Gaming machine external device application

Abstract

Techniques for management of a gaming machine with a wireless device associated with a user. A gaming machine includes a communication interface and one or more processors. The communication interface is configured to communicate with a wireless device and a network server. The one or more processors are configured to receive a request from the wireless device for access to management options of the gaming machine, facilitate verifying by the network server whether a user associated with the wireless device has access to the management options, and upon obtaining verification from the network server that the user has access to the management options, allow the user to utilize the management options to manage the gaming machine with the wireless device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a communication interface configured to communicate with a wireless device and a network server; and   one or more processors configured to:
 receive a request from the wireless device for access to management options of the gaming machine, 
 facilitate verifying by the network server whether a user associated with the wireless device has access to the management options, and 
 upon obtaining verification from the network server that the user has access to the management options, allow the user to utilize the management options to manage the gaming machine with the wireless device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the management options allow the user to invalidate a previously printed ticket by the gaming machine and to print a replacement ticket by the gaming machine. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , further comprising a service light configured to light up upon detection of an error in the gaming machine, wherein the management options provide the user with sufficient information for determining the cause of the error, and wherein the management options allow the user to turn off the service light. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the management options allow the user to reboot the gaming machine. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the management options allow the user to put the gaming machine in an out of service mode. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the management options allow the user to reset one or more control devices responsible for one or more user interface devices that need to be loaded with code to function properly. 
     
     
         7 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the management options allow the user to perform performance tests on gaming machine hardware or software. 
     
     
         8 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the management options allow the user to perform video display adjustments. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the management options allow the user to monitor the status of the gaming machine and its components. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein access to the management options of the gaming machine requires a sufficient security clearance level. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the communication interface utilizes one or more of the following communication protocols to communicate with the wireless device: Wi-Fi, 3G/4G cell phone wireless networks, and Radio Frequency. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming machine of  claim 1 , wherein the wireless device is a cell phone, a tablet computer, a PDA, or a personal computer. 
     
     
         13 . A method for management of a gaming machine with a wireless device associated with a user, comprising:
 receiving, at a network server or the gaming machine, a request from the wireless device for access to management options of the gaming machine;   determining, at the network server or the gaming machine, whether the user has access to the management options; and   responsive to determining that the user has access to the management options, allowing the user to utilize the management options to manage the gaming machine with the wireless device.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the management options allow the user to invalidate a previously printed ticket by the gaming machine and to print a replacement ticket by the gaming machine. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the management options provide the user with sufficient information for determining the cause of an error causing a service light on the gaming machine to light up, and wherein the management options allow the user to turn off the service light. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the management options allow the user to reboot the gaming machine. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the management options allow the user to put the gaming machine in an out of service mode. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the management options allow the user to reset one or more control devices responsible for one or more user interface devices that need to be loaded with code to function properly. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the management options allow the user to perform performance tests on gaming machine hardware or software. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the management options allow the user to perform video display adjustments. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the management options allow the user to monitor the status of the gaming machine and its components. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein access to the management options of the gaming machine requires a sufficient security clearance level. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein communication between the network server or gaming machine with the wireless device utilizes one or more of the following communication protocols: Wi-Fi, 3G/4G cell phone wireless networks, and Radio Frequency. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the wireless device is a cell phone, a tablet computer, a PDA, or a personal computer.