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.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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

This disclosure relates to gaming networks and in particular to extended casino networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

Reference will now be made, by way of example only, to specific embodiments and to the accompanying drawings in which:

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;

FIG. 2 illustrates a method for providing the casino network;

FIG. 3A illustrates a master controller configured as an ECM communicating with generic devices, appliances, EGMs and Hosted Services;

FIG. 3B illustrates a gaming control system;

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;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an ECM reading an RFID based presence awareness instance;

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;

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;

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;

FIG. 9 illustrates an ECM working with an EGM to provide presence awareness to drive targeted media to personalize player experience;

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;

FIG. 11 illustrates how an ECM handles multiple events on a networked casino floor;

FIG. 12 illustrates translation and subscription functions of multiple ECMs; and

FIG. 13 illustrates messages flows between a host ECM connected to player awareness modules that serves a client.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.

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.

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.

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.

The primary communications protocols developed by the GSA are the G2S, S2S, GDS and transport protocols, as follows:

• • G2S (Game to System)—a standard protocol set to assist open communications between host systems and Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs);
  • S2S (System to System)—a standard protocol set to assist open communications between host systems;
  • GDS (Gaming Device Standard)—a standard protocol set to assist open communications between controller and devices within an EGM; and
  • 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.

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™ (Game-to-System) Message Protocol.”

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

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.

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.

The GSA® System to System™ (S2S) Messaging Standard provides a set of communication protocols:

• • between gaming host systems (for example, accounting, security, progressive controllers, advertising, and promotion displays)
  • between gaming and non-gaming host systems, to effect a hospitality-gaming industry solution.

The current version of the S2S standard includes support for the following types of gaming and nongaming communications:

• • Patron registration
  • Player ratings (table games, slots, bingo, keno, poker, sports book)
  • Table games accounting (hourly estimates, open and closing, fills and credits, marker and chip purchase vouchers support)
  • Comps (such as complimentary awards, points, money, or hospitality products)
  • 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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

Event Control Machine (ECM)

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.

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.

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.

Presence Awareness Managed Services (PAMS)

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.

EGM Generated Event Services (EGES)

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.

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:

• • Core Proxy server translating G2S event messages received from EGM to S2S for host services consumption;
  • Control streaming video to the secondary video display in EGMs;
  • Provide Host system control of ambient environment (public displays, lights, cameras, etc.);
  • Control devices within EGM.

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.

Universal device control and monitoring functions provided by the master controller may include:

• • Control ambient environment—lights, curtains, screens, servos, temperature, etc;
  • Switch and distribute Media—Downloadable/streaming audio and video;
  • Monitor device end of life status—battery life, bulb life, etc.;
  • Provide location based services—Proximity management, presence awareness, asset tracking, etc.;
  • Security services—Control cameras, alarms, auto send email/text, etc.

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:

• • 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);
  • Logs device events (RMS);
  • Publishing events to Casino services including Casino Management Server (CMS), Billing Server, Voucher Server, Player Tracking Server, Progressive, Bonusing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 café). 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.