Patent Publication Number: US-9846991-B2

Title: Gaming system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/192,673, filed Aug. 15, 2008, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/956,482, filed on Aug. 17, 2007. The above-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     [Not Applicable] 
     MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
     [Not Applicable] 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a gaming system and, in particular, to a metering system for a gaming system and a method of handling meter data. 
     It is known to provide a gaming machine which comprises a game controller arranged to randomly display several symbols from a predetermined set of symbols and to determine a game outcome such as a game win based on the displayed symbols. Such gaming machines may commonly be implemented as a stepper machine provided with reels with each reel carrying several symbols of the set, or a video machine wherein selected symbols are displayed on virtual reels on a graphical display device. Win outcomes can occur based on symbols appearing in one or more horizontal lines nominated by a player, or in any other predetermined way. 
     In at least some jurisdictions, it is a regulatory requirement that meter data is retained, such meter data including accounting data indicative of the amount of credits input into a gaming machine, the amount of credits dispensed by the gaming machine and the amount of credits available for game play, and game play data indicative of game play actions and outcomes for one or more previously played games. The purpose of the meter data is to resolve any player disputes, to ensure that an accurate record of gaming machine revenue is recorded for tax purposes, and to provide a mechanism for game operators to monitor the performance of a game. 
     The meter data is stored in the gaming machine until requested by a game accounting system, and when this occurs the accounting data is retrieved from the gaming machine so as to enable a game operator to reconcile the actual credits received by the gaming machine with the metered credit amount. 
     A similar system is provided for gaming machines arranged to selectively implement several dedicated games, i.e. multi-game gaming machines. With this arrangement, the gaming machine is capable of storing meter data relating to all games, and separate meter data relating to each game. Operation with game accounting systems is essentially the same as with a dedicated single gaming machine in that when the gaming machine is requested by a game accounting system to provide meter data the meter data stored at the gaming machine for one or more of the games is supplied to the accounting system. 
     However, current game accounting systems are relatively unsophisticated, and for gaming machines which are capable of downloading and implementing any one of a potentially large number of games stored on a remote server, it may not be possible with existing gaming machine architectures to save meter data for an indefinite number of games in existing configured meter(s). As a consequence, it is not possible to store or supply a game accounting system with metered data for each separate game on a non-dedicated gaming machine. 
     Current generation, single game slot machines, because of meter restrictions and the regulatory requirements with respect to metering, may only be able to receive a new downloaded game once each day since the game change results in a RAM clear (meter resets to “0”). It would be advantageous to be able to meter such games such that multiple downloads could occur whilst maintaining metering requirements. 
     For gaming terminals which can retain and locally meter a set of downloaded games, e.g. 10 games, it would be advantageous to meet metering requirements even though the set may be changed. It would also be advantageous to store meter data at a remote location to provide a back-up for purposes including archival and security as well as provide for business intelligence and remote access to meter data such as by, for example, regulators and manufacturers. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine comprising: 
     at least one meter arranged to generate game meter data; 
     the gaming machine being arranged to forward meter data generated by the at least one meter to a remote data storage device arranged to store meter data associated with a plurality of games; and 
     the gaming machine being arranged to retrieve meter data associated with a game from the remote data storage device when the gaming machine is requested to provide the meter data associated with the game. 
     The gaming machine may further comprise a local meter data storage device arranged to store meter data created by the at least one meter. 
     In one embodiment, the gaming machine is arranged to forward meter data stored in the meter data storage device to a remote data storage device periodically. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the gaming machine is configured so as to be capable of receiving and implementing a downloadable game, and the gaming machine is arranged to forward meter data stored in the meter data storage device to a remote data storage device immediately prior to implementing a downloaded game. 
     In a further alternative embodiment, the gaming machine is arranged to forward meter data generated by the at least one meter to a remote data storage device as the meter data is created. 
     In a further embodiment the gaming machine is configured to forward meter data to a remote storage device in advance of “zeroing” the meter RAM. 
     In one arrangement, the gaming machine is arranged to retrieve meter data associated with a game from the remote data storage device when an accounting system is connected to the gaming machine. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one meter is arranged to generate meter data including accounting data indicative of credits received in the gaming machine, credits dispensed by the gaming machine and credits available for game play, and game play data indicative of game actions and outcomes for at least one previously played game. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming system comprising: 
     at least one gaming machine comprising at least one game meter for generating meter data; 
     a remote data storage device arranged to store meter data associated with a plurality of games; and 
     a communications link arranged to facilitate transfer of meter data between the at least one gaming machine and the remote data storage device; 
     wherein the system is arranged so as to transfer meter data associated with a game from the remote data storage device to the gaming machine when the gaming machine is requested to provide the meter data associated with the game. 
     The gaming system may further comprise a game repository including game data associated with a plurality of games, the game data being selectively downloadable and implementable as a game by the at least one gaming machine. For this purpose, the gaming system may further comprise a download server arranged to download game data associated with a game from the game repository to a gaming machine when requested by the gaming machine. 
     The remote data storage device may be arranged to store a plurality of meter records, each meter record being associated with a gaming machine and each meter record including information indicative of meter data associated with the or each game downloaded and implemented by the gaming machine. Each meter record may comprise a plurality of game records, each game record including meter data indicative of a game downloaded and implemented by the gaming machine. 
     The gaming system may further be arranged so as to facilitate access to the meter data stored in the remote data storage device by a user. In one arrangement, the gaming system further comprises an access server arranged to retrieve meter data from the remote data storage device, for example under control of a computing device. Remote access may be provided to enable regulators to confirm data, to enable a casino to use the data for business intelligence (e.g. determine specific performance profiles or determine particular player activities such as coin-in, wagers and awards or determine historical performance of a machine). 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of managing meter data, said method comprising: 
     providing at least one gaming machine; 
     generating meter data at the gaming machine; 
     forwarding meter data generated at the gaming machine through a communications link to a remote data storage device arranged to store meter data associated with a plurality of games; and 
     transferring meter data associated with a game from the remote data storage device to the gaming machine when the gaming machine is requested to provide the meter data associated with the game. 
     In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system including at least one gaming machine, each gaming machine having at least one meter associated therewith to generate game meter data in connection with the play of a game, the system comprising: 
     a communication network; 
     a data storage and retrieval device; and 
     a processing device configured to transmit meter data to said data storage and retrieval device arranged to store said game meter data and to retrieve meter data associated with a game from the remote data storage device when the gaming machine is requested to provide the meter data associated with the game. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of a gaming system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic representation of a gaming machine of the gaming system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of operative components of the gaming machine shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of components of a memory of the gaming machine shown in  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of handling meter data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of handling meter data in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings, a gaming system  10  is shown which comprises at least one gaming machine  12  connected through a gaming network  14  to a download server  16  having an associated game repository  18 . 
     The game repository  18  is arranged to store game data  20  for a plurality of downloadable games, each game being servable to a gaming machine  12  by the download server  16  when requested by the gaming machine  12 . Each gaming machine  12  is configured so as to be capable of implementing any one of a plurality of games, in particular each gaming machine  12  is configured such that the gaming machine  12  is able to issue a request to the download server  16  for a game and is capable of receiving and implementing a game received from the download server  16 . 
     Downloadable games may be downloaded individually or in sets, e.g. ten games. Games may be sent to the gaming machines  12  by the operator (referred to herein as “pushing” games to the gaming machine  12 ) or may be requested by a player at a gaming machine  12  (referred to herein as “pulling” games). 
     The gaming system  10  also includes a middle tier server  22 , a database server  24  and a meter database  26  associated with the database server  24 . Meter database  26  and server  24  may be located at, for example, a designated location in a casino but remote from the casino gaming machine floor or may be located at a location geographically remote from the casino. For example, the gaming machines  12  may be located at several geographically remote casinos. Each casino includes a network  14 . Each casino may include their own meter database  26  and server  24 . All gaming machines  12  for all casinos, the middle tier server  22  and/or database server  24  may also be in communication through a wide area network  304  (e.g. worldwide web) with an enterprise terminal  300  located in several of the casinos or at a remote location. In this fashion all meter data from the gaming machines  12  across an entire enterprise of several casinos may be accessed by the enterprise terminal  300  or a remote client enterprise terminal such as one located at a regulatory authority. 
     Each gaming machine  12  is arranged to forward meter data through the gaming network  14  to the database server  24  for storage in an appropriate meter record  28 . This may occur at any suitable time, for example periodically such as every five minutes, as the meter data is generated, or immediately prior to downloading a new game to be implemented on the gaming machine  12 . In embodiments wherein meter data is periodically forwarded to the remote database server  24  or forwarded to the remote database server  24  immediately prior to changing the game implemented by the gaming machine  12 , a meter data memory  29  would also be provided at the gaming machine  12  and used to store meter data as the meter data is created during use. 
     In this example, the meter data includes accounting data indicative of credits received by a gaming machine  12 , credits dispensed by the gaming machine  12  and credits available for game play in the gaming machine; and game play data indicative of game actions and outcomes for at least one, for example  10 , previously played games. Meter data may include other information such as data to tie such information to a machine (e.g. machine number), the game played and a date and a time the meter information was generated. 
     The database server  24  is arranged to receive meter data from the or each gaming machine  12  present in the gaming system  10  and to store the meter data in a meter record  28  associated with the gaming machine  12  in the meter database  26 . 
     In this example, each meter record  28  is associated with one gaming machine  12  and includes a plurality of game records  30 . Each game record  30  includes a game identifier  32  indicative of the game, game play data  34  associated with play of the game and accounting data  36  associated with play of the game. Each meter record  28  also includes combined meter data  38  including game play data  34  associated with all games played on the gaming machine  12 , and accounting data  40  associated with all games played on the gaming machine  12 . 
     Each gaming machine  12  is also arranged to communicate with a game accounting system  42 , in this example by direct connection of the accounting system  42  to a gaming machine  12 . However, it will be understood that other arrangements are possible. For example, each gaming machine  12  may be arranged to communicate with the accounting system  42  through the gaming network  14  or in any other way. 
     Each gaming machine  12  is also configured so as to supply the accounting system  42  with meter data associated with the gaming machine  12  when the gaming machine  12  is requested to do so by the accounting system  42 . When the gaming machine  12  receives such a request, the gaming machine  12  communicates with the database server  24  through the gaming network  14  and downloads the relevant meter record  28  associated with the gaming machine  12  or the relevant game record  30  from the relevant meter record  28 . The gaming machine then supplies the meter data  34 ,  36  from the relevant game record  30  to the accounting system  42 . 
     In this example, the gaming system  10  is also arranged so as to facilitate access to the meter records  28  by a user such as a gaming system operator, in this example by connecting a computing device  44  to the middle tier server  22  which serves as an access server, and configuring the middle tier server  22  so that under control of the computing device  44  the middle tier server  22  is able to extract meter data from the meter database  26  and provide the extracted meter data to the computing device  44 . 
     In the present embodiment, each gaming machine  12  is arranged to implement a probabilistic game of the type wherein several symbols from a set of symbols are randomly displayed in a plurality of reels, and a game outcome is determined on the basis of the displayed symbols. Each reel is associated with a predetermined subset of symbols which are selectable for display. 
     With some such probabilistic games, the set of symbols include standard symbols and function symbols, and the game outcome is determined on the basis of the displayed standard symbols and the function associated with any displayed function symbol. For example, standard symbols may resemble fruit such as apples, pears and bananas with a win outcome being determined when a predetermined number of the same fruit appear on a display in the same line, scattered, and so on. The function associated with a function symbol may be for example a wild function wherein display of the function symbol is treated during consideration of the game outcome as any of the standard symbols. A function symbol may be represented as the word “WILD”, a star, or by any other suitable word or symbol. Other functions are also envisaged such as scatter functions, multiplier functions, repeat win functions, jackpot functions and feature commencement functions. 
     An example gaming machine  12  is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The gaming machine  12  includes a console  46  having a display  48  on which is displayed representations of a game  49  that can be played by a player. A mid-trim  50  of the gaming machine  12  houses a bank of buttons  52  for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim  50  also houses a credit input mechanism  54  which in this example includes a coin input chute  54 A and a bill collector  54 B. Other credit input mechanisms may also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smart card, debit card or credit card. 
     A top box  56  may carry artwork  58 , including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel  59  of the console  42 . A coin tray  60  is mounted beneath the front panel  59  for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine  30 . 
     The display  49  is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, the display  49  may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, or any other suitable video display unit. The top box  56  may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which may be of the same type as the display  49 , or of a different type. 
     In the example, the display  49  is arranged to display representations of several reels, each reel of which has several associated symbols. Typically 3, 4 or 5 reels are provided. During operation of the game, the reels first appear to rotate then stop with typically three symbols visible on each reel. Game outcomes are determined on the basis of the visible symbols together with any special functions associated with the symbols, and if a function has been allocated to a reel, on the basis of the allocated function. 
     A player marketing module (PMM)  62  having a display  64  is connected to the gaming machine  10 . The main purpose of the PMM  62  is to allow the player to interact with a player loyalty system. The PMM has a magnetic card reader for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. However other reading devices may be employed and the player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. 
       FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of operative components  70  of the gaming machine  12  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The operative components  70  include a game controller  71  having a processor  72 . Instructions and data to control operation of the processor  72  in accordance with the present invention are stored in a memory  74  which is in data communication with the processor  72 . 
     Typically, the operative components  70  will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory  74 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplary memory  74 . The memory  74  includes RAM  75 A, EPROM  75 B and a mass storage device  75 C. The RAM  75 A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor  72  and related data. The EPROM  75 B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device  75 C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor  72  using protected code from the EPROM  75 B or elsewhere. In this embodiment, the memory  74  also includes a local meter data storage device  29  which stores meter data as the meter data is created. 
     The gaming machine  12  also comprises hardware meters  76  for creating meter data including accounting data and game play data, an input/output (I/O) interface  78  for communicating with a player interface  79  of the gaming machine  12 , the player interface  79  having several peripheral devices. The input/output interface  78  and/or the peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memory for storing associated instructions and data for use with the input/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random number generator module  94  generates random numbers for use by the processor  72 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 3 , the peripheral devices that communicate with the game controller  71  comprise one or more displays  80 , a touch screen and/or bank of buttons  82 , a card and/or ticket reader  84 , a printer  86 , a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism  88  and a coin output mechanism  90 . Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine  12 , or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. 
     In addition, the operative components  70  include a communications interface, for example a network card  92  which enables the gaming machine  12  to communicate with the gaming network  14 . 
     Operation of the gaming system  10  will now be described in relation to flow diagram  100  shown in  FIG. 5  which illustrates an example method of handling meter data using the gaming system  10 . 
     Referring to steps  102  to  118  of the flow diagram  100 , during use prior to playing a game on a gaming machine  12 , a meter record  28  is first created for the gaming machine  12  and stored on the meter database  26 , each meter record  28  including several game records  30  associated with downloadable games implementable by the gaming machine  12 . 
     After selection of a game to be implemented by the gaming machine  12 , for example by a player, game data corresponding to the selected game(s) is downloaded from the game repository  18  to the gaming machine  12  by the download server  16  and the gaming machine  12  implements the game. 
     In this embodiment, the gaming machine  12  includes a local meter data storage device and meter data including accounting data and game play data is stored on the local meter data storage device as the meter data is created. 
     When the gaming machine  12  receives instructions, for example from a player, to change the game implemented by the gaming machine  12 , the gaming machine  12  sends the locally stored meter data to the remote meter database  26  and the meter data is stored in the relevant game record  30  in the meter record  28  associated with the gaming machine  12 . The local meter data storage device is then cleared and a fresh game is downloaded from the game repository  18 . 
     When the gaming machine  12  receives a request from an accounting system  42  to provide meter data relating to one or more games, the gaming machine  12  sends a request to the database server  24  to retrieve meter data associated with the gaming machine  12  and relating to the relevant game(s) and the database server  24  supplies the requested meter data to the gaming machine  12 . The gaming machine  12  then passes the retrieved meter data to the accounting system  42 . 
     An alternative arrangement is illustrated by flow diagram  130  in  FIG. 6 . 
     With reference to steps  132  to  148 , operation of this arrangement is similar to the example shown in  FIG. 5 . However, with this example meter data is not stored locally at the gaming machine  12 , and instead is forwarded to the remote database server  24  as the meter data is created. 
     In a further alternative arrangement, the gaming machine may be provided with a local meter data storage device, but instead of forwarding meter data to the database server  24  only when a decision is made to change a game, meter data may be stored in the local meter data storage device and periodically forwarded to the database server  24 , for example at predetermined intervals such as every five minutes. 
     While the meter data can be stored locally at the gaming machine  12 , the redundant acceptance and storage of such data at the database  26  provides several advantages. It provides a back-up to the critical meter data for a casino and/or enterprise. Should a memory become corrupted or there is a casualty loss such as a fire, the meter data is retained. Second, for an enterprise with multiple casino locations, the combined meter data across the enterprise can be backed-up and data mined. As but an example, the enterprise may wish to look at the data for a game across the enterprise to determine whether it is profitable or in line with the profit expectations of the enterprise. 
     Another feature is that the database  26  can be remotely examined and interrogated by third party clients such as government regulators or games providers to confirm revenue reporting by the enterprise, confirm third party game license rates or provide the games providers with information regarding the performance of the games. 
     Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.