System to dispatch casino agents to an electronic gaming machine in response to a predefined event at the electronic gaming machine

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method for dispatching a person to an electronic gaming machine in response to a predefined event at the electronic gaming machine. A listing of casino agents who may be dispatched is stored on in a database. A communication on a network of gaming machines is received indicating that a casino agent should be dispatched to one of the electronic gaming machines. A signal is automatically sent to a wireless device carried by a person including data that identifies the one electronic gaming device.

1 . A method for automatically dispatching a casino agent to one of a plurality of electronic gaming machines on a network of electronic gaming machines in response to a predefined event at the one electronic gaming machine, the method comprising:
 creating a list of casino agents;   storing the list in a memory operatively connected to the network;   monitoring the network of electronic gaming machines via a network computing device;   creating a list of identified players of the electronic gaming machines;   storing the player list in a memory of a player-tracking system that is operatively connected to the network;   creating a subset of the player list including players having at least one predefined criterion;   storing the subset list in a memory operatively connected to the network;   receiving an object from a player of the one electronic gaming machine via an input device associated with the one electronic gaming machine;   indicating that the player is currently playing via a network signal sent from the input device to the player-tracking system;   searching the subset list under control of a computer processor to determine if the player is on the subset list;   if the player is on the subset list, generating a call to dispatch a casino agent to the one electronic gaming machine;   selecting one of the casino agents from the list of casino agents;   automatically sending a call signal via a wireless network to a mobile computing device carried by the selected casino agent, the signal including data indicating the one electronic gaming machine;   receiving a call-acceptance signal responsive to an input on the mobile computing device carried by the selected casino agent indicating that he or she has accepted the call; and   determining that the selected casino agent has arrived at the one electronic gaming machine.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein determining that the selected casino agent has arrived at the one electronic gaming machine further comprises receiving a call-arrival signal responsive to an input on the mobile computing device carried by the selected casino agent indicating that he or she has arrived at the one electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising delivery of a complementary amenity to the player by the selected casino agent after the selected casino agent arrives at the one electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising receiving a call-completion signal responsive to an input on the mobile computing device carried by the selected casino agent indicating that he or she has delivered the complimentary amenity. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the electronic gaming machines are located in a casino and the method further comprises:
 defining a plurality of floor areas in the casino, each floor area including a predefined number of the electronic gaming machines; 
 creating a list of the floor areas; 
 storing the list in a memory operatively connected to the network; and 
 associating at least some of the casino agents with different floor areas. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein selecting one of the casino agents comprises selecting one of the casino agents associated with the floor area that includes the one electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the call signal further includes data indicating the identity of the player. 
     
     
         8 . A method for automatically dispatching a casino agent to one of a plurality of electronic gaming machines on a network of electronic gaming machines in response to a predefined event at the one electronic gaming machine, the method comprising:
 creating a list of casino agents;   storing the list in a memory operatively connected to the network;   monitoring the network of electronic gaming machines via a network computing device;   accruing slot accounting data using at least one meter associated with the one electronic gaming machine;   transmitting the slot accounting data over the network to a slot accounting system;   storing the transmitted slot accounting data in a memory operatively connected to the network;   determining from the slot accounting data if a player of the one electronic gaming machine has wagered more than a predefined amount;   if the player has wagered more than the predefined amount, selecting one of the casino agents from the list of casino agents;   automatically sending a call signal via a wireless network to a mobile computing device carried by the selected casino agent, the signal including data indicating the one electronic gaming machine;   receiving a call-acceptance signal responsive to an input on the mobile computing device carried by the selected casino agent indicating that he or she has accepted the call; and   determining that the casino agent has arrived at the one electronic gaming machine.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein determining that the casino agent has arrived at the one electronic gaming machine further comprises receiving a call-arrival signal responsive to an input on the mobile computing device carried by the selected casino agent indicating that he or she has arrived at the one electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the player is not enrolled in a player-tracking system operatively connected to the network and wherein the selected casino agent enrolls the player in the player-tracking system after the casino agent arrives at the one electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the method further comprises receiving a call-completion signal responsive to an input on the mobile computing device carried by the selected casino agent indicating that he or she has enrolled the player in the player-tracking system. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the electronic gaming machines are located in a casino and the method further comprises:
 defining a plurality of floor areas in the casino, each floor area including a predefined number of the electronic gaming machines; 
 creating a list of the floor areas; 
 storing the list in a memory operatively connected to the network; and 
 associating at least some of the casino agents with different floor areas. 
 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein selecting one of the casino agents comprises selecting one of the casino agents associated with the floor area that includes the one electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein determining from the slot accounting data if a player of the one electronic gaming machine has wagered more than a predefined amount comprises determining a single wager above a predefined amount. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8  wherein determining from the slot accounting data if a player of the one electronic gaming machine has wagered more than a predefined amount comprises determining multiple wagers over a predefined time period above a predefined amount. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the call signal further includes data indicating the identity of the player. 
     
     
         17 . A non-transitory computer readable medium which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to:
 monitor a network of electronic gaming machines via a network computing device;   detect that a player has wagered above a predefined amount at one of the electronic gaming machines;   access a list of casino agents;   automatically select a casino agent from the list of casino agents to go to the one electronic gaming machine;   automatically send a call signal via a wireless network to a mobile computing device carried by the selected casino agent, the signal including data indicating the one electronic gaming machine;   receive a call-acceptance signal responsive to an input on the mobile computing device carried by the selected casino agent indicating that he or she has accepted the call; and   determine that the selected casino agent has arrived at the one electronic gaming machine.   
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 17  wherein the plurality of instructions, which when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to receive a call-arrival signal responsive to an input on the mobile computing device carried by the selected casino agent indicating that he or she has arrived at the one electronic gaming machine. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 17  wherein the plurality of instructions, which when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to receive a call-completion signal responsive to an input on the mobile computing device carried by the selected casino agent indicating that he or she has completed an interaction with the player. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 17  wherein the plurality of instructions, which when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to include data identifying the player in the call signal.