U.S. patent application number 11/038667 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-09 for method and apparatus for playing a gaming machine with a secured audio channel.
This patent application is currently assigned to IGT, a Nevada corporation. Invention is credited to Centuori, Charlotte S., Sarile, Leslie H..
Application Number | 20050124415 11/038667 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 21843257 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050124415 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Centuori, Charlotte S. ; et
al. |
June 9, 2005 |
Method and apparatus for playing a gaming machine with a secured
audio channel
Abstract
An apparatus, method and system for providing substantially
isolated sound from a game unit to a user of the game unit. The
game unit includes an audio output element that is configured to an
audio headset. The game unit includes a central processing unit
(CPU), at least one display element, an audio card in communication
with the CPU, and an audio output element in communication with the
audio output element. The CPU of the game unit is configured to
effect play of a game, video signals of which are shown on the at
least one display element and audio signals of which are
communicated to the audio card and video output element. The audio
output element is configured to provide substantially isolated and
secure sound to a headset in communication with the audio output
element and worn by a user of the game unit.
Inventors: |
Centuori, Charlotte S.;
(Henderson, NV) ; Sarile, Leslie H.; (Las Vegas,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARSHALL, GERSTEIN & BORUN LLP
6300 SEARS TOWER
233 S. WACKER DRIVE
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
IGT, a Nevada corporation
Reno
NV
|
Family ID: |
21843257 |
Appl. No.: |
11/038667 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11038667 |
Jan 19, 2005 |
|
|
|
10028401 |
Dec 21, 2001 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/35 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/02 20130101;
A63F 2300/6063 20130101; A63F 13/54 20140902; G07F 17/32 20130101;
A63F 13/235 20140902; G07F 17/3218 20130101; G07F 17/3202 20130101;
G07F 17/3223 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/035 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A game unit comprising: at least one central processing unit
configured to effect play of a game; at least one display in
communication with said at least one central processing unit; at
least one audio card in communication with said at least one game
unit; and an audio output element in communication with said at
least one audio card, said audio output element configured to
provide a user of the game unit with sound substantially isolated
from ambient sound of an environment in which the game unit is
located.
2. A method of conducting a game of chance on a game unit,
comprising: providing a user of the game unit with an audio
headset; and transmitting at least one audio signal from the game
unit to said audio headset during play of at least one game of
chance on the game unit.
3. A gaming system comprising: a central controller; a plurality of
game units in communication with said central controller, each game
unit of said plurality of game units configured to effect play of a
game and comprising: at least one central processing unit; at least
one display, said at least one display in communication with said
at least one central processing unit and configured to display at
least a portion of said game; an audio card in communication with
said central processing unit; and an audio output element in
communication with said audio card, said audio output element
configured to provide a user of the game unit with sound
substantially isolated from ambient sound in an environment in
which the game unit is located.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for
conducting games of chance and, in particular, apparatus and
methods for conducting games of chance with enhanced audio
capabilities.
[0003] 2. State of the Art
[0004] Game units and their methods and apparatus for use are well
known in the art. Game units may include games of chance, games of
skill, and games involving both skill and chance. Examples of
patents describing various game units include U.S. Pat. No.
5,833,536 to Davids et al. (Nov. 10, 1998), U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,716
to Saffari et al. (Jun. 23, 1998), U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,460 to
Fulton (Oct. 13, 1998) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,820 to Morro et al.
(Sep. 7, 1999).
[0005] Electronic game units typically are coupled to a
microprocessor or another computer having a central processing unit
(CPU) and memory. The game unit conventionally includes a number of
peripheral devices such a display screen having a touch screen
input (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,397 to Dickinson (Sep. 14, 1999))
for display of graphics associated with one or more games playable
on the game unit. Buttons, keys or other user input devices are
also operatively coupled to the CPU for initiating game play and
for other functions associated with play of the game unit.
Typically, a coin, currency or card acceptor (to accept a credit
card, gaming card, smart card and the like) permits a player to
enable play of a game by placing one or more wagers. The electronic
game may also include separate displays to indicate a player's
success or display the player's accumulated winnings. A coin and/or
currency dispenser may also be included to "cash-out" a player's
winnings or remaining credits, or a player's winnings credited back
to him or her using the card acceptor.
[0006] Electronic games may also be coupled to one or more other
computers such as a central controller or central computer of a
casino, e.g. via a network card and link, modem or the like. The
game parameters, such as how, when and where particular images will
appear on the display screen, how the game works and how to operate
the various elements operatively coupled to the computer, are
stored in the memory. Often, the electronic game may be housed in a
structural and/or decorative housing. Such housing will typically
include audio speakers for assisting the play of a game or to
provide noise that corresponds to winning or noise corresponding to
various aspects of a particular game.
[0007] In addition to the manner described above, it is also
possible to participate in a game of chance via the Internet. This
is typically accomplished through a casino or game host site
offering displays similar to those found in conventional electronic
games. Generally, to play a game of chance via the Internet, a
software file is downloaded to a player's computer or terminal,
which may then be used to install the necessary software for the
game and/or access the casino or game host Internet site. However,
such gaming may also be "streamed" across the Internet as with
video and audio streaming techniques. As with a conventional
electronic game, Internet electronic games may be accessed using an
identification code or name to identify a specific player and
retrieve that player's credit total or play history.
[0008] Gaming technology is also utilizing wireless Internet
technology to facilitate participating in a game of chance or to
wager on various events, such as video poker, video slot machines,
horse races and the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,999,808 to
LaDue discloses a compact personal computer, allowing a player to
make wagers on such compact personal computers most anywhere so
long as the location the player chooses to wager receives wireless
Internet coverage. Such gaming technology will typically already
include the required software to play the various games of chance
and works similar to typical Internet technology gaming as
discussed above.
[0009] With the advances in gaming technology, casino gaming
machines have proliferated in recent years. As the number of
casinos and gaming outlets has increased, the competition to
attract and retain new customers has intensified. This competition
for patrons requires the continual development of new games that
are exciting and entertaining. To meet this need, many casino
gaming machines have incorporated music, voice, and other sound
effects into their gaming machines. These sound effects are used to
attract patrons to play the game, and to make the game more fun and
exciting during game play. With ever increasing emphasis, sound
effects are also being employed as an interactive mechanism to
prompt players as part of the game play. These interactive games
are becoming increasingly more popular and dramatically increase
the need for a patron to clearly hear the game to play it
effectively.
[0010] As the number of machines with sound effects proliferates,
casino noise levels have significantly increased. As the ambient
noise level increases, the sound level of individual gaming
machines has been increased to be heard and, as a result, ambient
casino noise levels continue to escalate. Competition between game
manufacturers has also manifested itself in gaming machines that
produce longer and louder audio clips in an effort to attract
players. As a result, players have long complained that they cannot
hear the machines that they are playing and that the ambient casino
noise is too high to provide a pleasant gaming experience.
[0011] Casino noise levels are becoming even more problematic
because of the recent trend towards sophisticated interactive
gaming machines, which generally require the delivery of clear
audio messages for successful game play. Such interactive games may
require a player to respond to audio prompts. In other cases, these
machines provide audio instructions that a player needs to hear to
effectively participate in the game. The inability to understand or
hear the messages makes it difficult for these types of games to be
successful in casinos. Without significant noise suppression, use
of an entire class of games may be precluded.
[0012] One example of a gaming machine providing audio capabilities
is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,613 to Marnell. The Marnell
patent is a casino gaming machine with a video monitor and a
microphone/speaker combination. The microphone/speaker combination
is used to communicate with an operator at a central control
station. The speaker of such combination is installed in the
cabinet to openly provide noise to the casino environment. As such,
the speakers only reinforce the problems with the current standard
casino gaming machines by increasing the ambient noise level in the
casino.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,271 to Wynn discloses a communication
link with concierge services during play of a gaming machine, such
as hand pay jackpots, coin refills, etc. Such a communication link
is employed with a speaker and microphone at the gaming machine.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,431 to Walker et al. discloses a gaming machine
that provides free long distance telephone calls or audio
entertainment as a reward for the continued playing of the gaming
machine. Such audio entertainment includes audio for comedy, music,
news and the like.
[0014] Based on the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide
a method, apparatus and system that allows players to clearly hear
the audio output element emanating from the casino gaming machine
that they are playing.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention relates to apparatus, methods and
systems for providing substantially isolated sound from a game unit
to an individual player. The present invention is directed to an
audio output element in a game unit operatively coupled to an audio
headset. The game unit includes at least one game unit having at
least one display thereon. The at least one game unit is configured
to effect play of a game, such as a game of chance, in which a
central processing unit of the game unit generates a random outcome
comprised of a plurality of random outcomes and the at least one
display is configured to display at least the random outcome. Each
game unit includes an audio card and an audio output element
attached thereto. According to the present invention, the audio
output element is configured to provide substantially isolated
sound to the individual player via the operatively coupled audio
headset.
[0016] In an exemplary embodiment, the audio output element
includes at least an audio port configured to interconnect with a
connection port of the audio headset. The audio headset may include
at least an audio ear device with an audio wire extending therefrom
and the connection port at an end of the audio wire. With this
arrangement, an individual player may removably engage the
connection port of the audio headset with the audio port in the
audio output element. The individual player positions the audio ear
device adjacent one or both of his or her ears such that the audio
ear device may then transmit the sound of the game unit to the
individual player in a substantially isolated and secure
manner.
[0017] The audio output element may also include one or more
speakers. Such speakers are configured to provide game play audio,
which contributes to the ambient noise in the casino. According to
one aspect of the present invention, the audio output element may
provide game play audio through the audio headset and through the
one or more speakers. In this manner, the speakers provide game
play audio to attract bystanding potential players while the audio
headset provides isolated sound to the individual player. Such
isolated sound provides a means for the player to clearly hear the
game the player is playing.
[0018] In another aspect of the present invention, the sound card
is interconnected to a multi-channel mixer circuit. Such a mixer
circuit provides the option to choose multiple channels which may
be listened to sequentially or simultaneously through the audio
headset. The channels to choose from may include at least one of
game play audio, music channels, promotional channels, and
informational channels. Thus, it is through the isolated and secure
sound of the audio headset that an individual player may listen to
multiple channels during the course of game play.
[0019] In a variant of this exemplary embodiment, the audio output
element includes at least a transmitter member configured to
transmit or broadcast the sound to a wireless audio headset. The
wireless audio headset utilized in this variant includes at least
an audio ear device interconnected with a receiver member and an
antenna. The wireless audio headset may be adjusted to correspond
with the transmitting channel that the transmitter member is
broadcasting at so that an individual player may receive the
broadcasted audio transmission through the audio ear device of the
wireless audio headset in a substantially isolated and secure
manner. Such wireless audio headset of the present invention may be
utilized with multiple channels facilitated by the mixer circuit
and/or the one or more speakers in providing isolated sound to the
individual game player.
[0020] In a second embodiment, the game unit of the present
invention comprises a portable game unit. Such portable game unit
also includes an audio output element that includes one or more of
an audio port, one or more speakers, and a transmitter. The
portable game unit of the second embodiment provides that the audio
headset with a wire hookup or the wireless audio headset may be
utilized therewith. Such portable game unit may be utilized with
the audio headset most anywhere so long as the portable game unit
can communicate wirelessly with a game server.
[0021] Another aspect of the present invention includes a gaming
system. Such a gaming system may include a plurality of game units,
with each game unit comprising a game terminal or other device at
which a game of chance may be played. Each game unit includes,
among other things, a sound card and an audio output element in
communication therewith. Each game unit may communicate with a
central controller. By way of example only, the game units may be
conventional game units that communicate with a central
controller.
[0022] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent to those of skill in the art through a
consideration of the ensuing description, the accompanying and the
appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] While the specification concludes with claims particularly
pointing out and distinctly claiming that which is regarded as the
present invention, the advantages of this invention may be
ascertained from the following description of the invention when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic of an electronic game unit including
an audio output element according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a simplified frontal view of an electronic game
unit including an audio output element according to the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a simplified perspective view of an audio headset
for using with an electronic game unit according to the present
invention;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of the sound card 140
and multi-channel mixer circuit 142 in the game unit of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a simplified perspective view of a wireless audio
headset for using with an electronic game unit according to the
present invention; and
[0029] FIG. 6 is a simplified frontal view of a portable electronic
game unit having an audio output element according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0030] Embodiments of the present invention will be hereinafter
described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It would be
understood that these illustrations are not to be taken as actual
views of any specific apparatus or method of the present invention,
but are merely exemplary representations employed to more clearly
and fully depict the present invention than might otherwise be
possible. Additionally, elements and features common between the
drawing figures retain the same numerical designation.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary game unit 100 used in
conjunction with the present invention is illustrated. Such game
unit 100 may be any type of device known in the art for use in
wagering on and playing games of chance, which game unit may also
be referred to herein as a game unit, gaming terminal, electronic
game, gambling unit, or combinations thereof.
[0032] The game unit 100 may comprise a computer 104 with a central
processing unit (CPU) 106 and memory 108 which may serve, in part,
as a random number generator. The computer 104 may be coupled to a
number of peripheral devices such as, by example only, one or more
display elements 110 (e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT), plasma
display, liquid crystal display (LCD), light emitting diode (LED)
display, etc., or some combination thereof) for display of graphics
associated with one or more games stored in memory 108 and
executable by CPU 106 for play on game unit 100. Buttons, keys,
touch sensitive regions 112 of a display element 110, and/or other
user input devices 114 may also communicate with CPU 106 for
initiating and effecting game play and for other functions
associated with play of a game.
[0033] A credit input device 116 of a known type, such as a coin,
currency or card acceptor device (to accept a credit card, gaming
card, smart card, or the like) is on game unit 100 so that a player
may insert coin, currency or a card therein to obtain credits on
the game unit 100 so that game play may be initiated by the player
placing one or more wagers. The electronic game may also include a
separate scoreboard display 118 to indicate a player's success,
such as displaying the player's accumulated winnings or losses. A
credit dispenser 120, such as a coin or currency dispenser of a
known type or the aforementioned card reader, may also be included
on game unit 100.
[0034] The game unit 100 may also be coupled to one or more other
computers, such as a central controller 130 of a casino, for
example, via a network card 122 and a link 124 coupled thereto, a
modem 126, or the like, for configuration and monitoring of the
game unit 100 by the central controller 130 or by a casino employee
using the central controller 130. Alternatively, multiple game
units 100 may communicate with one another through the central
controller 130 or directly by communication elements, such as
network card 122 and link 124 or modem 126 for tournament style
gaming.
[0035] The game parameters 128, such as how, when and where
particular images will appear on the display screen 110, how the
game works and how to operate the various elements operatively
coupled to the computer 104, may be stored in the memory 108, which
may comprise a hard disc, random access memory (RAM), read-only
memory (ROM), firmware, or programmed or programmable hardware. The
game unit 100 may be housed in a structural and/or decorative
housing 102 (shown in broken lines), as is well known and
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0036] According to the present invention, the game unit 100
includes a sound card 140 in communication with the CPU 106 of the
game unit 100. The sound card 140 is configured to provide audio
signals generated by CPU 106 to an audio output element 150. The
audio output element 150 is configured to provide an audio link
from the game unit 100 directly to the player. Such an audio output
element 150 provides substantially secure and/or isolated audio
signals to the player so that player can effectively hear and play
the game unit without the obstruction of looming ambient noise. The
audio signals additionally provide a substantially secure link to
the player so that confidential information or information
particular to the player's game play may be successfully passed to
the player. In some instances, such substantially secure and/or
isolated audio signals transmitted to the player may be
advantageous to allow a player to enjoy game play most anywhere
without such audio signals being overheard by others proximate to
the player.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a game unit 100, such as a
typical slot machine, including audio output element 150. As shown,
the audio output element 150 may include one or more speakers 152,
an audio port 154 and a transmitter 156. The audio port 154 is
preferably a female audio port made to receive a male port 164
(see, FIG. 3), such as a female audio jack or banana port. The
transmitter 156 may be provided with the audio output element 150
for broadcasting by wireless transmission described in further
detail below.
[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates an audio headset 160 for use with game
unit 100. The audio headset 160 may be any typical audio headset as
known in the art. Such audio headset 160 typically may include a
head band 162 with two ear pieces 172 that comprise audio speakers
at each end thereof and an audio wire 166 extending from the audio
headset 160. The head band 162 preferably is configured to
adjustably extend around an upper periphery of a player's head so
that the ear pieces 172 sit proximate the player's ears. However,
the audio headset 160 may be any known audio sound device that
provides substantially isolated and/or secure audio signals to one
or both ears of a player, such as a single ear piece, without the
head band, with the audio wire 166 or the like extending from the
single ear piece. The audio wire 166 extending from the headset 160
includes a connection port 164 at an end thereof, such as a male
audio jack or banana port.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first embodiment of the
present invention utilizes the audio output element 150 in
conjunction with the audio headset 160. Specifically, the
connection port 164 at the end of the audio wire 166 of the audio
headset 160 is configured to removably engage and interconnect with
the audio port 154 in the audio output element 150 of the game unit
100. In this manner, a player may removably engage or insert the
connection port 164 in the audio port 154 so that the player may
position the audio headset 160 to his or her ears to thereby allow
the player to more clearly hear and, thereby, play the game unit
100 without the obstruction of looming ambient noise. The audio
headset 160 receives audio signals from the audio output element
150, allowing the player to receive substantially secured and/or
isolated audio for game play.
[0040] Each game unit 100 or portable game unit 300 may be supplied
with the audio headset 160. Alternatively, a player may be provided
with their own audio headset 160 to play any of the game units 100
in a casino configured with the audio output element 150 and the
sound card 140.
[0041] Such an audio headset 160 not only provides secured and/or
isolated audio signals to the player; it also helps prevent a
player from hearing the ambient casino noise. The volume of the
audio signals may be increased or decreased as desired by the
player via a volume control on either the audio headset 160 or a
volume control at the audio output element 150 on the game unit
100. Such adjustability is particularly helpful to those players
that may have difficulty hearing. As such, a player may be immersed
in game play without being distracted by the ambient noise of the
casino, thereby, allowing the extensive audio effects and the
information of any particular game unit to be more fully
appreciated and utilized by a player.
[0042] Furthermore, the audio capabilities of the present invention
prevents players from becoming confused due to the complex nature
of some of the games. As such, audible explanations may be provided
by a game unit 100 as to how to play the game, with additional
audio prompts being given during game play to assist the player in
understanding the events as they unfold, as well as various choices
that may be available to the player. The enhanced audio
capabilities increases player participation in new games that may
be hard to understand to some players and also helps speed game
play by prompting the player to make decisions in regards to and
during game play at a quicker pace. In addition, such audio
capabilities may increase the marketability and entertainment value
of the game and reduce player frustration.
[0043] In addition to the above noted audio capabilities, it may be
desirable to have a secure line of communication that cannot be
easily compromised between the casino or a central controller
thereof and players. For example, it is often desirable to
communicate gaming or casino information confidentially to a
specific player. This information may include amounts won, or
available credits, or other monetary information relative to the
player's success on the game unit. This information may also
include special awards or other complimentary prizes awarded to
players based on player tracking cards or game play that the casino
(or the player) may not want communicated to or seen by others.
[0044] In one aspect of the present invention, the game unit 100
may include a multi-channel mixer circuit 142 in communication with
the sound card 140. Referring to FIG. 4, a block diagram of the
sound card 140 and multi-channel mixer circuit 142 is illustrated.
The block diagram also illustrates a power supply 103 for powering
the game unit. Power from the power supply is converted from an
alternating current (AC) to a direct current through an AC
interface 105. The AC interface 105 is coupled to the sound card
105 and a circuit board 107 to communicate power to the CPU 106,
memory 108, network card 122, etc., associated with the circuit
board 107. The sound card 140 may in turn be coupled to the
multi-channel mixer circuit 142, which provides multiple audio
lines to speakers 152, audio port 154, etc.
[0045] Such multi-channel mixer circuit 142 may provide an option
for a player to choose from multiple audio channels in addition to
the audio signals of the particular game being played. The multiple
audio channels to choose from may include various music channels,
news channels, sports channels, general informational channels,
promotional channels, confidential information, etc. Such a mixer
circuit 142 may cause the audio output element associated with game
play to be mixed with audio signals from a channel that has been
selected by the player. As known in the art, the sound card 140 may
be controlled by CPU 106, as directed by an appropriate program to
allow the audio signals for the particular game to be mixed with or
overlaid with another audio channel. In this manner, a player may
listen to both the audio for game play and audio for one or more
other types of audio channels that may, or may not, be associated
with the play of the particular game.
[0046] In a further aspect of the present invention, in addition to
audio capabilities through a head set 160, as discussed above, the
audio signals may also be conveyed through speakers 152 of the game
unit 100. Such speakers 152 may provide audio signals simultaneous
to the audio signals provided through the audio headset 160. These
may be the same audio signals, different audio signals, or some
combination thereof. Of course, the CPU 106, the sound card 140
and/or a multi-channel mixer circuit 142 may select the appropriate
destination or destinations for each audio signal. The audio port
154 and audio headset 160 need not entirely supplant the speakers
152. Instead, the speakers 152 may still be used to promote the
game unit 100, to attract game interest of bystanding potential
players previous to or as the game is being played, and to add to
the overall ambience of the casino gaming floor by providing an
audio output element at an appropriate sound level. Simultaneously,
the player has an undistorted audio feed directly from the game
unit via the audio port 154 and audio headset 160. As such, there
may be multiple distinct and separate audio lines, wherein one
audio feed may extend to the audio headset 160 and another audio
feed may extend to the speakers 152 of game unit 100.
[0047] FIG. 5 illustrates a wireless audio headset 260 for use with
game unit 100. The wireless audio headset 260 is similar to the
previously discussed audio headset, except the wireless audio
headset 260 does not include an interconnecting wire to transmit
audio signals therethrough. Rather, the audio headset 260 may
include a receiver member 264 and an antenna 266 in addition to a
head band 262 and ear pieces 272.
[0048] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, a variant of the first
embodiment of the present invention utilizes the audio output
element 150 in conjunction with the wireless audio head set 260. In
particular, the audio output element 150 may include a transmitter
member 156 for transmitting or broadcasting the game play of its
respective game to the receiver member 264 on the wireless audio
headset 260. As such, the audio output element 150 may provide
audio capabilities for both an audio headset 160 having an
interconnecting wire and a wireless audio headset 260.
Alternatively, a transmitter member 156 may be coupled to the audio
output element 150 of a game unit 100. The transmitting member 156
and receiver member 264 may both operate over a variety of mutually
cooperative frequencies or channels or a manually or automatically
programmed frequency or channel that is unique to a particular game
unit 100. The wireless audio headset 260 may be advantageous over
the audio headset 160 requiring an interconnecting wire in that the
wireless audio headset 260 substantially frees the player from the
clumsiness and restraint of headphones interconnected by a wire to
the game unit 100.
[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates a portable game unit 300 having an audio
output element 350 as another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention. The portable game unit 300 may be a personal data
assistant ("PDA") or similar apparatus configured to communicate by
way of a known wireless connection protocol with a central
controller 130 (FIG. 1). Such a portable game unit 300 may include
a display 310, such as a liquid crystal display, directional/enter
buttons 312 and on/off power buttons 314, a transmitter/receiver
member 360, and an audio output element 350. The directional/enter
buttons 312 may be used to select and implement menu-driven game
play for wagering on the portable game unit 300. The
transmitter/receiver member 360 may be configured to wirelessly
receive information, including game information, account
information, etc., and wirelessly transmit information such as game
responses, wager information, credit card information, etc., via
the directional/enter buttons 312 or a touch-sensitive region 311
of the display 310. Such a transmitter/receiver member 360 receives
information from and transmits information to a remote central
controller 130 (FIG. 1). A processor of the portable game unit 300
may be updated with any received information. Such updates may be
shown to the player on the display 310, as known in the art. The
portable game unit 300 may operate as known in the art, such as
with gaming software and/or circuitry configured for game play on
the portable game unit 300.
[0050] The audio output element 350 of the portable game unit 300
may include an audio port 354, such as a female member of an audio
jack or a banana port. In addition to the audio output element 350,
the portable game unit 300 may include one or more speakers 352.
The audio output element 350 is similar to the first embodiment in
that the speakers 352 may provide sound to the player at a volume
for the player to hear and any other person nearby to hear, while
other audio signals may be heard only by a player wearing an audio
headset 160, 260 (FIGS. 3 and 5).
[0051] The portable game unit 300 provides the versatility of
essentially being able to gamble anywhere a wireless communication
with a central controller 130 (FIG. 1) is possible with the audio
capabilities of the present invention. Thus, a player is able to
wager on a game of chance most anywhere in a discreet manner while
also enjoying substantially and secured sound to the player through
the audio output element 350 of the unit 300.
[0052] While the present invention has been disclosed in terms of
certain preferred embodiments and alternatives thereof, those of
ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that the
invention is not so limited. Additions, deletions and modifications
to the disclosed embodiments may be effected without departing from
the scope of the invention as claimed herein. Similarly, features
from one embodiment may be combined with those of another while
remaining within the scope of the invention.
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