Granted Patent B2

US 8,308,574 · App. 13/129,306 · Granted Nov 13, 2012

Abstract

Claims (56)

1. A computer-implemented method for managing computerized wagering games in a wagering game network, the method comprising:

selecting a group of wagering game terminals on which to present wagering games;

activating, in a wagering game server, a wagering game unit to present the wagering games on the wagering game terminals;

determining at least one event that must occur at each of the wagering game terminals before the wagering games will cease presentation;

detecting, in the wagering game server, user input indicating a request to deactivate the wagering game unit;

determining, after the detecting the user input, that the at least one event occurred at certain of the wagering game terminals;

ceasing presentation of the wagering games on the certain of the wagering game terminals;

determining that the at least one event occurred at others of the wagering game terminals;

ceasing presentation of the wagering games on the others of the wagering game terminals;

deactivating, on the wagering game server, the wagering game unit, wherein the deactivating occurs after presentation of the wagering game has ceased on all the wagering game terminals.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one event indicates that one of the wagering game terminals has been idle for a specified time period.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one event indicates that one of the wagering game terminals has been idle for a specified time period and with no credits on a credit meter.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the group of wagering game terminals is selected based on user input through a graphical user interface.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the deactivating removes the wagering game unit from main memory in the wagering game server.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the activating the wagering game unit causes the wagering game server to load the wagering game unit into main memory and to perform operations under control of the wagering game unit.

7. A wagering game server comprising:

a processor;

a random number generator configured to run on the processor and to generate random numbers for use in determining results for wagering games;

a wagering game unit configured to, when activated, determine the results for the wagering games based on the random numbers, and to provide the results to remote wagering game terminals;

a gaming coordinator including,

a user interface controller configured to receive user input indicating a first event that triggers a process for deactivating the wagering game unit, the input also indicating a second event, wherein the user input does not originate at the remote wagering game terminals;

an activation controller configured to

activate the wagering game unit;

commence deactivation of the wagering game unit after detection of the first event;

discontinue provision of the results for each of the terminals at which the second event is detected; and

terminate operation of the wagering game unit after detection of the second event at all the terminals.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the second event is an idle time period.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first event is user input directing immediate deactivation of the wagering game unit, a time of day, or coin-in associated with the wagering games.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the activation controller is further configured to reclaim processing resources allocated to the wagering game unit.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the activation controller is further configured to evict machine-readable instructions of the wagering game unit from a main memory.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable memory device including instructions executable by a machine, the instructions comprising:

instructions to present an interface including options for configuring a process for deactivating a wagering game unit, wherein the wagering game unit is configured to provide remote wagering game terminals with results for wagering games;

instructions to detect user input indicating selection of one or more of the options, wherein in the options indicate conditions that when satisfied trigger the process for deactivating the wagering game unit, and wherein the options specify a time of day, an idle time, and a credit meter balance;

instructions to perform the process for deactivating the wagering game unit, wherein the instructions to perform the process include,

instructions to determine that one or more of the conditions have been satisfied, wherein some of the conditions are associated with activities at the wagering game terminals; and

instructions to detect when the remote terminals have been idle for a time period; and

instructions to, after determining that the one or more conditions have been satisfied, stop the providing of the results to the remote wagering game terminals that have been idle for the time period.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable memory device of claim 12 , wherein the options further indicate another wagering game unit to activate, and wherein the instructions further comprise:

instructions to activate the other wagering game unit, wherein upon activation the other wager game unit is configured to provide results to one or more of the wagering game terminals.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable memory device medium of claim 12 , wherein the instructions to perform the process for deactivating the wagering game unit include,

instructions to revoke processing resources from the wagering game unit and to evict the wagering game unit from a main memory.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable memory device of claim 12 , wherein the instructions to perform the process for deactivating the wagering game unit include instructions to receive approval from a regulatory authority.

16. A wagering game server comprising:

means for selecting a group of wagering game terminals on which to present wagering games;

means for activating, in a wagering game server, a wagering game unit to present the wagering games on the wagering game terminals;

means for determining at least one event that must occur at each of the wagering game terminals before the wagering games will cease presentation;

means for detecting, in the wagering game server, user input indicating a request to deactivate the wagering game unit;

means for determining, after the detecting the user input, that the at least one event occurred at certain of the wagering game terminals;

means for ceasing presentation of the wagering games on the certain of the wagering game terminals;

means for determining that the at least one event occurred at others of the wagering game terminals;

means for ceasing presentation of the wagering games on the others of the wagering game terminals;

means for deactivating, on the wagering game server, the wagering game unit, wherein the deactivating occurs after presentation of the wagering game has ceased on all the wagering game terminals.

17. The wagering game server of claim 16 , wherein the at least one event indicates that one of the wagering game terminals has been idle for a specified time period.

18. The wagering game server of claim 16 , wherein the at least one event indicates that one of the wagering game terminals has been idle for a specified time period and with no credits on a credit meter.

19. The wagering game server of claim 16 , wherein the group of wagering game terminals is selected based on user input through a graphical user interface.

20. The wagering game server of claim 16 , wherein the deactivating removes the wagering game unit from main memory in the wagering game server.

Assignments (8)