TOURNAMENT MANAGER FOR USE IN CASINO GAMING SYSTEM

• US 20120172136A1
• Filed: 03/13/2012
• Published: 07/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: House, Larry, Brosnan, William, Hunt, Paul Neil, Breckner, Robert, Cockerille, Warner
• Granted Patent: US 8,870,659 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/3674 involving authentication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots

Abstract

Various techniques are disclosed for operating a gaming device of a casino gaming network. In at least one embodiment, the gaming device includes a tournament manager and a first meter. In at least one embodiment, the first meter is operable to: receive a first meter update request for changing meter state information and/or meter data associated with the first meter; determine whether at least one condition exists for denying the first meter update request; and/or prevent execution of the first meter update request in response to a determination that at least one condition exists for denying the first meter update request. In at least one embodiment, the gaming device is operable to: receive a request from an entity for initiating start of a first game at the gaming device; obtain approval from the tournament manager for starting the first game at the gaming device; and/or prevent the first game from starting at the gaming device in response to detecting that the tournament manager has not approved start of the first game at the gaming device.

Claims

1. A gaming device in a casino gaming network, comprising:

a master gaming controller;

memory;

at least one interface for communicating with at least one other device in the gaming network;

a first meter; and

a tournament manager;

the gaming device configured to;

control a wager-based game played on the gaming device;

receive a request from an entity for initiating start of a first game at the gaming device;

obtain approval from the tournament manager for starting the first game at the gaming device; and

prevent the first game from starting at the gaming device in response to detecting that the tournament manager has not approved start of the first game at the gaming device.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the tournament manager is configured to:

determine whether proper conditions exist for allowing start of the first game at the gaming device; and

prevent the first game from starting in response to determining that proper conditions do not exist for allowing start of the first game at the gaming device.

3. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein determination includes:

determine whether tournament mode is enabled;

determine whether an unauthorized host in the casino gaming network is communicating with the gaming device;

determine whether a game is in progress;

determine whether a memory of the gaming device includes a tournament paytable;

or

determine whether a player of the gaming device is allowed to participate in a tournament.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the tournament manager is configured to:

prevent the first game from starting at the gaming device while tournament mode is enabled at the gaming device.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the tournament manager is configured to:

prevent the first game from starting at the gaming device while non-tournament mode is enabled at the gaming device.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the first meter is configured to:

receive a first meter update request to change meter state information associated with the first meter;

determine whether a condition exists in which the first meter update request is denied; and

prevent execution of the first meter update request in response to a determination that the condition exists in which the first meter update is denied.

7. The gaming device of claim 6, wherein the determination includes:

determine whether a non-tournament mode is enabled at the gaming device; and

determine, when the gaming device is operating in the non-tournament mode, whether the condition exists at the gaming device in which meter updates at the first meter are to be prevented.

8. The gaming device of claim 6, wherein the determination includes:

determine a tournament mode type when the gaming device is operating in tournament mode;

determine a tournament status;

determine a paytable type;

determine restrictions associated with a game type;

determine restrictions associated with a game theme;

or

determine whether a keystroke is pending at the gaming device.

9. A method for operating a gaming device of a casino gaming network, the gaming device including a tournament manager and a first meter, the gaming device controls a wager-based game played on the gaming device, the method comprising:

receiving a request from an entity for initiating start of a first game at the gaming device;

obtaining approval from the tournament manager for starting the first game at the gaming device; and

preventing the first game from starting at the gaming device in response to detecting that the tournament manager has not approved start of the first game at the gaming device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

determining whether proper conditions exist for allowing start of the first game at the gaming device; and

preventing the first game from starting in response to determining that proper conditions do not exist for allowing start of the first game at the gaming device;

wherein at least a portion of said preventing is performed by the tournament manager.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the determining includes:

determining whether tournament mode is enabled;

determining whether an unauthorized host in the casino gaming network is communicating with the gaming device;

determining whether a game is in progress;

determining whether a memory of the gaming device includes a tournament paytable;

or

determining whether a player of the gaming device is allowed to participate in a tournament.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

preventing the first game from starting at the gaming device while tournament mode is enabled at the gaming device.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

preventing the first game from starting at the gaming device while non-tournament mode is enabled at the gaming device.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving, at a master gaming controller of the gaming device, a first meter update request to change meter state information associated with the first meter;

determining, at the master gaming controller, whether a condition exists in which the first meter update request is denied; and

preventing, by the master gaming controller, execution of the first meter update request in response to a determination that the condition exists in which the first meter update is denied.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the determining includes:

determine a tournament mode type when the gaming device is operating in tournament mode;

determine a tournament status;

determine a paytable type;

determine restrictions associated with a game type;

determine restrictions associated with a game theme;

or

determine whether a keystroke is pending at the gaming device.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the preventing execution of the first meter update request is performed by the first meter.

17. A gaming system, the gaming system comprising:

a remote host including a tournament coordinator;

a gaming device including;

a tournament manager,

a first meter, and

a network interface configured to communicate with the remote host; and

a network configured to provide communication between the remote host and the gaming device via the network interface;

the gaming device configured to;

receive a request from an entity for initiating start of a first game at the gaming device,

obtain approval from the tournament manager for starting the first game at the gaming device, and

prevent the first game from starting at the gaming device in response to detecting that the tournament manager has not approved start of the first game at the gaming device.

18. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the tournament coordinator is configured to manage tournament activities and information, wherein management includes:

control information displayed on a display of the gaming device,

provide player tracking information to a player tracking system,

organize tournaments, and

create tournament bonus features.

19. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the tournament manager is configured to:

determine whether proper conditions exist for allowing start of the first game at the gaming device; and

prevent the first game from starting in response to determining that proper conditions do not exist for allowing start of the first game at the gaming device.

20. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the tournament manager is configured to:

prevent the first game from starting at the gaming device while non-tournament mode is enabled at the gaming device.