Patent Application
20150024846
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that 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. Copyright 2014, WMS Gaming, Inc.
Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally to wagering game systems and networks that, more particularly, integrate wagering games and environmental conditions.
Wagering game 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 depends 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 wagering game 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 wagering game machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play. Further, environmental effects that surround a wagering game machine are useful for engaging a player's attention and immersing the player in the gaming experience. Therefore, there is also a continuing need for wagering game manufacturers to develop new and interesting environmental effects that integrate with gaming activity.
Embodiments are illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawings in which:
This description of the embodiments is divided into six sections. The first section provides an introduction to embodiments. The second section describes example operating environments while the third section describes example operations performed by some embodiments. The fourth section describes additional example embodiments while the fifth section describes additional example operating environments. The sixth section presents some general comments.
This section provides an introduction to some embodiments.
Wagering games are expanding in popularity. Many wagering game enthusiasts are demanding greater access to wagering games and content related to wagering games. Wagering game providers are constantly in need of concepts that can make the gaming industry appealing and profitable. Some wagering game providers have attempted to enhance the wagering game experience by implementing sound and light shows within a casino. Environmental sound and light effects within a casino immerse a wagering game player (“player”) in the gaming experience by stimulating the player's senses. Thus, the casino's stimulating environment can greatly enhance the player's experience within the casino, which can lead to greater customer loyalty for the casino. Thus, wagering game providers and casino operators are both interested in new and interesting concepts involving environmental immersion of the player in the gaming experience within a casino.
The wagering game machine 160 can include environmental sensors 161 that can sense signals and characteristics of environmental items and activities, such as light, sound, temperature, moisture, etc. For example, the sensors 161 on the wagering game machine 160 can detect one or more properties or characteristics (e.g., distance, direction, intensity, color, etc.) of a light field that comes from a light source external to the wagering game machine 160, such as a light beam 141 that comes from the lighting device 142. For instance, the lighting device 142 is positioned above and behind the wagering game machine 160 so that the light beam 141 falls on the wagering game machine 160 from a direction above and behind the wagering game machine 160. The system 100 detects the direction of the light beam 141, via the sensors 161, and generates an animated representation of the properties of the light beam 141, such as an animated representation of the direction and intensity of the light beam 141 on animated objects (e.g., the picking objects 106) within the display 103. For example, the system 100 can generate shadows on the picking elements 106 in a way that emulates (e.g., matches, approximates, etc.) a degree of shading that would appear on physical objects of the same physical characteristics (e.g., shape, size, orientation, etc.) as the picking elements 106 if positioned in the same location as the animated objects given the direction and intensity properties of the light beam 141. The system 100 can generate an internal light source, internal to the bonus game, that emulates the location of the lighting device 142 and direction and intensity of the light beam 141. The system 100 can also utilize other characteristics of the light beam 141, such as color, heat, ultraviolet content, etc., as parameters for equivalent animated light characteristics. Further, the system 100 can present shadows on other animated objects within the display 103, such as on the reels 107, the window frames, the avatar 114, the coin 108, etc. via other light sources associated with applications that control the other animated objects. The system 100 can also dynamically detect changes to the light properties and characteristics of the light beam 141 and dynamically alter the representation of the animated light characteristics based on the changes to the light properties and characteristics.
The sensors 161 can also detect characteristics of other environmental conditions within the casino, such as sound waves 132 that originate from the sound device 130. For example, the system 132 can detect the direction of the sound waves 132 and utilize the direction of the sound waves 132 within the animations that run on the display 103. For instance, the system 100 can cause some of the picking objects 106 to move around as if the sound waves 132 move (e.g., blow, push, etc.) the picking objects 106. Specifically, the system 100 causes the picking objects to move slightly downward because the direction of the sound waves 132 originates from above the wagering game machine 160. The system 100 uses the characteristics of the sound waves 132 differently based on the properties of the animated objects. For example, the picking objects 106 are animated balloon objects and may move more easily, based on programmed physical properties of balloons or of a programmed air density of the bonus game, than other objects on the display 103. On the other hand, the reels 107 may be programmed with physical properties that make the reels 107 steady and not susceptible to movement by the sound waves 132. In other words, the system 100 can access object properties from application programming for applications that control the animated objects, and use the object properties to determine how signals and characteristics of environmental conditions for items, activities, etc. (e.g., the sound waves 132) can affect the animated objects. The system 100 can access multiple applications simultaneously (e.g., separate applications may be running on the wagering game machine 160 for the first window 110, the second window 121, and the third window 112). Further, the sensors 161 can also detect characteristics of other environmental conditions within the casino, such as air mass properties and activities, properties and activities of people, etc. and dynamically modify animations on the display 103 to emulate the other characteristics of the environmental conditions (e.g., calculating physical properties of an air mass that cause casino object reactions then generating game effects that mimic the physical properties of the air mass, or changing a color, shape, size, state, location, structure, etc. of wagering game objects based on detected air velocity, air pressure, air temperature, air humidity, air density, air opacity, and so forth).
Further, some embodiments of the inventive subject matter describe examples of integrating wagering games and environmental conditions in a network wagering venue (e.g., an online casino, a wagering game website, a wagering network, etc. using a communication network, such as the communications network 122 in
Further, in some embodiments herein a user may be referred to as a player (i.e., of wagering games), and a player may be referred to interchangeably as a player account. Account-based wagering systems utilize player accounts when transacting and performing activities, at the computer level, that are initiated by players. Therefore, a “player account” represents the player at a computerized level. The player account can perform actions via computerized instructions. For example, in some embodiments, a player account may be referred to as performing an action, controlling an item, communicating information, etc. Although a player, or person, may be activating a game control or device to perform the action, control the item, communicate the information, etc., the player account, at the computer level, can be associated with the player, and therefore any actions associated with the player can also be associated with the player account. Therefore, for brevity, to avoid having to describe the interconnection between player and player account in every instance, a “player account” may be referred to herein in either context. Further, in some embodiments herein, the word “gaming” is used interchangeably with “gambling.”
Although
This section describes example operating environments and networks and presents structural aspects of some embodiments. More specifically, this section includes discussion about wagering game system architectures.
The wagering game system architecture 200 can also include a wagering game server 250 configured to control wagering game content, provide random numbers, and communicate wagering game information, account information, and other information to and from the wagering game machine 260. The wagering game server 250 can include a content controller 251 configured to manage and control content for the presentation of content on the wagering game machine 260. For example, the content controller 251 can generate game results (e.g., win/loss values), including win amounts, for games played on the wagering game machine 260. The content controller 251 can communicate the game results to the wagering game machine 260. The content controller 251 can also generate random numbers and provide them to the wagering game machine 260 so that the wagering game machine 260 can generate game results. The wagering game server 250 can also include a content store 252 configured to contain content to present on the wagering game machine 260. The wagering game server 250 can also include an account manager 253 configured to control information related to player accounts. For example, the account manager 253 can communicate wager amounts, game results amounts (e.g., win amounts), bonus game amounts, etc., to the account server 270. The wagering game server 250 can also include a communication unit 254 configured to communicate information to the wagering game machine 260 and to communicate with other systems, devices and networks.
The wagering game system architecture 200 can also include a wagering game machine 260 configured to present wagering games and receive and transmit information to integrate wagering games and environmental conditions. The wagering game machine 260 can include a content controller 261 configured to manage and control content and presentation of content on the wagering game machine 260. The wagering game machine 260 can also include a content store 262 configured to contain content to present on the wagering game machine 260. The wagering game machine 260 can also include environmental sensors 263 configured to detect characteristics of at least one environmental condition in an external environment that is external to a wagering game machine in a casino. The environmental sensors 263 can also be configured to generate environmental condition data that characterizes the environmental condition in the external environment. The wagering game machine 260 can also include an animation integration module 264 configured to receive the environmental condition data from the at least one environmental sensor and generate an animated wagering game effect, using the environmental condition data, that affects one or more wagering game objects within a wagering game animation in a way that emulates the environmental condition. The wagering game machine 260 can also include a display controller 265 configured to present the animated wagering game effect as part of a wagering game presentation for a wagering game application.
The wagering game system architecture 200 can also include a secondary wagering game server 280 configured to provide content and control information for secondary games and other secondary content available on a wagering game network (e.g., secondary wagering game content, promotions content, advertising content, player tracking content, web content, etc.). The secondary wagering game server 280 can provide “secondary” content, or content for “secondary” games presented on the wagering game machine 260. “Secondary” in some embodiments can refer to an application's importance or priority of the data. In some embodiments, “secondary” can refer to a distinction, or separation, from a primary application (e.g., separate application files, separate content, separate states, separate functions, separate processes, separate programming sources, separate processor threads, separate data, separate control, separate domains, etc.). Nevertheless, in some embodiments, secondary content and control can be passed between applications (e.g., via application protocol interfaces), thus becoming, or falling under the control of, primary content or primary applications, and vice versa.
Each component shown in the wagering game system architecture 200 is shown as a separate and distinct element connected via a communications network 222. However, some functions performed by one component could be performed by other components. For example, the wagering game server 250 can also be configured to perform functions of the animation integration module 264, the display controller 265, and other network elements and/or system devices. Furthermore, the components shown may all be contained in one device, but some, or all, may be included in, or performed by, multiple devices, as in the configurations shown in
The wagering game machines described herein (e.g., wagering game machine 260) can take any suitable form, such as floor standing models, handheld mobile units, bar-top models, workstation-type console models, surface computing machines, etc. Further, wagering game machines can be primarily dedicated for use in conducting wagering games, or can include non-dedicated devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, personal computers, etc.
In some embodiments, wagering game machines and wagering game servers work together such that wagering game machines can be operated as thin, thick, or intermediate clients. For example, one or more elements of game play may be controlled by the wagering game machines (client) or the wagering game servers (server). Game play elements can include executable game code, lookup tables, configuration files, game outcome, audio or visual representations of the game, game assets or the like. In a thin-client example, the wagering game server can perform functions such as determining game outcome or managing assets, while the wagering game machines can present a graphical representation of such outcome or asset modification to the user (e.g., player). In a thick-client example, the wagering game machines can determine game outcomes and communicate the outcomes to the wagering game server for recording or managing a player's account.
In some embodiments, either the wagering game machines (client) or the wagering game server(s) can provide functionality that is not directly related to game play. For example, account transactions and account rules may be managed centrally (e.g., by the wagering game server(s)) or locally (e.g., by the wagering game machines). Other functionality not directly related to game play may include power management, presentation of advertising, software or firmware updates, system quality or security checks, etc.
Furthermore, the wagering game system architecture 200 can be implemented as software, hardware, any combination thereof, or other forms of embodiments not listed. For example, any of the network components (e.g., the wagering game machines, servers, etc.) can include hardware and machine-readable media including instructions for performing the operations described herein. Machine-readable media includes any mechanism that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a wagering game machine, computer, etc.). For example, tangible machine-readable media includes read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory machines, etc. Machine-readable media also includes any media suitable for transmitting software over a network.
This section describes operations associated with some embodiments. In the discussion below, some flow diagrams are described with reference to block diagrams presented herein. However, in some embodiments, the operations can be performed by logic not described in the block diagrams.
In certain embodiments, the operations can be performed by executing instructions residing on machine-readable media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the operations can be performed by hardware and/or other logic (e.g., firmware). In some embodiments, the operations can be performed in series, while in other embodiments, one or more of the operations can be performed in parallel. Moreover, some embodiments can perform more or less than all the operations shown in any flow diagram.
Examples of characteristics of an environmental condition, or in other words, examples of input that the sensors can detect and to which the generated environmental condition data can relate, include, but are not limited to the following:
In some embodiments, the environmental condition can be related to an environmental object that is not part of the wagering game machine. In other words, the environmental object can be part of the environment around the wagering game machine that exists, or functions, independent of the wagering game machine functionality (e.g., is not controlled by the wagering game machine, is not physically connected to the wagering game machine, is not electronically interfaced or in communication with the wagering game machine, etc.). For instance, the environmental object can be an object that is in the environment around the wagering game machine, such as the player, an object belonging to the player, another wagering game machine, another casino patron, a chair, a sign, a drink, lighting devices, speakers, etc. In some embodiments, the environmental object may be an air mass (e.g., a fog bank) or a liquid (e.g., a fountain, a pond, etc.). In some embodiments, the system can detect an environmental condition that includes, or is caused by, an environmental effect (e.g., a detectable activity, an emission, a physical response to stimuli, etc.) generated by, or occurring to, the environmental object. Examples of environmental effects may include, but are not limited to, a light shining from a light fixture, a sound originating from a wagering game machine or person, a motion performed by a casino performer, a scent originating from a flower, etc. In some embodiments, the environmental condition includes lights, sounds, moisture, heat, or other characteristics that originate from, or are caused by, the environmental object. In some embodiments, the environmental condition can be related to an environmental object that is not physically or electronically connected to the wagering game machine, but that can still be used as a playing instrument or game related device. For instance, the environmental object may be a prop that a player uses to perform game related activity, such as a stick or a ball, but that does not itself provide electronic signals directly to the wagering game machine. Further, in some embodiments, the environmental object or environmental condition can be within a casino environment or external to the casino, such as objects that are outside of the casino, signals outside of the casino, lights and sounds outside of the casino, weather conditions outside of the casino, etc.
The flow 300 continues at processing block 304, where the system generates an animated wagering game effect, using the input, and presents the animated wagering game effect as part of a wagering game presentation for a wagering game application, where the animated wagering game effect affects one or more wagering game objects on the wagering game presentation in a way that emulates the environmental condition. In some embodiments, the system can analyze the input provided by the sensors and determine the environmental condition (e.g., determine the external real-world event, effect, characteristic, etc.), that the input is describing, or characterizing. The system can then generate an animated effect that emulates the environmental condition characterized by the input and can integrate, incorporate, synchronize, etc. the animated effect into a presentation for the wagering game application.
Examples of animated effects may include, but are not limited to, the following:
In some embodiments, the animated wagering game effect is a virtual, or three-dimensional (3D) effect that emulates a real-world three-dimensional environmental condition. For instance, the system can determine at least one animation object construction rule for the wagering game application that relates to the environmental condition data. The system can further determine a three-dimensional effect that the environmental condition would have on one or more wagering game objects in a wagering game animation based on an application of the environmental condition data to the at least one animation object construction rule. The system can also apply the three-dimensional effect to at least one of the one or more wagering game objects in the wagering game animation. Some examples of three dimensional effects include, but are not limited to, the following.
In some embodiments, the system can capture input for use in three-dimensional animated effects via equipment that detects a player's perspective of the animation then alters the animation based on the player's perspective. For example, the system can use auto stereoscopic tracking, which watches the movement of the face and/or eyes of a player. The system can then use data from the auto stereoscopic tracking to manipulate the view of the animation, or implement 3D effects, based on the player's movement. In some embodiments, the system can utilize special devices that expand or adjust the presentation of the 3D effect as perceived from the player's perspective (e.g., tri-vision displays that can blank out certain sections of the display, goggles and/or night vision glasses that provide more of a view of the 3D effect, etc.).
In some embodiments, the system can receive input that characterizes a visual perspective of a casino environment and one or more casino objects in the casino environment. The system can generate an animated wagering game setting that emulates an appearance of the casino environment based on the visual perspective characterized by the input. The system can also generate one or more animated wagering game objects that emulate an appearance of the one or more casino objects in the casino environment based on the visual perspective characterized by the input. The system can also present an animated perspective of the one or more animated wagering game objects within the animated wagering game setting in a way that emulates the visual perspective of the one or more casino objects in the casino environment. The system can further determine a change in the visual perspective of the casino environment and the one or more casino objects in the casino environment and present a corresponding change in animated perspective of the one or more animated wagering game objects within the animated wagering game setting in way that matches the change in the visual perspective. In some embodiments, the visual perspective is based on an orientation a wagering game machine in relation to the casino environment and the one or more casino objects, and the system can determine the change in the visual perspective by determining a change in the orientation of the wagering game machine in relation to the casino environment and the one or more casino objects. In some embodiments, the one or more casino objects are mobile (e.g., movable, capable of changing position or reorienting, etc.) within the casino environment and the system can determine the change in the visual perspective by determining a change in an orientation, position, etc. of the one or more casino objects in relation to a sensor on a wagering game machine that captures the visual perspective. In some embodiments, the system can also capture a player's perspective of a wagering game machine display and use the player's perspective, to change the animated perspective.
The flow 300 continues at processing block 306, where the system associates the animated wagering game effect with wagering activity for the wagering game application. For example, the animated wagering game effect can illustrate wagering activity performed via player input, such as inserting money into the wagering game machine, performing actions that result in wagering outcomes, indicating bet amounts, participating in audience activity that results in bet modifications or gaming results, etc. In one example, a player may make a movement with an instrument that initiates a wagering game result or outcome within the wagering game.
The system 400 can also use the sensors 468 to detect actions or properties of an air mass, such as a fog effect 404, and use the actions and properties of the fog effect 404 as part of the game animation 440 or part of game activity that occurs within the community game. For example, the system 400 can present an animated fog bank 444 within the game animation 440 that follows the movement of, or possesses other characteristics of, the fog effect 404.
The system 400 can also use the sensors 468 to detect actions and characteristics of people, such as a casino patron 418, and use the actions and properties of the casino patron 418 as part of the animation 440 or part of game activity that occurs within the community game. For example, the system 400 can present a character (e.g., the fish character 448) in the game animation that follows the movement of the casino patron 418. For instance, as the casino patron walks along a specific path, the system 400 can cause the fish character 448 to follow a similar movement path within the game animation 440. The movement of the fish character 448 may have an effect on the community game, for instance, by either randomly scaring duck character's away from, or attracting ducks characters toward, the fish character 448. The scaring or attracting of ducks may improve odds of winning for one or more players. Thus actions performed by the casino patron 418 can affect game related wagering functionality (e.g., outcome determinant activity), even when the casino patron 418 is unaware that their actions are affecting game activity.
The system 400 can also use the sensors 468 to detect actions and properties of players, such as players 410, 414 and 416, who play together in the community game. For instance, the system 400 can detect the position and movement of the players 414 and 416, and their accompanying wagering game machines 461 and 463, relative to the player 410 and his wagering game machine 460. The system 400 can present animated characters 454 and 446, which represent, respectively, the players 414 and 416 in perspective. In other words, the system 400 positions the animated characters 454 and 446 in locations around the boundary 459 of the animated lake 497 to emulate the relative positions of the players 414 and 416 to the boundary 469 of the central stage 467. When one of the player's 414 or 416 perform activities in the community game, the system 400 can generate animations that emulate their activities within the game animation 440 by animating equivalent actions by their counterpart animated characters 454 and 446. The system 400 can also detect movement of instruments or activities performed by the player 410. For example, the sensors 468 can detect movement of a prop gun 411 by the player 410 and, equivalently, move an animated gun 441 within the game animation 440. As the player 410 shifts positions, the system 400 can cause the game animation 440 to adjust to the player's perspective and present a three-dimensional view of the game animation 440 according to the player perspective facing the display 403 of the wagering game machine 460.
The actions by the players 410, 414, and 416 can affect game activity that occurs within the community game from the perspective of each other. For example, the players 410, 414, and 416 can compete to shoot the animated ducks 445, 447, and 449. If one player shoots a duck, the system 400 can provide rewards to the player that shoots a specific duck and possibly provide penalties to the other player's that do not shoot the specific duck. In other embodiments, however, the system 400 can show the activity and results of the players 414 and 416, but their results would not affect the results of the player 410. Further, the system 400 can randomly choose ducks to have rewards and/or penalties. The system 400 can also detect patterns of activities performed by the players 410, 414, and 416 and anticipate their activity based on their patterns. The game animation 440 for the community game can include wagering, such as betting on whether a duck yields a coin. As a result, the game animation 440 can provide a bet meter 431 for the player 410 to shoot at, or touch, to increase or decrease a bet amount. The game animation 440 can also include a credit meter 433 linked to a wagering game account for the player 410. In another embodiment, the game animation 440 can be a bonus game, which may not require betting amounts, but that may be based on previous betting patterns or settings associated with a primary wagering game (e.g., the duck hunt game may be a bonus game that the players 410, 414 and 416 play momentarily between wagering sessions of a community slot tournament or a poker match).
In some embodiments, the system 400 can focus on only environmental conditions within a bounded playing area (e.g., focus only on the area enclosed by a perimeter 490). In other embodiments, however, the system 400 can focus on environmental conditions outside of the bounded playing area to any part of the casino that can be sensed by the sensors 468, or by remote sensors in other locations of the casino. For instance, in some embodiments, the system 400 can use the sensors 468 to detect sounds events that are nearby the wagering game machine 460 and use the sound events as part of the game animation 440 or part of game activity that occurs within the community game. For example, an additional player 420 plays at a wagering game station 465 (e.g., a community gaming table, a card table, a wagering game machine, etc.) and wins a game. The player 420 makes a loud player sound 421 while at the same time the wagering game station 465, or speakers associated with the wagering game station 465, make a loud congratulatory sound 423. The wagering game machine 460 can detect the loud player sound 421 and/or the loud congratulatory sound 423 and generate an effect in the game animation 440 that approximates or reacts to the loud player sound 421 and/or the loud congratulatory sound 423. For example, the system 400 can replace the external sound events with a different sound within the game animation 440, such as a quacking sound 471 that can either repel or attract animated ducks 445, 447 or 449 towards, or away from, a point of view of the player 410.
It should further be noted that the elements described in conjunction with
According to some embodiments, a wagering game system (“system”) can provide various example devices, operations, etc., to integrate wagering games and environmental conditions. The following non-exhaustive list enumerates some possible embodiments of implementing characteristics of environmental objects and/or environmental conditions (e.g., events, states, activities, etc.) into wagering game animations:
External lighting events.
Air mass or other weather related external events.
Environmental objects.
Events in other locations.
Orientation of a wagering game machine.
Actions by and/or properties of people (e.g., players, patrons, audience members, performers, etc.).
Player devices and/or instruments.
Sound events.
Reactionary events.
This section describes example operating environments, systems and networks, and presents structural aspects of some embodiments.
The CPU 526 is also connected to an input/output (“I/O”) bus 522, which can include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+ frontside bus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 522 is connected to a payout mechanism 508, primary display 510, secondary display 512, value input device 514, player input device 516, information reader 518, and storage unit 530. The player input device 516 can include the value input device 514 to the extent the player input device 516 is used to place wagers. The I/O bus 522 is also connected to an external system interface 524, which is connected to external systems (e.g., wagering game networks). The external system interface 524 can include logic for exchanging information over wired and wireless networks (e.g., 802.11g transceiver, Bluetooth transceiver, Ethernet transceiver, etc.)
The I/O bus 522 is also connected to a location unit 538. The location unit 538 can create player information that indicates the wagering game machine's location/movements in a casino. In some embodiments, the location unit 538 includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver that can determine the wagering game machine's location using GPS satellites. In other embodiments, the location unit 538 can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can determine the wagering game machine's location using RFID readers positioned throughout a casino. Some embodiments can use GPS receiver and RFID tags in combination, while other embodiments can use other suitable methods for determining the wagering game machine's location. Although not shown in
In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 506 can include additional peripheral devices and/or more than one of each component shown in
In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 506 includes an animation integration module 537. The animation integration module 537 can process communications, commands, or other information, where the processing can integrate wagering games and environmental conditions.
Furthermore, any component of the wagering game machine 506 can include hardware, firmware, and/or machine-readable media including instructions for performing the operations described herein.
The mobile wagering game machine 600 includes several input/output devices. In particular, the mobile wagering game machine 600 includes buttons 620, audio jack 608, speaker 614, display 616, biometric device 606, wireless transmission devices (e.g., wireless communication units 612 and 624), microphone 618, and card reader 622. Additionally, the mobile wagering game machine can include tilt, orientation, ambient light, or other environmental sensors.
In some embodiments, the mobile wagering game machine 600 uses the biometric device 606 for authenticating players, whereas it uses the display 616 and the speaker 614 for presenting wagering game results and other information (e.g., credits, progressive jackpots, etc.). The mobile wagering game machine 600 can also present audio through the audio jack 608 or through a wireless link such as Bluetooth.
In some embodiments, the wireless communication unit 612 can include infrared wireless communications technology for receiving wagering game content while docked in a wager gaming station. The wireless communication unit 624 can include an 802.11G transceiver for connecting to and exchanging information with wireless access points. The wireless communication unit 624 can include a Bluetooth transceiver for exchanging information with other Bluetooth enabled devices.
In some embodiments, the mobile wagering game machine 600 is constructed from damage resistant materials, such as polymer plastics. Portions of the mobile wagering game machine 600 can be constructed from non-porous plastics, which exhibit antimicrobial qualities. Also, the mobile wagering game machine 600 can be liquid resistant for easy cleaning and sanitization.
In some embodiments, the mobile wagering game machine 600 can also include an input/output (“I/O”) port 630 for connecting directly to another device, such as to a peripheral device, a secondary mobile machine, etc. Furthermore, any component of the mobile wagering game machine 600 can include hardware, firmware, and/or machine-readable media including instructions for performing the operations described herein.
The wagering game machine 700 comprises a housing 712 and includes input devices, including value input devices 718 and a player input device 724. For output, the wagering game machine 700 includes a primary display 714 for displaying information about a basic wagering game. The primary display 714 can also display information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. The wagering game machine 700 also includes a secondary display 716 for displaying wagering game events, wagering game outcomes, and/or signage information. While some components of the wagering game machine 700 are described herein, numerous other elements can exist and can be used in any number or combination to create varying forms of the wagering game machine 700.
The value input devices 718 can take any suitable form and can be located on the front of the housing 712. The value input devices 718 can receive currency and/or credits inserted by a player. The value input devices 718 can include coin acceptors for receiving coin currency and bill acceptors for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, the value input devices 718 can include ticket readers or barcode scanners for reading information stored on vouchers, cards, or other tangible portable storage devices. The vouchers or cards can authorize access to central accounts, which can transfer money to the wagering game machine 700.
The player input device 724 comprises a plurality of push buttons on a button panel 726 for operating the wagering game machine 700. In addition, or alternatively, the player input device 724 can comprise a touch screen 728 mounted over the primary display 714 and/or secondary display 716.
The various components of the wagering game machine 700 can be connected directly to, or contained within, the housing 712. Alternatively, some of the wagering game machine's components can be located outside of the housing 712, while being communicatively coupled with the wagering game machine 700 using any suitable wired or wireless communication technology.
The operation of the basic wagering game can be displayed to the player on the primary display 714. The primary display 714 can also display a bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display 714 can include a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, light emitting diodes (LEDs), or any other type of display suitable for use in the wagering game machine 700. Alternatively, the primary display 714 can include a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome. In
A player begins playing a basic wagering game by making a wager via the value input device 718. The player can initiate play by using the player input device's buttons or touch screen 728. The basic game can include arranging a plurality of symbols along a pay line 732, which indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes can be randomly selected in response to player input. At least one of the outcomes, which can include any variation or combination of symbols, can trigger a bonus game.
In some embodiments, the wagering game machine 700 can also include an information reader 752, which can include a card reader, ticket reader, bar code scanner, RFID transceiver, or computer readable storage medium interface. In some embodiments, the information reader 752 can be used to award complimentary services, restore game assets, track player habits, etc.
The described embodiments may be provided as a computer program product, or software, that may include a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer system (or other electronic device(s)) to perform a process according to embodiments(s), whether presently described or not, because every conceivable variation is not enumerated herein. A machine readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form (e.g., software, processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; or other types of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. In addition, embodiments may be embodied in an electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signal (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.), or wireline, wireless, or other communications medium.
This detailed description refers to specific examples in the drawings and illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive subject matter. These examples also serve to illustrate how the inventive subject matter can be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Other embodiments are included within the inventive subject matter, as logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes can be made to the example embodiments described herein. Features of various embodiments described herein, however essential to the example embodiments in which they are incorporated, do not limit the inventive subject matter as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, and application are not limiting as a whole, but serve only to define these example embodiments. This detailed description does not, therefore, limit embodiments, which are defined only by the appended claims. Each of the embodiments described herein are contemplated as falling within the inventive subject matter, which is set forth in the following claims.
This application is a continuation that claims priority benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/510,875 which is a National Stage Application of PCT/US10/57368 filed 19 Nov. 2010, which claims priority benefit of Provisional U.S. Application No. 61/263,009 which was filed 20 Nov. 2009.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61263009 | Nov 2009 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13510875 | May 2012 | US |
| Child | 14510844 | US |
