METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES AT A GAMING MACHINE
In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing an auxiliary unit adapted to allow a gaming machine to be retrofitted to provide communications services; and (2) retrofitting a non-communications-enabled gaming machine with the auxiliary unit so that the non-communications enabled gaming machine is adapted to provide communications services based on game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine. Numerous other aspects are provided.
1 . An apparatus comprising:
a gaming machine interface unit adapted to interface with a non-communications-enabled gaming machine and to collect information regarding game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine;
a communications device interface unit adapted to interface with a communications device, wherein the communications device is adapted to provide communications services; and
a controller coupled to the gaming machine interface unit and the communications device interface unit and adapted to:
employ the gaming machine interface unit to receive information regarding game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine;
determine if a player is operating the non-communications-enabled gaming machine based on the received information; and
if the player is operating the non-communications-enabled gaming machine, employ the communications device interface unit to provide communications services based on the game play.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the non-communications-enabled gaming machine comprises a gaming machine selected from the group consisting of a slot machine, a video poker machine and a panchinko machine.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gaming machine interface unit is adapted to receive a signal from the non-communications-enabled gaming machine indicative of game play at the non-communications enabled gaming machine.
4 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal comprises an indication of an outcome of game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
5 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal comprises an indication of a reel position at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
6 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal comprises an indication of a payment at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
7 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal comprises an indication of a credit balance of the player of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
8 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal is from an output device of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine that provides game play information to a player of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the signal comprises at least one of an audio signal and a video signal.
10 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal is from an input device of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine that is employed to initiate game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the input device comprises an input device selected from the group consisting of a button and a handle.
12 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal comprises at least one of an audio signal and a video signal.
13 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal comprises a communication between a sensor and a controller of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
14 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal comprises a communication between an input device and a controller of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
15 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal comprises a communication between an output device and a controller of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
16 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal comprises a communication between a processor and a controller of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
17 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal comprises a communication between a processor and an input device of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
18 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal comprises a communication between a processor and an output device of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
19 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the signal comprises a power fluctuation at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine caused by game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
20 . The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the gaming machine interface unit comprises a communications port adapted to receive the signal.
21 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the gaming machine interface unit comprises a sensor adapted to collect information regarding game play at the non-communications enabled gaming machine.
22 . The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the sensor comprises a video camera adapted to view spinning of at least one reel of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
23 . The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the sensor comprises a video camera adapted to view a credit balance display of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
24 . The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the sensor is adapted to couple to a handle of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine and generate a signal in response to actuation of the handle by the player.
25 . The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the sensor comprises a tilt sensor.
26 . The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the sensor comprises a wager detector adapted to detect payment at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
27 . The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the wager detector comprises a weight detector.
28 . The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the weight detector is adapted to detect at least a change in weight of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine due to the payment.
29 . The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the wager detector comprises a video camera adapted to detect the payment.
30 . The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the sensor comprises an outcome detector adapted to detect an outcome of game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
31 . The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the outcome detector comprises a video camera adapted to detect an outcome of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
32 . The apparatus of claim 30 wherein the outcome detector is adapted to couple to a payment area of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine and to detect payment at the payment area.
33 . The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the outcome detector is adapted to detect weight of the payment area.
34 . The apparatus of claim 32 wherein the outcome detector is adapted to detect a sound of payment at the payment area.
35 . The apparatus of claim 26 wherein the sensor is adapted to detect a presence of the player at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
36 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communications device interface unit comprises a communications port coupled to the controller and adapted to communicate with a communications device.
37 . The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the communications device comprises a communications server.
38 . The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the communications device comprises a telephone.
39 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes the communications device.
40 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communications services comprise a telephone call.
41 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communications services comprise an e-mail.
42 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communications services comprise instant messaging.
43 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the communications services comprise a video conference.
44 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the information collected by the gaming machine interface unit includes whether one or more reels of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine are spinning; and
the controller is adapted to provide communications services if the one or more reels of the non-communications-enabled gaming machine spin at least a predetermined number of times within a predetermined time period.
45 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the information collected by the gaming machine interface unit includes whether payment for game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine has been received; and
the controller is adapted to provide communications services if payment for game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine has been received.
46 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein:
the information collected by the gaming machine interface unit includes whether the player has won during game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine; and
the controller is adapted to provide communications services if the player has won during game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.