Player tracking system with player preference database

• US 20080004996A1
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Kuehling, Brian L.
• Application Number:
  US11/471,175
• Publication Number:
  US 20080004996A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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

A system and method for providing service to a casino customer is disclosed. A database is provided for collecting and storing customer preference information. The customer is preferably provided with a casino card or other element that identifies the customer and is used to pair the customer with his or her preference information. A first communication link is provided between the database and a service center, such as a bar, to send customer preference information, such as a beverage, for preparation. A second communication link is provided between a tracking server and the service center to transmit information regarding the specific location of the customer. After the service center prepares the preferred item, it is delivered to the customer. In one embodiment, the service system is associated with a casino customer reward system that rewards a customer based on gaming activity.

Claims

1. A system for providing service to a casino customer, comprising:

a database for collecting and storing customer preference information;

a service center for preparing preferred goods and services for the customer;

a tracking server, responsive to an input or reader device, for tracking the location of the customer;

a first communication link between the database and the service center to send customer preference information to the service center;

a second communication link between the tracking server and the service center to send customer location information to the service center; and

means for delivering the preferred goods and services to the customer.

2. The casino customer service system of claim 1, wherein the service system is associated with a casino customer reward system that rewards the customer based on gaming activity.

3. The casino customer service system of claim 1, wherein the input or reader device comprises a card reader associated with a gaming machine.

4. The casino customer service system of claim 1, wherein the input or reader device comprises a touch screen, configured with biometric identification ability, associated with a gaming machine.

5. The casino customer service system of claim 1, wherein the input or reader device comprises a workstation.

6. The casino customer service system of claim 1, wherein the first or second communication link comprises a mobile device configured for wireless communication.

7. The casino customer service system of claim 1, wherein the customer preference information comprises a beverage choice.

8. The casino customer service system of claim 1, wherein the customer preference information comprises a snack item choice.

9. The casino customer service system of claim 1, wherein the customer preference information comprises a tobacco product choice.

10. The casino customer service system of claim 1, wherein the customer preference information is differentiated by time of day.

11. The casino customer service system of claim 1, wherein the customer preference information is differentiated by day of the week.

12. The casino customer service system of claim 1, wherein beverages are delivered to customers repeatedly after a period of time elapses.

13. The casino customer service system of claim 1, wherein the player'"'"'s nationality is identified as an item of customer preference information.

14. A method of providing service to a casino customer during game play, comprising the steps of:

collecting and storing customer preference information in a database;

providing the customer with an identification element that identifies the customer;

reading the identification element to locate the customer in the casino when the identification element is presented to a reader device in the casino;

electronically transmitting the customer preference information to a customer service center to have a preferred good or a preferred service prepared for the customer; and

delivering the preferred good or the preferred service to the customer, wherein the customer is located within the casino based on the reading of the identification element.

15. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, further comprising the step of electronically transmitting the location of the customer to the customer service center.

16. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, further comprising the step of associating the service with a casino customer reward system that rewards the customer based on gaming activity.

17. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, wherein the reader device comprises a card reader associated with a gaming machine.

18. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, wherein the identification element is configured with radio frequency identification which transmits a signal to a radio frequency identification reader.

19. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, wherein the reader device comprises a biometric identification device associated with a gaming machine.

20. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, wherein the input device comprises a workstation used to enter customer preference information.

21. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, wherein the customer preference information comprises a beverage choice.

22. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, wherein the customer preference information comprises a snack item choice.

23. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, wherein the customer preference information comprises a tobacco product choice.

24. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, wherein the customer preference information is differentiated by time of day.

25. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, wherein the customer preference information is differentiated by day of the week.

26. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, wherein beverages are delivered to customers repeatedly after a period of time elapses.

27. The method of providing service to a casino customer as in claim 14, wherein the player'"'"'s nationality is identified as an item of customer preference information.