U.S. patent application number 11/996014 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-09 for data warehouse for distributed gaming systems.
Invention is credited to John A. Beatty.
Application Number | 20080248875 11/996014 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37669496 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080248875 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Beatty; John A. |
October 9, 2008 |
Data Warehouse for Distributed Gaming Systems
Abstract
A data warehouse is provided for gaming systems located in
multiple jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction collects gaming data from
one or more gaming devices. Data from each jurisdiction is
extracted, transformed and loaded into a data warehouse. A network,
such as the Internet, may be used to transfer the data to the data
warehouse. An on-line analytical processing (OLAP) application
provides analysis services, such as point-in-time data reports,
summary data reports, comparison reports, trend analysis reports
and profitability reports, and other data analysis and data mining
applications.
Inventors: |
Beatty; John A.; (Reno,
NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHWEGMAN, LUNDBERG & WOESSNER/WMS GAMING
P.O. BOX 2938
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
37669496 |
Appl. No.: |
11/996014 |
Filed: |
July 18, 2006 |
PCT Filed: |
July 18, 2006 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US06/27786 |
371 Date: |
January 17, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60700093 |
Jul 18, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3232 20130101;
G07F 17/3234 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A system comprising: a staging database coupled to historical
database and multiple gaming systems distributed among different
jurisdictions; an extract, transform and load module coupled to the
staging database that receives data from the staging database and
transforms the data; a data warehouse coupled to the extract,
transform and load module for receiving the transformed data in a
form compatible with the data warehouse.
2. The system of claim 1, and further comprising an on-line
analytical processing function.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the on-line analytical processing
function provides data analysis functions.
4. The system of claim 3 wherein the on-line analytical processing
system comprises cubes populated for data analysis and data
mining.
5. The system of claim 4 wherein the on-line analytical processing
system provides analysis services, such as point-in-time data
reports, summary data reports, comparison reports, trend analysis
reports and profitability reports, and other data analysis and data
mining applications.
6. The system of claim 1 and further comprising a wide area
progressive system for each game theme in a jurisdiction.
7. The system of claim 6 and further comprising a common server for
executing additional applications.
8. The system of claim 6 wherein the staging database accumulates
historical data from one or more wide area progressive systems.
9. The system of claim 8 wherein the staging database comprises
information for providing jurisdictional specific reports.
10. A system comprising: multiple transaction processing systems
coupled to gaming devices in different jurisdictions providing
staging of data collected from the gaming devices; an extract,
transform and load system coupled to the multiple transaction
processing systems for extracting data from the collected data in
each of the transaction processing systems in multiple
jurisdictions; and a data warehouse coupled to the extract,
transform and load system, such that the extract, transform and
load systems transforms the extracted data to a format compatible
with the data warehouse and loads it into the data warehouse.
11. The system of claim 10 wherein portions of the extract,
transform and load system are distributed between the multiple
transaction processing systems and a central location.
12. The system of claim 11 wherein the extract and transform
functions may be implemented in each of the multiple transaction
processing systems.
13. The system of claim 10 wherein the transaction processing
system comprises a wide area progressive system for each game theme
in a jurisdiction.
14. The system of claim 13 wherein the transaction processing
system comprises a common server for executing additional
applications.
15. The system of claim 13 wherein the transaction processing
system comprises a history/staging server for accumulating
historical data from one or more wide area progressive systems.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the history/staging server
comprises information for providing jurisdictional specific
reports.
17. The system of claim 13 wherein the wide area progressive
systems for each game theme comprise a separate computer
system.
18. The system of claim 13 and further comprising an on-line
analytical processing system.
19. The system of claim 18 wherein the on-line analytical
processing system comprises cubes populated for data analysis and
data mining.
20. The system of claim 19 wherein the on-line analytical
processing system provides analysis services, such as point-in-time
data reports, summary data reports, comparison reports, trend
analysis reports and profitability reports, and other data analysis
and data mining applications.
21. The system of claim 10 and further comprising a network coupled
to the extract, transform and load system and to the multiple
transaction processing systems.
22. The system of claim 20 wherein the network comprises an
intranet.
23. A method comprising: staging historical data from multiple
gaming systems distributed among different jurisdictions and
independent business entities; extracting and transforming data
from the staged historical data to a format compatible with a
central data warehouse for storing data from multiple jurisdictions
and independent business entities; and loading the transformed data
into the central data warehouse.
24. The method of claim 23 and further comprising using an on-line
analytical processing system to provide analysis services, such as
point-in-time data reports, summary data reports, comparison
reports, trend analysis reports and profitability reports, and
other data analysis and data mining applications.
25. A computer readable medium having instructions for causing a
computer to perform a method, the method comprising: staging
historical data from multiple gaming systems distributed among
different jurisdictions and independent business entities;
extracting and transforming data from the staged historical data to
a format compatible with a central data warehouse for storing data
from multiple jurisdictions and independent business entities; and
loading the transformed data into the central data warehouse.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/700,093 filed Jul. 18, 2005,
the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
COPYRIGHT
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material to which the claim of copyright protection is made. The
copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by
any person of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it
appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office file or records,
but reserves all other rights whatsoever. Copyright 2006, WMS
Gaming, Inc.
FIELD
[0003] The present invention related to gaming systems, and in
particular to a data warehouse for distributed gaming systems.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Gaming machines, such as slot machines, produce large
amounts of data. Casinos use slot data collection systems that
track every aspect of every event surrounding a gaming device,
including individual player performance. These data collection
systems are limited in physical scope. Each system is confined to
collect data from a particular business entity, such as a casino,
or set of casinos owned by a single business entity. Different
business entities may have different architecture gaming devices
with different architectures and different data formats and
structures. Further, gaming device in different jurisdictions may
generate data in different formats as a result of different
requirements in such jurisdictions. There is a need for a data
collection system that can operate across business entities and
jurisdictions, where such business entities and jurisdictions may
have different gaming devices with different architectures and
different data formats and structures.
SUMMARY
[0005] A data warehouse is provided for gaming systems located in
multiple jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction collects gaming data from
one or more gaming devices. Data from each jurisdiction is
extracted, transformed and loaded into a data warehouse. A network,
such as the Internet, may be used to transfer the data to the data
warehouse. An on-line analytical processing (OLAP) application
provides analysis services, such as point-in-time data reports,
summary data reports, comparison reports, trend analysis reports
and profitability reports, and other data analysis and data mining
applications.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a gaming machine according to
an example embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a data warehouse coupled to
gaming systems in multiple jurisdictions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0008] In the following description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it
is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The following
description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and
the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended
claims.
[0009] The functions or algorithms described herein are implemented
in software or a combination of software and human implemented
procedures in one embodiment. The software comprises computer
executable instructions stored on computer readable media such as
memory or other type of storage devices. The term "computer
readable media" is also used to represent carrier waves on which
the software is transmitted. Further, such functions correspond to
modules, which are software, hardware, firmware or any combination
thereof. Multiple functions are performed in one or more modules as
desired, and the embodiments described are merely examples. The
software is executed on a digital signal processor, ASIC,
microprocessor, or other type of processor operating on a computer
system, such as a personal computer, server or other computer
system.
[0010] As used herein, the term casino game or gaming device
encompasses, without limitation, slot machines, video poker
machines, roulette tables, poker tables, craps tables and any other
game of chance offered by a gaming establishment wherein for
example the game qualifies as regulated and/or licensed gaming
equipment.
[0011] A typical gaming system is first described, followed by a
description of warehousing data from multiple such gaming systems
coupled to on line transaction processing systems (OLTP), located
in multiple jurisdictions.
[0012] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the gaming device 100 includes a
coin slot 102 and bill acceptor 124. Players can place coins in the
coin slot 102 and paper money or ticket vouchers in the bill
acceptor 124. Other devices can be used for accepting payment. For
example, credit/debit card readers/validators can be used for
accepting payment. Additionally, the gaming device 100 can perform
electronic funds transfers and financial transfers to procure
monies from house financial accounts. When a player inserts money
in the gaming device 100, a number of credits corresponding to the
amount deposited is shown in a credit display. After depositing the
appropriate amount of money, a player can begin playing the game by
pulling an arm or pushing a play button. The play button can be any
play activator used by the player to start a game or sequence of
events in the gaming device 100.
[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the gaming device 100 also includes a
bet display 112 and a "bet one" button. The player places a bet by
pushing the bet one button. The player can increase the bet by one
credit each time the player pushes the bet one button. When the
player pushes the bet one button, the number of credits shown in
the credit display 106 decreases by one, and the number of credits
shown in the bet display 112 increases by one.
[0014] A player may "cash out" by pressing a cash out button 116.
When a player cashes out, the gaming device 100 dispenses a number
of coins, corresponding to the number of remaining credits, into
the coin tray 118. The gaming device 100 may employ other payout
mechanisms such as credit slips, which are redeemable by a cashier,
or electronically recordable cards, which track player credits.
[0015] The gaming device 100 also includes one or more display
devices. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes a primary display
unit 104 and a secondary display unit 106. In one embodiment, the
primary display unit 104 displays a plurality of reels 120. In one
embodiment, the gaming device displays three reels, while an
alternative embodiment displays five reels. In one embodiment, the
reels are in video form. According to embodiments of the invention,
the display units can display any visual representation or
exhibition, including moving physical objects (e.g., mechanical
reels and wheels), dynamic lighting, and video images. In one
embodiment, each reel 120 includes a plurality of symbols such as
bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images,
which correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device 100.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the gaming device 100 includes a
primary sound unit 128 and a secondary sound unit 130. In one
embodiment, the primary and secondary sound units include speakers
or other suitable sound projection devices. In some embodiments,
the gaming device may be a portable gaming device, such as a
handheld gaming device.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a system 200 for warehousing data from
multiple such gaming devices coupled to on line transaction
processing systems (OLTP), located in multiple jurisdictions. Three
OLTP systems are shown in three different jurisdictions at 205, 210
and 215. The OLTP systems may also be located in different
independent business entities. As few as one OLTP system, or many
more than three may be handled in system 200.
[0017] The first OLTP system 205 is shown in further detail. It
handles data processes that perform individual transactions with
defined, atomic units of measure. One such transaction in a gaming
machine environment is a handle pull on a slot machine. Meter data
is sent to system 205 to an application server, WAP (wide area
progressive system) 220 which may be coupled to one or more gaming
devices. In one embodiment, a WAP is provided for each of multiple
different types of gaming device themes. For example, multiple
gaming devices with a Clint Eastwood progressive theme may be
serviced by one WAP, and gaming devices with a Monopoly.RTM.
progressive theme will be serviced by a separate WAP. In one
embodiment, the separate WAPs are actually separate computer
systems, but may be combined in a rack for convenience. In a
further embodiment, the separate WAPs may be implemented as virtual
machines.
[0018] A common server 225 may be used to run other applications,
such as a new application 245. The common server 225 is also
coupled to two common physical devices, one or more gaming devices,
and acts as a data collection device. In one example application, a
coin count over a given period is accumulated.
[0019] OLTP 205 provides for isolation of transactions data from
other applications by the use of separate servers, either real or
virtual. This ensures consistency of the data and integrity of
results. A history/staging server 230 provides small, private and
isolated sets of transaction data at each jurisdiction's central
site. In one example, collections from a machine or set of machines
may be collected for a time period, such as a day, and then rolled
in to the history/staging server 230. Out-of-transaction data
processes, like invoicing or performance reports may be removed
from this data. Additional OLTP like applications, such as
persistent state, participation data collection or mini-tournament
enrollment may be easily implemented while still maintaining such
isolation. Such a strap-on approach provides flexibility to accept
most future applications that use a gaming device, including
applications involving downloadable game components.
[0020] At periodic intervals, upon certain events, or in real time,
data is transferred from WAP 220 and common server 225 to the
history/staging server 230. Some data massaging may take place to
ensure that the data is complete to maintain the ability of the
OLTP system 205 to continue to provide jurisdictional reports
locally, as illustrated at 235. History tables are maintained at
history/staging server 230 to enable the provision of such reports.
Additionally, staging tables contain massaged data at a detailed
level. The staging tables may also track historic changes to common
data, such as a casino's sales representatives.
[0021] In one embodiment, checksums are used in the history/staging
server 230 for each fact row. A fact row may have up to twenty or
more attributes. If one of the attributes changes, a new row
containing a checksum for the contributing attributes is
created.
[0022] A network 240 is used to transport periodic sets of data
from history/staging server 230 from each of the jurisdictions, to
an ETL (extract, transform and load) program 250, which may be
located at a central location as shown. In various embodiments,
some or all of the functions of the ETL program 250 may be
implemented in each jurisdiction, such as prior to history/staging
server 230, or prior to transmission to a centrally located ETL
250. Further, portions of the extract, transform and load program
or system are distributed between the multiple transaction
processing systems and a central location. In one example, the
extract and transform functions may be implemented in each OLTP
jurisdiction either in or prior to the history/staging server 230.
Program 250 verifies the consistency and integrity of the data,
configures the incoming data with proper data warehouse
identifiers, and finally inserts the data into a data warehouse
255. The data is effectively cleansed to conform to the needs of
the warehouse 255 and end users. Multi-jurisdictional data is
handled by ensuring that fact tables have an adequate number of
fields for each jurisdiction. For instance, if only one
jurisdiction requires two colors, two fields are provided for each
jurisdiction.
[0023] Data warehouse 255 has the ability to stand alone without
any shared resources. It maintains historic data from multiple
jurisdictions accurately for every desired component of the data
facts, and quickly and reliably presents its contents to requesting
applications. Data warehouse 255 also keeps track of slowly
changing dimensions, such as a name change of a casino. It may be a
relational or modified relational type of database, or other form
if desired. Data warehouse 255 is a robust and fruitful source of
reports as indicated at 265 and 270. Such reports may be predefined
or ad hoc, and may be requested and delivered via a network, such
as the Internet or an Intranet.
[0024] An OLAP (on line analytical processing) process withdraws
data from the data warehouse 255 and creates multiple objects, such
as cubes 260 that are populated for data analysis and data mining.
Summary and aggregate values may be calculated from the data.
Various data mining applications that execute against these
calculated values execute independently, and provide analysis
reports and data mining as indicated at 270. OLAP process 260 has
capability to condense, expand, slice and dice the data for trend
analysis, performance comparisons, and status tracking, among many
other analytical uses. Data mining services provide the ability to
troll through various data structures and note similar or
dissimilar patterns between various physical objects or stored
events.
[0025] The OLAP process 260 enables analysts, managers and
executives to gain insight into data through fast, consistent,
interactive access to a wide variety of possible views of
information that has been transformed from raw data to reflect the
real dimensionality of the enterprise as understood by the user.
Data is arranged and viewed through various combinations and
permutations. Data retrieval speed is enhanced by precalculating
data to provide various summary and aggregate levels in concert
with user requirements. OLAP objects, often known as dimensions and
cubes as represented in FIG. 2, store the results of such
precalculated data. The precalculations may be done daily in
off-peak hours.
[0026] OLAP data may be assembled in many different ways. In one
embodiment, attributes for physical items are assembled. Different
examples includes slant-top slots next to a restaurant, casinos
that are 30 days late on their invoices, slots currently offline,
etc. Data may also be assembled by the type of time used for each
fact. Examples include hour, shift, day, week, fiscal quarter,
calendar year, etc. Further assembly may be based on the number of
facts collected. Examples include amount of coin in, number of
handle pulls, amount of drop box door open events, etc. Such
assemblies of information would provide a very quick response to a
request for a comparative trend analysis report showing the average
coin in per shift during the last three months across each
jurisdiction between two new themes, for example. This is just one
illustration of the types of data assemblies. Further assemblies
may be formed, based on historical or anticipated requests to
enhance performance.
* * * * *