WO2010148002A2 - Système et procédé de gestion d'une délivrance de contenu et de mesure d'engagement - Google Patents

Système et procédé de gestion d'une délivrance de contenu et de mesure d'engagement Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010148002A2
WO2010148002A2 PCT/US2010/038694 US2010038694W WO2010148002A2 WO 2010148002 A2 WO2010148002 A2 WO 2010148002A2 US 2010038694 W US2010038694 W US 2010038694W WO 2010148002 A2 WO2010148002 A2 WO 2010148002A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user
content
act
account
delivery
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2010/038694
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Mark E. Herrmann
John E. Taylor
Scott N. Weller
Dow K. Hardy
Francis Josef Lichtenberger
Nathan Short
Original Assignee
Herrmann Mark E
Taylor John E
Weller Scott N
Hardy Dow K
Francis Josef Lichtenberger
Nathan Short
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Herrmann Mark E, Taylor John E, Weller Scott N, Hardy Dow K, Francis Josef Lichtenberger, Nathan Short filed Critical Herrmann Mark E
Publication of WO2010148002A2 publication Critical patent/WO2010148002A2/fr

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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
    • G07F17/3232—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
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q30/00—Commerce
    • G06Q30/02—Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
    • 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
    • G07F17/3244—Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
    • G07F17/3255—Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements

Definitions

  • the field of the invention relates generally to gaming, collecting and using information relating to player engagement through multiple marketing channels to unify marketing efforts and make them more impactful, profitable and efficient.
  • gambling establishments e.g., casino, lottery other lawful gambling establishments
  • Player loyalty clubs, "member's only” clubs, or similar programs are a common method used by gambling establishments to attempt to achieve this goal.
  • These clubs typically provide one or more benefits to players, such as discounts, advanced notification of news and events, mailing lists, and other benefits. It has become a common practice for these establishments to expose certain aspects of their club experience through an interactive medium, such as a website. Interactive content made available to patrons through an interactive medium tends to vary from display of a patron's player club points to tools that enable patrons the ability to book hotel rooms online.
  • systems and methods are provided for managing interactive player engagement with content.
  • Various aspects of the systems and methods manage the content to be delivered, the mechanism through which the content is delivered, determination of eligibility to receive the content, and can also provide for user, system and/or operator configurable preferences for any of the content, the delivery mechanism, and the adaptation of the content and/or delivery based on performance information.
  • Additional aspects of systems and methods for managing interactive player engagement with content include systems and methods for tracking and/or reporting on activity associated with delivered content, whether the information source is internal or external and also provides for retrieval through interface elements.
  • content is delivered in association with unique identifying information, that enables tracking of access to the content and tracking of any activity associated with the accessed content.
  • a method for managing interactive user engagement comprises the acts of registering, over a computer network, a user for a user account, associating, by a computer system, an external account with the user account, determining, by the computer system, eligibility of the user to receive content, identifying, by the computer system, at least one delivery channel, wherein the delivery channel conveys a communication configured to provide the content in a perceptible form to the user, delivering the content to the user over the at least one delivery channel, and tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity.
  • user accounts are viewed from the perspective of an online incentive system.
  • the online incentive system provides offers and opportunities that incent user behavior.
  • the online incentive system provides offers and opportunities to a user population to incent the users to visit a gambling location.
  • External systems and accounts are viewed from the same perspective.
  • the user accounts that provide access to the incentive system, the management accounts for the incentive system, the computer systems and processes that support the incentive system are all internal while the gambling location's user accounts are external to the incentive system.
  • interaction between the incentive system and external systems facilitates the process of incenting behavior of the user population.
  • other external accounts exist and can include information on the users of the user population that can be employed to refine any incentive approach.
  • External accounts are discussed in greater detail herein, and can include cell phone service accounts, online e-mail accounts, to provide a few examples.
  • the external account comprises a third party service, and further requires user identification to access the third party service.
  • the act of associating, by the computer system, the external account with the user account includes an act of generating the external account on behalf of the user.
  • the external account includes at least one of casino or lottery player club accounts, FACEBOOK accounts, TWITTER accounts, MYSPACE accounts, email accounts, SMS accounts (cell phone number), loyalty accounts, frequent flyer accounts, and frequent traveler accounts.
  • the external account comprises a user reward account.
  • the act of registering, over a computer network, the user for the user account includes an act of associating information with the user account.
  • the information includes at least one of demographic and preference information.
  • the demographic and the preference information includes at least one of first name, last name, date of birth, zip code, phone number, gender, marital status, number of children, income, favorite drink, preferred games, favorite gaming establishments, most frequented gaming establishments, average spend per gaming visit, bet limits, inclusion on gaming restriction list.
  • the method comprises an act of establishing a user profile associated with a user account.
  • the user profile includes demographic and preference information.
  • the method further comprises an act of permitting a user to define preference information associated with the at least one delivery channel. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of establishing preference information associated with the at least one delivery channel. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of recording preference information associated with the at least one delivery channel with a user profile.
  • the act of registering, over a computer network, the user for the user account includes an act of providing for generation of an external account for the user. In another embodiment, the act of providing for generation of an external account for the user includes transmitting user information to an external account generation system. In another embodiment, the external account generation system includes at least one of a casino management system and a lottery management system.
  • the method further comprises an act of identifying external accounts associated with the user. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act transmitting a request to external account providers to determine existence of an external account. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of mining data for a user's computer system. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of identifying an external account based, at least in part, the data captured from the user's computer system.
  • the method further comprises an act of requesting the user to identify external accounts during registration.
  • the method further comprises an act of registering a user for an external account, and wherein the act of the registering, over a computer network, the user for the user account occurs in response to the act of registering the user for an external account.
  • the method further comprises an act of scoring the user based at least in part of information associated with the user account.
  • the method further comprises an act of updating the user account with information associated with the user.
  • the method further comprises an act of updating the user profile with information associated with the user.
  • the information associated with the user includes at least one of demographic information, user activity occurring at a gambling location, user activity occurring at an affiliated location, user activity occurring at a redemption location, user online activity, and user offline activity.
  • the act of identifying, by the computer system, the at least one delivery channel includes an act of determining a preferred delivery channel.
  • the preferred delivery channel is assigned by the computer system.
  • the preferred delivery channel is defined in a user profile. In another embodiment, the preferred delivery channel is defined according to the content delivered. In another embodiment, the preferred delivery channel is determined dynamically. In another embodiment, the preferred delivery channel is determined dynamically based at least in part on a calculation of return. In another embodiment, the preferred delivery channel is determined dynamically based at least in part on a prediction of return. In another embodiment, the preferred delivery channel is determined dynamically based at least in part on the user profile. In another embodiment, the preferred delivery channel is determined based at least in part on user profile and user behavior.
  • the act of identifying, by the computer system, the at least one delivery channel includes determining at least one of a jurisdictional limitation, a user preference, a scoring based on user associated information, a selection based on content associated information, a probability of engagement, and a prediction of engagement.
  • the method further comprises an act of associating a delivery channel with the user.
  • the method further comprises an act of associating a delivery channel with the user account.
  • the delivery channel includes at least one of an email service provider, an email address, a phone carrier, a home phone number, a business phone number, an automated calling and telemarketing system ("robo-dialing"), a cell phone carrier, a cell phone number, an electronic billboard, online advertising, online advertising networks, a blog, a blog network, a FACEBOOK page, a FACEBOOK account, a MYSPACE page, a MYSPACE account, a TWITTER page, a TWITTER account, a billboard, a classified ad, a classified advertising network, an online classified advertising network, an advertising network, an advertising agency, a brochure, a postcard, a website, a webpage, and a personal webpage that requires login by the user.
  • robot-dialing automated calling and telemarketing system
  • the method further comprises an act of creating a unique identifier for the delivery channel.
  • the unique identifier is unique with respect to other delivery channels.
  • the unique identifier is unique with respect to the delivery channel and the user.
  • the method further comprises an act of classifying the delivery channel.
  • the method further comprises an act of creating a channel profile.
  • the act of classifying the delivery channel includes storing characteristics of the delivery channel.
  • the characteristics of the delivery channel includes a device profile for a device used by the user to perceive the communication.
  • the device profile identifies characteristics associated with at least one device, wherein the characteristics include at least one of display size, permissible content, media delivery type, optimal format for content delivery, messaging size constraints, and content format constraint.
  • the act of classifying the delivery channel includes an act of storing characteristics associated with a delivery device.
  • the delivery device includes at least one of a cell phone, a mobile device, a laptop, and a desktop computer.
  • the method further comprises an act of establishing filtering rules for the delivery channel.
  • the filtering rules prohibit delivery of the content over the delivery channel.
  • the act of classifying the delivery channel includes an act of storing historical activity information associated with delivered content.
  • the historical activity information includes information on success of delivery of the content, timing of access to the content, and timing of redemption of the content.
  • the method further comprises an act of identifying a preferred delivery channel based, at least in part, on historical activity information. In one embodiment, the method further comprises an act of classifying the content. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of associating the content with the at least one delivery channel. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of associating an identifier with the content. In another embodiment, the identifier uniquely identifies the content with respect to other content.
  • the content includes at least one of adobe PDF application, web application, JavaScript application, AJAX application, HTML Application, WAP Application, MMS Application, SMS Application, iPhone Application, BREW Application, J2ME Application, J2EE Application, Java Application, PHP Application, python application, C/C++ Application, C# Application, Visual Basic Application, Microsoft .NET Application, Google Gears Application, Facebook Application, Compiled Application, Downloadable Application, a text message, a HTML Message, an email, a SMS message, an offer, a voucher, a coupon, a barcode, an image, questionnaire application, quiz application, personal rewards points display application, personal jackpot counters and displays, generic jackpot counters and displays, personal and general sweepstakes status displays, personal contest leader boards, generic contest leader boards, personal (targeted) and general calendar, personal (targeted) advertising displays, personal rewards calculator that indicates when rewards are achieved next, video display application, video streaming application, live video streaming application, video conferencing application, generic rewards calculator, personal diary, personal room reservation information
  • the act of associating the content with the at least one delivery channel includes an act of identifying a delivery channel used with the content. In another embodiment, the act of identifying the delivery channel occurs in response to information received from at least one of the user, the operator, the content provider, and a dynamic determination of an optimal delivery channel. In another embodiment, the act of identifying the delivery channels includes identification of a plurality of delivery channels. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of generating a content profile. In another embodiment, the content profile includes delivery triggers associated with the content. In another embodiment, the act of delivering the content to the user over the at least one delivery channel occurs in response to a determination that the criteria for the delivery trigger has been satisfied.
  • the act of delivering the content to the user over the at least one delivery channel includes an act of packing the content for delivery.
  • the act of packing the content for delivery includes an act of scaling the content.
  • the act of scaling the content includes an act of altering the content to correspond to channel characteristics.
  • the act of determining, by the computer system, eligibility of the user to receive the content includes a determination that the user meets predetermined criteria.
  • the predetermined criteria include a user selection to opt- in to receiving the content.
  • the predetermined criteria includes a minimum score associated with the user.
  • the predetermined criteria includes a minimum value associated with the user.
  • the method further comprises an act of scaling the content based, at least in part, on the value associated with the user.
  • the predetermined criteria include limitations on the content.
  • the limitations include a jurisdictional limit.
  • the limitations include a user defined limit.
  • the predetermined criteria includes at least one of access to previously delivered content and redemption of previously delivered content.
  • the predetermined criteria includes an eligibility matrix.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes tracking metrics associated with successful delivery of the content.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes tracking a success as access to the content by the user.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes tracking a success as redemption of the content by the user.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes recording a status associated with the at least one delivery channel.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes tracking redemption of the content.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes tracking access to the content.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes tracking timing of any access and any redemption of the content.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes accepting information from external accounts.
  • the method further comprises an act of updating a user profile based on the content associated activity. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of generating an optimal engagement path for a user. In another embodiment, the calculation of return includes a determination of cost of delivery, probability of redemption, and value of redemption. In another embodiment, the prediction of return includes a prediction of cost of delivery, of redemption, and value of redemption. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the acts of establishing a user record, wherein the user record is capable of uniquely identifying a user, delivering content to a user population based on demographic information associated with the player population, uniquely identifying user from within the user population, and wherein the act of registering the user includes an act of associating an identified user with the user record.
  • a method for determining an optimal engagement path for content delivery to at least one user comprises establishing at least one delivery channel for communicating with the at least one user, delivery content to the at least one user over the at least one delivery channel, tracking successful delivery to the at least one user over the at least one delivery channel, and determining an optimal delivery path for any content.
  • a non-transient computer-readable medium having computer-readable signals stored thereon that define instructions that, as a result of being executed by a processor, instruct the processor to perform a method for managing interactive user engagement.
  • the method comprises the acts of registering, over a computer network, a user for a user account, associating, by a computer system, an external account with the user account, determining, by the computer system, eligibility of the user to receive content, identifying, by the computer system, at least one delivery channel, wherein the delivery channel conveys a communication configured to provide the content in a perceptible form to the user, delivering the content to the user over the at least one delivery channel, and tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity.
  • the external account comprises a third party service, and further requires user identification to access the third party service.
  • the act of associating, by the computer system, the external account with the user account includes an act of generating the external account on behalf of the user.
  • the external account includes at least one of casino or lottery player club accounts, FACEBOOK accounts, TWITTER accounts, MYSPACE accounts, email accounts, SMS accounts (cell phone number), loyalty accounts, frequent flyer accounts, and frequent traveler accounts.
  • the external account comprises a user reward account.
  • the act of registering, over a computer network, the user for the user account includes an act of associating information with the user account.
  • the information includes at least one of demographic and preference information.
  • the demographic and the preference information includes at least one of first name, last name, date of birth, zip code, phone number, gender, marital status, number of children, income, favorite drink, preferred games, favorite gaming establishments, most frequented gaming establishments, average spend per gaming visit, bet limits, inclusion on gaming restriction list.
  • the method comprises an act of establishing a user profile associated with a user account.
  • the user profile includes demographic and preference information.
  • the method further comprises an act of permitting a user to define preference information associated with the at least one delivery channel. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of establishing preference information associated with the at least one delivery channel. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of recording preference information associated with the at least one delivery channel with a user profile.
  • the act of registering, over a computer network, the user for the user account includes an act of providing for generation of an external account for the user. In another embodiment, the act of providing for generation of an external account for the user includes transmitting user information to an external account generation system. In another embodiment, the external account generation system includes at least one of a casino management system and a lottery management system.
  • the method further comprises an act of identifying external accounts associated with the user. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act transmitting a request to external account providers to determine existence of an external account. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of mining data for a user' s computer system. In yet another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of identifying an external account based, at least in part, the data captured from the user' s computer system. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of requesting the user to identify external accounts during registration. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of registering a user for an external account, and wherein the act of the registering, over a computer network, the user for the user account occurs in response to the act of registering the user for an external account.
  • the method further comprises an act of scoring the user based at least in part of information associated with the user account.
  • the method further comprises an act of updating the user account with information associated with the user.
  • the method further comprises an act of updating the user profile with information associated with the user.
  • the information associated with the user includes at least one of demographic information, user activity occurring at a gambling location, user activity occurring at an affiliated location, user activity occurring at a redemption location, user online activity, and user offline activity.
  • the act of identifying, by the computer system, the at least one delivery channel includes an act of determining a preferred delivery channel.
  • the preferred delivery channel is assigned by the computer system.
  • the preferred delivery channel is defined in a user profile. In another embodiment, the preferred delivery channel is defined according to the content delivered. In another embodiment, the preferred delivery channel is determined dynamically. In another embodiment, the preferred delivery channel is determined dynamically based at least in part on a calculation of return. In another embodiment, the preferred delivery channel is determined dynamically based at least in part on a prediction of return. In another embodiment, the preferred delivery channel is determined dynamically based at least in part on the user profile. In another embodiment, the preferred delivery channel is determined based at least in part on user profile and user behavior.
  • the act of identifying, by the computer system, the at least one delivery channel includes determining at least one of a jurisdictional limitation, a user preference, a scoring based on user associated information, a selection based on content associated information, a probability of engagement, and a prediction of engagement.
  • the method further comprises an act of associating a delivery channel with the user.
  • the method further comprises an act of associating a delivery channel with the user account.
  • the delivery channel includes at least one of an email service provider, an email address, a phone carrier, a home phone number, a business phone number, an automated calling and telemarketing system ("robo-dialing"), a cell phone carrier, a cell phone number, an electronic billboard, online advertising, online advertising networks, a blog, a blog network, a FACEBOOK page, a FACEBOOK account, a MYSPACE page, a MYSPACE account, a TWITTER page, a TWITTER account, a billboard, a classified ad, a classified advertising network, an online classified advertising network, an advertising network, an advertising agency, a brochure, a postcard, a website, a webpage, and a personal webpage that requires login by the user.
  • robot-dialing automated calling and telemarketing system
  • the method further comprises an act of creating a unique identifier for the delivery channel.
  • the unique identifier is unique with respect to other delivery channels.
  • the unique identifier is unique with respect to the delivery channel and the user.
  • the method further comprises an act of classifying the delivery channel.
  • the method further comprises an act of creating a channel profile.
  • the act of classifying the delivery channel includes storing characteristics of the delivery channel.
  • the characteristics of the delivery channel include a device profile for a device used by the user to perceive the communication.
  • the device profile identifies characteristics associated with at least one device, wherein the characteristics include at least one of display size, permissible content, media delivery type, optimal format for content delivery, messaging size constraints, and content format constraint.
  • the act of classifying the delivery channel includes an act of storing characteristics associated with a delivery device.
  • the delivery device includes at least one of a cell phone, a mobile device, a laptop, and a desktop computer.
  • the method further comprises an act of establishing filtering rules for the delivery channel.
  • the filtering rules prohibit delivery of the content over the delivery channel.
  • the act of classifying the delivery channel includes an act of storing historical activity information associated with delivered content.
  • the historical activity information includes information on success of delivery of the content, timing of access to the content, and timing of redemption of the content.
  • the method further comprises an act of identifying a preferred delivery channel based, at least in part, on historical activity information. In one embodiment, the method further comprises an act of classifying the content. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of associating the content with the at least one delivery channel. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of associating an identifier with the content. In another embodiment, the identifier uniquely identifies the content with respect to other content.
  • the content includes at least one of adobe PDF application, web application, JavaScript application, AJAX application, HTML Application, WAP Application, MMS Application, SMS Application, iPhone Application, BREW Application, J2ME Application, J2EE Application, Java Application, PHP Application, python application, C/C++ Application, C# Application, Visual Basic Application, Microsoft .NET Application, Google Gears Application, Facebook Application, Compiled Application, Downloadable Application, a text message, a HTML Message, an email, a SMS message, an offer, a voucher, a coupon, a barcode, an image, questionnaire application, quiz application, personal rewards points display application, personal jackpot counters and displays, generic jackpot counters and displays, personal and general sweepstakes status displays, personal contest leader boards, generic contest leader boards, personal (targeted) and general calendar, personal (targeted) advertising displays, personal rewards calculator that indicates when rewards are achieved next, video display application, video streaming application, live video streaming application, video conferencing application, generic rewards calculator, personal diary, personal room reservation information
  • the act of associating the content with the at least one delivery channel includes an act of identifying a delivery channel used with the content.
  • the act of identifying the delivery channel occurs in response to information received from at least one of the user, the operator, the content provider, and a dynamic determination of an optimal delivery channel.
  • the act of identifying the delivery channels includes identification of a plurality of delivery channels.
  • the method further comprises an act of generating a content profile.
  • the content profile includes delivery triggers associated with the content.
  • the act of delivering the content to the user over the at least one delivery channel occurs in response to a determination that the criteria for the delivery trigger has been satisfied.
  • the act of delivering the content to the user over the at least one delivery channel includes an act of packing the content for delivery.
  • the act of packing the content for delivery includes an act of scaling the content.
  • the act of scaling the content includes an act of altering the content to correspond to channel characteristics.
  • the act of determining, by the computer system, eligibility of the user to receive the content includes a determination that the user meets predetermined criteria.
  • the predetermined criteria include a user selection to opt- in to receiving the content.
  • the predetermined criteria include a minimum score associated with the user.
  • the predetermined criteria include a minimum value associated with the user.
  • the method further comprises an act of scaling the content based, at least in part, on the value associated with the user.
  • the predetermined criteria include limitations on the content.
  • the limitations include a jurisdictional limit.
  • the limitations include a user defined limit.
  • the predetermined criteria include at least one of access to previously delivered content and redemption of previously delivered content.
  • the predetermined criteria include an eligibility matrix.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes tracking metrics associated with successful delivery of the content.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes tracking a success as access to the content by the user.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes tracking a success as redemption of the content by the user.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes recording a status associated with the at least one delivery channel.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes tracking redemption of the content.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes tracking access to the content.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes tracking timing of any access and any redemption of the content.
  • the act of tracking, by the computer system, content associated activity includes accepting information from external accounts.
  • the method further comprises an act of updating a user profile based on the content associated activity. In another embodiment, the method further comprises an act of generating an optimal engagement path for a user. In another embodiment, the calculation of return includes a determination of cost of delivery, probability of redemption, and value of redemption. In another embodiment, the prediction of return includes a prediction of cost of delivery, of redemption, and value of redemption. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the acts of establishing a user record, wherein the user record is capable of uniquely identifying a user, delivering content to a user population based on demographic information associated with the player population, uniquely identifying user from within the user population, and wherein the act of registering the user includes an act of associating an identified user with the user record.
  • a computer-readable medium having computer-readable signals stored thereon that define instructions that, as a result of being executed by a processor, instruct the processor to perform a method for determining an optimal engagement path for content delivery to at least one user.
  • the method comprises establishing at least one delivery channel for communicating with the at least one user, delivery content to the at least one user over the at least one delivery channel, tracking successful delivery to the at least one user over the at least one delivery channel, and determining an optimal delivery path for any content.
  • a system for managing interactive user engagement comprises a registration component configured to register a user for a user account, an association component configured to associated an external account with the user account, an eligibility component configured to determine eligibility of the user to receive content, a selection component configured to identify at least one delivery channel, wherein the delivery channel conveys a communication configured to provide the content in a perceptible form to the user, a transmission component configured to deliver the content to the user over the at least one delivery channel, and a tracking component configured to track content associated activity.
  • a system for determining an optimal engagement path for content delivery to at least one user comprises a registration component configured to establish at least one delivery channel for communicating with the at least one user, a transmission component configured to deliver content to the at least one user over the at least one delivery channel, a tracking component for identifying successful delivery to the at least one user over the at least one delivery channel, and an optimization component configured to determine an optimal delivery path for any content.
  • FIG. 1 is a illustration of an example of system elements and logic flow for management, delivery, display, engagement, tracking and feedback for content provided to users, according to aspects of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example system coupling an online system and external account system, according to aspects of the invention
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example system coupling an online system and external account system, according to aspects of the invention
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example system for associating a user account stored on an online system with an external account stored on an external system, according to aspects of the invention
  • FIG. 5 is a an example process for associating external accounts with an online system content system, according to aspects of the invention
  • FIG. 6 is an example process associated with determining eligibility for content driven by measurable activities linked to player identity, according to aspects of the invention
  • FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example process for generating an engagement score, according to aspects of the invention.
  • FIG. 8 is an illustration of an example process for calculating return on investment for an engagement path, according to aspects of the invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example system for managing interactive user engagement, according to aspects of the invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example system for managing interactive user engagement, according to aspects of the invention.
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an example system for managing interactive user engagement, according to aspects of the invention.
  • a player club (lottery or casino), profile analysis, behavioral targeting and tracked player engagement is combined with one or more systems, methods and apparatus to provide marketing professionals within the casino, lottery and gaming industries a unified platform and middleware for the production, delivery, management and measurement of consumer engagement across multiple interactive delivery mechanisms, networks, applications, platforms and marketing channels.
  • systems, methods and apparatus provide operators with a unique, unified and efficient approach to interactive content delivery, content management and content engagement tracking across all of their potential interactive consumer engagement channels.
  • an online system exists that provides a facility for the registration and management of online user accounts, the management of user profiles, the association of online user accounts with external accounts (such as player ids and accounts management by a casino management system or a lottery vip club), the identification and management of delivery channels, the storage and management of content, the loading and frequent updating of online and external account data, the processing of online and external account data, the management of user content eligibility, the selection of content for delivery, the scaling and pre-rendering of content for delivery, the user specified, rules-based and scripted delivery of content, measurement of content receipt, the tracking of engagement with content, and the tracking of subsequent and related actions taken by the user.
  • external accounts such as player ids and accounts management by a casino management system or a lottery vip club
  • an online player web portal is provided as a content delivery channel by a casino player club or a lottery VIP club. Through this channel, consumers are provided the ability to register for a user account and interact online with content made eligible to them and delivered by the system.
  • the online player web portal allows the user, once they have registered, to create a profile and to add and modify profile attributes, such as favorite drink, favorite games, preferred sports, and profile photo.
  • the system provides the ability for the user, the casino or the lottery to link accounts associated with the registered player, such as player accounts that exist in a player management or player tracking system.
  • the system also provides the capability for the user to indicate other accounts by which they want to link to the online web portal, such as but not limited to cell phone accounts, credit card accounts, and frequent flyer accounts, travel accounts and a multitude of other potential accounts linked to the user.
  • other accounts such as but not limited to cell phone accounts, credit card accounts, and frequent flyer accounts, travel accounts and a multitude of other potential accounts linked to the user.
  • data can be transferred and analyzed by the online system, or by the external system, to create a much more seamless user experience from the interactive channel to on property engagement.
  • Data gathered and processed from an external system can be used to determine other player preferences, frequency of travel, purchasing habits, and brand affinities.
  • Process 500 begins with registering a user for an account on an on-line system at 502.
  • the online system is configured to request information from a user regarding any existing external accounts.
  • the online system can request information from an external source in response to demographic information input into the system. For example, a cell phone number entered into the online system can trigger an inquiry to a cell phone provider to identify and associate external account information with the online account.
  • the user is prompted to enter external account credentials, for example, a user name and password associated with the cell phone account. The information is stored with the user information so the external associate can be used by the online system.
  • process 500 includes a step of determining eligibility to receive and/or view the content at 506.
  • the step of determining eligibility can also include determining if any exclusions apply to the content. For example, users may establish exclusionary criteria that would prevent the content from being displayed. In another example, jurisdictional limitations can prevent display of content and any offers associated with them.
  • process 500 continues with an identification of a delivery channel at 508 to employ to deliver the content. In one example, identification of the delivery channel can be established by user profile. In another example, the identification of the delivery channel can proceed automatically. In one embodiment, the system can calculate a return on investment for the delivery channel and content.
  • FIG. 8 Shown for example in Fig. 8 is a visual depiction of a plurality of delivery channels for content and each potential path for delivering content to a user is identified, and based on, for example tracked information the path with the highest return on investment can be identified.
  • an SMS offer is transmitted to a user.
  • the user redeems the offer at a website 802.
  • the offer can indicate that upon on the next visit to a gambling location at which s/he swipes their frequent player card 803, a credit will be awarded. Having provided an incentive for the user to visit the gambling location and having provided an offer worth some money, the user may spend, for example money, loyalty points, redemption awards, etc. at the gambling location.
  • the amount of money spent can be tracked at 804.
  • Nodes 810 - 850 represent suboptimal delivery channels in this example. Nodes 810 - 850 can take on almost any type of communication vehicle and/or setting and each can be analyzed and compared to determine, in some examples, predictive information tied to ROI, and in other examples historical analysis of ROI, and in yet others a combination of both.
  • the content is delivered using the channel at 510.
  • Tracking content activity at 512 permits the process to refine for example selection of the delivery channel. Tracked activity can include receipt of the content, access to the content, and subsequent and/or related actions, as discussed in greater detail herein.
  • An example system for delivering content, displaying content, engaging player(s), tracking player(s), and for providing feedback is shown in Figure 1.
  • the example system can be configured to execute example process 500.
  • Shown in Fig. 1 are various computer implemented components of a content delivery mechanism, where select content is delivered to a patron based, at least in part, on the patron's profile and selection of a delivery channel for the content.
  • a content component retains potential content 102 in a storage medium.
  • the content component comprises hardware and software elements for the organization and maintenance of a plurality of content for delivery to a plurality of patrons.
  • the content can be uniquely identified for each item of content that can be delivered.
  • the unique content identifier can be unique for the patron.
  • Content can include for example gaming offers 102A, hotel discounts 102B, mini applications 102D.
  • the content component can be configured to determine a redemption value associated with any potential content 102.
  • the content component includes a redemption calculator.
  • the redemption calculator can be a separate component that comprises hardware and software elements.
  • the redemption calculator can be an element of the content component.
  • the content component itself can be hosted on a computer server, can be a computer server with the hardware for executing content management logic, and in some embodiments can be part of a distrusted computing system.
  • a redemption calculator 102C can also be content to be delivered to a patron as, for example, an executable program.
  • An eligibility component can be configured to control delivery of potential content 102 to a patron.
  • the eligibility component can determine whether criteria is met by a particular patron, and based on the criteria select potential content for subsequent presentation of the content to the patron at 104 by a delivery component.
  • the eligibility component can evaluate a patron profile to determine what content can be delivered to a patron, converting potential content into presented content by communicating the content from the content component to a delivery component 104.
  • the eligibility component can be integrated with a tracking system that stores information on a patron.
  • the information stored on the patron can include a patron profile 106.
  • the patron profile can be stored as for example a database, although other computer storage mechanisms can be employed.
  • a tracking component stores patron profiles in a database.
  • the patron profile can include various forms of information on the patron as discussed in greater detail below.
  • the patron profile includes demographic information for the patron.
  • the patron profile can include preference information for the patron, and in others delivery channel information and delivery channel preference information.
  • the delivery component can be configured to deliver select content to a patron through a variety of communication/delivery channels.
  • Delivery channels can include interactive TV 108A, cell phone 108B, smart phone 108C, computer systems 108D, or physical locations where content can be received for example, during a casino visit 108E.
  • the delivery and/or the participation in the patron in content associated activity can be tracked and scored.
  • the scoring 110 can be part of a tracking operation performed by a tracking system that stores the tracked information as well as any scoring derived in a patron profile.
  • the tracking system can also be configured to accumulate information on delivered content, actual redemption, viewing of content, and/or other content associated actions discussed in greater detail below.
  • the tracking system can provide for scoring of the player, the content, and/or the delivery mechanism based on the tracked information including any content associated activity.
  • the content delivery mechanism shown in Fig. 1 improves patron profiles based, at least in part, on the measuring and scoring engagement by the patron.
  • the user engagement with the delivered content is then tracked and processed by the system.
  • Through external associated accounts and systems, subsequent engagement and actions with related systems is also tracked. Engagement data from the content delivered by the system and engagement with external associated systems can then be processed and analyzed to determine the best users, content and channels for delivering content for achieving core business objectives.
  • the system is operated independently and accessed through public or private networks.
  • the system can operate in a data center and be connected to the public internet or connect to a private or virtual private network or 'VPN'.
  • the system is operated as a component of another system and accessed through public or private networks.
  • the system may operate as a component of a casino management or lottery VIP player or tracking system.
  • the system in this example can be accessed through the public internet, via the same network the casino management or lottery VIP player or tracking system operates, or via a private or virtual private network or 'VPN' .
  • a user interface or 'GUI' is provided to enable the operator of the online system the ability to manage all aspects of the online system.
  • user accounts are created and stored in a database.
  • the creation of these accounts can be through actions taken at a point of sale (player club desk, casino or lottery retailer) or actions taken by a player using one or many internet based or interactive registration forms.
  • Shown in Figure 2 is an example of user account association with an external account.
  • User account association can include cogeneration of user accounts in conjunction with creation of external accounts.
  • an interface or process 206 exists between the player club desk, the casino management system (external account systems 202) and the online system to recognize and initiate the creation of the user account in the online system 250.
  • the casino management system external account systems 202
  • the online system to recognize and initiate the creation of the user account in the online system 250.
  • creation of the account occurs through this interface, the id of the player, as recognized by the casino management system, is communicated to the online system and then tied to the online account as shown by example in Figure 2.
  • the POS interface 206 is configured to receive an identifier for the player from data server 208 in the external account system 202.
  • the data server 208 can be configured to generate the identifier for a new player or retrieve an identifier from a database 210.
  • the identifier is the player's account number 212 with the external account system 202.
  • User account association can occurs when one or the other of the user account and the external account are preexisting. Further user accounts can be associated with multiple external accounts.
  • the POS interface 206 receives the player identifier, whether new or existing, and communicates it to the online system 250.
  • the online system can be configured to accept the identifier for example using a data server 251.
  • the data server in response to receiving the identifier can query a database 252 for any existing information associated with the identifier.
  • a user account 254 is generated based on the received information, and the external account information is associated.
  • the existing account is associated with the external account.
  • the online system 250 is further configured to include a content server 256 and an eligibility server 258 that interact with a web server 260.
  • a user 266 can interact with the online system 250, through a browser program 262 displayed on a host computer 264 to communicate with the web server 260.
  • the web server can be configured to display content from the content server 256 in response to a determination that the user 266 is eligible to view the content by the eligibility server 258.
  • Computer implemented processes for identifying and managing content are discussed in greater detail below. In addition, computer implemented processes for determining eligibility of a user are also discussed in greater detail below.
  • the user 266 can be the same person as the player 204, accessing the online system from a host computer after the point of sale activity that triggered the user account association with the external account has been completed.
  • an interface or process 306 exists between the online system 350, the casino management system and the player club (example external account systems 302), to a) determine the existence of an account within the casino management system for the user that is initiating the registration b) if an account does not exist, the creation of a new player club account in the casino management system c) communicating the id of that player account, as identified by the casino management system, to the online system, shown by example in Figure 3.
  • Online system 350 is further configured interact with the external account system 302 through an interface 306. Online system 350 is further configured to process information received from the external account system 302 to associate external accounts with the user account on the online system 350. Online system 350 accesses a user account database 352 through a data server 351. In one embodiment, the database 352 is accessed to determine an account number 354 for the consumer/player 366. The consumer/player's account information can be communicated as part of the POS interface process 306 to determine the existence of an account with the external system. In some examples, multiple communications can be used to verify an account match. In some settings, other information can be transmitted to determine if an account exists for a player on an external account system 302. For example, consumer/player demographic information can be communicated in addition to or instead of an account number.
  • External account system 302 receives a request from the online system 350 via interface 306.
  • Data server 308 accepts requests from interface 306, and can execute queries on a database 310 hosted on the external account system to determine if an account exists for the consumer/player 366. In response to a match, the external account system can respond with an account number 312.
  • Data server 351 can respond to information communicated by interface 306, by storing association information.
  • the association information can be stored as part of the consumer/player's account 354.
  • a player profile can be associated with an account, and the external account association information can be retained as part of the player profile.
  • Player profiles can be employed by, for example, eligibility server 358, to determine what content stored on content server 356 should be presented to the consumer/player 366.
  • the functions and processes for determining eligibility, managing and identifying content, identifying delivery channels, delivering the content, and tracking activity associated with the content can be executed on, for example, online system 350.
  • registration for the account occurs through actions taken at a lottery point of sale.
  • an interface or process exists between the lottery point of sale and the online system to recognize and initiate the creation of the user account in the online system.
  • creation of the account occurs through this interface, the id of the player as recognized by the online system, as well as other attributes associated with the creation of the account, are communicated to the point of sale.
  • the point of sale can then use the unique id for the account, as well as other account attributes and data, to communicate with the online system for account status, profile data and other information and actions related to the account.
  • the account created by the online system represents a lottery VIP club account.
  • the online system can be used to manage aspects of lottery player and VIP clubs, from account registration, login and management, to database marketing, to point-of-sale management and tracking.
  • various security and access credentials are collected from the user and stored on disk or in a database and associated with the user account.
  • passwords pins or pass phrases are collected from the user to only allow those who possess those credentials the ability to access the online user account.
  • passwords pins and/or passphrases can be automatically generated.
  • credentials can be stored, for example using smart card technology. These credentials can also be used to encrypt sensitive data related to the user account so that only those who possess those credentials have the ability to read that sensitive data. Those skilled in the art can appreciate the need to collect these credentials to provide the highest level of security expected by consumers and IT professionals.
  • the system provides a level of user access security on top of the user access security mechanisms employed by account management system current used by casino, lottery and gaming operators.
  • various personal, demographic and preference data is collected and stored on disk or in a database and associated with the user account.
  • personal, demographic and preference data may be but not limited to first name, last name, date of birth, address, zip code, sex, income and favorite drink.
  • the personal, demographic and preference data recorded by the system can be an first name, last name, date of birth, address, zip code, sex, income and favorite drink, as well as but not limited to one, many or a combination of:
  • the system may collect information related to user preferences for preferred content delivery channels.
  • a user may indicate that they prefer email as the channel of choice.
  • the user may also indicate that they prefer SMS messages for coupons and enter in their cell phone number for delivery.
  • the system may collect information related to user preferences for preferred content delivery. For example, a user may "opt-in" to receive email alerts for progressive jackpots values. The user may define criteria, such as max jackpot value, in which the system will then use as criteria when determining eligibility for delivery of that email alert to the user.
  • a method or process such as collecting an electronic "signature” may be presented to allow the user the ability to assert that the information they are providing is truthful, factual and correct, to their knowledge.
  • the last step presents the user with a checkbox that states "by checking this box I assert that the information I have provided is truthful, factual and correct" and a submit button. If the user checks the checkbox and clicks the submit button, the system records in memory, on disk or in the database that the user has checked the checkbox and associates that state with the user account. This state then can be used to gate access to portions of the system that require that state to be checked. It can be appreciated that this is just one example and that other methods can be used to provide the user the ability to assert that the information they provided is truthful, factual and correct.
  • user accounts are stored and managed by an external third-party, with the online system managing a replica of that external account.
  • a third party system can manage a user account on behalf of the gaming establishment, lottery or lottery point of sale.
  • An interface exists between the online system and the third party system that allows for the replication of account data between the two systems.
  • the online and external system share unique identifiers to link the account and the account replica.
  • Other data attributes, such as 'create time', 'last update time' are by the online and external system to keep the replica of the account data up-to-date.
  • user accounts are stored and managed by an external third-party, with the online system only storing a unique reference to the account managed by the third party system.
  • system 350 of Figure 3 is configured to retrieve the unique reference from database 352 rather than the account number itself, and retrieve relevant information from the third party system.
  • a third party system can manage a user account on behalf of the gaming establishment, lottery or lottery point of sale.
  • An interface exists between the online system and the third party system to construct account operations on behalf of the online system.
  • the online system only stores, in memory, on disk or in a database, a unique reference identifier to the data stored in the external system. During all interface communication, the unique identifier is used to reference particular user accounts, which each user account having its own unique identifier.
  • user accounts 454 are created and stored in a database 452 of an online system 450 shown in Figure 4.
  • additional external accounts such as (but not limited to) casino or lottery player club accounts, Facebook accounts, Twitter accounts, email accounts, SMS accounts (cell phone number), loyalty accounts, frequent flyer accounts, frequent traveler accounts, etc., may be associated with the online user account and the id of the player, as recognized by the casino management system from information associated with the external account system(s) 402.
  • user identifiers linking to these accounts can be indicated by a player either through actions taken on property at the gaming establishment or actions taken with the online system.
  • external account identifiers such as username, password, unique id, access code, or account key
  • an interface exists by which the casino management system, or a subsequent application running on the gaming establishment's network, enables the user to enter in the account credentials.
  • This application transmits this data to the online system to then be associated with the online user account.
  • the association can be made through the user or system indicating the online user account credentials, the id of the player as recognized by the casino management system, or both, shown by example in Figure 4.
  • those external account identifiers are associated with the online user account and the id of the player, as recognized by the casino management system and subsequently stored in online system's database.
  • the online system provides a common interface that enables any external entity, system, network, device or application the ability to either receive data from the online system, or send data to the online system.
  • unique attributes of the user account such as a unique id for example, are used to determine which account the data is associated.
  • a member of a lottery VIP club is made eligible for delivery of an online sweepstakes application.
  • the member of the lottery VIP club uses the sweepstakes application to register entries into a drawing for tickets for a Major League baseball game.
  • the lottery as part of its relationship with the Major League, transmits data to the Major League to communicate data related to the users who have participated in the drawing for the Major League baseball tickets.
  • the Major League conducted a promotion and was able to qualify on their participants as having an interest in the lottery, that data can be transfer to the lottery, through the use of the online system, to create an account or additionally populate or update an existing account' s profile with additional and useful attributes
  • exclusion lists are loaded and managed by the online system.
  • the system uses data collected from the user as well as data loaded, processed and updated from external associated accounts to match account registrations with individuals listed on one or many exclusion lists.
  • a lottery may have a "Voluntary Exclusion List” that is created as people engage with a problem gambling hotline. This list is in place to prevent those with gambling problems from continuing to engage with lottery products.
  • the online system provides an interface by which the lottery can import and update the "Voluntary Exclusion List" with the online system.
  • the list is stored by the online system in memory, on disk or in a database.
  • the online system uses different attributes collected during the online registration process to match the new registration with individual records in the exclusion list managed by the online system.
  • a casino may have a list of players that are barred from interacting with the casino (cheaters, problem gamblers, employees, etc).
  • the online system takes attributes collected during the registration process, such as but not limited to first name, last name, address, zip code, phone number, social security number, credit card number, license number, email address, date of birth and national id and matches those attributes with attributes of records on the exclusion list managed by the online system. If a valid match is confirmed, the registration with the online system is not allowed.
  • data loaded, processed and updated from external associated accounts is used to match the new registration with individual records in the exclusion list managed by the online casino.
  • data from an account in a casino management system is loaded, processed and updated by the online system and stored in memory, on disk or in a database. Attributes of the data is then used to match the external associated account with individual records in the exclusion list managed by the online system.
  • registrations that match records in the exclusion list can trigger an 'account review' state, which notifies the operator of the match.
  • the operator then has the ability to allow or deny the registration, based on the data collected by the system during the registration process and the exclusion list managed by the online system.
  • import, loading, update and management of the exclusion list is done through a real-time interface between the online system, jurisdictional regulators, the casino, the lottery or gaming establishment.
  • a SOAP based interface may exist between the online system and a system sitting in the office of a state regulator or the agency that manages the state's problem gambling hotline.
  • an individual is added to the exclusion list as managed by the system sitting in the office of the state regulator or the agency that manages the state's problem gambling hotline, that new record is transferred via the interface to the online system.
  • the online system recognizes that real-time transfer and stores the new record in the exclusion list in memory, on disk or in a database.
  • the online system associates a data profile with the user account, using a unique identifier.
  • the online system then provides a user interface or 'GUI' to enable the user the ability to add, edit and manage data attributes associated with the profile and user account.
  • the user can add a profile photo by interacting with the user interface and uploading a photo from their pc, pda, cell phone, or electronic device.
  • the user can add generic profile data that can later be loaded for use by external associated accounts.
  • the system would allow a casino player the ability to set their on-property preferred preferences, such as preferred drink when playing, favorite restaurants, shows, preferred slot club hosts, preferred sports teams, etc.
  • This data can then be loaded by the external casino management system or transferred to the casino management system by the online system and be used to greatly enhance the on-property experience and make it as comfortable as possible. Tailoring the experience to the player and making them as comfortable as possible is critical in retaining customers and attracting new players.
  • player of a casino or lottery can pre-define gaming day "limits'.
  • They can set limits per any quantum or delta, such as but not limited to per visit, per session on a game device, per minute, per hour, per day, per week, per month or per year.
  • delivery channels are stored by the online system on disk or in a database and are associated with a combination of identifiers. These identifiers allow for the delivery channels to be classified and subsequently retrieved by the online system when needed.
  • a unique identifier is associated with the delivery channel to distinguish the delivery channel uniquely from other delivery channels stored by the system.
  • Other identifiers such as but not limited to delivery channel type, creation time, updated time, description, category, tags, keywords, size, url, domain name, email list address, forum name, administrator, administrator contact, and format is also stored to allow for the delivery channel to be identified.
  • the online system may also associate the unique delivery channel identifier with one or many unique content identifiers to indicate which content the delivery channel supports or allows.
  • delivery channels constitute any medium by which data can be presented to a player.
  • an email service provider, an email address, cell phone carrier, cell phone number, and electronic billboards are delivery channels.
  • the delivery channels identified by the system can be an email service provider, an email address, cell phone carrier, cell phone number, electronic billboard, as well as but not limited to one, many or a combination of: a. An email service provider b. An email address c. A phone carrier d. A home phone number e. A business phone number f. An automated calling and telemarketing system ("robo-dialing") g. A cell phone carrier h. A cell phone number i. An electronic billboard j. Online advertising k. Online advertising networks
  • a blog m. A blog network n A Facebook page o. A Facebook account p. A MySpace page q. A MySpace account r. A Twitter page s. A Twitter account t. A billboard u. A classified ad v. A classified advertising network w. An online classified advertising network x. An advertising network y. An advertising agency z. A brochure aa. A postcard bb. A website cc. A webpage dd. A personal webpage that requires login by the user ee. An electronic device ff. A wireless device gg. A wireless device running in a private network hh. A usb based device ii. A mobile phone jj. A 'PDA' device kk. A web browser
  • operators may be associated with delivery channels, linked by unique identifiers and stored on disk, in memory, or in a database.
  • Lottery A may be associated with Email, SMS, Twitter and Facebook while Casino B may be associated with Email, Twitter and MySpace.
  • content is stored by the online system on disk or in a database and is associated with one or a combination of identifiers. These identifiers allow the content to be classified and subsequently retrieved by the system when needed.
  • a unique identifier is associated with the content to distinguish the content uniquely from other content stored by the system.
  • Other identifiers such as but not limited to content type, creation time, updated time, description, category, tags, keywords, url, size, and format is also stored to allow for the content to be identified.
  • the online system may also associate the unique content identifier with one or many acceptable delivery channel identifiers to indicate which channels for which the content format is compatible and deliverable. Different channels can also be associated with an order of preference.
  • the content can be checked against the 1 st preferred delivery channel to determine if delivery is appropriate, and if not the next delivery channel can be checked and so on.
  • Players can establish designations for each channel, in one example in a player profile, that provide for alternative delivery mechanisms as well as delivery through multiple channels
  • the content identified by the system is, but not limited to, static content.
  • static content can be commonly described as text, html pages, graphics in common formats (jpg, gif, png, pic, bmp, raster, vector, etc), web pages, etc.
  • content identified by the system is, but not limited to dynamic content.
  • content may be user-specific personalized messages that included data about the user, such as a birthday message that include the user's first name and age.
  • This data may be pre-generated as part of a human-initiated process, or generated in real time by a set of software routines using data stored in memory, on disk or in a database.
  • a "template” language exists to describe how particular user-specific data can be included in content that exists in memory, on disk or in a database.
  • Character- based "tags” may be used to identify where in a document, for instance, a replacement may take place. Characters that can be used to delimit the starting and ending elements of standard replacement "tags” can be, but are not limited to, braces, brackets, semicolons, namespaces and other character-based identifiers.
  • braces are used to define where user- specific data is replaced for "first_name” can be "[replace:first_name]".
  • the content can be an application that runs on a personal computer, mobile application, script or "web-based" software application.
  • content may be but not limited to an Adobe Flash application.
  • the content identified by the system can be an Adobe Flash application, as well as but not limited to one, many or a combination of: a. Adobe PDF application b. Web application c. JavaScript application d. "AJAX" application e. HTML Application f. WAP Application g. MMS Application h. SMS Application i. iPhone Application j. BREW Application k. J2ME Application 1. J2EE Application m. Java Application n. PHP Application o. Python Application p. C/C++ Application q. C# Application r. Visual Basic Application s. Microsoft .NET Application t. Google Gears Application u. Facebook Application v. Compiled Application w.
  • the content identified by the system is, but not limited to, an offer, voucher, or coupon.
  • the content identified by the system can be an offer, voucher or coupon, as well as but not limited to one, many or a combination of: a.
  • Personal Jackpot counters and displays (games played by the player) n. Generic Jackpot counters and displays (all games) o.
  • Personal contest leader boards (contests engaged by the player) q. Generic contest leader boards (all contests) r. Personal (targeted) and general calendar s. Personal (targeted) advertising displays t. Personal rewards calculator that indicates when rewards are achieved next u.
  • Video display application v. Video streaming application w. Live video streaming application x. Video conferencing application y. Generic rewards calculator z.
  • Personal diary aa. Personal room reservation information (status, price, etc) bb. Room reservation application cc. Personal event reservation and ticket information (status, price, etc) dd.
  • Event reservations and ticket purchase application ee. Travel reservation and ticket purchase information (status, price, etc) ff. Travel reservations and ticket purchase application
  • the content identified by the system may not reside on the online system but reside on a system external to the online system.
  • identifiers and instructions are stored on the online system that indicate how to identify, access, load and deliver that content.
  • content such as a game application
  • content may reside on an external system's website.
  • the url, html embed tag code and instructions for loading, launching and running the game application are stored by the online system in memory, on disk or in a database.
  • user accounts are created and stored in a database.
  • additional external accounts can be associated with the online user account and the id of the player, as recognized by the casino management system.
  • data from these accounts can be loaded, processed and stored on the online system.
  • a casino or lottery player club account can be associated with the user account and stored by the online system in memory, on disk or in a database.
  • the account credentials can then be used to load information from the external account.
  • the account credentials are used the load data through an interface established between the online system and the system that manages the external account.
  • a SOAP based interface can be used to request account data by the online system from a casino management system.
  • the casino management system receives a request for data related to the external account, the data is then transferred from the casino management system to the online system, stored in memory, on disk, or in a database and is associated with the online user account and the id of the player, as recognized by the casino management system.
  • Account data transferred from the casino management system to the online system can be, but is not limited to, last gaming day, date of birth, status, points, assigned offers, assigned coupons, personal calendar, favorite games, games most played, player classification, player tier, first name, last name, gender and address. Any transfer of data though an interface between the online system and the casino management system may include industry standard and well accepted security measures to insure that the transfer of the data is secure.
  • various different types of interfaces are provided to transfer, load, and process data.
  • an "FTP” (File Transfer Protocol) module is provided as an interface for the transfer, loading and processing of data.
  • Protocols, systems, modules, applications and processes also provided as an interface can be, but are not limited to: a. A flat text file b.
  • An "FTP" (File Transfer Protocol) module c. INI d. XML e. SOAP f. TCP/IP g. HTTP h. HTTPS i.
  • a hard disk drive r. Electronic memory s. Flash memory device t. USB memory device u. External memory device v. CD-ROM disk w. Floppy disk x. Tape based magnetic medium
  • data loaded and processed from these external accounts through an interface can be periodically checked, loaded or updated to keep the data stored in the online system up to date with the data stored in the external account's management system.
  • an interface request can be made by the online system to an external system, such as a casino management system, to request updated data on a particular user id.
  • an external system such as a casino management system
  • the online system links online user accounts to the id used by the casino management system to identify the player in the casino management system, any requested data can be identified, fetched and then transferred to the online system.
  • data loaded, processed and updated from these external accounts is done using a queuing system.
  • the online system may identify, through some process (such as user interaction, a schedule, or the change in other user account identifiers and attributes) that external account data needs to be updated. The online system will then "queue" a request for that data in a list. Based on a pre-defined schedule or when the system can determine there are adequate and available resources, the "queue" of requests is processed from first to last and the system initiates the necessary requests to the external account management system to update the external account data.
  • some process such as user interaction, a schedule, or the change in other user account identifiers and attributes
  • data loaded, processed and updated from these external accounts is done in real time.
  • the online system may identify, through some process (such as user interaction with the system) that external account data needs to be updated.
  • the online system will then initiate a request for that data by initiating the necessary requests to the external account management system to update the external account data.
  • data loaded, processed or updated in real time can be used to prevent players from exceeding gaming "limits" set by the player or by the online system.
  • data loaded, processed and updated from these external accounts is initiated by the external account management system.
  • data is transferred to the online system through an interface. This data can be transferred in "batch", meaning multiple records at a time, or in real time per-user-account.
  • how data will be loaded, processed and updated from these external accounts is stored in memory, on disk or in a database.
  • casino management system "A” may only allow data to be loaded, processed and updated by it initiating a connection to the online system's FTP component and it transferring that data in a "batch” format.
  • casino management system “B” may prefer data to be transferred in real time, using a SOAP protocol, with requests for data being initiated by the online system.
  • data associated with the user account on the online system may be valuable to the system that manages the external account, requiring that the online system update the external account management system on a periodic basis.
  • the online system may associate gaming-day "limits” with the online user account.
  • these "limits” are numerical values that describe the absolute maximum amount of money the user wishes to be allowed to gamble within any particular 24 hour period.
  • the gaming-day "limits” may be indicated by the user or by the system based on other data associated with the user account, such as inclusion on a problem gambling list, user debt data, or jurisdictionally imposed rules and regulations.
  • the online system uses an interface to establish a connection with, for example, a casino management system. Based on the id stored in the online system and recognized by the casino management system as linking the player to a player account record, the online system submits the updated data associated with the online user account.
  • the gaming-day "limits" are transferred from the online system to the casino management system, stored and associated with the player account records, as indicated by the id stored in the online system and recognized by the casino management system as linking the player to the player account record.
  • user accounts are created and stored in a database.
  • External accounts can be associated with the online user account and the id of the player, as recognized by the casino management system. Data from these external accounts can be loaded, processed and stored on the online system. Once stored on the online system, either in memory, on disk or in a database, the online system can then process the data based on the format and amount of data stored on the external account.
  • the external account can be a player account in a casino management system.
  • the system can then process particular attributes of the external account, such as but not limited to last gaming day, number of visits to the property, amount spent per visit, all games played, all gaming days, etc.
  • the system can process the account by either using the account credentials indicated by the user to log into the account through an interface that would normally be available to players, through an API (Application Programming Interface) provided by the casino management system, or through a different interface, such as a XML, SOAP, or TCP/IP interface.
  • the data extracted and processed can then be stored on the online system, either in memory, on disk or in a database and subsequently used to indicate and record user preference, such as likes, dislikes, gaming affinities, value as a player, as well as frequency of gaming.
  • the external account can be a Facebook account.
  • the system can then process particular attributes of the external account, such as but not limited to friends the account is associated to, groups the account belongs to, text in the posts related to account status updates, etc.
  • the system can process the account by either using the account credentials indicated by the user to log into the account, or through an API (Application Programming Interface) provided by the external account management system.
  • the data extracted and processed can then be stored on the online system, either in memory, on disk or in a database and subsequently used to indicate and record user preferences, such as likes, dislikes, brand affinities, travel destinations, most discussed topics, as well as demographic information.
  • data external to the online system can be loaded, processed, stored and managed by the online system.
  • This data can then be used by this system in various aspects described by this invention, such as content management, eligibility and delivery.
  • progressive jackpots are used in both the casino and lottery industry.
  • the online system can load, process and manage progressive jackpot data that is provided through a common interface.
  • thresholds for progressive jackpot values can be set by users and stored as attributes of their user profiles.
  • the system can recognize that a threshold specified by a user and stored as an attribute of their profile, has been reached.
  • the system can then make that user eligible to receive an email notifying them of this event and then delivery that email.
  • data associated with a particular delivery channel is loaded and stored in the online system.
  • advertising schedules related to radio advertising can be stored and managed by the system.
  • data associated with particular real-time delivery channels, networks, systems and devices is loaded and stored in the system.
  • modern technology allows for various network attributes and consumer- level devices, such as home PCs, USB devices, PDAs, ip addresses and cell phones, to determine the user's geo-location.
  • This data can be loaded, processed and updated by the system and stored in memory, on disk or in a database.
  • geo- location can be used in various aspects of the system, such as content eligibility, content delivery, as well as gating user access to the system.
  • geo-location can be used to gate user access to the system.
  • geo-location is loaded, stored and managed by the system, that data can be used to determine whether or not the user is allowed to register for or access a user account.
  • all users who have the capacity to receive or view content that is stored in the system must be recorded as being 'eligible' to receive or view that content.
  • User eligibility can be stored by the system in memory, on disk or in a database.
  • Shown in Figure 6 is a logic flow associated with determining eligibility for content driven by measurable activities linked to player identity.
  • measureable activities e.g. on property play, web participation, content viewed/clicked etc, redemption of points, behavior, visits frequency purchases, etc.
  • the measurable activities are uniquely associated with a particular player identify at 604.
  • the association can be determined from, for example, web profiles, player club account, Facebook profile, phone number, credit card number, address, amongst other information.
  • the system provides for content delivery at 606 to the identified players and may further provide for customization of content on the basis of content display at 608. For example, scaling can be performed to tailor delivered content to the delivery channel being employed.
  • eligibility to receive or view content is defined by characteristics of the user's profile. For example, current latitude and longitude are two possible attributes of the user's profile. Based on these two attributes, the system can determine eligibility based on the current geo-location of the user. The system can also use these two attributes to determine the user's current position in relation to a point of sale. For instance, if the user is within 10 miles of a lottery point of sale, the system can make the user eligible for an SMS-based coupon for '1 free $2 scratch ticket'.
  • eligibility to receive or view content is defined by characteristics of the user's profile scored through predictive analytics, regression tests, behavioral analysis, and/or preferences indicated by the user. For example, a user registering with the online system may not have an external associated account. In this case, predictive analytics is used to determine the best coupon to present to the user to incentivize redemption at the point of sale.
  • eligibility to receive or view content is defined by characteristics of the user's profile, data loaded, processed and updated from one or many external associated accounts, or both.
  • a casino management system may associate a gaming 'tier' to a player record that indicates the value of that player to the casino.
  • the player account in the casino management system is registered as an associated external account and the account data associated with the external account has been loaded and processed by the online system, the gaming 'tier' can be used to indicate eligibility for a particular user or set of users to receive and view content stored by the system.
  • Other examples of user profile characteristics that can be used to determine eligibility to receive or view content are: a. Player Tier b. Player demographics c. Distance from a particular geo-location d. Gaming affinities e. Previous interaction online or at property
  • eligibility to receive or view content is defined by jurisdictionally imposed gaming rules and regulations.
  • a gaming jurisdiction may have regulations related to the type of marketing materials particular individuals can received. Some jurisdictions may impose rules that say marketing materials related to gaming cannot be sent to individuals that have previously be registered on a problem gambling exclusion list.
  • a gaming jurisdiction may have regulations that individuals can only receive a particular amount of free slot play during a given month. The system will then record the amount of free slot play delivered, receive and redeemed by the player and then use that information to manage the eligibility for the delivery of future free slot play coupons to the player.
  • eligibility to receive or view content is defined by a set of rules. For example, some content may require the user to opt-in for the receipt of that content.
  • a rule can dictate that all users that have not opted-in to receive a particular set of content are not eligible to receive that content.
  • a user may have opted-in to receive progressive jackpot alerts via email when the jackpot reaches a particular threshold, as defined by the user during or after account registration and associated with their user account in the system.
  • eligibility to receive or view content is defined by the receipt or view of previously delivered content.
  • a user may be made eligible for a subsequent set of coupons or offers.
  • eligibility to receive or view content is defined by a fixed schedule.
  • a general calendar of events at a gaming establishment may have Double Points Tuesday every Tuesday between July 1 st and September 1 st .
  • users are made eligible to receive or view content advertising "Double Points Tuesday" during and around that period of time, as defined by a schedule.
  • eligibility is defined by a matrix, sequence and schedule that can associate user actions, external events and interactions to eligibility for one, many or a combination of content elements.
  • the operator can define that for 'tier Y players, if they view and then redeem a '$20 in free slot play coupon' within 24 hours of receiving the coupon, then they are made eligible for a 'free buffet coupon' . If the 'free buffet coupon' is redeemed within a 1 week period and the player subsequently spends more than $100 on the proper during the visit in which that coupon is redeemed, then the player is made eligible for a '$50 free slot play coupon' .
  • eligibility is fixed and hard-coded by the operator of the online system, based on a unique identifier that can identify the user account or by a unique identifier that can identify a related external account.
  • the operator of a casino can set eligibility based on the username set by the player during registration with the online system or based on the id used by the casino management system to uniquely identify player.
  • eligibility is based on previous interaction online or at the gaming establishment. For example, previous interactions with a particular gaming machine that has a progressive jackpot can make the user eligible to receive jackpot email and SMS alerts for that particular gaming title.
  • Previous interactions online or at the gaming establishment may be defined as, but not limited to: a. Groups that player belongs to online b. Websites frequented c. Social networks d. Games played in the past online e. Games played at the property f. Events attended g. Travel
  • a user interface or 'GUI' is provided to enable the operator of the online system the ability to manage delivery eligibility.
  • content is selected by the system for delivery to particular users within the system based on a list of available content, events and a list of eligible recipients, stored in memory, on disk or in a database.
  • the system may query the database for a list of eligible recipients for a coupon or offer to be delivered by the system.
  • content is selected by the system for delivery to particular users within the system based on an event external to the system.
  • the system is monitoring progressive jackpots on the gaming property and the jackpot has exceeded $10,000.
  • the system may query the database for a list of eligible recipients for a progressive jackpot alerts. Based on users who have "opted-in" to receive alerts when the jackpot exceeds $10,000, the system then selects the appropriate content related to the progressive jackpot alert for that game, makes the appropriate users eligible to receive that content and then prepares it for delivery to these users.
  • the system is monitoring the value of a "Mega Millions" or "Powerball” lottery jackpot and the jackpot has exceeded $10,000,000. Based on users who have "opted-in” to receive alerts when the jackpot exceeds $10,000,000, the system then selects the appropriate content related to the progressive jackpot alert for that game, makes the appropriate users eligible to receive that content and then prepares it for delivery to these users.
  • content is selected by the system for delivery to a particular user within the system based on an event related to the user's profile.
  • the date of birth associated with a user record can indicate that today is the user' s birthday.
  • the system selects the 'birthday' coupon for delivery to the user.
  • content is scaled and pre-rendered to prepare that content for delivery in one, many or a combination of delivery channels.
  • an image may contain text but in raster form.
  • the text is extracted from the image and rendered as a character-based text file to be compatible for delivery to an SMS device.
  • content is scaled and pre-rendered to prepare that content for delivery, based on channel attributes.
  • a delivery channel is stored in the system and an image is being prepared for delivery in that channel. Attributes related to acceptable image width and height are stored and associated to that delivery channel as an attribute of the delivery channel. The image is larger than the acceptable width and height stored as an attribute of the channel, so the system then scales that image accordingly.
  • 3d content can be scaled and pre-rendered in 2d to support channels and devices that do not support 3d content.
  • content is scaled and pre-rendered to prepare that content for delivery, based on a destination device, network or application.
  • a cell phone may only accept a specific SMS character limit. So, the system scales a coupon's messaging to fit within that character display limit.
  • content is delivered through a channel and or to an eligible user once that content has been selected, scaled and pre-rendered for delivery.
  • a player visits a casino's website and logs in to their user account using the account credentials they indicated during account registration with the system. For the sake of this example, they are logging into a delivery channel identified by the system as the
  • account credentials can be indicators such as email address and password to gate access to the 'personal player page' and determine which user for which the page will be rendered.
  • the system checks for content that he user is eligible to receive through the 'personal player page' channel. For the sake of this example, the player is eligible for a personalized 'general manager's letter', offers, a personalized calendar, jackpot meters and a graphical display of the number of loyalty points they have associated with their account. The system then prepares the content the user is eligible for, does any required scaling and pre-rendering of the content for delivery to the player and then delivers the content to the 'personal player page' channel by rendering the page.
  • the player is eligible to receive an offer and coupon for $20 in free slot play through the 'personal player page' channel
  • the content for an offer and coupon is fetched from the system, scaled and pre-rendered for delivery and then delivered to the player through the rendering of the personal web page.
  • a user interface or 'GUI' is provided to the operator for management of content delivery.
  • delivery of content through a one, many or a combination of delivery channels can be determined by the system based on a variety of events, factors and/or attributes.
  • channel selection can be based on personal preference, either dictated by the user or based on preference derived from the loading and processing external associated accounts.
  • a during online account registration a user may indicate that they prefer to receive offers and event information from a casino exclusively through their email and SMS accounts.
  • the system and/or external systems can determine an appropriate channel based, at least in part, on external information.
  • geo-location systems can indicate that a player's location is changing, suggesting the player is accessing content from a mobile location. Delivery to the player's cell phone can be made the primary delivery mechanism for this circumstance. Selected delivery channel can be adjusted based, at least in part, on location determination.
  • eligible content can include content for casino's and/or lottery locations in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Geo-location information indicates that the player is in Las Vegas, therefore, the content delivered can be filtered to exclude content associated with Atlantic City.
  • the system may track engagement with previously delivered content and determine that channel selection can be based on the success of previous engagement with that delivered content.
  • the system can track that coupons delivered through email have a far greater percentage and frequency of redemption than coupons delivered through Facebook. This measurement is then stored in memory, on disk or in a database and associated with the user account that was delivered the content.
  • channel selection may be based on user profile elements.
  • the user profile is associated to an account in a casino management system.
  • the system can identify when a player is playing a particular game in a gaming establishment. The system can select the gaming machine they are playing at as the delivery channel for an application that will render '200 credits in online BonusPlay coupon' with instructions on how they may print that coupon.
  • channel selection may be based off of external associated accounts.
  • a user may have an account with a credit card that offers travel rewards. Once this account has been identified by the online system as being associated to the user, offers and coupons for the gaming establish may be delivered through channels provided by the credit card management system, such as email blasts sent on a monthly basis to an email address associated with the credit card.
  • channel selection may be hard-coded by the operator.
  • the operator may select that they want all '$20 free slot play' coupons to be exclusively delivered via email.
  • channel selection may be based on a schedule.
  • the operator may select that they want all '$20 free slot play' coupons to be delivered via email on Tuesdays and Thursdays and via SMS all other days.
  • channel selection may be based on a set of rules related to one, many or a combination of delivery channels and the content to be delivered in that channel.
  • Google does not allow the delivery and display of advertising related to the gaming aspect of a casino or lottery, but will allow advertisements for hotel rooms, events and resorts.
  • the system can recognize this and not deliver advertising related to the gaming aspects of a casino or lottery through channels related to or operated by Google.
  • channel selection may be based on jurisdictionally imposed rules and regulations. For example, a specific gaming jurisdiction may impose a rule that only allows gaming establishments the ability to deliver free slot play through post cards and personal web pages, but not through email, SMS, Twitter, Facebook, etc. The system can recognize this and only deliver free slot play through channels related to post cards and personal web pages.
  • channel selection is based on a script that dictates a sequence of channels and content to be delivered in those channels.
  • the operator may want to script a set of offers to be delivered to a player over time, but may not want all of the offers to be delivered through the same delivery channel.
  • they can create a script that is interpreted by the system to dictate the channels to be used by the system for delivery of offers over time. For example, offer 'A' is delivered through email on Monday and then offer 'B' is delivered through SMS on Thursday of the same week.
  • a user interface or 'GUI' is provided to the operator for management of channel selection.
  • the online system measures the deliverability of the content delivered, the delivery channel and the receipt of that content.
  • the system delivers a '$20 in free slot play' HTML email message to a particular channel, such as a user's email address.
  • a particular channel such as a user's email address.
  • the receiving email server does not exist or if the server exists and it responds to the online system that it was unable to deliver the email due to a non-existent email address, the system stores this information.
  • the email address as a channel for content delivery is marked as invalid by storing a state in memory, on disk or in a database and associating that state to the user account record and the delivery channel. This state can then be used when the system is determining effective delivery channels for content.
  • the content being delivered may have a higher deliver rate within one, many or a combination of channels than other content being delivered.
  • a text email message may be measured by the system has having a higher rate of opens and views by users than HTML email messages.
  • the system stores this as a state in memory, on disk or in a database and associates that state to the content being delivered, the user and/or the channel used for delivery.
  • unique identifiers are used to associate the online account with external associated accounts, such as player accounts that exit in a casino management system. These unique identifiers are used to then track engagement with content delivered to a user of the online system.
  • an html email is delivered to a user of the online system.
  • Common interfaces and methods are used, such as 'tracking pixel', to determine that the email is opened.
  • the 'url' to a webpage is included in the email.
  • Tracking 'urls' can be used to determine that the 'url' included in the email was clicked by the user.
  • the system can measure the amount of time between when the email was 'opened' and when the tracking 'url' was clicked.
  • Tracking pixels and tracking urls can be used to measure engagement, as well other methods. These methods can include tracking pixels and tracking urls, but also can include, as but not be limited to: a. Urls b. Urls clicked c. Web pages visited d. Tracking pixels e. Tracking urls f. Javascript embedded in web pages g. Flash applications embedded in web pages h. Scan of player card id by a device or system i. Scan of coupon connected to online user or player card id j. Use of credit card associated with online account at a gaming establishment k. Scan of player card at gaming device 1. Data collected by third-partying applications, networks and devices
  • the system tracks engagement through and across one, many or a combination of content, delivery channels and calculates the best and most successful combination and sequence.
  • the system may track the engagement and subsequent actions taken by the player, starting with a particular coupon delivered to users through text emails versus coupon delivered to users through Twitter or Facebook.
  • the system then stores the results of that tracking in memory, on disk or in a database for use in determining effective channel delivery, or other analysis and use.
  • the online system uses data loaded, processed from external associated accounts to track subsequent and related actions. For example, there is a significant amount of rich data that can be derived from point- of-sale systems and transactions related to the online user and/or external associated accounts.
  • the system can determine retail purchase habits by linking the redemption of a sweepstakes coupon at specific retailer. If a credit card used in the same transaction or visit, that can also be stored by the online system to extract further data about purchase history, affinities and habits.
  • the online system in integrated with third party networks, applications and devices to enable the online system to track subsequent and related actions taken by a user.
  • the system records the various attributes and data points related to the engagement with the content and subsequent and connection events and actions. Attributes such as action, events, sequence of actions, time of events and the time deltas between events are tracked. These attributes are then stored in memory, on disk or in a database and associated with the content delivered, the channel used for delivery and the user. These can be used to measure and indicate the most effective content, delivery channel and path/sequence of events. Illustrated in Figure 7 is one example calculation of an engagement score based on tracked information associated with content delivery and redemption. At 702 a frequency is determined for a particular offer based on tracked data.
  • data associated with the number of times the content/offer was viewed is calculated, the frequency for acceptances and/or printing calculated at 706, the frequency for redemption (e.g. swiped card, scanned coupon to redeem) calculated at 708, and any money spent as the result of those actions tracked at 710.
  • the various frequencies can be reduced to a probability factored with an amount of money that was spent as a result of the redemption to determine an engagement score.
  • the engagement score can then be used to tailor how the system presents content, selects delivery channels, among other options.
  • the online system has external devices, applications and process to manage the redemption of coupons and offers delivered by the system.
  • These external devices, applications and processes are connected to the online system through a public or private data network.
  • the online system can have an external device that attaches to a computer which is also attached to the public internet.
  • the device also has a software application that runs on a server and interfaces with the device through a web browser. An interface exists between the device, the computer, the browser and the public internet.
  • This device has an integrated bar code scanner and when coupons delivered by the online system are scanned by this device, the online system is signaled through the interface for the redemption of the coupon. This allows the system to achieve complete end-to-end tracking without the need for data from an external or connected account.
  • the online system has a software application or device that runs on or interfaces with a casino management system, networked gaming system, 'online' lottery system, retail point-of-sale, gaming machine, hand-held device, cell phone or pda.
  • This software application or device then can manage different aspects of data transfer, content delivery recognition, coupon redemption and data collection for the online system.
  • a slot machine running on the floor of the casino is managed by a networked gaming system.
  • the online system has an external application that is built and configured to operate on the networked gaming system.
  • the application can the track play on the slot machine and report that tracked play to the online system, using a unique identifier to indicate the user playing at the slot machine.
  • the online system has an external application that is build and configured to operate on an iPhone.
  • the application can then solicit data from the user and transfer to the online system.
  • the application can also operate as a device- specific element for the management of content being delivered to the user, through the iPhone.
  • the system can analyze attributes of engagement to determine efficiencies. For example, based on analysis of attribute data, it can be reported that coupons that can be redeemed directly at specific gaming devices result in a higher spend per visit. So, the gaming establishment may decide to focus more of their marketing efforts on coupons that are redeemable at specific gaming devices.
  • Player Account includes Player Profile
  • Player Account/Profile can be configured to control Content and Channel Delivery • In particular - Gaming Limitation pre-generated by player
  • Delivery Channel includes cell phone, email, web page, Facebook ... etc. - any perceptible medium for delivering information
  • Eligibility for particular content can be scaled based on player value, and/or specific player characteristics (e.g. relationship with specific external account) • Scaling can occur on any demographic
  • Second tier content only accessible after First tier access and/or completion
  • Path-based engagement evaluating sequences of engagement paths based on parameters (e.g., ROI) to determine effective engagement paths that can be applied to current player or other players (e.g., ones having similar profiles)
  • Various embodiments according to the present invention may be implemented on one or more computer systems.
  • These computer systems may be, for example, general -purpose computers such as those based on Intel Atom, Core, or PENTIUM-type processor, IBM PowerPC, AMD Athlon or Opteron, Sun UltraSPARC, or any other type of processor.
  • general -purpose computers such as those based on Intel Atom, Core, or PENTIUM-type processor, IBM PowerPC, AMD Athlon or Opteron, Sun UltraSPARC, or any other type of processor.
  • one or more of any type computer system may be used to manage interactive user engagement, manage and deliver content, track engagement, calculate player value, dynamically determine a delivery channel, communication content, and customize content based on selected communication channel according to various embodiments of the invention.
  • the system may be located on a single computer or may be distributed among a plurality of computers attached by a communications network.
  • a general-purpose computer system is configured to perform any of the described operations and/or algorithms, including but not limited to providing for management of content, display of a user interface to enter external and/or online account information, register for external and/or online accounts, manage user preference information, manage user identity information, identify content uniquely, indentify content delivery channels uniquely, automatically select an optimal delivery channel, calculate return on investment for a delivery path, among other options.
  • the system may perform other operations and/or algorithms, including operations for registration, storage and management of accounts, associating accounts with online and external accounts, managing exclusions, imposing jurisdictional regulations on player activity, providing user profiles, permitting users to manage their profiles, register, store and manage delivery channels and content, determining eligibility to receive and/or view content, scaling content for a delivery channel, measuring deliverability, tracking engagement with delivered content, and tracking subsequent and related actions, etc.
  • the operations and/or algorithms described herein can also be encoded as software executing on hardware that define a processing component, that can define portions of a specially configured general purpose computer, reside on an individual general purpose computer, and/or reside on multiple general purpose computers.
  • Fig. 9 shows a block diagram of a general-purpose computer system 900 in which various aspects of the present invention can be practiced.
  • various aspects of the invention can be implemented as specialized software executing in one or more computer systems including general-purpose computer systems 1104, 1106, and 1108 communicating over network 1102 shown in Fig. 11.
  • Computer system 900 may include a processor 906 connected to one or more memory devices 910, such as a disk drive, memory, or other device for storing data.
  • Memory 910 is typically used for storing programs and data during operation of the computer system 900.
  • Components of computer system 900 can be coupled by an interconnection mechanism 908, which may include one or more busses (e.g., between components that are integrated within a same machine) and/or a network (e.g., between components that reside on separate discrete machines).
  • the interconnection mechanism enables communications (e.g., data, instructions) to be exchanged between system components of system 900.
  • Computer system 900 may also include one or more input/output (I/O) devices 904, for example, a keyboard, mouse, trackball, microphone, touch screen, a printing device, display screen, speaker, etc.
  • Storage 912 typically includes a computer readable and writeable nonvolatile recording medium in which signals are stored that define a program to be executed by the processor or information stored on or in the medium to be processed by the program.
  • the medium may, for example, be a disk 1002 or flash memory as shown in FIG. 10.
  • the processor causes data to be read from the nonvolatile recording medium into another memory 1004 that allows for faster access to the information by the processor than does the medium.
  • This memory is typically a volatile, random access memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) or static memory (SRAM).
  • DRAM dynamic random access memory
  • SRAM static memory
  • the memory can be located in storage 912 as shown, or in memory system 910.
  • the processor 906 generally manipulates the data within the memory 910, and then copies the data to the medium associated with storage 912 after processing is completed.
  • a variety of mechanisms are known for managing data movement between the medium and integrated circuit memory element and the invention is not limited thereto.
  • the invention is not limited to a particular memory system or storage system.
  • the computer system may include specially-programmed, special-purpose hardware, for example, an application- specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
  • ASIC application- specific integrated circuit
  • aspects of the invention can be implemented in software, hardware or firmware, or any combination thereof.
  • computer system 900 is shown by way of example as one type of computer system upon which various aspects of the invention can be practiced, it should be appreciated that aspects of the invention are not limited to being implemented on the computer system as shown in Fig. 9.
  • Various aspects of the invention can be practiced on one or more computers having a different architectures or components than that shown in Fig. 9. It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to executing on any particular system or group of systems. Also, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to any particular distributed architecture, network, or communication protocol.
  • Various embodiments of the invention can be programmed using an object-oriented programming language, such as Java, C++, Ada, or C# (C-Sharp). Other object-oriented programming languages may also be used. Alternatively, functional, scripting, and/or logical programming languages can be used.
  • Various aspects of the invention can be implemented in a non-programmed environment (e.g., documents created in HTML, XML or other format that, when viewed in a window of a browser program, render aspects of a graphical-user interface (GUI) or perform other functions).
  • GUI graphical-user interface
  • the system libraries of the programming languages are incorporated herein by reference.
  • Various aspects of the invention can be implemented as programmed or non-programmed elements, or any combination thereof.
  • the system can be a distributed system (e.g., client server, multi-tier system) comprising multiple general-purpose computer systems.
  • the system includes software processes executing on a system associated with registering a user for an online and/or external account, interface processes for tying the online and external systems together, co-generation of user account accounts on an online and external account system.
  • These systems may permit the end users to access content in data locally or may permit remote access to content in data, the end users, for example, can employ a web browser to access content for which they are eligible, access a web page to redeem content, among other operations.
  • Fig. 11 shows an architecture diagram of an example distributed system 1100 suitable for implementing various aspects of the invention. It should be appreciated that Fig. 11 is used for illustration purposes only, and that other architectures can be used to facilitate one or more aspects of the invention.
  • System 1100 may include one or more general-purpose computer systems distributed among a network 1102 such as, for example, the Internet. Such systems may cooperate to perform functions related to managing interactive user engagement.
  • a network 1102 such as, for example, the Internet.
  • Such systems may cooperate to perform functions related to managing interactive user engagement.
  • one or more users operate one or more client computer systems 1104, 1106, and 1108 through which the user can access content, register accounts, enter external account information and potentially redeem offers.
  • the one or more client computer systems 1104, 1106, and 1108 may also be used to access, for example, external account registration systems, content, user profile management, etc.
  • users interface with the system via an Internet-based interface.
  • a system 1104 includes a browser program such as the Microsoft Internet Explorer application program, Mozilla's FireFox, or Google's Chrome browser through which one or more websites can be accessed. Further, there can be one or more application programs that are executed on system 1104 that perform functions associated with interactive user engagement.
  • system 1104 may include one or more local databases for storing, caching and/or retrieving patron profiles, potential offers, tracked content activity, redemption activity, etc.
  • Network 1102 may also include, as part of the system for managing interactive user engagement, one or more server systems, which can be implemented on general-purpose computers that cooperate to perform various functions including receiving user account information, retrieving database information on player account information, executing interface processes between external accounts and the online system and other functions.
  • server systems which can be implemented on general-purpose computers that cooperate to perform various functions including receiving user account information, retrieving database information on player account information, executing interface processes between external accounts and the online system and other functions.
  • System 1100 may execute any number of software programs or processes and the invention is not limited to any particular type or number of processes. Such processes can perform the various workflows associated with the system for managing interactive user engagement. It should be appreciated that various embodiments described in any portion of the above description can be performed alone or in combination with other embodiments described herein.

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Abstract

L'invention porte sur un système, un procédé et appareil destinés à combiner un club de joueurs de casino ou de loterie avec un système fournissant une plateforme unifiée et un intergiciel pour la production, la délivrance, la gestion et la mesure d'un engagement de client parmi des dispositifs multiples de distribution, réseaux, applications, plateformes et canaux de commercialisation. L'établissement de jeu est ainsi capable de rassembler des données d'engagement de valeur de joueur, de profils de joueur établis et de déterminer la façon la plus efficace d'atteindre, de divertir et d'influencer de manière rentable le comportement de leurs meilleurs clients de valeur.
PCT/US2010/038694 2009-06-15 2010-06-15 Système et procédé de gestion d'une délivrance de contenu et de mesure d'engagement WO2010148002A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US18712409P 2009-06-15 2009-06-15
US61/187,124 2009-06-15

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WO2010148002A2 true WO2010148002A2 (fr) 2010-12-23

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Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10373093B2 (en) 2015-10-27 2019-08-06 International Business Machines Corporation Identifying patterns of learning content consumption across multiple entities and automatically determining a customized learning plan based on the patterns

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10373093B2 (en) 2015-10-27 2019-08-06 International Business Machines Corporation Identifying patterns of learning content consumption across multiple entities and automatically determining a customized learning plan based on the patterns

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