Gaming machine with externally controlled content display

• US 10,229,556 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2016
• Issued: 03/12/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Weber, Reid M., Petersen, Erik B., Marcu, Adrian R., Little, William C., LeMay, Steven G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Garner, Werner G
• Application Number:
  US15/094,654
• Publication Number:
  US 20160225228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,068 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn'"'"'t alter the play of game of chance.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

determine, based at least in part on a usage of the at least one processor, whether to allocate control of a first resource of the at least one display device to a remote host which is distinct from the at least one processor,

responsive to the determination being to allocate control of the first resource of the at least one display device to the remote host and following an allocation of control of the first resource of the at least one display device to the remote host executing remote host software, cause a display, in a first service window controlled by the remote host, of a play of a first game, wherein a displayed first game outcome for the play of the first game is determined by the remote host, the displayed first game outcome for the play of the first game is associated with a displayed award, and the play of the first game occurs independent of any approval from any regulatory gaming commission requiring both the utilization of at least one approved random number generator and an approved accounting procedure,

in addition to any play of the first game, receive a wager for a play of a second game, and

for the wagered on play of the second game;

determine a second game outcome from a plurality of second game outcomes,

cause the at least one display device to display, in a game window controlled by the at least one processor, the determined second game outcome, said game window being distinct from the first service window,

determine any award associated with the displayed second game outcome, and

cause the at least one display device to display any determined award associated with the displayed second game outcome.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the play of the second game occurs based on at least one approval from at least one regulatory gaming commission.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at least one processor responsive to another determination, based at least in part on the usage of the at least one processor, to allocate control of a second resource of the at least one display device to the remote host, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cause a display, in a second, service window controlled by the remote host, of a play of a third game, wherein a third game outcome for the play of the third game is determined by the remote host.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein when executed by the at least one processor responsive to another determination, based at least in part on the usage of the at least one processor, to allocate control of a second resource of the at least one display device to the remote host, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cause a display, in a second, service window controlled by the remote host, of at least one of:

an available player service and an available function.

5. The gaming system of claim 4, wherein the available player service is selected from the group consisting of:

enabling a player to order at least one of a food item and a drink item, enabling the player to communicate with another player, enabling the player to communicate with a gaming establishment concierge, enabling the player to learn gaming establishment information, enabling the player to make at least one reservation, enabling the player to transfer funds, enabling the player to purchase a lottery ticket, enabling the player to obtain change, enabling the player to make a wager on an event, enabling the player to cash out a winning event ticket, enabling the player to send and receive electronic messages, enabling the player to locate another player, enabling the player to purchase at least one vending item, enabling the player to access an internet enabled service, enabling the player to check a quantity of player tracking points, enabling the player redeem player tracking points, enabling the player to receive gaming establishment promotional information, enabling the player to watch television, enabling the player to watch a movie, enabling the player to listen to music, enabling the player to access a gaming establishment account, enabling the player to pick a game to play from a plurality of available games, enabling the player to place at least one side-bet, enabling the player to play for at least one progressive award, enabling the player to participate in a gaming tournament, enabling the player to customize at least one aspect of displayed content, enabling the player to enroll in a player tracking system, enabling the player to simultaneously play a plurality of games, enabling the player to access a score card of accomplished events, enabling the player to access a tournament leader board, and enabling the player to select a favorite award to play for.

6. The gaming system of claim 4, wherein the available function is selected from the group consisting of:

displaying information relating to a gaming experience of a player, providing personalized audio-video content, providing a virtual automatic teller machine, providing a virtual entertainment center, providing a virtual lottery machine, providing a virtual change machine, providing a virtual sports book, providing a virtual communication center, providing a virtual concierge, providing a virtual vending machine and providing a virtual internet kiosk.

7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein responsive to causing the display in the first service window of the play of the first game to utilize more than a designated limit of resources of the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cease causing the display of the play of the first game in the first service window.

8. The gaming system of claim 1, which includes a housing, and a plurality of input devices supported by the housing, said plurality of input devices including an acceptor, and a cashout device, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to operate with the plurality of input devices to:

responsive to a physical item being received via the acceptor, establish a credit balance based, at least in part, on a monetary value associated with the received physical item, and responsive to a cashout input being received via the cashout device, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance.

9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein any determined award is selected from the group consisting of:

a quantity of monetary credits, a quantity of non-monetary credits, a quantity of promotional credits, and a quantity of player tracking points.

10. A gaming system comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

determine, based at least in part on a usage of the at least one processor, whether to allocate control of a first resource of at least one display device to a remote host which is distinct from the at least one processor,

responsive to the determination being to allocate control of the first resource of the at least one display device to the remote host and following an allocation of control of the first resource of the at least one display device to the remote host executing remote host software, cause a display, by the at least one display device and in a first service window controlled by the remote host, of a play of a first game, wherein a displayed first game outcome for the play of the first game is determined by the remote host, the displayed first game outcome for the play of the first game is associated with a displayed award, and the play of the first game occurs independent of any approval from any regulatory gaming commission requiring both the utilization of at least one approved random number generator and an approved accounting procedure,

in addition to any play of the first game, receive data associated with a placement of a wager on a play of a second game, and

for the wagered on play of the second game;

determine a second game outcome from a plurality of second game outcomes,

cause the at least one display device to display, in a game window controlled by the at least one processor, the determined second game outcome, said game window being distinct from the first service window,

determine any award associated with the displayed second game outcome, and

cause the at least one display device to display any determined award associated with the displayed second game outcome.

11. The gaming system of claim 10, wherein the play of the second game occurs based on at least one approval from at least one regulatory gaming commission.

12. The gaming system of claim 10, wherein when executed by the at least one processor responsive to another determination, based at least in part on the usage of the at least one processor, to allocate control of a second resource of the at least one display device to a remote host, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cause a display, by the at least one display device and in a second, service window controlled by the remote host, of a play of a third game, wherein a third game outcome for the play of the third game is determined by the remote host.

13. The gaming system of claim 10, wherein when executed by the at least one processor responsive to another determination, based at least in part on the usage of the at least one processor, to allocate control of a second resource of the at least one display device to a remote host, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cause a display, by the at least one display device and in a second, service window controlled by the remote host, of at least one of:

an available player service and an available function.

14. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein the available player service is selected from the group consisting of:

enabling a player to order at least one of a food item and a drink item, enabling the player to communicate with another player, enabling the player to communicate with a gaming establishment concierge, enabling the player to learn gaming establishment information, enabling the player to make at least one reservation, enabling the player to transfer funds, enabling the player to purchase a lottery ticket, enabling the player to obtain change, enabling the player to make a wager on an event, enabling the player to cash out a winning event ticket, enabling the player to send and receive electronic messages, enabling the player to locate another player, enabling the player to purchase at least one vending item, enabling the player to access an internet enabled service, enabling the player to check a quantity of player tracking points, enabling the player redeem player tracking points, enabling the player to receive gaming establishment promotional information, enabling the player to watch television, enabling the player to watch a movie, enabling the player to listen to music, enabling the player to access a gaming establishment account, enabling the player to pick a game to play from a plurality of available games, enabling the player to place at least one side-bet, enabling the player to play for at least one progressive award, enabling the player to participate in a gaming tournament, enabling the player to customize at least one aspect of displayed content, enabling the player to enroll in a player tracking system, enabling the player to simultaneously play a plurality of games, enabling the player to access a score card of accomplished events, enabling the player to access a tournament leader board, and enabling the player to select a favorite award to play for.

15. The gaming system of claim 13, wherein the available function is selected from the group consisting of:

displaying information relating to a gaming experience of a player, providing personalized audio-video content, providing a virtual automatic teller machine, providing a virtual entertainment center, providing a virtual lottery machine, providing a virtual change machine, providing a virtual sports book, providing a virtual communication center, providing a virtual concierge, providing a virtual vending machine and providing a virtual interne kiosk.

16. The gaming system of claim 10, wherein responsive to causing the display in the first service window of the play of the first game to utilize more than a designated limit of resources of the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cease causing the display of the play of the first game in the first service window.

17. The gaming system of claim 10, wherein a credit balance associated with the play of the second game is increasable based on any displayed award, said credit balance being increasable via an acceptor of a physical item associated with a monetary value, and said credit balance being decreasable via a cashout device.

18. The gaming system of claim 10, wherein any determined award is selected from the group consisting of:

a quantity of monetary credits, a quantity of non-monetary credits, a quantity of promotional credits, and a quantity of player tracking points.

19. A gaming system server comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;

communicate data associated with a request of control of a first resource of at least one display device,

after receiving data associated with a first determination, which occurred and which was based at least in part on a usage of a master gaming controller which is distinct from the at least one processor, to allocate control of the first resource of the at least one display device to the at least one processor;

determine a first game outcome for a play of a first game, wherein the play of the first game occurs independent of any approval from any regulatory gaming commission requiring both the utilization of at least one approved random number generator and an approved accounting procedure,

communicate data which results in the at least one display device displaying, in a first service window, the determined first game outcome,

determine any award associated with the determined first game outcome, and

communicate data which results in the at least one display device displaying, in the first service window, any determined award associated with the determined first game outcome, wherein upon a placement of a wager on a play of a second game, the master gaming controller determines a second game outcome from a plurality of second game outcomes, causes the at least one display device to display, in a game window, the determined second game outcome, determines any award associated with the displayed second game outcome, and causes the at least one display device to display any determined award associated with the displayed second game outcome, said game window being distinct from the first service window.

20. The gaming system server of claim 19, wherein when executed by the at least one processor responsive to receiving data associated with a second determination, based at least in part on the usage of the master gaming controller, to allocate control of a second resource, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to:

determine a third game outcome for a play of a third game,

cause the at least one display device to cause a display, in a second service window, of the determined third game outcome,

determine any award associated with the determined third game outcome, and

cause the at least one display device to cause a display, in the second service window, of any determined award associated with the determined third game outcome.

21. The gaming system server of claim 19, wherein when executed by the at least one processor responsive to receiving data associated with a second determination, based at least in part on the usage of the master gaming controller, to allocate control of a second resource, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to cause the at least one display device to cause a display, in a second, service window, of at least one of:

an available player service and an available function.

22. The gaming system server of claim 21, wherein the available player service is selected from the group consisting of:

enabling a player to order at least one of a food item and a drink item, enabling the player to communicate with another player, enabling the player to communicate with a gaming establishment concierge, enabling the player to learn gaming establishment information, enabling the player to make at least one reservation, enabling the player to transfer funds, enabling the player to purchase a lottery ticket, enabling the player to obtain change, enabling the player to make a wager on an event, enabling the player to cash out a winning event ticket, enabling the player to send and receive electronic messages, enabling the player to locate another player, enabling the player to purchase at least one vending item, enabling the player to access an internet enabled service, enabling the player to check a quantity of player tracking points, enabling the player redeem player tracking points, enabling the player to receive gaming establishment promotional information, enabling the player to watch television, enabling the player to watch a movie, enabling the player to listen to music, enabling the player to access a gaming establishment account, enabling the player to pick a game to play from a plurality of available games, enabling the player to place at least one side-bet, enabling the player to play for at least one progressive award, enabling the player to participate in a gaming tournament, enabling the player to customize at least one aspect of displayed content, enabling the player to enroll in a player tracking system, enabling the player to simultaneously play a plurality of games, enabling the player to access a score card of accomplished events, enabling the player to access a tournament leader board, and enabling the player to select a favorite award to play for.

23. The gaming system server of claim 21, wherein the available function is selected from the group consisting of:

displaying information relating to a gaming experience of a player, providing personalized audio-video content, providing a virtual automatic teller machine, providing a virtual entertainment center, providing a virtual lottery machine, providing a virtual change machine, providing a virtual sports book, providing a virtual communication center, providing a virtual concierge, providing a virtual vending machine and providing a virtual interne kiosk.

24. The gaming system server of claim 19, wherein a credit balance associated with the play of the second game is increasable based on any determined award associated with the displayed second game outcome, said credit balance being increasable via an acceptor of a physical item associated with a monetary value, and said credit balance being decreasable via a cashout device.

25. The gaming system server of claim 19, wherein any determined award associated with the displayed second game outcome is selected from the group consisting of:

a quantity of monetary credits, a quantity of non-monetary credits, a quantity of promotional credits, and a quantity of player tracking points.