WAGER GAMING NETWORK WITH WIRELESS HOTSPOTS

• US 20090298577A1
• Filed: 02/07/2007
• Published: 12/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Schwartz, Richard T., Gagner, Mark B., Rasmussen, James M., Joshi, Shridhar P., Spina, Joseph Lane
• Granted Patent: US 8,371,932 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 method comprising:

presenting, on a handheld wager gaming unit, a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered;

wirelessly connecting the handheld wager gaming unit to a wireless access point in a wager gaming network; and

transmitting, via the wireless access point, information from the handheld wager gaming unit to a device on the wager gaming network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is associated with the wagering game.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the information is associated with a community game involving other handheld wager gaming units.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

detecting low signal strength from the wireless access point;

based on the low signal strength, wirelessly connecting to another wireless access point in the wager gaming network; and

transmitting, via the other wireless access point, information from the handheld wager gaming unit to the device on the wager gaming network.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

wirelessly connecting to another wireless access point in the wager gaming network, wherein the connecting to the other wireless access point does not require user input.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting authentication information identifying the handheld wager gaming unit.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

detecting another wireless access point.

8. A machine-readable medium including instructions which when executed by a machine cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

receiving a request to use a handheld wager gaming unit;

receiving information identifying a user of the handheld wager gaming unit; and

releasing the handheld wager gaming unit for the user.

9. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, the operations further comprising:

receiving the handheld wager gaming unit; and

charging a battery of the handheld wager gaming unit.

10. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, the operations further comprising:

receiving the handheld wager gaming unit; and

downloading wagering game software to the handheld wager gaming unit.

11. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, the operations further comprising:

receiving the handheld wager gaming unit; and

sanitizing the handheld wager gaming unit.

12. The machine-readable medium of claim 8, the operations further comprising:

storing the information identifying the user.

13. The machine-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the information is stored on the handheld wager gaming unit.

14. A wager gaming station comprising:

a support member;

a plate coupled to the support member, the plate to support a handheld wager gaming unit;

a first restraint coupled to the plate, the first restraint contoured to contact a first portion of the handheld wager gaming unit; and

a second restraint adjustably coupled to the plate, the second restraint contoured to contact a second portion of the handheld wager gaming unit.

15. The wager gaming station of claim 14, wherein the second restraint includes a sliding apparatus to slide the second restraint in contact with the handheld wager gaming unit, the sliding apparatus coupled to the plate.

16. The wager gaming station of claim 14, wherein the second restraint includes a lock to immobilize the second restraint.

17. The wager gaming station of claim 14 further comprising:

a wireless access point to wirelessly exchange wager gaming information with the handheld wager gaming unit.

18. The wager gaming station of claim 14 the second restraint including an electronically actuated adjustment mechanism.