N-tier architecture for a casino management system and method

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and method for gaming system configuration and control in a gaming environment. Certain embodiments include receiving a request for an application to execute at a gaming system, and routing the request to an appropriate application server to provide the application at the gaming system. The request may be routed based on a status of a plurality of application servers, for example. The method may also include verifying that the gaming system is authorized to execute the application. In an embodiment, the method includes distributing a request for data among a plurality of database servers. The method may further include updating an application at the gaming system prior to execution of the application. In an embodiment, the application is automatically updated prior to execution. The method may also include detecting alteration of an application prior to execution of the application.

1 . An improved gaming network for providing applications to one or more gaming systems, said gaming network comprising: 
 a plurality of application servers servicing application requests from at least one gaming system, wherein each of said plurality of application servers includes a multi-tiered architecture having a plurality of software layers; and    a load balancer automatically distributing application requests from said at least one gaming system among said plurality of application servers.    
   
   
       2 . The gaming network of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of application servers host a plurality of applications or web services for said at least one gaming system.  
   
   
       3 . The gaming network of  claim 1 , wherein said multi-tiered architecture includes at least one of an application programming interface, at least one application, an operating system, and a data access interface layer.  
   
   
       4 . The gaming network of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of application servers transmit information to said at least one gaming system subscribed to said plurality of application servers.  
   
   
       5 . The gaming network of  claim 1 , wherein application servers within said plurality of application servers include different applications.  
   
   
       6 . The gaming network of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of application servers respond to said request if said at least one gaming system bears a valid license token.  
   
   
       7 . The gaming network of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of application servers provide local live update of one or more applications on one or more of said plurality of application servers.  
   
   
       8 . The gaming network of  claim 1 , wherein said load balancer distributes said requests based on a status of said plurality of application servers.  
   
   
       9 . The gaming network of  claim 1 , further comprising a database server storing data for retrieval by said plurality of application servers.  
   
   
       10 . The gaming network of  claim 9 , wherein said load balancer balances requests among a plurality of database servers.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein request comprises a request for a downloadable game.  
   
   
       12 . An updatable gaming network, said gaming network comprising: 
 an application server servicing requests from at least one gaming system, said application server including a local live update application for automatically updating and validating an application on said application server, wherein said application server includes a multi-tiered architecture having a plurality of software layers.    
   
   
       13 . The gaming network of  claim 12 , wherein said local live update application automatically updates one or more applications on said application server.  
   
   
       14 . The gaming network of  claim 12 , wherein said local live update application updates an application on said application server at execution of said application.  
   
   
       15 . The gaming network of  claim 12 , further comprising a stub/loader running at a gaming system, said stub/loader querying said local live update application to update an application to be executed at said gaming system.  
   
   
       16 . The gaming network of  claim 15 , wherein said stub/loader detects alteration of an application prior to an execution of said application.  
   
   
       17 . The gaming network of  claim 16 , wherein said stub/loader detects alteration of said application in conjunction with said local live update application.  
   
   
       18 . The gaming network of  claim 15 , wherein said stub/loader verifies said application and stores an indication of verification of said application.  
   
   
       19 . The gaming network of  claim 15 , wherein said stub/loader verifies a license for use of said application at said gaming system.  
   
   
       20 . The gaming network of  claim 12 , further comprising a load balancer automatically distributing requests from said at least one gaming system among a plurality of application servers.  
   
   
       21 . The gaming network of  claim 20 , wherein said load balancer balances requests among a plurality of database servers.  
   
   
       22 . The gaming network of  claim 12 , further comprising a database server storing data for retrieval by said application server.  
   
   
       23 . The gaming network of  claim 12 , wherein said application comprises a downloadable game.  
   
   
       24 . A method for gaming system control in a gaming environment, said method comprising: 
 receiving a request for an application to execute at a gaming system; and    automatically routing said request to an appropriate multi-tiered application server to provide said application at said gaming system.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising verifying that said gaming system is authorized to execute said application.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein said request is routed based on a status of a plurality of application servers.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising distributing a request for data among a plurality of database servers.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising updating an application at said gaming system prior to execution of said application.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said updating step further comprises automatically updating said application.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising detecting alteration of an application prior to execution of said application.