Method and apparatus for operating networked gaming devices
First Claim
1. A system for operating a plurality of gaming devices, the system comprising:
- a host computer, said host computer including means for generating a reconfiguration command;
a user-operated input device connected to said host computer;
a network interconnecting the gaming devices to the host computer;
means for preselecting less than all of the gaming devices interconnected to the host computer responsive to user-effected action at said input device;
means within the computer for transmitting the reconfiguration command to one of the preselected gaming devices;
means within each gaming device for receiving the reconfiguration command transmitted to the gaming device; and
means within each gaming device for reconfiguring the gaming device responsive to the received reconfiguration command, wherein the gaming device pays a bonus in accordance with the received reconfiguration command.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A system for operating a plurality of gaming devices, the system comprising:
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a host computer, said host computer including means for generating a reconfiguration command; a user-operated input device connected to said host computer; a network interconnecting the gaming devices to the host computer; means for preselecting less than all of the gaming devices interconnected to the host computer responsive to user-effected action at said input device; means within the computer for transmitting the reconfiguration command to one of the preselected gaming devices; means within each gaming device for receiving the reconfiguration command transmitted to the gaming device; and means within each gaming device for reconfiguring the gaming device responsive to the received reconfiguration command, wherein the gaming device pays a bonus in accordance with the received reconfiguration command. - 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, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification