METHODS AND APPARATUS EMPLOYING AUDIO/VIDEO PROGRAMMING TO INITIATE GAME PLAY AT A GAMING DEVICE
In a first aspect, a method of operating a gaming device is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) receiving an indication of an occurrence of a game initiation trigger associated with audio/video programming being provided to a player of the gaming device; and (2) in response to the occurrence of the game initiation trigger, initiating game play at the gaming device. The audio/video programming may comprise, for example, a television show, a movie, an animated show, a live event, or the like. Numerous other aspects are provided.
1 . A method comprising:
reviewing audio/video programming;
determining one or more trigger conditions based on content of the audio/video programming; and
associating a game initiation trigger with each of the one or more trigger conditions such that on a presentation of the audio/video programming, the game initiation trigger initiates game play on the gaming device.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein reviewing the audio/video programming comprises at least one of a casino owner and casino operator reviewing the audio/video programming.
3 . The method of claim 1 further comprising populating a database with information related to the game initiation trigger.
4 . The method of claim 3 wherein the populating comprises transmitting information through a communication port.
5 . The method of claim 1 wherein associating the game initiation trigger with each of the one or more trigger conditions comprises a controller associating the game initiation trigger with each of the one or more trigger conditions.
6 . The method of claim 5 wherein reviewing the audio/video programming comprises a manufacturer of the controller reviewing the audio/video programming.
7 . The method of claim 5 wherein reviewing the audio/video programming comprises an owner of the controller reviewing the audio/video programming.
8 . The method of claim 1 wherein determining one or more trigger conditions comprises identifying an occurrence of at least one of: a laugh track, a character speaking a line, a character using a prop, a character entering a scene, and a scene being displayed.
9 . The method of claim 1 wherein determining one or more trigger conditions comprises determining one or more audible trigger conditions.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein determining one or more trigger conditions comprises determining one or more visual trigger conditions.
11 . The method of claim 1 wherein reviewing the audio/video programming comprises reviewing at least one of: a television show, a movie, an animated show, and a live event.
12 . A system comprising:
a user interface; and
a controller operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to:
review audio/video programming;
determine one or more trigger conditions based on content of the audio/video programming; and
associate a game initiation trigger with each of the one or more trigger conditions such that on a presentation of the audio/video programming, the game initiation trigger initiates game play on the gaming device.
13 . The system of claim 12 wherein reviewing the audio/video programming comprises at least one of a casino owner and casino operator reviewing the audio/video programming.
14 . The system of claim 12 wherein the control system is further adapted to populate a database with information related to the game initiation trigger.
15 . The system of claim 14 wherein the control system adapted to populate is further adapted to transmit information through a communication port.
16 . The system of claim 12 wherein the control system adapted to determine one or more trigger conditions is further adapted to identify an occurrence of at least one of: a laugh track, a character speaking a line, a character using a prop, a character entering a scene, and a scene being displayed.
17 . The system of claim 12 wherein the control system adapted to determine one or more trigger conditions is further adapted to determine one or more audible trigger conditions.
18 . The system of claim 12 wherein the control system adapted to determine one or more trigger conditions is further adapted to determine one or more visual trigger conditions.
19 . The system of claim 12 wherein the control system adapted to review the audio/video programming is further adapted to review at least one of: a television show, a movie, an animated show, and a live event.
20 . A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions to:
review audio/video programming;
determine one or more trigger conditions based on content of the audio/video programming; and
associate a game initiation trigger with each of the one or more trigger conditions such that on a presentation of the audio/video programming, the game initiation trigger initiates game play on the gaming device.