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US 2003/0228906 A1Published application
Methods and apparatus for providing communications services at a gaming machine
OwnerJay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch +1inventors
InventorsJay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Russell P. Sammon
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a first aspect, a method is provided that includes the steps of (1) providing an auxiliary unit adapted to allow a gaming machine to be retrofitted to provide communications services; and (2) retrofitting a non-communications-enabled gaming machine with the auxiliary unit so that the non-communications enabled gaming machine is adapted to provide communications services based on game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine. Numerous other aspects are provided.
Claims88
An apparatus comprising:
- a gaming machine interface unit adapted to interface with a non-communications-enabled gaming machine and to collect information regarding game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine;
- a communications device interface unit adapted to interface with a communications device, wherein the communications device is adapted to provide communications services;
- and
- controller coupled to the gaming machine interface unit and the communications device interface unit and adapted to:
- employ the gaming machine interface unit to receive information regarding game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine;
- determine if a player is operating the non-communications-enabled gaming machine based on the received information;
- and
- if the player is operating the non-communications-enabled gaming machine, employ the communications device interface unit to provide communications services based on the game play.
5 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- a gaming machine interface unit adapted to interface with a non-communications-enabled gaming machine and to collect information regarding a level of game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine;
- a communications device interface unit adapted to interface with a communications device, wherein the communications device is adapted to provide communications services;
- and
- a controller coupled to the gaming machine interface unit and the communications device interface unit and adapted to:
- employ the gaming machine interface unit to receive information regarding the level of game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine;
- and
- if the level of game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine is equal to or exceeds a predetermined level of game play, employ the communications device interface unit to provide communications services.
4 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- means for detecting game play at a non-communications-enabled gaming machine;
- means for determining if the game play qualifies for free communications services;
- and
- means for providing free communications services at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine if the game play qualifies for free communications services.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- a step for detecting game play at a non-communications-enabled gaming machine;
- a step for determining if the game play qualifies for free communications services;
- and
- a step for providing free communications services at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine if the game play qualifies for free communications services.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- providing an auxiliary unit adapted to allow a gaming machine to be retrofitted to provide communications services;
- and
- retrofitting a non-communications-enabled gaming machine with the auxiliary unit so that the non-communications enabled gaming machine is adapted to provide communications services based on game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine.
An automated method comprising:
- receiving information regarding game play at a non-communications-enabled gaming machine;
- determining if a player is operating the non-communications-enabled gaming machine based on the received information;
- and
- if the player is operating the non-communications-enabled gaming machine, providing communications services based on the game play.
1 more element
An automated method comprising:
- receiving information regarding a level of game play at a non-communications-enabled gaming machine;
- and
- if the level of game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine is equal to or exceeds a predetermined level of game play, providing communications services.
A computer program product comprising:
- a medium readable by a computer, the computer readable medium having program code adapted to:
- receive information regarding game play at a non-communications-enabled gaming machine;
- determine if a player is operating the non-communications-enabled gaming machine based on the received information;
- and
- if the player is operating the non-communications-enabled gaming machine, provide communications services based on the game play.
2 more elements
A computer program product comprising:
- a medium readable by a computer, the computer readable medium having program code adapted to:
- receive information regarding a level of game play at a non-communications-enabled gaming machine;
- and
- if the level of game play at the non-communications-enabled gaming machine is equal to or exceeds a predetermined level of game play, provide communications services.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.