IP Library Granted Patent US 8,371,932
Granted Patent B2
US 8,371,932 · App. 12/278,617 · Granted Feb 12, 2013

Wager gaming network with wireless hotspots

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,371,932
App. No.
12/278,617
Granted
Feb 12, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Embodiments of a wager gaming network that includes handheld wager gaming units and hotspots are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, in a handheld wager gaming unit, a wager associated with a wagering game. The method can also include wirelessly connecting the handheld wager gaming unit to a wireless access point in a wager gaming network. The method can also include transmitting, via the wireless access point, information from the handheld wager gaming unit to a device on the wager gaming network.

Claims (46)

1. A gaming system comprising:

a wagering game controller configured o conduct wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered:

a community game controller configured to conduct a community game triggered during play of at least one of the wagering games;

a plurality of handheld wagering game units; and

a mobile wagering game station including:

a plurality of receptacles configured to removably store at least a portion of the plurality of handheld wagering game units therein, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of receptacles are configured to sanitize the respective handheld wagering game units;

a wireless access point enabling the plurality of handheld wagering game units to wirelessly communicate with the wagering game controller to present the wagering games and to wirelessly communicate with the community game controller to participate in the community game, the wireless access point defining a gaming space where the plurality of handheld wagering game units can present the wagering games; and

a mobility member permitting the mobile wagering game station to be moved about a gaming establishment, thereby relocating the gaming space.

2. The gaming system of claim 1 , further including a community display connected to the community game controller and configured to present at least a portion of the community game.

3. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of receptacles are configured to charge the respective handheld wagering game units.

4. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the mobile wagering game station is configured to:

receive a check-out request and player identification information from a player;

associate the player identification information with at least one of the handheld wagering game units; and

release the at least one handheld wagering game unit to the player.

5. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the mobility member of the mobile wagering game station includes a plurality of wheels.

6. The gaming system of claim 5 , wherein the mobility member of the mobile wagering game station includes a motor.

7. A gaming system comprising:

a wagering game controller configured to conduct wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered;

a plurality of handheld wagering game units; and

a mobile wagering game station including:

a plurality of receptacles configured to removably store at least a portion of the plurality of handheld wagering game units therein, wherein the plurality of receptacles are configured to sanitize the respective handheld wagering game units;

a wireless access point enabling the plurality of handheld wagering game units to wirelessly communicate with the wagering game controller to present the wagering games and to wirelessly communicate with a community game controller to participate in a community game triggered during play of at least one of the wagering games; the wireless access point defining a gaining space where the plurality of handheld wagering game units can present the wagering games; and

a mobility member permitting the mobile wagering game station to be moved about a gaming establishment, thereby relocating the gaming space.

8. The gaming system of claim 7 , further including a community display connected to the community game controller and configured to present at least a portion of the community game.

9. The gaming system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of receptacles are configured to sanitize the respective handheld wagering game units using an ozone bath.

10. The gaming system of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of receptacles are configured to sanitize the respective handheld wagering game units by applying an antimicrobial cleaner.

11. The gaming system of claim 7 , wherein the mobile wagering game station is configured to:

receive a check-out request and player identification information from a player;

associate the player identification information with at least one of the handheld wagering game units; and

release the at least one handheld wagering game unit to the player.

12. The gaming system of claim 7 , wherein the mobility member of the mobile wagering game station includes a plurality of wheels.

13. The gaming system of claim 12 , wherein the mobility member of the mobile wagering game station includes a motor.

14. A gaining system comprising:

a wagering game controller configured to conduct wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered;

a community game controller configured to conduct a community game triggered during play of at least one of the wagering games; and

a mobile wagering game station including:

a plurality of receptacles configured to removably store a plurality of handheld wagering game units therein, the plurality of receptacles configured to sanitize the respective handheld wagering game units:

a wireless access point enabling the plurality of handheld wagering game units to wirelessly communicate with the wagering game controller to present the wagering games and to wirelessly communicate with the community game controller to participate in the community game, the wireless access point defining a gaming space where the plurality of handheld wagering game units can present the wagering games; and

a mobility member permitting the mobile wagering game station to be moved about a gaming establishment, thereby relocating the gaming space.

15. The gaming system of claim 14 , further including a community display connected to the community game controller and configured to present at least a portion of the community game.

16. The gaming system of claim 14 , wherein the mobile wagering game station is configured to:

receive a check-out request and player identification information from a player;

associate the player identification information with at least one of the handheld wagering game units; and

release the at least one handheld wagering game unit to the player.

17. The gaming system of claim 14 , wherein the mobility member of the mobile wagering game station includes a plurality of wheels.

18. The gaming system of claim 17 , wherein the mobility member of the mobile wagering game station includes a motor.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 21, 2022
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WMS GAMING INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.; DON BEST SPORTS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 059756/0397 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 20, 2020
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051643/0528 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (RELEASES REEL/FRAME 034530/0318) Recorded Nov 5, 2018
From: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS
To: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.; WMS GAMING INC.
Reel/Frame 047924/0701 →
MERGER Recorded Jul 29, 2015
From: WMS GAMING INC.
To: BALLY GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 036225/0464 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 4, 2014
From: BALLY GAMING, INC; SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC; WMS GAMING INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 034530/0318 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 18, 2013
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; WMS GAMING INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031847/0110 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 12, 2013
From: GAGNER, MARK B.; JOSHI, SHRIDHAR P.; SCHWARTZ, RICHARD T.; SPINA, JOSEPH LANE
To: WMS GAMING INC.
Reel/Frame 029810/0741 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 12, 2013
From: GAGNER, MARK B.; JOSHI, SHRIDHAR P.; RASMUSSEN, JAMES M.; SCHWARTZ, RICHARD T.; SPINA, JOSEPH LANE
To: WMS GAMING INC.
Reel/Frame 029810/0729 →