Patent Grant
9033791
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present disclosure relates generally to wagering games, as well as wagering game terminals and wagering game systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and devices for configuring wagering game systems, wagering game terminals, portable gaming devices, web-based and interactive gaming devices, and the like.
Gaming terminals, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Thus, gaming manufacturers continuously strive to develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play and increased player loyalty through enhanced entertainment value to the player.
There are three main types of wagering game machines: mechanical, electromechanical, and electronic. The original slot machine, for example, was entirely mechanical in construction, working on an elaborate configuration of springs, gears, shafts, brakes and levers. Since its introduction in the early 1960's, the electromechanical gaming machine began replacing most, if not all, mechanical slot machines. Electromechanical gaming machines typically use one or more microprocessors to determine a random outcome, and electrical stepper motors to spin and stop a set of mechanical reels. The electronic gaming machine (EGM), in comparison, subsequently supplanted the mechanical reels of the electromechanical gaming machine with simulated mechanical reels generated by a video display device. In addition to slot-type wagering games, traditional table games, such as poker, blackjack, keno, and bingo, were adapted for use on EGM's.
The use of microprocessors has significantly advanced the state of the art of electronic gaming. For instance, microprocessors offer gaming machines much greater latitude in determining random game outcomes. Random game outcomes are typically determined by a random number generator (RNG) that is driven by a central processing unit (CPU). A probability table contains all possible game outcomes, with each game outcome being linked to a distinct number. Once generated, the random number is used to look up the corresponding game outcome in the probability table. The CPU then signals the stepper motors to drive and position the reels to coincide with the randomly determined game outcome. Microprocessor-driven EGM's allow gaming manufacturers to design slot games with more flexible pay tables. In a specific example, microprocessor-driven gaming machines can offer high value, low probability awards while contemporaneously offering low value, high probability awards—offering a range of awards that an all-mechanical slot machine cannot.
The increased power of modern microprocessors has enabled the introduction of new gaming machine capabilities that allow the addition of entirely new classes of features and functions. Many EGM designs allow these features and functions to be enabled in a variety of different combinations to operate on a wide variety of different technological platforms. Enabling these features oftentimes requires they be configured to casino specifications, without departing from state gaming regulations, when the EGM's are first set up on the casino floor. These configuration parameters can enable the gaming machine to network with the casino's existing central computer systems, for example, to coordinate with the casino's cashless gaming systems, wagering processes, accounting procedures, player-tracking data collection, etc.
Networking a gaming machine to a gaming establishment's central computer system typically requires the machine be configured to establish communication, including selection of communication protocols for communication between the gaming machine and host system. This may include selection of the host ports for electronic funds transfers, establishing gaming machine communication addresses, host communication protocol bonus control, etc. As part of the initial set up process, a number of configuration parameters may also be set to customize the gaming machine, for example, to comport with the wagering processes used by a particular gaming establishment. These specifications can include the selection of payout devices (e.g., hopper, ticket printer, cashless player account, etc.), selection of payout options (e.g., split pays from both the hopper and ticket printer), and controlling ticket printer parameters. The gaming machine may also be configured to customize the presentation of the game. These configuration parameters can include, in some non-limiting examples: screen brightness, gaming machine lighting, speaker volume, presentation of multiple games, payback percentages, etc. Some additional miscellaneous configuration categories include: ticket-in control configuration, validation control, and gaming machine operating modes (including demonstration and diagnostic mode). Within each of these categories can be a number of different selections, and even sub-selections.
The number and complexity of configuration parameters can require considerable technician time during the initial EGM set up process. Historically, the configuration process required selecting and implementing operating parameters for each gaming machine—the gaming machine was manually configured through an extensive set of administrative menus. Some parameters require multiple menus and value entries to be completely configured. For some electronic gaming machines, the video display has a touch screen that can be used as an input device to configure the gaming machine. The technician is provided with instructions and options displayed on the video display for each configuration parameter, and the technician selects configuration parameters using the touch screen. This can become a time-consuming, tedious, and, in some instances, error-prone process, especially when numerous gaming machines must be configured.
Overcoming the problems associated with configuring hundreds, if not thousands, of gaming machines, whether they are electromechanical or electronic gaming machines, is an expensive, time-consuming process. This issue can be exacerbated when new gaming features and functions are introduced to the market, or certain gaming machines are underperforming when compared to their counterparts, and operators wish to configure/reconfigure multiple gaming machines that are out on the casino floor. What is needed are new methods and devices for configuring wagering game machines to increase the accuracy and efficiency of the configuration process.
Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems, methods and devices for configuring wagering game systems and devices based on shared data. For example, disclosed is a gaming device peer-to-peer data exchange for sharing information about gaming device improvement and optimization. In some embodiments, the individual devices are configured to dynamically adjust their own configuration parameters based on the shared data to improve device performance. For some implementations, an individual or a group of gaming machines can advise and direct a new or underperforming gaming machine or group of gaming machines in real-time on how to reconfigure itself/themselves for the best yields based on the location and/or circumstances of that gaming machine/set of gaming machines using the collective knowledge generated by the group of gaming machines. These communications and determinations may be computed on and transmitted from an individual gaming machine to an individual gaming machine, from an individual gaming machine to a group or groups of gaming machines, from a group or groups of gaming machines to an individual gaming machine, and from a group or groups of gaming machines to a group or groups of gaming machines.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a gaming machine for communicatively coupling to one or more peer gaming machines via a peer-to-peer gaming network is disclosed. The gaming machine includes one or more display devices, one or more processors, and one or more memory devices. The one or more memory devices store instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming machine to: store, via at least one of the one or more memory devices, a first set of data indicative of configuration parameters of the gaming machine, and a second set of data indicative of machine performance of the gaming machine; receive, from the one or more peer gaming machines via the peer-to-peer gaming network, a third set of data indicative of configuration parameters of the one or more peer gaming machines, and a fourth set of data indicative of machine performance of the one or more peer gaming machines; analyze, via at least one of the one or more processors, the third and fourth data sets to determine one or more modifications to the configuration parameters of the gaming machine to thereby improve the machine performance of the gaming machine; and, automatically modify at least one of the configuration parameters of the gaming machine based upon the results of the analysis.
In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, one or more physical machine-readable storage media are featured which include instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations to complete any of the disclosed methods. These operations may comprise: store on at least one memory device a first set of data indicative of configuration parameters of a gaming machine, and a second set of data indicative of machine performance of the gaming machine; receive from a peer gaming machine via a peer-to-peer gaming network a third set of data indicative of configuration parameters of the peer gaming machine, and a fourth set of data indicative of machine performance of the peer gaming machine; analyze the third and fourth sets of data to determine one or more modifications to the configuration parameters of the gaming machine to thereby improve the machine performance of the gaming machine; and, automatically modify at least one of the configuration parameters of the gaming machine based upon the results of the analysis.
Other aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a method of configuring gaming machines communicatively coupled together via a peer-to-peer gaming network. The method includes: storing, on a first one of the gaming machines, a first set of data indicative of the first gaming machine's configuration parameters and a second set of data indicative of the first gaming machine's machine performance; storing, on a second one of the gaming machines, a third set of data indicative of the second gaming machine's configuration parameters and a fourth set of data indicative of the second gaming machine's machine performance; transmitting the third and fourth data sets from the second gaming machine to the first gaming machine; analyzing, via the first gaming machine, the third and fourth data sets to determine one or more modifications to the configuration parameters of the first gaming machine to thereby improve the machine performance of the first gaming machine; and, automatically modifying, via the first gaming machine, at least one of the first gaming machine's configuration parameters based upon the results of the analysis.
Another aspect of this disclosure is directed to machine-readable storage media with instructions which, when executed by one or more processors resident to a gaming machine, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: store on a memory device resident to the gaming machine, a first set of data indicative of configuration parameters of the gaming machine, and a second set of data indicative of machine performance of the gaming machine; receive from a peer gaming machine via a peer-to-peer gaming network a third set of data indicative of configuration parameters of the peer gaming machine, and a fourth set of data indicative of machine performance of the peer gaming machine; analyze the received data via at least one of the one or more processors resident to the gaming machine to determine if the machine performance of the peer gaming machine is better than the machine performance of the resident gaming machine; and, responsive to the results of the analysis, automatically modify at least one of the configuration parameters of the gaming machine based upon the configuration parameters of the peer gaming machine.
In accordance with yet another aspect, a gaming system for conducting a wagering game is featured. The gaming system includes a plurality of gaming machines, each of which has a respective display device, a respective memory device, and a respective communication interface. Each communication interface is configured to receive data and transmit data. Each of the gaming machines is configured to store data on their respective memory device. The gaming system includes a peer-to-peer network that communicatively couples the gaming machines together. Each gaming machine is operable to: (1) selectively transfer machine performance data and machine configuration data to the other gaming machines on the peer-to-peer network; (2) analyze data transferred thereto via the other gaming machines on the peer-to-peer network; and, (3) automatically modify one or more configuration parameters of the gaming machine based on the analyzed data transferred thereto via the other gaming machines on the peer-to-peer network.
The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present disclosure. Rather, the summary merely provides an exemplification of some of the novel features presented herein. The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present disclosure, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and modes for carrying out the present invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
While aspects of this disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
This invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms. There are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail representative embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. To that extent, elements and limitations that are disclosed, for example, in the Abstract, Summary, and Detailed Description sections, but not explicitly set forth in the claims, should not be incorporated into the claims, singly or collectively, by implication, inference or otherwise. For purposes of the present detailed description, unless specifically disclaimed: the singular includes the plural and vice versa; the words “and” and “or” shall be both conjunctive and disjunctive; the word “all” means “any and all”; the word “any” means “any and all”; and the word “including” means “including without limitation.” Moreover, words of approximation, such as “about,” “almost,” “substantially,” “approximately,” and the like, can be used herein in the sense of “at, near, or nearly at,” or “within 3-5% of,” or “within acceptable manufacturing tolerances,” or any logical combination thereof, for example.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the several views, there is shown in
The gaming terminal 10 illustrated in
Input devices, such as the touch screen 18, buttons 20, a mouse, a joystick, a gesture-sensing device, a voice-recognition device, and a virtual input device, accept player input(s) and transform the player input(s) to electronic data signals indicative of the player input(s), which correspond to an enabled feature for such input(s) at a time of activation (e.g., pressing a “Max Bet” button or soft key to indicate a player's desire to place a maximum wager to play the wagering game). The input(s), once transformed into electronic data signals, are output to a CPU for processing. The electronic data signals can be selected from a group consisting essentially of an electrical current, an electrical voltage, an electrical charge, an optical signal, an optical element, a magnetic signal, and a magnetic element.
Turning now to
The CPU 30 is also connected to an input/output (I/O) bus 36, which can include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+ frontside bus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus 36 is connected to various input devices 38, output devices 40, and input/output devices 42 such as those discussed above in connection with
The external system 48 includes, in various aspects, a gaming network, other gaming terminals, a gaming server, a remote controller, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components, in any combination. In yet other aspects, the external system 48 may comprise a player's portable electronic device (e.g., cellular phone, electronic wallet, etc.) and the external system interface 46 is configured to facilitate wireless communication and data transfer between the portable electronic device and the CPU 30, such as by a near-field communication path operating via magnetic-field induction or a frequency-hopping spread spectrum RF signals (e.g., Bluetooth, etc.).
The gaming terminal 10 optionally communicates with the external system 48 such that the terminal operates as a thin, thick, or intermediate client. In general, a wagering game includes a random number generator (RNG) for generating a random number, game logic for determining the outcome based on the randomly generated number, and game assets (e.g., art, sound, etc.) for presenting the determined outcome to a player in an audio-visual manner. The RNG, game logic, and game assets are contained within the gaming terminal 10 (“thick client” gaming terminal), the external system 48 (“thin client” gaming terminal), or are distributed therebetween in any suitable manner (“intermediate client” gaming terminal).
The gaming terminal 10 may include additional peripheral devices or more than one of each component shown in
Referring now to
In response to receiving a wager, the reels 52 are rotated and stopped to place symbols on the reels in visual association with paylines such as paylines 58. The wagering game evaluates the displayed array of symbols on the stopped reels and provides immediate awards and bonus features in accordance with a pay table. The pay table may, for example, include “line pays” or “scatter pays.” Line pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear along an activated payline, typically in a particular order such as left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, etc. Scatter pays occur when a predetermined type and number of symbols appear anywhere in the displayed array without regard to position or paylines. Similarly, the wagering game may trigger bonus features based on one or more bonus triggering symbols appearing along an activated payline (i.e., “line trigger”) or anywhere in the displayed array (i.e., “scatter trigger”). The wagering game may also provide mystery awards and features independent of the symbols appearing in the displayed array.
In accord with various methods of conducting a wagering game on a gaming system in accord with the present concepts, the wagering game includes a game sequence in which a player makes a wager and a wagering game outcome is provided or displayed in response to the wager being received or detected. The wagering game outcome is then revealed to the player in due course following initiation of the wagering game. The method comprises the acts of conducting the wagering game using a gaming apparatus, such as the gaming terminal 10 depicted in
In the aforementioned method, for each data signal, the CPU (e.g., CPU 30) is configured to process the electronic data signal, to interpret the data signal (e.g., data signals corresponding to a wager input), and to cause further actions associated with the interpretation of the signal in accord with computer instructions relating to such further actions executed by the controller. As one example, the CPU causes the recording of a digital representation of the wager in one or more storage media (e.g., storage unit 44), the CPU, in accord with associated computer instructions, causing the changing of a state of the storage media from a first state to a second state. This change in state is, for example, effected by changing a magnetization pattern on a magnetically coated surface of a magnetic storage media or changing a magnetic state of a ferromagnetic surface of a magneto-optical disc storage media, a change in state of transistors or capacitors in a volatile or a non-volatile semiconductor memory (e.g., DRAM), etc. The noted second state of the data storage media comprises storage in the storage media of data representing the electronic data signal from the CPU (e.g., the wager in the present example). As another example, the CPU further, in accord with the execution of the instructions relating to the wagering game, causes the primary display 12, other display device, or other output device (e.g., speakers, lights, communication device, etc.) to change from a first state to at least a second state, wherein the second state of the primary display comprises a visual representation of the physical player input (e.g., an acknowledgement to a player), information relating to the physical player input (e.g., an indication of the wager amount), a game sequence, an outcome of the game sequence, or any combination thereof, wherein the game sequence in accord with the present concepts comprises acts described herein. The aforementioned executing of computer instructions relating to the wagering game is further conducted in accord with a random outcome (e.g., determined by an RNG) that is used by the CPU to determine the outcome of the game sequence, using a game logic for determining the outcome based on the randomly generated number. In at least some aspects, the CPU is configured to determine an outcome of the game sequence at least partially in response to the random parameter.
Although differing in appearance, the gaming terminals 112A-D can take on any of the various forms, optional configurations, and functional alternatives described herein and, thus, can be similar in function and connectivity to the gaming terminal 10 discussed above with respect to
The gaming establishments 114A-D, including one or more of the gaming terminals 112A-D, are shown communicatively linked by a communications network 122. To facilitate such communications, the communications network 122 may include wireless communication links and/or wired communication links. The wired and wireless communication links can employ any suitable connection technology, such as Bluetooth, 802.11, Ethernet, public switched telephone networks, and SONET, as some non-limiting examples. In so doing, the servers 118A-D can exchange data and serve wagering games to devices located in other casinos or at other locations on the communications network 122. Similarly, the gaming system and network 100 can send and receive performance data and configuration data to devices located in other casinos or at other locations on the communications network 122.
The communications network 122 may be an intranet network based on TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) protocols belonging to an organization, usually a corporation, accessible only by the organization's members, employees, and/or others with proper authorization. In the illustrated system, the intranet can be used to securely network the gaming terminals 112A-D to a local casino server 118A-D and other terminals, both inside and outside of their respective establishments 114A-D. Each of the local servers 118A-D can operate an intranet web site and post wagering games on a web site. The web site can include a firewall to fend off unauthorized access. With proper authorization, non-casino-based personal computing devices, such as personal computers and smartphones, may access the web page(s) via the internet and thereby link to the local casino servers 118A-D and even the gaming terminals 112A-D. Thus, in some embodiments, aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in web, browser, html, flash, apps, and other similar applications. The communications network 122 can also be used for the individual gaming terminals 112A-D to transmit data and gaming features to each other.
When a wagering game is conducted via one of the gaming terminal 112A-D, the wagering game may be conducted at a server level, a terminal level, or a hybrid server/terminal level depending, for example, upon how the machine and the system are set up. When the wagering game is conducted at the server level, the game's audiovisual content and game software are executed, for example, at one of the local casino servers 118A-D. In this case, the gaming terminals 112A-D need not include a game engine for executing the game software and primarily serve as a display device. To allow the terminals 112A-D to execute the audiovisual content and game software, this information is downloaded from a local casino server 118A-D to the terminal 112A-D and stored locally prior for conducting the wagering game. When the wagering game is conducted at the hybrid level, the audiovisual content is executed at the terminal 112A-D while the game software is executed at the server 118A-D. To allow the terminal 112A-D to execute the audiovisual content, the audiovisual content is downloaded from the server 118A-118D and stored locally on the gaming device prior to conducting the wagering game. In order to make wagering games conducted via remote computing devices verifiable, it may be required that the random event be generated at the server 118A-D. Thus, in some embodiments, wagering games may not be conducted solely at the device level.
The gaming terminals 112A-D in each land-based gaming establishment 114A-D can be linked by a high-speed local area network (LAN), such as a wireless or wired Ethernet. Each local area network can be configured to support standard Internet protocols, such as TCP/IP, for transmitting data over the local area network and transmitting data between the local area network and a local system 118A-D. The local casino server 118A-D may include a gateway that serves as an entrance to the local area network. The gateway can be associated with a router, which knows where to direct a given packet of data that arrives at the gateway, and a switch, which furnishes the actual path in and out of the gateway for a given packet. The communications hub 120A-D can consolidate data transferred to and from the gaming terminals 112A-D. A workstation (not shown) may be used to program, control, and monitor the gaming terminals 112A-D at the local casino level.
In some embodiments, the gaming terminals 112A-D can also be networked to a corporate headquarters 130 by the communications network 122. The representative corporate headquarters 130 of
In some embodiments, the database manager 138 can manage data acquired by the corporate server 132 and can route the acquired data for storage in the appropriate databases 140A-F. The game library database 140A stores a plurality of wagering games. The corporate casino computer 134 may cause the database manager 138 to selectively access the wagering games in the game library database 140A and download the selected games to one or more local casino servers, gaming devices and/or a casino web server lob. The local casino servers may, in turn, download a portion or all of each selected game to some or all of the gaming terminals 112A-D in their respective casinos. The wagering games selected for download and the locations to where the games are downloaded may be based on trends established by running alternate regressions in the trend analysis computer 136. The financial accounting database 140B stores general financial accounting information.
The player account database 140C includes records or “house accounts,” each of which has fields of information related to an individual player. The fields within each account may, for example, include name, date of birth, social security number, address, telephone number(s), credit card type, number and expiration date, and other requisite information. Additional optional fields may include player tracking information, player preferences, and server preferences. Based on the player tracking information, player preferences, and server preferences in a player's account, a central server system may adapt or configure the selectable games, the wagering games, the gaming devices, etc., based on the player.
The player tracking information may include such game play data as an identification of last ten machines played, titles of the games played, and jackpots and other prizes won by the player. For each denomination (e.g., nickel, dime, quarter, half-dollar, dollar, etc.), the game play data may include data fields for the number of credits played, the number of credits paid out, the number of games played, and the time of play in minutes. Of course, the amount and types of data stored in a player's account may be varied to suit a particular casino.
Server preferences can reflect certain parameters that the central server system can adjust according to certain criteria, such as skill level, wagering behavior, and/or operator preferences, to maintain the interest of its players, optimize profitability, etc. The server preferences may include hold percentage, complimentary award rate, complimentary award limits, game eligibility (lockout), and other information. Hold percentage indicates a range of hold percentages, such as high, medium, and low.
A progressive jackpot database 140D may, for example, track how many progressive jackpots are operating, where the progressive jackpots are operating, how much money is in each operating progressive jackpot, what progressive jackpots were paid out, and when the progressive jackpots were paid out. A slot accounting database 140E can include accounting meters for tracking credits in, credits out, credits played, credits won, games played, etc. for one or more of the wagering games. The accounting database 140E may also identify the gaming machine 12 or computing device 14 used to generate this data. These accounting meters can allow the trend analysis computer 136 to analyze the performance of each wagering game, each gaming location, individual gaming machines, groups of gaming machines, etc. The player marketing information database 140F can track, for example, the identities of players, which wagering games are being played the most/least, where the wagering games are being played, when each wagering game is being played (e.g., days/times), and how often and/or for how long each wagering game is being played. This information can, in turn, be used to assess player habits and behaviors. Fewer or additional databases may be incorporated into the corporate headquarters 130 than those identified above.
In networked game play, gaming machines, such as those exemplified in
The gathered information may take on a variety of different types and combinations of data. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the data may include player-performance data related to player wagering behavior. In this regard, the player-performance data may be based on a statistical analysis of player wagering behavior. This data may include one or more of the following:
The gathered information may also include machine performance information comprising data regarding the operation of a wagering game machine. Various combinations and types of data may be stored as machine performance data. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, machine performance data may include a statistical analysis of a gaming machine's monetary input, monetary output, overall use, and/or other metrics relevant to the performance (or “yield”) of a machine or group of machines. It is desirable, in at least some embodiments, that the statistical analysis be conducted over a statistically significant sample period. The machine performance data may include one or more of the following:
Other exchanged information may include data related to the various configuration parameters that affect the operation of a wagering game machine or the wagering game(s) presented on the wagering game machine. Examples of such configuration parameters may include one or more of the following:
As noted above, wagering game machines 112A-D may store and maintain various types of information, including those types discussed in the preceding paragraphs. This data may be periodically sent to a host system or central gaming system (e.g., corporate headquarters 130) for use in generating configuration settings/parameters for the wagering game machines. In some embodiments, the data received from one or more wagering game machines may be stored in one or more databases, such as databases 140A-F. A configuration analysis component, such as casino computers 134 and/or trend analysis computers 136, can analyze the data from the database(s) and apply rules defined in a rule set to determine new configuration parameters to be applied to one or more wagering game machines based on the data and the rule set. By way of non-limiting example, the rule set may be defined such that wagering game machines that perform in the lowest 20% when compared to other wagering game machines are automatically reconfigured. For instance, wagering game machines performing in the bottom 20% are reconfigured with configurations similar wagering game machines performing in the upper 20. Many other types of rules and combinations of rules are possible and within the scope of the inventive subject matter, as will be developed in further detail below.
Rules related to machine performance may vary depending, for example, on the goals of the gaming establishment. If revenue maximization is a goal, then the rules related to determining machine performance may use coin-in as a base or primary measurement of performance. Alternatively, if the casino wants to maximize occupancy in the short term in order to hopefully realize more revenue in the long term, then rules based on occupancy data may be used in determining performance of a wagering game machine. Similarly, rules associated with machine configurations may vary depending on the goals of the casino. If revenue maximization is a goal, for example, configurations designed to generate more revenue may be employed. Likewise, if maximizing occupancy is a goal, then configurations designed to provide maximum occupancy may be employed.
A rule set may be designed to take into account various factors when determining a configuration for one or more wagering game machines. For example, the rules may be defined such that a particular mix of themes, denominations, and/or wagering game types should be maintained, perhaps in order to attempt to maximize occupancy and coin in, and thus maximize revenue. Further, the rules may take into account pairings of particular bonus rounds and particular wagering games, pairings of wagering games or other combinations of bonus rounds, themes, episodes, and wagering games that may result in increased revenue and/or occupancy.
In some embodiments, one or more of the databases 140A-F maintains location data for each of the wagering game machines. This location data may then be used by a configuration analysis component, such as casino computers 134 and/or trend analysis computers 136, to determine the themes, denominations, line counts, paylines, max bet, min bet, hold percentage, and/or wagering game types that should be configured for wagering game machines in particular locations. Using location in determining a desired configuration may be preferable because it may be beneficial to locate certain themes, denominations and/or wagering game machine types in particular locations. For example, it may be desirable to locate games having a similar theme in one location. Further, it may be desirable to locate machines with particular denominations together and/or in a particular location in a casino. Further, it may be desirable to achieve a particular distribution of themes, denominations or wagering game types across a casino floor. As will be developed in further detail below, location data may also include geographic location, such as a city, state, country, or region of a country. It may be desirable to include such location data because wagering patterns may be different in different areas of a country or in different countries of the world.
Rules may also be time based. For example, it may be desirable to create configurations based on a time of day, day of week, time of year, or for special events that occur from time to time. For example, it may be desirable to reconfigure denominations based on time of day, with lower denominations used during the daytime and/or during weekdays, and higher denominations used at night time and/or during weekends. Similarly, certain events may make it desirable to adjust denominations, paylines, pay tables or other configuration parameters. By way of example, and not limitation, if a major boxing match is to occur on particular date, it may be desirable to configure wagering game machines with higher denominations, higher maximum bets, and/or higher line counts on the assumption that players that attend major boxing matches may also be willing to wager larger amounts.
Configuration analysis may also take configuration costs into account in determining a configuration or recommended configuration. Some configuration changes may be made at little or no cost to a gaming establishment, while other configuration changes may come with a relatively high cost. For example, configuration changes to paylines, max/min wager amounts, or average payout (i.e., payback percentage) may be made at relatively little cost, while a configuration change that requires a new game, new bonus round, or new episodic content may cost significant amounts of money to make (e.g. game cost, licensing fees etc.). Thus, the configuration analysis component of some embodiments may measure the cost of a configuration change when determining what, if any, configuration changes may be used to improve the performance of one or more wagering game machines.
Configuration analysis may run in a number of different ways. In some preferred implementations, a configuration analysis component may run continuously or automatically at particular times to reanalyze and generate new configurations based on currently available performance data. The new configurations may then be automatically sent to one or more wagering game machines. Alternatively, the configuration analysis component may generate an alert message that may be sent to a casino operator alerting the operator that a new configuration has been generated. The operator may then review the configuration and confirm or modify the configuration before the configuration is sent to the wagering game machine(s).
Optionally, configuration analysis may be run in response to an operator or technician initiating a configuration analysis component. Upon initiation, the configuration analysis component may analyze the available data and generate new recommended configurations for one or more wagering game machines. The configuration analysis component may then automatically initiate the new configuration, or may display a suggested configuration and allow for modification and/or confirmation via a user interface before automatically sending the configuration to one or more wagering game machines.
A rule set may be implemented as a set of heuristics that are encoded as instructions in a configuration analysis component. Heuristics refers to experience-based techniques for problem solving, learning, and discovery. Where an exhaustive search is impractical, heuristic methods are used to speed up the process of finding a satisfactory solution (e.g., the best approximate result). In some embodiments, the rule set may be defined in a rules definition language that may be input or edited, e.g., via a user interface. In further embodiments, rules sets may include rules that are discovered or defined with the assistance of a relationship discovery process. Examples of such processes can include neural networks, cluster analysis, statistical analysis, artificial intelligence methods, or other analysis methods designed to discover relationships in data. Further details on such analysis methodologies and systems may be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0166940 A1, to Wayne H. Rothschild, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.
Additional information regarding the configuration of wagering game machines can be found, for example, in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 8,142,291 B2, to Chad A. Ryan, commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,641,555 B2, to Edward A. McKinley et al., commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,510 B2, to John J. Giobbi, and commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/438,239 (corresponding to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0234097 A1), to Phil Gelber et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties and for all purposes.
With reference now to the flow chart of
In some embodiments, the flow chart of
A peer-to-peer (P2P) network is often characterized as a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks, responsibilities, and/or workloads between the various devices connected to the network, known as “peers” or “P2P nodes.” A P2P network generally allows shared access to files and peripherals without the need for a central server. Each peer device typically makes a portion of its resources, such as processing power, stored information, disk storage, or network bandwidth, directly available to other network participants, without the need for central coordination or management by servers or hosts. In contrast to a traditional client-server model where servers supply and clients consume, peers are both suppliers and consumers of resources. For some implementations, each device on the P2P network 160 is operable to: (1) selectively transfer machine performance data and machine configuration data to the other gaming machines on the P2P network; (2) analyze the data transferred thereto via the other gaming machines on the peer-to-peer network; and (3) automatically modify one or more configuration parameters of the gaming machine based on the analyzed data transferred thereto via the other gaming machines on the P2P network. A detailed discussion of peer-to-peer networks is provided by Rüdiger Schollmeier in “A Definition of Peer-to-Peer Networking for the Classification of Peer-to-Peer Architectures and Applications,” Proceedings of the First International Conference on Peer-to-Peer Computing, IEEE (2002), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
With a peer-to-peer network as described above, the gaming devices can advise, assist and/or control the configuration of a new or underperforming peer gaming device to improve machine performance. It is desirable, in at least some embodiments, for this configuration/reconfiguration process to be conducted in real time and, for some embodiments, be based on the location, corresponding environment and related circumstances of the gaming machine using the collective knowledge available from the networked gaming devices. This distributed intelligence generally does not require third party centralization or manual intervention. Advantageously, no patron or player knowledge of the configuration process is required, but may be made available if so desired. In a sense, the networked gaming devices can be made “aware” at both an individual level and at a group level of the other networked EGM's, as well as their respective locations, circumstances, configurations, performance, etc. Dynamically, the collective network of peer EGM's can determine the best EGM settings and behaviors for specific locations and/or specific circumstances. This database of knowledge comes from the deployed EGM's and, if desired, can be supplemented by external references, such as a central gaming server system or a third party vendor. This collection of information can be logged (“historical”) or amassed in real time, or both, and can be adaptive to accommodate everchanging arrangements of gaming devices, available gaming features, new peripheral devices, new locations, and/or other circumstances.
As an example, a new gaming device can be placed anywhere on the gaming floor of a casino; by querying neighboring gaming devices already on the casino floor for their collective histories, locations and configuration settings, the new EGM can set the values for its configuration parameters to optimize machine performance. From the knowledge provided by neighboring EGM's, the new EGM can start up on the gaming floor and configure itself with game theme selections, theme configurations, mandatory jurisdictional and property settings, and time based behaviors that will help to maximize machine performance. As another example, an existing and underperforming EGM may be directed by the collective knowledge of its neighboring EGM's to adopt new configuration parameters to improve machine performance and maximize yield. In yet another example, the configuration parameters of multiple EGM's, including their available game theme sets and display settings, can be modified in accordance with the “local intelligence” offered by their peer EGM's to “follow the sun” and vary machine behavior with the change in position of the sun (or other time-based schedule) to maximize player engagement. For any of these examples, the configuration process can occur dynamically, automatically, and/or constantly (e.g., 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year) without intervention or central authority.
At block 501, the configuration process begins. In the illustrated example, the method 500 starts by first identifying one or more configuration parameters and one or more metrics of machine performance of the subject gaming machine and/or the group of networked gaming machines. This determination can be made on an individual basis at the terminal level, on a group basis at the peer-to-peer network level, or a combination thereof, which may me made independently of (or, alternatively, with direct involvement from) the client or a host system. The machine performance information and configuration parameter information can include any of the examples disclosed herein. For the configuration parameter data, this may include pay tables, denominations, and game themes, whereas the machine performance data may include coin in data, payout data, and time on device data, as some non-limiting examples. Other potentially relevant information may also be identified at this juncture, including location information, environmental information, jurisdictional information, client-specific information, etc. For at least some of the disclosed embodiments, the configuration parameters identified in block 501 are directly related to and, optionally, directly affect machine performance. In this regard, the configuration parameter(s) typically affect the mathematical configuration of the wagering games available on the subject gaming machine.
During block 503 of the method 500, the subject gaming machine begins collecting and, optionally, storing configuration data and machine performance data. This may include storing on one or more resident memory devices (e.g., main memory 32 of
Once this information is collected and, in some embodiments, stored locally on the subject gaming device, the method 500 then includes sending the information to one or more peer EGM's at block 505. Information will typically be transferred to all of the EGM's on the peer-to-peer network, or at least those within a predefined vicinity and/or with a minimum amount of available storage capacity, and will typically include at least the data sets with information representative of machine configuration and performance data. By way of example, a first “peer” gaming machine will transfer first and second sets of data to a second “peer” gaming machine via the peer-to-peer gaming network, while the second “peer” gaming machine transfers third and fourth sets of data to the first “peer” gaming machine. The transferred and stored information may likewise include, for example, commissioning and configuration information, such as communication setup (e.g., communication protocols, baud rates, transmit delays, unit ID's for networks, etc.), security controls (e.g., passwords, timesync sources, web and firewall access, etc.), database and network & server configurations (e.g., IP Address, Subnet mask, Gateway, DNS, etc.), device names, format setups (e.g., display options for values and dates), one-line-diagram information, and other general setup options. Additionally, during the commissioning process, other information, such as location information, regulatory information, as well as customer or anecdotal information related to that specific setup can be included.
There are a variety of manners in which data can be packaged and sent, as well as searched. For example, a master/slave approach can be used to exchange data, where one member of the P2P network is designated the master and the other members are designated as slaves. In another example, a peer-to-peer approach can be used, as described above. A hybrid of the two is also a conceivably viable option (e.g., the networked devices are broken up into peer clusters, each of which has a dedicated master). Performance and configuration information can be packaged much like a file or piece of data. By way of illustration, every data packet can contain at least a device ID (e.g., make, model, serial number), where the device is located in the system, characteristics of that device's location, what type(s) of configuration and performance information is provided by the device, other relevant information, or any combination thereof. During reconfiguration when a new device is added to the system, the new device may require at least a device ID so it can request (or wait to be pushed) the necessary data.
An assortment of options is also available for managing the collection and storage of information, such as a first-in-first-out (FIFO) method. In one implementation, the FIFO method entails deleting older data and/or moving older data to a distributed storage device (e.g., databases 140A-F at a central gaming system 130 in
At block 507, the next cycle for collection and transmission of information may optionally be scheduled. This scheduling can be time driven (e.g., next cycle to occur in 10 business days) or event driven (e.g., responsive to the addition of a new gaming machine to the P2P network). Optionally, the scheduling may be continuous or semi-continuous or, alternatively, may be cyclical (e.g., once every day, week, or month). In this instance, block 507 may optionally be omitted from the method 500 of
Information collected by and transmitted from other peer gaming device(s) are received by a subject gaming device and, optionally, stored by the gaming device at block 509. This may include, for example, receiving from one or more peer gaming machines via the peer-to-peer gaming network, a third data set with information that is indicative of the configuration parameters of the peer gaming machine(s), and a fourth data set with information that is indicative of the performance of the peer gaming machine(s). The received data sets may subsequently be stored locally on one or more memory devices resident to the subject gaming machine. Optionally, each EGM could maintain a “publicly accessible” database of the aforementioned information, and make this database readily available such that other machines on the P2P network can selectively query that database for subsequent analysis and/or comparison. Such a configuration can eliminate the need for the receiving EGM to store peer data locally.
At block 511, the method 500 will analyze the data received from the peer EGM's. The data may be analyzed, for example, via one or more processors resident to the subject gaming machine to determine if the machine performance of the peer gaming machine(s) is better than the machine performance of the subject gaming machine. For example, if the coin in and/or occupancy of the peer gaming machine(s) is better than that of the subject gaming device, it is likely that the subject gaming device is misconfigured and, thus, requires reconfiguration. Conversely, if the subject gaming device is outperforming its peers, one or more of the peer EGM's may need to be reconfigured to improve the performance thereof. In this regard, the third and fourth data sets, which are indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') configuration and performance, may be analyzed to identify one or more potential modifications to the configuration parameters of the subject gaming machine that will improve the subject gaming machine's performance. Continuing with the above example, if the coin in and occupancy of the peer gaming machine(s) are higher than that of the subject gaming device, it can be determined that the available game themes, denominations and/or other configuration settings of the subject EGM are not in tune with the player's patronizing that location and should be changed to more closely reflect the game themes and denominations available on the peer EGM's.
Analyzing the data sets will typically be based on a predefined rule set, which may define desired ranges and other restrictions which regulate the configuration of the gaming device. In this regard, the rule set may include restrictions and directives set forth in local gaming regulations or any of the other constraints and controls discussed hereinabove. The rule sets may be created, modified, or adjusted by an operator or other authorized user of the gaming system.
The analysis of the data sets received from the peer EGM's can also be based, at least in part, on a common location shared by the subject gaming machine and its peer gaming machines. For example, the analysis may be limited to data collected by peer gaming machines that are within a predefined vicinity of the subject gaming device. If the subject gaming device is located in the Midwest of the United States, for example, the analysis can be limited to similarly situated gaming machines. This may be desirable since it is known that the Midwest typically has a relatively low average wager per play and analyzing data indicative of wager-related machine configurations and coin in for EGM's located outside the Midwest may generate skewed results. In contrast, if the gaming device is located in the Northeast or on the West Coast of the United States, you may want to limit the analysis to gaming machines that are also located within the Northeast or on the West Coast. This is so because these EGM's will likely be configured with higher bet options since those regions are known to typically have a higher relative average wager per play. Similar rules may be applied on a more granular scale, such as limiting the analysis to peer devices located within the same bank or the same room of a gaming establishment, a more localized scale, such as limiting the analysis to devices located within the same casino, the same neighborhood, the same city, etc., or even on an international scale, such as limiting the analysis to devices located within the same country (e.g., U.S. vs. Australia vs. France, etc.).
The method 500 then includes modifying one or more configuration parameters of the subject gaming machine based upon the results of the analysis, as indicated at block 513. By way of example, in response to a determination that the performance of the peer gaming machine's(s') is better than the performance of the subject gaming machine, at least one of the configuration parameters of the subject gaming machine is automatically modified based, at least in part, upon the configuration parameters of the peer gaming machine(s). By way of illustration, and not limitation, if the coin in and occupancy of the peer gaming machine(s) are higher than that of the subject gaming device, it can be determined that the configuration parameter values for the pay tables, available wagering options (e.g., min bet, max bet, denominations, etc.), and/or other configuration settings of the subject EGM should be incrementally changed to more closely reflect the values for the wagering options and pay tables available on the peer EGM's. Contrastingly, if the subject gaming device is outperforming its peers—e.g., the coin in and occupancy of the peer gaming machine(s) are lower than that of the subject gaming device—one or more of the peer EGM's may need to be reconfigured to improve the performance thereof. In this instance, the subject gaming device may transmit to the underperforming peer gaming machine(s) a recommended modification to one or more of the peer gaming machine's configuration parameters to thereby improve the machine performance of the peer gaming machine(s).
At block 515 of
At the end of the configuration process, a verification process may be initiated to verify that the gaming machine has been configured correctly. One method for doing this is to monitor the EGM to ensure that the CPU correctly responds to each of the configuration signals. This may include, for example, validating that the reconfiguration results in a positive change (e.g., improved machine performance and increased yield). The validation process may require a threshold validation period, such as a minimum amount of time or a minimum number of plays, to offset periods of infrequent use. In many jurisdictions only certain configuration parameters might be acceptable. Consequently, the gaming machine may be designed to verify that the configuration parameters requested are allowable in the jurisdiction where that machine is located. If they are not allowable, the configuration may be rejected without changing the gaming machine configuration parameters. A verification ticket may be printed that will indicate that the configuration has not been accepted and the configuration parameters have not been changed.
The method 500 may also incorporate a safety feature to ensure that networked gaming machines are not constantly in flux. For example, a safety “damper” may limit the frequency and/or magnitude of the configuration changes. In one specific instance, a set of peer EGM's may be restricted to conducting an analysis and configuration cycle no more than once a week, and any corresponding value changes to the configuration parameters must be made in predefined increments. As another option, one or more of the configuration parameters may be limited by a respective minimum value, maximum value, range, etc. These minimums, maximums, and ranges may be “learned” values determined by the P2P network. These minimums, maximums, and ranges may be may be built into the system by the software provider, client, third party vendor, state regulatory agency, or any combination thereof.
In accord with some of the disclosed concepts, the peer gaming machines may be operable to initiate a configuration cycle in response to environmental information. For instance, a free-standing gaming terminal may monitor the number of patrons waiting to use that gaming terminal or, alternatively, the number of patrons waiting to use a neighboring peer terminal. In so doing, the gaming terminal may determine that there are a number of patrons that are waiting for a prolonged period of time. If it is determined that the amount of waiting patrons exceeds an acceptable threshold number of players and/or it is determined that the waiting patrons have been waiting for longer than an acceptable threshold period of time, a reconfiguration cycle can be implemented. In an instance where the subject gaming terminal is monitoring the number of patrons waiting to use that gaming terminal, the subject gaming terminal can broadcast or otherwise transmit a signal to one or more neighboring peer terminals to reconfigure themselves to make available one or more of the gaming features available on the busy subject terminal. Alternatively, if the subject gaming terminal is monitoring the number of patrons waiting to use a neighboring peer terminal that is very busy, the subject gaming terminal can reconfigure itself to make available one or more of the gaming features available on the neighboring terminal. Optionally, one or more of the peer gaming terminals may display, e.g., via a marquee or secondary display device, the availability of a nearby peer terminal that has been reconfigured to offer similar gaming features for which the patrons are waiting to play.
In accord with some of the disclosed concepts, one or more of the configuration parameters of the gaming machine that are modified during the analysis and configuration cycle affects one or more settings of a hardware component of the gaming machine. That is, in addition to exchanging information to increase yield, the P2P network can also be used to exchange information to optimize machine functionality. From the knowledge provided by neighboring EGM's, for example, one or more of the configuration parameters of a peer EGM can be changed to improve power management or to attract new patrons. For instance, display settings of various lighting, speaker and/or display componentry can be reconfigured to save power and/or to attract passing patrons. This may include establishing specific time periods during which a primary display, a secondary display, and/or a top box marquee is turned on (e.g., during high traffic periods at that location) or off (e.g., during low traffic periods at that location). As another option, the activation, deactivation, and speed of onboard cooling fans can be reconfigured to operate at optimal times and speeds for a particular location based on location-specific environmental information provided by neighboring EGM's.
The P2P network can also be employed for preventative maintenance purposes. By way of illustration, an EGM can use to the P2P network to share and compare metrics with neighboring EGM's to look for anomalies and determine if there is a potential malfunction scenario, which can then be flagged and reported in a timely and efficient manner. For example, a subject EGM may compare its internal ambient temperature with that of its neighboring terminals to determine if a potential cooling fan malfunction has occurred or a peripheral component is possibly overheating due to in internal malfunction. During this comparison, the subject EGM may determine that its internal ambient temperature has gone up by 5° but the internal ambient temperatures of its neighboring terminals have not. In this example, such an increase in temperate may be decidedly abnormal and, thus, may be indicative of a malfunctioning cooling fan or an overheating peripheral component. Alternatively, if the comparison shows that the internal ambient temperatures of all of the peer EGM's in a particular location have gone up, it may just be due to a change in weather or external cooling at that location. As another example, a subject EGM may compare its power usage (e.g., current draw) with that of its neighboring terminals to determine if there is a potential malfunction. If the current draw of the subject EGM is significantly higher than a similarly outfitted neighbor EGM, the subject EGM may be failing.
As noted above, information may be collected and distributed by the peer EGM's in a variety of different ways. As another example, a series of optimization messages can be circulated on the P2P network to all of the peer EGM's. These messages can include previously collected information and, optionally, may prompt each receiving terminal to supplement the message with newly collected data for subsequent recirculation. One or more of these messages may include a tag with key words to find and circulate specific types of information between the EGMs. Moreover, new parameters can subsequently be added to and, thus, disseminated with these circulating messages. A new parameter may be one that was not originally anticipated as being particularly relevant to the analysis and configuration process, but has now been shown as a measure that a machine is either performing well or not performing well. These circulating messages can also be used to inject new or different sets of rules into the system. This method eliminates the need to permanently store the accumulated data on a resident memory device or in a database.
As indicated above, it may be desirable in some embodiments to configure a wagering game machine in a way that incentivizes a particular player demographic, such as players at a particular location within a particular casino, to play on that machine. For example, it may be determined by the PSP network that a casino may have a particular room where the average bet on the EGM's in that room is approximately 50-60 cents; the PSP network can then configure the gaming machines to ensure that the minimum and maximum wager options are configured to coincide with and exploit that average. Conversely, in another location within that same casino (or another casino altogether) the average bet on the EGM's is approximately $1.05; those gaming machines would be configured by the P2P network to ensure that the minimum and maximum bet options coincide with that average. This will help to ensure that players will not only be drawn to those machines, but when actually playing on those machines, their average bet is at least on par with the average bet for that location.
In some embodiments, the method 500 includes at least those steps enumerated above. It is also within the scope and spirit of the present invention to omit steps, include additional steps, and/or modify the order presented above. It should be further noted that the method 500 represents a single cycle for configuring one or more gaming devices. However, it is expected that the method 500 be applied in a systematic and repetitive manner.
The disclosed methods and features can be applied to a variety of different gaming systems, including those with standalone EGM's, portable hand-held gaming devices, gaming machine banks, local area progressive (LAP) and wide area progressive (WAP) arrangements, and on-line meta theme experiences. For example, P2P network configuration may be at the individual EGM level or at the bank level or at the LAP/WAP level.
In some embodiments of the disclosed concepts, an EGM collects emotion capture data or simple coin-in yields for various game configurations and, without manual intervention, without configuration “wizards,” and without set up screens, automatically communicates proposed configuration adjustments to other networked EGM's based on this collected data. For example, a particular theme's bonus round may prove to more popular than others; the peer-to-peer network of terminals “talk” and “agree” to utilize that theme's bonus round more frequently. This is not necessarily restricted to game theme, and could be used as well with an EGM (e.g., a default hue on one EGM is shown to attract more players than other colors; all EGM's adjust their default hue to be the same).
Aspects of this disclosure can be implemented, in some embodiments, through a computer-executable program of instructions, such as program modules, generally referred to as software applications or application programs executed by a computer. The software can include, in non-limiting examples, routines, programs, objects, components, and data structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The software can form an interface to allow a computer to react according to a source of input. The software can also cooperate with other code segments to initiate a variety of tasks in response to data received in conjunction with the source of the received data. The software can be stored on any of a variety of memory media, such as CD-ROM, magnetic disk, bubble memory, and semiconductor memory (e.g., various types of RAM or ROM).
Moreover, aspects of the present disclosure can be practiced with a variety of computer-system and computer-network configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable-consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. In addition, aspects of the present disclosure can be practiced in distributed-computing environments where tasks are performed by remote-processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed-computing environment, program modules can be located in both local and remote computer-storage media including memory storage devices. Aspects of the present disclosure can therefore, be implemented in connection with various hardware, software or a combination thereof, in a computer system or other processing system.
Any of the methods described herein can include machine readable instructions for execution by: (a) a processor, (b) a controller, and/or (c) any other suitable processing device. Any algorithm, software, or method disclosed herein can be embodied in software stored on a tangible medium such as, for example, a flash memory, a CD-ROM, a floppy disk, a hard drive, a digital versatile disk (DVD), or other memory devices, but persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the entire algorithm and/or parts thereof could alternatively be executed by a device other than a controller and/or embodied in firmware or dedicated hardware in a well-known manner (e.g., it can be implemented by an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable logic device (FPLD), discrete logic, etc.). Also, some or all of the machine readable instructions represented in any flowchart depicted herein can be implemented manually. Further, although specific algorithms are described with reference to flowcharts depicted herein, persons of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many other methods of implementing the example machine readable instructions can alternatively be used. For example, the order of execution of the blocks can be changed, and/or some of the blocks described can be changed, eliminated, or combined.
It should be noted that the algorithms illustrated and discussed herein as having various modules or blocks or steps that perform particular functions and interact with one another are provided purely for the sake of illustration and explanation. It should be understood that these modules are merely segregated based on their function for the sake of description and represent computer hardware and/or executable software code which can be stored on a computer-readable medium for execution on appropriate computing hardware. The various functions of the different modules and units can be combined or segregated as hardware and/or software stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as above as modules in any manner, and can be used separately or in combination.
While many representative embodiments and exemplary modes for carrying out the present invention have been described in detail above, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/776,984, which was filed on Feb. 26, 2013, now allowed, and claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/693,543, which was filed on Aug. 27, 2012, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/684,284, which was filed on Aug. 17, 2012, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties and for all purposes.
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