Device monitoring and wireless communications for vending machines

Abstract

A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 303,106 (Attorney Docket LFG1P001P) entitled “GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS GAMING SYSTEM PROVIDING NON-INTRUSIVE PROCESSES” by Wells, filed Feb. 10, 2010 which is incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.[0002]This patent application is related to and incorporates by reference in their entireties for all purposes the following co-pending patent applications filed concurrently herewith:[0003](i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 943,789 (LFG1P001) entitled “GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR WIRELESS GAMING SYSTEM PROVIDING NON-INTRUSIVE PROCESSES” by Wells;[0004](ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 943,792 (LFG1P002) entitled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RETROFITTING CANDLE DEVICES ON A GAMING MACHINE” by Wells;[0005](iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 943,797 (LFG1P003) entitled “CANDLE DEVICES ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018]Broadly speaking, the embodiments disclosed herein describe relate to providing enhanced gaming functionality to wagered-based gaming devices, such as but not limited to mechanical slot reel or video slot machines. In particular, the embodiments can be used on gaming devices that execute regulated gaming software to control a play of a wager-based game on the gaming device. The enhanced gaming functionality can include 1) enhanced networking capabilities, such as wireless communications and communication multiplexing, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, such as bill validator and printer health monitoring, firmware and software upgrades for various controllers located on the wager-based device, an ability to add and control new devices and custom ticket printing, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities, such as camera surveillance tied to fraud detection alerts or attract mode functions, 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities, such as providing opportunities for player participation in secondary or group games, and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities, such as printing reward tickets associated with game play or other promotional opportunities implemented by a gaming operator or approved third parties.

[0021]The installation process can involve changing existing communication paths or adding new communication paths within the gaming machine. The changes to the communication paths can allow new gaming functions to be implemented. In particular embodiments, the retrofit can be implemented in a non-intrusive manner such that the regulated gaming software on the gaming device and / or associated gaming system servers does not have to be modified in any manner. This process avoids having to submit regulated gaming software executed on these gaming devices for re-approval.

[0022]In one embodiment, the apparatus and methods for providing enhanced gaming functionality can be implemented as part of a candle device. On a reel or video slot machine, the candle device is a lighting device that typically sits on top of the cabinet of the gaming machine. Traditionally, the candle device has been configured to provide visual alerts that indicate some operator intervention is needed at the gaming machine. For instance, the visual alerts can be generated in response to an award of a jackpot requiring a hand pay or a malfunction on the gaming machine. The candles devices described herein can be configured to provide traditional candle functions, i.e., visual indicators linked to events associated with a gaming device. Further, the candle devices can be used to provide enhanced gaming functionality.

[0026]In a particular embodiment, a number of the modular boards can be located in a cap of the candle. The modular boards can be formed from shaped PCBs, such as circular PCBs, to utilize the form factor associated with the candle. The modular boards can be provided in a standard size (e.g., a standard diameter) and used in candles with different cap and cylinder diameters. The modular boards can be packaged separately from a candle to allow the functionality described with respect to the candle embodiment to be provided without having to install a candle. For instance, one or more of the modular boards can be packaged together and installed in an interior portion of a gaming device, such as a table top gaming device. Then, the one or more boards can be connected to one or more peripherals and / or the game controller. In another example, the one or more modular boards can be installed on an exterior portion of the gaming device or even separately from the gaming device and then configured to communicate with the one or more peripherals and / or the game controller. Then, the one or more modular boards can be used to provide the enhanced gaming functionality described herein.

[0027]The candle devices can include power and data connectors compatible with candle power and data connectors provided on various models of gaming machines. Further, the candle device can include additional power and data connections that allow additional peripheral devices to be coupled to the gaming machine via the candle. Also, the candle data connections can be utilized to reconfigure one or more communication pathways on the gaming machines by adding or rerouting existing communication pathways on the gaming machine. In a new gaming machine, the candle power and data connections can provide a pathway for future upgrades to the gaming machine. In an existing gaming machine to which the candle device can be retrofit, the candle power and data connections can provide an immediate pathway for enhancing the functions of the gaming machine.

[0028]In another aspect, the gaming devices, such as the candle devices described herein, can be used to provide non-intrusive mechanisms for connecting a gaming device, such as gaming machine, with existing gaming systems. In the case of an existing gaming system, a communication connection, such as a wireless communication connection, can be implemented in a non-intrusive way via the candle device so that the gaming system software does not have to be altered. Further, the via the candle device, new communication pathways between the gaming device and remote devices can be established. For instance, a new communication pathway can be established between the gaming device and one or more back-room servers.

Problems solved by technology

Coin dust also turned player's hand black which was undesirable.

However, these advances viewed as a whole have also created problems.

Maintaining many different networks and their associated infrastructure can be quite costly.

Further, reconfiguring the network, such as to change the layout of the casino floor to respond to shifting player desires, can also be very time consuming and labor intensive.

As a result of imposed security and regulatory requirements, it is fairly difficult to tamper with gaming machines in a way that would cheat a player.

However, the long lead times associated with obtaining necessary regulatory approvals and the technologies that make altering or tampering with gaming software difficult also make it difficult and cost prohibitive to change the functionality of a gaming machine via changing the regulated game software.

After approval and deployment to the field (e.g., casinos, sports book, race tracks, bingo parlors, bars and other gaming venues), any changes to the regulated gaming software, even minor changes, can require the gaming software to be resubmitted to the regulating entity, which is costly and time consuming.

Further, by the time it is completed the game may have fallen out of favor with players.

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