Computer network and method for changing the pay schedules of gaming devices
First Claim
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1. A method of operating electronic gaming machines interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
- allowing play to occur on the gaming machines;
paying to each machine in accordance with a first payout schedule after each game;
sending a reconfiguration command from the host computer to one of said gaming machines over the network;
receiving the reconfiguration command at said one gaming machine;
reconfiguring the gaming machine payout schedule in accordance with the received reconfiguration command;
allowing additional play to occur on the gaming machines; and
after each game, paying at said one gaming machine based on an outcome of a game played at said one gaming machine and in accordance with the reconfigured payout schedule of said one gaming machine.
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Abstract
Electronic gaming devices are connected by a network to a host computer. The gaming devices award winners based on a first pay schedule. The pay schedule at a selected one or more of the machines is changed by sending information over the network. This change is accomplished by causing additional payouts, over and above the device pay table, or by changing the device pay table.
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Citations
65 Claims
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1. A method of operating electronic gaming machines interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
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allowing play to occur on the gaming machines; paying to each machine in accordance with a first payout schedule after each game; sending a reconfiguration command from the host computer to one of said gaming machines over the network; receiving the reconfiguration command at said one gaming machine; reconfiguring the gaming machine payout schedule in accordance with the received reconfiguration command; allowing additional play to occur on the gaming machines; and after each game, paying at said one gaming machine based on an outcome of a game played at said one gaming machine and in accordance with the reconfigured payout schedule of said one gaming machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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15. A method of operating electronic gaming machines interconnected by a computer network to a host computer, each gaming machine having a payout schedule associated therewith, said method comprising:
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permitting players to play the gaming machines; awarding jackpots according to the payout schedule; generating data that includes information related to a different payout schedule for at least one of the gaming machines; storing the data on the network; downloading the data from the network to one of the gaming machines; modifying the payout schedule of said one gaming machine according to the downloaded data; permitting further play of the gaming machines; and awarding jackpots at said one gaming machine based on an outcome of a game played at said one gaming machine and according to the modified payout schedule of said one gaming machine. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A system for operating a plurality of electronic gaming machines, the system comprising:
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a host computer programmed to generate a reconfiguration command; a network interconnecting the gaming machines to the host computer; a payout schedule associated with each gaming machine, each machine paying in accordance with its payout schedule after each game; an interface in each gaming machine, said interface being connected to the network and further being constructed and arranged to receive the messages over the network and transmit the messages to the gaming machine electronics of a gaming machine; and the electronics in each gaming machine constructed and arranged to receive a message and to make a determination as to whether the message includes a reconfiguration command and reconfigure the payout schedule of a gaming machine in accordance therewith such that payment is made at the gaming machine based on an outcome of a game played at the gaming machine and in accordance with the reconfigured payout schedule of the gaming machine. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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Specification