System and method for providing reward points for casino play

US 20020123376A1
Filed: 04/30/2002
Published: 09/05/2002
Est. Priority Date: 07/07/1997
Status: Abandoned Application

First Claim

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1. A method comprising:

determining a wager amount corresponding to at least one play of at least one table game by a player;

determining data associated with the at least one play, in which the data does not indicate the wager amount;

determining whether the player is eligible for reward points based on the data;

determining a number of reward points; and

awarding the number of reward points to the player if the player is eligible for reward points.

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Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for awarding a number of reward points to a player of a table game, the method comprising the steps of: determining a wager amount corresponding to at least one play of at least one table game by a player; determining data associated with the at least one play, in which the data does not indicate the wager amount; determining whether the player is eligible for reward points based on the data; determining a number of reward points; and awarding the number of reward points to the player if the player is eligible for reward points.

248 Citations

109 Claims

1. A method comprising:
- determining a wager amount corresponding to at least one play of at least one table game by a player;
  
  determining data associated with the at least one play, in which the data does not indicate the wager amount;
  
  determining whether the player is eligible for reward points based on the data;
  
  determining a number of reward points; and
  
  awarding the number of reward points to the player if the player is eligible for reward points.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85)
- - 2. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining if the player busted.
  - 3. The method of claim 2, in which determining the data further comprises:
    - determining if the player busted after drawing to a hand having a point total that is not less than a predetermined point total.
  - 4. The method of claim 2, in which determining the data further comprises:
    - determining if the player busted after drawing to a hand having a point total that is not greater than a predetermined point total.
  - 5. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - receiving monitoring data from at least one monitoring device; and
      
      determining the data based on the monitoring data.
  - 6. The method of claim 5, in which the monitoring data includes an indication of at least one card.
  - 7. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - receiving video content from at least one camera.
  - 8. The method of claim 7, in which the video content includes an indication of at least one card.
  - 9. The method of claim 7, in which the video content includes an indication of a wager amount.
  - 10. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - receiving audio content from at least one microphone.
  - 11. The method of claim 10, in which the audio content includes an indication of at least one card.
  - 12. The method of claim 10, in which the audio content includes an indication of a wager amount.
  - 13. The method of claim 10, in which the audio content includes an indication of at least one of:
    - a perceived mood of the player;
      
      whether the player communicates disappointment;
      
      whether the player communicates frustration;
      
      whether the player communicates that the player is in bad spirits;
      
      whether the player communicates a desire for a second play of the table game; and
      
      whether the player communicates an intent to play a second play of the table game.
  - 14. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - receiving sensor data from at least one sensor at a gaming table.
  - 15. The method of claim 14, in which the sensor data includes an indication of at least one card.
  - 16. The method of claim 14, in which the sensor data includes an indication of a wager amount.
  - 17. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - receiving sensor data from at least one pressure sensor.
  - 18. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - receiving sensor data from at least one sensor in a card shoe.
  - 19. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - receiving sensor data from at least one light sensor.
  - 20. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - receiving the data from an electronic play tracking system.
  - 21. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - receiving array data from a sensor array system.
  - 22. The method of claim 21, in which the array data includes an indication of a position of a transmitter.
  - 23. The method of claim 22, in which the transmitter is wearable.
  - 24. The method of claim 22, in which the transmitter is worn by a dealer.
  - 25. The method of claim 22, in which the position corresponds to a hand of a dealer.
  - 26. The method of claim 22, in which a ring comprises the transmitter.
  - 27. The method of claim 22, in which a bracelet comprises the transmitter.
  - 28. The method of claim 22, in which a glove comprises the transmitter.
  - 29. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining an outcome of the at least one play; and
      
      in which determining whether the player is eligible for reward points comprises;
      
      determining whether the player is eligible for reward points based on the outcome.
  - 31. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining at least one play that the player lost; and
      
      determining whether the player achieved at least a predetermined number of points in the at least one play that the player lost.
  - 32. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining at least one play that the player lost; and
      
      determining whether the player stood in the at least one play that the player lost.
  - 33. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining a number of plays lost by the player; and
      
      determining whether the number of plays lost by the player is not less than a predetermined number.
  - 34. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining a number of consecutive plays lost by the player; and
      
      determining whether the number of consecutive plays lost by the player is not less than a predetermined number.
  - 35. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining a number of plays by the player;
      
      determining a number of losing plays by the player;
      
      determining a loss percentage based on the number of plays played by the player and the number of losing plays by the player; and
      
      determining whether the loss percentage is not less than a predetermined percentage.
  - 36. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining a prior balance associated with the player;
      
      determining a current balance associated with the player; and
      
      in which determining whether the player is eligible for reward points comprises;
      
      determining that the player is eligible if the second balance is not greater than the first balance.
  - 37. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining an amount of funds lost by the player.
  - 38. The method of claim 37, in which determining the data further comprises:
    - determining whether the amount of funds lost by the player was lost during a predetermined period of time.
  - 39. The method of claim 38, in which the predetermined period of time corresponds to a predetermined number of minutes.
  - 40. The method of claim 38, in which the predetermined period of time corresponds to at least one calendar day.
  - 41. The method of claim 38, in which the predetermined period of time corresponds to a time at which the player commenced the at least one play.
  - 42. The method of claim 37, in which determining the data further comprises:
    - determining whether the amount of funds lost by the player is not less than a predetermined minimum loss amount.
  - 43. The method of claim 37, in which determining the data further comprises:
    - determining whether the amount of funds lost by the player is not greater than a predetermined maximum loss amount.
  - 44. The method of claim 37, in which determining the amount of funds lost by the player comprises:
    - determining an amount of finds lost by the player since commencing the at least one play.
  - 45. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining a first amount of funds available to the player at a first time;
      
      determining a second amount of finds available to the player at a second time;
      
      determining a difference between the first amount and the second amount;
      
      determining a loss percentage based on the difference and the first amount of funds; and
      
      determining whether the loss percentage is not less than a predetermined percentage.
  - 46. The method of claim 45, in which the first time corresponds to when the player commenced the at least one play.
  - 47. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining a rate of play associated with the player; and
      
      determining whether the rate of play is not less than a predetermined minimum rate of play.
  - 48. The method of claim 47, in which the predetermined minimum rate of play corresponds to a predetermined number of plays per a predetermined period of time.
  - 49. The method of claim 47, in which the predetermined minimum rate of play corresponds to a predetermined number of decisions per a predetermined period of time.
  - 50. The method of claim 1, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining at least one card that is held by the player during the at least one play;
      
      determining at least one card that is received by a second player; and
      
      determining a potential outcome based on the at least one card that is held by the player and the at least one card that is received by the second player.
  - 51. The method of claim 50, further comprising:
    - determining an outcome of the at least one play; and
      
      awarding a first payout to the player based on the outcome, in which determining the data further comprises;
      
      determining a second payout based on the potential outcome; and
      
      determining whether the second payout is greater than the first payout.
  - 52. The method of claim 1, in which determining whether the player is eligible for reward points comprises:
    - determining whether the player is eligible for reward points based on the data and the wager amount.
  - 53. The method of claim 1, in which determining the number of reward points comprises:
    - determining the number of reward points based on the wager amount.
  - 54. The method of claim 1, in which determining the number of reward points comprises:
    - determining the number of reward points based on the data.
  - 55. The method of claim 1, in which determining the number of reward points comprises:
    - determining the number of reward points based on the wager amount and the data.
  - 56. The method of claim 1, in which awarding comprises:
    - determining an end of the at least one play; and
      
      awarding the number of reward points in response to determining the end of the at least one play.
  - 57. The method of claim 1, in which determining the number of reward points comprises:
    - determining the number of reward points based on the data.
  - 58. The method of claim 1, in which awarding comprises:
    - determining a reward point balance associated with the player; and
      
      increasing the reward point balance based on the number of reward points.
  - 59. The method of claim 1, in which awarding comprises:
    - transmitting a signal to a reward counter, the signal being operative with the reward point counter to increase a reward point balance.
  - 60. The method of claim 59, in which transmitting comprises:
    - activating a button.
  - 61. The method of claim 1, in which awarding comprises:
    - transmitting a signal to a controller, the signal being operative with the controller to increase a reward point balance.
  - 62. The method of claim 61, in which transmitting comprises:
    - activating a button.
  - 63. The method of claim 1, in which the at least one play comprises a play of a first table game and a play of a second table game.
  - 64. The method of claim 1, in which each of the at least one plays is of only one table game.
  - 65. The method of claim 1, in which the at least one play is associated with a plurality of gaming sessions.
  - 66. The method of claim 1, in which the at least one play comprises a first play during a first gaming session and a second play during a second gaming session that is after the first gaming session.
  - 67. The method of claim 1, in which each at least one play is associated with a gaming session.
  - 68. The method of claim 1, in which each at least one play is associated with a particular gaming table.
  - 69. The method of claim 1, in which the at least one play comprises a first play at a first gaming table and a second play at a second gaming table.
  - 70. The method of claim 1, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:
    - an amount won by the player, and an amount lost by the player.
  - 71. The method of claim 1, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:
    - a hand held by the player, a hand held by a dealer, a card held by the player, a card held by the dealer, and a card held by a second player.
  - 72. The method of claim 1, in which the data includes an indication of at least one decision by the player.
  - 73. The method of claim 72, in which the at least one decision includes at least one of:
    - a decision to wager, a decision to hit, a decision to stand, a decision to double down, a decision to surrender, a decision to take insurance, a decision to split, a decision to early surrender, and a decision to late surrender.
  - 74. The method of claim 72, in which the at least one decision is contrary to a predetermined strategy associated with the table game.
  - 75. The method of claim 1, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:
    - a point total of the player, and a point total of a dealer.
  - 76. The method of claim 1, in which the data includes an indication of an outcome of the at least one play.
  - 77. The method of claim 1, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:
    - a number of plays won by the player, a number of plays lost by the player, and a number of plays tied by the player.
  - 78. The method of claim 1, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:
    - whether the player busted, and whether the player tied a dealer.
  - 79. The method of claim 1, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:
    - a perceived mood of the player, whether the player communicates disappointment, whether the player communicates frustration, whether the player communicates that the player is in bad spirits, whether the player communicates a desire for a second play of the table game, and whether the player communicates an intent to play a second play of the table game.
  - 80. The method of claim 1, in which the reward points comprise frequent flyer miles.
  - 81. The method of claim 1, in which the reward points comprise frequent shopper points.
  - 82. The method of claim 1, in which the reward points comprise points redeemable for a purchase.
  - 83. The method of claim 1, in which the reward points comprise points redeemable for a discount on a purchase.
  - 84. The method of claim 1, in which the reward points comprise telephone minutes.
  - 85. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
    - providing a mileage receipt to the player, the mileage receipt including an award tracking number, the award tracking number uniquely identifying the mileage receipt;
      
      receiving the mileage receipt from the player;
      
      verifying authenticity of the mileage receipt;
      
      receiving information that indicates a reward points account; and
      
      crediting, to the indicated reward points account, reward points represented by the mileage receipt.

30. The method of 29, in which determining whether the player is eligible for reward points comprises:
- determining that the player is eligible for reward points if the outcome is not a winning outcome.

30-1. The method of 29, in which determining whether the player is eligible for reward points comprises:
- determining that the player is eligible for reward points if the outcome is a winning outcome.

86. A method comprising:
- determining data associated with at least one play of at least one table game by a player;
  
  determining a wager amount corresponding to the at least one play;
  
  determining a number of reward points based on the wager amount and the data; and
  
  awarding the number of reward points to the player.
- View Dependent Claims (87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92)
- - 87. The method of claim 86, in which awarding comprises:
    - determining whether the player is eligible for reward points based on the data; and
      
      awarding the number of reward points to the player if the player is eligible for reward points.
  - 88. The method of claim 86, in which awarding comprises:
    - determining whether the player is eligible for reward points based on the wager; and
      
      awarding the number of reward points to the player if the player is eligible for reward points.
  - 89. The method of claim 86, in which determining the data comprises:
    - determining an outcome of the play.
  - 90. The method of claim 89, in which awarding comprises:
    - awarding the number of reward points to the player based on the outcome.
  - 91. The method of claim 89, in which awarding comprises:
    - awarding the number of reward points to the player if the outcome is not a winning outcome.
  - 92. The method of claim 89, in which awarding comprises:
    - awarding the number of reward points to the player if the outcome is a winning outcome.

93. A method comprising:
- determining data corresponding to a gaming session associated with a player, in which the gaming session comprises a play of a table game;
  
  determining a probability of the player terminating the gaming session based on the data and at least one predetermined rule; and
  
  providing a number of reward points to the player if the probability is greater than a predetermined probability.
- View Dependent Claims (94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104)
- - 94. The method of claim 93, further comprising:
    - receiving a wager from the player for the play;
      
      determining an outcome of the play; and
      
      providing a payout to the player based on the outcome.
  - 95. The method of claim 93, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:
    - an amount won by the player, and an amount lost by the player.
  - 96. The method of claim 93, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:
    - a hand held by the player, a hand held by a dealer, a card held by the player, a card held by the dealer, and a card held by a second player.
  - 97. The method of claim 93, in which the data includes an indication of at least one decision by the player.
  - 98. The method of claim 97, in which the at least one decision includes at least one of:
    - a decision to wager, a decision to hit, a decision to stand, a decision to double down, a decision to surrender, a decision to take insurance, a decision to split, a decision to early surrender, and a decision to late surrender.
  - 99. The method of claim 93, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:
    - a point total of the player, and a point total of a dealer.
  - 100. The method of claim 93, in which the data includes an indication of an outcome of the at least one play.
  - 101. The method of claim 93, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:
    - a number of plays won by the player, a number of plays lost by the player, and a number of plays tied by the player.
  - 102. The method of claim 93, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:
    - whether the player busted, and whether the player tied a dealer.
  - 103. The method of claim 93, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:
    - perceived mood of the player, whether the player communicates disappointment, whether the player communicates frustration, whether the player communicates that the player is in bad spirits, whether the player communicates a desire for a second play of the table game, and whether the player communicates an intent to play a second play of the table game.
  - 104. The method of claim 93, further comprising:
    - determining the number of reward points based on the data.

105. A method comprising:
- receiving an identifier that identifies a player;
  
  receiving an indication of a wager by the player;
  
  determining an outcome of a first play of a table game;
  
  providing an indication of the outcome to the player;
  
  determining data corresponding to the first play, the first data indicating at least one of;
  
  an amount lost by the player, a hand of the player, a hand of a dealer, a decision by the player, and the outcome, determining at least one criterion for providing a reward to the player;
  
  determining whether the player is qualified to receive a reward based on the at least one criterion and the data;
  
  determining a number of frequent flyer miles based on at least one of;
  
  the data, and the wager;
  
  awarding the number of frequent flyer miles to the player if the player is qualified to receive a reward; and
  
  displaying the number of frequent flyer miles to the player.

106. A method comprising:
- determining if a player busted in at least one play of at least one table game; and
  
  awarding a number of reward points to the player only if the player busted.

107. A method comprising:
- determining data associated with at least one play of at least one table game by a player;
  
  determining if the player busted after drawing to a hand having a point total that is not less than a predetermined point total, in which the point total is based on the data; and
  
  awarding a number of reward points to the player if the player busted after drawing to a hand having a point total that is not less than the predetermined point total.

108. A method comprising:
- determining data associated with at least one play of at least one table game by a player;
  
  determining if the player busted after drawing to a hand having a point total that is not greater than a predetermined point total, in which the point total is based on the data; and
  
  awarding a number of reward points to the player if the player busted after drawing to a hand having a point total that is not greater than the predetermined point total.

109. A method comprising:
- receiving an identifier that identifies a player;
  
  receiving an indication of a wager by the player;
  
  determining an outcome of a play of a table game by the player;
  
  determining whether the outcome is a winning outcome;
  
  determining a number of frequent flyer miles based on the wager; and
  
  awarding the number of frequent flyer miles to the player if the outcome is not a winning outcome.

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Current Assignee
Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
Original Assignee
Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
Inventors
Jorasch, James A., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Downs, Michael D., Walker, Jay S.

Application Number

US10/136,050
Publication Number

US 20020123376A1
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

463/11
CPC Class Codes

G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming...

System and method for providing reward points for casino play

First Claim

4 Assignments

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

248 Citations

109 Claims

Specification

Solutions

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System and method for providing reward points for casino play

First Claim

4 Assignments

Subscription Required

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0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

248 Citations

109 Claims

Specification

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Solutions

Use Cases

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