U.S. patent application number 09/981653 was filed with the patent office on 2002-10-17 for system and method for casino management.
This patent application is currently assigned to MIS International/USA. Invention is credited to Howington, David K..
Application Number | 20020152120 09/981653 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22910243 |
Filed Date | 2002-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020152120 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Howington, David K. |
October 17, 2002 |
System and method for casino management
Abstract
A casino resort management system collects patron data, manages
patron data in a high performance data warehouse, shares patron
data with other systems and reports vital patron information. The
system particularly tracks machine history, including changes in
location, configuration and performance, and tracks the location
history, including game type and denomination, and allows for
placards to be moved from one gaming machine to another without
losing historical machine or location information. In addition, the
system provides two particularly useful graphical displays that
simplify visual analysis of the large amounts of data within a
casino. One display method depicts tables of thin bar graphs that
compactly allow side-by-side comparison of different groupings of
machines and another display method depicts machines in three
dimensions so that each dimension can provide visual information to
a viewer.
Inventors: |
Howington, David K.;
(Camarillo, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCDERMOTT, WILL & EMERY
600 13th Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005-3096
US
|
Assignee: |
MIS International/USA
|
Family ID: |
22910243 |
Appl. No.: |
09/981653 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60241326 |
Oct 18, 2000 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.11 ;
705/14.12; 705/14.13; 705/14.25; 705/14.35; 902/23 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3232 20130101;
G07F 17/3237 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G06Q 30/0235 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G06Q 30/0208 20130101; G06Q 30/0209 20130101;
G06Q 30/0211 20130101; G07F 17/3239 20130101; G07F 17/3234
20130101; G06Q 30/0224 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14 ;
902/23 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A casino management method comprising the steps of: collecting
patron data, for each of a plurality of patrons, throughout a
casino using respective patron cards; storing said patron data in a
data warehouse; analyzing said patron data; and determining one or
more incentives for each of the plurality of patrons based on the
analysis of said patron data.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more
incentives includes at least one of: gaming coupons, discounted
airfare, restaurant coupons, discounted fares for activities at a
resort affiliated with the casino; and incentives for another
casino affiliated with the casino.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of collecting
patron data is performed by a magnetic card reader located at each
of a plurality of games in the casino.
4. A casino management method for tracking and managing data
related to operation of a casino including the steps of: tracking
and managing gaming activity within a casino; tracking and managing
patron data, for each of a plurality of patrons, throughout a
casino using respective patron cards, said patron data comprising:
(a) club points associated with a particular patron; (b) comps
associated with the particular patron; (c) preferences associated
with the particular patron; and (d) other activity of the
particular patron in a resort affiliated with the casino, in
response to a query regarding the patron data, generating a report
of selected patron data.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the preferences include
personal preferences, family preferences, and group
preferences.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the preferences include
travel preferences, cocktail preferences, and hotel
preferences.
7. A casino management method for tracking history of gaming
machines and casino locations, comprising the steps of: assigning a
respective location identifier to each location within a casino;
associating a respective machine placard with each machine within
the casino; associating a respective machine identifier with each
machine within the casino; tracking within a database a history of
the correlation between location, placard and machine identifiers
as machines and placards are moved within the casino.
8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:
generating a report based on the tracked history in the database,
the report organized according to any of the location identifier,
the placard identifier, and the machine identifier.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the report
simultaneously display historical data organized according location
identifier, placard identifier and machine identifier.
10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step
of: acquiring respective performance data associated with each
machine within the casino.
11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step
of: determining and reporting a historical performance of different
gaming machines at a particular location in the casino.
12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the steps
of: organizing locations within a casino into one or more zones;
and determining and reporting a historical performance of a
particular zone within the casino.
13. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step
of: determining and reporting a historical performance of a
particular gaming machine at different locations in the casino.
14. The method according to claim 10, further comprising the step
of: determining and reporting a historical performance of different
machines associated with a particular placard identifier.
15. The method according to claim 10, wherein performance data
includes one or more of coin in, jackpot, win/loss, par % and act
%.
16. A casino management method that tracks history of a plurality
of gaming machines and casino locations, comprising the steps of:
tracking a respective first history of each gaming machine in a
casino, each said first history including changes in location of
the machine within the casino, changes in machine configuration,
and machine performance; tracking a respective history of each
location within a casino, each said second history including a type
of game at the location, denomination of the game at the location,
and information associated with the location; exchanging placards
among the plurality of gaming machines while maintaining tracking
of the first and second histories, said placards comprising a
unique placard associated with each of the gaming machines.
17. A casino management method for evaluating machine and location
performances, comprising the steps of: evaluating a first
performance of a first gaming machine at a first location;
evaluating a second performance of a second gaming machine at a
second location; after relocation of the first gaming machine to
the second location, evaluating a third performance of the first
gaming machine at the second location; and comparing the first
performance and the third performance in order to generate
comparative performance data for the first gaming machine according
to location within a casino.
18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps
of: associating a respective location identifier with each location
within the casino; associating a respective machine identifier with
each gaming machine within the casino; and using the location
identifiers and the machine identifiers associated with the first
and second gaming machines and the first and second locations when
tracking said first, second and third performances.
19. A casino management method for evaluating performance of
different gaming machines and locations within a casino, comprising
the steps of: associating a respective location identifier with
each of a plurality of locations within the casino; associating a
respective machine identifier with each of a plurality of gaming
machines within the casino; tracking a relationship between a
particular gaming machine and a particular location based on the
location identifiers and the machine identifiers; placing a first
gaming machine in a plurality of different locations within the
casino; evaluating a respective performance of the first gaming
machine at each of the plurality of different locations; and
locating the first game machine in the casino based on the
respective performances.
20. A casino management method for evaluating performance of
different gaming machines and locations within a casino, comprising
the steps of: associating a respective location identifier with
each of a plurality of locations within the casino; associating a
respective machine identifier with each of a plurality of gaming
machines within the casino; tracking a relationship between a
particular gaming machine and a particular location based on the
location identifiers and the machine identifiers; tracking
respective additional information about each of different gaming
machines at a particular location; and generating a report
providing a comparison of the respective additional
information.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the respective
additional information relates to revisions of the different gaming
machines.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein revisions include one
or more of location movements, glass changes, software changes,
peripheral additions and changes, location in/out of service
changes, gaming machine in/out of service changes, maintenance
changes, and alarm conditions.
23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the respective
additional information relates to gaming machine characteristics
and player characteristics.
24. The method according to claim 23, wherein: gaming machine
characteristics includes one or more of game type, game
denomination, and game location; and player characteristics
includes one or more of group, age, sex, status and club level.
25. The method according to claim 20, wherein the respective
additional information relates to different patron playing
performance in a predetermined time frame.
26. A casino management method for evaluating performance of
different gaming machines and locations within a casino, comprising
the steps of: associating a respective location identifier with
each of a plurality of locations within the casino; associating a
respective machine identifier with each of a plurality of gaming
machines within the casino; tracking a relationship between a
particular gaming machine and a particular location based on the
location identifiers and the machine identifiers; tracking
respective additional information about a particular gaming machine
at each of different locations; and generating a report providing a
comparison of the respective additional information.
27. The method according to claim 26, wherein the respective
additional information relates to revisions of the different gaming
machines.
28. The method -according to claim 27, wherein revisions include
one or more of location movements, glass changes, software changes,
peripheral additions and changes, location in/out of service
changes, gaming machine in/out of service changes, maintenance
changes, and alarm conditions.
29. The method according to claim 26, wherein the respective
additional information relates to gaming machine characteristics
and player characteristics.
30. The method according to claim 29, wherein: gaming machine
characteristics includes one or more of game type, game
denomination, and game location; and player characteristics
includes one or more of group, age, sex, status and club level.
31. The method according to claim 26, wherein the respective
additional information relates to different patron playing
performance in a predetermined time frame.
32. A visual analysis method comprising the steps of: acquiring
gaming machine data; providing for sorting of the acquired gaming
machine data; and presenting the acquired gaming machine data in a
table with multiple thin bar graphs.
33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the sorted data is
presented.
34. The method according to claim 32, wherein the gaming machine
data relates to the operating performance of the machine.
35. The method according to claim 32, wherein the step of sorting
is performed based on one or more of a placard identifier, a
machine identifier, and a location identifier; each of said
identifiers associated with a respective one of a plurality of
gaming machines in a casino.
36. The method according to claim 32, wherein the table presents
the thin bar graphs allowing side-by-side comparison of a first
gaming machine and a second gaming machine.
37. A method of managing a cashless casino, comprising the steps
of: providing an patron card to a patron of a casino; associating a
monetary value with the patron card; providing a first game at the
casino that accepts the patron card and recognizes the associated
monetary value to allow a patron to play the game; adjusting the
associated monetary value based on the patrons play of the first
game; and upon receiving a request by the patron, exchanging the
patron card for an amount of money based on the adjusted associated
monetary value.
38. The method according to claim 37, further comprising the steps
of: receiving cash or cash equivalent from the patron; determining
the associated monetary value based on the received cash.
39. The method according to claim 37, wherein the adjusting step is
performed by the first game.
40. The method according to claim 37, wherein the associated
monetary value is stored on the patron card.
41. The method according to claim 37, wherein the associated
monetary value is stored in a database, said database in
communication with the first game and storing an association
between the patron card and the associated monetary value.
42. The method according to claim 37, further comprising the step
of: generating a receipt related to the adjusted associated
monetary value.
43. The method according to claim 37, further comprising the steps
of: providing a second game at the casino that accepts the patron
card and recognizes the adjusted associated monetary value to allow
a patron to play the game; further adjusting the adjusted
associated monetary value based on the patrons play of the second
game.
44. A visual analysis method comprising the steps of: acquiring
respective gaming machine data for each of a plurality of gaming
machines in a casino, said gaming machine data having at least
three separate components; generating a plurality of
three-dimensional icons, each icon corresponding to one of the
plurality of gaming machines; for each particular generated icon:
associating a first component of the corresponding gaming machine
data with a first color of a side of the particular icon;
associating a second component of the corresponding gaming machine
data with a second color of a top of the particular icon, and
associating a third component of the corresponding gaming machine
data with a size of the particular icon, and simultaneously
displaying the plurality of three-dimensional icons such that the
respective first, second and third components are visually
discernable.
45. The visual analysis method of claim 44, further comprising the
step of: arranging the display of the plurality of
three-dimensional icons to correspond to a physical layout of the
plurality of gaming machines within the casino.
46. The visual analysis method of claim 44, wherein the gaming
machine data includes performance, denomination, alarm conditions,
manufacturer.
47. The visual analysis method of claim 46, wherein alarm
conditions include any of an alarm, alarm category, and alarm
type.
48. The visual analysis method of claim 44, further comprising the
steps of: associating a respective location identifier with each of
a plurality of locations within the casino; associating a
respective machine identifier with each of the plurality of gaming
machines within the casino; tracking a relationship between a
particular gaming machine and a particular location based on the
location identifiers and the machine identifiers.
49. The visual analysis method of claim 48, further comprising the
step of: based on the tracked relationship, arranging the display
of the plurality of three-dimensional icons to correspond to a
physical layout of the plurality of gaming machines.
50. The visual analysis method of claim 44, further comprising the
step of: adjusting a viewing angle of the display of the plurality
of three-dimensional icons so as to emphasize one of the first,
second and third components.
51. The visual analysis method of claim 44, further comprising the
steps of: acquiring respective patron data for one or more of the
plurality of gaming machines; and in response to one of the
displayed three-dimensional icons being selected, displaying the
respective patron data.
52. The visual analysis method of claim 51, wherein the patron data
includes a picture of the patron.
53. The visual analysis method of claim 51, further comprising the
steps of: determining from the respective patron data, a set of the
displayed three-dimensional icons, said set of icons corresponding
to those gaming machines being played by a patron matching a
predetermined criteria, and automatically displaying, in sequence,
the set of icons.
54. The visual analysis method of claim 44, wherein the size of the
particular icon is the height of the particular icon.
55. The visual analysis method of claim 44 further comprising the
steps of: determining from the respective gaming machine data, a
set of displayed three-dimensional icons, said set of icons
corresponding to those gaming machines experiencing an alarm
condition, and automatically displaying, in sequence, the set of
icons.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the following
provisional patent application, which is hereby incorporated by
reference in their entirety: U.S. Application Serial No. 60/241,326
entitled CASINO RESORT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, filed on Oct. 18, 2000 by
David Keith Howington.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to casino resort
management systems, and more particularly, to evaluating and
improving gaming machine performance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional casino resort management systems keep
performance statistics on gaming machines. Casinos for instance,
for regulatory and revenue generating reasons, keep statistics on
how particular machines perform and how different locations in a
casino affect performance of gaming machines. For example, gaming
machines are typically programmed to have a particular hold
percentage (e.g., the percentage of patron money that will be kept
by the machine). The hold percentage generally varies, though and
may range from 0-20%. Machines having hold percentages that vary
significantly from a regulated required rate may get a resort in
trouble with a gaming board or other regulatory authority, and
therefore tracking is critical for that reason alone. Also, some
locations in a casino may generate better performance than other
locations. For example, machines located near areas where patrons
tend to congregate, such as food or drink bars, may experience
heavier traffic than machines located in more obscure places within
the resort. Using this information, a casino can better make
decisions relating to gaming machine density and placement.
Information gathered by resorts may also be used to determine the
effect of other factors in a casino on gaming machine performance.
For instance, it may be determined that persons standing in line
near a narrow restaurant door entrance may tend to use proximately
located machines more so than individuals who do not have to wait
in line to enter an open area food location.
[0004] There are known gaming machine performance tracking methods
using placards attached to the machines. A placard may indicate the
machine brand, model and the denominations that a machine accepts
(i.e., quarters or nickels). Each placard generally also has a
unique identifier. Where placards are used with machines on a
one-to-one basis, there is generally no problem identifying
stationary gaming machines within a resort and tracking and
analyzing performance information related to the machines. Tracking
of gaming machine performance, however, is problematic where
placards are moved from one gaming machine to another or where
gaming machines are moved from one location to another. In
conventional systems, if a placard is moved from a first gaming
machine to another, then all information relating to the first
machine can no longer be tracked using the original placard number.
Similarly, if a gaming machine is moved from one location in a
resort to another location in a resort and replacement of placards
is a standard practice, then there is no way to track and to
evaluate the performance of particular gaming machines in
particular locations.
[0005] There is not now known a resort management system that
accurately, automatically and efficiently provides for tracking and
analysis of gaming machine performance correlated with resort
location. In present systems, where gaming machines are identified
using placards that may be moved to other machines periodically and
where machines that are relocated periodically, such tracking and
analysis is arduous at best. A system encompassing features that
allow tracking and evaluation of gaming machine performance
correlated with location, independent of placard identifiers and
notwithstanding that such placards may be removed, is highly
desirable. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a system
that can track gaming machine history, including changes in
location, configuration and performance; tracks location history
including game type and denomination, that tags construction
activity in a casino zone; and which allows for the changing of
placards infinitely without losing historical machine or location
information.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides for a casino resort
management system that accomplishes the aforementioned desirable
goals and overcomes the deficiencies in the prior art using and
providing a location identifier for each location within a casino
resort, a placard identifier for each placard, and a machine
identifier for each gaming machine all in order to provide for more
efficient and accurate tracking and evaluation of machine
performance.
[0007] To accomplish these and other objects, in one aspect, the
present invention comprises collecting patron data throughout a
resort using patron club cards, direct mail coupons, and various
other methods.
[0008] In another aspect the present invention comprises managing
patron data in a high performance data warehouse.
[0009] In another aspect the present invention comprises sharing
patron data with other systems.
[0010] In yet another aspect the present invention comprises
reporting vital patron information throughout an organization.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary machine location identifier
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary placard identifier according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates and exemplary machine identifier
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 4-6 illustrate exemplary interface display screens for
viewing and querying historical records associated with casino
machines in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate exemplary thin bar graphs for
visually displaying a multitude of machine information according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of a casino
management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0018] FIGS. 10-12 illustrate exemplary casino floorlayout for
visually displaying a mutlitude of machine information in a single
display screen.
DETAILED ESCRIPTION
[0019] The present invention includes a system for tracking machine
history, including changes in location, configuration and
performance; for tracking location history, including game type,
denomination, and for tagging construction activity in a casino
location; and for changing machine placards without losing
historical machine or location information.
[0020] The system of certain embodiments of the present invention
includes the collection of patron data throughout a resort, or
multiple resorts, using patron club cards, direct mail coupons, and
various other methods. In these embodiments, the system manages
patron data in a high performance data warehouse and shares patron
data with other systems. The system also reports vital patron
information throughout an organization to system operators and to
other individuals having a need to evaluate and track machine and
location performance.
[0021] Particularly, the tracking and management system of the
present invention tracks and manages casino action including
machine history, location history, and tracks historical machine
and/or location information notwithstanding that machine placards
may have been substituted and placed with other machines or that
machines have been moved to various other locations within a
resort.
[0022] The present invention also tracks and manages patron club
information. Patron club information, for example, may include
spending and purchasing information about members in a club
sponsored by a particular resort. In such clubs, it is typical that
members may accumulate points and/or comps depending upon one or
more factors including frequency of visits, gaming machine
patronage, cumulative amounts spent and the like. The present
invention tracks and manages such information associated with
patron club members. The tracking and management system can also
track patron club member preferences, including personal, family
and group preference information. Patron information includes a
wide variety of data including tracking patrons throughout the
casino and any attached resort attractions, tracking gaming, credit
restaurant, recreational and retail transactions, tracking activity
of the patron's spouse and children, tracking promotional offerings
and redemption by patrons, placing restrictions on a patron's club
card, recording patron's preferences such as language, cocktail,
restaurant, etc., establish patron's club levels, gener4ate
effective targeted marketing, evaluate groups or junkets according
to profitability, score trip or history performance between
different junkets, share, earn and redeem points between multiple
casinos, and redeem rewards and/or comps at retail or resort
locations.
[0023] Knowledge and analysis concerning such data is obviously
desirable for club member and non-club member patrons for targeted
marketing efforts and for improving customer service. For this
reason, the system of the present invention also tracks and manages
data related to patron hotel transactions and preferences;
restaurant purchases, point and comp redemption; retail purchases;
and information relating to recreational activities that patrons
undertake, such as golf outings, spas, movies and the like.
[0024] Returning to gaming equipment and its tracking, FIG. 1
illustrates an example of a location identifier within a casino.
The location identifier identifies a machine location throughout a
property. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the
location identifier comprises a 14-digit alphanumeric
identifier--CAS.DUN.4.1.14 that includes up to five hierarchical
levels of identification. In particular, the first level "CAS" can
refer to a particular establishment such as the Castle Casino;
while the second level identifier "DUN" refers to a particular
room, or sub-part, of the casino such as the Dungeon Room. Within
this room, the equipment can be identified by its "zone" (i.e., 4)
and its "row" (i.e., 1). An additional level of identification, the
"seat" (i.e., 14), can be included to further pinpoint the machine
location. The exemplary location identifier illustrated in FIG. 1
utilizes "periods" as separators between identification levels.
Other separators, no separators, fixed field lengths for each level
are some alternative formats also contemplated within the scope of
the present invention and, further may be user defined or defined
in accordance with a proprietary standard.
[0025] In certain embodiments, the location identifier can be
printed on a variety of media and attached to a machine so that
casino personnel can visually determine the identifier, bar scan
the identifier, or otherwise obtain the location identifier from
the machine. The location identifier can also be stored
electronically within electronics of the machine or as an add-on
memory device. With such electronic storage, the machine can
transmit the location identifier to other electronic devices, such
as a central management system that queries the machine, via local
infrared, or wired, communications methods as well as by remote
wireless or wired network communications.
[0026] FIG. 2 is an example of a placard identifier useful in
embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments include
placard identifiers that identify particular placards placed on
gaming machines. These exemplary placards are movable from one
gaming machine to another without a concurrent loss of location or
machine information, because each machine also has a machine
identifier described below. In an embodiment, the placard
identifier includes a 6-digit numeric identifier, including one
level of identification and the placard identifier is user
definable or may be defined according to a proprietary standard. In
FIG. 2, the placard number "042052" is used to denote a machine
code "04" that, for example, indicates a quarter slot machine and a
machine number "2052" that simply identifies a machine within this
particular denomination. Similar to the location identifier, the
placard identifier can be associated with a particular machine both
electronically or visually and support a variety of methods for
sharing the placard information with other devices.
[0027] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary machine identifier. Embodiments
of the present invention include a machine identifier, which is a
unique number provided for every gaming machine. Each remote gaming
machine is capable of transmitting its unique machine identifier to
a central management host when prompted or in a proactive fashion
such as when an alarm or alert is initiated. In one embodiment, the
machine identifier comprises an 8-digit alphanumeric identifier,
where the first three alpha digits (IGT) are reserved for a
manufacturer code and the last five-numeric digits (00001) are
sequentially auto generated. The machine identifier may be user
defined or defined according to a proprietary standard.
[0028] The system of the present invention maintains and tracks
machine and location history in a manner which allows for the
changing of machine placards without losing historical machine or
location information. Within this system, data relating to the
machines within a casino, their changing locations within the
casino, and their performance are stored in a database that permits
querying, sorting and analyzing the historical machine data form a
variety of perspectives. This database of information can be
accumulated via manual data entry as machines and placards are
moved throughout a casino or the database can be populated
automatically by electronically querying one or more of the
casino's machines for their identity, placard information and
location identifier. One alternative embodiment includes electronic
querying of one or more PDAs that are used by casino personnel to
acquire and aggregate information from a number of different
machines and then populating the database via the information in a
PDA.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a sample system display 400, according to an
embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a graphical
interface for viewing, querying and retrieving placard changes and
location changes for various machines. The display 400 provides a
sub-window 402 that includes a listing of gaming machines by row
with corresponding columns for location identifier, placard
identifier, machine identifier, denomination, machine type, machine
model, the par or hold percentage, and act percentage. A pop-up
screen indicates which machine (ari00004) is highlighted. The
organizational menu 404 allows a user to refine the interaction
with the database, for example, by providing a query window,
sorting by particular fields, and limiting the time-frame of
interest.
[0030] Thus, the interface of FIG. 4 allows searches to be
conducted by machine ID, placard ID or location ID. Queries of
various types may also be formulated such as a query to find all
machines having a particular denomination or being of a particular
type. Historical information may be displayed by year, quarter,
month, week or day. New information concerning machines may be
added and machine information may be modified on this screen by a
system operator.
[0031] In addition to the information displayed in sub-window 402,
the bottom region 408 of the display 400 provides separate
sub-windows 410 and 412 that detail location and placard histories,
respectively, for the highlighted machine. Regarding location, the
date and time of machine changes are provided in one column along
with the placard identifier, the machine identifier, and revision
dates. Regarding the highlighted placard identifier, columns are
provided for the date and time of any placard changes for a
particular machine, the location identifier, machine identifier,
and revision date changes. Regarding the machine identifier, as
shown in sub-window 414, columns are provided for the date and time
of any change in location, the location identifier, the placard
identifier and any revision date changes. In sub-window 416,
regarding revisions, columns are set up for the date and time of
any revisions, the reason for revisions, the par percentage for the
highlighted machine, and a description column providing additional
information regarding the machines. FIG.4 is merely an exemplary
interface and other, interfaces and screen layouts that provide
similar functionality are contemplated within the scope of the
present invention.
[0032] The exemplary display screen 500 of FIG. 5, provides
information on machine performance as opposed to machine, location,
placard and revision history. For the particular highlighted
machine (ari00004), the display in FIG. 5 includes columns for the
period, the coin in amount, the daily average for the coin in
amount, the win/loss amount, and the daily average for the win/loss
amount. These exemplary data fields are pertinent to slot machines;
however, the present invention also contemplates maintaining
historical information on other performance-related fields that may
be appropriate for other types of machines managed by the casino.
The performance data can be obtained by the management database
through either manual data-entry or electronic communication
between each machine and a centrally located server.
[0033] FIG. 6 contains similar location, placard, and machine
information as FIGS. 4 and 5, except that FIG. 6 also includes
information relating to wins, recorded currency amounts, and counts
for the particular machine (ari00004) that is currently
highlighted.
[0034] Using the exemplary interfaces depicted in FIGS. 4-6, casino
resort management can use embodiments of the present invention to
track and evaluate machine performance and location performance
simultaneously. A system operator can use the information provided
in the database, through the exemplary interface screens, to note ,
for example, that a particular location in the resort is slow and
not attracting much action with the games currently in that
location. Hot machines in other locations can be readily identified
(by querying and sorting via the appropriate performance data) and
then swapped into the slow location to improve action there. After
the switch is made, the system operator can easily monitor the slow
location to determine if action in the slow location has improved
and by how much. By rotating other machines into the same location,
the displayed information can also be used to determine which
machines provide the greatest impact on the location.
[0035] The tracking features of the present invention are
particularly useful where machines have been moved into hot and
cold locations over a period of time. Because embodiments of the
present invention allow for tracking on a machine/location basis,
it is relatively easy to determine and compare the machine
performance based on location. Even if placards on various machines
have been replaced, the machine performance history and location
history are preserved. The database of information simultaneously
provides tracking information regarding revisions to machine
locations, placard identifiers, and associated machines and
provides vital information for decision-making to the casino.
Revisions may include, but are not limited to, information
regarding gaming machine moves, glass changes, software changes,
peripheral additions and changes, location in/out of service
information, game in/out of service information, maintenance
information and alarms.
[0036] As mentioned earlier, many casinos also employ data
gathering techniques (e.g., magnetic swipe cards at each machine)
for identifying a patron and associated personal information, the
patron's location within the casino, that patron's wagering
characteristics, that patron's affiliation with other groups or
patrons, promotional items or comps related to the patron, and that
patron's other activities related to arriving at, enjoying and
departing from the casino. Embodiments of the present invention
contemplate sharing of the patron related information with the
machine management database information described earlier. The
sharing of this information allows scores for and evaluations of
games and players. Game and player-related relationships may also
be compared on any basis such as game type, denomination, location,
group, age, sex, status, and club level. Additionally, virtually
any relationship comparison may be reviewed and reported using the
system of the present invention making evaluation of such data
simpler and faster than traditional methods.
[0037] In addition to the previously mentioned benefits provided by
various embodiments of the present invention, using the performance
tracking features of the invention, cool performing machines can be
compared to other machines of the same type, in the same zone or
location, and problems and maintenance issues can be easily
identified. Comparison of patrons can also be made over user
defined periods (such as 30, 60 and 90 day periods), hot machines
can be identified quickly and compared against other machines, and
poor performing games can be identified along with questionable
players. Indices can also be compared by seat, row, zone, or by
virtually any selectable parameter related to a resort. The present
invention also has case and set management features which allow for
identification of under performance issues so that they may be
addressed in a timely and efficient manner. The case management
system allows for evaluation of "out of parameter" games, patrons,
and/or groups that are under performing. The set management system
allows for collection and evaluation of cases that meet certain
criteria for evaluation.
[0038] FIG. 7 depicts an exemplary screen 700 for displaying the
large amounts of data available to a system operator. In
particular, FIG. 7 illustrates a visual analysis display tool
presenting machine performance information as thin bar graphs in a
data table. Because any given resort may have thousands of
machines, it is virtually impossible for a system operator to view
performance for more than a few machines on a typical display
screen. Machine performance patterns may therefore go undetected.
The exemplary data visualization display of FIG. 7 utilizes a thin
bar graph format, allowing a system operator to simultaneously
visually analyze performance and other data for potentially
thousands of machines on one display screen. The display table 702
includes columns for placard identification 704, manufacturer 706,
denomination 708, average daily wins 710, total wins 712, and coin
in 714. Also, moving the cursor to any location on the bar graphs
displays 716 information concerning a particular machine such as
the location placard, machine revision and denomination information
for a particular machine, and the machine history, par percentage,
model, type, on-board and any additional information.
[0039] FIG. 8 is another example of a display showing the visual
analysis capability of an embodiment of the present invention.
Particularly, FIG. 8 demonstrates the sortability and relational
features of the visual analysis in presenting comparisons between
machines regarding performance, manufacturer, denomination, average
daily win, total win and coin in. For example, by viewing the
average daily win column, a casino operator can easily determine
(from the shape of A vs. B) the relative weakness of the machines B
of one manufacturer as compared to machines A of a second
manufacturer in FIG. 8.
[0040] FIG. 9 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary casino
management system. A management server 902 comprises one or more
computing hosts that can be located locally or remotely to a casino
resort. One management server 902 can be provisioned for each
casino or for multiple casinos. Casino personnel interact with the
management server 902 via the operator interface 904 that can run
on wireless or wired computers, laptops or PDAs that can be
remotely or locally located. This interface 904 provides the
exemplary displays of FIGS. 4-8 as well as permits operators to
enter, edit and delete data from the server 902. The interface 904
can include means for connecting PDAs or other data collection
devices in order to acquire data collected from remote machines
that do not communicate directly to the server 902. The management
server 902 also communicates with data warehouses that store patron
related data 908 and machine location and performance data 906.
These databases can be remotely or locally located and can be a
single warehouse or disjoint databases. Within the casino,
apparatuses are used at gaming stations, ticket windows, funds
cages and other attractions to collect data about patrons 910 and
to collect data about the gaming machines 912. These data
collection devices and gaming machines (910 and 912) can be
networked together and communicate with the management server 902
by either polling methods or by self-initiated communication.
Alternatively, data collection devices can collect and store data
and then download the collected data to an operator's PDA which is
periodically used to acquire the collected data throughout a
casino.
[0041] One additional benefit of the present inventive system is
that the casino layout can be modeled graphically so that the
machine location and performance can be presented more visually. In
such an arrangement, a casino layout, or 3D virtual world, is
created and stored (e.g., 934) for use by the server 902. In this
environment, an operator can visually locate a location in the
casino by selecting that location from the visual display and view
the performance of the machine, or machines, at that location.
[0042] In particular, aspects of the present invention relate to
techniques for visually displaying data about the machines in a
casino. FIG. 10 illustrates an overhead view of machines on the
casino floor. In other embodiments of the present invention, this
display could also depict other type of games and gaming tables.
The external database 934 can store information about each of the
different floor locations in the casino. For example, each bank
1010 of machines can have stored data associated therewith which
identifies the "orientation" of the bank. This "orientation"
indicates the angle of the bank 1010 in relation to some reference
point (e.g., magnetic north).
[0043] When a machine is located or moved within the casino, its
new location is reported to the management system. Using the stored
information about the different banks 1010, the machine can be
automatically depicted on the display 1000 in its appropriate
location and orientation without requiring an explicit floorplan to
be pre-created for the casino floor. Also included in the display
1000 are user selectable settings that can control the features
displayed. In particular, setting 1002 (or clicking on the view)
allows a zoom factor to be set; setting 1004 determines the
perspective of the displayed view; setting 1006 selects the type of
machines depicted in screen 1000; and setting 1008 determines by
what criteria the machines are displayed.
[0044] For example, in the display 1000 of FIG. 10, "performance"
has been chosen. Performance is a metric that can be identified and
set by the user to mean "total coin in", "profitability", "average
daily win", etc. Embodiments of the present inventive system
provide the user a list of conventional performance measures and
permit the user to select what definition of performance to use.
This definition selection is modifiable and is not a hard-coded
aspect of the system. Although FIG. 10 is in black and white, the
individual squares (i.e., machines) are different colors depending
on their performance. The colors that are associated with a
different performance ranges are settable by the user from a
palette screen so that a usr can customize the display or use a
default color setting.
[0045] In FIG. 10, there is also a window 1020 that displays
machine information about the machine which the cursor is floating
over; the machine information in the window 1020 is updated as the
cursor moves. One alternative might be to require the user to click
on a machine to update the window 1020. The machine (i.e., placard
3185) on the display 1000 can also be caused to blink so that the
user knows which machine is being displayed in window 1020. This is
helpful because the cursor may span more than one machine and the
machine closest to the cursor's tip is the one which updates the
window 1020.
[0046] If the machine in window 1020 is being played by a patron
using a magnetic card, then patron information can be displayed in
window 1024. From the database 934, a picture of the patron can
also be retrieved and displayed to help casino personnel identify
players on the floor.
[0047] The database 934 can include patron information that
identifies a player who is considered a "hot player", that is, a
patron whom the casino wants to make sure has an enjoyable time.
Thus, the focus of display 1000 can move automatically in a
sequence between machines which are being played by hot players. In
this manner, the view continually updates statistics about those
"hot players" without requiring the user of the system to manually
move the cursor. As a new "hot player" starts playing, the focus of
the display 1000 can move to the new machine and then return to its
automatic sequence after a predetermined time period.
[0048] The display of FIG. 10 is only two dimensional and provides
limited information to a viewer. FIGS. 11 and 12 show two possible
three dimensional views of the casino floor. In FIG. 11, the
display 1100 has been set via settings 1004 and 1008 to display a
medium angle view according to "Combo 1 ". In this display each
machine is represented by a three-dimkensional icon, for example a
rectangular column 1102, in which there are three visual cues to
convey information. The column's top color is one visual cue, the
column's side color (any visible side) is another visual cue, and
the height of the column is another visual cue. In an exemplary
embodiment, the top color is associated with the machine's
manufacturer, the side color is associated with the machine's
denomination, and the height is associate with performance.
[0049] The system allows a user to set the colors for each visual
cue. For example, the system can provide a list of all the
different machine manufacturers and a palette of different colors.
The user then associates a manufacturer (e.g., Aristocrat, IGT,
etc.) with a color. The same type of operation can be performed in
associating a color with each machine denomination (e.g., nickel,
quarter, etc). Thus, the display 1100 displays three data
points--manufacturer, denomination, and performance--in three
dimensions.
[0050] FIG. 12 depicts a low angle view of alarm conditions. Again,
a user is presented with a window that lists the various alarms and
is permitted to associate a color with each alarm. In this example
display 1200, the side of the column 1202 is associated with the
general type of alarm (e.g., mechanical, electronic, customer
service, etc.) and the top color is associated with the specific
alarm (e.g., coin jam, hopper empty, etc.). In this embodiment, the
height of the column indicates the age of the alarm, with the
higher column indicating an older alarm. Accordingly, a user can
quickly view the alarms currently active and prioritize them
according to severity as well as age.
[0051] The difference in viewing angles helps exaggerate certain
aspects of the three dimensional view. For example, the low angle
view of the alarm screen in FIG. 12 allows the height and side
color to predominate. The medium view of FIG. 11 allows both the
side color and top color to be equally viewable while a high angle
view (not shown) would allow the top color to predominate and make
differences in column height less discernable, but still visible.
This functionality accents desired aspects of the data to increase
its speed of recognition, and therefore adds value in its
presentation to the user.
[0052] The exemplary screens of FIGS. 10-12 are meant as examples
only and are not meant to limit any embodiment of the present
invention to only the specific screens illustrated. One of ordinary
skill would easily recognize that the underlying visual display
methods described herein can be used to simultaneously visualize
any three data characteristics associated with a machine on the
casino floor.
[0053] The casino management system architecture and methods herein
described include a number of additional benefits and features that
simplify and automate management and tracking of machine and patron
data for a casino.
[0054] In particular, the interface provided by the management
server 902 to a casino operator includes context sensitive help
information. Similar to the pop-up windows available on many web
pages, an operator can "mouse-over" a field on the interface of
FIG. 4, for example, to reveal explanatory information about that
field. This "help" information as well as the field names and
identifiers can support multiple languages which can be selected
and changed by an operator.
[0055] One particular benefit of the present inventive system is
that the burden of daily record keeping and accounting required of
casinos can be significantly reduced. For example, tracking slot
machine "jackpots" and "fills" can be easily accomplished. In one
example, a casino employee can arrive at a machine, swipe an ID
card through a PDA, scan one or more machine identifiers (e.g.,
placard) using the PDA, enter the transaction amount and type
(i.e., jackpot or fill), and eventually download the data to a
central repository.
[0056] Workorders and other maintenance activity can also be
automated. In response to a machine alarm, or other
more-traditional indicator, a maintenance personnel can be
dispatched to a machine, swipe an ID card through a PDA, scan a
machine identifier, identify and record a maintenance activity
(which can even include removing parts from inventory), and provide
this historical maintenance data as requested.
[0057] Because of the communications capabilities of the various
machines, the machines can determine and announce, themselves or
through the server 902, a "jackpot" or "fill" condition. In
response, a page, e-mail or other electronic notification is
generated to dispatch personnel and the type and timing of the
response is tracked. Activity response times can be monitored so
that uncompleted tasks can be identified and escalated to produce
additional dispatch messages. The server 902 can maintain and store
932 work schedules and work assignments in order to automatically
determine which personnel to dispatch according to the appropriate
machine's location.
[0058] In certain embodiments of the present invention, the central
data collection features and the networked communication (e.g.,
934) of the casino machines and the server 902 results in
additional benefits. For example, playing different machines and
partaking of the resort attractions can be accomplished using
magnetic cards (similar to using a credit card to pay-at-the-pump)
instead of traditional currency and coin methods. Within this
embodiment of the present invention, funds for a particular patron
can be electronically identified and transferred to the casino. As
the patron enjoys the casino's attractions using a magnetic, or
other smart technology, card, the funds associated with that patron
is adjusted positively and negatively, and eventually the patron
can cash-out at a casino cage.
[0059] In one exemplary embodiment, the magnetic cards are called
"GO-CARDS" and permits anonymous, cashless paying at a casino.
According to this embodiment, patrons
[0060] pick up a GO-CARD;
[0061] place the GO-CARD in a electronic funds transfer machine or
charging station;
[0062] (if necessary) place money in the charging station;
[0063] play each machine having a card reader in the casino without
cash with credits being accumulated or depleted;
[0064] at each machine, press the cash-out button and all remaining
credits are stored on the GO-CARD;
[0065] move to other machines;
[0066] cash-out at the casino cage or an automated GO-CARD cash-out
station.
[0067] In other embodiments, the GO-CARDS have one or more of the
following features:
[0068] pin numbers for added security against loss;
[0069] limited amount of downloadable credits;
[0070] limited balances which can accumulate;
[0071] using paper receipts from each machine for lost card
security;
[0072] marketing promotion which can "charge-up" player club cards
and players redeem direct mail free-play offers right at the
machine, eliminating the need to go to the cage, and eliminating
coupons or tickets;
[0073] restricting promotional credits to play only.
[0074] Furthermore, cashless ticket accounting can be implemented
at the casino to complete, issue, track, verify and pay-out tickets
right at the game or at a casino cage.
[0075] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will
however be evident that various modifications and changes may be
made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to
be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *