MX2007008624A - System and method for securely controlling operation and configuration of an electronic game having virtual refills. - Google Patents

Abstract

A method, system and program product for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal. A passcode is generated for activating plays on the electronic game terminal. An operator is enabled to enter the passcode into a control component for the electronic game terminal. A maximum number of electronic games that can be played before the electronic game terminal is deactivated is set when the passcode is entered. The number of games remaining following each play of the electronic game is determined dynamically. A request is received from the operator to refill the game plays on the electronic game terminal. A new passcode is then generated wherein the new passcode can enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game. The new passcode is provided to the operator to enter in order to enable additional plays on the electronic game terminal.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SECURELY CONTROLLING THE OPERATION AND CONFIGURATION OF AN ELECTRONIC GAME THAT IT HAS VIRTUAL RECHARGES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In general terms, the present invention relates to entertainment and amusement electronic games, and more particularly to a method and system for controlling recharges and to reconfigure the features of an electronic amusement or entertainment game having a virtual game cartridge. The electronic games of type of entertainment and amusement have become very popular among the public, and as their popularity has increased they have been subjected to a strong regulation. To qualify as a skill-based entertainment machine, the outcome of the game must be controlled by the person playing the game and not by a predetermined possibility, nor by random probability controlled by the machine. A certain probability can be part of an entertainment game based on skill, but skill must be the predominant feature. The game in the machine must involve a task, game, contest, competition or tournament in which the player participates actively. With the increasing popularity of electronic games has also dramatically increased the number of games that are copied and passed as an original game. The unscrupulous people of the electronic gaming industry have not only illegally made copies of the game processor boards, but they have also altered the characteristics of the legally installed electronic games, contravening certain features of the game. For example, one feature that has been altered is that of limiting the games of the game that is authorized by an operator, to avoid the requirement of obtaining a new access code to reactivate the game, after all the games have been used. authorized game games. Electronic games require techniques to ensure that only appropriately identified and authorized electronic games receive a securely generated access code, which allows the operator to reset the authorized game games and reconfigure the electronic game to meet the operator's requirements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a computer-readable system, method and means for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal. The embodiments of the invention include a code exchange system to ensure that the charges and reloads of a virtual electronic game cartridge are handled securely. Each electronic gaming terminal is provided with a unique identifier that is part of the codes that are exchanged, between the operator of the electronic gaming operator terminal and the electronic gaming provider that develops the hardware and software components that form the console of installed game. Various means of communication may be used in the embodiments of the invention, which include electronic communication based on the web. In one aspect of the invention, a method is provided for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal. An access code is generated to activate the games of the electronic gaming terminal. An operator is enabled to enter the access code in a control component for the electronic gaming terminal. A maximum number of electronic games that can be played before deactivating the electronic gaming terminal is established. The number of games remaining after each game of the electronic game is determined dynamically. A request is received from the operator to recharge the games of the electronic gaming terminal. A new access code is generated, wherein the new access code can enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game. The new access code is provided to the operator to introduce it and allow additional games in the electronic gaming terminal. The computer readable medium executes the method to control the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal. The system includes a plurality of components to perform the steps of the method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other advantages and aspects of the present invention will become apparent and will be more readily appreciated from the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the following manner. Figures 1A-1B illustrate electronic game visualizations of a skill based game, in which the present invention can be executed. Figure 2 illustrates the processing logic for determining the remaining number of games of an electronic game that are available in different game names, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary payment scheme for variable game names in an exemplary mode. Figure 4 illustrates game terminal status receipts available to the electronic game operator in the exemplary "game level" mode. Figure 5 illustrates game terminal status receipts available to the electronic game operator in an exemplary "license timer" mode. Figure 6 illustrates the processing logic for determining the rate accumulated by a gaming operator for the games of an electronic game, in which the software license ends at the end of a predetermined period. Figure 7 illustrates the processing logic in an exemplary mode, to control the time a player has to play an electronic game based on the number of potential wins available for the electronic game. Figure 8 illustrates a display of the statistics menu in an exemplary mode, useful for displaying various game terminal screens related to statistics, and introducing a code exchange for entering reload and feature codes for a game terminal. Figure 9 illustrates a code exchange display in an exemplary embodiment, to enable an operator to enter a new access code and reload games for a virtual game cartridge. Figure 10 illustrates a display of finite statistics in an exemplary mode, useful for examining game statistics by an operator. Figure 1 1 illustrates a statistics display of the game percentage recharge system in an exemplary mode, useful for monitoring the game percentage recharge system by an operator. Figure 12 illustrates a display of prize statistics in an exemplary mode, useful for establishing and verifying the skill award status by an operator. Figure 13 illustrates the processing logic in an exemplary embodiment to activate an electronic game terminal with a unique access code for the specific electronic game terminal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following description of the invention is provided to allow the teaching of the invention and its best currently known modality. Those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes can be made to the embodiments described, but still obtaining the beneficial results of the present invention. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present invention can be obtained by selecting some of the features of the present invention, without using other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the present invention are possible, and that they may even be desirable in some circumstances, and are part of the present invention. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the present invention and not as an imitation thereof, since the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims. The embodiments of the present invention will be described in the context of the electronic entertainment game based on Tic-Tac Fruit skill, developed and patented by Pace-O-Matic, Inc. The Tic-Tac Fruit is a game derived loosely from tic-tac-toe, which uses the player's ability to solve a riddle. The similarity with tic-tac-toe is projected from the use of a field or grid of nine sites or mosaics arranged in a three-by-three arrangement. In each game of the electronic game, the game software program constructs a riddle or task for the player to solve. The electronic game always incorporates at least one correct solution and sometimes generates alternative solutions that may not give the same prize as the best solution. In the modality described here, the Tic-Tac-Fruit game has a finite number of games. The game is configured with "virtual" electronic cartridges that contain a finite reserve of games based on eight different levels of trump prize values. The electronic cartridges are not accessible to the operator of the machine and can not be changed. When the current finite game allocation of a cartridge is exhausted, the device automatically selects the new cartridge. When all the electronic cartridges are depleted, the device will disable with a message indicating "no games" in the lower center of the video screen. The operator of the device must purchase additional game reserves, which will be enabled with the correct entry of a digital access code provided by the electronic game provider. In an exemplary embodiment described below, the access code contains twelve digits in four groups of three digits to facilitate accurate and rapid entry by the game operator. The game configuration for a specific machine can only be done by software programming. However, the multi-digit access code that is generated to re-establish or reconfigure electronic game parameters can be used. The amount of games is also specific to the game theme; that is, it varies depending on the particular version of the Tic-Tac-Fruit electronic game that is placed in a store. For what is described here, there are three cartridges provided with the game, with three thousand games per electronic cartridge for a total number of nine thousand games. The operator of a device buys the particular number of games for each version of the Tic-Tac-Fruit game. The operator pays a simple license fee to obtain the digital access code, which must be entered correctly to enable the appropriate amount of games for the various game themes. Each level of purchase of each game theme is only a multiple of a lower game purchase level. Therefore, all game results are derived from the same finite reserve of game results, without considering the amount of play. Each time the player enters the game a random result is selected from the finite reserve of game results. The manner in which the player plays the game determines whether the player will receive the wins, or whether the wins will go to the bonus pool, which will be awarded to the next player who successfully wins the highest prize. Using the concept of a virtual cartridge to reload the control algorithm for an electronic game console for additional games, the electronic game service provider is limited to a license fee by the game control algorithm, which allows a finite number of games, 30,000 per virtual cartridge, 90,000 games in total in the case of the Tic-Tac-Fruit game used as an example in the present. By way of example and not limitation, the electronic game Tic-Tac-Fruit is described here in detail, as an example of an electronic game that uses the concept of virtual cartridges of finite games and reload of virtual cartridges. After this description, more specific aspects of the embodiments of the invention will be cited to control recharges. The electronic game Tic-Tac-Fruit is a single-player game. The player is presented with a field completely filled with seemingly random symbols selected from a group of nine symbols that includes a "wild card" symbol. The game constructs the field in such a way that the initial field does not put three of the same symbols in a row, where a row is interpreted as oriented horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. With a field of three by three, there are eight possible lines: three horizontal lines, three vertical lines and two diagonal lines. The player chooses to replace one of the nine initial tiles or tiles with the wild symbol. The construction of the playing field guarantees that at least one line can be formed by placing the wildcard selection in the appropriate place. On average, two lines can be formed if the optimal site for the wild symbol is selected. However, there is always the possibility that at least one line can be formed. The skill of the player comes into play when the player is given a short period in which he must choose the location of the "wild card". Since some symbols are more valuable than others and some locations of the wild card can complete multiple lines, the player must quickly examine the nine locations and determine the optimal location of the wild card. Once the player selects a location, the game converts the selection into a wildcard and examines whether there are complete lines in the field and awards points accordingly. Since there are eight symbols and nine sites in the field, the total number of combinations is approximately 134 million. However, since a field may have no initial full line, the total number of initial combinations is reduced to approximately 18 million. Valid fields are determined using an included computer processor to repeat and test each combination to determine if it has a complete line. If any line is complete, the combination is not counted or used. The game software determines all the initial fields "without line" and tests each of these to see the potential winners, where all the fields that can potentially complete a line are counted. Since there are more than one hundred million field combinations that meet, the player must examine each alignment and symbol values to determine the best location for the wild symbol in the displayed field. The Tic-Tac-Fruit electronic game does not choose random fields until the analysis indicates that one is acceptable. Instead, the field is built to meet certain criteria. The steps included in the construction of a field in this electronic game are the following: 1. Choose the number of winning lines (that is, 1, 2, 3, 4); 2. Choose the orientation of each of the winning lines (this is horizontal, vertical or diagonal); 3. Choose the symbols for each of the winning lines (that is, cherries, plums, bells, etc.); 4. Fill empty sites with random symbols; 5. Test the fulfillment of the complete field with the goals established by steps 1 and 3, and repeat the construction process if there is no compliance. A variation of the electronic game Tic-Tac-Fruit presents a game theme based mainly on fruit symbols. There are eight symbols and therefore eight different winning combinations. In Figure A an exemplary touch screen display for this game is illustrated. In the left column of the visualization the different symbols that can be displayed are shown. The player selects a denomination for the next game from among the denominations available at the bottom of the display. In this example, the player has selected $ 0.75. The represented game grid does not show any complete line. Once the player selects the "game" icon, he must decide which element to select on the displayed grid as the location of the wild symbol. As illustrated in Figure 1 B, the player selected the space in the upper right corner of the display grid, which resulted in the simultaneous termination of two lines, that is, a horizontal line and a diagonal line. In table 1 an exemplary program of prizes is given for this version of the electronic game Tic-Tac-Fruit. Column headings represent the denominations of the game. In other words, the column headers represent the amount that the player can select for each game. The greater the denomination selected, the greater the potential wins for each of the winning combinations. For example, if the player selects fifty cents as the denomination for the next game in the electronic game and completes a line with three titanium symbols, he will earn the equivalent of $ 250.00 in points. If he successfully played the same game with a $ 4.00 gambling denomination, his winnings would have been the equivalent of $ 2,000.00 in points. Similarly, if the player selects a denomination of $ 2.00 and makes a wild card selection that simultaneously completes a line of three bells and a line of three plums, his winnings would have been the equivalent of $ 14.00 in points, $ 10.00 for the line of three bells and $ 4.00 for the line of three plums. Prizes marked with an asterisk are prizes of progressive value. The value awarded for these prizes will increase with each game played.

TABLE 1 In a game operation, a player inserts money into the Tic-Tac-Fruit electronic gaming device through a ticket receiver located in front of the electronic game booth or console, below the button panel. The ticket receiver accepts US tickets. UU of variable denominations. The inserted tickets are displayed on the video screen as available points to play the game. The player selects the game name by touching the appropriate icon for the price of the game. A player can change the desired name at any time before starting the game. The game starts when the player touches the "Game" icon on the video screen, or presses the "Game / Credit" button on the outside of the cabin. The video screen presents the player with nine symbols in a three-by-three arrangement, as discussed above. The object of the game is for the player to recognize the highest reward game result and select the appropriate field element to switch to a wild card and obtain the most valuable prize available for the field deployed. As described above, the nine initial symbols displayed will not present an automatic winning combination. The player must be involved in the selection of the field element to be replaced with a "wild card" symbol, to obtain a winning game result. The player has a finite time to select the appropriate field element to replace it. The failed selection of a symbol in the admitted time will result in a lost game. In that case, the player is revealed the amount he would have won and this is placed in the "bonus hole" that will be won by the player who successfully obtains the highest prize. Similarly, if a player selects a symbol to replace it with a wild card that does not obtain a winning result, or the best possible winning result, the amount that was not won is added to the bonus pool in an exemplary fashion. In case the player does not obtain the best possible result, the difference between the prize won and the best possible prize is added to the bonus pool. Essentially, the electronic game Tic-Tac-Fruit presents a task by means of which the player must select the appropriate symbol to replace it with a wild symbol in an attempt to obtain the game result with the highest value offered by the device. The prize is determined by a random selection of a finite pool of available prizes. The device selects the number of lines that will present a winning result. Prizes can be presented in one, two, three or four lines in a single game. The device selects the level of prizes to be granted. A control algorithm determines the disposition of the prizes to be offered to ensure that other, more valuable prizes are not inadvertently presented. The key symbol needed to obtain the prize with the highest possible value, is replaced with a non-winning symbol before deploying it to the player. The player can redeem the accumulated credits after playing the game. The rescue of the credits is done simply by pressing the "Ticket" button or by touching the "Rescue" icon on the video screen. All accumulated credits will be redeemed as proof of cash in a printed ticket. The printed ticket can be presented at a local reimbursement counter for cash payment. The problem with this operating system is that the game operator receives 90,000 games without considering the denominations selected for the game by the players of the game. In an exemplary mode, the electronic game provides the player with four different game levels, for example $ 0.50, $ 1.00, $ 2.00 and $ 4.00. The operator may have the game console to provide other names of the game. If the players play the electronic game at the $ 0.50 level and use the 90, 000 games available, the operator will have a much lower utility than if the players had selected the $ 4.00 level for all the games. From the perspective of electronic gaming service providers, if a simple fee is charged for virtual cartridges, if all games are played at the lowest denomination, the gaming operator may not obtain sufficient utility to keep the console installed. of game in the location of the operator. On the other hand, the single fee charged may result in a utility that is too small for the electronic gaming service provider. Under most current state laws, the game provider does not have the option to charge the operator a fixed percentage of its profits to lease the electronic game and software. An additional problem when playing an electronic game with a finite structure that has an "accumulated hold" for each virtual cartridge, is that the operator has access to information about the number of games still remaining, and could take advantage of this information to play the remaining games to the highest denomination to win the accumulated amount put. One embodiment of the present invention solves this problem by having a finite structure for each game name. The electronic gaming service provider still charges a simple license fee for each reload of the virtual cartridges. However, instead of having a fixed number of games available for each reload of the virtual cartridges, the number of available games is based on the denominations that are available for player selection, and are updated dynamically during the operation of the games based on the actual denominations used by the players during the actual game on the electronic game console, as described in more detail below. For example, if all games were played at the $ 0.25 level, the operator could get 200,000 games per reload. If all games were played at the $ 5.00 level, the operator would get 75,000 games per reload. Since each game will be played multiple times in each possible denomination, the number of games remaining in each denomination is determined dynamically after each game. Note that in the context of this invention, game naming and game level is used interchangeably. Although the invention is described in terms of an exemplary embodiment, the scope of the claims is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described. Figure 2 illustrates the processing logic for determining the remaining number of games of an electronic game, which are available to different game denominations (ie, levels), in an exemplary mode. The first steps of the processing logic are performed before the activation of the electronic game in the operator's premises with a "filling" or loading of games. First, the electronic gaming service provider determines the simple fee to charge for the game load, as indicated in Table 200. A plurality of electronic gaming denominations is selected as indicated in Table 202. Denominations for a Electronic gaming terminal can be preset by the electronic gaming service provider and exchanged by the operator. The electronic gaming service provider determines a maximum number of games that can be played in each of the denominations of the plurality of denominations, as indicated in table 204. This determination is made for each possible denomination of game, although initially only four denominations are selected in the modality used for the Tic-Tac-Fruit game. The electronic gaming service provider provides an access code that is generated from the terminal identifier for the operator. The operator then enters the access code to activate the game as indicated in table 206. The electronic game algorithm determines the game name selected by the player in table 208. After each game, the game algorithm dynamically determines the number of games remaining to be played in each game denomination, as indicated in table 210. The number determined for each game name reflects the number of games that could be played at the particular level of game. After determining the number of games remaining in each denomination, the game algorithm determines if there are remaining games to be played as indicated in decision box 212. If there are remaining games to be played, the algorithm returns to table 208 for the next game. If there are no remaining games to play, the electronic game displays a "no games" message on the electronic game viewer, as indicated in table 214. Then, in decision box 216 it is determined whether the operator has requested a recharge of games. Unless the operator requests a reload of the virtual game cartridge, the electronic game terminal remains inoperative as indicated in Table 230. The operator requests a game reload by sending the terminal identifier and other information displayed in an operator menu , as described herein, to the electronic game service provider, to obtain a new access code and reactivate the electronic game (ie, to recharge the games). The processing logic then returns to frame 208 to wait for the next game of the electronic game. Upon receiving the request from the game recharge operator (Table 218) the electronic game service provider generates a new access code to reload the electronic game terminal, which is based on the terminal identifier as indicated in Table 220. The electronic gaming terminal is reactivated to play by entering the access code in the terminal as indicated in table 222. Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary payment scheme for variable game names in an exemplary mode. For the Tic-Tac-Fruit game used as an example here, the electronic game service provider allows the operator to select four denominations to play. The first column 300 represents the game designations that can be selected. The second column 302 shows the amount of play that is returned to the player on average in each possible game denomination. The third column of table 304 shows the utility of the operator for each game played to a particular denomination. In the fourth column 306 the total number of games available in each denomination is shown if all games were made in a single denomination. As can be seen, the total number of games available per charge for each denomination varies non-linearly from 200 K at the game level of $ 0.25, to 75 K at the game levels of $ 3.00, $ 4.00 and $ 5.00. The total number of games per load will vary based on the actual denominations selected by the players. In the fifth column 308 the utilities of the electronic game service provider in each game denomination are shown. The percentage shown is expressed as a percentage of the operator's profit per game. For example, the utility of the electronic gaming service provider per game at the $ 4.00 game level is $ 0.0156, which is 6.5% of the operator's corresponding utility of $ 0.21 per game. It is noteworthy that in this example the per-game utility of the game provider is variable and non-linear based on different denominations. The next column 310 indicates the equivalent amount that the game provider would have to "charge for each game" in each denomination to reach the single fee that is actually charged per charge. In other words, the electronic gaming service provider charges a simple fee for loading the virtual cartridges. If all the games were played at a particular denomination, for example $ 1.00, the total number of games played allowed by the game control algorithm, it would be 120K, and the equivalent charge per game from the gaming provider would be at this level of $ 0.00975. The last column indicates the total utility of the operator for reloading the virtual cartridge if all the games were played to the particular denomination. For example, if all games were played at the $ 0.25 level, the operator would get a total profit of $ 7500, taking into account the percentage amount returned to the players in the game. If all games were played at the $ 5.00 level, the operator's utility for recharging would be $ 18,750.00. Figure 4 illustrates game terminal status receipts available to the electronic game operator in the exemplary "game level" mode. In Figure 4, the first column 400 marked "CRD" represents multiples of the lowest denomination game ($ 0.25 in this example). The second column 402, marked "Value" indicates the denomination of the game, which varies from $ 0.25 to $ 5.00. The third column 404, marked as "Account" represents the number of games available in a particular denomination, if all the games were played at the same level. The fourth column 406, marked "Games" indicates the number of games played at the corresponding levels in the "Value" column. In this terminal status sample receipt, two games have been played at the $ 0.50 level, one game at the $ 1.00 level, and two games at the $ 4.00 level. The total column shows that eight games have been played in this game terminal. The next column 408, marked as "Percentage of use (%)" indicates the percentage of games that have been played at the corresponding game level. For example, 0.0067% of the available games have been played at the $ 4.00 level per virtual cartridge load. The final column 410, marked as "Surplus" indicates the remaining number of games available at a particular game level as the game proceeds. The numbers in this column are determined dynamically after each game played. After the first eight games, there are 74,993 games remaining in the $ 3.00, $ 4.00 or $ 5.00 levels. The numbers in this column take into consideration each of the previous games of the electronic game and the denomination in which each game was played. In another exemplary embodiment, Figure 5 illustrates game terminal status receipts available to the electronic game operator. The game terminal status receipt illustrated in Figure 5 is based on an electronic game concept referred to as the license timer. In this proposal to control the game an algorithm of game control is provided to the operator, which allows a terminal of the electronic game to be played during a fixed period, such as 30 days or 60 days. Normally a number of electronic gaming terminals are networked, one terminal being the master server and the other terminals being slave customers. The license expires after the fixed period and the electronic game can no longer be played, except when receiving a new code to reset the mechanism of the electronic game timer. The master terminal generates a multi-digit code that must be provided to the electronic game service provider to receive a new code to activate the operation of the terminal. The code generated by the terminal contains encrypted information that indicates how much revenue each terminal is generating. The electronic game service provider charges a percentage of the revenue received by each terminal for each fixed period of use of the electronic game. The operator obtains a variable amount of income depending on the denominations that are played in each game terminal, the electronic game provider receiving a specified percentage of the operator's income during the period the game is licensed. An income with this base has the problem that operators frequently report lower income than that generated by the terminals during the license period. The concept of finite structure for the invention of game level described above, has been combined with the concept of a license timer to increase the income of the electronic game provider per license period. Instead of varying the number of games available in each denomination, a per-game charge is made at each naming level, in a non-linear manner as exemplified in figure 5. The game denominations are provided in column 502, marked as "Game value". The next column 504 is marked as "Million Dollar Charge" and represents the variable amount charged by the electronic service provider for each game value. For example, for a game-level denomination of $ 2.00, the game terminal operator is charged $ 0.048 per game. The next column 506 is marked as "Bank use counter" and represents the number of games in the corresponding game value. The total for this column is the total number of games in the terminal during the license period. The final column 508 marked "Line item total" is simply the product of the previous two columns (ie, thousand-dollar charge and bank usage counter). It represents the amount owed by the operator of the terminal to the electronic gaming service provider for the actual games at a particular gaming value. The total column ($ 0.39) is the amount that the operator owes to the electronic gaming service provider for the 15 games in total at different game values. The last two columns are updated continuously as the game progresses. When the license ends after the license period, the operator must pay the amount identified as the total of line item quantities to receive a code and activate the electronic game for another fixed period. Figure 6 illustrates the processing logic for determining the fees accumulated by a gaming operator for the games of an electronic game, in which the software license expires at the end of a predetermined period, such as 30 days or 60 days. As indicated in logic box 600, the electronic game service provider selects a plurality of game names from an electronic game. The denominations for an electronic gaming terminal can be preset by the electronic gaming service provider and exchanged by the operator. The electronic gaming service provider determines a fee by gaming denomination to charge the gaming operator for each game, as indicated in logic table 602. The electronic gaming service provider provides an access code that is generated from the terminal identifier. The operator then enters the access code to activate the game as indicated in table 604. The electronic game control algorithm determines the game name selected by the player in frame 606. After each game, the control algorithm game determines dynamically the license fee accumulated by the games played in each game denomination, as indicated in table 608. After determining the cumulative license fee for the games played in each denomination, the game software determines whether the The license period has ended as indicated in decision box 610. If the license has not ended, the control algorithm returns to process box 606 for the next game. If the license period has ended, the electronic game displays a message of "license termination" in the electronic game display as indicated in table 612. Subsequently, in decision box 614, it is determined whether the operator has requested a new one. license period. Unless the operator requests a new software license period, the electronic gaming terminal remains inoperative as indicated in Table 630. The operator requests a new license period by sending the terminal identifier to the electronic gaming service provider, to obtain a new access code and reactivate the electronic game. The processing logic then returns to frame 606 to wait for the next game of the electronic game. Upon receiving from the operator the request for a new license period (Table 616), the electronic gaming service provider generates a new access code to reactivate the electronic gaming terminal, which is based on the terminal identifier, as indicated in Table 618. The electronic gaming terminal is reactivated to play by entering the access code in the terminal as indicated in Table 620.

Figure 7 illustrates a main operator menu that allows the operator to observe the sub-menus that display adjustment controls, electronic game statistics and other game terminal information in an exemplary mode. The buttons at the top of the main operator menu display allow the operator to select an adjustment menu, a "statistics" menu and a service menu. The purpose of each menu selectable by the operator is provided in the visualization. Figure 8 illustrates a statistics menu display ("statistics"), useful for displaying various game terminal screens related to statistics and a code exchange display for entering reload and feature access codes for a game terminal in an exemplary mode. An explanation of each selectable submenu is provided in the display. The buttons next to each explanation are selected on the touch screen. Figures 9-12 give examples of display of code exchange, finite statistics, recharge statistics and award statistics. Figure 9 illustrates a code exchange display to allow an operator to enter a new access code to reload the games of a virtual game cartridge in an exemplary mode. The operator provides the data in the first two rows of the main window in the display to the electronic gaming service provider. The electronic gaming service provider enters this data into an access code algorithm, which generates a 12-digit access code in an exemplary mode. The specific length of the access code is exemplary and not limiting. The operator information includes a game type code, a game version number, a customer identification and a terminal identifier, as shown in the first row of the display. The operator also provides the recharge account and three groups of seeds, each seed having three numbers. Seed numbers are static, in an exemplary mode, and are generated by a random number generator when the game terminal is initialized for the first time. The information of the first two rows can be provided by an Internet connection or by telephone. Transmission over the Internet can be in the form of an email message or a web-based form (this is HTML). The numbers are divided into three groups to facilitate the transmission or other communication of the numbers to the electronic gaming service provider. The algorithm that receives the terminal information then generates a twelve-digit access code that is divided into four groups of three apparently random numbers, which is provided to the operator by means of an Internet connection or other means of communication (e.g. telephone, fax), for the operator to enter to reactivate (that is, recharge) the electronic gaming terminal. The generated access code not only enables the reloading of the virtual cartridges, but it can also be used to change the configuration of the game features, such as changing triumph payments, or turning on or off bonus features. The appearance of apparently random numbers is a security aspect of the invention to prevent the operator or other persons from manipulating or otherwise altering, or disabling, the electronic game control algorithm. Figure 10 illustrates a display of finite statistics in an exemplary mode, useful for an operator to examine game statistics. The upper portion of the display in the main window shows line cycle information; the lower portion shows row cycle information. Figure 11 illustrates a statistics display of the game rate recharge system in an exemplary mode, useful for monitoring the system of recharge of game percentage by an operator. The upper portion of the main window shows summary information of the game terminal recharges, which includes the recharge account, the date and time of the first recharge, and the date and time of the last recharge. Figure 12 illustrates a prize statistics display in an exemplary mode, useful for establishing and verifying the status of skill prize by an operator. An electronic game may have prizes associated with winning game results in addition to, or in lieu of monetary prizes. The selection buttons displayed in the main window of the display can be used by the operator to determine parameters for which a prize will be awarded and what prize will be awarded. These parameters include a minimum game value and a game contribution rate. The game value for each game above the minimum game value, and the rate of contribution per game determine an amount that is contributed to a custody. When a sufficient amount has been contributed to the custody, the current game player becomes eligible to win one of the associated prizes. In an exemplary embodiment, the reward system is an optional feature that can be activated by the digital code provided by the electronic game service provider. Figure 13 illustrates the processing logic for activating an electronic game terminal with a unique access code for the specific electronic game terminal in an exemplary mode. The process begins in frame 1300, an electronic game terminal being activated by the introduction of a unique access code for the specific game terminal. The access code can be used not only to "reload" a virtual game cartridge, but can also be used to enable or disable one or more game features. For example, the access code can be used to enable non-monetary prizes to be granted as a game option, if requested by the gaming operator. As part of the activation process, a random number generator determines a static "seed" number that will securely identify the specific terminal when the electronic game operator requests to reload the game. As indicated in Table 1305, an authorized number of electronic game games is enabled by the successful activation of the terminal with the access code. In decision box 1320 it is determined whether or not the maximum number of games has been reached. This test is performed automatically after each game of the electronic game. The total number of games admitted may be based on a preset fixed number of electronic games per virtual cartridge, or may vary depending on the level of individual games as set forth herein. The game continues in frame 1315 until the maximum number of games has been played. Once the maximum number of games played has occurred, the electronic gaming terminal is deactivated as indicated in Table 1320. Decision determination 1325 makes a determination regarding a request for additional games from the operator. Steps 1320 and 1325 ensure that the operator will only be able to reach the maximum number of games before the terminal is deactivated. This allows the electronic gaming service provider to periodically receive the appropriate electronic gaming terminal rates to limit the potential abuse of the operator. If the operator does not request a virtual game cartridge reload, the electronic game terminal will remain deactivated as shown in Table 1345. If the terminal information is valid in decision box 1340, then a new access code will be generated and it will be transmitted to the game operator as indicated in Table 1350. The processing then returns to frame 1300 in which the electronic game terminal is reactivated with the new access code. If the operator does not request a recharge, gaming terminal information is provided to the electronic gaming service provider as indicated in Table 1335. This includes the identifier of the terminal and the static code that was generated at the first activation of the gaming terminal. In decision box 1340, it is determined whether the terminal information provided by the operator is valid. If it is not valid, the terminal will remain deactivated. The present invention for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game has been described as a combination of hardware and software components. However, it is important to note that those skilled in the art will appreciate that the software of the present invention is capable of being distributed in a computer readable medium in a variety of ways, and that the present invention is applied without regard to the particular type of half signal carrier used to effect the distribution. Examples of signal carrying media include, without limitation, writable type media, such as floppy disks or CD ROMs, and transmission type media, such as analog or digital communication links. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications of the exemplary embodiment are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is possible to use some of the features of the present invention without the corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment is provided for the purpose of illustrating the principles of the present invention and not as a limitation thereof, since the scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims.

Claims (1)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1 .- A method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, comprising the steps of: generating an access code to activate games in an electronic gaming terminal; enable an operator to enter the access code in a control component for the electronic gaming terminal; set a maximum number of electronic games that can be played before deactivating the electronic gaming terminal; determine dynamically the number of games remaining after each game of the electronic game; receive an application from the operator to recharge the games in the electronic gaming terminal; generating a new access code, wherein the new access code can enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game; provide the new access code to the operator to enable additional games in the electronic gaming terminal. 2. - The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises establishing a plurality of game levels that can be selected by a player. 3. - The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 2, further characterized in that each game level comprises a monetary denomination. 4. - The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises determining a fee to charge each game recharge of the electronic game. 5. - The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the step of dynamically determining the number of remaining games comprises weighting the number of games that have been selected by the players. players in each level of game. 6. - The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the step of receiving the operator's request to recharge the games of the game includes receiving a game terminal identifier electronic that uniquely identifies the electronic gaming terminal. 7. - The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 6, further characterized in that the step of receiving the operator's request also includes receiving a fixed numerical code that is generated after an activation initial game in the electronic gaming terminal. 8. - The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 7, further characterized in that the fixed numerical code is generated by a pseudorandom number generator. 9. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 6, further characterized in that the step of generating the new access code is based at least in part on the terminal identifier of electronic game that is introduced in an access code generator. 10. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, in accordance with claim 1, further characterized in that the step of providing the new access code comprises electronically transmitting the new access code to the gaming operator. 1 1 .- The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the step of generating a new access code allows the activation of a non-monetary prize gaming option . 12. The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal, according to claim 1, further characterized in that a user interface enables the game operator to enter at least one factor that controls when the terminal Electronic game can grant a non-monetary prize. 13. - The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the non-monetary prize comprises one or more prizes. 4. - The method for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 12, further characterized in that at least one factor comprises a contribution percentage of a game name to be added to a custody account of awards. 15. - A computer readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal when it is operated in a processor, which performs the steps of: generating an access code to activate games in the electronic gaming terminal; enable an operator to enter the access code in a control component for the electronic gaming terminal; establish a maximum number of electronic games that can be played before the electronic game terminal is deactivated; determine dynamically the number of games remaining after each game of the electronic game; receive an application from the operator to recharge the games in the electronic gaming terminal; generating a new access code, wherein the new access code can enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game; provide the new access code to the operator to allow additional games in the electronic gaming terminal. 16. - The computer-readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 15, further characterized in that it performs the additional step of establishing a plurality of game levels that can be selected by a player. 17. - The computer-readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 16, further characterized in that each game level comprises a monetary denomination. 18. The computer-readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal, in accordance with claim 15, further characterized in that it performs the additional step of determining a fee to charge for each game recharge of the electronic game. 19. The computer readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 15, further characterized in that the number of remaining games is determined dynamically by taking the additional step of weighting the number of games that They have been selected by the players in each level of play. 20. The computer readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal, according to claim 15, further characterized in that it performs the additional step of receiving an electronic game terminal identifier that uniquely identifies the electronic game terminal. twenty-one . - The computer-readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 20, further characterized in that it performs the additional step of receiving a fixed numerical code that is generated by an initial activation of games in the electronic game terminal. 22. - The computer readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 21, further characterized in that the fixed numerical code is generated by a pseudorandom number generator. 23. - The computer-readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 15, further characterized in that it performs the additional step of determining the new access code based at least in part on the Electronic game terminal identifier. 24. - The computer readable medium to control the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, in accordance with claim 15, further characterized in that it performs the additional step of electronically transmitting the new access code to the game operator. 25. - The computer-readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 15, further characterized in that it performs the additional step of activating a non-monetary prize game option. 26. - The computer-readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal, according to claim 25, further characterized in that it performs the additional step of generating a user interface to enable the game operator to enter at least one factor that controls when the electronic gaming terminal can award a non-monetary prize. 27. - The computer-readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 25, further characterized in that the non-monetary prize comprises one or more prizes. 28. - The computer-readable medium for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic game terminal, according to claim 26, further characterized in that the factor (at least one) includes a contribution percentage of a game name for added to a prize custody account. 29. - A system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, comprising: a component for generating an access code to activate games in the electronic gaming terminal; a component for enabling an operator to enter the access code in a control component for the electronic gaming terminal; a component to establish a maximum number of electronic games that can be played before the electronic game terminal is deactivated; a component for dynamically determining the number of games remaining after each game of the electronic game; a component for receiving an operator request to reload the games in the electronic gaming terminal; a component for generating a new access code, wherein the new access code can enable or disable at least one feature of the electronic game; a component to provide the new access code to the operator to allow additional games in the electronic gaming terminal. 30. - The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 29, further characterized in that it comprises a component for establishing a plurality of game levels that can be selected by a player. 31 - The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 30, further characterized in that each game level comprises a monetary denomination. 32. - The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, in accordance with claim 29, further characterized in that it comprises a component for determining a fee to charge for each recharge of the electronic game games. 33. - The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 29, further characterized in that the component for dynamically determining the number of remaining games comprises a module to weight the number of games that have been selected by the players in each game level. 34.- The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, in accordance with claim 29, further characterized in that the component for receiving the operator's request to reload the games includes a module for receiving a terminal identifier of electronic game that uniquely identifies the electronic gaming terminal. The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 34, further characterized in that the component for receiving the operator's request also includes a module for receiving a fixed numerical code that is generated after of an initial activation of games in the electronic gaming terminal. 36.- The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 35, further characterized in that the fixed numerical code is generated by a pseudorandom number generator. 37.- The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 34, further characterized in that the component for generating the new access code determines the access code based at least partly on the Electronic game terminal identifier. 38. - The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, in accordance with claim 29, further characterized in that the component for providing the new access code comprises a module for electronically transmitting the new access code to the operator of game. 39. - The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 29, further characterized in that the component for generating a new access code enables the activation of a non-monetary prize game option. 40. - The system to control the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, in accordance with claim 39, further characterized in that it comprises a user interface that allows the game operator to enter at least one controlling factor when the electronic gaming terminal can award a non-monetary prize. 41. - The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 39, further characterized in that the non-monetary prize comprises one or more prizes. 42. - The system for controlling the operation and configuration of an electronic gaming terminal, according to claim 40, further characterized in that the factor (at least one) comprises a percentage contribution of a game name to be added to a custody account of prizes.