Service controller for servicing wagering game machines
View Patent ↗Methods and apparatus for servicing wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, wagering game network, service information originating from a wagering game machine, wherein the wagering game machine is configured to receive a wager associated with a wagering game. The method can also include, based on the service information and a service plan associated with the wagering game machine, determining a service action. The method can also include performing the service action.
1. A method comprising:
receiving, over a wagering game network, service information for determining a service status for a wagering game machine, the service information originating from the wagering game machine, wherein the wagering game machine is configured to receive a wager associated with a wagering game;
based on the service information and a service plan enumerating services to be performed by a service controller associated with the wagering game machine, determining a service action, wherein the service action includes one or more operations for enabling another wagering gaming device connected to the wagering game network; and
selecting, in connection with the service action, the another wagering gaming device from a plurality of wagering gaming devices connected to the wagering game network to enable subsequent gaming operations wherein the another wagering gaming device is not part of the wagering game machine;
performing the service action.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the service information includes information about one or more of: components in the wagering game machine, usage of the wagering game machine, player input patterns, repair notifications, service codes, and sensor readings.
3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, based on the service information, that a component of the wagering game machine is near failure.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the component is a peripheral device.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the service action includes one or more of: transmitting a service manual to the wagering game machine, accessing BIOS of the wagering game machine, analyzing the service information to detect cheating, notifying a security entity of cheating, stopping non-essential devices of the wagering game machine, scheduling the wagering game machine for maintenance after receiving a cash out indication, and providing a location of other wagering game machines that present a same wagering game.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the service action includes comparing service information that describes the wagering game machine to other service information that describes one or more other wagering game machines.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the service action includes:
determining that a certain number of wagering game machines in the wagering game network are not presenting a particular wagering game; and
causing the another wagering game device in the wagering game network to present the particular wagering game, wherein the certain number is defined by the service plan.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein selecting the another wagering gaming device from a plurality of wagering gaming devices connected to the wagering game network comprises selecting a device not part of the wagering gaming machine, and wherein the another wagering gaming device is selected from the group consisting of a substitute processor, a substitute display, or a substitute gaming machine.
9. A wagering game machine comprising:
a player input device configured to receive a wager associated with a wagering game;
a service information unit configured to collect service information for determining a service status for the wagering game machine and to transmit the service information over a wagering game network, wherein the service information is destined for a service controller, the service information unit also configured to receive a service command originating from the service controller, wherein the service command is based on the service information and a service plan enumerating services to be performed by the service controller, and wherein the service command includes one or more commands for enabling another wagering gaming device connected to the wagering game network; and
a wagering game unit configured to select the another wagering gaming device from a plurality of wagering gaming devices connected to the wagering game network for subsequent gaming operations wherein the another wagering gaming device is not part of the wagering game machine.
10. The wagering game machine of claim 9 , wherein the service information includes wagering game machine component information, wagering game machine usage information, player input patterns, repair notifications, service codes, or sensor readings.
11. The wagering game machine of claim 9 , wherein the service command includes one or more of: reboot commands, service manual text, memory access commands, and commands related to scheduling the wagering game machine for service.
12. The wagering game machine of claim 9 , wherein the service information unit is also configured to receive additional service information describing another wagering game machine and to compare the additional service information to the service information.
13. The wagering game machine of claim 9 ,
wherein the wagering game unit is further configured to detect failure of a component of the wagering game machine and to operate the wagering game using the another wagering gaming device.
14. The wagering game machine of claim 9 , wherein the another wagering gaming device is substituted for the wagering gaming machine.
15. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium including instructions which when executed by a machine cause the machine to perform operations comprising:
presenting, on a wagering game machine, a wagering game on which monetary value is wagered;
collecting service information for determining a service status about components of the wagering game machine;
transmitting the service information over a wagering game network to a service controller;
receiving service commands, the service commands enabling another wagering gaming device connected to the wagering game network;
selecting, in connection with the service commands, the another wagering gaming device from a plurality of wagering gaming devices connected to the wagering game network to enable subsequent operations of the wagering game wherein the another wagering gaming device is not part of the wagering game machine;
executing the service commands.
16. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the service information was collected according to a service plan.
17. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the service commands were selected according to a service plan enumerating services to be performed by the service controller.
18. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the service commands include commands for one or more of: resetting the wagering game machine, addressing memory locations in the wagering game machine, and returning information to the service controller.
19. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the service information includes information about one or more of: wagering game machine usage, player input patterns, repair notifications, service codes, sensor readings, and pay-out information.
20. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the service commands instruct the wagering game machine to stop presenting the wagering game and to begin presenting a different wagering game.
21. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 15 , further comprising:
receiving other service information describing another wagering game machine; and
comparing the service information to the other service information.
22. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the another wagering gaming device is substituted for the wagering gaming machine.
23. A wagering game machine comprising:
a player input device configured to receive a wager associated with a wagering game;
a service information unit configured to collect service information for determining a service status for the wagering game machine and to transmit the service information over a wagering game network, wherein the service information is destined for a service controller, the service information unit also configured to receive a service command originating from the service controller, wherein the service command is based on the service information and a service plan enumerating services to be performed by the service controller; and
a wagering game unit configured to detect failure of a component of the wagering game machine and to operate the wagering game using a substitute component wherein the substitute component is not part of the wagering game machine.