Flexible determination of gaming and services

Abstract

According to some implementations, when a patron requests unavailable goods and/or services, at least one alternative option may be offered to that patron. The alternative option(s) may be determined in a variety of ways. For example, the patron's preferences may be compared to a database of available options. However, casino preferences and/or third party preferences may also be considered when determining an alternative option. In some instances, casino preferences and/or third party preferences may be accorded more weight than the preferences of at least some patrons. In some such implementations, however, third party preferences will be accorded less weight than the preferences of certain patrons, e.g., those patrons having a relatively high expected economic value to the gaming establishment.

1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 an interface system comprising at least one network interface;   a logic system comprising at least one logic device, the logic system configured to do the following:
 receive, via the interface system, a request from a patron and location information regarding the patron's location; 
 assess currently available options corresponding with the patron's location; 
 determine whether a currently available option matches the request; 
 apply predetermined criteria to determine an offer if it is determined that no currently available option matches the request, the predetermined criteria comprising the currently available options and patron preference data; and 
 transmit the offer to a device associated with the patron via the interface system. 
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the applying comprises determining a currently available option that most nearly matches the request. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the applying comprises determining a rank of each of a plurality of currently available options. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the applying comprises determining a rank of each of a plurality of entities, each entity corresponding to at least one option. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the applying comprises applying a weighting function to at least some of a plurality of currently available options. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the request comprises a wager gaming request. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the request comprises at least one of a food-related request, a beverage-related request, an entertainment-related request or a shopping request. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the applying comprises determining an offer that involves a first available option in a first location of the gaming establishment and wherein the first available option is determined, at least in part, because of a second available option near the first location. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the applying comprises determining an offer that involves a first available option in a first location of the gaming establishment and wherein the first available option is determined, at least in part, because of a second available option within a predetermined radius of the first location. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the applying comprises determining an offer that involves a first available option in a first location of the gaming establishment and wherein the first available option is determined, at least in part, because of a second available option along a path between the patron's location and the first location. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the logic system is further configured to obtain at least some of the patron preference data from a player loyalty database. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined criteria comprise retailer preference data indicating preferences of at least one retailer. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined criteria indicate preferences of at least one of a retailer, a food provider, a beverage provider or an entertainment provider. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the logic system is configured to download at least one of data or software to the device associated with the patron if an offer acceptance indication is received from the device associated with the patron. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined criteria comprise gambling restrictions of at least one jurisdiction. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the location information comprises radio frequency identification (“RFID”) data from an RFID reader and wherein the logic system is configured to determine the patron's location according to a location of the RFID reader. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the logic system is configured to determine the patron's location according to a closest access point method, a triangulation process, a radio frequency fingerprinting process a radio frequency identification process or a Global Positioning System process. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the logic system is configured to determine a jurisdiction in which the patron is currently located according to the location information. 
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the assessing comprises assessing the available options of a gaming establishment if the logic system determines that the patron is currently in, or in the vicinity of, the gaming establishment. 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the rank of at least one entity depends on the patron's location. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the logic system is configured to change the rank of at least one entity when the patron is determined to be in a predetermined area. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the logic system determines that the rank of one entity's preferences is higher than the rank of the patron's preferences when the patron is within a predetermined area. 
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the logic system is configured to determine a rank of at least one entity according to a monetary contribution of that entity. 
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the weighting function applies a value to preferences of a third party according to the relative monetary contributions of the third party. 
   
   
       25 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the weighting function applies a relatively higher value for preferences of patrons in a higher rank of a player loyalty program. 
   
   
       26 . A method, comprising:
 determining a patron's location;   assessing available options in a gaming establishment corresponding with the patron's location;   applying predetermined criteria to determine an offer, the predetermined criteria comprising the available options and preference data, the preference data comprising patron preference data, casino preference data and third party preference data; and   providing the offer to the patron.   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , further comprising receiving a request from the patron, wherein the applying comprises comparing the request with the predetermined criteria. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the determining comprises determining the patron's location in the gaming establishment. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the applying comprises determining a rank for at least one type of preference data. 
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the applying comprises applying a weighting function to at least one type of preference data. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the applying comprises determining an offer that involves a first available option in a first location of the gaming establishment and wherein the first available option is determined, at least in part, because of a second available option near the first location. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the applying comprises determining an offer that involves a first available option in a first location of the gaming establishment and wherein the first available option is determined, at least in part, because of a second available option within a predetermined radius of the first location. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the applying comprises determining an offer that involves a first available option in a first location of the gaming establishment and wherein the first available option is determined, at least in part, because of a second available option along a path between the patron's location and the first location. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the patron preference data comprise the patron's personal preferences. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the patron preference data comprise preferences of one or more categories of patron demographics. 
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein at least one of the available options corresponds with the patron's location in the gaming establishment. 
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the casino preference data comprise preferences of at least one of a casino operator, a gaming machine provider or a casino manager. 
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the third party preference data comprise retailer preference data indicating preferences of at least one retailer. 
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the third party preference data comprise preferences of at least one food provider or at least one beverage provider. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein at least some of the preference data correspond to a promotional campaign. 
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the third party preference data comprise preferences of at least one entertainment provider. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the predetermined criteria indicate gambling restrictions of at least one jurisdiction. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein at least some of the predetermined criteria are time-dependent. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the patron preference data comprise data from a player loyalty account corresponding to the patron. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the request comprises a wager gaming request. 
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising determining that the request is for an unavailable option, wherein the applying step comprises determining an alternative available option. 
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the request comprises at least one of a food-related request, a beverage-related request, an entertainment-related request or a shopping request. 
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the determining comprises at least one of a closest access point method, a triangulation process, a radio frequency fingerprinting process a radio frequency identification process or a Global Positioning System process. 
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein determining at least one rank comprises determining whether the patron is within a predetermined area. 
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein a patron's rank is determined, at least in part, by reference to a player loyalty account associated with the patron. 
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein applying a weighting function comprises applying a relatively higher value for preferences of patrons in a relatively higher rank of a player loyalty program. 
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein applying a weighting function comprises applying a value to preferences of a third party according to the relative monetary contributions of the third party. 
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first available option comprises a wager gaming option and wherein the second available option comprises one of a retail option, a food option, a beverage option or an entertainment option. 
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the first available option comprises a first type of wager gaming option and wherein the second available option comprises a second type of wager gaming option. 
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the first available option comprises a wager gaming option and wherein the second available option comprises one of a retail option, a food option, a beverage option or an entertainment option. 
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the categories of patron demographics comprise at least one of age ranges or gender. 
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein determining an alternative available option comprises determining an alternative available option that most nearly matches the request. 
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein the determining of an alternative available option comprises applying a weighting function to a plurality of available options. 
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 58 , wherein the weighting function applies a relatively higher value for preferences of patrons in a higher rank of a player loyalty program. 
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 59 , wherein the weighting function applies a value to preferences of a third party according to the relative monetary contributions of the third party. 
   
   
       61 . A system, comprising:
 means for receiving a request from a patron;   means for determining the patron's location;   means for assessing available options in a gaming establishment corresponding with the patron's location;   means for applying predetermined criteria to determine an offer, the predetermined criteria comprising the available options and preference data, the preference data comprising patron preference data, casino preference data and third party preference data; and   means for transmitting the offer to a device associated with the patron.   
   
   
       62 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the means for determining the patron's location comprises at least one of a Global Positioning System device, a cellular telephone tower, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag or an RFID reader. 
   
   
       63 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the means for determining the patron's location comprises a logic device that determines the patron's location according to input from at least one of a Global Positioning System device, a cellular telephone tower, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag or an RFID reader. 
   
   
       64 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein at least one of the assessing means or the applying means comprises a server. 
   
   
       65 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the applying means is configured for determining an alternative available option if the assessing means determines that the request is for an unavailable option. 
   
   
       66 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the offer involves a first available option in a first location of the gaming establishment and wherein at least one of the predetermined criteria involves a second available option near the first location. 
   
   
       67 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the offer involves a first available option in a first location of the gaming establishment and wherein at least one of the predetermined criteria involves a second available option within a predetermined radius of the first location. 
   
   
       68 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the offer involves a first available option in a first location of the gaming establishment and wherein at least one of the predetermined criteria involves a second available option along a path between the patron's location and the first location. 
   
   
       69 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the device associated with the patron is a mobile device. 
   
   
       70 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the device associated with the patron comprises a wager gaming machine. 
   
   
       71 . The system of  claim 61 , further comprising means for assessing available options in a jurisdiction corresponding with the patron's location, wherein, if the means for determining the patron's location determines that the device associated with the patron is not in or near a gaming establishment, the applying means applies rules of the jurisdiction as part of determining the offer. 
   
   
       72 . The system of  claim 61 , wherein the request comprises a gaming request, further comprising means for providing a game to the device associated with the patron if the patron accepts the offer. 
   
   
       73 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein determining an alternative available option comprises determining an alternative available option that most nearly matches the request. 
   
   
       74 . The system of  claim 65 , wherein the determining of an alternative available option comprises applying a weighting function to a plurality of available options. 
   
   
       75 . The system of  claim 74 , wherein the weighting function applies a relatively higher value for preferences of patrons in a higher rank of a player loyalty program. 
   
   
       76 . The system of  claim 74 , wherein the weighting function applies a value to preferences of a third party according to the relative monetary contributions of the third party. 
   
   
       77 . A system, comprising:
 a location determining system that is configured to determining a patron's location;   an interface system configured for receiving a request from a patron;   a logic system comprising at least one logic device, the logic system configured to do the following:
 assess available options in a gaming establishment corresponding with the patron's location; 
 apply predetermined criteria to determine an offer, the predetermined criteria comprising the available options and preference data, the preference data comprising patron preference data, casino preference data and third party preference data; and 
 cause the offer to be transmitted, via the interface system, to a device associated with the patron. 
   
   
   
       78 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the interface system comprises a network interface. 
   
   
       79 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the interface system comprises a wireless interface. 
   
   
       80 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the location determining system comprises at least one of a Global Positioning System device, a cellular telephone tower, a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, a radio frequency identification (“RFID”) tag, or an RFID reader. 
   
   
       81 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the location determining system comprises at least one device configured for locating wireless devices via closest access point, triangulation or RF fingerprinting methods. 
   
   
       82 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein at least one logic device comprises a processor. 
   
   
       83 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein a server comprises at least part of the logic system. 
   
   
       84 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the logic system is further configured to determine whether the request is for an unavailable option, and wherein the applying step comprises determining an alternative available option if the request is for an unavailable option. 
   
   
       85 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the patron request comprises a preferred denomination for wager gaming. 
   
   
       86 . The system of  claim 77 , wherein the patron request comprises a request pertaining to a group of patrons. 
   
   
       87 . A method, comprising:
 determining a patron's location in a gaming establishment;   determining whether a location-based bonus corresponds with the patron's location, the location-based bonus not being associated with a wager gaming session that currently involves the patron; and   providing the location-based bonus to the patron if it is determined that the location-based bonus corresponds with the patron's location.