Handheld wagering game machine and docking unit

• US 8,226,459 B2
• Filed: 11/09/2007
• Issued: 07/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Barrett, Shawn O., Fritts, Jared L., Rasmussen, James M., Wurz, Norman R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Application Number:
  US12/513,622
• Publication Number:
  US 20100069160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,719 Days
• Field of Search: 463 7- 9, 463 16- 25
• US Class Current: 463/7
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable

Abstract

Embodiments of a handheld wagering game machine and docking station are described herein. In one embodiment, the wagering game docking station is configured to dock with a handheld wagering game machine. The docking station can include a docking port configured to receive and adjustably hold the handheld wagering game machine at any of a plurality of viewing angles. The docking station can also include a plurality of buttons configured to send input to the handheld wagering game machine. The docking station can also include a mounting member configured to mount the docking station to a surface.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a wagering game docking station configured to dock with a handheld wagering game machine, the docking station including,

a docking port configured to receive and adjustably hold the handheld wagering game machine at any of a plurality of viewing angles;

a plurality of buttons configured to send input to the handheld wagering game machine; and

a mounting member configured to mount the docking station to a mounting surface, wherein the mounting member is connected to a bottom surface of the docking station, wherein the docking station is further configured to rotate about the mounting member after being mounted to the mounting surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the docking port is further configured to provide data and power to the handheld wagering game machine.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the buttons includes an organic light emitting diode configured to present graphical content.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mounting member is further configured to plug into a mounting socket that is fastened to an underside of the mounting surface.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, the docking station further including a support member, wherein the mounting member is slidably attached to the support member, and configured to allow repositioning of the docking station on the mounting surface.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a handheld wagering game machine configured to present wagering games, the handheld wagering game device including,

a first enclosure configured to contain components including,

a central processing unit (CPU) configured to process information about the wagering games;

a power supply configured to provide power to the CPU;

a display device configured to display the information about wagering games; and

a second enclosure configured to envelope the first enclosure, the second enclosure including a display opening, the display opening surrounding the display device.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, the second enclosure also containing a peripheral device.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, the second enclosure also containing a card reader connected to the CPU.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first enclosure further includes a docking port configured to connect the handheld wagering game machine to a docking station.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the display device is flush to the display opening.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first enclosure also includes a power switch, and wherein the second enclosure includes a power switch actuator connected to the power switch.

12. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second enclosure is suitable for insertion into a docking port of a docking station.

13. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first enclosure contains a power switch connected to the power supply, and wherein the second enclosure includes a switch actuator connected to the power switch.

14. A wagering game system comprising:

a docking station configured to be mounted on a surface, the docking station including,

a plurality of buttons configured to receive input associated with wagering games; and

a docking port configured to provide power and information associated with the wagering games; and

a handheld wagering game machine configured to dock with the docking station, the handheld wagering game machine including,

a display device configured to consume the power and to present some of the information; and

a wagering game unit configured to receive the input and present the wagering games;

a primary enclosure configured to contain the display device and the wagering game unit; and

a secondary enclosure configured to contain the primary enclosure and a peripheral device.

15. The wagering game system of claim 14, the docking port further configured to hold the handheld wagering game machine at any one of a plurality of user selected viewing angles.

16. The wagering game system of claim 14, the docking port including a pivotable connection cylinder configured to support the handheld wagering game machine at a plurality of present viewing angles.

17. The wagering game system of claim 14, wherein the handheld wagering game machine includes a primary enclosure and a secondary enclosure.

18. The wagering game system of claim 14, wherein the docking station includes a mounting member configured to mount the docking station to the surface, and wherein the docking station is further configured to rotate about the mounting member after being mounted to the surface.