U.S. patent application number 09/982244 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-17 for gaming system customer service techniques.
Invention is credited to Baltz, Frederick Van, D'Amico, Michael H., Gong, Xiaoqiang D., Osburn, Lattamore D., Young, Tara L..
Application Number | 20030073496 09/982244 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25528977 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030073496 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
D'Amico, Michael H. ; et
al. |
April 17, 2003 |
Gaming system customer service techniques
Abstract
A gaming system (100) includes gaming locations (102, 104, 106)
that each comprise an interactive communication unit (119),
including a display 118 visible from the gaming location. A network
(126) is arranged to transmit data between the communication units.
A touch screen liquid crystal display (118) unrelated to the
operation of a gaming machine (102) generates graphics images.
Inventors: |
D'Amico, Michael H.; (Las
Vegas, NV) ; Gong, Xiaoqiang D.; (Henderson, NV)
; Baltz, Frederick Van; (Las Vegas, NV) ; Osburn,
Lattamore D.; (Las Vegas, NV) ; Young, Tara L.;
(Las Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ronald E. Larson
McAndrews, Held & Malloy, Ltd.
34th Floor
500 W. Madison Street
Chicago
IL
60661
US
|
Family ID: |
25528977 |
Appl. No.: |
09/982244 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3272 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101; G07F 17/3241 20130101; G07F 17/3227 20130101;
G07F 17/3209 20130101; G07F 17/3239 20130101; A63F 13/80 20140902;
G07F 17/3232 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In a gaming system comprising a service station and at least a
first gaming location, apparatus for enabling communication with
the service station and the first gaming location comprising: an
interactive first communication unit operable from the first gaming
location, including a first display visible from the first gaming
location; an interactive second communication unit operable from
the service station, including a second display visible from the
service station; and a network arranged to transmit data so that
messages are displayed on the first display and the second
display.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first display comprises
touch screen display.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second display comprises a
touch screen display.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first gaming location
comprises a gaming machine and wherein the first display is coupled
to the gaming machine.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising a keypad
operable from the gaming location wherein the second display
displays a message comprising data entered by the keypad.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first communication unit
displays an image on the first display suitable for entry of at
least one of numeric data and alphabetic data by touching the first
display.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the second communication unit
displays an image on the second display suitable for entry of at
least one of numeric data and alphabetic data by touching the
second display.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first display displays a
message depending on a preference of a player at the first gaming
location.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the system comprises a central
authority and a card reader, the card reader being operable from
the first gaming location and arranged to read a code from a card
entered by the player at the first gaming location, wherein the
preference is stored in the central authority and wherein the
preference is accessed in response to the code.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the preference comprises a
preference authorizing the player to be located, wherein the second
display is arranged to display an identification of the location of
the player in response to the code.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the identification of the
location comprises a map.
12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first display displays a
menu of personal service available.
13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first display displays a
menu of reservation services available.
14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first display displays a
menu of personal message services available.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first display displays a
message sent to the first display from the service station.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a central
authority, a second gaming location, an interactive third
communication unit operable from the second gaming location,
including a third display visible from the second gaming location,
wherein the central authority is arranged to transmit data
resulting in display of a message on the third display and wherein
the first display displays a message received from the second
gaming location.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the message on the third
display comprises a message received from the first gaming
location.
18. In a gaming system comprising a first gaming location and a
second gaming location, apparatus for enabling communication
between the first and second gaming locations comprising: an
interactive first communication unit operable from the first gaming
location, including a first display visible from the first gaming
location and arranged to display a first message; an interactive
second communication unit operable from the second gaming location,
including a second display visible from the service station and
arranged to display a second message; and a network arranged
transmit data between the first and second gaming locations,
whereby the first and second messages are exchanged.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first display comprises
touch screen display.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the second display comprises
a touch screen display.
21. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein the first gaming location
comprises a gaming machine and wherein the first display is coupled
to the gaming machine.
22. The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising an alphanumeric
keypad operable from the first gaming location wherein the second
message comprises data entered by the keypad.
23. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein each of the first
communication unit and second communication unit displays an image
on one of the first display and second display suitable for entry
of at least one of numeric data and alphabetic data by touching one
of the first display and second display.
24. In a gaming system comprising a service station and at least a
first gaming location, a method of enabling communication with the
service station and the first gaming location comprising:
generating messages at the first gaming location and displaying
messages visible from the first gaming location interactively;
generating messages at the service station and displaying messages
visible from the service station interactively; and transmitting
the generated messages.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein a message generated at the
service station comprises a reply to a message generated at the
first gaming location.
26. The method of claim 24 wherein a message generated at the first
gaming location comprises a reply to a message generated at the
service station.
27. The method of claim 24 wherein the first gaming location
comprises a touch screen display and wherein said generating
messages at the first gaming location comprises touching the
display.
28. The method of claim 24 wherein the service station comprises a
touch screen display and wherein said generating messages at the
service station comprises touching the display.
29. The method of claim 24 wherein the first gaming location
comprises a keypad and wherein said generating messages at the
first gaming location comprises entering data from the keypad.
30. The method of claim 24 wherein said generating messages at the
first gaming location comprises: generating an image of at least
one of a numeric input and an alphabetic input; and generating
messages at the first gaming location at least in part in response
to touching of the image.
31. The method of claim 24 wherein said generating messages at the
first service station comprises: generating an image of one of a
numeric input and an alphabetic input; and generating messages at
the first service station at least in part in response to touching
of the image.
32. The method of claim 24 wherein said displaying messages visible
from the first gaming location comprises varying the displayed
messages according to a preference of a player at the first gaming
location.
33. The method of claim 32 wherein said displaying messages visible
from the first gaming location further comprises: storing the
preference; reading at the first gaming location a code
corresponding to the player; and accessing the stored preference in
response to the code.
34. The method of claim 32 wherein the preference comprises a
preference authorizing the player to be located, and further
comprising: generating an identification of the location of the
player in response to the code; and displaying the identification
at the service station.
35. The method of claim 34 wherein the identification of the
location comprises a map.
36. The method of claim 24 wherein said displaying messages visible
from the first gaming location comprises displaying a menu of
personal service available.
37. The method of claim 24 wherein said displaying messages visible
from the first gaming location comprises displaying a menu of
reservation services available.
38. The method of claim 24 wherein said displaying messages visible
from the first gaming location comprises displaying a menu of
personal message services available.
39. The method of claim 24 wherein said displaying messages visible
from the first gaming location comprises displaying a message
generated at the service station.
40. The method of claim 24 wherein the system further comprises a
second gaming location and wherein the method further comprises:
generating messages at the second gaming location; transmitting the
messages generated at the second gaming location to the first
gaming location; displaying the messages generated at the second
gaming location in a manner visible at the first gaming location;
and displaying messages generated at the first gaming location in a
manner visible at the second gaming location.
41. In a gaming system comprising a first gaming location and a
second gaming location, a method of enabling communication between
the first and second gaming locations comprising: generating
messages at the first gaming location and displaying messages from
the second gaming location at the first gaming location
interactively; generating messages at the second gaming location
and displaying messages from the first gaming location at the
second gaming location interactively; and transmitting the messages
between the first and second gaming locations.
42. The method of claim 41 wherein a message generated at the
second gaming location comprises a reply to a message generated at
the first gaming location.
43. The method of claim 41 wherein a message generated at the first
gaming location comprises a reply to a message generated at the
second gaming location.
44. The method of claim 41 wherein the first gaming location
comprises a touch screen display and wherein said generating
messages at the first gaming location comprises touching the
display.
45. The method of claim 41 wherein the second gaming location
comprises a touch screen display and wherein said generating
messages at the second gaming location comprises touching the
display.
46. The method of claim 41 wherein the first gaming location
comprises a keypad and wherein said generating messages at the
first gaming location comprises entering data from the keypad.
47. The method of claim 41 wherein said generating messages at the
first gaming location comprises: generating an image of an
alphabetic input; and generating messages at the first gaming
location at least in part in response to touching of the image.
48. The method of claim 41 wherein said generating messages at the
second gaming location comprises: generating an image of an
alphabetic input; and generating messages at the second gaming
location at least in part in response to touching of the image.
49. In a gaming system comprising a gaming machine including a game
display, apparatus for displaying graphics images unrelated to the
operation of the gaming machine comprising: a memory for storing
image data; a graphics display arranged to display graphics images;
and a graphics display controller arranged to generate the graphics
images on the display in response to the image data.
50. The system of claim 49 wherein the display comprises a liquid
crystal display.
51. The system of claim 49 wherein the display comprises a touch
screen display.
52. The system of claim 49 further comprising a processing unit for
controlling the transmission of the image data to the
controller.
53. The system of claim 49 wherein the image data comprises vector
data.
54. The system of claim 49 wherein the image data comprises
bit-mapped data.
55. The system of claim 49 wherein the graphic images comprise
non-text images.
56. The system of claim 49 wherein the graphic images comprise text
images and non-text images.
57. In a gaming system comprising a gaming machine including a game
display, a method of displaying graphics images unrelated to the
operation of the gaming machine by the use of a liquid crystal
display comprising: storing image data; and generating the graphics
images in response to the image data.
58. The method of claim 57 further comprising a controlling the
transmission of the image data to the controller.
59. The method of claim 57 wherein the image data comprises vector
data.
60. The method of claim 57 wherein the image data comprises
bit-mapped data.
61. The method of claim 57 wherein the graphic images comprise
non-text images.
62. The method of claim 57 wherein the graphic images comprise text
images and non-text images.
63. The method of claim 57 wherein the display comprises a touch
screen display.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to gaming systems, and more
particularly relates to communications with gaming locations and
gaming service stations.
[0002] A large casino typically employs thousands of gaming
locations that include non-machine games and machine games. Users
of the games typically desire to place orders or reservations as
they play, and they may desire to exchange messages with other
users. Messaging systems used in casinos in the past have failed to
provide such capability. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,361
(Raven et al., issued Jul. 4, 1995), describes a 12 character
dot-matrix LED display 30 that can display messages to a player and
a keypad that the player can use to send messages to a control
unit. However, the system is not sufficiently interactive and
flexible to allow users to efficiently place orders or reservations
or to exchange messages.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,397 (Dickinson, issued Sep. 14, 1999)
and U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,279 (Dickinson, issued Apr. 3, 2001) each
discloses a touch screen used in a gaming machine. However, the
touch screens are CRTs and are used for operation of the game. Such
screens would be too large for effective use in a messaging system
suitable for coupling to a gaming machine.
[0004] This invention addresses the problems presented by the
foregoing patents and provides a solution.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] One form of the invention is useful in a gaming system
comprising a service station and at least a first gaming location.
In such an environment, communication with the service station and
the first gaming location is enabling by providing an interactive
first communication unit operable from the first gaming location,
including a first display visible from the first gaming location,
an interactive second communication unit operable from the service
station, including a second display visible from the service
station, and a network arranged to transmit data so that messages
are displayed on the first display and the second display.
[0006] Another apparatus form of the invention is useful in a
gaming system comprising a first gaming location and a second
gaming location. In such an environment, communication between the
first and second gaming locations is enabled by providing apparatus
comprising an interactive first communication unit operable from
the first gaming location, including a first display visible from
the first gaming location and arranged to display a first message,
an interactive second communication unit operable from the second
gaming location, including a second display visible from the
service station and arranged to display a second message, and a
network arranged transmit data between the first and second gaming
locations, whereby the first and second messages are exchanged.
[0007] Another apparatus form of the invention is useful in a
gaming system comprising a gaming machine including a game display.
In such an environment, apparatus for displaying graphics images
unrelated to the operation of the gaming machine comprises a memory
for storing image data and a graphics display arranged to display
graphics images. A graphics display controller is arranged to
generate the graphics images on the display in response to the
image data.
[0008] One method form of the invention is useful in a gaming
system comprising a service station and at least a first gaming
location. In such an environment, communication with the service
station and the first gaming location is enabled by providing steps
comprising generating messages at the first gaming location and
displaying messages visible from the first gaming location
interactively, generating messages at the first service station and
displaying messages visible from the service station interactively,
and transmitting the generated messages.
[0009] Another method form of the invention is useful in a gaming
system comprising a first gaming location and a second gaming
location. In such an environment, communication between the first
and second gaming locations is enabled by providing steps
comprising generating messages at the first gaming location and
displaying messages from the second gaming location at the first
gaming location interactively, generating messages at the second
gaming location and displaying messages from the first gaming
location at the second gaming location interactively, and
transmitting the messages between the first and second gaming
locations.
[0010] Another method form of the invention is useful in a gaming
system comprising a gaming machine including a game display. In
such an environment, graphics images unrelated to the operation of
the gaming machine may be displayed by the use of a liquid crystal
display by steps comprising storing image data and generating the
graphics images in response to the image data.
[0011] By using techniques of the foregoing type, communications
with gaming locations and/or service stations may be carried out
with a degree of ease and reliability previously unavailable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of one form of gaming
system employing a gaming location message display made in
accordance with one form of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one of the gaming location
message displays shown in FIG. 1, together with a game video
display.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the message display shown in
FIG. 1 with an exemplary service menu, including a personal service
option, a reservation option and a personal message option, and a
message menu with a displayed advertisement.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the message display shown in
FIG. 1 with a personal service menu, including a drink option,
displayed in response to the selection of the personal service
option shown in FIG. 3.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the message display shown in
FIG. 1 with a drink menu, including a soft drink option, displayed
in response to the selection of the drink option in FIG. 4.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the message display shown in
FIG. 1 with a soft drink menu displayed in response to the
selection of the soft drink option in FIG. 5, including an image of
a touch screen numerical keypad for entering quantity.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the message display shown in
FIG. 1 with a reservation menu, including a ticket for show option,
displayed in response to selection of the reservation option shown
in FIG. 3.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the message display shown in
FIG. 1 with a show ticket reservation menu, including a comedy
option, displayed in response to selection of the ticket for show
option shown in FIG. 7.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of the message display shown in
FIG. 1 with a comedy reservation menu, including a show x option,
displayed in response to selection of the comedy option shown in
FIG. 8.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the message display shown in
FIG. 1 with a show x reservation menu displayed in response to
selection of the show x option of FIG. 9.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the message display shown in
FIG. 1 with an image of a touch screen numerical keypad displayed
in response to selection of the "other" option of FIG. 10.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the message display shown in
FIG. 1 with a reminder message displayed in response to selection
of the show x reservation selection shown in FIG. 10.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the message display shown in
FIG. 1 with a personal message menu displayed in response to
selection of the personal message option shown in FIG. 3.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the message display shown in
FIG. 1 with an image of a touch screen alphanumeric keypad
displayed in response to at least one of options 1, 2 or 3 shown in
FIG. 13.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a second message display shown
in FIG. 1 illustrating delivery of the personal message shown in
FIG. 13.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the second message display
shown in FIG. 15 with a reply message menu.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the service center display
shown in FIG. 1 with exemplary messages received at the service
center.
[0029] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of the service center display
shown in FIG. 17 with an exemplary reply menu.
[0030] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of the second message display
shown in FIG. 15 illustrating delivery of a message from the
service center and providing for a yes or no response.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, gaming system 100 includes a several
gaming locations 102, 104 and 106 that may include various
non-machine games, such as craps and blackjack, or may include game
machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines, video
roulette machines, and the like.
[0032] Gaming location 102 is exemplary of gaming locations 104 and
106. If gaming location 102 includes a gaming machine 102A, a game
controller 108 and a game display 110 are provided. For both a
non-machine gaming location and a game machine location, a location
interface 112, an optional alphanumeric keypad 114 and a touch
screen message display 118 are provided. Display 118 may comprise a
touch screen liquid crystal display (LCD) similar to the displays
used in laptop computers. Display 118 is coupled to or located
inside the cabinet of gaming machine 102A, and may, for example,
take the form of a rectangle about 3 inches high and 4 inches wide.
Using an LCD inside a gaming machine in order to display graphics
images and to display a numeric or alphabetic input image is
advantageous because it eliminates the need for a separate keypad
for the interactive entry of data. In addition, an LCD requires
less space than many other types of displays. These considerations
are important, because there usually is very limited space inside
or adjacent a gaming machine. An optional alphanumeric keypad 114
may be placed for convenient manipulation while a player is using
gaming location 102.
[0033] A conventional graphics display controller 117 controls
display 118. Controller 117 can display either vector graphics or
bit-mapped graphics on display 118, depending the type of
application program stored in memory 146 used for graphic display
and the type of data stored for purposes of generating graphics
images. The image data resulting in graphics images can be stored
in memory 146 or can be stored in memory 121 and transmitted via
network 126 to controller 117 for a particular graphic image. The
image data can be either vector data or bit-mapped data. CPU 144
controls the transfer of the image data to controller 117 in
response to application programs stored in memory 146 that
determine the location of the graphics images on display 118 and
also determine the time at which the graphics displays are
presented.
[0034] Interface 112, optional keypad 114, controller 117 and
display 118 comprise an interactive communication unit 119. Each of
the gaming locations 104 and 106 include an interactive
communication unit like unit 119. For example, gaming location 106
includes a communication unit 119A like unit 119. In one
embodiment, a player enters alphabetic and numeric information by
touching display 118. In such an embodiment, keypad 114 may not be
provided. For the non-machine gaming locations, interface 112
comprises a communication controller 148, such as a modem.
[0035] In this specification and claims, interactive means capable
of accepting input from a human. Communication unit 119 comprises
one or more programs for accepting such input from, for example, a
touch screen alphanumeric keyboard image. Such programs are well
known to those skilled in computer communication.
[0036] For a game machine location, interface 112 may include, for
example, an RS485 interface such as that implemented by a
Sentinel.TM. Interface from Casino Data Systems. Other interfaces
and network architectures (e.g., Ethernet, parallel port, and the
like) may be substituted however. Furthermore, interface 112 may
implement, for example, the IGT Gaming SAS.TM. communication
protocol or the CDS GDAP.TM. communication protocol for
communication with gaming machine 102A, or a custom communication
protocol. In gaming machine 102A, message display 118 may be
coupled to the frame of the gaming machine or may be inside the
cabinet of the gaming machine. However, any means of associating
display 118 with gaming machine 102A may be used as long as display
118 is visible from gaming machine 102A.
[0037] Interface 112 is programmed to provide an interactive
messaging operation. That is, user message activity, such as
touching an active area of display 118 or entering information from
keypad 114, causes a response from or action by system 100. One
such response is the sending of data over network 126 to another
location within system 100 so that a message is displayed. Another
response is the display of a menu that depends on the area touched
and/or user preferences.
[0038] User preferences may be stored in interface memory 146 that
is controlled by a CPU 144. CPU 144 controls the sending of
messages by gaming location 102, the receipt of messages by gaming
location 102 and the display of messages by gaming location 102 in
a well known manner.
[0039] Game controller 108 is responsible for operation of the
gaming machine 102A. Thus the game controller may include a
microprocessor, memory, game software, and support circuitry to
implement a slot machine or other type of game. The display 110
provides displays necessary for the play of the game, such as a
display of slot machine rotors.
[0040] Gaming location 102 also includes a club card reader 150
that can read a MAG number located on a magnetic strip of a club
card 152, which may, for example, be a smart card. The MAG number
is unique for each player. Card 152 also sometimes bears a player
ID number that is human readable, but is not machine-readable. The
card reader sends the MAG number to central authority 120, which
converts the MAG number to an OCR number. This feature prevents any
potential misuse due to fraudulent creation of a bogus club card.
Memory 121 maintains a table that correlates OCR numbers with
player ID numbers. An example of misuse prevented or inhibited by
converting the MAG number to an OCR number is as follows. The
clerks at the stations generally have access to the OCR numbers,
but not the MAG numbers. As a result, a person operating outside
system 100 could not duplicate a new player card with a MAG number
corresponding to an existing club card. If such a person could
duplicate an existing club card, the person may be tempted to use
the duplicate card to cash out a player's account. The conversion
of the MAG number to an OCR number is an important feature that
inhibits such temptation.
[0041] Central authority 120 translates an OCR number to a
corresponding player ID number. This feature allows a single player
ID number to identify more than one OCR number. The player ID
number can be used by the central authority to address the value of
an account corresponding to the player ID number or to access
preferences of the player. Thus, the central authority keeps no
account value or preferences corresponding to the MAG number or OCR
number; it only keeps an account value and preferences
corresponding to the player ID number, correlated with the OCR
number by a table.
[0042] Player preferences may include preferences for drinks,
cigarettes, snacks and the like. In addition, memory 121 may store
a preference authorizing the player to be located by having central
authority 120 correlate his player ID number with the gaming
location at which his club card 152 was read.
[0043] When central authority 120 locates a player, it sends data
to station 132 via network 126 that results in an electronic or
printed display. For example, a printed display may result in a map
136 printed by a printer 138 attached to the station.
Alternatively, the map may be displayed on display 134. The map
provides a floor plan of the casino or other facility in which
system 100 is located, the location of the service station and the
location at which card 152 was entered in a card reader, such as
gaming location 102.
[0044] Club cards are generated by having a player fill out a form
and by submitting the form to a clerk at a station that is equipped
with a card creator (not shown). Typically, a card creator is
located at only one or two work stations, such as service station
132, within a gambling facility. The clerk keys information into
the station, and the information is transmitted to central
authority 120, which then generates an OCR number, corresponding
MAG no. and player ID number for the creation of a new club card.
The OCR number and player ID number are stored in the data base in
memory 121 in the manner previously described. The central
authority then causes the card creator to create a new club card
with the stored player ID number and MAG number. Thus, the OCR
number is not stored in memory 121 by having the new club card read
by a card reader. Once the MAG, OCR and player ID numbers are
created, they cannot be changed by a person operating outside
system 100.
[0045] Central authority 120 includes a central processing unit
(CPU) 122 that operates through a network interface 124 and a
network 126 to enable communication of the preferences with gaming
locations 102, 104 and 106. Network 126 may be a conventional local
area network, which allows messages to be sent directly between any
of gaming locations 102, 104 and 106, service station 132 and
central authority 120. Memory 121 also may store data for various
displays shown in FIGS. 2-19. Alternatively, the data for the
displays may be stored locally in the memories for each of the
gaming locations, such as memory 146.
[0046] Service stations, such as station 132, connect to central
authority 120 and gaming locations 102, 104 and 106 over network
126. Service station 132 includes an interface like interface 112,
a touch screen display 134 like display 118 and a keypad 114B like
keypad 114, as well as a communication unit 135 like unit 119.
Service stations typically are located near a source of drinks and
snacks that may be ordered by players or users of system 100.
Several stations, like station 132, typically are scattered
throughout a large gaming facility.
[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates message display 118 in relationship to
game display 110. Display 118 illustrates an exemplary menu of
options 160 for a player or user of system 100, as well as an
exemplary space for receipt of messages 162. Display 118 may be
implemented as a window in display 110.
[0048] FIG. 3 illustrates display 118 with an exemplary
advertisement 164. Any type of advertisement may be generated by
central authority 120 and sent to any gaming location for display.
FIG. 3 also shows an exemplary menu by which a user may chose the
type of service desired by touching an appropriate portion of
display 118 or entering a corresponding number on keypad 114. The
advertisement may be displayed without the menu if desired.
[0049] FIG. 4 illustrates display 118 with an exemplary personal
service menu displayed in response to a player or user touching the
term "PERSONAL SERVICE" on display 118 or entering the number 1 on
keypad 114. The items in the personal service menu may depend on
the preferences accessed from memory 121 when the user's club card
is read by reader 150. For example, a smoker whose preferences
include cigarettes will have item 2 "CIGARETTES" displayed, whereas
a non-smoker whose preferences do not include cigarettes will not
have item 2 displayed.
[0050] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary drink menu displayed in
response to a player or user touching the phrase "DRINK" on the
display shown in FIG. 4, or entering the number 1 on keypad 114.
The drinks displayed may depend on the player preferences accessed
from memory 121.
[0051] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary soft drink menu displayed in
response to a player or user touching the screen 118 at the phrase
"SOFT DRINK" on the display shown in FIG. 5. The listed drinks may
depend on the player preferences accessed from memory 121. When a
player selects a particular drink from the FIG. 6 display by
touching display 118 at the text corresponding to the desired
drink, a numeric input image, such as an image of a numeric keypad
170, is displayed as shown. In this example, it is assumed that the
player touched "7UP" by the number 2 or touched the number 2. The
text "EN" provides an enter function and an arrow 172 provides a
backspace function. Other forms of a numeric input image may be
displayed. A box 174 displays the number entered by the player from
keypad image 170. The number indicates the quantities of drinks
desired by the player. Each of displays 118, 118A and 134 can
display a numeric input image like image 170.
[0052] Communication unit 119 generates a message identifying the
drink selected by touching display 118 (e.g., drink number 2) and
the quantity selected by touching a number on the keypad image 170
(e.g., the number 1). The message is transmitted via controller 148
and network 126 to service station 132 and is displayed on message
display 134.
[0053] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary reservation menu displayed
on display 118 in response to a player or user touching the phrase
"RESERVATION" or the number 2 on the display shown in FIG. 3, or by
entering the number 2 on keypad 114. The message display includes
graphics images in the form of a pair of masks 200, a cake 202 and
a car 204. The graphics images may be in color. For example, masks
200 may be displayed in red, cake 202 may be displayed in yellow,
and car 204 may be displayed in blue. Many other forms of graphics
images can be used to illustrate the text appearing on any of the
displays described in this specification. Alternatively, the
graphics images can be shown alone without any text.
[0054] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary show ticket reservation menu
displayed on display 118 in response to a player or user touching
the phrase "TICKET FOR SHOW" or the number 1 on the display shown
in FIG. 7, or by entering the number 1 on keypad 114. The items
listed in FIG. 8 may depend on the player's preferences stored in
memory 121.
[0055] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary comedy reservation menu
displayed on display 118 in response to a player or user touching
the phrase "COMEDY" or the number 1 on the display shown in FIG. 8,
or by entering the number 1 on keypad 114. The items listed may
depend on the player's preferences stored in memory 121.
[0056] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary show x reservation menu
displayed on display 118 in response to a player or user touching
the phrase "SHOW X" or the number 1 or the number 2 on the display
shown in FIG. 9, or by entering the number 1 on keypad 114. The
user enters the number of tickets desired in the blank space
provided by using keypad 114 or by touching the appropriate number
below the legend "NUMBER OF TICKETS." If the desired number of
tickets is not displayed, the player touches "OTHER" in order to
display the image of numeric input keypad 170 as shown in FIG. 11.
The player then enters the desired number of tickets by touching an
appropriate combination of numbers on image 170. Box 174 displays
the number entered by the player.
[0057] Communication unit 119 generates a message identifying the
desired show, date(s), time(s) and number of tickets indicated by
the player's touching of display 118 as described in connection
with FIGS. 7-11. The message is transmitted via controller 148 and
network 126 to service station 132 and is displayed on message
display 134. Alternatively, the message may be sent to a ticket
handling facility 158 of a producer or ticket agent of the
requested show via a network 159, such as the Internet through
central authority 120.
[0058] FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary reminder message sent to
display 118 from central authority 120 or station 132.
[0059] FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary personal message menu
displayed on display 118 in response to a player or user touching
the phrase "PERSONAL MESSAGE SENT" or the number 3 on the display
shown in FIG. 3, or by entering the number 3 on keypad 114. When
the player touches any of numbers 1-3 shown in FIG. 13, or touches
the text opposite the numbers, an alphanumeric input image, such as
an image of an alphanumeric keypad 180, is displayed on display 118
as shown in FIG. 14. Arrow 182 represents a backspace function, the
word "ENTER" represents an enter function. The word "SHIFT"
represents a shift function between upper case and lower case
letters. The punctuation marks shown in image 180 have their normal
meanings.
[0060] The player causes controller unit 119 to generate an
appropriate message by entering the name of a person for whom the
message is intended (e.g., John Doe), a game location (e.g., 106)
or player ID number, and a message, such as "MEET ME AT THE
RESERVATION DESK AT NOON," by touching display 118 at the
appropriate numbers and letters of image 180. The data entered by
the player is displayed as shown in FIG. 14. Each of displays 118,
118A and 134 can display an alphanumeric input image like image
180. Alternatively, the message shown in FIG. 14 may be typed by
the player or user by operating keypad 114.
[0061] Communication unit 119 generates a message based on the data
entered by the player as explained in connection with FIG. 14. The
message includes an identification of the gaming location (e.g.,
106) to which the message is to be sent or a player ID number. The
message is transmitted via controller 148 and network 126 to
central authority 120. If a player ID number was entered, central
authority 120 checks the ID numbers of players whose cards have
been read by the system to find a match. If a match is located, the
message is forwarded to the gaming location at which the card was
read. If no match is found, the system stores the message in memory
121. When the player with the correct ID number inserts his card
into a reader, the message is retrieved from memory and is
forwarded to the proper gaming location for display. In addition,
central authority 120 finds the name of the current user of gaming
location 102 from the information on the club card 152 used to
initiate the gaming location so that the name of the sender can be
displayed at the gaming location receiving the message. If a gaming
location was entered by the player, central authority sends the
message to the proper gaming location, such as location 106, and
displays on display 118A the name of the sender, the date, the time
the message was sent and the message as shown in FIG. 15.
[0062] FIG. 15 illustrates the an exemplary message menu displayed
on display 118A of gaming location 106 showing the message sent
from gaming location 102 to gaming location 106 over network 126
through central authority 120. If a gaming location is entered by
the player as explained in connection with FIG. 14, the message may
be sent directly from gaming location 102 to gaming location 106
without being transmitted to the central authority 120. The date
and time at which the message was sent are displayed as shown in
FIG. 15.
[0063] The player at gaming location 106 may reply to the message
shown in FIG. 15 by touching display 118A at the "REPLY" text, at
the number 4 to the left of the reply text, or by entering the
number 4 on keypad 114A.
[0064] FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary reply message menu
displayed on display 118A in response to a player or user touching
the phrase "REPLY" or the number 4 on screen 118A or by entering
the number 4 on keypad 114A. The reply menu provides for sending
copies of the message to various locations. The personal message
menu shown in FIG. 13 can be modified to also provide for sending
of copies.
[0065] A reply message is generated and sent in the same manner
described in connection with FIGS. 13 and 14. When the player
touches any of numbers 1-3 or the text opposite any of the numbers,
a display of the type shown in FIG. 14 is generated on display
118A. The player then enters the reply data using image 180 in the
manner previously described.
[0066] FIG. 17 illustrates exemplary messages received at service
station 132 and displayed on display 134 from gaming locations 102
and 104. In response to such messages, workers in the gaming
facility may attempt to fill the order and bring it to the player
or user. The location of the requester of service is displayed to
help facilitate delivery. The time is posted to ensure that orders
are processed in the order in which they were sent.
[0067] FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary service station reply
message menu displayed in response to a work station attendant
touching the phrase "REG. COKE" on the display 134 shown in FIG.
17, or entering the number 1 on keypad 114B. The attendant can
enter a message by touching the number 2 or touching the phrase
"CONTENT OF MESSAGE" shown in FIG. 18 which causes display of an
alphanumeric input image on display 134 like the image shown in
FIG. 14. A message then is entered in the manner described in
connection with FIG. 14. For example, the message may be "WE ARE
OUT OF REGULAR COKE. IS A DIET COKE OK?" By enabling interactive
communication between a gaming location and a service station, the
delivery of desired goods to gaming locations is facilitated.
[0068] Communication unit 135 generates a message based on the data
entered by an attendant as explained in connection with FIGS. 14
and 18. The message includes an identification of the gaming
location (e.g., 102) to which the message is to be sent. The
message is transmitted via a serial controller in service station
132 and network 126 to gaming location 102 and is displayed on
display 118 in the manner shown in FIG. 19.
[0069] The message from the service center is displayed with a YES
button 190 and a NO button 191. The player at gaming location 102
responds to the message by touching display 118 at either the word
"YES" or "NO." Communication unit 119 generates a message based on
the touching of button 190 or 191. The message includes an
identification of service station 132 to which the message is to be
sent. The message is transmitted via serial controller 148 and
network 126 to service station 132 and is displayed on display 134
so that an attendant will know the drink preferred by the
player.
[0070] Those skilled in the gaming and computer arts are able to
program the interfaces and central authority to provide the
displays and interactivity described in the accompanying drawings
and described in this specification.
[0071] The "OTHER" options referenced in the drawings are handled
by displaying a numeric or alphanumeric input image depending on
context.
[0072] While the invention has been described with reference to one
or more preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will
understand that changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In
addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular
step, structure, or material to the teachings of the invention
without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that
the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment
disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments
falling within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *