System and Method for Connecting Gaming Devices to a Network for Remote Play

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method provides for authenticating a user of a remote player device for a first host gaming device for a session of a gambling game. The method provides for determining that the user is of age to play the gambling game and for recording a state of the session of the gambling game. The method is further enabled to detect an interruption of the session of the gambling game and to transfer the state of the gambling game to a second host gaming device. The method also is configured to establish a connection between the remote player device and the second host gaming device for resuming the session of the gambling game on the remote player device via the second host gaming device.

1 . A method, which is computer-implemented, comprising operations of:
 authenticating, by a central gaming controller over a network, a user of a remote player device for a first host gaming device for a session of a gambling game, wherein the first host gaming device includes a random number generator;   determining, via the remote player device, that the user is of age to play the gambling game;   recording, by the first host gaming device, a state of the session of the gambling game that is in progress;   detecting, by the central gaming controller, an interruption of the session of the gambling game;   transferring, by the central gaming controller, the state of the session of the gambling game to a second host gaming device;   establishing, by the central gaming controller, a connection between the remote player device and the second host gaming device over the network; and   resuming the session of the gambling game using the transferred state of the session of the gambling game on the remote player device via the second host gaming device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second host gaming device includes a random number generator. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the state of the session of the gambling game includes wager data, credit data, or gaming payout data. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote player device is a mobile or wireless telephone handset having access to the internet. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the remote player device is a handheld computer having access to the internet. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the user is of age to play the gambling game includes receiving information from a biometric device such as a fingerprint reader. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the user of age to play the gambling game includes receiving information from a credential device such as a smart card reader. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interruption of the session of the gambling game is in response to a failure of system components or a communications failure. 
     
     
         9 . A system for enabling interactions between a user and a session of a gambling game, comprising:
 a first host gaming device for hosting the session of the gambling game, the first host gaming device including a random number generator, wherein the first host gaming device is configured for recording a state of the session of the gambling game that is in progress;   a remote player device in communication with the first host gaming device over a network for enabling the user to interact with the session of the gambling game, the remote player device is configured for determining that the user is of age to play the gambling game;   a central gaming controller for authenticating the user of the remote player device for the first host gaming device; and   a second host gaming device for hosting the session of the gambling game in response to an interruption of the session of the gambling game;   wherein the central gaming controller is configured for detecting the interruption of the session of the gambling game and for transferring the state of the session of the gambling game to the second host gaming device over the network, the central gaming controller is further configured for establishing a connection between the remote player device and the second host gaming device over the network and for resuming the session of the gambling game using the transferred state of the session of the gambling game on the remote player device via the second host gaming device.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the second host gaming device includes a random number generator. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the state of the session of the gambling game includes wager data, credit data, or gaming payout data. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the remote player device is a mobile or wireless telephone handset having access to the internet. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the remote player device is a handheld computer having access to the internet. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the remote player device is a television or a television with a set-top box having access to the internet. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the remote player device includes a biometric device such as a fingerprint reader for determining that the user of age to play the gambling game. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the remote player device includes a credential device such as a smart card reader for determining that the user is of age to play the gambling game. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the interruption of the session of the gambling game is in response to a failure of system components or a communications failure. 
     
     
         18 . A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program executable by a processor based system, comprising:
 program instructions for authenticating, by a gaming controller over a network, a user of a remote player device for a first host gaming device for a session of a gambling game, wherein the first host gaming device includes a random number generator;   program instructions for determining, via the remote player device, that the user is of age to play the gambling game;   program instructions for recording, by the first host gaming device, a state of the session of the gambling game that is in progress;   program instructions for detecting, by the central gaming controller, an interruption of the session of the gambling game;   program instructions for transferring, by the central gaming controller, the state of the session of the gambling game to a second host gaming device;   program instructions for establishing, by the central gaming controller, a connection between the remote player device and the second host gaming device over the network; and   program instructions for resuming the session of the gambling game using the transferred state of the session of the gambling game on the remote player device via the second host gaming device.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 18 , wherein the interruption of the session of the gambling game is in response to a failure of system components or a communications failure. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 18 , wherein the remote player device is one of a mobile or wireless telephone handset, a handheld computer, a personal computer, or a television.