U.S. patent application number 13/329157 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for systems and methods for providing awards and advertisement content within a gaming environment.
Invention is credited to Yuliya Hungate.
Application Number | 20120157190 13/329157 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46235074 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120157190 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hungate; Yuliya |
June 21, 2012 |
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING AWARDS AND ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT
WITHIN A GAMING ENVIRONMENT
Abstract
Computer-implemented methods for proving awards and
advertisement content within a gaming environment are described. In
one example embodiment, a method comprises receiving predetermined
advertisement content selection criteria for selecting the
advertisement content, selecting the advertisement content from an
advertisement database based on the predetermined advertisement
content selection criteria, and selectively providing the
advertisement content for a surface of a virtual object within the
game. In another example embodiment, a method comprises receiving a
request to provide the award to a player playing a game, receiving
predetermined award selection criteria for selecting the award,
selecting the award from an award database based on the
predetermined award selection criteria, and selectively providing
the award to the player. The predetermined selection criteria
include personal preferences, social network data, third party
data, geographical locations, and demographical data.
Inventors: |
Hungate; Yuliya; (Reno,
NV) |
Family ID: |
46235074 |
Appl. No.: |
13/329157 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61424574 |
Dec 17, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 2300/5506 20130101;
G06Q 30/0241 20130101; A63F 13/61 20140902; G06Q 30/0209 20130101;
G06Q 30/0207 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/25 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method for providing an award within a
gaming environment, the method comprising: receiving predetermined
award selection criteria for selecting the award; based on the
predetermined award selection criteria, selecting the award from an
award database; and selectively providing the award to a
player.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the award is
a physical reward selected from one or more of the following: a
gift, a merchandise, a discount coupon, a gift card, and an
invitation to a private sale.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein an in-house
or a third party calculates the amount of traffic directed by the
advertisement, coupons, or prizes.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the award is
a virtual reward sponsored by a third party, the virtual reward
being selected from one or more of the following: a virtual gaming
tool, a level of a game, a key for unlocking a level, a gaming
hint, a gaming skill, a bonus game, a bonus part of the game, an
additional feature of the game, an additional play time, an
opportunity to engage in a random event with a chance of receiving
a virtual prize.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the random
event includes one or more of the following: a wheel spinning,
tiles of objects for selecting, routs of objects for selecting,
arrays of objects for selecting.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein a value of
the award is based on the level.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the award is
provided by one or more advertisers.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein a game is
played on one or more of the following devices: a mobile device, a
computer, and a video game console.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the gaming
environment includes one or more players.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the
predetermined award selection criteria include one or more of the
following: a personal preference, a social network fact, a third
party fact, a geographical location, and a demographical fact.
11. A system for providing an award within a gaming environment,
the system comprising a communication module to receive
predetermined award selection criteria for selecting the award and
an award selecting module to select, based on the predetermined
award selection criteria, the award from an award database and to
selectively provide the award to a player.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the award is a physical reward
selected from one or more of the following: a gift, a merchandise,
a discount coupon, a gift card, and an invitation to a private
sale.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the award is a virtual reward
sponsored by a third party, the virtual reward being selected from
one or more of the following: a virtual gaming tool, a level of a
game, a key for unlocking a level, a gaming hint, a gaming skill, a
bonus game, a bonus part of the game, an additional feature of the
game, an additional play time, an opportunity to engage in a random
event with a chance of receiving a virtual prize.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the random event includes one
or more of the following: a wheel spinning, tiles of objects for
selecting, routs of objects for selecting, arrays of objects for
selecting.
15. The system of claim 13, wherein a value of the award is based
on the level.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein the award is provided by one or
more advertisers.
17. The system of claim 11, wherein a game is played on one or more
of the following devices: a mobile device, a computer, and a video
game console.
18. The system of claim 11, wherein the gaming environment includes
one or more players.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein the predetermined award
selection criteria include one or more of the following: a personal
preference, a social network fact, a third party fact, a
geographical location, and a demographical fact.
20. A machine-readable medium comprising instructions for providing
an award within a gaming environment, which when implemented by one
or more processors, performs the following operations: receives
predetermined award selection criteria for selecting the award;
based on the predetermined award selection criteria, selects the
award from an award database; and selectively provides the award to
a player.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/424,574, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
PROVIDING AWARDS AND ADVERTISEMENT CONTENT WITHIN A GAMING
ENVIRONMENT," filed Dec. 17, 2010, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety for all purposes.
FIELD
[0002] This application relates generally to data processing and,
more specifically, to systems and methods for providing awards and
advertisement content within a gaming environment.
SUMMARY
[0003] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of
the claimed subject matter.
[0004] In an example embodiment, a computer-implemented method for
providing advertisement content within a gaming environment
comprises providing the advertisement content for a surface of a
virtual object within a game, receiving predetermined advertisement
content selection criteria for selecting the advertisement content,
based on the predetermined advertisement content selection
criteria, selecting the advertisement content from an advertisement
database, and selectively providing the advertisement content for
the surface of the virtual object within the game.
[0005] In an example embodiment, a computer-implemented method for
providing an award within a gaming environment comprises providing
the award to a player playing a game, receiving predetermined award
selection criteria for selecting the award, based on the
predetermined award selection criteria, selecting the award from an
award database, and selectively providing the award to the
player.
[0006] In further example embodiments, steps counterpart to the
methods described herein may be stored on a computer readable
storage medium having a program embodied thereon, with the program
executable by a processor in a computing device. In yet further
example embodiments, modules, subsystems, or devices can be adapted
to perform the recited steps. Other features and example
embodiments are described below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0007] Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not
limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which
like references indicate similar elements and in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network environment
within which the systems and methods for providing awards and
advertisement content within a gaming environment are implemented,
in accordance with an example embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an advertisement system,
in accordance with an example embodiment;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an award system, in
accordance with an example embodiment;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram showing a method for
providing advertisement content within a gaming environment, in
accordance with an example embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram showing a method for
providing an award within a gaming environment, in accordance with
an example embodiment; and
[0013] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of an example
machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of
instructions, for causing the machine to perform any one or more of
the methodologies discussed herein, are executed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Systems and methods allowing changing advertisement content
inside games and awarding game players third party sponsored
virtual or real prizes and incentives are provided.
[0015] In some example embodiments, systems and methods for
providing advertisement content within a gaming environment may
include an advertising database or server, which provides the
advertising content to the gaming environment via a network (e.g.,
the Internet). The advertising content delivered via the network
may be displayed inside a game played by one or more players. To
select the advertisement content for a game, a portion of the game,
or a bonus game within the game, the advertising system may utilize
certain predetermined criteria described in more detail below.
[0016] The advertising content may be specific to the entire game,
a special sponsored game (or bonus play) within the game, or be
specific to the player. The criteria for selecting the advertising
content specific to the player may be based upon an interest in
various products, companies, or brands expressly stated by the
player. The criteria for selecting the advertising content may also
be based on information disclosed on the Internet, within a social
network space, or deduced or determined from the information
gathered by an in-house analytic system or a third party (e.g.,
Google AdSense placement style, keyword detection, demographic or
geographic information).
[0017] Once the advertising content (based on player preferences or
other predetermined criteria) is received in the gaming
environment, personalized advertisements may be displayed on the
surfaces of virtual objects within the game. A homegrown or third
party technology may be utilized to display the advertisements on
the virtual objects.
[0018] In some example embodiments, the systems and methods for
providing awards within a gaming environment may award sponsored
prizes. These prizes may be of a virtual nature (such as gaming
tools, hints, skills, and so forth), special additional (bonus)
games/rounds, or some other additional features enhancing the
gaming experience and/or providing advancements or additional
playtime. The award system may also award real prizes, such as gift
cards, discount coupons, and so forth. The awards may be won by a
player of a network gaming system or mobile system in the course of
a game or in the course of an additional bonus game, such as a
special game sponsored by one or more advertisers. The awards may
be selected from an award database by a player and/or automatically
selected by the award system based on predetermined award selecting
criteria. The criteria for selecting the award may come directly
from the player who expressed interest in a range of
products/companies, may be determined from the personal information
disclosed by the player on the Internet, or may be determined from
information gathered or otherwise known to those skilled in the
art, such as Google AdSense, keyword detection, demographics,
geographic information, Internet Protocol (IP), and so forth.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network environment 100
within which the systems and methods for providing awards and
advertisement content within a gaming environment may be
implemented, in accordance with an example embodiment. As shown in
FIG. 1, the example network environment 100 may include a plurality
of personal communication devices 110, a network 120, a social
network 130, a game server 140, an advertisement system 150, an
advertisement database 160, an award system 170, and an award
database 180. The personal communication device 110 may include any
device on which a game application can be run, such as, for
example, a mobile telephone or a game console (e.g., Nintendo DS).
Other example personal devices 110 may include devices having a
mere browser or more advanced devices able to run a complete
operating system.
[0020] The network 120, as shown in FIG. 1, is a network of data
processing nodes interconnected for the purpose of data
communication, which may be utilized to communicatively couple
various components of the network environment 100. The network 120
may include the Internet or any other network capable of
communicating data between devices. Suitable networks may include
or interface with any one or more of, for instance, a local
intranet, a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area
Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area
Network), a virtual private network (VPN), a storage area network
(SAN), a frame relay connection, an Advanced Intelligent Network
(AIN) connection, a synchronous optical network (SONET) connection,
a digital T1, T3, E1 or E3 line, Digital Data Service (DDS)
connection, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection, an Ethernet
connection, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line, a
dial-up port such as a V.90, V.34 or V.34bis analog modem
connection, a cable modem, an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode)
connection, or an FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) or CDDI
(Copper Distributed Data Interface) connection. Furthermore,
communications may also include links to any of a variety of
wireless networks, including WAP (Wireless Application Protocol),
GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), GSM (Global System for Mobile
Communication), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) or TDMA (Time
Division Multiple Access), cellular phone networks, GPS (Global
Positioning System), CDPD (cellular digital packet data), RIM
(Research in Motion, Limited) duplex paging network, Bluetooth
radio, or an IEEE 802.11-based radio frequency network. The network
120 can further include or interface with any one or more of an
RS-232 serial connection, an IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connection, a
Fiber Channel connection, an IrDA (infrared) port, a SCSI (Small
Computer Systems Interface) connection, a USB (Universal Serial
Bus) connection or other wired or wireless, digital or analog
interface or connection, mesh or Digi.RTM. networking.
[0021] The network environment 100 may include one player or many
players playing an interactive game in an Internet environment, on
a personal communication device 110 or on a computer. The Internet
gaming environment may be facilitated by an online network service,
platform, or site that may communicate with social network
services, or a site that focuses on the building and reflecting of
social networks or social relations among people (e.g., who share
interests and/or activities). The social network service may
include a representation of each player as a profile, his/her
social links, and a variety of additional services. A social
network service may be web based and provide means for players to
interact over the Internet. A game played within a social network
may include a type of game that features multiplayer and
asynchronous gameplay mechanics. A social network game may be
played via a web browser or a mobile application installed on the
personal communication device 110. The gaming environment may be
facilitated by the game server 140, which may be run remotely and
used by the social network 130 to play multiplayer video games. A
social network game may be played over the Internet via a
connection to the game server 140. As the game is played, the game
server 140 may collect data from players and distribute it to other
players.
[0022] The game played within the gaming environment facilitated by
the game server 140 may be specifically designed to contain virtual
spaces dedicated to display advertising on surfaces of virtual
objects of the game. The advertising content displayed on such
surfaces may be provided by the advertisement system 150, which
selects advertising content from the advertisement database 160.
The advertisement system 150 may utilize predetermined criteria to
select the advertisement provided by the advertisement database
160. The predetermined criteria may be based on information
specific to the entire game, a special sponsored game (or bonus
play) within the game, or specific to the player. The advertisement
content may be specific to the players who expressed interest in
the range of products/companies, can be deduced from the personal
information disclosed by the player within the social network
space, or may be determined from information gathered otherwise as
known to those skilled in the art (e.g., Google AdSense placement
style, keywords detection, geographic, and demographic information,
IP).
[0023] The advertisement database 160 may store the advertisement
content. In one example embodiment, the advertisement database 160
is a computer server (e.g., an application or a web server) that
stores advertisements used for marketing in games and provides them
to the advertisement system 150. The contents of the advertisement
database 160 may be constantly updated to dynamically change the
advertisement content displayed on the surfaces of the virtual
objects within the games. Additionally, the game server 140 may
perform various other tasks, such as counting the number of
impressions/clicks for an advertisement campaign and generating
reports. The advertisement database 160 may be installed locally or
accessed via a third party. Based on historical data provided to
the advertisement system 150, a specific advertisement may be
displayed for a player. For example, if the player is known to have
visited an automotive website, a car advertisement may be
displayed. In addition, the advertisement content displayed within
the game may be based on contextual targeting by inferring the
optimal advertisement placement from information contained within
specific scenes of the game. For example, a mountain bike
advertisement may be automatically placed on a virtual object
within a scene that includes a mountain bike race. It should be
understood that any other predictive methods may be used for a
given advertisement placement.
[0024] The award system 170 may be utilized to award sponsored
prizes (virtual or real) within the context of a social/mobile game
(or an extension of a game, bonus game, additional game/round,
additional feature/mission within a game, and so forth). The award
system 170 may utilize specific business rules by which prizes or
ranges of prizes are determined. The prizes may be specific to the
entire game, a special sponsored game (or bonus play) within the
game, or to the player. The prizes may be specific to the players
who expressed interest in the range of products/companies,
determined from personal information disclosed by the player within
a social network space, or from information gathered as otherwise
known to those skilled in art (e.g., Google AdSense placement
style, keywords detection, geographic, and demographic
information). The award database 180 may store the prize and award
content.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the advertisement system
150, in accordance with an example embodiment. In one example
embodiment, the advertisement system 150 may include a
communication module 152 and an advertisement selecting module 154.
The advertisement system 150 may provide advertisement content
within a gaming environment. The communication module 152 may
provide the advertisement content for a surface of a virtual object
within a game and may receive predetermined advertisement content
selection criteria for selecting the advertisement content. The
advertisement selecting module 154 may select the advertisement
content from the advertisement database 160 based on the
predetermined advertisement content selection criteria and provide
the advertisement content for the surface of the virtual object
within the game played by one or more players within the social
network 130 via the personal communication device 110, computer, or
video game console. The advertisement selecting module 154 may
utilize a personal preference, a social network fact, a third party
fact, a geographical location, an IP, or a demographical fact to
select the advertisement content.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the award system 170, in
accordance with an example embodiment. In one example embodiment,
the award system 170 may include a communication module 172 and an
award selecting module 174. The communication module 172 may be
utilized to receive a request to provide an award to a player
playing a game and to receive predetermined award selection
criteria for selecting the award. The award selecting module 174
may be utilized to select, based on the predetermined award
selection criteria, an award from the award database 180 and to
selectively provide the award to a player. The award may include a
physical reward such as a gift, merchandise, discount coupon, gift
card, or invitation to a private sale. The award may include a
virtual reward sponsored by a third party, such as a virtual gaming
tool, a level of a game, a key for unlocking a level, a gaming
hint, a gaming skill, a bonus game, a bonus part of the game, an
additional feature of the game, additional play time, or an
opportunity to engage in a random event with a chance of receiving
a virtual prize. The value of the award may be based on the level
of play. The random event mentioned above may include a wheel
spinning, tiles of objects for selecting, routs of objects for
selecting, or arrays of objects for selecting. It will be
understood that more than one advertiser may sponsor a particular
award. The players may share the awards within a network and/or
exchange awards of a virtual or real nature.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a process flow diagram showing a method 400 for
providing advertisement content within a gaming environment, in
accordance with an example embodiment. The method 400 may be
performed by processing logic that may comprise hardware (e.g.,
dedicated logic, programmable logic, and microcode), software (such
as software run on a general-purpose computer system or a dedicated
machine), or a combination of both. In one example embodiment, the
processing logic resides at the advertisement system 150, shown in
FIG. 2.
[0028] The method 400 can be performed by the various modules
discussed above with reference to FIG. 2. Each of these modules can
comprise processing logic. It will be appreciated by one of
ordinary skill that examples of the foregoing modules may be
virtual, and instructions said to be executed by a module may, in
fact, be retrieved and executed by a processor. The foregoing
modules may also include memory cards, servers, and/or computer
discs. Although various modules may be configured to perform some
or all of the various steps described herein, fewer or more modules
may be provided and still fall within the scope of various
embodiments.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 4, the method 400 may commence at operation
402 with the communication module 152 of the advertisement system
150 receiving a request to provide the advertisement content for a
surface of a virtual object within a game. The advertisement system
150, having access to personal, geographic, and/or demographic
information of the player, may facilitate playing the game in such
a way as to allow specific advertising content to be displayed on
virtual objects in the game (or the game extension). Alternatively,
the game may allow extensions of the game (additional play/round,
bonus play/round, additional missions) to be added. As mentioned
above, in one example embodiment, the gaming systems and methods
may include a player or a group of players playing a game in a
network environment, on a mobile device, or on a computer where
he/she creates a gaming space, with a choice of virtual tools, via
casual games used by a mass audience of casual gamers.
[0030] At operation 404, the communication module 152 of the
advertisement system 150 may receive predetermined advertisement
content selection criteria for selecting the advertisement content
from the advertisement database 160. At operation 406, the
advertisement selecting module 154 may select, based on the
predetermined advertisement content, the advertisement content from
the advertisement database 160. At operation 408, the advertisement
system 150 may selectively provide the advertisement content for
the surface of the virtual object within the game.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a process flow diagram showing a method 500 for
providing an award within a gaming environment, in accordance with
an example embodiment. The method 500 may be performed by
processing logic that can comprise hardware (e.g., dedicated logic,
programmable logic, and microcode), software (such as software run
on a general-purpose computer system or a dedicated machine), or a
combination of both. In one example embodiment, the processing
logic resides at the award system 170, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
The method 500 may be performed by the various modules discussed
above with reference to FIG. 3. Each of these modules may comprise
processing logic. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill
that examples of the foregoing modules may be virtual, and
instructions said to be executed by a module may, in fact, be
retrieved and executed by a processor. The foregoing modules may
also include memory cards, servers, and/or computer discs. Although
various modules may be configured to perform some or all of the
various steps described herein, fewer or more modules may be
provided and still fall within the scope of various
embodiments.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the method 500 may commence at operation
502 with the communication module 172 of the award system 170
receiving a request to provide an award to a player playing the
game. The award may include a virtual or real prize sponsored
(entirely or partially) by the third party. For example, a player
may receive additional tools enhancing his or her gaming ability
and ability to move from level to level. On each consequent level,
a new level of the game can be unlocked or new routs of advancement
appearing. The player may purchase enhancement tools and thereby
advance to different levels faster. The award system 170 may allow
some portion or the entire tool (tool set) be sponsored by a third
party.
[0033] Games often include a random number generator (or random
generator emulation) event (which can be presented as a wheel for
spinning or tiles/routs/arrays of objects for picking or other
representations known to those skilled in the art) to provide a
tool, tool set, or resource for faster advancement. Some of these
random events may be free but a player may have to pay for some of
them. The award system 170 may allow some portion or the entire
random event to be sponsored by a third party. A player may thus
have a chance to win sponsored prizes in the course of a game or
random event.
[0034] The sponsored prize may be associated with information the
player chose to disclose to the gaming system. Sponsored awards may
be preferential to the player, the system may pick the sponsors for
the player based on the information disclosed, or a combination of
both. Sizes of sponsored awards may be in direct or indirect
relation to the level of play. The awards may have game-only value
(can be used in the game as a tool or a decoration) or may have
actual value (gift cards or coupons provided by the third
party).
[0035] In one example embodiment, the advertising content may be
displayed on the game indicia. In other example embodiments, the
advertising content may be displayed to specify a special sponsored
tool for winning, advancement, or just a winning symbol. The prizes
may be of a real nature, such as merchandise, discount coupons,
gift cards, invitation to private sales, and so forth. There may be
a random event associated with the dispensing of a prize. There may
be one or more sponsors for the same gaming event.
[0036] Referring back to the method 500, at operation 504, the
communication module 172 of the award system 170 may receive
predetermined award selection criteria for selecting an award. At
operation 506, the award selecting module 174 may select, based on
the predetermined award selection criteria, an award from the award
database 180. The selected award may be provided to the player at
operation 508.
[0037] FIG. 6 shows a diagrammatic representation of a computing
device for a machine in the example electronic form of a computer
system 600, within which a set of instructions for causing the
machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed
herein can be executed. In various example embodiments, the machine
operates as a standalone device or can be connected (e.g.,
networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the
machine can operate in the capacity of a server or a client machine
in a server-client network environment, or as a peer machine in a
peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine can
be a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a portable
music player (e.g., a portable hard drive audio device such as a
Moving Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3 (MP3) player, a web
appliance, a network router, a switch, a bridge, or any machine
capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or
otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine.
Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term
"machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines
that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of
instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies
discussed herein.
[0038] The example computer system 600 includes an engine or
multiple engines 602 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a
graphics processing unit (GPU), or both), a main memory 604 and a
static memory 606, which communicate with each other via a bus 608.
The computer system 600 may further include a video display unit
610 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube
(CRT)). The computer system 600 also includes an alphanumeric input
device 612 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 614 (e.g., a
mouse), a disk drive unit 616, a signal generation device 618
(e.g., a speaker) and a network interface device 620.
[0039] The disk drive unit 616 includes a computer-readable medium
622 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions and data
structures (e.g., instructions 624) embodying or utilized by any
one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein. The
instructions 624 can also reside, completely or at least partially,
within the main memory 604 and/or within the engines 602 during
execution thereof by the computer system 600. The main memory 604
and the processor 602 also constitute machine-readable media.
[0040] The instructions 624 can further be transmitted or received
over a network 626 via the network interface device 620 utilizing
any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols (e.g., Hyper
Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP), CAN, Serial, Modbus).
[0041] While the computer-readable medium 622 is shown in an
example embodiment to be a single medium, the term
"computer-readable medium" should be taken to include a single
medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed
database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one
or more sets of instructions. The term "computer-readable medium"
shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of
storing, encoding, or carrying a set of instructions for execution
by the machine and that causes the machine to perform any one or
more of the methodologies of the present application, or that is
capable of storing, encoding, or carrying data structures utilized
by or associated with such a set of instructions. The term
"computer-readable medium" shall accordingly be taken to include,
but not be limited to, solid-state memories, optical and magnetic
media. Such media can also include, without limitation, hard disks,
floppy disks, flash memory cards, digital video disks, random
access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), and the like.
[0042] The example embodiments described herein can be implemented
in an operating environment comprising computer-executable
instructions (e.g., software) installed on a computer, in hardware,
or in a combination of software and hardware. The
computer-executable instructions can be written in a computer
programming language or can be embodied in firmware logic. If
written in a programming language conforming to a recognized
standard, such instructions can be executed on a variety of
hardware platforms and for interfaces to a variety of operating
systems. Although not limited thereto, computer software programs
for implementing the present method can be written in any number of
suitable programming languages such as, for example, Hyper text
Markup Language (HTML), Dynamic HTML, Extensible Markup Language
(XML), Extensible Stylesheet Language (XSL), Document Style
Semantics and Specification Language (DSSSL), Cascading Style
Sheets (CSS), Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language (SMIL),
Wireless Markup Language (WML), Java.TM., Jini.TM., C, C++, Perl,
UNIX Shell, Visual Basic or Visual Basic Script, Virtual Reality
Markup Language (VRML), ColdFusion.TM. or other compilers,
assemblers, interpreters or other computer languages or
platforms.
[0043] Thus, systems and methods for providing awards and
advertisement content within a gaming environment have been
described. Although embodiments have been described with reference
to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various
modifications and changes can be made to these example embodiments
without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present
application. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be
regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
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