Method for operating networked gaming devices
First Claim
1. A method of operating gaming devices configured to play a preselected game interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
- permitting players to play the preselected game at the gaming devices;
paying to each device in accordance with a first payout table after each game;
monitoring the activity of the gaming devices over the network;
detecting the amount of money played on the gaming devices;
allocating a predetermined percentage of the money played to a bonus pool;
determining the level of the bonus pool;
activating a bonus payout table in a gaming device after the bonus pool level exceeds a turn-on level;
permitting continued play of the preselected game at the gaming devices; and
paying the gaming-device in accordance with both payout tables after each game for so long as the bonus payout table remains activated.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
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.
215 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of operating gaming devices configured to play a preselected game interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
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permitting players to play the preselected game at the gaming devices; paying to each device in accordance with a first payout table after each game; monitoring the activity of the gaming devices over the network; detecting the amount of money played on the gaming devices; allocating a predetermined percentage of the money played to a bonus pool; determining the level of the bonus pool; activating a bonus payout table in a gaming device after the bonus pool level exceeds a turn-on level; permitting continued play of the preselected game at the gaming devices; and paying the gaming-device in accordance with both payout tables after each game for so long as the bonus payout table remains activated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14)
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8. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
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monitoring the activity of the gaming devices; detecting the amount of money played on the gaming devices; allocating a predetermined percentage of the money played to a bonus pool; determining the level of the bonus pool; activating a bonus payout table in a gaming device after the bonus pool level exceeds a turn-on level; detecting the amount of money paid as bonuses on the gaming devices; modifying the bonus pool by the amount of money paid as bonuses; determining the level of the bonus pool; and deactivating the bonus payout table in the gaming device after the bonus pool level falls below a turn-off level, said turn-on level being above said turn-off level.
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9. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
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allowing play to occur on the gaming devices; paying to each device in accordance with a first payout schedule after each game; sending a reconfiguration command from the host computer to a gaming device over the network; receiving the reconfiguration command at the gaming device; reconfiguring the gaming device responsive to the received reconfiguration command wherein the gaming device reconfigures its payout schedule in accordance with the received reconfiguration command; allowing additional play to occur on the gaming devices; paying to the reconfigured device in accordance with the first payout schedule and a bonus payout schedule after each game for so long as the gaming device remains reconfigured; detecting the amount of money played on the gaming devices; allocating a predetermined percentage of the money played to a bonus pool; determining the level of the bonus pool; and sending the reconfiguration command after the bonus pool level exceeds a turn-on level. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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15. A method of operating gaming devices configured to play a preselected game interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
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permitting players to play the preselected game at the gaming devices; paying to each device in accordance with a payout table after each game; monitoring the activity of the gaming devices over the network; detecting the amount of money played on the gaming devices; allocating a predetermined percentage of the money played to a bonus pool; determining the level of the bonus pool; activating a bonus payout schedule associated with the gaming devices after the bonus pool level exceeds a turn-on level; permitting continued play of the preselected game at the gaming devices; paying each gaming device in accordance with the payout table after each game; and paying the gaming devices in accordance with the bonus payout schedule for so long as it remains activated. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification