Gaming machine tournament management system
View Patent ↗A gaming machine is provided. The gaming machine includes a credit input mechanism, a player interface, a slot computer that executes a game, and a video slot machine interface board (VSMIB). The VSMIB includes a slot accounting system (SAS) interface coupled to the slot computer, and a processor coupled to the SAS interface and configured to collect tournament activity data for a tournament from the gaming machine in real time and to transmit the tournament activity data over a network. The VSMIB also includes a video capture circuit coupled to a first graphics processing unit (GPU) of the slot computer and configured to capture game video data from the first GPU, and a second GPU coupled to the video capture circuit and the processor, the second GPU configured to drive a display of the player interface based on the game video data and tournament content for the tournament.
1. A gaming machine comprising:
a credit input mechanism configured to receive a credit input for establishing a credit balance, wherein the credit balance is decreased in response to receiving a wager for a game conducted on the gaming machine;
a player interface configured to receive wager instructions input by a player and display game content;
a gaming machine slot computer configured to execute the game and generate a game outcome based at least partially on the wager instructions and game rules stored in a memory device; and
a video slot machine interface board (VSMIB) comprising:
a slot accounting system (SAS) interface configured to couple to said gaming machine slot computer;
a processor coupled to said SAS interface and configured to collect tournament activity data for a tournament from the gaming machine in real time, said processor further configured to transmit the tournament activity data over a network;
a video capture circuit coupled to a first graphics processing unit (GPU) of said gaming machine slot computer, said video capture circuit configured to capture game video data from said first GPU; and
a second GPU coupled to said video capture circuit and said processor, said second GPU configured to drive a display of said player interface based on the game video data and tournament content for the tournament.
2. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein said VSMIB is communicatively coupled to a content delivery system for receiving the tournament content.
3. The gaming machine of claim 2 , wherein said VSMIB is communicatively coupled to a player game management system, said VSMIB is further configured to:
provide tournament activity data for said gaming machine to the player game management system;
receive, from the player game management system, the tournament activity data from said gaming machine and second tournament activity data from a plurality of other gaming machines; and
display, via said player interface, the tournament activity data and the second tournament activity data on said gaming machine.
4. The gaming machine of claim 3 , wherein said VSMIB is further configured to:
provide the player in the tournament with perks received from at least one of the content delivery system and the player game management system, and
enable the player to redeem the perks during tournament play, the perks providing the player an advantage during a session in the tournament play.
5. The gaming machine of claim 4 , wherein the perks are earned as a result of game play on the player's casino loyalty account.
6. The gaming machine of claim 4 , wherein the perks include at least one of multiple jackpot time, power ups, bonus awards, additional session minutes, and additional session entries.
7. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein said gaming machine is a slot machine.
8. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein said SAS interface is configured to couple to an SAS port of said gaming machine slot computer.
9. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein said credit input mechanism comprises at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader, and a ticket reader.
10. The gaming machine of claim 1 , wherein said VSMIB is configured to intercept video information from said gaming machine and incorporate content from a content delivery system.
11. The gaming machine of claim 10 , wherein said VSMIB is further configured to intercept communications between said gaming machine and peripherals of said gaming machine.
12. A method comprising:
receiving, by a credit input mechanism of a gaming machine, a credit input for establishing a credit balance, wherein the credit balance is decreased in response to receiving a wager for a game on the gaming machine;
receiving, by a player interface of the gaming machine, wager instructions input by a player and display game content;
executing, by a gaming machine slot computer, the game and generating a game outcome based at least partially on the wager instructions and game rules stored in a memory device; and
coupling a video slot machine interface board (VSMIB) to the gaming machine, the VSMIB including a slot accounting system (SAS) interface, a VSMIB processor, a video capture unit, a first graphics processing unit (GPU), and a second GPU, wherein said coupling comprises:
coupling the SAS interface to the gaming machine slot computer;
coupling the VSMIB processor to the SAS interface, the VSMIB processor configured to collect tournament activity data for a tournament from the gaming machine in real time, the VSMIB processor further configured to transmit the tournament activity data over a network;
coupling the video capture circuit to the first GPU of the gaming machine slot computer, the video capture circuit configured to capture game video data from the first GPU; and
coupling the second GPU to the video capture circuit and the VSMIB processor, the second GPU configured to drive a display of the player interface based on the game video data and tournament content for the tournament.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the VSMIB is communicatively coupled to a content delivery system, said method further comprising receiving, by the VSMIB, the tournament content from the content delivery system.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the VSMIB is communicatively coupled to a player game management system, said method further comprising:
providing tournament activity data for the gaming machine to the player game management system;
receiving, from the player game management system, the tournament activity data from the gaming machine and second tournament activity data from a plurality of other gaming machines; and
displaying, via the player interface, the tournament activity data and the second tournament activity data on the gaming machine.
15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
providing, by the VSMIB, the player in the tournament with perks received from at least one of the content delivery system and the player game management system, and
enabling the player to redeem the perks during tournament play, the perks providing the player an advantage during a session in the tournament play.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the perks are earned as a result of game play on the player's casino loyalty account.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the perks include at least one of multiple jackpot time, power ups, bonus awards, additional session minutes, and additional session entries.
18. The method of claim 12 , wherein coupling the SAS interface to the gaming machine slot computer comprises coupling the SAS interface to an SAS port of the gaming machine slot computer.
19. The method of claim 12 , further comprising intercepting, by the VSMIB, video information from the gaming machine and incorporating content from a content delivery system.
20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising intercepting, by the VSMIB, communications between the gaming machine and peripherals of the gaming machine.