Pluggable modular gaming modifiers and configuration templates for gaming environments

• US 8,708,828 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2007
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Rowe, Richard E., Moser, Timothy W., Iddings, Cara, Nelson, Dwayne R., Schaefer, Craig Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Laneau, Ronald
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ROSS A
• Application Number:
  US11/966,682
• Publication Number:
  US 20080102919A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,314 Days
• Field of Search: 463 29- 30, 463 33- 35, 463 40- 43, 715/744
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/445 Program loading or initiating bootstrapping G06F9/4401; security arrangements for program loading or initiating G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions

Abstract

Frameworks for providing modular computer program code and automated configuration of server-based gaming environments are disclosed. One or more “pluggable” modular gaming modifier can be provided for the modular computer program code without requiring the replacement of the entire computer program code for the game. Typically, the pluggable” modular gaming modifier can be added to or can replace one or more gaming modules or sub-modules, thereby requiring less time and effort for effectively modifying game presentation. In addition, configuration data can be generated and stored as configurations templates which can be used to configure one or more gaming machines in an automated manner. The configuration templates can be generated based on gaming modules and/or sub-modules provided for modular computer program code. As such, a content-based configuration template can effectively include and/or identify one or more modules, sub-modules and/or pluggable modular or sub-modular gaming modifiers associated with a modular computer program code. The configuration modules can be combined together for form configuration modules that effectively incorporate the features of two or more existing configurations.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a gaming machine;

a storage device;

a gaming server comprising a memory and one or more processors, wherein the gaming server is in communication with the gaming machine, and the storage device;

wherein the one or more processors are configured to;

execute a first modular computer program code for a game of chance to provide said game of chance for playing on the gaming machine, wherein said first modular computer program code is stored in the memory, wherein said first modular computer program code for said game of chance includes a plurality of gaming modules;

receive, from the storage device, at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier that can be integrated with and replace one or more of said plurality of gaming modules of said first modular computer program code located in the memory, wherein said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifiers can effectively modify and enhance one or more properties and behavior of said first modular computer program code alone or in combination with other pluggable modular gaming modifiers in different combinations to yield a modified modular computer program code for said game of chance;

determine that said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier is compatible with said first modular computer program code based on security information and compatibility properties of said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier;

modify said first modular computer program code to yield said modified modular computer program code for said game of chance by (i) replacing one of said plurality of gaming modules with said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier to incorporate properties and behavior of said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier into said game of chance and (ii) determining whether one or more of said plurality of gaming modules are to be removed from the first module computer program based on compatibility properties of said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier; and

execute said modified modular computer program code for said game of chance to provide a modified and enhanced version of said game of chance for playing on the gaming machine.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, where said least one pluggable modular gaming modifier can be added to said at least one gaming module.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said plurality of gaming modules serves as a base gaming module and said least one pluggable modular gaming modifier modifies and enhances one or more properties and behavior of said base gaming module.

4. The gaming system of claim 3,

wherein said base gaming module is implemented as a parent, and wherein as a child of said parent said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier can inherit one or more properties or behavior of said base gaming module.

5. The gaming system of claim 3, wherein said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier is stored in a designated memory location of the storage device in a manner that indicates that said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier is to replace and enhance said base gaming module.

6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier can modify and enhance one or more of the following for the game of chance and information presented in association and connection with said game of chance:

theme, background, advertising information, marketing information, colors, sounds, logos, look and feel, gaming preferences, player preferences, music, promotions, and bonus games.

7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein at least two of said plurality of gaming modules communicate via one or more application program interfaces.

8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of gaming modules include a gaming operating system module, a game flow software module, and a game presentation software module.

9. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said one or more processors are further configured to:

receive said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier from an entity;

determine the authenticity of said entity.

10. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said one or more processors are further configured to:

determine the authenticity of said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier.

11. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier and at least one of said plurality of gaming modules are configured to mutually authenticate each other.

12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said one or more processors arc further configured to:

track the number of times said pluggable modular gaming modifier and gaming modules are loaded and executed by said gaming system.

13. The gaming system of claim 1,

wherein at least one of said plurality of gaming modules includes a plurality of gaming sub-modules, and

wherein said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier can replace one or more of said plurality of gaming sub-modules.

14. The gaming system of claim 1,

wherein at least one of said plurality of gaming modules includes a plurality of gaming sub-modules, and

wherein said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier includes a pluggable sub-modular modifier that can be added to said plurality of gaming sub-modules or replace at least one of said plurality of gaming sub-modules.

15. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said gaming system includes a gaming machine configured and operable to execute said first modular computer program code for said game of chance and said modified modular computer program code.

16. The gaming system of claim 15, wherein said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier is downloaded by a gaming server to said gaming machine.

17. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said gaming server that effectively serves the gaming machine.

18. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein said gaming server is configured and operable to execute said first modular computer program code for said game of chance on behalf of said gaming machine.

19. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein gaming machine is configured and operable to execute said computer program code for said game of chance independently or jointly with said gaming server.

20. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said plurality of gaming modules is divided according to the jurisdiction where said game of chance is to be played.

21. The gaming system of claim 1,

wherein the security information includes a security level and identifies an authentication method to use to authenticate said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier;

and

wherein the compatibility properties identifies whether said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier is compatible with one or more of said plurality of gaming modules.

22. A gaming server comprising:

a memory; and

one or more processors, wherein said one or more processors are configured to;

identify a first modular computer program code for a game of chance to provide said game of chance for playing on a gaming machine in communication with the gaming server, wherein said first modular computer program code is stored in the memory, wherein said first modular computer program code for said game of chance is includes a plurality of gaming modules;

identify at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier that can be integrated with and replace one or more of said plurality of gaming modules located in the memory, wherein the at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier is located on a storage device, wherein said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier can modify and enhance one or more properties and behavior of said first modular computer program code alone or in combination with other pluggable modular gaming modifiers in different combinations to yield a modified modular computer program code for said game of chance;

determine that said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier is compatible with said first modular computer program code based on security information and compatibility properties of said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier;

modify said first modular computer program code to yield said modified modular computer program code for said game of chance by replacing one of said plurality of gaming modules with said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier to incorporate properties and behavior of said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier into said game of chance; and

provide said modified modular computer program for said game of chance to said gaming machine to provide a modified version of said game of chance for play on said gaming machine.

23. A gaming device comprising:

a memory;

a display; and

a master gaming controller;

wherein said master gaming controller is configured to;

obtain, from a gaming server, a first modular computer program code for a game of chance to provide said game of chance for playing on said gaming device, wherein said first modular computer program code for said game of chance includes a plurality of gaming modules;

store said first modular computer program code in the memory;

execute said first modular computer program code;

obtain, from a storage device, at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier that can be integrated with and replace one or more of said plurality of gaming modules, wherein said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier can modify and enhance one or more properties and behavior of said first modular computer program code alone or in combination with other pluggable modular gaming modifiers in different combinations to yield a modified modular computer program code for said game of chance such that said modified modular computer program code incorporates the features of multiple pluggable gaming modifiers into said game of chance;

determine that said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier is compatible with said first modular computer program code stored in the memory based on security information and compatibility properties of said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier;

modify said first modular computer program code to yield said modified modular computer program code for said game of chance by replacing one of said plurality of gaming modules of said first modular computer program code with said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier to incorporate properties and behavior of said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier into said game of chance; and

execute said modified modular computer program code.

24. A computer-implemented method for generating configuration data for configuring one or more gaming machines to provide one or more games of chance for play in a gaming environment, said computer-implemented method comprising:

selecting, by one or more processors, one or more gaming modules from a set of gaming modules that collectively represent modular computer program code for a game of chance, wherein the modular computer program code is stored in a memory, wherein said modular computer program code is configured to receive at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier that can be integrated with and replace one or more of said gaming modules, wherein said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier can modify and enhance one or more properties and behavior of said modular computer program code alone or in combination with other pluggable modular gaming modifiers in different combinations to provide a modified modular computer program code for said game of chance such that said modified modular computer program code incorporates the features of multiple pluggable gaming modifiers into said game of chance, wherein the at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier is stored in a storage device in communication with said one or more processors;

storing, by the one or more processors is the memory, a first gaming configuration template that includes and/or effectively identifies said one or more selected gaming modules, wherein said first gaming configuration template can be used to generate configuration data to configure said one or more gaming machines for execution of said one or more selected gaming modules;

selecting, by the one or more processors, one or more gaming machines in said gaming environment for configuration;

storing, by the one or more processors, a second gaming configuration template that identifies said one or more selected gaming machines to be configured; and

combining, by the one or more processors, said first and second gaming configuration templates in order to generate a combined gaming configuration template that can be used to configure said one or more selected gaming machines to execute said one or more selected gaming modules.

25. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 24, wherein said first gaming configuration template is a pluggable configuration template that can be combined with one or more other pluggable configuration templates in order to generate another gaming configuration template or further configuration data for configuring said one or more of gaming machines.

26. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 24, further comprising:

selecting one or more conditions in said gaming environment for configuration; and

storing a third gaming configuration template that identifies said selected one or more conditions, wherein said third gaming configuration template can be used to configure said one or more gaming machines when said one or more conditions occur.

27. A computer-implemented method 26, wherein said one or more conditions include one or more of the following:

a gaming condition,

time,

presence of one or more gaming modules, and

identifying a player.

28. A computer-implemented method of modifying computer program code that can be executed on a gaming system to provide a game of chance, said computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving, by one or more processors, a plurality of gaming modules that collectively represent computer program code for a game of chance that can be executed by said gaming system, wherein said plurality of gaming modules are stored in a memory;

receiving, by said one or more processors from a storage device, at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier that can modify and replace and enhance the properties and behavior of at least one of said plurality gaming modules, said pluggable modular gaming modifier being capable of being combined with other pluggable modular gaming modifiers in different combinations to yield a modified modular computer program code for said game of chance such that said modified modular computer program code incorporates the features of multiple pluggable gaming modifiers into said game of chance;

determining, by said one or more processors, that said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier is compatible with said computer program code based on security information and compatibility properties of said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier;

modifying and enhancing, by said one or more processors, the properties and behavior of said at least one gaming module based on said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier to modify said computer program code for said game of chance to yield modified computer program code for said game of chance, thereby allowing said modified game of chance to be executed by said gaming system.

29. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 28, wherein said modifying and enhancing the properties and behavior of said at least one gaming module comprises one or more of the following:

adding said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier to at least one gaming module;

adding said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier to one or more sub-modules of at least one gaming module;

replacing said least one gaming module by at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier; and

replacing one or more sub-modules of at least one gaming module by said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier.

30. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 29, wherein said computer-implemented method further comprises:

executing said modified game of chance.

31. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 29, wherein said computer-implemented further comprises:

determining whether to modify at least one gaming module; and

modifying said at least one gaming module when said determining determines to modify said at least one gaming module.

32. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 31, wherein said determining comprises one or more of the following:

determining whether a gaming event has occurred;

determining whether an scheduled task has occurred;

determining whether a particular player has been identified;

determining whether one or more gaming modules are available; and

determining whether one or more gaming modules are loaded on one or more gaming machines.

33. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 29, wherein said computer-implemented further comprises one or more of the following:

authenticating said at one pluggable modular gaming modifier;

authenticating said at one pluggable modular gaming modifier by said computing system;

authenticating said at one pluggable modular gaming modifier by an entity that effectively receives said pluggable modular gaming modifier;

authenticating an entity that effectively provides said at one pluggable modular gaming modifier for modification of said at least one gaming module;

authenticating said at one pluggable modular gaming modifier by at least one gaming module;

authenticating at least one gaming module;

authenticating at least one gaming module by said computing system; and

authenticating at least one gaming module by an entity that effectively provides said pluggable modular gaming modifier.

34. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 29, wherein said computer-implemented method further comprises:

determining whether said pluggable modular gaming modifier is compatible with at least one gaming module.

35. A non-transitory computer readable medium including computer program code for modifying and enhancing a game of chance that can be executed on a gaming system, the computer program code including instructions to:

receive a plurality of gaming modules that collectively represent computer program code for said game of chance that can be executed by said gaming system;

receive at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier that can modify and replace and enhance the properties and behavior of at least one of said plurality gaming modules capable of being combined with other pluggable modular gaming modifiers in different combinations to yield a modified modular computer program code for said game of chance such that said modified modular computer program code incorporates the features of multiple pluggable gaming modifiers into said game of chance;

determine that said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier is compatible with said computer program code based on security information and compatibility properties of said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier;

modify the computer program code to yield said modified computer program code for said game of chance by replacing one of the plurality of gaming modules with the at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier to incorporate properties and behavior of said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier; and

execute the modified computer program code to play said game of chance.

36. A non-transitory computer readable medium including computer program code for modifying and enhancing a game of chance that can be executed on a gaming system, the computer program code including instructions to:

receive a plurality of gaming modules that collectively represent computer program code for said game of chance that can be executed by said gaming system;

receive at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier that can effectively modify and replace and enhance the properties and behavior of at least one of said plurality gaming modules capable of being combined with other pluggable modular gaming modifiers in different combinations to yield a modified modular computer program code for said game of chance such that said modified modular computer program code incorporates the features of multiple pluggable gaming modifiers into said game of chance;

modify the computer program code to provide said modified computer program code for said game of chance by (i) replacing one of the plurality of gaming modules with the at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier to incorporate properties and behavior of the at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier into said game of chance and (ii) determining whether one or more of said plurality of gaming modules are to be removed from the computer program code based on compatibility properties of said at least one pluggable modular gaming modifier; and

execute the modified computer program code to play said game of chance.