Method and apparatus for planning and customizing a gaming experience

• US 8,221,245 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2010
• Issued: 07/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Gilman, Norman C., Friesen, Scott T., Santisi, Steven M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pandya, Sunit
• Application Number:
  US12/782,881
• Publication Number:
  US 20100228606A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 20, 463/25, 463/29, 463 40- 43
• US Class Current: 463/43
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user'"'"'s requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of different gaming devices, said method comprising:

causing at least one display device to present a Web site to a consumer, the Web site configured to request and store information about the consumer, the information including preference data;

associating a code with the stored information;

providing the consumer with the code;

causing one of the gaming devices to enable the consumer to enter the code; and

causing a server to make a marketing offer to the consumer based on the information, said server being configured to communicate with said gaming device, said marketing offer being associated with a product or a service and said marketing offer being distinct from any selection of any game to play.

2. A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of different gaming devices, said method comprising:

causing at least one memory device to store information about a plurality of preferences of a player;

detecting the player playing one of the gaming devices at a casino; and

causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions to provide at least one accommodation to the player based on the stored information, wherein the at least one accommodation at least includes offering the player a product or a service in association with a marketing offer, said marketing offer being distinct from any selection of any game to play.

3. A gaming system comprising:

a server programmed to;

present a Web site to a consumer, the Web site configured to request and store information about the consumer, the information including preference data,

associate a code with the stored information,

provide the consumer with the code, and

make a marketing offer to the consumer based on the information, said marketing offer being associated with a product or a service and being distinct from any selection of any game to play; and

a gaming device configured to communicate with the server, said gaming device including;

at least one processor;

at least one display device;

at least one input device; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to enable the consumer to enter the code.

4. A gaming system comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one display device;

at least one input device; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

store information about a plurality of preferences of a player;

detect the player playing a gaming device at a casino; and

provide at least one accommodation to the player based on the stored information, wherein the at least one accommodation at least includes offering the player a product or a service in association with a marketing offer, said marketing offer being distinct from any selection of any game to play.