Gaming incentive system and method of redeeming bonus points

• US 20050060231A1
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Published: 03/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Konami Gaming Incorporated (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Konami Gaming Incorporated (Konami Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: George, Jeffrey, Huber, Doug, Soukup, Thomas E., Huang, Zhiguo, Crittenden, Michael D.
• Application Number:
  US10/938,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20050060231A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14.120
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/045 using payment protocols involving tickets
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/06 Private payment circuits, e.g. involving electronic currency used among participants of a common payment scheme
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards

Abstract

A computerized gaming incentive system and method for redeeming bonus points from the system. The system includes a computer with a database for storing a plurality of vouchers. Each voucher includes a number of bonus points representing a monetary value. The system allows a user to select one voucher from the plurality of vouchers. When the voucher selected is a non-cashable voucher, the system produces a scrip wagerable at a table game and valued at the amount to be redeemed.

Claims

1. A method for redeeming bonus points from a computerized gaming incentive system comprising the steps of:

maintaining a player account associated with a player and a non-cashable voucher assigned to the player account wherein the non-cashable voucher includes a first number of bonus points representing a monetary value that may be wagered;

displaying to a user the non-cashable voucher including the monetary value;

allowing the user to enter an amount to be redeemed from the non-cashable voucher;

debiting a certain number of bonus points from the non-cashable voucher corresponding to the amount to be redeemed;

producing a scrip wagerable at a table game and valued at the amount to be redeemed.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of allowing the player to authorize the debiting of the certain number of bonus points.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the step of allowing the player to authorize the debiting of the certain number of bonus points is further defined as the steps of:

allowing the player to enter a personal identification number (PIN); and

confirming the validity of the PIN.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of maintaining a cashable voucher assigned to the player account wherein the cashable voucher includes a second number of bonus points representing a monetary value and which may be exchanged for cash.

5. A method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of printing a receipt to verify the debiting of the certain number of bonus points from the non-cashable voucher.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the user is further defined as a casino employee.

7. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the user is further defined as the player.

8. A method of redeeming bonus points from a computerized gaming incentive system comprising the steps of:

maintaining a player account associated with a player and a plurality of vouchers assigned to the player account wherein each of the plurality of vouchers includes a number of bonus points representing a monetary value;

displaying to a user a list of vouchers assigned to the player account; and

allowing the user to select a voucher to be redeemed from the plurality of vouchers displayed.

9. A method as set forth in claim 8 further comprising the step of allowing the user to enter an amount to be redeemed from the voucher selected.

10. A method as set forth in claim 9 further comprising the step of debiting a certain number of bonus points from the voucher selected corresponding to the amount to be redeemed.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10 further comprising the step of printing a receipt to verify the debiting of the certain number of bonus points from the voucher selected.

12. A method as set forth in claim 10 further comprising the step of allowing the player to authorize the debiting of the certain number of bonus points.

13. A method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the step of allowing the player to authorize the debiting of the certain number of bonus points is further defined as the steps of:

allowing the player to enter a personal identification number (PIN); and

confirming the validity of the PIN.

14. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the voucher selected is further defined as a cashable voucher including a second number of bonus points representing a monetary value and which may be exchanged for cash.

15. A method as set forth in claim 10 wherein the voucher selected is further defined as a non-cashable voucher including a first number of bonus points representing a monetary value which may be wagered.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15 further comprising the step of producing a scrip wagerable at a table game and valued at the amount to be redeemed.

17. A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the user is further defined as a casino employee.

18. A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein the user is further defined as the player.

19. A gaming incentive system comprising:

a computer for tracking a player account;

a database stored on the computer for storing a plurality of vouchers wherein each voucher includes a number of bonus points representing a monetary value;

a terminal coupled to the computer including a display for displaying to a user a list of vouchers assigned to the player account and a input device for allowing the user to select a voucher to be redeemed from the plurality of vouchers displayed.

20. A gaming incentive system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the terminal allows the user to enter an amount to be redeemed from the voucher selected.

21. A gaming incentive system as set forth in claim 20 wherein the computer debits a certain number of bonus points from the voucher selected corresponding to the amount to be redeemed.

22. A gaming incentive system as set forth in claim 21 further comprising a printer coupled to the terminal for printing a receipt to verify the debiting of the certain number of bonus points from the voucher selected.

23. A gaming incentive system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the terminal further includes a keypad for allowing the player to enter a personal identification number (PIN) and the terminal confirms the validity of the pin for authorizing the debiting of the certain number of bonus points.

24. A gaming incentive system as set forth in claim 19 wherein the voucher selected is further defined as a non-cashable voucher including a first number of bonus points representing a monetary value which may be wagered.

25. A gaming incentive system as set forth in claim 24 further comprising a printer for producing a scrip wagerable at a table game and valued at the amount to be redeemed.

26. A gaming incentive system as set forth in claim 19 further comprising a wireless hub coupled to the computer for transmitting and receiving data.

27. A gaming incentive system as set forth in claim 20 wherein the terminal is further defined as a wireless terminal device coupled with the wireless hub.