U.S. patent application number 12/421242 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-15 for gaming management system and gaming management method.
This patent application is currently assigned to ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA PTY LIMITED. Invention is credited to John Leslie Boesen.
Application Number | 20090258707 12/421242 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41164458 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090258707 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boesen; John Leslie |
October 15, 2009 |
GAMING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND GAMING MANAGEMENT METHOD
Abstract
A gaming management system including: a plurality of gaming
management clients each associated with at least one of a plurality
of venues; and a gaming management server adapted to store gaming
management data for each venue and including a data access module
arranged to control access to the data by each gaming management
client so that a gaming management client can only access gaming
management of a venue with which the gaming management client is
associated.
Inventors: |
Boesen; John Leslie; (Menai,
AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HANLEY, FLIGHT & ZIMMERMAN, LLC
150 S. WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 2100
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES AUSTRALIA
PTY LIMITED
North Ryde
AU
|
Family ID: |
41164458 |
Appl. No.: |
12/421242 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 ;
463/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/32 20130101;
G07F 17/3232 20130101; G07F 17/3223 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 ;
463/43 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 14, 2008 |
AU |
2008901839 |
Claims
1. A gaming management system comprising: a plurality of gaming
management clients each associated with at least one of a plurality
of venues; and a gaming management server adapted to store gaming
management data for each venue and comprising a data access module
arranged to control access to the data by each gaming management
client so that a gaming management client can only access gaming
management data of a venue with which the gaming management client
is associated.
2. A gaming management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at
least one venue comprises: a plurality of gaming machines; and a
plurality of data capture modules associated with respective ones
of the gaming machines and arranged to collect data relating to use
of the gaming machine with which it is associated.
3. A gaming management system as claimed in claim 2 wherein the
gaming management server is arranged to store gaming management
data based on venue data communicated from the venues.
4. A gaming management system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
venue data forms at least part of the gaming management data.
5. A gaming management system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
gaming management server is arranged to derive at least part of the
gaming management data by processing the venue data.
6. A gaming management system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
venue data is communicated directly from the data collection
modules to the gaming server.
7. A gaming management system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
venue data is communicated from the data collection modules to the
gaming server via the gaming management client.
8. A gaming management system as claimed in claim 7, wherein at
least one of the gaming management clients is arranged to buffer
venue data before communicating the data to the gaming management
server.
9. A gaming management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at
least one of the gaming management clients is associated with a
user interface comprising a display, and the at least one gaming
management client is arranged to display at least some of the
gaming management data on the display in response to a user
instruction input via the user interface.
10. A gaming management system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
gaming management client is arranged to display data corresponding
to the current data stored by the gaming management server when the
gaming management client is connected to the gaming management
server and to display data corresponding to a prior version of data
sent to the gaming management client when the gaming management
client is not connected to the gaming management server.
11. A gaming management system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
gaming management server comprises one or more data management
modules for processing venue data.
12. A gaming management method comprising: connecting a plurality
of gaming management clients to a gaming management server, each
gaming management client associated with at least one of a
plurality of venues; storing gaming management data for each venue;
and controlling access to the data by each gaming management client
so that a gaming management client can only access gaming
management data of a venue with which the venue-based gaming
management client is associated.
13. A gaming management method as claimed in claim 12, comprising
collecting data with a plurality of data capture modules associated
with respective ones of the gaming machines.
14. A gaming management method as claimed in claim 12, comprising
storing gaming management data based on venue data communicated
from the venues.
15. A gaming management method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
venue data forms at least part of the gaming management data.
16. A gaming management method as claimed in claim 14, comprising
deriving at least part of the gaming management data by processing
the venue data with the gaming management server.
17. A gaming management method as claimed in claim 14, comprising
communicating the venue data directly from the data collection
modules to the gaming server.
18. A gaming management method as claimed in claim 14, comprising
communicating the venue data from the data collection modules to
the gaming server via the gaming management client.
19. A gaming management method as claimed in claim 18, comprising
buffering venue data at at least one of the gaming management
clients before communicating the data to the gaming management
server.
20. A gaming management method as claimed in claim 12, wherein at
least one of the gaming management clients is associated with a
user interface comprising a display, and the method comprises
displaying at least some of the gaming management data on the
display in response to a user instruction input via the user
interface.
21. A gaming management method as claimed in claim 20, comprising
displaying data corresponding to the current data stored by the
gaming management server when the gaming management client is
connected to the gaming management server and displaying data
corresponding to a prior version of data sent to the gaming
management client when the gaming management client is not
connected to the gaming management server.
22. A gaming management method comprising: providing a gaming
management server adapted to store gaming management data for a
plurality of venues; connecting a venue operated by the operator to
the gaming management server so as to gather data from the venue;
and storing gaming management data of the venue operator at the
gaming management server.
23. A gaming management method as claimed in claim 22 comprising
connecting the venue in exchange for a fee.
24. A gaming management method as claimed in claim 22 comprising
connecting the venue by connecting a data collection module to each
to be managed gaming machine of the venue and placing the data
collection modules in data communication with the gaming management
server.
25. A gaming management method as claimed in claim 22, comprising
providing, at the venue, a gaming management client configured to
view the gaming management server.
26. A gaming management method comprising connecting a venue
operated by a first operator to a gaming management system operated
by a second operator in exchange for a fee to thereby provide at
least one gaming management function to the first operator.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority to
Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2008901839, filed on
Apr. 14, 2008, entitled "A GAMING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND GAMING
MANAGEMENT METHOD", which is herein incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] The presently described technology relates to a gaming
management method and a gaming management system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Large gaming venues such as casinos use "systems" to manage
the deployed gaming assets such as gaming machines and gaming
tables. Such gaming management systems provide a wide range of
functions including player tracking, gaming analysis and jackpot
controllers. In recent times, the development of such systems has
been targeted at meeting the needs of the largest venues and/or
venue operating companies. A disadvantage of this approach has been
the trend toward producing monolithic products which cater for
large venues but are not suited to the needs of smaller operators,
who can often not afford to purchase and deploy complicated gaming
management systems which generally far exceed their needs in terms
of features.
[0004] There is a need for an alternative gaming management system
and gaming management method.
SUMMARY
[0005] In a first aspect, the invention provides a gaming
management system including:
[0006] a plurality of gaming management clients each associated
with at least one of a plurality of venues; and
[0007] a gaming management server adapted to store gaming
management data for each venue and including a data access module
arranged to control access to the data by each gaming management
client so that a gaming management client can only access gaming
management data of a venue with which the gaming management client
is associated.
[0008] In an embodiment, at least one venue includes:
[0009] a plurality of gaming machines; and
[0010] a plurality of data capture modules associated with
respective ones of the gaming machines and arranged to collect data
relating to use of the gaming machine with which it is
associated.
[0011] In an embodiment, the gaming management server is arranged
to store gaming management data based on venue data communicated
from the venues.
[0012] In an embodiment, the venue data forms at least part of the
gaming management data.
[0013] In an embodiment, the gaming management server is arranged
to derive at least part of the gaming management data by processing
the venue data.
[0014] In an embodiment, the venue data is communicated directly
from the data collection modules to the gaming server.
[0015] In an embodiment, the venue data is communicated from the
data collection modules to the gaming server via the gaming
management client.
[0016] In an embodiment, at least one of the gaming management
clients is arranged to buffer venue data before communicating the
data to the gaming management server.
[0017] In an embodiment, at least one gaming management client is
associated with a user interface including a display, and the
gaming management client is arranged to display at least some of
the gaming management data on the display in response to a user
instruction input via the user interface.
[0018] In an embodiment, at least one of the gaming management
clients is associated with a user interface including a display,
and the at least one gaming management client is arranged to
display at least some of the gaming management data on the display
in response to a user instruction input via the user interface.
[0019] In an embodiment, the gaming management client is arranged
to display data corresponding to the current data stored by the
gaming management server when the gaming management client is
connected to the gaming management server and to display data
corresponding to a prior version of data sent to the gaming
management client when the gaming management client is not
connected to the gaming management server.
[0020] In an embodiment, the gaming management server includes one
or more data management modules for processing venue data.
[0021] In a second aspect, the invention provides a gaming
management method including:
[0022] connecting a plurality of gaming management clients to a
gaming management server, each gaming management client associated
with at least one of a plurality of venues;
[0023] storing gaming management data for each venue; and
[0024] controlling access to the data by each gaming management
client so that a gaming management client can only access gaming
management data of a venue with which the venue-based gaming
management client is associated.
[0025] In an embodiment, the method includes collecting data with a
plurality of data capture modules associated with respective ones
of the gaming machines.
[0026] In an embodiment, the method includes storing gaming
management data based on venue data communicated from the
venues.
[0027] In an embodiment, the venue data forms at least part of the
gaming management data.
[0028] In an embodiment, the method includes deriving at least part
of the gaming management data by processing the venue data with the
gaming management server.
[0029] In an embodiment, the method includes communicating the
venue data directly from the data collection modules to the gaming
server.
[0030] In an embodiment, the method includes communicating the
venue data from the data collection modules to the gaming server
via the gaming management client.
[0031] In an embodiment, the method includes buffering venue data
at at least one of the gaming management clients before
communicating the data to the gaming management server.
[0032] In an embodiment, at least one of the gaming management
clients is associated with a user interface including a display,
and the method includes displaying at least some of the gaming
management data on the display in response to a user instruction
input via the user interface.
[0033] In an embodiment, the method includes displaying data
corresponding to the current data stored by the gaming management
server when the gaming management client is connected to the gaming
management server and displaying data corresponding to a prior
version of data sent to the gaming management client when the
gaming management client is not connected to the gaming management
server.
[0034] In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming
management method including:
[0035] providing a gaming management server adapted to store gaming
management data for a plurality of venues;
[0036] connecting a venue operated by the operator to the gaming
management server so as to gather data from the venue; and
[0037] storing gaming management data of the venue operator at the
gaming management server.
[0038] In an embodiment, the gaming management method includes
connecting the venue in exchange for a fee.
[0039] In an embodiment, the gaming management method includes
connecting the venue by connecting a data collection module to each
to be managed gaming machine of the venue and placing the data
collection modules in data communication with the gaming management
server.
[0040] In an embodiment, the gaming management method includes
providing, at the venue, a gaming management client configured to
view the gaming management server.
[0041] In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a gaming
management method including connecting a venue operated by a first
operator to a gaming management system operated by a second
operator in exchange for a fee to thereby provide at least one
gaming management function to the first operator.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0042] Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described
in relation to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0043] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a network configuration;
[0044] FIG. 2 shows a first exemplary venue configuration;
[0045] FIG. 3 shows a second exemplary venue configuration;
[0046] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the gaming management server;
and
[0047] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an embodiment.
[0048] Features, further aspects, and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent from the following description of
embodiments thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings. Also, various embodiments of the aspects
described in the preceding paragraphs will be apparent from the
appended claims, the following description and/or the accompanying
drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present
invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality
shown in the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] Embodiments of the invention provide a gaming management
system which allows a plurality of venues to share a gaming
management server while maintaining segregation of the data. This
allows smaller venues which would normally install a gaming
management system to have access to a gaming management system
hosted by an outside party. Thus, smaller venues can obtain access
to some, or all of the functions of a gaming management system, for
example, on a fee per service basis, rather than paying for an
entire installation. In this manner venue operators can also extend
the aspects of the system which they employ on an as needs basis.
Accordingly, a venue can start with a minimal implementation. For
example to do analysis of a gaming machines, and upgrade their
system to offer additional features such as player tracking without
requiring significant software update as all the functions can
already be installed at the gaming server in order to accommodate
other venue operators.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary network
connection where plurality of venues 120 are connected by means of
virtual private network 130 to a gaming management server 110.
[0051] FIG. 2 show a first exemplary venue 200 which has a
plurality of electronic gaming machines 201, 202, 203 each of which
is associated with a player tracking module 211, 212, 213. The
player tracking modules 211 are typically installed in the cabinet
of the electronic gaming machines and are in data communication
with the electronic gaming machines 201,202,203. Each player
tracking module 211, 212, 213 acts a data capture module to capture
information relating to use of the electronic gaming machine with
which it is associated and store that data in a memory of the
player tracking module to locally buffer the data. In this
configuration, the buffered data is periodically communicated
directly from the player tracking modules 211, 212, 213 to the
gaming management server using a network communication protocol
such as TCP/IP.
[0052] The gaming management client 240 is also in data
communication with the gaming management server and can retrieve
data from the gaming management server relating to the venue 200.
Depending on the implementation, such data may be raw data or
processed in some form as will be described in further detail
below. The venue 200 may also incorporate a cash deck 230 having an
associated data capture module 235 which communicates data to the
management server. The gaming venue 200 may also incorporate one or
more displays 200. Depending on the implementation the settings for
the displays can be set at the gaming management server by the
gaming management client 240.
[0053] FIG. 3 shows an alternative configuration of a venue 300. In
this embodiment, the venue 300 is arranged so that data relating to
the venue is buffered at a gaming management client 340. That is,
all communication with the gaming management server is done by the
gaming management client 340. Accordingly, in this embodiment
player tracking modules 311, 312, 313 gather data from EGM's 301,
302, 303 respectively, communicate this data to the gaming
management client which stores it in the local database 350. The
gaming management client 340 then communicates the data from the
local database to the gaming management server. Similarly, gaming
management client 340 communicates data captured by data capture
module 335 about the cash desk 330 to the gaming management server.
The gaming management server can periodically synchronise its
version of the database for the venue with the local database 350.
If the gaming management server goes offline, the gaming management
client 340 can employ the most recent version of the data. Thus, in
this configuration, some functions of the gaming management server
can be conducted by the gaming management client such as
controlling the displays 320. In alternative configuration, the
displays 320 461 may be connected directed to the gaming management
server.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown an exemplary
configuration of a gaming management server 400. The gaming
management server 400 is connected to the venues. The gaming
management server incorporates a request handler 410 which controls
communication with the venues and incorporates a data access
control module 411 which ensures that transaction carried out by
the request handler are in respect of the correct data such that
gaming management clients are restricted to accessing data related
to venues with which they are associated in client/venue
association database 440. This extends to ensuring that any
management functions 420 which are carried out in respect of the
data of the correct venue. The master database 430 stores data for
each of a plurality of venues (N) 431, 432, 433. The management
functions in this illustrated embodiment include player tracking
421, electronic gaming machine analysis 422 and a jackpot
controller 423. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that
other functions can also be implemented including any of the
functions offered by known gaming management systems, for example,
such as the gaming management systems sold under the trade name
"Systems 7000 Prime Enterprise" by Aristocrat Technologies
Australia Pty Limited.
[0055] Such a gaming management system can offer front office
features, such as cash decks, desk, credit controller, player
tracking, membership control, membership card design, security, VIP
player management, award centres, customer relationship management,
and complimentary and commissions. It can also offer gaming floor
management features including of electronic gaming machines, the
electronic gaming machine floor configuration management of the
gaming machines, monitoring of the gaming machines, promotions,
progressive jackpots, account play, ticket based play (known as
ticket in ticket out), VIP player management, a rewards centre,
graphics (such as for displays), and dashboards and score cards.
Further, for venues which have tables it can conduct table
management. The system can also provide back of house functions and
typically most of these back of house functions would be hosted at
the gaming server. These include electronic gaming machine
analysis, marketing analysis, membership control, player tracking
control, system administration, data warehousing, enterprise
analysis, a provision of displays, dashboards and scorecards,
customer relationship management, campaign management, channel
management and customer relationship management analysis. Such
systems can provide additional applications such as an integrated
jackpot controller.
[0056] The method of an embodiment is summarised in FIG. 5. The
method 500 involves providing a gaming management server 510,
connecting a venue to a game management server in exchange for a
fee 520, storing data for the venue 530 at the gaming server; and
controlling 540 access to the data so it can only be accessed by a
client associated with the venue.
[0057] It will be appreciated that while in the above example,
clients are shown as being at the venues, in other configurations a
client may be located elsewhere. It will also be appreciated that
some clients may be associated with more than one venue and be able
to access data of multiple venues or institute processing of data
across multiple venues with which they are associated.
[0058] It will be understood to persons skilled in the art of the
invention that many modifications may be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention, in particular, that
various features of the embodiments can be combined to form further
embodiments.
[0059] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description
of the invention, except where the context indicates otherwise due
to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise"
or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an
inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated
features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further
features in various embodiments of the invention.
[0060] It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is
referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission
that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge
in any country.
[0061] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the
invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing
from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The
present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all
respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Several embodiments
are described above with reference to the drawings. These drawings
illustrate certain details of specific embodiments that implement
the systems and methods and programs of the present invention.
However, describing the invention with drawings should not be
construed as imposing on the invention any limitations associated
with features shown in the drawings. It will be understood that the
invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to
all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual
features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of
these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects
of the invention.
[0062] The present invention contemplates methods, systems and
program products on any electronic device and/or machine-readable
media suitable for accomplishing its operations. Certain
embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using an
existing computer processor and/or by a special purpose computer
processor incorporated for this or another purpose or by a
hardwired system, for example.
[0063] Embodiments within the scope of the present invention
include program products comprising machine-readable media for
carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data
structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any
available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or
special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way
of example, such machine-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM,
PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,
magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any
other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program
code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data
structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or
special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. When
information is transferred or provided over a network or another
communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a
combination of hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine
properly views the connection as a machine-readable medium. Thus,
any such a connection is properly termed a machine-readable medium.
Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of
machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions comprise,
for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose
computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing
machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.
* * * * *