Method and apparatus for player communication

• US 20040082384A1
• Filed: 09/04/2003
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Sammon, Russell P., Walker, Jay S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,972,213 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/40
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• 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 17/3239 Tracking of individual players

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for monitoring gaming activities of a player at a gaming device. It is determined, based on the gaming activities, whether to initiate communication between the player and an individual. Communication is enabled between the player and the individual.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining that a player at a gaming device would like to communicate with another;

determining an individual who will communicate with the player; and

enabling communication between the player and the individual.

2. A method comprising:

monitoring gaming activities of a player at a gaming device;

determining, based on the gaming activities, whether to initiate communication between the player and an individual;

enabling communication between the player and the individual.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining a prompt based on the gaming activities.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

outputting the prompt to the individual.

5. The method of claim 3, n which the prompt comprises:

an offer for at least one of a product or service.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

enabling the individual to provide a service to the player.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

altering the state of the gaming device based on an input received form the individual.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor, and

a memory in communication with the processor, in which the memory stores a program that is operable to direct the processor to perform the method of claim 2.

9. A computer readable medium, which stores a program that is operable to direct a processor to perform the method of claim 2.