U.S. patent application number 12/442348 was filed with the patent office on 2009-12-24 for devices, systems, and methods for accessing a line of credit associated with a player wagering account.
This patent application is currently assigned to WMS Gaming Inc. Invention is credited to Vladimir I. Arezina, Mark B. Gagner, Jeremy M. Hornik, Richard T. Schwartz, Alfred Thomas.
Application Number | 20090318220 12/442348 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39230773 |
Filed Date | 2009-12-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090318220 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arezina; Vladimir I. ; et
al. |
December 24, 2009 |
Devices, Systems, and Methods For Accessing a Line of Credit
Associated With a Player Wagering Account
Abstract
A method of dynamically adjusting a player's line of credit
associated with a wagering activity includes the acts of
establishing a line of credit for a player and monitoring at least
one factor associated with a player's wagering activity. The method
further includes the acts of calculating a credit factor related to
the monitored at least one factor and applying the credit factor to
a player's line of credit to adjust a player's line of credit one
of upwardly and downwardly responsive to the monitored at least one
factor.
Inventors: |
Arezina; Vladimir I.;
(Chicago, IL) ; Gagner; Mark B.; (West Chicago,
IL) ; Hornik; Jeremy M.; (Chicago, IL) ;
Schwartz; Richard T.; (Chicago, IL) ; Thomas;
Alfred; (Las Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON PEABODY LLP
300 S. Riverside Plaza, 16th Floor
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
WMS Gaming Inc
Chicago
IL
|
Family ID: |
39230773 |
Appl. No.: |
12/442348 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
September 21, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US07/20560 |
371 Date: |
March 20, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60846600 |
Sep 22, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3227 20130101; G06Q 20/24 20130101; G07F 17/3244
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method of dynamically adjusting a player's line of credit
associated with a wagering activity, comprising: establishing a
line of credit for a player; monitoring at least one factor
associated with said player's wagering activity; calculating a
credit factor related to the monitored at least one factor; and
automatically applying said credit factor to said line of credit to
adjust said line of credit upwardly or downwardly responsive to the
monitored at least one factor.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said monitoring comprises
trending of said at least one factor.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein said at least one factor
comprises a trending of a wagering pattern.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein said at least one factor
comprises a trending of at least one of a player's winnings,
losses, rate of play, or duration of play.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one factor
comprises at least one of a pattern of line of credit payments, a
timing of line of credit payments, or an amount of line of credit
payments.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said at least one factor
comprises an amount of funds in a wagering account of said
player.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein said credit factor is increased
in relation to an amount of funds in said wagering account.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting, from a
handheld gaming device or portable electronic device via a wireless
communication link to a remote computer system, a signal
representing a request to access a line of credit.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said credit factor comprises a
value between one and ten.
10. A system for accessing a line of credit associated with a
player's wagering account, said system comprising: a gaming machine
having a display that displays a wagering game, a communication
interface for communicating over a communication link, and a
controller programmed to, responsive to a player input, output a
signal related to the player input through said communication
interface and over said communication link; and at least one
storage device bearing at least player line of credit data, said at
least one storage device being associated with a controller,
wherein the controller associated with the at least one storage
device is programmed to receive via the communication link a signal
representing a request of an advance of at least a portion of a
player's line of credit, and, responsive thereto, to cause a number
of credits commensurate with the requested advance to be associated
with a player's wagering account and to output a signal related to
the requested advance to said gaming machine over said
communication link.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein said gaming machine comprises a
handheld gaming machine.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein said gaming machine comprises a
biometric characteristic input device.
13. The system of claim 11 further comprising a memory bearing a
plurality of player biometric characteristic profiles or
templates.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein said player line of credit data
is divided into a plurality of sub-portions, each of said plurality
of sub-portions being independently accessible to the player.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein said controller associated with
said at least one storage device is further programmed to monitor a
player's wagering account when an obligation on a line of credit is
outstanding and to automatically apply any funds in excess of said
outstanding obligation from said wagering account to said line of
credit.
16. A method of accessing a line of credit associated with a
wagering activity, comprising: establishing a line of credit for a
player; communicating a request, responsive to a player input in a
gaming machine, through a communication interface and over a
communication link to an external system associated with said line
of credit, said request relating to a request for an advance
against said player's line of credit; associating a number of
credits commensurate with the requested advance with a player's
wagering account; and outputting a signal related to the requested
advance to said gaming machine over said communication link.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: dividing said line
of credit into a plurality of substantially equal sub-portions,
each sub-portion being independently accessible to the player.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said act of outputting a signal
comprises outputting to said gaming machine a representation of
said wagering account information following said act of
associating.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein said external system is
configured to output a notification signal to said gaming machine
over said communication link when a player's outstanding credit
obligation reaches a predetermined percentage relative to the
credit limit of said line of credit.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: transferring funds
from the wagering account to said line of credit to fulfill at
least a part of an outstanding obligation regarding said line of
credit.
21. The method of claim 16, wherein said gaming machine is a
handheld gaming machine.
22. A method of dynamically adjusting a player's line of credit
associated with a wagering activity, comprising: establishing a
line of credit for a player; monitoring at least one factor
associated with a player's subsequent wagering activity; adjusting
a player's line of credit upwardly or downwardly responsive to the
monitored at least one factor.
Description
COPYRIGHT
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark
Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all
copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to wagering games,
and more particularly, to wagering game funding mechanisms and
methods therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines
and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for
several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with
players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of
winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value
of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where
the available gaming options include a number of competing machines
and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same
(or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to
the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators
consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting
machines, features, and enhancements available because such
machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to
the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming
machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and
improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play
through enhanced entertainment value to the player.
[0004] One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance
the entertainment value of a game is the concept of a "secondary"
or "bonus" game that may be played in conjunction with a "basic"
game. The bonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar
to or completely different from the basic game, which is entered
upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome in the basic
game. Generally, bonus games provide a greater expectation of
winning than the basic game and may also be accompanied with more
attractive or unusual video displays and/or audio. Bonus games may
additionally award players with "progressive jackpot" awards that
are funded, at least in part, by a percentage of coin-in from the
gaming machine or a plurality of participating gaming machines.
Because the bonus game concept offers tremendous advantages in
player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and
because such games are attractive to both players and operators,
there is a continuing need to develop gaming machines with new
types of bonus games to satisfy the demands of players and
operators.
[0005] Commensurate with the developments in wagering games,
options for funding wagering have also advanced with improvements
in technology. A need exists, however, for an improved device,
system, and method for facilitating wagering on credit by a
player.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the present concepts, a method of
dynamically adjusting a player's line of credit associated with a
wagering activity includes the acts of establishing a line of
credit for a player and monitoring at least one factor associated
with a player's wagering activity. The method also includes the
acts of calculating a credit factor related to the monitored at
least one factor and applying the credit factor to a player's line
of credit to adjust a player's line of credit upwardly or
downwardly responsive to the monitored at least one factor.
[0007] In another aspect of the present concepts, a method of
dynamically adjusting a player's line of credit associated with a
wagering activity includes the acts of establishing a line of
credit for a player, monitoring at least one factor associated with
a player's wagering activity, and adjusting a player's line of
credit upwardly or downwardly responsive to the monitored at least
one factor.
[0008] In accord with other aspects of the present concepts, a
system for accessing a line of credit associated with a player's
wagering account includes a gaming machine having a display that
displays a wagering game, a communication interface for
communicating over a communication link, and a controller
programmed to, responsive to a player input, output a signal
related to the player input through the communication interface and
over the communication link. The system includes a storage device
bearing at least player line of credit data, the storage device(s)
being associated with a controller. The controller is associated
with the storage device(s) and is programmed to receive via the
communication link a signal requesting an advance of at least a
portion of a player's line of credit and, responsive thereto, to
cause a number of credits commensurate with the requested advance
to be associated with a player's wagering account and to output a
signal related to the requested advance to the gaming machine over
the communication link.
[0009] In yet another aspect of the present concepts, a method of
accessing a line of credit associated with a wagering activity is
provided which includes the acts of establishing a line of credit
for a player and communicating a request, responsive to a player
input in a gaming machine, through a communication interface and
over a communication link to an external system associated with the
line of credit. The request is relating to a request for an advance
against at least one sub-portion of the player's line of credit.
The method also includes the acts of associating a number of
credits commensurate with the requested advance with a player's
wagering account and outputting a signal related to the requested
advance to the gaming machine over the communication link.
[0010] Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed
description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to
the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1a is a perspective view of a free standing gaming
machine embodying the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of a handheld gaming machine
embodying the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control system suitable for
operating the gaming machines of FIGS. 1a and 1b.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of a funding system according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 4(a)-(h) depict aspects of interactions between a
player and a player's line of credit according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of method steps according to at least
some aspects of an embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of method steps according to at least
some aspects of another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many
different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be
described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not
intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the
embodiments illustrated.
[0019] Referring to FIG. 1a, a gaming machine 10 is used in gaming
establishments such as casinos. With regard to the present
invention, the gaming machine 10 may be any type of gaming machine
and may have varying structures and methods of operation. For
example, the gaming machine 10 may be an electromechanical gaming
machine configured to play mechanical slots, or it may be an
electronic gaming machine configured to play a video casino game,
such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, roulette,
etc.
[0020] The gaming machine 10 comprises a housing 12 and includes
input devices, including a value input device 18 and a player input
device 24. For output the gaming machine 10 includes a primary
display 14 for displaying information about the basic wagering
game. The primary display 14 can also display information about a
bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. The gaming
machine 10 may also include a secondary display 16 for displaying
game events, game outcomes, and/or signage information. While these
typical components found in the gaming machine 10 are described
below, it should be understood that numerous other elements may
exist and may be used in any number of combinations to create
various forms of a gaming machine 10.
[0021] The value input device 18 may be provided in many forms,
individually or in combination, and is preferably located on the
front of the housing 12. The value input device 18 receives
currency and/or credits that are inserted by a player. The value
input device 18 may include a coin acceptor 20 for receiving coin
currency (see FIG. 1a). Alternatively, or in addition, the value
input device 18 may include a bill acceptor 22 for receiving paper
currency. Furthermore, the value input device 18 may include a
ticket reader, or barcode scanner, for reading information stored
on a credit ticket, a card, or other tangible portable credit
storage device. The credit ticket or card may also authorize access
to a central account, which can transfer money to the gaming
machine 10.
[0022] The player input device 24 comprises a plurality of push
buttons 26 on a button panel for operating the gaming machine 10.
In addition, or alternatively, the player input device 24 may
comprise a touch screen 28 mounted by adhesive, tape, or the like
over the primary display 14 and/or secondary display 16. The touch
screen 28 contains soft touch keys 30 denoted by graphics on the
underlying primary display 14 and used to operate the gaming
machine 10. The touch screen 28 provides players with an
alternative method of input. A player enables a desired function
either by touching the touch screen 28 at an appropriate touch key
30 or by pressing an appropriate push button 26 on the button
panel. The touch keys 30 may be used to implement the same
functions as push buttons 26. Alternatively, the push buttons 26
may provide inputs for one aspect of the operating the game, while
the touch keys 30 may allow for input needed for another aspect of
the game.
[0023] The various components of the gaming machine 10 may be
connected directly to, or contained within, the housing 12, as seen
in FIG. 1a, or may be located outboard of the housing 12 and
connected to the housing 12 via a variety of different wired or
wireless connection methods. Thus, the gaming machine 10 comprises
these components whether housed in the housing 12, or outboard of
the housing 12 and connected remotely.
[0024] The operation of the basic wagering game is displayed to the
player on the primary display 14. The primary display 14 can also
display the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The
primary display 14 may take the form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a
high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of
display suitable for use in the gaming machine 10. As shown, the
primary display 14 includes the touch screen 28 overlaying the
entire display (or a portion thereof) to allow players to make
game-related selections. Alternatively, the primary display 14 of
the gaming machine 10 may include a number of mechanical reels to
display the outcome in visual association with at least one payline
32. In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine 10 is an
"upright" version in which the primary display 14 is oriented
vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the gaming
machine may be a "slant-top" version in which the primary display
14 is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of
the gaming machine 10.
[0025] A player begins play of the basic wagering game by making a
wager via the value input device 18 of the gaming machine 10. A
player can select play by using the player input device 24, via the
buttons 26 or the touch screen keys 30. The basic game consists of
a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and includes at least
one payline 32 that indicates one or more outcomes of the basic
game. Such outcomes are randomly selected in response to the
wagering input by the player. At least one of the plurality of
randomly-selected outcomes may be a start-bonus outcome, which can
include any variations of symbols or symbol combinations triggering
a bonus game.
[0026] In some embodiments, the gaming machine 10 may also include
a player information reader 52 that allows for identification of a
player by reading a card with information indicating his or her
true identity. The player information reader 52 is shown in FIG. 1a
as a card reader, but may take on many forms including a ticket
reader, bar code scanner, biometric reader (e.g., fingerprint,
voice ID, iris scan, etc.) RFID transceiver or computer readable
storage medium interface. Currently, identification is generally
used by casinos for rewarding certain players with complimentary
services or special offers. For example, a player may be enrolled
in the gaming establishment's loyalty club and may be awarded
certain complimentary services as that player collects points in
his or her player-tracking account. The player inserts his or her
card into the player information reader 52, which allows the
casino's computers to register that player's wagering at the gaming
machine 10. The gaming machine 10 may use the secondary display 16
or other dedicated player-tracking display for providing the player
with information about his or her account or other player-specific
information. Also, in some embodiments, the information reader 52
may be used to restore game assets that the player achieved and
saved during a previous game session.
[0027] Depicted in FIG. 1b is a handheld or mobile gaming machine
110. Like the free standing gaming machine 10, the handheld gaming
machine 110 is preferably an electronic gaming machine configured
to play a video casino game such as, but not limited to, blackjack,
slots, keno, poker, blackjack, and roulette. The handheld gaming
machine 110 comprises a housing or casing 112 and includes input
devices, including a value input device 118 and a player input
device 124. For output the handheld gaming machine 110 includes,
but is not limited to, a primary display 114, a secondary display
116, either or both of which may comprise a touch screen display
128, one or more speakers 117, one or more player-accessible ports
119 (e.g., an audio output jack for headphones, a video headset
jack, etc.), and other conventional I/O devices and ports, which
may or may not be player-accessible. In the embodiment depicted in
FIG. 1b, the handheld gaming machine 110 comprises a secondary
display 116 that is rotatable relative to the primary display 114.
The optional secondary display 116 may be fixed, movable, and/or
detachable/attachable relative to the primary display 114. Either
the primary display 114 and/or secondary display 116 may be
configured to display any aspect of a non-wagering game, wagering
game, secondary games, bonus games, progressive wagering games,
group games, shared-experience games or events, game events, game
outcomes, scrolling information, text messaging, emails, alerts or
announcements, broadcast information, subscription information, and
handheld gaming machine status.
[0028] The player-accessible value input device 118 may comprise,
for example, a slot located on the front, side, or top of the
casing 112 configured to receive credit from a stored-value card
(e.g., casino card, smart card, debit card, credit card, etc.)
inserted by a player. In another aspect, the player-accessible
value input device 118 may comprise a sensor (e.g., an RF sensor)
configured to sense a signal (e.g., an RF signal) output by a
transmitter (e.g., an RF transmitter) carried by a player or
disposed in a pre-determined or fixed location. The
player-accessible value input device 118 may also or alternatively
include a ticket reader, or barcode scanner, for reading
information stored on a credit ticket, a card, or other tangible
portable credit or funds storage device. The credit ticket or card
may also authorize access to a central account, which can transfer
money to the handheld gaming machine 110.
[0029] Still other player-accessible value input devices 118 may
require the use of touch keys 130 on the touch-screen display 128
(e.g., primary display 114 and/or secondary display 116) or player
input devices 124. Upon entry of player identification information
and, preferably, secondary authorization information (e.g., a
password, PIN number, stored value card number, predefined key
sequences, etc.), the player may be permitted to access a player's
account. As one potential optional security feature, the handheld
gaming machine 110 may be configured to permit a player to only
access an account the player has specifically set up for the
handheld gaming machine 110. Other conventional security features
may also be utilized to, for example, prevent unauthorized access
to a player's account, to minimize an impact of any unauthorized
access to a player's account, or to prevent unauthorized access to
any personal information or funds temporarily stored on the
handheld gaming machine 110.
[0030] The player-accessible value input device 118 may itself
comprise or utilize a biometric player information reader which
permits the player to access available funds on a player's account,
either alone or in combination with another of the aforementioned
player-accessible value input devices 118. In an embodiment wherein
the player-accessible value input device 118 comprises a biometric
player information reader, transactions such as an input of value
to the handheld device, a transfer of value from one player account
or source to an account associated with the handheld gaming machine
110, or the execution of another transaction, for example, could
all be authorized by a biometric reading, which could comprise a
plurality of biometric readings, from the biometric device.
[0031] Alternatively, to enhance security, a transaction may be
optionally enabled only by a two-step process in which a secondary
source confirms the identity indicated by a primary source. For
example, a player-accessible value input device 118 comprising a
biometric player information reader may require a confirmatory
entry from another biometric player information reader 152, or from
another source, such as a credit card, debit card, player ID card,
fob key, PIN number, password, hotel room key, etc. Thus, a
transaction may be enabled by, for example, a combination of the
personal identification input (e.g., biometric input) with a secret
PIN number, or a combination of a biometric input with a fob input,
or a combination of a fob input with a PIN number, or a combination
of a credit card input with a biometric input. Essentially, any two
independent sources of identity, one of which is secure or personal
to the player (e.g., biometric readings. PIN number, password,
etc.) could be utilized to provide enhanced security prior to the
electronic transfer of any funds. In another aspect, the value
input device 118 may be provided remotely from the handheld gaming
machine 110.
[0032] The player input device 124 comprises a plurality of push
buttons 126 on a button panel for operating the handheld gaming
machine 110. In addition, or alternatively, the player input device
124 may comprise a touch screen mounted to a primary display 114
and/or secondary display 116. In one aspect, the touch screen is
matched to a display screen having one or more selectable touch
keys 130 selectable by a user's touching of the associated area of
the screen using a finger or a tool, such as a stylus pointer. A
player enables a desired function either by touching the touch
screen at an appropriate touch key 130 or by pressing an
appropriate push button 126 on the button panel. The touch keys 130
may be used to implement the same functions as push buttons 126.
Alternatively, the push buttons 126 may provide inputs for one
aspect of the operating the game, while the touch keys 130 may
allow for input needed for another aspect of the game. The various
components of the handheld gaming machine 110 may be connected
directly to, or contained within, the casing 112, as seen in FIG.
1b, or may be located outboard of the casing 112 and connected to
the casing 112 via a variety of hardwired (tethered) or wireless
connection methods. Thus, the handheld gaming machine 110 may
comprise a single unit or a plurality of interconnected parts
(e.g., wireless connections) which may be arranged to suit a
player's preferences.
[0033] The operation of the basic wagering game on the handheld
gaming machine 110 is displayed to the player on the primary
display 114. The primary display 114 can also display the bonus
game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display
114 preferably takes the form of a high resolution LCD, a plasma
display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in
the handheld gaming machine 110. The size of the primary display
114 may vary from, for example, about a 2-3'' display to a 15'' or
17'' display. In at least some aspects, the primary display 114 is
a 7''-10'' display. As the weight of and/or power requirements of
such displays decreases with improvements in technology, it is
envisaged that the size of the primary display may be increased.
Optionally, coatings or removable films or sheets may be applied to
the display to provide desired characteristics (e.g., anti-scratch,
anti-glare, bacterially-resistant and anti-microbial films, etc.).
In at least some embodiments, the primary display 114 and/or
secondary display 116 may have a 16:9 aspect ratio or other aspect
ratio (e.g., 4:3). The primary display 114 and/or secondary display
116 may also each have different resolutions, different color
schemes, and different aspect ratios.
[0034] As with the free standing gaming machine 10, a player begins
play of the basic wagering game on the handheld gaming machine 110
by making a wager (e.g., via the value input device 18 or an
assignment of credits stored on the handheld gaming machine via the
touch screen keys 130, player input device 124, or buttons 126) on
the handheld gaming machine 10. In at least some aspects, the basic
game may comprise a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and
includes at least one payline 132 that indicates one or more
outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes are randomly selected in
response to the wagering input by the player. At least one of the
plurality of randomly selected outcomes may be a start-bonus
outcome, which can include any variations of symbols or symbol
combinations triggering a bonus game.
[0035] In some embodiments, the player-accessible value input
device 118 of the handheld gaming machine 110 may double as a
player information reader 152 that allows for identification of a
player by reading a card with information indicating the player's
identity (e.g., reading a player's credit card, player ID card,
smart card, etc.). The player information reader 152 may
alternatively or also comprise a bar code scanner, RFID transceiver
or computer readable storage medium interface. In one presently
preferred aspect, the player information reader 152, shown by way
of example in FIG. 1, comprises a biometric sensing device.
[0036] Turning now to FIG. 2, the various components of the gaming
machine 10 are controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 34,
also referred to herein as a controller or processor (such as a
microcontroller or microprocessor). To provide gaming functions,
the controller 34 executes one or more game programs stored in a
computer readable storage medium, in the form of memory 36. The
controller 34 performs the random selection (using a random number
generator (RNG)) of an outcome from the plurality of possible
outcomes of the wagering game. Alternatively, the random event may
be determined at a remote controller. The remote controller may use
either an RNG or pooling scheme for its central determination of a
game outcome. It should be appreciated that the controller 34 may
include one or more microprocessors, including but not limited to a
master processor, a slave processor, and a secondary or parallel
processor.
[0037] The controller 34 is also coupled to the system memory 36
and a money/credit detector 38. The system memory 36 may comprise a
volatile memory (e.g., a random-access memory (RAM)) and a
non-volatile memory (e.g., an EEPROM). The system memory 36 may
include multiple RAM and multiple program memories. The
money/credit detector 38 signals the processor that money and/or
credits have been input via the value input device 18. Preferably,
these components are located within the housing 12 of the gaming
machine 10. However, as explained above, these components may be
located outboard of the housing 12 and connected to the remainder
of the components of the gaming machine 10 via a variety of
different wired or wireless connection methods.
[0038] As seen in FIG. 2, the controller 34 is also connected to,
and controls, the primary display 14, the player input device 24,
and a payoff mechanism 40. The payoff mechanism 40 is operable in
response to instructions from the controller 34 to award a payoff
to the player in response to certain winning outcomes that might
occur in the basic game or the bonus game(s). The payoff may be
provided in the form of points, bills, tickets, coupons, cards,
etc. For example, in FIG. 1, the payoff mechanism 40 includes both
a ticket printer 42 and a coin outlet 44. However, any of a variety
of payoff mechanisms 40 well known in the art may be implemented,
including cards, coins, tickets, smartcards, cash, etc. The payoff
amounts distributed by the payoff mechanism 40 are determined by
one or more pay tables stored in the system memory 36.
[0039] Communications between the controller 34 and both the
peripheral components of the gaming machine 10 and external systems
50 occur through input/output (I/O) circuits 46, 48. More
specifically, the controller 34 controls and receives inputs from
the peripheral components of the gaming machine 10 through the
input/output circuits 46. Further, the controller 34 communicates
with the external systems 50 via the I/O circuits 48 and a
communication path (e.g., serial, parallel, IR, RC, 10bT, etc.).
The external systems 50 may include a gaming network, other gaming
machines, a gaming server, communications hardware, or a variety of
other interfaced systems or components. Although the I/O circuits
46, 48 may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciated
that each of the I/O circuits 46, 48 may include a number of
different types of I/O circuits.
[0040] Controller 34, as used herein, comprises any combination of
hardware, software, and/or firmware that may be disposed or
resident inside and/or outside of the gaming machine 10 that may
communicate with and/or control the transfer of data between the
gaming machine 10 and a bus, another computer, processor, or device
and/or a service and/or a network. The controller 34 may comprise
one or more controllers or processors. In FIG. 2, the controller 34
in the gaming machine 10 is depicted as comprising a CPU, but the
controller 34 may alternatively comprise a CPU in combination with
other components, such as the I/O circuits 46, 48 and the system
memory 36. The controller 34 may reside partially or entirely
inside or outside of the machine 10. The control system for a
handheld gaming machine 110 may be similar to the control system
for the free standing gaming machine 10 except that the
functionality of the respective on-board controllers may vary.
[0041] The gaming machines 10, 110 may communicate with external
systems 50 (in a wired or wireless manner) such that each machine
operates as a "thin client," having relatively less functionality,
a "thick client," having relatively more functionality, or through
any range of functionality therebetween. As a generally "thin
client," the gaming machine may operate primarily as a display
device to display the results of gaming outcomes processed
externally, for example, on a server as part of the external
systems 50. In this "thin client" configuration, the server
executes game code and determines game outcomes (e.g., with a
random number generator), while the controller 34 on board the
gaming machine processes display information to be displayed on the
display(s) of the machine. In an alternative "thicker client"
configuration, the server determines game outcomes, while the
controller 34 on board the gaming machine executes game code and
processes display information to be displayed on the display(s) of
the machines. In yet another alternative "thick client"
configuration, the controller 34 on board the gaming machine 110
executes game code, determines game outcomes, and processes display
information to be displayed on the display(s) of the machine.
Numerous alternative configurations are possible such that the
aforementioned and other functions may be performed onboard or
external to the gaming machine as may be necessary for particular
applications. It should be understood that the gaming machines
10,110 may take on a wide variety of forms such as a free standing
machine, a portable or handheld device primarily used for gaming, a
mobile telecommunications device such as a mobile telephone or
personal digital assistant (PDA), a counter top or bar top gaming
machine, or other personal electronic device such as a portable
television, MP3 player, entertainment device, etc.
[0042] FIG. 3 is a functional diagram of one type of device or
system for adding funds to a handheld gaming machine 110, adding
funds to a wagering account, and, in accord with the present
concepts, for establishing a line of credit to be associated with a
player's wagering account and/or conducting transactions relating
to an established line of credit. Although the following
description is illustrated with reference to a handheld gaming
machine 110, the structures and concepts noted below are equally
applicable to any wagering device including but not limited to
handheld gaming machines, upright gaming machines 10, or portable
electronic devices.
[0043] In the example depicted in FIG. 3, a player-accessible kiosk
(or a server) 310 is shown to communicate with the handheld gaming
machine 110 via a wired or wireless communication link 330 directly
or through an intermediary link. The term "server" as used herein
encompasses one or more server computers such as a server farm and
encompasses server platforms as well as application servers. The
handheld gaming machine 110 includes a communication interface 326,
which may be part of or separate from the I/O circuit 48. The
communication interface 326 enables communication via the
communication link 330. The communication link may utilize any
convention wired or wireless protocol, including Ethernet, 802.11,
Bluetooth, USB, cellular (CDMA, GSM, and the like), and so forth.
Thus, the communication interfaces 304, 326 may include wireless
transceivers, USB controllers, Ethernet controllers, RFID
transceivers or transponders, and the like, for example.
[0044] In various embodiments, the communication interfaces 340,
326, 340 include devices configured for radio frequency
transmission, such as radio microchips that communicate over short
distances and through obstacles by means of radio waves. In one
example, the radio microchips preferably conform to the
Bluetooth.TM. standard detailed at www.bluetooth.com. The Bluetooth
radio microchips operate in the unlicensed ISM band at 2.4 GHz and
avoid interference from other signals through spread-spectrum
frequency hopping capable of full functionality even in very noisy
radio environments. Devices configured to conform to this protocol
are denoted as "Bluetooth-enabled." The Bluetooth technology
provides a very high transmission rate and all information may be
protected by advanced error-correction methods, as well as
encryption and authentication algorithms (such as RSA or DSA) for
the user's privacy. It should be understood that the handheld
gaming machine 110 may store in a memory a unique identifier,
signature, or other security information which may be transmitted
wirelessly via the transceiver 326 to the external systems 50 to
verify and authenticate the handheld gaming machine 110 as being a
permissible participant in the system 50. Any one of a variety of
secure identification and authentication mechanisms may be used to
perform such verification.
[0045] The kiosk 310, in at least some aspects, comprises a bill
validator/acceptor 312, a coin or token validator/acceptor (not
shown), a bill dispenser (not shown), a coin or token dispenser
(not shown), a card (e.g., credit card, debit card, stored value
card, smart card, magnetic media card, etc.) acceptor 314 (not
shown), a speaker or speakers 318, a sensor 320 (e.g., biometric
sensor for sensing a biometric characteristic such as a
fingerprint, retinal pattern, or a voice pattern, an RFID sensor, a
magnetic sensor, etc.), a display 322, and/or a communication
interface 340. One purpose of the kiosk 310 is to accept cash or
cash equivalents from a player and to transfer those associated
funds, or a representation thereof, to a player's wagering account
(WA) 350 (shown in FIG. 4h), which may then be accessed through a
gaming machine 10, 110 or other authorized electronic device or
portable electronic device. For example, value can be added
directly to a player's WA 350 by inserting cash, coins, and/or
tokens or script into a kiosk 310 bill/script validator/acceptor
312 or coin/token validator/acceptor. Alternately, the player may
provide funds to a designated employee of the gaming establishment
(e.g., a cashier, an attendant, etc.) who validates the received
finds and updates the player's WA 350 in an amount corresponding to
that of the received funds. Value may also be added to the WA 350
automatically, for example, upon receipt of any winnings by the
player on a gaming machine 10 or handheld gaming machine 110.
[0046] In embodiments where the sensor 320 comprises a biometric
sensor, the biometric sensor is operable to authenticate a player
before permitting the player to initiate and/or complete a funding
transaction. According to one embodiment, a player may add funds to
the player's WA 350 by inserting currency into the kiosk 310 bill
acceptor 312 with the corresponding designation of the player's WA
information. In various examples, the entry of the player's WA 350
information, such as the account number, may comprise entry through
a keyboard, touch screen, magnetic card reader, or electronic data
transmission (e.g., key fob), or the like. The kiosk 310
communicates with external systems 50 associated with the player
wagering accounts and updates the player's wagering account
350.
[0047] Multiple kiosks (or servers) 310 may be disposed about the
gaming environment (e.g. casino, cruise ship, hotel, etc.). Players
with handheld gaming machines 110 can freely walk about the gaming
establishment and, when the funds on the handheld gaming machine
credit meter 402 run low, they can replenish the credit meter by
remotely accessing the kiosk or server 310 and transferring the
desired funds directly from their WA 350 to the credit meter.
Alternatively, in accord with the present concepts, the player may
also replenish their credit meter by remotely accessing the
player's line of credit 355 to utilize some or all of the player's
line of credit. Likewise, in accord with the present concepts, the
player may also conduct transactions between their wagering account
350 and line of credit 355 to pay-off their line of credit, in
whole or in part, from their wagering account.
[0048] The kiosks 310 are preferably, but not necessarily networked
together (e.g., a bus configuration, star configuration, tree
configuration, etc.) to a central source, such as a central server,
or to distributed locations, such as plural servers. Service
information (e.g., bill validator receptacle is full, device is
malfunctioning, abnormal setting, etc.) and transaction information
is, correspondingly, communicated to such central source or
distributed sources to facilitate prompt resolution of any problems
with the kiosk. 310.
[0049] As noted above, the kiosk 310 may be further utilized in
accord with the present concepts to establish a line of credit 355
for a player in association with the player's wagering account 350
to thereby enable a player to draw upon such line of credit, as
needed, during wagering game play, such as on the gaming
establishment's gaming machines 10 or handheld gaming machine 110.
The kiosk 310 is still further advantageously configured to permit
a player to conduct transactions involving an established line of
credit 355 and a player's wagering account 350 and to conduct
transactions therebetween. The kiosk 310 and/or associated memory,
server, or the like (e.g., external systems 50), is thus configured
to access, locally or remotely, a secure memory comprising the
player's personal wagering account (WA) 350 and the line of credit
355. Such functionality is not, however, limited to the kiosk 310
and may be provided in association with different devices such as,
but not limited to, gaming machines 10, handheld gaming machine
110, electronic devices and portable electronic devices provided by
a gaming establishment, and/or other player-accessible electronic
devices having a display (e.g., a home PC, PDA, Blackberry, cell
phone, portable electronic device with a display, etc.).
[0050] The line of credit 355 may be established, for example, by
inputting a credit card or debit card into a credit/debit card
acceptor 314 of the kiosk 310. A query is submitted to the entity
that issued the credit/debit card to determine an available amount
of credit or appropriate collateral (e.g., money in a bank account)
against which a line of credit may be secured. In one aspect, this
query may comprise a credit card authorization, which provides a
guarantee that a charge may later be levied against the credit card
for the authorized amount. The authorization typically sets aside
funds on the credit card to cover the authorized amount, but is not
a charge in that the authorization does not transfer funds from the
credit card entity to the gaming establishment. If a credit card
charge is not processed against the authorization within a
predetermined period of time (e.g., 3 business days), the
authorization will automatically be removed by the credit card
entity. If unable to successfully query the credit card entity, or
a designated intermediary, for whatever reason, a charge may
optionally be posted for a predetermined amount (e.g., an amount
selected by the player, an amount selected by the computer, an
amount selected based on the type of card, an amount selected based
on a predefined setting in the player's club account, etc.). The
processed amount is then substantially immediately credited back to
the player's credit account with the entity that issued the
card.
[0051] The player's line of credit 355 may also be established, for
example, in a gaming establishment business center, on-site
financial institution, or front desk. The player would fill out a
line of credit application, filling in required information for the
desired line of credit. The required information comprises, in at
least some aspects, name, birthdate, address or addresses for a
prior predetermined number of years, duration of residence at each
address, employer(s) for a prior predetermined number of years, job
title(s), salary, and social security number. More or less
information (e.g., a subset of the above information) could be
required and such information could be supplemented from other data
sources available to the gaming establishment such as, but not
limited to, an individual's player's club account. From this
information, and with the individual's authorization, the gaming
establishment obtains a credit report or a credit score for such
individual and, based thereupon, assigns the individual a base line
of credit. If desired, the individual may provide security or
collateral for the line of credit by associating the line of credit
with funds in an account. For example, the individual could provide
electronic funds transfer information to the individual's bank
account such as, but not limited to, routing number(s), account
number(s), and name(s) on the account(s).
[0052] In the embodiment wherein the front desk is equipped to
process applications for a wagering account and/or a line of
credit, the player is conveniently able to develop a wagering
account and line of credit upon check-in. Further, the gaming
establishment's hotel rooms include a computer or television
interface configured to accept data inputs (e.g., including
biometric inputs) from an individual to establish the player's
wagering account 350 and/or line of credit 355. Still further, an
individual may be permitted to establish a wagering account and/or
line of credit before even arriving at the gaming establishment,
such as by using the individual's personal computer to connect to
the gaming establishment's secure network and to enter the required
data.
[0053] In still other embodiments, the wagering account 350 and/or
line of credit 355 may be opened and/or serviced by a trained
attendant bearing portable electronic devices (e.g., magnetic card
reader, biometric reader, portable computer, telephone, modem,
etc.) configured to obtain information from a player sufficient,
such as the information noted above, to establish a line of credit.
The gaming establishment attendant can walk around the gaming
establishment with the portable electronic devices portable
electronic device or devices configured (e.g., collectively). The
attendant's portable electronic device is configured to communicate
wirelessly, via encrypted transmission, with a server (e.g., in an
external system 50) and with one or more remote computers (e.g., a
credit bureau, a bank, a financial institution, a credit card
company, etc.) via a suitable wireless communication link.
Following confirmation of the information obtained from the player,
the attendant provides the player with the line of credit
authorization and obtains a physical signature on a printout of the
authorization (e.g., from a portable thermal printer or a remote
printer) or digital signature and/or biometric input from the
player.
[0054] As noted above, the kiosk (or server) 310 permits linkage of
the handheld gaming machine 110 to a player's account. The account,
established by or for a player, comprises a wagering account 350,
as noted above, that is associated with the gaming establishment
gaming system or accounting system, but which may optionally be
separately associated with another non-gaming establishment gaming
system or accounting system, such as a bank account or a non-bank
account. Non-bank accounts comprise, for example, third-party
service providers (outside accounting services) such as, but not
limited to, a PayPal.RTM. account. Thus, for example, a player or
another person may add value to the player's wagering account (WA)
by associating the player's PayPal.RTM. account to the WA and
transferring funds from the PayPal.RTM. account into the WA.
Correspondingly, the WA is configurable to transfer money to such
accounts, if desired. The player's interaction with the WA to
transfer funds or to designate an account to or from which funds
are to be transferred may occur at a kiosk 310, the handheld gaming
machine 110, and/or through other conventional funds transfer
devices (e.g., personal interaction with a designated wagering
account representative employed by the gaming establishment).
[0055] In at least some aspects, the initial transfer of funds into
the WA may be accomplished, for example, when the player "checks
out" a handheld gaming machine 110. The player would, concurrent
with the checking out of the handheld gaming machine 110, provide
funds to the employee or the kiosk controlling the check out
process for the handheld gaming machine. The funds associated with
the WA may comprise a cash transfer, a transfer of value from a
portable data unit carried by the player, a smart card, a stored
value card, a credit card, a debit card, or the like, or an
electronic funds transfer from an existing account into the WA.
Alternatively, transfer of funds into or out of the WA may be
accomplished at any time by the player utilizing appropriate funds
inputs and instructional inputs to the handheld gaming machine 110
or kiosk 310.
[0056] In the event a player depletes the value input into the WA
350, the player is permitted to continue wagering utilizing the
available line of credit that is associated with the wagering
account. The player may then use the line of credit as a virtual
fund source until such time as the player either depletes his or
her line of credit or attempts to cash out, at which time any
deficit is automatically billed to his or her credit card or is
charged to the appropriate source of the credit and/or insurer. In
some embodiments, the wagering establishment will permit a user to
wager against the line of credit until a predetermined event
occurs, or until the player cashes out or until the player's losses
equal or are projected to exceed the available line of credit.
[0057] Advantageously, the player may set up the WA 350 so as to be
accessible by a plurality of defined individuals, thus enabling the
WA to provide interpersonal transfers of credit from the player to
another person (e.g., a peer to peer transfer, patron to patron
transfer, etc.). For example, a player sets up a $50,000 line of
credit in his or her WA 350 and designate his or her spouse's
handheld gaming device 110 or player's ID as a trusted recipient.
The player later gets an email or text message from his or her
spouse requesting access to the WA 350 and the player then shifts a
portion of the WA 350 (e.g., $25,000) to his or her spouse,
although the liability for such credit is ultimately associated
with and retained by the player. In another example, the WA 350 is
configured as a credit pool for the designated recipients (e.g., a
family). Each member of the family can draw down any portion of the
WA 350 without limitation. In yet another example, the WA 350 may
be parsed out in advance, or at any time, to designate the level of
credit to which each of the designated individuals is entitled. The
designated individuals are provided access only to a level of
credit designated by the player.
[0058] In at least some embodiments, the wagering establishment
will permit the player immediate access to the entire line of
credit without limitation. However, in at least some other
embodiments, the wagering establishment will parse the line of
credit 355 into a plurality of smaller lines of credit 360 (e.g.,
dividing a $1000 line of credit into 10 separate lines of $100) and
permit the player to incrementally access the line of credit 355 up
to the entire amount of line of credit through such smaller lines
of credit 360, either automatically or manually. In embodiments
permitting automatic access, a player's wager or loss exceeding one
of the lines of credit will automatically make available in the
player's WA credit corresponding to the next available line of
credit. Alternatively, in embodiments requiring manual access, a
player will not be permitted to make a wager in excess of a credit
already attached to the player's WA 350 and the player must
manually access the available lines of credit and associate one or
more of such lines of credit to the player's WA. Manual access of
the incremental lines of credit provides the advantage of causing
the player to think about what he or she is doing each time he or
she is accessing another line of credit and facilitates responsible
gaming.
[0059] Although the kiosk 310 may be advantageously utilized to
facilitate association of a line of credit 355 with a player, a
player's account, or, more particularly, a player's WA 350, the
source of credit and the mechanisms for associating such credit
with the player or a player's account, such as the player's WA 350,
are not limited to any particular source or mechanism. The source
of credit may include, for example, a previous line of credit
opened with a financial institution (e.g., bank, credit union,
etc.) or third party loan provider, or may include a line of credit
opened by the player substantially contemporaneously with the
player's association with the wagering establishment (e.g., making
a reservation, checking into the hotel, etc.) or creation of the
player's WA 350. Likewise, the mechanisms for associating such
credit with the player's WA 350 are not limited to an unattended
kiosk and may include, for example, a business center equipped and
staffed to process loan requests, an on-site financial institution,
a front desk processing system (e.g., to develop a line of credit
in association with the player's credit card upon check-in), a
trained attendant bearing portable electronic devices (e.g.,
magnetic card reader, biometric reader, portable computer,
telephone, modem, etc.) configured to obtain information from a
player sufficient to establish a line of credit, and a hotel room
computer or television interface configured to accept inputs from a
player, a player's personal computer, or any authorized remote
computer connected to the gaming establishment's network.
[0060] In accessing the line of credit 355, the player may perceive
funds associated with the line of credit 355 are being transferred
to the handheld gaming machine 110, even though in fact actual
funds are not being utilized for wagering. To facilitate a clear
distinction between available funds and available line of credit,
the available funds and available line of credit are, in some
aspects, displayed in different colors, locations, fonts, sizes,
and/or formats to accentuate the use of the line of credit. Again,
this distinction facilitates responsible gaming by providing a
visual reminder of the player's accessing and/or use of the
player's line(s) of credit 355. One example of a player's accessing
lines of credit and association of such lines of credit with the
player's WA 350 is described in more detail in connection with
FIGS. 4(a)-4(h), below.
[0061] In FIG. 4(a), a player's line of credit is represented by
dashed line 355, which includes therein one or more discrete lines
of credit in "folders" 360, each folder being associated with a
sub-part of an overall line of credit. The folders 360 are provided
for illustrative purposes and may comprise any form of electronic
data storage or database arrangement. The form of the data storage
of the line(s) of credit is not limited to the illustrative example
of electronic folders. When a player's credit meter (CM) 402 on the
handheld gaming machine 110 reaches a depleted state, as shown in
FIG. 4(a), or at any other time selected by the player (e.g.,
regardless of the state of the credit meter), the player is
permitted to output an instruction S1 to the kiosk or server 310
(not shown), or other receiver/transceiver, requesting access to
the player's line of credit 355. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the players
CM 402 is depleted, reading $0. The player is thus permitted to use
the handheld gaming machine 110 player input devices such as, but
not limited to, touch keys 130 on a touch-screen display 128 or a
dedicated line of credit access button, to request access to the
player's available line of credit 355.
[0062] In at least some aspects, the handheld gaming machine 110 is
advantageously provided with a physical button or a touch key 130
displayed on a touch screen display 128 to facilitate the player's
access to his or her line of credit 355. A player depresses or
touches this button to access one or more of the folders 360
associated with the available lines of credit. Subsequently, a
prompt is preferably displayed on the handheld gaming machine 110
display 114, 128 to request a player's confirmatory input that the
player desires access to the player's line(s) of credit. Upon
receipt of the initial request and optional confirmatory input, the
handheld gaming machine 110 transmits an "access credit" request to
the kiosk 310, server, or remote server through an associated
receiver/transceiver. As noted, in some embodiments, the player is
permitted to access to the line of credit 355 to any extent
desired, whereas other embodiments are more restrictive and impose
minor limitations on such access. For example, in the illustrated
example, the player is permitted to access one or more of the lines
of credit associated with folders 360. Visually, such access could
be effected by a player's use of a player input device (e.g., a
trackball or joystick) to drag one or more folder icons from an
on-screen representation of the WA 350 over to the player's CM
402.
[0063] Preferably, the "access credit" request would be encrypted
and would comprise information identifying the handheld gaming
machine. To enhance the security of the access of the line of
credit 355 and subsequent transfer of authorization for such access
and crediting of the players WA 350, the handheld gaming machine
110 or gaming machine 10 from which such access is requested may
advantageously require input of a PIN number, password, player's
club card, credit card, identification card, signal (e.g., RFID
signal, magnetic signal, Bluetooth-enabled device, etc.), biometric
input, or other unique identifier. Due to the potential for loss or
theft of physical devices such as cards, it is preferred that a PIN
number, password, or biometric input be required. If a player is
unsuccessful in entering the PIN number, password, or biometric
input after a predetermined number of attempts, the handheld gaming
machine 110 preferably outputs a "request assistance" signal so as
to prompt a gaming establishment attendant to render assistance to
the player either directly or through a remote interface.
[0064] The biometric input is advantageously provided via the
biometric reader 152 on the handheld gaming machine 110, biometric
reader on gaming machine 10, biometric input provided at the kiosk
310, or biometric input provided on a portable electronic device
made available to the player by a gaming establishment attendant.
The biometric input received from the biometric reader (e.g., 152)
is transmitted to the kiosk (or server) 310 via a communication
interface and is then compared to templates in a database
comprising a plurality of templates associated with users stored in
a storage device associated with the kiosk (or server) 310. To
facilitate location of the appropriate template (i.e., the player's
template), the player's template may be stored in association with
another data element such as, but not limited to, an identification
number of a handheld gaming machine, a password, or a player
identification number, to facilitate indexing and retrieval
operations. Access to the line of credit is then granted following
a satisfactory comparison between the template(s) and the player's
biometric input. The comparison between the biometric input and the
player's template(s) may optionally impose more stringent
requirements for matching of the biometric input to the template
for higher credit amounts to permit less margin for error.
[0065] As noted above, a player's access of a line of credit (e.g.,
$100) associated with one folder 360 and subsequent association of
such line of credit to the handheld gaming machine 110 are
represented by arrows S1, S2, respectively, in FIGS. 4(a)-(b). FIG.
4(b) shows, concurrent with the updating of the player's CM 402 to
read $100, a folder 360 in the player's line of credit 355 has been
updated to reflect the player's access of the credit associated
with that folder, represented as $0. In FIG. 4(c), the line of
credit 355 is represented as having one depleted ($O) folder 362
and the player's credit meter 402 on the recipient handheld gaming
machine 110 is shown to have been credited in the amount ($100)
transferred from the line of credit. As noted above, the
representation of credits on the credit meter 402 does not
necessarily represent actual funds, but rather credit that is
available to the player for use in wagering. FIG. 4(d) shows a
point in time wherein the player has lost $95 of the $100 credit
obtained in FIG. 4(c), leaving a residual value on the credit meter
402 of $5.
[0066] Desiring additional credit, the player again accesses the
line of credit 355 to access credit (e.g., $100) associated with
another folder 360, as shown in FIG. 4(e). The requested credit is
then associated with the handheld gaming machine 110, as
represented by arrow S3 in FIG. 4(e). As shown, the line of credit
355 is updated, as represented by the two depleted folders 362, and
the player's credit meter 402 on the recipient handheld gaming
machine 110 is updated to show an amount corresponding to the
amount of credit accessed (i.e., $100 in the example) together with
any residual value on the credit meter (i.e., $5 from FIG. 4(d)).
As noted above, the representation of credits does not represent
actual funds, but rather credit that is available to the player for
use in wagering.
[0067] In the illustrated sequence, between FIGS. 4(e) and 4(f), a
player wins $500 and the credit meter 402 to yield a total of $605.
In FIG. 4(f), the player initiates a transference of money, via a
signal S4, in the amount of $200 from the player's credit meter 402
to the line of credit 355 to pay-off the line of credit. The
transferred amount is then applied to the depleted folders 362,
represented in FIG. 4(e), which are replenished. FIG. 4(g) shows
the credit meter 402 displaying a total of $405 after the transfer
depicted in FIG. 4(f). As previously noted, the transference of
money could have alternatively automatically occurred upon an
occurrence of a balance in the credit meter 402 (or wagering
account 350) in excess of the advance taken on the line of credit
355. FIG. 4(h) shows an alternative sequence, continuing from FIG.
4(e), wherein following a win of $500, the player initiates a
transference of money, via a signal S5, in the amount of $200 from
a balance of $1000 in the player's wagering account 350 to the line
of credit 355 to pay-off the $200 advance on the player's line of
credit 355.
[0068] FIG. 5 shows, in accord with the above concepts, a method of
utilizing a line of credit associated with a wagering activity,
comprising the acts of establishing a line of credit for a player
(S510) and communicating a request, responsive to a player input in
a gaming machine, through a communication interface and over a
communication link to an external system associated with the line
of credit, the request relating to a request for an advance against
the player's line of credit (S520). The aspects of the method
depicted in FIG. 5 further include the acts of associating a number
of credits commensurate with the requested advance with a player's
wagering account (S530) and outputting a signal related to the
requested advance to the gaming machine over the communication link
(S540).
[0069] If desired, the player may enable transfer of credit from
the line of credit to one or more other destinations, such as to a
spouse's handheld gaming machine. Significantly, such other
destinations may comprise other gaming establishment activities,
such as non-gaming activities (e.g., funding purchases from stores,
restaurant bills, participation in non-gaming activities, payment
of fees for non-gaming content one or more handheld gaming machines
110, etc.) or special events, such as funding entry into a
tournament.
[0070] In accord with at least some aspects of the present
concepts, in the event that a player wagering using the line of
credit 355 obtains a winning outcome that exceeds the value of the
credit accessed by the player, the player is advantageously
informed, such as by a pop-up window on the display 14, 16, 114,
116 of the gaming machine 10, 110, that the player has now
sufficient winnings to pay-off the line of credit 355 or
sub-portion thereof (e.g., parsed lines of credit in folders 360).
The player is provided the option of applying the winnings to
pay-off the line of credit or to continue. In at least some
embodiments, the player is not provided an option and the winnings,
when equaling or exceeding the value of the credit accessed by the
player, are automatically applied to the line of credit 355.
Although the automated pay-off of the line of credit 355 or
sub-portion thereof may be potentially bothersome in that a player
who desires to continue to use the line of credit will have to
actively access the line of credit again if he or she desired to
continue to wager against the line of credit, such feature promotes
responsible gaming and instills in the player a continuing
awareness of the accessing of the line of credit.
[0071] In other aspects of the present concepts, the controller
(e.g., 34) and/or external systems 50 monitor the player's play,
such as success rates, wagering patterns (e.g., risky,
conservative, knowledgeable/informed, calculated, reckless, etc.),
winnings, losses, rate of play, duration of play, game expected
value (EV), pattern or history of payments (e.g., sporadic,
regular, etc.), timing of payments (e.g., early, on-time, late,
etc.), amount of payments (e.g., below minimum, above minimum,
full, etc.), wagering account cash reserve, and/or other
game-related variables and assign a credit factor to the player. In
at least some aspects, the monitoring comprises trending of such
factor(s). Wagering pattern trending and analysis is particularly
suited for video-based poker games wherein a player's deviation
from customary wagers and positions are readily comparable to known
probabilities to determine how the player compares to the average
player. Thus, a player playing video poker that demonstrates a
higher-than-average skill level and disciplined wagering pattern
will be assigned a credit factor higher than a below-average player
exhibiting an irrational or risky wagering pattern. Wagering
pattern analysis may also help identify players who are attempting
to chase their losses and appropriately reduce the credit factor. A
credit factor formula comprising any combination of any of the
above-noted factors, in any weight, is used to yield a composite
credit factor. In one aspect, the credit factor comprises a
multiplier that is optionally applied to a player's line of credit
355 to dynamically adjust, upwardly or downwardly, the player's
line of credit based on the state of or changes to monitored
variables, such as those variables noted above.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 6, a method of dynamically adjusting a
player's line of credit associated with a wagering activity is
depicted comprising the acts of establishing a line of credit for a
player (S610), monitoring at least one factor associated with a
player's wagering activity (S620), calculating a credit factor
related to the monitored at least one factor (S630), and applying
the credit factor to a player's line of credit to adjust a player's
line of credit one of upwardly and downwardly (i.e., upwardly or
downwardly) responsive to the monitored at least one factor (S640).
The act of monitoring in S610 may comprise monitoring a player's
wagering activity only subsequent to the establishing of the line
of credit for a player in act S610 or it may further comprise
monitoring a player's prior or historical wagering activity. For
example, historic wagering activity data (e.g., wagering patterns,
loss data, win data, trends, flags, machine specific data, game
specific data, etc.) may inform subsequent analysis of wagering
activity data occurring subsequent to the establishing of the line
of credit for a player in act S610.
[0073] In at least some aspects, the credit factor is a multiplier
greater than one (e.g., 1.00.sup.+, 1.01, 1.05, 1.10, 1.33, 1.50,
1.75, 2.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, etc. or any number therebetween)
that is used to boost a player's line of credit 355. In one
embodiment, the credit factor is a multiplier between 1.00 and 2.5.
In general, once a base line of credit 355 is established for a
player based on conventional criteria (e.g., credit score), the
credit factor will not be used to adjust such line of credit
downwardly from the base line of credit. Instead, downward
adjustments of the player's line of credit 355 would reflect a
decrease off of a prior increase rather than off of the base line
of credit.
[0074] For example, a player may be extended a line of credit 355
of $10,000 based on personal assets, income, collateral, credit
history, and/or other variables. If the player then funds his or
her wagering account with $2500 and then proceeds to win $5000 to
obtain a total of $7500 in his or her WA 350, the player may be
notified that their line of credit has been raised to $15,000. Such
notification could occur via a pop-up window on the gaming machine
10, 110 display 14, 114 or through an attendant of the gaming
establishment. In at least some aspects, the player is permitted to
decline an increase in the line of credit. It at least some other
aspects, the player is required to acknowledge and accept the
increase to his or her line of credit. If the player subsequently
loses all $7500 in his or her wagering account, the player may then
be informed that his or her line of credit 355 has been adjusted
downwardly back to $10,000.
[0075] If the controller (e.g., 34), external systems 50, server
(e.g., kiosk 310), or gaming machine (e.g., handheld gaming machine
110) detects that the line of credit 355 is substantially depleted
or is being rapidly depleted, such system or systems may optionally
transmit warnings to the player either through a gaming machine
display 14, 114, or through an intermediary such as, but not
limited to, a floor attendant. Intervention via electronic
messages, telephone messages, video and/or audio communication,
and/or messages from attendants at one or more stages (e.g., 25%,
50%, 75%, 90%, 95% usage of the player's line of credit 355)
facilitates responsible gaming and ensures that that player is both
cognizant of and desirous of continued wagering against the line of
credit.
[0076] Optionally, the credit factor may be influenced by
non-game-related variables that may be associated with the opening
of the line of credit or independent thereof. For example,
participants in the gaming establishment's player's club program
may be provided an additional boost in the credit factor (e.g., a
5% or 10% higher boost than would otherwise be available for a
particular set of game-related variables).
[0077] In at least some aspects, in lieu of a credit factor, a
simple credit progression could be employed wherein for every $100
a player has in his or her WA 350, the player's line of credit is
increased by a predetermined amount. The predetermined amount of
the increase could be any amount up to and including $100, but
would typically be on the order of $5, $10, or $20. As a player's
WA 350 increases and/or decreases, the player's line of credit 355
increases or decreases in unison. Thus, in effect, the funds in the
player's wagering account serve as a dynamic collateral against
which a line of credit is increased or decreased in relation
thereto (e.g., proportionally or non-proportionally therewith).
[0078] The boost to the player's line of credit 355, in some
aspects, comprises a risk to the gaming establishment and increases
the gaming establishment's exposure. The gaming establishment may
optionally utilize some form of insurance (e.g., a third party
insurer, a re-insurer, a captive insurance company, etc.) to hedge
against potential losses.
[0079] The gaming establishment may optionally charge a flat usage
fee (e.g., a usage fee per folder 360) or a time-based usage fee
(e.g., interest), or any other structured fee arrangement on any
outstanding obligations on the line of credit. Alternatively, the
line of credit may advantageously be free of usage fees. In still
other aspects, a tiered fee may be charged to open a line of credit
for a player, such fees being available, for example, to offset any
losses arising from the line of credit program and/or to help fund
any underwriting of the line of credit program.
[0080] Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is
contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed
invention, which is set forth in the following claims. For example,
though the description describes the payoff of the line of credit
as occurring through the wagering account, the payoff of the line
of credit may occur in any manner using any form of physical or
electronic currency exchange, whether through the wagering account
or some other interface. The player could, for example, wire money
to the gaming establishment, insert funds into a kiosk 310,
transfer funds from a credit meter, transfer funds from a portable
electronic device or storage device (e.g., magnetic storage medium)
bearing value, or discharge the obligation in person at a
designated site, or with a designated person or persons, in the
gaming establishment. Moreover, the present concepts also expressly
include the embodiment of any of the disclosed methods, acts,
and/or steps as executable instructions or executable instruction
sets in a computer-readable medium.
* * * * *
References