Remote gaming using game recommender system and generic mobile gaming device

• US 9,123,200 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2013
• Issued: 09/01/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GTECH Canada ULC
• Original Assignee: GTECH Canada ULC
• Inventors: Froy, David Vincent Jr., Babin, Peter, Gadher, Bharat, Idris, Fayez
• Primary Examiner(s): PIERCE, DAMON JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US13/861,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20130267325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 873 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/25, 463/39, 463/40, 463/42
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
• 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 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

A mobile gaming device may be a player'"'"'s own personal tablet, smartphone, PDA, etc., with an application program installed via the internet for carrying out a remote gaming session. All gaming functions are carried out by a stationary gaming terminal communicating with the mobile device, such as by using WiFi. The mobile device operates as a user interface. While the player is playing one game on the mobile device, the venue'"'"'s system recommends other games to the player via the player'"'"'s tablet either based on the player'"'"'s past gaming history, if the player used a player tracking card, or based on real time game play, if the player is anonymous. Upon the player selecting a different game, the system automatically transfers communications to a different gaming terminal and transfers the player'"'"'s credits. The gaming terminals may be gaming machines, where each gaming machine carries out a different game.

Claims

1. A remote gaming method comprising:

operating a licensed first gaming terminal in a first jurisdiction, the first gaming terminal being programmed to carry out at least the game functions of pseudo-randomly determining a game outcome and determining an award to a player;

establishing a wireless communications link between a commercially available, off-the-shelf mobile gaming device, operated by a player, and the first gaming terminal, the mobile gaming device running a downloaded gaming program, the mobile gaming device being located in the first jurisdiction;

receiving player control signals by the first gaming terminal from the mobile gaming device to initiate a game;

carrying out the game by the first gaming terminal, including determining a final outcome of the game and any award for the outcome;

transmitting signals from the first gaming terminal to the mobile gaming device identifying the final outcome of the game and the award;

displaying, by the mobile gaming device, the final outcome of the game and the award;

wherein the game carried out by the first gaming terminal is a first type game, the method further comprising;

detecting the player'"'"'s real time game play;

based on detecting the player'"'"'s real time game play, automatically and while the wireless communications link between the mobile gaming device and the first gaming terminal is still established, transmitting signals to the mobile gaming device identifying at least a second type game available to be played on a second gaming terminal as a recommended different game;

detecting a selection by the player of the second type game to be played on the second gaming terminal;

automatically establishing a wireless communications link between the mobile gaming device and the second gaming terminal in response to the step of detecting the selection by the player of the second type game to be played on the second gaming terminal; and

transferring credits from the first gaming terminal to the second gaming terminal.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first gaming terminal is a gaming machine having a display screen, and wherein the gaming machine may be directly played using the display screen.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the gaming machine and mobile gaming device are operated within a same venue.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile gaming device is one of a tablet and a smartphone.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the mobile gaming device is a tablet or smartphone containing a remote gaming application.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the game is a video reels type game.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the mobile gaming device is not required to be licensed in the first jurisdiction.

8. The method of claim 1 where the player is playing anonymously, without the use of a player tracking card.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first gaming terminal and the second gaming terminal are located in different gaming venues.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

periodically controlling the mobile gaming device to communicate between a plurality of transceivers in a venue;

using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) level signals derived by communications with the transceivers to determine whether the mobile gaming device is within a designated area within the venue; and

if it is determined that the mobile gaming device is outside of the designated area, blocking the mobile gaming device from carrying out the game.

11. The method of claim 1 where the mobile gaming device is the player'"'"'s own personal property.