US 2006/0148551 A1 · Method and apparatus for outputting a message at a game machine

Abstract

The invention allows a casino, or other entity, via a game machine, to provide relevant information at appropriate times, and/or in response to appropriate events, to players using the game machine. A dynamic and flexible system adapted to interact with players on an individual basis by aiding in the management, determination, distribution, and delivery of promotional, inspirational, instructive, informational, communicative, incentive, and other types of messages, is provided. Various methods are provided to ensure that receiving messages at a game machine enhances a player's overall gaming experience by selectively outputting helpful and desirable messages to players while minimizing interference with the players' gaming and to avoid overwhelming players with unsolicited, unwanted, and/or irrelevant messages.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method, comprising:

determining a result at a game machine based on a random number and a first value of a variable selected by a player;
outputting the result to the player;
determining a hypothetical result at the game machine based on the random number and a second value of the variable;
and
outputting the hypothetical result to the player.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

11/373,757Filed 10 Mar 2006

Priority

11 Oct 2002

Published

6 Jul 2006

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification6 codes

G07F 17/323
Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users: wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds,…
G07F 17/32
Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services: for games, toys, sports, or amusements
G07F 17/3227
Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users: configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal…
G07F 17/3255
Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes: incentive, loyalty and/or promotion…

Family

Application60/418,397Us provisional application · filed 11 Oct 2002

Application10/685,143Division · filed 14 Oct 2003

Application11/373,757Division · filed 10 Mar 2006

US 2004/0127284 A1Published application

US 8,282,488 B2Related patent

US 2006/0148551 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

Method and apparatus for outputting a message at a game machine

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for outputting a message at a game machine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17