RU2287185C2 - Playing system, allowing detection of position of playing device in a casino - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: playing system.

SUBSTANCE: system contains playing device, positioned in one of spots in casino, containing display for generation of video images, device for input of cash, transmitter for transferring playing device position signal and playing device controller; multiple receivers, realizing communication with transmitter, while position of each receiver is different from the rest, and each receiver receives signal determining position of playing device and generates appropriate received signal; and central controller, efficiently connected to receivers.

EFFECT: it is possible to detect position of playing device in a casino.

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Description

State of the art

The present invention relates to a gaming system, and in particular to a gaming system capable of determining the location of a gaming device in a casino.

Gambling establishments, such as, for example, casinos, provide their customers with gaming devices, allowing customers to play, for example, poker, blackjack, games on a slot machine (slots), keno and bingo. Knowing the location of a gaming device in a casino allows you to track statistics related to the location of a gaming device. Such statistics related to the location may include, but not limited to, the number of games played on the gaming device, depending on its location in the casino, the dependence of the payout amount on the location, the dependence of the bet amount on the location, etc. In addition, knowing the location of the gaming device enables quick replacement or maintenance of a failed gaming device. Typically, the input of the location information of the gaming device into the gaming system is carried out by an operator entering the physical location of the gaming device into the gaming system via a keyboard.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, the invention relates to a gaming system and to a method for playing games that can determine the location of a gaming device in a casino in which there are multiple locations of gaming devices. The gaming device may include a transmitter that transmits a location signal of the gaming device. The gaming system may comprise a plurality of receivers communicating with the transmitter, each of the receivers having a different location. Each receiver can receive the positioning signal of the gaming device and generate a corresponding reception signal. The gaming system may also comprise a central controller operatively connected by receivers, the central controller being programmed to receive a first receive signal from one of the receivers and a second receive signal from another receiver. A central controller may also be programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using a first reception signal, a second reception signal, and receiver location information.

According to another aspect, a gaming system may provide the ability to determine the location of a gaming device in a casino, and may include a plurality of transmitters located at various locations that transmit a positioning signal of the gaming device. The gaming system may comprise a gaming device located in one of the locations in the casino that contains the receiver. The gaming system may comprise a central controller operatively connected to the receiver. The central controller may be programmed to receive a first reception signal coming from the receiver and indicating the fact of receiving the location signal of the gaming device transmitted by one of the transmitters, receiving a second reception signal coming from the receiver and indicating the fact of receiving the location signal of the gaming device transmitted by another transmitter , and determining the location of the gaming device using the first reception signal, the second reception signal, and location information position of the transmitters.

The determination of the location of the gaming device may be carried out using a method based on the time of arrival of the signal, the method for determining the bearing, or a combination of these methods.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the gaming system allows you to determine the location of the gaming device in a casino and comprises a gaming device equipped with a location device located in the gaming device and a location device located in the casino that communicates with the location device located in the gaming room device located in an arbitrary place in the casino. In addition, the gaming system comprises a central controller operatively connected to at least one of the following devices: with a location device located in a casino and with a location device located in a gaming device, the central controller being programmed to receive the first a reception signal from one of the following devices: a location device located in a casino and a location device located in a gaming device, which and uses to indicate the bearing of one of the devices: a positioning device located in a casino, and a positioning device located in the gaming device with respect to another device: a positioning device located in a casino, or a positioning device located on the gaming unit. In addition, the central controller is programmed to receive a second reception signal from one of the following devices: a location device located in a casino, and a location device located in a gaming device that is used to determine the distance between the location device located in the casino, and a location device located in the gaming device. The central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the bearing of one of the following devices: a location device located in a casino and a location device located in a gaming device relative to another device: a location device located in a casino or a location device located in the gaming device and the distance between the location device located in to zino and positioning device located on the gaming unit. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the location device located in the casino is a transmitter, and the location device located in the gaming device is a receiver. In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the positioning device located in the casino is a receiver, and the positioning device located in the gaming device is a transmitter.

Other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a detailed description of various embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is given below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gaming system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of one of the gaming devices schematically shown in FIG. one;

FIG. 2A is an embodiment of a gaming device control panel;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic blocks of the gaming device of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4A is a block diagram of a gaming system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which bearings are used to determine the location of a gaming device;

FIG. 4B is a flowchart of the gaming system of FIG. 4A according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a receiver equipped with a bearing detecting unit, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4D is a perspective view of a receiver provided with a bearing detecting unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4E is a block diagram of a gaming system according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which methods based on the arrival time of the signal are used to determine the location of the gaming device;

FIG. 4F is a perspective view of a receiver having an omnidirectional antenna, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4G is a flowchart of the gaming system of FIG. 4E according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4H is a block diagram of a gaming system according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a plurality of methods for determining a bearing and methods based on a signal arrival time are used to determine the location of a gaming device;

FIG. 4I is a flowchart of the gaming system of FIG. 4H according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a flowchart of a gaming system using methods for detecting a bearing, according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a flowchart of the gaming system of FIG. 5A according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5C is a top view of an example of the orientation of the receiver relative to the transmitters in the gaming system of FIG. 5A according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5D is a block diagram of a gaming system according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which methods based on the arrival time of the signal are used;

FIG. 5E is a flowchart of the gaming system of FIG. 5D according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5F is a partial perspective view of a spherical bearing detection assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a main program that may be executed during operation of one or more gaming devices;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of a main program that may be executed during operation of one or more gaming devices;

FIG. 8 is an embodiment of visually displaying data that can be displayed on a display screen during execution of the video poker routine of FIG. 10;

FIG. 9 is an embodiment of visually displaying data that can be displayed on a display screen during execution of the video blackjack routine of FIG. eleven;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video poker routine that can be performed by one or more gaming devices;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video blackjack subroutine that can be performed by one or more gaming devices;

FIG. 12 is an embodiment of a visual display of data that can be displayed on a screen during execution of a game routine on a gaming machine (slots) of FIG. fourteen;

FIG. 13 is an embodiment of visually displaying data that can be displayed on a display screen during execution of a video keno routine of FIG. fifteen;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a gaming routine of a gaming machine (slots) that can be performed by one or more gaming devices;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video keno game routine that can be performed by one or more gaming devices;

FIG. 16 is an embodiment of visually displaying data that can be displayed on a display screen during execution of a video bingo routine of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video bingo game routine that can be performed by one or more gaming devices.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT EMBODIMENTS

Of the present invention

Although the following text provides a detailed description of numerous different embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the text of the claims. The detailed description should be construed only as a description of examples and not describing each of the possible embodiments of the present invention, since the description of each possible embodiment of the invention is impractical or even impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments of the present invention can be implemented using either modern technology or technology created after the filing date of this patent, but, nevertheless, they are included in the scope of the claims.

It should also be understood that if the term is not explicitly defined in this description using the sentence "It is thereby determined that the term '______' means ..." or a similar sentence, this means there is no intention to limit the meaning of this term to either directly or indirectly outside its simple or ordinary meaning, and such a term should not be interpreted as limited in scope of its interpretation on the basis of any statement made in any of the sections of this description (with the exception of the wording the claims given in the claims). Since any term given in the claims is mentioned in this description in such a way that it does not contradict its sole meaning, which is done only for clarity, so as not to create confusion for the reader, it is understood that such a term from the claims is not indirectly or otherwise limited by this its only meaning. Finally, it is understood that the scope of any feature of the claims should not be interpreted by applying Section Six § 112 of Section 35 of the United States Code of Law to it.

In FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a casino gaming system 10 according to the present invention. According to FIG. 1, a casino gaming system 10 may comprise a first group or network 12 of gaming devices 20 that are operatively in communication with a network computer 22 via a network channel or a data bus 24. The casino gaming system 10 may comprise a second group or network 26 of gaming devices 30 that are operatively connected to a network computer 32 via a network channel or a data bus 34. The first and second gaming networks 12, 26 may communicate operatively with each other through the network 40, which may be, for example, the Internet, wide area network (WAN) or local area network (LAN), through the first communication channel 41 with the network and through the second channel 42 communication with the network.

One or more gaming devices 20, 30 may comprise a location device located in a gaming device, such as location devices 46 located in gaming devices, and a gambling system 10 may include one or more location devices located in a casino for example, location devices 48 located in a casino. The location devices 46 located in the gaming devices may be receivers, and the location devices 48 located in the casino are transmitters. In an alternative embodiment, the positioning devices 46 located in the gaming devices may be transmitters, and the positioning devices located in the casino are receivers. Each of the location devices 46 located in the gaming devices and the location devices 48 in the casino can be connected to the network computer 22 and to the gaming devices 20 in such a way that it communicates with them in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention described below. A network computer 22 or any other controller provided in the gambling system 10 or 26 is capable of determining the location of one or more gaming devices 20 using one or more location devices 46 located in the gaming devices and one or more devices 48 locations located in the casino, and a more complete description of this is given below.

The first network 12 of gaming devices 20 may be located in a first casino, and the second network 26 of gaming devices 30 may be located in a second casino located in a different geographical location than the first gambling establishment. For example, these two casinos may be located in different areas of the same city, or they may be located in different states. The network 40 may comprise a plurality of network computers or server computers (not shown in the drawing), each of which can communicate operatively with other computers. In the case where the network 40 is the Internet, data transmission via communication channels 41, 42 can be carried out using the Internet communication protocol.

Network computer 22 can be a server computer and can be used to accumulate and analyze data related to the functioning and location of gaming devices 20. For example, network computer 22 can continuously receive data from each gaming device 20, which indicates the amount of dollars and the number of bets made on each of the gaming devices 20, data indicating the amount of payments made by each of the gaming devices 20 with wins, information about the identity and nature of the game the overall behavior of players playing on each of the gaming devices 20, etc. Network computer 32 may be a server computer and may be used to perform the same functions with respect to gaming devices 30 as the above-described network computer 22, or other functions.

Despite the fact that each of the networks 12, 26 shown in the drawing contains one network computer 22, 32 and four gaming devices 20, 30, it should be understood that a different number of computers and gaming devices can be used. For example, a network 12 may comprise a plurality of network computers 22 and tens or hundreds of gaming devices 20, all of which can communicate with each other via a data channel 24. Data channel 24 may be a dedicated cable channel or a wireless channel. Although the data channel 24 is shown in the figure as a single data channel 24, the data channel 24 may comprise a plurality of data channels.

In FIG. 2, a perspective view illustrates one possible embodiment of one or more gaming devices 20. Although the construction of gaming devices 20 is described in the description below, it should be understood that gaming devices 30 may have the same design as and gaming devices 20, which are described below. It should be understood that the design of one or more gaming devices 20 may be different than the design of the remaining gaming devices 20, and that the design of one or more gaming devices 30 may be different than the design of the remaining gaming devices 30. Each gaming device 20 may be a gaming device of any type for a casino and may have all sorts of different design options and functioning methods. As an example, the following is a description of various embodiments of the gaming devices 20, but it should be understood that numerous other embodiments may be used.

According to FIG. 2, a casino gaming device 20 may include a housing or housing 50 and one or more input devices, which may include a coin slot or a coin acceptor 52, a paper money receiving device 54, a receipt reading / printing device 56, and a card reader 58 which can be used to deposit money into the gaming device 20. The cash input device may comprise any device capable of receiving money from a client. As used herein, the term “cash” may encompass gaming tokens, coins, paper money, receipts, credit or debit cards, and any other items that have a monetary value.

In that case, if the gaming device 20 is equipped with a reader / print receipt device 56, this device can be used to read and / or print the receipt-receipt 60, or otherwise encode it. Receipts 60 may be made of paper or other material suitable for printing or encoding, and may contain one or more of the following information elements printed or encoded on them: casino name, receipt type, check number, barcode with control data and / or security data, the date and time of issue of the receipt-receipt, instructions and restrictions on redemption, a description of the award awarded and any other information that may be necessary or desirable. Receipts of receipts of 60 different types can be used, for example, premium receipts, receipts, receipts for cash withdrawals, receipts for casino chips, receipts for additional games, receipts for goods, receipts for visiting the restaurant, receipts for visiting entertainment events, etc. Receipts 60 can be printed using optically readable material, such as ink, or the data on receipts 60 can be magnetically encoded. Reader / reader 56 can either read or print receipts 60, or it can only read or only print or encode receipts 60. For example, in the latter case, some of the gaming devices 20 may include print devices 56 receipts that can be used to print receipts of receipts 60, and they can subsequently be used by the player in other gaming devices 20, equipped with devices 56 for reading receipts.

In that case, if the gaming device 20 is equipped with a reader / print receipt device 56, this device can be used to read and / or print the receipt-receipt 60, or otherwise encode it. Receipts 60 may be made of paper or other material suitable for printing or encoding, and may contain one or more of the following information elements printed or encoded on them: casino name, type of receipt, control number, barcode code with control data and / or security data, date and time of receipt of receipt, instructions and restrictions on redemption, description of the award awarded and any other information that may be necessary walkable or desirable. Receipts of receipts of 60 different types can be used, for example, premium receipts, receipts, receipts for cash withdrawals, receipts for casino chips, receipts for additional games, receipts for goods, receipts for visiting the restaurant, receipts for visiting entertainment events, etc. Receipts 60 can be printed using optically readable material, such as ink, or the data on receipts 60 can be magnetically encoded. Reader / reader 56 can either read or print receipts 60, or it can only read or only print or encode receipts 60. For example, in the latter case, some of the gaming devices 20 may include print devices 56 receipts that can be used to print receipts of receipts 60, and they can subsequently be used by the player in other gaming devices 20, equipped with devices 56 for reading receipts.

With a card reader 58, it may include any type of card reader, such as a magnetic card reader or optical card reader, and can be used to read data from a card offered by a player, such as a credit card or player tracking cards. In the presence of a card reader 58 for tracking a player, it can be used to read data from and / or write data to a player’s tracking cards, which are capable of storing data on a player’s identity, on a casino ID, on the nature of the player’s game behavior and etc.

The gaming device 20 may include one or more speakers 62 for reproducing sound, a coin payout tray 64, a data input control panel 66, and a color display 70 for displaying images related to a game or games provided through a game devices 20. Loudspeakers 62, which serve to reproduce sound, can generate sound information, which is such sounds as, for example, the noise of the rotating reels of a gaming machine, the voice to upe, music, announcements or any other audio information associated with the game, carried out at the casino. The data entry control panel 66 may be provided with a plurality of push buttons or touch pads that may be pressed by a player to select a game, place a bet, make a decision in a game, etc.

In FIG. 2A shows one possible embodiment of a control panel 66 that can be used when the gaming device 20 is a gaming machine provided with a plurality of mechanical or “virtual” reels. According to FIG. 2A, the control panel 66 may include a Payout View button 72, which, when activated, initiates the generation of one or more images displayed on the display screen 70, which shows information about winning chances or the amount of payments for a game or games, provided by the gaming device 20. The term “button” is used to encompass any device that allows a player to enter data, for example, an input device that must be pressed to select input data, or an area of the screen display, which the player can simply touch. The control panel 66 may include a Cash Disbursement button 74, which can be activated when the player decides to stop playing on the gaming device 20, in which case, the gaming device 20 can return money to the player, for example, by returning to the player a certain amount of money. the number of coins through tray 64 for payout.

If the gaming device 20 provides an opportunity to play on a gaming machine (slots) with a plurality of reels and with a plurality of paylines that determine winning combinations of reel symbols, then the control panel 66 may be provided with a plurality of selection buttons 76, each of which allows the player to select a different number paylines before the reels spin. For example, it may be equipped with five buttons 76, each of which may provide the player with a choice of one, three, five, seven or nine pay lines.

If the gaming device 20 provides the opportunity to play on a multi-reel slot machine (slots), then the control panel 66 may be provided with a plurality of selection buttons 78, each of which allows the player to indicate a bet amount for each selected pay line. For example, if the lowest bet accepted by the gaming device 20 is 25 cents (US $ 0.25), then the gaming device 20 may be provided with five selection buttons 78, each of which may allow the player to select single, double, triple, quadruple or a five-time bet of 25 cents as a bet made on each selected payline. In this case, if the player activated the button 76 under the name "5" (this means that the next time the reels spin, he plays five paylines), and then activated the button 78 under the name "3" (this means that if he made a bet of three coins on each payline), then the total amount of the bet is 3.75 US dollars (provided that the minimum bet is 0.25 US dollars).

The control panel 66 may include a button "Maximum bet" 80, allowing the player to make the maximum allowable bet in the game. In the above example, in which there are up to nine paylines, and up to five coins of 25 cents can be bet on each selected pay line, the maximum bet is 45 coins of 25 cents, or 11.25 US dollars. The control panel 66 may include a spin button 82, allowing the player to initiate the rotation of the reels for playing on the gaming machine (slots) after the bet has been made.

In FIG. 2A, a rectangle is shown around buttons 72, 74, 76. 78, 80, 82. It should be understood that for ease of reference, this rectangle simply indicates the area in which the buttons 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 can be located. Therefore, the term "control panel" should not be construed in such a way that it means the need for a panel or plate located separately from the housing 50 of the gaming device 20, wherein the term “control panel” may encompass a plurality or group of buttons operated by a player.

Although the above is a description of one of the possible options for the control panel 66, it should be understood that other buttons may be used in the control panel 66, and that the use of specific buttons may depend on the game or games that can be played on the gaming device 20. Although the control panel 66 is shown separately from the display 70, it should be understood that the control panel 66 can be created through the display 70. In this case, each of the buttons on the control panel 66 may be a color area created by dis Leu 70, and the display 70 may be associated a certain type device detecting a fact touching each of the keys, such touch screen.

GAME DEVICE ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

In FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of several components that may be part of the gaming device 20. Referring to FIG. 3, the gaming device 20 may comprise a controller 100, which may include a program memory 102, a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP) 104, random access memory (RAM) 106, and an input / output (I / O) circuit 108, all of which may be interconnected via the address / data bus 110. Although only one microprocessor 104 is shown in the drawing, the controller 100 may comprise a plurality of microprocessors 104. Similarly, the memory of the controller 100 may comprise a plurality of RAM 106 and a plurality of memory 102 for storing programs. Also, although the input / output circuit 108 is shown in the drawing as a single unit, the input / output circuit 108 may comprise several different types of input / output circuits. RAM 104 and memory 102 for storing programs can be implemented, for example, in the form of semiconductor memory devices, memory devices with magnetic reading and / or memory devices with optical reading.

In FIG. 3 shows that the control panel 66, the coin acceptor 52, the banknote reception device 54, the card reader 58, the receipt reader / printer 56 and the location device 46 located in the gaming device, which can be either a gaming device transmitter 114 or the receiver 116 of the gaming device can be operatively connected to the input / output circuit 108, each of these components being connected properly through unidirectional or bidirectional, single channel or multiple data line, which may depend on the design of the component used. A loudspeaker (s) 62 may be operatively connected to a sound circuit 112, which may comprise a speech and sound synthesis circuit, or may comprise a master oscillator circuit. The sound generating circuit 112 may be connected to the input / output circuit 108.

As shown in FIG. 3, components 46, 52, 54, 56, 58, 66, and 112 may be connected to an input / output circuit 108 via an appropriate forward link or conductor. Various wiring diagrams may be used. For example, one or more of the components shown in FIG. 3 can be connected to an input / output circuit 108 via a common bus or through another data channel shared by several components. In addition, some of the components can be directly connected to the microprocessor 104, bypassing the I / O circuit 108. In FIG. 4A - FIG. 4I shows gaming systems for determining the location of a gaming device in a casino, in which the location devices 46 located in the gaming devices are transmitters, and the location devices 48 in the casino are receivers. In FIG. 5A - FIG. 5F shows gaming systems 10 capable of determining the location of a gaming device in a casino, in which the location devices 46 located in the gaming devices are receivers, and the location devices 48 in the casino are transmitters.

In FIG. 4A shows a gaming system 10A capable of locating a gaming device in a casino in which there are a plurality of gaming device locations, according to one embodiment of the present invention. Those blocks from FIG. 4A, which have item numbers corresponding to the blocks of FIG. 1 are the same and their detailed description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4A, a plurality of gaming devices 20, wherein the location devices 46 located in the gaming devices are transmitters, for example, transmitters 114, which are connected to a bus 24 that communicates with each other, which is also connected to a network computer 22. In addition, the network computer 22 is connected to the location devices located in the casino, for example, with the first, second and third receivers 118, 120 and 122, the location of which is known to the network computer 22, and odderzhivaet contact with them. The operation of the gaming system 10A is described with reference to the location routine 199 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4B.

The location routine 199 starts at block 200 when one of the location devices located in the gaming devices, such as the transmitter 114, transmits a signal to the first, second, and third receivers 118, 120, and 122. At step 202, at least one of the first, second, and third receivers 118, 120, and 122 receives a transmitted signal and generates a reception signal transmitted to the network computer 22 and indicating the fact of receipt in the corresponding receiver of the signal transmitted from the transmitted ika 114. For example, the first receiver 118 after receiving the signal transmitted from the transmitter 114 generates a reception signal transmitted to the network computer 22.

At step 204, a first bearing 132 of the transmitter 114 is determined with respect to the first receiver 118. The first bearing 132 can be determined using a bearing detection assembly, for example, a bearing detection assembly 127 shown in FIG. 4C, where each of the receivers 118, 120, and 122 comprises a bearing detection unit. Bearing detection assembly 127 may include, for example, part 128 in the form of a conductive grounded cap with a hole 129, and antenna element 130 is placed inside part 128 in the form of cap. Part 128 in the form of a cap rotates around axis 129A, passing essentially through the center of the transverse section of part 128 in the form of a cap. Thus, the network computer 22, knowing the initial bearing of the hole 129 and the speed of rotation of the part 128 in the form of a cap around the axis 129A, can determine the bearing of the hole 129 upon receipt of the transmitted signal by the antenna element 130 and, therefore, the bearing of the gaming device containing the transmitter 114, which transmitted signal. In addition, to more accurately determine the bearing of the transmitter 114, for example, by registering the bearing of the hole 129 at the moment when the received signal level (RSS, RSS) has the highest intensity, indications characterizing the received signal's RSS can be used.

Alternatively, the bearing detecting unit 127 may comprise a directional antenna 131, for example the pointed antenna shown in FIG. 4D. The directional antenna 131 rotates around the axis 129B at a predetermined speed, while the received signal can be used to determine the bearing of the gaming device 20 containing the transmitter 114 transmitting the signal. The network computer 22, knowing the bearing of the directional antenna 131 and the received signal OOPS, can determine the directional antenna 131 bearing, and therefore the bearing of the transmitter 114 at the moment when the received signal OOPS has the highest intensity.

According to FIG. 4B, using the received signal from one of the receivers, for example, the first receiver 118, the network computer 22, knowing the speed and orientation of the bearing detection unit 127 of the first receiver 118, can determine the first bearing 132 of the transmitter 114 and, therefore, the corresponding gaming device 20 relative to the first receiver 118 as shown in step 204. In step 206, the network computer 22 receives a received signal from another receiver, for example, a second receiver 120. Using the second received signal and the bearing determination unit 127 of the second receiver 120 the network computer can determine the second bearing 134 of the transmitter 114, and therefore the bearing of the gaming device 20 relative to the second receiver 120, as shown in step 208, similar to that described above. After that, the network computer 22 can determine the location of the transmitter 114 and the corresponding gaming device 20 using the first and second bearings 132 and 134 by determining the intersection point 138 of the bearings at which the zones of the first and second bearings 132 and 134 intersect, as shown in step 210.

The location of the intersection point 138 of the bearings and, therefore, the gaming device 20 can be determined by the network computer 22 using the plan of the casino, presented in the form of a coordinate system. Each gaming device 20 has its location on the coordinate system, mapped by the coordinates of its location. The coordinates of the location correspond to the Cartesian coordinate system, the polar coordinate system or any other coordinate system that describes the location of the gaming device 20 in the casino. Knowing the locations of the casino-based positioning devices 48, which in this embodiment are the first and second receivers 118 and 120, the network computer can display them in the coordinate system for the casino in the form of location coordinates. Network computer 22 may display the first and second bearings 132 and 134 in the coordinate system, for example, in the form of lines, with each bearing passing through its corresponding receiver. For a person skilled in the art it is clear that the network computer 22 can determine the intersection point of bearings 132 and 134 and, therefore, the location of the gaming device 20. Network computer 22 stores the location of the gaming device and the corresponding transmitter 114, for example, in memory device 102, in RAM 106 or in any other storage device associated with the network computer 22, for use in determining statistics related to the location, to determine the location of the gaming device Tween 20 in the event of a malfunction of the gaming device 20 or for any other purpose for which location information of the gaming device 20 may be appropriate or desirable.

The location information of the gaming device 20 can be stored in the form of coordinates of the location, and then used by the casino employee to determine the location of the corresponding gaming device 20. Alternatively, the network computer 22 may comprise a casino floor plan, and the floor plan may contain specific designations of gaming devices 20 located in the casino. The floor plan can be superimposed on the coordinate system, whereby casino workers get a clearer picture of the location of the gaming device 20.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the transmitted signal may be received by a third receiver 122 having a bearing detection unit, wherein the third receiver may generate a third received signal for the network computer, indicating that the receiver has received the transmitted signal. Then, the network computer 22 can determine the third bearing 136 of the transmitter 114 and the corresponding gaming device 20 relative to the third receiver 122. For a person skilled in the art it is clear that the location of the transmitter 114 and the corresponding gaming device 20 can be determined by the intersection of the first, second and third bearings 132, 134 and 136, respectively, by determining the location of the third receiver 122 and the corresponding third bearing 136 in the coordinate system in a manner similar to that described above.

In FIG. 4E shows a gaming system 10B capable of determining the location of a gaming device in a casino using a signal arrival time measurement according to one embodiment of the present invention. Elements of FIG. 4E having reference numerals corresponding to the elements of FIG. 1 are the same and are not described in detail. FIG. 4E is different from FIG. 4A in that the receivers 118, 120 and 122 do not require the use of a bearing detection unit 127. For example, as shown in FIG. 4F, receivers 118, 120 and 122 may comprise an omnidirectional antenna element 147 that does not require rotation, or any antenna element or antenna element configuration that can receive a signal transmitted by transmitter 114. As described above with reference to FIG. 4A, the locations of the first, second, and third casino receivers 118, 120, and 122 are known for the network computer 22. The following describes the operation of the gaming system 10B with reference to the location routine 229 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4G.

The location routine 229 starts at step 230, where the transmitter 114 of the gaming device 20 transmits a signal received by at least one of the first, second, and third receiver 118, 120, and 122. At step 232, a receiver, such as a first receiver 118, generates a received a signal transmitted to the network computer 22 and indicating the fact of receiving the transmitted signal. At step 234, the network computer 22, using the received signal of the first receiver 118, determines the first signal arrival time necessary for the transmitted signal to reach the first receiver, and at step 236, using the first signal arrival time, determines the first distance 140 between the first receiver 118 and the transmitter 114, and therefore the corresponding gaming device 20.

For a person skilled in the art it is clear that the network computer 22 can determine the first time of arrival of the signal in various ways. For example, in the case where each of the devices, which are the transmitter 114 and the first receiver 118, is directly connected to the network computer 22, the network computer 22 can initiate the transmission by the transmitter 114 of the signal, while recording the signal transmission and the reception time of the first receiver 118 of this transmitted signal. Alternatively, the transmitter 114 does not have to be directly connected to the network computer 22, while the internal clocks in the transmitter 114 and in the first receiver 118 are synchronized with each other, since the information about the timing of the signal transmission can be included in the signal, transmitted from the transmitter 114 to the first receiver 118, and used to determine the first time of arrival of the signal. Using the first time of arrival of the transmitted signal to the first receiver 118, the network computer 22 can determine the first distance from the transmitter 114 to the first receiver 118. This is done by multiplying the value of the first time of arrival of the signal by the speed of light to obtain the first distance 140 between the first receiver 118 and the transmitter 114. The location of the transmitter 114 and the corresponding gaming device 20 in the casino is located on a circle 141, the center of which is the first receiver 118, and the radius is the first distance 140. C and using a floor plan and a coordinate system for casinos similar to those described above, the network computer 22 can determine the location of the first receiver 118 and circle 141 and map them to the coordinate system.

Then, the network computer 22 may receive from another receiver, for example from the second receiver 120, a second reception signal indicative of the reception of the transmitted signal in the second receiver 120, as shown in step 238. At step 240, a second signal arrival time for the second receiver can be determined 120 in the manner described above, and the network computer 22 in step 242 may determine a second distance 142 between the second receiver 120 and the transmitter 114, similar to that described above. The second distance 142 defines the second circle 143, in the center of which the second receiver 120 is located, and the radius of the circle is the second distance 142, while the transmitter 114 and the corresponding gaming device 20 lie on the second circle 143. The location of the second receiver 120 and the second circle 143 are displayed in the system casino coordinates are similar to those described above.

Using the first and second distances 140 and 142, as well as the corresponding first and second circles 141 and 143, together with information about the locations of the first and second receivers 118 and 120, the network computer 22 at step 244 can determine the location of the transmitter 114 and the corresponding gaming device 20 by determining the intersection point of the first circle 141 and the second circle 143. The first and second circles 141 and 143 usually intersect at two points. Using the location information of the first and second receivers 118 and 120 inside the casino, the intersection points can be superimposed on the casino floor plan in the manner described above to display the location of the gaming device 20 in the casino. In the case when one of the intersection points is located outside the casino, the network computer 22 can exclude this intersection point, thereby determining the location of the transmitter 114 and the corresponding gaming device 20 where the other intersection point is located. In addition, in the case when one of the intersection points is located in that part of the casino where the gaming device cannot be located, for example, before exiting the casino or in the casino's walking gallery, this intersection point cannot be the location of the gaming device in casino and can be excluded, which means that the gaming device 20 is located at another intersection.

In yet another embodiment, the network computer 22 may use a third receive signal coming from another receiver, for example, from the third receiver 122, while the network computer 22 can determine the time of arrival of the signal and the corresponding third distance 144 between the third receiver 122 and the transmitter 114. This the third distance 144 defines the third circle 145, the center of which is the third receiver 122, and the radius is equal to the third distance 144. Since the circles 141, 143 and 145 intersect at essentially one point, t the network computer 22 is able to determine the location of the transmitter 114 and the corresponding gaming unit 20 as a point of intersection with the above-described coordinate system.

In FIG. 4H shows a gaming system 10C according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which a combination of methods for determining the bearing and signal arrival time are used to determine the location of the gaming device. Elements of FIG. 4H having reference numbers corresponding to the elements of FIG. 1 are the same and are not described in detail. The operation of the gaming system 10C is described below with reference to the location routine 259 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4I.

The positioning routine 259 begins at step 260, where the transmitter 114 transmits a signal received by the receiver, for example, the first receiver 118. At step 262, the network computer 22 receives the received signal from the first receiver 118, indicating that the transmitted signal was received at the first receiver 118. At step 264 the network computer 22, using the received signal, can determine the first bearing of the transmitter 114 and the corresponding gaming device 20 from the first receiver 118 using, for example, the above-described determination unit 127 elenga.

In addition, at step 266, the network computer 22, using the received signal of the first receiver 118, can determine the first arrival time of the transmitted signal received by the first receiver 118. At step 268, the network computer, using the first time of arrival of the signal, can determine the distance 148 between the first receiver 118 and a transmitter 114 of the corresponding gaming device 20, which defines a circle 149, the center of which is the first receiver 118, and the radius is the distance 148. As described above, the transmitter 114 is located essentially on power 149. At step 270, the network computer 22 can determine the location of the transmitter 114 and the corresponding gaming device 20 using the intersection point of the bearing 146, the first distance 148 and the circle 149. As described above, the location of the first receiver 118, the first bearing 146 and the circle 149 can be mapped to the coordinate system to determine the intersection point and, consequently, the location of the transmitter 114. In addition, a similar method can be used in receivers 120 and 122 to clarify the found location I transmitter 114 and the corresponding gaming unit 20.

Although a variant is disclosed in the description in which the transmitter 114 transmits one determination signal (location) of the gaming device, and the same reception signal is used to determine both the bearing and the time of arrival of the signal, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the transmitter 114 may transmit more than one determination signal (location) of the gaming device, and more than one received signal may be received from the first receiver 118. In this case, in response to receiving the first transmitted location signal of the gaming device from the transmitter 114, a first received signal may be generated to determine the bearing of the transmitter 114 relative to the first receiver 118. In response to the reception of the second signal transmitted from the transmitter 114, there may be a second received signal is generated for determining the arrival time of the transmitted signal of the transmitter 114 received by the first receiver 118.

In FIG. 5A - FIG. 5D shows a gaming system capable of determining the location of a gaming device in a casino according to other embodiments of the present invention.

In FIG. 5A shows a gaming system 10D in which bearings are used to determine the location of a gaming device. Those elements of FIG. 5A, which have reference numbers corresponding to the elements of FIG. 1 are the same and are not described in detail. FIG. 5A is different from FIG. 4A in that the positioning device 46 located in the gaming device is a receiver 116 in which, for example, the bearing determination unit 127 described above with reference to FIG. 4C or in FIG. 4D, and the casino location devices 148 are transmitters, for example, a first transmitter 150, a second transmitter 152, and a third transmitter 154. The locations of the first, second, and third transmitters 150, 152, and 154 in a casino are known to the network computer 22 The operation of the gaming system 10D is described below with reference to the location routine 299 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5B.

The positioning routine 299 starts at step 300, where a transmitter, such as a first transmitter 150 and a second transmitter 152, transmit signals received by the receiver 116 of the corresponding gaming device 20. At step 302, the receiver 116 generates a received signal indicating the fact of receiving the transmitted signal at the receiver 116 and received by the network computer 22. The receiver 116 comprises a bearing detecting unit 127, for example, described above with reference to FIG. 4C and FIG. 4D. Using the first receive signal, the network computer 22 determines the bearing 151A (see FIG. 5C, which is described below) of the first transmitter 150 relative to the receiver 116. Since it is important to determine the bearing of the receiver 116 relative to that element of the gaming system 10D, the location of which is already known (i.e. the first transmitter 150), then the bearing 151A may be converted to the first bearing 156 of the receiver 116 relative to the first transmitter 150, as described with reference to FIG. 5C.

In FIG. 5C, a top view illustrates a gaming system 10D and shows the orientation of the receiver 116 with respect to the first and second transmitters 150 and 152 for converting the bearing 151A to the first bearing 156 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Shows the orientation of the receiver, determined by the coordinate system 116A, the orientation of the first transmitter, determined by the coordinate system 150A, and the orientation of the second transmitter, determined by the coordinate system 152A, respectively, for the receiver 116, for the first transmitter 150 and for the second transmitter 152. The centers of the systems 116A, 150A and The coordinates 152A are, respectively, the receiver 116, the first transmitter 150 and the second transmitter 152. The coordinate system 116A is defined by the X axis 116X and the Y axis, 116Y, the coordinate system 150A is set by the X axis 150X and the axis Y 150Y, and the coordinate system 152A defined axis x X 152X and y axis 152Y. The X axis 116X, the X axis 150X and the X axis 152X are essentially parallel to each other.

The receiver 116 may determine the bearing 151A of the first transmitter 150 with respect to the receiver 116 equal to θ ₁ in a manner similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 4A and to step 204 of FIG. 4B, in which the bearing detecting unit 127 of the receiver 116 rotates in the first direction, for example, counterclockwise, and the negative direction of the X axis 116X is designated as 0 °, and this angle increases when rotating in the counterclockwise direction around the coordinate system 116A. Bearing 151A is converted to first bearing 156 using θ ₁ , with the positive direction of the X axis 150X being denoted as 0 °, and this angle increases when clockwise is rotated around the coordinate system 150A. Bearing 151A is converted to the first bearing 156 by setting the angle θ ₁ shown in coordinate system 150A to be equal to the angle θ ₁ shown in coordinate system 116A to obtain the first bearing 156.

According to FIG. 5B, at step 306, the receiver 116 may generate a second received signal indicative of the reception of a signal transmitted from the second transmitter 152, the second received signal being received by the network computer 22. Using the second received signal, the network computer 22 can determine the bearing 151B of the first transmitter 150 relative to the receiver 116, equal to θ ₂ , while the negative direction of the X axis 116X is denoted as 0 °, in a manner similar to that described above for step 304. At step 308, bearing 151B can be converted to second bearing 158, similarly described above, the second bearing 158 of the receiver 116 relative to the second transmitter 152 is set as θ ₂ , and the positive direction of the axis X 152X is indicated as 0 °. θ ₂ in the coordinate system 152A is set to θ ₂ of the coordinate system 116A to obtain the second bearing 158. At step 310, the network computer 22 can determine the location of the receiver 116 and the corresponding gaming device 20 using the intersection point 161 of the first bearing 156 and the second bearing 158 similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B by mapping the first and second transmitters 150 and 152, and the first and second bearings 156 and 158 into a coordinate system for a casino and determining an intersection point. The coordinate systems 116A, 150A and 152A are independent of the coordinate system for the casino and should not be confused with it.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, the accuracy of the location of the receiver 116 and the corresponding gaming device 20 can be improved by using the third transmitter 154, while the third transmitter 154 transmits a signal received by the receiver 116, which is used to determine the third bearing 160 of the receiver 116 relative to the third transmitter 154, similar to that described above. Then determine the location of the receiver 116, which corresponds to the intersection of the first, second and third bearings 156, 158 and 160.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, not shown in the drawing, there is no need for a specific orientation of the receiver 116 relative to the first, second and third transmitters 150, 152 and 154 to enable the detection of the bearing, while the receiver 116 or game device 20 corresponding to the receiver 116, contains a direction determining unit, for example a compass. Moreover, in the case where the orientations of the first, second, and third transmitters 150, 152, and 154 are known to the network computer, the compass can be used to determine the specific orientation of the receiver 116 relative to the first, second, and third transmitters 150, 152, and 154. The network computer 22 may use the orientation of receiver 116 when converting bearings 151A and 151B (see FIG. 5C) to bearings 156, 158 and 160, and thereby determine the location of receiver 116 in a manner similar to that described above.

For example, according to FIG. 5C, where it is known that the positive directions of the X-axes of 150X and 152X are oriented by the compass heading of 90 °, and the positive direction of the X-axis of 116A is oriented by the compass heading of 95 °, the network computer 22 can convert θ ₁ and θ ₂ corresponding to bearings 151A and 151B, in θ ₁ and θ ₂ , corresponding to bearings 156 and 158, by adding 5 ° to the values of θ ₁ and θ ₂ corresponding to bearings 151A and 151B. In this way, the location of the receiver 116 and the corresponding gaming device 20 can be determined without the casino workers having to set the specific orientation of the receiver 116 (and the gaming device 20).

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the storage device 102 of the network computer 22 may be programmed so that it contains a table of bearing values corresponding to the bearing of the transmitters 150, 152 and 154, from any place in the casino where the gaming device 20 may be located. in the case of bearings of the first, second and third transmitters 150 and 152 relative to the receiver 116 (i.e., bearings 151A and 151B) are fed to the network computer 22, they are searched in the table, and the location of the gaming device is determined 20 and as the location of the gaming device, values corresponding bearing coinciding. For a person skilled in the art it is clear that in an alternative embodiment, any memory device that communicates with a networked computer 22 can be used to store a table of bearing values.

In FIG. 5D shows a gaming system 10E according to one embodiment of the present invention in which methods based on the arrival time of the signal are used to determine the location of the gaming device. Those elements of FIG. 5D, which have reference numbers corresponding to the elements of FIG. 1 are the same and are not described in detail. The operation of the system of FIG. 5D with reference to the location routine 329 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5E.

The positioning routine 329 starts at block 330, where transmitters, for example, the first transmitter 150 and the second transmitter 152, transmit signals received by the receiver 116 and the corresponding gaming device 20. At block 332, the receiver 116 generates a first received signal indicating the fact of signal reception, transmitted by one of the transmitters, for example, the first transmitter 115, which is supplied to the network computer 22. At step 334, the network computer 22 determines the first time the signal arrives from the first transmitter 150 to the analog receiver 116 otherwise, as described above with reference to FIG. 4E and FIG. 4G. At step 336, using the first time the signal arrives, network computer 22 can determine the first distance 162 between the first transmitter 152 and the first receiver 116 by defining a first circle 163, the center of which is the first transmitter 150, and the radius is the first distance 162. The receiver 116 is located at circles 163. At step 338, the receiver 116 generates a second received signal indicating the fact of receiving the second signal transmitted by the second receiver 152 and supplied to the network computer 22. At step 340, the network computer 22 determines the second time at the signal path for the second transmitter 152, and at step 342, the network computer determines a second distance 164 from the second transmitter 152 to the receiver 116 using the second signal arrival time. The location of the receiver 116 is on the second circle 165, the center of which is the second transmitter 152, and the radius is the second distance 164, while the receiver 116 is located on the second circle 165. At step 344, the network computer 22 determines the location of the receiver 116 and the corresponding gaming device 20 s using the first and second distances 162 and 164, and the corresponding circles 163 and 165. In particular, it can be determined using the intersection point of the circle 163 and circle 165 displayed on the coordinate system casino nat as described above.

In yet another embodiment, the third transmitter 154 may generate a third signal received by the receiver 116, wherein the receiver generates a received signal supplied to the network computer 22 and indicating the receipt of the third signal of the third transmitter 154. The network computer 22 may use the signal arrival time to determine a third distance 166 between the third transmitter 154 and the receiver 116, which defines the third circle 167, the center of which is the third transmitter 154, and the radius is equal to the third distance 166. For a person skilled in the art it is clear that the network computer 22 can determine the location of the receiver 116 and the corresponding gaming device 20 using the first, second and third distances 162, 164 and 166, and circles 163, 165 and 167.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown in the drawings, in a gaming system in which the location devices 46 located in the gaming devices are receivers and the location devices 48 located in the casino are transmitters, can be used a combination of direction finding methods and methods based on the arrival time of the signal, similar to those described above with reference to FIG. 4H and FIG. 4I, which is understandable to a person skilled in the art.

Although the above examples show that the location devices 48 located in the casino consist of three devices (first, second and third receivers 118, 120 and 122, or first, second and third transmitters 150, 152 and 154), for a specialist in It is understood in the art that more (or fewer) number of location devices located in a casino can be used, while the number of used location devices located in a casino can affect the accuracy of determining m location of the gaming device. In addition, the positioning devices 46 located in the gaming devices need not be located as shown in the drawings, but they can be located at any place inside or near the casino.

In addition, it is understood that in a multi-level casino, a plurality of sets of location devices 48 located in a casino, one set on each floor of a casino, can be used to determine the location of a gaming device within a multi-level casino. Alternatively, one set of 48 positioning devices located in the casino may be placed inside or near the casino, while all positioning devices 48 located in the casino are located on a common floor or distributed across a plurality of casino levels, and can be implemented Three-dimensional location methods. For a person skilled in the art it is clear that, for example, when using methods based on the arrival time of the signal, the distances between the receiver and the corresponding transmitter can be used to determine the areas on which a particular gaming device is located, while the point of intersection of the spheres determines the location of the gaming device 20 .

When using methods for determining a bearing, information about the location of the bearing may contain a component characterizing the angle of inclination, which is the angle of inclination relative to the receiver located above or below the specific level (i.e. floor) of the casino on which the node for determining the bearing is located, while the intersection of bearings determines the location of the gaming device 20 within the multi-level casino. Such a component characterizing the angle of inclination can be obtained when the receiver contains a spherical bearing detection unit that is essentially stationary (i.e., not rotating), which is shown in FIG. 5F.

In FIG. 5F is a perspective view showing a cross-section of a spherical bearing locating unit 345 used to determine a component of a bearing location information characterizing an angle of inclination according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5F, the spherical bearing detection unit 345 includes a non-conductive spherical shell 346, a plurality of receivers 116P, each receiver having a corresponding antenna element 347 protruding to the surface of the spherical shell 346. Each receiver 116P is connected directly or via an interface 348 to a network computer 22, while interface 348 may provide a multiplexed connection between receivers 116P and network computer 22. When placed inside a casino, antenna elements 347 receive signals transmitted by a transmitter 114 corresponding to the gaming device. Network computer 22 determines which antenna element on the surface of spherical shell 346 was the first to receive the transmitted signal. The bearing of the transmitter 114 relative to the spherical bearing detection unit 345 is defined as the bearing of the antenna element 347 that first received the transmitted signal relative to the center of the spherical bearing detection unit 345.

The above-described transmitters 114, 152, 154, and 156 may include a signal generator, which includes a local oscillator, an amplifier for amplifying the generated signals, and an antenna element for transmitting the generated signal. Receivers 116, 118, 120, and 122 may include an antenna element for receiving a transmitted signal, a resonator circuit for filtering the signal, and an amplifier circuit for amplifying the filtered signal.

In addition, the transmitter 114 may include a modulator that modulates the positioning signal of the gaming device using the identifier of a specific gaming device. Modulation can be performed by at least one of the following modulation methods: amplitude, frequency, and phase modulation. In this case, each of the receivers 118, 120 and 122 may further comprise a demodulator assembly capable of extracting identifier information from the transmitted signal in accordance with the modulation method used. In an alternative embodiment, in which the network computer 22 is capable of demodulating the corresponding received signal, there is no need for the receivers to contain a demodulator assembly.

The transmission of signals by the transmitter 114 may occur at the time of turning on the power of the gaming device or at any time during the course of the game. In the case when the transmission is carried out when the power of the gaming device is turned on, which usually happens after the gaming device is moved to another place, only the basic signal (that is, it does not have to contain information about the identifier), which can be received by the receivers, is transmitted to the receivers and provides positioning of the corresponding gaming device. Such a base signal may comprise a signal generated at a predetermined frequency and transmitted to receivers 118, 120 and 122. In addition, a plurality of transmitters 114 of gaming devices 120 can transmit simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, while transmitting signals transmitted by transmitters 114 , carried out at different frequencies, and / or these signals contain identifier information. For example, the frequency of the transmitted signal can be used to identify a particular transmitter 114 generating a signal. Alternatively, identifier information may be used in the transmitted signal, containing the identifier of a particular gaming device 20, which corresponds to the signal transmitted by the transmitters 114. In addition, for example, when there is a limited number of identifiers, the network computer 22 may drive transmitters are selectively grouped, with each group containing transmitters having unique identifiers that differ from one another. In addition, transmitters 114 may transmit continuously.

The transmitters 150, 152 and 154 may also include a modulator that modulates the transmitted signal, while the receiver 116 comprises a demodulator assembly capable of extracting information by which the transmitted signals are modulated. As with the transmitter 114, amplitude, frequency, and phase modulation can be used in the signal transmitted from the first, second, and third transmitters 150, 152, and 154, while the transmitted signal contains identifier information used to identify the transmitter from which a signal has been transmitted. In addition, in the case where the network computer 22 is capable of demodulating / extracting information from the received signal, the receiver 116 does not need to comprise a demodulator assembly.

The signals transmitted by the transmitters 114, 150, 152, and 154 may be radio frequency signals, infrared signals, ultrasonic signals, an optical signal, such as a laser beam, or any other signals that can be received by receivers in a gaming system. In addition, although the transmitters 114, 150, 152 and 154 are shown connected to the network computer 22, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that this is not always necessary. For example, in the case where the transmitters include information about the identifier of a particular transmitter that is transmitting the signal in the transmitted signal, the transmitter does not have to be directly connected to the network computer 22. The receiver can easily determine which transmitter transmitted the signal for which it it is currently generating a reception signal using, for example, a transmitter identifier included in the corresponding transmitted signals. The network computer 22 is programmed in such a way that it contains information about the locations and identifiers of the transmitters. Thus, for example, the bearing of the receivers relative to the transmitters can be determined, and therefore, the location of the gaming device 20 can be calculated in the above-described manner. In addition, as described above, the transmitted signals can be modulated by means of time synchronization information, which makes it possible to use location methods based on the arrival time of the signal.

Alternatively, the first, second, and third transmitters 150, 152, and 154 may only transmit signals after receiving a command to transmit from the network computer 22. In this embodiment, the signals transmitted by the first, second, and third transmitters 150, 152, and 154 may be are essentially identical and do not have to contain identifier information.

Despite the fact that the transmitters 114 and receivers 116 are shown as discrete components associated with the gaming device 20, for a person skilled in the art it is clear that the functionality provided by them can be integrated into the electronic circuits of the corresponding gaming device 20.

For a person skilled in the art it is clear that using the above methods can be determined the location of gaming devices anywhere in the casino. In addition, in the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the presence of a plurality of transmitters 114 and receivers 116 for each of the gaming devices is shown, which depends on the location method used. However, in the case when a casino employee attaches the transmitter to the gaming device 20 while moving the gaming device 20 to another location, only one or a limited number of transmitters 114 or receivers 116 are necessary. For example, in the case where the positioning device, located in the gaming device, is the transmitter 114, then this transmitter may contain an input device (i.e., a keypad) that serves to enter the identifier of the gaming device to which it is temporarily connected sponds. The identifier of the corresponding gaming device is entered into the transmitter, and the gaming device is moved to another location. When moving the gaming device, receivers 116, 118 and 120 can be used to continuously record the location of the gaming device corresponding to the transmitter 114. When the gaming device corresponding to the transmitter 114 is placed in a desired location, the location of the gaming device can be registered as the final location of the transmitter 114 when turning off the power of the transmitter 114 or as the location of the transmitter 114 when disconnecting the transmitter 114 from the corresponding gaming device. In the case where the location determining device located in the gaming device is a receiver, the receiver 116 may be provided with a similar input device for inputting the identifier of the gaming device, and the location of the gaming device is determined in a manner similar to the above.

Although the network computer 22 has been disclosed as performing the required calculations and performing the various location routines described herein, one skilled in the art will understand that any controller can be used to perform such calculations to determine the location of a gaming device within a casino, regardless of whether it is located in the network computer 22, in any gaming device 20, in any location device 48 located in a casino, in the device 46 about the location of the location located in the gaming device or on the network 40. In addition, the system described here can be used to determine the location of gaming devices at airports, stores or in any other institution in which gaming devices may be located.

GENERAL PRINCIPLE OF ACTION OF THE GAME DEVICE

The following is a description of one of the possible methods of functioning of one or more gaming devices 20 (as well as one or more gaming devices 30) with reference to several flowcharts representing several parts or subprograms of one or more computer programs that can be stored in one or in more memory devices of the controller 100. A computer program (computer programs) or parts thereof can be stored in remote devices, outside of the gaming device 20, and can be print control of the operation of the gaming device 20 from a remote location. Such remote control can be facilitated by using a wireless connection or an interface with the Internet, which connects the gaming device 20 to a remote computer (for example, one of the network computers 22, 32) having a storage device in which parts of the computer program are stored. Parts of a computer program can be written in any high-level language, for example, C, C +, C ++ or a similar language, or in any low-level language, in assembly language or in machine language. By storing parts of the computer program in different parts of the storage devices 102, 106, their physical and / or structural configuration is set so that it matches the commands of the computer program.

In FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a main operating program 350 that may be stored in a memory of the controller 100. Referring to FIG. 6, the operation of the main program 350 may begin at step 351, which determines the location of the gaming device 20 in the casino in the manner described above, for example, using any of the location routines 199, 229, 259, 299 and 329. At step 352, an operation of reproducing an engaging demo sequence may be performed in an attempt to induce a potential player in a casino to participate in a game on the gaming device 20. Reproduction of an engaging demo sequence may be performed by displaying one or more video images on a display screen 70 and / or by initiating the generation of one or more sound fragments, for example, speech or music, output through loud the speakers 62. The engaging demo sequence may comprise a continuously moving vertically (“scrolling”) list of games that can be played on the gaming device 20, and / or video images of various games that can be played, for example, a video of a poker game (video poker ), video of the blackjack game option (video blackjack), video of the game option on the slot machine (video slots), video of the keno game option (video keno), video of the bingo game option (video bingo), etc. .

In the event that, during the playback operation of the engaging demo sequence, the potential player enters any data into the gaming device 20, as determined in step 354, reproduction of the engaging demo sequence can be completed, and in step 356, the display 70 may be created an image of a game selection allowing the player to make a selection of a game available in the gaming device 20. The detection by the gaming device 20 of the fact of data input in step 354 may be performed Eno in various ways. For example, the gaming device 20 may detect that a player has pressed any button on the gaming device 20; the gaming device 20 may determine whether the player actually inserted one or more coins into the gaming device 20; the gaming device 20 may determine whether the player actually put a paper currency in the gaming device, etc.

The game selection image generated in step 356 may include, for example, a list of video games that can be played by the gaming device 20, and / or a visual message giving the player a hint about investing money in the gaming device 20. During generation of the game selection image the gaming device 20 may be in standby mode for the player to make a game selection. After the player selects one of the games, which is determined at step 358, the controller 100 may initiate the execution of one of several game routines, providing the ability to play the selected game. For example, gaming routines may comprise a video poker routine 360, a video blackjack routine 362, a slot machine gaming routine 364 (slots), a video keno routine 366, and a video bingo routine 368. In the event that, during a given period of time, a game has not been selected, then at step 358, the procedure can go back to step 352.

After executing one of the routines 360, 362, 364, 366, 368, allowing the player to play one of the games, it can be determined at step 370 whether the player wants to end the game on the gaming device 20 or select another game. If the player wants to stop the game on the gaming device 20, which can be expressed, for example, by selecting the "Cash Out" button, then at step 372, the controller 100 gives the player money based on the result of the game (s) played (played) by the player. Then, the procedure can return to step 352. If the player does not want to end the game, which is determined at step 370, the program can return to step 358, where the operation of displaying the game selection image on the screen, allowing the player to select another game, can be performed again.

Although in FIG. 6 shows five game routines, the program may contain a different number of routines, which allows you to play a different number of games. The gaming device 20 may also be programmed in such a way that provides the ability to play various games. Furthermore, although the drawing shows that the positioning operation is first performed in step 351, it will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the positioning of the gaming device can be carried out at any point in the routine 350. Therefore, in the case where the gaming device 20, it is desirable to determine statistics associated with its specific location, the location information determined in step 351. can be used. In addition, in the event of a game malfunction stroystva 20 information about the location determined in step 351 may be used to determine the location of a particular gaming device to ensure its maintenance.

In FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of the main operating program 380, which can be stored in the memory of the controller 100. The main program 380 can be used for those gaming devices 20 that are designed to provide the ability to play only one game or a game of the same type. According to FIG. 7, the operation of the main program 380 may begin at step 381, which determines the location of the gaming device 20 in a manner similar to that described above for step 351 in FIG. 6. At step 382, an operation of reproducing an engaging demo sequence may be performed in an attempt to induce a potential player in a casino to play a game on the gaming device 20. Reproduction of an engaging demo sequence may be performed by outputting one or more video images to a display screen 70 and / or by initiating the generation of one or more sound fragments, for example, speech or music, output through the speakerphone govoriteli 62.

In the event that, during the playback operation of the engaging demo sequence, the potential player enters any data into the gaming device 20, as determined in step 384, reproduction of the engaging demo sequence can be completed, and in step 386, the display 70 may be created image of the game. The game image generated in step 386 may comprise, for example, an image of a game being played in a casino that can be played on the gaming device 20 and / or a visual message giving the player a hint about investing money in the gaming device 20. At 388, the gaming device 20 may determine whether the player has issued a request for information about the game, in which case, at step 390, the requested information is displayed. At step 392, it is determined whether the player has issued a request to initiate the game, in which case the game subroutine 394 may be executed. The game subroutine 394 may be any of the game subroutines disclosed here, for example, one of the five game subroutines 360, 362, 364, 366, 368, or other game routine.

After the subroutine 394, allowing the player to play the game, has been executed, at step 396 it is determined whether the player wants to end the game on the gaming device 20. If the player wants to stop the game on the gaming device 20, which can be expressed, for example, by selecting button "Cash withdrawal", the controller 100 at step 398 gives the player money based on the result of the game (s) played (played) by the player. Then, the procedure may return to step 382. If the player does not wish to complete the game, as determined at step 396, the procedure may return to step 388.

VIDEO POKER

In FIG. 8 shows an example of an image 400 that can be displayed on a display screen 70 during execution of the video poker game routine 360 shown in FIG. 6. According to FIG. 8, an image 400 may comprise video images 402 of a plurality of playing cards held by a player, for example, five cards. In order for the player to be able to control the course of the game when playing video poker, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. These buttons may include, but not limited to, the “Leave” button 404 located directly below each of the 402 playing card images, the “Cash Out” button 406, the “Payout View” button 408, the “One Credit Bet” button 410, the 412 button "Bet on the maximum number of credits" and button 414 "Issue / Change of Cards". Image 400 may also contain an area 416, which displays the number of remaining loans or the amount of cash. If the display 70 is provided with a touch screen, then the buttons 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414 may be part of the displayed video image 400. Alternatively, one or more of these buttons may be made as part of a control panel located separately from display 70.

In FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a video poker game routine 360 shown in FIG. 6. According to FIG. 10, at 422, the subroutine can determine whether the player has requested payment information, for example, by activating the Payout View button 408, in which case, at 424, the subroutine may initiate the display of one or more payout tables on the screen display 70. At step 426, the subroutine can determine whether the player has made a bet, for example, by pressing the button 410 "Bet one credit", and in this case, at step 428, the operation of storing data on bets made that correspond to a bet made by the player in the memory of the controller 100. At step 430, the subroutine can determine whether the player has pressed the button "Bet on the maximum number of credits" button 412, and in this case, at step 432, the operation of storing data on bets made that correspond to the maximum allowable rate in the memory of the controller 100.

At step 434, the subroutine can determine if the player wants to be dealt new cards to the player, which can be determined by detecting whether the "Deal / Change Cards" button 414 has been activated after the bet has been placed. In this case, at step 436, the video poker cards can be dealt to the player by initiating generation of images 402 of the playing cards on the display 70. After the cards have been dealt to the player, the subroutine at step 438 can determine if any from the “Leave” buttons 404, and in this case, the data about which of the images 402 of playing cards should be “left” can be stored in the controller 100, which is performed at step 440. If the “Deal / Change Cards” button 414 is again powered by what is determined by in step 442, each of the playing card images 402 that have not been “left” disappears from the video image 400 displayed on the display screen and is replaced by a new image 402 of a randomly selected playing card in step 444.

At step 446, the subroutine can determine whether the combination of poker cards in the player’s hands that is currently displayed by playing card images 402 is winning. This determination operation can be performed by comparing the data displaying the combination of poker cards in the hands of the player that is currently displayed on the screen with the data displaying all kinds of winning card combinations that can be stored in the storage device. controller 100. If the player has a winning combination of cards in his hands, at step 448, an operation can be performed to determine the payout amount corresponding to the winning combination of cards in the hands of the games ka. At 450, updating the accumulated cash amount or the number of player credits can be performed by subtracting the amount of the bet made by the player and adding the payout amount determined at step 448 if the player had a winning card combination. The accumulated amount of funds or the number of credits can also be displayed on the display screen in area 416 (see Fig. 8).

Although the above description of the video poker game subroutine 360 is set forth for one set of five poker cards in a player’s hands, the subroutine 360 may be modified to provide other types of poker games. For example, a poker game on seven cards or a stud poker game may be implemented. Alternatively, a simultaneous game on a plurality of sets of poker cards in the hands of a player can be implemented. In this embodiment, the game can be started by handing over to the player one set of cards for playing poker, and he may be given the opportunity to leave some cards. After deciding which cards to leave, the cards left can be duplicated in the form of many different sets of poker cards in the hands of the player, while the remaining cards for each of these sets of poker cards are in the hands of a player, determined by random law.

VIDEO BLACKJACK

In FIG. 9 shows an example of an image 460 that can be displayed on a display screen 70 during execution of a video blackjack game routine 362 shown in FIG. 6. According to FIG. 9, image 460 may contain video images 462 of two game cards held by the dealer, one of these cards being shown “face down” and the other card being shown “face down”, and video image 464 of two game cards representing cards located on the player’s hands, while both of these cards are shown “face down”. As the "croupier" may serve as a gaming device 20.

In order for the player to be able to control the course of the game when playing video blackjack, a variety of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. These buttons may contain a button 466 "Cash withdrawal", a button 468 "View payouts", a button 470 "Stop", a button 472 "Take one card", a button 474 "Bet one credit" and a button 476 "Bet on the maximum number of credits" . Image 460 may also contain an area 478, which displays the amount of remaining loans or cash. If the display 70 is provided with a touch screen, then the buttons 466, 468, 470, 472 474, 476 may form part of the video image 460 displayed on the screen. Alternatively, one or more of these buttons may be made as part of a control panel located separately from the display 70.

In FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a video blackjack routine 362 shown in FIG. 6. According to FIG. 11, the video blackjack game routine 362 may be started at step 480, where it can determine if a player has made a bet. This can be determined, for example, by detecting the fact that the button 474 “Bet one credit” or the button 476 “Bet on the maximum number of credits” were activated. At step 482, data on the bet made corresponding to the bet made at step 480 can be stored in the memory of the controller 100. At step 484, the "cards" are dealt to the croupier and the player by displaying 462, 464 playing images cards to the display screen 70.

At step 486, the player may be given the opportunity to “take another card,” in which case at step 488, the player is dealt another card in addition to the cards held by the player by displaying image 464 of another playing card appearing in image 460. If the player took one card, then at step 489 it can be determined whether the player has "bust" or an excess of 21 points. If the player does not have iteration, then steps 486 and 488 can be performed again, giving the player the opportunity to draw another card.

If the player decides not to take another card, then at step 490, the subroutine can determine whether the dealer should take another card. Whether the croupier can take another card or not is determined in accordance with pre-established rules, for example, the croupier always draws another card if the total points of the cards held by the croupier are less than or equal to 15. If the croupier takes another card, then at step 491 one more card can be dealt to the croupier by displaying image 462 of another playing card appearing in image 460. At step 492, the subroutine can determine if the croupier has too much. If the croupier has no search, then steps 490, 491 can be performed again, giving the croupier the opportunity to draw another card.

If the dealer does not draw another card, then at step 494 the result of the blackjack game and the corresponding payout amount can be determined, for example, based on who the player or the dealer has the most points on the cards in his hands, not exceeding 21. If the player has the winning card combination, then at step 496, the payout amount corresponding to the winning card combination held by the player can be determined. At step 498, the accumulated cash amount or the number of player credits can be updated by subtracting the bet amount made by the player and adding the payout amount determined at step 496 if the player won. The accumulated amount of funds or the number of credits can also be displayed on the display screen in area 478 (Fig. 9).

GAME ON THE GAMING MACHINE (SLOTS)

In FIG. 12 shows an example of an image 500 that can be displayed on a display screen 70 during execution of a gaming routine 364 on a gaming machine (slots) shown in FIG. 6. According to FIG. 12, an image 500 may comprise video images 502 of a plurality of reels of a gaming machine, each of the above reels having a plurality of corresponding reel symbols 504. Although image 500 shows images 502 of five reels, each of which may contain three reel symbols 504, which are visible at the same time, other reel configurations may be used.

In order for the player to be able to control the course of the game when playing on the gaming machine (slots), a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. These buttons may contain a button 506 "Cash withdrawal", a button 508 "View payouts", a lot of buttons 510 to select pay lines, each of which gives the player the opportunity to choose a different number of pay lines before the "rotation" of the reels, many buttons 512 to select the bet amount , each of which gives the player the opportunity to indicate the bet amount for each selected pay line, the “Spin” button 514 and the “Maximum bid” button 516, which allows the player to make the maximum allowable bet.

In FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the gaming routine 364 of the gaming machine (slots) shown in FIG. 12. According to FIG. 14, at step 520, the subroutine can determine whether the player has requested information about the payout amount, for example, by activating the Payout View button 508, in which case, at step 522, the subroutine can initiate the display of one or more payout tables on the display screen 70. At step 524, the subroutine can determine whether the player pressed one of the payline selection buttons 510, in which case, at step 526, an operation of storing data corresponding to the number of paylines selected by the player in the storage device of the controller 100. At step 528, the subroutine can determine whether the player pressed one of the bet selection buttons 512, and in this case, at step 530, an operation of storing data corresponding to the amount of the bet made on each pay line in the controller memory can be performed 100. At step 532, the subroutine can determine whether the player has pressed the “Maximum Bet” button 516, and in this case, at step 534, the operation of memorizing bets made (which may contain as data about pay lines, and data on bets made on each payline) corresponding to the maximum allowable rate in the memory of the controller 100.

If the player has activated the “Spin” button 514, which is determined at step 536, then at step 538, the subroutine can initiate the “rotation” of the images 502 of the gaming machines in such a way that, in appearance, it imitates the rotation of many mechanical reels of the gaming machine. At step 540, the subroutine can determine those positions at which the images of the reels of the gaming machine will stop, or the specific images 504 of the characters that will be displayed after the rotation of the images 502 of the reels has stopped. At step 541, the routine can stop the rotation of the reel images 502 by displaying the still images of the reels 502 and images of three symbols 504 for each stopped reel image 502. Virtual drums can be stopped alternately from left to right when observed by the player, either in any other way or in any other sequence.

Under certain conditions, for example, when the images 502 of the reels are stopped on a specific symbol 504, the possibility of a bonus game or a bonus stage of the game may be provided in the subroutine. If at step 542 it is determined that the condition for providing such a bonus game is fulfilled, then in the subroutine, the transition to step 543 may be completed, at which the bonus stage of the game can be played. The prize stage of the game may be a different game than the game on the gaming machine (slots), and many other types of prize games may be provided. If a player wins the bonus stage of the game or receives additional credits or points in the bonus stage of the game, then at step 544, the amount of the bonus reward can be determined. The payout amount corresponding to the outcome of the game on the gaming machine (slots) and / or the prize stage of the game can be determined at step 546. At step 548, the accumulated cash amount or the number of player credits can be updated by subtracting the amount of the bet made by the player, and adding the payout amount determined at step 546, in the event that the player has won the game on the gaming machine (slots) and / or the bonus stage of the game.

Although the description of the aforementioned subroutine has been given as subroutines of a virtual gaming machine in which the reels of the gaming machine are displayed as images on the display 70, instead, real reels of the gaming machine that can be rotated can be used.

VIDEO KENO

In FIG. 13 shows an example of an image 584 that can be displayed on a display screen 70 during execution of the video keno routine 366 shown in FIG. 6. According to FIG. 13, an image 584 may comprise a video image 585 of a plurality of numbers that were selected by a player prior to starting a keno game, and a video image 586 of a plurality of numbers randomly selected during a game of keno. Randomly selected numbers can be displayed in tabular form.

In order for the player to be able to control the course of the game while playing keno, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. These buttons may contain a button 587 "Cash withdrawal", a button 588 "View payouts", a button 589 "Bet one credit", a button 590 "Bet on the maximum number of credits", a button 592 "Select a ticket", a button 594 "Choose a number" and button 596 "Game". Image 584 may also contain an area 598, which displays the amount of remaining loans or cash. In the event that the display 70 is provided with a touch screen, the buttons may form part of the video image 584 displayed on the screen. Alternatively, one or more of these buttons may be made as part of a control panel located separately from the display 70.

In FIG. 15 is a flowchart of the video keno routine 366 shown in FIG. 6. The keno routine 366 can be used for a single gaming device 20 on which one player plays the keno game, or the keno routine 366 can be used for a variety of gaming devices 20 on which a lot of keno games are played players. In the latter case, one or more of the actions described below can be performed either by the controller 100 in each gaming device, or by one of the network computers 22, 32, with which many gaming devices 20 are in operational communication.

According to FIG. 15, in step 550, the subroutine can determine whether the player has issued a request for payment information, for example, by activating the Payout View button 598, in which case, in step 552, the subroutine can initiate the display of one or more payout tables on the screen the display 70. At step 554, the subroutine can determine whether the player has made a bet, for example, by pressing the button 589 "Bet one credit" or the button 590 "Bet on the maximum number of credits", in which case, at step 556, the storing operation can be performed data on the bets made, which correspond to the bet made by the player, in the memory of the controller 100. After the player has made a bet at step 558, the player can select a ticket for playing keno, and at step 560 this ticket can be displayed in the displayed on screen image 584. At step 562, the player can select one or more game numbers that can take values within the interval set by the casino. After the player selects the game numbers, they can be stored in the memory of the controller 100 at step 564 and can be included in the image 585 displayed on the display screen as an image 584 at step 566. After a certain amount of time, access to participation in the keno game for additional players it can be closed (in the case when several players play the same keno game using multiple game devices 20).

If you want to start drawing a game of keno, which is determined at step 568, then at step 570, the controller 100 or a central computer that maintains operational communication with the controller, for example, one of the network computers 22, 32, can randomly select a game number that takes a value in the interval established by the casino. At step 572, a randomly selected game number may be displayed on the display 70 and on the displays 70 of other gaming devices 20 (if any) participating in the same keno game. At step 574, the controller 100 (or the aforementioned central computer) may increment a count by which the number of game numbers selected at step 570 is tracked.

At step 576, the controller 100 (or one of the network computers 22, 32) can determine whether the maximum number of random game numbers within the aforementioned interval has been selected or not. If not, then at step 570, a different game number may be randomly selected. If the maximum number of game numbers has already been selected, then at step 578, the controller 100 (or central computer) can determine if there are enough matches between the game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers selected at step 570 so that the player wins . The number of matches may depend on how many numbers the player has chosen and on the specific keno rules used.

If there are a sufficient number of matches, at step 580, the payout amount paid to the player for the game won can be determined. The payout amount may depend on the number of matches between the game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers randomly selected at step 570. At step 582, the accumulated cash amount or the number of player credits can be updated by subtracting the amount of the bet made by the player and adding the amount the payout determined at block 580 in the event that a keno game has been won. The accumulated amount of funds or the number of credits can also be displayed on the display screen in area 598 (Fig. 13).

VIDEOBINGO

In FIG. 16 shows an example of an image 600 that can be displayed on a display screen 70 during execution of the video bingo routine 368 shown in FIG. 6. According to FIG. 16, an image 600 may comprise one or more video images 602 of a bingo card and images of bingo game numbers selected during the game. Images of 602 bingo cards may have a grid structure.

In order for the player to be able to control the progress of the game when playing bingo, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. These buttons may contain a button 604 "Cash withdrawal", a button 606 "View payouts", a button 608 "Bet one credit", a button 610 "Bet on the maximum number of credits", a button 612 "Choose a card" and a button 614 "Game". Image 600 may also contain an area 616 that displays the amount of remaining loans or cash. In the event that the display 70 is provided with a touch screen, the buttons may form part of the video image 600 displayed on the screen. Alternatively, one or more of these buttons may be made as part of a control panel located separately from the display 70.

In FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a video bingo game routine 368 shown in FIG. 6. The bingo game routine 368 can be used for a single gaming device 20 on which one player plays a bingo game, or the bingo game routine 250 can be used on a plurality of gaming devices 20 on which a plurality of bingo games are played players. In the latter case, one or more of the actions described below can be performed either by the controller 100 in each gaming device 20, or by one of the network computers 22, 32 with which many gaming devices 20 are in operational communication.

According to FIG. 17, at step 620, the subroutine may determine whether the player has requested payment information, for example, by activating the Payout View button 606, in which case, at step 622, the subroutine may initiate the display of one or more payout tables on the screen the display 70. At step 624, the subroutine can determine whether the player has made a bet, for example, by pressing the button 608 "Bet one credit" or the button 610 "Bet on the maximum number of credits", in which case, at step 626, the storing operation can be performed naniya data bet on that match made by the player bet to the controller 100 memory.

After the player has made a bet, at step 628, the player can select a card for playing bingo, the generation of which can be carried out according to a random law. A player may select more than one bingo card, and there may be a maximum number of bingo cards that a player may select. After the game is started, which is determined at step 632, at step 634, a random number for playing bingo can be generated by the controller 100 or a central computer, for example, one of the network computers 22, 32. At step 636, the number for playing bingo can be displayed on the display 70 and on the displays 70 of any other gaming devices 20 participating in the bingo game.

At step 638, the controller 100 (or the central computer) may determine if any player has won the bingo game. If no player has won, then at step 634 another random number for bingo may be selected. If any player has a bingo, which is determined at step 638, then the subroutine at step 640 may determine whether the player playing for this gaming device 20 is the winner. If so, then at step 642, the payout amount for this player can be determined. The payout amount may depend on the number of random numbers that were “drawn out” before the winner was determined, on the total number of winners (if their number is more than one player) and on the amount of money on which bets were made in the game. At 644, updating the accumulated cash amount or the number of player credits can be performed by subtracting the amount of the bet made by the player and adding the payout amount determined at step 642 if the bingo game has been won. The accumulated amount of funds or the number of credits can also be displayed on the display screen in the area 616 (Fig. 16).

The described gaming system 10 may determine the location of a particular gaming device 20 using one or more location devices 48 located in a casino and one or more location devices 46 located on the gaming device, and the operator of the gaming system 10 does not need to manually enter such information location, thereby reducing the potential for inaccurate location, information about which is entered by the system operator. In addition, since the determination of the location of the gaming device 20 is automatic, this information can be quickly obtained by the gaming system 10, thereby making it possible to quickly accumulate data related to the specific location of the gaming device 20, and to facilitate maintenance of the faulty gaming device 20, since the location of the gaming device 20 automatically becomes known to the gaming system 10.

Claims (24)

1. A gaming system that allows you to determine the location of a gaming device in a casino having multiple locations of gaming devices, comprising: a gaming device located in one of these places in a casino, containing display for generating video images, cash input device a transmitter for transmitting a positioning signal of a gaming device; and a gaming device controller operatively associated with the display and with the cash input device, wherein the gaming device controller comprises a processor and a storage device operatively associated with the processor, wherein the controller of the gaming device is programmed to enable the player to place a bet, the controller of the gaming device is programmed to initiate the generation of a sequence of video images displayed on the display screen after the money input device detects the fact that the player has deposited money, the sequence of video images showing the game, and the controller of the gaming device is programmed to determine the amount of payout per game; a plurality of receivers communicating with the transmitter, wherein the location of each of the receivers is different, and each receiver receives a positioning signal of the gaming device and generates a corresponding received signal; and a central controller operatively connected to the receivers, the central controller comprising a processor and a storage device operatively associated with the processor of the central controller, wherein the central controller is programmed to receive the first received signal from one of the receivers, a central controller is programmed to receive a second received signal from another of the receivers and a central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the first received signal, the second received signal, and receiver location information. 2. The gaming system according to claim 1, in which the transmitter comprises a modulator that modulates the location signal of the gaming device to identify the gaming device. 3. The gaming system according to claim 2, in which the modulator for identifying the gaming device uses at least one of the following modulation methods: amplitude modulation, frequency modulation and phase modulation. 4. The gaming system according to claim 1, in which a central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the first received signal and the second received signal by determining the first distance between the transmitter and one of the receivers using the first received signal and determining the second distance between the transmitter and the other receiver using the second received signal, and a central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the first distance and the second distance. 5. The gaming system according to claim 4, in which the central controller is operatively connected to the transmitter, the central controller is programmed to initiate the transmission of the positioning signal of the gaming device from the transmitter, the central controller is programmed to determine the first distance by determining the first arrival time of the transmitted positioning signal of the gaming device to one of the receivers using the first received signal and the central controller is programmed to determine the second distance by determining the second time of arrival of the transmitted positioning signal of the gaming device to another receiver using the second received signal. 6. The gaming system according to claim 1, in which each of the receivers contains a node for determining the bearing, which is used to determine the bearing of the transmitted signal to determine the location of the gaming device, while the central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device by determining the first bearing of the transmitter relative to one receiver using the first received signal and determining the second bearing of the transmitter relative to the other receiver using the second received signal and a central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the first bearing and the second bearing. 7. The gaming system according to claim 6, in which the node determining the bearing contains a directional antenna. 8. The gaming system according to claim 6, in which the transmitted signal determining the location of the gaming device contains information about the identifier of the transmitter. 9. The gaming system of claim 8, in which the transmitter transmits a signal to determine the location of the gaming device for a predetermined period of time when you turn on the power of the gaming device. 10. The gaming system according to claim 6, in which the transmitter is additionally connected to the Central controller, and the Central controller is additionally programmed to initiate the transmission of the signal to determine the location of the gaming device through the transmitter. 11. The gaming system according to claim 1, in which the central controller is further programmed to receive a third reception signal from a third of the plurality of receivers, the central controller being programmed to determine the location of the gaming device with the additional use of a third reception signal when determining the location. 12. The gaming system according to claim 1, in which the central controller is additionally programmed to update the plan of the casino by including in it information about the location of the gaming device. 13. The gaming system according to claim 1, in which the Central controller is additionally programmed to use information about the location of the gaming device to create statistics about the use of the gaming device depending on its location. 14. The gaming system according to claim 1, wherein the central controller is further programmed to use location information of the malfunctioning gaming device to provide maintenance for the malfunctioning gaming device. 15. A gaming system that allows you to determine the location of a gaming device in a casino having multiple locations of gaming devices, containing a plurality of transmitters, wherein the location of each of the transmitters is different, and each transmitter transmits a positioning signal of a gaming device; a gaming device located in one of the mentioned places in the casino, which contains display for generating video images, cash input device a receiver for receiving a positioning signal of the gaming device from each of the transmitters and generating a corresponding received signal, and a gaming device controller operatively associated with the display and with the cash input device, wherein the gaming device controller comprises a processor and a storage device operatively associated with the processor, wherein the controller of the gaming device is programmed to enable the player to place a bet, the controller of the gaming device is programmed to initiate the generation of a sequence of video images displayed on the display screen after the money input device detects the fact that the player has deposited money, the sequence of video images showing the game, and the controller of the gaming device is programmed to determine the amount of payout per game; and a central controller operatively connected to the receiver, the central controller comprising a processor and a storage device operatively associated with the processor of the central controller, wherein the central controller is programmed to receive from the receiver the first received signal indicating the fact of the reception of the location signal of the gaming device transmitted by one of the transmitters, the central controller is programmed to receive from the receiver a second received signal indicating the fact of the reception of the location signal of the gaming device transmitted to the other of the transmitters, and a central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the first received signal, the second received signal, and transmitter location information. 16. The gaming system according to clause 15, in which the signal determining the location of the gaming device coming from each transmitter, contains the identifier of the transmitter, and which further comprises a bearing detection unit coupled to a receiver and recognizing a bearing of a received signal, moreover, the receiver generates a corresponding received signal by receiving the signals for determining the location of the gaming device from the transmitters, determining the identifier of the transmitter that transmitted the signal for determining the location of the gaming device using the transmitter identifier, determining the bearing of the identified transmitter using the bearing detection unit and including the information of the transmitter and bearing identifier in the corresponding received signal wherein the central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using transmitter identifier and bearing information from the first received signal and from the second received signal, as well as transmitter location information. 17. The gaming system according to clause 16, in which the central controller is programmed to convert the bearings of the transmitters relative to the receiver in the bearing of the receiver relative to the transmitters, the central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the bearing of the receiver relative to the transmitters, information of the transmitter identifier obtained from the first received signal and the second received signal, as well as information about the location of the transmitters. 18. The gaming system according to clause 15, in which the central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the first received signal and the second received signal by determining the first distance between one of the transmitters and the receiver using the first received signal and determining the second distance between the other transmitter and receiver using the second received signal and a central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the first distance and the second distance. 19. The gaming system of claim 18, wherein the plurality of transmitters are operatively coupled to a central controller, wherein the central controller is programmed to initiate the transmission of the positioning signal of the gaming device from one of the transmitters and the central controller is programmed to initiate the transmission of the positioning signal of the gaming device from another of the transmitters, wherein the central controller is programmed to determine the first distance using the first arrival time of the positioning signal of the gaming device transmitted from said one of the transmitters to the receiver using the first received signal, and a central controller is programmed to determine a second distance using a second arrival time of a positioning signal of a gaming device transmitted from said other of the transmitters to a receiver using a second reception signal. 20. A gaming system that allows you to determine the location of a gaming device in a casino having multiple locations of gaming devices, containing a gaming device located in one of these places in a casino and containing display for generating video images, cash input device a location device located in the gaming device, and a gaming device controller operatively associated with the display and with the cash input device, wherein the gaming device controller comprises a processor and a storage device operatively associated with the processor, wherein the controller of the gaming device is programmed to enable the player to place a bet, the controller of the gaming device is programmed to initiate the generation of a sequence of video images displayed on the display screen after the money input device detects the fact that the player has deposited money, the sequence of video images showing the game, and the controller of the gaming device is programmed to determine the amount of payout per game; and a location device located in a casino communicating with a location device located in a gaming device and located elsewhere in the casino; and a central controller operatively associated with at least one of the following devices: with a location device located in a casino and with a location device located in a gaming device, the central controller comprising a processor and a memory device operatively associated with the processor a central controller, the central controller being programmed to receive from one of the following devices: a positioning device located in a casino, and the location device located in the gaming device, the first received signal used to determine the bearing of one of the devices: the location device located in the casino, and the location device located in the gaming device, relative to the other of the devices, which are the location device, located in a casino and a location device located in a gaming device, the central controller is programmed to receive from one of the following devices: a positioning device located in a casino and a positioning device located in a gaming device, a second received signal used to determine the distance between the positioning device located in the casino and the positioning device located in the gaming device, and a central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the bearing of one of the following devices: a location device located in a casino and a location device located in a gaming device relative to another of the devices, which is a location device located in a casino, and a positioning device located in the gaming device and a distance between the positioning device, located in a casino, and a location device located in a gaming device. 21. The gaming system according to claim 20, in which the positioning device located in the casino is a transmitter transmitting the positioning signal of the gaming device, and the location device located in the gaming device is a receiver located in a location other than the transmitter and containing the bearing detection unit and receiving the signal determine the location of the gaming device, a central controller is programmed to determine the bearing of the transmitter relative to the receiver using the first received signal and the bearing detection unit, a central controller is programmed to determine the distance between the receiver and the transmitter using the location information of the receiver and the second received signal, and the central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the bearing of the transmitter relative to the receiver and the distance between the receiver and the transmitter. 22. The gaming system according to item 21, in which the central controller is programmed to convert the bearing of the transmitter relative to the receiver into the bearing of the receiver relative to the transmitter and a central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the bearing of the receiver relative to the transmitter and the distance between the receiver and the transmitter. 23. The gaming system according to claim 20, in which the positioning device located in the gaming device is a transmitter transmitting the positioning signal of the gaming device, and the location device located in the casino is a receiver located at a location other than the transmitter and containing the bearing detection unit and receiving the detection signal gaming device locations a central controller is programmed to determine the bearing of the transmitter relative to the receiver using the first received signal and the bearing detection unit, a central controller is programmed to determine the distance between the receiver and the transmitter using the location information of the receiver and the second received signal, and the central controller is programmed to determine the location of the gaming device using the bearing of the transmitter relative to the receiver and the distance between the receiver and the transmitter. 24. The gaming system according to claim 20, in which the first received signal and the second received signal are the same.

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