LOCATION-AWARE PLAYER LOYALTY SYSTEM
Disclosed is an augmented reality customer loyalty system and method including a mobile device. The system allows virtual objects to be associated with real world locations, such as within a casino venue. Location-determination technology within the mobile device is used to present a map showing the relative locations of the device and the virtual objects. An augmented reality mode allows for the representation and acquisition of virtual objects in close proximity to the mobile device. The acquired virtual objects may qualify the customer for certain benefits.
1 . A method of operating a mobile device in conjunction with a gaming system associated with a gaming property, the mobile device comprising a camera, position-detection circuitry and a display, the method comprising:
assigning a plurality of virtual objects to corresponding locations within the gaming property;
notifying a user of the mobile device of an opportunity to obtain the virtual objects;
composing a map of the gaming property comprising the virtual objects;
displaying the map on the display;
identifying, via the position-detection circuitry, a present location of the mobile device within the gaming property;
if the location corresponding to at least one the virtual objects is within a predefined proximity of the present location of the mobile device, capturing a live image of the present location via the camera and augmenting the live image with a representation of the at least one proximal virtual object;
displaying the augmented live image on the display;
allowing acquisition of the at least one proximal virtual object by the user; and
updating a data structure associated with the user to reflect the acquisition.
2 . The method of claim 1 wherein the system comprises one or more Bluetooth beacons to enable the position-detection circuitry to identify the present location.
3 . The method of claim 1 wherein the system comprises one or more Wi-Fi access points to enable the position-detection circuitry to identify the present location.
4 . The method of claim 1 wherein the map is customized based on characteristics of the user.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein the map customization is based on which of the plurality of virtual objects have been acquired by the user.
6 . The method of claim 4 wherein the map customization is based on a theme known to be of interest to the user.
7 . The method of claim 1 wherein there is a redeemable value associated with each acquired virtual object.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein the redeemable value increases based on an amount of time the user remains at the location.
9 . The method of claim 7 wherein the redeemable value is based the user's ranking within a player loyalty system of the gaming property.
10 . The method of claim 1 wherein identifying the present location comprises the use of one of trilateration and a nearest neighbor technique.
11 . A gaming system associated with a gaming property, the gaming system comprising:
a host server;
a communications network connected to the host server;
a mobile device connected to the communications network, the mobile device comprising a camera, position-detection circuitry and a display;
wherein the host server:
assigns a plurality of virtual objects to corresponding locations within the gaming property;
notifies a user of the mobile device of an opportunity to obtain the virtual objects;
composes a map of the gaming property comprising the virtual objects; and
transmits the map to the mobile device via the communications network; and
wherein the mobile device:
receives the map;
displays the map on the display;
identifies, via the position-detection circuitry, a present location of the mobile device within the gaming property;
if the location corresponding to at least one the virtual objects is within a predefined proximity of the present location of the mobile device, captures a live image of the present location via the camera and augments the live image with a representation of the at least one proximal virtual object;
displays the augmented live image on the display;
allows acquisition of the at least one proximal virtual object by the user; and
transmits information related to the acquisition to the host server via the communications network.
12 . The gaming system of claim 11 wherein the system further comprises one or more Bluetooth beacons to enable the position-detection circuitry to identify the present location.
13 . The gaming system of claim 11 wherein the system further comprises one or more Wi-Fi access points to enable the position-detection circuitry to identify the present location.
14 . The gaming system of claim 11 wherein the map is customized based on characteristics of the user.
15 . The gaming system of claim 14 wherein the map customization is based on which of the plurality of virtual objects have been acquired by the user.
16 . The gaming system of claim 14 wherein the map customization is based on a theme known to be of interest to the user.
17 . The gaming system of claim 11 wherein there is a redeemable value associated with each acquired virtual object.
18 . The gaming system of claim 17 wherein the redeemable value increases based on an amount of time the user remains at the location.
19 . The gaming system of claim 17 wherein the redeemable value is based the user's ranking within a player loyalty system of the gaming property.
20 . The gaming system of claim 11 wherein identifying the present location comprises the use of one of trilateration and a nearest neighbor technique.