Methods and apparatus for facilitating interaction with a gaming device

• US 20050261053A1
• Filed: 12/30/2004
• Published: 11/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1996
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Sparico, Thomas M., Tulley, Stephen C., Downs, Michael D., Walker, Jay S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,485,040 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0242 Determining effectiveness of advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played

Abstract

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method provides for determining data associated with a player of a gaming device; determining whether the data meets at least one established criterion; and providing an offer to the player if the data meets the at least one established criterion, the offer including a condition and a description of a product to be provided to the player in exchange for the player agreeing to the condition.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining data associated with a player of a gaming device;

determining whether the data meets at least one established criterion; and

providing an offer to a player if the data meets the at least one established criterion,

the offer including a condition and a description of a product to be provided to the player in exchange for the player agreeing to the condition.

2. The method of claim 1, in which providing comprises:

displaying the offer at the gaming device.

3. The method of claim 1, in which the data includes an indication of at least one of:

a loss by the player,

a win by the player,

a payout,

a player status,

a denomination requirement of the gaming device,

a period of time for which the player has been playing, and

an agreement by the player to receive at least one offer.

4. The method of claim 1, in which providing the offer comprises:

transmitting the offer to the gaming device.

18. An apparatus comprising:

means for determining data associated with a player of a gaming device;

means for determining whether the data meets at least one established criterion; and

means for providing an offer to a player if the data meets the at least one established criterion,

the offer including a condition and a description of a product to be provided to the player in exchange for the player agreeing to the condition.

19. A computer-readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform the method of:

determining data associated with a player of a gaming device;

determining whether the data meets at least one established criterion; and

providing an offer to a player if the data meets the at least one established criterion,

the offer including a condition and a description of a product to be provided to the player in exchange for the player agreeing to the condition.

20. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable medium in communication with the processor and storing instructions configured to direct a processor to;

determine data associated with a player of a gaming device;

determine whether the data meets at least one established criterion; and

provide an offer to a player if the data meets the at least one established criterion,

the offer including a condition and a description of a product to be provided to the player in exchange for the player agreeing to the condition.