Augmented reality gaming eyewear

• US 10,223,859 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2013
• Issued: 03/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Massing, Scott A., Gura, Damon E., Louie, Daniel P., Smith, Jesse M., Vann, Jamie W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harper, Tramar
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wong, Jeffrey
• Application Number:
  US13/788,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20140121015A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,189 Days
• Field of Search: 463 30
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means

Abstract

A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting initiation of a wagering game and determining, in response to the detecting the initiation of the wagering game, first content and second content to present for the wagering game. The operations can further include providing the first content for presentation on a display device, the first content being viewable through the gaming eyewear, and providing the second content for presentation as a virtual image via the gaming eyewear.

Claims

1. A method of operating gaming eyewear, said method comprising:

detecting, via the gaming eyewear, presentation of first wagering game content via a display device associated with a wagering game machine, wherein the first wagering game content originates from a first casino wagering game;

receiving, via a communication interface unit of the gaming eyewear, second wagering game content associated with a second casino wagering game independent from the first casino wagering game;

providing the second wagering game content for presentation as a virtual image on a display of the gaming eyewear concurrent with presentation of the first wagering game content via the display device associated with the wagering game machine, wherein the display of the gaming eyewear is separate from the display device associated with the wagering game machine;

electronically connecting, via the communication interface unit, the second casino wagering game to a gaming account associated with the first casino wagering game, wherein the gaming account provides funds for use in the second casino wagering game;

detecting a virtual interaction with the second wagering game content via the gaming eyewear; and

causing, in response to detecting the virtual interaction with the second wagering game content, the second casino wagering game to use at least a portion of the funds from the gaming account for one or more wagers in the second casino wagering game and to initiate game play in the second casino wagering game;

wherein the first wagering game content includes a first set of symbols from a first pay table for the first casino wagering game, wherein the second wagering game content includes a second set of symbols from a second pay table for the second casino wagering game different from the first pay table, wherein the first set of symbols are different symbols than those in the second set of symbols, wherein the first set of symbols are applicable to a group of players, and wherein the second set of symbols are unique to a specific one of the group of players associated with the gaming eyewear, and at least one of the first set of symbols and at least one of the second set of symbols are used to determine a unique game outcome for the one of the group of players.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

detecting a physical gesture visible within a field of view of the gaming eyewear at a location in the field of view that corresponds to a presentation of the virtual image via the display of the gaming eyewear; and

causing a game play action for one or more of the first casino wagering game or the second casino wagering game in response to detection of the physical gesture.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the second wagering game content for presentation as the virtual image on the display of the gaming eyewear comprises transmitting the second wagering game content wirelessly from a wagering game machine to a receiver of the gaming eyewear.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting, via the communication interface unit, that the first wagering game content is associated with the gaming account, and wherein the electronically connecting the second casino wagering game to the gaming account is in response to detecting that the first wagering game content is associated with the gaming account.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining an identity of a user associated with the gaming eyewear;

determining that the first wagering game content is associated with the identity of the user; and

wherein the electronically connecting the gaming eyewear to the gaming account is in response to the determining that the first wagering game content is associated with the identity of the user.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining the identity of the user associated with the gaming eyewear comprising scanning a retina of the user via one or more sensors of the gaming eyewear.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

detecting a first game event from the first casino wagering game, wherein the first game event comprises one or more of a first winning event and a first wager; and

changing a credit meter presented on the display device of the gaming eyewear in response to the first game event.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

detecting a second game event from the second casino wagering game, wherein the second game event comprises one or more of a second winning event and a second wager; and

changing the credit meter presented on the display device of the gaming eyewear in response to the second game event.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

detecting a coded identifier visible via the display of the gaming eyewear; and

presenting the second casino wagering game via the display of the gaming eyewear at a location of the coded identifier to indicate a game play element used for a game outcome of the second casino wagering game.

10. One or more non-transitory machine-readable storage media having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when executed by a set of one or more processors of a gaming system cause the set of one or more processors to perform operations for controlling the gaming system, the instructions comprising:

instructions to detect a unique characteristic of an individual via electronic gaming eyewear;

instructions to automatically connect, via a network communication interface of the gaming system, the electronic gaming eyewear to a player account associated with the individual in response to detecting the unique characteristic;

instructions to detect, via the electronic gaming eyewear, first wagering game content presented via a display device associated with a wagering game machine, wherein the first wagering game content originates from a first casino wagering game;

instructions to provide second wagering game content for presentation via a display of the electronic gaming eyewear, wherein the second wagering game content originates from a second casino wagering game independent from the first casino wagering game;

instructions to electronically connect, via the network communication interface, the second casino wagering game to the player account, wherein the player account provides funds for use in a second casino wagering game;

instructions to access, via the network communication interface, one or more first statistics associated with the player account regarding wagering game play associated with one or more of the first wagering game content or the second wagering game content;

instructions to provide the one or more first statistics for presentation via the display of the electronic gaming eyewear;

instructions to determine one or more second statistics associated with one or more of wagering game machine and one or more additional player accounts associated with the one or more of the first wagering game content or the second wagering game content;

instructions to provide, for presentation via the display of the electronic gaming eyewear, the one or more second statistics;

instructions to detect a virtual interaction with the second wagering game content via the electronic gaming eyewear;

instructions to cause, in response to detecting the virtual interaction with the second wagering game content, the second casino wagering game to use at least a portion of the funds from the player account for one or more wagers in the second casino wagering game and to initiate game play in the second casino wagering game, wherein the first wagering game content includes a first set of symbols from a first pay table for the first casino wagering game, wherein the second wagering game content includes a second set of symbols from a second pay table for the second casino wagering game different from the first pay table, wherein the first set of symbols are different symbols than those in the second set of symbols, wherein the first set of symbols are applicable to a group of players, and wherein the second set of symbols are unique to a specific one of the group of players associated with the electronic gaming eyewear; and

instructions to use at least one of the first set of symbols and at least one of the second set of symbols to determine a unique game outcome for the one of the group of players.

11. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable storage media of claim 10, said instructions further comprising:

instructions to query, via the network communication interface, a database with a description of the unique characteristic;

instructions to, based on the querying of the database, determine an identity of a player associated with the player account; and

instructions to access the player account based on the identity of the player.

12. A gaming system comprising:

at least one electronic processing unit;

a network communication interface; and

at least one memory device configured to store instructions which, when executed by the at least one electronic processing unit, control the gaming system, the instructions including instructions to;

detect a unique characteristic of an individual via electronic gaming eyewear,

automatically connect, via the network communication interface, the electronic gaming eyewear to a player account associated with the individual in response to detecting the unique characteristic of the individual,

detect, via the electronic gaming eyewear, first wagering game content presented via a display device associated with the gaming system, wherein the first wagering game content originates from a first casino wagering game,

provide second wagering game content for presentation via a display of the electronic gaming eyewear, wherein the second wagering game content originates from a second casino wagering game independent from the first casino wagering game,

electronically connect, via the network communication interface, the second casino wagering game to the player account, wherein the player account provides funds for use in a second casino wagering game,

access, via the network communication interface, one or more statistics associated with the player account regarding wagering game play associated with one or more of the first wagering game content or the second wagering game content,

provide the one or more statistics for presentation via the display of the electronic gaming eyewear,

detect a virtual interaction with the second wagering game content via the electronic gaming eyewear,

in response to detection of the virtual interaction with the second wagering game content, cause the second casino wagering game to use at least a portion of the funds from the player account for one or more wagers in the second casino wagering game and to initiate game play in the second casino wagering game, wherein the first wagering game content includes a first set of symbols associated with first game rules for the first casino wagering game, wherein the second wagering game content includes a second set of symbols from second game rules for the second casino wagering game different from the first game rules, wherein the first set of symbols are different symbols than those in the second set of symbols, wherein the first set of symbols are applicable to a group of players, and wherein the second set of symbols are unique to a specific one of the group of players associated with the electronic gaming eyewear, and

use at least one of the first set of symbols and at least one of the second set of symbols to determine a unique game outcome for the one of the group of players.

13. The gaming system of claim 12, the instructions further including instructions to:

query, via the network communication interface, an account server with an indication of the unique characteristic to determine an identity of a player associated with the player account; and

access the player account based on the identity of the player.

14. The gaming system of claim 12, the instructions further including instructions to cause the gaming system to access the one or more statistics from the player account.

15. The gaming system of claim 12, the instructions further including:

instructions to determine one or more additional statistics associated with one or more of a wagering game machine and one or more additional player accounts associated with one or more of the first wagering game content and the second wagering game content; and

instructions to provide, for presentation via the display of the electronic gaming eyewear, the one or more additional statistics.

16. A gaming system comprising:

at least one electronic processing unit;

a communication interface unit; and

one or more memory storage devices configured to store instructions, which when executed by the at least one electronic processing unit, cause the gaming system to perform operations to control the gaming system, the instructions including;

instructions to provide first content for presentation on an electronic display device, wherein the first content is for a first casino wagering game;

instructions to establish, via the communication interface unit, a communication link with gaming eyewear;

instructions to determine that the gaming eyewear is associated with at least one participant of the first casino wagering game;

instructions to determine that the first content is visible within a field of view of the gaming eyewear;

instructions to provide second wagering game content for presentation as a virtual image on a display of the gaming eyewear concurrent with presentation of the first wagering game content via the electronic display device, wherein the second wagering game content is for a second casino wagering game independent from the first casino wagering game;

instructions to electronically connect, via the communication interface unit, the second casino wagering game to a gaming account associated with the first casino wagering game, wherein the gaming account provides funds for use in the second casino wagering game;

instructions to provide, via the communication interface unit, a virtual wagering game control for presentation as a virtual image via the display of the gaming eyewear, wherein the display of the gaming eyewear is separate from the electronic display device;

instructions to detect a physical gesture viewable within the field of view of the gaming eyewear at a location in the field of view that corresponds to a presentation of the virtual image via the display of the gaming eyewear;

instructions to cause a game play action for one or more of the first casino wagering game or the second casino wagering game in response to detection of the physical gesture, wherein the first wagering game content includes a first set of symbols from a first pay table for the first casino wagering game, wherein the second wagering game content includes a second set of symbols from a second pay table for the second casino wagering game different from the first pay table, wherein the first set of symbols are different symbols than those in the second set of symbols, wherein the first set of symbols are applicable to a group of players, wherein the second set of symbols are unique to a specific one of the group of players associated with the gaming eyewear; and

instructions to use at least one of the first set of symbols and at least one of the second set of symbols to determine a unique game outcome for the one of the group of players.

17. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the instructions further include:

instructions to detect that a finger is placed in the field of view at the location that coincides with presentation of the virtual image; and

instructions to detect that the finger performs a particular action that indicates selection of the virtual wagering game control.

18. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the instructions further include:

instructions to map a first body part visible within the field of view to the virtual wagering game control; and

instructions to map a second body part to the first body part, and wherein the instructions configured to cause the gaming system to perform operations to detect the physical gesture include instructions, which when executed by the at least one electronic processing unit, cause the gaming system to detect, via electronic analysis of the field of view, that the first body part touches the second body part.

19. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the instructions to detect the physical gesture include instructions to detect, via electronic analysis of the field of view, that two or more body parts perform a gesturing combination.

20. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein the instructions include instructions to cause the gaming system to access, via the communication interface unit from a memory storage unit associated with the at least one participant, an indication of a meaning of the physical gesture to perform the game play action, and wherein the instructions configured to cause the gaming system to cause the game play action include instructions to:

evaluate an appearance of the physical gesture against the indication of the meaning of the physical gesture;

determine that the appearance of the physical gesture corresponds to the game play action based on evaluation of the appearance of the physical gesture against the indication of the meaning; and

perform the game play action in response to determination that the appearance of the physical gesture corresponds to the game play action.

21. A gaming apparatus comprising:

means for presenting a virtual image of a game function control of a first casino wagering game via a display of gaming eyewear;

means for detecting a physical gesture visible within a field of view of the gaming eyewear at a first location in the field of view of the gaming eyewear that corresponds to a presentation of the virtual image via the display of the gaming eyewear;

means for determining that a second location of the physical gesture visible within the field of view corresponds to the first location that corresponds to the presentation of the virtual image;

means for accessing a setting of a player account associated with the gaming eyewear, wherein the setting indicates a meaning of the physical gesture to perform a specific wagering game function;

means for evaluating an appearance of the physical gesture against the meaning of the physical gesture indicated in the setting;

means for determining, based on evaluation of the appearance of the physical gesture against the meaning of the physical gesture in the setting, that the physical gesture indicates to perform the specific wagering game function;

means for performing the specific wagering game function based on determining that the physical gesture indicates to perform the specific wagering game function, wherein the first casino wagering game includes a first set of symbols associated with one or more of first game rules or a first pay table;

means for presenting, via the gaming eyewear, a second casino wagering game independent from the first casino wagering game, wherein the second casino wagering game includes a second set of symbols associated with one or more of second game rules or a second pay table different from that of the first casino wagering game, wherein the first set of symbols are different symbols than those in the second set of symbols, wherein the first set of symbols are applicable to a group of players, wherein the second set of symbols are unique to a specific one of the group of players associated with the gaming eyewear; and

means for using use at least one of the first set of symbols and at least one of the second set of symbols to determine a unique game outcome for the one of the group of players.

22. The gaming apparatus of claim 21, further comprising means for presenting the virtual image of the game function control as superimposed over a body part of a player that is viewable via the field of view of the gaming eyewear.

23. The gaming apparatus of claim 22, wherein the means for determining that the first location of the physical gesture corresponds to the second location that corresponds to the presentation of the virtual image comprises means for detecting a physical interaction with the body part of the player on which the virtual image of the game function control is superimposed.

24. The gaming apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for performing the specific wagering game function comprises means for conducting a wager for the casino wagering game.