System and method for gaming-content configuration and management system

• US 20060287098A1
• Filed: 09/12/2005
• Published: 12/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Morrow, James W., Osgood, Paul R., Dimichele, Carmen
• Application Number:
  US11/225,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20060287098A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system

Abstract

A configuration and management system monitors and controls one or more gaming devices in a gaming system on at least one gaming floor. The system includes one or more gaming devices in a gaming system, wherein the gaming devices are interconnected via a network; a processing and control system; and a back-end, graphical user interface. The processing and control system is interconnected to the gaming devices via the network. Further, the processing and control system acquires gaming performance data from the gaming devices in the gaming system. The back-end, graphical user interface includes an interactive map of the gaming floor. Additionally, graphical user interface enables monitoring and configuration of multiple gaming platform capabilities, multiple game titles, and multiple gaming parameters for each gaming devices on the gaming floor, and is interconnected to the processing and control system.

Claims

1. A configuration and management system for monitoring and controlling one or more gaming devices in a gaming system on at least one gaming floor, the system comprising:

one or more gaming devices in a gaming system, wherein the gaming devices are interconnected via a network;

a processing and control system, wherein the processing and control system is interconnected to the gaming devices via the network, and wherein the processing and control system acquires gaming performance data from the gaming devices in the gaming system; and

a server-side, graphical user interface including an interactive map of the gaming floor, wherein the graphical user interface enables monitoring of the gaming performance data from the gaming devices in the gaming system and configuration of multiple gaming platform capabilities, multiple game titles, and multiple gaming parameters for each gaming devices on the gaming floor, and wherein the graphical user interface is interconnected to the processing and control system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the network is a serial-based communication network.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the serial-based communication network implements a SAS protocol, and wherein the configuration and management system enables previously un-implemented poll codes of the SAS protocol to be utilized by the graphical user interface to monitor and configure gaming platform capabilities of one or more gaming devices in the gaming system.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the network is a packet-based communication network.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the packet-based communication network comprises an IP-based message set that utilizes an interface layer between command-driven devices and logical communication channels.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the packet-based communication network implements a protocol selected from the group consisting of:

BOB protocol and SuperSAS protocol.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming devices are selected from the group consisting of:

electronic gaming machines;

embedded components, including game monitoring units, and player tracking user interfaces;

gaming-related signage, and kiosks.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming systems that are controllable by the configuration and management system include casino venues, class II venues, and lottery venues.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming performance data is selected from the group consisting of:

coin-in activity, coin-out activity, meters, accounting information, security information, and player rating information.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming platform capabilities include platform-specific control over functions selected from the group consisting of:

volume settings, speed of play, hopper limits, log access, platform-specific reports, and asset information, including software and hardware bills of material.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming platforms are selected from the group consisting of:

video gaming platforms and mechanical reel-spinning platforms.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the configuration and management system enables modification of multiple compatible gaming platforms to enable selection of game theme, game percentage payout, and game play denominations through the use of serial commands.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system identifies available configuration and control capabilities in each interconnected gaming device, and targets the configurable and controllable capabilities remotely using a serial-based protocol or a packet-based protocol.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the gaming parameters include game theme, game percentage payout, and game play denominations.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the interactive map in graphical user interface includes multiple selectable layers, wherein each layer displays a different category of information.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein layers correspond to categories of information selected from the group consisting of:

occupancy level, level of handle, sound level, heat level, accounting, and performance measurements.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the interactive map in graphical user interface translates into a multi-dimensional graphic form that includes geographic location information, wherein the geographic location information is selected from a group consisting of:

country, state, facility, and gaming floor position.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the interactive map in graphical user interface includes multiple selectable tabs that control other systems and devices selected from the group consisting of SDG, SDS, ACSC, Mcc, MindPlay, and CMP.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the multiple selectable tabs of the interactive map are associated with gaming floor analysis, network management, and player marketing.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the interactive map in graphical user interface includes multiple colors, wherein the multiple colors are used to emphasize information.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the multiple colors represent values selected from the group consisting of:

high, low, medium, empty, and full.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system configures gaming devices using game combinations, wherein the game combinations include company/location/cabinet/theme/percentage/denomination.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein each game combination controlled and managed by the configuration and management system is associated with corresponding configurations, assets, and logs.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system enables configuration and management of device parameters that are multi-platform, multi-theme, multi-percentage, and multi-denomination.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system enables downloading code to the gaming devices, and wherein the code is advertising content, an entire new game title, a game update, an operating system update, or combinations thereof.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the code is downloaded into an escrow area where the code cannot affect game play until after a successful authentication process has been performed.

27. The system of claim 1, further comprising a distribution management server, wherein the server enables point-to-point distribution management utilizing a portable computing device connects to a single gaming device or a small number of gaming devices.

28. The system of claim 1, further comprising a distribution management server, wherein the server enables property-based distribution management by utilizing the server to control up to all of the gaming devices at a single property.

29. The system of claim 1, further comprising a distribution management server, wherein the server enables wide area network distribution management by utilizing the server to control thousands of gaming devices that are interconnected via a combination of broadband networks and dial up facilities.

30. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system includes system management capabilities and operating system capabilities.

31. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system enables web-based communications, access to platform-specific logs and reports, and downloading of code and advertising content.

32. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system enables platform-specific control and auditing of system configurations.

33. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system includes data analysis tools, scheduling capabilities, and messaging resources for sending messages to the gaming system.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system includes links to expanded systems offerings and network management capabilities.

35. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system acts as a portal through which system administers have access to multiple properties services.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system enables control of game code, game data, and game configuration.

37. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system enables controlling and managing of multiple different gaming platforms from multiple different platform manufacturers.

38. The system of claim 1, wherein the configuration and management system includes a directory structure and filing system that is implemented for game theme tables, gaming platform configuration, and access logs.

39. The system of claim 1, further comprising a distribution management component, wherein the distribution management component transmits data from a backend server to the gaming floor using otherwise unused network bandwidth, wherein the data is transmitted without adversely affecting gaming related transactions.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the distribution management component of the configuration and management system enables downloading large files of bulk data while game play is in progress.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the distribution management component of the configuration and management system enables schedule-able and monitor-able data transmission.

42. The system of claim 39, wherein the gaming platform and network load combine to determine proper time and speed for transmission of data to take place.

43. The system of claim 39, wherein the distribution management component of the configuration and management system enables download scheduling, ensures no bandwidth impact, enables progress reporting, and guarantees delivery, setup, and management of data transmission.

44. A method for monitoring and controlling one or more gaming devices in a gaming system using a configuration and management system, wherein the system comprises a processing and control system and a server-side, graphical user interface that includes an interactive map of the gaming floor, the method comprising:

enabling identification of configuration and control capabilities available in each gaming device in the gaming system using the interactive map in the graphical user interface;

enabling the identified configurable and controllable capabilities of the gaming devices to be targeted for modification using the graphical user interface; and

enabling configuration of multiple gaming platform capabilities, multiple game titles, and multiple gaming parameters for each gaming devices on the gaming floor using the graphical user interface.

45. A method for performing yield analysis modification on one or more gaming machines in a gaming system in response to gaming performance data, the method comprising:

acquiring gaming performance data from one or more gaming machines in a gaming system;

performing yield analysis calculations using the gaming performance data;

in response to the yield analysis calculations, determining a desired modification in one or more gaming parameters of the gaming machines; and

modifying one or more gaming parameters of one or more gaming machines in response to the yield analysis calculations, wherein modifying one or more gaming parameters facilitates achieving a desired profitability level.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

notifying any current players of the desired modification in one or more gaming parameters of the gaming machines

47. The method of claim 45, further comprising:

receiving authorization from any current players of acceptance of the desired modification in one or more gaming parameters of the gaming machines.

48. The method of claim 45, wherein notifying any current players of the desired modification comprises:

an audio announcement of the desired modification.

49. The method of claim 45, wherein notifying any current players of the desired modification comprises:

a visual announcement of the desired modification.

50. The method of claim 45, wherein notifying any current players of the desired modification is maintained for at least one game play cycle.

51. The method of claim 45, wherein a current player that has been notified of the desired modification is provided with a finite number of game play cycles to play using current gaming parameters before the desired modification to the gaming parameters is automatically implemented.

52. The method of claim 45, wherein the gaming performance data comprises data selected from a group consisting of:

slot accounting data, multi-game cabinet accounting data, player tracking data, hotel data, point of sale system data, location data, game mix nearby data, entertainment data, weather data, off site user group demographic data, and groupings of players data.

53. The method of claim 45, wherein the gaming parameters comprises parameters selected from a group consisting of:

theme;

wager, including minimum bet, maximum bet, and minimum line bet;

denomination;

percentage payout; and

play time, including spin cycle time and bonus round time.

54. The method of claim 45, wherein yield analysis and predictive analysis results are displayed using a graphical user interface that presents a map of the gaming floor.

55. The method of claim 45, wherein gaming performance data and yield analysis calculations are used in combination with individual player performance tracking data to provide each player with unique game play characteristics.

56. The method of claim 45, wherein gaming performance data and yield analysis calculations are used in combination with individual player performance tracking data to enable customization of the game theme offerings specific to each individual player.

57. The method of claim 45, wherein gaming performance data and yield analysis calculations are used in combination with individual player performance tracking data to enable individualized game characterization, game control, and game promotions.

58. The method of claim 45, wherein the profitability level is determined using the following formula:

$\mathrm{CP}=\underset{\mathrm{time}}{\overset{\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\left(\mathrm{OP}-\mathrm{OE}\right)$

Where;

CP=Casino profitability level

OP=Operations Profit

OE=Operations Expenses

59. The method of claim 58, wherein the Operations Profit is determined using the following formula:

$\mathrm{OP}=\underset{\mathrm{time}}{\overset{\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\left(\mathrm{POSP}+\mathrm{SFD}\right)$

Where;

POSP=Point Of Sale Profit (includes hotel, retail, food and beverage, and entertainment)

SFD=Slot Floor Drop

60. The method of claim 59, wherein the Slot Floor Drop is determined using the following formula:

$\mathrm{SFD}=\underset{\mathrm{time}}{\overset{\text{\hspace{1em}<br><br>}}{\sum <br><br>}}<br><br>\left(\mathrm{PL}-\mathrm{promotions}\right)<br><br>\left(\mathrm{RETURNVISIT}\right)$

Where;

RETURNVISIT=probability that the player will return to the casino.

PL=Player Loss

Promotions=marketing money the casino contributes to player kickbacks, comps, and system games.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the Player Loss is determined using the following formula:

PL=ST*GCT*HPC*WAGER

Where;

ST=time the player spends at the slot machine, (i.e., seat time)

GCT=Game Cycle Time

HPC=Hold Percentage for the game

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the Wager is determined using the following formula:

WAGER=LINESBET*CREDITS*DENOM

Where;

LINESBET is the number of lines on which the player is betting.

CREDITS is the number of credits the player chooses to bet.

DENOM is denomination, i.e., the worth of an individual credit.

63. A method for modifying existing casino profitability levels to facilitate approximation of desired casino profitability levels, the method comprising:

acquiring yield analysis information associated with one or more gaming machines in a gaming system, wherein the yield analysis information is associated with an existing casino profitability level;

determining a desired modification to one or more gaming parameters of the gaming machines the yield analysis information;

notifying players of the desired modification in one or more gaming parameters of the gaming machines; and

modifying one or more gaming parameters of the one or more gaming machines in response to the yield analysis information, wherein modifying one or more gaming parameters facilitates achieving a desired casino profitability level.

64. A system for facilitating achieving a desired casino profitability level, the system comprising:

one or more gaming machines in a gaming system, wherein the gaming machines are interconnected via a communication link;

gaming performance data acquisition system, wherein the acquisition system obtains gaming performance data from the one or more gaming machines in the gaming system;

a processing system, wherein the processing system performs yield analysis calculations using the gaming performance data to determine an existing casino profitability level, wherein the processing system uses the yield analysis calculations to determine and implement a desired modification in one or more gaming parameters of the gaming machines, and wherein modifying one or more gaming parameters facilitates achieving a desired casino profitability level; and

a notification system, wherein the notification system notifies players of the desired modification in one or more gaming parameters of the gaming machines.

65. A method for performing yield analysis modification on one or more gaming machines in a gaming system in response to gaming performance data, the method comprising:

acquiring gaming performance data from one or more gaming machines in a gaming system;

performing yield analysis calculations using the gaming performance data;

in response to the yield analysis calculations, determining desired modification options in one or more gaining parameters of the gaming machines; and

providing one or more modification options to an administrator, wherein the administrator may select a modification option to implement from among the one or more modification options;

modifying one or more gaming parameters of one or more gaming machines in response to the receipt of a command instruction from an administrator to implement a selected modification option, wherein modifying one or more gaming parameters facilitates achieving a desired profitability level.