The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 22, 2012
Filed:
Oct. 23, 2006
Mark Hettinger, Reno, NV (US);
Jamal Benbrahim, Reno, NV (US);
Scott Boyd, Las Vegas, NV (US);
IGT, Reno, NV (US);
Abstract
The present invention provides novel methods and devices for providing audio to players of a gaming machine and to nearby players. According to preferred implementations, sounds intended for a person currently using a gaming machine are distinguished from second sounds intended for persons who are not currently using the gaming machine. The former sounds are directed to the player of the gaming machine by one or more methods and/or devices. For example, the gaming machine may include a device for producing ultrasonic waves (e.g., in a beam) that produce the first sounds via interaction with a medium, a sound dome, a speaker array, or other devices for producing directional sound. The sound may be directed to a predetermined area near the gaming machine. Alternatively, the sound may be directed to an area at or near where the player is detected to be, where the player's player tracking card is detected to be, etc.