Method and apparatus for conducting focus groups using networked gaming devices

Abstract

The invention includes a system and method for conducting a focus group via networked gaming devices. A slot server or a third party server in communication with gaming devices provides access to players operating the gaming devices. A topic for the focus group's discussion is received from a marketer via a marketer terminal in communication with the slot server. The system identifies players currently operating gaming devices who also are suitable potential participants in the focus group based on a focus group pool definition received from the marketer. Those players that accept an invitation to participate, become participants. The topic is communicated to the participants and the participants comments are relayed back to a moderator who controls the focus group discussion via a moderator terminal (and a graphical user interface) also in communication with the slot server. The moderator (and / or the system) verifies that each of the participants is in fact participating in the focus group and compensation is provided to the participants via the gaming devices.

Description

PRIORITY CLAIM[0001]This application is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 709,235, filed on Nov. 10, 2000, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 208,359, filed on May 31, 2000, the entire contents of each are incorporated by reference herein.CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0002]This application is related to commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 540,498 filed Mar. 31, 2000, entitled “Method and Apparatus For Administering A Survey Via A Computer Network”; commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 282,128, filed Mar. 31, 1999, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Administering A Survey Via A Television Transmission Network”; commonly owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 537,253, filed Mar. 29, 2000, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Providing Anonymous Service Provider Access”; commonly owned, co-pending...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention allows people to receive cash in exchange for participating in focus groups without having to travel to a central location. The technical effect is that this system provides a more convenient and efficient way to conduct focus groups.

Problems solved by technology

Although focus groups often provide a rich set of customer opinion, they also represent a considerable cost to most companies.

Marketing research organizations conducting such sessions often charge fees ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the complexity and duration of the session.

Such sessions can also present logistical challenges in getting appropriate participants in the same place at the same time, especially for focus groups requiring specialized participants.

In some cases, participants may also require reimbursement of transportation costs—adding to the already burdensome costs.

There are also costs associated with finding the participants, such as advertising expenditures in the local newspaper.

A major disadvantage of such focus groups, however, is the delayed nature of the payment to the participants.

Such delays in payment tend to frustrate participants, and serve to discourage future focus group participation.

Although these programs succeeded in providing an incentive to play more, players had no incentive to extend the length of a given gambling session since they could always pick up where they left off at a later session.

Every time that a player ended a gambling session, however, there was a risk that he would go to another casino.

However, the excitement and the motivation last only for the limited period of the race which cannot be extended indefinitely by the casino.

When the race ends, all player investment in the racing aspects of the game are lost, and the player may be motivated to cease play and search for another game.

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