Communications interface for a gaming machine

• US 20050113172A1
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia PTY Limited (Aristocrat Leisure Limited)
• Original Assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia PTY Limited (Aristocrat Leisure Limited)
• Inventors: Gong, Xiaoqiang D.
• Granted Patent: US 8,277,319 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/143 Markup, e.g. Standard Generalized Markup Language [SGML] or Document Type Definition [DTD]
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for an improved communications interface for a gaming machine. Certain embodiments of an improved gaming network include a gaming system including a communication interface, and a server providing at least one of an application, a service, and a status to the gaming system. The communication interface initiates communication with the server to transmit and/or receive information. The communication interface may allow games or other applications/services to be downloaded to the gaming system. In an embodiment, the communication interface facilitates voice over internet protocol communication, for example. The communication interface may also provide a secondary game at the gaming system and/or access to the Internet or other network, for example. In an embodiment, the communication interface facilitates purchase and/or confirmation of items and/or services at the gaming system. The communication interface may translate information to an appropriate protocol for the gaming system.

Claims

1. An improved communication interface for a gaming system, said interface comprising:

at least one input/output port for facilitating communication with a gaming system;

a display for displaying images and text; and

a processor for processing data for at least one of communication and execution by said gaming system.

2. The interface of claim 1, wherein said processor initiates communication with an external server.

3. The interface of claim 1, wherein said processor allows an application to be downloaded from a web server.

4. The interface of claim 1, wherein said processor provides a secondary game at said gaming system.

5. The interface of claim 1, wherein said processor facilitates at least one of purchase and confirmation of at least one of items and services at said gaming system.

6. The interface of claim 1, wherein said at least one input/output port routes at least one of game data, player data, player tracking information, slot accounting information, and radio frequency identification information.

7. The interface of claim 1, further comprising an audio system providing at least one of audio output and audio input.

8. The interface of claim 7, wherein said audio system facilitates voice over internet protocol communication.

9. The interface of claim 1, further comprising a printer for printing information from at least one of said gaming system and a server.

10. An improved gaming network, said network comprising:

a gaming system including a communication interface; and

a server providing at least one of an application, a service, and a status to said gaming system,

wherein said communication interface initiates communication with said server to at least one of transmit and receive information.

11. The network of claim 10, wherein said communication interface allows games to be downloaded to said gaming system.

12. The network of claim 10, wherein said communication interface facilitates voice over internet protocol communication.

13. The network of claim 10, wherein said communication interface provides a secondary game at said gaming system.

14. The network of claim 10, wherein said communication interface allows access to the Internet.

15. The network of claim 10, wherein said communication interface facilitates at least one of purchase and confirmation of at least one of items and services at said gaming system.

16. The network of claim 10, wherein said communication interface translates information to an appropriate protocol for said gaming system.

17. The network of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of gaming systems, wherein each gaming system includes a communication interface.

18. The network of claim 17, wherein a communication from said server is relayed among said plurality of gaming systems using said communication interfaces.

19. The network of claim 17, wherein said plurality of gaming systems store redundant information, said redundant information retrievable via said communication interfaces.

20. A method for improved communication with a gaming system, said method comprising:

initiating communication from a gaming system to an external system;

processing data for execution by said gaming system; and

executing an application at said gaming system based on said data.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said executing step further comprises at least one of downloading an application from said external system, communicating said data to said external system, receiving said data from said external system, outputting said data at said gaming system, and tracking a user at said gaming system.