Method and apparatus for providing instructions to gaming devices
In various embodiments a casino has the flexibility to download games from a central controller to the gaming devices on the casino floor. The success of various games is periodically monitored. If a game is successful, as measured by its profitability or by some other success metric, then the game may be downloaded automatically to additional gaming devices. If a game is unsuccessful, then the game may be replaced on a gaming device with a new download. In this way, the types and quantities of different games present on a casino floor may be varied in real time based on their popularity.
1 . A method comprising:
transmitting an instruction set to a first gaming device;
determining a value of a success metric for the instruction set based on customer use of the first gaming device; and
transmitting, based on the value of the success metric, the instruction set to a second gaming device.
2 . The method of 1 in which transmitting includes transmitting software for a game to a first gaming device;
in which determining includes determining an amount of profits made by the first gaming device while executing the software; and
in which transmitting includes transmitting the software to a second gaming device if the amount of profits exceeds $500.
3 . The method of 2 in which transmitting the instruction set to a second gaming device includes transmitting the instruction set to a second gaming device if and only if the value of the success metric exceeds a predetermined threshold.
4 . The method of 2 in which determining a value of a success metric includes determining a value based on the number of wagers made at the first gaming device during a predetermined period of time in which the first gaming device was executing the instruction set.
5 . The method of 2 in which determining a value of a success metric includes determining a value based on the profit made by the first gaming device during a predetermined period of time in which the first gaming device was executing the instruction set.
6 . The method of 2 in which determining a value of a success metric includes determining a value based on the time that the first gaming device was in use during a predetermined period of time in which the first gaming device was executing the instruction set.
7 . The method of 2 in which determining a value of a success metric includes determining a value based on the number of people to use the first gaming device during a predetermined period of time in which the first gaming device was executing the instruction set.
8 . The method of 2 in which determining a value of a success metric includes determining a value based on the total amount wagered at the first gaming device during a predetermined period of time in which the first gaming device was executing the instruction set.
9 . A method comprising:
determining a first value of a success metric, the first value associated with a first instruction set;
determining a second value of the success metric, the second value associated with a second instruction set;
determining whether the first value is greater than the second value; and
transmitting the first instruction set to a gaming device if the first value is greater than the second value.
10 . A method comprising:
transmitting an instruction set to each of a first set of gaming devices;
determining a value of a success metric for the instruction set based on customer use of the gaming devices of the first set of gaming devices; and
transmitting, based on the value of the success metric, the instruction set to a gaming device other than a gaming device of the first set of gaming devices.
11 . A method comprising:
determining a set of ambient conditions;
determining, based on the set of ambient conditions, a first method of promoting a gaming device; and
implementing the first method of promoting the gaming device.
12 . The method of 11 in which the set of ambient conditions include at least one of: a noise level; a time of day; a day of the week; and a proximity of a customer.
13 . The method of 11 in which determining a first method of promoting a gaming device includes determining, based on the set of ambient conditions, from among at least one of: a text-based method of promoting the gaming device; a graphics-based method of promoting the gaming device; and an audio-based method of promoting the gaming device.
14 . The method of 11 further including determining a second method of promoting the gaming device, in which the second method is not the first method.
15 . A method comprising:
determining a number of gaming devices at which a game is being played;
selecting a gaming device at which the game is not being played; and
transmitting to the selected gaming device, based on the number exceeding a predetermined threshold, instructions to feature the game.
16 . A method comprising:
determining a number of gaming devices at which a game is available for play, but not currently being played;
selecting a gaming device at which the game is not available for play; and
transmitting to the selected gaming device, based on the number falling below a predetermined threshold, instructions to feature the game.
17 . A method comprising:
determining a ratio of a first number of gaming devices at which a game is being played, to a second number of gaming devices at which the game is available for play;
selecting a gaming device at which the game is not available for play; and
transmitting to the selected gaming device, based on the ratio exceeding a predetermined threshold, instructions to feature the game.
18 . A method comprising:
determining a first number of gaming devices at which a first game is being played;
determing a second number of gaming devices at which the first game is featured;
determining a ratio of the first number to the second number;
selecting a gaming device from among the second number of gaming devices that is not one of the first number of gaming devices; and
instructing the selected gaming device to stop featuring the first game.
19 . The method of 18 in which instructing includes instructing the selected gaming device to feature a second game in place of the first game.
20 . The method of 18 in which each of the second number of gaming devices is in a single casino.
21 . The method of 18 in which each of the second number of gaming devices is in a single room of a casino.
22 . The method of 18 in which each of the second number of gaming devices is in a single location of a casino.
23 . A method comprising:
executing, during a time period, an instruction set at a first gaming device;
determining a value of a success metric for the instruction set based on at least one of:
(i) the number of people who play at the first gaming device during the time period;
(ii) the amount of money that is wagered at the first gaming device during the time period;
(iii) the amount of profit that is made by the first gaming device during the time period;
(iv) the amount of time that the first gaming device is being played during the time period;
(v) the amount of time that the first gaming device is idle during the time period; and
(vi) the amount of time that the first gaming device is in use relative to the amount of time that a second gaming device is in use during the time period; and
transmitting the instruction set to a third gaming device if the value of the success metric exceeds a predetermined threshold.