System and method for providing dynamic navigation through a property to a selected destination

#The present invention generally relates to computer aided navigation, and, more specifically, to a system and method for providing dynamic navigation through a large facility such as a casino to a selected destination.

#Casinos today are being built with ever larger gaming spaces and extra amenities. 150,000 square feet of gaming space is no longer uncommon. In this space, there may be thousands of slot and video gaming machines, providing hundreds of different games at denominations ranging from pennies to hundreds of dollars or higher. Pits of non-slot machine games, such as table games, roulette, craps, etc. are typically interspersed within the long rows of slot machines. Surrounding the games are often entertainment, shopping, hotels, and conventions. Indeed, the larger casinos tend to have some of the best headliner entertainment available in the country, with many of the biggest names in entertainment doing shows. Also, within and around the gaming areas are the facilities and amenities that make a casino work, including bars, restaurants, restrooms, cashier's cages, ticket redemption centers, frequent player's clubs, etc. The entire casino is typically well integrated to maximize revenue through impulse buying and synergy.

#One problem that has arisen as casinos get bigger and bigger, is that it is becoming ever harder for people to find what they want in a casino, and in particular, on the gaming floor. With thousands of slot or video gaming machines flashing their lights and making seductive noises, it has become ever more difficult to find a specific game, especially if a player wants to play it with specific stakes. Similarly, the larger casinos may offer dozens of table games at various denominations in multiple pits, typically surrounded by those blinking and clanging slot machines. Even finding restrooms can be difficult.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates physical components of one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a drawing showing an initial screen showing navigation keys, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 3 is a drawing showing an exemplary floor map, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

#A system and method is disclosed for providing visitors with routes through a property such as a casino to their selected destinations. The destinations may be banks of slot or video gaming machines providing a specific game, or offering specific denominations of wagering. The destinations may also be specific table games, restaurants, bars, stores, entertainment venues, and other facilities and amenities. The visitor may make his selection of where he wants to go using a touch screen display device, a mobile device, a computer, or other medium providing similar functionality. A route is then drawn on a floor map from a “You are Here” starting location to the selected destination. An avatar then follows the route, passing landmarks as it proceeds along the route. As a landmark is passed, it is animated. It may grow as the avatar approaches, then shrink as the avatar continues beyond it to the next landmark. This is then typically repeated several times. This allows the customer to quickly memorize the route based on the landmarks, and then find his selected destination by moving from landmark to landmark across the casino floor.

#The visitor may be allowed to change his starting location, and may also be allowed to dynamically select a different destination, when multiple destinations are available meeting his requirements. A printer may be provided for printing a map to the selected destination, and the map may contain coupons for game play or other amenities, such as food or beverages. The coupons may be printed on the front of the map, or may be printed on the back. This functionality may also be provided over the Internet or on mobile devices, such as smart phones. Furthermore, the selection of the destination may be done utilizing voice recognition, and the route may be provided the visitor using voice technology. Visitors may also be provided additional information about selected destinations, such as restaurants, bars, shows, meetings, and amenities, through the same system and methodology.

#While the present invention is disclosed as a casino navigation tool, it should be understood that it is not limited to that venue. Rather, this is exemplary, and other venues and facilities are also within the scope of the present invention, including airports, shopping malls, sports arenas, amusement parks, museums, and big box stores such as Home Depot, Lowes, and Wal-Mart.