System, method and interface for monitoring player game play in real time

• US 7,780,529 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2002
• Issued: 08/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Lewis, Larry, Moser, Timothy, Hunt, Laura, Rowe, Rick, Price, Derrick, Kiely, Daryn
• Primary Examiner(s): Hotaling, II; John M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): D'AGOSTINO, PAUL ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US10/116,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20020187834A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,064 Days
• Field of Search: 463 40- 43, 463 25- 28
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0209 Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

A system for monitoring game play is disclosed. The system includes at least one gaming device adapted to present a game to a player and generate game play data. A communication link is provided between the gaming device and a host over which game play data, including player information, is transmitted. The host is adapted to store, manipulate, display and otherwise use the data. In one embodiment, the host is arranged to generate an interface for display by a display device. Game play information is displayed with the interface. In one embodiment, game play information regarding one or more gaming machines is displayed real-time by the interface. Filters may be used upon and reports generated using the game play information. In one embodiment, the system includes one or more portable, hand-held devices for displaying the interface and information.

Claims

1. A method for remote monitoring and local reward of game play on a plurality of gaming devices by a portable handheld monitoring device, each gaming device configured to present a game of chance and adapted to receive a wager from a player located at the gaming device and, responsive to play of the game of chance, output a game play award, the method comprising:

receiving game play information, including player information and gaming device information, at the portable handheld monitoring device,

the player information including game play history of the player located at the gaming device, and

the gaming device information including wager and payout information associated with the gaming device at which the player is located;

generating a graphical representation of the received game play information;

displaying the graphical representation of the received game play information on a display of the portable handheld monitoring device;

applying one or more criteria to the received game play information;

determining a physical location of the gaming device at which the player is located;

determining, based on the application of the one or more criteria to the received game play information, including the player information and the gaming device information, at the portable handheld monitoring device, an award amount for the player located at the gaming device when the portable handheld monitoring device is in a physical location close to the location of the gaming device; and

outputting the award amount from an output of the portable handheld monitoring device for delivery to the player at the gaming device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the game play information includes one or more selected from the group consisting of player identification information, gaming machine identification information, wager information, payout information, length of time of game play, game results, type of game, game play history, and player account information.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the wager information includes relative wager information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the award amount for the player includes:

determining a theoretical win amount for the player, the theoretical win amount as a measure of a prediction of future winnings by the player; and

determining the award amount for the player according to the determined theoretical win amount.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the award amount for the player includes:

determining an actual win amount for the player; and

determining the award amount for the player according to the determined actual win amount.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the award amount for the player includes:

determining one or more future game play calculations based on the game play information, the future game play calculations as a measure of a prediction of future game play by the player, the one or more future game play calculations selected from the group consisting of a machine theoretical value, a game theoretical value, and a theoretical comp margin; and

determining the award amount for the player according to the determined one or more future game play calculations.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the award amount for the player includes:

determining one or more present game play calculations based on the game play information, the one or more present game play calculations selected from the group consisting of a machine actual win value, a game actual win value, and an actual comp margin; and

determining the award amount for the player according to the determined one or more present game play calculations.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating status information for the player using the received game play information, the status information determined by comparing the received game play information to predetermined status criteria.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the predetermined status criteria includes one or more selected from the group consisting of a length of time of game play, an amount wagered, a payout amount, a number of points awarded, and a number of games played.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein determining the award amount for the player includes:

determining the award amount for the player according to the generated status information.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

generating a graphical representation of the status information; and

displaying the graphical representation of the status information on the display.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the status information indicates a level of play for the player.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the level of play is selected from the group consisting of amounts bet, amounts bet during a time period, number of games played, and a time of play on the gaming device.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a user interface;

displaying the user interface on the display, the graphical representation displayed as a part of the user interface.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the award amount comprises:

printing the award amount on a ticket.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the award amount comprises:

printing the award amount on a voucher.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the award amount comprises:

displaying the award amount on a display.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the award amount is associated with a promotion.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the award amount includes one or more selected from the group consisting of a free game play, a product, a service, a discount, money, and a raffle ticket.

20. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

retrieving further game play information from a memory.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming device is a gaming machine.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the award amount for the player includes:

determining a number of points accrued to the player; and

determining the award amount for the player according to the determined number of points.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein the output of the portable handheld monitoring device includes a printer.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the award amount from the output of the portable handheld monitoring device includes printing an award receipt on the printer.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the output of the portable handheld monitoring device includes a communications interface.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the award is provided in response to the player located at the gaming device beginning play of the gaming device after a period of time during which the gaming device is not played.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the number of points is provided in the game play information.

28. A method for remote monitoring and local reward of game play on a plurality of gaming devices by a portable handheld monitoring device in communication with a remote host over a second communications channel, the remote host in communication with the gaming devices over a first communications channel, each gaming device configured to present a game of chance and adapted to receive a wager from a player located at the gaming device and, responsive to play of the game of chance, output a game play award, the method comprising:

receiving game play information at the remote host over the first communications channel, the game play information including player information and gaming device information,

the player information including game play history of the player located at the gaming device, and

the gaming device information including wager and payout information associated with the gaming device at which the player is located;

sending the received game play information from the remote host to the portable handheld monitoring device over the second communications channel;

generating a graphical representation of the received game play information at the portable device, the graphical representation of the received game play information including gaming device information;

displaying the graphical representation of the received game play information on a display at the portable handheld monitoring device;

applying one or more criteria to the received game play information;

determining a physical location of the gaming device at which the player is located;

determining, based on the application of the one or more criteria to the received game play information, including the player information and the gaming device information, at the portable handheld monitoring device, an award amount for the player when the portable handheld monitoring device is in a physical location close to the location of the gaming device; and

outputting the award amount from an output of the portable handheld monitoring device for delivery to the player at the gaming device.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the first communications channel is wireless.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the second communications channel is wired.

31. A system for remote monitoring and local reward of game comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices each configured to present a game of chance and adapted to receive a wager from a player located at the gaming device and, responsive to play of the game of chance, output a game play award;

a remote host in communication with the gaming devices over a first communications channel, the remote host configured to;

i) receive game play information over the first communications channel, and

ii) send the received game play information, the received game play information including player information and gaming device information,

the player information including game play history of the player located at the gaming device, and

the gaming device information including wager and payout information associated with the gaming device at which the player is located; and

a portable handheld monitoring device in communication with the remote host over a second communications channel, the portable handheld monitoring device configured to;

i) receive the game play information from the remote host over the second communications channel,

ii) generate a graphical representation of the received game play information including gaming device information,

iii) display the graphical representation of the received game play information on a display of the portable handheld monitoring device,

iv) apply one or more criteria to the received game play information, including the player information and the game device information,

v) determine the location of the gaming device at which the player is located, and

vi) determine, based on the application of the one or more criteria to the received game play information, including the player information and the gaming device information, an award amount for the player when the portable handheld monitoring device is in a physical location close to the location of the gaming device, and

vii) output the award amount from an output of the portable handheld monitoring device for delivery to the player at the gaming device.

32. A computer program product, stored on a processor readable medium, comprising instructions operable to cause a processor to perform a method for remote monitoring and local reward of game play on a plurality of gaming devices by a portable handheld monitoring device, each gaming device configured to present a game of chance and adapted to receive a wager from a player located at the gaming device and, responsive to play of the game of chance, output a game play award, the method comprising:

receiving game play information including player information and gaming device information at the portable handheld monitoring device,

the player information including game play history of the player located at the gaming device, and

the gaming device information including wager and payout information associated with the gaming device at which the player is located;

generating a graphical representation of the received game play information;

displaying the graphical representation of the received game play information on a display of the portable handheld monitoring device;

applying one or more criteria to the received game play information;

determining a physical location of the gaming device at which the player is located;

determining, based on the application of the one or more criteria to the received game play information, including the player information and the gaming device information, at the portable handheld monitoring device, an award amount for the player when the portable handheld monitoring device is in a physical location close to the location of the gaming device; and

outputting the award amount from an output of the portable handheld monitoring device for delivery to the player at the gaming device.

33. A method for remote monitoring of game play and local reward at one of a plurality of gaming devices using a portable handheld monitoring device, each gaming device configured to present a game of chance, receive a wager for play of the game of chance, and output an award for a winning outcome of the game of chance, the method comprising:

receiving game play information at the portable handheld monitoring device over a communications path of a network, the received game play information including player information, the player information including game play history of a player located at a gaming device;

generating game monitoring data based on the received game play information, the game monitoring data including gaming device information, the gaming device information including wager and payout information associated with the gaming device at which the player is located;

displaying the player information and the game monitoring data on a display of the portable handheld monitoring device;

applying one or more criteria to the received game play information;

identifying, from the game play information, a location of the player at the gaming device;

determining, based on the application of the one or more criteria to the received game play information, including the player information and the game monitoring data, a reward for a player when the portable handheld monitoring device is in a physical location close to the identified location of the gaming device, the reward independent of an award for a winning outcome of a game of chance; and

causing output of the reward from an output device associated with the portable handheld monitoring device for delivery to the player at the identified location.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the generated game monitoring data includes the received game play information.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the game play information includes one or more selected from the group consisting of player data, gaming machine data, and game play data.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the game monitoring data includes one or more selected from the group consisting of:

a number of gaming devices in use, a number of gaming devices in play, one or more types of gaming machines in use, a number of players of gaming machines, and a number of identified players.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein the gaming devices include one or more selected from the group consisting of a gaming machine, a table game device, a bingo device, a keno device, and a sports betting device.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein the game play information is received responsive to occurrence of a game event.

39. The method of claim 33, wherein generating game monitoring data based on the received game play information includes:

comparing the received game play information to one or more criteria.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the output device is one selected from the group consisting of an electronic communications interface, a printer of the portable handheld monitoring device, and a local printer.

41. The method of claim 33, wherein the portable handheld monitoring device is a portable transaction device (PTD).

42. The method of claim 33, wherein the game play information is received from the one or more gaming devices.

43. The method of claim 33, wherein the game play information is received from a host device.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein generating game monitoring data based on the received game play information further includes:

determining a status of the player relative to the one or more criteria.

45. A method for remote monitoring of game play and local reward at one of a plurality of gaming devices using one or more monitoring devices including a portable handheld monitoring device, each gaming device configured to present a game of chance, receive a wager for play of the game of chance, and output an award for a winning outcome of the game of chance, the method comprising:

receiving game play information over a communications path of a network, the received game play information including player information, the player information including game play history of a player located at a gaming device;

generating game monitoring data based on the received game play information, the game monitoring data including gaming device information, the gaming device information including wager and payout information associated with the gaming device at which the player is located;

displaying the player information and the game monitoring data on a display;

applying one or more criteria to the received game play information;

identifying, from the game play information, a location of the player at the gaming device;

determining, based on the application of the one or more criteria to the received game play information, including the player information and the game monitoring data, a reward for a player when the portable handheld monitoring device is in a physical location close to the identified location of the gaming device, the reward independent of an award for a winning outcome of a game of chance; and

causing output of the reward, at the portable handheld monitoring device, for delivery to the player at the identified location.

46. A method for remote monitoring and local reward of game play on a plurality of gaming devices by a portable handheld monitoring device, each gaming device configured to present a game of chance and adapted to receive a wager from a player located at the gaming device and, responsive to play of the game of chance, output a game play award, the method comprising:

receiving game play information at the portable handheld monitoring device via a communications channel, the game play information including player information describing the player and gaming device information describing at least one gaming device;

displaying the player information, including game play history of the player, on the display of the portable handheld monitoring device;

displaying the gaming device information, including wager and payout information of the gaming device at which the player is located, on the display of the portable handheld monitoring device;

receiving an award selection from the user of the portable handheld monitoring device when the portable handheld monitoring device is in a physical location close to the gaming device; and

causing an award to be provided to the player in accordance with the award selection when the award selection indicates than an award is to be provided.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising:

receiving at the portable handheld monitoring device one or more player characteristics, wherein the player comprises a player having the one or more player characteristics.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein identifying a gaming device comprises:

displaying at least one gaming device identifier from the gaming device information on a display of the portable handheld monitoring device, wherein the at least one gaming device identifier identifies at least one gaming device located in a physical location close to the handheld monitoring device; and

receiving selection of the gaming device from the at least one gaming device identifier via the portable handheld monitoring device.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein identifying a player comprises:

displaying at least one player name on a display of the portable handheld monitoring device, wherein the at least one player name corresponds to a player playing a game of chance on the gaming device; and

receiving selection of the player from the at least one player name via the portable handheld monitoring device.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein selecting a player comprises selecting a player betting, winning, or losing a sum of money greater than a predetermined threshold.

51. A system for remote monitoring and local reward of game play, the system comprising:

at least one gaming device configured to present a game of chance and adapted to receive a wager from a player located at the at least one gaming device and, responsive to play of the game of chance, output a game play award;

at least one portable handheld monitoring device;

a remote host in communication with the at least one gaming device over a first communications channel, the remote host configured to;

receive game play information over the first communications channel, the game play information including player information describing the player and gaming device information describing a gaming device, wherein the gaming device is from the at least one gaming device,

in response to receiving the game play information, determine when the player begins playing at the gaming device or when the player reaches a predetermined level of play,

generate a notification when the player begins playing at the gaming device or when the player reaches a predetermined level of play,

identify a closest portable handheld monitoring device from the at least one portable handheld monitoring device, wherein the closest portable handheld monitoring device is a portable handheld monitoring device closest to the gaming device at which the player is playing, and

send the notification and the game play information to the closest portable handheld monitoring device;

the closest portable handheld monitoring device in communication with the remote host over a second communications channel and configured to;

receive the notification and game play information from the remote host over the second communications channel,

display a graphical representation of the notification and game play information on a display of the closest portable handheld monitoring device,

determine, based on the received notification and the received game play information, including the player information and the gaming device information, an award amount for the player, and

output the award amount from an output of the closest portable handheld monitoring device for immediate delivery to the player at the gaming device.