Gaming device, electronic device interface supported by a gaming device and methodologies for utilizing the same
An apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gaming device and an electronic device interface. The gaming device includes a housing having an least one outer surface. The electronic device interface is removably-secured to the at least one outer surface of the housing. The electronic device interface includes connection hardware directly connected to an external power source. The connection hardware is fixedly-disposed within a cavity of an electronic device port of the electronic device interface.
1. A method, comprising:
providing an electronic device having a battery and a display, powering-on the electronic device using the battery;
activating a send/receive antenna of the electronic device;
broadcasting an electronic device search signal from an antenna connected to a gaming device;
locating the electronic device being proximate to the gaming device;
transmitting an offer from the gaming device to the electronic device;
presenting the offer for acceptance on the display of the electronic device;
upon acceptance of the offer on the electronic device, wirelessly connecting the electronic device to the gaming device;
wirelessly retrieving patron identification information from the electronic device;
permitting power to be provided from the gaming device to the electronic device to charge the battery of the electronic device based on occurrence of a qualifying event, the qualifying event being at least one of (i) a patron associated with the patron identification information logging a predetermined amount of play time, or (ii) the patron wagering a predetermined amount of money with the gaming device.
2. A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising:
wirelessly receiving, at the gaming device, a send/receive signal from an electronic device having a battery and a display;
wirelessly broadcasting, from the gaming device, an electronic device search signal;
identifying, by the gaming device, that the electronic device is proximate to the gaming device;
wirelessly receiving, at the gaming device, an authorization from the electronic device to connect to the electronic device, whereby the authorization is initially provided to the electronic device by a user via the display;
upon receipt of the authorization from the electronic device, wirelessly connecting the gaming device to the electronic device;
determining, via the gaming device, whether a qualifying event has occurred, the qualifying event being at least one of (i) a patron associated with the patron identification information logging a predetermined amount of play time, or (ii) the patron wagering a predetermined amount of money with the gaming device; and
when the qualifying event has occurred, transmitting, from the gaming device, power to the electronic device to charge the battery of the electronic device.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising wirelessly retrieving patron identification information from the electronic device.