Service controller for servicing wagering game machines
View Patent ↗Methods and apparatus for servicing wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, over a 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 gaming system, comprising:
a gaming machine including a gaming cabinet, an electronic display device, and one or more electronic input devices, the electronic display device and the one or more electronic input devices being coupled to the gaming cabinet, the electronic display device being configured to display a casino wagering game, at least one of the one or more electronic input devices configured to detect a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance, at least one of the one or more electronic input devices configured to receive a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance, the credit balance changing based on play of the casino wagering game;
a memory device including a pre-determined service plan; and
a service controller configured to:
identify the pre-determined service plan associated with the gaming system and stored in the memory device, the service plan including pre-determined service information that enumerates one or more services to be performed by the service controller in response to an occurrence of a designated condition;
based on the service plan and the service information, determine a service action for the gaming system; and
perform the service action.
2. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the service controller is further configured to search a database or other data store for the service plan.
3. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the service plan is included in a service agreement between a gaming system operator and a service provider.
4. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the service controller is further configured to inspect the service information for indicia explicitly indicating that particular services are needed by components of the gaming system.
5. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the service controller is further configured to record and analyze the service information.
6. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the service controller is further configured to:
receive error messages from one or more other gaming systems;
compare frequencies with which the error messages are received; and
in response to the comparison of the frequencies, perform the service action if the error messages are indicative of errors occurring more frequently than a predetermined threshold.
7. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the service action is a presentation of the wagering game.
8. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the service controller is further configured to collect the service information from the gaming system.
9. A method of operating a gaming system, the gaming system including a memory device, a service controller, and a gaming machine, the gaming machine including a gaming cabinet, an electronic display device, and one or more electronic input devices, the electronic display device and the one or more electronic input devices being coupled to the gaming cabinet, the method comprising:
detecting, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a physical item associated with a monetary value, the monetary value establishing a credit balance that changes based on play of the casino wagering game;
receiving, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a wager input to initiate the casino wagering game, the wager input decreasing the credit balance;
displaying the casino wagering game on the electronic display device;
receiving, via at least one of the one or more electronic input devices, a cashout input that initiates a payout from the credit balance;
identifying, via the service controller, a pre-determined service plan associated with the gaming system and stored in the memory device, the service plan including pre-determined service information that enumerates one or more services to be performed by the service controller in response to an occurrence of a designated condition;
based on the service plan and the service information, determining, via the service controller, a service action for the gaming system; and
performing, via the service controller, the service action.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising searching, via the service controller, a database or other data store for the service plan.
11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising inspecting, via the service controller, the service information for indicia explicitly indicating that particular services are needed by components of the gaming system.
12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising recording and analyzing, via the service controller, the service information.
13. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:
receiving, via the service controller, error messages from one or more other gaming systems;
comparing, via the service controller, frequencies with which the error messages are received; and
in response to the comparison of the frequencies, perform, via the service controller, the service action if the error messages are indicative of errors occurring more frequently than a predetermined threshold.
14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising collecting, via the service controller, the service information from the gaming system.