Patent Publication Number: US-2013252730-A1

Title: Storing and using casino content

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application of, and claims priority benefit to, U.S. application Ser. No. 13/129,022 which is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US09/64481 filed 13 Nov. 2009, which claims priority benefit of U.S. Application No. 61/114,755 filed 14 Nov. 2008. The U.S. application Ser. No. 13/129,022, the International Application No. PCT/US09/64481, and the U.S. Application No. 61/114,755 are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Copyright 2013, WMS Gaming, Inc. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally to wagering game systems, and more particularly to devices and processes that utilize content in wagering game systems and networks. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Wagering game machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines depends on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing wagering game machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for wagering game machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       Embodiments are illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of selecting casino content and saving it in a user accessible storage, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a wagering game system architecture  200 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram  300  illustrating determining selections of casino content and sending the content to a user accessible storage, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of collecting casino content, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram  500  illustrating analyzing casino user selections history, and other casino user information, to present targeted casino content, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of presenting casino content using a user account, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  is a flow diagram  700  illustrating using information from a user accessible storage to determine casino content to present to a user, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  is an illustration of a wagering game machine architecture  800 , according to some embodiments; and 
         FIG. 9  is an illustration of a mobile wagering game machine  900 , according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     This description of the embodiments is divided into six sections. The first section provides an introduction to embodiments. The second section describes example operating environments while the third section describes example operations performed by some embodiments. The fourth section describes additional example embodiments while the fifth section describes additional example operating environments. The sixth section presents some general comments. 
     INTRODUCTION 
     This section provides an introduction to some embodiments. 
     Casinos provide various types of casino content to casino users. Some of that casino content relates to wagering games (“wagering game casino content”), such as wagering games, account information related to games, advertisements for games, congratulatory displays for winning games, etc. Some of the casino content relates to information other than wagering games (“non-wagering game casino content”) such as messages related to products or services offered in the casino (e.g., promotions for merchandise, food advertisements, messages about upcoming events, shows, concerts, etc.), as well as messages related other things, such as communications from other patrons (e.g., chat sessions, shared files, etc.), third party advertisements (e.g., non-casino ads), television broadcasts, and so forth. Casinos are interested in making casino users, such as wagering game players (“players”) and other types of casino patrons, aware of the wagering game casino content and the non-wagering game casino content (collectively, the “casino content”). The casinos present the casino content on various electronic devices (“devices”) positioned throughout the casino, such as on wall-mounted screens, on electronic billboards, on television monitors, on projection screens, on computers, on wagering game machines, etc. Casinos often present casino content on devices that are within reach or in close proximity to casino users. For instance, casinos will often present non-wagering game casino content on displays, speakers, etc. that are a part of, and/or in proximity to, wagering game machines as the wagering game machines are presenting wagering game casino content. The casinos know that casino users will very likely see the non-wagering game casino content when it is presented on, or close to, a wagering game machine, because the casino user may be looking at, or around, the wagering game machine for long periods of time during game play sessions. Casinos, however, face certain challenges by presenting non-wagering game casino content in close proximity to wagering game casino content. For example, when a patron is playing a wagering game, the casino makes money on the patron&#39;s losses. The more games that the patron plays, the more money the casino may make. Therefore, the casinos face a conflict with presenting non-wagering game casino content in close proximity to wagering game casino content because although casino users such as patrons are very likely to see or hear the non-wagering game casino content if it is in close proximity to a the wagering game casino content, the casinos also want patrons to continue playing wagering games without being unduly distracted by non-wagering game casino content or anything else that may hinder or slow down the speed of play. Embodiments of the inventive subject matter, however, provide ways for casinos to present non-wagering game casino content in close proximity to wagering game casino content while still allowing the casino user to focus primarily on the wagering game casino content. For example,  FIG. 1  shows a wagering game system  100  that provides a way for an individual to select interesting casino content and save the casino content so that the individual can review it later. Thus, patrons, players, and the like can focus primarily on wagering games, but also save interesting casino content for later review. In some embodiments, like in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , a wagering game system also provides ways for an individual to capture or collect casino content (including wagering game casino content) and store it for later review. The embodiments also describe ways to analyze the selections and/or use stored preferences in user accounts to generate interesting casino content that the wagering game system can present within the casino or via accounts associated with the account user. 
       FIG. 1  is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of selecting casino content and saving it in a user accessible storage, according to some embodiments. In  FIG. 1 , a wagering game system (“system”)  100  includes a wagering game machine  160  connected to a communications network  122 . Also connected to the communications network  122  are a wagering game server  150 , a web server  140 , an account server  170 , and an advertisement (“ad”) server  180 . The wagering game machine  160  includes a display  110  that presents various images, controls, meters, etc. associated with a wagering game session. For example, the display  110  presents wagering game content, such as slot reels  104  that present a wagering game outcome. In some embodiments the wagering game server  150  can provide the wagering game content and outcome to the wagering game machine  160 . The display  110  also presents a bet meter  105  to track and control betting on the wagering game and a spin control  109  to spin the slot reels  104 . The display  110  also presents a credit meter  107  to track an amount of credits won during a wagering game session, and a panel  108  to present all types of information and functions (e.g., information about a casino user that is logged in to the wagering game machine  160  via a wagering game account, information about financial transactions, promotions, chat messages, console buttons, etc.). The panel  108  can resize to fit content and can move around the display  110 . The wagering game account can be stored in the account server  170  that stores information related to the casino user, the casino user&#39;s wagering activities, financial transactions, etc. The account server  170  can also store information about other accounts (e.g., a web account, a social network account, etc.) in addition to, instead of, or in conjunction with, a wagering game account. Slot games are one example of wagering games that can be played on the wagering game machine  160 . The wagering game machine  160 , however, can be used to present a variety of different wagering games (e.g., video poker, blackjack, bingo, group games, bonus games, progressive games, etc.). The wagering game machine  160  can also be used for other casino services and/or non-wagering game activities, such as for ordering drinks, receiving messages about casino events, chatting with patrons, communicating with technicians, surfing the internet, playing non-wagering games, receiving news feeds related to casino content, patron information, and/or promotions, etc. The wagering game machine  160  can also be used to receive advertisements (“ads”), such as the promotion  112  promoting a new wagering game that is available on the casino network. In some embodiments, the display  110  may be presented on a peripheral device (e.g., a display monitor) connected to a docking station at which the wagering game machine  160  is docked. Consequently, in some embodiments, the promotion  112  can be presented on the peripheral device. During a wagering game session, the casino user may want to focus on playing wagering games instead of looking at ads. Nevertheless, the casino user may be interested in a promotion  112  and want to review it later. Consequently, the system  100  presents the promotion  112  as a selectable and savable advertisement, or rather, an advertisement that can be selected in some way by the casino user, and saved, in some form, to one or more storage locations that are accessible by the casino user (e.g., a personal storage device, a website account, a wagering game account, a cell phone, a laptop, a local storage device provided by the casino, a web account, a shared account, etc.). The one or more storage locations may be referred to as “user accessible storages” or “content-storage” locations because the storage locations can be accessible to the casino user for saving and/or retrieving the casino content. Other examples, such as in  FIGS. 4 and 6  illustrate how casino users can store casino content that they find interesting or important. The one or more user accessible storages do not have to be owned by the casino user, but are “accessible” by the casino user for storing and retrieving information (e.g., the casino user has user rights to save the casino content, read the casino content, etc.). User accessible storages are not confined solely to devices or accounts associated with a casino&#39;s private network, but can extend beyond the casino&#39;s private network to other networks and locations that are accessible from within the casino, such as the Internet, a cell phone network, a wide area network, etc. The promotion  112  can have information associated with it. The ad server  180  can include a record  111  containing advertising information for the promotion  112 . The advertising information can include an ad name or identifier, an ad image, a link, a patron offer, and other information (e.g., terms of a deal) that can be used to present the promotion  112  on the display  110  and also to store the promotion  112  in the user accessible storage. The promotion  112  can be selectable. For example, the casino user can touch a screen displaying the promotion  112 . When touched, the promotion  112  can present a pop-up message prompting the casino user to select where to store the promotion  112  (e.g., prompt for an email address, prompt for a device selector, etc.). To save time, however, the casino user can pre-configure what happens when the promotion  112  is selected by storing pre-configuration information in the account server  170  (see  FIG. 4  for more details). After the promotion  112  is selected, the system  100  can package the ad information into a transportable package, file, etc., (e.g., an email, a text message, a data packet, a multi-media presentation, a web animation, an electronic document, a web page, a configuration file, a command, etc.). The system  100  can send the advertisement information to the casino user&#39;s storage, along with any commands needed to store the ad information in memory (e.g., data writing commands). The system  100  can package the promotion  112  exactly as it appears on the display  110  and send the exact replica of the promotion  112  to the user accessible storage. On the other hand, the system  100  can modify how the promotion  112  looks (e.g., alters the size based on the size of a display) or behaves and can also add other information that is only included in the transferrable package that wasn&#39;t presented on the promotion  112  (e.g., a website link, an offer, patron information, wagering game information, financial account information, etc.). For example, the system  100  can detect that a casino user touches the promotion  112  and package some of the images presented on the promotion  112  into a message  115  that the system  100  sends to a web account  114  belonging to the casino user. The web account  114  can be stored on the web server  140 . The web account  114  receives the message  115  and stores it. The casino user can then access the web account  114  at a later time and review the message  115 . 
     The system  100  can save and store any information presented on the display  110 , not just information presented on the promotion  112 . For example, the system  100  can save and store congratulatory animations, game results (e.g., wins, impressive hands, etc.), wagering game images, re-enactments of what occurs during a wagering game, demonstrations of new games, chat conversations, replays, prior news feeds related to casino content, etc. The system  100  can also work with other devices within a casino network, not just the wagering game machine  160 . For example, the system  100  can present selectable and savable casino content on electronic signs displayed on monitors within a casino, on television channels on a casino television set, etc. 
     Although  FIG. 1  describes some embodiments, the following sections describe many other features and embodiments. 
     Example Operating Environments 
     This section describes example operating environments and networks and presents structural aspects of some embodiments. More specifically, this section includes discussion about wagering game system architectures. 
     Wagering Game System Architecture 
       FIG. 2  is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a wagering game system architecture  200 , according to some embodiments. The wagering game system architecture  200  can include an account server  270  configured to control user related accounts accessible via wagering game networks and social networks. The account server  270  can store and track user information, such as identifying information (e.g., avatars, screen name, account identification numbers, virtual assets, identifier information, virtual awards, other awards, etc.) or other information like financial account information, social contact information (e.g., archived chat communications with social contacts, names and contact information for social contacts, etc.), etc. The account server  270  can contain accounts for social contacts referenced by the user account. The account server  270  can also provide auditing capabilities, according to regulatory rules, and track the performance of users, machines, and servers. The account server  270  can include an account controller  272  configured to control information for a user&#39;s account. The account server  270  can also include an account store  274  configured to store information for a user&#39;s account. 
     The wagering game system architecture  200  can also include a wagering game server  250  configured to control wagering game content and communicate wagering game information, account information, and other information to and from a wagering game machine  260 . The wagering game server  250  can include a content controller  251  configured to manage and control content for the presentation of content on the wagering game machine  260  or other casino devices. For example, the content controller  251  can generate game results (e.g., win/loss values), including win amounts, for games played on the wagering game machine  260 . The content controller  251  can communicate the game results to the wagering game machine  260  via a communications network  222 . The content controller  251  can also generate random numbers and provide them to the wagering game machine  260  so that the wagering game machine  260  can generate game results. The content controller  251  can also present casino content, determine selections of content, gather content and metadata, and package content and metadata into one or more transportable electronic packages, files, instructions, etc. The wagering game server  250  can also include a content store  252  configured to contain content to present on the wagering game machine  260 . The content store  252  can include casino content that is selectable and savable to a user accessible storage. The wagering game server  250  can also include an account manager  253  configured to control information related to user accounts. For example, the account manager  253  can communicate wager amounts, game results amounts (e.g., win amounts), bonus game amounts, etc., to the account server  270 . The wagering game server  250  can also include a communication unit  254  configured to communicate information to the wagering game machine  260  and to communicate with other systems, devices and networks on the communications network  222 . The wagering game server  250  can also include a content selection analyzer  256  configured to analyze content selection history, user account information, patron history, external account information, etc. and generate analytic information (“analytics”). The content selection analyzer  256  can also determine predictive analytics based on an individual&#39;s past behavior and/or by addressing a group behavior that shares characteristics with an individual. The casino content controller  255  can use the analytics to determine (e.g., select, generate, predict, etc.) casino content to present to a casino user and/or to present on accounts associated with the casino user. 
     The wagering game system architecture  200  can also include a wagering game machine  260  configured to present wagering games and receive and transmit information to store and use casino content. The wagering game machine  260  can include a content controller  261  configured to manage and control content and presentation of content on the wagering game machine  260 . The wagering game machine  260  can also include a content store  262  configured to contain content to present on the wagering game machine  260 . The wagering game machine  260  can also include a content selection controller  264  configured to determine that a casino user (e.g., a player, a casino patron, a casino staff, a friend or relative of a casino patron, a social contact, etc.) has selected a selectable casino content item. The content selection controller  264  can determine various ways that a casino user may select items. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the content selection controller  264  can detect a hand motion (e.g., a finger swipe, a tap, etc.) on a touch screen. Alternatively, the content selection controller  264  can detect when a casino user or casino user&#39;s personal device is within a pre-determined distance (e.g., within a wireless signal range) of a casino display and save information presented on the display to the casino user&#39;s account and/or to the personal device (see  FIG. 6 ). The content selection controller  264  can also automatically detect pre-configurations set by a casino user regarding content that the casino user would like to select and store (see  FIG. 6 ). The content selection controller  264  can also gather information about the selected content (e.g., movie files, picture files, links, descriptions, pre-set messages, associated discounts, Internet websites, etc.). The content selection controller  264  can present that information to the content controller  251  or the content controller  261 , for packaging. The content selection controller  264  can present the packaged content to a personal storage communicator  265 . The personal storage communicator  265  can be configured to receive content from the content selection controller  264 , the wagering game server  250 , or other sources, and send the information to a user accessible storage associated with the casino user. 
     Each component shown in the wagering game system architecture  200  is shown as a separate and distinct element. However, some functions performed by one component could be performed by other components. For example, the content controller  251  and the content controller  261  can both package information associated with selected casino content items. Furthermore, the components shown may all be contained in one device, but some, or all, may be included in, or performed by multiple devices, as in the configurations shown in  FIG. 2  or other configurations not shown. Furthermore, the wagering game system architecture  200  can be implemented as software, hardware, any combination thereof, or other forms of embodiments not listed. For example, any of the network components (e.g., the wagering game machines, servers, etc.) can include hardware and machine-readable content including instructions for performing the operations described herein. Machine-readable content includes any mechanism that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a wagering game machine, computer, etc.). For example, tangible machine-readable content includes read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage content, optical storage content, flash memory machines, etc. Machine-readable content also includes any content suitable for transmitting software over a network. 
     Example Operations 
     This section describes operations associated with some embodiments. In the discussion below, some flow diagrams are described with reference to block diagrams presented herein. However, in some embodiments, the operations can be performed by logic not described in the block diagrams. 
     In certain embodiments, the operations can be performed by executing instructions residing on machine-readable content (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the operations can be performed by hardware and/or other logic (e.g., firmware). In some embodiments, the operations can be performed in series, while in other embodiments, one or more of the operations can be performed in parallel. Moreover, some embodiments can perform more or less than all the operations shown in any flow diagram. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating determining selections of casino content and sending the content to a user accessible storage, according to some embodiments.  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  6  are conceptual diagrams that help illustrate elements of a flow  300  in  FIG. 3 , according to some embodiments. This description will present  FIG. 3  in concert with  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  6 . In  FIG. 3 , the flow  300  begins at processing block  302 , where a wagering game system (“system”) determines casino content that is selectable and storable. The system can determine all types of selectable and storable casino content (“casino content items”), such as visible graphics, text, sounds, music files, movie files, animations, etc. The system can generate casino content items with properties, controls, or other elements that can detect when one or more casino content items are selected. The casino content items can include perceptible data (e.g., images displayed on a device, sounds presented via speakers, etc.) and metadata (e.g., data stored in a database). The perceptible data and metadata can be associated with the casino content item so that when the casino content item is selected, the system can react with one or more different responses that gather some or all of the perceptible data and metadata and send it to a user accessible storage. 
     The flow  300  continues at processing block  304 , where the system presents the casino content. The system can present the casino content on wagering game machines, monitors, wall displays, speakers, etc. In some embodiments, the wagering game machine may be a standing model wagering game machine. The standing model wagering game machine can have multiple displays build into it, such as peripheral devices, box-top monitors, etc., that can also display casino content. In some embodiments, the wagering game machine can be a mobile wagering game machine. The mobile wagering game machine can be docked at a docking station. The docking station can expand the viewing area of a wagering game machine by having one or more peripheral displays attached to the docking station. The peripheral displays can have the same capabilities to present the casino content as the wagering game machine. A casino user can be logged in to a wagering game session on the wagering game machine. The docking station can recognize the casino user&#39;s identity via the docked wagering game machine and detect pre-configurations associated with the casino user&#39;s selection of objects. 
     The flow  300  continues at processing block  306 , where the system determines a selection of a casino content item. The system can detect various ways that a casino user and/or device might select a casino content item. For example, in  FIG. 1 , the system  100  detects that a casino user touches a casino content item on a screen of a wagering game machine  160 .  FIG. 4  illustrates two other examples of ways that the system can detect when a casino user selects casino content items, for instance by, (1) detecting a circular finger motion on a touch-screen and (2) detecting that a casino user device is within a wireless range of a casino display. In  FIG. 4 , a wagering game system (“system”)  400  includes multiple casino display devices, such as a wagering game machine  460  and a casino display  403 . The casino display  403  can cycle messages and ads for casino events, games, services, products, and activities. The casino display  403  can also present ads for non-casino services and products by advertisers that want to market to players, casino patrons, and other casino users. The ads presented on the casino display  403  can include selectable and savable casino content items. The wagering game machine  460  can also present casino content items. For instance, a display  410  on the wagering game machine  460  presents a congratulatory display of a wagering game win. The wagering game machine  460  and the casino display  403  can receive the casino content from a wagering game server  450  and/or an ad server  480 . The wagering game server  450 , the ad server  480 , the casino display  403  and the wagering game machine  460  are connected via a communications network  422 . A casino user can select a casino content item (“item”) on the display  410  by touching a touch-screen on the display  410  and making a circular motion around one or more items. The wagering game machine  460  detects the motion which creates a boundary  411  around the encircled items. The wagering game machine  460  can then determine that any items within the boundary  411  are selected items. The system  400  can read from a pre-configured, content selection configuration setting (“pre-configuration setting”)  409 . The pre-configuration setting  409  can be stored in a user account on an account server  470 . The system  400  can use the pre-configuration setting  409  to determine that a circular finger motion on a touch-screen is an action that selects items. The wagering game machine  460  can read properties of the selected items and, based on the object&#39;s properties, present a prompt  412  that prompts the casino user for additional options. For example, if a casino user selects an item that changes periodically, the system  400  may want additional assistance from the casino user to indicate whether the system  400  has correctly selected the proper item, as the item may have changed during the selection. Further, the system  400  may give options to select a history of items that have changed, such as certain number of games (e.g., the last game, the last two games, etc.). Further, the nature of the items may be different, and have different properties. For example, a casino user may select or highlight several items and the system  400  may prompt the casino user to indicate whether the casino user wants all of the objects selected as a single item or as individual items. The prompt  412  can also provide an option to crop or resize the selection. In addition to selecting items with a touch-screen on the display  410 , a casino user can also select objects by activating a user accessible storage device and/or moving the user accessible storage device within a wireless range of the casino display  403 . The casino display  403  can have a wireless transceiver  405  that can detect and send wireless signals. A personal device  446  may also have wireless capabilities. When a casino user sees casino content, such as an ad  402 , the casino user can move within wireless range to initiate a selection process. The personal device  446  may be equipped with software that can interface with the wireless transceiver  405  and present a selection panel  407  indicating options for selecting the ad  402 . The selection panel  407  can include options for selecting (e.g., capturing) one or more items that were displayed on the casino display  403 . The pre-configuration settings  409  can also indicate, in advance, selection configurations (e.g., how far away the personal device should be to the casino display  403  to activate the selection process). The pre-configuration settings  409  can also have an on/off setting so that selection functionality can be turned on or off. Casinos may also provide devices that can be configured to interface with casino displays in different ways to indicate a selection of a casino content item. For example, a casino may provide casino patrons with devices that are equipped with laser pointers to point at casino displays and highlight selectable items. Some displays can also be equipped with touch screens, like the touch-screen on the wagering game machine  460 , so that casino users can touch the casino displays and select items using finger or hand motions. Devices can use radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices, motion detectors, optical transmitters, video transmitters, tactile devices, text recognition devices, speech recognition devices, and other devices to select and communicate casino content. Some devices have a direct, or wired, connection to each other (e.g., the personal device  446  can connect to the casino display  403  via an input/output port). The system  400  can also provide pop-ups or other prompts that take notes about a casino user&#39;s desires concerning the content. For example, the prompt  412  and the selection panel  407  can include a section for notes (e.g., to indicate a web-address, to select one or more user accessible storage devices, to indicate how the content should be packaged, to indicate a cell phone to send the information to, to indicate friends that should receive the content, to provide instructions to an intermediary recipient of the content, etc.). In some embodiments, the system  400  may also select non-viewable casino content items. For instance, the wagering game machine  460  and the casino display  403  may include speakers  440 ,  441  that present sounds, music, etc. The system  400  can present a sounds selection interface that can display sound files describing recently played sounds (e.g., game theme music, a congratulatory sound, etc.). A casino user can select the desired sound files from the sounds selection interface. 
     The flow  300  continues at processing block  308 , where the system determines casino content information from the casino content item. Some casino content information can be perceptible (e.g., graphics, pictures, text, video, audio, etc.). Other information can be metadata associated with the item. The metadata can be pre-stored to place into messages, content packages, etc. that are sent to user accessible storage locations. The system can determine the information from the selected items by reading properties and settings of the items or by reading data stored in a database associated with the items. The system can then prepare the data to be transferred to a user accessible storage, such as by packaging data from portions of a database record, as well as any associated graphics, videos, sound files, etc., the into a transportable package. In some embodiments, the system can select or generate a reproduction of the item (e.g., a casino user selects one or more graphics and the system packages a copy of the graphics exactly as they appear to the casino user). However, some items, though they may appear as a cohesive unit to the casino user may actually be a group of separable items that the system can separate and repackage to appear different than what the casino user sees. The system can provide prompts and/or settings that allow a casino user to indicate whether the casino user wants to receive an exact copy or whether the system can repackage the information in another way that may be more appealing, that may store more easily, that can be displayed on specific technology different than the casino display, etc. 
     The flow  300  continues at processing block  310 , where the system determines a user accessible storage. A user accessible storage can be a personal device (e.g., a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal database, a flash card, a personal computer, an external hard drive, etc.) that the casino user carries or possesses. The system can detect one or more devices connected to, or in proximity to, the casino display device and prompt the casino user to indicate a storage location (e.g., select a device and a drive on the device). In some embodiments, a user accessible storage can be on a device that the casino user does not carry or possess, such as a storage space or account on a remote device (e.g., an account server, a web server, etc.). 
     The flow  300  continues at processing block  312 , where the system sends the casino content information to the user accessible storage. The system can send the casino content information to a designated device or storage location. In some embodiments, the system can connect with a host device and initiate a command to save the information on a computer hard drive, a database, or some other file system or long-term (e.g., non-volatile) memory location. In some embodiments, the system can store the information in temporary memory (e.g., volatile memory, random access memory, etc.) on the device (e.g., the wagering game machine) that displayed the information. The casino user can review the casino content item information before the wagering game session ends and/or the machine power-cycles and flushes the casino content from the temporary memory. In some embodiments, the system can send a message containing the information, such as to an email account, which the host email server can store in the form of an email, a text message, a chat message, an archive file, etc. The system can provide storage commands and user login information, along with the casino content information, to a remote server, such as a web server. The web server can use the user login information to determine a web account associated with a player account, or other user account used to access the system. The web server can process the storage commands to determine a memory location associated with the web account and store the casino content information in the memory location. 
     The flow  300  continues at processing block  314 , where the system uses account information to present the casino content information. The system can present the casino content information (e.g., copies of the selected casino content items and/or other data) on a player profile, on a user account, on an email message, on a chat screen, or any other device or display that can access the user accessible storage to which the casino content information was sent and stored.  FIG. 1  illustrates and example of presenting saved and stored casino content. In  FIG. 1 , the web account  114  displays a message showing information from the saved promotion  112 .  FIG. 6  illustrates an example of a web account with additional features that can further present the saved casino content information. In  FIG. 6 , a wagering game system (“system”)  600  includes a personal computer  636  that a user can use (e.g., external to a casino network) to access a web account hosted by a web server  640 . The computer  636  includes a display  601  that shows account information for the web account that belongs to the user. The user may have selected casino content from a casino device and stored the casino content to the web account. The user can log on to the web account using the computer  636 , which connects to the web server  640  via the communications network  622 . The computer  636  can access the casino content that was stored on the web account and display it within the computer display  601 . In some embodiments, the system  600  can use information from the web account to present the information. For instance, the web account includes information about social contacts  602  (e.g., friends, acquaintances, etc.) of the user. The system  600  can send the casino content information to one or more of the social contacts associated with the user. The system  600  can send the packaged casino content information to any designated account, cell phone, web page, or other device and/or location that belongs to the social contact, such as to a social contact&#39;s mobile device  638 . In some embodiments, the system  600  can determine groupings of social contacts based on information provided on the user account. For instance, the social contacts  602  may include tags, properties, or other descriptors that indicate that some of the social contacts may like various types of wagering game content and would like to receive a copy of the saved casino content. In some embodiments, the system  600  can present controls and functionality that allows a user to modify or edit the information. For example, the system can show the user what was stored from the casino, but then modify it (e.g., resize it, reshape it, record over portions of it, personalize it, etc.). The system  600  can pre-configure a casino content item with modification options to assist the user in easily modifying and edit the stored casino content. The system  600  can also convert the casino content to different file formats so that the casino content can be opened and modified with third-party applications. In some embodiments, the system can read preferences from the web account and use the preferences to determine targeted casino content that the system  600  can present to the user when the user is logged in to the web account.  FIG. 5  illustrates an example flow  500  that can determine and provide targeted content. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating analyzing casino user selections history, and other casino user information, to present targeted casino content, according to some embodiments.  FIG. 6  is a conceptual diagram that helps illustrate elements of a flow  500  in  FIG. 5 , according to some embodiments. This description will present  FIG. 5  in concert with  FIG. 6 . In  FIG. 5 , the flow  500  begins at processing block  502 , where a wagering game system (“system”) determines one or more selections of casino content. The system can determine selection of casino content as described in  FIG. 3 . 
     The flow  500  continues at processing block  504 , where the system analyzes the one or more selections and other casino user information. As a casino user selects casino content items (“items”) to save and store, the system can analyze those items and generate analytical information (“analytics”) based on the casino user&#39;s history of selecting items. The items can have descriptive metadata (e.g., properties, tags, etc.) that indicate the nature of the items (e.g., ad types, related game themes, etc.). The system can also provide information related to the presentation of the items (e.g., demographics, time and date presented, content provider, etc.). For example, a casino user may consistently select and save items related to casino musical shows and events. Those items may have metadata tags that identify the items as belonging to a “musical” category. The system can use that information to determine musical ads with some musical properties and target the casino user with the musical ads (e.g., show ads related to musical events, show ads with rich musical sound tracks, etc.). The system can generate and/or access analytics from an advertising server. For instance, in  FIG. 6 , an ad server  680  can generate and store the analytics. The ad server  680  can access a casino account server  670 , via the communication network  622 , to obtain a casino user&#39;s selection history and analyze it to generate the analytics. 
     The flow  500  continues at processing block  506 , where the system determines preferences stored on a user account. For example, in  FIG. 6 , the system  600  can access the web account hosted by the account server  640 . The web account can include various preferences set by the user, such as a music play list  626  indicating music that the user enjoys, a preferred games and themes panel  627  indicating favorite games, sports, movie genres, and a wagering game notification widget  628  indicating types of wagering games that the user would like to be notified about. The ad server  680  can access the web server  640 , via the communication network  622 , to obtain user preferences. The ad server  680  can also access user preferences on other accounts that store user preferences, such as the casino account server  670 . 
     The flow  500  continues at processing block  508 , where the system determines targeted content to present to a user account based on analytics and/or account preferences. For example, in  FIG. 6 , the system  600  can use any of the preferences (e.g., music play list  626 , preferred games and themes panel  627 , wagering game notification widget  628 , etc.) and the user analytics (e.g., a user&#39;s preference for musical casino content based on user selection history) to determine targeted casino content. The system can also provide the analytics to third parties to target market their services and products (e.g., musical CDs, concert tickets, etc.) to the user. 
     The flow  500  continues at processing block  510 , where the system presents the targeted content using the user account. For example, in  FIG. 6 , the system  600  presents a targeted ad in the ad banner box  630 , when the web account is active (e.g., when the user is logged on and/or using the web account). For instance, the system  600  determines, based on the user&#39;s selection history, that the user likes musical events. Further, the system  600  determines, from the music play list  626  that the user likes a certain performing artist. The ad server  680  then searches through listings for musical concerts that may be playing in a location close to the user&#39;s residence, in a local casino, etc. The system  600  then presents the ad in the ad banner box  630 . The system  600  can also search through other servers of advertising partners to find content to present in the ad banner box  630 . In some embodiments, the system  600  can present saved content that relates most closely to the user&#39;s likes based on the user selection history and/or user preferences. For example, if the user had selected several items from casino devices, including an ad for the performing artist when it was presented on a casino display device, the system  600  may present the ad for the performing artist first, or more frequently, than other selected and saved items. In other embodiments, the system  600  can send reminders to a user, based on the selections, to remind the user about new games that the user has tagged. For example, the system can read a preference about a new game from the wagering game notification widget  628 , or other games that are related to the new games. The system  600  can also detect a selection of a game from a casino display device and send commands along with the packaged information from the casino content item. The commands can update the settings on part of the web account  601 , such as settings within the wagering game notification widget  628 . 
     In some embodiments, a wagering game system can also use analytics and preferences to present casino content on a casino device. For example, in  FIG. 7  a flow  700  illustrates using information from a user accessible storage to determine casino content to present to a casino user, according to some embodiments. In  FIG. 7 , the flow  700  begins at processing block  702 , where a wagering game system (“system”) determines a casino user in proximity to, or currently using, a casino device. For instance, in  FIG. 4 , a casino user may be carrying the personal device  446  and may approach the casino display  403 . In some embodiments, the wireless transceiver  405  detects, via an RFID transmitter, a player account card, chip, or other identification device that a specific user account uses for the personal device  446 . In other embodiments, the wireless transceiver  405  can read identifying information stored on the personal device  446 , such as a user&#39;s name, and then cross-reference a user account list to find a user account with the same name. In some embodiments, the personal device  446  may be a mobile wagering game machine, or other mobile device, that has been registered to the user account. 
     The flow  700  continues at processing block  704 , where the system determines one or more preferences from a personal storage. For example, in  FIG. 4 , the wireless transceiver  405  can detect preferences stored on the personal device  446  indicating ads or other casino content that the user has previously selected. The wireless transceiver  405  can also communicate with the account server  470 , the ad server  480 , or any other device (e.g., a remote web server) to determine preferences from a user account. 
     The flow  700  continues at processing block  706 , where the system determines analytics associated with the casino user&#39;s past selection of casino content items. The system can determine analytics associated with the user account as described in  FIG. 5 . For example, in  FIG. 6 , the system  600  can obtain analytics from the ad server  680 , which generates and/or stores player game analytics, along with other kinds of information related to the user&#39;s game history, selection history, social group rankings, etc. 
     The flow  700  continues at processing block  708 , where the system uses the preferences and/or analytics to determine casino content of interest to the casino user. The casino content can be ads (e.g., ad items stored in an advertising server) that match some of the same properties, tags, descriptions, or other information that is similar to the preferences and/or analytics. In some embodiments, the system can also determine non-casino content items of interest, such as ads from other advertisers that want to market to casino users. The system can determine the casino content by predicting what a casino user may like based on the information from the preferences and analytics. 
     The flow  700  continues at processing block  710 , where the system presents the casino content on the casino device. For example, in  FIG. 4 , the system  400  detects that the casino user device  446  is close to the casino display  403  (e.g., within the pre-configured distance stored in the pre-configuration setting  409 ) and presents a targeted ad (e.g., ad  402 ) on the casino display  403 . The system  400  can also present targeted casino content on the wagering game machine  460 , when a user account is active (e.g., the player is logged in and/or using the wagering game machine  460 ). In some embodiments, the targeted casino content can be sounds or images of things that the casino user prefers. For example, the system can detect a song that the casino user likes by looking at user&#39;s account (e.g., “Viva Las Vegas” by Elvis Presley, as listed on the music play list  626  in  FIG. 6 ). The system can play the song to entice the casino user to play wagering games for a longer duration. The system can also incorporate the song into casino content ads so that the ads become more appealing to the user. 
     Furthermore, although flow  700  describes determining a user account, the system can also determine information for an individual without actually determining a user account. For example, in  FIG. 4 , when the personal device  446  comes within a pre-configured proximity to the casino display  403 , the system  400  can communicate with the personal device  446  and look for personal information (e.g., look at a specific file folder that is designated for casino content storage, look at a file folder that contains music files, etc.). The system can use the personal information to determine if it contains past casino content selections and/or preferences by the individual. The system can then use that information to determine casino content to present to the individual on a casino device. Further, the system can utilize guest, anonymous accounts, one-time accounts, shared accounts, etc. for individuals in a casino who have not registered for a casino account but that still want to save casino content. 
     Additional Example Embodiments 
     According to some embodiments, a wagering game system (“system”) can provide various example devices, operations, etc., to store and use casino content. The following non-exhaustive list enumerates some possible embodiments.
         The system can provide an icon on a television screen that a casino user can use to rate television channels, or an icon on a wagering game machine that a casino user can use to indicate preferences or ratings for wagering games. The system can save the ratings and preferences to a user account. The system can also augment settings based on the information. For example, the system can package commands that the account can use to update settings and configurations or store information in specific locations within the account&#39;s file structure.   The system can send saved casino content items to individuals or groups that a casino user does not know, but that may have common characteristics (e.g., system uses analytics to send items to users that have similar preferences or analytics).   The system can rank and/or organize groups based on the selection history of the individual in the group.   The system can prioritize casino content displayed on a casino display and/or on an account display, based on previous behavior, selections of items, etc.   The system can automatically select items to analyze during a wagering game. For example, the system can select wagering game play objects and use the data from the objects to grade a player and place the player into a level of competency.   The system can determine user preferences and integrate them into the casino content. The system can present personal content, such as an item that a user likes (e.g., a music file of a favorite song, a video clip of a favorite television show or movie, a picture of a friend or favorite celebrity, etc.) and require a user to meet a certain level of wagering game activity (e.g., play a certain number of wagering games) to continue presenting the item. The system can integrate the personal content into the wagering game elements (e.g., the system determines a favorite avatar or icon from a user preference and places it on a slot reel). The system can also detect selected and saved items and integrate those into game play elements (e.g., a user touches a color, texture, or picture displayed on a screen or other casino content item and the system integrates it into the wagering game elements).   The system can read information from a user accessible storage device, like an MP3 player or a digital camera, and use that information in casino content (e.g., play a sound or musical file, show a picture from the camera, etc.).   The system can provide a route to a requested game (e.g., the system detects that new game is available that a user has indicated in a preference). In route to that game, the system can target ads to the user as the user walks to the game.   The system can take information from user preferences or selection history and send the information to an intermediary party to review. For example, the system can send the user selection history to a tour operator. The tour operator can determine a trip that the user and others might like to take based on the selection history.   The system can send a saved item to various groups or businesses so that they can compete to provide better offers or similar content.   The system can present selectable and savable objects on a web browser. The web browser can be used to access an online casino website, or any other wagering game website. The system can determine when a user selects (e.g., clicks on) one or more online casino content items or items displayed in the web browser and save the information to the user&#39;s hard drive, web account, or other user accessible storage location.   The system can transport casino content between a “brick-and-mortar” casino and a wagering game website. The user can access the casino content by being in the casino and/or by accessing the wagering game website.       

     Additional Example Operating Environments 
     This section describes example operating environments, systems and networks, and presents structural aspects of some embodiments. 
     Wagering Game Machine Architecture 
       FIG. 8  is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a wagering game machine architecture  800 , according to some embodiments. In  FIG. 8 , the wagering game machine architecture  800  includes a wagering game machine  806 , which includes a central processing unit (CPU)  826  connected to main memory  828 . The CPU  826  can include any suitable processor, such as an Intel® Pentium processor, Intel® Core 2 Duo processor, AMD Opteron™ processor, or UltraSPARC processor. The main memory  828  includes a wagering game unit  832 . In some embodiments, the wagering game unit  832  can present wagering games, such as video poker, video black jack, video slots, video lottery, reel slots, etc., in whole or part. 
     The CPU  826  is also connected to an input/output (“I/O”) bus  822 , which can include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+frontside bus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus  822  is connected to a payout mechanism  808 , primary display  810 , secondary display  812 , value input device  814 , player input device  816 , information reader  818 , and storage unit  830 . The player input device  816  can include the value input device  814  to the extent the player input device  816  is used to place wagers. The I/O bus  822  is also connected to an external system interface  824 , which is connected to external systems  804  (e.g., wagering game networks). The external system interface  824  can include logic for exchanging information over wired and wireless networks (e.g., 802.11g transceiver, Bluetooth transceiver, Ethernet transceiver, etc.) 
     The I/O bus  822  is also connected to a location unit  838 . The location unit  838  can create player information that indicates the wagering game machine&#39;s location/movements in a casino. In some embodiments, the location unit  838  includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver that can determine the wagering game machine&#39;s location using GPS satellites. In other embodiments, the location unit  838  can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can determine the wagering game machine&#39;s location using RFID readers positioned throughout a casino. Some embodiments can use GPS receiver and RFID tags in combination, while other embodiments can use other suitable methods for determining the wagering game machine&#39;s location. Although not shown in  FIG. 8 , in some embodiments, the location unit  838  is not connected to the I/O bus  822 . 
     In some embodiments, the wagering game machine  806  can include additional peripheral devices and/or more than one of each component shown in  FIG. 8 . For example, in some embodiments, the wagering game machine  806  can include multiple external system interfaces  824  and/or multiple CPUs  826 . In some embodiments, any of the components can be integrated or subdivided. 
     In some embodiments, the wagering game machine  806  includes a wagering game module  837 . The wagering game module  837  can process communications, commands, or other information, where the processing can store and use casino content. 
     Furthermore, any component of the wagering game machine  806  can include hardware, firmware, and/or machine-readable content including instructions for performing the operations described herein. 
     Mobile Wagering Game Machine 
       FIG. 9  is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a mobile wagering game machine  900 , according to some embodiments. In  FIG. 9 , the mobile wagering game machine  900  includes a housing  902  for containing internal hardware and/or software such as that described above vis-à-vis  FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, the housing has a form factor similar to a tablet PC, while other embodiments have different form factors. For example, the mobile wagering game machine  900  can exhibit smaller form factors, similar to those associated with personal digital assistants. In some embodiments, a handle  904  is attached to the housing  902 . Additionally, the housing can store a foldout stand  910 , which can hold the mobile wagering game machine  900  upright or semi-upright on a table or other flat surface. 
     The mobile wagering game machine  900  includes several input/output devices. In particular, the mobile wagering game machine  900  includes buttons  920 , audio jack  908 , speaker  914 , display  916 , biometric device  906 , wireless transmission devices  912  and  924 , microphone  918 , and card reader  922 . Additionally, the mobile wagering game machine can include tilt, orientation, ambient light, or other environmental sensors. 
     In some embodiments, the mobile wagering game machine  900  uses the biometric device  906  for authenticating players, whereas it uses the display  916  and speakers  914  for presenting wagering game results and other information (e.g., credits, progressive jackpots, etc.). The mobile wagering game machine  900  can also present audio through the audio jack  908  or through a wireless link such as Bluetooth. 
     In some embodiments, the wireless communication unit  912  can include infrared wireless communications technology for receiving wagering game content while docked in a wager gaming station. The wireless communication unit  924  can include an 802.11G transceiver for connecting to and exchanging information with wireless access points. The wireless communication unit  924  can include a Bluetooth transceiver for exchanging information with other Bluetooth enabled devices. 
     In some embodiments, the mobile wagering game machine  900  is constructed from damage resistant materials, such as polymer plastics. Portions of the mobile wagering game machine  900  can be constructed from non-porous plastics which exhibit antimicrobial qualities. Also, the mobile wagering game machine  900  can be liquid resistant for easy cleaning and sanitization. 
     In some embodiments, the mobile wagering game machine  900  can also include an input/output (“I/O”) port  930  for connecting directly to another device, such as to a peripheral device, a secondary mobile machine, etc. Furthermore, any component of the mobile wagering game machine  900  can include hardware, firmware, and/or machine-readable content including instructions for performing the operations described herein. 
     The described embodiments may be provided as a computer program product, or software, that may include a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer system (or other electronic device(s)) to perform a process according to embodiments(s), whether presently described or not, because every conceivable variation is not enumerated herein. A machine readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form (e.g., software, processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; or other types of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. In addition, embodiments may be embodied in an electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signal (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.), or wireline, wireless, or other communications medium. 
     GENERAL 
     This detailed description refers to specific examples in the drawings and illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive subject matter. These examples also serve to illustrate how the inventive subject matter can be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Other embodiments are included within the inventive subject matter, as logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes can be made to the example embodiments described herein. Features of various embodiments described herein, however essential to the example embodiments in which they are incorporated, do not limit the inventive subject matter as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, and application are not limiting as a whole, but serve only to define these example embodiments. This detailed description does not, therefore, limit embodiments, which are defined only by the appended claims. Each of the embodiments described herein are contemplated as falling within the inventive subject matter, which is set forth in the following claims.