Abstract: A gaming system includes at least one processor configured to: receive, from a mobile computing device of a player, a digital image of the player captured during a gaming session of an electronic game; analyze the digital image using facial expression analysis techniques to determine a current emotional state of the player; categorize the current emotional state of the player, the categorizing includes a first state representing a desired emotional level; and transmit instructions to the mobile gaming device causing the mobile computing device to initiate a game session action during the gaming session when the current emotional state is not the desired emotional level, the game session action is configured to cause the player to transition to the desired emotional level.

Abstract: An electronic gaming system including a casino management server and an electronic casino device is described. The electronic casino device includes a beacon configured to wirelessly communicate with end user devices (EUDs) of players and a processor. The processor executes instructions which cause the processor to transmit a request for a custom beacon ID, receive the custom beacon ID, and cause the beacon to wirelessly transmit the custom beacon ID to the EUD. The casino management server is configured to receive a connection request and validate that the received beacon ID matches the custom beacon ID. The casino management server is further configured to receive instructions from the EUD such that the player plays a game operated on the electronic casino device by physically interacting with the EUD, wherein the instructions received from the EUD include a low-bandwidth instruction including no more than two bytes.

Abstract: Innovations in game design features of an electronic gaming device are presented. Groups of players can be defined that may win an award that is also available to non-group based players. If the award is won by a group-based player, the award can be distributed to at least a portion of the group members in addition to the player who won the award. A group profile can define criteria for group membership, awards associated with the group, how awards will be distributed among the group, and how and when groups can be altered. Groups can be associated with awards other than those associated with gaming activity. In addition, a value of a gaming award can be increased based on non-gaming activity.

Abstract: An electronic gaming system including a casino management server and an electronic casino device is described. The electronic casino device includes a beacon configured to wirelessly communicate with end user devices (EUDs) of players and a processor. The processor executes instructions which cause the processor to transmit a request for a custom beacon ID, receive the custom beacon ID, and cause the beacon to wirelessly transmit the custom beacon ID to the EUD. The casino management server is configured to receive a connection request and validate that the received beacon ID matches the custom beacon ID. The casino management server is further configured to receive instructions from the EUD such that the player plays a game operated on the electronic casino device by physically interacting with the EUD, wherein the instructions received from the EUD include a low-bandwidth instruction including no more than two bytes.

Abstract: A system includes a casino management server and an electronic casino device that includes a beacon configured to wirelessly communicate with personal devices of players. The device transmits a request for a custom beacon ID to the casino management server, receives the custom beacon ID from the casino management server in response to the request; and configures the beacon with the custom beacon ID, thereby broadcasting the custom beacon ID to the personal device of the player. The server receives, from the personal device of the player, a pairing request that includes a received beacon ID as received by the personal device based on the broadcasting, validates that the received beacon ID matches the custom beacon ID, stores a valid association between the personal device of the player and the electronic casino device; and authorizes connected actions to be performed by the personal device based on the association.

Abstract: An electronic gaming system including a casino management server and an electronic casino device is described. The electronic casino device includes a beacon configured to wirelessly communicate with end user devices (EUDs) of players and a processor. The processor executes instructions which cause the processor to transmit a request for a custom beacon ID, receive the custom beacon ID, and cause the beacon to wirelessly transmit the custom beacon ID to the EUD. The casino management server is configured to receive a connection request and validate that the received beacon ID matches the custom beacon ID. The casino management server is further configured to receive instructions from the EUD such that the player plays a game operated on the electronic casino device by physically interacting with the EUD, wherein the instructions received from the EUD include a low-bandwidth instruction including no more than two bytes.

Abstract: A robot is described. The robot includes a camera device, a memory device, and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive an input prompting the robot to navigate to a location in a venue for providing photo services with the camera device and cause the robot to navigate to the location. The instructions further cause the processor to capture, by the camera device, at least one photo at the location and provide access to a copy of the at least one photo to an authorized person.

Abstract: A kiosk robot includes a propulsion system configured to allow the kiosk robot to move within an operations venue, a wireless interface configured to allow wireless networked communication between the kiosk robot and a wireless network, a touchscreen display device, a memory device, and a processor. The robot is configured to receive, from a robot management system (RMS) and via the wireless interface, a relocation request identifying a service location within the operations venue and at which the kiosk robot is to provide kiosk functionality, in response to receiving the relocation request, control the propulsion system to navigate the kiosk robot to the service location, and provide a kiosk graphical user interface (GUI) using the touchscreen display device, the kiosk GUI provides kiosk functionality to a user at the service location.

Abstract: A robot management system (RMS) includes a plurality of service robots deployed within an operations venue that includes a plurality of gaming devices, an operator terminal presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) to an operator, and a robot management system server (RMS server) configured in networked communication with the plurality of service robots. The RMS server is configured to: identify location data for the service robots; create an interactive overlay map of the operations venue that includes a static map of the operations venue, overlay data showing the location data of the plurality of service robots over the static map, and an interactive icon for each service robot of the plurality of service robots; display, via the GUI, the overlay map; receive a first input indicating a selection of a first interactive icon associated with a first service robot; and display current status information associated with the first service robot.

Abstract: A delivery robot includes a propulsion system, a storage area arranged to contain at least one item for delivery, a wireless interface, a memory device, and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, from a robot management system (RMS) and via the wireless interface, a delivery request, wherein the delivery request identifies at least the item contained within the storage area, a delivery location, and a recipient. The processor is also configured to control the propulsion system to navigate the delivery robot to the delivery location in response to receiving the delivery request, receive an authentication credential from the recipient, authenticate the recipient based upon the authentication credential, and in response to authenticating the recipient, control the storage area to provide the at least one item contained within the storage area to the recipient.

Abstract: According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a contract is established for a session comprising two or more plays of at least one gaming device. Information about the game play session, such as outcomes generated at the at least one gaming device, is communicated to a player device. The information is presented to a player via the player device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating an agreement to purchase multiple units of a product are presented herein. The agreement may specify, for example, a period of time during which purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made and a minimum and/or maximum number of transactions in which the purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made. In some embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased by a customer in a brick-and-mortar retail establishment, wherein the customer takes possession of the product at the retail establishment. In other embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased remotely and delivered to a customer associated with the agreement in response to a request by the customer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating an agreement to purchase multiple units of a product are presented herein. The agreement may specify, for example, a period of time during which purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made and a minimum and/or maximum number of transactions in which the purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made. In some embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased by a customer in a brick-and-mortar retail establishment, wherein the customer takes possession of the product at the retail establishment. In other embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased remotely and delivered to a customer associated with the agreement in response to a request by the customer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating an agreement to purchase multiple units of a product are presented herein. The agreement may specify, for example, a period of time during which purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made and a minimum and/or maximum number of transactions in which the purchases of the multiple units of the product are to be made. In some embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased by a customer in a brick-and-mortar retail establishment, wherein the customer takes possession of the product at the retail establishment. In other embodiments a unit of a product may be purchased remotely and delivered to a customer associated with the agreement in response to a request by the customer.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method includes providing an offer to enter into a forward commitment agreement, and then receiving an acceptance of the offer. A code is made available after receiving the acceptance. It is determined whether the code has been presented to a vending machine after the step of making the code available. A product is dispensed from a vending machine after the step of determination.

Abstract: The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a preestablished duration that may span, for example, a predetermined period of time or a period of time that ends upon the occurrence of a predetermined number of game plays or handle pulls, or upon the occurrence of another event. In one or more embodiments, a player is offered a surrender payout and fractional surrender payouts are accumulated for a player until an end of a flat rate play session. In one embodiment, a session strategy may be determined and implemented for a game play of the flat rate play session. The session strategy may be determined, for example, based on a current value of a parameter associated with the flat rate play session (e.g., a value of a credit meter balance and/or a remaining duration of the flat rate play session).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided allowing a player to play a gaming device and receive a predetermined number of outcomes in exchange for a payment. The gaming device generates at least the predetermined number of outcomes, and adjusts a balance of the player device based on the outcomes. The player can continue playing regardless of whether the balance is less than zero.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for planning and customizing a gaming vacation. Initially, a central controller receives preference and configuration data from a user at a user terminal. A preparation code is then determined and associated with the configuration data. The configuration data and the associated preparation code are transmitted from the central controller to a casino server. The central controller provides feedback regarding the user's requests. The feedback may include, for example, marketing offers for the user and/or configuring a gaming device according to the configuration data associated with a preparation code received from a user at the gaming device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided allowing a player to play a gaming device and receive a predetermined number of outcomes in exchange for a payment. The gaming device generates at least the predetermined number of outcomes, and adjusts a balance of the player device based on the outcomes. The player can continue playing regardless of whether the balance is less than zero.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for providing linked play via gaming and other devices wherein players may share and combine outcomes or parts thereof. In some embodiments, a casino server registers a group for linked play and a group objective and format are established. The linked play commences according to the group format on the gaming devices while the casino server, or another device, concurrently facilitates interaction between the group members operating the gaming devices. During the interaction, players may combine outcomes in an attempt to win group prizes. The linked play is terminated according to the group format and a determination is made by the casino server whether the group objective has been achieved. Prizes are awarded via the gaming devices if the group objective was achieved.