Gaming machine system having an acoustic-sensing mechanism

Abstract

A gaming machine has a processor for conducting a wagering game on the gaming machine and an acoustic-sensing mechanism having at least one microphone that converts acoustic signals to audio signals. The acoustic-sensing mechanism can be used for providing various inputs, including the selection of certain options during the operation of the game. The acoustic-sensing mechanism may further distinguish between a first acoustic input indicative of a first player input and a second acoustic input indicative of a second player input.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of operating a wagering game for a gaming machine, comprising: 
 monitoring an acoustic input from a player with a microphone;    in response to said acoustic input, activating a function associated with said gaming machine.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said function relates to a selection of paylines in a basic-game mode.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said function relates to a wager amount.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming machine operates in a basic-game mode and a bonus-game mode, said monitoring said acoustic input occurs during said bonus-game mode.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said activating includes distinguishing between a first acoustic input indicative of a first function and a second acoustic input indicative of a second function.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said monitoring is performed by an acoustic-sensing module that is peripherally coupled to a main processor that conducts a wagering game on said gaming machine.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further including recording in a memory device audio signals corresponding to said acoustic input.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further including driving speakers associated with said gaming machine with said audio signals or a processed form of said audio signals.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said activating includes distinguishing between different acoustic inputs, said different acoustic inputs being different words.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said activating includes distinguishing between said acoustic input and ambient noise.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said activating includes distinguishing by voice pattern recognition.  
     
     
         12 . A gaming machine, comprising: 
 at least one microphone for receiving from a player an acoustic input; and    a processor for activating a function associated with said gaming machine in response to said acoustic input.    
     
     
         13 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , wherein said function relates to a wager amount.  
     
     
         14 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , wherein said function relates to a starting or stopping of reels of said gaming machine.  
     
     
         15 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , wherein said function relates to a selection of paylines in said gaming machine.  
     
     
         16 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , wherein said gaming machine operates in a basic-game mode and a bonus-game mode, said acoustic input occurs during said bonus-game mode  
     
     
         17 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , further including a memory device for recording input audio signals corresponding to said acoustic input.  
     
     
         18 . The gaming machine of  claim 17 , wherein said input audio signals are used for voice recognition.  
     
     
         19 . The gaming machine of  claim 17 , further including speakers that, after said input audio signals are recorded, broadcast acoustic outputs corresponding to said input audio signals during operation of said wagering game.  
     
     
         20 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , further including a memory device for recording an electronic vocabulary against which audio signals corresponding to said acoustic input are compared.  
     
     
         21 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , wherein said processor distinguishes between said acoustic input and ambient noise.  
     
     
         22 . The gaming machine of  claim 12 , further including a microphone activation button for being activated by said player prior to said microphone receiving said acoustic inputs.  
     
     
         23 . A method of operating a gaming machine, comprising: 
 monitoring, with a microphone, an acoustic input from a player;    comparing said acoustic input with a plurality of acoustic inputs stored in a memory associated with said gaming machine to determine a function associated with said acoustic input; and    performing said function in said gaming machine.    
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said monitoring is performed by an acoustic-sensing mechanism that is peripherally coupled to a main processor that conducts a wagering game on said gaming machine.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said comparing is performed by said acoustic-sensing mechanism.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said function relates to a wager amount.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said function relates to a selection of a payline.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said function relates to a starting or stopping of reels of said gaming machine.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said gaming machine operates in a basic-game mode and a bonus-game mode, said monitoring occurring during said bonus-game mode.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein said function relates to providing an acoustic output to said player that is broadcast to said player by speakers associated with said gaming machine.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said acoustic input includes an anticipated audible response that is common of a player of said gaming machine, and said acoustic output is a reply to said an anticipated audible response.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said anticipated audible response is an emphatic statement after achieving a positive outcome.