Controlling modes in wagering game systems

Abstract

A mode control device in a wagering game network is described herein. The mode control device can be used to control operational modes on a machine within the wagering game network. The mode control device can interface with the machine and gather criteria affecting which of the operational modes can be activated on the machine. Additionally, the mode control device can select, based on the criteria, allowable modes from the operational modes. Furthermore, the mode control device can notify the machine about the allowable modes. In addition, mode control device can select, activate, limit, enhance, or in any other way control the modes on the machine. In some embodiments, the mode control device can also control the modes on other devices associated with the machine in the wagering game network.

1 . A method comprising:
 interfacing with a mobile wagering game machine, the mobile wagering game machine being capable of a plurality of operational modes;   gathering criteria affecting which of the operational modes can be activated on the mobile wagering game machine;   selecting, based on the criteria, allowable modes from the operational modes; and   notifying the mobile wagering game machine about the allowable modes.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 generating mode control information pertaining to the allowable modes; and   conveying, to the mobile wagering game machine, the mode control information for use in selecting and activating the allowable modes.   
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 determining that one or more of the allowable modes are required modes; and   activating the one or more required modes on the machine.   
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the operational modes enable the mobile wagering game machine to perform one or more operations selected from the group consisting of operations for performing maintenance on the mobile wagering game machine, operations for presenting wagering games on the mobile machine, operations for diagnosing faults on the mobile wagering game machine. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the mode control information contains mode control commands that instruct the mobile wagering game device to activate one of the allowable modes. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying, for player selection, one or more of the allowable modes.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 periodically checking for changes in criteria; and   reanalyzing the criteria to determine whether changes in the criteria change the allowable modes.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 querying devices on a wagering game network for criteria.   
   
   
       9 . A wagering game network comprising:
 a machine on the wagering game network, the machine configured to operate in a plurality of operational modes; and   a mode control device configured to interface with the machine, the mode control device comprising,
 a criteria collector configured to collect criteria associated with the operational modes of the machine; and 
 a criteria analyzer configured to analyze the criteria and to determine which of the operational modes are allowable for activation on the machine. 
   
   
   
       10 . The wagering game network of  claim 9 , wherein the machine is selected from the group consisting of a wagering game server, a wagering game docking station, a wagering game machine. 
   
   
       11 . The wagering game network of  claim 9 , wherein the mode control device includes an external system interface configured to convey to the machine information indicating that certain of the operational modes are available for activation by the machine. 
   
   
       12 . The wagering game network of  claim 9  wherein the machine is a mobile wagering game machine. 
   
   
       13 . The wagering game network of  claim 9 , wherein the criteria includes information selected from the group consisting of information about capabilities of the machine, information about the machine's environment, information about the machine's location, information about the machine's direction of motion, information about time of day, information about operator, information about the machine operator's user account and privileges, 
   
   
       14 . The wagering game network of  claim 9 , wherein the criteria includes information selected from the group consisting of information about the machine operator's financial account balance, the machine operator's playing statistics, the machine operator's age, information about the machine operator's most recent use of the machine, information about devices connected to the machine, information about casino rules, and information about network statistics and conditions. 
   
   
       15 . The wagering game network of  claim 9 , wherein the machine includes a mode control module configured to process the mode control commands and activate the operational modes. 
   
   
       16 . The wagering game network of  claim 9 , wherein the mode control device includes one or more selected from the group consisting of a mode rules store and a credential store. 
   
   
       17 . The wagering game network of  claim 9 , wherein the mode control device resides in more than one network device on the wagering game network, and wherein the more than one network devices are configured to negotiate with each other about the operational modes to allow and activate. 
   
   
       18 . An apparatus comprising:
 a criteria analyzer configured to analyze criteria that affects allowable operational modes on wagering game machine;   a mode controller configured to create mode control information including commands that instruct the wagering game machine to activate one or more of the allowable modes; and   an external systems interface configured to facilitate a connection through which to transmit the mode control information to the wagering game machine.   
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a criteria collector configured to collect the criteria; and   a mode rules store configured to store mode rules.   
   
   
       20 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the criteria includes information selected from the group consisting of information about the wagering game machine's capabilities, information about the wagering game machine's environment, information about the location of the machine, information about the direction of motion of the wagering game machine, and information about the time of day, and information about the machine's operator. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the criteria includes information selected from the group consisting of information about the machine operator's user-profile, of information about the machine operator's user account and privileges, of information about the machine operator's financial account balance, of information about the machine operator's playing statistics, of information about the machine operator's age, of information about the machine operator's most recent use of the wagering game machine, and information about devices connected to the wagering game machine. 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 an authentication store to store user credential information.   
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 a mode control module configured to recognize the list of allowable modes and to determine that the mode control commands require automatic activation of one of the allowable modes.   
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the wagering game machine is of a model selected from the group consisting of a floor standing model, a handheld mobile model, a bar-top model, a workstation-type console model, and a surface computing model.