System and method for allowing intercommunication among distributed users in a gaming environment

Abstract

A gaming machine system and associated method are provided. Initially, a user of a gaming machine is identified, along with at least one other party. In uses, communication between the user and the at least one other party is provided. In another embodiment, first identified is a first user of a first gaming machine associated with a second user of a second gaming machine. In use, the first gaming machine is located for the second user, for various purposes.

1 . A method, comprising: 
 identifying a user of a gaming machine;    identifying at least one other party; and    allowing communication between the user and the at least one other party.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  Claim 1 , wherein the gaming machine includes a reel-type slot gaming machine.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  Claim 1 , wherein the gaming machine is coupled to a second gaming machine via a network.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  Claim 3 , wherein the network utilizes a wireless transport medium.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  Claim 3 , wherein the network utilizes a fiber optic cable transport medium.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  Claim 1 , wherein the user is identified utilizing a player identifier associated with the user.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  Claim 6 , wherein the player identifier associated with the user is read from a gaming card of the user via a gaming card processor of the gaming machine.  
   
   
       8 . A the method of  Claim 1 , wherein the at least one other party includes another user of a second gaming machine.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  Claim 1 , wherein the at least one other party is identified utilizing a player identifier associated with the at least one other party.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  Claim 9 , wherein the player identifier associated with the at least one other party is read from a gaming card of the at least one other party via a gaming card processor of a gaming machine utilized by the at least one other party.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  Claim 9 , wherein the player identifier associated with the at least one other party is read from a gaming card of the user via a gaming card processor of the gaming machine.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  Claim 1 , wherein prior to allowing communication between the user and the at least one other party, it is determined whether the user is authorized to communicate with the at least one other party.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  Claim 12 , wherein the determination is made utilizing a data structure of a plurality of player identifiers.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the data structure is included on a gaming card of the user.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  Claim 12 , wherein communication between the user and the at least on other party is allowed based on the determination.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  Claim 1 , wherein communication is provided between the user and at least tow other parties simultaneously.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  Claim 1 , wherein the at least one other party is identified based on a selection by the user from a displayed set of available parties.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  Claim 1 , further comprising locating a second gaming machine utilized by the at least one other party, and providing to the user directions from the gaming machine to the second machine.  
   
   
       19 . A network gaming machine system, comprising: 
 a gaming machine associated with a user;    wherein communication between the user at least one other party is allowed, utilizing the gaming machine.    
   
   
       20 . A method, comprising: 
 identifying a first user of a first gaming machine associated with a second user of a second gaming machine; and    locating the first gaming machine for the second user if the second gaming machine.