CN101500667A - Method and system for remote entry in frequent player programs - Google Patents

Abstract

The field of the invention relates generally to casino frequent player programs, and more specifically to providing special incentives for remote entry of casino affiliation or membership cards. The special incentives may include providing a prize or award to frequent player program members that remotely use his or her membership. The member may or may not be told of any winnings upon entry. In one example, the player is provided an indication of winning an incentive during play of an online game. In another example, the player may be required to obtain the winnings at the casino to encourage players to return to the casino. Also, the player may be required to redeem any winnings within a specified period of time. Further, the player incentives may be offered periodically, encouraging the player to periodically check their status remotely.

Description

The method and system of remote entry in frequent player programs

Technical field

The field of the invention relate generally to casino frequent player program more particularly is related to affiliation of Telnet public place of entertainment or membership card special incentive is provided.

Background technology

There are client's incentive programme in a lot of tissues and company.For instance, there is the frequent buyer program that allows member passenger to obtain tree travel after this member has obtained minimum voyage number or flown minimum mileage or other perquisites are provided in airline.There is the program that similarly is used for encouraging the client in company's (comprising hotel chains, chain, chain store and film taxi company) of a lot of other types.

Public place of entertainment also has similarly often patronizes the frequent player program that excitation is provided for the regular guest.For instance, (Mashantucket CT) provides the program that is called as Wampum Reward to Foxwoods Casino.The player who participates in this program accepts the card that a player uses when he arrives public place of entertainment.In an example implementation, the player swipes the card to allow that player to have an opportunity to win award at the specific information station that is positioned at this public place of entertainment.Wampum Rewards member may also brush his or her card when making a bet or spending inside this public place of entertainment and in the hotel, vacationland or the shop that are associated.When players bet or when spending more money, it is free or reduce the happiness of expense that the player becomes qualified acquisition.Other examples that are used for the frequent player program of casino environment comprise the Red Card program of the Totel Rewards program of well-known Harrah, Wynn Casino and the Trump Card program of Trump Casino.

The same with the incentive programme of frequent flyer program and other types, the typical target of casino frequent player program comprises increases the player loyalty degree gradually, the public place of entertainment and the encouragement player that provide excitation the player as far as possible often visit be associated spend money as much as possible in the place that is associated.

In order further to improve the effectiveness of player loyalty programs, subtend frequent player program member provides the new method of excitation that present and continuous demand are arranged.

Summary of the invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, provide a kind of method that is used for managing incentive programme.This method comprises following behavior: allow at least one frequent player program member of incentive programme to submit the identifying information that is associated with at least one frequent player program member to, and the Telnet excitation that at least one is special that responds the identifying information that is associated with at least one frequent player program member offers at least one frequent player program member.According to one embodiment of the invention, thereby this permission behavior further comprises the behavior that allows the long-range brush member card of user to discern at least one frequent player program member.According to another embodiment, the behavior of long-range brush member card is to key in unique identifier by this member to finish.According to another embodiment, the behavior of long-range brush member card is keyed in one of password and pass code in addition at least by this member and is finished.

According to one embodiment of the invention, at least a special incentive comprises at least one award or thanks with a gift.According to another embodiment, at least one award or to thank with a gift be that the frequent player program member gains by prize drawing.According to another embodiment, this member was not apprised of triumph before the players accesses land-based casino.According to another embodiment, this member must go land-based casino to accept at least one award or thank with a gift.According to another embodiment, the member must go land-based casino to accept at least one award or thank with a gift in the period of appointment.According to another embodiment, this method comprises that further the identifier with uniqueness offers member's behavior.

According to one embodiment of the invention, this method further comprises the behavior that at least one password or pass code is offered the member.According to another embodiment, the behavior of long-range brush member card be activate by video at least, one of audio frequency device that activate and that comprise card reader finishes.According to another embodiment, this device comprises one of information station, personal computer, handheld apparatus, phone and radio telephone at least.According to another embodiment, at least one award or thank with a gift and comprise one of currency, credit, commodity and loyalty point at least.According to another embodiment, at least one award or thank with a gift and comprise currency, and also this method further comprises the behavior of the currency of payment, comprises the behavior of one of cash call at least, check, fiscard and account credits.According to another embodiment, at least one award or thank with a gift and comprise loyalty point, and also this method further comprises the behavior of paying loyalty point, comprises one of loyalty program credit and account credits are provided at least.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a kind of method that is used for management game is provided, this method comprises following behavior: provide certain excitation to make the player get back to the lottery industry place, and the player is given in the indicated number that will encourage in the interface of remote computer system.According to an embodiment, remote computer system is positioned at the outside in lottery industry place.According to another embodiment, computer system is not the part in lottery industry place.

According to another embodiment, this method further comprises the behavior that excitation and player's proof of identification are connected.According to another embodiment, player's proof of identification comprises the proof of identification of frequent player.According to another embodiment, epideictic behaviour is included in the behavior that excitation is shown to during the game on line player of playing.

According to another embodiment, provide the behavior of excitation regularly to finish.According to another embodiment, this method further comprises to be determined excitation termly and will effectively encourage the behavior that is shown to the player in the interface of remote computer system.According to another embodiment, the behavior of definite excitation regularly further comprises determines that like this this time cycle of effectively encouraging is so that impel the player to check this interface termly.

According to an embodiment, the interface comprises the interface based on browser.According to another embodiment, remote computer system is connected with the lottery industry place via communication network.According to another embodiment, communication network comprises internet.According to another embodiment, this method further comprises wants the player to get back to the behavior that excitation is redeemed in the lottery industry place.According to another embodiment, this method further comprises the behavior of wanting the player to redeem excitation in predetermined periods.

According to an embodiment, the lottery industry place comprises land-based casino.In another embodiment, contact is to use the computer system in lottery industry place to realize.According to another embodiment, this method comprises that further the player follows the tracks of the behavior of the winning of excitation according to player's proof of identification.According to another embodiment, tracking behavior comprises the winning that uses frequent player identification to follow the tracks of excitation.According to another embodiment, the computer system in lottery industry place comprises one of player tracking systems, lottery industry machine, information station and casino management system at least.

The function of these and other embodiments of the present invention and interests will more fully be understood by the example that describes below.Below example tend to illustrate interests of the present invention, but not as the example of gamut of the present invention.

Description of drawings

These accompanying drawings are not thought to draw to scale.In the accompanying drawings, each of in various accompanying drawing, showing same or almost same element be with the performance of similar numeral.For clear, in every width of cloth picture, be not that each element is all marked out.

In these accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is the block diagram that can realize the general-purpose computing system of various embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the block diagram that can be used to put into practice the computer data stocking system of various embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a chart of showing the example element of long-range special incentive computer system according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a chart of showing the element of Telnet subsystem according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a chart of showing the element of dividend subsystem according to one embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a chart of showing the element of special incentive subsystem according to one embodiment of the invention.

The specific embodiment

The frequent player program of land-based casino wants players accesses land-based casino or joint operation place to obtain credit.Therefore, the player necessarily can obtainablely thank with a gift or be actuated to basis decision visit land-based casino with the individual.Yet not real additional attraction is striven for the players accesses land-based casino.

In addition, it will be appreciated that visiting certain land-based casino unchangeably may be inconvenient to lottery industry person.Yet because based on the lottery industry website of internet and the appearance of online public place of entertainment, land-based casino is being on a sticky wicket aspect the acquisition lottery industry person, because lottery industry person can have easier other the lottery industry chance that obtains.

One aspect of the present invention relate to be used for excitation offer the frequent player program member and encourage them to visit the method for land-based casino.A kind ofly implement being easy to use and combining with internet or other telecommunication techniques with the interests of frequent player program.More particularly, frequent player program member may to this member eaily position (for example, being in, on mobile phone) obtain certain excitation and get back to public place of entertainment.According to an embodiment, this additional excitation may need the member to get back to public place of entertainment to redeem this excitation.For instance, this excitation may be to the valuable award of this member, credit or other exiting forms.

In one embodiment of the invention, each frequent player program member has unique identifier (for example, account number or account name) and password or pass code.In another embodiment of the invention, frequent player program member may be because present with special excitation with the his or her frequent player program card of the long-range brush of mode of the frequent player program of the public place of entertainment approval identifier and the password of the his or her uniqueness of long-range key entry (or by).

Special incentive may be to aim at any program of member of swiping the card or otherwise using their frequent player program card long-range exclusively.This special incentive program may comprise, for instance, is presented to their extra award when swiping the card or otherwise using their frequent player program card or thanks with a gift when the frequent player program member is long-range.In one embodiment of the invention, extra award or thank with a gift and before he or she visits land-based casino, do not offer the member.In another embodiment of the invention, the member must visit land-based casino and obtain this extra award or thank with a gift in the period of appointment.For instance, the period of this appointment may be determined to be in the member card brushed certain set in period or set in period in certain of special incentive.For instance, the player visited land-based casino in the week or two months possibly after brushing his or her member card.In another example, the player is possibly earlier than special incentive expiry date (for example, on February 28th, 2006) the visit public place of entertainment of setting.

In another embodiment, encourage the long-range as far as possible continually brush of player or otherwise use their member card.In exemplary implements, system (for example, system 300) termly (for example, every day) determine that excitation is shown to the player with this excitation then.These excitations are to give the player's as the indicated number of winning on the display of remote system.Because excitation is to determine in the mode in cycle, encourage the player to continue to patronize the remote system interface.For instance, if determine that the cycle of excitation is once a day, then will encourage the player to use remote system to check whether they have gain any excitation.By this way, encourage to get back to public place of entertainment and remote interface.

In another embodiment of the invention, extra award or thank with a gift and may gain by prize drawing.In an example, whether frequent player program member may be apprised of them and win still defeated actually when login.Preferably, in order to encourage more member (or even fail member) visit land-based casino, this member was not apprised of their winning before he or she visits land-based casino.

In one was implemented, the computer system of public place of entertainment may determine when automatically that long-range frequent player program member is the winner.Such the possibility of result is automatically by this verification of computer system and examining.In this illustration, this computer system may notify subsequently this member he or she won and what winning is.Notifying the member to win may take place, for instance, by mail, Email, internet or other networks, phone, TV, pager, fax, information station or any other method.In one was implemented, the player may obtain the notice that they win during playing game on line.For instance, during object for appreciation was shown to player's game on line with winning, games may be configured to show the indication of winning excitation.The demonstration of this indication may occur in, for instance, the recreation the inside, maybe this demonstration may occur in the drama the inside (for example, the secondary recreation of this game on line) of another recreation.

After the winner was verified and examines, this computer system may be notified other triumphs member subsequently.In addition, this computer system may show member's identity and/or dividend.

The member may be able to use audio frequency that activate, that video activates or comprise card reader their frequent player program card of the long-range brush of the device identifier and the password of his or her uniqueness (or key in) with expression way.For instance, may use information station, the phone that demonstration is arranged, TV, computer or handheld apparatus.Yet people should figure out the input method (for example, by with hand member's identifier being imported computer system) that may use any other.

In one embodiment, computer system may be used for operating most of this operated from a distance.Computer system may be a computer, and this computer may be supercomputer, minicom, main frame or personal computer.Being used for the computer system of executable operations may comprise that also cooperation finishes the combination of any kind computer system of system-level task.Various computer system also may be used for executable operations.Computer system also may comprise and inputs or outputs device, display or memory cell.People should figure out and may use any single or various computer system, and the present invention is not limited to number, type or the configuration of any computer system.

Computer system (for example, system 300) according to various embodiment running game operation of the present invention may comprise, for instance, and one or more systems element shown in Figure 3.System's element may be handled frequent player program member's Telnet.Another system's element may be handled special incentive, and another system may handle dividend.Such system also may (for example, by through circuit or network) with comprise be used for handling public place of entertainment or hotel loyalty program, reservation, indoor TV, the system made a bet in the terrestrial information station or other computer systems of other system seen are connected.With may be to use one or more system elements that describe below being connected of other computer systems and realize.

Telnet element (for example, system 302) may comprise the one or more systems (for example, as shown in Figure 4) among some well-known systems.For instance, lottery industry person may be by information station or the long-range input of additive method (for example, mobile phone) outside interface and public place of entertainment that the Telnet computer system is connected.In this computer, data may be stored in the database, and this database storage is in the memory of computer system.As used herein, " data structure " is the data placement with the signal definition of computer-readable.These signals can be read by computer system, can be stored in medium that computer system is associated on (for example, in memory, on disk, or the like) and can on communication medium (for example, network), be sent to one or more other computer systems.Also as used herein, " user interface " i.e. " UI " is interface between human user and the computer, and the communication between user and the computer is permitted at this interface.The example of the user interface that may realize with various aspects of the present invention (for example comprises graphic formula user interface (GUI), display screen, mouse, keyboard, keypad, tracking ball, microphone, confirm the microphone that system uses together with voice), loudspeaker, touch-screen, game console (for example, control stick) or the like, and their any combination.

Frequent player program member's information also may be transfused to remote entry system element (for example, system 302).The information about firms that may import comprises name, address, telephone number and age, and payment information may comprise the number or the loyal account information of credit card or fiscard.Based on information about firms, call center's representative may be investigated the correctness of this information about firms.

Various remote entry system and one or more user interfaces may be positioned at by on network and the computer system that the computer system that member, account and subscription information are arranged of storage data is connected.As used herein, " network " or " communication network " be by one or more snippets can be between device the colony of at least two devices of the transmission medium of exchange message or efficient communication apparatus interconnection.An example of network comprise can be at least with the internet of its a part of remote access excitation information.

Above-mentioned example is the illustrative embodiment of remote entry system element.People should figure out illustrative embodiment and be not inclined to and limit the scope of the invention, because a lot of other any one (for example, variations of remote entry method) among implementing of remote entry system are possible and tend to fall within the scope of the present invention.For instance, remote entry system may be included in away from the hotel at scene and use the pay television system or the Telnet engine that are associated with interactive television also with Email or mail receipt to be delivered to the member.The claim that claims are stated does not have a regulation to be confined to any particular implementation of remote entry system, unless such claim comprises the restriction that particular implementation is described in detail in detail clearly.

Payout system also is well-known.May use among many modular systems or the dividend engine any one to pay winning.For instance, the standard application programming interface (for example, can be from Intuit Inc., Mountain View, " Quicken " that California, USA buy) can be used for filling in and posting check or on fiscard, credit card (if legal in the judicial power of recreation) or loyal account, keep accounts." Quicken " may obtain dividend information by access payout data structures on network.As used herein, " application programming interface " i.e. " API " is the set of one or more computer-readable instructions, this instruction set provides other the access of instruction set of computer-readable to one or more defined functions, so such function is configured to move on computers together with application program.

" Quicken " be the illustrative embodiment of payout system just.Such illustrative embodiment is not inclined to and limits the scope of the invention, because a lot of other any one (for example, variations of on-line payment) among implementing of payment system are possible and tend to fall within the scope of the present invention.In addition, the cashier also has chance is used payout data structures by network user interface access dividend information; The cashier pays the bill to the triumph player according to the information of obtaining then.It is practicable that the claim of stating in claims does not have a regulation to be confined to any specific payment system, unless such claim comprises the restriction that particular implementation is described in detail in detail clearly.

Special incentives system (for example, system 306) may be made up of many elements that are used for finishing specific function shown in Figure 6 according to one embodiment of the invention.These elements may comprise, for instance, storage device, this storage device stores is relevant for the data structure of the information of special incentive program and probability.For instance, such information may comprise program date, time and position, member's lottery industry and triumph history and program odds.Remote incentives system also may comprise the element of access remote entry and payout data structures.

According to an embodiment, special incentives system also may comprise incentives engine.Incentives engine can realize, for instance, management is suitable for necessary any or all the function of remote entry in frequent player programs member's special incentive program.Frequent player program member's excitation winning may be stored and follow the tracks of by the computer system of public place of entertainment.

In an example, management system (for example, casino management system) may produce some excitation and they are distributed to the player.As an alternative, incentives engine may be distributed excitation and be sent allocation result to management system.Yet people should figure out has the excitation that many different systems could produce and/or distribute to the player.

Player's winning may be presented on one or more interfaces of one or more systems, include but not limited to, the computer system that the player is playing games, follow the tracks of the player tracking systems or the casino management system of player's Win/Loss or allow different people (public place of entertainment manager, player, cashier, or the like) see the other system (for example, player information station) of excitation diploma attitude.Such excitation may be that other unique identifiers that are associated by frequent player identifier or with the player are followed the tracks of.

Previously described program just is used for special incentive is offered the illustrative embodiment of frequent player program member's method.Such illustrative embodiment is not inclined to and limits the scope of the invention, because much any one among other implement all is fit to realization the present invention.The claim that claims are stated does not have a regulation to be confined to any specific the implementing that special incentive provides method, unless such claim comprises the restriction that particular implementation is described in detail in detail clearly.

The various embodiment of program that is associated with various embodiment and method and behavior thereof and these methods and behavior and to change may be that signal by the computer-readable on the medium that are tangibly embodied in computer-readable (for example, non-volatile recording medium, integrated circuit memory unit or its combination) individually or is in combination defined.Such signal may define some instructions, for instance, as the part of one or more programs, as result with computer run, the command calculations machine is realized one or more method described here or behavior, and/or various embodiment, variation and combination thereof.Such instruction with numerous programming languages (for example may be, Java, Visual Basic, C, C# or C++, Fortran, Pascal, Eiffel, Basic, COBOL, or the like) among any or its multiple combination among any writing.The medium that store the computer-readable of such instruction may reside on one or more elements of above-mentioned general purpose computer, and may be distributed on one or more such elements.

The medium of computer-readable may be transportable, so the instruction that is stored in above it can be installed into the various aspects of the present invention that are implemented in this discussion on any resource for computer system.In addition, people should figure out, and the above-mentioned instruction that is stored on the computer-readable medium is not limited to the instruction that the part as the application program of moving embodies on main frame.Yet the computer code (for example, software or microcode) that those instructions may be embodied as any kind can be used for to processor programming realization various aspects of the present invention previously discussed.

People should figure out and realize that just any single element or many elements of the computer system of the function described of institute's method of describing or mentioning (for example, just the computer system described of Fig. 1) are gathered the controller that can usually be considered as one or more control above-mentioned functions in the front.One or more controllers can be realized in many ways, for example, adopt specialized hardware or use employing to realize the microcode of above-mentioned functions or the processor of software programming.

Another element of special incentives system may comprise makes vision signal flow to the software component (for example, driver) of user interface via broadband, satellite or wireless medium.If remote access is that then user interface may be a video terminal, comprises the TV that does not have user input apparatus fully automatically.Inspect the standard method that path may be used for conditional access and control, comprise and use set-top box addresses, telephone number or internet protocol (IP) address.

Be the illustrative embodiment of special incentives system above.Such illustrative embodiment is not inclined to and limits the scope of the invention, because any one among special incentives system a lot of other practicable (for example, variations of conditional access) all is possible and tends to fall within the scope of the present invention.There is not a regulation to be confined to any particular implementation of special incentives system among the claim that claims are stated, unless such claim comprises the restriction that particular implementation is described in detail in detail clearly.

System 300 and element thereof are (for example, payment, dividend and lottery industry engine) (for example may be to use software, C, C#, C++, Java or its combination), hardware (for example, one or more application-specific ICs, processor or other hardware), any combination of firmware (for example, electric programmable memory) or its realizes.One or more elements of 300 may reside in (for example, payment subsystem) on the triangular web, or one or more element may reside in the discontinuous system separately.In addition, each element may be distributed in a plurality of systems, and one or more system may interconnect.

In addition, in each system that comprises among one or more systems of one or more elements of 300, each element may reside in one or more positions in this system.For instance, the different piece of each element may reside in the zones of different (for example, RAM, ROM, disk, or the like) of memory in this system in 300.Each all may be included in one or more systems so numerous known elements (for example, one or more processors, accumulator system, disc storage system, one or more network interface and one or more bus or other with the interconnective internal communication link of various element) among other the element.

System 300 can realize on the computer system that just Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 describe below.

System 300 is the illustrative embodiment of remote entry system just.Such illustrative embodiment is not inclined to and limits the scope of the invention, because any one among remote entry system a lot of other practicable (for example, variations of 300) all is possible and tends to fall within the scope of the present invention.For instance, interactive television also may be used for seeing the lottery industry that can get.The claim that claims are stated does not have a regulation to be confined to any specific of this lottery industry system to implement, unless such claim comprises the restriction that particular implementation is described in detail in detail clearly.

Can on one or more computer systems, realize according to various embodiment of the present invention.These computer systems may be, for instance, general purpose computer, for example, based on those of Intel Pentium processor, Motorola PowerPC, SunUltraSPARC, Hewlett-Packard PA-RISC processor or any other type processor.The computer system that people should figure out one or more any kinds may be used for according to the various embodiment of the present invention described game scenario of automation partly or all sidedly.In addition, software design system may be positioned at and maybe may be distributed on the single computer among the numerous computers that connect by communication network.

For instance, various aspects of the present invention may be to realize as the special-purpose software of operation in general-purpose computing system 400 (for example, shown in Figure 1 system).Computer system 400 may comprise the processor 403 that connects with one or more storage arrangements 404 (for example, disc driver, memory or other be used for the device of storage data).Memory 404 is used for stored routine and data in the operating period of computer system 400 usually.The element of computer system 400 may (for example may comprise one or more bus by certain, between each element that is incorporated within the uniform machinery) and/or the interconnection mechanism 405 of network (for example, residing between each element on separately the discontinuous machine) couple together.This interconnection mechanism 405 can exchange information (for example, data, instruction) between each system's element of system 400.Computer system 400 also comprises one or more input unit 402 (for example, keyboard, mouse, tracking ball, microphone, touch-screen) and one or more output device 401 (for example, printing equipment, display screen and/or loudspeaker).In addition, computer system 400 may comprise one or more interfaces (not showing) that computer system 400 and communication network (as replenishing or substitute of interconnection mechanism 405) are coupled together.

Stocking system 406 (being illustrated among Fig. 2 in more detail) generally includes computer-readable and the non-volatile recording medium 501 easily write, in these medium, store the program that definition will carry out with processor be stored on the medium 501 or among will be with the signal of the information of this routine processes.These medium may be, for instance, and disk or flash memory.Usually, when operation, the data that processor causes reading are transferred to another memory 502 from non-volatile recording medium 501, and the latter considers with the processor access information faster than medium 501.This memory 502 is the random access memory of volatibility normally, for example, and dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or static memory (SRAM).It may be positioned at (as shown) among the stocking system 406, or is positioned at (showing) among the accumulator system 404.Processor 403 is handled the data in integrated circuit memory 404,502 the insides usually, after finishing processing data is duplicated among the medium 501 then.The multiple management data mobile mechanism between medium 501 and integrated circuit memory element 404,502 that is used for is known, and the present invention is not limited.The present invention is not limited to specific memory device system 404 or stocking system 406.

Computer system may comprise the specialized hardware of dedicated programmed, for example, and application-specific IC (ASIC).Various aspects of the present invention may realize in software, hardware or firmware or its any combination.In addition, such method, behavior, system, system element and element thereof may be as the part of aforementioned calculation machine system or as independently element realization.

Though computer system 400 is to show as the example of a kind of type of computer system that can put into practice various aspects of the present invention thereon, people should figure out various aspects of the present invention and be not limited on computer system shown in Figure 1 and realize.Various aspects of the present invention can be put into practice having on one or more computers of different architectures or element shown in Figure 1.

Computer system 400 may be to use the general purpose type computer system of high level computer programming language programming.Computer system 400 also may be to use the specialized hardware of dedicated programmed to realize.In computer system 400, the processor that processor 403 normally can get on the market, for example, the well-known Pentium level processor that can buy from Intel Company.Many other processors are available.Such processor moves certain operating system usually, and this operating system may be, for instance, and Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows NT, Windows 2000 (WindowsMe) or the Windows XP that can buy from Microsoft; Can be from the MAC OS SystemX of Apple Computer purchase, the UNIX that can maybe can obtain from the Solaris Operating System that Sun Microsystems buys from various source.May use many other operating systems.

Processor and operating system define the computer platform of writing application program with high-level programming language together.It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to specific computer system platform, processor, operating system or network.In addition, the present invention is not limited to specific programming language or computer system, and this will be conspicuous for the people who is familiar with this technology.In addition, people should figure out and also may use other suitable programming languages and other suitable computer systems.

One or more parts of this computer system may be distributed on the one or more computer systems that are connected with communication network (does not show).These computer systems also may be general purpose type computer systems.For instance, various aspects of the present invention may be distributed in and be configured as one or more client computers and service (for example, server) is provided or finishes as the part of compartment system among one or more computer systems of whole tasks.For instance, various aspects of the present invention may be to comprise that being distributed among one or more server systems according to the present invention various embodiment realizes realizing on the client server system of element of various function.These elements may be to use communication protocol (for example, the executable code that TCP/IP) go up to transmit, intermediate code at communication network (for example, internet) (for example, IL) or interpretive code (for example, Java).

People should figure out the present invention and be not limited in any specific system or colony of system and move.In addition, people should figure out the present invention and be not limited to any specific distribution system structure, network or communication protocol.

Various embodiment of the present invention can be used object oriented programming languages (for example, SmallTalk, Java, C++, Ada or C# (C-Sharp)) programming.Other object oriented programming languages also may be used.As an alternative, possible function of use, script and/or logic programming language.Various aspects of the present invention may realize (provide the aspects of graphic user interface (GUI) when for example, seeing in the window of browser program with HTML, XML or other or realize the file that the form of other functions produces) in non-programmed environment.Various aspects of the present invention may be to realize as the element of programming or non-programming or its any combination.

Described illustrative embodiment more of the present invention now, the description of front is illustrative rather than restriction, is to present as example, and this should be tangible to the people who is familiar with this technology.A lot of amendment schemes and other illustrative embodiment will be watched attentively in the technical scope of being familiar with usually and in they fall within the scope of the invention.Specifically, though comprise the particular combinations of method behavior or system element, it should be understood that those behaviors and those elements can make up in other mode in order to realize same target at these many examples that present.The behavior, element and the feature that only connect same embodiment discussion are not inclined to the task in other embodiments are foreclosed.In addition, restriction for the one or more method-Jia-function that in claims, describes in detail, method is not defined as the method that is used for realizing the function that describes in detail that only limits in this announcement, but tends to comprise aspect scope any method that is used for realizing the function that describes in detail of now known or research and development after a while.

As used herein, no matter be term in written description or in claims " composition ", " comprising ", " comprising ", " with～be characteristic " or the like will be understood that unconfined, that is, mean to include but not limited to.Have only the transition phrase " by ... form " and " in essence by ... form " will be respectively near or half near investigate the transition phrase of stating about claim in procedure manual (revise the 8th edition second time, in May, 2004) the 2111.03rd joint in USPO's patent.

The utilization of such as " first ", " second ", " the 3rd ", in claims, revising the order term of claim key element do not mean alone any preferentially, prior to or in each behavior of implementation method claim key element another order or time sequencing relatively, but only be to have the claim key element of specific names and the label of another claim key element that same names is arranged to use as differentiation in order to distinguish the claim key element.

Claims (37)

1. method that is used for managing incentive programme, this method comprises following behavior:

Allow at least one frequent player program member of this incentive programme to submit the identifying information that is associated with at least one frequent player program member to; And

The Telnet of the identifying information that response is associated with at least one frequent player program member offers at least one frequent player program member with at least one special incentive.

2. according to the process of claim 1 wherein that thereby the permission behavior further comprises the behavior that allows the long-range brush member card of user to discern at least one frequent player program member.

3. according to the method for claim 2, the behavior of its medium-long range brush member card is to key in unique identifier by this member to finish.

4. according to the method for claim 3, the behavior of its medium-long range brush member card keys in addition by this member that one of password and pass code are finished at least.

5. according to the process of claim 1 wherein that at least one special incentive comprises one of award and award at least.

6. according to the method for claim 5, wherein at least one award or to thank with a gift be that the frequent player program member gains by prize drawing.

7. according to the method for claim 6, wherein this member was not apprised of triumph before the players accesses land-based casino.

8. according to the method for claim 5, wherein this member must go land-based casino to accept at least one award or thank with a gift.

9. method according to Claim 8, wherein this member must go land-based casino to accept at least one award or thank with a gift in the period of appointment.

10. according to the method for claim 1, comprise that further the identifier with uniqueness offers this member's behavior.

11. according to the method for claim 10, it further comprises the behavior that offers this member to one of major general's password and pass code.

12. according to the method for claim 2, the behavior of its medium-long range brush member card be activate by video at least, one of audio frequency device that activate and that comprise card reader finishes.

13. according to the method for claim 12, wherein this device comprises one of information station, personal computer, handheld apparatus, phone and radio telephone at least.

14. according to the method for claim 5, wherein at least one award or thank with a gift and comprise one of currency, credit, commodity and loyalty point at least.

15. according to the method for claim 14, wherein at least one award or thank with a gift and comprise currency, and also this method further comprises the behavior of the currency of payment, comprises the behavior of one of cash call at least, check, fiscard and account credit.

16. according to the method for claim 14, wherein at least one award or thank with a gift and comprise loyalty point, and also this method further comprises the behavior of paying loyalty point, comprises one of loyalty program credit and account credits are provided at least.

17. according to the method for claim 5, wherein the member will redeem at least one award or thanks with a gift in land-based casino.

18. according to the method for claim 17, wherein the member will be in predetermined periods redeems at least one award or thanks with a gift in land-based casino.

19. a method that is used for management game, this method comprises following behavior:

Provide excitation to make the player get back to the lottery industry place; And the indication that in the interface of remote journey computer system, shows this excitation to the player.

20. according to the method for claim 19, wherein remote computer system is positioned at outside, lottery industry place.

21. according to the method for claim 19, wherein computer system is not the part in lottery industry place.

22., further comprise with the behavior that encourages and player identification connects according to the method for claim 19.

23. according to the method for claim 22, wherein player identification comprises frequent player identification.

24. according to the method for claim 19, wherein epideictic behaviour is included in the behavior that shows excitation during the game on line to the player of playing.

25., wherein provide the behavior of excitation regularly to finish according to the method for claim 19.

26., further comprise the behavior of regularly determining excitation and in the interface of remote computer system, showing effective excitation to the player according to the method for claim 25.

27. according to the method for claim 26, the behavior of wherein regularly determining excitation further comprises determines that so effectively time cycle of excitation is regularly checked this interface so that actuate the player for this.

28. according to the method for claim 19, its median surface comprises the interface based on browser.

29. according to the method for claim 19, wherein remote computer system is connected with the lottery industry place via communication network.

30. according to the method for claim 29, wherein communication network comprises internet.

31., further comprise and want the player to get back to the behavior that excitation is redeemed in the lottery industry place according to the method for claim 19.

32., further comprise the behavior of wanting the player in predetermined periods, to redeem this excitation according to the method for claim 31.

33. according to the method for claim 19, wherein the lottery industry place comprises land-based casino.

34. according to the method for claim 22, wherein contact is what to finish with the computer system in lottery industry place.

35., further comprise the behavior of following the tracks of player's excitation winning according to player's proof of identification according to the method for claim 34.

36. according to the method for claim 35, wherein tracking behavior comprises the winning that uses frequent player identification to follow the tracks of this excitation.

37. according to the method for claim 34, wherein the computer system in lottery industry place comprises one of player tracking systems, lottery industry machine, information station and casino management system at least.

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