Method and system for operating a gaming device offering non-gaming services

• US 20020116284A1
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Published: 08/22/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Steelman Gaming Technology
• Original Assignee: Steelman Gaming Technology
• Inventors: Topham, Jeffrey S., Duperault, Donald, Cernuto, Paul K., Miles, Heston, Steelman, Paul C.
• Application Number:
  US09/967,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20020116284A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/02 Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3216 Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects

Abstract

A method of using a gaming device, a gaming device system, and user interfaces are described. A method of operating a gaming device includes invoking one or more software modules and invoking a graphics module in communication with the one or more software modules. A screen display is then outputted as determined by the one or more software modules and as provided by the graphics module. The user interface on the gaming device offers the user the option of selecting a non-gaming function without having to leave the gaming device. Such non-gaming functions include ordering beverages, making hotel reservations, purchasing tickets, watching videos, and listening to music.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming device comprising:

a gaming device invoking one or more software modules;

invoking a graphics module in communication with the one or more software modules; and

outputting a screen display as determined by the one or more software modules and as provided by the graphics module.

5. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the second software component does not execute instructions relating to game logic.

6. A system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first software component does not contain graphic elements for display on the gaming device.

2. A gaming device comprising:

a processor;

a monitor;

one or more middleware modules;

one or more graphics modules wherein a graphics module provides a screen display for display on the monitor according to instructions provided by the one or more middleware modules.

3. A method of providing non-gaming functions on a gaming device comprising:

displaying a non-gaming service on a monitor of the gaming device;

accepting input from the monitor relating to the non-gaming service;

processing the input wherein a non-gaming engine in the gaming device is invoked; and

displaying a graphical user interface on the monitor provided by an animation generator separate from the non-gaming engine, wherein the animation generator receives instructions from the non-gaming engine.

4. A system for processing input on a gaming device comprising:

a processor;

a memory;

a first software component containing a game engine and a graphics interface; and

a second software component containing a plurality of graphic elements for use on the gaming device, wherein the first software component instructs the second software component on displaying one or more graphic elements on the gaming device.

7. A method of increasing use of a gaming device enabling a user of the gaming device to obtain a service or good with a benefit, wherein the service or good is obtained through operations performed by the user on the gaming device and wherein the benefit is related to use of the gaming device by the user.

8. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the benefit is a discount given to the user related to the service or good.

9. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the use of the gaming device includes a change in denomination by the user, length of time the user is using the gaming device, and an amount of a loss or win by the user on the gaming device.

10. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein the service or good is one of hotel reservations, tickets, and beverages.

11. A method of increasing use of a gaming device by providing a user of the gaming device with entertainment content selected by the user while playing a game and wherein the user can request the entertainment content without having to leave the gaming device.

12. A method as recited in claim 11 wherein the entertainment content is one of television content, movies, music, and music videos.

14. A method as recited in claim 13 wherein the content of specific interest is one of restaurant wait time information, day care video feed, and online content chosen by the user.

16. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 15 wherein the second region contains a plurality of subregions;

a subregion containing a fourth content representing a non-game function.

17. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 16 wherein the fourth content representing a non-game function is a symbol representing one of making a hotel reservation, viewing a video feed, viewing entertainment content, purchasing tickets, requesting change, and ordering a beverage.

18. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 15 wherein the first region contains one or more subregions, a subregion capable of simultaneously displaying a fifth content and a sixth content.

19. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 18 wherein one of the fifth content or the sixth content is displayed in an altered manner.

13. A method of increasing use of a gaming device by providing a user of the gaming device with audio/visual content of specific interest to the user while the user is playing a game and wherein the user can request the content without having to leave the gaming device.

15. A graphical user interface on a gaming device comprising:

a first region for displaying a first content relating to a game;

a second region for displaying a second content relating to one or more non-game related services; and

a third region for displaying a third content relating to a non-game related service wherein the third content is determined by a selection made from the second content displayed in the second region.

20. A graphical user interface on a gaming device comprising:

a gaming region containing game content;

a service menu region containing one or more symbols representing one or more services; and

a service region containing service content corresponding to the one or more services.

21. A graphical user interface as recited in claim 20 wherein the one or more services include beverage ordering, change, hotel room reservations, show tickets, restaurant table information, video feeds from public and private cameras, video feeds from television, cable and satellite, music videos, and music.

22. A method of offering a service comprising:

receiving a first input from a user on a gaming device;

processing the input on a processor associated with the gaming device; and

offering the service to the user according to whether the input entitles the user to the service.

23. A method as recited in claim 22 wherein the service is selected from the group consisting of beverages, hotel reservations, tickets, video, television, and music.

24. A method as recited in claim 22 wherein offering the service further includes offering a benefit to the user related to the service.

26. A method as recited in claim 25 wherein the non-gaming service is selected from the group consisting of hotel room reservations, tickets, video, television, music, and drinks.

27. A method as recited in claim 25 wherein a benefit relating to the non-gaming service is obtained.

25. A method of obtaining a service comprising:

utilizing a gaming device offering a non-gaming service; and

providing a particular amount of input to the gaming device such that the non-gaming service is obtained.