Method and apparatus for providing instructions to gaming devices

• US 20050054431A1
• Filed: 08/19/2004
• Published: 03/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/03/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Van Luchene, Andrew S., Schneier, Bruce, Gelman, Geoffrey M., Alderucci, Dean P., Downs, Michael D., Walker, Jay S.
• Application Number:
  US10/922,063
• Publication Number:
  US 20050054431A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/34 Betting or bookmaking, e.g. Internet betting
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

In various embodiments a casino has the flexibility to download games from a central controller to the gaming devices on the casino floor. The success of various games is periodically monitored. If a game is successful, as measured by its profitability or by some other success metric, then the game may be downloaded automatically to additional gaming devices. If a game is unsuccessful, then the game may be replaced on a gaming device with a new download. In this way, the types and quantities of different games present on a casino floor may be varied in real time based on their popularity.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

transmitting an instruction set to a first gaming device;

determining a value of a success metric for the instruction set based on customer use of the first gaming device; and

transmitting, based on the value of the success metric, the instruction set to a second gaming device.

2. The method of 1 in which transmitting includes transmitting software for a game to a first gaming device;

in which determining includes determining an amount of profits made by the first gaming device while executing the software; and

in which transmitting includes transmitting the software to a second gaming device if the amount of profits exceeds $500.

3. The method of 2 in which transmitting the instruction set to a second gaming device includes transmitting the instruction set to a second gaming device if and only if the value of the success metric exceeds a predetermined threshold.

4. The method of 2 in which determining a value of a success metric includes determining a value based on the number of wagers made at the first gaming device during a predetermined period of time in which the first gaming device was executing the instruction set.

5. The method of 2 in which determining a value of a success metric includes determining a value based on the profit made by the first gaming device during a predetermined period of time in which the first gaming device was executing the instruction set.

6. The method of 2 in which determining a value of a success metric includes determining a value based on the time that the first gaming device was in use during a predetermined period of time in which the first gaming device was executing the instruction set.

7. The method of 2 in which determining a value of a success metric includes determining a value based on the number of people to use the first gaming device during a predetermined period of time in which the first gaming device was executing the instruction set.

8. The method of 2 in which determining a value of a success metric includes determining a value based on the total amount wagered at the first gaming device during a predetermined period of time in which the first gaming device was executing the instruction set.

9. A method comprising:

determining a first value of a success metric, the first value associated with a first instruction set;

determining a second value of the success metric, the second value associated with a second instruction set;

determining whether the first value is greater than the second value; and

transmitting the first instruction set to a gaming device if the first value is greater than the second value.

10. A method comprising:

transmitting an instruction set to each of a first set of gaming devices;

determining a value of a success metric for the instruction set based on customer use of the gaming devices of the first set of gaming devices; and

transmitting, based on the value of the success metric, the instruction set to a gaming device other than a gaming device of the first set of gaming devices.

11. A method comprising:

determining a set of ambient conditions;

determining, based on the set of ambient conditions, a first method of promoting a gaming device; and

implementing the first method of promoting the gaming device.

12. The method of 11 in which the set of ambient conditions include at least one of:

a noise level;

a time of day;

a day of the week; and

a proximity of a customer.

13. The method of 11 in which determining a first method of promoting a gaming device includes determining, based on the set of ambient conditions, from among at least one of:

a text-based method of promoting the gaming device;

a graphics-based method of promoting the gaming device; and

an audio-based method of promoting the gaming device.

14. The method of 11 further including determining a second method of promoting the gaming device, in which the second method is not the first method.

15. A method comprising:

determining a number of gaming devices at which a game is being played;

selecting a gaming device at which the game is not being played; and

transmitting to the selected gaming device, based on the number exceeding a predetermined threshold, instructions to feature the game.

16. A method comprising:

determining a number of gaming devices at which a game is available for play, but not currently being played;

selecting a gaming device at which the game is not available for play; and

transmitting to the selected gaming device, based on the number falling below a predetermined threshold, instructions to feature the game.

17. A method comprising:

determining a ratio of a first number of gaming devices at which a game is being played, to a second number of gaming devices at which the game is available for play;

selecting a gaming device at which the game is not available for play; and

transmitting to the selected gaming device, based on the ratio exceeding a predetermined threshold, instructions to feature the game.

18. A method comprising:

determining a first number of gaming devices at which a first game is being played;

determing a second number of gaming devices at which the first game is featured;

determining a ratio of the first number to the second number;

selecting a gaming device from among the second number of gaming devices that is not one of the first number of gaming devices; and

instructing the selected gaming device to stop featuring the first game.

19. The method of 18 in which instructing includes instructing the selected gaming device to feature a second game in place of the first game.

20. The method of 18 in which each of the second number of gaming devices is in a single casino.

21. The method of 18 in which each of the second number of gaming devices is in a single room of a casino.

22. The method of 18 in which each of the second number of gaming devices is in a single location of a casino.

23. A method comprising:

executing, during a time period, an instruction set at a first gaming device;

determining a value of a success metric for the instruction set based on at least one of;

(i) the number of people who play at the first gaming device during the time period;

(ii) the amount of money that is wagered at the first gaming device during the time period;

(iii) the amount of profit that is made by the first gaming device during the time period;

(iv) the amount of time that the first gaming device is being played during the time period;

(v) the amount of time that the first gaming device is idle during the time period; and

(vi) the amount of time that the first gaming device is in use relative to the amount of time that a second gaming device is in use during the time period; and

transmitting the instruction set to a third gaming device if the value of the success metric exceeds a predetermined threshold.