SELECTIVE RESET FOR GAMING DEVICE

• US 20090137312A1
• Filed: 08/10/2006
• Published: 05/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Tedesco, Robert C., Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Tulley, Stephen C., Sammon, Russell P., Walker, Jay S., Hayashida, Jeffrey Y.
• Application Number:
  US11/577,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20090137312A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played

Abstract

A gaming device offers the illusion of control to a player by selectively offering the player the opportunity to request that the gaming device reset itself. Criteria may be imposed about which players may make the request and how frequently a player may make such requests. Techniques for making the reset request vary by embodiment. Once the gaming device receives the request, the gaming device may, depending on embodiment, undergo a number of different reset processes that fall along a continuum from merely informing the player that the gaming device has been reset (e.g., a faux-reset) to a full operating system reboot with or without power interruption to components of the gaming device. In at least one embodiment, any credit balance associated with the player is preserved through the reset procedure.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

conducting game play at a gaming device;

receiving a request to reset the gaming device;

presenting a reset indication through the gaming device;

preserving a credit balance during presentation of the reset indication; and

resuming game play at the gaming device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein presenting the reset indication comprises presenting an indication selected from a group consisting of:

turning off a fan, blanking a display, turning off a light, presenting a reset image on a display, presenting a reset video on a display, turning off a cash acceptor, turning off a coin hopper, turning off a speaker, turning off multiple components, refreshing a display, playing an audible signal, ringing a bell, deactivating one or more output devices, deactivating one or more input devices, and illuminating a light

3. The method of claim 1 wherein presenting the reset indication comprises informing a player that a reset has been performed.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising performing a reset by operation of an activity selected from a group consisting of:

flushing virtual memory of the gaming device, re-seeding a random number generator, flushing virtual memory of a slot server, and deleting cookies.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising, upon receiving the request to reset the gaming device, evaluating whether a player associated with the gaming device is eligible to reset the gaming device.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein evaluating whether the player is eligible comprises considering data stored in a player-tracking database.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein evaluating whether the player is eligible comprises determining if the player has received a reset symbol in game play.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein evaluating whether the player is eligible comprises determining if the player has received a predetermined number of losing outcomes.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein evaluating whether the player is eligible comprises determining if the player has received a predetermined number of consecutive non-winning outcomes.

10. The method of claim 5 wherein evaluating whether the player is eligible comprises comparing the credit balance of the player to a predetermined threshold.

11. The method of claim 5 wherein evaluating whether the player is eligible comprises determining if the player has initiated a predetermined number of game starts.

12. The method of claim 5 wherein evaluating whether the player is eligible comprises determining if the player has played at the gaming device a predetermined amount of time.

13. The method of claim 5 wherein evaluating whether the player is eligible comprises determining if a rate of play associated with the player exceeds a predetermined threshold.

14. The method of claim 5 wherein evaluating whether the player is eligible comprises determining if the credit balance of the player has fallen more than a predetermined threshold.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving a request to reset the gaming device comprises receiving a request at a controller positioned remotely from the gaming device.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising generating a signal at the controller and sending the signal from the controller to the gaming device.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising receiving the signal at the gaming device and, in response to the signal, presenting the reset indication.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the request to reset the gaming device comprises receiving a request from a player.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the request to reset the gaming device comprises receiving a request from gaming establishment personnel.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein receiving the request from gaming establishment personnel further comprises receiving the request from gaming establishment personnel in response to an initial request to reset the gaming device from the player.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein conducting game play at the gaming device comprises conducting game play at a gaming device selected from a group consisting of:

a slot machine, a video slot machine, a pachinko machine, a video pachinko machine, a video blackjack machine, a video poker machine, a video keno machine, a video pai gow machine, and a video lottery terminal.

22. The method of claim 1 further comprising rebooting the gaming device.

23. The method of claim 1 further comprising reseeding a random number generator associated with the gaming device.

24. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the request to reset the gaming device comprises having a switch turned.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the request to reset the gaming device comprises having a button pushed.

26. The method of claim 1 further comprising selectively actuating a reset mechanism for a player.

27. The method of claim 1 further comprising confirming the request to reset the gaming device.

28. The method of claim 1 wherein preserving the credit balance comprises storing the credit balance at a remote location.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein storing the credit balance at the remote location comprises storing the credit balance at a remote server.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein storing the credit balance at the remote location comprises storing the credit balance on a mobile terminal.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein storing the credit balance at the remote location comprises storing the credit balance on a dongle.

32. The method of claim 28 wherein preserving the credit balance comprises continuously displaying the credit balance on a credit meter during presentation of the reset indication.

33. The method of claim 1 further comprising informing a player that a reset option is available.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein informing the player that the reset option is available comprises audibly informing the player.

35. The method of claim 33 wherein informing the player that the reset option is available comprises visually informing the player.

36. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing entertainment content concurrently with presenting the reset indication through the gaming device.

37. The method of claim 1 wherein presenting the reset indication through the gaming device comprises presenting reset indications on a plurality of gaming devices.

38. The method of claim 1 wherein preserving the credit balance during presentation of the reset indication comprises:

printing the credit balance on a voucher;

providing the voucher to the player;

accepting the voucher from the player after presentation of the reset indication;

restoring the credit balance based on the credit balance printed on the voucher; and

restricting use of the voucher to the gaming device with which the credit balance was associated.

39. The method of claim 1 further comprising awarding the player a number of resets as a function of an eligibility criterion.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein awarding the player the number of resets as the function of the eligibility criterion comprises awarding the player more resets the more the player exceeds the eligibility criterion.

41. The method of claim 1 wherein preserving the credit balance during presentation of the reset indication comprises outputting an element associated with the credit balance.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein outputting an element comprises outputting an electronic voucher.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein outputting the element comprises storing the credit balance on external media.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein storing the credit balance on external media comprises storing the credit balance on an element selected from a group consisting of:

a dongle, flash memory, a printed receipt, mobile terminal memory, a smart card, and an RFID transponder.

45. The method of claim 1 further comprising selling a reset option to a player such that the player may request the reset using the reset option.

46. The method of claim 45 wherein selling the reset option comprises selling the reset option as part of a package.

47. The method of claim 1 wherein presenting the reset indication comprises reversing imagery associated with a previous outcome on the gaming device.

48. The method of claim 1 further comprising offering the player a choice between redoing a previous wager and resetting the gaming device.

49. A system comprising:

a network interface; and

a controller operatively associated with the network interface, said controller adapted to;

receive from the network interface a request to reset a remotely positioned gaming device;

send a signal through the network interface to the remotely positioned gaming device such that that remotely positioned gaming device presents. a reset indication; and

preserve a credit balance while the remotely positioned gaming device presents a reset indication

50. The system of claim 49 wherein the controller comprises a slot server in a gaming establishment.

51. The system of claim 49 wherein the controller comprises a website server and the remotely positioned gaming device comprises a computer.

52. The system of claim 49 wherein the controller comprises a mobile terminal server and the remotely positioned gaming device comprises a mobile terminal.

53. A method comprising:

monitoring game play on a gaming device;

detecting one or more qualifying criteria; and

presenting a deterioration indication to a player.

54. The method of claim 53 wherein presenting the deterioration indication comprises presenting an indication selected from a group consisting of:

slowing card dealing, presenting worn card images, adding distortion to audible signals presented to the player, desynchronize an audible signal from a visible signal, changing brightness on a display, changing contrast on a display, changing color balance on a display, change a resiliency of a button input, dim lights, flicker lights, slow play, generate a vibration in the gaming device, emitting a scent, and cooling an element on a user interface.

55. The method of claim 53 further comprising presenting a reset request option to the player.

56. The method of claim 53 further comprising receiving a reset request from the player.

57. The method of claim 53 further comprising presenting a reset indication to the player.

58. The method of claim 57 further comprising after presenting the reset indication to the player discontinuing presentation of the deterioration indication.

59. The method of claim 53 wherein monitoring game play comprises remotely monitoring game play with a controller.

60. The method of claim 53 wherein monitoring game play on the gaming device comprises monitoring game play on a gaming device selected from a group consisting of:

a slot machine, a video slot machine, a pachinko machine, a video pachinko machine, a video blackjack machine, a video poker machine, a video keno machine, a video pai gow machine, and a video lottery terminal.

61. The method of claim 53 further comprising evaluating whether a player associated with the gaming device is eligible to reset the gaming device.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein presenting a deterioration indication to the player occurs only if the player is eligible to reset the gaming device.

63. The method of claim 53 wherein detecting one or more qualifying criteria comprises detecting a plurality of consecutive losses.

64. The method of claim 63 further comprising scaling a degree of deterioration indication based on a quantity of the plurality of consecutive losses.

65. The method of claim 53 wherein detecting one or more qualifying criteria comprises detecting whether a winning outcome exceeded a certain threshold.

66. A method comprising:

conducting game play on a gaming device; and

determining if a player is eligible to request a reset sequence for the gaming device.

67. The method of claim 66 further comprising allowing the player to request the reset sequence.

68. The method of claim 66 further comprising presenting a reset indication through the gaming device.

69. The method of claim 66 wherein determining if the player is eligible to request the reset sequence comprises evaluating player behavior.

70. The method of claim 69 wherein evaluating player behavior comprises evaluating behavior selected from a group consisting of agitation, rate of play, coin-in, cumulative wagers made, body temperature, heart rate, and player-tracking club membership status.

71. The method of claim 66 wherein determining if the player is eligible to request the reset sequence comprises determining the player has sustained a predetermined number of losing outcomes.

72. The method of claim 66 wherein determining if the player is eligible to request the reset sequence comprises evaluating an external factor.

73. The method of claim 66 wherein evaluating the external factor comprises evaluating an external factor selected from a group consisting of:

time of day, day of week, utilization levels of gaming devices within a gaming establishment, weather, contemporaneous sporting event information, game play on a second gaming device, gaming establishment occupancy rates, and location of the gaming device within a gaming establishment.

74. The method of claim 66 further comprising informing the player that the player is eligible to request the reset sequence.

75. A method comprising:

receiving a request to reset a gaming device; and

informing a player of the gaming device that the gaming device is being reset while not actually resetting the gaming device.

76. The method of claim 75 further comprising mimicking reset activities in response to the request.

77. The method of claim 76 wherein mimicking reset activities comprises performing a function selected from a group consisting of:

turning off a fan, blanking a display, turning off a light, turning off a cash acceptor, turning off a coin hopper, turning off a speaker, refreshing a display, playing an audible signal, ringing a bell, and illuminating a light.

78. A method comprising:

conducting game play at a gaming device;

monitoring the game play; and

automatically entering a reset sequence if the game play meets a predetermined requirement.

79. The method of claim 78 wherein automatically entering the reset sequence if the game play meets a predetermined requirement comprises automatically entering the reset sequence if the game play reflects a predetermined number of non-winning outcomes.

80. The method of claim 78 further comprising informing a player of an impending automatic reset sequence.

81. The method of claim 78 further comprising determining ff a player has set a preference relating to the reset sequence.

82. The method of claim 78 wherein automatically entering the reset sequence occurs only if the player has set a preference requesting the reset sequence.

83. A method comprising:

conducting game play associated with a first pay table at a gaming device;

presenting a reset indication to a player of the gaming device; and

conducting game play associated with a second pay table at the gaming device after presentation of the reset indication.

84. The method of claim 83 wherein conducting game play associated with the second pay table comprises conducting game play with a second pay table comprising more winning outcomes than the first pay table.

85. The method of claim 83 wherein conducting game play associated with the second pay table comprises conducting game play with a second pay table comprising a larger jackpot outcome than the first pay table.

86. A gaming device comprising:

a user interface; and

a controller operatively associated with the user interface and adapted to;

conduct game play at the gaming device;

receive a request to reset the gaming device;

present a reset indication through the gaming device; and

resume game play at the gaming device.

87. A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions adapted to:

conduct game play at a gaming device;

receive a request to reset the gaming device;

present a reset indication through the gaming device; and

resume game play at the gaming device.

88. A gaming device comprising:

a user interface; and

a controller operatively associated with the user interface and adapted to;

monitor game play on the gaming device;

detect one or more losing outcomes; and

present a deterioration indication to a player.

89. A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions adapted to:

monitor game play on a gaming device;

detect one or more losing outcomes; and

present a deterioration indication to a player.

90. A gaming device comprising:

a user interface; and

a controller operatively associated with the user interface and adapted to;

conduct game play on the gaming device; and

determine if a player is eligible to request a reset sequence for the gaming device.

91. A computer readable medium comprising software with instructions adapted to:

conduct game play on a gaming device; and

determine if a player is eligible to request a reset sequence for the gaming device.

92. A gaming device comprising:

a user interface; and

a controller operatively associated with the user interface and adapted to;

conduct game play associated with a first pay table at the gaming device;

present a reset indication to a player of the gaming device; and

conduct game play associated with a second pay table at the gaming device after presentation of the reset indication.

93. A computer readable medium comprising software with Instructions adapted to:

conduct game play associated with a first pay table at a gaming device;

present a reset indication to a player of the gaming device; and

conduct game play associated with a second pay table at the gaming device after presentation of the reset indication.

94. A method comprising:

receiving a request to reset a gaming device; and

informing a player of the gaming device that the gaming device is being reset while maintaining operation of a controller of the gaming device.