Personal gaming device and method of presenting a game

• US 7,918,728 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2003
• Issued: 04/05/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Binh T., Paulsen, Craig A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoel; Matthew D
• Application Number:
  US10/672,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20040137987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,748 Days
• Field of Search: 463/22, 463/25, 463/29, 463/36, 463/37, 463 39- 42, 463/16, 463/47
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/008 adapted for being playable on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• 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 17/323 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens

Abstract

A game is presented to a player via a personal gaming device of the invention. In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a display screen, a processing unit including a processor and a memory, and a wireless communication interface associated with the processing unit. Game code is stored at the gaming device. A player pre-purchases game play, and information enabling the game device to present the game is provided, such as via a smart card, to the gaming device for use by the game code. The information may comprise game outcome information. The outcomes of played games are verified against stored information regarding the purchased games. Activation information is transmitted to the gaming device to enable operation of the device.

Claims

1. A portable gaming device in a gaming network, comprising:

a first processor;

memory;

a first display;

at least one interface for communicating with at least one other device in the gaming network;

the gaming device being operable to;

control a wager-based game played at the gaming device;

receive input from a first user for initiating a first wager-based gaming session at the gaming device;

initiate the first gaming session at the gaming device;

receive, after initiation of the first gaming session, first wager information relating to a first wager to be placed by the first user in connection with game play conducted at the gaming device during the first gaming session, wherein the first wager information includes a wager amount;

initiate, during the first gaming session, play of a first wager-based game at the gaming device;

verify, during the first gaming session, periodic receipt of activation information from a first remote gaming server; and

prevent game play at the gaming device in response to a determination that no periodic activation information has been received at the gaming device during a first time interval;

receive gaming information generated by the first remote gaming server, wherein the gaming information relates to play of the wager-based game at the portable gaming device, wherein the gaming information includes data representing an outcome of the first wager-base game;

store the gaming information at the portable gaming device;

execute game code at the portable gaming device, the game code using at least a portion of the gaming information to present at least a portion of the wager-based game at the portable gaming device; and

present the game outcome for the wager-based game played at the gaming device during the first gaming session.

2. The gaming device of claim 1 further comprising:

an input mechanism for receiving cash or an indicia of credit.

3. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

update credit information relating to game play activities and wagering activities conducted at the gaming device during the first gaming session.

4. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

receive first wager payment information relating to a payment of the first wager amount; and

accept placement of the first wager in response to receiving the first wager payment information.

5. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

receiving, after initiating play of the first wager-based game at the gaming device, second wager information relating to a second wager to be placed by the first user in connection with game play conducted at the gaming device during the first gaming session, wherein the second wager information includes a second wager amount.

6. The gaming device of claim 5 being further operable to:

receive second wager payment information relating to a payment of the second wager amount; and

accept placement of the second wager in response to receiving the second wager payment information.

7. The gaming device of claim 1 further comprising:

a magnetic card reader;

the gaming device being further operable to;

read, using the magnetic card reader, financial account information from a card presented to the magnetic card reader;

receive first wager payment information relating to payment of a first wager amount; and

accept placement of the first wager in response to receiving the first wager payment information.

8. The gaming device of claim 1 further comprising:

a magnetic card reader;

the gaming device being further operable to;

enable the first user to use a credit card for providing payment of the first wager amount via use of the magnetic card reader;

accept, via use of the magnetic card reader, a credit card payment relating to the first wager amount; and

accept placement of the first wager in response to confirming payment of the first wager amount.

9. The gaming device of claim 1 further comprising:

an input mechanism for receiving cash or an indicia of credit;

the gaming device being further operable to;

receive, via the input mechanism, financial account information from a credit instrument presented to the input mechanism;

access, using at least a portion of the financial account information, credit information from a remote financial server, said credit information including available credit information relating to a financial account associated with the first user; and

verify, using at least a portion of the credit information, an availability of credit a the financial account sufficient to cover payment of the first wager amount.

10. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

receive, after initiation of the first gaming session at the gaming device, first game outcome information from the remote game server, the first game outcome information relating to an outcome of a first wager-based game played at the gaming device.

11. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

present, via the first display and during the first gaming session, a menu of different wager-based games playable by the first user at the gaming device;

receive, during the first gaming session, game selection input from the first user relating to a selection of a first wager-based game for play at the gaming device; and

initiate, during the first gaming session and in response to the game selection input, play of the first wager-based game at the gaming device.

12. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

store, at the memory of the gaming device, game history information relating to one or more wager-based games played at the gaming device.

13. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

detect an end of a first game play session at the gaming device;

identify game history information relating to the first game play session, the game history information including game outcome information relating to the first game play session;

detect for presence of a first communication link to a remote accounting server;

upload the game history information to the remote accounting server if it is detected that the first communication link is present; and

store the game history information in the memory of the gaming device at it is detected that the first communication link is not present.

14. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

determine an identity of the first player using biometric information input via at least one biometric input device located at the gaming device.

15. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

initiate at least one first action relating to an account reconciliation in response to receiving input from the first user relating to a request to implement an account reconciliation operation;

initiate at least one first action relating to a wager-based game purchase in response to receiving input from the first user relating to a request to purchase the wager-based game;

initiate at least one first action relating to a review of selected account information in response to receiving input from the first user relating to a request to review the selected account information;

initiate at least one first action relating to an inquiry regarding an account in response to receiving input from the first user relating to a request to initiate an account inquiry regarding the account;

initiate at least one first action relating to a cash withdrawal in response to receiving input from the first user relating to a request to perform the cash withdrawal; and

initiate at least one first action relating to a cash deposit cash in response to receiving input from the first user relating to a request to perform the cash deposit.

16. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

determine an identity of the first user; and

verify whether the first user is authorized to engage in play of a first wager-based game at the gaming device.

17. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

verify whether the first user is of legal age to engage in play of a first wager-based game at the gaming device.

18. The gaming device of claim 1 further comprising:

an image capturing device;

the gaming device being further operable to;

capture a first image of the first user; and

authenticate an identity of the first player using the first captured image.

19. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

store, in the memory, a first portion of base game code relating to a first wager-based game, the first portion of base game code being insufficient, when executed at the gaming device, to enable the gaming device to present the first wager-based game for play at the gaming device.

20. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

store, in the memory, a first portion of base game code relating for a first wager-based game, the first portion of base game code being insufficient, when executed at the gaming device, to enable the gaming device to present the first wager-based game for play at the gaming device;

receive additional gaming information including game code or data relating to the first wager-based game from the first remote gaming server; and

present, using the first portion of base game code and the game code or data received with the additional gaming information, the first wager-based game for play at the gaming device.

21. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

store, in the memory, a first portion of base game code relating to a first wager-based game, the first portion of game code being insufficient, when executed at the gaming device, to enable the gaming device to present the first wager-based game for play at the gaming device;

receive additional gaming information including game data relating to the first wager-based game from the first remote gaming server, wherein the additional game data includes paytable information; and

present, using the first portion of the base game code and the game data received with the additional gaming information, the first wager-based game for play at the gaming device.

22. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

access remote information from one or more remote devices;

display at least a portion of the accessed information at the first display;

wherein the remote information is selected from a group consisting of;

information relating to hotel room availability, information relating to a hotel rates, information relating to entertainment shows, and information relating to restaurants.

23. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

enable the first player to make a show reservation using the gaming device;

enable the first player to make a ticket reservation using the gaming device;

enable the first player to make a hotel reservation using the gaming device; and

enable the first player to make a restaurant reservation using the gaming device.

24. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

enable the first player to access and view, using the gaming device, room charge information relating to one or more room charges associated with the user'"'"'s stay at a hotel.

25. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

enable the first player to request, using the gaming device, a car from a valet service.

26. The gaming device of claim 1 further comprising:

a ticket printer;

the gaming device being further operable to;

generate, using the ticket printer, a credit instrument having information printed thereon relating to a value or amount of wager-related assets won by the first player during the first gaming session.

27. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

detect an occurrence a first security-related event or condition relating to the gaming device; and

generate a loud audible signal in response to detecting the first security-related event or condition.

28. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

detect an occurrence a first security-related event or condition relating to the gaming device; and

display a warning message to the first player in response to detecting the first security-related event or condition.

29. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

detect an occurrence a first security-related event or condition relating to the gaming device; and

erase at least a portion of the memory at the gaming device in response to detecting the first security-related event or condition.

30. The gaming device of claim 1 being further operable to:

detect an occurrence a first security-related event or condition relating to the gaming device; and

disable operation of the gaming device in response to detecting the first security-related event or condition.

31. A method of operating a portable gaming device in a gaming network, the portable gaming device including a first processor, memory, a first display, and at least one interface for communicating with at least one other gaming device in the gaming network, the method comprising:

controlling a wager-based game played at the gaming device;

receiving input from a first user for initiating a first wager-based gaming session at the gaming device;

initiating the first gaming session at the gaming device;

receiving, after initiation of the first gaming session, first wager information relating to a first wager to be placed by the first user in connection with game play conducted at the gaming device during the first gaming session, wherein the first wager information includes a first wager amount;

initiating, during the first gaming session, play of a first wager-based game at the gaming device

verifying during the first gaming session, periodic receipt of activation information from a first remote gaming server; and

preventing game play at the gaming device in response to a determination that no periodic activation information has been received at the gaming device during a first time interval;

receiving gaming information generated by the first remote gaming server, wherein the gaming information relates to play of the first wager-based game at the portable gaming device, wherein the gaming information includes data representing an outcome of the first wager-based game;

storing the gaming information at the portable gaming device;

executing game code at the portable gaming device, the game code using at least a portion of the gaming information to present at least a portion of the wager-based game at the portable gaming device; and

presenting a game outcome for the first wager-based game played at the gaming device during the first gaming session.

32. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

updating credit information stored at the gaming device relating to game play activities and wagering activities conducted at the gaming device during the first gaming session.

33. The method of claim 31, the gaming device further comprising:

receiving first wager payment information relating to a payment of the first wager amount; and

accepting placement of the first wager in response to receiving the first wager payment information.

34. The method of claim 31 further comprising:

receiving, after initiating play of the first wager-based game at the gaming device, second wager information relating to a second wager to be placed by the first user in connection with game play conducted at the gaming device during the first gaming session, wherein the second wager information includes a second wager amount.

35. The method of claim 34, the gaming device further comprising:

receiving second wager payment information relating to a payment of the second wager amount; and

accepting placement of the second wager in response to receiving the second wager payment information.

36. A portable gaming device in a gaming network, comprising:

a first processor;

memory;

a first display;

at least one interface for communicating with at least one other device in the gaming network;

an input mechanism for receiving cash or an indicia of credit;

controlling a wager-based game played at the gaming device;

means for receiving input from a first user for initiating a first wager-based gaming session at the gaming device;

means for initiating the first gaming session at the gaming device;

means for receiving, after initiation of the first gaming session, first wager information relating to a first wager to be placed by the first user in connection with game play conducted at the gaming device during the first gaming session, wherein the first wager information includes a first wager amount;

means for initiating, during the first gaming session, play of a first wager-based game at the gaming device;

means for verifying, during the first gaming session, periodic receipt of activation information from a first remote gaming server; and

means for preventing game play at the gaming device in response to a determination that no periodic activation information has been received at the gaming device during a first time interval;

means for receiving, after initiating play of the first wager-based game at the gaming device, second wager information relating to a second wager to be placed by the first user in connection with game play conducted at the gaming device during the first gaming session, wherein the second wager information includes a second wager amount;

means for receiving gaming information generated by the first remote gaming server, wherein the gaming information relates to play of the wager-based game at the portable gaming device, wherein the gaming information includes data representing an outcome of the first wager-based game;

means for storing the gaming information at the portable gaming device;

means for executing game code at the portable gaming device, the game code using at least a portion of the gaming information to present at least a portion of the wager-based game at the portable gaming device; and

means for presenting a game outcome for the wager-based game played at the gaming device during the first gaming session.