Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/411,370, filed Mar. 25, 2009, which is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/458,215, filed Jun. 10, 2003, now abandoned. The entire disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/411,370 and 10/458,215 are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    [Not Applicable] 
       MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE 
       [0003]    [Not Applicable] 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    This invention relates to gaming systems, and more particularly relates to processing and communication of data related to progressive jackpots calculated by such systems. 
         [0005]    A large gaming casino typically employs thousands of gaming machines that can be operated simultaneously. These gaming machines can be used to simultaneously play multiple games using multiple progressive jackpots as rewards. For example, a first group of users simultaneously may be playing a first group of gaming machines employing a first progressive jackpot at multiple gaming facilities, while a second group of users simultaneously may be playing a second group of gaming machines employing a second progressive jackpot at the multiple facilities. Typically, the gaming machines include jackpot meters that generate jackpot data used to calculate the progressive jackpots. The jackpot data is transmitted from each gaming machine and each gaming location to a progressive jackpot server at a remote location, which may receive a large amount of data, including jackpot data, during a short time period. Experience has shown that the data may be lost due to network congestion or to inadequate processing speed to accommodate the large volume of data. In addition, in the past, each progressive jackpot has required a separate link and separate communication line from a gaming facility to the remote location. This results in addition expense to install and maintain the multiple links and communication lines. 
         [0006]    Gaming facilities in different locations are increasingly owned by a single legal entity, such as a corporation. There is expected to be a demand for a first group of progressive jackpots based on play of progressive gaming machines located in many, if not all, facilities owned by a single corporation, and demand for a second group of progressive jackpots based on play of progressive gaming machines located in a single one of the commonly-owned gaming facilities. In addition, there is expected to be a demand for progressive games that enable play of a progressive game on gaming machines owned by multiple corporations at multiple gaming facilities. Providing progressive jackpots for these various arrangements&#39; presents problems solved by at least one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0007]    One system for calculating progressive jackpots based on data from multiple gaming facilities is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,076 (Pease et al, issued Jun. 16, 1998, the &#39;076 Patent”). That system includes a processor  138  that aggregates contributions to a progressive jackpot and maintains a current database of gaming machines  108 . Data from processor  138  is sent to a central computer system  106  via modems and a network. Other casinos  165  also are connected to the central computer system  106  via a network. Central system  106  does jackpot calculations based on data received from the casinos. However, there appears to be no teaching or suggestion in the &#39;076 Patent for transmitting data for multiple progressive jackpots or links over a single communication network. There also appears to be no teaching or suggestion for accommodating progressive jackpots based on machines owned by different corporations. 
         [0008]    Another gaming system for calculating a progressive jackpot also is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,010 (Jorasch et al., issued Mar. 20, 2001). This patent also appears to contain no teaching or suggestion for transmitting data for multiple progressive jackpots or links over a single communication network. There also appears to be no teaching or suggestion for accommodating progressive jackpots based on machines owned by different corporations. 
         [0009]    Another system for handling progressive jackpots is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,752,882 (Acres et al., issue May 19, 1998). As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 30 , meter information from games is stored locally in floor controllers  18  and  28  before being sent to a file server  32  over an Ethernet network  38  (Col. 2, lines 62-65; Col. 32, lines 40-55). According to Col. 36, lines 16-36, any number of gaming machines on the network can be combined in a common progressive jackpot. A jackpot processing terminal  36  is connected to the network ( FIG. 1 ). The number of progressive jackpots is said not to be limited by the number of floor controllers since one floor controller can manage more than one progressive jackpot. However, the patent does not described how this objective could be achieved. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  29  and  30 , a game can request data from the file server  32 . The data retrieved from the file server is stored in an outgoing message queue of the floor controller before being sent to a game (Col. 33, lines 47-63). A player&#39;s name and points are displayed on a vacuum fluorescent display  102  ( FIG. 8 ; Col. 15, line 38-Col. 16, line 30; Col. 26, lines 63-66). There also appears to be no teaching or suggestion for accommodating progressive jackpots based on machines owned by different corporations. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,158 (Torango et al.) describes a gaming system for multiple progressive games. According to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , gaming machines may be located in different retail locations, such as casinos or regions or portions of casinos (Col. 4, lines 35-40). The gaming machines are arranged to play different progressive games  134   a ,  134   b , and  134   c . The machines for game  134   b  span locations  110   a  and  110   b . The machines for game  134   c  also are included in the machines for game  134   b . Communication lines  132   a ,  132   b , and  132   c  transmit data to a central system  112 , and at least one of the lines carries partial data for calculating more than one progressive jackpot. However, the Torango et al. system does not provide for transmission of data from multiple locations that contribute to multiple progressive jackpots common to those locations. 
         [0011]    None of the foregoing patents effectively addresses the problem of reducing the number of communication networks between gaming facilities in different locations that use a common jackpot facility for calculating progressive jackpots played at the gaming facilities, and none addressed the problem of accommodating progressive jackpots based on machines owned by different corporations. The present invention addresses the foregoing problem and provides solutions. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    A first apparatus embodiment of the invention is useful for processing a plurality of progressive jackpots in response to data from a plurality of gaming machines. In such an environment, the apparatus comprises a first plurality of gaming machines controlled by a first legal entity and located at a first site. The first plurality of gaming machines are arranged to generate first progressive jackpot data. A second plurality of gaming machines is controlled by the first legal entity and is located at a second site geographically separated from the first site. The second plurality of gaming machines is arranged to generate second progressive jackpot data. A third plurality of gaming machines is controlled by a second legal entity different from the first legal entity and is located at a third site geographically separated from the first site and the second site. The third plurality of gaming machines is arranged to generate third progressive jackpot data. A fourth plurality of gaming machines within the first plurality of gaming machines is controlled by the first legal entity, and the fourth plurality of gaming machines is arranged to generate fourth progressive jackpot data. A fifth plurality of gaming machines within the second plurality of gaming machines is controlled by the first legal entity, and the fifth plurality of gaming machines is arranged to generate fifth progressive jackpot data. A sixth plurality of gaming machines within the third plurality of gaming machines is controlled by the second legal entity, and the sixth plurality of gaming machines is arranged to generate sixth progressive jackpot data. A network is arranged to transmit the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth progressive jackpot data. A progressive jackpot controller is arranged to calculate a first progressive jackpot value at least in part in response to the first, second and third progressive jackpot data, to calculate a second progressive jackpot value at least in part in response to the first and second, progressive jackpot data, to calculate a third progressive jackpot value at least in part in response to the third progressive jackpot data, to calculate a fourth progressive jackpot value at least in part in response to the fourth progressive jackpot data, to calculate a fifth progressive jackpot value at least in part in response to the fifth progressive jackpot data, and to calculate a sixth progressive jackpot value at least in part in response to the sixth progressive jackpot data. 
         [0013]    A second apparatus embodiment of the invention is useful for processing a first progressive jackpot and a second progressive jackpot. In such an environment, the apparatus comprises first gaming machines at a first gaming facility in a first location arranged to play a first game and arranged to generate first jackpot data used at least in part to calculate the first progressive jackpot. Second gaming machines are located at the first gaming facility, arranged to play a second game and arranged to generate second jackpot data used at least in part to calculate the second progressive jackpot. Third gaming machines are located at a second gaming facility in a second location different from the first location, arranged to play a third game and arranged to generate third jackpot data used at least in part to calculate the first progressive jackpot. Fourth gaming machines are located at the second gaming facility, arranged to play a fourth game and arranged to generate fourth jackpot data used at least in part to calculate the second progressive jackpot. A progressive jackpot server at a location different from at least one of the first location and the second location is arranged to calculate the amount of the first progressive jackpot and the amount of the second progressive jackpot. A communication network is arranged to transmit the first jackpot data, the second jackpot data, the third jackpot data and the fourth jackpot data. A first monitoring computer is coupled to the communication network and is arranged to store the first jackpot data and the second jackpot data before calculation of the first and second jackpot amount by the server, and a second monitoring computer is coupled to the communication network and is arranged to store the third jackpot data and the fourth jackpot data before calculation of the first and second jackpot amount by the server. 
         [0014]    A first method form of the invention is useful in a gaming system for processing a plurality of progressive jackpots. In such an environment, the method comprises generating first progressive jackpot data at a first gaming facility controlled by a first legal entity and located at a first site, generating second progressive jackpot data at a second gaming facility controlled by the first legal entity and located at a second site geographically separated from the first site, and generating third progressive jackpot data at a third gaming facility controlled by a second legal entity different from the first legal entity and located at a third site geographically separated from the first site and the second site. Fourth progressive jackpot data is generated at the first gaming facility, fifth progressive jackpot data is generated at the second gaming facility, and sixth progressive jackpot data is generated at the third gaming facility. The first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth progressive jackpot data is transmitted. A first progressive jackpot value is calculated at least in part in response to the first, second and third progressive jackpot data. A second progressive jackpot value is calculated at least in part in response to the first and second progressive jackpot data. A third progressive jackpot value is calculated at least in, part in response to the third progressive jackpot data. A fourth progressive jackpot value is calculated at least in part in response to the fourth progressive jackpot data. A fifth progressive jackpot value is calculated at least in part in response to the fifth progressive jackpot data, and a sixth progressive jackpot value is calculated at least in part in response to the sixth progressive jackpot data. 
         [0015]    A second method form of the invention is useful in a gaming system for processing a first progressive jackpot and a second progressive jackpot by using a communication network. In such an environment, the method comprises generating first jackpot data used at least in part to calculate the first progressive jackpot at a first gaming facility in a first location, generating second jackpot data used at least in part to calculate the second progressive jackpot at the first. gaming facility, and generating third jackpot data used at least in part to calculate the first progressive jackpot at a second gaming facility in a second location different from the first location. Fourth jackpot data is generated and used at least in part to calculate the second progressive jackpot at the second gaming facility. At a location different from at least one of the first location and the second location, the amount of the first progressive jackpot is calculated and the amount of the second progressive jackpot is calculated. Via the communication network, the first jackpot data, the second jackpot data, the third jackpot data and the fourth jackpot data are transmitted. The first jackpot data and the second jackpot data are stored before calculation of the first and second jackpot amount, and the third jackpot data and the fourth jackpot data are stored before calculation of the first and second jackpot amount. 
         [0016]    By using techniques of the foregoing type, progressive jackpot gaming data may be stored, processed and communicated with a degree of ease and reliability previously unavailable. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of one form of gaming system made in accordance with the invention that enables multi-site progressive games controlled by different corporations. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of one arrangement for implementing the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a schematic block diagram of a second arrangement for implementing the system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a gaming system  10  made in accordance with the invention includes a progressive jackpot central authority  20  that receives progressive jackpot data from various gaming facilities C 1 -C 4  over a conventional network  30 , such as a frame relay or internet or direct line. The network transmits data with TCP/IP protocol, or the network may include digital subscriber lines. Other types of networks also may be employed. The network includes network communication lines, such as sets of lines  31 - 38 . Each of lines  31 - 38  may represent a plurality of lines, depending on the type of protocol used. Lines  31 - 38  may use any form of communication, including communication employing TCP/IP protocol. 
         [0021]    Facilities C 1 -C 4  include casinos located at different locations remote from each other. Casinos C 1 -C 3  are owned or controlled by a common legal entity, such as a first corporation. Casino C 4  is owned or controlled by another legal entity, such as a second corporation different from the first corporation. 
         [0022]    Each of casinos C 1 -C 4  includes multiple banks of progressive jackpot gaming machines. A bank of gaming machines is a series of machines having some phase of operation in common, such as contributing to one or more common progressive jackpot games. 
         [0023]    Central authority  20  calculates multiple progressive jackpot values based on data received from the gaming machines in casinos C 1 -C 4  via network  30 . The sources of data from which the various jackpot values are calculated is summarized in the following Table 1: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Gaming Machines from which Progressive 
               
               
                   
                 Progressive 
                 Jackpot Data is received and from which 
               
               
                   
                 Jackpot Number 
                 the Progressive Jackpot is Calculated 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 JP 1 
                 Gaming machines in all of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 casinos C1-C4 
               
               
                   
                 JP 2 
                 Gaming machines in casinos C1-C3 
               
               
                   
                   
                 controlled by a first corporation 
               
               
                   
                 JP 3 
                 Gaming machines in casino C4 only. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 4 
                 Gaming machines in casino C1 only. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 5 
                 Gaming machines in casino C2 only. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 6 
                 Gaming machines in casino C3 only. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 7 
                 Only from a group GR 1 of banks 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of gaming machines in casino C1 
               
               
                   
                   
                 represented by blocks JP 23-JP 26. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 8 
                 Only from a group GR 2 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C1. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 9 
                 Only from a group GR 3 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C1. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 10 
                 Only from a group GR 4 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C1. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 11 
                 Only from a group GR 5 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C2 
               
               
                   
                   
                 represented by blocks JP 27-JP 30. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 12 
                 Only from a group GR 6 of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C2. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 13 
                 Only from a group GR 7 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C2. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 14 
                 Only from a group GR 8 of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C2. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 15 
                 Only from a group GR 9 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C3 
               
               
                   
                   
                 represented by blocks JP 31-JP 34. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 16 
                 Only from a group GR 10 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C3. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 17 
                 Only from a group GR 11 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C3. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 18 
                 Only from a group GR 12 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C3. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 19 
                 Only from a group GR 13 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C4 
               
               
                   
                   
                 represented by blocks JP 35-JP 38. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 20 
                 Only from a group GR 14 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C4. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 21 
                 Only from a group GR 15 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C4. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 22 
                 Only from a group GR 16 of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C4. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 23 
                 Only from a singlebank of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C1 indicated 
               
               
                   
                   
                 by block JP 23. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 24 
                 Only from a single bank of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C1 
               
               
                   
                   
                 group GR 1 indicated by block JP 24. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 25 
                 Only from a singlebank of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C1 group GR 1 
               
               
                   
                   
                 indicated by block JP 25. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 26 
                 Only from a single bank of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C1 
               
               
                   
                   
                 group GR 1 indicated by block JP 26. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 27 
                 Only from a singlebank of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C2 group GR 5 
               
               
                   
                   
                 indicated by block JP 27. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 28 
                 Only from a singlebank of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C2 group GR 5 
               
               
                   
                   
                 indicated by block JP 28. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 29 
                 Only from a single bank of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C2 
               
               
                   
                   
                 group GR 5 indicated by block JP 29. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 30 
                 Only from a singlebank of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C2 group GR 5 
               
               
                   
                   
                 indicated by block JP 30. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 31 
                 Only from a singlebank of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C3 group GR 9 
               
               
                   
                   
                 indicated by block JP 31. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 32 
                 Only from a singlebank of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C3 group GR 9 
               
               
                   
                   
                 indicated by block JP 32. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 33 
                 Only from a singlebank of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C3 group GR 9 
               
               
                   
                   
                 indicated by block JP 33. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 34 
                 Only from a single bank of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C3 
               
               
                   
                   
                 group GR 9 indicated by block JP 34. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 35 
                 Only from a singlebank of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C4 group GR 
               
               
                   
                   
                 13 indicated by block JP 35. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 36 
                 Only from a singlebank of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C4 group GR 
               
               
                   
                   
                 13 indicated by block JP 36. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 37 
                 Only from a singlebank of gaming 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machines in casino C4 group GR 
               
               
                   
                   
                 13 indicated by block JP 37. 
               
               
                   
                 JP 38 
                 Only from a single bank of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 gaming machines in casino C4 
               
               
                   
                   
                 group GR 13 indicated by block JP 38. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0024]    Gaming machine groups GR  2 , GR  3 , GR  4 , GR  6 , GR  7 , GR  8 , GR  10 , GR  11 , GR  12 , GR  14 , GR  15 , and GR  16  include multiple single banks of gaming machines for which progressive jackpots, may be calculated as shown in connection with single bank progressive jackpots JP  2 . 3 -JP  38 . 
         [0025]    Preferably, if facilities C 1 -C 4  are located within a single state, all jackpots JP  1 -JP  38  are calculated by a single jackpot processor, such as processor  22  ( FIG. 2 ). If some of facilities C 1 -C 4  are in different states, there are separate jackpot processors for the jackpots in the different states, one jackpot processor per state. Alternatively, there may be more than one jackpot processor per state. 
         [0026]    Any gaming machine that contributes to a jackpot for a single bank (e.g., any of banks JP  23 -JP 38 ) also contributes to at least one of the higher level jackpots. For example, a gaming machine that contributes to JP  23  also contributes to JP  7  of group GR  1 , JP  4  of casino C 1 , JP  2  of casinos C 1 -C 3  and JP  1 . Similarly, a gaming machine that contributes to JP  35  also contributes to JP  19  of group CR  13 , JP  3  of casino C 4 , and JP  1 . 
         [0027]    The invention is not limited to the levels of jackpots shown in  FIG. 1 , but may employ an unlimited number of jackpot levels. Further, a progressive jackpot may be based on gaming machines located at different properties, and in a scheme different than the jackpots shown in  FIG. 1 . For example, a jackpot may be formed from jackpot data received from a single bank of gaming machines in casino C 1  indicated by block JP- 23  and a single bank of gaming machines in casino C 4  indicated by block JP  35 . As understood, the progressive jackpots are not limited to banks of machines, and are able to be formed from data retrieved from individual gaming machines within a bank if desired. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , central authority  20  includes a jackpot processor  22  and a network interface  24  that receives progressive jackpot data from network  30 . A memory  26  is used to store the progressive jackpot data in jackpot database. Processor  22  calculates the above described progressive jackpot values in a well-known manner. 
         [0029]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , casino C 1  includes an exemplary gaming machine GM  1  within group GR  1  and an exemplary gaming machine GM  2  within group GR  2 . Machine GM  1  is coupled to a conventional gaming interface GI  1  and machine GM  2  is coupled to a conventional gaming interface GI  2 . Each of gaming machines generates progressive jackpot data for multiple progressive games. 
         [0030]    The progressive jackpot data is stored in progressive jackpot meters that form part of each gaming machine. For example, machine GM  1  includes progressive jackpot meters JPM  1  that stores progressive jackpot data for progressive jackpots JP  1 , JP  2 , JP  4 , JP  7  and JP  23 . Machine GM  2  includes progressive jackpot meters JPM  2  that store progressive jackpot data for progressive jackpots JP  1 , JP  2 , JP  4 , and JP  8 . 
         [0031]    Progressive jackpot data from jackpot meters JPM  1  is stored temporarily in interface GI  1  and is transmitted over a local area network LAN  1  to a monitoring computer  40  that temporarily stores the data in a memory  46 . Progressive jackpot data from jackpot meters JPM  2  is stored temporarily in interface GI  2  and is transmitted over local area network LAN  1  to monitoring computer  40  that stores the data in memory  46 . LAN  1  may use any conventional network protocol, such as RS485 serial protocol and may be configured as an Ethernet network employing TCP/IP protocol. 
         [0032]    Interfaces GI  1  and GI  2  may be implemented by a Sentinel™ Interface from Casino Data Systems. Other interfaces and network architectures (e.g., Ethernet, parallel port, and the like) may be substituted. Game interfaces GI  1  and GI 2  may implement, for example, the IGT Gaming SAS™ communication protocol or the CDS GDAP™ communication protocol for communication with gaming machines GM  1  and GM  2 , or a custom communication protocol. 
         [0033]    Monitoring computer  40  may be organized and constructed like the like-numbered computer described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/981,459, entitled “Local Database Gaming System Techniques,” filed Oct. 16, 2001 under Attorney Docket No. 13251US01 in the names of Michael D&#39;Amico et al., which is incorporated by reference in this application in its entirety. 
         [0034]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , casino C 4  includes an exemplary gaming machine GM  13  within group GR  13  and an exemplary gaming machine GM  14 . within group GR  14 . Machine GM  13  is coupled to a conventional gaming interface GI  13  and machine GM  14  is coupled to a conventional gaming interface GI  14 . Each of gaming machines GM  13  and GM  14  generates progressive jackpot data for multiple progressive games. 
         [0035]    The progressive jackpot data from machines GM  13  and GM  14  is stored in progressive jackpot meters that form part of each gaming machine. For example, machine GM  13  includes progressive jackpot meters JPM  13  that store progressive jackpot data for progressive jackpots JP  1 , JP  3 , JP  19 , and JP  35 . Machine GM  14  includes progressive jackpot meters JPM  14  that store progressive jackpot data for progressive jackpots JP  1 , JP  3 , and JP  20 . 
         [0036]    Progressive jackpot data from jackpot meters JPM  13  is stored temporarily in interface GI  13  and is transmitted over a local area network LAN  2  to a monitoring computer  60  that temporarily stores the data in a memory  66 . Progressive jackpot data from jackpot meters JPM  14  is stored temporarily in interface GI  14  and is transmitted over local area network LAN  2  to monitoring computer  60  that stores the data in memory  66 . LAN  2  may use any conventional network protocol, such as RS485 serial protocol and may be configured as an Ethernet network employing TCP/IP protocol. 
         [0037]    Interfaces GI  13  and GI  14  may be implemented by a Sentinel™ Interface from Casino Data Systems. Other interfaces and network architectures (e.g., Ethernet, parallel port, and the like) may be substituted. Game interfaces GI  1  and GI 2  may implement, for example, the IGT Gaming SAS™ communication protocol or the CDS GDAP™ communication protocol for communication with gaming machines GM  13  and GM  14 , or a custom communication protocol. 
         [0038]    Monitoring computer  60  may be organized and constructed like the like-numbered computer described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/981,459, entitled “Local Database Gaming System Techniques,” filed Oct. 16, 2001 under Attorney Docket No. 13251US01 in the names of Michael D&#39;Amico et al., which is incorporated by reference in this application in its entirety. As explained in more detail in the referenced application, computers  40  ad  60  can be structured so that they always have sufficient capacity and speed to accommodate any amount of data generated by the game machines. As a result, the overall system never becomes overloaded or bogged down. In addition, no data is lost if network  30  is disabled or if central authority  20  is inoperable. Faster and more accurate operation results. 
         [0039]    Gaming machines GM  1 , GM  2 , GM  13  and GM  14  are exemplary of the machines referenced in connection with  FIG. 1  and may be implemented, for example, as slot machines, video poker machines, video roulette machines, and the like. Some groups of the game machines shown in  FIG. 2  may employ both the first and second games that can be selected by a player. 
         [0040]    As another alternative, networks LAN  1  and LAN  2  may incorporate a digital subscriber line (DSL) network. 
         [0041]    All the progressive jackpot data from casino C  1  is transmitted over a single set of communication lines  32  to central authority  20 . All the progressive jackpot data from casino C  4  is transmitted over a single set of communication lines  33  to central authority  20 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment employs a rearrangement of network  30  and monitoring computers  40  and  60 . The arrangement of gaming machines GM  1  and GM  2  shown in  FIG. 3  is identical to the arrangement shown in  FIG. 2 . However, in  FIG. 3 , monitoring computers  40  and  60  are moved from casinos C  1  and C  3 , respectively, to central authority  20  as shown. 
         [0043]    A network interface  70  within casino C  1  transmits the progressive jackpot data from casino C  1  to network interface  24  in central authority  20  via network  30  in a well-known manner. A network interface  72  within casino C  3  transmits the progressive jackpot data from casino C  3  to network interface  24  in central authority  20  via network  30  in a well-known manner. Interfaces  70  and  72  may be identical. 
         [0044]    All the progressive jackpot data from casino C  3  is transmitted over a single set of communication lines  34  to central authority  20 . The progressive jackpot data received from casino C  1  over lines  32  is stored in MONITORING COMPUTER  40 , and the progressive jackpot data received from casino C  3  over lines  34  is stored in CPU  60 . 
         [0045]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , casino C  3  includes an exemplary gaming machine GM  9  within group GR  9  and an exemplary gaming machine GM  10  within group GR  10 . Machine GM  9  is coupled to a conventional gaming interface GI  9  and machine GM  10  is coupled to a conventional gaming interface GI  10 . Gaming machines GM  9  and GM  10  may be constructed like machines GM  1  and GM  2 , and interfaces GI  9  and GI  10  may be constructed like interfaces GI  1  and GI  2 . Each of gaming machines GM  9  and GM  10  generates progressive jackpot data for multiple progressive games. 
         [0046]    The progressive jackpot data is stored in progressive jackpot meters that form part of each gaming machine GM  9  and GM  10 . For example, machine GM  9  includes progressive jackpot meters JPM  9  that store progressive jackpot data for progressive jackpots JP  1 , JP  2 , JP  6 , JP  15  and JP  31 . Machine GM  10  includes progressive jackpot meters JPM  10  that store progressive jackpot data for progressive jackpots JP  1 , JP  2 , JP  6 , and JP  16 . 
         [0047]    Progressive jackpot data from jackpot meters JPM  9  is stored temporarily in interface GI  9  and is transmitted over a local area network LAN  3  to network interface  72  that sends the data over network  30  to MONITORING COMPUTER  60  for storage in memory  62 , as well as memory  26 . Progressive jackpot data from jackpot meters JPM  10  is stored temporarily in interface GI  10  and is transmitted over local area network LAN  3  to network interface  72  that sends the data over network  30  to MONITORING COMPUTER  60  for storage in memory  62 , as well as memory  26 . LAN  3  may use any conventional network protocol, such as RS485 serial protocol and may be configured as an Ethernet network employing TCP/IP protocol. 
         [0048]    Additional details about exemplary game machine GM  1  and exemplary interface GI  1  are described in  FIG. 3  of the above-identified application incorporated by reference. 
         [0049]    While the invention has been described with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular step, structure, or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Category: 3