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US 8,506,395 B2Granted
Communicating wagering game information using mesh networks
AssigneeWMS Gaming Inc.
InventorsMichael R. Bytnar, Steven J. Lee, Nevin J. Liber, Jason A. Smith
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mesh communications wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include tracking any number of wireless mesh network devices in relation to a wagering boundary so that the system can manage wagering games. In some embodiments, the operation can include incentivizing players to encourage other players to participate in a mesh network, thus increasing the efficiency of the mesh network. In some embodiments, the operations can include coordinating the presentation of wagering game content between mesh enabled devices.
Claims26
A computer-implemented method comprising:
- detecting that a mobile wagering game machine is outside a wagering area of a casino, wherein the mobile wagering game machine is restricted from using wagering game content while outside the wagering area of the casino;
- determining that the mobile wagering game machine is moving toward the wagering area of the casino before a scheduled time for a wagering game event conducted within the wagering area of the casino;
- determining, based on movement of the mobile wagering game machine toward the wagering area of the casino, that the mobile wagering game machine will enter the wagering area of the casino before the scheduled time for the wagering game event;
- and
- coordinating a transfer of wagering game content for the wagering game event, via one or more peer devices in a casino mesh network, to the mobile wagering game machine before the mobile wagering game machine enters the wagering area of the casino, wherein
- the mobile wagering game machine is configured to use the wagering game content for the wagering game event after the mobile wagering game machine enters the wagering area.
3 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- one or more processors;
- and
- one or more memory units configured to store instructions which, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, causes the apparatus to
- receive wagering game content and coordination data from a wagering game server,
- store the wagering game content and the coordination data,
- determine that wagering game machines, enabled for mesh network communications, request the wagering game content,
- establish mesh network connections with the wagering game machines,
- transfer the wagering game content wirelessly to the wagering game machines via the mesh network connections in response to determination that the wagering game machines requested the wagering game content, and
- synchronize presentation of the wagering game content on the wagering game machines, via the mesh network connections, according to the coordination data.
6 more elements
One or more non-transitory, machine-readable storage devices having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a set of one or more processors causes the set of one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
- detecting that a mobile wagering game machine is outside a wagering area of a casino, wherein the mobile wagering game machine is restricted from using wagering game content while outside the wagering area of the casino;
- determining that the mobile wagering game machine is moving toward the wagering area of the casino before a scheduled time for a wagering game event conducted within the wagering area of the casino;
- determining, based on movement of the mobile wagering game machine toward the wagering area of the casino, that the mobile wagering game machine will enter the wagering area of the casino before the scheduled time for the wagering game event;
- and
- coordinating a transfer of wagering game content for the wagering game event, via one or more peer devices in a casino mesh network, to the mobile wagering game machine before the mobile wagering game machine enters the wagering area of the casino, wherein the mobile wagering game machine is configured to use the wagering game content for the wagering game event after entering the wagering area of the casino.
2 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- means for detecting that a mobile wagering game machine is outside a wagering area of a casino, wherein the mobile wagering game machine is restricted from using wagering game content while outside the wagering area of the casino;
- means for determining that the mobile wagering game machine is moving toward the wagering area of the casino before a scheduled time for a wagering game event conducted within the wagering area of the casino;
- means for determining, based on movement of the mobile wagering game machine toward the wagering area of the casino, that the mobile wagering game machine will enter the wagering area of the casino before the scheduled time for the wagering game event;
- and
- means for coordinating a transfer of wagering game content for the wagering game event, via one or more peer devices in a casino mesh network, to the mobile wagering game machine before the mobile wagering game machine enters the wagering area of the casino, wherein the mobile wagering game machine is configured to use the wagering game content for the wagering game event after entering the wagering area of the casino.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.