# US 12,183,148 B2 · Personal electronic device for gaming and bonus system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,183,148 B2 - Document ID: US12183148B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/326,526 - Filed: 2023-05-31 - Published: 2024-02-22 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2010-02-25 - Assignees: Acres Technology - Applicants: Acres Technology - Inventors: John F. Acres - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12183148B2 ## CPC - G07F 17/3213: {Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members} - G07F 17/3218: {wherein at least part of the system is portable} - G07F 17/3223: {Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, leader-follower, wireless communication} - G07F 17/323: {wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions} - G07F 17/3244: {Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes} - G07F 17/3267: {Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games} - G07F 17/3293: {Card games, e.g. poker, canasta, black jack} - G07F 17/34: depending on the stopping of moving members {in a mechanical slot machine}, e.g. "fruit" machines - G07F 17/3211: {Display means} - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) ## Abstract Embodiments of the present invention are directed to communication methods in gaming networks using portable devices. In some networks portable devices communicate information about the status of particular gaming machines on the gaming network. In other networks portable devices are used as a secondary display for the gaming device. In yet other networks bonus games may be played on the portable devices. Further embodiments include a portable device that operates to match a current state of a game to a pre-defined state or states. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method comprising: linking an electronic gaming device to a user device, wherein the user device comprises one or more location sensors; initiating a game on the electronic gaming device; determining an outcome of the game is associated with an award; receiving, from the user device, location data associated with the one or more location sensors; determining, based on the location data, the user device is located in a qualifying location; and outputting, via the electronic gaming device, based on the award, and only if the user device is in the qualifying location, an award message. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic gaming device is configured to execute one or more wagering games. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the user device comprises a smart phone and wherein the location data associated with the one or more location sensors comprises one or more of device proximity data, low power communication connection data, global positioning system (GPS) data, wifi connection data, or cellular connection data. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the user device is in the qualifying location comprises determining the user device is within a threshold distance from the electronic gaming device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining one or more identifiers associated with the user device; determining, based on the one or more identifiers associated with the user device, a user account; and transferring, to the user account, one or more credits. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining, based on a location of the user device, one or more trade opportunities associated with the game; and receiving from the user device, a user input configured to execute the one or more trade opportunities associated with the game. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising: determining, based on the one or more trade opportunities, one or more bonus awards; and outputting the one or more bonus awards. ### Claim 8 One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing processor-executable instructions thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor cause the at least one processor to: link an electronic gaming device to a user device, wherein the user device comprises one or more location sensors; initiate a game on the electronic gaming device; determine an outcome of the game is associated with an award; receive, from the user device, location data associated with the one or more location sensors; determine, based on the location data, the user device is located in a qualifying location; and output, via the electronic gaming device, based on the award, and only if the user device is in the qualifying location, an award message. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8, wherein the electronic gaming device is configured to execute one or more wagering games. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8, wherein the user device comprises a smart phone and wherein the location data associated with the one or more location sensors comprises one or more of device proximity data, low power communication connection data, global positioning system (GPS) data, wifi connection data, or cell tower connection data. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8, wherein the processor-executable instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to determine the user device is in the qualifying location, further cause the at least one processor to determine the user device is within a threshold distance from the electronic gaming device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to: determine one or more identifiers associated with the user device; determine, based on the one or more identifiers associated with the user device, a user account; and transfer, to the user account, one or more credits. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to: determine, based on a location of the user device, one or more trade opportunities associated with the game; and receive from the user device, a user input configured to execute the one or more trade opportunities associated with the game. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 13, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to: determine, based on the one or more trade opportunities, one or more bonus awards; and output the one or more bonus awards. ### Claim 15 An apparatus comprising: one or more processors; and memory storing processor-executable instruction that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to: link an electronic gaming device to a user device, wherein the user device comprises one or more location sensors; initiate a game on the electronic gaming device; determine an outcome of the game is associated with an award; receive, from the user device, location data associated with the one or more location sensors; determine, based on the location data, the user device is located in a qualifying location; and output, via the electronic gaming device, based on the award, and only if the user device is in the qualifying location, an award message. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the electronic gaming device is configured to execute one or more wagering games. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the user device comprises a smart phone and wherein the location data associated with the one or more location sensors comprises one or more of device proximity data, low power communication connection data, global positioning system (GPS) data, wifi connection data, or cell tower connection data. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions, that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to determine the user device is in the qualifying location, further cause the apparatus to determine the user device is within a threshold distance from the electronic gaming device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to: determine one or more identifiers associated with the user device; determine, based on the one or more identifiers associated with the user device, a user account; and transfer, to the user account, one or more credits. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the processor-executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the apparatus to: determine, based on a location of the user device, one or more trade opportunities associated with the game; and receive from the user device, a user input configured to execute the one or more trade opportunities associated with the game.