Patent ID: 6702667
Filing Date: 2004-03-09
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
A gaming apparatus, comprising:a housing; a display unit associated with said housing and capable of generating video images; a value input device; a beverage support structure coupled to said housing, said beverage support structure comprising a beverage present detector, a beverage temperature monitor, and a beverage temperature altering mechanism, said temperature altering mechanism comprising a thermoelectric device having a first semiconductor material and a second semiconductor material connected electrically in series and thermally in parallel; a controller operatively coupled to said display unit, said value input device, said beverage present detector, said beverage temperature monitor, and said beverage temperature altering mechanism, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor, said controller being programmed to allow a person to make a wager, said controller being programmed to cause a video image to be generated on said display unit, said video image representing a game selected from the group of games consisting of video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno and video bingo, said video image comprising an image of at least five playing cards if said game comprises video poker, said video image comprising an image of a plurality of simulated slot machine reels if said game comprises video slots, said video image comprising an image of a plurality of playing cards if said game comprises video blackjack, said video image comprising an image of a plurality of keno numbers if said game comprises video keno, said video image comprising an image of a bingo grid if said game comprises video bingo, said controller being programmed to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game; said controller being programmed to detect presence of a beverage having a temperature in said beverage support structure via said beverage present detector, said controller being programmed to monitor said temperature of said beverage in said beverage support structure via said beverage temperature monitor, and said controller being programmed to alter said temperature of said beverage in said beverage support structure via said temperature altering mechanism.