Abstract: The invention is a system and method for providing information to a particular player or players of a game or gaming machine. In one embodiment, the information system includes a player tracking system comprising a player tracking device at the gaming machine, a remote player tracking host and a network by which information may be sent to and from the player tracking device and player tracking host. The information system includes a information system host associated with the network, the information system host capable of generating information which is transmitted to the player tracking device at the gaming machine via the network. In one embodiment, the player tracking device includes a player tracking device controller and one or more peripherals, such as a card reader, display and speakers. Upon identification of a player of a gaming machine and satisfaction of one or more criteria, the information system host generates information and transmits it to the player via the gaming machine.

Abstract: The invention comprises a gaming system including at least one gaming machine arranged to accept and print receipts. In one embodiment of a method, a player playing a gaming machine is issued a receipt which represents credit or value belonging to the player, and includes secondary information. The secondary information may comprise promotional award information, such as a matching bet for use in playing another game or a prize, or information unrelated to the games, such as a horoscope. In another embodiment of the invention, a method comprises issuing a first receipt at a first location, such as a parking garage, accepting the first receipt at a gaming machine, issuing a second receipt at the gaming machine and then accepting the second receipt at another location, such as a parking garage exit. In this method, the gaming machine serves as a validation mechanism to a player activity or event.

Abstract: The invention comprises a gaming machine adapted to print receipts. In one embodiment, the gaming machine is associated with a gaming system including a player tracking or reward system. The gaming machine includes a receipt printer/generator. Game play data is stored remote from the gaming machine. In the event the player's play reaches a predetermined level or satisfies particular criteria, the player is provided an award. Information regarding the award is generated and stored remotely, and the gaming machine is caused to print a receipt which may be redeemed for the award. The award may be goods or services, such as a free dinner or additional game play. The award is separate from any winnings associated with a winning outcome of a game played on the machine. In one embodiment, the gaming machine is arranged to print a receipt containing operational data, such as gaming machine accounting or diagnosis information.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a bonus to a player of a game in a gaming environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining if a player is eligible to participate in a bonus event, such as by determining that a player is playing a game via a player tracking network. Next, it is determined if the player is a winner of a bonus of the bonus event, such as by meeting one or more bonus event criteria. The criteria are preferably independent of the specific outcome of the game played by the player. Bonus information is generated at provided to the player. In one embodiment, the bonus system includes a player tracking system comprising a player tracking device at a gaming machine, a remote player tracking host and a network by which information may be sent to and from the player tracking device and player tracking host.

Abstract: A bonus system and a method of awarding a bonus associated with a gaming machine are disclosed. In one embodiment, the bonus system includes a player tracking system comprising a player tracking device at the gaming machine, a remote player tracking host and a network by which information may be sent to and from the player tracking device and player tracking host. The bonus system includes a bonus system host associated with the network, the bonus system host capable of generating bonus event information which is transmitted to the player tracking device at via the network. In one embodiment, the player tracking device includes a player tracking device controller and one or more peripherals, such as a card reader, display and speakers. Bonus event information is displayed and audible information is generated in response to the sending of bonus event information from the bonus event host to the player tracking device controller.

Abstract: The invention is a system and method for disseminating information via a player tracking device of a gaming machine. In one embodiment, an information host generates information and transmits it to the player tracking device of a gaming machine over a communication link. The information is presented at the gaming machine via the player tracking device, such as a video display thereof. The information may comprise advertising, promotion, bonus, and multi-media information such as lights, sounds and images, either still images or video clips or streaming/continuous video, and may be presented independent of activities occurring at the gaming machine. In one embodiment, the information is transmitted over a communication link which forms a portion of a player tracking network including a player tracking host and the gaming machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating and monitoring player financial and player tracking/reward transactions, including the tracking of player losses, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes at least one server and a plurality of gaming machines and/or a game generator for transmitting game information to a remote game play location. The server has a memory containing data files corresponding to players. The data files contain information such as credits or monies in an account which belong to the player and which may be used by the player to play games. The data files also contain player tracking information, such as points awarded to a player based upon their game play and/or information regarding player expenditures or deductions, such as amounts wagered by a player.

Abstract: One or more methods and apparatus for facilitating monetary and commercial transactions is disclosed. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a method of a customer establishing a financial account with an account provider, the account having features particularly useful in facilitating monetary and commercial transactions. One or more embodiments of the invention comprises one or more methods and apparatus associating a plurality of financial account reward programs with financial transactions, the financial transactions engaged in using a credit card, debit card, smart card or other financial instrument associated with the customer's cash or credit based financial account, where each of the financial transactions are grouped into a plurality of transaction categories, the categories assigned to a plurality of reward programs. Reward program information is generated from financial transactions information from financial transactions assigned to particular categories.

Abstract: A system for monitoring game play is disclosed. The system includes at least one gaming device adapted to present a game to a player and generate game play data. A communication link is provided between the gaming device and a host over which game play data, including player information, is transmitted. The host is adapted to store, manipulate, display and otherwise use the data. In one embodiment, the host is arranged to generate an interface for display by a display device. Game play information is displayed with the interface. In one embodiment, game play information regarding one or more gaming machines is displayed real-time by the interface. Filters may be used upon and reports generated using the game play information. In one embodiment, the system includes one or more portable, hand-held devices for displaying the interface and information.

Abstract: The invention is a method for tracking activities at a gaming machine and a system for player tracking. One embodiment of a method comprises generating data regarding individual activities associated with the operation of a gaming machine, transmitting the generated activity data to a remote location, storing the data at the remote location, and mining or manipulating the stored data based on one or more characteristics or criteria and generating an output. In one embodiment, the data is mined and the output is represented graphically, such as in a three-dimensional graph. In one embodiment, the generated data includes information regarding the identify of the player associated with the event, and the stored individual event data is mined to determine if the player has met criteria entitling the player to an award or “comp” separate from the awards provided by the gaming machine.

Abstract: A single-player casino-style electronic gaming method and apparatus uses a deck of (simulated) number of cards and wild cards. The number cards each have a number and a color. In response to a wager, a number of, such as seven, cards are displayed to the player. The player may choose to discard any, all or none of the initially-dealt cards. Any discarded cards are replaced, to form a final hand. Prizes are awarded including based on how many cards of the same number and/or how many cards of the same color are in the final hand.

Abstract: A gaming environment includes portable transaction/tracking devices for rendering services and tracking game play. In one embodiment, the gaming environment includes at least one table game and a portable transaction interface capable of receiving and sending information over a wireless communication link to/from a player tracking server adapted to store player identification and player game play data. One embodiment of a method comprises the tracking of player game play in such a gaming environment using the portable transaction device or interface. Player identification information and player game play data is input to the portable transaction device and transmitted to the player tracking server for association with a player's rating file. Graphical information may be generated and displayed to the user of the portable transaction device regarding the gaming environment. This information may be used by the user to identify players or their location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating and monitoring player financial transactions, including the tracking of player losses, are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system includes at least one server and a plurality of game stations. The server has a memory containing data files corresponding to players. The data files contain information such as credits or monies in an account which belong to the player and which may be used by the player to play games. The data files also contain information regarding player expenditures or deductions, such as amounts wagered by a player. In one embodiment, player identification, such as that associated with a player tracking function or a financial institution (banking) account is used to identify the player for purposes of associating data with the player's files. Using the financial information, a player's gain or loss while playing games may be monitored by the player and/or casino or other entity offering games.

Abstract: One or more methods and apparatus for facilitating monetary and commercial transactions is disclosed. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a method of a customer establishing a financial account with an account provider, the account having features particularly useful in facilitating monetary and commercial transactions. This method comprises the steps of providing customer data to the account provider, establishing an account type, assigning a value limit for the account, depositing funds in the financial account in an amount not exceeding the value limit, assigning the financial account an expiration date after which access to the financial account is generally prohibited by a user, and generating an account signature for use in establishing later entitlement to access the financial account. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise an account which is particularly useful in facilitating monetary and commercial transactions.

Abstract: One or more methods and apparatus for facilitating financial and player tracking/reward transactions. In one embodiment, a system includes at least one server and a plurality of gaming machines and/or a game generator for transmitting game information to a remote game play location. The server has a memory containing data files corresponding to players. The data files contain information such as credits or monies in an account which belong to the player or which may be used by the player to play games. The data files also contain player tracking information, such as points awarded to a player based upon their game play. In one embodiment, players are issued media in the form of player cards having identification information thereon. The identification information is used to access the player's account or files, such as at a gaming machine. A player and a casino may manage the player's accounts, such as by placing criteria upon the account, including the use of associated credits.

Abstract: A gaming system including hand-held, portable gaming devices is disclosed. In one embodiment, the gaming system is arranged to present at least one game to a player and includes a portable gaming device or interface having a display for displaying game and other information to a player. The portable gaming device is capable of receiving and sending information to a remote device/location. A game server generates game data, and transmits the game data to the portable gaming device and receives information, such as player input, from the portable gaming device. A payment transaction server validates payment and establishes entitlement of a player to play a game via the portable gaming device as provided by the game server. In one or more embodiments, the gaming system includes one or more stationary gaming machines capable of printing tickets having a value associated therewith.

Abstract: A progressive gaming system is configured to run many progressive prizes on one central system. The relationship between progressive group and prize with a particular game is designed so that the odds and bet on a particular game need not be identical throughout a group. In one embodiment, prize definition is in terms of number of coins expected to be played between prize hits, independent of denomination, and minimum number of coins returned to players, regardless of odds or denominations. When a progressive game is designed, the coins bet and odds related to the logic of the game are verified as compatible with the prize definitions coins expected to be played between prize hits. The prize definition is used to validate an association between a particular game and a particular progressive prize. Preferably the event that triggers a progressive prize may be unrelated to the events on any game.