Wagering game wearables

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9858751-B2
Application number	US-201514866542-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 25, 2015
Priority date	Sep 26, 2014
Publication date	Jan 2, 2018
Grant date	Jan 2, 2018

Abstract

A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting that one or more wearable computers are within a proximity range to a wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include determining one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include providing a feature associated with a wagering game based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more wearable computers.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of operating a gaming system primarily dedicated to playing one or more regulated casino wagering games, the gaming system including a secure gaming cabinet, game-logic circuitry, and an electronic display device coupled to the gaming cabinet, the method comprising:
detecting, via the game-logic circuitry, that one or more wearable computers are within a proximity range to the gaming system;
determining, via the game-logic circuitry, one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the gaming system; and
providing, via the game-logic circuitry, a feature associated with a casino wagering game based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more wearable computers, wherein the feature is presentable via one or more of the electronic display device and the one or more wearable computers.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers comprises:
determining that a first wearable computer, of the one or more wearable computers, is associated with play of the casino wagering game at the gaming system, wherein the first wearable computer is of a first type of wearable computer; and
determining that a second wearable computer, of the one or more wearable computers, is associated with the play of a casino wagering game at the gaming system at the same time that the first wearable computer is associated with the play of the casino wagering game, wherein the second wearable computer is of a second type of wearable computer.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the providing the feature associated with a casino wagering game comprises:
activating the feature in response to the first wearable computer of the first type and the second wearable computer of the second type being associated with the play of the casino wagering game at the same time.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the providing the feature associated with the casino wagering game comprises:
prior to detecting that the second wearable of the second type is associated with the play of the casino wagering game, indicating, via the first wearable, that the second wearable of the second type is located within a casino; and
based on user input via the first wearable, sending an invitation to the second wearable to join the play of the casino wagering game.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers comprises:
determining one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the gaming system.

6. One or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a set of one or more processors of a wagering game machine, cause the one or more processor to perform operations comprising:
detecting an event from a wagering game presented via a wagering game machine, wherein the wagering game machine is primarily dedicated to playing a regulated casino wagering game, and wherein the wagering game machine includes a gaming cabinet, game-logic circuitry, and one or more presentation devices coupled to the gaming cabinet;
determining a presentation parameter that corresponds to the event; and
using the presentation parameter to present, via the one or more presentation devices of the wagering game machine, a signal that identifies the event, wherein the signal is non-detectable to human perception, and wherein the signal is detectable by a wearable computer associated with a player that is associated with the wagering game machine.

7. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 6 , wherein, the signal is one or more of a tone with a frequency that is imperceptible to human hearing and a light pattern with a luminosity level that is imperceptible to human vision.

8. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 7 , wherein the presentation parameter indicates a sound frequency that is at or above 14 kilohertz.

9. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 6 , said operations further comprising directing the signal to an area of the wagering game machine at which the wearable computer is located.

10. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 6 , said operations further comprising:
detecting that a portion of the wagering game machine is in physical contact with one or more of a portion of the player and a portion of the wearable computer; and
transmitting the signal via the portion of the wagering game machine to the one or more of the portion of the player and the portion of the wearable computer via the physical contact.

11. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 10 , wherein the wearable device is in contact with skin of the player, and wherein the signal is transmitted, via electrical conductance of the skin of the player, to the wearable device.

12. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 6 , wherein the wearable computer is configured to detect the signal, determine the event, and transmit an indication of the event to a mobile device in communication with the wearable computer.

13. The one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media of claim 6 , said operations further comprising:
pairing the wearable computer with the wagering game machine prior to occurrence of the event; and
transmitting the inaudible tone with an encryption code that is decodable by the wearable computer based on the pairing.

14. A gaming system primarily dedicated to providing a casino wagering game, the gaming system comprising:
a secure gaming cabinet for housing components associated with the casino wagering game;
an electronic display device coupled to the gaming cabinet;
an electronic input device coupled to the gaming cabinet, the electronic input device configured to receive a physical input from a player to initiate the casino wagering game and transform the input into an electronic data signal;
a value input device configured to receive monetary value for placement of wagers on the casino wagering game; and
game-logic circuitry configured to,
detect one or more biometric signals from one or more wearable computers associated with a player of the casino wagering game,
evaluate the one or more biometric signals against player data, and
cause one or more wagering game activities to occur based on evaluation of the one or more biometric signals against the player data.

15. The gaming system of claim 14 , wherein the game-logic circuitry configured to evaluate the one or more biometric signals against the player data is configured to compare the one or more biometric signals to biometric data related to a baseline emotional state of the player.

16. The gaming system of claim 14 , wherein the game-logic circuitry is further configured to determine an emotional state of the player based on the evaluation of the one or more biometric signals against the player data, and wherein the wearable computer unit is configured to cause the one or more wagering game activities to occur in response to determination of the emotional state of the player.

17. The gaming system of claim 16 , wherein the game-logic circuitry is further con

Assignees

• Bally Gaming Inc

Inventors

• Bytnar Michael R
• Dicillo Michael V
• Gustafson Patrick M
• Hornik Jeremy M
• Oswald Gary J
• Robbins Richard B
• Shin Nickey C
• Smith Jesse M
• Sunblade Simon E
• Vann Jamie W
• Velu Muthu
• Ward Matthew J
• Zoloto Steven J
• Buchholz Dale R
• Gagner Mark B
• Sylla Craig J

Classifications

• G07F17/3237

  about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players · CPC title

• G07F17/3209

  Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen · CPC title

• G07F17/3218 Primary

  wherein at least part of the system is portable · CPC title

• G07F17/3286

  Type of games · CPC title

• G07F17/3272

  Games involving multiple players · CPC title