Dynamic player notices for operational changes in gaming machines

• US 9,754,447 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2014
• Issued: 09/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Rowe, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): GARNER, WERNER G
• Application Number:
  US14/165,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20140141872A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

A gaming terminal data repository (GTDR) for storing game software components and transaction information for gaming machine and gaming terminals is disclosed. A system database is partitioned according to different gaming entities allowing game software component configurations of particular gaming terminals to be easily analyzed and modified. Game software components for gaming terminals connected to the GTDR may be automatically updated using various triggers. System gaming machines may utilize a combination of game software components residing on the gaming machine and those received from the GTDR. A player compliance module (PCM) can be adapted to detect significant changes to gaming machine or gaming terminal playing conditions or parameters, and provide appropriate notices to players of such changes dynamically. The PCM can also facilitate the creation of a log or audit trail to confirm that such player notices have been provided.

Claims

1. A gaming system, comprising:

a gaming terminal data repository having;

(1) a first network interface communicatively connectable to a first gaming terminal, (2) a database arranged to store both gaming terminal transaction information received from the first gaming terminal and game software components for use by the first gaming terminal, wherein said database is partitioned according to different gaming entities such that gaming terminal transaction information from a first gaming entity is stored in a first partition of said database while gaming terminal transaction information from a second gaming entity is stored in a second partition of said database, and (3) a processor configured to cause a download of a first one of the game software components to the first gaming terminal, wherein said first game software component complies with rules of a gaming jurisdiction in which the first gaming terminal is located;

a plurality of gaming terminals communicatively connectable to said gaming terminal data repository and configured to present games of chance involving wagers and monetary payouts that are regulated by one or more gaming jurisdictions in which each respective gaming terminal is located, the plurality of gaming terminals including the first gaming terminal, wherein the first gaming terminal includes;

a second network interface communicatively connectable to said gaming terminal data repository,

a controller configured both to generate a game of chance played on said first gaming terminal using the first game software component downloaded from said gaming terminal data repository and to send the gaming terminal transaction information to said gaming terminal data repository,

a memory configured to store said first game software component downloaded from said gaming terminal data repository, and

a video screen; and

a player compliance module configured to facilitate both the detection of at least one changed paytable at said first gaming terminal and the provision of paytable information regarding said at least one changed paytable at said first gaming terminal, wherein the at least one changed paytable is selected and implemented responsive to a direction of an operator of a gaming entity and not responsive to player input at the first gaming terminal;

wherein the controller of said first gaming terminal is configured to cause the video screen to display said paytable information for a predetermined period of time, said first gaming terminal being a wager gaming machine adapted to display the game of chance on said video screen; and

wherein the player compliance module is configured to prevent play of the game of chance at said first gaming terminal while said paytable information remains displayed at said first gaming terminal.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said payable information comprises instructions on how to view more information related to said at least one changed paytable.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said player compliance module comprises software located at said first gaming terminal.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said player compliance module comprises software located at said gaming terminal data repository.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said player compliance module is further configured to facilitate the creation of a record trail containing details regarding said detection of the at least one changed paytable and said provision of the paytable information.

6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said paytable information comprises one or more fully or partially pre-rendered message frames.

7. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said paytable information comprises content sufficient to satisfy a player notice requirement or a regulation of the gaming jurisdiction in which said first gaming terminal is located.

8. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein said controller of the first gaming terminal is configured to control the video screen such that the paytable information remains displayed until an affirmative player input to remove said paytable information is received at said first gaming terminal.

9. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein said affirmative player input to remove said paytable information comprises an acknowledgement of said at least one changed paytable.

10. A gaming machine configured to accept a wager, provide a game based on the wager, and provide a monetary payout based on a result of the game, the gaming machine comprising:

an exterior housing arranged to contain a plurality of internal gaming machine components therein;

a master gaming controller in communication with at least one of said plurality of internal gaming machine components, said master gaming controller being configured to control one or more aspects of said game, wherein said master gaming controller is also configured to communicate with a gaming terminal data repository external to said gaming machine, said gaming terminal data repository having a database, wherein said database is partitioned according to different gaming entities such that gaming terminal transaction information from a first gaming entity is stored in a first partition of said database while gaming terminal transaction information from a second gaming entity is stored in a second partition of said database;

a video screen; and

a player compliance module in communication with said master gaming controller, at least one of said plurality of internal gaming machine components, or both, wherein said player compliance module is configured to facilitate provision of information regarding one or more payback percentage changes of said gaming machine, said one or more payback percentage changes resulting at least in part from communications from said gaming terminal data repository, wherein said one or more payback percentage changes is selected and implemented responsive to a direction of an operator of a gaming entity and not responsive to player input at the gaming machine;

wherein the controller of said gaming machine is configured to cause said video screen to display said information regarding said one or more payback percentage changes, said gaming machine being operable to display said game on said video screen;

wherein the player compliance module is configured to prevent play of the game at said gaming machine while said information regarding said one or more payback percentage changes remains displayed at said gaming machine, and

wherein the controller of the gaming machine is configured to control the video screen such that the information regarding said one or more payback percentage changes remains displayed until an affirmative input to remove said information regarding said one or more payback percentage changes is received at said gaming machine, said affirmative input to remove said information regarding said one or more payback percentage changes comprising an acknowledgement of said at least one changed payback percentage.

11. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said information regarding said one or more payback percentage changes comprises one or more of a) a display disclosing details of changed payback percentages, b) an informational notice having a limited level of detail regarding said one or more payback percentage changes, and c) a minimalist alert that one or more changes have taken place, said minimalist alert indicating that the one or more changes have taken place without detailing exactly which changes have taken place.

12. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein the video screen is one or more of a main video screen, a secondary video screen, a tertiary video screen, and a virtual glass.

13. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said player compliance module is unalterable.

14. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said player compliance module is further configured to facilitate creation of a record trail containing details regarding said provision of information.

15. The gaming machine of claim 14, wherein at least one entry to said record trail comprises data regarding an amount of idle time at said gaming machine prior to said one or more payback percentage changes.

16. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said information regarding said one or more payback percentage changes comprises one or more fully or partially pre-rendered message frames.

17. The gaming machine of claim 16, wherein said player compliance module is further configured to facilitate creation of a record trail containing details regarding said provision of information regarding said one or more payback percentage changes, wherein said record trail includes data regarding said one or more fully or partially pre-rendered message frames.

18. The gaming machine of claim 17, wherein said data regarding said one or more fully or partially pre-rendered message frames is selected from the group consisting of frame identification, presentation time, size, duration and location.

19. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said information regarding said one or more payback percentage changes comprises content sufficient to satisfy a player notice requirement or a regulation of a gaming jurisdiction in which said gaming machine is located.

20. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said information regarding said one or more payback percentage changes comprises information selected from the group consisting of:

new game information, new download information, paytable information, game denomination, presentation speed, game hold, harm minimization information, and instructions on how to view more information related to said one or more payback percentage changes.

21. The gaming machine of claim 10, wherein said controller of said gaming machine is configured to cause the video screen to display the information regarding said one or more payback percentage changes at said gaming machine for twenty seconds or less.