Flexible loyalty points programs
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method of awarding loyalty points to a patron of a gaming establishment on a gaming apparatus, the computer-implemented method comprising:
- receiving in the gaming apparatus a first loyalty program instrument storing computer readable data representing loyalty points earned from a first activity not associated with the gaming apparatus;
validating the first loyalty program instrument;
receiving activity data associated with a second activity by the patron of said gaming establishment;
determining based on the activity data that the second activity accrues additional loyalty points;
accruing the additional loyalty points for the patron during the second activity;
awarding to the patron some or all of the additional loyalty points accrued during the second activity;
combining the additional loyalty points and the loyalty points earned from the first activity; and
issuing to the patron a computer readable loyalty program instrument storing the combined loyalty points thereon as computer readable data.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A disclosed a loyalty program transaction network provides a plurality of loyalty program instrument generation sites that award loyalty points. The loyalty points may be stored on loyalty point instruments such as printed tickets, magnetic-striped cards, room keys, portable wireless devices and smart cards. The loyalty program instruments may be issued to a patron of a gaming establishment without receiving identification information from the patron. At a loyalty program validation site, the loyalty program instruments may be used to redeem loyalty points for goods and services or the loyalty program instruments may be used to add loyalty points to an existing loyalty program account. Loyalty points may be earned by the patron during a number of activities such as playing a gaming machine, playing a game of chance, a food purchase, an entertainment purchase, a transportation purchase, a lodging purchase, a merchandise purchase and a service purchase.
367 Citations
49 Claims
-
1. A computer-implemented method of awarding loyalty points to a patron of a gaming establishment on a gaming apparatus, the computer-implemented method comprising:
-
receiving in the gaming apparatus a first loyalty program instrument storing computer readable data representing loyalty points earned from a first activity not associated with the gaming apparatus; validating the first loyalty program instrument; receiving activity data associated with a second activity by the patron of said gaming establishment; determining based on the activity data that the second activity accrues additional loyalty points; accruing the additional loyalty points for the patron during the second activity; awarding to the patron some or all of the additional loyalty points accrued during the second activity; combining the additional loyalty points and the loyalty points earned from the first activity; and issuing to the patron a computer readable loyalty program instrument storing the combined loyalty points thereon as computer readable data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
-
-
24. A computer-implemented method of awarding loyalty points to a game player on a gaming machine, the computer-implemented method comprising:
-
receiving in the gaming machine a first machine readable loyalty program instrument storing loyalty points earned from a first activity not associated with the gaming machine; validating the first loyalty program instrument; receiving first gaming event data associated with a first gaming activity on the gaming machine; detecting, based on the first gaming event data, the first gaming activity initiated by the game player at the gaming machine; in response to detecting the first gaming activity, accruing loyalty points; receiving second gaming event data associated with a second gaming activity on the gaming machine; detecting, based on said second gaming event data, the second gaming activity at the gaming machine; in response to detecting the second gaming activity, accruing additional loyalty points; awarding to the game player some or all of the accrued loyalty points and the accrued additional loyalty points; combining the awarded loyalty points and the earned loyalty points; and issuing to the game player a machine readable loyalty program instrument storing the combined loyalty points thereon as machine readable data. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
-
-
48. A gaming apparatus comprising one or more processors configured for processing the following steps:
-
receiving in the gaming apparatus a first loyalty program instrument storing computer readable data representing loyalty points earned from a first activity not associated with the gaming apparatus; validating the first loyalty program instrument; receiving activity data associated with a second activity by the patron of said gaming establishment; determining based on the activity data that the second activity accrues additional loyalty points; accruing the additional loyalty points for the patron during the second activity; awarding to the patron some or all of the additional loyalty points accrued during the second activity; combining the additional loyalty points and the loyalty points earned from the first activity; and issuing a computer readable loyalty program instrument storing the combined loyalty points thereon as computer readable data.
-
-
49. A gaming machine comprising one or more processors configured for processing the following steps:
-
receiving in the gaming machine a first machine readable loyalty program instrument storing loyalty points earned from a first activity not associated with the gaming machine; validating the first loyalty program instrument; receiving first gaming event data associated with a first gaming activity on the gaming machine; detecting, based on the first gaming event data, the first gaming activity initiated at the gaming machine; in response to detecting the first gaming activity, accruing loyalty points; receiving second gaming event data associated with a second gaming activity on the gaming machine; detecting, based on the second gaming event data, the second gaming activity at the gaming machine; in response to detecting the second gaming activity, accruing additional loyalty points; awarding some or all of the accrued loyalty points and the accrued additional loyalty points; combining the awarded loyalty points and the earned loyalty points; and issuing a machine readable loyalty program instrument storing the combined loyalty points thereon as machine readable data.
-
Specification