Granted Patent B2

US 8,133,114 · App. 11/158,304 · Granted Mar 13, 2012

Abstract

Claims (57)

1. A method for controlling a sign in a gaming system, the method comprising:

operating a sign display in an idle mode, the sign communicatively coupled to a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine;

initiating by the first gaming machine a first sign control session, the session having a first priority;

receiving sign commands from the first gaming machine;

updating the sign display in response to the sign commands;

initiating by the second gaming machine a second sign control session for the sign display, the session having a second priority, wherein the first gaming machine and the second gaming machine compete for control of the sign based on the first priority and the second priority;

maintaining control of the sign display with the first sign control session in response to determining the first priority is higher than the second priority or switching control to the second sign control session in response to determining the second priority is higher than the first priority;

receiving one or more updated progressive meter values from a progressive game controller while the sign display is controlled by at least one of the first gaming machine or the second gaming machine;

storing one or more updated progressive meter values;

displaying a most recent value of the one or more updated progressive meter values upon returning the sign display to the idle model; and

returning the sign display to the idle mode.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending a sign control response indicating that the second gaming machine may control the sign.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein returning the sign display to the idle mode includes determining the sign controller has lost communication with the first gaming machine and the second gaming machine.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein returning the sign display to the idle mode includes determining a sign command has not been received for an idle period.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving sign commands includes receiving a script including the sign commands.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sign commands comprise a bonus round display.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sign commands comprise a celebration display.

8. A gaming system comprising:

a sign having a display;

a sign controller communicably coupled to the sign and operable to operate the sign in at least an idle mode and a control mode;

a plurality of gaming machines communicably coupled to the sign controller, the plurality of gaming machines each having a sign control session having a priority, the plurality of gaming machines competing for control of the sign based on the priority;

a progressive controller communicably coupled to the sign controller and operable to send progressive sign updates to the sign controller and store one or more updated progressive meter values while the sign display is controlled by at least one of the plurality of gaming machines; and

wherein during the control mode the sign controller receives sign events from at least two of the sign control sessions and updates the display in response to the sign events received from the sign control session having the highest priority and wherein during the idle mode the sign controller displays a most recent value of the one or more updated progressive meter values received from the progressive controller.

9. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein the sign display comprises an attract mode display when the sign is operated in the idle mode.

10. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein the sign controller and the plurality of gaming machines are communicably coupled through an RS-485 network.

11. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for causing one or more processors to perform a method for controlling a sign in a gaming system, the method comprising:

operating a sign display in an idle mode, the sign communicatively coupled to a first gaming machine and a second gaming machine;

initiating by the first gaming machine a first sign control session, the session having a first priority;

receiving sign commands from the first gaming machine;

updating the sign display in response to the sign commands;

initiating by the second gaming machine a second sign control session for the sign display, the session having a second priority, wherein the first gaming machine and the second gaming machine compete for control of the sign based on the first priority and the second priority;

maintaining control of the sign display with the first sign control session in response to determining the first priority is higher than the second priority or switching control to the second sign control session in response to determining the second priority is higher than the first priority;

receiving one or more updated progressive meter values from a progressive game controller while the sign display is controlled by at least one of the first gaming machine or the second gaming machine;

storing the one or more updated progressive meter values;

displaying a most recent value of the one or more updated progressive meter values upon returning the sign display to the idle mode; and

returning the sign display to the idle mode.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , further comprising sending a sign control response indicating that the first gaming machine may control the sign.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein returning the sign display to the idle mode includes determining the sign controller has lost communication with the first gaming machine and the second gaming machine.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein returning the sign display to the idle mode includes determining a sign command has not been received for an idle period.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein receiving sign commands includes receiving a script including the sign commands.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the sign commands comprise a bonus round display.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the sign update commands comprise a celebration display.

18. A method for operating a sign display, the method comprising:

issuing a universal poll to a plurality of gaming machines on a network, wherein the plurality of gaming machines compete for control of the sign during the operation of the sign based on priority;

in response to the universal poll, receiving a take control of sign request message from a first gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines, the message indicating a first priority;

upon determining that the sign display is idle or being controlled by a second gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines at a lower priority than the first priority, then granting ownership of the sign to the first gaming machine at the first priority, otherwise denying ownership to the first gaming machine;

sending a confirmation message to the first gaming machine indicating the status of the take control of sign request;

receiving one or more updated progressive meter values from a progressive game controller while a gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines controls the sign display;

storing a most recent value of the one or more updated progressive meter values; and

displaying the most recent one or more updated progressive meter values upon returning the sign display to an idle mode.

19. The method of claim 18 , and further comprising:

determining by the first gaming machine that the confirmation message has not been received prior to a subsequent universal poll; and

reissuing the take control of sign request.

20. The method of claim 18 , and further comprising:

receiving the confirmation message;

upon a subsequent universal poll sending a set sign event command, the set sign event command including one or more events; and

receiving a sign event confirmation message.

Assignments (12)