Gaming system and gaming method

Abstract

A method of operating a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses may include receiving position data relating to a position of a player from a wireless device carried by the player. The method may include retrieving stored player data that relates to the player. The method may also include displaying a first video image relating to a video game and determining a payout based on an outcome of the video game, the first video image and the payout not being based on the player data. Additionally, the method may include providing according to the player position data a personalized operation based on the player data. The personalized operation may be selected from the group of personalized operations consisting of displaying a second video images relating to a video game, displaying a third video image unrelated to a video game, and providing a payout independent of the outcome of a video game. A system including a gaming apparatus and a computer is programmed to operate the gaming apparatus according to the method may be provided, as may a gaming apparatus having a controller that is programmed to operate the gaming apparatus according to the method.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of operating a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses, said method comprising: 
 receiving position data relating to a position of a player, said position data not being generated by physical contact between the player and one of said gaming apparatuses;    retrieving stored player data that relates to the player;    displaying a first video image relating to a video game and determining a payout based on an outcome of the video game, the first video image and the payout not being based on the player data; and    providing according to the player position data a personalized operation based on the player data, the personalized operation selected from the group of personalized operations consisting of displaying a second video image relating to a video game, displaying a third video image unrelated to a video game, and providing a payout independent of the outcome of a video game.    
     
     
         2 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising receiving position data relating to a position of a player from a wireless device carried by the player.  
     
     
         3 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising determining a distance between the player and one of the gaming apparatuses based on the player position data.  
     
     
         4 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player personal data that relates to the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes words in a language selected according to the stored player personal data.  
     
     
         5 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 1 . additionally comprising retrieving stored player gaming data that relates to gaming preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image represents a favorite game based on the player gaming data, the favorite game selected from the group of games consisting of poker, blackjack, slots, keno and bingo.  
     
     
         6 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising: 
 retrieving stored player wagering data that relates to wagering preferences of the player; and    selecting a wager amount based on the player wagering data without instruction from the player.    
     
     
         7 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player game piece data that relates to game piece preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes a game piece image based on the player game piece data.  
     
     
         8 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player game environment data that relates to gaming preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes a game environment based on the player game environment data.  
     
     
         9 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 1 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player personal data, the third video image representing a personalized video image based on the player personal data.  
     
     
         10 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 9 , wherein the personalized video image includes a greeting message incorporating a name included in the player personal data.  
     
     
         11 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 9 , wherein the personalized video image includes a congratulatory message incorporating a date selected from the group of dates consisting of a birthday, a wedding day and an anniversary.  
     
     
         12 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 1 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a show ticket if the position data indicates that the player is proximate to a theater.  
     
     
         13 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 1 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a restaurant voucher if the position data indicates that the player is proximate to a restaurant.  
     
     
         14 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 1 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a coupon redeemable at one of the plurality of gaming apparatuses.  
     
     
         15 . A method of operating a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses, said method comprising: 
 receiving position data relating to a position of a player from a wireless device carried by the player;    retrieving stored player data that relates to the player;    displaying a first video image relating to a video game and determining a payout based on an outcome of the video game, the first video image and the payout not being based on the player data; and    providing according to the player position data a personalized operation based on the player data, the personalized operation selected from the group of personalized operations consisting of displaying a second video image relating to a video game, displaying a third video image unrelated to a video game, and providing a payout independent of the outcome of a video game.    
     
     
         16 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 15 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player personal data that relates to the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes words in a language selected according to the stored player personal data.  
     
     
         17 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 15 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player gaming data that relates to gaming preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image represents a favorite game based on the player gaming data, the favorite game selected from the group of games consisting of poker. blackjack, slots, keno and bingo.  
     
     
         18 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 15 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player game piece data that relates to game piece preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes a game piece image based on the player game piece data.  
     
     
         19 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 15 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player game environment data that relates to gaming preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes a game environment based on the player game environment data.  
     
     
         20 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 15 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player personal data, the third video image representing a personalized video image based on the player personal data.  
     
     
         21 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 20 , wherein the personalized video image includes a greeting message incorporating a name included in the player personal data.  
     
     
         22 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 20 , wherein the personalized video image includes a congratulatory message incorporating a date selected from the group of dates consisting of a birthday, a wedding day and an anniversary.  
     
     
         23 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 15 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a show ticket if the position data indicates that the player is proximate to a theater.  
     
     
         24 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 15 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a restaurant voucher if the position data indicates that the player is proximate to a restaurant.  
     
     
         25 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 15 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a coupon redeemable at one of the plurality of gaming apparatuses.  
     
     
         26 . A method of operating a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses, said method comprising: 
 receiving position data relating to a position of a player, said position data not being generated by physical contact between the player and one of said gaming apparatuses;    determining a distance between the player and one of the plurality of gaming apparatuses based on the player position data;    retrieving stored player data relating to the player; and    displaying a first video image relating to a video game and determining a payout based on an outcome of the video game, the first video image and the payout not being based on the player data; and    providing according to the distance a personalized operation based on the player data, the personalized operation selected from the group of personalized operations consisting of displaying a second video image relating to a video game, displaying a third video image unrelated to a video game, and providing a payout independent of the outcome of a video game.    
     
     
         27 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 26 , additionally comprising receiving position data relating to a position of a player from a wireless device carried by the player.  
     
     
         28 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 26 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player personal data that relates to the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes words in a language selected according to the stored player personal data.  
     
     
         29 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 26 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player gaming data that relates to gaming preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image represents a favorite game based on the player gaming data, the favorite game selected from the group of games consisting of poker, blackjack, slots, keno and bingo.  
     
     
         30 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 26 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player game piece data that relates to game piece preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes a game piece image based on the player game piece data.  
     
     
         31 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 26 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player game environment data that relates to gaming preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes a game environment based on the player game environment data.  
     
     
         32 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 26 , additionally comprising retrieving stored player personal data, the third video image representing a personalized video image based on the player personal data.  
     
     
         33 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 32 , wherein the personalized video image includes a greeting message incorporating a name included in the player personal data.  
     
     
         34 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 32 , wherein the personalized video image includes a congratulatory message incorporating a date selected from the group of dates consisting of a birthday, a wedding day and an anniversary.  
     
     
         35 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 26 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a show ticket if the position data indicates that the player is proximate to a theater.  
     
     
         36 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 26 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a restaurant voucher if the position data indicates that the player is proximate to a restaurant.  
     
     
         37 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 26 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a coupon redeemable at one of the plurality of gaming apparatuses.  
     
     
         38 . A method of operating a gaming system comprising a plurality of gaming apparatuses, the method comprising: 
 receiving position data relating to a position of a player;    retrieving stored group data relating to a group of players including the player; and    displaying a first video image relating to a video game and determining a payout based on an outcome of the video game, the first video image and the payout not being based on the group data; and    providing a personalized operation based on the stored group data, the personalized operation selected from the group of personalized operations consisting of displaying a second video image relating to a video game, displaying a third video image unrelated to a video game, and providing a payout independent of the outcome of a video game.    
     
     
         39 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 38 , additionally comprising receiving position data relating to a position of a player from a wireless device carried by the player.  
     
     
         40 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 38 , wherein the second video image differs from the first video image in that the second video image includes words in a language selected according to the stored group data.  
     
     
         41 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 38 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a show ticket if the position data indicates that the player is proximate to a theater.  
     
     
         42 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 38 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a restaurant voucher if the position data indicates that the player is proximate to a restaurant.  
     
     
         43 . The method of operating a gaming system according to  claim 38 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a coupon redeemable at one of the plurality of gaming apparatuses.  
     
     
         44 . A gaming system comprising: 
 a gaming apparatus including a video display unit and a payout device;    a wireless personal tracking system adapted to determine a position of a player; and    a computer operatively coupled to the gaming apparatus and the wireless personal tracking system, the computer comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the computer being programmed to receive position data relating to the position of the player, said position data not being generated by physical contact between the player and the gaming apparatus;    the computer being programmed to retrieve stored player data that relates to the player;    the computer programmed to cause the display unit to generate a first video image relating to a video game and to determine a payout based on an outcome of the video game, the first video image and the payout not being based on the player data; and    the computer programmed to cause the display unit and the payout device to provide according to the player position data a personalized operation based on the player data, the personalized operation selected from the group of personalized operations consisting of displaying a second video image relating to a video game, displaying a third video image unrelated to a video game, and providing a payout independent of the outcome of a video game.    
     
     
         45 . The gaming system according to  claim 44 , wherein the computer is programmed to receive position data relating to a position of a player from a wireless device carried by the player.  
     
     
         46 . The gaming system according to  claim 44 , wherein the computer is programmed to retrieve stored player personal data that relates to the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes words in a language selected according to the stored player personal data.  
     
     
         47 . The gaming system according to  claim 44 , wherein the computer is programmed to retrieve stored player gaming data that relates to gaming preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image represents a favorite game based on the player gaming data, the favorite game selected from the group of games consisting of poker, blackjack, slots, keno and bingo.  
     
     
         48 . The gaming system according to  claim 44 , wherein the computer is programmed to retrieve stored player game piece data that relates to game piece preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes a game piece image based on the player game piece data.  
     
     
         49 . The gaming system according to  claim 44 , wherein the computer is programmed to retrieve stored player game environment data that relates to gaming preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes a game environment based on the player game environment data.  
     
     
         50 . The gaming system according to  claim 44 , wherein the computer is programmed to retrieve stored player personal data, the third video image representing a personalized video image based on the player personal data.  
     
     
         51 . The gaming system according to  claim 50 , wherein the personalized video image includes a greeting message incorporating a name included in the player personal data.  
     
     
         52 . The gaming system according to  claim 50 , wherein the personalized video image includes a congratulatory message incorporating a date selected from the group of dates consisting of a birthday, a wedding day and an anniversary.  
     
     
         53 . The gaming system according to  claim 44 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a show ticket if the position data indicates that the player is proximate to a theater.  
     
     
         54 . The gaming system according to  claim 44 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a restaurant voucher if the position data indicates that the player is proximate to a restaurant.  
     
     
         55 . The gaming system according to  claim 44 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a coupon redeemable at another gaming apparatus.  
     
     
         56 . A gaming apparatus comprising: 
 a display unit that is capable of generating video images;    a value input device;    a controller operatively coupled to said display unit and said value input device, said controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to said processor,    the controller being programmed to receive position data relating to the position of a player, said position data not being generated by physical contact between the player and the gaming apparatus;    the controller being programmed to retrieve stored player data that relates to the player;    the controller programmed to cause the display unit to generate a first video image relating to a video game and to determine a payout based on an outcome of the video game, the first video image and the payout not being based on the player data; and    the controller programmed to cause the display unit and the payout device to provide according to the player position data a personalized operation based on the player data, the personalized operation selected from the group of personalized operations consisting of displaying a second video image relating to a video game, displaying a third video image unrelated to a video game, and providing a payout independent of the outcome of a video game.    
     
     
         57 . The gaming apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein the computer is programmed to receive position data relating to a position of a player from a wireless device carried by the player.  
     
     
         58 . The gaming apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein the computer is programmed to retrieve stored player personal data that relates to the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes words in a language selected according to the stored player personal data.  
     
     
         59 . The gaming apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein the computer is programmed to retrieve stored player gaming data that relates to gaming preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image represents a favorite game based on the player gaming data, the favorite game selected from the group of games consisting of poker, blackjack, slots, keno and bingo.  
     
     
         60 . The gaming apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein the computer is programmed to retrieve stored player game piece data that relates to game piece preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes a game piece image based on the player game piece data.  
     
     
         61 . The gaming apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein the computer is programmed to retrieve stored player game environment data that relates to gaming preferences of the player, the second video image differing from the first video image in that the second video image includes a game environment based on the player game environment data.  
     
     
         62 . The gaming apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein the computer is programmed to retrieve stored player personal data, the third video image representing a personalized video image based on the player personal data.  
     
     
         63 . The gaming apparatus according to  claim 62 , wherein the personalized video image includes a greeting message incorporating a name included in the player personal data.  
     
     
         64 . The gaming apparatus according to  claim 62 , wherein the personalized video image includes a congratulatory message incorporating a date selected from the group of dates consisting of a birthday, a wedding day and an anniversary.  
     
     
         65 . The gaming apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a show ticket if the position data indicates that the player is proximate to a theater.  
     
     
         66 . The gaming apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a restaurant voucher if the position data indicates that the player is proximate to a restaurant.  
     
     
         67 . The gaming apparatus according to  claim 56 , wherein the payout independent of the outcome of a video game includes a coupon redeemable at another gaming apparatus.