Redundant gaming network mediation
First Claim
1. A data collection unit that provides redundant gaming communication between gaming machines, gaming devices and host servers on a gaming communication network, the data collection unit comprising:
- a first, primary transmission path between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and a host server;
at least a second, redundant transmission path between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and the host server for transmission of player tracking data and progressive game play data;
a logic device designed or configured to i) monitor an availability of each of the first transmission path and the second transmission path, ii) to collect data from at least one of the gaming machine and the gaming devices, iii) to execute a plurality of heterogeneous gaming applications, and iv) to initiate interim server functions if the first transmission path and the second transmission path are unavailable;
a transcoding device for transforming a format and a representation of game service content data in real time including a content analyzer to determine a type and a function of the game service content, thereby transforming game service content according to authoring intention, gaming device constraints, and game policies, wherein target device capabilities, game content restrictions, and the game service content are analyzed and wherein gaming regulation restrictions are satisfied; and
a protocol mediation component for reconciling two or more communication protocols where data from a first device using a first protocol are translated into a second protocol used by a second device, the translation using a protocol table stored in the enhanced DCU, the table storing gaming devices, supported applications, and protocols used by an application.
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Abstract
A disclosed gaming communication network provides an enhanced DCU that provides redundant mediation between gaming machines on the gaming communication network and a host server. The enhanced DCU provides a first, primary transmission path and a second, redundant transmission path between the gaming machines and the host server. In the event one transmission path is disrupted, the other provides continuing transmissions between the gaming communication network and the host server. In the event both transmission paths are disrupted, the enhanced DCU functions as a local interim server and stores data received from the gaming machines on the gaming communication network until such time as the data can be transmitted to the host server. In some embodiments, the enhanced DCU acts as a local interim server to the gaming machines using data mirrored from the host server prior to transmission disruption. In some embodiments, the enhanced DCU functions as a download server and stores data received from the host server and asynchronously transmits the data to the gaming machines, so as to mitigate disruption of game play. In some embodiments, the enhanced DCU may also function as a local cache of information that is repeatedly accessed by the gaming machines on the gaming communication network so as to reduce the transmission load on the first and/or second transmission path. In some embodiments, the enhanced DCU provides different network input connection ports to enable utilization of the enhanced DCU with different network formats, such as fiber optic cable, twisted pair cable, or wireless transmission media.
121 Citations
70 Claims
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1. A data collection unit that provides redundant gaming communication between gaming machines, gaming devices and host servers on a gaming communication network, the data collection unit comprising:
a first, primary transmission path between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and a host server;
at least a second, redundant transmission path between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and the host server for transmission of player tracking data and progressive game play data;
a logic device designed or configured to i) monitor an availability of each of the first transmission path and the second transmission path, ii) to collect data from at least one of the gaming machine and the gaming devices, iii) to execute a plurality of heterogeneous gaming applications, and iv) to initiate interim server functions if the first transmission path and the second transmission path are unavailable;
a transcoding device for transforming a format and a representation of game service content data in real time including a content analyzer to determine a type and a function of the game service content, thereby transforming game service content according to authoring intention, gaming device constraints, and game policies, wherein target device capabilities, game content restrictions, and the game service content are analyzed and wherein gaming regulation restrictions are satisfied; and
a protocol mediation component for reconciling two or more communication protocols where data from a first device using a first protocol are translated into a second protocol used by a second device, the translation using a protocol table stored in the enhanced DCU, the table storing gaming devices, supported applications, and protocols used by an application.- 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)
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24. A gaming communication network, the gaming communication network comprising:
- two or more enhanced data collection units (DCUs) for providing redundant gaming communication paths for transmission of player tracking data and progressive game play data and for network mediation for communications between gaming machines, gaming devices and one or more host servers over the gaming communication network and for collecting player tracking data and progressive game play data from at least one of the gaming machines and the gaming devices wherein the gaming machines, the gaming devices and the host servers are in communication with the two or more enhanced DCUs wherein the two or more DCUs are connected via a peer-to-peer network thereby further adding to the redundant gaming communications paths and network mediation for communications; and
a gaming transmission path network, the gaming transmission path network allowing communication between the host server and the plurality of gaming machines and the gaming devices via the two or more the enhanced DCUs;
wherein the two or more enhanced DCUs include a first, primary transmission path between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and a host server for transmission of the player tracking data and progressive game play data;
at least a second, redundant transmission path between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and the host server capable of transmitting player tracking data and progressive game play data;
a logic device designed or configured to i) monitor an availability of each of the first transmission path and the second transmission path, ii) to collect data from at least one of the gaming machine and the gaming devices, and iii) to execute a plurality of heterogeneous gaming applications and iv) to perform one or more of accumulating player tracking data and accumulating progressive game play data;
a transcoding device for transforming a format and a representation of game service content in real time including a content analyzer to determine a type and a function of the game service content, thereby transforming game service content according to authoring intention, gaming device constraints, and game policies, wherein target device capabilities, game content restrictions, and the game service content are analyzed and wherein gaming regulation restrictions are satisfied; and
a protocol mediation component for reconciling two or more communication protocols where data from a first device using a first protocol are translated into a second protocol used by a second device, the translation using a protocol table stored in the enhanced DCU, the table storing gaming devices, supported applications, and protocols used by an application. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
- two or more enhanced data collection units (DCUs) for providing redundant gaming communication paths for transmission of player tracking data and progressive game play data and for network mediation for communications between gaming machines, gaming devices and one or more host servers over the gaming communication network and for collecting player tracking data and progressive game play data from at least one of the gaming machines and the gaming devices wherein the gaming machines, the gaming devices and the host servers are in communication with the two or more enhanced DCUs wherein the two or more DCUs are connected via a peer-to-peer network thereby further adding to the redundant gaming communications paths and network mediation for communications; and
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46. In an enhanced DCU, a method of providing network mediation on a gaming communication network with a plurality of gaming machines, a plurality of gaming devices, one or more host servers, and a plurality of transmission paths between the gaming machines and the one or more host servers, the method comprising:
- monitoring an availability of each of a plurality of transmission paths between a plurality of gaming machines, a plurality of gaming devices and one or more host servers;
collecting player tracking data and progressive game play data from at least one of the gaming machines, the gaming devices and combinations thereof;
detecting that a first primary transmission path between the gaming machines and the one or more host servers has been lost or has become busy;
switching communications to a second redundant transmission path from the plurality of transmission paths;
performing one or more of accumulating player tracking data and accumulating progressive game play data if there are no available redundant transmission paths;
transcoding a format and a representation of game service content in real time using a content analyzer to determine a type and a function of game service content;
transforming the game service content according to authoring intention, gaming device constraints, and game policies;
analyzing target device capabilities, game content restrictions, and the game service content;
satisfying gaming regulation restrictions; and
reconciling two or more communication protocols wherein data from a first device using a first protocol are translated into a second protocol used by a second device, using a protocol table stored in the enhanced DCU. - View Dependent Claims (47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70)
- monitoring an availability of each of a plurality of transmission paths between a plurality of gaming machines, a plurality of gaming devices and one or more host servers;
Specification