Dynamic game management of video lottery terminals and a method and system for providing thereof

• US 20090104994A1
• Filed: 11/13/2007
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: GTECH Rhode Island Corporation (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: GTECH Rhode Island Corporation (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Rybak, Ihor Bohdan
• Application Number:
  US11/985,255
• Publication Number:
  US 20090104994A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/335 using Internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

A system and method for remotely controlling a wagering game terminal are provided. The system may include an input device configured to receive a user input indicative of a user selection of a game terminal setting and a trigger condition. The system may also include a processor in communication with the input device, the processor configured to produce a terminal command signal based on the user selection received by the input device, and responsive to an occurrence of the trigger condition, to cause the terminal command signal to be transmitted to the terminal. The system may include a display in communication with the processor, the display configured to display a graphical user interface showing a schedule for terminal setting changes which is based at least in part on the user selection received by the input device.

Claims

1. A system for remotely controlling a wagering game terminal, comprising:

an input device configured to receive a user input indicative of a user selection of a game terminal setting and a trigger condition;

a processor in communication with the input device, the processor configured to produce a terminal command signal based on the user selection received by the input device, and responsive to an occurrence of the trigger condition, to cause the terminal command signal to be transmitted to the terminal; and

a display in communication with the processor, the display configured to display a graphical user interface showing a schedule for terminal setting changes which is based at least in part on the user selection received by the input device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a terminal status of the terminal, and the display is further configured to display the terminal status to the user.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the terminal status includes peripheral notifications of the terminal.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the trigger condition is a start time.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the trigger condition is an event occurrence.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the event is a status change of the terminal.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the game terminal setting includes a pay table selection, a wagering game theme selection, and a denomination selection for use at the terminal.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the game terminal setting includes a desired music volume and a music selection of the terminal.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the terminal command signal is transmitted responsive to transmitting the terminal command signal to a supervisor for review, and receiving an authorization from the supervisor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to request an authorization from a supervisor prior to transmitting the terminal command signal, wherein the supervisor is not the user.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to download components to the game terminal, when the terminal command signal switches the terminal to a setting for which the terminal is missing components.

12. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

a plurality of terminals.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of terminals includes at least one subset of terminals, and each terminal of the subset switches its setting responsive to receiving the terminal command signal.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to, responsive to a user request, calculate a theoretical hold value and an actual hold value for the terminal over a specified time period.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the input device and display are part of a mobile wireless device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the mobile wireless device is in communication with the processor via a wireless network.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the schedule is depicted as a multi-dimensional graphical representation with an axis representing time and another axis representing terminal settings.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface includes a representation of a timeline, and the user inputs a begin time by selecting a time on the representation.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the graphical user display includes a representation of game terminal settings and the user inputs the game terminal setting by selecting settings on the representation.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause a default command signal to be transferred to the terminal responsive to an ending trigger condition.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the ending trigger condition is an end time.

22. A method for remotely controlling a wagering game terminal, comprising:

responsive to receiving a user input indicative of a user selection of a game terminal setting and a trigger condition, producing a terminal command signal based on the user selection;

responsive to an occurrence of the trigger condition, causing the terminal command signal to be transmitted to the terminal; and

displaying a graphical user interface showing a schedule for terminal setting changes which is based at least in part on the user selection and trigger condition received by the input device.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

receiving terminal status information from the terminal; and

displaying the terminal status information with on the graphical user interface.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the terminal status includes peripheral notifications of the terminal.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the trigger condition is a start time.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the trigger condition is an event occurrence.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the event is a status change of the terminal.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the game terminal setting includes a pay table selection, a wagering game theme selection, and a denomination selection for use at the terminal.

29. The method of claim 22, wherein the game terminal setting includes a desired music volume and a music selection of the terminal.

30. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

transmitting the terminal command signal to a supervisor for review;

receiving an authorization from the supervisor; and

transmitting the terminal command signal responsive to receiving the authorization from the supervisor.

31. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

prior to transmitting the terminal command signal, request an authorization from a supervisor, wherein the supervisor is not the user.

32. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

downloading missing components to the terminal responsive to receiving the terminal command signal when the terminal command signal switches the terminal to a setting for which the terminal is missing components.

33. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

transmitting the terminal command signal to a subset of terminals within a plurality of terminals, wherein each terminal of the subset switches its setting responsive to receiving the terminal command signal.

34. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

calculating a theoretical hold value and an actual hold value for the terminal over a specified time period; and

displaying the theoretical and actual hold values to the user.

35. The method of claim 22, wherein the user input is received and the graphical user interface is displayed at a mobile wireless device.

36. The method of claim 22, wherein the schedule is depicted as a multi-dimensional graphical representation with an axis representing time and another axis representing terminal settings.

37. The method of claim 22, wherein the graphical user interface includes a representation of a timeline, and the user selection of a trigger condition is received when the user selects a begin time by selecting a time on the representation.

38. The method of claim 22, wherein the graphical user display includes a representation of game terminal settings and the user selection of the game terminal setting is received when the user selects settings on the representation.

39. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

responsive to an ending trigger condition, causing a terminal command signal to be transmitted to the terminal.

40. The method of claim 22, wherein the ending trigger condition is an end time.

41. A computer readable medium including instructions configured to be executed on a processor, so that the processor performs the steps of claim 22.