Method and apparatus for registering a mobile device with a gaming machine

• US 7,611,409 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2005
• Issued: 11/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Binh T., Muir, David Hugh
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hall; Arthur O.
• Application Number:
  US11/313,223
• Publication Number:
  US 20060189382A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,415 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 23, 463 25- 29, 463 30- 33, 463 39- 43, 463/45, 463/47, 273/138.1, 273/139, 273/138.2, 273/141.A, 273454-456, 273/460, 709203-207, 713/1, 713/100, 713/150, 713/182, 713187-189, 713/300, 713/375, 713/400, 713/500, 713/600
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed

Abstract

Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing techniques for securing a gaming machine for a player of the gaming machine using a mobile device such as a cell phone associated with the player. A player input requests securing of the gaming machine. Responsive to the player input, an access code and a security code are retrieved. The access code defines an access point of a communication system. The security code is specific to a game play session for the player at the gaming machine. The retrieved access code and security code are provided for the player. When the mobile device accesses the communications system and submits the security code, a secure signal is sent to the gaming machine, instructing the gaming machine to enter a remote game play state. The gaming machine can be released from the remote game play state responsive to a releasing event. In one implementation, a wireless interface enables communication between the mobile device and gaming machine according to a wireless protocol such as Bluetooth.

Claims

1. A method of securing a gaming machine for a player of the gaming machine using a mobile device associated with the player, the method comprising:

initiating a game play session;

receiving a player input at an interface of the gaming machine, the player input requesting securing of the gaming machine for the player;

responsive to the player input, retrieving an access code and a security code from a storage medium at the gaming machine, the access code defining an access point of a communications system, the security code specific to the game play session for the player at the gaming machine;

displaying on a display device the retrieved access code and security code at the gaming machine for the player;

receiving, at the gaming machine, a confirmation message from a server indicating;

(1) access of the communications system by the mobile device using the access code responsive to the player inputting the access code to the mobile device, and (2) receipt of the security code from the mobile device responsive to the player inputting the security code to the mobile device;

responsive to receiving the confirmation message at the gaming machine, securing the gaming machine in the game play session so that the gaming machine enters a locked state in which game play at the gaming machine is disabled; and

releasing the gaming machine from the locked state responsive to a releasing event, wherein the gaming machine returns to the game play session.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

enabling a fund transfer operation using the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein retrieving the security code includes:

sending a request message to a server for the security code; and

receiving the security code.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the access code is a phone number of a server in communication with the communications system.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the gaming machine includes transferring credits associated with the player to a player account.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine interface is a wireless interface.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the gaming machine includes defining a timeout period for the locked state.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing for the player a list of a plurality of lock modes, including sending the list to the mobile device for display on the mobile device.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of one of a plurality of lock modes from the mobile device, the locked state defined according to the indicated lock mode.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the releasing event is selected from the group consisting of a timeout, release of remote game play by the player, and instruction to terminate the locked state.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the gaming machine includes entering a promotional mode.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is selected from a cell phone, a PDA, and a laptop computer.

13. A gaming machine for providing a game of chance for a player of the gaming machine, the player having an associated mobile device, the gaming machine comprising:

a player interface coupled to receive a player input requesting securing of the gaming machine for the player;

a gaming controller including a processor configured to;

i) initiate a game play session,

ii) retrieve an access code and a security code from a storage medium at the gaming machine, the access code defining an access point of a communications system, the security code specific to the game play session for the player at the gaming machine, and

iii) display on a display device the retrieved access code and security code at the gaming machine for the player; and

a network interface, wherein the network interface is coupled to receive, at the gaming machine, a confirmation message from a server indicating;

(1) access of the communications system by the mobile device using the access code responsive to the player inputting the access code to the mobile device, and (2) receipt of the security code from the mobile device responsive to the player inputting the security code to the mobile device;

wherein the gaming controller is further configured to;

iv) responsive to receiving the confirmation message at the gaming machine, secure the gaming machine in the game play session so that the gaming machine enters a locked state in which game play at the gaming machine is disabled, and

v) release the gaming machine from the locked state responsive to a releasing event, wherein the gaming machine returns to the game play session.

14. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein the gaming controller is further configured to:

enable a fund transfer operation using the mobile device.

15. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein retrieving the security code includes:

sending a request message to a server for the security code; and

receiving the security code.

16. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein the access code is a phone number of a server in communication with the communications system.

17. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein securing the gaming machine includes transferring credits associated with the player to a player account.

18. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein securing the gaming machine includes defining a timeout period for the locked state.

19. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein the releasing event is selected from the group consisting of a timeout, releasing of remote game play by the player, and instruction to terminate the locked state.

20. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein securing the gaming machine includes entering a promotional mode.

21. The gaming machine of claim 13, wherein the mobile device is selected from a cell phone, a PDA, and a laptop computer.

22. A method of securing a gaming machine for a player of the gaming machine using a mobile device associated with the player, the method comprising:

initiating a game play session;

receiving a player input at an interface of the gaming machine, the player input requesting securing of the gaming machine for the player;

responsive to the player input, retrieving an access code and a security code from a storage medium at the gaming machine, the access code defining an access point of a communications system, the security code specific to the game play session for the player at the gaming machine;

displaying on a display device the retrieved access code and security code at the gaming machine for the player;

receiving, at the gaming machine, a confirmation message from a server indicating;

(1) access of the communications system by the mobile device using the access code responsive to the player inputting the access code to the mobile device, and (2) receipt of the security code from the mobile device responsive to the player inputting the security code to the mobile device;

responsive to receiving the confirmation message at the gaming machine, securing the gaming machine at a point in the game play session so that the gaming machine enters a locked state in which game play at the gaming machine is disabled; and

releasing the gaming machine from the locked state responsive to a releasing event, wherein the gaming machine returns to the point in the game play session.