Wager gaming network with wireless hotspots

• US 8,371,932 B2
• Filed: 02/07/2007
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Gagner, Mark B., Joshi, Shridhar P., Rasmussen, James M., Schwartz, Richard T., Spina, Joseph Lane
• Primary Examiner(s): HARPER, TRAMAR YONG
• Application Number:
  US12/278,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20090298577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,197 Days
• Field of Search: 463/25
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication

Abstract

Embodiments of a wager gaming network that includes handheld wager gaming units and hotspots are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, in a handheld wager gaming unit, a wager associated with a wagering game. The method can also include wirelessly connecting the handheld wager gaming unit to a wireless access point in a wager gaming network. The method can also include transmitting, via the wireless access point, information from the handheld wager gaming unit to a device on the wager gaming network.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a wagering game controller configured o conduct wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered;

a community game controller configured to conduct a community game triggered during play of at least one of the wagering games;

a plurality of handheld wagering game units; and

a mobile wagering game station including;

a plurality of receptacles configured to removably store at least a portion of the plurality of handheld wagering game units therein, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of receptacles are configured to sanitize the respective handheld wagering game units;

a wireless access point enabling the plurality of handheld wagering game units to wirelessly communicate with the wagering game controller to present the wagering games and to wirelessly communicate with the community game controller to participate in the community game, the wireless access point defining a gaming space where the plurality of handheld wagering game units can present the wagering games; and

a mobility member permitting the mobile wagering game station to be moved about a gaming establishment, thereby relocating the gaming space.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, further including a community display connected to the community game controller and configured to present at least a portion of the community game.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of receptacles are configured to charge the respective handheld wagering game units.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the mobile wagering game station is configured to:

receive a check-out request and player identification information from a player;

associate the player identification information with at least one of the handheld wagering game units; and

release the at least one handheld wagering game unit to the player.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the mobility member of the mobile wagering game station includes a plurality of wheels.

6. The gaming system of claim 5, wherein the mobility member of the mobile wagering game station includes a motor.

7. A gaming system comprising:

a wagering game controller configured to conduct wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered;

a plurality of handheld wagering game units; and

a mobile wagering game station including;

a plurality of receptacles configured to removably store at least a portion of the plurality of handheld wagering game units therein, wherein the plurality of receptacles are configured to sanitize the respective handheld wagering game units;

a wireless access point enabling the plurality of handheld wagering game units to wirelessly communicate with the wagering game controller to present the wagering games and to wirelessly communicate with a community game controller to participate in a community game triggered during play of at least one of the wagering games;

the wireless access point defining a gaining space where the plurality of handheld wagering game units can present the wagering games; and

a mobility member permitting the mobile wagering game station to be moved about a gaming establishment, thereby relocating the gaming space.

8. The gaming system of claim 7, further including a community display connected to the community game controller and configured to present at least a portion of the community game.

9. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of receptacles are configured to sanitize the respective handheld wagering game units using an ozone bath.

10. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of receptacles are configured to sanitize the respective handheld wagering game units by applying an antimicrobial cleaner.

11. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein the mobile wagering game station is configured to:

receive a check-out request and player identification information from a player;

associate the player identification information with at least one of the handheld wagering game units; and

release the at least one handheld wagering game unit to the player.

12. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein the mobility member of the mobile wagering game station includes a plurality of wheels.

13. The gaming system of claim 12, wherein the mobility member of the mobile wagering game station includes a motor.

14. A gaining system comprising:

a wagering game controller configured to conduct wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered;

a community game controller configured to conduct a community game triggered during play of at least one of the wagering games; and

a mobile wagering game station including;

a plurality of receptacles configured to removably store a plurality of handheld wagering game units therein, the plurality of receptacles configured to sanitize the respective handheld wagering game units;

a wireless access point enabling the plurality of handheld wagering game units to wirelessly communicate with the wagering game controller to present the wagering games and to wirelessly communicate with the community game controller to participate in the community game, the wireless access point defining a gaming space where the plurality of handheld wagering game units can present the wagering games; and

a mobility member permitting the mobile wagering game station to be moved about a gaming establishment, thereby relocating the gaming space.

15. The gaming system of claim 14, further including a community display connected to the community game controller and configured to present at least a portion of the community game.

16. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the mobile wagering game station is configured to:

receive a check-out request and player identification information from a player;

associate the player identification information with at least one of the handheld wagering game units; and

release the at least one handheld wagering game unit to the player.

17. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the mobility member of the mobile wagering game station includes a plurality of wheels.

18. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the mobility member of the mobile wagering game station includes a motor.