Remote gaming method where venue's system suggests different games to remote player using a mobile gaming device

• US 9,129,489 B2
• Filed: 04/11/2013
• Issued: 09/08/2015
• 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:
  US13/861,274
• Publication Number:
  US 20130273996A1
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/25, 463/39, 463 40- 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 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3246 involving coins and/or banknotes

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:

establishing a wireless communications link between a mobile gaming device, operated by a player, and a stationary first gaming terminal that carries out a gaming program to play a first type game;

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

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

transmitting signals by the first gaming terminal to the mobile gaming device to cause the first type game to be displayed on the mobile gaming device;

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

automatically, without any initiation by the player, 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; and

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

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining that the second type game is compatible with the player'"'"'s playing habits prior to the step of transmitting signals to the mobile gaming device identifying the second type game to the player.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transferring credits from the first gaming terminal to the second gaming terminal comprises automatically transferring credits associated with the player.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of establishing the wireless communications link between the mobile gaming device and the second gaming terminal comprises automatically establishing the wireless communications link.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first gaming terminal and the second gaming terminal are gaming machines having display screens, and wherein the gaming machines may be directly played using the display screens.

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

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the mobile gaming device is a tablet or smartphone containing a remote gaming application.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first type game and the second type game is a video reels type game.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first gaming terminal is licensed for use in a first gaming zone operated by a first operator, and the second gaming terminal is licensed for use in a second gaming zone operated by a second operator, wherein the player is located in the first gaming zone.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein at least a portion of revenue generated by the player playing the second type game is provided to the second operator.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting the player'"'"'s real time game play and, based on such detection, determining that the second type game is consistent with the player'"'"'s real time game play.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising applying data from the player'"'"'s real time game play to an algorithm to determine that the player is a certain type of player, then selecting the second type of game for the player.

13. The method of claim 11 where the player is playing anonymously, without the use of a player tracking card.

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

15. 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 a game.

24. The system of claim 1 further comprising detecting the player'"'"'s real time game play and, based on such detection, determining that the second type game is consistent with the player'"'"'s real time game play.

25. The system of claim 24 further comprising applying data from the player'"'"'s real time game play to an algorithm to determine that the player is a certain type of player, then selecting the second type of game for the player.

26. The system of claim 24 where the player is playing anonymously, without the use of a player tracking card.

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

16. A gaming system comprising a mobile gaming device, a stationary first gaming terminal, and a stationary second gaming terminal programmed to carry out the method comprising:

establishing a wireless communications link between the mobile gaming device, operated by a player, and the stationary first gaming terminal that carries out a gaming program to play a first type game;

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

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

transmitting signals by the first gaming terminal to the mobile gaming device to cause the first type game to be displayed on the mobile gaming device;

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

automatically, without any initiation by the player, 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 the 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; and

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

17. The system of claim 16 further comprising:

determining that the second type game is compatible with the player'"'"'s playing habits prior to the step of transmitting signals to the mobile gaming device identifying the second type game to the player.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the step of transferring credits from the first gaming terminal to the second gaming terminal comprises automatically transferring credits associated with the player.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the step of establishing the wireless communications link between the mobile gaming device and the second gaming terminal comprises automatically establishing the wireless communications link.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the first gaming terminal and the second gaming terminal are gaming machines having display screens, and wherein the gaming machines may be directly played using the display screens.

21. The system of claim 16 wherein the mobile gaming device is one of a tablet and a smartphone.

22. The system of claim 16 wherein at least one of the first type game and the second type game is a video reels type game.

23. The system of claim 16 wherein the first gaming terminal is licensed for use in a first gaming zone operated by a first operator, and the second gaming terminal is licensed for use in a second gaming zone operated by a second operator, wherein the player is located in the first gaming zone.