US 5,618,232 · Granted 1997-04-08
The 1990s Patent for Gaming Devices That Knew Where They Were
Imagine a gaming machine on an airplane that automatically switches itself from fun games to boring games depending on whether you're flying over a place where gambling is legal. This patent describes exactly that—using GPS to detect your location and flip the device into the appropriate mode. It also covers clever ways to make touchscreens easier to use on plane seats and table surfaces.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The patent covers a gaming device system that can automatically switch between two operational modes—an amusement mode and a gambling mode—based on geographic location data from a GPS receiver. What's protected here is the combination of GPS positioning technology linked to automatic mode-switching in an electronic gaming device, as well as specific touchscreen interface improvements that use finger release as the input trigger and enlarged button highlighting. The patent also covers mounting hardware and techniques for securing computer displays in vehicle furniture, like airplane seatbacks and transparent tabletops.
Why it matters
In the mid-1990s, this patent tackled a real commercial and legal problem: gaming companies wanted to deploy entertainment systems on vehicles that travel across state and national borders where gambling laws differ dramatically. Rather than physically removing machines or having operators manually reconfigure them, this patent proposed an elegant automated solution using GPS. The touchscreen innovations and mounting techniques were secondary but practical improvements for vehicle-based installations, making the system deployable in tight spaces like airplane cabins where traditional gaming terminals wouldn't fit.
Real-world use
A passenger on a cruise ship could play slot-machine-style games while sailing international waters, but the device would automatically lock into family-friendly puzzle games once the ship entered U.S. territorial waters where the gambling mode becomes illegal.
Original USPTO abstract
An electronic game device system is switchable between an amusement mode and a gaming or gambling mode and is useful for vehicles such as airplanes or boats which move geographically from jurisdictions where gaming is legal to jurisdictions where it is not. A GPS receiver can be used to automatically switch the system between the modes, dependent upon the vehicle position. An improved method of operating a touch screen on a CRT or LCD computer screen uses finger release as input registering, and also may use highlighting of a button being selected with an enlarged button area for any highlighted button. Mounting arrangements for mounting computer screens or monitors are also disclosed for mounting between a transparent table top in e.g. a lounge area, and for mounting in seatbacks of airplane or other vehicle seats.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 5,618,232
- Filing date
- 1995-03-23
- Grant date
- 1997-04-08
- Assignee
- Martin; John R.
- Inventor(s)
- MARTIN; JOHN R.
- CPC class
- A47B21/007
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