Patent Application
20160027246
Various types of games incorporate game metrics that are intended to provide players with game play that is engaging, enjoyable, and fair. Individual players of the game may, however, have vastly different game play experiences, with some players enjoying highly-engaging winning outcomes, while other players may experience continued failures.
An understanding of embodiments described herein and many of the attendant advantages thereof may be readily obtained by reference to the following detailed description when considered with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Embodiments presented herein are descriptive of systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture for detection and/or utilization of gaming experience management. According to some embodiments, systems and methods may be utilized to detect gaming experience management processes and/or mechanisms as described herein. Game play data may be analyzed, for example to determine a likelihood that the game play is influenced by gaming experience management and/or engineering processes and/or mechanisms. It may be advantageous, for example, to ascertain whether a particular online game is subject to shifting variable usage—e.g., to identify games that are unsuitable for fair game play such as for utilization in gaming tournaments and the like.
In some embodiments, game and/or player data may be utilized to set and/or modify one or more gaming metrics that define game play. In the case of a wager-style game where an occurrence of a particular type of game outcome is associated with a predefined probability, for example, the predefined probability may be altered based on player and/or game data, such as to increase a likelihood of a winning outcome occurring for a player that experiences multiple failed attempts. In such a manner, for example, players are less likely to become disengaged with game play.
Throughout the description that follows and unless otherwise specified, the following terms may include and/or encompass the example meanings provided in this section. These terms and illustrative example meanings are provided to clarify the language selected to describe embodiments both in the specification and in the appended claims, and accordingly, are not intended to be limiting. While not generally limiting and while not limiting for all described embodiments, in some embodiments, the terms are specifically limited to the example definitions and/or examples provided. Other terms are defined generally throughout the present description.
A “game”, as the term is utilized herein (unless otherwise specified), may generally comprise any game (e.g., wagering or non-wagering, skill-based, chance-based, playable by hand (e.g., utilizing non-electric physical components, boards, and/or pieces), and/or electronically playable over a network) playable by one or more players in accordance with specified rules. An electronic game may be playable on a Personal Computer (PC), online in web browsers, on a game console, and/or on a mobile device such as a smart-phone or tablet computer. “Gaming” thus generally refers to play of a game (e.g., by one or more players).
A “wager-style game”, as the term is utilized herein (unless otherwise specified), generally refers to a game that is played in the same manner as a wagering game, but does not technically qualify as gambling. Casual and/or social network games may, for example, be conducted in the same manner of game play as a wagering game such as slots, but may not accept true wagers from players and/or may otherwise differ from true wagering games.
A “casual game”, as the term is utilized herein (unless otherwise specified), may generally comprise a game with simple rules with little or no time commitment on the time of a player to play. A casual game may feature, for example, very simple game play such as a puzzle or Scrabbler™ game, may allow for short bursts of play (e.g., during work breaks), an ability to quickly reach a final stage and/or continuous play without a need to save the game.
A “social network game”, as utilized herein (unless otherwise specified), generally refers to a type of online game that is played through a social network, and in some embodiments may feature multiplayer and/or asynchronous game play mechanics. A “social network” may refer to an online service, online community, platform, and/or site that focuses on facilitating the building of social networks or social relations among people. A social network service may, for example, consist of a representation of each user (often a profile), his/her social links, and a variety of additional services. A social network may be web-based and provide means for users to interact over the Internet, such as e-mail and instant messaging. A social network game may in some embodiments be implemented as a web browser and/or web-client game, a Flash®, or Java®-scripted game, and/or may be implemented on one or more mobile platforms such as on portable electronic devices.
A “wagering game”, as the term is utilized herein (unless otherwise specified), may generally comprise a game in which a player can risk a wager or other consideration, such as, but not limited to: slot-style games, poker games, blackjack, baccarat, craps, roulette, lottery, bingo, keno, casino war, etc. A wager may comprise a monetary wager in the form of an amount of currency or any other tangible or intangible article having some value which may be risked on an outcome of a wagering game. “Gambling” or “wagering” generally refers to play of a wagering game.
The term “game provider”, as utilized herein (unless otherwise specified), generally refers to an entity or system of components which provides games for play and facilitates play of such game by use of a network such as the Internet or a proprietary or closed networks (e.g., an intranet or local or wide area network). For example, a game provider may operate a website which provides games in a digital format over the Internet. In some embodiments in which a game comprising a wagering game is provided, a game provider may operate a gambling website over which wagers are accepted and results (e.g., winnings) of wagering games are provided.
As utilized herein, the term “player” may generally refer to any type, quantity, and or manner of entity associated with the play of a game. In some embodiments, a player may comprise an entity conducting play of an online game, for example, may comprise an entity that desires to play a game (e.g., an entity registered and/or scheduled to play and/or an entity having expressed interest in the play of the game—e.g., a spectator) and/or may comprise an entity that configures, manages, and/or conducts a game. A player may be currently playing a game or have previously played the game, or may not yet have initiated play—i.e., a “player” may comprise a “potential player” (e.g., in general and/or with respect to a specific game). In some embodiments, a player may comprise a user of an interface (e.g., whether or not such a player participates in a game or seeks to participate in the game). In some embodiments, a player may comprise an individual (or group) that enters, joins, logs into, registers for, and/or otherwise access an online game room, session, server, and/or other particular instance and/or segmentation of an online game.
Some embodiments described herein are associated with a “player device” or a “network device”. As utilized herein, a “player device” is a subset of a “network device”. The “network device”, for example, may generally refer to any device that can communicate via a network, while the “player device” may comprise a network device that is owned and/or operated by or otherwise associated with a player (e.g., a network device specifically configured to permit use thereof by the player, such as by receiving login credentials from the player). Examples of player and/or network devices may include, but are not limited to: a PC, a computer workstation, a computer server, a printer, a scanner, a facsimile machine, a copier, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a storage device (e.g., a disk drive), a hub, a router, a switch, and a modem, a video game console, or a wireless or cellular telephone. Player and/or network devices may, in some embodiments, comprise one or more network components. In some embodiments, a player device may comprise an electronic device configured to initiate, conduct, facilitate, and/or otherwise permit player participation in an electronic game.
As utilized herein, the term “network component” may refer to a player or network device, or a component, piece, portion, or combination of player or network devices. Examples of network components may include a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) device or module, a network processor, and a network communication path, connection, port, or cable.
In addition, some embodiments are associated with a “network” or a “communication network.” As utilized herein, the terms “network” and “communication network” may be used interchangeably and may refer to any object, entity, component, device, and/or any combination thereof that permits, facilitates, and/or otherwise contributes to or is associated with the transmission of messages, packets, signals, and/or other forms of information between and/or within one or more network devices. Networks may be or include a plurality of interconnected network devices. In some embodiments, networks may be hard-wired, wireless, virtual, neural, and/or any other configuration or type that is or becomes known. Communication networks may include, for example, devices that communicate directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such as the Internet, intranet, a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a cellular telephone network, a Bluetooth® network, a Near-Field Communication (NFC) network, a Radio Frequency (RF) network, a Virtual Private Network (VPN), Ethernet (or IEEE 802.3), Token Ring, or via any appropriate communications means or combination of communications means. Exemplary protocols include but are not limited to: Bluetooth™, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), Advanced Mobile Phone System (AMPS), Digital AMPS (D-AMPS), IEEE 802.11 (WI-FI), IEEE 802.3, SAP, the best of breed (BOB), and/or system to system (S2S).
As utilized herein, the terms “information” and “data” may be used interchangeably and may refer to any data, text, voice, video, image, message, bit, packet, pulse, tone, waveform, and/or other type or configuration of signal and/or information. Information may comprise information packets transmitted, for example, in accordance with the Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6) standard. Information may, according to some embodiments, be compressed, encoded, encrypted, and/or otherwise packaged or manipulated in accordance with any method that is or becomes known or practicable.
The term “indication”, as utilized herein (unless otherwise specified), may generally refer to any indicia and/or other information indicative of or associated with a subject, item, entity, and/or other object and/or idea. As utilized herein, the phrases “information indicative of” and “indicia” may be used to refer to any information that represents, describes, and/or is otherwise associated with a related entity, subject, or object. Indicia of information may include, for example, a code, a reference, a link, a signal, an identifier, and/or any combination thereof and/or any other informative representation associated with the information. In some embodiments, indicia of information (or indicative of the information) may be or include the information itself and/or any portion or component of the information. In some embodiments, an indication may include a request, a solicitation, a broadcast, and/or any other form of information gathering and/or dissemination.
A “session”, as the term is utilized herein (unless otherwise specified), may generally comprise a period of time spanning a plurality of event instances (e.g., with respect to a communication and/or game session) or turns of a game, the session having a defined start and defined end. An event instance or turn is triggered upon an initiation of, or request for, at least one result of the game by a player, such as an actuation of a “start” or “spin” mechanism, which initiation causes an outcome to be determined or generated (e.g., an RNG is contacted or communicated with to identify, generate or determine a random number to be used to determine an outcome for the event instance).
As utilized herein, the terms “outcome” and “result” should be differentiated in the present description in that an “outcome” is generally a representation of a “result”, typically comprising one or more game elements or game symbols. For example, in a “fruit themed” slot-style game, a winning outcome (i.e., an outcome corresponding to some kind of award, prize or payout) may comprise a combination of three “cherry” symbols. The “result” of this outcome may be a payout of X credits awarded to the player associated with the game. In another example, in a game in which a character moves along a game interface from a starting position to a finish position, an “outcome” of the game may comprise a symbol representing one or more movements along the interface and the “result” corresponding to this outcome may be the particular number and direction of the character's movement (e.g., three (3) spaces backwards such that the character ends up further away from the finish line). In a session embodiment, a session result may comprise a binary result (e.g., a player or game character wins or loses the session) and/or the particular award (or magnitude of award) won or earned by the player based on the session (e.g., the number of credits awarded to the player). It should be noted that the embodiments described herein encompass awards, prizes and payouts which are monetary, non-monetary, tangible or intangible.
As utilized herein, the term “virtual currency” may generally refer to an in-game currency that may be utilized as part of a game or one or more games provided by a game provider as (i) currency for making wagers, and/or (ii) to purchase or access various in-game items, features or powers (e.g., “freemium” upgrades and/or options).
A “credit balance”, as the term is utilized herein (unless otherwise specified), may generally refer to (i) a balance of currency, whether virtual currency and/or real currency, usable for making wagers and/or purchases in a game and/or (ii) another tracking mechanism for tracking a player's success or advancement in a game by deducting there from points or value for unsuccessful attempts at advancement and adding thereto points or value for successful attempts at advancement.
Some embodiments are descriptive of an “array” or “matrix” of symbols or game outcomes. As utilized herein, the terms “array” and “matrix” generally refer to a group of symbols, numbers, and/or expressions arranged in a plurality of rows and columns (or that can be readily and appropriately represented mathematically as being so arranged). In some embodiments, the term “array” is utilized to refer to a multi-dimensional matrix or combination of matrices while the term “matrix” is utilized to refer to a two-dimensional set of symbols or numbers (e.g., slot reel symbols and/or mathematical representations thereof). According to some embodiments, such as in the case that an array and/or matrix is populated with graphical game symbols, the array or matrix may be output and/or displayed (e.g., transmit to and/or rendered on a player device) as part of a game session.
Turning first to
According to some embodiments, any or all of the components 102a-n, 104, 110, 140 of the system 100 may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components 102a-n, 104, 110, 140 (and/or portions thereof) and/or various configurations of the components 102a-n, 104, 110, 140 may be included in the system 100 without deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein. While multiple instances of some components 102a-n are depicted and while single instances of other components 104, 110, 140 are depicted, for example, any component 102a-n, 104, 110, 140 depicted in the system 100 may comprise a single device, a combination of devices and/or components 102a-n, 104, 110, 140, and/or a plurality of devices, as is or becomes desirable and/or practicable. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more of the various components 102a-n, 104, 110, 140 may not be needed and/or desired in the system 100.
The player devices 102a-n, in some embodiments, may comprise any type or configuration of electronic, mobile electronic, and or other network and/or communication devices (or combinations thereof) that are or become known or practicable. A first player device 102a may, for example, comprise one or more PC devices, computer workstations (e.g., game consoles and/or gaming computers), tablet computers, such as an iPad® manufactured by Apple®, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif., and/or cellular and/or wireless telephones such as an iPhone® (also manufactured by Apple®, Inc.) or an Optimus™ S smart phone manufactured by LG® Electronics, Inc. of San Diego, Calif., and running the Android® operating system from Google®, Inc. of Mountain View, Calif. In some embodiments, one or more of the player devices 102a-n may be specifically utilized and/or configured (e.g., via specially-programmed and/or stored instructions such as may define or comprise a software application) to communicate with the game server 110 (e.g., via the network 104).
The network 104 may, according to some embodiments, comprise a LAN, WAN, cellular telephone network, Bluetooth® network, NFC network, and/or RF network with communication links between the player devices 102a-n, the game server 110, and/or the database 140. In some embodiments, the network 104 may comprise direct communications links between any or all of the components 102a-n, 110, 140 of the system 100. The game server 110 may, for example, be directly interfaced or connected to the database 140 via one or more wires, cables, wireless links, and/or other network components, such network components (e.g., communication links) comprising portions of the network 104. In some embodiments, the network 104 may comprise one or many other links or network components other than those depicted in
While the network 104 is depicted in
According to some embodiments, the game server 110 may comprise a device (and/or system) owned and/or operated by or on behalf of or for the benefit of a game provider (not explicitly shown). The game provider may utilize player and/or game information or instructions (e.g., stored by the database 140), in some embodiments, to host, manage, analyze, design, define, price, conduct, and/or otherwise provide (or cause to be provided) one or more games such as online multiplayer games (e.g., one or more games comprising gaming experience management mechanics as described herein). In some embodiments, the game provider (and/or a third-party; not explicitly shown) may provide an interface (not shown in
In some embodiments, the database 140 may comprise any type, configuration, and/or quantity of data storage devices that are or become known or practicable. The database 140 may, for example, comprise an array of optical and/or solid-state hard drives configured to store player and/or game data, and/or various operating instructions, drivers, etc. While the database 140 is depicted as a stand-alone component of the system 100 in
According to some embodiments, any or all of the player devices 102a-n in conjunction with one or more of the game server 110 and/or the database 140 (e.g., via the network 104) may conduct (in whole or in part), facilitate, and/or otherwise be associated with execution of one or more stored procedures, applications, processes, and/or methods (e.g., the method 600 of
Referring now to
According to some embodiments, any or all of the components 202a-n, 204, 206, 210a-n, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 240a-f of the system 200 may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components 202a-n, 204, 206, 210a-n, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 240a-f (and/or portions thereof) and/or various configurations of the components 202a-n, 204, 206, 210a-n, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 240a-f may be included in the system 200 without deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein. While multiple instances of some components 202a-n, 210a-n, 240a-f are depicted and while single instances of other components 204, 206, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228 are depicted, for example, any component 202a-n, 204, 206, 210a-n, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 240a-f depicted in the system 200 may comprise a single device, a combination of devices and/or components 202a-n, 204, 206, 210a-n, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 240a-f, and/or a plurality of devices, as is or becomes desirable and/or practicable. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more of the various components 202a-n, 204, 206, 210a-n, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 240a-f may not be needed and/or desired in the system 200.
According to some embodiments, the player devices 202a-n may be utilized to access (e.g., via the Internet 204 and/or one or more other networks not explicitly shown) content provided by the game server cluster 210. The game server cluster 210 may, for example, provide, manage, host, and/or conduct various online and/or otherwise electronic games such as online bingo, slot-style games, poker, wagering games, wager-style games, and/or other games of chance, skill, and/or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the various game servers 210a-n (virtual and/or physical) of the game server cluster 210 may be configured to provide, manage, host, and/or conduct individual instances and/or sessions of available game types. A first game server 210a, for example, may host a first particular session of an online bingo-style game (or tournament), a second game server 210c may host a second particular session of an online bingo game (or tournament), a third game server 210c may facilitate an online poker tournament (e.g., and a corresponding plurality of game sessions that comprise the tournament), and/or a fourth game server 210d may provide an online slots game (e.g., by hosting one or more slot game sessions).
In some embodiments, the player devices 202a-n may comprise various components (hardware, firmware, and/or software; not explicitly shown) that facilitate game play and/or interaction with the game server cluster 210. The player device 202a-n may, for example, comprise a gaming client such as a software application programmed in Adobe® Flash® and/or HTML 5 that is configured to send requests to, and receive responses from, one or more of the game servers 210a-n of the game server cluster 210. In some embodiments, such an application operating on and/or via the player devices 202a-n may be configured in Model-View-Controller (MVC) architecture with a communication manager layer responsible for managing the requests to/responses from the game server cluster 210. In some embodiments, one or more of the game servers 210a-n may also or alternatively be configured in a MVC architecture with a communication manager and/or communications management layer (not explicitly shown in
According to some embodiments, communications between the player devices 202a-n and the game server cluster 210 may be managed and/or facilitated by the load balancer 206. The load balancer 206 may, for example, route communications from player devices 202a-n to one or more of the specific game servers 210a-n depending upon various attributes and/or variables such as bandwidth availability (e.g., traffic management/volumetric load balancing), server load (e.g., processing load balancing), server functionality (e.g., contextual awareness/availability), and/or player-server history (e.g., session awareness/“stickiness”). In some embodiments, the load balancer 206 may comprise one or more devices and/or services provided by a third-party (not separately shown in
In some embodiments, the load balancer 206 and/or the Internet 204 may comprise one or more proxy servers and/or devices (not shown in
According to some embodiments, for specific game types such as bingo, the game server cluster 210 may provide game results (such as a full set of drawn bingo numbers and/or bonus metrics) to a controller device (not separately shown in
In some embodiments, the game server cluster 210 (and/or one or more of the game servers 210a-n thereof) may be in communication with the dynamic DB 240a. According to some embodiments, the dynamic DB 240a may comprise a dynamically-scalable database service such as the DyanmoDB™ service provided by Amazon® Web Services, LLC. The dynamic DB 240a may, for example, store information specific to one or more certain game types (e.g., wager-style games) provided by the game server cluster 210 such as to allow, permit, and/or facilitate reporting and/or analysis of such information.
According to some embodiments, the game server cluster 210 (and/or one or more of the game servers 210a-n thereof) may be in communication with the cloud-based cache cluster 240b. Game state information from the game server cluster 210 may be stored in the game state cache 240b-1, for example, slot state (e.g., slot-style game specific state) data may be stored in the slot state cache 240b-2, and/or other game and/or player information (e.g., progressive data, referral data, player rankings, audit data) may be stored in the hydra cache 240b-3. In some embodiments, the cache persistor 220 may move and/or copy data stored in the cloud-based cache cluster 240b to the non-relational DB 240c. The non-relational DB 240c may, for example, comprise a SimpleDB™ service provided by Amazon® Wed Services, LLC. According to some embodiments, the game server cluster 210 may generally access the cloud-based cache cluster 240b as-needed to store and/or retrieve game-related information. The data stored in the cloud-based cache cluster 240b may generally comprise a subset of the newest or freshest data, while the cache persistor 220 may archive and/or store or move such data to the non-relational DB 240c as it ages and/or becomes less relevant (e.g., once a player logs-off, once a game session and/or tournament ends). The game server cluster 210 may, in accordance with some embodiments, have access to the non-relational DB 240c as-needed and/or desired. The game servers 210a-n may, for example, be initialized with data from the non-relational DB 240c and/or may store and/or retrieve low frequency and/or low priority data via the non-relational DB 240c.
In some embodiments, the SQS device 222 may queue and/or otherwise manage requests, messages, events, and/or other tasks or calls to and/or from the server cluster 210. The SQS device 222 may, for example, prioritize and/or route requests between the game server cluster 210 and the task scheduler 224. In some embodiments, the SQS device 222 may provide mini-game and/or tournament information to the server cluster 210. According to some embodiments, the task scheduler 224 may initiate communications with the SQS device 222, the e-mail service provider 226 (e.g., providing e-mail lists), the remote DB service 240d (e.g., providing inserts and/or updates), and/or the persistence DB 240e (e.g., providing and/or updating game, player, and/or other reporting data), e.g., in accordance with one or more schedules.
According to some embodiments, the persistence DB 240e may comprise a data store of live environment game and/or player data. The game server cluster 210 and/or the task scheduler 224 or SQS device 222 may, for example, store game and/or player data to the persistence DB 240e and/or may pull and/or retrieve data from the persistence DB 240e, as-needed and/or desired. The server cluster 210 may, according to some embodiments, provide and/or retrieve spin and/or other game event info and/or configuration information via the persistence DB 240e.
In some embodiments, the reporting DB 240f may be created and/or populated based on the persistence DB 240e. On a scheduled and/or other basis, for example, a data transformation and/or mapping program may be utilized to pull data from the live environment (e.g., the persistence DB 240e) into the reporting DB 240f. The query service 228 may then be utilized, for example, to query the reporting DB 240f, without taxing the live environment and/or production system directly accessible by the game server cluster 210.
According to some embodiments, any or all of the player devices 202a-n in conjunction with one or more of the game servers 210a-n and/or the databases 240a-f (e.g., via the network 204) may conduct (in whole or in part), facilitate, and/or otherwise be associated with execution of one or more stored procedures, applications, processes, and/or methods (e.g., the method 600 of
Turning now to
According to some embodiments, any or all of the components 302a-b, 304a-b, 306a-b, 308a-b, 310a-g, 322 of the system 300 may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components 302a-b, 304a-b, 306a-b, 308a-b, 310a-g, 322 (and/or portions thereof) and/or various configurations of the components 302a-b, 304a-b, 306a-b, 308a-b, 310a-g, 322 may be included in the system 300 without deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein. While multiple instances of some components 302a-b, 304a-b, 306a-b, 308a-b, 310a-g are depicted and while single instances of other components 322 are depicted, for example, any component 302a-b, 304a-b, 306a-b, 308a-b, 310a-g, 322 depicted in the system 300 may comprise a single device, a combination of devices and/or components 302a-b, 304a-b, 306a-b, 308a-b, 310a-g, 322, and/or a plurality of devices, as is or becomes desirable and/or practicable. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more of the various components 302a-b, 304a-b, 306a-b, 308a-b, 310a-g, 322 may not be needed and/or desired in the system 300.
In some embodiments, a first user device 302a may comprise an electronic device owned and/or operated by a player of an online game (not explicitly shown) and/or by an entity that otherwise accesses online game content and/or services externally (e.g., requiring external login and/or access credentials and/or procedures). The first user device 302a may, for example, be utilized to access content provided by and/or via the application delivery controller cluster 322. In some embodiments, the first user device 302a may interface with and/or connect to the production network 304c via the primary service provider network 304a and/or the secondary service provider network 304b. The primary service provider network 304a and the secondary service provider network 304b may, for example, load balance and/or provide redundant coverage for outage recovery by utilization of a first primary service provider network router 306a-1, a second primary service provider network router 306a-2, a first secondary service provider network router 306b-1, and/or a second secondary service provider network router 306b-2.
According to some embodiments, the application delivery controller cluster 322 may be insulated and/or protected from the production network 304c by an external firewall cluster 308a. The first user device 302a may, for example, be required to provide credentials to and/or otherwise access the application delivery controller cluster 322 via the external firewall cluster 308a.
In some embodiments, the application delivery controller cluster 322 may receive via and/or from the external firewall cluster 308a and/or the production network 304c, one or more requests, calls, transmissions, and//or commands from the first user device 302a. The first user device 302a may, for example, submit a call for an online gaming interface to the application delivery controller cluster 322. In some embodiments, the application delivery controller cluster 322 may comprise one or more hardware, software, and/or firmware devices and/or modules configured (e.g., specially-programmed) to route events and/or responses between the first user device 302a and one or more of the servers 310a-g. In the case that the first user device 302a is utilized to access an online gaming interface (not explicitly shown) for example, one or more of the web servers 310a (e.g., that may provide graphical and/or rendering elements for an interface and/or other web services) and/or the application servers 310b (e.g., that may provide rule and/or logic-based programming routines, elements, and/or functions —e.g., game play engines) may be called and/or managed by the application delivery controller cluster 322.
In some embodiments, the messaging broker servers 310c may receive and/or retrieve messages from the first user device 302a (and/or from one or more of the other servers 310a-b, 310d-g) and perform one or more inter-application processes in relation thereto. The messaging broker servers 310c may, for example, route, transform, consolidate, aggregate, store, augment, and/or otherwise process one or more requests in connection with provision of online gaming services to the first user device 302a (e.g., facilitating a decoupling of services provided by various applications on and/or from the various servers 310a-b, 310d-g). According to some embodiments, the game broadcaster servers 310d may provide scheduled releases of information descriptive of an online game. The game broadcaster servers 310d may, for example, provide a broadcast feed of bingo numbers, slot and/or other random (and/or pseudo-random) number results that may be accessed by (and/or transmitted to) the first user device 302a (e.g., in connection with the play of an online bingo, slots, and/or other game for which broadcast information may be utilized). In some embodiments, the chat servers 310e may provide, manage, and/or facilitate communications between the first user device 302a (and/or first user thereof) and one or more other player/user devices (such as a second user device 302b and/or other player/user devices not shown in
According to some embodiments, the second user device 302b may generally comprise an electronic device owned and/or operated by a user (not shown) closely affiliated with an entity that operates the system 300 (such entity also not shown). An employee (e.g., programmer and/or Customer Service Representative (CSR)), contractor, and/or other agent of an online game provider may, for example, utilize the second user device 302b to interface with the privately-accessible VPN 304d. The VPN 304d may, for example, provide direct access to the application servers 310b, the database servers 310f, the management and monitoring servers 310g, and/or the application delivery controller cluster 322. In some embodiments (as depicted in
In some embodiments, the database servers 310f may provide access to one or more databases and/or data stores (e.g., not shown in
Utilization of the term “server” with respect to the servers 310a-g of the system 300 of
Referring now to
According to some embodiments, any or all of the components 402, 404a-j, 406b-d, 408e-g, 408i-j, 410e-f, 422a, 422e-f, 422i-j, 424f, 430i-j, 452e-f of the system 400 may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components 402, 404a-j, 406b-d, 408e-g, 408i-j, 410e-f, 422a, 422e-f, 422i-j, 424f, 430i-j, 452e-f (and/or portions thereof) and/or various configurations of the components 402, 404a-j, 406b-d, 408e-g, 408i-j, 410e-f, 422a, 422e-f, 422i-j, 424f, 430i-j, 452e-f may be included in the system 400 without deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein. While multiple instances of some components 404a-j, 406b-d, 408e-g, 408i-j, 410e-f, 422a, 422e-f, 422i-j, 430i-j, 452e-f are depicted and while single instances of other components 402, 424f are depicted, for example, any component 402, 404a-j, 406b-d, 408e-g, 408i-j, 410e-f, 422a, 422e-f, 422i-j, 424f, 430i-j, 452e-f depicted in the system 400 may comprise a single device, a combination of devices and/or components 402, 404a-j, 406b-d, 408e-g, 408i-j, 410e-f, 422a, 422e-f, 422i-j, 424f, 430i-j, 452e-f, and/or a plurality of devices, as is or becomes desirable and/or practicable. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more of the various components 402, 404a-j, 406b-d, 408e-g, 408i-j, 410e-f, 422a, 422e-f, 422i-j, 424f, 430i-j, 452e-f may not be needed and/or desired in the system 400.
In some embodiments, the user device 402 may be utilized to access one or more of the PP environment 404e, the live environment 404f, and/or the backend environment 404h via the Internet 404a. In some embodiments, the user device 402 may be utilized to access the backend environment 404h and/or the PP hydra service 430i via the PP backend layer 404i. A PP backend switch device 422i and/or a PP backend firewall device 408i may, for example, gate and/or control access to the backend environment 404h and/or the PP hydra service 430i, via the PP backend layer 404i. In some embodiments, the user device 402 may be utilized to access the backend environment 404h and/or the live hydra service 430j via the live backend layer 404j. A live backend switch device 422j and/or a live backend firewall device 408j may, for example, gate and/or control access to the backend environment 404h and/or the live hydra service 430j, via the live backend layer 404j.
According to some embodiments, any communications (e.g., requests, calls, and/or messages) from the user device 402 may be passed through the DDoS protection layer 404b. The DDoS protection layer 404b may, for example, monitor and/or facilitate protection against various forms of cyber attacks including, but not limited to, DDoS attacks. In some embodiments, the DDoS protection layer 404b may comprise and/or be in communication with a plurality of DDoS router devices 406b-1, 406b-2, 406b-3, 406b-4 that may be utilized to route and/or direct incoming communications (e.g., from the user device 402) to appropriate portions of the system 400.
In some embodiments, the DDoS protection layer 404b and/or a first DDoS router device 406b-1 may route communications from the user device 402 through and/or via a first switch device 422a-1 and/or to, through, and/or via a first primary transit provider router device 406c-1. In some embodiments, the first switch device 422a-1 may comprise a device utilized for security switching such as may implement communications in accordance with the Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE) communications tunneling protocol described in RFC 2784 “Generic Routing Encapsulation (GRE)” published by the Network Working Group (NWG) in March, 2000. The first primary transit provider router device 406c-1 may, for example, provide access to the PP environment 404e and/or the PP server cluster 410e thereof, such as via one or more PP firewall devices 408e-1, 408e-2 and/or one or more PP switch devices 422e-1, 422e-2. According to some embodiments, the PP switch devices 422e-1, 422e-2 may comprise content switching devices that process and route data (e.g., in the data link layer) based on data content. In some embodiments, the first primary transit provider router device 406c-1 may direct communications to, through, and/or via a PP LAN switch device 422e-3 that provides and/or facilitates access to the LAN 404g. The LAN 404g may, for example, provide private access to and/or between the PP environment 404e, the live environment 404f, and/or the backend environment 404h. In some embodiments, the first primary transit provider router device 406c-1 and/or the PP LAN switch device 422e-3 may direct communications to, through, and/or via a LAN firewall device 408g that provides direct access to either or both of the PP server cluster 410e and the live server cluster 410f.
According to some embodiments, the DDoS protection layer 404b and/or a second DDoS router device 406b-2 may route communications from the user device 402 through and/or via a second switch device 422a-2 and/or to, through, and/or via a first secondary transit provider router device 406d-1. In some embodiments, the second switch device 422a-2 may comprise a device utilized for security switching such as may implement communications in accordance with the GRE communications tunneling protocol. The first secondary transit provider router device 406d-1 may, for example, provide access to the live environment 404f and/or the live server cluster 410f thereof, such as via one or more live firewall devices 408f-1, 408f-2 and/or one or more live switch devices 422f-1, 422f-2. According to some embodiments, the live switch devices 422f-1, 422f-2 may comprise content switching devices that process and route data (e.g., in the data link layer) based on data content. In some embodiments, the first secondary transit provider router device 406d-1 may direct communications to, through, and/or via a live LAN switch device 422f-3 that provides and/or facilitates access to the LAN 404g. In some embodiments, the first secondary transit provider router device 406d-1 and/or the live LAN switch device 422f-3 may direct communications to, through, and/or via the LAN firewall device 408g that provides direct access to either or both of the PP server cluster 410e and the live server cluster 410f.
In some embodiments, the DDoS protection layer 404b and/or one or more of a third DDoS router device 406b-3 and/or a fourth DDoS router device 406b-4 may route communications from the user device 402 through and/or via one or more of the primary transit provider layer 404c and/or the secondary transit provider layer 404d. In some embodiments, a transit provider switch device 422a-3 may direct, swap, route, and/or manage communications between the primary transit provider layer 404c and the secondary transit provider layer 404d. According to some embodiments, the transit provider switch device 422a-3 may comprise a switching device that operates in accordance with an Exterior Border Gateway Protocol (EBGP)—e.g., the transit provider switch device 422a-3 may comprise one or more edge or border routers. In some embodiments, the first primary transit provider router device 406c-1, the first secondary transit provider router device 406d-1, a second primary transit provider router device 406c-2, and/or a second secondary transit provider router device 406d-2 may be utilized to route and/or direct communications between (i) the primary transit provider layer 404c and/or the secondary transit provider layer 404d and (ii) the PP environment 404e and/or the live environment 404f.
According to some embodiments, the PP server cluster 410e and/or the PP environment 404e may comprise various hardware, software, and/or firmware that permits a user (e.g., of the user device 402) to program, edit, manage, and/or otherwise interface with PP game elements and/or interfaces (e.g., for development and/or testing purposes). In some embodiments, the PDU devices 452e-1, 452e-2 may generally provide power distribution, supply, management, backup, and/or conditioning services (e.g., to the PP server cluster 410e) as is or becomes desired. According to some embodiments, additional switch devices 422e-4, 422e-5 may be utilized to distribute, balance, manage and/or control communications to, from, and/or within the PP server cluster 410e.
In some embodiments, the live server cluster 410f and/or the live environment 404f may comprise various hardware, software, and/or firmware that permits a user (e.g., of the user device 402) to program, edit, manage, and/or otherwise interface with live game elements and/or interfaces (e.g., for troubleshooting, corrective, and/or live environment management purposes). In some embodiments, the PDU devices 452f-1, 452f-2 may generally provide power distribution, supply, management, backup, and/or conditioning services (e.g., to the live server cluster 410f) as is or becomes desired. According to some embodiments, additional switch devices 422f-4, 422f-5 may be utilized to distribute, balance, manage and/or control communications to, from, and/or within the live server cluster 410f. In some embodiments, the TC device 424f may be utilized to manage communications from a variety of data sources such as by providing communication capability between various communications channels (not separately depicted in
According to some embodiments, the user device 402 in conjunction with the live server cluster 410f (e.g., via the Internet 404a) may conduct (in whole or in part), facilitate, and/or otherwise be associated with execution of one or more stored procedures, applications, processes, and/or methods (e.g., the method 600 of
Turning to
According to some embodiments, any or all of the components 502, 504a-l, 506, 508a-b, 510a-j, 522a-d, 524, 540, 552 of the system 500 may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components 502, 504a-l, 506, 508a-b, 510a-j, 522a-d, 524, 540, 552 (and/or portions thereof) and/or various configurations of the components 502, 504a-l, 506, 508a-b, 510a-j, 522a-d, 524, 540, 552 may be included in the system 500 without deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein. While multiple instances of some components 504a-l, 508a-b, 510a-j, 522a-d are depicted and while single instances of other components 502, 506, 524, 540, 552 are depicted, for example, any component 502, 504a-l, 506, 508a-b, 510a-j, 522a-d, 524, 540, 552 depicted in the system 500 may comprise a single device, a combination of devices and/or components 502, 504a-l, 506, 508a-b, 510a-j, 522a-d, 524, 540, 552, and/or a plurality of devices, as is or becomes desirable and/or practicable. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more of the various components 502, 504a-l, 506, 508a-b, 510a-j, 522a-d, 524, 540, 552 may not be needed and/or desired in the system 500.
In some embodiments, the user device 502 may be utilized to access and/or interface with one or more of the servers 510a-j via the Internet 504a. In some embodiments, the Internet 502a may be linked to the ISP 504b via multiple (e.g., redundant) connectivity paths 504b-1, 504b-2 (e.g., for load balancing, security, and/or failure recovery). According to some embodiments, the ISP 504b may be in communication with (and/or comprise) the external router cluster 506. The external router cluster 506 may route certain requests, calls, and/or transmissions (and/or users—e.g., based on credentials and/or other information) through the EXTFW-RTR VLAN 504c and/or through the external firewall cluster 508a, for example, and/or may route certain requests, calls, and/or transmissions (and/or users —e.g., based on credentials and/or other information) through the Internet VLAN 504d and/or through the internal firewall cluster 508b.
In the case that a user (not shown) of the user device 502 comprises an online game player, consumer, and/or other member of the public, for example, the external router cluster 506 may direct communications through the EXTFW-RTR VLAN 504c and/or through the external firewall cluster 508a. In the case that the user of the user device 502 comprises a programmer, tester, employee, and/or other agent of a game provider and/or other entity that operates the system 500, for example, the external router cluster 506 may direct communications through the Internet VLAN 504d and/or through the internal firewall cluster 508b. In some embodiments, access via either or both of the external firewall cluster 508a and/or the internal firewall cluster 508b may permit the user device 502 to communicate via the INT-EXT VLAN 504e. The INT-EXT VLAN 504e may, for example, provide access to the content switches 522a which may, in some embodiments, serve content from any or all of the servers 510a-j to the user device 502, as is or becomes appropriate or desired. In some embodiments, the content switches 522a may communicate with the first spare server pool 510b via the web LAN 504f.
According to some embodiments, private and/or other specialized access to the system 500 via the internal firewall cluster 508b may permit the user device 502 to communicate via one or more of the database VLAN 504g, the application VLAN 504h, and/or the admin VLAN 504i. The database VLAN 504g may be utilized, for example, to access and/or communicate with the database servers 510d. In some embodiments, the application VLAN 504h may be utilized to access and/or communicate with any or all of the hydra servers 510e, the game controllers 510f, and/or the ruby servers 510g.
The admin VLAN 504i may allow, promote, conduct, facilitate, and/or manage a wide variety of communications within the system 500. The admin VLAN 504i may, for example, communicatively connect and/or couple any or all of the firewalls 508a-b, the servers 510a-j, the switches 522a-d, the TC device 524, the SAN storage 540, and/or the PDU devices 552. The user device 502 may be utilized, in conjunction with the admin servers 510h and/or via the admin VLAN 504i for example, to define, edit, adjust, manage, and/or otherwise access settings (and/or data) of the firewalls 508a-b, any or all of the switches 522a-d, the TC device 524, and/or the PDU devices 552. In some embodiments, the user device 502 (and/or the admin servers 510h) may be utilized to manage and/or access content, rules, settings, and/or performance characteristics or preferences for any or all of the servers 510a-j.
In some embodiments, the server cluster 510a may comprise one or more servers and/or other electronic controller devices (e.g., blade servers) configured to provide online gaming data (e.g., interfaces (such as the example interfaces 720a-b of
According to some embodiments, the user device 502 in conjunction with one or more of the servers 510a-j (e.g., via the Internet 504a) may conduct (in whole or in part), facilitate, and/or otherwise be associated with execution of one or more stored procedures, applications, processes, and/or methods (e.g., the method 600 of
Referring now to
The process and/or flow diagrams described herein do not necessarily imply a fixed order to any depicted actions, steps, and/or procedures, and embodiments may generally be performed in any order that is practicable unless otherwise and specifically noted. Any of the processes and/or methods described herein may be performed and/or facilitated by hardware, software (including microcode), firmware, or any combination thereof. For example, a storage medium (e.g., a hard disk, Universal Serial Bus (USB) mass storage device, and/or Digital Video Disk (DVD)) may store thereon instructions that when executed by a machine (such as a computerized processing device) result in performance according to any one or more of the embodiments described herein.
In some embodiments, the method 600 may comprise determining (e.g., by a processing device and/or via an electronic communications network device) player data, at 602. Data descriptive of one or more variables, values, characteristics, and/or preferences of a particular player may, for example, be retrieved from one or more databases. In some embodiments, player demographic data such as age, gender, location, occupation, etc. may be queried from one or more third-party databases (e.g., demographic provider devices). According to some embodiments, player data may comprise data descriptive of payment activity of the player. An amount of coin-in/funds deposited, an account balance, credit balance, deposit size, win size, loss size, loss limit, and/or payment or deposit frequency may, for example, be utilized to define player payment and/or monetary metrics such as a player's expected “value” (e.g., a total amount of revenue and/or profit expected to be generated due to the player over the span of time that the player is likely to engage with the game). In some embodiments, player data may comprise player game play data such as game play outcomes and/or results, game play achievements, and/or one or more of the player's game play actions (e.g., inputs and/or decisions). Player game play data may comprise, for example, a number of losses, a number of wins, a number of failed attempts, a number of successful attempts, a magnitude of losses, a magnitude of wins, a frequency of losses, a frequency of wins, a number of game plays, a frequency of game plays, a length of player, a number of particular actions taken by the player during game play, and/or a type of action taken by the player during game play (e.g., game play style and/or preferences). In some embodiments, such game play data descriptive of the player may be retrieved from a game play device such as a computerized processing device of the player and/or a game server.
According to some embodiments, the method 600 may comprise modifying (e.g., by the processing device and/or via the electronic communications network device) a default game play metric, at 604. In some embodiments, the method 600 may comprise determining the game play metric. The game play metric may, for example, be selected from a plurality of available game play metrics, such as based on stored rules. A stored rule may indicate, for example, that a particular game play metric from the plurality of game play metrics should be selected based on any of a number of different variables (and/or combinations thereof) such as time, day, date, season, weather, website traffic, communications bandwidth, player volume, random numbers, etc. According to some embodiments, the method 600 may comprise determining a first value of the game play metric. In the case that the game play metric comprises a default value, for example, the default value may comprise the first value—e.g., prior to an initiation of game play and/or a game play session. In the case that game play has already been initiated and/or is currently underway, the first value may comprise a current value of the game play metric.
In some embodiments, the first value of the game play metric may be modified by utilizing one or more stored rules, such as a mathematical and/or logical function (e.g., that takes into account one or more values from the player data determined at 602. The modifying may comprise, for example, calculating, utilizing (i) a stored mathematical function, (ii) the first value of the game play metric, and (ii) the player data, a second value of the game play metric. In such a manner, for example, a game play metric such as a default and/or current probability of achieving a particular game outcome (e.g., a winning and/or otherwise beneficial outcome such as an in-game task, mission, or quest) may be modified based on player data such as player demographics, player payment history and/or activity, and/or player game play data such as number of failed attempts (e.g., of achieving the particular game outcome; total, average, per game session, per hour, per day, as compared to other players, etc.), amount of game play time, game play frequency, and/or types of actions taken by the player in the game (e.g., player style, behavior, and/or preferences—explicit and/or derived). In some embodiments, the calculation of the modified value (e.g., second value) for the game play metric may be expressed as:
(1) Pd=f(P1B, C),
where “Pd” is a modified value of the game play metric (e.g., a dynamic probability), “P1” is the first, default, and/or current value of the game play metric (e.g., a default probability), “B” is a value defined by player game play data (e.g., number of failed attempts, game play behavior or style, etc.), and “C” is a value defined by extra-game play player data (e.g., player demographics, characteristics, preferences, payment activity, etc.).
In some embodiments, the method 600 may comprise facilitating (e.g., by the processing device and/or via the electronic communications network device) game play in accordance with the modified game play metric, at 606. The facilitating may comprise, for example, executing instructions defining a game program, the instructions storing rules that utilize the second value of the game play metric to define one or more aspects of game play of the electronic game. A software program and/or application that conducts, defines, and/or manages game play of the game, for example, may utilize the game play metric to determine game outcomes. The game play metric may, for example, be based on output from one or more Random Number Generator (RNG) devices and/or programs. In some embodiments, initial game play may be conducted utilizing the first value for the game play metric, while subsequent game play may be conducted utilizing the second/modified value for the game play metric. According to some embodiments, the facilitating may comprise transmitting one or more command signals that cause a remote computer device to execute instructions defining a game program, the instructions storing rules that utilize the second value of the game play metric to define one or more aspects of game play of the electronic game. The facilitating may, for example, comprise execution of a game program by a gaming server, execution of the game program by a player's mobile device, and/or any combination and/or coordination thereof (e.g., client-server game program execution). In some embodiments, the method 600 may be considered a gaming experience management processes and/or procedures, and/or any devices associated with execution (of any portion) thereof may be considered gaming experience management mechanisms.
According to some embodiments, detection of various implementations of the method 600 (and/or portions thereof) may be provided. The method 600 and/or a separate method (not separately depicted) may be utilized, for example, to ascertain a likelihood descriptive of whether a particular game and/or game program utilizes and/or implements gaming experience management processes and/or mechanisms. Such embodiments may be advantageous, for example, in identifying games not believed to be conducted in a homogenous, consistent, predictable, and/or “fair” manner. Such embodiments, may comprise, for example, analyzing a game program and/or outputs thereof (e.g., game play data such as game play outcomes) with respect to known inputs to the game program. Probabilities and/or other metrics of the game may be derived from such data, for example, and compared to determine whether such metrics change in value and/or due to what data elements or values such metrics appear to change in response to. A game program may be “pinged” by multiple player accounts having similar player characteristics and/or implementing similar game play inputs, for example, to determine if the resulting game play outputs appear to be based on static gaming metric values.
Turning now to
In some embodiments, the processing device 712 may comprise a CPU and/or other electronic and/or computerized device configured to, operable to, specially-programmed to, and/or otherwise capable of execution instructions stored and/or defined by the game program 742. The game program 742 may comprise, for example, a set of instructions, software code, firmware, hardware, and/or other devices and/or tangibly-stored or embodied features that define how the processing device 712 should be utilized to execute an instance of a particular game. According to some embodiments, one or more of the stored instructions and/or code or logic features that define the game may be based on the metric 744. In the case of a wager-style game and/or other game that utilizes random, pseudo-random, and/or non-skill based data to produce game outcomes, for example, the metric 744 may comprise a probability metric. In some embodiments, one or more of the instructions that define the game program 742 and/or the metric 744 may be stored in a game data database 740a. The game data database 740a may, for example, store indications of a plurality of available metrics 744 from which the metric 744 is selected and/or defined and/or may store one or more default, current, and/or variable values for the metric 744. In the case that the metric comprises a probability, for non-limiting purpose of example only, the game data database 740a may store a default value such as five-tenths (0.50)—e.g., a fifty percent (50%) chance. In such a manner, for example, an outcome of play of the game such as a likelihood that a player will receive or achieve a particular outcome (e.g., a winning of a particular item or amount, an achievement of a particular task, an unlocking of a particular event and/or feature) may be set to fifty percent (50%)—in the present illustrative example.
According to some embodiments, the game program 742 may be executed by the processing device 712 (e.g., utilizing the metric 744 and/or other data such as data stored in the game data database 740a) to produce game output (not explicitly shown in
In some embodiments, execution of the game program 742 may result in one or more game outcomes and/or results (e.g., depicted to the player via the interface 720). According to some embodiments, such game play data may be stored in a game play database 740b. In such a manner, for example, player game inputs, player game actions and/or choices, game outcomes, game results, earned in-game achievements, ranks, and/or items, and other game play features or components may be tracked, stored, sorted, ranked, and/or otherwise processed. As described herein, for example, the game play data stored in the game play data database 740b may be utilized to modify, update, and/or define the metric 744 (e.g., in accordance with gaming experience management instructions defined by the game program 742 and/or otherwise stored in one or more of the databases 740a-c).
According to some embodiments, the game program 742 (and/or other gaming experience management instructions) may access and/or utilize player data stored in a player data database 740c. Player data indicative of player payment activities (e.g., with respect to wagering, wager-style games, and/or other paid-access or freemium games), player characteristics (age, gender, location, occupation, earnings, assets, affiliations, etc.), and/or player preferences (e.g., preferred games, preferred outcomes, preferred game style or pace, etc.) may, for example, be utilized to set, define, modify, and/or update the metric 744. In such a manner, for example, player data (and/or game play data) may be utilized to alter a player's game play experience—e.g., to reduce the likelihood that the player will stop playing, increase the likelihood that the player will play more, and/or increase the amount of funds that the player is likely to deposit, spend, wager, etc.
In some embodiments for example, the metric 744 (e.g., values thereof) may be defined in accordance with a first metric function 744-1 depicted as an example graph in
(2) Pd=min(1, P1+G**F),
where “Pd” is a modified value of the metric 744 (e.g., a dynamic probability), “P1” is the first, default, and/or current value of the metric 744 (e.g., a default probability), “G” is a growth and/or step-value by which the current probability (i.e., current value of the metric 744) is incremented, and “F” is a value defined by game play such as a number of failed attempts (e.g., with respect to a particular in-game activity, achievement, goal, task, and/or game outcome). In the example of the first metric function 744-1 depicted in
According to some embodiments, any or all of the components 710, 712, 720, 740a-c, 742, 744 of the system 700 may be similar in configuration and/or functionality to any similarly named and/or numbered components described herein. Fewer or more components 710, 712, 720, 740a-c, 742, 744 (and/or portions thereof) and/or various configurations of the components 710, 712, 720, 740a-c, 742, 744 may be included in the system 700 without deviating from the scope of embodiments described herein. While multiple instances of some components 740a-c are depicted and while single instances of other components 710, 712, 720, 742, 744 are depicted, for example, any component 710, 712, 720, 740a-c, 742, 744 depicted in the system 700 may comprise a single device, a combination of devices and/or components 710, 712, 720, 740a-c, 742, 744, and/or a plurality of devices, as is or becomes desirable and/or practicable. Similarly, in some embodiments, one or more of the various components 710, 712, 720, 740a-c, 742, 744 may not be needed and/or desired in the system 700.
Turning to
According to some embodiments, the processing device 812 may be or include any type, quantity, and/or configuration of electronic and/or computerized processor that is or becomes known. The processing device 812 may comprise, for example, an Intel® IXP 2800 network processor or an Intel® XEON™ Processor coupled with an Intel® E7501 chipset. In some embodiments, the processing device 812 may comprise multiple inter-connected processors, microprocessors, and/or micro-engines. According to some embodiments, the processing device 812 (and/or the apparatus 810 and/or portions thereof) may be supplied power via a power supply (not shown) such as a battery, an Alternating Current (AC) source, a Direct Current (DC) source, an AC/DC adapter, solar cells, and/or an inertial generator. In the case that the apparatus 810 comprises a server such as a blade server, necessary power may be supplied via a standard AC outlet, power strip, surge protector, a PDU, and/or Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) device.
In some embodiments, the input device 814 and/or the output device 816 are communicatively coupled to the processing device 812 (e.g., via wired and/or wireless connections and/or pathways) and they may generally comprise any types or configurations of input and output components and/or devices that are or become known, respectively. The input device 814 may comprise, for example, a keyboard that allows an operator of the apparatus 810 to interface with the apparatus 810 (e.g., by a player, such as to participate in a game comprising gaming experience management mechanics, as described herein). In some embodiments, the input device 814 may comprise a sensor configured to provide information such as player input to the apparatus 810 and/or the processing device 812. The output device 816 may, according to some embodiments, comprise a display screen and/or other practicable output component and/or device. The output device 816 may, for example, provide the interface 820 to a player (e.g., via a website and/or electronic communications network device). According to some embodiments, the input device 814 and/or the output device 816 may comprise and/or be embodied in a single device such as a touch-screen monitor (e.g., a device capable of both receiving input and providing output).
In some embodiments, the communication device 818 may comprise any type or configuration of communication device that is or becomes known or practicable. The communication device 818 may, for example, comprise a network interface card (NIC), a telephonic device, a cellular network device, a router, a hub, a modem, and/or a communications port or cable. In some embodiments, the communication device 818 may be coupled to provide data to a player device (not shown in
The memory device 840 may comprise any appropriate information storage device that is or becomes known or available, including, but not limited to, units and/or combinations of magnetic storage devices (e.g., a hard disk drive), optical storage devices, and/or semiconductor memory devices such as RAM devices, Read Only Memory (ROM) devices, Single Data Rate Random Access Memory (SDR-RAM), Double Data Rate Random Access Memory (DDR-RAM), and/or Programmable Read Only Memory (PROM). The memory device 840 may, according to some embodiments, store one or more of game instructions 842-1 and/or interface instructions 842-2. In some embodiments, the game instructions 842-1 and/or the interface instructions 842-2 may be utilized by the processing device 812 to provide output information via the output device 816 and/or the communication device 818.
According to some embodiments, the game instructions 842-1 may be operable to cause the processing device 812 to process player data 844-1, game data 844-2, tournament data 844-3, and/or prize data 844-4. Player data 844-1, game data 844-2, tournament data 844-3, and/or prize data 844-4 received via the input device 814 and/or the communication device 818 may, for example, be analyzed, sorted, filtered, decoded, decompressed, ranked, scored, plotted, and/or otherwise processed by the processing device 812 in accordance with the game instructions 842-1. In some embodiments, player data 844-1, game data 844-2, tournament data 844-3, and/or prize data 844-4 may be fed by the processing device 812 through one or more mathematical and/or statistical formulas and/or models in accordance with the game instructions 842-1 to provide games comprising gaming experience management mechanics in accordance with embodiments described herein.
In some embodiments, the interface instructions 842-2 may be operable to cause the processing device 812 to process player data 844-1, game data 844-2, tournament data 844-3, and/or prize data 844-4. Player data 844-1, game data 844-2, tournament data 844-3, and/or prize data 844-4 received via the input device 814 and/or the communication device 818 may, for example, be analyzed, sorted, filtered, decoded, decompressed, ranked, scored, plotted, and/or otherwise processed by the processing device 812 in accordance with the interface instructions 842-2. In some embodiments, player data 844-1, game data 844-2, tournament data 844-3, and/or prize data 844-4 may be fed by the processing device 812 through one or more mathematical and/or statistical formulas and/or models in accordance with the interface instructions 842-2 to provide the interface 820 which may comprise, for example, one or more game interfaces configured to (e.g., specially-programmed to) provide wagering and/or wager-style games comprising gaming experience management mechanics in accordance with embodiments described herein.
Any or all of the exemplary instructions and data types described herein and other practicable types of data may be stored in any number, type, and/or configuration of memory devices that is or becomes known. The memory device 840 may, for example, comprise one or more data tables or files, databases, table spaces, registers, and/or other storage structures. In some embodiments, multiple databases and/or storage structures (and/or multiple memory devices 840) may be utilized to store information associated with the apparatus 810. According to some embodiments, the memory device 840 may be incorporated into and/or otherwise coupled to the apparatus 810 (e.g., as shown) or may simply be accessible to the apparatus 810 (e.g., externally located and/or situated).
In some embodiments, the apparatus 810 may comprise the cooling device 850. According to some embodiments, the cooling device 850 may be coupled (physically, thermally, and/or electrically) to the processing device 812 and/or to the memory device 840. The cooling device 850 may, for example, comprise a fan, heat sink, heat pipe, radiator, cold plate, and/or other cooling component or device or combinations thereof, configured to remove heat from portions or components of the apparatus 810.
Referring now to
According to some embodiments, the first data storage device 940a may comprise one or more various types of internal and/or external hard drives. The first data storage device 940a may, for example, comprise a data storage medium 946 that is read, interrogated, and/or otherwise communicatively coupled to and/or via a disk reading device 948. In some embodiments, the first data storage device 940a and/or the data storage medium 946 may be configured to store information utilizing one or more magnetic, inductive, and/or optical means (e.g., magnetic, inductive, and/or optical-encoding). The data storage medium 946, depicted as a first data storage medium 946a for example (e.g., breakout cross-section “A”), may comprise one or more of a polymer layer 946a-1, a magnetic data storage layer 946a-2, a non-magnetic layer 946a-3, a magnetic base layer 946a-4, a contact layer 946a-5, and/or a substrate layer 946a-6. According to some embodiments, a magnetic read head 946a may be coupled and/or disposed to read data from the magnetic data storage layer 946a-2.
In some embodiments, the data storage medium 946, depicted as a second data storage medium 946b for example (e.g., breakout cross-section “B”), may comprise a plurality of data points 946b-2 disposed with the second data storage medium 946b. The data points 946b-2 may, in some embodiments, be read and/or otherwise interfaced with via a laser-enabled read head 948b disposed and/or coupled to direct a laser beam through the second data storage medium 946b.
In some embodiments, the second data storage device 940b may comprise a CD, CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-Ray™ Disc, and/or other type of optically-encoded disk and/or other storage medium that is or becomes known or practicable. In some embodiments, the third data storage device 940c may comprise a USB keyfob, dongle, and/or other type of flash memory data storage device that is or becomes know or practicable. In some embodiments, the fourth data storage device 940d may comprise RAM of any type, quantity, and/or configuration that is or becomes practicable and/or desirable. In some embodiments, the fourth data storage device 940d may comprise an off-chip cache such as a Level 2 (L2) cache memory device. According to some embodiments, the fifth data storage device 940e may comprise an on-chip memory device such as a Level 1 (L1) cache memory device.
The data storage devices 940a-e may generally store program instructions, code, and/or modules that, when executed by a processing device cause a particular machine to function in accordance with one or more embodiments described herein. The data storage devices 940a-e depicted in
The terms “computer-readable medium” and “computer-readable memory” refer to any medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that may be read by a computer and/or a processor. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to non-volatile media, volatile media, and other specific types of transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media include DRAM, which typically constitutes the main memory. Other types of transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire, and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor.
Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, a USB memory stick, a dongle, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The terms “computer-readable medium” and/or “tangible media” specifically exclude signals, waves, and wave forms or other intangible or transitory media that may nevertheless be readable by a computer.
Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying sequences of instructions to a processor. For example, sequences of instruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a processor, (ii) may be carried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may be formatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols. For a more exhaustive list of protocols, the term “network” is defined above and includes many exemplary protocols that are also applicable here.
In some embodiments, one or more specialized machines such as a computerized processing device, a server, a remote terminal, and/or a customer device may implement the various practices described herein. A computer system of an game provider may, for example, comprise various specialized computers that interact to provide for games comprising gaming experience management mechanics as described herein.
VII. Rules of Interpretation
Numerous embodiments are described in this patent application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not, and are not intended to be, limiting. The presently disclosed invention(s) are widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosed invention(s) may be practiced with various modifications and alterations, such as structural, logical, software, and electrical modifications. Although particular features of the disclosed invention(s) may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments and/or drawings, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or drawings with reference to which they are described, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all embodiments of the invention nor a listing of features of the invention that must be present in all embodiments. It is contemplated, however, that while some embodiment are not limited by the examples provided herein, some embodiments may be specifically bounded or limited by provided examples, structures, method steps, and/or sequences. Embodiments having scopes limited by provided examples may also specifically exclude features not explicitly described or contemplated.
Neither the Title (set forth at the beginning of the first page of this patent application) nor the Abstract (set forth at the end of this patent application) is to be taken as limiting in any way the scope of the disclosed invention(s).
The term “product” means any machine, manufacture and/or composition of matter as contemplated by 35 U.S.C. §101, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, “one embodiment” and the like mean “one or more (but not all) disclosed embodiments”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
A reference to “another embodiment” in describing an embodiment does not imply that the referenced embodiment is mutually exclusive with another embodiment (e.g., an embodiment described before the referenced embodiment), unless expressly specified otherwise. Similarly, any reference to an “alternate”, “alternative”, and/or “alternate embodiment” is intended to connote one or more possible variations—not mutual exclusivity. In other words, it is expressly contemplated that “alternatives” described herein may be utilized and/or implemented together, unless they inherently are incapable of being utilized together.
The terms “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The term “plurality” means “two or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The term “herein” means “in the present application, including the specification, its claims and figures, and anything which may be incorporated by reference, unless expressly specified otherwise.
The phrase “at least one of”, when such phrase modifies a plurality of things (such as an enumerated list of things) means any combination of one or more of those things, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the phrase at least one of a widget, a car and a wheel means (i) a widget, (ii) a car, (iii) a wheel, (iv) a widget and a car, (v) a widget and a wheel, (vi) a car and a wheel, or (vii) a widget, a car and a wheel.
The phrase “based on” does not mean “based only on”, unless expressly specified otherwise. In other words, the phrase “based on” describes both “based only on” and “based at least on”. In some embodiments, a first thing being “based on” a second thing refers specifically to the first thing taking into account the second thing in an explicit manner. In such embodiments, for example, a processing step based on the local weather, which itself is in some manner based on or affected by (for example) human activity in the rainforests, is not “based on” such human activities because it is not those activities that being explicitly analyzed, included, taken into account, and/or processed.
The term “whereby” is used herein only to precede a clause or other set of words that express only the intended result, objective or consequence of something that is previously and explicitly recited. Thus, when the term “whereby” is used in a claim, the clause or other words that the term “whereby” modifies do not establish specific further limitations of the claim or otherwise restricts the meaning or scope of the claim.
The term “wherein”, as utilized herein, does not evidence intended use. The term “wherein” expressly refers to one or more features inclusive in a particular embodiment and does not imply or include an optional or conditional limitation.
Where a limitation of a first claim would cover one of a feature as well as more than one of a feature (e.g., a limitation such as “at least one widget” covers one widget as well as more than one widget), and where in a second claim that depends on the first claim, the second claim uses a definite article “the” to refer to the limitation (e.g., “the widget”), this does not imply that the first claim covers only one of the feature, and this does not imply that the second claim covers only one of the feature (e.g., “the widget” can cover both one widget and more than one widget).
When an ordinal number (such as “first”, “second”, “third” and so on) is used as an adjective before a term, that ordinal number is used (unless expressly specified otherwise) merely to indicate a particular feature, such as to allow for distinguishing that particular referenced feature from another feature that is described by the same term or by a similar term. For example, a “first widget” may be so named merely to allow for distinguishing it in one or more claims from a “second widget”, so as to encompass embodiments in which (1) the “first widget” is or is the same as the “second widget” and (2) the “first widget” is different than or is not identical to the “second widget”. Thus, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate any other relationship between the two widgets, and likewise does not indicate any other characteristics of either or both widgets. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” (1) does not indicate that either widget comes before or after any other in order or location; (2) does not indicate that either widget occurs or acts before or after any other in time; (3) does not indicate that either widget ranks above or below any other, as in importance or quality; and (4) does not indicate that the two referenced widgets are not identical or the same widget. In addition, the mere usage of ordinal numbers does not define a numerical limit to the features identified with the ordinal numbers. For example, the mere usage of the ordinal numbers “first” and “second” before the term “widget” does not indicate that there must be no more than two widgets.
When a single device or article is described herein, more than one device or article (whether or not they cooperate) may alternatively be used in place of the single device or article that is described. Accordingly, the functionality that is described as being possessed by a device may alternatively be possessed by more than one device or article (whether or not they cooperate).
Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein (whether or not they cooperate), a single device or article may alternatively be used in place of the more than one device or article that is described. For example, a plurality of computer-based devices may be substituted with a single computer-based device. Accordingly, the various functionality that is described as being possessed by more than one device or article may alternatively be possessed by a single device or article.
The functionality and/or the features of a single device that is described may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices which are described but are not explicitly described as having such functionality and/or features. Thus, other embodiments need not include the described device itself, but rather can include the one or more other devices which would, in those other embodiments, have such functionality/features.
Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. On the contrary, such devices need only transmit to each other as necessary or desirable, and may actually refrain from exchanging data most of the time. For example, a machine in communication with another machine via the Internet may not transmit data to the other machine for weeks at a time. In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.
A description of an embodiment with several components or features does not imply that all or even any of such components and/or features are required. On the contrary, a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention(s). Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no component and/or feature is essential or required.
Further, although process steps, algorithms or the like may be described in a sequential order, such processes may be configured to work in different orders. In other words, any sequence or order of steps that may be explicitly described does not necessarily indicate a requirement that the steps be performed in that order. The steps of processes described herein may be performed in any order practical. Further, some steps may be performed simultaneously despite being described or implied as occurring non-simultaneously (e.g., because one step is described after the other step). Moreover, the illustration of a process by its depiction in a drawing does not imply that the illustrated process is exclusive of other variations and modifications thereto, does not imply that the illustrated process or any of its steps are necessary to the invention, and does not imply that the illustrated process is preferred.
Although a process may be described as including a plurality of steps, that does not indicate that all or even any of the steps are essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other processes that omit some or all of the described steps. Unless otherwise specified explicitly, no step is essential or required.
Although a product may be described as including a plurality of components, aspects, qualities, characteristics and/or features, that does not indicate that all of the plurality are essential or required. Various other embodiments within the scope of the described invention(s) include other products that omit some or all of the described plurality.
An enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. Likewise, an enumerated list of items (which may or may not be numbered) does not imply that any or all of the items are comprehensive of any category, unless expressly specified otherwise. For example, the enumerated list “a computer, a laptop, a PDA” does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are mutually exclusive and does not imply that any or all of the three items of that list are comprehensive of any category.
Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.
“Determining” something can be performed in a variety of manners and therefore the term “determining” (and like terms) includes calculating, computing, deriving, looking up (e.g., in a table, database or data structure), ascertaining and the like.
It will be readily apparent that the various methods and algorithms described herein may be implemented by, e.g., appropriately and/or specially-programmed general purpose computers and/or computing devices. Typically a processor (e.g., one or more microprocessors) will receive instructions from a memory or like device, and execute those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes defined by those instructions. Further, programs that implement such methods and algorithms may be stored and transmitted using a variety of media (e.g., computer readable media) in a number of manners. In some embodiments, hard-wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of, or in combination with, software instructions for implementation of the processes of various embodiments. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software
A “processor” generally means any one or more microprocessors, CPU devices, computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, or like devices, as further described herein. According to some embodiments, a “processor” may primarily comprise and/or be limited to a specific class of processors referred to herein as “processing devices”. “Processing devices” are a subset of processors limited to physical devices such as CPU devices, Printed Circuit Board (PCB) devices, transistors, capacitors, logic gates, etc. “Processing devices”, for example, explicitly exclude biological, software-only, and/or biological or software-centric physical devices. While processing devices may include some degree of soft logic and/or programming, for example, such devices must include a predominant degree of physical structure in accordance with 35 U.S.C. §101.
The term “computer-readable medium” refers to any medium that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions or other information) that may be read by a computer, a processor or a like device. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory. Volatile media include DRAM, which typically constitutes the main memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and electromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during RF and IR data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read.
The term “computer-readable memory” may generally refer to a subset and/or class of computer-readable medium that does not include transmission media such as waveforms, carrier waves, electromagnetic emissions, etc. Computer-readable memory may typically include physical media upon which data (e.g., instructions or other information) are stored, such as optical or magnetic disks and other persistent memory, DRAM, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, computer hard drives, backup tapes, Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory devices, and the like.
Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying data, including sequences of instructions, to a processor. For example, sequences of instruction (i) may be delivered from RAM to a processor, (ii) may be carried over a wireless transmission medium, and/or (iii) may be formatted according to numerous formats, standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth™, TDMA, CDMA, 3G.
Where databases are described, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that (i) alternative database structures to those described may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory structures besides databases may be readily employed. Any illustrations or descriptions of any sample databases presented herein are illustrative arrangements for stored representations of information. Any number of other arrangements may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g., tables illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated entries of the databases represent exemplary information only; one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the number and content of the entries can be different from those described herein. Further, despite any depiction of the databases as tables, other formats (including relational databases, object-based models and/or distributed databases) could be used to store and manipulate the data types described herein. Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a database can be used to implement various processes, such as the described herein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be stored locally or remotely from a device that accesses data in such a database.
The present invention can be configured to work in a network environment including a computer that is in communication, via a communications network, with one or more devices. The computer may communicate with the devices directly or indirectly, via a wired or wireless medium such as the Internet, LAN, WAN or Ethernet, Token Ring, or via any appropriate communications means or combination of communications means. Each of the devices may comprise computers, such as those based on the Intel® Pentium® or Centrino™ processor, that are adapted to communicate with the computer. Any number and type of machines may be in communication with the computer.
The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, an enabling description of several embodiments and/or inventions. Some of these embodiments and/or inventions may not be claimed in the present application, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuing applications that claim the benefit of priority of the present application. Applicants intend to file additional applications to pursue patents for subject matter that has been disclosed and enabled but not claimed in the present application.
This application is a National stage filing of and claims benefit and priority to International application Ser. No. PCT/IB2014/059746 filed on Mar. 13, 2014 and titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTION OF GAMING EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT IMPLEMENTATIONS”, which itself claims benefit and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/785,978 filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and titled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GAMING EXPERIENCE MANAGEMENT”, the entirety of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IB2014/059746 | 3/13/2014 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61785978 | Mar 2013 | US |
