Apparatus and methods for wireless gaming communications

• US 7,413,513 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Issued: 08/19/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Binh T., Stockdale, James, Paulsen, Craig A., Muir, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzuto; Robert E
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUSTEMEYER, MALINA K
• Application Number:
  US10/937,990
• Publication Number:
  US 20060058102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,439 Days
• Field of Search: 463/35, 463/26, 463/39, 463/40, 463/41, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/39
• 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 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00

Abstract

A gaming communication apparatus may include a wireless transceiver and a controller operatively coupled to the wireless transceiver. The controller may be programmed to establish a bidirectional wireless communication link with a gaming apparatus when in proximity to the gaming apparatus, receive a voice command relating to a first gaming function, transmit first gaming function data to the gaming apparatus via the wireless transceiver, and receive data relating to a second gaming function from the gaming apparatus via the wireless transceiver. The gaming apparatus may include a second wireless transceiver and a second controller operatively coupled to the second wireless transceiver. The second controller may be programmed to receive the first gaming function data via the second wireless transceiver, execute a first gaming function based on the first gaming function data, and transmit the second gaming function data to the wireless communication device via the second wireless transceiver.

Claims

1. A gaming system, comprising:

a wireless communication device comprising a first wireless transceiver and a first controller operatively coupled to said first wireless transceiver, said first controller comprising a first processor and a first memory operatively coupled to said first processor,

said first controller being programmed to;

determine based on voice characteristic of a human voice whether to initiate a bidirectional wireless communication link with a gaming apparatus when in proximity to said gaming apparatus, wherein said gaming apparatus is operable for determining an outcome for a game of chance,

receive a voice command in a human voice prior to establishing said bidirectional wireless communication link, wherein said voice command relates to a first gaming function,

authenticating said human voice by comparing a voice characteristic of said human voice to a predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice stored for authentication of said human voice,

prevent said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said voice characteristic of said human voice does not correspond to said predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice,

allow said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said voice characteristic of said human voice command corresponds to said predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice,

transmit data relating to said first gaming function to said gaming apparatus via said first wireless transceiver, and

receive data relating to a second gaming function from said gaming apparatus via said first wireless transceiver;

wherein said gaming apparatus comprises a display unit, a second wireless transceiver and a second controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said second wireless transceiver, said second controller comprising a second processor and a second memory operatively coupled to said second processor,

said second controller being programmed to;

receive said first gaming function data via said second wireless transceiver,

execute a first gaming function based on said first gaming function data,

transmit said second gaming function data to said wireless communication device via said second wireless transceiver,

cause said display unit to generate a game display relating to one of the following games;

poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo, and

determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game.

2. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said first controller is programmed to establish said bidirectional communication link based on a player identification.

3. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said voice command comprises a particular language and wherein said first controller is programmed to recognize said language.

4. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said first controller is programmed to be calibrated to cause said first controller to relate said voice command to said first gaming function data.

5. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said voice command relates to a plurality of gaming functions,

wherein said first controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said plurality of gaming functions to said gaming apparatus via said first wireless transceiver,

wherein said second controller is programmed to receive said plurality of gaming functions data via said second wireless transceiver,

wherein said second controller is programmed to execute a plurality of gaming functions based on said plurality of gaming functions data.

6. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said first controller is programmed to distinguish said voice command from sounds unrelated to said voice command.

7. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first controller is programmed to encrypt said first gaming function data,

wherein said second controller is programmed to decrypt said first gaming function data.

8. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said second controller is programmed to encrypt said second gaming function data,

wherein said first controller is programmed to decrypt said second gaming function data.

9. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first controller and said second controller is programmed to record said voice command.

10. A gaming system as defined in claim 9, wherein at least one of said first controller and said second controller is programmed to store said recorded voice command as audit trail data for subsequent authentication of said voice.

11. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said second controller is programmed to cause one or more of the following:

cause said display unit to generate a display relating to at least one word or cause said gaming apparatus to transmit an audio message relating to said at least one word to said first controller,

wherein said second controller is programmed to receive data relating to at least one repeated word from said first controller,

wherein said second controller is programmed to prevent said bidirectional wireless communication link with said wireless communication device if said at least one repeated word does not correspond to said at least one word,

wherein said second controller is programmed to allow said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said at least one repeated word corresponds to said at least one word.

12. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said second controller is programmed to locate said wireless communication apparatus,

wherein said second controller is programmed to prevent said bidirectional wireless communication link with said wireless communication device if said wireless communication apparatus is not located proximate to said gaming apparatus,

wherein said second controller is programmed to allow said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said wireless communication apparatus is located proximate to said gaming apparatus.

13. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to a gaming instruction for said game,

wherein said second controller is programmed to execute said game instruction.

14. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to a financial transaction,

wherein said second controller is programmed to execute said financial transaction.

15. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to a drink order,

wherein said second controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said drink order.

16. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to a food order,

wherein said second controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said food order.

17. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to a reservation request,

wherein said second controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said reservation request.

18. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to a request for assistance,

wherein said second controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said request for assistance.

19. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to an authorized access request,

wherein said second controller is programmed to grant access to one or more of the following:

a maintenance function of said gaming apparatus or a service function of said gaming apparatus.

20. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first controller is programmed to transmit data relating to a player identification to said gaming apparatus via said first wireless transceiver,

wherein said second controller is programmed to receive said player identification data via said second wireless transceiver,

wherein said second controller is programmed to cause said display unit to generate a display relating to said player identification, and cause said gaming apparatus to transmit an audio message relating to said player identification to said first controller.

21. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first controller is programmed to transmit data relating to a player preference to said gaming apparatus via said first wireless transceiver,

wherein said second controller is programmed to receive said player preference data via said second wireless transceiver,

wherein said second controller is programmed to cause one or more of the following:

cause said display unit to generate a display relating to said player preference or cause said gaming apparatus to transmit an audio message relating to said player preference to said first controller.

22. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said second gaming function data relates to one of the following:

confirmation of said execution of said first gaming function, said outcome, said value payout, an advertisement, or a promotion.

23. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said first controller is programmed to transmit data relating to a player identification to said gaming apparatus via said first wireless transceiver,

wherein said second controller is programmed to receive said player identification data via said second wireless transceiver,

wherein said second controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said gaming apparatus location to a network computer.

24. A gaming system as defined in claim 1,

wherein said second controller is programmed to determine if said wireless communication device is in proximity to said gaming apparatus,

wherein said second controller is programmed to terminate said bidirectional communication link if said wireless communication device is not in proximity to said gaming apparatus.

25. A gaming system as defined in claim 1, wherein said first controller is programmed to transmit said data relating to said first gaming function in accordance with a status associated with a user of said wireless communication device.

26. A gaming apparatus, comprising:

a display unit;

a value input device;

a wireless transceiver;

a controller operatively coupled to said display unit, said value input device and said wireless transceiver, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said first controller being programmed to;

determine based on voice characteristic of a human voice whether to initiate a bidirectional wireless communication link with a gaming apparatus when in proximity to said gaming apparatus, wherein said gaming apparatus is operable for determining an outcome for a game of chance

receive a voice command in a human voice prior to establishing said bidirectional wireless communication link, wherein said voice command relates to a first gaming function,

authenticating said human voice by comparing a voice characteristic of said human voice to a predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice stored for authentication of said human voice,

prevent said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said voice characteristic of said human voice does not correspond to said predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice,

allow said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said voice characteristic of said human voice command corresponds to said predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice

execute a first gaming function in response to said first gaming function data,

transmit data relating to a second gaming function to said wireless communication device via said wireless transceiver,

cause said display unit to generate a game display relating to one of the following games;

poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo, and

determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game.

27. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said display unit comprises a video display unit that is capable of generating video images.

28. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 27,

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards to be displayed if said game comprises video poker,

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels to be displayed if said game comprises video slots,

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards to be displayed if said game comprises video blackjack,

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers to be displayed if said game comprises video keno,

wherein said controller is programmed to cause a video image comprising an image of a bingo grid to be displayed if said game comprises video bingo.

29. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said display unit comprises at least one mechanical slot machine reel.

30. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said controller is programmed to receive data relating to a player identification from said wireless communication apparatus,

wherein said controller is programmed to establish said bidirectional communication link based on said player identification.

31. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said controller is programmed to locate said wireless communication apparatus,

wherein said controller is programmed to prevent said bidirectional wireless communication link with said wireless communication device if said wireless communication apparatus is not located proximate to said gaming apparatus,

wherein said controller is programmed to allow said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said wireless communication apparatus is located proximate to said gaming apparatus.

32. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said controller is programmed to receive data relating to a plurality of gaming functions data via said wireless communication device via said wireless transceiver, said plurality of gaming function data relating to said voice command,

wherein said controller is programmed to execute a plurality of gaming functions in response to said plurality of gaming functions data.

33. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said first gaming function data is encrypted,

wherein said controller is programmed to decrypt said first gaming function data.

34. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said controller is programmed to encrypt said second gaming function data.

35. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said controller is programmed to record said voice command.

36. A gaming system as defined in claim 26, wherein said controller is programmed to store said recorded voice command as audit trail data.

37. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to a gaming instruction for said game,

wherein said controller is programmed to execute said game instruction.

38. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to a financial transaction,

wherein said controller is programmed to execute said financial transaction.

39. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to a drink order,

wherein said controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said drink order.

40. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to a food order,

wherein said controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said food order.

41. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to a reservation request,

wherein said controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said reservation request.

42. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to a request for assistance,

wherein said controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said request for assistance.

43. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said first gaming function data relates to an authorized access request,

wherein said controller is programmed to grant access to one or more of the following:

a maintenance function of said gaming apparatus or a service function of said gaming apparatus.

44. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said controller is programmed to receive player identification data from said wireless communication device via said wireless transceiver,

wherein said controller is programmed to cause one or more of the following:

cause said display unit to generate a display relating to said player identification or cause said gaming apparatus to transmit an audio message relating to said player identification to said wireless communication device.

45. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said controller is programmed to receive player preference data from said wireless communication device via said wireless transceiver,

wherein said controller is programmed to cause one or more of the following:

cause said display unit to generate a display relating to said player preference or cause said gaming apparatus to transmit an audio message relating to said player preference to said wireless communication device.

46. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said second gaming function data relates to one of the following:

confirmation of said execution of said first gaming function, said outcome, said value payout, financial information, or a promotion.

47. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said controller is programmed to receive player identification data from said wireless communication device via said wireless transceiver,

wherein said controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said gaming apparatus location to a network computer.

48. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26,

wherein said controller is programmed to determine if said wireless communication device is in proximity to said wireless transceiver,

wherein said controller is programmed to terminate said bidirectional communication link if said wireless communication device is not in proximity to said wireless transceiver.

49. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 26, wherein said controller is programmed to execute said first gaming function in accordance with a status associated with a user of said wireless communication apparatus.

50. A gaming apparatus comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses as defined in claim 26, said gaming apparatuses being interconnected to form a network of gaming apparatuses.

51. A gaming apparatus as defined in claim 50, wherein said gaming apparatuses are interconnected via the Internet.

52. A gaming communication apparatus comprising:

a microphone;

a wireless transceiver;

a controller operatively coupled to said microphone and said wireless transceiver, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,

said first controller being programmed to;

determine based on voice characteristic of a human voice whether to initiate a bidirectional wireless communication link with a gaming apparatus when in proximity to said gaming apparatus, wherein said gaming apparatus is operable for determining an outcome for a game of chance

receive a voice command in a human voice prior to establishing said bidirectional wireless communication link, wherein said voice command relates to a first gaming function,

authenticating said human voice by comparing a voice characteristic of said human voice to a predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice stored for authentication of said human voice,

prevent said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said voice characteristic of said human voice does not correspond to said predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice,

allow said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said voice characteristic of said human voice command corresponds to said predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice

transmit data relating to said first gaming function to said gaming apparatus via said wireless transceiver, and

receive data relating to a second gaming function from said gaming apparatus via said wireless transceiver.

53. A gaming system as defined in claim 52, wherein said controller is programmed to be calibrated to cause said controller to relate said voice command to said first gaming function data.

54. A gaming system as defined in claim 52,

wherein said voice command relates to a plurality of gaming functions,

wherein said controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said plurality of gaming functions to said gaming apparatus via said wireless transceiver.

55. A gaming communication apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein said voice command comprises a particular language and wherein said controller is programmed to recognize said language.

56. A gaming system as defined in claim 52, wherein said controller is programmed to distinguish said voice command from sounds unrelated to said voice command.

57. A gaming communication apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein said controller is programmed to encrypt said first gaming function data.

58. A gaming communication apparatus as defined in claim 52,

wherein said second gaming function data is encrypted,

wherein said controller is programmed to decrypt said second gaming function data.

59. A gaming communication apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein said controller is programmed to record said voice command.

60. A gaming system as defined in claim 59, wherein said controller is programmed to store said recorded voice command as audit trail data.

61. A gaming communication apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein said first gaming function data relates to one of the following:

a gaming instruction, a financial transaction, a drink order, a food order or a reservation request.

62. A gaming communication apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein said controller is programmed to transmit data relating to a player identification to said gaming apparatus via said wireless transceiver.

63. A gaming communication apparatus as defined in claim 62, wherein said controller is programmed to receive data relating to an audio message relating to said player identification from said gaming apparatus.

64. A gaming communication apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein said controller is programmed to transmit data relating to a player preference to said gaming apparatus via said wireless transceiver.

65. A gaming communication apparatus as defined in claim 64, wherein said controller is programmed to receive data relating to an audio message relating to said player preference from said gaming apparatus.

66. A gaming communication apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein said first gaming function data relates to one of the following:

a drink order, a food order, a reservation request, a request for assistance, or an authorized access request.

67. A gaming communication apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein said second gaming function data relates to one of the following:

confirmation of an execution of said first gaming function, a game outcome, a value payout associated with said game outcome, an advertisement, financial information, or a promotion.

68. A gaming communication apparatus as defined in claim 52, wherein said controller is programmed to transmit data relating to said first gaming function in accordance with a status associated with a user of said gaming communication apparatus.