Handheld wagering game system and methods for conducting wagering games thereupon
AssigneeWMS Gaming Inc.
InventorsVladimir I. Arezina, Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik, Larry J. Pacey, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a handheld gaming machine configured to play at least one game and a controller. The controller is configured to base eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a game-related feature at least upon a location of the handheld gaming machine and/or a proximity of the handheld gaming machine to an external device.
Claims21
1-20. (canceled)
A gaming system for communicating with a handheld gaming machine via a network, the handheld gaming machine including a processor and a display device configured to display a wagering game, the gaming system comprising:
- at least one mobile hot spot configured to move between at least first and second physically distinct locations;
- at least one processor;
- and
- at least one memory device operatively connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions which cause the at least one processor to:
- determine if the handheld gaming machine is within the at least one mobile hot spot;
- and
- if the handheld gaming machine is within the at least one mobile hot spot, enable a wagering game-related feature on the handheld gaming machine.
A portable handheld gaming machine for playing a wagering game and communicating with a gaming system via a network, the handheld gaming machine comprising:
- a processor;
- a display device configured to display a randomly determined outcome of the wagering game;
- and
- a communication interface operable to communicate signals with the gaming system via the network, the communication interface being configured to:
- responsive to the handheld gaming machine being connected to the network, output to the gaming system a position signal indicative of a position of the handheld gaming machine relative to a mobile hot spot configured to move between a plurality of physically distinct locations;
- receive from the gaming system an eligibility signal indicative of an eligibility of the handheld gaming machine for a wagering game-related feature based at least upon the position signal output by the handheld gaming machine and a location of the mobile hot spot;
- and
- responsive to the handheld gaming machine being eligible for the wagering game-related feature, enable the wagering game-related feature.
A method of transmitting data from a gaming system to a handheld gaming machine via a network, the handheld gaming machine including a processor and a display device configured to display a wagering game, the method comprising:
- determining at which of a plurality of physically distinct locations is located a mobile hot spot configured to move between the physically distinct locations;
- determining if the handheld gaming machine is within the mobile hot spot;
- and
- if the handheld gaming machine is within the mobile hot spot, enabling a wagering game-related feature on the handheld gaming machine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.