WAGERING GAME BENEFITS REDEEMABLE AT ANOTHER GAMING DEVICE

• US 20070275777A1
• Filed: 05/26/2006
• Published: 11/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Sammon, Russell P., Tedesco, Robert C., Walker, Jay S., Hayashida, Jeffrey Y.
• Granted Patent: US 8,550,901 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are described for offering a benefit to a player of a first electronic game device. In an embodiment, the method includes determining if a player of a first electronic game device qualifies to receive at least one benefit associated with an award value, and then outputting an offer to provide the at least one benefit. In some embodiments, the offer requires use of a second electronic game device. The method may also include receiving a request for the benefit at the second electronic game device, and then providing at least one benefit to the player. In some embodiments, the offer includes such benefits as additional game play, one or more bonus-round game outcomes, a monetary payout, a game play modification, additional comp points, loss insurance, a multimedia option, and acquisition of at least one unit of media content.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining that a player of a first electronic game device qualifies to receive at least one benefit associated with an award value; and

outputting an offer to provide the at least one benefit, wherein the offer includes a requirement to use a second electronic game device to redeem the benefit.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request for the at least one benefit at the second electronic game device; and

providing the at least one benefit to the player.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the offer comprises at least one of at least one additional game play, at least one bonus-round game outcome, at least one monetary payout, at least one game play modification, at least one additional comp point, loss insurance, at least one multimedia option, and acquisition of at least one unit of media content.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one game play modification includes at least one of increasing the probability of a winning outcome, increasing the payout for at least one winning outcome, providing one or more electronic game device wild card symbols, and providing at least one free media content feature.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting at least one identifier of the second electronic game device.

6. The method of claim 5, which further comprises providing the player with at least one of a display of information concerning the second electronic game device that includes at least one of a game name, game type, game manufacturer, game play instructions and device location, a map that includes the location of the second electronic game device, a printout of a map showing the location of the second electronic game device, a printout containing information associated with the second electronic game device, an alert to a casino employee who is capable of responding and guiding the player to the second electronic game device, and instructions concerning the second electronic game device transmitted to a player device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the offer further comprises requiring at least one of obtaining the benefit during a predetermined time period, and obtaining the benefit up to a predetermined threshold value.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein determining that a player qualifies to receive the offer comprises at least one of random choice, player status, time and date considerations, electronic game device availability, electronic game device utilization, electronic game device performance history, a player exceeding a threshold value of losing outcomes, a player exceeding a predetermined threshold value associated with a duration of playing time, and a player exceeding a predetermined percentage decline in a credit balance.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second electronic game device comprises a bonus-round electronic game device located at a site that is physically remote from the first electronic game device.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to providing the offer, storing at least one indication that the player is due the at least one benefit.

11. The method of claim 10, which further comprises at least one of storing the indication in at least one memory, storing the indication on paper, and storing the indication on at least one of a chip, a coin, and a token.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the offer further comprises providing at least one indication that the player qualifies for the at least one benefit.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the indication comprises notice that the player is eligible for at least one of at least one additional gaming credit, a prize, an award, a mystery prize, additional game play with at predetermined set of possible results, additional game play with at least one feature of the electronic game device enabled, disabled or altered, and an explanation of why the player qualifies for the at least one benefit.

14. The method of claim 13, which further comprises providing the notice by at least one of visual output on a video display, audio output from an audio device, printed matter, electronic transmission to a device, and dispensing at least one of a coin, a chip, and a token.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving the request for the at least one benefit comprises at least one of actuation of at least one button, actuation of a touch screen, receipt of an identifier associated with the benefit, and receipt of an identifier associated with the player.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the identifier associated with the benefit comprises at least one of a receipt, a bonus receipt, a cashout ticket, a bonus ticket, a voucher, a token, an encoded chip, a barcode, and a code.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the identifier associated with the player comprises at least one of a player tracking card, a cashless gaming ticket, a player identifier code, a personal identification number, and a biometric identifier.

18. The method of claim 2, further comprising, prior to providing the at least one benefit, determining whether to allow the player to redeem the benefit.

19. The method of claim 18, which further comprises:

obtaining an identifier associated with the player;

determining at least one parameter associated with the player; and

permitting the at least one benefit to be provided if the player satisfies at least one predetermined criteria.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises presentation of at least one of a valid player tracking card, a valid personal identification number, and a valid cashout ticket.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein determining at least one parameter further comprises at least one of accessing at least one database, reading data from a ticket, and reading data from a magnetic stripe.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising denying the request for the benefit if the player does not satisfy the predetermined criteria.

23. The method of claim 22, which further comprises providing an indication to the player that the requested benefit is denied.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the indication comprises at least one of a visual message provided on a display device, an audio message provided by at least one audio speaker, and a rejected ticket.

25. The method of claim 2, wherein providing the at least one benefit further comprises providing additional game play that is associated with the award value.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the award value of the additional game play comprises at least one of an expected value, an average monetary value, and a calculated value determined by multiplying the sum of the probability of each possible game play outcome by the payouts for those outcomes.

27. The method of claim 2, wherein providing the benefit further comprises:

determining a paytable;

generating at least one random number;

selecting an entry of the paytable based on the random number; and

providing a payout based on the selection.

28. The method of claim 27, which further comprises determining the paytable by at least one of randomly, based on player criteria, and based on gaming criteria.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the paytable is determined in association with the first electronic game device, and the random number is generated in association with the second electronic game device.

30. The method of claim 2, which further comprises, prior to providing the at least one benefit, determining the value of the benefit by:

determining a plurality of paytables in association with the first electronic game device;

generating a plurality of masked awards, wherein each masked award is associated with a paytable;

providing the masked awards for selection by the player after receiving the request for the at least one benefit; and

determining a benefits paytable corresponding to the masked award selected by the player.

31. The method of claim 2, which further comprises storing benefit data in a memory of at least one of a dedicated storage device, at least one electronic game device, at least one electronic game server, and a casino server.

32. The method of claim 31, which further comprises providing access to at least a portion of the benefit data to at least one of authorized casino personnel, a regulator, and a player.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

analyzing the benefit data for a plurality of players;

determining at least one trend based on the analysis; and

modifying at least one criteria used in determining future benefit offers.

34. A method, comprising:

determining that a player of an electronic game device qualifies to receive a conditional offer to obtain at least one benefit associated with an award value;

providing the conditional offer to the player;

receiving a request for the at least one benefit; and

providing the at least one benefit if the player satisfies at least one condition of the conditional offer.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein determining that a player qualifies to receive the offer comprises at least one of random choice, player status, time and date considerations, the electronic game device performance history, a player exceeding a threshold value of losing outcomes, a player exceeding a predetermined threshold value associated with a duration of playing time, and a player exceeding a predetermined percentage decline in a credit balance, availability of a second electronic game device, and second electronic game device utilization.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein the at least one benefit comprises at least one of at least one additional game play, at least one bonus-round game outcome, at least one monetary payout, at least one table game play, at least one game play modification, at least one additional comp point, loss insurance, at least one multimedia option, and acquisition of at least one unit of media content.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the at least one game play modification comprises at least one of increasing the probability of a winning outcome, increasing the payout for at least one winning outcome, providing one or more electronic game device wild card symbols, and providing at least one free media content feature.

38. The method of claim 34, wherein the conditional offer comprises at least one requirement to utilize at least one of a second electronic game device, a bonus-round game device, the same electronic game device at a predetermined time of day, and a portable device.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein at least one of the second electronic game device, the bonus-round game device, and the portable device is located at a site that is physically remote from the electronic game device.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein when the conditional offer requires use of a second electronic game device, further comprises outputting a second device identifier.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the second device identifier comprises at least one of a display of information concerning the second electronic game device including at least one of a game name, game type, game manufacturer, game play instructions and device location, a map that includes the location of the second electronic game device, a printout of a map showing the location of the second electronic game device, a printout containing information concerning information associated with the second electronic game device, an alert to a casino employee who is capable of responding and guiding the player to the second electronic game device, and instructions concerning the second electronic game device transmitted to a player device.

42. The method of claim 34, further comprising, prior to providing the offer, storing at least one indication that the player is due the at least one benefit.

43. The method of claim 34, wherein providing the offer further comprises providing at least one indication that the player must use at least one of a second electronic game device, a separate device at a particular location, a separate device at a predetermined time of day, and the same electronic game device at a predetermined time of day.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the indication further comprises notice of at least one of at least one additional gaming credit, a prize, an award, a mystery prize, and an explanation of why the player qualifies for the at least one benefit.

45. The method of claim 34, wherein receiving the request for the at least one benefit comprises at least one of actuation of at least one button, actuation of a touch screen, receipt of an identifier associated with the benefit, and receipt of an identifier associated with the player.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein the identifier associated with the benefit comprises at least one of a receipt, a bonus receipt, a cashout ticket, a bonus ticket, a voucher, a token, an encoded chip, a barcode, and a code.

47. The method of claim 45, wherein the identifier associated with the player comprises at least one of a player tracking card, a cashless gaming ticket, a player identifier code, a personal identification number, and a biometric identifier.

48. The method of claim 34, further comprising, prior to providing the at least one benefit, determining whether to allow the player to redeem the benefit.

49. The method of claim 48, which further comprises:

obtaining an identifier associated with the player;

determining at least one parameter associated with the player; and

permitting the at least one benefit to be provided if the player satisfies at least one predetermined criteria.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein the predetermined criteria comprises at least one of a valid player tracking card, a valid personal identification number, a valid cashout ticket, and deposit of a predetermined minimum amount of money.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein determining at least one parameter further comprises at least one of accessing at least one database, reading data from a ticket, and reading data from a magnetic stripe.

52. The method of claim 49, further comprising providing an indication of the benefit by at least one of an audio message, a video message, written instructions, a message that the player is eligible to win predetermined prizes, a message that one or more probability tables has been modified, a message that the odds of at least one gaming outcome have been modified, and a message that at least one feature of the electronic game device has been enabled, disabled or altered.

53. The method of claim 52, which further comprises displaying the indication at least one of when the player initially requests the benefit, and during at least one of additional game play and bonus-round game play.

54. The method of claim 34, further comprising denying the request for the at least one benefit if the player does not satisfy a condition.

55. The method of claim 34, wherein providing the at least one benefit further comprises providing additional game play that is associated with the award value, wherein the award value comprises at least one of an expected value, an average monetary value, and a calculated value determined by multiplying the sum of the probability of each possible game play outcome by the payouts for those outcomes.

56. The method of claim 34, further comprising:

determining a paytable;

generating at least one random number;

selecting an entry of the paytable based on the random number; and

providing at least one payout based on the selection.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the paytables are determined by at least one of randomly, based on player criteria, and based on gaming criteria.

58. The method of claim 34, which further comprises, prior to providing the at least one benefit, determining the value of the benefit by:

determining a plurality of paytables;

generating a plurality of masked awards, wherein each masked award is associated with a paytable;

providing the masked awards for selection by the player after receiving the request for the at least one benefit; and

determining a benefits paytable corresponding to the masked award selected by the player.

59. The method of claim 34, which further comprises storing benefit data in a memory of at least one of a dedicated storage device, at least one electronic game device, at least one electronic game server, and a casino server.

60. The method of claim 59, which further comprises providing access to at least a portion of the benefit data to at least one of authorized casino personnel, a regulator, and a player.

61. The method of claim 59, further comprising:

analyzing the benefit data for a plurality of players;

determining at least one trend based on the analysis; and

modifying at least one criteria used in determining future benefit offers.

62. An electronic game device, comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

a payment system coupled to the processor and configured to accept payment from a player desiring to play a wagering game and to establish a credit balance for the player;

at least one display device coupled to the processor configured to provide wagering game play and to display messages to the player; and

at least one player input device coupled to the processor;

wherein the memory stores a program and a database, and wherein the database includes data associated with a regular play mode of operation and at least one offer for at least one benefit, and

wherein the program includes instructions executable by the processor that are operable to;

provide a regular mode of operation to the player;

determine that a player qualifies to receive at least one benefit that is associated with an award value;

output an offer to the player to obtain the benefit, wherein the offer includes at least one condition that must be satisfied by the player; and

store benefits data in the memory.

63. The electronic game device of claim 62 wherein the processor is operative to monitor the electronic game device for the occurrence of a trigger condition, and to determine an offer for the at least one benefit based on the trigger condition.

64. The electronic game device of claim 62, wherein the trigger condition comprises at least one of a random choice, player status, time and date considerations, game device availability, game device utilization, game device performance history, a player exceeding a threshold value of losing outcomes, a player exceeding a predetermined threshold value associated with a duration of playing time, and a player exceeding a predetermined percentage decline in a credit balance.

65. The electronic game device of claim 62, further comprising at least one of a peripheral device, a smart card, a USB key device, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a casino personnel device configured to access the memory and to obtain the benefits data.