Method and apparatus for authenticating data relating to usage of a gaming device
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- determining a measure of usage of a first feature on a first gaming device;
determining a measure of usage of a second feature on the first gaming device;
determining a first payment rate that is associated with a first party;
determining a first payment amount based on the first payment rate and the measure of usage of the first feature;
determining a first code based on the measure of usage of the first feature;
initiating payment of the first payment amount to the first party;
outputting the first code for transmission to the first party;
determining a second payment rate that is associated with a second party;
determining a second payment amount based on the second payment rate and the measure of usage of the second feature;
determining a second code based on the measure of usage of the second feature;
initiating payment of the second payment amount to the second party; and
outputting the second code for transmission to the second party.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for managing and authenticating usage of features of gaming devices is presented. The methods include tracking and/or accumulating usage data relating to gaming device features, determining an authentication code based on the usage data, outputting the authentication code to an operator for transmission to an interested party, and verifying the authentication code. The present invention allows regulatory agencies and manufacturers of gaming devices to reliably verify the usage of individual features of gaming devices without having to rely upon a casino to report the usage data.
658 Citations
38 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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determining a measure of usage of a first feature on a first gaming device;
determining a measure of usage of a second feature on the first gaming device;
determining a first payment rate that is associated with a first party;
determining a first payment amount based on the first payment rate and the measure of usage of the first feature;
determining a first code based on the measure of usage of the first feature;
initiating payment of the first payment amount to the first party;
outputting the first code for transmission to the first party;
determining a second payment rate that is associated with a second party;
determining a second payment amount based on the second payment rate and the measure of usage of the second feature;
determining a second code based on the measure of usage of the second feature;
initiating payment of the second payment amount to the second party; and
outputting the second code for transmission to the second party.
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2. A method comprising:
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enabling a first feature for use on a first gaming device;
determining a measure of profitability of the first gaming device, wherein the measure of profitability corresponds to use of the first gaming device while the first feature is enabled for use on the first gaming device;
determining a difference between the measure of profitability and a benchmark measure of profitability;
determining whether to disable the first feature based on the difference;
generating an authentication code based on the use of the first gaming device while the first feature is enabled for use on the first gaming device;
outputting the authentication code if the first feature should be disabled based on the difference. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising:
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determining a measure of usage of a feature on at least one gaming device;
determining a code based on the measure of usage of the feature;
determining a payment amount based on the measure of usage of the feature;
initiating payment of the payment amount to a party having an interest in the feature; and
transmitting the code to the party having an interest in the feature. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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determining a feature that has been active on at least one gaming device;
determining a measure of performance of the feature;
determining a code based on the measure of performance of the feature;
determining a payment rate that is associated with a party;
determining a payment amount based on the payment rate and the measure of performance of the feature;
initiating payment of the payment amount to the party; and
outputting the code for transmission of the code to the party. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method comprising:
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accumulating data relating to usage of at least one feature of a gaming device;
generating an authentication code based on the data; and
outputting the authentication code to an operator.
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35. A method comprising:
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receiving data relating to usage of at least one feature of a gaming device;
receiving an authentication code based on the data; and
verifying that the authentication code corresponds to the data. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
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38. A method comprising:
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receiving data relating to usage of at least one feature of a gaming device;
receiving a first authentication code previously generated by the at least one gaming device;
generating a second authentication code based on the received data;
comparing the first authentication code to the second authentication code; and
outputting an indication of an authenticity of the received data based upon the comparing.
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Specification