Methods and apparatus employing audio/video programming to initiate game play at a gaming device

Abstract

In a first aspect, a method of operating a gaming device is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) receiving an indication of an occurrence of a game initiation trigger associated with audio/video programming being provided to a player of the gaming device; and (2) in response to the occurrence of the game initiation trigger, initiating game play at the gaming device. The audio/video programming may comprise, for example, a television show, a movie, an animated show, a live event, or the like. Numerous other aspects are provided.

1 . A method comprising: 
 reviewing audio/video programming;    determining one or more trigger conditions based on content of the audio/video programming; and    associating a game initiation trigger with each of the one or more trigger conditions such that on a presentation of the audio/video programming, the game initiation trigger initiates game play on the gaming device.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein reviewing the audio/video programming comprises at least one of a casino owner and casino operator reviewing the audio/video programming.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising populating a database with information related to the game initiation trigger.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the populating comprises transmitting information through a communication port.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein associating the game initiation trigger with each of the one or more trigger conditions comprises a controller associating the game initiation trigger with each of the one or more trigger conditions.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein reviewing the audio/video programming comprises a manufacturer of the controller reviewing the audio/video programming.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein reviewing the audio/video programming comprises an owner of the controller reviewing the audio/video programming.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining one or more trigger conditions comprises identifying an occurrence of at least one of: a laugh track, a character speaking a line, a character using a prop, a character entering a scene, and a scene being displayed.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining one or more trigger conditions comprises determining one or more audible trigger conditions.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining one or more trigger conditions comprises determining one or more visual trigger conditions.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein reviewing the audio/video programming comprises reviewing at least one of: a television show, a movie, an animated show, and a live event.  
     
     
         12 . A system comprising: 
 a user interface; and    a controller operatively coupled to the user interface and adapted to: 
 review audio/video programming;  
 determine one or more trigger conditions based on content of the audio/video programming; and  
 associate a game initiation trigger with each of the one or more trigger conditions such that on a presentation of the audio/video programming, the game initiation trigger initiates game play on the gaming device.  
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12  wherein reviewing the audio/video programming comprises at least one of a casino owner and casino operator reviewing the audio/video programming.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the control system is further adapted to populate a database with information related to the game initiation trigger.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein the control system adapted to populate is further adapted to transmit information through a communication port.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the control system adapted to determine one or more trigger conditions is further adapted to identify an occurrence of at least one of: a laugh track, a character speaking a line, a character using a prop, a character entering a scene, and a scene being displayed.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the control system adapted to determine one or more trigger conditions is further adapted to determine one or more audible trigger conditions.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the control system adapted to determine one or more trigger conditions is further adapted to determine one or more visual trigger conditions.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 12  wherein the control system adapted to review the audio/video programming is further adapted to review at least one of: a television show, a movie, an animated show, and a live event.  
     
     
         20 . A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions to: 
 review audio/video programming;    determine one or more trigger conditions based on content of the audio/video programming; and    associate a game initiation trigger with each of the one or more trigger conditions such that on a presentation of the audio/video programming, the game initiation trigger initiates game play on the gaming device.