U.S. patent application number 11/559176 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for system and method for streaming games and services to gaming devices.
Invention is credited to Kenichi Kamano, Norio Tone.
Application Number | 20070265094 11/559176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38685820 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070265094 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tone; Norio ; et
al. |
November 15, 2007 |
System and Method for Streaming Games and Services to Gaming
Devices
Abstract
A gaming system providing a game and/or gaming services to a
player or user at a gaming or gaming services device. The device
receives streaming audio-video representing the game or gaming
services and plays streaming audio-video at a device. The device
also receives input related to the play of the game or the gaming
services from the user/player and relays the input to the gaming
system. The system includes a storage device and a controller. The
storage device stores elements of the game and/or gaming services.
The game controller receives the input from the user/player and
responsively retrieving the elements of the game and/or gaming
services from the storage device, dynamically creates an
audio-video stream as a function of the retrieved elements and the
input, and broadcasts the audio-video stream to the gaming and/or
gaming services device.
Inventors: |
Tone; Norio; (Henderson,
NV) ; Kamano; Kenichi; (Las Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOWARD & HOWARD ATTORNEYS, P.C.
THE PINEHURST OFFICE CENTER, SUITE #101, 39400 WOODWARD AVENUE
BLOOMFIELD HILLS
MI
48304-5151
US
|
Family ID: |
38685820 |
Appl. No.: |
11/559176 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60799290 |
May 10, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3223 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A gaming system for providing a game to a player at a gaming
device, the gaming device for receiving streaming audio-video
representing the game and playing streaming audio-video on a
display and for receiving input related to the play of the game
from the player and relaying the player input to the gaming system,
comprising: a storage device for storing elements of the game; and,
a game controller coupled to the storage device and the gaming
device for receiving the player input from the player and
responsively retrieving the elements of the game from the storage
device, for playing the game, determining an outcome of the game,
and awarding the player an award if the outcome of the game is a
winning outcome, and responsively, dynamically creating an
audio-video stream as a function of the retrieved elements, the
player input, the outcome of the game, and the award, if any, and
for broadcasting the audio-video stream to the gaming device.
2. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the elements
of the game include one or more of game application executable
code, game graphics, sound data, and a configuration properties
file.
3. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the elements
of the game further include gaming device location data.
4. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the gaming
device location data includes a type of location and an
identification of the location of the game device.
5. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 2, wherein the gaming
device includes a display, the configuration properties file
including one or more of the following: screen resolution of the
display, display coordinates for images and/or animations, color
depth of the display, game hold percentages, game denominations,
game specific parameters, and maximum payout thresholds.
6. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 2, the configuration
properties file defining attributes of the gaming device.
7. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 6, wherein the gaming
device is of one of first type and a second type, the configuration
properties file being associated with the first type, the set of
elements of the gaming including a second configuration properties
file associated with the second type.
8. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 1, whether the game
device is one of a terminal networked to the game controller, a
wireless device wirelessly networked to the game controller, or a
remote device connected to the game controller via the
internet.
9. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 1, the game controller
including a game contents storage server, the storage device being
embodied in a database on the game contents storage server.
10. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 9, the game controller
including a game control component and an audio-video stream
creating component coupled to the game contents storage server, the
game control component for playing the game, the audio-video stream
creating component being in communication with the game control
component and the game contents storage server for creating the
audio-video stream.
11. A gaming system, as set in claim 10, the game controller
including an audio-video stream broadcasting component for
broadcasting the audio-video stream to the game device.
12. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 1, the gaming being
adapted to provide a game to a second player at a second gaming
device, the storage device for storing elements of a second
game.
13. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 12, the elements of the
first and second games including first and second game application
executable code, respectively, the game controller for loading the
first game application executable code and running a first instance
of the first game application executable code.
14. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 13, the game controller
for running a second instance of the first game application
executable code.
15. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 13, the game controller
for loading the second game application executable code and running
a first instance of the second game application executable
code.
16. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the
dynamically created audio-video stream is a series of digital
images displayed in rapid succession to give the appearance of
motion.
17. A gaming system, comprising: a gaming service device for
providing a gaming service in response to input from the user; a
storage device for storing elements of the gaming service; and, a
gaming services controller coupled to the gaming device, the gaming
service device, and the storage device for receiving the player
input from the player and responsively retrieving the elements of
the gaming service from the storage device, for dynamically
creating an audio-video stream as a function of the retrieved
elements and the player input, and for broadcasting the audio-video
stream to the gaming service device.
18. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the gaming
service is one of player tracking, including, but not limited to,
comps, cashless gaming, hotel portfolio, dinner and show
reservations, bonus games, progressive jackpots, entertainment and
other video/audio services.
19. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the elements
of the gaming service include one or more of service application
executable code, service graphics, sound data, and a configuration
properties file.
20. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 19, wherein the elements
of the gaming service further include game device location
data.
21. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 20, wherein the gaming
device location device includes a type of location and an
identification of the location of the game device.
22. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 19, wherein the gaming
service device includes a display, the configuration properties
file including one or more of the following: screen resolution of
the display, display coordinates for images and/or animations, and
color depth of the display.
23. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 17, whether the gaming
service device is one a separate player tracking device associated
with the gaming device and an integrated device with the gaming
device.
24. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 17, the gaming service
controller including a gaming service contents storage server, the
storage device being embodied in a database on the gaming service
contents storage server.
25. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 24, the gaming service
controller including a gaming service control server and an
audio-video stream creating component coupled to the gaming service
contents storage server, the gaming service control server for
providing the gaming service, the audio-video stream creating
component being in communication with the gaming service control
server and the gaming service contents storage server for creating
the audio-video stream.
26. A gaming system, as set in claim 25 the gaming service
controller including an audio-video stream broadcasting component
for broadcasting the audio-video stream to the gaming service
device.
27. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the gaming
services device is associated with a gaming device, the gaming
device for providing a game to a player.
28. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 27, wherein the gaming
services device is a player tracking device.
29. A gaming system, as set forth in claim 17, wherein the
dynamically created audio-video stream is a series of digital
images displayed in rapid succession to give the appearance of
motion.
30. A gaming system for providing a game and gaming services to a
player at a gaming device, the gaming device for receiving
streaming audio-video representing the game and gaming service on a
display and for receiving input from the player and relaying the
player input to the gaming system, comprising: a storage device for
storing elements of the game and elements of the gaming service;
and, a controller coupled to the gaming device and the storage
device for receiving the player input from the player and
responsively retrieving the elements of the game from the storage
device and for playing the game, for responsively retrieving
elements of the gaming service from the storage device as a
function of the player input, and dynamically creating an
audio-video stream as a function of the retrieved elements of the
game and the gaming service and the player input, and for
broadcasting the audio-video stream to the gaming device, the
audio-video stream containing elements of the game and/or elements
of the gaming services.
31. A gaming system for providing a game to a player at a gaming
device, comprising: a storage device for storing elements a
plurality of a plurality of games in first and second libraries,
each library include at least one game; and, a game controller for
selectively enabling one of the first and second libraries based on
a library parameter, for receiving the player input from the player
and responsively retrieving the elements of one of the games in the
enabled library from the storage device, for playing the one of the
games and dynamically creating an audio-video stream as a function
of the retrieved elements and the player input, and for
broadcasting the audio-video stream to the gaming device.
32. A gaming system for providing a game and/or gaming service to a
player at a gaming device, the gaming device for receiving
streaming audio-video representing the game and/or gaming service
on a display and for receiving input from the player and relaying
the player input to the gaming system, comprising: a storage device
for storing elements of the game and/or elements of the gaming
services; a player data storage device for storing information
related to a plurality of players; a gaming services device for
receiving input from the player related to the identification of
the player; and, a controller coupled to the gaming device, the
gaming services device, the player data storage device, and the
storage device for receiving the information related to the
identification of the player and responsively retrieving player
information from the player data storage device, for receiving the
player input from the player and responsively retrieving the
elements of the game and/or game service from the storage device,
and dynamically creating an audio-video stream related to the game
and/or gaming services as a function of the retrieved elements of
the game and/or the gaming service and the player input, at least a
portion of the audio-video stream incorporating the player
information, and for broadcasting the audio-video stream to the
gaming device, the audio-video stream containing both elements of
the game and elements of the gaming services.
33. A gaming system for providing a plurality of games to a player,
comprising: a gaming device having a display and a set of user
controls, the user controls for receiving player input, the gaming
device for receiving streaming audio-video representing the games
and playing the streaming audio-video on the display, the display
including multiple game play sections, wherein each game is
displayed within its own section of the display; a storage device
for storing elements of the game; and, a game controller coupled to
the storage device and the gaming device for receiving the player
input from the player device and responsively retrieving the
elements of the game from the storage device, for playing the
games, and responsively, dynamically creating a single audio-video
stream as a function of the retrieved elements, the player input,
game and for broadcasting the audio-video stream to the gaming
device, the audio-video stream representing the games.
34. A gaming system, comprising: a gaming service device for
providing a gaming service, the gaming service being a system or
controller based progressive jackpot; a storage device for storing
elements of the gaming service; and, a gaming services controller
coupled to the gaming device, the gaming service device, and the
storage device for retrieving the elements of the gaming service
from the storage device, for dynamically creating an audio-video
stream as a function of the retrieved elements, and for
broadcasting the audio-video stream to the gaming service device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/799,290 filed on May 10, 2006, which
is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to gaming system, and more
specifically, to a system and method for delivering games and/or
services to gaming devices using real time audio-video
streaming.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A majority of the games provided at a casino are computer
based. For example, video slot machines, video poker machines, and
even mechanical slot machines are currently controlled by computer
software executed on a computer located within a game cabinet.
[0004] Due to regulatory controls, the software running the game is
stored on program computer chips known as EEPROMs. Each EEPROM is
numbered and has an associated software version. Location and
replacement of the EEPROM in a gaming cabinet, as well as software
updates, is strictly regulated. Unfortunately, when a software
update is desired or required, each EEPROM must be physically
replaced under strict guidelines. This is time consuming and
expensive.
[0005] Currently some game manufacturers and casinos are moving to
downloadable systems, in which the software which runs the games is
downloaded to each game when an update or new software is
available. However, as each game requires the most up to date
software, the software must be downloaded to each game cabinet.
This is a time consuming and complex task which must be performed
under the strictest guidelines. The main features and capabilities
of the game itself are not changed from EPROM based gaming
systems.
[0006] Some game manufactures and casinos are moving to
server-based systems which games run on casino servers located in
casino server room. However, in these systems game graphics and/or
sound data are transferred and stored at the game cabinet in the
same manner of the downloadable systems. Regulatory controls ensure
that the transfer of the game elements and sound data are performed
under the strictest guidelines. The transfer may occur once at game
activation or any time while the game is in service. This kind of
server-based system is based on the downloadable systems described
above.
[0007] The present invention is aimed at one or more of the
problems set forth above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In a first aspect of the present invention, a system and
method dynamically creates an audio-video stream containing a
presentation of the games and/or services and broadcasts the
audio-video stream to one or more gaming devices which receive the
audio-video stream and play it at the device.
[0009] In a second aspect of the present invention, a system and
method for providing server based real time casino gaming using
audio-video streaming technology.
[0010] In a third aspect of the present invention a gaming system
for providing a game to a player at a gaming device is provided.
The gaming device receives streaming audio-video representing a
game and plays the streaming audio-video at the device. The gaming
device also receives input related to the player of the game from
the player and relays the player input to the gaming system. The
gaming system includes a storage device and game controller. The
storage device stores elements of the game. The game controller is
coupled to the storage device and the gaming device and receives
the player input from the player and responsively retrieves the
elements of the game from the storage device, and determines a
result of the game as the result of a process. The gaming
controller dynamically creates an audio-video stream as a function
of the retrieved elements and the result of the game and then
broadcasts the audio-video stream to the gaming device.
[0011] In a fourth aspect of the present invention the gaming
system for providing a gaming service to a user is provided. The
gaming system includes a gaming service device, a storage device,
and a gaming service controller. The gaming service controller is
associated with the gaming device and provides a gaming service in
response to input from the player. The storage device stores the
elements of the gaming service. The gaming service controller is
coupled to the gaming device, the gaming service device, and the
storage device and receives the player input from the player and
responsively retrieves the elements of the gaming service from the
storage device, and determines the result of the gaming service as
a function of the player input. The gaming service controller
further dynamically creates an audio-video stream as a function of
the retrieved elements and the result of the process of the gaming
service and broadcasts the audio-video stream to the gaming service
device.
[0012] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, the gaming
system provides a game and gaming services to a player at a gaming
device. The gaming device receives streaming audio-video
representing the game and gaming service and plays it at the device
and receives input from the player and relays the player input to
the gaming system. The gaming system includes storage devices and
controllers for game gaming service respectively. The storage
devices store elements of the game and/or elements of the gaming
service. The controller is coupled to the gaming device and the
storage device and receives the player input from the player and
responsively retrieves the elements of the game from the storage
device and plays the game. The controller also responsively
retrieves elements of the gaming service from the storage device as
a function of the player input and dynamically creates an
audio-video stream as a function of the retrieved elements of the
game and the gaming service and the player input. The controller
further broadcasts the audio-video stream to the gaming device. The
audio-video stream contains both presentations of the game and the
gaming services.
[0013] In a sixth aspect of the present invention a gaming system
for providing a game to a player at a gaming device is provided.
The gaming system includes a storage device and a game controller.
The storage device stores elements of a plurality of games in first
and second libraries. Each library includes at least one game. The
game controller selectively enables one of the first and second
libraries based on the library parameter for game play.
[0014] In a seventh aspect of the present invention a gaming system
provides a game and/or gaming service to a player at a gaming
device. The gaming device receives streaming audio-video
representing a game and/or gaming service on a display and receives
input from the player and relays the player input to the gaming
system. The gaming system includes a storage device, player data
storage device, a gaming services device, and a controller. The
storage device stores elements of the game and/or elements of the
gaming services. The player data storage device retrieves
information related to a plurality of players. The gaming services
device receives input from the player related to the identification
of the player. The controller is coupled to the gaming device, the
gaming services device, the data storage device, and the storage
device for receiving the information related to the identification
of the player and responsively retrieving player information from
the player data storage device. The controller further receives the
player input from the player and responsibly retrieves elements of
the game and/or game service from the storage device. The
controller dynamically creates an audio-video stream related to the
game and/or gaming services as a function of the retrieved elements
of the game and/or gaming service and the player input. At least a
portion of the audio-video stream incorporates the player
information. The controller further broadcasts the audio-video
stream to the gaming device. The audio-video stream contains both
elements of the game and the elements of the gaming services.
[0015] In an eighth aspect of the present invention, a system and
method for creating an audio-video stream of a game element of a
game is provided. Player input is received from a gaming device,
and in response, an audio-video stream of a game element is created
and broadcast to the corresponding gaming device. Player input may
be XY coordinates from a touchscreen sensor and/or a signal
indicative of actuation of a physical or touchscreen button. No
game logic occurs at the gaming device. The audio-video stream
broadcast to the gaming device may be targeted at the main display,
a top box display, a player tracking display, or any other display.
The audio-video may be by full screen or may be directed at only a
portion of a display. The game element may be part of a main game,
a bonus game, a secondary game, or other game.
[0016] In a ninth aspect of the present invention, a system and
method for creating an audio-video stream of a service (such as
player tracking, alerts, messages linked player services, etc . . .
) is provided. Similar to the Streaming Game Element, however it is
directed at player tracking services or any other non-gaming
services, such as reservations, hotel folio, etc . . . . The
services are displayed using streaming audio-video. No logic occurs
at the gaming device. The services may be provided on a player
tracking device/display, the main display, a top box display,
and/or any other display.
[0017] In a tenth aspect of the present invention, a system and
method for integrating a audio-video stream representing game
element and players gaming services on a display at the gaming
device is provided. The Streaming Game Elements and the Streaming
Services are integrated into a single audio-video stream and/or
separate audio-video streams which are played in separate areas of
the same display.
[0018] In an eleventh aspect of the present invention, a system and
method for synchronizing sounds and/or volume of game and/or
service elements in a gaming system is provided. Sounds and Volume
and other elements may be synchronized in time and/or volume.
Alerts, messages, including wins, may cause some type of action on
a number of machines. This action may be integrated into the
audio-video streams broadcast to the gaming devices.
[0019] In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a system for
providing audio-video streams of games and/or services to gaming
machines or devices is provided. Gaming devices may be grouped
together, e.g., by location and/or by function. An audio-video
stream may be created for each gaming device within a group, where
each stream is part of a composite stream composed of the
audio-video streams for all of the gaming devices within a group
and the composite stream forms a unified stream and/or message
and/or signal.
[0020] In a twelfth aspect of the present invention, a gaming
system for providing a library of games is provided. The gaming
system provides the ability to define, modify, and provide
different offers or combinations of games in a library. Within a
library of games, different groupings of available games may be
made available based on different criteria, including time of day,
player criteria, etc . . . .
[0021] In a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, player data
or information may be integrated into a streaming audio-video of a
game and/or gaming service. The data or information may include the
name and/or of the player, the player's family, or other people
referred to in the player account, into the game element. For
example, in a bonus game having a sports theme, the player's name
may appear on the back of a sports jersey and/or the player's
family's pictures may appear as faces in the crowd.
[0022] In a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, an
application programming interface or API is provided which provides
a common game engine. Games written under the API may be added to a
game library. This would allow third parties to write games or
provide services and allow the games and/or service to be
integrated into the game library and offered via Server Based
Gaming System with Streaming Audio-Video. Ideally, the third party
games would be located on a separate server.
[0023] In a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, a gaming
system provides a plurality of games and/or gaming services to a
player on a display. The system includes a gaming device, a storage
device and a game controller. The gaming device includes a display
and a set of user controls. The user controls receive player input.
The gaming device receives streaming audio-video representing the
games and plays the streaming audio-video on the display. The
display includes multiple sections wherein each game and/or gaming
service is displayed within its own section of the display. The
storage device stores elements of the game. The game controller is
coupled to the storage device and the gaming device for receiving
the player input from the player device and responsively retrieving
the elements of the game from the storage device, for playing the
games, and responsively, dynamically creating a single audio-video
stream as a function of the retrieved elements, the player input,
game and for broadcasting the audio-video stream to the gaming
device, the audio-video stream representing the games by a single
audio-video stream or multiple audio-video streams.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming system for providing a
game to a player at a gaming device, according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a gaming system for providing a
gaming service to a player, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0026] FIG. 3A is a block diagram of a gaming system for providing
a game and a gaming service to a player, according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 3B is a block diagram of a game contents storage
device, according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 3C is a block diagram of a game contents storage device
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 3D is a block diagram of a game device having a display
and controls, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0030] FIG. 3E is a block diagram of a game services device having
a display and controls, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 3F is a game device having a touchscreen display used
to provide a game and game services to a player, whose display has
virtual multiple screen sections where each game and gaming service
is displayed, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is diagrammatical illustration of a gaming system
having a game control server, a game contents storage server, an
audio-video stream creation server and an audio-video stream
broadcasting server for providing game and/or game services to
different types of gaming devices;
[0033] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating the flow of data and
streaming audio-video in a gaming system, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a diagrammatical illustration of the interface
between a game terminal of the present invention and an existing
casino management system;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a system block diagram of a gaming system for
providing games to gaming devices;
[0036] FIG. 8 is a diagrammatical illustration of a computer
network utilized in the gaming system, according to an embodiment
of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 9 is a block diagram associated with the application
control server in a gaming system, according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing game results and streaming
audio-video in a gaming system, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0039] FIG. 11 is a more detailed block diagram of a gaming system,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing various network connections in
a gaming system, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a gaming system which provides
games from more than one manufacturer via streaming audio-video,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0042] FIG. 14 is second diagram of a gaming system for providing
games via streaming audio-video from a plurality of
manufacturers;
[0043] FIG. 15 is a third diagram of a gaming system of FIGS. 13
and 14;
[0044] FIG. 16 is a flow diagram of game installation in a gaming
system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0045] FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a game software package
utilized in a gaming system, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0046] FIG. 18 is a block diagram of two different databases
utilized in a gaming system, according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0047] FIG. 19 is a flow diagram illustrating game play flow in a
gaming system, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0048] FIG. 20 is a block and flow diagram illustrating the
connection use of a legacy system gateway within the gaming system
of the present invention;
[0049] FIG. 21 is a data and flow diagram with respect to a gaming
device for use with a gaming system, according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0050] FIG. 22 is a data and flow diagram of a remote configuration
process for use in a gaming system, according to an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 23 is a block and flow diagram of a player tracking
fund transfer process in a gaming system, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 24 is a block and flow diagram of a system for allowing
competitor's games to be utilized with the gaming system of the
present invention;
[0053] FIG. 25 is a block and flow diagram of the connection use of
remote gaming devices within the gaming system, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 26 is a block and flow diagram of the use of the gaming
system of the present invention with internet devices;
[0055] FIG. 27 is a block and flow diagram of an audio-video
rendering and audio-video broadcasting server for use in the gaming
system of the present invention;
[0056] FIG. 28 is a first exemplary screen shot of a game device
for providing a plurality of games and gaming services to a player;
and
[0057] FIG. 29 is a second exemplary screen shot of a game device
for providing a plurality of games and gaming services to a
player.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0058] With reference to the drawings and in operation, the present
invention provides a gaming system 10 for providing a game and/or
gaming services to one or more players. Generally, the game and
gaming services are provided using dynamically created streaming
audio-video. In one aspect of the present invention, the game or
game service is run, executed or performed on a controller 12, 12A,
12B at a central location (see below) and only the dynamically
created audio-video stream is broadcast to a remotely located
gaming (or game) device, gaming services devices or other terminal
(see below) 14, 14A, 14B. The audio-video stream is displayed to a
user on a display 26, 30, 34, such as player and/or employee of a
casino or other user. The device 14, 14A, 14B includes a set of
user controls 28, 32, 38, 40 and a processor 27, 33. User input
from the controls 28, 32, 38, 40 is relayed to the controller 12,
12A, 12B for processing.
[0059] In one embodiment, the controls 28, 32, 38, 40 are
mechanical buttons and switches (not shown). In another embodiment,
the display 26, 30, 34 is a touchscreen device and the controls 28,
32, 38, 40 are implemented as designated locations or areas on the
display 26, 30, 34. When the user touches the touchscreen display
26, 30, 34, the location, e.g., x, y coordinates, is relayed back
to the controller 12, 12A, 12B which interprets and processes the
location.
[0060] With particular reference to FIG. 1, in one aspect of the
present invention, the gaming system 10 provides a game to a player
at a gaming device 14A.
[0061] In one embodiment, the player is allowed to place a wager on
the game and the game is played. The player may be awarded an
award, e.g., prize, pot, or jackpot based on the outcome of the
game. The award may be awarded in cash, credits, coins, tokens, or
other items or merchandise. Such games are typically provided at a
casino, but may be provided at other locations or at remote
locations (see below). Such games include, but are not limited to,
video and mechanical slot machines, video poker games, and the
like. Examples of several typical games may be found in the
following commonly assigned U.S. patent documents, which are hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety: [0062] U.S. Pat. No.
6,939,228 issued Sep. 6, 2005 to Toshiaki Shimizu, [0063] U.S. Pat.
No. 6,869,360 issued Mar. 22, 2005 to Howard R. Marks et al, [0064]
U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,632 issued Oct. 19, 2004 to Satoshi Suda,
[0065] U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,242 issued Apr. 15, 2003 to Arata
Sugiyama et al, [0066] US Patent Application Publication
2002/0119818 published Aug. 29, 2002 listing Russell Savio et al as
the inventors, and [0067] US Patent Application Publication
2003/0083120 published May 1, 2003, listing Darren DeWall et al as
the inventors.
[0068] In another embodiment, the game requires no wagering. For
example, the system 10 provides a game to the player, typically, in
exchange for some payment.
[0069] Since the device 14, 14A, 14B only requires the relaying of
control information from the controls 28, 32, 38, 40 and the
ability to play the streaming audio-video, the processing power,
and memory and storage requirements of the device 14, 14A, 14B need
not be high. As described below, the gaming device 14, 14A, 14B may
include, but is not limited to: a networked terminal located on the
premises, e.g., a casino; a remote device (such as a personal
digital assistance or PDA) wire connected to the system 10 through
a wireless network, and an internet device connected to the system
10 across the internet (or other suitable network).
[0070] It should be noted that while FIGS. 1-3 illustrate (and the
accompanying description below), various controller(s), the
function and components associated therewith may be distributed or
performed among various computers or servers as appropriate.
Furthermore, while additional embodiments with various computer
system architectures are described below, it should be noted that
the present invention is not limited to any such embodiment.
[0071] Returning to FIG. 1, the gaming device 14A receives the
streaming audio-video, which represents the game and plays the
streaming audio-video on a display 26 (see FIG. 3D). The gaming
device 14A receives input related to the play of the game from the
player via controls 28 and relays the player input to the
controller 12A.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 1, the system 10 may include a plurality of
gaming devices 14A-01, 14A-02 . . . , and 14A-n. The player may
utilize one of the gaming devices 14A-01, 14A-02 . . . , and
14A-n.
[0073] The system 10 includes a storage device or game contents
storage device 16 storing elements of the game (see below) and a
game controller 12A. The game controller 12A is coupled to the
storage device 16A and the gaming device 14A for receiving the
player input from the player and responsively retrieving the
elements of the game from the storage device 16A, The game
controller 12A runs or plays the game and responsively, dynamically
creates an audio-video stream as a function of the retrieved
elements and the player input and broadcasts the audio-video stream
to the respective gaming device 14A.
[0074] In one embodiment, the elements of the game include game
application executable code, game graphics, and sound data. The
elements of the game stored in the game contents storage device 16A
may also include one or more configuration properties files which
include game device location data, e.g., type of location (public
area, private area, etc . . . ), identification of the location of
the game device 14A (casino floor, pool, sports books, hotel room,
network address, etc . . . ).
[0075] The configuration properties file is used to define the
specifications or attributes of the target game device 14A. As
discussed above, the gaming device 14A may be of different types.
For example, the game terminal may be a networked terminal located
on the premises, e.g., a casino; a remote device (such as a
personal digital assistance or PDA) wire connected to the system 10
through a wireless network, and an internet device connected to the
system 10 across the internet (or other suitable network).
Furthermore, each device 14A may have different specifications,
e.g., display and/or controls. Since the game is always run on the
game controller 12A, the game application executable code is the
same or independent of the target device 14A. However, the game
application executable code does not directly handle the game
device 14A, e.g., the layout of elements in the audio-video stream
related to the display of the game device 14A. The configuration
properties file is used by the game controller 12A to configure or
layout the game elements within the audio-video stream for a
particular type of device 14A. Thus, in one embodiment, there is
only a single set of game application executable code per game, but
there may by multiple configuration properties files (generally one
per game device type).
[0076] In one aspect, the configuration properties file defines
attributes of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the
configuration properties file includes: screen resolution of the
display, display coordinates for images and/or animations, and
color depth of the display. The configuration properties file may
also include game hold percentages, game denominations, game
specific parameters, and maximum payout thresholds.
[0077] As discussed above, the gaming device 14A may be different
types. In one embodiment, the elements of the game can be served to
multiple types of game devices with multiple configuration
properties files, one for each type.
[0078] In one aspect of the present invention, the game controller
12A includes several components: a game control component 18A which
runs or executes the game application executable code, an
audio-video creating component 20A which retrieves the necessary
components from the game contents storage device 16A and creates an
audio-video stream, and an audio-video broadcasting component 22A
which broadcasts the audio-video stream created by the audio-video
creating component 22A.
[0079] In embodiment, see for example FIG. 4, the game contents
storage device 16A is embodied in a database on a server 16C.
[0080] In one embodiment, the game control component 18A,
audio-video stream creating component 20A, and audio-video stream
broadcasting component 22A are implemented on or run on a single
server computer (not shown). The game storage device 16A may be
located on the server computer or on a game contents database
server 16C.
[0081] In another embodiment, the game control component 18A,
audio-video creating component 20A, and audio-video broadcasting
component 22A are all run or implemented on one or more servers,
respectively. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the gaming system 10
may include one or more application control servers 50 for running
the game application executable code, one or more audio-video
stream creating clusters 52 for creating the streaming audio-video,
and one or more audio-video stream broadcasting servers 56 for
broadcasting the streaming audio-video to the gaming devices 14,
14A.
[0082] The game contents storage device 16A and the game components
18A, 20A, 22A may be implemented on a single computer/server or
distributed among different computers/servers.
[0083] In one aspect of the present invention, the game contents
device 16A stores elements of a second game. With particular
reference to FIG. 3B, for example the game contents storage device
16A may include a set of elements for a first game, A ("Game
Package A") and a set of elements for a second game, B ("Game
Package B").
[0084] In one embodiment, a player, at any one of the gaming device
14A may be given the opportunity to choose between the available
games. As described below, once a player chooses a game to play at
one of the gaming devices 14A, the set of elements associated with
the chosen game is loaded from the game contents storage device
16A, unless otherwise loaded and a new instance of the game will be
run. As discussed above, in one embodiment, the set of elements
will include a single game application executable code for the
associated game, but may include one or more configuration
properties files. Each configuration properties file is associated
with a type of gaming device, which is used to configure the
streaming audio-video to the particular gaming device 14A being
used.
[0085] In another aspect of the present invention, the sets of
elements of different games may be arranged in selectable
libraries. For example, with particular reference to FIG. 3C, the
game contents storage device 16A may include first and second
libraries 70, 72. Of course, the present invention is not limited
to two libraries; any number of libraries may be provided. Each
library 70, 72 may include any combination of one or more the same
games, one or more different games, and/or one or more variations
of another game. For example, in the illustrated embodiment,
library 1 includes game package A (for associated game A) 62, game
package B (for associated game B) 64, and game package C (for
associated game C) 66 and library 2 includes game package A' (a
variation of game A) 62', game package B 64, and game package D
(for associated game D) 68. A variation of a game may include one
more changes to the game, for example, but not limited to, the game
rules, graphics, colors, audio, pay tables, odds, etc . . . .
[0086] In one embodiment, the games in only one library 70, 72 are
available at any time. For example, library 1 70 may be available
on weekdays and library 2 72 may be available on weekends. The
libraries 70, 72 may be switched automatically (according to
predetermined rules) or manually.
[0087] With particular reference to FIG. 9, in one embodiment, the
application control server 50 includes multiple shared instances
74, as shown. The multiple shared instances 74 may include one
random number generator module 76 (as is known in the art) and a
plurality of application instances 78. Typically, the multiple
shared instances 74 include an application instance 78 for each
gaming device or terminal 14A for which the application control
server 50 executes or runs an instance of the game application
executable code. In the illustrated embodiment, the application
control server 50 includes four application instances 78A, 78B,
78C, 78D for four corresponding gaming devices or terminals 14A.
Each application instance 78 is an instance of the game application
executable code for a chosen game at the corresponding device 14A.
For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first application
instance 78A is an instance of the game application executable code
for a game called "Incan Pyramid", the second application instance
78B is an instance of the game application executable code for
"African Treasure", the third application instance 78C is currently
playing a streaming audio-video of a menu screen through which a
player may select a game to play, and the fourth application
instance 78D is a second instance of "Incan Pyramid".
[0088] With particular reference to FIG. 2, in another aspect of
the present invention, the gaming system 10 provides a gaming
service to a user, e.g., a player, employee of the casino, or other
user, depending on the service being provided. The system 10
includes a gaming service device 14B and a gaming services
controller 12B. In one embodiment, the gaming system 10 includes a
plurality of gaming service device 14B-01, 14B-02 . . . , and 14B-n
for providing one or more game services to one or more users.
[0089] The gaming service device 14B provides a gaming service in
response to input from the user. The type of user will be dependent
upon the service being provided. Gaming services may include, but
are not limited to player tracking, cashless gaming, or other
player related services such as casino advertisement; gaming
devices related services, such as maintenance, hopper fills,
jackpot processing, etc . . . . The gaming services controller 12B
dynamically creates an audio-video stream as a function of the
retrieved elements and the user input, and broadcasts the
audio-video stream to the gaming services device 14B.
[0090] In one aspect, a gaming service may be related to, and be
provided at a gaming device 14A. For example, generally, player
tracking services may be provided to a player at one of the gaming
devices 14A. The gaming devices 14A may provide a game to the
player or may be, for example, a kiosk specifically designed to
provide one or more gaming services. In one embodiment, the gaming
service may be provided at the gaming device 14A through a separate
or independent device, such as a player tracking device 14C (see
FIG. 3E). The player tracking device 14C may be an add-on device
(to a gaming device 14A) which is used to specifically provide
gaming services relating to the gaming device 14A. As shown, the
player tracking device 14C may include a display 30, an ID reader
(such as an ID Card Reader) 31, controls 32 and a processor 33. The
controls 32 may include a plurality of mechanical switches or
inputs, such as a keypad (not shown). Alternatively, display 30 may
be a touchscreen device and the controls 32 implemented thereon. As
discussed above, inputs to the controls 32 may be relayed back to a
gaming service controller 12B, which performs all processing
related to the gaming service being provided. The gaming service
controller 12B retrieves (if not already loaded) a gaming service
set of components from a gaming service(s) contents storage device
16B which may be implemented in a database on a server 16D. In a
manner similar to the elements of the games described above, each
set of components of the gaming service may include gaming service
application executable code, service graphics, and sound data. The
gaming service contents storage device 16B also includes
configuration properties files. Generally, the executable code is
the same for all types of target gaming services devices 14B.
However, the graphics may be different. Specifications of the
target device 14B are defined in a configuration properties file
associated with each type of device 14B.
[0091] Returning to FIG. 2, the gaming services controller 12B
includes a gaming services control component 18B, an audio-video
stream creating component 20B, and an audio-video stream
broadcasting component 22B. The audio-video stream creating
component 20B receives input from the gaming services control
component 18B, i.e., the results of the gaming services, and the
elements of the gaming service from the gaming service(s) contents
storage device 16B and creates a streaming audio-video as a
function thereof. The streaming audio-video is delivered to the
audio-video stream broadcasting component 22B which broadcasts the
streaming audio-video to the appropriate gaming service(s) devices
14B. The gaming service contents storage device 16B and the gaming
services components 18B, 20B, 22B may be implemented on a single
computer/server or distributed among different
computers/servers.
[0092] As mentioned above, gaming services may be directed towards
players and/or other users of the system 10. Some services directed
towards players, such as player tracking, cashless gaming, comps,
cashless gaming, hotel portfolio, dinner and show reservations,
bonus games, progressive jackpots, entertainment and other
video/audio services, etc. . . . and/or may be directed towards
others, and are described in the following US patent documents
which are hereby incorporated by reference: [0093] US Patent
Application Publication 2004/0082380 published on Apr. 29, 2004
listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors; [0094] US Patent
Application Publication 2004/0259632 published on Dec. 23, 2004
listing Michael Crittendon et al as the inventors; [0095] US Patent
Application Publication 2005/0181864 published on Aug. 18, 2005
listing Tim Britt et al as the inventors; [0096] US Patent
Application Publication 2005/0059480 published Mar. 17, 2005
listing Thomas Soukup et al as the inventors; [0097] US Patent
Application Publication 2006/0052161 published Mar. 9, 2006 listing
Thomas Soukup et al as the inventors; [0098] US Patent Application
Publication 2006/0052162 published Mar. 9, 2006 listing Thomas
Soukup et al as the inventors; and [0099] US Patent Application
Publication 2006/058099 published Mar. 16, 2006 listing Thomas
Soukup et al as the inventors.
[0100] In other embodiments, the gaming services devices 14B may be
embodied in remote devices, such as personal digital assistants
(PDA) which are connected to the gaming services controller 12B
through a wireless network. The remote devices 14B may be carried
by authorized employees to allow them to offer or administer
specific gaming services. Such gaming services are described in the
following US patent documents which are hereby incorporated by
reference:
[0101] US Patent Application Publication 2004/0113360 published
Jun. 17, 2004 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
[0102] US Patent Application Publication 2004/0092303 published May
13, 2004 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
[0103] US Patent Application Publication 2004/0092314 published May
13, 2004 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
[0104] US Patent Application Publication 2004/0092306 published May
13, 2004 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
[0105] US Patent Application Publication 2004/0092305 published May
13, 2004 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
[0106] US Patent Application Publication 2004/0092304 published May
13, 2004 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
[0107] US Patent Application Publication 2004/0082386 published
Apr. 29, 2004 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
[0108] US Patent Application Publication 2004/0116185 published
Jun. 17, 2004 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
[0109] US Patent Application Publication 2004/0116184 published
Jun. 17, 2004 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
[0110] US Patent Application Publication 2004/0127291 published
Jul. 1, 2004 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
[0111] US Patent Application Publication 2004/0132531 published
Jul. 8, 2004 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
[0112] US Patent Application Publication 2004-0092307 published May
13, 2004 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
[0113] US Patent Application Publication 2005/0027381 published
Feb. 3, 2005 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors;
and,
[0114] US Patent Application Publication 2005/0075165 published
Apr. 7, 2005 listing Jeffrey George et al as the inventors.
[0115] With particular reference to FIG. 3A, in another aspect of
the present invention the gaming system 10 is adapted to provide
both games and gaming services by providing one or more respective
audio-video streams.
[0116] In the illustrated embodiment, a controller 12 includes both
the game controller 12A and the gaming services controller 12B
which include the game control component 18A and the gaming
services control component 12B, respectively. In the illustrated
embodiment, the controller 12 includes a single audio-video stream
creating component 20 and a single audio-video stream broadcasting
component 22. The audio-video stream creating component 20 receives
elements of the games and/or gaming services from the game contents
storage device 16A and/or the gaming services contents storage
device 16B, respectively and the output/results from the game
control component 18A and/or the gaming services control components
18B, respectively, creates a game audio-video stream and a gaming
service audio-video stream separately or a single audio-video
stream containing presentations of both the game and the gaming
service.
[0117] As described above, the components of the controller 12 may
be implemented in a single computer or server or may be distributed
among different computers or servers (see below for examples).
[0118] In one embodiment, the game audio-video stream is broadcast
to a respective gaming device 14A-01, 14A-02 . . . , and 14A-n. The
gaming services audio-video stream may be broadcast to one of the
gaming devices 14-01. 14-02 . . . , and 14-n or to an associated
gaming services device 14B-01, 14B-02 . . . , and 14B-n (see
above). In another embodiment, the game audio-video stream may be
broadcast to a gaming services device 14B-01, 14B-02 . . . , and
14B-n to give casino employees a notice of a gaming machine error
or a jackpot or other event that requires attention.
[0119] With particular reference to FIG. 3F, in one embodiment the
game and gaming services may be directed towards the same display
34. Thus, only a single, combined audio-video stream is needed. In
the illustrated embodiment, the display 34 is divided up into
sections. Each section may be directed towards a specific function.
For example, a game portion 36 may be utilized to display the game
or game information; a game control portion 38 may be utilized to
implement input buttons; a gaming services portion may be utilized
to display gaming services information, and a gaming services
control portion may be utilized to implement input buttons for the
gaming services.
[0120] It should be noted that the portions of the display 34 need
not be static. They may be dynamically re-arranged (including not
be included while they are not required).
[0121] In another aspect of the present invention, player specific
information may be incorporated into the audio-video stream. With
reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A, the gaming system 10 may include a
player data storage device 24 which is used to store player
specific information, e.g., the name of a player, and/or pictures
of the player or the player's associates or family or friends. The
player data storage device 24 may be implemented as a database and
may be part of a player tracking system.
[0122] Once a player has been identified by the system 10, e.g.,
through the player tracking system, information from the player
data storage device 24 can be incorporated into the streaming
audio-video dynamically created by the controller 12, 12A, 12B.
[0123] With particular reference to FIG. 4, in one embodiment the
gaming system 10 provides games via streaming audio-video to a
plurality gaming devices 14, 14A, 14B. Specifically, games may be
provided to computing devices, such as personal computers, 14C over
the Internet or other computing network, portable or wireless
devices 14D, and to devices in gaming cabinets 14E located on a
casino floor.
[0124] As described above, gaming services may also be provided to
all or some of the devices 14, 14A, 14B. For example, gaming
services may be provided to the computing devices 14C, the remote
devices 14D by the system 10, and the devices located on the casino
floor 14E.
[0125] Alternatively, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, a legacy or
existing system 54 may be used to provide some services to some of
the devices, such as the devices located on the casino floor 14E.
The gaming system 10 may include a legacy systems gateway 58 which
is an application server that runs system and communication
software which processes messages between the devices 14E and
casino management systems 60 such as a casino accounting system. In
the illustrated embodiment, all devices on the casino floor 14E,
e.g., slot machines forwards messages from an existing casino
system 60 to the legacy system gateway 58 by a casino system
network 55. With reference to FIG. 20, multiple threads may be run
to each device 14, 14A, 14B. The threads may utilize different
protocols supplied by another company or any other suitable public
or proprietary protocol. At each device 14, 14A, 14B, messages are
packed/unpacked for transportation to/from the legacy system
gateway 58. In one embodiment, the gateway 58 has an address table
to exchange device unique ID, for example, an IP address, with an
address in the corresponding protocol.
[0126] FIGS. 4 and 6 shows the communication between a slot machine
or a device 14E and casino management systems. The device 14E has
to process messages from casino management systems with particular
communication protocols. In the illustrated embodiment, the device
does not process messages but forwards them to the legacy system
gateway 58.
[0127] Generally, game software includes that system and
communication software in it. In present invention, game software
and system and communication software may be completely separated.
An advantage of this concept is that casino operators don't need to
upgrade all game software running in the casino by introductions of
new devices, new protocols, or new regulations as long as these are
not game specific changes. In another embodiment, such system and
communication software that communicates with casino management
systems may run on the application control server 50 to run all
game and gaming regulated applications at server side.
[0128] Returning to FIG. 4, in the illustrated embodiment the game
contents storage device 16A and the gaming services storage device
16B are embodied in databases located on one or more storage
servers 16C, 16D. In one embodiment, the storage servers 16C, 16D
are disk array systems that store game and/or services application
(executable code), graphic and sound data, and all other system and
communication software which communicates with casino management
systems.
[0129] In the illustrated embodiment, the game control component
18A and the gaming services component 18B are run or executed on
application control server 50. The application control server 50 is
an application server that loads game application from servers 16C,
16D and run it. In the illustrated embodiment, all game
applications and some of the server applications run on the
application control server 50.
[0130] In the illustrated embodiment, the audio-video stream
creating components 20, 20A, 20B are implemented on the audio-video
stream creating clusters 52. The audio-video stream creating
clusters 52 are a cluster of the audio-video stream creating
servers that load game graphics and sound data from the servers
16C, 16D and create streaming audio-video. In the illustrated
embodiment, each server in a cluster has a graphic processing unit
or GPU.
[0131] The audio-video stream broadcasting components 22, 22A, 22B
are implemented on the audio-video stream broadcasting server 56.
The audio-video stream broadcasting server 56 broadcasts streaming
audio-video to each device 14C, 14D, 14E.
[0132] With respect to FIG. 4, it should be emphasized that: [0133]
No game application and no game related data is downloaded to, or
preloaded or pre-stored on, the devices 14C, 14D, 14E. All game
applications run on an application control server 50, [0134] The
devices 14C, 14D, 14E are updated by streaming audio-video
broadcast by the audio-video stream broadcasting server 56, [0135]
In the illustrated embodiment, (existing) slot machines have to
communicate with an existing casino management system 60.
[0136] In FIG. 4, data is represented by dotted lines 80A, 80B, 80C
and audio-video streams are represented by solid lines 82A, 82B,
82C, 82D.
[0137] In the illustrated embodiment, the system 10 consists of the
application control server 50, the contents server(s) 16C, 16D,
optionally the legacy system gateway 58, the audio-video stream
broadcasting servers 56, and the audio-video stream creating
clusters 52. It should be noted however that system functionality
may be combined or distributed among a different number or
arrangements of servers.
[0138] In one embodiment, a gaming device or terminal 14E may
provide to a player a selection of games to play. With respect to
FIGS. 5 and 10, system flow during game selection is shown. Game
play flow is the same as game selection. Generally, game
application won't be reloaded during game play.
[0139] When a player selects a game at a device, it sends a signal
to the application control server 50 through the network (84A).
Whenever a game is selected or a player goes back to a menu screen,
the application control server 50 loads a set of game application
program executable code and its game data model from the contents
server 16C (84B). The application control server 50 runs the game
application. The game application responsively generates a result
of the game to the player input, and sends the result to the
audio-video creating servers 52, 84C. The audio-video stream
creating servers 52 load appropriate game graphics and sound data
from the contents server 16C, 84D, create an audio-video stream 90,
and send the created audio-video stream to the audio-video stream
broadcasting server 56, 84E to update game screen of the device.
The audio-video stream broadcasting server 56 broadcasts the
audio-video stream to the device (84F).
[0140] Game application logic runs at the application control
server 50. The application control server 50 generates a game
result in response to a signal from the device 14E. The application
control server 50 sends the game result data to the audio-video
stream creating server 52 to show the game result to the player. In
one embodiment, the game result may include animation patterns
representing the outcome of the game play.
[0141] The features of the system 10 are: [0142] 1. No game
application or its data is downloaded to, or pre-loaded or
pre-stored on, a device for game play unlike conventional
downloading gaming system; [0143] 2. All game applications that
generate game outcomes may be run in highly secure casino server
rooms. [0144] 3. Game application doesn't handle game screen
directly so that the application code is independent of, and this
the same for all, devices (e.g., slot machines, wireless devices
and the Internet browsers without being customized).
[0145] With particular reference to FIG. 7, the system 10 is
capable of integrating games developed by third parties. A block
diagram of the system 10 is shown. Games provided by a main
provider (typically, the system manufacturer) are represented by
block 86A. As discussed above, game data may be stored in one or
more databases located on one or more servers. Games provided by
third party providers are represented by 86B. In one embodiment,
the games are designed using a common application programming
interface or API which is typically provided by the main provider.
Game execution, streaming audio-video creation and broadcast
processes are performed by block 86C. The games may be selected and
played at devices or terminals on the casino floor 14E, remote or
mobile devices 14D, and internet gaming devices 14C. As discussed
above both games provided by the main provider and third party
providers may be combined and offered in selectable libraries.
[0146] With particular reference to FIG. 8, the system 10 may
include a system management server 88 which manages other servers
in the system 10 and device information and audit information for
game play. The functions of the system management server 88 may be
combined with other functions of the system 10, such as storage of
game and/or service contents.
[0147] With particular reference to FIGS. 11 and 16, games and/or
services (or updates thereto), i.e., game or service packages, may
be provided through a games sales and service server 92. The game
or service packages may be uploaded to the content storage
server(s) 16C, 16D via a contents register terminal 93 and through
the system management server 88. Alternatively or in addition, game
packages may be delivered to the system on removable media such
compact discs (CD) or DVD's 94. A jackpot or bonus server 96 may be
connected to the system 10 through the legacy system gateway 58 to
provide bonusing and/or progressive jackpots to the players.
Alternatively, or in addition, a legacy jackpot or bonus controller
and host systems 60 may be connected to the system 10 through the
legacy system gateway 58 to provide bonusing or progressive
jackpots.
[0148] Additionally, as shown, the controls 28, 32 of the gaming
devices 14B may include a touchscreen sensor 32A for implementing
touchscreen controls on one or more the displays 26, 30, 34 and/or
one or more buttons 32B. The gaming device 14B may also include
other peripheral devices 98, such as a hopper, printer, card
reader, etc . . . .
[0149] PDP Media Controller 100
[0150] The media controller 100 and plasma displays (PDP) 102A,
102B, are used to play movies and/or animations for attracting
players. The PDP 102A, 102B may be inside or outside the casino
property. In one embodiment, the media controller 100 and the
displays 102A, 102B may show current progressive game bank that is
placed over the game machines. In legacy or existing media
controllers, movies or animations may be pre-encoded. In one
embodiment, the media controller 100 may be capable of playing
streaming audio-video created by the audio-video stream creating
cluster 52 and broadcast by the audio-video stream broadcasting
server 56.
[0151] With reference to FIGS. 12-15, various embodiments of a
system 10 of the present invention are shown, with the components
thereof located in a casino server room 112 or casino floor
114.
[0152] With particular reference to FIG. 12, the game contents
register terminal 93, application control server 50, contents
storage server 16C, 16D, system management server 88, legacy system
gateway 58, and the audio-video stream creating clusters 52 are
located within the casino server room 112. The game sales/service
server 92 may be located at a remote site, such as the facilities
of the game provider.
[0153] In this arrangement, separate servers: audio-video stream
broadcasting server for internet 56A, audio-video stream
broadcasting server for wireless devices 56B, and audio-video
stream broadcasting server for game devices 56C are used to
broadcast audio-video stream to internet devices 14C, to mobile or
remote devices 14D and to game devices 14E located on the casino
floor 114.
[0154] Conventional games 110A, 10B may also be located on the
casino floor 114. Gaming services are provided to the conventional
games 110A, 110B through conventional service related servers. For
example a ticket in ticket out (TITO) server 104 may allow cashless
gaming via printed ticketed 122 to be used, accounting services may
be provided by an accounting server 106. Alternatively, another
server 108, may provide both TITO and accounting functionality.
[0155] With particular reference to FIGS. 13 and 14, third party
downloadable systems may be integrated into the system 10. In the
illustrated embodiment, gaming devices 120A, 120I, 129W from
manufacturers A, I, and W, respectively are integrated into the
system 10. Each set of gaming devices 120A, 120I, 120W is connected
to a respective downloading server 118A, 118I, 118W, respectively.
The downloading servers 118A, 118I, 118W may be linked to other
systems or servers, such as the accounting system 106 to provide
services related thereto. The downloading servers 118A, 118I, 118W
may also be linked to the machine configuration server 116 and the
system management server 88 to allow the downloading systems to be
managed, Each downloading server 118A, 118I, 118W controls the
downloading of new games and updates to games to the respective
game terminals 120A, 120I, 120W.
[0156] With particular reference to FIG. 13, all manufacturer'
servers may share the same network for 3rd party servers 118A,
118I, 118W to download game contents to terminal. With particular
reference to FIG. 14, in contrast, each manufacturer may have a
separate network to download game contents.
[0157] With particular reference to FIG. 15, games and/or gaming
services may be provided to gaming terminals 120A, 120I, 120W from
other manufacturers (A, I, W) using streaming audio-video as
described above. The game contents or packages may be stored in the
contents server 16C, 16D or alternatively in separate servers (see
above). The audio-video stream broadcasting server(s) 56 may
provide streaming audio-video to all of the gaming devices or
terminals 14, 14A, 14B, 120A, 120I, 120W.
[0158] As shown in FIG. 18, game terminal accounting data is stored
in a redundant array of independent drives (RAID) or disk array on
the accounting server 106. Game packages may also be stored in
another RAID 107 on the storage server 16C, 16D. As shown the RAID
107 may include game package A, game package B, game package C, and
other game packages 67.
[0159] During installation, a user or operators may install a game
into the contents storage server 16C, 16D using the contents
register terminal 93 and may also activate a gaming device 14, 14A,
14B. When a game is installed or a gaming device 14, 14A, 14B is
activated, accounting files will be created on the system
management server 88 and/or the accounting server 106. As shown,
each gaming device will have its own file and a file for each game
played on each device may also be created. The accountings files
should be persistently maintained.
[0160] With particular reference to FIG. 19, game play flow will
now be explained. At initialization, no game is selected at a game
device 14, 14A, 14B. Therefore, the application control server 50
will contain a menu application. In the illustrated embodiment, the
first, second and fourth multiple shared instances 78A, 78B, 78D
are the menu application, and while the third multiple shared
instances 78C is a game application. In step 1, a player selects a
game available from the game list provided by the menu application.
In step 2, the game application and its model data is loaded to the
application control server 50 as an instance of the game
application. Thereafter, the system 10 (as described above),
updates the gaming device display(s) based on the user/player input
and the game application via dynamically creating the audio-video
stream broadcast to the respective devices 14, 14A, 14B.
[0161] With particular reference to FIG. 21, in one embodiment each
gaming or gaming services devices 14, 14A, 14B may be capable of
being remotely booted and of its firmware being remotely updated.
In the illustrated embodiment, each game or gaming device 14, 14A,
14C includes a game service interface module 124 and a set of
device drivers 126 for the related peripherals 98. Each gaming
device 14, 14A, 14B also includes an audio-video stream viewer 128
for receiving the streaming audio-video and playing it on the
displays 26, 30 the gaming device 14, 14B, 14C.
[0162] With reference to FIG. 22, the system management server 88
may manage terminal/device and games through a configuration
application 132 by using the terminal/game profile and/or
configuration properties files 134, 136. The configuration
application 132 may be accessed through a terminal console 130. The
game application references the profiles 134, 136 and updates the
terminal profile 134 when changes are made, e.g., to the
denomination being played by the player. Configuration data may be
stored in a remote configuration server 138.
[0163] With reference to FIG. 23, cashless gaming (EFT/AFT) may be
performed using conventional casino accounting protocols, e.g., SAS
or G2S, or any suitable public or proprietary protocol through the
legacy system gateway 58. Cashless gaming may be performed in a
conventional manner using a player ID card 142 and a player
tracking interface 140, for example, an existing player tracking
device.
[0164] With reference to FIG. 24, as discussed above, the system 10
may allow third parties to provide games to be used by the system
10 and provided to either 3rd party terminals 120D-01, 120D-02 or
to other game devices/terminals 14A-01, 14A-02. Game contents or
packages by the third party may be stored in a 3rd party server
16E. In the illustrated embodiment, game package C 66 has been
provided by the 3rd party and is stored on the 3rd party server. As
needed, the game C package 66 may be loaded into the multiple
shared instances 78.
[0165] With reference to FIGS. 25-26, as discussed above games
and/or services may be provided to various types of devices 14,
14A, 14B. For example, games and/or services may be provided to
devices 14E located on the casino floor, remote or wireless devices
14D, and/or devices 14F connected via the Internet.
[0166] In one embodiment, the streaming audio-video may be provided
in a format, e.g., SVG or W3C, which is playable on any type of
device regardless of its specifications, e.g., screen size.
[0167] Alternatively, the streaming audio-video must be created for
a specific device or device type. Thus, the content server 16C,
16D, 16E may include graphics, sounds, and other elements of a game
which are for use for a specific type of device. For example, in
FIG. 25, the servers 16C, 16D, 16E include graphics and sounds for
games B and C for remote or mobile devices. In FIG. 26, servers
16C, 16D, 16E contain graphics and sounds for remote or mobile
devices and for internet devices.
[0168] With reference to FIG. 27, the operation of the system 10
may be viewed as having two phases. In the first phase, the
audio-video stream creating process starts when the application
control server 50 asks an audio-video stream creation manager 52'
to update a game screen. The audio-video stream creating manager
52' performs a scheduling function, assigns one server of the
audio-video stream creating clusters 52 for a game screen, and may
be implemented in a separate server. The server in the audio-video
stream creating clusters 52 assigned to the game screen loads the
graphic and sound data, and other needed data from the appropriate
storage server 16A, 16B, 16C, and creates appropriate game screen
image and encodes it into an audio-video stream.
[0169] In the second phase, the streaming audio-video is broadcast
to the corresponding device 14, 14A, 14B. First the audio-video
stream creating cluster 52 sends the created audio-video stream to
the appropriate audio-video broadcasting server 56A, 56A, 56C. Then
the audio-video stream broadcasting server 56A, 56B, 56C broadcasts
the streaming audio-video to the desired device or terminal 14,
14A, 14B. In one embodiment, the audio-video stream broadcasting
servers 56A, 56B, 56C have the ability to broadcast multiple
audio-video streams to the same device 14, 14A, 14B, in the case,
e.g., when the device 14, 14A, 14B has multiple display
devices.
[0170] With specific reference to FIGS. 28 and 29, in another
aspect of the present invention, the system 10 is adapted to
provide multiple games, simultaneously, to a player on the same
display 26, 30, 34. Each game will have its own corresponding game
package which will be loaded and used to play the game and creates
the audio-video stream broadcast to the gaming device 14. It should
be noted that a single audio-video stream may be created which is
broadcast to, and displayed by, the gaming device 14.
[0171] With particular reference to FIG. 28, an exemplary
screenshot 150 of a possible display configuration is shown. The
exemplary screenshot 150 is divided into 4 game play sections 152A,
152B, 152C, 152D and a gaming services section 154. A main game may
be played and displayed within the first game play section 152A and
alternative or additional games may be played in each of the other
game play sections 152B, 152C, 152D. Gaming service(s) may be
provided in the gaming services section 154. In the illustrated
embodiment, each element of the game or service, e.g., graphics
and/or text and/or audio, is a separate element stored in the
corresponding game or service package. In one aspect, the size,
shape, and location of a section may be contained or defined by a
configuration properties file. The size, shape and location of a
section may be static or dynamic. For example with respect to FIG.
29, a first game section 152E may be displayed as all or part of
the display 26, 30, 34. A second game section 152F may be displayed
on top of the first game section 152E, as needed. In other words,
it is displayed only when needed and may be dynamically located
around the display 26, 30, 34, e.g., by the system 10 and/or the
player.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0172] With reference to the Figures, the detailed description, and
in practice, the present invention provides a gaming system with
integrated gaming services and casino and gambling services by
applying real time creating audio-video streaming technology.
Integration of streaming games and services provides both
synchronized and unsynchronized game features to players when it is
applied to casino floor.
[0173] In contrast, in the case of system which downloads games,
i.e., application code, to gaming hardware or terminals, the
central server system is not able to provide synchronized game
features to the gaming devices and players because each game runs
independently on each device. However, integration of streaming
games and services enables the central server system (of the
present invention) to provide synchronized game features to
heterogeneous terminals and players because game logics are
executed within a central server system in which synchronized game
logic and events can be invoked for all terminals and players. In
other words, integration of streaming games and services can
provide one-to-many control between a central server and many
gaming devices while players are playing games.
[0174] Integration of streaming games and services also reduces the
maintenance costs of casino floor. It enables the integration of
heterogeneous gaming devices and it does not require game
installation for each. This concept encourages game business logics
to be reused commonly for various gaming devices and platform
without any modifications on the game business logics. One system
can cover conventional slot machines, mobile devices, PDAs,
Internet gaming, on-line gaming, and displays devices for
advertisement and etc . . . .
VIDEO STREAMING GAMING SERVER SYSTEM AND SERVICES
[0175] The audio-video streaming capability provides features that
are hard to implement in conventional EPROM based gaming systems
and downloadable gaming systems which just download game
applications and graphics and sound data to a terminal.
[0176] The gaming system 10 of the present invention includes four
main concepts:
[0177] 1. Audio-Video Streaming system for game play and
services
[0178] 2. Game/System application separation technology and
operation
[0179] 3. Full server side system
[0180] 4. Open Gaming Application Environment and API
[0181] 1. Audio-Video Streaming System for Game Play and
Services
[0182] In one embodiment, the system 10 includes of at least a pair
of audio-video stream creating servers and broadcasting servers for
presentation of game play and casino services, respectively. As
used in this document, the "audio-video stream
creating/broadcasting server" may refer to a single computer or
server which dynamically creates streaming audio-video and
broadcasts the audio-video stream to the target devices.
Alternatively, the term may refer or include separate audio-video
creating and broadcasting servers. The audio-video stream
creating/broadcasting server is able to provide not only game play
but also several casino services on each gaming device or terminal
of the system 10.
[0183] a. Presentation for Game Play and Services
[0184] In conventional gaming systems, such as EPROM based gaming
devices, a game application runs on each gaming terminal and uses
one or more LCD/CRT monitor for game play and operator maintenance
purpose such as auditing, game configuration and diagnostic. Game
graphics and sound data are stored in one or more storage devices
such as EPROM, CDROM and Compact Flash cards. Once the contents
have been installed, it won't be changed until new contents are
installed. However, it is not easy and won't happen frequently due
to gaming regulatory requirement. And the game application is
usually not capable of displaying or compiling materials other than
its contents installed on the terminal. For instance, a terminal is
not able to display casino advertisement on the screen in real time
without prepared design and program particularly for this
purpose.
[0185] In the case of systems with game downloadable capability, a
casino operator is able to install game application and its
contents remotely from a server system instead of physical
installation at each terminal. With this kind of system, a casino
operator can change game more frequently than EPROM based gaming
systems because downloadable gaming system has a capability of
managing audit meters at the servers that are required by gaming
regulatory. However, game presentation mechanism is the same as
EPROM based gaming system because game screen will be created by
the game application that is downloaded and installed remotely from
a downloadable gaming system.
[0186] Simply speaking of the conventional EPROM based gaming
system or the downloadable gaming system, game business logic and
presentation logic to create game screen is integrated. And the
presentation logic can work only for the game business logic and
terminals or devices designed for unless it is previously designed
and programmed.
[0187] In the gaming system 10 of the present invention, game
business logic and game presentation logic is completely separated
each other. This concept is advantageous in following points.
[0188] I. The contents to be displayed on game screen are streaming
audio-video dynamically created by audio-video stream creating
server.
[0189] II. The game screen can display non-gaming services like
player tracking services and other services, including alerts,
messages and linked player messages, etc . . . , on the same screen
without any modification on game business logic and presentation
logic. This concept doesn't require that the game application be
previously designed or programmed for this purpose. The non-gaming
services to be displayed on the game screen are also player
interactive services.
[0190] III. The system doesn't limit audio-video devices where the
contents are displayed. For instance, the same game screen can be
displayed on all terminals and display devices simultaneously. For
more detailed instance, a jackpot screen can be displayed on all
displayed within the same casino, which is not only active casino
floor but also restaurant, bar, pool side, commercial display
outside the casino property, website and anywhere the streaming
audio-video can be played on.
[0191] IV. The streaming audio-video can be played in other casino
properties. For instance, celebration movie for a multi-site linked
jackpot game can be played in many casinos in real time. For
another instance, two players in different casino properties can be
linked through the system.
[0192] b. Integration of Gaming Services and Casino Operations
[0193] As described in section 1-a. III, audio-video stream created
by the audio-video creating server doesn't limit audio-video
devices to play the contents. This concept can integrate gaming
services and casino operations seamlessly. This means that a gaming
device can display casino services on the same screen, and non-game
displays or other gaming devices can display game screen(s) that
are currently displayed on gaming device(s) that are a portion of
the system.
[0194] This list shows representative gaming or gaming services
devices 14A, 14B.
[0195] I. Gaming Devices
[0196] Primary/Secondary LCD devices on slot machine, mobile
devices, cell phones, web browser through the Internet, glasses on
slot machine where game rule or paytable is usually printed, player
button panel, etc . . . .
[0197] II. Player Tracking Devices
[0198] LCD displays mounted on player tracking plate, etc . . .
[0199] III. Operator Displays
[0200] Mobile devices that are used for casino operations, for
instance a mobile device used to redeem printed ticket or voucher
for players. For more instance of this use, a jackpot or an error
condition that requires an operator intervention can alarm floor
attendants immediately with streaming audio-video identifying what
is pending on the terminal and where it is. This feature may
already exist as a portion of casino management system that might
alarm upon receiving event messages from a terminal. However, it
may not be available at any place. With this concept, it can be
available even if the casino management system doesn't support this
feature.
[0201] c. Game/Terminal Synchronization
[0202] In the gaming system 10 of the present invention, the device
(terminal) displays and other display devices for casino operations
are a portion of the server system 10. In other words, the system
10 may be viewed as a single device that has multiple or a large
number of displays. All the displays are controlled by the system
10 so that the system 10 can utilize multiple displays as a wide
display.
[0203] For example, three slot machines have secondary LCD display
in their topbox. The system and the audio-video stream
creating/broadcasting server 52, 56 can use all three displays for
the same bonus game play when a common jackpot bonus game triggers.
The system 10 1) may display same game screen on each terminal, or
2) may display different game screen on each game terminal or 3)
may use all the three displays as one wide size display. It is
depended on the contents but in any case, all displays are
synchronized and controlled by the system 10.
[0204] With this synchronization, the primary game played on each
terminal can be synchronized or unsynchronized. This allows the
system to show casino advertisement on the topbox LCD displays
while the displays are not used by the primary game in
nonsynchronous condition.
[0205] The synchronization can be taken place between gaming
services and non-gaming services as described in section 1-b.
[0206] 2. Game/System Application Separation Technology and
Operation
[0207] The gaming or gaming services devices may provide services
such as gaming services, player credit management, auditing, and
host communications. They can be roughly categorized into 1) gaming
services usually called game application and 2) system services
usually called system. The system service is basically common for
all games on the terminal.
[0208] The gaming system of the present invention can improve costs
and processes in software upgrade and development for various
platforms.
[0209] In conventional EPROM based gaming system, those services
are usually stored in the same storage media on a terminal so that
a system service change will require the game replacement or
upgrade because signature of new software package will change, and
is controlled by regulations. This means that one system service
change would cause large amount of conversion cost.
[0210] In conventional downloadable gaming system, those services
can be separated and downloadable separately. Usually, those
services are packaged and works as same as conventional EPROM based
gaming system. In either ways, those services run on the same
terminal, which the gaming services may not reuse for various
gaming devices such as slot machine and mobile devices. One
solution for this would be reprogramming the same game contents for
various devices. This would cause large amount of development
cost.
[0211] In both systems, any game and/or system service application
software may run on a client gaming terminal.
[0212] The present invention enables the complete separation of
gaming service application and system service application
physically and logically. And both applications run on single or
multiple servers.
[0213] The advantages of this concept are;
[0214] a. Separate Upgrade
[0215] This requires no game or system application software upgrade
and replacement unlike a conventional EPROM based gaming system,
which is an advantage in cost of software conversion. What's more,
this software update will require no regulatory memory clear
processes that will erase critical information stored in a gaming
terminal when new software is installed unlike conventional EPROM
based and downloadable gaming systems. This is also an advantage
for casino operators and regulators.
[0216] b. No Service Applications at Terminal
[0217] Both game and system service applications run at the server
system. No service applications run at client terminal. As
described above, audio-video stream created by the audio-video
stream creating server and which presents game screen can be
displayed on any device is as long as the device is capable of
playing the created audio-video stream. An instance of this
advantage is that the same gaming service application can serve for
both a slot machine and a mobile device without modification of the
application itself. The presentation of the devices may vary,
however, the streaming audio-video covers the differences of the
devices.
[0218] It is hard on the conventional EPROM based and downloadable
gaming system that the same game contents are compatible with
heterogeneous devices, especially if screen resolution is
different. So this is an advantage in cost of game contents
development for providing same game contents to heterogeneous
devices.
[0219] c. Multiple Game Play System
[0220] The present invention may provide totally different game
environment compared with the conventional systems, and which is
named "Multiple Game Play System". The Multiple Game Play system
can allow playing different games and/or game themes at a time on
the same terminal or the device. Each game application is
completely separated so that each game application runs and
generates game result independently.
[0221] There are several games that offer multiple game themes or
multiple play hands in the same game. However, in both cases, only
one game application is played.
[0222] For example, four different video slot games are available
on a slot machine. A player will choose one game out of the four
games to play in the case of conventional EPROM based or
downloadable gaming systems. In the case of this system concept,
player can play two or more games simultaneously. Selected games
can run independently. Moreover, the system can synchronize them as
well.
[0223] The system portion of the Multiple Game Play system can
control each game application in synchronized or unsynchronized
state. During the synchronized state, the system will wait for
completion of all game applications to start next game. Even when
new game is added to a list of the Multiple Game Play system, no
game application will be affected. Of course, a game application
can run as traditional single play game without any modification
for it.
[0224] 3. Full Server Side System
[0225] As described in section 2-b, no game and system service
application runs on the gaming devices.
[0226] One advantage of the system 10 is that full game and system
services may be seamlessly provided to gaming devices on casino
property and Internet gaming devices.
[0227] In conventional EPROM based and downloadable gaming system,
games and services are designed and developed to serve on specific
platform and/or environment. This means a downloadable gaming
service application is not compatible with heterogeneous platforms
and devices. For instance, slot machine requires software tailored
for it. Similarly, mobile device or Internet gaming service
requires other software tailored or written specifically for that
device.
[0228] In the present invention, the availability of the game
contents which can be used commonly for various gaming devices and
environment are provided seamlessly without any modification for
the contents themselves.
[0229] Another advantage of the system 10 about the full server
side system is less possibility of tampering the game elements.
Regulatory control requires storing the game elements on or
transferring them to game devices be performed under the strictest
guidelines. Especially on downloadable systems, all game elements
transferred between servers and game devices must be encrypted by
highly secure and robust encryption mechanisms to prevent from
tampering the gaming elements, which means the authenticity of the
game elements is the highest requirement in regulatory control. In
the present invention, the system 10 has potential advantage of
less possibility of tampering the game devices than other gaming
systems by transferring all of the game elements between the
servers located in highly secure casino server room only.
[0230] 4. Open Gaming Application Environment and API
[0231] In another aspect of the present invention, the system 10 is
an open gaming application environment using a common application
programming interface or API. This allows games to be written by a
third party (with knowledge of the common API) which may be
integrated into the game library and offered via the system 10.
Server Based Gaming System with Streaming Audio-Video. Ideally, the
third party games would be located on a separate server.
OPERATION
[0232] 1. Loading Game Elements
[0233] As discussed above, one or more application control servers
50 run or execute the game and/or service applications. One or more
audio-video stream streaming servers 52 create presentations of the
game and/or services for each client terminal in a streaming
audio-video format and one or more audio-video broadcasting servers
broadcast it. The term of "server" means the audio-video stream
creating/broadcasting servers and the application running on the
servers for the creating and broadcasting streaming audio-video in
this document unless otherwise it is specified.
[0234] The application control server 50 creates game application
instances, corresponding to each client terminal (gaming device or
gaming services device). At the first startup after server
installation, it does not contain any game instance which means a
condition "not game entity is assigned". Once the server starts up,
either a menu screen (if corresponding client is configured with
multiple games and menu screen enabled), or a game element if only
one game content is assigned or menu screen is disabled will be
bound to each game instance on the server, which is done by an
operator client before starting the servers in operation.
[0235] The instance condition goes into "bound but not loaded yet".
The server loads game element from one or more game contents
servers into server memory. Game element consists of game
application executable code, game graphics, and sound data. And it
further includes configuration properties files. This loading
process will happen when the server receives a player input that
indicates a player has selected another game from an available game
list on the client terminal.
[0236] When all necessary game elements are loaded into server
memory which can be RAM and storage devices such as hard disk, the
condition goes into "ready to serve". In this condition, the
application control server 50 is able to serve games and gaming
services with streaming audio-video but it is not allowed yet by
operator. An operator manually and/or automatically allows the
application control server 50 to be in operation. Then, the
application control server 50 will be serving by dynamically
creating streaming audio-video and broadcasting it to corresponding
client terminals, then the condition goes to "serving". Once a game
instance goes into this condition, the instance will come back to
the "serving" even after server shutdown.
[0237] 2. Game Elements
[0238] A game element or game packages may consist of at least game
application executable code 61A, a game model 6B, and game graphics
and sound data 61C. The package may also include configuration
properties files and is stored in internal/external storage device
as game library package. Game application executable code is
designed and programmed independent from client types such as slot
machine or portable devices, which can be used with any client
type. The other elements are client specific data that the
application doesn't use directly but the system 10 uses it to
creating streaming audio-video. In one embodiment, game content is
packaged with one game application code, graphics files, sound
data, and configuration properties files for one client type. For
example, the server is connected to a slot machine and a PDA
device. There are two game packages; one is for slot machine and
the other is for PDA device.
[0239] 3. Configuration Properties Files
[0240] As described above, a game application executable code
serves for any kind of client type so that the code does not
directly handle client terminal and device especially game screen
because device's screen resolution of the device may vary from
device to device. The Configuration Properties files define
configuration and attributes of a client device. Following are
possible attributes defined in the files, but not limited to:
[0241] Screen resolution (width.times.height in pixel) [0242] Color
depth [0243] Image/Animation display coordinate where each graphic
image file such BMP is displayed on device's screen. [0244]
Game-hold percentages configured by an operator. [0245] Player
denominations configured by an operator [0246] Game specific
configurations such as maximum number of play lines, credit bet per
line, configured by an operator [0247] maximum payout
thresholds.
[0248] 4. Game Instance
[0249] There will be a number of game instances created and running
on the server, according to the same number of the client
terminals. Each game instance can be assigned to either same game
element or different element. Each game instance usually serves for
a client terminal corresponding thereto.
[0250] In the case of two game instances running on the server, and
assigned to the same game element for the same client type, these
instances can share the same game element loaded from the game
contents server (storage for game elements). These instances may
not share anything.
[0251] 5. Multiple Client Type Support
[0252] With the Configuration Properties Files, a game content can
support multiple client types. Several versions of game elements
are provided corresponding to client types. The server loads a game
element including shared game code and its data corresponding to a
client type when a game is selected. The audio-video stream
creating server creates game screen in streaming audio-video format
from the game element loaded.
[0253] 6. Synchronization with Player Specific Information
[0254] With the Configuration Properties files, screen object can
also be displayed. An instance of this idea is a text or graphic
object displayed on game screen like player's name or picture
provided by casino management system from a player card inserted
into the machine. In this case, the configuration properties files
and screen elements are automatically created in real time and
provided by casino management systems. As for the server, there is
no difference between pre-stored game element and automatically
created screen element except its location which the element is
loaded from. This means the difference is "which content server the
audio-video stream creating server will load elements from". To do
this synchronization, an application program is also loaded from
the same server. The application program works as the same as game
program but it is programmed just for to handle screen element and
not for game play.
[0255] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner,
and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used
is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than
of limitation. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the
present invention are possible in light of the above teachings, and
the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described.
* * * * *