Method and apparatus for operating networked gaming devices
First Claim
1. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
- selecting a plurality of the gaming devices;
using the network to track the amount of money played on the selected gaming devices;
allocating a predetermined percentage of the money played to a bonus pool;
issuing a command over the network including data establishing criteria to cause a bonus to be paid from the pool via one of said selected gaming devices upon the occurrence of a predetermined event;
storing the command in a memory connected to a controller associated with only one of the gaming devices;
transmitting data indicative of gaming device activity from the gaming device to the controller;
transmitting a pay command from the controller to the gaming device upon the occurrence of the predetermined event; and
paying the bonus via the gaming device responsive to receipt of the pay command.
2 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
29 Claims
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1. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
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selecting a plurality of the gaming devices; using the network to track the amount of money played on the selected gaming devices; allocating a predetermined percentage of the money played to a bonus pool; issuing a command over the network including data establishing criteria to cause a bonus to be paid from the pool via one of said selected gaming devices upon the occurrence of a predetermined event; storing the command in a memory connected to a controller associated with only one of the gaming devices; transmitting data indicative of gaming device activity from the gaming device to the controller; transmitting a pay command from the controller to the gaming device upon the occurrence of the predetermined event; and paying the bonus via the gaming device responsive to receipt of the pay command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
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detecting a player of the gaming devices; transmitting the amount of money played at each gaming device by the player from the gaming device to the host computer; allocating a predetermined percentage of the money played by the player on all of the gaming devices to a bonus pool containing allocations resulting only from money played by the player; and issuing a command over the network to cause the pool to be paid by a gaming device played by the player upon the occurrence of a predetermined event. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
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selecting a plurality of the gaming devices; issuing a command over the network including data establishing criteria to cause a bonus to be paid via one of said selected gaming devices upon the occurrence of a predetermined event; storing the command in a memory connected to a controller associated with only one of the gaming devices; transmitting data indicative of gaming device activity from the gaming device to the controller; transmitting a pay command from the controller to the gaming device upon the occurrence of the predetermined event; and paying the bonus via the gaming device responsive to receipt of the pay command. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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22. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer having a user-operated input device comprising:
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preselecting less than all of the gaming devices in by the computer network no responsive to a user-effected action at the input device; using the network to track the amount of money played on the preselected gaming devices; allocating a predetermined percentage of the money played to a bonus pool; and issuing a command over the network to cause a bonus to be paid from the pool by one of said preselected gaming devices upon the occurrence of a predetermined event.
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24. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
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selecting a plurality of the gaming devices; using the network to track the amount of money played on the selected gaming devices; allocating a predetermined percentage of the money played to a bonus pool; initiating a bonus period after the bonus pool exceeds a predetermined level; providing data establishing criteria to cause a bonus to be paid from the pool via one of said selected gaming devices upon the occurrence of a predetermined event; storing the data in a memory connected to a controller associated with only one of the gaming devices; transmitting data indicative of gaming device activity from the gaming device to the controller; initiating the bonus period; transmitting a pay command from the controller to the gaming device upon the occurrence of the predetermined event; and paying the bonus via the gaming device responsive to receipt of the pay command. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification