Methods and systems for replaying a player's experience in a casino environment

• US 8,790,187 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2008
• Issued: 07/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Robert C., Tedesco, Daniel E., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Fincham, Magdalena M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEICHLITER, CHASE E
• Application Number:
  US12/104,155
• Publication Number:
  US 20080274808A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,295 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463 9- 13, 463/16, 463/25, 463/29, 463 36- 38, 463 39- 43, 463/46, 463/47, 463/20, 463/34, 273/138.1, 273/274, 365/201, 365/244
• US Class Current: 463/43
• 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 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3253 involving articles, e.g. paying in bottles, paying out toys
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A method and system is provided wherein an event experienced by a player is documented and the documentation of the event is stored (e.g., in association with an indication of the event). One example of an event experienced by a player is an outcome obtained by a player on a gaming device. In such an embodiment the documentation of the event may comprise an image of the player'"'"'s reaction to the outcome and/or a still or video image of the outcome. In accordance with some embodiments of the present invention a player may subsequently access (e.g., purchase) an output of the documentation. In one embodiment an outcome of a prior game play that was documented is replayed. When the outcome of the prior game play is output, the outcome may be output in a manner that indicates to a viewer that the outcome is an outcome of a prior game play and not an outcome of a current game play.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising:

receiving a request for replay of a designated event from a player, the designated event being associated with a game play that had previously occurred at a gaming device;

in addition to the request for replay and in addition to a completion of the previously occurring game play, determining whether one or more pre-conditions are satisfied, wherein the one or more pre-conditions are satisfied distinct from any request from the player to store any data associated with the designated event; and

after receiving the request for replay from the player and after determining that the one or more pre-conditions are satisfied, automatically;

(a) retrieving previously stored data including documentation of the designated event, the documentation being associated with the previously occurring game play; and

(b) transmitting a signal to cause a display device to display a replay of the designated event.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the gaming device on which the game play associated with the designated event previously occurred includes the display device on which the designated event is replayed.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the replay of the designated event includes a viewer discernable indication that the replay corresponds to the previously occurring game play as opposed to a current game play.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the display device on which the designated event is replayed is not a display device of the gaming device on which the game play associated with the designated event previously occurred.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more pre-conditions is satisfied:

upon receipt of payment for the replay of the designated event;

upon receipt of an identification of a player associated with the designated event;

based on a status of gaming activity associated with the player who is requesting the replay of the designated event;

based on a status of gaming activity associated with a device via which the replay of the designated event is to be provided;

upon agreement by the player who is requesting the replay of the designated event to an obligation in exchange for the replay of the designated event;

based on an identity of a device via which the replay is to be provided;

upon receipt of the request for replay of the designated event at a predetermined time;

based on a characteristic of the player who is requesting the replay of the designated event;

upon receipt of an identification of the player who is requesting the replay of the designated event;

or

based on obtainment of a predetermined outcome or payout during a game play.

6. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the designated event is selected from the group consisting of:

the player achieving a designated outcome on a gaming device;

the player achieving a payout greater than a threshold payout;

the player achieving at least a designated quantity of winning outcomes;

the player almost achieving a winning outcome;

the house losing;

the player'"'"'s bankroll exceeding a threshold bankroll;

the player losing with a predetermined hand;

the player achieving at least a designated quantity of losing outcomes;

the player initiating a first game play at a designated gaming device; and

the player activating a particular gaming device.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the documentation of the designated event is captured with one or more devices selected from the group consisting of:

a camera and a microphone.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, which includes determining whether the player participated in the previously occurring game play, and:

(a) retrieving the previously stored data comprising documentation of the designated event, and (b) transmitting the signal to cause the display device to replay the designated event after;

(a) receiving the request for replay from the player, (b) determining that the one or more pre-conditions are satisfied, and (c) determining that the player participated in the previously occurring game play.

9. A system comprising:

a user interface; and

a controller configured to operate with the user interface to;

(a) receive a request for replay of a designated event from a player, the designated event being associated with a game play that had previously occurred at a gaming device;

(b) in addition to the request for replay and in addition to a completion of the previously occurring game play, determine whether one or more pre-conditions are satisfied, wherein the one or more pre-conditions are satisfied distinct from any request from the player to store any data associated with the designated event;

(c) after receiving the request for replay and after determining that the one or more pre-conditions are satisfied, automatically;

(i) retrieve previously stored data including documentation of the designated event, the documentation being associated with the previously occurring game play; and

(ii) transmit a signal to cause a display device to display a replay of the designated event.

10. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the gaming device on which the game play associated with the designated event previously occurred includes the display device on which the designated event is replayed.

11. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein the replay of the designated event includes a viewer discernable indication that the replay corresponds to the previously occurring game play as opposed to a current game play.

12. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the display device on which the designated event is replayed is not a display device of the gaming device on which the game play associated with the designated event previously occurred.

13. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein at least one of the one or more pre-conditions is satisfied:

upon receipt of payment for the replay of the designated event;

upon receipt of an identification of a player associated with the designated event;

based on a status of gaming activity associated with the player who is requesting the replay of the designated event;

based on a status of gaming activity associated with a device via which the replay of the designated event is to be provided;

upon agreement by the player who is requesting the replay of the designated event to an obligation in exchange for the replay of the designated event;

based on an identity of a device via which the replay is to be provided;

upon receipt of the request for replay of the designated event at a predetermined time;

based on a characteristic of the player who is requesting the replay of the designated event;

upon receipt of an identification of the player who is requesting the replay of the designated event;

or

based on obtainment of a predetermined outcome or payout during a game play.

14. The system as recited in claim 13, wherein the designated event is selected from the group consisting of:

the player achieving a designated outcome on a gaming device;

the player achieving a payout greater than a threshold payout;

the player achieving at least a designated quantity of winning outcomes;

the player almost achieving a winning outcome;

the house losing;

the player'"'"'s bankroll exceeding a threshold bankroll;

the player losing with a predetermined hand;

the player achieving at least a designated quantity of losing outcomes;

the player initiating a first game play at a designated gaming device; and

the player activating a particular gaming device.

15. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the documentation of the designated event is captured with one or more devices selected from the group consisting of:

a camera and a microphone.

16. The system as recited in claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to operate with the user interface to determine whether the player participated in the previously occurring game play, and:

(a) retrieve the previously stored dat a comprising documentation of the designated event, and (b) transmit the signal to cause the display device to replay the designated event after;

(a) receiving the request for replay from the player, (b) determining that the one or more pre-conditions are satisfied, and (c) determining that the player participated in the previously occurring game play.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

receive a request for replay of a designated event from a player, the designated event being associated with a game play that had previously occurred at a gaming device;

in addition to the request for replay and in addition to a completion of the previously occurring game play, determine whether one or more pre-conditions are satisfied, wherein the one or more pre-conditions are satisfied distinct from any request from the player to store any data associated with the designated event; and

after receiving the request for replay from the player and after determining that the one or more pre-conditions are satisfied, automatically;

(a) retrieve previously stored data including documentation of the designated event, the documentation being associated with the previously occurring game play; and

(b) transmit a signal to cause a display device to display a replay of the designated event.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 17, wherein the gaming device on which the game play associated with the designated event previously occurred includes the display device on which the designated event is replayed.

19. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 18, wherein the replay of the designated event includes a viewer discernable indication that the replay corresponds to the previously occurring game play as opposed to a current game play.

20. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 17, wherein the display device on which the designated event is replayed is not a display device of the gaming device on which game play associated with the designated event previously occurred.

21. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 17, wherein at least one of the one or more pre-conditions is satisfied:

upon receipt of payment for the replay of the designated event;

upon receipt of an identification of a player associated with the designated event;

based on a status of gaming activity associated with the player who is requesting the replay of the designated event;

based on a status of gaming activity associated with a device via which the replay of the designated event is to be provided;

upon agreement by the player who sis requesting the replay of the designated event to an obligation in exchange for the replay of the designated event;

based on an identity of a device via which the replay is to be provided;

upon receipt of the request for replay of the designated event at a predetermined time;

based on a characteristic of the player who is requesting the replay of the designated event;

upon receipt of an identification of the player who is requesting the replay of the designated event;

or

based on obtainment of a predetermined outcome or payout during a game play.

22. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 21, wherein the designated event is selected from the group consisting of:

the player achieving a designated outcome on a gaming device;

the player achieving a payout greater than a threshold payout;

the player achieving at least a designated quantity of winning outcomes;

the player almost achieving a winning outcome;

the house losing;

the player'"'"'s bankroll exceeding a threshold bankroll;

the player losing with a predetermined hand;

the player achieving at least a designated quantity of losing outcomes;

the player initiating a first game play at a designated gaming device; and

the player activating a particular gaming device.

23. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 17, wherein the documentation of the designated event is captured with one or more devices selected from the group consisting of:

a camera and a microphone.

24. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 17, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to determine whether the player participated in the previously occurring game play, and:

(a) retrieve the previously stored data comprising documentation of the designated event, and (b) transmitting the signal to cause the display device to replay the designated event after;

(a) receiving the request for replay from the player, (b) determining that the one or more pre-conditions are satisfied, and (c) determining that the player participated in the previously occurring game play.

25. A method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising:

determining whether an input from a player has been received, the input defining a designated event;

thereafter, determining whether the designated event has occurred at a gaming device; and

upon a determination that the designated event occurred;

(a) if the input from the player was received prior to the occurrence of the designated event and one or more rules are satisfied, storing data including documentation of the designated event;

(b) if the input from the player was not received prior to the occurrence of the designated event, and at least one of the rules is not satisfied, not storing the data including documentation of the designated event; and

(c) if the input from the player was received prior to the occurrence of the designated event, and at least one of the rules is not satisfied, not storing the data including documentation of the designated event.

26. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the player provides said input by filling out a form when registering for a player tracking card.

27. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the player provides said input by informing casino personnel of a desire to document the designated event.

28. The method as recited in claim 25, wherein the player provides said input by:

selecting one of a pre-determined list of a plurality of designated events that may occur during game play; and

providing an indication that documentation of the selected designated event is to be captured in response to detecting an occurrence of the selected designated event.

29. The method as recited in claim 28, which includes enabling the player to add a player-defined event to the list of pre-determined designated events.

30. The method as recited in claim 25, which includes storing the data including documentation of the designated event if the input has been received from a predetermined quantity of one or more players.

31. A system comprising:

a gaming device;

a user interface; and

a controller operatively coupled to the user interface and the gaming device, wherein said controller is configured to operate with the gaming device and the user interface to;

(a) determine whether an input from a player has been received, the input defining a designated event;

(b) thereafter, determine whether the designated event has occurred at the gaming device; and

(c) upon a determination that the designated event occurred;

(i) if the input from the player was received prior to the occurrence of the designated event and one or more rules are satisfied, store data including documentation of the designated event;

(ii) if the input from the player was not received prior to the occurrence of the designated event, and at least one of the rules is not satisfied, not store the data including documentation of the designated event; and

(c) if the input from the player was received prior to the occurrence of the designated event, and at least one of the rules is not satisfied, not storing the data including documentation of the designated event.

32. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the player provides said input by filling out a form when registering for a player tracking card.

33. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the player provides said input by informing casino personnel of a desire to document the designated event.

34. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the player provides said input by:

selecting one of a pre-determined list of a plurality of designated events that may occur during game play; and

providing an indication that documentation of the selected designated event is to be captured in response to detecting an occurrence of the selected designated event.

35. The system as recited in claim 34, wherein the controller is configured to operate with the gaming device and the user interface to enable the player to add a player-defined event to the list of pre-determined designated events.

36. The system as recited in claim 31, wherein the controller is configured to store the data including documentation of the designated event if the input has been received from a predetermined quantity of one or more players.

37. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

determine whether an input from a player has been received, the input defining a designated event;

thereafter, determine whether the designated event has occurred at a gaming device; and

upon a determination that the designated event occurred;

(a) if the input from the player was received prior to the occurrence of the designated event and one or more rules are satisfied, store data including documentation of the designated event;

(b) if the input from the player was not received prior to the occurrence of the designated event, and at least one of the rules is not satisfied, not store the data including documentation of the designated event; and

(c) if the input from the player was received prior to the occurrence of the designated event, and at least one of the rules is not satisfied, not storing the data including documentation of the designated event.

38. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 37, wherein the player provides said input by filling out a form when registering for a player tracking card.

39. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 37, wherein the player provides said input by informing casino personnel of a desire to document the designated event.

40. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 37, wherein the player provides said input by:

selecting one of a pre-determined list of a plurality of designated events that may occur during game play; and

providing an indication that documentation of the selected designated event is to be captured in response to detecting an occurrence of the selected designated event.

41. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 40, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with at least one input device to enable a player to add a player-defined event to the list of predetermined designated events.

42. The non-transitory computer readable medium as recited in claim 37, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to store the data including documentation of the designated event if the input has been received from a predetermined quantity of one or more players.