Method and apparatus for players of wagering games to find friends in a gaming environment

• US 20080318655A1
• Filed: 06/25/2007
• Published: 12/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Davies, David Thomas Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/823,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20080318655A1
• 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 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3274 wherein the players cooperate, e.g. team-play

Abstract

Disclosed are gaming machines, including related methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for players of wagering games to find friends in a gaming environment. Player identification information identifies a first player of a first gaming device configured to play a game of chance. One or more friend-finding criteria associated with the identified first player are retrieved from a storage medium. A second player is identified as a friend or a friend candidate of the first player based on the retrieved friend-finding criteria. A location associated with the second player is identified as being in a designated area of the gaming environment. Output data indicating the identified second player is provided.

Claims

1. A method for players of wagering games to find friends in a gaming environment, the method comprising:

receiving player identification information identifying a first player of a first gaming device configured to play of a game of chance;

retrieving from a storage medium one or more friend-finding criteria associated with the identified first player;

identifying a second player as a friend or a friend candidate of the first player based on the retrieved friend-finding criteria, including identifying a location associated with the second player as being in a designated area of the gaming environment; and

providing output data indicating the identified second player.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the second player includes:

identifying an action associated with the second player as occurring within a designated timeframe.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the friend-finding criteria includes one or more selected from the group consisting of a buddies list, player tracking information, friend-finding player preferences, and data associated with a matching service accessible over a network.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the player tracking information includes one or more items associated with the first player and selected from the group consisting of one or more games, a type of machine, a status, points, an amount wagered, login information, a time of game play, game play history information, and a theoretical win.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the friend-finding player preferences include one or more items associated with the first player and selected from the group consisting of a personal characteristic, a restaurant, a sport, a show, and a hotel.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the output data includes displaying information associated with the second player on a display.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the storage medium is associated with a player account maintained for the first player.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a selection indicating desired communications with the second player.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a communications path for communications between the first player and the second player.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the communications path is determined in accordance with one or more of a preference and a restriction.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

providing a communications session between the first player and the second player over the determined communications path.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein identification of the second player is associated with a promotion.

13. An apparatus for players of wagering games to find friends in a gaming environment, the apparatus comprising:

an interface coupled to receive player identification information identifying a first player of a first gaming device configured to play of a game of chance; and

a processor coupled to the interface and configured to;

retrieve from a storage medium one or more friend-finding criteria associated with the identified first player,

identify a second player as a friend or a friend candidate of the first player based on the retrieved friend-finding criteria, including identifying a location associated with the second player as being in a designated area of the gaming environment, and

provide output data indicating the identified second player.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the interface includes a player tracking unit.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein identifying the second player includes:

identifying an action associated with the second player as occurring within a designated timeframe.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the friend-finding criteria includes one or more selected from the group consisting of a buddies list, player tracking information, friend-finding player preferences, and data associated with a matching service accessible over a network.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the player tracking information includes one or more items associated with the first player and selected from the group consisting of one or more games, a type of machine, a status, points, an amount wagered, login information, a time of game play, game play history information, and a theoretical win.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the friend-finding player preferences include one or more items associated with the first player and selected from the group consisting of a personal characteristic, a restaurant, a sport, a show, and a hotel.

19. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a display coupled to provide the output data, including information associated with the second player.

20. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the storage medium is associated with a player account maintained for the first player.

21. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

a player interface coupled to receive a selection indicating desired communications with the second player.

22. The apparatus of claim 13, the processor further configured to:

determine a communications path for communications between the first player and the second player.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the communications path is determined in accordance with one or more of a preference and a restriction.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, the processor further configured to:

provide a communications session between the first player and the second player over the determined communications path.

25. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein identification of the second player is associated with a promotion.

26. A system for players of wagering games to find friends in a gaming environment, the system comprising:

a gaming device in communication with a network, the gaming device including a player interface coupled to receive player identification information identifying a first player of a first gaming device configured to play of a game of chance; and

a server in communication with the network, the server including;

a network interface coupled to receive the player identification information from the gaming machine over the network, and

a processor coupled to the interface and configured to;

retrieve from a storage medium one or more friend-finding criteria associated with the identified first player,

identify a second player as a friend or a friend candidate of the player based on the retrieved friend-finding criteria, including identifying a location associated with the second player as being in a designated area of the gaming environment, and

provide output data indicating the identified second player.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the network is a private network.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the gaming device is associated with one selected from the group consisting of a table game, a bingo game, a keno game, and a sports game.