WO2001034259A1 - Player marketing module for gaming machine - Google Patents
Player marketing module for gaming machine Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001034259A1 WO2001034259A1 PCT/AU2000/001370 AU0001370W WO0134259A1 WO 2001034259 A1 WO2001034259 A1 WO 2001034259A1 AU 0001370 W AU0001370 W AU 0001370W WO 0134259 A1 WO0134259 A1 WO 0134259A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- gaming machine
- drawer
- player
- player marketing
- module
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3225—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
- G07F17/3227—Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
- G07F17/3216—Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3225—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
- G07F17/3232—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed
- G07F17/3237—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
- G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
- G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F17/3225—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
- G07F17/3232—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed
- G07F17/3237—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
- G07F17/3239—Tracking of individual players
Definitions
- This invention relates to a gaming machine and the type which are commonly referred to as slot machines, poker machines, or fruit machines and in particular, the invention relates to a player marketing module for such machines.
- gaming machine venues tend to have quieter periods and busier periods during the day.
- operators of gaming machine venues have run promotions to encourage use of gaming machines during the quieter periods by, for example, offering extra credits, vouchers, discounted food and drink, and the like.
- Targeted promotions are enabled by the provision of a personal card for each member of the gaming machine venue.
- the card can be inserted into a card reader in the gaming machine when the member is playing one of the venue's gaming machines.
- a display and key pad or the like are normally associated with the card reader.
- the card reader display and keypad are usually referred to as a "player marketing module” (PMM).
- PMM player marketing module
- Player marketing modules might, for example, "greet” the player by name (by displaying a greeting on the display), when a player enters their card in the card reader. If. for example, it is that player's birthday, the module may award them some sort of gift or bonus.
- the player marketing module may also be linked to a networking and communication module. such as Aristocrat's DACOMTM system known in the art as a "Player tracking module” (PTM).
- PTM Player tracking module
- Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU that member such as the frequency with which the member plays machines at the venue, the days and times in which the member plays, the amount of money the member typically invests in the gaming machine etc.
- Player tracking modules and player marketing modules tend to be located in the top of a gaming machine cabinet above the machine's video screen display. Because of the location of the player tracking module and player marketing module, it is awkward to access the various components which make up the modules and this causes problems when the modules require servicing which may be necessary once every few months. More significantly, when a new casino is being opened or part of a venue is being refitted, the new gaming machines often require quite substantial amounts of adjustments to their player marketing and player tracking modules and the difficult access makes this time consuming and awkward.
- a gaming machine including a drawer or the like mounted on rails in an upper part of the gaming machine, in an arrangement such that the drawer may be slid in and out of the gaming machine and wherein the drawer carries a player marketing module for the gaming machine.
- a drawer has two significant benefits. First of all it improves access to the player marketing module and any other communication or related equipment such as a player tracking module mounted in the drawer. Secondly, as well as improving access to that equipment, it also enables more equipment to be provided in the space available at the top of the gaming machine since the drawer provides a platform on which the equipment may be fitted and allows a much better access to the equipment. This is significant, since recently the trend has been to use more and more sophisticated player tracking modules and the consequent increase in size of the modules requiring extra space.
- Figuie 1 is a schematic partly sectioned and partly exploded peispective view of a top of a gaming machine incorporating a drawei leceiving a playei marketing module and player tracking module and
- Figure 2 is a section illustrating details of the front of the drawei
- Figure 1 shows the top of a gaming machine cabinet 10
- the cabinet has a rear wall 12 and two side walls 14.16 Only the uppei part of the cabinet is shown in Figure 1
- a main door, not shown, is hinged to the cabinet and when closed, provides the front of the gaming machine
- the roof of the gaming machine is formed by a generally box like roof element 18 having a top and side walls, but no floor
- the top element includes depending projections 20 shown in phantom which lock into co ⁇ espondmg slots not shown provided in the upper faces of the rear and side walls of the gaming machine cabinet
- a drawer or tray 26 is provided on which the player marketing module (PMM) 26a. and player tracking module (PTM) 26b, shown schematically, are mounted
- PMM player marketing module
- PTM player tracking module
- the diawei has a flooi 28.
- side walls 30 which extend from the i ⁇ ar 31 of the drawei to the front 32 of the drawer
- a "Z" section plate 34 forms the front of the drawer
- Runners 40 are fixed to the outside side walls 30 of the drawers These slide in the rails 39 to allow the drawer to be slid and out of the gaming machine
- a frame 38 is fixed to the front of the drawei
- the central area 42 of the Z section plate 34 defines a number of holes 44 including a slot 46 foi a card reader 47 shown schematically
- Other control equipment associated with the player marketing/tracking modules may also be located through slots here such as buttons 48 associated with the card reader and a keypad 50
- the drawer can be slid in and out on the rails When the drawer is almost fully pulled out to the front of the rails, the drawer can pivot about the pm to allow bettei access to the components located in the drawer as illustrated in Figuie 22
- the rear of the drawer will contact the top of the roof element also as illustrated in Figure 2 and prevent the drawer from pivoting downwardly through greater than a predetermined angle
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Social Psychology (AREA)
- Slot Machines And Peripheral Devices (AREA)
Abstract
A gaming machine includes a drawer or the like mounted on rails in an upper part of the gaming machine. The drawer may be slid in and out of the gaming machine and carries a player marketing module and optionally a player tracking module for the gaming machine. A frame is fixed to the front of the drawer which carries a keypad buttons and a slot for a card reader.
Description
Communication/Player Marketing Module For Gaming Machine
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a gaming machine and the type which are commonly referred to as slot machines, poker machines, or fruit machines and in particular, the invention relates to a player marketing module for such machines.
Background of the Invention Gaming machines have been well known in the state of New South
Wales for many years and have more recently gained considerable popularity throughout Australia with quite substantial amounts wagered on these machines. Such machines have also been popular in various casinos throughout the world for many years. Like most businesses, casinos, clubs or the like, gaming machine venues tend to have quieter periods and busier periods during the day. Historically, where the regulations of the particular state or country permit, operators of gaming machine venues have run promotions to encourage use of gaming machines during the quieter periods by, for example, offering extra credits, vouchers, discounted food and drink, and the like. More recently, as the price of computing power has fallen, more sophisticated computerised methods of encouraging play, particularly during quieter periods, have been developed.
Targeted promotions are enabled by the provision of a personal card for each member of the gaming machine venue. The card can be inserted into a card reader in the gaming machine when the member is playing one of the venue's gaming machines. A display and key pad or the like are normally associated with the card reader. The card reader display and keypad are usually referred to as a "player marketing module" (PMM). in the art. Player marketing modules might, for example, "greet" the player by name (by displaying a greeting on the display), when a player enters their card in the card reader. If. for example, it is that player's birthday, the module may award them some sort of gift or bonus. The player marketing module may also be linked to a networking and communication module. such as Aristocrat's DACOM™ system known in the art as a "Player tracking module" (PTM). Such systems can gather and store information relating to
Substitute Sheet (Rule 26) RO/AU
that member such as the frequency with which the member plays machines at the venue, the days and times in which the member plays, the amount of money the member typically invests in the gaming machine etc.
Player tracking modules and player marketing modules tend to be located in the top of a gaming machine cabinet above the machine's video screen display. Because of the location of the player tracking module and player marketing module, it is awkward to access the various components which make up the modules and this causes problems when the modules require servicing which may be necessary once every few months. More significantly, when a new casino is being opened or part of a venue is being refitted, the new gaming machines often require quite substantial amounts of adjustments to their player marketing and player tracking modules and the difficult access makes this time consuming and awkward.
It is an object of the present invention to alleviate some of the disadvantages of the prior art discussed above.
Summary of the Invention
In the present invention there is provided a gaming machine including a drawer or the like mounted on rails in an upper part of the gaming machine, in an arrangement such that the drawer may be slid in and out of the gaming machine and wherein the drawer carries a player marketing module for the gaming machine.
The provision of a drawer has two significant benefits. First of all it improves access to the player marketing module and any other communication or related equipment such as a player tracking module mounted in the drawer. Secondly, as well as improving access to that equipment, it also enables more equipment to be provided in the space available at the top of the gaming machine since the drawer provides a platform on which the equipment may be fitted and allows a much better access to the equipment. This is significant, since recently the trend has been to use more and more sophisticated player tracking modules and the consequent increase in size of the modules requiring extra space.
Brief Description of the Drawings
A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which -
Figuie 1 is a schematic partly sectioned and partly exploded peispective view of a top of a gaming machine incorporating a drawei leceiving a playei marketing module and player tracking module and
Figure 2 is a section illustrating details of the front of the drawei
Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the top of a gaming machine cabinet 10 The cabinet has a rear wall 12 and two side walls 14.16 Only the uppei part of the cabinet is shown in Figure 1 A main door, not shown, is hinged to the cabinet and when closed, provides the front of the gaming machine The roof of the gaming machine is formed by a generally box like roof element 18 having a top and side walls, but no floor The top element includes depending projections 20 shown in phantom which lock into coπespondmg slots not shown provided in the upper faces of the rear and side walls of the gaming machine cabinet
Along the interior faces of the side walls 24 of the roof element (refer to Figure 2). opposed rails or guides 39 are formed
A drawer or tray 26 is provided on which the player marketing module (PMM) 26a. and player tracking module (PTM) 26b, shown schematically, are mounted The diawei has a flooi 28. side walls 30 which extend from the iβar 31 of the drawei to the front 32 of the drawer A "Z" section plate 34 forms the front of the drawer Runners 40 are fixed to the outside side walls 30 of the drawers These slide in the rails 39 to allow the drawer to be slid and out of the gaming machine
A frame 38 is fixed to the front of the drawei
At the front of the drawer the central area 42 of the Z section plate 34 defines a number of holes 44 including a slot 46 foi a card reader 47 shown schematically Other control equipment associated with the player marketing/tracking modules, may also be located through slots here such as buttons 48 associated with the card reader and a keypad 50
The drawer can be slid in and out on the rails When the drawer is almost fully pulled out to the front of the rails, the drawer can pivot about the pm to allow bettei access to the components located in the drawer as
illustrated in Figuie 22 The rear of the drawer will contact the top of the roof element also as illustrated in Figure 2 and prevent the drawer from pivoting downwardly through greater than a predetermined angle
The frame 38. drawer 26. PMM and PTM slide as one When the main dooi of the gaming machine is closed the main dooi oveilaps the lower part of the frame and prevents the drawer from being pulled out Additional locking means mav also be provided to prevent unauthorised movement of the diawei
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous vaiiations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described The present embodiments are. therefoie. to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive
Claims
1 A gaming machine including a drawei or the like mounted on lails in an uppei part of the gaming machine in an arrangement such that the drawei may be slid in and out of the gaming machine and wherein the drawer carries a player marketing module for the gaming machine
2 A gaming machine as claimed in claim 1 wherein the drawer also caines a playei tracking module
3 A gaming machine as claimed m claim 1 oi claim 2 wheiein a panel is mounted to the front of the drawer which defines one or more slots through which components are mounted
4 A gaming machine as claimed in claim 3 wherein the components include one or more of buttons, a keypad and a card readei
5 A gaming machine as claimed in any one of claims wherein the plate is enclosed by a frame and a lower part of the frame is overlapped by a main dooi of the gaming machine when the main door is closed which prevents the drawer from being pulled out
6 A gaming machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU12568/01A AU773709B2 (en) | 1999-11-11 | 2000-11-08 | Player marketing module for gaming machine |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| AUPQ3992A AUPQ399299A0 (en) | 1999-11-11 | 1999-11-11 | Communication/player marketing module for gaming machine |
| AUPQ3992 | 1999-11-11 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2001034259A1 true WO2001034259A1 (en) | 2001-05-17 |
Family
ID=3818137
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2000/001370 WO2001034259A1 (en) | 1999-11-11 | 2000-11-08 | Player marketing module for gaming machine |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| AU (1) | AUPQ399299A0 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2001034259A1 (en) |
Cited By (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1536868A1 (en) * | 2002-09-11 | 2005-06-08 | Igt | Method and apparatus for providing information via gaming machine player tracking device |
| WO2006012698A1 (en) * | 2004-08-04 | 2006-02-09 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd | A gaming machine and a method of supplying a flexible architecture gaming machine |
| US7083518B2 (en) | 2001-07-10 | 2006-08-01 | Igt | Bonus system and method of awarding a bonus without playing a game |
| US8727456B1 (en) * | 2011-03-10 | 2014-05-20 | Electro-Mechanical Corporation | Draw out control compartment |
| US8777728B2 (en) | 2007-05-16 | 2014-07-15 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd. | Gaming system and a method of gaming |
| AU2012261527B2 (en) * | 2004-08-04 | 2015-06-11 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | A Gaming Machine and a Method of Supplying a Flexible Architecture Gaming Machine |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2251329A (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1992-07-01 | Electrocoin Automatics Limited | Coin-released amusement or gaming machines |
| GB2265745A (en) * | 1992-03-31 | 1993-10-06 | Select Amusement Sales Limited | Amusement game cabinet |
-
1999
- 1999-11-11 AU AUPQ3992A patent/AUPQ399299A0/en not_active Abandoned
-
2000
- 2000-11-08 WO PCT/AU2000/001370 patent/WO2001034259A1/en active IP Right Grant
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2251329A (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1992-07-01 | Electrocoin Automatics Limited | Coin-released amusement or gaming machines |
| GB2265745A (en) * | 1992-03-31 | 1993-10-06 | Select Amusement Sales Limited | Amusement game cabinet |
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7083518B2 (en) | 2001-07-10 | 2006-08-01 | Igt | Bonus system and method of awarding a bonus without playing a game |
| EP1536868A1 (en) * | 2002-09-11 | 2005-06-08 | Igt | Method and apparatus for providing information via gaming machine player tracking device |
| EP1536868A4 (en) * | 2002-09-11 | 2005-11-23 | Igt Reno Nev | Method and apparatus for providing information via gaming machine player tracking device |
| WO2006012698A1 (en) * | 2004-08-04 | 2006-02-09 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd | A gaming machine and a method of supplying a flexible architecture gaming machine |
| US8012026B2 (en) | 2004-08-04 | 2011-09-06 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty. | Gaming machine and a method of supplying a flexible architecture gaming machine |
| AU2011200379B2 (en) * | 2004-08-04 | 2012-09-27 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd | A gaming machine and a method of supplying a flexible architecture gaming machine |
| AU2012261527B2 (en) * | 2004-08-04 | 2015-06-11 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited | A Gaming Machine and a Method of Supplying a Flexible Architecture Gaming Machine |
| US8777728B2 (en) | 2007-05-16 | 2014-07-15 | Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd. | Gaming system and a method of gaming |
| US8727456B1 (en) * | 2011-03-10 | 2014-05-20 | Electro-Mechanical Corporation | Draw out control compartment |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AUPQ399299A0 (en) | 1999-12-02 |
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