System for providing additional event participation to electronic video game customers

Abstract

The present invention provides a closed-loop system that allows the operator of video gaming machines or other systems to offer an event for customer participation, receive funding for participation in the event, and providing feedback regarding the results. More specifically, a video game customer may receive notification of an invitation to place a bet on an event, participate in a transaction, or otherwise receive information or interaction. The use can press buttons on the video gaming machine to indicate choices, provide funding, and placing bets on an event. The funding for such participation may be directly deducted from the customers balance on the video gaming machine.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:
 interface with a processor of a gaming machine to cause a display, by a display device of the gaming machine, of a service window, wherein the display of the service window occurs without disrupting any plays of any games displayed by the display device of the gaming machine, and 
 responsive to receipt of data associated with an order being placed, via the service window, interface with a server to cause a fulfillment of the order placed. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the order is selected from the group consisting of: a drink order, a meal order, an order to participate in a promotional event, and an order to participate in a lottery event betting opportunity. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to interface with the processor of the gaming machine to cause a deduction, from a credit balance of the gaming machine, of a cost of the placed order. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the server is selected from the group consisting of: a promotional event server, and an operator server. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least the memory device is supported by a housing of the gaming machine. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the display of the service window occurs via a display of a pop-up window. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the receipt of data associated with the order being placed occurs in association with the processor monitoring an input device of the display device for an actuation. 
     
     
         8 . A method of operating a device, said method comprising:
 causing a processor to interface with a processor of a gaming machine to cause a display, by a display device of the gaming machine, of a service window, wherein the display of the service window occurs without disrupting any plays of any games displayed by the display device of the gaming machine, and   responsive to receipt of data associated with an order being placed, via the service window, causing the processor to interface with a server to cause a fulfillment of the order placed.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the order is selected from the group consisting of: a drink order, a meal order, an order to participate in a promotional event, and an order to participate in a lottery event betting opportunity. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising causing the processor to interface with the processor of the gaming machine to cause a deduction, from a credit balance of the gaming machine, of a cost of the placed order. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the server is selected from the group consisting of: a promotional event server, and an operator server. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the display of the service window occurs via a display of a pop-up window. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the receipt of data associated with the order being placed occurs in association with the processor monitoring an input device of the display device for an actuation. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , which is provided via a data network. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the data network comprises an internet.