WO2012097382A1 - Système de coupons promotionnels sans fil - Google Patents

Système de coupons promotionnels sans fil Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012097382A1
WO2012097382A1 PCT/US2012/021624 US2012021624W WO2012097382A1 WO 2012097382 A1 WO2012097382 A1 WO 2012097382A1 US 2012021624 W US2012021624 W US 2012021624W WO 2012097382 A1 WO2012097382 A1 WO 2012097382A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
player
gaming machine
handheld device
data
promotional
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/021624
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
John J. Hilbert
Original Assignee
Futurelogic, Inc.
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 Futurelogic, Inc. filed Critical Futurelogic, Inc.
Publication of WO2012097382A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012097382A1/fr

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G06Q30/0207—Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
    • G06Q30/0209—Incentive being awarded or redeemed in connection with the playing of a video game
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3202—Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
    • G07F17/3216—Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects
    • G07F17/3218—Construction aspects of a gaming system, e.g. housing, seats, ergonomic aspects wherein at least part of the system is portable
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3225—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
    • G07F17/3232—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed
    • G07F17/3237—Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users wherein the operator is informed about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/32—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for games, toys, sports, or amusements
    • G07F17/3244—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 present disclosure relates generally to gaming, and more specifically to hardware and software operating with printers and printer connected hardware used in gaming and sales to perform promotional coupon printing, promotional databasing and triggering.
  • the gaming machine manufacturing industry provides a variety of gaming machines for the amusement of gambling players.
  • An exemplary gaming machine is a slot machine.
  • a slot machine is an electronic or electro-mechanical gaming machine wherein chance or the skill of a player determines the outcome of a game played on the gaming machine. Slot machines are usually found in casinos or other more informal gaming establishments.
  • Two pieces of equipment typically used for a cashless enabled game are a printer to produce the vouchers and a bill acceptor that supports automatic reading of the vouchers.
  • a player using a cashless enabled gaming machine wishes to withdraw their credits, or "cashout”
  • the gaming machine is signaled and, depending on the size of the pay out, the gaming machine either presents the player with currency, such as coins in the traditional method of a slot machine, or the gaming machine causes a printer associated with the cashless enabled gaming machine to produce a voucher indicating the value of the pay out.
  • the voucher may then either be redeemed for cash at the cashier's cage for currency, or may be inserted into another cashless enabled gaming machine to be redeemed for credits, or "cashin" on the other cashless enabled gaming machine.
  • Cashless enabled gaming machines have found an increasing acceptance and use in the gaming industry with both the players, who enjoy the speed of play and ease of transporting their winnings around the casino, and with the casinos who have realized significant labor savings in the form of reduced coin hopper reloads in the gaming machines, and an increase in revenue because of the increased speed of play.
  • the broad installation base of cashless enabled games guarantees a wide installed base of networked games and their installed printers which may be used to print coupons and promotions for the captive player audiences.
  • Gaming Establishment A gaming entity such as a casino that operates one or more gaming machines.
  • Game Gaming Machine
  • Game Machine A slot machine, gaming machine, game table or other gaming device.
  • Host System A computer, back-end system, gaming system, network, or other system that sends and/or receives information to and/or from a game, a printer or other components in a gaming machine.
  • a host system include a wagering issuance and redemption system, cash-out voucher system, a player tracking system, and a
  • Game Voucher or “Game Cashout Voucher” - Media, such as paper or rewritable card, containing sufficient information to identify at a minimum, an amount of money and a validation number used to authenticate the transaction.
  • Promotional Coupon - Media, such as paper or rewritable card, containing sufficient information to identify at a minimum, a promotional event or a promotional reward to a player and validation information.
  • Rewritable Card - Media such as a smart card, magnetic media, thermal media, thermal reversible media, RF fiber media, RFID tag media, or write once media, which may be used for game vouchers and promotional coupons.
  • the present disclosure is directed to a wireless promotional couponing system wherein game activity/player metric data is collected using a handheld device and a wireless interface to a routing device in a gaming machine. The data is stored on the handheld device and transmitted to a host system for further processing.
  • a routing device connected to a game, stores game activity, the game activity including game play, promotional activity, or a combination of such.
  • a routing device connected to a game, stores game information from the associated game, the game information including a unique identifier for the game.
  • a routing device connected to a printer, stores printer activity such as generating a print job, among others.
  • a routing device connected to a printer, stores printer information from the associated printer, the printer information including a unique identifier for the printer.
  • a routing device is incorporated into the printer.
  • a routing device is addressable by a unique identifier, such as an IP address.
  • a routing device is configured for wireless communication.
  • a handheld device stores data captured from one or more routing devices.
  • a handheld device is configured for wireless
  • a handheld device is addressable by a unique identifier, such as an IP address.
  • an interface accessed from a handheld device provides secured communication with each routing device of a gaming establishment and one or more host systems.
  • an interface accessed from a handheld device captures routing device information, such as the unique identifier.
  • an interface accessed from a handheld device captures game activity of a game stored on an associated routing device.
  • an interface accessed from a handheld device captures game information of a game stored on an associated routing device.
  • an interface accessed from a handheld device provides secured communications for transmitting game data captured from one or more routing devices to a host system.
  • an interface accessed from a handheld device provides secured communications for transmitting information from a handheld device, such as a unique identifier.
  • the information from a handheld device is appended to data captures from one or more routing devices and transmitted to a host system.
  • a host system stores data transferred from one or more handheld devices.
  • a host system is configured for wireless communication.
  • a host system is addressable by a unique identifier, such as an IP address.
  • FIG. 1 is an illustration of the components of a wireless promotional couponing system in a gaming environment in accordance with the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of a routing device data capture process in accordance with the present disclosure
  • FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram of a host system transmission process in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 4 is a an illustration of associations between a user interface and database records in accordance with the present disclosure
  • FIG. 5 is an illustration of a construction of a graphical user interface in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is an illustration of the operation of a graphical user interface in accordance with the present disclosure
  • FIG. 7 is another illustration of the operation of a graphical user interface in accordance with the present disclosure
  • FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a host system in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a printer in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG.10 is a block diagram of a routing device in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a handheld device in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • the present disclosure is directed to a wireless promotional couponing system where game activity data is collected using a handheld device and a wireless interface to a routing device in a game. The data is stored on the handheld device and transmitted to a host system for further processing.
  • the host system may be in a location not readily accessible for an individual to connect a handheld device to the host.
  • the present disclosure addresses these problems by providing wireless communication between the handheld device and the routing device as well as with the handheld device and a host system.
  • the disclosed system also has the ability to capture data in real time.
  • a convenient interface is provided for a user, using the handheld device, to provide a promotional coupon directly to a player while the player is playing a game.
  • FIG. 1 is an illustration of the components of a wireless promotional couponing system in a gaming environment in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • the wireless promotional couponing system 100 includes a host system 102, one or more printers, such as gaming machine printers 106a, 106b and 106c, one or more routing devices, such as routing devices 108a, 108b and 108c, and one or more handheld devices, such as handheld device 110.
  • the one or more routers and one or more printers are associated with one or more games, such as gaming machines 104a, 104b, and 104c.
  • the host system 102 is constructed to provide wireless communication.
  • the host system 102 stores data transferred from the one or more handheld devices 110.
  • the host system is addressable by a unique identifier, such as an IP address.
  • An exemplary embodiment of a host system is a promotional couponing server.
  • a promotional couponing server includes a processor, memory and application code implementing processes for the management of promotional campaigns using promotional coupons printed and presented to players of gaming machines.
  • a promotional couponing server may further include storage for a promotional coupon and a plurality of interfaces to external devices and systems including an interface to a plurality of printers (not shown).
  • An exemplary device for hosting a promotional couponing the promotional couponing system would be a traditional network server.
  • a promotional couponing server processes data related to the creation, management, and redemption of promotional coupons, promotions, and promotional campaigns.
  • the one or more gaming machine printers such as gaming machine printers
  • the one or more gaming machine printers 106a, 106b and 106c generate a number of print jobs, such as game vouchers, promotional coupons, audit reports, and log files, among others.
  • the one or more gaming machine printers 106a, 106b and 106c are operatively connected to their respective gaming machines 104a, 104b, and 104c.
  • each of the one or more gaming machine printers is operatively connected to a respective one of the one or more routing devices, such as routing devices 108a, 108b and 108c.
  • each of the one or more gaming machine printers receives vouchering information from their respective gaming machines and couponing information from the host system 102 via each gaming machine printer's respective routing device.
  • the one or more gaming machine printers use vouchering information to print vouchers, such as voucher 130, or promotional coupons, such as promotional coupon 132.
  • printer information regarding printer activity such as type of print job, number of print jobs, and generating a print job, among others, can be transmitted from a gaming machine printer to the gaming machine printer's respective routing device.
  • Each routing device then stores the printer information from the respective printer and associates the printer information with a unique printer identifier or printer asset identifier for the printer.
  • Each of the routing devices 108a, 108b and 108c is also operatively connected to a respective one of the one or more gaming machines 104a, 104b and 104c.
  • the routing device may use an auxiliary communication interface or port (not shown) to receive communications from a gaming machine controller (not shown) controlling a gaming machine associated with the routing device.
  • the communication interface may be operatively connected to the gaming machine controller by a multidrop communications network, in which case the routing device may listen in on all communications to all peripherals in the gaming machine, such as hoppers, user input devices, user output devices, bill validators, coin acceptors, voucher readers or the like.
  • the routing device may employ multiple communications interfaces to eavesdrop on communications between an individual peripheral and the gaming machine controller. Accordingly, game activity, promotional activity, or a combination of such may be received by the routing device from the gaming machine.
  • Game activity may include such player metrics as: an amount of credits that a player puts into the gaming machine (cashin); an amount of credits the player has removed from the gaming machine (cashout); the amount, date and time of individual wagers made by the player; the amount , date and time of credits won by the player; starting date and time of an individual playing session, the ending date and time of a playing session;
  • the routing device stores unique gaming machine information from the associated gaming machine, for example, a unique identifier for the gaming machine.
  • the system host 102 may be further operatively connected to a
  • the system host may use the network to access a Player Tracking System (PTS) 122.
  • the PTS may be operatively connected to the one or more gaming machines, 104a, 104b and 104c. In operation, the PTS system 122 collects player tracking information about players playing the one or more gaming machines.
  • an active identification device such as a player tracking card (not shown) that is read by a player tracking card reader (not shown) associated with each of the one or more gaming machines.
  • a player tracking card (not shown) that is read by a player tracking card reader (not shown) associated with each of the one or more gaming machines.
  • Other types of passive detection devices are utilized or have been proposed, each of which attempts to provide the ability to uniquely identify a player playing a gaming machine and track the player's game activity.
  • a routing device may be integrated into a gaming machine printer or may be integrated into a gaming machine controller and need not be a standalone device.
  • a routing device may be constructed to be operatively connected to a plurality of gaming machines.
  • a routing device may be constructed to be operatively connected to a plurality of printers.
  • a routing device is addressable by a unique identifier, such as an IP address.
  • a routing device is constructed for wireless communications directly with the handheld device.
  • a routing device is constructed to communicate directly with the network 120 without the need for a host system.
  • the handheld device 110 may be any portable computing/communication device such as a portable computer, mobile device, and a smartphone, among others.
  • the handheld device 110 is addressable by a unique identifier, such as an IP address.
  • the handheld device is also constructed for wireless communication with the one or more routing devices 108a, 108b and 108c through the one or more host systems, such as host system 102.
  • the handheld device stores game activity and promotional activity data received from the one or more routing devices.
  • a handheld device may include a secure interface.
  • the secure interface provides secured communications with each routing device of a gaming
  • a handheld device in another aspect, includes an interface constructed to capture routing device information, such as a unique identifier assigned to a routing device.
  • a handheld device includes an interface that captures game activity of a game and stored on an associated routing device.
  • a handheld device includes an interface constructed to capture game information of a game and stored on an associated routing device.
  • a handheld device includes an interface constructed to provide secured communications for transmitting game data captured from one or more routing devices to a host system.
  • a handheld device in another aspect, includes an interface constructed to provide secured communications for transmitting information from a handheld device, such as a unique identifier.
  • unique information from a handheld device such as a unique identifier
  • data captures from one or more routing devices is appended to data captures from one or more routing devices and transmitted to a host system.
  • ta handheld device communicates directly with the routing devices without the use of the host system.
  • a handheld device communications with a PTS system via a
  • FIG. 2 is a process flow diagram of a routing device data capture process in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • the process begins (200) with running (202) an application where a user using a handheld device (not shown), runs an interface.
  • the interface provides a secured connection to a routing device using wireless communication between the handheld device and each routing device. If the connection is verified (206), the process continues with capture data (208) where data stored on the routing device is transmitted and stored in a storage device of the handheld device.
  • the process continues with a notify user process (210) where, for example, the interface displays a message such as an invalid or unauthenticated connection, among others.
  • a handheld device using a wireless connection and an interface securely connects to a routing device to capture the data stored in a storage device of the routing device in gaming machine A. Once the data is captured and stored, the connection between the handheld device and the routing device of gaming machine A is closed. Additionally, this operation continues for the routing device in gaming machine B, the routing device in gaming machine C, and others.
  • a handheld device to transmit captured data to a host system such as a promotional couponing system, the handheld device using a wireless connection and an interface securely connects to the host system. Data stored in a storage device of the handheld device is transmitted to the host system.
  • a handheld device includes an interface constructed to capture routing device information, such as a unique identifier assigned to a routing device.
  • a handheld device includes an interface that captures game activity of a game and stored on an associated routing device.
  • a handheld device in another aspect, includes an interface constructed to capture game information of a game and stored on an associated routing device.
  • a handheld device in another aspect, includes an interface constructed to provide secured communications for transmitting game data captured from one or more routing devices to a host system.
  • a handheld device in another aspect, includes an interface constructed to provide secured communications for transmitting information from a handheld device, such as a unique identifier.
  • unique information from a handheld device such as a unique identifier
  • data captures from one or more routing devices is appended to data captures from one or more routing devices and transmitted to a host system.
  • the handheld device uses a touchscreen as a user interface.
  • FIG. 3 is a process flow diagram of a host system transmission process in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • the process begins (300) with a run application step 302 where a user using a handheld device, runs an interface.
  • the interface provides a secured connection to the host system such as a promotional couponing system using wireless communication between the handheld device and host system. If the connection is verified (306), the process continues with a transmit data step 308 where the data stored in the storage device of the handheld device is transmitted to the host system.
  • connection is not verified, the process continues with a notify host and user step 310 where, for example, the interface displays a message such as an invalid or unauthenticated connection, among others.
  • FIG. 4 is an illustration of associations between a user interface and data records in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • a handheld device (not shown) may be used to implement a user interface for connecting with a routing device (not shown) and capture game activity and promotional activity data associated with a gaming machine or a gaming machine printer.
  • the game activity data may be stored as asset data records 400 for each gaming machine or gaming machine printer.
  • An asset data record may include data such as an asset identifier uniquely identifying a gaming machine or gaming printer associated with a gaming machine, an asset type, an asset physical location, an asset logical address for networking or communications, and a link to game activity and/or player metrics 402, among other data.
  • an initial user input screen 404 of the user interface of the handheld device displays a print coupon selection 406 that a user may select to display a print coupon screen 408.
  • the print coupon screen 408 may be used by the user to print a promotional coupon directly to a player playing a gaming machine (not shown).
  • the user enters an asset identifier of a gaming machine using an enter asset identifier selection or entry field 410.
  • the asset identifier is then used by the interface of the handheld device to look up or query the asset data records 400 to find data associated with the identified asset and stored in the handheld device (not shown). If data is found for the asset, the lookup or query result 414 may include the identified asset's logical address for communications or networking. Once a logical address is returned, the user of the handheld device may make a print coupon selection 416 to instruct printing of a promotional coupon by using the logical address to instruct printing of a promotional coupon by the asset for presentation to a player of a gaming machine.
  • the logical address is an address for a routing device (not shown) as described herein and associated with the asset.
  • the logical address is an address for directly communicating with the asset, such as gaming printer's logical address or a gaming machine's logical address.
  • the routing device when the logical address is that of a routing device associated with an asset, the routing device responds to the instruction to print a promotional coupon by instructing the asset to print the promotional coupon. For example, if the asset is a gaming machine printer, the routing device instructs the gaming machine printer to print a promotional coupon for presentation to a player playing a gaming machine associated with the gaming machine printer. As another example, if the asset is a gaming machine including a gaming machine printer, the routing device instructs the gaming machine to use the associated gaming machine printer to print a promotional coupon for presentation to a player associated with the gaming machine.
  • the promotional coupon when printing the promotional coupon, is determined from a local data store or memory storing promotional coupon information, such as complete promotional coupons or promotional coupon templates.
  • promotional coupon information such as complete promotional coupons or promotional coupon templates.
  • the routing device may store the promotional coupon information and instruct a gaming machine printer to print a promotional coupon using coupon information stored by the routing device.
  • the gaming machine printer may use promotional coupon
  • the gaming machine printer may use promotional coupon information stored by the gaming machine to print the promotional coupon.
  • the user may select a display player metrics 418 selection in order to display player metrics or game activity, such as player metrics 402, of a player playing a gaming machine identified by the asset data.
  • the user may use the game activity or player metrics to determine to which assets a promotional coupon is to be sent. For example, the user may look at the player metrics and decide to send a coupon to a player that has a large amount of credits at play or is frequently making large wagers.
  • the interface of the handheld device may make the determination for the user. For example, the interface may only send promotional coupons to assets where a large cashin amount has been placed into a gaming machine by a player.
  • the user simply uses the enter asset identifier selection 410 to enter an asset identifier and printing of a promotional coupon at or by the asset as described herein is immediately performed with no further input needed from the user.
  • a system host 102 or a handheld device 110 may be operatively connected to a PTS system 122. Handheld device 110 may then be used to access player tracking information from the PTS system 122 via the system host 102.
  • player tracking data may be retrieved by a handheld device from a PTS system and stored as player data 416.
  • the player data may include a player's name, player identifier, status, number of players' club points earned, date the player entered the players' club and an identifier of a current asset being played by the player, among other player data.
  • the current asset information may be used by the interface of the handheld device to link (422) asset data 400 stored by the handheld device and to game activity or player activity data 402.
  • a user using the handheld device may access player data of a player playing an asset while the player is playing the asset.
  • the user selects a carded player profile selection 430 of the initial user interface screen 404.
  • the user is then presented with a carded player profile screen 432.
  • the user uses an enter asset identifier selection or entry field 434 to enter an asset identifier and then selects a look up player selection 435 to use the asset identifier to lookup or query (436) the asset data 400.
  • the lookup or query result 438 may include a player ID of a player that is currently using the asset associated with the asset identifier.
  • the player ID may then be used to query or lookup 440 player data to find player data for the player using the identified asset.
  • the user may then select a display player profile selection 444 to display player data associated with the player ID obtained through the asset identifier.
  • the player data may be displayed by selecting a display points award level selection 446 on a player profile screen 448.
  • the user may then select an award level for awarding a promotional coupon to the player identified by the player ID by selecting a select an award level selection 450.
  • the user may select a print coupon with selected award level selection to then print a promotional coupon for the player associated with the player ID using the asset associated with the logical asset address as described herein.
  • the promotional coupon may be awarded to the player of a gaming machine based on the player's status without having the user select an appropriate award level. To do so, the user simply selects the print coupon with selected award level selection 452 and the promotional coupon is printed and presented to the player as described herein without any further input from the user.
  • FIG. 5 is an illustration of a construction process of a graphical user interface in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • a Graphical User Interface (GUI) 500 residing on a handheld device may be used to award a promotional coupon to a player by a user of the graphical user interface while the player is playing an asset.
  • GUI Graphical User Interface
  • Such a graphical user interface is useful for users located on a casino or other gaming floor where the user may be in position to directly observe a player at a particular gaming machine.
  • the layout of the graphical user interface may reflect the physical layout of the gaming floor.
  • a user uses a promotional couponing management tool (not shown) to select a graphical representation 502 of an object from a menu of objects 504 and places the object 502 in a location that may be representative of a corresponding object on the gaming floor. For example, a user may select a gaming machine object 506 and place the gaming machine object 506 at a position 508 reflective of the positioning of an actual gaming machine on the gaming floor. As another example, the user may select a player object 510 for placement in the vicinity of a gaming machine object to represent an actual player on the gaming floor playing the actual gaming machine on the gaming floor and represented by the gaming machine in the GUI 500.
  • a gaming machine object may be associated with an asset identifier or number selected from an asset identifier menu 512.
  • the asset identifier may then be used to lookup or query asset data 514 that may be stored by a handheld device on which the graphical user interface 500 will reside during use by a user.
  • a player object may be associated with a gaming machine object as indicated by box 516. The association will allow the asset identifier assigned to the gaming machine object associated with the player object to be used to obtain and display player data as described herein.
  • FIG. 6 is an illustration of the operation of a graphical user interface in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • a Graphical User Interface (GUI) 600 residing on a handheld device may be used to identify to a user of the GUI the game activity, player metrics and player data of gaming machines and players present on a gaming floor.
  • the GUI 600 may be a representation of the actual physical layout of a gaming floor. As such, a user using the GUI will be able to quickly identify players that are playing gaming machines on the gaming floor or identify the intensity or level of play of the player on a gaming machine.
  • a handheld device upon which the GUI 600 resides uses asset identifiers associated with an asset object, such as gaming machine object 602, of the GUI 600 to access asset data 604 as described herein that may be stored on the handheld device.
  • the asset data may include game activity or player metrics 606 as described herein.
  • the game activity or player metrics may then be used to modify or emphasize the display of the gaming machine object 602 representing a gaming machine on the gaming floor. For example, the higher the amount of credits in play on the gaming machine associated with the gaming machine object 602 may cause the handheld device upon which the GUI resides to display the gaming machine object in different or brighter colors (as indicated by the heavier and heavier line widths in FIG. 6).
  • the gaming machine object may be flashed at differing rates.
  • the gaming machine object may be increased or reduced in size.
  • player data 608 associated with the asset data 604 as described herein may be used to modify or emphasize a player object 620 associated with the gaming machine object 602 so as to reflect the player data.
  • a player having more accrued players' club points can be highlighted, displayed in a different color, flashed, or have the player object's size altered (as indicated by the varying line widths of player objects displayed in FIG. 6) in order to reflect a player playing the actual gaming machine associated with the gaming machine object 602.
  • FIG. 7 is another illustration of the operation of a graphical user interface in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • an interface of a handheld device may be used to trigger printing of a promotional coupon to a player of a gaming machine.
  • a Graphical User Interface (GUI) 700 may be used by a user to trigger printing of a promotional coupon for presentation to a player of a gaming machine.
  • GUI Graphical User Interface
  • a user may select an asset object, such as gaming machine object 702 an bring up a print coupon screen 704 which may be used to print a promotional coupon as described herein.
  • the print coupon screen 704 may not be presented to the user and simply selecting the gaming machine object 702 will cause a promotional coupon to be printed and presented to a player of a gaming machine associated with the gaming machine object as associated with an asset identifier as described herein.
  • GUI 700 may be used by a user to display player status data and print a promotional coupon for presentation to a player.
  • the user selects player symbol 706 which has been associated with a corresponding gaming machine object 708 and thereby, an asset identifier, causing a player profile screen 710 to be displayed to the user as described herein.
  • the user may then use the player profile screen as described herein.
  • an appropriate promotional coupon may be printed and presented to a player of a gaming machine associated with the gaming machine object 708 simply by selecting the player object 706 in which case the handheld device makes a determination of the appropriate promotional coupon to present to the player as described herein.
  • FIG.8 is a block diagram of a host system in accordance with the present disclosure. Any one or more of the described components may be optional.
  • a host system includes programming instructions, memory, security interfaces and other components for signaling and data transfer for data verification and other purposes.
  • a more detailed discussion of an exemplary embodiment of a host system and components thereof is presented in U.S. Patent Application entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A PROMOTIONAL COUPONING SYSTEM" filed April 6, 2009, published as U.S. Patent Application Publication Number 20090299848, the contents of which are hereby
  • a host system includes a processor 800, operatively connected via a bus to a memory 801.
  • the processor is further operatively connected via a bus 802 to a processor- readable storage device 804.
  • Processor-executable program instructions 806 and data 808 for implementing the processes of a system host as described herein are stored in the storage device 804 until the processor 800 retrieves the program instructions 806 and stores them in the memory 801.
  • the processor 800 then executes the program instructions 806 as stored in the memory 801 and uses the data 808 to implement the features of the processes of a system host as described herein.
  • the processor 800 is further coupled via the bus 802 to one or more communications interfaces, devices or ports 810.
  • the processor 800 uses the communications devices 810 to securely transmit and receive control signals and/or data to and from external devices as described herein.
  • the processor 800 is further coupled via the bus 802 to one or more user input devices 812 and one or more user output devices 814 for communicating with a user as described herein.
  • FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a printer or a gaming machine printer in accordance with the present disclosure. Any one or more components may be optional.
  • a printer includes programming instructions, memory, and security interfaces among other features used for printing vouchers and promotional coupons.
  • a more detailed discussion of an exemplary embodiment of the printer and components thereof is presented in U.S. Patent Application entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A GAMING PROMOTIONAL PRINTER” filed March 31, 2003, now U.S. Patent No. 7,594,855, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if stated in full herein.
  • a printer includes a processor 900, operatively connected via a bus 902 to a memory 904.
  • the processor is further operatively connected via the bus to a processor- readable storage device 906.
  • Processor-executable program instructions 908 and data 910 implementing the processes of a gaming machine printer or printer as described herein are stored in the storage device until the processor retrieves the program instructions and stores them in the memory.
  • the processor then executes the program instructions stored in the memory and uses the data to implement the features of the processes of a gaming machine printer or printer as described herein.
  • the processor is further coupled via the bus to one or more communication interface, devices or ports 912.
  • the printer uses the communication devices to securely transmit and receive control signals and/or data to and from any external device such as a host system, a gaming system, gaming machine, handheld device and/or routing device as described herein.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a routing device in accordance with the present disclosure. Any one or more components may be optional.
  • a routing device includes programming instructions, memory, security features, and interfaces among other features necessary for signaling and data transfer as described herein.
  • a routing device includes a processor 1000, operatively connected via a bus
  • the processor 1000 is further operatively connected via the bus to a storage device 1006.
  • Processor-executable program instructions 1008 and data 1010 implementing the features of a routing device as described herein are stored in the storage device until the processor retrieves the program instructions and stores them in the memory.
  • the processor then executes the program instructions stored in the memory and uses the data to implement the features of the processes of a routing device as described herein.
  • the processor is further coupled via the bus to one or more communication interfaces, devices or ports 1012.
  • the processor uses the communication devices to transmit and receive control signals and data from a host system such as a promotional couponing system, gaming system, gaming machine, gaming machine printer or printer as described herein.
  • FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a handheld device in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • a handheld device contains programming instructions, memory and interfaces, among other features for data transfer and interaction with a user as described herein.
  • a handheld device includes a processor 1100, operatively connected via a bus
  • processors 1102 to a memory 1104.
  • the processor is further operatively connected via the bus to a storage device 1106.
  • Processor-executable program instructions 1108 and data 1110 for implementing the processes of a handheld device as described herein are stored in the storage device until the processor retrieves the program instructions and stores them in the memory.
  • the processor then executes the program instructions stored in the memory and uses the data to implement the features of the processes described herein.
  • the processor is further coupled via the bus to one or more communications interfaces, devices or ports 1112.
  • the handheld device uses the communications devices to transmit and receive control signals and/or data to and from external devices as described herein.
  • the processor is further coupled via the bus to one or more user input devices

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de coupons promotionnels sans fil où des données d'activités de jeu sont collectées en utilisant un dispositif portable et une interface sans fil vers un dispositif de routage dans un jeu. Les données sont stockées sur le dispositif portable et transmises à un système hôte pour un traitement supplémentaire. De plus, le dispositif portable peut être utilisé par un opérateur pour sélectionner une machine de jeu spécifique actionnée par un joueur pour accorder directement au joueur un coupon promotionnel.
PCT/US2012/021624 2011-01-14 2012-01-17 Système de coupons promotionnels sans fil WO2012097382A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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US201161433134P 2011-01-14 2011-01-14
US61/433,134 2011-01-14

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WO2012097382A1 true WO2012097382A1 (fr) 2012-07-19

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Cited By (1)

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GB2503871A (en) * 2012-05-17 2014-01-15 Cambridge Silicon Radio Ltd Data distribution to portable electronic devices

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US20070054741A1 (en) * 2005-09-07 2007-03-08 Morrow James W Network gaming device peripherals
US20090299848A1 (en) * 2005-09-30 2009-12-03 Futurelogic, Inc. Method and Apparatus for a Promotional Couponing System
US20100100431A1 (en) * 2008-10-16 2010-04-22 Futurelogic, Inc. Methods and apparatus for a guest services system for couponing and gaming
US20100328713A1 (en) * 2007-11-06 2010-12-30 Futurelogic, Inc. Modular transaction printer

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20070054741A1 (en) * 2005-09-07 2007-03-08 Morrow James W Network gaming device peripherals
US20090299848A1 (en) * 2005-09-30 2009-12-03 Futurelogic, Inc. Method and Apparatus for a Promotional Couponing System
US20100328713A1 (en) * 2007-11-06 2010-12-30 Futurelogic, Inc. Modular transaction printer
US20100100431A1 (en) * 2008-10-16 2010-04-22 Futurelogic, Inc. Methods and apparatus for a guest services system for couponing and gaming

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2503871A (en) * 2012-05-17 2014-01-15 Cambridge Silicon Radio Ltd Data distribution to portable electronic devices

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