VIRTUAL CASINO HOST

• US 20080020788A1
• Filed: 07/29/2007
• Published: 01/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Stockdale, James, Wilder, Richard, Mattice, Harold, Gadda, Christian, Griswold, Chauncey
• Granted Patent: US 8,064,889 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

Described herein are systems and methods that improve personalized service in a casino or other gaming establishment. The systems and methods provide a portable personal service device to a person; the device permits the gaming establishment to communicate with the person—regardless of their location in the gaming establishment. Messages sent to the person may be personalized and customized. The portable personal service device may also be used to track the location of the person in the gaming establishment. The person may also use the portable personal service device to send messages, for example, to call casino personnel to them or make other personal service requests.

Claims

1. A method of providing a personalized service message to a person in a gaming establishment, the method comprising:

associating the person with an identification for a portable personal service device carried by the person in the gaming establishment;

selecting a non-gambling service that is available through the gaming establishment based on information for the person;

selecting a service message that corresponds to the selected non-gambling service that is available through the gaming establishment;

sending the service message to the portable personal service device while the portable personal service device is in the gaming establishment; and

outputting the service message on the portable personal service device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the personal service device to the person.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising providing the personal service device to the person when the person registers at the gaming establishment, and associating the person with the identification for the portable personal service device when the person registers at the gaming establishment.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the person is registered to lodge at the gaming establishment and the portable personal service device is associated with the person for the duration of their lodging.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising tracking the location of the person in the gaming establishment using the location of the portable personal service device in the gaming establishment.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving a message from the portable personal service device.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the message corresponds to the service message.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising initiating a communication link between the portable personal service device and a communications device carried by a guest services staff for the gaming establishment.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein a service level assigned to the person contributes to the selection of the selected service.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the person is associated with the identification anonymously.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the message sent to the portable personal service device is personalized for the person based on demographic information known for the person.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the person is included in a group, and further comprising:

providing a second portable personal service device to a second person in the group; and

sending the service message to the second portable personal service device.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the portable personal service device includes a custom made portable personal service device that is specific to the gaming establishment.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the service message includes video.

15. A method of providing a personalized service message to a person in a gaming establishment, the method comprising:

providing a portable personal service device to the person;

associating the person with an identification for a portable personal service device carried by the person in the gaming establishment;

tracking the location of the person in the gaming establishment using the location of the portable personal service device in the gaming establishment;

selecting a service that is available through the gaming establishment based on personal information for the person;

selecting a service message that corresponds to the selected service that is available through the gaming establishment;

sending the service message to the portable personal service device while the portable personal service device is in the gaming establishment;

outputting the service message on the portable personal service device; and

receiving a message from the portable personal service device that corresponds to the service offering.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing the personal service device to the person when the person registers at the gaming establishment.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the person is registered to lodge at the gaming establishment and the portable personal service device is associated with the person for the duration of their lodging.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the person is associated with the identification anonymously.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the message sent to the portable personal service device is personalized for the person based on demographic information known for the person.

20. A system of providing a personalized service message to a person in a gaming establishment, the system comprising:

a portable personal service device carried by the person in the gaming establishment, the portable personal service device including a wireless communication link, a video display configured to output video, and a processing system configured to output the service message on the video display; and

a server that comprises a) a processing system configured to i) associate the person with an identification for the portable personal service device, ii) select the personalized service message for a non-gambling service that is available through the gaming establishment, and iii) send the service message to the portable personal service device while the portable personal service device is in the gaming establishment, and b) a communication link permitting information to be transmitted from the host to the portable personal service device.

21. The system of claim 20 further comprising a set of wireless communication devices located in the gaming establishment and configured to locally communicate with the portable personal service using a wireless signal.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the server processing system is further configured to track the location of the person in the gaming establishment using the location of the portable personal service device in the gaming establishment.

23. The system of claim 20 wherein the server processing system is further configured to select the service using a service level assigned to the person.

24. The system of claim 20 wherein the person is associated with the identification anonymously.

25. The system of claim 20 wherein the message sent to the portable personal service device is personalized for the person based on demographic information known for the person.