Wide area loyalty access through independent bonus network

• US 20060247035A1
• Filed: 06/08/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Saffari, Ali, Rowe, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 8,449,379 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/26
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• 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 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots

Abstract

Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing wide area bonusing over a gaming network from a gaming machine provider. Player identification information associated with a player is received. Gaming machine data is also retrieved. The gaming machine data is associated with the player identification information, and includes information particular to one or more gaming machines played by the player. One or more criteria are applied to the retrieved gaming machine data. A player bonus is issued according to the application of the one or more criteria to the retrieved gaming machine data. The gaming machine data can identify a brand of gaming machines played by the player. The gaming machine data can also include data selected from the group consisting of total number of machines played, gaming machine play history, games played, number of plays per machine, number of plays per game, amounts wagered per machine, amounts wagered per game, and gaming machine location. The gaming machine data can be stored on a portable device carried by the player.

Claims

1. A method for providing wide area bonusing over a gaming network from a gaming machine provider, the method comprising:

receiving player identification information associated with a player;

retrieving gaming machine data over the gaming network, the gaming machine data associated with the player identification information, the gaming machine data including information particular to one or more gaming machines played by the player;

applying one or more criteria to the retrieved gaming machine data; and

issuing a player bonus according to the application of the one or more criteria to the retrieved gaming machine data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine data identifies a brand of gaming machines played by the player.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine data includes data selected from the group consisting of total number of machines played, gaming machine play history, games played, number of plays per machine, number of plays per game, amounts wagered per machine, amounts wagered per game, gaming machine location.

4. The method of claim 1, the player identification information received at an interface of a gaming machine.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the interface is associated with the gaming machine provider.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the interface includes apparatus selected from the group consisting of a card reader, a ticket reader, and a bill validator.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the interface includes a user interface generated on a display of the gaming machine.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the interface includes a wireless communications link.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine data is stored on a memory accessible by the bonusing server.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine data is stored on a portable device carried by the player.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the portable device is in constant communication with the gaming network during a gaming session.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the portable device is configured to:

establish a first communications session with the gaming network at a beginning of a gaming session,

establish a second communications session with the gaming network at an end of the gaming session,

disable communications with the gaming network between the first communications session and the second communications session, wherein

the portable device provides the gaming data during the first communications session or the second communications session.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the player bonus includes one or more selected from the group consisting of an award, a reward, a comp, a promotion, a progressive bonus, a credit, and a graphical output.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the bonus is provided by the gaming machine provider.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a report according to the retrieved gaming machine data.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

providing the report to a gaming machine environment operator.

17. A data processing device in communication with a gaming machine over a data network and coupled to provide wide area bonusing over the data network, the data processing device comprising:

an interface coupled to receive player identification information associated with a player; and

at least one processor coupled to the interface and configured to;

i) retrieve gaming machine data over the data network, the gaming machine associated with the player identification information, the gaming machine data including information particular to one or more gaming machines played by the player,

ii) apply one or more criteria to the retrieved gaming machine data, and

iii) issue a player bonus according to the application of the one or more criteria to the retrieved gaming machine data.

18. The data processing device of claim 17, wherein the gaming machine data identifies a brand of gaming machines played by the player.

19. The data processing device of claim 17, wherein the gaming machine data includes data selected from the group consisting of total number of machines played, gaming machine play history, games played, number of plays per machine, number of plays per game, amounts wagered per machine, amounts wagered per game, gaming machine location.

20. The data processing device of claim 17, the player identification information received at an interface of a gaming machine.

21. The data processing device of claim 20, wherein the interface is associated with the gaming machine provider.

22. The data processing device of claim 20, wherein the interface includes apparatus selected from the group consisting of a card reader, a ticket reader, and a bill validator.

23. The data processing device of claim 20, wherein the interface includes a user interface generated on a display of the gaming machine.

24. The data processing device of claim 20, wherein the interface includes a wireless communications link.

25. The data processing device of claim 17, wherein the gaming machine data is stored on a memory accessible by the bonusing server.

26. The data processing device of claim 17, wherein the gaming machine data is stored on a portable device carried by the player.

27. The data processing device of claim 26, wherein the portable device is in constant communication with the gaming network during a gaming session.

28. The data processing device of claim 26, wherein the portable device is configured to:

establish a first communications session with the gaming network at a beginning of a gaming session,

establish a second communications session with the gaming network at an end of the gaming session,

disable communications with the gaming network between the first communications session and the second communications session, wherein

the portable device provides the gaming data during the first communications session or the second communications session.

29. The data processing device of claim 17, wherein the player bonus includes one or more selected from the group consisting of an award, a reward, a comp, a promotion, a progressive bonus, a credit, and a graphical output.

30. The data processing device of claim 17, wherein the bonus is provided by the gaming machine provider.