Apparatus and methods for wireless gaming communications

A gaming apparatus, comprising:

• a display unit;
• a value input device;
• a wireless transceiver;
• a controller operatively coupled to said display unit, said value input device and said wireless transceiver, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,
• said first controller being programmed to:
• determine based on voice characteristic of a human voice whether to initiate a bidirectional wireless communication link with a gaming apparatus when in proximity to said gaming apparatus, wherein said gaming apparatus is operable for determining an outcome for a game of chance
• receive a voice command in a human voice prior to establishing said bidirectional wireless communication link, wherein said voice command relates to a first gaming function,
• authenticating said human voice by comparing a voice characteristic of said human voice to a predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice stored for authentication of said human voice,
• prevent said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said voice characteristic of said human voice does not correspond to said predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice,
• allow said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said voice characteristic of said human voice command corresponds to said predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice
• execute a first gaming function in response to said first gaming function data,
• transmit data relating to a second gaming function to said wireless communication device via said wireless transceiver,
• cause said display unit to generate a game display relating to one of the following games:
• poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo, and
• determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game.

A gaming communication apparatus comprising:

• a microphone;
• a wireless transceiver;
• a controller operatively coupled to said microphone and said wireless transceiver, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,
• said first controller being programmed to:
• determine based on voice characteristic of a human voice whether to initiate a bidirectional wireless communication link with a gaming apparatus when in proximity to said gaming apparatus, wherein said gaming apparatus is operable for determining an outcome for a game of chance
• receive a voice command in a human voice prior to establishing said bidirectional wireless communication link, wherein said voice command relates to a first gaming function,
• authenticating said human voice by comparing a voice characteristic of said human voice to a predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice stored for authentication of said human voice,
• prevent said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said voice characteristic of said human voice does not correspond to said predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice,
• allow said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said voice characteristic of said human voice command corresponds to said predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice
• transmit data relating to said first gaming function to said gaming apparatus via said wireless transceiver, and
• receive data relating to a second gaming function from said gaming apparatus via said wireless transceiver.