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Multi-use gaming machineRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), In A Chance ApplicationMulti-use gaming machine description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070026922, Multi-use gaming machine. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] Video gaming machines, such as slot machines, poker, wheel of fortune and other types, have replaced the well-known mechanical type machines on the floors of most casinos. More and more people are playing video gaming machines because they are easy to learn, require little or no skill and provide relatively large returns. While such machines are usually profitable for the casino owner, they present some limitations. First of all, the number of such machines that can be used in a casino is limited by one or both of space and/or regulatory considerations. In the latter case, the State in which the casino is located limits the number of machines that can be located in any one area or in the entire casino premises. [0002] Such video gaming machines are basically dedicated devices in that they permit playing only of a programmed, or native, game. In the case of a video slot machine, this usually is a number of video wheels of numbers or symbols, operated based on a random number generator, that are displayed on a video screen. Other types of video gaming machines have the desired display and the components to play the game. It would be desirable to enable such gaming machines to play other types of games so that play would not be limited to only the native game. This would enhance the casino revenue stream. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention expands the versatility of such video gaming machines by making them useful for playing games on a live and interactive basis with games, such as roulette, poker, baccarat and craps, being played at the casino. In accordance with the invention, the conventional video gaming machine is modified or new machines manufactured so as to serve a second purpose, that of a remote terminal for viewing and interactively placing wagers on a live game played at a casino or some other location. [0004] The multi-use gaming machine of the invention has the conventional apparatus that permits it to operate to play the native video game in the normal fashion. The machine is also provided with the capability of certain its components being switched so as, for example, receive and display video and play audio of a live table or other type of game played at a casino or similar location. The machine can either be on the casino premises or at a remote location. To be capable of being switched over from its normal native game operating mode to one of interactive play with a live casino type game, the video gaming machine is provided with a touch screen to serve as a grid for placing wagers. The machine when operating in the interactive mode permits wagering which can utilize some or all of the principles of the wagering system and method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,575,834, which is assigned to the assignee of this application and whose disclosure is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference. [0005] The modified video gaming machine has a microprocessor that is programmed to perform various computation functions. It also can store data such as a table of odds corresponding to the casino type game to be played at the machine. This can be the same microprocessor used to operate the machine native game that is suitably programmed or a separate microprocessor. A communication link is provided between the casino game and the machine and the machine receives video of the live table action and displays this using the video display provided for the machine's native game. [0006] The machine also preferably receives a signal from the table game which opens a time period during which a wager can be placed and a signal which closes the betting period. The player at the machine watches actual bets being placed at the table by the live participants and watches the game being played. Upon the proper time of a game result being generated at the table game, such as the ball in a roulette game dropping into the number pocket, the game result is transmitted to the remote machine. If the game result is a win, the machine microprocessor will compute the winning amount. If the game is odds related the computation is based on a stored odds table. [0007] The microprocessor operates such that winning amounts are credited to the player's account and losing wagers are deducted and an account balance for the machine is kept on a running basis. In the case of a multi-stage game, such as poker or blackjack, a result is transmitted at each outcome time at which a wager can be placed. Additional wagers made during game play are deducted from the player's account at the machine and the player's account credited with winning and losing amounts at the close of the game. [0008] The multi-use machine of the invention can be used on a stand alone basis. It also can be used in tournament type play in which a plurality of players each have a machine at which wagers are placed as all of the tournament players watch the live games. For tournament play, the machines participating in the tournament are in communication with a data processing unit that serves as a manager by determining the balances of the accounts of all of the tournament players, locking out play of any player whose account has a zero balance and declaring the winning player when only one of the account balances is positive and/or at the end of a series of a predetermined number of games. In a preferred embodiment of tournament play, the data processor provides all of the machines in the tournament with information of the amount that is currently in the lead so as to give players information to develop a betting strategy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the following specification and annexed drawings in which: [0010] FIG. 1 is a front plan view of the multi-use video gaming machine of the invention; [0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of game play apparatus at the casino; [0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the arrangement of a plurality of machines for tournament play; and [0013] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the tournament play. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0014] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the multi-use gaming machine 100 of the invention. There is a cabinet or housing 102 that is either of the stand-alone or table mounted type. The machine is illustratively one that has a native game of video slot machine playing. A mechanical lever arm 106 is mounted to the outside of the housing for actuation by the player to play a game. A video display screen 104 is mounted in the housing that displays the native. In the video slot machine example being described, this would be a display of three or more video reels. Other types of video gaming machines would have the appropriate displays and necessary electronic components, for example, black jack, poker, wheel of fortune, Texas Tea, or any other conventional game played at a casino. FIG. 1 shows the display 104 with the machine in interactive play mode, which is described below. [0015] The housing 102 contains the necessary conventional electronics for playing the native game and operating the video display 104 therefore. This includes, in the case of a video slot machine, a microprocessor and random number generator (not shown) for generating the results of a play on the display screen 104 and for controlling slot machine play and payoff. Machines having other types of native games would contain the necessary compatible apparatus, usually including a suitably programmed microprocessor. [0016] Also shown is a slot 124 for a coin mechanism by which the player deposits coins and a bill (currency) acceptor 122, which also can accept bar coded vouchers having monetary value. The player deposits coins, currency or vouchers sequentially and plays a game after each deposit either by operating the lever 106 or using electronic access to play a new game by pressing a button 128. There can be other buttons, such as to signal an attendant and for other standard functions. The machine also can be configured to accept a bill or voucher that establishes a balance in the machine against with the player draws as he plays. [0017] The machine has an output tray 126 which gives the player the payoff when the play is a win. The machine also can be provided with the capability to track awards such as the player making a certain number of plays or betting or winning a certain amount. Many machines have a separate reader (not shown here) to accept a card issued by the casino that is inserted into the reader to keep track of game play. The machine also can issue coupons, such as by a printer, for complimentary awards based on game play at the machine. All of the above is well known and conventional. [0018] Added to the conventional machine so far described is a communication link and interface 39 to the casino game play, as described below with respect to FIG. 2. There also is a touch screen 130 that will enable the player to place wagers on the live game that is being played interactively. The touch screen has a betting grid section 130a that corresponds to the table betting grid of the live casino game. For example, if the game is roulette, the touch screen grid 130a corresponds to the roulette table. It is preferred that the touch screen be replaceable to accommodate a variety of casino type games, such as poker, baccarat, wheel of fortune, etc. The touch screen also has a key pad section 130b for numerical entry of an amount of a wager as well as Enter and erase touch pad keys 130c and 130d. Operation of the touch screen for interactive game play is described below. Keys of the touch screen 130 also can be configured to be used for various aspects of normal slot machine play, such as activation of play of a game, in place of the standard push buttons. A conventional common grid type touch screen combined with or having an integrated programmable and electronically controllable video overlay for the different game betting grids and other features and functions can be used and is preferred. [0019] The machine 100 also has a switch 142 by which the player selects use of the machine either for standard video slot machine play or for live interactive play. The machine preferably also has a card reader 146 of the magnetic or optical type, or a combination of both, into which the player inserts and removes a debit or credit card or a voucher to add funds to his account and to make other account transactions. The card reader 146 preferably also can accept a player unique identification card if this feature is to be used. [0020] The machine 100 can be used at any location on or off the casino premises. Suitable communication between the casino and the machine is provided by any conventional communication medium such as hard wired cable, DSL telephone line, wireless or satellite. The communication medium has the necessary bandwidth to carry the video, including digital high definition televison (HDTV), the betting status signals, game result data and audio if this is used. The machine input interface 39 splits video and audio information and one or more betting status signals received from the casino into two streams for use as described below. Continue reading about Multi-use gaming machine... Full patent description for Multi-use gaming machine Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Multi-use gaming machine patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Multi-use gaming machine or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Gaming device method involving multiple classes of credits, wagering of contingent winners, a special purpose meter therefor, and a player-determinable bonus round Next Patent Application: Automatic table game Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Multi-use gaming machine patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.18388 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Electronics: Semiconductor , Audio , Illumination , Connectors , Crypto , 174 |
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