Reconfigurable Gaming Machine Method

Abstract

Disclosed are reconfigurable gaming machines, networked gaming systems and methods for gaming machine reconfiguration.

1 . A method of operating a reconfigurable gaming machine, the method including the steps of:
 accepting definition of one or more preset configurations for the gaming machine; and   upon a triggering event, selecting one of the configurations according to the triggering event; and   activating the selected configuration.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the set of preset configurations is defined by way of operator controls operably connected to the gaming machine. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the set of preset configurations is downloaded to the gaming machine by way of a network. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event comprises time of day. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the triggering event comprises day of week. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one preset configuration further includes an attribute comprising at least one of a game theme, a game denomination, a game pay percentage, a maximum wager amount per game, a maximum wager per pay line, a number of pay lines, a pay table and a number of play lines. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one preset configuration further includes an attribute comprising at least one of: the types of feature games available, the number of feature games available, a number of free games awarded, a range of bonus multipliers awarded, a range of possible bonus awards, and a number of selections available to a player during a feature game. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one preset configuration further includes an attribute comprising at least one of enabling a progressive award, disabling a progressive award, defining a progressive reset value, and defining an incremenation rate for a progressive award. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein at least one preset configuration further includes an attribute comprising at least one of enabling use of a tournament pay table and disabling use of a tournament pay table. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of postponing activation of the selected configuration until the gaming machine is available for reconfiguration. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of allowing enablement of one or more of the present configurations by way of the operator controls. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of allowing the disablement one or more of the present configurations by way of the operator controls. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the operator controls comprise a touch screen. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising the step of accepting at least one of a valid user name and a valid password by way of the touch screen.