Method and apparatus for outputting a message at a game machine

• US 20060148551A1
• Filed: 03/10/2006
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Russell P. Sammon, Stephen C. Tulley, Steven M. Santisi
• Original Assignee: James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Russell P. Sammon, Stephen C. Tulley, Steven M. Santisi
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tulley, Stephen C., Santisi, Steven M., Sammon, Russell P., Walker, Jay S.
• Application Number:
  US11/373,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20060148551A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements

Abstract

The invention allows a casino, or other entity, via a game machine, to provide relevant information at appropriate times, and/or in response to appropriate events, to players using the game machine. A dynamic and flexible system adapted to interact with players on an individual basis by aiding in the management, determination, distribution, and delivery of promotional, inspirational, instructive, informational, communicative, incentive, and other types of messages, is provided. Various methods are provided to ensure that receiving messages at a game machine enhances a player'"'"'s overall gaming experience by selectively outputting helpful and desirable messages to players while minimizing interference with the players'"'"' gaming and to avoid overwhelming players with unsolicited, unwanted, and/or irrelevant messages.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining a result at a game machine based on a random number and a first value of a variable selected by a player;

outputting the result to the player;

determining a hypothetical result at the game machine based on the random number and a second value of the variable; and

outputting the hypothetical result to the player.

2. The method of claim 1, further including:

determining a message based upon a difference between the result and the hypothetical result.

3. The method of claim 2, further including:

displaying the message in a partition on the game machine,

wherein the partition is a pop-up window.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the message includes determining a recommendation of a feature on the game machine based upon the difference between the result and the hypothetical result.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the feature corresponds to the second value of the variable.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second value is a value recommended to the player, but not selected by the player, prior to the determination of the result.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the hypothetical result to the player comprises outputting a recommendation of the second value of the variable to the player, the recommendation comprising a recommendation that the player select the second value prior to initiating a subsequent game play.

8. An apparatus, comprising:

a processor,

a memory operatively connected to the processor, the memory storing a program for directing the processor,

the processor operable with the memory and the program to;

perform the method of claim 1.

9. A method, comprising:

receiving an indication by a player of a first value of a parameter;

determining a first outcome of a game based on the first value of the parameter;

displaying the first outcome of the game to the player;

providing a payout to the player based on the first outcome;

determining a second value of the parameter;

determining a second outcome of a game based on the second value of the parameter; and

indicating the second outcome to the player.

10. The method of claim 9, further including:

determining a message based upon a difference between the first outcome and the second outcome.

11. The method of claim 10, further including:

displaying the message in a partition on the game machine,

wherein the partition is a pop-up window.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein determining the message includes determining a recommendation of a feature on the game machine based upon the difference between the first outcome and the second outcome.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the feature corresponds to the second value of the parameter.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining whether the first outcome corresponds to a payout, thereby determining a first payout;

providing the first payout to the player if the first outcome corresponds to a payout;

determining whether the second outcome corresponds to a payout, thereby determining a second payout; and

preventing the second payout from being provided to the player if the second outcome corresponds to a payout.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein indicating the second outcome to the player comprises indicating the second payout to the player.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein indicating the second payout to the player further comprises:

determining a difference between the first payout and the second payout;

determining whether the second payout is greater than the first payout; and

outputting an indication of the second payout to the player only if the second payout is greater than the first payout.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein indicating the second outcome to the player comprises indicating to the player a difference in what a result of the game would have been if the second value had been used to determine the first outcome.