Patent ID: 7413513

Claim:
A gaming system, comprising: a wireless communication device comprising a first wireless transceiver and a first controller operatively coupled to said first wireless transceiver, said first controller comprising a first processor and a first memory operatively coupled to said first processor, said first controller being programmed to: determine based on voice characteristic of a human voice whether to initiate a bidirectional wireless communication link with a gaming apparatus when in proximity to said gaming apparatus, wherein said gaming apparatus is operable for determining an outcome for a game of chance, receive a voice command in a human voice prior to establishing said bidirectional wireless communication link, wherein said voice command relates to a first gaming function, authenticating said human voice by comparing a voice characteristic of said human voice to a predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice stored for authentication of said human voice, prevent said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said voice characteristic of said human voice does not correspond to said predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice, allow said bidirectional wireless communication link with said gaming apparatus if said voice characteristic of said human voice command corresponds to said predetermined voice characteristic of said human voice, transmit data relating to said first gaming function to said gaming apparatus via said first wireless transceiver, and receive data relating to a second gaming function from said gaming apparatus via said first wireless transceiver; wherein said gaming apparatus comprises a display unit, a second wireless transceiver and a second controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said second wireless transceiver, said second controller comprising a second processor and a second memory operatively coupled to said second processor, said second controller being programmed to: receive said first gaming function data via said second wireless transceiver, execute a first gaming function based on said first gaming function data, transmit said second gaming function data to said wireless communication device via said second wireless transceiver, cause said display unit to generate a game display relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo, and determine a value payout associated with an outcome of said game.