Method and Apparatus for Operating Networked Gaming Devices
First Claim
1. A gaming machine comprising:
- a display for displaying a game;
a first input mechanism operable to receive money or indicia credit for wagers on a play of the game;
a second input mechanism operable to receive an input indicating a wager amount on the play of the game;
at least one processor operable to execute software for controlling the play of the game;
at least one memory for storing the software and a payout schedule wherein the software comprises;
a) logic for determining an outcome for the play of the game and a first award associated with the outcome wherein the first award and the outcome are related according to information stored in the payout schedule;
b) logic for monitoring a plurality of variables related to the play of the game on the gaming machine;
c) logic for determining whether to pay a second award in addition to the first award wherein the outcome determined for the play of the game is not used to determine whether to pay the second award; and
a communication interface for communicating with a remote host.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring and configuring gaming devices interconnected over a high-speed network is disclosed. The system can support a file server, one or more floor controllers, one or more pit terminals, and other terminals all interconnected over the network. Each gaming device includes an electronic module which allows the gaming device to communicate with a floor controller over a current loop network. The electronic module includes a player tracking module and a data communication node. The player tracking module includes a card reader for detecting a player tracking card inserted therein which identifies the player. The data communication node communicates with both the floor controller and the gaming device. The data communication node communicates with the gaming device over a serial interface through which the data communication node transmits reconfiguration commands. The gaming device reconfigures its payout schedule responsive to the reconfiguration commands to provide a variety of promotional bonuses such as multiple jackpot bonuses, mystery jackpot bonuses, progressive jackpot bonuses, or player specific bonuses.
138 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A gaming machine comprising:
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a display for displaying a game;
a first input mechanism operable to receive money or indicia credit for wagers on a play of the game;
a second input mechanism operable to receive an input indicating a wager amount on the play of the game;
at least one processor operable to execute software for controlling the play of the game;
at least one memory for storing the software and a payout schedule wherein the software comprises;
a) logic for determining an outcome for the play of the game and a first award associated with the outcome wherein the first award and the outcome are related according to information stored in the payout schedule;
b) logic for monitoring a plurality of variables related to the play of the game on the gaming machine;
c) logic for determining whether to pay a second award in addition to the first award wherein the outcome determined for the play of the game is not used to determine whether to pay the second award; and
a communication interface for communicating with a remote host. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A gaming machine comprising:
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a display for displaying a game;
a first input mechanism operable to receive money or indicia credit for wagers on a play of the game;
a second input mechanism operable to receive an input indicating a wager amount on the play of the game;
at least one processor operable to execute software for controlling the play of the game;
at least one memory for storing the software and a payout schedule wherein the software comprises;
a) logic for determining an outcome for the play of the game and a first award associated with the outcome wherein the first award and the outcome are related according to information stored in the payout schedule;
b) logic for determining whether to pay a second award in addition to the first award wherein the outcome determined for the play of the game is not used to determine whether to pay the second award; and
a communication interface for communicating with a remote host. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification