Abstract:
Methods and apparatus are described for distributing gaming applications to a plurality of gaming sites located in a plurality of regulatory regions via a wide area network. Each regulatory region has a regulatory scheme associated therewith. A plurality of gaming applications are stored on at least one central server. A subset of the gaming applications are distributed from the at least one central server to at least one of the gaming sites located in one of regulatory regions via the wide area network, the subset of gaming applications being determined according to the associated regulatory scheme.
Abstract:
A disclosed gaming machine provides a game server. The game server may be used to provide a number of game services, including accounting, bonus game play, progressive game play, game serving and game configuration, to a group of gaming machine connected in a network The gaming machines can employ a number of standard components including a game server, a concentrator, and a translator. The concentrator gathers game information from a number of gaming machines connected in a network segment. The translator may be used to convert one communication protocol to another communication protocol for the transmission of game information. The game information may be utilized by the game server to provide a game service. When used for game serving, the game server may allow a player to select a game from a list of games stored on the game server on one gaming machine for game play on another gaming machine.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for generating and accounting for vouchers or tickets is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a voucher generation (S3) and accounting system which includes a gaming device adapted to accept credit from a player presented voucher, to present a game for play by a player, and pay an award in the event a winning event is achieved by play of the game. The system also includes a host arranged to transmit information to and receive information from the gaming device. A voucher issuance device is adapted to generate data regarding a voucher (S1), print the voucher for issuance and later presentment to the gaming device, and to create a record regarding the voucher(S2). The voucher issuance device communicates with the host for providing voucher information for use by the host in verifying a voucher presented to the gaming device. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of issuing a voucher with a remote voucher generation device (S3) associated with a gaming system including a gaming machine and a host, comprising the steps of generating data regarding a voucher to be printed, creating a record regarding the voucher (S2), printing the voucher and transmitting information regarding the voucher from the remote voucher generation device to the host.
Abstract:
A gaming machine in which the form of pay out is selectable by the operator and/or user to provide a pay out with coins or by way of a ticket. The gaming machine incorporates both a hopper for coin operated play as well as a printer for cashless play. In accordance with one aspect of the machine, the system can automatically detect when one of the pay out systems is disabled or otherwise unavailable and automatically continue operation with the other pay out method to allow the machine to function in a limited state. The system thus helps the transition for players from coin operated machines to cashless gaming machines, and accommodates users with different cash out preferences. The gaming machine also accepts tickets, allowing users to easily move their credits from one gaming machine to another.
Abstract:
A disclosed a player tracking unit provides a touch screen display with a touch screen controller integrated into the touch screen sensor assembly. Game service interfaces may be presented on the touch screen display that allow a user to obtain one or more game services. The game service interfaces may include buttons with alpha-numeric symbols, function keys and hand-writing recognition capabilities that are recognized using input data from the touch screen sensor. Thus, with the touch screen sensor, a user may navigate through the game service interface and supply gaming information required to obtain a game service. In one embodiment, a registration game service interface is provided that allows a player to join a player tracking program at the gaming machine. In another embodiment, a metering game service interface with a calculator is provided that allows a casino operator to obtain and operate on metering information at a gaming machine.
Abstract:
A gaming terminal (210) is provided which can have different configurations at different times with the configuration differing as to which ones, of a plurality of possible game outcomes, are associated with one or more of the game prizes. In one aspect, a game operator can select which outcome to associate with a preferably progressive prize. In some aspects, associations of outcomes with prizes can be selected by players and/or may occur automatically at periodic, random or predetermined times.
Abstract:
A disclosed communication interface for a gaming machine has a main communication board with one or more standard receptor slots for a plurality of "daughter boards," each daughter board allowing communication between a master gaming controller and a gaming device or between a master gaming controller and a gaming machine network. The daughter boards may be designed to convert between a number of different communication standards or communication formats. Further, the daughter boards may employ a standard connector that allows the daughter board to be plugged into any of the standard receptor slots on the main communication board. Daughter boards may be removed or installed on the main communication board while the main communication board is receiving power. Further, the main communication board with a plurality of standard receptor slots may accommodate many different types of daughter boards and many different combinations of these types of daughter boards.
Abstract:
A disclosed gaming machine has a memory storing a list of one or more prizes, a prize display for viewing prize information, and a prize selection mechanism that allows a user playing a game on the gaming machine to select one or more prizes specific to one or more outcomes of the game played on the gaming machine. One or more gaming machines may be connected in a "prize distribution network" to a "prize server." The prize server may include an interface for providing prize information to the gaming machines connected in the prize distribution network and a memory storing the prize information as groups of prizes for separate display on the gaming machines. With the prize server and prize distribution network, the prizes available as an award on each gaming machine in the prize distribution network may be easily changed.
Abstract:
A disclosed hand-held device provides a game service system having a wire-less communication interface, a display screen and a microprocessor which generates a number of game service interfaces on the display screen. The hand-held device may input ticket voucher information and communicate with a remote transaction server such that a ticket voucher may be validated. Additionally, the hand-held device may be used to provide a variety of gaming services using different game service interfaces provided on the device. These hand-held devices may be checked out by a game service representative in a secure manner such that the game service representative may roam a game playing area and provide various game services to game players in the game playing area using the hand-held device. These game services may include ticket validation, a prize validation, food services, accommodation services or a gaming operations services.
Abstract:
A disclosed gaming machine provides a gaming machine with devices able to output entertainment content (e.g. movies, TV programming, audio programs and advertising) from entertainment content sources located within the gaming machine or outside of the gaming machine. A player utilizing the gaming machine may access, independently of game play, entertainment content on the gaming machine where access to the entertainment content is granted according to a predetermined fee. In addition, the player utilizing the gaming machine may receive personal messages on the gaming machine. For example, while utilizing the gaming machine, a player may receive, e-mail, stock quotes, news and advertising that is of particular interest to the player utilizing the gaming machine.