Method and apparatus for operating networked gaming devices

Abstract

A system for monitoring and configuring gaming devices interconnected over a high-speed network is disclosed. The system can support a file server, one or more floor controllers, one or more pit terminals, and other terminals all interconnected over the network. Each gaming device includes an electronic module which allows the gaming device to communicate with a floor controller over a current loop network. The electronic module includes a player tracking module and a data communication node. The player tracking module includes a card reader for detecting a player tracking card inserted therein which identifies the player. The data communication node communicates with both the floor controller and the gaming device. The data communication node communicates with the gaming device over a serial interface through which the data communication node transmits reconfiguration commands. The gaming device reconfigures its payout schedule responsive to the reconfiguration commands to provide a variety of promotional bonuses such as multiple jackpot bonuses, mystery jackpot bonuses, progressive jackpot bonuses, or player specific bonuses.

1 . A gaming machine configured to allow a player to participate in a gaming tournament with a plurality of players of gaming machines, the gaming machine comprising: 
 an input device configured to receive a player input designating a wager;    a gaming controller coupled to receive the player input and, responsive to the input, provide an outcome of a game of chance;    an output device configured to issue an award when the outcome is a winning outcome;    a gaming network interface in communication with a tournament server over a gaming network;    the gaming controller further coupled to:    interact with the tournament server enabling participation in the gaming tournament,    send winnings data to the tournament server on a transaction basis with transactions corresponding to tournament play events, and    receive tournament status information from the tournament server in near real time, the tournament status information providing current standings of the gaming tournament; and    a display coupled to receive and display the tournament status information.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the tournament status information includes one or more selected from the group consisting of player standings data, accumulated score data, credits data, a winning player, a highest score, and a highest credits total.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the tournament status information is provided in a jackpot announcement message.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the winnings data includes credits information.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the winnings data includes payout information.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the tournament server is a floor controller.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the tournament server is a further gaming machine.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the display is a player tracking display.  
   
   
       9 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the display is a vacuum fluorescent display.  
   
   
       10 . A tournament server coupled to a plurality of gaming machines over a gaming network, the tournament server configured to provide a gaming tournament allowing players of the gaming machines to participate in a gaming tournament with one another, the tournament server comprising: 
 an interface in communication with the gaming network, the interface coupled to receive winnings data from the gaming machines, the winnings data in the form of one or more transactions of discrete awards issued at the gaming machines, the awards issued in response to outcomes of a game of chance; and    a controller in communication with the interface, the controller coupled to:    enable participation of the gaming machines in the gaming tournament,    receive the one or more transactions from each gaming machine,    maintain and update accumulated winnings data for each machine,    compare the accumulated winnings data at a designated interval to determine tournament status information, and    send the tournament status information to the gaming machines near the designated intervals, the tournament status information providing current standings of the gaming tournament.    
   
   
       11 . The tournament server of  claim 10 , wherein the designated interval is per transaction.  
   
   
       12 . The tournament server of  claim 10 , wherein the designated interval is periodic.  
   
   
       13 . The tournament server of  claim 10 , wherein the tournament status information includes one or more selected from the group consisting of player standings data, accumulated score data, credits data, a winning player, a highest score, and a highest credits total.  
   
   
       14 . The tournament server of  claim 10 , wherein the tournament status information is provided in a jackpot announcement message.  
   
   
       15 . The tournament server of  claim 10 , wherein the winnings data includes credits information.  
   
   
       16 . The tournament server of  claim 10 , wherein the winnings data includes payout information.  
   
   
       17 . A method of providing a gaming tournament allowing players of gaming machines to participate in a gaming tournament with one another, the method comprising: 
 enabling participation of the gaming machines in the gaming tournament;    receiving winnings data from the gaming machines, the winnings data received from each gaming machine in the form of one or more transactions of discrete tournament play events at the gaming machines;    maintaining accumulated winnings data for each machine;    comparing the accumulated winnings data for each machine at a designated interval to determine tournament status information; and    sending the tournament status information to the gaming machines near the designated intervals, the tournament status information providing current standings of the gaming tournament.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the designated interval is per transaction.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the designated interval is periodic.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the tournament status information includes one or more selected from the group consisting of player standings data, accumulated score data, credits data, a winning player, a highest score, and a highest credits total.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the tournament status information is provided in a jackpot announcement message.