Patent ID: 7455591

Claim:
A data collection unit that provides redundant gaming communication between gaming machines, gaming devices and host servers on a gaming communication network, the data collection unit comprising: a first, primary transmission path between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and a host server; at least a second, redundant transmission path between the gaming machines on the gaming communication network and the host server for transmission of player tracking data and progressive game play data; a logic device designed or configured to i) monitor an availability of each of the first transmission path and the second transmission path, ii) to collect data from at least one of the gaming machine and the gaming devices, iii) to execute a plurality of heterogeneous gaming applications, and iv) to initiate interim server functions if the first transmission path and the second transmission path are unavailable; a transcoding device for transforming a format and a representation of game service content data in real time including a content analyzer to determine a type and a function of the game service content, thereby transforming game service content according to authoring intention, gaming device constraints, and game policies, wherein target device capabilities, game content restrictions, and the game service content are analyzed and wherein gaming regulation restrictions are satisfied; and a protocol mediation component for reconciling two or more communication protocols where data from a first device using a first protocol are translated into a second protocol used by a second device, the translation using a protocol table stored in the enhanced DCU, the table storing gaming devices, supported applications, and protocols used by an application.