ELECTRONIC GAMING SYSTEM
First Claim
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1. A gaming system, comprising:
- a plurality of electronic gaming machines;
a central gaming system computer for monitoring said electronic gaming machines, said central gaming system computer communicating with said electronic gaming machines according to a gaming machine protocol;
an audit database coupled to said central gaming system computer; and
a plurality of player interface modules, each of said player interface modules physically proximate to one of said electronic gaming machines, said player interface modules coupled to a central player system computer and communicating therewith according to a protocol other than said gaming machine protocol.
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Abstract
An electronic gaming machine system comprises a plurality of electronic gaming machines interconnected in a network configuration, to a central gaming system computer for monitoring the electronic gaming machines, and a plurality of player interface modules physically proximate to the electronic gaming machines. The player interface modules are communicatively coupled to a central player system computer and communicate according to a protocol other than the gaming machine protocol. The player interface modules may include a display and data entry device, such as a touchscreen, and allow two-way interactive communication with an operator or another patron.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A gaming system, comprising:
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a plurality of electronic gaming machines;
a central gaming system computer for monitoring said electronic gaming machines, said central gaming system computer communicating with said electronic gaming machines according to a gaming machine protocol;
an audit database coupled to said central gaming system computer; and
a plurality of player interface modules, each of said player interface modules physically proximate to one of said electronic gaming machines, said player interface modules coupled to a central player system computer and communicating therewith according to a protocol other than said gaming machine protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A player interface module adapted for use with an electronic gaming machine that is coupled to a central gaming system computer and communicates therewith according to a gaming machine protocol, said apparatus comprising:
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a module housing physically proximate to said electronic gaming machine;
a display;
a controller;
a data entry device; and
a communication interface for communicating with a central player system computer according to a protocol different from said gaming machine protocol, whereby user selections input to said data entry device are conveyed to said central player system computer. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for controlling an electronic gaming system, comprising the steps of:
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monitoring a plurality of electronic gaming machines via a central gaming system computer;
communicating between said central gaming system computer and said electronic gaming machines according to a gaming machine protocol;
storing gaming data in an audit database coupled to said central gaming system computer;
coupling a plurality of player interface modules to a central player system computer, each of said player interface modules physically proximate to one of said electronic gaming machines; and
communicating between said player interface modules and said central player system computer according to a protocol other than said gaming machine protocol. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A method of configuring an electronic gaming unit, comprising the steps of:
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coupling an electronic gaming machine to a central gaming system computer, said electronic gaming machine communicating with said central gaming system computer according to a gaming machine protocol;
locating a player interface module proximate to said electronic gaming machine, said player interface module comprising;
a module housing physically attached to or integrated with said electronic gaming machine;
a display;
a controller;
a data entry device; and
a communication interface;
receiving user selections via said data entry device; and
communicating between said player interface module, via said communication interface, and a central player system computer according to a protocol different from said gaming machine protocol. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification