Download and configuration system and method for gaming machines

Abstract

The system and method allows a casino operator to re-configure one or more electronic gaming machines as part of a multicast. Where any reconfiguration requires a software package A and any dependent package B, a server is configured to combine as part of the multicast both packages A and B. The system and method also provides for scheduling reconfiguration though multi-casting. In the event any data packages are lost, corrupted or not received, those packages are repackaged and the data packets are re-sent as a multicast.

1 . A system for providing software data packages to one or more gaming machines in a communication network, each gaming machine having a feature configurable by said data packages, said system comprising:
 a data structure configured to store one or more software data packages A, each data package A adapted to configure of a feature of one or more of said gaming machines and one or more dependent software data packages B, the configuration of said gaming machine by at least one data package A dependent upon said gaming terminal also having one or more dependent data packages B; and   a server in communication with said one or more gaming machines, said server configured to (i) determine for each package A the required dependant data package(s) B, (ii) determine if said one or more gaming machines includes said required dependent data packages(s) B, (iii) package the delivery of said data package A and any required dependent data packages B, (iv) transfer said data packages as a plurality of packets to said one or more gaming machines as part of a multicast over said network for reconfiguration thereof, (v) receive and compile notifications from said gaming machines of missing or defective data packets and (v) based upon said compilation package said missing or defective packets and re-send them as a multicast.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  comprising said server configured to retrieve data concerning the settings of said one or more gaming machines and, where said settings do not support acceptance of one or more of said packets, to exclude said gaming machine from said multicast. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  comprising said data structure including data corresponding to one or more dependent hardware requirements to support configuration of said one or more gaming machines by data package A or any dependent data packages B, one or more of said server and said gaming machines configured to determine if said gaming machines include said dependent hardware and if not to disable transfer of said configuration data packages to said gaming machine. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A method for providing software data packages to one or more gaming machines in a communication network, each gaming machine having a feature configurable by said data packages, said system comprising:
 providing a data structure configured to store one or more software data packages A, each data package A adapted to configure of a feature of one or more of said gaming machines and one or more dependent software data packages B, the configuration of said gaming machine at least one data package A dependent upon said gaming terminal also having one or more dependent data packages B; and   determining for each package A the required dependant data package(s) B, determining if said one or more gaming machines includes said required dependent data packages(s) B, delivering over said network said data package A and any required dependent data packages B as a plurality of packets to said one or more gaming machines as part of a multicast over said network for reconfiguration thereof, receiving and compiling notifications from said gaming machines of missing or defective data packets and based upon said compilation packaging said missing or defective packets and re-sending them as a multicast.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  comprising retrieving data concerning the settings of said one or more gaming machines and, where said settings do not support acceptance of one or more of said packets, excluding said gaming machine from said multicast. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5  comprising storing at said data structure data corresponding to one or more dependent hardware requirements to support configuration of said one or more gaming machines by data package A and any dependent data packages B, determining at one or more of said server and said gaming machines if said gaming machines include said dependent hardware and if not disabling transfer of said configuration data packages to said gaming machine. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  comprising configuring a plurality of said gaming machines according to a first status, scheduling a transfer of said data packages at a future time and at said future time transferring said data packages to said one or more gaming machines as part of a said multicast over said network for reconfiguration thereof. 
     
     
         9 . A system for providing software data packages to one or more gaming machines in a communication network, each gaming machine having a feature configurable by said data packages, said system comprising:
 a data structure configured to store one or more software data packages each containing data packets, each data package adapted to configure of a feature of a gaming machine; and   one or more servers in communication with said one or more gaming machines over said network, said servers configured to (i) determine for a plurality of gaming machines packages required for a preselected configuration of said gaming machines (ii) package the delivery of said data packages, (iv) transfer said packages as a plurality of said packets to said one or more gaming machines as part of a multicast over said network for configuration thereof, (iii) receive and compile notifications from one or more of said gaming machines of missing or defective data packets and (iv) based upon said compilation package and re-send said missing or defective packets as a multicast.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9  comprising said one or more servers configured to store a plurality of selectable templates each defining a group of software data packages for delivery to a plurality of gaming machines. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9  comprising said one or more servers storing a log representing a history of package transfers to gaming machines.