System and method for placing orders on gaming devices
A system and method for placing orders on gaming devices wherein the system includes software and a predetermined gaming device (1). The software may be installed on a predetermined gaming device (1) already having a display (2), such as a slot gaming machine (3). The screen is preferably a touch-activated display, although non-touch displays may be used in conjunction with the software. In addition, the system of the present invention may be used in conjunction with a predetermined gaming device not having a display, such as a gaming table (7). Although most gaming tables do not include a screen, one may be installed for use in conjunction with the present invention. The method includes a user searching and/or selecting a drink and/or food from a variety of predetermined options. Various screens are displayed to the user which assist the user in selecting his/her drink and/or food.
This invention relates to gaming devices, more particularly, a system and method that permits an individual to place an order for a beverage, food or other items on a gaming device.
Gaming devices, such as gaming machines, are very popular in casinos as they permit a person to play a game without other individuals, such as a dealer or other players. The wide array of gaming machines allow individuals to play his or her favorite game, such as poker or blackjack, as well other games in which he or she may not be as readily familiar therewith. In addition, the slot machine, which is one of the most popular gaming machines, permits a person to play without any knowledge of the game whatsoever.
In addition, another type of gaming device, gaming tables, are popular in casinos as well. The use of gaming tables not only allows for social interaction among players, but also allows for a “real” gaming experience.
Typically the casino or resort offering the use of gaming devices have servers that are assigned to predetermined areas of the room housing the gaming devices. The servers take drink and food orders from the players, go to the appropriate bar or kitchen area to relay the order and then return the requested drink and/or food order to the player. The incentive for providing such a service to the player is to prevent the player from walking away from the gaming device, thereby having the player gamble more and more money and thus creating a greater profit for the casino.
Although the idea of providing servers in the casino gaming area is good, there are many disadvantages to doing so. For instance, many times a server will not walk through a particular area of gaming devices for a long period of time, thereby making a player walk away from the gaming device to either seek out a server or go the bar and/or kitchen him/herself to place an order. In addition, because many casinos and/or resorts offer free food and/or drinks to the players, individuals who have already placed drink and/or food orders may become frustrated with waiting for the server to deliver the food and/or drink and leave the gaming device altogether, thereby wasting the food and/or drink.
Thus, a need exists for a system and method for placing orders on a gaming device.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:
The relevant prior art also includes an article entitled IGT Installs Server Based Gaming at Barona and a promotional advertisement entitled Player Communication Redefined with a Personal Kiosk at Every Game!.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe primary object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for placing orders on a gaming device that permits a person to easily order food and/or drinks from a gaming device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for placing orders on a gaming device that reduces the amount of food and/or drinks that is wasted due to players ordering the food and/or drink and then leaving the gaming area, thereby increasing the profit for the gaming establishment.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for placing orders on a gaming device that increases the profit for the gambling establishment by permitting players to play on or at a device for an extended amount of time.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for placing orders on a gaming device that improves customer service.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for placing orders on a gaming device that decreases the amount of service staff needed at the gaming establishment.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that tracks the amount of time a player has spent at one particular game in order to provide complimentary items to the player.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that tracks the amount of foods and/or beverages consumed at a gaming establishment.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a system and method for placing orders on a gaming device wherein the system includes software and a predetermined gaming device. The software may be installed on a predetermined gaming device already having a display, such as a slot machine, and permits the use of the system and method described herein. The display is preferably a touch-activated display, although non-touch displays may be used in conjunction with the software.
In addition, the system of the present invention may be used in conjunction with a predetermined gaming device not having a display, such as a gaming table. Although most gaming tables do not include a display, one may be installed for use in conjunction with the present invention.
The method includes a user searching and/or selecting a drink and/or food from a variety of predetermined options. Various screens are displayed to the user which assist the user in selecting his/her drink and/or food.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSIn the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the drawings is as follows:
1. gaming device
2. display
3. gaming machine
4. identification card acceptor
5. money acceptor
6. place order touch-screen button
7. gaming table
8. food touch-screen button
9. beverages touch-screen button
10. beer touch-screen button
11. liquor touch-screen button
12. mixed drinks touch-screen button
13. soft drinks touch-screen button
14. wine touch-screen button
15. list of beer available
16. list of liquor available
17. list of mixed drinks available
18. list of soft drinks available
19. list of wines available
20. select
21. types touch-screen button
22. add a mixer touch-screen button
23. view ingredients touch-screen button
24. list of mixers touch-screen button
25. send touch-screen button
26. place another order touch-screen button
27. return to game touch-screen button
28. insert identification card
29. favorites touch-screen button
30. save to favorites touch-screen button
31. breakfast touch-screen button
32. back touch-screen button
33. exit touch-screen button
34. scroll bar
35. keypad
36. yes touch-screen button
37. no touch-screen button
38. game screen
39. food/beverage screen
40. category screen
41. list screen
42. preferences screen
43. send screen
44. sent confirmation screen
45. order saved confirmation screen
46. identification card
47. lunch touch-screen button
48. dinner touch-screen button
49. beverage category screen
50. mixed drinks list screen
51. identification receiver
52. identification transmitter button
With reference to
In
Once the user has selected the desired category, then a list screen 41 appears which displays all of the types of food or beverage that the gaming establishment offers. In some instances, a preferences screen 42 may be displayed wherein different preferences relating to the food or drink, such as adding condiments, adding a mixer to a drink, viewing types or brands of a drink or viewing food and/or drink ingredients, permit the user to customize the food or drink item or learn more information about the food or drink item. Once the desired food or drink is selected, then a send screen 43 is displayed wherein the user has a choice to send the desired food or drink to the kitchen or bar, return to the previous screen or cancel the order. If the selection is sent, then a sent confirmation screen 44 appears that asks whether the user would like to place another order or return to the game. In the event the user is using an identification card 46 or identification transmitter 52, then the user also has a choice of adding the order to his/her favorites where the food and/or drink is saved for future ordering. If the user chooses to place another order, then the process starts over again.
Next,
In the case of liquor, as there are many different types of liquor, such as rum, whiskey, vodka, etc., and a user may have a specific type of liquor already in mind, the user may bypass the list of liquor available 16 choice and press the types touch-screen button 21 after choosing the liquor 11 category. Then, the user selects a liquor from the list that he/she desires. Once selected, a user may press the add a mixer touch-screen button 22 to view a listing of mixers 24 available. The user may select a mixer and send the order or send the order without a mixer.
In addition, although some individuals may know the ingredients in many mixed drinks, many individuals do not. Therefore, a view ingredients touch-screen button 23 is offered on the preferences screen 42 to permit the user to view the ingredients in a chosen mixed drink.
With reference to
Although not shown in great detail, the present invention could also be used to order food items from the gaming establishment. The category screen 40 for a food selection could include a breakfast touch-screen button 31, lunch touch-screen button 47, dinner touch-screen button 48 and a favorites touch-screen button 29.
Next,
With reference to
Finally,
Although only some screens are shown for illustrative purposes, the present invention may utilize a plurality of different screens not listed or described herewith. In addition, the present invention could be used not only in traditional casinos, but also on cruise ships, in hotels, in stores and anywhere gaming devices are located. Furthermore, although general categories and listings were disclosed, the present invention could include a multitude of various beverage/food categories, beverage/food listings and preferences.
The gaming devices utilizing the present invention are connected to predetermined areas of a gaming establishment, such as at least one bar and/or at least one kitchen, so as to transmit the order from the gaming device to the bar and/or kitchen. Once transmitted to the bar and/or kitchen, the order is displayed on a display means at the bar and/or kitchen in order to identify the location and/or machine in which the order is to be delivered. The order may be printed at the bar and/or kitchen and may be given to a server for delivery of the order. The transmission may be via hard wires, wireless or any other transmission means. In addition, the gaming establishment may program the gaming devices so as to transmit the orders to at least one predetermined receiving station that may be a bar and/or kitchen so as to provide maximum efficiency when a server delivers the ordered item to the user. For example, gaming devices 1-20 may be programmed so as to transmit the orders to receiving station 1, gaming devices 21-20 may be programmed so as to transmit the orders to receiving station 2, and so on.
In addition, the beverage/food categories, beverage/food listings and preferences of the present invention could also be changed by authorized staff of the gaming establishment so as to make available various choices according to food/beverage availability, popularity of food/beverage choices, etc.
Although the gaming machine 3 is depicted as a slot machine in
Finally, the present invention may be utilized if a user has either inserted an identification card, used an identification transmitter or has inserted money into the gaming device. In this manner, individuals may not walk up to the gaming device and order food and/or beverages without using the gaming device.
The use of the present invention will provide a system and method that permits an individual to place an order for a beverage, food or other items in a gaming establishment without waiting for a server to take an order.
However, means other than the use of software for placing orders from the gaming devices to receiving stations may be included, such as pre-programmed gaming devices wherein the software is not installed after the gaming device is assembled.
It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.
Claims
1. A system for placing at least one order on a gaming device, said system comprising:
- at least one gaming device for enabling a user to play a game;
- a means for placing at least one order from said at least one gaming device to at least one receiving station;
- at least one receiving station for receiving said at least one order; and
- a means for transmitting said at least one order from said at least one gaming device to said at least one receiving station.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein:
- said at least one gaming device is a gaming machine.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein:
- said at least one gaming device is a gaming table.
4. The system of claim 2 wherein:
- said gaming machine is a slot machine.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein:
- said at least one gaming device has a means for activation.
6. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
- at least one display located on said at least one gaming device.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein:
- said means for transmitting said at least one order from said at least one gaming device to said at least one receiving station is via wires.
8. The system of claim 1 wherein:
- said means for transmitting said at least one order from said at least one gaming device to said at least one receiving station is wireless.
9. The system of claim 1 further comprising:
- said means for placing at least one order from said at least one gaming device to at least one receiving station is via software.
10. The system of claim 9 wherein:
- said software is installed in said at least one gaming device.
11. A method for placing at least one order on a gaming device comprising at least one gaming device for enabling a user to play a game; a means for placing at least one order from said at least one gaming device to at least one receiving station; at least one receiving station; and a means for transmitting said at least one order from said at least one gaming device to said at least one receiving station, said method comprising the steps of:
- a. activating said at least one gaming device;
- b. pressing a button to initiate an order;
- c. selecting an item to order; and
- d. sending said order to said at least one receiving station.
12. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step after step b of:
- selecting an item from a food/beverage screen.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising a step after selecting an item from a food or beverage screen of:
- selecting an item from a category screen.
14. The method of claim 13 further comprising a step after selecting an item from a category screen of:
- selecting an item from a list screen.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising a step after selecting an item from a list screen of:
- selecting an item from a preferences screen.
16. The method of claim 11 further comprising a step after step d of:
- receiving a confirmation that said order has been sent.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising a step after receiving a confirmation that said order has been sent of:
- saving said order.
18. A system for placing at least one order on a gaming device, said system comprising:
- at least one gaming device for enabling a user to play a game;
- said at least one gaming device is a slot machine;
- said at least one gaming device has at least one display;
- a means for placing at least one order from said at least one gaming device to at least one receiving station wherein said means is via software located within said at least one gaming device;
- at least one receiving station for receiving said at least one order; and
- a wireless transmittal means for transmitting said at least one order from said at least one gaming device to said at least one receiving station.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 5, 2006
Publication Date: Oct 11, 2007
Inventor: Thomas Zanfardino (Naples, FL)
Application Number: 11/398,331
International Classification: A63F 9/24 (20060101);