Methods and systems for facilitating play at a gaming device by means of third party offers

• US 20060142078A1
• Filed: 03/17/2006
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Friesen, Scott T., Fincham, Magdalena M., Tulley, Stephen C., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Sammon, Russell P., Walker, Jay S.
• Application Number:
  US11/378,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20060142078A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/12 involving interaction between a plurality of game devices, e.g. transmisison or distribution systems protocols for networked virtual reality, networked games H04L29/06034
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/30 Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0217 involving input on products or services in exchange for incentives or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• 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 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention an offer is presented to a player (e.g., at a gaming device or a table game in a casino). The offer defines a benefit to be provided in exchange for the player'"'"'s commitment to an obligation defined by the offer. The offer may be provided once it is determined that a condition of a gaming device satisfies a predetermined criterion. The benefit defined by the offer may be provided to the player and/or to one or more associated persons designated by the player.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

identifying an occurrence of an event, the event occurring at a gaming device;

causing, in response to the event, an offer to be presented to a player of the gaming device

wherein the offer defines a benefit to be provided in exchange for the player'"'"'s commitment to an obligation defined by the offer, and

wherein the offer is presented via the gaming device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing the benefit to be provided if an indication of an acceptance of the offer is identified.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

causing a game the player is playing at the gaming device to be paused while the offer is presented to the player.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a pause in the player'"'"'s gaming activity at the gaming device; and

causing the offer to be presented during the pause.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the obligation comprises:

an agreement to perform a task.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein causing an offer to be presented to a player comprises:

causing an offer to be visually displayed to a player.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein causing an offer to be visually displayed to a player comprises:

causing an offer to be visually displayed to a player on a screen of the gaming device.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein causing an offer to be visually displayed to a player comprises:

causing an offer to be visually displayed to a player, wherein the offer is displayed on a device associated with the gaming device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein causing an offer to be presented to a player comprises:

causing an audible indication of an offer to be presented to a player.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the player has satisfied the obligation defined by the offer; and

causing, after the step of determining that the player has satisfied the obligation, a benefit to be provided.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

attempting to verify the player'"'"'s identity.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of attempting to verify the player'"'"'s identity comprises:

determining a player identifier from a player tracking card inserted into the gaming device;

determining a security phrase associated with the player identifier; and

determining whether the player playing at the gaming device can identify the security phrase.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of attempting to verify the player'"'"'s identity comprises:

causing a photograph of the player playing at the gaming device to be taken if an acceptance of the offer is identified.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity is a visit by the player to a location specified in the offer.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the event is an attempt to cash out a credit meter balance of the gaming device.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the offer is sponsored by an entity that is not affiliated with a game the player is playing at the gaming device.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the offer is sponsored by an entity that is not a developer of a game the player is playing at the gaming device.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the offer is not an integrated part of a game the player is playing at the gaming device.

19. An apparatus comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor in communication with the storage device,

the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

perform the method of claim 1.

20. A medium encoded with a program for implementing a method, said program for directing a device to perform the steps of:

the method of claim 1.