Transporting and using wagering game data

• US 8,523,663 B2
• Filed: 01/18/2010
• Issued: 09/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Gagner, Mark B., Liber, Nevin J., Pacey, Larry J., Sylla, Craig J., Thomas, Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): DEODHAR, OMKAR A
• Application Number:
  US13/145,270
• Publication Number:
  US 20120028714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/20, 463/25, 463/2, 463/9
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions

Abstract

A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a connection of a portable wagering game player drive to a wagering game network. The operations can include determining a player preference regarding a focus of data to store and storing player experience data from the wagering game network according to the player preference. The operations can further include determining a request to disconnect the portable wagering game player drive from the wagering game network, securing the player experience data for transfer beyond the wagering game network; and presenting wagering game content using a computing device outside of the wagering game network using at least some of the player experience data from the portable wagering game player drive.

Claims

1. One or more non-transitory, machine-readable storage media having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a set of one or more processors causes the set of one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

storing a wagering game application from a wagering game machine onto a portable data storage device connected to the wagering game machine, wherein the wagering game machine is connected to a wagering game network;

disconnecting the portable data storage device from the wagering game machine;

connecting the portable data storage device to a computing device that is not connected to the wagering game network, wherein the computing device is capable of processing the wagering game application;

detecting a selection of the wagering game application via user input from the computing device, wherein the selection of the wagering game application is during a wagering game session initiated on the computing device, and wherein the computing device is configured to present a wagering game via the wagering game application during the wagering game session in response to the selection of the wagering game application; and

storing wagering game session data on the portable data storage device during the wagering game session.

2. The one or more non-transitory, machine readable storage media of claim 1, wherein the operation of storing the wagering game application includes operations comprising:

storing a wagering game library of applications of a wagering game provider on the portable data storage device from the wagering game machine; and

presenting the wagering game application from the wagering game library.

3. The one or more non-transitory, machine readable storage media of claim 1, said operations further comprising:

detecting a payment to rent or buy the wagering game application; and

storing the wagering game application from the wagering game machine onto the portable data storage device in response to detecting the payment.

4. The one or more non-transitory, machine readable storage media of claim 1, said operations further comprising:

using environmental data stored on the portable data storage device to emulate a gambling environment on playback mechanisms connected to the computing device.

5. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable storage media of claim 1, said operations further comprising:

storing player preference data on the portable data storage device during the wagering game session;

determining that the wagering game session is terminated;

securing the wagering game session data and the player preference data on the portable data storage device;

connecting the portable data storage device to an additional wagering game machine;

initiating an additional wagering game session on the additional wagering game machine;

accessing the player preference data on the portable data storage device; and

customizing a presentation of wagering game content on the additional wagering game machine during the additional wagering game session based on the player preference data.

6. The one or more non-transitory, machine readable storage media of claim 1, said operations further comprising:

determining that the wagering game session is terminated;

securing the wagering game session data on the portable data storage device;

connecting the portable data storage device to an additional wagering game machine connected the wagering game network;

providing the wagering game session data to the additional wagering game machine;

predicting a player'"'"'s personal preference on the wagering game network using the wagering game session data; and

tailoring an additional wagering game session on the additional wagering game machine to the player'"'"'s personal preference.

7. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable storage media of claim 1, said operations further comprising:

determining a geographic location of the computing device;

determining that the computing device is located within an authorized gambling jurisdiction associated with the geographic location; and

authorizing the wagering game session in response to determining that the computing device is located within the authorized gambling jurisdiction.

8. An apparatus comprising:

one or more processors; and

a portable data module configured to, via the one or more processors,

deduct a first money value from a money balance of a wagering game account while a portable data storage device is connected to a machine that is connected to a wagering game network, wherein the machine has access to the wagering game account,

store the first money value on the portable data storage device,

disconnect the portable data storage device from the machine,

connect the portable data storage device to a computing device external to the wagering game network, wherein the computing device is capable of processing the wagering game content, and wherein the computing device does not have access to the wagering game account,

begin a wagering game session via the computing device using wagering game content,

set a session wagering limit for the wagering game session equivalent to the first money value previously deducted from the wagering game account,

detect wagering activity performed during the wagering game session via the computing device, and

change the first money value to a second money value on the portable data storage device during the wagering game session in response to detecting the performing the wagering activity.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the portable data module is further configured to

terminate the wagering game session,

reconnect the portable data storage device to the machine connected to the wagering game network, and

update the money balance of the wagering game account using the second money value.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the portable data module is further configured to

subtract wagers from the first money value and add winnings to the first money value.

11. A system comprising:

one or more processors;

at least one communications device configured to communicate with a portable data storage device; and

one or more memory storage units configured to store instructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the system to perform operations to

select, in response to user input, a wagering game application stored on the portable data storage device, wherein the portable data storage device is configured to communicate with a wagering game machine associated with a wagering game network during a first wagering game session and obtain the wagering game application from the wagering game machine, wherein the system is not associated with the wagering game network, and wherein the selection of the wagering game application occurs via a second wagering game session initiated via the system after the first wagering game session,

present a wagering game for the second wagering game session in response to the selection of the wagering game application, and

store wagering game session data, for the second wagering game session, on the portable data storage device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more memory storage units is configured to store instructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the system to further perform operations to

access the wagering game application from a library of wagering game applications stored on the portable data storage device, wherein the library of wagering game applications are for a wagering game provider, and wherein the portable storage device is configured to attain the library of wagering game applications from the wagering game machine.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more memory storage units is configured to store instructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the system to further perform operations to:

detect a payment to rent or buy the wagering game application; and

transfer the wagering game application from the wagering game machine to the portable data storage device in response to detection of the payment.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more memory storage units is configured to store instructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the system to further perform operations to:

use environmental data stored on the portable data storage device to emulate a gambling environment on playback mechanisms connected to the system.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more memory storage units is configured to store instructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the system to further perform operations to:

store player preference data on the portable data storage device during the second wagering game session, wherein the player preference data is configured for use during a third wagering game session subsequent to the second wagering game session to customize a presentation of wagering game content.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more memory storage units is configured to store instructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the system to further perform operations to

store wagering game session data on the portable data storage device during the second wagering game session, wherein the wagering game session data is configured for use during a third wagering game session subsequent to the second wagering game session to predict a player preference.

17. The system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more memory storage units is configured to store instructions, which when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the system to further perform operations to

determine, prior to use of the wagering game application for gambling in the second wagering game session, that the system is located in an authorized gambling jurisdiction.

18. A method comprising:

initiating a first wagering game session via a wagering game machine connected to a wagering game network;

connecting a portable data storage device to the wagering game machine;

accessing a wagering game application stored on the wagering game machine;

transferring, via at least one of one or more processors, the wagering game application from the wagering game machine to the portable data storage device during a first wagering game session; and

disconnecting the portable data storage device from the wagering game machine, wherein portable data storage device is configured to, after termination of the first wagering game session, connect to a computing device that is not connected to the wagering game network, initiate a second wagering game session, access the wagering game application from the portable data storage device in response to user input, present a wagering game via use of the wagering game application, and store wagering game session data on the portable data storage device during the second wagering game session.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising

transferring a library of wagering game applications for a wagering game provider from the wagering game machine to the portable data storage device.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

detecting a payment to rent or buy the wagering game application; and

transferring the wagering game application from the wagering game machine to the portable data storage device in response to the detecting the payment.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

storing environmental data on the portable data storage device, wherein the environmental data is for a gambling environment around the wagering game machine, wherein the computing device is configured to access the environmental data on the portable data storage device and emulate a gambling environment via playback mechanisms connected to the computing device.

22. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

storing player preference data on the portable data storage device during the first wagering game session, wherein the computing device is configured to access the player preference data from the portable data storage device during the second wagering game session and customize a presentation of wagering game content using the player preference data.

23. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

storing wagering game session data on the portable data storage device during the first wagering game session, wherein the wagering game session data is configured for use during the second wagering game session to predict a player preference.

24. The method of claim 18, wherein the computing device is configured to determine, prior to use of the wagering game application for gambling in the second wagering game session, that the computing device is located in an authorized gambling jurisdiction.

25. An apparatus comprising:

means for deducting a first money value from a money balance of a wagering game account while a portable data storage device is connected to a machine that is connected to a wagering game network, wherein the machine has access to the wagering game account;

means for storing the first money value on the portable data storage device; and

means for disconnecting the portable data storage device from the machine, wherein the portable data storage device is configured to connect to a computing device external to the wagering game network that does not have access to the wagering game account, begin a wagering game session using the wagering game content, set a session wagering limit for the wagering game session equivalent to the first money value previously deducted from the wagering game account, detect wagering activity performed during the wagering game session via the computing device, and change the first money value to a second money value on the portable data storage device during the wagering game session in response to the wagering activity.

26. The apparatus of claim 25 further comprising:

means for reconnecting the portable data storage device to the machine connected to the wagering game network after the wagering game session, and

means for updating the money balance of the wagering game account using the second money value.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the computing device is configured to one or more of subtract wagers from the first money value and add winnings to the first money value during the wagering game session.

28. An apparatus comprising:

means for deducting a first money value from a money balance of a wagering game account while a portable data storage device is connected to a machine that is connected to a wagering game network, wherein the machine has access to the wagering game account;

means for storing the first money value on the portable data storage device for use in a wagering game session on a computing device external to the wagering game network, wherein the computing device does not have access to the wagering game account; and

means for disconnecting the portable data storage device from the machine, wherein the portable data storage device is configured to connect to the computing device, and wherein the computing device is configured to begin a wagering game session using the wagering game content, set a session wagering limit for the wagering game session equivalent to the first money value previously deducted from the wagering game account, detect wagering activity performed during the wagering game session, and change the first money value to a second money value on the portable data storage device during the wagering game session in response to the wagering activity.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising:

means for reconnecting the portable data storage device to the machine connected to the wagering game network after the wagering game session, and

means for updating the money balance of the wagering game account using the second money value.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the computing device is configured to one or more of subtract wagers from the first money value and add winnings to the first money value during the wagering game session.

31. One or more non-transitory, machine-readable storage media having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a set of one or more processors causes the set of one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

initiating a communication link between a portable data storage device and a computing device that is not connected to a wagering game network, wherein the portable data storage device includes a first money value that was deducted from a money balance of a wagering game account while the portable data storage device was connected to a machine connected to the wagering game network;

initiating a wagering game session via the computing device;

setting a session wagering limit for the wagering game session equivalent to the first money value;

detecting wagering activity performed during the wagering game session; and

changing the first money value to a second money value on the portable data storage device during the wagering game session in response to the wagering activity.

32. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable storage media of claim 31, said operations further comprising:

terminating the wagering game session; and

terminating the communication link between the portable data storage device and the computing device, wherein the portable data storage device includes the second money value after the communication link is terminated, wherein the portable data storage device is configured to connect to one of more wagering game machines connected to the wagering game network, wherein the wagering game account is accessible via the wagering game network, and wherein the money balance of the wagering game account is configured to update the money balance using the second money value.

33. The one or more non-transitory, machine-readable storage media of claim 31, said operations further comprising one or more of subtracting wagers from the first money value and adding winnings to the first money value during the wagering game session.