Remote content management and resource sharing on a gaming machine and method of implementing same

• US 8,784,196 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2006
• Issued: 07/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Little, William C., de Waal, Daniel, Manfredi, Vincent S., Bullard, Bryan, Iddings, Cara L., Schneider, Richard J., LeMay, Steven G., Beaulieu, Nicole M., Gipp, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): GARNER, WERNER G
• Application Number:
  US11/595,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20070243934A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,811 Days
• Field of Search: 463/32, 463/33, 463/34, 463/35, 463/16, 463 29- 31
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/329 Regular and instant lottery, e.g. electronic scratch cards
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn'"'"'t alter the play of game of chance.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a remote host including;

a first communication interface configured to communicate with a gaming device; and

a processor configured to;

(a) establish a communication session with the gaming device,

(b) receive;

(i) information regarding at least two states of the gaming device, and

(ii) a description of at least one gaming device gaming resource that is available for use by the remote host via a first process executed by a gaming device master gaming controller,

(c) send first data to the gaming device, said first data sent in response to receiving the information regarding a first state of the gaming device and said first data being based upon the description of the at least one gaming device gaming resource that is available for use by the remote host via the first process executed by the gaming device master gaming controller, said first data being used by the first process executed by the gaming device master gaming controller to output video images including first content, and

(d) send second data to the gaming device, said second data sent in response to receiving information regarding a second state of the gaming device, data said second data being used by the first process generated on the gaming device to output video images including second content; and

the gaming device including;

a video display;

a second communication interface configured to communicate with the remote host;

the gaming device master gaming controller, including at least one CPU and a memory, configured to;

(a) control a play of a wager-based game by executing at least two processes using the at least one CPU and the memory,

(b) establish the communication session with the remote host,

(c) send to the remote host the description of the at least one gaming device gaming resource that is available for use by the remote host via the first process, wherein the first process is not required to be approved by any regulatory gaming authority in any jurisdiction which enables wager-based gaming,

(d) execute, using the at least one CPU and the memory, the first process to generate the video images to the video display, wherein content of the video images is controlled, over time, by the remote host,

(e) receive from the remote host the first data to generate the video images including the first content, wherein an increase or a decrease in a utilization of CPU cycles on the at least one CPU by the first process is responsive to the received first data,

(f) receive from the remote host the second data that enables the first process to output the video images including the second content,

(g) execute, using the at least one CPU and the memory, a second process to output to the video display an outcome of the wager-based game, wherein the first process and the second process share CPU cycles on the at least one CPU, the second process is required to be approved by a regulatory gaming authority in a jurisdiction which enables wager-based gaming and said first process is configured to not affect an integrity of software associated with the play of the wager-based game so as not to alter;

the play of the wager-based game and the outcome of the wager-based game, and

(h) monitor and limit the utilization of the CPU cycles by the first process.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the first content or the second content include information related to at least one of:

(a) an input button associated with an active area of a touch screen sensor coupled to the gaming device, (b) an order of at least one of food and drinks from the gaming device, (c) a communication with a person at another gaming device, (d) a communication with a gaming concierge, (e) a hotel, (f) a gaming establishment, (g) a restaurant, (h) an entertainment product, (i) a travel service, (j) a reservation, (k) a transfer of funds to or from the gaming device, (l) a management of an account accessible to a player including at least one of;

a monetary account and a player tracking account, (m) a purchase of a lottery ticket at the gaming device, (n) obtaining change at a gaming machine, (o) a wager placed on an event including a sporting event, (p) an electronic message including at least one of;

an e-mail and a text message, (q) a purchase of at least one vending item at the gaming device, (r) access at least one Internet enabled service, (s) a redemption of at least one of;

at least one player tracking point, at least one credit and a combination of the at least one player tracking point and the at least one credit for at least one of;

merchandise, entertainment and at least one service, (t) an upcoming tournament, (u) a gaming establishment promotion, (v) a television program (w) a movie, (x) a music program, and (y) player tracking.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to select at least one of:

the first content and the second content based on at least one of;

(1) an identity of a player, (2) a location of the gaming device within a gaming establishment, (3) a status of the player, (4) an amount wagered, (5) an amount of an award, (6) a theme of the wager-based game, (7) a theme of the gaming establishment where the gaming device is located, (8) a preference of the player, (9) a preference of an operator of the gaming device, and (10) an event related to the play of the wager-based game.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the remote host is configured to:

communicate with at least one gaming system hardware elements coupled to the gaming system, and

control the at least one gaming system hardware elements in conjunction with the first process.

5. The gaming system of claim 4, wherein the at least one gaming system hardware elements is selected from the group consisting of:

an overhead display, a secondary game display, a kiosk and a bonus device.

6. The gaming system of claim 1, which includes a plurality of gaming devices wherein the processor is configured to:

(a) establish a communication session with each of the plurality of gaming devices;

(b) receive information regarding a state of each of the plurality of gaming devices;

(c) send specified data to each of the gaming devices that enable a specified process generated on each of the plurality of gaming devices to output video images including specified content.

7. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein the processor is configured to coordinate the specified content generated on at least two of the plurality of gaming devices.

8. The gaming system of claim 7, wherein the specified content is coordinated to provide a related activity to each of a group of players.

9. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein the related activity is at least one of:

a tournament and a group participation game.

10. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein the specified content is coordinated to provide a related outcome to at least one of the group of players.

11. The gaming system of claim 10, wherein the related outcome is at least one of:

(1) a value;

(2) a modifier;

(3) an entry in an award drawing;

(4) an entry in a tournament;

(5) an additional player tracking point;

(6) a session surprise award;

(7) a modifier of a game award for a set amount of time;

(8) a number of free or discounted spins or activations;

(9) a prize;

(10) a progressive award;

(11) a retrigger to be utilized in a first game;

(12) a wild symbol to be utilized in a second game;

(13) an anti-terminator to be utilized in a third game;

(14) a bonus game;

(15) a nudge of at least one reel in a first reel game;

(16) a hold of at least one reel in a second reel game;

(17) a scatter type pay;

(18) at least one additional payline in a third reel game;

(19) at least one additional way to win in a fourth reel game;

(20) at least one additional way to trigger a secondary game;

(21) at least one available promotion;

(22) at least one survey; and

(23) at least one non-redeemable credit.

12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the remote host is configured to receive information from the gaming device master gaming controller indicating an amount of the at least one gaming device gaming resource that the first process is enabled to utilize while the outcome is generated on the gaming device.

13. The gaming system of claim 12, wherein the at least one gaming device gaming resource is at least one of:

CPU usage, memory usage, graphics processing usage, network bandwidth usage, sound card usage, video card usage, power usage, and peripheral device usage.

14. The gaming system of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured to select, based upon the amount of the at least one gaming device gaming resources the first process is enabled to utilize while the outcome is outputted on the gaming device, one of:

(a) the first data to send to the gaming device that enable the first process to output the video images including the first content; and

(b) the second data to send to the gaming device that enable the first process to output the video images including the second content.

15. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the remote host is configured to receive information regarding third data related to the first process currently stored on the gaming device.

16. The gaming system of claim 15, wherein the processor is configured, to reduce an amount of data transmitted from the remote host to the gaming device, to select one of:

(a) the first data that enable the first process to output the video images including the first content; and

(b) the second data that enable the first process to output the video images including the second content;

based on the third data related to the first process currently stored on the gaming device.

17. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the remote host is operable to store information relating to at least one of:

(a) the first data sent to the gaming device that enable the first process to output the video images including the first content; and

(b) the second data sent to the gaming device that enable the first process generated on the gaming device to output the video images including the second content.

18. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the remote host is configured to:

receive from the gaming device a request for information relating to at least one of the first content and the second content after said content is displayed on the gaming device, and

send the information to the gaming device.

19. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the first process is configured to communicate with at least one peripheral devices coupled to the gaming device.

20. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the first process is configured to send a command to activate a feature of a peripheral device coupled to the gaming device under control of the remote host.

21. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the gaming device master gaming controller is configured to enable at least one of:

the first process and the remote host to receive information related to an activation of a feature on a peripheral device.

22. The gaming system of claim 21, wherein the peripheral device is selected from the group consisting of:

a touch screen sensor, a card reader, a bill validator, a bonus device, a mechanical button, a wireless interface, a ticket reader, or a key pad and a coin acceptor.

23. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the first process is configured to output sound via a device coupled to the gaming device.

24. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the gaming device master gaming controller is configured to:

monitor the at least one gaming device gaming resource utilized by the first process, and

prevent the first process from utilizing more than an amount of the at least one gaming device gaming resource.

25. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the information regarding at least one of the first state and the second state is related to at least one of:

(a) a status of the gaming device, (b) a state of the wager-based game;

(c) a tilt state, (d) an activation of a peripheral device coupled to the gaming device, (e) an identity of a player, (f) a cash-out request, and (g) an amount of credits available on the gaming device.

26. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the gaming device master gaming controller is configured to:

enable transfer of a quantity of credits available on the gaming device to enable an activity provided by the remote host, and

notify the remote host of the transfer of the quantity of credits.

27. The gaming system of claim 26, wherein the activity is a play of a game provided separately from the wager-based game.

28. A gaming system comprising:

a remote host including a processor configured to;

(a) communicate with a gaming device including receiving a description of first gaming resources and at least one usage limitation associated with the first gaming resources that are available for use by the remote host via execution of an interface process on the gaming device; and

(b) send information to the gaming device that enables the remote host to utilize a portion of a gaming interface via the interface process;

the gaming device including;

the gaming interface including a plurality of input devices and at least one output device configured to display an outcome of a play of a wager-based game;

a master gaming controller configured to;

(a) provide;

(i) a first resource partition associated with the first gaming resources wherein the first gaming resources include a processor, a memory and the portion of the gaming machine interface, and

(ii) a second resource partition associated with second gaming resources, wherein the first resource partition and the second resource partition share processing resources used to display the outcome of the play of the wager-based game,

(b) execute the interface process in the first resource partition wherein the interface process is only enabled to utilize the first gaming resources, and the interface process is not required to be approved by any regulatory gaming authority in any jurisdiction which enables wager-based gaming;

(c) receive the information from the remote host that enables the remote host to utilize the portion of the gaming interface via the interface process to provide an enhanced function,

(d) enable execution in the second resource partition of at least one gaming process to display the wager-based game, wherein the at least one gaming process is required to be approved by a regulatory gaming authority in a jurisdiction which enables wager-based gaming,

(e) prevent the interface process from using more than an allocated amount of the first gaming resources, wherein the interface process is configured to increase or decrease a utilization of the first gaming resources in response to commands received from the remote host,

(f) establish a communication session with the remote host that enables the remote host to send the information that enables the remote host to utilize the portion of the gaming interface via the interface process during the play of the wager-based game without affecting an integrity of software associated with the play of the wager-based game so as not to alter;

the play of the wager-based game and the outcome of the wager-based game, and

(g) communicate to the remote host a description of the first gaming resources and the at least one usage limitation associated with the first gaming resources that are available for use by the remote host via execution of the interface process in the first resource partition; and

a resource partition manager configured to prevent the interface process from using more than the allocated amount of the first gaming resources and to control execution of processes in the first resource partition including the interface process.

29. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the master gaming controller is configured to prevent the interface process from using more than the allocated amount of at least one of:

CPU cycles, memory, graphics processor cycles, network bandwidth, sound card usage, video card usage, power usage, and peripheral device usage.

30. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein when it is determined that the interface process and a first gaming process of the at least one gaming process are requesting control of a device, the master gaming controller is configured to arbitrate control of the device associated with the portion of the gaming interface.

31. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the interface process is configured to output at least one of video content and audio content via the portion of the gaming interface in accordance with the information received from the remote host, said information including data configured to be used by the interface process.

32. The gaming system of claim 31, wherein the interface process is configured to vary at least one of the video content, and audio content output to the gaming interface as a function of time in response to the information received from the remote host.

33. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the enhanced function is at least one of:

(1) displaying information relating to at least one aspect of a player'"'"'s gaming experience;

(2) providing at least one of personalized audio content and personalized video content at the gaming machine;

(3) enabling the player to pick the wager-based game to play from a plurality of available wager-based games;

(4) enabling the player to place at least one side-bet;

(5) enabling the player to play for at least one progressive award;

(6) enabling the player to participate in a gaming tournament;

(7) providing a virtual ATM at the gaming device;

(8) providing a virtual entertainment center at the gaming device;

(9) providing a virtual lottery machine at the gaming device;

(10) providing a virtual change machine at the gaming device;

(11) providing a virtual sports book at the gaming device;

(12) providing a virtual communication center at the gaming device;

(13) providing a virtual concierge at the gaming device;

(14) providing a virtual vending machine at the gaming device;

(15) providing a virtual kiosk at the gaming device;

(16) enabling the player to customize at least one aspect of the video content displayed on the display device;

(17) enabling the player to customize at least one aspect of the gaming interface;

(18) enabling the player to enroll in a player tracking system;

(19) enabling the player to play a plurality of wager-based games simultaneously at the gaming device;

(20) enabling the player to access personal settings at the gaming device;

(21) enabling the player to access a score card of accomplished events;

(22) enabling the player to access a tournament leader board; and

(23) enabling the player to select a favorite type of award to play for.

34. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the master gaming controller is configured to:

enable transfer of a quantity of credits available on the gaming device to enable an activity provided by the interface process, and

notify the remote host of the transfer of the quantity of credits.

35. The gaming system of claim 34, wherein the activity is a play of a game provided separately from the wager-based game.

36. A gaming system comprising:

a remote host configured to;

(1) communicate with a gaming device;

(2) send at least one request to the gaming device to use at least one remote host controlled process executed on the gaming device, said at least one remote host controlled process generates video images in response to at least one command received from the remote host; and

(3) receive a description of at least one gaming device resource that is available for use by the remote host via execution of the at least one remote host controlled process, wherein the at least one remote host controlled process is not required to be approved by any regulatory gaming authority in any jurisdiction which enables wager-based gaming; and

the gaming device including;

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one memory device;

at least one local processor programmed to operate with the at least one display device, the at least one input device and the at least one memory device, and to communicate with the remote host to;

(a) enable a player to wager on a play of a primary game,

(b) generate a primary game outcome for said play of the primary game using a game process, wherein the game process is required to be approved by a regulatory gaming authority in a jurisdiction which enables wager-based gaming,

(c) cause a first portion of said at least one display device to display the play of the primary game;

(d) display to the player the generated primary game outcome by at least generating first video images including the primary game outcome,

(e) receive the at least one request from the remote host to provide the at least one remote host controlled process that generates second video images to be output on a second portion of the display device in response to commands received from the remote host, wherein said at least one remote host controlled process is configured to not affect an integrity of software associated with the play of the primary game so as not to alter;

the play of the primary game and the primary game outcome,

(f) if said at least one request to provide said at least one remote host controlled process is received, determine an availability of the at least one gaming device resource,

(g) if said at least one gaming device resource is available;

(i) accept the request to provide said at least one remote host controlled process,

(ii) send the remote host a description of the at least one gaming device resource that is available for use by the remote host via execution of the at least one remote host controlled process including dimensions of the second portion of the display device,

(iii) enable the remote host to cause said second portion of the display device to display the second video images generated by said at least one remote host controlled process, wherein said at least one remote host controlled process is displayed simultaneously with the play of the primary game and wherein the first video images including the primary game outcome and the second video images generated by said at least one remote host controlled process are generated using a shared set of video processing resources including CPU cycles on the at least one local processor,

(iv) monitor at least a utilization of the shared set of video processing resources by the at least one remote host controlled process, and

(v) prevent the utilization of the shared set of video processing resources by the at least one remote host controlled process from exceeding at least one usage limitation.

37. The gaming system of claim 36, wherein the primary game is stored on said at least one memory device.

38. The gaming system of claim 36, wherein a plurality of primary games are stored on said at least one memory device.

39. The gaming system of claim 38, wherein said remote host instructs the at least one local processor to select one of said plurality of primary games.

40. The gaming system of claim 36, wherein the primary game is stored remotely from said gaming device.

41. The gaming system of claim 36, wherein the at least one local processor is configured to communicate data representing the generated primary game outcome to the remote host and the remote host modifies the remote host controlled process based on said generated primary game outcome.

42. The gaming system of claim 36, wherein the at least one remote host controlled process includes causing at least one service to become available to the player.

43. The gaming system of claim 36, wherein the at least one remote host controlled process includes causing at least one enhanced function of the gaming device to become available to the player.

44. The gaming system of claim 43, wherein the at least one enhanced function is at least one of:

(1) displaying information relating to at least one aspect of the player'"'"'s gaming experience;

(2) providing at least one of personalized audio content and personalized video content at the gaming machine;

(3) enabling the player to pick the primary game to play from a plurality of available primary games;

(4) enabling the player to place at least one side-bet;

(5) enabling the player to play for at least one progressive award;

(6) enabling the player to participate in a gaming tournament;

(7) providing a virtual ATM at the gaming device;

(8) providing a virtual entertainment center at the gaming device;

(9) providing a virtual lottery machine at the gaming device;

(10) providing a virtual change machine at the gaming device;

(11) providing a virtual sports book at the gaming device;

(12) providing a virtual communication center at the gaming device;

(13) providing a virtual concierge at the gaming device;

(14) providing a virtual vending machine at the gaming device;

(15) providing a virtual internet kiosk at the gaming device;

(16) enabling the player to customize at least one aspect of the video content displayed on the display device;

(17) enabling the player to customize at least one aspect of a gaming device interface;

(18) enabling the player to enroll in a player tracking system;

(19) enabling the player to play a plurality of primary games simultaneously at the gaming device;

(20) enabling the player to access personal settings at the gaming device;

(21) enabling the player to access a score card of accomplished events;

(22) enabling the player to access a tournament leader board; and

(23) enabling the player to select a favorite type of award to play for.

45. The gaming system of claim 36, wherein the at least one outcome is at least one of:

(1) a value;

(2) a modifier;

(3) an entry in an award drawing;

(4) an entry in a tournament;

(5) an additional player tracking point;

(6) a session surprise award;

(7) a modifier of any primary game awards for a set amount of time;

(8) a number of free or discounted spins or activations of a game;

(9) a prize;

(10) a progressive award;

(11) a retrigger to be utilized in the primary game;

(12) a wild symbol to be utilized in the primary game;

(13) an anti-terminator to be utilized in the primary game;

(14) a bonus secondary game;

(15) a nudge of at least one reel in a first reel game;

(16) a hold of at least one reel in a second reel game;

(17) a scatter type pay;

(18) at least one additional payline in a third reel game;

(19) at least one additional way to win in a fourth reel game;

(20) at least one additional way to trigger a secondary game;

(21) at least one available promotion;

(22) at least one survey; and

(23) at least one non-redeemable credit.

46. The gaming system of claim 36, wherein the at least one remote host controlled process includes providing at least one outcome to the player.