Method and apparatus for operating networked gaming devices
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a host computer having a user-operated input device comprising:
- associating each gaming device with a unique address code;
preselecting less than all of the gaming devices interconnected by the host computer responsive to a user-effected action at the input device which identifies the preselected gaming devices with the respective associated address codes;
using the network to track activity of the preselected gaming devices;
initiating a bonus play period;
issuing a command over the network to each of said preselected gaming devices responsive to initiation of the bonus play period; and
paying a bonus at each of said preselected gaming devices in accordance with the command.
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Abstract
A system for monitoring and configuring gaming devices interconnected over a high-speed network is disclosed. The system can support a file server, one or more floor controllers, one or more pit terminals, and other terminals all interconnected over the network. Each gaming device includes an electronic module which allows the gaming device to communicate with a floor controller over a current loop network. The electronic module includes a player tracking module and a data communication node. The player tracking module includes a card reader for detecting a player tracking card inserted therein which identifies the player. The data communication node communicates with both the floor controller and the gaming device. The data communication node communicates with the gaming device over a serial interface through which the data communication node transmits reconfiguration commands. The gaming device reconfigures its payout schedule responsive to the reconfiguration commands to provide a variety of promotional bonuses such as multiple jackpot bonuses, mystery jackpot bonuses, progressive jackpot bonuses, or player specific bonuses.
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Citations
57 Claims
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1. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a host computer having a user-operated input device comprising:
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associating each gaming device with a unique address code;
preselecting less than all of the gaming devices interconnected by the host computer responsive to a user-effected action at the input device which identifies the preselected gaming devices with the respective associated address codes;
using the network to track activity of the preselected gaming devices;
initiating a bonus play period;
issuing a command over the network to each of said preselected gaming devices responsive to initiation of the bonus play period; and
paying a bonus at each of said preselected gaming devices in accordance with the command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 20, 57)
preselecting a second group of the gaming devices responsive to a user-effected action at the input device which identifies the preselected gaming devices with the respective associated address codes;
issuing a command over the network to one of said gaming devices in the second group responsive to occurrence of a predetermined event; and
paying at said one gaming device in the second group in accordance with the command.
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8. The method of claim 7 wherein said method further includes using the network to track the activity of all of the gaming devices in the network substantially simultaneously with all of the preceding steps .
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9. The method of claim 8 wherein said gaming devices are each associated with a card reader which is operatively connected to said network and wherein said method further comprises:
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detecting a player of the gaming devices responsive to entry of a unique player identification card into the card reader;
transmitting the amount of money played at each gaming device by the player from the gaming device to the host computer; and
creating a player account which tracks the activity of the player on the gaming devices.
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20. The method according to claim 1 wherein said command comprises data related to a payment amount.
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57. The method according to any of the preceding claims wherein said gaming devices comprises electronic gaming devices.
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10. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a host computer having a user-operated input device comprising:
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associating each gaming device with a unique address code;
preselecting less than all of the gaming devices interconnected by the host computer responsive to a user-effected action at the input device which identifies the preselected gaming devices with the respective associated address codes;
using the network to track activity of the preselected gaming devices;
issuing a command over the network to one of said preselected gaming devices responsive to a predetermined event; and
paying at said one gaming device in accordance with the command. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21)
preselecting a second group of the gaming devices responsive to a user-effected action at the input device which identifies the preselected gaming devices with the respective associated address codes;
issuing a command over the network to one of said gaming devices in the second group responsive to occurrence of a predetermined event; and
paying at said one gaming device in the second group in accordance with the command.
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15. The method of claim 14 wherein said method further includes using the network to track the activity of all of the gaming devices in the network substantially simultaneously with all of the preceding steps .
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16. The method of claim 15 wherein said gaming devices are each associated with a card reader which is operatively connected to said network and wherein said method further comprises:
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detecting a player of the gaming devices responsive to entry of a unique player identification card into the card reader;
transmitting the amount of money played at each gaming device by the player from the gaming device to the host computer; and
creating a player account which tracks the activity of the player on the gaming devices.
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17. The method of claim 10 wherein paying at said one gaming device in accordance with the command comprises paying coins from a hopper at said one gaming device.
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18. The method of claim 10 wherein paying at said one gaming device in accordance with the command comprises applying credits to a credit meter at said one gaming machine.
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19. The method of claim 10 wherein said method further comprises allocating a predetermined percentage of the cumulative amount wagered at all of the preselected gaming devices to a bonus pool and wherein paying at said one gaming device in accordance with the command comprises paying said pool at said one gaming device.
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21. The method according to claim 10 wherein said command comprises data related to a payment amount.
- 22. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
- 33. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
- 46. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a host computer having a user-operated input device comprising:
Specification