Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US7951005?dq=%22virtual+interaction+configuration%22
Timestamp: 2014-08-20 09:29:34
Document Index: 734352688

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 2004205042', 'Application No. 0503823', 'Application No. 0503823', 'Application No. 0503823', 'Application No. 0503823', 'Application No. 0503823', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 2', 'Application No. 05711513', 'Application No. 05711513']

Patent US7951005 - Network gaming system management - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign in<nobr>Advanced Patent Search</nobr>PatentsA data presentation system that allows a user to view information from a game network in real-time is disclosed. Information is collected from a game network and stored in a data repository. Data is gathered from the data repository, filtered, formatted, and displayed on a viewer of a user machine connected...http://www.google.com/patents/US7951005?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7951005 - Network gaming system managementAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS7951005 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 11/036,530Publication dateMay 31, 2011Filing dateJan 12, 2005Priority dateJan 14, 2004Also published asCA2553411A1, EP1706853A1, US20050170892, WO2005069235A1Publication number036530, 11036530, US 7951005 B2, US 7951005B2, US-B2-7951005, US7951005 B2, US7951005B2InventorsKeith W. AtkinsonOriginal AssigneeIgtExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (28), Non-Patent Citations (47), Referenced by (2), Classifications (12), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetNetwork gaming system managementUS 7951005 B2Abstract A data presentation system that allows a user to view information from a game network in real-time is disclosed. Information is collected from a game network and stored in a data repository. Data is gathered from the data repository, filtered, formatted, and displayed on a viewer of a user machine connected to the data presentation system. A user can select from a number of data views and customize the views, thus ensuring that the desired information is available to the user. Information is updated at a pre-selected rate, or as the network allows. Information may be retained for a period of time, for example, for a shift period. Pre-filtering of data can provide notice to a user when predetermined network events occur.
TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to networked gaming devices, and, more specifically, to a system for monitoring activity of the gaming devices and the players using the gaming devices as the devices are being played.
BACKGROUND Gaming machines are popular entertainment devices. Present gaming machines provide an opportunity for a user to play a variety of popular games on the machines, such as fruit machines or slot-type games, video adaptations of standard card games like poker and blackjack, and many other types of games.
SUMMARY In one aspect, the invention features a data presentation system of a gaming network. The data presentation system comprises a communications interface to the gaming network to allow information about the gaming network to be accessed. The data presentation system further includes a user machine to access the information data in response to queries from a user and to present responses in real time.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Embodiments of the invention include a data presentation system that presents data about a gaming network in real-time. Users can view information presented to a screen or display. In some embodiments of the invention, the data is communicated to a handheld device over a wireless network, which is accessed by a user. The user can select data summaries for past events or can capture network events as they occur.
The server cluster 56 is attached to and manages several databases, such as a slot accounting database 90, a patron management database 92, a ticket wizard database 94, a �Cage Credit and Table Games� (CCTG) database 96, a player tracking database 98, and a cashless database 99. These databases are collectively referred to as the databases 100. Of course these databases 100 are only exemplary, and more or fewer databases can be part of the gaming network 5. In some embodiments, particular servers in the server cluster 56 manage a single database. For example, a single server in the server cluster 56 may manage the slot accounting database 90, while another server manages the patron management database 92. Such implementation details are well within the expertise of one skilled in the art. However, for ease of illustration, FIG. 1 shows a single server cluster 56 that is coupled to all of the databases 100.
The host 210 includes a data parser 212, a server, such as an �http� or �web� server 214, and a wireless host component 216. Additionally, the host 210 is coupled to a database 218, which may or may not be physically included in a same cabinet as the host 210. As data is received from the interface 62, such as data collected anywhere from the gaming network 5, it is separated or �parsed� by the data parser 212, and stored on the database 218, to be accessed by a user device.
Additionally, �excessive� events can be illustrated. For example, a number of gaming machine fills may be flagged as excessive if it exceeds a set number. For instance, a casino may indicate that if the same machine has more than 3 fills during an eight-hour shift, a problem may be arising and should be checked. Other casinos may be more comfortable with 6 fills in the same eight hour shift. Other excessive events may include auxiliary fills (filling the cabinet, but not the machine itself), illegal door opens, runaway meters, coin drop doors, cash drop doors, bill acceptor removals, handpay resets, jackpot pays, or change lamps on, for instance.
The communication hub 102 collects data from the floor 118 as �events� when they happen and when they are reported by, for example, an EGM10. Events include, for example, doors to the EGMs 10 being opened, jackpots or other large amounts being awarded, etc. The event monitor 104 is connected between the connection hub 102 and the server cluster 56. In operation, the event monitor 104 combines live data from the communication hub 102 with historical data from one or more of the databases 100, and generates warnings, indications, and signals for someone monitoring the gaming network 5. For instance, the event monitor 104 will create a warning if the door to a particular EGM 10 is opened but no employee identification card has been inserted in that EGM10.
In addition to hardware connectivity, the server 110 communicates to the wireless devices 140 through a secure data connectivity layer. Specifically, the server 110 and the wireless device 140 can be connected through a VPN (Virtual Private Network). VPNs typically use a tunneling procedure, which places a data packet within another packet. The outer packet provides particular routing information for the embedded packet. Additionally, the embedded packet can be encrypted for additional security. In such systems, only the VPN server and the client know the proper �keys� to unlock the packets. Even if unauthorized wireless devices could gain access to a data packet, because the data within the outer packet is additionally encrypted, the unauthorized device could not read any of the data.
An example of a screen that can be shown by the browser 222 or wireless device 230 (FIG. 2) or on an other wireless device 140 (FIGS. 1, 3, 4) is illustrated in FIG. 5. In the following description, reference to the browser 222 indicates any device that can show the reference screen. In FIG. 5, the browser 222 shows that a location �C0705� is listed. This is the code giving the location for a particular gaming device 10. The denomination for the particular game is $0.25, and the player is �carded�, i.e., the player using the gaming device 10 has entered a player identification card into the gaming device and is recognized by the gaming network 5. The coin-in is $0.75, which means, for the present session, the player has placed 75 cents in the machine. The next line shows that the player has lost his or her wager. Other fields give the average bet, player identification, identification card number and the name of the player.
By selecting hotlinks on the browser display 222, for instance the �Location� and the �Player Name� buttons, other displays are shown on the browser screen 222. Illustrated in FIG. 5 is only a single machine, but other display screens allow the user to view multiple games, or summary data of multiple games, as described below. For example, a user can view data by sections or by predicts. A user can also pick just the uncarded or carded play on the floor. Then, the user could drill down from, as an example, a carded or uncarded player to see exactly what that individual has been doing on the floor, how long the player has been playing, how many games have been played, what the average bet is, what the coin in is and if he's in a plus or minus, loss or win position, for example.
FIG. 6 is another screen that can be shown by the browser 222. This screen illustrates a number of different machines in regions A-E. Note that the regions A-E are also checked in the lower part of the screen. Selecting different region checkboxes would cause the machines in those areas to be displayed. Different pushbuttons also appear, which can be selected by a user. Carded and uncarded specifications designate, as described above, that the player of the particular gaming device 10 either has inserted or has not inserted a valid player tracking card. Additionally two pushbutton selections specify either �Hot players� or �Hot Uncarded Players�.
Hot players are those players who meet certain criteria, such as a minimum number of bets over a session (a session begins when a player begins playing a gaming device, or enters their player tracking card, and ends when the player removes his or her card. For uncarded players, a session begins when monetary value is deposited in a gaming device, and ends when the player has finished playing, which can be determined by, for example, 60 seconds of no activity on the game). Hot uncarded players are those who meet the �hot� criteria, but who did not insert a player tracking card. Hot uncarded players are described in the following section. By selecting the appropriate buttons, a user can narrow which machines are shown in the display.
FIG. 7 illustrates details for a particular player, while FIG. 8 illustrates details for a particular machine. FIG. 9 illustrates, in hourly increments, the number of total players utilizing a particular gaming network 5. This information can be used to develop specific promotions at certain times to promote more players at typical slow times. FIG. 10 is a report screen that is shown on the browser 222 that shows the �hot players� that have played in the last time period in the gaming network 5. Because these players are the type that a casino would like to have as regular players, particular attention is paid to them. Locating them as they are playing, as described below, can be beneficial to a casino because they may become loyalty patrons.
On FIG. 17 is illustrated a total number of players during a shift, where �players� can be defined in a number of ways. One such way is that a player is one who puts money or value in a gaming device and plays a game. If the player continues to play games, they are still only considered to be a single player (who has a multiple gaming session). If the player leaves and a new player comes to the gaming machine, the new player is counted as another player if, for example, there has been a 1 or 2 minute delay since the first player had last made some sort of action on the gaming device.
The screen can also illustrate how many change lights are currently lit, as well as how many �hot players� are presently active on the gaming floor.
Under a block entitled shift slot department, the number and positions of casino personnel presently working on the floor can be illustrated. Additionally, by pressing a �detail report button�, further information can be shown. An example of a detailed report screen is shown in FIG. 16. In that figure, data about casino employees, their names, identification numbers, titles, and the times they change shifts is shown. Such data can be very valuable in managing personnel and maximizing people resources on a casino floor. A screen such as shown in FIG. 16 may open in a daughter window when the �detail report button� is pressed in FIG. 17.
In a box entitled �excessive events�, particular events may be shown. A color next to the particular event may indicate whether the number of times the even has happened in a shift is �excessive� or not. The number of events that is deemed as excessive can be set by a manufacturer, or a casino, for instance. If the number of events is set by the casino, a pull-down box can be presented, where the casino sets a number that makes the particular event excessive. For example, in FIG. 17, the number next to �fills� is 4, which means that the operator considers more than four (or four or more) events to be excessive. When four (or more than four) such events occur during a shift, an icon next to the particular event may indicate that the number has been exceeded. The icon may turn color, or flash, for example. Such customization makes it very easy to see if any excessive events have occurred during the time from when the display has been reset. Resets may occur hourly, or after a particular shift, for example.
One such application is detecting �hot� players�i.e., those players who have a threshold level of bets, wagers, number of games, or time spent at a gaming device 10, for instance.
Computation Period�This is the amount of time between successive play rate calculations. At the end of each period, play rate would be calculated as:
Play Rate Threshold�if play rate is greater than this value the player is considered a Hot Player
N Session Start�This is the number of consecutive computation periods with hot un-carded play that would be required for the system to declare an active hot un-carded session is in progress
N Session End�This is the number of consecutive computation periods without hot un-carded play that would be required for the system to declare the active hot un-carded session as completed.
Current Hot Un-carded Player Session List�This report/screen is a list of all machines on the floor with hot un-carded play. The operator should be able to filter the by machine number, denomination and machine location. The list should include machine number, location, session start time, session duration, status information (see next section) and computed play rate at the start of the session. The operator should be able to sort on all fields
Historical Hot Un-carded Player Session�This report/screen should give a list of hot un-carded play sessions for a user specified time period. The report should include: Session start and end time, machine number, status information (see next section), and play rate at the start of the session
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5761647May 24, 1996Jun 2, 1998Harrah's Operating Company, Inc.National customer recognition system and methodUS5876284May 13, 1996Mar 2, 1999Acres Gaming IncorporatedMethod and apparatus for implementing a jackpot bonus on a network of gaming devicesUS6001016Dec 31, 1996Dec 14, 1999Walker Asset Management Limited PartnershipRemote gaming deviceUS6110044Jul 15, 1997Aug 29, 2000Stern; Richard H.Method and apparatus for issuing and automatically validating gaming machine payout ticketsUS6254483May 29, 1998Jul 3, 2001Acres Gaming IncorporatedMethod and apparatus for controlling the cost of playing an electronic gaming deviceUS6371852 *Aug 14, 1998Apr 16, 2002Acres Gaming IncorporatedMethod for crediting a player of an electronic gaming deviceUS6394907Aug 25, 2000May 28, 2002International Game TechnologyCashless transaction clearinghouseUS6682423 *Jun 26, 2002Jan 27, 2004IgtOpen architecture communications in a gaming networkUS6885901Sep 3, 2002Apr 26, 2005Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaLSI manufacturing support server, LSI manufacturing support method, and LSI manufacturing support programUS6908390Mar 29, 2002Jun 21, 2005IgtApparatus and method for a gaming tournament networkUS6923724Apr 22, 2002Aug 2, 2005IgtGaming system allowing location determination of a gaming unit in a casinoUS20010041612Apr 5, 2001Nov 15, 2001Masood GarahiSystems and methods for cross-platform access to a wagering interfaceUS20020040313 *Sep 5, 2001Apr 4, 2002Hunter David ScottSystem and method of real time deploymentUS20020042296Oct 23, 2001Apr 11, 2002Walker Jay S.Method and apparatus for team play of slot machinesUS20020090988 *Mar 12, 2002Jul 11, 2002Brian FrostAutomatic table gameUS20020098888Nov 19, 2001Jul 25, 2002International Game TechnologyWireless gaming environmentUS20020187834Apr 4, 2002Dec 12, 2002Rick RoweSystem, method and interface for monitoring player game play in real timeUS20030036425Aug 6, 2002Feb 20, 2003IgtFlexible loyalty points programsUS20030054868Sep 20, 2001Mar 20, 2003International Game TechnologyGame service interfaces for player tracking touch screen displayUS20030069071 *Sep 28, 2001Apr 10, 2003Tim BrittEntertainment monitoring system and methodUS20030109308 *Sep 26, 2002Jun 12, 2003Rick RoweMethod and apparatus for graphically portraying gaming environment and information regarding components thereofUS20040002386 *Jun 27, 2003Jan 1, 2004Horseshoe Gaming Holding Corp.Wireless casino information management system and methodUS20040063498Sep 30, 2002Apr 1, 2004Sony CorporationSystem and method for flexibly implementing a wireless gaming networkUS20040127291 *Sep 12, 2003Jul 1, 2004Jeffrey GeorgeSystem and method for retrieving remote device informationUS20040214622Jan 8, 2004Oct 28, 2004Acres Gaming IncorporatedSystem for real-time game network trackingUS20070021198Aug 31, 2006Jan 25, 2007IgtMethod and apparatus for registering a mobile device with a gaming machineWO1996012262A1Oct 5, 1995Apr 25, 1996Acres Gaming IncComputer network for controlling and monitoring gaming devicesWO2004064354A1Jan 8, 2004Jul 29, 2004Acres Gaming IncSystem for realtime game network tracking* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1"Cage Credit Table Games", Oct. 10, 2003, pp. 1-2, XP002331196, Internet URL:http://web.archive.org/web/20031010141816/www.acresgaming.com/view-category.cfm=CPCatID=2&PcatID=9>.2"Casino Technology: Player Tracking and Slot Accounting Systems," Wang, et al., Gaming Research and Review Journal, UNLV, International Gaming Institute, Las Vegas, NV, US, vol. 6, No. 1, 2000, pp. 43-56, XP001149561.3"Graphical Mapping Analysis", Oct. 10, 2003, pp. 1-2, XP002331195, Internet URL:http://web.archive.org/web/20031010135942/www.acresgaming.com/view-category.cfm?GPCatID=2&PCatID=13>.4"Mobile Data Access", Oct. 17, 2003, pp. 1-2, XP002331193, Internet URL:http://web.archive.org/web/20031017154345/ www.acresgaming.com/view-story.cfm?ContID=2&PCatID=6>.5"Network", Jun. 22, 2003, pp. 1, XP002331197, Internet URL:http://web.archive.org/web/20030623015856/ www.acresgaming.com/view-category.cfm?GPCatID=2&PCatID=14>.6"Slot Accounting", Oct. 17, 2003, pp. 1-2, XP002331194, Internet URL:http://web.archive.org/web/20031209220335/www.acresgaming.com/view-category.cfm?GPCatID=2&PCatID=8>.7"Cage Credit Table Games", Oct. 10, 2003, pp. 1-2, XP002331196, Internet URL:http://web.archive.org/web/20031010141816/www.acresgaming.com/view�category.cfm=CPCatID=2&PcatID=9>.8"Graphical Mapping Analysis", Oct. 10, 2003, pp. 1-2, XP002331195, Internet URL:http://web.archive.org/web/20031010135942/www.acresgaming.com/view�category.cfm?GPCatID=2&PCatID=13>.9"Mobile Data Access", Oct. 17, 2003, pp. 1-2, XP002331193, Internet URL:http://web.archive.org/web/20031017154345/ www.acresgaming.com/view�story.cfm?ContID=2&PCatID=6>.10"Network", Jun. 22, 2003, pp. 1, XP002331197, Internet URL:http://web.archive.org/web/20030623015856/ www.acresgaming.com/view�category.cfm?GPCatID=2&PCatID=14>.11"Slot Accounting", Oct. 17, 2003, pp. 1-2, XP002331194, Internet URL:http://web.archive.org/web/20031209220335/www.acresgaming.com/view�category.cfm?GPCatID=2&PCatID=8>.12Australia Examination Report dated Jun. 3, 2008 from Australian Application No. 2004205042.13British Examination Report dated Jan. 17, 2007 from British Application No. 0503823.7.14British Examination Report dated Mar. 26, 2007 from British Application No. 0503823.7.15British Examination Report dated May 26, 2006 from British Application No. 0503823.7.16British Examination Report dated Oct. 24, 2006 from British Application No. 0503823.7.17British Examination Report dated Oct. 26, 2005 from British Application No. 0503823.7.18Canada Office Action dated Jun. 15, 2005 from CA Application No. 2,491,431.19Canadian Office Action dated Jul. 8, 2009 from Application No. 2,491,431.20Canadian Office Action dated Jul. 8, 2009 from corresponding Canada Application No. 2,491,431.21Canadian Office Action dated Sep. 4, 2008 from Application No. 2,491,431.22Canadian Office Action dated Sep. 4, 2008 from Canada Application No. 2,491,431.23EP Office Action mailed Dec. 4, 2006 from corresponding EP Application No. 05711513.1.24EP Summons to Attend Oral Proceedings mailed Aug. 13, 2007 from corresponding EP Application No. 05711513.1.25International Search Report and dated Jul. 5, 2004 from PCT Application No. PCT/US04/000568.26International Search Report and dated Jun. 28, 2005 from corresponding PCT Application No. PCT/US05/001386.27U.S. Advisory Action mailed Apr. 9, 2009 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/755,202.28U.S. Notice of Allowance dated Jun. 9, 2010 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/755,202.29U.S. Office Action dated Mar. 6, 2008 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/755,202.30U.S. Office Action dated Oct. 27, 2008 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/723,375.31U.S. Office Action mailed Apr. 14, 2009 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/723,375.32U.S. Office Action mailed Apr. 24, 2008, from U.S. Appl. No. 10/723,375.33U.S. Office Action mailed Aug. 14, 2008, from U.S. Appl. No. 10/755,202.34U.S. Office Action mailed Feb. 6, 2009, from U.S. Appl. No. 10/755,202.35U.S. Office Action mailed Jun. 29, 2007, from U.S. Appl. No. 10/755,202.36U.S. Office Action mailed May 21, 2009 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/755,202.37U.S. Office Action mailed May 31, 2007, from U.S. Appl. No. 10/723,375.38U.S. Office Action mailed Nov. 1, 2007, from U.S. Appl. No. 10/723,375.39U.S. Office Action mailed Oct. 12, 2006, from U.S. Appl. No. 10/723,375.40US Advisory Action dated Feb. 12, 2009 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/723,375.41US Advisory Action dated Feb. 23, 2010 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/723,375.42US Office Action dated Apr. 14, 2009 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/723,375.43US Office Action dated Apr. 9, 2010 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/723,375.44US Office Action dated Nov. 2, 2009 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/723,375.45US Office Action mailed Mar. 23, 2010 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/755,202.46US Office Action mailed May 21, 2009 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/755,202.47US Office Action mailed Oct. 29, 2009 from U.S. Appl. No. 10/755,202.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS20090054139 *Jun 24, 2008Feb 26, 2009Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty. LimitedMethod Of Displaying Performance Data, A Performance Manager And A Performance Management SystemUS20110294575 *Feb 7, 2011Dec 1, 2011Bally Gaming, Inc.Method for Monitoring and Controlling Gaming Devices* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification463/42, 463/29, 463/25, 463/16International ClassificationG07F17/32, A63F13/00Cooperative ClassificationG07F17/3232, G07F17/32, G07F17/3239European ClassificationG07F17/32, G07F17/32E6, G07F17/32E6D2Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMay 24, 2006ASAssignmentOwner name: IGT, NEVADAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ACRES GAMING INCORPORATED;REEL/FRAME:017669/0919Effective date: 20060515Apr 8, 2005ASAssignmentOwner name: ACRES GAMING INCORPORATED, NEVADAFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ATKINSON, KEITH W.;REEL/FRAME:016037/0289Effective date: 20050110RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google