Wireless electronic gaming unit

Abstract

A portable gaming unit for playing an associated game comprises a housing and a base. The housing includes a display. A pivot joint pivotably mounts the housing to the base. An electronics assembly is mounted to one of the housing and the base for controlling input/output functions of the gaming unit. An easel is pivotably mounted to one of the housing and the base. The easel in a use orientation braces the housing against the base to enable the housing to maintain an acute angle in relation to a plane of the base. In a transport orientation, the easel allows the housing to fold against the base. The easel in the transport orientation serves as a handle for the gaming unit.

1 . A portable gaming unit for playing an associated game, said gaming unit comprising:
 a housing, including a display;   a base;   a pivot joint for pivotably mounting said housing to said base; and,   an electronics assembly mounted in one of said housing and said base for controlling input/output functions of said gaming unit;   an easel pivotably mounted to one of said housing and said base, wherein said easel in a use orientation braces said housing against said base to enable said housing to maintain an acute angle in relation to a plane of said base, and in a transport orientation allows said housing to fold against said base, said easel in said transport orientation serving as a handle for said gaming unit.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming unit of  claim 1 , wherein said easel is generally U-shaped, said easel cooperating with at least one flange located on said base in said use orientation. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming unit of  claim 2 , wherein said base includes first and second locking flanges and a recessed portion located between said first and second locking flanges, a central leg of said easel being located in said recessed portion and engaged by said first and second locking flanges in said use orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming unit of  claim 1 , wherein said base includes a first section comprising a keyboard unit and a second section, said easel being rotatably mounted to a rear wall of said housing, wherein said easel is adjustably engageable with said second section, such that said housing, when rotated relative to said base, may be fixed at a predetermined acute angle relative to said base. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming unit of  claim 4 , wherein said housing is fixed at an angle of approximately 12° from a vertically extending plane relative to said keyboard unit. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming unit of  claim 1 , further including a reader for identifying a player during a network gaming session, said reader being located in one of said housing and said base, wherein said reader eliminates a need for the player to manually input player identifying information into said gaming unit to allow initiation or resumption of the gaming session, wherein said reader includes at least one of a magnetic card reader, a smart card reader and a biometric reader. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming unit of  claim 1 , further including at least one indicator light mounted on said housing, said at least one indicator light communicating status information concerning a first gaming session being played on said gaming unit to a player and others in a designated playing area, said at least one indicator being an operational element during a second gaming session. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming unit of  claim 1 , further including means for verifying and authenticating said gaming unit. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless communication card selectively mountable to one of said base and said housing to enable said gaming unit to communicate with a network. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a shock mounting assembly for securing said display to said housing. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming unit of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery and a battery control system, mounted to one of said housing and said base, for regulating an operation of said gaming unit, said battery control system preventing the initiation of a gaming session on said gaming unit if there is inadequate power for the entire gaming session. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming unit of  claim 1 , wherein said base defines a first plane and said housing defines a second plane, wherein in said transport orientation, said first plane is generally parallel to said second plane. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming unit of  claim 2 , wherein said easel includes a pair of side legs and a central leg interconnecting the side legs, the side legs being pivotally mounted to at least one of said housing and said base. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming unit of  claim 13 , wherein the central leg of said easel is spaced apart from both said housing and said base when said easel is in the transport orientation, whereby the central leg serves as the handle for said gaming unit. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming unit of  claim 13 , wherein the central leg cooperates with the at least one flange located on said base when said easel is in the use orientation. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming unit of  claim 15 , wherein the central leg includes at least one cut-out portion, said at least one flange configured to engage said at least one cut-out portion when said easel is in the use orientation. 
     
     
         17 . A portable gaming unit for playing an associated game, said gaming unit comprising:
 a housing, including a display;   a base having a first section and a second section;   a pivot joint for pivotably mounting said housing to said first portion of the base; and   an easel pivotably mounted to one of said housing and said base, wherein said easel in a use orientation braces said housing relative to said second section of said base to enable said housing to maintain an acute angle in relation to a plane of said first section of said base and, in a transport orientation, allows said housing to fold against at least part of said second section of said base with at least a portion of said easel extending beyond said second section of said base and said housing.   
     
     
         18 . The gaming unit of  claim 17 , wherein said first portion of said base includes a keyboard. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming unit of  claim 17 , wherein said base includes a front edge and a back edge, said front edge being defined by said first section of said base and said back edge being defined by said second section of said base, and wherein said pivot joint pivotably mounts said housing to said base at a position between the front edge and the back edge. 
     
     
         20 . The gaming unit of  claim 17 , wherein the easel includes a pair of side legs and a central leg interconnecting the side legs, the side legs being pivotally mounted to the housing.