User interface system and method for a gaming machine

• US 7,950,999 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2004
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Scientific Games Corporation)
• Inventors: Dimichele, Carmen, Morrow, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau; Ronald
• Assistant Examiner(s): Williams; Ross A.
• Application Number:
  US10/943,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20060068906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,448 Days
• Field of Search: 463 29- 33, 463 40- 42, 463/1, 463/6, 345/762, 715/762
• US Class Current: 463/31
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen

Abstract

An embedded additional user interface 10 includes a web page display screen 20 and an embedded processor 30, and is incorporated into a gaming machine 40 that in turn includes a gaming screen 50 and a gaming processor 60. The embedded processor 30 employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor 60. The embedded processor reads incoming data, translates the data into a web authoring language, and maps the data to the web page display screen. The display screen 20 presents web page information to a user via the display screen, thereby increasing user excitement by providing a richer gaming experience. This provides a dramatic improvement over traditional system components 70 (input/output peripherals) that have been used in the past to access service and system information, such as a 2-line, 20-character VF display and a 12-digit keypad.

Claims

1. An embedded user interface incorporated into a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a gaming presentation and gaming processor, the embedded user interface comprising:

a web content capable display screen, wherein the display screen presents web data to a user via the display screen;

a dictionary component, wherein the dictionary component translates an incoming text data message directed to be displayed to a player upon a display screen that was sent over the system network into an XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen; and

an embedded processor that employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor, wherein the embedded processor reads the incoming text data message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen that was sent over the system network and calls the dictionary component that enables display of the translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the web content capable display screen;

whereby the web content capable display screen increases user excitement by presenting a translated outgoing enhanced player message to the player that provides a richer gaming experience than the incoming text data message sent over the system network.

2. The embedded additional user interface of claim 1, wherein the incoming data is a serial communication message.

3. The embedded user interface of claim 1, wherein the embedded processor communicates with the gaming processor over an I²C bus.

4. The embedded user interface of claim 1, wherein the web content capable display screen is a color graphic touch screen display.

5. The embedded user interface of claim 1, wherein the embedded processor is at least a 32-bit processor.

6. The embedded user interface of claim 1, wherein the internal operating system is customized to match the specific hardware to which the internal operating system attaches.

7. The embedded user interface of claim 1, wherein the embedded processor utilizes cryptographic technology.

8. The embedded user interface of claim 1, wherein a certification process is offered for authentication and non-repudiation of content using a Public Key Infrastructure system, and wherein the certification process provides auditability and traceability using digital signature verification.

9. The embedded user interface of claim 1, wherein the embedded enhanced user interface connects to an Ethernet-networked backbone.

10. The embedded user interface of claim 1, wherein the embedded enhanced user interface connects to a web server through an Ethernet-networked backbone.

11. An embedded user interface for use in a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a gaming presentation and gaming processor, the embedded user interface comprising:

an animation capable display screen, wherein the display screen presents animated information to a user via the display screen;

a dictionary component, wherein the dictionary component translates an incoming text data message directed to be displayed to a player upon a display screen that was sent over the system network into an XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen; and

an embedded processor that employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor, wherein the embedded processor reads the incoming text data message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen that was sent over the system network and calls the dictionary component that enables display of the translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the web content capable display screen;

whereby the animation capable display screen increases user excitement by presenting a translated outgoing enhanced player message to the player that provides a richer gaming experience than the incoming text data message sent over the system network.

12. The embedded additional user interface of claim 11, wherein the incoming data is a serial communication message.

13. The embedded user interface of claim 11, wherein the embedded processor communicates with the gaming processor over an I²C bus.

14. The embedded user interface of claim 11, wherein the animation capable display screen is a color graphic touch screen display.

15. The embedded user interface of claim 11, wherein the embedded processor is at least a 32-bit processor.

16. The embedded user interface of claim 11, wherein the internal operating system is customized to match the specific hardware to which the internal operating system attaches.

17. The embedded user interface of claim 11, wherein the embedded processor utilizes cryptographic technology.

18. The embedded user interface of claim 11, wherein a certification process is offered for authentication and non-repudiation of content using a Public Key Infrastructure system, and wherein the certification process produces signed content that is auditable and traceable using digital signature verification.

19. The embedded user interface of claim 11, wherein the embedded enhanced user interface connects to an Ethernet-networked backbone.

20. The embedded user interface of claim 11, wherein the embedded enhanced user interface connects to a web server through an Ethernet-networked backbone.

21. An embedded user interface for use in a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a gaming presentation and gaming processor, the embedded user interface comprising:

a web page display screen, wherein the display screen presents web page information to a user via the display screen;

a dictionary component, wherein the dictionary component translates an incoming text data message directed to be displayed to a player upon a display screen that was sent over the system network into an XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen; and

an embedded processor that employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor, wherein the embedded processor reads the incoming text data message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen that was sent over the system network and calls the dictionary component that enables display of the translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the web content capable display screen;

whereby the web page display screen increases user excitement by presenting a translated outgoing enhanced player message to the player that provides a richer gaming experience than the incoming text data message sent over the system network.

22. The embedded additional user interface of claim 21, wherein the incoming data is a serial communication message.

23. The embedded user interface of claim 21, wherein the embedded processor communicates with the gaming processor over an I²C bus.

24. The embedded user interface of claim 21, wherein the web page display screen is a color graphic touch screen display.

25. The embedded user interface of claim 21, wherein the embedded processor is at least a 32-bit processor.

26. The embedded user interface of claim 21, wherein the internal operating system is customized to match the specific hardware to which the internal operating system attaches.

27. The embedded user interface of claim 21, wherein the embedded processor utilizes cryptographic technology.

28. The embedded user interface of claim 21, wherein a certification process is offered for authentication and non-repudiation of content using a Public Key Infrastructure system, and wherein the certification process provides auditability and traceability using digital signature verification.

29. The embedded user interface of claim 21, wherein the embedded enhanced user interface connects to an Ethernet-networked backbone.

30. The embedded user interface of claim 21, wherein the embedded enhanced user interface connects to a web server through an Ethernet-networked backbone.

31. An embedded user interface incorporated into a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a gaming presentation, the embedded user interface comprising:

a web content display screen, wherein the display screen presents web content information to a user via the display screen;

a dictionary component, wherein the dictionary component contains a listing of possible incoming text data messages directed to be displayed to a player upon a display screen to be supported and translates a listed incoming text data message into an XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen; and

an embedded processor that employs an operating system, wherein the embedded processor reads the incoming text data message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen that was sent over the system network and calls the dictionary component that enables display of the XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen, and wherein the embedded processor additionally includes standard gaming processor functionality;

whereby the web content display screen increases user excitement by presenting a translated outgoing enhanced player message to the player that provides a richer gaming experience than the incoming text data message sent over the system network.

32. The embedded additional user interface of claim 31, wherein the incoming data is a serial communication message.

33. The embedded user interface of claim 31, wherein the embedded processor communicates with the gaming processor over an 1²C bus.

34. The embedded user interface of claim 31, wherein the web content display screen is a color graphic touch screen display.

35. The embedded user interface of claim 31, wherein the embedded processor is at least a 32-bit processor.

36. The embedded user interface of claim 31, wherein the internal operating system is customized to match the specific hardware to which the internal operating system attaches.

37. The embedded user interface of claim 31, wherein the embedded processor utilizes cryptographic technology.

38. The embedded user interface of claim 31, wherein a certification process is offered for authentication and non-repudiation of content using a Public Key Infrastructure system, and wherein the certification process provides auditability and traceability using digital signature verification.

39. The embedded user interface of claim 31, wherein the embedded enhanced user interface connects to an Ethernet-networked backbone.

40. The embedded user interface of claim 31, wherein the embedded enhanced user interface connects to a web server through an Ethernet-networked backbone.

41. A gaming machine having a gaming presentation, the gaming machine comprising:

a gaming processor;

a user interface separate from the gaming presentation, the user interface comprising;

a web page screen, wherein the display screen presents web page information to a user via the display screen;

a dictionary component;

wherein the dictionary component translates an incoming text data message directed to be displayed to a player upon a display screen that was sent over the system network into an XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen; and

an additional processor that communicates with the gaming processor, wherein the additional processor reads the incoming text data message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen that was sent over the system network and calls the dictionary component that enables display of the translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the web page display screen;

whereby the web page display screen increases user excitement by presenting a translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message to the player that provides a richer gaming experience than the incoming text data message sent over the system network.

42. A method for increasing user excitement relating to a gaming machine by providing a richer gaming experience via an user interface that is incorporated into the gaming machine, wherein the user interface includes an additional processor and a web page display screen, the method comprising:

receiving an incoming text data message over a communication bus interface in the user interface directed to be displayed to a player upon the web page display screen of the user interface that was sent over the system network;

using a dictionary component and the additional processor of the user interface to translate the incoming text data message directed to be displayed to the player upon the web page display screen of the user interface that was sent over the system network into an XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message; and

displaying the translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the web page display screen of the user interface, wherein the display screen presents the translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message to the player via the display screen.

43. A user interface for use in a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a gaming presentation and gaming processor, the user interface comprising:

a multimedia display screen, wherein the display screen presents web page information to a player via the display screen;

a dictionary component, wherein the dictionary component translates an incoming text data message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen that was sent over the system network into an XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen; and

an additional processor that communicates with the gaming processor, wherein the additional processor reads the incoming text data message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen that was sent over the system network and calls the dictionary component that enables display of the translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the multimedia display screen;

whereby the multimedia display screen increases user excitement by presenting a translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message to the player that provides a richer gaming experience than the incoming text data message sent over the system network.

44. A gaming machine having a gaming presentation, the gaming machine comprising:

a user interface separate from the gaming presentation, the user interface including a web page display screen, wherein the display screen presents web page information to a user via the display screen;

a dictionary component, wherein the dictionary component translates an incoming text data message directed to be displayed to a player upon the display screen that was sent over the system network into an XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen; and

a processor for controlling game play, wherein the processor additionally reads the incoming text data message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen that was sent over the system network and calls the dictionary component that enables display of the translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the web page display screen;

whereby the web page display screen increases user excitement by presenting a translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message to the player that provides a richer gaming experience than the incoming text data message sent over the system network.

45. A user interface for use in a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a gaming presentation and gaming processor, the user interface comprising:

a web browser enabled display screen, wherein the display screen presents web page information to a user via the display screen;

a dictionary component, wherein the dictionary component translates an incoming text data message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen that was sent over the system network into an XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen; and

an additional processor that communicates with the gaming processor, wherein the additional processor reads the incoming text data message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen that was sent over the system network and calls the dictionary component that enables display of the translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the web browser enabled display screen, and wherein the additional processor receive information input by a user through the display screen;

whereby the web browser enabled display screen increases user excitement by presenting a translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message to the player that provides a richer gaming experience than the incoming text data message sent over the system network.

46. An embedded user interface incorporated into a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a gaming presentation and gaming processor, the embedded user interface comprising:

a web content capable display screen, wherein the display screen presents web data to a user via the display screen;

an embedded processor that employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor, wherein the embedded processor reads an incoming text data message directed to be displayed to a player upon the display screen that was sent over the system network, calls a dictionary component that translates the incoming text data messages sent over the system network into an XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the display screen, and enables display of the translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message directed to be displayed to the player upon the web content capable display screen; and

a certification process that include authentication and non-repudiation of content using a Public Key Infrastructure system, wherein the certification process enables generation of casino operator-designed content that is gaming regulator-certifiable;

whereby the web content capable display screen increases user excitement by presenting a translated XML, HTML, or DHTML enhanced player message to the player that provides a richer gaming experience than the incoming text data message sent over the system network.