GAME WITH HAND MOTION CONTROL

• US 20080300055A1
• Filed: 05/29/2007
• Published: 12/04/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CFPH LLC (Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.)
• Original Assignee: CFPH LLC (Cantor Fitzgerald, L.P.)
• Inventors: Lutnick, Howard W., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Alderucci, Dean P.
• Granted Patent: US 9,317,110 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/39
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1093 using visible light
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/201 Playing authorisation given at platform level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/6045 for mapping control signals received from the input arrangement into game commands
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/011 Arrangements for interaction with the human body, e.g. for user immersion in virtual reality blind teaching G09B21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/107 Static hand or arm
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen

Abstract

In various embodiments, the motion of a wristband is used to control games.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a first wireless signal from a first device;

receiving a second wireless signal from a second device;

determining from the first wireless signal a first player identifier;

determining from the second wireless signal a second player identifier;

displaying a message that asks a player to identify himself;

receiving via tactile input an indication of a third player identifier;

determining that the third player identifier matches the first player identifier;

receiving a third wireless signal from the first device;

interpreting the third wireless signal as a command in a gambling game; and

carrying out the command in the gambling game.

2. The method of 1 in which the first device is one of:

(a) a wristband;

(b) a watch;

(c) a bracelet;

(d) an armband; and

(e) a mobile gaming device.

3. The method of 1 in which determining from the first wireless signal a first player identifier includes determining from the first wireless signal a name of a first player.

4. The method of 1 in which the first player identifier and the second player identifier correspond to different players.

5. The method of 1 in which receiving via tactile input an indication of a third player identifier includes receiving an indication of a third player identifier, in which the third player identifier has been inputted using buttons.

6. The method of 1 in which receiving via tactile input an indication of a third player identifier includes receiving an indication of a third player identifier, in which the third player identifier has been inputted using a joystick.

7. The method of 1 in which receiving via tactile input an indication of a third player identifier includes receiving an indication of a third player identifier, in which the third player identifier has been inputted using a touch screen.

8. The method of 1 in which receiving via tactile input an indication of a third player identifier includes receiving an indication of a third player identifier, in which the third player identifier has been inputted using a track ball.

9. The method of 1 in which the third wireless signal encodes a set of motions made by the first device.

10. The method of 1 in which interpreting the third wireless signal includes interpreting the third wireless signal as a command to discard a card in a game of video poker.

11. The method of 1 in which interpreting the third wireless signal includes interpreting the third wireless signal as a command to initiate a slot machine game.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a band formed into a loop;

a power source attached to the band;

a motion sensor attached to the band;

an electromagnetic transmitter attached to the band;

an audio speaker attached to the band;

a haptics transducer attached to the band;

a processor attached to the band; and

an electromagnetic receiver attached to the band.

13. The apparatus of 12 in which the haptics transducer is operable to generate vibrations in response to an electric signal from the processor.

14. The apparatus of 12 in which the motion sensor is an accelerometer.

15. The apparatus of 12 in which the processor is operable to:

receive a first electronic signal from the motion sensor;

determine a first command for a first gambling game based on the first electronic signal;

transmit the first command to the electromagnetic transmitter; and

direct the electromagnetic transmitter to transmit the first command to a first gaming device.

16. The apparatus of 12 in which the processor is operable to:

receive from the electromagnetic receiver instructions that have been received wirelessly by the electromagnetic receiver;

receive a second electronic signal from the motion sensor;

follow the instructions in order to determine a second command for a second gambling game based on the second electronic signal;

transmit the second command to the electromagnetic transmitter; and

direct the electromagnetic transmitter to transmit the second command to the gaming device.

17. The apparatus of 12 further including a switch attached to the band,

in which the switch has two stable positions, and in which the processor is operable to detect the position of the switch and to direct the electromagnetic transmitter to transmit signals only if the switch is in a first of the two stable positions.

18. The apparatus of 12 further including a piezoelectric sensor attached to the band.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a housing, the housing including a top surface that is parallel to the ground;

a coin hopper disposed within the housing;

a bill validator attached to the housing;

a display screen attached to the housing;

a processor disposed within the housing;

a wireless receiver attached to the housing;

a wireless transmitter attached to the housing;

a first light source attached to the top surface of the housing, in which the first light source is operable to emit light of a first frequency; and

a second light source attached to the top surface of the housing at least one foot from the first light source, in which the second light source is configured to emit light of a second frequency which is different from the first frequency.

20. The apparatus of 19 in which the processor is operable to:

conduct gambling games; and

alter the course of a gambling game based on wireless signals received at the wireless receiver.