`
`Ridgefield
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`CT
`
`Postal Code
`06877
`Country |
`US
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`Inventor
`2
`Legal Name
`
`
`Prefix) Given Name
`James
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`A.
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`Jorasch
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`025124-0509
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`Application Data Sheet 37 CFR 1.76
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`Application Number
`
`Title of Invention|METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OUTPUTTING A MESSAGE AT A GAME MACHINE
`
`
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`Apartment 5G
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`06901
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`Russell
`P.
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`Title of Invention|METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OUTPUTTING A MESSAGE AT A GAME MACHINE
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`Fairfield
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`06824
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`Steven
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`80 Lounsbury Lane
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`Ridgefield
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`06877
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`Title of Invention|METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OUTPUTTING A MESSAGE AT A GAME MACHINE
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`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OUTPUTTING A MESSAGE AT A GAME MACHINE
`
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`

`UNITED STATES PATENT APPLICATION
`
`FOR
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`
`OUTPUTTING A MESSAGE AT A GAME MACHINE
`
`INVENTORS:
`
`JAY S. WALKER
`
`JAMES A. JORASCH
`
`RUSSELL P. SAMMON
`
`STEPHEN C. TULLEY
`
`STEVEN M. SANTIS!
`
`PRIORITY CLAIM
`
`fOOO1}] This application is a cantinuatian of, claims priarity fo and
`
`the benefit of U.S. Patient Application No. 13/632,328, fied on October 4,
`
`2012, which is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S,
`
`Patent Application No. 10/685,143, fled on October 14, 2003, which issued
`
`as U.S. Patent No. 8,282,488 on Ociober 9, 2012, which claims priority to
`
`and the benefit of US. Provisional Patent Application Na. 60/418,397, Hed
`
`on Gctober 11, 2002, the entire contents of which are each incorporatect
`
`herein by reference.
`
`RELATED APPLICATIONS
`
`[0002] The present
`
`application
`
`is
`
`related
`
`ta
`
`the
`
`following
`
`commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. Patent Applications:
`
`{8 U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/603,.677, fled on June 26,
`
`2000, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING A
`
`SUPPLEMENTAL PRODUCT TO OFFER FOR SALE DURING A
`
`TRANSACTION”, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein
`
`for all purposes;
`
`fi) US. Patent Application Serial No, 09/993,228, filed on November
`
`14, 2001, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMIC RULE
`
`Zynga Ex. 1002, p. 8
`Zyngav. IGT
`IPR2022-00200
`
`Zynga Ex. 1002, p. 8
`Zynga v. IGT
`IPR2022-00200
`
`

`

`AND/OR OFFER GENERATION’, the entirety of which is incorporated by
`
`reference herein for al purposes;
`
`(ii) US. Patent Reissue Application Serial No. 10/222,523, filed
`
`Augusi 16, 2002, entitled “GAMING DEVICE FOR OPERATING IN A
`
`REVERSE PAYOUT MODE AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME”,
`
`the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes;
`
`fv} U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/879,299, filed June 12,
`
`2001, entitled "SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR AUTOMATED PLAY OF
`
`MULTIPLE GAMING DEVICES’, the entirety of whichis incorporated by
`
`reference herein for all ourposes;
`
`iv) US. Patent Application Serial No. 10/121 ,243, filed April 14,
`
`2002, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR FACILITATING PLAY AT
`
`A GAMING DEVICE BY MEANS OF THIRD PARTY OFFERS’, the entirety
`
`of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes;
`
`(ijULS. Patent Application Serial No. 10/419,304 filed April 18,
`
`2003, entitled “GAMING DEVICE METHODS AND APPARATUS
`
`EMPLOYING MODIFIED PAYOUTS’, the entirety of which is incorporated
`
`by reference herein for all purpases;
`
`(vil
`
`U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/417,436 filed Apri 18,
`
`2003, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPTIMIZING THE RATE
`
`OF PLAY OF A GAMING DEVICE’, the entirety of which is incorporated by
`
`reference herein for all ourposes;
`
`(vill)
`
`U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/361,201, filed
`
`February 7, 2003, entitled “GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD OF
`
`OPERATION THEREOE”, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference
`
`herein for all purposes;
`
`(x) US. Patent Application Serial No. 10/414,51774 filed Apnl 15,
`
`2003, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR BONUS ROUND PLAY”,
`
`the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes;
`
`OO US. Patent Application Serial No. 10/328,1165, fled December
`
`20, 2002, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OUTPUTTING
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`OUTCOMES OF A GAMING DEVICE”, the entirety af which is incorporated
`
`by reference herein for all purposes;
`
`(x1}ULS. Patent Application Serial No. 10/254,831, filed September
`
`25, 2002, entifled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LINKED PLAY
`
`GAMING’, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein forall
`
`purpases;
`
`(xi)
`
`U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/007,874, filed
`
`November 12, 2001, entitled “ELECTRONIC AMUSEMENT DEVICE AND
`
`METHOD FOR PROPAGATING A PERFORMANCE ADJUSTMENT
`
`SIGNAL”, the entirety of which is Incorporated by reference herein for all
`
`purposes;
`
`(XH)
`
`US. Patent Application Serial No. 10/322, 107, filed
`
`December18, 2002, eniilled “FREE LONG DISTANCE CALLS ON SLOT
`
`MACHINES”, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein for
`
`all purposes:
`
`Ody)
`
`US. Patent Application Serial No. 10/419,478, filed April 18,
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`2003, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING A PLAYER
`
`TO SELECT FEATURES ON A GAMING DEVICE”, the entirety of which is
`
`incorporated by reference herein for all purposes; and
`
`{xv}
`
`US. Patent Application Serial No. 10/420,068, filed April 21,
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`2003, entitled “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING
`
`FEATURES ON A GAMING DEVICE”, the entirety of which is incorparated
`
`by reference herein for all purposes.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`j0003] The present
`
`invention relates to gaming devices. More
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`specifically,
`
`the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for
`
`providing messages to players at a gaming machine.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`[0004] There are currently over 500,000 slot machines in oneration
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`that together generate more than $15 billion in annual revenue for United
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`States casinos. Most casinos generale more than half of their garning
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`revenues from slot machines and some individual casinos offer three ar
`
`four thousand slot machines at a single location.
`
`in fact,
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`two different
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`casinos in Connecticut each provide mare than six thousand gaming
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`devices for players.
`
`{OO65] The variations of games and features of all
`
`the different
`
`game machines available al a single casine can be overwhelming to
`
`players.
`
`In adelition, casinos frequently have many opportunities to market
`
`fo players and recognize that interacting with customers may lead to a
`
`more profitable relationship with players. Further, to keep experienced and
`
`frequent players interested, casinos continually modify and upgrade game
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`machines. Thus, for a variely of reasons, there is a need for systems and
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`methods to provide information to (or otherwise communicate with) players
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`at garne machines.
`
`fOG66] Currently, casinos will frequently hire hosts and hostesses
`
`to cater to players whoa make large wagers or play frequently. However,
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`this method of communicating with players is
`
`typically toc costly to
`
`implement for all players al @ casino.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[G007] FIG.
`
`7
`
`is a block diagram Hiustrating an example system 100
`
`according to sarne embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0008] FIG. 2 is a block diagramiilustrating an example of the details
`
`of a game machine 104 as depicted in FiG.
`
`1 according to some
`
`embodiments of the present invention.
`
`{GO09] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the details
`
`of a controller 102 as depicted in FIG. 1 according to some embodiments of
`
`the present invention.
`
`fOO1OP FIG. 4 is a table Hlustrating an exarnple data structure of an
`
`example player database 308 as depicted in FIG. 3 for use in some
`
`embodiments of the present invention.
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`fOOTIP FIG. 5 is a table Hlustrating an example data structure of an
`
`example promotional message catabase 310 as depicted in FRG. 3 for use
`
`in some embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[GO12] FiG. 6 is a table Hlustrating an example data structure of an
`
`example instructive message database 312 as depicted in FUG. 3 for use in
`
`some embodiments of the present inverition.
`
`[OO1S) FIG. 7 is a table Hlustrating an example data struciure of an
`
`example status message database 314 as depicted in FIG. 3 for use in
`
`some embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[OO14) FiG. 8 is a table illustrating an example data structure of an
`
`example hypothetical information database 316 as depicted in FIG. 3 for
`
`use in sore embodiments of the present invention.
`
`fOOISPFRG. 9 is @ table Hlustrating an example data structure of an
`
`example activily-beneft offer database 3718 as depicted in FIG. 3 for use in
`
`some embodiments of the present invention.
`
`fOO16) FHS. 10 is a table illustrating an example data structure of an
`
`example combination message database 320 as depicted in FIG. 3 for use
`
`in some embodiments of the present invention.
`
`fOO17,FiGs. 171A and 118 are tables iHustrating an example data
`
`structure of example trigger condition databases 322A, 322B for use in
`
`some embodiments of the present invention.
`
`fOO1SP FIG. 12 is a fable ilustrating an example data structure of an
`
`example message representation database 324 as depicted in FIG. 3 for
`
`use in seme embodiments of the present invention.
`
`fOO19P FIG. 13 is a table ilustrating an exarnple data structure of an
`
`example message formating database 326 as depicted in FIG. 3 for use in
`
`some embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[OO20] FiGs. 144A anc 145 are a tables illusirating an exampie data
`
`structure of an example message queue database 328 ai two different
`
`times 3284, 3288 for use in some embociments of the present invention.
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`[OO21, FIG. 15 is a table ilustrating an example dala structure of an
`
`example suppression condition database 330 as depicted in F1IG. 3 for use
`
`in some embodiments of the present invention.
`
`[0022] FIG. 16 is a table illustrating an exarnple data structure of an
`
`example message history database 332 as depicted in FIG. 3 for use in
`
`some embodiments of the present inverition.
`
`[GO23] FIG. 17 is a flow diagram ilustraling an exemplary process for
`
`outpuiting a message at a gaming machine according to and for use in
`
`some embodiments of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
`
`OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0024] The disclosed invention overcomes the above and other
`
`drawbacks of the prior art by allowing @ casina, or other entity,
`
`to use a
`
`game machine to provide relevant information at appropriate times, and/or
`
`in response fo appropriate events, to players using a game machine. The
`
`present
`
`invention provides a dynarnic and flexible system adapied 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.
`
`[OO25}) Various methods are provided that may be used to ensure
`
`that receiving messages at a game machine enhances a player's overall
`
`gaming experience. The present invention provides systems and methods
`
`useful to selectively output helpful and desirable messages io players while
`
`minimizing interference wrth the player's gaming and fo avoid anytritating
`
`“spam” effect created by overwhelming players wilh unsolicited, unwanted,
`
`and/or irrelevant messages. The present invention may be used fo allow
`
`game machines fo cater to ail players with the same level of service and
`
`attention previously provided exclusively to “high rollers” by hosis and
`
`hostesses.
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`Zynga Ex. 1002, p. 13
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`[O026] A variety of diferent tyoes of messages may be output af
`
`game machines,
`
`including promotional messages (¢.g., “Sign up for a
`
`credit card”), instructive messages (e@.q., “Press and hold the spin bution far
`
`10 seconds ico activate Auto-Play Mode"), and communication messages
`
`fe.9g., “Hey Alice, how’s it going’? from Bob"). The present invention may
`
`employ a variety of diferent methods to output a message io a player at a
`
`game macnine.
`
`For example, messages may be output
`
`in “pop-up*"
`
`windows,
`
`in sidebars,
`
`in different colors,
`
`in different fonts,
`
`in different
`
`languages, via a celebrity voice, or in different media formats (e.g., text,
`
`audio, video). OQutputling a message to a player may include determining
`
`how to output the message to the specific player based on preferences,
`
`special needs, or other factors.
`
`{(GO27]
`
`In seme embodiments, a message may be cutout to a
`
`player based on @ tigger condilion.
`
`For example, a message may be
`
`output to a player when a trigger condition occurs, thereby ensuring that
`
`the message is outpul at an appropriate time (e.¢., when the player wauid
`
`be interested in viewing the message). Messages may be output based on
`
`@ variety of different factors,
`
`including a players gaming activities (e.g.,
`
`whal games are played and when), a players other activilies (¢.g., arrival
`
`and departure from a casing), preferences (e.g., na messages during the
`
`first five minutes of gaming at a gare machine}, other messages (e.g.,
`
`similar messages, or messages that have been output recently), and other
`
`players (¢.q., friends of a player).
`
`[d028] Other aspects of the present invention include features that
`
`may be used to directly enhance a player's experience.
`
`For exarnple,
`
`messages timed and targeted to make a player aware of opporiunities
`
`available to him mayhe presented using a humorous animated character.
`
`Further, other features of the invention help optirnize the effectiveness of
`
`messages.
`
`For example, oulpui of messages may be delayed when a
`
`player is busy or would not be interested in receiving a message.
`
`In
`
`another example, messages may be prioritized so that messages that
`
`would be most interesting io a player are ouiput first
`
`in another exampie,
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`Zynga Ex. 1002, p. 14
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`messages may be categorized or sorted for a player so that the player can
`
`easily find a message in which he is interesied.
`
`[o029] The present invention allows a casino, via a game machine,
`
`to output appropriate messages in an appropriale way to appropriate
`
`players at appropriate times.
`
`Various methods
`
`are
`
`orovided
`
`for
`
`identifying players who would be interesied in receiving messages, are
`
`likely fo accept messages, and/or arefwould be valuable custamiers.
`
`Various different types of messages, beneficial
`
`ta players, casinos, and
`
`other parties, may be presented that are relevant and helpful while
`
`