Virtual casino host

• US 8,064,889 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2007
• Issued: 11/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Gadda, Christian, Mattice, Harold E., Stockdale, James W., Wilder, Richard, Griswold, Chauncey
• Primary Examiner(s): DESIR, PIERRE LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US11/829,921
• Publication Number:
  US 20080020788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,577 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414, 463/25, 463/40, 463/20, 463/29
• US Class Current: 455/414.1
• 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 group of persons in a gaming establishment, the method comprising:

assigning one or more persons to the group of persons;

assigning each person in the group of persons a unique personal identification;

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

linking the portable personal service devices for the group of persons using the associations;

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

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

sending the service message to the linked portable personal service device associated with each person in the group of persons while the portable personal service device is in the gaming establishment; and

outputting the service message on the portable personal service devices.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing, to a person in the group of persons, the personal service device with the unique identification associated with the unique personal identification assigned to the person.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the providing and the associating occur 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 carried by the person in the gaming establishment.

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

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 one or more of the portable personal service devices and a communications device carried by a guest services staff member for the gaming establishment.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the persons in the group of persons is assigned a party service level, a politician service level, a high-roller service level, or a premium service level.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a person in the group of persons is associated with the unique identification anonymously.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the message sent to the portable personal service devices is personalized for the persons in the group of persons based on demographic information known for the persons.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable personal service devices include custom-made portable personal service devices specific to the gaming establishment.

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

14. A method of providing a personalized service message to a group of persons in a gaming establishment, the method comprising:

assigning one or more persons to the group of persons;

providing a portable personal service device to each person in the group of persons;

associating each person with a unique identification for the portable personal service device provided to the person;

linking the portable personal service devices for the group of persons using the associations;

tracking the location of each person when the person is in the gaming establishment using the location of the portable personal service device provided to the person;

selecting a service from service offerings that are available through the gaming establishment based on personal information for the persons in the group of persons;

selecting a service message that corresponds to the selected service;

sending, for the linked portable personal service devices within the gaming establishment, the service message to the linked portable personal service devices;

outputting the service message on the linked portable personal service devices in receipt of the service message and within the gaming establishment; and

receiving a message from one or more of the linked portable personal service devices that corresponds to the service offering.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the providing the personal service device to each person occurs when the person registers at the gaming establishment.

16. The method of claim 15, 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.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein a person in the group of persons is associated with the unique identification anonymously.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the message sent to the portable personal service device is personalized for the persons in the group of persons based on demographic information known for the persons.

19. A system comprising:

a server configured to;

i) assign one or more persons to the group of persons;

ii) associate each person in a group of persons with a unique identification for a portable personal service device carried by the person,

iii) link the portable personal service devices associated with the persons in the group of persons,

iv) select a non-gambling service from service offerings available through a gaming establishment, and

v) send a service message to the linked portable personal services devices within the gaming establishment;

wherein each portable personal service device comprises;

a wireless communication interface,

a video display configured to output video, and

a processing system configured to output the service message on the video display, wherein the portable personal service device is designed to be carried by a person in a gaming establishment, wherein the wireless communication interface is configured to transmit information between the server and the portable personal service device across a wireless communication link.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the wireless communication link comprises 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.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the server is further configured to track the location of each portable personal service device within the gaming establishment.

22. The system of claim 19, one or more of the persons in the group of persons is assigned a party service level, a politician service level, a high-roller service level, or a premium service level.

23. The system of claim 19, wherein a person in the group of persons is associated with the unique identification anonymously.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein the message sent to the linked portable personal service devices is personalized for the persons in the group of persons based on demographic information known for the persons in the group of persons.