U.S. patent application number 10/576882 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-22 for apparatus and method for allocating a prize.
This patent application is currently assigned to Paltronics Austratasia Pty Limited. Invention is credited to Stephen Cowan, All Jomaa, Paul Van Gorp, Dean Wright.
Application Number | 20070066385 10/576882 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34528635 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070066385 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jomaa; All ; et al. |
March 22, 2007 |
Apparatus and method for allocating a prize
Abstract
An auxiliary controller (2) communicates with the primary
controller (1) via a wide area network (3). Routers (43, 44)
provide an interface between the wide area network (3) and the
primary controller (1) and the auxiliary controllers (2)
respectively. The bandwidth of communications across the wide area
network (3) is typically limited, and the controllers (2) are
configured for communication and processing to obviate that
bandwidth limitation.
Inventors: |
Jomaa; All; (New South
Wales, AU) ; Cowan; Stephen; (New South Wales,
AU) ; Wright; Dean; (New South Wales, AU) ;
Van Gorp; Paul; (New South Wales, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STERNE, KESSLER, GOLDSTEIN & FOX PLLC
1100 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Paltronics Austratasia Pty
Limited
Heathcote
AU
2233
|
Family ID: |
34528635 |
Appl. No.: |
10/576882 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
October 21, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU04/01444 |
371 Date: |
April 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/25 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3223 20130101;
G07F 17/329 20130101; G07F 17/3258 20130101; G07F 17/32
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/025 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 21, 2003 |
AU |
2003905792 |
Claims
1. A method of allocating a prize using a gaming apparatus, the
apparatus including: a primary controller for determining the award
of a prize; and an auxiliary controller capable of communication
with the primary controller, the auxiliary controller being further
capable of communication with one or more gaming terminals, the
method including the steps of: receipt by the auxiliary controller
of data from one or more of the gaming terminals, the data
including at least one gaming terminal identifier and associated
gaming terminal accumulated amount; storage of the data in a memory
accessible to the auxiliary controller; being responsive to the
gaming terminal accumulated amounts for deriving a total
contributory amount; communication from the auxiliary controller to
the primary controller of the total contributory amount;
determination by the primary controller of whether or not to award
a prize based upon the total contributory amount; where the
determination is to award a prize, communication from the primary
controller to the auxiliary controller of data associated with the
determination; and analysis by the auxiliary controller of the data
associated with the determination and the data stored in the memory
to determine to which of the gaming terminals the prize is to be
allocated.
2. A method according to claim 1 including the step of being
responsive to each gaming terminal accumulated amount for deriving
a respective contributory amount.
3. A method according to claim 1 including the step of being
responsive to the gaming terminal accumulated amounts to derive a
total accumulated amount.
4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the total contributory
amount is a portion of the total accumulated amount.
5. A method according to claim 3 wherein the total contributory
amount is any one of a proportion, fraction or percentage of the
total accumulated amount.
6. A method according to claim 5 wherein the proportion, fraction
or percentage is calculated by a comparison of a portion of the
total accumulated amount and the total accumulated amount.
7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the auxiliary controller
communicates with the primary controller via a wide area network
having a bandwidth of less than or equal to 10,000 bits per
second.
8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the auxiliary controller
communicates with the gaming terminals via a local area network
having a bandwidth approximately equal to 10 mega bits per
second.
9. A method according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a
plurality of auxiliary controllers each capable of communication
with the primary controller and each capable of communication with
a respective set of one or more gaming machines.
10. A method according to claim 1 wherein the auxiliary controllers
and the primary controller are geographically separate and each of
the auxiliary controllers are disposed at separate venues.
11. A method according to claim 1 including the step of
communication from the auxiliary controller to the primary
controller of an auxiliary controller identifier.
12. A method according to claim 1 wherein the step of storage of
the data in a memory accessible to the auxiliary controller
includes storing a list of the gaming terminal identifiers and the
associated gaming terminal accumulated amounts ordered
chronologically as received by the auxiliary controller.
13. A method according to claim 1 wherein the auxiliary controller
maintains an inventory of gaming terminal identifiers and is
responsive to a signal from the primary controller for transmitting
changes in the inventory to the primary controller.
14. A method according to claim 1 wherein a contributory amount is
communicated to the primary controller once for each of a
predefined polling period.
15. A method according to claim 14 wherein the predefined polling
period is at least 2 seconds.
16. A method according to claim 14 wherein the predefined polling
period is at least 1 second.
17. A method according to claim 1 including the step of
communicating a win message from the auxiliary controller to the
gaming terminal to which the prize is to be allocated.
18. A method according to claim 1 including the step of
communicating a win message from the auxiliary controller to the
primary controller.
19. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method is performed
at least once every 5 seconds.
20. A method according to claim 1 wherein the method is performed
at least once every 2 to 3 seconds.
21. A method according to claim 1 wherein the gaming terminals
include any one or more of the following: a poker machine; a point
of sale register; a mobile phone; a personal computer; an access
control point; and a television.
22. An apparatus for allocating a prize, the apparatus including: a
primary controller, an auxiliary controller and a plurality of
gaming terminals, the auxiliary controller having first
communication means for receipt of data from one or more of the
gaming terminals, the data including one or more gaming terminal
identifier and associated gaming terminal accumulated amount, the
auxiliary controller having a memory for storage of the data; the
auxiliary controller having a processor for deriving a total
contributory amount from the gaming terminal accumulated amount;
the auxiliary controller having second communication means for
communication to the primary controller of the total contributory
amount; the primary controller having a comparator for
determination of whether or not to award a prize based at least in
part upon the total contributory amount; the primary controller
having access to the second communication means so as to
communicate data associated with the determination to the auxiliary
controller; and the auxiliary controller being responsive to the
data associated with the determination and the data stored in the
memory so as to determine to which of the gaming terminals the
prize is to be allocated.
23. An apparatus according to claim 21 wherein the first
communication means is a local area network and the second
communication means is a wide area network.
24. A method of allocating a prize in a gaming system having a
primary controller, an auxiliary controller and a plurality of
gaming terminals, the method including the steps of: collating and
storing data at the auxiliary controller indicative of accumulated
amounts associated with one or more of the gaming terminals;
calculating a total contributory amount at the auxiliary
controller; communicating the total contributory amount to the
primary controller; using the primary controller to determine
whether or not to award a prize and to determine data associated
with the determination; communicating the data associated with the
determination to the auxiliary controller; and using the auxiliary
controller to determine to which of the gaming terminals the prize
should be awarded.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method
for allocating a prize.
[0002] The invention has been developed primarily for use with a
plurality of interlinked gaming terminals in one or more gaming
establishments and will be described hereinafter predominantly with
reference to this application. However, the invention is not
limited to that particular field of use and is also suitable for
use with online gaming, lotto, pools, lotteries, art unions, bingo,
raffles and other games involving one or more wagers being placed
upon an outcome having a finite probability of occurring.
Additionally, the invention is applicable to any type of electronic
transaction, such as those processed by electronic cash registers
and those that may be entered into on a personal computer via the
internet, for example.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0003] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification
should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art
is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the
field.
[0004] It is known to "link" gaming terminals to provide a number
of additional functionalities. This includes the ability to control
the awarding of a prize, as the pool of available funds is greater
and the amount of funds available is known rather than having to be
estimated. Another functionality of interlinked gaming terminals is
that secondary gaming is possible. For example, for a given group
of interlinked gaming terminals, a central display provides the
garners with a visual indication of a presently available jackpot
prize that is being incrementally increased as the garners operate
the interlinked gaming terminals. It is known by the garners that
the prize will be awarded when it is incremented to a randomly
selected value that is less than a predefined value. Typically, the
predefined value will also be visually indicated to the garners by
the display.
[0005] The use of such functionality is intended to provide
additional impetus to the garners to play the terminals and thereby
win the jackpot prize in addition to any prize available to be
awarded by the respective terminal. However, prior art
implementations of such inter-linked terminals typically require
high bandwidth communications because of the large amount of data
communicated between the various gaming terminals and a primary
controller. Additional problems may be encountered in prior art
systems due to the requirement for the primary controller to
analyse the large amount of data collected from the gaming
terminals in the short periods of time typically available between
subsequent games.
[0006] A partial solution is to use an auxiliary controller to
mediate between the gaming terminals and the primary controller.
Known implementations of this solution continue to suffer from
bandwidth related difficulties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or
ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or
to provide a useful alternative.
[0008] According to a first aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of allocating a prize using a gaming apparatus,
the apparatus including:
[0009] a primary controller for determining the award of a prize;
and
[0010] an auxiliary controller capable of communication with the
primary controller, the auxiliary controller being further capable
of communication with one or more gaming terminals, the method
including the steps of:
[0011] receipt by the auxiliary controller of data from one or more
of the gaming terminals, the data including at least one gaming
terminal identifier and associated gaming terminal accumulated
amount;
[0012] storage of the data in a memory accessible to the auxiliary
controller;
[0013] being responsive to the gaming terminal accumulated amounts
for deriving a total contributory amount;
[0014] communication from the auxiliary controller to the primary
controller of the total contributory amount;
[0015] determination by the primary controller of whether or not to
award a prize based upon the total contributory amount;
[0016] where the determination is to award a prize, communication
from the primary controller to the auxiliary controller of data
associated with the determination; and
[0017] analysis by the auxiliary controller of the data associated
with the determination and the data stored in the memory to
determine to which of the gaming terminals the prize is to be
allocated.
[0018] Preferably, the method includes the step of being responsive
to each gaming terminal accumulated amount for deriving a
respective contributory amount. More preferably, the total
contributory amount is the sum of the respective contributory
amounts in a predetermined period.
[0019] Preferably, the method includes the step of being responsive
to the gaming terminal accumulated amounts to derive a total
accumulated amount. More preferably, the total accumulated amount
is the sum of the accumulated amounts in a predetermined period and
the total contributory amount is a portion of the total accumulated
amount. More preferably, the total contributory amount is any one
of a proportion, fraction or percentage of the total accumulated
amount. In a preferred embodiment the fraction or percentage is
calculated by a comparison of a portion of the total accumulated
amount and the total accumulated amount.
[0020] In other embodiments, the contributory amounts are
determined with reference to the respective gaming terminals. That
is, in these other embodiments, the contributory amounts need not
be the same, either in quantum or as a proportion to the respective
gaming terminal accumulated amounts.
[0021] Preferably, the auxiliary controller communicates with the
primary controller via a wide area network (WAN) having a bandwidth
of less than or equal to 10,000 bits per second. More preferably,
the auxiliary controller communicates with the gaming machines via
a local area network (LAN) having a bandwidth approximately equal
to 10 mega bits per second.
[0022] Preferably, the apparatus includes a plurality of auxiliary
controllers each capable of communication with the primary
controller and each capable of communication with a respective set
of one or more gaming machines.
[0023] Preferably, the auxiliary controllers and the primary
controller are geographically separate and each of the auxiliary
controllers are disposed at separate venues.
[0024] Preferably, the method includes the step of communication
from the auxiliary controller to the primary controller of an
auxiliary controller identifier.
[0025] Preferably, the step of storage of the data in a memory
accessible to the auxiliary controller includes storing a list of
the gaming terminal identifiers and the associated gaming terminal
accumulated amounts ordered chronologically as received by the
auxiliary controller.
[0026] Preferably, the auxiliary controller maintains an inventory
of gaming terminal identifiers and is responsive to a signal from
the primary controller for transmitting changes in the inventory to
the primary controller.
[0027] Preferably, a contributory amount is communicated to the
primary controller once for each of a predefined polling period. In
a preferred embodiment, the predefined polling period is at least 2
seconds. More preferably, the predefined polling period is at least
1 second.
[0028] Preferably, the method includes the step of communicating a
win message from the auxiliary controller to the gaming terminal to
which the prize is to be allocated.
[0029] Preferably, the method includes the step of communicating a
win message from the auxiliary controller to the primary
controller.
[0030] Preferably, the method is performed at least once every 5
seconds. More preferably, the method according to any one of the
preceding claims wherein the method is performed at least once
every 2 to 3 seconds.
[0031] Preferably, the gaming terminals include any one or more of
the following:
[0032] a poker machine;
[0033] a point of sale register; a mobile phone;
[0034] a personal computer;
[0035] an access control point; and
[0036] a television.
[0037] According to a second aspect of the invention there is
provided an apparatus for allocating a prize, the apparatus
including:
[0038] a primary controller, an auxiliary controller and a
plurality of gaming terminals, the auxiliary controller having
first communication means for receipt of data from one or more of
the gaming terminals, the data including one or more gaming
terminal identifier and associated gaming terminal accumulated
amount, the auxiliary controller having a memory for storage of the
data;
[0039] the auxiliary controller having a processor for deriving a
total contributory amount from the gaming terminal accumulated
amount;
[0040] the auxiliary controller having second communication means
for communication to the primary controller of the total
contributory amount;
[0041] the primary controller having a comparator for determination
of whether or not to award a prize based at least in part upon the
total contributory amount;
[0042] the primary controller having access to the second
communication means so as to communicate data associated with the
determination to the auxiliary controller; and
[0043] the auxiliary controller being responsive to the data
associated with the determination and the data stored in the memory
so as to determine to which of the gaming terminals the prize is to
be allocated.
[0044] Preferably the first communication means is a local area
network and the second communication means is a wide area
network.
[0045] According to a third aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of allocating a prize in a gaming system having a
primary controller, an auxiliary controller and a plurality of
gaming terminals, the method including the steps of:
[0046] collating and storing data at the auxiliary controller
indicative of accumulated amounts associated with one or more of
the gaming terminals;
[0047] calculating a total contributory amount at the auxiliary
controller;
[0048] communicating the total contributory amount to the primary
controller;
[0049] using the primary controller to determine whether or not to
award a prize and to determine data associated with the
determination;
[0050] communicating the data associated with the determination to
the auxiliary controller; and
[0051] using the auxiliary controller to determine to which of the
gaming terminals the prize should be awarded.
[0052] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there
is provided a method of allocating a prize using an electronic
apparatus, wherein said apparatus includes:
[0053] a primary controller for determining the award of a prize;
and
[0054] an auxiliary controller capable of communication with said
primary controller, the auxiliary controller being further capable
of communication with one or more terminals;
[0055] the method including the steps of:
[0056] a) receipt by the auxiliary controller of data from one or
more of the terminals, the data including one or more terminal
identifier and associated terminal accumulated amount;
[0057] b) storage of the data in a memory accessible to said
auxiliary controller;
[0058] c) calculation by the auxiliary controller of a total
contributory amount that is derived, at least in part, from the
data;
[0059] d) communication from the auxiliary controller to the
primary controller of the total contributory amount;
[0060] e) determination by the primary controller of whether or not
to award a prize based at least in part upon the total contributory
amount;
[0061] f) if the determination in step e) is positive,
communication from the primary controller to the auxiliary
controller of data associated with the determination; and
[0062] g) analysis by the auxiliary controller of the data
associated with the determination and the data stored in the memory
to determine to which of the terminals the prize is to be
allocated.
[0063] Preferably at least one of the terminals is a point of sale
terminal and an accumulated amount associated with the point of
sale terminal is representative of a dollar value of purchases at
the point of sale terminal. In another preferred embodiment the
accumulated amount associated with the point of sale terminal is
representative of a number of products sold in transactions
processed at the point of sale terminal.
[0064] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there
is provided an apparatus for allocating a prize including:
[0065] a primary controller, an auxiliary controller and a
plurality of terminals,
[0066] the auxiliary controller having first communication means
for receipt of data from one or more of the terminals, the data
including one or more terminal identifier and associated terminal
accumulated amount,
[0067] the auxiliary controller having a memory for storage of the
data;
[0068] the auxiliary controller having a calculator for calculation
of a total contributory amount derived, at least in part, from the
data;
[0069] the auxiliary controller having second communication means
for communication to the primary controller of the total
contributory amount;
[0070] the primary controller having a comparator for determination
of whether or not to award a prize based at least in part upon the
total contributory amount;
[0071] the primary controller having access to said second
communication means so as to communicate data associated with the
determination to the auxiliary controller; and
[0072] said auxiliary controller being responsive to the data
associated with the determination and the data stored in said
memory so as to determine to which of the terminals the prize is to
be allocated.
[0073] According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of allocating a prize in a system having a
primary controller, an auxiliary controller and a plurality of
gaming terminals, said method including the steps of:
[0074] collating and storing data at the auxiliary controller
indicative of accumulated amounts associated with one or more of
the terminals;
[0075] being responsive to the data for calculating a total
contributory amount at the auxiliary controller;
[0076] communicating the total contributory amount to the primary
controller;
[0077] using the primary controller to determine whether or not to
award a prize and to determine data associated with said
determination;
[0078] communicating the data associated with said determination to
the auxiliary controller; and
[0079] using said auxiliary controller to determine to which of the
terminals the prize should be awarded.
[0080] According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of allocating a prize using a gaming apparatus,
wherein said apparatus includes:
[0081] a primary controller for determining the award of a prize;
and
[0082] an auxiliary controller capable of communication with said
primary controller, said auxiliary controller being further capable
of communication with one or more gaming terminals;
[0083] said method including the steps of:
[0084] a) receipt by the auxiliary controller of data from one or
more of the gaming terminals, said data including one or more
gaming terminal identifier and associated gaming terminal
contribution amount;
[0085] b) storage of said data in a memory accessible to said
auxiliary controller;
[0086] c) calculation by said auxiliary controller of a total
contributory amount;
[0087] d) communication from said auxiliary controller to the
primary controller of the total contributory amount;
[0088] e) determination by the primary controller of whether or not
to award a prize based at least in part upon the total contributory
amount;
[0089] f) if the determination in step e) is positive,
communication from the primary controller to the auxiliary
controller of data associated with the determination; and
[0090] g) analysis by the auxiliary controller of the data
associated with the determination and the data stored in said
memory to determine to which of the gaming terminals the prize is
to be allocated.
[0091] According to an eighth aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of allocating a prize in a system having a
primary controller, an auxiliary controller and a plurality of
gaming terminals, said method including the steps of:
[0092] collating and storing data at the auxiliary controller
indicative of contributory amounts associated with one or more of
the terminals;
[0093] being responsive to the data for calculating a total
contributory amount at the auxiliary controller;
[0094] communicating the total contributory amount to the primary
controller;
[0095] using the primary controller to determine whether or not to
award a prize and to determine data associated with said
determination;
[0096] communicating the data associated with said determination to
the auxiliary controller; and
[0097] using said auxiliary controller to determine to which of the
terminals the prize should be awarded.
[0098] According to a ninth aspect of the invention there is
provided a method of allocating a prize using a gaming apparatus,
the apparatus including:
[0099] a primary controller for determining the award of a prize;
and
[0100] an auxiliary controller capable of communication with the
primary controller, the auxiliary controller being further capable
of communication with one or more gaming terminals,
[0101] the method including the steps of:
[0102] receipt by the auxiliary controller of data from one or more
of the gaming terminals;
[0103] storage of the data in a memory accessible to the auxiliary
controller;
[0104] communication from the auxiliary controller to the primary
controller of a contributory amount derived from the data;
[0105] determination by the primary controller of whether or not to
award a prize based upon the contributory amount;
[0106] where the determination is to award a prize, communication
from the primary controller to the auxiliary controller of data
associated with the determination; and
[0107] analysis by the auxiliary controller of the data associated
with the determination and the data stored in the memory to
determine to which of the gaming terminals the prize is to be
allocated.
[0108] Preferably, the data from one or more of the gaming
terminals includes at least one gaming terminal identifier and
associated gaming terminal accumulated amount. More preferably, the
contributory amount is derived from the gaming terminal accumulated
amount. In another embodiment, the data is indicative of a
contribution from the respective gaming terminal, and the
contributory amount is derives from the contributions from the
respective terminals. In one embodiment, the contributory amount is
the sum of the contributions from the separate terminals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0109] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0110] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of a first preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0111] FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing steps performed by an
auxiliary controller when polling the gaming terminals;
[0112] FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing steps performed by a primary
controller when determining whether or not to award a prize;
[0113] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing steps performed by an
auxiliary controller once the primary controller has determined
that a prize should be awarded; and
[0114] FIG. 5 is a schematic depiction of a first preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0115] Referring to the drawings, the first preferred embodiment of
a gaming apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a primary
controller (1) for determining the award of a prize. The primary
controller (1) is typically a server, for example a personal
computer running a windows advanced server program and using an SQL
database. Such hardware and software is readily commercially
available and its use is well known to those skilled in the
art.
[0116] The logic used by the primary controller (1) to determine
whether or not a prize is awarded will vary in different
implementations, however in the illustrated preferred embodiment
the prize is awarded once an incrementally increased accrued input
amount tracked by the primary controller (1) has reached or
exceeded a randomly selected value. In other embodiments,
alternative schemes are used, for example that described in
co-pending Australian Provisional Patent Application No.
2003903769, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their
entirety by way of reference.
[0117] The auxiliary controller (2) is capable of communication
with the primary controller (1) via a wide area network (3). As
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, such a network is
referred to as a WAN. Routers (43 and 44) provide an interface
between the wide area network (3) and the primary controller (1)
and the auxiliary controllers (2) respectively in a manner which is
well known to those skilled in the art. The bandwidth of
communications across the wide area network (3) is typically
limited, for example in the preferred embodiment the data
communications baud rate is 9600 bits per second. In other
embodiments alternative baud rates are used.
[0118] The auxiliary controller (2) is also capable of
communication with one or more gaming terminals (4) via a local
area network (5) having a data communications baud rate of 10 mega
bits per second. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art, such a network is referred to as a LAN.
[0119] In other embodiments the LAN uses different baud rates.
Notwithstanding, it is more typical that the baud rate for the LAN
will be much greater than the baud rate for the WAN that links the
LAN to the central controller.
[0120] In the preferred embodiment this LAN (5) is in the form of a
serial network, for example an RS-485, or the like. Each of the
gaming terminals (4) interfaces with the serial network via
interface cards (45) in a known manner. Each of the gaming machines
(4) include a display (46) upon which the game is displayed. It is
worth noting that the terms "gaming terminals" and "gaming
machines" are taken to be interchangeable for the purpose of the
specification.
[0121] The gaming terminals (4) are typically poker machines,
however the invention is also applicable to other types of games
involving one or more wagers being placed upon an outcome having a
finite probability of occurring. Yet other embodiments of the
invention are applicable to retail transactions and associated
marketing schemes, such as loyalty schemes. For example, a trader
may choose to offer a prize once a certain amount of revenue has
been received in total sales, once a given number of a predefined
product line has been sold, or once a predetermined milestone has
been achieved. In one embodiment, where the terminals are in the
form of point of sale terminals such as electronic cash registers,
a prize is awarded to every hundredth consumer who enters into a
transaction. In such cases, the gaming is the marketing promotion
from which the prize is derived. Consumers will typically have a
range of degrees of awareness of their level of participation in
such gaming. In other embodiments the gaming terminals include
personal computers, mobile phones and access control points. For
example, a prize is awarded when a website is visited under set
conditions, when a cellular telephone call satisfies a given
criteria, or once a predetermined number of people have used an
access control point. Digital television technology is also
presently contemplated as interfaces for gaming terminals.
[0122] Returning to an exemplary poker machine gaming application
of a preferred embodiment, a single auxiliary controller (2) is
typically disposed at each gaming venue and is connected to the
local area network (5) so as to communicate with all of the gaming
terminals (4) at that venue. However, it will be appreciated that
other embodiments of the invention utilise more than one auxiliary
controller (2) at a given venue or, alternatively, a single
auxiliary controller (2) to service a number of venues. For ease of
reference, the group of gaming terminals (2) to which any given
auxiliary controller (2) is connected via the local area network
(5) shall be referred to as that auxiliary controller's "associated
group" (8). Additionally, the venues at which the auxiliary
controllers (2) are disposed (6) are typically geographically
separate from each other and from the venue (7) at which the
primary controller (1) is disposed. For ease of reference, the
venue at which the auxiliary controllers (2) are disposed may be
referred to as "remote sites" (6) and the venue at which the
primary controller is disposed may be referred to as the "central
site" (7), as shown in FIG. 1. A progressive display (47) is
disposed at the gaming venue to display information to the gamers
regarding the jackpot prize. Some embodiments of the gaming
machines (4) include separate displays, referred to as "tablets",
which are also used to display information to the gamers regarding
the jackpot prize.
[0123] A database server (40) and a workstation (41) are disposed
at the central site and are connected to the primary controller (1)
via a local area network (42). This local area network (42) may be
in the form of an Ethernet making use of category 5 cables, hubs,
etc, in a known manner. However other types of LAN's, such as
wireless LAN's, and the like, are utilised in alternative
embodiments. The database server (42) is utilised by the primary
controller (1) for the storage and retrieval of data. The
workstation (41) allows an administrator to interface with the
apparatus.
[0124] Each of the gaming terminals (4) include meters which track
various parameters associated with the performance and usage of the
gaming terminal (4). In particular, each of the gaming terminals
(4) include a meter which tracks the total amount of revenue which
has been received by the gaming terminal (4). This is one of the
main parameters used in the preferred embodiment of this invention,
however it will be appreciated that other parameters may also be
utilised, for example parameters which track the number of games
played, the number or monetary value of prizes awarded, the
contribution that a game played at that terminal makes to a linked
jackpot, etc. In general, whichever of these parameters is used
shall be referred to as an "accumulated amount".
[0125] The auxiliary controllers (2) are each responsive to a
polling period, which in the preferred embodiment is 1 second. This
period is chosen to be large enough to enable an auxiliary
controller (2) to receive data from the maximum possible number of
gaming terminals (4) which may be in its associated group (8). In
one preferred embodiment this maximum possible number is 128,
however it will be appreciated that this Figure may be higher or
lower in other embodiments. Within each polling period, the
auxiliary controllers (2) receive data from at least some of the
gaming terminals (4), as shown at step 20 of FIG. 2. The data
includes one or more gaming terminal identifiers and associated
gaming terminal accumulated amount. In some embodiments each
auxiliary controller (2) obtains this data from each of the gaming
terminals (4) to which it is connected via the local area network
(5). In other words, each auxiliary controller (2) obtains this
data from each member of the associated group (8) of gaming
terminals (2). Preferably, however, each of the auxiliary terminals
(2) only receive data from those gaming terminals in their
respective groups (8) for which the accumulated amount has altered
since the last polling period. This is advantageous since, in a 1
second polling period, it is likely that only a small sub-set of
the associated group (8) of a given auxiliary controller (2) will
experience an alteration in their accumulated amount, such as an
increase in their revenue amounts. And where there is a change in
an accumulated amount it will typically only be due to a single
game having been initiated or played at a given terminal. That is,
the system is set up to provide, in effect, real time
operation.
[0126] This data as received by the auxiliary controller (2) within
any given polling period is stored a memory accessible to the
auxiliary controller (2), as shown at step 21 of FIG. 2. For the
sake of illustrative example, we shall base a running example on
the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein the gaming
apparatus has five auxiliary controllers (2), identified as Server
Nos. 1 to 5. We shall further assume, for the sake of illustrative
example, that Server No. 4 (also known at auxiliary controller No.
4) has 25 gaming terminals in its associated group (8), identified
by gaming terminal identifier Nos. 1 to 25. In one polling period
auxiliary controller No. 4 receives and stores the following data
in its memory: TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Gaming Terminal Identifier
Nos. Associated Accumulated Amount Machine No. 12 $2 Machine No. 20
$5 Machine No. 3 $1
[0127] This data is expressed in the above list, and stored in the
memory, in the chronological order in which it was received from
the gaming terminals (2). In other words, gaming terminal No. 12
was the first to experience a change in its accumulated amount
whereby its revenue increased by $2. This was followed by gaming
terminal no. 20 and so on. In other words, the sequence of entries
in this list is indicative of the order in which the entries were
received by Server No. 4 (2) from the various gaming terminals (4).
In some embodiments additional time and date data is also stored in
association with the data shown in table 1. All communication of
data between the gaming terminals (4) and the auxiliary controllers
(2) takes place across the local area network (5) and therefore
benefits from its high baud rate as compared to that of the wide
area network (3). This contrasts with typical prior art systems in
which the gaming terminals communicate directly with the primary
controller via the wide area network.
[0128] In the running example of the operation of a preferred
embodiment, the gaming terminals (4) communicate to their auxiliary
controller (2) an accumulated amount which is the amount by which
their revenue has altered. However, in other embodiments the gaming
machines simply communicate an updated total revenue Figure to the
auxiliary controller (2), which then subtracts the previous revenue
Figure for the relevant gaming terminal to calculate the amount by
which the revenue has altered.
[0129] The next step is for each of the auxiliary controllers (2)
to calculate a total contributory amount, as shown at step 22 of
FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that the revenue from each machine
includes only a small proportion that will contribute to the major
prize. In a preferred embodiment, the total contributory amount is
derived from the accumulated amount by determining the proportion
of the accumulated amount from each machine that will contribute to
the determination by primary controller (1) of whether to award a
prize.
[0130] In some embodiments the total contributory amount is
calculated from a total accumulated amount, being the sum of each
of the machines' accumulated amounts. In other embodiments the
total contributory amount is calculated by summing the contributory
amounts derived from each machine, these being proportions of the
respective machines' accumulated amounts. In further embodiments,
the machines provide the contributory amounts--that is, the
accumulation amount provided by a machine is the respective
contributory amount, that having been calculated by the machine in
the first place--and the auxiliary controller sums those amounts
for a given polling period.
[0131] In any event, the contributory amount, while typically
derived from the accumulated amount, is a separately calculated
number. In the embodiments, the calculation occurs either at the
auxiliary controller or the terminals--that is, not at the central
or primary controller.
[0132] In the present embodiment, 1% of each machines accumulated
amount will contribute to the determination by primary controller
(1) of whether to award a prize. Therefore, the contributory amount
is 1% of the accumulated amount. In other embodiments, alternative
percentages or flat amounts are used. In still further embodiments,
the percentage varies between machines at a given site. In some
embodiments, the percentage or amount is determined, at least in
part, by the gamer using a respective machine.
[0133] In the above example, Server No. 4 would calculate a total
contributory amount of $0.08 for the polling period under
consideration. This respective total is then communicated from each
of the auxiliary controllers (2) to the primary controller (1) via
the wide area network, as shown at step 23 of FIG. 2. In the
running example, auxiliary controller No. 4 would communicate the
following data to the primary controller: TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2
Auxiliary Controller Identifier Total Contributory Amount in No.
Polling Period 4 $0.08
[0134] Hence, rather than receive data from each independent gaming
terminal (4) as in the majority of the prior art, the primary
controller (1) only has to receive data from each of the auxiliary
controllers (2). This results in an advantageous reduction in the
amount of data that must be communicated across the relatively
slower wide area network (3) since the number of auxiliary
terminals (2) is typically far lower than the number of individual
gaming terminals (4).
[0135] It will be appreciated that, in practice, by processing the
accumulated amounts to derive the total contributory amounts, a
much smaller number is communicated to the primary controller (1).
This results in a further reduction in the amount of data that must
be communicated across the relatively slower wide area network (3).
This advantage is more fully realized when it is appreciated that
the polling period is quite short, and the number of auxiliary
controller is typically quite large to allow large prizes to be
quickly accumulated and awarded. In more practical scenarios, the
accumulated amounts are in excess of 10 digits, whilst the related
contributory amounts are generally less than 5 digits.
[0136] There is a further advantage in the running example, in that
there is an increase in the processing at the auxiliary
controllers, and a decrease in processing at the primary
controller. That is, the processing is being distributed to better
allow the primary controller to perform its key function, to
determine which contributions gave rise to the prize being awarded,
and to inform the respective site accordingly.
[0137] Referring now to FIG. 3, once the primary controller (1) has
received data from each of the auxiliary controllers (2) at step
24, it then determines whether or not to award a prize at step 25.
In this embodiment the prize is awarded once the total contributory
revenue received by all of the gaming terminals (2) exceeds a
randomly selected value. For example, assume that the running value
of total contributory revenues at tracked by the primary controller
(1) is $1,072.10 prior to processing by the primary controller (1)
of the data received from auxiliary controller No. 4. Further,
assume that the randomly selected trigger value at which the prize
is awarded is $1,072.14. Once the primary processor (1) increments
the running total by the $0.08 amount communicated by Server No. 4,
the running value of total contributory revenues equals $1,072.18,
which exceeds the randomly selected trigger value of $1,072.14.
Hence, the primary controller (1) determines that the prize is to
be awarded to one of the gaming terminals (2) in the group (8)
associated with Server No. 4.
[0138] If it is determined that no prize is to be awarded, the
primary controller (1) returns to step 24 to receive data from
another of the auxiliary controllers (2). However, if the primary
controller (1) determines that a prize is to be awarded, it
communicates "data associated with said determination" to the
relevant auxiliary controller (2), as shown at step 26 of FIG. 3.
In one preferred embodiment the "data associated with said
determination" is the portion of the total contributory amount
identified by the relevant auxiliary controller (2) that would have
been required to increment the running value to the trigger value.
In the running example, this portion is $0.04, since this is the
amount that would have been required to increment the running value
from $1,072.10 to the trigger value, $1,072.14. Hence, in the
running example, the primary controller (1) communicates the
following data to Server No. 4 via the wide area network (3):
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Data Associated with said Determination
$0.04
[0139] Turning now to FIG. 4, the "data associated with said
determination" is received by Server No 4 at step 27. This data is
then analysed by the auxiliary controller (2) in conjunction with
the data stored in its memory (that is, the data illustrated in
Table 1) to determine to which of the gaming terminals (2) the
prize is to be allocated, as shown in step 28 of FIG. 4. In the
running example, auxiliary controller No 7 refers to the
information previously stored in its memory to determine that if
the "data associated with said determination" is between or equal
to $0 and $0.02 (that is, the $2 identified by gaming terminal No.
12 was the accumulated amount which triggered the jackpot), then
gaming terminal No. 12 is the winning terminal (2). If the amount
is greater than $0.02 and less than or equal to $0.07 (that is, the
$5 identified by gaming terminal No. 20 was the accumulated amount
which triggered the jackpot) then the winning terminal is No. 20.
Finally, if the "data associated with said determination" is
greater than $0.07 and less than or equal to $0.08 (that is, the $1
identified by gaming terminal No 3 was the accumulated amount which
triggered the jackpot), then the winning terminal is No. 3. In this
example the "data associated with said determination" is $0.04,
which is between $0.02 and $0.07, and therefore the winning
terminal is No. 20.
[0140] As shown in step 29 of FIG. 4, the auxiliary controller (2)
then communicates a win message to the gaming terminal (4) to which
the prize is to be allocated. In the running example, auxiliary
controller No. 4 sends a win message to gaming terminal No. 20 via
the local area network (5), thereby causing gaming terminal No. 20
to notify the gamer operating that terminal of the win.
Additionally, as shown at step 30 of FIG. 4, the auxiliary
controller (2) communicates a win message to the primary controller
(1). This win message includes the gaming terminal identifier of
the gaming terminal (2) to which the prize was allocated, which in
the running example is gaming terminal identifier No. 20. This
enables the primary controller (1) to keep a log of the prizes
awarded by the gaming apparatus.
[0141] In comparison to at least some prior art systems, the
preferred embodiment of the invention advantageously streamlines
the amount of processing which must take place at the primary
controller (1). Instead, a proportion of the processing takes place
at each of the auxiliary controllers (2). The preferred embodiment
also substantially reduces the amount of data which must flow
between the primary processor (1) and each of the gaming machines
(4) as compared to at least some of the prior art systems. This is
achieved by making use of the faster communications performance of
the LAN (5) as compared to the WAN (3) and also by the
implementation of a means by which the auxiliary controller can
determine the winning gaming machine (4) upon receipt of the "data
associated with the determination". These features help to ensure
that the preferred embodiment of the current invention processes
the necessary data within the relatively short time available
between games, which is typically approximately 2.5 to 3
seconds.
[0142] In the interests of security and efficiency, it is necessary
for primary controller (1) to have an accurate list of contributing
machines. To that end, the primary controller maintains a separate
list of the contributing machines associated with each auxiliary
controller. The lists are updated each time the respective
auxiliary controller comes online. However, the updating is
performed in a manner to also reduce the bandwidth requirements
from the WAN. To achieve this, each time an auxiliary controller
(2) comes online, primary controller (1) communicates to the
auxiliary controller a cyclic redundancy code (CRC) of the list
relevant to the auxiliary controller (2). This CRC is an
algorithmically generated compressed code for the relevant list,
and is of far lesser size than the list from which it is derived.
Auxiliary controller (2) has, stored in the memory, a real-time
current list of the machine identifiers of machines presently
contributing to the prize. Auxiliary controller (2) generates a CRC
from the locally stored list, and compares that CRC with the CRC
communicated by the primary controller. If the two CRCs differ, the
auxiliary controller informs the primary controller accordingly. In
response, the primary controller sequentially generates and sends a
CRC for the separate items in the list for that auxiliary
controller. These CRCs are progressively received and compared with
the corresponding CRC for the list held locally by the auxiliary
controller until such time as the differences between the lists are
identified by the auxiliary controller. Once identified, the
differences are reconciled to ensure that the list at the primary
controller is an accurate representation of the relevant devices
that are connected with auxiliary controller (2).
[0143] The use of CRCs in the manner described above further
reduces the amount of data being transferred across the WAN when
compared with the approaches of known systems. That is, initially
only a compressed code is communicated, and only if this identifies
a difference is any further investigation undertaken into the
differences. And even then, the lists themselves are not directly
compared to obviate the need to send the complete list. Once the
investigation of the differences is finalised, the communication of
the relevant entry in the locally held list is also communicated to
the primary controller as a CRC. It also allows further processing
to be distributed to the auxiliary controllers. That is, in this
embodiment, the comparison of the CRC's occurs at the auxiliary
controller.
[0144] In the above embodiment, the CRCs are all generated with a
common protocol of CRC32. However, in other embodiments,
alternative protocols are used.
[0145] A preferred embodiment of the invention as applied in a
retail context has a similar layout to that shown in either FIG. 1
or FIG. 5, however with point of sale terminals (4), such as cash
registers for example, taking the place of the gaming terminals
(4). In one exemplary application of such a preferred embodiment,
the merchant may choose to award a prize every time total sales
across all of the terminals (4) in the network (hereinafter
referred to as the "global sales total") exceed a predefined target
amount, say $1,000,000. In this embodiment, the contributory amount
for each terminal is equal to the accumulated amount. It will be
appreciated, however, that the value of the prize will typically be
far less than the total accumulated amount. In each polling cycle,
each of the auxiliary controllers (2) obtains data from each of the
terminals (4) in its associated group (8). This data includes
terminal identifiers and "accumulated amounts" in the form of sales
Figures. This data is stored by the auxiliary controller (2) in a
list that is compiled in the order of receipt of the data from the
terminals (4) (and therefore in the same order as the sales took
place at the terminals (4)). The sales Figures are summed by each
the auxiliary controllers (2) such that each of the auxiliary
controllers (2) calculates the total sales that have taken place
for its associated group (8) of terminals (2) within the polling
period (hereinafter referred to as the "local sales total").
[0146] Each of the auxiliary controllers (2) then transmits its
local sales total to the primary controller (1) which keeps track
of the global sales total and determines whether or not the prize
is to be awarded. Once the global sales total exceeds the target
amount of $1,000,000, the primary controller (1) determines that a
prize should be awarded. The primary controller also determines the
portion of money from the local sales total that was required to
increment the global sales total over the target amount. For
example, if a particular auxiliary controller (2) communicates a
local sales total of $10 to the primary controller (1) and this
increments the global sales total from $999,993 to $1,000,003, then
the portion of money required to increment the global sales total
over the target amount was $7.
[0147] This Figure of $7 is then communicated from the primary
controller (1) to the auxiliary controller (2) responsible for
triggering the prize. This information is used by the auxiliary
controller (2) in conjunction with the previously stored data to
determine to which of the terminals (4) the prize is to be
awarded.
[0148] Another application of this preferred embodiment as used in
a retail context is to award a prize once a predefined number of
specified products have been sold. For example, a merchant may
decide to award a prize to the customer who purchases the
10,000.sup.th hamburger. In this embodiment the polling cycle is
preferably equal to or less than 1 second. In this way, it is
highly unlikely or impossible that more than one customer could be
served on any one terminal (4) within any given polling period.
Hence, in each polling cycle each of the auxiliary controllers (2)
use their respective LANs to poll each of the terminals (4) in
their associated group (8) to receive a contribution amount
representative of the number of hamburger sales processed by each
of the terminals (4) during the polling cycle.
[0149] In other embodiments, the terminals provide to the auxiliary
controller during each polling cycle predetermined details of each
transaction that has occurred in that cycle. The auxiliary
controller is then responsive to those predetermined details for
deriving a total contribution amount that corresponds to the number
of hamburger sold via the terminals in the polling cycle.
[0150] In further embodiments, the terminals provide contribution
amounts that correspond to the number of hamburgers sold at
respective terminals in the polling cycle. The auxiliary controller
then being responsive to the contribution amounts for determining a
total contribution amount that is to be communicated to the primary
controller. In this embodiment, the total contribution amount is a
sum of the separate contribution amounts. Moreover, in this
embodiment, the contribution amount equals 1 for each hamburger. In
other embodiments, the contribution amount is weighted in
accordance with one or more characteristics of the hamburger (or
other good and/or service being sold).
[0151] Each of the auxiliary controllers (2) store the data
received from the terminals (4) in a list in the order of receipt
of that data. This list includes terminal identifiers and
individual terminal sales data. For example, in one polling cycle,
auxiliary controller no. 2 may store the following data:
TABLE-US-00004 Individual Accumulated Amounts (i.e. Number of
Hamburger Sales Terminal Identifier in Polling Period) Terminal No.
12 3 hamburgers Terminal No. 3 2 hamburgers Terminal No. 7 4
hamburgers Terminal No. 5 1 hamburger
[0152] Auxiliary controller no. 2 then calculates the total
hamburgers sold by its associated terminals (2) and communicates
this data via the WAN to the primary controller (1) as follows:
TABLE-US-00005 Total Accumulated Amount 10 hamburgers
[0153] The primary controller (1) keeps a running tab of the total
number of hamburgers sold across the whole network. For the sake of
the example, we shall assume that this global total is, say 9994
prior to the processing of the data from auxiliary controller no.
2. Once the 10 hamburgers communicated by auxiliary controller no.
2 have been added, this global total is 10,004 and therefore the
primary controller (1) determines that the prize should be awarded.
The primary controller (1) calculates that the number of hamburger
sales required to trigger the prize was 6 (i.e. 10,000-9994) and
this Figure becomes the "data associated with the determination"
and is communicated to auxiliary controller no. 2 as follows:
TABLE-US-00006 Data Associated with said Determination 6
hamburgers
[0154] This data is then used by auxiliary controller no. 2, in
conjunction with the data in the list stored previously, to
determine that it is the customer at terminal no. 7 to whom the
prize should be awarded.
[0155] The advantages of the preferred embodiments of the
invention, as presently contemplated, have arisen, at least in
part, from an appreciation by the inventor of both minimising the
quantum of data sent between the central controller and the
auxiliary controllers, as well as increasing the refinement of the
minimal data that is sent. This data includes not only data
associated with the award of a centrally determined prize, but also
other data about the type or status of the terminals that are
hosted by a given auxiliary controller.
[0156] Although the invention has been described with reference to
specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that it may be embodied in many other forms.
* * * * *