Systems and methods for multipurpose use of a gaming machine

Abstract

Method and apparatus for multi-purpose use of a gaming machine includes use of a secondary display area to effectuate delivery of special capabilities such as user interfaces for banking, self-provisioning, Internet browsing, award redemption, player tracking account administration, and on-line shopping. In one embodiment, a touch screen is used to activate menu selections, in another embodiment, a physical keyboard is provided. In other embodiments, interfaces to mobile telephone and personal digital assistant technologies are provided.

1 . A method comprising: 
 playing a wagering game on a gaming machine using a gaming display area; and    using a secondary display area on the gaming machine to perform one or more activities selected from the group: browsing the Internet, placing telephone calls, receiving telephone calls, displaying e-mail, sending e-mail, performing financial transactions, arranging hospitality services, and arranging travel services.    
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  further including interacting with the secondary display area using a touch screen.  
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  further including interacting with the secondary display using a physical keyboard.  
   
   
       4 . Apparatus comprising: 
 a wagering game executed on a gaming machine including a gaming display area; and    a secondary display area on the gaming machine adapted to enable a user to perform one or more activities selected from the group: browsing the Internet, placing telephone calls, receiving telephone calls, displaying e-mail, sending e-mail, performing financial transactions, arranging hospitality services, and arranging travel services.    
   
   
       5 . Apparatus according to  claim 4  further including the secondary display area adapted with a touch screen.  
   
   
       6 . Apparatus according to  claim 4  further including a physical keyboard.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising A method comprising: 
 using a secondary display area on the gaming machine to play a non-wagering video game.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 performing financial transactions on a secondary display area on the gaming machine including one or more transactions selected from the group: directing payouts or credits on the machine to an account, spending payouts or credits on merchandise or services, and transferring credits to a player card.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a keyboard adapted to permit a user to interact with or enter information into the user interface.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus according to  claim 9  wherein the keyboard is a touch screen activated video display keyboard.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10  wherein the keyboard is a physical keyboard.  
   
   
       12 . Apparatus comprising: 
 a wagering gaming device including a computing device;    a wireless interface adapted to communicate with the computing device; and    one or more software components executable on the computing device and adapted to receive information from an external device and to cause the display of all or part of the information received.    
   
   
       13 . Apparatus according to  claim 12  further including receiving e-mail information through the wireless interface.  
   
   
       14 . Apparatus according to  claim 12  further including receiving telephone call information through the wireless interface.  
   
   
       15 . A method comprising: 
 playing a wagering game on a gaming machine;    downloading software from the wagering game to a portable computing device, wherein the software is adapted to enable the play of a wagering game on the portable computing device.    
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15  wherein the wagering game enabled by the downloaded software is similar to the wagering game on the gaming machine.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 15  further including transferring credits from the gaming machine to the portable computing device.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising a player interacting with the gaming machine using a voice activated interface with voice recognition.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18  further including downloading a voice signature to the wagering game to enable the wagering game to recognize a player's voice.