Systems and gaming devices for indicating comp eligibility

• US 9,830,776 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2014
• Issued: 11/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gaming Arts LLC
• Original Assignee: Gaming Arts LLC
• Inventors: Colvin, David, Colvin, Eric D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hylinski, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US14/514,722
• Publication Number:
  US 20150031444A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,140 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3241 Security aspects of a gaming system, e.g. detecting cheating, device integrity, surveillance computer security G06F21/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards

Abstract

Systems and methods provide a comp policy associated with a game of chance. A gaming device includes a processor programmed to present the game of chance to a player, wherein gameplay data is generated during play of the game of chance. The gaming device also includes a user interface device configured to receive input from the player to enable the player to play the game of chance, and a comp indicator configured to provide an indication if the player is determined to be eligible for a comp. A computing device is coupled to the gaming device. The computing device is configured to receive the gameplay data from the gaming device, determine whether the player is eligible for the comp based on the gameplay data, and transmit data representative of whether the player is determined to be eligible for the comp to the gaming device.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a gaming device, comprising;

a processor programmed to provide a game of chance to a player, wherein gameplay data is generated during play of the game of chance;

an electronic storage device configured to store gameplay data for the game of chance;

a user interface device configured to receive input from the player to enable the player to play the game of chance;

a payment input device configured to enable the player to input money or credits for use in the game of chance;

a payment output device configured to enable the player to withdraw money or credits from said gaming device;

a card reader device configured to receive data from a player reward card; and

a randomization device configured to randomly determine a game outcome for the game of chance;

a comp indicator communicating with said gaming device, said comp indicator configured to provide an indication if the player is determined to be eligible for a comp; and

a computing device coupled to at least one of said gaming device and said comp indicator, said computing device configured to;

receive the gameplay data from said gaming device;

determine whether the player is eligible for the comp based on the gameplay data;

and transmit data representative of whether the player is determined to be eligible for the comp to at least one of said comp indicator and said gaming device, wherein the player accrues comp eligibility points based on a gameplay of the player upon a determination that the player is a member of a first tier of a player reward program, and wherein the player is automatically awarded the comp, regardless of gameplay, upon a determination that the player is a member of a second tier of the player reward program.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said computing device is configured to determine that the player is eligible for the comp based upon a determination that the player has reached a first comp tier.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said computing device is configured to award the comp only in response to a player request if the player has reached a first comp tier, and to automatically redeem the comp if said computing device determines that the player has reached a second comp tier.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein a first amount of comp eligibility points are earned from a first amount of gameplay of the player, and said computing device is configured to determine that the player has reached the first comp tier when the player has earned the first amount of comp eligibility points.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein a second amount of comp eligibility points are earned from a second amount of gameplay of the player, and said computing device is configured to determine that the player has reached the second comp tier when the player has earned the second amount of comp eligibility points.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein, upon a determination that the player has redeemed the comp, said computing device is configured to reduce the comp eligibility points accrued by the player by a corresponding amount of comp eligibility points.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said comp indicator comprises a comp indicator image displayed on said gaming device, and wherein the comp indicator image displays at least a first comp tier.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said comp indicator comprises a comp indicator displayed on said gaming device, and wherein the comp indicator includes a plurality of sections, each representing a different threshold of gameplay of the player.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said comp indicator comprises a plurality of sections and is configured to display a corresponding section as being filled in when an amount of gameplay of the player reaches a corresponding threshold for that section.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the player accrues comp eligibility points at a first rate if the player is determined to be a member of the first tier of the player reward program, and the player accrues comp eligibility points at a second rate if the player is determined to be a member of the second tier of the player reward program.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said gaming device comprises a player tracking module, and wherein said comp indicator is displayed by said player tracking module.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the first tier of the player reward program is lower than the second tier of the player reward program.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the indication that the player is eligible for the comp is provided via the payment output device.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the comp indicator provides the indication that the player is eligible for the comp by illuminating a light associated with the gaming device.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the light is attached to the gaming device.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the comp indicator provides a comp notification that the player is eligible for the comp in response to the computing device determining that the player is eligible for the comp.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the comp is a first comp, and wherein the player becomes eligible for the first comp after accruing a first amount of comp eligibility points and becomes eligible for a second comp after accruing a second amount of comp eligibility points.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein, upon a determination that the player has redeemed the second comp, said computing device is configured to reduce the comp eligibility points accrued by the player by the first amount of comp eligibility points and the second amount of comp eligibility points.

20. The system of claim 18, wherein, upon a determination that the player has redeemed the second comp, said computing device is configured to reduce the comp eligibility points accrued by the player by the second amount of comp eligibility points.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein, upon a determination that the player has redeemed the second comp, said computing device is configured to maintain a number of comp eligibility points earned by the player without reducing the comp eligibility points by the first amount of comp eligibility points or the second amount of comp eligibility points.

17. A system, comprising:

a gaming device, comprising;

a processor programmed to provide a game of chance to a player, wherein gameplay data is generated during play of the game of chance;

an electronic storage device configured to store gameplay data for the game of chance;

a user interface device configured to receive input from the player to enable the player to play the game of chance;

a payment input device configured to enable the player to input money or credits for use in the game of chance;

a payment output device configured to enable the player to withdraw money or credits from said gaming device; and

a randomization device configured to randomly determine a game outcome for the game of chance;

a comp indicator in communication with said gaming device, said comp indicator configured to provide an indication if the player is determined to be eligible for a comp; and

a computing device coupled to said gaming device, said computing device configured to;

receive the gameplay data from said gaming device;

determine whether the player is eligible for the comp based on the gameplay data; and

transmit data representative of whether the player is determined to be eligible for the comp to said gaming device, wherein, upon a determination that the player has redeemed the comp, said computing device is configured to maintain a number of comp eligibility points earned by the player without reducing the comp eligibility points by an amount of comp eligibility points associated with the comp.

22. A method of administering a comp policy, said method comprising:

presenting a game of chance to a player on a gaming device;

enabling the player to input money or credits for use in the game of chance using a payment input device of the gaming device;

enabling the player to withdraw money or credits from the gaming device using a payment output device of the gaming device;

providing a comp indicator in communication with the gaming device, wherein the comp indicator is configured to provide an indication if the player is determined to be eligible for a comp;

generating gameplay data associated with the game of chance for the player using the gaming device;

receiving input from the player at the gaming device to enable the player to play the game of chance;

randomly determining a game outcome for the game of chance using a randomization device;

transmitting the gameplay data from the gaming device to a computing device;

determining, by the computing device, whether the player is eligible for the comp based on the gameplay data;

transmitting data representative of whether the player is determined to be eligible for the comp from the computing device to the gaming device;

determining that the player has redeemed the comp; and

maintaining a number of comp eligibility points earned by the player without reducing the comp eligibility points in response to the comp being redeemed.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising determining that the player is eligible for the comp based upon a determination that the player has reached a first comp tier.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising determining that the player is eligible to redeem the comp upon reaching a first comp tier and automatically redeeming the comp if the computing device determines that the player has reached a second comp tier.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein a first amount of comp eligibility points are earned from a first amount of gameplay of the player, said method further comprising determining that the player has reached a first comp tier when the player has earned the first amount of comp eligibility points.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein a second amount of comp eligibility points are earned from a second amount of gameplay of the player, said method further comprising determining that the player has reached the second comp tier when the player has earned the second amount of comp eligibility points.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the comp is a first comp, and wherein the player becomes eligible for the first comp after accruing a first amount of comp eligibility points and becomes eligible for a second comp after accruing a second amount of comp eligibility points.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

determining that the player has redeemed the second comp; and

reducing the comp eligibility points accrued by the player by the first amount of comp eligibility points and the second amount of comp eligibility points.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

determining that the player has redeemed the second comp; and

reducing the comp eligibility points accrued by the player by the second amount of comp eligibility points.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

determining that the player has redeemed the second comp; and

maintaining the number of comp eligibility points earned by the player without reducing the comp eligibility points by the second amount of comp eligibility points.

31. The method of claim 22, wherein the comp indicator includes a comp indicator image, said method comprising displaying a first comp tier within the comp indicator image.

32. The method of claim 22, further comprising displaying a plurality of sections within the comp indicator associated with a first comp tier, wherein each section of the plurality of sections represents a different threshold of gameplay of the player.

33. The method of claim 22, further comprising filling in each section of a plurality of sections within the comp indicator when an amount of gameplay of the player reaches a respective threshold for each section.

34. The method of claim 22, further comprising causing the player to accrue comp eligibility points at a first rate if the player is determined to be a member of a first tier of a player reward program, and causing the player to accrue comp eligibility points at a second rate if the player is determined to be a member of a second tier of the player reward program.

35. The method of claim 22, further comprising causing the player to accrue comp eligibility points based on a gameplay of the player upon a determination that the player is a member of a first tier of a player reward program, and causing the player to be automatically eligible for the comp, regardless of gameplay, upon a determination that the player is a member of a second tier of the player reward program.

36. The method of claim 22, wherein the gaming device includes a player tracking module, said method further comprising displaying the comp indicator by the player tracking module.

37. A gaming device, comprising:

a processor programmed to provide a game of chance to a player and to determine whether the player is eligible for a comp;

an electronic storage device configured to store gameplay data for the game of chance;

a user interface device configured to receive input from the player to enable the player to play the game of chance;

a payment input device configured to enable the player to input money or credits for use in the game of chance;

a payment output device configured to enable the player to withdraw money or credits from said gaming device;

a card reader device configured to receive data from a player reward card;

a randomization device configured to randomly determine a game outcome for the game of chance; and

a comp indicator configured to be activated upon a determination that the player is eligible for a comp, wherein comp eligibility points accrue based on a gameplay of the player upon a determination that the player is a member of a first tier of a player reward program, and wherein the player is automatically eligible for the comp, regardless of gameplay, upon a determination that the player is a member of a second tier of the player reward program.

38. The gaming device of claim 37, wherein said processor is configured to determine that the player is eligible for the comp based upon a determination that the player has reached a first comp tier.

39. The gaming device of claim 38, wherein said processor is programmed to determine that the player is automatically eligible to redeem the comp if said processor determines that the player has reached a second comp tier.

40. The gaming device of claim 39, wherein a first amount of comp eligibility points are earned from a first amount of gameplay of the player, and said processor is programmed to determine that the player has reached the first comp tier when the player has earned the first amount of comp eligibility points.

41. The gaming device of claim 40, wherein a second amount of comp eligibility points are earned from a second amount of gameplay of the player, and said processor is programmed to determine that the player has reached the second comp tier when the player has earned the second amount of comp eligibility points.

42. The gaming device of claim 40, wherein, upon a determination that the player has redeemed the comp, said processor is programmed to reduce the comp eligibility points accrued by the player by the first amount of comp eligibility points.

43. The gaming device of claim 37, wherein the comp is a first comp, and wherein the player becomes eligible for the first comp after accruing a first amount of comp eligibility points and becomes eligible for a second comp after accruing a second amount of comp eligibility points.

44. The gaming device of claim 37, wherein the comp is a first comp, and wherein the player becomes eligible for the first comp after accruing a first amount of comp eligibility points and becomes eligible for a second comp after accruing a second amount of comp eligibility points, and wherein upon a determination that the player has redeemed the second comp, said processor is programmed to reduce the comp eligibility points accrued by the player by the first amount of comp eligibility points and the second amount of comp eligibility points.

45. The gaming device of claim 37, wherein, upon a determination that the player has redeemed the comp, said processor is programmed to reduce accrued comp eligibility points by an associated amount of comp eligibility points.

46. The gaming device of claim 37, wherein said comp indicator comprises a comp indicator disposed on said gaming device, and wherein the comp indicator displays at least a first comp tier.

47. The gaming device of claim 37, wherein said comp indicator comprises at least a first comp tier displayed within the comp indicator having a plurality of sections, each section of the plurality of sections representing a different threshold of gameplay of the player.

48. The gaming device of claim 37, wherein said comp indicator is configured to display sections being filled in when an amount of gameplay of the player reaches corresponding thresholds for each section.

49. The gaming device of claim 37, wherein the player accrues comp eligibility points at a first rate if the player is determined to be a member of the first tier of the player reward program, and the player accrues comp eligibility points at a second rate if the player is determined to be a member of the second tier of the player reward program.

50. The gaming device of claim 37, further comprising a player tracking module configured to display said comp indicator.

51. The gaming device of claim 37, wherein the processor is further programmed to accrue comp eligibility points at a first rate if the player is determined to be a member of a first tier of a player reward program, and to accrue comp eligibility points at a second rate if the player is determined to be a member of a second tier of the player reward program, the second rate being higher than the first rate.

52. The gaming device of claim 37 wherein the first tier of the player reward program is lower than the second tier of the player reward program.

53. The gaming device of claim 37 wherein the indication that the player is eligible for the comp is provided via the payment output device.

54. The gaming device of claim 37 wherein the comp indicator comprises a light that is illuminated when the comp indicator is activated.

55. The gaming device of claim 37 further comprising a plurality of colored lights, wherein the comp indicator illuminates one of the plurality of colored lights based on the accrued comp eligibility points.

56. The gaming device of claim 37 wherein the comp indicator provides a comp notification that the player is eligible for the comp in response to determining that the player is eligible for the comp.

57. A gaming device, comprising:

a processor programmed to provide a game of chance to a player and to determine whether the player is eligible for a comp;

an electronic storage device configured to store gameplay data for the game of chance;

a user interface device configured to receive input from the player to enable the player to play the game of chance;

a payment input device configured to enable the player to input money or credits for use in the game of chance;

a payment output device configured to enable the player to withdraw money or credits from said gaming device;

a card reader device configured to receive data from a player reward card;

a randomization device configured to randomly determine a game outcome for the game of chance; and

a comp indicator configured to be activated upon a determination that the player is eligible for a comp, wherein, upon a determination that the player has redeemed the comp, said processor is programmed to maintain accrued comp eligibility points earned by the player without reducing the comp eligibility points in response to the player redeeming the comp.

58. The gaming device of claim 57, wherein the processor is further programmed to accrue comp eligibility points at a first rate if the player is determined to be a member of a first tier of a player reward program, and causing the player to accrue comp eligibility points at a second rate if the player is determined to be a member of a second tier of the player reward program.

59. The gaming device of claim 57, wherein the player accrues comp eligibility points based on gameplay of the player upon a determination that the player is a member of a first tier of a player reward program, and wherein the player is automatically awarded the comp, regardless of gameplay, upon a determination that the player is a member of a second tier of the player reward program.

60. The gaming device of claim 57 wherein the processor is further programmed to accrue comp eligibility points at a higher rate if the player is determined to be a member of a player reward program.

61. A gaming device, comprising:

a processor programmed to provide a game of chance to a player and to determine whether the player is eligible for a comp;

an electronic storage device configured to store gameplay data for the game of chance;

a user interface device configured to receive input from the player to enable the player to play the game of chance;

a payment input device configured to enable the player to input money or credits for use in the game of chance;

a payment output device configured to enable the player to withdraw money or credits from said gaming device;

a card reader device configured to receive data from a player reward card;

a randomization device configured to randomly determine a game outcome for the game of chance; and

a comp indicator configured to be activated upon a determination that the player is eligible for a comp, wherein the comp is a first comp, and wherein the player becomes eligible for the first comp after accruing a first amount of comp eligibility points and becomes eligible for a second comp after accruing a second amount of comp eligibility points, and wherein upon a determination that the player has redeemed the second comp, said processor is programmed to maintain a number of comp eligibility points earned by the player without reducing the comp eligibility points by the first amount of comp eligibility points or the second amount of comp eligibility points.

62. A gaming device, comprising:

a processor programmed to provide a game of chance to a player and to determine whether the player is eligible for a comp;

an electronic storage device configured to store gameplay data for the game of chance;

a user interface device configured to receive input from the player to enable the player to play the game of chance;

a payment input device configured to enable the player to input money or credits for use in the game of chance;

a payment output device configured to enable the player to withdraw money or credits from said gaming device;

a randomization device configured to randomly determine a game outcome for the game of chance; and

a comp indicator configured to be activated upon a determination that the player is eligible for a comp, wherein the player accrues comp eligibility points based on a gameplay of the player upon a determination that the player is a member of a first tier of a player reward program, and wherein the player is automatically awarded the comp, regardless of gameplay, upon a determination that the player is a member of a second tier of the player reward program.

63. The gaming device of claim 62 wherein the processor is further programmed to accrue comp eligibility points in amounts that vary based on whether the player is a member of a player reward program and, if so, a player reward program status.

64. The gaming device of claim 62 wherein the processor is further programmed to accrue comp eligibility points at a first rate if the player is determined to be a member of a first tier of a player reward program, and to accrue comp eligibility points at a second rate if the player is determined to be a member of a second tier of the player reward program.

65. The gaming device of claim 62 wherein the processor is further programmed to determine that the player has redeemed the comp, and to continue accruing comp eligibility points without reducing the comp eligibility points in response to the player redeeming the comp.