Method and apparatus for players of wagering games to find friends in a gaming environment

Abstract

Disclosed are gaming machines, including related methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for players of wagering games to find friends in a gaming environment. Player identification information identifies a first player of a first gaming device configured to play a game of chance. One or more friend-finding criteria associated with the identified first player are retrieved from a storage medium. A second player is identified as a friend or a friend candidate of the first player based on the retrieved friend-finding criteria. A location associated with the second player is identified as being in a designated area of the gaming environment. Output data indicating the identified second player is provided.

1 . A method for players of wagering games to find friends in a gaming environment, the method comprising:
 receiving player identification information identifying a first player of a first gaming device configured to play of a game of chance;   retrieving from a storage medium one or more friend-finding criteria associated with the identified first player;   identifying a second player as a friend or a friend candidate of the first player based on the retrieved friend-finding criteria, including identifying a location associated with the second player as being in a designated area of the gaming environment; and   providing output data indicating the identified second player.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identifying the second player includes:
 identifying an action associated with the second player as occurring within a designated timeframe.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the friend-finding criteria includes one or more selected from the group consisting of a buddies list, player tracking information, friend-finding player preferences, and data associated with a matching service accessible over a network. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the player tracking information includes one or more items associated with the first player and selected from the group consisting of one or more games, a type of machine, a status, points, an amount wagered, login information, a time of game play, game play history information, and a theoretical win. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the friend-finding player preferences include one or more items associated with the first player and selected from the group consisting of a personal characteristic, a restaurant, a sport, a show, and a hotel. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the output data includes displaying information associated with the second player on a display. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the storage medium is associated with a player account maintained for the first player. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection indicating desired communications with the second player.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining a communications path for communications between the first player and the second player.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the communications path is determined in accordance with one or more of a preference and a restriction. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 providing a communications session between the first player and the second player over the determined communications path.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein identification of the second player is associated with a promotion. 
   
   
       13 . An apparatus for players of wagering games to find friends in a gaming environment, the apparatus comprising:
 an interface coupled to receive player identification information identifying a first player of a first gaming device configured to play of a game of chance; and   a processor coupled to the interface and configured to:
 retrieve from a storage medium one or more friend-finding criteria associated with the identified first player, 
 identify a second player as a friend or a friend candidate of the first player based on the retrieved friend-finding criteria, including identifying a location associated with the second player as being in a designated area of the gaming environment, and 
 provide output data indicating the identified second player. 
   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the interface includes a player tracking unit. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein identifying the second player includes:
 identifying an action associated with the second player as occurring within a designated timeframe.   
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the friend-finding criteria includes one or more selected from the group consisting of a buddies list, player tracking information, friend-finding player preferences, and data associated with a matching service accessible over a network. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the player tracking information includes one or more items associated with the first player and selected from the group consisting of one or more games, a type of machine, a status, points, an amount wagered, login information, a time of game play, game play history information, and a theoretical win. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the friend-finding player preferences include one or more items associated with the first player and selected from the group consisting of a personal characteristic, a restaurant, a sport, a show, and a hotel. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a display coupled to provide the output data, including information associated with the second player.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the storage medium is associated with a player account maintained for the first player. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a player interface coupled to receive a selection indicating desired communications with the second player.   
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , the processor further configured to:
 determine a communications path for communications between the first player and the second player.   
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the communications path is determined in accordance with one or more of a preference and a restriction. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , the processor further configured to:
 provide a communications session between the first player and the second player over the determined communications path.   
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein identification of the second player is associated with a promotion. 
   
   
       26 . A system for players of wagering games to find friends in a gaming environment, the system comprising:
 a gaming device in communication with a network, the gaming device including a player interface coupled to receive player identification information identifying a first player of a first gaming device configured to play of a game of chance; and   a server in communication with the network, the server including:
 a network interface coupled to receive the player identification information from the gaming machine over the network, and 
 a processor coupled to the interface and configured to: 
 retrieve from a storage medium one or more friend-finding criteria associated with the identified first player, 
 identify a second player as a friend or a friend candidate of the player based on the retrieved friend-finding criteria, including identifying a location associated with the second player as being in a designated area of the gaming environment, and 
 provide output data indicating the identified second player. 
   
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the network is a private network. 
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the gaming device is associated with one selected from the group consisting of a table game, a bingo game, a keno game, and a sports game.