Configuration of gaming machines based on gaming machine location

• US 8,870,657 B2
• Filed: 11/28/2006
• Issued: 10/28/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nelson, Dwayne
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEICHLITER, CHASE E
• Application Number:
  US11/564,231
• Publication Number:
  US 20070099697A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,891 Days
• Field of Search: 463/25, 463/29, 463 39- 43, 342/463, 342/464, 342/465
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3202 Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3237 about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players

Abstract

A method and apparatus for tracking and determining a location of a gaming machine or other item within a casino or hotel is disclosed. In one embodiment the method and apparatus utilizes a transmitter or emitter to provide a tracking signal that may be tracked by one or more receivers or detectors. It is contemplated that the transmitter or emitter connect to a gaming machine. As the gaming machine is relocated within the casino its location is monitored. The one or more receivers may communicate with a host computer or other data processing system to generate location data regarding the gaming machine in relation to other aspects of the casino. Based on the location information generated by the location monitoring and tracking system, other aspects of machine operation may be controlled and additional features dependant on the machine location information may be enabled.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a gaming machine comprising:

determining a physical location of a gaming machine within a casino using a location tracking system, wherein the physical location of the gaming machine is near an event center area of the casino;

determining that an event is occurring in the event center area;

specifying an audio volume level of the gaming machine based at least in part upon the event occurring in the event center area;

generating control signals based upon the specified audio volume level, based at least in part upon the physical location of the gaming machine, and

transmitting the control signals to the gaming machine to establish or modify the audio volume level of the gaming machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting comprises sending the control signals to one or more gaming machines over a communication medium linking the gaming machines to a host.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising comparing the location data for the gaming machine to a database containing possible locations with corresponding operational data for each location.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is part of a bank of gaming machines.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the event is a broadcast of a sporting event.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the audio volume level is adjusted to coincide with commercials in the broadcast or breaks in the sporting event.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the event is located within the casino.

8. A gaming machine configuration system, comprising:

a gaming machine location system configured to generate gaming machine location data regarding the physical locations of at least one gaming machine within a casino;

a gaming machine control module configured to;

receive gaming machine physical location data of the gaming machine from said gaming machine location system, wherein the physical location of the gaming machine is near an event center area of a casino,

determine that an event is occurring in the event center area,

specify an audio volume level of the gaming machine based at least in part upon the event occurring in the event center area,

generate control signals based upon the specified audio volume level, based at least in part upon the physical location of the gaming machine, and

transmit said control signals the gaming machine to establish or modify the configuration of the gaming machine.

9. The gaming machine configuration system of claim 8, further including:

a communication apparatus configured to communicate said control signals regarding said gaming machine configurations within the casino from said gaming machine configuration system to said plurality of associated gaming machines of the casino.

10. The gaming machine configuration system of claim 8, wherein said gaming machine location data includes network address information for said plurality of associated gaming machines.

11. The gaming machine configuration system of claim 8, wherein said operational data includes gaming machine location parameters that define gaming machines located within a defined area of the casino or a maximum or minimum proximity to a specified location of the casino.

12. The gaming machine configuration system of claim 11, wherein said gaming machine control module is adapted to select only gaming machines located within said defined area of the casino or proximity to another gaming machine or area within the casino.

13. The gaming machine configuration system of claim 8, wherein the gaming machine is part of a bank of gaming machines.

14. The gaming machine configuration system of claim 8, wherein the event is a broadcast of a sporting event.

15. The gaming machine configuration system of claim 14, wherein the audio volume level is adjusted to coincide with commercials in the broadcast or breaks in the sporting event.