Redundant gaming network mediation

• US 20040002385A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Binh T.
• Granted Patent: US 7,455,591 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• 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 17/323 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: H04L 67/131 Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/40 for recovering from a failure of a protocol instance or entity, e.g. service redundancy protocols, protocol state redundancy or protocol service redirection management of faults, events, alarms or notifications in data switching networks H04L41/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A disclosed gaming communication network provides an enhanced DCU that provides redundant mediation between gaming machines on the gaming communication network and a host server. The enhanced DCU provides a first, primary transmission path and a second, redundant transmission path between the gaming machines and the host server. In the event one transmission path is disrupted, the other provides continuing transmissions between the gaming communication network and the host server. In the event both transmission paths are disrupted, the enhanced DCU functions as a local interim server and stores data received from the gaming machines on the gaming communication network until such time as the data can be transmitted to the host server. In some embodiments, the enhanced DCU acts as a local interim server to the gaming machines using data mirrored from the host server prior to transmission disruption. In some embodiments, the enhanced DCU functions as a download server and stores data received from the host server and asynchronously transmits the data to the gaming machines, so as to mitigate disruption of game play. In some embodiments, the enhanced DCU may also function as a local cache of information that is repeatedly accessed by the gaming machines on the gaming communication network so as to reduce the transmission load on the first and/or second transmission path. In some embodiments, the enhanced DCU provides different network input connection ports to enable utilization of the enhanced DCU with different network formats, such as fiber optic cable, twisted pair cable, or wireless transmission media.

Claims

1. An apparatus that provides redundant gaming communication between gaming machines, gaming devices and host servers on a gaming communication network, the apparatus comprising:

a first, primary transmission path between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and a host server;

at least a second, redundant transmission path between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and the host server;

and a logic device designed or configured to i) monitor communications on the first transmission path and the second transition path, ii) to collect data from at least one of the gaming machine and the gaming devices, iii) to execute gaming software.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second, redundant transmission path is a wireless transmission path.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when one of the first and second transmission paths are lost or busy, the remaining transmission path provides continuing transmissions between the gaming machines of the gaming communication network and the host server.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when both the first and second transmission paths are lost or busy, the apparatus functions as an interim local server and stores data received from the gaming machines until such time as the stored data are retrieved or can be transmitted to the host server.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus functions as a download server and can locally store data received from the host server for transmission to one or more gaming machines on the gaming communication network.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the apparatus can transmit the data received from the host server asynchronously to one or more gaming machines on the gaming communication network.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus functions as a local cache to store data frequently accessed by gaming machines and gaming devices on the gaming communication network, so as to reduce the load on the first and/or second transmission paths.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the cached data are at least one of casino related information, web page downloads, game license information, player tracking accounting information, cashless system information, progressive game information and bonus prize information.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus can accept more than one different format of gaming communication network connection.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a gaming communication network connection is selected from the group consisting of an RS232 cable connection, an RS485 cable connection, a fiber optic cable connection, ethernet connection and a wireless port connection.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus performs data file conversion on the data received from the gaming machines on the gaming communication network prior to forwarding to the host server.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus performs protocol translation on the data transmitted between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and the host server.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is an enhanced data collection unit (DCU).

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a memory storage device for storing gaming information mirrored on the host server.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the gaming information is selected from the group consisting of player tracking information, cashless system information and game licensing information.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

gaming software for performing encryption and decryption of messages received by the apparatus.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a logic device for performing encryption and decryption of messages received by the apparatus.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

gaming software for generating and maintaining directories of information and applications associated with the gaming machines, the gaming devices and the host servers on the gaming communication network that is available for downloading.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a memory for storing the directories and applications.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gaming devices is selected from the group consisting of an enhanced DCU, a cell phone, a hand-held computer, a gaming kiosk, an in-room gaming terminal, a lap-top computer and a desk-top computer.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

gaming software for approving or rejecting requests for i) file swapping and ii) application swapping between two gaming devices on the gaming communication network.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

gaming software for authorizing access to the gaming communication network.

23. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

gaming software for applying a transcoding service to a message received by the apparatus.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the transcoding service is selected from the group consisting of 1) performing language translation, 2) performing text formatting, 3) removing features of the message not supported by the second gaming device, 4) converting text to a font supported by the second gaming device, 5) performing data compression and data scaling to speed transmission, 6) converting between image formats, 7) converting between application formats, 8) speech recognition, 9) text to speech conversion and 10) speech to text conversion.

25. A gaming communication network, the gaming communication network comprising:

one or more enhanced data collection units (DCUs) for providing redundant gaming communication paths and network mediation for communications between gaming machines, gaming devices and one or more host servers over the gaming communication network and for collecting data from at least one of the gaming machines and the gaming devices wherein the gaming machines, the gaming devices and the host servers are in communication with an enhanced DCU; and

a gaming transmission path network, the gaming transmission path network allowing communication between the host server and the plurality of gaming machines and the gaming devices via the enhanced DCU.

26. The gaming communication network of claim 25, wherein the enhanced DCU further comprises:

a first, primary transmission path between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and a host server; and

at least a second, redundant transmission path between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and the host server; and

a logic device designed or configured to i) monitor communications on the first transmission path and the second transition path, ii) to collect data from at least one of the gaming machine and the gaming devices, iii) to execute gaming software.

27. The gaming communication network of claim 26, wherein the second, redundant transmission path is a wireless transmission path.

28. The gaming communication network of claim 26, wherein when one of the first and second transmission paths are lost or busy, the remaining transmission path provides continuing transmissions between the gaming machines of the gaming communication network and the host server.

29. The gaming communication network of claim 26, wherein when both the first and second transmission paths are lost or busy, the enhanced DCU functions as an interim local server and stores data received from the gaming machines until such time as the stored data are retrieved or can be transmitted to the host server.

30. The gaming communication network of claim 25, wherein the enhanced DCU functions as a download server and can locally store data received from the host server for transmission to one or more gaming machines on the gaming communication network.

31. The gaming communication network of claim 30, wherein the enhanced DCU can transmit the data received from the host server asynchronously to one or more gaming machines or one or more gaming devices on the gaming communication network.

32. The gaming communication network of claim 26, wherein the enhanced DCU functions as a local cache to store at least one of data and gaming software applications frequently accessed by gaming machines and gaming devices on the gaming communication network, so as to reduce the load on the first and/or second transmission paths.

33. The gaming communication network of claim 32, wherein the cached data are at least one of casino related information, web page downloads, and bonus prize information.

34. The gaming communication network of claim 25, wherein the enhanced DCU can accept more than one different format of gaming communication network connection.

35. The gaming communication network of claim 34, wherein a gaming communication network connection is selected from the group consisting of at least one of an RS232 cable connection, an RS485 cable connection, a fiber optic cable connection, and a wireless port connection.

36. The gaming communication network of claim 25, wherein the enhanced DCU performs data file conversion on the data received from the gaming machines on the gaming communication network prior to forwarding to the host server.

37. The gaming communication network of claim 25, wherein the enhanced DCU performs protocol translation on the data transmitted between the gaming machines, the gaming devices and the host servers on the gaming communication network.

38. The gaming communication network of claim 26, wherein the enhanced DCU further comprises:

gaming software for performing encryption and decryption of messages received by the apparatus.

39. The gaming communication network of claim 26, wherein the enhanced DCU further comprises:

a logic device for performing encryption and decryption of messages received by the apparatus.

40. The gaming communication network of claim 26, wherein the enhanced DCU further comprises:

gaming software for generating and maintaining directories of information and applications associated with the gaming machines, the gaming devices and the host servers on the gaming communication network that is available for downloading.

41. The gaming communication network of claim 40, wherein the enhanced DCU further comprises:

a memory for storing the directories and applications available for downloading.

42. The gaming communication network of claim 25, wherein the gaming devices is selected from the group consisting of an enhanced DCU, a cell phone, a hand-held computer, a gaming kiosk, an in-room gaming terminal, a lap-top computer and a desk-top computer.

43. The gaming communication network of claim 26, wherein the enhanced DCU further comprises:

gaming software for approving or rejecting requests for i) file swapping and ii) application swapping between the gaming machine, gaming devices and the host servers on the gaming communication network.

44. The gaming communication network of claim 26, wherein the enhanced DCU further comprises:

gaming software for authorizing access to the gaming communication network.

45. The gaming communication network of claim 26, wherein the enhanced DCU further comprises:

gaming software for applying a transcoding service to a message received by the apparatus.

46. The gaming communication network of claim 45, wherein the transcoding service is selected from the group consisting of 1) performing language translation, 2) performing text formatting, 3) removing features of the message not supported by the second gaming device, 4) converting text to a font supported by the second gaming device, 5) performing data compression and data scaling to speed transmission, 6) converting between image formats, 7) converting between application formats, 8) speech recognition, 9) text to speech conversion and 10) speech to text conversion.

47. The gaming communication network of claim 25, further comprising a plurality of enhanced DCUs wherein each of the enhanced DCUs is configured to communicate with at least one other enhanced DCU.

48. In an enhanced DCU, a method of providing network mediation on a gaming communication network with a plurality of gaming machines, a plurality of gaming devices, one or more host servers, and a plurality of transmission paths between the gaming machines and the one or more host servers, the method comprising:

monitoring communications between a plurality of gaming machines, a plurality of gaming devices and one or more host servers;

collecting data from at least one of the gaming machines, the gaming devices and combinations thereof;

detecting a first primary transmission path between the gaming machines and the one or more host servers has been lost or has become busy; and

switching communications to a second transmission path.

49. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

mirroring gaming information stored on the one or more host servers on the enhanced DCU;

50. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

mirroring gaming information stored on a first host server on the enhanced DCU;

receiving a gaming information request directed to a first host server from a first gaming machine; and

sending a reply message with the requested gaming information to the first gaming machine using mirrored gaming information from the first host server stored on the enhanced DCU.

51. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

detecting the second transmission path has been lost or has become busy.

52. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

receiving a message with gaming information directed to a first host server from a first gaming machine; and

storing the gaming information to a memory device.

53. The method of claim 52, further comprising:

detecting a transmission path between the enhanced DCU and the first host server is available; and

sending the stored gaming information to the transmission server via the first transmission path.

54. The method of claim 48, wherein the one or more host servers is selected from group consisting of a player tracking accounting server, a cashless system server, a game licensing server, a game server, a progressive game server, a bonus game server and a prize server.

55. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

monitoring communication loads on the plurality of transmission paths; and

when the communication load on a first transmission path exceeds a limit, switching a portion of the communication load on the first transmission path to the second transmission path.

56. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

receiving a message from a first gaming machine sent to a first host server in a first communication protocol;

translating the message in first communication protocol to a message in a second communication protocol; and

sending the message in the second communication protocol to the first host server.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising:

determining the second communication protocol used by the first host server.

58. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

receiving a message from a first host server sent to a first gaming machine in a first communication protocol;

translating the message in the first communication protocol to a message in a second communication protocol; and

sending the message in the second communication protocol to the first gaming machine.

59. The method of claim 58, further comprising:

determining the second communication protocol used by the first gaming machine.

60. The method of claim 48, wherein the plurality of gaming devices is selected from the group consisting of a cell phone, a hand-held computer, a gaming kiosk, an in-room gaming terminal, a lap-top computer and a desk-top computer.

61. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

receiving a message from a first gaming device;

applying a transcoding service to the message; and

sending the transcoded message to a second gaming device.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the transcoding service is selected from the group consisting of 1) performing language translation, 2) performing text formatting, 3) removing features of the message not supported by the second gaming device, 4) converting text to a font supported by the second gaming device, 5) performing data compression and data scaling to speed transmission, 6) converting between image formats, 7) converting between application formats, 8) speech recognition, 9) text to speech conversion and 10) speech to text conversion.

63. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

determining content types of the message that is to be displayed on the second gaming device.

64. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

determining content displaying capabilities of the second gaming device.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein the first gaming device is selected from the group consisting of an enhanced DCU, a host server, a gaming machine, a cell phone, a hand-held computer, a gaming kiosk, an in-room gaming terminal, a lap-top computer and a desk-top computer.

66. The method of claim 61, wherein the second gaming device is selected from the group consisting of an enhanced DCU, a host server, a gaming machine, a cell phone, a hand-held computer, a gaming kiosk, an in-room gaming terminal a lap-top computer and a desk-top computer.

67. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

encrypting a communication between the gaming machines, the gaming devices and the one or more host servers.

69. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

for devices in communication with the enhanced DCU, controlling access to the gaming communication network by the devices.

70. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

generating a directory of at least one of data and applications stored on the enhanced DCU, the gaming machines, the gaming devices and at least one host server that is available for the download on the gaming communications network.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the download is between a first gaming device and a second gaming device and wherein the first gaming device and the second gaming device are selected from the group consisting of the gaming machines, the gaming devices, the one host server and the enhanced DCU.

72. The method of claim 48, further comprising:

communicating with a second enhanced DCU.

68. decrypting a communication between the gaming machine, the gaming devices and the one or more host servers.