Communications from gaming machines using optically formatted data

Abstract

A processor-based gaming machine running wager-based games can include an exterior housing, master gaming controller, display device, camera, and software applications adapted to facilitate communications between the gaming machine and a separate external mobile device. Such communications include the use of optically formatted encoded data provided on a display, captured by a camera or other capturing component and decoded by the receiving device. The gaming machine can be the displaying device, the image capturing device, or both. The optically formatted encoded data can be a barcode, QR code or other suitable code, can be encrypted, and/or can be embedded within another displayed image unrelated to the optically formatted code. Optical code data can include, for example, meter readings of the gaming machine, configuration settings to be adapted, game play history, or promotional or loyalty awards, among other items.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A processor-based gaming machine adapted for accepting a monetary wager, playing a game based on the wager and granting a payout based on the result of the wager-based game, the gaming machine comprising:
 an exterior housing arranged to contain a plurality of internal gaming machine components therein;   a master gaming controller in communication with at least one of said plurality of internal gaming machine components and adapted to execute or control one or more aspects of said wager-based game;   a display device in communication with said master gaming controller and adapted to present one or more aspects of said wager-based game thereupon; and   one or more software applications in communication with said master gaming controller and adapted to facilitate communications between the gaming machine and a separate external mobile device, wherein said communications include the use of optically formatted encoded data that is provided on said gaming machine and captured by the separate external mobile device.   
     
     
         2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein said optically formatted encoded data comprises a QR code. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein said optically formatted encoded data cannot be readily decoded by an unauthorized device. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming machine of  claim 3 , wherein said optically formatted encoded data is encrypted. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein said optically formatted encoded data is included within another displayed image that is not related to the optically formatted encoded data. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming machine of  claim 5 , wherein said optically formatted encoded data is included within a watermark display. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein said one or more software applications are adapted to encode information and provide the encoded information within the optically formatted encoded data on the display device of the gaming machine for capture by a camera or other capturing component of the separate external mobile device 
     
     
         8 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein said gaming machine is adapted to encode, display, capture and decode optically formatted encoded data. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein said optically formatted encoded data includes meter readings of the gaming machine. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein said optically formatted encoded data includes data regarding one or more promotional items awarded to a player of the gaming machine. 
     
     
         11 . A method of facilitating communications using optically formatted data with a processor-based gaming machine adapted for accepting monetary wagers, playing games based on the wagers and granting payouts based on the results of the wager-based games, the method comprising:
 encoding data into an optical format;   providing said optically formatted encoded data on a display of the processor-based gaming machine;   capturing said displayed optically formatted encoded data with a camera or other capturing component of a separate external mobile device;   decoding said optically formatted encoded data at the separate external mobile device; and   performing a function associated with the processor-based gaming machine based on the decoded optically formatted data.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , further including the steps of:
 adding encryption details to the data; and   encoding said encryption details into the optical format.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said encoded data includes meter readings of the gaming machine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said encoded data includes one or more promotional items awarded to a player of the gaming machine. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said performed function comprises providing the one or more promotional items to the player. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein said providing occurs at a location separate from the gaming machine. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said optically formatted encoded data comprises a QR code. 
     
     
         18 . A gaming system adapted to facilitate communications between gaming machines and separate external mobile devices, comprising:
 a plurality of gaming machines, each having a master gaming controller adapted to execute or control one or more aspects of a wager-based game, a display device in communication with said master gaming controller and adapted to present one or more aspects of said wager-based game thereupon, and one or more software applications and adapted to facilitate communications between the gaming machine and a separate external mobile device, wherein said communications include the use of optically formatted encoded data that is provided on a display of the gaming machine and captured by the separate external mobile device;   a database storing a plurality of valid optically formatted data files; and   a remote validation server in communication with the plurality of gaming machines and the database, said remote validation server including a processor, a memory and a network interface, wherein the processor is configured to:
 receive data regarding an optically formatted data file, 
 determine whether the optically formatted data file is valid in accordance with one or more values stored on the database, and 
 provide a verification approving of the optically formatted data file when said file is deemed valid. 
   
     
     
         19 . The gaming system of  claim 18 , wherein said verification approving of the optically formatted data file results in an award being provided to a player associated with the optically formatted data file. 
     
     
         20 . The gaming system of  claim 18 , wherein said optically formatted encoded data comprises a QR code.