U.S. patent application number 12/618529 was filed with the patent office on 2010-05-13 for gaming control system.
This patent application is currently assigned to AMX LLC. Invention is credited to Gregory T. DeWitt.
Application Number | 20100120538 12/618529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42165750 |
Filed Date | 2010-05-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100120538 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeWitt; Gregory T. |
May 13, 2010 |
GAMING CONTROL SYSTEM
Abstract
In an extended casino network, a master controller can be
provided to communicate and control non-gaming devices on the
casino floor such as lighting, security cameras, public video
displays, etc. The master controller may receive control events or
commands from an electronic gaming machine in a gaming machine
protocol (e.g. G2S) or proprietary protocol and translate the
commands to generic protocols for communication to the non-gaming
devices. The master controller may also translate events from the
non-gaming devices from a generic or device specific protocol to a
higher level casino protocol (e.g. S2S) and publish the device
events to one or more casino management servers. Furthermore, the
master controller may receive control events or commands from one
or more casino management servers in a system to system protocol
(e.g. S2S) or proprietary protocol and translate the commands to
generic protocols for communication to the non-gaming devices.
Inventors: |
DeWitt; Gregory T.; (Las
Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RG & ASSOCIATES
1103 TWIN CREEKS, STE. 120
ALLEN
TX
75013
US
|
Assignee: |
AMX LLC
Richardson
TX
|
Family ID: |
42165750 |
Appl. No.: |
12/618529 |
Filed: |
November 13, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61114313 |
Nov 13, 2008 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 ;
463/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3223 20130101;
G07F 17/3239 20130101; G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 ;
463/29 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. An extended casino network comprising: at least one electronic
gaming machine; at least one master controller; and at least one
non-gaming device; wherein the at least one master controller is
configured to communicate with the at least one electronic gaming
machine to receive at least one event from the at least one
electronic gaming machine; and wherein the at least one master
controller is configured to provide a control to the at least one
non-gaming device in response to the at least one event.
2. The extended casino network according to claim 1 wherein the at
least one master controller is configured to receive the at least
one event from the at least one electronic gaming machine in a G2S
protocol.
3. The extended casino network according to claim 1 wherein the at
least one event comprises at least one control event, wherein the
master controller is configured to translate the at least one
control event from a gaming machine protocol to a non-gaming device
protocol and wherein the master controller is configured to provide
the at least one event to the at least one non-gaming devices in
the non-gaming device protocol.
4. The extended casino network according to claim 1 comprising at
least one host server, wherein the master controller is configured
to: receive at least one device event from the at least one
non-gaming device; and publish the at least one device event to the
at least one host server.
5. The extended casino network according to claim 4 wherein the at
least one master controller is configured to translate the at least
one device event from a non-gaming device protocol to at least one
of a G2S protocol or an S2S protocol.
6. The extended casino network according to claim 4 wherein the at
least one master controller is configured to receive a subscription
request from at least one host server and to publish one or more
device events from the one or more non-gaming devices to subscribed
ones of the at least one host server.
7. The extended casino network according to claim 1 comprising a
plurality of non-gaming devices, wherein the at least one master
controller is configured to communicate with the plurality of
non-gaming devices using a plurality of protocols.
8. The extended casino network according to claim 1 wherein the one
or more non-gaming devices comprise one or more public displays and
wherein the master controller is configured to command a display to
the at least one public display in response to receiving the at
least one event from the at least one electronic gaming
machine.
9. The extended casino network according to claim 1 wherein the one
or more non-gaming devices comprise one or more security cameras
and wherein the master controller is configured to command the one
or more security cameras in response to receiving the at least one
event from the at least one electronic gaming machine.
10. The extended casino network according to claim 1 comprising: a
first master controller configured to: translate device events
received by the first master controller in a device protocol to a
G2S protocol; and publish the device events to one or more G2S
subscribers; and a second master controller configured to subscribe
to device events of the first master controller using a G2S
protocol; translate the device events to an S2S protocol; and
publish the device events to one or more subscribers using the S2S
protocol.
11. A master controller configured to: receive a control event from
at least one first device of a casino network in a first device
protocol; translate the first device protocol to a second device
protocol; and provide a command event to at least one second device
of the casino network in the second device protocol in response to
receiving the control event.
12. The master controller according to claim 11 wherein the at
least one first device comprises at least one player awareness
device and wherein the master controller is configured to: receive
a player detection from the at least one player awareness device,
the player detection identifying a player; determine if the player
is in violation of a location restriction; and provide an
indication of the violation to at least one security server.
13. The master controller according to claim 11 configured to
receive a control event from at least one electronic gaming machine
and to provide a command to at least one non-gaming device in
response to the control event.
14. The master controller according to claim 11 wherein the master
controller is configured to receive a control event from a first
non-gaming device and provide a control command to a second
non-gaming device.
15. The master controller according to claim 11 comprising a
non-gaming device interface module configured to determine a
communication protocol of a non-gaming device connected to the
master controller and request the non-gaming device communication
protocol from a mediation server.
16. A method for providing an extended casino network comprising:
providing a master controller; auto-discovering one or more
electronic gaming machines networked to the master controller;
auto-discovering one or more non-gaming devices networked to the
master controller; and publishing at least one service of at least
one of the at least one electronic gaming machines and the at least
one non-gaming devices.
17. The method according to claim 16 comprising: receiving a
subscription request at the master controller from at least one
host server networked to the master controller; subscribing the at
least one host server to one or more published events of the master
controller; and publishing the at least one service to the at least
one host server.
18. The method according to claim 17 comprising: receiving a device
event from at least one non-gaming device using a device protocol;
translating the device event from the device protocol to an S2S
protocol; and publishing the device event to the at least one host
server using the S2S protocol.
19. The method according to claim 17 comprising: receiving a device
event from at least one non-gaming device using a device protocol;
translating the device event from the device protocol to a G2S
protocol; and publishing the device event to the at least one
electronic gaming machine using the G2S protocol.
20. The method according to claim 16 comprising: receiving a
control command for at least one of the non-gaming devices;
translating the control command to a protocol readable by the at
least one non-gaming device; and providing the translated control
command to the at least one non-gaming device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/114,313, filed Nov. 13, 2008, the entire
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. This
application is also related to the following patents the entire
contents of which are each herein incorporated by reference: U.S.
Pat. No. 6,496,927 titled Method And Configuring A User Interface
For Controlling A Controlled Device Based Upon A Device Class, U.S.
Pat. No. 7,213,061 titled Internet Control System And Method, U.S.
Pat. No. 7,224,366 titled Method And System For Control System
Software and U.S. Pat. No. 7,426,702 titled System And Method For
Multimedia Display.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This disclosure relates to gaming networks and in particular
to extended casino networks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The extended casino can be defined as an industry initiative
driven by casino operators and gaming equipment manufacturers
collectively to create a casino wide gaming and communications
network, along with its associated equipment, serving network
downloadable and server based gaming and advanced player and casino
patron services on the casino floor using industry standard
communications protocols, converging technology and solutions from
disparate industries to create greater competitive advantage and
improved player experience while maintaining the vitality of the
casino industry. The industry initiative driving adoption of the
promise of the extended casino is the Gaming Standards Association,
an international trade association that creates benefits for gaming
manufacturers, suppliers, operators and regulators to facilitate
the identification, definition, development, promotion, and
implementation of open standards to enable innovation, education,
and communication for the benefit of the entire industry.
[0004] Casinos are growing in size, complexity and amenities to
continue to be competitive and attract new gaming and non-gaming
patrons. The latest development in this attempt is the creation of
server based games (SBG). Traditionally, slot machines have been
stand alone gaming machines with all the electronics, math and
software locked up inside the machine. Server Based Games, or SBGs,
change this by supporting a client/server paradigm providing the
flexibility to deliver games and services to any given slot
machine, now called electronic gaming machines (EGMs). The games
can be stored on back-office servers and be downloaded and
reconfigure on the EGM at the command of the gamer. In essence, the
EGMs will be slaves or dumb terminals to the system. Casino
operators will be able to deploy and configure games and services
in minutes as opposed to hours or days as presently experienced.
With the SBG architecture, operators can change pay table
percentage payout in seconds depending on floor performance. Gaming
regulators are pleased with the transition because they see SBGs as
a better way to control hacker proofing by standardizing on
industry leading network security and encryption standards.
[0005] Over the past 10 years, the Gaming Standards Association has
been working to define the open communications protocols necessary
to make the extended, networked casino that enables SBG and
advanced casino patron services a reality by providing a robust set
of interoperable machine level message commands and a very secure
network transport layer. These open communications protocols, based
on proven computer industry standard technologies, such as
Ethernet, TCP/IP and XML, will allow the industry to migrate to
downloadable games and other new technology, such as client/server
games, Intranet and Internet environments, while still maintaining
the games of today, well into the future. With the release of S2S
v1.3 and G2S v2.0 communications protocols, gaming manufacturers
are rolling out EGMs and back-office network services to take
advantage of the virtues SBGs are designed to deliver.
[0006] In the area of player tracking and reward services (card
based electronic loyalty club programs where players are rewarded
with complimentary meals, rooms and other benefits), the SBG
network can deliver games, digital media, services and amenities
when the player is recognized present on an EGM, Player Club KIOSK,
ATM or any remote site where the system determines him to be.
Within the EGM the player is recognized by the insertion of a
player club card prior to game play. Remotely within the casino,
the SBG network creates a player or patron awareness medium that
can be accessed through wireless or biometric readers that can be
deployed throughout the casino area. One such technology that is
being embraced is Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). The
ability to sense a player's identity in a networked environment
presence opportunity to deliver greater personalized services
remotely throughout the casino property.
[0007] On the Hospitality side of the Casino industry, guest rooms
and property wide networked guest loyalty services are beginning to
deliver more advanced levels of personalization and automation via
guest amenities networks (GANs). Hotel industry standardized
networked applications and services enabling the property wide GAN
are being driven largely by the Hotel Technology Next Generation
(HTNG) standards body. The MGM CityCenter is slated to provide
personalized loyalty services being delivered by RFID room cards
that read the guest's presence as he enters the room and sets room
preferences, such as TV, radio, lighting, temperature and shade
preferences. The card can also determine when he leaves the room
and automatically schedule maid service. This technology, coupled
with CityCenter's gigabit network bandwidth, will create the medium
for unsurpassed guest experiences and services in the hospitality
industry.
[0008] In a fully automated environment, appliances that change the
various parameters of the environment can be linked to a control
area network (CAN) and a controller. The appliances may include
heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, lighting
systems, audio-visual systems, telecommunications systems, security
systems, surveillance systems, and fire protection systems, for
example. One or more easy-to-use user interfaces, such as a touch
panel, remote control or smart phone, may be electronically linked
to the control area network to accept user input and display
current system status. AMX of Richardson, Tex. designs and
manufactures such networked appliance control systems.
[0009] What is required is a fully automated, gaming control system
that can take advantage of the work being done by the casino
industry to unify patron experience by networking and automating
casino player and hotel guest loyalty services where possible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an
extended casino network comprising at least one electronic gaming
machine, at least one master controller and at least one non-gaming
device. The at least one master controller may be configured to
communicate with the at least one electronic gaming machine to
receive at least one event from the at least one electronic gaming
machine. The at least one master controller may be configured to
provide a control to the at least one non-gaming device in response
to the at least one event.
[0011] In one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a master
controller configured to receive a control event from at least one
first device of a casino network on a first device protocol. The
master controller translates the control event from the first
device protocol to a second device protocol and provides a command
event to at least one second device of the casino network in
response to receiving the control event. The command event is
provided to the second device in the second device protocol.
[0012] In one aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method
for providing an extended casino network comprising providing a
master controller, auto-discovering one or more electronic gaming
machines networked to the master controller, auto-discovering one
or more non-gaming devices networked to the master controller, and
publishing at least one service of at least one of the at least one
electronic gaming machines and the at least one non-gaming
devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Reference will now be made, by way of example only, to
specific embodiments and to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of a Server Based Casino
Floor where electronic gaming machines and master controllers,
configured as gaming and non-gaming event control machines (ECMs),
co-exist in tier with casino hosted network services;
[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a method for providing the casino
network;
[0016] FIG. 3A illustrates a master controller configured as an ECM
communicating with generic devices, appliances, EGMs and Hosted
Services;
[0017] FIG. 3B illustrates a gaming control system;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a hierarchal view of a
typical GSA gaming network with ECMs sitting on the same tier as
EGMs;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an ECM reading an RFID
based presence awareness instance;
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates an EGM reading a mag stripe player
loyalty card and talking to a Player Tracking System via G2S
protocol while an ECM reads an RFID guest awareness tag and talking
to a Guest Profile Server via the G2S protocol;
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates an EGM driving target video to itself and
talking to a Player Tracking System via G2S protocol while an ECM
drives target video to public displays and talking to a Guest
Profile Server via the G2S protocol;
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates how ECMs can jointly tie casino loyalty
(player tracking) and guest room personalization together using
RFID guest tags with Resource Management System (RMS) based
services;
[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates an ECM working with an EGM to provide
presence awareness to drive targeted media to personalize player
experience;
[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates how an ECM working with media
distribution and signage systems allows an EGM to control generic
devices and appliances to direct target video to specified EGMs and
public signage;
[0025] FIG. 11 illustrates how an ECM handles multiple events on a
networked casino floor;
[0026] FIG. 12 illustrates translation and subscription functions
of multiple ECMs; and
[0027] FIG. 13 illustrates messages flows between a host ECM
connected to player awareness modules that serves a client.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] An area identified by casino's that need to cooperate are
player tracking and guest tracking and personalization databases.
With the combination of these systems and their associated networks
into one universal networked loyalty service, the casino can
minimize costs and maintenance overhead while increasing overall
patron service quality and experience. This combination can be best
realized through the adoption of emerging communications and
solution standards developed by industrial standards bodies
comprised of leading operator/vendor members such as the GSA and
the Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) of which AMX is
an active participating member of both. With the promise of a
unified networked loyalty service, casino operators are embracing
the need to create more personalized customer experience which in
turn is driving demand for a casino or gaming control system that
introduces new levels of automation, control and content
distribution on the casino floor and throughout the property.
[0029] Besides gaming devices, Nevada casinos have what is legally
referred to as "associated equipment," a classification unique to
the Nevada gaming industry. The technical definition is any
equipment or mechanical, electromechanical or electronic
contrivance, component or machine used remotely or directly in
connection with gaming or mobile gaming; any game, race book or
sports pool that would not otherwise be classified as a gaming
device; or a computerized system for the recordation of sales for
use in an area subject to the live entertainment tax. Associated
equipment includes dice, playing cards, links that connect to
progressive slot machines, equipment that affects the proper
reporting of gross revenue, computerized systems of betting at a
race book or sports pool, computerized systems for monitoring slot
machines, and devices for weighing or counting money. Persons who
manufacture associated equipment are not required to be licensed
manufacturers in Nevada. The associated equipment, however, must be
approved by the Gaming Control Board. Thus, quality designs, while
imperative, must also be accompanied by an understanding of the
requisite approval process.
[0030] The Gaming Standards Association (GSA) is a non-profit
gaming industry standards body whose sole intent is to define open
standard communications protocols for gaming and gaming related
systems to eliminate some of the technological communications
problems facing many of the gaming operators using equipment from a
variety of gaming equipment manufacturers. Its membership is
comprised of manufacturers, suppliers, operators, regulatory
advisors and other affiliate organizations that share the technical
vision of promoting open standards. The mission is to facilitate
the identification, definition, development, promotion, and
implementation of open standards to enable innovation, education,
and communication for the benefit of the entire industry.
[0031] GSA communication protocols are based on industry standards
such as: TCP/IP, SOAP, XML, TLS. They are designed to introduce
interoperability of disparate gaming equipment and management
systems on the casino floor, such as Electronic Gaming Machines
(EGM)s, Casino Management System, Player Tracking, Billing,
Etc.
[0032] The primary communications protocols developed by the GSA
are the G2S, S2S, GDS and transport protocols, as follows: [0033]
G2S (Game to System)--a standard protocol set to assist open
communications between host systems and Electronic Gaming Machines
(EGMs); [0034] S2S (System to System)--a standard protocol set to
assist open communications between host systems; [0035] GDS (Gaming
Device Standard)--a standard protocol set to assist open
communications between controller and devices within an EGM; and
[0036] Transport (based on TCP, UDP and TLS)--peer to peer and
multi-cast connection services leveraging industry standard
encryption/authentication mechanisms for strong security to manage
inter-system communications.
[0037] The GDS Protocol is defined by the GSA Gaming Device
Standards to control the flow of information between an electronic
gaming machine (EGM) and the array of peripheral devices operating
inside it, including bill validators, card readers and ticket
printers, using the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards protocol.
In essence, each peripheral device uses one command set to
communicate with its host machine. That information can then be
relayed to the casino management system through a machine message
protocol, such as GSA's G2S.TM. (Game-to-System) Message
Protocol."
[0038] The G2S (Game to System) protocol provides a messaging
standard, using XML version 1.0, for communications between gaming
devices (such as game software, meters, and
[0039] hoppers) and gaming management systems (such as
progressives, cashless, and accounting). The acceptance,
implementation, widespread deployment, change management, and
future technological advancements to GSA's G2S protocol will allow
the gaming industry to concentrate on the creation of innovative,
appealing gaming products and operations.
[0040] The G2S protocol will employ standards and technologies from
the computer industry, including but not limited to Web Services,
TCP, SSL, fully formed XML, and other IP protocols for the primary
protocol, and physical transport technologies, including but not
limited to Ethernet and other IP transport mechanisms. Where
practical, the G2S protocol will also accommodate other computer
industry standards such as streaming audio and video on the
physical transport layer. Using proven technologies will enable GSA
to provide reliable products quickly to the industry at a
significant savings to manufacturers, operators, and
regulators.
[0041] The GSA.RTM. System to System.TM. (S2S) Messaging Standard
provides a set of communication protocols: [0042] between gaming
host systems (for example, accounting, security, progressive
controllers, advertising, and promotion displays) [0043] between
gaming and non-gaming host systems, to effect a hospitality-gaming
industry solution.
[0044] The current version of the S2S standard includes support for
the following types of gaming and nongaming communications: [0045]
Patron registration [0046] Player ratings (table games, slots,
bingo, keno, poker, sports book) [0047] Table games accounting
(hourly estimates, open and closing, fills and credits, marker and
chip purchase vouchers support) [0048] Comps (such as complimentary
awards, points, money, or hospitality products) [0049] System, data
and device configurations (such as defining active/inactive game
types and calculations, progressive controllers, chip sets,
regional settings, shifts, or codes for particular types of data
such as club or badge identifiers)
[0050] The invention will assist the transition of the casino floor
to an open standards SEG format by providing inter-communications
translation between disparate systems. It will also allow
environmental control of non gaming devices by EGMs via embedded
commands (i.e. security camera panning, audio and lights adjusting,
target video distribution, etc.). Finally, the invention will
provide auto discovery of EGMs as well as environmental devices as
they come online and allow casino systems to publish related
services.
[0051] With reference now to FIG. 1, there is shown an extended
casino system or network 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the
disclosure. The system 10 includes a plurality of electronic gaming
machines (EGM)s 14 which may take the form of many known gaming
machine types, include slot machines, poker machines, Keno, table
games, bingo, poker tables, sports book, etc. The electronic gaming
machines are represented generically as slot machines in FIG. 1.
The network may also include various databases 13, including and
associated servers 15 including a player loyalty and/or guest
profile database and a database and video server for storing and
providing targeted media including video content. The network 10
may also include host devices 16 including a centralized accounting
system, currency counters, ticket redemption kiosks, property
management system, slot floor management server, slot accounting
server, gaming voucher server, player tracking server, amongst
others. The EGMs 14 may communicate with the host devices using the
G2S protocols. The host devices may communicate with each other
using the S2S protocols.
[0052] In addition to the typical gaming network of EGMs 14 and
host devices 16, the extended casino 10 includes any number of
non-gaming devices 18 including lighting, security cameras,
air-conditioning units, security devices, player awareness modules
(e.g. RFID tag readers) and different types of signage, e.g.
outdoor signage, retail signage, in-casino signage.
[0053] A control system for the non-gaming devices may also be
provided. The generic device control system may be based on at
least one master controller (also described as an Event Control
Machine (ECM) herein and in the drawings) 12 that communicates with
at least one device or appliance 18 coupled to the master
controller 12. As will be described in more detail below, the
casino generic device control system allows casino operators,
electronic gaming machines (EGMs) and casino management and hosted
services to configure, control, monitor and manage networked
generic devices and internet appliances in a control area network
(CAN) within the extended casino system 10.
[0054] A method for providing the extended casino network is
illustrated in the flowchart 20 of FIG. 2. At step 21, a master
controller is provided. The master controller may then undertake an
auto-discovery process, described in greater detail below, in which
the master controller may discover one or more electronic gaming
machines networked to the master controller (step 22) and may
discover one or more non-gaming devices networked to the master
controller (step 23). The master controller may then publish the
services of any discovered electronic gaming machines or non-gaming
devices to other devices of the network, such as any host
server.
[0055] A master controller 12 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3A.
The master controller 12 is a configurable device that may include
various modules depending on its configuration and/or functional
purpose. Several of the potential modules are shown in FIG. 3A,
though each module shown in FIG. 3A need not be present in all
configurations, depending on the particular use to which the master
controller will be put. The master controller device is configured
with a number of input/output (I/O) channels that may include
relays, serial ports, infra-red etc. to allow communication with
environmental devices such as lights, cameras, audio, video
displays, HVAC, etc.
[0056] In one embodiment, the master controller 12 provides
communication between disparate systems (e.g. the gaming system and
generic device system) by translating system specific protocols
while providing control interfaces to generic devices, and CAN
management interfaces to operators, networked electronic gaming
equipment (EGM) and casino hosted management systems.
[0057] To this end, the master controller 12 also provides a
universal protocol translation function performing mediation of
disparate system level protocols to allow open communication
between both the operator and/or gaming systems and their attached
generic devices and internet appliances.
[0058] While communicating with generic devices and appliances, at
least one generic device interface module resides on the master
controller, where the device interface module defines a basic
protocol for interface with any device. Configuration information
associated with the at least one device is used to tailor the at
least one generic device interface module to communicate and
operate with the at least one device.
[0059] While communicating with the operator, an EGM or a Casino
hosted service (Management System), at least one Management System
interface module resides on the master controller, where Management
System interface module defines a basic protocol for interface with
the Management System. Configuration information associated with
the Management System is used to tailor the Management System
interface module to communicate with the Management System.
[0060] The casino system 10 can scale in scope through master
controller to master controller communications to allow secure
isolation of sensitive casino CAN segments and manageable system
performance by providing a flexible design and configuration
architecture to allow adequate network load balancing across both
local and wide area networks.
[0061] The master controller can be configured to support an auto
discovery and configuration feature allowing the creation and
deployment of advanced network services that are self configuring
and self managing while allowing device level maintenance, upgrades
and replacements at minimal cost and difficulty. Part of the auto
discovery process undertaken by the master controller when it
discovers a non-gaming device that is networked to the master
controller is to determine if the master controller is configured
with the appropriate protocol for communicating with the discovered
device. If the master controller is not configured with the
protocol, it requests the protocol either from the mediation server
or from the discovered device itself.
[0062] The master controller 12 can be configured and managed by
casino based systems, including EGMs and Casino hosted services, to
automate dynamic configuration of casino floor personalized
experiences, patron services and dynamic distribution of player
targeted advertisements and personalized services to disparate
monitors, signage and gaming devices such as EGMs, wireless and
mobile gaming devices.
[0063] When operating in tier with an EGM in a standards based
network, like the hierarchical architecture defined in a typical
Gaming Standards Association topology, the master controller 12 can
provide generic device meter logging, subscription services and
meter and event publishing to gaming network hosted services. The
master controller 12 can also provide extended control and
monitoring interfaces and services to EGMs desiring control of
generic devices and appliances outside of the EGM cabinet such as
public monitors, cameras, remote player ID readers and lighting.
While operating in a GSA compliant capacity, the master controller
12 provides all necessary translation services between GSA
compliant communication protocols, such as S2S, G2S and GDS and
generic device control protocols, such as I/O, serial or TCP/IP.
The master controller 12 can also be configured to provide standard
protocol to legacy protocol translation such as any GSA
communication protocol to any Bally or IGT Casino Management System
(CMS) communication protocol. The master controller 12 handles
dynamic protocol communications by communicating with a mediation
server and determining which communications module to download to
the master controller 12 to be able to communicate with a given
generic device, network appliance, EGM, SMIB Controller, or Hosted
Service.
[0064] The master controller 12 is able to control EGM devices and
services residing within an EGM cabinet via GDS, SAS, generic
device protocol or other proprietary protocols by dynamically
downloading the appropriate communications module to the master
controller 12.
[0065] Like an EGM, the master controller 12 ideally operates as a
client device on the edge of the network to the casino hosted
services and acts as a host services device to the attached generic
devices and appliances. Three potential usage case models using the
master controller 12 in a networked casino are:
[0066] Event Control Machine (ECM)
[0067] The master controller may be integrated into the extended
casino network in a way that extends the scope of SBG host
management systems to control, monitor, configure, and/or manage
devices throughout the casino outside the existing EGM centric
device paradigm. That is, an EGM is generally only able to control
devices within their physical cabinets, such as coin hoppers,
ticket printers, touch panels, EGM displays and the like. Through
the ECM, an EGM's control of the local gaming environment may be
extended to include additional devices such as
AV/lights/HVAC/Cameras/public displays.
[0068] In one embodiment, an ECM may operate in a client mode. An
ECM can act as a client to any networked host system (FIG. 3). In
this capacity, the host system can subscribe to any ECM relevant
metering or event services and/or control device and appliances
attached to the ECM CAN. The ECM is also able to auto discover
generic devices and appliances within its CAN and publish the
information to requesting host systems.
[0069] In one embodiment, an ECM may operate in a host mode. An ECM
in a host mode can extend control of generic devices and appliances
within its CAN to requesting EGMs and casino host systems requiring
control of these devices.
[0070] Presence Awareness Managed Services (PAMS)
[0071] The master controller may be integrated with player, patron,
or guest presence awareness and/or location based technologies
including RFID tags and readers in concert with back of house
player/patron/guest tracking systems to control delivery of target
media and environmentally related services. Such an embodiment can
encourage and deliver greater personalization of player, guest and
patron services both in a gaming environment and in a guest
services environment.
[0072] EGM Generated Event Services (EGES)
[0073] Integration that employs EGM generated events in concert
with a master controller acting as a rules based control system to
provide automated casino generic device
control/monitoring/management. In one example, an EGM player ID
event may trigger a master controller to communicate with the
player tracking system to get a player preference profile and
activate a media server to send player relevant content to the
requesting EGM.
[0074] The master controller is well suited to control devices and
respond to/send events within the GSA enabled casino. Specific
applications for the master controller include: [0075] Core Proxy
server translating G2S event messages received from EGM to S2S for
host services consumption; [0076] Control streaming video to the
secondary video display in EGMs; [0077] Provide Host system control
of ambient environment (public displays, lights, cameras, etc.);
[0078] Control devices within EGM.
[0079] The master controller is suited to operate as Associated
Equipment because it is designed to monitor, alarm and control
non-gaming environments. The master controller provides substantial
value when assuming a universal translator and/or control client
role, on peer with EGMs, providing event and meter handling
services but operating in a non-gaming (associated) capacity to
extend control and meter/event services to casino host servers
outside of the gaming control sphere.
[0080] Universal device control and monitoring functions provided
by the master controller may include: [0081] Control ambient
environment--lights, curtains, screens, servos, temperature, etc;
[0082] Switch and distribute Media--Downloadable/streaming audio
and video; [0083] Monitor device end of life status--battery life,
bulb life, etc.; [0084] Provide location based services--Proximity
management, presence awareness, asset tracking, etc.; [0085]
Security services--Control cameras, alarms, auto send email/text,
etc.
[0086] As described above, in various configurations, the master
controller may by configured as an Event Control Machine (ECM).
Specific functions of the ECM may include: [0087] Control of
non-gaming devices in the extended casino including Audio/Video
(TV, Projector, Camera, DVD), Environment (Thermostat, Lights,
Curtains), Communications (Cell, PC, Intercom, Internet); [0088]
Logs device events (RMS); [0089] Publishing events to Casino
services including Casino Management Server (CMS), Billing Server,
Voucher Server, Player Tracking Server, Progressive, Bonusing.
[0090] The ECM may also translate device protocols (e.g. RF,
RS-232, IR, TCP/IP), maintain event subscription lists and publish
events to G2S event subscribers.
[0091] In FIG. 3B, a gaming control system is depicted. One or more
of the components depicted in FIG. 3A can be removed from the
gaming control system in one embodiment of the application.
[0092] In FIG. 4, there is shown a hierarchal view of a typical GSA
gaming network with ECMs 12 sitting on the same tier as EGMs 14.
Like the EGMs, the ECMs provide device control as well as meter and
event services using the S2S protocol to casino hosted services 31
via an ECM proxy 32 and provide extended control services to EGMs
14 using the G2S protocol.
[0093] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an ECM reading an RFID
based presence awareness instance, reading the player profile from
a DB, converting the player profile to S2S/G2S classes, parsing the
S2S/G2S XML message from another ECM and driving target video to
signage.
[0094] FIG. 6 illustrates an EGM 14 reading a magnetic stripe
player loyalty card 53 and talking to a Player Tracking System 51
via G2S protocol 56 while an ECM 12 reads an RFID guest identity
tag 54. The ECM 12 receives the RFID data on a configured I/O port
and translates the device protocol of the RFID tag reader 55 to a
G2S protocol. The ECM then communicates the RFID tag data to a
Guest Profile Server 52 via the G2S protocol. The combination of
data from the EGMs and data from the ECMs published to subscribing
casino and hospitality host services, enables enhanced player
services to be provided to the player uniformly across the extended
casino property network.
[0095] In one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 7, an EGM that is
talking to a player tracking server 61 can drive target video to
its own player video display 63 via a G2S protocol. The EGM 14 can
also communicate with a local ECM 12 (i.e. an ECM in the same CAN)
on a G2S protocol to cause the ECM 12 to drive target video to
public displays 64. Alternatively or in addition, the ECM 12 may
talk to a Guest Profile Server 62 via the G2S protocol to drive the
targeted video content to the public displays 63.
[0096] FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating how ECMs can jointly
tie casino loyalty (player tracking) and guest room personalization
together using RFID guest tags with Resource Management System
(RMS) based services. An ECM 12 detects a proximity ID event
(player presence) at an RFID player loyalty tag 71. The ECM 12
sends an S2S protocol command 73 to an Ethernet switch 72
requesting an S2S protocol video ad. The ad may be a personalized
or target video that is dependent on a player identity and player
profile, or the video may be a generic video selected merely due to
the presence of a player in a relevant region of the casino floor.
The Ethernet switch 72 relays the video ad request to a video
switch controller 74, which, in one embodiment may be a Netlinx
controller produced by AMX Corp. The video switch controller 74 can
access video storage 75 to route a targeted video to an autopatch
switcher 76 which provides the target video ad 78 to selected
casino displays 77 on the casino floor. FIG. 8 also shows detection
of a guest room presence on a second RFID detector 79. A guest room
presence event 710 is sent to the ECM 12 on a device protocol
provided by the RFID tag detector 79. The ECM 12 receives the guest
presence event and generates a Guest/Player ID profile request 711
to Guest Room Personalization Services 712 via an Ethernet switch
713, which may be the same Ethernet switch 72 or different Ethernet
switch in the casino network. The Guest Room Personalization
services 712 may be used to personalize a player's or guest's room
experience such as by setting the room to the guests preferences of
lighting, air conditioning as well as delivering targeted media to
one or more displays within the room.
[0097] A further use of player tracking using RFID tags is shown in
FIG. 13. In this embodiment, player tracking is used to monitor
player/guest behavior in the extended casino, in particular where a
player or guest has restricted location privileges. As shown in
FIG. 13, an ECM 12 may be configured as a host and may be networked
with one or more RFID tag readers (not shown). The ECM 12 provides
a host to one or more client systems 201. The client systems 201
may include a security server, player tracking system, guest
management server, Video content server, casino management system
(CMS), property management system (POS) and the like. When a client
subscribes to the ECM host, the client 201 requests the zone
configurations of the ECM 12 using a GetZoneInfo message 211. The
ECM responds with the zone information 212 for which it is
configured, including any zone numbers, zone descriptors and the
like. The client 201 then adds REID tags to the ECM's tracking list
by sending an addClient message 213 which is acknowledged 214 by
the ECM host 12. The client 201 may also add a group with similar
zone privileges, by sending an addGroup message 215 which is
acknowledged 216 by the ECM 12. Individual tags or groups may be
indicated to the ECM 12 as wanting to be tracked so that the ECM
may notify the client 201 whenever the ECM 12 detects the tag
entering the regions monitored by the ECM 12. Alternatively or in
addition, the ECM host 12 may respond to location requests from the
client. E.g. the client 201 may send a whereIsTag message 217 that
identifies the tag. If the location of the tag is known to the ECM
12, the ECM 12 responds with a location of the tag 218. In a
further alternative, the ECM may actively monitor the zones to
check detected tags to determine if any location restriction
violations have occurred. For example, a tag associated with Mr.
Smith is determined by the ECM 12 to be within a zone restricted
for Mr. Smith (the cafe). The ECM 12 thus sends the client 201 a
notification 219 that a privilege violation has occurred. The
client 201 acknowledges 220 and then proceeds to handle the
privilege violation as appropriate.
[0098] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an ECM working with an
EGM to provide presence awareness to drive targeted media in order
to personalize a player experience. Metered events 81 generated in
one or more EGMs 14 are sent to ECM1 121 on a G2S protocol. Metered
events may include detection of a player ID card in the EGM 14,
detection of tampering with a secure system on EGM 14, Jackpot
event on EGM 14, Amount of money spent by player at EGM 14, etc.
Metered events that can be used to track a player may be
communicated to a player tracking server 82. ECM1 121 can then
command 83 a second ECM, ECM2 122 on an S2S or similar protocol, to
serve a targeted video, via the media management system (AMX
Vision2 IP Video Management system shown in this diagram) and video
server 84 to public casino displays 85 on a generic device protocol
(or device specific protocol) as well as sending targeted video to
the EGMs 14 themselves on a G2S protocol. FIG. 10 shows further
detail of how an ECM 12 working with media distribution and signage
systems allows an EGM 14 to control generic devices and appliances
to direct target video to specified EGMs and public signage which
includes a video on demand (VOD) IP video streaming server (in this
case the AMX Vision2 system.
[0099] In FIG. 11 there is shown how an ECM handles multiple events
on a networked casino floor. As described above, proximity events
such as a player presence from an RFID tag detector or a metered
event (player profile event) may be received from an EGM 14 to
cause targeted media to be provided to the EGM 14 or to generic
devices (e.g. public displays). A further example is a door open
event 91 from an EGM 141, which may be communicated to ECM1 121 on
a G2S protocol. In response to the door open event 91, ECM1 121
generates a Pan Camera Command 92 to a generic device, i.e. a
security camera 93 local to EGM 141, transmitted on a device
protocol, to cause the security camera 93 to pan to the EGM 141.
The door open event 91 may also cause ECM1 121 to notify a security
system of the door open event using an S2S protocol.
[0100] The security camera example described with reference to FIG.
11 provides an example of how an ECM can be used to extend the
control of an EGM to non-gaming devices and appliances outside of
the EGM cabinet. Specifically, the EGM can generate events that are
interpreted by the ECM to generate commands to the generic devices
and appliances of the extended casino. Many more examples of the
types of controls and commands that would be available for an
EGM/ECM using the presently described methodologies will be
apparent to the person skilled in the art and all such examples are
intended to be encompassed herein.
[0101] In addition to providing a command function, the ECM may be
configured to provide a translation function, as shown in FIG. 12.
In the service domain of an ECM 121, the ECM 121 communicates with
various devices 110 such as audio/video devices (e.g. public
displays), environment devices (heating, lighting, communications,
etc, on device specific protocols. Events generated from these
devices may be received by the ECM 121. The events may be
translated by the ECM 121 from the generic device protocols or
device specific protocols to G2S protocols and published to any G2S
event subscribers 115 such as EGMs. One G2S subscriber may be a
second ECM 122. The second ECM 122 may translate the device events
in the G2S protocol to an S2S protocol. The second ECM 122 can then
publish the device events on the S2S protocol to S2S subscribers
116, such as central servers, allowing the S2S subscribers to
handle, process and manage the device events as appropriate.
[0102] Although embodiments of the present invention have been
illustrated in the accompanied drawings and described in the
foregoing description, it will be understood that the invention is
not limited to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of
numerous rearrangements, modifications, and substitutions without
departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth and defined
by the following claims. For example, the capabilities of the
invention can be performed fully and/or partially by one or more of
the blocks, modules, processors or memories. Also, these
capabilities may be performed in the current manner or in a
distributed manner and on, or via, any device able to provide
and/or receive information. Further, although depicted in a
particular manner, various modules or blocks may be repositioned
without departing from the scope of the current invention. Still
further, although depicted in a particular manner, a greater or
lesser number of modules and connections can be utilized with the
present invention in order to accomplish the present invention, to
provide additional known features to the present invention, and/or
to make the present invention more efficient. Also, the information
sent between various modules can be sent between the modules via at
least one of a data network, the Internet, an Internet Protocol
network, a wireless source, and a wired source and via plurality of
protocols.
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