Patent Grant
9542797
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates generally to wagering games, and methods for playing wagering games, and more particularly, to a gaming system with a remote controller having location-based variable functionality.
Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a gaming system includes a fixed structure, one or more display devices, one or more processors, a handheld device, and a memory device. The handheld device is coupled to the fixed structure via a cable. The handheld device includes a sensor configured to detect inputs. The handheld device is positionable in a first predefined zone and a base predefined zone with respect to the fixed structure. The first predefined zone is defined as a first volumetric space generally in front of the one or more display devices. The base predefined zone is defined as a base volumetric space generally in front of the fixed structure distinct from the first predefined zone. The memory device stores instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors cause the gaming system to (i) detect a first input from the handheld device, (ii) perform a first function in response to the first input being detected in the first predefined zone, and (iii) perform a second function in response to the first input being detected in the base predefined zone, the second function being different from the first function.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a community gaming system includes a first gaming terminal, a second gaming terminal, a fixed structure, a first handheld device, and a second handheld device. The first gaming terminal includes one or more first display devices for displaying plays of a wagering game. The second gaming terminal is adjacent to the first gaming terminal and includes one or more second display devices displaying plays of a wagering game. The fixed structure is positioned between the first and the second gaming terminals. The first handheld device is coupled to the fixed structure via a first cable. The first handheld device includes a first sensor configured to detect inputs. The first handheld device is positionable in a first predefined zone and a base predefined zone. The first predefined zone is defined as a first volumetric space generally in front of the one or more first display devices. The base predefined zone is defined as a base volumetric space generally in front of the fixed structure distinct from the first predefined zone. The first handheld device is configured to be calibrated for use in playing a wagering game on the first gaming terminal or on the second gaming terminal. The second handheld device is coupled to the fixed structure via a second cable. The second handheld device includes a second sensor configured to detect inputs. The second handheld device is positionable in a second predefined zone and the base predefined zone. The second predefined zone is defined as a second volumetric space generally in front of the one or more second display devices distinct from the first and the base predefined zones. The second handheld device is configured to be calibrated for use in playing a wagering game on the other of the first gaming terminal and the second gaming terminal.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of calibrating a handheld device coupled to a wagering game system for use in conducting a wagering game displayed on one or more display devices of the wagering game system includes coupling the handheld device to a docking station of a fixed structure of the wagering game system such that the handheld device is positioned in a base predefined zone of a base volumetric space about the fixed structure when coupled to the docking station. The handheld device includes a sensor. A first input is detected using the sensor. The handheld device is decoupled from the docking station. The handheld device is positioned in a first predefined zone of a first volumetric space that is distinct from the base predefined zone. The first predefined zone is adjacent to a display device of a first gaming terminal of the wagering game system. A second input is detected using the sensor. In response to detecting the second input, the handheld device is associated with the first gaming terminal.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of calibrating a handheld device coupled to a gaming terminal of a wagering game system for use in conducting a wagering game displayed on one or more display devices of the gaming terminal includes coupling the handheld device to a docking station of a fixed structure of the wagering game system such that the handheld device is positioned in a base predefined zone of a base volumetric space about the fixed structure when coupled to the docking station. The handheld device includes a sensor. A first input is detected using the sensor. The handheld device is decoupled from the docking station. The handheld device is positioned in a first zone of a first volumetric space that is distinct from the base predefined zone. The first zone is adjacent to at least one of the one or more display devices of the gaming terminal. A second input is detected using the sensor. The first zone is defined in the first volumetric space based on the position of the handheld device in response to the sensor detecting the second input.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a gaming system includes a fixed structure, one or more display devices, one or more processors, a handheld device, and a memory device. The handheld device is coupled to the fixed structure via a cable. The handheld device is moveable in a predefined zone of a volumetric space adjacent to at least one of the one or more display devices. The memory device stores instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors cause the gaming system to (i) display, on at least one of the one or more display devices, at least a portion of a wagering game including a plurality of selectable bonus elements, (ii) perform a first function in response to the handheld device being located adjacent to a first one of the plurality of selectable bonus elements, and (iii) perform a second function, that is distinct from the first function, in response to the handheld device being located adjacent to a second one of the plurality of selectable bonus elements.
Additional aspects of the present disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various implementations, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.
While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments and/or implementations have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
While this present disclosure is susceptible of implementation in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred implementations of the present disclosure with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the implementations illustrated. For purposes of the present detailed description, the singular includes the plural and vice versa (unless specifically disclaimed); the word “or” shall be both conjunctive and disjunctive such that A “or” B shall mean A only, B only, or A and B; the word “all” means “any and all”; the word “any” means “any and all”; and the word “including” means “including without limitation.” The article “a” or “an,” unless explicitly stated otherwise, shall mean “at least one” or “one or more.” There is no difference in meaning among the terms “one or more,” “at least one,” “a,” or “an.” Reference numbers that include letter suffixes refer to like components or modules and can be referred generally by their numerical reference (without a letter suffix) to refer to any combination or all of the like components or modules to which the reference numbers with letter suffixes refer.
For purposes of the present detailed description, the terms “wagering games,” “gambling,” “slot game,” “casino game,” and the like include games in which a player places at risk a sum of money or other representation of value, whether or not redeemable for cash, on an event with an uncertain outcome, including without limitation those having some element of skill. In some embodiments, the wagering game may involve wagers of real money, as found with typical land-based or on-line casino games. In other embodiments, the wagering game may additionally, or alternatively, involve wagers of non-cash values, such as virtual currency, and therefore may be considered a social or casual game, such as would be typically available on a social networking web site, other web sites, across computer networks, or applications on mobile devices (e.g., phones, tablets, etc.). When provided in a social or casual game format, the wagering game may closely resemble a traditional casino game, or it may take another form that more closely resembles other types of social/casual games.
Referring to
The gaming terminal 10 illustrated in
Input devices, such as the touch screen 18, buttons 20, a mouse, a joystick, a gesture-sensing device, a voice-recognition device, and a virtual input device, accept player input(s) and transform the player input(s) to electronic data signals indicative of the player input(s), which correspond to an enabled feature for such input(s) at a time of activation (e.g., pressing a “Max Bet” button or soft key to indicate a player's desire to place a maximum wager to play the wagering game). The input(s), once transformed into electronic data signals, are output to a CPU for processing. The electronic data signals are selected from a group consisting essentially of an electrical current, an electrical voltage, an electrical charge, an optical signal, an optical element, a magnetic signal, and a magnetic element.
Turning now to
The CPU 30 is also connected to an input/output (I/O) bus 36, which can include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+ frontside bus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 36 is connected to various input devices 38, output devices 40, and input/output devices 42 such as those discussed above in connection with
The external system 48 includes, in various aspects, a gaming network, other gaming terminals, a gaming server, a remote controller, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components, in any combination. In yet other aspects, the external system 48 may comprise a player's portable electronic device (e.g., cellular phone, electronic wallet, etc.) and the external system interface 46 is configured to facilitate wireless communication and data transfer between the portable electronic device and the CPU 30, such as by a near-field communication path operating via magnetic-field induction or a frequency-hopping spread spectrum RF signals (e.g., Bluetooth, etc.).
The gaming terminal 10 optionally communicates with the external system 48 such that the terminal operates as a thin, thick, or intermediate client. In general, a wagering game includes an RNG for generating a random number, game logic for determining the outcome based on the randomly generated number, and game assets (e.g., art, sound, etc.) for presenting the determined outcome to a player in an audio-visual manner. The RNG, game logic, and game assets are contained within the gaming terminal 10 (“thick client” gaming terminal), the external system 48 (“thin client” gaming terminal), or are distributed therebetween in any suitable manner (“intermediate client” gaming terminal).
The gaming terminal 10 may include additional peripheral devices or more than one of each component shown in
Referring now to
In response to receiving an input indicative of a wager, the reels 52 are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with paylines such as paylines 58. The wagering game evaluates the displayed array of symbols on the stopped reels and provides immediate awards and bonus features in accordance with a pay table. The pay table may, for example, include “line pays” or “scatter pays.” Line pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear along an activated payline, typically in a particular order such as left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, etc. Scatter pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear anywhere in the displayed array without regard to position or paylines. Similarly, the wagering game may trigger bonus features based on one or more bonus triggering symbols appearing along an activated payline (i.e., “line trigger”) or anywhere in the displayed array (i.e., “scatter trigger”). The wagering game may also provide mystery awards and features independent of the symbols appearing in the displayed array.
In accord with various methods of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system in accord with the present concepts, the wagering game includes a game sequence in which a player makes a wager and a wagering game outcome is provided or displayed in response to the wager being received or detected. The wagering game outcome is then revealed to the player in due course following initiation of the wagering game. The method comprises the acts of conducting the wagering game using a gaming apparatus, such as the gaming terminal 10 depicted in
In the aforementioned method, for each data signal, the CPU (e.g., CPU 30) is configured to process the electronic data signal, to interpret the data signal (e.g., data signals corresponding to a wager input), and to cause further actions associated with the interpretation of the signal in accord with computer instructions relating to such further actions executed by the controller. As one example, the CPU causes the recording of a digital representation of the wager in one or more storage media (e.g., storage unit 44), the CPU, in accord with associated computer instructions, causing the changing of a state of the storage media from a first state to a second state. This change in state is, for example, effected by changing a magnetization pattern on a magnetically coated surface of a magnetic storage media or changing a magnetic state of a ferromagnetic surface of a magneto-optical disc storage media, a change in state of transistors or capacitors in a volatile or a non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., DRAM), etc. The noted second state of the data storage media comprises storage in the storage media of data representing the electronic data signal from the CPU (e.g., the wager in the present example). As another example, the CPU further, in accord with the execution of the instructions relating to the wagering game, causes the primary display 12, other display device, or other output device (e.g., speakers, lights, communication device, etc.) to change from a first state to at least a second state, wherein the second state of the primary display comprises a visual representation of the physical player input (e.g., an acknowledgement to a player), information relating to the physical player input (e.g., an indication of the wager amount), a game sequence, an outcome of the game sequence, or any combination thereof, wherein the game sequence in accord with the present concepts comprises acts described herein. The aforementioned executing of computer instructions relating to the wagering game is further conducted in accord with a random outcome (e.g., determined by a RNG) that is used by the CPU to determine the outcome of the game sequence, using a game logic for determining the outcome based on the randomly generated number. In at least some aspects, the CPU is configured to determine an outcome of the game sequence at least partially in response to the random parameter.
Referring now to
As shown in
The handheld device 400 includes one or more buttons 420, which can be one or more pushbuttons coupled to one or more switches 416 that indicate a state of the one or more buttons 420 (e.g., pressed or unpressed). That is, a single switch 416 can be coupled to multiple buttons 420 or each button 420 can be coupled to a respective switch 416. The switch 416 can output or provide a signal indicating the state of the button to a controller 414, which can communicate the button status information to a communications interface 412. The communications interface 412 can include a wired connector or a wireless transceiver configured to connect one or more conductors that communicate data between the handheld device 400 and other components in the gaming terminal 10 and/or external system 48. The cable 406 can be configured to include a conductor that carries data between the communications interface 412 of the handheld device 400 and the one or more processors 30.
In addition to, or in lieu of, the button 420 and the switch 416, the handheld device 400 includes one or more position and/or orientation sensors 418 (e.g., an inertial measurement unit/inertial sensor, or IMU, an optical measurement unit/optical sensor, a magnetic measurement unit/magnetic sensor, etc.) that detects a position (relative and/or absolute) and an orientation (relative and/or absolute) of the handheld device 400 and provides position and/or orientation data—indicative of the position and/or the orientation of the handheld device 400—to the controller 414, which in turn communicates, via the communications interface 412, the position data and/or the orientation data to the one or more processors 30.
The handheld device 400 can include a pressure-sensitive pad (not shown) to detect a pressure applied by a hand grasping the handheld device 400, and the pressure-sensitive pad communicates pressure information to the controller 414 indicative of a level of pressure applied to the pressure-sensitive pad. This pressure information can be used as an input to a wagering game conducted on the gaming terminal 10, such as, for example, selecting a graphic or symbol of the wagering game. For example, in a wagering game featuring a pick field comprising an array or arrangement of elements or symbols, each associated with a randomly determined outcome of the wagering game, the pressure information can be used to select the elements or the symbols, or they can be selected by the button 420 of the handheld device 400, or by a predetermined movement of the handheld device 400.
Still referring to
The haptic feedback device 408a can be positioned anywhere within a housing 401 of the handheld device 400. The haptic feedback device 408a is coupled to the one or more processors 30 via the controller 414 and the communications interface 412, which is configured to cause the haptic feedback device 408a to impart haptic feedback that is transmitted to the housing 401 of the handheld device 400.
The light 408b can be positioned anywhere within the handheld device 400 such that at least a portion of the light 408b is visible external to the housing 401. The light 408b is coupled to the one or more processors 30 via the controller 414 and the communications interface 412, which is configured to cause the light 408b to emit light according to one or more blinking/flashing patterns. The emitted light can be any color (e.g., white, red, blue, green, yellow, amber, etc.). The light 408b can include a color lens over a white bulb. Alternatively, the light 408b can be configured to emit colored light without using a color lens.
The one or more blinking/flashing patterns can be random and/or correspond to one or more haptic feedback patterns imparted to the housing 401 by the haptic feedback device 408a. That is, for example, the haptic feedback device 408a can cause the housing 401 to vibrate according to a first pattern (e.g., vibrate for one second, then stop vibrating for one second, repeated five times) and the light 408b can emit light according to the same first pattern (e.g., emit light for one second, then stop emitting light for one second, repeated five times), a similar pattern, and/or a different pattern.
The audio speaker 408c can be positioned anywhere within the handheld device 400 such that sound emitted from the audio speaker 408c is audible external to the housing 401 (e.g., to a player of the wagering game conducted on the gaming terminal 10 using the handheld device 400). The audio speaker 408c is coupled to the one or more processors 30 via the controller 414 and the communications interface 412, which is configured to cause the audio speakers 408c to emit sound. The emitted sound can include one or more prerecorded audio clips. The prerecorded audio clips can be stored in the main memory 32 of the gaming terminal 10, in a memory (not shown) of the fixed structure 402, in a memory (not shown) of the external systems 48, in a memory (not shown) of the handheld device 400 itself, or any combinations thereof.
In all of these aspects, the handheld device 400 is an input device (e.g., a remote controller) that affects one or more graphics displayed on the display devices 12 or 14. In some implementations, the handheld device 400 affects one or more graphics displayed on one or both of the display devices 12, 14 based on a location of the handheld device 400 (e.g., the handheld device 400 has functionality based on its location). Various exemplary graphical user interfaces between the handheld device 400 and graphics displayed on the display devices 12 or 14 are described below.
Now generally referring to
The spacer 502 can include a connector that connects the gaming terminals 10a,b to the handheld devices 400a,b for selectively passing inputs from the handheld devices 400a,b to one or both of the gaming terminals 10a,b and/or selectively providing outputs (e.g., haptic feedback signals, lighting signals, audio signals, any combinations thereof, etc.) from the gaming terminals 10a,b and/or the gaming system 500 to one or both of the handheld devices 400a,b via the cables 406a,b. Alternately, the handheld devices 400a,b can wirelessly communicate with one or both of the gaming terminals 10a,b and/or the gaming system 500 or the external system 48 via the wireless communications interface 412 (
The range of detectable motion and/or the range of acceptable motion of the handheld devices 400 relative to the gaming terminals 10a,b and/or the spacer 502 is generally confined to one or more volumetric spaces. By range of acceptable motion it is generally meant to include a volumetric space in which inputs (e.g., button pushes, movements, such as, up-down gestures, down-up gestures, side-to-side gestures, etc.) made using the handheld devices 400a,b are detected and accepted for use in conducting at least a portion of a wagering game on the gaming system 500. The inputs are detected by the handheld device 400 and/or the gaming system 500 using one or more sensor(s). The sensor(s) can be, for example, the button 420, the switch 416, the controller 414, the position and/or orientation sensor 418, the communication interface 412, the processor 30, or any combination thereof. The one or more volumetric spaces can be predefined (e.g., a predefined zone) and/or definable by players of the gaming system 500, such as, for example, a definable zone and/or a configurable zone. The zones (predefined and definable) can include one or more of the volumetric spaces or any portion or portions thereof.
For example, as shown in
In some alternative implementations, a definable zone (e.g., not a predefined zone) can be defined as any portion of the first volumetric space 520. For example, the upper half of the first volumetric space 520 can be defined as a zone. For another example, the lower half of the first volumetric space 520 can be defined as a zone. For yet another example, a middle portion of the first volumetric space 520 can be defined as a zone. In some such alternative implementations, after a zone is defined and/or established, that defined zone is defined by a volumetric space (e.g., a portion of the first volumetric space 520) in which inputs (e.g., button pushes, movements, such as, up-down gestures, down-up gestures, side-to-side gestures, etc.) made using one or both of the handheld devices 400a,b are detected and accepted for use in conducting at least a portion of a wagering game on the gaming system 500.
Further, while the first volumetric space 520 is shown as having a particular size (e.g., volume) in a particular location—for example, as being completely in front of the housing 11 of the first gaming terminal 10a and completely in front of a back portion of a chair 515a associated with the first gaming terminal 10a—the first volumetric space 520 can be any size (e.g., any volume) and positioned anywhere relative to the first gaming terminal 10a such that a player of the wagering game conducted on the first gaming terminal 10a is able to play the wagering game while holding one of the handheld devices 400a,b within the first volumetric space 520.
For example, the first volumetric space 520 can include about one cubic foot of volume, two cubic feet of volume, nine cubic feet of volume, thirty cubic feet of volume, one hundred cubic feet of volume, etc. Further, for example, the first volumetric space 520 can extend to include at least a portion of the space above one or both of the display devices 12, 14 of the first gaming terminal 10a. For another example, the first volumetric space 520 can extend to include all of, or a portion of, the space above a seat portion of the chair 515a associated with the first gaming terminal 10a. For yet another example, the first volumetric space 520 can extend to include all of, or a portion of, the space behind the chair 515a associated with the first gaming terminal 10a. Further, for example, the first volumetric space 520 can extend any amount on either side of the chair 515a associated with the first gaming terminal 10a.
Similarly, a second volumetric space 530, illustrated by a dashed three-dimensional shape, is generally positioned in front of the housing 11 of the second gaming terminal 10b. In some implementations of the present disclosure, the second volumetric space 530 defines a second predefined zone. In such implementations, when one of the handheld devices 400a,b is positioned within the second predefined zone, that handheld device is usable for providing input (e.g., placing a max wager in a slots-type wagering game causing reels to spin, selecting a player selectable element in a bonus game, etc.) into the second gaming terminal 10b.
In some alternative implementations, a definable zone (e.g., not a predefined zone) can be defined as any portion of the second volumetric space 530 in the same, or similar, manner that a definable zone can be defined as any portion of the first volumetric space 520 described above.
Further, while the second volumetric space 530 is shown as having a particular size (e.g., volume) in a particular location—for example, as being completely in front of the housing 11 of the second gaming terminal 10b and completely in front of a back portion of a chair 515b associated with the second gaming terminal 10b—the second volumetric space 530 can be any size (e.g., any volume) and positioned anywhere relative to the second gaming terminal 10b such that a player of the wagering game conducted on the second gaming terminal 10b is able to play the wagering game while holding one of the handheld devices 400a,b within the second volumetric space 530.
For example, the second volumetric space 530 can include about one cubic foot of volume, two cubic feet of volume, nine cubic feet of volume, thirty cubic feet of volume, one hundred cubic feet of volume, etc. Further, for example, the second volumetric space 530 can extend to include the space above one or both of the display devices 12, 14 of the second gaming terminal 10b. For another example, the second volumetric space 530 can extend to include all of, or a portion of, the space above a seat portion of the chair 515b associated with the second gaming terminal 10b. For yet another example, the second volumetric space 530 can extend to include all of, or a portion of, the space behind the chair 515b associated with the second gaming terminal 10b.
Further, the second volumetric space 530 can extend any amount on either side of the chair 515b associated with the second gaming terminal 10b. As such, in some implementations of the present disclosure, the first volumetric space 520 and the second volumetric space 530 can be completely separate and distinct (e.g., no overlapping), completely overlapping (e.g., the first volumetric space 520 is the same as the second volumetric space 530), or partially overlapping (e.g., like a Venn diagram).
A third and/or base volumetric space 540, illustrated by a dashed three-dimensional shape, is generally positioned around a portion of the spacer 502. In particular, the base volumetric space 540 is positioned around a docking station 510 of the spacer 502. In some implementations of the present disclosure, the base volumetric space 540 defines a third predefined zone and/or a base predefined zone. In such implementations, when one of the handheld devices 400a,b is positioned within the base predefined zone, that handheld device is usable for providing input (e.g., placing a max wager in a slots-type wagering game causing reels to spin, selecting a player selectable element in a bonus game, etc.) into the first gaming terminal 10a and/or into the second gaming terminal 10b.
Further, while the base volumetric space 540 is shown as having a particular size (e.g., volume) in a particular location—for example, as being positioned generally around the docking station 510 of the spacer 502—the base volumetric space 540 can be any size (e.g., any volume) and can be positioned anywhere relative to the spacer 502 such that the handheld devices 400a,b are within the base volumetric space 540 when docked with the docking station 510.
For example, the base volumetric space 540 can include about 0.2 cubic feet of volume, 0.5 cubic feet of volume, 0.8 cubic feet of volume, one cubic foot of volume, one hundred cubic feet of volume, etc. Further, for example, the base volumetric space 540 can extend to include at least a portion of the space above one or both of the display devices 12, 14 of the first gaming terminal 10a and/or of the second gaming terminal 10b. For another example, the base volumetric space 540 can extend to include all of, or a portion of, the space above a seat portion of one or both of the chairs 515a,b. Further, the base volumetric space 540 can extend any amount on either side of the spacer 502.
Thus, in some implementations, the first volumetric space 520, the second volumetric space 530, and the base volumetric space 540 can be completely separate and distinct (e.g., no overlapping) or partially overlapping (e.g., the base volumetric space 540 can partially overlap with just the first volumetric space 520, with just the second volumetric space 530, or both).
Referring to
Initially, for example, to calibrate the first handheld device 400a to be used with the first gaming terminal 10a, the first handheld device 400a is coupled to (e.g., docked) the docking station 510 of the fixed structure 502 of the wagering game system 500, as shown in
After the gaming system 500 detects that the first handheld device 400a is docked within the docking station 510 and thus, the first handheld device 400a is detected within the base predefined zone, a second instruction can be displayed to the player, such as, for example, “Press the Button.” As shown in
After the gaming system 500 detects the first calibration input within the base predefined zone, a third instruction can be displayed to the player, such as, for example, “Grab the Remote and Sit in the Chair.” In response to such an instruction, the player decouples the first handheld device 400a from the docking station 502 and positions the first handheld device 400a in the first predefined zone defined by the first volumetric space 520 adjacent to the display devices 12, 14 of the first gaming terminal 10a of the gaming system 500, as shown in
After the gaming system 500 detects that the first handheld device 400a is within the first predefined zone, a fourth instruction can be displayed to the player, such as, for example, “Press the Button.” As shown in
According to some implementations, in response to the gaming system 500 detecting the second calibration input within the first predefined zone, the first handheld device 400a is associated with the first gaming terminal 10a for use in playing the wagering game thereon. That is, the first handheld device 400a was calibrated to be used with the first gaming terminal 10a, as opposed to being used with the second gaming terminal 10b.
The second handheld device 400b can be calibrated to be used with the second gaming terminal 10b similarly to how the first handheld device 400a is calibrated to be used with the first gaming terminal 10a. Initially, to calibrate the second handheld device 400b to be used with the second gaming terminal 10b, the second handheld device 400b is coupled to (e.g., docked) the docking station 510 of the fixed structure 502 of the wagering game system 500. As such, the second handheld device 400b is positioned within the base predefined zone defined by the base volumetric space 540 that is positioned about the docking station 510 of the fixed structure 502.
A first instruction, “Place the Remote into the Docking Station” can appear on the primary display device 12 of the second gaming terminal 10b. After the gaming system 500 detects that the second handheld device 400b is docked within the docking station 510 and thus, the second handheld device 400b is detected within the base predefined zone, a second instruction can be displayed to the player, such as, for example, “Press the Button.” Alternatively, to placing the second handheld device 400b into the docking station 510 and pressing the button, the instructions can be “Shake the Remote Near the Docking Station.” Regardless if the button 420 is pressed, if the second handheld device 400b is shaken, or some other input (e.g., pressure sensed on the pressure sensitive pad (not shown) of the handheld device 400b) is made, the gaming system 500 detects the input as a first calibration input within the base predefined zone in the same, or similar, manner as described above in reference to calibrating the first handheld device 400a.
After the gaming system 500 detects the first calibration input within the base predefined zone, a third instruction can be displayed to the player, such as, for example, “Grab the Remote and Sit in the Chair.” In response to such an instruction, the player decouples the second handheld device 400b from the docking station 502 and positions the second handheld device 400b in the second predefined zone defined by the second volumetric space 530 adjacent to the display devices 12, 14 of the second gaming terminal 10b of the gaming system 500. Alternatively, the third instruction can be, for example, “Position the Remote in Front of the Display,” or “Grab the Remote and Stand in Front of the Display.”
After the gaming system 500 detects that the second handheld device 400b is within the second predefined zone, a fourth instruction can be displayed to the player, such as, for example, “Press the Button.” Alternatively, to positioning the second handheld device 400b in the second predefined zone and pressing the button, the instructions can be “Shake the Remote in Front of the Display.” Regardless if the button 420 is pressed, if the second handheld device 400b is shaken, or some other input (e.g., pressure sensed on the pressure sensitive pad (not shown) of the handheld device 400b) is made, the gaming system 500 detects the input as a second calibration input within the second predefined zone in the same, or similar, manner as described above in reference to calibrating the first handheld device 400a.
According to some implementations, in response to the gaming system 500 detecting the second calibration input within the second predefined zone, the second handheld device 400b is associated with the second gaming terminal 10b for use in playing the wagering game thereon. That is, the second handheld device 400b was calibrated to be used with the second gaming terminal 10b, as opposed to being used with the first gaming terminal 10a.
After the first and the second handheld devices 400a,b are calibrated for use in playing the wagering game on the first and the second gaming terminals 10a,b, respectively, the first and the second handheld devices 400a,b can be recalibrated for use in playing the wagering game on the other of the first and the second gaming terminals 10a,b.
For example, after the first handheld device 400a is calibrated and associated with the first gaming terminal 400a, the first handheld device 400a can be selectively recalibrated to be used in playing the wagering game on the second gaming terminal 10b similarly to how the first handheld device 400a was originally calibrated to be used with the first gaming terminal 10a. Recalibration of the first handheld device 400a can be prompted by the gaming system 500, one of the gaming terminals 10a,b, and/or the player of the wagering game. For example, the gaming system 500 may prompt the player of the second gaming terminal 10b to recalibrate the first handheld device 400a in response to the gaming system 500 detecting (e.g., via the position and/or orientation sensor 418 and/or the processor 30) that the first handheld device 400a is positioned within the second predefined zone defined by the second volumetric space 530 generally positioned in front of the housing 11 of the second gaming terminal 10b. Such may be the case when the player of the first gaming terminal inadvertently grabs the wrong handheld device (e.g., the second handheld device 400b previously calibrated for use with the second gaming terminals 10b) forcing the player of the second gaming terminal 10b to use the first handheld device 400a with the second gaming terminal 10b. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the gaming system 500 may indicate to the player of the first and/or the second gaming terminals 10a,b that the wrong handheld device(s) 400 was grabbed, by for example, displaying one or more instructions on one or more of the display devices 12, 14 of the first gaming terminal 10a, on one or more of the display devices 12, 14 of the second gaming terminal 10b, on a community display device (not shown), or a combination thereof.
Initially, to recalibrate the first handheld device 400a to be used with the second gaming terminal 10b, the first handheld device 400a is recoupled to (e.g., docked) the docking station 510 of the fixed structure 502 of the wagering game system 500. As such, the first handheld device 400a is repositioned within the base predefined zone defined by the base volumetric space 540 that is positioned about the docking station 510 of the fixed structure 502.
A fifth instruction, “Place the Remote into the Docking Station” can appear on the primary display device 12 of the second gaming terminal 10b. After the gaming system 500 detects that the first handheld device 400a is docked within the docking station 510 and thus, the first handheld device 400a is detected within the base predefined zone, a sixth instruction can be displayed to the player, such as, for example, “Press the Button.” Alternatively, to placing the first handheld device 400a into the docking station 510 and pressing the button, the instructions can be “Shake the Remote Near the Docking Station.” Regardless if the button 420 is pressed, if the first handheld device 400a is shaken, or some other input (e.g., pressure sensed on the pressure sensitive pad (not shown) of the handheld device 400a) is made, the gaming system 500 detects the input as a third calibration input within the base predefined zone in the same, or similar, manner as described above in reference to calibrating the first handheld device 400a for use with the first gaming terminal 10a.
After the gaming system 500 detects the third calibration input within the base predefined zone, a seventh instruction can be displayed to the player, such as, for example, “Grab the Remote and Sit in the Chair.” In response to such an instruction, the player decouples the first handheld device 400a from the docking station 502 and positions the first handheld device 400a in the second predefined zone defined by the second volumetric space 530 adjacent to the display devices 12, 14 of the second gaming terminal 10b of the gaming system 500. Alternatively, the seventh instruction can be, for example, “Position the Remote in Front of the Display,” or “Grab the Remote and Stand in Front of the Display.”
After the gaming system 500 detects that the first handheld device 400a is within the second predefined zone, an eight instruction can be displayed to the player, such as, for example, “Press the Button.” Alternatively, to positioning the first handheld device 400a in the second predefined zone and pressing the button, the instructions can be “Shake the Remote in Front of the Display.” Regardless if the button 420 is pressed, if the first handheld device 400a is shaken, or some other input (e.g., pressure sensed on the pressure sensitive pad (not shown) of the handheld device 400a) is made, the gaming system 500 detects the input as a fourth calibration input within the second predefined zone in the same, or similar, manner as described above in reference to calibrating the first handheld device 400a for use with the first gaming terminal 10a.
According to some implementations, in response to the gaming system 500 detecting the fourth calibration input within the second predefined zone, the first handheld device 400a is disassociated with the first gaming terminal 10a and associated with the second gaming terminal 10b for use in playing the wagering game thereon. That is, the first handheld device 400a was recalibrated to be used with the second gaming terminal 10b.
While specific methods for calibrating the handheld devices 400a,b have been described above, other methods for calibrating the handheld devices 400a,b are possible. For example, in some alternative implementations, the initial placement of the handheld devices 400a,b in the base predefined zone and pressing the button 420 can be omitted. In such alternatives, calibration can be limited to positioning the handheld device 400 generally in front of the gaming terminal 10 to be played by the player and pressing the button 420 and/or providing some other type of input (e.g., shaking the handheld device 400, squeezing a pressure pad on the handheld device 400, etc.).
Further, in addition to, or in lieu of, the calibration methods described above in reference to
Initially, for example, to calibrate the first handheld device 400a to be used in a definable zone and/or a configurable zone with the first gaming terminal 10a, the first handheld device 400a is coupled to (e.g., docked) the docking station 510 of the fixed structure 502 of the wagering game system 500, in the same, or similar, manner as shown in
After the gaming system 500 detects the first calibration input within the base predefined zone and the third instruction is displayed to the player (similar as described above), the player decouples the first handheld device 400a from the docking station 502 and positions the first handheld device 400a at a specific location within the first volumetric space 520 (e.g., within the definable zone) adjacent to the display devices 12, 14 of the first gaming terminal 10a of the gaming system 500, in the same, or similar, manner as shown in
In some implementations, when the second calibration input is detected by the gaming system 500 with the handheld device 400a within the first volumetric space 520 (e.g., within the definable zone), a first zone 525 is established, as shown in
The first zone 525 is established about a central point 525a that corresponds with the precise location of the handheld device 400a within the first volumetric space 520 when the second calibration input is detected by the gaming system 500. Thus, the first zone 525 is centered on the central point 525a. Such a method of calibration can be useful when calibrating the handheld device 400a for use with players of different sizes and/or heights. For example, a taller player calibrating the handheld device 400a according to the present disclosure can establish the first zone 525 around a central point 525a that is relatively higher (e.g., further from a ground supporting the gaming terminal 10a) than a relatively shorter player. As such, use of the handheld device 400a by the players can be more accurate and/or provide corresponding functions and/or displays that are tailored to the size and/or height of the player. Various other benefits can be achieved by calibrating the handheld device 400a according to the above methods and/or processes.
Thus, according to some implementations, in response to the gaming system 500 establishing the first zone 525, the first handheld device 400a is (1) associated with the first gaming terminal 10a for use in playing the wagering game thereon and (2) associated with the established area about the central point 525a. That is, the first handheld device 400a was calibrated to be used with the first gaming terminal 10a, as opposed to being used with the second gaming terminal 10b, and further calibrated to be used in the first zone 525 (e.g., a subset of the first volumetric space 520), as opposed to being used in the first predefined zone (defined by the entire first volumetric space 520).
Further, the first zone 525, where the handheld device 400a is usable for providing input, can be any size (e.g., about three feet by about three feet by about three feet, smaller, larger, etc.). In some implementations, the established first zone 525 is about 0.1 cubic feet of volume, 0.5 cubic feet of volume, 0.8 cubic feet of volume, one cubic foot of volume, two cubic feet of volume, nine cubic feet of volume, thirty cubic feet of volume, one hundred cubic feet of volume, etc. In some such implementations, the first zone 525 is always a subset and/or a portion of (e.g., smaller than) the encompassing volumetric space (e.g., the first volumetric space 520).
Generally referring to
The first input can be, for example, a press of the button 420, a movement of the handheld device 400, also referred to as a gesture, etc. The gesture can include, for example, moving, by the player of the wagering game conducted on the first gaming terminal 10a, the first handheld device 400a in an up-down fashion relative to the spacer 502 and/or the cabinet 11 of the first gaming terminal 10a, in a side-to-side fashion relative to the spacer 502 and/or the cabinet 11 of the first gaming terminal 10a, or a combination of both.
The first function can include, for example, conducting a play of a basic wagering game and displaying a randomly selected outcome of the basic wagering game on the primary and/or secondary display devices 12, 14 of the first gaming terminal 10a. For another example, the first function can include placing a max bet on a play of the basic wagering game on the first gaming terminal 10a and displaying a randomly determined outcome on the primary display area 12 of the first gaming terminal 10a. For yet another example, the first function can include causing a help menu associated with the wagering game to be displayed on one or both of the display areas 12, 14 of the first gaming terminal 10a. For yet another example, the first function can include pausing play of the wagering game being conducted on the first gaming terminal 10a. Further, the first function can include selecting a player selectable element in a bonus game of the wagering game being conducted on the first gaming terminal 10a. For another example, the second function can include causing a curser being displayed on the primary and/or the secondary display areas 12, 14 to move (e.g., to move according to a gesture made with the handheld device 400). The first function can include various other actions.
Further, in response to the first handheld device 400a being calibrated for use in playing a wagering game on the first gaming terminal 10a and being positioned within the first predefined zone defined by at least a portion of the first volumetric space 520, a second input (e.g., a press of the button 420, a movement of the handheld device 400, e.g., a gesture, etc.) being detected by the gaming system 500 (e.g., by the processor 30) is accepted and causes the gaming system 500 to perform a second function.
The second function can be the same as the first function or distinct from the first function. For example, the second function can include conducting a play of a basic wagering game on the first gaming terminal 10a. For another example, the second function can include placing a max bet on a play of the basic wagering game on the first gaming terminal 10a and displaying a randomly determined outcome on the primary display area 12 of the first gaming terminal 10a. For yet another example, the second function can include causing a help menu associated with the wagering game to be displayed on one or both of the display areas 12, 14 of the first gaming terminal 10a. For yet another example, the second function can include pausing play of the wagering game being conducted on the first gaming terminal 10a. Further, the second function can include selecting a player selectable element in a bonus game of the wagering game being conducted on the first gaming terminal 10a. For another example, the second function can include causing a curser being displayed on the primary and/or the secondary display areas 12, 14 to move (e.g., to move according to a gesture made with the handheld device 400). The second function can include various other actions.
Thus, in some implementations, a first input (e.g., a press of the button 420) detected in the base predefined zone is accepted and causes a first function (e.g., conducting a play of a basic wagering game) to be performed by the gaming system 500 and the same input (e.g., a press of the button 420) detected in the first predefined zone is accepted and causes a second function (e.g., selecting a player selectable element in a bonus game) to be performed by the gaming system 500 that is different than the first function. That is, the same input, using the handheld device 400, in two different zones can result in two different outputs (e.g., functions).
Alternatively, in some other implementations, a first input (e.g., a press of the button 420) detected in the base predefined zone is accepted and causes a first function (e.g., conducting a play of a basic wagering game) to be performed by the gaming system 500 and the same input (e.g., a press of the button 420) detected in the first predefined zone is accepted and causes a second function (e.g., conducting a play of a basic wagering game) to be performed by the gaming system 500 that is the same as, or similar to, the first function. That is, the same input, using the handheld device 400, in two different zones can result in the same output (e.g., function).
Alternatively, in yet some other implementations, a first input (e.g., a press of the button 420) detected in the base predefined zone is accepted and causes a first function (e.g., conducting a play of a basic wagering game) to be performed by the gaming system 500 and a second input (e.g., a gesture being made using the handheld device 400), different from the first input, detected in the first predefined zone is accepted and causes a second function (e.g., conducting a play of a basic wagering game) to be performed by the gaming system 500 that is the same as, or similar to, the first function. That is, different inputs, using the handheld device 400, in two different zones can result in the same output (e.g., function).
Alternatively, in yet some further implementations, a first input (e.g., a press of the button 420) detected in the base predefined zone is accepted and causes a first function (e.g., conducting a play of a basic wagering game) to be performed by the gaming system 500 and a second input (e.g., a gesture being made using the handheld device 400), different from the first input, detected in the first predefined zone is accepted and causes a second function (e.g., selecting a player selectable element in a bonus game) to be performed by the gaming system 500 that is different than the first function. That is, different inputs, using the handheld device 400, in two different zones can result in the two different outputs (e.g., functions).
Generally referring to
For example, in response to the first handheld device 400a being calibrated for use in playing a wagering game on the first gaming terminal 10a, the gaming system 500 can be setup to detect and accept inputs (e.g., press of the button 420) during play of the basic wagering game only in response to the handheld device 400a being positioned within the base predefined zone (e.g., defined by the base volumetric space 540). In some such implementations, the gaming system 500 can be setup to detect and ignore inputs (e.g., press of the button 420) during play of the basic wagering game in response to the handheld device 400a being positioned within the first predefined zone (e.g., defined by the first volumetric space 520) and/or in the second predefined zone (e.g., defined by the second volumetric space 530).
Similarly, for example, in response to the first handheld device 400a being calibrated for use in playing a wagering game on the first gaming terminal 10a, the gaming system 500 can be setup to detect and accept inputs (e.g., press of the button 420) during play of the bonus game only in response to the handheld device 400a being positioned within the first predefined zone (e.g., defined by the first volumetric space 520). In some such implementations, the gaming system 500 can be setup to detect and ignore inputs (e.g., press of the button 420) during play of the bonus game in response to the handheld device 400a being positioned within the base predefined zone (e.g., defined by the base volumetric space 540) and/or in the second predefined zone (e.g., defined by the second volumetric space 530).
Alternatively, in some implementations, in response to the first handheld device 400a being calibrated for use in playing a wagering game on the first gaming terminal 10a, the gaming system 500 can be setup to detect and accept inputs (e.g., press of the button 420) during play of the basic wagering game only in response to the handheld device 400a being positioned within the first predefined zone (e.g., defined by the first volumetric space 520). In some such alternative implementations, the gaming system 500 can be setup to detect and ignore inputs (e.g., press of the button 420) during play of the basic wagering game in response to the handheld device 400a being positioned within the base predefined zone (e.g., defined by the base volumetric space 540) and/or in the second predefined zone (e.g., defined by the second volumetric space 530).
Similarly, in some such alternative implementations, in response to the first handheld device 400a being calibrated for use in playing a wagering game on the first gaming terminal 10a, the gaming system 500 can be setup to detect and accept inputs (e.g., press of the button 420) during play of the bonus game only in response to the handheld device 400a being positioned within the base predefined zone (e.g., defined by the base volumetric space 540). In some such alternative implementations, the gaming system 500 can be setup to detect and ignore inputs (e.g., press of the button 420) during play of the bonus game in response to the handheld device 400a being positioned within the first predefined zone (e.g., defined by the first volumetric space 520) and/or in the second predefined zone (e.g., defined by the second volumetric space 530).
Thus, in some implementations of the present disclosure, when a handheld device 400 is calibrated for use in playing a wagering game on a particular gaming terminal 10, that handheld device 400 can be setup to only be used in specific zones for use in playing the basic wagering games and different specific zones for use in playing the bonus game. Alternatively, the handheld devices 400 of the present disclosure 400 can be used to play any portion of the wagering game conducted on the gaming terminals 10 while being positioned within any one or more of the predefined and/or configured zones and/or outside of any one or more of the predefined and/or configured zones.
Now referring to
According to some implementations, the handheld device 400 of the gaming system 600 can be used during a bonus game (e.g., Jackpot Party as shown in
For example, the handheld device 400 can indicate which ones, if any, of the multitude of player selectable elements 610 are associated with awards by vibrating, using the haptic feedback device 408a (
Additionally, the handheld device 400 can indicate the size of the visually hidden award by vibrating more or less as the handheld device 400 is hovered above ones of the plurality of player selectable elements 610. When the handheld device 400 is hovered over (e.g., positioned adjacent to) ones of the plurality of player selectable elements 610 that are not associated with an award, the handheld device 400 can indicate that the adjacent player selectable element is not associated with an award by vibrating less (e.g., vibrating at a different frequency, such as, a lower frequency), or not at all.
For example, as shown in
As the player scans the additional player selectable elements 610 by moving the handheld device 400 around the primary display device 12, the handheld device 400 begins to vibrate as it is hovered closer to a player selectable element 610 associated with an award. For example, as shown in
For example, as shown in
In addition to, or in lieu of, the handheld device 400 vibrating to indicate which ones, if any, of the player selectable elements 610 are associated with awards, the handheld device 400 can emit light, using the light 408b (
The hovering feature of the gaming system 600 using the handheld device 400 during play of the bonus game can be limited in one or more ways. For example, an amount of time that a player can use the hovering feature during play of the bonus game can be limited (e.g., 2 seconds, 5 seconds, twenty seconds), which can encourage faster play of the bonus game. The amount of time that a player can use the hovering feature while playing the bonus game can be based on factors determined during play of the basic wagering game, such as, for example, rate of play, rate of coin-in, total play time, max bet being used, etc. Further, information indicated to the player using the hovering feature can be limited. For example, the hover feature might only indicate that an award is close to an area being hovered over without specifying a specific player selectable element (e.g., the hovering feature has a low resolution). In some implementations, the resolution of the hovering feature can be adjusted based on factors determined during play of the basic wagering game, such as, for example, rate of play, rate of coin-in, total play time, max bet being used, etc. That is, in some implementations, the hovering feature has a maximum resolution (e.g., indicates specific player selectable elements as being associated with maximum awards) only when the player is placing the maximum wagers during play of the basic wagering game.
Referring generally to
While the docking station 510 for the handheld devices 400 is shown and described herein as being part of the spacer 502, in some alternative implementations, the docking station can be incorporated in one or both of the chairs 515a,b (not shown). For example, the docking station 510 can be incorporated into one or more armrests of one or more of the chairs 515a,b positioned in front of the gaming terminals 10a,b. A volumetric space around one or more of the armrests of one or more of the chairs 515a,b can define additional predefined and/or configurable zones in which inputs made using the handheld device 400 therein result in one or more functions being performed by the gaming system 500, 600 that are the same as, or different from, functions performed by the gaming system 500, 600 when the same input is made with the handheld device 400 being located within a different zone (e.g., the base predefined zone defined by the base volumetric space 540.
In some implementations of the present disclosure, the light(s) 408b (
While the handheld device 400 of the present disclosure have been described as being used separately with one or both of the gaming terminals 10a,b, in some alternative implementations, two of the handheld devices 400 can be coupled together (not shown) for use in playing the wagering game. For example, in some such alternative implementations, combining two handheld devices 400 into one device (not shown) transforms the two handheld devices 400 into a new device that is capable of causing special and/or different functions to occur. One such special function includes shooting targets. Pressing the button 420 on one of the coupled handheld device 400 can act as the weapon trigger whereas the other button 420 can act as a weapon selector (e.g., switches between weapons.
As described above, the handheld devices 400 can be used to make gestures that are used as inputs into the gaming system 500. In some implementations, a player or players of the wagering system 500 can teach the gaming system gestures and the learnt gestures can be automatically and/or selectively by the player(s) assigned to execute one or more functions. Further, the gaming system 500 can capture representations of gestures (e.g., heat maps of gestures, 2D and/or 3D digital models of gestures, etc.) made by players of the wagering game over time and refine a gesture library stored in memory. That is, the gaming system 500 and/or the external system 48 (
As described above, the same input in two different zones can result in the same and/or different function being conducted by the gaming system 500, 600. For example, in a gaming system similar to the gaming system 500 including a community display device, the same input (e.g., a press of the button 420), made by two players of different gaming terminals 10 using respective handheld devices 400 in two different zones can result in two different effects (e.g., graphics) being displayed on the community display device.
In yet another example, moving between zones can not only result in a different function being conducted by the gaming system 500, 600 in response to the same input (e.g., a press of the button 420), but also the mere act of moving a handheld device 400 from one zone to another. In one implementation, the gaming system 500, 600 includes a multi-player battle mode where one or more competitors compete against each other and/or virtual opponents in a first-person-shooter event having avatars representing the one or more players.
In one implementation, a first predefined zone may be located relatively higher than a second predefined zone. When the handheld device 400 is held in the first zone, the player's avatar displays a rocket launcher on its shoulder. If the button 420 is depressed while the handheld device is in the first zone, the avatar fires a single rocket from the launcher. As the player moves the handheld device 400 from the first predefined zone to the second predefined zone (e.g., lowers the handheld device 400), the player's avatar may holster its rocket launcher and begin carrying a machine gun or other weapon immediately upon the handheld device 400 crossing from the first to the second predefined zone. If the button 420 is depressed while the handheld device is in the second zone, the machine gun may begin to continuously fire until the button is released. In this manner, not only is the resultant function of the same type of player input (e.g., button press) different between the two predefined zones, but the mere transition of the input device (e.g., handheld device 400) from one zone to the other causes a visual change representing that movement.
Some implementations of the handheld devices 400 of the present disclosure have been described as including one or more audio speakers 408c. In some such implementations, a volume of the audio speakers 408c can change (e.g., increase or decrease) depending on the position and/or the orientation of the handheld device 400 relative to the gaming terminal 10 and/or the spacer 502. For example, the volume of the audio speaker 408c can increase in response to the handheld device 400 being moved relatively further from the primary display device 12. Similarly, volume of audio speakers built into the gaming terminal 10 can vary based on the position and/or the orientation of the handheld device 400 relative to the gaming terminal 10 and/or the spacer 502.
Further, in some such implementations including one or more audio speakers 408c, the sound or sound track played over the audio speakers 408c can change (e.g., from a first track to a second track) depending on the position and/or the orientation of the handheld device 400 relative to the gaming terminal 10 and/or the spacer 502. For example, a first sound track associated with a first graphical element on the right portion of the primary display 12 can be played when the handheld device 400 is positioned toward and/or adjacent to the right side of the primary display device 12 and a second sound track (e.g., different from the first sound track) associated with a second graphical element (e.g., different from the first graphical element) on the left portion of the primary display 12 can be played when the handheld device 400 is positioned toward and/or adjacent to the left side of the primary display device 12.
As described herein, the functions performed by the gaming system 500, 600 can vary depending on the input (e.g., press of the button 420, making of a gesture, etc.) and in what zone (e.g., the base predefined zone, the first predefined zone, the second predefined zone, the first zone 525, etc.) the handheld device 400 is located when the input is made. In addition thereto, or in lieu thereof, the functions performed by the gaming system 500, 600 can vary depending on a state of a separate piece of hardware, such as, for example, a state of the chair 515a,b. For example, the state of the chair 515a,b can switch between upright and reclined. Thus, in some alternative implementations, pressing the button 420 with the chair 515a in the upright state causes the gaming system 500 to perform a first function and pressing the button 420 with the chair 515a in the reclining state causes the gaming system 500 to perform a second function, where the first and the second functions are the same or different.
Further, as described herein, the functions performed by the gaming system 500, 600 can vary depending on the input (e.g., press of the button 420, making of a gesture, etc.) and in what zone (e.g., the base predefined zone, the first predefined zone, the second predefined zone, the first zone 525, etc.) the handheld device 400 is located when the input is made. In addition thereto, or in lieu thereof, the functions performed by the gaming system 500, 600 can vary depending on in which hand (e.g., left hand or right hand) a player holds the handheld device 400. For example, if the player is holding the handheld device 400 in the player's right hand, a virtual deck of cards displayed on the primary display device (e.g., used in conducting the wagering game) is displayed on the right portion of the display device 12, whereas if the player switches the handheld device 400 to the player's left hand, the virtual deck of cards is switched and displayed on the left portion of the display device 12. Thus, in some alternative implementations, pressing the button 420 with the handheld device 400 in the right hand of the player causes the gaming system 500 to perform a first function and pressing the button 420 with the handheld device 400 in the left hand of the player causes the gaming system 500 to perform a second function, where the first and the second functions are the same or different. The gaming system 500, 600 can be configured to determine which hand of the player is holding the handheld device 400 by determining, for example, which side (e.g., left side or right side) of the zone the handheld device 400 is positioned (e.g., using the position and/or orientation sensor 418, the processor 30, etc.). Additionally, or in lieu thereof, the gaming system 500, 600 can be configured to determine which hand of the player is holding the handheld device 400 using one or more heat sensors (e.g., thermal camera) and/or other video processing means (e.g., standard video camera, still camera, IR camera, UV camera, thermal camera, etc.) to identify a skeleton and/or an outline of the player and associate the handheld device 400 with one or more portions of the skeleton and/or the outline of the player for use in determining which hand is holding the handheld device 400.
Each of these implementations and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims. Moreover, the present implementations and/or concepts expressly include any and all combinations and subcombinations of the preceding elements and aspects.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20140228096 A1 | Aug 2014 | US |
