Systems and methods for remote gaming using game recommender

• US 9,295,908 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2013
• Issued: 03/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Igt Canada Solutions Ulc (GTECH SpA)
• Original Assignee: Igt Canada Solutions Ulc (GTECH SpA)
• Inventors: Froy, David, Babin, Peter, Gadher, Bharat, Idris, Fayez, Pleskonjic, Dragan, Post, Peter, McIntyre, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): PIERCE, DAMON JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US13/941,062
• Publication Number:
  US 20140213350A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/79 involving player-related data, e.g. identities, accounts, preferences or play histories
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3204 Player-machine interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3218 wherein at least part of the system is portable
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

A mobile gaming device may be a player'"'"'s own personal tablet, smartphone, PDA, etc., with an application program installed via the internet for carrying out a remote gaming session. All gaming functions are carried out by a stationary gaming terminal communicating with the mobile device, such as by using WiFi or other wireless protocol. The mobile device operates as a user interface. While the player is playing one game on the mobile device, the venue'"'"'s system recommends other games to the player via the player'"'"'s tablet either based on the player'"'"'s past gaming history, if the player used a player tracking card, or based on real time game play, if the player is anonymous. Upon the player selecting a different game, the system automatically transfers communications to a different gaming terminal and transfers the player'"'"'s credits. The gaming terminals may be gaming machines, where each gaming machine carries out a different game.

Claims

1. A remote gaming method comprising:

establishing a communications link between a mobile gaming device operated by a player and a first gaming terminal, the mobile gaming device running a remote gaming program to play at least a first game, the first gaming terminal programmed to carry out at least the game functions of pseudo-randomly determining a game outcome and determining an award to a player;

generating a gaming and play behavior model by partitioning stored play data into a plurality of game session patterns, each game session pattern corresponding to a time period and indicating occurrence of game factors over the time period;

receiving player control signals by the first gaming terminal from the mobile gaming device to initiate the first game;

carrying out the first game by the first gaming terminal, including determining a final outcome of the first game and any award for the outcome;

transmitting signals from the first gaming terminal to the mobile gaming device identifying the final outcome of the first game and the award;

detecting, by a recommender processor, the player'"'"'s real time or near real time game play when the player control signals are received by the first gaming terminal to initiate the first game;

collecting, from the first gaming terminal using the communication link, at the moment of the detection of the real time or near real time game play, a first set of real time game data defining occurrence of game factors for the real time or near real time game play during the carrying out of the first game by the first gaming terminal;

determining that the first set of real time game data has been collected for a minimum length of time of game play required to categorize game behaviour using the plurality of game session patterns;

matching, by the recommender processor, the first set of real time game data to a first set of game session patterns of the plurality of game session patterns;

based on the first set of game session patterns, determining a set of recommended games available to be played on the mobile gaming device;

transmitting signals to the mobile gaming device identifying at least a second game of the set of recommended games;

detecting a selection by the player of the second game;

carrying out the second game, including determining a final outcome of the second game and any award for the outcome; and

transmitting signals to the mobile gaming device identifying the final outcome of the second game and the award.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

operating the first gaming terminal in a first jurisdiction, the first gaming terminal being licensed for the first jurisdiction, the mobile gaming device being located in the first jurisdiction.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second game is available to be played on a second gaming terminal, wherein the method further comprises:

establishing a wireless communications link between the mobile gaming device and the second gaming terminal;

transferring credits from the first gaming terminal to the second gaming terminal;

carrying out the second game by the second gaming terminal; and

transmitting signals by the second gaming terminal to the mobile gaming device identifying the final outcome of the second game and the award.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first gaming terminal is a gaming machine having a display screen, and wherein the gaming machine may be directly played using the display screen.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the gaming machine and mobile gaming device are operated within a same venue.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile gaming device is not required to be licensed in the first jurisdiction.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the player is playing anonymously, without the use of a player tracking card or without registration of the player with the first gaming terminal.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first gaming terminal and the second gaming terminal are located in different gaming venues.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

periodically controlling the mobile gaming device to communicate between a plurality of transceivers in a venue;

using Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) level signals derived by communications with the transceivers to determine whether the mobile gaming device is within a designated area within the venue; and

if it is determined that the mobile gaming device is outside of the designated area, blocking the mobile gaming device from carrying out the first or second game.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transferring game assets to the mobile gaming device, wherein the game assets comprise game content for the first game or the second game;

if it is determined that the mobile gaming device is outside of the designated area, deleting the game assets on the mobile gaming device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first game or the second game comprises a wagering mode and a free mode, wherein the method further comprises:

transferring game assets to the mobile gaming device, wherein the game assets comprise game content for the first game or the second game;

carrying out, using the game assets, the first game or the second game in the wagering mode;

if it is determined that the mobile gaming device is outside of the designated area, continuing to carry out, using the game assets, the first game or the second game in the free mode.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first gaming terminal is licensed for use in a first gaming zone operated by a first operator, and the second gaming terminal is licensed for use in a second gaming zone operated by a second operator, wherein the player is located in the first gaming zone.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of revenue generated by the player playing the second type game is provided to the second operator.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising applying data from the player'"'"'s real time game play to an algorithm to determine that the player is a certain type of player, then selecting the set of recommended games based on the certain type of player.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the carrying out the first game by the first gaming terminal comprises displaying game animation on the mobile gaming device conveying to the player that the first game is presently occurring, and wherein the method further comprises:

in event of a communications link failure between the mobile gaming device and the first gaming terminal during the game, prior to receiving the signals by the mobile gaming device identifying the final outcome of the game and the award but after the game animation has begun,

continuing the game animation by the mobile gaming device during the communications link failure for a time until the communications link has been re-established;

once the communication link has been re-established, transmitting the signals to the mobile gaming device identifying the final outcome of the first game and the award, stopping the game animation; and

displaying, by the mobile gaming device, the final outcome of the game and the award, such that the game perceived by the player is not interrupted during the communications link failure.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming program comprises game inactivity rules requiring game play within a maximum allowable time to prevent a remote gaming session from being terminated, and wherein the method further comprises:

allowing the player to pause the remote gaming session by entering a command via the mobile gaming device to pause the remote gaming session for a certain time;

suspending the game inactivity rules, by the first gaming terminal, for the certain time so the remote gaming session does not terminate due to game inactivity;

receiving a first signal by the first gaming terminal indicating that the player is again using the mobile gaming device to play the first game;

re-applying the game activity rules after the first signal is received; and

terminating the gaming session if the player does not use the mobile gaming device to play the first game within the certain time.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a stationary registration terminal within a first regulated gaming venue, the registration terminal having a transceiver for communicating with the mobile gaming device, operated by the player within the first regulated gaming venue, the registration terminal being coupled to a network with a plurality of gaming machines including a first gaming terminal; and

establishing, via the registration terminal, the wireless communications link between the mobile gaming device and the first gaming terminal to play the first game.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the registration terminal includes a printer, the method further comprising;

identifying credits, by the registration terminal, associated with the player; and

printing out a ticket for redemption by the player.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the first gaming terminal is located in a second regulated gaming venue and coupled to the network, wherein the first gaming terminal communicates with the mobile gaming device via the registration terminal.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of gaming terminals includes gaming terminals located in the first regulated gaming venue and gaming terminals located in a second regulated gaming venue.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the first gaming machine generate video animation in an original format when displaying the first game on the display screen, wherein the method further comprises:

detecting a required video animation second format for the mobile gaming device which is different from the original format;

converting the video animation from the original format to the second format for the mobile gaming device; and

displaying the game to the player on the mobile gaming device using the second format.

22. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of recommended games is associated with a gaming model of a plurality of gaming models, and wherein the method further comprises:

detecting a threshold amount of data for the player'"'"'s real time game play;

partitioning the data for the player'"'"'s real time game play into a plurality of game events; and

determining that the gaming model corresponds to the one or more events of the plurality of game events.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the player'"'"'s real time game play is associated with game factors, and wherein the gaming model comprises a collection of game factors representing a predetermined gaming and play behavior model of game player.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the game factors comprise one or more members selected from the grouping consisting of:

game session length, play behavior, game behavior, game language, game location, game selection, elapsed time with one game, wagering behavior, game type, game theme, wager amounts, wager denominations, play rates, typical bonus values, game brand, prize distributions, amounts of incremental wagers, frequency of wagering, for instance the presence or absence of multiple rounds of wagering in a game, the number of rounds of wagers permitted in a game, maximum wager amounts permitted, minimum wager amounts permitted, amount of wagering, elapsed time between selected events for instance starting a new game, reaction to bonus rounds, reaction to progressive outputs, pay table features, amount of incremental wagers, frequency of wagering, elapsed time for player reaction, amount of wagering, elapsed time between wagers, frequency of player action, game rules, game complexity, ability for a player to control or have an effect on a game outcome, whether an outcome is predetermined, whether parallel wagering is provided, average game speed, average wager amounts, average wager rate, presence or frequency of bonus rounds, presence and frequency of progressive outputs, payout percentages, win rates, win percentages, loss rates, loss percentages, use of special features, frequency of use of special features, number of lines played, total amount wagered, and type of payment received.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of recommended games is associated with a gaming model of a plurality of gaming models, and wherein the method further comprises:

determining each of the plurality of models from collected game play data using cluster analysis; and

associating a set of recommended games with each of the plurality of gaming models.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of recommended games is associated with a game player type, wherein the game player type is associated with a gaming model of a plurality of gaming models, and wherein the method further comprises:

detecting a threshold amount of data for the player'"'"'s real time game play;

determining the game player type based on analysis of the data for the player'"'"'s real time game play

determining that the gaming model corresponds to the game player type.

27. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

collecting game play data corresponding to the player'"'"'s real time game play;

determining one or more processing, storing or transmitting actions permitted on the collected game play data based on user preferences and regulatory restrictions; and

upon determining that the one or more processing, storing or transmitting actions are permitted on the collected game play data, performing the one or more processing, storing or transmitting actions are permitted on the collected game play data.

28. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing, on a display of the mobile gaming device, a designated area assigned to the player as part of the first game, wherein there are additional designated areas assigned to different players;

receiving a signal initiated by the player that identifies the player as an active player in the first game;

initiating the display of an individual game in the designated area assigned to the player as part of the first game, while the different players have an option to concurrently play a community game displayed on the additional designated areas;

concurrently displaying, on the mobile gaming device, a plurality of icons in the designated area assigned to the player, each icon being associated with a particular wager amount, wherein the icons concurrently displayed are associated with a plurality of different wager amounts, and wherein at least some of the icons are associated with a hidden prize;

receiving a signal identifying a particular icon being touched;

deducting the wager amount associated with the icon touched by the player from a bank of credits associated with the first player; and

granting any award to the player associated with the icon touched by the player.

29. A remote gaming system comprising one or more processors and one or more data storage devices storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to:

establish a communications link between a mobile gaming device, operated by a player and a first gaming terminal, the mobile gaming device running a remote gaming program to play at least a first game, the first gaming terminal programmed to carry out at least the game functions of pseudo-randomly determining a game outcome and determining an award to a player;

receive player control signals by the first gaming terminal from the mobile gaming device to initiate the first game;

carry out the first game by the first gaming terminal, including determining a final outcome of the first game and any award for the outcome;

transmit signals from the first gaming terminal to the mobile gaming device identifying the final outcome of the first game and the award;

generate a gaming and play behavior model by partitioning stored play data into a plurality of game session patterns, each game session pattern corresponding to a time period and indicating occurrence of game factors over the time period;

detect the player'"'"'s real time or near real time game play when the player control signals are received by the first gaming terminal to initiate the first game;

collect, from the first gaming terminal using the communication link, at the moment of the detection of the real time or near real time game play, a first set of real time game data defining occurrence of game factors for the real time or near real time game play during the carrying out of the first game by the first gaming terminal;

determine that the first set of real time game data has been collected for a minimum length of time of game play required to categorize game behaviour using the plurality of game session patterns;

match, by the recommender processor, the first set of real time game data to a first set of game session patterns of the plurality of game session patterns;

based on the first set of game session patterns determine a set of recommended games available to be played on the mobile gaming device;

transmit signals to the mobile gaming device identifying at least a second game of the set of recommended games;

detect a selection by the player of the second game;

carry out the second game, including determining a final outcome of the second game and any award for the outcome; and

transmit signals to the mobile gaming device identifying the final outcome of the second game and the award.

30. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more sequences of instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform a method of remote gaming, the method comprising:

establishing a communications link between a mobile gaming device, operated by a player and a first gaming terminal, the mobile gaming device running a remote gaming program to play at least a first game, the first gaming terminal programmed to carry out at least the game functions of pseudo-randomly determining a game outcome and determining an award to a player;

providing player control signals to the first gaming terminal from the mobile gaming device to initiate the first game;

carrying out the first game via the first gaming terminal, including determining a final outcome of the first game and any award for the outcome;

receiving signals from the first gaming terminal at the mobile gaming device identifying the final outcome of the first game and the award;

detecting the player'"'"'s real time or near real time game play when the player control signals are received by the first gaming terminal to initiate the first game;

collecting at the moment of the detection of the real time or near real time game play, a first set of real time game data defining occurrence of game factors for the real time or near real time game play during the carrying out of the first game by the first gaming terminal;

determine that the first set of real time game data has been collected for a minimum length of time of game play required to categorize game behaviour using a plurality of game session patterns for determining a set of recommended games available to be played on the mobile gaming device, each game session pattern corresponding to a time period and indicating occurrence of game factors over the time period;

receiving signals at the mobile gaming device identifying at least a second game of the set of recommended games;

detecting a selection by the player of the second game;

carrying out the second game, including determining a final outcome of the second game and any award for the outcome; and

receiving signals at the mobile gaming device identifying the final outcome of the second game and the award.