The embodiments described herein relate generally to gaming systems and, more particularly, to gaming systems and methods that provide player rewards.
At least some known gaming systems provide players with incentives to visit gambling locations, wherein the incentives are based at least partially on winning outcomes of electronic games. More specifically, a player is required to visit a gambling location or a redemption location to redeem an outcome. For example, at least some known gaming systems award a player for an outcome obtained while playing an online game, and require the player to redeem the outcome at a particular gambling location or redemption location. However, the outcome is known to the player at the completion of game play and generally, the outcome does not expire if they are not redeemed by the player within a specific time period.
Moreover, at least some known gaming systems enable a player to use a prepaid casino account that includes a specified amount of money, time, and/or game plays. At least some of such gaming systems require the player to use the specified amount of money, time, and/or game plays before a particular date by expiring a predetermined portion of the money, time, and/or game plays during each of a plurality of expiration periods. However, the prepaid casino account does not involve awards that are unknown to the player until a predetermined activation date. Moreover, any game outcome obtained by the player does not expire and the prepaid casino account is not reallocated to other players if the money, time, and/or game plays are not used within the specified amount of time.
This Brief Description is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Brief Description is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
In one aspect, a gaming machine that is coupled to at least one server via a network is provided. The gaming machine includes a display device configured to display a game to a player playing on the gaming machine, and a controller coupled to the display device. The controller is configured to detect an award trigger during play of the game, and award a token upon detection of the award trigger, wherein the token includes an activation date, an expiration date, and a value that is unknown to the player at the time of being awarded. In response to a redemption request by the player, the controller determines a redemption status of the token and, based on the redemption status, awards the token value to the player or notifies the player that the token is expired.
In another aspect, a gaming system is provided, and includes a plurality of gaming machines and at least one server coupled to the gaming machines via a network. Each gaming machine includes a display device configured to display a game and player account information to a player. The server is configured to detect an award trigger during play of the game at one of the gaming machines, and award a token to the player upon detection of the trigger, wherein the token includes an activation date, an expiration date, and a value that is unknown to the player at the time of being awarded. The server is also configured to receive a redemption request from the player, determine a redemption status of the token, and based on the redemption status, award the token value to the player or notify the player that the token is expired.
Another aspect provides a method for providing awards in a gaming system that includes at least one gaming machine and at least one server coupled to the gaming machine via a network. The method includes detecting an award trigger during play of the game on the gaming machine, and awarding a token to the player upon detection of the trigger, wherein the token includes an activation date, an expiration date, and a value that is unknown to the player at the time of being awarded. The method also includes receiving a redemption request from the player, and determining a redemption status of the token. In response to a determination that the redemption status is active, the token value is awarded to the player. In response to a determination that the redemption status is expired, the player is notified that the token is expired.
In yet another aspect, one or more computer-readable storage media are provide having computer-executable components therein for providing awards in a gaming system that includes at least one gaming machine and at least one server coupled to the gaming machine via a network. The components include a game component that causes at least one processor to display a game to a player via the gaming machine, and a detection component that causes at least one processor to detect an award trigger during play of the game on the gaming machine. An award component causes at least one processor to award a token to the player upon detection of the trigger, wherein the token includes an activation date, an expiration date, and a value that is unknown to the player at the time of being awarded. An award redemption component causes at least one processor to receive a redemption request from the player, determine a redemption status of the token and, based on the redemption status, award the token value to the player or notify the player that the token is expired.
The embodiments described herein may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Exemplary embodiments of apparatus, systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for awarding tokens during game play are described above in detail. The apparatus, systems, methods, and storage media are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein but, rather, steps of the methods and/or components of the system and/or apparatus may be utilized independently and separately from other steps and/or components described herein. Further, the described steps and/or components may also be defined in, or used in combination with, other systems, methods, and/or apparatus, and are not limited to practice with only the systems, methods, and storage media as described herein.
A gaming machine or gaming system server, such as those described herein, includes at least one processor or processing unit and a system memory. The gaming machine or gaming system typically has at least some form of computer readable media. By way of example and not limitation, computer readable media include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media include volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Communication media typically embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and include any information delivery media. Those skilled in the art are familiar with the modulated data signal, which has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. Combinations of any of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.
Although the present invention is described in connection with an exemplary gaming system environment, embodiments of the invention are operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose gaming system environments or configurations. The gaming system environment is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of any aspect of the invention. Moreover, the gaming system environment should not be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment. Examples of well known gaming systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with aspects of the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, mobile telephones, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
Embodiments of the invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program components or modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Aspects of the invention may be implemented with any number and organization of components or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific computer-executable instructions or the specific components or modules illustrated in the figures and described herein. Alternative embodiments of the invention may include different computer-executable instructions or components having more or less functionality than illustrated and described herein.
The order of execution or performance of the operations in the embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the invention may include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation is within the scope of aspects of the invention.
In some embodiments, a processor includes any programmable system including systems and microcontrollers, reduced instruction set circuits (RISC), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic circuits (PLC), and any other circuit or processor capable of executing the functions described herein. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term processor.
In some embodiments, a database includes any collection of data including hierarchical databases, relational databases, flat file databases, object-relational databases, object oriented databases, and any other structured collection of records or data that is stored in a computer system. The above examples are exemplary only, and thus are not intended to limit in any way the definition and/or meaning of the term database. Examples of databases include, but are not limited to only including, Oracle® Database, MySQL, IBM® DB2, Microsoft® SQL Server, Sybase®, and PostgreSQL. However, any database may be used that enables the systems and methods described herein. (Oracle is a registered trademark of Oracle Corporation, Redwood Shores, Calif.; IBM is a registered trademark of International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y.; Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.; and Sybase is a registered trademark of Sybase, Dublin, Calif.)
When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or embodiments thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,” including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.
Technical effects of apparatus, methods, systems, and computer-readable media described herein include at least one of (a) receiving player registration details for use by player tracking and token management servers in a gaming system; (b) initiating game play; (c) detecting an award trigger during game play; (d) awarding a token to the player, wherein the token includes an activation date, an expiration date, and a nonredeemable value upon being awarded, and wherein the token value is unknown to at least the player upon being awarded; (e) comparing a current date with the activation date, and notifying the player that the token is active; (f) comparing the current date with the expiration date, and notifying the player that the token is expired or is about to expire; (g) receiving a redemption request from the player, and determining a redemption status; (h) awarding the token to the player if the redemption status of the token is active; (i) notifying the player that the token is expired if the redemption status of the token is expired; and (j) reallocating token values of expired tokens to one or more other players.
In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 includes a main cabinet 102 having a main door 104 coupled to a front 106 of gaming machine 100. When opened, door 104 provides access to an interior (not shown) of gaming machine 100. In the exemplary embodiment, a plurality of player-input switches and/or buttons 108 is coupled to main door 104. Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, a coin acceptor 110, for accepting coins and/or tokens, a bill acceptor 112, for accepting and/or validating cash bills, coupons and/or ticket vouchers, a coin tray 114, for collecting a coin-based payout, and a belly glass 116 are each coupled to main door 104. A primary display device 118 and an information panel 120 are viewable through main door 104. Primary display device 118 may be implemented as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a flat-panel liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a multi-layer display (MLD), or any other electronically-controlled video monitor. Moreover, primary display device 118 may include touch screen capabilities. In the exemplary embodiment, information panel 120 is a back-lit, silk screened glass panel that includes lettering to indicate general game information including, for example, a number of coins wagered. Coin acceptor 110, bill acceptor 112, player-input buttons 108, video display monitor 118, and information panel 120 are each used by a player to play a game on gaming machine 100. Each component 108, 110, 112, 118, and/or 120 is controlled by a gaming machine controller (not shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 also includes a top box 122 that is positioned on a top surface 124 of main cabinet 102. In the exemplary embodiment, top box 122 includes a number of devices that may be used to add features to a game being played on gaming machine 100. Such devices may include, but are not limited to only including, speakers 126, 128, and 130, a ticket printer 132 for printing bar-coded tickets 134, a key pad 136 for entering player tracking information, or player preferences or characteristics, a display 138 for displaying player tracking information and/or player preferences or characteristics, and a card reader 140 for receiving a card containing player tracking information and/or player preferences or characteristics encoded thereon. Card reader 140 may also be used to accept credit cards, printed cards, smart cards, and/or other magnetic stripe cards. Moreover, top box 122 includes a secondary display device 142 that displays, for example, player information, an attract sequence, a bonus game, or any other suitable images. Secondary display device 142 may be implemented as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a flat-panel liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, a multi-layer display (MLD), or any other electronically-controlled video monitor. Moreover, secondary display device 142 may include touch screen capabilities. Top box 122 may house additional devices not shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 includes a player account interface. The player account interface may be displayed via primary display device 118, secondary display device 142, or, as shown in
As described above, gaming machines 100 may include video poker machines, video slot machines, and/or other similar gaming machines that implement alternative games. Moreover, gaming machines 100 may be terminal-based machines, wherein the actual games, including random number generation and/or outcome determination, are performed at a server, such as servers 302, 304, and/or 306. In such an embodiment, gaming machine 100 displays results of the game via primary display device 118 (shown in
Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment, gaming system 300 includes a configuration workstation 314 that includes a user interface that enables an administrator to set up and/or to modify portions of gaming system 300 and/or servers 302, 304, and 306. Player tracking server 306 tracks data of players using gaming machines 100, and also controls messages that appear on each display device 118 and 142 and/or information panel 120 of gaming machines 100. In the exemplary embodiment, player tracking server 306 also stores physical characteristics of players, such as the player age and/or vision data. Token management server 302 controls bonus applications or bonus systems that award token opportunities on gaming system 300. Moreover, token management server 302 includes a set of rules for awarding jackpots in excess of those established by winning pay tables (not shown) of each gaming machine 100. Some bonus awards may be awarded randomly, while other bonus awards may be made to groups of gaming machines 100 operating in a progressive jackpot mode. Player tracking server 306 may store data related to the players tracked by a player tracking identification, such as a player card. Moreover, player tracking server 306 may store information and data about the player such as loyalty points, player address, phone number, and the like that may be retrieved and transmitted to the token management server 302. Accounting server 304 may store and track information such as the average amount of wager played by the player, any funds the player may have in an account, and the like.
Furthermore, gaming system 300 includes one or more remote computers 316 and/or mobile devices 318 that access system 300 via an external network, such as the Internet.
In some embodiments, token management server 302 also includes a configuration manager 410 that enables a user to setup, configure, and/or modify various token awards 412 that are offered and qualifying criteria 414 that must be met to be offered to the player. Qualifying criteria 414 may be any parameters such as game theme, denomination, location in the casino, bonus length, player data, prizes offered, bonus type, bonus acceptance time, or any other desired qualifying criteria. Configuration manager 410 may be used in cooperation with or configuration workstation 314 (shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, token management server 302 also includes a token communicator 416 that is coupled to processor 406. Token communicator 416 gathers the necessary data and information associated with token awards and players from accounting server 304 and player tracking server 306 (both shown in
Player data records 508 may be obtained from player tracking server 306 (shown in
Database 308 also stores token criteria 512, which may be any information used to determine whether a player is qualified to receive a particular token 514. Token criteria records 512 may be based upon player data records 516, a type of game played 518, a predetermined time frame stored in a token expiration manager 520, or any other token criteria 512.
Processor 406 (shown in
As shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, and as shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, the player then initiates 904 play of a game at gaming machine 100. The game is presented to the player via primary display device 118 and/or secondary display device 142 (shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, after detecting an award trigger, a token is issued 908 to the player. In one embodiment, gaming machine controller 202 awards the token. In an alternative embodiment, token management server 302 awards the token. In the exemplary embodiment, gaming machine 100 displays a celebration sequence via primary display device 118 and/or secondary display device 142. The token includes an expiration date, an activation date, and a value. However, in the exemplary embodiment, the token has no redeemable value until the activation date.
Upon arrival of the activation date associated with a token that has been awarded, the player is notified 910 that the token is active and may be redeemed. For example, if the player is involved in a gaming session on the activation date, gaming machine 100 may display a message to the player via primary display device 118, secondary display device 142, and/or retrofit unit 144 that the token is now active and may be redeemed. Alternatively, the player may remotely monitor the status of awarded tokens via remote computer 316 and/or mobile device 318. For example, token management server 302 may send an email or an instant message to the player via remote computer 316, or may send a text message to the player via mobile device 318. In addition, token management server 302 may place an automated phone call to mobile device 318 or to any other a phone number associated with the player. It should be understood that any combination of the above-described notifications may be used to alert the player that a token has become active. In some embodiments, the alert message may also remind the player of the expiration date associated with the token and/or associated with all tokens the player has been awarded. Moreover, the activation date may be based on a player level such that a player with a higher player level has either a shorter or a longer time period between being awarded the token and the activation date than a player with a lower player level.
In the exemplary embodiment, and either after the activation date or on the activation date, the player may redeem one or more tokens that are active. Specifically, the player submits 912 a redemption request via gaming machine 100 or a kiosk. In some embodiments, the player is prompted to log into gaming system 300 via an interface presented on primary display device 118, by inserting a player tracking card into card reader 140 (shown in
In one embodiment, token management server 302 randomly selects the token value from database 308 (shown in
In the exemplary embodiment, in response to a determination that the token has expired, the player is notified 920 that the token has expired. Specifically, token management server 302 transmits a message to gaming machine 100 related to the expired status of the token, and gaming machine controller 202 generates an image for display on primary display device 118, secondary display device 142, and/or retrofit unit 144. In some embodiments, the message also includes the token value associated with the expired token. Alternatively, such a message may be displayed to the player, for example, at a kiosk within the casino, via remote computer 316, or via mobile device 318.
In some embodiments, the player may request an extension to the active period. For example, in one embodiment, when gaming machine 100 displays the expired message, the player may initiate a redemption extension request via player account interface 600 (shown in
Moreover, in some embodiments, the player may utilize player account interface 600 to initiate other transaction types with other players or with gaming system 300. For example, a first player may initiate a trade transaction with a second player in order to acquire a token that expires at a more advantageous time for the first player, such as a later time when the first player will be more able to redeem the token. Upon initiating a trade transaction, gaming machine controller 202 transmits a message to token management server 302, which updates the player accounts of each of the first and second players to reflect the trade. As another example, a first player may initiate a sale transaction with a second player, wherein the second player offers some value to the first player in exchange for an active token. Upon initiating a sale transaction, gaming machine controller 202 transmits a message to token management server 302, which updates the player accounts of each of the first and second players to reflect the sale. As yet another example, a first player may initiate a purchase transaction with a second player, wherein the first player offers some value to the second player in exchange for an active token. Upon initiating a purchase transaction, gaming machine controller 202 transmits a message to token management server 302, which updates the player accounts of each of the first and second players to reflect the purchase.
In the exemplary embodiment, token management server 302 reallocates 922 the value of each expired token. In one embodiment, token management server 302 reallocates an expired token when a player attempts to redeem the token. In an alternative embodiment, token management server 302 periodically monitors the expiration status of all tokens. When a token becomes expired, token management server 302 automatically reallocates the value associated with the expired token. The token values may be reallocated based on one or more of a number of variables. For example, token values may be evenly reallocated only to all players that have a particular player level, e.g., A-list players. Alternatively, token values may be randomly reallocated to all A-list players. As another example, token values may be evenly reallocated to all players having non-expired accounts. Alternatively, token values may be randomly reallocated to all players having non-expired accounts. As another example, token values may be reallocated only to A-list players that have played within a specific time period, or to any player that has played within the specific time. As yet another example, token values may be reallocated to top rated players within a particular player level, such as players having the highest number of player points or the most tokens awarded. Moreover, token values may be reallocated in proportion to an account value of each non-expired account. It should be understood that any of the above reallocation schemes may be used in alone or in combination. Moreover, any other suitable reallocation scheme may be used in alone or in combination with the above reallocation schemes.
In some embodiments, players may set and/or modify player account settings related to tokens awarded. The player may set and/or modify the settings using player account interface 600 via gaming machine 100, remote computer 316, or mobile device 318. The player may specify how token values are to be used if they are about to expire. For example, the player may specify that token management server 302 is to automatically wager on a progressive entry or lottery entry for the token value associated with a token that is about to expire. As another example, the player may specify that token management server 302 is to convert a monetary token value into a non-monetary prize, such as a coupon for entertainment or a hotel discount.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.