishing communications with the wireless game player,

selecting a game of chance on the gaming machine.

68. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

receiving a message containing a wager amount for the game of chance.

69. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

receiving a message containing information from input signals generated on one or more input mechanisms located on the wireless game player.

70. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

generating an encrypted message and sending the encrypted message to the wireless game player.

71. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

receiving an encrypted massage from the wireless game player and decrypting the encrypted message.

72. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

initiating a player tracking session.

73. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

adding credits to the gaming machine.

74. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

storing a game history of games played on the wireless game player during the wireless game play session.

75. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

generating a bonus game outcome and sending operating instructions to wireless game player used to present the bonus game outcome on the wireless game player.

76. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

sending metering information generated during the wireless game play session to a player tracking server.

77. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

authenticating an identity of a player using the wireless game player.

78. The method of claim 77, wherein the identity of the player is authenticated using biometric information received from the player.

79. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

terminating the wireless game play session.

80. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

sending entertainment content to the wireless game player wherein the entertainment content is selected from the group consisting of an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web page, a message service, a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical selection, a casino promotion, a broadcast event, a player tracking service, a drink menu and a snack menu.

81. The method of claim 64, wherein the communications between the gaming machine and the wireless game player uses a wireless communication protocol selected from the group consisting of IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11x, hyperlan/2, Bluetooth, and HomeRF.

82. The method of claim 64, further comprising:

tracking a location of the wireless game player.

83. In a wireless game player in communication with a gaming machine, a method of providing a wireless game play session, said method comprising:

establishing communications with the gaming machine

while communications between the gaming machine and the wireless game player are active and each game of chance played in the wireless game play session;

i) receiving one or more input signals to initiate a game of chance and indicate a wager amount for the game of chance from one or more input mechanisms located on the wireless game player;

ii) sending a message to the gaming machine indicating a game of chance has been initiated on the wireless game player wherein the gaming machine generates at least an outcome for the game of chance in response to receiving the message from the wireless game player and wherein the game machine maintains and updates credit information resulting from playing the game of chance as each game of chance is played on the wireless game player; and

iii) displaying a graphical rendition of the game outcome for the game of chance wherein the graphical rendition comprises a sequence of video frames and wherein the wireless game player is operable to output sound associated with the graphical rendition; and

when communications between the gaming machine and the wireless game player are inactive, terminating the wireless game play session.

84. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

receiving a message containing the game outcome generated on the gaming machine.

85. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

generating a graphical presentation of the game outcome for the game of chance.

86. The method of claim 83, wherein the input mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a touch screen, a input switch, an input button and biometric input device.

87. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

booting the wireless game player.

88. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

enabling game play on the wireless game player.

89. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

receiving a game selection and sending the game selection to the gaming machine.

90. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

receiving a wager amount for the game of chance and sending the wager amount to the gaming machine.

91. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

receiving input signals from one or more input mechanisms located on the wireless game player and sending information from the input signals to the gaming machine.

92. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

generating an encrypted message and sending the encrypted message to the gaming machine.

93. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

receiving an encrypted message from the gaming machine and decrypting the encrypted message.

94. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

receiving authentication information for a player using the wireless game player.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the authentication information is at least one of biometric information, a PIN number and a password.

96. The method of claim 94, sending the authentication information to the gaming machine.

97. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

displaying entertainment content on the wireless game player wherein the entertainment content is selected from the group consisting of an advertisement, news, stock quotes, electronic mail, a web page, a message service, a locator service or a hotel/casino service, a movie, a musical selection, a casino promotion, a broadcast event, a player tacking service, a drink menu and a snack menu.

98. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

receiving a message containing a bonus game outcome generated on the gaming machine.

99. The method of claim 98, further comprising:

generating a graphical presentation of the bonus game outcome; and

displaying the graphical presentation of the bonus game outcome.

100. The method of claim 83, further comprising:

downloading a graphical program used to display the game outcome for the game of chance to a memory unit on the gaming machine.