Gaming environment including portable transaction devices for rating players

• US 6,800,029 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2002
• Issued: 10/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Ford, Brian, Lewis, Larry C., Kiely, Daryn, Rowe, Rick
• Primary Examiner(s): Hotaling, II, John M.
• Application Number:
  US10/115,164
• Publication Number:
  US 20020103027A1
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/16, 463/25-29, 463/39-42, 463/20, 700/91-93, 273/139
• US Class Current: 463/25
• 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: A63F 13/332 using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/403 Connection between platform and handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/406 Transmission via wireless network, e.g. pager or GSM
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

A gaming environment includes portable transaction/tracking devices for rendering services and tracking game play. In one embodiment, the gaming environment includes at least one table game and a portable transaction interface capable of receiving and sending information over a wireless communication link to/from a player tracking server adapted to store player identification and player game play data. One embodiment of a method comprises the tracking of player game play in such a gaming environment using the portable transaction device or interface. Player identification information and player game play data is input to the portable transaction device and transmitted to the player tracking server for association with a player'"'"'s rating file. Graphical information may be generated and displayed to the user of the portable transaction device regarding the gaming environment. This information may be used by the user to identify players or their location.

Claims

1. A method of tracking game activity using a portable transaction device, the method comprising:

in the portable transaction device, receiving a request to rate a player wherein the rating of the player is for allowing a non-game player to estimate an amount bet or an amount lost by the player while the player is participating in the game activity in a game playing areas;

inputting player identification information to a portable transaction device, said information identifying said player;

transmitting said player identification information from said portable transaction device to a player tracking server over a wireless communication link;

receiving a confirmation from the player tracking server via the wireless communication link that a player rating file has been opened for the identified player;

generating a game service interface on a touch screen display of the portable transaction device for inputting game play event information used for rating the player during their participation in the game activity;

inputting the game play event information using the game service interface; and

transmitting the game play event information from said portable transaction device to said player tracking server.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising receiving player identification via a card reader coupled to the portable transaction device wherein the player tracking identification information is stored on a player tracking card.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising generating a menu of transactions available on the portable transaction device wherein one of the transactions is for rating the player and receiving an input to select the player rating transaction from the menu of transactions.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising displaying a graphical user interface at said portable device for use in receiving input.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising transmitting a signal from said portable transaction device to said player tracking server for causing said player rating file to be closed.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said game play event information input via the game service interface comprises at least one of an amount wagered or an amount lost by said player during the game playing activity.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the player identification information allows the player to be identified and to be rated as part of a group.

8. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the player is not registered in a player tracking system at a casino where the player is participating in the game activity.

9. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

generating a graphical representation of the gaming environment in which the game activity is taking place wherein the graphical representation is for identifying a location in the gaming environment where the game activity is occurring.

10. The method in accordance with claim 9 wherein the graphical representation includes a depiction of layout for one or more table games.

11. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the game service interface is customized to receive different inputs for razing of the player according to a type of game the player is playing.

12. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

storing transaction records to the portable transaction device and

reconciling one or more transaction records stored on the portable transaction device with corresponding transaction records stored on a remote server.

13. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

inputting identification information for one identifying one of a table, a seat or combinations thereof where the player is located during the game activity.

14. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein during the game activity the player participates in game activities at a number of different locations in the game playing area and wherein game play event information that has occurred at two or more different locations is used to rate the player.

15. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

generating a game service interface for enrolling the player in a player tracking system at a casino;

receiving enrollment information for allowing the player to enroll in the player tracking system; and

transmitting the enrollment information to the player tracking system.

16. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the game playing activity is participating in a table game in the game playing area.