United States Patent 19
`Acres et al.
`
`54
`
`75
`
`73
`
`21
`22
`51
`52
`58
`
`METHOD FOR OPERATING NETWORKED
`GAMING DEVICES
`
`Inventors: John F. Acres; Alec Ginsburg; David
`Wiebenson, all of Corvallis, Oreg.
`Assignee: Acres Gaming, Inc., Corvallis, Oreg.
`
`Appl. No.: 322,172
`Filed:
`Oct. 12, 1994
`Int. C. r. G07F 17/32
`U.S. C. ................................. 463/27; 463/42; 463/25
`Field of Search ..................................... 273/439, 460,
`273/434, 138A, 148 B; 463/16, 25, 27,
`42
`
`56
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3/1981 Rockola et al. .................... 273/138. A
`4,258,838
`4,283,709 8/1981 Lucero et al. ..
`... 273/138 A.
`4,335,809 6/1982 Wain ...............
`... 273/138A
`4,467,424 8/1984 Hedges et al. ...................... 273/.38A
`4,636,951
`1/1987 Harlick.
`4,652,998 3/1987 Koza et al. ......................... 273/138A
`4,679,143 7/1987 Hagiwara ...
`... 273/138A
`4,775,937 10/1988 Bell .............
`... 273/138 A.
`4,805,907 2/1989 Hagiwara
`... 273/138A
`5,116,055 5/1992 Tracy .........
`273/138A
`5,217,224 6/1993 Sincock ...........
`... 273/460
`5,249,800 10/1993 Hilgendorf et al.
`... 273/.38A
`5,257,179 10/1993 DeMar ............
`... 273/138A
`5,265,874 11/1993 Dickinson ...
`... 273/138
`5,280,909
`1/1994 Tracy ..........
`273/.38A
`5,326,104 7/1994 Pease ...................................... 273/138
`5,344,144 9/1994 Canon.
`5,370,306 12/1994 Schulze et al. ..................... 273/.38A
`5,429,361
`7/1995 Raven et al. ....................... 273/138A
`5,470,079 11/1995 LeStrange et al..
`
`
`
`US005655961A
`Patent Number:
`11
`45 Date of Patent:
`
`5,655,961
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`B-27572/84 8/1984 Astralia.
`B-53370/86 8/1986 Australia.
`B-71194/91
`8/1991. Australia.
`647234 7/1992 Australia ........................... 273/.38A
`2020986 l/1993 Australia ............................... 273/434
`2211975 7/1993 United Kingdom............... 273/.38A
`WO95/22811 8/1995 WIPO.
`
`
`
`Primary Examiner-Jessica Harrison
`Assistant Examiner-James Schaaf
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Marger, Johnson, et al.
`57
`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 pitterminals, 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 communi
`cation 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 recon
`figuration commands to provide a variety of promotional
`bonuses such as multiple jackpot bonuses, mystery jackpot
`bonuses, progressive jackpot bonuses, or player specific
`bonuses.
`
`14 Claims, 34 Drawing Sheets
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 1
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 1 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`|
`
`| I]...
`
`F
`
`28
`
`18
`
`FLOOR
`CONTROL
`
`12
`
`.
`
`f'...
`. . .
`
`E-34
`
`E-38
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 2
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 2 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`SERAL
`DISPLAY
`DRIVER
`
`Y l
`f
`44
`
`CARD
`READER D
`100
`172
`
`102
`
`DISPLAY
`
`98
`
`P.T.
`CONTROLLER
`
`-
`
`103
`104
`EXPANSION
`IF 2
`O6
`EXPANSION
`AF 1
`
`-
`
`BUS WF
`LOGIC
`
`45
`
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`76
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`48
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`8
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`Arts
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`DISPLAY
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`
`70
`SERA
`DISPLAY I/F
`72
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`MACHINE /F
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`
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`Fi g-2
`
`42 - -
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 3
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 3 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`TO PERSONALITY BOARD 202
`(FIG.2 AND FIG.9)
`
`D
`O
`
`EIN|HOV/W
`El LEHEKOSICI
`
`=|/|
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`(FIG.2 AND FIG.9)
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 4
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 4 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`74
`
`D/AUX2
`
`iii.
`
`
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`
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`76
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`IIIIII IIII
`
`82
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 5
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 5 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`çãIBI
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`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 6
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 6 of 34
`
`TO P.T. CONTROLLER
`98 (FIG.2)
`-1-
`
`
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 7
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 7 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 8
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 8 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 9
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 9 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
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`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 10
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 10
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 10 of 34
`D
`
`5,655,961
`
`
`
`208
`
`N (2210 is
`
`A
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`
`216
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`15
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`Fig.9
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 11
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 11 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`
`
`TO BONUS
`DSPLAY
`
`TO BONUS
`DISPLAY
`
`i 9.
`
`O
`
`O
`CN
`CN
`
`C on C)
`C CO CO
`GN N (N
`N ON N.
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`CONTROLLER 46
`(FIG.2)
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`CONTROLLER 46
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`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 12
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 12 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`HEIAIHCI dOOT LNB biblfiº)
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`
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 13
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 13 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`POWER UP
`
`VALIDATE RAM SETUP
`ALL HARDWARE
`
`254
`
`255
`
`252
`
`256
`
`N
`
`LOOP
`FOREVER
`
`258
`
`260
`
`262
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`READ UNIOUED FROM
`HARNESS
`
`PROCESS DISCRETE
`INPUTS
`
`PROCESS MACHINE
`SERAL INTERFACE
`
`PROCESS NETWORK
`INTERFACE
`
`PROCESS PLAYER
`266
`N TRACKING INTERFACE
`
`
`
`Fig.13
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 14
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 14 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`267
`
`t
`
`READ DISCRETE INPUTS
`
`r INCREMENT METERS AS
`RECURED
`
`PROCESS DROP DOOR
`SIGNAL
`
`270
`
`
`
`
`
`272
`N-
`
`VALIDATE METER
`VALUES
`
`274
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`METER
`VALUES
`OK?
`
`276
`
`278
`
`RECOVER
`BACKUP METER
`VALUES
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 15
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 15 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`268
`
`ADJUST METER VALUE
`AND CHECKSUM
`
`28O
`
`282
`
`COUNTDOWN
`ACTIVE
`
`
`
`ADJUST
`PLAYER'S
`COUNTDOWN
`VALUES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`290
`
`SECURRENT MESSAGE
`TO COUNTDOWN
`MESSAGE
`
`SET CURRENT BEZEL
`COLOR/RATE TO
`COUNTDOWN
`COLOR/RATE
`
`Fig.15
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 16
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 16 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`262
`
`
`
`
`
`POL MACHINE FOR
`ACTIVITY
`
`292
`
`REPLY
`RECEIVED?
`
`INDICATE SLO
`MACHINES
`"OFF-LINE"
`
`
`
`INDICATE SLOT
`MACHINES
`"ON LINE"
`
`
`
`PROCESS SLOT
`MACHINE REPLY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fig.16
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 17
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 17 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`
`
`PROCESS
`NETWORK
`MESSAGE
`
`SEND REPLY BACK TO
`NETWORK
`
`304
`
`
`
`VALID
`MESSAGE
`WITH GOOD
`CRC
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`310
`
`Fig.17
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 18
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 18 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`306
`
`312
`
`
`
`REQUEST
`FOR DATA
`
`
`
`
`
`-
`
`ANALYSE
`NETWORK
`MESSAGE
`
`DATA SENT
`FROMA DCN
`R
`T
`EOUES
`
`CONFIGURATION
`RECEIVED
`
`BUILD DATA AS
`REGUESTED AS
`REPLY
`
`STORE CONF.
`DATA
`
`PROCESS DCN
`RECQUEST
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BUILD
`ACKNOWLEDGMENTAS
`REPLY
`
`Fig.18
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 19
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 19 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`38
`
`324
`
`OTHER
`MNOR DATA
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`STORE DATA
`AS RECURED
`
`RECONFIGURATION
`DATA
`
`ANALYSE
`DATA
`TYPE
`
`
`
`326
`
`
`
`STORE
`PLAYER'S
`NAME/PONTS
`FOR DISPLAY
`
`STORE
`RECONFIGURATION
`E DATA
`MODE DAT
`
`SET CURRENT
`MESSAGE TO
`DATA
`RECEIVED
`MESSAGE
`
`
`
`
`
`SEND
`RECONFIGUATION
`COMMAND TO
`MACHINE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SET CURRENT BEZEL
`COLOR/RATE TODATA
`RECEIVED COLOR/RATE
`
`33O
`
`Fig.19
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 20
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 20 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`
`
`
`
`340
`
`SEND CURRENT
`MESSAGE AND BEZE
`COLOR/RATE TO PT UNIT
`
`CARD
`STATUS
`
`BAD CARD
`
`266
`
`s
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SET CURRENT
`MESSAGE TO
`ATTRACT
`MESSAGE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCESS
`YSE
`
`
`
`SET CURRENT
`MESSAGE TO
`CARDERROR
`MESSAGE
`
`SET CURRENT BEZEL
`COLOR/RATE TO
`ATRACT
`COLOR/RATE
`
`
`
`
`
`SET CURRENT BEZEL
`COLOR/RATE TO
`CARDERROR
`COLOR/RATE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`348
`
`Fig.20
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 21
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 21 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`350
`
`l
`
`
`
`358
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BUILD
`NETWORK
`RECUEST FOR
`PLAYER
`NAME/PONTS
`
`SECURRENT
`MESSAGE TO
`CARD INSERTED
`MESSAGE
`
`
`
`
`
`356
`
`CARD
`DATARXD
`FROM
`NETWORK?
`
`366
`
`HAS PLAYER
`STARTED
`PLAYING
`YET2
`
`
`
`SET CURRENT
`MESSAGETO
`
`
`
`
`
`DATA
`RECEIVED
`MSG.
`
`PROCESS
`PLAYER
`TRACKING
`
`
`
`
`
`SET CURRENT BEZEL
`COLOR/RATE TO
`CARD INSERTED
`COLOR/RATE
`
`
`
`SET CURRENT BEZEL
`COLOR/RATE TO
`DATA RECEIVED
`COLOR/RATE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`364
`
`Fig.21
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 22
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 22 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`372
`
`NEW POINTS
`RECEIVED?
`
`
`
`SET CURRENT
`MESSAGE TO
`COUNTDOWN
`MSG
`
`
`
`SET CURRENT BEZEL
`COLOR/RATE TO
`COUNTDOWN
`COLOR/RATE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SET CURRENT
`MESSAGE TO
`POINTS WON
`MSG.
`
`SET CURRENT BEZEL,
`COLOR/RATE TO POINTS
`WON COLOR/RATE
`
`Fig.22
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 23
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 23 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`it,
`
`POWER UP
`
`VALIDATE RAM AND
`SEUP HARDWARE
`
`402
`
`404
`
`406
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCESS DCN
`INTERFACE
`
`PROCESS DISPLAY
`UPDATE
`
`PROCESS BEZEL
`UPDATE
`
`PROCESS CARD READER
`
`408
`
`410
`
`42
`
`414
`
`Fig.23
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 24
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 24 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`408
`
`NEWMSG
`RECEIVED
`FROM DCN.
`
`
`
`46
`
`NEW
`MESSAGE
`
`SAME
`MESSAGE AS
`LAS TIME
`
`
`
`PROCESS DCN
`INTERFACE
`
`420
`
`
`
`
`
`422
`
`BUILD CARD STATUS
`REPLY MESSAGETO
`DCN
`
`
`
`
`
`SEND CARD STATUS
`REPLY MESSAGE TO DCN
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 25
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 25 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`410
`
`SCANMESSAGE TO
`DISPLAY FOR DISPLAY
`426
`N ATRIBUTE
`NFORMATION
`
`428
`
`
`
`
`
`ANY
`ATTRIBUTE
`INFORMATION
`FOUND?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`434
`
`SEND MESSAGE TEXT
`TO DISPLAY
`
`Fig.25
`
`SETUP DSPLAY
`TO OPERATE IN
`PROPER
`GRAPHICS MODE
`
`STRIP OUT DISPLAY
`ATTRIBUTE
`NFORMATION FROM
`MESSAGE
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 26
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 26 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`412
`
`DRIVE PHYSICAL BEZEL
`USNG BEZE COLOR
`RECEIVED FROM DCN
`
`
`
`
`
`438
`
`RATE OFF
`
`RATE as SOLID
`
`BEZEL RATE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RATE
`FLASHING
`
`446
`
`
`
`TURN BEZEL,
`OFF
`
`FLASH BEZEL
`AT
`APPROPRIATE
`RATE
`
`
`
`
`
`TURN BEZEL
`ON SOLD
`
`Fig.26
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 27
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 27 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`414
`
`
`
`
`
`450
`
`
`
`VALID CARD
`
`CARD
`STATUS?
`
`OTHER .
`
`SET CARD
`STATUS TO
`GOOD CARD
`
`SET CARD
`STATUS TO BAD
`CARD
`
`SET CARD
`STATUS TO NO
`CARD
`
`SET CARD D
`TOD READ
`
`
`
`CLEAR OUT
`CARD D
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Fig.27
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 28
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 28 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`466
`
`OPEN DATABASE
`TABLES
`
`468
`
`TERMINATEACTIVE
`PLAYER TRACKING
`SESSIONS
`
`PLACE NITIAL
`SEARCH MESSAGE IN
`OUTPUT CRUEUE
`
`470
`N
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`472
`N- MESSAGE PROCESSING
`
`SYSTEM MONITOR
`
`
`
`474
`
`476
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 29
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 29 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`480
`
`SEND MESSAGES IN
`OUTPUT OUEUE TO DCN
`
`472
`
`48
`2
`
`484
`
`486
`
`488
`
`490
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RECEIVE INCOMING
`MESSAGES FROM DCN
`
`Fig 29
`
`GET INPUT
`MESSAGE DATA
`
`MESSAGE
`COMPLETE?
`
`YES
`
`HANDLE MESSAGE
`
`492
`
`
`
`YES
`
`RESPONSE
`PENDING
`
`OUEUE UP
`OUTGOING MESSAGE
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 30
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 30 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`498
`
`MESSAGE
`
`PARSE
`
`
`
`VERIFY AND
`
`496
`
`488
`
`Fig.30
`
`LOCALLY
`
`INFORMATION
`
`METER
`
`
`
`SAVE NEW
`
`IN DATABASE
`LOOK UP DATA
`
`
`
`AND MARK
`
`PENDING
`
`RESPONSE
`
`ADDRESSES
`
`MACHINE
`
`
`
`ASSIGN NEW
`
`HANDLE M#SC
`
`MESSAGES ·
`
`510
`
`REQUEST?
`
`DATA
`
`SEARCH?
`
`MACHINE
`
`N
`O
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 31
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 31 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`508
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DEFINE RANGE
`OF DS
`
`SEND GLOBAL
`REGUEST
`MESSAGE
`
`ASSGN
`ADDRESS
`
`SEND GLOBAL
`ASSIGNMENT
`MESSAGE
`
`Fig.31
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 32
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 32 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`oeSly
`
`3SVaVLvavivdHOA
`
`OLOANISLSanoaY
`
`ISSiV1SAS
`
`OLGNOdS34
`
`Wwid0adS
`
`ASVaVLVG
`
`éLSanday”
`
`ves
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 33
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 33
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 33 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`536
`
`
`
`BONUSING
`EVENT
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`MANAGE
`DATABASE
`OPERATIONS
`
`
`
`INSERT
`RECONFIGURATION
`MESSAGE IN OUTPUT
`OUEUE
`
`Fig.33
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 34
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Aug. 12, 1997
`
`Sheet 34 of 34
`
`5,655,961
`
`TURN OFF BONUS
`
`MONITOR MACHINE
`ACTIVITY
`
`MODIFY BONUSPOOL
`
`S BONUS
`ACTIVE
`
`
`
`BONUSPOOL
`BELOW
`TURN-OFF
`LEVEL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`BONUS
`POOL
`ABOVE
`TURN-ON
`LEVEL2
`
`OTHER
`BONUS
`CONDITIONS
`MET2
`
`Fig.34
`
`
`
`TURN BONUS ON
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 35
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
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`

`

`5,655,961
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`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`1.
`METHOD FOR OPERATING NETWORKED
`GAMING DEVICES
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`This invention relates generally to gaming devices, and
`more particularly to a method and apparatus for controlling
`gaming devices interconnected by a computer network.
`Networked gaming devices are know in the art. Intercon
`necting a plurality of gaming devices such as slot machines
`via a computer network to a central computer provides many
`advantages. The primary advantage of networked gaming
`devices is the ability to extract accounting data from the
`individual gaming devices as well as providing player
`tracking. An example of a data collection system is
`described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,709 issued to Lucero et al.
`Network systems such as described in Lucero et al. allow the
`central host computer to monitor the usage and payout,
`collectively known as audit data, of the individual gaming
`devices. This audit data includes data related to the number
`of coins or tokens inserted into the device, the number of
`times the device has been played, the amount paid in raises,
`the number and the type of jackpots paid by the machine, the
`number of door openings, etc. The host computer can then
`compile an accounting report based on the audit data from
`each of the individual gaming devices. This report can then
`25
`be used by management, for example, to assess the profit
`ability of the individual gaming devices.
`Player tracking, as the name indicates, involves tracking
`individual player usage of gaming devices. In prior art
`player tracking systems, the player is issued a player iden
`tification card which has encoded thereon a player identifi
`cation number that uniquely identifies the player. The indi
`vidual gaming devices are fitted with a card reader, into
`which the player inserts a player tracking card prior to
`playing the associated gaming device. The card reader reads
`the player identification number off the card and informs a
`central computer connected thereto of the player's subse
`quent gaming activity. By tracking the individual players,
`individual player usage can be monitored by associating
`certain of the audit data with the player identification
`numbers. This allows gaming establishments to target indi
`vidual players with direct marketing techniques according to
`the individual's usage.
`One problem that can occur with current player tracking
`systems is that the player can insert a player identification
`card incorrectly unbeknownst to the player. Currently, if a
`player inserts a player identification card improperly into the
`card reader, a message appears on a display located away
`from the card reader. Unfortunately, the player may not be
`looking at the display while inserting the card. As a result,
`the player may not see the message on the display. Another
`prior art approach has been to provide a light emitting diode
`on the gaming device to indicate to the player the status of
`the card insertion. This too has been ineffective because the
`player may not know the purpose of the LED or the LED
`55
`may be drowned out by all the other lights of the casino. The
`player may therefore commence playing with the card
`improperly inserted. In this case, both the player and the
`casino lose valuable player tracking information. This is
`frustrating for the player because his activity will not be
`credited to his account and frustrating for the casino because
`the casino's records will be incomplete. Accordingly, a need
`remains for an improved method and apparatus for inform
`ing the player when a player tracking card has been improp
`erly inserted.
`The full power of networked gaming devices has not been
`completely realized. Although the audit data indicates which
`
`45
`
`2
`devices are being under utilized and when, there is currently
`no automated method for altering under utilized gaming
`devices configurations to make them more attractive to
`play. For example, during certain hours of the day, e.g. four
`to six a.m., the audit data may indicate that the machines are
`being under utilized. Thus, it would be desirable to recon
`figure the under utilized gaming devices to provide an
`additional incentive to players to use these devices. In the
`past casinos have run "bonuses” during these times. An
`example of such bonuses include a "double jackpot"
`wherein a player hitting a jackpot is paid double the jackpot
`amount. Currently this is implemented by having an atten
`dant manually payout the additional payout amount. This
`manual technique, however, is cumbersome and inefficient
`to administer because an attendant must be constantly super
`vising the bonusing gaming devices. Accordingly, a need
`remains for an automated method and apparatus to provide
`bonusing for gaming devices.
`Another limitation of the current bonusing systems is that
`only predetermined machines are eligible for the bonusing.
`For example, in a progressive bonusing machine a plurality
`of machines are connected together to form a bank. Only the
`machines in the bank are then eligible to win the progressive
`jackpot. Thus, a casino must dedicate a certain number of its
`machines to these banks. This limits the casino's flexibility
`in tailoring its bonusing to the number and make-up of its
`customers. Accordingly, a need remains for a more flexible
`bonusing system whereby any of the casino's machines can
`participate in the bonusing.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`It is, therefore, an object of the invention to reconfigure
`gaming devices remotely over a network to provide bonus
`ing.
`Another object of the invention is to provide an integrated
`system usable with a variety of gaming devices made by
`different manufacturers.
`Another object of the invention is to integrate player
`tracking, data collection, and bonusing over the same net
`work.
`A further object of the invention is to provide visual
`feedback to the user when a player tracking card has been
`improperly inserted.
`A system for operating networked gaming devices is
`described. The system according to the invention allows a
`casino in which the system is installed to run promotions or
`bonuses on any properly equipped gaming machines while
`simultaneously gathering player tracking and accounting
`data from all machines. The system provides the capability
`for the casino to select which of the plurality of machines are
`used in any given promotion. The system further allows any
`number of different promotions to operate simultaneously.
`The system includes a plurality of gaming devices or
`machines connected to an associated floor controller over a
`network. The system includes one or more of said floor
`controllers. The floor controllers are interconnected by a
`high-speed network, such as an Ethernet network, to a
`database where accounting and player tracking data is
`stored. The system can also include pit terminals and/or fill
`and jackpot processing terminals. Each promotion involves
`sending a reconfiguration command from the floor controller
`to a gaming device that has been selected to be part of a
`given promotion over the associated network. Upon receipt
`of the reconfiguration command, the gaming device recon
`figures its payout schedule in accordance with the received
`reconfiguration command. In the preferred embodiment, this
`
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`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 36
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
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`

`3
`reconfiguration includes activating a bonus payoutschedule.
`A partial list of the promotions according to the invention
`include, but are not limited to: a multiple jackpot wherein
`the gaming device reconfigures its payout to be a multiple of
`its default payout schedule; a bonus jackpot wherein the
`gaming device reconfigures its payoutschedule to payout an
`additional bonus amount when certain conditions are met;
`and a progressive jackpot wherein two or more gaming
`devices are combined in a progressive jackpot having a
`progressive jackpot payout schedule. In addition to these,
`many other promotions are possible by the above-described
`system for controlling and monitoring a plurality of gaming
`devices.
`The system also allows for improved player tracking by
`recording each and every machine transaction including
`time of play, machine number, duration of play, coins in,
`coins out, hand paid jackpots and games played. The player
`tracking is conducted over the same network as the account
`ing data is extracted. This allows the invention to provide
`bonusing to certain individual players as well as during
`certain times. As with standard player tracking, the above
`described system monitors and reports how many coins are
`played by each player. The system according to the
`invention, however, also includes the ability to record how
`long each player spends at each machine and the number of
`coins won, games played, and hand jackpots won by each
`player. The invention is able to record all this information
`because the system operates on a transaction by transaction
`basis. Each transaction, whetherit be a coinin, a handle pull,
`etc., is recorded by the system. Other systems simply
`compile the player tracking information at the completion of
`play. All this information is stored on the database, which
`can be later analyzed for future targeted direct mailing
`campaigns. The player tracking according to the invention
`also allows the casino to schedule buses and other groups
`and measure their profitability. The system also allows for
`cashless play as well as advanced accounting and security
`features.
`An advantage of the invention is that any of the casino's
`machines can be incorporated into a bonus promotion.
`Another advantage of the invention is that several bonus
`promotions can operate simultaneously.
`A further advantage of the invention is the ability to
`record each and every machine transaction including time of
`play, machine number, duration of play, coins in, coins out,
`hand paid jackpots and games played.
`A further advantage of the invention is the ability to
`associate a player with a certain machine.
`A further advantage of the invention is the ability to
`perform more targeted direct mailing based on individual
`play.
`A further advantage of the invention is the ability to
`calculate a theoretical win exactly.
`A further advantage of the invention is the ability to
`generate jackpot announcements, which provides for, among
`other things, better slot tournaments.
`A yet further advantage of the invention is the ability to
`quickly and easily add new machines to the network.
`The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages
`of the invention will become more readily apparent from the
`following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of
`the invention which proceeds with reference to the accom
`panying drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system for monitoring and
`configuring gaming devices according to the invention.
`
`35
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`5,655,961
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`4
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an electronic module
`associated with each gaming device to permit monitoring
`and configuring thereof.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a data communication
`node of the electronic module of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a discrete machine
`interface circuit of the electronic module of FIG. 2.
`FIG.5 is a schematic diagram of a player tracking module
`of the electronic module of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a card reader circuit of
`the electronic module of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 7A is an exploded view of a card reader according
`to the invention.
`FIG. 7B is a rear perspective view of the card reader of
`FIG. 7A.
`FIG.7C is a front perspective view of the card reader of
`FIG. 7A.
`FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a display circuit of the
`player tracking module of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a personality board of the
`electronic module of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a triac driver circuit of
`the electronic module of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a relay driver circuit of
`the electronic module of FIG. 2.
`FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a communication board
`included in each floor controller of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 13 is a flow chart for the power-on procedure for the
`data communication node (DCN) of FIG. 2, which is imple
`mented in firmware executed by the DCN controller.
`FIG. 14 is a flow chart for processing of the discrete
`gaming device inputs, of FIG. 13.
`FIG. 15 is a flow chart for the step of incrementing meter
`counts associated with each gaming device of FIG. 14,
`which is implemented in firmware executed by the DCN
`controller.
`FIG. 16 is a flow chart for the step of processing the serial
`interface between the gaming device and the data commu
`nication node of FIG. 13, which is implemented infirmware
`executed by the DCN controller.
`FIG. 17 is a flow chart for the step of processing the
`network interface between the floor controller and the data
`communication node of FIG. 13, which is implemented in
`firmware executed by the DCN controller.
`FIG. 18 is a flow chart for the step of processing the
`network message of FIG. 17, which is implemented in
`firmware executed by the DCN controller.
`FIG. 19 is a flow chart for the step of processing the data
`communication node request of FIG. 18, which is imple
`mented in firmware executed by the DCN controller.
`FIG. 20 is a flow chart for the step of FIG. 13 of
`processing the player tracking interface, which is imple
`mented in firmware executed by the DCN controller.
`FIG. 21 is a flow chart for the step of processing a valid
`inserted card of FIG. 20, which is implemented in firmware
`executed by the DCN controller.
`FIG. 22 is a flow chart for the step of processing player
`tracking information of FIG. 21, which is implemented in
`firmware executed by the DCN controller.
`FIG. 23 is a flow chart for the power-on procedure for the
`player tracking (PT) node of FIG. 2, which is implemented
`in firmware executed by the PT controller.
`FIG.24 is a flow chart for the step of processing the DCN
`interface of FIG. 23, which is implemented in firmware
`executed by the PT controller.
`
`EVERI EX. 1014; Page 37
`Everi v. Sightline IPR2022-00707
`
`

`

`5,655,961
`
`5
`FIG.25 is a flow chart for the step of processing the DCN
`message of FIG. 24, which is implemented in firmware
`executed by the PT controller.
`FIG. 26 is a flow chart for the step of processing the card
`reader bezel update of FIG. 23, which is implemented in
`firmware executed by the PT controller.
`FIG. 27 is a flow chart for the step of processing the card .
`reader of FIG. 23, which is implemented in firmware
`executed by the PT controller.
`FIG. 28 is a flow chart for the power-on floor controller
`process, which is implemented in software executed by the
`floor controller.
`FIG. 29 is a flow chart for the message processing step of
`FIG. 28, which is implemented in software executed by the
`floor controller.
`FIG. 30 is a flow chart for the message handling step of
`FIG. 29, which is implemented in software executed by the
`floor controller.
`FIG. 31 is a flow chart for the step of assigning unique
`machine addresses of FIG. 30, which is implemented in
`software executed by the floor controller.
`FIG. 32 is a flow chart for the system monitoring step of
`FIG. 28, which is implemented in software executed by the
`floor controller.
`FIG.33 is a flow chart for the event handling step of FIG.
`32, which is implemented in software executed by the floor
`controller.
`FIG. 34 is a flow chart for bonus control, which is
`implemented in software executed by the floor controller.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`5
`
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`
`20
`
`25
`
`6
`5. PROCESSING NETWORKINTERFACE
`6. PROCESSING PLAYER TRACKING INTERFACE
`7. PROCESSING CARD INSERTION
`B. PLAYER TRACKENG MODULE
`1. POWER UP PROCEDURE
`2. PROCESSING DCN INTERFACE
`3. PROCESSING DISPLAY UPDATE
`4. PROCESSING BEZEL UPDATE
`5. PROCESSING CARD READER
`C. FLOOR CONTROLLER
`1. POWER UP PROCEDURE
`2. MESSAGE PROCESSING
`3. ASSIGNING GAMING DEVICE ADDRESSES
`4. SYSTEM MONITORING
`5. BONUS CONTROL
`I. SYSTEM ORGANIZATION
`A. SYSTEM OVERVIEW
`A system for operating a plurality of gaming devices is
`shown generally at 10 in FIG. 1. The system, hereinafter
`described, monitors and reconfigures a plurality of gaming
`devices or machines 12-16 and 22–26. The system includes
`the following capabilities: remote reconfiguration, account
`ing data extraction, integrated player tracking, and cashless
`play. Remote reconfiguration includes sending a reconfigu
`ration command from a host computer to one or more of the
`gaming devices. The gaming devices, on receiving a recon
`figuration command, will reconfigure its jackpot payout
`schedule in accordance with the reconfiguration command.
`This reconfiguration, in the preferred embodiment, com
`prises activating a bonus payout schedule. This bonus pay
`out schedule is in addition to