U.S. patent application number 11/042471 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-27 for system for communicating with a player.
Invention is credited to Scott A. Boyd, Kim Martin.
Application Number | 20060166741 11/042471 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36697561 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060166741 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boyd; Scott A. ; et
al. |
July 27, 2006 |
System for communicating with a player
Abstract
Embodiments of the invention include a vertical player interface
device with player tracking functionality and methods for
retrofitting existing electronic gaming machines with vertical
player interfaces and tracking devices. The player interface
facilitates player interaction with the gaming network to enable
information exchange, cashless gaming, player tracking, bonusing,
and casino promotions and services.
Inventors: |
Boyd; Scott A.; (Las Vegas,
NV) ; Martin; Kim; (Las Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MARGER JOHNSON & MCCOLLOM, P.C.
210 SW MORRISON STREET, SUITE 400
PORTLAND
OR
97204
US
|
Family ID: |
36697561 |
Appl. No.: |
11/042471 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3239 20130101;
G07F 17/3227 20130101; G07F 17/3255 20130101; G07F 17/32
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/042 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A method for operating networked gaming devices comprising:
associating one or more gaming devices with a gaming network;
permitting a player to play one of the gaming devices; providing
services to the player via the network, such services being related
to play on the gaming device; and communicating information to the
player about the network services via a vertical display associated
with the one or more gaming devices.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the vertical display is a touch
screen display.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising accepting a
communication from the player via the touch screen display.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said services comprise crediting
the player with a bonus award and wherein said information relates
to the bonus award.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein said method further comprises
displaying information about the award on said display.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the communication accepted from
the player relates to the bonus award.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein said services comprise player
tracking services and wherein said information relates to player
tracking.
8. The method of claim 7 wherein said method further comprises
displaying information about player tracking on said display.
9. The method of claim 3 wherein accepting a communication from the
player via the touch screen display comprises accepting a
communication relating to player tracking.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said information comprises
accrued player-tracking points.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein accepting a communication from
the player via the touch screen display comprises accepting a
communication that converts the points to credits.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein said services comprise
cashless-play services and wherein said information relates to
cashless play.
13. The method of claim 12 wherein said method further comprises
displaying information about cashless play on said display.
14. The method of claim 3 wherein accepting a communication from
the player via the touch screen display comprises accepting a
communication relating to cashless play.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein said information comprises an
account balance.
16. The method of claim 14 wherein accepting a communication from
the player via the touch screen display comprises accepting a
communication that applies at least a portion of the account
balance to the gaming device.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein said method further includes
generating a video image on said display.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein a speaker is associated with said
display and wherein said method further includes generating an
audio output on said speaker.
19. The method of claim 3 wherein said method further includes
providing at least one help image on said display for providing
information about the touch screen display.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein said at least one image is
provided responsive to a communication from the player via the
touch screen display.
21. A networked gaming device for communicating between a player
and the network to which the gaming device is connected, the device
comprising: a host computer; the network interconnecting the gaming
device to the host computer; a vertical player interface coupleable
to the gaming device; and a touch screen display associated with
the vertical player interface, the touch screen display
communicating information about services to a player of the
networked gaming device.
22. The device of claim 21 wherein the touch screen display is
configured to receive commands from a player.
23. The device of claim 21 wherein the vertical player interface is
removeably coupleable to the gaming device.
24. A system for communicating between a player of a gaming device
and a network of gaming devices comprising: a housing capable of
coupling a vertical player interface to a gaming device; the gaming
device being operatively connected to a computer, the computer
generating information about services provided to one or more
players on the network; and a circuit associated with the vertical
player interface for creating images on a display associated with
the vertical interface responsive to such information.
25. The system of claim 24 wherein the display is a touch screen
display.
26. The system of claim 25 wherein the touch screen display is
configured to communicate information about services to a player of
the gaming device.
27. The system of claim 26 wherein the touch screen display is
configured to accept communications from the player.
28. A method for retrofitting a gaming device with a vertical
player interface comprising: associating a mounting structure with
the vertical player interface; mounting the vertical player
interface to the gaming device such that the vertical player
interface is coupled to the side of the gaming device; and
configuring the gaming device to communicate with the vertical
player interface.
Description
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to play on electronic gaming
machines and, more particularly, to a vertical interactive player
interface for players playing electronic gaming devices for
purposes such as communicating services, player tracking, and
others.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] For some time casinos have incorporated slot machines into a
computer network to permit transactions from the slot machine to be
communicated to the network and to permit the network to issue
commands to a particular machine or group of machines. An example
of the use of a communications board for such purposes is
described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,961, which is owned
by the assignee of the present application and which is
incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
[0003] It is well known to associate a card reader, a display, and
a keypad with each such slot machine to facilitate player tracking,
as it is referred to in the industry. When installed at the slot
machine, such devices are generally attached to the top of the slot
machine, or on its face. However, such installations can be
problematic for gaming devices fitted with secondary games, where
such secondary games are installed on top of the gaming device in
the same area where a player interface might be installed.
[0004] In a conventional player-tracking system, each player is
assigned a card and an associated account, which is maintained on a
network computer. Before playing one of the slot machines, the
player inserts his or her card to cause points proportionate to
play to accrue in his or her account. The points are then
redeemable by the player for additional play, dinners, merchandise,
or the like. In addition, the card, keypad and display, which is
typically a vacuum fluorescent display or a small-character LCD
display, can be used to permit a player to access a cashless play
account or to access credits that are either complimentary or
awarded to the player during the course of his or her play.
[0005] The design, construction and operation of networked slot
machines, including the card reader, the keypad and the display, as
mentioned above, is described in detail in the '961 patent. The
design, construction and operation of touch screen displays is
described in detail in US Patent Publication No. 2003/0109307,
which is also owned by the assignee of the present application and
which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. Another
embodiment of networked slot machines is also described in U.S.
Pat. No. 6,319,125 for a Method and Apparatus for Promoting Play on
a Network of Gaming Devices, which is also assigned to the assignee
of the present application and which is also incorporated herein by
reference for all purposes.
[0006] In addition to player-tracking functions, cashless play and
associated functions can be implemented using the system of FIG. 1
as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/694,065, which
is assigned to the assignee of the present application and which is
incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. In addition,
conversion of player-tracking points into playable credit can also
be implemented using the system of FIG. 1 as described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,371,852, which is also assigned to the assignee of the
present application and which is also incorporated herein by
reference for all purposes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1A is a front view of a prior art electronic gaming
device including a player tracking system.
[0008] FIG. 1B is a front view of an electronic gaming device
showing embodiments of the present invention and including a
vertical player tracking display.
[0009] FIGS. 2A and 2B together are a block diagram showing
components of a gaming network according to embodiments of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Embodiments of the invention include an electronic gaming
device including vertical player interface with player tracking
functionality, among others, and methods for retrofitting existing
electronic gaming machines with vertical player interfaces and
tracking devices. As used in this description, electronic gaming
devices, electronic gaming machines, EGMs, gaming devices, and
gaming machines are used interchangeability to refer to electronic
gaming devices. Player tracking, as used in this description,
includes all communications between a given EGM, or set of given
EGMs, and the network, including aspects of play and player
tracking, as well as communications between the player and casino
relating to services and calendaring, etc.
[0011] Turning to FIG. 1A, a prior art electronic gaming device
("EGM") 9 is shown. The EGM 9 includes a bill acceptor 207 that
accepts and validates bills, tickets or vouchers. Bill validators
operate by scanning barcodes or other identifying features on
tickets or vouchers, and by examining printing or other security
features on paper currency to determine authenticity. Bill
validators are well known in the gaming arts.
[0012] The EGM 9 also includes one or more coin slots 201 for
accepting coins or tokens. An internal hopper 203 temporarily
stores coins or tokens for later payment to the player through a
payout bin 205, if the player chooses to cash out in such a manner.
Bills can also be stored in a separate hopper, and dispensed to the
player through the bill acceptor 207 or through another bill slot
209 in the machine cabinet, similar to an ATM machine.
[0013] A set of game electronics 13 manages the central operations
of the gaming device 9. For example, the game electronics 13 counts
the monetary value input into the EGM 9, and tracks and stores
values for this and other data items. The game electronics 13 also
control the game play of the EGM 9, such as by accepting user input
from various buttons (not shown) to cause credits to be wagered, as
well as cause motors to spin the game wheels, speakers to generate
sound, and circuits to generate lights or video signals.
[0014] The EGM 9 also includes game-mounted components of a player
tracking system. The components are shown affixed to a frame 214,
which is mounted to front of the gaming device 9. The player
tracking system includes an LED display 215, keypad 217 and card
reader 219. Also shown is a game printer 211.
[0015] FIG. 1B shows an electronic gaming device 10 including
embodiments of the present invention. While the electronic gaming
device 10 shows some of the features of the gaming device 9 of FIG.
1A, it further includes a vertical player interface 228, which
includes player tracking functionality, among others.
[0016] A set of game electronics 15 manages the central operations
of the gaming device 10. The game electronics 15 may be a main
board that interfaces with various controller boards that control
specific functions in the EGM 10, or may control the various
devices directly. For example, the game electronics 15 counts the
monetary value input into the EGM 10, and tracks and stores values
for this and other data items. The game electronics 15 also control
the game play of the EGM 10, such as by accepting user input from
various buttons (not shown) to cause credits to be wagered, as well
as game results to be displayed, speakers to generate sound, and
circuits to generate lights or video signals.
[0017] One of the items controlled by the game electronics 15 is an
internal game printer 212. The internal game printer can be of any
type known in the art, such as impact, inkjet, thermal, laser, and
can be a color printer or standard black and white. Even if the
game printer is only capable of printing in a single color,
cardstock or paper used by the printer could be pre-printed in
color. In lieu of an internal game printer 212, the EGM 10 can be
associated with a game and/or system printer (not shown), which can
be located at the EGM 10 or be a stand-alone printer associated
with one or more gaming devices.
[0018] As discussed above, the EGM 10 also includes a vertical
player interface 228, including player tracking system. The
components of the vertical player interface 228 are generally shown
affixed to a housing 238, which is capable of being affixed or
mounted to the gaming device 10. When so affixed, the vertical
player interface 228 is mounted to the side of the EGM 10. While
described as being on the side of the gaming machine, it is
contemplated that the vertical player interface can be located
anywhere near the gaming machine. Although the vertical player
interface interacts with the EGM 10, it is a separate system from
the gaming device.
[0019] The vertical player interface 228 affixed to the EGM 10
includes a display 218. The display contains a 240.times.640
touch-panel liquid crystal display ("LCD") or touch screen display
218. Images appearing on the display are stretched or pulled
vertically to fill the area of the display. In the present
embodiment of the invention, the display 218 comprises a Hitachi
SX16H005-AZA LCD. The vertical player interface also includes
speakers 230. The speakers 230 can be made to produce sounds or
music by the bonus engine 220, and can be in communication with the
casino's sound system through the network to produce sounds, music
or announcements available throughout the entire casino, or
available through only portions of the casino or a given EGM 10.
The vertical player interface further includes a card reader 234.
The card reader 234 has a slot 236 (visible in FIG. 1B), into which
a player's card is received. The card reader 234 can additionally
be structured with a keypad to facilitate entry of a PIN number at
the card reader. Alternatively, a representation of a keypad can be
rendered on the display 218. While a touch screen display 218 is
shown and described, alternate embodiments could use traditional
displays, such as VFD, LCD, etc. Additionally, although the player
interface housing 238 is described as having only one part, it is
contemplated that the various components of the vertical player
interface can be made of multiple components associated with the
EGM 10.
[0020] The vertical player interface 228 is in turn affixed or
otherwise coupled to the EGM 10, or a portion thereof, and once
coupled to the EGM 10 permits communication between the player and
casino, including player tracking. Affixation can, but need not, be
permanent to permit casinos or other gaming operators to move the
vertical player interface devices to different machines as needed
by the casino.
[0021] To permit casinos to continue to use existing vertical
player interface devices as existing EGMs 10 are retired or are
retrofitted to include vertical player interface devices, vertical
player interfaces 228 can be optionally structured and adapted for
application to various machines, poles, and other structures in the
casino environment. Additionally, a single vertical player
interface 228 can be associated with more than one EGM 10. For
example, two adjacent EGMs 10 can be electronically connected to a
single vertical player interface where spacing between adjacent
devices is a concern for the casino. The number of such EGMs
connected to a single vertical player interface, is limited only by
the network or networks communicating with the vertical player
interface and associated EGMs.
[0022] In addition to player tracking, the vertical player
interface 228 can be used to communicate to the player about
services offered by the casino or gaming establishment. Such
services could include bonus opportunities, awards, promotions,
dining or beverage services, emergency notification,
player-to-casino communication, player-to-player communication,
calendaring or event planning, broadcast or cable television,
movies, videos, music, casino maps, show availability, etc. The
player interface can likewise be used to accept communications from
the player, such as player tracking sign-in or sign-up, food or
beverage orders, award or promotion redemption, text messaging,
credit purchase, ATM withdrawal, etc.
[0023] The player tracking system, a function of the vertical
player interface 228, including the card reader 234, speakers 230
and display 218, is managed by functions operating on a "bonus
engine" 220 which is a specialized piece of hardware used in the
electronic gaming network. The bonus engine 220 manages the display
218, speakers 230 and card reader 234, as well as provides the
bonusing and other functions described above. A player of the
gaming device 10 uses a card and/or a PIN code to identify himself
or herself to the player tracking system. The PIN can be entered at
the card reader 234. In lieu of a card reader, the vertical player
tracking display can enable player interface by allowing the player
to enter a PIN number on a keypad represented on the display 218.
Monetary value can be entered into the game at the display 218,
either from the ID card itself, from a credit-card account with a
bank or from a special gaming account managed by a casino.
Alternatively, a player can use the card and/or PIN code to
identify himself or herself, and then put credits on the machine by
using the display 218 or by depositing coins, tokens, bills, or
tickets/vouchers into the machine.
[0024] The bonus engine 220 is coupled by a computer connection to
the gaming network 5, and plays a central role in the player
interface and player tracking systems. The bonus engine 220 is in
constant communication between the game electronics 15 and the
gaming network 5. The bonus engine 220 receives constant status
updates about the state and status of the EGM 10, including
messages or communications entered by the player at the display
218. The game electronics 15 may automatically send information to
the bonus engine 220, such as "events", when the events occur, such
as at the end of the game, or when a key event happens like a bill
being accepted into the EGM 10. Or, the bonus engine 220 may send
electronic updates, requests, or polls to the game electronics 15.
When polled, the game electronics 15 sends the latest events to the
bonus engine 220. Additionally, the gaming network can send
commands and directives to a particular EGM 10 through the bonus
engine 220 of that device. The bonus engine 220 then performs the
commands, such as by displaying a message on the display 218, or
the bonus engine delivers the commands to the game electronics 15
of that gaming device or to the network.
[0025] The vertical player interface may be contained within the
same housing of the EGM 10 or may be an add-on sitting atop or
adjacent the EGM (as shown in FIG. 1B). Preexisting EGMs not built
with a vertical player interface can therefore be retrofitted to
provide the necessary electronics and displays. The configuration
necessary to operate the vertical player interface can be specific
to the EGM 10 or can be coordinated through the gaming network 5.
Although the specific hardware included in the gaming device 10 is
important in implementing embodiments of the invention, the
invention can operate regardless of the type of components in the
gaming device 10 or player interface 228.
[0026] One such gaming network is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B.
In a gaming network 5, a number of EGMs 10 are organized in groups
called banks. Individual banks 20 can contain almost any number of
EGMs 10. Additionally, any number of banks is possible in a gaming
network 5. The gaming network 5 illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B is
only an example gaming network. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that embodiments of the invention can operate on any
acceptable network, even if it differs from the one
illustrated.
[0027] Each bank is controlled by a bank controller 30, which is
coupled to each EGM 10 by a communication cable 12. The bank
controller 30 facilitates data communication between the EGMs 10 in
its associated bank and the other components on the gaming network
5. In some embodiments, the bank controller 30 need not be present,
and the EGMs 10 communicate directly with the other portions of the
gaming network 5. The bank controller 30 can include audio
capabilities, like an audio board or sound card for transmitting
digitized sound effects, such as music and the like, to a sound
system 34 coupled to the bank controller. Additionally, the bank
controller 30 or sound system 34 may include a device for playing
locally stored sounds, such as a hard-drive, CD or DVD-ROM drive.
The bank controller 30 can also be connected to an electronic sign
or screen 32 that displays information, such as scrolling,
flashing, or other types of messages that indicate jackpot amounts
and the like, which are visible to players of machines on a
particular bank. Bank messages can likewise be displayed on the
display 218. These message displays 32, 34 may be generated or
changed responsive to commands issued over the network 5 to the
bank controller 30. The sounds and images created by the bank
controller may be identical for each of the banks 20 or all of
sounds and images created by the banks may be different than the
others.
[0028] Configuration data for the gaming network 5 is stored in one
or more network data repositories 61, 67, 69. In some embodiments,
the data repositories 61, 67, 69 are made of battery backed-up
non-volatile SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), which provides
dual advantages of having extremely fast data input and output, and
having a power source that is independent from the network 5 or the
EGMs 10. The data repositories 61, 67, 69 may also be mirrored,
i.e., duplicate copies are made in real-time. This prevents data
from being lost if one of the battery sources should fail or other
catastrophic event. Data may be stored in the data repositories 61,
67 69 using CRCs (Cyclic Redundancy Checks) and timestamps to
ensure the data is valid and non-corrupt.
[0029] Configuration data is created at a configuration workstation
44 and stored in the data repositories 61, 67, 69. Configuration
data may include message data for players, which can be displayed
on the display 218, as well as for promotions such as bonuses,
which can likewise be communicated to the player via the display
218. Player message data is stored in the data repository 61, where
it can be accessed by a player server 60. Player message data can
include welcoming messages, casino and EGM maps, card-in/card-out
messages, and special messages about current promotions, dining,
casino services, calendaring, event planning, for instance, all of
which can be displayed on the display 218. The player server 60
reads the message data from the data repository 61 and sends a
properly formatted message back to the bank controllers 30 and EGMs
10. These player messages may be displayed on a screen 32 for an
entire bank, or may be shown on the display 218. In a like manner,
messages created by the player at the display 218 are sent via the
network 5 to the host computer.
[0030] Other configuration data created at the configuration
workstation 44 and stored in the data repositories 61, 67, 69 may
include casino configuration data, such as identification of each
EGM 10 on a casino floor. Additional parameters stored in the data
repository 67, 69 are parameters used in promotions, such as bonus
promotions. These parameters include such items as what EGMs 10 are
included in the promotion, such as which EGMs are capable of
playing secondary games, how to fund a bonus, i.e., if a bonus is
funded by a portion of the coin-in amount of the EGMs 10, whether a
paid bonus is to be taxed or non-taxed, and other parameters.
[0031] As players play the EGMs 10 in the gaming network 5, the
EGMs send data from their coin meters, or meter values. One or more
bonus server 66 stores these meter values, or summaries of the
meter values, in its associated data repository 67.
[0032] The bonus servers 66 can also operate based on the present
and stored meter values to determine an amount of money being
wagered on the EGMs in near real-time. The bonus servers 66 can use
the amount of money being wagered to calculate bonus pools that are
funded as a percentage of the coin-in of participating EGMs 10. For
instance, the bonus servers 66 can calculate a present amount of a
bonus pool that is funded at one-half of one percent of the coin-in
for the participating EGMs 10. An example of bonus promotions that
can be operated from the bonus servers 66 includes LUCKY COIN and
progressive bonuses, for example. Players can be provided with game
information, such as game totals, bonuses, promotions, progressive
jackpots, etc. via the display 218.
[0033] The promotion server 68, like the bonus server 66, can use
an amount of money being wagered to calculate promotion pools
funded as a percentage of the coin-in. Alternatively, the casino or
operator can configure the promotion server 68 to award promotions
not related to coin-in, for example, incentives for enrolling in
player tracking programs, which can occur at the display 218.
[0034] The promotion server 68 may include functions and processes
operative to generate signals to cause a system award to be
generated and to communicate the generated system award to the
particular EGM 10 at which the player receiving the award can be
notified and receive the award via the display 218. Using the
display 218, the player can communicate to the host computer via
the network and can, for instance, opt whether to receive an award
or whether to add the award to the player's stored credits
associated with his player tracking account.
[0035] In determining when to grant a bonus, promotion or system
award, if any, the promotion server 68 can access data stored
anywhere on the network 5 looking for triggering events, such as:
from any of the databases 100 described below; from any of the data
repositories 61, 67, 69; from the bank controller 30; and from a
bonus engine 220 (FIG. 1B) on any or all of the EGMs 10 coupled to
the gaming network.
[0036] When the promotion server 68 determines that a triggering
event has been satisfied and that a system or bonus award should be
generated, it sends appropriate signals to the bonus engine 220 of
the appropriate EGM 10 through the gaming network 5 to deliver the
award or initiate the game via the display 218. Records of awards,
promotions, bonuses, and may be maintained by the promotion server
68 or elsewhere in the gaming network 5 for tracking and accounting
purposes.
[0037] Of course, the servers 60, 66, 68 could be embodied in a
single device, or in other configurations, and do not have to
appear as in FIG. 2A, which is only a functional representation.
Likewise, the data repositories 61, 67, 69 could be embodied in a
single device.
[0038] As data is generated by the EGMs 10, data is passed through
communication hardware, such as Ethernet hubs 46, and a
concentrator 48. Of course, switches or bridges could also be used.
The concentrator 48 is also coupled to a translator 50, which
includes a compatibility buffer so that the data from the EGMs 10
can be used by a server cluster 56 (FIG. 2B), and other parts of
the gaming network 5. A communication hub 102, in turn, is
connected to the translator 50 and to an event monitor 104. The
event monitor 104 is also coupled to a server cluster 56 (FIG. 2B).
The server cluster 56 may, of course, be embodied by more than one
physical server box. In practice, including multiple server boxes
with dynamic load sharing and backup capabilities of one another
ensures the gaming network 5 is nearly always operational.
[0039] 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. 2B shows a single server cluster 56 that is
coupled to all of the databases 100.
[0040] In operation, the slot accounting database 90 receives and
stores statistical and financial information about the EGMs, such
as dates, times, totals, game outcomes, etc. This statistical and
financial information, and the analyses thereof, can be made
available to a player or group of players via the display 218. The
patron management database 92 stores information regarding
identified players, such as how often and which games they play,
how often they stay in the casino, their total loyalty points, past
awards, preferences, etc. The ticket wizard database 94 stores data
about tickets that are issued by the EGMs, such as payouts and
cashout tickets, as well as promotional tickets.
[0041] The CCTG database 96 stores information about non-EGM 10
data in a casino. That data is typically generated by a client
station (not shown) coupled to one of the bank controllers 30. The
client station can be located in a casino cage or at a table game,
for instance, and data generated by the client station is forwarded
to the CCTG database 96 where it is stored. For example, data such
as when and how many chips a customer buys, when a customer creates
or pays off markers, when a customer cashes checks, etc. is stored
in the CCTG database 96.
[0042] The player tracking database 98 is a subset database of the
patron management database 92, and is used when data retrieval
speed is important, such as for real time promotions and bonusing.
The cashless database 99 stores information about payment options
other than bills, coins, and tokens.
[0043] Application clients 80 and 82 couple to the server cluster
56, and can retrieve data from any or all of the databases 100.
Application programs run on an application client 80, 82 to provide
users information about the gaming network 5 and the casino in
which the network is established and to cause functions to operate
on the gaming network 5. An example application client 80 could
include, for instance, an accounting server that allows queries and
provides reports on financial and statistical information on single
or groups of EGMs 10.
[0044] A data interface 88 presents a uniform interface to other
applications and servers (not shown), and grants access to retrieve
data from the databases 100. Typically these other clients or
servers would not be controlled by the same entity that provides
the other components of the gaming network 5, and therefore the
data interface 88 grants only guarded access to the databases
100.
[0045] Using the system described with reference to FIGS. 1B and 2A
and 2B, casinos can provide vertical interactive player interfaces
to provide players access to casino services, such as player
tracking, bonuses and promotions, refreshments and reservations,
upcoming events, video and audio programming, text messaging,
casino maps, etc. even where more traditional player interfaces are
not possible because of antiquated equipment or spacing
considerations.
[0046] Although particular embodiments for installing vertical
player interfaces and communicating with a player using a vertical
interactive player interface have been discussed, it is not
intended that such specific references be considered as limitations
upon the scope of this invention, but rather the scope is
determined by the following claims and their equivalents.
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