Method and apparatus for compensating participation in marketing research

• US 7,493,267 B1
• Filed: 06/30/2000
• Issued: 02/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Palmer, Timothy A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Kim, Peter, Golden, Andrew P., Santisi, Steven M., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Walker, Jay S., Packes, John M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Carlson; Jeffrey D.
• Application Number:
  US09/609,147
• Time in Patent Office: 3,154 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/14, 463/16, 463/20, 463/22
• US Class Current: 705/14.14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0212 Chance discounts or incentives

Abstract

A method for gathering marketing information from a player including transmitting a marketing question to a player proximate in space to a compensation dispensing machine, receiving a response to the marketing question from the player, and transmitting a signal to the compensation dispensing machine providing compensation to the player. The signal can be transmitted proximate in time to receiving the response. Alternatively, the method for gathering marketing information from a player can include transmitting a marketing question to a player, receiving a response to the marketing question from the player, and transmitting a signal causing a compensation dispensing machine to provide compensation to the player at a time proximate to receipt of the response. The compensation dispensing machine can be proximate in space to the player.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining a gambling history of a player;

selecting the player to receive a survey question based on the gambling history;

transmitting the survey question to the player via a slot machine;

receiving a response of the player to the survey question;

determining, by a processing device, compensation for the response; and

after receiving the response, transmitting a signal to the slot machine to provide the determined compensation to the player.

2. The method of claim 1, in which selecting the player comprises:

determining an amount lost gambling by the player; and

selecting the player based on the amount lost gambling.

3. The method of claim 2, in which determining the amount lost gambling by the player comprises:

determining an amount lost gambling by the player over a plurality of gambling sessions.

4. The method of claim 2, in which selecting the player based on the amount lost gambling comprises:

selecting the player if the amount lost gambling is not less than a predetermined amount,

the predetermined amount being greater than zero.

5. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises offsetting a gambling loss of the player.

6. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises erasing a gambling loss of the player.

7. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises participation in a game of chance.

8. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises participation in a game of skill.

9. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises a gambling token.

10. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises an increase in odds of winning in a game of chance.

11. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises an increased prize table.

12. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises an insurance protection against a loss.

13. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises an ability to play a higher denomination currency gaming machine for a lower denomination currency.

14. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises a free use of an extra slot in a multi-slot slot machine.

15. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises an ability to play the slot machine for free.

16. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises an ability to have winnings rounded up to a higher level.

17. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises a free room.

18. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises a subsidized room.

19. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises activating an inactive payline.

20. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises allowing the player to receive a prize corresponding to an outcome on an inactive payline.

21. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises retroactively activating a payline in exchange for gambling plays.

22. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises cash.

23. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises credit.

24. The method of claim 1, in which the determined compensation comprises placing an advertising logo on a payline of the slot machine.

25. The method of claim 1, in which transmitting the survey question comprises:

determining that the player is losing; and

transmitting the survey question in response to determining that the player is losing.

26. The method of claim 1, in which transmitting the survey question comprises:

determining that a reel of the slot machine is spinning; and

transmitting the survey question in response to determining that the reel of the slot machine is spinning.

27. The method of claim 1, in which transmitting the survey question comprises:

determining that a coin is dropping at the slot machine; and

transmitting the survey question in response to determining that the coin is dropping at the slot machine.

28. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating an offer to the player based on the gambling history.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

presenting the offer to the player.

30. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an advertisement to the player via the slot machine, and

in which the survey question is about the advertisement.

31. The method of claim 1, in which the response comprises a commitment.

32. The method of claim 1, in which transmitting the signal comprises transmitting the signal at a time proximate to receipt of the response.

33. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform a method comprising:

determining a gambling history of a player;

selecting the player to receive a survey question based on the gambling history;

transmitting the survey question to the player via a slot machine;

receiving a response of the player to the survey question;

determining compensation for the response; and

after receiving the response, transmitting a signal to the slot machine to provide the determined compensation to the player.

34. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a computer readable medium in communication with the processor, the computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct the processor to perform a method comprising;

determining a gambling history of a player;

selecting the player to receive a survey question based on the gambling history;

transmitting the survey question to the player via a slot machine;

receiving a response of the player to the survey question;

determining compensation for the response; and

after receiving the response, transmitting a signal to the slot machine to provide the determined compensation to the player.