Back to results
US 8,133,114 B2Granted
System and methods for controlling an overhead sign for a gaming system
AssigneeWMS Gaming Inc.
InventorMark B. Gagner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for controlling an overhead sign in a system of gaming machines and a sign controller are described. One aspect of the systems and methods includes allowing a gaming machine to send events comprising a script to a sign through a sign controller.
Claims20
A method for controlling a sign in a gaming system, the method comprising:
- operating a sign display in an idle mode, the sign communicatively coupled to a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine;
- initiating by the first gaming machine a first sign control session, the session having a first priority;
- receiving sign commands from the first gaming machine;
- updating the sign display in response to the sign commands;
- initiating by the second gaming machine a second sign control session for the sign display, the session having a second priority, wherein the first gaming machine and the second gaming machine compete for control of the sign based on the first priority and the second priority;
- maintaining control of the sign display with the first sign control session in response to determining the first priority is higher than the second priority or switching control to the second sign control session in response to determining the second priority is higher than the first priority;
- receiving one or more updated progressive meter values from a progressive game controller while the sign display is controlled by at least one of the first gaming machine or the second gaming machine;
- storing one or more updated progressive meter values;
- displaying a most recent value of the one or more updated progressive meter values upon returning the sign display to the idle model;
- and
- returning the sign display to the idle mode.
8 more elements
A gaming system comprising:
- a sign having a display;
- a sign controller communicably coupled to the sign and operable to operate the sign in at least an idle mode and a control mode;
- a plurality of gaming machines communicably coupled to the sign controller, the plurality of gaming machines each having a sign control session having a priority, the plurality of gaming machines competing for control of the sign based on the priority;
- a progressive controller communicably coupled to the sign controller and operable to send progressive sign updates to the sign controller and store one or more updated progressive meter values while the sign display is controlled by at least one of the plurality of gaming machines;
- and
- wherein during the control mode the sign controller receives sign events from at least two of the sign control sessions and updates the display in response to the sign events received from the sign control session having the highest priority and wherein during the idle mode the sign controller displays a most recent value of the one or more updated progressive meter values received from the progressive controller.
3 more elements
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for causing one or more processors to perform a method for controlling a sign in a gaming system, the method comprising:
- operating a sign display in an idle mode, the sign communicatively coupled to a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine;
- initiating by the first gaming machine a first sign control session, the session having a first priority;
- receiving sign commands from the first gaming machine;
- updating the sign display in response to the sign commands;
- initiating by the second gaming machine a second sign control session for the sign display, the session having a second priority, wherein the first gaming machine and the second gaming machine compete for control of the sign based on the first priority and the second priority;
- maintaining control of the sign display with the first sign control session in response to determining the first priority is higher than the second priority or switching control to the second sign control session in response to determining the second priority is higher than the first priority;
- receiving one or more updated progressive meter values from a progressive game controller while the sign display is controlled by at least one of the first gaming machine or the second gaming machine;
- storing the one or more updated progressive meter values;
- displaying a most recent value of the one or more updated progressive meter values upon returning the sign display to the idle mode;
- and
- returning the sign display to the idle mode.
8 more elements
A method for operating a sign display, the method comprising:
- issuing a universal poll to a plurality of gaming machines on a network, wherein the plurality of gaming machines compete for control of the sign during the operation of the sign based on priority;
- in response to the universal poll, receiving a take control of sign request message from a first gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines, the message indicating a first priority;
- upon determining that the sign display is idle or being controlled by a second gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines at a lower priority than the first priority, then granting ownership of the sign to the first gaming machine at the first priority, otherwise denying ownership to the first gaming machine;
- sending a confirmation message to the first gaming machine indicating the status of the take control of sign request;
- receiving one or more updated progressive meter values from a progressive game controller while a gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines controls the sign display;
- storing a most recent value of the one or more updated progressive meter values;
- and
- displaying the most recent one or more updated progressive meter values upon returning the sign display to an idle mode.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.