Harm minimization interfaces and services on a gaming machine

• US 20060189367A1
• Filed: 02/22/2005
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/22/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Binh T., Paulsen, Craig A.
• Application Number:
  US11/064,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20060189367A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed

Abstract

A disclosed a player tracking unit provides a touch screen display with a touch screen controller integrated into the touch screen sensor assembly. Game service interfaces may be presented on the touch screen display that allow a user to obtain one or more game services. With the touch screen sensor, a user may navigate through the game service interface and supply information required to obtain a game service. Types of interfaces provided with the gaming machine include a harm minimization interface for helping a player to adhere to one or more game play limits during game play at the gaming machine.

Claims

1. A gaming machine comprising:

a master gaming controller designed or configured to generate and to control a game of chance played on the gaming machine;

an input mechanism under control of the master gaming controller for receiving cash or an indicia of credit for making wagers on an outcome of the game of chance;

an output mechanism under control of the master gaming controller for outputting the cash or the indicia of credit wherein the indicia of credit is redeemable for cash;

a memory for storing software instructions for generating a harm minimization interface wherein the harm minimization interface is for helping a player to adhere to one or more game play limits; and

a first display for displaying a game service interface including the harm minimization interface.

2. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the one or more game play limits are selected from the group consisting of a time limit, a wager limit, an amount won, an amount lost, an amount banked, a number of games played, a rate of game play, a number of games where a win has occurred and a number of games where a loss has occurred.

3. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the one or more game play limits are set by the player, a gaming machine operator, a gaming regulatory entity or combinations thereof.

4. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein one or more meters are displayed on the harm minimization interface.

5. The gaming machine of claim 4, wherein the one or more meters are selected from the group consisting of an amount wagered, an amount of time played, an amount wagered per time, an average amount wagered per game, an amount won, an amount lost, an amount lost per time, an amount won per time, a ratio of an amount won versus an amount wagered, a number of games played, a number of games where a loss has occurred, a number of games where a win has occurred, an amount won per game, an amount lost per game, an amount banked and a number of drinks consumed.

6. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein one or more video feeds is displayed on the harm minimization interface.

7. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, a message is displayed on the gaming machine.

8. The gaming machine of claim 7, wherein the message is in one of a textual format, a graphical format, an audio format, a video format or combinations thereof.

9. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, the gaming machine prevents the player from playing additional games.

10. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, the gaming machine cashes out credits remaining on the gaming machine.

11. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, a quality of a presentation on the gaming machine is degraded to discourage additional game play on the gaming machine.

12. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, a maximum wager amount for the game of chance is decreased.

13. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, the player is prevented from making a wager for an amount of time.

14. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, a rate at which the game of chance is presented is decreased.

15. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the memory is for further storing software instructions for generating a harm minimization configuration interface.

16. The gaming machine of claim 15, wherein the harm minimization configuration interface is for allowing the player to select one or more of game play limits, types of meters to display on the harm minimization interface, still pictures to display on the harm minimization interface, video feeds to display on the harm minimization interface, messages to display on the harm minimization interface, responses to game play limits being exceeded, a display format for the harm minimization interface or combinations thereof

17. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine further comprises a microphone for receiving a voice statement of one of the game play limits from the player.

18. The gaming machine of claim 17, wherein the voice statement is stored on the gaming machine or a remote device.

19. The gaming machine of claim 17, further comprising:

a playback code for locating a stored record of the voice statement and playing it back on the gaming machine.

20. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a hand writing interface for capturing a signature or mark input into the gaming machine in an electronic format.

21. The gaming machine of claim 20, wherein the signature or mark is for confirming a choice of game play limits made by the game player.

22. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the software instructions for generating the harm minimization interface are executed by the master gaming controller.

23. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the first display is operable for displaying the game of chance.

24. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising a second display for displaying the game of chance.

25. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising a player tracking unit coupled to the gaming machine, said player tracking unit comprising a logic device separate from the master gaming controller, a network interface for communicating with a player tracking server and a communication interface for communicating with the master gaming controller.

26. The gaming machine of claim 25, wherein the software instructions for generating the harm minimization interface are executed by the logic device.

27. The gaming machine of claim 25, wherein the player tracking server is designed or configured i) to compare one or more game play limits to game play data received from the gaming machine and to notify the gaming machine when the one or more game play limits have been exceeded.

28. The gaming machine of claim 25, wherein the first display is under control of the logic device.

29. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising a device interface for communicating with a hand-held computing device comprising a hand-held display, a logic device separate from the master gaming controller and one or more hand-held input mechanisms.

30. The gaming machine of claim 29, wherein the hand-held computing device is adapted for one or more of controlling or providing input to the game service interface generated on the first display.

31. The gaming machine of claim 29, wherein the logic device executes software instructions for generating and displaying the harm minimization interface on the hand-held display.

32. The gaming machine of claim 29, wherein the logic device executes software instructions for generating and displaying the harm minimization interface on the first display.

33. The gaming machine of claim 29, wherein the game service interface is displayed on the hand-held display.

34. The gaming machine of claim 29, wherein the device interface is a wired or wireless interface.

35. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising an output port on an outside surface of the gaming machine for providing one of a communication interface, a power interface or combinations thereof to a portable device.

36. The gaming machine of claim 1, wherein the game of chance is selected from the group consisting of video slot games, mechanical slot games, video black jack games, video poker games, video keno games, video pachinko games, video card games, video games of chance, bingo games, lottery games, dice games, keno games and combinations thereof.

37. The gaming machine of claim 1, further comprising:

a touch screen coupled to the first display.

38. A method of providing a game of chance on a gaming machine, the method comprising:

generating a harm minimization interface on a display device coupled to the gaming machine wherein the harm minimization interface is for helping a player adhere to one or more game play limits;

receiving a wager on the game of chance;

determining an outcome for the game of chance; and

displaying the outcome for the game of chance.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the one or more game play limits are selected from the group consisting of a time limit, a wager limit, an amount won, an amount lost, an amount banked, a number of games played, a rate of game play, a number of games where a win has occurred and a number of games where a loss has occurred.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the one or more game play limits are set by the player, a gaming machine operator, a gaming regulatory entity or combinations thereof.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein one or more meters for tracking a variable associated with the one or more game play limits are displayed on the harm minimization interface.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the one or more meters are selected from the group consisting of an amount wagered, an amount of time played, an amount wagered per time, an average amount wagered per game, an amount won, an amount lost, an amount lost per time, an amount won per time, a ratio of an amount won versus an amount wagered, a number of games played, a number of games where a loss has occurred, a number of games where a win has occurred, an amount won per game, an amount lost per game, an amount banked and a number of drinks consumed.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

updating the one or more meters.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein one or more video feeds is displayed on the harm minimization interface.

45. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

tracking a variable associated with a first game play limit; and

comparing the variable to the first game play limit.

46. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, displaying a message on the gaming machine.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the message is in one of a textual format, a graphical format, an audio format, a video format or combinations thereof.

48. The method of claim 38, further comprising in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, preventing the player from playing additional games.

49. The method of claim 38, further comprising in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, cashing out credits remaining on the gaming machine.

50. The method of claim 38, further comprising in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, degrading a quality of a presentation on the gaming machine to discourage additional game play on the gaming machine.

51. The method of claim 38, further comprising in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, decreasing a maximum wager amount available for the game of chance.

52. The method of claim 38, further comprising in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, preventing the player from making a wager for an amount of time.

53. The method of claim 38, further comprising in response to one or more of the game play limits being exceeded, decreasing a rate at which the game of chance is presented.

54. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

providing an interface for allowing the player one or more of game play limits, types of meters to display on the harm minimization interface, still pictures to display on the harm minimization interface, video feeds to display on the harm minimization interface, messages to display on the harm minimization interface, responses to game play limits being exceeded, a display format for the harm minimization interface or combinations thereof.