CN101783047A - Method and apparatus for managing a gaming network - Google Patents

Abstract

Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for managing gaming establishments and for provisioning and configuring gaming machines. Some such embodiments allow a user to configure one or more gaming machines via an easy-to-use GUI displayed on a wired or wireless device such as a notebook, PAD, workstation or other host device. Gaming machine parameters that may be changed in accordance with some embodiments of the invention include game presentation, enabling or disabling games, game payback percentages, processing speed, volume level, and enabling or disabling tournament play. Some preferred embodiments of the present invention provide events, which allow the user to have an event occur immediately or to specify that certain events occur at a certain time in the future. Some embodiments of the invention allow users to generate activity reports highlighting configuration changes, user registrations, game setting additions, and/or game downloads. Also provided herein are novel methods and devices for authentication. Some embodiments of the invention allow users to easily manage game downloads to local servers and/or to each gaming machine.

Description

Method and apparatus for managing a gaming network

technical field

The present invention relates to a network of gaming machines such as slot machines and video poker machines. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods and apparatus for managing and provisioning gaming machines and other devices in a gaming network.

Background technique

Gaming machines under the control of a particular entity may be distributed around the globe in many different types of facilities. Casinos, convenience stores, supermarkets, bars, and boats are some examples of facilities where gaming machines may be located.

Typically, using a master game controller, the gaming machine controls various combinations of devices that allow players to play games on the gaming machine and encourage game play on the gaming machine. For example, games played on gaming machines typically require players to enter currency or credits into the gaming machine, indicate wager amounts, and initiate the game. These steps require the gaming machine to control input devices, such as bill validators and coin acceptors, to receive currency at the gaming machine, and to recognize user inputs to devices including keypads and buttons to determine wager amounts and initiate game play. After the game has been initialized, the gaming machine determines the game outcome, presents the game outcome to the player, and may dispense some type of award based on the game outcome.

This can be done on a gaming machine when it is running as a "standalone" unit or when connected to a group of gaming machines in some type of network. As technology in the game industry advances, more and more game services are provided to game machines via communication networks that connect groups of game machines with networked computers (which may be local or remote) that provide one or more game services. connect. For example, gaming services provided by networked computers to gaming machines via some type of communications network include player tracking, checkout, cashless prize tickets, sweepstakes, progressive games, and bonus games.

Typically, the online gaming service enhances the gaming machine's game playability or provides some operational advantage with respect to maintaining the gaming machine. Accordingly, online gaming services provided to groups of gaming machines connected on some type of dedicated communication network have become very popular in the gaming industry. Typically, private communication networks are not accessible to the public. In order to justify the costs associated with the infrastructure required to provide an online gaming service over a dedicated communication network it is necessary that a certain number of gaming machines connected in some type of network must use the service. Therefore, many online gaming services are only provided in larger gaming establishments employing a large number of gaming machines.

An example of using a dedicated network to connect a group of gaming machines to provide online gaming services is a progressive gaming network. The progressive gaming services offered by the Progressive Gaming Network enhance the game playability of a particular gaming machine by enabling greater progressive winnings than would be possible with a gaming machine operating in "standalone" mode. As the number of gaming machines connected to the progressive network increases, the potential amount of the progressive jackpot increases. The amount of progressive bonuses tends to increase the number of rounds played on a gaming machine that offers progressive bonuses, which justifies the costs associated with installing and maintaining a dedicated progressive gaming network.

However, there are many options for managing and provisioning gaming machines that are still performed manually. For example, during the dragging process, installing a new game would have involved manually swapping the EPROM (eg, read-only memory) containing the game on the gaming machine. Because the game software is strictly managed and in most game licenses, only authorized game software can be installed on the game console, so the software is loaded manually. Furthermore, to prevent the source code from being obtained by individuals who might use it in an attempt to find ways to cheat the gaming machine, the game software is manually loaded for security reasons. Other attributes of gaming machines such as naming, paytables, etc. may also be manually configured for similar reasons.

It would be desirable to provide methods and apparatus that overcome at least some of these shortcomings of the prior art.

Contents of the invention

Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for managing gaming establishments and for provisioning and configuring gaming machines. Some such embodiments allow a user to configure one or more gaming machines via an easy-to-use GUI displayed on a wired or wireless device such as a notebook, PAD, workstation or other host device. Gaming machine configurations that may be changed according to some embodiments of the invention include game presentation, enabling, disabling or downloading games, game payback percentages, processing speed, volume level, and enabling or disabling tournament play.

Some preferred embodiments of the present invention provide an event scheduler that allows the user to have an event occur immediately or to specify that certain events occur at a future time. Some embodiments of the invention allow users to generate activity reports highlighting configuration changes, user registrations, game setting additions, and/or game downloads. Also provided herein are novel methods and devices for authentication. Some embodiments of the invention allow users to easily manage game downloads to local servers and/or to each gaming machine.

Some aspects of the present invention provide a method of controlling a gaming network, the method comprising: selecting a first configuration change for a first gaming machine in the gaming network; displaying a first time when the first configuration change was attempted; and via the game The network automatically sends a signal to the first gaming machine to implement the first configuration change. When the configuration change condition is met, the signal is automatically sent to the first game machine at the first time. The implementing step may include automatically sending a signal from the server to the first gaming machine.

The method also includes a step of determining prior to the step of performing, wherein the game play credit of the first gaming machine is zero. Said selecting step and/or displaying step may be performed by interacting with a graphical user interface on a device other than the first gaming machine, the device configured to communicate with the gaming network. The device may be a handheld device. The device may be a master device for wired or wireless communication using the gaming network.

The method also includes the steps of: displaying 2nd through Nth times for implementing each of the 2nd through Nth configuration changes; and automatically sending 2nd through Nth signals to the first gaming machine via the gaming network to implement the 2nd to Nth configuration changes.

The selecting step may involve selecting a first configuration change for each of the 1st through Nth gaming machines in the gaming network. The implementing step may include transmitting the first to Nth signals to the first to Nth gaming machines via the gaming network to implement the first configuration change. The 1st to Nth game machines may include a game machine bank.

The method also includes displaying a default configuration for the first gaming machine; and applying the default configuration to the first gaming machine after the first configuration is changed when a predetermined condition is met. The predetermined condition may be a time period. A first duration for the first configuration change is displayed. The first configuration change may be, for example, a demo change, a paytable change, a display change, a game change, and/or a tournament configuration.

The selecting step may include selecting game software to be downloaded to the first gaming machine. If so, the implementing step includes causing the selected gaming software to be downloaded to the first gaming machine.

If one or more configuration change conditions are met (or not met), for example when it is determined that the game play credits of the first gaming machine are not zero, the implementing steps may be delayed.

Some aspects of the invention provide computer software embodied on a machine-readable medium. The computer software includes instructions for controlling at least one device in the gaming network to perform the steps of: presenting a description of a gaming machine in the gaming network; displaying a gaming machine's current configuration; receiving a gaming machine configuration command from a user; Signals are sent to one or more gaming machines in the gaming network to implement gaming machine configuration commands.

The computer software may include instructions for controlling the display to display the current configuration of the gaming machine in response to user input. The software may also include instructions for controlling the display to show whether the gaming machine is assigned to a pool, instructions for controlling the display to show whether the gaming machine is currently in communication with the gaming network, controlling the display to show whether the gaming machine is An instruction for downloading data from the network, and/or an instruction for displaying the game facility where the game machine is located.

The software enables configuration signals to be sent to gaming machines at more than one gaming establishment. The software may include instructions for controlling the device to provide a graphical user interface for receiving gaming machine configuration commands from a user. In some embodiments of the invention, the software includes instructions for the control device to send configuration signals to a plurality of gaming machines in the gaming network in response to a set of gaming machine configuration commands received from a user.

The software may also include instructions for at least partially authorizing the software to execute the game of chance to be downloaded to at least one gaming machine in the gaming network.

Some embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus for controlling a gaming network. The device comprises the elements: display means; input means; at least one network interface for communicating with the gaming network; and logic means. The logic means to control the display means to present a description of the gaming machines in the gaming establishment; and to display a current configuration of each gaming machine presented. The logic device is also operable to receive a first gaming machine configuration command from a user via the input device and to send a configuration signal via the network interface to one or more gaming machines in the gaming network to implement the command.

The logic device is also operable to control the display device to display whether the gaming machine is associated with a bank, to display whether the gaming machine is currently in communication with the gaming network, and/or to display whether the gaming machine is associated with a bank. The display device may comprise the input device.

The invention also includes a method for providing an automated tournament for a game of chance. One such method includes the steps of: causing a plurality of devices in the gaming network to display tournament notification information regarding an upcoming tournament; receiving a request to register in the tournament sent from each of a first plurality of gaming machines in the gaming network ; determine whether to receive each request; send a tournament confirmation message to each of the second plurality of gaming machines in the gaming network that sent the received request; configure each of the second plurality of gaming machines participating in the tournament; execute the tournament ; awarding at least one tournament prize money; and reporting tournament result data. The judge, send, configure, execute, and reward steps can be automated.

The method may also include the step of automatically deriving tournament fees from the player's account. The step of reporting tournament result data includes reporting, by each of the second plurality of gaming machines, to a server running the tournament. The step of reporting tournament result data also includes broadcasting (eg, by the server running the tournament) information about the tournament winners.

The performing step may include performing time-shifted tournaments in which players may participate in tournaments at different times, conducting game counting tournaments involving a predetermined number of games that players may complete over different time periods, and/or providing players with at least Some options.

The method also includes selecting a plurality of game options available to the player; and measuring the player's tournament outcome based on at least one of the game options. The game options may include demo options and/or multiplay options, for example.

The method may also include the steps of: creating a progressive pool for the tournament; and adding a percentage of each player's wager to the progressive pool. The awarding step may include awarding the progressive pool to at least one winning player.

Alternatively, the awarding step may award a plurality of bonuses, at least some of the plurality of bonuses being based on criteria other than the overall rating scale. For example, one of the plurality of bonuses is awarded to the predetermined poker hand that obtains the highest number of the first type (e.g., a maximum flush), and another of the plurality of bonuses is awarded to the predetermined hand that obtains the highest number of the second type. Poker (e.g. full hand max case). In these embodiments, more than one of the plurality of bonuses can be awarded to a single player.

Players of the tournament may be provided with the option to skip at least a portion of the game presentation and/or to automatically make at least one game decision for the player, wherein the game may also require the player to make a game decision.

Some embodiments of the invention control the gaming network in response to observed revenue earned by the gaming machines at different times and/or with different configurations. Such a method includes the steps of: determining a first rate of return obtained by a first gaming machine of a plurality of gaming machines in a gaming network when the first gaming machine has a first configuration; and sending second configuration information via the gaming network to the first game machine; configuring the first game machine with the second configuration according to the second configuration information; and when the first game machine has the second configuration, judging that the first game machine obtained by the first game machine during the second time second rate of return.

The step of determining a first yield includes receiving first input data from a first gaming machine via a gaming network, the first income data being associated with a first time. In some embodiments of the present invention, when whether the first rate of return is higher than the second rate of return, the method further includes the steps of: sending third configuration information to the first game machine via the game network; and The information configures the first gaming machine having a third configuration. The second configuration information may include, for example, presentation information, display information, paytable percentages, and/or game software information.

Another method includes the steps of: receiving revenue data from a first gaming machine of a plurality of gaming machines in the gaming network; determining that revenue data was obtained by the first gaming machine during a first time when the first gaming machine has a first configuration; When the first game machine has the second configuration, judge the second profit rate obtained by the first game machine during the second time; when the first game machine has the Nth configuration, judge an Nth rate of return obtained by the first gaming machine during an Nth time; and determining a first optimal configuration for the first gaming machine during a first time of day. The first optimal configuration corresponds to the determined highest yield for the first gaming machine during the first time of day.

The method may also include scheduling the first gaming machine to automatically configure a first optimal configuration during a first time of day. If the first gaming machine is part of a pool of gaming machines, the method further includes scheduling each gaming machine of the pool of gaming machines to automatically configure the first optimal configuration at the first time of day.

The method may also include determining a second optimal configuration for the first gaming machine during a second time of day, the second optimal configuration corresponding to the determined highest yield; and scheduling the first gaming machine to automatically configure the second optimal configuration during a second time of day.

The method may further include the steps of: receiving revenue data from second to Mth gaming machines in the gaming network; when the second to Mth gaming machines have a first configuration, The first average rate of return obtained by the second to the Mth gaming machines; when the second to the Mth gaming machines have the second configuration, it is judged that the second to the Mth gaming machines are obtained during the second time period an average rate of return; when the second to Mth game machines have an Nth configuration, judging the Nth rate of return obtained by the second to Mth game machines during an Nth time period; and determining at a predetermined time of a day The first overall optimal configuration of the second to Mth game machines during the period. The first overall optimal configuration corresponds to the determined highest payoffs for the second through Mth gaming machines during the predetermined time period. The first optimal configuration may include presentation, display type, paytable percentage, and/or game type.

The present invention provides other hardware (such as network devices and elements of network devices) to perform the methods of the present invention and software to control devices to perform these methods.

These and other features of the present invention are explained in more detail in the following detailed description of the invention and the associated drawings.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 shows an example of a network topology implementing some aspects of the present invention.

Figure 1A is a block diagram illustrating a simplified network topology of some implementations of an arbiter.

Figure 2 shows a GUI that can be used to implement some aspects of the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates another GUI that may be used to implement some aspects of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates another GUI that may be used to implement some aspects of the present invention.

Figure 5A shows another GUI that can be used to implement some aspects of the present invention.

Figure 5B shows another GUI that can be used to implement some aspects of the invention.

Figure 6 illustrates another GUI that may be used to implement some aspects of the present invention.

Figure 7 illustrates another GUI that may be used to implement some aspects of the present invention.

Figure 8 illustrates another GUI that may be used to implement some aspects of the present invention.

Figure 9A shows another GUI that can be used to implement some aspects of the present invention.

Figure 9B shows another GUI that can be used to implement some aspects of the present invention.

Figure 9C shows another GUI that can be used to implement some aspects of the present invention.

Figure 10A is one embodiment of a GUI that may be used with some implementations of a game setting manager in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 10B is one embodiment of a GUI that may be used with some implementations of a game settings manager in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 10C is one embodiment of a GUI that may be used with some implementations of a game settings manager in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 10D is one embodiment of a GUI that may be used with some implementations of a game settings manager in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 10E is one embodiment of a GUI that may be used with some implementations of a game setting manager in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 11A is one embodiment of a GUI that may be used with some implementations of a game setting manager in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 1 IB is one embodiment of a GUI that may be used with some implementations of a game setting manager in accordance with the present invention.

11C is one embodiment of a GUI that may be used with some implementations of a game settings manager in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 12A is one embodiment of a GUI that may be used with some implementations of a game setting manager in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 12B is one embodiment of a GUI that may be used with some implementations of a game setting manager in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 12C is one embodiment of a GUI that may be used with some implementations of a game settings manager in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 13 is a flowchart outlining one method of the present invention.

Figure 14 illustrates a gaming machine that may be configured according to some aspects of the invention.

Figure 15 illustrates a gaming machine and gaming network that may be configured according to some aspects of the invention.

Figure 16 illustrates a network device that may be configured according to some aspects of the invention.

Detailed ways

Various embodiments of the present invention provide for high-speed transfer of game content, game configurations, directed player transactions, and/or server-determined game outcomes. Aspects of the invention have been implemented at least in part by one or more servers. Accordingly, reference will be made herein to some embodiments of the present invention as a server-based gaming system or simply "SBG" or the like. Some aspects of the invention will be briefly summarized in the following description. The specific discussion is as follows.

review

Although those skilled in the art use these terms with different meanings, the terms "configuration", "configuration" and the like will be used broadly herein. For example, "configuring" a gaming machine includes not only providing parameters, such as named values and/or display parameters, but also controlling playable games, including, but not limited to, controlling game downloads for the gaming machine.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes providing a configuration manager for clients to manage gaming network functions. For example, some embodiments of the invention allow a user to manage one or more gaming establishment fields by configuring gaming machines via a gaming network. Commands, such as via an easy-to-use graphical user interface ("GUI"), can be issued by many types of network devices to control one or more servers to control game naming, which games are enabled or disabled, game payout percentages, game-specific Trade speed, enable (or disable) consoles from joining tournaments, volume, control console displays, and more.

Some implementations of the configuration manager allow a user to browse connected gaming machines and select parameters to be changed. The user then "submits" the changes to the console, and the status of the changes is immediately displayed. At least some configuration changes preferably only occur when certain circumstances are encountered, for example, when the player does not initiate game play. All configuration changes are preferably recorded in log files for editing and reporting purposes.

Some embodiments of the invention allow users to generate daily activity reports that briefly illustrate configuration changes, user logins, game settings additions, game downloads, and/or other information. The report is preferably both viewable and printable, eg, in the management console, on the web, and the like. Preferred embodiments of the present invention allow reports to be generated on demand or according to a predetermined schedule. For example, reports can be run automatically at specific times of day and on specific days or days of the week. Depending on the amount of data a user will desire and/or need to manage, some embodiments of a gaming network-based server include one or more middleware servers (or similar devices) for data filtering, integration, and/or event reporting.

Some aspects of the invention include an event scheduler that allows an operator to schedule certain events to occur immediately and/or at a future time. These events may be one-time occurrences or may be repeated multiple times and/or at operator-selected intervals. Game downloads, game configuration changes, and reports are examples of schedulable events. For example, if an operator wishes to have data (including but not limited to gaming software) downloaded to a particular machine pool at a particular time of day, the operator can schedule that event. In some embodiments, the event scheduler provides a GUI that allows an operator to browse, edit, or delete events shown in the queue of pending events.

The event scheduler can provide a user (eg, a manager of a single gaming establishment or a group of gaming establishments) with great flexibility and control. Scheduled tasks can occur immediately, on demand, or in a recurring fashion. For example, the operator may decide that the paytable percentage for a given gaming machine will change from 95% to 90% every day at 2pm. Alternatively, the operator may change the gaming machine nomenclature for each machine in the library at a predetermined time or on demand, and so on.

For example, an operator may configure a gaming machine to play a number of different games at certain times. Alternatively, the operator can leave the basic game unchanged, but change some aspect of its configuration, eg, display, naming, etc. For example, the operator may change the appearance of the casino by changing the background color or some other aspect of the gaming machine and/or logotype display in a periodic manner. The operator may change the appearance of the game to correspond to some scheme of the change, for example, to correspond to the title of the game (nickels are blue, quarters are red, etc.).

Some implementations of the event scheduler and/or configuration manager allow the operator to change whether or not the gaming machine is participating in a tournament. Moreover, the operator can change whether or not the game machine, or the game machine bank, joins the progressive pool. It is also possible to change the logo pattern of the game facility to correspond to the change of the arrangement. For example, the logotype of a gaming establishment may be changed to briefly state whether a gaming machine or pool of gaming machines participates in tournaments and/or progressive pools. These aspects can all be scheduled to occur at specific times by the event scheduler.

The event scheduler and other technical features of the present invention allow the operator to change the entire appearance of the casino as scheduled or as desired. For example, instead of spending time moving gaming machines around, operators can just apply the master device and make (or schedule) changes automatically. As mentioned elsewhere, such a host device may be a wired or wireless device, such as a notebook, PC, PDA, or even a mobile phone. Wireless devices allow the operator to make such changes while on the playground.

According to some embodiments of the invention, the download manager allows, for example, new game binaries to be added to the local game server repository. Some implementations of the download manager allow users to manage game downloads to gaming machines in a gaming network. Other embodiments of the present invention allow game downloads to be initiated by gaming machine players. U.S. of Nguyen et al., filed March 10, 2005, entitled "SECURED VIRTUALNETWORK IN A GAMING ENVIRONMENT" (Attorney No. IGT1P034X2/P-277CIP2) Patent application No.11/078,966, filed on January 14, 2004, titled "METHODS ANDAPPARATUS FOR GAMING DATA DOWNLOADING" (method and device for downloading game data) (Attorney No. IGT1P213/P-657) U.S. Patent Application No. 10/757,609 of Nelson et al. and filed on September 10, 2004, entitled "METHODS ANDAPPARATUS FOR DATA COMMUNICATION IN A GAMING SYSTEM" (METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DATA COMMUNICATION IN A GAMING NETWORK) ( Related methods and apparatus are described in detail in US Patent Application No. 10/938,293 to Benbrahim et al., Attorney No. IGT1P199/P-909, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Other embodiments of the invention still include at least some schemes for peer-to-peer file transfers between gaming machines. U.S. Patent Application No. 11/225,337 (Attorney No. IGT1P185/P-1017) to Nguyen et al., filed September 12, 2005, entitled "DISTRIBUTED GAMESERVICES" (Distributed Game Services) and in U.S. Patent Application No. 11/173,442 (Attorney No. .IGT1P153/P-991) contains detailed descriptions of some related methods and apparatus, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The present invention can be implemented with various types of authentication, authentication, privacy and security measures. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are implemented in conjunction with the embodiments described in the License Manager application, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. In Oberberger's U.S. Patent Application No. 10/050,747 (Attorney No. 29757/P-721), filed January 16, 2002, entitled "GAMING SYSTEM LICENSE MANAGEMENT" There is a detailed description of related methods and apparatus, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Some related art is also described in US Patent Application No. 11/078,966, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. According to some aspects of the invention, the authentication manager provides the operator with the ability to perform "on-demand" authentication or signature checking of software to be run on the gaming machine. Among other things, this provides the operator with the ability to ensure that all gaming machines connected to the SBG system are running the latest licensed software. The authentication manager can also be configured to authenticate all gaming machines based on a schedule set by the operator.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide secure communications between network devices, including but not limited to the ability to identify the authenticity of applications entering the network. Some such methods are described in the license manager application. Alternatively, or in addition, each gaming machine or other device that will communicate with a gaming establishment (and/or any device that will communicate with a particular central system representing the gaming setup) will "Fingerprinting", and/or according to techniques as described in patent application Ser. No. 11/078,966 referenced above. Communications from untrusted sources will preferably trigger special handling. For example, some embodiments will provide some level of security notification if the untrusted source cannot be authenticated in response to a challenge.

For example, when a local server at a gaming establishment requests a game to be downloaded from the central game library, the local server's fingerprint will be obtained and compared to the stored fingerprint for that device. If the fingerprints do not match, the central game repository will be able to download the requested game.

Some such fingerprinting techniques involve exploiting small deviations in processor clock skew. For example, the author is Kohno, Tadayoshi, and the invention name is "Remote Physical Device Fingerprinting" (Remote Physical Device Fingerprinting) (IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy [May2005]) In the article, there is a discussion of related technologies, which is quoted here by reference its content.

This clock skew deviation is approximately constant for each device over time, but a particular machine's clock skew differs from another device's clock skew. Most Transmission Control Protocol ("TCP") stacks implement the Request for Comments ("RFC") 1323 TCP timestamp option. With this option, each party in the TCP flow includes information about the percentage of time it takes in each outgoing packet. The information contained in the TCP header can be used to count the clock phase difference of the device, thereby identifying the device. This identification technique does not require any modification of the fingerprint recognition device. In addition, this technique can still be used when the measurement element is thousands of miles away from the fingerprinting device, multiple reflections, tens of milliseconds away, and even when the fingerprinting device is connected to a network in a different region and via a different access technology. Report consistent measurements.

Some of these techniques can provide reliable fingerprinting even when the fingerprinting device is behind a NAT or firewall, and whether the device's system clock is maintained via NTP or SNTP. These techniques are also able to determine whether two devices on the network that are likely to shift in time or IP address are actually the same physical device.

Typical System Architecture

An example of a network topology for practicing some aspects of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that this exemplary architecture and associated functionality is exemplary only, and that the invention encompasses many other such embodiments and methods. For example, a single gaming establishment 105 is illustrated here, which in this example is a casino. However, it is understood that some embodiments of the invention include multiple gaming establishments.

The gaming establishment 105 includes 16 gaming machines 2 , each of which is part of a bank 110 of gaming machines 2 . It can be seen that many gaming establishments include hundreds or even thousands of gaming machines 2 , not all of which are included in the library 110 . However, the present invention can be implemented as a gaming establishment with any number of gaming machines.

Various alternative network topologies can be used to implement different aspects of the invention and/or provide different numbers of networked devices. For example, a gaming establishment with a large number of gaming machines 2 requires multiple instances of some network equipment (e.g., the main network equipment 125, which includes switching and routing functions in this instance) and/or other network equipment not shown in FIG. . For example, some embodiments of the invention include one or more middleware servers disposed between gaming machine 2 and server 130 . Such middleware servers may provide various utility functions including, but not limited to, filtering and/or aggregating data received from bank switches 115, individual gaming machines, and other player terminals. Some embodiments of the invention include load balancing methods and devices for managing network traffic.

协议的IGT的打开指令，以使IGT可以无需充电进行下载。然而，诸如最佳类型(“BOB”)的其它协议可被用来实施SBG的多个方案。IGT还在TCP/IP之上，开发出名为CASH的针对游戏产业特定的传输层，以提供额外的功能性和安全性。Each library 110 includes a corresponding library switch 115, which may be a generic library switch. Each library switch is connected to the SBG server 130 via a main network device 125, which in this example includes switching and routing functions. While a variety of site communication protocols may be used, some preferred implementations use Ethernet-based

The open instruction of the IGT of the protocol, so that the IGT can be downloaded without charging. However, other protocols such as type-of-best ("BOB") may be used to implement various aspects of SBG. IGT has also developed a game-industry-specific transport layer called CASH on top of TCP/IP to provide additional functionality and security.

The SGB server 130 , the license manager 131 , the arbitrator 133 and the main network device 125 are provided in the computer room 120 of the game establishment 105 . License manager 131 may be implemented, at least in part, by a server or similar device. U.S. Patent Application No. 11/225,408 (Proxy License Manager 131 is described in detail in No. IGT1P253), the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

SGB server 130 may be configured to at least partially implement various aspects of the present invention. Some preferred embodiments of the SGB server 130 include (or at least communicate with) a cluster CPU, redundant storage including backup storage, switches, and the like. These storage devices may include Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks ("RAID"), backup hard drives and/or tape drives, and the like. Preferably, Radial and DHCP servers are configured to communicate with the gaming network. Some embodiments of the invention provide one or more of these servers, or others not shown, in the form of blade servers.

In some embodiments of the invention, these and other devices (including but not limited to license manager 131 and main network device 125) and SBG server 130 are mounted on a single rack. Therefore, sometimes a collection of multiple or all such devices is referred to as an "SBG server". However, in other alternative embodiments, one or more of these devices are in communication with the SBG server 130, but not elsewhere. For example, some equipment may be placed in different racks in computer room 120, or elsewhere on the network. For example, it would be advantageous to store large amounts of data elsewhere over a storage area network ("SAN").

In some real-time fashions, these components are the SBG server 130, preferably with an uninterruptible power supply ("UPS"). For example, the UPS may be a rack-mounted UPS module.

Computer room 120 may include one or more operator consoles or other host devices configured to communicate with SBG server 130 . Such a master device is provided with software, hardware and/or firmware to implement various aspects of the invention; most of these aspects involve controlling the SBG server 130 . However, it is required that such a host device is not in the computer room 120 . The wired host device 160 (in this example a laptop) and the wireless host device (in this example a PDA) may be located elsewhere in the gaming establishment 105, or at a remote location.

For example, the arbitrator 133 can be implemented by software running on a server or other networked devices. The arbiter 133 acts as an arbiter for different devices on the network. U.S. Patent Application No. 10, filed September 23, 2004, entitled "METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR NEGOTIATING COMMUNICATIONS WITHIN A GAMING NETWORK" ("Arbitrator Application") Some embodiments of some arbitrators 133 are described in detail in /948,387, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In some preferred embodiments, the arbitrator 133 is a repository of configuration information needed to communicate between devices on the gaming network (and, in some embodiments, devices outside the gaming network). Although the arbiter 133 can be implemented in a variety of ways, a typical implementation is discussed in the following paragraphs.

Wireless devices are particularly useful for implementing some aspects of the present invention. Some wireless devices may include, but are not limited to, notebooks, PADs, or cell phones. Referring again to FIG. 1 , one or more network devices in gaming establishment 105 may be configured as wireless access points. For example, a casino manager may use a wireless handheld device to modify and/or schedule gaming machine configurations while roaming the casino. Similarly, while at a casino, a representative of a governing body may use the PDA to verify gaming machine configurations, generate reports, view activity logs, and the like.

If the host device is remotely located, security methods and devices (such as firewalls, authentication and/or encryption) may be employed to prevent unauthorized access to the gaming network. Similarly, any other connection between gaming network 105 and the outside world is established with only trusted devices via a secure connection, such as via a virtual private network ("VPN"). For example, the connection shown between SBG 130, gateway 150 and central system 163 (here, IGT.com) is advantageously established via a VPN tunnel.

Internet-based VPNs use the open, distributed Internet infrastructure to send data between sites. A VPN can emulate a private IP network over a public or shared infrastructure. A VPN that only supports IP traffic is called an IP-VPN. VPNs offer advantages to both service providers and their customers. For customers, the use of VPNs can extend the IP capabilities of a corporate site to remote offices and/or users using intranets, extranets, and dial-up services. This connectivity can be achieved at lower cost to gaming establishments with savings in capital equipment, operations, and services. Details of VPN methods usable in the present invention can be found in "Virtual Private Network Technologies and Solutions" by R. Yueh and T. Strayer, Addison Wesley, 2001 ISBN #0-201-702096, at The content thereof is hereby incorporated by reference.

There are many ways that an IP VPN service can be implemented, for example, a virtual leased line, a virtual private routed network, a virtual private dial-up network, a virtual private LAN segment, and the like. Furthermore, VPNs may be implemented using various protocols, such as IP Security (IPSec) protocols, Layer 2 Tunneling protocols, Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) protocols, and the like. Details of these protocols, including RFC reports, can be found in the VPN Association, an industry trade group ( http://www.vDnc.com , VPNC, Santa Cruz, CA).

Any information sent to or from the gaming establishment over the public network may be encrypted for security purposes. In one embodiment, the information is encrypted symmetrically using a symmetric encryption key, where the symmetric information is encrypted symmetrically using a private key. The public key can be obtained from a remote public key server. The encryption algorithm may be stored in processor logic stored on the gaming machine. When the remote server receives a message containing encrypted data, the symmetric encryption is decrypted using the private key stored in the remote server, and the symmetric encryption key is used to decrypt the symmetric encrypted information sent from the gaming machine. Use a different symmetric encryption key for each transaction with a randomly generated key. Since symmetric encryption algorithms tend to be 100-10,000 times faster than asymmetric encryption algorithms, it is preferable to perform symmetric encryption and decryption for most information.

As described herein, co-applied U.S. Patent Application No. 11/225,408 (Patent Attorney No. IGT1P253), entitled "Method and Apparatus for Authentication and Licensing in a Gaming Network," by Kinsley et al. Novel methods and apparatus for authentication, game download, and game license management are disclosed. This application including these methods and apparatus is hereby incorporated by reference.

Providing a secure connection between the local devices of the SBG system and the IGT's central system allows the adoption of a number of advantageous features. For example, a customer (eg, an employee of a gaming establishment) may log into an account with the central system 163 (in this example, IGT.com) to obtain account information such as the customer's current and previous account status.

In addition, this secure connection is used by the central system 163 to gather information about client systems. Such information includes, but is not limited to, error logs used in diagnostics and troubleshooting. Some embodiments of the invention allow the central system to collect other types of information, for example, information about usage of certain types of gaming software, revenue information about certain types of games and/or gaming machines, etc. Such information includes, but is not limited to, information regarding revenue attributed to a particular game at a particular time of day or days of the week, and the like. Such information is obtained, at least in part, by reference to the billing system of the gaming network, as described anywhere herein.

It is also possible to realize the automatic update of the customer's SBG server. For example, the central system 163 may notify the local SBG server of new products and/or product updates. For example, the central system 163 may notify the local SBG server of new game software updates, game software updates, peripheral device updates, status of current game software licenses, and the like.

After the local SBG server receives this information, it can identify related products of interest. For example, the local SBG server may identify currently used (or at least licensed) gaming software by the relevant gaming establishment and send a notification via email to one or more master devices. If updates or new software products are desired, they can be downloaded from the central system. Some related download methods described anywhere herein and in applications, eg, US Patent Application No. 11/078,966, may be incorporated by reference. Similarly, the customer may choose to renew the gaming software license via a secure connection with the central system 163 in response to such a notification.

The secure communication connection allows notifications to be sent securely from the local SBG server to the outside world of the gaming establishment's main device. For example, a local SBG server may be configured to send automatically generated email reports, text messages, etc. based on predetermined events, sometimes referred to as "triggers." These triggers may include, but are not limited to, conditions where the gaming machine door is opening, the cash drawer is full, the machine is not responding, authentication has failed, and the like.

Additionally, providing secure connections between different gaming establishments enables other embodiments of the present invention. For example, many gaming establishments may be owned and/or controlled by the same establishment, each gaming establishment having a relatively small number of gaming machines. In this case, having secure communications between gaming establishments enables gaming establishments to use a single SBG server as the interface between the central system 163 and gaming establishments.

Typical SBG management software

In this section, various typical types of software used to implement the SBG system will be described. Those skilled in the art will understand that the various software implementations described herein are examples only, and that the invention encompasses other implementations and methods.

The following figures and associated descriptions refer to typical software packages, which are sometimes referred to herein as "management suites", "master controls" or "directors". The Management Suite provides users with a convenient method of managing all gaming machines (sometimes referred to as "player terminals" ("PTs")) connected to the SBG server using a user-friendly program interface.

One of the functions of the SBG server is to send information to and from each PT once a connection is established. In certain preferred embodiments, this connection will be established through an arbiter such as that described with reference to FIG. 1 .

Certain update messages and information can be sent between the SBG Server and the SBG Management Suite, thereby allowing users to interact and view current and planned activity between the server and all connected PTs. The SBG Administration Suite allows the user to configure PTs, view configurations for all PTs connected to the server, schedule and plan new PT events and tasks, and view transaction and error log activity related to the SBG system and PTs. Additionally, the SBG Management Suite facilitates PT authentication, enables downloading of game images to PTs, allows users to generate various useful reports, identifies and activates all workstations connected to the server, and facilitates management of SBG server user profiles.

Figure 2 and the following figures, among others, provide examples of GUIs for implementing many aspects of the invention. Such a GUI may be displayed, for example, on a management console in computer room 120 or on another host device (eg, device 160 or device 170 ) located at gaming device 105 or at a remote location. These GUIs will be generated by software running on one of the host devices and will be used, for example, to receive instructions from (and provide information to) the user. Those skilled in the art will understand that these typical GUIs and related functionality are exemplary only, and that the invention encompasses other embodiments and methods.

Here, the GUI 205 is used to control some aspects of the machine management of the SBG system. GUI 205 is launched by selecting menu option 210 and by selecting the "Show All Machines" option of toolbar 215. Here, only a small percentage of gaming machines are networked, so the "Show All Machines" option is handy. As shown, this embodiment of the invention also allows the user to "filter by library" gaming machines; this option is especially convenient when a gaming establishment controls a large number of networked gaming machines. In a preferred embodiment, the toolbar 215 (or another version of the GUI 205) allows the user to display the properties of gaming machines that are not associated with the library.

Here, the library name window 220 has library names to represent all gaming machines associated with each library. A user may interact with library name window 220 to obtain information and/or perform various tasks. In this example, the user can activate the pop-up menu by "right-clicking" on the library name window 220 using a mouse or similar device. The menu allows the user to add or remove libraries, browse/update library properties, add or remove consoles from the library or schedule tasks for the library.

The scheduler described in more detail herein can be used (among other things) to schedule configuration changes for the entire library of a gaming machine in a single operation. In this example, one way of invoking the scheduler is by selecting the "Scheduling Tasks for Library" option from the aforementioned pop-up window, which will invoke the "Add Task" window (also "SchedulerConfigTaskForm" as shown and described here ).

In some embodiments, a game machine can be assigned to a bank by selecting the game machine from window 225 and dragging it to window 220 for the specified bank name. Similarly, a gaming machine may be deleted from the library, for example, by selecting the gaming machine from window 220 (eg, "right-clicking" on it) and selecting "Remove Machine from Library."

主题、

主题和“幸运轮盘”主题等。Window 225 displays the properties of the gaming machines on that particular network. Here, the asset number (sometimes referred to as "house number"), serial number, seller and subject are displayed on window 225. Room numbers may be assigned by the customer/gaming facility. Serial numbers can be assigned by the vendor and are the same as those shown on the outside of the cabinet. The seller is the name of the owner of the game software loaded on the game console (eg IGT). A "theme" means a type of game that is configured to be played by a gaming machine on which scenarios will be displayed. For example, at special times, game consoles can be configured with

theme,

Theme and "Fortune Roulette "Theme etc.

However, any conventional gaming machine attributes may be displayed. In some embodiments, for example, a gaming machine may be configured to play multiple games based on player selections, and to display attributes of multiple game themes (e.g., in different parts of the display screen and/or by changing the display to represent at different times) schemes for different games).

Furthermore, in alternative embodiments, the gaming machine may be displayed in a different manner, such as an icon. Some embodiments arrange these icons to show the arrangement of the playing field, such as by grouping gaming machine icons into a library.

Window 225 also allows the user to select a particular gaming machine (eg, by "clicking" with a mouse or similar device) and displays details of its configuration in "Machine Details" window 230 . Here, details of the game theme and gaming machine configuration are displayed by interacting with buttons displayed in window 225 . Many other details of gaming machine configurations than those shown in FIG. 2 can also be displayed.

In the exemplary embodiment, if the user decides to change the configuration of one or more gaming machines, the user can do so by clicking on the "scheduler" button 235 . In this example, the user may also choose to open a menu by right-clicking on one of the sections of the GUI 205, thereby displaying a pop-up menu that allows the user to perform various tasks, including but not limited to scheduling configuration tasks and customizing displays.

The scheduler can be implemented in various ways. A typical GUI 305 is shown in FIG. 3 . GUI 305 includes a window 310 for representing the scheduled configuration task and the gaming machine (in this example, gaming machine 11777) for which the configuration task is scheduled. Configuration tasks may include, but are not limited to, changing the theme of the gaming machine (either by launching a previously downloaded game or by scheduling a new game to Limited to colors and display information, enabling or disabling gaming machines used to play tournaments, etc.

Window 320 represents the game machine's allocated library, if any. Here, window 320 is empty because game machine 11777 does not belong to a library. In some embodiments, if the entire library of gaming machines shown in window 320 is scheduled to be tasked, window 310 will be empty.

The scheduler allows execution of the task "immediately" by checking box 350 , or at the time and date shown in windows 330 and 340 . Here, schedule the task at 11:20 am on August 12, 2005. In some embodiments, window 330 and/or window 340 can be expanded for simple date and/or time entries. For example, button 331 can be activated to display a calendar for selecting a date.

Preferably, the time shown for executing the task (including "immediately") is actually the time when the task is attempted to be executed, or at least used to determine whether it is an appropriate time to execute the task. Whether a task is performed at the time shown is preferably dependent on whether one or more conditions are met, such as whether the gaming machine is online at the time shown, whether the gaming machine has zero play credits, etc. The latter condition is important (at least in some instances) so that the player's game play is not disturbed by scheduled configuration changes.

The recurring window 360 allows changes to be scheduled configurations to be made on a recurring basis, if desired by the user. In this example, an occurrence interval may be specified in window 365 (eg, daily, weekly, monthly, etc.); Additionally, in window 370 the duration of the shown occurrence can be specified. In this example, the period is expressed in months, but other convenient periods may be used. In some preferred embodiments, the illustrated configuration changes return to default configuration values at the end of the indicated duration.

Here, window 372 and its sections allow the user to specify scheduled configuration changes. In this example, the user makes a change in the paytable percentage by $0.01. In this example, the desired paytable percentage can be selected from the various paytable percentages shown in window 375 . After selection, the user can click button 380 to schedule the task.

Figure 4 shows a GUI 405 that will be used to refer to additional features according to some embodiments of the invention. In this example, the scheduler button 410 is selected to present the GUI 405. The calendar window 415 shows the current date 420 and also shows in bold the date the task is scheduled. Here, the user clicks on August 19, 2005, and a scheduled task appears in window 425 . Further details of the scheduled task may be displayed, for example by selecting button 430 . In other embodiments, more details of the scheduled task appear in window 425 .

Alternatively, scheduled tasks are determined by activating button 450 and launching the report browser, one embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5A , 5B and 6 . In this example (referring first to FIG. 5A ), the report browser window 510 allows the user to select one of the following types of reports: a failed task report on tasks not performed by the SBG system; a registration report showing all users registered to the SBG server; machine status Reports, which provide detailed information about the game machine's communication with the SBG server; Scheduler reports about pending transactions in the scheduler's queue; or User Activity reports, which represent the The activity started. The preferred embodiment also allows these reports to be exported to selected files.

Preferably, the report can be filtered according to various criteria specified in filter window 517, including but not limited to date range. In some embodiments, different filtering criteria may be used depending on the type of information to be filtered for the report. Referring now to FIG. 5B , the user has selected to filter by gaming machine and activated the scheduler report field 512 of the general report button 520 , thereby listing the scheduled tasks for gaming machine 11777 in window 515 .

Referring now to FIG. 6 , the user selects the user activity report field 610 of the report browser window 510 . Referring to filter window 517, it can be observed that other filter criteria can be used in this example as compared to the example shown in FIG. In this example, the user controls the filter window 517 to request reports for all users and all types of user activity that occurred on August 12, 2005, and then the general report window 520 that is launched causes a dedicated user activity report to be displayed in window 615 .

Figure 7 shows one display of a GUI for implementing a log browser. Here, the user launches GUI 705 by selecting log browser button 710. In this example, the user can choose to generate an error log or a transaction history; here, the user selects button 715 to generate a transaction history. Here, by interacting with window 720, the user can filter the transaction history by the user who created the transaction. Additionally, by displaying the start date in window 725 and the end date in field 730, the user can filter the data range of the transaction history log. In this example, the user has chosen to view all of the user's transactions on August 12, 2005. By clicking the "Show Results" button 735, the transaction history log shown in FIG. 7 is generated.

Figure 8 illustrates a GUI 805 for implementing device management options in accordance with some aspects of the invention. Here, the user clicks on device management key 810 and then selects button 815 to produce a display of all authorized devices in window 820 . In this example, an "authorized device" is a device authorized to communicate with the SBG server. If the user selects the "All Devices" button 825, then in window 820 a display of all devices registered as possible to communicate with the SBG server will be generated. Here, a user with high level permissions (eg, the "Management" feature described below) can authorize or deauthorize a device by selecting the device in window 820 and adding or removing checks from the "Authorize" field.

9A, 9B, and 9C illustrate features of user management according to some embodiments of the invention. GUI 905 is triggered by selecting user management key 910. Here, the "active users" button 915 has been selected, thereby displaying all active users in the window 920 . Here, an "active" user is a person authorized to communicate with the SBG server. If the "All Users" button 915 is selected, all users registered for possible communication with the SBG server will be displayed in window 920 . Selecting button 935 will display the currently logged in user. In this example, user names, display names, authorized domains, email addresses, and each user's activity/inactivity status are displayed in window 920, but any convenient user attributes may be displayed.

A user with sufficiently advanced privileges, such as a user with the "Administration" role in this example, can perform various user management tasks by interacting with the GUI 905. For example, an administrative user can enable or disable another user, or log a user in or out.

An example of assigning user roles according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 9B. Here, a user with an administrative role selects the "Assign Role" button 930, causing the Assign Role window 950 to pop up. The user has selected the specific user name "nhansen" in the user name window 955 . Assign roles window 950 provides user "nhansen" with various types of predefined user role categories. In this example, roles include Admin, Read Only Text, Low Security, Slot Machine Manager, and Temporary roles5. In some instances, a user may be assigned more than one role. Utilize relatively high-level permissions, such as assigning user roles according to the authorization level of each scheme managed by the SBG system.

Creation of these roles (permissions for which may be defined) by an administrative user is now described, for example, with reference to FIG. 9C. Here, the user opens the create/edit role window 960 via the hire button 935 . By interacting with the fields of window 960, a user may create new roles or modify the permissions granted to existing roles. In this example, the user has selected "Manage" from the role name field 965, thereby displaying the predefined permissions in window 970. In this embodiment, for the GUI of a specific software module (also referred to as a "template") of the SBG system, users may be given different authority levels. The management role has the highest level of "all" access rights, allowing users to browse, add, delete and change information on the template. "Read" access restricts users to browsing information on a specific template. "Write" access allows the user to browse and add information for the indicated template.

FIG. 10A shows an exemplary GUI 1005 that may be used to implement Download Manager/Game Settings Manager functionality, according to some embodiments of the invention. This functionality includes, but is not limited to, downloading games and related tasks. In some embodiments of the invention, some of these tasks are performed by an operator interacting with the gaming machine. In other embodiments of the invention, all of these tasks are performed by controlling the SBG server 130 via interaction with a management console or one of the live devices 160 or 170 . GUI 1005 provides game button 1007, player terminal button 1010, download log button 1012, server log button 1015 and options button 1017, info button 1040, and confirm button 1042 for performing some of these tasks. These and other features shown in Figure 1OA will be explained in the following paragraphs.

In some embodiments of the invention, after clicking the play button 1007, the operator is prompted to enter a password. If the operator successfully logs in, the operator can select a game for download to the gaming machine by clicking on the new button 1037 . This action may bring up the GUI 1045 of FIG. 10B , using which the operator can browse for the filename of the desired game file.

In this example, the operator browses game files that have been downloaded to the local SBG server 130 . In some embodiments, the process for obtaining games from the central system 160 has a similar flow. For embodiments of the present invention that include the methods discussed in License Manager Applications, the game software downloaded to the local SBG server 130 will include the permissions needed to challenge the license manager 131 and evaluate the challenge responses received from the license manager 131. information.

In some embodiments, the application will fill in the number field 1025, executable field 1048, and type field 1030 corresponding to the selected game, and will allow (or require) the operator to fill in the name field 1032 (see FIG. 10C ).

Clicking the Apply button 1020 (see FIG. 10A ) will complete the addition of the new game. Cancel button 1022 can be used to cancel the last action of the operator.

After the game files have been selected, these files can be downloaded to the gaming machine using a GUI such as GUI 1050 of FIG. 10D and GUI 1060 of FIG. 10E . In some embodiments of the invention, GUI 1050 and/or GUI 1060 will be displayed on a display device of the gaming machine. In other embodiments of the invention, GUI 1050 and/or GUI 1060 will be displayed on the SBG server management console, one of the master devices 160 or 170, etc. In these embodiments, the gaming machine receiving the downloaded game is identified as part of the download process.

Referring now to GUI 1050 of FIG. 10D , the download server is identified by selecting button 1058 and interacting with the displayed GUI. Memory clear and authentication functions are performed via AND buttons 1054 and 1056, respectively. For some embodiments where the GUI 1050 is displayed on the SBG server management console, one of the master devices 160 or 170, etc., the GUI 1050 (or similar GUI) allows the operator to identify the gaming machine that will receive the downloaded game. In an alternative embodiment, the gaming machine may be identified via the player terminal button 1010 of the launch GUI 1005, via the scheduler, or otherwise.

The game download option of GUI 1060 is displayed after the operator clicks button 1052 of GUI 1050. The operator scrolls through the list of games available for download by using the up button 1062 , down button 1064 , page up button 1068 or page down button 1070 . To begin the download process, the operator may select a game from the list and then select the download button 1072 .

Selecting the download log button 1012 of the GUI 1005 displays the GUI 1105 (see FIG. 10 ), which represents the games downloaded to the player's terminal during the current session. In this example, data, time, board ID and game code may be displayed, but other implementations provide other relevant information (eg, download progress). The printout of FIG. 11B shows another download log showing game code, icon, name, type and authentication information in XML format.

In this exemplary embodiment, selecting the server log button 1015 of the GUI 1005 will display a GUI 1150 (see FIG. 10A ), which shows the recent activity of the game download server. The information provided is similar to that provided by the log viewer button with reference to FIG. 7 . Selecting the option button 1017 of the GUI 1005 provides a view of the current server configuration.

Referring first to FIG. 12A, the verify button 1042 may be selected to verify the authentication of the gaming software. First, the operator activates the game button 1007 of the GUI 1005 (see FIG. 10A ) and selects the game to be verified. After clicking the verify button 1042, the operator can select a verification method in window 1210, enter an offset number (such as a hexadecimal number) in window 1215 and click the calculate button 1217. If the calculation is complete and valid, the value displayed in the signature column 1221 will match the value displayed in the upper portion of the window.

To authenticate the validity of the game, the operator may click on the authentication button 1220 . If the game is a valid executable graphic, a GUI such as GUI 1225 of FIG. 12B will be displayed. As shown in FIG. 12C, the message appears in the signature field 1225.

Tournament games

The following examples are exemplary only and do not limit in any way the possible types of tournaments played by server-based games.

" Standard Tournament"

The SBG server has access to a database of gaming machines, the games that are playable on those gaming machines, the denominations of games played, and, in some embodiments, information about the players currently using the gaming machine. The final feature can be achieved through, for example, the interaction between the SBG server and the player tracking server. All of these factors can be used to determine eligibility.

In some implementations, tournaments can be limited to specific gaming machines so that tournaments can be located in one area of the gaming establishment (to create excitement and competition). In some implementations, tournaments may be limited to specific gaming machines to ensure that all players have an equal chance of winning. Tournaments can also be limited to specific denominations to ensure relatively fair winning for all players.

In some embodiments, an operator with access at the server or workstation can identify the games, denominations and gaming machines available for tournament play. In this embodiment, the operator enters (or determines) the tournament start time and end time or duration. The operator may also determine tournament prizes (or first, second, third, etc. prizes). The server may communicate tournament eligibility rules and tournament start and end events with the gaming machine. These messages may be part of a standard protocol (eg Super SAS or Best of Breed).

An example will be described below with reference to the flow of FIG. 13 . In step 1305, the SBG server sends a tournament notification message to a plurality of gaming machines on the SBG network. For example, a notification message may indicate a tournament for Little Green Men, a nickel denomination, a maximum bet, starting at 5:00pm and continuing until 6:00pm, and the player with the most points wins at the end of the tournament. $5,000. A message from an SBG server may include, for example, a header identifying the message as a tournament advertisement, a tournament ID (e.g., game name, paytable), denomination/max bet, start time, end time (or duration), and available bonus. Delivery of messages can be scheduled according to time, for example by using the SBG scheduler.

At step 1310, some of the gaming machines receiving the notification (and others operated by players who otherwise found the tournament) send requests to register for the tournament. For example, the request may be sent in response to button, player activation of the gaming machine in response to the message. For example, the request may include headers identifying the message as a response to a tournament advertisement, a tournament ID, game ID, gaming machine ID, denomination, and player ID and/or account information. Final information is essential, for example, if funds (for example, for tournament fees) are debited from a player's account. The request may also indicate credit table information if the tournament fee is deducted from the gaming machine's credit table.

In some embodiments, the server and/or administrator may apply predetermined criteria to evaluate whether a gaming machine and/or player is eligible to register for the tournament (step 1315). For example, if a player's credit meter indicates that the player has insufficient credits to register for the tournament, the player will not be allowed to register.

If the player is allowed to register for the tournament, in this embodiment, the server will send a tournament registration confirmation message (step 1320). The confirmation message may include, for example, the header, tournament ID, game ID, gaming machine ID, denomination, amount to be deducted from the credit table (if applicable), and tournament start time. In some implementations, the confirmation message will include time synchronization data. At this point, the server may deduct the tournament fee from the player's account. If the player is not allowed to register to the tournament, the server will send a rejection message (step 1325).

In step 1330, it is determined whether the SBG server receives another request from the gaming machine within, for example, a predetermined period of time. If yes, evaluate the request as before.

Just before the tournament starts, the server sends a notification message when the tournament is ready to start (step 1335) and the gaming machines are configured for tournament play (step 1340). The notification message may have a format such as header, tournament ID, game ID, gaming machine ID, denomination, date/time stamp, and tournament duration or end time.

Gaming machines report tournament result data (step 1345), such as: headers, tournament ID, game ID, gaming machine ID, denomination, bets, outcome data (e.g., 3 LGMs spread out 200 credits), payout amounts, and at Reading of the credit meter after payment. In some implementations, step 1345 may have multiple subsections. For example, a server may request overall tournament results from a gaming machine with a message in the following format: header, tournament ID, game ID, and gaming machine ID (if sent to a specific gaming machine instead of broadcasting to all games machine). In this embodiment, the gaming machine responds with result data such as: header, tournament ID, game ID, gaming machine ID, denomination, final score table (or the difference between the original and final score table), and the The number of specific outcomes (for example, 12 straight flushes obtained during a tournament).

In step 1350, the server broadcasts messages related to the tournament winner, such as headers, tournament ID, game ID, winner ID, and winning amount or prize money. In step 1355, the bonus is awarded. The server may, for example, credit the winner's account or send an EFT message to the gaming machine to add the won amount to the gaming machine's credit table.

In some embodiments, a tournament winner may be determined based on one or more of the following criteria: (1) highest payout percentage achieved; (2) highest final point table; (3) largest money won ( regardless of the game played or the bankroll wagered); and/or (4) the highest score for a particular win type (eg, a straight flush).

time shift tournament

An alternative embodiment of the invention provides a tournament where not all players have to start at the same time - they just play for the same duration. The tournament registration period may be, for example, 1 week. During this time, any player can log in, play for an hour and record his performance. In this tournament, a single player can register multiple times. The server must track the player's database and performance to determine the winner after the tournament is over.

game score tournament

Most tournaments are played within a specific period, so the faster a player plays, the more he is likely to win. An alternative embodiment of the invention provides a tournament consisting of a specific number of games that need not be completed within a short time frame. In this way, some players may have a greater chance of enjoying the game rather than frantically punching the "spin" button.

time scale championship

Some embodiments of the invention provide a tournament where one player can play longer than another player. For example, one player may play for 5 hours while another player may only play for one hour. The server may take the single hour that the first player performed best, or may rate the player's results (eg, by dividing the win or result by 5).

Acceleration bonus

During some tournaments of the present invention, the game may offer the player to speed up the bonus game, such as by skipping the introductory video or automatically providing the player with a random selection.

Betting on relevant tournaments

In some implementations, the server provides a range of denominations available for tournament play. The win is adjusted to that player's bets before being compared to other players. The server may also adjust the outcome to the wager. For example, a player who plays 10-round poker for $0.10 can play against a player who plays single-round poker for $1, but since his chance of getting a straight flush is magnified by 10 times, when compared with other players' straight flush scores Before, his final flush score would be divided by 10.

progressive tournament

Here, the server can instantiate and track a progressive pool for the life of the tournament. For example, the pool could start with casino funds and then accumulate as a percentage of each tournament player's wagers. The progression may then be awarded to the winning player or split among multiple winning players. Instead of dividing the pool, the server may manage multiple pools, one for each subsequent winner to be awarded.

performance-based tournament

In these embodiments, the tournament may award multiple prizes that are not based solely on a first, second, third position. For example, a tournament may award one prize to the player with the highest straight flush, another prize to the player with the greatest straight and another prize to the player with "4 of a kind." A player may win more than one prize.

game console

Referring again to FIG. 14, there is shown the video game machine 2 of the present invention. Gaming machine 2 includes a main cabinet 4, which generally encloses the gaming machine interior (not shown) and is visible to a user. The main cabinet includes a main door 8 at the front of the gaming machine, which can be opened to gain access to the interior of the gaming machine. Linked to the main door are player input switches or buttons 32 , coin acceptor 28 and bill validator 30 , coin tray 38 and intermediate glass 40 . Viewable through the main door is a video display 34 and an information panel 36 . Display 34 is typically a cathode ray tube, high resolution flat panel LCD, or other conventional electronically controlled video monitor. The information panel 36 may be a backlit, silk-screened glass panel with letters to indicate general game information including, for example, the game denomination (eg, $0.25 or $1). A bill validator 30 , a player input switch 32 , a video display 34 and an information panel are means for playing a game on the gaming machine 2 . The device is controlled by a circuit installed inside the main cabinet 4 of the gaming machine 2 (for example, a main gaming machine controller).

Many different types of games, including mechanical slot games, video slot games, video poker, video blackjack, video pachinko, and lotto, can be offered by the gaming machines of the present invention. In particular, gaming machine 2 is operable to provide for the playing of many different instances of games of chance. The instance may differ by theme, sound, graphics, game type (e.g., slot game vs. poker), denomination, number of paylines, maximum jackpot, progressive or non-progressive, bonus game, etc. The gaming machine 2 may allow the player to select a game of chance to allow the player to choose to play from the multiple instances available on the gaming machine. For example, a gaming machine may provide a menu with a list of instance games that can be played on the gaming machine and the player may select from the list the first instance of the game of chance that they wish to play.

Various instances of games playable on the gaming machine 2 may be stored as game software on a mass storage device in the gaming machine or may be generated on a remote gaming device and subsequently displayed on the gaming machine. Gaming machine 2 may execute gaming software such as, but not limited to, video streaming software that allows games to be displayed on the gaming machine. When an instance is stored on the gaming machine 2, it may be loaded from mass storage into RAM for execution. In some cases, following instance selection, game software that allows the selected instance to be generated may be downloaded from a remote gaming device, such as another gaming machine.

The gaming machine 2 includes a top box 6 which is located on top of the main cabinet 4 . The top box 6 houses a number of devices that can be used to add features to games played on the gaming machine 2, including speakers 10, 12, 14, a ticket printer 18 for printing barcode tickets 20, a keyboard 22 for entering player tracking information, A fluorescent display 16 for displaying player tracking information, a card reader 24 for entering magnetic stripe cards containing player tracking information, and a video display screen 42 . Ticket printer 18 may be used to print tickets for cashless systems. Also, the top box 6 may be equipped with different or additional devices from those shown in FIG. 1 . For example, a top box may include a faceplate for a bonus wheel or a backlit silkscreen screen for adding bonus features to games played on the gaming machine. As another example, a top box may include a display for a progressive jackpot offered on the gaming machine. During gaming, these devices are controlled and powered in part by circuitry mounted inside the main cabinet 4 of the gaming machine 2 (eg, the main gaming machine controller).

It should be understood that gaming machine 2 is but one example of a wide range of gaming machine designs upon which the present invention may be implemented. For example, not all suitable gaming consoles feature top boxes or player tracking. Also, some gaming consoles have only a single gaming display - mechanical or video, while others are designed for bar counters and have an upward facing display. As another example, a game may be generated on the host computer and displayed on a remote terminal or remote gaming device. The remote gaming device may be connected to the host computer through some type of network such as a local area network, wide area network, intranet or the Internet. Remote gaming devices may be portable gaming devices such as, but not limited to, mobile phones, personal digital assistants, and wireless gaming consoles. The images generated by the 3D gaming environment can be displayed on a portable gaming device for playing a game of chance. And the gaming machine or server may include game logic for instructing the remote gaming device to generate an image from a virtual camera in the 3D gaming environment stored on the remote gaming device and display the resulting image on a display located on the remote gaming device. Image. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, as described below, the present invention can be deployed on the vast majority of gaming machines now available or hereafter developed.

Some of the assignee's preferred gaming machines are implemented with specific features and/or additional circuitry that differentiate them from general-purpose computers (eg, desktop and laptop computers). Gaming machines are strictly regulated to ensure fairness, and in many cases are operable to hand out multi-million dollar prizes. Therefore, in order to meet the requirements of security and management in a gaming environment, a hardware and software architecture can be implemented in a gaming machine, which is very different from a general-purpose computer. A description of a gaming machine relative to a general-purpose computer and some examples of additional (or different) components and features found in a gaming machine are described below.

At first glance, one might think that adopting PC technology in the gaming industry would be an easy proposition since both PCs and game consoles employ microprocessors that control various devices. However, it would be very difficult to adopt PC technology for gaming consoles for the reasons of 1) management requirements on gaming consoles, 2) noisy environment while gaming consoles are running, 3) security requirements, and 4) fault tolerance requirements of. Furthermore, techniques and methods used to solve problems in the PC industry, such as issues of device compatibility and connectivity, may not be sufficient in the context of gaming. For example, fault tolerance or tolerance in PCs, such as security holes in the software or frequent crashes, cannot be tolerated in game consoles, where these errors can lead to Loss of funds directly from the gaming machine, such as stolen cash or loss of an investment.

For ease of explanation, several differences between PC systems and gaming systems will be described below. The first difference between gaming consoles and general-purpose PC-based computer systems is that gaming consoles are designed as state-based systems. In a state-based system, the system stores and saves its current state in non-volatile memory so that in the event of a power failure or other failure, the gaming machine will return to its current state after power is restored. For example, if a player award is shown in a game of chance, and a power failure occurs before the award can be provided to the player, then once power is restored, the gaming machine will return to the state it was in when the award was indicated. As anyone who has used a PC knows, a PC is not a state machine and most data is usually lost in the event of a failure. This requirement affects the software and hardware design in the game console.

A second important difference between gaming consoles and general-purpose PC-based computer systems is that, for administrative purposes, the software used on gaming consoles to generate games of chance and make them run is designed to be static and monolithic to prevent gaming deception by machine operators. For example, one solution that has been adopted in the gaming industry to prevent cheating and meet regulatory requirements is the necessity to manufacture gaming machines that use a dedicated processor to execute instructions to generate games of chance from EPROM or other forms of non-volatile memory. The code instructions on the EPROM are static (non-changeable) and must be approved by the game administrator under a specific authority, and must be installed in the presence of someone representing the game authority. Any changes to any part of the software that require a game of chance to be generated, such as adding a new device driver used by the main game controller to run the device during a game of chance generation may require a new EPROM to be flashed, approved by the game authority, As well as reloading on consoles in the presence of game masters. Regardless of whether an EPROM solution is used, in order to be approved under most gaming licenses, a gaming console must demonstrate adequate security measures to prevent the operator of the gaming console or players from manipulating the hardware and software. Gaming consoles should have a means of determining whether code is valid when executed. If the code is invalid, the gaming machine must have a means of preventing the code from being executed. Code validity requirements in the gaming industry affect the design of both hardware and software in gaming machines.

A third important difference between game consoles and general-purpose PC-based computer systems is that the number and variety of peripheral devices used on game consoles is not as great as on PC-based computer systems. Traditionally, in the gaming industry, game machines have been relatively simple in that the number of peripheral devices and the number of functions of the game machine are limited. Furthermore, at runtime, once the gaming console has been configured, the functionality of the gaming console is relatively fixed, ie new peripherals and new gaming software are not frequently added to the gaming console. This is different from PCs where users will buy different libraries of devices and software from different manufacturers depending on the desired application and connect them to the PC to suit their needs. Thus, the types of devices connected to a PC can vary widely from user to user according to their individual needs, and can change a lot over time.

Although a wider variety of devices are available on PCs than on game consoles, game consoles still have unique requirements from PCs, such as device security requirements that PCs generally do not. For example, currency devices such as coin dispensers, bill validators, and ticket printers and computer equipment used to handle the input and output of cash into gaming machines have security requirements not typically found in PCs. Accordingly, many PC technologies and methods developed to facilitate device connectivity and device compatibility do not focus on security as considered by the gaming industry.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, many hardware/software components and architectures not usually found in general-purpose computer devices such as PCs are employed in gaming machines. These hardware/software components and architectures, as described in more detail below, include, but are not limited to, watchdog timers, voltage monitoring systems, state-based software architecture and supporting hardware, dedicated communication interfaces, secure monitoring, and trusted memory ).

Normally, a watchdog timer is used in IGT gaming machines to provide a software failure detection mechanism. In a normal operating system, operating software periodically accesses control registers in the watchdog timer subsystem to "retrigger" the watchdog. If the operating software does not access the control register within a predetermined time frame, the watchdog timer times out and generates a system reset. A typical watchdog timer circuit includes a loadable timeout count register to allow operating software to set the timeout interval within a certain range of time. A differential feature of certain preferred circuits is that the operating software cannot completely disable the function of the watchdog timer. In other words, the watchdog timer is active as long as power is applied to the board.

The IGT gaming computer platform preferably uses several supply voltages to operate various parts of the computer circuitry. These supply voltages can be generated in a central power supply or locally on the computer motherboard. If any of these voltages deviate from the allowable limits of the circuits they supply, the computer will behave unpredictably. Although most modern general purpose computers include voltage monitoring circuits, these types of circuits only report voltage conditions to operating software. Deviation from the allowable voltage can cause software malfunctions, creating a possible uncontrolled situation in preferred computers. The assignee's gaming machines typically have power supplies with tighter voltage margins than required to operate the circuits. Additionally, voltage monitoring circuits implemented in IGT gaming computers typically have two control thresholds. The first threshold generates software events and error conditions that can be detected by operating software. This threshold is triggered when the supply voltage deviates from the tolerance range of the supply but is still within the operating range of the circuit. The second threshold is set when the supply voltage deviates from the operating tolerance of the circuit. At this point, the circuit resets, stopping the computer from running.

The standard method for operation of IGT slot machine gaming software is to use a state machine. Different functions of the game (stakes displayed by the image, play, result, points, etc.) can be defined as states. As the game changes from one state to another, critical data about the game software is stored in a custom non-volatile storage subsystem. This is important to ensure preservation of players' bets and credits and to minimize potential disputes in the event of a gaming machine failure.

Typically, the gaming machine will not proceed from the first state to the second state until the key information that allows the first state to be recreated has been stored. This feature allows the game to restore operation in the event of a glitch, power outage, etc. to the current state of play just before the glitch. After having restored the state of the gaming machine during the game of chance play, game play can continue, and the game can be completed in the same manner as when the failure did not occur. Typically, battery-backed RAM devices are used to hold this critical data, although other types of non-volatile storage devices can also be used. These memories are not used in typical general purpose computers.

As mentioned in the preceding paragraph, when a malfunction occurs during play of chance, the gaming machine can be restored to the state of the game of chance just before the malfunction occurred. The restored state may include statistical information and graphical information displayed by the gaming machine in the state prior to the failure. For example, after the cards have been dealt, if a malfunction occurs during play of the card game, the gaming machine may restore the cards that were previously displayed as part of the card game. As another example, during play of a game of chance, the player is required to make a number of choices on a video display screen, at which point a bonus game may be triggered. When a malfunction occurs after the player has made one or more selections, the gaming machine may be restored to a state displaying an image display including indications of selections that have been made by the player just before the malfunction. Generally, while playing the game, the gaming machine can be restored to any of a number of states that occur during the game of chance or to a state that occurs between plays of the game of chance.

Game history information about previously played games, such as wager amounts, results of games, etc., may also be stored on the non-volatile storage device. The information stored in the non-volatile memory can be made detailed enough to reconstruct a portion of the graphical display previously presented on the gaming machine and the state of the gaming machine (eg credits) when the game of chance was played. Game history information may be used in disputed events. For example, a player may decide that, in a previous game of chance, they did not receive credits that they thought they had won as rewards. Game history information can be used to reconstruct the state of the gaming machine before, during and/or after the contested game to prove to the player whether their claim is correct.

Another characteristic of gaming machines, such as IGT gaming machines, is that they often contain unique interfaces, including serial interfaces, to specialized subsystems inside and outside the slot machine. Serial devices may have electrical interface requirements that differ from the "standard" EIA 232 serial interface provided by general purpose computers. These interfaces can include EIA 485, EIA 422, fiber optic serial, opto-coupled serial, current loop serial, etc. Additionally, to preserve the serial interface inside the slot machine, serial devices can be connected in a shared, chained fashion, in which multiple peripherals are connected to a single serial channel.

The serial interface can transfer information using a communication protocol unique to the gaming industry. For example, IGT's Netplex is a dedicated communication protocol for serial communication between gaming devices. As another example, SAS is a communication protocol used to transfer information, such as statistics, from a gaming machine to a remote device. SAS is often used in conjunction with player tracking systems.

Alternatively, the IGT gaming machine can be used as a peripheral to the Casino Communications Controller and connected in a shared chain to a single serial interface. In both cases it is best to assign a device address to the peripheral. If so, the serial controller circuitry must implement a method to generate or detect unique device addresses. A general purpose computer serial port cannot do this.

The security monitoring circuit detects intrusion into the IGT gaming machine by monitoring a security switch connected to an access door within a cabinet of the slot machine. Preferably, an access violation causes the game to pause and can trigger additional security actions to preserve the current state of the game. These circuits also function by using battery backup during power outages. During power-off operation, these circuits continue to monitor the access doors of the slot machines. When power is restored, the gaming machine can determine, for example, through software for reading the status registers, whether any security violations occurred while power was interrupted. This can trigger the slot machine software for event log logging and data authentication operations.

Trusted storage devices are preferably included in IGT gaming computers to ensure the authenticity of software that may be stored in less secure memory subsystems, such as mass storage devices. When a slot machine incorporates a memory device, the trusted memory device and control circuitry are typically designed not to allow modification of the code and data stored in the memory device. Code and data stored in these devices may include authentication algorithms, random number generators, authentication keys, operating system kernels, and the like. The purpose of these trusted storage devices is to provide the gaming regulatory authority with a completely trusted authority within the computer environment of the slot machine that can be tracked and verified as raw data. This can be done by removing the trusted storage device from the slot machine, and verification of the contents of the secure storage device is a separate third-party verification device. Once the trusted storage device has been verified as authoritative and approved based on the verification algorithm contained in the trusted device, the gaming machine can verify additional code and data that can be placed in gaming computer components, such as code stored in a hard drive and data authenticity. Some details about trusted storage devices that may be used with the present invention are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 09/925,098, Patent No. 6,685,567, filed August 8, 2001, entitled "Process Verification," here It is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The mass storage devices used in general purpose computers generally allow code and data to be read from, and written to, the mass storage device. In a gaming console environment, modification of the game code stored in the mass storage device is strictly controlled and permitted only in specialized maintenance-type events required by personnel with electronic and physical capabilities. Although this level of security can be provided by software, IGT gaming computers that include mass storage devices preferably include hardware-level mass storage data protection circuitry that operates at the circuit level to monitor access to data on the mass storage device. Attempts to modify data, and the circuit can generate both software and hardware error triggers: attempted data modification without the presence of persons with suitable electronic and physical capabilities.

Returning to the example of FIG. 14 , when a user wishes to play the gaming machine 2 , he or she inserts the card through the coin acceptor 28 or bill validator 30 . In addition, when using a cashless ticketing system, the bill validator 30 can receive a printed ticket voucher, which can be accepted by the bill validator 30 as an indication of credit. At the start of the game, the player may use the card reader 24, keypad 22, and fluorescent display 16 to enter player tracking information. Also, other gaming preferences of the player playing the game can be read from a card inserted into the card reader. During the game, the player uses the video display 34 to view game information. Other game and bonus information can also be displayed on the video display screen 42 located on the top box.

During the course of the game, the player may be asked to make some decisions that affect the outcome of the game. For example, a player may change his or her wager on a particular game, select a bonus for a particular game, or make a gaming decision that affects the outcome of a particular game. The player may use the player input switch 32, the video display screen 34, or use some other device that enables the player to input information into the gaming machine to make these selections. In some embodiments, the player may use the video display screen 34 and multiple input devices to access various game services such as concierge services and entertainment content services.

During certain game events, the gaming machine 2 may display visual and audible effects perceivable by the player. These effects add to the excitement of the game, making players more likely to keep playing. The auditory effects include various sounds emitted by the speakers 10 , 12 , 14 . Visual effects include flashing lights, strobe lights, or other patterns that appear from lights on the gaming machine 2, behind the center glass 40, or behind a light panel on the player tracking unit 44. After the player finishes playing, the player may receive game coins from the coin tray 38 or tickets 20 from the printer 18, which may be used for further play or exchange for winnings. Also, the player may receive tickets 20 from the printer 18 for food, merchandise or games.

Additional methods that may be used to implement implementations performed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention are depicted in FIG. 15 . The gaming facility 1501 may be, for example, a gaming establishment, a card room, an airport, a store, and the like. In this example, gaming network 1577 includes a plurality of gaming establishments, all of which are network-connected to gaming server 1522.

Here, gaming machine 152 and other gaming machines 1530 , 1532 , 1534 , and 1536 include main cabinet 1506 and top box 1504 . Main cabinet 1506 houses the main gaming elements and may also house peripheral systems, such as those dedicated to gaming networks. Top box 1504 may also be used to install these peripheral systems.

Master game controller 1508 controls game play on gaming machine 1502 based on instructions and/or game data from game server 1522 or stored on gaming machine 1502 . In one embodiment, the master game controller 1508 includes the processor and other devices of the gaming machine described in FIGS. 6 and 7 . The main game controller 1508 may also be in communication with the display 1510 .

Certain gaming entities may desire to provide online gaming services with certain operational advantages. Thus, a private network can connect the gaming machines to a host server, which can track the performance of the gaming machines under the entity's control, such as for account management, Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), cashless ticketing such as EZPay ^™ , marketing management And data tracking like player tracking. Therefore, the master game controller 1508 can also communicate with the EFT system 1512 , the EZPay ^™ system 1516 (the assignee's proprietary cashless ticketing system), and the player tracking system 1520 . The systems of gaming machine 1502 communicate data on network 1522 via communication board 1518 .

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments of the present invention may be implemented on networks having more or fewer elements than those shown in FIG. 15 . For example, the player tracking system 1520 is not an essential feature of some embodiments of the invention. However, player tracking programs can help keep game players interested in additional gaming entertainment during visits to gaming establishments and can entice players to visit gaming establishments to participate in various gaming activities. The player tracking program provides rewards to players that generally correspond to the player's loyalty level (eg, how often the player plays and/or the total amount of games played at a given casino). Player tracking rewards may be free meals, free lodging and/or free entertainment. Also, player tracking information can be combined with other information that is now easily read by SBG systems.

And, DCU 1524 and translator 1525 are not all game facilities 1501 all need. However, due to the sensitive nature of the vast amounts of information on gaming networks (eg, electronic funds transfers and player tracking data), manufacturers of host systems often use specific network languages with proprietary protocols. For example, 10 to 20 different companies are all producing player tracking host systems, where each host system may use a different protocol. These proprietary protocols are generally considered highly confidential and not released publicly.

Also, in the gaming industry, gaming consoles are made by many different manufacturers. Communication protocols on gaming machines are typically hardwired into the gaming machine and each gaming machine manufacturer may use a different proprietary communication protocol. Gaming console manufacturers can also produce console systems, in which case their consoles are compatible with their own console systems. However, in different kinds of gaming environments, gaming machines from different manufacturers, each with its own communication protocol, can connect to host systems from other manufacturers, each with another communication protocol. Therefore, the communication compatibility between the protocol used by the game machine and the protocol used by the host system in the system must be considered.

A network device that links a gaming establishment with another gaming establishment and/or a central system is sometimes referred to herein as a "site controller." Here, site controller 1542 provides this function for gaming establishment 1501. The site controller 1542 is connected to the central system and/or other gaming establishments through one or more networks, which may be public or private networks. The site controller 1542 communicates with the game server 1522 to obtain game data such as ball drop data, bingo card data, and the like.

In this example, gaming machines 1502 , 1530 , 1532 , 1534 , and 1536 are connected to dedicated gaming network 1522 . Typically, the DCU 1524 acts as an intermediary between the different gaming machines on the network 1522 and the site controller 1542. Generally, DCU 1524 receives data transmitted from the gaming machine and sends the data to station controller 1542 via transmission path 1526. In some examples, the translator 1525 may be used to convert serial data from the DCU 1524 into a format acceptable to the site controller 1542 when the hardware interface used by the gaming machine is not compatible with the site controller 1542. The translator may provide the translation service to multiple DCUs.

Also, in some dedicated gaming networks, the DCU 1524 may receive data transmitted from the site controller 1542 for communication with online gaming machines on the gaming network. The received data may, for example, be communicated synchronously with gaming machines on a gaming network.

Here, CVT 1552 provides cashless and cash-out gaming services to gaming machines in gaming establishment 1501. Broadly speaking, the CVT 1552 authorizes and validates cashless gaming machine instruments (also referred to herein as "tickets" or "vouchers"), including but not limited to tickets that cause gaming machines to display game results and redeem tickets. Also, CVT 1552 authorizes the exchange of cashless tickets for cash. These processes will be described in detail below. In one example, when a player attempts to redeem a cashout ticket at the cashout kiosk 1544, the cashout kiosk 1544 reads the validation data from the cashout ticket and sends the validation data to the CVT 1522 for verification. The ticket may be printed by a gaming machine, cashing kiosk 1544, a separate printer, CVT 1552, etc.

Some methods of the present invention combine information available from gaming network account systems with the features described above. For example, by combining information about the gaming machine configuration for a schedule with information about the amount of money the gaming machine generates when the gaming machine has a particular configuration, the gaming machine configuration can be optimized to maximize revenue. Some of the methods include determining a first rate of return earned by a gaming machine in a gaming network during a first time when the gaming machine has a first configuration. The gaming machine is then automatically configured according to the second configuration information provided by the SBG server, for example as scheduled by the scheduler. and determining a second rate of return earned by the gaming machine during a second time when the gaming machine has a second configuration, and so on.

After planning various configurations for various times, an optimal configuration for the gaming machine can be determined for each time of day. The SBG system can provide a planned optimal configuration for the gaming machine at the corresponding time of day. Some implementations provide that the pool of games (eg, library) is automatically configured according to a predetermined schedule for an optimal configuration for each time of day, day of week, time of year, etc.

In some such implementations, an average payoff may be calculated based on payoffs from many gaming machines having the same configuration at the same time of day. These average returns can be used to determine the overall optimum over the relevant time period.

Figure 16 shows an example of a network device that may be configured to implement certain methods of the present invention. The network device 1660 includes a main central processing unit (CPU) 1662, an interface 1668, and a bus 1667 (eg, a PCI bus). Generally, interface 1668 includes a port 1669 suitable for communicating with a suitable medium. In some implementations, one or more interfaces 1668 include at least one independent processor and, in some examples, volatile RAM. A stand-alone processor is eg an ASIC or any other suitable processor. According to some such implementations, these separate processors perform at least some of the functions of the logic described herein. In some implementations, one or more interfaces 1668 control communication-intensive tasks such as encryption, decryption, compression, decompression, data packaging, media control, and management. By providing a separate processor for this communication-intensive task, interface 1668 allows main microprocessor 1662 to efficiently perform other functions such as routing calculations, network diagnostics, security functions, and the like.

Interface 1668 is typically provided as an interface card (sometimes referred to as a "line interface"). In general, interface 1668 controls the sending and receiving of data packets on the network and sometimes supports other peripheral devices used with network device 1660 . Available interfaces include FC interface, Ethernet interface, frame relay interface, wired interface, DSL interface, token ring interface, etc. In addition, various very high-speed interfaces can be provided, such as Fast Ethernet interface, Gigabit Ethernet interface, ATM interface, HSSI interface, POS interface, FDDI interface, ASI interface, DHEI interface, etc.

Acting under the control of suitable software or firmware, in some embodiments of the invention the CPU 1662 can be used to perform specific functions associated with the desired network device functions. According to some embodiments, CPU 1662 performs all of these functions under the control of software including an operating system and any suitable application software.

CPU 1662 may include one or more processors 1663, such as a microprocessor from the Motorola family or a microprocessor from the MIPS family. In an alternative embodiment, the processor 1663 is specially designed hardware for controlling the network device 1660 . In particular embodiments, memory 1661, such as non-volatile RAM and/or ROM, also forms part of the CPU 1662DE. However, there are also many different ways of connecting memory to the system. Memory block 1661 may be used for various purposes, such as caching and/or storing data, program instructions, and the like.

Regardless of the configuration of the network device, it may use one or more memories or memory modules (such as memory block 1665) configured to store data, program instructions for general-purpose network operations and/or to communicate with Additional information about the functionality of the technology described here. Program instructions may control the operation of the operating system and/or one or more applications.

Because such information and program instructions may be used to implement the systems/methods described herein, the present invention is directed to machine-readable media including program instructions, status information, etc. for performing the various operations described herein. Examples of machine-readable media include, but are not limited to, magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROM disks; magneto-optical media; and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions, such as read-only memory device (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). The invention may also be practiced in carrier waves traveling over such as radio, optical fiber, wire, and the like. Examples of program instructions include machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files including higher-level code executable by a computer using an interpreter.

Although the system shown in FIG. 16 illustrates one specific network device of the present invention, it is not meant to be the only network device architecture on which the present invention can only be implemented. For example, architectures with a single processor handling communications as well as routing calculations, etc. are often used. Also, other types of interfaces and media can be used with the network device. The communication path between the interfaces can be based on a bus (as shown in Figure 16) or based on a switch fabric (such as a crossbar).

While this invention has been described in terms of a preferred embodiment, there are alternatives, permutations, and equivalents, which fall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, but should be construed to include all such alternatives, permutations and equivalents that fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (27)

1. A method for providing automated tournaments for games of chance, the method comprising: causing a plurality of devices in a gaming network to display tournament notification information regarding an upcoming tournament; receiving a request to participate in a tournament sent from each of the first plurality of gaming machines in the gaming network; Determine whether to receive each request; sending a tournament confirmation message to each of the second plurality of gaming machines in the gaming network that sent the received request; configuring each of the second plurality of gaming machines participating in the tournament; administer the tournament; give at least one tournament award; and Reporting of tournament results data where the judge, send, configure, execute and award steps are automated. 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of automatically debiting the tournament fee from a player account corresponding to a player of the one of the second plurality of gaming machines. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reporting tournament result data includes reporting, by each of the second plurality of gaming machines, to a server running the tournament. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of reporting tournament result data includes broadcasting information about tournament winners by a server running the tournament. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the executing step includes executing a time-shifted tournament such that players can participate in the tournament at different times. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the executing step includes executing a game counting tournament involving a predetermined number of games that players can complete within different time periods. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the executing step further comprises providing the player with an option to speed up at least some aspects of the game. 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: select from a number of game options available to the player; and A player's tournament outcome is measured based on at least one of the game options. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the rewarding step includes awarding a plurality of rewards, at least some of the plurality of rewards being based on criteria other than an overall rating scale. 10. The method of claim 7, wherein the player is provided with an option to skip at least a portion of the game presentation. 11. The method of claim 7, wherein the player is provided with an option to automatically make at least one game decision for the player, otherwise the game requires the player to make a game decision. 12. The method of claim 8, wherein the game play options include at least one of a demo option and a multiplay option. 13. The method of claim 9, wherein one of the plurality of awards is awarded to the hand of predetermined poker that achieves the highest number of a first type, and another of the plurality of awards is awarded to the highest number of a second type hand of scheduled poker. 14. The method of claim 10, wherein more than one of the plurality of awards can be awarded to a single player. 15. A system for providing automated tournaments for games of chance, the system comprising: means for causing a plurality of devices in a gaming network to display tournament notification information regarding an upcoming tournament; means for receiving a request to participate in a tournament sent from each of the first plurality of gaming machines in the gaming network; A device that determines whether each request is received; means for sending a tournament confirmation message to each of the second plurality of gaming machines in the gaming network that sent the received request; means for configuring each of the second plurality of gaming machines participating in the tournament; devices for administering tournaments; A device for judging the outcome of a tournament; and A device for reporting tournament result data. 16. The system of claim 15, further comprising means for debiting the tournament fee from a player account corresponding to a player of one of the second plurality of gaming machines. 17. The system of claim 15, wherein said executing means includes a server, and said reporting means includes a mechanism for reporting to said server by each of the second plurality of gaming machines. 18. The system of claim 15, wherein said executing means includes a server, and said reporting means includes means for broadcasting by said server information about tournament winners. 19. The system of claim 15, wherein said executing means includes means for executing a time-shifted tournament such that players may participate in the tournament at different times. 20. The system of claim 15, wherein said executing means includes means for executing a game counting tournament involving a predetermined number of games that players can complete within different time periods. 21. The system of claim 15, wherein the executing means further comprises means for providing the player with an option to speed up at least some aspects of the game. 22. The system of claim 15, further comprising: means for selecting a plurality of game options available to the player; and A means for weighing a player's tournament results based on at least one of the game options. 23. The system of claim 21 , wherein said means for providing the player with an option to speed up at least some aspects of the game comprises means for providing the player with the option for the player to automatically make at least one game decision that the game would otherwise require the player to make. decision making. 24. A system for providing automated tournaments for games of chance, the system comprising at least one server configured to: sending instructions to a plurality of gaming machines in the gaming network to display tournament notification information regarding upcoming tournaments; receiving a request to participate in a tournament sent from each of the first plurality of gaming machines; Determine whether to receive each request; sending a tournament confirmation message to each of the second plurality of gaming machines in the gaming network whose request was accepted; sending configuration instructions to each of the second plurality of gaming machines, the configuration instructions indicating how each of the second plurality of gaming machines should be configured to participate in the tournament; administer the tournament; to judge tournament results; and Reporting of tournament results data. 25. The system of claim 24, wherein the system further comprises a plurality of gaming machines. 26. The system of claim 24, wherein at least one server is configured to execute a time-shifted tournament, wherein a first gaming machine can participate in the tournament at a first time and a second gaming machine can participate in the tournament at a second time. 27. The system of claim 24, wherein at least one server is configured to perform a game counting tournament of a predetermined number of games that players can complete within different time periods.

Images