U.S. patent application number 09/819112 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-15 for anonymous player identifiers in a gaming environment.
Invention is credited to Crowder, Robert William, Luciano, Robert Anthony JR., Marsden, Russ Frederick, Velasco, Jonathan Tolentino.
Application Number | 20020111210 09/819112 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25143636 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020111210 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Luciano, Robert Anthony JR. ;
et al. |
August 15, 2002 |
Anonymous player identifiers in a gaming environment
Abstract
A system and method for using anonymous player identification in
tracking and promoting game use in a casino is disclosed. The
ability to track anonymous players, that is, players who do not
have a traditional player ID as used in casinos, allows operators
to do two new things. The first is to track game and casino
services use by players not in the traditional player ID tracking
system, yielding valuable marketing data not otherwise available.
The second is to reward anonymous players, thereby increasing the
likelihood they will come back the casino in the future.
Inventors: |
Luciano, Robert Anthony JR.;
(Reno, NV) ; Crowder, Robert William; (Las Vegas,
NV) ; Velasco, Jonathan Tolentino; (Stateline,
NV) ; Marsden, Russ Frederick; (Gardenerville,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Russ F. Marsden
c/o Sierra Design Group
300 Sierra Manor drive
Reno
NV
89511
US
|
Family ID: |
25143636 |
Appl. No.: |
09/819112 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09819112 |
Mar 27, 2001 |
|
|
|
09788162 |
Feb 15, 2001 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3239 20130101;
G06Q 30/02 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/29 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A game device configured to allow at least one player to play at
least one game, comprising: an APID data coordinator operably
disposed within said game device; a game device input device in
operable communication with said APID data coordinator, configured
to receive at least one form of ITM, said ITM having at least one
APID thereon; a game device output device in operable communication
with said APID data coordinator, configured to output APID
data.
2. The game device of claim 1 where said game device input device
is configured to receive GBIs having at least one APID thereon.
3. The game device of claim 1 where said game device input device
is configured to receive electronic APID data.
4. The game device of claim 1 where said game device input device
is configured to receive APID data from a network.
5. The game device of claim 1 where said game device input device
is configured to receive any retrievable APID data from a database,
where said APID data is correlated with at least one identified
APID.
6. The game device of claim 1 where said game device input device
is configured to receive retrievable APID data from a database.
7. The game device of claim 1 where said APID data coordinator is
configured to collect data from said at least one game and
associate said data with an APID.
8. The game device of claim 1 where said APID data coordinator is
configured to send APID data correlated with at least one APID and
further correlated with at least one of said at least one game to
said game device output device.
9. The game device of claim 1 where said game device output device
is configured to issue APID data receivable by a player.
10. The game device of claim 9 where said game device output device
is further configured to issue GBIs.
11. The game device of claim 1 where said game device output device
is configured to output electronic APID data.
12. The game device of claim 1 where said game device output device
is configured to output APID data over a network.
13. The game device of claim 1 where said game device output device
is configured to output APID data to a database, where said APID
data is correlated with at least one APID.
14. The game device of claim 1 where said game device output device
is configured to output APID data and an APID to a database
independently of each other.
15. The game device of claim 1 where said game device input device
and said game device output device are implemented in the same
physical device, and further where output of said game device
output device may include the return of previously received
input.
16. An APID service station comprising: an APID data coordinator
operably disposed within said APID service station; at least one
APID service station display visible to a user operably disposed
within said APID service station and in communication with said
APID data coordinator; at least one APID service station input
device operably disposed within said APID service station, and in
communication with said APID data coordinator; and, at least one
APID service station output device operably disposed within said
APID service station and in communication with said APID data
coordinator.
17. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station input device is configured to
operably receive GBIs.
18. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station input device is configured to
receive electronic APID data.
19. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station input device is configured to
receive APID data over a network.
20. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station input device is configured to
receive any retrievable APID data from a database, where said APID
data is correlated with at least one APID.
21. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station input device is configured to
receive retrievable APID data from a database.
22. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station output device is configured to
issue at least one form of APID receivable by a player.
23. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station output device is configured to
issue GBIs further having APID data thereon, receivable by a
player.
24. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station output device is configured to
issue electronic APID data.
25. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station output device is configured to
issue APID data over a network.
26. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station output device is configured to
issue electronic data further comprising a request for APID data
associated with an APID.
27. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station output device is configured to
issue electronic data further comprising a request for APID
data.
28. The APID service station of claim 16 further configured such
that said APID data coordinator, upon receiving APID data from at
least one of said at least one APID service station input device,
sends a natural language translation of said APID data to one of:
said at least one APID service station display, allowing said
natural language translation to be visible to a player; at least
one of said at least one APID service station output devices, said
natural language translation receivable by a player; or, both at
least one of said at least APID service station display visible to
a player and at least one of said at least one APID service station
output device receivable by a player.
29. The APID service station of claim 16 further comprising at
least one player input device operably disposed thereon.
30. The APID service station of claim 29 where said at least one
player input device further comprises a touchscreen display.
31. The APID service station of claim 29 where said APID data
coordinator is further configured to consolidate and recombine APID
data received from at least one of said at least one APID service
station input device, in accordance with any input received via
said at least one player input device, allowably resulting in
reformulated APID data.
32. The APID service station of claim 31 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station output device is further
configured to issue APID data, including any reformulated APID
data, in one of: a form receivable by a player; an electronic form
receivable by a database; an electronic form receivable by another
device; or, in both a form receivable by a player and in an
electronic form receivable by a database.
33. The APID service station of claim 16 where said at least one
APID service station output device is further configured to issue
GBIs having thereon APID data correlated with one of: a plurality
of games; a plurality of game configurations; or, a plurality of
games and a plurality of game configurations.
34. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station output device is configured to
output APID data to a database.
35. The APID service station of claim 16 where at least one of said
at least one APID service station input device and at least one of
said at least one APID service station output device are
implemented in the same physical device, and further where output
of said game device output device may include the return of
previously received input.
36. An APID prize station comprising: an APID data coordinator
operably disposed within said prize station; at least one prize
station display visible to a user and operably disposed within said
prize station and in communication with said APID data coordinator;
at least one prize station input device operably disposed within
said prize station and in communication with said APID data
coordinator; and, at least one prize station output device operably
disposed within said prize station and in communication with said
APID data coordinator.
37. The APID prize station of claim 36 where at least one of said
at least one prize station input device is configured to receive at
least one form of ITM further having APID data thereon.
38. The APID prize station of claim 37 where at least one of said
at least one prize station input device is configured to receive
GBIs, said GBIs farther comprising APID data thereon.
39. The APID prize station of claim 36 where at least one of said
at least one prize station input device is configured to receive
electronic APID data.
40. The APID prize station of claim 36 where at least one of said
at least one prize station input device is configured to receive
APID data over a network.
41. The APID prize station of claim 36 where at least one of said
at least one prize station input device is configured to receive
any retrievable APID data from a database, where said APID data is
correlated with at least one APID.
42. The APID prize station of claim 36 where at least one of said
at least one prize station input device is configured to receive
any retrievable APID data from a database.
43. The APID prize station of claim 36 where at least one of said
at least one prize station output device is configured to issue at
least one form of ITM, said ITM having APID data thereon.
44. The APID prize station of claim 43 where at least one of said
at least one prize station output device is configured to issue
GBIs, where said GBIs further comprise APID data thereon.
45. The APID prize station of claim 36 where at least one of said
at least one prize station output device is configured to issue
electronic APID data.
46. The APID prize station of claim 36 where at least one of said
at least one prize station output device is configured to issue
APID data over a network.
47. The APID prize station of claim 36 where at least one of said
at least one prize station output device is configured to issue
requests for APID data residing on a database.
48. The APID prize station of claim 47 where said database request
further comprises at least one APID, and where said APID data
requested is associated with at least one of said at least one
APID.
49. The APID prize station of claim 36 further comprising at least
one player input device operably disposed thereon.
50. The APID prize station of claim 49 where said at least one
player input device further comprises a touchscreen display.
51. The APID prize station of claim 49 where said APID data
coordinator is further configured to consolidate and recombine APID
data received from at least one of said at least one prize station
input device, and further configured to extract any award credit
data usable for dispensing prizes contained in said prize station,
if any, and further configured to dispense in accordance with any
input received via said at least one player input device, allowably
resulting in reformulated APID data.
52. The APID prize station of claim 51 where at least one of said
at least one prize station output device is further configured to
issue APID data, including any reformulated APID data, in one of: a
form receivable by a player; an electronic form receivable by one
of another device or a database; or, in both a form receivable by a
player and in an electronic form receivable by one of another
device or a database.
53. The APID prize station of claim 36 where at least one of said
at least one prize station input device and at least one of said at
least one prize station output device are implemented in the same
physical device, and further where output of said prize station
output device may include the return of previously received
input.
54. A gaming system comprising: at least one APID game device
configured to allow at least one player to play at least one game,
where each of said at least one game device further comprises an
APID game device data coordinator operably disposed within said
APID game device and in communication with said at least one game,
at least one APID game device input device in operable
communication with said APID game device data coordinator,
configured to receive APID data, and, at least one APID game device
output device in operable communication with said APID game device
data coordinator, configured to output APID data; at least one APID
service station further comprising an APID service station data
coordinator operably disposed within said APID service station, at
least one APID service station display visible to a user operably
disposed within said APID service station and in communication with
said APID service station data coordinator, at least one APID
service station input device operably disposed within said APID
service station, and in communication with said APID service
station data coordinator, and, at least one APID service station
output device operably disposed within said APID service station
and in communication with said APID service station data
coordinator; and, at least one operable APID data exchange
mechanism between said at least one APID game device and said at
least one APID service station.
55. The gaming system of claim 54 where at least one of said at
least one APID service stations is operably e m bedded in an
enclosure, said enclosure further containing at least one of said
at least one APID game devices.
56. The gaming system of claim 55 where said APID service station
data coordinator and said APID game device data coordinator are
embodied in the same APID data coordinator.
57. The gaming system of claim 56 where said at least one APID
service station display and said at least one APID game device
share at least one player-visible display.
58. The gaming system of claim 56 where said at least one APID game
device input device and said at least one APID service station
input device share a physical device, and where said at least one
APID game device output device and said at least one APID service
station output device share a physical device.
59. The gaming system of claim 54 where said at least one APID data
exchange mechanism further comprises APID data on any media
transportable by an individual person.
60. The gaming system of claim 59 where said transportable media
further comprises at least one of: vouchers; smart cards; magnetic
strip cards; optical media devices; magnetic media devices; IR
devices; passive RF devices; and, low-power RF devices.
61. The gaming system of claim 54 where said at least one APID
gaming device further comprises a plurality of APID gaming devices,
and said at least one APID data exchange mechanism further
comprises electronic data exchange between said plurality of APID
gaming devices.
62. The gaming system of claim 54 where said at least one APID
gaming device further comprises a plurality of APID gaming devices,
said at least one APID service station further comprises a
plurality of APID service stations, and said at least one APID data
exchange mechanism comprises a network between said plurality of
APID gaming devices and at least one of said plurality of APID
service stations.
63. The gaming system of claim 54 where at least one of said at
least one APID data exchange mechanism further comprises at least
one automated exchange mechanism.
64. The gaming system of claim 63 where said at least one automated
exchange mechanism further comprises a network.
65. The gaming system of claim 64 wherein each of said at least one
APID gaming device and each of said at least one APID service
station has at least one of: an APID data exchange mechanism
comprising a network; or, an APID data exchange mechanism embodied
in medium transportable by a person.
66. The gaming system of claim 64 where said network further
comprises a server and a database accessible by said server.
67. The gaming system of claim 66 where said server and said
database are operably disposed within one of said at least one APID
gaming device, where said APID gaming device is operably connected
to said network.
68. The gaming system of claim 66 where said server and said
database are operably disposed within one of said at least one APID
service station, where said APID service station is operably
connected to said network.
69. The game device of claim 66 where at least one of said at least
one APID service station having a network APID data exchange
mechanism is configured to issue a request for, and receive, any
retrievable APID data from said database, where said retrievable
APID data is correlated with at least one APID.
70. The gaming system of claim 66 where at least one of said at
least one APID service station having a network APID data exchange
mechanism is configured to issue requests for APID data and receive
APID data from said database.
71. The gaming system of claim 54 where said APID service station
further comprises at least one user input device operably disposed
therein, and where said APID service station data coordinator is in
communication with said at least one user input device.
72. The gaming system of claim 71 where said at least one player
input device further comprises a touchscreen operably disposed
within said at least one APID service station display.
73. The gaming system of claim 71 where said APID service station
is further configured to consolidate and recombine any combination
of APID data, savable game state data, and newprom data, where said
data is received from at least one of said at least one APID
service station input device, and said data is consolidated and
recombined in accordance with any input received via said at least
one player input device, allowably resulting in reformulated
data.
74. The gaming system of claim 73 where said APID service station
is further configured to output from at least one of said at least
one APID service station output device any combination of APID
data, newprom data, and savable game state data, in accordance with
said reformulated data.
75. The gaming system of claim 74 where said reformulated data is
issued using at least one of said at least one APID service station
output device configured to issue at least one GBI retrievable by a
player, said GBI having said reformulated data thereon.
76. The gaming system of claim 71 where said APID service station
is further configured such that said APID service station data
coordinator sends a natural language translation of any APID data
associated with an APID, including any data associated with said
APID on said database, to one of: said at least one APID service
station display, allowing said natural language translation to be
visible to a user; at least one of said at least one APID service
station output devices, said natural language translation
receivable by a user; or, both at least one of said at least APID
service station display visible to a user and at least one of said
at least one APID service station output device receivable by a
user, in accordance with any input from said at least one user
input device.
77. The gaming system of claim 54 where at least one of said at
least one APID game device further comprises at least one game
based on one of: chance, fixed-pool, combination of skill and
chance, or combination of skill and fixed-pool.
78. The gaming system of claim 54 where at least one of said at
least one APID gaming device further comprises at least one game
further comprising a primary game and a secondary game, where said
primary game is based on one of chance or a fixed pool, and said
secondary game is invoked by the occurrence of at least one
predetermined event in said primary game.
79. A gaming system comprising: at least one APID game device
configured to allow at least one player to play at least one game,
where said at least one game device further comprises an APID game
device data coordinator operably disposed within said APID game
device and in communication with said at least one game, at least
one APID game device input device in operable communication with
said APID game device data coordinator, configured to receive APID
data, and, at least one APID game device output device in operable
communication with said APID game device data coordinator,
configured to output APID data; at least one APID service station
further comprising an APID service station data coordinator
operably disposed within said APID service station, at least one
APID service station display visible operably disposed within said
APID service station and in communication with said APID service
station data coordinator, at least one APID service station input
device operably disposed within said APID service station, and in
communication with said APID service station data coordinator, and,
at least one APID service station output device operably disposed
within said APID service station and in communication with said
APID service station data coordinator; at least one APID prize
station further comprising an APID prize station data coordinator
operably disposed within said APID prize station, at least one APID
prize station display visible to a user and operably disposed
within said APID prize station and in communication with said APID
prize station data coordinator, at least one APID prize station
input device operably disposed within said APID prize station and
in communication with said APID prize station data coordinator,
and, at least one APID prize station output device operably
disposed within said APID prize station and in communication with
said APID prize station data coordinator; and, at least one APID
data exchange mechanism between said at least one APID game device,
said at least one APID prize station, and said at least one APID
service station.
80. The gaming system of claim 79 where at least one of said at
least one APID service station is operably embedded in an
enclosure, said enclosure further containing at least one of said
at least one APID prize station, and where said APID service
station data coordinator and said APID prize station data
coordinator are embodied in the same APID data coordinator.
81. The gaming system of claim 80 where said at least one APID
service station display and said at least one APID prize station
share at least one player-visible display.
82. The gaming system of claim 80 where said at least one APID
prize station input device and said at least one APID service
station input device share a physical device, and where said at
least one APID prize station output device and said at least one
APID service station output device share a physical device.
83. The gaming system of claim 79 where said at least one APID data
exchange mechanism further comprises information in or on a medium
transportable by a person.
84. The gaming system of claim 83 where said transportable medium
further comprises at least one of: vouchers; smart cards; magnetic
strip cards; optical media devices; magnetic media devices; IR
devices; and, low-power RF devices.
85. The gaming system of claim 79 where said at least one APID data
exchange mechanism further comprises a plurality of data exchange
mechanisms, said plurality of exchange mechanisms comprising at
least one medium transportable by a person and at least one
automated exchange mechanism.
86. The gaming system of claim 85 where said at least one automated
exchange mechanism further comprises a network.
87. The gaming system of claim 86 wherein each of said at least one
APID gaming device, each of said at least one APID prize station,
and each of said at least one APID service station has at least one
of: an APID data exchange mechanism comprising a network; or, an
APID data exchange mechanism embodied in medium transportable by a
person.
88. The gaming system of claim 87 where said network further
comprises a server and a database accessible by said server.
89. The gaming system of claim 88 where said server and said
database are operably disposed within one of said at least one APID
gaming device, where said APID gaming device further has an APID
data exchange mechanism comprising a network.
90. The gaming system of claim 88 where said server and said
database are operably disposed within one of said at least one APID
service station, where said APID service station further comprises
an APID data exchange mechanism comprising a network
91. The gaming system of claim 88 where said server and said
database are operably disposed within one of said at least one APID
prize station, where said APID prize station further comprises an
APID data exchange mechanism comprising a network.
92. The gaming system of claim 88 where at least one of said at
least one APID prize station data coordinator embodied in an APID
prize station having a network APID data exchange mechanism is
configured to issue a request for, and receive, any retrievable
APID data from said database, where said retrievable APID data is
correlated to at least one APID.
93. The gaming system of claim 88 where at least one of said at
least one APID prize station having a network APID data exchange
mechanism is configured to issue requests for APID data and receive
APID data from said database.
94. The gaming system of claim 79 where said APID prize station
further comprises at least one user input device operably disposed
therein, and where said APID data coordinator is in communication
with said at least one user input device.
95. The gaming system of claim 94 where said at least one player
input device further comprises a touchscreen operably disposed
within said at least one prize station display.
96. The gaming system of claim 94 where said prize station is
further configured to consolidate and recombine any combination of
newprom data and savable game state data, said data associated with
at least one APID, received from at least one of said at least one
APID prize station input device, in accordance with any input
received via said at least one player input device, allowably
resulting in one of award credit data or reformulated award credit
data.
97. The gaming system of claim 96 where said APID prize station is
further configured to issue prizes in accordance with said one of
award credit data or reformulated award credit data, if any, and
further configured to issue from at least one of said at least one
APID prize station output device any combination of newprom data
and savable game state data, in accordance with said one of award
credit data or reformulated award credit data, and associated with
at least one APID.
98. The gaming system of claim 97 where said one of award credit
data or reformulated data is issued as a GBI receivable by a
user.
99. The gaming system of claim 94 further configured such that said
APID prize station data coordinator, upon receiving APID data from
at least one of said at least one APID prize station input device,
sends a natural language translation of any award credit data
associated with said APID data, including award credit data on said
database, to one of: said at least one prize station display,
allowing said natural language translation to be visible to a user;
at least one of said at least one prize station output devices,
said natural language translation receivable by a user; or, both at
least one of said at least one prize station display visible to a
user and at least one of said at least one prize station output
device receivable by a user, in accordance with any input from said
at least one user input device.
100. The gaming system of claim 79 where at least one of said at
least one APID game device further comprises at least one game
based on one of: chance, fixed-pool, combination of skill and
chance, or combination of skill and fixed-pool.
101. The gaming system of claim 79 where at least one of said at
least one gaming device further comprises at least one game further
comprising a primary game and a secondary game, where said primary
game is based on one of chance or a fixed pool, and said secondary
game is invoked by the occurrence of at least one predetermined
event in said primary game.
102. An APID system for use in a gaming environment comprising: a
personal identification sequence generator; a plurality of personal
identification sequences, generated by said personal identification
sequence generator, said plurality of personal identification
sequences configured to be entered into a device manually by a
player; at least one gaming-related device configured to receive
player input and operably connected to a database, said database
configured to store a plurality of personal identification
sequences generated by said personal identification sequence
generator and to establish the validity of personal identification
sequences input by a user using said player input, and where said
personal identification sequence has no association with an
individual player's name.
103. The APID system of claim 102 where said at least one
gaming-related device further comprises a plurality of gaming
devices configured to allow at least one player to play at least
one game.
104. The APID system of claim 102 where said at least one
gaming-related device further comprises a plurality of gaming
devices configured to allow at least one player to play at least
one game, and at least one prize station device configured to allow
at least one player to input a personal identification sequence and
redeem any prizes associated with said personal identification
sequence.
105. An APID for use in a gaming environment comprising: memory
device configured to be physically carried by an individual player;
and, at least one identification indicia, said identification
indicia generated by a gaming APID generator, readably disposed
within said memory device and having no correlation to an
individual player's name, and readable by at least one APID input
device when operably connected to said memory device.
106. The APID of claim 105 where said memory device comprises a
single identification indicia thereon.
107. The APID of claim 106 where said memory device is a
voucher.
108. The APID of claim 106 where said memory device is a card with
a magnetic strip.
109. The APID of claim 106 where said memory device is a handheld
device having an RF interface.
110. The APID of claim 106 where said memory device is a handheld
device having an IR interface.
111. The APID system of claim 106 where said memory device further
comprises an optical disk, said optical disk further having newprom
award data thereon.
112. The APID of claim 105 where said memory device further
comprises any combination of game state data and newprom data, and
where said memory device is further configured to have data
entered, retrieved, and removed.
113. The APID system of claim 112 where said memory device
comprises an optical disk.
114. The APID system of claim 112 where said memory device
comprises a handheld device having an IR interface.
115. The APID system of claim 112 where said memory device
comprises a handheld device having an RF interface.
116. A method for using APIDs in a game device, said game device
configured to receive APIDs using an APID input device operably
disposed within the game device, said method comprising: receiving
an APID from an individually transportable media through said APID
input device; associating game state data, if any, with said APID;
saving said associated game state data with said APID.
117. The method of claim 116 further comprising: outputting said
associated game state data in a manner receivable by a player and
using the same individually transportable media from which said
APID was received.
118. The method of claim 116 further comprising: saving said
associated game state data and said APID in said game device in a
manner retrievable by a game operator.
119. The method of claim 117 further comprising: presenting said
APID on said individually transportable media to a plurality of
games, and storing additional game state data, if any, on said
individually transportable media.
120. The method of claim 117 further comprising: presenting said
individually transportable media having thereon at least an APID to
a prize station; identifying prizes eligible for redemption based
on game state data, if any; selecting and one or more prizes
eligible for redemption from said identified prizes, if any;
recording a change in said game state data based on said selected
prizes, if any; and, returning said individually transportable
media.
121. The method of claim 117 further comprising: presenting said
individually transportable media having thereon at least an APID to
a representative of a casino; identifying eligible awards, if any,
based on game state data, if any, to said representative of said
casino; and, communicating to a player what said player is eligible
for through said representative of said casino.
122. The method of claim 121 further comprising: enabling player
actions by said representative of said casino, based on said
eligible awards.
123. The method of claim 122 where said enabled action includes at
least one of: a meal; a desert; a drink; a room for at least one
night; or, additional game credits.
124. The method of claim 123 further comprising: presenting said
individually transportable media having thereon at least an APID to
an input device configured to receive said individually
transportable media, where said input device is located near an
activity in a casino; identifying eligibility for said activity
based on game state data, if any, associated with said APID;
communicating to a player what said player is eligible to do or to
partake in, at said activity; allowing said player to partake in
said eligible activity if said player so chooses; and, returning
said individually transportable media to said player having thereon
game state changed to reflect said players choice of participation
in said activity.
125. The method of claim 122 where said activity is a meal at a
restaurant, and said individually transportable media received by
said player has data changed thereon to reflect usage of said
restaurant.
126. A method for using APIDs on a game device, said game device
configured to send and receive information from a database, said
information comprising APID data and one of: game state data,
newprom data, or game state and newprom data, and further
configured to interact with individually transportable media, said
method comprising: receiving individually transportable media
having APID data thereon; retrieving said APID data; requesting any
data on said database associated with said APID data; receiving
data associated with said APID data, if any; changing game device
configuration in accordance with said data, if any; and, allowing
play of said configured game device.
127. The method of claim 126 further comprising: saving game state
data and newprom award data generated during game play, if any, in
a manner integrated with any previous game state data and newprom
data, if any, and associated with said APID on said database.
128. The method of claim 126 where said individually transportable
media further comprises data associated with said APID, the method
further comprising, after step four: retrieving data associated
with said APID data on said individually transportable media; and,
integrating any data retrieved from said database and any data
retrieved from said individually transportable media.
129. A method of gathering information on players' use of gaming
devices and casino services, said method comprising: providing at
least one incentive associated with an APID; issuing said APID to a
player; generating device use data when said APID is presented to a
device; generating casino services use data when said APID is
presented in conjunction with the use of casino services;
associating all of said use data with said APID; saving said APID
and associated use data.
130. The method of claim 129 further comprising: providing
additional incentives associated with said APID each time a player
uses said APID in a gaming device; and, informing said player about
the newly awarded incentives.
131. The method of claim 131 where said saving of said use data is
carried out on a database operably connected to said gaming devices
and operably connected to at least one individually transportable
media input device, said individually transportable media input
device usable by either casino representatives or a player when
said player presents said APID for use with a casino service.
132. A method for rewarding anonymous players using APIDs, the
method comprising: identifying gaming devices being used with
APIDs; and, issuing incentives to a player using an APID based on
the use of the gaming device the player is using.
133. The method of 132 where said second step further comprises:
determining incentives based on APID use, including any combination
of time played in the casino, time played on at least one in-use
gaming device, and amount spent; and, issuing said determined
incentives directly to a player at an in-use gaming device.
134. The method of claim 132 where said second step further
comprises determining incentives based on a newprom award analysis.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending
application Ser. No. 09/788,162 filed Feb. 15, 2001, Attorney
Docket No. GSS-00-001-CIP.1.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention pertains generally to gaming systems. More
particularly, the present invention relates to a method and
apparatus for tracking player activity and issuing player
enticements when players do not use a traditional casino player
IDs.
[0004] 2. The Prior Art
[0005] Gaming devices of various types have been in use for many
years. The most common type is the conventional slot. A player
operates a slot machine by providing coin or paper money, or
tokens, that are received as game credits towards playing a game on
the slot machine. Some machines allow a user to provide game
credits in the form of a voucher, a printed coupon or a data card
(e.g. magnetic strip or smart card). Once the sufficient amount of
game credits has been provided to constitute a wager, the player
then initiates the game, normally by pulling a handle or activating
a button. If a winning event occurs, where a winning event is
defined by the game being played, the slot machine issues a winning
amount according to the player's wager and to a predetermined pay
scheme. The game results are generally based on randomly generated
events. The winning amount issued to the user is provided by a
corresponding amount of game credits, which the player may redeem
(cash-out) or use for further play on the slot machine. Similar
game play and award schemes are provided according to other gaming
devices such as video poker machines and keno machines.
[0006] Bonus and progressive awards have been introduced as
improvements to conventional gaming devices to entice increased
game play. A common bonus scheme is to award a player a chance to
multiply the player's award winnings on a secondary or bonus stage
of the game. Most bonus awards are simply an increased multiple of
the primary winnings and are issued as game credits suitable for
redemption or further play of the gaming device currently being
played. In certain cases where the bonus award is large, manual
payout by a casino attendant may be required. In some cases a
non-monetary prize (e.g., a car) is made the subject of the bonus
award. Like the larger monetary progressive awards, these
non-monetary prizes are normally tendered manually by a casino
attendant.
[0007] Progressive awards, like bonus awards, also normally
comprise simple monetary credits, but typically comprise a large
jackpot amount. Progressive awards couple more than one gaming
machine, where some amount of the money a player spends at each
gaming machine goes into a central award or "pot". The players of
each coupled machine compete for the progressive award. The overall
result is that a significantly larger award can be won by a player
playing progressive games at a coupled machine than can be won at
an individual gaming machine. Upon the occurrence of a specific
game result, the progressive award is issued to the player. Since
the progressive award is normally large, it is normally paid
manually by a casino attendant or cashier.
[0008] Current gaming devices and methods, while suitable for
normal award credit payout and one-time non-monetary prize payout,
have some particular disadvantages. First, current gaming schemes
are not well suited for awarding prizes which require a player to
play more than one machine or collect more than one winning event
on a machine towards the redemption of an award or prize. When
playing a single machine, a player must accumulate a sufficient
number of game points to be awarded a bonus prize, and this must
occur during one "play" or session. However, current systems do not
allow a player to collect game or award points on multiple machines
for use with a secondary game or for cumulative collection of
points toward prize redemption, nor do they provide for the
collection of points over multiple sessions on one machine. And
finally, current system cannot provide any mechanism for following
player from game to game ("player tracking", used primarily for
marketing purposes) unless the player registers with the
casino.
[0009] Current gaming machines also have limited, if any, ability
to incorporate non-gaming, intra-gaming, or inter-gaming
promotional awards into game play, precluding a potential source of
player participation and interest.
[0010] Some systems that have attempted to partially address these
limitations of gaming devices are still limited. The attempted
solutions fall into two broad categories: player tracking points
and some sort of promotional coupons or credits.
[0011] Player tracking points are used when players identify
themselves to a central server in a particular casino via the
gaming machines using a player ID card (typically a magnetic strip
card). The central server tracks the number of play ("lever pulls")
or amount of money a player wagers. Depending on the amount of
plays or money wagered, the player is given player points,
translating into various prizes ("comps") given by the casino to
the player.
[0012] The other primary method of giving enticements is through
promotional credits. Promotional credits are usually some form of
coupon or ticket that, when redeemed at a particular casino, will
give the player a certain number of free game plays. The coupons
function like tokens; in fact, it is usually the case that the
coupons are redeemed for tokens and the player then uses the tokens
in the games of their choice. Promotional credits have been issued
both at the game itself and as promotional material outside of
casinos, such as coupons as part of a travel package.
[0013] These solutions have significant limitations. The awards or
credits are casino-wide, having no further method of targeting
usage. The awards are based on simple, linear criteria (i.e., given
away in a generic form or based on a single element having a one
dimensional scale such as amount of money wagered). Additionally
the effect on gaming devices is limited to free play (additional
game credits). Finally, there is no ability to track players who
are not already entered into a player tracking database, and who in
addition make use of their player-IDs associated with that player
tracking database entry.
[0014] Thus, there is a long-felt need to improve upon the current
methods and apparatus for providing additional methods of tracking
player activity and to provide incentives that go well beyond the
capabilities of traditional player-ID cards. The same need is felt
in both traditional "Nevada-style" casinos and in casinos whose
jurisdictions limit games to those based on drawings from a
fixed-pool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The invention comprises a radical new granularity of
enforceable control in the generation and issuance of awards and
tracking tied to unnamed players in a gaming environment. The
invention discloses a method and apparatus to make use of any
combination of games (from individual games to classes of games to
arbitrary sets of games, in one location or not) in any specified
location, with any specified game play enhancements (alternatively
enhanced prize station awards), with any enhanced award levels,
with time control that may be based on any time units desired
(typically minutes, hours, days, weeks, or months), with any set of
triggering events to issue specially designed promotion based
awards, designated to use any type of distribution method desired.
Coupled with the use of unnamed player tracking, this provides
heretofore unavailable ability to specify which types of awards,
enticements, etc., may be issued to players, potential players, and
unnamed players (players not in a player tracking database).
[0016] The newly available granularity further enables players to
be enticed to use vouchers, voucher-IDs, smart cards, optical
media, handheld devices having IR or low power RF interfaces, or
any similar device transportable by a human that can be tracked,
even though the user ("user" and "player" are used interchangeably
in this disclosure) has no player-ID card. An example of an IR
device would be a Handspring.TM. personal organizer using a
downloaded application that interfaces with a casino's systems; an
example of a voucher-based system is simply one in which the person
receives a voucher-ID and uses the voucher-ID in similar ways a
person would use a traditional player-ID. Such devices allows
players not in the traditional player tracking databases may be
tracked. This opens up an entirely new world of marketing data and
dynamic award issuing capabilities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an example system
for maintaining award game states in accordance with the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an example game
board suitable for use with the present invention.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of another example
system for maintaining award game states in accordance with the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 4 depicts a sample voucher ticket suitable for use with
the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of another example
system for maintaining award game states in accordance with the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of another example
system for maintaining award game states in accordance with the
present invention.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of another example
system for maintaining award game states in accordance with the
present invention
[0024] FIG. 8 is functional block diagram showing an example gaming
device suitable for use with the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram showing an example
prize station suitable for use with the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram depicting meta-games
suitable for use with the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 11 is functional block diagram showing prize
organization suitable for use with the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram depicting a game state
saving game suitable for use with the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram depicting another game
state saving game suitable for use with the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram showing an example
system with multiple instruments suitable for use with the present
invention.
[0031] FIG. 15 is a diagram of elements used for promotion award
issuance.
[0032] FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of a promotional award
device according to the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 17 is a list of examples of anonymous player
identification individually transportable media types.
[0034] FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram of a general anonymous
play identification gaming device according to the present
invention.
[0035] FIG. 19 is a functional block diagram of am anonymous player
identification service station according to the present
invention.
[0036] FIG. 20 is a flow diagram showing one example use of an
anonymous player identification service station according to the
present invention.
[0037] FIG. 21 is a functional block diagram of systems using
anonymous player identification according to the present
invention.
[0038] FIG. 22 is a flow diagram showing a method of generating and
issuing anonymous player identification according to the present
invention.
[0039] FIG. 23 is a flow diagram showing a method of using an
anonymous player identification on a gaming device according to the
present invention.
[0040] FIG. 24 is a flow diagram showing a method of gathering
anonymous player identification related data from gaming devices
according to the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 25 is an additional flow diagram showing a method of
gathering anonymous player identification related data from gaming
devices according to the present invention.
[0042] FIG. 26 is an additional flow diagram showing a method of
gathering anonymous player identification related data from gaming
devices according to the present invention.
[0043] FIG. 27 is an additional flow diagram showing a method of
gathering anonymous player identification related data from gaming
devices according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Persons of ordinary skill in the art will realize that the
following description of the present invention is illustrative only
and not in any way limiting. Other embodiments of the invention
will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the
benefit of this disclosure.
[0045] Referring to the drawings, for illustrative purposes the
present invention is shown embodied in FIG. 1 through FIG. 27. It
will be appreciated that the apparatus may vary as to configuration
and as to details of the parts, and that the method may vary as to
details, partitioning, and the order of the acts, without departing
from the inventive concepts disclosed herein.
[0046] The present invention provides new methods and apparatus
usable for the promotion of gaming and for player tracking. Gaming
enticements may be specified as to games, times, and locations, and
enables player tracking with unnamed players. The present invention
provides for a granularity of promotional enticement not previously
possible. Using the present invention allows targeted populations
of players to be combined with targeted games, gaming devices,
locations, playing times, and other criteria. Coupled with the fine
granularity of targeted devices and players, the present invention
also provides for very particularized forms of enhanced game play,
enhanced game award levels, and enhanced general award levels that
were not previously available. To enable this new granularity in
promotional capability, new game state saving methods and apparatus
must be introduced. Game state that may be saved and associated
with one player falls into one of three types of state:
credit/award game states, partial credit/award game states, and
game state not related to credits/awards (i.e., skill points). The
first type of saved game state is the game's award credit state,
discussed immediately below.
[0047] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an example system for
maintaining a player's award credit state. System 114 includes a
gaming device 100 and a prize station 112. Gaming device 100
comprises a conventional game of chance, such as a slot machine,
video poker machine, video lottery device, keno machine, bingo
machine. The gaming device 100 may alternatively comprise a live
table game of chance, such as a blackjack table or roulette table,
where the functions described herein carried out by the gaming
device are carried out by a table attendant.
[0048] If gaming device 100 is not a live table game, then gaming
device 100 further provides a game 116 configured for play by a
player. Gaming device 100 would then include typical hardware and
software components (not shown), such as a processor, memory, and
input/output devices such as a video output and control inputs, and
game software, for executing game 116. According to play of the
game 116, one or more game results may provide the player with an
"award credit". The game results may be provided by a game of
chance involving random events or may be provided from a
predetermined outcome selected from a fixed pool (e.g., a
lottery).
[0049] Award credits, unlike game credits which are used for
additional game plays of game 116, may be directly redeemed for
prizes or awards on prize station 112. Award credits may also be
used in a meta-game. Although in the preferred embodiment award
credits are not used for additional game play, the present
invention fully encompasses embodiments which do provide for award
credits being used to add to game play credits.
[0050] A meta-game is defined as using credits, award credits,
promotion awards (defined below), or any other transferable
result(s) from one or more individual games comprising a plurality
of individual game units, towards a game that requires, in order to
play, the output results (in terms of credits, award credits,
promotional credits, special indicia, etc.) of previously played
game or games.
[0051] In the simplest case a meta-game may simply consist of
collecting a designated set of award credits that are used in prize
station 112. In this example, the meta-game pieces may be part of a
game board or puzzle and when the player has collected a particular
subset (i.e., collection or accumulation) of meta-game pieces, the
player uses those pieces to "play" prize station 112, where the
combination of award credits will entitle the player to a
particular prize or class of prizes. In other cases the award
credits may entitle the player entry into a more complex meta-game,
where the award credits are used in the meta-game in a similar way
that currency is used in primary games.
[0052] FIG. 2 illustrates a sample game board 200 having spaces for
game pieces 202, 204, 206, 208 and 210. The game pieces 202 through
210 may be represented by indicia or representation to a particular
theme, such as a popular board game, television show, movie, etc.
Game rules may require accumulation of all or part of the game
pieces 202 through 210 for different levels of prize awards.
[0053] FIG. 2 also illustrations a second sample game board 212
having letter space holders to accommodate letters 214, 216, 218,
220 and 222 corresponding to the word "WATCH". This game allows a
player to collect letters (game pieces) from the word "WATCH"
during game play of the primary game, normally a slot game. Once
the player has collected all the letters, the player may redeem a
prize corresponding to "WATCH" from the prize station. Numerous
other game board formats and rules suitable for use with the
present invention will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill
in the art and with the benefit of the present disclosure.
[0054] Referring back to FIG. 1, according to one aspect of the
invention the gaming device 100 is configured to maintain a record
of the accumulated award credits (game pieces) associated with the
player, including award credits earned during play of the game 116.
The player may maintain the player's state of award credits
earnings (e.g., award credit game state, or award credit state)
even when the player has terminated play of the gaming device 100.
In one embodiment, the player's game state is maintained via a
prize bearing instrument (PBI) 104. PBI 104 may comprise any media
suitable for associating a player's award credits with the player.
Example media include a printed ticket (voucher), a magnetic or
smart card, or other information storage medium. As an interface to
PBI 104, gaming device 100 provides a PBI reader/writer device (not
shown) capable of reading PBI 104 and writing to (or generating) a
PBI. PBI 104 will typically contain one or more data records
indicating the number of (or collection of) award credits earned by
the player. For vouchers, gaming device 100 will include a voucher
reader and a voucher printer that is in operable communication with
gaming device 100. When the player selects to terminate play,
gaming device 100 prints a voucher indicating the number of award
credits earned by the player.
[0055] Gaming device 100 is also configured to determine the
accumulated award credits previously earned by the player,
generally by reading PBI 104 as presented by the player and
identifying any award credits indicated. The previous award credits
may have been earned from the same gaming device 100 or a similar
gaming device having the same underlying feature set of gaming
device 100.
[0056] The award credits previously earned as identified by gaming
device 100 are accumulated with further award credits which the
player may earn during current play of gaming device 100. The
accumulated award credits may be maintained by the player at the
termination of play of the gaming device 100 via another PBI 104
which indicates the overall accumulated award credits earned. PBI
104 thus preserves the award credit game state of the player upon
termination of play on the gaming device. The player may later
resume play of game 116, starting at the level previously
preserved, by presenting PBI 104 to game device 100 as described
above.
[0057] In the example "WATCH" game 212 of FIG. 2, the player
retains the player's earned letters (investment) so that when the
player later continues play either on the same or different game,
the player's letters (investment) is retained and restored and the
player resumes play from the preserved game state. Although
described herein for the purposes of redeeming tangible prizes and
service, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art
that the present invention is suitable for use with preserving game
states (e.g., award credits, game pieces) for use with bonus games,
progressive games, investment bonus games, among others.
[0058] Continuing with FIG. 1, prize station 112 contains one or
more prizes 110. The prizes may be tangible goods (e.g., diamonds,
keys to a car, event tickets), services, or monetary awards.
Although not required for operation of the invention, the prizes
are not generally redeemable directly via cash payments by the
player to the prize station or the game devices. Rather the prizes
are normally redeemable via award credits earned by the player from
playing gaming device 100. The redemption process indicated by
double-headed arrow 108 is manually initiated by a player, as is
the playing process indicated by double-headed arrow 102. Both
paths make use of PBI 104. Redemption path 108 is executed by
presenting one or more PBIs to prize station 112. Prize station 112
is equipped with a PBI reader/writer device (not shown) for reading
PBI 104 and determining the award credits associated with the
player from data provided by PBI 104. The prize station then
determines the prizes to which the player is entitled according to
the award credits earned by the player, or allows the player to
play a meta-game. Other prize payout arrangements may also be
used.
[0059] Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of a system for
maintaining a player's award game state in accordance with the
present invention is shown. System 314, like system 114 described
above in conjunction with FIG. 1, comprises a gaming device 302 for
playing a game 304 and a prize station 312 comprising one or more
prizes 310. System 314 further comprises a validation device 300
which typically comprises a server computer configured with
conventional hardware and software components including a database
(not shown). Validation device 300 is operatively coupled for
communication with gaming device 302 and prize station 312,
normally via a network connection, shown as connections 318.
[0060] Validation device 300 may function in one of a number of
ways. According to one aspect of the present invention, validation
device 300 may serve to validate award credits which are earned and
collected by the player on gaming device 302 and redeemed for
prizes at prize station 312. Various validation means known in the
art may be used to carry this out, including maintaining
transaction records on validation device 300 which corresponds to
transaction records identified on the player's PBI 306.
[0061] According to another aspect of the invention, the use of
validation device 300 eliminates (or reduces) the need for
recording the actual award credits onto PBI 306. Rather, validation
device 300 may serve to maintain the award credits associated with
players in a database (not shown). Under this arrangement, the
player is identified with at least one record in the database,
which further identifies the award credits earned by the player.
The player may use any means for identifying herself to gaming
device 302 or prize station 312, including using a personal
identification number (PIN) or using an identity PBI 306, which
instead of bearing the award credits earned by the player provides
a unique identifying information to identify the player's
corresponding award game state. The use of PBI 306 is indicated by
double-headed arrows 308 and 316; both show a manual path of use by
the bearer of the PBI. In each case the bearer of PBI 306 would
insert it into a PBI reader at the target location.
[0062] FIG. 4 depicts an example ticket voucher 400. Ticket voucher
400 includes a data record in the form of a UPC bar code 402. As
described above in conjunction with FIG. 3, this data record may
identify the player's award credits or may alternatively identify
the player's corresponding record(s) in the validation unit's
database.
[0063] FIG. 5 illustrates another example embodiment of a system
for maintaining a player's game state in accordance with the
present invention. The system has a gaming device 506 suitable for
playing a game 504 and a prize station 502 having one or more
prizes 500. Gaming device 506 and prize station 502 are integrated
into a single physical unit.
[0064] Gaming device 506 and prize station 502 may further be
operatively coupled for communication to allow prize redemption to
be made by the player via the gaming device. In this embodiment,
the gaming device may include a monitor or other display device
(not shown) for displaying game play as well as prize selection on
a single display unit. PBI 508 may also be used as described above
in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. Path 512 shows manual use of PBI 508 with the
player inserting/withdrawing PBI 508 from gaming device 506. Path
510 may be either a manual path, where the player inserts PBI 508
into a reader associated with prize station 502, or may include an
electronic connection between gaming device 506 and prize station
502, where PBI 508 may be issued after completing a transaction at
both gaming device 506 and prize station 502.
[0065] Referring next to FIG. 6, shown is another example
embodiment of the present invention for maintaining a player's
award game state. There is a game device 606 having a game 604 for
play and another game device 614 having a game 608 for play. The
game device 606 is integrated with a prize station 600 as described
above in conjunction with FIG. 5.
[0066] The award credits earned by a player on game device 606 may
be maintained and later presented and accumulated with additional
award credits on game device 606 or game device 614, normally via
PBI 612, although as noted above a validation unit may be used to
perform this award game state maintenance function on the
"back-end". PBI 612 may be presented to the prize station 600 for
prizes shown generally as 602. Paths 616, 618, and 620 show the
different uses to which PBI 612 may be used in this embodiment.
Paths 618 and 620 are award credit creation/gathering by manually
using (or receiving) PBI 612 from gaming devices 606 and/or 614.
Path 616 indicates the manual use or retrieval of PBI 612 after
using prize station 600.
[0067] Turning now to FIG. 7, there is shown another example of an
award game state system which comprises a plurality of individual
systems (or subsystems) shown as 708, 720, and 732. FIG. 7
illustrates that a wide variety of systems and subsystems may be
utilized with the present invention. Subsystems include those that
are both connected and unconnected.
[0068] Systems 708 and 732 are each operatively coupled for
communication to a validation device 700 and a monitoring device
702 via a data communications network 704. System 708 comprises a
plurality of game devices, service stations (service stations are
defined and explained later in this disclosure), and prize stations
each coupled to a conventional remote game controller (RGC) 734.
RGC 734 is coupled to communication network 704 for communication
with the validation and monitoring units. System 708 includes
individual game device 716, service station 718, and prize station
712. System 708 further includes integrated game device and prize
station 710 and integrated game device and service station 714.
Award credits earned in any of the gaming devices may be maintained
according to the present invention, including a PBI, validation
unit 700, or via a combination of the PBI and the validation unit
700 as described above. The present invention encompasses
configurations that allow system 708 to issue award credits that
may or may not be used on system 732 or on system 720; any
subsystem may be configured to accept or reject award credits from
other subsystems, depending on the needs of the particular
installation.
[0069] System 732, like system 708, comprises a plurality of game
devices, service stations, and prize stations each coupled to an
RGC, which is coupled to communication network 704. The game
devices of system 732 include table games (TG) 722 and 724 as well
as conventional gaming devices 726 (with integrated prize station)
and 728, and service station 730. Table games 722 and 724 are
maintained by an attendant or dealer for the particular table game
(e.g., blackjack, roulette). Each table game is also equipped with
a PBI reader/writer (not shown) to enable a player of the table
game to present her PBI and establish the player's existing or
previously earned award credits. Certain game results (such as
consecutive blackjacks) may result in further award credits to be
earned by the player during play of the table game. At the
completion of play the PBI reader/writer may be activated to
generate a PBI to give to the player after play is completed. As
noted above, the award credits may alternatively be managed by
validation device 700 in conjunction with individual PBIs, or
without the need for a PBI where a player has a PIN number to
identify the player. Table game 722 differs from table game 724 in
that table game 722 further has in combination a prize station,
where a player may redeem award credits for prizes.
[0070] System 720 also comprises a plurality of gaming devices,
service stations, and prize stations, but unlike systems 708 and
732 this system is not coupled to communication network 704. Each
gaming device will use PBIs rather than validation device 700 and
monitoring device 702. As discussed earlier, the overall system may
be configured to allow or disallow PBIs generated from subsystem
708 or 732 to be used in the machines comprising subsystem 720 and
vice versa.
[0071] Referring now to FIG. 8, a gaming device is shown in
additional detail. Gaming device 800 comprises a game 802
operatively coupled with an award credit manager 804, which is also
operatively coupled with a PBI input/output device 806. The PBI
input/output device 806 is configured to read, write, generate,
transmit, and receive information about PBI 810 as needed. Path 814
shows a manual usage path for PBI 810; the player must manually
insert the PBI into the PBI reader. If PBI 810 comprises a printed
ticket (voucher), the PBI input/output device 806 comprises a
voucher reader for reading vouchers and indicia printed thereon,
such as "Interleaved 2 of 5" bar codes. The PBI input/output device
806 would further include a voucher printer for generating vouchers
when the player terminates play on gaming device 800.
[0072] The award credit manager 804 carries out the operation of
managing a player's award credits during play. If a player presents
a PBI 810 prior to playing, the previously earned award credits are
identified either directly from the PBI 810 and/or from validation
device 808 which communicates with the gaming device 800 over an
electronic communications path 812. During play of the game 802,
the player may earn additional award credits based on winning game
events. Such award credits are accumulated by the award credit
manager 804 in conjunction with the previously earned award
credits, if any. Upon termination of play of the gaming device by
the player, another PBI 810 may be issued to the player which
contains data associating the cumulative award credits earned by
the player.
[0073] FIG. 9 shows a prize station in more detail. Prize station
900 comprises a PBI input/output device 908 operatively coupled to
an award credit manager 906, a prize selection module 904 coupled
to the award credit manager 906, and a plurality of prizes
maintained in vault 902, the vault operatively coupled for
communication with the prize selection module 904.
[0074] When a player presents one or more PBIs to prize station
900, shown as PBI 910 and manual insertion path 916, the PBI
input/output device 908 reads the award credits associated with the
player. Award credit manager 906 determines the total award
credits' value, either directly from PBI 910 and/or from validation
device 912. Validation device 912 is optionally operably connected
to prize station 900 via communications path 914. Prize selection
unit 904 offers to the player one or more prize selections based on
the player's total award credits. The player may select a prize
selection or may cancel prize redemption. If a player selects a
prize, the prize is awarded from vault 902. If the prize selection
does not exhaust the player's total award credits, another prize
selection may be offered to the player, if the remaining credits
are sufficient to support a prize selection from the vault 902. If
the remaining award credits are not sufficient to support a prize
selection, the remaining award credits are maintained and
associated with the player, normally by dispensing another PBI
910.
[0075] FIG. 10 illustrates two additional meta-game systems which
may be implemented using the game state maintenance system of the
present invention. FIG. 10 includes a prize station 1000 and a
plurality of gaming device indicators illustrated as gaming device
indicators 1002, 1004, and 1006. Each gaming device indicator
corresponds to a gaming device on the game floor; there may be as
many gaming device indicators as there are individual games in
actual implementations or they may be grouped for convenience.
Under this arrangement a particular prize awarded by the prize
station 1000 may require an award credit from each of the gaming
devices indicated by 1002 through 1006 or a predetermined subset,
such as three award credits where at least two of three must come
from different gaming devices. Various other award requirements may
also be used and will readily come to mind for a person of ordinary
skill in the art and with the benefit of the present
disclosure.
[0076] Another example of a meta-game involves banks of gaming
devices. Bank 1 is shown having individual gaming device indicators
1008, 1010, and 1012. Bank "n" is referenced generally as 1014, and
is understood to further comprise individual gaming device
indicators not individually labeled. There may be any number of
banks between bank 1 and bank "n". Prize station 1000 may require
an award credit from each bank of gaming devices (corresponding to
the gaming device indicators) in order to receive a particular
prize. Each bank may be configured as the same game (e.g.,
blackjack), the same device type (e.g., slot machine), the same
family of game (e.g., games manufactured by Sierra Design
Group.TM.), or other arrangement.
[0077] FIG. 11 illustrates a sample hierarchical prize level
arrangement suitable for use with the present invention. The sample
arrangement includes prize levels comprising a silver level (1106
through 1108), a gold level (1102 through 1104), and a platinum
level 1100. One or more prizes may be associated with each level.
For example, bracelet prizes may be available at the silver level
(1106 through 1108), watches may be available at the gold level
(1102 through 1104), and diamond jewelry may be available at the
platinum level (1100). According to this arrangement, the gaming
device may provide silver level award during play. The player may
decide to redeem the silver award for one of the bracelet prizes,
or the player may elect to accumulate additional silver level
awards by playing the same or another gaming device. The prize
values in this example are arranged hierarchically, where two of
the prizes at one layer are worth one of the prizes at the layer
above. Two silvers awards may be used to redeem either two silver
prizes or one gold prize.
[0078] Having the ability to save award/credit game state creates
the need and desire to save other states associated with a gaming
device. A player will be particularly interested in saving the game
state of a game that involves the accumulation of points that will
eventually lead to an award (called partial award/credit game
state), and where the game state is not tied to award credits
(simply effects the game as viewed and/or played by the player
rather then being tied to the accumulation of awards or
credits).
[0079] As introduced earlier, game states other than award/credit
game states fall into one of two additional categories. The first
is saving partial award/credit game state, defined as saving state
when working towards an award or credit on an investment bonus type
game, where the secondary game's state is derived from a game of
chance or drawn from a fixed-pool. The second category is saving
any other game state that effects the state of the game as it
appears to a player if they leave and return later, typically a
skill game having associated points displayed on a screen, but no
other result (i.e., they cannot be converted into game points,
award credits, etc.). Usually the player has reached a certain
level or point value and doesn't want to have to start over. As
used in this disclosure "award/credit game state" and "award credit
state" refers to the same set of data as it applies to any
particular gaming device. This set of data, separate from the game
it was awarded on and being used to redeem prizes, is called "award
credit data".
[0080] An example of the first type is shown in FIG. 12. This is a
state saving game associated with games based on chance (or
fixed-pools) and working towards an award state. Typically the
goal, if reached, gives the player more playing credits or award
credits. Gaming device 1200 has a standard primary game with
indicia windows shown as 1202. The primary game may be any of the
well known reel games, poker games, keno, bingo, fixed-pool games,
etc. There is a panel of player buttons, shown between buttons 1206
and 1208, used for the primary game. Any layout and interface may
be used, from a fixed number of physical buttons to a dynamic
layout of touchscreen buttons. Also included is an output slot 1204
and an input slot 1210. Input slot 1210 accepts ID cards, ID
vouchers, smart cards, game state vouchers, or any other means used
to present gaming device 1200 with credits, states, or ID. If
presented with ID, gaming device 1200 must be in operable
communication with a back-end database (not shown), typically over
a LAN (not shown). The communications means is used to retrieve
data associated with the presented ID.
[0081] ID vouchers (a.k.a. voucher IDs) are intended to be used by
people who may be at a casino for more than a brief time, but who
do not want to be entered as "players" in the casino's database.
Player IDs are typically used by casinos for player tracking
purposes and to award regular players "player tracking
points"--points that may be accumulated and redeemed for various
comps from the casino. People who may make use of a voucher ID
includes those who want to play a series of games over an evening
or a week, want the convenience of having some gaming data kept on
a back-end database, but do not want to give the casino their
personal data. The player may chose to use a voucher ID, which is
simply any media on which a unique identifier is recorded
(typically an alpha-numeric sequence). This may include a card with
a magnetic strip, smart card, or a bar-coded voucher, optical disk,
infrared (IR) or low-power radio frequency (RF) devices, or any
other form of readable media that can easily be carried by a
person. For the purposes of this disclosure, any form of media that
can be transported by a person will be called Individually
Transportable Media, or ITM. Gaming device data, discussed below,
can now be associated with the "voucher ID" rather than a
traditional player's card. Typically voucher IDs would be given
limited life spans, specified by the holder or establishment.
[0082] Like traditional player cards, the player using a voucher ID
may be awarded "points" according to conventional methods used for
calculating player tracking incentives or awards. Later, the player
may redeem the points by presenting his/her voucher ID at
redemption sites established by the casino. Redemption sites could
include, but are not limited to, restaurants, bars, hotels, or
customer counters.
[0083] Returning now to FIG. 12, when playing the primary game
there will be game states, indicia, or other aspects of the primary
game that will trigger the secondary game. In this example, the
secondary game is the "Froggie" game. Each time the secondary
"Froggie" game is invoked by the primary game, frog 1214 will
advance up one step. The secondary game starts at step 1 (the steps
are labeled). With each invocation of the "Froggie" game, frog 1214
advances one step. After 7 invocations frog 1214 will be sitting on
step 8. With one more trigger of the secondary game, the player
will get the frog to its home pad 1212 (step 9) and will be awarded
1000 game credits. Alternatively, the number of steps the frog
advances on each secondary game invocation can be partially
determined by the indicia shown on the primary game, allowing for
more than one "hop" per invocation. When the frog reaches its home
pad 1212, the game may present the player with the option of award
credits instead of play credits.
[0084] The player has the option of saving the state of the game at
the start of each primary game play. In this example, the state
saved would be the state of the secondary game, specifically the
frog's current step location. If the player plays "Froggie" enough
to advance frog 1214 to step 5, the player may touch button 1206,
the "save state" button, and receive a print-out in the form of a
voucher from output slot 1204. Immediately after saving the game
state to a voucher, the game resets itself to the base state, with
frog 1214 back on step 1. The player may now leave the game for a
while and come back, inserting the previously generated voucher
into slot 1210. The game will set itself to the state saved, in
this case placing frog 1214 on step 5. The game is now ready to be
played.
[0085] Typically the game state just recovered will be available
for a fixed length of time, perhaps 3 minutes. The game must be
played within that allotted time or the game reverts to its start
state and the game state voucher value is lost. If the player
inserts the game state voucher and decides not to play the game,
the voucher can always be recovered by pressing the "save state"
button before the allotted time is up. Although discussed in terms
of vouchers, any form of ITM may be used.
[0086] The advantages of saving game state are increased interest
in investment bonus games by the players. With the ability to save
their state, players who must leave without having reached the
winning secondary game state have a much higher incentive to return
and continue playing.
[0087] In addition to saving game state associated with awards,
game state may be saved simply to keep a score on a non-award game
or skill game. An example of this type of game state is shown in
FIG. 13. In gaming device 1300 there is a primary game, indicated
with indicia windows 1302. The primary game may be any game of
chance or a fixed-pool game, including but not limited to poker,
keno, reel-games, etc. Buttons shown between 1306 and 1308 are used
to play the primary game in its known manner. Also included is
input slot 1310 for reading any convenient input form that may be
used to record game state. This includes but is not limited to
vouchers, magnetic strip cards, smart cards, player IDs, ID
vouchers, IR or RF devices, etc. Output slot 1304 is used to give
any ITM to the player on request, typically some form of voucher.
Button 1306 is used for secondary game play; button 1308 is a "save
state" button that directs the gaming device to save the current
state of the game. All this is shown for illustrative purposes only
and can take a plethora of functionally equivalent forms including
configurations with only one, or primary, game.
[0088] In this case, when the secondary "Froggie" game is triggered
or invoked from the primary game, the player can play the game for
skill points. Frog 1316 has a tongue (not shown) that can be
extended by pressing button 1306. A plurality of "fireflies" shown
as 1314 are flying near frog 1316. A player presses button 1308
when a firefly is in line and near the frog's mouth, getting points
thereby. The player accumulates points that are recorded on the
screen at 1312.
[0089] When the player needs to leave the machine for a time, the
player has the option of pressing "save state" button 1306 and
saving the all game state of the machine that can be saved--in this
case, the players score on the secondary game. The player will be
issued a bearer record from output slot 1304 on which is recorded
the game state. When the player returns later, the player inserts
the readable media into read slot 1310 and the game will reset to
the saved state.
[0090] In a preferred embodiment, the saved game state will also
have an expiration date associated with it. The idea is to
encourage a player to maximize their skill point score within a
specified period of time (thereby encourage game use in general
during the same period). The expiration time picked would depend on
the game type, the player's average stay, as well as other factors,
but would typically be in hours or days.
[0091] The saving of game states discussed above includes award
states, "partial" award states (secondary or bonus game state,
before award points or prizes have been awarded) and skill states.
Each of the following designations: award states, partial award
states, skill states, and non-award states are equivalent to the
following designations, in order: award game states, partial award
game states, skill game states, and non-skill game states. In
addition, the difference between skill game states and non-skill
game states is that non-skill game states includes "experiential"
states that are not based on skill. Any example of an experiential
state might be the state of a VR "trip" which the player needs to
finish later. Skill states or skill game states are those states
associated with the collection of points (or other indicia)
received as a result of the application of at least some player
input that affects the awarding of the points.
[0092] Returning to discuss savable game state, any game state that
is allowed to be savable by a player may be saved. This
determination may be made by the gaming device itself, a back-end
server with a database for networked gaming devices, or by
parameters set by the operators or other accountable people. The
examples given above are illustrative only, showing example
embodiments. They are not exhaustive; the inventive concept
disclosed herein fully encompasses any savable game states.
[0093] Game state may be saved using the same types of ITMs
described for award credits such as vouchers with bar codes. The
descriptions discussed above for types of prize bearing instruments
(PBIs) and devices that read, write, and use them apply equally for
game state instruments (GSIs). The same is also true of the system
architectures described above for use with PBIs; all the
descriptions hold equally true for use with GSIs with the exception
that prize stations, upon being presented with GSIs, will simply
return them to the user; the information contained on a PBI is
related to prize redemption, the information on a GSIs is to save
game state.
[0094] If award and/or credit game state, partial award/credit game
state, and/or non-award game state saving games are used in the
same establishment or casino, the preferred embodiment is to
combine all savable game states. The amount of information that
needs to be stored for both PBIs and GSIs is readily accommodated
on any of the instruments described for the PBIs, and may readily
be stored in the same database records with additional fields. In
this preferred embodiment, a single bearer instrument would contain
data for award/credit game state, partial award/credit game state,
and any other savable game state, allowing users to carry a single
instrument for both uses. It would look essentially the same as the
example of FIG. 4, but perhaps with additional amounts of
information stored on more tightly packed encoding strips, perhaps
with multiple strips one over the other, having any needed PBI and
GSI information.
[0095] In addition to carrying information on saved game state for
one gaming device, it is fully envisioned that the current
invention will encompass the saving of game states for multiple
games on a single bearer instrument. If the game state is being
saved in a back-end database, this is the straightforward
association of one player ID or voucher ID with multiple game state
records, where the game state records include fields identifying
the gaming device to which the saved state applies. For bearer
instruments such as vouchers, multi-game, multi-state vouchers will
be issued. These will be supported by readers that will read and
understand (decode) the multi-game, multi-state instruments. And as
discussed above, any type of ITM will work.
[0096] The ability to keep game state for the player as described
above helps enable another inventive concept to be used in gaming,
the new promotion (Newprom) award system or Newprom system. Newprom
awards, credits, and/or related game state may be recorded in all
the ways described for all the savable game state above (i.e.,
using the same ITMs).
[0097] As discussed above, saved game state (including award/credit
game state, partial award/credit game state, and other game states)
are received as a result of using a game and allow a player to both
save game state on a gaming device and to redeem awards, credits,
or award credits at prize stations. Newprom awards have been
created to be used in ways beyond the scope of award credits,
normal awards/credits used at gaming devices, and the savable game
states described above. One primary difference between Newprom
awards and award credits or game state savings is that in the
preferred embodiment, Newprom awards are given to players based on
non-gaming events and situations, meta-gaming events, as well as
gaming events, and can be used (depending on the specific Newprom
award) for both enhanced gaming and enhanced award
distribution.
[0098] Referring to FIG. 14, the preferred embodiment allows
players to use Newprom awards (embodied on a Newprom instrument, or
NI, 1406) in gaming device 1402 having game 1404, and in some
embodiments in prize station 1416 containing prizes 1414, the being
shown by dotted line 1420. Typical Newprom awards are issued to
entice players to use a game, such as game 1404, before the player
can "cash-in" by using a prize station. However, Newprom awards are
configurable to be used in prize station 1416 as well. The Newprom
awards used with prize stations have typically been configured to
be used in conjunction with a winning ticket or credits from a
gaming device, thus still requiring game play before being used at
a prize station; the Newprom award then acts as a "prize enhancer".
Additionally, Newprom awards may be issued as a result of game
play, in which case they may be configured for direct use in a
prize station.
[0099] FIG. 14 shows a gaming system which uses Newprom awards (NI
1406) as well as award credits (PBI 1410) and game saving
instruments (GSI 1418). System 1400 has gaming device 1402 which
incorporates game 1404. Also included is prize station 1416 which
has a plurality of prizes or prize representations 1414. PBIs 1410
may be used in the manner described above, shown as paths 1408 and
1412. GSIs 1418 may be used with gaming device 1402 as described
above, indicated with path 1408. In addition, a new instrument for
Newprom awards is added, the NI. NI 1406 may be inserted into the
same reader as PBI 1410 or GSI 1418. What was the PBI input/output
device described above is now a combined PBI/GSI/NI input/output
device.
[0100] Newprom awards may be awarded to players in a wide variety
of ways and can structured in any way that suits the needs of the
establishment issuing the credits. Some examples are discussed
below, but it is to be understood that these are for illustrative
purposes only and not an exhaustive list.
[0101] Newprom awards and game states are disclosed in co-pending
parent application having serial number xx/xxx,xxx, filed Feb. 15,
2001, attorney docket number GSS-00-001-CIP.1, entitled "HIGH
GRANULARITY PROMOTION-BASED AWARDS AND USE IN GAMING ENVIRONMENTS",
incorporated herein in full by reference. Due to the length of the
disclosure the discussion will not be repeated here; only an
overview is provided.
[0102] Newprom awards may take almost any form an imaginative
promoter may wish to use. One preferred embodiment bases Newprom
award use and issuance on specified underlying elements; in
particular one preferred embodiment of Newprom awards will use
seven elements. The seven elements are: time restrictions, location
restrictions, gaming device restrictions, game play enhancements,
award level enhancements, triggering events, and distribution
means. FIG. 15-A lists the seven elements.
[0103] Each of the seven elements will have assigned a set of
states or sub-elements (states inside of elements and sub-elements
are interchangeable in this context). Each sub-element in each
element will be of the same type as the element that contains it.
Each element will normally, by default, have a "null" or "all"
sub-element, corresponding to a situation where that sub-element,
when used as part of a state transition evaluation by an algorithm,
effectively means the element that contains it will have no effect
on the given state transition.
[0104] The elements, sub-elements (states inside of the element),
and external event states are read and used by a Newprom
interpreter and its embodied state evaluation algorithms to
determine if and when to issue Newprom awards, as well as the
Newprom award's configuration and its amount. Further explanation
and examples are given in the referenced disclosure.
[0105] One example will show how the Newprom system may work,
although actual implementations will typically encompass far more
complexity than that used for this illustration. Each of the seven
elements is shown with a simplified set of sub-elements in FIG.
15-B. The shown set of sub-elements would enable a Newprom
interpreter, having a state evaluation algorithm written for the
illustrated sub-elements, to issue additional game points and allow
entrance into additional games (perhaps one or more progressives)
to players at a specific casino.
[0106] The time restriction element has pre-defined time evaluation
periods in each needed time increment, so there will be several
sub-elements defined for each sub-element type, perhaps several
sub-elements each for seconds, minutes, hours, etc.; the location
restriction enables players to use their Newprom awards at this
casino only; the gaming device restrictions element has one
sub-element corresponding to all games (no restriction); the game
play enhancements contains two sub-elements, one for additional
game award amounts (typically a multiplier from the base game
award), and one to enable access to a progressive game; the award
level enhancement is one sub-element, the null element; the
triggering event element has two sub-element types, the amount of
time a player has been actively using a game device at the casino
and the net amount the player has spent (there may be several
sub-elements of each sub-element type); and, the distribution means
element has three sub-elements defined, one for awards to be given
to a player in real time (the "At Gaming Device" sub-element), and
two to enable the issuance of Newprom awards directed at players at
home, one for those with player-IDs ("Targeted Mailings" and one to
entice locals to come and play ("Mass Local Mailings").
[0107] In this example two of the seven elements will have no
effect on state transitions as the transition algorithm in the
Newprom interpreter evaluates states: the gaming device restriction
element and the award level enhancement element. The others are
used, combined with state feedback from the casino and actual
gaming devices (i.e., time-of-day, time spent at a game, amount
spent, etc.), to determine when to make a transition and what
Newprom award related action to take (typically to issue a Newprom
award or set game state), if any, in the new state.
[0108] To finish the overview of Newprom awards, it will be
appreciated that the actual method of embodying Newprom award data
in a tangible way will encompass the same methods described above
for game states, and introduced in the description of FIG. 14
above. To simplify definitions, a GBI is now defined as being
enabled to carry Newprom award data as well as all types of savable
game state data. The same architectural descriptions given for
award game state savings and use, partial award game state savings
and use, and "other" game state saving and use also apply to a GBI
having Newprom data on it. The difference in the descriptions of
the devices receiving a GBI are that when presented to a prize
station (such as 112 in FIG. 1, 312 in FIG. 3, or 502 in FIG. 5),
the prize station will simply return the instrument (the ITM, in
this case a GBI) if there is no award game state embodied on the
ITM. Similarly, when presented to a gaming device such as 100 in
FIG. 1, 302 in FIG. 3, or 506 in FIG. 5, there may or may not be
game state or Newprom data for that game on the ITM, in this case a
GBI. If there is no data on the GBI (generally, ITM) that is
recognizable by the device, the GBI (generally, ITM) is simply
returned or the data is not used. Gaming devices 100, 302, and 506
will each have a Newprom interpreter operably disposed within it
(Newprom interpreter not shown), if it is Newprom enabled.
[0109] A Newprom interpreter is defined as the combination of
hardware and software components that are used to read a Newprom
award as input (in any form, from any form of ITM to a database
entry) and trigger or cause to happen the corresponding changes to
any device needed to carry out or implement the result embodied in
a Newprom award, called a general Newprom enhancement in the
applicable device. The set of hardware and/or software that is
required to carry out the functional equivalent of the Newprom
interpreter may physically reside in a number of places. Also, in
one preferred embodiment, the Newprom interpreter will further have
embodied in it the capabilities of a savable game state manager,
including the award/credit manager.
[0110] If the Newprom interpreter is embodied in a system making
use of elements, sub-elements, and state analysis, the Newprom
interpreter further includes an embodiment of an algorithm that
uses as input Newprom elements, sub-elements, and any needed data
(states) from the casino and any gaming and/or gaming-related
devices. Note: as used in this disclosure, "gaming devices"
includes game-related devices such as prize stations and service
stations, as well as devices only having games on them. The Newprom
interpreter evaluates the current states that are applicable,
changes its internal state if needed, and makes changes to gaming
devices and/or issues Newprom awards corresponding and applicable
to a new or changed state.
[0111] In addition to a traditional game device, Newprom awards may
be used in a Newprom device, allowing a player to check the state
of any Newprom awards a player may have, illustrated in FIG. 16. A
player may use Newprom device 1600 by presenting a Newprom award
voucher or Newprom award ID (which may be any ITM) at GBI
input/output device 1604. In a preferred embodiment, Newprom device
1600 is on a LAN 1610 or in other operable communication with a
server and back-end database 1612.
[0112] Newprom device 1600 will present the player with several
kinds of output and information, depending on the players' desires
and if the player has presented stand-alone Newprom awards
(typically a voucher, but this applies to any ITM having data on
it) or has presented an ID. Some players may not wish to have all
their Newprom awards displayed when presenting an ID, so the button
selections at the bottom of the device allow a player to choose
hardcopy output from printer 1606 (more private) or a video display
on screen 1602 (more public). In addition, if the player is new the
player may ask for a printed map of the casino, where the times and
gaming devices on which the presented Newprom awards can be used is
highlighted. The player has a choice of printing the map on
hardcopy, output by standard printing means at output slot 1606, or
to display the information on screen 1602.
[0113] If the player presented an ID, the player may choose to view
all of the Newprom awards associated with the presented ID from the
back-end database, or may ask to be shown a subset. The subset will
usually be based on time; i.e., the player will ask what Newprom
awards are available to use in the next 24 hours.
[0114] In one embodiment Newprom device 1600 is a standalone kiosk,
in which case a Newprom interpreter 1614 will be embodied in
Newprom device 1600. In another embodiment the Newprom award status
device contained within a gaming device, which may share one
Newprom interpreter. In such cases there will be a button,
typically on a touchscreen, that the player uses to indicate to the
machine that the player wants a Newprom status check. After getting
their readout, the player will then have the choice of using this
gaming device or of simply recovering their Newprom awards.
[0115] In a casino or establishment that uses savable game states
and Newprom awards a preferred embodiment is to use both a back-end
database and a transportable media solution. The back-end database
will keep records for each of the types of data associated with a
player in addition to other data, then recall them when the player
presents a player ID or a voucher ID.
[0116] Having introduced voucher IDs earlier in the disclosure, the
concept may now be extended and coupled with the use of savable
game states and Newprom awards. Voucher IDs are one example of an
Anonymous Player ID (APID). APIDs may be used by either players who
do not want to be entered as "players" in the casino's database, or
by casinos to help track and reward players not using
player-IDs.
[0117] Traditional player-IDs are issued to a person who has given
the required amount of personal data to a casino, including but not
limited to name and address. The casino then issues a player-ID to
the person, the most typical form being a magnetic-strip card. When
players use their player-IDs, casinos track the players' use of
machines and amount spent (either gross or net). Casinos collect
the marketing data associated with the player's use of identifiable
machines, and can reward a player with "player tracking points."
Player tracking point are typically awarded based on lever pulls or
net amount of money spent while playing. The points may be
accumulated and redeemed for various comps from the casino.
[0118] People who may use an APID but not a traditional player-ID
includes those who want to play and keep track of certain game
states over time, but do not want to be personally identified to a
casino. Depending on the casino, using an APID may further enable
anonymous players the convenience of having savable game state data
and any associated newprom awards kept on a back-end database
rather than on the actual media carried by the anonymous player.
When used in casinos having a database used for APIDs, anonymous
players may not have to carry any media at all; they may be issued
a personal identification sequence instead.
[0119] A personal identification sequence, or personal sequence, is
generated by a personal identification sequence generator. The
personal sequence identification generator will typically be
implemented in software, similarly to password generators as are
well known in the art. In fact, commercially available password
generators could be used as the heart of a personal identification
sequence generator. Such an implementation would of necessity be a
centralized application (i.e., all the personal sequences would be
generated in one location, on one machine, or by a designated
server on a network, to avoid duplicity and recording problems).
Although handy in some particular cases, requiring players to
memorize an ID (an alpha-numeric sequence) has significant and well
known limitations. Most implementations of APIDs will use
individually transportable media.
[0120] If a casino does not have the technical infrastructure
needed for centralized distribution to peripheral distribution
points, unique IDs for use as APIDs would be generated in one
physical location, imprinted on a voucher, magnetic-strip card, or
other individually transportable media, and issued to players at
that location for use in the casino.
[0121] Individually transportable medias (ITMs), introduced earlier
in this disclosure, includes any device having some way for a
reader of that device to extract ID data, and which can be carried
by a single individual. An example is the voucher ID: a printed
ticket having some kind of indicia on it, usually a bar code, that
can be read by a voucher reader when the person carrying the
voucher inserts it into the voucher reader.
[0122] FIG. 17 shows two classes of ITMs that may be used with
APIDs: Class I ITMs which only have APID data; and, Class II ITMs
which have both APID data and savable game state and/or Newprom
data (referred to generally as additional data, or an APID plus
data). For the purposes of this disclosure, "APID data" refers to
any combination of an APID, any savable game state data and any
Newprom data that is associated with an APID, and/or an APID and
its associated savable game state data (if any) and its associated
Newprom data (if any). Examples of Class I ITMs include the voucher
IDs and personal sequences discussed above, the well known magnetic
strip cards, and embedded RFID tags. Examples of Class II ITM
devices include vouchers (having more than just ID data encoded on
them); smart cards; small magnetic media (perhaps similar to 3-1/2"
diskettes); optical disks (including optical mini-disks inside
carrying covers which typically have a sliding access panel for the
optical reader); handheld personal organizers with IR data transfer
ports (such as the Palm Pilot.TM.); and, devices which have
low-power RF interfaces.
[0123] One embodiment of Class I ITMs will use RFID tags. RFID tags
may be embedded in token or chip-sized disks, small obloids or
spheres, a small molded symbol of the originating casino, or a
keychain tag or fob. A player uses the ID by simply waving it in
front of a reader, which reads the RFID tag enclosed in the object.
Each RFID tag has a unique number. Class I ITMs will typically only
be used where the gaming devices have access to data associated
with the APID stored in a separate location; there is little value
in using Class I ITMs otherwise.
[0124] In a system where the gaming machines do not have access to
a centralized database having APID data, Class II ITMs will
typically be used. That is because the ITM must be
self-contained--it must provide the gaming device with both an APID
and any data associated with the APID (savable game states, Newprom
awards).
[0125] FIG. 18 shows a general gaming device for use with APIDs. A
player may use APID gaming device 1800 by presenting an APID in any
ITM form which can be read by input/output device 1804. In a
preferred embodiment, there will be several forms of ITMs that may
be read, shown as additional input/output slots to the right of
input/output slot 1804. Example configurations would include an
RFID "slot", a voucher slot, an optical mini-diskette slot, and an
IR port "slot" (obviously the RFID reader and IR port "slots" are
not literally slots). In a preferred embodiment, APID gaming device
1800 is on a LAN 1810 which is operably connects to a server and
back-end database 1812. If connection 1810 is not a LAN, than any
operable connection to a database is represented.
[0126] APID gaming device 1800 may present the player with several
kinds of output and information, depending on the players' desires.
Output slot 1806 will typically be configured to issue vouchers and
support information (information printed in a human-readable
language). Note that if a Class I ITM is presented to APID gaming
device 1800, there is no need to output a new ITM; the ITM
presented can be returned. If a Class II ITM is presented, then it
will be likely that the data on the ITM will change. If the Class
II ITM was a voucher, then output slot 1806 will be configured to
issue another Class II voucher to the player, only with the savable
game state or Newprom award data changed according to what the
player used and/or played on APID game device 1800. Most other
Class II ITMs may be intrinsically changed (i.e., optical
mini-disks will have the changed data read directly onto them,
handheld devices will have changed data sent to them, etc.), so the
input slot is also the output slot.
[0127] Well known in the art game play buttons are indicated as
1808, as is the well known player display 1802. Player display 1802
may further have touch-screen buttons (not shown) that allow a
player to enter a player sequence. Of course, there may be a
traditional keypad provided as well (keypad not shown).
[0128] APID gaming device 1800 further has APID data coordinator
1814 operably disposed within it. The functions performed by the
APID data coordinator are to collect and coordinate APIDs and data
associated with one or more APIDs. In APID gaming device 1800, APID
data coordinator 1814 receives the APID data from a player in
whatever ITM form the particular APID gaming device is configured
for. In the current example, this would include Class I ITMs in the
forms of a personal sequence, embedded RFID, or voucher ID; or,
Class II ITMs in the forms of a voucher, an optical mini-disk, or a
handheld device with an IR interface.
[0129] APID data coordinator 1814 then determines if it has access
to a database having APID related on it. If it does, it will
request any game state or Newprom data associated with the APID. If
the presented ITM is a Class II ITM, the APID data coordinator
checks for additional applicable data from the ITM itself (there
may be none, or what is on the ITM may not be applicable to APID
game device 1800). The APID data coordinator, after collecting data
from a database (if any) and from the ITM, combines any data
applicable to the present gaming device while discarding duplicate
data, if any. This is then passed off to the appropriate internal
module within APID game device 1800 (typically a Newprom
interpreter further having a savable game state manager).
[0130] It is expected that data saved on a central database and
data on a Class II ITM, with both sets of data being associated
with the same APID, will not be identical. This may occur for many
reasons, including a player's use of the Class II ITM at standalone
gaming devices (including prize stations and service stations), a
player combining data from multiple APIDs, or, if so configured, a
player's use of the Class II ITM at another casino. The present
invention can be configured to be used in multiple casinos with
very minimal cooperation being required; one example would include
a unique ID for each casino that is agreed to and recognized by
other casinos via a master list (or other distribution means), and
which is then concatenated or otherwise combined with the locally
generated unique ID will suffice). This list is not exhaustive;
other scenarios resulting in a difference between the two sets of
data will readily come to mind of people with ordinary skill in the
art.
[0131] The resolution of differing data is up the individual
casinos. It is expected that most installations will make use of
self-authenticating methods as are well known in the art when
recording data on ITMs, so the integrity of the data can be assumed
to be reasonably high. After making some sanity checks (i.e., is
the data suggesting a game configuration never used at this
casino), the casino may choose to either copy the data from the
Class II ITM to the central database, or may decide to leave the
two data sets distinct; each solution has advantages and
disadvantages and will be decided on in accordance with each
casino's policies.
[0132] After the player has completed using the gaming device, the
APID data coordinator collects any savable game state and/or
Newprom award data associated with the APID, then records the new
data on a Class II ITM, sends the new data (associating it properly
with the APID) to a database, or both. Which the APID data
coordinator does is dependent on the infrastructure of the
casino.
[0133] FIG. 19 shows an ITM service station. The ITM service
station (or APID data coordinator service station, or simply
"service station", all three designations being interchangeable in
the present disclosure) provides a set of general services for the
holders of APIDs not related to game playing or prize redemption.
An example service is the ability to combine awards and savable
game state into or onto one ITM from several ITMs (also providing
useful data to the casino thereby).
[0134] Because the complexity of the interactions that are possible
at any service station is relatively high and will change more
rapidly than gaming devices, a preferred embodiment will have a
minimum number of "hard" buttons, shown generally as buttons 1908.
In one preferred embodiment, hard buttons 1908 are used to make
simple preliminary choices. Such choices include screen display or
print-out-only, or the choice to use only a read-out function.
Read-only functions are provided for people who forget what their
Class II ITM contains, providing an English, Spanish, Japanese, or
other language translation of what the instrument has on it and
then returning the instrument without further processing.
[0135] ITM service stations will also have at least one
input/output slot, shown as 1904, and will preferably have several.
In one embodiment there will be five "slots", shown as four
additional slots to the right of input/output slot 1904. The five
"slots" will include a traditional magnetic strip card slot, a
voucher input/output slot (serving both Class I and Class II
vouchers), an embedded RFID tag reading "slot", an optical
mini-disk slot, and an IR port "slot". Clearly the IR port and the
RFID reader are not literally slots. The voucher input/output
device will be configured to handle any type of information on a
GBI.
[0136] There will also be at least one output port, shown as slot
1906. This may be configured to issue Class I and Class II
vouchers, and natural language information. In a preferred
embodiment video display 1902 will also have touchscreen buttons
for user input. ITM service station 1900 may be connected to the
casino's back-end database 1912 via a LAN 1910 or functionally
equivalent means. Being connected to a back-end database is
optional; a subset of the ITM service station's primary functions
can still be carried out without the connection, and in some cases
it may be desirable to have one or more ITM service stations
installed where connections to a central server and database cannot
be made.
[0137] The functionality provided by the ITM service station is
geared towards helping users manage and understand any and all ITM
instruments and any awards or credits they may have. This will be
especially helpful to occasional users who do not play enough to
"memorize" the meaning of the various instruments and awards.
Referring now to FIG. 20, a user starts a session by pressing a
hard button for certain limited functions, or inserting any
applicable ITM in its' respective slot (i.e., player's card in a
player card slot, PBI in the voucher input/output slot). This
action corresponds to start box 2000.
[0138] The user initially decides if they want a read-only session
at decision diamond 2002. If the answer is yes, the "YES" exit is
taken to decision diamond 2004. If the user has presented a Class I
APID ITM to the ITM service station, the "YES" exit is taken from
decision diamond 2004 to decision diamond 2006. If the ITM service
station can access a back-end database and the APID is recognized,
the "YES" exit is taken to box 2008. Box 2008 asks if the user
wants a display or a print-out, and then provides the user with the
current state of any information in the database associated with
the APID presented. Box 2008 is then left and the process finishes
at finish 2010.
[0139] If, at decision diamond 2006, the APID was not recognized or
the BD is not reachable, the process finishes immediately at finish
point 2010 (with a polite message to that effect on the screen, of
course!). If, at decision diamond 2004, the user presented
something other than a Class I APID the "NO" exit is taken and box
2012 entered. Action taken in box 2012 is to collect all the data
available to the ITM service station, from both the Class II ITM
and data on a database associated with the APID found on the ITM.
Note that there may or may not be any data associated with this
APID on a database, or the ITM service station may not have
database access. The user is then asked in what form to output the
data (video or hardcopy), the data is presented in that form, and
any ITMs returned to the user. The process then proceeds to finish
box 2010.
[0140] If, at decision diamond 2002 the answer was "NO", the user
wants to do something more than have something read. The "NO" exit
is taken to box 2014. Action taken in box 2014 is to collect all
data associated with the APID on the ITM, both from the Class II
ITM if one was used and any information on a database (if any, and
if this particular ITM has database access). The user is then asked
if they want to add more sources of input. More sources of input
would come from more Class I and/or Class II ITMs (over the course
of time, a player may easily collect more than one APID, or a group
of players may want to combine their credits and awards). If the
player indicates a "yes", the ITM service station prompts them for
another ITM, and collects any data associated with the newly
presented ITM. This continues until the player indicate they have
no additional ITMs for the ITM service station.
[0141] Once the user indicates to the ITM service station all
sources of credits has been accumulated, the ITM service station
combines like data and reaches a total. Combining like data
consists of combining award credits, consolidating game state
information for the same gaming device, combining Newprom awards if
they can be, etc. Much of the data will not be able to be combined,
it will simply be listed in order. An example of hard to combine
data will typically be Newprom awards. Newprom awards will tend to
have such variability that they typically won't combine or
consolidate. On the other hand, award credits (extracted from
savable game state) will always combine. Box 2014 is left and box
2016 entered.
[0142] The action in box 2016 is to present the information to the
user in the most coherent manner possible. As before, the user may
choose hardcopy or video output. Box 2016 is then left for decision
diamond 2018.
[0143] In decision diamond 2018 the user is asked if they want to
combine credits that are combinable, and re-issue the rest in as
compact a form as possible. It is expected that this will be most
commonly used function besides the "read-only" function. If the
answer is yes, the "YES" exit is taken to box 2024. The action
taken in box 2024 is to do the combinations possible, remove
redundant or expired credits, etc. These calculations may be done
in the ITM service station or in a server in a networked
environment. Box 2024 is then left for decision diamond 2026.
[0144] At decision diamond 2026 the user is asked if they want to
store the information on a database or if they want the recombined
information, including any savable game state and Newprom awards
that are still valid, issued on a Class II ITM. If the answer is
yes to the database storage, the "YES" exit is taken and box 2030
entered. Note that if the ITM service station in use is not
networked, the only choice that can be made is taking the "NO" exit
from this decision diamond--in that case, the question is not
presented to the user (player).
[0145] In box 2030, the database determines which APID to use if
more than one was presented to the ITM service station for this
transaction, or if a new APID is needed, and records the old APIDs
that are being combined (providing marketing data for the casino
thereby). The database then stores the recombined data with the new
or chosen APID. The user is then issued a Class I ITM having the
associated APID. The process finishes by then entering finish
2032.
[0146] If the user indicated no at decision diamond 2026, then the
"NO" exit is taken to box 2028. The general action taken is to
issue the newly recombined data; the form that will take will
depend on the ITM or ITMs the user presented to the ITM service
station. If the user presented Class I ITM(s), the ITM service
station will issue a Class II ITM with the data. When practical,
this Class II ITM will typically be in a voucher form (least
expensive, currently). If the user presented a form of Class II ITM
that has read/write capabilities, such as an optical mini-disk or a
handheld device with an IR port, then the new data will be
transferred to that Class II ITM in the applicable manner. After
issuing the new data, the process then finishes by leaving box 2028
and entered finish 2032.
[0147] If the user answered no at decision point 2018, the "NO"
exit is taken to box 2020. Action taken in box 2020 is to instruct
the user on possible combinations. For example, a user may want a
Newprom award ITM to give to a friend to use while keeping savable
game state for themselves. Or, several players may want to divide
up any net award credits into even amounts, then have them issued
on separate Class II ITMs. After an initial display is presented to
the player(s), box 2020 is left and box 2022 is entered.
[0148] Action taken in box 2022 is to put up a series of
interactive screens, allowing the player(s) (users) to determine
the award and savable game state combinations they want. After
determining a set of ITMs equal in value to the credits and awards
presented to, and/or collected by, the ITM service station at the
start of the session box 2022 is left and box 2034 entered.
[0149] The action taken in box 2034 is to present a list to the
user of the newly combined credits and/or game states, and ask
which are to be stored in a back-end database and which are to be
issued on new Class II ITMs. The user indicates which are to be
stored and which are to be issued. Box 2034 is left and box 2036
entered. The action taken in box 2036 is to store and/or issue the
data as the user requested. For the data to be stored on a
database, the process is the same as that described for box 2028.
The process now exits box 2036 and finishes by entering finish
indicator 2032.
[0150] Referring now to FIG. 21, various system configurations
using APIDs are shown. One preferred embodiment of a system has
components connected by network 2104. Traditional monitoring
device, 2102, is connected to network 2104 as is a traditional
remote game controller (RGC) 2134. Connected to RGC 2134 is a set
of games, included generally within box 2108. All these devices are
on the network. Shown is a combination gaming device and prize
station 2110, a prize station 2112, a combination gaming device and
service station 2114, a gaming device 2116, and a service station
2118. Each makes use of ITMs and APIDs as described above. The
system also has database device 2100 connected to network 2104,
where database device 2100 further has personal/APID sequence
generator 2136.
[0151] Because personal/APID sequence generator 2136 is in operable
communication with each device on the network, APIDs can be
centrally managed and accessed from any device on the network. All
forms of APIDs, including personal sequences, may be handled the
same way. Personal sequences are actually generated for use in
personal/APID sequence generator 2136, but in most cases the APIDs
will be assigned from a known set or a readable set. Readable sets
refer to cases such as embedded RFID tags. RFID tags typically have
unique numbers assigned during manufacturing, and would be provided
to the casino that way. Issuing an APID based on RFID tags includes
reading the tag about to be issued, creating a database entry for
it, then issuing it. In other cases, such as IDs on mag strip
cards, personal/APID sequence generator 2136 will both generate the
APID number, assign (write) it to a card to be issued, and create a
record in the database for that number. The specific actions depend
on the ITM being used. However, they may all be managed from one
location on the network.
[0152] System 2132 shows a case where there is a limited form of
connectivity between devices and the personal/APID sequence
generator/recorder 2138, but not a fully functional LAN type
connection. An example of limited connectivity would be RS232
serial port connections. The system may has the expected devices in
it, including combination table game device and prize station 2122,
table game device 2126, combination gaming device and service
station 2124, gaming device 2128, and prize station 2130. Without
the LAN type of functionality, the APIDs will have to managed and
distributed from a single location. The limited connections will
typically be used for periodic APID data collection. Class II ITMs
will typically be used in this environment.
[0153] System 2120 shows the most limited type of
interconnection--sneaker- net! ("Sneakernet" refers to devices
being connected only by people carrying read/write media between
the devices). The individual gaming devices, prize stations,
service stations, and combinations can only receive their
information from an ITM. No data retrieval or recording can be
carried pout on the individual machines. The management of APIDs
will be at a centralized location typically being worked from a
single standalone computer with the required ITM read/write device,
shown as personal/APID sequence generator/recorder 2140. In
addition, the collecting and processing of APID data will all
happen within the machine having personal/APID sequence
generator/recorder 2140 (the actual data may be brought to a
central location by casino personnel).
[0154] Although shown in all instances, it is actually expected
that most installations will choose not to use personal sequences.
For most people there will be a strong preference for one of the
simple-to-carry Class I ITMs instead of having to remember a
personal sequence, especially if they visit more than one casino.
However, the (optional) capability exists if a particular operator
decides to make use of it.
[0155] Referring now to FIG. 22, a method of generating and issuing
APIDs is illustrated. This may be invoked at various times during a
player's use of gaming devices (or prize stations, service
stations, etc.) at a casino. One example would be after a player
has either just begun play at a gaming device, or alternatively has
already played at least one game on the gaming device and wants to
save some aspect of the game (make use of savable game state,
Newprom award, etc.). The initial choice shown in diamond 2200 is
if a personal sequence is to be issued. The personal sequence path
is a separate path because the actions taken are different than
that for other forms of APIDs. If the answer is yes, the "Y" exit
is taken to box 2202.
[0156] Actions taken include the generation of a personal sequence.
The actual generation of a personal sequence may be based on many
grounds, varying from simply assigning a random 4, 5, or 6 place
alpha-numeric for use by a player to the involvement of a player
who chooses the best phoneme-based sequences for themselves. In the
case of interactive choices, the additional interactive support
mechanisms will be in place for the required functionality.
Following the generation of, and, in the case of presenting a
series of choices to a user, the users choice of, a personal
sequence box 2202 is left and box 2204 entered.
[0157] The actions associated with box 2204 are basically two. The
first is to record the sequence in a database.
[0158] Note that in all cases when discussing databases in the
present disclosure, no assumptions about the complexity of the
database is being made. The database may vary from an extremely
simple comma-delimited flat file having only ASCII-text entries
used for later processing, to fully implemented relational database
entries. The actual implementation used will depend on the
sophistication of the installation and its intended use.
[0159] The second action taken in box 2204 is to send the sequence
to a distribution point, where it will be issued to a player. The
distribution point may or may not be where the personal sequence
generator is located, depending on the communications
infrastructure of the particular installation. Box 2204 is left and
box 2206 entered.
[0160] Actions taken at box 2206 are to disseminate the personal
sequence to a player. This may be by any means desired, including
but not limited a print-out with the sequence on it or a video
display of the sequence. After this action, the personal sequence
is deemed issued and the process ends at end node 2208.
[0161] Returning to diamond 2200, if the answer is no (do not use a
personal sequence), the "N" exit is taken to box 2210. The action
taken in box 2210 is to either assign or generate an APID. As
explained above, the action of assigning or generating an APID
depends on the ITMs used in this particular installation. If mag
stripe cards are used as Class I ITMs, then the action includes
generating an APID. If the ITMs are embedded RFID tags, then the
action is to allocate one from storage, read the RFID, and assign
it to use.
[0162] Note: the generation if APIDs will not be discussed in
detail, as many techniques may be used as are well known in the
art. For example, a simple one is to use the TOD clock (readable to
at least {fraction (1/10)}s of a second) to generate a numeric
sequence, which when concatenated with a casino-specific
alpha-numeric sequence generates unique IDs for the casino. If
self-authentication methods are added to the APID generation,
additional security is provided. There are many such methods and
they are well known in the art; any method may be used with the
current invention.
[0163] Box 2210 is left and diamond 2212 is entered. If the casino
is issuing Class I ITMs, the "Y" exit is taken to box 2214. Class I
ITMs are generally used with systems having a central database, and
the action taken in box 2214 is to record the APID to be used in
the database, and then issue an ITM having the assigned APID where
the actions taken to issue an specific ITM will correspond to the
type of ITM being used. This finished the generation and issuance
of an APID, the process ending at finish node 2208.
[0164] When discussing Class I ITMs in this disclosure, the
assumption being made is that any system using them will have a
centralized database. It is possible to configure and use a system
using Class I ITMs and have no direct (electronic, optical, IR,
etc.) communications link between gaming devices. In such a system
the individual gaming devices may be configured to record game or
device use data coupled with an APID. The device operators would
collect the data later, perhaps downloading the information onto
diskettes from each gaming device. The data would then (typically)
be re-loaded onto a computer for data (market) analysis. The data
files would typically be simple flat files. Although entirely
possible, this type of implementation is not expected to be used as
the availability of gaming devices that can record game use and
couple it with an APID will ordinarily be used in an establishment
having some form of communications infrastructure, as the
additional cost for the communications infrastructure is relatively
small percentage of the cost of the gaming devices.
[0165] If, at diamond 2212 the answer is no, the "N" exit is taken
to diamond 2216. Typically, a casino having networking capability
will always keep a database associating gaming device use with
APIDs, even if the APIDs use a Class II ITM. If the casino is not
filly networked, there may be no central database. If the casino
does not keep a record of the APID, the "N" exit is taken from
diamond 2216 to box 2220. Action taken in box 2220 is to issue the
Class II ITM in a manner consistent with the ITMs used in the
casino. This finished the process, ending at finish node 2208.
[0166] If, at diamond 2216 the casino decides to keep a record of
the APID to be issued in a Class II ITM, then "Y" exit is taken to
box 2218. The action associated with box 2218 is to make a database
entry for the APID, ready to record associated gaming device use as
such data becomes available. Box 2218 is now left for box 2220. The
actions taken in box 2220 are as described immediately above, the
issuing of the Class II ITM. The process now finishes at finish
node 2208.
[0167] Continuing with FIG. 23, a method of using APID ITMs is
shown. Starting at box 2300, the player acquires some form of ITM.
Acquiring an ITM may take many forms. The player may ask for one at
a customer desk, or a gaming device may prompt the player to use
one. There will usually be some enticement from the casino for the
player to use the APID. The most likely initial enticement will
simply be extra game play credits limited to a certain time period
and useful only at the game the player is currently using (if the
player is at a game), or limited to a certain set of games the
casino wants to expose people to; this limits potential exposure by
the issuing casino and is made possible with the use of Newprom
awards and savable game states. Coupled with the control Newprom
awards allow, issuing and acquiring APIDs may take a multitude of
forms, including general mailings. Many more configurations of
issued APIDs will readily come to mind of a person of ordinary
skill in the art and having the benefit of the present disclosure
and the referenced parent discloser.
[0168] After acquiring an APID, either as a personal sequence or on
an ITM, the process proceeds from box 2300 to diamond 2302. If a
player has a personal sequence, the "Y" exit is taken to box 2304.
The player finds a gaming device (including devices such as prize
stations, service stations, etc.) that is configured to accept
personal sequences. Proceeding to box 2306, the player inputs their
personal sequence in the manner dictated by the gaming device
(touchscreen, keypad, voice input, etc.). The process moves to box
2308, where the player responds to any choices, dialogues, summary
data, etc., from the gaming device itself (if any). Choices will
typically appear if the gaming device (prize station, service
station) has accessed data associated with personal sequence from a
database. The choices presented to the player (user) will depend on
a combination of the data retrieved and the type of gaming device
being used. The data retrieved may not have any applicability to
the device currently in use. If the casino is using Newprom awards,
for example, there may Newprom data on a database associated with
the personal sequence but it may not applicable to the game the
player wants to use at this time. Alternatively, there may be saved
game state that is applicable, in which case the game will be
configured to match the retrieved data. If there are choices to be
made, an interactive process starts. Such an interactive process
will typically be carried out at APID-enable prize stations or
APID-enabled service stations, but may happen on game-only devices
as well. Game-only devices may inquire if a player wants to make
use of applicable credits or awards before actually embodying them
in the current game, for example, or a game-only device may
retrieve game state data and Newprom data both applicable to the
current game, and will ask the player which they want to use.
[0169] Finally, the device being used responds to the APID input
and any interactions between the player and the device by enabling
or responding as indicated and as appropriate for the device being
used. The process moves from box 2308 and continues on in box 2310,
where the player plays a game, gets a prize, makes use of the
service station, or any other applicable actions.
[0170] After the action in box 2310 is complete, diamond 2316 is
entered and the player decides if they want to keep playing. If the
player decodes to continue, the "Y" exit is taken returning to
diamond 2302 and looping. If the player chooses to stop, the "N"
exit is taken to diamond 2318. If the player has a Class I ITM or a
personal sequence (in this case the player has a personal sequence)
the "N" exit is taken to finish node 2322.
[0171] Returning to diamond 2302, if the player answers no the "N"
exit is taken to box 2312, where the player finds a gaming device
that accepts the form of ITM they are carrying (as above, "gaming
device" is used generically here to include any type of device
found in a gaming environment, including but not limited to game
devices, prize stations, service stations, etc.). The action now
moves to box 2314, where the player uses the matching input device
and the device recovers whatever is APID and associated data is
presented to it.
[0172] Note that from a player's perspective, data from a Class II
ITM and data retrieved from a database using an APID from either a
Class I or Class II ITM will look the same. It is all "their" data.
The process is now continues to box 2308, where the player may
interact with the gaming device as described above. After finishing
any interaction, box 2308 is left and box 2310 entered, where the
player makes use of the gaming device, and the gaming device
responds as appropriate for the type of device.
[0173] As described above, diamond 2316 is entered and the player
may redo the loop (using the "Y" exit from diamond 2316) or may be
finished (use the "N" exit from diamond 2316). If the player
chooses the finished ("N") exit from diamond 2316, diamond 2318 is
entered. If the player has a Class I ITM, there is no choice; the
"N" exit is taken, any data associated with the player's APID is
left on a database, and the process finishes at finish node
2322.
[0174] However if the player has a Class II ITM, the player may
record (some of) their data on their Class II ITM and take it with
them, as well as having it left on a database (assuming the casino
has such a database; it may not in some cases). The typical
configuration is expected to do both, that is, leave the APID and
associated data on a database, and to have some of the APID
associated data on a Class II ITM. This is partly because the data
collected has two uses: enticements, awards, credits, etc., for
play, and marketing data for the casino. Some of the data useful to
the casino will not be transmitted to a Class II ITM, such as the
amount if time the player with the APID spent at a particular game.
Class II ITMs will typically only contain APID-associated award and
credit data. The rest of the accumulated data will stay on a
database at the casino. There are additional situations that may
create a need for a player to make a choice at box 2320, although
it is not shown. That would include the case where the player's
Class II ITM cannot hold all the award and/or credit data currently
associated with the APID. The player may be asked if they want to
leave all there data on the database, recovering it as needed later
rather than partially loading it onto a limited-capacity Class II
ITM. After award and credit data have been written to the
appropriate ITM, the process finishes at finish node 2322.
[0175] Referring to FIG. 24, a method of encouraging APID use and
gathering APID-related data is shown in part (the method extends
over FIGS. 24, 25, 26 and 27). Starting in box 2400, the first
action is to put each gaming device that will be used with APIDs in
one of three categories: (1) having a dynamic, real time
communications link, typically able to support session-layer
communications; (2) having at least some form of automated
connection; and, (3) standalone gaming devices. Category (1)
typically includes what is considered in the art to be LAN-type
connectivity (using the OSI 7 layer model or a TCP/IP model), where
information may be passed between the gaming device and servers or
other machines on an as-needed basis and as demand requires, and
where connected devices can make use of abstractions such as
session level communications. Category (2) includes slower,
lower-level connections such as an RS 232 connection, which passes
essentially raw data and does not support abstractions such as
session-layer links. Category (3) which is simply a standalone
gaming device.
[0176] Having identified each set, box 2400 is left and box 2402 is
entered. The action associated with box 2402 is to first determine
if there is at least one gaming device in category (1), and if
there is then trigger the processes shown on FIG. 25 at "A". Box
2402 is left and box 2404 is entered. The action associated with
box 2404 is to determine if there is at least one gaming device in
category (2); if there is, the processes shown in FIG. 26 at "B"
are triggered. Leaving box 2404 and continuing to box 2406, the
action associated with this box is to determine if there is at
least one standalone gaming device; if there is, the processes
shown on FIG. 27 at "C" are triggered. Having triggered the needed
processes to support the gaming devices at the location in
question, the process completes at finish node 2408.
[0177] Continuing to FIG. 25 at "A", two dotted lines are shown.
Each dotted line is a trigger, starting two processes that run in
parallel. The two processes start at diamond 2500 and box 2508.
These two processes will be in constant communication with each
networked gaming device. Looking at diamond 2500, the question
asked is if an APID has been received from a gaming device. If not,
the "N" exit is taken from diamond 2500 and box 2502 is entered.
The action taken in box 2502 is to check status on input registers
(poll connected devices), see if any interrupts outstanding are
from gaming devices, or any other similar form of communications
which alerts the central process that an APID has been delivered to
a gaming device. After acquiring any input, box 2502 is left and
diamond 2500 is entered. The data is assessed to see if a gaming
device has sent an APID (or an APID with associated data). If not,
the loop repeats until an APID (or APID with data) is detected.
[0178] When an APID is detected in diamond 2500, the "Y" exit is
taken to box 2504. Actions associated with box 2504 include storing
the APID (if new) and/or storing any gaming device data sent with
the APID. The gaming devices will typically be sending data
regularly to the central process, including everything from basic
game play stats to special awards or credits earned by the player
using the APID. This data is recorded in database, associated with
the APID, to whatever granularity desired by the casino. After
recording any data, box 2504 is left and box 2506 is entered. The
actions associated with box 2506 have to do with assessing the
currently available data associated with the APID, then using the
data to issue various awards or credits. The types and kinds of
credits and awards issued can be as variable as the Newprom awards
discussed earlier: the data being received and associated with an
APID will be evaluated as a set of states, then used with the
Newprom elements and sub-elements to make evaluations on when, how,
and what to award. Following the data assessment, which may or may
not result in any awards or credits being issued, box 2506 is left
and diamond 2500 is re-entered. This process continues as long as
the casino is in use.
[0179] Looking now at box 2508, a process is checking data coming
in from gaming devices where the player is not using a traditional
player-ID and is also not using an APID. Such data will be obvious,
as it will show a device being used but will have no ID data of any
kind associated with it. After finding at least one, but perhaps
many, such gaming devices box 2508 is left and box 2510
entered.
[0180] The actions associated with box 2510 are to check the data
associated with gaming devices in use without ID and see if the
data matches a predetermined set of criteria. If they do, the
highest priority (based on data like length of time played, or most
amount of money spent--this allows the casino to find potentially
valuable customers) gaming device has some type of enhancement sent
to it. A person of ordinary skill in the art and with the benefit
of the present disclosure will see that the types and kinds of
awards (enticements) that can be offered are essentially unlimited
in variability and richness; a preferred embodiment will use a
Newprom interpreter to interpret the data and issue Newprom awards.
Box 2510 is left and box 2512 entered. In box 2512, if a gaming
device meets criteria set by the house the player will be enticed
to use an APID by immediately granting an award with the use of the
APID. Box 2510 is left and diamond 2512 entered.
[0181] Diamond 2512 determines if the player decided to make use of
the proffered APID. Making use of the APID also includes the player
accepting the enticement by supplying an APID she or he already
has--either action is fine. If the player did, the "Y" exit is
taken, shown by a dotted line connection to box 2516. Here, a
database entry which associates the accepted APID and its
enticements are recorded in the database, along with the already
accumulated gaming device data from the current in-play session (if
any). At this point, the gaming device will be in the loop
(process) headed by diamond 2500, thus the dotted line link to that
process. Note that although not shown, any gaming device which
begins to generate use data not associated with an ID becomes part
of the loop (process) headed by box 2508.
[0182] Returning to diamond 2514, if the player does not make use
of the APID or does not supply one, the process continues by
looping back to box 2508 and evaluating the gaming devices
again.
[0183] Going now to FIG. 26, the initial step is indicated by
diamond 2600. Using a low-level connection, the gaming device with
be periodically "queried" at which point the gaming device will
send back some type of activity indicator (perhaps similar to a
process status longword). If the gaming device is not currently in
use, then the "N" exit is taken to box 2602. The action associated
with box 2602 is read over the connection any data the gaming
device may have collected since the last time data was gathered.
After that, box 1602 is left and diamond 2600 re-entered. This loop
continues as long as the computer polling the gaming device is up.
If the gaming device returns an "in use" status, diamond 2600 is
exited using the "Y" exit to diamond 2604. If an APID is currently
in use, then diamond 2604 is exited to box 2606. Because the link
is slow, some form of enticement or reward for using an APID will
be issued but it will typically be far less complicated than that
used in a fully networked environment. For example, simply awarding
a set number of extra game play credits for every 15 minutes the
APID is in use might be the extent of the enticement. Whatever is
used by the casino is question, an evaluation is carried out and
the awards made (if any), and box 2606 left and diamond 2600
re-entered.
[0184] Returning to diamond 2604, if there is no APID in use
diamond 2604 is left and box 2608 entered. The actions associated
with box 2608 are similar to those associated withy box 2606; the
difference is that in addition to an enticement, the APID itself
must be proffered to the player in whatever form the casino is
using. The process then continues by returning to diamond 2600.
Eventually the gaming device will be polled or checked again, and
at that time it will be determined if the player chose to use the
offered APID and enticement.
[0185] Because of the slow, limited nature of the communications
link associated with gaming devices in category (2), a casino may
decide to skip any attempt at real time processing such as that
described in FIG. 26 and only use the link to download gaming
device use data at periodic times. The specific implementation will
determine which type of use is made of the limited bandwidth
available. If gaming device use data is downloaded periodically and
no further use is made of the link, the process will look very
similar to those gaming devices in category (3), standalones.
[0186] The third process type, shown in FIG. 27, is for standalone
gaming devices. Actions associated with starting box 2700 are to
initiate a loop in each standalone gaming device. The loop is shown
starting at diamond 2708, and has individual actions that are
similar to those discussed in the last two figures. There is one
important difference to be kept in mind--the actions are all
carried out within the gaming device itself; no network or
automated connection is used.
[0187] Continuing with diamond 2708, the process checks to see if
the gaming device is in use. If not, the "N" exit is taken, looping
back to itself and making the same check again. This continues
until the gaming device is found to be in use, whereupon the "Y"
exit is taken to diamond 2710. If no APID is being used, diamond
2710 is left for box 2712, where the gaming device offers some type
of relatively fixed incentive for the player to start using an
APID. Box 2712 is left and diamond 2708 re-entered, where the
process starts over.
[0188] If, at diamond 2710, an APID is in use then the "Y" exit is
taken to box 2716. The process records data associating the current
APID with current gaming device use, the proceeds to box 2718. An
assessment is made of the APID's use, and if certain criteria are
met an award is issued so the player will keep using the APID.
Typical criteria may be based on amount of money spent, length this
gaming device has been in use, and the age of APID. The APID's age
indirectly indicates this APID data may be able to be associated
with APID-related data on another device, if the data can be
collected, so additional award amounts may be given to older APIDs.
Box 2718 is now left and diamond 2708 re-entered, and the process
loops again.
[0189] Returning to box 2700, after the process just described is
initiated in all standalone gaming devices, box 2702 is entered.
The actions associated with box 2702 are to advertise APID
enticements at a centralized location, where the APID Class II ITMs
are dispensed. This advertising continues as long as the casino is
open. Finally, box 2704 is entered, where the action is to gather
APID data by offering players enticements to let their Class II
ITMs be read as they leave the casino. This essentially makes the
players act as the connecting "sneakernet", so each player having
an APID and depositing the data at a central location (such as an
entrance or exit) transports the gaming device use data the casino
wants. Alternatively, the data could be collected after hours by
floor walkers who read out data from individual gaming machines
onto appropriate media. It is expected that this alternative would
rarely be used, as the additional cost of networking gaming devices
that can handle Class II ITMs is typically seen as a marginal
increment.
[0190] This disclosure has discussed APIDs, which are a type of ID
used and kept by players. An ID may also be issued by casinos
without the knowledge of players. This type of ID is defined as a
transaction identifier, or TID. The disadvantage of TIDs is that a
player won't take them from gaming device to gaming device as they
play, nor can they be used for anything but play on the machine
from which it originates, nor can it be used in anything but the
current session. The amount of player tracking information that can
be gathered will be little more, if any, than that gathered on a
"per playing session" or "per play" basis which is already
available for analysis. Some use of TIDs has been made to try and
issue game play credits, where extra game play credits are issued
based on the amount of time the game has been in use, and/or the
amount of "lever pulls" or number of times the game has been played
in what appears to be a continuous manner (although this must be
assumed). As stated earlier, this is an extremely limited venue
because the all the measures of gaming play/use are based on game
statistics as kept and keyed by the game and/or the casino, not by
the player. TIDs may be used to support APIDs by enticing a player
to play until they accept an APID, but TIDs have very little value
in themselves and are not the focus of this disclosure.
[0191] The present invention has been partially described using
flow charts. As will be understood by a person of ordinary skill in
the art and with the benefit of the present disclosure, steps
described in the flow charts can vary as to order, content,
allocation of resources between steps, times repeated, and similar
variations while staying fully within the inventive concepts
disclosed herein.
[0192] Accordingly, it will be seen that this invention provides a
system and method for maintaining player's award credits, gaming
states not associated directly with award credits, and provides for
Newprom awards in a gaming environment. A player may restore award
credits and/or other game state from previously played games when
the previously played games are the same game device or from a
similarly constructed game. The invention also provides for Newprom
awards, allowing credits to be awarded for non-gaming events and
based on non-gaming criteria. Although the description above
contains much specificity, the description should not be construed
as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing an
illustration of the presently preferred embodiment of the
invention. The scope of this invention should be determined by the
appended claims and their legal equivalents.
* * * * *