Handheld wagering game system and methods for conducting wagering games thereupon
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A gaming system for communicating with a handheld gaming machine via a network, the handheld gaming machine including a processor, a wireless communication interface, an electronic input device, and a electronic display device configured to display a wagering game including a first and a second wagering game-related feature, the gaming system comprising:
- a virtual hot spot configured to be assigned to at least first and second network components at respective first and second physically distinct locations, the first and second network components each being configured to emit wireless signals receivable by the wireless communication interface of the handheld gaming machine;
at least one processor operatively connected to the first and second network components via the network; and
at least one memory device operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions which cause the at least one processor to;
locate the virtual hot spot at the first location by assigning the virtual hot spot to the first network component;
determine when the handheld gaming machine is within the virtual hot spot assigned to the first network component;
in response to the handheld gaming machine being within the virtual hot spot assigned to the first network component, activate the first wagering game-related feature for play via the handheld gaming machine;
relocate the virtual hot spot from the first location to the second location by reassigning the virtual hot spot to the second network component;
determine when the handheld gaming machine is within the virtual hot spot reassigned to the second network component; and
in response to the handheld gaming machine being within the virtual hot spot reassigned to the second network component, activate the second wagering game-related feature for play via the handheld gaming machine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device.
99 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gaming system for communicating with a handheld gaming machine via a network, the handheld gaming machine including a processor, a wireless communication interface, an electronic input device, and a electronic display device configured to display a wagering game including a first and a second wagering game-related feature, the gaming system comprising:
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a virtual hot spot configured to be assigned to at least first and second network components at respective first and second physically distinct locations, the first and second network components each being configured to emit wireless signals receivable by the wireless communication interface of the handheld gaming machine; at least one processor operatively connected to the first and second network components via the network; and at least one memory device operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions which cause the at least one processor to; locate the virtual hot spot at the first location by assigning the virtual hot spot to the first network component; determine when the handheld gaming machine is within the virtual hot spot assigned to the first network component; in response to the handheld gaming machine being within the virtual hot spot assigned to the first network component, activate the first wagering game-related feature for play via the handheld gaming machine; relocate the virtual hot spot from the first location to the second location by reassigning the virtual hot spot to the second network component; determine when the handheld gaming machine is within the virtual hot spot reassigned to the second network component; and in response to the handheld gaming machine being within the virtual hot spot reassigned to the second network component, activate the second wagering game-related feature for play via the handheld gaming machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A portable handheld gaming machine for playing a wagering game including a wagering game-related feature and communicating with a gaming system via a network, the handheld gaming machine comprising:
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a processor; an electronic display device configured to display a randomly determined outcome of the wagering game; and a wireless communication interface operable to communicate signals with the gaming system via the network, the wireless communication interface being configured to; responsive to the handheld gaming machine being connected to the network, output to the gaming system a position signal indicative of a position of the handheld gaming machine relative to a virtual hot spot configured to be assigned to at least first and second network components at respective first and second physically distinct locations; receive from the gaming system an eligibility signal indicative of an eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for the wagering game-related feature based at least upon the position signal output by the handheld gaming machine and a location of the virtual hot spot, the virtual hot spot being located by the gaming system at the first and second physically distinct locations such that the virtual hot spot is respectively assigned to the first and second network components; and responsive to the handheld gaming machine being eligible for the wagering game-related feature, activate the wagering game-related feature that is played via the handheld gaming machine.
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15. A method of operating a gaming system, the gaming system including one or more processors and a handheld gaming machine connected to the gaming system via a network, the handheld gamine machine including a housing with a processor, one or more electronic input devices, and one or more electronic display devices coupled to the housing, at least one of the one or more electronic display devices being configured to display a wagering game including a first and second wagering game-related feature, the method comprising:
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detecting, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a physical item associated with a monetary value, the monetary value establishing a credit balance that changes based on play of the wagering game; receiving, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, an initiating input from a player to play the wagering game; initiating, via at least one of the one or more processors, the wagering game in response to the initiating input from the player; locating a virtual hot spot at a first of a plurality of physically distinct locations by assigning the virtual hot spot to a first network component; determining when the handheld gaming machine is within the virtual hot spot; in response to the handheld gaming machine being within the virtual hot spot when assigned to the first network component, activating the first wagering game-related feature for play via the handheld gaming machine; relocating the virtual hot spot from the first location to a second of the plurality of physically distinct locations by reassigning the virtual hot spot to a second network component; and in response to the handheld gaming machine being within the virtual hot spot when reassigned to the second network component, activating the second wagering game-related feature for play via the handheld gaming machine; and receiving, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a cashout input from the player to initiate a payout from the credit balance. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification