ES2600307B1 - System to reward players applicable to a group of electronic recreational machines and method for said system - Google Patents

Abstract

System (1) to reward players applicable to a grouping (2) of recreational machines (3); being groups (2) that comprise several recreational machines (3) with means of enabling to play, associated with a first server (4) of count of plays and / or collection by machine, and that additionally comprises: # - a bonus module (5) per machine (3), with player logging means and a first connection (5a), screen (5b); and command interface (5c), # - a second server (6) for calculating and recording bonuses with second network connections (6a) to connect to the bonus modules (5) and the first server (4); a time base (6b); a bonus processor (6c), a first bonus database (6d) and a second prize database (6e), # - a prize delivery means, and # - a data networks (7), for connection between elements.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system for bonus players applicable to a group of recreational machines, and to a specific method for said system, applicable mainly to electronic machines of chance, betting, etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Nowadays, some recreational machines are known that offer the possibility of playing different games with prior authorization to play - which is usually done through a cash payment, in chips, bonuses, etc. - These games can range from skill games, such as ball machines, even gambling, such as bingo, virtual horse or car racing, etc.

Some of these machines are associated with a first server of a game provider, forming a grouping of machines in which the game developed can even be coordinated, that is, you can be playing the same game on different machines, but as different participants. For example, in a bingo game, the same balls extracted virtually can be shown simultaneously on the different machines, with different players having different virtual cards on each machine. In a horse racing game, the same virtual race is shown on all machines and in each of them the player has made unique bets on specific horses. In this type of configuration, the first server is the medium through which the game is provided, and the player machines are mere terminals. This first server, usually local, also monitors certain data such as the number of plays and / or collection on each machine or terminal, and can be connected externally - which is the most usual configuration - to a centralized installation of the game provider .

These types of configurations are distributed in local groupings, very frequently dependent on different different local managers, and therefore with different characteristics and customers, thus counting on the limitation that local managers cannot reimburse players based on the number of plays and / or collections made particularly by them.

This absence of bonuses, in short, prevents the application of loyalty policies to local managers, which represents a limitation for the local manager in comparison with the loyalty and means and methods for which other areas of multiple activities are usual.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The system of the invention has a configuration that allows players to be rewarded in a group of recreational machines by a local manager thereof, said groupings being of the type comprising a plurality of recreational machines with enabling means - normally means of payment as an electromechanical purse finding said configurative machines of the grouping associated with a first server of the game provider that among other possible functions carries the count of plays and / or collection of each machine.

According to the invention, the system additionally comprises:

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a bonus module, processed (whose operation is based on a processor where the stages or sub-stages of the corresponding procedure or program run), associated with each machine, and comprising logging means of the corresponding player; at least, a first particular connection - understanding as particular that each bonus module has its own identification or IP; screen to display the messages related to the operation of the system; and an order interface, which can be the same screen if a touch screen is used,

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a second server, also processed, calculation and registration of bonuses, which

It includes: second network connections to connect to the bonus modules of the machines of the group -to receive the logging and logging or disconnection of the player- and the first server to obtain the collection in the period in which each player logged in is Playing; a time base to determine the period of use of each client logged in playing on each machine; a bonus calculation processor based on the collection and / or the player's playing time; a first storage database of the bonuses corresponding to each player; and a second database of bonus prizes, in which certain prizes are assigned to different bonus accumulations,

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a means of awards, and

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data networks, for connection between bonus modules, the second server and the first server. These data networks can be of any nature existing in the state of the art (wired, wireless, internet, etc.) and comprise their respective communication protocols.

In this document, the means of logging are understood as means of identification of the user, such as a card holder for inserting a particular card, logging via password and password, fingerprint readers, etc.

Regarding the method for the system of the invention, in its basic configuration, it comprises a bonus accumulation stage, which comprises the following sub-stages implemented in the bonus modules: - Player's logon and sending said logo to the second calculation server and registration of bonuses, through data networks. -periodic receipt of the bonuses corresponding to the player achieved and presentation of the same on the screen of the bonus module, until the interruption of the logotype, that is, until the player requests the end of the session,

comprising the following sub-stages implemented in the second server:

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receipt of the logos from the bonus modules, recovery of

the pre-existing bonuses of each player achieved from a first storage database of the bonuses corresponding to each player, and sending them to each corresponding bonus module, - starting a time base for each session start by a player, -sequential determination of the increase of the bonuses of each player by: -sequential reading of the instantaneous collection of each machine from the first server of count of plays and / or collection, determination of the bonuses corresponding to the increase of the collection detected in each sequential reading using the bonus calculation processor, sum of the bonuses determined to the pre-existing bonuses, record of the total in the first database of bonus storage in the position assigned to the player logged in the machine considered, and sending to the bonus module run Sponsors for printing on the screen of the corresponding bonus module, - sequential comparison of the bonuses stored for each player in the first database with the prize values determined in the second database of bonus prizes, and sending notification to corresponding bonus module for printing on your screen in case of exceeding these values, -logging reception from the bonus modules, when players stop playing, stopping the time base of the specific player and recording the time played in the first database in the position assigned to the player logged on the machine considered, for statistical purposes, and -reboot.

In this way, each player who wants to identify himself to play will be logged and his bonuses will be registered in the first database, which will increase in each session until reaching the prize values determined in the second database, monitoring at all times the bonuses and / or prizes on the screen of the bonuses module of the machine where the logged-in player plays, who will thus be able to know how many bonuses he has accumulated and when he has won a prize, which he can redeem through the means of prize delivery. Prizes may include for example bonuses to play on the same machine or similar ones from the same manager, etc.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1.- Shows a schematic view of the system of the invention.

Figure 2.- Shows a detailed view of the front of a loyalty module associated with a specific recreational machine

Figure 3.- Shows a block diagram of a loyalty module.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The system (1) for rewarding the players of the invention is applied to a grouping (2) of recreational machines (3), as shown in Figure 1, the grouping (2) being of the type comprising a plurality of machines (3) recreational with means of enabling to play, in this case by payment, and that are associated with a first server (4) of count of plays and / or collection of each machine (2) bdel of the service provider, which is located in turn connected via an external connection (30) a centralized installation (31) of the game provider.

According to the invention, the system (1) additionally comprises:

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a bonus module (5), processed, associated with each machine (3), and comprising logging means of the corresponding player; at least one particular first connection (5a) to the network with its own IP; screen (5b); and command interface (5c) - which is the screen itself (5b) as seen in figures 2 and 3, since in this example of the invention it is a touch screen. It can carry other elements, not represented, such as a speaker for sound announcements, while feeding the bonus modules

(5) it will be taken from the machine itself (3) where each of them is installed,

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a second server (6), processed, calculating and recording bonuses, comprising: second network connections (6a) to connect to the bonus modules (5) of the machines (3) of the grouping (2) to receive the player's logging and logging, and the first server (4) to obtain the collection in the period in which each logged player is playing; a time base (6b) to determine the period of use of each client logged in playing on each machine (3); a processor (6c) for calculating bonuses based on the collection and / or the player's playing time; a first database (6d) of bonus storage

5 corresponding to each player; and a second database (6e) of bonus prizes,

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a means of awards, and

10O-networks (7) of data, for connection between the bonus modules (5), the second server (6) and the first server (4). In this example, as seen in Figure 1, the connection between the second server (6) with the bonus modules (5) and with the first server

(4) are wired and / or wireless. It is also shown as in this example the connection between the machines (3) of the cluster (2) and the first server (4) are wired,

15 Although this characteristic is not part of the innovations presented by the system (1) of the invention.

A main part of the system (1) of the invention are the bonus modules (5), which as has been seen, each of them must be associated with a specific machine (3), reason

20 by which it is envisaged in this preferred embodiment that each additionally comprises fixing means to the corresponding machine (3). Said fixing means ideally comprise a retainer (5d) with key-operated lock (5e), as seen in Figure 2.

25 It is also provided that some or all bonus modules (5) may additionally comprise an external port (5f) for recharging user devices, such as a USB port, so that the player can recharge the battery of their Mobile phone or tablet, not represented, while playing.

30 The bonus modules (5) are processed, materializing the processing unit thereof preferably using a raspberry® microcontroller (5g), which includes a graphics card for the screen (5b).

As for the logging media, they comprise, for example, a first card holder (5h) for

reading of the appropriate means provided on particular user cards, not shown.

For its part, the prize delivery means comprise a third server (9) processed, associated with a player identification means, in this case a second cardholder (9a) capable of reading the user cards, and a bonus printer (9b) that will print a voucher corresponding to the prize obtained by inserting the card. Said prize delivery means are in this case connected to the second server (6) through the data networks (7).

As for the second server (6), it is envisaged that it may additionally comprise a third database (6f) for storing advertising and / or promotional messages, for scheduled advertising and / or promotions shipments to the bonus modules (5 ) to display on your screen (5b). In addition, it may have other databases not represented for statistical purposes: collection per player, playing time per player, etc.

The procedure for the system (1) of the invention comprises a bonus accumulation step comprising the following sub-stages implemented in the bonus modules (5): - Player logo and sending said logo to the second calculation server (6) and registration of bonuses, through the data networks (7), - periodic receipt of the bonuses corresponding to the player achieved and presentation of them on the screen (5b) of the bonus module (5), until the logging interruption (when the player requests the end of the session and the transfer is sent to the second server, at which time the card inserted in the first card holder (5h) of the corresponding bonus module (5) is returned to the player),

comprising the following sub-stages implemented in the second server (6):

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reception of the logos from the bonus modules (5), recovery of the pre-existing bonuses of each player achieved from the first database (6d) for storing the bonuses corresponding to each player, and sending them to each module of corresponding bonuses (5),

- start of the time base (6b) for each login by a player, -sequential determination of the increase of the bonuses of each player by: sequential reading (repetitive and periodic) of the instantaneous collection of each machine (3) from the first server (4) of count of plays and / or collection, determination of bonuses corresponding to the increase in revenue detected in each reading sequential through the processor (6c) of calculation of bonuses, sum of the bonuses determined to pre-existing bonuses, registration of the total in the First database (6d) storage of bonuses in position assigned to the player logged into the machine (3) considered, and sent to the module corresponding bonuses (5) for printing on your screen (5b), -sequential comparison of bonuses stored for each player in the first database (6d) with certain prize values determined in a second base of data (6e) of bonus prizes, and sending notification to the module corresponding bonuses (5) for printing on your screen (5b) in case of overcoming of these values, - Reception of dialogue from the bonus modules (5), detention of the base of player times and record of time played in the first database (6d) in the position assigned to the player logged on the machine under consideration, and -reboot.

Player logging is ideally done by introducing a card particular, not represented, in a cardholder (5h) of the bonus modules (5), while the dialogue would be done through the command interface (5c).

The procedure also includes a stage of awards that includes the following sub-stages implemented in the media awards ceremony: -Ioggeo of the player and sending said loggeo to the second server (6) of calculation and registration of bonuses through data networks (7). -reception of a prize print order from the second server (6), - printing of a bonus with the prize in the bond printer (9b),

comprising the following sub-stages on the second server (6):

-reception of the logos from the means of awarding awards,

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access to the first database (6d) and recovery of the pre-existing bonuses of the logged player, -access to the second database (6e) and comparison of the player's bonuses with the prize values stored in it, -shipment of a prize print order with the content of said prize to the prize delivery means, and -restract from the bonuses corresponding to the prize given to those corresponding to the player and record the remaining bonuses in the first database (6d ).

It is envisioned that the procedure for the system (1) of the invention may additionally comprise a step of receiving and / or promoting advertising messages from the second server (6) and printing them on the screen (5b) of the module of bonuses (5), which includes the following sub-stages implemented in the second server (6):

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sequential reading (each predetermined time reads a message from the stored ones, and consecutively the following ones) of some messages stored in a third database (6f), and sending to the bonus modules (5),

comprising the following sub-stages implemented in the bonus modules (5):

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reception of advertising or promotional message from the second server (6), e-printing on the screen (5b)

Describing sufficiently the nature of the invention, it is indicated that the description thereof and its preferred embodiment should be construed in a non-limiting manner, and that it encompasses all of the possible embodiments that are deduced from the content of the present specification. and of the claims.

Claims (10)

1.-System (1) to reward players applicable to a group (2) of recreational machines (3); of the type of groupings (2) comprising a plurality of recreational machines (3) with means of enabling to play, associated with a first server (4) of counting plays and / or collection of each machine characterized in that it additionally comprises:

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a bonus module (5) associated with each machine (3), and comprising logging means of the corresponding player; at least one particular first network connection (5a); screen (5b); and command interface (5c),

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a second server (6) for calculating and recording bonuses, comprising: second network connections (6a) to connect to the bonus modules (5) of the machines (3) of the cluster (2) to receive the logotype and logging of the player, and the first server (4) to obtain the collection in the period in which each logged player is playing; a time base (6b) to determine the period of use of each client logged in playing on each machine (3); a processor (6c) for calculating bonuses based on the collection and / or the player's playing time; a first database (6d) for storing the bonuses corresponding to each player; and a second database (6e) of bonus prizes,

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a means of awards, and

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data networks (7), for connection between the bonus modules (5), the second server (6) and the first server (4).

2. System (1) to reward players applicable to a group (2) of recreational machines (3) according to claim 1 characterized in that the bonus module (5) additionally comprises means for fixing to the corresponding machine (3) . 3. System (1) to reward the players applicable to a group (2) of recreational machines (3) according to claim 2 characterized in that the fixing means comprise a retainer (5d) with key-operated lock (5e). 4. System (1) to reward players applicable to a group (2) of recreational machines (3) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that some or all bonus modules (5) additionally comprise an outer port (5f ) recharging user devices. 5. System (1) to reward players applicable to a group (2) of recreational machines (3) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that each bonus module (5) comprises raspberry® microcontroller (5g) with graphics card for display 6. System (1) to reward players applicable to a group (2) of recreational machines (3) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the logging means comprise a first cardholder (5h) for reading particular cards of Username. 7. System (1) to reward players applicable to a group (2) of recreational machines (3) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the prize delivery means comprise a third server (9) processed, associated with a means of identification of the player and a bonus printer (9b). B.-System (1) to reward players applicable to a grouping (2) of recreational machines (3) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the prize delivery means are connected to the second server (6) through of data networks (7). 9. System (1) to reward players applicable to a group (2) of recreational machines (3) according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the second server (6) additionally comprises a third database (6f) of storage of advertising and / or promotional messages for scheduled shipments of advertising and / or promotions to the bonus modules (5) for display on your screen (5b). 1 D.-Procedure for system (1) to reward players applicable to a grouping (2) of recreational machines (3) characterized in that it comprises a stage of bonus accumulation comprising the following sub-stages implemented in bonus modules (5): -Ilogging of the player and sending said logo to a second server (6) of calculation and registration of bonuses through data networks (7), -periodic reception of the bonuses corresponding to the player achieved from the second server (6) and presentation of them on a screen (5b) of the bonus module ( 5), until the interruption of the logo, comprising the following sub-stages implemented in the second server (6):

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reception of the logos from the bonus modules (5), recovery of the pre-existing bonuses of each player achieved from a first database (6d) of storing the bonuses corresponding to each player, and sending them to each module of corresponding bonuses (5), -start of a time base (6b) for each player start session, -sequential determination of the increase in bonuses of each player by: sequential reading of the instant collection of each machine (3) from a first server of count of plays and / or collection, determination of the bonuses corresponding to the increase of the collection detected in each sequential reading by means of a processor (6c) of calculation of bonuses, sum of the bonuses determined to the bonuses pre-existing, registration of the total in a first database (6d) of bonus storage s in the position assigned to the player logged in the machine considered, and sent to the corresponding bonus module (5) for printing on its screen (5b), -sequential comparison of the bonuses stored for each player in the first database (6d ) with certain prize values determined in a second database (6e) of bonus prizes, and notification sent to the corresponding bonus module (5) for printing on your screen (5b) in case of exceeding those values, - Relogging reception from the bonus modules (5), stopping the player's time base and recording the time played in the first database (6d) in the position assigned to the player logged in the machine considered (statistical purposes), Y

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restart

11.-Procedure for system (1) to reward players applicable to a grouping (2) of recreational machines (3) according to claim 10 characterized in that It includes an awards stage that includes the following sub-stages Prize delivery implemented in a media: -Ioggeo of the player and sending said loggeo to the second server (6) of calculation and registration of bonuses through data networks (7), -reception of a prize print order from the second server (6), -print a bonus with the prize on a bond printer (9b) comprising the following sub-stages on the second server (6): -reception of the logos from the means of awarding awards, -access to the first database (6d) and recovery of pre-existing bonuses of the logged player, -access to the second database (6e) and comparison of player bonuses with the prize values stored in it, -Submitting an award print order with the content of that award to the media prize delivery, and - Subtraction of the bonuses corresponding to the prize given to those corresponding to the player and record in the first database (6d). 12.-Procedure for system (1) to bonus players applicable to a grouping (2) of recreational machines (3) according to any of claims 10 or 11 characterized in that it additionally comprises a step of receiving messages advertising and / or promote them from the second server (6) and print them in the screen (5b) of the bonus module (5), which comprises the following sub-stages implemented on the second server (6): -sequential reading of messages stored in a third database (6f), and shipping to bonus modules (5), comprising the following sub-stages implemented in the bonus modules (5):

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reception of advertising or promotional message from the second server (6), e-printing on the screen (5b).

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