Wagering game machine wireless key

Abstract

Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive authorization information from a wireless key at a wagering game machine, the machine including a wagering game unit operable to receive a wager in association with a wagering game. Further activities may include granting access to a gaming machine control system included in the wagering game machine in response to receiving the authorization information.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a key to authorize access to a gaming machine control system included in a wagering game machine having a wagering game unit operable to receive a wager in association with a wagering game; and   a wireless mechanism included in the key configured to transmit to and receive from the wagering game machine at least information associated with operation of the wagering gaming machine.   
   
   
       2 .- 3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an encryption engine included in the key.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an authorization actuator included in the key to initiate transmission of the authorization information.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an activity function actuator included in the key to initiate functions of the wagering game machine after access to the wagering game machine is granted.   
   
   
       7 .- 11 . (canceled) 
   
   
       12 . A method comprising:
 receiving authorization information from a wireless key at a wagering game machine including a wagering game unit operable to receive a wager in association with a wagering game;   granting access to a gaming machine control system included in the wagering game machine in response to receiving the authorization information based upon an automatic comparison between the authorization information and existing authorized user data; and   transmitting at least information associated with operation of the wagering game machine to the wireless key.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further including:
 recording identification information associated with the wireless key.   
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the identification information includes at least one of wireless key identification information and attendant identification information. 
   
   
       15 . (canceled) 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , further including:
 locating the wireless key within a selected distance of the wagering game machine to initiate a process of accessing the gaming machine control system.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , further including:
 activating at least one of an authorization actuator included in the wireless key and an initiation mechanism included in the wagering game machine to initiate a process of accessing the gaming machine control system.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12 , further including:
 activating an activity function actuator included in the wireless key to reset the wagering game machine.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , further including:
 recording attendant activity associated with the wagering game machine in a memory included in the wireless key.   
   
   
       20 .- 22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 12 , further including:
 navigating a configuration menu using an activity function actuator included in the wireless key.   
   
   
       24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . A machine-readable medium having instructions stored therein for directing a machine to perform operations comprising:
 receiving authorization information from a wireless key at a wagering game machine including a wagering game unit operable to receive a wager in association with a wagering game;   granting access to a gaming machine control system included in the wagering game machine in response to receiving the authorization information based upon an automatic comparison between the authorization information and existing authorized user data; and   transmitting at least information associated with operation of the wagering game machine to the wireless key.   
   
   
       26 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 polling to detect presence of the wireless key.   
   
   
       27 . The machine-readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 verifying winnings associated with the wagering game in response to receiving an activation indication associated with an activity function actuator included in the wireless key.   
   
   
       28 . A wagering game machine system, comprising:
 a gaming machine control system including a wagering game unit operable to receive a wager in association with a wagering game;   a receiver to receive wireless information from a wireless key, the information including authorization information to authorize access to the gaming machine control system; and   a transmitter to transmit at least information associated with operation of a wagering game machine comprising the wagering game unit.   
   
   
       29 . The wagering game machine system of  claim 28 , including:
 a network interface to couple to the gaming machine control system.   
   
   
       30 . The wagering game machine system of  claim 28 , including:
 an authentication unit to authenticate the authorization information.   
   
   
       31 . The wagering game machine system of  claim 28 , including:
 a display to display graphics associated with the access to the gaming machine control system.   
   
   
       32 . The wagering game machine system of  claim 28 , including:
 a server to couple to the wagering game machine control system via a network and forward the authorization information that has been received to a wagering game server.   
   
   
       33 . The wagering game machine system of  claim 28 , including:
 a key to authorize access to the gaming machine control system, the key including a wireless mechanism to send the authorization information to the receiver.