U.S. patent application number 11/124411 was filed with the patent office on 2005-11-24 for method of using non-monetary chattel in gaming machines.
Invention is credited to Smolucha, Walter E..
Application Number | 20050261056 11/124411 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35375865 |
Filed Date | 2005-11-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050261056 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smolucha, Walter E. |
November 24, 2005 |
Method of using non-monetary chattel in gaming machines
Abstract
The invention described herein includes a system for playing a
game on a gaming machine using non-monetary chattel. The system
includes a bank for storing, depositing, and withdrawing
non-monetary chattel based upon play outcome on the gaming machine.
The system also includes a mechanism for relaying data regarding
the non-monetary chattel between the bank and the gaming machine;
and redemption mechanism for converting the non-monetary chattel in
the bank to an exchange medium.
Inventors: |
Smolucha, Walter E.;
(Melrose Park, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG, WOESSNER & KLUTH, P.A.
P.O. BOX 2938
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402-0938
US
|
Family ID: |
35375865 |
Appl. No.: |
11/124411 |
Filed: |
May 6, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60569384 |
May 7, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3239 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/025 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system for playing a game on a gaming machine using
non-monetary chattel, comprising: a bank for storing, depositing,
and withdrawing non-monetary chattel based upon play outcome on the
gaming machine; a mechanism for relaying data regarding the
non-monetary chattel between the bank and the gaming machine; and a
converter for converting the non-monetary chattel in the bank to an
exchange medium.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising an activator for
activating the gaming machine.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the converter converts the
non-monetary chattel to points.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the activator comprises a credit
card.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the activator comprises a
frequent flyer card.
6. The system of claim 2 wherein the activator comprises rewards
based card.
7. The system of claim 2 wherein the activator comprises a memory
module.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein the converter comprises a facility
that enables the player to redeem non-monetary chattel for
non-monetary chattel, cash or a combination of non-monetary chattel
and cash.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the non-monetary chattel redeemed
is the same type of non-monetary chattel as was deposited to
initiate play.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the non-monetary chattel
redeemed is different from the non-monetary chattel deposited to
initiate play.
11. The system of claim 8, wherein the non-monetary chattel is
redeemed for cash.
12. A method for playing a game on a gaming machine using
non-monetary chattel, comprising: depositing into a bank, a
quantity of non-monetary chattel that enables the player to play
the game on the gaming machine; playing the game and including at
least one wager comprising non-monetary chattel in the bank; and
converting non-monetary chattel to an exchange medium.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising activating the
gaming machine with a card that includes data regarding an amount
of non-monetary chattel that can be wagered.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the card is a credit card.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the card is a smart card.
16. The method of claim 12 wherein the non-monetary chattel is
redeemed for another type of non-monetary chattel.
17. The method of claim 12 wherein the non-monetary chattel is
redeemed for cash.
18. The method of claim 12 wherein the non-monetary chattel is
redeemed for a combination of cash and non-monetary chattel.
19. A system for playing a game on a gaming machine using
non-monetary chattel, comprising: a computer readable storage
medium storing quantitative information regarding non-monetary
chattel; and a bank for depositing and withdrawing non-monetary
chattel from the computer readable storage medium, wherein deposits
and withdrawals of non-monetary chattel are made based upon outcome
of playing a game on a gaming machine.
20. The system of claim 19, further comprising an activation
mechanism that activates the gaming machine.
21. A method for using non-monetary chattel to play a game on a
gaming machine, comprising: providing access to a computer readable
storage medium storing non-monetary chattel information to a gaming
establishment; creating a balance of non-monetary chattel; and
setting a balance limit for the non-monetary chattel so that play
on a gaming machine is stopped when the balance limit is met.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing a token,
wherein the token stores identification information that associates
a player to a balance of non-monetary currency.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the token further comprises a
balance limit that deactivates the gaming machine when the limit is
met.
24. A system for playing a game on a gaming machine using
non-monetary chattel, comprising: a bank for storing, depositing,
and withdrawing non-monetary chattel based upon play outcome on the
gaming machine; means for relaying data regarding the non-monetary
chattel between the bank and the gaming machine; and means for
converting the non-monetary chattel in the bank to an exchange
medium.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of the filing
date of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/569,384, filed May
7, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
COPYRIGHT
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice
applies to the software and data as described below and in the
drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright 2004, WMS
Gaming, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The present invention relates to a system and to a method
for playing a game on a gaming machine using non-monetary,
incentive-based chattel, instead of coinage or other currency.
[0004] Gaming establishments have, in recent years, begun offering
bonuses and complementary awards that include incentive-based
rewards, such as frequent flyer miles. For instance, the Walker et
al. patent, U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,247, issuing Apr. 30, 2002,
describes a method and system for rewarding frequent flyer miles to
players playing live gaming establishment games. The patent, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,244,958, describes a system wherein a player wagers
points.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an incentive tracking
system embodiment employed for playing gaming establishment games,
of the invention described herein.
[0006] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of a central controller
of the invention described herein FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic
view of player data stored by the central controller illustrated in
FIG. 2.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating one redemption embodiment
for the incentive system of the invention described herein.
[0008] FIG. 5 is another flowchart illustrating another redemption
embodiment for the incentive system of the invention described
herein.
DESCRIPTION
[0009] One embodiment of the invention includes a system for
playing a game on a gaming machine using non-monetary chattel. The
system includes a computer readable storage medium for storing data
regarding non-monetary chattel and, in one embodiment, a conversion
mechanism for converting the non-monetary chattel to gaming
establishment points and for converting gaming establishment points
to non-monetary chattel. For gaming establishment points
embodiments, the system includes a second computer readable storage
medium for storing points. For other embodiments, the system's
computer readable storage medium stores information concerning only
predefined chattel having a defined value when redeemed, such as,
for example, frequent flyer miles from pre-selected airlines and
hotel days from pre-selected hotels. A defined number of frequent
flyer miles from a pre-selected airline are redeemable for a
specific type of round trip, for instance. The defined value of the
non-monetary chattel is provided by the issuing party, such as an
airline, for some embodiments and a clearing house trading many
types of incentive based non-monetary chattel for other
embodiments.
[0010] The system of the invention described herein additionally
includes a gaming establishment bank for depositing and withdrawing
and tracking non-monetary chattel from the first computer readable
storage medium and for some embodiments, adding gaming
establishment points and subtracting gaming establishment points
from the second computer readable storage medium for storing point
information. The gaming establishment points are added and
subtracted based upon game outcome on one or more gaming machines.
For embodiments employing points, deposits and withdrawals of
non-monetary chattel are made based upon conversion of gaming
establishment points to non-monetary chattel. For other
embodiments, the non-monetary chattel increments are directly added
and subtracted.
[0011] The system further includes a card, such as a credit card,
token or other medium, for initializing a gaming machine to play
using the non-monetary chattel. The system also includes a
controller for coordinating play outcome with bank deposits and
withdrawals and for communication with an entity providing the
non-monetary chattel, such as an airline.
[0012] The system also includes a redemption center so that players
can redeem their non-monetary incentive chattel when they have
concluded play. The redemption center permits players to redeem the
same type non-monetary chattel that the player used to initiate
play. Some embodiments of the redemption center permit the player
to redeem one form of non-monetary chattel for another form of
non-monetary chattel or monetary chattel. For instance, the player
is permitted to redeem incentive based non-monetary chattel for
cash, or an airline ticket, or a gift certificate, to name only a
few exemplary options that are not intended to limit the scope of
the invention.
[0013] As used herein, the term "non-monetary chattel" refers to
frequent flyer miles, points accrued for credit card usage, and
other rewards or incentives for using the services of a particular
company or purchasing goods from a company. In addition to frequent
flyer miles, the non-monetary chattel includes points on a gasoline
card, points or days accrued for staying at a particular hotel,
points accrued for using a particular website, points or phone time
accrued for using a particular phone service, or for buying
merchandise at a particular store, or frequent shopper points.
Non-monetary chattel is accruable chattel that is redeemable for
goods or services when pre-defined thresholds are met. Non-monetary
chattel as used herein refers to chattel paper or electronic
chattel that is not legal tender. The term "monetary chattel"
refers to chattel paper in a form of legal tender and coinage.
[0014] With the invention described herein, owners of the
non-monetary chattel use the chattel to play one or, for some
embodiments, more than one, wagerng. The threshold to play is for
some embodiments, lower than the lowest redeemable quantity of
non-monetary chattel. For other embodiments, the lowest level of
non-monetary chattel that can be used for playing a wagering game
is at or above the lowest redeemable level. As used herein, the
term "bank" refers to a database for storing and updating data
related to non-monetary chattel and for storing and updating data
regarding players of one or more wagering games. For some
embodiments, the bank also stores data concerning points that have
a relationship with non-monetary chattel.
[0015] As used herein, the term "house" refers to a non-chattel
account managed by a gaming establishment.
[0016] As used herein, the term "gaming machine" refers to a
machine into which a coin or token is deposited, or which is
activated by a card or token associated with data regarding
non-monetary chattel, to play a game that uses a video display or
an electromechanical device with a spinning reel. The gaming
machines include slot machines and push button machines. The gaming
machines include coin operated machines and machines having a
serial interface. Gaming machines also include gaming tables
capable of being initiated by a card or token.
[0017] As used herein, the term "gaming activity" refers to playing
gaming machines, card games such as black jack, poker, baccarat,
table games such as roulette, craps, keno and lotteries.
[0018] To use the system of the invention, a player has
non-monetary chattel that he or she can wager. The player is not,
for some embodiments, required to have non-monetary chattel at a
threshold level redeemable for goods or services, however. In one
embodiment, presented to exemplify the invention and not to limit
the invention, the player has a frequent flyer card with a positive
balance of frequent flyer miles prior to initiating play in a
gaming establishment. In another embodiment, the player has two or
more cards that each includes a positive quantity of frequent flyer
miles from different airlines. While frequent flyer miles are
discussed, it is understood that other types of non-monetary
incentives or promotional chattel are usable in the system of the
invention. For some embodiments, one or more of the player's cards
that includes a record of frequent flyer miles is a credit
card.
[0019] In one embodiment, a gaming establishment sets up an account
for the player in a gaming establishment bank, which is a
non-monetary chattel bank, managed by the gaming establishment. The
initial balance in the bank for a player, includes a cumulative sum
of the frequent flyer miles or other non-monetary chattel recorded
on one or more cards owned by the player, that is transferred from
the card or cards, to the bank. The frequent flyer miles or other
non-monetary chattel transferred to the bank for each player are
recorded and tracked in the non-monetary chattel bank. In return
for depositing the non-monetary chattel in the bank, the player
receives a card or token capable of activating play on gaming
machines. In one embodiment, the player plays with his or her
credit card or incentive card, such as a frequent flyer card.
[0020] In one embodiment, the bank deducts the frequent flyer miles
on each card owned by the player and deposits the frequent flyer
miles in the non-monetary chattel gaming establishment bank. The
frequent flyer miles in the bank are increased or decreased based
upon a game outcome when the player is playing on one or more
gaming machines. The player controls the frequent flyer miles or
other forms of non-monetary chattel that are deducted or added by
betting frequent flyer miles or other non-monetary chattel within a
limit selected by the player. The player is blocked, based upon the
bank balance, from betting more frequent flyer miles or other forms
of non-monetary chattel than he or she has to play.
[0021] At the conclusion of play, the player has an option to
request that the frequent flyer miles or other forms of
non-monetary chattel, are credited to more than one card containing
promotional credits. In other embodiments, all of the player's
non-monetary chattel bank account is converted back to the original
non-monetary chattel form and are applied to a single card. For
other embodiments, the player redeems the non-monetary chattel for
cash. For other embodiments, the player redeems the non-monetary
chattel for airline tickets or paid hotel rooms or other forms of
non-monetary chattel. For some embodiments, the player is permitted
to redeem the non-monetary chattel only at preselected businesses,
such as specified travel agencies, hotels, and ticket sellers.
[0022] In one invention embodiment, the system includes a
conversion mechanism for converting frequent flyer miles and other
forms of non-monetary chattel into gaming establishment points. The
conversion mechanism standardizes values of frequent flyer miles
from multiple airlines, as well as other forms of non-monetary
chattel, into a single point system. In one embodiment, the
conversion device also standardizes value of other forms of
non-monetary chattel into gaming establishment points having a
single value. The conversion device receives conversion input from
each vendor providing non-monetary chattel. The conversion device
optionally receives conversion data from one or more clearing
houses dealing in non-monetary chattel.
[0023] The player bets points for some embodiments and non-monetary
chattel for other embodiments and a running total of the bet or
bets is displayed on the gaming machine being played. As points or
non-monetary chattel are accrued or lost based upon a player's game
outcome, the conversion device allocates frequent flyer miles and
other forms of non-monetary chattel to the player's account in the
bank or transfers frequent flyer miles and other forms of
non-monetary chattel from the player's account to the house.
[0024] In one embodiment, the standardized points are stored in the
non-monetary chattel bank. The points are converted by the
conversion device to frequent flyer miles or other types of
non-monetary chattel when the player cashes out.
[0025] The non-monetary chattel gaming establishment bank resides
on a file server that maintains and updates gaming establishment
points and non-monetary chattel available to each player. In one
embodiment, an account file for each player in the non-monetary
chattel server bank includes the player's name, gaming
establishment point number, frequent flyer number and conversion
mechanism that also reside on the server. For instances where the
player is converting other types of non-monetary chattel, an
identifier of this non-monetary chattel is also stored in the
player's account file.
[0026] The gaming establishment issues a card for some embodiments,
to the player, which is readable by a card reader on a gaming
machine. For other embodiments, the gaming establishment issues a
token that the player uses to play one or more gaming machines. For
other embodiments, the player uses a credit card and with a PIN
number, converts non-monetary chattel such as miles for credits.
With the card or token, the player plays by betting with
non-monetary chattel and wins or loses the non-monetary chattel.
For some embodiments, the gaming establishment issues to the player
its own gaming establishment card for redeeming frequent flyer
miles, phone time and other preselected forms of non-monetary
chattel or cash. The gaming establishment marks the card with the
gaming establishment's marks and indicia that includes instructions
for use.
[0027] In one embodiment, the gaming establishment card is a smart
card that stores a running total of points based upon gaming
establishment points initially on the card and gaming establishment
points added or subtracted as a result of a game outcome. In this
embodiment, the gaming establishment card is insertable into a
gaming machine and activates play for the player. Play is activated
when data on the gaming establishment card is verified by the bank
or other player identifier file. The data includes the player's
identity and gaming establishment points remaining on the card. For
other embodiments, the gaming establishment card stores a running
total of the non-monetary chattel brought to the game by the
player.
[0028] The player bets points or non-monetary chattel, based upon
the points or non-monetary chattel remaining, shown on the display.
In some embodiments, the player is locked out of play when the
point total reaches a preselected minimum value. The player is
permitted to use the gaming establishment card to play on multiple
gaming machines, so long as the point or non-monetary chattel total
is above the preselected minimum value. Each time the player
selects a new machine to play, the player inserts the gaming
establishment card. The gaming machine is activated when the gaming
establishment card is inserted and data on the card is verified by
the bank.
[0029] In one gaming establishment card embodiment, the gaming
establishment card includes the conversion mechanism. In other
embodiments, the conversion mechanism is a component of the gaming
machine or is a component wherein output is received by the gaming
establishment card or gaming machine or both. Thus, the player
views a running total of frequent flyer miles or other form of
non-monetary chattel or gaming establishment points during the
course of play on the gaming machine. Gaming establishment cards
that do not include the conversion device provide a running total
of non-monetary chattel to the player. For both types of gaming
establishment cards, the running total of gaming establishment
points and, for some embodiments, non-monetary chattel, is
displayed on the gaming machine that the player is playing.
[0030] The status of points or non-monetary chattel may be conveyed
to the player by one or more of a sound emitted by a gaming machine
or a light pattern denoting status that is displayed by the gaming
machine.
[0031] In another embodiment, the player is given a token to
activate a gaming machine. The token initializes the gaming machine
and sets the gaming machine so that it tracks points that are
convertible to non-monetary chattel. These gaming machine
embodiments include tracking mechanisms that track changes in
non-monetary chattel and, for some embodiments, changes in player
data. The gaming machine displays points remaining for the player
that are available for play. The gaming machine also communicates
with the non chattel bank to initiate deposit or withdrawal of
points from the player's account in the gaming establishment bank.
Specifically, point or non-monetary chattel changes, additions for
games wherein the player wins and subtractions where the player
loses are communicated to the gaming establishment bank. In one
embodiment, access to play is denied when the point balance reaches
a preselected limit.
[0032] To apply credit from the player's account so that the player
can play one of the gaming machines, the player inserts his or her
gaming establishment card into one of the card readers associated
with each gaming machine. The amount of credit balance remaining in
the player's account appears on a display of the gaming machine
wherein the card was inserted. In one other embodiment, the maximum
number of points playable on the gaming machine is debited from the
player's account and applied to a points meter on the machine. For
some embodiments, the reels of the gaming machine spin
automatically once the points appear on the credit meter or the
player presses a button or pulls a handle to cause the reels to
spin. If a combination appearing on the reels after coming to a
halt is one for which a jackpot is paid to the player, the gaming
machine pays the jackpot by applying the amount of jackpot credit
to the player's account in the form of points or frequent flyer
miles or other type of non-monetary chattel.
[0033] For some embodiments, the preselected limit of points or
non-monetary chattel is determined by the gaming establishment. For
other embodiments, the preselected limit is determined by the
player, prior to beginning play.
[0034] At the end of play, the player "cashes" out and collects the
total frequent flyer miles or other type of non-monetary chattel
from the gaming establishment bank. For some embodiments, the
gaming establishment bank credits the player with additional points
won by the player and adds them to the frequent flyer card or
gaming establishment card owned by the player. If the player loses
all of the points or frequent flyer miles, or other types of
non-monetary chattel, the balance in the player's bank account for
the frequent flyer card or gaming establishment card or other type
of non-monetary chattel is zero.
[0035] In another embodiment of the invention, frequent flyer miles
or other forms of non-monetary chattel are all given the same
value. This system does not include a mechanism for points
accounting and does not include a conversion device. The frequent
flyer mile or other non-monetary chattel total is transferred to
the gaming establishment bank from the player's frequent flyer
cards or other non-monetary chattel cards. The player's identity
and frequent flyer card numbers and other non-monetary chattel card
identification numbers are also transferred. The balance on the
cards after the copying is unchanged.
[0036] For these embodiments, the player plays a gaming machine by
using the frequent flyer card or credit card or other non-monetary
chattel card itself to activate the gaming machine. The credit card
or frequent flyer card or gas card or other non-monetary chattel
card is inserted into the gaming machine and data on the card is
transmitted to the gaming establishment bank and compared. If the
data on the card matches data in the gaming establishment bank, the
gaming machine is activated.
[0037] The player bets frequent flyer miles or other type of
non-monetary chattel when playing the gaming machine. The frequent
flyer miles or other form of non-monetary chattel are deducted from
the player's card if the player loses the game. The frequent flyer
miles or other form of non-monetary chattel are added to the
player's card if the player wins the game. In particular, the
gaming machine signals a wager quantity to the gaming establishment
bank. The gaming machine also signals to the gaming establishment
bank, whether the wager quantity was won or lost. If the wager was
lost, frequent flyer miles or other form of non-monetary chattel
are deducted from the player's card. If the wager was won, the bank
credits frequent flyer miles to the player's card.
[0038] In another embodiment, the gaming establishment functions as
a "clearing house." In this capacity, the gaming establishment
clearing house converts incentive increments from different sources
of non-monetary chattel to a single point system. The gaming
establishment clearing house accepts non-monetary chattel on a
basis of fair trade. In one embodiment, the fair trade occurs when
non-monetary chattel having an equivalent point value is exchanged.
With this embodiment, players have many options for redeeming
non-monetary chattel, ranging from tickets to cash, to gift
certificates, to paid hotel accommodations and so forth.
[0039] The card, obtained from the gaming establishment, is usable
for insertion into a gaming machine to commence play. Points are
added and deducted from the card in accordance with the wins and
losses of the player. The points are redeemable in accordance with
rules and facilities provided by the gaming establishment clearing
house. The gaming establishment clearing house has, for some
embodiments, redemption facilities outside of the gaming
establishment. For some embodiments, redemptions facilities are
located within a gaming establishment.
[0040] In one embodiment, the player tracking and accounting data
extraction are performed on one gaming machine system. In another
embodiment, the player tracking and accounting data extraction are
performed on separate systems. Each gaming machine that permits
play using points or frequent flyer miles or other types of
non-monetary chattel includes a player tracking module that tracks
the player playing the gaming machine. In one embodiment, the
player tracking module includes a player tracking controller, a
card reader, a display driver and a display. The gaming machine
includes a point or a non-monetary chattel tracking module for
tracking the points or non-monetary chattel bet, won or lost at the
gaming machine. For some embodiments, the points or non-monetary
chattel module is a component of the player tracking module. The
gaming machine communicates with the gaming establishment bank
through a communication node.
[0041] In another embodiment, illustrated at 10 in FIG. 1, gaming
machines 12a, 12b and 12c are in communication with a central
controller 110 via a hardwired or wireless communication network,
such as a local area network, a wide area network or the Internet.
Also in communication with the central controller 110 are one or
more gaming establishment redemption centers 114. In one
embodiment, the redemption center 114 is in a location within the
gaming establishment wherein players redeem non-monetary chattel
receipts. The redemption center 114 includes a plurality of cashier
terminals 116a, 116b, and 116c. Each cashier terminal 116a, 116b
and 116c is in communication with the central controller 110.
[0042] For some embodiments, the gaming establishment bank is a
component of a central controller 110 that stores records of the
non-monetary chattel or conversion points for a given player and
assigned to the player's account. The central controller 110 is
also in communication with at least one tracking system for the
non-monetary chattel 118. For frequent flyer miles, for instance,
the central controller 110 is in communication with at least one
participating airline's mileage tracking system 118 so that this
stored information is transferred to the appropriate airline.
[0043] The airline mileage tracking system 118 is a conventional
system that is operated by a commercial airline to maintain
frequent flyer records. While an airline mileage tracking system is
described, it is understood that other reward tracking systems are
included in the invention described herein. Such programs and
systems are known to those of ordinary skill in the art of reward
incentive tracking status. In another embodiment, the central
controller 110 is in communication with a non-monetary chattel
exchange wherein specific types of non-monetary chattel are
traded.
[0044] Any of the controller 110, gaming machines 12a, 12b or 12c,
gaming establishment redemption center 114 and incentive tracking
system 118 are, for some embodiments, physically proximate to any
other device for some embodiments. For other embodiments, these
components are geographically remote from any device.
[0045] The central controller 110, illustrated generally in FIG. 2,
includes a CPU 710 and clock system 712. The CPU 710 executes
instructions according to a program stored in a ROM 714. During the
execution of instructions, the CPU 710 stores data in and retrieves
data from a RAM 716 coupled thereto. The central controller 110
also includes a communications port 718 coupled to the CPU 710. The
communications port 718 allows the central controller 110, via its
CPU 710 to communicate with other components of the system 100.
Specifically, the communication port 718 is coupled to the gaming
machines 12a, 12b, 12c, gaming establishment redemption terminals
116 and airline tracking system 118. While airline tracking system
is described, it is understood that other tracking systems for
other types of non-monetary chattel are usable in the system of the
present invention.
[0046] The central controller 110 includes a data storage device
720, such as one or more magnetic, optical, or diskette drives. The
data storage device 720 is operative to store non-monetary chattel
databases, such as frequent flyer mile database 722, a player
database 724, an optional session database 726, and a play database
728. The player database 724, illustrated in FIG. 3, includes
records 920 that correlate player identifying information with a
particular value of non-monetary chattel. The player identification
information includes the player's name, stored in the name field
910, the player's identification number 912, and the player's
non-monetary chattel accounts 914, 916, and 918. In one embodiment,
the player's frequent flyer accounts are stored in the carrier
frequent flyer account field 916 and another source of non-monetary
chattel 918. The player database 724 also includes, in one
embodiment, a tracking number field 914.
[0047] The tracking number field 914 allows information in the
player database 724 to be correlated with information in the
player's non-monetary chattel accounts. In one example, information
in the player database 724, MARY DAY, had a winning having a first
tracking number 914. Locating this tracking number in the
non-monetary chattel database indicated that MARY DAY received 1000
miles. MARY DAY had an option to assign the non-monetary chattel to
her frequent flyer account MH-202. MARY DAY won the non-monetary
chattel at gaming machine which is for some embodiments, specified
in the database 724. Arrangements of stored data presented herein
are for exemplary purposes only. Other arrangements are within
those having ordinary skill in the art.
[0048] One embodiment for non-monetary chattel redemption is
illustrated in FIG. 4. In step 1410, the player goes to the gaming
establishment bank 114 and returns the card or token when the
player has finished playing the gaming machines. The player
receives from the gaming establishment bank, a non-monetary chattel
receipt that the player passes on to the gaming establishment
cashier. In step 1412, the cashier transfers the tracking number to
the cashier terminal 116a, 116b, or 116c. The cashier terminal
116a, b or c transmits the tracking number to the gaming
establishment central controller 110 in step 1413.
[0049] The gaming establishment central controller 110 accesses the
non-monetary chattel database 722 and searches for the tracking
number in step 1414. The searching allows the system 100 to verify
the authenticity of the non-monetary chattel receipt in step 1415.
If the tracking number is found in the non-monetary chattel
database and has been assigned to an account number, such as a
frequent flyer number, the receipt is deemed authentic. If the
tracking number is not found or if the non-monetary chattel has not
been assigned to an account, the receipt is deemed fraudulent. For
situations not involving fraud, the central controller 110 sends a
verification signal back to the cashier terminal 116a 116b or
116c.
[0050] Once the cashier terminal 116a, b, or c receives the
verification, it prompts the cashier to ask the player to which
account number the non-monetary chattel should be assigned, as
shown in step 1416 The player gives the gaming establishment
cashier the selected account number as shown in step 1417. The
central controller 110 assigns the player's non-monetary chattel to
the player in step 1419. Specifically, the central computer 110
accesses the rewarded mile database 722, locates the record having
the received award tracking number, and enters the desired frequent
flyer account number in the frequent flyer account number field.
Thus, the player's awarded miles have been assigned to the specific
flyer account.
[0051] One process for transferring awarded miles to the assigned
airline mileage tracking systems is illustrated in FIG. 5. This
process takes place periodically and is initiated by gaming
establishment personnel by selecting a program option at the
cashier terminal 116a, 116b, or 116c.
[0052] An initial step in the transfer process includes the gaming
establishment central controller 110 querying the rewarded miles
database 722 in step 1210. Having queried the database 722, the
central controller 110 determines the number of awarded miles
assigned to each unique frequent flyer account number. In step
1212, the central controller queries the frequent flyer account
number field in the rewarded miles database 722 and, for each
unique account number, tabulates the total number of miles
assigned. This information is stored in RAM 714 or data storage
device 720. In step 1214, the central controller 110 determines the
total number of awarded miles assigned to each frequent flyer
program for each airline. Again, this is achieved by the central
controller searching the frequent flyer account number field and
tabulating in memory the total number of awarded miles for each
such program.
[0053] Having determined the total number of awarded miles assigned
to each frequent flyer account number, as well as the total number
of awarded miles assigned to each airline frequent flyer program,
the central controller 110 sends this mileage information to the
appropriate airline mileage tracking system 118 as shown in step
1216. The communication between central controller 110 and airline
tracking system 118 may be hard wired or wireless. In another
alternative embodiment, communication of the mileage information
includes simply generating a written report containing the mileage
information and sending it to the airline.
[0054] Once the airline receives the mileage information from the
central controller 110 or gaming establishment, the airline mileage
tracking system 118 bills the gaming establishment based on the
miles purchased in step 1218. In step 1220, the gaming
establishment pays the airline mileage tracking system 118 for the
miles purchased. Upon receiving payment, the airline mileage
tracking system 118 adds the rewarded miles to each player's
account in step 1222. The gaming establishment also has an ability
to request transfer of frequent flyer miles and other non-monetary
chattel from the player to the gaming establishment in instances
where the player has lost the non-monetary chattel. The gaming
establishment is then permitted to purchase airline tickets for
players. For other types of non-monetary chattel, the gaming
establishment is permitted to purchase increments of that too, such
as hotel accommodations, gift certificates, gasoline and so forth.
For some embodiments, the player is permitted to redeem one type of
non-monetary chattel, such as airline miles, for another type of
non-monetary chattel, such as a gift certificate.
[0055] For some embodiments, the player assigns miles awarded to a
particular frequent flyer account. The player approaches the gaming
establishment cage 116 and presents the player tracking card to the
gaming establishment cashier. The gaming establishment cashier
swipes the card through a card reader which transmits the player
identification number stored on the card to the central controller
110. The central controller 110 accesses the player database 724
and locates the record containing the received player
identification number in field 912. The central controller 110
reads the award tracking number from field 914 of that same record,
and then locates the record in the rewarded miles database 722
having that same award tracking number in field. The miles have
thus been located and are assigned as described above with
reference to steps 1120-1126 of FIG. 4 or 5.
[0056] The gaming establishment card has a unique identification
number stored thereon. When the player is issued the gaming
establishment card, the player provides a frequent flyer account
number, which is stored in the central controller 110. The frequent
flyer account number is stored with the associated player's
identification number. In operation, the player initiates play on a
gaming machine 12a, 12b, or 12c by swiping the player tracking card
through a card reader coupled to the mileage counter 218a, 218b or
218c, illustrated schematically in FIG. 2, or other non-monetary
chattel increment counter. When the player decides to stop playing,
the accumulated miles awarded and the player identification number
are communicated to the central controller 110. The central
controller 110, in turn, automatically assigns the awarded miles to
the frequent flyer account previously provided. This embodiment
allows the player to remain on the gaming establishment floor and
to continue playing, rather than walking to the gaming
establishment cage 116a, 116b or 116c, to assign the miles
awarded.
[0057] For embodiments wherein other reward points are played,
counters located on the gaming machines convert the reward points
to another point-based system. The central controller 110 stores
the reward points as it does frequent flyer miles in other
embodiments. The reward points, rather than being transferred to an
airline, are accumulated by the central controller 110. The gaming
establishment, via the central controller 110, monitors each
player's reward point total. In one embodiment, the gaming
establishment permits the player to redeem non-monetary chattel for
cash, tickets, and other benefits having a value commensurate with
the value of the non-monetary chattel possessed by the player at
the end of play.
[0058] Some embodiments include a session database used to track
gaming machine session information such as a session identifier,
player identifier, non-monetary chattel tracking number, gaming
machine identifier, starting balance, current balance, total amount
wagered, total amount won and lost. Additional records may also be
included.
[0059] Having described and illustrated the principles of the
invention in particular embodiments thereof, it should be apparent
that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail
without departing from such principles. The scope of the invention
is intended to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.
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