U.S. patent application number 11/459245 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-07 for customizable and personal game offerings for use with a gaming machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to IGT. Invention is credited to Robert F. Bigelow, Dwayne Davis, Michael Low.
Application Number | 20080032787 11/459245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38972094 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080032787 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Low; Michael ; et
al. |
February 7, 2008 |
CUSTOMIZABLE AND PERSONAL GAME OFFERINGS FOR USE WITH A GAMING
MACHINE
Abstract
Described herein are systems and methods that offer a
personalized set of recommended games to an individual. The systems
and methods collect personal game selection information for a
person, such as demographic information and/or previous gaming
experience data. The collected information is then analyzed and
used to select a set of recommended games from all possible games
(e.g., offered by a gaming establishment) that the person is likely
to enjoy. The set of recommended games is then offered to the
person when they are identified at or near a gaming machine or when
the person provides the personal game selection information to a
gaming machine.
Inventors: |
Low; Michael; (Sparks,
NV) ; Davis; Dwayne; (Reno, NV) ; Bigelow;
Robert F.; (Reno, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BEYER WEAVER LLP
P.O. BOX 70250
OAKLAND
CA
94612-0250
US
|
Assignee: |
IGT
|
Family ID: |
38972094 |
Appl. No.: |
11/459245 |
Filed: |
July 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3262 20130101; G07F 17/3239 20130101; G07F 17/323
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/29 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method for offering a set of recommended games to a person
near a gaming machine, the method comprising: storing personal game
selection information that is useful for selecting a game from
multiple games for the person; selecting the set of recommended
games, from a set of available games, for the person using the
personal game selection information; and displaying the set of
recommended games to the person on a video display associated with
the gaming machine.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying the person
at or near a gaming machine.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising associating an
identification number for the person with the stored personal game
selection information.
4. The method of claim 2 wherein the person is identified at the
gaming machine using a person tracking device presented to the
gaming machine by the person.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the personal game selection
information includes personal information provided by the person or
a device carried by the person.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the personal information is
provided by the person in a questionnaire.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the personal game selection
information includes game play information obtained during previous
game play by the person.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein the set of recommended games
includes a game related to a previous game played by the
person.
9. The method of claim 1 further comprising previewing a
recommended game selected by the person.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the set of recommended games
includes a game that the person previously played.
11. The method of claim 1 further comprising requesting the set of
recommended games from a server.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting the set
of recommended games from the server to the gaming machine in
response to the request.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein selecting the set of recommended
games includes an automated selection that uses the personal game
selection information to produce the set of recommended games.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the automated selection provides
a score for each of the available games.
15. The method of claim 13 further comprising changing the
automated selection to produce a new set of recommended games.
16. The method of claim 15 further comprising changing the personal
game selection information used in the automated selection.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein the set of recommended games
includes one of a video slots game, a video poker game, a video
black jack game, a video pachinko game, a video card game, a video
keno game, and a video game of chance.
18. A computer readable medium including instructions for offering
a set of recommended games to a person using a gaming machine, the
instructions comprising: instructions for storing personal game
selection information that is useful for selecting a game from
multiple games for the person; instructions for selecting the set
of recommended games, from a set of available games, for the person
using the personal game selection information; and instructions for
displaying the set of recommended games to the person on a video
display associated with the gaming machine.
19. The computer readable medium of claim 18 wherein the
instructions for selecting the set of recommended games includes an
automated selection that uses the personal game selection
information to produce the set of recommended games.
20. A method for selecting a set of recommended games for a person,
the method comprising: assembling game meta-data for a set of
available games, the game meta-data referring to data that is
useful for characterizing the game; obtaining personal game
selection information for the person related to the game meta-data;
and selecting a set of recommended games, from the set of available
games, for the person using the personal game selection information
and using the game meta-data for the set of available games.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the personal game selection
information is used to set a weight for each game meta-data that
affects the relative relevance of each game meta-data for that
person.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein the selection is automated given
the game meta-data and the personal game selection information.
23. The method of claim 20 further comprising renewing the set of
recommended games after the personal game selection information
changes.
24. The method of claim 20 further comprising renewing the set of
recommended games after the set of available games changes.
25. The method of claim 20 further comprising storing personal
identification information that allows the person to be identified
at a gaming machine.
26. The method of claim 25 wherein the personal identification
information includes a personal tracking identification number or
biometric information.
27. A server for use with a gaming machine network, the server
comprising: a memory designed or configured to store a) a set of
available games, b) personal game selection information for a
person that is useful for selecting a set of recommended games from
the set of available games for the person, and c) a software
application that selects the set of recommended games from the set
of available games using the personal game selection information; a
logic device configured to execute the software application that
selects the set of recommended games from the multiple games for
the person using the personal game selection information; and a
communications interface for transmitting a list of the set of
recommended games to an external device.
28. The server of claim 27 wherein the software application is
configured to refresh the selection of the set of recommended
games.
29. The server of claim 28 wherein the software application is
configured to refresh the selection of the set of recommended games
when new personal game selection information is received for the
person.
30. The server of claim 28 wherein the software application is
configured to refresh the selection of the set of recommended games
on a timely basis.
31. The server of claim 28 wherein the memory is further configured
to store identification for the person or biometric information for
the person.
32. The server of claim 28 wherein the memory is further configured
to store preview permission for a game for a person.
33. A gaming machine comprising: a controller that is designed or
configured to control one or more games played on the gaming
machine and to request a set of recommended games for a person from
a remote server; a communications interface configured to
communicate with the remote server; a video device configured to
display video data and display the set of recommended games; and a
memory that is designed or configured to store preferential game
software that instructs the controller to request the set of
recommended games for the person from the remote server when the
person near the gaming machine.
34. The gaming machine of claim 33 wherein the memory is designed
or configured to store preferential game software that instructs
the controller to request the set of recommended games when the
person is identified at or near the gaming machine.
34. The gaming machine of claim 33 further comprising a card reader
configured to accept a card and read an identification for the
person from the card.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to systems and methods for offering
games on gaming machines, such as those used in casinos and gaming
establishments. More particularly, the present invention relates to
systems and methods that allow a gaming machine to offer a
customized set of games to a person.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Processor-based gaming machines are now the norm in the
gaming industry. Their popularity benefits from the vast array of
games that a digital architecture can offer. Many gaming machines
now employ computing architectures developed for personal
computers, which enables the operation of countless games,
including games of advanced complexity, graphics and story
design.
[0003] Some machines permit play of multiple games on a single
machine. Notably, the set of games presented by a conventional
gaming machine remains the same for all players. But not all
players enjoy the same games.
[0004] Casinos often offer a large suite of games to increase
patronage and ensure that a person can play games that they enjoy.
Finding a new or different game that an individual likes amongst
the multitude of options is difficult. When there are hundreds of
games and only a handful that the person may prefer, it is far more
common for the person to encounter distasteful games than pleasant
ones. Casinos and other gaming establishments want patrons to enjoy
their gaming experience, and would rather have someone playing a
personally fulfilling game than spending time on games that they do
not enjoy. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a tailored set
of games to a person that the person is likely to enjoy. Such
tailored game offerings do not currently exist.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides systems and methods that
offer a personalized set of games to an individual at a gaming
machine. To do so, the systems and methods collect personal
information for a person, such as demographic information and/or
previous gaming experience data. The collected information is then
analyzed and used to select a set of recommended games, from
numerous games offered by a gaming establishment, that a person
corresponding to the personal information is likely to enjoy. The
set of recommended games is then offered to the person when they
are identified at or near a gaming machine or when the person
provides the personal game selection information to a gaming
machine.
[0006] In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for
offering a set of recommended games to a person near a gaming
machine. The method includes storing personal game selection
information that is useful for selecting a game from multiple games
for the person. The method also includes selecting the set of
recommended games, from a set of available games, for the person
using the personal game selection information. The method further
includes displaying the set of recommended games to the person on a
video display associated with the gaming machine.
[0007] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method
for selecting a set of recommended games for a person. This method
includes assembling game meta-data for a set of available games,
the game meta-data referring to data that is useful for
characterizing the game. The method also includes obtaining
personal game selection information for the person related to the
game meta-data. The method further includes selecting a set of
recommended games, from the set of available games, for the person
using the personal game selection information and using the game
meta-data for the set of available games.
[0008] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a
server for use with a gaming machine network. The server includes a
memory designed or configured to store a) a set of available games,
b) personal game selection information for a person that is useful
for selecting a set of recommended games from the set of available
games for the person, and c) a software application that selects
the set of recommended games from the set of available games using
the personal game selection information. The server also includes a
logic device configured to execute the software application that
selects the set of recommended games from the multiple games for
the person using the personal game selection information. The
server further includes a communications interface for transmitting
a list of the set of recommended games to an external device.
[0009] In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to a
gaming machine that includes a controller, communications
interface, video device, and a digital memory. The controller is
designed or configured to control one or more games played on the
gaming machine and to request a set of recommended games for a
person from a remote server. The communications interface is
configured to communicate with the remote server. The video device
is configured to display video data and display the set of
recommended games. The memory is designed or configured to store
preferential game software that instructs the controller to request
the set of recommended games for the person from the remote server
when the person is near the gaming machine.
[0010] Another aspect of the invention pertains to computer program
products including a machine-readable medium on which are stored
program instructions for implementing any of the methods described
above. Any of the methods of this invention may be represented as
program instructions and/or data structures, databases, etc. that
can be provided on such computer readable media.
[0011] These and other features of the present invention will be
presented in more detail in the following detailed description of
the invention and the associated figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative overview of personalized game
recommendation and collection of personal game selection
information according to the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective drawing of an exemplary gaming
machine in accordance with a specific embodiment of the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified gaming machine system in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIGS. 4A-4B respectively illustrate an exemplary player
tracking card and a block diagram of representative card components
for use with a specific embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4C illustrates an exemplary magnetic stripe player
tracking card configured for use in connection with another
specific embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a method that selects a set of
recommended games for a person in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 6 illustrates a method that offers a set of recommended
games to a person in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a weighting algorithm suitable for
selecting games in accordance with a specific embodiment of the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 8A is a block diagram of a user interface for selecting
and modifying recommended games in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 8B is a block diagram of a user interface for modifying
a player preference account in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a server connected to a number
of local and wide area networks in accordance with one embodiment
of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a server connected to a gaming
machine, kiosk and room access in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 11 is a method depicting an implementation of
recommended games on a preference account server for one embodiment
of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to a few preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous
specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough
understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent,
however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may
be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In
other instances, well known process steps and/or structures have
not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure
the present invention.
[0026] Game presentation tailoring as described herein improves
gaming machine and player interaction by selecting and providing a
set of recommended games to a person that the person should like,
based on personal information for the person. FIG. 1 shows an
illustrative overview 1 of this personalized game recommendation
process.
[0027] Personalized game provision includes collecting personal
game selection information 3 for one or more people 4. As the term
is used herein, personal game selection information refers to any
data that is useful in predicting what game(s) a person may like.
In one embodiment, personal game selection information includes
personal information and/or historical game play data. Personal
information may include demographic information, interests and/or
personal preferences, such as favorite movies and actors, etc. For
example, people in demographic groups that appreciate games related
to television shows from a past era such as the 1960s (e.g., "I
Love Lucy") are often different than people that favor science
fiction games (e.g., "Star Wars"). Age may then be used to indicate
a proximity to the former, while science fiction interest acquired
in a personal survey may be used to predict enjoyment of the
latter. Other personal information may be used, and is described in
further detail below. Historical game play data may include any
information associated with the previous game interaction, such as
what games a person played in the past, when they played, and
betting history. For example, frequent play on one game design or
betting format (e.g., multiple paylines) may lead to a
recommendation of another game with a similar game design or
betting format.
[0028] The personal game selection information 3 may come from a
variety of sources, such as prior game interaction, demographic
sources, marketing information, combinations thereof, etc.
Marketing information obtained by businesses associated with a
casino represents one source of personal information. Such
marketing information is commonly provided with tour groups, trade
shows (e.g., a Science Fiction or computer industry convention
attending Las Vegas for a few days), and other temporary visitors
to a city or casino. In addition, gaming information may be
obtained by a personal questionnaire. The questionnaire may be
acquired via paper, telephone, web-based. A person when signing up
for a room at a casino/hotel, for example, may fill out a paper
questionnaire. Player tracking systems represent a continuous
source for prior game interaction and demographic information. The
player tracking systems gather personal information when the person
signs up for the system, and collect historical game play data,
over time, at gaming machines that the person plays. These systems
allow a player to be identified at a machine, track games played by
the player, and gather any information related to game interaction.
Players agree to have their game play tracked by a central system
in exchange for perceived added value in the form of rewards or
other services offered by a casino. Additional techniques to
collect personal game selection information are described
below.
[0029] The personal game selection information 3 is stored in a
database or memory 5, either locally at a gaming establishment 13
or on a remote server 15. The database or game selection server 15
stores: personal information for each person 4, personal game
selection information 3, the selection criteria 7, and/or the set
of recommended games 8 for each person 4. The personal game
selection information 3 is updated, as desired, as the system
obtains new information about person 4.
[0030] Data mining systems and methods 7 then filter the personal
game selection 3 information and select a set of recommended games
8 for a person. The recommended games 8 refer to games that a
person is likely to enjoy based on personal game selection
information for that person. Different people enjoy different
games, and techniques described herein tailor game offerings
towards individuals based a) on their personal and stored
information, and b) data mining criteria established to convert
personal game selection information 3 into a set of recommended
games 8. This filtering process reduces a total number of games
offered by a gaming establishment to a lesser number that is likely
to interest a person.
[0031] In one embodiment, an automated and computer-implemented
data mining analysis 7 filters personal game selection information
3 using a) personal information and b) selection criteria for the
personal information. The automated filter outputs a set of
recommended games 8 for each person, given only a list of available
games, personal information, and a selection criterion. The
automated filter thus provides techniques and algorithms that mine
personal game selection data for hundreds or thousands of people 4
and provides high throughput production of sets and individualized
results and recommended games 8 for each person.
[0032] The present invention contemplates a wide range of suitable
selection criteria for filtering personal game selection
information 3. In one embodiment, the game selection process
applies a weight for each personal criterion that affects how
relevant the criterion is relative to the other information. For
example, a weighting function that includes weights based on a
personal survey or prior game play permits control of selection
criteria by adjusting the weights (e.g., from 0 to 1 or from 0 to
100), e.g., as the person plays a game more, a weight for that
specific game and/or a weight for its genre increases. The weight
also permit a system designer to choose what personal information
is used in the selection process (giving weights of `0` or low
weight devalues its corresponding personal information), and what
value it is given relative to other personal information. Other
techniques for selecting games using personal game selection
information are contemplated.
[0033] In one embodiment, the data mining and game selection
process is configurable. First, a system designer may determine
which personal game selection information is used. Second, the
system designer also determines the relative weight or value of
each bit of personal information. When the personal information
and/or criterion weights are altered, the selection process usually
produces a different set of recommended games 8 for a person. This
permits a system designer to sculpt the game selection process.
Casinos and other gaming establishments 13 value their own
expertise in patronage. Configurability in the selection process
permits a casino to control and tailor individualized game
offerings to its patrons, to promote various games or improve
service according to their own standards and values of customer
patronage. In general, configurability allows any system designer
or gaming establishment to controllably mine personal data to
generate a set of recommended games 8 for each person 4 and each
gaming establishment.
[0034] As time passes, a designer may change the data mining
criteria and/or weights. Again, this usually produces a different
set of recommended games. Thus, a casino or other gaming
establishment may alter individualized game offerings over time by
manipulating the criteria. This allows the casino to select new
sets of games for an individual, or encourage certain games for
business purposes (e.g., a new game they are promoting). The
personal game selection information 3 may also be updated for a
person (as they play more games and more information is recorded),
which may also produce a new set of recommended games 8 for that
person, given the same selection criteria.
[0035] When a person 4 nears a gaming machine 2, machine 2
recognizes the person (or otherwise links them with an identity
stored in a database for their set of recommended games 8) and
associates the person 4 with a set of recommended games 8 that has
been selected for that person. Several techniques for recognizing a
person at a gaming machine are described in further detail
below.
[0036] Selecting subsets of games offered by gaming establishment
13 allows the establishment to offer a large suite of games for all
types of people--but custom fit game offerings to individual
patrons.
[0037] A set of recommended games 8 may be organized into one or
more logical sets. Each logical set groups games into a common
theme, subject or idea. A `descriptor` is used herein to
characterize and/or label a logical set of games and thematically
links an organized set of games with an easily understood term. For
example, one or more games may be grouped into logical sets
characterized by the labels: `Games Played`, `Science Fiction`,
`Poker Games`, `Payline Games`, `Recommended Games`, `New Games`,
`Recently Played`, `Played Most`, etc. Additional logical groups
and descriptors are provided below. Other logical groups are
permissible, are a matter of design choice and convenience, and the
present invention is not limited to or by any particular groupings
or labels. As the term is used herein, a `set` may refer to a set
of games or a subset of any set, and the two terms are
interchangeable as used herein. It is also worth noting that a game
may be in grouped into multiple logical sets; for example, `Star
Trek` may be grouped into: a `Science Fiction` logical set, a
`Television Show` logical set, and/or a `Recently Played` logical
set.
[0038] The logical sets may be displayed by gaming machine 2, e.g.,
on a menu (see FIG. 8A). The sets may be initially displayed by
their descriptors. In this case, a player chooses a descriptor
(e.g., using a touch screen on the gaming machine) to access a set
of games for that descriptor (and player). After the person selects
a game within the set, gaming machine 2 then presents the selected
game to the player.
[0039] Multiple sets of recommended games 8 can be presented. The
sets can be displayed simultaneously--or by their descriptors. This
allows display of the sets themselves to vary depending on the
capabilities of a device displaying the sets, player preference, or
even the context they are being displayed in.
[0040] The present invention also permits a person to have input on
the selection process. In one embodiment, a gaming machine provides
a graphical user interface that allows a player to input
information related to recommended games and sets. For example, a
player may input the number of games he/she wants in a set--one
player might wish a gaming machine to present the last 5 Games
Played, while another may wish to see the last 10 Games Played. Or
one player may wish for games to stay in a Recently Played set for
30 days, while another may wish for games to stay in that set for
only 1 week. User controlled options may also include the types of
games to include or exclude from a logical set, and what
descriptors to present when they arrive at a gaming machine. The
player may also add or remove games to or from the lists of
recommended games 8. An exemplary user interface for controlling a
set of recommended games 8 is described below with respect to FIG.
8A.
[0041] Thus, the set of recommended games 8 may be affected by: the
player, the selection criteria, a gaming establishment, and/or the
gaming machine based on a subset of games available thereon. In one
embodiment, remote server 15 downloads the set of recommended games
8, as determined by a gaming establishment and selection process,
to a gaming machine 2. This downloaded set may change over time.
For instance, a gaming establishment 13 may promote a new game that
player has never seen before. If the player does not like the one
or more games in the set of recommended games 8, the player may
change the set via a user interface.
[0042] As a result of the list of recommended games, a player might
discover a new favorite game that they previously did not know
about, play the game a lot, play more often in the responsible
casino 13, and have a generally more pleasant experience with
casino gaming and that casino 13. On a mass consumer scale,
offering recommended games may also increase player enjoyment and
participation, increase player exposure to different games, and
speed adoption of new games.
[0043] Many possible games, including traditional casino games,
video slot games, video poker, digitized mechanical slot games,
video black jack, video keno, video pachinko, lottery games and
other games of chance as well as bonus and progressive games are
suitable for use with this invention. The gaming industry includes
a number of game manufacturers that each provides a suite of games.
For example, International Game Technology (IGT) of Reno, Nev.
offers a wide variety of entertaining and thematic games (over 100
games) suitable for use with the present invention. A casino may
offer games from one or multiple game manufacturers and select
subsets from the total list as desired. In general, the present
invention is not limited to a specific game played on a gaming
machine 2. In addition, a set of recommended games may also include
bonus games and progressive games linked together by one or more
descriptors, e.g., `Bonus Games` or `Progressive Games`.
[0044] The personalized game recommendation process of FIG. 1 is
also flexible and extendable. When a designer wants to add or amend
criteria for selecting games, they can do so, and thereby create a
new set of recommended games and/or logical set for each person 4
associated with a database 5 or gaming establishment 13. The
designer or casino may also designate a game as recommended for all
players. One example of this is a `Recommended Games` logical set,
which recommends games to a player based on the types of games they
usually play (e.g., Science Fiction, games related to movie
characters, etc.) or games favored by a casino.
[0045] In a specific embodiment, information collection, game
filtering and selection, personal identification, and
individualized offering are all automated. This requires little
personalized management by the gaming establishment for each person
4. In this case, casinos may implement the present invention with
minimal overhead for a large number of patrons using automated
processes.
[0046] The invention is also dynamic in: a) selection criteria, b)
personal game selection information, and c) and games offered.
Notably, no static set of recommended games needs to be maintained
in database 5 for each person 4, just the person's personal game
selection information 3 and the selection criteria 7. Machine 2 may
request a set of recommended games 8, and receive the set 8 from
remote server 15, all in real time. Recommended sets are then
generated in real time based on games that are currently available
to a casino, either on a gaming machine 2 and/or on a server 15. In
this case, the set of recommended games 8 may vary each time the
gaming machine 2 requests games. Many gaming machines permit games
to be downloaded using a network connection from a centralized
server. This permits currently available games offered by a gaming
machine to change in real-time, without the need for manual
reconfiguration of each gaming machine whenever the casino installs
a new game offered by a game manufacturer.
[0047] As the term is used herein, a gaming establishment 13 refers
to any business or organization that operates at least one gaming
machine on its premises and/or offers gaming machine services to
potential customers. Exemplary businesses include gaming machine
services providers, casinos, hotels, airports, restaurants,
nightclubs, grocery stores, gas stations and convenience stores. A
gaming machine services provider may include a gaming machine
manufacturer or a business that offers gaming machine services
(such as progressive pools or financial services for ticket
redemption). Portable gaming instruments such as player tracking
cards and paper tickets are gaining popularity; many such portable
gaming instruments identify the person who carries them. The same
portable gaming instrument may be offered and redeemed by one or
multiple establishments. For example, a portable gaming instrument
may have been generated at one property, redeemed at that property,
or redeemed at another property, such as a second casino. While the
present invention will be discussed primarily with respect to
casinos, it is understood that the present invention is well-suited
for use by any gaming establishment.
[0048] While the present invention will primarily be discussed with
respect to gaming machines found in casinos and the like, the
present invention is well-suited for use with any device that a
player is capable of playing games on. For example, this invention
can be applied to gaming machines with Internet access or remote
access to a player tracking system, thin clients playing games on a
server, and/or a hybrid environment. In one embodiment, the
invention applies to any environment where an identified player
interacts with a device that is capable of playing multiple
games.
[0049] The invention thus tailors a gaming experience to each
person. When a casino offers hundreds of games, this reduces the
number of games presented to a player to a manageable level, and
games that are most likely to be enjoyed.
[0050] Turning to FIG. 2, an exemplary video gaming machine 2 is
shown. Machine 2 includes a main cabinet 14, which generally
surrounds the machine interior (not shown) and is viewable by
users. The main cabinet includes a main door 18 on the front of the
machine, which opens to provide access to the interior of the
machine. Attached to the main door are player-input switches or
buttons 32, a coin acceptor 28, and a bill validator 30, a coin
tray 38, and a belly glass 40. Viewable through the main door is a
video display device 34 and an information panel 36. The main
display device 34 may include one of more of: a cathode ray tube,
flat-panel LCD, a transparent LCD, plasma/LED display, an OLED
device or other conventional electronically controlled video
display device.
[0051] The gaming machine 2 includes a top box 16, which sits on
top of the main cabinet 14. A second display device 42 may be
provided in the top box 16. Display device 42 may also include one
of more of: a cathode ray tube, flat-panel LCD, a transparent LCD,
plasma/LED display, an OLED device or other conventional
electronically controlled video display device.
[0052] Typically, after a player initiates a game on gaming machine
2, the main display device 34 and the second display device 42
visually display a game presentation, possibly including one or
more bonus games, and controlled by a main processor (see FIG. 10).
The video component of a game presentation may include a sequence
of frames refreshed at a sufficient rate on at least one of the
displays, 34 and/or 42, such that it appears as a continuous
presentation to a player playing the game on gaming machine 2.
[0053] Information panel 36 may be a back-lit, silk screened glass
panel with lettering to indicate general game information
including, for example, the denomination of bills accepted by the
gaming machine (e.g., $1, $20, and $100). Bill validator 30,
player-input switches 32, video display device 34, and information
panel are devices used to play a game on game machine 2. A main
processor, housed inside main cabinet 14, controls these devices.
During game play, information regarding the operation of one or
more of these devices may be captured by gaming machine 2 as part
of a game history on the gaming machine.
[0054] In the example shown in FIG. 2, top box 16 houses a number
of devices, which may be used to input player tracking information
or other player identification information into the gaming machine
2, including bill validator 30 which may read bar-coded tickets 20,
key pad 22, fluorescent display 17, camera 44 and card reader 24
for reading magnetic striped cards or smart cards. Camera 44 may be
mounted in top box 16 and used to record images of a person near
the gaming machine. Key pad 22, fluorescent display 17 and card
reader 24 may be used to enter and display player tracking
information. In addition, other input devices besides those
described above may be used to enter player identification
information including a finger print recording device or a retina
scanner.
[0055] In addition to the devices described above, top box 16 may
contain different or additional devices than those shown in the
FIG. 2. For example, the top box may contain a bonus wheel or a
back-lit silk screened panel, which may be used to add bonus
features to a game being played on gaming machine 2. During a game,
these devices are controlled and powered, in part, by circuitry
(not shown) housed within main cabinet 14.
[0056] Understand that gaming machine 2 is but one example from a
wide range of gaming machine designs on which the present invention
may be implemented. For example, not all suitable gaming machines
have top boxes or player tracking features. Those of skill in the
art will understand that the present invention, as described below,
can be deployed on most any gaming machine now available or
hereafter developed.
[0057] Returning to the example of FIG. 2, when a user selects a
gaming machine 2, the gaming machine identifies the person and
offers a list of recommended games. The person then selects a game.
In some cases, the gaming machine offers a preview game to the
player. Alternatively, a person inserts cash or credit through the
coin acceptor 28 or bill validator 30. Bill validator may also
accept a printed ticket voucher, which may be accepted by the bill
validator 30 as indicia of credit. Once the gaming machine has
accepted cash or credit, or the preview game accepted, game play
may commence on the gaming machine. Typically, a player may use all
or part of the cash entered or credit into the gaming machine to
make a wager on game play. During the course of a game, a player
may be required to make a number of decisions that affect the
outcome of the game. For example, a player may vary his or her
wager, select a prize, or make game-time decisions that affect game
play. These choices may be selected using the player-input switches
32, a touch screen associated with main video display screen 34 or
using some other device which enables a player to input information
into the gaming machine including a key pad, a touch screen, a
mouse, a joy stick, a microphone and a track ball.
[0058] During certain game events, gaming machine 2 may display
visual and auditory effects that can be perceived by a player.
These effects add to the entertainment and excitement of a game,
which makes a player more likely to continue playing. Auditory
effects include various sounds that are projected by the speakers
21. Visual effects include flashing lights, strobing lights or
other patterns displayed from lights on the gaming machine 2 or
from lights behind the belly glass 40. After the player has
completed a game, the player may receive game tokens from coin tray
38 or a ticket 20 from printer 30, which may be used for further
games or to redeem a prize. Further, a player may receive a ticket
20 for food, merchandise, or games from printer 30. This
information may also be incorporated into game history information
or saved in a textual record of game history.
[0059] Many possible games, including video slot games, video
poker, video pachinko, video black jack and video keno, may be
provided with gaming machines of this invention. In general, the
invention may be applied to any type of video game implemented on a
gaming machine supporting video game presentations. Gaming machine
2 also provides multi-game capabilities where more than one type of
game may be played on the gaming machine. For instance on gaming
machine 2, a player may select video black jack using the input
buttons 32, make a wager, initiate a game and view a video black
jack presentation on the display screen 34 and then select a video
slot game, make a wager, initiate a game and view a video slot
presentation.
[0060] Typically, using a master gaming controller, the gaming
machine controls various combinations of devices that allow a
player to play a game on the gaming machine and also encourage game
play on the gaming machine. For example, a game played on a gaming
machine usually requires a player to input money or indicia of
credit into the gaming machine, indicate a wager amount, and
initiate a game play. These steps require the gaming machine to
control input devices, including bill validators and coin
acceptors, to accept money into the gaming machine and recognize
user inputs from devices, including touch screens and button pads,
to determine the wager amount and initiate game play.
[0061] After game play has been initiated, the gaming machine
determines a game outcome, presents the game outcome to the player
and may dispense an award of some type depending on the outcome of
the game. A game outcome presentation may utilize many different
visual and audio components such as flashing lights, music, sounds
and graphics.
[0062] The present invention is well suited for server-based gaming
in which a centralized server manages the personalized game
recommendation process.
[0063] FIG. 3 illustrates a gaming machine system 100 in accordance
with an embodiment of the invention. System 100 includes at least
one gaming machine 2 at a particular location, remote gaming
machines 103 at another location, a bus 104, and a recommended
games server 105. The gaming machines 2, 103 and server 105
communicate with each other electronically via bus 104, which may
include any conventional data transmission line. Each gaming
machine 2, 103 allows a player to play a game, and dispenses
rewards, monetary or otherwise, as appropriate. The configuration
of system 100 encompasses embodiments in which server 105 controls
the operation of gaming machines 2, 103. The system 100 also
encompasses embodiments in which gaming machines 2, 103 are each
stand-alone units capable of operating play of their games largely
without server 105. Like gaming machine 2, machines 103 are
configured to allow a player to play a game. The gaming machines
103 are shown as separate from gaming machine 2 simply to
illustrate the fact that various embodiments of the invention can
be utilized within systems 100 that have multiple networked gaming
machines.
[0064] The present invention identifies a person at a gaming
machine. In one embodiment, identification uses biometric
recognition. Biometrics uses biological information to establish
and verify identity of a person. The basic idea behind biometrics
is that each person's body contains unique properties that can be
used to distinguish the person from others. `Biometric data` refers
to data used to identify a person based on a person's physical
trait or behavioral characteristics. `Biometric identification`
refers to the process of identifying of a person based on his or
her biometric data. Fingerprint identification is one example of
biometric identification, and can be accomplished with an optical
scanner and fingerprint software installed on a gaming machine.
Facial recognition, retina scans, hand-written signatures, voice
patterns and/or palm prints are all forms of biometric
identification that are suitable for use herein. The first two may
use camera 44 on gaming machine 2 of FIG. 2, and both allow
identification without the user performing any initiating action.
Other forms of biometric authentication may also be used.
[0065] In addition to biometrics, a person may carry something that
identifies them to a gaming machine. For example, also included in
system 100 of FIG. 3 is a portable gaming instrument 106 that can
be carried by players. Portable gaming instrument 106 refers to any
device used to convey value in a gaming establishment and/or
identify a player. This may include a paper ticket or voucher, a
smart card or debit card, for example. For example, portable
instrument 106 can be a known player tracking card or paper ticket
that stores information that identifies the person carrying a
portable gaming instrument 106. In such a case, gaming machine 2
can be equipped with a card reader that allows players to insert
their portable device into gaming machine 2 to be read before or
during game play. Exemplary printed credit devices include
printed-paper tickets and printed plastic cards. Plastic cards
including a magnetic strip that stores information are also
suitable for use herein. Some casinos issue player identification
or player tracking cards that furnish a person awards for frequent
patronage. Before beginning play, a player presents the card to a
magnetic card reader that communicates with the gaming machine. The
reader detects the card, and software on the gaming machine or
network notes the card value and person. The credit device is often
portable. A person may carry the portable gaming instrument until
redemption at a gaming machine, cash-out station or another
location in a gaming establishment that redeems portable credit
devices. Although the remaining discussion will primarily be
described with respect to player tracking cards, any suitable
portable instrument 106 that communicates identity of a person to a
gaming machine is suitable for use herein.
[0066] The portable gaming instrument 106 may uniquely or generally
identify the person carrying the instrument 106. Unique
identification exclusively refers to that person. General
identification broadly identifies the person as belonging to a
group of people. For example, a paper ticket may be given to each
member of a Science Fiction convention; in this case, the personal
information on the ticket only includes Science Fiction information
for the person (and maybe other information such as a hotel for the
convention).
[0067] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate exemplary player tracking cards
capable of identifying a person at a gaming machine. FIGS. 4A-4B
illustrate an exemplary "smart" player tracking card 125 having
contacts 135 on its outer surface, as well as internal components
including a microprocessor 120 and memory 130 (FIG. 4B). The
microprocessor 120 and memory 130 are in electronic communication,
allowing microprocessor 120 to store information in, and retrieve
information from, memory 130. Microprocessor 120 is also
electrically connected to contacts 135, allowing it to interface
with external devices and systems.
[0068] In the operation of a gaming machine 2 utilizing a smart
card 125, a person inserts their tracking card 125 into a reader at
gaming machine 2. The microprocessor 120 then retrieves information
from the memory 130 and provides it to the gaming machine 2. The
information can include such items as the person's identification,
or a number related to the person's identification suitable for
identifying the person in a database. Receipt of this information
prompts the gaming machine 2 to display a set of recommended games
for the person, to or call server 105 to retrieve and transmit such
information before display on the gaming machine.
[0069] FIG. 4C illustrates an exemplary magnetic stripe tracking
card 140. In contrast to the smart tracking card 125, magnetic card
140 does not contain a microprocessor 120. Instead, its magnetic
stripe 150 stores a relatively small amount of information, such as
an identification number for the card or an identification number
for a person that the card was given to. A card reader in the
gaming machine can read information on stripe. Operation of a
gaming machine system 100 utilizing magnetic stripe tracking cards
140 often employs server 105 to provide information that cannot be
stored on the card 140. Commonly, the gaming machine 2
automatically retrieves an identification number stored on the card
140, and sends it to server 105. Server 105 then checks the
identification number or the person's identity to obtain a set of
recommended games for the person. In some cases, the server may
also determine whether the user of that particular card 140 is
entitled to sample or preview play and, if so, initiates sample
play on gaming machine 2.
[0070] Having discussed exemplary gaming machines, server-based
systems, techniques for identifying a person at a gaming machine,
and portable devices, methods for selecting and offering
recommended games will now be expanded upon. FIG. 5 illustrates a
flow chart 60 for selecting a set of recommended games for a person
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0071] Flow chart 60 begins by assembling game meta-data for a set
of available games (62). The game meta-data refers to a category or
data related to a game that is useful for characterizing the game.
The game meta-data is particularly useful to map the game and its
characteristics. In a specific embodiment, the meta-data may
include a key-word description of content in the game. For example,
a `Star Wars` game may include the following meta-data: {Science
Fiction; movie; licensed; live video; dual screen presentation;
multiple paylines; bonus game included, progressive jackpot
included; etc.}. The meta-data may also include logical
information, such as a game type (e.g., reels or cards), number of
paylines, wager denominations, payout percentages and
characteristics (e.g., frequency and size of wins, overall
volatility), genre, whether the game is licensed, betting
information such as wager amounts and/or payout tables, whether the
game allows the player to buy features (e.g. chance to trigger a
bonus, chance to win a progressive jackpot) whether the game video
includes any notable actors, whether the game audio includes any
notable music, the types of extended features the game offers
(e.g., free spin features, bonus features that allow the player to
select from a set of prizes, double-or-nothing features, etc.
Often, the meta-data does not directly pertain to game play, but
describes characteristic aspects of the game. For example, a "Wheel
of Fortune" game may include the following meta-data: {TV Show;
licensed; live video; dual screen presentation; multiple paylines;
wheel bonus; game show; puzzle solving; 2D or 3D graphics;
celebrities; Vanna White; Pat Sajak; Merv Griffin (designer of
original show); second screen bonus; etc.
[0072] Assembling game meta-data may occur when the recommendation
system is first established, and each time a new game is obtained
or introduced. For each game, the meta-data is assessed and
recorded. The meta-data may also be mapped into categories. For
example, a `wager` category may include the following meta-data:
`bet amount`, `number of paylines`, `bonus game`, `progressive
betting?` etc.
[0073] Notably, meta-data for the available games is not static and
may change over time. Thus, when a casino wishes to change how they
characterize their games and patronage, step 62 may be repeated as
desired. Meta-data may be added, removed, completely overhauled,
etc. Each change may produce a different set of games for each
person.
[0074] Game selection software is then configured to select
recommended games from a set of available games (e.g., to a casino)
using the personal game selection information for a person (64). In
one embodiment, the recommended game selection software includes a)
selection criteria that use the meta-data from 62 and b) personal
game selection information for multiple people. The selection
criteria permit designers and casinos to tailor the selection
process by adding weights and controlling the relative
contributions of different meta-data. For example, game genre (one
particular meta-data) may be given a weight of 1 on a scale from 0
to 1, while number of paylines (another particular meta-data)
receives a weight of 0.1. The weights thus affect the relative
relevance of meta-data according to individual personal game
selection information for any person. In the example, a personal
survey may have indicated a strong preference to game genres, but
indifference towards the number of paylines in a game. Further
description of the game selection software and rules engine design
is provided below.
[0075] Personal game selection information for one or more people
is then obtained (66). As mentioned above, personal information may
come from demographic sources, marketing information, one or more
casinos and gaming establishments, prior game interaction,
combinations thereof, etc. In one embodiment, personal game
selection information includes personal information and/or
historical game play data. Such personal information may include a
person's age, current residence, country of origin, favorite TV
show, favorite actor, favorite movie, preferred movie genres (e.g.,
horror, comedy, etc.), preferred sport, favorite sports team,
hobbies and interests (e.g., hunting or snowboarding), preferred
vacation destination, education level, annual income, sex (M/F),
occupation, marital status, number of children, favorite game,
preferred game type (multiple paylines, etc.), preferred card game,
favorite video game, favorite slot game, preferred traditional reel
game, favorite poker game, social preferences and recreations,
preferred music, and favorite musician, for example. This list only
includes one of each of the items (e.g., a favorite sport), it is
understood that a person may have multiple inputs for each item
(e.g., preferred sports), such as three preferred sports or three
favorite movies or actors. This list is not meant to be exhaustive
and other personal information is suitable for use herein.
[0076] Personal game selection information may be obtained by a
personal questionnaire filled out by a person, e.g., when signing
up for a room at a casino/hotel. Such a questionnaire may be
designed to produce information useful for the present invention,
or not. For example, the personal questionnaire may include
questions that the hotel uses for quality service. Useful
information from a questionnaire may include one or more of the
items listed above.
[0077] Historical game play data may include any data and
information relating to the interaction between a person and a
gaming machine, such as information gained via a player tracking
card. Player tracking systems are one source for historical game
play information. By inserting their player tracking card into a
gaming machine, the person allows the gaming machine to identify
the person and start collecting information related to interaction
between the player and gaming machine. Such information may include
wager denominations, wagering patterns in games that offer multiple
paylines, times of day in which the person played, what games were
played, durations of play, what bonus games were played, what
progressive games were played, time on device, coin in, volatility
of games played, amount won, size of wins, gaming machines played
on (does the player have a preferred machine?), number of large
wins awarded in a given game session, etc.
[0078] The personal information may be initially collected via one
or more means (surveys, etc.) and/or updated based on new
information (game history). The new information may include
historical game play data gained via player tracking card,
information shared by other casinos and sources after a person's
identity has been established, etc.
[0079] Information may also be gathered for numerous people at a
single time. For example, attendees at a Science Fiction convention
or a trade show in Las Vegas may receive complimentary game play
cards when they attend the conference and/or stay at a particular
hotel/casino. In this case, a casino already knows enough
information for each attendee (they like Science Fiction) to
recommend Science Fiction games to them; and the complimentary game
play cards may be player tracking cards that identify the person
and present one or more Science Fiction games on a gaming machine
when the person attempts to redeem the free credits provided on the
complimentary card. Additional personal game selection information
for the person may be gained when the person booked their room
(e.g., age, sex (M/F), occupation, etc.). Further, once the person
uses the complimentary card, any game play information on the free
games may be used to build personal game selection information for
the person and further tailor recommended games to the person.
[0080] Other methods and techniques for collecting personal game
selection information may be used, and the present invention is not
limited by any particular method or technique of collecting
personal information. For example, marketing information obtained
by businesses associated with a casino is another source of
personal information.
[0081] The collected information may be converted to personal game
selection information. This implies that some personal information,
such as a person's name and biometric information for example, may
not be useful for selecting games. In one embodiment, the game
selection software selects recommended games using predetermined
fields that each correspond to one particular personal criterion.
Alternatively, the collected information may have to be input into
a computer or coded, if necessary.
[0082] Flow chart 60 then selects a set of recommended games for a
person using the personal game selection information for the person
and using the game meta-data for the set of available games (68).
The output of step 68 is a set of recommended games for a person.
The set can be stored using relatively little memory by enumerating
the games and storing numbers for each recommended game for any
person.
[0083] Flow chart 60 may then be updated as desired (70). For
example, a casino may wish to reconfigure the selection criteria
(proceed to 64), may collect new data on the person (proceed to
66), may obtain game play data for the person (proceed to 66), may
acquire new games (proceed to 62); any of which may produce a new
set of recommended games.
[0084] FIG. 6 illustrates a method 80 for offering a set of
recommended games to a person in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention.
[0085] Flow chart 80 begins by detecting personal information for a
person at or near gaming machine (82). In one embodiment, the
gaming machine detects personal game selection information from the
person. For example, the person may only present a voucher, widely
given to participants at a Science Fiction conference, which
indicates a few pieces of personal game selection information about
the person (e.g., Science Fiction interest, etc.). In another
embodiment, the gaming machine (or a device associated therewith)
identifies the person and relates them to a number assigned to the
person. The number may be a reference number in a database that
stores personal game selection information for the person. In some
cases, the gaming machine identifies the person at the gaming
machine using a portable credit device or a player tracking card
presented to the gaming machine by the person. As discussed above,
the portable credit device can be any device capable of storing
information and being read by an appropriately configured reader on
the gaming machine. As such, the invention is not limited to the
tracking cards. Rather, any device capable of storing information
and identifying a person (or information related to a person) can
be employed. For instance, paper tickets such as those used in the
EZ Pay.RTM. system produced by IGT of Reno, Nev. can be used. Such
tickets can be modified to include information for implementing the
various embodiments of the invention, such as information stored on
the ticket to identify a person and permit a free preview play.
[0086] In another embodiment, the gaming machine identifies the
person near the gaming machine using biometric information for the
person. For example, a camera 44 of gaming machine 2 may capture a
picture of the person, and using appropriate face recognition
software, identify the person. Other forms of biometric
identification suitable for use herein include fingerprint
recognition, voice recognition, and palm print recognition, for
example.
[0087] Other forms of personal identification may be used at the
gaming machine. For example, a person may enter an identification
code using the key pad on the gaming machine. RFID devices may also
be carried by the person and used to identify the person when they
are within a reading range of an RFID reader included on a gaming
machine.
[0088] A person's name need not be identified at the gaming
machine. In some cases, only a number is associated with the
person's identity and allows the person to remain anonymous.
Alternatively, the person may have received a tracking card as part
of a distribution to a conference to induce patronage at a casino
local to the conference. Identity for the person may later be added
to their player tracking card, e.g., when they attempt to redeem
cash value or comps on the cards.
[0089] In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes selection
software and determines the set of recommended games based on the
information received from the person.
[0090] In a server based system, the gaming machine then sends the
personal information to a server and requests a set of recommended
games (84). In one embodiment, the gaming machine sends the
person's identity, or a number corresponding to the identity or
corresponding to a portable device presented to the gaming machine,
to the server with a request for a set of recommended games for
that person. The information and request may also be stored for the
person according to their unique number to further accumulate
information on the player. In another embodiment, the gaming
machine sends personal game selection information read from a
credit device that was detected by the gaming machine. In this
case, the server receives the personal game selection information
and selects set of recommended games based on the received
information. In this case, the server may create an account for the
person, assign them a unique number, and begin accumulating data
for that person based on their game play and interaction.
[0091] The set of recommended games may change over time.
Initially, the first set of recommended games may be based on
little information, such as information common to all participants
to a convention. This first set represents an initial guess for the
person. The initial guess may also be matched to more detailed
results for similar people, e.g., people with a high disposition
for subject matter of the convention (e.g., Science Fiction). The
set of recommended games then adapts over time as more information,
such as game choices and betting patterns, becomes available.
[0092] In response to the request, the server responds and sends a
current set of recommended games to the gaming machine. The server
may be responsible for a) storage of all personal game selection
information; and/or b) selection of recommended games according to
selection methods as described herein. In one embodiment, the
server responds in real time by receiving the personal game
selection information, performing a selection based on the received
information in real time, and promptly sending the set of
recommended games back to the requesting gaming machine. The server
may also store game code for each game offered by a casino (e.g., a
downloadable environment where games are downloaded to individual
gaming machines by request). In this case, the server may also
begin downloading one or more games, or video previews thereof, to
the gaming machine based on the set of recommended games.
[0093] Software on the gaming machine then displays the recommended
games on the gaming machine (86). In some cases, the set of
recommended games appears in multiple logical sets that are
characterized by a descriptor. For example, the gaming machine may
display five logical sets characterized as: `Games Previously
Played`, `Science Fiction`, `Poker Games`, `Recommended Games`, and
`New Games`. In this multiple set case, the gaming machine first
receives, from the player, a selection for one of the descriptors
(88), e.g., the person touches an appropriate position on a
touch-screen to open a menu for one of the logical sets, to display
all the recommended games in that logical set. The gaming machine
then receives a selection for a particular game (90). Descriptors
are also well suited for use when the set of recommended games does
not fit into the display area and is broken into subsets for
convenience of presentation. Alternatively, if only one logical set
is presented, the set of recommended games easily fits into the
display area, then all recommended games may be initially shown,
and the person selects a desired game (90).
[0094] The game is then offered for play to the player (92). Game
play proceeds after the player provides the gaming machine with
appropriate credit.
[0095] The present invention may also permit a player to preview
games that have been selected. Such a sample or game preview can
include many different modes of play. For instance, the gaming
machine can let the player play a free `preview` game or show the
game to the person without a wager. Alternatively, the gaming
machine can display a preview of progressive play, along with the
progressive jackpot. It can also preview special bonus modes of
various games, demonstrating to the player various special prizes
than can be won. Such preview play can be interactive, allowing
player participation, or passive, simply illustrating sample play
without allowing user interaction. Preview play can also include
full, nominal, zero, or other payouts if so desired.
[0096] Previewing allows a casino to further attract players to
unfamiliar games and helps gaming establishments attract further
business. In addition, players benefit by gaining access and
familiarity to a wider variety of games, many of which they may not
have been familiar with. Further description of previewing games is
described in commonly owned and co-pending patent application Ser.
No. 10/910,407 and entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREVIEWING A
GAME", which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all
purposes.
[0097] Method 80 may then track and store game play information for
the person (96). This provides new personal game selection
information that can be used to further tailor and improve the set
of recommended games provided to a player at a subsequent time.
Information gathered may include: what game(s) the person played,
information associated with the game(s) such as any meta-data for
the game, how many times a person played a game, a minimum wager, a
maximum wager, an average wager, payline usage, other betting
interaction information, a number of games per session (e.g., each
time they use their player tracking card), when they play, and
combinations thereof such as dates or times of certain games and
wager amounts made at certain times of day.
[0098] In another embodiment, as a game play session continues, a
gaming machine generates a new set of recommended games based upon
information gained from player interaction. For example, if the
player repeatedly uses a particular betting pattern during their
game play, the gaming machine may recognize the pattern, save it as
personal game selection information, and recommend a new set of
games that better reflects the new information.
[0099] The present invention selects recommended games from a
larger set of available games. In one embodiment, a server applies
a weighting algorithm to game meta-data for numerous games. The
weights are based on data associated with each player. The
algorithm is stored as software on a server and applied to all the
game meta-data and personal game selection information stored
thereon.
[0100] FIG. 7 illustrates a weighting algorithm 500 suitable for
selecting games in accordance with a specific embodiment of the
present invention. Weighting algorithm 500 provides a summed
result, N, that accommodates each game meta-data entry, C, and
applies a weight, W, to each meta-data entry based on personal game
selection information for the person. Three weighting algorithms,
500a, 500b and 500c, are shown for three games, Game A, Game B and
Game C, respectively.
[0101] The meta-data entries, C, vary for each game. The software
may include hundreds of meta-data entries that characterize aspects
of each available game; each game typically only includes a subset
of meta-data entries according to that game. In an illustrative
example for Game A: C.sub.1 refers to a number of times that a
person played game A, C.sub.2 refers to a science fiction genre,
C.sub.3 refers to an age of the person, C.sub.4 refers to the
presence of a bonus game, C.sub.5 refers to the presence of
multiple paylines, and C.sub.na refers to a particular famous actor
included in Game A. In an illustrative example for another science
fiction game B, C.sub.1 refers to a number of times that a person
played game A, C.sub.2 refers to a science fiction genre, C.sub.6
refers to how recently the person played the game, C.sub.7 refers
to a betting amount for the game, C.sub.10 refers to the presence
of a progressive game, and C.sub.nb refers to a movie that the game
is based upon. Game C also includes another weighting algorithm
500c that includes common and different meta-data. Other meta-data
entries may be included, depending on the game, as one of skill in
the art will appreciate.
[0102] A weight is applied to each meta-data entry. The weight
roughly attempts to numerically characterize a) a person's desire
or value for the corresponding meta-data entry, and/or b) a system
designer's or casino's value for the corresponding meta-data. The
weight may include a numerical representation of value, personal
preference, affinity, previous experience, combinations thereof, or
opposition to the meta-data entry. The weight may also reflect a
gaming establishment's desire to promote certain games. For
example, weights for Game A in FIG. 7 are as follows: W.sub.1
refers to a game designer's value for the number of times that the
person played game A, W.sub.2 refers to the weight applied to a
person's preference for science fiction games, W.sub.3 refers to a
game designer's value of the person's age in game selection,
W.sub.4 refers to the weight applied to a person's preference for a
bonus game, W.sub.5 refers to the weight applied to a person's
preference for multiple paylines, and W.sub.na refers to the weight
applied to a person's affinity for particular famous actor included
in Game (e.g., as determined from a survey). Weights may be given
on a scale from 1-100, 0-1, 1-10,000, or any other suitable range
that permits relative assessment between meta-data; the range and
granularity of the scale is arbitrary and a matter of design
choice. The weights may also go negative, to indicate a dislike for
or opposition to a particular meta-data entry (e.g., the person
strongly dislikes science fiction games and movies). The weight may
be initially derived from a questionnaire that prompts a user to
describe, rank and/or rate preferences using a numeric system. For
example, a user may be given a questionnaire that asks the user to
characterize the preference on a scale from 0 (indifferent) to 10
(strongly like) or -5 (strongly dislike) to 0 (indifferent) to 5
(strongly like). The weights will also correlate historical game
play factors, as appropriate. For example, a value of 0.1, on a
scale from 1-10, may be added each time the person plays the game,
wins on the game, selects the game from a list, etc. Games may also
be given negative weights each time the person loses a certain
amount of money on the game, ignores the game from a list, etc.
[0103] A weighting algorithm 500 produces a numerical value, N, for
each game in a set of available games offered by a casino. N is a
quantitative assessment of a person's desirability for that
particular game. The selection software then applies a weighting
algorithm 500 for each game A, B, C and so on, for all games
available to the casino or gaming establishment. Dozens or hundreds
of games may be ranked in this manner. The output, N, for each
person then varies for each person based on their personalized
weights, W. The numerical value, N, permits the games to be ranked
and selected based on the common scoring system.
[0104] Each person may have their own set of weights--both
initially and as time passes and more personal game selection
information is gathered for each person. Thus, an initial selection
may be based on demographic information for the person, while later
selections will encompass personal game selection information
collected from numerous game play sessions.
[0105] Recommended game selection is then a matter of design
choice. There are numerous options for selecting recommending games
based on numerical values (N) for each game, and the present
invention is not limited by any specific selection process. For
example, the selection software may rank the games according to
their respective numerical values. If only one set of recommended
games will be offered to a player, then, the top 5, 10 or top `x`
games may be offered to a player. Alternatively, a threshold may be
applied. The threshold may include the top 5% of games, a certain
score for N above which all games are selected, etc.
[0106] Multiple logical sets of recommended games may also be
produced. For example, sets for `Games Played`, `Science Fiction`,
`Poker Games`, `Payline Games`, `Recommended Games`, `New Games`,
and `Recently Played`, may be generated. Selection within each
logical set may be accomplished by re-calculating N for each game
with a meta-data entry for each logical set given a
disproportionately large weight, W, that corresponds to that
descriptor and logical set. For example, games for a `Science
Fiction` logical set may have the weight W for Science Fiction
games boosted to produce a larger number, N, for all Science
Fiction games. The games may then be selected using the ranking or
threshold criteria described above, e.g., top 5 games in the
Science Fiction set. Alternatively, selection within each logical
set may be accomplished by filtering out games that only include a
particular meta-data entry for a logical set at issue (e.g., only
Science Fiction games) and ranking games appropriately after the
filter.
[0107] Each logical set of recommended games is labeled and
identified with a descriptor. Some examples of descriptors are
`Recently Played`, `Last x Games`, `Recommended Games`, `Recent
Arrivals`, and `All Games`. A gaming machine may also offer a
player the option to select certain logical sets, using an account
preferences interface (see FIGS. 8A and 8B), which logical sets
they would like to appear on their personal menu. The selection
software would then generate a list in response. The menu would
display the set or sets of games indicated by the player's
preferences.
[0108] The selection process may also employ a rules engine that
allows designers to tailor the selection process and add specific
rules. The rules engine may apply any logic to the selection
process. One rule applies direct correlation logic, such as
automatically offering a `biker` game to a motorcycle group that is
visiting the casino. Alternatively, if a person has not selected a
particular game from a list in, say, 6 months, then the game may be
removed from all recommended sets.
[0109] Although the present invention has been described with
respect to a weighted algorithm for selecting a set of recommended
games, it is contemplated that other selection software is suitable
for use for selecting recommended games. For example, a relational
database may be configured to produce recommended games using
stored logic and personal game selection information. In one
embodiment, the selection software includes commercially available
software adapted to select recommended games. One suitable software
package includes SQL Server 2005 as provided by Microsoft, Inc. of
Redmond, Wash., and adapted to select games as described
herein.
[0110] Pre-configured selection software permits automated
selection that may be repeated off-line, and in real-time, for
hundreds of thousands of patrons. The software also permits
tailoring by a gaming establishment. Thus, some casinos may cater
to certain demographic groups by configuring the weighting
algorithm to favor and recommend certain games that appeal to the
chosen demographic groups (e.g., young, old, certain conventions,
etc.).
[0111] The weighted algorithm may also be refreshed at will,
meaning that a casino can apply the weighted algorithm
periodically, say once a day or every week to keep the sets of
recommended games current based on new player information. The
casino can also update the software when new games arrive, games
are no longer offered, a convention comes to town, etc.
[0112] A system designer or casino may also tailor and change the
weights, as desired. Thus, a casino may change weights for certain
games and/or meta-data entries that they value and want to
encourage. For example, the casino may promote games that have
frequent wins, progressive jackpots, attract younger or older
demographic groups, etc. This allows a casino to influence their
patronage. It also permits a casino to use their accumulated--and
sometimes highly valued and highly guarded--player information to
make changes that the casino feels will further increase patronage
and promote business to new or targeted players.
[0113] In one embodiment, the present invention permits a player to
actively affect what games are offered and guide the presentation
of recommended games. FIG. 8A shows an exemplary user interface
150a for selecting and modifying recommended games in accordance
with a specific embodiment of the present invention.
[0114] User interface 150a permits a person to create and modify
one or more sets of recommended games and choose what sets are
displayed. User interface 150a is displayed on a display device
such as that included with a gaming machine or a home computer
using a remote server (see FIGS. 9 and 10). User interface 150a may
be also be used by a game operator or a preference account
administrator to create and modify sets of recommended games for a
plurality of game players. One or more recommended games selected
by the player or by a representative of a casino may be used to
customize a game playing experience of the player. The sets of
recommended games selected by a player may be stored as preference
account information on a preference account server (See FIGS. 9 and
10).
[0115] In one embodiment, a gaming machine offers interface 150a
(e.g., on a touch screen panel) that allows a player to select a
preferred game that the player likes to play. This feature is
permissible on gaming machines that offer multiple games. As shown,
using an input device on a gaming machine, a player may select from
three sets of recommended games: a first set of recommended games
180a (`Recently Played` games), a second set of recommended games
180b (`Video Poker` games) and a third set of recommended games
180c (`60s Television`games). Each set includes a pull-down menu
that accesses recommended games in that logical set. For instance,
a player may use the pull down menu 180b for Video Poker games to
select from a number of different types of video poker games 182
such as: single player poker, double play poker, triple play poker,
10 play poker, 100 play poker, etc. Other games available in the
`Recently Played` set 180a may include but are not limited to video
black jack games, video pachinko games, video card games, video
keno games and video games of chance. As previously mentioned,
additional menus (not shown) with logical set descriptors may be
used with interface 150a.
[0116] A pull down menu 184 allows a user to select which logical
sets are displayed, e.g., by checking specific descriptors for each
set from a list of descriptors stored for that person or offered by
the casino. Menu 184 may also permit the user to determine how
games are sorted for illustration on interface 150a. Exemplary
descriptors in this regard include "Number of Plays", "Wager
Amounts", "Name", "Game Type", etc. Another menu may permit the
user to set what games are recommended. For example, if the user
has less than 5 games in their interface 150a, then they may fill
space on interface 150a with descriptors such as "Popular Games",
"Theme of the Week", "New Games", etc.
[0117] Interface 150a may also include other graphics inputs and
controls. One input may permit the person to set the number of
recommended games provided with interface 150a. For example, a box
may allow the person to input 5, 10 or any number of games that
they want recommended at any time. Another input may allow the
person to include any games played in the last `x` days, where x is
determined with a pull-down menu.
[0118] The gaming machine offering interface 150a may also filter
available games according to the display device on a gaming
machine. For example, certain games often require specific screen
sizes or display types (e.g., LCD panels or multiple panels where
the second panel is dedicated to a bonus game). The gaming machine
may then omit games unavailable to its display device(s). In
addition, interface 150a may list the game but point the person to
another local gaming machine that can play the game.
[0119] Interface 150a may employ other graphics selection tools
other than pull-down menus, as one of skill in the art will
appreciate. For example, one field in interface 150a may recommend
games as follows: "People who played this game also enjoyed these
games: GAME A; GAME B; GAME C, etc". Other forms of list and game
presentation are suitable for use herein.
[0120] FIG. 8B is a block diagram of a user interface 150b for
modifying a player preference account in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention. User interface 150b allows a
game player to create and modify a preference account that includes
recommended games that correspond to one or more game playing
options preferred by the player. Information input by the person to
the preference account then represents a source for personal game
selection information useful in recommending games to the
person.
[0121] For example, by selecting the bonus category button 159, the
gaming machine uses the personal game selection information to
recommend two different bonus games 162 based on their other
personal information (e.g., Science Fiction games with bonus
features). A player may select one of two different bonus games 162
available in game feature setting menu 149 to initiate the game. A
player may also be able to select from a number of recommended
progressive games available with a particular video game
presentation on the gaming machine. In some embodiments, the user
interface 150b allows a player to select a recommended progressive
game. In yet another example, a player may be able to select
certain prizes and pay-out tables that a player enjoys.
[0122] Preference account information, other than preferred games,
may include but is not limited to: loyalty point account
information and settings, preferred promotional opportunities,
preferred game feature settings for the games, preferred gaming
machine settings, preferred bonus games, preferred progressive
games and preferred service options. For instance, using the user
interface 150b, a player may choose to be informed about one or
more promotional opportunities preferred by the player in a
promotion category 151. This provides personal information that the
person may be interested in games related to the promotional
opportunity. Examples of promotional opportunities include tickets
to a local show, a discount at a restaurant, or a lodging discount.
After selecting the promotion category button 151, a player may
select from among a number of different promotional choices 177,
such as food, lodging and entertainment, which may be available
through the interface 150b.
[0123] Another type of preference a player may be able to specify
using the interface 150b is one or more preferred gaming machine
settings. A preferred gaming machine setting may allow the player
to control various gaming machine features, such as but not limited
to a preferred betting pattern, a preferred gaming machine
denomination, a preferred video display (e.g., LCDs or wheels), an
input configuration for the input devices on the gaming machine and
preferred games on the gaming machine.
[0124] Another type of preference a player may be able to specify
using the interface 150b is a preferred service option. A few
examples of a preferred service options include a drink that a
player likes to be served, a type of snack that a player likes to
be served or a preferred method of crediting awards at a gaming
machine. In 150b, a player may select the drink category 152 button
that allows the player to select from a number of beverage types
176, such as beer, wine and cocktails.
[0125] As another example of preferred service option setting, a
player may be allowed to select a preferred method of receiving
credits from a gaming machine. For instance, some newer gaming
machines allow players to receive awards as a printed award ticket
such as an EZ Pay.TM. ticket instead of cash. A player may specify
to receive credits as an indicia of credit such as tokens dispensed
from the gaming machine, to receive credits on a printed award
ticket, to receive credits as a deposit to an account via an
electronic fund transfer or combinations thereof.
[0126] Another type of preference a player may be able to specify
using the interface 150b is one or more preferred game feature
settings for a preferred game selected by the player. The preferred
game feature setting may vary according to the game selected. For
example, one type of video slot game may allow different game
feature setting than another type of video slot game or than a
video poker game. The preferred game feature settings may include
but are not limited to a game version, a game color scheme, game
graphical features, a game presentation speed, a game pay-out table
and a game audio feature. For instance, a player may be able to
increase or decrease the speed of a game presentation within a
specified range using a game presentation speed setting (not
shown).
[0127] As an example of selecting a gaming machine setting, using
the wager button 153 in the interface 150b, a player may select
from a number of gaming machine denominations 175, such as nickel,
quarter, dollar or custom. The custom button may allow the player
to specify a specific denomination such as a favorite number or a
lucky number. The custom denomination feature may be enabled when a
player is credited an award using an award ticket or electronic
fund transfer. The denominations may vary as function of a local
currency where the gaming machine is located. For instance, in the
United Kingdom a player may select denominations in pence and
pounds. A player may also be able to select a betting pattern such
as a multiple of the denomination selected on the gaming machine.
Thus, when a player initiates a game on a gaming machine that has
been configured to reflect the players selected preferences, the
gaming machine may use the player's preferred betting
preferences.
[0128] In another example of a gaming machine setting, a player may
be able to select a volume setting on the gaming machine. After
selecting the volume setting 154 on the gaming machine, the player
may select a volume level option 174 such as a low, a medium or a
high setting according to the individual taste of a player.
[0129] A player may use a game feature interface 149 portion of the
interface 150b to select various game feature settings such as
music types that may be played while a particular game is executed
on the gaming machine. The music may be integrated into the game
presentation or a player may be able to listen to the music
separately through some output means, such as headphones, while the
player is playing a game on the gaming machine. For instance, using
the music button category 156, a player may select from one or more
types of music categories 166 such as rock, classical or oldies.
Again, each selection provides information useful in providing
recommended games to a person. Further additional categories, such
as country music or alternative music, may also be available
through the interface. The musical selections may be game specific,
e.g. the musical selections may vary from video slot game to
another or may vary between video slot games and video poker games.
Thus, the format of game feature interface 149 may change depending
on a game selection 173 made by the player.
[0130] Using the game feature 149 interface portion, a player may
be able to select graphic patterns on a gaming machine such as
color schemes and graphic symbols that are integrated into a game
presentation displayed on the gaming machine. For instance, for a
video slot game, a player may use the graphics button 157 to choose
a symbol type 165, such as bars, fruits, stars and custom, which
may be used in a video slot game presentation. When the fruit
button is selected from the symbol types 165, fruits may be used as
symbols in the video slot game presentation. The fruit button may
include additional selections (not shown) such as types of fruits
(e.g. oranges, apples, pears, cherries, strawberries, etc.) which a
player may select. When the custom button is selected, a player may
be able to select a custom graphic such as a picture of the player
or a picture of pet, which may be integrated into a video game
presentation on the gaming machine.
[0131] The user interfaces 150a and 150b may allow a player or user
(e.g. an interface administrator) to view and possibly modify
player identification information. Some information stored in the
preference account, such as player identification information, may
be privileged in that only an interface administrator or other
entity with necessary access privileges may be able to modify the
privileged information. For instance, an administrator may be able
to view and modify a player's name 172, an account number 170, a
type of membership 169, a player's address (not shown) for many
players. However, a player using an interface 150 may be able to
only view and modify this information for their own account.
[0132] The type of membership 169 may correspond to a value of the
player and accord different privileges to the player that may be
selected. For instance, a player may be a platinum, a gold, a
diamond or a silver member (displayed in 169) according to an
amount or a frequency of game play by the player. Using the
interface 150, platinum members may be able to make different
preference selections than a silver member. For example, only
platinum members may be allowed to select and to play certain games
or use certain pay-out tables.
[0133] User interface 150b includes a number of command buttons
such as help 160, current 161, save 164 and apply 167 that allow a
user of the interface 150a or 150b to execute different commands.
For example, a user may be able to see the effects of game feature
setting using the apply button 167. When the apply button is
selected, a simulation of a game presentation using the game
feature settings selected in 149 may be presented in preview window
168. Preview window 168 allows a user to see a new game for the
first time, see different graphics implemented in a game
presentation, hear different types of music and determine the
functions of different input buttons on the gaming machine. The
help button 160 allows the user to obtain help relating to using
the interface 150. Help instructions may be displayed in window 168
or another window. The current button 161 may allow the user of the
interface 150 to see their current preference account selections.
The save button 164 may allow the user of the interface 150 to save
a number of preference selections that have been made during a
session using the interface 150 to a storage device of some type
such as a hard drive on a preference account server.
[0134] As mentioned above, the personalized game recommendation
process may be centralized in a game server. FIG. 9 is a block
diagram of a recommended game server 201 connected to a number of
local and wide area networks in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention. Server 201 both receives information from
components in the system (e.g., useful for assembling personal game
selection information for a person), and provides sets of
recommended games when requested. The recommended game server 201
may also be responsible for managing player preference
accounts.
[0135] As described above, user interfaces for modifying player
preference accounts and providing recommended games may be
displayed on many different types of computing devices such as a
gaming machines (e.g. 202, 204, 206, 246, 248), a home computer
252, a kiosk 205 located in a casino 210, a video display interface
in a restaurant 220 or a hotel room (e.g. 214, 216 and 218) in a
hotel 224. For instance, from the home computer 252 in a home 250,
a player may access a player preference account stored on the
preference account server 201 using an interface of some type. In
one embodiment of the present invention, using the home computer
252, a person may access the preference account server using a web
browser displaying an interface such as the interfaces described
above. Using a preference account interface via a web browser, a
player may create or access a player preference account, may change
preferred and recommended games, etc. To access the web interface,
the home computer may connect with the server 201 using a
connection to a local ISP (Internet Service Provider) 254, which is
connected to Internet 225. The server 201 supports web access via a
connection to the Internet 225 through firewall 207 and local ISP
215.
[0136] In another embodiment, using a preference selection
interface via a web browser, the player may be able to use a
printer connected to their home computer to generate a printed
ticket that may be used as a personal identification instrument for
use with a gaming machine. The preference interface may supply
additional information, such as a unique serial number or a unique
bar-code, which is printed to the ticket and allows it to be used
to configure a gaming machine with preferred games. The additional
information that is printed to the ticket, such as the unique
serial number or the unique bar-code, may be encrypted by the host
computer for security purposes. The encrypted information may allow
the host computer to authenticate the printed ticket when it is
used in a gaming machine.
[0137] In other embodiments, server 201 may be accessed through a
preference account interface displayed on a kiosk such as a kiosk
205 in a casino 210, a preference account interface displayed on
video display in a hotel room such as video displays, 214, 216 and
218, in a hotel 224 or a video display in a restaurant such as
restaurant access 220. The restaurant access 220 and room accesses,
214, 216 and 218 are connected to server 201 via a local area
network 222. The kiosk 205 in casino 210 is connected to the
preference account server 201 via a local area network 208. The
local area networks 208 and 222 may be wireless networks, wired
networks or combinations thereof. The preference account interface
used with the restaurant access 220 and room accesses, 214, 216 and
218 may be obtained through a web browser but is not limited to web
access. For example, video displays with set top boxes may be used
to access preference account information stored on the preference
account server 201 using a custom interface only available over the
local area network.
[0138] Recommended games and preference account information may be
accessed through a preference account interface displayed on a
gaming machine such as gaming machines 202, 204 and 206 in casino
210 or gaming machines, 246 and 248 in store 240. In casino 210,
gaming machines 202, 204 and 206 communicate locally with server
201 via local area network 208. In store 240, gaming machines 246
and 248 connect to a local ISP 245 and Internet 225 via some
communication means 244 such as a modem connected to a
communication line (e.g. phone or cable) and then communicate with
the preference server 201 via the preference account interface
using an Internet connection. A secure virtual private network may
be used when gaming machines, such as 246 and 248, are connected
remotely to server 201 over the Internet 225.
[0139] Firewall 207 may be hardware, software or combinations of
both that prevent unapproved access of server 201 and other devices
connected to server 201, such as gaming machines 202, 204 and 206,
by an outside entity.
[0140] A game player using one of the gaming machines, 202, 204,
206, 246 or 248, may be able to view and modify recommended games
and preference account information using an interface as previously
described. As described above, the information may be used to
select and recommend new games.
[0141] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a recommended game and
preference account server 300 connected to a gaming machine 2,
kiosk 305 and room access 313 in accordance with another embodiment
of the present invention. A player may begin a game play session on
the gaming machine 2 by entering identification information into
the gaming machine 2 using an input interface of some type. The
input interface may be a card reader 320, a video touch screen 318,
selection inputs 326, a key pad, button pad, a mouse, a track ball,
a touch pad, a joy stick, a wireless interface, a biometric input
device and combinations thereof. The biometric input device may be
one of but is not limited to a finger print reader, a retina
scanner, a camera and a microphone.
[0142] The retrieval of recommended games and preference account
information by gaming machine 2 may be influenced by one or more
player inputs. The player inputs may be received by the gaming
machine 2 using one or more input devices including but not limited
to a video touch screen 318, a button panel 326, a track ball, a
mouse, a microphone, a card reader, a joy stick, a touch pad, a
wireless interface, a key pad and combinations thereof. For
example, in some embodiments, the gaming machine may ask the player
for a confirmation input before the gaming machine reconfigures
itself according to preference account information stored in the
player's preference account.
[0143] In other embodiments, the gaming machine 2 automatically
reconfigures itself, using the configuration manager 355, according
to recommended games and preference account information stored for
the player without the confirmation input by the player. In another
example, the player may request to view or modify personal account
information such as their set(s) of recommended games. In this
case, the gaming machine retrieves the personal account information
from the source where it is located and displays the requested
information using an interface such as 325. The interface may be
displayed on a primary display such as 318 integrated into the main
cabinet of the gaming machine 2 or a secondary display, such as
322, in a top box 319 mounted on top of the gaming machine 2.
[0144] Gaming machine 2 also includes a processing and
communication system that includes processor 340, communication
interface 342, and memory 344.
[0145] In one embodiment, processor 340 represents the main
processor or a component control processor for gaming machine 2.
When acting under the control of appropriate software or firmware,
processor (or CPU, or logic device) 340 implements game play and
retinal image scanning functions as described herein. CPU 340 may
include one or more processors such as a processor from the
Motorola family of microprocessors or the MIPS family of
microprocessors. In an alternative embodiment, processor 340 is
specially designed hardware for controlling the operations of a
gaming machine. In one embodiment, one of memories 344 (such as
non-volatile RAM and/or ROM) also forms part of CPU 340. However,
there are many different ways in which memory could be coupled to
the processing system.
[0146] Communication interfaces 342 control the sending and
receiving of data to and from gaming machine 2. Suitable hardware
interfaces and their respective protocols may include USB
interfaces, Ethernet interfaces, cable interfaces, wireless
interfaces, dial up interfaces, and the like.
[0147] Memory 344 stores instructions and software for implementing
methods and techniques as described herein, and may include any
suitable memory source. Such memory components are available from a
wide variety of vendors. Because such information and program
instructions may be employed to implement the systems/methods
described herein, the present invention relates to machine-readable
media that include program instructions, state information, etc.
for performing various operations described herein. Examples of
machine-readable media include, but are not limited to, magnetic
media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical
media such as CD-ROM disks; magneto-optical media such as floptical
disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store
and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory devices
(ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The invention may also be
embodied in a carrier wave traveling over an appropriate medium
such as airwaves, optical lines, electric lines, etc. Examples of
program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by
a compiler, and files containing higher-level code that may be
executed by the computer using an interpreter.
[0148] When the gaming machine 2 retrieves recommended games and
preference account information from server 300, a master gaming
controller (such as processor 340) that controls one or more games
played on the gaming machine 2 sends a request to the remote server
300 using a communication interface within the gaming machine (not
shown) connected to local area network 308. The request for
recommended games and preference account information may be
encapsulated in one or more messages of some type. The gaming
machine 2 may also send messages to server 300 that include
preference account information to be stored in server 300 or
include commands for server 300 to execute. For instance, a player
may request one or more modifications be made to their personal
account information to be stored to server 300.
[0149] Server 300 may receive the one or more messages via a
communication interface 303 connected through a firewall 301. The
messages may be received from a gaming machine, such as 2, a kiosk,
such as 305 or a room access interface, such as 313. A logic device
302 within server 300 is designed or configured to execute one or
more software applications that select games based on the receipt
of personal game selection information. In addition, the logic
device may designed or configured to execute software applications
that allows preference account information stored in a plurality of
different preference accounts to be modified from an external
device such as a gaming machine 2, kiosk 305 or room access
interface 314. A memory 304 stores one or more of: a list of
available games (e.g., to a casino where gaming machine 2 is
located), recommended game selection software, personal game
selection information for one or more people, etc. Memory 304 may
include a hard drive or some other appropriate storage medium.
Communication interface 303 connects to one or more local area
networks, such as 308 or 325, and a wide area network 352 such as
the Internet. In some embodiments, the preference account
interfaces generated by server 300 may be accessed via a web
browser.
[0150] Some information stored on server 300 may be accessed and
modified via kiosk 305 and room access interface 313. For kiosk
305, a player may view and modify recommended games and preference
account information stored on server 300 using a touch screen 312,
selection inputs 327 and a card reader 315.
[0151] FIG. 11 is a method depicting an implementation of
recommended games using a server for one embodiment of the present
invention. In 700, a recommended game server, which may be a device
separate from a gaming machine or a gaming machine with server
capabilities, receives a request for recommended games. The request
may be made from a number of different devices external to the
server such as a gaming machine, a home computer, a casino kiosk, a
personal digital assistant, a phone and a video display
interface.
[0152] In 704, the server selects recommended games for according
to personal game selection information associated with the request.
The personal game selection information may come from the
requesting device, or may be obtained internally by the server
using identification for the person stored by the server and
associated with the personal game selection information. The
identification information may include an alpha-numeric code, a
player's name, biometric information, a player's account number,
and combinations thereof. Various techniques for selection were
described above.
[0153] In one embodiment, the server maintains a list of
identification numbers and people that are authorized for free
preview play, as well as all parameters for configuring the
appropriate preview play. The server then checks the received
identification number against its list. If the identification
number does not match any on the list, preview play is unavailable
for that person. If a match is found, preview play is available for
that person.
[0154] In 706, the recommended games are sent back to the
requesting device, which may simply comprise one or more
recommended game lists, and displayed to a person using an
appropriate interface, such as one or more menus. The menus allow a
person to view listings of, and possibly preview, recommended games
stored on the preference account server. In some embodiments, the
interface may be accessed via a web browser. Various other
preference account information may also be sent, such as player
preference items listed above.
[0155] In 720, when the person selects a game that the gaming
machine does not currently have loaded thereon, the server receives
a request for a specific game, and retrieves the chosen and
recommended game.
[0156] In 725, the recommended game server sends one or more
recommended games and any additional (but not necessary for the
present invention) preference account information to the external
device requesting the recommended games. While the player is using
an interface hosted by the preference account server, a player may
make multiple requests for recommended games via the interface.
Thus, 700, 704, 706, 720 and 725 may repeated a plurality of times
by the same player during a single session of using the interface,
over multiple different sessions by the same player and over
multiple sessions by different players. A single session may
defined as the time period between when a user is granted access to
a preference account, such as by entering player identification
information, and when a player's access to the preference account
is terminated. Thus, a second subsequent session to a first session
begins after a player's access has been terminated in the first
session and a new access to a player, which may be the same or a
different player than in the first session, has been granted in the
second session.
[0157] If preview play is enabled for this person, then the gaming
machine receives parameters for preview play, and preview play is
set up accordingly. The gaming machine then initiates preview play
according to these parameters. Such parameters include the
parameters of the game to be played, such as the outcomes or the
rewards to be paid.
[0158] In some embodiments, to configure itself, the gaming machine
loads one or more software modules from a memory device on the
gaming machine. For instance, when a recommended game selected by
the person is different than a game currently loaded on the gaming
machine, and then the gaming machine loads one or more software
modules from the memory device to allow the selected game to be
played on the gaming machine. In another embodiment, one or more
software modules needed by the gaming machine to configure itself
may be located on a remote file storage device. Therefore, the
gaming machine may initiate a download process to transfer the
needed software from the remote file storage device to the gaming
machine. For instance, the gaming machine may download software
modules used to play a game of chance chosen by a player. Details
of types of software modules that may be downloaded to a gaming
machine and details of methods for downloading software modules to
a gaming machine from a file storage device are described in
commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,567, and in commonly owned and
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/040,239, filed on
Jan. 1, 2002, by Lemay, et al., and titled "Game Development
Architecture that Decouples the Game Logic from the Graphics
Logic,"; both of these documents are incorporated herein in their
entirety and for all purposes.
[0159] Although the foregoing invention has been described in some
detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be
apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced
within the scope of the appended claims. For instance, while the
gaming machines of this invention have been depicted as having
gaming devices physically attached to a main gaming machine
cabinet, the use of gaming devices in accordance with this
invention is not so limited. For example, the display screen
features which may be provided on a top box may be included in a
stand alone cabinet proximate to, but unconnected to, the main
gaming machine chassis.
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