System and method for intelligent casino configuration

Abstract

Certain embodiments provide a system and method for adaptable control and configuration of a gaming environment. Certain embodiments provide a gaming environment configuration system including a plurality of gaming terminals capable of executing games for play by one or more players and a configuration manager configured to receive information regarding available games and the plurality of gaming terminals. The configuration manager generates one or more configurations for the plurality of gaming terminals. The configuration manager may be configured to pause reconfiguration of a gaming terminal based on gaming terminal status. In an embodiment, the system also includes a certificate manager for authenticating access to a game for play on a gaming terminal. Additionally, the system may include a game database server including a plurality of games for play at one or more of the plurality of gaming terminals.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application relates to, and claims priority from, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 701,731, filed on Jul. 22, 2005, entitled “System and Method for Intelligent Casino Configuration,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to casino configuration and management, and more particularly relates to a system and method for dynamic or predetermined casino configuration and management. [0003] Gaming machines, such as slot machines, fruit machines, or poker machines, have in recent years become one of the more popular, exciting, and sophisticated wagering activities available at casinos and other gambling locations. At the same time, gaming machines have also become a source of greater revenue for gaming establishments. Thus, competition between manufacturers of gaming machines has intensified as competitors vie for business from gaming establishments. [0004] A large gamin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] In one embodiment, a configurator or processor includes a display of a casino floor showing relative positions of games on the casino floor. At each game there may be displayed an icon, letter, number or other shorthand designator to indicate at a glance a configuration presently resident on the gaming terminal, e.g. game content, denomination. The operator may be able to effectuate reconfiguration by accessing the display and, using a touch screen, mouse, keypad or other data input device, and reconfiguring the terminals by moving icons on the display. For example, if a terminal on the floor shows by icon that it has game (or group or bank of games) X resident on it and the operator wants to change the game (games) to Y, the operator need only “click” on game Y in a game store window and then click on the terminal at which time the processor will remove game X and download game Y to the terminal. In this fashion the operator can easily reconfigure any one or groups of games on the casino floor.

[0019] Certain embodiments provide a graphical user interface (GUI) system allowing an operator to configure a gaming environment. The system includes a map representing a layout of a gaming floor in the gaming environment, a game library including games available for download to a gaming terminal on the gaming floor, and a configuration control capable of allowing the operator to download a game from the game library to at least one gaming terminal on the gaming floor. In an embodiment, the configuration control allows the operator to change information displayed on at least one gaming terminal display on the gaming floor.

[0020] The system may also include a layout editor enabling the operator to edit a layout of the gaming floor displayed on the map. Additionally, the system may include a profile manager for creating a gaming floor configuration and saving the configuration in a profile. Furthermore, the system may include a tournament manager for configuring tournament play with gaming terminals on the gaming floor.

Problems solved by technology

Current gaming machines are difficult to reconfigure and offer the same game to multiple users at multiple gaming establishments.

Certain games may become old or unattractive to players and need updating or replacing.

Additionally, manual reconfiguration of a gaming machine by a human operator raises concerns regarding security of data and integrity of a game on the gaming machine.

To acquire and manually change out or convert to new games with a conversion kit (signage, processor boards, button pads, etc.) requires significant time and manpower.

Thus such systems are not well suited to dynamically change to optimize the business operation of the casino, e.g. profits from the floor in response to the market and player demands.

Regulatory approval and issues of security have slowed what is perceived to an inevitable shift to downloadable games at a casino.

As stated above, current downloadable gaming systems also present challenges to regulatory officials.

For example, game integrity and / or game license monitoring may be difficult for regulatory officials and gaming operators to monitor.

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