SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGEMENT OF SETTINGS GROUPS IN AMUSEMENT DEVICES

Abstract

A method of assigning configuration settings to one ore more amusement devices is described. Each of the amusement devices has a display, a memory and a controller. The method includes establishing, at a central server, an operator account for an amusement device operator, the operator account associated with one or more amusement devices; receiving, by the central server, definitions of one or more settings groups for the operator account; receiving, by the central server, assignments of the amusement devices to the settings groups; and transmitting over a network, to each of the assigned amusement devices, the configuration settings for the settings group to which the respective amusement device has been assigned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention relate generally to electronic amusement devices and systems. More particularly, preferred embodiments of the present invention are directed to amusement devices capable of being provisioned with a machine profile received from a remote source and selected from a plurality of available machine profiles.

Amusement devices having electronic games for computers and touchscreens or other types of amusement devices are generally known in the art. Amusement devices, such as game machines, which allow a user to select games from a video display are known in the art, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,856,787 (“Itkis”), 5,575,717 (“Houriet, Jr., et al.”), and 5,743,799 (“Houriet, Jr., et al.”), each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and shows a touchscreen for making a game selection from a menu of games. Such game machines or amusement devices typically operate upon input of currency (i.e., coin, token, paper money, credit/debit cards or the like) and are installed in locations such as bars, restaurants, airports, shopping malls, video arcades, casinos, or the like. The game choices may include card games, sports games, games of skill, games of chance, action games, trivia games, or the like.

Due to their complexity, such amusement devices typically have a large number of options and settings that may be adjusted by the owner or operator (“owner/operator”) of the amusement device. In conventional amusement devices, the owner/operator must adjust perhaps as many as hundreds and sometimes thousands of configuration settings individually for each machine under his/her ownership or operational control. This is a time consuming and error prone process that often leads to the owner/operator leaving most settings in their default position. Accordingly, by not configuring the machines to particular business needs, the owner/operator is unable to maximize the return on investment from each amusement device.

Thus, it is desirable to quickly and efficiently configure and reconfigure amusement devices with settings based on the owner's/operator's business judgment and needs. It is further desirable to manage such configuration settings for amusement devices from a central location.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a method of assigning configuration settings to one or more amusement devices is described. Each of the amusement devices has a display, a memory and a controller. The method comprises establishing, at a central server, an operator account for an amusement device operator, the operator account associated with one or more amusement devices; and receiving, by the central server, definitions of one or more settings groups for the operator account, wherein each of the settings groups identifies configuration settings for configuring amusement devices assigned to the respective settings group. The method further comprises receiving, by the central server, assignments of the amusement devices to the settings groups; and transmitting over a network, to each of the assigned amusement devices, the configuration settings for the settings group to which the respective amusement device has been assigned.

In another embodiment, a method of assigning settings to one or more amusement devices is described. Each of the amusement devices has a display, a memory and a controller. The method comprises receiving, by the central server, for each of a plurality of operator accounts, definitions of one or more settings groups, wherein each of the settings groups in each operator account identifies configuration settings for configuring amusement devices assigned to the respective settings group. The method further comprises receiving, by the central server, for each of the plurality of operator accounts, assignments of one or more amusement devices to the settings groups; and transmitting over a network, to each of the assigned amusement devices, the configuration settings for the settings group to which the respective amusement device has been assigned.

In yet another embodiment, a computer program product for assigning settings to one or more amusement devices is described. Each amusement device having a video touchscreen, a controller, and a memory. The computer program product comprises computer-readable media encoded with instructions for execution by a processor to perform a method comprising the following: establishing, at a central server, an operator account for an amusement device operator, the operator account associated with one or more amusement devices; receiving, by the central server, definitions of one or more settings groups for the operator account, wherein each of the settings groups identifies a setting configuration for configuring amusement devices assigned to the respective settings group; receiving, by the central server, assignments of the amusement devices to the settings groups; and transmitting over a network, to each of the assigned amusement devices, the configuration settings for the settings group to which the respective amusement device has been assigned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of an amusement device in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a front perspective view of an amusement device in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a front perspective view of an amusement device in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an amusement system including a credit card transaction terminal or currency input in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention that may incorporate any of the preferred amusement devices of FIGS. 1A-1C;

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating steps for establishing an operator account and registering amusement devices with the operator account in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating steps for defining settings groups and assigning amusement devices to settings groups in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating steps for configuring an amusement device with configuration settings in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating steps for configuring an amusement device with a device profile and configuration settings in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating steps for re-configuring an amusement device with configuration settings in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8A is a schematic block diagram of various configurations of an amusement device system in accordance with certain preferred embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 8B is a schematic block diagram of a gaming location having a local server in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting, The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and “upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the amusement device and designated parts thereof. The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. Additionally, the words “a” and “an”, as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, mean “at least one.” Further, the terms “coin” or “currency” should not be construed as limiting and can be used herein to mean all forms of coin and paper currency from any country as well as proprietary tokens, game cards, credit cards, debit cards, chits, or other representative forms of credit and/or payment.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIG. 1A a first preferred embodiment of an amusement device 10A. The amusement device 10A includes a controller U1 and a memory U2. The memory U2 can be any known or suitable memory device such as random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), flash RAM, hard disk, optical disk, or the like. The amusement device 10A further includes a video display 12A that is operatively connected to the controller U1. The amusement device 10A is preferably a counter-top or table-top apparatus, but may be arranged in any configuration, such as free-standing, floor-standing, table mount, wall mount, pole mount, and the like without departing from the invention.

The amusement device 10A also includes at least one input component 14A that receives value in order to establish one or more playable credits. The value received may be at least one of currency, coins, tokens, chits, credits, credit cards/debit cards or the like. Although two input components 14A are shown, the amusement device 10A may include any number of input components 14A to give a user an option for payment, for permitting multiple players, or the like. Preferably, the amusement device 10A is made operable upon actuation of the input component 14A, for example, the user may only select and play an electronic game once value is received at the input component 14A and/or one or more playable credits are issued to the user. However, free selections may be offered at the discretion of an operator of the amusement device 10A.

FIG. 1B shows another or second amusement device 10B in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The second amusement device 10B also includes a controller U1, a memory U2, a video display 12B, and at least one input component 14B. Preferably, the video displays 12A, 12B are preferably touchscreen video displays configured to accept touch input.

FIG. 1C shows yet another or third portable amusement device 10C in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. The third amusement device 10C is a portable device, preferably battery-powered, and includes a controller U1, memory U2, a display 12C, and at least one input component 14C. The third amusement device 10C is preferably usable with a docking station (not shown). The docking station preferably secures the amusement device 10C until access is required by an operator or is paid for by a user. Release from the docking station may occur via an entry through the input component 14C, which is preferably a card reader. The docking station may also provide battery recharging and other services to the amusement device 10C.

For convenience, the amusement devices 10A, 10B, 10C will be referred to hereinafter simply as “amusement device 10,” the displays 12A, 12B, 12C will be referred to hereinafter simply as “display 12,” and the input components 14A, 14B, 14C will be referred to hereinafter simply as “input component 14.”

Turning now to the operation of the amusement device 10, the memory U2 stores one or more application programs, such as electronic games, a music or video jukebox program, or the like, and a system control program. However, the one or more application programs may also be stored remotely. The controller U1 controls the touchscreen display 12 based upon the system control program retrieved from the memory U2 and based upon inputs from the touchscreen display 12. As used herein, the system control program refers to all of the software functions outside of the application program files including an operating system, device profile, display control, input control, sound drivers, and the like. Other input devices which may be connected to the amusement device 10 include a pushbutton(s), a trackball or touchpad, a mouse, a joy-stick, a foot-pedal, a voice recognition system, a keypad or keyboard, and the like. But, preferably, the input device is the touchscreen display 12.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the amusement device 10 described above. The touchscreen display 12 is coupled to the controller U1. Also coupled to the controller U1 is a currency input 14. The currency input 14 may accept at least one of coins (or tokens), currency (e.g. paper money or the like), credit cards/debit cards, and the like. Although only one currency input 14 is shown, the amusement device 10 may include more than one input component 14 to give a user an option for payment, for permitting multiple players, or the like. Preferably, the amusement device 10 is made operable upon payment by a user, which may optionally be received via the currency input 14.

The amusement device 10 also includes a communications component 18, such as an Ethernet port, a wireless transceiver, an infrared (IR) port, or the like. Using the communications component 18, the amusement device 10 may communicate with other devices or file servers, access the Internet, communicate over wide area networks (WANs) or local area networks (LANs), or the like. For example, the amusement device 10 may connect with a second amusement device (not shown) using the communications component 18. The second amusement device 10 optionally includes all of the same components and features as the amusement device 10. The communications component 18 is connected to the controller U1 and through the controller U1 to the memory U2. The amusement device 10 includes an operating mode and a setup mode. To switch from the operating mode to the setup mode, when an operator is present at the amusement device 10, a mode selector pushbutton (hardware not shown) is provided that is typically concealed from the users. The mode selector pushbutton may be implemented as a hidden software feature, but preferably the mode selector pushbutton is a simple pushbutton that is disposed inside a housing of the amusement device 10. When the operating mode is selected, a player or user is selectively permitted to access the application programs. When the setup mode is selected, the owner/operator is permitted to make system setup adjustments.

Each amusement device 10 has a plurality of system configuration settings that may be adjusted to alter the operation or appearance of the amusement device 10. The configuration settings are set by an owner/operator based on the local laws, business needs and judgment of the amusement device 10 owner/operator. The configuration settings of each amusement device 10 may be set independently of one another. However, where an owner/operator controls a large number of amusement devices 10, it is preferable to quickly and easily configure a plurality of amusement devices 10 with common configuration settings. For example, an owner/operator may want all amusement devices 10 deployed at bars to have a first common configuration and all amusement devices 10 deployed at family restaurants to have a second common configuration. In accordance with the present invention, an operator account is maintained for each owner/operator at a central location accessible over a network. The owner/operator may configure one or more configuration settings profiles in the operator account and assign amusement devices 10 to the one or more settings profiles. The configuration settings are then automatically managed for all assigned amusement devices 10 by the central location.

Referring to FIG. 3, a sequence diagram illustrating steps for establishing an operator account and registering amusement devices 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. An amusement device owner/operator 42 controlling one or more amusement devices 10 accesses a central server 41 through a computing device 11. The owner/operator 42 manages configuration settings of the amusement devices 10 under its control through the owner/operator's 42 operator account on the central server 41. The computing device 11 may be any device capable of accessing the central server 41 over a network; including a laptop, desktop, mobile device and the like. Preferably, the computing device 11 has a web browser or other software application (e.g., mobile phone app) for interacting with the central server 41. In another embodiment, the computing device 11 may be one of the amusement devices 10 controlled by the owner/operator 42. Where an amusement device 10 is used to manage the operator account 42, preferably the central server 41 is only accessible while the amusement device 10 is placed in the setup mode. The central server 41 preferably includes a web server for transmitting web pages to the computing device 11 and a database for maintaining and managing the operator account.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the owner/operator 42 preferably initiates the account creation process by requesting a new account creation web page from the central server 41 through the computing device 11. The computing device 11 transmits a request over a network for a new account creation graphical user interface (“GUI”) to the central server 41, using a communication protocol such as Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (“HTTPS”). The central server 41 transmits the new account creation GUI to the computing device 11 in response to the request. Preferably, the new account creation GUI is in the form of a web page having a fillable form. The new account creation GUI is displayed to the owner/operator 42 on a display of the computing device 11. The owner/operator 42 provides account registration data, such as log-in name and password, e-mail address, operator ID, geographic address, billing information and the like to the computing device 11. Preferably, one or more items of the fillable form of the new account creation GUI are required and one or more items of the fillable form are optional.

Once the owner/operator 42 has provided all of the necessary account registration data, the computing device 11 submits the data to the central server 41 over the network and the central server 41 receives the data. The central server 41 establishes an operator account for the owner/operator 42 based on the provided registration data. At least one, and preferably all, of the amusement devices 10 controlled by the owner/operator 42 are registered with the created operator account.

Still referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the computing device 11 transmits a list of all of the amusement devices 10 controlled by the owner/operator 42 to the central server 41 in order to register the amusement devices 10 with the operator account. The list preferably includes identifying information, such as a serial number, IP address, MAC address and the like, for each of the amusement devices 10. In this embodiment, the computing device 11 generates the list of the amusement devices 10 based on input by the owner/operator 42 or in the case where the amusement devices 10 are connected to the computing device 11, as discussed further with reference to FIGS. 8A and 8B below, by polling the connected devices to retrieve the identifying information. Once the list of amusement devices 10 is received by the central server 41, the central server 41 preferably verifies that each of the listed amusement devices 10 is controlled by the owner/operator 42 and attempts to establish a connection with each of the amusement devices 10 over a network. Verification may be accomplished by the central server 41 or an entity associated with the central server 41 maintaining a master list of all amusement devices 10 sold, leased or otherwise disposed to or controlled by the owner/operator 42.

In an alternate embodiment, after the operator account has been created, each amusement device 10 controlled by owner/operator 42 is provided the operator account log-in information. Each of the amusement devices 10 then connects with the central server 41 over a network such as the Internet and provides the operator account log-in information. Preferably, the amusement devices 10 are shipped with address information stored in the memory U2 for contacting the central server 41. Alternatively, the owner/operator 42 may provide the necessary address information when providing the operator account log-in information. The central server 41 verifies the log-in information and the owner/operator 42 of the amusement device 10. Finally, the central server 41 registers the connecting amusement device 10 with the created operator account.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a new account for an owner/operator 42 may be established at the central server 41 instead of the web-based process described with reference to FIG. 3. In this embodiment, when a central entity (not shown) operating the central server 41 approves the owner/operator 42, the operator account is created by the central entity. Preferably, the central entity is the amusement device 10 licensor or manufacturer, such as AMI Entertainment Network®. The central entity provides temporary log-in information for the owner/operator 42 that may be changed later. In addition, if the central entity distributes the amusement devices 10, the central entity can automatically register the amusement devices 10 of the owner/operator 42 with the respective operator account without further input from the owner/operator 42.

Regardless of how the operator account is created, still referring to FIG. 4, a sequence diagram illustrating steps for defining settings groups and assigning amusement devices 10 to settings groups in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention is shown. Once the operator account has been established at the central server 41, the owner/operator 42 is able to log-in to the operator account by providing the log-in information. The central server 41 verifies the log-in information (not shown) and transmits a settings group definition GUI to the computing device 11. The settings group definition GUI allows the owner/operator 42 to define one or more settings groups for assignment of the amusement devices 10. The owner/operator 42 creates and defines one or more settings groups using the settings group definition GUI displayed by the computing device 11. Each of the settings groups includes a name for identifying the settings group (e.g., “Bar profile,” “Restaurant profile,” “Arcade profile,” “Front of venue profile,” “Rear of venue profile,” etc). Preferably, the settings groups are unique and only accessible to the operator account for which they have been created. In addition, an entity associated with maintaining the central server 41 (e.g, the amusement device 10 manufacturer) may optionally define one or more default settings groups that are accessible and assignable in all operator accounts. Once a settings group is created, the owner/operator 42 defines the configuration settings for the settings group by selecting options from the groups definition GUI. The owner/operator 42 may change only a small number of the default settings and leave the rest at their default values or may fine-tune the configuration settings for the settings group by changing any and all available settings.

Configuration options that may be set for the amusement device 10 include, for example, listing of games available on the machine and respective play pricing, appearance of menus, welcome screens and game screens, game play options, game continue options, regional settings, language settings and the like. Preferably, each of the settings groups is tailored to the amusement devices 10 operating in the location, venue, position or the like, for which the settings group has been defined. Some examples of configuration settings for the settings groups include the “arcade profile” disabling chance games; and the “bar profile” making card games more expensive than the “restaurant profile.” Similarly, where the settings groups are based on the position of the amusement device 10, the “front of venue profile” may be assigned to all of the amusement devices 10 that are located near the entrance to the venue and may be configured to present a different welcome screen than the amusement devices 10 having the “rear of venue profile.”

The defined settings groups are transmitted to and stored by the central server 41 in the operator account of the owner/operator 42. In one embodiment, the definitions of the settings groups are transmitted as a whole, as when the user clicks a submit button on the groups definition GUI. In another embodiment, the settings defined by the owner/operator 42 are transmitted by the computing device 11 to the central server 41 as they are input by the owner/operator 42 using asynchronous techniques such as asynchronous JavaScript (“AJAX”).

Once the settings groups have been defined and stored in the operator account, the owner/operator 42 assigns amusement devices 10 to the settings groups. The device assignment process begins by the central server 41 transmitting a device assignment GUI to the computing device 11. However, the device assignment GUI may be the same as the groups definition GUI. The device assignment GUI is displayed to the owner/operator 42 by the computing device 11. Preferably, the device assignment GUI includes a listing of the amusement devices 10 registered with the operator account of the owner/operator 42. The owner/operator 42 then selects one of the defined settings groups for each of the listed amusement devices 10. Various other techniques for matching amusement devices 10 to settings groups in a GUI are known to those skilled in the art and are within the scope of this invention. Further, if the owner/operator 42 prefers to manually set the configuration settings for certain amusement devices 10 under its ownership/control, such amusement devices 10 may be left unassigned in the device assignment GUI. The assignments are transmitted by the computing device 11 to the central server 41 and stored in the operator account.

Referring now to FIG. 5, a sequence diagram illustrating steps for configuring an amusement device 10 with configuration settings is shown. An amusement device 10, registered with a profile account of an owner/operator (not shown), initiates a connection request with the central server 41. The central server 41 identifies the requesting device 10 based on, for example log-in information associated with an operator account, serial number, MAC address or IP address of the requesting amusement device 10. Once the requesting amusement device 10 has been identified, an operator account associated with the amusement device 10 is determined. In the case where the amusement device 10 provides log-in information for the operator account, the operator account is selected by the central server 41 verifying the log-in information.

Once an operator account matching the amusement device 10 is determined, the central server 41 determines whether the amusement device 10 has been assigned to a settings group. If so, the central server 41 identifies the settings group to which the amusement device 10 has been assigned and the corresponding configuration settings. The central server 41 transmits configuration settings for the identified settings group to the amusement device 10. Upon receipt, the amusement device 10 is configured using the configuration settings. In one embodiment, the amusement device 10 is automatically configured with the received configuration settings. In another embodiment, the amusement device 10 requires consent of the configuration from an external source, such as the owner/operator (not shown) prior to configuring. Once all of the amusement devices 10 controlled by the owner/operator have been configured in accordance with the owner's/operator's assignments, those amusement devices 10 assigned to a single settings group will have the same settings configuration, which will preferably vary by one or more settings from any other settings group for the operator account.

In another embodiment, where the amusement device 10 is identified by a unique serial number, MAC address or IP address, the operator account for the amusement device 10 need not be identified. In this embodiment, the central server 41 determines the settings group for the requesting amusement device 10 by cross-referencing the available identification information to the assignment records across all accounts. Since the serial number, MAC address and IP address are unique to the requesting amusement device 10, there will be only one assignment across all accounts for the requesting amusement device 10. Thus, in this embodiment, the central server 41 optionally need not determine the operator account prior to determining which configuration settings to transmit to the amusement device 10.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating steps for configuring an amusement device 10 with a device profile and configuration settings in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, a central server 41 transmits a device profile for provisioning the amusement device 10. The device profile defines settings that bring the amusement device 10 in compliance with the laws of the locale where the amusement device 10 has been deployed. A more detailed discussion of defining and selecting device profiles and provisioning amusement devices 10 with device profiles is provided in commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/490,908, titled “Selectable Machine Profiles” and related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/480,032, titled “Method of Selecting a Device Profile for Provisioning an Amusement Device,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The device profile defines configuration settings that bring the amusement device 10 in compliance with local laws and regulations. Once the amusement device 10 has been provisioned with the device profile, the amusement device 10 is preferably rendered operable. Though the amusement device 10 is operable, all settings that were not defined by the device profile are left with their default values. At some point before or after the provisioning, the owner/operator 42 assigns the amusement device 10 to a settings group as described with respect to FIG. 4 above. The amusement device 10 connects to the central server 41 as described in accordance with the steps of FIG. 5 above. The central server 41 transmits the settings configuration for the settings group to which the amusement device 10 has been assigned. Preferably, the central server 41 is a grouping of servers that perform the various functions. In one embodiment, the central server 41 includes one or more web servers, one or more device profile servers and one or more configuration settings servers.

The received settings configuration is compared to the settings in the provisioned device profile. Settings of the device profile bring the amusement device 10 into accordance with local laws and therefore take precedence over the settings configuration. Thus, for example, if the provisioned device profile prohibits poker games and the received settings configuration enables poker games, the amusement device 10 must disregard the particular setting and continue disabling poker games. The amusement device 10 compares the received settings configuration with the provisioned device profile and selects any settings that were not configured by the provisioned device profile. The amusement device 10 then configures such configurable settings based on the received settings configuration.

In another embodiment, the central server 41 may compare the device profile selected for the amusement device 10 to the settings configuration for the assigned settings group and only transmit the configurable settings to the amusement device 10. Once both the device profile and the configurable settings have been configured on the amusement device 10, the amusement device 10 is fully configured. In some embodiments the owner/operator 42 may choose to allow certain settings to be changed directly on the amusement device 10 by, for example, the hosting venue or servicing agent. However, preferably, the settings configuration is locked so that direct changing of settings on the amusement device 10 is impossible without reassigning the amusement device 10 to another one of the settings groups.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating steps for re-configuring an amusement device 10 with configuration settings in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The owner/operator 42 assigns the amusement device 10 to a first settings group through an assignment GUI on the computing device 11. The assignment is stored in the operator profile on the central server 41 as discussed above with reference to FIG. 4. The central server 41 transmits the configuration settings for the first settings group to the amusement device 10. Upon receipt, the amusement device 10 is configured with the settings configuration for the first settings group. At a later time, the owner/operator 42 may reassign the amusement device 10 to a different settings group (“second settings group”). The reassignment may be for a myriad of reasons, including the machine being moved to a different location or venue or a change in the business of the venue itself. The reassignment occurs in the same manner as the original assignment.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 7, the owner/operator 42 calls up the device assignment GUI from the central server 41 on the computing device 11. The owner/operator 42 selects a second settings group for the amusement device 10 by selecting one of the other available settings groups from a drop-down menu on the device assignment GUI. Alternatively, the owner/operator 42 can create a new settings group if none of the existing settings groups properly reflect the desired settings. The computing device 11 transmits the re-assignment to the central server 41, which stores the re-assignment in the operator account of the owner/operator 42. The configuration settings for the second settings group are transmitted by the central server 41 to the amusement device 10. The amusement device 10 receives the configuration settings and updates the current configuration with any necessary changes. In one embodiment, referring to FIG. 6, the amusement device 10 compares the received configuration settings for the second settings group with the provisioned device profile prior to performing the reconfiguration. Thus, only the configurable settings are reconfigured on the amusement device 10.

FIG. 8A illustrates schematically various embodiments of implementing an amusement system 1000 including one or more amusement devices 10. A gaming location 8 may, for example, house one or more amusement devices 10 that may each be individually in communication with the central server 41. The definition information is received by the amusement device 10 from the central server 41 over a LAN or a WAN such as the Internet. The central server 41 is typically geographically remote from the amusement device 10.

The gaming location 8 may also have a central communication hub 22, enabling the communication between all of the amusement devices 10 housed therein with the central server 41. In this embodiment, the central communication hub 22 may function as the computing device 11 described above. In another alternative arrangement, as shown in FIG. 8B, the gaming location 8 may house its own local server 23, which performs all of the functions listed above with respect to the central server 41 for all of the local amusement devices 10. Where a device operator owns a large number of amusement devices 10, the local server 23 or the central communication hub 22 may be a central point for maintaining the operator account, for defining settings groups and assigning the amusement devices 10 to the settings groups. The local server 23 may be housed in gaming location 8 and need not be remote to every amusement device 10.

Similarly, referring back to FIG. 8A, where the central server 41 is operated by the device manufacturer, configuration settings may be transmitted as necessary to each of the amusement devices 10 at the gaming location 8 or to the central communication hub 22. The amusement device 10 operator's local server 23 may then transmit the configuration settings to the amusement devices 10.

The amusement devices 10 may be connected to their corresponding servers 41, 23 through conventional communication configurations, such as a LAN, WAN, or the like. In one preferred embodiment, an amusement device 10 may connect to the central server 41 via the Internet. It is thus understood by those skilled in the art that the amusement system 1000 is not limited to the arrangements described above, and may include any configuration wherein a user account for obtaining playable credits is maintained.

The amusement device 10 may also include other functionality and features such as music jukebox, video jukebox, multimedia player, Internet browsing, broadcast media viewing, time based rental mode, non-prize tournaments, prize-based tournaments, head-to-head competitions, prize-based lotteries, ticket dispensing, prize dispensing, debit/credit card charging, phone card dispensing, e-mail, photography, placing customer orders, communicating with other amusement devices 10, and the like.

The amusement device 10 may also provide for remote or local access for accounting and/or bookkeeping purposes. The amusement device 10 may include a local connector for uploading to a hand-held or portable computer or removable memory for receiving accounting or other data. The amusement device 10 may include accounting and bookkeeping screens accessible by an operator through set up screens and/or through password protection.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of assigning configuration settings to one or more amusement devices, each of the amusement devices having a display, a memory and a controller, the method comprising: a) establishing, at a central server, an operator account for an amusement device operator, the operator account being associated with one or more amusement devices;b) receiving, by the central server, definitions of one or more settings groups for the operator account, each of the settings groups identifying configuration settings for configuring amusement devices assigned to the respective settings group;c) receiving, by the central server, assignments of the one or more amusement devices to the settings groups; andd) transmitting over a network, to each of the assigned amusement devices, the configuration settings for the settings group to which the respective amusement device has been assigned.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more settings groups are defined by the amusement device operator.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein all amusement devices assigned to the same settings group are configured with the same configuration settings.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein each of the settings groups corresponds to a location having amusement devices controlled by the amusement device operator.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the location is selected from the group comprising a geographic location, a venue, and a position of the amusement device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the amusement devices has default configuration settings and the transmitted configuration settings replace the default configuration settings.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: e) receiving, by the central server, a re-assignment of at least one of the amusement devices to another one of the settings groups; andf) transmitting, to the at least one of the re-assigned amusement device, configuration settings corresponding to the another one of the settings groups.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the configuration settings further comprises transmitting a setting prohibiting the configuration settings from being changed directly at the amusement device.

9. A method of assigning settings to one or more amusement devices, each of the amusement devices having a display, a memory and a controller, the method comprising: a) receiving, by the central server, for each of a plurality of operator accounts, definitions of one or more settings groups, each of the one or more settings groups for each operator account identifying configuration settings for configuring amusement devices assigned to the respective settings group;b) receiving, by the central server, for each of the plurality of operator accounts, assignments of one or more amusement devices to the settings groups; andc) transmitting over a network, to each of the assigned amusement devices, the configuration settings for the settings group to which the respective amusement device has been assigned.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the settings groups for each of the operator accounts are defined by the respective amusement device operators.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein all amusement devices assigned to the same settings group in an operator account have the same configuration settings.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the settings groups for the respective operator accounts correspond to a location having amusement devices controlled by the respective amusement device operator.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the location is selected from the group comprising a geographic location, a venue, and a position of the amusement device.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the amusement devices has default configuration settings and the transmitted configuration settings replace the default configuration settings.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein transmitting the configuration settings further comprises transmitting a setting prohibiting the configuration settings from being changed directly at the amusement device.

16. A computer program product for assigning settings to one or more amusement devices, each amusement device having a video touchscreen, a controller, and a memory, the computer program product comprising computer-readable media encoded with instructions for execution by a processor to perform a method comprising: a) establishing, at a central server, an operator account for an amusement device operator, the operator account associated with one or more amusement devices;b) receiving, by the central server, definitions of one or more settings groups for the operator account, each of the settings groups identifying a setting configuration for configuring amusement devices assigned to the respective settings group;c) receiving, by the central server, assignments of the one or more amusement devices to the settings groups; andd) transmitting over a network, to each of the assigned amusement devices, the configuration settings for the settings group to which the respective amusement device has been assigned.