Software Technology for Pairing augmented reality devices with electronic gaming machines

IGT (Las Vegas, NV)

A processor circuit and memory that contains computer-readable instructions is used to make an AR viewing device. The processor circuit sends a registration message to the EGM and then generates an image of it.

These embodiments relate to augmented reality systems as well as methods, and specifically to gaming-related augmented reality systems and methods.

EGMs (electro-mechanical gaming machines) permit players to bet on the outcomes of random events. These include the spinning of virtual or mechanical reels, playing with virtual dice and virtual cards rolls, random placing of tiles on a display or rolling of either mechanical or virtual dice. Manufacturers of EGMs have made a number of improvements to EGMs to allow players to interact with the EGMs in different and more exciting ways. For example, early slotmachines allowed players to interact with an arm or lever on the machine. As mechanical slot machines were replaced by electronic slot machines, a range of new player interface devices became available to EGM designers and were subsequentlyincorporated into EGMs. Electronic buttons, wheels touchscreens and three-dimensional display screens are only the most prominent examples of such interface devices.

An Augmented Reality (AR) viewing device according to some embodiments comprises a processor circuit, a memory coupled to the processor circuit, a wireless transceiver coupled to the processor circuit and a camera that is connected to the processorcircuit. The memory includes computer readable instructions that cause the processor circuit to generate an image of the EGM with the camera. obtain, based on the image of the EGM an address on the network associated with the EGM, transmit a registrationmessage via the wireless transceiver the network address associated with the EGM, and receive a registration response by using the wireless transceiver to the EGM in response to the registration message.

An augmented reality (AR) screen that includes a camera and an electronic gaming machine (EGM) could be joined by creating an image of the EGM with the camera, obtaining the EGM’s network address from the EGM through the camera, then sending an invitation message to this network address, and then receiving a response from the EGM.

A method of pairing an augmented reality viewing device including a camera with an electronic gaming machine according to some embodiments includes sending an inquiry signal via a short range wireless communication link, receiving a response tothe inquiry signal via the short range wireless communication link from the EGM, wherein the response may include a network address of the EGM on the short range wireless communication link, generating an image of the EGM using the camera, obtainingconfirmation that a user of the AR device wishes to pair the AR device with the EGM in the image, and confirming based on the image that the EGM is the EGM that the user of the AR device wishes to pair with the AR device.

According to certain instances, a host computer comprises a processor circuit as well as an internal memory connected to it. A transceiver, that is connected to the processor, forms part of the host system. The memory contains computer-readable instructions that instruct the processor circuit to receive an EGM image from an AR device through the transceiver and identify the EGM through the EGM’s image. It then transmits identity information about the EGM via the transceiver.

A method, by a host computer system, of combining an augmented reality display device with a camera an electronic gaming machine according to certain embodiments, includes receiving an image of an EGM from the AR device and identifying the EGM based on the picture of the EGM and transmitting identification information about the EGM to the AR device.

An electronic gaming machine may connect an augmented reality viewing gadget with a camera using a method that includes: receiving an inquiry for a confirmation graphic, displaying it and receiving a request for pairing from the AR device, and pairing with the AR devices in response to the pairing request.

Click here to view the patent on USPTO website.

 

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